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#31
Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...
Last post by Sheilbh - July 18, 2025, 11:57:35 AMMaybe Pitt-Rivers? It's the only other museum I can think of in Oxford.
#32
Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread
Last post by Sheilbh - July 18, 2025, 11:55:17 AMYeah 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?
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?
#33
Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...
Last post by mongers - July 18, 2025, 11:54:49 AMVisiting 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.
* Yes I know the Ashmoleon quite well.
#34
Off the Record / Re: TV/Movies Megathread
Last post by The Minsky Moment - July 18, 2025, 11:49:04 AMQuote from: Sophie Scholl on July 15, 2025, 10:37:16 PMI absolutely adored the new Superman movie. It was *such* a welcome change from Snyder's universe and even the Marvel films and shows. As Greg Rucka, one of my favorite comic writers, put it:QuoteFrom the first minute they had it right, and I sat in a theatre with five friends and another fifty-odd strangers and we all took it in with wide eyes and open arms and we left happy and uplifted, entertained and, dare I say it, hopeful. We shared the communal experience of being told a story, being moved by it, cheering, getting choked up, and at the end, applauding.
Superman should be hopeful. Superman should be aspirational. Superman should be someone we want to emulate, not because of what he can do but because of who he is. The most damning flaw of the last several cinematic portrayals have been their focus on power, and in such they've embraced the worst of the "adolescent power fantasy" tropes superhero comics are so rife with. Snyder's ideology, in particular, meant the concept of selflessness was anathema to him; it permeates that era of DC filmmaking to such an extent the stain can never be washed away from those movies. The films were, in my opinion, anti-heroic. They celebrated selfishness and property damage, and ultimately, that might makes right. Of course they did. If you're a Randian libertarian, the very idea of selflessness, of charity, of kindness for the sake of being kind is antithetical to your worldview.
God knows, we needed two hours and nine minutes of good for the heart and soul this past week.
. . .
No comment on the movie, which I haven't seen.
I take issue with Rucka's critique of Snyder though, I think it's almost 180 degrees backwards. Snyder's DC pictures don't celebrate "selfishness and property damage." on the contrary they go out of their way to bring home the consequences of the collateral damage caused by superhuman mayhem, regardless of intentions. Far from embracing "power fantasies," a core theme that runs through those films is the unintended consequences of the use of power, and the dangers of excessive power even when accompanied by noble motives. It's probably true that there Snyder fans out there who misread the movies and just revel in the mayhem, but that's not really on him. That dynamic has been going on at least since the Wild Bunch, maybe earlier.
To be clear, I'm personally not a fan of Synder or the Snyder DC movies. I grew up with the Reeve Supermans and I strongly suspect I'll prefer this new one. But there are plenty of legit criticisms to be made of the Snyder DC era without resorting to relentlessly beating a Snyder strawman.
#35
Off the Record / Re: Brexit and the waning days...
Last post by Sheilbh - July 18, 2025, 11:40:42 AMSlightly concerned on the Planning Bill. All the YIMBY people seem absolutely aghast at the amendments coming through the House of Lords, especially on the environment and nature. Basically under pressure it looks like the government has folded pretty significantly. I'm not sure on impact but YIMBY types seem to think it will be serious.
The story on this is particularly striking because I think it comes up a lot in our modern political culture. The government worked with environmental and nature groups on drafting the bill. When it first came out those groups were broadly on-board with the government's reforms. There was then a lot of pushback from their membership, activists and lots of "Campaigners say..." articles in the Guardian and BBC. All of those groups who had previously been supportive turned and started having serious concerns about the bill, working with Labour rebels opposing it.
By the sounds of it the government's now climbed down. The YIMBYs are really worried that the bill is now significantly weaker (a step in the right direction but still complex and more power to quangos), while those same pressure groups are now saying it's a good start but the government has not addressed their concerns and need to concede more.
I think for a government "laser focused on growth", planning reform was really the last big roll of the dice they had - and if they concede on this, especially given that it's manifesto legislation and core to their entire project, I'm not really sure what the point is any more.
I'd add that this is part of the lack of joining up government (which I'd suggest is the job of cabinet, but particularly the PM). Earlier this week we had the Chancellor talking about regulatory changes since the crash making Britain too economically risk averse, too wedded to the precautionary principle on everything etc (very much in line with the Draghi Report, which I thought was interesting) and regulation needed to be changed and cut to allow for growth. In the same week it sounds like the government is conceding on its big growth legislation (as well as the core to delivering their 300,000 homes per year pledge).
It's a bit like the situation with employment - the jobs report recently is complicated and a little contradictory. But it definitely looks like there is a recruitment recession and payrolls are falling consistently now. Low paid sectors (like hospitality) and graduate recruitment/entry level jobs seem particularly badly hit. The number one factor being cited by employers (particularly in hospitality) is the government increasing payroll taxes. At the same time the government's really pretty gung-ho on AI adoption and is proposing a very significant expansion of workers' rights. I think any one of these policies on their own may well be right, could be defensible etc - but cumulatively, it feels like the inevitable outcome will be higher unemployment and lower employment rates.
