JCPhoenix's recent activity
-
Comment on What have you been watching / reading this week? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
-
Comment on Of course viewers are giving up on Netflix shows in ~tv
JCPhoenix Link ParentThat's why I never got back into Stranger Things after Season 3. It just took too long. I wanted to watch Season 4, but my attention was elsewhere and I just never got around to it. I got on the...That's why I never got back into Stranger Things after Season 3. It just took too long. I wanted to watch Season 4, but my attention was elsewhere and I just never got around to it. I got on the Stranger Things bandwagon a bit late, so I think I was able to binge Seasons 1 and 2 together. And then Season 3 didn't come out that much later after I watched S1 and S2.
But by the time Season 4 came around, I just didn't care as much. I know S5 came out last year, but then it was more like "Well, I haven't watched Stranger Things since 2019; do I really care to catch up?" Maybe one day. But I got other shows I can watch, too.
-
Comment on Of course viewers are giving up on Netflix shows in ~tv
JCPhoenix (edited )Link ParentThe last show Netflix-produced show I watched was Kaos, which starred Jeff Goldblum. I saw some articles about it and thought it looked good. But I was hesitant since I knew Netflix tended to...The last show Netflix-produced show I watched was Kaos, which starred Jeff Goldblum. I saw some articles about it and thought it looked good. But I was hesitant since I knew Netflix tended to cancel shows after one season if they didn't hit Stranger Things levels of notoriety. Which most shows do not.
So I waited for reviews to come out and reception seemed positive. So I bit the bullet and watched it. And liked it! Was it like my favorite show in the world? No. But neither is/was Stranger Things.
It was entertaining and intriguing enough that I'd be willing to watch another season. Of course, like a month or less after I finished Kaos, I saw the news that Netflix had cancelled it. Well then screw it; last time I ever watch a Netflix-produced show.
And then I finally cancelled my Netflix subscription, that I'd had for at least a decade, earlier this year.
-
Comment on Why does WhatsApp drain so much phone battery? in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentI don't. I used to have one of my computers synced, but it's been awhile. So only my phone gets WhatsApp messages/calls. I will say, being an American, I don't use WhatsApp that much. There're...I don't. I used to have one of my computers synced, but it's been awhile. So only my phone gets WhatsApp messages/calls.
I will say, being an American, I don't use WhatsApp that much. There're only two or three people who I use WhatsApp with. And we might exchange a handful of texts each week, even in our group chat. Like I use Signal and Discord way more. Idk if that has anything to do with things.
Hopefully you can figure this out. I'm genuinely curious why it's eating up so much of your battery.
-
Comment on Microsoft’s Xbox to cut 3,200 jobs, divest five studios in major overhaul (gifted link) in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentI work for the government currently. I don't think there's 14 layers between me and the president! And I'm just another nameless, faceless government drone! Though obviously processes like what...I work for the government currently. I don't think there's 14 layers between me and the president! And I'm just another nameless, faceless government drone!
Though obviously processes like what you're talking about are where things get bogged down and sent into bureaucratic hell. I mentioned in another comment last month the amount of work and approval from everyone under the sun that a coworker needs to get so we can spend a measly $15k is mind-boggling.
But I get that for the government. To an extent.
But in a private company? I thought they're all supposed to be quick and agile! That's why government needs to be more like the private industry! ::eyeroll:: I've worked on the private (or at least non-profit) side for most of my career. Non-government can be just as slow when it wants to be. Still, 14 layers does seems a teensy bit much!
-
Comment on Why does WhatsApp drain so much phone battery? in ~tech
JCPhoenix LinkI checked my iPhone (16 Pro) and I'm not seeing high usage via WhatsApp. The only day last week where it was high was when I was talking on the phone, via WhatsApp, to a friend. Which makes sense....I checked my iPhone (16 Pro) and I'm not seeing high usage via WhatsApp. The only day last week where it was high was when I was talking on the phone, via WhatsApp, to a friend. Which makes sense. But otherwise, most days, it's not even in the Top 10 or even Top 15. I don't think I've adjusted any settings on WhatsApp to make it less "talkative" or battery-hungry either.
