I got bored one day on Wikipedia, dully clicking on the 'random article' button at about fifty miles per hour. Eventually came across this place---well, not this place but the path to this place.
Eventually I found you people. People of intelligence that I admire, and perhaps in the back of my mind envy. So Ii indulged in the quiet laughs and strong truths that were told, eventually wanting to come out of the obscurity of my lurkings and perhaps find people who actually could give me that little light that I did not have on my own.
To be accepted this far is great, but where would this lead me?
Wait, you admire, AND perhaps, envy, us?
You're going to be in for a rude awakening...
Anyway, welcome to the boards, this is but one aspect of discordia, do not take it to be the whole of discordia for if you do you will not see much. Or something.
Pools on the roof.
Is your native language Japanese? If not, could you please translate your title? It's a little pretentious.
Who wouldn't admire us? They'd be insane not to
Is that Japanese? I thought I had a Japanese language pack installed, but I've got blocks instead of characters.
Quote from: NotPubli on May 06, 2010, 11:49:26 PM
Who wouldn't admire us? They'd be insane not to
Do you admire me?
Cus if you don't, apparently, you'd be insane not to.
I'm insane no matter what I do.. I have the stamp to prove it :(
Quote from: Kai on May 06, 2010, 11:48:50 PM
Is your native language Japanese? If not, could you please translate your title? It's a little pretentious.
It is a little pretentious, but it got my attention, and as long as they don't do it again, I don't mind it, I just wanna know what it says though.
QuoteWait, you admire, AND perhaps, envy, us?
You're going to be in for a rude awakening...
Anyway, welcome to the boards, this is but one aspect of discordia, do not take it to be the whole of discordia for if you do you will not see much. Or something.
Pools on the roof.
No worries, man. One sight is a start! ...and do I have to shower before entering the pool?
QuoteIs your native language Japanese? If not, could you please translate your title? It's a little pretentious.
QuoteIs that Japanese? I thought I had a Japanese language pack installed, but I've got blocks instead of characters.
"To do this formally: how do you do? My name is Jade."
I was going to name it "My hovercraft is full of eels", but no one would have got that joke, either.
And it's Japanese. My daddy liked Asian girls, is all I'm going to say.
Quote from: Requia ☣ on May 06, 2010, 11:49:44 PM
Is that Japanese? I thought I had a Japanese language pack installed, but I've got blocks instead of characters.
Yeah, it's hiragana.
QuoteQuoteIs that Japanese? I thought I had a Japanese language pack installed, but I've got blocks instead of characters.
Yeah, it's hiragana.
Well...it's kind of everything in Japanese.
Shit, I can give a whole lesson about the title of this topic.
Its a strong tradition for new comers to bable for awhile, its the after effects of being injected with 15 needles. Just a traditional initiation.
But theres been evidence of a severe case of Assburgers hitting the masses.
Hey a lesson on Jap? I can get behind that!
Nobody would have got "my hovercraft is full of eels"? You think that little of us?
QuoteNobody would have got "my hovercraft is full of eels"? You think that little of us?
No, I think so greatly of you all that I spare you my gimpiness.
Fuck you for the Hiragana, Katakana Kanji mashup. I don't know if it pretentious or not, but it is confusing.
Other than that, welcome.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 06, 2010, 11:57:54 PM
...and do I have to shower before entering the pool?
No, but clothing is optional.
Quote from: BabylonHoruv on May 07, 2010, 12:03:32 AM
Fuck you for the Hiragana, Katakana Kanji mashup. I don't know if it pretentious or not, but it is confusing.
Other than that, welcome.
I didn't find it pretentious.
I would strongly recommend showering after getting out of the pool.
Oh hey, i can see the characters now. And uh... yeah is it normal to mashup the different Japanese texts like that?
Quote from: Requia ☣ on May 07, 2010, 12:07:15 AM
I would strongly recommend showering after getting out of the pool.
Oh hey, i can see the characters now. And uh... yeah is it normal to mashup the different Japanese texts like that?
No. I didn't even notice that at first. Kanji and hiragana or kanji and katakana, sure. But never BOTH katakana AND hiragana.
Can't believe I didn't catch that. Saw て and assumed it was all hiragana.
QuoteIts a strong tradition for new comers to bable for awhile, its the after effects of being injected with 15 needles. Just a traditional initiation.
But theres been evidence of a severe case of Assburgers hitting the masses.
Hey a lesson on Jap? I can get behind that!
...those were NEEDLES? They told me it was the only way of getting Keanu Reeves to come save me from the Matrix. Fuck.
But anyway. If enough people are willing, I'm up for giving Japanese lessons. c:
QuoteFuck you for the Hiragana, Katakana Kanji mashup. I don't know if it pretentious or not, but it is confusing.
Other than that, welcome.
Thank you! I won't do it again, though. It was just something to catch the eye for a second.
"BWA!? JAPANESE?! ON
MY INTERWEBS?"
QuoteI would strongly recommend showering after getting out of the pool.
Oh hey, i can see the characters now. And uh... yeah is it normal to mashup the different Japanese texts like that?
And yes, it's very normal to mix hiragana, katakana, and kanji.
---...wait. What'd you guys do to the pool...?
You don't want to know.
...part of me kind of does.
Well, think about it, nobody showers before getting in. And it hasn't been cleaned in the 2 years I've been here.
Also what was the wikipedia article that led you here?
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 12:19:22 AM
...part of me kind of does.
Chef Diesel put oil in the water.
QuoteChef Diesel put oil in the water.
Damn British Petroleum kids dunnit again. :argh!:
QuoteAlso what was the wikipedia article that led you here?
It went from symbols for religions, to SubGenius, to Principia Discordia, to the online book, to Black Iron Prison, to this exact place:
Apple Talk.
Tadaaa~! Here I is.
Quote from: Kai on May 07, 2010, 12:12:49 AM
Quote from: Requia ☣ on May 07, 2010, 12:07:15 AM
I would strongly recommend showering after getting out of the pool.
Oh hey, i can see the characters now. And uh... yeah is it normal to mashup the different Japanese texts like that?
No. I didn't even notice that at first. Kanji and hiragana or kanji and katakana, sure. But never BOTH katakana AND hiragana.
Can't believe I didn't catch that. Saw て and assumed it was all hiragana.
Nah. She used Katana for "Jade", which is an acceptable use considering it's not a Japanese name.
Welcome to PeeDee, enjoy your stay, etc. Or Kill Me and Think For Yourself is where you'll find the content-rich stuff, Discordian Recipes is where you find delicious Nom.
Remington,
Lived in Japan for three months
Heya Jade!
QuoteNah. She used Katana for "Jade", which is an acceptable use considering it's not a Japanese name.
Welcome to PeeDee, enjoy your stay, etc. Or Kill Me and Think For Yourself is where you'll find the content-rich stuff, Discordian Recipes is where you find delicious Nom.
