Interesting's recent activity
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Comment on Wicked | Official trailer in ~movies
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Comment on No love for fiction or literary pursuits on Tildes? in ~tildes
Interesting Link ParentI got the impression that while everyone practices the sacred arts to some extent, and the term is sometimes used to refer to anyone acting in that capacity, not everyone is a "sacred artist" by...if literally everyone is a sacred artist
I got the impression that while everyone practices the sacred arts to some extent, and the term is sometimes used to refer to anyone acting in that capacity, not everyone is a "sacred artist" by trade. Lindon's story doesn't focus on them, but there are billions of soulsmiths, farmers, shopkeepers, refiners, merchants, janitors etc, who keep the world ticking quietly in the background.
Then, there is a small class of people focus their lives on advancement in combat-focused sacred arts. That having the goal of military or community strength or protection from remnants, bandits and the like.
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Comment on Weekly Israel-Hamas war megathread - week of May 6 in ~news
Interesting Link ParentIsrael does not want a ceasefire under conditions that will lead to another October 7th the next time they've made movements towards peace that Gaza seems be responding to and don't have enough...Israel does not want a ceasefire under conditions that will lead to another October 7th the next time they've made movements towards peace that Gaza seems be responding to and don't have enough soldiers supervising the border.
Frankly, it's a standpoint I understand. The Gilad Shalit deal released Sinwar and a thousand others, many of whom who went on to murder, not just combatants, but Israeli civilians. Israel, if it wishes to continue as a state, cannot continue to incentivise Hamas to take hostages by prioritizing their rescue above all else. It's unfortunate, it's fucked up, and it's reality. There are reasons (beyond the cruelty) that the laws of war prohibit taking hostages, and one of those is because the bartering over their lives provides political value in exchange for the destruction the sort of unbalanced war that Hamas provoked. All at the cost of Palestinian civilians, who we can agree have suffered the brunt.
For all Israel's current administration is not particularly interested in peace, even assuming Hamas is working towards peace in good faith, there are elements in Gaza and the West Bank (particularly the Muslim Brotherhood associated Palestinian Islamic Jihad) who also have no intention for a permanent peace with a Jewish state as its neighbor. So Israel continues its campaign in order to try and exact a high enough cost that what they will eventually give in exchange for the hostages won't be viewed as "worth it" in hindsight.
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Comment on Weekly Israel-Hamas war megathread - week of May 6 in ~news
Interesting Link ParentThat deal, for first stage of the exchange, allows Hamas to provide either living hostages, or dead bodies. Meaning, they lack any incentives to keep that category of hostages alive. That alone...That deal, for first stage of the exchange, allows Hamas to provide either living hostages, or dead bodies. Meaning, they lack any incentives to keep that category of hostages alive.
That alone would have been enough to sink this "deal".
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Comment on Weekly Israel-Hamas war megathread - week of April 29 in ~news
Interesting Link ParentI don't know enough about Islam to respond to any such attempts, but to me your response came across as "whataboutism". I think they can both be wrong, with neither excusing the other.I don't know enough about Islam to respond to any such attempts, but to me your response came across as "whataboutism".
I think they can both be wrong, with neither excusing the other.
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Comment on React, Electron, and LLMs have a common purpose: the labour arbitrage theory of dev tool popularity in ~comp
Interesting Link ParentYeah, I know. I suppose my past tense wasn't as obvious as I thought.Yeah, I know. I suppose my past tense wasn't as obvious as I thought.
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Comment on Weekly Israel-Hamas war megathread - week of April 29 in ~news
Interesting LinkA morally pure Judaism without actual Jews And a similar article from earlier: How dare you reinterpret our religion for us? ...A morally pure Judaism without actual Jews
... As a scholar of American Judaism and a teacher of American college students for nearly half a century, I confess that I’ve been surprised to see slogans and tactics employed decades ago by antisemites and the New Left – and widely discredited since then — refitted and deployed in the wave of protests against “American complicity in Israel’s genocide of the Palestinian people.”
