NoPants's recent activity
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Comment on Austin Butler to star as Patrick Bateman in Luca Guadagnino’s ‘American Psycho’ in ~movies
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of December 9 in ~society
NoPants Link ParentI am astounded at the amount of police resources being dedicated to this investigation. I know the police are more likely to dedicate resources to anything in the headlines, this goes far and...I am astounded at the amount of police resources being dedicated to this investigation. I know the police are more likely to dedicate resources to anything in the headlines, this goes far and beyond anything I ever imagined. I am very glad I am not a ridiculously good looking chap with a history of anti-healthcare insurance views. The police are going to be very eager to wrap this up quickly. They often arrest the first person who seems to fit the description. They often deliberately suppress evidence that someone is innocent. Prosecutors will also often move forwards, based on if they think they can get a conviction, not if they think the person is innocent. Even if the courts determine this person is innocent, the damage will already be done. Lets all remember he is innocent until proven guilty.
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Comment on Iowa Police chief caught selling machine guns says "every cop" is guilty in ~society
NoPants Link ParentIt doesn't matter if he isn't a reliable source, or if he is exaggerating, he is still the former police chief. He is the primary office holder supposed to reduce corruption in the police force....It doesn't matter if he isn't a reliable source, or if he is exaggerating, he is still the former police chief.
He is the primary office holder supposed to reduce corruption in the police force.
It points to a systematic problem, with a single point of failure.
Sure, it is a very attention grabbing headline.
But it's not a platform that helps him.
His defense attorney would have told him to avoid saying anything about this, because it will ultimately damage the chances for his appeal.
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Comment on 'Bodies are piling up': Reporter finds some states are hiding abortion ban death toll in ~society
NoPants LinkThe real carnage likely will come if America bans abortion across the country. In the early 1900's, abortion remained largely illegal across the U.S., except in cases where it was necessary to...The real carnage likely will come if America bans abortion across the country. In the early 1900's, abortion remained largely illegal across the U.S., except in cases where it was necessary to save the mother's life. These laws led many women to seek unsafe, illegal abortions, which resulted in many deaths of young women.
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Comment on What’s your “I didn’t know I needed that” item? in ~life
NoPants Link ParentI've now put more thought into knife sharpeners than I did when I first bought mine. The downside of electric knife sharpeners is they do change the blade. My ten year old paring knife has lost a...I've now put more thought into knife sharpeners than I did when I first bought mine.
The downside of electric knife sharpeners is they do change the blade. My ten year old paring knife has lost a few millimeters.
I bought a cheapo Presto Electric Knife Sharpener, and I am happy to have sharp knives, even though I will eventually want to replace them. I don't really want to buy a $150 sharpener to keep a $100 worth of knives sharp, and I am not sure that a more expensive knife sharpener will really avoid over sharpening anyway.
If you want knives that you buy for life, I think you really want some sharpening stones and sharpening guides to teach you the right angle, but I never had the patience for that.
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Comment on What’s your “I didn’t know I needed that” item? in ~life
NoPants Link ParentFor me, the more significant concern is exposed metal can rust, and I often slap em back on while still a little wet.For me, the more significant concern is exposed metal can rust, and I often slap em back on while still a little wet.
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Comment on What’s your “I didn’t know I needed that” item? in ~life
NoPants (edited )Link ParentAlready have a set of fantastic chef's knife and paring knife and bread knife? Consider a Magnetic Knife Holder for Wall if there is mounting space on a wall. There is something infinitely...A good chef's knife.
Already have a set of fantastic chef's knife and paring knife and bread knife? Consider a Magnetic Knife Holder for Wall if there is mounting space on a wall. There is something infinitely satisfying about having quick and easy access to your knives, and then you can slap it back on without worrying about dulling the knife even further.
I didn't think there would be space behind my stove, but I absolutely love my Pot Bar Rack with S Hooks to keep my pots and pans and other stuff handy. All my pots are stainless steel with hooks on the handle to allow easy hanging from hooks.
It seems unnecessary, given these implements used to be right next to the stove in a cupboard or right next to the sink in a drawer, but think how popular the apple watch is because you don't have to reach into your pocket, and you will get a sense as to how nice it is to have pots & pans and knives so handy. Plus if you have nice knives, pots and pans.... it is so elegant to seem them basically on display.
