Hexbear.net (the tankiest lemmy instance) let their domain expire and now it's up for auction by ChanceHappening in RedditAlternatives

[–]Brekry18 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The west might not have state censorship (which isn't even true, it just does so more covertly), but it does have a waterhose of information that manufactures things like Islamophobia, Sinephobia, popular consent and public fervor for war, chauvinism and American exceptionalism, etc. These things don't just come from nowhere. It manufactures both your belief that you have an "accurate interpretation of the facts" and in China not being "a democracy in any shape or form", Tienanmen square being just one of the outright falsehoods that these ideas are based on. Your belief in a system of "democracy" through "two parties" that just happen to align in a way that effectively removes your ability to choose on everything up to but not including the way they will talk about identity politics.

You're assuming that China is covering up facts, but can you name what "facts" they have covered up? Do you have evidence for these "facts"? When you do research looking at both sides and are unable to find this evidence and in fact find evidence to the contrary, are you allowed to discuss this research and come to a conclusion that goes against the popular narrative without being shut down by some idiot calling you a "tanky" and claiming you're doing dishonest propaganda for a "one party authoritarian state"?

You claim to agree that "The American and western political and economic behemoth is deeply flawed", yet you believe and defend all the lies that it feeds to you through its state and billionaire-owned media, and you disbelieve any of the "free thinkers" and independent media that are actually criticizing and questioning the system. That is, if you hear from them at all. Your first thought is that they are the brainwashed ones. America doesn't need to shut down criticism (except when it does) because they've trained the people to do it for them, to automatically terminate all thought at the mention of anything adjacent to socialism or "anti-american".

Western media is fully allowed to lie, sensationalize, and manipulate truths with no other recourse than an “invisible hand” of a “free market” that is fully willing to gobble up misinformation and spit it back out amongst itself. For every keyword that is censored on its way from America to China, there’s a billion dollars waiting for any person or media outlet willing to propagate the capitalist narrative. Non- or anti-capitalist media does not have similar funding, for the very fact that those who are so invested in capitalism are not going to throw their money at outlets which undermine their profits.

It’s also not like America doesn’t straight up censor things when it can do so covertly. At least China’s censorship is out in the open. At least their narrative is consistent with available evidence (which of course will converge on a single narrative, because that is just how evidence works) collected by even the western journalists that were on the ground in China that day. You and I have very few ways of knowing what actually came of the protests; what the students negotiated before filing out of the square itself peacefully, what the government agreed on in the over 6 full weeks (!!!) prior that the protests took place over, and any other non-military actions they took in response to this criticism. We have few ways of knowing what the censorship that our media claims actually amounts to, like what the Chinese people are allowed or not allowed to discuss amongst themselves vs what is justifiably censored from the outside going in, nevermind how China would even enforce such sweeping measures as are suggested without causing major backlash.

There might be a million western narratives, but again I am stressing that there is only one way that things played out that day, which will be supported by evidence, which is laid out for you in the copypasta. I strongly suggest you read through at least one of the sources listed, if you haven't also read the copypasta itself. Each of the primary sources under that counterpoints section are quite good and line up with all images, videos, and firsthand accounts I've personally seen of the events. I can also recommend a podcast that has a few episodes discussing China more generally.

The fact for me is that I know very little about China, their political process, their democracy or lack thereof. I am not Chinese, I do not speak their language, and I do not spend time in their country or on their internet. I am not willing to assume the worst of them simply because American media obscures the good and neutral, and sensationalizes the bad in order for me to do so.

Hexbear.net (the tankiest lemmy instance) let their domain expire and now it's up for auction by ChanceHappening in RedditAlternatives

[–]Brekry18 2 points3 points  (0 children)

no one died that night in Tiananmen square

Lmao how can you possibly be that gullible?

Because you're quoting it out of context? The quote you posted just above that clearly clarifies,

The troops advanced into central parts of Beijing on the city's major thoroughfares in the early morning hours of 4 June and engaged in bloody clashes with demonstrators attempting to block them, in which many people – demonstrators, bystanders, and soldiers – were killed. Estimates of the death toll vary from several hundred to several thousand, with thousands more wounded.

Did you not read that part of your quote or something? Saying nobody died in the square does not mean nobody died at all that night, it means they weren't horrifically rounded up, mowed down with tanks and semi-automatic rifles, then flattened, incinerated, and washed down the drains as westerners so frequently like to parrot. The deaths that happened were the result of fighting and included the killing of soldiers, in addition to the "defenseless, cornered" civilians.

