What about the lesbian fascination with female on female?
I'd imagine they wouldn't need a penis in the mix to identify with.
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I don't get the irrational fear and hate some people have for LGBT people.
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War is a consequence of the human desire for unity, I'd say. We are as a species in general not content to simply work together for mutual benefit. We want a closer unity with those we accept around us. We build shared identities, hierarchies, social structures of all imaginable sorts. As a consequence of this, there will always be war in some form somewhere. To many who live in these structures, the structure itself is important enough to kill and die for. It is also a consequence of the human capacity for aggression, which is impressive, and probably what got us this far through our history. Tl;dr it's not going to stop.
Regarding language, we have an unfortunate tendency to accept new words for something - and forget the attached value of the word, giving people who introduce new words a blank slate to play with. We see this phenomenon all the time. Politicians talking about "enhanced interrogation techniques", which is synonymous with torture but right then and there free of centuries of monstrous baggage. You know the drill. Drawn to its logical conclusion, see how farmers refer to their livestock: They give them feed, not food. The livestock breed and whelp instead of having sex and giving birth. There are thousands of words in this sector that are used specifically to distance the animals (livestock) from humans and human activities and conditions. Another language rife with this is corporate speech, with "consumer", "human resources", "content", and so on, ad nauseam. Words are used to build a culture, and vice versa, to lay certain new values to concepts. It is the same with murder and kill. Kill is the neutral form, murder refers to killing when it's not allowed. And of course, a school shooter murders all the kids he shoots, and then the cops kill him. Islamic insurgents murder US soldiers in Afghanistan, while US soldiers kill islamic insurgents, even if the situation was a battle between forces from two governments. Official language uses this tendency in an extremely toxic way, and unfortunately, it works, and works well.
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White kids who listen to gangsta rap and then talk about how much they hate African Americans.
Well, stupidbad gangsta rap, specifically, glories in how awful the protagonists are. If you are listening for rough/tough sounds and believe the hyperbole then it might well reinforce a negative view of the central characters.
Although, for me, I struggle to comprehend racism generally: it just seems so stupid.
Racism is not the disease. It is a symptom. It starts with someone with low sense of self-worth, someone who gets her identity from somewhere external to herself. Add a bad financial situation, and some visibly different people somewhere, and this person often draws the conclusion that those people are bad - indeed they are the reason why she has it bad. After all... If it is her fault things are bad, she is a bad person. If it is those in her group who are, her identity is worthless. Neither is possible to accept. So... Even if the reasons are truly external, since she identifies with her group, she believes others do too.
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Racism is not the disease. It is a symptom. It starts with someone with low sense of self-worth, someone who gets her identity from somewhere external to herself. Add a bad financial situation, and some visibly different people somewhere, and this person often draws the conclusion that those people are bad - indeed they are the reason why she has it bad. After all... If it is her fault things are bad, she is a bad person. If it is those in her group who are, her identity is worthless. Neither is possible to accept. So... Even if the reasons are truly external, since she identifies with her group, she believes others do too.
What about the wealthy racists?
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Rich white kids who "pretend to be black"
A very old phenomenom which might be better framed as 'advantaged people adopt some of the cultural elements originally unique to a disadvantaged group'.
Rich white kids don't pretend to be rich black kids who went to the same schools as they did. They don't pretend to be black, really, they adopt elements of a pseudo-subversive, 'edgy' culture.
They're not pretending to be Philip Banks.
For me, music isn't really a matter of what genre, but rather if it is sincere or a cynical attempt to cash in. Sometimes that line gets pretty blurry. But as long as it is a sincere expression and not something specifically formulated in a boardroom to make the maximum sales, I can dig it.
And even some of those awful things end up pretty good by accident.
Racism is not the disease. It is a symptom. It starts with someone with low sense of self-worth, someone who gets her identity from somewhere external to herself. Add a bad financial situation, and some visibly different people somewhere, and this person often draws the conclusion that those people are bad - indeed they are the reason why she has it bad. After all... If it is her fault things are bad, she is a bad person. If it is those in her group who are, her identity is worthless. Neither is possible to accept. So... Even if the reasons are truly external, since she identifies with her group, she believes others do too.What about the wealthy racists?
Well, either they go through the same process, or they see that racist views are something you can use and do so. Being wealthy doesn't mean you have a good sense of self-worth, especially if it has been inherited wealth. A situation needs to be compared to the expectations of the person in question. Not being able to afford foie gras every day might feel terrible to someone who is used to it.
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Rich white kids who "pretend to be black"A very old phenomenom which might be better framed as 'advantaged people adopt some of the cultural elements originally unique to a disadvantaged group'.
Rich white kids don't pretend to be rich black kids who went to the same schools as they did. They don't pretend to be black, really, they adopt elements of a pseudo-subversive, 'edgy' culture.
They're not pretending to be Philip Banks.
Jeezus, that tune's 17 years old? Where does the time go?
Anyway, The White Negro.
And then there's that whole charming American tradition of minstrelsy...
The consumption of red meat. I willa venge my murdered brothers.
I don't get all the people who go to the PETA booths at events and act so "changed", claim that PETA isn't really that bad, or talk of joining...
