CptBluebear's recent activity
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Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
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Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
CptBluebear Link ParentIt seems like they've become incapable of understanding emotion when it's displayed in front of them. I'm sure they can apply the theoretical when any of the humans explicitly mentions their...It seems like they've become incapable of understanding emotion when it's displayed in front of them. I'm sure they can apply the theoretical when any of the humans explicitly mentions their emotion, but they've lost the ability to read it at an individual level. It's not even that they don't address her grief, they flat out disrespect it by using Helen's memories before being told to stop. They're very self serving.
So much so that they also display they are indeed capable of using feelings in the episode named "Charm Offensive" to get what they want. This indicates, to me, they do possess skills to manipulate emotions even if they find it difficult to read in the moment. They do not understand why Carol ends up leaving the situation.
On the other hand, they explicitly can no longer create. There is zero individualism, which probably means there's zero skill left required to read an individual.I find it fun to pontificate because truthfully, I agree with you. It needs an explicit suspension of disbelief in certain areas to make the show even work. The Others would be too effective otherwise because they should be able to do everything any human ever could.
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Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
CptBluebear Link ParentThey can no longer experience individual emotions and especially can't experience negative ones. They also seem to be only as emphatic as their morality allows, having no issues releasing...They can no longer experience individual emotions and especially can't experience negative ones. They also seem to be only as emphatic as their morality allows, having no issues releasing domesticated animals into the wild that may or may not live.
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Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
CptBluebear Link ParentI don't think that was intended as a throwaway joke. It firmly established that the Others are incapable of denying her requests up to and including nuclear annihilation if she so pleases. It's an...I don't think that was intended as a throwaway joke. It firmly established that the Others are incapable of denying her requests up to and including nuclear annihilation if she so pleases. It's an important part of their collective psyche that the Old Schoolers can take advantage of.
It sets up that Carol is ready to fight tooth and nail again after learning she's in danger.The fact that it's a nuke is twofold: Apple wanted a big finish, and it refers to the aforementioned scene. It's a big "stay the hell away from me" sign.
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Comment on Pluribus full season discussion in ~tv
CptBluebear LinkIs that a trend? When most media is nothing but an over stimulating mess, a slower, more traditional approach is a warm welcome. Also very Vince Gilligan, so par for the course for this show...I dislike the trend of prestige television being at such a slow pace.
Is that a trend? When most media is nothing but an over stimulating mess, a slower, more traditional approach is a warm welcome. Also very Vince Gilligan, so par for the course for this show really.
I also think slow is an incorrect characterization of the show. Thoughtful, perhaps. Methodical, maybe. Comprehensive?
It's a lot of "show don't tell", and manages to say quite a lot with its shots. When it does linger in a scene it's generally spent by giving us a look into a character's psyche (either improving or declining) or showing how difficult some task actually is on their mental health.
I like how the show takes time setting up scenarios without jumping from one plot point to the next. Being alone in the world is probably very boring too, as the viewer being pulled into seeing that is bound to be "slow", but it also serves to set up the motivations of the characters.I see a lot of comments across the internet that nothing happens, but a deep character study isn't nothing. It's a character study. I loved Menousos' arduous (and beautifully shot) trek from South to North America. It tells a story all by itself and how determined this man is.
In short, slow? Perhaps in today's media landscape. But I find it misplaced.
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Comment on Iran’s supreme leader signals harsher crackdown as protest movement swells in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentAh yes, internet blackouts, in 2025 that proved to be the surefire way to get your government toppled. Let's see if 2026 holds true.Ah yes, internet blackouts, in 2025 that proved to be the surefire way to get your government toppled. Let's see if 2026 holds true.
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Comment on US withdraws from sixty-six international organisations in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentMaybe I cut off that sardonic joke at the end a little too early. Because yeah that's worrisome in more ways than one.Maybe I cut off that sardonic joke at the end a little too early. Because yeah that's worrisome in more ways than one.
