Good speech starters

FoodForThought: Intellectual Nourishment

2009.12.24 16:54 marquis_of_chaos FoodForThought: Intellectual Nourishment

Intelligent and thought-provoking commentaries on life and culture with an emphasis on longform articles and essays that stimulate intellectual discourse.
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2015.10.26 22:22 Keeping you informed on all matters puplifting.

PupliftingNews has gone private in protest of Reddit's recent behavior and planned changes to the API. These changes impact third party tools, reduce accessibility, and decrease moderation ability site-wide. For additional info, check out https://www.theverge.com/2023/6/8/23754780/reddit-api-updates-changes-news-announcements. We are not accepting requests to join the community at this time.
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2019.03.06 04:38 carlossanchas SingaporeRaw

Welcome to SingaporeRaw Community. Public speech in Singapore is heavily regulated, where the average Redditporean will often feel silenced and muted. SingaporeRaw is a safe haven for Redditporeans to share and post freely without fear of censorship. Feel free to share your thoughts, experiences, and opinions here, and we hope you have a good time !
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2024.05.15 15:31 casefilesofVJ The Love Tunnel

-Jack
Every kid growing up in Gympie in the early 90- 2000s knew about the Love Tunnel.
The love tunnel was located over the hill from the skatepark on the Riverbank. It was a massive storm water drain filled with spray paint and lore unbound throughout the generations; the glowing dick, whose name is the furthest in, the people who live inside, the bull shark that lived under the bridge just outside, all that fun stuff.
It collapsed in the late 2000’s in a flood and was eventually rebuilt, but it was all fancy, modern, safe and not the same. Back in the day it had decades of graffiti, crumbling cement, jagged metal pole framing bent and jutting out from the sides. You know, real character.
I remember when I was just a kid at the skatepark and I spotted a bunch of other kids at the metal grating of a drain. I joined them and gazed down a few metres to some older teenagers, they had trekked through this “love tunnel” under the massive hill all this way. Badass I thought. LEGENDARY.
I talked about it at school, about this mysterious “love tunnel”. It was in view from the road when I crossed the bridge everyday on my daily commutes from the backseat of mums car.
I would gaze down at the weir and see the top of the love tunnel, sliightly hidden from view by a hill. It fascinated me.
I learned all these mysterious tales; this person slept with this person there, someone took a dump at the entrance and some other girl stood in it and now she had a nickname, someone found needles, another found a homeless woman and she screamed at them. I was pumped for the next weekend. I was going to go see it for myself.
I saw too much.
Early Saturday morning I was riding my push bike through town and toward destination adventure! I started out at the skatepark, met up with a few of the regulars, a mix of 5-19y/o everyone on the half pipes and ramps had a code of comrady that I've never found in a public place anywhere else and you always had someone to hang with.
My usual crew slowly arrived through the morning, a bunch of other 10/11 year old misfits like myself and we headed on our first place on our journey, Hungry Jacks. Now we never technically stole, we found a loophole…
One or two would order a stunner meal, then we'd take privilege of the free refills and fill up the empty plastic 4L juice jugs that we all had prepped in our backpacks. Coke and red Fanta for days.
So we got our supplies and headed behind HJ, past the volleyball courts and headed down a bush track down to the river.
We walked along the banks to loop back down to where the bridge was, we passed a few teenagers fishing and a couple other groups of kids swinging from rope swings into the water or huddled in groups smoking things they shouldn't.
We eventually arrived at the weir and the stormwater drain that I had been so intrigued by. The Love Tunnel.
Climbing up the hill and seeing it up close when you were just a tiny human. It was like staring into the dark abyss of hell.
There was a small stream of water flowing out of the big grey cylinder and it was covered in multicolored quotes and crude pictures that was very eye opening at the time.
Our voices echoed as one by one we climbed up the grassy, eroding clay edging that was the makeshift path into the mouth that probably changed each time it rained. Each of us had pulled out clumps of grass that we thought were handholds. If you fell, you fell down an embankment of slippery jagged rocks poking out from the fast flowing river.
So were inside and began to walk a couple of metres in then around us the light abruptly disappeared into complete darkness. And I remember the way the sounds traveled you could feel it through your chest it was mesmerizing.
I remember bravely stepping into the darkness and taking five or six steps in. That thick darkness was something else, I ran myself back to that entrance and light, heart pounding from the adrenaline.
This turned into a game of who could go in the furthest. This stopped when one of the boys screamed out from the darkness in pain.
He was back in the light teary eyed a few moments later wet on one side and feigning a laugh. He'd slipped down and cut open his knee, it was hilarious. We teased him saying he was going to get gangrene and leprosy and a myriad of other ailments we had no idea actually was.
We decided to bail, we forgot torches, we didn't plan that part out too well, and enjoyed the rest of the afternoon being little menaces.
We met the next day with a game plan, we had an array of various sized torches, from small ones that didn't do anything, one of those giant rectangle ones that was our main light source, a couple of handheld ones, one which flickered and the other stopped working before we even got into the tunnel.
We got in safely and tested out our torches and began walking into the unknown. It was pretty much the same as before, but there were strange things, old makeshift bongs, shopping bags, random shoes, a shopping trolley, a mattress that was all moldy and rotted. I still to this day do not understand how people managed to get that shit in there.
We passed a section where someone had thrown a can of red paint all over the walls, the amount of those ‘S’ symbols was more terrifying.
We saw light up ahead, we were passing our first grate. It was kind of daunting looking up towards it. Even getting on each other's shoulders we couldn't reach. There was an array of broken beer bottles and glass was everywhere, under the grate was a dead snake amongst some debris.
We had a debate whether to go further, we ended up going on at least until the next grate, we came to a fork, one seemed like a smaller offshoot so we stuck to the bigger side.
There were more offshoots and we came to a part where the big pipes split off into three under another grate. We gazed up hoping to get an identifier of our location, but all we could see was blue. We called out to see if we could get anyone's attention.
“Cooooweeee” we shouted in unison, the sound echoing in all directions.
We were laughing and having a grand time until something shouted back, something that still shakes me to my core to this day.
Some yobbo crackhead chick in her fifties with this ratty pink tank top that was all stretched half showing her saggy titties. “What the fuck you think you little cunts doing down here.” This chick screeched at us through her few teeth or something along the lines of that. She just exploded at us with a barrage of threats.
We were shocked silenced moving together to make one mass.
One of the boys screamed when a skinny guy emerged from the darkness. He was covered in tattoos with scraggly hair and a beard, he was all crazy eyed and pantless.
Someone yelled out to run and it was all the motivation we needed.
We could hear them screaming and the guy ran after us, we heard glass shattering behind us, they must have thrown a bottle. We were legging it.
We got split up in our running, I fell down, tripping over some rubbish, one mate stayed back to help me, this left us without a torch. We came across the same kid who slipped over yesterday, he had slipped down again cutting open his other knee. He wore those with badges of honor at school, but he was blubbering like a baby at this point.
He had the flickering torch and it disoriented us more than helped, as it turned on and off every time he took a step. I thought we were lost but we found the other grate, then eventually the entrance.
The others were already climbed down, we were soon by their side panting in the grass and wiping away our tears so the others couldn't see.
We ran back over to the skatepark and immediately told every kid we saw.
That was the wildest shit we had ever experienced. Sure we’d seen crazy up on the street but to have it jump out at you from the shadows in a storm water drain was next level.
By that night one of the other boys had spilled to his parents about our escapades and a couple of other mums got phone calls, three got in trouble, two of us didn't, including me.
I never stepped foot back in that tunnel, I swam at the weir more times than I could count afterwards though and never encountered anyone else too sketchy.
I think only a year or two later I saw on the news people dying in storm water drains somewhere else in Aus, we never realized how dangerous they could be back then. Lol.
Every party or get together afterwards it was a crowd favorite to bring up. It was a good conversation starter and joined the tales amongst my friends of the weird shit that happens in ‘Helltown’.
Growing up and looking back they were probably just homeless drug addicts freaked out from a bunch of children's voices yelling out coooweee from the underground where they thought they were alone. That would have scared the shit outta me if I was them.
Good times.
.VJ - in 2012 two women tragically passed away when they were exploring the tunnels and got swept away when a wild storm cell hit. Pictures of the upgraded version of the 'love tunnel' can be found in corresponding news articles.
submitted by casefilesofVJ to TrueScaryStories [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 15:14 female_wolf Rewatching right now, and I'm not really rooting for Dexter

