CannibalisticApple's recent activity
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
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Comment on The gift card accountability sink in ~finance
CannibalisticApple Link ParentThey work well as, well, gifts. My aunt would mail my cousins and I Starbucks or McDonald's gift cards for Christmas since she lives far away. Amazon gift cards are typically good "all-purpose"...They work well as, well, gifts. My aunt would mail my cousins and I Starbucks or McDonald's gift cards for Christmas since she lives far away. Amazon gift cards are typically good "all-purpose" gifts. This year a friend got me a gift card for a local used electronic media store for my birthday. Heck, last time we went to Costco my mom bought a gift card to I think a local high-end restaurant to give a friend.
They're overall low-effort presents and good for when you don't know the recipient's tastes too well.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentKeys sent! Hope they work! And... oh my gosh these are all hilarious. This was the first thing I saw after waking up (though only got to my laptop a bit ago), and these were a great way to start...Keys sent! Hope they work!
And... oh my gosh these are all hilarious. This was the first thing I saw after waking up (though only got to my laptop a bit ago), and these were a great way to start the day. I'm all on-board for tacky indoor decorations too so Dancing Cowboy Santa was already pretty good, but the rest had me cackling! It's like it just kept escalating with how ridiculous they could get. Does Gemmy just specialize in really weird decorations like these?? I want to believe that so I'm afraid to look them up and get disappointed by normal decorations.
Also, that game looks so cute!! Might have to snag it next year, since this year I uh... definitely have a hefty backlog and one Christmas game already lined up.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentKey sent! Hopefully it works, it's an older Humble key (though I did successfully redeem a key from that same batch yesterday). I remember seeing Markiplier play that one years ago when it came...Key sent! Hopefully it works, it's an older Humble key (though I did successfully redeem a key from that same batch yesterday). I remember seeing Markiplier play that one years ago when it came out, and this is one I would've tried to redeem myself if no one claimed it.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentKey sent! Have fun!Key sent! Have fun!
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentKey sent! And I assume you're joining the raffle, too? Those actually seem pretty fun. I'm just imagining the potential chaos of dangling something from the blades like an ornament on a string. A...Key sent! And I assume you're joining the raffle, too?
Those actually seem pretty fun. I'm just imagining the potential chaos of dangling something from the blades like an ornament on a string. A big one could make for a fun Christmas-themed swing ride at an amusement park!
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentKey sent! Enjoy!Key sent! Enjoy!
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentSent! Good picks, I likely would've redeemed those myself (or at least Botany Manor) if no one claimed them.Sent! Good picks, I likely would've redeemed those myself (or at least Botany Manor) if no one claimed them.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentKeys sent! Always fun to hear about the giant skeletons, the snowman costume is a new one to me! The sheet makes me think some Halloween decorations could be reworked into a "ghost of Christmas...Keys sent!
Always fun to hear about the giant skeletons, the snowman costume is a new one to me! The sheet makes me think some Halloween decorations could be reworked into a "ghost of Christmas X". Fun to hear about some Christmas Bats too. That sounds like a children's book, heh.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple (edited )LinkSo. I have a lot of game keys. And I do mean a lot. Some of these are returning from the last giveaway, others are new, and some are games I'd originally waffled on keeping for myself but decided...- Exemplary
So. I have a lot of game keys. And I do mean a lot. Some of these are returning from the last giveaway, others are new, and some are games I'd originally waffled on keeping for myself but decided "eff it, my backlog is huge" and tacked them onto the list. So!
To top off the list, I have one which may be in high demand: Persona 5 Royal!
I got it in that Humble Choice in August, which I expect a lot of people bought that month just for this game. So demand for it may not be as high as previous years. But either way, I'll do a raffle and announce it on December 23, with this request for you to fill:
Share the gaudiest, funniest winter yard decorations you can find or have seen, or share ideas for them. I'm talking giant inflatable leg lamps, Chewbacca's family dressed up for Life Day and other heartwarming scenes from the beloved classic Star Wars Christmas Special, Calvin-approved snowmen decorations, a crime scene around where Santa ran over grandma, a Calvin-approved snowman crime scene starring Olaf from Frozen as the victim. If you have pictures, all the better!
heck maybe that question should be a standalone thread, hmmThat is the only one with conditions. The rest of the games are first come, first serve! I'll let people claim up to 3 until December 26. Then I'll lift the limit because... well, why not?
