ComradeCatgirl's recent activity
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Comment on On the phenomenon of bullshit jobs in ~life
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Comment on On the phenomenon of bullshit jobs in ~life
ComradeCatgirl Link ParentI apologize for a lack of patience. I am less interested in refuting opinions that have been refuted over and over by people smarter than I (and ironically are predicted and refuted by Graeber in...I apologize for a lack of patience. I am less interested in refuting opinions that have been refuted over and over by people smarter than I (and ironically are predicted and refuted by Graeber in his extended book of the same name as the essay). All of the arguments made are tired and honestly some are hundreds of years old. To repeat them is to blindly regurgitate the liberal ideology that has been built to justify capitalism.
The idea that financial institutions have somehow made working people wealthier is absurd enough it doesn't warrant engaging with. (And if its a matter of taking on debt, working people have taken on debt for centuries, since the dawn of civilization even.)[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZIINXhGDcs&t=1s]
The goal is not to get people jobs that match their skillsets and abilities, it is to allow them to work in a way they find meaningful, which benefits society, and free from profit exploitation. We exist in a system which is structured instead in such a way that forces people into jobs they hate just to survive, jobs that exist to make other people money rather than the benefit of the worker or society. I roundly dismiss their views because their views are deserving of being roundly dismissed and not worth legitimizing by argument.
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Comment on On the phenomenon of bullshit jobs in ~life
ComradeCatgirl Link ParentThat's an awful lot of ideology and narrative you have going there. You're just repeating the standard myths used to justify capitalism fed to us by society without any critical thought. How can...That's an awful lot of ideology and narrative you have going there. You're just repeating the standard myths used to justify capitalism fed to us by society without any critical thought.
"Financial services are extremely meaningful to elevating the wealth of the common man?"
How can you even say that with a straight face? Also, conflating technology and progress with capitalism, appealing to human nature, calling him naive, these are all very very tired arguments to any academic leftist like Graeber. His very point is that they exist due to the structure of our system and that's a problem, so by responding "oh, those jobs exist because that's how society is structured" is completely missing the point.
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Comment on Wil Wheaton (wilw): This admin is going to suspend my account in ~tech
ComradeCatgirl (edited )Link ParentI didn't write the original post, so I'm not sure what you're on about there, I objected to you inserting your own bias, which I quoted. The fact you are conveniently ignoring what led up to it,...I didn't write the original post, so I'm not sure what you're on about there, I objected to you inserting your own bias, which I quoted.
The fact you are conveniently ignoring what led up to it, assuming all the harassers are trans rather than outrage trolling like James Gunn, and trying to make it a race thing is you framing the conversation around a particular political narrative.
So, no, the fact he's white and the "harassers" are supposedly trans isn't significant, but it is revealing you'd try to pigeonhole someone who disagrees with you as doing so out of prejudice. The reason I don't care more is because he's a celebrity and he can handle getting removed from a single, small, platform.
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Comment on Wil Wheaton (wilw): This admin is going to suspend my account in ~tech
ComradeCatgirl Link ParentYou're missing the point and pushing your own narrative.imagined grievance
when the victim is a white male.You're missing the point and pushing your own narrative.
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Comment on “It seems like Iowa in 2007”: Is Beto O’Rourke the left’s Obama-like answer to Trump in 2020? in ~misc
ComradeCatgirl (edited )LinkI sincerely hope Beto O'Rourke is not the most progressive candidate the DNC is willing to field. His voting record is moderate and uninspiring. He supports universal healthcare but has been...I sincerely hope Beto O'Rourke is not the most progressive candidate the DNC is willing to field. His voting record is moderate and uninspiring.
He supports universal healthcare but has been critical of the Medicare for All bill in addition to wanting to"stabilize insurance markets to help ACA". That's not progressive.
He's part of the New Democrat Coalition which is self described a group who support an agenda that the organization describes as "moderate" and "pro-growth", support a balanced budget.
This is all standard neoliberal policy. His is not a leftist, and only a progressive relative to Republicans and the center-right parts of the Democratic policy. His campaign promises are basically the same as Clinton's in the 2016 election. Maybe its fair to compare him to Obama, who was also a neoliberal who used progressive rhetoric to win. What worries me is something like DNC favoring O'Rourke to prevent a more progressive candidate from truly shaking things up.
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Comment on Would you consider it unhealthy to smoke pot twice a day recreationally? in ~health
ComradeCatgirl Link ParentOnly after switching to vaping my lungs have healed enough to start clearing years worth of bong smoking tar from my lungs. I don't recommend someone smoke weed daily for years because it will...Only after switching to vaping my lungs have healed enough to start clearing years worth of bong smoking tar from my lungs. I don't recommend someone smoke weed daily for years because it will damage their cilia and they WILL have an accumulation of tar in their lungs.
That being said, vaping does not have this problem, which is why if you're going to consume weed its so much better to vaporize it than the alternative.
