Why I’ll never be cool with the fat acceptance movement.
So this is probably going to get me a lot of grief, but I’m just going to go ahead and say it. I’m prejudiced against fat people. Now before you start banging out that hate mail, hear me out. There’s a couple of things I have to explain.
First of all, When I say “fat people” I don’t mean slightly chubby or tubby-because-you’re-so-busy-you-haven’t been-taking-proper-care-of-yourself fat. I mean obese people.
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grossly fat or overweight.
Secondly, we come to the reason why I find obesity so unacceptable. Barring strange medical conditions such as hyperthyroidism or Chushing’s syndrome, obesity is almost entirely self inflicted. Yes, that’s right. You are responsible for the condition of your body. No one else is. The mass that has accumulated on your frame did not magically appear out of thin air. You put it there. When I see a “large” person, I can’t help but start trying to figure out how many chicken wings, sodas and burgers it took them to get to their present mass.
Now don’t get me wrong, I have a sweet tooth too, and I blessed with an active metabolism. I enjoy the occasional binge, but I also have a condition that requires that I watch what I eat. Obesity is a disease, and the easiest cure is to watch what you eat and how you eat it.
Third. We are evolutionarily conditioned to pick the “fittest” partner to mate with in order to have the most genetically successful offspring. Being obese does not give prospective mates the impression of being the fittest available option. This is the point which is most intrinsic to the prejudice against fat people.
Being obese implies that you might be sedentary or have self-control problems. Being obese means that you might have low willpower or are fulfilled by the instant gratification that a quick food fix might bring. Or as I mentioned before, being obese could mean you are suffering from a rare and debilitating medical condition that could potentially be passed on to your offspring. Being obese also comes with the usual assorted secondary conditions such as heart and blood pressure problems and other more serious conditions as the obesity becomes more morbid.
There was a period of time in China where fat people were considered prosperous and therefore attractive. Being fat in China at the time meant that you were wealthy because you could afford to eat beyond excess and not have to do any manual labour (exercise) because you could afford servants. This is an outdated social perception than no longer applies today. Nowadays, if you want people to think that you’re rich, you drive a Mercedes and wear a Rolex. Arguments against this point should also consider that well-to-do Chinese folks at the time also kept ridiculously long and impractical fingernails to show that they literally didn’t have to lift a finger around the house. Good luck bring that back in style.
Bottom line. Obesity is a disease. Being fat is not “beautiful”, it is not attractive. It is a sign of a self-abuse. It is a serious and real medical condition. The most disheartening part of all this is that there are people who are trying to make obesity acceptable. Yes, we are responsible for the condition of our bodies and no one should have any say as to what we do with them. And yes, there aren’t any laws regulating body weight or shape or size. But there aren’t any laws preventing self mutilation either, and the social stigma attached to that is almost indistinguishable to obesity to me.
So, no. I do not “accept” fat people, any more than I “accept” people with serious medical conditions. And that’s why I’ll never be cool with the fat acceptance movement.
Battlefield 3 noob reviews
So! After the hellishly rubber bandy beta and equally hellishly long preload. We finally our get feet wet with DICE‘s latest offering. If you’re a fan of BF: BC 2 or even the not-quite-up-to-par MOH, you’ll be familiar with the company.
If you’ve never played any of the Battlefield series, a word of caution. This is not Modern Warfare, and this is not counter-strike. BF is a totally different beast altogether. It’s multiplayer on a scale well beyond CS and much more squad based and role dependent than MW. In this game you cannot do everything. Roles are specialized and specific to situations. You won’t be able to get by without your squad (or at least, not very far). If you’re wondering what it plays like. You can check out Battlefield : Play for free which uses the same net code but runs in a browser. It plays roughly the same concept and points wise, but is subject to latency and goes without all the fancy bells an whistles.
Now, on with the review.
