Wolf_359's recent activity
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Comment on How are you preparing for a fascist America? in ~society
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Comment on US says it is now monitoring immigrants' social media for antisemitism in ~society
Wolf_359 (edited )Link ParentIt's truly the oldest technique in the book. Countless examples. Sometimes it's just ignorant projection, other times it's a malicious and intentional "wolf in sheep's clothing" technique. But it...It's truly the oldest technique in the book. Countless examples. Sometimes it's just ignorant projection, other times it's a malicious and intentional "wolf in sheep's clothing" technique. But it shows up all over the place.
DARVO: Deny, Attack, Reverse Victim and Offender. Psychology terminology used to explain a similar tactic used by abusers in relationships.
I'm not religious but the concept of the antichrist is interesting. It is said that he will use religion as a weapon to gain power and pretend to be Godly.
Closeted gay people who just loathe gay people. These guys are the priests who get caught on the news with call boys.
Closeted pedos who rail against pedophilia and claim that they're everywhere.
The famous quote, "When fascism comes to America, it will be wrapped in the flag and carrying the cross."
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Comment on US President Donald Trump announces pause in ‘reciprocal’ tariffs for all countries but China in ~society
Wolf_359 LinkI can't stand him. Is this actually going to improve things though? My laymen's understanding is that uncertainty is the most dangerous part right now. Does this actually decrease uncertainty at...I can't stand him.
Is this actually going to improve things though? My laymen's understanding is that uncertainty is the most dangerous part right now. Does this actually decrease uncertainty at all?
Anyone have realistic predictions on what's to come?
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Comment on A slow guide to confronting doom in ~health.mental
Wolf_359 (edited )LinkI'm not an authority on this but it does seem to resonate with people on Tildes or Reddit whenever I share this type of stuff. It's been a while so I may as well. I am a man who grew up with a...- Exemplary
I'm not an authority on this but it does seem to resonate with people on Tildes or Reddit whenever I share this type of stuff. It's been a while so I may as well.
I am a man who grew up with a very unhealthy mindset. I'll spare you the details but I've been through some things and they did a number on me. I spent my first 23 years on Earth being very anxious, needy, generally unhappy and pessimistic. I didn't treat people very well and I felt hopeless much of the time. "A sense of impending doom" would be the phrase I would use to describe how I often felt. I'm 31 now and I'm very content, even on tough days. I finally feel in control of something...myself.
My third attempt at rehab (the one that stuck) really taught me a lot. It was like I finally understood that I couldn't go around feeling that way and that I was responsible for myself, my feelings, my experiences, and my mindset no matter what happened in the world around me.
I don't know how to form all of these into a cohesive thesis in the short time I have, so instead I'm going to share a short smattering of tidbits and quotes that I think may help people understand where I am today:
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It's ironic, but as an atheist my favorite thing is the Serenity Prayer: God, grant me the serenity to accept the things I cannot change, the courage to change the things I can, and the wisdom to know the difference.
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Abraham Lincoln was afraid of death. I always think of him. He was the most human president we have ever had in my opinion and I really respect him. The entire country was in shambles and he stuck it out somehow. I mean, if he had lost, he'd have been hanged and the country really would have gone down a dark, dark path. I don't know why, but his fear of death completely erased mine. I don't think we "go" anywhere when we die, but I know that whatever happens, everyone has been through it, including Abe Lincoln. I'm just going wherever he went. I'm not alone in whatever happens. If Honest Abe can face the destruction of our nation and stay strong, so can I. He showed me in his diaries that he was truly human just like me.
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"Find joy in the little things." When we look back at old photos, we never, ever remember the mortgage payment or the stress we were going through at the time. We look back and realize how nice our smile looked, how youthful our friends were, how beautiful the weather was, or how cozy our grandmother's kitchen was. At any given time, you might have a handful of bad things going on in your life, true. You might even have ten things going terribly on a personal or societal level. But you have quadrillions of things going right. You don't have cancer, or you do but you don't have canker sores today, you're not bald yet, or you're bald but you have your teeth, your best friend is alive, you own a Playstation and can relax later, you had a good lunch, your house is warm, your neighbor shoveled your driveway, etc. etc. etc. You can find endless joy with the right perspective. When you don't, you almost always regret it later when you realize what you weren't appreciating. But don't regret it - just start now. You still have an infinite amount of good things that are and/or bad things that aren't.
