[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 5 points 4 days ago* (last edited 4 days ago)

Pornography is used in sex education in some countries. Not very widely, and usually at the later stages and ages, but still used.

I'm not an expert in sex education, so I'll refer you to this article as a jumping off point: https://www.apa.org/monitor/2021/03/teaching-porn-literacy

You might also be interested in catching up on Nina Hartley, a retired porn actress, who is also a communist and a feminist, and now an activist for sex literacy: https://thehumanist.com/magazine/september-october-2010/features/atheism-ethics-and-pornography-an-interview-with-nina-hartley/

EDIT: Just so we are clear, since I saw your edit after answering, sex education isn't just about practicing safe sex. It's also about dealing with sexuality emotionally. Including being able to assess sexual content (in regards to consent, morality, etc), body positivity, avoiding feelings of guilt regarding sex, sexual orientation, sexual preferences and sexual content, and identifying signs of bad sexual tendencies and helping to overcome them (e.g. linking violence and sex). In that regard, sometimes letting kids view certain porn can help to reinforce these lessons. Especially in regards to sexual orientation and preferences.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 7 points 4 days ago

What does a safe environment mean? And why let kids experience that kind of content?

They will experience it eventually, at some point in their lives, whether as kids or as adults. Giving them a controlled way to experience these things can help them fortify themselves better against their worst consequences. It's the same approach taken by many parents regarding cigarettes and alcohol. Warn the child against it, but if they are determined to try it, it's better that they try it together with the parent, than alone or with friends, where they can binge, get carried away, be harmed by it, etc.

The mystique and the thrill of doing something forbidden plays a huge role in driving kids towards these things. And the adrenaline of having done something forbidden can actually reinforce the behavior and make it even more addictive. However, if there's the option of doing whatever in a safe manner and supervised, then kids tend to not consider it so attractive anymore. It's something to experience, sure, but there's no longer a strong urge to over-indulge. And whoever is supervising them gets the chance to help them through certain emotions about the experience, rather than let them deal with it alone, whether it's porn, horror, gore, violence, drugs, alcohol, cigarettes, etc.

I'm not saying let the kids experience anything willy-nilly, just because it's futile to stop them. I'm saying let them have an option to experience it safely, with someone who is going to be able to help them comprehend its consequences. For example, with porn, it'd be helpful if they are informed about how exploitative sex work can be, how certain porn is not made with consent, or even used as sex education.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 14 points 4 days ago

They are right in that teens will always be looking for porn, even just out of curiosity. They'll find ways to access it, even if heavily regulated and secured. Working at a school, I can tell you I've seen some pretty explicit stuff on some kids' devices. No matter what you do, you can't prevent it, short of completely disabling access to electronics, and posting security at every venue that makes these things available.

That doesn't mean one should be making it publicly available. Not everyone is ready for that kind of stuff.

And it's a particularly vile argument if they are talking about pedophiliac content (depicting underage people).

But they are also not wrong when they say that it's better to let kids experience this kind of content in a safe environment. Ideally, that should fall under parenting though. I think that when kids go about it in secrecy, they end up harming themselves emotionally and mentally.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 18 points 4 days ago

"Imperialism: the highest stage of capitalism" by Lenin

I find it important and, for me, it was a very good first read.

But it has sections that are filled with economic data for various countries at the time (Germany, France, Britain, Russia mostly) and it can become quite heavy and involved. I could see someone, who's not used to reading that kind of book, being put off by the sheer volume of data drops that Lenin uses. When I recommend it, I usually tell people to skip the data analysis if they aren't interested.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 5 days ago* (last edited 5 days ago)

I've heard of arrangements like this in my country. They have a legal framework however. And usually they allow the home-dweller to pay an extra fee on top (like regular rent), which goes towards buying the house at a pre-agreed price. So at the end, they end up buying the house but paying for it in doses.

I can see how it could be abused by either party though. The home-owner could take advantage of the home-dweller, and the home-dweller could avoid paying the full fees agreed, ending up screwing the home-owner who is liable for things like property tax and minimum maintenance laws. It definitely would take effort and trust to make it work.

