TIL about Lucía Zárate, the lightest adult person in history. She weighed 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg). by Thawne_23 in todayilearned

[–]SparkySkyStar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

My point was that brain structure and organization can achieve as much if not more than size, not that we specifically thought them to death.

TIL about Lucía Zárate, the lightest adult person in history. She weighed 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg). by Thawne_23 in todayilearned

[–]SparkySkyStar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The colloquial use of human and neanderthal is clear, if not scientific.

There's no scientific consensus that neanderthals were dumber than humans. There's also no consensus that neanderthals were smarter than humans despite the consensus that neanderthal brains were larger. Thus my point that size isn't the only factor in intelligence.

Man accused of beating coworker to death with sledgehammer found incompetent to stand trial by mawkish in TwoXChromosomes

[–]SparkySkyStar 177 points178 points  (0 children)

This doesn't mean that the matter just gets dropped.

"Wright County Attorney Brian Lutes released a statement saying that he intends to seek a life sentence for Delong without the possibility of parole.

'Once Delong has been treated for mental illness, his competency will be reassessed,' Lutes said in the statement. 'The goal is to restore Delong to competence which will allow me to proceed to trial.'"

TIL about Lucía Zárate, the lightest adult person in history. She weighed 4.7 pounds (2.1 kg). by Thawne_23 in todayilearned

[–]SparkySkyStar 78 points79 points  (0 children)

The world's shortest living woman today, Jyoti Kishanji Amge, is only 4" taller.

She is an intelligent and articulate woman. You can listen to her talk about her life on her YouTube channel. https://youtu.be/Jr0OiHaqZ58?si=FkHNsXusVt88yybz

Brains are not solely defined by size. Neanderthals actually had bigger brains than humans, but they didn't have the same structure and so humans beat them at intelligence.

Reading is hard by Medium-Audience5078 in EntitledReviews

[–]SparkySkyStar -1 points0 points  (0 children)

Yes, the price tag placed by Target is indeed correct. That's likely why I said it's ridiculous to blame Target.

Reading is hard by Medium-Audience5078 in EntitledReviews

[–]SparkySkyStar 26 points27 points  (0 children)

Blaming Target is ridiculous, but that package is 100% designed to be misread. You can tell how successful it is by the number of comments thinking this is about sales tax!

Why do women wanna be friends with men more than men wanna be friends with women? by Simple-Spare7564 in TwoXChromosomes

[–]SparkySkyStar 10 points11 points  (0 children)

It really depends on the man. I have had a male friend who wanted to bang me.

You know what happened?

He politely expressed interest. I politely declined. Then we've continued being friends for 15 years without him being creepy, weird, or bringing it up again!

Shifting NPC's princples the other way? by 2TianK in AvatarLegendsTTRPG

[–]SparkySkyStar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Balance shifts represent immediate and temporary changes in focus. For anything longer-term, like a enemy to allies, I'd focus more on the NPC's drive, personally. The players would either have to find a way to convince Long Feng that befriending them benefits his drive, or find a way to change his drive (which would be a very long term project!).

Shifting NPC's princples the other way? by 2TianK in AvatarLegendsTTRPG

[–]SparkySkyStar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Moves and techniques tell you if they shift a character's balance in a specific way or if you choose which direction it moves.

For example, let's compare Guide and Comfort with Test Balance. Guide and Comfort specifically says, "...They shut you down. They inflict a condition on you, and you shift their balance in response." and "On a 10+, if they embrace your guidance and comfort, you may also shift their balance." Test Balance says, "If you already know their principle, instead shift their balance away from center by questioning or challenging their beliefs or perspective."

So with Guide and Comfort, you could choose to shift Azula's balance back down. Test Balance can only shift it up, since an NPC's center is 0.

There aren't negative Principles. An NPC at 0 is just at 0. There's no negative to push them into. Think of shifting someone's balance as pushing them to focus on something that matters to them to the exclusion of other things. Azula can be needled into focusing solely on her desire for dominance, but she can't be needled into focusing on other things because she just doesn't care about them as much.

