JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: February 2026 Nominations Topic in ~games
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: February 2026 Nominations Topic in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentYeah all three games are fairly separate from each other. Mother 1 and Mother 2 (or Earthbound) are definitely more related, but I don't necessarily know if I'd call 2 a sequel of 1. I played EB...Yeah all three games are fairly separate from each other. Mother 1 and Mother 2 (or Earthbound) are definitely more related, but I don't necessarily know if I'd call 2 a sequel of 1. I played EB as a kid and loved it; never played Mother 1 and really don't have a huge desire to do so.
And Mother 3 is even more separate from the first two. IMO. There's one important character that comes from Earthbound and is even more important in Mother 3, but you can still solidly enjoy the game and story of the latter without understanding that character's backstory. In some ways, I don't even think the backstory is that important.
You wouldn't be missing anything by playing Mother 3 by itself. Though I will never not recommend playing Earthbound!
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Comment on US Supreme Court strikes down Donald Trump's tariffs in ~society
JCPhoenix Link ParentI worked in the higher-ed realm for nearly two decades. Some of these people with PhDs and other advanced degrees were baffling to me. I was like, "How do you have a PhD?? How do you survive?!"I worked in the higher-ed realm for nearly two decades. Some of these people with PhDs and other advanced degrees were baffling to me. I was like, "How do you have a PhD?? How do you survive?!"
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Comment on US Supreme Court strikes down Donald Trump's tariffs in ~society
JCPhoenix Link ParentYeah as much as I hate it -- as an American -- the world needs to fuck us. And not in the fun, consensual way. At this point, I am an adherent to the "touching the stove" theory of...everything....Yeah as much as I hate it -- as an American -- the world needs to fuck us. And not in the fun, consensual way. At this point, I am an adherent to the "touching the stove" theory of...everything. There are some of us who don't need to touch the stove to understand it's hot (ignore the fact that as like a 7yo child, I once reached into an oven to touch the glowing orange heating element). But apparently like 30-40% of my compatriots need to do so -- potentially repeatedly -- so they may learn the lesson. I am not very confident they will learn, but I don't know what else will work at this point.
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Comment on Phil Spencer is leaving Microsoft/Xbox in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkIf Microsoft gaming (or at least Xbox) is dying, then I feel like the guy taking over who leads the push for Copilot means it's effectively dead. Not that fanboism is really relevant here, but...If Microsoft gaming (or at least Xbox) is dying, then I feel like the guy taking over who leads the push for Copilot means it's effectively dead.
Not that fanboism is really relevant here, but I've never been an Xbox person. But it's a shame what's going on with Xbox. Less consumer choice is never good.
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Comment on Group chat solutions for small groups? in ~comp
JCPhoenix (edited )LinkI'd just use Signal. Should be able to do those four things you're looking for. Maybe a little more basic than what you're used to though. I've never used the feature, but it does look like...I'd just use Signal. Should be able to do those four things you're looking for. Maybe a little more basic than what you're used to though. I've never used the feature, but it does look like there's some basic chat theming. As far as the quick access emojis, I think you're limited to the ones they set up as defaults. I've noticed that it doesn't remember the ones I use a lot.
It's cross-platform, but do note that each user must have a phone as their "main" device, then can link up to, I think, 5 additional devices. When you link a device, I think you get at most 45 days of history on the new device.
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Comment on US Supreme Court strikes down Donald Trump's tariffs in ~society
JCPhoenix Link ParentI saw that about Lutnick. These people are the fucking scummiest. Drain the swamp...They -- "we," as voters -- made it bigger and deeper. So tired of this country...I saw that about Lutnick. These people are the fucking scummiest. Drain the swamp...They -- "we," as voters -- made it bigger and deeper. So tired of this country...
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Comment on US Supreme Court strikes down Donald Trump's tariffs in ~society
JCPhoenix LinkTwo things I want to know about: Will businesses be refunded? How about those that have since gone under, like smaller businesses? Will they get that money back? Not even going to ask if consumers...Two things I want to know about:
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Will businesses be refunded? How about those that have since gone under, like smaller businesses? Will they get that money back? Not even going to ask if consumers will be refunded; this is America after all.
