I am ready, willing, and able to continue calling you ignorant. I’m not saying that fans aren’t to varying degrees. Especially since you seem to be ignoring my broader points. I’m empathizing with the fans and taking into account how we got to this point rather than thinking I’m better than them and laughing at them.

You seem to have a serious empathy deficiency, so I can’t explain to you the nuance in that. My broadest point is that rampant capitalism and the elimination of third spaces for community have normalized in most people a pay to participate mindset. And they’re not wrong, because for many it’s all they’ve ever experienced. You, personally ,just don’t value the same things in the same way they do, and you feel superior for it. Of course that’s not every fan in this example, but that’s why the global community at large has enjoyed the world cup, Olympics, chess competitions, the space race, etc.

So, yes. I think your class division crap is ignorant.

Yes, I stand by ignorant. I’m not and wasn’t discussing the obvious corruption and gouging from FIFA. I don’t even watch the sport, but it’s been on full display for a long time.

My issue continues to lie with your judgement of the fans. I’m less concerned with the power of their want for this, but the “why” behind it. Competition on behalf of your community has been a part of cultures across countries and centuries. It’s a big part of the bread and circuses trope. People crave the community and comaraderie that comes from participating in and watching these types of events.

Access to this kind of community experience outside of monetary participation has been whittled away for decades, and we’re left with what the monopoly has left us. I’m not going to insult people’s intelligence for making choices that I don’t agree with, but can understand where the motivation comes from. I think this is just another example of how capitalism has squeezed joy from our lives, but I’m not going to be an asshole and blame the victims.

I cook almost all of our meals at home. I use mainly whole ingredients and minimal hyper processed foods. Outside of tips or service fees associated with eating takeout or dining out, there are lots of non fast food options nearby that cost us less per meal than many of my go to meals. Quality produce (when you can find it) has become particularly expensive.

Even if that weren’t the case, people that don’t know how to cook as it is aren’t going to be well versed in replacing more expensive ingredients with cheaper ones. These people are less likely to start using healthier, whole ingredients at home, and will instead opt for cheap, highly processed options like skillet noodle meals and frozen prepared foods.

This situation is no joke. I am honestly on edge about just how dire this could get.

What a gross thing to say. Even if your ignorant generalization about football fans werr true, being complacent and smug about them being preyed on says a lot about you as a person.

People should be able to enjoy their hobbies and passions without participation being monetized at every turn. I don’t know why that’s a radical position to you.

And likely a treasure trove of memories that both celebrate their cat and symbolize their relationship once they deal with the worst of their grief and can enjoy the positive feelings again.

He-yup.

That’s fair, but we’re actively living the consequences of not voting for harm reduction when we had the chance in 2024. I’m so fucking sick of this. We can’t afford to ignore history or reality anymore.

Okay, so what will they have left? What international flight ports are located in predominantly red areas?

It doesn’t come off as annoying, but it certainly does detract from any credibility you are trying to have.

If what you are saying is correct, losing an imaginary, anonymous popularity contest doesn’t seem like a good enough reason to keep quiet.

This variant has a high mortality rate, no effective treatment, and can lie dormant in a person’s system for 40+ days. I think calling anyone exposed safe at this point is premature.

And for our health. Reusing plastic drink bottles not only exposes people to move micro plastics and chemicals, but plastic is porous. Even with regular washing, bacteria can leech into these pores overtime and be almost impossible to remove.

Plastics are some of the worst things we have created as a species.

I’m so sorry, hair loss can definitely be demoralizing. I have alopecia, so I can relate. My doctor put me on oral minoxidil, and it’s making a huge difference. It may be worth discussing with your PCP.

Even if you don’t want to shave and go with wigs full time, toppers are a great option! I bought one when my hair fall was at its worst, and it was a great confidence boost without the work associated with a full wig.

I’ve visited Antiga, Barbados, Dominica, Nassau, Puerto Rico, St. Kitts, St. Lucia, St. Maarten, St. Thomas, and Tortolla. They’re all quite different and offer unique opportunities.

Snorkeling, catamaran trips, and deep sea fishing will be fun in any of these places. Caribbean food is also delightful anywhere you go. Where specifically you want to go will depend on what you enjoy doing. Personally, I love to get out an explore nature, so Dominica, Puerto Rico, and St. Lucia have a lot of appeal to me.

Insects and other animals preserved in amber aren’t uncommon finds in the mineral collecting community. You could get a great specimen for under a hundred dollars depending on where you’re looking and when.

Don’t let your dreams stay dreams!

Yes, it’s a pet, but I disagree. These animals have very specific needs, so the fact that this girl found it alive and saved it in time is newsworthy. Goldfish are hardy and can become invasive. Axolotls don’t have those same advantages.

Most well cared for dogs and cats are euthanized when they are at the natural end of their lifespans and no longer have a good quality of life. Bodies grow old and die. It doesn’t matter how much money we invest in medical care, human or animal. At best it can buy a few more (often painful) months or years.

Euthanasia is most often chosen when life is no longer enjoyable for the patient. I think the moral question the OP is posing is why we offer this kind relief to companion animals and not have this option for ourselves.

Thank you! Bubblers were created and patented in Wisconsin, too, so I’m glad we are keeping the name alive.

Here to represent the Black Cats Best Cats gang.

Oh my gosh, this is so validating! A few different species of birds will flutter in front of the living room window when the feeders are empty to get my attention. They are smart little things!

I was just gifted a Switch 2 for my birthday, and Bonanza was what I was most looking forward to playing. I’m enjoying it a lot, but so far I’m glad I didn’t spend the money myself.