JCPhoenix's recent activity
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Comment on Irreverent ads make me want to buy things even less in ~talk
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Comment on Irreverent ads make me want to buy things even less in ~talk
JCPhoenix LinkOn PC, where like 99% of my YouTube viewing is done, I use ad blockers so I don't see ads (other then in-video sponsorships, of course). But on my iPhone, I use the YouTube app, so of course I see...On PC, where like 99% of my YouTube viewing is done, I use ad blockers so I don't see ads (other then in-video sponsorships, of course).
But on my iPhone, I use the YouTube app, so of course I see ads. And YouTube just serves up bizarre ads. That have nothing to do with my interests. Like at least on Instagram/Facebook, the ads I get are relevant. Fashion, tech, and music are usually what I get. And that's all stuff I'm interested in. I've never purchased anything from an Instagram ad. But I've definitely been like, "Ooh that's nice." Or, "Ohh, I didn't know that existed but that's cool."
Which is weird, because as much information that Google has about me, through YouTube and Gmail and whatever other services I've used over the years, you'd think they'd be better at ad targeting.
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Comment on Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkMy apologies on getting this up so late. Ngl, the whole move-everything-up-by-one-day schedule kinda messed me up. I usually watches races live, but not this weekend. And then I was super lazy...My apologies on getting this up so late. Ngl, the whole move-everything-up-by-one-day schedule kinda messed me up. I usually watches races live, but not this weekend. And then I was super lazy yesterday after the race.
Overall, a much more interesting race than Madrid. Which probably goes without saying. It was quite a sight to see two Red Bulls mixing it up at the front. Been a minute since we've seen that. I'm hoping that's a sign of more good things to come. Definitely props to Hadjar for a strong display after being on the mend for several weeks!
And congrats to George for his first ever Grand Chelem! Great weekend for him, obviously. I'm a Max fan, but being able to keep P1 all the way to the end, with Max nipping at his heels all the way up to the checkered flag is nothing to sneeze at.
On the other end of the spectrum, yikes for the White Bulls, but especially Alpine, on some unintentional internecine violence. Seems like Alpine, the team, is particularly not happy with Colapinto over that. Which makes sense.
Anyway, next up is Bahrain! Err...Well, Malaysia. Well, the Bahrain GP in Malaysia? Bahlaysia? Malrain? We're going to Sepang.
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Formula 1 Azerbaijan Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion
Warning: this post may contain spoilers
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Baku City Circuit
September 24-26, 2026
Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps 1 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:43.615 1:43.462 1:42.526 26 2 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:44.360 1:43.780 1:43.363 23 3 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:45.014 1:43.814 1:43.364 22 4 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 1:44.161 1:43.880 1:43.500 21 5 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:44.571 1:44.020 1:43.672 21 6 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:44.260 1:44.037 1:43.858 22 7 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:44.489 1:44.106 1:44.047 20 8 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:44.041 1:43.706 1:44.081 24 9 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:45.104 1:44.629 1:44.566 25 10 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:45.106 1:44.683 1:44.963 21 11 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 1:45.228 1:44.775 17 12 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 1:45.535 1:44.860 18 13 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:45.031 1:45.001 17 14 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:45.039 1:45.016 18 15 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:45.381 1:45.106 16 16 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:45.504 5 17 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:45.799 10 18 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:45.920 10 19 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:46.593 9 20 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:46.658 9 21 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 1:47.337 9 22 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:48.290 10 Source: F1.com
