prota's recent activity
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Comment on Woody Allen’s cancellation is a crime against culture in ~movies
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Comment on Steam Spring Sale suggestions in ~games
prota Link ParentIt's really good. I played it around launch it was well worth all the fun I got out of it. It isn't super groundbreaking as far as Zelda-likes go, but the level of polish and detail to everything...It's really good. I played it around launch it was well worth all the fun I got out of it. It isn't super groundbreaking as far as Zelda-likes go, but the level of polish and detail to everything really elevated the experience.
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Comment on Side projects that were actually good? in ~music
prota LinkThe Postal Service, a collab between Death Cab's Ben Gibbard, Dntel and Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley. It's a very early 00s sound, but it continues to be one of my favorite bands.The Postal Service, a collab between Death Cab's Ben Gibbard, Dntel and Jenny Lewis from Rilo Kiley. It's a very early 00s sound, but it continues to be one of my favorite bands.
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Comment on Gen Z boys and men more likely than baby boomers to believe feminism harmful, says poll in ~life.men
prota (edited )Link ParentWhat are the issues you want to talk about and who isn't giving you the space for it? In my experience, I feel least safe to be myself -- and least confident my masculinity won't be attacked -- in...What are the issues you want to talk about and who isn't giving you the space for it? In my experience, I feel least safe to be myself -- and least confident my masculinity won't be attacked -- in the company of the men that gravitate around these men's rights personages. I find it's like an extension of that high school mentality where your grit is constantly being tested, rather than letting you just... be.
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Comment on The poverty of anti-wokeness in ~life
prota (edited )Link ParentThere's absolutely more that we have in common in our lives than we don't, which is the good thing. That doesn't mean we should overlook how certain factors outside our control (race, gender,...There's absolutely more that we have in common in our lives than we don't, which is the good thing. That doesn't mean we should overlook how certain factors outside our control (race, gender, orientation, immigration status, etc.) compound and multiply the challenges in our day-to-day.
Social programs/actions that aim to benefit "everyone" without doing extra work to avoid (unconscious) biases, for example, will tend to benefit some more than others unwittingly. Keeping factors like that in mind is valuable, otherwise we'll keep having these divides and tensions despite living standards increasing. If we're already conceptualizing how to tackle income inequalities, that's the best stage to think about how social factors are intertwined to ensure policy meets reality.
I'm not sure how to tackle the issue of people not seeing how this fits into the bigger picture. Creating more equal circumstances requires differential and targeted action to compensate for factors that have disadvantaged certain communities more than others. We used to call this type of evidence-based approach equity policy before it got politicized into "wokeness". Not having proper education about institutional discrimination, intersectionality and things like that certainly doesn't help.
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Comment on The poverty of anti-wokeness in ~life
prota (edited )Link ParentI see people say this sometimes, but picking your words in a way so as to not make someone feel othered or somehow lesser than seems like hardly an effort. I think it also makes for better...I see people say this sometimes, but picking your words in a way so as to not make someone feel othered or somehow lesser than seems like hardly an effort. I think it also makes for better conversation when I'm not crudely reminded of my heritage, gender, status or something else in a presumptuous or distracting way that may require me to interject or unwilling to speak at all.
I'm not the youngest guy around and I grew up with different, far more coarse language ingrained in my lexicon, but trying to be more conscious of the people around me has only made it easier to connect to them, not more difficult. Being fairly vanilla in most ways, there's thankfully not that much I have to put up with. The things I hear ("in jest") about other ethnicities or lifestyles sometimes because I'm seen as a safe confidant, however... It really disappoints me in people.
Language and cultural dynamics evolve. If you don't adapt, you're apt to become that person you may have disliked at a younger age because they weren't with the times, thought they could size you up from minute one, told you how to dress "properly" and pull up your jeans, and reminded you constantly that your being a man or woman dictated how you should behave or what you deserved, for example.
And unless you're a leading cultural figure or in a different position of power, you're not likely to get ostracized for crudeness anyway. These are positions that affect lots of people, so it's only natural they are held to higher standards. It's a different sphere to ours. At worst, we follow some sensitivity training if we're at a big institution or company. So I find it difficult to relate on this issue.
