There’s a material reason that the narrative takes this form on top of the colonialist/supremacist reasons.

When Europeans first made contact, they brought disease that destroyed native civilization. I’ve read that more than 90% of the population was wiped out by smallpox and other diseases. By the time Europeans came back to settle, the continent felt empty and unclaimed.

To add even more to the bullshit narrative, indigenous cultivation was no longer possible. Vast swaths of land went from carefully managed prairie and farm field to feral forest. However, the forest was young enough to be cleared easily. The settler’s ease at clearing the “wild” forest was evidence of their superiority over the backwards and lazy natives, who couldn’t put such blessed land to good and Godly use.

The native cultivation was/is highly advanced and developed for specific climates- it’s really fascinating. I find it depressing that the way many people are taught erases that in favor of eminent domain style narratives.

Sex requires vulnerability which, in turn, requires safety.

People aren’t safe and many of the reasons are economic.

It very likely has been a problem and is just being underreported.

A single infection often doesn’t cause much harm, but those who have constant exposure and infections (teachers especially) are having major health problems. It’s barely mentioned outside of science papers.

To Arms! is outdated. Sadly- I enjoy decj builders.

So like the Fear and Loathing scene taken too far?

Windows 95 chime composer.

Windows 95 chime composer.

I guess Stevie Wonder was just a sunglasses enthusiast?

Pretty terrible graphic

There are a lot people who don’t like it and see it as unprofessional.

My spouse who is asleep knows a lot more about this, but off the dome:

Social Security retirement benefits are an entirely different system than social security disability insurance. SSDI shouldn’t be dependent on hours worked, but on disability status.

A few things to note about SSDI: there are very stringent income limits while on it. You will be severely constrained in your living standards. What you get isn’t really adjusted for local cost of living, so you may be alright, or you may struggle to pay rent and eat.

Initial rejections are the norm. It generally takes two years to go through the appeal, rejection, re-appeal cycle. A good disability lawyer will smooth this out but the time frame is not going to shrink to less than a year. I would not depend on this for a car or school.

If you are unable to work enough to support yourself, I think it’s worth pursuing, but SSDI is designed to keep people from using it as a stepping stone to better circumstances.

Wish I had better news/advice. Good luck, comrade!

I love Re-animator so much. Splatstick mad doctor sorceror’s duel starring Jeffrey Combs

Nah.

Equilibrium’s character arc hinged on the idea that murdering puppies is bad. It’s not exactly deep.

I don’t buy that shit and I live in the US.

“Obviously cool.”

Touch grass, nerd.

Moderated consumption is a valid goal that many aim for- it’s the 12-step programs that make this taboo, but their success rate isn’t stellar.

I’ve been dialing back as I approach forty. I was in a band during my late 20s through mid 30s, and was drinking 2-5 beers a night (25 a week) pretty easy. That’s not heavy alcoholic level, but even at the time I knew that was more than was healthy. Now I’m aiming for 5 drinks a week, and have been hitting that goal half the time. When I miss that goal, it’s only by a few, so that is still a drastic improvement over where I was.

The things I try to keep in mind are impact and enjoyment. How am I affected by my level of consumption? (Heartburn, cost, grumpy when I can’t have it.) Am I enjoying myself when I do drink? At my height, no, I just wanted something carbonated and malty. Now I do enjoy the drinks I have- and put a lot of intentionality and anticipation into what I select.

It sounds like you’re well on the way to a healthier relationship with alcohol, keep it up! Stressing about the missed goals isn’t as helpful as focusing the next one, so don’t beat yourself up. You’re already doing better than you have, and know how to get where you want.

With the genocide in Gaza, people would be more likely to recognize him as head of that Jewish organization than as an MP.

Generally, 800-1000 is the market minimum, with 2000 being very common

Sanitation is being put out to Pasteur

Ditto. Deeply frustrating.

I mean, I always thought Faye was obnoxious with unflattering clothes- but I also loved the live action series.

Nah, it was stylish and goofy in a way that made you realize how goofy the original was.