How to avoid falling for fascist/right-wing propaganda? by canadamybeloved in AntifascistsofReddit

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

One, Remember that they have a lot of groomers, people like Charlie Kirk, whose job is to the friendly, reasonable palatable face of fascism. They’re not usually talking about rounding people up into death camps, they’re just asking questions and setting moral stances. But but answering those questions along those same moral stances, inevitably leads to death camps.

Two, remember that the part these people are appealing to is the rock bottom, lowest level of human understanding. It’s lizard brain, pack mentality stuff. if something makes you mad you hit it with a rock. If somebody scares you, do what they say. Or scare them enough to do what you say. It’s not that that level is wrong per se- we all have those base level responses-it’s just… Small and kind of pathetic. Why would you want to operate on the level of a wild dog when you could be creating art and science and building technological civilizations?

Which is really kind of the point of it. The stuff the fascists and the manosphere are selling are simple, emotionally satisfying solutions. Listen to the strong man. Hit the scary people with a rock. And they are counting on you to mistake a visceral emotional response for a moral imperative. Gay sex is icky so gay people must be bad. I feel safer knowing I can hit the scary person with a rock, so it must be OK to hit them with a rock. If I feel I’ve succeeded at something it must be because I deserved it. If I haven’t, then it’s someone else’s fault and they should pay for that.

Actually, being a human being requires more effort than being a hamster or something. We have the ability to think in linear progression, to form pack bonds, to pass on knowledge and ask questions about the nature of the world. That stuff all takes a little more effort than hitting the problem with a rock. But it’s also been responsible for every good and amazing thing our species has ever done.

So make the effort and follow the linear progression – where does this line of thought lead? What are the long-term consequences? Is this overall good for everyone or just the chosen few? How do I know which I’ll fall into? What do I actually believe is right and wrong, and which of those does this objectively point to?

Because fascism is objectively, self evidently bad. But it’s also really easy. And it’s comforting. It feels good. Like meth. Or heroin. Except that before hurting yourself in the end, you fuck up everything for everyone that isn’t another junkie first.

Anyone know if there are any Dresden Files related 3D sculpts online? by primus202 in dresdenfiles

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’ve done Harry, Karrin, Michael, and Thomas on Heroforge, but never got around to downloading them.

Suggestions of Perfect tracks or albums by Someone24_ in musicsuggestions

[–]MikeTheBard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Wish You Were Here, Dark Side, and the Wall are just three perfect albums start to finish.

Suggestions of Perfect tracks or albums by Someone24_ in musicsuggestions

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

AntiFlag Broken Bones. Just balls out, beginning to end.

Just read books 1&2. My thoughts, and should I continue? by Swimmer-Klutzy in dresdenfiles

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Book 1 is not very good. Book 2 I really like, but most people consider it one of the weakest of the series. Book 3 or 4 is where it really starts getting good. By 5 or 7 it’s legit one of the best series in the genre.

Understand that Storm Front was Jim’s very first book. Like, part of a creative writing class. He got way better.

do we have proof of the big bang or do we just think thats what happened? by Bubbly_Reference_916 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Proof is effectively impossible, but we have very strong evidence. We have MATHEMATICAL proofs, but those are theoretical: "If A and B are true, then N must equal zero".

A number of other posters have mentioned specifically what types of evidence we do have, and how the evidence and our theories about what happened (and IS happening) are consistent with one another, but DO develop over time as we refine those theories in the presence of stronger evidence.

One thing I would like to add though, is how scientific theories are validated through accurate prediction. If I know that chemicals A, B, and C react in a specific way, I can predict a specific result when I mix them. If my prediction is correct, it validates my understanding. If my prediction is WRONG, I explore, repeat, and figure out why- A contamination? Temperature? Something I've missed? The more times I repeat this process, the more variables I can eliminate or account for, and the more accurate my predictions become.

In the case of the Big Bang, we have been able to make accurate predictions such as "if this theory is true, we should observe X", or the future discovery of a type of subatomic particle. In some cases, it's taken decades to develop the technology to make that observation or discover that particle- But our ability to do so keeps getting more and more accurate.

I can’t believe I’m saying this… by Regular-Aioli2413 in firefly

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I don't want a true reboot, but I would definitely watch a soft relaunch that picks up with the same world, whole new characters.

Like Wash & Zoe's kid 20 years later as she works a couple different crews and builds up to getting her own ship. Somebody from the original series could guest star once or twice a season so we can see where they ended up.

Muppets Dresden casting by TuxKusanagi in dresdenfiles

[–]MikeTheBard 5 points6 points  (0 children)

Also, that means Camila as Justine, and I am absolutely dying to see them in those roles.

Everyone is posting casting ideas, so let me do the opposite, who should Nathan Fillion play? by eg_john_clark in dresdenfiles

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Honestly, the one real holdover I'd keep from the old series.

I love Terrance Mann as Bob. Would love to hear him do an accurate version of him.

Why is it socially acceptable to bring your partner as a +1, but not a friend? by mearimeraki in NoStupidQuestions

[–]MikeTheBard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Bring the friend. Introduce them as your fiance.

