rahmad's recent activity
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
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Comment on US Congress approves bill banning TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells platform in ~tech
rahmad Link ParentAlternatively: The US is using Ukraine to engage in a proxy war with the USSR and prevent a loss of geopolitical influence in East Europe. Like Vietnam. Like Afghanistan. Like Korea. Still not...Alternatively: The US is using Ukraine to engage in a proxy war with the USSR and prevent a loss of geopolitical influence in East Europe. Like Vietnam. Like Afghanistan. Like Korea.
Still not wrong, it's a fine thing to do in self interest, we just get there without all the posturing and huffpuff...
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Comment on US Congress approves bill banning TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells platform in ~tech
rahmad Link ParentNope. That's not what Whataboutism is. You're trying to make an argument based on evocative language, invoking scary ideas like 'Nationalism,' 'Authoritarianism' to describe 'the bad guys,' while...Nope. That's not what Whataboutism is.
You're trying to make an argument based on evocative language, invoking scary ideas like 'Nationalism,' 'Authoritarianism' to describe 'the bad guys,' while evoking 'nice sounding' words like 'cooperative peace' to describe 'the good guys,' and I am, politely, calling horseshit.
The US can't have it both ways. It's either driven by principle or acting in self interest. And, for the record, I think all nations act in self interest. The destabilization of the Middle East and Central America were driven by an economic 'need.' So it is. I'm not one to judge... But wrapping that history up in a warm fabric of principled idealism? It's disingenuous, at best. Or, to refrain my earlier descriptor, horseshit.
China is bad for having designs on Taiwan? Yes! It is! But how exactly do you think your gas prices are what they are? The kettle is black. So is the pot.
And neither pot not kettle are doing much for this 'cooperative peace' you're evoking.
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Comment on US Congress approves bill banning TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells platform in ~tech
rahmad Link ParentThe irony is a little thick there. Switch the word 'Ukraine' for 'Iraq' or 'Honduras' (I won't say the G word) and the actor portraying the antagonist in your story is... Well.. thus the irony.The irony is a little thick there. Switch the word 'Ukraine' for 'Iraq' or 'Honduras' (I won't say the G word) and the actor portraying the antagonist in your story is... Well.. thus the irony.
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Comment on US Congress approves bill banning TikTok unless Chinese owner ByteDance sells platform in ~tech
rahmad Link ParentI don't think 'because India did it' gives weight to your argument here... India's trendline over the last decade or so has been, at best, debatable, and at worst troublesome, when it comes to...I don't think 'because India did it' gives weight to your argument here... India's trendline over the last decade or so has been, at best, debatable, and at worst troublesome, when it comes to their freedom of press, the relationship between press and government, and how certain kinds of thinking are systematically suppressed by the two.
India banning Tiktok, in my opinion, says more about the current power structures in India than it does about Tiktok.
To be clear, I'm not defending Tiktok. I just want to separate the viable arguments from the chaff.
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
rahmad Link ParentI actually think it's meant for the adults, but trying to make it accessible enough for the kids to enjoy it...I actually think it's meant for the adults, but trying to make it accessible enough for the kids to enjoy it...
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
rahmad Link ParentYou're right. I guess I meant 'having moments of levity' -- which it does, but yeah, it's downright grisly in terms of violence.You're right. I guess I meant 'having moments of levity' -- which it does, but yeah, it's downright grisly in terms of violence.
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
rahmad LinkA great mix of light and heady. Clone Wars Primal Carmen Sandiego She-Ra Dragon Prince Trollhunters (and it's spinoffs, but they aren't as good as the original. RIP that guy) Bluey (kind of a...A great mix of light and heady.
Clone Wars
Primal
Carmen Sandiego
She-Ra
Dragon Prince
Trollhunters (and it's spinoffs, but they aren't as good as the original. RIP that guy)
Bluey (kind of a different vibe, but it has some very heady moments. There is kind of is an overarching plot, but it's not that obvious, it's more like a difficulty curve than a plot)
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Comment on Is a NAS for me? in ~tech
rahmad LinkI think the key benefit you'd pick up would be hotswappable drives and RAID (if you went with such a configuration) alongside more processing power to run something like Plex. Turnkey solutions...I think the key benefit you'd pick up would be hotswappable drives and RAID (if you went with such a configuration) alongside more processing power to run something like Plex.
Turnkey solutions for stuff like backup and the like are a plus for some, but I'm not sure a turnkey app would give you 'more,' -- possibly just simpler.
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Comment on How do you keep your home smelling nice? in ~life.home_improvement
rahmad LinkCook, bake and brew plenty of coffee and teas. Just, always have something interesting and fragrant going on in the kitchen...Cook, bake and brew plenty of coffee and teas. Just, always have something interesting and fragrant going on in the kitchen...
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Comment on Tell US Congress: Stop the TikTok ban in ~tech
rahmad Link ParentI'm not sure the US should be taking cues on prudent governance from India. Also, something being banned on government devices is a totally different thing. The CIA banned Furbies, and that's a...I'm not sure the US should be taking cues on prudent governance from India.
Also, something being banned on government devices is a totally different thing. The CIA banned Furbies, and that's a totally reasonable thing for them to have done. That's entirely different than banning Furbies for public sale.
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Comment on India moves to implement controversial citizenship bill that excludes Muslims in ~humanities
rahmad Link ParentHey now. There are plenty of Muslims being persecuted in those Muslim countries!Hey now. There are plenty of Muslims being persecuted in those Muslim countries!