I don't know if it's because now I know what the ending will actually be, but the first time I watched this show, I was really rooting for him. I was obsessed with the show. I loved the whole premise of the good serial killer who killed all the bad guys and saved future innocent victims.
Now I see it in a completely different light, it's not black or white anymore. For starters, the real villain was Harry, or maybe the psychiatrist who convinced Harry to take this route with Dexter and saw him as a lab animal to test her theories on, instead of a person that needed help. All I'm wondering is, could what Dexter was, have been prevented? We all know he has a concience deep down and can’t hurt innocent people (this goes further than his code), and he goes all in for the people he supposedly “has no feelings for”. I think Dexter was deeply traumatized, and then preyed on and manipulated into thinking he’s a monster who can’t be fixed. He absolutely deserved better.
But it is what it is. No matter the reason Dexter ended the way he was, at the end he was a serial killer. And a lot of innocent people were destroyed because of his actions. Surely he also saved a lot of them, but that still doesn’t make it OK.
I just finished season 2. I found myself rooting for Doakes instead, despite knowing exactly how it would end for him. Sure, he was angry all the time, I couldn’t really stand him or his outbursts, but deep down his heart was in a good place. He was a good man, and he even felt some sort of compassion towards Dexter at the end. He didn’t fake it, I think he saw how troubled Dexter really was and that he wasn’t inherently evil, so he felt sorry for him to some extend. I just don't think he deserved his ending. My first time watching, I was glad he was out of the picture and only saw him as an annoyance, but now I just felt sorry for him.
I think the writers should’ve ended that show right there, instead of killing Doakes. They should’ve let Dexter free, turning himself in, getting in touch with his demons, walking towards the light. This way Debra’s life wouldn’t have been destroyed, Rita wouldn’t have died, La Guerta wouldn’t have been killed, Astor and Cody would still have a mother and Dexter wouldn’t die at the hands of his own son at the end, while living a life in hiding and in regret all alone with ghosts to keep him company. He probably would have had a lot of groupies, like all serial killers do, and he would get the acceptance he so desperately craved without hiding who he actually is. I don’t know if it would’ve been the perfect ending, but as sure as hell it would have been a way better ending than the one we actually got.
I don’t think I can keep watching season 3, I just wish the show ended in a completely different way. It was unfair to the innocent people who got hurt along the way, but mostly it was unfair to Dexter. He was never allowed to be himself, or accepted, or truly loved. I don't know if he would've been loved if everything was out in the open, but it would've been nice to see what would happen if his mask was off.
submitted by female_wolf to Dexter [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 15:11 AccidentRound3097 Baked with new starter

I have an anxious sourdough question 😂
I baked with a two day old starter… and shoved one of the English muffins in my mouth before I realized how funky it smelled.
It tasted great and the starter itself smells fine.. but the warm baked bread smelled almost like… old pee?
From what I’ve read, it’s the bad bacteria that smells and the good stuff hasn’t taken over yet.
Should I toss the rest of the sourdough English muffins?
And… will I have any ill effects from eating it?
submitted by AccidentRound3097 to Sourdough [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 15:03 sunnyleahomescanada Revamp Your Home: Top Renovation Trends to Inform Your 2024 Project

