Witness the abandonment of Saidit's principles by its own co-founder in the comments of this /s/whatever StoneToss comic post. by Lithargoel in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 13 insightful - 1 fun13 insightful - 0 fun14 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

I take absolutely no position on the content of the 4-panel, nor any arguments or critiques with its OP no matter their positions on the topic, other than to point out how quickly Magnora7 drop-kicks his Pyramid of Debate ideals in order to avoid addressing the content and instead resorts to characterization attacks, and twists it back around to demanding that the OP address HIS argument, and accuses OP of changing the topic (which OP did not, Magnora7 himself did).

Honestly, mostly what I see there is two people determinedly arguing at cross purposes about what exactly they are allowed to argue about in terms of the pyramid of debate.

Mostly what I get out of the exchange is a reaffirmed belief that the concept of the POD is inherently naive.

But at least the guy doesn't seem to have gone any further than that. A petulant, passive aggressive argument between a site admin and someone who is almost certainly trolling to some degree is a refreshing change from the reddit standard which would have simply left a rhetorical smoking crater and the insistence that the crowd disperse.

I'm becoming concerned that Saidit may not adhere to its own high standards of debate.

Saidit's problem is that it's aiming for a utopian ideal. Cheeky sods, mischevious trolls and legitimate bad faith assholes will all complicate things for an endeavour like that, and the real question is how will Saidit evolve over time as it is challenged by those various types of people.

The specifics of a pointless argument over a "race realism" comic strip are relatively small fry in comparison.

Welcome Ashore by DomitiusOfMassilia in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 11 insightful - 5 fun11 insightful - 4 fun12 insightful - 5 fun -  (0 children)

I think a lot of people have forgotten the Bush years, tbh. When they think back on it, all they really see is the kindly looking painter who gives people sweets at major political events these days.

WTF is going on in the reddit sub? by [deleted] in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 8 insightful - 2 fun8 insightful - 1 fun9 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Likely all manner of things. We've seen attention from AHS, there were rumours of 4chan paying more attention to reddit a while back (or even planning a full blown raid, which doesn't seem to have materialised), and a lot of people are stuck at home with nothing better to do right now.

The latter point means that not only are we likely to get some new posters who are here in good faith, it also means it's very likely that we'll pick up more than our fair share of trolls who have nothing better to do.

I'm seeing slightly higher numbers of users present in general recently, and that fits the established trend. If nothing else, we're a meaningfully growing sub still.

Woman to sue NHS over ‘rushed’ gender reassignment treatment by [deleted] in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 8 insightful - 2 fun8 insightful - 1 fun9 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I can't help but be reminded of a video I saw a few weeks ago on a similar topic, Blaire White talking with someone who was both detransitioning and regretted transitioning in the first place.

Perhaps worth a watch

Hulu removes three ‘Scrubs’ episodes featuring characters in blackface by [deleted] in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

With shows like scrubs and the golden girls pulling episodes for tenuous reasons, I think it's become clear that this is more about the media being terrified of the current climate and desperately self-harming in order to prevent themselves being the next in the mob's sights.

Bringing up an upcoming civil war on the reddit sub by [deleted] in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 7 insightful - 1 fun7 insightful - 0 fun8 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The admins basically take any mention of the topic as endorsement or calling for the event itself. It's no deeper than that.

They aren't interested in checking if any particular mention is either of those things, so the entire topic has to go because it's simpler for them that way.

To be fair, there absolutely are idiots out there hoping for a war. They likely aren't confined to one side of politics either, as there are just as likely to be far right nutjobs out there salivating for the chance to force the changes they want at the point of a gun just as surely as there are far left nutjobs out there right now, writing marx quotes on buildings they're burning down, trying to turn the current unrest into the revolution, no matter how many people's lives or livelyhoods they have to destroy to get it.

The best we can hope for is that both groups of idiots are as rare and as inept as they seem to be, no matter the reddit admins jumping at shadows.

Judge upholds compelled speech of professor who refused to call male student ‘Miss’ by [deleted] in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 7 insightful - 3 fun7 insightful - 2 fun8 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

Wasn't this exactly the kind of situation that Jordon Peterson was talking about that made him internet famous?

Witness the abandonment of Saidit's principles by its own co-founder in the comments of this /s/whatever StoneToss comic post. by Lithargoel in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

The problem with starting a reddit, twitter or etc alternative of any kind, particularly if you care about free speech to any degree at all, is that sooner or later you are going to have to make hard decisions about bad faith users and genuine extremists.

I'm not sure there's an easy, painless or tidy solution to that kind of thing and I think what we see in the link is Saidit brushing up against that same inescapable problem.

