NoblePath's recent activity
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Comment on What to know about the battle over Fox Valley health care workers now playing out in court in ~health
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Comment on 13,000 pounds at 118 miles per hour: It was the deadliest wreck in years. And the man behind it was one of the FBI’s most notorious informants. in ~humanities
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Comment on Ask Tildes: What small purchase has vastly improved your life? in ~life
NoblePath LinkHow small is small? I looooovvvvee my stick vacuum. I got a tineco, recommended by wirecitter, for about $250. Their customer service stinks tho.How small is small? I looooovvvvee my stick vacuum. I got a tineco, recommended by wirecitter, for about $250. Their customer service stinks tho.
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Comment on Why you're christian in ~humanities
NoblePath LinkThis statement follows neither reason nor history. When the “Bible” was compended in 320 or so, the catholics all did exactly this, choosing which texts and ideas mattered or were appropriately...The problem is that you can’t pick and choose theology without becoming a slave to intellectual fashions or destroying the integrity of those ideas in the first place...[or being] intellectually honest.
This statement follows neither reason nor history. When the “Bible” was compended in 320 or so, the catholics all did exactly this, choosing which texts and ideas mattered or were appropriately divine for inclusion.
And, there’s no reason on any axis-spiritual, intellectual, moral, emotional ir any other-not to read the thing metaphorically. In fact, Jesus often taught in parables, why couldn’t the whole thing be a big parable?
Also, making the story a parable doesn’t mean god doesn’t exist.
Also, most “christians” conception of “God” is really zeus or odin or some combination, capriciosu, arbitrary, jealous and one who plays favorites. This notion is sometimes supported by Biblical readings, and anathema to “human rights” as the author reckons them. In fact, I’m not certain any part of the bible really supports a notion of secular human rights or equality.
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Comment on The problem with NFTs in ~tech
NoblePath Link ParentI had this thought as well. There's something very post-post-modern about it. It's the economic version of Qanon. I had not heard the term "toxic positivity" before, but it's clearly a widespread...I had this thought as well. There's something very post-post-modern about it. It's the economic version of Qanon. I had not heard the term "toxic positivity" before, but it's clearly a widespread symptom of our age, even in more "mainstream" enterprises.
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Comment on The forces of authoritarianism are getting slicker and deeper, and that disturbs me in ~talk
NoblePath Link ParentWhen an unreasonable interpretation is used to corral an unreasonable fear, that’s authoritarianism.When an unreasonable interpretation is used to corral an unreasonable fear, that’s authoritarianism.
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Comment on The forces of authoritarianism are getting slicker and deeper, and that disturbs me in ~talk
NoblePath Link ParentIndeed I misunderstood your meaning, thank you for the clarification. I also generally support the less is more lifestyle, much to the chagrin of my ex wife and kids-keep the heat on 65, a lot of...Indeed I misunderstood your meaning, thank you for the clarification. I also generally support the less is more lifestyle, much to the chagrin of my ex wife and kids-keep the heat on 65, a lot of (small w) whole foods, commuting by bike and feet, old car.
I’m keeping my single origin coffee for as long as I can though, thank you very much.
But the collapse I am worried about is the one that leads to nazi germany, or handmaids tale, or religious feudalism. Environmental collapse would suck, too, but whether the environment goes kaput in 10 years because of climate (see my comment elsewhere on tildes about my experience at the Bill McKibbon lecture) or 5 million when the sun expands, that kind of thing is inevitable.
I’d like to think that, without completely sacrificing my existence to full time activism, a healthier political/economic solution is possible through reasonable discourse and effort between now and the apocalypse.
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Comment on What are some noteworthy games that are not available through the major platforms? in ~games
NoblePath LinkI’m not sure whether I dreamed this or not, because I have never been able to find it, but there was a cool game that shipped with Amiga systems. In it, you were voyaging through the mind of a mad...I’m not sure whether I dreamed this or not, because I have never been able to find it, but there was a cool game that shipped with Amiga systems. In it, you were voyaging through the mind of a mad scientist, trying to fine the hidden code or something. Brilliant storytelling, gameplay, and puzzles, blew my young mind (friend had an amiga).
Also, fun puzzle game of a digit’s jouney through an early macintosh, 3 in three.
