Recent posts

#91

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Sophie Scholl - July 17, 2025, 04:30:09 PM

I don't think we have any Saudi apologists either for what its worth. I agree with HVC. Things tend to get more protesting and coverage when there are vocal and numerous proponents on both sides.

#92

Off the Record / Re: Grand unified books thread

Last post by Admiral Yi - July 17, 2025, 04:10:24 PM

Who's doing the invading in the Leninist version?

#93

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Admiral Yi - July 17, 2025, 03:42:02 PM

If you want to use languish as an example I have one too we've had posts about the Chinese horrendous mistreatment of the uyghurs. Everyone agrees it's a heart breaking horrible situation and we moved on. Not because the actions were acceptable, but because there's no argument. We also have a thread about Israel that won't die because Raz vociferously defends Israel's actions against Palestinian civilians. Continuous dialogue (or protest as the case may be) isn't always tied to the nature of what's being discussed but also because of the side that defends those actions. The stronger the defence the stronger the counter protest.

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

#94

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by HVC - July 17, 2025, 03:30:52 PM

That's true, but I also think it's tied to how many in a Society defend an action. No one, or at least not in appreachable numbers, defends China or Saudi Arabia's actions, but there a significant number of people who defend Israel's.

If enough people go "oh that's fine" or even "that's a good thing" then theres an impetus to protest that view. You don't protest against views share your outlook.

Our very own Jake attended a protest about Ukraine.  That somewhat invalidates your point.

If you want to use languish as an example I have one too we've had posts about the Chinese horrendous mistreatment of the uyghurs. Everyone agrees it's a heart breaking horrible situation and we moved on. Not because the actions were acceptable, but because there's no argument. We also have a thread about Israel that won't die because Raz vociferously defends Israel's actions against Palestinian civilians. Continuous dialogue (or protest as the case may be) isn't always tied to the nature of what's being discussed but also because of the side that defends those actions. The stronger the defence the stronger the counter protest.

#95

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by Admiral Yi - July 17, 2025, 03:22:03 PM

That's true, but I also think it's tied to how many in a Society defend an action. No one, or at least not in appreachable numbers, defends China or Saudi Arabia's actions, but there a significant number of people who defend Israel's.

If enough people go "oh that's fine" or even "that's a good thing" then theres an impetus to protest that view. You don't protest against views share your outlook.

Our very own Jake attended a protest about Ukraine.  That somewhat invalidates your point.

#96

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by HVC - July 17, 2025, 03:09:21 PM

I've never understood the argument that, because people don't protest against, say Syrian attacks on civilians, that they are evil when they protest against, say, Israeli attacks on civilians. That's pure bullshit whataboutism, designed to distract from the real issue. The fact that one set of actions is indefensible doesn't at all relate to the fact that another set of actions is indefensible.

People demonstrate when they think that their demonstrations might make a difference. You don't see mass demonstrations against cancer, even though it kills more civilians than Israel, Syria, and Saudi Arabia combined.

I wouldn't undersestimate the factor of people protesting against things that are en vogue to protest about. I think western governments could certaing by their own civilians to take firmer stances on China (Uighurs), Saudi Arabia, even say starvation and homelessness in their own countries. But those aren't causes that draw as much attention as something emotive like Israel-Palestine. Those other items also don't draw as many clicks as say articles and photographs of Gazan anguish.

That's true, but I also think it's tied to how many in a Society defend an action. No one, or at least not in appreachable numbers, defends China or Saudi Arabia's actions, but there a significant number of people who defend Israel's.

If enough people go "oh that's fine" or even "that's a good thing" then theres an impetus to protest that view. You don't protest against views share your outlook.

#97

Off the Record / Re: Israel-Hamas War 2023

Last post by DGuller - July 17, 2025, 03:05:33 PM

I've never understood the argument that, because people don't protest against, say Syrian attacks on civilians, that they are evil when they protest against, say, Israeli attacks on civilians. That's pure bullshit whataboutism, designed to distract from the real issue. The fact that one set of actions is indefensible doesn't at all relate to the fact that another set of actions is indefensible.

People demonstrate when they think that their demonstrations might make a difference. You don't see mass demonstrations against cancer, even though it kills more civilians than Israel, Syria, and Saudi Arabia combined.

The issue with selective protesting is the same as with selective law enforcement.  It raises questions as to whether the law is being enforced out of principle, or because it is a convenient tool to achieve an unrelated end.  It's not always whataboutism to dig into why things are done selectively.

#98

Off the Record / Re: Hungarian Politics

Last post by Valmy - July 17, 2025, 02:48:24 PM

I just have a hard time believing that in the middle of an existential war against Russia, an anti-Hungarian mob is going to form and start committing ethnic cleansing just because the Hungarian government is mad about this one guy dying.

But it is Eastern Europe, their ways are foreign to me.

#99

Off the Record / Re: The Off Topic Topic

Last post by HVC - July 17, 2025, 02:40:54 PM

Back hugs and shame is for everyone, not just affair partners

#100

Off the Record / Re: General issues

Last post by HVC - July 17, 2025, 02:39:57 PM

Well, it's not going to be so simple.  The database schema doesn't have a proper foreign key setup, so I need to manually identify every table that references topic IDs and edit those columns as well.

Surely you can let AI do that? - Every manager, currently.

Alternatively: "Can't you just do search/Replace"? - Users who think data tables work like Excel sheets.

Other option is go the classic route and outsource to India