From that same month, I have the following games up for grabs, most of them expiring in September 2026:
Banishers: Ghosts of Eden
Let’s School
Tiny Terry’s Turbo Trip
WarpipsAnd for a little bonus: I bought the Wholesome Snack Bundle. The games I'm keeping for sure are Naiad, Shashingo, and Little Known Galaxy, so if anyone else wants one of the other games, say the word before... January, I guess? Honestly all of them seem up my alley (minus maybe Snufkin), so I'll likely redeem the leftover ones myself. I can particularly vouch for Spirittea, which just released an update this month introducing some new content and mechanics. (Fun fact: between playing this month and when I initially got it in February, it accounts for 24% of my playtime according to my Steam Replay.)
(Claimed so far: Botany Manor)
Next: Games from kfwyre, courtesy of Fiskerton the Dogtective! And also a couple other games I got from Humble Bundle, unaware that keys from it might expire. So yeah, caveat that these games might not all work.
American Fugitive
Chroma Squad
Iconoclasts
Liberated
Nuclear Dawn
Pushover
Reventure
Say No! More
Sonic and SEGA All Stars Racing
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 1
Sonic the Hedgehog 4 Episode 2
Super Panda Adventures
The Final Station
Trail Out
Tropico 3: Steam Special Edition
Warhammer 40,000: BattlesectorAnd now we go to the other keys that I got from Fanatical. So they're probably all still perfectly functional. Probably. (I'll actually be surprised if they aren't.)
Aeon Drive
Animal Rescuer
Autonauts
Catizens
Coffee Talk
Conarium
Do Not Feed the Monkeys
Don't Touch This Button
Dread X Collection
Dreamscaper
Dungeons 2
Forests, Fields and Fortresses
God’s Trigger
Imperium Romanum Gold Edition
Internet Cafe Simulator
Light Fairytale Episode 1
Lost Words: Beyond the Page
Monsters’ Den: Godfall
Monster Slayers
Nocturnal
PAGO FOREST: DRAGON’S REVENGE
Sunblaze
The Last Federation
The Ramp
Tinytopia
Unexplored 2: The Wayfarer’s LegacyAnd finally, a bunch of keys that form a single complete set: the Beholder series. This one I'll allow someone to claim all in one go since I got them as a set, though you're also free to just ask for individual ones.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link ParentEh, what the heck? I'll take 50 (GRAPES), 68 (Lonely Ship - Cursed Island Explorer), 74 (Monsters of Econdrate Island) and 91 (Sarah Academy!). I'm hoping 91 is Kraken Academy!!, but that's the...Eh, what the heck?
I'll take 50 (GRAPES), 68 (Lonely Ship - Cursed Island Explorer), 74 (Monsters of Econdrate Island) and 91 (Sarah Academy!).
I'm hoping 91 is Kraken Academy!!, but that's the only guess I have of the batch. Particularly because how the heck did "Hexarchy" become "Tomato"????? Honestly I'm hoping "GRAPES" is somehow "DREDGE" xD
I might add some more guesses later, but pretty sure "Mempest: Pirate RPG" is Tempest. Not claiming that one though.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of December 15 in ~society
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI mean, the moon is more doable since we've, you know, done it before...? So this might actually be a good change since NASA knows what's needed and can argue more effectively for the necessary...I mean, the moon is more doable since we've, you know, done it before...? So this might actually be a good change since NASA knows what's needed and can argue more effectively for the necessary resources.
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Comment on Brown University shooting leaves two dead, nine injured as police search for killer in ~news
CannibalisticApple Link ParentLatest update: the shooter has been found dead of apparent suicide. He was a former Brown University student back in 2000-2001, and in the 90's studied at the same Portuguese university as Nuno...Latest update: the shooter has been found dead of apparent suicide. He was a former Brown University student back in 2000-2001, and in the 90's studied at the same Portuguese university as Nuno Loureiro, the MIT professor.
