Posts by Kenneth Cruz67

Quincy:

Justin Richardson7 As if I could have predicted this! It seems like someone else is chiming in with their thoughts on the matter. I suspect we might be running into a bit of a situation where our definitions are starting to clash, or perhaps I’m just overthinking things, but it feels like there’s some real confusion brewing regarding how we're using these terms! person It seems like you might have hit enter a little too early! I was just sitting here thinking that maybe there was some profound insight coming my way, but I guess I might be getting ahead of myself. If you were trying to share something, please do go ahead—I’m all ears and quite eager to see what you have to say! Woman..

Yeah, I suppose so!

I guess you could say that, in my view, women are the ones I'd actually want to spend my nights with, whereas everyone else is just... well, people. 😁

Nancy Howard4 said:I’ve finally realized that in America, the real winners are the ones who play dumb when it comes to the law
I was walking past some apartment complexes recently and saw how everyone just takes it upon themselves to enclose their balconies with vinyl windows or turn them into extra rooms and stuff
And you know what the best part is? NOBODY CAN DO A DAMN THING ABOUT IT because you'd have to sue the entire building—which is everyone, since they all did the exact same thing—plus the architect who designed the whole layout, and honestly, these hideous modifications totally wreck the original vision of the project, and then you'd need some bureaucrat from City Hall to actually get off their lazy butt, show up at the property with the occupancy permit and the original blueprints, confirm that every single person is breaking the rules, and then somehow sue every living soul involved in those renovations
BUT that’s never going to happen, so you might as well just grab a sledgehammer, go to town on that wall, and do whatever you want because you only live once
Once you're the first one to pull it off, the rest of the whole building will follow suit with the exact same plans

How can you tell for sure that they didn't get the proper permits or neighbor consent?

ruggedraven36 said:That might actually hold water—if men weren't human.

Actually, I think it’s quite the opposite! The real question, I suppose, is how much women were even considered human in the first place. I guess even Marin touched on this idea in one of his novels—mentioning people, women, and children as if they were separate categories altogether. Historically speaking, the very term "humanity" seemed to almost exclusively refer to men, don't you think?

steelridge58 said:Look, let’s be clear here—we aren't talking about some kind of performance or an act; this is about fundamental gender identity and the actual person you've met and experienced firsthand. I just saw the video. To me, being a woman is fundamentally about one's biological identity.

I really tried to lay it out for you with an example—you know, just to show how someone can exist and interact with the world without their physical appearance defining them, where they just act naturally and communicate authentically instead of putting on some kind of act, but I guess you aren't actually interested in really grasping the point I'm making.

Quincy:

Deus ex machina Asks: I mean, honestly, what would I even have to become just to reach that level of understanding? 🙂)

Look, I know you probably couldn't care less about this, but I really want to see if you’re even capable of wrapping your head around the whole situation from a different angle, just to test the limits of how much you can actually grasp on a topic like this.

Sometimes I think that if we could just find a way to truly step into the shoes of The Second, or even try to see things through the eyes of a parent raising a transgender child—or even just imagine ourselves navigating those same struggles as parents ourselves—it might actually help us understand the situation a little better.

Whether you actually agree with transgender identities or not really doesn't matter; seeking out genuine understanding and making the effort to educate yourself—to truly learn the nuances of someone else's reality—is something that enriches your soul rather than diminishes it. I honestly believe that staying informed helps us grow as people, regardless of our personal stances on the matter. But if you consciously choose to lean into transphobia or nurture xenophobic narratives in the way you speak to others, then you aren't just being closed-minded, you're actively choosing to stay small.
For philosophy.

Of course. That’s exactly why they identify as transgender, and they’re fully aware of that reality.

Quincy:

Justin Richardson7 Asks: At that specific crossroads where you’re just staring into this empty possibility—this purely abstract assumption that I might actually find myself drawn to her because of the way her mind works—it just doesn't hold water. Because honestly, if someone possesses a way of thinking that breeds that kind of fundamental confusion, it isn't just some isolated quirk or a random fragment of their personality that you can overlook; it’s something that will inevitably bleed through into everything they do. That realization completely kills any chance of me being attracted to her intellectual side. To put it bluntly, her logic would eventually manifest itself in every little thing she says or does, leaving us as total strangers on almost every single issue, let alone finding some kind of spark or "vibe" that connects us.