Thinking about giving your home a refresh? You're certainly not alone! The world of home renovations is buzzing with exciting trends that can transform your living space into a more functional, stylish, and comfortable haven. Whether you're planning a dramatic overhaul or some strategic upgrades, staying informed about what's popular can help you make the best decisions for your project. Here's a breakdown of some of the hottest trends in home renovation for 2024:
Sustainable and Eco-Friendly Materials: Beauty with a Conscience
Incorporating eco-friendly practices into our daily lives is a growing priority, and home renovations are no exception. The good news is that you can achieve a beautiful aesthetic while minimizing your environmental impact. Sustainable materials like bamboo, cork, and recycled plastics are becoming increasingly popular choices for furniture and fixtures. These materials are not only aesthetically pleasing but also boast impressive durability, reducing the need for frequent replacements.
Smart Homes: Technology Enhances Your Living Experience
Imagine a kitchen that guides you through complex recipes or a bathroom that automatically adjusts the shower temperature to your preference. This isn't just a futuristic fantasy; it's the exciting reality of smart home technology. With advancements in Artificial Intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT), homes are getting smarter. Voice-controlled lighting systems, smart appliances that preheat your oven while you're commuting home, and a variety of other features are becoming increasingly accessible. Integrating these features can significantly enhance your comfort and safety, streamlining everyday tasks and creating a more responsive living environment.
Maximalism Makes a Bold Statement: Embrace Your Personality
Minimalism may have dominated design trends for a while, but 2024 sees a shift towards maximalism. This design approach celebrates bold colors, eclectic patterns, and a playful mix of textures. It's your chance to showcase your unique personality and create a vibrant, eye-catching space that reflects your style. Think luxurious velvet cushions, cozy faux fur throws, and stunning hand-painted murals that transform any room into a conversation starter.
Multifunctional Spaces: Optimizing Your Square Footage
With the rise of remote work arrangements, maximizing space efficiency has become a major priority for many homeowners. The latest designs focus on creating rooms that can seamlessly transition between functionalities. Imagine a home office that cleverly converts into a comfortable living area in the evening, or a cleverly designed fold-away desk that disappears when not in use. Convertible furniture that adapts to your needs is key in making the most of your square footage.
Organic Shapes Inspired by Nature: Create a Tranquil Ambiance
Soft, natural curves are making a comeback in both architectural elements and furniture design. These organic shapes are not only aesthetically pleasing but also contribute to a more calming and inviting atmosphere. Consider incorporating elements like curved walls, rounded furniture pieces, and flowing patterns to add a touch of serenity and fluidity to your home environment.
Dramatic Accents: Statement Pieces That Make an Impact
Don't be afraid to make a statement in your renovated space! A sculptural pendant light can become the focal point of your living room, while dramatic backsplash tiles can elevate your kitchen design from ordinary to extraordinary. Zellige tiles, with their unique handcrafted look, and striking slabs of stone or quartz can create a truly unforgettable impression in your bathroom or kitchen.
From Dream Kitchens to Custom Homes: Tailoring Trends to Your Project
The beauty of these trends is their versatility. They can be applied to a wide range of renovation projects, from a complete home overhaul to a specific room refresh. Whether you're dreaming of a custom-designed kitchen to perfect your culinary skills, a spa-like bathroom retreat, or a condo renovation to maximize a smaller space, there are ways to incorporate these popular ideas and create a functional, beautiful, and personalized haven tailored to your unique needs and preferences.
Let's Discuss Your Renovation Dreams!
The home renovation trends of 2024 offer a wealth of inspiration to create a living space that reflects your style and values. By embracing these trends, you can ensure your home is not only stylish but also meets the demands of modern living. Are you ready to transform your space? Let's discuss how to bring these trends to life in your dream home project!
submitted by sunnyleahomescanada to u/sunnyleahomescanada [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 15:01 sleepysnafu Careers straight out of highschool?

I know my choices are slim, but my partner is going to college so I don’t want both of us to be in debt. I want to make money as soon as I graduate so I can support both of us as much as I can.
I’m awful at math, pretty good at english but I hate writing. I don’t really have any notable hobbies, I love nature but there aren’t really any jobs near me that involve working with plants and don’t require college experience.
I have a speech impediment and social anxiety, so I’d rather not have a job that involves talking to people. I have janitorial experience, and I’m absolutely willing to become a janitocustodian as a part-time job, but the pay isn’t good enough to do it long-term. I have some sort of undiagnosed tic disorder, so I can’t do something precise like being a painter (learned that the hard way).
I know I’m picky, but any suggestions at all will be appreciated. Thank you!
submitted by sleepysnafu to findapath [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 15:00 natylil Welcome Wednesday - May 15, 2024

A space (especially for new members) to do away with any black holes you may have in Bdong's story / timeline.

Additionally, you can search the BDONG STARTER PACK Flair and find good posts to get you started.
submitted by natylil to brittanydawnsnark [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 15:00 AutoModerator Untranslated Visual Novels Thread - May 15

Welcome to the Untranslated Visual Novels Thread where people can:
Here are some potential helpful resources:
We have added a way to add furigana with old reddit. When you use this format:
[無限の剣製]( #fg "あんりみてっどぶれいどわーくす")
It will look like this: 無限の剣製
On old reddit, the furigana will appear above the kanji. On new reddit, you can hover over kanji to see the furigana.
If you you want a flair that shows your relative Japanese skill please see this information and set your flair with WAYRBot. We highly recommend that people who can read in Japanese or are making serious efforts to learn Japanese utilize this flair, and feel free to ask in the thread if you have issues setting it.
If anyone has any feedback for future topics, let me know.
submitted by AutoModerator to visualnovels [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:59 Maximum_Restaurant25 Neurology and Health Anxiety: 1 year in!

