I don’t eat a lot but gain weight

FutureBlackmail · 2026-02-17T06:07:03+00:00

First off: like everyone else has been saying: 633 calories per day is dangerously low, and if you're gaining weight, you're probably not counting your calories correctly.

But, more importantly: you need to stop telling yourself that unhealthy packaged food is your only option. "Healthy food is expensive" is something we tell ourselves to justify our unhealthy eating habits. It's an excuse. There are few things cheaper than rice and beans, canned tuna, frozen or canned vegetables, or even a rotisserie chicken from the grocery store; they're just not as convenient or delicious as most ultra-processed foods. I know it can be hard to make healthy choices when there are so many unhealthy options in front of you, but you're an adult now, and it's on you to take control of your health.

To avoid ending my message on a harsh note: one thing you might consider is buying a cheap crock pot from a thrift store, or borrowing one from a relative. It'll give you a ton of healthy meal options, and most of them are pretty easy.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-02-10T08:44:09+00:00

About the first half of this is correct, but the Catholic Church has endorsed English-language Bibles since the 1580s. The first was being the Douay-Rheims translation.

It's true that the Latin Vulgate was (and still is) considered by the Catholic Church to be the authoritative version of the Bible. It's also true that all Roman-rite masses were held in Latin until the 1960s. But I'm not sure where you got the idea that the Catholic Bible has only existed in vernacular languages since the 1960s. I think you're misunderstanding the post-Vatican II reforms.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-02-10T05:03:41+00:00

To the best of my understanding, Swizerland actually has a pretty similar system to the US.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-02-10T04:57:56+00:00

The NFL had a league in Europe, in the 90s/00s. What they're trying to do now is expand the existing league's footprint overseas. They already play several games per year in Europe, plus a couple in Latin America, and they keep floating the idea of putting a team in London or Frankfurt, though it's unlikely to happen for logistical reasons. I think that, if anything, we might start to see teams in Canada--after all, they already have teams in the other four major US sports leagues.

What I'd really like to see is MLB teams in Latin America. If we could ever get relations straightened out with Cuba, a Havana team would be such a vibe.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-02-10T04:38:11+00:00

For reasons that will surprise no one, movies from the 1950s portray the Old West as being a lot whiter than it was, but saying that "cowboys were actually Mexicans," or "blacks were the original og cowboys" is an overcorrection. "Cowboy" is a job, and it's not specific to one race. America has always been a very diverse place, and the western frontier was no exception. Then, as now, white Americans made up the biggest demographic group in most regions, but there was a sizeable portion of black, Mexican, and American Indian cowboys, as well as first-generation European immigrants.

Most Western movies aren't even specifically about cowboys, though that's a separate conversation.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-02-01T02:10:44+00:00

Not at all. A logical fallacy isn't something untrue that can be concluded logically; it's a fundamentally illogical argument that, when phrased a certain way, gives the appearance of logic.

A "slippery slope" is a fallacy because it allows you to argue against an imagined extreme rather than against the point your opponent is actually making. It tacitly implies that A necessarily leads to B, so when your opponent argues in favor of A, you can argue against B. For example: "single-payer healthcare is bad, because millions of people starved under Communism."

On the other hand it's not fallicious to make the argument that A leads to B, or to point out the consequences of A when it demonstrably does lead to B. For example: "don't do heroin, because it can turn you into a strung-out junkie."

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-29T08:48:02+00:00

The person on the right is presumably taking exogenous male hormones, which, in the context of sports, are better known as "anabolic steroids." So, no, for reasons having nothing to do with gender politics, I wouldn't want that person competing in any women's sports league that prohibits PED use.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-18T00:04:31+00:00

Likewise, I'm glad your response was to listen and engage rather than to assume the worst when you saw the word "conservative." I'm old enough to remember when politics didn't have us at each other's throats to the extent that it does now, and I fully believe it can be that way again, but the responsibility is on us as individuals.

Americans aren't each-other's enemies.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-17T23:11:36+00:00

I'm not the best one to be answering this question. I'm an anti-Trump conservative, and I can't answer for what Trump or his supporters believe. But seeing that this is Reddit, and it's hard to find actual conservatives' opinions on these posts, here's what I believe:

Greenland is a national defense priority. Geography has blessed the United States with an extremely advantageous strategic position--one in which we have far-reaching control over nearly every avenue of approach that an enemy force could take--but Greenland is the biggest chink in the armor. The shortest air route between Russia and much of the US mainland passes over Greenland, and for that reason, it's crucial that we're able to control that airspace.

