Arshan's recent activity
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Comment on What's missing from your life? in ~life
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Comment on Are there any contingency plans in place? in ~tildes
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Comment on Quadratic Voting: A New Way of Voting That Makes Zealotry Expensive in ~misc
Arshan Link Parent I am basing this on the US system, but I would say it could work well in a presidential race. It couldn't work in the current system because the current system is shit. The electoral college and...I am basing this on the US system, but I would say it could work well in a presidential race. It couldn't work in the current system because the current system is shit. The electoral college and county's as the atomic unit mean that votes are not equal; if you are in the 49%, you had no effect on the election and are not being represented. Historically, it was argued that even though your candidate lost, they would still include you in their analysis and decisions. I don't believe this has ever been true, but Trump has definitely made that doubt concrete. Without either of those problems and quadratic voting, I think it is probable that many more candidates would run and the two party cage would probably be broken.
3 votes -
Comment on Conservatives want Catholic bishops to denounce pope as heretic in ~humanities
Arshan Link I was raised in the ultra-conservative Catholic community. I don't believe most people understand how deadly serious this community is. Their being the "True" followers must be true; their...I was raised in the ultra-conservative Catholic community. I don't believe most people understand how deadly serious this community is. Their being the "True" followers must be true; their identity is defined around being special. If anyone has questions about it, I am happy to help.
8 votes -
Comment on Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 3 discussion in ~tv
Arshan Link I agree with the general sentiment here, i.e. the writing could have been better. I enjoyed the battle, and I was perfectly okay with the darkness of the episode. It felt ominous and overwhelming,...I agree with the general sentiment here, i.e. the writing could have been better. I enjoyed the battle, and I was perfectly okay with the darkness of the episode. It felt ominous and overwhelming, like a zombie invasion. I loved a lot of the shots, especially the dothraki charge and the wave of wights. I would (will?) have been okay with Arya killing the NK, IF Bran offers some exposition around his plan. He clearly knew a lot of stuff and was orchestrating something, but they need to show it. I'm also okay with the NK being done in the show; I really loath black villains like him. Pure evil is boring as shit. I find Cersei, and to some degree Euron, to be much more interesting. We saw Cersei's gradual decline into being super evil; we saw her become who she is today. The NK just is. Overall, I enjoyed the episode, but I do agree I have mixed feelings on the ending.
Also, yes the tactics were terrible; I was blown away with how dumb they were.
2 votes -
Comment on How do you organize your bookmarks? in ~tech
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Comment on Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 2 discussion in ~tv
Arshan Link I really liked it; I am surprised that the battle at Winterfell is almost certainly going to be the next episode, which supports my pet conspiracy. I believe that the army attacking Winterfell is...I really liked it; I am surprised that the battle at Winterfell is almost certainly going to be the next episode, which supports my pet conspiracy. I believe that the army attacking Winterfell is a decoy. The NK and his real army is attacking the rest of Westeros, as it is practically undefended, except for Kings' Landing. He can then beef up his army and come back to kill Bran whenever he wants. Other than supporting my pet, the cinematography was really good, especially the war room and knighting scenes.
3 votes -
Comment on International literature #5: Polish in ~books
Arshan Link Adam Mickiewicz is probably the most famous author from Poland; I read Pan Tadeusz probably 5 years ago. From what I remember, it was a really good representation of the experience being Polish...Adam Mickiewicz is probably the most famous author from Poland; I read Pan Tadeusz probably 5 years ago. From what I remember, it was a really good representation of the experience being Polish without a Poland.
2 votes -
Comment on We are back at square one of personal messaging in ~tech
Arshan Link I still haven't found a messaging platform / protocol that I can wholeheartedly support. The closest is Matrix, but it still doesn't have complete E2E as well as being fairly buggy. I wasn't...I still haven't found a messaging platform / protocol that I can wholeheartedly support. The closest is Matrix, but it still doesn't have complete E2E as well as being fairly buggy. I wasn't really around for the 200X IM revolution, so I can't talk about similarities. I will say that Whatsapp, Imessage and FB Messenger have siloed users in incompatible systems, and I believe that a unifying platform would be beneficial for all.
3 votes -
Comment on Mayor Pete Buttigieg's 2020 Presidential Announcement Speech in ~news
Arshan Link Parent I agree; I was talking about post-primary elections. I am planning on voting for Bernie in the primary, especially after his townhall last night. I think it is important that the Democratic party...I agree; I was talking about post-primary elections. I am planning on voting for Bernie in the primary, especially after his townhall last night. I think it is important that the Democratic party doesn't sabotage itself like the last election. I will vote for the candidate that has the best chance against Trump in the election.
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Comment on Mayor Pete Buttigieg's 2020 Presidential Announcement Speech in ~news
Arshan Link Parent I will take mediocre over malicious any day. It all depends on how the election is going. If Sanders or Warren are doing well and the Republican party splits, sure I will happily support the more...I will take mediocre over malicious any day. It all depends on how the election is going. If Sanders or Warren are doing well and the Republican party splits, sure I will happily support the more extreme candidates that better represent my own beliefs. If I have to choose between Trump or Biden, I will choose Biden. The US voting system is dumb because it makes me choose between two candidates I would never willingly vote for, but its where we are at today. I proudly didn't vote in the last election, but I can't make that same decision today.
2 votes -
Comment on Mayor Pete Buttigieg's 2020 Presidential Announcement Speech in ~news
Arshan Link Parent Yes, but I more meant that both Sanders and Warren have been getting the Fox news treatment for years, and they can only start on Buttigieg now.Yes, but I more meant that both Sanders and Warren have been getting the Fox news treatment for years, and they can only start on Buttigieg now.