-
Comment on Stellantis to sell small Fiat Topolino electric vehicle for $13,995 in US in ~transport
JCPhoenix Link ParentOne niche might be car-sharing services in cities. When I lived in Chicago long ago, I didn't have a car, and neither did my roommates. But I signed up for a car-sharing service. Which we often...One niche might be car-sharing services in cities. When I lived in Chicago long ago, I didn't have a car, and neither did my roommates. But I signed up for a car-sharing service. Which we often used for grocery shopping or transporting somewhat bigger/bulkier things we didn't want to or couldn't transport over public transit. Plus being small, these Fiats can be parked pretty much anywhere, ready for members to use.
Though looking at how small this is...Does this even have enough space for groceries? Like I went to Costco the other day. I didn't buy a crazy amount of stuff (I live by myself). Aside from a big pack of paper towels, everything else fit into like 6 reusable grocery bags. Which is my pretty typical haul, even from a normal grocery store. I don't know if I could fit all that into this Topolino. I don't see a trunk or even much space behind the seats, after all.
-
Comment on Sports entertainment makes me angry in ~talk
JCPhoenix Link ParentIronically, I think this post is an example of, or at least parallel to, some of the modern art that that OP doesn't get (which is fine; I'm often in the same boat with modern art, even though I...Ironically, I think this post is an example of, or at least parallel to, some of the modern art that that OP doesn't get (which is fine; I'm often in the same boat with modern art, even though I generally like modern art). How often, modern art is critiquing or criticizing past art. So now we have new post critiquing or criticizing past post. Tildoes are such artists! Who knew?
Either way, I don't see a huge problem with this post. Clearly the OP of the main post wanted to have a conversation. Why can't we have a conversation here, too? Would it be a problem if this post were simply another comment in that thread? Would it still be considered needlessly hostile? Or is it because this is its own post, that's what makes it needlessly hostile? If so, why?
-
Comment on Microsoft’s Xbox to cut 3,200 jobs, divest five studios in major overhaul (gifted link) in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )Link Parent14 layers? Jfc. They might literally be rivaling -- and beating -- the government with that many layers of approval. Obviously not all decisions require that, but short of like selling the...We know that great technology gets better when it gets simpler, not bigger. Today, in some parts of the company, work passes through as many as 14 layers of management. Our platform teams are 40% larger than they were at the start of this generation, even as our player base and playtime have declined. That complexity has slowed decisions, blurred accountability, and made it harder to deliver for players. As we reset XBOX, we will simplify.
14 layers? Jfc. They might literally be rivaling -- and beating -- the government with that many layers of approval. Obviously not all decisions require that, but short of like selling the company, what the hell could require that much approval? Sounds like micromanagement to the max or no one wants to take final responsibility for decisions. Or both.
-
Comment on Smush in ~games
JCPhoenix Link Parent345! And got the pangram! Though not first like I usually try to do on NYT Spelling Bee.345! And got the pangram! Though not first like I usually try to do on NYT Spelling Bee.
-
Comment on Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentEither reliability issue or got damage somewhere. Haven't heard what exactly happened. He was towards the front of the pack, but something happened where he started slowing down and was...Either reliability issue or got damage somewhere. Haven't heard what exactly happened. He was towards the front of the pack, but something happened where he started slowing down and was complaining that he couldn't turn very well. So he pitted, crew changed some things out, then he went back out.
But even with that, he was still having some issues turning. So he boxed again. There was some kind of brake duct/cover component that was stuck near the left front suspension and the crew removed it. But Kimi was still complaining afterwards.
However, instead of boxing again and retiring the car, he stayed out since he was P10, was confident he could hold it even with the car in this impaired state, so he could get a single point.
Unfortunately, due to multiple track limits violations ("Gaining an unfair advantage"), because of his reduced ability to turn the car, he got a 5-sec penalty which dropped him to P12. Out of the points in the end.
-
Comment on Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkWell that ending sucked, lol. Commentators on F1TV were hyping everyone up, themselves included, the onscreen graphics even saying "Safety Car Ending" at Lap 51...only for the Safety Car to not...Well that ending sucked, lol. Commentators on F1TV were hyping everyone up, themselves included, the onscreen graphics even saying "Safety Car Ending" at Lap 51...only for the Safety Car to not come in!
I just heard on the F1TV post-race show the FIA is saying "software error." Though it does seem strange since they could've just red flagged it and ended it instead of seeming to intend to restart for a one-lap shoot out. Oh well. Is it it what it is. Supposedly there is some sporting regulation that covers all that...One that exist as a result of AD21.
