canekicker's recent activity
-
Comment on USAID hired the right-wing influencer responsible for its decimation in ~society
-
USAID hired the right-wing influencer responsible for its decimation
8 votes -
Comment on Can you live a normal life in Cyberpunk 2077? in ~games
canekicker LinkFirst saw Any Austin's videos here and I think he's my favorite video game Youtuber/essayist out there. Splits the line between the absurdity of people like the McElroy Brothers or Brian David...First saw Any Austin's videos here and I think he's my favorite video game Youtuber/essayist out there. Splits the line between the absurdity of people like the McElroy Brothers or Brian David Gilbert and the more serious like Super Bunny Hop or Jacob Geller. To me, this is probably one of his best videos.
Bonus clip is this hour long interview he did with economist Tyler Cowen.
-
Can you live a normal life in Cyberpunk 2077?
32 votes -
Comment on Longest government shutdown in US history ends after Donald Trump signs funding bill in ~society
canekicker Link ParentI think that's partly because the actions were focused on specific groups of people like government workers, academics, immigrants communities, LGBTQ people, etc. We were on the precipice of some...I don’t think pulling out the breaks and letting the republican party crash hard is gonna do anything though, cause we’ve been crashing pretty hard all year and all the conservatives still just blame the democrats
I think that's partly because the actions were focused on specific groups of people like government workers, academics, immigrants communities, LGBTQ people, etc. We were on the precipice of some truly disastrous consequences (may still be) including huge ACA premium increases, SNAP benefit cuts, and airport chaos during the busiest travel season. Those would have had a huge effect on large parts of the population. Would Conservatives still blame the Dems? Probably but sometimes going hungry and being unable to get your medication can be a sober reminder that voting for a bunch of fuckwads isn't a good idea.
-
Comment on Longest government shutdown in US history ends after Donald Trump signs funding bill in ~society
canekicker Link ParentUnless something drastically changes, a blue wave seems fairly plausible. However I am extremely concerned about the Dem's ability to do anything. The obvious issue would be the Dem's ability to...Unless something drastically changes, a blue wave seems fairly plausible. However I am extremely concerned about the Dem's ability to do anything. The obvious issue would be the Dem's ability to steal defeat from the jaws of victory and their absolutely stupid messaging when things don't go their way.
More importantly, there are insane structural issues/head winds stopping the Dems from accomplishing anything. Trump will continue to use executive orders and I imagine Trump will use the veto like he uses Home Depot decorations. I imagine the courts, which Trump stacked in his first term (thanks 2016 voters!) will be utilized to halt any positive progress and as always, allow the administration to accomplish their goals before the courts decide what they're doing is illegal (if they even reach that conclusion ).
Then you have public expectation, people simply don't know how governance works and simply want results, and these days, have little patience as officials wade through the slog of governance. This is my fear for Mamdani and others promising big changes as failing to deliver quickly is a killer. Hell, at this point, I'd argue that getting good policy passed isn't even enough these days as negative partisanship is driving politics. This is kind of why I want the filibuster gone and the GOP to run wild, because it means people will remember the GOP's cruelty and maybe start understanding that as pathetic and incompetent the Dems are, the GOP are the fucking worst.
-
Comment on Longest government shutdown in US history ends after Donald Trump signs funding bill in ~society
canekicker Link ParentI believe it's a simple procedural vote that requires a simple majority which can be done at any time. There have been calls to eliminate this for the longest time because the narrow margins of...I believe it's a simple procedural vote that requires a simple majority which can be done at any time. There have been calls to eliminate this for the longest time because the narrow margins of control in the Senate (and also the House) make passing legislation impossible.