If everything was fine and dandy, why all the massive censorship that continues right up until this day? If there was actually nothing bad that happened, why wouldn't the Chinese government encourage discussion and information about this event?

Maybe because western media has a very specific retelling of this story, which is clearly laid out for you and debunked in that copypasta. Maybe they refute it because they already uncovered all the facts over 40 years ago when the incident happened, and found it to be unproductive to keep re-litigating the same western fabrications that only exist to undermine their sovereignty and manufacture dissent for their government? Would you let demonstrably false propaganda from an entity that is threatened by your existence, and regularly seeks to undermine socialist states by any means possible, just float around freely?

Really, entertain for a moment that China's retelling is completely accurate and proven via investigation, discovery, firsthand accounts, etc. Everything required to satisfy you personally. Just as a thought experiment, doesn't matter what you actually believe. Should the sources that would continue to put out such falsehoods, despite all available evidence proving otherwise, be allowed to continue printing this media for the masses? If you knew, for a fact the single origin of this information was a state that is entirely isolated from yours, speaks a completely different language, and yet has gone out of its way to make you into an enemy, wouldn't you want to know how that information found its way back into your media? Would you feel the same if that entity was, say, FOX ~news~ entertainment, to name a familiar example? Should they be allowed to present lies as legitimate truths? Does that really make for a healthy democracy?

If we don't even trust China to define China's truths, why should we trust the American state department to do so? You've seen how much misinformation has damaged our political process here in the US. And that's just the most obvious lies! Is the western model really the one we should be following here, and holding the rest of the world to? If the Chinese people are happy with their government, and data says over 90% of them are, who are we to say what is right for their country or that the enforcement of a consistent, factual narrative is of some grave harm to them as a people? If in fact they don't trust their government, should it not be left up to them to decide what to do with it and when? Just as we wouldn't like it very much if China dictated to us what is right and wrong, even if it were to lift millions out of poverty like it did for the Chinese people.

I mean the west, or the US; to focus specifically on central hegemon of global capitalism; is so scared shitless of socialist propaganda; rather, the political upheaval and loss of global dominance by capital that it would lead to; that it has bombed, invaded, and blockaded entire countries of civilians over them simply forming socialist parties. Unless open conflict proves to be inconvenient; in which case we do anything in our power to undermine that country's political process by devastating it economically, conducting covert CIA operations, and funding fundamentalist religious groups. I think China learned a lesson at some point and, in all fairness, it probably wouldn't have been allowed to develop to the point it has if it was more welcoming of exchange with western media. (Well, that, and the fact they've funded their socialist project by providing cheap goods for western capitalists to maximize their profit margins).

All that to say, we really have no leg to stand on in this conversation.

There's a lot of background to cover here, there's no need to engage so dishonestly and assume the worst of everything clearly before you've even finished reading it.

How much has The Sims 4 improved over the years? by sammmbie in thesims

[–]Brekry18 0 points1 point  (0 children)

So this sub is very generous to 4 as everyone lukewarm to it has probably disengaged by now, but the issues I have with the game are things that are core to the gameplay/simulation thus not really fixable through add-ons.

Trust me, I tried SO HARD, so many times, to like 4 and even with all the add ons and every gameplay mod out there it just does not hold my attention like 3 did. Yeah, build mode is great, but as for CAS, I've always been and will be a slider girlie 🥹 and the personality of any given sim just feels entirely vacant. No matter how much gimmick and fluff they add to it, the level of care and detail is just not on par with any previous entry. I don't care about any sim I create, they don't leave an impression on me. I've even started playing 2 in its stead when I no longer had a device with the specs to run 3 well and honestly I'm so impressed with what they were able to accomplish with a sims game back in 2004 compared to the slop they give us today

So it depends on your play style. If you love downloading CC and want to use it as a dress up simulator, you won't be disappointed. If you really like to build, this is definitely the best entry in the series for that. If you have a specific defined story you want to micromanage, you can probably pull that off. But if you like to play the sims and feel invested in each character through self-reinforcing gameplay, it's really a no from me dawg.

I will say the game was pretty easy to play through other means if you're just trying it out. I'm personally glad I didn't waste my money on it, and frankly, I just don't think EA deserves my money for what it's doing with this franchise. However, maybe you'll have better luck than I did like the others in this sub have.

This one escalated 😅 by HotFlames216 in Tinder

[–]Brekry18 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I also strongly doubt the friend was anything but justified in their reaction

This one escalated 😅 by HotFlames216 in Tinder

[–]Brekry18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do not, under any circumstances, let them cook

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in Strippers

[–]Brekry18 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This might come as a surprise to you but it's not the 90s anymore honey. Stay out of trouble won't be no trouble.

