Watermelon Man
@makertaker.bsky.social
I am a superhero whose superpower is knowing when someone is saying something stupid and ideologically blinded.
I am rationalist adjacent. If that upsets you...ya might be stupid.
My superhero persona has nothing to do with international relations.
I am rationalist adjacent. If that upsets you...ya might be stupid.
My superhero persona has nothing to do with international relations.
Sure, I think that's about right.
Of course, the question of whether a disagreement is rooted in one side's oppression and denial of their humanity and right to exist is often exactly what the disagreement is about!
Of course, the question of whether a disagreement is rooted in one side's oppression and denial of their humanity and right to exist is often exactly what the disagreement is about!
“We can disagree and still love each other unless your disagreement is rooted in my oppression and denial of my humanity and right to exist”
James Baldwin
James Baldwin
November 27, 2024 at 12:24 PM
Sure, I think that's about right.
Of course, the question of whether a disagreement is rooted in one side's oppression and denial of their humanity and right to exist is often exactly what the disagreement is about!
Of course, the question of whether a disagreement is rooted in one side's oppression and denial of their humanity and right to exist is often exactly what the disagreement is about!
Underlying this argument is a study from JRF arguing that £120 a week is the minimum amount for someone to afford the basic essentials. This includes 4 return bus trips a week, £60 a month on toiletries (!), An amount on food that a middle class person will regularly stick to on a diet, and more...
Labour’s ‘Get Britain Working’ strategy will only make things worse. Here's why | Iain Porter
Labour’s ‘Get Britain Working’ strategy will only make things worse. Here's why | Iain Porter
Instead of bolstering support for those out of work, the government is looking to further erode it. This approach will only make their lives more difficult
If you’re someone with a disability or a long-term health condition who loses their job, the…
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2024 at 11:25 AM
Underlying this argument is a study from JRF arguing that £120 a week is the minimum amount for someone to afford the basic essentials. This includes 4 return bus trips a week, £60 a month on toiletries (!), An amount on food that a middle class person will regularly stick to on a diet, and more...
Adulation of libraries is a good encapsulation of the current prevalent psyche of Bluesky.
Sure, libraries are fine - good even - but I'm pretty sure your public displays of adulation are compensating.
Sure, libraries are fine - good even - but I'm pretty sure your public displays of adulation are compensating.
November 27, 2024 at 10:47 AM
Adulation of libraries is a good encapsulation of the current prevalent psyche of Bluesky.
Sure, libraries are fine - good even - but I'm pretty sure your public displays of adulation are compensating.
Sure, libraries are fine - good even - but I'm pretty sure your public displays of adulation are compensating.
This is a complicated problem, and I don't seek to suggest there is an easy answer that always puts these cases in the right place, but surely it is preposterous that the police are involved in a black man using racialised language on twitter about Thomas Partey. Surely an overreach?
Arsenal fan gets three-year banning order for racial abuse of Thomas Partey
Arsenal fan gets three-year banning order for racial abuse of Thomas Partey
* He said he mimicked as satire what white racist would say
* Defendant said to be ‘dumbfounded’ when police came
An Arsenal fan has received a three-year football banning order after racially abusing Thomas Partey, despite claiming he was mimicking…
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2024 at 1:57 PM
This is a complicated problem, and I don't seek to suggest there is an easy answer that always puts these cases in the right place, but surely it is preposterous that the police are involved in a black man using racialised language on twitter about Thomas Partey. Surely an overreach?
The kind of childish platitude that I am genuinely astonished an ostensibly intelligent person over the age of 14 could believe.
Everything is actually very simple, and they should just implement my simple solution and everything will go well. Surely there are no downsides.
Everything is actually very simple, and they should just implement my simple solution and everything will go well. Surely there are no downsides.
November 26, 2024 at 1:15 PM
The kind of childish platitude that I am genuinely astonished an ostensibly intelligent person over the age of 14 could believe.
Everything is actually very simple, and they should just implement my simple solution and everything will go well. Surely there are no downsides.
Everything is actually very simple, and they should just implement my simple solution and everything will go well. Surely there are no downsides.
Here's a take you're not going to like:
There is a reason people are more annoyed by those who illegitimately receive benefits than rich people who do not pay taxes.
