PancakeCats's recent activity
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
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Comment on The New York Times sues OpenAI, Microsoft over the use of its stories to train chatbots in ~tech
PancakeCats Link ParentI think the real issue with your take here, for me, is that you're treating AI like it's a human in these examples, with the implication that AI can actually interpret and make original texts,...I think the real issue with your take here, for me, is that you're treating AI like it's a human in these examples, with the implication that AI can actually interpret and make original texts, art, analysis etc. I admit I'm not super well versed with the most recent developments in AI scene, but at the end of the day, it's all just 1's and 0's, and I think it lacks the actual ability to truly create something.
A human being will generally still put something of themselves into the art they produce, even if they obsessively analysed a book series before writing their own. AI cannot do that, as they have no experiences of their own to draw from, only the works of other humans being fed to it. Therefore, any perceived similarities go from fair use to theft pretty quick imo. I think the difference between a human who obsessively consumes media in an effort to produce their own work, and an AI obsessively consuming media to do a job it was asked to do, is a pretty big one that invites these discussions about whether this truly legal or not. Just my two cents.
I'm certainly no expert though and I'm writing this just after waking up, so maybe it's all a bunch of hooplah. Forgive me if that's the case.
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Comment on Love songs about established, long term relationships in ~music
PancakeCats Link"In Spite of Ourselves" by John Prine and Iris Dement. Link to the song. It's a funny and sappy love song that my partner and I always bust out into song when it comes on in the car."In Spite of Ourselves" by John Prine and Iris Dement. Link to the song. It's a funny and sappy love song that my partner and I always bust out into song when it comes on in the car.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
PancakeCats Link ParentFor me the Outer Wilds was truly a one of a kind game experience. I was utterly absorbed in the game and the mystery and exploring these different planets and the way it all fits together. I'd say...For me the Outer Wilds was truly a one of a kind game experience. I was utterly absorbed in the game and the mystery and exploring these different planets and the way it all fits together. I'd say make sure to really explore that first planet as it has a lot of threads to tug on. After that just fly around look for things that look man made or interesting and bust out that scanner. The clues will come. Also always listen for music.
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Comment on Starfield - what are your thoughts? in ~games
PancakeCats Link ParentI definitely agree there is some real vitriol in this thread. Interesting to see as I haven't seen much discourse here that wasn't exceedingly polite, but this thread is full of people talking...I definitely agree there is some real vitriol in this thread. Interesting to see as I haven't seen much discourse here that wasn't exceedingly polite, but this thread is full of people talking down to to each other and being a lil rude. Guess people just get real passionate about video games, no matter where you go.
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Comment on What choice should I make at the end of Baldur's Gate 3's second act? in ~games
PancakeCats LinkI've definitely been guilty of looking up outcomes to major decisions like this before, but especially in the last few years I try to play games as blind as possible. The choices are supposed to...I've definitely been guilty of looking up outcomes to major decisions like this before, but especially in the last few years I try to play games as blind as possible. The choices are supposed to feel impactful because of how you see the results of your choice ripple out. And especially for BG3, I've been enjoying that experience in a way I haven't in a while.
Spoilers for end of act 2
My character actually tried to resist the transformation but could not beat his check. Used 4 inspiration but dice said no. Instead of reloading I decided to embrace it and just roll with it. I've even changed his class and personality in dialogue to reflect more partial illithid appropriate inclinations. It's been a really fun dynamic story shift for my character, and it's all because I failed a roll. Looking forward to seeing how everything plays out. Still working my way through Act 3.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
PancakeCats Link ParentI have been on a similar journey to you, and finding I much prefer if I go in blind with most forms of media lately, but especially games, especially if it's a semi known quantity. I think modern...I have been on a similar journey to you, and finding I much prefer if I go in blind with most forms of media lately, but especially games, especially if it's a semi known quantity. I think modern marketing for games (and movies especially) gives wayyy too much away. I have found the discovery of the mechanics and plot far more rewarding than knowing them in anticipation. Gives back some of the childlike wonder I felt playing games as a young kid.
Now that said, I did read a review for Starfield as I have been a little doubtful of Bethesda entries after the last few, and even that spoiled a lot for me, so props to you for staying in the dark. Hope that when you finally get your hands on it, the wait pays off.
