JCAPER's recent activity
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Comment on Meryl Streep: it’s ‘hardest thing’ for men to see themselves in female characters in ~movies
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Comment on Meryl Streep: it’s ‘hardest thing’ for men to see themselves in female characters in ~movies
JCAPER Link ParentAh I think I get where you're coming from. In that context, agreed, I also find it tragic. My favourite movie of all time happens to be Ghost in the Shell. If I happened to not watch it just...Ah I think I get where you're coming from. In that context, agreed, I also find it tragic. My favourite movie of all time happens to be Ghost in the Shell. If I happened to not watch it just because the protagonist was female, at least for me it would've been a tragedy. That movie shaped how I think about life.
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Comment on Meryl Streep: it’s ‘hardest thing’ for men to see themselves in female characters in ~movies
JCAPER Link ParentIn Turning Red, to me, the red panda transformation and shenanigans was an obvious metaphor to puberty, and it focuses a lot from a girl perspective. It's a coming of age for a girl. The movie...In Turning Red, to me, the red panda transformation and shenanigans was an obvious metaphor to puberty, and it focuses a lot from a girl perspective. It's a coming of age for a girl. The movie does have other themes thare are more universal (immigrant family, controlling parent, generational trauma, etc), but the puberty was the biggest focus imo.
But that's fine, I don't think a movie has to be relatable to everyone. I empathize with Mei's struggles, but I can't relate to her experience, because my experience with puberty was significantly different. But my niece loved the movie, she related to Mei. The movie is stronger for it, it has to be relatable to its target audience, not me. I'm not part of that audience. If I was given the choice to change it, I wouldn't, I would just water it down for the people that loved it.
It's just how it is, I don't think there's anything tragic about it, I love other movies and games that aren't relatable to her as well. We're all different, with different experiences and tastes. I think movies/games should set out to do what they want to do, and do it well. We have a huge pool of choices for every kind of taste, there's always something for everyone. Granted, it's not a perfect pool, there is underepresentation and other problems in several areas, but still.
To prevent confusion, for me relatability and empathy are two different things. We should all try to empathize with each other, but we don't need to relate. Empathy is what makes us understand each other, relatability is just knowing what it's like to go through similar experiences. Someone who didn't lose a family member cannot relate to the experience of someone who did, they will never know what it's like until it happens to them.
While writing this, I remembered Brooklyn 9 9. Captain Holt, while I cannot relate to him, I empathize with him. I don't know what it's like to experience discrimination in the professional world, much less because I happen to prefer the someone with a sausage between their legs, but I empathized with his struggles. It sucks to see such an amazing person being discriminated like that. But despite not being able to relate to him, he's one of my favourite characters in the show.
I agree with your last paragraph, I also believe people should be exposed to several PoV's. Empathy starts by knowing about different people, what they are a like, what they went through, etc. And it starts by letting our kids read/play/watch whatever they want, not prohibiting or judging them for liking something they aren't supposed to.
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Comment on Meryl Streep: it’s ‘hardest thing’ for men to see themselves in female characters in ~movies
JCAPER LinkSpeaking only about my personal experience. (Male) I can identify with some female protagonists, my favorite one being Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell movie (the original one). I played...Speaking only about my personal experience. (Male)
I can identify with some female protagonists, my favorite one being Motoko Kusanagi from Ghost in the Shell movie (the original one). I played several games and watched several movies with female leads, and sometimes I like to play as a female character in RPG games.
I noticed that I have an easier time relating with “tomboy” type of characters. Not necessarily in physical aspect, but personality-wise. Of the top of my head, Enough (2002) comes to mind. The lead learns to fight in order to defend herself from her husband. While she does have a tomboy image, what I remember from her was her determination and will to fight (although I must admit I do not remember a lot of the details about the movie, but it stuck with me since I was a kid)
This became even more apparent to me when I watched Turning Red, which focuses a lot on girls issues and their perspectives. I spent the entire movie unable to relate, by the end I just couldn’t figure out if it was a good movie or not. I “couldn’t” dislike or like it because I don’t think it’s fair to evaluate a movie that I could not relate to.
