Men`s Society

7 months 1 week ago

"I never have time to post on here anymore, but this thread caught my attention. There were some great responses, but I'd have to say Omnidevil has the most realistic reply--humans are humans, regardless of sex, and qualifying human behaviors through historic social paradigms clouds the foundational adaptive nature of humans.

Regardless of social systems and comparisons to the animal kingdom as it relates to survival and threat response, sex does not dictate one's ability or mindset to participate in violence. Having been a martial arts teacher for many years and seen other instances where women were engaged in war-like behaviors, neither men or women have exclusivity or superiority. Women and men are equal in their ability to perform violent acts.

Though social systems have traditionally encompassed the view that women are the weaker sex, the expression "weaker" is a misnomer. As a semi-pro powerlifter competitor, I saw many instances of women who had the appearance of a "normal" female perform incredible feats of strength. While men are statistically stronger, it is not an absolute.

As for War and combat, particularly unmechanized, it is incorrect to make the assumption that physical strength is the decisive factor. When assessing combative abilities, speed and mobility are equally important, as is the ability to perform under the duress of pain (no male has experienced childbirth). If a male is 10x stronger than the female, but the female is 10x faster, who wins? Next would be the factor of mobility, both statically or dynamically. Next would come a factor of pain tolerance. While females are genetically conditioned for the pain of childbirth, the male combatant, through experience or a heightened masculine behaviors, may be able to exceed the female's genetic given.

Simply put, historical sex-based social systems are NOT an accurate gauge of the abilities of men and women to engage in war or even need-based hunter behaviors."
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Do you have a life outside of glorious Computer-Land?

1 year 2 weeks ago

"Life? Ha-ha!! Someday...

A word of advice from the old man (42): STEP AWAY FROM THE COMPUTER!

I've been working with/on/building/programming computers since 1979, and I can't think of any other "activity" that has caused more damage to my body. Nearly 30 years of "ghosting" has wracked my arms, back, legs and shoulders with injuries that will probably never heal--especially since my job requires a computer.

I'm a building architect (sometimes a software architect), and I spend 8-12 hours a day in front of the Screen of Doom. Add in EXTREMELY high stress since one fawk-up could kill hundreds of people (e.g.: theater collapsing from design failure), and you have a "nice" life that incorporates pain, high-blood pressure, and a 7-year prescription of Ambien.

I recently had an epiphany as I realized how damaged my body was (last month I got some bad news from the Doc). I've been lifting weights as a powerlifter for nearly 20 years, and in that time, I have NEVER hurt myself as badly as what sitting in front of a computer has done.

My left elbow is blown out currently from decades of rubbing it on the arm rest of a chair, and I recently tore my left hamstring--from sitting at the computer. Of course, I'm not quite sane, so I took up Burmese Muay Thai Kickboxing as therapy--torn hamstring and all. Doing Chinese martial arts for 20 years has helped me stay "alive" while the computer gives me a beat-down, but very, very OLD-SCHOOL Muay Thai training is whipping my azz back into shape: one excruciating painful day at a time. AHHH...nothing like having part of leg above the ankle split open about 1" from a "mild" kick from your instructor. Good times.

LESSON TO THE YOUNGIN's: Get some freaking exercise! Or even at least do some regular stretching. No one, and I mean NO ONE can use the excuse that they don't have time because of blah...blah. A simple program of 20-30 minutes a day is ALL you need.

"
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Most watched in one sitting

1 year 5 months ago

"Elfen Lied--one stop shopping. I wanted to scream, cry, and beat the hell of whoever made it for NOT making a second series. After consuming them all on one Sunday, I was ready to write up plausible scripts that carry the series on with Lucy/Nyu, send it to whoever is in charge and threaten them with bodily harm if a new season wasn't immediately begun.
That series made me crazy...and crazy in love with Lucy/Nyu.

EDIT: I watched the fansub version in one sitting. I later bought the uncut DVD's and re-watched it slowly to absorb the every detail."
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[Anime Discussion] Bamboo Blade

1 year 5 months ago

"Man-o-man, talk about a ridiculous anime. So ridiculous, my wife and I became addicted and burned through about 12 episodes in one sitting, watched a couple more a few days later, and then I fried my brain on the remaining in one night. The OP song is great and catchy, and my wife and I are going to add it to our "kawaii song list" with other OP's we listen to in the car.

As an aside, NOTHING beats the OP for Black Lagoon and Paradise Kiss--those are scorched into my brain. Wait...so is the OP for Chobits...Imagine a 225-lb tattooed, blue-haired, muscled freak driving around in a blue Corvette blasting the OP of Chobits or Bamboo Blade. Surreal at best.