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Comment on US movie-theater behavior has gone off the reels in ~movies
PancakeCats Link ParentThis is an interesting point that I hadn't thought of but definitely seems to have some truth to it. I wonder if longer life expectancy has anything to do with that? The last few generations grew...I really feel like today's adults have collectively stopped taking the adult role in society. As if the expectation to step up and step in was never placed on us as much as in earlier times.
This is an interesting point that I hadn't thought of but definitely seems to have some truth to it. I wonder if longer life expectancy has anything to do with that? The last few generations grew up with the elders not ever really dying, and with that had less opportunities for stepping up in the leadership roles in their careers and communities. Maybe with that the societal etiquette took a downturn because as the generations grew older they never really had to fill those roles? I don't have anything to back that up, just pure conjecture.
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tech
PancakeCats Link ParentI think it's been said on this site before, but I'll say it too. I might be very cynical but part of me believes this really is intentional sabotaging on musks part. This is very conspiracy theory...I think it's been said on this site before, but I'll say it too. I might be very cynical but part of me believes this really is intentional sabotaging on musks part. This is very conspiracy theory crackpot america centric talk but the countries slow descent into fascist corporatocracy is something musk takes part in, having previously declared himself to be voting for Republicans in future elections back in 2022.
Then he up and buys Twitter, a major social media network that I personally think was crucial to the 2020 election and 2022 midterm(to a lesser extent) having the turnout they did. It was a great way to try and mobilize younger voters and try and show them why they need to vote and rally them towards that cause. But now one of the richest men in the world who just switched his voting preferences on a whim bought a major social media network and is now tanking it. He's making seemingly all the wrong decisions, but what he's really doing is making Twitter an unuseable (rate limiting, culling all the staff leading to instability, other bad decisons) cesspit of misinformation(paying for verification), and breaking up a chunk of voting power by disrupting a major method of communication amongst younger folk. People who aren't super internet savvy might be on Twitter, but they likely won't go to Mastodon. And all the alternatives popping up inherently mean a divided online populace, which means less effective messaging. All of this with the next big election just around the corner, figuratively speaking. The timing is seemingly perfect.
All that having been said though, I do also realize that the world doesn't revolve exclusively around what goes on in my countries government. Elon is perfectly fine to believe what he wants to believe and vote how he likes, but I do not think one human being should be able to buy a major communication platform on a whim like this. It's too much power.
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Comment on PS5 and Xbox Series closing in on three years of use in ~games
PancakeCats Link ParentPersonally I would hold on to the PS2 as a backup just in case. As you may or may not know, launch PS3s are notorious for breaking down, and it's not easy to replace them or repair them. Which is...Personally I would hold on to the PS2 as a backup just in case. As you may or may not know, launch PS3s are notorious for breaking down, and it's not easy to replace them or repair them. Which is a real shame beacause having all three PlayStations in one would have been the dream man. I think Sony thought it was too good to be true as well, because they never tried it again.
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Comment on Netflix adds nearly six million subscribers amid password sharing crackdown in Q2 in ~tv
PancakeCats Link ParentIt's so insane that more people subscribed to this. It's gonna lead to this type of shit across all the other platforms too. When Netflix showed you can actually benefit from the password sharing...It's so insane that more people subscribed to this. It's gonna lead to this type of shit across all the other platforms too. When Netflix showed you can actually benefit from the password sharing crackdown it's only a matter of time before the rest of the streaming services follow suit. Really disheartening stuff.
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Comment on What game is your current addiction? in ~games
PancakeCats (edited )Link ParentRain world is a truly unique game and one of the toughest and most rewarding games I've experienced in my life. I've never seen a game where it truly feels like there is an ecosystem you're apart...Rain world is a truly unique game and one of the toughest and most rewarding games I've experienced in my life. I've never seen a game where it truly feels like there is an ecosystem you're apart of in the way this game does. You are definitely near the bottom as a lil slugcat but since you have hands you can use tools to thrive and mostly conquer the ecosystem around you. Exploring the world was incredible and I was always fascinated by new biomes as I journeyed through the world. The ending is something that will be in my brain for a long time. The music is super adaptive and the drum beats go hard in this game. I really can't recommend it enough, especially if you love exploration in cool worlds, as the game has that Metroidvania vibe of discovering the map as you explore a vast interconnected space.
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Comment on Opinions on shadow drops vs. announcement ahead of time for games? in ~games
PancakeCats Link ParentThey showed that trailer for Elder Scrolls six way too early too. Bethesda to my knowledge only works on one game at a time for the most part, and I believe they had just started working on...They showed that trailer for Elder Scrolls six way too early too. Bethesda to my knowledge only works on one game at a time for the most part, and I believe they had just started working on Starfield then, and that was more of a, "look! We're making it see! It gonna happen at some point!" Which I always viewed as pointless, because it's Elder Scrolls, of course they were gonna make another one. I think itll still be another four or five years before we that next installment.
