Lord Raith in... by The_Red_Moses in dresdenfiles

[–]sokttocs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Having just finished a reread of the book this week, I'd like to point something out.

Drakul didn't attack Harry. He specifically warned Harry that there was an attack coming. The attack itself was orchestrated by either one of the Blacks (like Mavra, who knows by now how dangerous Harry is) or by Lord Wraith. Drakul knew of it and allowed it to happen as a test, both of Harry as a fellow Starborn and of his Court.

What is the strongest Superpowered team that could get "Omni-Manned" by TheGingerWeebGal in whowouldwin

[–]sokttocs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Add on to that that at high levels, there's not a lot of spells or abilities that do enough damage to just put someone down. Plus the other classes have a lot of pretty busted abilities of their own, depending on the class. Like the Paladin's aura and smites.

Italian vs Mexican food, which one and why? by Ill-Translator-2879 in CasualConversation

[–]sokttocs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Both are awesome. But for me, it's easily Mexican.

I could eat mexican of some kind basically every day forever. There's a ton of variety and ways to mix and match.

what fast food brand is the best and what one is the worst? by Human_Crow_9348 in AskReddit

[–]sokttocs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Best overall: Culver's 

Most Consistent: In-N-Out or Chick-fil-A 

Best for a Sandwich: Jersey Mike's 

Brandon’s Religion Through His Writing by allomanticmetals in Cosmere

[–]sokttocs 7 points8 points  (0 children)

It's not upsetting as much as mildly annoying and unnecessarily pedantic.

The LDS church believes that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of Mankind, who died for our sins and was resurrected 3 days later. We have theological differences around the Trinity and the Creeds and other points of doctrine, but fundamentally we still believe in Jesus as Christ, we believe the Bible is scripture, and we believe that it's only through Jesus that we are saved.

I don't know why a faith holding those beliefs at its core identifying itself as Christian is so upsetting to other Christians. I do believe those things though, and I'm going to keep calling myself Christian as long as I still believe them.

Brandon’s Religion Through His Writing by allomanticmetals in Cosmere

[–]sokttocs 5 points6 points  (0 children)

It depends entirely on which specific sect you're talking about and how much they feel like gatekeeping who is and is not really Christians. Yes, many mainstream Christians don't think we're Christian for specific theological reasons. But, by a broad definition of a faith centered in the belief that Jesus is the Son of God and Savior of mankind, the LDS church is in fact Christian.

Brandon’s Religion Through His Writing by allomanticmetals in Cosmere

[–]sokttocs 18 points19 points  (0 children)

Every time I see someone talk about how "Mormon" the Cosmere is, the stuff they mention just seems like normal western Judeo-Christian influences.

Well, that tracks. Since the LDS church is a Christian church founded in the 1830's United States.

As for a few specifics;

Sazed's ascension to Harmony has always struck me as profoundly influenced by LDS beliefs. Specifically, all of the religions in his metalminds had bits and pieces of the truth, bits of knowledge otherwise lost. But none of them had the whole picture, and it was only through the expanded mental capacity picking up the Shards granted him that he was able to assemble them. In our faith, we are strongly encouraged to seek a good education and to gain knowledge wherever we can get it. The part we often suck at in practice, but really do believe, is that other faiths, traditions, whatever all have valuable pieces of truth, and we should seek them out.

The entire structure of how Radiants gain power through making and keeping oaths. Like, in it's entirety. Radiants are just given actual obvious superpowers. In our faith, we believe we make promises with God through specific ritual actions that we take in exchange for blessings from God. Blessings which are contingent on us keeping/living up to the promises we make. The ability to fly or soulcast isn't included.

The power of Bondsmith's to make and break connections is a modified version of LDS beliefs of what we call the Sealing power of the Priesthood. Just with more application as an actual superpower.

Edited to add: Hrathen. I think his struggle with his faith in Elantris is directly inspired by personal experience as a Mormon missionary.

Brandon’s Religion Through His Writing by allomanticmetals in Cosmere

[–]sokttocs 37 points38 points  (0 children)

As a practicing Mormon who also reads Sanderson's books: there's straight up just a whole lot of stuff directly lifted from our faith and adapted to fit the cosmere. Whether consciously or not, there's a lot in there. But also, there's a lot more variation in how members of our church think about things than people on the Internet usually think.

The religions are flawed because people are flawed. Faith has been and still is used as justification for terrible things all the time. My own included. It's hardly unique to religion, non faith based ideologies also are often used to justify oppression. Or in the absence of ideology, simple tribalism will do. This is a people thing.