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Comment on US withdraws from sixty-six international organisations in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentI couldn't either. I'm not from the US so my knowledge around those laws is hearsay at best. To that point, I read something about it not needing congressional approval because it wasn't a...I couldn't either. I'm not from the US so my knowledge around those laws is hearsay at best. To that point, I read something about it not needing congressional approval because it wasn't a military invasion longer than XYZ amount of hours but that could be complete bollocks that I haven't verified.
But, with not even a heads-up to congress for a foreign invasion and the increasing levels of federal policing through the national guard in dissident states, I worry what laws will be decidedly broken first. The domestic, or the foreign ones?
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Comment on US withdraws from sixty-six international organisations in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentWell they did just invade Venezuela so there's that for an answer. He'll just ignore congress, and the army, that has a right to deny illegitimate orders, happily obliged anyway.Well they did just invade Venezuela so there's that for an answer. He'll just ignore congress, and the army, that has a right to deny illegitimate orders, happily obliged anyway.
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Comment on US withdraws from sixty-six international organisations in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentCaesar fell only in the footsteps of the likes of Cinna and Sulla that already broke Roman tradition of not having troops near the city. Ignoring the rule of law to see what you can get away with...Caesar fell only in the footsteps of the likes of Cinna and Sulla that already broke Roman tradition of not having troops near the city. Ignoring the rule of law to see what you can get away with is how it starts.
Add to that a heaping of political violence in the form of gangs roaming the streets of Rome and you have a situation no tradition or constitution will defend against if unenforced long enough.
Of course, the senate had difficulties with enforcing any law considering they had to contend with an army loyal to a general instead of the state. The US isn't yet at the point the army is at the whim of one sin...
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Comment on US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military, says White House in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentBrazil and China being part of BRICS makes dedollarization easier and even then they're still not there. They signed that agreement years ago and only now started doing currency swaps. It's a sign...Brazil and China being part of BRICS makes dedollarization easier and even then they're still not there. They signed that agreement years ago and only now started doing currency swaps. It's a sign of the dollar weakening, which is without a doubt happening, but not by much.
BRICS is the supposed rival to the rest of the world economy after all, their attempt isn't out of the ordinary and they're still struggling to break free of the mighty Dollar. Two of the largest geopolitical economic rivals can't shake loose the Dollar.
I don't see anyone else following any time soon even if there are musings among parties like ASEAN.The Pound Sterling was replaced by the dollar after World War 1, and global trade significantly increased complexity and integration in the 20th century. I don't think they're comparable beyond how the Pound was pegged to the gold standard before WW1 and the Dollar took that prize.
Integration today with systems such as SWIFT make dedollarization more difficult than ever.I'll take that bet. If only because I don't want the dollar losing global reserve status, it would be disastrous in the short term.
Side note: I'm a bit sick and have a headache, so getting my thoughts straight is a bit of a struggle. If I ramble at points, I apologise.
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Comment on US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military, says White House in ~society
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentLikely doesn't matter. International trade is done in dollars. Everyone wants a pile of dollars. Brazil trading with Japan is done in dollars*. Even China trades in dollars. There was this big...Likely doesn't matter. International trade is done in dollars. Everyone wants a pile of dollars.
Brazil trading with Japan is done in dollars*. Even China trades in dollars.
There was this big thing about Russia demanding trade in roubles after they realised it sucks being removed from SWIFT.. and very few countries obliged.Being an adversary to the US but still wanting to trade on the international market means you still need dollars.
There will be some loss of trust, but not enough to decouple the world market from the dollar.
*I have not checked this, I'm very confident though.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
CptBluebear Link ParentOne of two things will happen: It'll click and you will see every boss fight as a choreographed dance where timing and positioning is more important than ever. The dance puts you into a...One of two things will happen:
It'll click and you will see every boss fight as a choreographed dance where timing and positioning is more important than ever. The dance puts you into a trance-like state and you will start to react to gameplay almost subconsciously, like an exceedingly difficult rhythm game.
