JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on What are your personal crackpot conspiracy theories about the world right now? in ~talk
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 4 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentI have failed you š OK, so I just remembered that I left a brief Steam review for Tales of the Neon Sea. So I took a look. I still gave it a thumbs up, because I'm fairly easy to please, but I did...I have failed you š
OK, so I just remembered that I left a brief Steam review for Tales of the Neon Sea. So I took a look. I still gave it a thumbs up, because I'm fairly easy to please, but I did call attention to it not being the P&C game I thought it'd be, and more of a Professor Layton game. I don't dislike the PL games, having played a couple, but they're not my favorite, because I don't care for straight-out puzzles that much.
Which was my main complaint:
However, some of the puzzles -- especially near the end -- were maddening, throwing off pacing. The puzzles started feeling more arbitrary and cumbersome at a time when you just want to know WTH is going on and "whodunit." And this is after the developers simplified, removed, and tone downed some of the puzzles.
(Keep in mind, the "end" referenced here is not the end of the game; it wasn't complete yet when I played it)
I think I liked the game more for its looks, rather than the underlying mechanics and even story. And that left enough of an impression on me. Which goes back to a comment I made about Gamedec the previous week, where I think I like the facade of cyberpunk, as opposed to the full genre and everything that comes with it.
I should definitely replay this and see how I think about it now, having played many other games in the same general categories as Tales of the Neon Sea since then.
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Comment on An open letter to the University of California Regents requesting that standardized testing be re-introduced into admissions, >200 UC Professors signatures in ~humanities
JCPhoenix Link ParentI took the ACT the first time in 2004, then again in 2005. And my family had to pay both times. I think even when my younger brother took the ACT in 2009/2010, parents had to pay. This was in the...I took the ACT the first time in 2004, then again in 2005. And my family had to pay both times. I think even when my younger brother took the ACT in 2009/2010, parents had to pay. This was in the suburbs of Kansas City, MO.
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Comment on An open letter to the University of California Regents requesting that standardized testing be re-introduced into admissions, >200 UC Professors signatures in ~humanities
JCPhoenix Link ParentEven back in the mid/late 2000s when I started college, I knew so many people who were in remedial college classes. <100 level classes. And it was almost always math. I sorta did that, having...Even back in the mid/late 2000s when I started college, I knew so many people who were in remedial college classes. <100 level classes. And it was almost always math.
I sorta did that, having taken Calc 1 as my first college math class, which I bombed. So then I went to College Algebra, but at least it was a 100-level class, then Pre-Calc (even though I took it in high school), then Calc 1 again. That helped out a lot. Plus padded my GPA a bit, which I needed!
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Comment on An open letter to the University of California Regents requesting that standardized testing be re-introduced into admissions, >200 UC Professors signatures in ~humanities
JCPhoenix Link ParentBeen in a long time since I've been in K-12, and I don't have kids, but I vaguely remember that after I graduated high school in the mid-00s, that many school districts started allowing students...Been in a long time since I've been in K-12, and I don't have kids, but I vaguely remember that after I graduated high school in the mid-00s, that many school districts started allowing students to take the ACT/SAT at least once on the district's dime, at school, during the school day. Am I just making that up?
If that happened, I always thought that was a great way to help even out the playing field. Those tests are not cheap. My family could pay them no problem, and I took the ACT twice, but the cost was high enough that my parents were like "You better study and not just blow this off..." (Spoiler: I did not study).
But I imagine that's a district by district, state by state, thing. Some states and districts can afford to do that, others can't. For whatever reasons, fiscal or ideological. So yeah, it should be subsidized by the federal government at the very least.
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Comment on When did you realize you were different? in ~talk
JCPhoenix Link ParentSame experience being Asian and then going to school and seeing the vast majority were White. There were some Black students and handful of Latino students. But I don't remember any fellow Asians...Same experience being Asian and then going to school and seeing the vast majority were White. There were some Black students and handful of Latino students. But I don't remember any fellow Asians students from like Kindergarten to 3rd Grade. At least in my classes. I'm sure there were a handful in other classes and grades.
That messed with me for a long time, especially in middle school when girls and boys were starting to "date." Girls -- of any race -- had crushes on my White guy friends, but never on me (that I ever knew). I could be friends with these girls, but never anything more. Though by high school, finally met more open-minded people.
And kinda had a similar experience academically. My mom was a SAHM through at least like 2nd grade. So before Kindergarten, before my younger brother was born, we were just constantly playing school. I could count to 100. I could tie my own shoes. I knew the alphabet, I had basic reading skills already, I think I was ahead of the game on telling time with an analog clock. I was never deemed "gifted" (I don't think the schools I went to had those programs) but I was certainly always place in advanced classes.
