AnthonyB's recent activity
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Comment on There must be Nazis in the White House. EO 14188 -> 14/88. in ~society
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
AnthonyB LinkI made a post about how bad I am at Kingdom Come: Deliverance and while I waited for the jury to decide if I should cut my losses, I got sucked into the Batman: Arkham series which was too cheap...I made a post about how bad I am at Kingdom Come: Deliverance and while I waited for the jury to decide if I should cut my losses, I got sucked into the Batman: Arkham series which was too cheap to pass up. I crushed Arkham City and now I'm on to Arkham Knight, which I really enjoy. After getting dominated at every turn, its refreshing to fly into a group of bad guys and just whoop ass by smashing buttons.
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Comment on There must be Nazis in the White House. EO 14188 -> 14/88. in ~society
AnthonyB Link ParentLike many others in this thread, I don't think this is a smoking gun, nor do I think it compares to the many Nazi-like policies that the Trump Admin has enacted. I mean shit, they just arrested...Like many others in this thread, I don't think this is a smoking gun, nor do I think it compares to the many Nazi-like policies that the Trump Admin has enacted. I mean shit, they just arrested another lawful resident for the crime of protesting genocide. Having said that, the utility of producing that specific correlation is that it's a dog whistle to the anti-Semitic white nationalists who support the president. It's like saying, "Don't worry, you're still very fine people. This won't be used against you." Normal folks won't think much of it, but the iconography-obsessed Neo-Nazis will.
Fwiw, this executive order was signed back on January 29 as Trump was signing them left and right. He had already signed 40 up until that point, so it's not totally crazy to assume they specifically chose that one to be 14188.
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What are your favorite music videos?
I've been on a really big Geese kick lately and the video for Cowboy Nudes made me chuckle. It made me want to watch some of my old favorites, but there is still plenty of itch left to scratch. So...
I've been on a really big Geese kick lately and the video for Cowboy Nudes made me chuckle. It made me want to watch some of my old favorites, but there is still plenty of itch left to scratch. So what are your favorite music videos, and why do you like them so much?
If anyone is curious, my two favorites are:
Typical by Mutemath. They learned how to play the song backwards, which seems impressive and is very Ok Go-esque.
Sleep Now in the Fire by Rage Against the Machine. The Who Wants to be a Millionaire spoof featuring not fun facts that have become less fun over time is good. The directing/editing is great. The bass player jamming out while the cops push him back is amazing. I'd like to say I'd never charge the NYSE floor for a music video, but I can't guarantee what I might do while under the influence of a sweet Tom Morello riff.
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Comment on What's your favorite music album to get high to? in ~music
AnthonyB Link ParentOh man, I wish I knew Galaxie 500 in my weed smoking days! I might have to come out of retirement for a night to give it a try.Oh man, I wish I knew Galaxie 500 in my weed smoking days! I might have to come out of retirement for a night to give it a try.
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Comment on Where do you all get your news from? How do you work to avoid echo chambers and propaganda? in ~life
AnthonyB LinkYou already said this in your post, but there is no perfect news outlet, and there is no such thing as unbiased reporting. Don't get caught up in this idea that there is an ultimate truth that...You already said this in your post, but there is no perfect news outlet, and there is no such thing as unbiased reporting. Don't get caught up in this idea that there is an ultimate truth that exists somewhere in the middle. It's better to understand the perspective of each source and get your information from a variety of sources. And keep your critical thinking cap on at all times! Quick sidenote: I'm American, and despite your line about being European, this post is pretty America-centric, so pretty much everything I say will be from that perspective.
I think it's important to stay up to date via reputable mainstream outlets. As others have mentioned, NYT, WaPo, WSJ, The Guardian, AP all have good daily reporting and they're going to give you a solid idea of what is going on. More importantly, they'll give you a good idea of what most sane people are thinking. Having said that, they also have major biases, especially when it comes to foreign policy. The framing is never going to stray far from the US State Department's perspective. The last 18 months of reporting on Israel and Palestine have made that very clear. So keep that in mind.