Of course the largest beneficiary of whatever that was was George getting P2. Because Idk why Ferrari thought it was smart to bring in Lewis with such a tiny margin. Though if there had been a restart, high likelihood that Lewis, with new softs, would've passed George with old mediums. Still, seemed like a significant gamble by Ferrari. Threw away a 1-2 for a 1-3.
Cheers to Charles though! Glad to see him finally get P1 again. Think first since 2024? Hopefully that'll help out his mental game a bit. P3 for Lewis obviously not ideal for himself; plus he still has a yellow flag infringement investigation hanging over his head.
Gutted for Max. To fight and last that long, only to lose in the gravel at the end. Will be interested to hear what happened there.
And then poor Kimi. But his attitude of "I can stay out! I can get the last point!" was endearing. Felt like some anime protagonist thing, in a positive way. Though his WDC lead has been cut significantly.
Lastly, on a positive note: Colapinto P19 to P9. Impressive.
Sorry for not leaving a comment last week in the Austrian GP thread. I had watched the 24 Hours of Spa and was up most of the night. After both it and the Austrian GP finished, I was basically a zombie for the rest of the day.
-
Formula 1 British Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion
Warning: this post may contain spoilers
British Grand Prix
Silverstone Circuit
July 3-5, 2026
Sprint Race Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps 1 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:29.273 1:28.747 1:28.376 14 2 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:29.746 1:28.846 1:28.387 15 3 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:29.689 1:29.242 1:28.697 12 4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:29.380 1:28.922 1:28.703 14 5 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:29.675 1:29.246 1:28.733 15 6 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:30.142 1:29.401 1:28.740 15 7 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:29.583 1:29.120 1:28.772 12 8 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 1:29.470 1:29.280 1:28.835 14 9 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 1:29.850 1:29.067 1:28.927 12 10 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:30.453 1:29.330 1:29.367 12 11 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:30.444 1:29.482 9 12 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:30.407 1:29.679 12 13 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:30.107 1:29.707 12 14 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:30.894 1:29.983 9 15 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:31.073 1:30.197 12 16 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:30.779 1:30.650 13 17 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 1:31.083 6 18 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:31.714 6 19 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:31.776 6 20 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:32.020 6 21 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:32.910 5 22 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:32.988 5 Source: F1.com Sprint Race Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts. 1 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 17 26:12.129 8 2 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 17 +2.745s 7 3 1 Lando Norris McLaren 17 +9.783s 6 4 63 George Russell Mercedes 17 +10.639s 5 5 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 17 +12.620s 4 6 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 17 +16.550s 3 7 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 17 +17.551s 2 8 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 17 +30.233s 1 9 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 17 +30.953s 0 10 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 17 +35.110s 0 11 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 17 +40.273s 0 12 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 17 +41.026s 0 13 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 17 +42.499s 0 14 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 17 +45.784s 0 15 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 17 +46.680s 0 16 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 17 +49.810s 0 17 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 17 +50.379s 0 18 23 Alexander Albon Williams 17 +50.757s 0 19 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 17 +75.117s 0 20 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 17 +91.872s 0 21 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 16 +1 lap 0 22 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 16 +1 lap 0 Source: F1.com
Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps 1 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:29.719 1:28.493 1:28.111 19 2 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:29.534 1:28.626 1:28.286 18 3 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:29.644 1:28.864 1:28.458 17 4 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:29.985 1:28.920 1:28.481 17 5 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 1:29.276 1:29.069 1:28.746 18 6 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:30.186 1:29.383 1:28.877 17 7 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:29.549 1:29.113 1:28.893 18 8 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:29.971 1:29.218 1:29.032 18 9 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:29.661 1:29.324 1:29.305 17 10 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 1:29.300 1:29.429 1:29.716 20 11 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:30.269 1:29.461 10 12 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:30.345 1:30.063 12 13 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:29.539 1:30.076 15 14 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 1:30.570 1:30.501 15 15 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:30.562 1:30.623 15 16 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:30.638 1:31.341 14 17 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:30.680 9 18 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:31.227 8 19 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:31.321 5 20 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:31.451 9 21 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:32.863 9 22 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:33.025 9 Source: F1.com