I vaguely remember being surprised at how "dumb" my classmates were. I never said that to them, but I'm pretty sure I thought it. But by middle school, I came across other students who excelled academically as well, and we'd engage in friendly competition, which was fun.
By Sophomore/Junior year of high school, I was still ahead of the average, but there were many more students who were playing the academic game that I was kinda done with. I did well by the end, but it's not like I graduated at or above a 4.0 GPA. And yeah, college disabused me of any notion that being "smart" mattered.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 4 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )Link ParentThe magical system in inspired from the "Professor Layton vs PW:AA" crossover game. But it's definitely more fleshed out in Tyrion Cuthbert. It really just acts as another "layer" of evidence, but...The magical system in inspired from the "Professor Layton vs PW:AA" crossover game. But it's definitely more fleshed out in Tyrion Cuthbert. It really just acts as another "layer" of evidence, but it does make things more organized and somewhat less difficult? Like in AA games, especially in later cases, you can have TONS of physical evidence and testimonial evidence, and keeping track of it all can make your head spin. I have absolutely save scummed repeatedly because I'm literally going down the list, presenting each piece of evidence until I Game Over or find the right one, because I don't know what it's asking. It was even worse in earlier games when characters profiles also could be presented as evidence. So sometimes I had to go down both lists, one by one!
But in TC, by creating another category of "evidence" -- the magic spells -- it just makes it easier to track and know what kind of evidence you need to present at certain times. "Hey they're clearly looking for a spell right now; let's look at the spells. Oh now they want non-magical evidence; let's look at that." I like it.
And yeah, I'm amazed that the whole "OBJECTION!" presentation isn't like copyrighted or patented or something. It's so iconic and recognizably Ace Attorney. Though I have no clue how that works. Maybe the Law & Order showrunners would scream "OBJECTION!" =P
Now I want to see a video of a real lawyer doing that in an real court of law! Someone, somewhere has to have done it by now, right?
YOU TOO CAN FIND SALVATION THROUGH MOTIVATION.
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Comment on Tildes Survey #6: Vote for the next four surveys we do! in ~talk
JCPhoenix Link Parent...Are we gonna find out that some Tildoes don't wipe or clean after at all?...Are we gonna find out that some Tildoes don't wipe or clean after at all?
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 4 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentTyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane Released on Steam: 2023-06-23 Purchased by me: 2024-06-24 Time/Amount played: 12hrs Developer: Diamondhenge...Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane
Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane
Released on Steam: 2023-06-23
Purchased by me: 2024-06-24
Time/Amount played: 12hrsDeveloper: Diamondhenge Entertainment
Publisher: Diamondhenge Entertainment**Theme: Resistance
(Too mellow...OK, too lazy, to record. No LP again...)Alright, back to mystery/courtroom games. I chose resistance since a major part of this game seems to be speaking truth to power and fighting back. But through the courts. The ability of law to be used by normal folks to take down the rich and powerful who are abusing their status and the common folk.
Wouldn't that be cool if that worked in real life? Guess this is why I play games; to live out fantasy.
OK enough political snark.
Definitely an Ace Attorney clone, probably more so than some of the others I've played, but I think it stands on its own still. It takes a lot from the AA series, but doesn't necessarily exactly copy those concepts and mechanics, other than the core mechanics of investigating and talking to witnesses and the courthouse battles. The game tries to have its own spin.
The characters are fun, too. Iām enjoying some of the more PG-13/Teen-level humor. In one case, the MC, Tyrion Cuthbert, and his bodyguard/assistant Celeste McCoy, were investigating the mage's academy, which is like a boarding school. They had to check the student lockers. Tyrion opens one male student's locker and says something like "Huh, several bottles of lotion and a distinct odor...wonder what this is about..." To which Celeste is like "Really, Tyrion? Wait! Don't touch those with your bare hands!" š¬ Definitely a different type of humor from Ace Attorney's!
I just finished the second case, and I'm assuming there are five cases like most AA games. So, I'm likely approaching the halfway point. Enjoying it so far and hope it continues to be fun and interesting until the end.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 4 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkJC's Mellow Flow Standard bingo 4/25 Tradition Lost ā Gamedec Love Perspective Unlock Dimension Rebirth Adaptation Symmetry ā Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the Arcane Vulnerability ā Wildcard...JC's Mellow Flow Standard bingo 4/25 Tradition Lost Aesthetic
ā GamedecLove Perspective Unlock Dimension Rebirth Adaptation Symmetry Resistance
ā Tyrion Cuthbert: Attorney of the ArcaneVulnerability ā Wildcard Morality Chaos
ā 911 OperatorBalance Annihilation Duality Tension
ā The Hundred Line - Last Defense AcademyIdentity Light Comfortable Survival Progress Brief Sigh, our fearless leader has abandoned Team Mellow. That's OK, I'm still carrying the torch, quite lazily. Just added one more game.
