Stranger's recent activity
-
Comment on The tech baron seeking to “ethnically cleanse” San Francisco in ~life
-
Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
Stranger Link ParentMuch as I enjoyed it (and generally recommend it), I don't think it really fits OP's criteria at all beyond "animated" and "overarching plot". It has a very different feel than the shows OP...Scavenger's Reign
Much as I enjoyed it (and generally recommend it), I don't think it really fits OP's criteria at all beyond "animated" and "overarching plot". It has a very different feel than the shows OP listed.
On top of being much more somber, SR's story is told in a different way that give it a more disjointed feeling imho. The shows OP mentioned all have an overarching plot but by and large follow the perspective of the same character (or character group) with each episode being a sort of "problem of the day", which is to say each episode is it's own fairly self contained story. Major plot developments happen more infrequently so you could skip some episodes and generally pick right up without feeling lost. It's very casual. SR's story is told by jumping back and forth through multiple, independent storylines that eventually converge but mostly feel like completely separate stories. Some episodes favor different threads more heavily, but the overall density means that missing an episode means missing a lot of important info.
-
Comment on Riven Remake | Trailer in ~games
Stranger LinkVery cool. I remember playing Riven way back in the day. I was too young to really understand the game, both the story and the puzzles back then; all I cared about was exploring the world. It was...Very cool. I remember playing Riven way back in the day. I was too young to really understand the game, both the story and the puzzles back then; all I cared about was exploring the world. It was beautiful and strange with a mysterious melancholy hanging over everything. I was completely enraptured.
It's nice to see it updated into a seemless world (rather than a clickable slideshow). That's obviously the biggest needed change, but hopefully it holds up well besides that. It's been too long for me to remember anything other than my childhood impressions, but I know that I loved Outer Wilds which was clearly inspired by the Myst series, so I'm looking forward to playing through Riven now that I'm old enough to fully appreciate it.
-
Comment on Best "dad" jokes and puns! in ~talk
Stranger Link ParentMost people don't put much effort into cooking the perfect steak, but when you finally come across someone who's mastered the art form, it's truly a rare medium well done.Most people don't put much effort into cooking the perfect steak, but when you finally come across someone who's mastered the art form, it's truly a rare medium well done.
-
Comment on Best "dad" jokes and puns! in ~talk
Stranger (edited )LinkMy wife bought a crochet book the other day. I told her I tried reading one of those once but I couldn't ever get through it without laughing. She asked me why and I told her, "Because it had me...My wife bought a crochet book the other day. I told her I tried reading one of those once but I couldn't ever get through it without laughing. She asked me why and I told her, "Because it had me in stitches."
Nearly got divorced over that one.
Edit: I'm also a fan of the "bar" jokes.
Two guys walk into a bar. One says ouch.
A termite walks into a bar and asks, "Is the bar tender here?"
Two whales walk into a bar. The first whale says, (imitating whale song) "Ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo." Then the second whale says, "Steve, you're drunk."
A horse walks into a bar. Everyone leaves, recognizing the inherent danger in the situation.
A horse walks into a bar and the bartender asks, "Why the long face?" The horse responds, "My wife left me."
-
Comment on Slay the Spire 2 | Reveal trailer in ~games
Stranger Link ParentThe problem with the daily challenges is: Removing the ascended challenges after getting used to them makes it very easy, even with the unique daily modifications. Playing for a high score is a...The problem with the daily challenges is:
-
Removing the ascended challenges after getting used to them makes it very easy, even with the unique daily modifications.
-
Playing for a high score is a whole other kind of limiting since the only repeating bonus is the 4x card bonus, which in turn encourages you to stick to commons over anything else. It's a different challenge, sure, but not a more creative one imho.
-
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Stranger Link ParentSame with Slice and Dice. Saw the recommendation on here. Downloaded the trial version. Been addicted. According to the stats, I've played 60 games with a 1:2 W:L ratio. I've mainly been playing...Same with Slice and Dice. Saw the recommendation on here. Downloaded the trial version. Been addicted.