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Comment on What's a sequel you were disappointed by? in ~games
PancakeCats LinkThis one usually gets me some shit, but I'm firmly in the camp that Mass Effect 1 is the better game over Mass Effect 2. As someone who missed them when they came out, Ive tried playing through...This one usually gets me some shit, but I'm firmly in the camp that Mass Effect 1 is the better game over Mass Effect 2.
As someone who missed them when they came out, Ive tried playing through the trilogy several times and always fell off at the second installment for various reasons. The farthest into the second I've ever gotten was maybe fifteen hours? Whereas I've played the first one I think four times and am willing to go back for a fifth playthrough sometime soon.
You might be asking why I hold this opinion that is shared by so few, and it mainly boils down to the combat funny enough. I really enjoy the combat in the first one, you can combo the fuck out of enemies if you play Vanguard which is what I usually play, using multiple biotic abilities in sequence to set off compounding effects. There is cover but it's not super common so you have to think a lil about placement in a lot of encounters. Weapons are cool down based but critically aren't super punishing, leading to a nice rythm to combat. You have more skills to invest in to build your party the way you want, even if it's still kind of simple. The story is fantastic, the build up to the reapers is amazing and slowly uncovering the deep lore of this universe is an amazing experience. The companions hold up well too. Garrus and Wrex are my kings, and I love Tali and the lore of her people. Kaiden is great bc his voiced by the guy who voiced my other main man, Carth Onasi in Knights of the Old Republic. The citadel is a great hub with a real feel of a sprawling space station and the different places you visit all feel very unique and varied. The whole package holds up very well in my eyes, even the pre-legendary edition, which I played first years before legendary came out.
Then starting up ME2, I am always immediately underwhelmed. The switch to clip based ammo bothers me, as it feels less engaging and less fitting to the setting for me. It's immediately a very cover heavy shooter, with rooms set up with waist high cover everywhere. Abilities are more limited in use, leading to less combo capability, and levelling/characters builds are far too streamlined and have less options. The companions feel less immediately gripping and far more basic, having collected a good chunk of them on my last attempt with the game (Mordin and Garrus being the exceptions to the basic vibes, them boys are my kings.) In a lot of ways it feels like I'm playing the dumbed down mass market appeal version of a sequel. Trendy with design choices of other moneymakers of the time, but losing it's soul. Maybe it's similar to how a lot of TES:Morrowind Diehards feel about successive entries in that series.
The story is still interesting, which is why I'm conflicted and do truly want to love this game. It's just whenever I try, I usually have to do a new playthrough of ME1 due to unfortunate circumstances, which leads me to falling in love with that game again and having my experience with 2 feel vastly inferior by comparison. I think not having the time in between releases contributes to that. Playing them back to back is a different expectation than years of anticipation at the new entry to the series you love.
Nevertheless I feel like a crazy person when most people in games media large and small shit on ME1, especially post legendary edition. The Legendary edition shaved off some of the older rpg woes like weapon training now being universal and some slightly better handling to the Mako, without changing the stuff that made that first game so good, yet I still see people saying it's not a great experience or could have used a full remake which I do not get at all, and if anything I would want rework of ME2 to be more in line with the foundations laid by it's predecessor.
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Comment on Songs/albums that remind you of someone you lost in ~music
PancakeCats LinkThis isn't a loss in terms of life, moreso a loss of social life and falling into a deep depression, but the album "Her and All My Friends" by Ritt Momney is what accompanied me through a dark...This isn't a loss in terms of life, moreso a loss of social life and falling into a deep depression, but the album "Her and All My Friends" by Ritt Momney is what accompanied me through a dark period of my life.
The album really captured the feeling of being hopelessly in love with someone who has moved on from you, and the pain of losing them and the other people around you in a way that spoke to me in the deepest pits of my depressive spiral. So many of his lyrics mirrored my own thoughts in ways that I had not experienced before, and even the progression of the album mirrored my journey of recovery from that time, starting down hill, rising and falling in mood, before finally landing at somewhat muted neutral point. Not over it, but crawling from the depths, trying to move forward and leave the past behind no matter how hard it keeps trying to pull you back down. Still haunted but moving forward.