That also made me realize that if the game/movie is about transversal topics, that affect both sexes, I can identify with the female lead more easily, even if they themselves are not necessarily tomboy. Kill Bill is a good example, revenge is an universal concept, as well Control videogame, The Walking Dead Season 2 game (telltale) too
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Comment on ChatGPT will show sources for their search now in ~tech
JCAPER Link ParentThe search function uses bing, and the AI will read through the results. When it finds the relevant data, it will quote it and source it. It's not referencing its training data. I've been using...The search function uses bing, and the AI will read through the results. When it finds the relevant data, it will quote it and source it. It's not referencing its training data.
I've been using Perplexity which is basically an AI service but focused on search, and it's been changing how I do searches. It doesn't substitute a proper deep dive if you need to do one, but it gives you a quick summary about whatever you are searching, with no hallucinations (in my experience at least)
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Comment on What’s your method for archiving bookmarked/liked social media posts? in ~comp
JCAPER LinkI save both the link and contents in my note taking app, which currently is Anytype (it’s like Notion, but privacy focused). I used to have the same problem as you, it happened more than once...I save both the link and contents in my note taking app, which currently is Anytype (it’s like Notion, but privacy focused). I used to have the same problem as you, it happened more than once having a link saved, only to then being deleted.
Usually the web clipper works, but when it doesn’t, I copy paste manually the text when I get to my PC. I used to have a shortcut in my iphone that did this automatically for Apple Notes, but unfortunately they still haven’t implemented shortcut functions for Anytype
In there, I separate each link with tags, one for when I want to check the link soon, another when I know I might need it someday but right now I can’t be bothered
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Comment on Assassin's Creed Shadows | Official world premiere trailer in ~games
JCAPER Link ParentAC was never historically accurate, but it usually stuck with real events. They didn't alter those events, but rather, they would explain why they happened with their own spin. Like for example,...AC was never historically accurate, but it usually stuck with real events. They didn't alter those events, but rather, they would explain why they happened with their own spin. Like for example, the Lisbon earthquake happened, but it was because of the assassins; Cesare Borgia died in battle, but it was at the hands of Ezio; Boston Tea Party happened, but the Assassins were involved; etc.
Since AC: Origins, they started to take significant more liberties, to the point that supernatural is a thing now, and they've been leaning heavily on the fantasy aspect.
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Comment on Assassin's Creed Shadows | Official world premiere trailer in ~games
JCAPER LinkMeh... Maybe it's my disillusionment with the franchise talking, but the trailer was mid. Not good, not bad either. It feels very "westernized", like a hollywood trailer. This doesn't show...Meh...
Maybe it's my disillusionment with the franchise talking, but the trailer was mid. Not good, not bad either. It feels very "westernized", like a hollywood trailer.
This doesn't show anything about the game itself, but assuming that it will be similar to the previous ones post AC: Origins, I don't think it will hold a candle to Ghost of Tsushima.
Which btw it's coming out on Steam tomorrow
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Comment on What is a value or belief you have that is extremely outside the norm? in ~talk
JCAPER Link ParentYou're right, it's one of the main arguments used by pro-AI people. I've always thought this way, thus why AI art doesn't bother me. If anything, I'm fascinated by the technology itself, that it...You're right, it's one of the main arguments used by pro-AI people. I've always thought this way, thus why AI art doesn't bother me.
If anything, I'm fascinated by the technology itself, that it exists. But I don't value AI art more because of the technology behind it. If the end result still sucks, then it sucks. If it looks cool, then it looks cool.
By the way, just wanna say I think it's really cool how you appreciate art. I can't do it, it's not how I work, but I like how you can take all of that away from Little Inferno, whereas for me it was just a cool little zen game (btw, no worries I do not mind 👍)
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Comment on What is a value or belief you have that is extremely outside the norm? in ~talk
JCAPER Link ParentFor me, the end result is what matters. Once I tried to appreciate art differently, try to consider the context, when it was made, etc, but I wasn't able to. It's not who I am. If I want to put a...For me, the end result is what matters. Once I tried to appreciate art differently, try to consider the context, when it was made, etc, but I wasn't able to. It's not who I am. If I want to put a thing in my living room to decorate it, I will easily put a thing that I consider more beautiful even though it was mass produced in some factory, instead of another that I find less beautiful but happens to be one of a kind made by a renowned artist.