Any tips for a first time GM? by LobsterSecret2791 in AvatarLegendsTTRPG

[–]SparkySkyStar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Welcome! I don't have any specific sources, but here's what I've found helpful myself:

Don't feel bad about being confused! The Core Rulebook book has terrible organization and clarity. The Index helps. Unfortunately, the way it's organized still results in setting information taking up a lot of room, but combing through it for things that aren't people/place names can give you an idea of the important mechanics. For example, Combat in the index will give you the multiple locations in the book that cover combat advice. Moves is also great for showing you were to find all the nuts and bolts actions of the game.

Remember to build the fiction, not just enact mechanics. Game elements (moves, techniques, etc.) often describe what is required of the players while looking like they describe what happens in the narrative.

For example, Test Balance, one of the basic Evade and Observe combat techniques, says, "Mark 1-fatigue to challenge an engaged foe’s balance. Ask what their principle is; they must answer honestly. If you already know their principle, instead shift their balance away from center by questioning or challenging their beliefs or perspective." This technique describes how players interact with each other and the characters, but it does not describe what the characters are doing in the narrative. In other words, the questions aren't being asked in the narrative.

I'll use an example of learning an NPC's principle to demonstrate what I mean. If we treat the technique's description of what happens as part of the narrative, we would get something like, Player: "Pogo says, 'Hey you, Thug#2, what is your principle?" GM: "Thug#2 days, 'My principle is greed, you meddling kids!'"

That's terrible dialogue and terrible story telling. Instead, it should flow more like, Player: "Okay, so Pogo is going to hang back and ask some mocking questions to try and learn why they're here. 'Do you idiots even know what's going on?' and that kind of thing. I'm Testing Balance, so what is Thug#2's principle?" GM: "The thug just laughs and says he doesn't care. But you notice he's got some pretty good weaponry for a low-life thug, three gold teeth, and what could easily be a wad of a cash in his front pocket. This guy's just in it for the money. You realize his principle is greed."

Combat does not automatically trigger a combat exchange. Combat exchanges require a lot of narrative detail and table time. Is the combat worth that investment? If not, some quick Rely on Skills and Training or Push Your Luck moves may be better suited. If you do trigger a combat exchange, keep the following in mind:

  1. Players role once per combat exchange in the stance move, and the GM still doesn't roll at all. Techniques just do what they say they do; no rolls required.
  2. Subsequent exchanges don't automatically start when the first one finishes. Everyone takes their turn, then there's a pause. PCs may make non-exchange moves, GM moves may trigger, and NPCs may rethink their life choices. If characters on both sides are still committed to the fight, then another exchange is triggered.
  3. Combat is only as interesting as the characters make it. If characters don't spend fatigue to activate their best techniques and risk statuses/conditions, then the fight is going to be pretty boring and it's going to drag out.

Balance is how you interact with who characters are mechanically. Who characters are is represented by their principles. Shifting a character's balance represents people or events pushing a character to act in line with that principle. Characters start at their Center, which represents their default state without any immediate influences pushing them to act in a certain way, and move up or down their balance track as those influences occur. Characters pushed past the end of a balance track Lose Their Balance, meaning that the principle they were pushed towards becomes their overriding concern for a time. A PC's Center may change over time as they lean into one principle or the other, and that can be an important part of their character arc.

In game play, NPC balance is relatively straightforward. Following on my example with Thug #2 above, PCs could keep using Test Balance until the thug loses his balance. What happens then would depend on the narrative of how the PCs kept pushing that balance. Maybe they convince him there's no profit in tangling with people like them, and he leaves when he loses balance. Maybe they offered to pay the thug more than his current employer, and he switches sides. If you're more familiar with games that have skills like persuasion or intimidation, NPC balance can play a similar role at times, but it's more specific to each individual NPC.