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Comment on Anime for someone who doesn't like (shonen) anime that much in ~anime
prota (edited )LinkHaikyu is a fun and relatively grounded volleyball anime. If you're into Ted Lasso-like positivity, this is a must. It's got a well-developed cast of characters who I really felt and rooted for...Haikyu is a fun and relatively grounded volleyball anime. If you're into Ted Lasso-like positivity, this is a must. It's got a well-developed cast of characters who I really felt and rooted for throughout!
Mob Psycho 100 is very recognizably shonen, but it's got great pacing, avoids the usual tropes and despite its fantastical setting, its characters are easy to resonate with because ultimately it's a story about growing up and maturing (across the age spectrum). Super positive and idealistic but genuinely heartfelt rather than corny.
Also, both of these are gorgeously animated and have stellar English dubs!
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Comment on Finland's government has cited security concerns for the closure of all border crossings with Russia – Russian-speaking Finns say their rights are being violated in ~life
prota (edited )Link ParentNot named in the article, but a painful side effect of this is/will be the further erosion of Karelian culture, which is an ethnic group that spans both Finland and northern Russia (primarily the...Not named in the article, but a painful side effect of this is/will be the further erosion of Karelian culture, which is an ethnic group that spans both Finland and northern Russia (primarily the bordering Republic of Karelia) whose wider contributions are significant and can be seen throughout Tolkien's work, for example (esp. the Kalevala).
Their culture and native language are already endangered, and without the exchange with Finland, the Russian side is going to be even worse off as some of the main heritage programs are based in Finland. Fragmenting an already small community will ultimately be harmful for cultural preservation in Finland as well without additional measures. So if protection of national interests is the goal, I hope this dimension is taken into account (but I have my doubts).
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Comment on What game, in your opinion, has the best graphics? in ~games
prota (edited )LinkTen years on and Fez is still the most visually accomplished and compromise-free game I’ve laid eyes on. It's also strong aesthetically, but what it achieved in 3D -- projecting a perfectly...Ten years on and Fez is still the most visually accomplished and compromise-free game I’ve laid eyes on. It's also strong aesthetically, but what it achieved in 3D -- projecting a perfectly convincing four-sided sprite-based 2D world -- is unparalleled in my opinion.
Seamlessly turning your perspective on the world is as impressive today, and the wonder of it is a unique experience conceptualized entirely in video game language. On the surface or for a lay observer it may seem banal, but to an enthusiasts like myself it’s like being shared some incredible secret or hilarious inside joke.
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Comment on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak considers banning cigarettes for next generation in ~health
prota Link ParentIf you recognize you're an outlier, you must appreciate how many people are negatively impacted by cigarette smoking and nicotine addiction. At least for me, this makes the balancing of personal...If you recognize you're an outlier, you must appreciate how many people are negatively impacted by cigarette smoking and nicotine addiction. At least for me, this makes the balancing of personal freedoms and priorities versus community health much easier to digest.
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Comment on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak considers banning cigarettes for next generation in ~health
prota (edited )Link ParentI don't claim that the prospect of nicotine addiction is keeping people from smoking. I'm not sure it's even possible to fully appreciate that aspect of it beforehand. I'm saying that many current...I don't claim that the prospect of nicotine addiction is keeping people from smoking. I'm not sure it's even possible to fully appreciate that aspect of it beforehand. I'm saying that many current (cigarette) smokers would not continue if nicotine would not be involved. It clouds clear decision-making about a dangerous activity.
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Comment on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak considers banning cigarettes for next generation in ~health
prota (edited )Link ParentOddly confrontational and misdirecting. Nicotine is a far more addictive substance than caffeine, and using it as an additive, even if it isn't inherently damaging to your health, is insidious...Oddly confrontational and misdirecting.
Nicotine is a far more addictive substance than caffeine, and using it as an additive, even if it isn't inherently damaging to your health, is insidious outside of therapeutic applications (to get rid of nicotine addiction).
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Comment on UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak considers banning cigarettes for next generation in ~health
prota (edited )Link ParentI’d sooner describe it as something people are compelled to do due to addiction, rather than being entirely of their volition. If nicotine had to artificially be removed from tobacco, I’d expect...I’d sooner describe it as something people are compelled to do due to addiction, rather than being entirely of their volition. If nicotine had to artificially be removed from tobacco, I’d expect smoking would fall drastically.
Smoking cigarettes has also fallen in popularity significantly the more restrictive smoking (advertising) policy has become, so at least visibility and ease of access are driving factors. There will be a black market, but the public will sooner get their fix from electronic alternatives.