-
Comment on Longest government shutdown in US history ends after Donald Trump signs funding bill in ~society
canekicker Link ParentPersonally I feel getting rid of the filibuster isn't a bad thing because it removes one less excuse for the GOP. It's been incredibly clear that for the last 5 years, the GOP have demonstrated an...Republicans will probably kill the filibuster before then
Personally I feel getting rid of the filibuster isn't a bad thing because it removes one less excuse for the GOP. It's been incredibly clear that for the last 5 years, the GOP have demonstrated an unwillingness to govern, open cruelty to anyone who is not white, straight and male, a general disdain for the poor, and a mind boggling level of incompetence.. It's not as if the Dem's are stopping the GOP from putting into place popular policies that will benefit Americans nor does the filibuster stop the disgusting goals of this administration which are just executed via executive order and breaking norms. To me, force the GOP to try to govern. Force them to answer for their policies (or lack thereof). Force people to really understand the horrors that are in store if they continue to have power
-
Comment on The shutdown of USAID has already killed hundreds of thousands in ~society
canekicker (edited )Link ParentThat's more generous than I'd say. I think they don't give a shit and the fact it's poor brown people makes it even harder to care. For all his insane faults, at least W cared and followed through...That's more generous than I'd say. I think they don't give a shit and the fact it's poor brown people makes it even harder to care. For all his insane faults, at least W cared and followed through with his compassionate Christian bullshit and provided foreign aid to a lot of these places but that whole wing of conservativism is dead and hated by MAGA
-
Comment on The shutdown of USAID has already killed hundreds of thousands in ~society
canekicker LinkPaywall bypass. JESUS FUCKING CHRIST. Watching Christian nationalists defend Trump and possibly influence this decision is baffling.The model is conservative, assuming, for example, that the State Department will fully sustain the programs that remain. As of November 5th, it estimated that U.S.A.I.D.’s dismantling has already caused the deaths of six hundred thousand people, two-thirds of them children.
JESUS FUCKING CHRIST. Watching Christian nationalists defend Trump and possibly influence this decision is baffling.
-
The shutdown of USAID has already killed hundreds of thousands
55 votes -
Comment on A Nazi tattoo exposes US Democrats’ greatest weakness in ~society
canekicker (edited )LinkFor those who need it, here's a paywall bypass. I'm not saying I agree with everything stated here but it's an interesting argument about a party that has yet to find it's way following the...For those who need it, here's a paywall bypass.
I'm not saying I agree with everything stated here but it's an interesting argument about a party that has yet to find it's way following the disastrous 2024 election. I found this quote towards the end the most important
The party’s leaders think they have a problem with Trump voters. Some polling says white men without college degrees don’t like them, don’t trust them and won’t vote for them, so they think the only logical way forward is to pander. Their polling addiction ignores more complex political instruments telling them that the working class isn’t just white men and that centrism isn’t enough to bring white voters back into the fold.
-
A Nazi tattoo exposes US Democrats’ greatest weakness
21 votes -
Comment on The goon squad. Loneliness, porn’s next frontier, and the dream of endless masturbation. in ~life
canekicker (edited )LinkI'm sure many of you have at least heard the term gooning but the complexity, history, and practices was completely unknown to me. Definitely stranger and not for everyone but regardless of...I'm sure many of you have at least heard the term gooning but the complexity, history, and practices was completely unknown to me. Definitely stranger and not for everyone but regardless of subject, I really enjoy it when prestige publications cover subcultures with the same seriousness they cover anything in the mainstream. Like with all niche online subcultures, I take the actual practices with a grain of salt (like are these people making shit up for this "normie" reporter? Is this like butt chugging or the knockout game? The author expresses their own concerns) but I there definitely seems some truth behind is being discussed here. I also find this comment towards the end quite poignant:
It’s true that gooners are masturbating while they engage in these behaviors. You could say that only makes them more honest.
Granted, day-in-the-life TikToks or unboxing videos won’t poison your soul to precisely the same degree as gooner porn. But it’s hard not to see goonerism as just an intensification, almost a burlesque, of prevailing cultural trends.
-
The goon squad. Loneliness, porn’s next frontier, and the dream of endless masturbation.
108 votes -
Comment on Charlie Kirk, Ezra Klein, and the cost of civility-theater liberalism in ~society
canekicker (edited )Link ParentOh I agree but take the abortion issue, despite the effectiveness of reproductive rights in 2022 in stemming off an even greater beat down for the Dems, you did have quite a few states make...Oh I agree but take the abortion issue, despite the effectiveness of reproductive rights in 2022 in stemming off an even greater beat down for the Dems, you did have quite a few states make meaningful progress on protecting those rights while still going for Trump in 2024. Missouri, Nevada, and Montana for example. I think splitting the vote is a distinct possibility in the upcoming midterms.
