|
Post by Kapitan on Aug 16, 2022 20:18:39 GMT
This is kind of interesting: a reimagined 50 states of the USA, but with each state having equal population. Let's be honest, most of the fun in this would be in the naming! I'd be in Mesabi, which is the name of a region of Minnesota often called the Iron Range because of its mining. It comes from an Ojibwe word meaning giant mountain, which shows whoever named it didn't get out much (as we have no mountains in Minnesota, much less giant ones).
/photo/1
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Aug 18, 2022 14:20:57 GMT
Some of you are old enough to remember the "Satanic Panic" of the '80s, when people irrationally believed that there was widespread Satanism in music, in entertainment, and even in childcare centers. It was, obviously, untrue.
This article in Reason cites a nationwide poll done by two University of Miami political science professors showing that our nation is yet again amping up its irrational or exaggerated beliefs in the nonsensical. Among the results:
• 25 percent agree that "Satanic ritual sex abuse is widespread in this country." • 33 percent agreed that "members of Satanic cults secretly abuse thousands of children every year." • 26 percent agreed that "the Disney Corporation 'grooms' children into sexualized lifestyles." • 28 percent agreed that "there is a secret 'gay agenda' aimed at converting young people into gay and trans lifestyles." • 30 percent agreed that "elites, from government and Hollywood, are engaged in a massive child sex trafficking racket." • 60 percent agree that there are at least 300,000 kids being sex trafficked in the U.S.
|
|
|
Post by kds on Aug 18, 2022 14:30:03 GMT
Sadly, I know (an in some cases am related to) some folks who subscribe to some of these beliefs. Some of whom take rainbow packaging on Oreo cookies as evidence that the "gay agenda is being shoved down our throats."
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Aug 18, 2022 14:46:25 GMT
Sadly, I know (an in some cases am related to) some folks who subscribe to some of these beliefs. Some of whom take rainbow packaging on Oreo cookies as evidence that the "gay agenda is being shoved down our throats." I guess--and this is faint praise, to be sure, and not something I actually agree with--that at least the Disney and "gay agenda" one could somehow have some basis in something that isn't entirely false. For example, it is true that mainstream institutions are promoting inclusion and normalizing things that previously weren't acceptable to many Americans as recently as 20-30 years ago. There is no question that Hollywood on the whole, or major media companies, are indeed not just passively accepting, but actively supporting historically marginalized or repressed communities. This could be troubling, especially to very conservative people, especially conservative religious people.
BUT ... to take that and twist it into a secret gay agenda, or grooming kids into hypersexualized roles, etc.? That strikes me as nonsense. It is an exaggerated and twisted way to present something that they are uncomfortable with or don't approve of.
The other ones, like the child trafficking numbers or Satanic fears, are just total nonsense. There is no reason to believe any of that. None of it. Not even in the twisted way like I described for those others.
|
|
|
Post by kds on Aug 18, 2022 14:59:00 GMT
Sadly, I know (an in some cases am related to) some folks who subscribe to some of these beliefs. Some of whom take rainbow packaging on Oreo cookies as evidence that the "gay agenda is being shoved down our throats." I guess--and this is faint praise, to be sure, and not something I actually agree with--that at least the Disney and "gay agenda" one could somehow have some basis in something that isn't entirely false. For example, it is true that mainstream institutions are promoting inclusion and normalizing things that previously weren't acceptable to many Americans as recently as 20-30 years ago. There is no question that Hollywood on the whole, or major media companies, are indeed not just passively accepting, but actively supporting historically marginalized or repressed communities. This could be troubling, especially to very conservative people, especially conservative religious people.
BUT ... to take that and twist it into a secret gay agenda, or grooming kids into hypersexualized roles, etc.? That strikes me as nonsense. It is an exaggerated and twisted way to present something that they are uncomfortable with or don't approve of.
The other ones, like the child trafficking numbers or Satanic fears, are just total nonsense. There is no reason to believe any of that. None of it. Not even in the twisted way like I described for those others.
It's almost refreshing to hear Satan is still thought of as a boogey man in modern times. I'm so sick of hearing about Donald Trump, George Soros, Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, or Mark Zuckerburg.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Aug 18, 2022 15:01:02 GMT
Heh, it's refreshing in terms of changing it up, but terrifying in terms of people actually believing in a supernatural supervillain with legions of evil worshippers abusing children in his name...
|
|
|
Post by carllove on Aug 18, 2022 15:04:05 GMT
I guess--and this is faint praise, to be sure, and not something I actually agree with--that at least the Disney and "gay agenda" one could somehow have some basis in something that isn't entirely false. For example, it is true that mainstream institutions are promoting inclusion and normalizing things that previously weren't acceptable to many Americans as recently as 20-30 years ago. There is no question that Hollywood on the whole, or major media companies, are indeed not just passively accepting, but actively supporting historically marginalized or repressed communities. This could be troubling, especially to very conservative people, especially conservative religious people.
BUT ... to take that and twist it into a secret gay agenda, or grooming kids into hypersexualized roles, etc.? That strikes me as nonsense. It is an exaggerated and twisted way to present something that they are uncomfortable with or don't approve of.