Grand Prix Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts. 1 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 52 1:27:11.335 25 2 63 George Russell Mercedes 52 +0.427s 18 3 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 52 +0.772s 15 4 1 Lando Norris McLaren 52 +1.149s 12 5 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 52 +1.598s 10 6 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 52 +2.023s 8 7 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 52 +2.214s 6 8 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 52 +2.413s 4 9 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 52 +3.229s 2 10 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 52 +3.445s 1 11 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 52 +4.014s 0 12 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 52 +4.391s 0 13 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 52 +5.245s 0 14 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 52 +5.512s 0 15 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 52 +7.403s 0 16 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 52 +8.005s 0 17 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 52 +8.162s 0 18 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 51 +1 lap 0 19 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 51 +1 lap 0 20 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 46 DNF 0 NC 23 Alexander Albon Williams 43 DNF 0 NC 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 36 DNF 0 Fastest Lap: Kimi Antonelli // 1:31.777 on lap 37
DOTD: Charles LeclercSource: F1.com
Next race:
Belgian Grand Prix
Circuit de Spa-Francorchamps
July 17-19, 202612 votes -
Comment on To my fellow Americans: Happy 4th of July, I hope you end the day with the same number of fingers you started with! in ~talk
JCPhoenix LinkI'm thinking I'm not doing anything this year. Partly because it doesn't feel very celebratory. But also...The heat index in DC is currently like 104-113F (40-45C). And it's only 11am. Also some...I'm thinking I'm not doing anything this year. Partly because it doesn't feel very celebratory. But also...The heat index in DC is currently like 104-113F (40-45C). And it's only 11am. Also some chance for storms early evening, which will send humidity through the roof before the fireworks start! Yeah, think I'll just enjoy my AC and pay the hefty electric bill later...
But yeah if any of you are going out, be safe, be smart, stay hydrated! And, no, drinking only beer doesn't count! Don't blow yourself up, don't blow up your friends, family, and neighbors! No MF'n bootleg fireworks (if you've seen that video)!
-
Comment on CGA-2026-07 🕹️🔥⚔️ INSERT CARTRIDGE 🟢 Lufia II: Rise of the Sinistrals in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkI'm excited for this one! Because it's a JRPG again! I'm pretty sure I played Lufia II as a kid. Not a lot, because it was just like a 3-day Blockbuster rental. I don't remember much, but I do...I'm excited for this one! Because it's a JRPG again! I'm pretty sure I played Lufia II as a kid. Not a lot, because it was just like a 3-day Blockbuster rental. I don't remember much, but I do remember being impressed with it. But I also vaguely remember just messing around on other renters' save files. I sometimes did that with rentals; especially when I was really young. I wouldn't start my own save file; I'd just use others'. That's how I "beat" Chrono Trigger for the first time back in the day.
While I have an SNES (sorta...I think it's at my parents' house across the country), I don't have a cart. So I'll be using an emulator on my Windows computer. Maybe even my Steam Deck.
I tried using SNES9X, which is what I've used in the past. However, I couldn't get it to recognize my PS4 controller (never really used controller with emulators before). The Input Config was recognizing button presses, but the game itself never responded to controller inputs. So tried Super ZSNES instead, and my PS4 controller worked right out the box with the game. Only change to the layout I made was swapping A/B and X/Y positions. I'm a Playstation fanboi, after all.
As for the ROM, I'm using the US version.
I've been playing for about 45min now. And yeah...I don't really remember any of this, lol. I don't remember the "Zelda-esque" dungeon movement, nor puzzles. I just did a little bit of grinding in the first dungeon and kinda poking around in there to map it out. Doing a blind playthrough, ideally with no guides.
Two old-school annoyances right off the bat: random battles on the overworld map, and inability to save wherever, whenever. Luckily, I can use the emulator's out-of-game save states. And I can put up with some random battles. Got a 5-day holiday weekend, so I'll try to play a bunch.
-
Comment on Reddit will require you to be logged in to use old.reddit.com in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentThat'd be pretty surprising, actually. Reddit's main way of getting people is by allowing people to peruse and lurk the site, then make an account. I know account creation on reddit is super easy,...That'd be pretty surprising, actually. Reddit's main way of getting people is by allowing people to peruse and lurk the site, then make an account. I know account creation on reddit is super easy, in that you don't even need to make your own username anymore (can do it later), while also not needing to provide an email address, but that's still friction. I imagine most visitors don't know that it's that easy to get an account.