Alternatively, if there is a little more space in the cupboard, consider an Electric Knife Sharpener. I never got the hang of manual knife sharpeners, the electric guy will sharpen up all my knives sooooo quickly, and make it feel like new again. Remember, a sharp knife is a safe knife (once you know what you are doing.)
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Comment on The CEO of UnitedHealthcare (insurance company) has been assassinated in NYC in ~news
NoPants LinkCEO's are all going to be worried about "being next." It is a legitimate concern, as if this gets a significant amount of press, it increases the risk of a copy cat. I wonder if there will be a...CEO's are all going to be worried about "being next."
It is a legitimate concern, as if this gets a significant amount of press, it increases the risk of a copy cat.
I wonder if there will be a change in the divisiveness that gets pushed in the media, or if the CEOs will simply ramp up security, and create increasingly isolated wealth enclaves.
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Comment on Great shows with interesting premises? in ~tv
NoPants LinkYou might like The Booth at the EndYou might like The Booth at the End
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 18 in ~society
NoPants Link ParentHe is blatantly choosing to disrupt the social welfare branches of government, and choosing stability for those parts of the government that benefit the very rich. Where most republicans tried a...He is blatantly choosing to disrupt the social welfare branches of government, and choosing stability for those parts of the government that benefit the very rich.
Where most republicans tried a more subtle approach, I think Trump will try to destroy those arms of government that benefit the poor, to beyond the point where they can all be put back together again.
We have billionaires controlling the media, now billionaires are controlling the government. This does not end well.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 18 in ~society
NoPants Link ParentHow millions of US children would be hurt by Trump’s mass deportation plan: ‘Deep harm is intentional’When Trump executes his sweeping agenda, 4 million children who are US citizens may have their lives upended
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 18 in ~society
NoPants LinkDonald Trump's Deportation Plan Causes 'Panic' Among Farmers I know it is heartless to measure actual human suffering in economic terms, but it is all Trump cares about, and frankly I suspect that...Donald Trump's Deportation Plan Causes 'Panic' Among Farmers
Agricultural output will fall between $30 and $60 billion if Trump's flagship policy is carried out, according to the American Business Immigration Coalition (ABIC).
I know it is heartless to measure actual human suffering in economic terms, but it is all Trump cares about, and frankly I suspect that and safety are all most voters care about.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 18 in ~society
NoPants Link ParentDang, Bessent is a solid pick. Maybe prediction markets are correct in assuming the chance of large tariffs is low.Dang, Bessent is a solid pick. Maybe prediction markets are correct in assuming the chance of large tariffs is low.
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Comment on Automatic braking systems save lives. Now they’ll need to work at 62 MPH. in ~transport
NoPants Link ParentEven if you believe AEBs are more harm for you than good, they will help the guy behind you stop in time. Sometimes there is no avoiding the guy behind you, no matter how much you mind your six.Even if you believe AEBs are more harm for you than good, they will help the guy behind you stop in time.
Sometimes there is no avoiding the guy behind you, no matter how much you mind your six.
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Comment on Thoughts on the perception of public figures in ~society
NoPants Link ParentOh yeah, I protested against the Iraq invasion. But immediately after 9/11 he was extremely popular. Not according to me. According to polls.Oh yeah, I protested against the Iraq invasion. But immediately after 9/11 he was extremely popular. Not according to me. According to polls.
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Comment on Thoughts on the perception of public figures in ~society
NoPants LinkThe internet pretty much changed everything in terms of perception. A decade ago, the news media determined which scandals were news worthy. Public opinions on scandals were also shaped by...The internet pretty much changed everything in terms of perception.
A decade ago, the news media determined which scandals were news worthy. Public opinions on scandals were also shaped by traditional media narratives. Public figures resigned because of the relentless focus of reporters. The assumption was, that if the reporters didn't forget, the public wouldn't forget.
The internet changed our perception of public figures. It allowed us to learn about any scandal, no matter how news worthy. The internet also changed how public figures perceive the public. We've seen, real time, how effective simply denying a scandal really is.
The internet also changed the reporters focus. They can no longer afford to drive the narrative, they have to hop on the next scandal to get those juicy clicks and ad impressions.
Musk started tweeting controversial tweets in 2018, around the same time Trump demonstrated how effective controversial tweets were, and how ineffective the traditional media was in combating them.
The internet also allowed us to choose our perception.