Hello all, it's been a while! Firstly, I hope everyone is doing okay, I know some days dealing with this can be ridiculously hard. Sorry for the following essay, feel free to scroll on, I just I felt I had post something to reassure anyone who is feeling how I felt a year ago today.
It was a year ago that I looked down to see my calves moving constantly. I had twitched many times before and thought nothing of it, but these felt and looked different. I then realised that in the last few weeks I had been getting other twitches more regularly. As I became hyperaware of the twitching, it dawned on me that alongside my calves, I was twitching body-wide, probably a few thousand times a day, many of them small and barely noticeable, but they were there. My legs were without doubt the most active areas, but this was (and still is) absolutely everywhere, 24/7. I then Googled my symptoms. The following 6 months were without doubt the hardest of my life. At that point I was absolutely convinced I was in serious trouble, and the intense dread and fear only made things worse. This forum would help at times but then when coming across fellow twitchers convinced of the worst case scenario only fueled my fears further. My posts will tell a story of someone who just couldn't shake their anxiety.
Of course I went straight to the doctor, who reassured me with a clean clinical exam I had absolutely nothing to worry about. At 24, an EMG would be a waste of time and if anything potentially fuel anxiety further. A few weeks later, I demanded an EMG - my mind was running wild and I needed clarification. It was clean. I felt so much better - for a few weeks. I'd never struggled with health anxiety before but here I was. What if the EMG was too early? What if it's something else? I'm twitching tens of thousands of times a day, this cannot be benign (spoiler: it can). Each week I was convinced I was progressing, that my speech was different, my strength was dropping. Back to the doctor again, and again. I demanded a Chest X-ray. Clean. Blood test after blood test. Clean. If you're also doing this to yourself, please STOP. Acceptance is SO important.
Then a letter from the hospital came through my door. One of the lead Neurologists wanted to follow up with me. Of course I shit myself. I thought I was in the clear? I didn't understand why they wanted to see me again. Reluctantly I went, and it was the best decision I ever made. He simply wanted to see how I was getting on, I sat down with him chatting for over half an hour, rationalising every single stupid thought in my head. He was practically shouting at me at one point: YOU DO NOT HAVE **!! He would never have even let me do that EMG if it was up to him. He said he sees people exactly like me every week or so. "Your worst fears don't even start with twitching. You're too young to obsess over this, life is too short to spend month after month worrying about something that will never materialise." He explained to me that out of every single patient he sees, whether it be twitching, tingling, fatigue, numbness etc... 50% simply have health anxiety. It doesn't mean these symptoms are not real, but the mind is very powerful and can single-handedly disrupt your neurology. It highlights the importance of making sure we do not let these physical symptoms take over our lives and our minds, it will only make things worse. He added that Google is great but it feeds health anxiety. You say you're fatigued it's MS. You say you're twitching, it's **. It's all bullshit, the worst outcome everytime, outcome that are a infinitely finite probability. Take what the medical professionals tell you at face value and ignore the noise.
He followed the discussion by confirming in a written letter "we can confidently say that this is a benign fasciculation syndrome." The penny dropped for me, as it should for many of you. I accepted this was my life now, and that was was 4 months ago. I haven't been on this forum since. I've got back to the gym, golf, meeting friends regularly and I'll tell you all right now this is THE BEST way to cure your mind. Distract yourself. Exercise. Within months my strength had rocketed and my golf was better than ever. I'd be lying if I told you every day was a good day, but I refuse to let these twitches control my emotions every single second. If you're suffering then PLEASE, you have to find something else to obsess over. It WILL change your life. Eat well, sleep well and enjoy yourself. What we deal with every day is physically harmless so just focus on healing the mind.
My DMs are open if anyone needs a chat, all the best people!
submitted by Maximum_Restaurant25 to BFS [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:55 TraditionalSize7635 Chance me for princeton EA!

ABOUT ME:
living in Singapore, indian, taking the IB in november this year! I'm planning to list anthropology and politics as my top 2 major options in the common app, but I'd like to pursue an independent major.
GRADES:
IB Predicted: 40/45
SAT: took it once last year and got a 1470. I'm going to retake in august this year.
EXTRACURRICULARS:
  1. Debate/Speech: Club President
Competitor in school debate team from 2020 to 2022, participating in national competitions and winning several awards. In charge of logistics, planning and training competition team from 2022 to 2024.
  1. Internship: Legal Intern
Summer internship at XXX Law Firm, rated my country's best law firm in the YYYY prestigious ranking.
  1. John Locke Essay Competition: Politics
Wrote a political essay for the John Locke Essay Competition in 2022. Awarded a high commendation, in the top 16 out of the hundreds that applied.
  1. Community Service (Volunteer): English Tutor
Taught English online to Syrians affected by the war and lacking opportunity + resources. Created lesson plans, practices and activities.
  1. Research: Anthropological Researcher
My interest in anthropology led me to conduct research on South Asian migrant labourers in my country and their sense of belonging, supervised by a teacher.
  1. Research: Film Researcher
My interest in film led me to conduct a full-length research on the portrayal of gendered dynamics in Indian Parallel Cinema, supervised by a teacher.
  1. Art: Filmmaker
Directed and wrote a short film that was screened both locally and internationally at the XXX Film Festival. My role involved planning and forming a story in the pre-production, heading the filming team and directing the actors in the production, and supervising the post-production. The screenings involved Q&A sessions with the audience
  1. Art: Poet
My poetry has been published in a variety of international literary journals (not pay-to-publish!)
  1. Art: Artist-In-Residence
Planned a full-length screenplay pitch for production. Selected to attend an Artist-in-Residence program at the International Centre of the Arts based on the merit of my pitch.
  1. Paid Work: Customer Service
I have work experience in F&B as well as retail: handle relations with customers, represent a brand, provide services such as food service, cashiering etc.
  1. Publicity
Managed instagram accounts for student-organised film showcases. Posted publicity promotions, details on the films, and attracted public attention. Both events sold out and had good social media engagement.
  1. Small business: Publicity and Customer Liaison.
Helped my mum (a homemaker) create her own catering service. Liaised with customers, handled logistics and advertised the service.
lmk if you have any questions! i'd love to hear your honest opinion on my chances.
submitted by TraditionalSize7635 to chanceme [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:54 adrobas My first two loaves ever!