IMO, the best sources that challenge the mainstream/liberal/capitalist framework that dominates those outlets are: Democracy Now!, Drop Site News, and The Intercept. For long-form, investigative magazines, The Nation and Mother Jones pair well with their mainstream counterparts like The Atlantic, The Economist, and The New Yorker. A lot of people have a tendency to write those off as biased and therefore untrustworthy, but they rely on solid reporting and feature interviews with experts who are well versed on the issues they are covering. There's a big difference between that and something like Fox & Friends, which somehow gets a similar rating on The Chart. (click here for a good explanation on the many problems with 'The Chart')
I think the best/easiest combo is to subscribe to one of the papers of record and listen to Democracy Now. Then check in with the magazines at your leisure for the big stuff, and drop in on one of the big right-wing media machines to understand the talking points behind your conservative friend's/family's views and every unhinged instagram/twitter comment you encounter in the wild.
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Comment on Should I stay with Kingdom Come: Deliverance? in ~games
AnthonyB Link ParentNot to piss on your bonfire, but if I wanted to fail hundreds times before getting slightly good at something, I'd pick up a hobby that I wouldn't be embarrassed to tell my gf's friends about....Not to piss on your bonfire, but if I wanted to fail hundreds times before getting slightly good at something, I'd pick up a hobby that I wouldn't be embarrassed to tell my gf's friends about. Maybe that will change for me someday when my gf gets better friends, but for now, I'm not worthy of the challenge. I will, however, always tip my cap to those who are.
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Comment on Should I stay with Kingdom Come: Deliverance? in ~games
AnthonyB Link Parentboth. definitely both.still can't tell if the first statement refers to RL or IG
both. definitely both.
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Comment on Should I stay with Kingdom Come: Deliverance? in ~games
AnthonyB Link ParentAlright, this is what I'm going with. I only did one round with Bernard and skipped learning how to read, so it seems like that's where I went wrong. The early quests felt pressing so I moved on...Alright, this is what I'm going with. I only did one round with Bernard and skipped learning how to read, so it seems like that's where I went wrong. The early quests felt pressing so I moved on with them too early it seems. Also, I'll take my shot at love with someone else next time.
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Should I stay with Kingdom Come: Deliverance?
I've had a lot of extra time on my hands lately, so I decided to take a crack at some highly acclaimed games I never got around to. I love a big RPG and some of my favorite gaming experiences were...
I've had a lot of extra time on my hands lately, so I decided to take a crack at some highly acclaimed games I never got around to.
I love a big RPG and some of my favorite gaming experiences were playing Skyrim and FNV on the settings were things like eating, sleeping, and staying warm were an important part of the game. KCD seemed like a good fit, so I bought it on sale and have put in about 30 hours so far.
I want to like it. I want to enjoy fucking around in a medieval setting and appreciate the many details in this game. The story has me sucked in so far, and like I said, I love the prospect of a gigantic RPG. But wtf is this gameplay? I get that it's not supposed to be easy, and I can look past the weird puppet feeling when I try to fight, but I feel trapped. I'm a broke idiot with no charisma and I get my ass kicked everywhere I go. I thought the whole point of video games was to escape real life. I decided to take a break from the main story, so I tried to go hit up the Miller's daughter to see what my options were. Next thing I know, I'm hunting down flower petals and linen with her like she's Big Boss on a total stealth mission.
Does it get better? And by better, I mean manageable. I'm worried I stumbled into something that's out of my league as an older, unskilled, semi-casual video game player. I'm not a masochistic Souls-like player that needs punishment in order to feel something. Should I stick with this game, or am I better off learning how to swordfight and pick locks in real life?
Edit: I'M GOING BACK IN FOR SOME MORE TIME WITH BERNARD! Thank you all for your feedback.