Remington,
Lived in Japan for three months
Thank you Sir Remington, hopefully I'll fit in just fine here. (And I'm looking forward to the tasty Nommings in store).
Oh, and where in Japan have you lived?
QuoteHeya Jade!
Hey there, M'lord n' Lady!
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 12:35:01 AM
QuoteNah. She used Katana for "Jade", which is an acceptable use considering it's not a Japanese name.
Welcome to PeeDee, enjoy your stay, etc. Or Kill Me and Think For Yourself is where you'll find the content-rich stuff, Discordian Recipes is where you find delicious Nom.
Remington,
Lived in Japan for three months
Thank you Sir Remington, hopefully I'll fit in just fine here. (And I'm looking forward to the tasty Nommings in store).
Oh, and where in Japan have you lived?
Off the coast in Hokkaido, in a little fishing village called Otoshibe. It was really nice, despite the fact that I was the only white guy for hundreds of miles :)
Hi, newbie! Welcome!
QuoteOff the coast in Hokkaido, in a little fishing village called Otoshibe. It was really nice, despite the fact that I was the only white guy for hundreds of miles.
Sounds nice. Hahah, it's funny to see millions of little black heads and then in the midst of it all, a tall, white man. Oh, the pleasures of Japan.
QuoteHi, newbie! Welcome!
Hey, thank you!
I, too, found this place through wikipedia.
And since I began posting here my life has become a veritable pleasure cruise of material and emotional abundance.*
Welcome!
* :horrormirth:
Quote from: Hoopla on May 07, 2010, 12:22:40 AM
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 12:19:22 AM
...part of me kind of does.
Chef Diesel put oil in the water.
The last time I checked the pool was on fire. This can't be good.
Quote from: Vene on May 07, 2010, 12:47:31 AM
Quote from: Hoopla on May 07, 2010, 12:22:40 AM
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 12:19:22 AM
...part of me kind of does.
Chef Diesel put oil in the water.
The last time I checked the pool was on fire. This can't be good.
Sometimes it doubles as a really big hot tub.
QuoteI, too, found this place through wikipedia.
And since I began posting here my life has become a veritable pleasure cruise of material and emotional abundance.*
Welcome!
At least I'm not the only one! hanks...!
QuoteThe last time I checked the pool was on fire. This can't be good.
Sometimes it doubles as a really big hot tub.
Is it fire-fire, or just the fire-like sensation you get from all kind of bacterial eating at your flesh as you play Marco Polo (Apparently any fallen limbs are 'Polo')...?
It's more like getting pissed on by Surtr.
I don't think I want to know how that feels like.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 12:56:13 AM
QuoteThe last time I checked the pool was on fire. This can't be good.
Sometimes it doubles as a really big hot tub.
Is it fire-fire, or just the fire-like sensation you get from all kind of bacterial eating at your flesh as you play Marco Polo (Apparently any fallen limbs are 'Polo')...?
I believe that the roof was not in fact on fire, but the fire was on the roof.
http://www.principiadiscordia.com/forum/index.php?topic=13593.195
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 01:01:37 AM
I don't think I want to know how that feels like.
Just don't exfoliate before you go in. You don't want sensitive new skin exposed to that.
Also welcome to the boards. I'm really happy to see the last time you ever post anything in Japanese ever.
Quote from: Remington on May 07, 2010, 12:29:21 AM
Quote from: Kai on May 07, 2010, 12:12:49 AM
Quote from: Requia ☣ on May 07, 2010, 12:07:15 AM
I would strongly recommend showering after getting out of the pool.
Oh hey, i can see the characters now. And uh... yeah is it normal to mashup the different Japanese texts like that?
No. I didn't even notice that at first. Kanji and hiragana or kanji and katakana, sure. But never BOTH katakana AND hiragana.
Can't believe I didn't catch that. Saw て and assumed it was all hiragana.
Nah. She used Katana for "Jade", which is an acceptable use considering it's not a Japanese name.
Welcome to PeeDee, enjoy your stay, etc. Or Kill Me and Think For Yourself is where you'll find the content-rich stuff, Discordian Recipes is where you find delicious Nom.
Remington,
Lived in Japan for three months
Yeah.
Welcome and stuff.
RWHN,
Watched Iron Chef.
Shouldn't someone be putting the fire out...?
QuoteJust don't exfoliate before you go in. You don't want sensitive new skin exposed to that.
Also welcome to the boards. I'm really happy to see the last time you ever post anything in Japanese ever.
I think I just might sit...near-ish to the pool. And thanks.
QuoteYeah.
Welcome and stuff.
RWHN,
Watched Iron Chef.
Thanks n' stuff.
I miss watching Iron Chef, but now all they show is Iron Chef America. Sad day.
Quote from: Vene on May 07, 2010, 12:47:31 AM
Quote from: Hoopla on May 07, 2010, 12:22:40 AM
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 12:19:22 AM
...part of me kind of does.
Chef Diesel put oil in the water.
The last time I checked the pool was on fire. This can't be good.
It's just the pollution. We don't worry about it, as there's nothing that can be done.
Mostly yes, but they still have Morimoto who is a freakish genius. Did you see the one where he made a smoker out of ice? Cool stuff.
Hah! Cool, stuff. Get it?
Hey, looks like you're for real, Jade. Welcome. :)
QuoteMostly yes, but they still have Morimoto who is a freakish genius. Did you see the one where he made a smoker out of ice? Cool stuff.
Hah! Cool, stuff. Get it?
...ooooh! I get it! Good one.
QuoteHey, looks like you're for real, Jade. Welcome.
I wouldn't've come here if I had 'Made In China' stamped on my foot!
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on May 07, 2010, 01:14:49 AM
Mostly yes, but they still have Morimoto who is a freakish genius. Did you see the one where he made a smoker out of ice? Cool stuff.
Hah! Cool, stuff. Get it?
This was your free introductory pun courtesy of RWHN. All others will be $1.99 each.
Welcome. :)
Pun? Icy no pun.
Damnit people, stop being so cold to the newbie.
Someone had to break the ice...
...
Ice, ice, baby!
Quote from: Hover Cat on May 07, 2010, 01:48:49 AM
Quote from: Rev. What's-His-Name? on May 07, 2010, 01:14:49 AM
Mostly yes, but they still have Morimoto who is a freakish genius. Did you see the one where he made a smoker out of ice? Cool stuff.
Hah! Cool, stuff. Get it?
This was your free introductory pun courtesy of RWHN. All others will be $1.99 each.
Welcome. :)
Additional fees may apply. And for all knighted individuals, there will be a 5% sir-charge.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 06, 2010, 11:57:54 PM
I was going to name it "My hovercraft is full of eels", but no one would have got that joke, either.
Well, yeah. Because we're all stupid, and have never watched Monty Python.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 07, 2010, 02:18:26 AM
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 06, 2010, 11:57:54 PM
I was going to name it "My hovercraft is full of eels", but no one would have got that joke, either.
