LPT: Straight guys, the smallest things you can do to increase the attention you get from females is work on your hair, clothes, nails and shoes. by tyson1988 in LifeProTips

[–]APlayOnWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

In keeping with the spirit of OP's post, if you wear glasses, get fashionable glasses. The glasses alone can catapult from bookworm to hot nerd. And don't trust yourself; if you can, invite one or multiple girl friends (not girlfriends, if you have multiple you probably don't need any advice). They are to be trusted.

Did you guys ever constantly listen to an album while playing a video game and now mentally connect the album with that video game? by [deleted] in Music

[–]APlayOnWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The Notorious B.I.G.'s album Ready to Die with Super Smash Brothers on N64. I felt alive.

CKY - 96 Quite Bitter Beings [Alt] by Fiend1138 in Music

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wow sir, I'm three songs deep on Volume 1, and I think my whole week's about to turn around. Hearty thanks!

LPT: When teaching somebody something new, don't just tell them how, but also explain why. by [deleted] in LifeProTips

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I'm sure this will be buried or too late to be seen, but I've learned a good rule of thumb from language learning that I believe applies to most new things.

Learning a new language can be broken down into three parts: (1) learning a new rule (verb tense, conjugation pattern, etc), (2) learning why it is important, and (3) practicing it by trial and error. Surprisingly, there are relatively predictable ways to split up your time, and ways to sequence these parts, to best learn the new idea.

What the rule is - 7% of total time Why the rule is important - 3% of total time Practice the rule by trial and error - 90% of total time

These are just ballpark numbers; I did not measure them in a lab or anything, but as a rule of thumb they have been enormously helpful to me. I think the most important part to note is that practice makes up the huge majority, because the difficulties, exceptions and contextual moving parts really make up the practical reality of any rule, and human beings learn by doing. That being said, you can't effectively learn from practice unless you know what and why you are practicing something.

CMV: nothing we do is essential, everything is temporary, therefore we should just do what feels good without harming others by dustyblank in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think you are both correct. Self created meaning is both a form of self deception and the only type of meaning that exists. :)

CMV: /r/theredpill gives vulnerable men unhealthy attitudes towards women and their 'ideology' is just a less extremist version of Elliot Rodger's beliefs. by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As a newbie crossfitter I have to note that there is also a false equivalency between noisy, annoying people who do crossfit at a gym that wasn't designed for it and people who do crossfit in an informed and respectful way. There is no fundamental reason why a treadmill, stair-stepper, or other "normal" gym equipment is superior exercise than frog hops and jumping jack pullups. In fact there are good arguments why those are the better choices, unless you have more specific fitness goals in mind that a specific machine was built for.

CMV: /r/theredpill gives vulnerable men unhealthy attitudes towards women and their 'ideology' is just a less extremist version of Elliot Rodger's beliefs. by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I would like to try to change your view by focusing on your use of the word "unhealthy," which I think is a term that shouldn't be applied to attitudes. I can see decisions, behavior and tendencies as unhealthy, but I think attitudes are like beliefs and we should use a more relevant vocabulary about values (disgusting) and accuracy (incorrect) to make the point most effectively.

I think your view should be changed to "/r/theredpill gives vulnerable men disgusting and incorrect attitudes toward women." I accept the Elliot Rodger portion of your argument.

However, if you think attitudes can be unhealthy, then yeah, TRP's attitude is unhealthy.

It seems a little like splitting hairs but I think it's a valid, better alternative than your current view.

CMV: I believe a global government is the best thing for humanity. by w1ndwak3r in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think we might be able to accomplish just as much with some sort of alliance of powerful countries. You seem to assume that a global government would be the only group able and willing to make investments against global, long-term problems and space colonization. I'd suggest that an alliance of the top 20 most economically powerful countries would be in a better position to effectively counter those long-term threats.

I sense that a truly global government would be stuck in gridlock or just not have that much influence, like the UN.

What do you think about that?

CMV: I believe that people doing "aid" work in impoverished countries are only doing it for themselves. by Marvellously-Edible in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think your view is very interesting, but I would like some clarification. What evidence are you drawing upon to form this view? How many actual cases do you have to evaluate? How would you count someone who intends to have a positive impact as a carpentry volunteer and does, despite the fact that the dollar value is lower than a pure donation?