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What happens to reciprocal tariffs applied to the US from other countries? I understand that tariffs against the US are paid by those countries' respective citizens/businesses. But given the US stance towards trade partners, couldn't those countries just leave the tariffs up as a deterrent to trade with the US (which affects US biz), until they get something they want from the US? Gonna need a lotta popcorn for this one. Luckily we grow lots of corn in the US!
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Comment on NASA chief classifies Starliner flight as “Type A” mishap, says agency made mistakes in ~space
JCPhoenix LinkThe included excerpt from Ars' interview from Butch Wilmore was pretty wild. That article got posted here back in April, but I missed it (original discussion here). I know reception has been mixed...The included excerpt from Ars' interview from Butch Wilmore was pretty wild.
Essentially, Wilmore could not fully control Starliner any longer. But simply abandoning the docking attempt was not a palatable solution. Just as the thrusters were needed to control the vehicle during the docking process, they were also necessary to position Starliner for its deorbit burn and reentry to Earth’s atmosphere. So Wilmore had to contemplate whether it was riskier to approach the space station or try to fly back to Earth.
“I don’t know that we can come back to Earth at that point,” he said. “I don’t know if we can. And matter of fact, I’m thinking we probably can’t. So there we are, loss of 6DOF control, four aft thrusters down, and I’m visualizing orbital mechanics. The space station is nose down. So we’re not exactly level with the station, but below it. If you’re below the station, you’re moving faster. That’s orbital mechanics. It’s going to make you move away from the station. So I’m doing all of this in my mind. I don’t know what control I have. What if I lose another thruster? What if we lose comm? What am I going to do?”
That article got posted here back in April, but I missed it (original discussion here).
I know reception has been mixed on Jared Isaacman as NASA Administrator, but at a time when other parts of government seem very keen on not ever admitting fault, I think it's good to see an agency that is readily saying, "We messed up." And that they're going to attempt to fix it. The cynical take might be, "Well, he's just blaming his predecessors, which is par for the course for this presidential admin." And there might be some truth to that, as Isaacman wasn't involved at the time. But at least it's not being portrayed in the vindictive way we're unfortunately now accustomed to seeing. It's pretty matter-of-fact.
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NASA chief classifies Starliner flight as “Type A” mishap, says agency made mistakes
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Comment on UMD scientists create ‘smart underwear’ to measure human flatulence in ~science
JCPhoenix LinkWell that's a tag I never thought I'd see.underwear.smart
Well that's a tag I never thought I'd see.
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Comment on Drinking two-three cups of coffee a day tied to lower dementia risk in ~health.mental
JCPhoenix Link ParentI mean, yes people won't literally die without coffee (though they may figuratively die), but...There's definitely other stuff I'd cut first before I start cutting coffee. And have; eating out...its non essential
I mean, yes people won't literally die without coffee (though they may figuratively die), but...There's definitely other stuff I'd cut first before I start cutting coffee. And have; eating out less, buying less junk food, etc.. I know coffee is getting expensive, but I also know a lot of people "need" coffee. Even as a nice little treat, coffee is pretty inexpensive. A bag of some local beans from the grocery store is like ~$15. That's 50% more than it used to be 2-3 years ago, but that'll last me a month. $0.50 a day for 2-4 cups of drip brewed.
I guess the question is: are people cutting coffee? Are people buying less due to price increases?
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Comment on Drinking two-three cups of coffee a day tied to lower dementia risk in ~health.mental
JCPhoenix Link ParentSame. Now if I could only remember how much coffee I drank today...Same. Now if I could only remember how much coffee I drank today...
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Comment on Messy 2026 F1 cars leave a deeply disturbing impression in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentHeads would collectively explode...Which might make tickets to races cheaper!Heads would collectively explode...Which might make tickets to races cheaper!
