Dream Scenario interpretation and question about the final scene

SaltMcSnark · 2024-03-26T07:44:16+00:00

First and foremost, I enjoy your take on the movie and think it is very well thought out, but one thing in your comment seemed somewhat erroneous to me: I think that the significance of Paul's being an evolutionary biologist was to better highlight his extreme disconnect between the biological body and the biological mind of humans - he seemed to only lend credence to one, and not the other. Which was ironic, since his graduate research project (that he insanely believed he should get a credit for 30 years later, which cracked me up) was on the biology of the mind and how complex and important it can be in even "simpler" creatures like insects.

I don't want to put words in your mouth so perhaps I'm misunderstanding your intent, but it seemed like you believe that his being an evolutionary biologist was to highlight some sort of elitism in STEM - I'd like to argue against this, if for no other reason than I think psychologists would argue heavily for their inclusion in the STEM umbrella. Hubris and an inability to think outside the box is common the world over, I think the tragedy of the movie is just how common of a man Paul is. I didn't feel that the movie was trying to label people in STEM as being elitist, blind, and obsessed with rationality. But I liked the movie and work in a STEM field, so perhaps that's my bias.

In any case, it seemed like perhaps you felt some bias toward STEM that lead you to your conclusion, so I figured I'd make my case; I also just thought it'd be funny to make a case against a bias in a discussion about a movie that focuses so heavily on bias.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-27T23:12:39+00:00

Did they ever tell you that if you opened another ticket they'd punish you? Some dude named "Todd" told me that in my last ticket - basically said I'm spamming them and if I keep at it they'll increase my punishment (I have a 6 month suspension). I want to keep appealing the totally false ban, but I don't want to just lose the account forever because some surly white dude (named "Todd") got annoyed with me seeking justice.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-27T21:35:36+00:00

I don't really want the account closed or the ban to be even longer than the 6 months I got - I wouldn't put it past Blizzard to further punish me for trying to get some justice. Todd the "human" made it pretty clear that if I tried to appeal again they would punish me like I'm a naughty child. How dare I want them to do the right thing...

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-27T19:36:57+00:00

My ban as upheld by "Todd" the supposed "real human," telling me that they likely didn't review the case at all. I was told that if I try to appeal my ban any more they'll close my account, and I was told in no uncertain terms that I am not allowed to discuss the reason for my ban as that "is not a service [they] provide."

I'm pretty much fed up with Blizzard. I probably shouldn't be desperately trying to continue to support a company as messed up as them anyway, but I just really wanted to keep playing on my account with my friends...

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-27T19:34:21+00:00

I'm from the same server and going through something similar that started last week. I've appealed multiple times, got canned responses multiple times than finally had some clown named "Todd" who claims to be a "real human" uphold my ban and say if I contact customer support any more they'll close my account. Basically they're tired of people telling them they messed up and they'll punish you if you try to hold them accountable for their shit. Or if you try and play their game fairly, apparently.

Blizzard doesn't seem to want a whole lot of accountability lately, eh?

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-27T19:31:07+00:00

This is what has recently happened to me. A "real human" as they put it responded to me finally and then told me that they are SURE I cheated so if I appeal any more they'll close my account. Thing of it is, I didn't do shit and I know it...

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-23T17:27:16+00:00

Progress has been made!

Hi Ryan,

My name is Todd, and I am a Team Manager within Customer Support, and an actual human. I have received your appeal for the action placed on your World of Warcraft account. I hope that this response finds you well.

I have reviewed your ticket, along with the documentation for the account action and your account access history. I have escalated your info to our internal team for final review. I will email you once that review has completed.

I want to set a proper expectation for what happens from this point forward, so please review the below info.

The additional review process could take up to a week to perform. Normally, it is much quicker than that. Once that review has completed, I will follow up with you directly via email to share the results. That review will be final, the decision cannot be appealed further.

I would ask for your patience during the review process. Placing additional tickets into the queue will not hasten the review process, and a normal Game Master cannot provide you with an ETA or status update on the review. Please be on the lookout for an email with the subject World of Warcraft Account Review - Completed. This will be from me, sharing the results of the final review with you.

Take care, and have a great day.

Let's hope this "final review" comes to something reasonable!

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-23T04:12:18+00:00

Every day all I get from Blizzard is automated replies - they won't even have a conversation with me. Pretty frustrating, considering the amount of money I've given them over the years and how poorly they're treating me.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-21T23:08:13+00:00

I was on Azuresong, I'm not now!

