Journal of Other Forum Analysis

[JoeBoy101]

So, was reading the following thread on Argentina’s economic crisis…

https://www.resetera.com/threads/zero-capacity-to-save-argentina-buckles-under-103-inflation.709040/

Came upon this gem exchange:

Most of my friends voted for Milei, they said, and I quote: "Fuck the establishment"

wow your friends sound like morons.

Also the price of the USD just shot up 22% due to the election results. 22% devaluation in one day. Man I love this shitty country. I want to fucking die.

Yes, the non-moron path is to wallow in suffering, hating your country and wanting to die.

[Taco Bell Tower]

https://www.resetera.com/threads/zero-capacity-to-save-argentina-buckles-under-103-inflation.709040/page-3#post-110419456

User Banned (Permanent): Alt-right trolling

Thank God he won. Imagine voting for Massa and then come in here and said that this guy Milei is a clown lol

[benji]

Dumbass friends voting for an economic program that's worked every time it's tried rather than the same old system that's ruined Argentina's economy and currency countless times while enriching only the politically connected. Sometimes I wonder what the point even is if we don't get to the take some asado, leave some asado system we deserve rather than the soulless one that increases everyone's wealth and happiness. 

[books]

Nice to know mods are experts in messy Argentinean politics.

[Besticus Maximus]

Everyone signing up to resetera from Argentina would be banned instantly in a consistent world

A country that literally erased its slave population and has spent the 20th century as a hyper capitalist  imperialist (and literal fascist, Madonna made a musical about it) basket case

[benji]

Argentina's close enough to Peru for me to not care whatever anyone from there has to say, especially when Brazil is right next door and full of culture free from capitalism, colonialism and white supremacy.

[HaughtyFrank]

Nice to know mods are experts in messy Argentinean politics.

Studying politics is pretty easy when the only question you have is who the good guys and who the bad guys are

[Eric Cartman]

Knowing how era thinks, I'm pretty sure Argentina are The Good Guys because Falklands

[benji]

Nice to know mods are experts in messy Argentinean politics.

Studying politics is pretty easy when the only question you have is who the good guys and who the bad guys are

And the Good Guys are whoever I'm identifying with at the moment based on social cues from others who are similarly doing the same based on entirely superficial parochial knowledge I will stretch to the utmost to fit my pre-existing simplistic black-and-white views about popular American partisan politics.

[benji]

But mostly I'm just worried about how this borderline meaningless election result in a country I don't know anything about will affect trans people in the English speaking world. And whether the cis "allies" will actually do anything for them as a result.

[benji]

Speaking of which, TWO WHOLE HOURS:

[BIONIC]

arguably the most thorough and well-researched account

I have my doubts

[benji]

I mean, it might be the only one:

[JoeBoy101]

The other amusing item of that Argentine thread is how everything is viewed through the Trump Lens. Literally.

I mean, I wouldn't say Milei is equal to Trump, he's reactionary and just yells that he's going to destroy the political class and that in turn makes the insane amount of people whose lost faith in politicians here to do anything in their favor (and who can blame you if you have, we have an insane economic crisis, security issues. I mean, an 11 year old was murdered on her way to school last Thursday just to name one example). But while he does this, thankfully, he's still missing the racist/neo-nazi component of Trump, Bolsonaro or Giorgia Meloni.
I'm sure that something like that could pop up (there are political leaders like that already but they barely get any votes and they've existed here since forever) given enough time considering that this all seems like a massive political movement happening on a worldwide scale, but I guess we'll see.

 

Trump, Bolsonaro and Meloni all ran on a heavy anti-political sentiment. He also 100% has the neo-nazi component, just look at his party.

Argentina is absolutely fucked if this guy is elected.

Anti-establishment rhetoric is a trumper red flag. Good to know Trum- has had that influence since, oh, I dunno. Since the polling box was invented?

Yes, he gives massive incel vibes too.

It's a Trump situation: a man who by all accounts should immediately be seen as a complete clown by anyone with a modicum of common sense propped up as the people's champion because he's not like other politicians.

[benji]

Yes, he gives massive incel vibes too.

this all seems like a massive political movement happening on a worldwide scale

ResetERA.com does not allow its members to post conspiracy theories.

[benji]

Trump and Bolsonaro didn't run on "anti-political" sentiment at all, they ran on "I can do the politics better by emphasizing the contradictions and serving up ceaseless rhetorical red meat rather than changing anything" which is pretty much exactly what Obama and Hillary ran on too.

"You're going to be tired of winning so much" isn't anti-politics, what do you think the "winning" is referring to?

[Taco Bell Tower]

https://www.resetera.com/threads/who-are-the-most-popular-iconic-human-pok%C3%A9mon-game-not-anime-characters.753046/
TheEchosOfTheCyborg

It's oddly not a topic I see often in Pokémon circles though one I sometimes get curious about.