We had plenty of issues with the same situation with KiA2 on reddit essentially. Being known as a more free speech version of KiA, we soon started attracting people who either wanted to abuse the relatively open, light touch rules for their own ends, wanted to fuck around just to annoy people or undermine the sub itself and some legitimate Stormfront types who would really rather have liked to drive out anyone other than people like themselves. Most of the latter ended up running aground on reddit's sitewide rules sooner or later, but all of the above types were there attempting to derail the sub in their own vision and all of them came with similar risk to what sites like Gab experienced, where they become overwhelmingly known as being a certain way to the point that it permanently stunted their growth and drove off normies.

What do you do about that kind of thing when the only rules that exist are rules you set, when you also claim to be pro free speech?

It's a genuinely tricky question. It'll be interesting to see how it plays out here, with Saidit's idealist bent.

SaidIt refugee stats by GenesisStryker in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Apparently that isn't the case anymore, but this sub was created before the change in policy, so it inherited a large number of extra subs.

At least, that's my understanding.

"Let's Call It 'Trumpvirus'": Hillary-Loving NYT Columnist Blames Coronavirus Outbreak On Trump by Fruxxxy in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 6 insightful - 1 fun6 insightful - 0 fun7 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Honestly, most mainstream media seems to be.

Four Fast Facts from Domitius Of Massilia by DomitiusOfMassilia in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 5 insightful - 4 fun5 insightful - 3 fun6 insightful - 4 fun -  (0 children)

So, no up and down voting, just fun and/or insightful?

Ugh, change.

Proof that Shoe is triangular. by DanielKO in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It'd been getting very slowly worse for a long time already, tbh. Slow burn build as her sense of interest in politics grew and her identifying with the left became stronger. That is to say, the trend started long before Bernie did what Bernie does.

She still has some worthwhile takes in there with the rest of the shitposting, but it's getting harder to pretend she isn't falling more into that trope as time goes on.

Honestly, I think it's the anxiety.

I don't usually watch Fox News, but ho damn, this was a good take down of the media by GenesisStryker in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Like I said elsewhere, I can't entirely say I trust Gutfield, even in comparison to other notable Fox personalities like Carlson, but I've found him and his "The Five" bunch entertaining, and they do have some interesting takes. I've very much enjoyed the clips I've watched from them, even if I have an easier time believing Carlson to be sincere.

Ennui GO! - Redesign by [deleted] in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 4 insightful - 2 fun4 insightful - 1 fun5 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

Honestly, that's a pretty nifty costume design.

I mean, it's basically supermarket own-brand Power Girl except with a moon theme, but I like it.

Woman to sue NHS over ‘rushed’ gender reassignment treatment by [deleted] in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 4 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 0 fun5 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It really does seem to be a growing thing, with the idea that it's forbidden to even talk about kind of falling away a little in recent months. While searching for that vid, I even saw something about a newsnight segment (or something like that) talking about the topic.

KIA Moderator AMS (Ask Me Something) by MaskedCoward in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I'm from the UK. I sometimes say I'm English, but from the UK is more accurate as I've roots that trace back to a couple of different parts of the British Isles.

I definitely don't check Saidit enough yet, though to be perfectly honest, I'm trying not to be overly online at the moment generally, so it's no surprise. No lockdown for me, I'm far too essential apparently.

I'd have been perfectly happy to be furloughed for a few weeks, but that's how it goes sometimes I guess.

Debunking Fake Videos & WHO'S behind 5-min crafts? | How To Cook That Ann Reardon by ClockworkFool in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool[S] 3 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 0 fun4 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

A surprisingly wide ranging video, covering some fake recipes and life hacks, manipulation of the Youtube algorithms, russian content farms and investigations into allegations of international propaganda.

"Let's Call It 'Trumpvirus'": Hillary-Loving NYT Columnist Blames Coronavirus Outbreak On Trump by Fruxxxy in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 3 insightful - 2 fun3 insightful - 1 fun4 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

I saw the term trending on Twitter last night so I had a look. A good proportion of the people there weren't even talking about the Coronavirus/Wuhan Flu at all, they were just saying Trump was literally a disease.

Assassin's Creed Valhalla - Gay Vikings Kissing by scrubking in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Is it just me, or is that some real last-gen looking facial animation.