Last week, with memories of my family’s Passover seders still vivid, I watched video of the protest “seder in the streets” held in Brooklyn on the second night of the holiday – and was shocked, though not surprised, to see Israel denounced in the name of a definition of Jewish faith that we have not heard much of since its heyday in 19th century Europe and its use in the 20th century by the anti-Zionist American Council for Judaism. I found myself wishing that the students in my courses on Jewish thought could have seen the video too. I want them to understand that some of the current arguments made by young Jews against Zionism are in fact old claims about the nature of Judaism.
As is usual these days, Israel was denounced at the rally as inherently colonialist and apartheid; nothing new there, only more evidence that lovers of Zion have not done a good job in telling the story of how the State of Israel came to be. Too often the standard Palestinian narrative is met with silence or confusion; some knowledge of world history would be helpful too, lest Israel be denied legitimacy for mistakes and injustices all too common in the annals of nation-states. What was new at this “seder,” for me at least, was the charge that Zionism is literally a “false God,” that attachment to Israel is “worshipping a golden calf.” That is so, it was proclaimed, because Judaism is ethical monotheism and only that; Judaism is work for justice, full stop, and therefore any lapse from moral purity constitutes idolatry.
This seder/rally rightly emphasized the Haggadah’s call to join in the work of redemption – and wrongly omitted any reference to the actual people that, freed from Egyptian bondage, began a long trek to the Land of Israel. This seder’s Judaism cares immensely about the suffering of the Palestinian people (as I do), and even faults the Haggadah for insufficient attention to the “liberation and self-determination of the Egyptian people.” But it says not a word about the suffering of the thousands brutalized and murdered on Oct 7 or the welfare of the 7 million members of the Jewish people who live in Israel. It would not be going too far to say that, like many recent movements that have gained popularity among younger American Jews, this is a Judaism with no need of Jews. It has great appeal to Jews who have no need for Judaism as it has been practiced for millennia.
And a similar article from earlier: How dare you reinterpret our religion for us?
... The presentation at HDS is the latest in a series of pro-Palestinian programs that feature speakers like Raheb who seem to have a great deal to say about Jewish scripture, Jewish theology, and Jewish identity. Somehow, it has become acceptable for Raheb to dictate to Jewish people — the people who have read and interpreted the Torah for millenia — how to “decolonize” their own identities to suit his own political agenda. It is cultural appropriation par excellence.
The expectation that Jewish history and identity need to be adjusted to be acceptable to the current socio-political landscape disregards the endurance of Jewish traditions through 3,000 years of development, often in the face of extreme oppression, colonialist displacement, and ethnic cleansing. Never mind the fact that the Torah has already been frequently usurped and weaponized against the Jews by both Christians and Muslims, who reinterpret key Jewish texts in an attempt to harm Jews.
Let me be clear: You can’t tell Jewish people how to be Jewish. We don’t need non-Jewish academics to explain to us concepts central to our identity — such as the land of Israel, the people of Israel, or the return to Zion. We can figure them out ourselves. And, guess what? We have
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The audacity of Raheb to strip us of our theological and historical agency — an idea that would be unthinkable for any other minority group — is staggering. The “theologian” in question also champions the Khazar theory, which posits that modern Ashkenazi Jews are descendents of Turkic converts to Judaism, denying them of links to the land of Israel, notwithstanding large amounts of evidence to the contrary.
Consider the precedent Harvard is setting. Would it be acceptable to invite a speaker who claims that the descendants of English settlers are the “real” Indigenous peoples of North America, effectively erasing the historical claims of the First Nations? Or a speaker who claims that globally recognized cultural monuments were actually built by Europeans? The Divinity School has done the equivalent by hosting a speaker who peddles ahistorical, politically motivated conspiracy theories that marginalize Jews, all under the guise of academic discourse
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Comment on React, Electron, and LLMs have a common purpose: the labour arbitrage theory of dev tool popularity in ~comp
Interesting (edited )Link ParentExactly. I think the author is also missing another key feature of the tools he mentions (at least, the ones on the list that I have experience with) - - they are all both easy to start using at a...Exactly. I think the author is also missing another key feature of the tools he mentions (at least, the ones on the list that I have experience with) - - they are all both easy to start using at a basic level, but can be used for highly complex applications. Being easy to start using is appealing for employers, but also for ordinary developers who want to jump in and churn out their personal project.