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Comment on Would you consider it unhealthy to smoke pot twice a day recreationally? in ~health
ComradeCatgirl LinkAs far as drug habits go, weed is one of the least bad ones. For some people, it's antidepressant effects outweigh the negatives. If you're going to smoke I highly recommend using a vaporizer or...As far as drug habits go, weed is one of the least bad ones. For some people, it's antidepressant effects outweigh the negatives. If you're going to smoke I highly recommend using a vaporizer or concentrate. I'm 25, smoked bud for the last couple years, and recently cut back and switched to vaping. I have been coughing up foul tar for weeks now. Would not recommend.
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Comment on A Black woman shot and killed her abusive husband in a “stand your ground” state. Now she faces murder charges in ~life
ComradeCatgirl LinkIt's not even clear she needs SYG laws here, as she should be protected through normal self-defense laws via the castle doctrine.The fact that she was even charged is pretty egregious.It's not even clear she needs SYG laws here, as she should be protected through normal self-defense laws via the castle doctrine.The fact that she was even charged is pretty egregious.
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Comment on A Black woman shot and killed her abusive husband in a “stand your ground” state. Now she faces murder charges in ~life
ComradeCatgirl (edited )Link ParentThat's hardly the only reason that the NRA is racist. Also, the Castile murder is unique from other shootings because other shootings do not so directly pertain to 2nd amendment rights. His death...That's hardly the only reason that the NRA is racist. Also, the Castile murder is unique from other shootings because other shootings do not so directly pertain to 2nd amendment rights. His death is a textbook example of someone being killed for exercising their 2nd amendment rights responsibly.
The NRA are pro-cop, but they're also pretty goddamn racist too. Here's a sample of racist things the NRA and its affiliates have done in the past. They have a long history of using dog whistles to promote their agenda, they support racist policies and they support racist people.
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Comment on Sandy Stone - The Empire Strikes Back: A Posttranssexual Manifesto in ~lgbt
ComradeCatgirl (edited )LinkDamn, the paper sure shows how shitty it was to be transgender back then. This is an interesting article and gives context to what culture and the conversation looked like back then. It is no...Damn, the paper sure shows how shitty it was to be transgender back then. This is an interesting article and gives context to what culture and the conversation looked like back then. It is no doubt influential and important, but 25 years later feels dated.
It's clearly heavily influenced by Butler's Gender Trouble, but I believe it lacks nuance and takes the most literal interpretation of Butler. The whole article assumes the idea gender is ONLY performative and political, ignoring primary the subjective experience of the body and gender. In doing so, I believe she reduces transgender gender identity to a culturally constructed, externally imposed social construct that trans people are in a sense victim to. Maybe I am misreading her, but I believe even Butler has since come to a more nuanced take of gender and transgenderism than Stone articulates here.
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Comment on Advertising is obsolete – here’s why it’s time to end it in ~design
ComradeCatgirl Link ParentEntertainment, should not be a vessel for advertisement. Advertising has never improved any industry that has resorted to depending it for revenue. What's worst is that it leads to an arms race...Entertainment, should not be a vessel for advertisement. Advertising has never improved any industry that has resorted to depending it for revenue. What's worst is that it leads to an arms race where if one company advertises, then others in the same industry must as well to stay competitive and relevant.
If an industry is dependent on advertising to exist, then it exists to advertise.
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Comment on Trump: Impeach me and the market crashes in ~news
ComradeCatgirl Link Parent100% seconding this. Debt, despite its less then exciting name, is a uniquely educational and eye opening book. You won't look at money or exchange the same way after reading it.100% seconding this. Debt, despite its less then exciting name, is a uniquely educational and eye opening book. You won't look at money or exchange the same way after reading it.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tildes
ComradeCatgirl LinkRacists, homophobes, transphobes, and bigots usually almost never think of themselves as racist. It's just so tiring arguing against bad opinions. Debating race realism is like debating a racist...Racists, homophobes, transphobes, and bigots usually almost never think of themselves as racist.
It's just so tiring arguing against bad opinions. Debating race realism is like debating a racist version of flat earth theory, who has the time.
Even if IQ was a good metric of general intelligence...
Even if it wasn't a well proven fact that IQ tests have certain biases built into them...
Even if you didn't have to cherry pick data just to support your conclusion...
Even if "race" was a legitimate scientific category and not just a social construct...
Even if we assumed the researchers investigating this topic were doing so in good-faith...
Even if we had any reason to think that intelligence has ever not been evolutionary prioritized for any human population...
Even if race realism didn't have its root in early 1900s scientific racism and eugenics...
Even if people hadn't devoted entire studies and books to debunking race realism scientifically...
Even if race realism wasn't something white supremacists hide behind to justify their bigotry (seriously, pulling the " but asians are smarter than whites" is classic white supremacist tactic)...
Even if the scientific consensus wasn't definitively against race realism...You cannot seperate historical influences, cultural influences, geographical influences,unseen biases in interpretation, unseen biases in methodology from genetic influences on topics such as this. Pretending that you can have a meaningful discussion about topics such is an intellectual circle-jerk.
