Prelude to the Apocalypse

[BryanM]

Guy's Prime Minister for life, but the media only ever uses the "dictator" word for people who aren't a part of our empire..

To be fair I believe he was legitimately elected, if only from how right-wing everyone there seems to be from street interviews.

Remember when the biggest political scandal was "Ah did NAWT hayave willeh-in-poontang relations with thayat wuhuman (she jus sucked mah deeyick, mmm she suck a good deeyick)" ?

Always felt bad for Monica. That destroyed her career while Bill had to be slightly embarrassed for a couple weeks. Always a good demonstration of the difference between being someone and being a nobody. Being beloved by those with power, and being a disposable zako to the twelve people in charge of the country.

And all the insults about her appearance, like she was a leper dragging cankles around the floor or something. Not to disparage people for something they have little to no control over, but on the sliding scale of political hussies, she's a freaking goddess.

[orange808]

Always felt bad for Monica..

Yes and no. She was guilty of an extramarital affair and that's not illegal. On the other hand, she chased down the president of the United States. She showed poor judgement.

She could have chased lots of single people her own age. Instead, she started flashing her panties at the president to get his attention.

Now, she says some shit about "problematic consent". It takes two. She chased Clinton. They're both accountable.

I feel sorry for her. On the other hand, she was stupid. What really bugs me is her "me too" victim show. It took two and she made the first move. She twists the story around. It's nothing like Weinstein.

So, yes and no. It's funny how everything eventually gets rewritten; everyone is the hero in their own story. Fair enough, but don't go out into the press and spew it. Tell your mates the revised tale over a drink. They like you, so they'll nod and stay silent.

[BIL]

YYes and no. She was guilty of an extramarital affair and that's not illegal. On the other hand, she chased down the president of the United States. She showed poor judgement.

She could have chased lots of single people her own age. Instead, she started flashing her panties at the president to get his attention.

Now, she says some shit about "problematic consent". It takes two. She chased Clinton. They're both accountable.

When some bimbo flashes her pulverised STI burrito at a purported leader of nations, and he dives in with a bib before lying about it, it's not the barfly you strip of office and credibility. America and the West at large being what is is, people somehow take Epstein Super Friend #34534 and his equally ghastly wife seriously. Hard to ask for even worse creatures like Dubya and Blair to be held accountable.

I'd dislike Willy .01% less if he'd owned up to it. Nasty hos do that shit. Honourless cads are susceptible. \(O_O)/ It's nature, the same merciless force that'd see said slattern die in childbirth alongside the most virtuous of women, if their dice came up short in antique times (or now, if in Ireland or some of Burgerville's shittier straits). Nobody got hurt, well, maybe his daughter, but children are resilient, and I don't imagine Hillary could feel anything anymore, even back then. Perjuring himself over it? Fucking why? Boo hoo hooo! WAAA! I'm a shitty husband who got my weasel greased by a woman not my wife! *SNIF SNIF* *THOUGHTFUL STARE AT MIDDLE DISTANCE* Christ, join the fucking queue you absolute insufferable drawling did-not-inhale [RUDE WORD REMOOBED ]

[BryanM]

Bill is the poster child for how our politics is just pick up artists plowing through dumb bimbos:

Someone is having a hard time in life. Can't handle the bills, family member dying or dead, in constant agony from a medical condition etc etc. Tells it to Bill. He makes a concerned face, grabs them by the hand, looks them in the eye, and says "I feel your pain."

... and they fookin' believe it!

What battered underloved dogs are we, that the simplest of con-man strategies work:

Step 1. Listen to the mark.

Step 2. Pretend to care about the mark.

That's it! That's all they need to get consent. Let'em talk, and then give them a compliment. "Have my entire paycheck and child's paycheck my good sir."

Donald does the same exact thing of course. "You guys are the best people I love ya guys you're not like those other people, believe me." For these ancient goblins that have completely isolated themselves from their grandchildren, this kind of parasocial affection is probably the only affection they've had in the last 30+ years.

-----

You know that sad article going around about the Zookverse: "Who Is Still Inside the Metaverse?" Lots of youtubers have been using it as easy content?