Having a contract drawn up for this sort of thing would be ideal, but that depends on the legal framework where OP's inherited house would be.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 6 days ago* (last edited 6 days ago)

If you want to find a compromise between your morality and having to live under capitalism, then there's 3 possible avenues, from easiest to most effort:

a) Keep it. As long as you aren't landlording it's fine. You might need it in the future for yourself or your children. You live under capitalism, you need to survive according to capitalism's rules.

b) Sell it at a low price to someone/a family that needs it as a first home

c) Rent it to someone, but without renting it. Basically, let them stay there as long as they take care of the utility bills, taxes, maintenance, etc. You could even arrange something a bit more formal with a local charity organization that helps people in need.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 4 points 6 days ago

Yeah, it annoys me to no end as well. I just ignore those posts but it can get grating.

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Firstly, I congratulate the Christians on their glorious holidays of Easter, and we ask God to help us to follow in the footsteps of Jesus Christ (peace be upon him) in love, social service, and good morals that lead to serving humanity.

This aggression does not take into account any moral humanitarian consideration. It is an occupation. We remained steadfast, the people who rose, our people and Lebanon remained steadfast, and we were able, with all the necessary elements, to reach the state signing an indirect agreement with the enemy in November 2024.

We have been facing a brutal Israeli-American aggression since the beginning of the "Oli al-Ba'as" battle.

The agreement stipulated a complete cessation of aggression, the release of prisoners, and the start of reconstruction.

We endured for 15 months Israel's failure to implement any clause of the agreement.

We were patient, yet diplomacy did not advance a single step despite hundreds of martyrs and wounded; the pace remained constant: the continuation of the aggression on Lebanon by the enemy with full American support.

We may capture some of the enemy's soldiers any time.

We responded at the appropriate time and found that this was the right moment to proceed with implementing the agreement; it was then discovered that a massive aggressive plan had been prepared for Lebanon. We deprived the enemy of catching us by surprise and inflicting the very heavy losses that could have occurred.

The enemy's goals are clear: to destroy the strength that Lebanon possesses as a prelude to "Greater Israel."

For the record, all of Lebanon is targeted; when Israel occupies southern Lebanon, it means it is occupying Lebanon, and when it exerts pressure and spreads its killing across Lebanese territories, it means all of Lebanon is targeted.

In the event of aggression, the Lebanese state is supposed to resist and task its army and forces to confront the aggression.

The state's failure to resist can be justified by its weakness and lack of capability, but it cannot be justified for the state to become a tool for Israel by exerting pressure and making government decisions to weaken the internal situation in the face of aggression.

Israel and the United States have clearly stated that they want to strengthen the army to disarm and fight Hezbollah, and they want the state to abolish the party's various institutions and eliminate the existence of the resistance, its people, and everyone who supports it.

They want to support the army only to the extent that it is capable of fighting its own people, and this is something the army cannot do.

Because we are existentially targeted, because our homeland is targeted by the "Greater Israel" project, and because our country’s independence is threatened—and since no one has the right to impose anything upon us—we decided to confront and resist in defense of Lebanon and its people, and we are fighting the battle of "Al-Asf al-Ma'kul" in this sense.

We are fighting under this title and slogan, and we are the rightful party, being aggressed upon—as is our homeland—by the Israeli-American enemy.

This is not a battle for the "security of the north," but rather an aggression to devour Lebanon and annihilate its strength, its people, and its resistance.

Mr. President, they are pressuring you to confront your own people, yet we are together—sons of one country that we build together and establish together.

Mr. Prime Minister, what have those who have been pressuring Lebanon since the formation of your government provided? All their demands are for you to ignite the internal situation and provide justifications for the enemy.

Let us face the aggression together, and afterwards, we can reach an understanding on the future and everything else.

Our decision in the Resistance is to never relent and never surrender, and the battlefield shall speak.

We refuse negotiations with the usurping entity; these negotiations are futile and require a Lebanese consensus to shift the compass from non-negotiation to direct negotiation.

This is part of a series of free concessions offered by the authority, and practical evidence has shown that these are losing concessions through which they humiliate us, causing both the government and the people of Lebanon to lose.

You say you want a ceasefire, but what do they say, and what cards do you hold in your hands?

This negotiation is an act of submission and surrender, and we call for a heroic stance to cancel it. Nations will then come running to you, and you will establish the use of elements of strength to confront the Israeli enemy and force it to implement the agreements.

You are truly strange! By God, you do not fight, nor do you let anyone else fight; you do not resist, nor do you let anyone else resist. Go and look at the Israeli enemy—everyone there is fighting.

They want to maintain their occupation and expand their reserves, and they take advantage of every soldier they have.

The authority is responsible for sovereignty, liberation, and the protection of citizens.

Tell us, what have you done and what have you achieved? On the contrary, you are squandering everything.