Not trying to say I'm some kind of absolutist though. For example, I can appreciate old monuments and be in awe on how they managed to build it with more primitive tools, but it's a very small part of my mental equation on whether I like it or not.
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Comment on What is a value or belief you have that is extremely outside the norm? in ~talk
JCAPER LinkI suspect my opinion/belief is more common than it appears online, but here it goes: I don't really value art as something almost holy or special. By art, I mean anything that could be considered...I suspect my opinion/belief is more common than it appears online, but here it goes: I don't really value art as something almost holy or special. By art, I mean anything that could be considered art—paintings, statues, movies, photos, games, music, etc. For me, a piece of art is just a thing. I appreciate the beauty and skill involved in creating it, I'm a huge fan of some works, but I don't view it as sacred.
This is probably why I have no issues with AI art in general. If I see a painting and I like it, I don't really care who made it. Finding out it was an AI wouldn't make me value it differently.
It's just a thing. I like some, I dislike some. But it's an ordinary thing. I don't buy the whole "if it invokes some reaction from you then it's art" logic.
Heh, there was a funny discussion I had many years ago. On 9gag, there was a post about a museum with only blank canvas. I thought it was ridiculous and commented on it, only to have some guy argue with me. I don't remember the details or what he said, but I do remember me saying something along the lines "ok look, sorry, as an apology here's my poem:". With nothing after that. He didn't reply after that lol, guess he didn't like my poem
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Comment on GPT-4o in ~tech
JCAPER Link ParentMaybe it's not by chance they are exploring enabling NSFW content lol https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-ai-porn-chatgpt-generate-explicit-content-nsfw-2024-5Maybe it's not by chance they are exploring enabling NSFW content lol
https://www.businessinsider.com/openai-ai-porn-chatgpt-generate-explicit-content-nsfw-2024-5 -
Comment on HADES II Early Access has started in ~games
JCAPER LinkVery tempting but I'm going to try to hold off. Games like this deserve to be played when they are fully releasedVery tempting but I'm going to try to hold off. Games like this deserve to be played when they are fully released
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Comment on Any tips for Barcelona and Lisbon in June/July? in ~travel
JCAPER Link ParentGreat write up, I’m portuguese and I feel you did a good job 👍 Just want to add a few things: most portuguese, especially younger generations, understand english, even outside of the cities and...Great write up, I’m portuguese and I feel you did a good job 👍
Just want to add a few things:
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most portuguese, especially younger generations, understand english, even outside of the cities and tourist attractions. Bring google translator just in case anyway, but you’ll do fine most of the time.
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if you go to Porto, you owe it to yourself trying out a Francesinha. The Wikipedia photo doesn’t do it justice, so I recommend browsing through more images to truly appreciate its allure. While Lisbon offers its versions, Porto is the undisputed heartland of the Francesinha.
Just a heads up:
- recently there have been some tensions with foreigners, or more specifically, digital nomads. You may find graffitis saying things like “foreigners go home!” in Lisbon. But they’re directed to digital nomads and the like, not to tourists. Unfortunately it has to do with how they have more capital to spend and invest, so houses, groceries, services, etc get more and more expensive. The locals can’t compete and are forced to move out of the city.
But again, these tensions are more with digital nomads, they’re not with tourists. Our country is reliant on tourism, so thank you for coming and stimulating our economy :P
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VR gaming is reawakening my enthusiasm for games
If you're me, you would be someone who would be mildly interested in VR for almost 8 years but never actually managed fork over the money to get a headset. Maybe because you couldn't or because...
If you're me, you would be someone who would be mildly interested in VR for almost 8 years but never actually managed fork over the money to get a headset. Maybe because you couldn't or because you were afraid to spend so much money on something you don't even know if it would give you motion sickness.
Last week, I decided that now is the time. I've looked over several devices, like Valve Index, Pico 4, Meta Quest 2 and 3. But my mind was kinda made up, I knew that I would either go for Valve Index or Meta Quest 3. I picked up MQ3.
The thing arrived on saturday morning. Time to play some games.
I boot up my desktop and install Steam VR, time to play Half Life Alyx... Cards on the table: I don't consider myself a Half Life fan. Not because I disliked the games, it's just I never played them when they came out. I can see why they are fan favorites and how impressive they were at the time, but I missed the chance to be wowed by them when I played them so many years later.
