Randomness thread, part two.

[boost]

gonna be awesome if this putin disappearance is a coup

It almost surely would not be awesome.

[wufwugy]

the reason i think a coup would be awesome is also the reason why i dont think this is a coup: it would be based on economics. there appears to be little reason for a stronger strongman to oust putin, so it would have to come from the side that is losing tons of money from his actions, but that side is probably not the coup-y type

putin's behavior has been fantastic for his regime and harmful for everybody else

[spoonitnow]

first time ive heard of gamma male. is it an insult to say somebody isnt in the circlejerk?

I'd assumed you were aware of the modern hierarchies for males, social dynamics/labeling, etc.

Also I'm a huge fan of Putin.

[wufwugy]

i assume that hierarchy was created by men who call themselves alpha. which means it was created by insecure men who are not alpha.

[boost]

the reason i think a coup would be awesome is also the reason why i dont think this is a coup: it would be based on economics. there appears to be little reason for a stronger strongman to oust putin, so it would have to come from the side that is losing tons of money from his actions, but that side is probably not the coup-y type

putin's behavior has been fantastic for his regime and harmful for everybody else

Yeah, I mean, I don't know anything about Russian politics, but I've become weary of the inclination to be optimistic when a "bad" regime is overthrown. Also, while knowing nothing about Russian politics, and while Russia is a more open country, I have a hunch that the ruling inner circle isn't that much less shrouded than North Korea's.

[boost]

No chance, but what if in 60 years the documents get declassified that reveal Obama is the most gangsta president ever and had the CIA put a green light on Putin.

[wufwugy]

Yeah, I mean, I don't know anything about Russian politics, but I've become weary of the inclination to be optimistic when a "bad" regime is overthrown. Also, while knowing nothing about Russian politics, and while Russia is a more open country, I have a hunch that the ruling inner circle isn't that much less shrouded than North Korea's.

Naw that's a good position to have. Revolution almost never works. Positive change comes from the status quo agreeing on it. Most every violent revolution resulted in even worse regimes, which I guess should make sense since the amount of aggression it takes to do that is huge.

[spoonitnow]

i assume that hierarchy was created by men who call themselves alpha. which means it was created by insecure men who are not alpha.

And you'd assume wrong.

[spoonitnow]

[a500lbgorilla]

So what's the news with Putin? Couped?

[OngBonga]

gonna be awesome if this putin disappearance is a coup

Yeah I'm gonna say it would be the opposite of awesome. Who do you suppose the Russian population would point the finger at? Who do you suppose would take control? Do you think he'd be pro-Western? Would that not result in a Russian civil war? Would that not be extremely dangerous?

This is never an internal coup. There's no way any Russian politician can safely take control. The population like Putin too much, it would be utter chaos and certainly not in Russia's best interests, nor in the best interests of the opposition. If this is a coup, then it is a Western effort to enforce regime change. But that seems way too dangerous too, because it could result in all out war with Russia.

He's probably just fishing and wrestling bears with no top on in Siberia. Hasn't he done this before?

[a500lbgorilla]

It would be awesome though.

[OngBonga]

I suppose it would be awesome, in the strict definition of the word. Tsunamis are awesome too.

Anyway, he's got a bad back and is being treated by an Austrian doctor, apparently.

[wufwugy]

there is one specific pathway by which this could be a coup. it involves the unspoken agreement between putin and the oligarchs being that putin can keep his regime as long as the economy does great. the analysis for why putin went hardline military was because he was losing the economy and had to scramble to shore up support some other way.

putin is unlikely to get deposed by a regime more dictatorial than him. the pressures are more towards wanting more integration with the west and a more dynamic economy. it would be remarkable for a coup to come from this side since it's usually not the coup-y type, but it's the only one that makes much sense.