Well, yeah. Because we're all stupid, and have never watched Monty Python.
I watched Monty Python and I don't get it. :?
Quote
I was going to name it "My hovercraft is full of eels", but no one would have got that joke, either.
Well, yeah. Because we're all stupid, and have never watched Monty Python.
No, it's because it was in Japanese. Don't have to be so cold-blooded about it.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 02:21:12 AM
Quote
I was going to name it "My hovercraft is full of eels", but no one would have got that joke, either.
Well, yeah. Because we're all stupid, and have never watched Monty Python.
No, it's because it was in Japanese. Don't have to be so cold-blooded about it.
I'm an unpleasant person, or so I am told. Sorry about that.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 07, 2010, 02:21:12 AM
Quote
I was going to name it "My hovercraft is full of eels", but no one would have got that joke, either.
Well, yeah. Because we're all stupid, and have never watched Monty Python.
No, it's because it was in Japanese. Don't have to be so cold-blooded about it.
Yeah, you people need to chill out a bit, snow joke, being new!
Welcome Jade.
...who the fuck would put eels in their hovercraft?
Quote from: Vladimir Poopin on May 08, 2010, 08:51:19 PM
...who the fuck would put eels in their hovercraft?
My guess is it must be some kind of Japanese cultural "In joke" that perhaps doesn't translate very well.
Howl mentioned something about Monty Python.
Also, I think we already scared her away.
Or it's just the weekend and she's doing stuff.
Hovercraft eels comes from a Monty Python sketch about a Hungarian tourist, where the punchline is that someone has intentionally been publishing very, absurdly incorrect hungarian/english phrasebooks. To wit:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G6D1YI-41ao
Pool on the roof comes from Hackers.
We are Dyslexic of Borg! Futility is Resistile! Prepare to be AssLaminated!
Oh, and welcome to the forum Jade. :lulz:
Quote from: Telarus on May 09, 2010, 09:46:05 AM
We are Dyslexic of Borg! Futility is Resistile! Prepare to be AssLaminated!
Oh, and welcome to the forum Jade. :lulz:
And if Telarus needs any help, I shall assfist him.
I love the Japanese title, but I didn't recognise the あらためまして < is this a set phrase?
And if i past it in the task bar I can read it, but anywhere else it's little blocks.
http://www.code2000.net/code2000_page.htm
Ta. Is that any good for Chrome?
QuoteI love the Japanese title, but I didn't recognise the あらためまして < is this a set phrase?
And if i past it in the task bar I can read it, but anywhere else it's little blocks.
Aratamemashite, meaning, "To do this formally".
QuoteHowl mentioned something about Monty Python.
Also, I think we already scared her away.
Sorry guys. I'm still a youngin', y'know. 14 days left of school and all. I'll be popping in and out, but when summer advents itself, I shall be all yours! Bwahah!
Cool. :)
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
Quote from: Kai on May 09, 2010, 07:55:33 PM
Cool. :)
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
You've obviously never heard of the super secret shadowy sect of the "Ten Icy Fingers" an Erisian Ninjitsu Assassination Bureau, with invisible links to MI5, Neo-Thuggee Cultists, and Salvio Invictus, (The Super Elite Special Services of the Salvation Army )
They are so secret, that only three people know of their existence. Me, you, and one other person unknown. Who we must now expose as Reptilian, then dispatch according to Dread Fu's "Death Ritual of the Turgid Lingam". (Basically, by beating, choking, or otherwise brutalising to death with anything Penis shaped)
:x
Quote from: Kai on May 09, 2010, 07:55:33 PM
Cool. :)
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
One of the main reasons I will be learning Japanese shortly.
Quote from: Telarus on May 09, 2010, 08:50:56 PM
:x
Quote from: Kai on May 09, 2010, 07:55:33 PM
Cool. :)
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
One of the main reasons I will be learning Japanese shortly.
It's an interesting language to learn. It's much more internally consistent than English (meaning it almost always follows its grammar/syntax rules, few exceptions). The lack of a common Latin origin makes it more difficult to learn than French or Spanish, though.
Quote from: Remington on May 09, 2010, 08:53:35 PM
Quote from: Telarus on May 09, 2010, 08:50:56 PM
:x
Quote from: Kai on May 09, 2010, 07:55:33 PM
Cool. :)
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
One of the main reasons I will be learning Japanese shortly.
It's an interesting language to learn. It's much more internally consistent than English (meaning it almost always follows its grammar/syntax rules, few exceptions). The lack of a common Latin origin makes it more difficult to learn than French or Spanish, though.
I think I read somewhere that spoken Japanese only has one tense, and depending on where the emphasis is put in the sentence, the same words could mean either,"I have walked the dog" or "I am going to walk the dog" or "I am walking the dog". I'm not sure whether this would make it easier to learn, as a second language, or more confusing though.
QuoteI think I read somewhere that spoken Japanese only has one tense, and depending on where the emphasis is put in the sentence, the same words could mean either,"I have walked the dog" or "I am going to walk the dog" or "I am walking the dog". I'm not sure whether this would make it easier to learn, as a second language, or more confusing though.
Whoever told you that isn't true. Although emphasis shows emotion, we do have tenses.
Fun fact: In Japanese, fat--as in "to be fat"--is a verb.
Quote from: BadBeast on May 09, 2010, 09:26:20 PM
Quote from: Remington on May 09, 2010, 08:53:35 PM
Quote from: Telarus on May 09, 2010, 08:50:56 PM
:x
Quote from: Kai on May 09, 2010, 07:55:33 PM
Cool. :)
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
One of the main reasons I will be learning Japanese shortly.
It's an interesting language to learn. It's much more internally consistent than English (meaning it almost always follows its grammar/syntax rules, few exceptions). The lack of a common Latin origin makes it more difficult to learn than French or Spanish, though.
I think I read somewhere that spoken Japanese only has one tense, and depending on where the emphasis is put in the sentence, the same words could mean either,"I have walked the dog" or "I am going to walk the dog" or "I am walking the dog". I'm not sure whether this would make it easier to learn, as a second language, or more confusing though.
That's incorrect. One thing I found amusing about the language, though, is that "Kanojo" (Pronoun that translates as "She") can also mean "girlfriend". "Kanojo ga imasuka" means, literally, "Is there a She?" or figuratively, "Do you have a girlfriend".
QuoteThat's incorrect. One thing I found amusing about the language, though, is that "Kanojo" (Pronoun that translates as "She") can also mean "girlfriend". "Kanojo ga imasuka" means, literally, "Is there a She?" or figuratively, "Do you have a girlfriend".
You're right!
Such as the term for 'You're welcome' (after someone has thanked you, 'arigatou'), "Dou itashimashite", means "I didn't do anything'.
When it comes to tenses, we have different kinds. We has 'masu' verbs, and 'ru' verbs...---eh. I just really need to make a thread for teaching people Japanese, shouldn't I?
