AMA - Bsh1

It's been over 7 months since I have done one of these, and was in the mood. Four random facts about me, for anyone looking for something to ask me...First, while some people rely on Myers-Briggs to sort their personalities, I prefer to use Hogwarts houses. Having taken the Pottermore test twice, I am definitely a Ravenclaw. My Ilvermorny house is either Thunderbird or Horned Serpent.

Second, while I consider myself well-read and knowledgeable about a wide array of topics, I typically read Science Fiction and Fantasy. I find non-fiction tedious, and almost never open non-fiction books. I prefer to read synopses or abridged versions, and I wonder sometimes whether I am missing out on something crucial, or whether reading the books is fundamentally unnecessary if the facts concerned can be apprehended more efficiently in other ways.

Third, I am agnostic, meaning that I believe that belief in god is irrational and that disbelief in god is irrational. Or, in other words, I believe that the only rational position is to refuse to believe anything, and to subject oneself to a state of permanent doubt. I find this deeply unsatisfying because it seems to keep everything in limbo; humans are not well-adapted to tolerating ignorance when they accept that they are indeed ignorant. I feel the greatest connection to the spiritual while in nature, where I often get a sense of the transcendence Thoreau and his ilk purport to have felt.

Fourth, I am on the left of the political spectrum. The role of the state is, in my view, not simply to guarantee the kind of superficial freedom that comes from non-interference, but to to guarantee substantive freedom, which requires the promotion of wellbeing, and thus active involvement in the affaris of society. I tend to think about ethical-political questions in terms of caring for others and the community, and not in terms of leaving others alone.

So yes, I wrote mini-essay about me for an AMA OP (rhyme!). But, seriously, feel free to ask me anything, whether its about the four topics or not. I would prefer not to entertain site policy or moderation questions; this thread is just for my own amusement. If a more site-focused AMA is necessary, I can host that later and separately. Finally, that a question is asked, does not guarantee I will answer. Thanks! I look forward to your questions.

1) Are you a social democrat or democratic socialist?

(Basically David Pakman or Kyle Kulinski)

2) What is the thing that triggers or annoys you the most?

(Anything really)

3) Do you think you have confirmation bias?

(Just search up the last two words you'll understand eventually.)

4) What is your favorite game of all time? 

6) If you had a child and were forced into a situation where you had to either die or the child dies, which one would you pick?

(I guess there is a right answer but that depends on what you value)

7) Whose death impacted you the most?

(Can be during when the person was dead or after when remembering stuff. Some celebrity if you are not okay with talking about family)

8) What do you think is the worst thing going on right now?

(Any measurement)

9) What do you think is the best thing going on right now?

(Any measurement)

10) Would you rather be financially stable or be in love?

(Love as long as you are financially stable)

11) Do you think equality is an impossible task?

(As in people are given the same circumstances to work with outside Nature)

12) Spider-Man or Batman?

(Sam Raimi Spider-Man or the Christopher Nolan Batman series)

13) If you had a choice to make one property open source which one could it be?

(Basically something like Pokemon to be free so that fans can make better games or something without lawsuits)

14) What was the most important realization you have come to?

(Something like I knew Christianity was dumb or something)

15) Do you think braindeath is death?

(Basically if you brain stops working would you consider that death)

16) Being able to teleport effectively or run effectively? 

(Basically Flash or an effective Nightcrawler)

That is it. Might have more but doubtful. 

I lean strongly to the left. I am not sure if that makes me a democratic socialist, though I certainly agree with many of Bernie Sanders' positions.

If by "triggers" you mean "annoys," then I would say Trump Republicans citing demonstrable falsehoods as a basis for their political beliefs.

Honestly, I don't play a lot of games. My family rarely did card or boardgames growing up, and they didn't allow me to have videogames. I could play Pokemon on GB and DS, though, and at summer camp, I played Mario Kart when I could. I guess, if we're talking card/boardgames, I would say Monopoly. If we're talking about something more modern, I would have to say Pokemon, basically by default.

The former, though 20 years is really short, so it's a close call. Maybe if it were like 30 years or something...