This will probably be the last update I share here. Unfortunately though, this case won't be disappearing from the media anytime soon because it has become political for the wrong reasons. The shooter was a Portuguese immigrant, and they've already paused the diversity visa lottery program (DV1) because he entered with it in 2017.
This is just... So screwed up. This went from a tragic massacre to a tool for the anti-immigrant agenda. I am of the opinion that mass killers shouldn't be covered in media, but I guarantee his face and name will be plastered all over propaganda. I lack the energy to say anything more.
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Comment on AI will likely affect administrative and operational jobs in heathcare in ~health
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI've heard a good chunk of hospital admin positions exist solely to deal with the complicated minefield that is the US healthcare insurance industry. They have different requirements and policies,...I've heard a good chunk of hospital admin positions exist solely to deal with the complicated minefield that is the US healthcare insurance industry. They have different requirements and policies, so even simple and routine bills take up time because they have to double-check that the paperwork fits that particular insurer's requirements.
That said, it feels like AI might be able to help in that particular area a little bit? Not by replacing humans entirely, but handling the lower level stuff (e.g. filling out the routine paperwork and ensuring codes match the respective companies' standards). That would leave humans more time to handle negotiating and arguing for the more complex cases.
At the very least, that unfortunately seems like a more actually feasible course of action to maybe reduce costs and reallocate funding than overhauling or killing the health insurance industry.
Besides that though... From what I've gathered, even outside insurance, there's a lot of bloat in hospital bureaucracy right now. Most of my knowledge is purely anecdotal, but at the peak of the pandemic I remember many, many, many nurses venting about the admin bloat at their hospitals and clinics on reddit. Particularly at the corporate level, but even admins in their buildings caused frustration because they couldn't/wouldn't advocate for their staff to corporate due to a mix of selfish priorities and just not understanding what the floor is actually like.
It actually hinders the medical staff's ability to do their jobs because people with no experience with patients were in charge of everything. Putting out impossible schedules, keeping facilities understaffed, doing the bare minimum in ordering and distributing equipment, organizing meetings over trivial things that genuinely wasted time but looked good for the admins, different departments lobbing responsibilities back and forth like tennis...
Honestly the unfortunate thing is that the ones causing the most problems seem to be those who are harder to replace by AI. There's definitely something really messed up with the bureaucratic side of American hospitals beyond dealing with insurance.
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Comment on Brown University shooting leaves two dead, nine injured as police search for killer in ~news
CannibalisticApple LinkJust saw this on the national news, and... holy shit: Possible suspect identified in Brown shooting; attack may be linked to MIT murder I know I said I worried the shooter might have other plans...Just saw this on the national news, and... holy shit:
Possible suspect identified in Brown shooting; attack may be linked to MIT murder
I know I said I worried the shooter might have other plans when he got away, but I didn't think the odds were really THAT high. Just... If it really IS the same guy, then holy shit.
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Comment on Steam Winter Sale 2025: Hidden gems in ~games
CannibalisticApple LinkEvery time this thread comes up I want to give a shout-out to Lila's Sky Ark. Less than 100 reviews and currently on sale for $2.99 USD. It's a light RPG that's not quite typical, and... Well, the...Every time this thread comes up I want to give a shout-out to Lila's Sky Ark. Less than 100 reviews and currently on sale for $2.99 USD. It's a light RPG that's not quite typical, and... Well, the trailer shows you the sort of aesthetics it has. The aesthetic is STRONG.
I admittedly haven't finished it (I stopped shortly after finishing Arc 1) and it's been a while, so my memories are a bit hazy at this point (I'll need to start over probably). But this game sticks out to me because there's a side quest early on that just showed the developers' heart and care for this project. They could have had a simple fetch quest and dialogue, but it ends with this animated sequence that just really shows their passion for the project. That passion alone is why I'll keep mentioning it in these threads.
I mean... Look at the official strategy guide! Well actually don't look TOO much because it obviously has spoilers, but that is a legitimate, print-ready strategy guide. It has formatting and an introduction and concept art. They went above and beyond with it. These are developers who really, truly love video games, and I want to support that passion.
