I mean like Charlie Kirk, Matt Walsh, Ben Shapiro, etc. It's so blatant to me that their existence is about wasting people's time. They're pure sophists. They probably believe in everything they claim, or more probably, they have a flimsier understanding of truth/reality than we do and can believe contradictory things.

But none of that matters. They exist to waste your time. They're keys being jangled by fracking billionaires and possibly also the state department.

Yes I know the Sartre quote about antisemites and all but this is worse than that. It doesn't even matter that Shabibo or Dan Bongos knows they're playing a game, because reality doesn't matter to them. Fascists believe base level reality is pointless to explore, because there's a deeper core reality that affirms their every belief, even if that belief changes day to day or isn't internally consistent. They're not materialists, they're fixated on simply being correct and powerful and whatever dirty, stupid reality contradicts them doesn't matter. They're never going to care about scientific documentation about trans people, or studies about healthcare costs, or homelessness rates, or anything else, because it doesn't matter what they care about. They believe in a truer, super-reality above our own that makes them always correct no matter what happens. But again, that doesn't matter.

They exist to waste your time and mine. I know they're not going to truly go away and that I'm wasting my own time by even posting about this but jesus christ can these people just go away. They're an annoying swarming static noise of pure nothingness that for some reason everyone has to pay attention to. People I'd otherwise respect or listen to have to talk about them. Movie reviewers who otherwise might focus on interesting indie films might have to talk about whatever stupid slop Matt Walsh puts out.

Why does anyone talk to Charlie Kirk anyway? He's the worst offender to me because no one knows who the fuck he is. Where did he even come from? This guy simply appeared as if he were already famous for something. Just farted into existence and people started pretending he was valuable enough to have on talk shows and colleges and fuck who the fuck is this guy and why do I have to know about his stupid face

yeah I know, touch grass touch grass, I'm trying, but even just going out and about, talking to random people or meeting up with coworkers for tea or something these fascist media bozos have a way of infecting casual conversation, or like showing up in the corner of my eye on one of the TVs at a Chili's

Lenin had the right idea when he put a bunch of reactionary public intellectuals on a leaky tug boat and exiled their stupid asses. Please wake up, kind Vladimir Illych.

This is my silly boy Safiiri. He had a very difficult life before I adopteded him. He comes from a hoarder situation involving a house with over 200 neglected cats, underfed, malnourished, and sick. When I adopted him the shelter told me he's not a "normal cat" but I promised them I'd cherish him anyway.

So that was about three years ago and he still hasn't warmed up to me. In that time he's had to get surgeries, go on antibiotics, change his diet several times. He had to get a full teeth extraction because of gum disease. I've done so much to give him a comfy happy life despite his health problems because I really do think he deserves a better life than he had.

But he's just so terrified of me. If I come near him he starts flinching as if I'm going to hit him. He hisses, but never attacks me. He's just afraid. He spent a full year hiding in my closet after he was first adopted. On rare occasions he'll allow me to sit near him and I'll pet him super gently, but he seems conflicted. He'll purr, but also flinch in terror, then eventually bolt away.

He's not scared all the time though. If I'm not paying him any attention he's clearly a normal, happy cat and I'm really glad for that. He's overcome his worst health issues and will play with the other cat, with his toys, or he'll lounge around on his bed. Don't get it twisted, he's a very chill happy cat so long as I don't get near him. But I just don't understand.

Does anyone have any advice? :(

Do it you cowards. Dress up one of your guys like an enemy from fallout New Vegas

I wanna see them rushing into the Senate and raiding the candy desk. I wanna see them spray paint the word Brunch everywhere.

I've been getting at least three phone calls a day from them, begging me to vote for Texan democrats. My answer is always the same: "I will not vote for a party that is responsible for genocide against Palestine. I will not vote for a party that fully endorses Israeli crimes."

In previous years they would try arguing me if I said something like I don't vote for imperialists, or that democrats have horrible records on issues like homelessness or healthcare. They would talk with me and try to get at the crux of the issue, usually just resorting to telling me that Republicans are even worse, which is usually fair I guess, but at least they'd argue a little, you know?

This year it's nothing. I say that I'm with the people of Palestine and it's like I said the secret word. Immediately it's "Ok, thank you." and they hang up. What is up with this? Did they do some kind of internal polling to decide it's not even worth arguing about? If you're gonna call me at 10:14 am on a Saturday to be a lib at least let me dunk on you a little

I got told today I shouldn't raise kids because I'd purposefully raise them in a vegan household, without animal products of any sort. I was told this would be dangerous and unfair to the kids.

It was a weirdly direct thing for this person to say to me (one of my coworkers). It's stuck in my head. I was told I should let my potential children choose what sort of morals they have, even though this person is raising their kids Catholic. Their advice to me was to allow my potential kids to choose every night between a meat-based meal and a vegan meal (???). And several other coworkers agreed. Where do they come up with this? No carnist raises their kids like this.

So is anyone raising vegan kids or does anyone know about what it's like? Or was anyone here raised in a vegan household?

Person the other week noticed I was wearing vegan Doc Martens (the tags are white for vegan shoes). I know they're polyurethane, which isn't great, but I'd prefer that over animal skin on my feet. This person was apparently also a vegan, but says they prefer wearing leather (what) because in their words "Animal leather is biodegradable, lasts longer, and is a by-product of the already existing meat industry." making the point that animal leather has less of an environmental impact.

I didn't know how to respond at all. I know veganism isn't simply consumption habits but it did make me feel weird. I still don't think anyone should wear leather.

Does anyone have advice? I'm just feeling weird and self-conscious now

It looks a little different than it did a few years ago? There's been radio silence since Paradox started over with the new devs. This game has had a really troubled production, I think Paradox has been trying to get it off the ground since 2015. Now it's being done by The Chinese Room, most known for Dear Esther and Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs.

Bloodlines is one of my favorite games of all time, so I'm trying to stay optimistic that the devs also hold it in high regard and will try to make a worthwhile sequel. The gameplay from this new trailer looks a little clunky and weird, but maybe that's ok. VTMB never had great combat in the first place. The dialogue, writing, and vibes are where it's at. Looks like there will be gliding around and parkour stuff? Might be cool.

Anyone looking forward to this game? There's even a release window, Fall of 2024, but this game was supposed to originally release in March of 2020, so don't hold your breath.