Bamboo Blade did something unexpected--it rekindled my desire to try to remember all the Kendo I learned long ago (before most on this site were even born). Unfortunately, the Kendo I learned can only be described as the "Chinese guy who hated Japanese teaching a dumb gwailo Jew-don't ask any questions and do as I say" method. Although its been many years, I recognized the forms, but if I recall correctly, I learned Chinese names for the attacks and such (I can't even begin to remember how to pronounce them).

I also think the Chinese guy mixed in some traditional Chinese sword-fighting and samurai-style movements, because I learned an ambidextrous method, wherein I throw off right-hand opponents by fighting left-handed or vice versa and had to be able to switch back and forth in an instant. I noticed on Bamboo Blade that a right-handed dominate hold and attack was used almost exclusively.

I was excited when one chick fought with two Kendo swords as I also learned that, but I didn't use different sized weapons--mine was two normal Kendo swords in each hand.

All-in-all, Bamboo Blade has to be one of the more addicted and entertaining anime I've seen recently. If anyone has a link to a site with REAL Kendo information (the WWW is full of bullcrap sites), I'd be interested in checking it out. I'd love to fight at a Japanese school, but sadly, there are none near me.
"
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New car...

1 year 7 months ago

"Well, I have a 2003 Dodge Ram truck (red), a 2007 Corvette (blue), and recently bought a 2008 Chevrolet Equinox (black) in December.

I got an awesome deal on the Equinox, and we really needed a small SUV for travel. Also, my wife is only 22, so insurance is a liability for the truck and Corvette, and she hasn't learned to drive yet (let alone drive a stick-shift). Since its an automatic, my wife won't have as much trouble learning to drive. I really like the Equinox--AWD, excellent performance and quality for the price ($24,000).

When my daughter turns 18 in June, I'd like to give her my Corvette and buy the new Corvette ZR-1, but I haven't worked out how I'm going to round up $100,000. (ha-ha).

"
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Appleseed Ex Machina

1 year 7 months ago

"I'm very surprised that no one has any comments. Certainly, others are watching this DIVINE work. "
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Appleseed Ex Machina

1 year 8 months ago

"I haven't been around in awhile due to work, work, studying and more work--going back to college and working at 41 is a helluva lot harder that it was at 21.

Anyway, back to the topic on hand. Before I comment, I have to scream this:

"MERCIFUL GOD IN HEAVEN, GIVE ME MORE, MORE MORE! GARARGASD! I THINK I"M DRUNK AND STONED OFF THE ANIME & FX!!"

I just finished watching Appleseed Ex Machina (Blue-ray version), and I'm not quite coherent. I want to stop typing and watch it again...and again...and again. I then want to call up the pukes that shove the driveling offal from Hollywood into the theaters and on TV and tell them to immediately euthanize themselves, because they are inferior cretins wallowing in their own swill. Star Wars Part--whatever? George, baby, you suck--you made FX a common term, but your FX studios couldn't find their asses with a road map and a GPS. Go ahead, George. Watch Appleseed Ex Machina and then put the gun to your head.

I know--I'm supposed to be reviewing this, but I don't know where to begin, but I'll say this: APPLESEED EX MACHINA SETS THE STANDARD WHERE ALL WILL BE MEASURED AND FOUND WANTING!

You want eye-popping visuals and never-repeating backgrounds? Check. You want perfectly smooth animation that is so fluid, you feel like you could drink it? Oh, HELL yes! You want camera work and angles that make you feel like babble in a drunken glee? Put on that seatbelt, baby, because you're going to for a ride! You want a solid story with motion action and voices that are cohesive and attention-grabbing? Can I get an AMEN?!

Appleseed Ex Machina IS beyond compare are present. This IS that de facto standard which ALL animation and FX will be measured. Describing the bullet-effects alone could take days!

I'm going to stop here because I need to let things settle in and watch it again. I KNOW others will feel the way I do--we're the ones that will be preaching the GOSPEL OF APPLESEED EX MACHINA.

Can I get a Hallelujah! with that HD?I say, preach it!

"
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math=hard or easy??

2 years 1 month ago

" 1) for the math genius i wanna know how did you guys study...
2) does your parents get piss of if you didnt pass your math test?? my mum does!
3) your favourite topic( i don't have a favourite)
4) how much do you usually get for your math test? i you usually get 50 to 70..