Usually when I see discussion or articles talking about the most popular human characters in Pokémon, it's always anime focused or at least focuses on character's appearance in the anime over the games which can often be quite different (or in the case of Sabrina, her personality just seems to differ in every different piece of media she's in) and with others, their anime versions can be really disliked compared to their game counterparts like with Erika. And of course you have the many people to this day who treat Red and Ash as one and the same or base their opinions on Team Rocket solely on the Anime's Doronbo Gang inspired trio.

So this thread is about discussing who are are the most popular and iconic human characters from the Pokémon games, mostly ignoring their popularity and roles in the anime though in some cases that's a bit hard like with Misty and Brock who's expanded roles in later games are most likely due to how popular they became because of their anime adaptations.

Who do you think are the most popular and iconic human characters from the games?

From what I've gathered from over the years:
Gen 1: Oak, Blue, Lance, Giovanni and Red (with Green/Leaf having a small dedicated fandom). Misty and Brock as well though how much is also anime influence and push is hard too say.
Gen 2: Silver
Gen 3: Wally and Steven
Gen 4: Cynthia and Looker
Gen 5: N, Rosa and Iris, the latter especially post BW2
Gen 6: Oddly I don't really see many of the Gen6 humans brought up.
Gen 7: Guzma (especially in the West), Lillie, Gideon and Acerola
Gen 8: Marnie and Raihan, with Nessa having a dedicated fanbase in the west.
Gen 9: Hard to say right now because it's been less than a year and so new, Rika with WlW and lesbians and I know Penny, Arven and Nemona are also popular right now, with Nemona the one TPC seem to be pushing
Also personally I've always been fan of Gardenia and Bugsy.

What do you think?

The irony of Cyborg there is how much they loathe seeing sexy female characters in video games yet has a Anna Williams in their pfp.

[Besticus Maximus]

It’s okay being a massive nonce when you’re an anime avatar lesbian apparently

Make no mistake they are genuine nonces

[Boredfrom]

1692035528[/url]']
Trump and Bolsonaro didn't run on "anti-political" sentiment at all, they ran on "I can do the politics better by emphasizing the contradictions and serving up ceaseless rhetorical red meat rather than changing anything" which is pretty much exactly what Obama and Hillary ran on too.

"You're going to be tired of winning so much" isn't anti-politics, what do you think the "winning" is referring to?

So… Populism?

[benji]

Populism is a vague worthless concept that tells you nothing of value but stupid people use repeatedly to pretend to be smart and informed. If the standard in democracies was candidates appealing to the dominance of an elite class over the masses then maybe it'd mean something.

However, you would have a rather unique position on this subject considering the history of the PRI.

[Hap Shaughnessy]

https://www.resetera.com/threads/magoo-reportedly-dead-at-50.752941/

I have to wonder if he saw this coming.

[HaughtyFrank]

RE after Summer Game Fest: "Ugh, you couldn't bring at least one woman on stage?"

RE now "Ugh, why only one woman"

https://www.resetera.com/threads/geoff-keighley-confirms-opening-night-live-will-have-at-least-1-woman-on-stage-more-than-the-entirety-of-summer-games-fest-2023.753097/

This sort of head counting always just seems dumb. Like apparently it doesn't matter at all who is showing up or what they're presenting, it's just about statistics and then you can pat yourself on the back and claim that society is better now.

[Taco Bell Tower]

RE after Summer Game Fest: "Ugh, you couldn't bring at least one woman on stage?"

RE now "Ugh, why only one woman"

https://www.resetera.com/threads/geoff-keighley-confirms-opening-night-live-will-have-at-least-1-woman-on-stage-more-than-the-entirety-of-summer-games-fest-2023.753097/

This sort of head counting always just seems dumb. Like apparently it doesn't matter at all who is showing up or what they're presenting, it's just about statistics and then you can pat yourself on the back and claim that society is better now.

OP in the op

Edit: this is a genuine thread with the goal of celebrating diversity in games, please don’t derail.

[HaughtyFrank]

Geoff Keighley liked an Elon Musk tweet as recently as 3 days ago. Fuck him.

[Taco Bell Tower]

https://www.resetera.com/threads/patricia-hernandez-editor-in-chief-is-leaving-kotaku.753073/#post-110429038
Chindogg

Hernandez was the spearhead of all those awful clickbait article titles and actively harassed a few writers under her to the point where they left the company. She won't be missed.

Can you share a source for this? Tried to google but only saw old links that look tied to g***rg***.

Why censor it when Ree won't shut up about it

[Taco Bell Tower]

https://www.resetera.com/threads/geoff-keighley-confirms-opening-night-live-will-have-at-least-1-woman-on-stage-more-than-the-entirety-of-summer-games-fest-2023.753097/#post-110429944
sbenji

Why is the woman an actress instead of one of the many in the industry making games? Seems like there is still an opportunity for improvement here…

Couldn't find woman

Interested in games

So had to pay actress

To feign interest in games

JFC

[Taco Bell Tower]

Geoff Keighley liked an Elon Musk tweet as recently as 3 days ago. Fuck him.

Triggergappytel

Wait, really? What sort of tweets are we talking about?