The other ones, like the child trafficking numbers or Satanic fears, are just total nonsense. There is no reason to believe any of that. None of it. Not even in the twisted way like I described for those others.
It's almost refreshing to hear Satan is still thought of as a boogey man in modern times. I'm so sick of hearing about Donald Trump, George Soros, Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, or Mark Zuckerburg. I was told I was going to go to Hell on Facebook because I was against removing the abortion rights protections from the Kansas State constitution, but I countered that since there was no "Hell" I wasn't really shaking in my boots from their threats. Child sex trafficking does occur, but I can't see the number involved as being that high - even with the increasing involvement of the Mexican Drug cartels.
|
|
|
Post by kds on Aug 18, 2022 15:06:11 GMT
It's almost refreshing to hear Satan is still thought of as a boogey man in modern times. I'm so sick of hearing about Donald Trump, George Soros, Alex Jones, Joe Rogan, or Mark Zuckerburg. I was told I was going to go to Hell on Facebook because I was against removing the abortion rights protections from the Kansas State constitution, but I countered that since there was no "Hell" I wasn't really shaking in my boots from their threats. I didn't used to believe in Hell, although there are a couple Walmart locations who have me questioning that.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Aug 18, 2022 15:08:04 GMT
I was told I was going to go to Hell on Facebook because I was against removing the abortion rights protections from the Kansas State constitution, but I countered that since there was no "Hell" I wasn't really shaking in my boots from their threats. I didn't used to believe in Hell, although there are a couple Walmart locations who have me questioning that. I'm about 35 minutes into a global "Town Hall" meeting from our corporate parent ... I think I believe in hell, and I think I'm in it right now.
You can't imagine more insincere corporate jargon and buzzwords, totally devoid of reality. Add on to that its irrelevance to my company, and it's worse than a pitchfork, fire and brimstone!
|
|
|
Post by carllove on Aug 18, 2022 15:09:20 GMT
I was told I was going to go to Hell on Facebook because I was against removing the abortion rights protections from the Kansas State constitution, but I countered that since there was no "Hell" I wasn't really shaking in my boots from their threats. I didn't used to believe in Hell, although there are a couple Walmart locations who have me questioning that. I did go to Hell yesterday - It was the Walmart by my Kansas City, Kansas account. I was SO close to walking out with a cart full of stuff. WHY do they only have two checkers? I have left that location before and left my cart in the aisle. The Walmart by my house always has cashiers and the lines are reasonable. EVERY time I go to a different Walmart, I regret it and say I'll never go back. Yet there I was - once again thinking things might be different!
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Aug 18, 2022 15:14:04 GMT
Updated reports from hell:
1. They just announced that previous cash spot-bonuses for various accomplishments (not the formal bonus program, but rewards for specific things) will be replaced by free corporate branded merchandise.
2. I am convinced that a person's total lack of substance is directly proportional to how often they say "right" while speaking. "I mean, right, I look around the company, right, and I see our team, right, coming together and pulling the same way, right, and we have the opportunity to see, right, what we're doing well, right, and..." I'm really not exaggerating. It's that bad.
|
|
|
Post by carllove on Aug 18, 2022 15:28:23 GMT
Updated reports from hell:
1. They just announced that previous cash spot-bonuses for various accomplishments (not the formal bonus program, but rewards for specific things) will be replaced by free corporate branded merchandise.
2. I am convinced that a person's total lack of substance is directly proportional to how often they say "right" while speaking. "I mean, right, I look around the company, right, and I see our team, right, coming together and pulling the same way, right, and we have the opportunity to see, right, what we're doing well, right, and..." I'm really not exaggerating. It's that bad.
Not even sure what to say there. It's like you are in the movie "Office Space". Yikes! You win!
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 3, 2022 23:23:46 GMT
A writer from the New York Herald predicting life in America (and the world) 100 years into the future, which is of course now. In some ways, spot on. In others, not so much.
|
|
|
Post by Kapitan on Oct 5, 2022 16:20:45 GMT
I thought this essay was interesting: do modern adults try too hard to be seen as youthful, as cool? And if so, is that bad for youth? (I tend to lean toward "yes" to both.)
|
|
|
Post by kds on Oct 5, 2022 16:35:20 GMT
I thought this essay was interesting: do modern adults try too hard to be seen as youthful, as cool? And if so, is that bad for youth? (I tend to lean toward "yes" to both.)
I feel like this could've been written about several people I know, or am related to. People who act like they don't want to admit they're in their late 30s, or 40s, or in some cases 50s. Now, I think there's something to be said about trying to stay young at heart, or engaging in some nostalgia, but I think some folks go way overboard. One of the odder trends I've noticed is parents in their 30s and 40s that seemingly cling to their pre parenting lives. This has lead to the culture of taking the kiddos to breweries or wineries (something I find very weird), and even taking vacations without your young kids. I get it....to a point. Kids are exhausting. Parents need a break. But, when you become a parent, you leave that part of your lives behind.
|
|