asparagus_p's recent activity
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Comment on Donald Trump hush money trial: What criminal charges does he face? in ~news
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Comment on Google I/O 2024 in ~tech
asparagus_p Link ParentI used to watch I/O with interest every year a while ago. There always seemed to be something really innovative and exciting coming. But then Google changed and I really can't muster any...I used to watch I/O with interest every year a while ago. There always seemed to be something really innovative and exciting coming. But then Google changed and I really can't muster any enthusiasm now for their business. I'm sure some AI enthusiasts will find something exciting, but I'd be happier if AI was put on pause until we have some decent regulations in place. These tech companies are just forcing it down our throats whether we like or not and counting on the fact that it will be too embedded into our lives by the time the regulations are drawn up.
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Comment on Donald Trump hush money trial: What criminal charges does he face? in ~news
asparagus_p Link ParentI'm not American or a lawyer, but from where I'm standing, it just seems crazy that this guy can still run for president. I mean, he's for sure committed crimes, right? But what's even crazier is...I'm not American or a lawyer, but from where I'm standing, it just seems crazy that this guy can still run for president. I mean, he's for sure committed crimes, right? But what's even crazier is that enough people think he's presidential material, especially among the so-called Christian right. This guy seems so far from being the godly, upstanding, caring citizen that you would think religious people want. Even if you think there's a witch hunt out to get him, there's evidence out there that he's an adulterer and misogynist. He doesn't even deny half of that.
It's hard not to think that this kind of trial is being used politically to show what a piece of crap he is, even if he isn't actually convicted. But it probably won't work because he's a cult leader. I'm kind of watching with interest but I fear for the fallout of this trial.
What I think is more important is that the Supreme Court rules that Presidents are not immune from prosecution.
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Comment on EA is looking at putting in-game ads in AAA games — 'We'll be very thoughtful as we move into that,' says CEO in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentSorry for the bad vibes! The internet is not a great place for spreading the good feels, but I hope you have a great day nonetheless!Sorry for the bad vibes! The internet is not a great place for spreading the good feels, but I hope you have a great day nonetheless!
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
asparagus_p Link ParentNo need to apologize for slow responses. I'm in and out of Tildes, sometimes taking breaks for weeks at a time. In fact, I'll be gone for a couple of weeks starting Wednesday as I'm taking a trip...No need to apologize for slow responses. I'm in and out of Tildes, sometimes taking breaks for weeks at a time. In fact, I'll be gone for a couple of weeks starting Wednesday as I'm taking a trip to Europe.
Although I love metal, I've mellowed more as I've got older and am now more into the prog metal / prog rock scene. But I'm not really a one-genre person and have lots of interest in bands of all types when they create great music. I never actually liked any harsh vocals until about 2 years ago, when I started to enjoy certain artists like Opeth. The rabbit hole took me into some areas I'd never really listened to before, like black metal and doom metal. I'm still quite picky about what I like, but my tastes are pretty varied.
As for photography, I'm all over the place when it comes to lenses. I class myself as an "outdoor photographer" in that I like to shoot landscapes and urban scenes. I rock a standard zoom on holiday, but I love to take my telephoto zoom for abstract landscape shots. When I'm walking around a city, I just have my 27mm on the Fuji (about 40mm FF), which is a nice discreet pancake lens. Then I don't look too much like a "photographer". But I'm caring less about what others think these days anyway. I just take pictures and they can think whatever they like about me. Everyone does it with their phones anyway :)
I've also recently started playing with manual lenses for a more retro experience. It slows you down and becomes more about the process than the finished product. It's fun to experiment and try something new. Keeps it fresh.
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Comment on EA is looking at putting in-game ads in AAA games — 'We'll be very thoughtful as we move into that,' says CEO in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentWell, you shouldn't be taking offence because I wasn't calling you a shill. I wasn't really talking about you at all, but rather the state of the industry. In fact, I agree mostly with you. I...I take offense in the characterization that I'm some sort of corporate shill trying to justify "mega-rich people trying to make even more money".
Well, you shouldn't be taking offence because I wasn't calling you a shill. I wasn't really talking about you at all, but rather the state of the industry. In fact, I agree mostly with you. I appreciate you were trying to pose a balanced argument that consumers also need to check what they can expect for the money. But my main point is that the system is just broken, and it's not really anything to do with rising costs. It's to do with the constant need for growth and profit.
You drew a parallel with the restaurant industry, and there again I see a broken system, even more broken. I feel sorry for some restaurants, especially the smaller, family-owned ones because rising food prices have created a difficult environment. But the situation is totally broken, from how much ingredients cost (cheaper beef at McDonalds than a salad at your local café?), to how many restaurants the public seems to need (it's not as many as there are), to the need for tipping to make the business work (complete bullshit). The whole industry needs a great reset.
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Comment on EA is looking at putting in-game ads in AAA games — 'We'll be very thoughtful as we move into that,' says CEO in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentI can totally relate to this as it reflects what I've been thinking for a long time. And I suppose we are already at the precipice of seeing how sustainable it all is. With what's happening in the...I have a hard time believing our mad obsession with profit and economic growth is sustainable - but I also have a hard time imagining how our society will end up as a result.