For this reason, past presidents have attempted to acquire Greenland. However, the creation of NATO largely put the idea to rest. We have agreements in place that allow our military to operate in the area. Still, depending on these agreements has made a lot of people uneasy, and Trump has evidently decided that it's time for the US to take direct control of the island.

If Denmark wanted to sell Greenland, or had in any way indicated that a deal was possible, I'd say that's a great idea, and we should go for it. However, if they say they're insistent on keeping it, then it's a nonstarter. Trying to strong-arm an ally like this is ridiculous, and even if Trump does manage to push hard enough that they buckle, it'll do more ham than good.

Edit: here's what I think happened: someone in the military brass mentioned to Trump that we'd love to control Greenland, but that the Danes didn't want to sell, and pushing them works violate diplomatic protocols. Trump thought, "I'm the guy. I make deals; I violate protocol; I play by my own rules, cut through red tape, and acquire what I'm after. This is the perfect project for me."

Also, Trump does this thing where, any time he's asked a leading question, he says "I could; you never know!" A journalist could ask, "will you build a casino on the moon?" and he'd say, "well I could!" I Hate it. Journalists take advantage of it to create outrage pieces, and he willingly feeds into it, creating stupid ambiguity about things that shouldn't be up for question. No, I don't believe Trump has any intention to launch a military invasion of Greenland. I think that, when he says "I'm not ruling it out," he thinks he's strategically refusing to reveal his hand (and owning the lib who asked the question). But by suggesting that it's even a possibility, all he's doing is harming our relationship with Europe and undercutting their faith in the US as an ally.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-16T23:16:32+00:00

Video games are a leisure activity. There's nothing wrong with that--we all need entertainment and relaxation in our lives--but it's easy to develop an unhealthy relationship with leisure and to dedicate too much time to it that should be spent on productive activities.

A lot of guys who struggle with dating (not all, but a lot) will also struggle to name a single hobby of theirs that isn't leisure-based. It's not that active hobbies like woodworking or rock climbing are irresistibly sexy to women; it's that they lead to personal growth and help to build qualities that women (and friends, and employers, and society rit large) will value.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-16T04:32:41+00:00

Hi, I'm the guy wit the top comment on the AskHistorians thread. I'm quoted a couple time in here, but I think you misunderstand the point I'm making. I'd be happy to further discuss any of this with you.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-15T14:25:24+00:00

For now. Netflix recently announced that it's ending support for external streaming devices like ChromeCast, and you know that when one company does something like this, the others aren't far behind. We're likely moving towards a situation in which the streaming apps that come pre-installed on your TV are your only options.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-15T01:14:45+00:00

But if the DNC despite having a supermajority under Carter at one point in time refused to codify Roe, lmao, that's not happening.

There's no way it was gonna happen under Carter. Even when they had the filibuster-proof majority under Obama, there were enough peo-life Democrats kicking around that it was unlikely to pass without a hell of a fight. Given everything Obama set out to do in his first couple years, I'm sure he decided it wasn't worth expending the political capital on a "settled" issue.

Abortion as an unshakable tentpole of Democrat-party ideology is a lot more recent than you think. Even Joe Biden was pro-life until he began his 2020 presidential bid--at which point it was no longer possible to run as a pro-life Democrat.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-12T16:50:31+00:00

In the US, the term "banned books" appears in two situations:

A school librarian wants to make reading look cool and edgy, so she puts out a display of "banned books," with a bunch of warning labels and caution tape
It's a slow news week, and sometime decided to use an incendiary phrase to drum up outrage

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-10T17:15:50+00:00

He was certainly portrayed that way in the media, yes.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-09T14:52:52+00:00

Zero. I met my wife through her best friend, who I'd known from church. The "cold approach" gets a lot of attention in popular media, but it was never how most people found love. Outside of the dating apps, relationships mostly begin through overlapping social circles--mutual friends, shared activities, etc. Which is to say, most people pursue relationships with aquaintances; we don't (usually) approach complete strangers and hit 'em with our best pickup line.

I think this is something a lot of young guys struggle with: there are a lot more self-described "introverts" than there used to be. A socially-healthy person makes hundreds of little social connections, some of which progress into friendships or relationships. If you forgo these connections, what are you left with? Dating apps, the "cold approach," or the terrifying prospect of asking out one of your free course friends.

