CptBluebear's recent activity
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
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Comment on A raccoon who got drunk, trashed a liquor store, and passed out beside a toilet has somehow managed to turn his wild night into a $290,000 act of charity in ~life
CptBluebear Link ParentMore than you'd think! Birds, bats, and bears love fermented fruits. Monkeys and apes enjoy the stuff too.More than you'd think! Birds, bats, and bears love fermented fruits. Monkeys and apes enjoy the stuff too.
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
CptBluebear Link ParentOh boy that's a classic. But uh just to illustrate how much it burrows into the mind: The siege of Y'Ghatan happens in chapter 7. Out of 24. It's nowhere near the end but it feels like you're...Oh boy that's a classic. But uh just to illustrate how much it burrows into the mind: The siege of Y'Ghatan happens in chapter 7. Out of 24.
It's nowhere near the end but it feels like you're dragged through hell and back as it grabs your attention and doesn't let go. You're usually allowed some space to breathe by jumping into another perspective or plot point, but not there. You're with them all the way. I think it speaks volumes how you remember it as the end of the book. And most assuredly, not in a bad way.Honestly, rereading removes that initial frustration of "where the fuck am I now" almost entirely. You're no longer focused on figuring out what's going on, who you're inhabiting, or what even is the continent you're on or timeframe you're in. It's far more enjoyable that way as I'm now (I'm actually currently rereading the series) looking forward to what's next. I'm now much more in tune with the overall placement of the stories within the overarching plot. Karsa's initial chapters in House of Chains (4) with seemingly no attachment to the main plot or Midnight Tides (5) taking me to Lether no longer feel like I'm reading a different, very confusing story, but they're as much a part of the whole as Deadhouse Gates (2) or Memories of Ice (3).
Honestly, I can recommend it. If not for the above, then the in hindsight really damn obvious foreshadowing Erikson tends to place throughout. I've facepalmed more than once and had to ask myself how I couldn't see the obvious the first time around.
All in all, they're a really pleasant read when I can focus more on the characters' convictions and beliefs rather than the "who, what, why, where" of it all. The ending of the Chain of Dogs got me the second time just as it did the first time.
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Comment on NVIDIA announces CEO transition: Jensen Huang has resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board, effective immediately in ~tech
CptBluebear Link ParentSure, I'll concede that point. Right now it doesn't make much sense for boards to skimp on pay, beyond ruthlessly optimizing the bottom line I suppose. I do still hold the opinion that it isn't...Sure, I'll concede that point. Right now it doesn't make much sense for boards to skimp on pay, beyond ruthlessly optimizing the bottom line I suppose. I do still hold the opinion that it isn't necessary per se. Not all talent can be found at the extreme end of the spectrum.
Policy changes like SOX to force disclosure and tax avoidance lead to boards increasingly handing out stock options and later stock awards, circumventing any salary caps for the benefit of.. well just the CEO really.
At some point, and yeah this mainly touches the second argument Octofox made, it really makes little difference if they earn a 100 million or a 100 billion. It's not like they're more or less productive at either end, they're rich beyond measure either way.
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Comment on NVIDIA announces CEO transition: Jensen Huang has resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board, effective immediately in ~tech
CptBluebear Link ParentI also disagree with the former. CEO salaries were much lower in the past. Earning 20 times more than the average employee instead of 300-400 should be more than acceptable for that role. CEOs...I also disagree with the former. CEO salaries were much lower in the past. Earning 20 times more than the average employee instead of 300-400 should be more than acceptable for that role. CEOs managed companies just fine with a lower salary.
It's both, to me, actually.
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Comment on NVIDIA announces CEO transition: Jensen Huang has resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board, effective immediately in ~tech
CptBluebear LinkA third affair has hit the building. I saw someone say something along the lines of "if you have two ants in your kitchen, you don't surmise you only have two ants in your kitchen".A third affair has hit the building.