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Comment on Recommend me a sappy TV drama with preferably >100 episodes in ~tv
AnthonyB LinkParenthood was a guilty pleasure of mine back in the day. I once had a roommate who sucked me into a season of Brothers and Sisters and it is basically a sappier Parenthood with an older family....Parenthood was a guilty pleasure of mine back in the day. I once had a roommate who sucked me into a season of Brothers and Sisters and it is basically a sappier Parenthood with an older family. It seems right up your alley.
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Comment on A letter to Columbia in ~society
AnthonyB Link ParentI disagree. Neither of the two had leadership roles in any of the Palestine protest movements, but they both had some form of participation, which is the reason why they were targeted. I am not...I disagree. Neither of the two had leadership roles in any of the Palestine protest movements, but they both had some form of participation, which is the reason why they were targeted.
I am not entirely sure what the circumstances were around Chung's arrest, but she was certainly part of the protests. Even if you set aside the government's allegations (which is fair), her own lawyers are quoted saying she was a protester.
“Like many thousands of students nationwide, Yunseo raised her voice against what is happening in Gaza and in support of fellow students facing unfair discipline,” said Ms. Ahmad, a co-director of CLEAR. “
Srinivasan's situation is even more bewildering since she was erroneously detained, but she has also publicly supported the Palestinian cause.
[Srinivasan] said that her activity on social media had been mostly limited to liking or sharing posts that highlighted “human rights violations” in the war in Gaza. And she said that she had signed several open letters related to the war, including one by architecture scholars that called for “Palestinian liberation.”
I think it's a fair description of what is going on. You don't have to be as involved as someone like Mahmoud Khalil to "stand for Palestine." The fact that they were not in any way prominent figures just speaks to how far the government and Columbia will go to suppress even the most basic pro-Palestine speech, which is kind of the point that Khalil is trying to make here.
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A letter to Columbia
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Comment on What lesser-known alternative would you recommend as a substitute for something more popular? in ~talk
AnthonyB Link ParentOh my god! I was just talking about this the other day. I think it's Select brand? I was blown away by how much better they were than classic pizza rolls. And it's exactly as you described it.Oh my god! I was just talking about this the other day. I think it's Select brand? I was blown away by how much better they were than classic pizza rolls. And it's exactly as you described it.
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Comment on Nintendo delays Switch 2 pre-orders in US due to tariffs and "evolving market conditions" in ~games
AnthonyB Link ParentI couldn't resist the low-hanging fruit. 40 is just around the corner for me and I proudly owned a Switch until I lost it a few weeks ago. Still, I didn't expect those numbers to be that high. I...I couldn't resist the low-hanging fruit. 40 is just around the corner for me and I proudly owned a Switch until I lost it a few weeks ago. Still, I didn't expect those numbers to be that high. I guess the young kids are all playing Roblox on their tablets.
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Comment on Nintendo delays Switch 2 pre-orders in US due to tariffs and "evolving market conditions" in ~games
AnthonyB Link ParentIn fairness, most Nintendo gamers won't be able to vote until 2036.In fairness, most Nintendo gamers won't be able to vote until 2036.
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Comment on Help me understand how half of USA is on board with the idea of creating "short term pain" in ~society
AnthonyB Link ParentI was going to respond to your post in a separate top-level comment, but I think this is a better starting point. First, to answer your question, we don't HAVE to go through the level of suffering...I was going to respond to your post in a separate top-level comment, but I think this is a better starting point. First, to answer your question, we don't HAVE to go through the level of suffering that the Chinese or Soviets went through. OP didn't elaborate much on their argument, but I don't think it's as simple as suffering leads to prosperity. I do think that China, the USSR, or any of the anti-colonial/revolutionary movements across the globe are good examples of the power of hope in the face of suffering, which speaks to your original question. As I and Ego pointed out, the Chinese and Soviets faced suffering that is unfathomable to Americans, yet they kept going. Why?