Grand Prix Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts. 1 63 George Russell Mercedes 51 1:38:02.143 25 2 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 51 +0.196s 18 3 6 Isack Hadjar Red Bull Racing 51 +10.704s 15 4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 51 +14.136s 12 5 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 51 +14.512s 10 6 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 51 +22.382s 8 7 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 51 +31.159s 6 8 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 51 +31.189s 4 9 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 51 +31.929s 2 10 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 51 +32.416s 1 11 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 51 +33.231s 0 12 30 Liam Lawson Racing Bulls 51 +34.013s 0 13 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 51 +36.401s 0 14 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 51 +41.400s 0 15 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 51 +44.230s 0 16 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 49 DNF 0 NC 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 36 DNF 0 NC 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 35 DNF 0 NC 1 Lando Norris McLaren 35 DNF 0 NC 23 Alexander Albon Williams 29 DNF 0 NC 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 20 DNF 0 NC 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 7 DNF 0 Fastest Lap: George Russell // 1:44.916 on lap 49
DOTD: Max VerstappenSource: F1.com
Next race:
Bahrain Grand Prix in Malaysia
Sepang International Circuit, Malaysia
October 2-4, 202610 votes -
Comment on What's the oldest piece of clothing you own and still wear? in ~life.style
JCPhoenix LinkI have Quiksilver track jacket that I got when I was a senior in high school during a marching band trip to Los Angeles. That was Thanksgiving 2004 when I was 17, and now I'm 39. So 22yrs. I don't...I have Quiksilver track jacket that I got when I was a senior in high school during a marching band trip to Los Angeles. That was Thanksgiving 2004 when I was 17, and now I'm 39. So 22yrs. I don't really wear it when I'm out -- haven't in a loooooong time -- but I definitely wear it around the house. It's still in decent condition, even though I wore it tons the remainder of senior year and probably over the next year or so into college.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentAgree on playing Earthbound before the others. You can play Mother 3 before Earthbound; while there is an important character from EB, it's not that big of a deal IMO to not know their importance....Agree on playing Earthbound before the others. You can play Mother 3 before Earthbound; while there is an important character from EB, it's not that big of a deal IMO to not know their importance. But for the "real Mother experience," EB is a better starting point. And personally, Earthbound I think has a better story and mood or atmosphere. Mother 3 is quite different from EB.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )Link ParentI just want play some more point and click adventure game. Ys Origin definitely looks interesting. I played Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim on, I think, my PSP back in the day. Didn't get super far,...I just want play some more point and click adventure game.
Ys Origin definitely looks interesting. I played Ys VI: The Ark of Napishtim on, I think, my PSP back in the day. Didn't get super far, but did like the concept enough and always did want to go back to it, but never did.
And with the recent Starcraft: Dominion trailer, definitely have it on my mind. As in, I should probably finish SC2. But I'd be down to play Starcraft and BW, too.
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 voting topic in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkSpooky Mansion Adventures (5) Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist (5) Beneath a Steel Sky (4) Ys Origin (3) StarCraft (3)Spooky Mansion Adventures (5)
Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist (5)
Beneath a Steel Sky (4)
Ys Origin (3)
StarCraft (3) -
Comment on Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix Link ParentJust came across this graphic on r/formula1 (imgBB link for those who don't want to go to reddit). FOUR on-track overtakes. Monaco this year at least had ten. Pathetic. And yeah, watching the F2...Just came across this graphic on r/formula1 (imgBB link for those who don't want to go to reddit). FOUR on-track overtakes. Monaco this year at least had ten. Pathetic.
And yeah, watching the F2 races right now. I'm sometimes watch these because they're a little more exciting. But this really is just as bad as the F1 race.
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Comment on Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion in ~sports.motorsports
JCPhoenix LinkDuring the free practices and qualifying session, seemed like this could be an interesting race. Mostly from the perspective of this being a new track, tight spaces, the gigantic banked curve that...During the free practices and qualifying session, seemed like this could be an interesting race. Mostly from the perspective of this being a new track, tight spaces, the gigantic banked curve that is 'La Monumental`...and maybe some chaos during the race like we saw in FPs!
But honestly...was a bit of a snoozer. Seemed like there were relatively few overtakes.
Obviously the big topic, once again, is McLaren's "strategy." Sure, the VSC was called after Lando passed the pit entry, but then seemed like a bad decision to not cancel the call to box as it was ending. Why not just stay out, maintain track position, and see what happens later? But nope. Compounding that was the bad stop, where the pit had trouble getting the front right tire off (probably heat related).
