TommySalami

I forget it's not a super widely known thing that samurai movies and westerns have built off each other in a way. Slow burn, fast climactic action, stoic protagonists. It's one of those things that you wouldn't expect at face value, but actually have a lot in common when you start breaking it down. They have influenced each other a lot over the years, with 7 Samurai itself even pulling some inspiration from Ford's westerns.

It's cool seeing some of the history laid out. That sharing of ideas has led to some incredible films.

I've been listening to pod on an off for years. Quality is always there and they're upfront about their positions so I feel like I'm listening to actual discussion, not someone trying to convince me. I need to check out MeidasTouch I guess

But if I sexist two sexists? That's progress baby

Well, it made me feel smart. So either you're a good teacher, and helped me put into words and solidify something I already understood more abstractly. Or you're a terrible teacher, and have led me further astray.

Pretty rough dichotomy there. I would not want to be an educator.

There really were some great ones. Playing through Metal Gear Solid: Portable Ops still stands out to me over a decade on. Shit was tight, and I honestly didn't feel that again after the PSP. Until I picked up my steam deck, that thing would have rendered 10 year old me catatonic.

I mean if you read it article it's full of "this is the Democrats fault" and "we made a mistake, but we'll never admit it". So many are still flailing, looking for anyone else to blame and absolve them of a dumbass move.

"the Ukraine" referred to the region while it was still part of the Russian/Soviet empire. Nowadays just "Ukraine" is the better way to say it, from what I understand.

The term "flashpoint" has nothing to do with assigning blame. It just defines an event/place where things kicked off into something way bigger. If WW3 started due to a strike on Taiwan it would be accurate to refer to Taiwan as a flashpoint, because the conflict in Taiwan would be the origin. I don't see how any of that takes away from China being the aggressor, or why the conflict would happen.

I get wanting to make it clear China is the problem here, I agree, but we have terms that refer to things objectively for a reason. You don't have to say everything at once with every sentence.

Maybe this is me being unaware of my own divergence, but that sounds pretty normal. We're attached to pattern as humans, and driving is one of those things you do subconsciously (or at least it's on the back burner in terms of direct focus) after a while. Makes sense you would conflate two super similar routes when you are essentially operating off muscle memory

I work for a neurologist practice, and the amount I have to argue with insurance (and inevitably have to get the neurologist on the phone to directly request something for many) is insane. A good chunk of my job isn't providing care, but arguing with insurance that the care is necessary. These companies are actively delaying patient care, and try to blame the physician whenever possible.

Wildly infuriating, especially when the denials are worded along the lines of "we reviewed this, and don't consider it medically necessary". Motherfucker, a doctor said it was necessary and listed the clinical reasons why this test or procedure would be beneficial. Nothing has radicalized me for universal healthcare more than working in healthcare.

Yeah, I'm 30 and I have way more recent embarrassing moments to keep me up at night. I'm not thinking of shit I did when I was a kid

I argued with family about this more than once since the debate, and it's endlessly frustrating. I work in the medical field. I've worked mother/baby. Still takes way to long to impress on them that this not only isn't happening, but any remotely similar story they hear is someone twisting the worst day of hopeful parents' lives around to support their political bias. Real people having their tragedy flagrantly lied about, and being painted as baby killers, for no good reason. It's disgusting.

Still no idea if I've gotten through, but they seem to have stopped bringing it up for now.