norb's recent activity
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Comment on Movie of the Week #33 - Ravenous in ~movies
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Comment on Former US President Donald Trump has been found guilty of thirty-four counts of falsifying business records to influence the outcome of the 2016 election in ~news
norb Link ParentIf by "influence elections" you mean "lets politicians know they can get away with more because they are not held accountable" I would 100% agree with you there.but a low-voter turnout can also send a message that voters are unhappy, and that too influences future elections.
If by "influence elections" you mean "lets politicians know they can get away with more because they are not held accountable" I would 100% agree with you there.
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Comment on Star Wars Outlaws - Everything you need to know about the first open world game in the galaxy far, far away in ~games
norb Link ParentYes. Not to spoil too much, but the premise is the crazy strong magic users are basically warlords and they have these armies/mercenary companies that they use to their own ends. The mercenaries...I'd assume the stories engage with the fact there are crazy strong wizards running around?
Yes. Not to spoil too much, but the premise is the crazy strong magic users are basically warlords and they have these armies/mercenary companies that they use to their own ends. The mercenaries do have some magic users, but they are more limited to "basic" stuff - light healing, maybe some distractions/illusions etc. The protagonists aren't what would traditionally be considered "the good guys" but examining that trope is also a part of it.
Anyways, they are good books if you are into that kind of military/dark fantasy mashup.
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Comment on Star Wars Outlaws - Everything you need to know about the first open world game in the galaxy far, far away in ~games
norb Link ParentI realize I'm going off topic here, but if you want to read some interesting stuff that deals directly with these ideas, The Black Company books by Glen Cook are all about regular people that just...because there's only so much interest in being a regular dude in a world with wizards and where the people in power are all wizards (or being influenced/backed by wizards)
I realize I'm going off topic here, but if you want to read some interesting stuff that deals directly with these ideas, The Black Company books by Glen Cook are all about regular people that just live in a world with crazy strong wizards running around.
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Comment on ICQ is shutting down after almost 28 years in ~tech
norb Link ParentTrilian (which is what I think you meant) still exists! https://www.trillian.im/Trilian (which is what I think you meant) still exists!
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Comment on Star Wars Outlaws - Everything you need to know about the first open world game in the galaxy far, far away in ~games
norb Link ParentI think what was revolutionary about the movies at first was 1) the amount of places that Lucas borrowed from to generate his story and 2) the special effects, which at the time were...As far as sci fi it doesn't seem either especially unique as far as concepts, or applicable to any sort of real world issues.
I think what was revolutionary about the movies at first was 1) the amount of places that Lucas
stoleborrowed from to generate his story and 2) the special effects, which at the time were groundbreaking. The "universe" is vast and allows for all kinds of things to feel "at home" but generally those interesting ideas were left to novels and extended universe things that Disney won't really take on.There are many, many more sci-fi settings and stories that will get more to the social commentary or useful critique you are getting at that Star Wars can't or won't get in to. Mostly Star Wars was and continues to be more about being an "event" than providing a lot of depth. For better or worse, Disney has doubled and tripled down on that idea (probably because, as you've implied, a corporation cannot take those risks with something that is a measurable percentage of their bottom line).
I am still a sucker for these stories and even the bad ones have entertained me, if even from their bad-ness (looking at you, Book of Boba Fett). But there are still gems in there... Andor and some parts of the Mandolorian for sure. But I'll still give any new Star Wars a shot and enjoy it for what it is, mostly mindless entertainment.
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Comment on Looking for some recommendations in ~comics
norb Link ParentNot sure where you live, but my local library has tons of graphic novels and manga that you can check out. Saves the space (and wallet)! Glad you took the time to check out my rec's. Sorry if I...So in theory I'm interested, but, its page count a bit daunting not to mention the space I need to have available in my bookshelf.
Not sure where you live, but my local library has tons of graphic novels and manga that you can check out. Saves the space (and wallet)!
Glad you took the time to check out my rec's. Sorry if I missed what you were looking for in your post but I'm not familiar with a lot of the books you shared.
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Comment on Looking for some recommendations in ~comics
norb LinkDon't have a lot of time to elaborate, but just gonna toss out a few recommendations: Akira - Katsuhiro Otomo The Crow - James O'Barr Watchmen - Alan Moore Ronin - Frank MillerDon't have a lot of time to elaborate, but just gonna toss out a few recommendations:
- Akira - Katsuhiro Otomo
- The Crow - James O'Barr
- Watchmen - Alan Moore
- Ronin - Frank Miller
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Comment on Billie Eilish - Hit Me Hard and Soft (Full album, 2024) in ~music
norb LinkI gave this album a listen, and while there's not really anything "wrong" with it, I just found it kind of boring. I really liked how WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? had more...I gave this album a listen, and while there's not really anything "wrong" with it, I just found it kind of boring.
I really liked how WHEN WE ALL FALL ASLEEP, WHERE DO WE GO? had more "experimental" or "electronic" music to it, vs. this one which is more straightforward when it comes to the music and arrangements.