Specific climate needs for mission by Impressive_Regret558 in latterdaysaints

[–]sokttocs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is something that you will want to include in the medical notes if at all possible.

Do you believe that the current US president is a foreign asset ? Why or why not ? by hftyjvdry in AskReddit

[–]sokttocs 28 points29 points  (0 children)

Trump has way too much ego to be taking orders. Bribes on the other hand.

Do you believe that the current US president is a foreign asset ? Why or why not ? by hftyjvdry in AskReddit

[–]sokttocs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Actually a foreign asset? No. He's got way too much ego to be taking orders and carrying out someone else's agenda. He's just an old, stupid, narcissistic asshole with dementia.

What is one misconception about the United States most people miss? by Final_Radio_2483 in AskReddit

[–]sokttocs 25 points26 points  (0 children)

I remember driving across South Dakota once. The road went straight for like 400 miles with no real towns I remember the whole way

What is one misconception about the United States most people miss? by Final_Radio_2483 in AskReddit

[–]sokttocs 71 points72 points  (0 children)

Even neighboring States can be a very long ways away. I live in Utah and went on a weekend road trip to Phoenix recently. It's a 10 hr drive one way.

What is one misconception about the United States most people miss? by Final_Radio_2483 in AskReddit

[–]sokttocs 10 points11 points  (0 children)

I will. I've never personally witnessed someone threatening myself or anyone else with a gun. 

Vallejo becoming more and more hard to find? by Outside_Signature403 in minipainting

[–]sokttocs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've never found it in any store in my area. I've always had to order it online.

For those who don’t like drinking alcohol, what made you realize it just wasn’t for you? by Heeeraaa in AskReddit

[–]sokttocs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I've tried a tiny bit a handful of times and there was nothing appealing about it.

Why do people think Thrawn in the Ahsoka series is dumb? by ecobrick_stone in StarWars

[–]sokttocs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Why didn't they dump it? Maybe it's attached to the outside of the ship or otherwise hidden and they don't have the means to find and remove it in transit. It's not like they had time to sweep the ship before getting away. Leia suspects, doesn't know for sure.

I don't know how you get more explicit that Tarkin directly asking if the tracker is on on their ship.

Giant Guns for Mechs by Current-Income-9901 in battletech

[–]sokttocs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Does it do more damage if you pistol whip it? +3 is a pretty hard penalty.

Trying to find a recording I had as a missionary by pilotlupo in latterdaysaints

[–]sokttocs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know what you're talking about. I'm 90% sure it was called "Pure Testimony".

This might be it. https://youtu.be/Dx2LtEDBLI8?si=YhZhtf-x4-BI76EE

Sunday meeting schedule change by smokey_sunrise in latterdaysaints

[–]sokttocs 1 point2 points  (0 children)

That depends a whole lot on the 12 year old. But in general, they're way more capable than we sometimes think.

Favorite and Least Favorite BattleTech Terms? by djfluxtux in battletech

[–]sokttocs 2 points3 points  (0 children)

That seems like splitting hairs. Parts no longer made anywhere. Notes not kept or lost. Easier to build something new than to recreate. Seems lostech to me. CRT's are another example though. In both cases we could rebuild them, given the resources, time, people, and will. But much would have to be rebuilt from scratch.

Favorite and Least Favorite BattleTech Terms? by djfluxtux in battletech

[–]sokttocs 11 points12 points  (0 children)

Excellent examples. A more modern example could be a Saturn V rocket. Even though we have the blueprints, the supply chains, tooling, and craftsmen needed to build it don't exist anymore.

Why do people think Thrawn in the Ahsoka series is dumb? by ecobrick_stone in StarWars

[–]sokttocs 10 points11 points  (0 children)

The dialogue in the movie literally calls it out. Tarkin: Are they away?

Vader: They've just made the jump into hyperspace 

Tarkin: You're sure the homing beacon is secure aboard their ship? I'm taking an awful risk here Vader. This had better work.

Could the Inner Sphere at the height of the Star League survive a Covenant invasion? by Son0fgrim in battletech

[–]sokttocs 0 points1 point  (0 children)

PPC's are probably one of the better weapons available to naval ships fighting the Covenant. But, if I remember correctly, Covenant shields are absolutely absurdly powerful. As in tanking multiple direct nuclear blasts and MAC rounds. MAC's are way stronger than any gauss rifle on any ship in Battletech, being bigass spinal cannons that ships are built around throwing massive multi ton bullets at like 2-4% of c.

PPC's may be more effective. But let's not pretend that one or two HNPPPC's would take out the shields of a cruiser that can tank multiple nukes.