According to the stats, I've played 60 games with a 1:2 W:L ratio. I've mainly been playing on Hard and Unfair. I've beaten Unfair once, and at this point winning seems to come down entirely to good RNG. There's too much random chance in every aspect of the game for tactics alone to outweigh the multiple curses. Hard feels like the sweet spot, though that might be different in the full version since you can pick your team composition.
Unfortunately, as much as I've played it, I don't feel like the paid version offers enough to justify the cost. That's not to say the full game isn't worth ~$10, just that the difference between the free and paid version isn't (in my mind).
-
Comment on Not every student needs Algebra 2. UC should be flexible on math requirement. in ~science
Stranger Link ParentIs the problem entirely that students find it challenging to learn or is part of the problem that instructors have difficulty explaining it adequately? Being an effective instructor doesn't just...letting people avoid challenges is wrong
Is the problem entirely that students find it challenging to learn or is part of the problem that instructors have difficulty explaining it adequately? Being an effective instructor doesn't just require an understanding of the topic but also an understanding of how to approach the topic from the perspective of someone who doesn't already understand it. I've sat through so many courses with instructors who have zero charisma, whose lectures are simply reading the textbook, who are more interested in students passing their tests than understanding the material, and/or who don't speak English as a first language (bless their heart, but I shouldn't have to struggle to decipher what word is being spoken before trying to understand the concept). When topics are easy, students can take on the brunt of overcoming the instructor's shortcomings, but when the topic is more complex then that task may become insurmountable. Especially when this is one of multiple classes you're likely taking, it may not even seem worth the while to put in the effort when that effort can be better used in another class.
-
Comment on Not every student needs Algebra 2. UC should be flexible on math requirement. in ~science
Stranger Link ParentFunny story, but I got through high school without ever really understanding functions. The whole "one output" aspect just didn't make sense to me with how it had been explained. Got by well...Even knowing what a “function” is would help demystify “algorithms” if you understand that it’s just inputs and outputs.
Funny story, but I got through high school without ever really understanding functions. The whole "one output" aspect just didn't make sense to me with how it had been explained. Got by well enough to pass the tests, but it just didn't click what their significance was. I went to college and passed Calc 1 without picking it up too. I majored in CS and took Intro to C++ where we were taught functions in the context of programming. Picked up the concept of functions just fine in that context but it wasn't until about a year or so later that my brain clicked and I realized function meant essentially the same thing in each context. It was like a mind blowing revelation that they had been the same thing this whole time.
-
Comment on Tell US Congress: Stop the TikTok ban in ~tech
Stranger Link ParentTikTok is fully banned in Nepal and India. TikTok is banned from government employee devices in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Taiwan, and the EU due to security concerns. Concerns over...TikTok is fully banned in Nepal and India.
TikTok is banned from government employee devices in Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Britain, Taiwan, and the EU due to security concerns.
Concerns over TikTok are not uniquely American.
-
Comment on 'If anything happens, it's not suicide': Boeing whistleblower's prediction before death in ~transport
Stranger Link ParentHe wouldn't have commit suicide specifically to hurt Boeing. He would have done it for other reasons. If he blamed Boeing for the circumstances that made him feel that he needed to take his own...He wouldn't have commit suicide specifically to hurt Boeing. He would have done it for other reasons. If he blamed Boeing for the circumstances that made him feel that he needed to take his own life though, then he might have seen staging or as a conspiracy as a form of payback.
-
Comment on US President Joe Biden's 2024 State of the Union address in ~news
Stranger Link ParentFunny story, what we know as the State Of The Union Address stems from the Constitution requiring the president to occasionally inform Congress of the state of the Union and offer considerations...it's troubling to watch what used to be an order of business turn just another opportunity to score social media points.
Funny story, what we know as the State Of The Union Address stems from the Constitution requiring the president to occasionally inform Congress of the state of the Union and offer considerations and measures as deemed necessary. Notably however, there is no requirement that it be done in-person. In fact, for over 100 years starting with Jefferson the annual presidential address to Congress had been delivered via written message.