The super sad dude the author meets in there hasn't had a happy day since 1996.

[BIL]

tbh I truly lost faith in Billeh Boi when yet another Biru, Biru Burr, revealed his astonishingly cynical Pro Gamer Moves at those same rallies. 3;

To be fair, his wife is even worse, as she tends to be:

[orange808]

Apparently, breach of decorum is the only thing that can get a person removed from a democratically elected position.

[BryanM]

Kyle posted one of those terrible "there was a poll" videos myopically peering at an outlier. For anyone prone to wishful/fearful thinking, no nothing has changed. Trump is as popular as he ever was.

This photo of a school with more teachers than students has some real "we're the last generation, thanks" vibes.

Futurists have been getting a bit worked up these last couple months. Some respectable people saying wild stuff like they think AGI might potentially be as close as five years away; would've gotten them shunned as a kook just a year ago. I guess I'd like you all to toss out your opinions on whether you think we're heading for an AI winter or Machine God kinda apocalypse. It'll be a nice change of pace than the well-trodden "two legs good/four legs bad" kinda stuff that goes around here.

[Sima Tuna]

This photo of a school with more teachers than students has some real "we're the last generation, thanks" vibes.

Isn't global population still rising though? I don't think there's any cause to worry until global population numbers start decreasing. If shit gets bad enough, all countries will start welcoming if not requiring immigration.

[BIL]

Bryan I am sorry to say this, but with the lack of updates ITT, I turned to a god damned anthropomorphic burrito for my Trumpin News (;｀w´;) He's a bit of a rascal tbh but he shares your skepticism on whether Dorumpufu is truly done for this time. 3; I personally think the Piss Tape will sweep in to save Burgerville

[Air Master Burst]

I can't speak to polls or anything like that, but we do frequently drive through large swathes of Trump Country and there's a lot less open fervor for him this time around. Hell, most of the signs you do see are recycled.

Granted, this is the northern midwest and not the deep south (and it's still pretty early), but I'm legitimately surprised at how many people up here are really pissed about the abortion thing; I thought the evangelicals had a much tighter grip.

That said, I wouldn't at all be shocked to see him win again. I just think it's less likely.

[To Far Away Times]

It turns out people really do not like losing human rights.

The arc of morality is supposed to move forward as we become better, more educated, and more insightful people. Regressing on human rights issues hits especially hard.

[BulletMagnet]

It turns out people really do not like losing human rights.

The problem is, too many people don't see the problem when it comes to other people losing those same rights.

Which is how you end up with quotes like "Sometimes you gotta do the right thing, even when you think it might be wrong".

[To Far Away Times]

The combined IQ in that room couldn't have been over 60.

They legitimately believe its worse to be called out for racism than it is to be a racist. And then respond in racism out of anger for being called a racist.

While thinking they aren't a racist.

Absolutely zero critical thinking.

[Sima Tuna]

Yes, but the consequences for being perceived as racist are more severe than the consequences for being racist.

Checkmate, liberal!

[BryanM]

ChaosGPT succeeding in its mission would be extremely funny. It's a perfect premise for a short story.

"Here lies humanity. It was taken out by a chatbot a teenager set up as a joke."

[BIL]

God damn, that case of the six y/o boy shooting his teacher proved an even bigger farce than its premise would suggest. Teacher is suing, unsurprisingly.

[GaijinPunch]

Which is how you end up with quotes like "Sometimes you gotta do the right thing, even when you think it might be wrong".

They called us racists... for having 2 black guys removed but not the white lady...

[orange808]

Which is how you end up with quotes like "Sometimes you gotta do the right thing, even when you think it might be wrong".

They called us racists... for having 2 black guys removed but not the white lady...

Imagine that. ¯⁠\⁠_⁠(⁠ツ⁠)⁠_⁠/⁠¯

[orange808]

The American arms race continues. Don't go to school, birthday parties, grocery stores, movie theatres, or to the wrong house. Those are all punishable by firing squad.