It is intuitively perceived as far less fair to have someone take from you unjustly, than to fail to give to you what you are owed.
There is a reason people are more annoyed by those who illegitimately receive benefits than rich people who do not pay taxes.
It is intuitively perceived as far less fair to have someone take from you unjustly, than to fail to give to you what you are owed.
November 26, 2024 at 9:00 AM
Here's a take you're not going to like:
There is a reason people are more annoyed by those who illegitimately receive benefits than rich people who do not pay taxes.
It is intuitively perceived as far less fair to have someone take from you unjustly, than to fail to give to you what you are owed.
There is a reason people are more annoyed by those who illegitimately receive benefits than rich people who do not pay taxes.
It is intuitively perceived as far less fair to have someone take from you unjustly, than to fail to give to you what you are owed.
Be honest with yourself. You could easily see the calls for a #rerun of the #generalelection currently swelling online being from the left, if a news story about Starmer being insufficiently left wing was prominent.
November 25, 2024 at 8:47 PM
Be honest with yourself. You could easily see the calls for a #rerun of the #generalelection currently swelling online being from the left, if a news story about Starmer being insufficiently left wing was prominent.
Maybe I don't understand the issue here, but doesn't dropping the federal case against Trump give off the whiff of #lawfare?
I don't think that's what it is, I just think it's optically suboptimal. It was going to be a waste of time, of course, but retaining trust in institutions remains paramount.
I don't think that's what it is, I just think it's optically suboptimal. It was going to be a waste of time, of course, but retaining trust in institutions remains paramount.
November 25, 2024 at 8:44 PM
Maybe I don't understand the issue here, but doesn't dropping the federal case against Trump give off the whiff of #lawfare?
I don't think that's what it is, I just think it's optically suboptimal. It was going to be a waste of time, of course, but retaining trust in institutions remains paramount.
I don't think that's what it is, I just think it's optically suboptimal. It was going to be a waste of time, of course, but retaining trust in institutions remains paramount.
#Ozempic
Both a miracle drug and something it seems reasonable to be worried about.
The thing is, though, the thing Ozempic is proven to reduce is not a miracle, and is definitely reasonable to be worried about.
An asymmetry of worry? Is that how we should make our judgements?
Both a miracle drug and something it seems reasonable to be worried about.
The thing is, though, the thing Ozempic is proven to reduce is not a miracle, and is definitely reasonable to be worried about.
An asymmetry of worry? Is that how we should make our judgements?
November 25, 2024 at 8:42 PM
#Ozempic
Both a miracle drug and something it seems reasonable to be worried about.
The thing is, though, the thing Ozempic is proven to reduce is not a miracle, and is definitely reasonable to be worried about.
An asymmetry of worry? Is that how we should make our judgements?
Both a miracle drug and something it seems reasonable to be worried about.
The thing is, though, the thing Ozempic is proven to reduce is not a miracle, and is definitely reasonable to be worried about.
An asymmetry of worry? Is that how we should make our judgements?
I dream of an internet where smart people can discuss the possible second order effects of such a levy, and weigh these up against our openly shared moral frameworks.
The internet I have, sadly, is one where all I get is two tribes of angry, ideologically motivated people shouting "GOOD" or "BAD"
The internet I have, sadly, is one where all I get is two tribes of angry, ideologically motivated people shouting "GOOD" or "BAD"
Labour poised to announce £100m levy on gambling companies
Labour poised to announce £100m levy on gambling companies
Money to be used to fund education and treatment of gambling harms in plans to be unveiled as soon as this week
Casinos and bookmakers in Great Britain will be forced to pay a £100m-a-year levy to fund research, education and treatment of gambling harms,…
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2024 at 8:39 PM
I dream of an internet where smart people can discuss the possible second order effects of such a levy, and weigh these up against our openly shared moral frameworks.
The internet I have, sadly, is one where all I get is two tribes of angry, ideologically motivated people shouting "GOOD" or "BAD"
The internet I have, sadly, is one where all I get is two tribes of angry, ideologically motivated people shouting "GOOD" or "BAD"
Hot take: Ability and willingness to be body slammed in professional wrestling has no bearing on one's ability to govern.
"That's the kind of courage that it's going to take to go in and face down some of these bureaucrats in the teachers' union."