I don't listen to the album much these days, because it can be a really painful experience to relive, but it's extremely important to me. It shows me how much I've grown and recovered from that dark time, and is a good reminder that no matter how bad things may seem, if you keep pushing forwards, you can get better. For a long time, I truly thought that era of my life was gonna be the end for me, but now I'm happier than I've been in a long time, and I'm glad I stuck around and continued moving forward.
As the age old saying goes, "This too shall pass."
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Comment on What is your favorite “so bad it’s good” movie? in ~movies
PancakeCats LinkNot sure if this would be a controversial pick for the "good" descriptor but I love it so I'm gonna say it anyways. Godzilla 1998 is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. The movie is trying...Not sure if this would be a controversial pick for the "good" descriptor but I love it so I'm gonna say it anyways. Godzilla 1998 is one of my favorite guilty pleasure movies. The movie is trying to be like at least 4 different movies at once, and the sheer absurd camp of it is truly a sight to behold. It's a movie I watched very young, so scenes from it are seared into memory, and it holds a lot of nostalgia for me. And I still think it holds up as a great "so bad it's good" movie.
Its got Matthew Broderick who as the main character is going through a Jurassic park style wonder-scifi-nature type flick, a romcom with his love interest, a survival horror flick in the later half, and a spy espionage kind of vibe as well with Jean Reno's character, and then straight thriller at the end. And all of this is wrapped in a layer of camp that's hard to tell if intentional or not, but I certainly lean towards no.
It's a bit of a mess, but I truly do love it all the more for it. And it's got that late 90s vibe that really hits in a visceral way for me. The hair, the New Yorkers, the clothes, the personas, all of it hits so well for me. In some ways it feels very similar to the original Sam Raimi Spider-Man, there's something about that vibe that I can't really put a word too but it truly fascinates me. Highly recommend giving it a watch if you have a few hours to kill and some beers or equivalent good vibes.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
PancakeCats Link ParentI hesitate to think I will ever have a more jaw dropping moment than finishing Kiwami 1 and the credits rolling to "Silent Night." The series is gripping though, and ive been meaning to get back...I hesitate to think I will ever have a more jaw dropping moment than finishing Kiwami 1 and the credits rolling to "Silent Night." The series is gripping though, and ive been meaning to get back to Kiwami 2 after a bit of a break.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
PancakeCats Link ParentHave also been playing this! It's been really good fun. The mobility of the light class is so juicy, but being a heavy and just tearing shit up is so fun. The destruction is great and the game...Have also been playing this! It's been really good fun. The mobility of the light class is so juicy, but being a heavy and just tearing shit up is so fun. The destruction is great and the game works very well for all the intensive action happening on the server in my experience.
It's crazy how the destruction can really sway a match, like you said with punching holes but also with just reducing the building around an objective to rubble to eliminate cover. Plus the different classes feel so distinct, it adds variety if I get tired of one playstyle. I was really not expecting to enjoy myself as much as I have with the finals. -
Comment on The Reddit blackout is breaking Reddit in ~tech
PancakeCats Link ParentAgreed. Towards the start of my time on reddit, I may have been on the basic subs, but I started to enjoy the discussion based subs more and more as time went on. Finding Tildes really showed me...Agreed. Towards the start of my time on reddit, I may have been on the basic subs, but I started to enjoy the discussion based subs more and more as time went on. Finding Tildes really showed me what I wanted all along was a forum lol. I'm in my early twenties so by the time I started being a reasonable thinking human that wanted to share stuff online at like 14 or 15, forums were all starting to die out and social media had really taken center stage. But I never really jelled with any of the major platforms besides reddit. Turns out Tildes fits more what I've wanted all along.
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Comment on What’s a genre or style you wish was explored more in games? in ~games
PancakeCats Link ParentI want to say Wizard101 did something like this. Card based but still very traditional mmo in feel. It's obviously a dated kids mmo so I'm sure someone could do the concept a little better.I want to say Wizard101 did something like this. Card based but still very traditional mmo in feel. It's obviously a dated kids mmo so I'm sure someone could do the concept a little better.
I will say, Adventure Time definitely starts to get better and a little more mature around season 3 onwards. Still a lot of good stuff in the first two seasons but i feel like it really hits its stride and grows out of its lol random goofy wacky phase into something a little more refined and unique to its own vibe and identity. The episodes are all short too, 10m a pop, so try to give it time if you dont exactly vibe with the initial outings.