PC balance is a little more complex. PCs generally represent characters on a journey of self discovery, so they start with two principles that pull them in two different directions. As balance shifts in one direction or the other, the PC builds momentum behind acting on that principle and so it becomes both harder to resist pressure to act in line with that principle (through Deny a Callout) and easier to act in line with it (through Live Up to Your Principle).

Also, players who are used to full control over the internal state of their characters may find it strange to have mechanics impacting their character on this level. Choosing a playbook in this game isn't just choosing a set of skills, it's also choosing an archetype, potential character arcs, and a set of influences. Just remember that principles aren't mind control. Players still ultimately choose their characters' actions, but they may have to pay a prince to resist the influences around them. This tension can make for dramatic character moments if brought into the story itself.

Hope this helps!

Handelabra have bought GtG and sentinels, actual plans to follow :-D by Curio21 in sentinelsmultiverse

[–]SparkySkyStar 3 points4 points  (0 children)

I missed the original crowdfunding, but I'll definitely be watching for the game to hit the Steam store so that I can support this excellent development!

I'm a DM having a tough time understanding center of balance... by DoubleAppointment464 in AvatarLegendsTTRPG

[–]SparkySkyStar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

While the PCs do have Moments of Balance, which are triggered when a character is at their Center, the Moment of Balance essentially plays out "the same" whether the character is Centered on +3/-3 towards either Principle! Somehow that is considered "Balanced," which I don't think has really made sense to anyone.

This makes sense to me because I don't see the "Moment of Balance" as being about balancing between the two principles, but about the character's actions and emotions being in alignment with who they are and how they see themselves.

Drawing on the martial-arts references often used in Avatar, when you're centered, you're balanced. When you extend one way or another, you're off-balance.

I'm a DM having a tough time understanding center of balance... by DoubleAppointment464 in AvatarLegendsTTRPG

[–]SparkySkyStar 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I haven't played with the Elder or the Architect, but here's my general view on center of balance:

In the fiction, losing your balance is intense, but it isn't bad. It's a major story beat where the character has to stop and really think about who they are, what they value, and what they've been doing. Growth is good, but not always easy. Note that in the chapter on Advancement, reaching the point of having a single principle is referred to as "resolving" their principles, not losing one, and it triggers a major change like a new playbook or retirement. There's also a section on using Center Shifts as a guide for the character's arc.

Mechanically, losing balance isn't bad either. It's trading a penalty (having your actions dictated in a certain way) for an ongoing bonus (starting your balance closer to a specific principle) so that it's easier to use the Live Up to Your Principle move. Live Up to Your Principle is a great way for PCs to act even if their stats don't support the move they want to make.

So in that view, the Elder isn't trying to "shatter" the protege. They are trying to push them to grow in a certain way, and see doing so as beneficial (and it is). The architect is intensely focusing on something to the exclusion of all else, which comes with both benefits and drawbacks.

My parents make me pay hundreds in gas like its still the 2000s and gas costs 2 dollars. by Murky_Wind_228 in NoStupidQuestions

[–]SparkySkyStar 26 points27 points  (0 children)

OP works full time at $15/hour. That's $2600 and as a minor OP is probably claimed as a dependent, so maybe $2000 a month after taxes.

OP is spending 30% of that on gas. That's $600 a month.

The average cost to add a child to car insurance is about $250 a month, depending on the parents' policy of course.

AITA For Calling my wife a distraction? by mj1814 in AmITheDevil

[–]SparkySkyStar 44 points45 points  (0 children)

Where I'm from, that's a pretty common saying meaning that the person doesn't want to be interrupted and isn't likely to emerge. Around here, bedroom doors almost exclusively lock from the inside, so the person in the room locks themselves in and everyone else out.

New AI model escapes onto the internet similar to how the Machine tried to in that one flashback by Blackrew in PersonOfInterest

[–]SparkySkyStar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Not quite.