It's the prequel to another game called Resolutiion, also a potential hidden gem and on sale for $3.99. I haven't played it but it's a hack-and-slash game and shows a similarly strong aesthetic (though a very different one). Reviews are mixed, but they go into a lot of detail, so take a look at them. (Neat thing: the top review is by one of the developers of the Godot engine!)
...Okay, one more hidden gem with a HEAVY dose of "your mileage may vary" attached: Agatha Knife, for $2.99. This is NOT for everyone. You need a dark sense of humor and to be willing to suspend a good chunk of your morals because...
It's an adorable point-and-click adventure game about a little girl living at a butcher shop starting a religion for animals so they won't be so terrified of death!
Yeah, this game is definitely an acquired taste (no pun intended). I grabbed it years ago after watching someone play some of it on Youtube, and finished it this year during the Backlog Bingo event. I talked about it plenty in that comment (actually copy/pasted the above paragraph from there), including a full recap of my playthrough because I know not many people will play it given the subject matter. So you can just read that post (minus the spoilers) to help decide if you might be interested.
The main reason I'm sharing it: this game is surprisingly thought-provoking. Aside from the obvious moral ponderings related to the meat industry (still no clue what conclusions I reached, but did get me thinking on it more than usual), it has a pretty tongue-in-cheek analysis of religion, particularly cults. It's kind of refreshing because it doesn't really feel like a critique of religion as a whole, but it still very directly addresses how a lot of religions (especially modern ones and cults) are just vehicles for the founder's greed.
It's a unique one, and again, definitely not for everyone. But out of all the games I played in the backlog burner, it sticks out the most. Not many games can get me feeling introspective like this, and the presentation (seriously, I kept getting flashbacks to playing Madeline and other point-and-click games made for kids) keeps it from feeling too morbid or difficult to stomach like some other games that tackle dark/heavy themes do. It's an overall upbeat game, just stemming from a morbid concept.
So, yeah. YMMV, but chances are someone else here might enjoy it too.
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Comment on Tildes Game Giveaway: Holiday 2025 in ~games
CannibalisticApple Link Parent11 (Rake, Melons, Moon) and 15 (Kami, Yokai, Tsuchinoko) both sound very interesting to me! Though I'll be happy with just one if someone else finds one of those interesting, since I do have a...11 (Rake, Melons, Moon) and 15 (Kami, Yokai, Tsuchinoko) both sound very interesting to me! Though I'll be happy with just one if someone else finds one of those interesting, since I do have a pretty hefty backlog already.
Side note, I just went through your posts to see if I could figure out what some of them are. I have a good idea what those two are, but looking through your history gave me a couple other games I might end up adding to my wishlist. You seem to have found some real hidden gems! 11 in particular seems VERY hidden, so I'm curious how you learned about it.
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Comment on Experiences with foster system and support for removed relatives in ~life
CannibalisticApple Link ParentI have zero experience with fostering or raising children, but reading your comment gave me a sudden thought for a small little thing that can help: Depending on their age, get them a stuffed...I have zero experience with fostering or raising children, but reading your comment gave me a sudden thought for a small little thing that can help:
Depending on their age, get them a stuffed animal. That is one of the softest, safest gifts, something they can hug while they cry and treat as a friend when they're alone, and can provide a bright spot and source of comfort and security in a tumultuous time. I have read so many accounts of people who have cherished stuffed toys from difficult childhoods that served as a bright spot and anchor. If you can find out their favorite animal or if they had a family pet, it can be even better.
Even for older kids, it might be a good idea because it's something that is unequivocally theirs when they may not have many belongings. And it's something that isn't a necessity like clothing or food, something gotten purely for their comfort. That small gesture of care can be helpful in showing that... Well, you care.
This popped into my head because I remember my dad gave me a stuffed dog the first time I visited his apartment when he and my mom briefly separated when I was six. That time didn't leave lasting scars on me (actually, I think my ADHD and autism kept me from understanding just how serious it was at the time), so for me, it became one of my small army of stuffed animals. But that dog still stands out to this day because of the level of care he put into choosing it, finding one that resembled our dog at the time.