I have the same problem with Lorde. Loved her early work because the music was interesting. Most of her later stuff is more "basic" pop or singer/songwriter music. Which is totally fine! It's just not my thing usually.
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Comment on Donald Trump - Joe Biden US Presidential debates to take place on June 27th and September 10th in ~misc
norb Link ParentThe entire party removed their platform years ago. It's not like anyone in the GOP has any answers other than "the opposite of whatever democrats want." That's not to say that they don't have...Also, he doesn't have answers and he knows it.
The entire party removed their platform years ago. It's not like anyone in the GOP has any answers other than "the opposite of whatever democrats want."
That's not to say that they don't have positions on things. It's just that most of their positions are not in line with your average American's needs, so they hid behind culture war bullshit and economic falsehoods that sound good but are actually actively harmful to most voters.
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Comment on Fifth American tourist arrested at Turks and Caicos airport after ammo allegedly found in luggage in ~travel
norb Link ParentI have zero problem with people exercising their constitutional rights to bear and own "arms." (We could get into a huge discussion on rather or not modern day "arms" are anything the framers...I have zero problem with people exercising their constitutional rights to bear and own "arms." (We could get into a huge discussion on rather or not modern day "arms" are anything the framers would've allowed but that is a whole other thing). I have shot guns before and it is pretty fun. I get the appeal of the devices. I think shooting sports are great and hunting is an important skill to know. I would never want to tell someone they can't defend their home or family or property to a reasonable degree (we don't allow people to set up booby-traps, for example).
That said...
I do have a problem with the fact that we, as a country, can't even get to the point that we want some common sense things like universal background checks and red flag laws. I'm at least glad some progress has been made against the "gun show loophole" (which is, again, something some gun owners claim is not a real thing) but as usual progress is slow there.
I have a problem with the fact that people can go out and buy military grade weapons (again, something the gun culture says isn't a real thing - but bump stocks and other items to turn semi-automatic into automatic weapons exist) and keep them at home. On top of that I don't find any argument convincing that an assault rifle is something your typical citizen needs - we're not going to rise up against the military and even if people do they will not be very successful in the short term. The military has drones. There are probably degrees to which people would agree or disagree on this point. I can also see the argument that single shot assault rifles are closer to the original idea of "arms" vs a handgun with a clip but as it stands aftermarket parts make this a moot point, IMO.
I have a problem with the fact that an electronic database of gun owners is currently illegal in this country. (Again, another point that the gun culture has led people to believe will mean that their guns will get taken away.) We already have large databases of the population. Your driver's license doesn't get taken away because you are in a database, UNLESS YOU DO SOMETHING ILLEGAL. The same should be for guns.
I have a huge problem with the fact that my 6 year old is concerned with gun violence because they have active shooter drills at their school. I have a huge problem with the fact that we have to get them a counselor so they can learn to deal with their fears about gun violence in a productive manner. I hate that they have to even think about this kind of thing, and there's not much we can do as parents other than to be supportive and get them the help we can. Children in almost any other country on earth do not deal with this at their age, unless they are living in a "war torn" nation.
I'm sure I'm preaching to the choir here and deep in the comments on this thread but I had to vent a bit I guess.
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Comment on Fifth American tourist arrested at Turks and Caicos airport after ammo allegedly found in luggage in ~travel
norb Link ParentI've found live rounds/bullets on the ground before, and not necessarily where you might expect them (outside a shooting range or gun store or particularly "dangerous" part of town, for example)....I've found live rounds/bullets on the ground before, and not necessarily where you might expect them (outside a shooting range or gun store or particularly "dangerous" part of town, for example). I live in a mid- to large-sized Midwestern city.
So yeah, your observation is correct. We have gun culture so ingrained in us that it is not that unexpected.
That said, I find the obsession with guns rather off-putting and honestly more than a little scary, and I'm born and bred American.
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Comment on US survey shows abortion bans drive away young talent in ~finance
norb Link ParentYeah I didn't really mean there's some secret group of people making these choices (but I see how you could make that connection based on the way I worded my comment). I agree it is the product of...Yeah I didn't really mean there's some secret group of people making these choices (but I see how you could make that connection based on the way I worded my comment).
I agree it is the product of a number of different groups that have a certain kind of symbiosis where their goals align in such a way to produce this outcome. That said, I do think that the 0.01%-ers DO exert a certain level of control when it comes to guiding the other groups that align with what they want. Again, not a cabal type coordination, but rather a thumb on the scales type of thing where they can keep things the way they are and push them a certain direction to get the outcomes they want (less regulation, less taxes on themselves, etc.).
Honestly, it would be an easier problem to fix if there were just one group of people playing puppet master.
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Comment on US survey shows abortion bans drive away young talent in ~finance
norb Link ParentI may be very far to the cynical side of thinking, especially related to US politics and the GOP, but I think this is all part of a coordinated plan. Keep people poor Lock people into certain...I may be very far to the cynical side of thinking, especially related to US politics and the GOP, but I think this is all part of a coordinated plan.