Only if you want to. Although a less specific Japanese Cultural thread might be interesting.
QuoteOnly if you want to. Although a less specific Japanese Cultural thread might be interesting.
Or that...!
Had Japanese food last night. Not that Yokahama Rice Bowl shit, the real deal (The only good thing about Tucson is the variety of food).
Freshwater eels on rice. My mouth orgasmed.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 09, 2010, 10:52:19 PM
QuoteI think I read somewhere that spoken Japanese only has one tense, and depending on where the emphasis is put in the sentence, the same words could mean either,"I have walked the dog" or "I am going to walk the dog" or "I am walking the dog". I'm not sure whether this would make it easier to learn, as a second language, or more confusing though.
Whoever told you that isn't true. Although emphasis shows emotion, we do have tenses.
Fun fact: In Japanese, fat--as in "to be fat"--is a verb.
Wow, I love that! It's awesome.
Jade,
Quote from: Kai on May 09, 2010, 07:55:33 PM
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
?
QuoteJade,
Quote from: Kai on Today at 10:55:33 AM
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
Well, I mean.
I'm part Japanese and I'm quite fond of Discordianism. Does that count any?
QuoteHad Japanese food last night. Not that Yokahama Rice Bowl shit, the real deal (The only good thing about Tucson is the variety of food).
Freshwater eels on rice. My mouth orgasmed.
My brain orgasmed at the thought of that. That sounds really delicious!
QuoteQuoteFun fact: In Japanese, fat--as in "to be fat"--is a verb.
Wow, I love that! It's awesome.
It's the same way for the word 'slim' or 'thin'. It's also a verb.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 10, 2010, 01:30:43 AM
QuoteJade,
Quote from: Kai on Today at 10:55:33 AM
We've been talking here for a while about, while we have people come in from all over, we really don't have any asians. It seems like, with some of the weird stuff that comes out of Japan, a bunch of Japanese would be primed for picking up on Discordianism.
Well, I mean. I'm part Japanese and I'm quite fond of Discordianism. Does that count any?
Was just wondering where all the rest of the Japanese Discordians are.
I love the idea of fat or thin being something you're doing rather than something you are.
QuoteWas just wondering where all the rest of the Japanese Discordians are.
Hell if I know, practising Hikikomori (
psychological cultural disease, mainly present in Japanese culture, where a young person snaps under pressure and becomes socially and physically withdrawn into their household, often for years)? Maybe Discordianism is not translated into Japanese and most can't read it?
I dunno.
My theory is that they just simply don't need us.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 10, 2010, 02:40:09 AM
QuoteWas just wondering where all the rest of the Japanese Discordians are.
Hell if I know, practising Hikikomori (psychological cultural disease, mainly present in Japanese culture, where a young person snaps under pressure and becomes socially and physically withdrawn into their household, often for years)? Maybe Discordianism is not translated into Japanese and most can't read it?
I dunno.
Hmmm...
Are you fluent in Japanese, then?
QuoteMy theory is that they just simply don't need us.
I think there's plenty of discord in Japan through the manga, anime, and media scene enough. Maybe they don't need Discordianism.
QuoteHmmm...
Are you fluent in Japanese, then?
I'm trying to be. I can hold a basic conversation, as well as describe people. But even if PD was translated, a lot of it wouldn't have the same meaning because slang and meanings are different in Japan. It'd be very confusing and not well caught on. I mean, the Japanese don't even really get sarcasm all that much, if at all.
I guess that makes sense.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 10, 2010, 02:51:05 AM
QuoteMy theory is that they just simply don't need us.
I think there's plenty of discord in Japan through the manga, anime, and media scene enough. Maybe they don't need Discordianism.
Everyone needs Discordianism. No matter how much they scream at the time.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 10, 2010, 03:16:27 AM
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 10, 2010, 02:51:05 AM
QuoteMy theory is that they just simply don't need us.
I think there's plenty of discord in Japan through the manga, anime, and media scene enough. Maybe they don't need Discordianism.
Everyone needs Discordianism. No matter how much they scream at the time.
I thought that was Dentists, but even Dentists must need Discordianism. That must be why they are all Alcoholics. And they say an alcoholic is always screaming on the inside, so that must be some deep denial they are in. Iwanna go fuck with a Dentist! But they traumatised me with Gas and counting backwards when I was little. :cry:
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 10, 2010, 02:51:05 AM
QuoteMy theory is that they just simply don't need us.
I think there's plenty of discord in Japan through the manga, anime, and media scene enough. Maybe they don't need Discordianism.
There's more to discordianism than just the discord.
I don't really think the PD is suitable for getting the whole TFY,S message through in different cultures though, (hell it barely gets through here in the west).
Japan has absorbed enough christian memes that the PD would resonate. It also reflects many zen/ch'an and crazy-wisdom traditions. I think it's primarily the language barriers.
Hell, there are Japanese Rastafari kids......
Let's step on up people. One of the next forums we safari should be one from Japan that has enough English speakers that we can communicate.
A bunch of Gaijin invading a Japanese forum. That'll go over well. :lulz:
Quote from: Requia ☣ on May 10, 2010, 05:54:21 AM
I don't really think the PD is suitable for getting the whole TFY,S message through in different cultures though, (hell it barely gets through here in the west).
would the BIP translate well?
Quote from: Telarus on May 10, 2010, 07:36:17 AM
Hell, there are Japanese Rastafari kids......
not to threadjack too much, but no, there are not. Rastafarianism is, at heart, a black power movement. you literally cannot be a Rasta if you aren't black, no matter how nasty your hair is and how infrequently you shower.
The BIP would serve as a good general purpose work yeah. It doesn't require that the reader get the jokes (or that they find it acceptable to have jokes and serious topics in the same work). It doesn't require you to get sarcasm or read between the lines (the PD is very heavy on between the lines, to the point I sometimes wonder if the whole TFY,S thing isn't just Lo5 courtesy of RAW). The two man con passage might not work in cultures that don't have democracy, or who have somehow avoided the whole rebulicrat thing.
On the other hand its missing the law of fives, or a quarters experiment, something on those lines, and the more serious tone doesn't really convey the lightening up aspects of discordianism.
I think translations of Discordia into Japanese would do well to focus on the monkey hierarchy and power politics. Hierarchies in North America (workplace and social) are rather horizontal and don't have many tiers: you can hand out with your boss after work, etc. Japan is quite different: their society is much more vertical and the hierarchy is much more developed and rigid. TFY,S and the "humans = monkeys" memeset would go over well, I think.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't hanging out with the boss pretty much required in order to hold down a job in Japan?
My understanding is that people who don't hang out with the boss and share the boss's interests are seen as bad employees, regardless of how good their work is.
Quote from: Requia ☣ on May 10, 2010, 09:02:56 AM
Correct me if I'm wrong, but isn't hanging out with the boss pretty much required in order to hold down a job in Japan?