As I say if only we'd invented a system of government based on different departments representing different interests and aspects of policy could decide policy collectively with the most power resting with a chair who doesn't represent any individual department but is able to assess the trade-offs
The story on this is particularly striking because I think it comes up a lot in our modern political culture. The government worked with environmental and nature groups on drafting the bill. When it first came out those groups were broadly on-board with the government's reforms. There was then a lot of pushback from their membership, activists and lots of "Campaigners say..." articles in the Guardian and BBC. All of those groups who had previously been supportive turned and started having serious concerns about the bill, working with Labour rebels opposing it.
By the sounds of it the government's now climbed down. The YIMBYs are really worried that the bill is now significantly weaker (a step in the right direction but still complex and more power to quangos), while those same pressure groups are now saying it's a good start but the government has not addressed their concerns and need to concede more.
I think for a government "laser focused on growth", planning reform was really the last big roll of the dice they had - and if they concede on this, especially given that it's manifesto legislation and core to their entire project, I'm not really sure what the point is any more.
I'd add that this is part of the lack of joining up government (which I'd suggest is the job of cabinet, but particularly the PM). Earlier this week we had the Chancellor talking about regulatory changes since the crash making Britain too economically risk averse, too wedded to the precautionary principle on everything etc (very much in line with the Draghi Report, which I thought was interesting) and regulation needed to be changed and cut to allow for growth. In the same week it sounds like the government is conceding on its big growth legislation (as well as the core to delivering their 300,000 homes per year pledge).
It's a bit like the situation with employment - the jobs report recently is complicated and a little contradictory. But it definitely looks like there is a recruitment recession and payrolls are falling consistently now. Low paid sectors (like hospitality) and graduate recruitment/entry level jobs seem particularly badly hit. The number one factor being cited by employers (particularly in hospitality) is the government increasing payroll taxes. At the same time the government's really pretty gung-ho on AI adoption and is proposing a very significant expansion of workers' rights. I think any one of these policies on their own may well be right, could be defensible etc - but cumulatively, it feels like the inevitable outcome will be higher unemployment and lower employment rates.
As I say if only we'd invented a system of government based on different departments representing different interests and aspects of policy could decide policy collectively with the most power resting with a chair who doesn't represent any individual department but is able to assess the trade-offs
#36
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by The Minsky Moment - July 18, 2025, 11:17:02 AMNothing really surprising here; Paramount-CBS is high profile media company, subject to broad federal regulatory authority. Pre-2025 that would not matter of course, because back then the USA was a free country governed by the rule of law. In 2025, however, the USA is a managed authoritarian state along the Putinist-Orbanist pattern and thus any large media outlet must make accommodations to the junta or face financial consequences or worse.
#37
Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023
Last post by Razgovory - July 18, 2025, 10:52:24 AMQuote from: Zoupa on July 18, 2025, 05:45:37 AMMore 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.Quote from: Razgovory on July 18, 2025, 05:15:52 AMThe 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?
#38
Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023
Last post by Razgovory - July 18, 2025, 10:49:45 AMQuote from: Josquius on July 18, 2025, 09:01:09 AMWhat on earth are you talking about?
I have a better grasp on the word Semite than you do and it was pretty clear from the start that I felt those attacks were not a good thing (tm).
Yes, you think it's bad for the Palestinians. As for Semite
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Etymological_fallacy
QuoteHVC put it quite nicely.
There's a disagreement there. There's this obvious bad shit going down yet you still get people disagreeing that its particularly terrible.
And its nothing new. Its been going on at some level for decades.
All wars are bad. But people really seem focused on this one.
QuoteYou really don't. Yet you continue to insist any criticism of Israel can only be born out of anti-semitism.
You keep saying that but I keep pointing to time I've criticized Israel.
#39
Off the Record / Re: What does a TRUMP presiden...
Last post by viper37 - July 18, 2025, 10:26:07 AMText about how Don the Con is trapped in his own conspiracy.
I hadn't seen things that way.
Donald Trump just blew his cover as the 'real victim' in new scam on MAGA
I hadn't seen things that way.
Donald Trump just blew his cover as the 'real victim' in new scam on MAGA
#40
Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023
Last post by crazy canuck - July 18, 2025, 10:19:13 AMThe Catholic and Orthodox churches are now going to get more involved in the effort to send aid to Gaza
QuoteTop church leaders in Jerusalem headed into Gaza Friday in a rare solidarity visit to the territory one day after an Israeli shell slammed into its only Catholic church, killing three people.
The Latin Patriarch of Jerusalem, Pierbattista Pizzaballa, and Greek Orthodox Patriarch Theophilos III entered Gaza in the morning to express the "shared pastoral solicitude of the Churches of the Holy Land," read a statement released by the Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem.
The patriarchs and their delegation arrived at the Holy Family Catholic Church in Gaza in the afternoon. As well as the three people killed in the strike, 10 were wounded, including the resident priest. The church compound was damaged.
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The delegation was also planning on sending hundreds of tons of food aid, medical supplies and equipment to families inside Gaza, the patriarchate said, adding they also had "ensured evacuation" of individuals injured in the attack to hospitals outside Gaza.