Conservatives love Musk. I would bet that most conservatives are barely aware of some of the controversies surrounding Musk.
So some public figures, like Musk, have changed how they behave. Generally however, people don't change. Musk hasn't changed the way he runs his business. So chances are, Musk hasn't fundamentally changed, and simply put, Musk was like that all along.
Sometimes it is the publics perception that has changed. In 9/11, everyone loved Bush. Eight years later, Bush didn't change, just our perception of him changed.
So I would argue that no one has really changed, simply that our perception of public figures have changed, and their perception of the public has changed the way they act.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 18 in ~society
NoPants Link ParentKrugman's take is Trump will be bad for the economy. Paul Krugman on How Badly Trump Voters Have Been Scammed Krugman is very good at explaining complex concepts, but is also partisan. While no...Krugman's take is Trump will be bad for the economy.
Paul Krugman on How Badly Trump Voters Have Been Scammed
His two big policy goals, policy obsessions, are deporting immigrants and tariffs. Both of those are going to do a lot to raise prices of food and some other things, but the most immediate flashpoint is going to be grocery prices.
Krugman is very good at explaining complex concepts, but is also partisan. While no one knows what exactly Trump will do or how exactly it will impact the markets, there is definitely a non-zero percent chance that Trump could do something that at least temporarily upsets all markets. There is also definitely a non zero percent chance that Trump tanks the worldwide economy.
I'm looking to Trumps treasury secretary, and the stock market reaction to that. Currently the markets don't seem all that concerned, but markets reaction to this key decision may be informative to figure out what the markets think of those underlying probabilities.
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Comment on How well do you cook? in ~life.men
NoPants (edited )Link ParentI'm simply hoping to I teach my kid that he can do whatever he sets his mind too. If in the process of that, he retains some useful skills, that is just icing. On the cake. That he made. Because...I'm simply hoping to I teach my kid that he can do whatever he sets his mind too. If in the process of that, he retains some useful skills, that is just icing. On the cake. That he made. Because he can make cake. And it is delicious. Sorry. Got a little distracted there.
Actually, I am not even sure I gave him that level of confidence that he could teach himself how to bake. I just actively encourage him to learn anything new he seems interested in, and am there to do the cleanup after he is done. Soooooo many dishes. Omg. Now if only I can teach him to clean as he goes....
I guess having me there simply removes all impediments to learning. I can catch his mistakes before he makes them, I let him make those mistakes if he insists on learning the hard way, and I take care of the cleanup or fix things if everything goes totally awry. Plus it's more fun cooking with a sous chef in the kitchen.
So perhaps I am simply hoping to instill a love for continual learning.
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 18 in ~society
NoPants LinkUndocumented migrants hope Trump mass deportations only 'for criminals'Undocumented migrants hope Trump mass deportations only 'for criminals'
"A lot of Latinos, those who can vote, did so because they think he [Trump] can improve the economy. That would be very good for us too," said Carlos, an undocumented Mexican who lives in New York City. His son is a US citizen.
Carlos says he is "a little" worried about getting swept up in immigration raids. But that fear is tempered by the possibility of an improved economy under Trump and more work.
"Things may be a bit tense right in our communities right now, but being worried isn't a solution," he said. "The best thing to do is avoid problems and not commit any crimes."
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Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of November 11 in ~society
NoPants Link ParentTrump's pro-Israel cabinet picks upset Muslims who voted for himTrump's pro-Israel cabinet picks upset Muslims who voted for him
Muslim support for Trump helped him win Michigan and may have factored into other swing state wins, strategists believe.
Muslim voters had hoped Trump would choose cabinet officials who work toward peace, and there was no sign of that.
"I don't think everyone's going to be happy with every appointment Trump makes, but the outcome is what matters," she said.
"I do know that Trump wants peace, and what people need to realize is that there's 50,000 dead Palestinians and 3,000 dead Lebanese, and that's happened during the current administration."
The original movie didn't manage to live up to the book, but I struggle to see how any movie really could.
They definitely toned down the violence in the movie, but even then got an R rating in the USA.
The book has suffocating detail about 80's consumerism, as a critique.
The book also leaves you wondering if the murders and executions were simply an hallucinatory allegory for 80's wall streets corporate takeover greed.
There is so much inner monologue in the book, the movie can't help but be a shallow imitation.