DefinitelyNotAFae's recent activity
-
Comment on Woman who dated US Senate candidate Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her in ~society
-
Comment on Dbrand has cancelled their "Companion Cube" Steam Machine case, because they didn't ask Valve for permission in ~games
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentI mean they covered their ass in the end, but I don't think that was handled well.I mean they covered their ass in the end, but I don't think that was handled well.
-
Comment on Woman who dated US Senate candidate Graham Platner says he sexually assaulted her in ~society
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentYeah. She's one more person brave enough to speak up about surviving sexual assault who's going to either get shoved aside for political experience and dismissed as a liar or blamed by others...Yeah.
She's one more person brave enough to speak up about surviving sexual assault who's going to either get shoved aside for political experience and dismissed as a liar or blamed by others entirely for the Dems failing to control the Senate. And regardless the result will be fewer survivors speaking up or being believed.
And tbh I'm not even surprised about Platner. This is perhaps the least surprising thing that could have come out about him right now. How pathetic is this country when the reaction to sexual assault allegations is "yeah, that tracks."
Because it does fucking track.
-
Comment on Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicates bishops in ~humanities
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentI'm glad it came out as at least semi-coherent!I'm glad it came out as at least semi-coherent!
-
Comment on Smush in ~games
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentYeah it just didn't land for me and maybe that was part of it too! Hard to say. But not badYeah it just didn't land for me and maybe that was part of it too! Hard to say. But not bad
-
Comment on Japanese translation request - achievement stickers in ~humanities.languages
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentI think asking for human help is always valid and not a waste of time!I think asking for human help is always valid and not a waste of time!
-
Comment on Smush in ~games
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentI got 300, I didn't super enjoy it though, not sure why as I normally like similar games. Maybe the limit on letter usage.I got 300, I didn't super enjoy it though, not sure why as I normally like similar games. Maybe the limit on letter usage.
-
Comment on Cambria, California banned fireworks. Then came the dogs. in ~society
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentThis California Town Banned Fireworks. Then Came the Dogs. And a gift from July 6, 2026This California Town Banned Fireworks. Then Came the Dogs.
And a gift from July 6, 2026
-
Comment on Erling Haaland's second-half double helped Norway stun five-time winners Brazil and book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup in ~sports.football
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentIt's the elbows! Like yay for him. He's definitely charmed the US Tiktok FYPs of millennials like me lolIt's the elbows! Like yay for him. He's definitely charmed the US Tiktok FYPs of millennials like me lol
-
Comment on Humble Bundle - John Scalzi collection benefiting World Central Kitchen in ~books
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentYeah it's kind of what it says on the tin. But I also think it was one of his earlier books. Although to be honest, I really don't recall. I also haven't read a few of his other standalones or...Yeah it's kind of what it says on the tin. But I also think it was one of his earlier books. Although to be honest, I really don't recall. I also haven't read a few of his other standalones or adaptations of others work. Overall he seems like a decent dude and I enjoy him most of his writing
-
Comment on Modern, abstract art makes me angry in ~arts
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentGotcha so for me I felt this work (and the companion made of belts) evoked a lot of pain - the artist herself had to hit the canvas in the same way that parents would use a belt on a child, and...Gotcha so for me I felt this work (and the companion made of belts) evoked a lot of pain - the artist herself had to hit the canvas in the same way that parents would use a belt on a child, and evoking the same way that slaves were whipped, over and over again. Maybe there was catharsis in the work too, but I felt the desire to break patterns of generational trauma. I didn't experience this abuse as a child but I am familiar enough with it, and can connect it to my own experiences, that it speaks to me.
I think there are reasons and connections for monochrome and paint splatters too. The all red/blue/yellow paintings of a Russian artist saying he had basically ended painting by putting the three primary colors in every spot on a canvas, you could just mix them as appropriate to create anything had a point. It just required learning his why. Without it, it doesn't resonate so much.
But I'm glad this helped. I think the default assumption should be that there is a reason for each artwork, and if we don't get it then that's ok, it wasn't for us, or the museum let us down, or out of context it doesn't mean as much. (Van Gogh benefits from context too for example, knowing what was going on in his life and with his mental health around the time of a particular painting can give insight.)
-
Comment on Modern, abstract art makes me angry in ~arts
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentIronically, perhaps, Red is part of a series of paintings called Red, Yellow, and Blue in 1921 And the artist said So he was making a point. But a good museum would have docents or other...Ironically, perhaps, Red is part of a series of paintings called Red, Yellow, and Blue in 1921
And the artist said
“I reduced painting to its logical conclusion and exhibited three canvases: red, blue and yellow. I affirmed: It’s all over.”