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Comment on The forces of authoritarianism are getting slicker and deeper, and that disturbs me in ~talk
NoblePath Link ParentIf it were true that these protests were truly resistance to government over-reach, you might have a point. But administering guidelines for basic public health and safety is a proper function of...If it were true that these protests were truly resistance to government over-reach, you might have a point. But administering guidelines for basic public health and safety is a proper function of any government. There is no rational basis for resisting vaccines, let alone masks. And it is entirely reasonable to limit access to the benefits of the agora for people who refuse to take any social responsibility. Additionally, noone is relieving them of their choice, anymore than government relieves potential motorists of their “choice” to drive when they fail basic safety tests.
More than that, however, it is patent that these people are acting obediently to the arbitrary direction of a small group of authority figures, because it’s easier than facing their fear.
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Comment on The forces of authoritarianism are getting slicker and deeper, and that disturbs me in ~talk
NoblePath Link ParentA long time ago I read a short story about a man who’s criminal semtence was exile. He was a wealthy man and allowed to provision himself however he wished, so he bought energy weapons of the...A long time ago I read a short story about a man who’s criminal semtence was exile. He was a wealthy man and allowed to provision himself however he wished, so he bought energy weapons of the highest grade with inexhaustible mini-fusion generators and an extremely capable all-terrain amphibious vehicle of similar indestructibility and infinite energy. Within a day of his exile he was relieved of them all by hooligans with bugs bunny wit.
I’m reasonably well trained in woodscraft and have a fair number of redneck skills. But at my most effective I could not last long truly on my own. Also, I have young’uns.
While collapse may be inevitable, i will endure it or die. I am not wealthy enough to emigrate nor resourceful enough to drift. I would prefer in any event to foment and participate in wholesome transformation and renewal.
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Comment on The forces of authoritarianism are getting slicker and deeper, and that disturbs me in ~talk
NoblePath Link ParentI'm stockpiling guns, ammo, and rare earth minerals. I hope to find the Loch-nar before the collapse, too.I'm stockpiling guns, ammo, and rare earth minerals. I hope to find the Loch-nar before the collapse, too.
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Comment on The forces of authoritarianism are getting slicker and deeper, and that disturbs me in ~talk
NoblePath Link ParentThe reason I used that word is I think it is rally around a personality, primarily of Trump these days, that leads many people to channel all their anger into particular banners, in this case...authoritarianism
The reason I used that word is I think it is rally around a personality, primarily of Trump these days, that leads many people to channel all their anger into particular banners, in this case "personal medical choice."
The opposite of authoritarianism I guess is small-l liberalism?
I'm not sure that right-wing extremism and authoritarianism are distinct.
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The forces of authoritarianism are getting slicker and deeper, and that disturbs me
A friend shared a troubling website with me. I'm not 100% sure why I found the site so troubling, but one thing that stands out is its slick sophistication. There are two primary facets to this...
A friend shared a troubling website with me. I'm not 100% sure why I found the site so troubling, but one thing that stands out is its slick sophistication. There are two primary facets to this sophistication: the organization and the presentation. https://defeatthemandatesdc.com.
The presentation is, at very first glance, about what I would expect from a leftist or progressive group. It didn't take long for me to detect something was off, and an a quick reading of what they are after confirms it's neither leftist nor progressive. But that very first impression, which was followed by a sense of confusion as part of my subconscious detected the true message, was unique for me, I can usually detect political bias instantaneously. (This is a curse more than anything else, a symptom born from trauma, but that's another discussion.)
Regarding the organization, it seems focussed and professional. There's some real effort and intellegince both behind the design and messaging at least. If that is representative of a larger effort, that indicates significant funding and effective organization skills at play. I can't quite articulate what's differnt from previous and ongoing, similar efforts. There's something, fundamentally different here that projects real power, depth, and sophistication, and that is deeply disturbing. Efforts like whatever was behind Jan 6 seem chaotic and angry. This effort feels more collected, dispassionate, focussed, and expansive.
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Comment on What words would you want to see 'reclaimed'? in ~talk
NoblePath (edited )Link ParentI'm choosing to put this bluntly-you're shockingly (for tildes, anyway) insensitive to systemic racism and the associated trauma. "Safe spaces" are not just words to use in playing pretend, it's...I'm choosing to put this bluntly-you're shockingly (for tildes, anyway) insensitive to systemic racism and the associated trauma. "Safe spaces" are not just words to use in playing pretend, it's necessary for healing, growth, and creativity.
If we, as a culture, could reclaim the swastika, it would no longer turn safe spaces to triggering. In the meantime, the last we can do for America's slave-descended population [edit: also the hebrew-descended, and really, just about anyone who isn't "white"] is avoid putting symbols of their oppression in their faces.
