4981

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 27, 2015, 07:52:50 PM »

They probably learned from the prequels to ignore politics.

4982

Suggestions & Concerns / Re: Moving Threads

« on: December 26, 2015, 01:55:00 PM »

Agrees with parsifal and SW. 

4983

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 26, 2015, 10:33:37 AM »

That's what I assumed, then they started talking about a Republic which was apparently separate from the Republic but backed by it?

Rebels.

Republic is separate from the Rebels.

4984

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 26, 2015, 06:28:24 AM »

Ok, did anyone understand the whole First Order thing enough to explain it without resorting to non-film material?

The Emporer died.
Some guy took power.
Renamee Empire to First Order.

4985

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 23, 2015, 09:38:54 PM »

What? I'm not even talking about his spirit showing up. I'm just talking about what a douche he was and the audience is okay with it cause he saved Luke.

In the real world, people are typically not okay with someone that evil just because they sacrificed themselves for one person. Vader is a dick.

Oh.
Then yeah, totally doesn't balance.

4986

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 23, 2015, 08:35:11 PM »

I don't think him killing Han decided anything once and for all. That seems way too absolute. Anakin murdered all the younglings, killed Mace Windu, killed his former Jedi master Obi-Wan (as Darth Vader), and still went back to the Light Side in the end.

He clearly made his choice though.

And one good deed hardly means Vader went back to the light side. I never understood that, he was responsible for so much death and destruction but when he saves his kid he's redeemed? No.

He didn't just save his kid, he threw his old master to his death and sacrificed his own life to do so.  Anyway, this redemption is not like Christianity where you have a ledger of sins that must be atoned for, it is something that happens in the heart.

Nah, that shit doesn't cut it for me. He killed sooooo many innocent people. Fuck you, Vader!

You seem to be under the impression the force gives a damn about light and dark. Vader could have simply appeared because he found peace with himself and was able to join the force.  The internal conflict was resolved.  Palpatine probably became one with the force as well, he's just a dick so he wouldn't show up to a bunch of good guys.

4987

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 22, 2015, 07:06:42 PM »

Also, Lord Dave, Rey had zero training with a saber yet was pretty proficient. That backs up what Vindictus is saying about using the Force over being a trained fencer.

She also had zero force training yet mind controlled a storm trooper within minutes of even learning she could. 

To me this is just a plothole.  Or she's a force prodigy and needs no training.  Which to me is stupid.

As for Luke fighting Vader:  The first time, Vader wasn't trying to kill him.  The second time, it's iffy.


But let's say the Jedi don't do saber training.  Let's say it's uncoordinated movements that you do while sensing.  Completely untrained.  So you know that your opponent is going to swing from above.  What do you do?  Block would be your instinct, but do you know how to effectively block or even counter attack?  The force can tell you what's coming but it can't tell you how to react to it.

This would be the difference of a fist fight between a black belt and a normal, untrained guy with the force.  Can he see that kick coming?  Sure.  And his instinct will be to do something.  But the black belt will have a much better chance of anticipating his actions and having a counter attack ready.  You can predict his attacks, but how do you defend yourself against them in such a way as to avoid what he anticipates?

Sorry but there is no possible way the Jedi are going to give anyone a weapon and not train them how to use it.  It's stupid and a waste.  And if they did, the Sith would capitalize on that and say "You know, if we TRAIN this guy to fight with a light saber, he'll kick the butt of any Jedi."


Side note:  Vader is in a giant suit and is slow because of it.  Hence why his style is a very forceful one rather than agile. 

Also:
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bob_Anderson_%28fencer%29
The guy who did the sword fighting as Vader WAS a professional fencer AND he did the choreography.  So... yeah.

4988

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 22, 2015, 11:45:13 AM »

We never saw luke get trained in much.  Should we assume he was only trained onscreen?

Well, yeah. There were only two Jedi in the original trilogy and both were dead by 6. Neither taught Luke to fight with a saber.

They didn't train Luke to do a flip either or pull shit with the force.  There's a lot of "off screen" training that went on.  Presumably, Yoda or ghost ben taught him how to use a light saber properly.  If not, he had no chance against Vader.  Ever.

Also, Obi-wan mentions to Anakin how he needs to work on his sabering.

"If you spent as much time practicing your saber techniques as you did your wit, you'd rival Master Yoda as a swordsman."

Ah yes, one of the many stupid fucking lines in the prequels. Lucas seems to have forgotten what they wrote for Yoda in the original trilogy.

No where does he state the force is the only training he gives.  Hell, he built a lightsaber.  Surely Yoda taught him how.