My understanding is that people who don't hang out with the boss and share the boss's interests are seen as bad employees, regardless of how good their work is.
Possibly. What I meant to say is that social hierarchies are much more rigid than they are in North America. In Japan you might be able to hang out with your boss after work, but you're still be in the boss-subordinate mindset. You wouldn't be equals.
I hang out with my kitchen crew after work all the time.
Nobody is ever foolish enough to treat me as an equal.
way back when I actually had a job people hung out with the bosses as equals.
Of course, that was tech support and 'hung out' really means 'played World of Warcraft with'. So that job may not have been the best example of US culture.
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 10, 2010, 08:42:50 AM
Quote from: Telarus on May 10, 2010, 07:36:17 AM
Hell, there are Japanese Rastafari kids......
not to threadjack too much, but no, there are not. Rastafarianism is, at heart, a black power movement. you literally cannot be a Rasta if you aren't black, no matter how nasty your hair is and how infrequently you shower.
Yeah, I agree with that. Japanese Rastas, are about as culturally valid as Japanese Elvis. But they obviously aren't doing out it of any cross-cultural need,
Just a fashion centred Tribalism, for all the right reasons, without all the Political-social baggage that such scenes carry in the West. Fair play to, Japan, they have picked all the fun stuff they wanted, out of Western culture, and been quite good not to pick all the shit up with it. Kudos, I say.
Quote from: Remington on May 10, 2010, 08:58:33 AM
I think translations of Discordia into Japanese would do well to focus on the monkey hierarchy and power politics. Hierarchies in North America (workplace and social) are rather horizontal and don't have many tiers: you can hand out with your boss after work, etc. Japan is quite different: their society is much more vertical and the hierarchy is much more developed and rigid. TFY,S and the "humans = monkeys" memeset would go over well, I think.
Culturally, Japan has many similarities with Britain. Although we play it down these days, the rigid class system is still a big social dynamic in Britain today.
We are both Island Nations, about the same size, both with Imperial History, and Militarily Strong, with rich Martial Heritages.
Both slightly Insular, from being Islands, surrounded by hostile, butthurt, or resentful neighbours. Both, the Daddys of their geographical zones,
And both Economic A-list powers.
Both with a capitalist business ethic, and rich trade on an International level.
Both regarded by outsiders as stiff, and rather emotionally stunted, but socially, very well mannered.
In fact, we have more common ground with Japan, than we do with most of the rest of Europe.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1865LycOrCo
(And yes, I know this is a song about masturbation *yawn*)
What he's talking about isn't really class system.
Quote from: Requia ☣ on May 10, 2010, 10:35:21 AM
What he's talking about isn't really class system.
I know, but it is a dynamic that both Nations still have in common.
Quote from: BadBeast on May 10, 2010, 09:49:19 AM
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 10, 2010, 08:42:50 AM
Quote from: Telarus on May 10, 2010, 07:36:17 AM
Hell, there are Japanese Rastafari kids......
not to threadjack too much, but no, there are not. Rastafarianism is, at heart, a black power movement. you literally cannot be a Rasta if you aren't black, no matter how nasty your hair is and how infrequently you shower.
Yeah, I agree with that. Japanese Rastas, are about as culturally valid as Japanese Elvis. But they obviously aren't doing out it of any cross-cultural need,
Just a fashion centred Tribalism, for all the right reasons, without all the Political-social baggage that such scenes carry in the West. Fair play to, Japan, they have picked all the fun stuff they wanted, out of Western culture, and been quite good not to pick all the shit up with it. Kudos, I say.
True enough. I suppose it's advantage of being a relatively insular society that you can pick and choose from the world's fashion plate without worrying or even thinking about the normally-attendant sociopolitical baggage inherent in such cultural subsets in the west.
Yeah, that's why I said "Rastafari kids" instead of Rastafarians.
Also, here's an interesting article on Language:
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/11/07/how-to-learn-but-not-master-any-language-in-1-hour-plus-a-favor/
Quote from: Telarus on May 10, 2010, 11:19:01 PM
Yeah, that's why I said "Rastafari kids" instead of Rastafarians.
Also, here's an interesting article on Language:
http://www.fourhourworkweek.com/blog/2007/11/07/how-to-learn-but-not-master-any-language-in-1-hour-plus-a-favor/
Interesting article. And it reminds me of someone I knew, a long time ago, who claimed to have learned to speak conversational German, in about 3 or 4 hours, during an LSD Trip, in Berlin.
I could have easily dismissed it as a crock of shite, except for A/ The fact he could speak excellent German.
And B/ This article.
Quote from: Telarus on May 10, 2010, 11:19:01 PM
Yeah, that's why I said "Rastafari kids" instead of Rastafarians.
Semantically, there's no difference as long as you're still using the root word of "Rastafarian", which is "Ras Tafari" (another name for Haile Selassie). However, now that I know what you mean that's probably a moot point.
This is pretty cool. I'm glad to know that my basic introduction thread turned out to be something of mild interest with Japan and culture (+ language).
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 10, 2010, 08:42:50 AM
Quote from: Telarus on May 10, 2010, 07:36:17 AM
Hell, there are Japanese Rastafari kids......
not to threadjack too much, but no, there are not. Rastafarianism is, at heart, a black power movement. you literally cannot be a Rasta if you aren't black, no matter how nasty your hair is and how infrequently you shower.
Just to threadjack a tiny, tiny bit more, I thought a lot about this comment, and while I agree that Rasta is, and has been always about empowering black people, it's also about so much more. I've known lots and lots of Rastas, and they have all been quite certain that you do not need to be black, to be Rasta. The Spiritual side of their belief and faith, goes a lot further than skin colour, but there are not many white people, (or Japanese, for that matter) who pursue this far enough to really "get" it, on anything more than a merely intellectual level.
Oh, god, you just created a monster. I'm just gonna respond and if the OP wants this split from the thread I won't mind.
Though it had been around in one form or another since the 30's, Rastafarianism didn't really become anything resembling a cohesive ideology and begin to spread from Jamaica to the rest of the Caribbean basin until it incorporated the teachings of Marcus Garvey in the 50's. I suppose that in the most technical of sense, you could have a white rasta in the same sense that I once knew a half-lebanese kid who joined a local skinhead group, but it really doesn't make any sense. Rastafarianism is an afrocentric movement in the most literal of senses and while there is certainly nothing racist or discriminatory implicit in its teachings it is nontheless a movement dedicated to black empowerment and the advancement of black caribbean and african culture to the exclusion and rejection of white american and european culture and values.
That's interesting. I had (wrongly) assumed it was a Christianity-based religion that for whatever reason attracted white male college hipsters who listen to imitation-reggae.
it is Christianity-based (though it's about as crazy an interpretation of Christianity as I've ever seen), but it's attraction to white hippie-types has mostly to do with it's embrace of marijuana use.
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 11, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
it is Christianity-based (though it's about as crazy an interpretation of Christianity as I've ever seen), but it's attraction to white hippie-types has mostly to do with it's embrace of marijuana use.