My first two loaves ever!
This was my first time making sourdough. Day 1 of my starter was last week and looked ready to use on day 6. I used two different recipes for these loaves. First one (the big round one) was an 80% hydration recipe. The second one.. I'm not sure. I found it on TikTok and it looked good to use. I was initially only going to make one loaf but saw that my starter was still quite active so I decided to make a second on the same day a few hours later.
Any advice, critiques, comments would be very appreciated! Thank you.
submitted by adrobas to Sourdough [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:47 FlippantFlopper I need a microphone that can be used with hearing aids

I wear hearing aids and I stream the sound directly to my hearing aids so I don't need to wear a headset. Plus wearing a headset can be uncomfortable while wearing hearing aids.
I use Dragon NaturallySpeaking because I have a physical disability so I need a good microphone for speech recognition. I am currently trying a lapel microphone that clips onto my jumper but recognition is not as good as my old headset microphone.
Is there a kind of microphone can be worn like a headset but without the earpieces?
submitted by FlippantFlopper to speechrecognition [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:46 Kylearean r/libertarian is effectively prohibiting all speech that isn't specifically anti-statist

I've been a long time participant in libertarian, but have noticed that there's been a fairly substantial shift in the content over the past 2-3 years, and lately it's full on anti-statist / end democracy content only.
I was recently permanently banned without any stated cause or warning. The moderators have not responded to my polite request for the cause of the ban. I suspect it was because I posted a link to a news article and was critical about economics, which is a foundational principle of libertarianism. But this is hardly a permanent-ban worthy item, unless: they're actively attempting to permit posts from a few vocal posters on anti-statist / end democracy content. Looking at the recent posts, it appears that there's about 10 users who post constantly on such topics.
How is this related to free speech? When you create a space for content, and you have a set of guidelines for said content, there's an expectation that you would be able to freely participate within the confines of those guidelines. When there are, however, secret rules that are zealously enforced by moderators with secret agendas, your speech may appear to be free (within the bounds set by the subreddit rules), but in actuality you're being secretly silenced without anyone else being the wiser. There's zero transparency in the moderation process of that sub, so such silencing isn't designed to reinforce rules, but rather to quell non-conforming content. Some subs used to maintain a ban list and reason for banning, I don't see that anymore anywhere, which is unfortunate.
The analogy is not unlike what happens to dissidents in authoritarian regimes. "You have the freedom to say whatever you want ... (as long as it doesn't offend the overlords.)"
Just to strengthen any Rule 1 concerns, yes, I'm stating that there's "broad censorship", but it's also being done in direct contravention to the publicly stated allowable content of that sub, and users who are acting in good faith are being silenced who don't adhere to the (apparently) secret rules.
submitted by Kylearean to FreeSpeech [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:40 kipleycomix [Hiring] (kind of)

Hiring (Kind Of) artists with a unique yet anime-ish art style
Hey, I'm looking for someone to join me in the making of my WEBTOON, I need someone with an anime-ish art style that can be nice, yet can get creepy at times (I'll need that)
The deal is that I'm cashless, so this person would be working for free until my comic (inevitably) blows up (in a good way) if any of y'all are up for this adventure, my DMs are the starter point
I have no $$ so as said above the work would be for free until it blows up (if it blows up)
submitted by kipleycomix to HungryArtists [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:39 ilikegoldfishnsnakes [17m] Guten Tag fellow people, hopefully I can find some people with similar interests to talk to! A comprehensive description of my interests is given below. Attached is a picture of a magpie for your amusement

[17m] Guten Tag fellow people, hopefully I can find some people with similar interests to talk to! A comprehensive description of my interests is given below. Attached is a picture of a magpie for your amusement
Hey there,
You have hereby entered my post so feel free to read it and if any of this sounds good to you feel free to message me (I am sure if you are an interesting person we will get along well, yay).
To get the most painful thing out of the way, if you hate math or physics, that'd be a big bummer, because they are my two main passions and I don't think I would get along with you if you did not like them, I apologize :(.
So anyways a bit of information about me: As you have probably read from the title, I am a 17 year old guy from the GMT +1 timezone which means if it is midnight for you, its maybe not midnight for me, i dont know, anyways.
I have a lot of interests so I am sure some of yours will be covered by mine and I would love to hear about your interests and what you do in life, because learning about other people is f u n.
My interests include but are not limited to (sounds like an ad slogan, which i mean, this sort of is):
-Physics, Maths, I like both of them -Poetry, I write poems - Reading, I read a bit - Philosophy, metaphysics in particular - Guitar, I like guitar - History, I like history - Movies, series, romance in particular for movies, for my favorite movies you will have to message me - Filmography and music in general are really exciting subjects, if you know anything about that give me info - Learning about other peoples interests - Journalism (I like to do deep dives into various topics)
What I am not particularly interested in is food, I just eat. Thats it, really. I dont know why I mentioned that but whatever its there now.
For all of the people out there that like to know what music I always listen to:
  • The Beatles, I love them
  • Nirvana, I love them, not everything from them, but I love them
For Nirvana and The Beatles I also really love their history - Queen, because of course - RHCP, they just make good music I guess
My favorite songs are - A day in the life - Bohemian Rhapsody - The man who sold the world (Not the Nirvana cover but the original David Bowie song, you need to listen to it, its wonderful. Dot.)
Also if you can it would be nice for you to write a little bit about why you messaged me, what your interests are or something becuase I find it suprisingly difficult to respond to something such as "hey" or something similar that isnt really a conversation starter or introduction. That would be nice, yay :D
If any of that sparked your interested and you read all that stuff, feel free to message me, thanks for coming to my Ted Talk.
submitted by ilikegoldfishnsnakes to TeensMeetTeens [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:32 Weddingcomingup12 Wedding coming up in a week - can you please let me know what you think of the speech?

I know a good speech is a short speech - however, i'm doing this on behalf of myself and my partner. Appreciate any feedback you might have.
WEDDING SPEECH:
INTRODUCTION:
When Mary (and I) were planning our wedding, we sat down and decided we wanted a small overseas wedding because it would be easy to plan and execute. In doing this we would only need to invite our closest friends and family members, totaling to around 30. As was sat down and planned out our list over various nights, this list very quickly grew into the high 90’s and we realized, this was no small wedding. The reason we landed in the 90's is that every single person in this room has had a monumental impact on our life for better, so from the bottom of our hearts thank you for joining in this very special moment with us. There are those who we would have loved to have been here, who have recently passed like XXX and XXX, they are forever in our hearts and here in spirit.
Now for the few minutes, there will be a series of thanks to very important people to both myself and Mary – can you please ensure your glasses are full and ready to go!
Please be assured that if you aren’t mentioned by name, we have not forgotten you, you’re still very important to us; however, I can’t imagine anything worse for you all and myself than me being up here for 30 minutes, so without further ado.
SUPPORT TEAM
Firstly, I would like to thank all the support staff, especially the XXX, for your efforts in bringing this to life.
I don’t want to imagine the stress Mary and I would have gone through trying to organize this without your help.
Bridal Party:
Thank you all for being apart of our wedding celebration. Mary and I are so thankful to have you part in our lives. None of this could have happened without you.

