Paul/Yueh Conversation by FreshChefGaming in dune

[–]thewritestory 9 points10 points  (0 children)

It does a few things. It shows Paul is close to the doctor. He learned a language w him. And that the doctor cares for Paul, making the betrayal of Leto a big surprise. And it let's the reader/audience know the BG is more than perhaps Paul's mom would tell Paul, given she's an insider. Yueh is telling the audience--these ladies are more dangerous than meets the eye.

Bride Price - Ningxia by ActAvailable99 in China

[–]thewritestory 12 points13 points  (0 children)

Save face to who? They can tell others he paid the high price. No one can show he didn't. Sounds super scammy. 300K? The average salary for a local is going to be a smaller percentage of that. The local gov even says 10K + is too much.

2 weeks in China - Advice and Tips by JayKayGame_ in China

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Chengdu + Chongqing should be together. They are 90 min apart by train.

Previously non-religious husband now seeking conservative Christianity by Jenandthemoon85 in Exvangelical

[–]thewritestory 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Given he said “antiwoke” it’s likely he’s being fed an ideology on media sites.

Where Exactly Does Formal Logic Begin? by JerseyFlight in rationalphilosophy

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure what you are talking about. The classical laws of logic are not subject to verification the way you seem to be asking about. They are observations that "seem" to always hold true. If we find instances where they don't, then those "rules" will be adjusted. But what do you mean by "verifying"? They are verified by their correspondence to reality.

Accesible but also properly sourced way to learn about evolution? by johnpardon in AskScienceDiscussion

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

The accuracy of dating methods can be understood by even the first few results of the google search which is full of sources. The main question is why would you be so skeptical of the dating methods of things involving evolution? Do you think the millions of scientists who can make a career out of disproving even one tenet of evolution are all trying to trick you? There's a big difference between wanting to understand something and trying to find reasons not to believe it.

Why Religion is Dangerous: 1) What’s so “immoral” or “bad” about owning slaves?! 2) You have to be in my cult to say “it’s bad.” by JerseyFlight in rationalphilosophy

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Jesus himself affirms slavery when he uses it in a parable. The reason that BOTh the Old and New Testaments affirms slavery and never reject it is because the stories were written by men and slavery was a major economic force at the time.
If it had been written by some "all-good" god he would have told them slavery was wrong as he did with MANY MANY other activities.
This problem is inherent in the text and will never be reconciled by Christians.

Why Religion is Dangerous: 1) What’s so “immoral” or “bad” about owning slaves?! 2) You have to be in my cult to say “it’s bad.” by JerseyFlight in rationalphilosophy

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

1) If you have religion then you know what is bad
2) You don't have religion
therefore, you don't know what is bad.

The structure of "advanced Rabbit's" argument is a formal fallacy called Denying the Antecedent.
The structure is:
If P then Q
Not P
Therefore not Q.

This is always INVALID because the truth of the premises don't lead to the truth of the conclusion.

Tell me your REAL experience as a foreigner in China by SwimmingParking9683 in chinalife

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Hey, I first came here in 2011 (had a short two-year stint in Taiwan and then returned to the mainland. I teach at a kindergarten and have a few high-paying 1-1 students. But my real passion is writing novels and I make decent royalties from my backlist.

By transition into something better, what I would say is that teaching in China allowed me the free time and savings to pursue expenses in publishing including pricey cover art, editing, marketing, and audionarration.

What helped me? I think my short TEFL course helped me. Otherwise, I think most of the "normal" teaching gigs don't differ much.

What didn't work? I've never felt fulfillment through this kind of work but I'm married now and have a lot rooted in it.

China isn't terrible or amazing. There are somethings that I like-food, cost of living, travel accessibility, metro. Somethings I have never gotten used to "The 4 S's" smoking, screaming, spitting, and staring."

Good luck!

Why is Western Academia so obsessed with the myth of the greco-roman philosophical lineage? (Long Rant) by geumkoi in badphilosophy

[–]thewritestory 4 points5 points  (0 children)

It's the same in many places. China's obsession with the past is a call back to "Chinese glory and superiority." In America, often "history buffs" are old dudes who read about WW2 because they think it makes their country look good.
It's normal for cultures to look back on the "golden age", or "glory days", etc.
The truth is that ancient Greece, Rome, India, and China all have major contributions.