-
Comment on US Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship, ruling against Donald Trump's order in ~society
JCPhoenix LinkI mentioned in the weekly politics thread that this should've been 9-0 for a supposed bunch of "Textualists." I don't know how the plain words could be interpreted in another way. And if they were...I mentioned in the weekly politics thread that this should've been 9-0 for a supposed bunch of "Textualists." I don't know how the plain words could be interpreted in another way.
And if they were really "Textualists," they wouldn't be doing any interpreting! As usual, hiding behind a thin veneer of "principles" that's masking their true ideology.
-
Comment on US Supreme Court lets states block trans athletes from women’s and girls’ sports in ~lgbt
JCPhoenix Link ParentIt's kinda up to you. I personally upvote as long as I find a post interesting. There's plenty of political news, for example, that I don't like, that I don't agree with. I'll still upvote. Same...It's kinda up to you. I personally upvote as long as I find a post interesting. There's plenty of political news, for example, that I don't like, that I don't agree with. I'll still upvote.
Same with even comments. I don't agree with everything everyone says, but if it's at least thoughtful and/or reasoned-out, I'll give it an upvote.
I'll even do charity upvotes, mainly as a sign that "Hey someone read your comment. You didn't just scream into the void."
-
Comment on Weekly US politics news and updates thread - week of June 29 in ~society
JCPhoenix Link ParentThat should've been a slam dunk 9-0 for these "originalists" or "textualists" or whatever bullshit they're calling themselves these days. I realized that if the decision were to overturn, and it...That should've been a slam dunk 9-0 for these "originalists" or "textualists" or whatever bullshit they're calling themselves these days.
I realized that if the decision were to overturn, and it was decided to apply retroactively...I'd be the only one in my family who possibly wouldn't be a US citizen. Neither of my parents had naturalized before I was born. My dad would naturalize a couple years later so he could work for the US govt. My younger brother born a couple years after that, would derive his citizenship from my dad. And then my mom naturalized like 10yrs after my dad (she dragged her feet, even though she had been in the US like 30yrs already...). I'd be the only one left out.
The "fun" part is that I, too, work for the government. And I hold a clearance. I imagine there are lot of us in that boat. Figurative boat; not a literal one, thank god...
-
Comment on I made a satirical AI detector in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentEventually, humans will cycle to NOT using punctuation and capitalization and proper grammar/spelling at all, as a way to distinguish their content. We'll go back to 1337-speak and early T9-based...Eventually, humans will cycle to NOT using punctuation and capitalization and proper grammar/spelling at all, as a way to distinguish their content. We'll go back to 1337-speak and early T9-based txt msg styles. For me, I've started swearing more in comments. Not that AI can't do that, but I don't see it that often. Obligatory, gonna be some bullshit...
Sounds crazy, but I've definitely seen some people, like on reddit, call out others' messages as being AI because of semi-colons or even bullet point and other formatting in comments and such. It's ridiculous, but whatcha gonna do?
I binged Nippon Sangoku over the weekend. Pretty good. Two things I noticed right off the bat: they really have no modern tech left? Like no vehicles or even electricity? I get that the the story is supposed to be like Sengoku era Japan, but set not long after our modern times, but that seems unusual. OK, people in the show wear business suits. That's it?
The other thing is: why is there such a focus on the masses being dumb sheep? I know this can happen anywhere, at any time, but it almost seems like a critique of Japanese society or something, given how often the show shows it. Seems more than just a storytelling device.
Since it's an adaptation of a manga/webtoon, I feel like the show is missing a lot and moves very quickly. Like there's barely any focus on the supposed main characters who will change the world and re-unify Japan. Feels like the entire show is a recap. May need to give the manga a read.
Thought the art was great! I think the characters are drawn beautifully. Plus with the visual flourishes, It's like "watching" a manga. Also, the music selection was solid. And overall, story -- since it was very political -- was interesting and intriguing. I'd watch a second season.
Other than that, still slowly getting through Classroom of the Elite. Only 9 episodes in, even though I started it about 6 weeks ago. Did not expect a show about high schoolers to be so fan service-y.