valek879

I'm young still but well said. This is what my mom used to talk about but I still struggle to understand and implement. I'll get there but sooner would be better.

Yes, this is for real. Whenever I'm fortunate enough to leave the US and visit basically any other country I'm jealous of two things: the price of food (groceries are cheap even if restaurants are not) and the quality of food (even non-organic produce is just more vibrant).

It's been a thing for at least 10 years now that other countries have higher quality food for less money. It was probably true before that but in 2016 I was old enough to be living on my own and beginning to get invested in eating better food despite the damage it did to my budget. I might have to work my whole life and never retire but I am going to have my health as best as I can control it.

I went to Australia for a year the next year and was shocked by how affordable it was. Everyone told me it was ridiculously expensive, and yeah, eating out was easily $30 for a burger and fries or pizza but if I went to the grocery store or a market I could buy a week's worth of food for the same price. I then needed to buy a new pair of ear buds down there and I found out that electronics are also very expensive, ~50% more after the exchange rate. But the food was cheap. I paid $150/week for rent. And there was public transportation.

Fucking "richest country in the world" my ass.

It's going to get worse but at least they claim to be aware of enshittification. Them being aware means... Maybe it won't be as bad as it could be? Definitely not staying the same though, they're upfront about that.

Yes but something I remember from 20 years ago... Maybe 15, is trying to sign up to okay a Korean mmo. I had the whole thing downloaded and ready to go, but one problem, in order to make an account I needed to enter my SK ID number. I spent like 4 hours trying to get around this check but the rabbit hole that led me down eventually taught me that this is normal in SK. I could be wrong, I'm a USian and don't speak or read Korean, but it sure seemed like they were being required to give their version of an SSN to access an mmo.

Not good imo, but if I understood correctly entering some form of government ID wouldn't be a dramatic change from the norm.

Dog you're a trash human, go touch grass and breathe some fresh air. Get out of the basement and do something enjoyable with another person. Play a boardgame, go for a walk, and learn how to see others as human again.

That's my bet with my friends made about a year ago. I bet not one of the fuckers from rump's cabinet or rump himself will face any consequences within 10 years...9 years now. I want to pay my friends money. Fuck.

Hey just jumping in here because it sucks that you got caught out with Chainsmoker Cat. Most of us that watch anime regularly have heard of this anime but not watched it for exactly the Jackass comparison. To me it actually sounds like watching an episode of Hoarders or some other poverty porn type thing.

Anyway, my wife and I have been watching Blue Period.

It's about a highschooler deciding they want to be an artist and fighting too earn a spot in art college at Tokyo U. By my understanding Tokyo U is the prestigious University in Japan. It's also a public school so many people just try to get in if they're interested in higher learning. So like you're basically competing with the entire population of Japanese high schoolers to get a spot, needless to say acceptance rates are low.

We've found it heartwarming and inspiring. Confusing at times but overall really good. They're standard 24 minute episodes and it's 1 season of like 10-13 episodes.

I'll be honest though, I started watching it because some YouTuber said it had good and interesting trans representation. I'd say it does... However, it's a Japanese lense and their culture is different to mine. I'm trans and I had to chew on how the trans character described themselves for a little bit to understand them better. It was a very culturally different framing of who they are but that's what I want. If I wanted to see the world through only my eyes I'd never leave my house or listen to other people.

Anyway, that's my current recommendation. I would almost never recommend any Shonen Jump anime to anyone over 25 who isn't already interested. This is where Bleach fits in. I'm told newer Jump is better, look at DanDaDan but...well, DanDaDan uses sex as a central theme and again it cultures are different. I'm pretty sure it'd run afoul of many people's sense of propriety.

Cuz we're unique! Millennial HYYYYYYYPE!

It seems possible to have voter roles associated with driver's licenses. I don't know for sure but I feel like there has been lots of talk about having your voter registration tied to your driver's license. If it hasn't happened yet it's definitely been floated as an idea.

What I do know is that there is a glaringly obvious trend towards authority figures wanting to control our lives to make sure we conform with their values and interests. It's not happening exactly the same way everywhere but it is happening. I think it'd be foolish to believe that there isn't interest in having a profile on every human in this country that is easily accessible by "law enforcement" or any other government agency.

And I can imagine the shit that would be put in such a profile, just listen to our political discourse for a day. Especially right wing discourse. They've decided who the enemies are, fortunately we don't have to wear some kind of badge to announce it...yet.

It's not just for citizens, it's supposed to be a right that applies to everyone interacting with our government systems. You don't have to say anything! But if you want to do anything requiring those services, like driver's license, etc. then you have to give them some information.

I remember when our right wing wanted that information we give to be only available on a need to know basis! Why should the police need to know who I voted for or where I was born? But no more. Now these fuckwits want to suck on boot.

This still works in the US too but... And it's a big BUT! ...but it entirely depends on the cop, the mood they're in, and how their sex life is going. I've had times where I've been high as a kite and been given a warning or been driving 20 mph over the speed limit and got a warning.

I've also been on a bike and nearly hit by an off-duty cop, the cop was angered by this and chased me down the highway at bike speed (<15mph, uphill) while the road is posted to be 50mph. I called the police, fearing for my life, and when police arrived I spoke with them and they said I had nothing to great from this engaged motorist because they were also a cop. Then I was given an indictment (a court date) for public disturbance because the cop lied and said I, a trans person, called him the F slur. It was dismissed in the end (first amendment rights and all that) but I was punished for riding my bike along the bike path by being legally ordered to go to court and explain that I was terrified and had shouted at the crazy out of control person chasing me: "If you follow me I'm calling the cops!" The cop had no repercussions!

Anyway, my point is, you can get lucky either way but when your luck turns they hold all the cards and your only rights become what they decide you get.