Hyperreality

We have likely bought many, often after lying to ourselves about it.

Do two wrongs make a right?

Also:

Tu quoque (/tjuːˈkwoʊkwi, tuːˈkwoʊkweɪ/;[1] Latin Tū quoque, for "you also") is a discussion technique that intends to discredit the opponent's argument by attacking the opponent's own personal behavior and actions as being inconsistent with their argument, therefore accusing hypocrisy. This specious reasoning is a special type of ad hominem attack. The Oxford English Dictionary cites John Cooke's 1614 stage play The Cittie Gallant as the earliest use of the term in the English language.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tu_quoque

Given their videos were so highly ranked, the prevalence of coercion in the industry, and the fact that it's often impossible to tell if someone's been threatened behind the scenes, it's highly likely that most people reading this who have watched porn online have also watched plenty of videos of actual rapes.

This is a simple fact, but one which a lot of people would rather deny, rather than admit their part in perpetuating it, while wondering why watching porn makes them sad. Partly, I suspect, because deep down they know the truth of it.

Last time this story was posted, this was two updates ago. So unless you haven't upvoted in months, it's a non-issue.

Smith has issues.

He's rich enough to afford therapy. He should work on himself rather than take his own issues out on others.

You can see people like this coming a mile off, especially as they get older.

Europe:

1. 'Local' stores were/are often ridiculously overpriced, had a very limited range, and it's not like we're talking about independent stores either. Many of those were killed by the unfair practices of large corporate chains who would sell at a loss. Before amazon killed chain mall businesses, the mall killed independent businesses on the high street.
2. Packages are delivered to me personally. If I'm not there, they don't deliver and are forced to try another time.
3. No need for a PO box, as small independent stores and grocery stores often have a side hussle as a pick-up point. You go to pick-up your parcel and buy something in their store or do your groceries.
4. Amazon prime is entirely unnecessary. You simply have to wait a bit longer.
5. You can find independent sellers on amazon, then if their product is good, you buy from them directly next time around.
6. Thanks to amazon, ebay, etc. it's become far easier to buy second hand products. In the past you'd have to go to a second hand market, garage sales or visit twenty vintage/antique stores to find what you needed.

Amazon is evil though. So, yeah.

But there are perfectly rational reasons to use amazon.

Fun fact: Incense was historically used for funerary purposes. It hides the smell of decaying bodies. It's also used in some churches, pilgrims can be very smelly. The egyptians used frankincense for mummification.

The smell is probably from the sewer btw. It's possible the water level in one of the sinks or toilets is too low, but your grandfather doesn't notice the smell anymore. It may be enough to simply run the taps a bit.

Or your grandpa murdered someone and hid them under the floorboards.

If AI does go rouge, is because it was either poorly designed, or we have failed as a species.

I don't think AI is at risk of going communist any time soon.

It may go rogue though.

A few years ago I bought a xiaomi fitness tracker for 30 euros. Used every day until I got bored of it. Left it in a drawer for a year, tried it recently, still works just fine.

Not that I'd necessarily recommend getting one, but if the battery on yours is already dead, I agree that is suspiscious. Sounds like it's by design.

Location data, when you're home/not home, which room you're likely in/not in. Data that costs almost nothing to produce, but can be sold for millions.

Bulbs tell them when you're in the kitchen, bathroom, bedroom, etc. Relatively easy to combine it with smart tv, smart watch, security cam, and app/phone data to identify you exactly.

Combine it all and it's likely they'd be able to identify you exactly and identify what you're doing with a high degree of certainty, then micro-target you with ads or propaganda.

Honestly, there comes a point where you'd have more privacy shoving a camera up your ass. Less privacy than the DDR.

Same thing for (international) politics too, obviously.

That and endless content and comment reposts.

It was bad when I left, it's gotten worse now that some of the better mods and more prolific posters have left.

Honestly, I've seen what happens in care homes and hospitals, and have heard enough horror stories.

Unless you're lucky enough to have good kids, who are able to visit often and take care of your interests, the last decade of your life can be utterly horrible and sad.

Yes, that is why I don't have a significant retirement fund. It's all part of my plan. /s