As @DefinitelyNotAFae mentioned in their comments, it's likely going to be a messaging strategy rather than beliefs. I brought up Rep. Gluesenkamp Perez because I think she reveals a path forward for the Dems in places that they are currently not competitive. I think the uphill challenge is that the right has a far more effective messaging strategy with dumbass manosphere podcasters/comedians, assholes like Kirk and Shapiro, social media, minsinformation campaigns, etc. The Dems are feckless right now and while I do think they can be pushed from the left in certain situations, they really need to consider what needs to be done to be more effective.
-
Comment on Charlie Kirk, Ezra Klein, and the cost of civility-theater liberalism in ~society
canekicker Link ParentYea this reminds me of Marie Perez of WA who won in a Trump district. Like honestly her views on things like gun control are easy to criticize for those looking for a purity test but she's a good...Yea this reminds me of Marie Perez of WA who won in a Trump district. Like honestly her views on things like gun control are easy to criticize for those looking for a purity test but she's a good partner on a lot of other issues and is an effective communicator.
I understand what you're saying on local elections as well but in red state like Texas with blue cities and counties , the amount of bullshit the State throws at local governance is wild. I guess the point of developing a stronger local ground game is important but it's pretty disheartening.
-
Comment on Charlie Kirk, Ezra Klein, and the cost of civility-theater liberalism in ~society
canekicker (edited )Link ParentMan I did not express myself clearly on this. We all have lines that cannot be crossed and I too would include LGBT and reproductive rights in the values I would not compromise on. However I was...Man I did not express myself clearly on this. We all have lines that cannot be crossed and I too would include LGBT and reproductive rights in the values I would not compromise on. However I was thinking about the purity test of the economic left who are critical of more center left capitalists or when Bernie bros attacked Warren in the 2020 primaries. I think of people like Marie Perez who won in a Trump district as an example of someone who is scrutinized for her views despite being pretty on board with a lot of more progressive ideas. Though any general statement is sufficient broad so I hear your pushback.
At the same time, the margins for public opinion on trans issues is razor thin. I bring this up not because I want to sacrifice a group I'm not a part of but because it's part of the nightmare reality we live in and I'm still looking for an "and/both" strategy that can work for places like where I'm from.
-
Comment on Charlie Kirk, Ezra Klein, and the cost of civility-theater liberalism in ~society
canekicker Link ParentTo be clear, when I was referring to purity tests I was thinking more about the broader perspective of some uncompromising leftists and their ire at the center left. It was more of a...To be clear, when I was referring to purity tests I was thinking more about the broader perspective of some uncompromising leftists and their ire at the center left. It was more of a generalization though obviously any broad generalization would include your specific circumstances.
I also agree with your criticism as well, that it's easier to present these hypothetical when Klein isn't affected by these circumstances. At the same time I do agree in pushing for more progressive candidates and policies and do so in my voting habits. However I vote in a place where this isn't a winning strategy and won't be until a cultural shift occurs which ,while once believed to be years away, now feels decades off. I think part of the problem is the self segregation we're doing these days means we simply can't move the needle like we used to. I may be wrong but progressive candidates didn't do well in 2024 which certainly is disheartening.
While I vote in a very red state, I live in the bluest city in America. Candidates here can easily be outflanked and pushed from the left , but a moderate Dem where I vote doesn't have a chance in hell in the general election ,even with the shittiest senator in the union. At this point my vote is purely aspirational. So I get your frustration and empathize with you and do not think the trade off is acceptable. But right now the margins are so thin and the voting districts so gerrymandered that I really don't know what an effective strategy looks like before the mid terms. Maybe an effective Mamdani mayoralship will help change people's minds but NYC is such a unique thing that can't be replicated.