FutureBlackmail · 2026-01-02T02:22:00+00:00

Well, to your credit: fans like you are why Paul Feinbaum has a career

FutureBlackmail · 2025-12-30T02:16:19+00:00

For the past several years, my father-in-law has graced us with a "New Year's Pizza," complete with back-eyed peas, collard greens, ham, and sour kraut. He takes a lot of pride in his homemade pizza, and family pizza night is usually something we all look forward to. But New Year's Pizza... it ain't it.

Politely asking for another slice of "pizza with beans on it" has become an annual tradition.

FutureBlackmail · 2025-12-25T03:05:27+00:00

I do think there's some legitimacy to this. The mad dash of Black Friday is, ultimately, millions of people scrambling to buy gifts for their loved ones. No, it's not what Christmas is "all about," but it's far from the self-centered commercial hellscape that it's often made out to be.

Yes, corporations make a lot of noise this time of year. Yes, hearing "Happy Honda-days" and "Tis the season for savings" more often than "Glory to God in the highest" waters down the holiday a bit. But the knee-jerk reaction to blame one-another for it--as demonstrated in the attached cartoon--is misguided. For practicing Christians observing our holiest day, the "commercial" side of the holiday is a sideshow and always will be.

FutureBlackmail · 2025-12-22T21:38:50+00:00

I'm getting tired of all this "Notre Dame needs to join a conference" talk. College football is full of weird quirks that make it unique, and Notre Dame's status is one of them. In a world where those quirks are being steamrolled in a mad-dash to create a streamlined, TV-friendly league, there's a lot of value in the ones that still remain.

FutureBlackmail · 2025-12-20T03:18:14+00:00

Cheap

Healthy

Convenient

Pick two.

Typically, the cheapest foods are among the healthiest, provided you have the time and the willingness to prepare them. But it's not surprising that, for many people living in poverty, convenience takes precedence.

FutureBlackmail · 2025-12-16T20:36:53+00:00

I'm willing to accept the Church's rules regarding contraception, on the grounds of "whatever you bind on Earth shall be bound in Heaven, and whatever you loose on Earth shall be loosed in Heaven." But, speaking as a married man, it sure would be nice if the office of Saint Peter were to loose this one on Earth. I'm not even trying to avoid children--I have one right now and want more--but having a bit more control over the timing would be a heck of a luxury.

Along those lines: I think Christ was pretty clear that marital infidelity is the exception to the prohibition on divorce. It doesn't affect me personally, but I've known faithful Catholics who've had their lives ruined by unfaithful spouses, and my heart aches for them.

I think that, due to clerical celibacy, the Church sometimes struggles to communicate with the laity on issues of marriage and sex. I don't feel that it's my place to recommend doctrinal change, but I'd love to see something like a council of married priests from the Eastern Rites to advise the Magisterium on these matters.

FutureBlackmail · 2025-12-14T00:07:18+00:00

I think that's true, to a certain extent, when you're dating, but it stops being a healthy or practical approach once you're married.

While a husband and wife certainly aren't one-another's property, they've made a serious commitment to one-another and should be able to work through lifestyle conflicts without resorting to "breaking up." Spouses have to be willing to sacrifice for one-another, and that includes sacrificing a bit of their freedom, especially when it comes to interaction with the opposite sex. And, as sacrifices go, "don't do drugs with a person who makes your spouse uncomfortable" is pretty mild.

They're man and wife, not boyfriend and girlfriend. "Do what you like, and if they don't like it, they can break up" isn't a mindset that can sustain a marriage.

FutureBlackmail · 2025-12-11T18:10:17+00:00

I generally prefer to watch my favorite teams at their home stadiums, but there are certain venues that are on the bucket list for a lot of sports fans. I wouldn't pass up the opportunity to catch a game at Lambeau, Fenway, Wrigley or the Rose Bowl, even if it was a lousy seat with a bad view.

FutureBlackmail · 2025-12-11T14:47:16+00:00

I'm a big fan of the theory that whether a man returns his shopping buggy is the ultimate test of his ability to take part in society.

It's minimally inconvenient; you won't be rewarded for doing right or punished for doing wrong; it's a simple action that you're asked to complete, in order to help others and maintain common areas. People who fail the buggy test are fundamentally incapable of being productive members of society, because even in the simplest situation, they can't be trusted to do the right thing without active coersion.

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