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Comment on Recommendations for a great podcast? What are you listening to? in ~misc
ComradeCatgirl LinkIf you like fiction podcasts: Welcome to Night Vale - a surrealist comedy horror podcast, usually episodic in nature Alice isn't Dead - A girl travels across country to find her missing wife, and...If you like fiction podcasts:
Welcome to Night Vale - a surrealist comedy horror podcast, usually episodic in nature
Alice isn't Dead - A girl travels across country to find her missing wife, and gets tangled in a paranormal world. It perfectly captures the mood and feeling of a long road trip by yourself.
TANIS - A mystery/conspiracy story presented as though it is real. It's compelling, well composed, and keeps your interest. It blends real life historical events with fiction.
If you like nonfiction podcasts:
Philosophize This - Great philosophy podcast that is approachable to someone with no philosophy background but is interested in the subject.
The Partially Examined Life - A more intermediate philosophy podcast with really indepth and entertaining discussion.
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Comment on Benefit of not having downvotes: I can say that I enjoy The Phantom Menace in ~movies
ComradeCatgirl Link ParentThe Last Jedi is like a really great movie combined with a really mediocre movie in my opinion. I loved the Rey, Skywalker, Kylo, Snoke plot thread, it's some of my favorite Star Wars. The second...The Last Jedi is like a really great movie combined with a really mediocre movie in my opinion. I loved the Rey, Skywalker, Kylo, Snoke plot thread, it's some of my favorite Star Wars.
The second plot thread, with Finn and Rose, feels like an entirely different movie. It's great they went serious and subversive with the Rey and Kylo subplot, but it clashes tonally with the Finn and Rose casino plot, which felt like yet another standard big budget adventure romp (a la Valerian, Jurassic World, Ready Player 1, etc).
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Comment on Benefit of not having downvotes: I can say that I enjoy The Phantom Menace in ~movies
ComradeCatgirl (edited )Link ParentI like that ring theory brings up interesting parallels but doesn't seem to acknowledge that the grand vision it suggests Star Wars has could have been accomplished just as well with much better...I like that ring theory brings up interesting parallels but doesn't seem to acknowledge that the grand vision it suggests Star Wars has could have been accomplished just as well with much better dialogue, a more compelling prequel Anakin, etc.
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Comment on The most forgotten rule of Tildes, and why I'm leaving in ~talk
ComradeCatgirl LinkThere are certain controversial topics that warrant no debate, no benefit of the doubt, no charitable interpretations. It would be nice if you actually gave examples, "well-meaning discussions,...There are certain controversial topics that warrant no debate, no benefit of the doubt, no charitable interpretations.
It would be nice if you actually gave examples, "well-meaning discussions, charitable interpretations, honest discussions" are all subjective metrics, and open for debate. I don't want to presume what you're referring to. However, people with racist, transphobic, homophobic, etc opinions usually do not think of themselves as hateful, racist, etc. In fact, people like that love to think their beliefs are scientific, rational, in good-faith, etc. That doesn't mean anyone should give them the benefit of the doubt because they don't realize their own hateful ideology.
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Comment on Thoughts on stand your ground laws in ~talk
ComradeCatgirl Link ParentAny threatening variation of "get out of the car" would do. It doesn't matter if the shove was potentially lethal, you can't kill someone for "almost maybe killing you" if you are no longer in...Any threatening variation of "get out of the car" would do.
It doesn't matter if the shove was potentially lethal, you can't kill someone for "almost maybe killing you" if you are no longer in danger. If you watch the video, the engagement ends after Drejka gets shoved. McGlockton backs away and makes no indication of attacking further. In fact, there is a gap of seconds where McGlockton is backing up before being shot. If this happened in any other state, even others with SYG laws, Drejka would be charged with (and likely convicted of) at least manslaughter.
And yes, if Drejka was being verbally aggressive or threatening (pretty clear by how people react walking by), then McGlockton could reasonably claim self-defense in his actions to defend his partner.
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Comment on Thoughts on stand your ground laws in ~talk
ComradeCatgirl Link ParentSure. Alternatively, depending on what he said to her, she may have been fearful to remain in the car. Further, if we consider it reasonable behavior for the guy to kill another human being when...Sure. Alternatively, depending on what he said to her, she may have been fearful to remain in the car. Further, if we consider it reasonable behavior for the guy to kill another human being when confronted, then even if the woman was fearful of him attacking, it was just as reasonable for her (and her partner) to confront the man, even if she felt threatened.
If someone is yelling viciously at your partner, it's perfectly reasonable to confront them, and it would make sense to confront the person together.
Such as the myths such as I mentioned above: conflating technology and progress with capitalism, appealing to human nature, appealing to practicality vs naivety, that people who are poor are their because of their own faults, etc.
Graeber isn't critiquing banks, or stock brokers, or investors, or individuals. He's certainly not going to blame someone for doing what they need to do to get by. His main point here is that capitalism, our overarching economy, which claims to be maximized for efficiency, really isn't, and instead pushes people into working for a bloated system, then justifies itself with ideology such as the ideas you originally replied with.