PARENTS XX/YY, special thanks to ZZ:
To XX and YY, thank you for entrusting me with your beautiful daughter. I know that you both care and love for her immensely and I will do my best to take care of her. Thank you both for welcoming me into your house, family and treating me as if I was your own. To add to this, thank you for welcoming Doug, our labrador into the house, despite him slowly tearing it apart - I promise you we will fix the floorboards someday soon.
Despite the challenges you’ve both faced over the last couple of years, you’ve been nothing short of amazing and supportive to both Mary and myself.

To XX:
Thank you for every day without fail, knocking on my door at 11am, asking me “lunch?” and then coming up 20 minutes later with a big breakfast plate. This gesture, done every day without fail, shows how much you truly care for me.
To YY:
Thank you for having my back each and every day. You’re one of the kindest and most caring men I’ve ever known, and I’m so grateful to be your son in law. Even when I burn food and serve it up to the family, we all put ours in the bin, you put a big smile, finish the plate, and tell me it's good.
Special thank you to ZZ, thank you for the monumental effort of organizing and reverse refugeeing the entire Vietnamese clan over here. This is no small feat and Mary and I both appreciate it.
PARENTS AA and BB and CC
To my mother, thank you for always taking the time to be present and celebrating every moment, big or small. Your ability to create meaningful memories moves me deeply. I recall my 30th birthday, when I expressed a desire not to celebrate. Despite this, you organized a fantastic home dinner and surprised me by inviting some of my close friends. Your thoughtfulness and attention to detail have been evident since my early years, shaping my appreciation for life's simple joys.
I also want to thank you for being so welcoming to my partner, Mary. From the onset, you have been so caring and appreciative, sharing in the joys of celebrating her achievements. Your love and acceptance mean the world to us both.
Dad, your speech tonight on behalf of the family was moving and a reflection of the love and care you've always shown us. CC, your warmth, and kindness have made Mary feel truly at home.
CC, your thoughtfulness in always ensuring Mary receives a special christmas gift does not go unnoticed. More than that, thank you for your unwavering support and willingness to lend an ear, whether we need advice on work or any of the other responsibilities of being an adult, your guidance and love mean the world to us.Thank you both for being so welcoming and accepting of Mary into the family.

Mary:
Saving the most important person for last. Mary. You look absolutely breathtaking tonight. Words cannot even begin to describe just how much I love you, but I’ll try my best.
Events like these don’t just happen, they take months of planning. We’ve been planning this wedding for the better part of a year and when I say we, I mean Mary. Thank you for the monumental effort in for all your research, planning, and hard work to make this day magnificent for us all.
Throughout our seven year journey together, you’ve been a consistent source for inspiration, pushing me to become the best version of myself, always encouraging me to not take the easy way out and challenging me in the best way possible. You’ve stood with me during my darkest of times, and made each achievement into a massive celebration. Your kindness and love are such a huge motivator for me to continue to grow with you. I cannot imagine the person I would be without you by my side.
But it’s not always about the big moments. It’s about the everyday, the little things that make you who you are. You’re not just my partner, you’re also my closest friend (and now my wife). We can spend all night gaming, we can talk for hours, or simply enjoy each other's presence, every moment with you is treasured. Thank you for always going out of your way to make me feel special, whether it’s planning surprise dates to restaurant bookings, or even picking up some food, you never fail to make me feel loved.
This love that you show to me also extends to our beloved labrador Doug. The way you adore Doug with kindness, care and love fills me with joy. It’s truly no wonder why you’re his favorite. I know we’re only married today, but I can’t help but imagine the day when you bring the same warmth and devotion to motherhood.
One of your most admirable characteristics is your selflessness. You always go above and beyond for your family and friends, happy to drop everything and put the needs of others before yourself. You consistently go out of your way to ensure the happiness and well-being of those closest to you. This dedication is a testament to the incredible person you are and I admire and love you all the more for it.
Your infectious personality brings laughter and joy to everyone you meet, you light up a room when you enter. Your presence transforms ordinary moments into extraordinary memories, and your positive energy leaves an unforgettable impression on everyone around you. Something as simple as seeing your beautiful smile, brightens even the most cloudiest of my days.
It is the greatest honor of my life to be your husband. I love you more than words could ever say, and I look forward to spending forever by your side.
submitted by Weddingcomingup12 to wedding [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:30 ExactAbbreviations15 I need help, do we just leave mental chatter as it is while we attend to I am?

(Advaita disclaimer: yes I have good conduct and when I am lost as my body, mind and speech I act accordingly with compassion to others, I am talking about when trying to transcend this body-mind here)
So I think there’s a misconception in meditation that you have to sit down, quiet the mind and attend to the object of choice. That is helpful for formal practice and going deep, but in daily living for the case of self-enquiry you can move your body and could have mental chatter as well.
However, for certain practices like japa or breath meditation you have to fight or discard against the normal mental chatter 24/7. This is understandable as the goal of those practices are to purify the mind so it can be clear in the investigation of I.
This discard and fighting of mental chatter though, is not necessary once you have a decent understanding of self-enquiry. As now you have a new base which transcends phenomena to cling on to and know what to investigate. So what if how many thoughts arise, attend to I am.
Ok enough of the preamble, my question is does anyone feel since they’ve been fighting or trying to discard their mind for so long on this meditation path, that it has caused a very unatural way of daily living? But now that the fight has served its purpose because I can discern what I am (ego) a bit, I don’t really have to trim the bushes (external phenomenona so to speak. So I can let my mind be natural while working intensely on self-investigation.
There’s a common saying that you have to witness the mind, but it’s more like letting go of the mind. Like allowing your grown son to leave home and do its thing. In the past I used to think my clinging or controlling of my son was making a difference but it really was not of much use. In truth we have no control whatsoever of the results in the world.
Really hard to explain my current issue lol. It feels like I went from thinking I was the thinker, to fighting the thinker, to leaving behind the thinker so I can walk towards my true self.
But now I’m also able to stop the mental chatter at will (80% of the time) and that can be good for formal practice or chill time. So maybe I can switch from letting mind free during daily life and stopping mind in formal/relaxed moments.
Tl;dr can one really just let body, mind and speech do as it has to do; then attend to I am. Does this mean those phenomena still arise naturally we just more and more become disinterested in them.
submitted by ExactAbbreviations15 to nonduality [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:29 ExactAbbreviations15 I need help, do we just leave mental chatter as it is while we attend to I?

