mr-strange's recent activity
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
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Comment on A Chinese dissident behind a popular cartoon cat has been vexing China’s censors – now he says they are on his tail in ~comics
mr-strange LinkWhat a hero.What a hero.
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Comment on Science fiction or fantasy recommendations for children in ~books
mr-strange LinkI loved reading Andre Norton when I was a child. Try Catseye, or The Zero Stone the for starters.I loved reading Andre Norton when I was a child. Try Catseye, or The Zero Stone the for starters.
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Comment on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak announces a 4th July general election in ~news
mr-strange Link ParentThe polls were right about Brexit.The polls were right about Brexit.
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Comment on If you're seeing this, I'm in jail in ~misc
mr-strange Link ParentI think the implication is that the political leadership instigated the war crimes, and the blame for that was being passed down to the soldiers on the ground. (IMO, leaders who order war crimes,...I think the implication is that the political leadership instigated the war crimes, and the blame for that was being passed down to the soldiers on the ground.
(IMO, leaders who order war crimes, and soldiers who follow their illegal orders should both be punished.)
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tech
mr-strange Link ParentYears ago, your friend with "completely different views" was probably a lot closer to your opinions than they would be today. For me, years ago, political debate was centred around economics. I...it makes me really sad and nostalgic thinking of how much I enjoyed back in my teenage years, when I could freely talk and exchange opinions with close friends who had completely different views from mine.
Years ago, your friend with "completely different views" was probably a lot closer to your opinions than they would be today.
For me, years ago, political debate was centred around economics. I felt I could understand the points raised by all sides. Everyone's goal seemed to be to improve things for everyone, even if their approach differed. Socialists wanted to ensure there was a safety net for everyone. Capitalists wanted to make society as a whole richer. No normal person wanted to make my life worse, kill me, or or exile me just because of who I am.*
Nowadays, there are mainstream politicians, and political movements whose focus is on punishing, killing, or exiling people they don't like. They support discrimination based on race, gender, or orientation. They want to expose me and my vulnerable family members to deadly pathogens. They want to remove freedoms that enabled me to marry and live where I choose (Brexit-specific point).
In the past I could sit with my friend and disagree about levels of welfare, or whatever, and still feel that they had my best interests at heart. But how can I sit and have a calm discussion with someone who wants to expose my vulnerable elderly dad to a deadly pathogen? How can I be friends with someone who wants to take away my wife's right to vote, just because of where she was born? Those issues are much, much more personal. They threaten my way of life, even the very lives of my loved ones.
* The far right existed, but were marginalised and had zero impact on my life. There was institutional discrimination against gays and women, but mainstream consensus was for reducing discrimination, even if there was disagreement on how far, or how fast change should be.
Example from my country (UK): In the 80s, the Conservative government introduced a law that made it illegal for schools to "promote" (teach about) homosexuality. But the same government also reduced the age of consent for gay sex from 21 to 18. Even though campaigners understandably hated them for Section 28, it seems to me that overall the Conservative government wanted to reduce discrimination, but also wanted to avoid rapid societal change. There were no serious, mainstream voices arguing that homosexuality should be re-criminalised.
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Comment on Suggestions on better interactions with YouTube on my Moto G Power? in ~tech
mr-strange LinkI use NewPipe to watch YouTube videos. It's way less annoying than the official client.I use NewPipe to watch YouTube videos. It's way less annoying than the official client.
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Comment on What are you favourite grim, dark, atmospheric films? in ~movies
mr-strange Link ParentGood choice!Good choice!
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Comment on What are you favourite grim, dark, atmospheric films? in ~movies
mr-strange Link ParentThe cataclysm in "The Road" is never specified. It has weird properties that serve the story-telling rather than slavishly conforming to any particular event. There's an interesting discussion here.nuclear war
The cataclysm in "The Road" is never specified. It has weird properties that serve the story-telling rather than slavishly conforming to any particular event.
There's an interesting discussion here.
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Comment on Using 'spent' coffee and tea to boost shelf life and nutritional value of cakes in ~food
mr-strange Link ParentIn the UK, nobody knows the brand "canola". Rapeseed oil is sold as "rapeseed oil".In the UK, nobody knows the brand "canola". Rapeseed oil is sold as "rapeseed oil".
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Comment on Unlimited Kagi searches for $10 per month in ~tech
mr-strange Link ParentThe Daily Mail is literally a tabloid.The Daily Mail is literally a tabloid.
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Comment on The rise of surge pricing: ‘It will eventually be everywhere’ in ~finance
mr-strange Link ParentDoesn't work for me. Just leads to an infinite "prove you are human" loop.Doesn't work for me. Just leads to an infinite "prove you are human" loop.
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Comment on How would you rewrite the ending of a show that had an unsatisfying finale, or imagine an ending to a show that was canceled prematurely? in ~tv
mr-strange Link ParentI always thought that Voyager should end with a Deep Space 9 tie-in, where the Federation lost the war. Voyager returns to find the whole Federation laid waste by the Dominium...I always thought that Voyager should end with a Deep Space 9 tie-in, where the Federation lost the war. Voyager returns to find the whole Federation laid waste by the Dominium...
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Comment on What is some life advice that has stuck with you throughout the years? in ~life
mr-strange Link ParentBuckaroo Banzai -
Comment on Bringing back the minimal web in ~tech
mr-strange Link ParentAll those are your choice. You set the preferred typeface on your browser.The font size is uncomfortable, at least to my eyes. It uses a pure white background which is brighter than I find comfortable as well.
All those are your choice. You set the preferred typeface on your browser.
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Comment on Bringing back the minimal web in ~tech
mr-strange Link ParentFirefox's "Reader View" does something like that. I find myself clicking into Reader View a lot, these days.Firefox's "Reader View" does something like that. I find myself clicking into Reader View a lot, these days.
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Comment on Comparing my favorite fonts for reading and writing code in ~comp
mr-strange LinkNo love for Courier?No love for Courier?
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Comment on What sources are you using to follow the Russian invasion of Ukraine? in ~news
mr-strange LinkThe Reporting from Ukraine YouTube channel does daily updates on the front-line situation which are well explained, up-to-date, and reasonably even handed. Obviously done from a Ukrainian...The Reporting from Ukraine YouTube channel does daily updates on the front-line situation which are well explained, up-to-date, and reasonably even handed. Obviously done from a Ukrainian perspective, but still very interesting. Complements the ISW update nicely.
I particularly appreciate the tactical discussions about why particular villages, woods, or heights are being targeted, or defended by each side.
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Comment on Terrible, terrible movies? in ~movies
mr-strange Link ParentDefinitely way better than the book.Definitely way better than the book.
Dire Straits.
I had their stuff on cassette, back in the day. Probably still have it in a box somewhere, but no actual cassette player. I'd forgotten just how good Mark Knopfler is.