That said, he still came in P3, which is a great recovery drive. Though like Kimi said in multiple post-race interviews, that was Lando's race to win.
I did like the bit in the cooldown room where Lando was drinking a can of Coke and almost got it taken away! I noticed right away that he had a Coke; never seen that before by any driver. But good on him for being like, "I just finished a race; I can drink whatever, please and thanks."
We have a little break from Formula 1 next weekend. Which is perfect, because I'm going out of town. So yeah, see you all in two weeks for Baku. Hopefully that should be A LOT more exciting than Madrid.
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Formula 1 Spanish Grand Prix 2026 - Race Weekend Discussion
Warning: this post may contain spoilers
Spanish Grand Prix
Madring
September 11-13, 2026
Qualifying Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Q1 Q2 Q3 Laps 1 1 Lando Norris McLaren 1:33.469 1:32.873 1:31.824 19 2 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 1:33.267 1:32.591 1:31.835 20 3 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 1:33.381 1:32.431 1:31.964 18 4 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 1:33.531 1:32.710 1:32.013 21 5 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 1:33.532 1:32.755 1:32.019 21 6 63 George Russell Mercedes 1:33.211 1:32.850 1:32.149 22 7 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 1:33.829 1:33.204 1:32.294 22 8 30 Liam Lawson Red Bull Racing 1:33.310 1:32.780 1:32.316 18 9 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 1:33.963 1:33.038 1:32.903 17 10 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 1:34.340 1:33.204 1:33.041 21 11 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 1:34.417 1:33.223 13 12 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 1:33.986 1:33.388 12 13 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 1:34.667 1:33.667 11 14 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 1:34.246 1:33.753 11 15 22 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 1:34.311 1:34.084 15 16 23 Alexander Albon Williams 1:35.307 1:35.532 14 17 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 1:35.312 9 18 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 1:35.388 9 19 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 1:35.913 9 20 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 1:38.011 8 Source: F1.com
Grand Prix Results -- SPOILER
Pos. No. Driver Team Laps Time / Retired Pts. 1 12 Kimi Antonelli Mercedes 57 1:34:23.754 25 2 3 Max Verstappen Red Bull Racing 57 +4.351s 18 3 1 Lando Norris McLaren 57 +5.089s 15 4 16 Charles Leclerc Ferrari 57 +29.116s 12 5 63 George Russell Mercedes 57 +29.829s 10 6 30 Liam Lawson Red Bull Racing 57 +86.746s 8 7 43 Franco Colapinto Alpine 57 +94.281s 6 8 81 Oscar Piastri McLaren 57 +95.839s 4 9 41 Arvid Lindblad Racing Bulls 56 +1 lap 2 10 27 Nico Hulkenberg Audi 56 +1 lap 1 11 31 Esteban Ocon Haas F1 Team 56 +1 lap 0 12 10 Pierre Gasly Alpine 56 +1 lap 0 13 5 Gabriel Bortoleto Audi 56 +1 lap 0 14 22 Yuki Tsunoda Racing Bulls 56 +1 lap 0 15 23 Alexander Albon Williams 56 +1 lap 0 16 87 Oliver Bearman Haas F1 Team 56 +1 lap 0 17 14 Fernando Alonso Aston Martin 55 +2 laps 0 18 77 Valtteri Bottas Cadillac 54 +3 laps 0 NC 55 Carlos Sainz Williams 43 DNF 0 NC 11 Sergio Perez Cadillac 31 DNF 0 NC 18 Lance Stroll Aston Martin 12 DNF 0 NC 44 Lewis Hamilton Ferrari 6 DNF 0 Fastest Lap: George Russell // 1:35.587 on lap 49
DOTD: Max VerstappenSource: F1.com
Next race:
Azerbaijan Grand Prix
Baku City Circuit
September 24-26, 202613 votes -
Comment on What is your "when I found out about 9/11" story? in ~talk
JCPhoenix LinkI was 14yo. A freshman in high school. My family was living in the suburbs of Salt Lake City at the time. I remember being dropped off at school, going to my first period class, which was Band. As...I was 14yo. A freshman in high school. My family was living in the suburbs of Salt Lake City at the time. I remember being dropped off at school, going to my first period class, which was Band. As I walked into the band room, I looked up at the TV. Band director always had news on in the morning before class started. So I casually glanced at it and just saw smoke being shown. I remember asking a classmate, "What's going on on TV? Another forest fire?" And he said something like,"No, a plane crashed into a building in New York." And I was like "What??" The news was showing a split screen. One was one of the Twin Towers burning, the other was either the Pentagon burning or the plane that crashed in Shanksville, PA.