(Advaita disclaimer: yes I have good conduct and when I am lost as my body, mind and speech I act accordingly with compassion to others, I am talking about when trying to transcend this body-mind here)
So I think there’s a misconception in meditation that you have to sit down, quiet the mind and attend to the object of choice. That is helpful for formal practice and going deep, but in daily living for the case of self-enquiry you can move your body and could have mental chatter as well.
However, for certain practices like japa or breath meditation you have to fight or discard against the normal mental chatter 24/7. This is understandable as the goal of those practices are to purify the mind so it can be clear in the investigation of I.
This discard and fighting of mental chatter though, is not necessary once you have a decent understanding of self-enquiry. As now you have a new base which transcends phenomena to cling on to and know what to investigate. So what if how many thoughts arise, attend to I am.
Ok enough of the preamble, my question is does anyone feel since they’ve been fighting or trying to discard their mind for so long on this meditation path, that it has caused a very unatural way of daily living? But now that the fight has served its purpose because I can discern what I am (ego) a bit, I don’t really have to trim the bushes (external phenomenona so to speak. So I can let my mind be natural while working intensely on self-investigation.
There’s a common saying that you have to witness the mind, but it’s more like letting go of the mind. Like allowing your grown son to leave home and do its thing. In the past I used to think my clinging or controlling of my son was making a difference but it really was not of much use. In truth we have no control whatsoever of the results in the world.
Really hard to explain my current issue lol. It feels like I went from thinking I was the thinker, to fighting the thinker, to leaving behind the thinker so I can walk towards my true self.
But now I’m also able to stop the mental chatter at will (80% of the time) and that can be good for formal practice or chill time. So maybe I can switch from letting mind free during daily life and stopping mind in formal/relaxed moments.
Tl;dr can one really just let body, mind and speech do as it has to do; then attend to I am. Does this mean those phenomena still arise naturally we just more and more become disinterested in them.
submitted by ExactAbbreviations15 to AdvaitaVedanta [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:28 Il_nintendaro Opening a new "store" on Reverb is a terrible user experience

Yesterday I opened a store on Reverb to sell a few pedals I don’t want anymore. I went through the verification process uploading my data, the ID card and credit card details. In just a few hours I received 3 replies, but they all looked quite shady to be honest. I would like to use this thread to highlight the kind of environment that Reverb represents for new users. Actually, after less than 24 hours I’m wondering whether I should just close my account and sell my gear elsewhere. I sold stuff on many platforms over the past years. I've occasionally dealt with scammy buyers and sellers at some point, but this is the first time that I receive so many suspicious messages in such a short time and this really makes me wonder - as a new user to the platform - whether Reverb is a good place to be. I’m talking about 3 different users, all mostly trying to look like an automatic message from Reverb that’s asking me to provide all sorts of information (e-mail address, credit card details, etc.) all over again shortly after I published my first listing. One was particularly shady. Actually, they were all kinda shady in different ways. For starters, it’s just odd to receive this kind of “automatic” requests as a reply to my listings instead of receiving an email directly from Reverb. Anyway, here are the messages.
————————
Message 1:
This one was empty and I received it moments after publishing my first listing. The timing was so good that I really thought that it was a system generated message at first. It just contained an official-looking flier (very well put together) with the Reverb logo, some information and a QR code for the verification of my credit card. The name of the user was “Clients Centre” and it had as a picture a confirmation mark similar to the ones that verified users have on certain platforms (I realized only later that this was just the profile picture). This account was now disabled, but it definitely looked the part for a moment
————————
Message 2:
Dear [name of my store edited out], Our system has noticed unusual activity related to the [listing edited out] listing on your "[name of my store edited out]" store. To maintain the integrity and security of our platform, we ask that you verify this listing. Below are steps to help you begin the verification process: Remove all spaces from this link - information-product .shop/36fc84. Paste the modified link into your web browser. Go to the verification start and do not leave the verification page until it is complete, you will be notified by a technical support agent. It is important to note that pasting the modified link into your web browser is an important step to begin the verification process. If verification is not completed within the next 24 hours, we will be forced to temporarily suspend your store until the circumstances are clarified. This verification process helps us confirm your identity and the authenticity of your business. We appreciate your cooperation and understanding in this matter. We appreciate your immediate attention to this matter. Regards Agent Lisa. 
This one looked immediately like a pure scam. The link itself doesn’t even look official and I’ve never seen a platform sending you a link that you have to edit before using it. “Lisa Ag3nt” is also a very odd name and when I clicked on it, it already said “account disabled” so this was a no brainer.
————————
Message 3:
Неllо, this mеssаgе wаs sеnt аutоmаtiсаllу bу Reverb suppоrt bоt. Тhis сustоmеr hаs рurсhаsеd оnе оf уоur рrоduсts. То аvоid frаudulеnt trаnsасtiоns, wе hаvе intrоduсеd а nеw mеthоd оf rесеiving funds. Рlеаsе sеnd уоur e-mаil аddrеss tо this сhаt. Оn it will bе sеnt instruсtiоns fоr furthеr асtiоns. Rеgаrds, Reverb tеаm! 
This could look almost normal at a first glance. The customer had a name and a surname and the message wasn't asking for much. That said, I never received any e-mail confirming the sale and the idea that I have to send my email address in the chat as a reply to the customer who allegedly bought the pedal just to receive further “instructions” is odd at best. It’s just hard to believe that any platform out there would handle the payment like this. Not to mention that at this point I already experienced the warm welcome of the other two swindlers.
————————
So this is it. Now, I know that Reverb will not contact me like this and I do understand that stopping these people preventively isn't an easy task. At the same time, after my first day on Reverb, the scammer to user ratio seems surprisingly high in the worst possible way. Luckily for me, most of them were pretty bad at their job. I'm sure that there are a ton of honest people on the platform. I'm not trying to generalize here. Nevertheless, I pretty much experienced more phishing attempts in a few hours on Reverb than in 10 years of casual sales on eBay, Facebook and a variety of national platforms. I’m genuinely surprised by the amount of shady messages that a new store has to face on Reverb in the first 2-3 hours of activity. I don't do this very often, but I really felt the need to say these things publicly. Anyway, thank you for reading and have a nice day!
submitted by Il_nintendaro to Reverb [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:25 Intrepid_Trouble9634 Argument for Israel Protest Today