If you are unable, then either remain silent or let us cooperate.

The only path that achieves sovereignty is the implementation of the agreement, by completely stopping the aggression, the immediate withdrawal from all territories, the release of prisoners, and the return of people to their villages and cities, up to the very last house in the border strip and the borders of Lebanon.

Reconstruction must take place through an official decision and international support, and with responsibility from all supporters.

These five points must be implemented first, and then we, the Lebanese, will know how to make decisions.

Some ask: if the aggression continues, how long do we remain? We are faced with two choices: surrender—and that will not happen—or confrontation.

Let those in charge think about how to confront the aggression by various means.

If someone is thinking of surrendering, let them go and surrender alone; we will not surrender, and we will remain on the battlefield until the last breath. We will confront, we demand what is right, and we present a model to the world that Lebanon—with its army, its people, and its resistance—is defiant against the enemy.

They are the ones attacking us.

Do not flip the facts; we are fighting a clear enemy, and this is Lebanon's war against the Israeli-American enemy, not the wars of others [Iran]. Our land is being occupied and our youth are being killed.

Where are these "wars of others"?

We cannot meet the number of those wishing to go to the front.

They have a connection with God that enables them to achieve accomplishments.

These are the sons of Hussein; they do not bow their heads to anyone but God.

We are victorious from now and at every moment, despite the great sacrifices, and we have youth who fight with a high martyry spirit.

Victory is to inflict pain on the enemy, and we are pained him; victory is that he does not achieve his goals, and he will not achieve them; and victory is that we do not allow him to settle, and he will not settle.

Let it be known and clear, and the field has proven that the resistance has prepared itself in silence and secrecy. The fighters are engaging in hit-and-run tactics, and we are using various means of resistance. Whenever the opportunity arises, we will capture enemy soldiers.

Whenever we have the chance, we will take captives, and we will fight the enemy from behind, from his right, and from his left.

We will not let him settle, and he will live in fear. The resistance, with its capabilities and methods, is not just about direct confrontation or fighting at the borders; above all, it is faith, willpower, and ability.

You demolish houses to turn them into barren land and create a buffer zone; this is a great crime upon your shoulders.

This matter will be difficult for you; reconstruction and the return of the residents are two essential conditions for ending the aggression.

We have past experiences before us; how long did they stay since 1982? In the end, the people returned "against their will" despite meager capabilities.

When the steps to deploy the army south of the Litani River succeeded, it was achieved thanks to the constructive cooperation between the authority and the resistance, and between the army and the resistance.

When the army deployed, we were facilitating, and not a single "slap" occurred, nor was the army forced into any negative measures.

Today, when the political authority takes decisions on March 2nd, criminalizes the resistance, and considers the resistance fighters outlaws, how can they be asked to coordinate to organize the situation in Lebanon?

If you want your country, your homeland, and unity, "show us" this practical implementation.

You made a decision and are stabbing the resistance in the back.

I call on the political authority to reverse this decision. For us, it is not a correct decision, and the authority does not have the right to make it; it requires national consensus.

I call upon the Lebanese government to retract its decisions, as this is part of Lebanon's sovereignty; the political authority is capable of doing so, and then cooperation between the authority, the resistance, and the people will increase, enabling us to protect the homeland.

The occupation will vanish, even if after a while.

We are the owners of the land, and we will raise Lebanon's head high.

You will remain anxious; this country cannot tolerate killers at checkpoints, nor those who spread poisons against the President of the Republic and others.

Change your behavior, people, and stand with the homeland.

They want the army to fight the resistance to eliminate it and seize control of its decision-making.

Thank God, the army is conscious and mature; it cannot be drawn into the circle of strife, just as the resistance cannot be drawn into the circle of strife.

We are one heart with our Sunni brothers, and they will not be able to succeed with this discord between us; we will not allow it to rear its head among the honorable people of this nation. Similarly, they attempt to drive a wedge between Hezbollah and the Amal Movement, but we are all the children of Imam Musa al-Sadr.

Christians and Muslims are our brothers in the homeland, and in religion and the divine messages; what unites us is far greater than what divides us.  I address a word to some Gulf countries, particularly Kuwait and Bahrain: we have no cells in your countries, so what is your interest in inventing matters and accusing us?

We have denied three times the existence of any cells of ours in these countries, yet this accusation is repeated without any evidence.

We must cooperate; we have an "Israeli" project that we must confront, and this project affects everyone.