I saw someone say something along the lines of "if you have two ants in your kitchen, you don't surmise you only have two ants in your kitchen".
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Comment on Humble Bundle redesign leaves out crucial security features in ~games
CptBluebear Link ParentWe're well beyond "start". For some reason the people I meet that are the most evangelical are directors or board members or founders, it's weird. Hell my own company's founder wants me to move...start to believe it
We're well beyond "start".
For some reason the people I meet that are the most evangelical are directors or board members or founders, it's weird.
Hell my own company's founder wants me to move the dev team to daily releases. Totally a bad idea in our case but it's a never ending tug of war regardless.
The argument of "I'll hire two freelancers to do this in two weeks" has been dropped more than once too.All because they can whip up a redesign in something like lovable in a day it means all of software dev must be the same.. right!?
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Comment on NVIDIA announces CEO transition: Jensen Huang has resigned as President, Chief Executive Officer, and a member of the Board, effective immediately in ~tech
CptBluebear Link ParentTo a point. Their salaries have ballooned to ridiculous levels at this point. Their contributions are disproportionately rewarded. I'd posit a good CEO knows who to put in what leadership position...To a point. Their salaries have ballooned to ridiculous levels at this point. Their contributions are disproportionately rewarded.
I'd posit a good CEO knows who to put in what leadership position more than what they do themselves.
I absolutely agree that bad leadership can tank a company though.
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Comment on Choosing hosting and DNS outside US and EU jurisdictions, hedging against repression in ~tech
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentWithin the framework of hosting, yeah I think it's rather easy. Within the freedom of expression framework? Yeah that too, I think it's rather easy too if you're looking for the freedom to express...- Exemplary
I get the impression we might be discussing from two slightly different positions: you seem to want to find a way to rank the various global oppressors, to be able to go with the lesser evil.
Within the framework of hosting, yeah I think it's rather easy. Within the freedom of expression framework? Yeah that too, I think it's rather easy too if you're looking for the freedom to express yourself. On a geopolitical level? Probably not, all nation states have skeletons in their closet and trying to figure out which one's the least harmful is an exercise in futility. I'm not that utilitarian.
Your claim that I'm doing 'fallen civilians and defenders of a sovereign country' a massive disservice is not a conclusion I recognize at all. Sounds like the old "support our troops" saw.
Not at all the same. The latter being used when invading, the former when being invaded. I don't consider territorial defense of sovereign soil on the same level as destabilizing Afghanistan and do not "support the troops" doing the destabilizing. Especially with something as banal as imperialistic landgrabs. Equating my conviction to the level of convincing your friends to lose their netflix sub or bumper stickers is rather rude too.
The more I read in this thread the more I want to pull away from the conversation. It's clear to me there is no convincing you that invading a country, Ukraine, Afghanistan, Georgia, elsewhere, is generally a no-no unless it's the US doing it because that seems to currently serve your purpose of wanting to agitate against the Western world. So I'm just going to leave you to it, because additionally:
I should have added this detail in my initial question, but all of those countries you mention are in the '14 Eyes' countries which means they have an automated surveillance dragnet on all internet traffic.
Means you will never find what you're looking for. Good luck finding a country that doesn't spy on your internet traffic. Most of all Russia. Your suggestion to host in Russia in the first post becomes borderline absurd with this requirement.
My personal interest in the topic boils down to "FUCK ALL OPPRESORS AND THEIR WARS" and then proceed to agitate against those I estimate I can have the most impact on,
Then do as you say and fuck the one doing the oppressing and don't host in Russia! I'm genuinely at a loss when someone sees Russia as the victim in this situation when they're the only ones that willfully crossed the border, they're the only ones able to stop this immediately, they're the only ones wanting this to continue.
All that aside, you've baited me into a conversation of "US Bad" "No, Russia bad" when I think both suck? I also just think you're probably better off as a citizen in one more than the other. Especially when broadcasting political hot takes. See I could just as easily create a list like yours about Russia (or some other country, really doesn't matter) but that would be both-sidesing and defeating the point.