4989

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 22, 2015, 09:53:40 AM »

You guys realise that training in the movie-verse basically means understanding the force better, right? Not actual lightsaber training. Luke never used his saber once on Dagobah. Only in the shitty prequels did they go full retard with the blast shield helmets and floating devices for saber training, and even that emphasizes use of the force.

I wouldn't be surprised if Kylo has zero training in lightsaber use. Regardless, it doesn't matter. He smashed Finn and nearly beat Rey while sustaining multiple injuries.

There is literally no point in having a weapon if you aren't trained to use it.
While we didn't SEE any saber training, swinging wildly is not going to solve anything.  Especially since the weapon is exotic enough that you could very easily hurt yourself using it.

They don't swing wildly. The whole point of lightsabers being specific to force users is that they can forsee blaster fire and the swings of opponents. Do you really need hand to hand combat training when you're operating with precognition? This also doesn't address my point that throughout the whole original trilogy Luke is never once taught to use his lightsaber against an opponent, even being told to not use it.

I'm fully aware of the bullshit stances that are elaborated on in the EU, but they've never been conveyed or mentioned in any of the movies. Lightsaber battles are about the characters and their use of the force, not who is the best fencer.

No, its specific to force users because its a difficult weapon to use.  The blade is weightless.


We never saw luke get trained in much.  Should we assume he was only trained onscreen?


Also, Obi-wan mentions to Anakin how he needs to work on his sabering.




"If you spent as much time practicing your saber techniques as you did your wit, you'd rival Master Yoda as a swordsman."

4990

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 22, 2015, 07:16:11 AM »

You guys realise that training in the movie-verse basically means understanding the force better, right? Not actual lightsaber training. Luke never used his saber once on Dagobah. Only in the shitty prequels did they go full retard with the blast shield helmets and floating devices for saber training, and even that emphasizes use of the force.

I wouldn't be surprised if Kylo has zero training in lightsaber use. Regardless, it doesn't matter. He smashed Finn and nearly beat Rey while sustaining multiple injuries.

There is literally no point in having a weapon if you aren't trained to use it.
While we didn't SEE any saber training, swinging wildly is not going to solve anything.  Especially since the weapon is exotic enough that you could very easily hurt yourself using it.

4991

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 21, 2015, 04:20:09 PM »

Saw it last night. It was okay for me. The character development felt lacking and I didn't really get any sort of emotional attachment. Some more back story behind Han and Kylo Ren would have been nice. The scene he kills his father felt like it should've been more emotional, but was lacking. I appreciated some of the nostalgia, but I think it may have been a bit overdone. Hopefully in the sequels, they can move on from the past and develop a new storyline. Maybe one that doesn't involve a Death Star or Star Killer or Death Galaxy Sun Killer.

I also share Thork's disdain for a lack of guard rails. But I've felt that way in all of them.

And Kylo Ren must be the worst Dark Side villain with a light saber. He should've decapitated Finn in a few seconds. He's a fucking janitor turned Stormtrooper.

I think he's got raw force power but very little actual training.  He can't even control his anger.  He felt like a whiny kid (and looked like a whiny kid) though much better than Anakin.

4992

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 21, 2015, 03:54:16 PM »

I would have liked a few wooky tears, yes.



Whoa, wait. So Chewy works as co-pilot for 30 years, and the moment a promotion opportunity occurs, a woman they have met just 3 days ago who has limited experience gets to keep the ship and be his boss? Chewy is 7 feet tall. He should have stuffed that girl with the big teeth into a garbage pod and ejected her less than 2 mins after they were airborne.

1. You assume he isn't happy Han is dead.  Maybe it's more like "Life Debt fulfilled.  Thank Wookie God that's over."
2. You also assume he wants the captain job.  Maybe he doesn't want it?  Maybe he sucks at it?  Maybe he doesn't care?

Though I thought getting a good shot off at Kylo was moving enough, then he blew the explosives while he was inside.  Like a "Fuck you, now die."

4993

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 21, 2015, 08:48:37 AM »

Yet another Death Star was just ridiculous.

At least they learned from the last one and covered the opening.

By issues with it is

1) It would take a shit load of time to build.  Using an exiting planet was smart but still, a very long time and manpower and resources.  The Empire took years to build the first death star and they had nearly infinite resources.  And how did the alliance/republic not know this was happening?

2) I'm ok with the whole "hyperspace laser" Fine, whatever.  But using a star to power it is just impractical.  They only had two shots.