Woodrow Wilson was the first to break the tradition. He decided to give an in-person speech because he thought it would be more "effective". After Wilson, the address went back to written message until FDR decided bring back speeches (as well as broadcast them).
Since then, there's always been a bit of political theater with the speeches. Reagan was the first to bring a "special guest" to the address as a human prop. Ford had members of the House stage a walkout during his speech over Watergate and then Vietnam. W. Bush got boos. Obama got Samuel Alito silently commenting on his speech. Trump had Pelosi ripping up his speech.
Biden's been heckled a few times now, and this is arguably one of the most dysfunctional Congresses in living memory. Given Biden's style and the current environment, it probably shouldn't be that surprising that the speech was partisan. It reflects the times: the state of the Union is partisan.
-
Comment on What irrational video game requirements do you have? in ~games
Stranger Link ParentWhat about something like Hades which is still fundamentally a Rougelite but has elements a progression vis-a-vis evolving NPC relationships, side quests, weapon unlocks, and permanent skill...What about something like Hades which is still fundamentally a Rougelite but has elements a progression vis-a-vis evolving NPC relationships, side quests, weapon unlocks, and permanent skill upgrades?
One of the things that impressed me the most about Hades was the sheer depth of small changes that happen as you continuously make your runs though the underworld. I have no idea how many runs I attempted, but it feels like there was new dialog every time I got to the Furies (first boss). You run though and fight Megera who has a pool of unique dialog for multiple fights, then the outcome of the fight affects her dialog in the hub area, then at some point her sisters show up and you fight each of them with unique dialog across multiple battles, which also affects dialog with Meg in the hub world, then as you romance Meg it affects the dialog with each of the sisters you fight, then when you finally reach the surface that'll change the dialog, then if you keep playing and enable the Heat option for harder bosses then you have to fight all three of them together which has unique dialog pools.
At a certain point I thought, "Am I playing a Rougelite with NPC relationships tacked on or am I playing a visual novel with a Rougelite tacked on?"
-
Comment on What irrational video game requirements do you have? in ~games
Stranger Link ParentI think that's just a problem with art in general. "Uplifting" never seems to get as much appreciating as "upsetting". Some people have an idea that art needs to challenge you in order to qualify...- I think that's just a problem with art in general. "Uplifting" never seems to get as much appreciating as "upsetting". Some people have an idea that art needs to challenge you in order to qualify as art, and being challenged is an inherently uncomfortable thing. I tend to disagee.
Without going into the broader discussing about whether or not video games can be considered art in the first place (assuming they are), I'd say there's plenty of "artistic" games that aren't downers. Journey is one of the most quintessentially artistic games and is fairly upbeat throughout. Outer Wilds is a bit bittersweet, but I'd say it's more hopeful and inspiring overall. The Stanley Parable is silly and dadaist. Whatever else you might want to say about The Witness, it certainly doesn't rely on heavy drama to be considered art.
- Honestly, I think Kojima is overrated. If his games weren't so quirky and bizarre then he wouldn't be nearly as well remembered. He is possibly the most egregious example of exposition dumping and telling over showing. The substance of his stories are always very interesting (if a bit preachy), but his storytelling is appalling. Shit, the showdown with The Boss in Snake Eater is one of the most moving and memorable moments in gaming, but there's literally a 7 minute slideshow lore dump in the middle of a 13 minute monolog before the fight even starts.
-
Comment on What irrational video game requirements do you have? in ~games
Stranger Link ParentWhat's even more annoying to me is how Persona does change your party's appearance with different armor but only with certain armor pieces (usually with lower stats). If anything, I think I prefer...What's even more annoying to me is how Persona does change your party's appearance with different armor but only with certain armor pieces (usually with lower stats).
If anything, I think I prefer how the Tales Of series and Lies of P do it by having cosmetics being separate from armor. That way you can change your appearance however you like without having to worry about taking a hit to your stats.