...and they have pets.
Cugel the Clever's motivation is to get back to the wizard who teleported him across the world and get revenge. I'm imagining you stopped after the first book?[Bristles]Things I don't get!
* Why anybody would like "tales of the dying Earth" by Jack Vance - seriously, reading it feels more like reading a manuscript to a story than an actual one.
Well, can you explain it? the stories are written in such an impersonal way - emotions are barely, if at all, described. Character motivation is extremely vague. Amazing magical things are described in such short, terse sentences that nothing about them feels fantastic. It's like a skeleton of a story without any of the delicious meat.
Yeah, sure, after the first book!
** spoiler omitted **
I guess it's just a matter of taste, really. It's easy to tell when a style of writing just isn't for you. What I don't get is what people who like this style find in it.
I'll let other Vance fans, if they care to, explain it. Here I will only say that I was also surprised at how much the original stories in The Dying Earth had to do with beautiful writing and less to do with plot, but if you really want some advice from someone who has read Tales of the Dying Earth on how "to get" them: start with The Eyes of the Overworld.
Rich white kids who "pretend to be black"A very old phenomenom which might be better framed as 'advantaged people adopt some of the cultural elements originally unique to a disadvantaged group'.
Rich white kids don't pretend to be rich black kids who went to the same schools as they did. They don't pretend to be black, really, they adopt elements of a pseudo-subversive, 'edgy' culture.
They're not pretending to be Philip Banks.
Jeezus, that tune's 17 years old? Where does the time go?
Anyway, The White Negro.
And then there's that whole charming American tradition of minstrelsy...
we may agree on little politically, but you do come up with some good stuff, man....any political aspirations I have will requirequire you in my cabinet.
[blushes]
I'll serve in your cabinet, Comrade Freehold, but only if after a couple of years, I can lead a coup.
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[blushes]
I'll serve in your cabinet, Comrade Freehold, but only if after a couple of years, I can lead a coup.
"I drank WHAT?"
Et tu, talus mordet? Then fall, Freehold!
Sic temper tyrannis!
Although as far as assassins go, neither Brutus nor Booth make my Top 10 list. And, uh, I wouldn't want to see Comrade Freehold dead, just, you know, exiled to Monaco with a couple billion bucks and free subscriptions to the Paizo line(s) of his choice.
Probably the most agreeable takeover you'll find, that, yeeesssss.
Sic temper tyrannis!
Although as far as assassins go, neither Brutus nor Booth make my Top 10 list. And, uh, I wouldn't want to see Comrade Freehold dead, just, you know, exiled to Monaco with a couple billion bucks and free subscriptions to the Paizo line(s) of his choice.
I like where this is going.
Better Monaco than Elba, that's for sure.
"I drank WHAT?"[blushes]
I'll serve in your cabinet, Comrade Freehold, but only if after a couple of years, I can lead a coup.
Dude he will do you in with an ice pick in Mexico.
You can trust me, I am a more moderate socialist ;-)
I don't get all the people who go to the PETA booths at events and act so "changed", claim that PETA isn't really that bad, or talk of joining...
...and they have pets.
Contrary to myth, PETA does not want to confiscate animals who are well cared for and "set them free." What we want is for the population of dogs and cats to be reduced through spaying and neutering and for people to adopt animals (preferably two so that they can keep each other company when their human companions aren't home) from pounds or animal shelters—never from pet shops or breeders—thereby reducing suffering in the world.
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Some parts of socialism aint that bad to be honest.
of course not. We can all use elements from different forms of government to improve our own.
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I don't get Spanish soap operas. Maybe I should learn Spanish...
I speak Spanish. It doesn't help.
Another thing I just don't get.
I have a friend (Gasp! I know) and he considers politics fun. How could anyone consider politics fun?
Did you hear something?
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Huh? Sorry, I was trying to figure out this new knitting pattern. Whoever charted it must have been drunk or stoned or both.
If I'm trying to concentrate on something, I may have had to tune other stuff out in order to be able to do so. I'm not intentionally being rude, I may just have a project I'm working on.
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Another thing I just don't get.
I have a friend (Gasp! I know) and he considers politics fun. How could anyone consider politics fun?
If the stakes are not high enough for you, politics is just a bunch of people who feel important and bicker with each other like old ladies. It could be fun in a similar way to how a reality show is fun to people - they want to see blood, and politics show plenty.
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People I don't get:
Folks who're watching something on TV, reading a book or are just in general so out of it that they have no idea what the heck you're saying because they're on planet 'huh?'. How can ANYTHING preoccupy you to the point you have no idea what's going on around you? I mean, I get if you're being attacked by a crazy axe murderer perhaps taking your laptop off the charger so it doesn't overcharge wouldn't occur to you, but for God's sake when the movie/show isn't even in an exciting part (two characters would just be chatting, no mind boggling revelations or anything), you can take two seconds to reply to a question.
Again, they're not preoccupied with anything exciting happening, like an exciting football game or fight scene, just some mind numbing material.