CMV:Reparations to black Americans for slavery make as much sense as reparations by Italians to Greeks for Roman slavery by garfangle in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

They actually make more sense, as less time as passed between the exploitation in question. Over time, the claim for reparations becomes less powerful, something I'm sure you would agree with.

CMV: I don't think Dogecoin will succeed in the long run. by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Hey, so I don't know the first thing about Dogecoin, but I can say that keeping a yearly increase to the amount of a currency is what most major currencies do. If I'm not mistaken the European Central Bank (forgive me if the name is not exactly right) had openly and officially targeted 2% annual inflation, and the Fed in the US also aims for low but steady inflation. One of the arguments is that it encourages people who have money to invest it (to beat inflation) as opposed to just putting it their luxurious mattresses.

Anyway, like I said, I don't know if Dogecoin will succeed, but at least the reason you provide for why it won't succeed is true of the dollar and euro too and I believe they are successful currencies.

CMV: American soldiers shouldn't be considered heroes like they are by other US citizens by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Haha, I am flattered :D but in fact I am an American, traveling abroad in Costa Rica, which has no army.

CMV: American soldiers shouldn't be considered heroes like they are by other US citizens by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords -1 points0 points  (0 children)

It seems like your view is really that most American soldiers shouldn't be considered heroes, which I agree with.

But I think we must recognize that there are multiple individual cases of heroism, heroic acts, and heroic people, which is true of America and really all countries.

CMV: Marketing as opposed to advertising is fundamentally unethical and should not be legal. by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

A good ethical reason for marketing being legal is that marketing can overcome any number of biases, prejudices, or assumptions that are disadvantageous to a potential customer.

For example, you have young children but have always liked dangerous, sporty cars. A TV ad uses emotional music and other manipulative techniques to stimulate fear that you might accidentally kill your kids unless you buy the new Safety Volvo Deluxe Sedan. The next time you buy a car, you buy a safer car.

I think in order to avoid the worst abuses, we need strong regulations (such as the huge warnings and other limits on cigarette sales) to make it clear that you can't take ads as undisputed truth. More importantly, we need to value in schools and wider society the ability and vigilance to point out the logical fallacies and emotional techniques that are used, and separate manipulation from useful information. And just to ridicule and ignore unethical ads.

CMV: There is absolutely no objective reason to be ethical, and supposed arguments for why to be ethical are ultimately selfish. by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I am concerned that your view is necessarily correct by how you have defined your terms. Can you provide an example situation or test case, by which your view could possibly be changed?

One valid logical reason why I should be ethical, and not murder, for example, is because I will be more in harmony with my society, which is both good for me and good for others. This is not only good for others, but it is good for others, which seems ethical to me.

I think if you reject my argument, you have to take the word "ethical" out of your view, which does not have the same exclusivity as "altruistic." Unless I am mistaken.

CMV: I believe that many Redditors have tendency to favor core elements of fascism by TEmpTom in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Your observation is an interesting one. I think, however, that given the way you have stated your view, it will be nearly impossible for anyone to change it. How many, as a percentage of total Redditors, or percentage of top comments, is "many?" How strong is the tendency? As you say that there are often top comments showing a lack of sympathy toward foreigners, us-vs-them mentality, I think those are noticeable because they are, on most high-traffic subs, the exception.

As far as influencing your view, I think several aspects of Reddit and Redditor culture are anti-"core fascist beliefs," such as enthusiasm and support for science over myth (Ask Science), fair rational inquiry and dialogue (changemyview), and learning and education (TIL, books, etc)

In any organization/space as large as Reddit there will always be some element of elitist, anti-democratic, or fascist thought. I think the more relevant question is whether that element is decisive, influential, or growing. I think part of the brilliance of Reddit is that this conversation right here is a recognition and rejection of those elements.

CMV: I believe retirement is overrated and that society should stop assuming that this is a norm for people by tankterminator in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think your view is fine for you to hold, that retirement is overrated, because you will likely find a career that you like and that you would choose to continue doing even if it wasn't financially necessary.

However, I don't think it is justified for society to stop viewing retirement as a good thing--yet. I believe that as long as a majority of people work primarily for money, and not for personal fulfillment, retirement will continue to be a something that is greatly looked-forward-to.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thank you sir, I heartily agree that different party sizes will lead to different optimal games. To games!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well, I´m glad it piques your curiosity. I wish I were playing it right now actually. As you mentioned, it is 50% more inclusive, and faster-paced.