It’s really insidious that nicotine is allowed to be used as an additive to vape liquids at all, but here we are.
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Comment on Sparrow Solitaire for Playdate in ~games
prota (edited )Link ParentGreat concept and I’d love to get one, but it being priced in the range of something as versatile as an Analog Pocket really stings. And that's before you add another $70 for shipping and taxes to...Great concept and I’d love to get one, but it being priced in the range of something as versatile as an Analog Pocket really stings. And that's before you add another $70 for shipping and taxes to Europe... I should see if I can’t find a pre-owned one.
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Comment on Introducing the Epic First Run program in ~games
prota (edited )Link ParentIf I recall correctly, it later came to light (as part of some lawsuit) that an Epic rep consulted on how to make Ooblets's announcement extra punchy. I think its devs got used a bit to generate...If I recall correctly, it later came to light (as part of some lawsuit) that an Epic rep consulted on how to make Ooblets's announcement extra punchy. I think its devs got used a bit to generate heated “engagement” about EGS.
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Comment on Introducing the Epic First Run program in ~games
prota Link ParentExcept Tim doesn't buy the entire stock but like one cask out of thousands and Suzy is doing just swell.Except Tim doesn't buy the entire stock but like one cask out of thousands and Suzy is doing just swell.
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Comment on Linus Tech Tips pauses production as controversy swirls in ~tech
prota (edited )Link ParentOf course, it goes without saying that this issue extends beyond the workplace. But the workplace is a social space/arena where power can more casually, inconspicuously and insidiously be abused...Of course, it goes without saying that this issue extends beyond the workplace. But the workplace is a social space/arena where power can more casually, inconspicuously and insidiously be abused compared to many other situations, and people are often ensnared in them due to outside obligations (e.g. bills) or poor labor protections. So I do think it is a special context in which it pays to be extra mindful of how you behave with colleagues, and, when possible, try to nudge the workplace dynamic in a healthier direction.
I'm not sure what "SJW craze" around feminism you're referring to. But social justice is an important field both academically and in our day-to-day, so I personally would not pair it a term like craze, considering there already is a tendency from more cynical people (euphemistically speaking) to attribute a negative connotation to it.
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Comment on Quake II Remaster in ~games
prota LinkNightdive continues to be a rare gem in the industry, and I'm glad to support them any time. I feel like it's almost robbery that the old Quake collection that I got on sale for next to nothing...Nightdive continues to be a rare gem in the industry, and I'm glad to support them any time. I feel like it's almost robbery that the old Quake collection that I got on sale for next to nothing grants me access to the PC version.
Hopefully Q3A isn't far off. Lots of fun memories there.
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Comment on Linus Tech Tips pauses production as controversy swirls in ~tech
prota (edited )Link ParentI feel like the people questioning motives or veracity are missing the overarching point when painful accounts like these are brought up, and it is emblematic of the generalized complacency and...I feel like the people questioning motives or veracity are missing the overarching point when painful accounts like these are brought up, and it is emblematic of the generalized complacency and desensitization that's been cultivated. The critical part is that her account is, as you say, unfortunately very recognizable because it speaks to a recurring pattern of workplace toxicity that eats away at everyone to different degrees, whether you're its target, a family member, bystander or associated in some other way.
If there's any takeaway to be had for us who are viewing these events from the outside in, it's to recognize how harmful such a workplace culture is and to try to push back against it when we can in whatever small ways we're able to. Any other action someone takes, like unfollowing this or that person, is at best secondary.
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Comment on Where do you all go for gaming news? in ~games
prota LinkOddly, I get a sizeable share of it through Steam's news hub by subscribing to gaming channels there -- RPS, GamingOnLinux, etc. The rest is mostly podcasts, browsing this place and a few other...Oddly, I get a sizeable share of it through Steam's news hub by subscribing to gaming channels there -- RPS, GamingOnLinux, etc. The rest is mostly podcasts, browsing this place and a few other forums.
If people don't want to work with someone whose behavior they find distasteful or not acceptable or really any reason, that's up to them. Demanding the opposite is the same supposed coercive influence that opponents of "cancel culture" decry. And, sure, people won't be consistent about where the lines are drawn. We aren't perfectly rational and logic-driven actors. Contemporary culture isn't a monolith. So of course.