IudexMiku's recent activity
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Comment on Emily Wilson’s critique of Christopher Nolan’s “The Odyssey” in ~movies
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Comment on Ukraine ‘cuts off’ Crimea from Russia, plunging it into an energy crisis in ~society
IudexMiku Link ParentI agree. I suppose the main reason Ukraine hasn't renounced its claim to Crimea yet is that it'd be demoralising for the war effort to seen as ceding territory to the enemy.I agree. I suppose the main reason Ukraine hasn't renounced its claim to Crimea yet is that it'd be demoralising for the war effort to seen as ceding territory to the enemy.
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Comment on Ukraine ‘cuts off’ Crimea from Russia, plunging it into an energy crisis in ~society
IudexMiku LinkI'll never understand why the Ukrainian government thinks bombing Crimea will encourage them to rejoin. Cutting off their electricity seems needlessly cruel. You would think that it would've...I'll never understand why the Ukrainian government thinks bombing Crimea will encourage them to rejoin. Cutting off their electricity seems needlessly cruel.
You would think that it would've crossed their minds that bombing what's supposedly still their own territory would increase anti-Ukrainian resentment there. I wonder if punishing Crimeans for leaving is seen as a war goal for Ukraine.
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Comment on Modern, abstract art makes me angry in ~arts
IudexMiku LinkDo you not see any hypocrisy between declaring that modern art shouldn't be called art, and calling its proponents "snobbish", despite you bring the one with the more restrictive definition of...Do you not see any hypocrisy between declaring that modern art shouldn't be called art, and calling its proponents "snobbish", despite you bring the one with the more restrictive definition of art?
Not to sound like I'm accusing you of anything, because I'm not and I think a lot of people have this innate dislike or disinterest of modern art (for classist reasons I suspect), but it might be worth reading up about this other group of people who infamously didn't like modern art and seeing why you're drawing similar conclusions to them.
Personally, I've little love for classical works of art. Once you've seen one portrait of white Jesus you've seen them all, it's all too Christian for me.
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Comment on What do you think about Destiny 2’s imminent death and games as a service? in ~games
IudexMiku LinkI think Destiny 2 had plenty of opportunities to keep growing, and seemingly alienated almost all of its playbase over the last two years especially, but there's honestly been so many years of...I think Destiny 2 had plenty of opportunities to keep growing, and seemingly alienated almost all of its playbase over the last two years especially, but there's honestly been so many years of corporate mismanagement at this point. They should've hired Seth Dickinson as a narrative director 10 years ago.
I fell off it ~10 months ago, with the release of Edge of Fate. I thought it was mediocre, but it came with an overhaul of all loot that finally killed it for me. Maybe the Portal and tier system was pushed by management just to have something different (similar to how Spotify makes constant UI changes), because it does feel like a change that sounds good if you don't have to use it.
The final update has me excited for Destiny 2 for the first time in ages. They're cutting out big chunks of the Portal, bringing back reasons to visit destinations directly, and they seem to be making high tier items much more common. It does feel like someone at Bungie is genuinely pushing for changes I agree with. If this update came out 8 months ago or earlier I think Destiny 2 would still be in active development.
As for live-services games in general, I was never invested in any others the way I was in Destiny, which was forever on the verge of being quite good. I certainly don't have any interest in Marathon, and I probably won't check out another Bungie project unless a Destiny 3 ever materialises.
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Comment on 'Bloodborne' video game getting R-rated animated movie adaptation in ~movies
IudexMiku Link ParentHardly random. I was never a big youtube person but he's a fairly major name as they go. He has a decently long Wikipedia article even. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/JacksepticeyeHardly random. I was never a big youtube person but he's a fairly major name as they go. He has a decently long Wikipedia article even.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jacksepticeye -
Comment on I think Tildes moderators and admins may need to make a decision regarding how to handle Harry Potter related posts in ~tildes
IudexMiku LinkAs one of the people who does feel the need to always bring up Rowling's horrific and harmful politics, I will continue to do so. I personally care a lot more about the real harm being done to...- Exemplary
As one of the people who does feel the need to always bring up Rowling's horrific and harmful politics, I will continue to do so. I personally care a lot more about the real harm being done to trans people than I care about the feelings of fans of Harry Potter, and that's not a position that will change.
Just for once I'd prefer to have a little place on the internet that doesn't cater to Harry Potter fans over trans people. -
Comment on Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone | Teaser in ~tv
IudexMiku Link ParentMoney spent on Harry Potter goes into her pockets, which she in turn funnels into her hate groups. It's a very simple pipeline. Giving money to Rowling openly and directly supports her bigotry....Money spent on Harry Potter goes into her pockets, which she in turn funnels into her hate groups. It's a very simple pipeline. Giving money to Rowling openly and directly supports her bigotry. She's right to consider it an endorsement of what she does.
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Comment on Eyes of Iran: how the regime secretly monitors its citizens in ~society
IudexMiku LinkThis is propaganda funded by the proudly Reaganite National Endowment for Democracy. It's terrible that so many countries have this type of technology and abuse it. But signalling out Iran for...This is propaganda funded by the proudly Reaganite National Endowment for Democracy.
