My initial reaction is to be thankful; now the unknown thousands of people who don’t see the toxicity of their own dependence can begin to be free. The subsequent models seem to be less prone to inducing that kind of deep infatuation.

But then I realize most of them will probably never recover, as long as this technology persists. The base model will be wrapped in an infinite number of seductive agents sold in an app, with a subscription, as a loving companion. Capitalism smells blood in the water. If I was a hedge fund manager witnessing the birth of a new market demographic with a lifelong addiction that possibly hooks harder than cigarettes, which is not federally regulated, and won’t be for the forseeable future; I would be foaming at the mouth with this opening in the market.

Flat earth. At the point we’re at now when it comes to personally accessible technology, anyone still believing it is 100% making a choice to do so, because it makes them feel better about things for some reason.

Man that chart has not aged well at all, just in the last few years. Also the artist’s motivations are pretty visible.

Most of these are hyper-exaggerations of what real people believe. Or purposeful misunderstandings of the underlying point. Take ‘Jet fuel can’t melt steel beams’ for example. Used since its inception as a meme to undermine 9/11 conspiracy theories.

Ultimately this is a tactic in itself. My conspiracy theory is that all the antisemetic theories, insane-sounding theories, theories that have no attachment to reality, rothschilds etc, are not perpetuated by ordinary people (though they unwittingly participate). They are perpetuated by the very parties the conspiracies are about. If someone hears that being a 9/11 truther is inextricably linked to antisemitism, and they think of themselves as a good person, they’ll shy away from ever looking into it any further than that; it’s a normal reaction if someonebis already stressed, busy, or otherwise precluded from more critical thought.

Edit: Yes some of these are totally insane, I am just referring to things that have roots firmly in reality.

Thanks for the new rabbit hole! :D

Right, I know this from experience. I was talking about the genes thing which I have been informed is Epigenetics (thanks Crankenstein!)

Ah how I wish to live in Germany. Or anywhere off this continent.

Why? If they’re too stupid to comprehend that very fact, that if there were no customers the business would have no reason to commit scheduling. Critical thinking in the US has intentionally been eroded by the ruling class, from every possible angle.

Sometimes people understand this, and yet they still ask, in the name of ‘making conversation’. I appreciate their motivation but disagree with the approach.

No. Statistically impossible means that according to statistics it canNOT occur. Extremely unlikely means that in a given percentage of cases, it CAN occur.

I had no idea it could change over time, that’s really cool. Makes me wonder what other genetic factors can change like that.

Joke’s on you brother, I just wanted to die in the flames together lmao

I am that guy and I get exactly what I ask for ayyyy

I’ve been thinking this too for a little while now. It fits too perfectly. Throughout my adolescence, I hated the French. Proudly, openly, I thought it was funny and edgy for some reason, because I’ve always been disgusted by racism and I am a tiny part French. Edgy teenage bullshit. As I aged out of teen years though, there came a point where something caused me to investigate my own bias with honesty. And when I did, I found it to be totally empty and devoid of substance. I had absolutely no real reason to dislike the French, and these days I feel nothing but love for them.

I’m convinced the only reason I ever hated them was because of propaganda. Never had a bad personal experience. And Parisian ‘rudeness’ is revealed to be, in my opinion, simple straightforward bluntness. The propaganda is incredibly effective. Americans would benefit greatly if we could all take just a few notes from them; they have a cultural understanding that the government works for the people, not against. And if it’s not doing it’s job, take whatever action needed to restore balance. Seeing footage of their protests starting a few years back really opened my eyes to what could be done.

That’s always been my issue with them. I’ve been trying to expand my palate continuously, and this sounds wonderful. Definitely giving it a try.

For just a moment I thought it said ‘deported’. For just that moment, I felt elation like I haven’t known in years.

I’m still hopeful.

What a unique looking lil guy, wow! I am terrified of spiders except for the jumpers (fat stubby legs so cute), and apparently this guy! It looks so different from any spider I’ve seen before. Very neat.

Can we not do this appearance slandering shit? Criticize him for his choices (like the coat) not genes. Plenty of short people out here who fucking hate this guy.

True lol you got me there

Totally depends on the scenario, I use all 3. If we’re talking about music, hobbies, personal interest type stuff, it’s usually C, without the “tell them you already know”. I try to show that I know instead of telling. Like if someone’s telling me about a band I already know about, I’ll let them finish and then say something that requires deep understanding of the source. If the discussion is academic, B, but like in a respectful way? Not ‘cutting off’ the other person, more so ‘jumping in’. And that’s so we can both establish what we both know and move on to the more interesting stuff. A is used for authority figures that I have no respect for. I have nothing to say to marching orders.

I have been a pretty social person in a previous part of my life, getting to know hundreds of people on a relatively deep level, due to the circumstances I was in. Most people do not look at the world like your family does. The majority of men I know do have more outward aggression than I do, but they channel it through healthy outlets (sports and exercise). That being said, I myself also have a hard time feeling safe around men (even though I am one myself), mainly when I don’t know them. This is primarily because of my size (short and not bulky) but also my sense of empathy, which I feel leaves me vulnerable to those lacking it.

I don’t know if you are, but you should be proud of yourself for turning out like you did. The fact that their behavior is so horrific to you shows your moral standard hasn’t been tarnished or corrupted. If anything I would imagine it’s been solidified. Your childhood was absolutely, royally fucked. I’ve heard many stories of childhood abuse; the worst ones, most heartbreaking ones, etc. I would say your experiences are in that same boat. To guesstimate, I think yours is probably in the worst 5% or rarer.

Not to be too bleak but I think staying is just as much of a risk to your safety as leaving. Who knows when one of them might snap and try to kill you? That’s an absolutely hellish environment to try to survive in.

Listen, I don’t know you but I love you. I love you for holding steadfast resolve through pitch-black suffocating darkness. I love you for your light refusing to be snuffed out. The piece of yourself that you’ve displayed here is beautiful and it deserves the best. If there were more people like you around, the world at large would be happier.

I don’t pray but I will be meditating today and sending positive intent your way. If you need someone to talk to, this is me making myself available. I don’t have much going on but too much extra time. Don’t feel obligated to that, or to even reply. I just hope this helps, and that you succeed on your hike out of hell. I have faith in you.

I mean, I got mine to do it. No shame personally because I recommended at 40k and made sure they understood the risks. Seems real enough to me.

Give that motherfucker a ‘rough ride’ and see how he feels about it. This is great news.

This is honestly a disgusting take because it shows how biased you are against addicts. Not a stupid question. Just a nasty one. Your 2nd and 3rd are good questions though. I don’t think there’s jack shit qualifying him to give health advice in reality. He’s a crackpot supplement pusher. Which I feel kinda answers your 3rd; americans have a long history of being stupid and blindly trusting whatever the pill-pusher says, because they hear what they want to hear. Unfortunately.

I hate RFK and all the damage he’s done/is doing to our country’s general state of health. His history of addiction is literally last on the list of reasons not to trust him. In my view, a history of addiction (now being in recovery) usually gives you a pretty sane view of health, since it brings you so close to death. The overwhelming majority of recovering addicts that I know lead healthier lifestyles than non-addicts. Oftentimes when people see with clarity how much damage they’ve done to themselves, they desperately want to treat their body better.