Look, this thought experiment—since it’s essentially just a mental exercise or a hypothetical scenario—is defined by its own specific set of rules, and I think we really need to stick to the parameters we've actually established rather than drifting into those extra points you're bringing up, because if we start factoring in things that weren't part of the initial setup, we aren't even talking about the same experiment anymore.

However, I feel like the male perspective simply can't be placed inside that particular framework of yours, so it seems almost impossible to actually reference anything within it at all. 🤷

steelridge58 said:Look, let’s be clear here—we aren't talking about some kind of performance or an act; this is about fundamental gender identity and the actual person you've met and experienced firsthand. I just saw the video. To me, being a woman is fundamentally about one's biological identity.

I really tried to lay it out for you with an example—you know, just to show how someone can exist and interact with the world without their physical appearance defining them, where they just act naturally and communicate authentically instead of putting on some kind of act, but I guess you aren't actually interested in really grasping the point I'm making.

Quincy:

Deus ex machina Asks: I mean, honestly, what would I even have to become just to reach that level of understanding? 🙂)

Look, I know you probably couldn't care less about this, but I really want to see if you’re even capable of wrapping your head around the whole situation from a different angle, just to test the limits of how much you can actually grasp on a topic like this.

Sometimes I think that if we could just find a way to truly step into the shoes of The Second, or even try to see things through the eyes of a parent raising a transgender child—or even just imagine ourselves navigating those same struggles as parents ourselves—it might actually help us understand the situation a little better.

Whether you actually agree with transgender identities or not really doesn't matter; seeking out genuine understanding and making the effort to educate yourself—to truly learn the nuances of someone else's reality—is something that enriches your soul rather than diminishes it. I honestly believe that staying informed helps us grow as people, regardless of our personal stances on the matter. But if you consciously choose to lean into transphobia or nurture xenophobic narratives in the way you speak to others, then you aren't just being closed-minded, you're actively choosing to stay small.
For philosophy.

Of course. That’s exactly why they identify as transgender, and they’re fully aware of that reality.

Quincy:

Justin Richardson7 Asks: At that specific crossroads where you’re just staring into this empty possibility—this purely abstract assumption that I might actually find myself drawn to her because of the way her mind works—it just doesn't hold water. Because honestly, if someone possesses a way of thinking that breeds that kind of fundamental confusion, it isn't just some isolated quirk or a random fragment of their personality that you can overlook; it’s something that will inevitably bleed through into everything they do. That realization completely kills any chance of me being attracted to her intellectual side. To put it bluntly, her logic would eventually manifest itself in every little thing she says or does, leaving us as total strangers on almost every single issue, let alone finding some kind of spark or "vibe" that connects us.

Look, this thought experiment—since it’s essentially just a mental exercise or a hypothetical scenario—is defined by its own specific set of rules, and I think we really need to stick to the parameters we've actually established rather than drifting into those extra points you're bringing up, because if we start factoring in things that weren't part of the initial setup, we aren't even talking about the same experiment anymore.

Though, I guess most men aren't even particularly concerned with a woman's identity, even when she truly is a woman.😁

lonetrucker4 said:Physicist and science communicator Sabine Hossenfelder just dropped a new video about trans women in sports. Check it out. Her channel’s huge—she keeps things snappy, simple, and actually knows her stuff. Even when she tackles topics outside her usual lane, she brings in the right experts to back her up.

She breaks down why this isn't some black-and-white issue like people think, especially those stuck in that rigid, old-school "men are men, women are women, end of story" mindset. Major sports leagues have been wrestling with this for nearly 40 years now. Scientists are digging into it too, and the data isn't exactly straightforward—it varies wildly depending on the sport...

I feel like there might be a bit of a flaw in her reasoning here, if you ask me. She didn't really address things like reflexes or reaction speeds at all, so I guess she might be mistaken when she suggests that gender doesn't matter, even in something like e-sports. In my experience, male teams in competitive gaming tend to beat female teams quite easily, so that doesn't really level the playing field either.

During the League of Legends Championship, an all-female squad ended up with a 52-2 record before they were eventually knocked out, mostly because watching them lose over and over wasn't exactly thrilling for the audience.😁

It’s actually quite interesting to me how almost all the criticism seems to focus on men who transition and then compete against other women, whereas you almost never hear about the reverse happening. I suppose that says a whole lot on its own.😬

ruggedraven36 said:But here's the kicker—if you don't trust a single soul on the web and you're still hanging out here, then you're an even bigger idiot.