Or
You'll get better at it bit by bit and trudge through bosses. Each one a wall where you must learn the moveset in order to react to it before being pummeled over and over and you end up brute forcing it, relying on timed dodging and clever use of items and the prosthetic. It feels more like a very fast Dark Souls that's just a little faster than your response time.
If the latter, like with myself, you'll tire of having to learn yet another boss after having just defeated one. You'll manage, eventually, but the exuberance you have after defeating Consort Radahn instead feels like relief when you finally defeat the damned ape.
If the former, you'll probably end up liking this game more than the others in the FromSoft lineup.
Either way: keep at it, for at least a bit.
It really does require a different approach than any of their other games and it takes some time to get used to it far more than Dark Souls ever required.
The game has some incredibly cinematic gameplay and the setting is stunningly well crafted, with some superb boss fights to boot. It'd be a shame to miss some of them.Unsolicited tip about which skill is good. Don't open if you want to go in fully blind.
The Mikiri Counter is your friend. It's not a bad idea to look for the skill scrolls required to unlock this thing. It's borderline mandatory.
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Comment on US strikes Venezuela and says its leader, Nicolas Maduro, has been captured and flown out of the country in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentI'm not trying to meddle too much in your discussion, but it seems prudent to note that the initial plan was to move all Jews to Madagascar. Only when that proved infeasible did they start...I'm not trying to meddle too much in your discussion, but it seems prudent to note that the initial plan was to move all Jews to Madagascar. Only when that proved infeasible did they start thinking of other methods. They notably did not start with eradication.
This is not a defense of Nazis, but your argument hinges on the point they had extermination on their mind from the word get. And they didn't.
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Comment on US strikes Venezuela and says its leader, Nicolas Maduro, has been captured and flown out of the country in ~society
CptBluebear (edited )Link ParentThat's a bold claim. You don't become the manufacturer of the world if you can't manufacture. China only making crappy products is a sentiment of decades past. Their new fighters are no longer...China's navy is a joke from an engineering standpoint like everything they build
That's a bold claim. You don't become the manufacturer of the world if you can't manufacture. China only making crappy products is a sentiment of decades past.
Their new fighters are no longer Sukhoi derivatives but self designed and looking formidable enough.
Their electric vehicles are taking the world by storm.
Solar panels worldwide are mainly Chinese.
Most things computers that aren't chips are manufactured in China.
I can go on, point is, China's manufacturing is plenty capable. In a lot of cases they're the only ones making certain items because the rest of the world divested or never invested in the infrastructure. The reason we're all so dependent on their rare earth metal exports isn't because other countries don't have the resources, they don't have the expertise to refine and ship it like China does.
I'm not trying to be a China apologist, but underestimate them at your own peril.
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Comment on US strikes Venezuela and says its leader, Nicolas Maduro, has been captured and flown out of the country in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentThanks, that's a good source. It reads as if oil companies have an interest and their lobbying is what drives some decision making. I'm partial to the argument this can be spun as a "border...Thanks, that's a good source. It reads as if oil companies have an interest and their lobbying is what drives some decision making.
I'm partial to the argument this can be spun as a "border defense" talking point because approval ratings are in the gutter, but oil is a tale as old as time.
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Comment on US strikes Venezuela and says its leader, Nicolas Maduro, has been captured and flown out of the country in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentYeah I've seen that talking point. From Maduro himself no less, but the US doesn't need oil right now. The price of oil is good, the storage is vast, and the US still has massive deposits. I'm not...Yeah I've seen that talking point. From Maduro himself no less, but the US doesn't need oil right now. The price of oil is good, the storage is vast, and the US still has massive deposits.
I'm not convinced, though I wouldn't be surprised either if that did end up being the case.
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Comment on US strikes Venezuela and says its leader, Nicolas Maduro, has been captured and flown out of the country in ~society
CptBluebear Link ParentA friend of mine just asked what the casus belli was and I have no real response. Why did this even happen? I'm not much looking forward to another age of imperialism.A friend of mine just asked what the casus belli was and I have no real response. Why did this even happen?