I would die. But it's easy to say that...I don't think anyone really knows what they would do in that kind of scenario until they're actually in it.

There haven't been many people I have known who have died. Probably the most honest answer is my grandparents, all four of them, since they all died before I was three. I still wonder what they were like.

The Syrian civil war.

Increasing efforts to fight climate change and environmental degradation.

If I could only have one, I would choose the latter, provided that the feeling was reciprocated.

Yes, but that doesn't mean it's not worth pursuing.

I was never a big superhero guy. I guess I'd go with Batman, because Bale was super hot in that role...

Probably, but I'd have to give it some more thought.

I'd rather teleport. I'd never be late again...

In your entire debating career, what was the dumbest argument you ever heard?

What is your opinion on Congressional debate?

It was in policy debate, and went something like this: "That unusual and unique identities deserve affirmation, and that when given the choice between affirming minority identities over majority identities, one should affirm the former. Therefore, because the opposing team identify as white, male, cisgendered, human, heterosexuals, while we identify as black, matricidal, genderless, feline, queers, you have to vote for us." I was following up until they said the word "matricidal."

It's only loosely "debate." The primary object is not clash, which means that it is more like a speech event than policy, LD, or PF. That said, when done well, it is an excellent event.

Perhaps they meant "matriarchal." As in, they are opposed to the patriarchy and substituted women's leadership instead. That's a weird argument to run. They do wacky shit in Congress, but nothing like that. One time we were arguing a bill to take our troops out of South Korea and someone ran the argument that instead, we should assassinate Kim Jong Un. He got 5th of of 20th by the way. 

I actually had to stop the round because I started laughing so hard. I did ask them to repeat what they said, and it was definitely matricidal. I ended up voting for the matricidal queers anyhow, because their opponents dropped topicality. It was a wierd round.

Fuck marry kill

Beast Boy

Danny Phantom

Batman

It's been forever since I have seen Teen Titans and I don't think I ever watched more than two episodes of Danny Phantom...But, I guess:

F - Danny

M - Batman

K - Beast

Beast never gets any love :((

At least he has Raven

How would you rank the Obama presidency? 

Well, I would definitely marry Batman. Do you know how rich he is? Then, it was really a toss up based on looks, so I chose Danny because I find silver hair hot (when it's not obviously dyed).

Out of all presidencies, or out of 10?

On a scale of 1-10

Probably a solid 8.

What do you think were his biggest successes and failures? 

What are your thoughts on this article? https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/pride-parade-kid-friendly_ca_5d013916e4b0dc17ef03287b

Also, care for a debate?

Oddly, I don't think Obama had any huge successes. He may a lot of incremental progress, but I can't really think of one really big thing that he did himself that was like "wow." His biggest failure was probably choosing not to declare a no-fly zone over Syria before Russia intervened. 

Regarding the article, I think it's reasonable in its treatment of both sides of the issue. I think parents can bring kids to Pride, but they should be willing to redirect their kid's focus if need be. There is already so much sexualized content out there on the news and in advertisements (even in Walmart for pete's sake! -- have you seen the People of Walmart), that Pride isn't going to show them much that they couldn't find elsewhere, even without their looking for it. I mean, my parents took me to nude beaches in Germany and I turned out just fine. In fact, most continental Western Europeans let their kids in/on clothing-optional pools and beaches. There is some element of American/Puritan prudishness in the objections to bringing kids to Pride that makes the objection a bit silly to me. That being said, I probably wouldn't want my kid to watch a guy getting fetish whipped in the street, so I would just have to be ready to cover their eyes or walk away or something. But honestly, I don't really have much of an issue with taking kids to pride.

What would you like to debate?

Are you from the US or Europe?  If your from the US, what state?  If your from Europe, what country?

The best leaders rarely do, they minimise things going to shit instead.

I am from the US. Maryland.

What does bsh stand for?

Oh...something ;)

Are they your initials?

No.

Why do you support a minimum wage?  Poor people can receive higher wages, but this ought to be earned through better, more productive jobs then working at McDonalds.