Monte_Kristo's recent activity
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Comment on After break with US President Donald Trump, Marjorie Taylor Greene will resign in ~society
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Comment on Grammy nominations 2026: Kendrick Lamar leads with nine as Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Leon Thomas land among top nominees in ~music
Monte_Kristo (edited )Link ParentYou and I seem to be on the same page, but to clear the air, I would like to explicitly state that I also do not think cloud_loud is racist. It is just that because Kendrick Lamar is so culturally...You and I seem to be on the same page, but to clear the air, I would like to explicitly state that I also do not think cloud_loud is racist. It is just that because Kendrick Lamar is so culturally relevant, you can run into dog whistle takes about his music that are espoused by the culture war machine that you wouldn't encounter when you look at other artists in the industry. For example, JID makes a similar style of music to Kendrick, but you wouldn't really see those types of criticisms highly platformed against him because only rap fans even know who he is.
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Comment on Grammy nominations 2026: Kendrick Lamar leads with nine as Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Leon Thomas land among top nominees in ~music
Monte_Kristo Link ParentYeah, I didn't want to openly assume anything, and I think that style of rhetoric is around in a lot genres and media (books discussion is really bad about it), but in the context of talking...Yeah, I didn't want to openly assume anything, and I think that style of rhetoric is around in a lot genres and media (books discussion is really bad about it), but in the context of talking Kendrick Lamar, calling his stuff midbrow puts the accuser in the orbit of either disgruntled Drake stans or racists. Like you can't just say that without a lot more elaboration.
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Comment on Grammy nominations 2026: Kendrick Lamar leads with nine as Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Leon Thomas land among top nominees in ~music
Monte_Kristo Link ParentThat is an insane (and uncommon) critique of Lamar. Lowbrow/midwit type rhetoric is always a race to the bottom where people end up calling the other person's favorite artist dumb, so I'll just...That is an insane (and uncommon) critique of Lamar. Lowbrow/midwit type rhetoric is always a race to the bottom where people end up calling the other person's favorite artist dumb, so I'll just ignore that part. "Obama era hip hop" is just a weird sentence. In that his production has always felt contemporary, and not locked into a specific era of sound. Also the politics of his music are just "the blue", so it's not like he espouses dated cultural ideas that are irreverent to a listener of today. (Not that there should be much of a difference, given that the people old enough to listen to Kendrick were alive during the Obama era)
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Comment on Grammy nominations 2026: Kendrick Lamar leads with nine as Lady Gaga, Bad Bunny, Sabrina Carpenter and Leon Thomas land among top nominees in ~music
Monte_Kristo LinkI loved GNX, and am accepting of it winning either album of the year or rap album of the year, but if that is the case, I need Birds Don't Sing to win rap song of the year. It is an instant rap...I loved GNX, and am accepting of it winning either album of the year or rap album of the year, but if that is the case, I need Birds Don't Sing to win rap song of the year. It is an instant rap classic, it's just absolutely beautiful.
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Comment on US Federal Aviation Administration reducing air traffic by 10% across forty ‘high-volume’ markets during government shutdown in ~transport
Monte_Kristo Link ParentI'm supposed to be going to Hawaii on the 25th. I'm so screwed.I'm supposed to be going to Hawaii on the 25th. I'm so screwed.
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Comment on Dick Cheney dies at 84 in ~society
Monte_Kristo Link ParentWhile he was evil, he wasn't really a part of the Trump apparatus in that way. Insulting him isn't an attack on Trump, because he was not a representative of the Trump regime.While he was evil, he wasn't really a part of the Trump apparatus in that way. Insulting him isn't an attack on Trump, because he was not a representative of the Trump regime.
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Comment on Is anyone here in or familiar with Tokyo? Going on a trip and have zero idea what to do as a non-tourist... in ~travel
Monte_Kristo LinkI think a distinct thing about Japanese cities are the gachapon machines. It's those things you insert a coin into which dispenses a plastic ball that has a toy/figure inside. They are everywhere,...I think a distinct thing about Japanese cities are the gachapon machines. It's those things you insert a coin into which dispenses a plastic ball that has a toy/figure inside. They are everywhere, and I think they are worth looking at because of the absurd variety of things in them. Tons of them are gonna have garbage you don't want, but if you look at enough of them, you will find something that's cool, or funny, or related to your interests in some way. I found a machine that had miniature versions of the brand of American work boots I wear. They get ultra niche and specific, and make a good souvenir. You may ask yourself why you would ever want a shitty 50 yen key chain, and the answer is because there is actually one tailor made just for you. If you do decide to get one, look around because there is probably a place to return the plastic balls to, as they reuse them.
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Comment on Is anyone here in or familiar with Tokyo? Going on a trip and have zero idea what to do as a non-tourist... in ~travel
Monte_Kristo Link ParentYou are thinking of the imperial palace gardens.You are thinking of the imperial palace gardens.
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Comment on Looking for movies that combine religion mythology and supernatural elements in ~movies
Monte_Kristo LinkThere is a Korean horror film called The Wailing which mixes Christian themes with Korean folklore. I'm a big fan of it.There is a Korean horror film called The Wailing which mixes Christian themes with Korean folklore. I'm a big fan of it.
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Comment on US President Donald Trump has begun demolishing the east wing of the White House, without approval in ~society
Monte_Kristo Link ParentWe somehow found a more poignant metaphor than the clown's own mugshot.We somehow found a more poignant metaphor than the clown's own mugshot.
