culturedleftfoot's recent activity

  1. Comment on I recommend: Trek to Yomi (Review) in ~games

    culturedleftfoot
    Link
    This game, a love letter to classic samurai films, looks quite intriguing, but this review is so fantastically well done, I can't help but share.

    This game, a love letter to classic samurai films, looks quite intriguing, but this review is so fantastically well done, I can't help but share.

    3 votes

  3. Comment on TV Tuesdays Free Talk in ~tv

    culturedleftfoot
    Link Parent
    I was late to Atlanta but I became quite a fan after the first two seasons, especially being able to watch it with my girlfriend at the time and point out all the different cultural references and...

    I was late to Atlanta but I became quite a fan after the first two seasons, especially being able to watch it with my girlfriend at the time and point out all the different cultural references and then-current news stories it weaved in, touched on, and spoofed. For me, part of its brilliance was the way it placed quasi-absurd situations into the narrative that were examples of real life being stranger than fiction, the fact that the commentary was often right before your eyes rather than being shoved down your throat. I came away from this third season with more of the latter feeling than the former. Maybe it was a conscious decision to make things more explicit, or maybe my reaction is akin to someone lamenting their favorite band becoming too popular. I don't know. The impact possibly depends on what background you are coming into the show with. I appreciate the way they aimed for a broader perspective, but it didn't seem as poignant to me. Still looking out for the next season though.

    5 votes

  4. Comment on Cricket legend Shane Warne dead at 52 in ~sports

    culturedleftfoot
    Link
    Wowwww... I totally missed this story. Couldn't stand him while he played, but there was no disputing his ability or his achievements. RIP to a true legend of the game.

    Wowwww... I totally missed this story. Couldn't stand him while he played, but there was no disputing his ability or his achievements. RIP to a true legend of the game.

    2 votes

  5. Comment on Will Smith banned from Oscars for ten years over slap in ~movies

    culturedleftfoot
    Link Parent
    It's pretty much only a "nothingburger" because Chris Rock showed very admirable restraint, being cognizant of the circumstances. That would have been an instant brawl on the street, and then...

    It's pretty much only a "nothingburger" because Chris Rock showed very admirable restraint, being cognizant of the circumstances. That would have been an instant brawl on the street, and then there's no telling how far either of them and/or their entourage would be willing to take it in the moment. Besides that, there's a lot to consider in terms of the both Will's reaction, the non-reaction of everyone else present, how differently things might have played out if the presenter making the joke had been female, white, lgbt, etc.

    I don't care for the pearl-clutching in the news cycle myself but it's not as unremarkable as you make it sound either.

    5 votes

  6. Comment on I don't think time helps in ~talk

    culturedleftfoot
    Link
    Look at what you yourself wrote though. No, time isn't a cure or magic salve, and that's often not what we want to hear when we're in pain. But it is (potentially) experience, perspective, growth,...

    Look at what you yourself wrote though.

    I have since spent a lot of time creating and nurturing safety nets to make sure this never happens again.

    No, time isn't a cure or magic salve, and that's often not what we want to hear when we're in pain. But it is (potentially) experience, perspective, growth, maturity, wisdom, and opportunity. It sounds like you've gained a measure of all of those, so give yourself some credit.

    6 votes

  7. Comment on Braid | Time and the human condition in ~games

    culturedleftfoot
    Link
    I played Braid sometime around 2017, and very much enjoyed what I thought to be a fiendishly clever puzzle-platformer. However, I couldn't make more than a vague sense of the narrative while I...

    I played Braid sometime around 2017, and very much enjoyed what I thought to be a fiendishly clever puzzle-platformer. However, I couldn't make more than a vague sense of the narrative while I played. I've subsequently read numerous interpretations that have never quite convinced, all from people who swear by the significance of the game's supposed A-bomb allegory. Well, this is the one that puts it all together for me, but it goes for a much broader perspective.

    2 votes

  9. Comment on What were the best shows you watched this year? in ~tv

    culturedleftfoot
    Link
    I didn't watch a whole lot this year, but what I did watch was good. Definitely taking the top spot was Gomorrah... good lord this show is fantastic. I watched it per @tomf's understated...

    I didn't watch a whole lot this year, but what I did watch was good.

    Definitely taking the top spot was Gomorrah... good lord this show is fantastic. I watched it per @tomf's understated recommendation, and it makes The Sopranos look like Sesame Street. Much like the criminal underworld it portrays, it initially seduces you in a nonchalant sort of way, but before you know it, it grips you and just doesn't let go. Apparently some Italian members of parliament even called for a boycott of the show because it was starting to make the public sympathize with some truly heinous criminals.

    I haven't gotten around to Arcane yet, but for all those claiming it's the best animated series ever, I humbly submit that it has to clear the bar that the Blade of the Immortal ONA set. It's the only anime I've ever given a 10/10, and while the violence might be too much for some, I'm on the verge of calling it a masterpiece. I posted about it in March during my initial watch, and rewatched it 3 or 4 weeks later - an absolute rarity for me. I give these above two series the highest of recommendations.

