It’s never stopped the US from selling them modern-for-the-time F-15s, their advanced versions, and other advanced weapons systems. Or Europe from selling them the Eurofighter Typhoon.

I’m not saying this is the same or not a horrible decision full of corruption. Just that SA has been a longstanding strategic ally that has received a lot of military support from Western countries.

This sale is horrible for many reasons including military intelligence. However a lot of the responses seem a bit ignorant of the current state of things. I’m sure there are lots of key technologies in materials, aerospace engineering, and digital warfare let alone the strategic intelligence of capabilities. However, China also already has many of the F-35 plans, enough to build a version of their own in the J-35. These fighters are also no longer next gen fighters. They are current 5th gen. Both US and China are developing their next 6th gen fighters.

It doesn’t read to me like they think it’s impressive. It reads to me like they they are clarifying their market.

A challenge will be how many laptop PC users who game on it because that’s all they have/can afford can be converted into steam machine buyers.

Lol with multiple gaming PCs, you are far far removed from the target consumer. Im pretty sure it will be cheap. Unlike PC hardware manufacturers they can do what the console companies do and price at/below cost and make it up in game sales.

The answer is yes. For we all contain multitudes.

No problem, I can be direct. There are two things.

1. The OP suggests making reservations is “less than” by calling it embarrassing. So the framing around teenage/adult was a clap back against the original diminishing of making reservations.

2. The pontificating about right food/time/people was to highlight the meaningful purposes that are often behind making a “spaghetti appointment”–spending time with loved ones, engaging with a life passion, or even doing something therapeutic–which the OP neglects.

This does not suggest that spontaneous food activities are less than, nor does it suggest that one cannot prefer one thing while appreciating the value of another. They are not mutually exclusive.

Oh cool! With the Internet these days it’s not always obvious, but this is a fine example showing the signs of the teenage mind. The post is preoccupied with the notion of embarrassment, the ultimate death in that social environment.

More importantly, their young brains have yet to develop the experience and wisdom to comprehend the existential seriousness of the spaghetti appointment. Adults can be stunted in maturity, never developing emotionally nor intellectually, they dive headfirst into the most extremes of political and moral insanity…

But one thing that marks a true adult is upholding the sacred spaghetti appointment. Across all cultures and creeds around the world, adults understand that the right food at the right time with the right people is one of the most important appointments one must make.

It’s not a strawman. Just because the proportions aren’t as extreme as you expected doesn’t mean it’s not an issue. Just because we’re talking about the gap here doesn’t dismiss the overall problem of isolation. There are many many threads talking about the problem of social isolation overall. Go engage in those threads that are addressing the problem you’re newly woke to and are holding so urgently now instead of bickering in here about who should be talking about what where.

That’s giving some all lives matter energy. We can talk about why everyone is so closed off in general, but this thread clearly focuses on a particular men’s issue under that umbrella issue. So no, we should talk about the topic, not hijack it for “a larger issue”.

I’m a thread about the wage gap between men and women (10-15%), you don’t say “We should be talking about why the economy is struggling instead”

In a thread about the incarceration gap between blacks and whites, you don’t say “We should be talking about why crime is up overall instead”

You make a great point about society needing to change, and a particular men’s issue doesn’t mean only men need to change, it actually does speak to how broader society considers what it is to be a man. How men decide that for themselves, are socialized by their environment into it, and how they’re treated by other genders. Just as women’s issues are human issues, men’s issues are human issues too.

The reason why Valve has a chance whereas Asus and Lenovo do not is that the latter two have to make a profit off of the hardware, whereas Nintendo/Microsoft/Sony can sell at a loss/cost because they earn it back and more through game sales. Valve is in the same position so can price competitively against the big 3.

I’m bracing myself for the Steam Frame to be around $700-800. The monochrome pass through might seem like a downgrade, but mixed reality is also not part of what valve wants to do with the headset, i.e. focus on VR. Everything else seems like they might be pricey upgrades, especially with the eye tracking and streaming tech. They also shifted manufacturing to the US due to tariffs.

That’s a historical text interpretation of the Bible, which is legit to me. However I’d say only a minority of practicing Christians regard it that way. With the rest, you have more fundamentalist views of the Bible as the literal word of God and the flexible view of it as metaogorical teachings inspired by God. Therefore these views treat the Bible specifically as authoritative, timeless, and divine, elevating it above a mere human document and transcendent of historical context. Timothy 3:17 seems to reflect the common idea that “the Bible is the only book you need”.

I do agree that one can make a historical argument for an interpretation of scripture, and maybe even do so in a way that reifies one’s personal relationship with God. However it doesn’t engage with the Bible the way most Christians do and therefore is not likely to be all that persuasive.

Exactly. People need to take in the full context. Here is the full chapter, with the quote in the final paragraph, which… Makes the quote even worse?

Instructions on Worship

2 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus, 6 who gave himself as a ransom for all people. This has now been witnessed to at the proper time. 7 And for this purpose I was appointed a herald and an apostle—I am telling the truth, I am not lying—and a true and faithful teacher of the Gentiles.

8 Therefore I want the men everywhere to pray, lifting up holy hands without anger or disputing. 9 I also want the women to dress modestly, with decency and propriety, adorning themselves, not with elaborate hairstyles or gold or pearls or expensive clothes, 10 but with good deeds, appropriate for women who profess to worship God.

11 A woman[a] should learn in quietness and full submission. 12 I do not permit a woman to teach or to assume authority over a man;[b] she must be quiet. 13 For Adam was formed first, then Eve. 14 And Adam was not the one deceived; it was the woman who was deceived and became a sinner. 15 But women[c] will be saved through childbearing—if they continue in faith, love and holiness with propriety.

Are trying to say Timothy 2:12 is old testament?

So you’re the asshole extorting people for sandwiches at $11 a pop!

Yes, you can save a bit of money and make something better at home, it may well be recommended.

But, that $11 doesn’t cover just the ingredients. It covers the time and effort you spent planning groceries, getting the groceries, 15 min making the hoagie, and perhaps packing it and bringing it to where you are. Consider how much you think your current job should be paying you and apply it to that whole process. All of that is what you’re spending instead of the $11. And for a lot of people that’s time well spent for sure, but it’s still time and effort that’s worth more than most give credit.

Sit the fuck down.