So.. what exactly are you looking for? One genocide is worthy of condemnation but the other deserves your hosting money. Right now it just looks like you're trying to pick a side where you can agree with the evil perpetrated while condemning the other. Fine, but be honest about it. But this waffling is doing nobody any favours, least of all yourself.
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Comment on Choosing hosting and DNS outside US and EU jurisdictions, hedging against repression in ~tech
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentFair, though I did not mean aspirant status. It wasn't like either of those countries were ready or able to join. Not in 2008, 2014, or in 2022. To clarify then, much like Turkey technically being...Fair, though I did not mean aspirant status. It wasn't like either of those countries were ready or able to join. Not in 2008, 2014, or in 2022. To clarify then, much like Turkey technically being an EU candidate, the actual process of accession wasn't on the docket.
Good article though, thanks. It also reminds me how my father used to call that Secretary General Jaap de Opschepper (the bragger).
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
CptBluebear LinkOk I take back a part of my comment after reading a bit more (just kidding, but only a little). I see there's no mention of the movie "The Raid". Which, truth be told, is one massive action scene...Ok I take back a part of my comment after reading a bit more (just kidding, but only a little).
I see there's no mention of the movie "The Raid". Which, truth be told, is one massive action scene by itself.
It's a genuine heart thumping movie that doesn't let up with the tension and balls to the wall action.I think this scene is the most famous. And while it's famous for a reason, it's not the only memorable scene.
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Comment on What's your favorite action scene? in ~talk
CptBluebear LinkGoing against the grain (mostly, I saw one book) and because both games and film has been covered extensively with good options I'll share my favourite "action scene". Really it's multiple...Going against the grain (mostly, I saw one book) and because both games and film has been covered extensively with good options I'll share my favourite "action scene". Really it's multiple chapters but hey.
The siege of Capustan in the third book Memories of Ice in the Malazan Book of the Fallen series.
It's harrowing, engaging, disgusting, heartfelt, interesting, thought provoking, and revolting all at once.
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Comment on Tesla to wind down Cybertruck production in Texas next year in ~transport
CptBluebear Link ParentAllow me to assuage those fears. It is contractually stipulated Back to the Future cannot get a sequel or rebooted without the express consent of the creators.Allow me to assuage those fears. It is contractually stipulated Back to the Future cannot get a sequel or rebooted without the express consent of the creators.
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Comment on Originle: Every day, guess the guest's country of origin in ~games
CptBluebear Link ParentI got one or two on the first try. Every now and then the name is the easiest clue. As far as I could tell, "Khoi" only really means one thing.I got one or two on the first try. Every now and then the name is the easiest clue. As far as I could tell, "Khoi" only really means one thing.
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Comment on Originle: Every day, guess the guest's country of origin in ~games
CptBluebear LinkThis ranges from exceedingly difficult to omega simple. Not a knock, just an observation. Like, a clearly French lady saying they eat cheese platters to another saying he comes from a small island...This ranges from exceedingly difficult to omega simple. Not a knock, just an observation. Like, a clearly French lady saying they eat cheese platters to another saying he comes from a small island in the Caribbean. Do you know how little that narrows it down?
Fun though!
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Comment on Baby’s first malware in ~comp
CptBluebear Link ParentUsed to be that the money was in Windows. Both home and professional computers ran Windows. Writing malware for Mac wasn't really worth it. Nowadays people own Macs left and right. There are...Used to be that the money was in Windows. Both home and professional computers ran Windows. Writing malware for Mac wasn't really worth it. Nowadays people own Macs left and right.
There are technical reasons too but even then it wasn't impossible to write malware for Mac twenty years ago.