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Comment on ‘Predator: Badlands’ officially rated PG-13, meant to be “boundary-pushing” in ~movies
Monte_Kristo Link ParentI don't really care for Mortal Kombat, so I don't frequent channels who specialize in it, but I've heard that exclusively killing D'Vorah or the T-1000 isn't even a sure thing to prevent someone's...I don't really care for Mortal Kombat, so I don't frequent channels who specialize in it, but I've heard that exclusively killing D'Vorah or the T-1000 isn't even a sure thing to prevent someone's channel from getting demonetized, so the hand wringing nonsense isn't a film exclusive thing.
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Comment on ‘Predator: Badlands’ officially rated PG-13, meant to be “boundary-pushing” in ~movies
Monte_Kristo Link ParentThe Samurai Jack method.The Samurai Jack method.
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Comment on US President Donald Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 labels common beliefs as terrorism “indicators” in ~society
Monte_Kristo Link ParentNot to mention that they will probably use this to exert pressure on social media platforms. Can't have the algorithm showing people posts that support the "terrorists" or allow your website to...Not to mention that they will probably use this to exert pressure on social media platforms. Can't have the algorithm showing people posts that support the "terrorists" or allow your website to link to "terrorist" literature.
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Comment on US President Donald Trump’s National Security Presidential Memorandum 7 labels common beliefs as terrorism “indicators” in ~society
Monte_Kristo Link ParentI think it is also going to be used to target anyone setting up a mass demonstration or protest. “The Attorney General shall issue specific guidance that ensures domestic terrorism priorities...I think it is also going to be used to target anyone setting up a mass demonstration or protest.
“The Attorney General shall issue specific guidance that ensures domestic terrorism priorities include politically motivated terrorist acts such as organized doxing campaigns, swatting, rioting, looting, trespass, assault, destruction of property, threats of violence, and civil disorder,”
With how they portrayed by the administration, a planned protest is really just a premeditated riot and looting.
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Comment on Motion inputs in ~games
Monte_Kristo Link ParentI think one of the first responses referencing an eight year old video essay (from a person whose work I actually enjoy) about a game people do not regularly play does set some sort of precedent.I think one of the first responses referencing an eight year old video essay (from a person whose work I actually enjoy) about a game people do not regularly play does set some sort of precedent.
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Comment on Motion inputs in ~games
Monte_Kristo Link ParentYou don't need to condescend to me about fighting games, I'm already "Anyone who's played a fighter before". A thing can be good and scrubby, not every game is equally fun to play. Not every move...You don't need to condescend to me about fighting games, I'm already "Anyone who's played a fighter before". A thing can be good and scrubby, not every game is equally fun to play. Not every move is healthy to the meta it contributes to. I'm calling Jinx's super scrubby whilst maining her and shooting people with it
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Comment on Motion inputs in ~games
Monte_Kristo Link ParentI don't think Jinx's super is as good as AHVB, but I do think it is scrubby, and I think having to tiger knee it would make it way less so a the lower level.I don't think Jinx's super is as good as AHVB, but I do think it is scrubby, and I think having to tiger knee it would make it way less so a the lower level.
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Comment on Motion inputs in ~games
Monte_Kristo LinkI find that replacing motion inputs with special move buttons almost exclusively has the effect of making the opponent less interesting to fight against. I think the aspect of attacking your...I find that replacing motion inputs with special move buttons almost exclusively has the effect of making the opponent less interesting to fight against. I think the aspect of attacking your opponent's inputs is very interesting, and one button specials and supers just straight up give you less to attack. I've been playing Jinx in 2XKO. Her beam super is really good. It is probably pretty frustrating for my opponent that I can just delete anything on the screen in an instant because reacting with super is really easy. A lot of people seem to want to get rid of motion inputs to remove the punishment they feel when there is slop in their play (not being able to anti air, dropping combos), but if you give your opponents really good stuff like easy anti airs and full screen supers at the touch of a button, much more is being demanded of you to not get your teeth kicked in. Slop is getting punished either way.
To me the breaking point is that people want to make Street Fighter II, but every successful fighter with no/significantly less motion inputs throws the Street Fighter blue prints in the garbage. Platform fighters and 3D fighters either have no motion inputs or have significantly less motion inputs. Jinx's super is the way it is because they wanted to put Cable's Hyper Viper Beam from Marvel vs Capcom into 2XKO. That is baggage that was never considered when Smash Bros was made. Tekken didn't have the concept of a shoto until 7. I think games should just accept the baggage they are self imposing upon themselves, or they should kill their masters.
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Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
Monte_Kristo Link ParentI feel that if you don't like it by Drum Island, I don't think anything is gonna turn the needle for you. It's common consensus that stuff that's 200 or 300 chapters in is better than the stuff in...I feel that if you don't like it by Drum Island, I don't think anything is gonna turn the needle for you. It's common consensus that stuff that's 200 or 300 chapters in is better than the stuff in the beginning, but the opinion is that it gets better as it goes along, not that it starts off bad and makes some sort of miraculous change up.
I have a mix of emotions when I read her resignation statement. In it, she reminds everyone about how much of a piece of shit she is, as she has dedicated her work to establishing a white Christian ethnostate, but the core complaint is a relatable one. I think the call for competency and actual governance is a broadly held American hope. That's even an idea Trump himself ran on. Nearly a decade later, that swamp has not been drained. MTG's solutions are the wrong answers to the problems we face, but they do actually acknowledge that people are unhappy with the status quo. She's right that our elected officials need to actually do their job.