    An honorable mention goes to another anime - ODDTAXI. It's a smart, very well-written, character-driven show sort of in the vein of Crash, and I quite enjoyed it.

    5 votes

  10. Comment on <deleted topic> in ~talk

    culturedleftfoot
    Link Parent
    Only thing I disagree with is this. I can see an argument for fear being more fundamental, but anger is just as primary (or not) as sadness. They're both determined by your perspective.
    • If emotions were colors, anger would not be a primary color. It arises from more basic states of mind such as sadness or fear.

    Only thing I disagree with is this. I can see an argument for fear being more fundamental, but anger is just as primary (or not) as sadness. They're both determined by your perspective.

    5 votes

  11. Comment on Christianity hasn’t failed in India. Conversion isn’t its only goal in ~humanities

    culturedleftfoot
    Link Parent
    Well, for context, the article was originally in response to this one, published last year but recently retweeted by the author in reference to some recent right-wing attacks against Christians....

    Well, for context, the article was originally in response to this one, published last year but recently retweeted by the author in reference to some recent right-wing attacks against Christians. How one views the notion that early Christian intent was mere coexistence might well inform how much one would care about their modern-day claims of discrimination.

    4 votes

  13. Comment on Imagine Dragons & JID - Enemy (Arcane soundtrack) (2021) in ~music

    culturedleftfoot
    Link
    Huh, not the likeliest collaboration I'd have expected. Not bad, but I wonder what they'd come up with for either of their albums. That aside, I keep hearing that Arcane is the best thing thing...

    Huh, not the likeliest collaboration I'd have expected. Not bad, but I wonder what they'd come up with for either of their albums.

    That aside, I keep hearing that Arcane is the best thing thing since sliced bread, I might have to give it a go. The music video is great.

    2 votes

  14. Comment on Mark and Simon from Cracking the Cryptic play Return of the Obra Dinn in ~games

  15. Comment on Simon plays The Witness in ~games

    culturedleftfoot
    Link Parent
    Wow, it's definitely the first time I've heard the criticism that the game's puzzles were too easy. I guess you would have just experienced the very start of the learning curve though.

    Wow, it's definitely the first time I've heard the criticism that the game's puzzles were too easy. I guess you would have just experienced the very start of the learning curve though.

    5 votes

  16. Comment on Simon plays The Witness in ~games

    culturedleftfoot
    (edited )
    Link Parent
    Spoiler He finally noticed the river from on top of the mountain!! 😄 He has made remarkably fast progress on the first layer of the game... yet in watching him sprint from area to area, I am...
    Spoiler

    He finally noticed the river from on top of the mountain!! 😄

    He has made remarkably fast progress on the first layer of the game... yet in watching him sprint from area to area, I am reminded of how so many of us hustle and bustle everyday without stopping to smell the roses. I am watching every episode hoping that he has a moment that really makes him want to.

    4 votes

  17. Comment on Simon plays The Witness in ~games

    culturedleftfoot
    Link Parent
    I would love to hear some more detail about your experience watching this.

    I would love to hear some more detail about your experience watching this.

    2 votes

  18. Comment on Simon plays The Witness in ~games

    culturedleftfoot
    Link Parent
    With every video, I'm jealous, in awe, and sincerely chuffed all at the same time. So far it's been the perfect way to re-experience this masterpiece. I doubt very many others would have kept me...

    With every video, I'm jealous, in awe, and sincerely chuffed all at the same time. So far it's been the perfect way to re-experience this masterpiece. I doubt very many others would have kept me as interested.

    4 votes

  19. Comment on Simon plays The Witness in ~games

    culturedleftfoot
    Link Parent
    I could not stop laughing when he did it again in part three. He did say his observational skills weren't the best, but it was most definitely staring him in the face, lol.

    I could not stop laughing when he did it again in part three. He did say his observational skills weren't the best, but it was most definitely staring him in the face, lol.

    3 votes

  20. Comment on Simon plays The Witness in ~games

    culturedleftfoot
    (edited )
    Link
    This has been so good to watch. Beyond the sheer wholesomeness of Simon's demeanor, it's been really amazing to see him fly through the puzzles, yet generally ignore everything else lol. I...

    This has been so good to watch. Beyond the sheer wholesomeness of Simon's demeanor, it's been really amazing to see him fly through the puzzles, yet generally ignore everything else lol. I remember Jonathan Blow mentioning the challenge that the game necessarily face would be to go up against the expectations of most gamers, in terms of them often looking for rewards for completing puzzles. Then here we have someone who has so far only focused on getting to the next puzzle and more or less dismissed the stuff in between, the audiologs, and the video clips. Now that he has discovered the thing, I wonder if/how he will reassess his experience.

    6 votes