1) I was a true-to-life-no-BS math genius...UNTIL I went to high school. During the summer before HS, I remember sitting in the library with my best friend and doing calculations to launch a rocket with a nuclear payload.

High school killed my brain. I was always an outcast and the socialization in high school did NOT set well with me. I literally woke up one day and could no longer do math. End result: I lost my mind and ended up getting degrees in art and English education. While I was a good artist (manga, fantasy illustration, historic buildings), I berate myself for wasting my time. And, I'm a helluva of a writer!

2) Oh, my mom was pissed. I failed all my math classes and was grounded for an entire school term to the last day--no reprieve.

3) I'll answer this at the end.

4) Currently, I get all A's on math exams.

Recently, I started taking math classes again, and I feel a trickle (a very small trickle) of my genius returning (I experience idiot savant moments). In fact, I have decided to finish up my Bachelors in Computer Science that I started 8 years ago and pursue my Master's in Math and a Phd. in Math/Astrophysics. I'm on the 10 year plan with this and hope to finish by the time I'm 50.

Why? I have math theories that are outrageous and feel I can prove them, particularly as it relates to space-fold mechanics. My first goal (proposed Master's thesis) is to create a PROPER mathematical system that is not based on the flawed base 10 that is the origin of what we currently use. I think in terms of quantum mathematics, but that really doesn't describe it. I will have to create an entire new symbology to represent my system. Our current math paradigm "kicks the door in" as opposed to "turning the handle."

For my Phd, I would prove it is possible by way of my math system for fold space and provide the mechanics for implementing it. Part has to do with non-linear formulation. True understanding of space-time requires you to be able to work formulas along 3-4 dimensions as opposed to a linear method (left-right or vice versa for simplification).

I could go on for hours as I've been "working" on this mentally for 20+ years, but I'll spare my gentle readers."
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Tsubasacon 2007

2 years 1 month ago

"I'm disappointed no one responded. Someone surely thought the cosplay chick was a hottie."
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Tsubasacon 2007

2 years 1 month ago

"After a long absence due to work, more work, some additional work, schooling, and architectural exams, I decided to make a post discussing an anime convention held from October 5-7 in Huntington, WV called Tsubasacon. This is NO big convention with only a couple hundred attendees, but regardless, the fact that there is an anime con in West Virginia is quite an accomplishment. This is the third year of this con, and it seems to be growing.

Voice actor Patrick Seitz returned and I actually had a chance to talk to him privately. Last year, I had made a somewhat snide remark about dubbing, so when I saw him, I apologized and we ended up having an interesting conversation about the anime industry as a whole, particularly regarding voice acting. In the end, I earned a new respect for voice actors and purchased volume one of Black Lagoon solely to listen to the dub.

Voice actor Caitlin Glass was there also, but I didn’t get a chance to talk with her. I was hoping to since she did some work on Burst Angel, and I was wearing my homemade Burst Angel tank-tops.

Another group of interest is the Random Battle Group. I didn’t get to participate with them like I did last year, though, due to time constraints. They are hilarious to watch. This year was a zombie related scheme and some performed straight out of a Romero film. Unfortunately, several of the “crazier” members weren’t there, so there wasn’t a late night “adult” version. I was disappointed over this as last year we got fairly raunchy, and I ended the night half naked (ha-ha).

The highlight for me was the martial arts demo. I was contracted to perform a demonstration of Chinese martial arts along with a practitioner of Japanese and Korean arts. Not meaning to brag, but our performance was flawless. I led off with a Yuen Kay San Wing Chun form, and my partner performed a form next and so on. The culmination was my demonstration of Tiger kung fu. My wife got involved by reading a script that introduced the Tiger and named each portion of the movements. It went like this:

“The tiger is a ferocious animal that attacks to maim and kill its prey. The Chinese realized the power of the tiger, and after several years of observing the tiger, they crafted a martial art in honor of its furious power and strength.”

At this point, my wife read aloud each section of the form I performed:
1) The tiger crouches
2) The tiger sense his prey
3) The tiger stretches for attack
4) The tiger roars
5) The tiger attacks
6) The tiger defends against the snake
After the last portion, we posed the question, “Which is more powerful? The tiger or the snake?”

My partner and I finished up with some one-step sparring, and the audience enjoyed watching him toss me around with Aikido movements. Also, always one for putting on a good show, I chose a large 450 lb. man from the audience, and while rooting with Wing Chun, I told him to push me over—he was unable and got red in the face with his efforts.

All in all, it was a great demonstration, and we had several other martial artists as to join in next year.