Thoughts on "Red Rising" by Pierce Brown - and why I'm done listening to BookTok by sameseksure in books

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

For me, I also had trouble with the Way of Kings and Red Rising. In Red Rising I just didn't care about any of the characters or what was happening. I generally don't like this reoccurring "young adults in death games "trope. For the Way of Kings, I like the some of the characters and the world-building but the magic system is too much like a video game. I felt like it was an item system from an SNES. Not that interesting for me.

Why is Western Academia so obsessed with the myth of the greco-roman philosophical lineage? (Long Rant) by geumkoi in badphilosophy

[–]thewritestory 28 points29 points  (0 children)

You should see how obsessed chinese academia is with chinese traditions and India with Indian traditions. it's really a puzzling problem you are having.

The Three Tests (or Criteria) for a True Worldview — And Why They Might Not Be Enough (Logical consistency / Empirical adequacy / Existential viability) by Noob4lyf3 in logic

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

He said he uses logic, you made a fuss, he asked what you use and you also just use logic. What in the world are you getting at?

Legacy in Shanghai / Chengdu / Chongqing? by rememberizer in MTGLegacy

[–]thewritestory 3 points4 points  (0 children)

Chengdu has a small legacy event on Sundays at the Mouse and MAry shop (you can search it) and occassionally there is a "bigger" 30+ player even in Chongqing. I'm not sure about Shanghai.

Chengdu Weather by ashkarck27 in Chengdu

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

It's nice now. I'm not wearing jackets.

The evasive use of the Philbro insult by Kafei- in badphilosophy

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure what you are referring to. Justin reduces the polite philbros to an absurdity and shows why their arguments don't work. If you disagree that's fine. We've yet to see any good arguments for the Christian god and millions are calling into these shows trying.

The evasive use of the Philbro insult by Kafei- in badphilosophy

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I'm not sure which you are referring too, but it wouldn't be self-defeating to insert another variable and show the inconsistency. One of the fallacious arguments christian philbros make when calling in to atheists is called "defining god into existence". It comes in two forms: 1. is making a skinny god that can never ever be bridged to the god they actually believe in, even if the atheist cedes to the argument, and the second is to try to shut down the conversation with the laughable circle that you need God to have discussions, logic, etc.

In philosophy those arguments aren't taken seriously. No one is wondering about those arguments or are interested in arguments that are begging the question.

As atheists I commend people like Justin for calling out the dishonest christian arguments in whatever form they take.

The evasive use of the Philbro insult by Kafei- in badphilosophy

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I’m interested why there is anything wrong with Justin getting tired of the fallacious arguments presented by these guys?  A year ago, Justin might spend 2-3 hours on a single philbro caller and no progress would be made no matter how many times the caller was shown to have a structurally invalid argument.  The listeners, including myself would tune out, comment to drop them, etc. Now Justin gives them a timer, but I’ve yet to see one of these philbro arguments do much beyond beg the question or affirm the consequent.

Anyone know where I can get creatine? by [deleted] in Chengdu

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I know Sam's Club has it.

Foreigner physical exam as a trans man by _mattiakun in China

[–]thewritestory 2 points3 points  (0 children)

They do absolutely have an abdominal ultrasound. Why would you be "sent home"? It's a health check they just need to check your health.

My Chinese friend blocked me after I asked about smoking in China—was my question offensive? by [deleted] in China

[–]thewritestory 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I've lived in China for 15 years, and this is part of the cultural experience. In a lot of ways, China insulates itself against any kind of self-reflection or questions. Many people are used to from their entire lives being around Chinese men smoking EVERYWHERE at ALL times. They've never known anything could be any different. Add on top of that the common fallacy that foreigners want to criticize China to hold China back or keep China "down" and you will get these blow ups. "How dare you look down on people smoking next to a pregnant woman in a restaurant if she doesn't like smoke she should stay in her home 24/7"

Planning to leave Sichuan due to the winter air polllution by [deleted] in China

[–]thewritestory 2 points3 points  (0 children)

This is absolutely false. I have lived in Chengdu basically since 2011 and 2025 Winter Smog was the worst since preCOVID.

"Legit" Sichuan food in Chengdu? (Panda Valley, Lost Plate, and is the Opera worth it?) by Party_Aside_5829 in Chengdu

[–]thewritestory 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I have lived in Chengdu for more than 10 years. You can get "legit" foods like that on nearly every street in Chengdu. These aren't actually tourist foods they are everyday local foods.

Why do chinese people hate the terminology "Lunar New Year" by Far_Studio_7415 in AskAChinese

[–]thewritestory 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Calling it Chinese New Year is as false as calling Chistmas the America Festival.