- Keep people poor
- Lock people into certain communities where control can be exerted
- Keep people reliant on employment for basic necessities (healthcare especially)
- Force people to have children to reinforce 1, 2, and 3
- Repeat cycle to generate a never ending supply of workers/consumers that can't think past their next meal
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Comment on Google Cloud accidentally deletes UniSuper’s online account due to ‘unprecedented misconfiguration’ in ~tech
norb LinkWonder how many first line support reps they had to go through before getting to someone that could 1) figure out it was not an end user problem, 2) admit it was Google's problem and, 3)...Wonder how many first line support reps they had to go through before getting to someone that could 1) figure out it was not an end user problem, 2) admit it was Google's problem and, 3) coordinate a restore from a 3rd party?
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Comment on Utah cat found safe in California after sneaking into Amazon return box in ~life.pets
norb LinkAll I can think of is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation... "She wrapped up her damn cat!" That said, glad the cat was ok.All I can think of is National Lampoon's Christmas Vacation...
"She wrapped up her damn cat!"
That said, glad the cat was ok.
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Comment on Tokyo starts ride-hailing service — but it may not be what you expect in ~transport
norb Link ParentSounds like this is for times when taxis are typically hard to find, so it's more a way for them to surge supply to meet demand than for a "cost savings" as we've had it sold to us in the US/EU....Sounds like this is for times when taxis are typically hard to find, so it's more a way for them to surge supply to meet demand than for a "cost savings" as we've had it sold to us in the US/EU. My anecdotal experience is that Uber/Lyft have had costs rise to be nearly the same as a typical taxi service, and most of the big services have apps that function basically the same as those, so there's less technological incentive to use them.
I quit using Uber/Lyft for a number of reasons, but safety was one of them. Rode in more than one vehicle without functioning seat belts. Then it's on me, the customer, to report safety violations to the business and incur the guilt associated with ruining someone's livelihood. The other reason I stopped being driver pay.
This Japanese system sounds better for the driver than the capitalistic hellscape the rest of us have been put into.
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Comment on Two years to save the planet, says UN climate chief in ~enviro
norb Link ParentI have a friend that lives in Louisiana, not on the coast but within 50 miles or so. Their home insurance has more than doubled in the past 2 years alone. I also have family in Florida and their...I have a friend that lives in Louisiana, not on the coast but within 50 miles or so. Their home insurance has more than doubled in the past 2 years alone.
I also have family in Florida and their insurance companies will no longer insure a home with a shingle roof that is more than 10 years old. The roofing materials are required to be metal now. (Funnily enough they blame Biden for this, not the private insurance companies and their state government, but that's a whole other thing.)
Anecdotal evidence, but it is happening now.
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Comment on Here are thirteen other explanations for the adolescent mental health crisis. None of them work. in ~health.mental
norb Link ParentI don't think your observations are incorrect. Most parents I know (my wife and I included) are busier and seem to have less money than our parents did. But I think that goes back to us actively...I don't think your observations are incorrect. Most parents I know (my wife and I included) are busier and seem to have less money than our parents did. But I think that goes back to us actively spending more time "parenting" than previous generations as opposed to doing other things.
Many parents sacrifice their entire social lives for their kids, especially once the kids reach middle and high school and sports and other extracurricular activities really start to ramp up. I have friends that have two boys, who both play 2 or 3 sports, so their entire year is filled with traveling for tournaments, practices, and other sports related events like banquets and fundraisers and whatever else. I see them very rarely. I'm sure they see a lot of other parents of kids on their teams, but those are "forced" relationships vs. those that we choose to cultivate for reasons of our own.
I think this is a product of our society and the way we push kids to be active and "do the right things" to get into good colleges, etc.
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Comment on Here are thirteen other explanations for the adolescent mental health crisis. None of them work. in ~health.mental
norb Link ParentI just wanted to point out that there have been studies that show parents of today (one study I found is from 2016, so a bit dated by now but I think probably still stands) spend more time with...Parents have less time for their kids as they scramble to pay for the ever increasing number of things we need to pay for and cost of those things.
I just wanted to point out that there have been studies that show parents of today (one study I found is from 2016, so a bit dated by now but I think probably still stands) spend more time with their children than parents in the 1960s.
The study did note that "better off" parents spent more time with their children than those with less, but overall it showed an increase no matter what income and education level the family has.
I have always loved this movie from the first time I saw it. I think this movie and American Psycho are two movies that get lumped in with "horror" but are really dark comedies. The tip off for me with Ravenous is the soundtrack, which plays almost carnival music over top of the entire thing - in addition to David Arquette doing his thing. Quite a bit of the editing and shooting style always felt more at home in a comedy than horror movie to me as well.
I've never read the Wikipedia entry for it, but just did. I had no idea there was such trouble with the production from the start.
I will say part of what always attracted me to this movie is the uneven tone of it all. I find that endearing and part of what makes it unique. I think the late 90s had a lot of movies that were trying to take the viewer in and then rug pull them at the end. Ravenous seemed to be going down that road, but actually ended with a pretty straightforward "good guy wins" ending. The only bit that was kind of quintessentially 90s was the other general tasting the stew.