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Comment on Choosing hosting and DNS outside US and EU jurisdictions, hedging against repression in ~tech
CptBluebear Link ParentA defensive alliance does not encroach. It has members joining them freely because of a perceived threat. I say perceived, but it's clear it's real. Besides, Ukraine joining NATO wasn't on the...How do you evaluate the actions of NATO expanding all the way up to Russia's borders? It is my understanding that the end of the cold war was brought about by the agreement that NATO would not expand further eastward.
A defensive alliance does not encroach. It has members joining them freely because of a perceived threat. I say perceived, but it's clear it's real. Besides, Ukraine joining NATO wasn't on the docket. If it were indeed a buffer state, invading and seizing it would mean you no longer have that buffer.
The end of the cold war happened because the Soviet Union fell. Whether or not enlargement played into the 1990 agreements is a topic of debate and is not confirmed. Gorbachov denied this.
Regardless, and this is always pretty fucking annoying to me, NATO didn't actually invade anyone of their own volition. Russia did. They put men across the border into another sovereign nation. Twice! That, and that alone, is enough to say they are the aggressor.
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Comment on Choosing hosting and DNS outside US and EU jurisdictions, hedging against repression in ~tech
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentOut of all of these, I would say the "US-backed proxy war in Ukraine" (thorny as it is when stated like that) is probably not at all a bad thing. Being able to say no to naked imperialism is the...- Exemplary
Out of all of these, I would say the "US-backed proxy war in Ukraine" (thorny as it is when stated like that) is probably not at all a bad thing. Being able to say no to naked imperialism is the reason I'm not a pacifist, beyond a vague hope I can one day say I am that is. I don't know your stance on this war in general, though from my perspective there is little doubt who the aggressor is in this case and as such it's easy to "pick sides", as it were. Much easier than most conflicts at least. As such, calling it a proxy war by the US is doing a massive disservice* to the fallen civilians and defenders of a sovereign country. Which is why I again implore you to reconsider investing in Russia.
As for the rest of your points.. I don't necessarily have a straight answer that will satisfy within the confines of a text post on a forum but I'll try to at least somewhat succinctly formulate how I think it shouldn't be too much of a toss up between the listed countries despite their wrongdoings. Before I get into that perhaps consider Canada, Switzerland, Norway, South America or another stable country in Asia instead. None** of the baggage and plenty of good reasons to support middle countries.
For the sake of simplicity, when I say "countries" in the context of your list I will consider the EU part of that too. Though an argument, a strong one too, is that it's not and therefore you shouldn't broadly dismiss some countries within the EU as an option. Taking that logic further, Europe isn't the EU either. I listed two European countries already that can be considered that do not carry the baggage of waging imperalist wars or politically dominate their citizenry.
Enfin, taking a look at the large countries in your consideration you only need to take a step back and look beyond these years to see which ones are the lesser evils amongst the bunch. A culture is not the past few years, it's the shaping of a people done over generations. In the short term, the repudiation of the orange man we've seen during these midterm elections should tell you that the people of the United States do not unilaterally stand behind the current US policy. In the longer term, freedom of speech and freedom of the press has been in a much better state than China or Russia, where the people in the US consider as part of their culture. While that's being encroached upon in the short term you can probably see how in the long term it's on much less shakier ground. The people are unlikely to accept a complete shutdown of the freedom of press. If y'all can endlessly blather about the second amendment as if it's a holy text I'm sure the first is similarly beyond reproach.
As for the EU, we see a fairly strong right wing push into politics which comes with its own problematic repression and panicky reactionary nonsense to stifle dissent. This is also generally not what the people value. The reactionary response is a method, not a goal. It's also a short term view of what the EU values. Most of these countries are able to point to their collective history of the past century and confidently say that freedom of speech and press has been held up.
Russia and China can't. Russia, and by extension the Soviet Union have a clear historical precedence and preference to politics being shaped by the ruling class to the point the citizens have no say in the matter. Dissent is not just shunned, it's punished. While the EU is backsliding, there is clear precedent the people value being able to speak freely. There is no such movement large enough in Russia or China that will make that progress possible. The fact that EU is able to backslide should say that the current situation is a damn sight better than it is in places where you can't.