1 vote -
Comment on Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 1 discussion in ~tv
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Comment on Mayor Pete Buttigieg's 2020 Presidential Announcement Speech in ~news
Arshan Link I am a straight white man. There are a significant number of conservatives out here that don't like Trump, but will a 100% choose him over Sanders or Warren. Fox News has made those candidates...I am a straight white man. There are a significant number of conservatives out here that don't like Trump, but will a 100% choose him over Sanders or Warren. Fox News has made those candidates anathema to "Conservative values". I don't see them as having a legitimate chance at winning closely-divided states. Buttigieg has a chance. He has a real chance of winning over conservatives for two main reasons. One, he hasn't been attacked by the Fox News propaganda machine for years, and is even willing to host a debate on their channel. Two, he stated that he is Christian, which means ALOT to conservatives. Personally, he wouldn't be me preferred choice, but I will happily support him because he has a real chance at beating Trump.
5 votes -
Comment on Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 1 discussion in ~tv
Arshan Link Overall, I liked the episode. It was slower and shorter than I was expecting, but a lot of the scenes were fun and honestly necessary. As long as the rest of the season picks up the pace, I have...Overall, I liked the episode. It was slower and shorter than I was expecting, but a lot of the scenes were fun and honestly necessary. As long as the rest of the season picks up the pace, I have no complaints. There was line that I think might be the worst line, in both delivery and writing, in GOT; Sir Jora's "They could save me, but they wouldn't" line. It was just so widely unnecessary and flatly delivered, especially with how well Sam was selling it. It was tiny moment, but boy, did it pull me out of the scene. Also, Lynna Mormant is amazing, so as long as they have her in every episode, I will be happy.
3 votes -
Comment on Game of Thrones Season 8 Episode 1 discussion in ~tv
Arshan Link Parent I think if both Dani and Jon survive, which is a big IF, Jon and his line will be her successors. Tyrion was hinting at the succession problem back in S7, and Dani completely blew him off. Back...I think if both Dani and Jon survive, which is a big IF, Jon and his line will be her successors. Tyrion was hinting at the succession problem back in S7, and Dani completely blew him off. Back then, I assumed it was because she was going to dissolve the Iron Throne, or at least its hereditary nature, at her death. Now, I am guessing that there are 3 main options for who wins the Iron Throne.
- Either Jon or Dani dies and the other takes the throne. It is the most clean and avoids "good" character conflict, not that GOT has cared about that before, but it is the final season.
- The wheel is broken, by the death of every vaguely legitimate heir to the Iron Throne. So, Jon, Dani, Cersei & Gendry all die. Personally, I like this one the most because it fits best with GOT.
- Both Jon and Dani die, but somehow Dani gives birth to their child before hand. Definitely, the least likely, but Dani did lay dragon eggs in a fire before, so definitely not impossible.
Obviously, they could do anything else as well, but these are my best guesses.
2 votes -
Comment on Matrix.org data breach in ~comp
Arshan Link I am glad Matrix seems to be open and not try to pretend that it isn't bad. Security is hard, and when things get broken, it is refreshing for organization to admit their failings.I am glad Matrix seems to be open and not try to pretend that it isn't bad. Security is hard, and when things get broken, it is refreshing for organization to admit their failings.
9 votes -
Comment on Star Wars Episode IX Teaser Trailer in ~movies
Arshan Link I like it; I also mostly liked TLJ. It wasn't perfect, and it was definitely longer than it needed to be, but it had a lot of fun moments. I hope they don't go back to The Force Awakens' copy and...I like it; I also mostly liked TLJ. It wasn't perfect, and it was definitely longer than it needed to be, but it had a lot of fun moments. I hope they don't go back to The Force Awakens' copy and paste approach.
4 votes -
Comment on Hungary Is Lost in ~misc
Arshan Link From my fairly weak understanding of the EU, I know that for the EU to be able to challenge these anti-democratic moves, the EU requires a unanimous vote by all members. Poland and Hungary, at...From my fairly weak understanding of the EU, I know that for the EU to be able to challenge these anti-democratic moves, the EU requires a unanimous vote by all members. Poland and Hungary, at least a few years ago, had some form of an alliance to prevent either from being reprimanded by the EU. I've always consider that an extremely questionable design choice; unanimous decision just don't happen.
4 votes -
Comment on Stop Asking Kids What They Want To Be When They Grow Up in ~life
Arshan Link I agree with the article, and I also feel I am a similar type of person as the author. I have never been the type of person to do or want ONE thing; I prefer moving between a wide range of...I agree with the article, and I also feel I am a similar type of person as the author. I have never been the type of person to do or want ONE thing; I prefer moving between a wide range of interests and fields. For example, recently I have been really interested in Linguistics and the Sapir-Whorf hypothesis. Only a year ago, I knew next to nothing about Linguistics. I firmly believe there are many other people who feel the same, and are stuck in a ONE career mind-set.
Asking children to plan for ONE career, to ONE dream might be meaningful to some people, the Usain Bolts' of the world, but for many it feels like a trap.
9 votes
I can really agree with that. I just graduated college, and while I definitely wasn't that social, it was comfortable and familiar. I am terrified that I won't make new friends, since I'm also a social sloth. Usually, I am fairly optimistic, but there are still shitty times when I don't have much hope. All I can say is a wish you the best