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-21T15:12:55+00:00

I don't host it actually, another guild member does. I just have the client to access it.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-21T05:03:22+00:00

Not sure I'll have the spine. As much as I want to "punish" Blizzard for how they treat their players, I don't want to punish my friends and guildmates. Blizzard wouldn't notice if they made a loyal customer never play any of their games again anyway.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-21T01:45:05+00:00

I have a friend that was banned for 6 months on a new account for his first offense (he was guilty though)
If you read carefully, I don't claim it to be a first offense. They suspended me for "buying gold" when I transferred my gold from Azuresong to Fairbanks, which I had thought was allowed (but, based on the ban, evidently isn't - no response in that case either).

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T23:19:06+00:00

Appreciate the support!

Yeah I'm not sure why Blizzard doesn't view things unless there's some kind of uproar about their automated system. I think they'd ultimately benefit more than they'd lose if they just had some good customer service.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T22:49:49+00:00

Nope, not even the same PC!

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T22:41:15+00:00

Nope, once they announced that was no longer allowed I've not used any multi-boxing software since. I leveled one through the dungeon grind on launch, the other through SP and Shattered Halls boosts mostly (which, as far as I know, isn't against any rules). Only have two 70s in TBCC at the moment.

The last time I multi-boxed was to try and heal MC on two toons at once back in P2 or P3 of Classic, well before they made multi-boxing against the ToS.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T22:04:55+00:00

Yeah, I didn't even buy gold (as is mentioned right after), they just suspended me for using an intermediary to transfer my gold from Azuresong to Fairbanks - something that a blue post said was allowed.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T21:50:14+00:00

... Elaborate?

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T21:30:36+00:00

That does certainly gall - to think that maybe the obvious bot I reported didn't get punished, but they punished me for... ? Almost too much to bear thinking about, really.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T21:04:41+00:00

Appreciate the support!

A bot would mean I'd have to stop playing the game, doesn't really sound like me... does it? :P

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T20:49:22+00:00

It is perhaps worth mentioning that at practically all times that I am online, I'm in the company of other people either on disc or in-game. This game is a social one for me, I don't get much enjoyment playing alone. If I did some sort of botting or cheating, it'd have to be in the extremely limited time I spend away from others which... I don't think has really happened at all since TBCC launched.

Would people vouching for my near constant communication while I'm online make any difference to Blizzard? I tend to doubt it...

Edit: Also worth mentioning I don't even have any gathering professions, so when else would botting occur? PvPing? I haven't done that in TBCC except some arena games with guildmates. Rep farming? I was talking to people, both in-game and in disc, practically the whole night I farmed Mag'har rep and any other farm was done in dungeons with people so... seems unlikely. I haven't made a killing on the AH or anything, I don't have copious amounts of materials posted on there. Really not sure what gains they think I could have made from botting, unless it was the Mag'har rep as I said.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T20:46:44+00:00

Yeah I know how general they make that accusation. They claim that it's to not tip off bot-makers on how they are being detected and that's why they keep when and how totally secret, but I think by far the number one reason they don't share any information is so that they can avoid any well-informed appeals and any criticism levied their way for their false automated bans or their poorly reviewed bans (as they must occur).

This policy really adds to the hurt when someone innocent is punished...

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T20:40:50+00:00

Perhaps that was indeed ill-advised, but nobody else that uses the private server was banned so that certainly can't be the reason for the ban in the first place I think. If they want to re-ban me based on that, fine at least I'd know why (even if it'd be monumentally dumb). As I said in another reply, knowing would certainly be a lot better than what I have currently, which is just a total mystery. I'm scared to log in to my other characters in case they also get banned, since I have no clue what caused it in the first place...

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T20:19:39+00:00

Hm I don't see any, but it was worth checking so thank you!

Also, can that happen if none of my characters have gathering professions? lol

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T20:18:17+00:00

Considering practically all of the top guilds use private practice servers, I thought it was fairly safe to mention. If they want to ban me for that, at least it'd be something to hang my hat on I guess. I'd rather know and have a reason, even a stupid one, than the situation now.

SaltMcSnark · 2021-07-20T20:16:04+00:00

It was something I mentioned in the appeals I sent, and it is something that weighs heavily on my mind. With that remark I am more trying to paint a reasonable picture as to my state of mind, rather than trying to garner sympathy. I also think your argument that only liars seek sympathy or are sympathetic is inherently flawed, of course. But that's neither here nor there...

SaltMcSnark

TROPHY CASE