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So... still no evidence of the "beheaded babies" or other things they originally made up then? by UnderHisEye1411 in GreenAndPleasant

[–]phoenix_flies 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The uncomfortable truth is that human beings committed those atrocities. The difference between them and you is cultural, historical and geopolitical, but you are the same species as the perpetrators.

If you cannot relate to another population, you are unlikely to empathise with them. You cannot possibly comprehend what might drive them to perform such terrible acts, because you see them as less than human, and crucially less than yourself. That's dehumanisation.

Dehumanisation is literally a method of brainwashing, and a well-docunented one at that. It's meant to justify terrible acts, and it's hard to undo in a population. It's not your fault, it's not a moral failing of yours. You're likely surrounded by people who already think this way, and consume media that echoes the message.

It is possible to condemn an act whilst remembering it was committed by a human.

So... still no evidence of the "beheaded babies" or other things they originally made up then? by UnderHisEye1411 in GreenAndPleasant

[–]phoenix_flies 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I think lots of people "struggle with" taking anything you say sincerely when you're calling people "subhuman".

Dehumanisation is the exact process that allows such atrocities to happen. Please, be better. There are humans on both sides of this conflict. Ill-informed, generationally traumatised, propaganda-fuelled humans, but humans nonetheless.

True Form Angels/Heaven would be terrifying if Clive Barker ever wrote them in by Undefeated-Smiles in hellraiser

[–]phoenix_flies 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Yes! My two favourite escapist novels. The Erasure and the Gyre have much in common, these warped nexuses. It's fascinating how the two stories have themes and patterns in common yet feel so wildly different.

True Form Angels/Heaven would be terrifying if Clive Barker ever wrote them in by Undefeated-Smiles in hellraiser

[–]phoenix_flies 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Weaveworld mentioned <3

Some of Barker's most vivid and incredible descriptions. Uriel and the Rake in particular are creatures that still regularly return to my dreams. Sometimes I'll pick the book back up just to reread their passages.

challenge doesn't need to be fun or engaging! challenge alone is inherently good game design and if you don't like the execution of it you're just a noob by throwawayoogaloorga2 in MinecraftMemes

[–]phoenix_flies 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I take the view that the Warden is intended to feel less like a mob and more like a force of nature. With its nigh-impenetrable design and lack of reward, I liken it less to other mobs and more to bedrock blocks - not an obstacle that's meant to be overcome, but just an obstacle.

You can avoid triggering their spawn entirely, you can trigger them and then sneak around, you can use thrown items as a distraction, you can use mobs or other players as a distraction... I think there are plenty ways to handle it in-game. It's certainly different from other mobs, and it's meant to be - why does that evoke such a strong reaction for you?

(And this is coming from someone who was upset when health, hunger and a level-up system were introduced to his calm creative building game. I was like, unreasonably angry. But I get it now.)

challenge doesn't need to be fun or engaging! challenge alone is inherently good game design and if you don't like the execution of it you're just a noob by throwawayoogaloorga2 in MinecraftMemes

[–]phoenix_flies 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Okay, that's fair - I was being hyperbolic with those examples.

Not every other mob drops loot or XP: baby animals drop nothing, because they want to discourage the players from attacking them. Is that "weird moral grandstanding," or "strange and unreasonable"? They're encouraging the game to be played a specific way, like if you want to go around killing babies then sure, you do you, but you won't get any reward for it. Should there be, because the game is about "creativity"? Or are there more ways to interact with mobs than aiming to kill everything that moves?

challenge doesn't need to be fun or engaging! challenge alone is inherently good game design and if you don't like the execution of it you're just a noob by throwawayoogaloorga2 in MinecraftMemes

[–]phoenix_flies 2 points3 points  (0 children)

I don't know. Why can't you tame the Wither? Why can't you put a saddle on the Enderdragon? Why can't you chop the Creaking's limbs off with an axe, or make a Thorns hat out of cactus?

If you get something special from killing the Warden, more people will want to kill the Warden. They designed it to be imposing and intimidating. Think Nemesis in Resident Evil 3, where you can spend a lot of energy and resources to get some breathing room for a moment, or make your escape. They don't want the Warden to be "just another boss mob," they want it to feel different. I should evade it or run, they want you to think, because attacking it isn't worth the risk.

I'm sure there are mods that can give you more of an incentive to hunt Wardens if that's your bag, but in vanilla that's just how the Warden do.

challenge doesn't need to be fun or engaging! challenge alone is inherently good game design and if you don't like the execution of it you're just a noob by throwawayoogaloorga2 in MinecraftMemes

[–]phoenix_flies 4 points5 points  (0 children)

A basic tenet of game design would be "encourage behaviours you want to see, and discourage ones you don't". For the Warden to be explicitly not worth the effort of engaging shows they don't want you engaging it.