I can totally relate to this as it reflects what I've been thinking for a long time. And I suppose we are already at the precipice of seeing how sustainable it all is. With what's happening in the world right now on different fronts (war, food scarcity, a growing far-right, increasing wealth gap, climate change...) and millions of people getting increasingly unhappy and worried about the future, I can see revolt and rebellion in the not-too-distant future. Like you, I consider myself very centrist, so I'm not going to be at the vanguard, but it's becoming obvious that societies are in real danger of collapse. The knock-on effects of climate change may very well bring it all tumbling down sooner than we thought.
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Comment on EA is looking at putting in-game ads in AAA games — 'We'll be very thoughtful as we move into that,' says CEO in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentIt's nothing more than a way to show growth at the next shareholders meeting. EA other studios of that size have tons of money but need to constantly show growth. Easiest ways to do that are to...Though, I'm not sure anyone's gotten rich with their in-app advertising?
It's nothing more than a way to show growth at the next shareholders meeting. EA other studios of that size have tons of money but need to constantly show growth. Easiest ways to do that are to lay off their most expensive costs (people) and to "explore new revenue streams" (shitty money grabs that gamers hate).
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Comment on EA is looking at putting in-game ads in AAA games — 'We'll be very thoughtful as we move into that,' says CEO in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentLet's be honest, this is nothing more than finding news ways to show growth to shareholders, or "exploring new revenue streams" as they like to call it. It has nothing to do with whether they can...Let's be honest, this is nothing more than finding news ways to show growth to shareholders, or "exploring new revenue streams" as they like to call it. It has nothing to do with whether they can actually afford to make games. AAA publishers have plenty of money, but whenever there's a downturn in the industry, they immediately look to either kill a studio/department (mass layoffs) or find a shitty way to squeeze more money out of gamers. I know this is just capitalism at work, but I grow tired of the arguments used to justify mega-rich people trying to make even more money.
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
asparagus_p Link ParentI still have a Rebel T3! I've since bought a Fujifilm X-T5 and started taking photography more seriously. Only as a hobby though, I wouldn't try and make any money out of it. I've enjoyed taking...I still have a Rebel T3! I've since bought a Fujifilm X-T5 and started taking photography more seriously. Only as a hobby though, I wouldn't try and make any money out of it. I've enjoyed taking photos since I was 6, but it was mainly something I did on holiday. Nowadays, it's something for me to sink into when I'm not working or trying to squeeze in some gaming.
Wonder what else we have in common. Do you live in Canada by any chance? I'm in BC.
By the way, as someone who likes some Hevy Devy and I'm guessing maybe prog/black/death metal, have you listened to a band called Omnerod? If not, the Amensal Rise is a great album and the song Spore is incredible. Another one I'll try you on: Hail Spirit Noir?
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
asparagus_p Link ParentI've just realized that you're the same person I was chatting with about Divinity Original Sin 2 in another thread! Looks like we might have some similar tastes... Do you like photography by any...I've just realized that you're the same person I was chatting with about Divinity Original Sin 2 in another thread! Looks like we might have some similar tastes... Do you like photography by any chance? That's one of my other passions.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentYes! The quest log isn't very structured and you lose track of what's really important and what's just a filler quest. You also feel like you need to do every quest to ensure you're not...Plus there's just so much going on, it's incredibly easy to lose your way or become overwhelmed and ultimately feel directionless,
Yes! The quest log isn't very structured and you lose track of what's really important and what's just a filler quest. You also feel like you need to do every quest to ensure you're not underleveled for big encounters.
I do love the game, but ultimately I've realized that it can't capture my attention in the same way that games like Mass Effect and Skyrim do. The quirky tone and humorous dialogue is fun for a while, but it doesn't draw me in and make me fall in love with the characters. Mass Effect is my all-time favourite franchise, and those games have actually made me teary at times because I got so invested in the story and characters. I know D:OS and Mass Effect are very different games, but ME is a benchmark for how much I love a game. My characters in D:OS don't mean half as much to me, which is a shame. Hopefully Baldurs Gate 3 will be an improvement in this respect.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentI definitely think the new combat mechanics and inventory are part of the problem for me. Whittling down armour becomes a pain, and it's something I much preferred about the first D:OS game....I definitely think the new combat mechanics and inventory are part of the problem for me. Whittling down armour becomes a pain, and it's something I much preferred about the first D:OS game. Inventory management is a pain because it's so big and you constantly need to find new gear to stay at the right level. Some of the most powerful items are good for a few levels, but that's it really, just a few levels and then they're useless.
And the game is just too long for me. I appreciate that this is not a problem with the game per se, but rather that it's not suited to gamers like myself who don't have a lot of gaming time. The trouble is, finding those shorter more digestible games really restricts you to some of the indie games in genres that aren't necessarily as interesting. I want to play these kinds of RPGs, but I don't want to take 2 years to finish them. There's not an easy solution to this though.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
asparagus_p LinkI'm still plodding through Divinity Original Sin 2. I was reading lots of great things about Baldur's Gate 3, but I'm waiting until a PC upgrade before I play that. So in the meantime, I went back...I'm still plodding through Divinity Original Sin 2. I was reading lots of great things about Baldur's Gate 3, but I'm waiting until a PC upgrade before I play that. So in the meantime, I went back to DOS2 because I never finished it the last time I picked it up. I'm now playing the Definitive Edition, and the gift bag "cheats" have really helped keep my momentum up a bit longer. But I'm running out of steam again in Act 2 and I fear I may abandon it again.