I believe that the Syrian leadership and the Syrian people realize that America is working to create a problem.

They want to strip Iran of its power to steal its wealth, but thank God, Iran surprised them with its steadfastness, sacrifices, and capabilities.

They killed the Guardian Leader [Ayatollah Khamenei] along with a group of leaders and the people, but Iran united and elected a new Guardian, Sayyid Mujtaba, in addition to restoring the leadership and the presence of the people in the field.

God willing, Iran is victorious; and when Iran included Lebanon in the ceasefire, some in Lebanon were annoyed.

We must cooperate with Iran and with all the countries that can help us.

Thank you to Iran for its support and its pressure on America and "Israel," and thank you to Yemen, Iraq, and everyone who helped.

The Lebanese state must correct its position toward Iran, and to every country that wants to support us, we say: Welcome.

It is true that the pressure is great, but the mission is significant, and the trust of the martyrs and their blood is a responsibility upon our shoulders.

The aggression of the usurping "Israel" on Beirut, which led to more than 300 martyrs and 2,000 wounded—these are among the trusts upon our shoulders.

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The current government was led by the Communist Party of Nepal. Protests claim to be about Nepal trying to limit access to Western social media. Sounds like a Western operation to me.

59

What I find really interesting is that this guy is basically a liberal, yet he has the decency to question the propaganda and breaks the basics down very well.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 67 points 9 months ago* (last edited 9 months ago)

In East Germany, you could send a letter to any official's office up to the chairman with complaints, suggestions, etc, and they not only had to read it, but had to respond back with the steps they took to resolve your issue, or explain why they couldn't resolve it, within 4 week. By law, they had to prove to you that they put in every effort to help you. Then every few months, they had to submit to a committee of volunteers all the letters they received and the responses the gave. This committee published all the data of the amount of letters sent through this channel, and the % of letters that were successfully resolved. It's estimated that at least 2/3rds of all households in East Germany had sent such a letter and got a successful resolution out of it, throughout the DDR's history.

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Looking for a video (lemmygrad.ml)

Hey comrades, I'm looking for a video that I'm fairly certain I saw on Lemmygrad a few months ago. I can't remember the title. It was either a tiktok video or a youtube short. It gave details on the Russian and Chinese revolutions. It might have involved something about North Korea too. It outlined the situation of those countries before and after the revolution in a sort of comic way. I remember the creator wearing moustaches and top-hats throughout different scenes of the video.

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Pokémon Revolution (existentialcomics.com)
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[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 66 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

A lot of writing in that article is bad, but this takes the propaganda cake:

Russia also has the advantage of time. While Putin can lead Russia along a single strategic trajectory regardless of the length of the war, the U.S. is subject to the whims of democracy. The White House and seats in Congress change hands. Policies change as voters grow weary of supporting other countries.

It's like an onion. There's so many levels to these 3 sentences, that if I start peeling them apart, I'll burst into tears.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 109 points 2 years ago

They didn't just give them weapons. They trained them in Canada.

Also, let's not forget:

  • Canada has been actively importing Nazis since the 50s (and Trudeau's father signed off on it too)

  • The Canadian minister of finance is the granddaughter of an actual Nazi and proud of it.

  • Canada has been instrumental in pushing the Uyghur genocide narrative

  • Canada has been instrumental in pushing the Tibetan genocide narrative and had financed the Tibetan monk uprising in 1959

  • Canada is littered with hundreds of Nazi memorials, including several to Stepan Bandera

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 69 points 2 years ago

Not even a staffer to vet them. Either Zelensky or Rota introduced the Nazi as having "fought against Russia for Ukrainian independence, during WW2".

Everyone should immediately understand what this means, and especially a Holocaust survivor descendant.

[-] OrnluWolfjarl@lemmygrad.ml 88 points 2 years ago

Spencer's analysis is just an overview of the current symptom.

This is the real disease:

because it sees a new platform it can scale to feed the financial growth demanded by investors.

Investors/shareholders demand infinite growth, but there's finite space to grow (millions of games, few customers). This is why, in the past 2 decades we've been seeing the scummiest of practices being employed again and again, as well as a 300% hike in base prices. Capitalism has eaten gaming.

But we've been observing this trend in AAA and AA publishers/developers mostly. Indie gaming is alive and well and evolving towards being better and better. Why? Because indie developers are not usually beholden to investors.

Once you hear a gaming company you used to like has gone public, say your condolences and then run away.

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OrnluWolfjarl

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