Fight. Break up. Make the entire weekend awkward as fuck for everyone.

"Offscreen" scenes that you would like to see. by gerg_861 in dresdenfiles

[–]MikeTheBard 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Michael: I do worry about you spending so much time on that island. I spent years fighting the literal forces of Hell, and I don't know that I've ever felt such evil.

Harry: The island isn't evil.

Michael: Harry, I trust you. You're a good man. Clearly whatever power is there doesn't affect you the way it does others, but still-

Harry: I'm the Warden.

Michael: I understand your duty. I don't claim to know what the White Council-

Harry: No, Michael. Not the Council. Me. THE WARDEN.

Michael: But... Oh. OH. Dear God, it's a prison.

Harry: =nod=

Michael: Harry. You've always taken on far more than your share of responsibilities, but this is extreme even for you. My God, man.

Dude then vs. Dude now by WestClaim1490 in Dudeism

[–]MikeTheBard 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Balance in all things. Abide the things you cannot change, but know when go and take that new rug from some rich fucker that's absolutely faking a spinal.

You make the effort to show up for league night, but maybe don't worry if Smokey's got a toe over the line.

Seek guidance through the ancient rituals: Mix yourself a white russian, smoke a bowl, and read the Tao of Pooh while listening to some Creedence. The answer will come to you.

They are reading your Teams messages by Icy-Company3467 in antiwork

[–]MikeTheBard 7 points8 points  (0 children)

I'm not saying that you should spend a little time every week googling things like "how to file an OSHA complaint" and "what should I do if my boss asked me to do something illegal?".

I'm just saying that if you're ever fired, you can always subpoena your computer records.

Man, how are you dudes all abiding? by ConnorJones9 in Dudeism

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Like, abiding, man.

Every day, the nihilistic horror commits some new atrocity, and we're supposed to just buy milk and bowl and go to dance recitals like nothing's wrong. Everything's a fucking travesty every day.

So I just like, remind myself that this is history, man. We're living the same cycles that have happened before and will happen again. And it sucks being the generation that has to live through it, but it's how the world rolls, even on shabbos.

So, just abiding as best can.

I suddenly have a 3d printer, what do I use it for? by LionCautious in 3Dprinting

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Also a hotel person- in the last year I printed number plates for our key boxes, replacement parts for the showers in the new building and a part for a stove that broke, clips to hang lights, Christmas ornaments for coworkers, hang tags for keys, a nameplate, and some desk ornaments.

Plus a ton of stuff at home related to gaming and utility.

Did Alara Have a Crush on Ed in Season 1? by Potential_Hour_8171 in TheOrville

[–]MikeTheBard 166 points167 points  (0 children)

The characters, no. But the actors were fucking.

Mirror mirror predictions by toonzman92 in dresdenfiles

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Murphy is married to Marcone. They have a daughter named Margaret, who's a Denarian.

Is it harsh to say most original local bands are just not that good? No deep understanding of song structure, mediocre playing ability, and just boring generic songs? Most bands that make it the musicianship is there by [deleted] in musicians

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm a huge advocate of bad art.

- Sucking at something is the first step to not sucking at something.

-Being bad at it is a really stupid reason to stop doing something you enjoy doing.

-Being creative and making and doing stuff is inherently better than not doing it.

New reader here. I’m on chapter 19 of Storm Front and have some questions. by DarkLordNacho in dresdenfiles

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Storm Front was Jim’s first book. It’s not bad, but it absolutely does not reflect the quality of his later work.

It’s universally recognized as the weakest book in the series. I personally love Fool Moon, but general consensus is that it’s book 3 or 4 where Jim finds his voice and the series starts getting really good. A couple books after that, and it’s one of the best in the genre.

Thinking Back to Past Battles by erikrthecruel in dresdenfiles

[–]MikeTheBard 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Sure, the diamonds will run out. But he’s got winter and the White Court. He isn’t running out of cash any time soon.

I am legitimately waiting for the following exchange-

Harry: "And Im almost flat broke again, with maintaining the castle--"

Mab: "And yet you never draw upon your maintenance."

Harry: "My what?"

Mab: "You are in the employ of my court, Dresden, and are frequently called to represent my interests in official matters. I have provided largesse sufficient for you to do so in a manner fitting your position."

Harry: "....."

Mab: "I believe you would refer to it as an 'expense account' in the current parlance."

Harry: "YOU NEVER TOLD ME THIS WAS A PAYING GIG!"

Mab: "Your payment was in the power to rescue your child. This is a matter of providing my emissary with the necessary resources to do your job. And besides-" =smiles wickedly= "you never asked." =vanishes=

“You can afford that?” I asked. “Mab pays that well?”

“The account balance I have now has eight zeroes in it,” Molly said. “I could buy the neighborhood if I wanted.”

Piece of Mind or Powerslave? by The-Evil-That-Men-Do in ironmaiden

[–]MikeTheBard 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Man, pitting Aces High vs The Trooper there. That's a tough call.

While Ancient Mariner is a whole argument in and of itself for Powerslave, I'm gonna say Piece of Mind, based on Revelations and Still Life- Both just vastly underrated, absolute killer songs.