The real answer is long and complicated, and oppressing any resistance certainly played an integral part, but one crucial aspect that is relevant to your question is that a lot of people believed they were working towards a better future. That's why there are a bunch of people on the right who are willing to put up with this. They truly believe that this will be good in the long term, so they're willing to "suffer" in the short term. Unfortunately, they live in an alternate reality, but that's a different discussion.
As for this idea that "newer generations have not learned how to suffer, and that is the root cause of many evils in the world today," that sounds like a half-baked regurgitation of Generations. But underneath all of the bullshit, there is a sliver of truth to it. Part of the reason why we've been unable/unwilling to address systemic issues like healthcare, income inequality, and climate change is because we lack the political courage and will to face the suffering that would come as a cost to disrupting our existing systems. Whether it's profits or polling, we're trapped in a cycle that focuses entirely on the short term. As a result, things are slowly getting worse, which is reflected in the restlessness that we see in American society and politics.
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Comment on Help me understand how half of USA is on board with the idea of creating "short term pain" in ~society
AnthonyB Link ParentI used to say the same thing about the Soviet Union. WWI -> Revolution/Civil War -> Collectivization/Industrialization -> The Great Terror. You could make a case that each of those outweigh any...I used to say the same thing about the Soviet Union. WWI -> Revolution/Civil War -> Collectivization/Industrialization -> The Great Terror. You could make a case that each of those outweigh any national suffering the US has ever experienced. Oh yeah, then they lost 22 MILLION people in WWII!! My smooth, fat, little American brain cannot even begin to comprehend that level of suffering. And like the Chinese today, they somehow came out of that as a global superpower. Take a minute to suppress your anti-communist reflex and behold the incredible omelettes in front of you.
Like boxer dogs said, the closest thing the US has experienced on a national level is the Civil War, which was so devastating it reshaped the way Americans approach death. But that was quickly followed by a period of mass immigration which accelerated the collective detachment to it outside of the south.
The only people that have any sort of personal connection to collective suffering on that scale are Black, Indigenous/Native, or refugees who fled other parts of the world. Altogether they make up about 15% of the population. When asked to consider the effects of that suffering, a lot of us tend it shrug it off. So yeah, we don't understand suffering. Maybe that's why we're so good at causing it.
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Comment on Nintendo Direct: Nintendo Switch 2 – 4.2.2025 in ~games
AnthonyB Link ParentI recently lost my Switch by leaving it in the seat back pocket on a red-eye flight, and I decided to splurge a little and replace it with a Steam Deck. I loved my Switch, but the Deck beats it by...I recently lost my Switch by leaving it in the seat back pocket on a red-eye flight, and I decided to splurge a little and replace it with a Steam Deck. I loved my Switch, but the Deck beats it by a wide margin. If you have a good PC and/or a PS5, then the Switch might be a better choice, otherwise it's Steam Deck all the way.
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Comment on Val Kilmer, film star who played Batman and Jim Morrison, dies at 65 (gifted link) in ~movies
AnthonyB Link ParentThis might be a hot take, but I rewatched Heat a couple of months ago and I left feeling like Kilmer had the best performance. As great as they both are, Pacino was out of his mind and De Niro was...This might be a hot take, but I rewatched Heat a couple of months ago and I left feeling like Kilmer had the best performance. As great as they both are, Pacino was out of his mind and De Niro was ice cold. Kilmer, on the other hand, had a little bit of everything.
It's hard to pick one moment as THE iconic Heat moment. Pacino has the majority of the quotable lines, mostly because of his insane delivery. There's the coffee shop scene and "the action is the juice," but if I had to go with one I'd say Kilmer's smile to shooting moment is it.
Not exactly the latest in a string of them, it was signed on January 29 after 40 others. The idea that this was intentional is certainly plausible, if not probable. Unfortunately, it's nearly impossible to prove. The whole thing feels like the premise of an Innuendo Studios video.
Regardless of the intent behind the number, our primary focus should be on how this executive order is being used to silence free speech and deport lawful permanent residents like Mahmoud Khalil and Mohsen Mahdawi.