'Steph' Loehr (Twitch Safety Council member) incited violence against people he disagreed with: "you should buy heirloom produce and throw milkshakes at white supremacists" by AntonioOfVenice in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Ignoring any potential subtext here entirely, invasive plants are a surprisingly huge ecological problem. This spring with everyone staying inside on lockdown will likely have led to the situation really flaring up this year in particular, as it's often only volunteer groups that are even attempting to keep the situation in check here in the uk. Some of the species that have invaded are outright dangerous, like some of the weeds on this list.

I came across a deeply fascinating youtube channel a year or so ago talking about native flora, funnily enough. Can't remember how on earth I stumbled across him, but it was a guy with a very pronounced accent basically rl shitposting about botany. He had a lot to say about how little of the modern landscape in (whatever area it was) actually contained native american plants, and he pointed out a whole bunch on the topic in a very entertaining way.

I'd recommend him, if you're at all interested in the topic (though I haven't watched any of his content for a long time myself).

Crime Pays, But Botany Doesn't

KIA Moderator AMS (Ask Me Something) by MaskedCoward in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 2 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 1 fun3 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

If so, someone just tell me now because that would make this whole effort completely pointless. Although it doesn't appear that will be the case. I already called the moderators faggots and no one even batted an eye.

It used to be a full blown rule that KiA2 moderators were to be called faggots, but admin actions meant it had to be taken down eventually.

Four Fast Facts from Domitius Of Massilia by DomitiusOfMassilia in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 2 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 0 fun3 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

If this place is fluffy enough to think downvoting is too mean, it does make me wonder if this place is genuinely likely to be a more legitimate bastion of Free Speech, or whether they'd be ideologically robust enough to even attempt to withstand outside voices calling for censorship.

But eh, there's only one way to really find out. Wait and see.

aLl eLvEs aRe gAy, oK!!! by reebok300 in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Probably also one of the weak minded pussies who think that immortality is undesireable because of muh "After 200 years you wish you'd die!"

Eh, depends on all manner of things really. Immortality is one of those things that works best as wish fulfilment, but doesn't always hold up very well to examination, depending on the model of immortality you're working with.

[Opinion] Twitter thread comparing old scorpia to new one. by reebok300 in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

It's hard to imagine people still fighting about the She-Ra reboot in space year 2020.

Surely anyone likely to have an opinion negative to this character redesign checked out of interest in the thing long ago? Who is the twitter account in question even arguing with at this point? Is there really still someone invested enough in the show despite not being down with this kind of art/characterisation shift enough to have an opinion on this? The version on the right, Stephen-Universe-y as it is looks to be a spot on reimagining for the audience the show actually has.

Is there a hardcore crowd of OG Scorpia fans out there who are angry about the change despite not watching the new show, or is there someone out there churning out ranty videos about all the changes to She-Ra that we could already predict way back when the very first stills came out?

'Steph' Loehr (Twitch Safety Council member) incited violence against people he disagreed with: "you should buy heirloom produce and throw milkshakes at white supremacists" by AntonioOfVenice in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Well, to be fair proper heirloom produce (and livestock breeds) are fascinating and as foodstuffs, often have advantages in flavour or nutrition over modern mass produced varieties.

They don't sell any of that crap anywhere that I regularly shop, but if you're lucky enough to have that kind of thing in hand are are well off enough to justify the price, it's almost certainly worth trying out.

Throwing milkshakes at people however is against the law, and you should not do that. It's also a waste of food and creates a lot of mess that someone else is going to have to clean up, presumably.

Today, Reddit removed a comment quoting the opinions of three postmodernists on pedophilia - even though the comment made it clear the user disagrees with the quote. by dittendatt in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Current theory is that the issue was the quotes being included and the admins not caring at all about the context or what the post in it's entirety was about. Simply including the things actually said by the three post-modernists was enough to set them off.

At least, that's the theory. It's not like the admins are talking.

[Surprisingly Relevant] Jean-Michel Jarre ft Edward Snowden - Exit by ClockworkFool in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool[S] 1 insightful - 1 fun1 insightful - 0 fun2 insightful - 1 fun -  (0 children)

Honestly, aside from containing some very powerful lines from Snowden, it's also quite the tune.

Before Greta Thunberg was a global icon, she was a tormented child who refused to eat or speak by [deleted] in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 1 insightful - 3 fun1 insightful - 2 fun2 insightful - 3 fun -  (0 children)

That raises the real question here.

How good is she at pinball, anyway?

Welcome Ashore by DomitiusOfMassilia in KotakuInAction

[–]ClockworkFool 1 insightful - 2 fun1 insightful - 1 fun2 insightful - 2 fun -  (0 children)

And, get off the fucking beach.

I like coastal views though.

Eh. I guess I always did prefer a good forest, at any rate.

EDIT - Spruced up my post a little.