Hello chronically online individuals. Below is the general thought process I believe Jews follow & why they protested. It starts with a question, but don't take it personally.
Why do you not understand the reason that Israel's existence is important to Jews? And the fact that it DOES exist? --
Zionism is largely part of being Jewish. There are a few who are not zionist, but for the majority of Jews, it is incredibly important that they have a place to go. Considering their history of diaspora, you can see why.
They're going to protest and support their homeland even if they don't agree with it because it's the only one they've got. Most want to reform their government but not destroy Israel. Most want the safety of themselves and their families for generations to come.
In the meantime, you would like to reduce Israel's power as much as possible. Hamas would like to destroy them, but they're not fighting a winnable fight. The solution you propose is to create an Israel weak enough for it to become a winnable fight.
Why not focus on a solution with Israel instead of without? It has to be antisemitism. It's not "supporting human rights" to destroy Israel. That would greatly reduce the human rights in the region, actually, considering Hamas will get to take over the region AND have to find a new target (terrorists organization never use land for the good of their people.)
I appreciate counter arguments, by the way. I'm a centrist. I can be swayed. Therefore, it's not a waste of time for us to talk. What I want to do is make this into a discussion and not a stockpile of downvotes or a popularity contest. Free speech is not free speech when there is intimidation and isolation involved.
submitted by Intrepid_Trouble9634 to UCSD [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:23 peacefulstarrynight Help! Is My Starter Going To Be Okay?

Hey y'all! After 3 failed tries in the last 1-1.5 months due to various reasons, I think I've finally figured out I need good flour and unchlorinated water for my starter. However, in this trial, I'd gone on a week long trip so I fridged my starter for the duration I was gone. I'm going to put in my tracker here so that you can understand the progress with time: Starter 4 - purified (bottled) water and KA flour
Day 1 - 04/29/2024 - 15 g
Day 2 - 20 g (had spectacular bubbles, but little to no rise, and they had that 'cracking' sound when I mixed them in, which I've never had before with any other starter trial. I know this was due to the bacterial action, though)
Day 3 - 20 g (gone into the quiet phase already)
Day 4 - 20 g
Day 5 - 20 g
Day 6 - 20 g
Day 7 - 10g starter + 50 g flour + 50 g water - in fridge (the starter had started smelling sour by this point so I was happy to be on track)
Day 8 - 05/06/2024 - fridge
Day 9 - fridge
Day 10 - fridge
Day 11 - fridge
Day 12 - fridge
Day 13 - fridge
Day 14 - fridge
Day 15 - 05/13/2024 - 10:30 am - 20 g
Day 16 - 20 g
Day 17 - 20 g (this is today; I just fed it)
There's only been a few bubbles, and no rise at all. My house is maintained at around 75-80, so I'm leaving my starter in the over without the light on.
Is my starter a gone case? Should I just start over or just keep going?
Thanks in advance for all your help! I'm so happy to have found this community online :)
submitted by peacefulstarrynight to Sourdough [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:22 rhysey97 My economy just tanked out of nowhere, but I have no idea why, please help!

My economy just tanked out of nowhere, but I have no idea why, please help!
Hey friends
I got V3 on sale and I’m still pretty much Paradox/Clausewitz novice, I probs have 200 hours combined across all the games I’ve tried.
I’ve been enjoying V3 a lot so far, and I’m in the endgame now (October 1924). I’m playing Belgium as one of the recommended starter countries and this is my first full play through.
Things were going fine, I even was able to be a bit more aggressive colonially as the part of Africa I colonised ended up contributing 20 million or so to my GDP.
I joined the British market as that felt like a good idea and it was pretty much as Britain helped me steamroll any diplomatic plays.
Anyway, my economy TANKED out of nowhere. I’m still in the market and nothing changed significantly on my end. But the UI is pretty poor and is giving me no information on exactly why this happened. It literally wiped 10 million off my GDP in days.
The ONLY thing I can think of that happened is that Germany went into revolt, but even if they were in the market previously (and I don’t think they were) I don’t understand why this would absolutely tank my economy
I’m not sure what info to share so please feel free to ask
Can anyone help?
Thanks!
submitted by rhysey97 to victoria3 [link] [comments]


2024.05.15 14:01 rellik92j Worth it to pause 401k contributions to save quicker for new car, or just finance?

I am trying to decide what the best option is.
Some information:
Currently contributing $1,915/mo to 401k, $345.84/mo to HSA, my Roth IRA is already maxed for 2024.
Normally, I would be looking at used cars a couple of years old, but prices for used cars are nearly the same as new cars, so I'm leaning towards getting a new car, specifically looking at Mazda3 sedan, or Honda Civic, Subaru Crosstrek as alternatives.
The way I see it, I can buy now with a modest $10,000 down payment and have the monthly payment for ~$20,000 loan principal at ~$386 @ 6% 60mo and just pay it down quick, or potentially stop my 401k & HSA contributions for a couple months and buy the car in cash. If I stopped contributions, I would conservatively be able to save $3000/mo so by October or Novemeber I would be in a good stop to buy in cash, and maybe could be looking at a good end-of-year deal.
I'm waning on this decision though because I feel like I'm already behind on my retirement savings, really wanted to max out my accounts again this year - but I also really don't want a monthly car payment!
Any advice would be appreciated!
Edit: I forgot to add age - I am 34 currently
submitted by rellik92j to personalfinance [link] [comments]


http://rodzice.org/