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MerrySkeptic

@ MerrySkeptic @sh.itjust.works

Posts
3
Comments
165
Joined
3 yr. ago

  • Rob Reiner Dead: 'The Princess Bride' Director Found Dead With Wife (in apparent homicide)

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  • Reports now coming in that it was their son, Nick. Tragic

  • Some of the Best Opening Sequences (not the Intro) in a Show?

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  • Lost

  • 'The Expanse' at 10: The Outer Space Drama That Should Have Been as Big as ‘Game of Thrones’

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  • Love this show and the books, especially the audiobooks narrated perfectly by Jefferson Mays. If you haven't checked out the books, you're missing out on some of the best sci-fi in ages. I love that they are set in a very unique time period in the future that we don't see a lot of: earth has colonized the solar system but interstellar travel is not possible. No warp drive or hyperspace. That means traveling from one planet to another can take months.

    The show does such a great job of showing and explaining accurate space physics. No artificial gravity. You want gravity? Best we can do is engine-generated thrust.

    All the characters have great arcs too. I was sad that the final three books were never adapted, but the way the books were written means that they can easily finish the series with a movie trilogy if they want.

    James SA Corey started a new sci-fi series I am digging so far, The Captives War. VERY different from The Expanse but still fascinating

  • Tlaib Rips Lawmakers Who 'Drool at the Opportunity to Fund War' While Opposing Healthcare for All

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  • It's not that they drool over war per se, but that they drool over any chance to make a profit. War just happens to be a great way to do that.

    Free healthcare profits no one, at least monetarily, so it will never be a priority

  • If WW3 breaks out, what countries are going to be on which side?

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  • The "sides" that the countries take is of secondary importance. Capital will benefit from any conflict, no matter what the stated sides are, and suffer minimally. That's the true enemy

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    Permanently Deleted

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  • I recently went to one for the first time with my adolescent son. It was a blast!

    We basically went in with the mentality of being curious and flexible. For example, we had the con schedule ahead of time and had highlighted some things we definitely wanted to do, but we left the door open for opportunities that might be more interesting.

    The con had some things that were always accessible like an arcade with Japanese games, a board game library, etc. It also had things you had to sign up in advance for like if you wanted to do a DnD one shot. Some things you just had to show up on time for like hearing voice actor panels and some things you have to be on time AND pay extra for like autographs and photos with featured guests. I would say my biggest advice is to make a budget with some wiggle room and then stick to it. It's very easy to overspend because there is a lot of cool merch.

    Think ahead about food options. There was a vendor on site with limited options and some food trucks outside. But many attendees didn't realize that showing your wrist and to restaurants in walking distance would get you discounts or free items. It pays to look at the convention program to see what deals are available. Bring a water bottle because they may not allow outside food or drinks, but most places will let you fill up at the water fountains.

    Also think ahead about parking if your con isn't near public transit. We had to pay something like $25 to park in a lot that was a block away because the on site parking was completely taken by the time we got there (an hour before the doors opened).

    This year we just did a one day pass though the con itself is 3 days long. We did this because we had no idea what to expect and didn't want to overcommit. We might do more next year but we will definitely do it again. If you do decide to do multiple days consider the extra costs for food, parking, merch, etc and plan accordingly.

    Aside from that, I really wish we had cosplayed. We didn't because my son was embarrassed to, but he regretted that when we got there and saw people of every age and gender in costumes of every level of quality. A cheap homemade costume will fit in as much as a pro cosplayer, especially if you put a spin on it like gender bending or a character in a different time period. Sometimes the intentionally terrible costumes were more popular than the super detailed ones!

  • What are you watching and what do you recommend this week?

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  • The Mighty Nein

  • Peru sentences former President Vizcarra to 14 years in prison for corruption

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  • Imagine a government holding corrupt officials accountable

  • U.S. ready to cut support to Scouts, accusing them of attacking 'boy-friendly spaces'

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  • Here's the thing: This is total bullshit.

    Chartering organizations like churches have the option to create a boys troop, a girl's troop, or two separate. Completely at their discretion. If they want a boys only space they can have one. This is just macho posturing that is going to have a major effect on turning a lot of youth even more against this administration

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    Man who cryogenically froze late wife sparks debate by dating new partner

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  • No worries. Yes, "late" in this context is a synonym for dead

  • Poll: Democrats have biggest advantage for control of Congress in 8 years

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  • 8 years, so literally the last time the big orange was in charge. We learn nothing

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    Man who cryogenically froze late wife sparks debate by dating new partner

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  • Headline already says "late wife"

  • What show did you stop watching because it felt like a chore to finish?

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  • I tried to give The Acolyte a chance. It was so unbelievably bad I couldn't make it past 3 episodes

  • TIL that states that voted for Donald Trump have a higher murder rate than states that didn't.

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  • Weird. Where are all the good guys with guns?

  • How Do You Feel About Professional Sports in 2025?

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  • I used to be into it more in high school and college. My hometown teams were winning and it was a great bonding experience with other guys and my dad.

    After I had kids and was working full time, I didn't have time. Not to mention I was an early cord cutter, so I couldn't follow games like I used to when I had cable. Another factor was that the research on CTE made watching American football feel gross.

    I came to realize, I didn't really miss it all that much. I will watch an occasional game here or there if it's special, but otherwise meh. There's plenty of other things I either have to do or would prefer doing instead. Maintaining a home and kids' activities take a lot of time. When I do have free time I'd rather play a game or watch a good show. I will keep up with the headlines just so I can have a conversation with my dad or father in law about whatever is happening, but it's pretty minimal at this point.

  • ‘Pluribus’ Review: Rhea Seehorn Is a Funny, Sad Marvel in Vince Gilligan’s Evasive Apple TV Multi-Genre Original

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  • Counterpoint: Vince Gilligan

  • Trump claims 'a lot of people don't see' that America has 'the greatest economy right now' as voters vent anger over affordability

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  • This approach worked great for Biden, let's see how well it works for the Orange

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    How's Texas looking?

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  • Definitely not good. Lots of tax breaks for the wealthy and "parental rights" as a smokescreen to hurt trans kids all passing. Goddammit.

  • What's everyone's opinion of Zohran Mamdani?

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  • Eh, true socialism by the people has never been tried. You're probably thinking of authoritarian models, which most socialists would say are not accurate representations of socialism as they are a top-down approach.

    Interestingly, there are some democratic countries (Scandinavian countries, for example) that use socialist inspired social welfare programs that are do pretty well. Universal healthcare, free education, social security, etc. These would also not be considered pure socialism, but rather mixed economies.

    So I don't think it's fair to say either that socialist ideas are bad when we can see examples of them being implemented successfully, or that socialism itself is a failure when it has never been implemented in its pure form. The best you could say is that you prefer to work with the devil you know, which is a valid osition I suppose.

    At least you are willing to concede that capitalism has its failures too. How would you adjust capitalism for the better?