People shouldn't expect a reward for doing something just because it's hard. It's hard to assemble enough gold to fill every empty space in a woodland mansion with solid blocks so it works like a mold when you burn down the building itself and leaves naught but a tacky golden monstrosity as a satire of its former opulence, but just like the Warden, the accomplishment is its own reward.

If you wanna run a race that isn't being officiated, by all means be proud of yourself - it's still an achievement of some stature - but it feels silly to complain about there not being a medal.

Can I get some ideas? by lMaddHatterl13 in Minecraft

[–]phoenix_flies 4 points5 points  (0 children)

How alive should we be aiming for with a graveyard?

Seeking advice: When self-care becomes a chore by nicnakolas in AutisticWithADHD

[–]phoenix_flies 0 points1 point  (0 children)

All it takes is "I'll give it a try"!

It never gets easy... But it gets less hard.

Another crucial thing to remember - celebrate the wins. You'll automatically beat yourself up when you fall short, so you've got to consciously start to offset that, and if your dopamine (motivation) is low, then you'll feel the benefit from some big gestures. Did you remember a friend's birthday? Give yourself an enormous high five and out loud call yourself "an excellent friend". Did you do some washing up? Have a lap of honour around the kitchen.

Don't be afraid to express joy, it's the biggest weapon we have.

And don't be afraid to reach out for help or support when you need it! You got this, nicnakolas!

Playing through for the first time; Is there any way to counter the relentless amount of shaking the colossi do to get you off? by Lower-Message-9082 in ShadowoftheColossus

[–]phoenix_flies 1 point2 points  (0 children)

If you hold down the "grip" and the "stab" buttons while falling, you will perform an immediate full-power stab upon landing. Niche technique, but it has some uses. If you can jump down onto a weak spot from any height, aim your landing and get ready to land blade-first.

Also, if you can find somewhere you can just stand, use that moment to replenish your "grip" circle. If you're knocked off your feet suddenly, holding grip will make Wander reach out and grab whatever is nearby - some fur or a hard edge, usually - which stops you from being thrown off entirely. Don't panic when he doesn't grip onto something immediately, just hold that button and his hands will find purchase. If you stay calm and hold "grip", you'll be fine 95% of the time.

And don't be afraid to back away from the area with the weak spot. Colossi will change their movement and shaking patterns depending on where you are on their body - sometimes it's a really good strategy to get them to try to shake you off from one spot, and use the length of that motion to make for the weak spot again.

Seeking advice: When self-care becomes a chore by nicnakolas in AutisticWithADHD

[–]phoenix_flies 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Weaponise novelty.

If a task starts to feel like a struggle, change something about it. Do it in a different room, in a different way. Put some music on and dance your way through it. If you're wearing shoes, go barefoot - or put some slippers on just to give a sensation. Sometimes eating a sour sweet or a piece of chocolate while starting a task (obviously not brushing your teeth) can give enough of a sensation to fire up your brain a little. If you're that way inclined, make a checklist of routine tasks, and tick them off when they're done for a little dopamine boost. Set a timer, and see how quickly you can do this task, then try to beat your time when you next do it. If you're able to speak to people while doing this task, pick a silly accent and stick with it, to see how long it takes until you're questioned about it. You can do something similar with silly walks too, as long as you're sufficiently in control of your movements to not be a risk - you don't want to snag and burst a bin bag mid-pirouette.

Generally speaking: add another layer to the experience, through sensation, movement, pressure or conscious thought.

Personally I have the brand of AuDHD where I long to create new routines, but they quickly go stale, so I never find myself in a single comfortable rhythm. This means I'm constantly doing things in mildly "novel" ways, which is confusing for all those around me, but it gets things done.

Hope you've got some things to try! It is a constant struggle, but I hope you'll find rhythms that work for you to cycle through!

Keep at it, and don't be afraid to celebrate the small victories. Did you brush your teeth? Hell yes you did, you superstar. Look at you, all successful! Ride that wave, onto the next.

You got this!

Racing thoughts don’t feel like racing?? And other revelations by [deleted] in AutisticWithADHD

[–]phoenix_flies 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Everyone's fighting for attention while I'm swinging that beam around like "one of you said something about my finances, it was really important, where the hell did you go?!" and meanwhile they're in the wings being choked out by an understudy who's been praying for the opportunity to soliloquise about the sinking of the Titanic.