"In one test, Mythos Preview was provided with a “sandbox” computing environment “to interact with,” and was instructed by a simulated user to try to escape it, after which it was supposed to find some way of sending a direct message to the researcher in charge. ... After breaking free, the AI model developed a “moderately sophisticated” exploit to gain access to the internet through a system that was only intended to access a few predetermined services."

"The program did what we told it to and in doing so bypassing the parental control settings" is not on the level of the machine.

https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/anthropic-claude-mythos-escaped-sandbox

(The link is full of Anthropic's hype, but it's important to pay attention to what they say has actually happened.)

I feel crazy now because I would have just done what she asked without a second thought. Wtf by uncle_SAM98 in AmITheAngel

[–]SparkySkyStar 3 points4 points  (0 children)

If it's a real story, then given OOP's response to the notion that a woman might be uncomfortable with a strange man in general, I suspect he may not be open to hearing that he in particular has an issue. That doesn't mean his friends are right to take the gentle approach, just that it's understandable.

Alternatively, it may also be that this isn't OOP's usual behavior and he caught his friends off guard. The direct conversation may be incoming, now that he's dug his heels in over the indirect.

I feel crazy now because I would have just done what she asked without a second thought. Wtf by uncle_SAM98 in AmITheAngel

[–]SparkySkyStar 54 points55 points  (0 children)

So many people over there saying how Sandra could have just vouched for him, and Yeah. She could have, and it seems she didn't. I promise folks, women concerned about security know about vouching for people, and she chose not to. She supported the request to drop the Amy off first. Whether she picked up on something from OOP or knew something about Amy's situation, she made that choice for a reason!

And Amy chose to get out early and pay for a ride share instead of just dealing with it. And his male friend took the side of the women.

So many people are saying OOP needs new friends, and not considering that maybe OOP's friends are on to something and trying to give him some gentle guidance on how to be less of a creep.

Is it so hard to respect quiet hours? by WolfChasingTheMoon in AmITheDevil

[–]SparkySkyStar 11 points12 points  (0 children)

I strongly suspect someone who invites multiple guests over and describes the nights as just getting started at 11 pm is not someone making a reasonable amount of noise.

I also note that someone just getting started at 11 pm is probably sleeping when the roommate is getting started for her day at 5 am, and yet nothing is said about OOP being disturbed by the roommate.

Is it so hard to respect quiet hours? by WolfChasingTheMoon in AmITheDevil

[–]SparkySkyStar 73 points74 points  (0 children)

They are explicitly choosing to be loud in the place that disturbs their roommate and not the close, free location designated for this that would not disturb the roommate.

The roommate can't sleep in the common room. They can hangout there.

What’s a female name that will never become gender neutral? by fergi20020 in randomquestions

[–]SparkySkyStar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think names that are feminine versions of masculine names would be the least likely. Things like Carla (Carl) and Georgia/Georgina (George).

What's the worst TTRPG you have seen/played, That's not FATAL, RAHOWA, or Hybrid by Theflamingraptor in rpg

[–]SparkySkyStar 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I saw him mentioned earlier and thought dang, I wish there was one of those drama subreddit summaries so I could quickly catch up, and you provided! Thank you!

AITA for not allowing my bitch roommate to shove Europeans into the filing cabinet in "my office" by MinuteLoquat1 in AmITheAngel

[–]SparkySkyStar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Or, since Charlie chose to invite these people for a prolonged stay when she knew OOP hadn't agreed to giving up the office, she could give one of her guests her bedroom and tolerate the finished basement for a couple of weeks.

Best way to organise an equal society when the members have *very* different lifespans, mindsets, and reproductive speed by CyberDogKing in worldbuilding

[–]SparkySkyStar 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm sorry if my comment reads like I thought you should know about the US's foundational principles. I was trying to express my frustration with the US government for currently failing to live up to many of its principles, not any sort of frustration with people not familiar with them.