[wufwugy]

im a little frustrated with how little information we're getting out of russia. there are ways to analyze this, but it seems no US media has expertise on it

like there's one report from some russian blogger that the russian media has change some of its key terms about ukraine since putin's absence. that sort of subtle clue can be a big deal. i dont know if it's true tho

[wufwugy]

there's evidence a coup could have come from even bigger hardliners and some from the more dovish. weird

http://www.interpretermag.com/russia...-14-2015/#7468

not sure what to make of the rumor of putin's bodyguard's death. i mean, he's his bodyguard, so he's not going to reveal himself while putin is gone. it's a convenient rumor that might not mean anything

[boost]

there's evidence a coup could have come from even bigger hardliners and some from the more dovish. weird

http://www.interpretermag.com/russia...-14-2015/#7468

not sure what to make of the rumor of putin's bodyguard's death. i mean, he's his bodyguard, so he's not going to reveal himself while putin is gone. it's a convenient rumor that might not mean anything

I have no clue if this is a good source or not, but man it is damn good reading!

[MadMojoMonkey]

One master of his craft, doing what he does:



~5:50 I exclaimed "ow!," then "holy shit"


Will watch the rest after shift.

[Galapogos]

My favourite has always been the Michael "Jack" Johnson one. Not a great opponent or remarkable match, but it's just Tyson fucking a guy up. First knocks him down with a body shot, guy gets up and then Tyson just powers through his guard with a face smashing tooth breaking knock out.

[spoonitnow]

My favourite has always been the Michael "Jack" Johnson one. Not a great opponent or remarkable match, but it's just Tyson fucking a guy up. First knocks him down with a body shot, guy gets up and then Tyson just powers through his guard with a face smashing tooth breaking knock out.

+1

[spoonitnow]

If anyone has cockroach problems anytime, get these fuckers: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/har...082120-product

My grand dad basically pushed me on these as the best shit to ever be invented, and I'll be goddamned if they aren't. I knew a chick who lived in a pretty shitty apartment that had a lot of roaches and shit, like you'd see them a few times daily in the kitchen, and she'd tried sprays and other types of bait and all kinds of other shit to no avail. I put about 15 of these in her kitchen under the appliances and behind the sink and another 5-6 in her bathroom, and a month later they were fucking gone. I mean like gone gone, as in that was about six months ago, and they haven't seen a single fucking roach in the past three or four months.

[oskar]

One master of his craft, doing what he does:



~5:50 I exclaimed "ow!," then "holy shit"


Will watch the rest after shift.

That is the nicest looking Tyson compilation I've ever seen. I don't follow boxing at all, but I could watch Tyson fight all day.

[eugmac]

If anyone has cockroach problems anytime, get these fuckers: http://www.walgreens.com/store/c/har...082120-product

My grand dad basically pushed me on these as the best shit to ever be invented, and I'll be goddamned if they aren't. I knew a chick who lived in a pretty shitty apartment that had a lot of roaches and shit, like you'd see them a few times daily in the kitchen, and she'd tried sprays and other types of bait and all kinds of other shit to no avail. I put about 15 of these in her kitchen under the appliances and behind the sink and another 5-6 in her bathroom, and a month later they were fucking gone. I mean like gone gone, as in that was about six months ago, and they haven't seen a single fucking roach in the past three or four months.

Boric acid tablets, so you acid burn them from the inside? Ouch.

[spoonitnow]

Boric acid tablets, so you acid burn them from the inside? Ouch.

Yeah then the other roaches eat the remains and the feces, and it kills them too.

[wufwugy]

i need to fucking stop listening to sara bareilles while reading sad things

[MadMojoMonkey]

ITT we learn wufwugy's true feeling about roaches.

[bigred]

What's everybody's new favorite thing? For me it's a combination of good weather finally hitting Austin and SXSW

[bigred]

And sorry with the word "new". Let's change that to current. SXSW or good weather is not new to me but it is my current favorites.

[BooG690]

I get pretty jealous when Bigred talks about Austin. Little does he know that I may be invading it soon. Very soon. Be warned.

[aubreymcfate]

i have austin invasion plans too, mainly 'cause my best friend may be going there for grad school. i was in texas for the first time over the holidays though, houston and baytown (the bf hailing from the latter)... not exactly like Austin, i'm guessing. oddly enough, aside from some local flavor and differences in landscape, it felt fairly indistinguishable from the boring suburbs of long island that i grew up in.

there was an insane wind storm though, i really felt like i was about to have my first tornado experience. is that more common in texas?

