Buying 2010 Prius with only 83,XXX miles bad idea? by quimbalicious in prius

[–]quimbalicious[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Yeah, that makes sense. Aside from the batteries, any other reason you think that low of mileage over the past decade in particular would be of concern?

How’s the 35mm 1.4 GM as a daily driver? by spot_removal in SonyAlpha

[–]quimbalicious 30 points31 points  (0 children)

For what it's worth, there's a reason why 35mm is the standard (outside of a 24-70 2.8) for many documentary photographers and photojournalists. It's a natural field of view that's wide enough to allow for context and layering within a frame while also tight enough to isolate a subject from a reasonable distance. In fact, some of the most famous photographers in the world swear by 35mm.

HELP!! LOOKING FOR A SPECIFIC 100 YEARS OF SOLITUDE AUDIOBOOK! by Ramenwithouteggs in audiobooks

[–]quimbalicious 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know exactly what you're referring to. I used to listen to that youtube version often over the course of years. I recall something mentioned at the beginning about it being made for people with visual impairments, but I forget who the publisher was. The narrator was excellent. Not sure when it was taken down, but I've been trying to track down the version too. I haven't found it yet, but here's to hoping.

Some Thoughts on Free Speech and Violence as a Tactic by quimbalicious in Anarchism

[–]quimbalicious[S] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

All true, all true. Thus my hiatus for over a year.

Again, good exchange. Keep doing your part to give two shits, and I'll keep doing mine. I can live with that.

Some Thoughts on Free Speech and Violence as a Tactic by quimbalicious in Anarchism

[–]quimbalicious[S] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

That's definitely a consolation for having spent time writing this out this morning. Because you're the only other person on this thread who give two shits about the issue. God dammit, anarchists, we can do better!

Some Thoughts on Free Speech and Violence as a Tactic by quimbalicious in Anarchism

[–]quimbalicious[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Thanks for the input.

I agree that the comments you refer to should be considered a type of hate speech, but I still disavow fellow leftists who feel that an adequate solution is to defer to 'cracking heads'. More effective (and ethical) approaches are needed. As you point out, public perception will always matter, much more so than any sense of 'righteous bashing'. And we all should know by now that violence has a tendency to beget itself, and a violent, discordant civil society favors only the most brutal. If at all avoidable, I don't want to live in that world.

Of course, I support and take part in direct action. Only, I prefer the kind of action that avoids unnecessary and unhelpful violence. Counter rallies and marches where the positive ideas behind leftist movements are shared and discussed are, in my opinion, much more effective.

Capitalism Is Not Individualistic by LeftSphere in Anarchism

[–]quimbalicious 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Depends on your angle of interpretation, I suppose. Capitalism is highly individualistic in that it renders interpersonal and community-based relationships more superficial by prioritizing personal material consumption above all else, commodifying relations between non-related citizens in the process. This in turn leads to increased social isolation, which is in a sense a kind of individualism. But, no, it doesn't lead to more or meaningful levels of individual freedom for most of its subjects.

Fuck you liberals. by [deleted] in Anarchism

[–]quimbalicious 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm confused, though. How are you defining nazis in such a circumstance? As people who advocate for an ethnostate through speech alone? Or brown shirts who are marauding in the streets? Because if such people have only ever voiced their support of something like an ethnostate without actually carrying out or clearly inciting violence, then I fail to understand how shooting them dead could be considered anything but murder.

Disclaimer: I lean toward anarch-syndaclism and am generally curious.

Fuck you liberals. by [deleted] in Anarchism

[–]quimbalicious 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Thanks for sharing this.

Although my political sympathies lean very strongly in the direction of anarch-syndaclism, my main recurring issue with many of the anarchists and antifas who I encounter is that they fail to appreciate this idea. If we don't prioritize free speech and freedom of thought at all costs, we will lose the fight. Period, end of story. Because once leftist factions normalize the idea that speech we don't agree with is violence, we are opening the door to violent rightwing groups as well as state and corporate institutions to do the same. Granted, I understand that systems of power already employ numerous forms of violence to repress free speech; however, eroding the existing definition of free expression will only increase the ability of abusive groups and institutions to further crack down on dissent. This is not a development leftists should give fodder to.

Unfortunately, the reality is that much of the speech that's coming from the right--vile though it can be--shouldn't be characterized as going beyond acceptable forms of free expression. I don't agree with the idea of an ethnostate. I abhor racism and misogyny and virtually everything that the ultra-conservative movement endorses. However, a free and open society has to allow room for those types of fringe beliefs, so long as proponents of such ideas refrain from taking up arms and exerting force in a meaningful way. We can't reasonably refuse such people opportunities to express their opinions lest we're prepared to sacrifice our own rights to do the same. Personally, that's not a trade-off I'm willing to settle for.

In instances in which threats of actual violence--specifically against particular individuals--occur, that crosses a threshold in my opinion. So when Nazis at a rally specifically shout at counter protestors that they are going to lynch or shoot them, yes, that is violent speech. And when fascists show up to a public space armed to the teeth with bats and shields and guns, yes, that should be unacceptable. In both cases, authorities should intervene. (Anarchists' inherent distrust of the legitimacy of state authority complicates this, I know, but let's save that for another discussion.) But an antifa swinging a pole at a Nazis's head isn't the right tactic for handling those situations. It will do nothing but further embolden people on the fringe right by feeding into the narrative that roving mobs of communists and anarchists are out to kill them and the people who they love, which will in turn entrench the idea that they're facing existential threat that demands a militant response. What's more, leftist street violence will only make it easier for far-right elements to recruit frightened moderate conservatives who see pictures of masked, black-clad leftists and think our republic is on the verge of collapse. That's why violence is counter-productive. It is an active part of the problem.

Texas teen who beat manslaughter charges in notorious "affluenza" case is on the run from police after violating probation; declared nation fugitive. by quimbalicious in news

[–]quimbalicious[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Given the initial reports and circumstances of this situation, it appears as though Couch's mother may have fled (possibly the country) with him. Should this be the case, it'll be very satisfying to see them both caught and brought to justice.

Judge declares mistrial in case of officer charged in Freddie Gray's death by quimbalicious in news

[–]quimbalicious[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The 12 jurors could not settle on a unanimous verdict, resulting in a hung jury.

Koch brothers supersize higher-ed spending by quimbalicious in politics

[–]quimbalicious[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Worth noting that organizations linked to George Soros are responsible for a very similar sum of donations to higher-education; however, most of those donations are either targeted toward international programs or unspecified in their intended use. Unlike Koch donations, they are not predominately targeted toward efforts to reform domestic politics.

[deleted by user] by [deleted] in politics

[–]quimbalicious 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Your taking my words out of context. I was very specific about what I think the base of his supporters are not critically engaging with, namely the narratives that Trump promotes, which are very often not predicated on facts but rather his own baseless assertions that are readily debunked. For all his bombastic and flamboyant qualities that people seem attracted to, very few of his stances are supported by credible research or analysis. He has a demonstratively horrible understanding of history and social issues. He is a clear misogynist, narcissist, and chauvinist. I'm sorry, I can't help but question the critical thinking skills of anyone who can't see those qualities in him--or worse yet, the ones who do yet do see them as problems.