And an attempted rejection of vanilla suburban life.
Fact: Every "Rastafarian" - or even raggae fan - I've ever met IRL has been a 20-something suburban White kid.
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 11, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
it is Christianity-based (though it's about as crazy an interpretation of Christianity as I've ever seen), but it's attraction to white hippie-types has mostly to do with it's embrace of marijuana use.
I would say it is Bible based, rather than Christianity based. Christianity bases it's tenet upon accepting Jesus as Messiah, and Rastas don't do that. It's more Old Testament, than New, and places more relevance in the older Prophets, like Elijah, or Judah than on Jesus.
Also, there are not nearly as many Jamaicans, or West Indians generally in America, as there are in Britain. West Indian Black Culture is quite different to African-American Culture, or even African Culture.
The British, when they were Slave owners, tended to keep their Slaves in the colonies, and not at home, as it were. So there hasn't been the same kind of racial tensions that there has been in America. We had hardly any West Indians in Britain until after the War. And many early Rastas came to Britain, because we gave Haille Sellasie asylum after the Italians overthrew Ethiopia. (In fact, I used to squat in Haille Sellassie's Mansion, in Bath during the 80's, but that's another story)
In America, Black Power has been a much longer and steeper uphill struggle than in Britain, don't misunderstand me, we had a lot of racist attitude to overcome against our West Indian British Communities, but it has all pretty much been Ironed over in the 4 or 5 generations that we have had West Indians here. Rastafarianism really took off during the second and third generations here, and had a lot of positive influence in building a cultural Identity among British West Indians. It may have been instrumental in our stoner culture, but not nearly as much as you might think. From the early 70's, most white people who smoked dope, smoked Hashish, from the Middle East. But the Rastas only ever smoked weed, and had their own connections, mostly Jamaican. Weed only really became a staple here with the advent of Hydroponically grown Skunkweed. But even now, British Rastas still generally smoke Jamaican Lambs bread, preferring to leave the Skunkweed alone.
And Reggae music has always been very popular among white British youth. Even our original British Skinheads, listened to nothing but Jamaican Dancehall, and Ska, before the movement got hijacked by the National Front. Racism was not part of Skinhead culture, until the early 1980's, and even then, it mostly consisted of middle class white boys, with their own cultural issues, whilst the original working class
Skins tried to distance themselves from the political and racist element. But even now, people think that all Skinheads were Neo-Nazi boot boys, and this is simply not true. The influence of Reggae in Britain is huge, culturally, and in the music industry.And the original, spiritual Roots Reggae is still well respected and widely listened to, and there is still a big crossover between Jamaica, and Britain musically.
I'm starting to go a little off thread here, I think, so I'll maybe come back to this later, and see how it develops. (Monster indeed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2xshUutdQ
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 11, 2010, 10:25:30 PM
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 11, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
it is Christianity-based (though it's about as crazy an interpretation of Christianity as I've ever seen), but it's attraction to white hippie-types has mostly to do with it's embrace of marijuana use.
And an attempted rejection of vanilla suburban life.
Fact: Every "Rastafarian" - or even raggae fan - I've ever met IRL has been a 20-something suburban White kid.
I'm a reggae fan, and I'm a 30 something suburban white kid.
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 11, 2010, 10:25:30 PM
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 11, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
it is Christianity-based (though it's about as crazy an interpretation of Christianity as I've ever seen), but it's attraction to white hippie-types has mostly to do with it's embrace of marijuana use.
And an attempted rejection of vanilla suburban life.
Fact: Every "Rastafarian" - or even raggae fan - I've ever met IRL has been a 20-something suburban White kid.
You don't get good rastas outside of london, but those more then make up for the rest of them.
Quote from: BadBeast on May 12, 2010, 12:03:05 AM
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 11, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
it is Christianity-based (though it's about as crazy an interpretation of Christianity as I've ever seen), but it's attraction to white hippie-types has mostly to do with it's embrace of marijuana use.
I would say it is Bible based, rather than Christianity based. Christianity bases it's tenet upon accepting Jesus as Messiah, and Rastas don't do that. It's more Old Testament, than New, and places more relevance in the older Prophets, like Elijah, or Judah than on Jesus.
Also, there are not nearly as many Jamaicans, or West Indians generally in America, as there are in Britain. West Indian Black Culture is quite different to African-American Culture, or even African Culture.
The British, when they were Slave owners, tended to keep their Slaves in the colonies, and not at home, as it were. So there hasn't been the same kind of racial tensions that there has been in America. We had hardly any West Indians in Britain until after the War. And many early Rastas came to Britain, because we gave Haille Sellasie asylum after the Italians overthrew Ethiopia. (In fact, I used to squat in Haille Sellassie's Mansion, in Bath during the 80's, but that's another story)
In America, Black Power has been a much longer and steeper uphill struggle than in Britain, don't misunderstand me, we had a lot of racist attitude to overcome against our West Indian British Communities, but it has all pretty much been Ironed over in the 4 or 5 generations that we have had West Indians here. Rastafarianism really took off during the second and third generations here, and had a lot of positive influence in building a cultural Identity among British West Indians. It may have been instrumental in our stoner culture, but not nearly as much as you might think. From the early 70's, most white people who smoked dope, smoked Hashish, from the Middle East. But the Rastas only ever smoked weed, and had their own connections, mostly Jamaican. Weed only really became a staple here with the advent of Hydroponically grown Skunkweed. But even now, British Rastas still generally smoke Jamaican Lambs bread, preferring to leave the Skunkweed alone.
And Reggae music has always been very popular among white British youth. Even our original British Skinheads, listened to nothing but Jamaican Dancehall, and Ska, before the movement got hijacked by the National Front. Racism was not part of Skinhead culture, until the early 1980's, and even then, it mostly consisted of middle class white boys, with their own cultural issues, whilst the original working class
Skins tried to distance themselves from the political and racist element. But even now, people think that all Skinheads were Neo-Nazi boot boys, and this is simply not true. The influence of Reggae in Britain is huge, culturally, and in the music industry.And the original, spiritual Roots Reggae is still well respected and widely listened to, and there is still a big crossover between Jamaica, and Britain musically.
I'm starting to go a little off thread here, I think, so I'll maybe come back to this later, and see how it develops. (Monster indeed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2xshUutdQ
I'd agree about rastafarianism being more bible-based than christianity-based, and wish I had thought to make the distinction myself.
other than that, umm, thanks for the lesson. :roll:
ECH,
real live West Indian.
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 12, 2010, 12:36:59 AM
Quote from: BadBeast on May 12, 2010, 12:03:05 AM
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 11, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
it is Christianity-based (though it's about as crazy an interpretation of Christianity as I've ever seen), but it's attraction to white hippie-types has mostly to do with it's embrace of marijuana use.