[BooG690]

i have austin invasion plans too, mainly 'cause my best friend may be going there for grad school. i was in texas for the first time over the holidays though, houston and baytown (the bf hailing from the latter)... not exactly like Austin, i'm guessing. oddly enough, aside from some local flavor and differences in landscape, it felt fairly indistinguishable from the boring suburbs of long island that i grew up in.

there was an insane wind storm though, i really felt like i was about to have my first tornado experience. is that more common in texas?

It's odd how common it is for New Yorkers to gtfo and go to Austin for cheaper rent. I know about a dozen people, including Bigred, who made the migration from NYC to Austin.

[bigred]

Houston is more like the Louisiana (not the good parts aka New Orleans) of Texas with good food with life ruining humidity and heat in the summer. Dallas is like if NYC made love to a Cowboy and the baby inherited mostly bad traits from each parent (imo) and it snows there in the winter occasionally.

Austin is like if New York, San Fran, and San Diego had a fun threesome that resulted in a baby and inherited like 80% of the good traits but inherited it's intellect and approach to life from it's SoCal parent. It's a really easy going place (titled the hippy oasis by the rest of Texas) with good weather (and mostly dry heat). The one thing it really lacks is any culture outside of music. Living in NYC, if I felt I needed to feel smart I'd go to the Met or the MOMA or the Museum of Natural History. Here I say fuck it and go drink beers on a porch somewhere cause food and alcohol in an outdoor setting is all Austin seems to offer. Don't get me wrong, I have mainly positive feelings about Austin but it's starting to feel a little one dimensional after living here for 2.5 years. Great fucking place to visit for a week and spoil yourself on food and drink though.

[aubreymcfate]

yeah, when I say invade I mean, invade for a few weeks of egregious self-spoiling. I'm wedded to NYC and its abusive monetary demands

[BooG690]

Austin is like if New York, San Fran, and San Diego had a fun threesome that resulted in a baby and inherited like 80% of the good traits but inherited it's intellect and approach to life from it's SoCal parent. It's a really easy going place (titled the hippy oasis by the rest of Texas) with good weather (and mostly dry heat). The one thing it really lacks is any culture outside of music. Living in NYC, if I felt I needed to feel smart I'd go to the Met or the MOMA or the Museum of Natural History. Here I say fuck it and go drink beers on a porch somewhere cause food and alcohol in an outdoor setting is all Austin seems to offer. Don't get me wrong, I have mainly positive feelings about Austin but it's starting to feel a little one dimensional after living here for 2.5 years. Great fucking place to visit for a week and spoil yourself on food and drink though.

This is the first negative thing I've read a New Yorker write about Austin. I'm glad you mentioned this. Do you see yourself being an Austin lifer? If not, where would you go? Seriously, the rent is too damn high. I'm looking to move on up and move to Jackson Heights. Yes, moving UP to Jackson Heights. FML.

[wufwugy]

The topic of location is quite tough to figure out. I would look at some places not quite talked about. For example: Nashville. It's cheap, more cultured than the stereotype, and has the southern hospitality, which is something that NY lacks big time. Reno. Word around town is the suburbs of Reno are incredibly cheap but rapidly growing. That's a dynamite mix. Or Boise. It's got its own unique blend of Pacific Northwest social progressiveness and relaxed demeanor combined with old timey standards and considerate demeanor. It's also growing rapidly and very cheap.

[boost]

Chicago is pretty awesome. Not the cheapest, but when compared to New York, you're pretty much living for free. And while it's a huge city, it's fairly vertical with solid public transit, so you can live in affordable neighborhoods and work elsewhere, without your commute being absolutely killer.

[bigred]

Chicago is pretty awesome. Not the cheapest, but when compared to New York, you're pretty much living for free. And while it's a huge city, it's fairly vertical with solid public transit, so you can live in affordable neighborhoods and work elsewhere, without your commute being absolutely killer.

Yeah but you live in the midwest and O'hare is your main airport. That's two major red flags right there.

[BooG690]

and has the southern hospitality, which is something that NY lacks big time.

i fucking hate this dumb stereotype. No, let me correct myself. I hate when people actually believe this bullshit. Wuf, have you ever been to NY? We're helpful as fuck and are dying for tourists to enjoy our city. Just don't be a cunt and walk at a snail's pace during rush hour. That's selfish. Also. Be ready to get your balls busted. That's not rude, it's just how we communicate to each other. Now fuck off with the no hospitality bullshit in NY.