Because some people have the ability to Focus. With a capital F. You, most likely, don't. They block out the outside world and let themselves be completely absorbed into something, like a movie, a book, or whatever. I can't do this either, but DAMN I'd like to be able to. Imagine feeling what you feel when you're engaged in seeing a movie, only more immersive. Imagine having every ounce of emotion in the script wash through you, feeling truly present in the setting. Yeah. Not everyone is created equal, but I can understand if disconnecting the charger feels pretty much irrelevant. And you know why your insistence that they should irritates them so much? Because you tear them out of the movie/book/etc, so they have to build up to that immersion again. It takes time, often ten minutes or so, time that the beginning of a movie usually counts on, and tries to give you.
I like where this is going.Sic temper tyrannis!
Although as far as assassins go, neither Brutus nor Booth make my Top 10 list. And, uh, I wouldn't want to see Comrade Freehold dead, just, you know, exiled to Monaco with a couple billion bucks and free subscriptions to the Paizo line(s) of his choice.
*Groannn....* Looks up at very fancy ceiling... "Where am I? And why am I hearing roulette wheels?"
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People I don't get:
Folks who're watching something on TV, reading a book or are just in general so out of it that they have no idea what the heck you're saying because they're on planet 'huh?'. How can ANYTHING preoccupy you to the point you have no idea what's going on around you? I mean, I get if you're being attacked by a crazy axe murderer perhaps taking your laptop off the charger so it doesn't overcharge wouldn't occur to you, but for God's sake when the movie/show isn't even in an exciting part (two characters would just be chatting, no mind boggling revelations or anything), you can take two seconds to reply to a question.
Again, they're not preoccupied with anything exciting happening, like an exciting football game or fight scene, just some mind numbing material.
When i watch something, or read something, i focus on it. The rest of the world stops existing for all i care. I tend to dissuade people from talking to me by wearing headphones.
Yes, headphones are the universal "bugger off, I'm busy" signal that everyone should know.
Oh, and earn my fifth GM star.
You know, to show how better I am than everyone else.
You know their are made of tinfoil, not real silver?
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Because some people have the ability to Focus. With a capital F. You, most likely, don't. They block out the outside world and let themselves be completely absorbed into something, like a movie, a book, or whatever. I can't do this either, but DAMN I'd like to be able to. Imagine feeling what you feel when you're engaged in seeing a movie, only more immersive. Imagine having every ounce of emotion in the script wash through you, feeling truly present in the setting. Yeah. Not everyone is created equal, but I can understand if disconnecting the charger feels pretty much irrelevant. And you know why your insistence that they should irritates them so much? Because you tear them out of the movie/book/etc, so they have to build up to that immersion again. It takes time, often ten minutes or so, time that the beginning of a movie usually counts on, and tries to give you.
Got it right on the nose. Especially with books. When I'm reading a book the rest of the world disappears. I can ignore most noise, most outside activity, and sometimes even hunger or heat/cold if the book is good enough. (Only things I've done that on recently were Jim Butcher's Cold Days and Brandon Sanderson's Way of Kings.)
Yes, headphones are the universal "bugger off, I'm busy" signal that everyone should know.Very much this.
I wish I could get my coworkers to understand this. Or at least understand that "I can't hear you when you come in and jabber at me, I'm focused on my music and my work, you have to get my attention first".
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Because some people have the ability to Focus. With a capital F. You, most likely, don't. They block out the outside world and let themselves be completely absorbed into something, like a movie, a book, or whatever. I can't do this either, but DAMN I'd like to be able to. Imagine feeling what you feel when you're engaged in seeing a movie, only more immersive. Imagine having every ounce of emotion in the script wash through you, feeling truly present in the setting. Yeah. Not everyone is created equal, but I can understand if disconnecting the charger feels pretty much irrelevant. And you know why your insistence that they should irritates them so much? Because you tear them out of the movie/book/etc, so they have to build up to that immersion again. It takes time, often ten minutes or so, time that the beginning of a movie usually counts on, and tries to give you.People I don't get:
Folks who're watching something on TV, reading a book or are just in general so out of it that they have no idea what the heck you're saying because they're on planet 'huh?'. How can ANYTHING preoccupy you to the point you have no idea what's going on around you? I mean, I get if you're being attacked by a crazy axe murderer perhaps taking your laptop off the charger so it doesn't overcharge wouldn't occur to you, but for God's sake when the movie/show isn't even in an exciting part (two characters would just be chatting, no mind boggling revelations or anything), you can take two seconds to reply to a question.
Again, they're not preoccupied with anything exciting happening, like an exciting football game or fight scene, just some mind numbing material.
Also, just because they tune you out completely, that doesn't mean they wouldn't notice an axe-murderer. You just might be slightly overestimating how much they care about anything you have to say. That "mind-numbing material" might not speak to you personally, but to them it's evidently a lot more interesting than anything you might have to say.
Why all bigotry is condemned. Except bigotry against the Southern US. Which is notable in several posts on this very thread.
Now I can safely (and shamelessly) assume that Kthulhu is from the Southern US.
And to answer your question there, it's just that they happen to be Acceptable Targets.
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Faith. Claims it is needed in any way, that it deserves respect just because it is faith.