Ex-pro wrestler claims his fake Linda McMahon body slam 'prepared' her to take on teachers
Knox County Mayor Glenn Jacobs, a former pro wrestler who went by the name Kane, argued that his fake body slam of WWE co-founder Linda McMahon "prepared" her to take on teachers as President-elect Do...
www.rawstory.com
November 25, 2024 at 5:37 PM
Hot take: Ability and willingness to be body slammed in professional wrestling has no bearing on one's ability to govern.
You will note that absolutely nobody on the centre-left will ever argue that Democrats should acquiesce to this nasty, immoral policy.
It would be absolutely brilliant if people who accuse said people of wanting to "abandon trans rights" were able to acknowledge this difference.
It would be absolutely brilliant if people who accuse said people of wanting to "abandon trans rights" were able to acknowledge this difference.
Donald Trump’s plan to ban transgender people from the military would have a devastating effect: At least 15,000 members would be forced to leave.
newrepublic.com/post/188789/...
newrepublic.com/post/188789/...
Here’s How Much Trump’s Extreme Transgender Ban Would Damage Military
The next commander in chief is set to bring back one of his most radical policies.
newrepublic.com
November 25, 2024 at 5:34 PM
You will note that absolutely nobody on the centre-left will ever argue that Democrats should acquiesce to this nasty, immoral policy.
It would be absolutely brilliant if people who accuse said people of wanting to "abandon trans rights" were able to acknowledge this difference.
It would be absolutely brilliant if people who accuse said people of wanting to "abandon trans rights" were able to acknowledge this difference.
I'm atheist and in favour of assisted dying, but the idea that it is either possible or desireable to remove religious faith from political discourse is for the birds. There's no objective, knowable line that distinguishes legitimate ideological perspective from religious faith.
#Jenkinsalwayswrong
#Jenkinsalwayswrong
It’s outrageous that religious faith is being brought into the assisted dying debate | Simon Jenkins
It’s outrageous that religious faith is being brought into the assisted dying debate | Simon Jenkins
Britain is a largely secular country. Those who oppose the bill before parliament should not be interfering with other people’s right to choose for themselves
I recently attended memorial services for two friends. Both died after long illnesses, and the…
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2024 at 3:34 PM
I'm atheist and in favour of assisted dying, but the idea that it is either possible or desireable to remove religious faith from political discourse is for the birds. There's no objective, knowable line that distinguishes legitimate ideological perspective from religious faith.
#Jenkinsalwayswrong
#Jenkinsalwayswrong
The bad thing here is that people are in poverty. I think innate aversion to trades that involve the body is a form of naturalistic fallacy, and arguments against freedom here are poorly formed and irrational. You aren't making these people's lives better by banning them from doing this.
Hungary’s most deprived people donate blood plasma to survive – photo essay
Hungary’s most deprived people donate blood plasma to survive – photo essay
The UK-based Hungarian Roma documentary photographer Béla Váradi spent months photographing the life of blood plasma donors after he realised several old friends saw payment for plasma donation as a way of getting by
In the rust belt of north-eastern…
www.theguardian.com
November 25, 2024 at 3:25 PM
The bad thing here is that people are in poverty. I think innate aversion to trades that involve the body is a form of naturalistic fallacy, and arguments against freedom here are poorly formed and irrational. You aren't making these people's lives better by banning them from doing this.
Leftists on Bluesky: "Aren't we so much better than those nasty people on Twitter. We can actually discuss things and be reasonable."
Also leftists on Bluesky: "I don't like your views, I wish to hit you over the head with a hammer"
Also leftists on Bluesky: "I don't like your views, I wish to hit you over the head with a hammer"
🔨 🔨 🔨
November 25, 2024 at 2:58 PM
Leftists on Bluesky: "Aren't we so much better than those nasty people on Twitter. We can actually discuss things and be reasonable."
Also leftists on Bluesky: "I don't like your views, I wish to hit you over the head with a hammer"
Also leftists on Bluesky: "I don't like your views, I wish to hit you over the head with a hammer"
Leftists are extremely annoying, and one of the few values of social media is to blow off steam by arguing with them because you occasionally get some interesting disagreements.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this Matt Yglesias post.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this Matt Yglesias post.