-
Comment on Charlie Kirk, Ezra Klein, and the cost of civility-theater liberalism in ~society
canekicker (edited )LinkI've found the anti-Klein backlash starting with "Abundance", to the Kirk op-ed, to the excellent new discussion with Ta-Nehesi Coates (which everyone should listen to in full rather than through...I've found the anti-Klein backlash starting with "Abundance", to the Kirk op-ed, to the excellent new discussion with Ta-Nehesi Coates (which everyone should listen to in full rather than through clips) to be exhausting. It's so much the product of these times where information/content, reaction, and reaction to the reaction, occur simultaneously. We no longer have the ability to evaluate the original source, sit with it, and come to our own conclusions when the algorithm is pumping us with hot takes before we have a chance to find the actual source.
This piece is certainly not the worst but it feels in the same vein and will be used as bludgeon by people who fail to read past the headline and actually process what was written. Like I'm a Klein fan and even though I disagree with some of his takes or wish he pushed harder on certain guests, but when the author says:
The best moments in liberal modernity, by contrast, have tried to reset the moral grammar: The Reconstruction Amendments, Brown v. Board, and the Civil Rights Act recast public life around equal protection, dignity before hierarchy. To say “we argue here, we do not shoot” is a minimum. The question is what is being argued for, and what a platform helps along.
It seems to miss the point that these things are only accomplished when you have the political and/or cultural power to do so and right now the left is getting curb stomped. During the discussion with Coates, it becomes very clear that Klein is interested in discussing strategy while Coates is more focused on context and morality, neither of which are wrong. Tbh, I found myself agreeing with Coates on nearly everything he said but fundamentally, the problem is power and the inability for the left to form an effective coalition to combat the current shithole we're living in.
On a personal note, I've heard the point from friends that one of the frustrating parts of Klein these days is the fact that he's basically saying certain strongly held beliefs aren't worthy policy goals (see his comment about fielding anti-abortion "Dems" in red states or his discussion with Sarah McBride on trans women in sports) or the fact that his coalition building strategies inevitably will lead to people getting left behind or at worst sacrificed. But what I'm failing to hear are actual actionable strategies we can implement now to reduce the suffering from this shitshow of an authoritarian administration. Like sure, Klein should have gone harder on Kirk, he should have pushed back harder on Shapiro (to be fair, this author doesn't mention that the Shapiro interview was recorded before Kirk was killed), Klein should push back harder in general and I want universal healthcare, taxes on billionaires, a stronger social safety net, and stronger protections for minority groups. But when one party is filled with boot licking "whatever daddy trump says" supporters who cosign everything he does, seeing the infighting and purity tests on the left is absolutely infuriating, particularly when the largest part of the coalition is led by two out of touch idiots with no spine and no strategy.
edit: Update as I wrote this very late. When I was referring to purity tests, I was referring to the diversity of opinion on what I would consider "the left". In a saner country, we'd live in multi party system but instead we have this idiotic two party system that groups ideologies that arguably shouldn't be grouped together in an unnatural binary, leading to infighting between factions and views being used as a cudgel. Things like foreign policy (Gaza, Ukraine, foreign aid), women's health and reproductive rights, LGBTQ+ rights, policing, race relations, domestic infrastructure, housing affordability, living wage, climate change, gun control, etc : there's always something to fight about.
I'm trying harder and still likely failing to ease up on those more closely aligned with the center left because we're living in hellish times and it's not clear to me that we've reached the bottom. I won't deny that for many, this has always been the case in America. I get that the status quo potentially maintained under a Harris administration isn't good enough and who demand progress should not have to wait. But at this point, not even a year into Trump 2 and it's clear that the idea that things couldn't get worse is wrong. There's always a new floor, there's always a new bottom. Maybe it's my preferred way to cope but I'm finding more comfort these days in discussion over strategy.
Paywall Bypass
What an astoundingly stupid, racist, conspiratorial, and overall awful individual that is now par for the course for this administration. If you don't want to read the whole piece (for the sake of your sanity), gems about Mike Benz, who is a rough looking 41 which is also on par for this administration, include his beliefs that:
His whole mission is to try to find evidence supporting his stupid beliefs
Like my god, what a bunch of fucking losers