[bigred]

Yeah. NYC are pretty friendly when you're not in their way.

[bigred]

This is the first negative thing I've read a New Yorker write about Austin. I'm glad you mentioned this. Do you see yourself being an Austin lifer? If not, where would you go? Seriously, the rent is too damn high. I'm looking to move on up and move to Jackson Heights. Yes, moving UP to Jackson Heights. FML.

Def not an Austin lifer. Next spots (2-4 years from now) include Denver, Seattle, and Portland.

[aubreymcfate]

i fucking hate this dumb stereotype. No, let me correct myself. I hate when people actually believe this bullshit. Wuf, have you ever been to NY? We're helpful as fuck and are dying for tourists to enjoy our city. Just don't be a cunt and walk at a snail's pace during rush hour. That's selfish. Also. Be ready to get your balls busted. That's not rude, it's just how we communicate to each other. Now fuck off with the no hospitality bullshit in NY.

I agree that NYers have a hospitality that's hard to understand when you're not from here...

But, and this is obviously purely anecdotal from my limited experience, I did experience a type of hospitality in Utah that I never have in NY. My boyfriend's father was sick, and the level of hospitality we received at that hospital actually blindsided me. I've never had hospital staff in NY go to the extent that these people did to make us comfortable. They went a huge extra mile. I know Utah isn't exactly the south, but this is what pops into my head when I hear "Southern hospitality." I imagine this to be the kind of distinction they mean.

But I agree (obviously, NYer for life here), people have this conception that NYers are constantly cold and abrasive, but ask one NYer for directions and you'll likely find yourself standing on the street for 5 minutes huddled over your google maps app with a completely transformed human who's brimming with earnestness, just as invested in finding the right cross streets as you are.


I'm looking at all the times I just typed NYer and suddenly feel really doofy.

oh I have to add, the biggest "don't be a cunt" warning for NY is: wait for people to leave a subway car before waltzing your ass in there.

[rong]

From what I understand London is far less hospitable than new York. And just as expensive.

[BooG690]

From what I understand London is far less hospitable than new York. And just as expensive.

The English are more cynical (read: realistic) about life and the world around them. English and New York humor is quite compatible. I found I "get on" (Britishisms up in here) with the English quite well. The Scottish, on the other hand, are pretty miserable and dark with an inferiority complex. I would compare them to people from New Jersey.

[BooG690]

But, and this is obviously purely anecdotal from my limited experience, I did experience a type of hospitality in Utah that I never have in NY. My boyfriend's father was sick, and the level of hospitality we received at that hospital actually blindsided me. I've never had hospital staff in NY go to the extent that these people did to make us comfortable. They went a huge extra mile. I know Utah isn't exactly the south, but this is what pops into my head when I hear "Southern hospitality." I imagine this to be the kind of distinction they mean.

Wanna know how to make a New Yorker uncomfortable? Be overly nice. I'm pretty sure the English feel similarly.

[rong]

Don't you foreign folk use the expression "get on with"?

[aubreymcfate]

unctuous smarmy kindness is uncomfortable. genuine human to human warmth, not so much.

we'd say "get on with it"

i guess you might also hear "i get on well with her" or "he gets on with her well" or any variation but it's not super common, now that i think about it. i think sometimes people just say things if they've heard it recently, either in person or tv or whatever, and so it's hard to tell what's really a common phrase in a certain location and what's latched into someone's head via osmosis. or maybe it's just me that consciously juggles different idioms based on what my brain has been absorbing lately...

[BooG690]

Don't you foreign folk use the expression "get on with"?

I think it's becoming increasingly popular but I still think it stems from the Brits.