In retrospect, he likely chose that one specifically so I wouldn't miss our dog while visiting his apartment. He was thoughtful like that. I can imagine him taking his time at the store considering which toy would have the most meaning, and thought that one could ease the transition by giving me something familiar. That just makes me appreciate and cherish it all the more.
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Comment on Gift recommendations in ~life
CannibalisticApple Link ParentOh, one more suggestion: go to local craft fairs and just keep an eye out! They can have all sorts of good stuff that yoy wouldn't think of on your own, ranging from smaller "filler" gifts like...Oh, one more suggestion: go to local craft fairs and just keep an eye out! They can have all sorts of good stuff that yoy wouldn't think of on your own, ranging from smaller "filler" gifts like bookmarks and keychains, to scarves and hats, to more pricey and fancy stuff like wooden bowls and cutting boards.
We went to one last month, and my mom ended up getting excited and buying a bunch of handmade pot scrubbers like these. She talked about how when some relative died years ago, the biggest point of contention was who would inherit all her handmade pot scrubbers. I guess they're not that common these days, or stores don't really sell comparable scrubbers? Last week she gave two of them to an aunt.
We got attracted to that seller's table by someone else raving about some cloths that were meant to be rewashable paper towel substitutes. They weren't washclothes or towels, but made of scrap fabric and I guess specifically meant to be used for cleaning up spills? This woman had apparently bought a couple last year and had returned to get more because she found them so useful as a mom. She also praised these fabric covers for fridge handles since... Well, kids' hands can get sticky.
Now that I think about it, that whole table basically would make for a great kitchen-themed gift basket for parents. And outside of that, I genuinely regret not having more cash because the fair had a few things I'd considered buying.
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Comment on Gift recommendations in ~life
CannibalisticApple LinkFor people who care about cooking and serving meals: Sur La Table Ratchet Mill, for $30. My parents took a French cooking class there, and at break time everyone went to buy one or two. People...For people who care about cooking and serving meals: Sur La Table Ratchet Mill, for $30. My parents took a French cooking class there, and at break time everyone went to buy one or two. People often compliment them when we host dinners.
For anyone who likes trivia or learning and reading, Uncle John's Bathroom Reader. Price varies by retailer, but I think it's typically in the $20 range. I've learned all sorts of things from this series, it has a little bit of something for everyone. There's even a version for kids, which is how I first found the series. They release a new book every year so this was a regular Christmas gift for me for years.
Those are my specific recommendations. Here are some more general gift ideas that aren't specific products.
Good winter gear can be worth more than their weight in gold, and can be surprisingly cheap at stores! My aunt bought some nice, thickly lined pom-pom hats years ago and just yesterday she and a visiting aunt were talking about how amazing they were. She said they were on sale for like 3 for $5 by the checkout and got six, and were both cheaper and better than the pricey name brand hats in the same store.
Another idea for cold areas: socks with grips. They're cheaper than buying brand new slippers, and a lot of stores sell fun-looking fuzzy ones this time of year. My slippers are too worn down to comfortably wear barefoot now (and we're running out of decent socks without holes), so during a recent drastic cold spell last week I wore this one pair of socks with grips indoors every day just to keep my feet warm.
One last suggestion which shouldn't be a standalone gift, but can make for a good add-on or gift basket filler: bottle and can sleeves/huggies/koozies. They're super common in America and often given away for free at events, but I don't think they're particularly common in Europe. Along with keeping your drinks cool (or hot), I'd say the biggest benefit is how they trap condensation so the bottles and cans aren't sweating. Actually, a bulk pack might be a good gift for party hosts, as this article arguing in their favor compares them to wearable coasters. (Also good for keeping track of whose drink is whose.)
I think they can be particularly good for people with hands that are sensitive to temperature, as I know there are some chronic health conditions that can get exacerbated by cold. The thick foam ones with flat bottoms are also probably useful gifts for people who like camping, since I expect that those would be easier to steady on uneven ground than a can or bottle.
Key sent!
Also I now really want to see a Star Wars Christmas Special yard... There is so much material there, and I can just hear people cackling when they recognize scenes.