Throughout most of the day, we obviously had TVs on. TVs were wheeled into the lunch room so students and faculty could stay informed during the lunch periods. Though I did have one class where the teacher was like "Yeah something terrible has happened, but we have Biology to study." I think that was the only class that day where the TV wasn't on. In homeroom, which was after first period band class, our teacher had no clue what was going on. When we demanded she turn on the TV she was like "Uhh, why?" So we told her and she thought we were just pranking her. So she went next door to ask another teacher. And when she came back, she was practically in tears.
Obviously being so far from the East Coast, there weren't many immediate direct effects. Though I did hear that one student at school did have a relative who died in the attacks that day. My dad is a federal employee, so he was home already when I got back from school, because his agency just sent everyone home early.
9/11 and the ensuing GWoT, was what caused me to get interested in politics, both domestic and international. The way the nation processed 9/11 over the ensuing years into my young adulthood definitely shaped my political beliefs. And these days, I too am a federal employee. For a department that, rightfully or wrongfully (probably the latter), only exists because of 9/11 (though my agency existed before 9/11).
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Comment on Apple announces iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone in ~tech
JCPhoenix Link ParentTrue...but I can't do all the things I do on my MBP on my phone. Like game (yes, I game a bit on my MBP). Which has always been a bit weird to me. All this power inside an iPhone, or even an iPad,...True...but I can't do all the things I do on my MBP on my phone. Like game (yes, I game a bit on my MBP).
Which has always been a bit weird to me. All this power inside an iPhone, or even an iPad, comparable to perhaps a Macbook Air or better, yet for what?
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Comment on Colossal Game Adventure: September 2026 nominations topic in ~games
JCPhoenix LinkBoost: Freddy Pharkas: Frontier PharmacistBoost: Freddy Pharkas: Frontier Pharmacist
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Comment on Apple announces iPhone Duo, its first foldable iPhone in ~tech
JCPhoenix LinkI'd be interested in getting one of these, but...$2000 for a phone is a bit much. Like I know the price is actually decent for newer tech like this. But I paid like $1800 a couple years ago for my...I'd be interested in getting one of these, but...$2000 for a phone is a bit much. Like I know the price is actually decent for newer tech like this. But I paid like $1800 a couple years ago for my M3 MBP. A full on actual computer. Plus, still got like 9mos to go on my payment plan for my 16 Pro (which I thought was a lot at $1300). Which serves me perfectly well. And I expect it to do so for at least 5yrs (got like 3.5yrs to go).
I do have a friend who has a foldable Samsung. He says he's had no problems with it for the last couple of years or so. But he'll never get another because of how expensive it was. Think it was also as much as my MBP.
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Comment on Denmark is a cycling nation, but our research shows rates are declining – here's why in ~transport
JCPhoenix Link ParentAre they even touching grass anymore? Like I'm one to talk...spent previous 4 days almost entirely in my apartment... Idk, I always hear that younger folks are staying in more. I don't know how...the youth are using for transport.
Are they even touching grass anymore? Like I'm one to talk...spent previous 4 days almost entirely in my apartment...