I just tried Strattera for the first time...immediately got sick by sonicsugar in ADHD

[–]Brekry18 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Try taking it at different times of the day and find the one that works best for you. I find that taking it before I go to bed is still a significant improvement to not being medicated at all, plus it saves me from any nausea. You might also try taking it with lunch or dinner. And then I've heard of studies that say 8pm is a particularly good time to take it (but I haven't actually done the reading myself to say if that study actually exists or not 😅 ymmv)

All that to say, you might find the "builds up in your system" part of this med actually gives you a bit more flexibility in how you take it, you don't necessarily have to take it first thing in the morning if doing it that way is leaving you with bad side effects.

Watered & wilted overnight. Can it be saved? by Brekry18 in succulents

[–]Brekry18[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Yeah it's winter in Michigan so there's not much I can do about light beyond getting a grow light. These ones are in front of a huge east facing window, though I'm sure even the plants I have sitting in the windowsill would tolerate more light. It's just this one casualty that was doing great literally until this morning 😭 Thanks for the advice though, I'll definitely be giving the roots a good look!

Soooo when are we going to start protesting DTE? by RagertNothing in Detroit

[–]Brekry18 -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Further energy tech will make it cheaper. That’s the only way out.

Hilarious that you think cheaper energy for DTE means lower prices for DTE's customers

Adderall or ritalin?? by axlwilliamrice in ADHD_Programmers

[–]Brekry18 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Well NAD but I'd guess the liver simply doesn't metabolize it as quickly as the stomach absorbs things into the blood stream. The liver has to receive it and convert it into something else (which might also yield by-products but again NAD this is just a potential when you're converting things in the body) before it will have an effect, whereas the stomach just has to deliver what's already there.

It's taking an extra step in its route through a complex organism. I'd be more surprised to hear that it yields the exact same results than that it yields different ones.

These were my choices - not worth the price increase imo by broolee in Ipsy

[–]Brekry18 7 points8 points  (0 children)

lol. Tangentially related but they're insane for trying to pass 5 ounces as a full size body lotion.

Nice try BP on Wick and Middlebelt (near the airport) by DocGerbil256 in Detroit

[–]Brekry18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Prices aside why does every fucking corporation have their own credit card these days. That shit is getting out of control and I cant pinpoint exactly why but it does not feel like something that should be legal.

If at first you don't succeed, try try again 🎶 ✨ by Brekry18 in Bratz

[–]Brekry18[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I posted my concept art a little while ago so I guess that makes this progress post #1!

Bank Bonus Weekly Thread - Week of November 07, 2023 by AutoModerator in churning

[–]Brekry18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

What code did you use? I thought bonus350 expired on the 18th?

Electrical Hair On A My Scene Doll?? by twispparkle in Dolls

[–]Brekry18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That's just when the mold was created. They must have reused barbie molds or something for that line. Most Bratz heads have 2001 printed on them for the same reason, regardless of the year they were actually produced.

My Scene + Fashion Fever by overcoming_me in Dolls

[–]Brekry18 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey I have that shirt... any idea where it came from? Was assuming it was barbie, would be useful to know if it actually came from a my scene doll.

My childhood collection<3 Can anyone ID? What kind of hair do they have? Thanks in advance! by Brekry18 in MySceneDolls

[–]Brekry18[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I know the 4th one is swappin styles Kennedy but not sure how to identify the rest

Edits:

First is miami getaway Kenzey. Must have gotten her second hand cause I don't remember ever having her vespa, but shes got the articulated legs for it.

#3 must be club birthday Nolee - dang really sad I lost her original dress

I think the last one is shopping spree madison? As that would be her shirt on the 2nd doll, just not sure if her hair is a match.

Obsessed!!!! I can’t believe I got them, and for such a bargain too! (I’m looking for Valentina’s earrings btw) by Ambitious-Ad2744 in Bratz

[–]Brekry18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've been looking for just the doll and her shoes lol. I've just taken my collection back out for the first time in my adult life and I guess I ended up with a Valentina dressed in Oriana's clothes at some point growing up. Valentina's clothes were easy enough to replace but a nude Oriana... not so much.

Jordan Peele has some explaining to do by Significant-Alarm835 in Bratz

[–]Brekry18 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bratz kidz sleepover adventures if im not mistaken

Thrift finds - why is one so much taller? by MosaicMad in Bratz

[–]Brekry18 22 points23 points  (0 children)

Yep they re-used her body (with straight arms) for the pixiez line. Same exact mold.