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Read A Man's Search for Meaning. They told jokes in concentration camps. The ones who stopped joking and smiling were the ones who died soon from illness. They had given up. They had enough. But you know what? So what? The worst that can happen, when it's all said and done, is that you die. We all die. Thankfully, we aren't immortal, so even in the worst possible cases of abuse and torture, there is an escape hatch that is absolutely promised to each and every one of us. If they can laugh in concentration camps, we can find joy in our lives too.
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People have been through worse. People still had children and lived their lives. Until recently, wars, famine, starvation, beatings, poverty, oppression, disease, and other unimaginable forms of suffering were normal. Modern medicine just happened, like yesterday, essentially. People still lived their lives. We are not alone in just living our lives during times of turmoil. In fact, we may have been more alone living in immense wealth, comfort, and peace. Not only because it's somewhat rare in history, but also because it literally has caused us to be apart from one another. I don't know what's coming, but I know people will come together when it happens. It's not going to be "good" but there will be a lot of people who will reflect back and say they had some of the best times of their lives (either in spite of this crisis or because of it).
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Breathe, focus on the little things, help other people, live your life. The world will be fine with or without America. It'll be fine with or without people even. Just enjoy the now.
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Plenty of people go through world-ending events even when the world is totally at peace and everyone is prospering. People get cancer at 13, people die in car crashes, etc. For black folks, gays, etc., America was mostly not great no matter how powerful we were. This might seem shocking to most of us middle class whites, but people have been going through this the entire time the rest of us were enjoying our high. We just may be joining them soon. It's okay.
I won't deny how shitty most of this is. We should obviously fight to make it better. But don't feel doom. Feel empowered. You have the power to change this. If that fails, you still have the power to live a happy life. Nobody can EVER change what you have in your mind or your heart, as long as you don't let them. You have complete and total ownership of the private garden that is your mind.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentI'm going to give you a quick list, but first I hope it's okay if I give you way more life advice than you asked for. Feel free to disregard. Having ADHD, you're going to be a lot more prone to...I'm going to give you a quick list, but first I hope it's okay if I give you way more life advice than you asked for. Feel free to disregard.
Having ADHD, you're going to be a lot more prone to depression than the average bear. Take a quick inventory and make sure you're not depressed. Life good? Job overall satisfying and fulfilling? Relationships and living situation okay? These things, particularly in people with ADHD, can really suck the joy out of every single thing. On the flip side, when you're extremely satisfied with life and/or busy, it can be tough to take yourself away from the things on the forefront of your mind and get into media. I find myself consuming media and not enjoying it when I'm down and just not consuming as much media overall when I'm doing really well. The middle ground average is where I'm consuming content and enjoying it.
Okay, anyway, here is my list of ADHD approved media:
Books
-Red Rising Novels: This whole series is made for people with ADHD. The first bit where he's in the mine does have a bit of set up in a dreary environment, but once the series leaves the mine (somewhere around 50 pages in I would guess), you have several thousand pages of one of the best stories you've ever read. Characters are extremely likable, lots of camaraderie, trickery, treachery, politicking, and the only fight/battle scenes in literature that can actually hold my attention. I can't say enough good things about this series. Long and short of it is that humans live on several different planets in our solar system and politics have gotten very ugly. The oppressed classes try to start a revolution against the wealthy elites. Brutal at times, but also heartwarming.-The Bobiverse series: Funny, captivating, charming, intelligent (but also dumb). It's a mix of Futurama and Interstellar. I had an absolute blast putting these on while I was playing video games (mindless games that don't require the listening part of my brain) and doing chores around the house. Basically, a guy has his consciousness uploaded to a space probe and explores the universe only to find that there is a lot to do out there.