November 25, 2024 at 2:52 PM
Leftists are extremely annoying, and one of the few values of social media is to blow off steam by arguing with them because you occasionally get some interesting disagreements.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this Matt Yglesias post.
There is absolutely nothing wrong with this Matt Yglesias post.
Reposted by Watermelon Man
Part Two of the Common Sense Democrat manifesto — it’s not progressive or humane to become so leery of punishment that you let public spaces and public services become disorderly, dysfunctional, and unpleasant.
www.slowboring.com/p/liberalism...
www.slowboring.com/p/liberalism...
November 25, 2024 at 11:33 AM
Part Two of the Common Sense Democrat manifesto — it’s not progressive or humane to become so leery of punishment that you let public spaces and public services become disorderly, dysfunctional, and unpleasant.
www.slowboring.com/p/liberalism...
www.slowboring.com/p/liberalism...
This isn't all that funny...
Someone called this mass exodus from Twitter ‘the fall of the Broman Empire’ and I died laughing. 💀
November 24, 2024 at 10:39 PM
This isn't all that funny...
There are different ways to interpret right wing, and the common understanding of the term clearly means liberals can be included in the left-wing category.
This position is a reflection of your limited and all-too-narrow world view. Not smart, not smart at all.
This position is a reflection of your limited and all-too-narrow world view. Not smart, not smart at all.
People are like "there are no right wingers on blue sky" and i don't get it there are plenty of liberals on here
November 24, 2024 at 3:06 PM
There are different ways to interpret right wing, and the common understanding of the term clearly means liberals can be included in the left-wing category.
This position is a reflection of your limited and all-too-narrow world view. Not smart, not smart at all.
This position is a reflection of your limited and all-too-narrow world view. Not smart, not smart at all.
Reposted by Watermelon Man
Worth a reminder on Holodomor Memorial Day, that one of the first things the russians did in the occupied city of Mariupol was to remove the Holodomor memorial.
November 23, 2024 at 2:08 PM
Worth a reminder on Holodomor Memorial Day, that one of the first things the russians did in the occupied city of Mariupol was to remove the Holodomor memorial.
Pleased with the pro-refugee sentiment of this. However, it is curious to frame the issue as affordable housing being "taken away". Affordable housing must, by definition, be built, and it is not being built.
It is not being taken away, it is being withheld.
It is not being taken away, it is being withheld.
November 24, 2024 at 2:57 PM
Pleased with the pro-refugee sentiment of this. However, it is curious to frame the issue as affordable housing being "taken away". Affordable housing must, by definition, be built, and it is not being built.
It is not being taken away, it is being withheld.
It is not being taken away, it is being withheld.
I'm afraid to say this is both annoying and asinine. Who cares if audiobooks do, or don't count as reading?
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
audiobooks count as reading.
November 24, 2024 at 2:01 PM
I'm afraid to say this is both annoying and asinine. Who cares if audiobooks do, or don't count as reading?
Reposted by Watermelon Man
Excellent article by Noah Smith about the problems that falling birthrates are going to cause and how challenging it will be to reverse the trend. www.noahpinion.blog/p/nobody-kno...
Nobody knows how to stop humanity from shrinking
The big looming problem that almost no one is talking about.
www.noahpinion.blog
November 24, 2024 at 2:43 AM
Excellent article by Noah Smith about the problems that falling birthrates are going to cause and how challenging it will be to reverse the trend. www.noahpinion.blog/p/nobody-kno...
Aaaaaand there we have it! The first of what I expect to be many instances of thinly veiled anti-semitism that the left have absolutely no interest in policing, or treating with remotely the same level of vigilance that they do with other forms of racism.
November 24, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Aaaaaand there we have it! The first of what I expect to be many instances of thinly veiled anti-semitism that the left have absolutely no interest in policing, or treating with remotely the same level of vigilance that they do with other forms of racism.
Reposted by Watermelon Man
RFK is, of course, a nutcase who shouldn't be in charge of a local restaurant let alone the Department of Health
#Watermelonmanbangers
#Watermelonmanbangers
November 23, 2024 at 1:57 PM
RFK is, of course, a nutcase who shouldn't be in charge of a local restaurant let alone the Department of Health
#Watermelonmanbangers
#Watermelonmanbangers