I would say it is Bible based, rather than Christianity based. Christianity bases it's tenet upon accepting Jesus as Messiah, and Rastas don't do that. It's more Old Testament, than New, and places more relevance in the older Prophets, like Elijah, or Judah than on Jesus.
Also, there are not nearly as many Jamaicans, or West Indians generally in America, as there are in Britain. West Indian Black Culture is quite different to African-American Culture, or even African Culture.
The British, when they were Slave owners, tended to keep their Slaves in the colonies, and not at home, as it were. So there hasn't been the same kind of racial tensions that there has been in America. We had hardly any West Indians in Britain until after the War. And many early Rastas came to Britain, because we gave Haille Sellasie asylum after the Italians overthrew Ethiopia. (In fact, I used to squat in Haille Sellassie's Mansion, in Bath during the 80's, but that's another story)
In America, Black Power has been a much longer and steeper uphill struggle than in Britain, don't misunderstand me, we had a lot of racist attitude to overcome against our West Indian British Communities, but it has all pretty much been Ironed over in the 4 or 5 generations that we have had West Indians here. Rastafarianism really took off during the second and third generations here, and had a lot of positive influence in building a cultural Identity among British West Indians. It may have been instrumental in our stoner culture, but not nearly as much as you might think. From the early 70's, most white people who smoked dope, smoked Hashish, from the Middle East. But the Rastas only ever smoked weed, and had their own connections, mostly Jamaican. Weed only really became a staple here with the advent of Hydroponically grown Skunkweed. But even now, British Rastas still generally smoke Jamaican Lambs bread, preferring to leave the Skunkweed alone.
And Reggae music has always been very popular among white British youth. Even our original British Skinheads, listened to nothing but Jamaican Dancehall, and Ska, before the movement got hijacked by the National Front. Racism was not part of Skinhead culture, until the early 1980's, and even then, it mostly consisted of middle class white boys, with their own cultural issues, whilst the original working class
Skins tried to distance themselves from the political and racist element. But even now, people think that all Skinheads were Neo-Nazi boot boys, and this is simply not true. The influence of Reggae in Britain is huge, culturally, and in the music industry.And the original, spiritual Roots Reggae is still well respected and widely listened to, and there is still a big crossover between Jamaica, and Britain musically.
I'm starting to go a little off thread here, I think, so I'll maybe come back to this later, and see how it develops. (Monster indeed)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jy2xshUutdQ
I'd agree about rastafarianism being more bible-based than christianity-based, and wish I had thought to make the distinction myself.
other than that, umm, thanks for the lesson. :roll:
ECH,
real live West Indian.
Yeah, :) I do tend to ramble on a bit, don't I ? I really should try and be more focused. But I do mean well. (mostly)
I was just busting balls anyway. Few other people here were likely to know all that and I wasn't likely to bother typing all of that, also I would have been unable to make any points about the cultural connections to and influences on the UK since I'm not British. Interestingly, despite the seemingly more progressive British attitudes towards race, the ex-British islands tend to have more economic instability and social problems than most of the rest of the islands. Though there are certainly success stories (Barbados and the BVI most notably), Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua all suffer from rampant poverty and violent crime, more so than the French, Dutch, or Spanish islands (Haiti being the obvious exception).
Of course, when it comes to corruption and violence in the Lesser Antilles, nobody does it better than St. Thomians.
:ECH:
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 12, 2010, 01:02:43 AM
I was just busting balls anyway. Few other people here were likely to know all that and I wasn't likely to bother typing all of that, also I would have been unable to make any points about the cultural connections to and influences on the UK since I'm not British. Interestingly, despite the seemingly more progressive British attitudes towards race, the ex-British islands tend to have more economic instability and social problems than most of the rest of the islands. Though there are certainly success stories (Barbados and the BVI most notably), Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua all suffer from rampant poverty and violent crime, more so than the French, Dutch, or Spanish islands (Haiti being the obvious exception).
Yeah. My university has a research station in Dominica, and it seems to be doing well in comparison with the rest.
Dominica has buddied up to China. A few years back, China invested a massive sum in the infrastructure of Dominica in exchange for being allowed to build a refinery there. They've always been a poor island, but quite stable and peaceful and with an excellent record of environmental protection. Hopefully the economic benefits of this deal won't cause them to forget that they have one of the most amazingly beautiful and biodiverse pieces of land on the planet and that it needs to be carefully protected.
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 12, 2010, 01:56:42 AM
Dominica has buddied up to China. A few years back, China invested a massive sum in the infrastructure of Dominica in exchange for being allowed to build a refinery there. They've always been a poor island, but quite stable and peaceful and with an excellent record of environmental protection. Hopefully the economic benefits of this deal won't cause them to forget that they have one of the most amazingly beautiful and biodiverse pieces of land on the planet and that it needs to be carefully protected.
Well, it's not like the Chinese are known for ecological abuse or anything...
(http://www.treehugger.com/EWaste_Dumping_Documentary_Ghana_China_India.jpg)
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 12, 2010, 01:56:42 AM
Dominica has buddied up to China. A few years back, China invested a massive sum in the infrastructure of Dominica in exchange for being allowed to build a refinery there. They've always been a poor island, but quite stable and peaceful and with an excellent record of environmental protection. Hopefully the economic benefits of this deal won't cause them to forget that they have one of the most amazingly beautiful and biodiverse pieces of land on the planet and that it needs to be carefully protected.
Seems it will continue that way, if the trends our research has seen continue. The research station is for biodiversity monitoring and agricultural sustainability.
There's been talk of a Dominica University...don't know how long it will be before that happens.
In theory, there's no reason the refinery can't be built without trashing the island's unique ecology. It's not like Africa, where the Chinese are pit-mining everything in sight.
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 12, 2010, 02:02:41 AM
In theory, there's no reason the refinery can't be built without trashing the island's unique ecology. It's not like Africa, where the Chinese are pit-mining everything in sight.
One of the reasons I was hired as the maintenance chief at the refinery I'm at is I have some background (now a LOT of background) in pollution control technology. It isn't difficult or expensive to keep things clean, especially if you start that way.
But China won't. And I doubt the Island's government will be able to stop them.
Believe me, I'm as concerned as anyone about the inroads they're making in the region, especially given their de facto control of the Panama Canal. I'd kind of hate for St. Thomas to be a possible flashpoint in a cold war-style regional standoff between two nuclear powers.
I wouldn't hold it against the Chinese threatening to take over Dominica if the island bitches about pollution.
I hope you mean to say that you wouldn't put it past them.
I would most certainly hold it against them.
But they wouldn't overtly invade and occupy, that's not their style. They'd put the economic squeeze on HARD, and maybe send a small force of marines to protect the refinery from angry locals. It wouldn't take much. Dominica is a poor island, primarily rural with an agriculture-based economy. China is building paved roads and schools. Dominica is in no position, once having spent Chinese money on these projects, to act in an obstructionist manner towards Chinese interests.