It's terrible that so many countries have this type of technology and abuse it. But signalling out Iran for this as some unique evil is a clear attempt to justify the US and Israel's "liberation" of the Iranian people. Otherwise they would've run this article about the 34 other countries who use this same technology. (Not that their evidence is very strong even. It's "impossible to verify" its use in the protests and the main evidence of its use and efficacy appears to be from marketing materials, not genuine details of its operation.)
Plenty of Iranians mourn Ali Khamenei, not that you'd know from reading this. And from the opening you might think Iranians are more concerned about text messages than American missiles! The ongoing atrocities in Iran are downplayed repeatedly because this group directly receives money from an arm of the US regime.
I don't have much love for Iran, but this is as obvious post hoc justification for war as anything. This is manufactured consent for bombing whoever the USA doesn't like.
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Comment on Zero Parades: For Dead Spies | First nineteen minutes of gameplay in ~games
IudexMiku LinkThis comes off as the soulless corporate retread of Disco Elysium I expected. I like the idea of the temporary buffs/debuffs being assigned physical locations, but that's about it. I know this has...This comes off as the soulless corporate retread of Disco Elysium I expected. I like the idea of the temporary buffs/debuffs being assigned physical locations, but that's about it. I know this has big shoes to fill, but I think it's off to a rough start writing-wise even putting all the ZA/UM legal drama aside.
Harry starts off talking to himself in a void because he's semiconscious and delirious after a three day bender. Hershel starts the same way not because there seems to be something wrong with her, but because it's copying Disco Elysium.
The player learns who Harry is by talking to the people who put up with him, by reassembling his horrific outfit, and by seeing the terrible grimace etched onto his face. The player learns who Hershel is when she reads a file with facts about herself written in it. I feel this is the least subtle and maybe most boring method to communicate her background, sexuality, etc.And this complaint is more personal distaste, but I cannot stand the narrator's voice at all. This video was a hard watch.
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Comment on Russia poisoned Alexei Navalny with dart frog toxin, European nations say in ~society
IudexMiku LinkMaybe someone here has a better idea why Navalny was killed? I remember the high-profile novichok attempt in 2020, but it looks like he went through years of legal proceedings and imprisonment...Maybe someone here has a better idea why Navalny was killed? I remember the high-profile novichok attempt in 2020, but it looks like he went through years of legal proceedings and imprisonment afterwards.
The article claims Russia had a motive for killing him, but I don't understand it really. If they were going to assassinate him, why did they wait three years and ship him across the country first?
My assumption would've been the FSB wanted to make it look like natural causes, but they're quite infamous for their obvious poisonings. -
Comment on For Those I Love - I Have A Love (Overmono Remix) (2023) in ~music
IudexMiku LinkCool! I've got a friend who's a big fan of the original. Lots of good music coming out of Dublin in the last few years.Cool! I've got a friend who's a big fan of the original. Lots of good music coming out of Dublin in the last few years.
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Comment on US discussing options to acquire Greenland, including use of military, says White House in ~society
IudexMiku Link ParentTrump is just one head of a hydra so to speak. If he dies, the US government would probably pick up where he leaves off, whether that's out of continued material interests or a simple appeal to...Trump is just one head of a hydra so to speak. If he dies, the US government would probably pick up where he leaves off, whether that's out of continued material interests or a simple appeal to Trump's followers. I suspect they'd invade Greenland in his name if he gets assassinated over it.
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Comment on Avengers: Doomsday | Thor teaser in ~movies
IudexMiku LinkThe worst part of the new Avatar was having to watch this beforehand. I can't drum up any excitement for this one. I even liked Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four but I don't feel any urge to see...The worst part of the new Avatar was having to watch this beforehand. I can't drum up any excitement for this one. I even liked Thunderbolts and Fantastic Four but I don't feel any urge to see Doomsday.
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Comment on How many trees are there in Skyrim? in ~games
IudexMiku LinkMy guess was way off! But I enjoyed the video. It still feels like a normal AnyAustin video, but the charity element and guest cameos were really nice to see.My guess was way off! But I enjoyed the video. It still feels like a normal AnyAustin video, but the charity element and guest cameos were really nice to see.
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Comment on Control Resonant | Announcement trailer in ~games
IudexMiku LinkI was so excited for a Control sequel. It's one of the best games I've played in the last few years. I loved exploring the Oldest House and reading every document. However, I thought the weakest...I was so excited for a Control sequel. It's one of the best games I've played in the last few years. I loved exploring the Oldest House and reading every document. However, I thought the weakest parts of the game were the Hiss and Dylan so I've got some mixed opinions at the moment.
I'm very disappointed to not see Jesse return as the player character. There's so many action games that just default to a male protagonist and I liked that the first Control didn't. For the sequel I was thinking they might have two protagonists you would swap between, like in Alan Wake 2, but it doesn't look like that's the case.
I do hope Remedy stick the landing and this isn't another Firebreak. Maybe it'll be good! But it really hurts to have your excitement for something plummet like this.