It's a great game, but my time is really limited and I don't feel there are any shortcuts without putting it on Story mode and cheesing it (which isn't really fun). I sometimes only have 30 mins to an hour to do any gaming, and this can sometimes be just enough time to check a few barrels, get into a tricky fight and then mess with the inventory. And then my gaming time is over and I've barely progressed through the story. Does anyone have any tips to keep my momentum up and actually finish this game?
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
asparagus_p Link ParentFair point. He's definitely started exploring new directions, as he always has done, and I can definitely see how his later stuff is harder to like, especially the Puzzle, Snuggles and Lightwork...Fair point. He's definitely started exploring new directions, as he always has done, and I can definitely see how his later stuff is harder to like, especially the Puzzle, Snuggles and Lightwork albums. He has gradually incorporated more of a pop-metal sound, and I can see why that's a major turn-off. That said, I find Empath to be some of his best material. I love that album and I don't think it's as cheesy as some of his more recent stuff. I especially love the 23-minute track Singularity. That one brings tears to my eyes.
Apparently his new album is going to be really heavy, so maybe it will be more up your alley?
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Comment on What have you been listening to this week? in ~music
asparagus_p LinkTons of prog rock and prog metal! Devin Townsend, Nospun, Universal Totem Orchestra, The Ocean, Kingcrow and other obscure artists that I'd be very impressed if anyone else has heard of (sometimes...Tons of prog rock and prog metal! Devin Townsend, Nospun, Universal Totem Orchestra, The Ocean, Kingcrow and other obscure artists that I'd be very impressed if anyone else has heard of (sometimes less than 100 Spotify monthly listeners).
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Comment on ‘Matrix 5’ in the works with Drew Goddard as director, Lana Wachowski as executive producer in ~movies
asparagus_p LinkIf they've got a good idea for a new movie, then why not? I generally don't think creatives should just bow to the hate trains that often shunt into town and which are often completely overblown....If they've got a good idea for a new movie, then why not? I generally don't think creatives should just bow to the hate trains that often shunt into town and which are often completely overblown. They should believe in their vision and commit to it.
But if they're just going to do something formulaic and try to milk the franchise for every dollar they can get with minimum effort, then I'm not interested. I didn't hate Resurrections and it had some good ideas, but it became horribly cheesy towards the end and really petered out.
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Comment on What's something you've been mulling over recently? in ~talk
asparagus_p LinkI've been semi-seriously thinking of starting a new career as a postman/mail carrier. And when I say semi-seriously, I mean I'm probably not going to do it and think it's probably a terrible move....I've been semi-seriously thinking of starting a new career as a postman/mail carrier. And when I say semi-seriously, I mean I'm probably not going to do it and think it's probably a terrible move. I currently have a fairly creative freelance job, which provides an OK income and I enjoy it, but it's being rapidly replaced by AI and bargain-basement providers around the world, so I'm craving some stability. My body is also starting to give up on me because I spend far too much time at a computer, for both work and hobbies. I've been looking at the mail carriers in my neighbourhood and seeing how they get lots of exercise and probably have very little stress. My previous jobs for corporations have left me very reluctant to go back into that rat race, so I'd rather not opt for that perceived "stability" and the crappy politics that go with it.
But obviously I'm concerned that a job with zero creativity will ultimately turn out to be horrendously boring and a terrible move for my professional life. I'm wondering, has anyone here gone from a more creative/intellectual job to something more menial and actually thought they made the right move?
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentI put in about 10 hours with Fallen Order but ultimately got a bit fed up of the backtracking, and the story just wasn't gripping me. I like RPGs with lots of relationship building with other...I put in about 10 hours with Fallen Order but ultimately got a bit fed up of the backtracking, and the story just wasn't gripping me. I like RPGs with lots of relationship building with other characters. Did this eventually happen in the game or did the focus continue to be on just fighting?
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
asparagus_p Link ParentI still haven't finished Yakuza 0. I put 33 hours into it and then had to leave it for a while, probably because work got busy. I was really enjoying it, although the save mechanic was frustrating...I still haven't finished Yakuza 0. I put 33 hours into it and then had to leave it for a while, probably because work got busy. I was really enjoying it, although the save mechanic was frustrating (I'm a PC player) and the fights were getting repetitive. But I do intend to finish it one day. It's just so hard to pick up a game after a long break and get back into it.
Is it? Surely it depends on the crime. Are we all ok with rapists and pedos running for president? I wouldn't be. I believe some crimes are more forgivable and that most people should be given a second chance. So, l wouldn't say all crimes should preclude you from running. But the trouble is, you can't just bank on the public weeding out the crazies. That's the troubling part - that a charismatic leader can charm their way into such a position despite their background. History has shown us where that leads.