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Comment on May 2026 Backlog Burner: Week 4 Discussion in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentThis friend enjoyed Tales of the Neon Sea! It's been awhile since I've played it. And I think I played it before the final chapter came out. So I need to gave that one a go again.This friend enjoyed Tales of the Neon Sea! It's been awhile since I've played it. And I think I played it before the final chapter came out. So I need to gave that one a go again.
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Comment on Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentGotcha. Unfortunate for Perez and Cadillac =/ And yeah, broadcast direction was really bad this race. The Piastri-Albon incident in Lap 13 finally being replayed at Lap 54 was ridiculous. That...Gotcha. Unfortunate for Perez and Cadillac =/
And yeah, broadcast direction was really bad this race. The Piastri-Albon incident in Lap 13 finally being replayed at Lap 54 was ridiculous. That happened a few more times.
Also, the PiP just doesn't work. It's too small! Give us side-by-side live feed vs replay.
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Comment on Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentDid they show if Perez hit something or not? Or say what happened? I saw the replay of him pulling into the pit lane entry, and then the suspension or whatever just exploding. I didn't hear...Did they show if Perez hit something or not? Or say what happened? I saw the replay of him pulling into the pit lane entry, and then the suspension or whatever just exploding. I didn't hear commentators say any more though. It just looked bizarre.
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Comment on Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkAlso @TaylorSwiftsPickles, a personal ping for you!Also @TaylorSwiftsPickles, a personal ping for you!
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Comment on Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkOK that was a great race. I feel like the first great race this season (only been 5 races though). I was really expecting (and maybe hoping š) the Mercs would take each other out. Def not did not...OK that was a great race. I feel like the first great race this season (only been 5 races though). I was really expecting (and maybe hoping š) the Mercs would take each other out. Def not did not expect George's car to give out though. Though maybe we'll get some good memes.
Was nice to Max and Lewis getting to battle there at the end. Would've preferred Max ahead, but still not disappointed since he podium'd!
Terrible day for the McLaren's. So bad that Piastri had to "share the pain" with Albon =/
Anyway, F1 script writers, please make sure every race hereafter is like this, thank you!
EDIT: Anyone watch the Indy 500 today? Felix Rosenqvist pulled off a great move literally at the last second against David Malukas to clinch it!
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Formula 1 Canadian Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion
Warning: this post may contain spoilers
Canadian Grand Prix
Circuit Gilles-Villeneuve
May 22-24, 2026
Sprint Race Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps 1 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:14.772 1:13.026 1:12.965 19 2 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:14.010 1:13.551 1:13.033 16 3 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:14.265 1:13.957 1:13.280 15 4 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:14.665 1:13.858 1:13.299 15 5 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:13.889 1:13.465 1:13.326 23 6 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:15.006 1:13.554 1:13.410 19 7 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:14.028 1:14.412 1:13.504 15 8 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 1:14.541 1:14.239 1:13.605 17 9 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:14.517 1:14.140 1:13.737 19 10 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:15.500 1:14.547 1:14.536 24 11 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:15.673 1:14.595 14 12 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:15.801 1:14.627 14 13 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:15.484 1:14.702 16 14 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:15.760 1:14.928 17 15 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 1:15.872 1:15.197 17 16 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:15.760 7 17 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:16.002 8 18 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:16.354 9 19 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:16.642 8 20 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:16.866 8 Source: F1.com
Sprint Race Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts. 1 63 George Russell Mercedes 23 28:50.951 8 2 1 Lando Norris McLaren 23 +1.272s 7 3 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 23 +1.843s 6 4 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 23 +9.797s 5 5 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 23 +9.929s 4 6 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 23 +10.545s 3 7 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 23 +15.935s 2 8 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 23 +29.710s 1 9 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 23 +31.621s 0 10 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 23 +36.793s 0 11 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 23 +61.344s 0 12 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 23 +61.814s 0 13 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 23 +64.209s 0 14 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 23 +70.402s 0 15 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 23 +72.158s 0 16 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 22 +1 lap 0 17 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 22 +1 lap 0 18 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 22 +1 lap 0 19 23 Alexander Albon Williams 22 +1 lap 0 20 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 22 +1 lap 0 21 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 20 +3 laps 0 NC 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 15 DNF 0 Source: F1.com
Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps 1 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:13.953 1:13.079 1:12.578 24 2 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:13.380 1:13.076 1:12.646 24 3 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:13.503 1:13.049 1:12.729 28 4 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:13.559 1:13.285 1:12.781 29 5 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:13.767 1:13.041 1:12.868 27 6 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:14.067 1:13.479 1:12.907 23 7 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 1:13.654 1:12.975 1:12.935 22 8 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:13.825 1:13.496 1:12.976 29 9 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:13.895 1:13.548 1:13.280 28 10 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:14.466 1:13.857 1:13.697 27 11 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:14.562 1:13.886 21 12 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 1:14.346 1:13.897 22 13 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:14.775 1:14.071 22 14 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:14.698 1:14.187 20 15 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:14.276 1:14.273 21 16 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 1:14.449 1:14.416 22 17 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:14.845 12 18 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:14.851 13 19 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:15.196 11 20 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:15.429 11 21 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:16.195 10 22 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:16.272 10 Source: F1.com
Grand Prix Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts. 1 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 68 1:28:15.758 25 2 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 68 +10.768s 18 3 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 68 +11.276s 15 4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 68 +44.151s 12 5 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 67 +1 lap 10 6 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 67 +1 lap 8 7 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 67 +1 lap 6 8 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 67 +1 lap 4 9 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 67 +1 lap 2 10 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 67 +1 lap 1 11 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 66 +2 laps 0 12 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 66 +2 laps 0 13 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 66 +2 laps 0 14 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 66 +2 laps 0 15 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 64 +4 laps 0 16 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 64 +4 laps 0 NC 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 39 DNF 0 NC 1 Lando Norris McLaren 38 DNF 0 NC 63 George Russell Mercedes 29 DNF 0 NC 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 23 DNF 0 NC 23 Alexander Albon Williams 11 DNF 0 NC 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 0 DNS 0 Fastest Lap: Kimi Antonelli // 1:14.210 on lap 68
DOTD: Lewis HamiltonSource: F1.com
Next race:
Monaco Grand Prix
Circuit de Monaco
June 5-7, 20269 votes -
Comment on Formula 1 Miami Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentI'm waiting for the results to post on F1 website so I can put into the post =PI'm waiting for the results to post on F1 website so I can put into the post =P
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Comment on Tildes Survey #6: Vote for the next four surveys we do! in ~talk
JCPhoenix Link ParentUmm, akshually, a straw has only one hole š¤Umm, akshually, a straw has only one hole š¤
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Comment on Announcing web serial support in Firefox 151 in ~comp
JCPhoenix LinkIs this the same thing that allows devices like Keychron keyboards to be configured from a webpage? I can do it from Chrome and Edge, but I can't do it from FirefoxIs this the same thing that allows devices like Keychron keyboards to be configured from a webpage? I can do it from Chrome and Edge, but I can't do it from Firefox
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Comment on Why airlines are always going bankrupt in ~transport
JCPhoenix LinkI remember having a discussion with my dad many years ago about corporations. And we happened to land on airlines. He was complaining about how they've all gone to shit after deregulation, yet...I remember having a discussion with my dad many years ago about corporations. And we happened to land on airlines. He was complaining about how they've all gone to shit after deregulation, yet still charge so much for airfare.
But before we had that conversation, I stumbled upon stats for the airline industry as a whole. And it was shocking: the whole global airlines industry's profit was like $30billion in the previous year. Which isn't that different today, at about $36billion for 2025. When I brought that up, I think he was in disbelief and just ignored it. But it doesn't really invalidate the modern flying experience, either.
Regardless, there are individual companies in other sectors that make that much, and more, every year.
I likely fly more than the average American. I get it; flying is expensive, and it does feel like you get less and less every year, while the prices go up and up. Things that used to be included are now separate, but yet the base fare has still increased. And it's only gotten more expensive since this dumb war.
I don't feel sorry for the airline industry. I'm not keen on giving them even more money. Though I will because I want/need to travel. But it's not the money printer that people think it is. Maybe some individual airlines have decent margins, but definitely not all.
Idk, good to have perspective I guess. Still sucks to fly.
Ha! I'm glad someone else has noticed this.
Any of those SMS-sent numbers, too. Like the TOTP apps, those have mostly looked random to me. Nothing particularly aesthetically pleasing (sounds so weird to say). But the SMS ones? 572 782. 509 099. 608 578. These are real codes I've received for various services.
Though now that I'm looking through the history of SMS-sent codes (should prob delete these bc why I even keep them)...OK a lot of these are just ugly and random-looking.