Exactly.

Personally, I call it “python mode” since you’re staying on the “happy path” and let the program just crash out if those expectations aren’t met.

I didn’t believe it either, but yup:

LD S1E8 “Veritas”: Kurtwood Smith as Clar

You make an excellent case for mentorship in all this. Thank you for that. Upon reading all this, it never dawned on me that was even how anyone navigated poly.

But it also seems to be a crucible for learning how to negotiating needs and figuring out how to talk about it openly with each other to build connection - and that process both requires and builds respect for your partners.

I can say, with confidence, that even if one completely fails to leave the hypothetical realm with their monogamous partner, the thought-exercise alone carries some of these benefits. Polyamory forces the need to do some hard work, but there’s no need to actually go there when hypothetical scenarios are just as provocative. In fact, it might even function on some level for platonic relationships, where sharing time with others is a concern.

At first, it uncovers things like jealousy, envy, and co-dependence. So you hit the books - all the poly literature out there lays out how to navigate these common issues. For the rest there’s psychotherapy, which is probably needed to grow as individuals, since all those toxic behaviors are usually rooted in trauma. From there one can become stronger, and hopefully so does their relationship(s).

And poly guys aren’t going to meltdown. They are ok with a no, they are emotionally braced for that and have been through worse feelings already. And they have other relationships to fall back on.

This never occurred to me. Thank you for this invaluable insight.

Also, we should keep in mind that their profession - acting like someone other than their actual selves - is damn handy for masking all sorts of awful behavior.

I’ll believe it to be sincere when she either resigns or fails to run for re-election.

Yeast is anaerobic, meaning that it doesn’t need access to air to metabolize sugars into CO2. So it’s not gonna stop expanding once down the drain. Add to that the very sticky dough surrounding it, and you basically have a recipe ideal for clogging a sewer drain.

PSA: Kidding aside, never do this.

These look like props from a Troma film.

I have literally taken notes on my phone in real-time to resolve some of this. Both to track whatever firehose is aimed at my ear-holes, and to recall points I wanted to make 10 minutes ago, because I couldn’t get a word in edgewise.

When asked what I was doing, I simply reply “I have to take notes - there’s too much information here.” It goes over surprisingly well.

do I have ADHD? […] she has been told she has ADHD.

We have a tendency to cluster up, so the odds are really good, yes.

Depending on the people involved? Actually, yes. There are familial and regional differences - let’s chalk it up to culture - where you either wait politely, or interrupt the fuck out of everyone else constantly. Clashes between these two groups are never pretty.

I’ll do you one better: you know the entire point they’re trying to make two sentences ahead of where they are.

One time, I had my shares reduced in value when my employer sold. I didn’t know they could just write them off at $0.

I suppose it could be argued that, as an “investment” stock’s value (even pre-IPO) is fungible and not guaranteed. Still, this smells like theft.

I had something close to this. They were hot garbage at invites and really didn’t care about each other all that much. Accepting? Sure. Needing care? It was worse than group therapy. Most conversations were a one-way, somewhat transactional affair.

I’m still looking. :)

Short stories:

• Flowers for Algernon
• I have no mouth and I must scream

Short-ish:

• Of mice and men
• Brave new world

IIRC, there were human survivors and hold-outs, but not many. Consequently, the vampire’s numbers were also rather small in turn. It was all a slow-moving apocalypse.

Really, it’s only just good enough of a backdrop for some really solid gameplay, set-pieces, and great voice-acting (well, for Soul Reaver anyway).

also the Empire had a space program

Easily one of the best unintentional “easter eggs” I’ve seen in a video game.

Meanwhile, in Legacy of Kain:

Vampires: Uh, boss? You corrupted the pillars of Nosgoth - which is great and all - but now the sun kinda/sorta doesn’t work anymore. It’s always dusk.

Kain: So what you’re saying is that we vampires can move around freely. All the time. Excellent.

Vampires: Won’t that eventually kill all the humans? Yanno, with no food and all?

Kain: ::shrugs:: Fuck 'em.

What’s worse is that I can easily see them deliver these lines with straight faces and the wit to make the joke land.

Miles: It’s vile!

Quark: I know, it’s so dark, and lingering, and bitter.