Create-react-app made setting up a first React project literally 5 minutes of effort. You can have a cross platform application building in Electron in under an hour. That's seriously a feature for a new developer trying to throw together an idea at a hackathon.
And once they start working on an employer's dime, a developer is much more likely to suggest a framework they've used before for that greenfield project.
I've definitely been in an environment where you don't always get to pick your tech stack, but Electron and React wouldn't have become nearly as entrenched as they are without being something developers want to use.
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Comment on Google lays off hundreds of ‘Core’ employees, moves some positions to India and Mexico in ~tech
Interesting Link ParentIt feels amusing that that particular book was written by an IBMer. I've seen a lot of comments recently accusing Google of turning into IBM.It feels amusing that that particular book was written by an IBMer. I've seen a lot of comments recently accusing Google of turning into IBM.
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Comment on Mufasa: The Lion King | Teaser trailer in ~movies
Interesting Link ParentI'm out of the loop on Marvel movies, can you expand on that?I'm out of the loop on Marvel movies, can you expand on that?
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Comment on Mufasa: The Lion King | Teaser trailer in ~movies
Interesting Link ParentThat's almost the worst part. It is animated, but they decided to ignore the strongest feature of animation for non-human characters (the ability to better anthromorphize and exaggerate emotions)...That's almost the worst part. It is animated, but they decided to ignore the strongest feature of animation for non-human characters (the ability to better anthromorphize and exaggerate emotions) with their style. Imo, it ends up feeling uncanny.
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Comment on Mufasa: The Lion King | Teaser trailer in ~movies
Interesting LinkInteresting. I recall people being very critical of the animation for the live action remake, so I'm genuinely surprised to see this. The premise seems like it could be good, but damn it, I miss...Interesting. I recall people being very critical of the animation for the live action remake, so I'm genuinely surprised to see this. The premise seems like it could be good, but damn it, I miss 2d animation. You just don't get the same level of expression out of characters that look realistic.
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Comment on Happy 6th Birthday, Tildes! in ~tildes
Interesting Link ParentOK, thanks. I don't keep a credit card hooked up to my Google account to prevent impulse spending (I use Opinon Rewards money to buy what I need), but in that case, I'll pick up a gift card or...OK, thanks. I don't keep a credit card hooked up to my Google account to prevent impulse spending (I use Opinon Rewards money to buy what I need), but in that case, I'll pick up a gift card or something.
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Comment on Happy 6th Birthday, Tildes! in ~tildes
Interesting Link ParentYour work is greatly appreciated, so thank you for the sacrifice! I've been meaning to ask you -- is there a way to donate to Three Cheers without going through the Play Store? I imagine you would...Your work is greatly appreciated, so thank you for the sacrifice!
I've been meaning to ask you -- is there a way to donate to Three Cheers without going through the Play Store? I imagine you would prefer Google didn't take a 30% cut.
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Comment on Cartoons such as Steven Universe, Gravity Falls, or Avatar? in ~tv
Interesting LinkIf 3d animation is OK, I highly recommend Star Trek: Prodigy. Frankly, it was the most like the 90's Star Trek of any of the new Star Trek shows. It does an great job developing the crew, the...If 3d animation is OK, I highly recommend Star Trek: Prodigy. Frankly, it was the most like the 90's Star Trek of any of the new Star Trek shows. It does an great job developing the crew, the backgrounds are beautifully animated, and overall it's just fun to watch.