Idk, I always hear that younger folks are staying in more. I don't know how true that is, and even then, it's US-centric hearsay. But maybe if it is true, it's a worldwide phenomenon.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentI played Xenosaga Ep 1 when it came out. IIRC, that was one of the hardest JRPGs I've played. Constantly felt like I was underleveled. And the story and concepts were confusing. That said, the...I played Xenosaga Ep 1 when it came out. IIRC, that was one of the hardest JRPGs I've played. Constantly felt like I was underleveled. And the story and concepts were confusing. That said, the story and worldbuilding of the series is fascinating to me. Like I've spent hours on the Xenosaga wikis reading about all the various concepts and such. I would like to eventually replay Ep 1 and actually play Eps 2 and 3. I'm pretty sure I still have physical copies of 1 and 2 (bought the latter, but never played it) somewhere.
Allen is definitely whiny. But I remember feeling like he was just swept along for the ride. Though it's been so long since I've played it, maybe I'm misremembering.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix Link ParentOne of the weird things I noticed going (back) to Cold Steel, that was present in at least Zero and Azure, is the sudden lack of a dialog log. There's the active voice log in the notebook, which...One of the weird things I noticed going (back) to Cold Steel, that was present in at least Zero and Azure, is the sudden lack of a dialog log. There's the active voice log in the notebook, which records when a character goes, "Ooh, a treasure chest!" or makes some other inane comment while out in the field. But those aren't anywhere as important as the actual dialog in cutscenes and such. Weird thing to exclude, given how dialog heavy these games are. Hopefully that makes a comeback in the latter titles!
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
JCPhoenix (edited )LinkFinally finished Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure (Steam). This is a JRPG, the fifth entry in the long-running, all-connected, like 13-games series. Took me almost 100hrs over the last six months...Finally finished Legend of Heroes: Trails to Azure (Steam). This is a JRPG, the fifth entry in the long-running, all-connected, like 13-games series. Took me almost 100hrs over the last six months (took lots of long breaks). I didn't go full completionist, but I had a guide and was playing in the direction. Which definitely took up a lot of time. The last dungeon alone took me several hours.
Which means I've started a replay of the next entry, Trails of Cold Steel. Played it on my Vita back in the day, but I want to play them in proper story-order. Technically, "Azure" and the game before it take place roughly at the same time as "Cold Steel" 1 and 2, just different locations in the world, but the events that happen in either arc are often related and even sometimes outright references. Sometimes characters from one game and location show up in other games. So here's looking at another probably 100hr playthrough. Maybe I'll finish it early next year.
I think this might be my new favorite series, displacing Final Fantasy. The story, the world, the lore are just expansive in a way that Final Fantasy isn't. All the mainline FFs are separate games from each, after all (Maybe FFXI and XIV as long-running MMOs are as big). But in the Legend of Heroes "Trails" series? It's all one gigantic, continent spanning, multi-year, story of political intrigue, war, and unlikely heroes. And it's not afraid to get into some darker topics (aside from war) that one would find in a "real" world." Classism, Drugs, human trafficking, human experimentation, child abuse and prostitution, etc. The game is full of bright colors and anime characters, but it's a gritty, messy, fucked-up world, just like ours. And I appreciate when games acknowledge that.
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Comment on Ig Nobel Prize winners 2026 in ~science
JCPhoenix Link ParentI wonder which we'll have first: fusion energy or splash-free urinals. Hmm, maybe the latter depends on the former. Or the reverse!I wonder which we'll have first: fusion energy or splash-free urinals.
Hmm, maybe the latter depends on the former. Or the reverse!
It's weird because I feel like the video algorithm is pretty decent. I regularly get served content I'm actually interested in. In fact, it's rare that I'll get served something that's completely out of left field.
But I could also see a situation where the content algorithm is great in order to keep people watching -- and it works because sometimes after work, I'll just watch YouTube for a couple of hours -- so Google can just serve up whatever ads they need to. Quantity over quality on the advertisements side of the house. Luckily, I never or rarely see the ads!