Well, I'm not sure I agree with that entirely, because I think it's quite possible to be on the internet specifically to spread lies and deceive others 🙂

steelridge58 said:That’s really just irrelevant to the core of this thought experiment and what we're actually trying to get at here.

Well, I might have to respectfully disagree with you there, if you don't mind me saying.

I truly believe that men are just fundamentally visual creatures, at least in my estimation. It seems like they don't really buy into anything until they can see it with their own eyes. Even if someone were to lie about their gender, or maybe their weight, or something else entirely—it doesn't really matter—because, in the end, you’re just going to perceive them as being dishonest.

Personally speaking, I think I would much rather be in a situation where I was surrounded by ten men in a woman's body than deal with just one woman in a man's body.

I mean, I guess we all pretty much know what the ultimate goal of this whole scenario is intended to be, right? 😬

steelridge58 said:So, I stumbled upon this woman online—just one of those random, unexpected encounters where you aren't looking for anything at all—and she completely floored me with her perspective on life, her sheer sensibility, and this incredible, subtle sensuality that just radiates through a screen. Honestly, I couldn't help myself; I had to reach out privately because the connection was just too intense to ignore. We started messaging and talking about absolutely everything, building this deep friendship that naturally carried this heavy, electric erotic undertone between us. We grew so close, so quickly, and even though we could have easily let this stay tucked away in our digital bubbles, I found myself craving her presence in the real world, so I finally took the leap and asked her to meet me in person.

She was really second-guessing herself about the whole thing, but I kept trying to cheer her on and give her that extra push she needed, even when she started throwing these wild hypothetical questions my way—like, she actually asked me how on earth I’d react if she were suddenly a woman trapped in a man's body, and what my immediate response would be if I saw her like that. I saw you....or what?
Haha, you were practically howling while typing that out, weren't you? Honestly, that has to be the most elaborate attempt at dodging a meetup I’ve ever heard, and believe me, I’ve been rejected more times than I care to admit. So, since we're actually doing this, how about we just meet up this Friday around five o'clock over at Starbucks in downtown Chicago?

Consider this a little thought experiment.

She didn't show up, and honestly, I can't help but wonder if her headspace is just completely different from how you first met her, like she's forgotten the very essence of who she was when you two actually connected.

It popped up: can you? I just really need to see her.Can you actually recognize that specific person you once knew, even when they're standing right in front of you in a man's body?

I honestly feel like she’d be really understanding toward you if you just sat her down and talked it out.

🙂)

I guess your little thought experiment might have made sense back in the early 2000s, but honestly, in this day and age, if you trust anyone or anything you find on the internet, you're probably being a bit of an idiot. The person you're chatting with might not just be a different gender than they claim, but they might not even be a real human being at all, but some kind of bot or artificial int10010100010010.

darkcobra66 said:I might be splitting hairs here, but I can't help feeling like the picture quality in VLC Media Player looks a bit washed out compared to other players I've used. On VLC Media Player, the colors just seem punchier and more vibrant. I was wondering if there's some specific setting within VLC Media Player that needs tweaking? I've tried a few basic adjustments already, but nothing seems to really move the needle.

https://i.postimg.cc/NGb747gw/dlz.jpg

It almost looks like the contrast on your screen is just a bit lower when you're using VLC Media Player. Is it possible you maybe accidentally turned it down?

stormybadger8 said:What a tactical masterpiece 🤦
Ferrari legends, I knew they’d find a brilliant way to screw up this season 🙏
It was actually pretty weird that every single race this season hasn't been such a tactical disaster...

AM's strategy is pure fantasy too 🤦
Pokte, what on earth were you experimenting with in Monaco? 🤦

Well, at least I'm happy for Perez and Sainz 🙏
They really needed this one 👍😁

Carlos Sainz basically shut them down over the radio.

If he hadn't called them out so bluntly, I imagine they would have just kept covering the other drivers and nobody would have known anything happened at all. 😁

Jacob Castillo70 said:"catastrophic conditions"

Is he actually being serious?

?