Given time, I’ll post some more info. I’m also including a picture of me and my partner as well a sexy cosplayer and Guitar Hero II champ. Hopefully, I’ll have some more pictures later.



"
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Guitar Hero

2 years 4 months ago

"UPDATE: I'm plodding through Medium, but it ain't pretty. I'm having some serious issues going from one side of the fret to the other. What am I missing?

O, and I got that song "Six" by All That Remains (metal rulz!), but I can't play it on Easy! How in the hell would anyone play it on Hard or Expert?"
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Guitar Hero

2 years 4 months ago

"You guys suck. :D Expert? Hard? *humble bows* Just kidding--I'm impressed, because I suck at this game...well...I don't as much as I suck at first-person shooters. I have completed it on Easy, though.

On my wife's last day at EB games, I was in the store and decided to try GH2. I was hooked instantly. Mind you, it was quite a scene seeing a 230 lb., blue-haired freak pounding away at it while holding the guitar like I was getting ready to do dynamic combat house clearing with a battle rifle (ha-ha).

Friday evening, I bought the game for my XBOX 360 Elite and proceded to rip through the game for 4 hours straight. WHAT A FAWKING WORKOUT! The next day, my calves, legs, forearms, and hands were as sore as if I've been trying to lift weights. Being a glutton for punishment, I did the same Satuday night for about 5 hours (alcohol helped!).

My favorite tunes are:
1) Cherry Pie (underage girl theme song--LOL)
2) Carry on My Wayward Son (70's rock WAS THE BEST EVER!--I remember '77-'79)
3) The Trooper (Iron Maiden will always rule)
4) The song by the Butthole Surfers (Shit! I turned up the volume until my ears bled--classic thrash from my early college days)
5) Psychobilly Freakout (WTF? I want to see someone play that on Expert!)

I know there are other songs, but I haven't unlocked them yet as I'm still a Newb. Speaking of which, I have some questions:
1) I'm having problems with chords. What is the best way to hit/approach them?
2) How do you best place your fingers on the buttons?
3) When you hit the strum bar, should you learn to tap down and up or just tap down?
4) Star Power: I've gotten the "all blue" buttons on some easy songs but I'm not sure what I'm doing. Can someone explain it more? Do I need to elevate the guitar when hitting the bar?

I appreciate the help and to quote AC/DC: "For those who are about to rock, we salute you!"

PS: If only this game had T&A like the best game ever, Dead or Alive Extreme 2, I'd be on the "Stairway to Heaven"--pardons to Led Zepplin."
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Concepts of Beauty

2 years 4 months ago

"I'm bumping this thread as I hate to see it relegated to the old thread pile. This was a very thought provoking topic.

C'mon, people! Get that gray matter working and type up something!"
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Man i'm in a tight spot..

2 years 4 months ago

"A relationship is built on the Three C's:
Communication
Compromise
Compassion
A relationship can ONLY WORK if BOTH parties engage these concepts. You are her need to communicate these issues; you and her need to reach an equitable compromise where neither is saying, "What if?" in the back of your minds. Compassion must be evident in every action and reaction during trouble times.

Finally the C's are wrapped in TRUST. Trust is a one shot--if you trust her to be faitful to you or in your compromise, trust that she will share you multilaterally, then you have to make the fateful decision: trust without reservation. If you find yourself questioning her trust, IT IS ALLLLLLL OVER. You can't go back without of a lot of angst, because the lack of trust on your part will eat you alive.
"
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Concepts of Beauty

2 years 4 months ago

"Nice provocative thread, Pink! Always good to include graphics. I'm going to ramble a bit and hopefully make a point.

The problem with philosophy is one person or a small collective creating what they perceive as a universal truth for all people. Having read a lot of philosophy, I came to the conclusion it was nothing more than pretentious intellectual masturbation. With that said, it can be a focal point of what I'll call "sociological induction."

Sociological induction is synonymous to the "herd mentality" but divergent as the name implies inductive thought; hence, a philosophical analysis of concept opposite of deductive. As an example, the problem with people make comparisons to what the media implies as "beauty" is that it is no more than a statement based on a sociological inductive psychosis with elements of marketing meshed with the collective opinions of a select few. The media's perception in any culture does not necessarily represent that culture's view of beauty--only a sociological inductive derivative.

In truth, beauty will always, at it's foundation, be the following: a personal observation of a thing that invokes an emotionally pleasurable response from the viewer. In the case of human social interaction, sexual stimulation (mental or physical) may be the indicator as said observation causes hormonal changes.