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 12, 2010, 02:32:07 AM
But they wouldn't overtly invade and occupy, that's not their style. They'd put the economic squeeze on HARD, and maybe send a small force of marines to protect the refinery from angry locals.
This.
So how long till China has enough leverage over the US economy to do that to us?
Quote from: Requia ☣ on May 12, 2010, 03:04:14 AM
So how long till China has enough leverage over the US economy to do that to us?
1998.
They've established small but influential merchant classes on several islands. Cuba and the DR both have a Chinese presence, as do STT and Trinidad. On STT they're starting to compete with the much larger and long-established Indian community in the jewelry market (both legitimate and black-market) and, more importantly, the attendant black-market currency exchanges.
ETA: And there are probably no more than 600 - 800 Chinese nationals on STT, compared to several thousand Indians. They've definitely made a concerted effort to concentrate their influence and economic power.
QuoteI was just busting balls anyway. Few other people here were likely to know all that and I wasn't likely to bother typing all of that, also I would have been unable to make any points about the cultural connections to and influences on the UK since I'm not British. Interestingly, despite the seemingly more progressive British attitudes towards race, the ex-British islands tend to have more economic instability and social problems than most of the rest of the islands. Though there are certainly success stories (Barbados and the BVI most notably), Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua all suffer from rampant poverty and violent crime, more so than the French, Dutch, or Spanish islands (Haiti being the obvious exception).
Speaking of crime rates, it's really interesting that despite all the rape manga (comics), perverted men coping a feel on subways, and physical violoence and out-witting each other for entertainment (because the Japanese don't get sarcasm at all), Japan has one of the safest streets to walk through at night. In the whole country, there has been only maybe...seven murders this year? And that's high for them. There's barely any sexual assault, either.
It kind of makes me sad, since almost everyday here there's some kind of crime, murder, rape. :sad:
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 12, 2010, 04:56:14 PM
QuoteI was just busting balls anyway. Few other people here were likely to know all that and I wasn't likely to bother typing all of that, also I would have been unable to make any points about the cultural connections to and influences on the UK since I'm not British. Interestingly, despite the seemingly more progressive British attitudes towards race, the ex-British islands tend to have more economic instability and social problems than most of the rest of the islands. Though there are certainly success stories (Barbados and the BVI most notably), Jamaica, Trinidad, St. Kitts and Nevis, and Antigua all suffer from rampant poverty and violent crime, more so than the French, Dutch, or Spanish islands (Haiti being the obvious exception).
Speaking of crime rates, it's really interesting that despite all the rape manga (comics), perverted men coping a feel on subways, and physical violoence and out-witting each other for entertainment (because the Japanese don't get sarcasm at all), Japan has one of the safest streets to walk through at night. In the whole country, there has been only maybe...seven murders this year? And that's high for them. There's barely any sexual assault, either.
It kind of makes me sad, since almost everyday here there's some kind of crime, murder, rape. :sad:
DOING IT WRONG.
Tucson averaged 4609 violent crimes per year. Then in 2009, it dropped by 43%. Not because we changed, or the police became more efficient, or anything, but because they stopped counting the greater Tucson area, and only counted the metro area itself.
Which, incidentally, is 57% of the population.
When I go to Tuscon someday, I'm staying less than 2 ft from Padre Dolor the whole time.
Quote from: Kai on May 12, 2010, 05:08:47 PM
When I go to Tuscon someday, I'm staying less than 2 ft from Padre Dolor the whole time.
Which, of course, will be the exact moment I go down in a hail of gunfire.
I've seen how this sort of thing works in the movies.
Quote from: Faust on May 12, 2010, 12:21:35 AM
Quote from: Doktor Howl on May 11, 2010, 10:25:30 PM
Quote from: Exit City Hustle on May 11, 2010, 10:23:17 PM
it is Christianity-based (though it's about as crazy an interpretation of Christianity as I've ever seen), but it's attraction to white hippie-types has mostly to do with it's embrace of marijuana use.
And an attempted rejection of vanilla suburban life.
Fact: Every "Rastafarian" - or even raggae fan - I've ever met IRL has been a 20-something suburban White kid.
You don't get good rastas outside of london, but those more then make up for the rest of them.
I imagine there's some good ones in Kingstown.
You probably meant "Kingston", and no, there are no "good" anyone in Kingston. That place is the biggest shithole in the western hemisphere. Even St. Thomians don't fuck around there. AFAIK, most Jamaican rastas tend to move to more rural areas of the island, unless they're in the business of selling weed to tourists (aka they're fake rastas) in which case they tend to concentrate around Montego Bay, Ocho Rios, and Negril. Or Fort Lauderdale.
QuoteDOING IT WRONG.
Tucson averaged 4609 violent crimes per year. Then in 2009, it dropped by 43%. Not because we changed, or the police became more efficient, or anything, but because they stopped counting the greater Tucson area, and only counted the metro area itself.
Which, incidentally, is 57% of the population.
QuoteWhen I go to Tuscon someday, I'm staying less than 2 ft from Padre Dolor the whole time.
I think I'll just stay away from Tuscon in general.
Suit yourself. Some people just aren't compatible with the brand of fun that this decade has to offer.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 12, 2010, 04:56:14 PM
Speaking of crime rates, it's really interesting that despite all the rape manga (comics), perverted men coping a feel on subways, and physical violoence and out-witting each other for entertainment (because the Japanese don't get sarcasm at all), Japan has one of the safest streets to walk through at night. In the whole country, there has been only maybe...seven murders this year? And that's high for them. There's barely any sexual assault, either.
It kind of makes me sad, since almost everyday here there's some kind of crime, murder, rape. :sad:
DONT GET SARCASM :x HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM?????
Just remember to always yell "SURPRISE!"
QuoteDONT GET SARCASM argh HOW AM I SUPPOSED TO COMMUNICATE WITH THEM?????
They'll just take you literally. And just look at you funny. And be very sad.
Japan runs on politeness.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 13, 2010, 04:47:49 AM
QuoteDOING IT WRONG.
Tucson averaged 4609 violent crimes per year. Then in 2009, it dropped by 43%. Not because we changed, or the police became more efficient, or anything, but because they stopped counting the greater Tucson area, and only counted the metro area itself.
Which, incidentally, is 57% of the population.
QuoteWhen I go to Tuscon someday, I'm staying less than 2 ft from Padre Dolor the whole time.
I think I'll just stay away from Tuscon in general.
That's okay. Sometimes Tucson comes to
you.
... :eek:
I WILL DIE WITH HONOR WHEN THAT DAY COMES.
Quote from: Abbess Jade on May 13, 2010, 10:25:44 PM
... :eek:
I WILL DIE WITH HONOR WHEN THAT DAY COMES.
Actually, it usually means you get shot from behind and tossed in a dumpster.
QuoteActually, it usually means you get shot from behind and tossed in a dumpster.
Then I will die with my soul sobbing as it is propelled from my body at impact from the bullet!