Recent posts

#21

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by celedhring - July 18, 2025, 02:13:23 PM

Snyder is fascinated with figures of power - gods among men if you like - and how people respond to them. Which is certainly something different than "power fantasies". His DC films are made so the powerful figure is always an other that we watch. We're Batman, not Superman. I think Watchmen and Dr Manhattan is the blueprint for all his work, really.

That said, I don't think he's a director that's fully in control of his themes. Meaning, he just throws a lot of stuff at the screen than sounds and looks "deep" without really articulating a coherent theme. But, unlike a large portion of his fanbase, he's certainly not a cynic.

#22

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Zoupa - July 18, 2025, 01:59:46 PM

More whataboutism. So no posts where you lament collateral damage to Palestinians from you then.

As I said previously, you are wholly unconcerned with civilian collateral victims as long as it's the IDF doing it.

The sympathy for Palestine is based on the antipathy people have for the guys fighting them.

Speaking for myself, I don't have "sympathy for Palestine"; I simply find the IDF's methods to be horrible and ineffective. Do you really think that Hamas can be defeated this way? The IDF is creating tomorrow's Hamas recruits by making a zillion people homeless, orphans etc. It's dumb.

Incorrect.  I have as much concern as for civilian casualties in Palestine as I did for Syrian and Iraqi casualties during the war against ISIS.  Can you say the same?

Yes. Although in your case, you are technically correct: zero concern = zero concern = zero concern.

#23

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Razgovory - July 18, 2025, 01:55:37 PM

I am regularly critical of both Netanyahu and the Settlers.  But I forgot, you don't bother to read my posts, do you?

#24

Off the Record / Re: Russo-Ukrainian War 2014-2...

Last post by Josquius - July 18, 2025, 01:24:07 PM

This was pretty interesting. Meant to post earlier but slipped my mind.

BBC News - Kill Russian soldiers, win points: Is Ukraine's new drone scheme gamifying war?
https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c80p9k1r1dlo

Despite it being messed up I can't help but wonder whether it does incentivise good or bad behaviour.

#25

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Josquius - July 18, 2025, 12:55:53 PM

Yes, you think it's bad for the Palestinians.

And you don't?

] As for Semite
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy

Yet again you make zero sense.

All wars are bad.  But people really seem focused on this one.

Yes. And when you stop the kneejerk shrieking of anti semitism and look at the reasons it's really pretty logical why.

You keep saying that but I keep pointing to time I've criticized Israel. 

On what? You don't like their uniforms?

#26

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Jacob - July 18, 2025, 12:14:01 PM

Yeah, Jake's thing was one and done.  You may have a point.

Could you clarify the point you're using me to make? I don't quite follow.

#27

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by mongers - July 18, 2025, 12:09:38 PM

Maybe Pitt-Rivers? It's the only other museum I can think of in Oxford.

Thanks, Shelf.

Yes, I should have also excluded Pitt-Rivers, I've even myself handled some of his collection.

So if you can't think of another, it is likely the Petrie that I've never visited.

#28

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by Sheilbh - July 18, 2025, 11:57:35 AM

Maybe Pitt-Rivers? It's the only other museum I can think of in Oxford.

#29

Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread

Last post by Sheilbh - July 18, 2025, 11:55:17 AM

Yeah I am not a Snyder fan and can't think of the last film of his I actually watched.

But I think there is a huge disconnect between the style and the substance of his film in the way you're describing. In that I can fully see the aesthetic and style being seen as embracing "power fantasies" but the actual film being about the opposite. I find the style tiresome and overblown and portentous in a way I can't ever really get behind.

I think it's interesting because as you say there are lots of fans who love the style/aesthetics and interpret that as the film's "content" - and critics who do the same. And I think there's a question of to what extent is style the content - or, are they right after all?

#30

Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...

Last post by mongers - July 18, 2025, 11:54:49 AM

Visiting Oxford next week and trying to remember details of a museum*, which I've not visited, that has an Egyptian collection. Anyone knows what it might be or am I confusing it with the Petrie at UCL? 



* Yes I know the Ashmoleon quite well.