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Comment on Ireland among countries boycotting Eurovision after Israel allowed to compete in ~music
IudexMiku Link ParentI have to disagree. The opinions of musicians are ignored frequently, but the breaking of a decades-long low-stakes international event over Israeli involvement will have a greater impact. I'm...I have to disagree. The opinions of musicians are ignored frequently, but the breaking of a decades-long low-stakes international event over Israeli involvement will have a greater impact.
I'm certainly glad there is some push back when it comes to collaboration with Israel. I hope this might help establish precedent for cutting ties with Israel in more impactful fields too.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~music
IudexMiku LinkI'm in the top 0.02% of The Sounds listeners! Can't say I'm too surprised, I went through their whole discography earlier this year and I've been listening to a few on repeat since (though it...I'm in the top 0.02% of The Sounds listeners! Can't say I'm too surprised, I went through their whole discography earlier this year and I've been listening to a few on repeat since (though it doesn't feel like 3000 minutes).
Metric are at their lowest position in my top 5 so far, coming in at number 4. When their next album drops in a year or two I'm positive they'll reclaim first place.
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Comment on Peter Watts on Margaret Atwood and the hierarchy of contempt (2003) in ~books
IudexMiku LinkI get the point he's making about Atwood refusing to acknowledge she's writing sci-fi, but I have to admit that a memoir about growing up poor in post-WWII Ireland does sound pretty good. I'd...I get the point he's making about Atwood refusing to acknowledge she's writing sci-fi, but I have to admit that a memoir about growing up poor in post-WWII Ireland does sound pretty good. I'd certainly pick that over an exploration of human cloning ethics.
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Comment on Cataloging your home library in ~books
IudexMiku (edited )Link ParentI was really hoping there'd be a free API for ISBN lookup but I've had no luck finding one. It's a very decentralised system, so there's no guarantee that a database has every ISBN. And of course...I was really hoping there'd be a free API for ISBN lookup but I've had no luck finding one. It's a very decentralised system, so there's no guarantee that a database has every ISBN. And of course some books don't have one for one reason or another. I've still been my noting the ISBNs of my books in case a service becomes available.
I had a quick look at OpenLibrary and I immediately hit a discrepancy with the stated ISBN and what I have logged. I suppose that could be on my end, or else I was just unlucky as some of my other books seem to be recognised fine, but it's something to keep in mind if you use it.
This is a genuinely frustrating review to read. I hate it. It has this smarmy ignorance about it. There's a bizarre amount of factual errors as to what's in the film. While Emily Wilson is obviously very qualified to discuss the Odyssey, I'm not convinced her critique of the film is any good. It reminds me of the recurring phenomenon of talented people in one area assuming their skills are applicable or transferable to another area of expertise.
She reduces every dark skinned character's role to Odysseus's "Black best friend", even when they do disagree with Odysseus, never meet him, or aren't even Black. Nolan's inclusion of Travis Scott is very obviously to link storytelling and musical traditions across place and time, relating contemporary Black American music with ancient Greek traditions. Saying that he was just pounding a stick and yelling instead of singing or playing an instrument reads like every other racist criticism of rap music from the last 50 years.
I think there is validity to her discussion of Nolan's treatment of women. It's been a regular issue with his works forever, and it's generally my biggest gripe with his films (just after his dialogue).
But there's some parts to this review that make me suspect she's just never seen a film before and lacks the ability to connect dots together when information is presented in this format. She just can't seem to infer anything!
Rant about obvious inconsistencies between the review and the film that make me wonder if she fell asleep during it.
The Trojan horse is Odysseus's idea that he takes full blame for; why would we need to see him design it? (Also we very much do see some of the construction.)
She says she likes the line where Zendaya states the gods speak through natural forces, but in the same paragraph she can't connect the lightning storm to Zeus speaking?
Her claim that the film says Mycenaean Greece is the only civilisation in the world is very strange to me because that's just not in the film? Textually, Odysseus believes local civility was destroyed with the fall of Troy.
Odysseus calmly watches a puppy being thrown off a cliff, which she doesn't categorise as "cruelty to animals" apparently? Blinding Polyphemus can only be read as "noble" if you missed the next scene where Odysseus is immediately criticised for setting Poseidon against his crew. He doesn't fool Polyphemus, but only if you ignore the ploy to disguise the soldiers with the sheep. Is Agamemnon a failed American family man for killing his daughter or does she think that's not frowned upon in any other time or place? If we don't see any of the Trojans' faces, then who does she think Zendaya is playing?
Honestly, just a terrible review. It's inconsistent with the film it's reviewing. If there was a thematic element from Homer's Odyssey that should have been present, or if there was more of a story involving a female character, I would've loved to learn that. I'd love to learn her thoughts on Nolan making Odysseus regret his betrayal of the Trojan's trust. And I definitely want to read more about the use of the Western Sahara for filming. I think there are valid complaints. But, for example, watching Circe's portrayal in the film - which establishes her actions as reasonable and she even goes unpunished for them - and the only comment on that Wilson has is to suggest Odysseus have sex with her for a year? I'm baffled. I think she truly lacks reading comprehension in the medium.
(Also the food does look good. I really want to try Polyphemus' sheep cheese.)