China has long meddled in affairs internally and abroad that go against the party line. I don't think I have to explain how any movement towards progress and freedom is very unlikely for the time being.Now for the part where I'm trying to bring nuance into the topic of genocide. This needs to be preempted by me saying that I do not want to try and rate which of the suffering is worse. They are all terrible. That out of the way, here we go.
China is actively perpetrating a genocide against the Uyghurs.
Russia is actively perpetrating a genocide against the Ukrainians.
The US and the EU are bystanders to one perpetrated by a country currently losing all international favour, mostly because of existing alliance structures they intend to honour***.
If you look purely at who is more responsible for the wholesale slaughter and displacement of a peoples you need to look no further than Russia and China. I don't think it's controversial to say that the lesser of evils rests in the Western world.Here's also where "The EU" needs to be disseminated into multiple countries. The backing is not unilateral. Safe to say that Germany has uhh.. a history with the Jewish people, and their response to Israel has always been disproportionately in favour of defending their own honour. Spain, Ireland, Luxembourg, and a few others have loudly voiced their dissent and have called for amendments or the dissolution of existing agreements with Israel. The EU is not a monolith. Member states within the EU are actively working against current policies and change is not impossible.
Long story short, if your considerations go no further than the US, EU, China, Russia, then maybe taking the lesser evils is the best step forward. If you're not bound to any of those, you have a plethora of countries to choose from that do not have this problem.
Edit to add: You asked me a direct question that I failed to answer. I do try to restrict spending in the US markets as much as I can and reduce the touchpoints within that market. I have limited my spending in the US following their actions. I'm unfortunately not in the position to fully step out of the US market. But neither am I able to step out of the Chinese manufacturing bubble. As much as I would like to, our world is too linked to freely choose any market for any product. For some products that I need, I cannot buy anything but Chinese manufactured goods. I can, however, choose where I do my hosting.
*I'm putting this lightly because I want to speak to you without admonishing. My opinions around this are much stronger than the word "disservice" implies.
**No country is without baggage. To your question where I draw the line? I accept that some evils happen, I also know that in some places I have a far larger influence on these evil policies by being able to vote and speak out. But yes, you're right in the strictest sense that there is no place that hasn't done something awful.
***This sounds like apologism, it's not. Existing alliance structures do not have to be held when one side is party to crimes against humanity, but I can understand from a geopolitical standpoint how there is difficulty extricating yourself from these obligations. Call it ameliorating circumstances, not an endorsement.P.S. As I went on I lost a bit of structure and my train of thought as work has forced me to interrupt a couple of times. Apologies. I hope I can at least get the point across that I think precedence can indicate that current states are not end states, and that you're more likely to find stability in the ones that have shown that they can rise to that occasion more than once.
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Comment on Binance suspends withdrawals after crypto hackers steal $6.3 billion in ~tech
CptBluebear Link ParentAnd put to the test in real life! -
Comment on Choosing hosting and DNS outside US and EU jurisdictions, hedging against repression in ~tech
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentYou'd be remiss to stop the logic train there. Early in the conflict, simply calling it a war meant a knock on the door. Political repression in Russia goes beyond your intended target, it's about...You'd be remiss to stop the logic train there. Early in the conflict, simply calling it a war meant a knock on the door. Political repression in Russia goes beyond your intended target, it's about toeing the party line. If you're not willing to do that, you are going to run into the Russian political repression system.
I don't know where OP is from, though I presume the US or EU, but sanctions will likely prohibit them from doing business there anyway. But that's an assumption I left out of my earlier post because I obviously can't verify that.
Edit to add: there are also a lot more reasons besides not to invest in Russian hosting if "least fragile" is your concern. You're genuinely better off hosting in Ukraine for a more robust and redundant system.*
*The royal you of course.
Twice! Someone else mentioned it too and linked a different scene. It's chock full of crazy fights throughout both films.