-The Psychopath Test (and most of Jon Ronson's other novels): He's basically a gonzo journalist who writes about his experiences with unique groups of people. In the Psychopath Test, he explores psychopathy by talking to psychopaths and doctors, looking at old studies, etc. Just very fun to listen to and very interesting. He narrates his own books and his voice is incredible. His narration is like an old friend telling you a super interesting story - very casual. Some of his other books have him (a Jew) embedding himself with far-right Nazis and getting to know them. Great author.
-Project Hail Mary (and the Martian) by Andy Weir: Both phenomenal. Do the audiobooks for these ones too. I have the RC Bray version of the Martian if you want it. The version on audible isn't great. Extremely intelligent and competent protagonists fighting for survival in space. It's basically a puzzle game where you try to figure out how the hell they're going to survive the next five minutes and then being amazed at the science they use to do it.
-11/22/63 by Stephen King: His best novel in my opinion. Not a horror novel either. A guy goes back to stop the JFK assassination. Crazy things happen. Basically, any Stephen King where he doesn't screw up the ending is a good bet. The Green Mile is another great one.
Shows/Movies
I'm actually running out of time right now, so I'll have to add to this more later. But I do have time to quickly tell you these few.
-Severance: Just incredible. Please look it up if you're not aware of it.
-The Wire: It's not a crime procedural (which is what I thought when I avoided it for years). It's probably the best television show made ever.
-Breaking Bad, obviously.
-Bladerunner 2049 (the movie). This is my favorite movie of all time. I don't even care about the plot anymore. It's just so beautiful and I could live in the world forever (even though that is clearly not what I'm supposed to take away from the movie at all).
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Comment on Everything is a remix in ~tech
Wolf_359 Link ParentOn the flip side, it's a new form of capital that is, relative to other kinds of capital, easy for anyone to create/obtain. IP laws do protect massive corporations, sure. But they also can protect...On the flip side, it's a new form of capital that is, relative to other kinds of capital, easy for anyone to create/obtain.
IP laws do protect massive corporations, sure. But they also can protect Bob and Sally who come up with an idea in their garage. It'll take them a bit more time and energy to fully squeeze the money out of their idea. Having it be free to "steal" just means some corpo can do it faster and better, robbing them of their big break.
That said, IP laws are totally unequipped to handle the internet. I think there needs to be ample space for memes, remixes, spin-offs, etc.
Perhaps when we truly reach post-scarcity and money isn't necessary, we can get rid of IP as a concept altogether. But right now, I do think some level of protection is necessary, even if the system and timelines need massive reform.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentI did not know and I'm super glad that I do. I've wanted to check out it but wasn't sure about buying.I did not know and I'm super glad that I do. I've wanted to check out it but wasn't sure about buying.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentYeah, it does kind of sound like the higher levels aren't going to be your cup of tea. Here's an example of how difficult that game can get! https://youtu.be/fg4g-6cnwgY?si=Ud06VOxIKQUqg_6HYeah, it does kind of sound like the higher levels aren't going to be your cup of tea.
Here's an example of how difficult that game can get!
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentDefinitely on my list! I'm nervous because I tend to not like top-down games. But I think I'll enjoy it once I bring myself to start.Definitely on my list! I'm nervous because I tend to not like top-down games. But I think I'll enjoy it once I bring myself to start.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentAs @sparksbet mentioned, you can get it right away like everything else. Side note: I understand that AI is fairly controversial right now, but it's really really good at giving spoiler-free tips...As @sparksbet mentioned, you can get it right away like everything else.
Side note: I understand that AI is fairly controversial right now, but it's really really good at giving spoiler-free tips like this. My wife and I use it when we want to check a fact about a show or game without spoiling. Just tell it to answer your question without spoilers and it will!
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentThere is an autopilot! And I promise, the flight controls are very worth learning. They end up being one of the most satisfying parts of the game. Perfectly accounting for acceleration and...There is an autopilot!
And I promise, the flight controls are very worth learning. They end up being one of the most satisfying parts of the game. Perfectly accounting for acceleration and deceleration, considering gravity and orbits, and then nailing a tricky landing are the most rewarding things once you can get it to happen.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentYes! But I wish I hadn't because then I would have more OW to look forward to! DLC was incredible.Yes! But I wish I hadn't because then I would have more OW to look forward to! DLC was incredible.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentOh, my list of unfinished games is long. As a younger guy with more time I would often power through. Sometimes it would pay off when the ending was good or the content was overall...Oh, my list of unfinished games is long.
