Posts by Nathan Murphy

I actually know Vlatka personally 😛

wiredfalcon2 said:How many people are even hanging out here, like 100?

Even if it's just ten people, giving this kind of media coverage is a step backward in itself. What the Mexican media and their government really ought to do is implement a total blockade. Of course, that's a big ask, but I was hoping Mexico would show more stability. Instead, they're just stirring up more chaos.

Insane

Jesse Wells8 said:Then I look at this and see people who are just completely detached from reality:

It’s a wonderful direction for civilization to be heading. 🤦

🙏🤣

Regardless of how crazy someone might be, threatening to use nuclear weapons requires serious nerve. It’s essentially a bluff, but you have to be psychologically conditioned so that when you make a threat like that, you don't actually follow through. It’s like those mental clicks where, in the moment, you aren't consciously planning to pull the trigger, but something compels you to say it. Over time, you end up convincing yourself of your own rhetoric, until eventually, there comes a moment where you’re so certain of what you said that you actually do it. It’s all subconscious. You really shouldn't mess around with that kind of thing.

This popped up in my YouTube recommendations—a video uploaded ten years ago

coastalheron12 said:If you believe what they're saying (why would you, but hey, why not?) over in Ukraine:

6,000 dead Russians
30 planes and 30 helicopters
200+ tanks, 850+ transports, a hundred or so artillery systems, etc.

To me, those look like pretty heavy losses—especially if we're still calling this a "walk in the park" kind of war. What happens if things actually go all in? We might end up seeing an Easter American victim situation like in Vietnam. 😲

If you ask me, this smells like pure propaganda. Six thousand is a massive number of people, and once you start dealing with that many fatalities, you have to assume the number of wounded is going to be even higher. Emergency services would be swarming the area; there’s just no way you could hide something on that scale. It would be helpful if someone provided some actual photos or concrete evidence to back this up.

Kyle Campbell4 said:Nathan Murphy

To what extent can drugs be utilized during wartime to bolster a soldier's courage and overall morale?

Quite a lot. In my experience, plenty of people were on heroin, though I wasn't one of them. Back then, I preferred having a drink to help manage the stress. Anyone who has seen combat will tell you that drugs aren't really an issue while the fighting is happening. The real problem is what happens afterward. During a war, substances are used to deal with stress, boost morale, and find courage, but subconsciously, it’s just a temporary fix—and many end up becoming addicts later on.

Take the Vietnam War as an example. Research shows that over 50% of American soldiers used marijuana, and about 17% used heroin—that's nearly one out of every five soldiers. There were psychedelics in the mix too. I have no doubt that Ukrainians might turn to alcohol, weed, or even heroin, depending on what they can get their hands on. But not yet, at least not this early on. If this unfortunately escalates and Russia strikes even harder, then you'll see everything.

I recommend giving this a read; it's only about 9 pages long.

Login

bluemason3 said:Basically, Big John and Little Josh are speculating that Dana strategically timed that email about the lawsuit to hit Francis right before the fight, just to mess with his head and lower his chances. 😬

A total 😍pro move

True, but from what I can gather, he wasn't actually the first one to see the email. It sounds like his trainers read it and then broke the news to him right before the match. The real question is why on earth a trainer would choose to do that immediately preceding such a massive fight. 🕺

graniteotter6 said:Not really. The Stevensons aren't known for long-lasting relationships, and she tends to "kill off" her boyfriends. It makes perfect sense.

Granted, there was an episode in an earlier season where Chris was crushing on Maggie—it actually bordered on being creepy—but it’s obvious the writers just moved past it later on.

That’s what I love about older shows; they tend to let things slide. First off, they don't take themselves quite as seriously as modern series do. Secondly, if you think about it, those supposed "plot holes" are actually pretty realistic. Today's shows are textbook—every single one follows a strict set of rules—whereas these older ones feel much more grounded in how life actually works. After all, isn't life just one big walking contradiction? We're all inconsistent, no matter how hard we try not to be. If we tried to map out our own lives, we'd find so many instances where we thought one thing a week ago and something entirely different today. Why we changed our minds is a whole other debate. There's plenty of philosophy to dig into there. I bet Chris could pull a quote from some philosopher to explain it perfectly.