Madlaughter

Typically the more mundane ones about supposed features twitter is adding (video calls etc), though one of the more recent ones is Elon claiming he's going to fight Zuckerberg in the Roman Colosseum.

But regardless, Elon's a transphobic POS and Keighley clearly doesn't care.

Yet they continue to use Twitter/X 

[Uncle]

[HaughtyFrank]

https://www.resetera.com/threads/geoff-keighley-confirms-opening-night-live-will-have-at-least-1-woman-on-stage-more-than-the-entirety-of-summer-games-fest-2023.753097/#post-110429944
sbenji

Why is the woman an actress instead of one of the many in the industry making games? Seems like there is still an opportunity for improvement here…

Couldn't find woman

Interested in games

So had to pay actress

To feign interest in games

JFC

When you're so eager to get your anti-sexist joke in you accidentally make a sexist joke

[Potato]

https://www.abc.net.au/everyday/when-online-communities-get-a-bit-cultish/102679066

Is your online community a little bit culty? These are the signs

When Rae was pregnant with her first child, she joined a car seat safety group online for advice.

While helpful information was on offer, the Perth local aged in her 30s describes an "undercurrent of nastiness" led by an "army of cult-like followers" in the group.

She says even people who share they are doing the right thing by law can be "ripped to shreds" and "bombarded with rants and accusations" if a member doesn't deem it as safe.

We're not suggesting the group Rae joined is an actual cult.

But there are elements to some online communities that resonate with "total control groups", explains Martine Kropkowski, a higher degree research candidate at the University of Queensland who is looking at the role language and community-generated narratives play in coercing and controlling members of cult-like organisations.

"Using the word cult too much really diminishes the very painful and harmful practices of actual cults and we need to mindful of that," she warns.

But in the context of problematic online communities, Ms Kropkowski says "there is something worth interrogating there".

"When people use the world culty they are referring to a group that displays one or some of those methods that we commonly see in that total control group of what we call a cult."

So what are those methods, and how do we spot them when all we want is to bask in the love and support of a like-minded community?

What does it mean when we say culty or cultish?
A cult is a type of large social group that uses strategic methods to attract members, maintain its ideology, and coerce and control members into doing what the leader wants, explains Ms Kropkowski.

You might have seen that unfold in one of the many cult documentaries available on streaming services these days, where there is usually one charismatic leader.

That can look different in online groups, explains Ms Kropkowksi, because "they don't always have a central leader".

She says cults will usually have a vernacular that doesn't have meaning outside of the cult, exploit members for labour or finances, limit basic human rights, restrict access to loved ones and have high exit costs (not necessarily financial).

"A member will often display this feverish devotion and loyalty in a kind of performance way," Ms Kropkowski says.

Online communities that are culty or cultish may not have all these traits, but exhibit some form of psychological or emotional manipulation.

Margarit Davtian is a cult survivor and educator based in Los Angeles.

She uses her experience and background in applied psychology with a concentration in consumer behaviour to shed light on cult psychology via her podcast, Conscious Revolution.

Culty communities she's come across include health and wellness groups, self-help communities, fan pages, coaching scams and multi-level marketing.

Like the car-seat safety group Rae joined, Ms Davtian says: "I've seen parenting and child-rearing groups get pretty culty as well, where they promote a strict parenting philosophy with rigid guidelines."

Even something as innocuous as hair styling can attract followers who brutally shut down differing opinions.

Bonnie Duncan says what she thought was an online space to learn about taming her locks was more "like a religion".

The Queenslander aged in her 30s says if anyone posted about methods outside of those recommended by the group, they would be "torn to shreds", adding the vibe was "really toxic".

A healthy and supportive online community is open to feedback from its members and embraces opposing viewpoints, Ms Davtian says.

"Whereas a culty community will prioritise group loyalty over critical thinking and demonise opposing viewpoints."

The signs to look for
While the consequences of being a part of an online community that's a bit culty might not be as devastating as joining an actual cult, Ms Davtian says people can still experience compromised mental, emotional and even physical well-being.

People may cut ties with family and friends who don't share the views of the group or experience a loss of self and identity, she warns.

Rae is still a member of the car seat safety group. She has notifications turned off and only engages when seeking specific advice.

Ms Kropkowski says the best way to determine if a group is a little but culty is to ask if it seems high-demand.

"We join groups because we are social creatures and yearn to belong.

"If you feel good when you are there and that group is not making any demands of you, then that is probably a healthy group," she says.

If, however, it is asking for financial commitment, making social demands or saying you should perform and behave in certain ways, that could be concerning, Ms Kropkowski says.

"Is this group asking you to hate, or ostracise a group of people or behaviour?" she says.

"That would be a big red flag."

Ms Davtian says you can be involved in an online community "without joining their cult" by "maintaining healthy boundaries and practising a healthy dose of doubt and skepticism".

"Don't go all in. Take what serves you, leave the rest."

While this article isn't about Resetera, it IS about Resetera.


She's from one of the universities in my city. I kind of want to send her a link to Resetera for her research.