But HL Alyx is fixing that.
First, being "inside" the game was new. As someone who always played games on a 2D screen, I spent way more time than I care to admit looking at different objects, rotating them, interacting with them, etc. Once that novelty wore off, I proceeded with the game.
There's a scene where someone throws you a weapon. He tells you not worry, it's not loaded... Well, except it was, and when that thing dropped on the floor, it fired, I legit got jump scared. Later, when the crab thingies jump at you, I legit panicked and started shooting hoping that I would hit them. Dark sections? Legit horror.
I... Do not remember the last time I felt any of these things. If this was a conventional game, the gun falling would at best get a chuckle from me. Crab thingies? Meh, just aim and shoot them. Dark sections? Just another gaming section.
I think I get it now. I get why so many people like VR games. It's different. Because it's more immersive, you feel more involved with what's happening. Now that I'm writing this, yeah it sounds obvious, duh, but in a VR game it feels like it's you who is inside the game, in a 2D screen it feels like you, but at the same time you also understand that it's not you, it's your character who is inside the game.
I've been also trying Job Simulator.
As far as games go, this isn't really a "game". It feels more like a fun tech demo "hey, this is what you can do with a VR". An equivalent game with conventional 2D screen and controllers wouldn't get any attention from the public, and as for me, I would turn it off after 5 or 10 minutes.
But, it was legit fun. The Gordon Ramsay Robot yelling at me to cook food just made me grab everything and throw them at his face. In the office, I would throw things over to other cubicles like an annoying kid.
It's exhilarating to rediscover the joy and immersion that gaming can offer through the lens of VR. The sense of presence and tangibility breathes new life into familiar experiences, reigniting that childlike wonder I once felt.
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Comment on Elon Musk sues OpenAI, Sam Altman for breaching firm’s founding mission in ~tech
JCAPER LinkOne of those cases where I agree with the message (headline at least), but the messenger and his possible motives rub me the wrong wayOne of those cases where I agree with the message (headline at least), but the messenger and his possible motives rub me the wrong way
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Comment on Recommendations for a grammar checker? in ~humanities.languages
JCAPER LinkAn alternative to chatGPT would be maybe using Microsoft Edge. You can access the copilot on the side bar. Else, there's also the functionality of adding any website to the sidebar, so you could...An alternative to chatGPT would be maybe using Microsoft Edge. You can access the copilot on the side bar. Else, there's also the functionality of adding any website to the sidebar, so you could add chatGPT.
Creating your own extension and using the API is also not a bad idea. GPT 3.5's API is ridicously cheap, you would struggle to spend 5 or 10 cents per month
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Comment on The old games that still hold up incredibly well in ~games
JCAPER LinkSo, here I was starting to pull a mental list of old games. And I mean games like Red Alert 2, Age of Empires 2, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 4, etc. But then it hit me. GTA V is over 10 years...So, here I was starting to pull a mental list of old games. And I mean games like Red Alert 2, Age of Empires 2, Call of Duty 2, Call of Duty 4, etc. But then it hit me.
GTA V is over 10 years old.
Jesus Christ. I'm old.
So, yeah. Old game. Still holds up really well, many triple A games today do not rival it in terms of animation, smoothness, physics, etc. If someone didn't know any better, they could be fooled into thinking it was released last year.
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Comment on Steam Winter Sale 2023: Hidden gems in ~games
JCAPER Link ParentIn short, you burn things and get money, and with that money you buy more things to burn to get more money. There are different catalogs, you unlock each one when you find combos. Certain things...In short, you burn things and get money, and with that money you buy more things to burn to get more money. There are different catalogs, you unlock each one when you find combos. Certain things are "weird" and don't burn like normal (some explode, some start moving, some eject countless of poop things, etc), so It's fun to mix these up too.
But at it's core is a zen game, it awakes our pyromaniac side.
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Comment on Steam Winter Sale 2023: Hidden gems in ~games
JCAPER LinkLittle Inferno The only zen game that works for me. Beautiful graphics and works in any potato machine.The only zen game that works for me. Beautiful graphics and works in any potato machine.
Not to mine. To be clear, in both comments I was talking about my personal experience, I didn't mean to speak on behalf of one entire sex