Aleksandr Rodchenko
So he was making a point. But a good museum would have docents or other information for you to get that rather than just being expected to know it. Just displaying art vs educating seems to be a stumbling block. But then some artists want you to get whatever you get from it. So idk, maybe it's intentional.
-
Comment on Modern, abstract art makes me angry in ~arts
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentCan I ask how you feel about Lex Marie's "because I love you"? Just because it's abstract and modern (I mean idk the specific movements here but it's colloquially modern at least) but I think the...Can I ask how you feel about Lex Marie's "because I love you"?
Just because it's abstract and modern (I mean idk the specific movements here but it's colloquially modern at least) but I think the meaning is more accessible and relatable? And that maybe that inaccessibility or unrelatable quality is why you're struggling with it.
in case you don't want to read it or this angers you, please don't feel obligated
It's made by striking a canvas with a belt dipped in pain, repeatedly.
From the artist:
"This piece is me sitting with the idea of discipline in Black households often being tied to love, protection, and survival, and how harm could exist in the same breath. It's me reflecting on my childhood and on the choices Ive been thinking and making as a parent myself. My practice often mirrors what I'm actively moving through as a parent. Right now, that's raising an 8-year-old boy and being in the thick of navigating disciplining in my household. It forces me to confront what's been passed down, what I was taught, what I believe works, and what I know doesn't. In doing so, I'm not only revisiting how I was disciplined, but how my mother was, how my friends were, how my community still is. This work lives in that confrontation between care and harm, inheritance and choice and in the questions I ask myself daily about what kind of love I want my child to feel and remember.
She has a similar one made of belts on wood in a pattern I'd describe as a parquet floor maybe that is both about discipline and skin tone and is called "watch your tone." But without a title and a backstory it looks like belts on a wall.
Either way it's fine if this art isn't for you, I think it angering you is perhaps a bit of a warning sign that you're letting something that is functionally harmless upset you so much.
-
Comment on Humble Bundle - John Scalzi collection benefiting World Central Kitchen in ~books
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentSure, you can only drop Humble down so low - they do need to run, but idk their accounting. But you can put the charity up to $17.49 and the publisher at $.01 on a $25 donation. I think that's...Sure, you can only drop Humble down so low - they do need to run, but idk their accounting. But you can put the charity up to $17.49 and the publisher at $.01 on a $25 donation.
I think that's decently worthy, personally
-
Comment on Vatican declares Society of St. Pius X in schism, excommunicates bishops in ~humanities
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentI'm going to use a comparison that may or may not work. There's the stereotype that Americans don't travel abroad and don't know a second language. They look at everything through this...I'm going to use a comparison that may or may not work.
There's the stereotype that Americans don't travel abroad and don't know a second language. They look at everything through this American-centric perspective. "This isn't the food we eat." "Why would you eat dinner so late." "Why aren't the stores open when I want to shop" "why do I have to dress like that, I have free speech!"
Some Americans do travel abroad and maybe even learn a second language, of course. But not everyone changes their behavior, their worldview remains firmly in this American-centric POV. They may move abroad but live in ex-pat communities and never really speak to most of the folks in that language they worked so hard on. They are still typically patronizing. But they may see themselves as so much more worldly and knowledgeable yet typically disrespectful. They at most learn how to navigate the world as an American abroad
And of course some Americans travel, learn a language (or try) and are super respectful to the culture. They made an effort to learn ahead of time, and their conversations about it are culturally knowledgeable and sensitive. They've done a lot to break up that American-centric world view. They don't just compare everything to the standard of home, they re-evaluate "home" compared to the world.
So this thread is talking about how many (American) atheists tend to have a protestant worldview, because of how they were raised in a culturally Christian, but particularly protestanta and even evangelical culture. Which leads to criticisms about any religion coming from a protestant angle, as if that's obvious and normal. And it's their norm (just like America is the norm for American tourists) but there is a lack of maybe intellectual curiosity but at least understanding of why these other faiths act as they do. And they tend to get things factually wrong like "Latin Mass is gibberish spoken by people who don't understand to people who don't understand it." Because they don't know what actually happens there and never looked it up.
And it's not that there shouldn't be criticisms or analysis. For example the issue with SSPX isn't that they do Latin Mass (though their fixation on it is a sign of their other beliefs) Theologically within the Roman Catholic Church the issue is that they didn't obey the Pope. There's a lot of space there for discussing the hierarchy of the RCC and whether the whole setup is a problem (probably yes given the abuse cover up) just for one example. Externally they're super misogynistic, like not just "you can't be a priest" but "you shouldn't work, you shouldn't wear pants" levels of misogyny. And they've had a serious antisemitism problem in their leadership - like Holocaust denier level.
