Anything that makes housing affordable would also remove a significant amount of wealth from the elderly, who outvote and (I think) out donate other demographic groups.

Pretty hard thing to do politically.

I dunno, I think especially in older generations, the earnest conversation is something to be avoided at all costs. For my dad, that’s just how he was raised and I think his worst nightmare would be talking about feelings or something.

So take that and then put a hobby/passion that clearly means a lot to your folks and yeah, those can really combine in unfortunate ways.

Personally, when we’re not talking politics (my parents’ version of sports) I will sometimes throw more serious or interesting questions at mom (as said, dad hates that so I don’t push) and sometimes get interesting answers. It’s effort and mostly a one way street but I try to remember they’re not from a super healthy emotional era and even if they might at times be open to it, it does not come naturally to them (or me if I’m being honest.)

Don’t know if that early morning ramble helps but I hope it does.

Thanks, I appreciate that! And yup, definitely told that a few times.

Forgot a lighter which has so far led to 2 weddings and 5 kids?

In the first week of school, a buddy and I wandered around with beer and joints to various dorms but forgot a lighter. Asking around for one, we made a new friend. Fast forward a couple years, “new friend” let me know about a home for rent opening up. I rounded up some folks (including original buddy) and we rented it. Except one guy was gone for the summer. So, a gal came from out of town to live with there. We became friends, she fell in love and ended up moving here. Between her, her best friend and sister they’ve had 5 kids with partners mostly from that original friend circle.

So, if I had remembered a lighter way back in first year, we wouldn’t have put a house of folks together, wouldn’t have met gal and her pals and thus a few weddings and kids would’ve happened differently or not at all.

I live here! Could use more vans. And Vans, for style.

MerXNT Dad, I’m a MerXNT!

Pretty sure Newt Gingrich did that but with cancer. And then continued to lecture about the lack of morality on the Left.

OP didn’t wash their mouth out at any point before the hospital? Red flag and mouth right there.

For comedies: Waiting for Guffman American Movie

For sci fi: Beyond the Infinite Two Minutes (admittedly, foreign so you have to be cool with subtitles.)

https://youtu.be/zV5K3v0u1J8?si=L6PwLxpNCz7x_75L

Skip to the 45 second for the relevant bit.

People consider themselves good people and don’t like thinking about the consequences of their actions.

Same happens when you point out that children lose their limbs for our smartphones. People aren’t going to stop using their smartphones, aren’t going to consider themselves bad people, and so will rationalize however they can.

Ahaha, that’s kind of it eh? I love foss but I also love when things work…

Isn’t this them being sick together? If so, anti vaxxers already tried to normalize it…

I’d hang out and enjoy the fruits of other people’s time being sold. Pretty hard to think of a hobby that wouldn’t cover.

Pooping in the toilet.

When I went to university with a lot of international students, there would often be poop on the seats.

My understanding is Asian toilets are different and a good few students from there were standing on the seat and aiming at the bowl from height, with mixed success.

I’m lucky, there’s a good few ethical shops in my city of Vancouver. There’s also a website, GoodOnYou.eco that links to a wide variety of different clothes!

Sweatshop clothes. Except for show merch but as most shows I go to are punk shows, they’re usually pretty good about ethically sourced merch.

Say I’m an idiot whose google search of “constantly porting old games to modern devices” yielded nothing…

Thanks, I appreciate the recommendations and thorough explanation!

Oh, okay, my first (admittedly early morning) google search just let me down!

Thanks for the info!