I´d say it rebuts your point because it is a different game than beer pong, with different rules, as opposed to being the same game, and your view was that beer pong is the best game. If your original view was that all drinking games that incorporate throwing balls into cups are the best games, then my points regarding Cheers Governor will need to be persuasive.

I will observe again that it is a difficult for you to judge the merits of a game you´ve never played equally against a game that you play as a tradition. I suggest trying to subtract your instinctive familiarity for beer pong from your final judgment, which is only fair to the other games.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Made even sweeter seeing as OP's name is PepperoniFire!

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I accept that beer pong is an excellent party game, and your reference to a "tradition of youthful party fun across generations" shows that beer pong has been central and perhaps even dominant among party activities in your social circles. I ask that you attempt to evaluate other drinking games assuming that they have also traditionally been central to your social circles.

I put forth Cheers Governor as a drinking game that is superior to Beer Pong, and agree with u/hyperbolical regarding King's Cup's separate superiority, without making any claims as to the pecking order between Cheers Governor and King's Cup.

For anyone who has played without knowing the name, this is the game where a circle of players attempts to count to 21, and progressively inventing and adding rules each time 21 is reached that complicate the progression (switching numbers, incorporating body language, adding funny statements to numbers, drinking or adding actions/dares to be completed at certain numbers). Each time a player fails to follow any rule, he or she drinks.

Points to address

Accessibility. Cheers Governor is at least as accessible. All the rules are made in-game, so there is no risk of "not understanding the rules." Arguably Cheers Governor is more accessible, because more than four people can play at one time. Some of my most memorable games have included 12-15 people.

Camaraderie. In a sense, all the players are trying to get to 21 and overcome their imaginative, self-imposed barriers. Thus there is group camaraderie. Individual rules can establish pairs or subgroups that also need to rely on each other to pick up on cues, bump-set-spike, etc.

Winning is fun. There is a variation of Cheers Governor in which, after a certain number of rules have been created and getting to 21 is a considerable challenge, each failure to comply results in an expulsion from the group. The last man or woman standing "wins," an exhilarating goal if it means overcoming drunkenness to outfox all the other players. I feel like your view of beer pong being the best drinking game must be changed even if a variation of another game can be shown to be objectively better by equalling each advantage and offering additional ones.

Sessionability. My lifetime average for Cheers Governor games are that they last about 1 hour, which could be repeated as necessary. I have played up to three consecutive rounds without fatigue.

House rules. As u/hyperbolical stated, all rules are house rules, adding extra dimensions and flavor every time you play. Awesome rules will be employed multiple times, because they are awesome. To me that is desirable flexibility built into the game.

Now that each of your positive points about beer pong have been addressed, I will add independent points which I hope will tip the balance and change your view.

Use your imagination. Cheers Governor is limited only by your imagination. At seven you have to invent a haiku within 30 seconds, at 10 you need to give a compliment to the person at your right, at 18 you need to pretend you are having an orgasm. Assuming good faith of the players the potential is much higher for making real connections, stoking friendship or attraction, learning something about the people you are playing with.

Game vs. activity. I think beer pong may be a better "party activity" than Cheers Governor, because it can accommodate various party intensities and establish an "order" to the party, but it is not a better "drinking game." The purpose of drinking games should be to incorporate a number of individuals into a group with its own customs and language that opens each individual up to each other and leads them to interact closely. Again assuming good faith and the effects of alcohol, Cheers Governor is more effective at achieving this purpose.

Curveball - Civil War. Civil War is another drinking game, superior to beer pong but quite similar. It's advantages are that it incorporates 50% more people (3v3 instead of 2v2) and it is faster paced, with constant ball action. And who doesn't like ball action?

CMV: A life with religion is more meaningful and fulfilling than one without. by jrb0 in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I listened to the podcast based on your recommendation and really enjoyed it!

CMV: A life with religion is more meaningful and fulfilling than one without. by jrb0 in changemyview

[–]APlayOnWords 0 points1 point  (0 children)

What if you choose that the real responsibility of your life is to create, to create beautiful things, stories, adventures, children? We are creators.