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Comment on Unique things to do in Las Vegas? (and Los Angeles) in ~travel
rahmad (edited )LinkFor LA: Getty museum (and Villa, but definitely the museum). All the beach cities' beaches/piers. They each have a different vibe. From Malibu all the way down to Rancho PV. Each pier/beach can be...For LA:
Getty museum (and Villa, but definitely the museum).
All the beach cities' beaches/piers. They each have a different vibe. From Malibu all the way down to Rancho PV. Each pier/beach can be a differently flavored outing.
Visit and dine all the ethnic mini towns. Little Ethiopia. Thai town. Go get some dim sum in Rowland Heights. K-town. Sawtelle strip and Gardena for Japanese food. Or find a hipster bakery in Echo Park. It's a long list.
Griffith Park, LA Zoo. Fun museum there too. Long beach aquarium while you're at it.
See if you can catch a standup comic at Largo or find an improv show.
Museum of Jurassic Technology if you wanna just have a weird day. Two bit circus , too, maybe.
Summertime? Catch a Hollywood Bowl show.
Got wheels? Drive out to Jtree for a night of stargazing, or swoop down to San Diego and check out any one of twenty things in the park, from the zoo to the Spanish village.
The key to LA is to understand that LA is not a monolithic city. It's a bunch of clustered places that often (not always) have specific ethnic and cultural makeups -- and it's also near other regions that themselves are distinct and interesting. That variance provides great possibilities for exploration and discovery.
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Comment on Teach me about biryani in ~food
rahmad LinkI guess, for me it's pretty simple: The rice should have really nice long grains, and be perfectly cooked -- not mushy, but not al dente either. The meat needs to be tender. There should be some...I guess, for me it's pretty simple:
The rice should have really nice long grains, and be perfectly cooked -- not mushy, but not al dente either.
The meat needs to be tender.
There should be some fragrance, but not an overpowering amount. Hints of cardamom, clove and black pepper. Maybe cinnamon, too... but it shouldn't be a pot pourri.
It should be vibrant, you should see the yellows and reds interacting with the rice.
And finally, it should have some heat. A pleasant burn.
All biryanis are different, but the good ones for me have always shared those qualities.
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Comment on Most bingeable book series? in ~books
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Comment on Lighthearted movie about someone finding a new direction? in ~movies
rahmad LinkRocket Science Luca Dark, but not sure I'd call it soul-crushing: Let the Right One In (original version, I think it's swedish) Billy Elliott Seven psychopaths Some of these are pulled from...Rocket Science
Luca
Dark, but not sure I'd call it soul-crushing: Let the Right One In (original version, I think it's swedish)
Billy Elliott
Seven psychopathsSome of these are pulled from foggier memory than others, but I recall them all involving characters experiencing a new direction and purpose, and none of them left my soul crushed (but some good pain may have been involved).
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Comment on What happened in 2023 that will have an impact on the rest of the decade? in ~talk
rahmad Link#3 for me. It didn't fully happen in 2023, but I think generative AI really took a big upswing in 2023, and that is something that's going to continue (in its current form) to be very central to...#3 for me. It didn't fully happen in 2023, but I think generative AI really took a big upswing in 2023, and that is something that's going to continue (in its current form) to be very central to our lives for most of the next decade.
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Comment on Google promises unlimited cloud storage; then cancels plan; then tells journalist his life’s work will be deleted without enough time to transfer the data in ~tech
rahmad Link ParentYes that's correct. There's a way to configure the mail servers for your domain to connect to Google, and then you effectively have @mydomain.com email running through Gmail.Yes that's correct. There's a way to configure the mail servers for your domain to connect to Google, and then you effectively have @mydomain.com email running through Gmail.
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Comment on What are your favorite ridiculous/absurd/campy Christmas movies? in ~movies
rahmad LinkI will contribue The Long Kiss Goodnight. Set around Christmas time, it's a rollicking action flick about an assassin with amnesia, featuring memorable performances by Sam Jackson and Geena Davis....I will contribue The Long Kiss Goodnight. Set around Christmas time, it's a rollicking action flick about an assassin with amnesia, featuring memorable performances by Sam Jackson and Geena Davis. Directed by Renny Harlin and written by Shane Black. It's just quality material all 'round.
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Comment on Looking for games like wordle in ~games
rahmad Link ParentOr if you don't! That and Travle are part of my daily self improvement routine.Or if you don't! That and Travle are part of my daily self improvement routine.
Yes, I'm not saying it is 'a product made for adults,'
What I'm saying is:
The thing Bluey does is evoke an idyllic relationship between parent and child, where the parent is free, available and able to be a child's equal in play, and is able to rediscover that disentangled feeling of free play.
This is something I think many parents aspire to, wish for, enjoy when they can, but... The Cat's in the Cradle.
The kid characters are playing. It's cute, it's funny. It works as a piece of children's entertainment.
But the primary force inside the show is acting on a desire inside the parents.
Kids are attuned to play. They will learn to engage in imaginative play, and turn all actions into games, instinctually. It's part of the normal and fairly universal development process. They don't need a show to teach them that, and I don't think most kids can distinguish between the quality of play between Bluey and, let's say, Hot Wheels City Adventures.
Bluey's success, in my opinion, is not because it is more strongly attractive to kids than other kids entertainment, but because it is more strongly attractive to parents, who see it scratching something deep for them.
And then, they choose this over some other show, they are more likely to watch it with their kids, they advocate for it with other parents, and they make it 'award winning kids entertainment.'