As a younger guy with more time I would often power through. Sometimes it would pay off when the ending was good or the content was overall thought-provoking. As I've gotten older though, and especially now that I have a toddler, I will DNF pretty much anything if I'm not absolutely hooked. Books, shows, movies, games, etc. are on thin ice with me at all times. A hint of boredom and it's done for me lol.
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Comment on Do you have games that you play (almost) exclusively? in ~games
Wolf_359 (edited )LinkOnce I beat a game or get to the point that I've done the big stuff I wanted to do, it's over for me and I can't go back. ADHD (I have enough to share to if anyone wants some) is the disease of...Once I beat a game or get to the point that I've done the big stuff I wanted to do, it's over for me and I can't go back.
ADHD (I have enough to share to if anyone wants some) is the disease of novelty seeking. Being bored is like torture to me, and since it's always now o'clock in my world, a few minutes of boredom can feel like a really long time.
I am astounded that people can replay games or sink time into them beyond beating the main story. My friends go back and replay games with multiple endings while I move on and just Google the other ways it could have ended. I always want the next thing.
That said, there are just a few games that have truly captivated me enough for a replay or a long play.
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Red Dead Redemption 2: Beat it and then started over to platinum it a while later when COVID hit. My platinum run went beyond platinum though, as I wanted to experience every single thing the game had to offer including the many secret events, Easter eggs, and hidden objectives. I collected every secret hat, saw every scary Easter egg, and explored everything thoroughly. It's the only game I truly know everything about. But now that I did that, I know I will never be able to replay it.
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Satisfactory: I may finish this game and take a break, but I have several hundred hours in and haven't beat it yet. I don't know how to explain the hold this game has on me because I have never experienced it before. It's the first game that's ever made me want to take my time. I build factories and then rebuild them when I realize what I could have done better. I am intentionally taking my time because I'm afraid of beating the game and having the joy go away. Even if that does happen, they have DLC planned and I know for sure that I will play any new content in the future.
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The Outer Wilds: Okay, you can't actually replay this one. It's a game where your progress is only locked by knowledge, and beating it once means knowing how to beat it again in less than five minutes next time. But I think about replaying this game constantly. It's my favorite game. If I could come at it fresh each time, it's probably all I would ever play. I included this game because it has caused me to hunt for similar games and play them obsessively. I have spent countless hours playing games that I find when Googling "similar to Outer Wilds." Just played one the other night, in fact. Side note: you will never capture anything quite like it again, but Return of the Obra Dinn, Portal 1 & 2, The Talos Principle 1 & 2, Qubed 2, SOMA, Subnautica, and The Witness are as close as you can get. Excellent games.
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Trials Fusion and Trials Rising: I initially thought these games were stupid. A side scrolling dirt bike game is about the least interesting game concept I can imagine. Then, I saw a YouTube video of a guy playing a track on Ninja difficulty. The thing to understand about Trials is that it starts out as a racing game on easy and medium tracks, but this is just to teach you the controls and get you familiar with the physics. When you get to hard, extreme, and Ninja level tracks, it stops being about racing and starts being about physics, puzzle solving, and muscle memory. You struggle to finish the tracks at all. Then, you get super good and it becomes about racing again sort of. There is a trick though. This game should be paired with a great podcast or audiobook. It kind uses the same parts of your brain as driving or doing the dishes, so you can easily consume audio content. When you have both happening, you can achieve a flow state that actually feels like a high. The hours will melt away. I am careful to suggest this one though, as it has a fairly high barrier to entry. The better you are at the game, the more fun it becomes. It's a tough sell to say, trust me, once you get good at it, it clicks. Kind of like Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice.
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Comment on What keeps you up at night? in ~talk
Wolf_359 (edited )Link ParentAny advice on preventing this? What do you mean when you say take care of your feet? I never think about mine (probably because I haven't had any issues yet).Any advice on preventing this? What do you mean when you say take care of your feet? I never think about mine (probably because I haven't had any issues yet).