Don't call it burgerland. It's bulletland. Americans eat a lot of foods, but they universally worship guns and cherish the idea of senseless gun murder. They adore it and cheer for more. Actions are the only thing that speaks. Please don't reply with words. Doing nothing is a choice and complacent consent is still full consent.

I guess we're fucked. The people that have guns and are willing to use them usually win. That isn't me.

Americans could vote for change. They don't. Millennials love to remind me they are educated. Yeah. Okay. If you say so. You aren't voting for any changes. Maybe you aren't that smart, after all. You have numbers and votes. You aren't doing shit.

Gun control has strong support throughout the general Dem caucus. Save the "there's no candidates" excuse on this. There are options for gun control.

[Air Master Burst]

I guess we're fucked. The people that have guns and are willing to use them usually win. That isn't me.

We beat the nazis with guns once and we can do it again.

If you're not personally willing to help fight that's fine, but maybe ease up on the moral judgement on those of us who are.

An unarmed workforce is a docile and easily exploitable workforce.

[orange808]

I guess we're fucked. The people that have guns and are willing to use them usually win. That isn't me.

We beat the nazis with guns once and we can do it again.

If you're not personally willing to help fight that's fine, but maybe ease up on the moral judgement on those of us who are.

An unarmed workforce is a docile and easily exploitable workforce.

Joining the arms race won't help.

I've been drown out by older generations and now I'm going to be outnumbered by the young. I'm not easing up on anyone.

Open and honest evaluation is always okay. If you don't want to hear the truth, vote for something different.

This isn't the nazis. I hate that so much. Don't bring the nazis into it. Never do that.

The entire bedrock of civilization (in countries that aren't shit holes) is the premise that you can vote for changes. Unlike the wingnuts, I can accept defeat. Accepting defeat doesn't mean I have to "ease up" and excuse the moron voters that choose shit. All I'm doing is saying I'm unhappy. I can do that much and I will continue to do so. I want to win in the next election. That's the only path forward and I don't believe in violence or cheating.

So, no. I won't be easing up on the judgement. Millennials are too old to keep playing the "I'm just a kid" card. Welcome to adulthood. Do better.

[Air Master Burst]

This isn't the nazis. I hate that so much. Don't bring the nazis into it. Never do that.

Trump famously keeps a copy of Hiitler's speeches next to his bed and is quoted as praising Hitler while in office. He empowered literal nazis to be more brazen in their naziness.

The entire bedrock of civilization (in countries that aren't shit holes) is the premise that you can vote for changes.

Where have I heard that bit about shithole countries before?

So, no. I won't be easing up on the judgement. Millennials are too old to keep playing the "I'm just a kid" card. Welcome to adulthood. Do better.

Not a millenial, but ok boomer.

[BryanM]

Millennials voting is why Trump isn't president right now, and why he has an uphill fight next year. If not for them, Ronald Reagan in all his different cosmetic DLC skins would just continue to be president, forever.

It doesn't really matter if they can't vote against the banks in the democrat's primary, they'll always get ratfucked there.

Voting only creates the illusion of having power, it's not the same thing as having power. Money is the same thing.

Go ahead, make a billion dollars. Create a TV station network across the nation that pumps out communist anti-hierarchy propaganda 24/7. Constant rants against the banks, energy, communications, media, and pharmaceutical industries. See how long you'll be allowed to keep it or your money.

[Sima Tuna]

Voting only creates the illusion of having power, it's not the same thing as having power. Money is the same thing.

This should be written in letters of gold and hung above the seat in the President's Oval Office.

Incidentally, when was the last time a poor person was elected President?

[BulletMagnet]

The entire bedrock of civilization (in countries that aren't shit holes) is the premise that you can vote for changes.

Hopefully there's a contingency plan in place for the ongoing, endless parade of shit like this which many of our fellow voters are all too happy to support.

[Air Master Burst]

Incidentally, when was the last time a poor person was elected President?

Jimmy Carter is as close as we're likely to get in the modern age.

[orange808]

Reality exists. Stop making excuses.
https://www.npr.org/2018/02/24/58806994 ... polls-show

Check the source. Check it once. Check it twice.

