Depends. By what metric? It’s the fifth largest economy in the world with the top literacy rate in the nation. What are you comparing it to? Mississippi? I need more than but muh California!!!

So cheap to always both sides it. The “oligarchs”. Do you guys have a script you pass around? You guys can’t seem to have any original thoughts

Based on the judges he appointed it doesn’t really matter what Trump says

Edit: oh my god. The article is from 2016. He’s done the exact opposite for gay rights

Usually when discussing a heated topic (politics, gun control-take your pick) and trying to discuss the facts of the matter in a neutral manner but the response comes back with every phrase super charged with morally loaded words. Examples of a conversation I had recently (emphasis mine):

sure as hell isn’t PANDERING! What the fuck is wrong with you??

Typical apologist tactic

PRETENDING to care about the brutal slaughter of tens of thousands of innocent civilians

deflecting to your conspiracy theory

shows that YOU don’t care enough about Palestinian lives

It’s very pronounced on this site for some reason. I don’t know why.

Yea, I agree. That’s why I used the word discuss because when the debate-bro mindset kicks in you’re definitely dealing with an angsty teenager (also the constant invocation of logical fallacies).

Me too. But in my view they are not fully developed adults and still have some emotional intelligence left to grow.

For me personally the first tell is when they are morally loading every statement in an argument and are unable to engage with a topic directly. Adults should be able to discuss or debate certain topics on the value of the arguments alone without feeling pressured to include a declarative virtue signal in every clause.

In the dark we’ll take off our clothes And there’ll be placing fingers Through the notches of your spine

–Neutral Milk Hotel, Two Headed Boy

I mean, I can think of a million useful applications but not at 3 grand a pop. This device has so many baffling cost adding features that add nothing (ie fake eyes on the front).

Eh. Sort of. It’s still a big echo chamber with lots of feel good statements that amount to not much

Hot’n’Cold polka version by Ukrainian cover band Los Colorados:

Hot n Cold

There’s nothing where he used to LIEEE The conversation has run DRYYAAAIIAIA

That chorus is a banger

As a fan of Dune 2 I appreciate your review. I think it’s a fair criticism

It was a big hit when it came out, I remember that (I’m not sure why it made such a big splash). I also remember walking out and feeling underwhelmed because it was so hyped up (I was also 10 years younger). I’ve since become more familiar with Paul Thomas Anderson’s work and have a better understanding now. I can tell you, There Will Be Blood is a masterclass in production and storytelling. But I also understand it’s not very appealing narrative and may turn many off.

Is that a blockbuster though? PTA movies are more on the art house side in my opinion

“Yo ho ho evEryBody I don’t agree with is a Zionist yo ho ho”

Kony 2012, amirite Linkerbaan?

That’s Lemmy.world for ya! Stick around 🙂

I totally understand! Peace and love homie.

I understand what you’re saying.

On another note, are you Ukrainian by any chance brother? I really feel for you and I can tell that the draft is reality and not a joke for you if that’s the case. I hope I wasn’t rude and that you stay safe.

It seems to me you have more of an issue with the concept of the draft, which ok, is a fine position to take. Nothing wrong with having a stance on that. Some people are pacifists and radically opposed to any type of armed conflict or draft service. But there are valid arguments for the draft too, so you can’t just write them off by painting Zelenski into some type of tyrannical despot.

But that’s neither here or there. The country is already in the midst of a full fledged war and elections don’t typically occur in time of war.

I’ve found that it’s best to be precise when articulating a position. When you paint things in broad strokes (ie Zelenskis cabinet as authoritarian) you are inviting unnecessary argumentation from other sides. If your thesis is that the draft is authoritarian then argue your point why you think that is. For instance, I do contend that the draft was executed in Russia under Putin is a manifestation of an authoritarian exercise because there is no justification for the war. Russian soldiers are not going to the meat grinder to defend their homeland. It’s a completely different take. I can also provide counter arguments as to why the notion of the draft is not authoritarian when it’s implemented in the service of defense.