[bigred]

ITT Boog tries to pass himself off as classy with little success

[spoonitnow]

*glass breaks*

[wufwugy]

i fucking hate this dumb stereotype. No, let me correct myself. I hate when people actually believe this bullshit. Wuf, have you ever been to NY? We're helpful as fuck and are dying for tourists to enjoy our city. Just don't be a cunt and walk at a snail's pace during rush hour. That's selfish. Also. Be ready to get your balls busted. That's not rude, it's just how we communicate to each other. Now fuck off with the no hospitality bullshit in NY.

awesome

[wufwugy]

Wanna know how to make a New Yorker uncomfortable? Be overly nice. I'm pretty sure the English feel similarly.

i put it at 12% you were joking around in your previous post, but it's funny that you would say this since i kinda makes my point.


i never said ny isnt full of nice people. there is something in broad strokes called "southern hospitality" that is lost in every big city. the hospitality has more to do with rural life and it isn't exactly southern. the fly-over states are where people know their neighbors, wave as they drive by, chat as they walk by, stop and talk with the store clerk, go out of their way to help people who ask for some pretty huge favors ("like i need help with my car").

utah is a little extra since it's a bunch of mormons and they're nice as shit.

it isn't that people in certain areas are inherently nicer people, but that certain areas provide different incentives for behavior. in cities, things are more rushed and you dont get punished for not being friends with everybody you see. but out in the country, there is no need for rushing and you do get punished for not being friends with everybody you see.


take pride in the openness and directness of ny. it could be fucking seattle, where people are far more subtle about their opinions. seattle is probably the worst place in the whole country when it comes to the type of people you meet because passive aggressive is the name of the game. the seattle freeze is real.

[BooG690]

Again, have you been to NYC yet? Your opinion is dogshit if you haven't.

[spoonitnow]

Who the fuck wants to go to that shithole?

[BooG690]

You're from North Carolina. Shut it.

[BooG690]

For the record, I'm just being an asshole. I'm sure NC is nice.

I still think Wuf likes to argue so much that he'll argue about things he knows nothing about.

[wufwugy]

Again, have you been to NYC yet? Your opinion is dogshit if you haven't.

Bumping up the probability that you're satirizing to 25%.

http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/1...n_4137846.html

I'd like to see far more with this type of thing. I bet we could find some really unique regional culture differences.

I still think Wuf likes to argue so much that he'll argue about things he knows nothing about.

Arguing for the sake of arguing is some bottom barrel bullshit.

The Seattle Freeze is real. It's one example of a unique regional personality.

This isn't a point I want to argue because then I would end up over-arguing my point. People are different all over the place. Regional determinism would be dumb, and nobody wants to be said to fit a stereotype.

I do not think people are nicer anywhere than anywhere else. I do think that mannerisms and conventions differ.

[BooG690]

Don't change your argument. You said NY lacks hospitality big time. You said nothing of mannerisms and conventions. You're shifting your argument which makes for bad debates.

I'm getting bored of this debate as well, though. Come to NYC. Make a goddamn educated opinion instead of citing some study that is based off Facebook. I'll even buy you a beer and call you an asshole, NY style.

[wufwugy]

Don't change your argument. You said NY lacks hospitality big time.

I didn't. I said the "southern hospitality". I would never have said that people from NY are not hospitable. Aubrey is one of the kindest people I know and she's NY native.

"Southern hospitality" is a sweeping generalization of certain hospitable characteristics of the society that you get in low density, relaxed, conventional places. The contrast isn't just NYC, but any dense region. The densest areas of Seattle are shitty in comparison to the rural areas of Washington. It isn't because the people choose to be that way, but because of how interactions are structured. Why would the phrase "southern hospitality" even been invented if it wasn't something?

I do see how what I said could come off the wrong way though.

[wufwugy]

Telling people they're not hospitable is insulting and untrue and I didn't mean it like that at all.

Do we need to make fun of Jersey instead? Of course I haven't been to Jersey so I don't know anything other than the stereotypes and things in the news or pop culture. We could make fun of Portland instead. A bigger bunch of doofuses I never knew. Those numbnuts can't even pump their own gas.

[aubreymcfate]

eh I think wug is pretty much right. I get what he's saying.

you should come to our shithole anyway though.



awww lookie how cuteeee

[BooG690]

Do we need to make fun of Jersey instead? Of course I haven't been to Jersey so I don't know anything other than the stereotypes and things in the news or pop culture. We could make fun of Portland instead. A bigger bunch of doofuses I never knew. Those numbnuts can't even pump their own gas.

Heh. Funnily enough, neither can the entire state of Jersey.

Wuf is right about regions being different. I was never arguing that. He just somehow shifted the argument that way. Shrug.

[OngBonga]

There's an eclipse happening in the next hour or so. Sadly we're just outside the line of totality here in UK, we'll have to make do with partial. It's looking 50-50 as to cloud cover so I might not even bother heading out. We might notice it get a little darker but it won't be spectacular here.