I wonder which network you're watching? 😬

What an absolute spectacle 😁

I can't help but wonder why Sergio Perez seems to be struggling so much lately 🤦

I wonder who might be the first one to stumble? 😛

steelfox98 said:The ruble already tanked down to 57; honestly, it’s holding up much better than it did back in February.
There was all this noise about how Russia would go bankrupt by mid-April, but the reality is their revenues this year are higher than ever. Sure, sanctions hurt, but you have to ask: who actually got hit harder?
Meanwhile, over here, anyone not living off their parents' dime can see the reality—flour jumped from $6 to $3.00, oil went from $12 to $18, and gas prices are all over the place. That’s even with government intervention; without it, things would be much worse. My apologies if my math is slightly off. Inflation in the Baltic states is hitting nearly 20%.

Those of us who have been watching this long know we saw a similar pattern eight years ago. The initial shock rattled the Russians, but long-term, it actually served them. They bolstered their financial sector, stimulated domestic industry, and flipped from being net importers to one of the biggest agricultural exporters out there.

The bottom line is that in a crisis, two things matter: food and energy. We only have food, and even that depends on energy. Right now, Americans and Russians are just sitting back eating popcorn because they have both.
A textbook example: we banned fertilizer imports, yet the US specifically carved out exemptions for them in the sanctions.
It brings me back to 2014 when the US was pulling our strings (Joe Biden boasted about how he forced us to implement sanctions), while simultaneously sanctioning things that didn't even affect them. The result? Trade between the US and Russia actually increased that year. Talk about a spectacle.

I mean, what's the point of importing synthetic fertilizers when we have companies like Petrokemija, which at one point was actually the second largest exporter in the entire US🤔

I suppose if we didn't have our own domestic production, then sure, maybe it would make sense, but why on earth would we import something that we produce ourselves in such massive quantities that we even export it? It feels like we'd just be lining the pockets of middlemen and speculators, while everyone else ends up losing out.

It seems like everyone is currently scrambling to burn through their rubles just to grab whatever scraps of Western goods are left sitting on the store shelves. I guess you see prices for things like Apple laptops dropping almost every single day now, though I suppose there's really no guarantee or warranty to speak of anymore.

Once those remaining stocks finally run dry, I imagine we’ll see the ruble take a massive tumble.

Anthony Hill5 said:Here you go, my friend.

I am eagerly awaiting your scathing critique.

Russia Nationalizes Renault Plant, Revives Soviet-Era Moskvich Car

https://www.themoscowtimes.com/2022/...tch-car-a77685

The Russians have nationalized the Renault plant and are moving forward with production of the Moskvich, as the regime deems the Moskvich to be the most rational choice for citizens living in this era of progress and prosperity.

Once again, sanctions have only served to strengthen Russia.

I guess this whole situation is a bit more nuanced than it looks at first glance; it doesn't really seem like a classic case of aggressive nationalization where assets are just seized, but rather it feels like Renault opted to sell off its holdings in Russia to a state-owned enterprise 🤔

Brenda Murphy3 said:And who exactly is going to let those smaller countries pull that off?

Look, if we're talking about countries with actual standards—you know, places like Austria or Finland—they wouldn't even dream of developing an A-bomb. They aren't interested. Now, if you're talking about theocratic regimes or dictatorships, 99% of them don't even have the capacity to pull it off. And even if they did get close? People would step in to stop them by any means necessary... and frankly, they'd be totally justified in doing so. Take Iran, for example; they're a huge, powerhouse nation, yet they still haven't pulled it off despite throwing insane amounts of money at it. Smaller countries wouldn't stand a chance.
North Korea is one of those weird outliers for a bunch of reasons (assuming they even have a functional A-bomb... though they clearly need it just to deal with their neighbors a few miles away).

So, what you're saying is pretty much pure fiction... and honestly, thank God it is.

But why on earth wouldn't Finland want to, or be able to, or even be allowed to have nuclear weapons? And who exactly gets to decide which rules or criteria would prohibit them from doing so?

I mean, wouldn't it be better for them to just have a bomb and remain neutral rather than joining NATO? 😉

Dana Robinson4 said:Does that mean there aren't any real deterrents against a bomb from Egypt, Venezuela, or the Congo?

Well, I guess the only real obstacles left are political and economic ones. But honestly, if you ask me, I really believe we’re going to see more and more smaller nations deciding to pull out of the non-proliferation treaties just to start working on their own little atomic projects.

International law has always felt like a bit of a joke to me, if I'm being honest. I truly think the only way to actually protect yourself—whether you're dealing with massive, ruthless superpowers or just small, stubborn nations—is to have your own bomb.