That's exactly why this show is special. I miss how new shows just march blindly from point A to point B without any deviation. They lack those "holes" that aren't actually holes at all, but rather the pure reality we deal with every single day.

brighteagle39 said:For the longest time, this was my absolute favorite show, ever since I first saw it airing on ABC. I shouldn't have gone back to rewatch it on a streaming service because now I'm finding a thousand flaws, and the myth I built up about this series in my head is totally crumbling. I don't know how to explain it. There was a time when I was obsessed with the characters and the plot, and I would have been too if I hadn't revisited it. It seems I've changed significantly, because while the show remains exactly the same, I can finally see all the inconsistencies. Sure, the philosophy, the metaphysics, the history, and the universal truths are all lovely, but... I just don't find the characters likable anymore. Not a single one, not even Dr. Fleishman, who used to be my hero (or anti-hero).

Look, I get that you can't view a show like this through a single lens; it’s not designed for us to build a sense of "trust" in certain characters or treat them as constants, but still... I've had enough.
The peak of this nonsense for me was realizing that in an earlier episode, Joel hosted a party where he acted as a fantastic host, preparing delicious food and drinks with just a little help (the specific plot doesn't matter here). Yet, in a later episode, he's portrayed as a complete disaster at organizing any kind of party, unlike the other characters who seem to know how to throw a real bash.
I understand the message behind both episodes, but that level of inconsistency is hard for me to swallow now, especially since the episodes rely on one another, even if each one features at least three distinct storylines.

That’s just one example, but there are countless inconsistencies across all the characters. I noticed these things during my first viewing, but back then, I justified them as "higher" themes the writers were trying to highlight. It didn't bother me then, but watching it again today, it’s incredibly grating.
I think Cicely isn't really the center of the universe like I once believed or like the creators suggested. Today, I think Cicely is just the center of a lot of pretentiousness.

I think you're misinterpreting the show.

This series is timeless and one of the best ever made. When it comes to the actual writing, rarely does another show measure up in terms of its philosophy and depth of content.

And yeah, Chris is actually the most important character, not Joel. I personally find Joel to be an extremely endearing character, but back in the day, everyone wanted to be Chris. He had an enormous impact through his persona and his radio program, both locally and globally. If you ask many American radio hosts, they'll tell you Chris was their primary influence. If you look closely, the entire series is seen through Chris's perspective. He is the true philosopher of the show, and everything happens because of him—or as Freud might put it, because he is the one asking the questions.

Honestly, no other show possesses the charm of Northern Exposure. I enjoy watching it every single day whenever I get the chance.

cosmiccobra2 said:I'm rooting for let IT Bleed to come out on top as a standalone masterpiece.

+1

Just wanted to weigh in on this...

They just don't have a voice.
Gavin Bryars - The Sinking of The Titanic
Two tracks here present some intriguing concepts, but unfortunately, neither hits the mark in terms of actual quality. There is just far too much melodrama and sentimentality involved. It’s a bit of a letdown.

Ciccone Youth – The Whitey album (1988)
I get what they were going for. I really do. But honestly? It just falls short. This might work as a fun little side project for die-hard Sonic Youth fans, but if you're looking for an album that offers a truly rewarding listening experience, it’s just not there.

Ministry - The Mind Is a Terrible Thing to Taste (1989)
I really dig this band, but the production on this record feels pretty chaotic. You can actually hear it in the mix; even though the quality stays fairly consistent throughout, the album struggles to feel like one cohesive piece of work. Don't get me wrong, the heavy experimentation with different styles isn't necessarily a bad thing, but it just doesn't quite click the way it could have.

Bajaga i Instruktori - Prodavnica Tajni (1988)
Yeah, Bajaga Tori Amos. 🤣

Tori Amos - Little Earthquakes (1992)
I think she’s an incredibly talented musician, but I struggle to fully "connect" with her. I can't quite put my finger on why, though it might be because there's a certain calculated coldness to her work. To me, Kate Bush remains in a league of her own, both for her and for everyone else.

MonoNeon - my Feelings be Peeling
It’s a bit hard to pin down, but in a strange way, it’s totally fine.

Alice Cooper - Trash (1989)
I'll pass, honestly. I’ve never been a fan of anything tied to the glam rock or glam metal scene. To me, those glamovac types are the biggest embarrassment to the legacy of rock and metal music.

Candy Claws - Ceres & Calypso in The Deep time (2013)
This album is surprisingly solid. Almost every track features a catchy melody that’s genuinely fun to listen to. My only critique is that the arrangements can feel a bit cluttered at times, which occasionally drowns out the music itself. That said, the cover art is absolutely stunning.

