Zompist Bboard Again

Raphael wrote: ↑Wed Sep 16, 2026 4:54 am Our local supermarket sells some types of food, such as potato salad and various spreads and condiments, in plastic containers that are designed to seal up in such a way that it's extremely unlikely that they would ever open accidentally. Unfortunately, they are sealed so well that it's difficult for people to open them, too:

Ah yes, I’ve encountered them too.

Only several days until fall and the temperature is still 35°C / 95°F and still has time to rise. There are many competitors for the most evil industry in human history, from the slave trade to military contractors, but fossil fuels feel like they have the lead.

Never thought I would say this, but I am so tired of summer.

Linguistic observation but perhaps too trivial for the linguistics random thread: the Latin words rex ("king") and rectum ("poop chute") derive from the same root.

malloc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2026 4:14 pm Linguistic observation but perhaps too trivial for the linguistics random thread: the Latin words rex ("king") and rectum ("poop chute") derive from the same root.

So they felt really strongly about their former kings in the first time after overthrowing them?

Raphael wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2026 5:28 am

malloc wrote: ↑Sat Sep 19, 2026 4:14 pm Linguistic observation but perhaps too trivial for the linguistics random thread: the Latin words rex ("king") and rectum ("poop chute") derive from the same root.

So they felt really strongly about their former kings in the first time after overthrowing them?

Not to spoil the jokes, but... rectum just means "straight". Rex (and raja) come from an Indo-European word meaning "straightener."

Other derived words include rectangle, rector, correct, regal, interregnum, regimen, reign, rich, Reich.

zompist wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2026 5:43 am
Not to spoil the jokes, but... rectum just means "straight". Rex (and raja) come from an Indo-European word meaning "straightener."

Other derived words include rectangle, rector, correct, regal, interregnum, regimen, reign, rich, Reich.

Thank you for clearing that up!

I just learned from local news that there is something called the Shamonda Virus. Why didn't I know that?

Raphael wrote: ↑Mon Sep 21, 2026 11:04 am I just learned from local news that there is something called the Shamonda Virus. Why didn't I know that?

I think it’s been in Europe only recently. It affects cows -- I'm not up to date on cattle diseases either

hwhatting wrote: ↑Tue Nov 05, 2019 5:53 pmA question on usage - the way "Ideologie" is normally used in German public, especially political, discourse is almost always negative. It implies rigidity and caring for dogma over fact. You only call other people's belief systems "Ideologie", implying that they're wrong. Is that also true for "ideology" in the English-speaking world? Again, I am not asking about how the word Is used in political science, but in everyday political discourse.

Somewhat maybe since it feels like the term "ideology" is usually applied to philosophies outside the mainstream like communism and fascism rather than liberalism and conservatism. The term "ideologue" for someone who subscribes to an ideology certainly has negative connotations in my experience.

Weird mistake, I quoted something from the front page not realizing it was a really old post.

I was momentarily brought up short recently by the mention of "malloc", in its original meaning, in a computing text.

My headache is teaching me deep cosmic truths: https://snapshotsofthelabyrinth.photo.b ... n-edition/

One consequence of all the looming threats facing me is that I have put so many life plans on hold. I have been hoping to leave Missouri once and for all and upgrade to an electric car. Yet both of those plans assume that I have a meaningful future which seems increasingly doubtful. It will hardly matter where I move if the whole country becomes a dictatorship.

malloc wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2026 7:31 pm One consequence of all the looming threats facing me is that I have put so many life plans on hold. I have been hoping to leave Missouri once and for all and upgrade to an electric car. Yet both of those plans assume that I have a meaningful future which seems increasingly doubtful. It will hardly matter where I move if the whole country becomes a dictatorship.

Threats facing you? Do you think the "dictatorship" gives a rat's ass about you? You are a cis white man in a factory job in a red state. No one is threatening you, and it's frankly insulting to the victims of Trump that you try to make the political situation about you.

If you want to move, move. Your problem is not that dictators are oppressing you, it's that your parents did not prepare you for adult life. Although no one is going to solve your problem for you, a therapist can help you figure out why you cannot solve any of your problems by yourself.

You've been complaining about Missouri for literally twenty years. Changing jobs and moving are things that millions of people have figured out. Again, a therapist can help you figure out what prevents you from addressing your situation.

zompist wrote: ↑Fri Sep 25, 2026 8:03 pmThreats facing you? Do you think the "dictatorship" gives a rat's ass about you? You are a cis white man in a factory job in a red state. No one is threatening you, and it's frankly insulting to the victims of Trump that you try to make the political situation about you.

For once, I must concede that is a good point. My apologies.

Well, that really blew up in my face. It serves me right for my carelessness, though.

Conservatives pretend to care about workers, but they lower compensation and workplace protections. Texas recently did away with break time.

malloc is probably talking about the peaceful future that liberals were hoping for. I miss that too. But as a leftist, malloc should have expected there to be a fight before any real change is possible.

zompist, this time I agree with rotting bones's counterpoint to your point. The main thing factory workers can expect from fascism, yes, even the cis straight white male ones, is that their rulers might tell them a lot how great they are while making their lives suck.

Raphael wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2026 5:00 am zompist, this time I agree with rotting bones's counterpoint to your point. The main thing factory workers can expect from fascism, yes, even the cis straight white male ones, is that their rulers might tell them a lot how great they are while making their lives suck.

malloc is talking about things like moving to another state. I am saying that he should aim toward that, "fascism" is not stopping him.

Don't use political theory as a club to beat people into defeatism. Fascism sucks, yes, we all agree on that. That is not a reason not to acquire the life skills of being able to change jobs, move to a better location, buy a car, or whatever.

zompist wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2026 5:44 am
malloc is talking about things like moving to another state. I am saying that he should aim toward that, "fascism" is not stopping him.

Don't use political theory as a club to beat people into defeatism. Fascism sucks, yes, we all agree on that. That is not a reason not to acquire the life skills of being able to change jobs, move to a better location, buy a car, or whatever.

OK, fair enough, no disagreement.

zompist wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2026 5:44 am

Raphael wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2026 5:00 am zompist, this time I agree with rotting bones's counterpoint to your point. The main thing factory workers can expect from fascism, yes, even the cis straight white male ones, is that their rulers might tell them a lot how great they are while making their lives suck.

malloc is talking about things like moving to another state. I am saying that he should aim toward that, "fascism" is not stopping him.

Don't use political theory as a club to beat people into defeatism. Fascism sucks, yes, we all agree on that. That is not a reason not to acquire the life skills of being able to change jobs, move to a better location, buy a car, or whatever.

He famously thought he would move to Seattle, which he believed to be a liberal mecca. A major problem is that he no longer has a place he considers a liberal mecca.

rotting bones wrote: ↑Sat Sep 26, 2026 5:48 am He famously thought he would move to Seattle, which he believed to be a liberal mecca. A major problem is that he no longer has a place he considers a liberal mecca.

Give the man some credit, he wanted to be an activist, not live in "mecca." You don't become an activist in a place if that place is perfect.

If malloc wants advice on where to go he can ask. There are pros and cons all over. But "everywhere is equally miserable" is neither true, nor is it good advice.