For the 99.99999% of the world population not in Faroe Islands or Svalbard, here's a live webcam...

http://live.slooh.com/stadium/live/t...clipse-of-2015

[rong]

We should get 85% in Cornwall. Clouds seem ok at the minute but you never know with our changeable weather. I've got a conference call at 9.30 I intend to be late for.

[OngBonga]

Looking good so far. I've got clear skies and sunshine directly into my room, so I'm watching the stream from the Faroes while tracking the progress by means of pinhole projection. Well past 50% now.

[OngBonga]

Conditions are perfect in Svalbard, where the eclipse has started and will reach totality in just under an hour. There will be spectacular footage from there. Apparoaching around 90% here in the Midlands, it does seem a little darker than it should be for such a bright sunny morning.

[rong]

Pin hole projection sucks. I did it, but it's hardly mesmerising. I found the whole thing quite underwhelming.

[OngBonga]

Pinhole projection works, and to have a tiny little eclipse in my bedroom is cool. It's nothing like 1999, but I never expected it to be.

[Savy]

awww lookie how cuteeee

I'm not really one to be squeamish but stuff like parasitic worms is a no go.

[spoonitnow]

People are nicer in the south because we aren't a bunch of dipshit Yankee assholes.

[OngBonga]

People are nicer in the south because we aren't a bunch of dipshit Yankee assholes.

You're all Yanks as far as we're concerned.

[spoonitnow]

You're all Yanks as far as we're concerned.

Yeah and that's why we don't listen to your nanny state bullshit.

[JKDS]

I was in Seattle last weekend. Aside from what appeared to be a large crime problem, the people were generally great. I got help from a stranger who saw me looking at bus routes, there were fairly happy employees across many types of jobs, and welcome advice on the best attractions from random people on the lightrail thing. They were nicer than what I remember of ppl from NJ, NY, PA, and way better than us pretentious fucks in AZ.

[JKDS]

But all the buildings were close together so car exhaust was noticable. That's common, but I'm not used to it anymore. They're also pretty liberal, got tons of homeless, and its super hilly. Like super steep hills every where. Idk,I wouldn't want to live there

[spoonitnow]

But all the buildings were close together so car exhaust was noticable. That's common, but I'm not used to it anymore. They're also pretty liberal, got tons of homeless, and its super hilly. Like super steep hills every where. Idk,I wouldn't want to live there

The two things in bold go hand-in-hand.

[wufwugy]

I was in Seattle last weekend. Aside from what appeared to be a large crime problem, the people were generally great. I got help from a stranger who saw me looking at bus routes, there were fairly happy employees across many types of jobs, and welcome advice on the best attractions from random people on the lightrail thing. They were nicer than what I remember of ppl from NJ, NY, PA, and way better than us pretentious fucks in AZ.

But all the buildings were close together so car exhaust was noticable. That's common, but I'm not used to it anymore. They're also pretty liberal, got tons of homeless, and its super hilly. Like super steep hills every where. Idk,I wouldn't want to live there

The crime problem is fucking huge in homeless areas. Many of the burbs outside of Seattle have almost zero crime.

If I had to describe the unique blend of nice/not-nice characteristics of Seattle (more like all of Washington), it's that we're very friendly in superficial circumstances, but when you dig deeper, we're cliquey and flaky. We're judgmental without wanting anybody to know we're judgmental, and the main target of this is usually ourselves. Unreliability is huge here. Oftentimes you can think you have some close friends only to find that the friendships all but vanish for no apparent reason. Washingtonians are in constant identity crisis. I would argue that Seattle is the most liberal place on the planet (Portland is trying to beat it but hasn't due to incompetence). It has a weird mix of the artistic celebration of rebellion of the individual and the socialist collective mindset. This is where I think the hyper flakiness comes from. Everybody is pulled from both ends trying to create their own unique identity along side a uniform identity.

I used to think it was impossible to make new friends that would become great close friends long term, but then I realized it was just Washington. Our obsession with recycling applies to friendships as well. You can hardly find a person here who is good friends with somebody they met five years ago, because at some point one of those in the friendship decided they needed to recycle their identity.