You can also apply the economic of "value-add" to the concept of beauty. A beatific object "adds" to the observational experience and an intrinsic value (mental, emotional, physical) is assigned to the object.

Ok, enough for the moment. Pink, you may want to throw out my concept of "sociological induction" to a professor and see what they think--even if they think I'm full of crap. ;)

"
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[Anime Discussion] Claymore

2 years 4 months ago

"I was just going to post that EP15 was out. I read your spoiler anyway and am looking forward to da goods--sound very interesting!"
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[Anime Discussion] Claymore

2 years 4 months ago

"

Omnidevil

Monsters should always be naked, sexy monsters that are naked = ratings.

CAN I GET AN AMEN, MY BROTHER? :)

Of course, hotass anime action chicks need to display their flesh liberally too. My wife says I'm pathetic, but hey! I'll just blame it on mid-life crisis!
"
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Darker than black licensed

2 years 4 months ago

"Check out ANN's overview:
http://www.animenewsnetwork.com/encyclopedia/anime.php?id=7382"
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Summer Anime 2007

2 years 4 months ago

"I'm most interested in the loli-fest, Sky Girls. I liked the OAV. Also, the OP for Sky Girls should be good: "Virgin's high" by MELL. MELL's opener to Black Lagoon is one of the best ever."
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[Anime Discussion] Claymore

2 years 4 months ago

"I understand that "true" meaning of the word, "fanservice" and was using it generically. I also realize the Awakened Beings aren't going to be clothed anyhow.

I should have said "T&A" --since I like lots of T&A in my anime. :D

While I like a good plot, and Claymore's is par excellence, I'm fairly simple in my anime desires: lots of blood & violence, gratuitous nudity, and female protagonists and antagonists exhibiting the aforementioned.

SPOILER (click to view)

Speaking of plot, Clare's arm recovery threw me! This is what made me scream at the TV--unexpected and outrageously cool. Clare's final battle with Ophelia was intense. The animators portrayed her angst and anger through her facial expressions perfectly.

"
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[Anime Chat] Devil may cry

2 years 4 months ago

"Just a heads up reminder that EP2 is fansubbed and out and about. Just watched it today."
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[Anime Discussion] Claymore

2 years 4 months ago

"*choke gurgle gawk drool choke slobber stare*

I just saw EP14 and about crapped my pants *checks undies*!! I was screaming, "WTF?" at the TV (my wife thought I was a loon). EVERY episode of Claymore just gets better and better! The only filler in these series is the buckets of blood.

Erik, did you see the Eclipse fansub? It wasn't dark at all.

Oh, and *rubs hands*

SPOILER (click to view)

We FINALLY got a taste of some fanservice!

"
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Expensive Things... Does it really give you status?

2 years 4 months ago

"People tend to be cattle, particularly as it relates to celebrity endorsements. Take a short stroll through any makeup/perfume section of any store and you'll see many products with the moniker of one retard celebrity or the other. It amazes me how people will let their purchase decisions be affected by some bottom-feeding slag who is a talentless hack but happens to have money. As an aside, ANYONE who assumes the title of celebrity should be summarily executed, and any celebrity who uses their name to promote a political agenda should be drawn and quartered.

"Designer" items are another that make me livid. My boss's daughter, who is a pretentious bitch, HAD TO HAVE a Prada purse (it was around $1200). Why? Because all her rich, spoiled, useless friends did.

My only "rich" concession is my Corvette, which I can barely afford. Also, I use it as a work car since it gets 26mpg and can hasten my travel from one job site to another.

Personally, I'm utilitarian. When I need some clothes, its because my other clothes are falling apart. To replace said clothes, I'll go to Wal-Mart, Dollar General, and Hot Topic, or I'll make my own anime shirts. Cheap is good!

Short answer: expensive shit doesn't make you special."
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Does age really matter?

2 years 4 months ago

"

Exart

I'd say the extremeties I could handle would be either 2 years younger or 10 years older than me.
Doesn't matter though, I'm such a loser that thinking about this is totally useless and a waste of time since I have no chance whatsoever to get any woman in the world.

Dude! Don't say that. I said I'd NEVER get married and have had two kinds of luck with women: bad and worse. Took me 37 years to find the right person (of course, she was born when I graduated from high school) ;) "
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Anime Section open

2 years 4 months ago

"Sounds good--I'll have to transfer/update my list from ANN. One question: Where exactly is this feature? I went through the tabs and don't see anything, though.

My apologies if I'm missing the obvious. Just cyber-slap me upside the head and point me in the general direction."
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