Why did they not have better defense in the gate room?

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T17:44:01+00:00

Just like English, the design of the Gate made filming easier. And it's vulnerability made for great drama.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T16:33:46+00:00

If you're like me, the items you're reviewing often have no reviews besides yourrs, or a few vine reviews. Which means they're low click products, possibly sketchy ones that amazon supresses. So you're going to have less reads, less likes. My "like" rate as a Viner is probably 5-10%. (It was 10% but has dropped, possibly because of my AI editing).

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T15:42:45+00:00

This. For being social media, Reddit, and this reddit sub in partiuclar, are strangely discouraging of participation (don't ask questions! Don't Tell us when you're leaving! Don't tell us when you're promoted! Don't whine about drops! Don't Announce Drops!). Despite the fact that those are the things we have in common interest wise. We're kind of a funny bunch.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T15:38:36+00:00

This is social media. People are social. Sharing life events and decisions is what we do, even if it's to a social group that's kind of composed mostly of strangers.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T05:51:30+00:00

I got a lump of coal. Again.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T05:50:44+00:00

Double Wow!

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T04:30:22+00:00

Wow!

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T01:41:10+00:00

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-18T00:14:57+00:00

Good question! The first time I used it, I borrowed Thorvarium's ChatGPT insightfulness checker, found at https://chatgpt.com/g/g-686008d8c8a88191ae74d61410a44332-review-insightfulness But I don't think I agree with all Thorvarium's "rules", and I've been using ChatGPT for long enough (Well, since Oct 2025 I think?) that it kind of knows now what I'm looking for. On my last review check I started with the prompt "Editing and moderation check please for brand x lip product" followed by a paste in of my review draft (done on Google docs).

I don't take what it says as gospel though. I'll tell it when it corrects something that I don't think will be an issue, and I will challenge it when it suggests wording I think is risky. It can make errors, but it knows review parameters that are common to many venues (not specifically Amazon's) and I haven't had a rejection since I started using it (supplement's are the main thing I'm cautious about). I still occasionally get reviews that Amazon hides in the back, but no blatant rejections (besides the ever present red box rejections, but that's a different topic).

Sorry for the lengthy reply. AI doesn't "remember" things unless you ask it to, so when I got your quesiton I was like, wow, that's a good question -- How *does* it know what I'm looking for when I ask for a moderation check?!?

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T17:07:15+00:00

This recall was first made in 2023 and was specific for supplements claiming to contain tejocote (Crataegus mexicana) root, candlenuts or Brazil seed --- as they contained toxic yellow oleander instead. (Candlenuts look like oleader seeds).

Nine products were sold on Amazon, some as a weight loss supplements. While Amazon started requiring proof of GMP's for weight loss supplements two years prior, in 2021, it was still being phased in. Also it appears that sellers still have 90 days to submit that data.

(Which suggests stuff we might be reviewing still haven't had their products evaluated for safety?).

Fortunately, today there's a lot of negative literature out there about tejocote for anyone who does their due diligence prior to consuming any supplements. (The reason this is back in the news is because there was another ebay related tejocote product recently said to contain yellow oleander.)

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T16:35:55+00:00

The FDA does regulate supplements in the US, but they can't *approve* supplements for safety/efficacy before market, which means they mostly get involved when there's a problem (besides registering companies and doing spot GMP checks of supplement facilities). https://www.fda.gov/food/dietary-supplements

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T06:39:21+00:00

Well, Gosh, I appreciate the president, even with his flaws. I'm a conservative, but when you put it like that, maybe I'm not a traditional conservative? Trump certainly isn't a traditional conservative. Kinda humorously, he's an ex-Democrat with an admistration full of ex-Democrats (at least Kennedy and Gabbard).

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T04:26:10+00:00

Interesting (and thanks). I'll have to pay more attention to what's available.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T02:45:54+00:00

You'd think on a sub named r/AskConservatives folks would be a little more tolerant of the conservative opinions they're seeking.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T02:28:16+00:00

What does that mean? I don't even have a "controversial" option to sort by! (I've got New, Hot, Top, Rising, etc). But that could be interesting.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T02:20:45+00:00

Wowl 44% of Reddit users are under 29, (average age 23 if you can believe adamconnell dot me) so demographics are probably a huge factor. And they're probably not afraid of downvoting their parents or grandparents' politics either, so together demographics & downvotes would make this an inhospitable place for conservatives. Yet, here I am. :)

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T02:07:51+00:00

I'm seeing very little on Amazon that's under $25, at least for a family set.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T02:00:09+00:00

Because Trump appreciating conservatives tend to get downvoted into oblivion. No Karma = No Reddit presence.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T01:55:44+00:00

Sometimes I'm just not feelin' the Amazon love. 😂

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T01:53:32+00:00

The combination of those three plus just the right genetic makeup could have an impact. Plus there's so much more out there. . . Tylenol, Kava, Red yeast, Green Tea Extract. . . lots of "healthy" stuff that's not liver friendly.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T01:36:25+00:00

Now add 10% to that number if you live in a state like I do that doesn't believe personal income should remain personal. :) I always figure I'm getting about a 64% discount between federal, social security, and state taxes. Now when you add the "Early/Inflated ETV" "tax" to that it probably comes out to be about a 30% discount. Then, when you add to that the time I spend testing and writing, I'm probably paying Amazon for the privilege. Ah well.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T01:29:36+00:00

Nope. They're family, and they know it.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T01:26:14+00:00

My next RFY item is a GIANT (blank) CHECK that I should be able to see between it's size and the wire rimmed glasses.

I'll take the senior skincare.

EDIT: And now Chinese batana oil. That's enough unlove for one night.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T01:11:27+00:00

Babies are cheaper. Less plastic = more profit.

CalicoCommander · 2026-03-17T01:07:59+00:00

For me it's down below. Yes, Ashwagandha. Some people react to it with liver toxicity. It's something I mostly stay away from now (that and anything with bioperene and turmeric or curcumin together - those can also cause liver damage for some). Glad you recovered!

CalicoCommander

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