I'm not much looking forward to another age of imperialism.
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Comment on Stranger Things finale discussion in ~tv
CptBluebear LinkI deliberately sat down with my wife after the finale to talk about it before reading any sentiment or comments online. Somewhat in an attempt to more purposefully digest what media we just...I deliberately sat down with my wife after the finale to talk about it before reading any sentiment or comments online. Somewhat in an attempt to more purposefully digest what media we just consumed, but also to formulate the opinion before being coloured by convincing arguments.
Preamble done, I think the finale played it incredibly safe. All neatly wrapped with a bow for every one in the (very sizable) cast without going too deep into resolving open plotlines or loose threads. Possibly to skirt responsibility for having to sufficiently close storylines? Maybe to prevent another finale that crumbles public opinion so much your show isn't talked about anymore like Game of Thrones?
Some things are never resolved, never brought up again, or never explored beyond the surface. What happened to the pregnant ladies? Would season 5 be materially different if you'd flat out remove the entire military plotline? Were there any consequences for the cast in the 18 months post Upside Down?
The show suffers from an immensely large cast. No plot point or relationship receives the appropriate attention it deserves because they have to move things forward for 20 different pairings, multiple friend groups, age groups, B plots, C plots, and the main story thread. One of the consequences is that there's absolutely no stakes whatsoever. None you can feel anyway. The last time this show put me on the edge of my seat was an entire season ago. Neither danger or emotional beats hit the way they should.
Besides the structure though, it looked like a show with an infinite CGI budget and therefore absolutely gorgeous. I'm not sure I like the Mind Flayer being just some alien spider but I also don't really care because that sequence was awe inspiring. Nevermind there's inexplicably no more monsters whatsoever, the action is beautiful.
More than once my wife asked me something about the structure and it boiled down to me saying "don't think about it too much". It's good as a standalone popcorn season/flick, and slightly disappointing as an end to a decades old show.
All in all, it's just aggressively mid.
Not entirely in a bad way mind you, I think the 7,9 on IMDb is a little higher than deserved by IMDb standards, but not by much. A soft landing is probably better than the Game of Thrones disaster, but it also guarantees it'll never end up in the best of all time lists.When I then read some of the comments online it sort of matches what I thought.
TL;dr
Good, not great. Slightly disappointing, but also fine as a standalone film.
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Comment on What video games would you say have the best stories? Feel free to suggest more than one. in ~games
CptBluebear Link ParentBook one is markedly different on a second read-through of the series. It's utterly confusing the first time around because it intentionally does not guide you into it. The author himself would...Book one is markedly different on a second read-through of the series. It's utterly confusing the first time around because it intentionally does not guide you into it. The author himself would say that history has no starting point, so where do you start when chronicling a story of an empire?
Makes for an interesting story but a damn tough one to get into. A large part of book one is spent asking who the hell these people are and what's going on.. and what even is the concept of a Warren?
And from a meta standpoint, Steven Eriksens writing improves with each book and the difference between 1 and 10 is stark.If you ever get the chance to revisit the series and walk the chain of dogs, I'd love to hear what you think then. Some people advise skipping book one and while I don't particularly agree, it does help for some who bounced off of book one a little too much.
Edit to add: not just the Black Company, but this conversation made me look up the release date for Steven Eriksens latest book in the Malazan universe and it was a little over a month ago. It completely passed me by. Time for me to pick up that one too!
Emotion is a lot more nebulous when shared with 7 billion people. It almost can't be very explicit because that would affect the hivemind.
If a single individual got scared, it would infect the entire hivemind's ability to function.
It has seemingly discarded most feelings, anger, hatred, envy, arousal, angst, disgust. And blunted the rest like happiness, excitement, and love. The only strong feeling they seem to have is the biological imperative to "procreate".
What seems to happen when they're disrupted(?), the negativity experienced overwhelms their collective capacity to feel anything stronger than a light smile.
It's still unclear what they're actually capable of though.