I was not to blame for visiting Japan, photographing the symbols as a remarkable departure from my own culture, learning about their widespread and innocuous uses, and sharing that with my friend. Neither was he to blame for suffering the indignities he had due to the color of his skin, leading him to have an irrecoverable trigger reaction.
But, we can work to reclaim the symbol from would-be oppressors, so it returns to its sacred meanings and threatens no-one.
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Comment on Corporate "MLK" tweets listed next to their donations to GOP voter suppression efforts in ~misc
NoblePath LinkThis effort is disingenuous to me. Most donations are $15 k to the nrsc. I assume that’s some kind of cap, and probably less than two bits to a fortune 1000 firm. Also, for their many ills, large...This effort is disingenuous to me. Most donations are $15 k to the nrsc. I assume that’s some kind of cap, and probably less than two bits to a fortune 1000 firm.
Also, for their many ills, large American corps have done a decent-ish job of integrating up to the middle management level.
This is not to say we shouldn’t identify and call out hypocrisy or the misappropriation of cultural icons i. The service of, ahem, whitewashing poor corporate behavior.
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Comment on Looking for any guidance for a near future purchase in ~tech
NoblePath Link ParentSide tip-maps can be downloaded for use when there is no data service. Google maps and gaia maps are both useful in this regard.Side tip-maps can be downloaded for use when there is no data service. Google maps and gaia maps are both useful in this regard.
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Comment on What words would you want to see 'reclaimed'? in ~talk
NoblePath Link ParentI don’t know where you are geographically, but here in the nominally progressive and cosmopolitan raleigh, nc area the only people to make a swastika visible in public are maga types. When I lived...I don’t know where you are geographically, but here in the nominally progressive and cosmopolitan raleigh, nc area the only people to make a swastika visible in public are maga types.
When I lived in Boston, a black friend was deeply offended when i showed him pictures I had taken of shrines in Japan that had the swastika, and our relationship never recovered. My intention was purely innocent, but my friend was caught in the culture attachments. Not his fault, and part of the reason i wish we could reclaim the symbol from those who currently wield it with oppressive intent.
I feel certain that even a poster of kali with prominent palms w swastikas would be frowned upon here in most company; and should it be seen by local racists, most would ignorantly view it as an endorsement of their ideology.
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Comment on What words would you want to see 'reclaimed'? in ~talk
NoblePath LinkRelated, I would like to see the swastika renewed. It has an ancient tradition as a symbol of the sun and various mystical truths, and is still in wide use among various Hindu and Buddhist...Related, I would like to see the swastika renewed. It has an ancient tradition as a symbol of the sun and various mystical truths, and is still in wide use among various Hindu and Buddhist influenced cultures. We’re able to keep using eagles and arrows, why not the poor swastika?
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Comment on Oglers, repeated glancers, gazers - Stories and opinions in ~talk
NoblePath LinkYou know, I just caught myslef lingering too long on the figure and countenance of a young lady. I was enjoying it immensely-but I flashed, for the first time ever, on some of the reasons why and...You know, I just caught myslef lingering too long on the figure and countenance of a young lady. I was enjoying it immensely-but I flashed, for the first time ever, on some of the reasons why and how it is wrong. I am trying to take something that isn’t meant to be shared that way.
The really salient thing, vis a vis this post, is that it also originates in trauma. I suffer from considerable trauma of mutille varieties. And i realize that I am trying to get what was denied to me when I was a child, or regain what has been taken.
Human-ing is hard when most things are nurturing. When you add in extra trauma, things go so far awry. Here’s hoping healing is the near horizon
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Comment on Weekly coronavirus-related chat, questions, and minor updates - week of January 10 in ~health.coronavirus
NoblePath Link ParentThis kind of situation is why we put humans in charge of these kind of questions instead of algorithms. It also shows the fallibility of this strategy. Smart, compassionate human justices Could...This kind of situation is why we put humans in charge of these kind of questions instead of algorithms. It also shows the fallibility of this strategy.
Smart, compassionate human justices
Could have delayed an examination of the issue until a global emergency is over and let scientific experts carry the day. Instead, they put dedication to some kind of purism come out in front. Certainly that dedication has played second chair in past times of emergency. Japanese internment camps and various immigration policies come to mind.If, as seems scientifically likely, there are no substantial adverse health effects to vaccination, history may rightly place responsibility for excess covid deaths on this Court.
That judge is…wrong. I don’t see the order, but it flies in the face of every American jurisprudential principle I can think of and smells like judge and hospital person belong to the same country club and that makes a difference to the judge.