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Comment on Digital books are costing local libraries a ton in ~books
Interesting LinkI've been seeing a lot of "If buying isn't owning, piracy isn't stealing" recently, and frankly, it resonates. I've hit the point with books where if I want to read it, I download it off Library...I've been seeing a lot of "If buying isn't owning, piracy isn't stealing" recently, and frankly, it resonates. I've hit the point with books where if I want to read it, I download it off Library Genesis. If I find I'm reading a lot of an author (say, a long series, or multiple different works), I'll order a copy of their next book, or in one case sent money to an author's Kickstarter. The author cut for non-self published books is pathetically small anyway.
I find that I'm reading much more books this way, and I'm much more likely to bother to pick up a series. Funny enough I'm pretty sure I've generated a few book purchases by other people via recommendations. The alternative (say, if Library Genesis disappeared) would probably be me just reading more fanfiction online and almost no actual novels, rather than me actually purchasing ebooks.
Perhaps I would be more inclined to purchase ebooks if purchased ebooks weren't such a nuisance. If I purchase an ebook, I can't sell it, lend it to someone else to read. I likely have to deal with DRM that insists I only read it on certain devices, there have been cases where books have been removed from people's devices, and need to keep my device logged in to whatever service. Meanwhile, if I download something from Library Genesis, I search the title, hit download, and can put it on anything with an EPUB reader, I don't need a login to access it, can send a copy to someone else via email or WhatsApp... It's honestly a better experience after the first 30 seconds.
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Comment on Iran launches dozens of drones toward Israel in ~news
Interesting Link ParentI mean, it's not like Iran hasn't done the same thing and worse against Israel through its proxies. The most well known attack directly on an embassy:...I mean, it's not like Iran hasn't done the same thing and worse against Israel through its proxies. The most well known attack directly on an embassy:
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/1992_Buenos_Aires_Israeli_embassy_bombing -
Comment on If we can't block users can we at least filter out topics posted by those users? in ~tildes
Interesting Link ParentWith Firefox mobile on Android, you can use extensions. I highly recommend it!With Firefox mobile on Android, you can use extensions. I highly recommend it!
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Comment on Looking for non-political content in ~life
Interesting LinkFor YouTube channels: Linus Tech Tips, though the WAN show (their weekly podcast) sometimes skirts the edge of politics (somewhat abated even then, because it's often Canadian politics)....For YouTube channels:
Linus Tech Tips, though the WAN show (their weekly podcast) sometimes skirts the edge of politics (somewhat abated even then, because it's often Canadian politics).
Technology Connections for more than you will ever need to know about appliances
Tom Scott's back catalogue if you didn't keep up with it
Townsends for historical food and cooking.
The next thing I would probably recommend would be getting into a long running old TV show. Star Trek is my easiest example. Even if you skip the really campy TOS epsiodes, that's still 3 shows with seven 26 epsiode seasons, and then Enterprise, and then the modern shows.
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Comment on Stardew Valley 1.6 update released on PC in ~games
Interesting Link ParentThere is a bit of a trick to it - - you can do it one level at a time by sleeping to save every time you complete a level without dying. If you die, just exit without saving and try again.There is a bit of a trick to it - - you can do it one level at a time by sleeping to save every time you complete a level without dying. If you die, just exit without saving and try again.
I wonder if they will be adding content from the Wicked book? The musical, needing to keep simple for the stage reduced the many subplots of the book dramatically. Even for subplots that remained present, like the subplot on discrimination against Munchkins and intelligent Animals, they were often diminished to keep the songs and story flowing.
It also loses a lot of the novel's focus on Nessarose and Elphaba's relationship(and completely eliminates Nanny) and an extended plot line of Elphaba's origins, and then of her travel to and integration into Kiamo Ko
That said, some of those changes were absolutely for the better, as the book's middle act drags quite a lot. I think that this could work really well (some of the cut content is really interesting and will work well in a movie where things are less crazy than a stage production), or be terrible depending on the screenplay and director. But honestly, the trailer looks great, so I'm reasonably optimistic.