4994

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars ep 7 (with spoilers)

« on: December 20, 2015, 09:05:27 PM »

Oh yeah, plot holes like nobody's business.


"Hi, I'm Rey.  I just discovered the force an hour ago and now I'm mind controlling. Lol."

4995

Arts & Entertainment / Re: Star Wars: Episode VII (cast list released!)

« on: December 20, 2015, 06:57:12 AM »

You're the only one who's defining this guy by his race, Thork.  I highly doubt that the First Order particularly cares about the skin color of its cannon fodder.

On a slight tangent, the whole clone army thing was a really stupid idea in the first place.  Yeah, the "Clone Wars" were name-dropped in ANH, so they had to work clones in there somehow, but a convenient army of disposable, identical soldiers with no lives outside of war wasn't the way the do it.  It's hard to find a more obvious example of redshirts than these guys.  We don't see any grieving families for the thousands of soldiers who die, because the clones have no families.  We don't see veterans attempting to adjust to civilian life, because the clones don't do anything but fight in the war.  We don't see the cost on society as so many people join the military and never come back, because the clones doing all the fighting aren't a part of that society at all.  And there's absolutely no self-awareness about the whole thing.  Not a single character in the prequels ever considers, even for a moment, that there might be a slight ethical concern with hundreds of thousands of sapient beings being mass-produced and shipped off to fight and die in a war whether they like it or not.  The clones are only controversial because of some boring political debate about who gets to control them.

Because they are.  There are no ethical problems.  The clones are disposable, much like droids.


What bothers me is how a clone is better than a machine designes to kill.  Precision targeting, guns built into their arm, super armor, shields, and they still suck.

4996

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: "Assault" weapons, for it or against it?

« on: December 18, 2015, 06:38:30 AM »

Look, these gun threads never go anywhere. You end up with a bunch of eurocucks claiming guns are bad and then some guy from Britain will come in and brag about their gun control, completely forgetting they live on an island. After that, the USA brigade quotes the second amendment and reminds everyone that repealing an amendment is borderline impossible. The end.

But if we didn't bitch about topics that go nowhere, we wouldn't exist as a forum.

4997

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: 2016 US Presidential Race

« on: December 17, 2015, 09:43:07 AM »

Please provide the link.

You mean this?

http://www.npr.org/2015/12/14/459642064/why-ted-cruz-could-have-a-real-shot-at-the-gop-nomination

(it is dated December 14)

So it is.  Still not surprising.


What about all your past prediction?  Like from 4 years ago.

4998

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: 2016 US Presidential Race

« on: December 17, 2015, 08:31:55 AM »

Pretty sure your record is non-existent on predictions.

On December 12, I wrote:

Obviously, in Iowa, the evangelical vote will matter most.

(imagine having to go against a Cruz-Carson ticket)

Then, on March 1, the evangelical vote will be of considerable importance,  especially if one of the candidates is from a home state.


On December 13, many hours before the actual poll came out:

Trump's role is to prepare the way for someone else


Then, the Iowa poll was published, surprising everyone (with the exception of those, including LordDave, who read my messages):

http://www.bloomberg.com/politics/articles/2015-12-12/cruz-soars-to-front-of-the-pack-in-iowa-poll-trump-support-stays-flat-ii3p88rp


On December 12, I also wrote:

the Fed gradually raising rates in 2016 to some 1%

At that time, everyone was sure that the Fed would only raise the rate by 0.25% and then stop for a long time before even considering raising the rates again.


Then, again, to just about everyone's surprise:

...signaling that the pace of subsequent increases will be “gradual”

Then the Fed separately forecast an appropriate rate of 1.375 percent at the end of 2016, implying four 0.25% increases in the rate next year.

As for what will happen on March 1, we will see...

I read an article on npr last week about cruz and the evengelion vote.  Not surprised.

4999

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: "Assault" weapons, for it or against it?

« on: December 15, 2015, 11:18:39 PM »

the carthaginians at cannae: no guns.
anglo-saxons at hastings: no guns.
cumans at kalka river: no guns.

america, on the other hand, has lots of guns and has never been invaded by romans, normans, or mongols.  not even once.  checkmate, liberals.

Vikings invaded America before Columbus existed.  And they had no guns, just axes.


Check mate conservatives.

5000

Philosophy, Religion & Society / Re: "Assault" weapons, for it or against it?

« on: December 15, 2015, 11:06:33 PM »

A lot of those factoids are too broad to draw such conclusions.


For example, gun control in nazi germany actually decreased over time.  Also, Jews didn't know they were going to die early on.  So defend from what?