That's not the NRA. It's not Fox News. The polling came from Gallup and NPR wrote the article. It's reliable and true. We both know it.

...

I'm also not going to play pearl clutching games when I point out that most of the globe lives in hopelessly corrupt places (significantly more corrupt and unsafe than western nations). Those places are shit holes for everyday people..There's a reason why people wanted to flock to America and the UK (even though some other western nations enjoy better lives). Any proper western nation is better than living in a terrible and unsafe place.

Anyhow, you can't have it both ways. You can't say people are fleeing a shit hole and shame people for saying it out loud.

Trump is such a fucker, because he admits many other places are unlivable and follows up by saying he doesn't give a shit. Trump doesn't give a shit about anything or anyone. That's the problem with that guy.

It's got nothing to do with correctly pointing out that corrupt and poor nations are awful places to live. Save your hypocrisy. Creating a space where honesty is verboten discourages constructive conversation. You can't talk about improving conditions until you admit they need improvement.

...

I really don't care about the kids voting for Biden. I was talking about the guns. Boomers did some civil rights shit and they voted for Obama. They love to trumpet that shit like they desrrve a fucking medal. Saying you voted against Trump is the same behavior.

[BryanM]

Boomers voted for McCain my guy. Youth turnout was massive for dat dere hope n' change. Like it would have been for Bernie Sanders in 2016. (Which would have been massively counteracted by dumb TV-brain boomers going 2 to 1 for Trump after the media would flipped on a dime and endorsed that Trump guy, smearing Bernie Sanders as dumb, evil, anti-semitic, etc.)

It's a tiresome meme that Democrats think the demographic shift will let them keep the presidency forever. Texas turning blue being their wet dream. But the trend line does only go in one direction, go ahead and look at the numbers from last time and compare it to the elections there that came before. Back in ~2004, 2020 was the estimated time the shift could first happen. And maybe they actually do have the numbers now, it'll just take a couple more elections for it to manifest itself and flip the state.

Tell me, what happens in that world? The republicans have to do something to remain viable. Historically they've done this by expanding the number of people who can consider themselves "white". (This is like why capitalists pay upper management a lot of money: you cut people into the scam for a part of the take, and their loyalty is yours.) Apparently worked out okay with Irish and such. Not sure how it works out by letting Mexican-Americans into the clubhouse; that's kind of self defeating, no?

What happens... if they really do dissolve as a relevant threat? They themselves are terrified of dying - the culture war seizure they've been in completely revolves around the fear of losing power and oncoming death. Both figuratively and literally.

It doesn't matter much since the apocalypse is baked in, unless our techbro ubermensch swoop in to save the day somehow.

But I'm certain you'd get your Bill Clinton gun control bill passed again. You don't have to worry about that. That's the one thing the liberals will actually pass.

Them making the country into a cool and good place to live, where people don't want to die or murder other people quite as much? Well.

The only thing constant is change. My theory was this "inflation" shit is Them squeezing us for as much as they can before collapse or Their natural death comes, a "cashing out" of the game if you will. As they say, there are decades where nothing happens, and there are weeks where decades happen.

-- Some Guy in charge of one of China's colonies

[Sima Tuna]

My theory was this "inflation" shit is Them squeezing us for as much as they can before collapse or Their natural death comes, a "cashing out" of the game if you will.

Especially likely considering how much of the "inflation" is not actual inflation at all, but merely companies colluding together to all raise their prices significantly at the same time. Because "inflation" has accustomed consumers to paying more for basic goods and services. So they think they can get away with continuing to increase the price of those goods and services. Indefinitely.

Capitalism unfettered from morality is truly a benign and noble force for good in this world.

After all, it doesn't matter how much money the super-rich has. What matters is taking the last little bit from the working class and working poor.

[Air Master Burst]

It's got nothing to do with correctly pointing out that corrupt and poor nations are awful places to live. Save your hypocrisy.

If the "western nations" hadn't intentionally turned those places into corrupt shitholes through colonization and military intervention in the name of "democracy" then they probably wouldn't want to relocate so badly.

Life isn't a game of Monopoly; just because you heartlessly hoarded the most wealth doesn't make your way right.