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Comment on Messy 2026 F1 cars leave a deeply disturbing impression in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentI do wonder how much speed really matters. Like yeah, people say they want speed. But can most spectators detect the difference very very very very fast and very very very fast? If this year's...I do wonder how much speed really matters. Like yeah, people say they want speed. But can most spectators detect the difference very very very very fast and very very very fast? If this year's car, at least at the start, are 15-20mph lower than the end of last season, when the regs were the most mature, do people notice that? Without them actually seeing the speeds on screen or on a timing tower, I have some doubts.
Instead, I wonder if on-track action is really the barometer. Overtakes, daring late brakings, wheel to wheel rubbing-is-racing racing...maybe even crashes (provided the drivers walk away ofc). Like Max and Red Bull were just running away with it in 2023, often tens of seconds ahead of P2 in multiple races. And people thought that was boring. Even as a Max/RB fan, I'd agree.
Idk, I'm just kinda thinking out loud I guess. You're 100% right there are multiple directions the sport is being pulled in, often in different direction.
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Comment on Messy 2026 F1 cars leave a deeply disturbing impression in ~sports.motorsports
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Comment on Messy 2026 F1 cars leave a deeply disturbing impression in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentLuckily, there's a sorta WEC-style "BoP" thing that maybe could help in case one two teams takes off: ADUO Source But I imagine that'll only help so much. If a team get an additional upgrade,...Luckily, there's a sorta WEC-style "BoP" thing that maybe could help in case one two teams takes off: ADUO
Regarding the ICE, the FIA has introduced a safety net, the so-called ADUO system, which stands for Additional Development and Upgrade Opportunities. After three periods of six races each (1–6, 7–12, 13–18), the governing body will assess the overall power balance.
Manufacturers that are between 2% and 4% down on the best ICE in terms of pure power will be allowed one additional upgrade. Manufacturers that are more than 4% behind receive two upgrade opportunities.
It’s intended to prevent a repeat of 2014 – when Mercedes’ dominance was locked in for years – and according to Rushbrook is a good thing for the sport.
But I imagine that'll only help so much. If a team get an additional upgrade, they're still playing catch-up. So yeah, I agree with your prediction!
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Comment on Messy 2026 F1 cars leave a deeply disturbing impression in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkInitial word from some drivers and teams is that this new set of regulations isn't great. But does that mean we spectators will get more mostly boring races? I guess we'll have to see for...Bahrain testing was Formula 1 2026 finally beginning to showcase itself to the world at large (tentatively) after the attempted secrecy of 'shakedown week', and like everyone else I was curious to see how these all-new cars would perform under the glare of TV cameras and the Bahrain lights.
I'm not on the ground in Sakhir like my colleagues Jon Noble, Edd Straw, Scott Mitchell-Malm and Samarth Kanal, so in actual fact the onboard video of the fastest lap of day one, by Lando Norris's McLaren, put out on YouTube by Formula One Management, was my first properly considered interaction with F1's new cars.
And I'm sorry to say the impression it left me with was deeply, deeply underwhelming.
Initial word from some drivers and teams is that this new set of regulations isn't great. But does that mean we spectators will get more mostly boring races? I guess we'll have to see for ourselves.
As a reminder, Pre-Season Testing Week 2 starts Wednesday. And unlike last week, this should be fully open to watch, at least on F1TV.
Pre-Season Testing 2026 - Sakhir
Bahrain International Circuit
February 11-13 & 18-20, 2026And the first race is less than three weeks away!
Australian Grand Prix
Albert Park Circuit
March 5-7, 2026 -
Messy 2026 F1 cars leave a deeply disturbing impression
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentAside from the lack of the female MC, are there any other major differences between P3P and P3R? I still have a P3P save on my PSP, though I haven't touched it in over a decade! I have both...Aside from the lack of the female MC, are there any other major differences between P3P and P3R? I still have a P3P save on my PSP, though I haven't touched it in over a decade! I have both versions on Steam, and I've thought about just restarting, but I'm not sure which makes more sense to start with.
Boost: Lufia II
I rented this from Blockbuster as a kid. Didn't get very far, but like @endymiion, just looking for a reason to finally play it again. For real this time!