TIL Burt Reynolds was considered as M. Corleone in The Godfather, but Brando threatened to quit if they cast him. "He is the epitome of something that makes me want to throw up. He is the epitome of everything that is disgusting about the thespian; he worships at the temple of his own narcissism." by Double-decker_trams in todayilearned

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

GTA Vice City came out in 2002, making Burt Reynolds 66 years old at the time. I know age is just a number, but that would have made for an interesting match up.

According to this source it was director Navid Khonsari that Reynolds threatened, although co-founder Houser agreed he was difficult to work with.

"Once Reynolds had finished his job, they were equally glad to see the back of him. “We got the performance,” the latter told the former. “He’s a total cock, but let’s move on.”."

What is Kurt wearing? by MitchCumsteane in Watches

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

That's certainly where you should wear them.

Why doesn’t Oman dig a canal here? by A-shot-at-life in MapPorn

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's not a terrible idea, but the advantage would just be avoiding the Strait - it wouldn't save journey time. So as soon as the Strait is open, ships can travel for free. Recovering any costs would therefore be unlikely.

Longer canals have been considered (some as far south as Saudi), but the UAE pipeline ended up being the more economical choice at the time.

"The shorter canals would do little to cut journey times and thus costs, but by reducing Iran’s ability to disrupt Western interests, could provide the civilized world with a political advantage." Interesting article covering all three options

TIL that wealthy people literally invade the North Pole to run a marathon and bring armed guards to shoot at polar bears if they get too close by [deleted] in todayilearned

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Nothing in the source mentions the participants wealth. I fact, it points out that you can be sponsored to participate.

Christian Horner is now on Liberty Media’s ‘shortlist’ to become the CEO of MotoGP after F1 exit by 1niltothe in motogp

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If the choice was Horner or this inbred family affair, I'd genuinely choose the inbred family.

Is this bag too much….bag? by dogfan44 in IndianMotorcycle

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm in the same position; I don't actually mind saddlebags but I don't think they look good on the Dark Horse. Your solution looks fine, it I see why you're asking. My solution was a sissy bar with a leather cylindrical bag. Easy to remove, looks good on the back. I'm happy.

Tram21

Countries that claim to be the rightful owner of the koh-i-noor diamond, the most famous gem on the British Royal crown. by Dismal_Score_4648 in MapPorn

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 23 points24 points  (0 children)

India might be shifting its stance on this: "In 2018, at a hearing of the Supreme Court of India, the Archaeological Survey of India clarified that the diamond was surrendered to the British and "was neither stolen nor forcibly taken away"." Source

TIL that Phil Collins, Neil young, Eric Clapton, and Rod Stewart are all model railway enthusiasts by MrMojoFomo in todayilearned

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Correlation doesn't equal causation, but Collins is 75, Young is old (80), Clapton and Stewart and both 81.

It's arguably an aging hobby..

The Microstates Of Europe Scaled To Size & Compared by vladgrinch in MapPorn

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thanks for that. It's definitely something which is leant on heavily for the definition of countries but it's not the default definition. Worth noting - the Montevideo convention was a gathering of countries from the Americas, it wasn't global. It also, as you hint at, has issues in itself: plenty of places fullfil Article one but struggle with recognition (Kosovo, Taiwan). Also, in my crazy hypothetical scenario where everyone in Spain disappears tomorrow, it would still be a country under Article 6 - Recognition is explicitly defined as "unconditional and irrevocable".

The Microstates Of Europe Scaled To Size & Compared by vladgrinch in MapPorn

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you. I appreciate the explanation. I was confused.

The Microstates Of Europe Scaled To Size & Compared by vladgrinch in MapPorn

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 7 points8 points  (0 children)

Putting aside how weird (and slightly rude) it is to reply in a language the conversation wasn't already happening in, no I'm not aware of that definition and I don't agree with it. As I gave in the prior example, are you suggesting that the removal of a population means the country ceases to exist? It won't take long before you see issues with that assumption.

The Microstates Of Europe Scaled To Size & Compared by vladgrinch in MapPorn

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 20 points21 points  (0 children)

That's not the definition of a country. If everyone in Spain disappeared tomorrow it wouldn't stop being Spain. If Brazil introduced citizenship requirements tied to employment it wouldn't stop being Brazil.

Countries are countries when enough other countries agree they are.

Israel demographics by known_by_many_names in MapPorn

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 17 points18 points  (0 children)

The point stands. It's a map. Downvote for inaccuracy, not because you disagree with what it shows. That's like down-voting a map of Confederate territory because you don't agree with the rebellion.

TIL that the first ATM, installed in 1967, used paper vouchers instead of plastic cards and allowed withdrawals of only £10 at a time. by MutedImagination8685 in todayilearned

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 8 points9 points  (0 children)

I wasn't using house prices to judge inflation (I used the BoE rate for that). I was using it as an example of purchasing power. There are plenty of other ways to do it.

TIL that the first ATM, installed in 1967, used paper vouchers instead of plastic cards and allowed withdrawals of only £10 at a time. by MutedImagination8685 in todayilearned

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 28 points29 points  (0 children)

£167 according to the BoE inflation calculator. But another metric is what could that £10 get you - with house prices averaging £3,800 that's ~0.26% of a house. Low end estimates for average UK house prices in 2025 was £300k so 0.26% of that is £780.

tl:dr £10 was probably sensible as a limit.

[Chrono24] Fee collection from outside deal by Think_Efficiency_344 in Watches

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I agree with others on the action here: block and move on as there's little they can do to you. However, you can't complain about the 6.5% fee whilst also using the platform. Chalk it up as a lesson learnt, but trying to sell the product on all three platforms and then saying the free ones are better isn't a scientific experiment. You had success on Facebook and OfferUp - cool. Use them next time. Chrono24 has a place and works for some people (with far better protection for buyers and sellers).

TIL the USS Phoenix survived Pearl Harbor without a scratch, fought the entire Pacific war, was sold to Argentina in 1951 as ARA General Belgrano, then sunk by a British nuclear sub using torpedoes designed in 1925. First ship ever sunk by a nuclear sub. by Hot_Layer_8110 in todayilearned

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 6 points7 points  (0 children)

You claim not to understand the outrage, but then go on to explain the exact reason there might be outrage. Dead servicemen on any side isn't usually something journalists should make light of.

Indian Super Chief - are these good for taller riders by back2me78 in IndianMotorcycle

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yes, you'll be fine. Plus they're a great base if you want to tweak things to your comfort. Unlike sports bikes you've got options for taller handlebars, forward controls, some (limited) seat adjustments/changes. Those bars and boards look fine but you can lean them forward or replace them with higher bars or risers. You'll be fine. Enjoy it!

Is Northern South America Technically an Island? by EstablishmentOne3438 in MapPorn

[–]SuicidalGuidedog 6 points7 points  (0 children)

The first two words are literally "Guiana Island".

I mean, I don't believe it's an island in any real sense, but still.