-
Comment on What irrational video game requirements do you have? in ~games
Stranger Link ParentWhat about something like Hyperlight Drifter or The Last Night? Or Signalis?What about something like Hyperlight Drifter or The Last Night? Or Signalis?
-
Comment on What irrational video game requirements do you have? in ~games
Stranger Link ParentNot the person you're replying to, but I'd say a minigame is any subsection of the game with its own win-lose conditions. Literally just a miniature game within the broader game. The lockpicking...where do you draw the line between "minigame" and "gameplay mechanic"?
Not the person you're replying to, but I'd say a minigame is any subsection of the game with its own win-lose conditions. Literally just a miniature game within the broader game. The lockpicking minigame in Bethesda games takes you to another screen where you're given a new (temporary) objective and separate mechanics to accomplish it. Hacking in System Shock and Bioshock is similar.
Personally I don't have a problem with them, especially when they're optional, but I can see how some people would find them annoying for interrupting the gameplay flow and breaking immersion.
-
Comment on Supreme Court rules Donald Trump can remain on Colorado ballot (gifted link) in ~news
Stranger LinkI can't help but feel that this is an (arguably) good outcome but a bad legal decision. The Court more and more seems to be debating the outcome of a ruling first and foremost and then working...I can't help but feel that this is an (arguably) good outcome but a bad legal decision. The Court more and more seems to be debating the outcome of a ruling first and foremost and then working backwards to justify it. That makes sense when determining the constitutionality of administrative decisions or legislative statutes as the Constitution takes precedence, but when it comes to interpreting the Constitution itself things get more problematic.
The text of Section 3 is straightforward, and the context it was written in supports the straightforward interpretation. Whether or not a single state should be able to effectively decide an election by keeping a candidate off the ballot is a serious question, but it's not the one the Court should be weighing. The question is can they, not should they.
I'm legitimately afraid of what will become of this country if Trump wins, but I firmly believe that removing him from the ballot this way would have been catastrophic. It's good that the Court stopped it, but that shouldn't have been the consideration. To say that states can't do something because they shouldn't do it is to say that a part of the Constitution is invalid as written simply because we don't like it, and that is an authority that the Court should not have to exercise.
Maybe I'm just more interested in these things as I've gotten older and the reality is that the Court has always acted this way, but it really feels like the Court sees it's own opinion as the primary legal doctrine of this country and the Constitution as secondary. There have been other decisions where the majority opinion does this, but this feels like the most egregious example.
-
Comment on Reddit is letting power users in on its IPO in ~tech
Stranger Link ParentFacebook's stock launched in May 2012 at $38 per share and ended the day a few cents higher. By August it was less than half that. Later that same month the FTC cleared Facebook to purchase...Facebook's stock launched in May 2012 at $38 per share and ended the day a few cents higher. By August it was less than half that. Later that same month the FTC cleared Facebook to purchase Instagram and it's pretty much been a bull run since then, aside from about a year between 2021 and 2022 (though it's currently made that up in spades).
Share prices are based on speculation; IPOs doubly so. It might be inflated or it might be a value, but without much financial history it's anyone's guess. If they don't get what they're expecting then they'll adjust pending expenditures accordingly, but I doubt you'll see any big changes publicly within the first quarter unless something else bad drops.
-
Comment on Reddit is letting power users in on its IPO in ~tech
Stranger Link ParentThe only thing worse than buying stock in Reddit is taking financial advise from social media.The only thing worse than buying stock in Reddit is taking financial advise from social media.
Often times figuring out a solution to the main issue isn't the problem. I'm sure you could pull any random researcher or engineer off the street and they could give you a solution to a problem in their industry within minutes. The problem is usually that there are multiple solutions and competing interests in most large-scale issues. The real roadblock is finding a solution that balances everyone's concerns enough to get the buy-in needed to pass. That's not an engineering problem; it's a political one.
Anyone who thinks the solution to problems like this is simple is coming at it from the perspective that dissenting opinion is irrelevant. It's a dictatorial mindset.