But instead they repeat protestant criticisms of the Catholic church , or of Islam or whatever faith without often even realizing they're doing it. Like the "typical" Americans abroad the perspective seems off.
Idk if that helps; the tl;dr is to have some introspection, and understand the thing you're criticizing rather than just mocking it because it's always seemed dumb to you (while also IMO de-christianize/de-colonize your perspective as much as you can, but that's just my opinion)
-
Comment on Erling Haaland's second-half double helped Norway stun five-time winners Brazil and book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup in ~sports.football
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentYes! And runs like he's just been let out of somewhere! I do hope he's as nice as folks have portrayed himYes! And runs like he's just been let out of somewhere!
I do hope he's as nice as folks have portrayed him
-
Comment on Mark Zuckerberg's increasingly bizarre war on whistleblowers in ~tech
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentUnionizing or government regulation would help too. Not that either seem likely.Unionizing or government regulation would help too. Not that either seem likely.
-
Comment on Erling Haaland's second-half double helped Norway stun five-time winners Brazil and book their place in the quarter-finals of the 2026 World Cup in ~sports.football
DefinitelyNotAFae LinkHaaland has become a Tiktok favorite as clips of him playing, eating and seeming at least to be a nice guy have been circulating. I know there are plenty of big guys in Norway but him compared in...Haaland has become a Tiktok favorite as clips of him playing, eating and seeming at least to be a nice guy have been circulating. I know there are plenty of big guys in Norway but him compared in size to so many of the other players is comical
Also, yay Norway! (I really want Mexico to win theirs but it's still ongoing )
-
Comment on Humble Bundle - John Scalzi collection benefiting World Central Kitchen in ~books
DefinitelyNotAFae Link ParentA lot of his stuff is snarky more silly fun like that - Kaiju Preservation Society is one example. Redshirts is doing a meta thing about the expendable people on the different ship. Agent to the...A lot of his stuff is snarky more silly fun like that - Kaiju Preservation Society is one example. Redshirts is doing a meta thing about the expendable people on the
Enterprisedifferent ship. Agent to the stars is about being an agent to the stars ( I don't remember much about this one). The presidents brain is missing is pretty literal too.... Maybe cathartic right now.Most of his stuff has a decent level of snark from the characters though it varies. He also experiments with writing genderless POV main characters. Not that the person doesn't necessarily have a gender but you the reader aren't told about it. Most of the time you don't notice it.
Old Man's War is an ongoing series about a future where retirees are recruited to be space soldiers! A number of the series are included here. I have not read all of them.
The Collapsing Empire is first in the Interdependency trilogy about humans in space dealing with the potential collapse of their transportation network, risking planets being isolated and the death of [large number] of people!
Lock-In and sequels is about a person who pops into Android bodies to engage with the world, because they are experiencing a medical condition causing "lock-in syndrome". Stuff happens. Mystery solving iirc.
That's the ones I've read at least.
-
Comment on Mark Zuckerberg's increasingly bizarre war on whistleblowers in ~tech
DefinitelyNotAFae (edited )LinkCory Doctorow writes about how Zuckerberg's intent to shut down Sarah Wynn-Williams absolutely makes him look like a despot, comparing him to Alexander Lukashenka. It's worth the read, as is...Cory Doctorow writes about how Zuckerberg's intent to shut down Sarah Wynn-Williams absolutely makes him look like a despot, comparing him to Alexander Lukashenka.
Speaking of thin-skinned, paranoid, wildly corrupt buffoons who will stop at nothing to silence their enemies, how about that Mark Zuckerberg, huh?
It's worth the read, as is Careless People it seems. I normally quote more but it builds upon itself so well I'd have to quote the whole thing. Basically she's now suing to be freed from this arbitration.
The bar is so low it's in the Mariana Trench.
And yet, people keep tripping over it. (And the standards are lowered for everyone else, it's almost like the fringe benefit of this is that other guys look great in comparison. Meaning that the beneficiaries of rape culture are more than the rapists.)
I am, perhaps, quite sick of this shit. My staff member was hit on by a student this past weekend, he's about her age, mid 30s, but he absolutely crossed the line and was super creepy and literally tickled her fucking hand when she tried to shake it. I have to wait to have him come in and speak with me because it has to get reviewed but I will be asking him why that was appropriate and for him to tell me to my fucking face why continuing to ask her to go out to dinner with him after she said "no" and that she was staff. And then why it would be acceptable in any situation. (ノಠ益ಠ)ノ
But no, he saw the bar and decided to try to limbo under it.
But someone right now is going to argue that "we" have to support Platner. And I just cannot handle it. (┛ಸ_ಸ)┛彡┻━┻