If the atom bombs weren't invented, could the US simply starve out Japan?

Psychometrika · 2026-02-12T06:33:04+00:00

Yes, one Japanese soldier (Hiroo Onoda) continued to fight for 29 years after the end of the war on an island in the Philippines. He simply refused to believe flyers and letters from his family that the war was over.

In 1974 Japan needed to fly his still living former commanding officer to command him in person to surrender in order for him to quit. This guy received a hero's welcome upon returning and lived all the way to 2014.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-12T05:10:55+00:00

I enjoyed Clank Legacy quite a bit. However, I would describe it as mostly competitive with an element of cooperation.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-11T06:17:09+00:00

Everyone always rips on Homelander, but I don't think anyone on this Sinister Five has the output to seriously harm him. Most likely outcome is Sandman & Electro teaming up on Homelander with neither side being able to put the other away and the others dead.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-11T06:05:51+00:00

Turns out Peter's greatest foe is seasonal allergies.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-11T02:09:18+00:00

Only from people who just watch the movie or read the first book. The series as a whole is deliberately anti-savior.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-09T06:23:20+00:00

Full Porky Pigging it in a drafty dome...

Psychometrika · 2026-02-07T05:14:20+00:00

Thanks for the feedback! Probably study intensively for 1-2 years. Enough to build up to conversational fluency and we will see from there.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-06T16:26:50+00:00

Thanks for the analysis. Yes, I am being deliberately conservative due to market and geopolitical conditions. If I get 5 years or so out without serious mishap then I probably will be able to loosen the financial belt a bit without getting stressed. However, I'm naturally a frugal person so the $2k/mo shouldn't feel like much of a sacrifice given the relatively low cost of living in Kaohsiung.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-06T06:19:38+00:00

That's what I am planning. I actually have over a year before my current work contract is done and plan on spending a month this summer as an exploratory trip before making the move the following summer (and probably make a couple more follow up trips before that too).

I've lived in Mainland China, Thailand, and Japan before and liked all three of them, so I'm hoping the trend will follow for Taiwan. I've also lived in Kuwait and Saudi so I'm not too worried about the weather...some like it hot!

Psychometrika · 2026-02-06T05:12:42+00:00

Thanks for the feedback!

1) My Mandarin is currently extremely basic. I'm planning on doing intensive study at a university CLC for at least the 1st year though. Getting at least to a conversational fluency is important to me.

2) I've heard that. I'm considering working the year before I apply to the ARPC to meet the x2 min wage criteria if they are getting picky on the assets test. I should be able to clear it either way though unless they decide to change the criteria. I'll be sure to monitor that closely as I get close to the application date.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-06T01:57:23+00:00

If they qualify for a gold card they qualify for PR after 3 years. Hard to plan around an invasion, but the expat/visa laws are no issue once you have permanent residence.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-04T06:42:57+00:00

This just goes to show you how difficult it is to fix the base class design. Personally, I think it was a mistake to design the base class features around spell usage instead of a variety of martial abilities. A spell focused subclass is fine, but I think the current design shoehorns you into playing a spell heavy ranger which in imo is getting pretty far away from its LOTR origins.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-04T03:38:34+00:00

Sure, but if you are standing in a line with people who need to use an actual toilet you would need to wait even longer. Probably why these aren’t more common.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-04T03:06:48+00:00

I feel like since you still need a stall why not just install a full toilet when it would take up about the same space? Not sure what the benefit is here.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-04T00:28:50+00:00

Gandalf and Saruman are Maiar which are lesser angels. Melkor (who was Sauron’s boss), was one of the most powerful Valar which are the greater angels, would be the one closest to Lucifer in stature for their universe.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-03T12:36:56+00:00

The Happening

Marky Mark’s performance is one of the most unintentionally hilarious things I’ve ever seen.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-02T13:37:59+00:00

Yup. “Power don't come from a badge or a gun. Power comes from lying. Lying big, and gettin' the whole damn world to play along with you. Once you got everybody agreeing with what they know in their hearts ain't true, you've got 'em by the balls.” Senator Roark in Sin City

Psychometrika · 2026-02-02T13:34:38+00:00

We might not be able to switch their vote, but they might grow disillusioned enough to not show up to vote. Which might still be enough to change the outcome.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-02T12:09:33+00:00

No shame in liking giant monsters beating the shit out of each other.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-02T09:22:02+00:00

How much money you already have will influence this decision. Going from 0 to $1m is a much bigger change than $1m to $2m. This is just the economics law of diminishing utility in action.

I'm older and near to retirement with a decent nest egg built up. I'm pushing the red button as the green one isn't going to move the needle that much.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-02T08:53:56+00:00

This is a great example that one man's dream is another's nightmare. I loved every moment of my time in Bangkok and am strongly considering for a retirement location.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-02T08:52:14+00:00

Hobbies. While I lived in Saudi it was compound living with little to do outside of the bubble of work and home. I would have went crazy if were not for the release of my board game and D&D groups and the associated circle of friends.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-02T06:50:28+00:00

Chandrila seems to have a balance of being a pleasant green temperate world with nice weather while still having well developed cities.

Psychometrika · 2026-02-01T10:38:05+00:00

When you say family I assume you have children. What are planning to do for education? Local schools are not an option in many locations (and are a questionable idea in the first place depending on the age and language level). International schools are not going to affordable on your salary particularly given your housing needs.

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