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Comment on Satisfactory | 1.1 update teaser in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentIt's an interesting dynamic to be sure. On one hand, modders don't have to make mods. They choose to and they can only do so because someone else put in a massive amount of hard work to create the...It's an interesting dynamic to be sure.
On one hand, modders don't have to make mods. They choose to and they can only do so because someone else put in a massive amount of hard work to create the actual game and, in many cases, the assets used in the mods..
On the other hand, modders provide a valuable service, fixing broken aspects of the game, crowd-sourcing ideas, providing a testing ground and ranking the popularity of potential new features, etc. I usually stick to vanilla on most games, but there are a handful of games I would have never even considered playing without mod support, so I do think the modders deserve something (which is why I have supported a few through donations).
Baldur's Gate 3. Amazing game, horrible camera. Drove me so insane I stopped playing it. Got the camera mod and couldn't put it down.
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Comment on Satisfactory | 1.1 update teaser in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentI guess my follow up question would be whether or not the modders are compensated in any way? I only ask because I'm pretty sure some of the old Satisfactory mods included items that are literally...I guess my follow up question would be whether or not the modders are compensated in any way?
I only ask because I'm pretty sure some of the old Satisfactory mods included items that are literally 1:1 remakes. Actually, the garage door in this video also appears to be the same as one that exists in a popular mod.
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Comment on Satisfactory | 1.1 update teaser in ~games
Wolf_359 LinkI am unreasonably excited about this. I noticed that some of this stuff exists in mods already, and while my memory isn't perfect, I think I had noticed in early access some time ago that some of...I am unreasonably excited about this.
I noticed that some of this stuff exists in mods already, and while my memory isn't perfect, I think I had noticed in early access some time ago that some of the current items existed in mods from long ago as well.
I wonder, does anyone know if Coffee Stain contracts the modders to add these things? Would be super cool if they did.
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Comment on US President Donald Trump cuts short talks with Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy after Oval Office blow up in ~society
Wolf_359 LinkThis is bad in so many ways. It pisses off Trump's critics and Ukraine's supporters. It pleases Putin. It impresses Trumpers who think this kind of bullying shows strength. The one actual upside...This is bad in so many ways.
It pisses off Trump's critics and Ukraine's supporters.
It pleases Putin.
It impresses Trumpers who think this kind of bullying shows strength.
The one actual upside is that Europe can remove all doubt and go full speed ahead on building up their own militaries. The Euro-Canadian partnership should seriously start moving forward as quickly as they can to cut us out. It breaks my heart and I'm so sorry on behalf of my shameful country.
Sincerely, me and the other 30-50% of Americans who still care.
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Comment on An extended look at Pokémon Legends: Z-A! in ~games
Wolf_359 Link ParentI do appreciate your point! But I genuinely think the game looks objectively bad in terms of jank, graphics, stepping backward from the upgrades made in prior releases, etc. It's hard to ever say...I do appreciate your point! But I genuinely think the game looks objectively bad in terms of jank, graphics, stepping backward from the upgrades made in prior releases, etc.
It's hard to ever say any art is objectively bad, which is probably fair. It's also true that I haven't played the actual game. But this trailer is just screaming "worse player experience in terms of every measure we can make from this preview."
Also, I don't want Elden Ring Pokemon. Perhaps I should have worded it more clearly. I just want an open-world Pokemon packed with meaningful secrets and upgrades to drive exploration - like Elden Ring.
Apologies if my initial post came off as a raging rant. I just want so much more for this franchise. They have everything they need for a culture-changing game...except the game.
I keep thinking of leaving but I don't even see how it's feasible.
Perhaps a last minute border crossing to Canada if shit truly goes insane, but otherwise I can't see how I could uproot my family.
That said, I have a baby boy now and I can't fight if it comes down to it either. Said it before and I'll say it again, I grew up without my father due to drugs and pretty much nothing in this world would make me risk putting my son through that. And if fascism does succeed, I'm sure as hell not leaving him and his mother to fend for themselves.
Children neuter you politically.