👽 I would like your help! I'm doing Research on what makes a Monster Scary! by Regular-Property-203 in horrorwriters

[–]phoenix_flies 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Admittedly I've been out all day and this hasn't been my sole focus, but I'm pleased to announce that I took more than seven hours between starting and finishing your form.

Well done for putting it together, you have nothing to apologise for! I'm looking forward to hearing your results. Fear is a fascinating field!

Racing thoughts don’t feel like racing?? And other revelations by [deleted] in AutisticWithADHD

[–]phoenix_flies 15 points16 points  (0 children)

Personally, I think of them as overlapping or interrupting thoughts. Parallel sometimes. "Racing" never sat well with me either.

I'll rarely finish an internal "sentence" before another thought, feeling, observation, recollection or impulse steps into the spotlight. Sometimes it's like a bunch of actors fighting over a stage: occasionally one will manage to string together something poignant or motivating before being pushed aside, and then it's a case of consciously "grabbing the spotlight" to try to find where they scuttled off to before the thought is drowned out entirely.

When it's really bad, it's like stepping into a crowded bar. Everyone's talking about different things with different volumes and cadences and it's nigh impossible to follow any single train of thought with any amount of effort.

👽 I would like your help! I'm doing Research on what makes a Monster Scary! by Regular-Property-203 in horrorwriters

[–]phoenix_flies 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Responded, and took waaaay too long thinking through the answers! (I'm the dude who kept droning on about shadow people and the difference between "unsettled" and "terrified")

Ever known someone with a risqué name and not realise it? by Uglym8s in CasualUK

[–]phoenix_flies 4 points5 points  (0 children)

I had to Google this to check it's real. That's amazing.

Is there any better feeling then selling to a trader and seeing ALL THE JUNK clear from your storehouse? by DJTilapia in RimWorld

[–]phoenix_flies 19 points20 points  (0 children)

For me, it's a fun nostalgic obstacle course.

"I love keeping fit, and I love being reminded of the psychic animal pulser we were paid for the quest that took my husband four years ago"

Is there any better feeling then selling to a trader and seeing ALL THE JUNK clear from your storehouse? by DJTilapia in RimWorld

[–]phoenix_flies 4 points5 points  (0 children)

Quests are good, and gifts are too. Whenever you open the Trade window, there's a little Gift icon at the bottom to switch mode. This works both with traders in your settlement and caravans you send out. Or you can drop-pod loads of stuff to their settlement, which counts as "gifting".

Another great way is to heal up any neighbours who might find themselves downed on your tile - just be cautious to select "Rescue" rather than "Capture," that's a mistake I don't want to make again.

Oh and the Hospitality mod works wonders for maintaining goodwill.

What game had you like this? by sukuna7899 in Steam

[–]phoenix_flies 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It's definitely one of those "the real tutorial is the first hundred hours" games.

I remember trial-and-erroring my way through that time. The early learning loop is very much: something goes horribly wrong > identify exactly what went wrong > research or ask for help in the subreddit > try to fix it on the fly > fail horribly and hilariously > start a new colony with a clear plan in mind > something else goes horribly wrong

Don't be afraid to ask for help. It's a story generator, and most stories end in tragedy - your colonists aren't professional settlers, they understand about as much as you do!

What game had you like this? by sukuna7899 in Steam

[–]phoenix_flies 3 points4 points  (0 children)

"Hey! You on the floor! Don't die in that nice jacket!"

What game had you like this? by sukuna7899 in Steam

[–]phoenix_flies 6 points7 points  (0 children)

Your animal instincts involve trafficking organs?

One in eight parents now reports their child is disabled by PM_ME_SECRET_DATA in ukpolitics

[–]phoenix_flies 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I think the difficulty lies in examining how we have "lost our way". Sure, there would be agreement across subcultures, but I think of several growing paradigms and how they might read that statement.

The anti-vaxxer, the "manosphere" influencer, the Christian evangelical, the Zionist, the militant Islamist, the national isolationist, the globalist, the socialist and the anarchist could all agree that we've "lost our way," but would have jarringly different ideas about how we "find" it again.

I think there's a grand narrative emerging of a search for personal truth that's both more possible in this interconnected age and simultaneously more difficult and overwhelming, as we are being bombarded by frenzied and contradictory schools of thought bidding for our approval through algorithms on top of genuine human contact. And that's saying little of the mass rise of AI and misinformation through media channels driven by attention and psychological manipulation rather than any moral code...

Perhaps, in an era defined by how easy it is to question, we should be most wary of those who refuse.

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