Look, I hate Windows; literally the only device I have that isn’t Linux is my work laptop, and I purposefully leave it at the office. But this thread isn’t the place to bring up Windows hate. Someone’s trying to do a good thing with what they have, and, idk, doesn’t seem the time or place to get converts ig.

Tbh I’m in the same-ish boat, but, given the unknown economic situation in 6 months, I’m saving my disposable income. If everything chugs along, that $1500 unit might be up to $1800; if we hit the operational floor on oil, that $1500 would be better spent elsewhere. I’d rather spend another $300 come Christmas than starve; the steam machine will still be there if bigger problems don’t arise.

Greatly. Rather, I miss the days where it was easy to unplug.

Bro if you’re just looking to pick a fight, I’m not engaging

I say this with all due sincerity: I truly believe the only reason Trump didn’t pull a Diddy and run train on girls with his sons is because he hates them. Believing “Jr didn’t invite his dad because his dad is a pedo,” is predicated on believing Jr isn’t at least comfortable with pedos, which, doubt. I could see Ivanka and Jared having an issue with it, but ultimately it’d probably be just Ivanka who would separate herself, MAYBE Jr’s daughter. $5 on Kai defending him on IG, deadass arguing that times were different back then.

I’d say a well known example is Greta Thunberg. She’s consistently stood up for good things at the cost of her health and safety, and while (no offense) nothing has been at the level of exposing a global surveillance apparatus, she has consistently engaged with the world, rolling each action into her public persona, only to use that persona to garner even more attention to her next action. I know Snowden clearly performed an extraordinary act at the cost of his own health and safety; truly a heroic action. And again, I mean this as no slight, dude did more than most; dude is well within his rights to go live as he wants. But, while I would say that Snowden has a consistency to his message, I wouldn’t necessarily say he has consistency to his action.

Eh, I’d say he was being blackmailed, but its hard to imagine him giving a shit, or being cogent enough to give a shit now.

A) Trump’s dementia is well known at this point; his positions literally always align either perfectly with or against the last person he speaks to. Man’s brain is soup. His flipflopping on Iran comes down to whether he last spoke with Lindsay Graham, Pete Hegseth, Marco Rubio, Benjamin Netanyahu, or JD Vance. Graham walks in, graham walks out, we’re at war. Hegseth walks in then out, now we’re bombing kids. Rubio walks in then out, now we’re open to negotiations (and invading Cuba). Netanyahu, back to bombing kids. Vance, now we’re surrendering. Graham again, now we’re threatening to kill diplomats.

B) For as soup as he is, I think he gets that no one he cares about gives a shit what he’s done. Everyone already knows he’s a pedophile, his supporters just don’t care enough to grapple with it, and any meaningful opposition isn’t capable of or willing to do a damn thing. Honestly I’m surprised he doesn’t brag about it at this point.

I would say inspiring people. Not that anyone should be held to that standard, mind you; I don’t begrudge Edward for fucking off to Russia. One heroic deed is certainly more than most, and I think the world would be a better place if more people rose to the occasion. But to call him a hero? Idk. I personally wouldn’t.

It’s hard to say he’s a hero, but, what he did was undoubtedly heroic.