Mark Lanegan & Duke Garwood - Black Pudding (2013)
This is some solid acoustic material, ranging from slow-burn instrumentals to acoustic rock with a clear blues influence. The guitar work is technically impressive, and the vocals are smooth, creating a really pleasant, laid-back vibe. It gets a little repetitive at times, though—some tracks feel too similar, so I think the tracklist would have worked better if they had shuffled the order to keep things more dynamic.

Roy Harper - Stormcock (1971)
Harper is truly something else. While the album feels dark and the lyrics can lean toward the unsettling at times, it doesn't come across as depressing. The guitar playing from Roy is very good. It’s not overly produced, which works; he has a fantastic voice that fits this kind of acoustic music perfectly.

Broadcast - The Noise Made by People (2000)
I'm really struggling to find my footing with this album. Just when a melody starts heading in a promising direction, it gets abruptly cut short by some random, jarring chord that completely kills the vibe. It’s like driving down a smooth highway only to hit a sudden, massive pothole right when you're enjoying the view.

They have a voice.
Rolling Stones - let IT Bleed (1969)
When it comes to the Rolling Stones, *let IT Bleed* and *Exile on Main street* are easily my top two favorites. You really have to give credit to the incredible session musicians who helped shape those records; having players like Ry Cooder, Ian Stewart, Leon Russell, ali Kooper, and Nicky Hopkins involved made all the difference. And honestly, Merry Clayton’s vocals on "Gimme Shelter" are legendary—it’s easily one of the absolute peaks of 1960s music.

GZA - Liquid Swords (1995)
For me personally, albums like Tupac's Me Against the World/All Eyez on Me, A Tribe Called Quest's Midnight Marauders, and Mobb Deep's The Infamous stand out as the absolute best hip hop records of the 90s. GZA, often referred to as the Genius, was simply a master of technical skill and lyrical depth. With "Liquid Swords," he shuts down any debate by delivering a dark, gritty masterpiece about human decay that features some of the most profound prose ever written in rap history.

I’d love to give more votes, but it’s just not possible when these two albums are at least a tier above the third and fourth picks on this list—and they're two tiers above the rest, or three tiers above those bottom-tier albums.

And here is probably the last album recommendation for now—because honestly, it’s never too late for some funk. Before I dive into this one, I have to give a shout-out to most of you; this week has been absolutely killer with all the classics and underrated gems being thrown around. It’s been an incredibly strong week 👍

Sly and the Family Stone - there's a Riot Goin' on (1971)



It’s a slightly darker, more devilish take on funk, but it still has that groove that keeps you moving. I hope you find at least one track on here to dance to during these fall days.

You know I’m a fan of pretty much everything—classic rock, metal, soul, blues, and obviously old-school hip hop. But lately, I’ve had funk on constant repeat. It’s been the perfect vibe for these fall days, so I’ll definitely be suggesting some stuff from that genre over the next few weeks.

Dennis Hall41 said:I honestly think it should just be me and Jessica Morris6 making the suggestions, because frankly, most of you have terrible taste. Now, Crow89 is the exception—he actually knows what he's talking about.

Mark Cruz15 said:Our taste is clearly top-tier, though I can admit there are some decent alternative suggestions out there. Personally, I’d prefer if we dialed back the hipster vibe just a little bit—it's not a dealbreaker, but it could be toned down. I wonder what our secret sauce actually is; maybe it's because we finally gave that guy a shot. Crow89, care to weigh in? ☕

From here on out, it’s nothing but funk, folks. Nothing else. funk being the salvation ☕

Check out this wonderful little disco soul gem. Enjoy! 👍

Odyssey - I Got The Melody (1981)





🙂

Way to go, quietbison86 👍

Finally, napokon screamadelica 🙏

quietbison86 said:I think someone might have suggested a classic one before 🤔

Primal Scream

I'm putting this forward and hoping it wins this time 👍

Here’s a selection based on a book I just revisited; I was honestly blown away by how good it still sounds.

Jeff Wayne's The War of the Worlds (1978)



Side A
1. "The War of the Worlds"
2. "Horsell Common"

Side B
1. "The War of the Worlds"
2. "Forever Autumn"
3. "Thunder Child"

Side C

1. "The Red Weed"
2. "Parson Nathaniel"
3. "The Spirit of Man"
4. "The Red Weed"

Side D
1. "Brave New World"
2. "Dead London"
3. "Epilogue"
4. "Epilogue"

The musical variety here—ranging from prog rock and hard rock to classical pieces and ballads—is incredibly fluid, engaging, and unique. The way several top-tier artists come together creates a rare, singular masterpiece that has truly stood the test of time. It has everything, and having Tim Burton involved as a narrator is really just the icing on the cake.