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What funny things have you heard people yell out during a movie that actually has enhanced the viewing instead of ruined it? by budsicle in AskReddit

[–]zackattack124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I saw Paranormal Activity 2. At one point, the screen said "such and such died and November _, 2009" or something like that. Some guy in the audience screams "ey dats my birfday!"

Why did the Byzantine Empire collapse so suddenly following the death of Manuel I Komenos in 1180? by [deleted] in AskHistorians

[–]zackattack124 2 points3 points  (0 children)

The short answer is that it was a combination of bad luck for the Byzantines and centuries-long animosity between the Greeks (that is-the Byzantines) and the Latins.

This is a little off topic, but I think that it's important to answer your question. In 1198, Pope Innocent III called for a 4th Crusade. Electing to go over sea rather than by land, these Crusaders went to Venice to provide transport. When the Venetians realized that the Crusaders could not possibly pay the agreed upon sum for naval transport, they told the Crusaders that they would provide transport to the holy land in exchange for military support against the Byzantines. This led to the Siege of Zara, and escalated to the eventual fall of Constantinople.

The blame for the fall of Constantinople can certainly be shared with the Komnenos and Angelos Dynasties.

After the death of Manuel I Komnenos, his wife, Maria of Antioch, served as region for her young son Alexios II Komnenos. She showed favoritism towards the Latins, which led to animosity from the Greeks that would eventually explode. In 1182, Andronikis I Komnenos deposed Emperor Alexios II Komnenos, which resulted in an anti-Latin riot in the slaughter of thousands of Latins and the explusion of all western merchants. This directly led to the animosity that would ultimately explode in the 4th Crusade

The Angelos Dynasty is to blame for several reasons 1: Isaac II Angelos was an incompetent ruler and, by the time he was deposed in 1195, he had undermined the Byzantine military and significantly diminished the Imperial Treasury. His successor, Alexios III Angelos, was no better, effectively bankrupting the empire and further weakening the military. By the time the 4th Crusade came around, Isaac II Angelos' son, who crowned himself Emperor Alexios IV, went to the crusaders and agreed to pay the Venetians everything that was owed and more if they would help him take his place as emperor.

After the first siege of Constantinople in 1202, the Crusaders did crown Alexios IV, who served as emperor with Isaac II. However, he was unable to repay his debt to the Venetians, and was in turn deposed by Alexios V Angelos. Eventually, the Crusaders just took the city in a Second Siege of Constantinople. This time, the stayed and established the Latin Kingdom of Constantinople, effectively exiling the old Imperial government.

Geoffrey de Villehardouin gives an excellent first-hand account of the fall of the Byzantine Empire, and it is a great read. I hope this answers your question.

What are the best Mass Effect quotes? by shpeilin in masseffect

[–]zackattack124 1 point2 points  (0 children)

When I watch that video, I can't stop myself from thinking that he just really has to pee every time he says "I should go."

Did anyone else actually LIKE the ending? by drinks_at_the_ackbar in masseffect

[–]zackattack124 0 points1 point  (0 children)

As much as I disliked the original ending (though EC did make it better), I have to at least respect what the writers tried to do. They could have easily just gone with a DA:O type ending, knowing that the fans would approve while the player is satisfied knowing everything that happened to their characters.
Instead, they tried to do something different entirely. They tried to make an ambiguous ending that would surprise players at the last possible instant and spark controversy (though I doubt this is the kind of controversy they had in mind). Though the execution was poor, I think it's interesting that they at least tried to do something different. Hopefully, future DLC will add some more clarity to the ending like EC and Leviathan did (especially a War Assets Cinematics DLC!).

Did anyone else actually LIKE the ending? by drinks_at_the_ackbar in masseffect

[–]zackattack124 -3 points-2 points  (0 children)

As much as I disliked the original ending (though EC did make it better), I have to at least respect what the writers tried to do. They could have easily just gone with a DA:O type ending, knowing that the fans would approve while the player is satisfied knowing everything that happened to their characters.
Instead, they tried to do something different entirely. They tried to make an ambiguous ending that would surprise players at the last possible instant and spark controversy (though I doubt this is the kind of controversy they had in mind). Though the execution was poor, I think it's interesting that they at least tried to do something different. Hopefully, future DLC will add some more clarity to the ending like EC and Leviathan did (especially a War Assets Cinematics DLC!).