Graphics: The final release is light years advanced from the beta. Frame rates are consistent, net code is solid and it looks pretty even at medium settings. Design of the weapons and technology takes wholesale after real world technology, and as such it could almost be mistaken for simply an updated version of the BF2 series. Obviously, with any new release there will be some bugs, but I haven’t encountered anything game breaking so far. Stress tested a 64 player map on ultra settings at 1920×1080 on my 2 y/o desktop, it started limping along but was still playable. The Frostbite 2 engine, clearly advanced from the Frostbite engine used in BF: BC 2, still features destructible environments and offers some interesting display options but does it all SO much better. You remember the mixed live action and in-game graphics trailer last week? Well they weren’t kidding, this game really does look that good. The only gripe i have is that some of the facial expressions in the campaign looked a little odd, but then again, I wasn’t exactly expecting LA noir so it wasn’t really an issue. No mistake, Battlefield 3 is a great looking game that runs well on a variety of systems and definitely has the chops to be a “prettiest game of the year” contender . I give it a 9.0
Sound: The sound guys have really outdone themselves with this incarnation of Battlefield. AK’s chatter convincingly and explosions whump and clang with a nice oomph. On a good 5.1 system (or even simulated 5.1) the angry buzz of bullets whizzing past your head will have you ducking behind the nearest cover in no time. Voice acting for the single player campaign was pretty good too, however the plot and script dragged it down to the point where you stopped paying attention after a while. The Battlefield theme is of course back, but remixed into bass and distortion heavy blob of sound punctuated with an occasional burst of static. Passable, if you’re into that kind of thing. Solid sound engineering and foley fx direction earns some major points but messy scoring and the lazy theme remix means this only gets an 8.5
Gameplay: To be honest. The single player felt like Modern Warfare. Even the overarching plot sounded cookie cutter MW (formula: Stolen nuclear weapon + Madman bent on destroying the world for no discernible reason + Misunderstood protagonist + lots of henchmen to put bullets into) A linear campaign told from the perspective of 4 individuals who are somehow all tied together(again with the MW plot device)in one grand global conflict over land, sea and air of at least 3 nations. Personally, I think it’s basically a collection of set pieces on rails designed to show off all the neat tricks the devs can do with the new engine. And it’s pretty rigid too, deviate from the way the devs meant it to be played and you’ll be rewarded with a nice steaming plate of “you have died”. Arguably, most shooters are like that nowadays, so it wasn’t entirely unexpected, and thus my disappointment is blunted somewhat.
However. We didn’t pre-order this for the single player campaign did we…? The multiplayer is everything we’ve hoped and dreamed it could be. DICE has learned from their mistakes and refined their strengths into one of the most fun robust systems around. The rank, perk and gear unlock system will be familiar to anyone who’s ever played a BF game and all the classic game modes are back with a gusto. Conquest, rush, squad deathmatch all scale well with different sized maps to get you mojo on. 64 player conquest is a blast as usual. Classes have been lifted straight out of BF: 2142, which seems to be the most streamlined and balanced incarnation in all of the existing BF games. Vehicles have always been a staple in BF games, and this one is no exception, with the usual compliment of tanks, helicopters, jets and other miscellaneous modes of transport to round off the stable. Vehicle handling does take some getting used to though, but you’ll be pulling strafing runs in no time. The inclusion of the Battlelog system makes finding servers and friends even easier than before, and even has support for creation and management of clans (platoons) baked in. Boring, uninspired single player is overwhelmingly overridden by brilliantly glorious multiplayer (because admit it, that why you bought this game in the first place) for a 9.5
Overall: The game looks amazing, sounds on par with how it looks and fulfills, nay exceeds all our expectations as to how it should play while not being bogged down too much by the forgettable single player (use it to familiarize yourself with the controls, you sure a heck won’t want to be doing that when you go online). For this awesome effort from the DICE team (and just because I can hit the deck again) I give it a 9.0 overall.
Go buy this game. Do it now.
Then hit me up on Origin or the BF:3 Battlelog with this email “joethedude@gmail.com”, username: Aquillius, if you want to play co-op or a few rounds.
See you on the Battlefield.
Breaking the Fourth wall.
So, here we are again. You in front of the screen reading this very blog post and I, at this keyboard banging out these words.
Salutations. It’s been a while.
So what brings you here? I can’t imagine anyone having a feed from this site, considering how stagnant it is.
How have you been, dear reader? Me? Oh I’m fine thanks.
I have neglected this blog again. Something I’ve resolved and promised and made a point to not do so many times before. I’ve grown lazy and complacent, forgoing quality prose for the convenience and gratification of tweets and Facebook updates. I sat at my computer this morning and realized how much software and material I had that was once deemed essential, but hardly ever touch anymore. I realized how cluttered and clogged with junk my hard drives had become. I realized that I hadn’t updated my portfolio in more than six months. I realized that I had projects started months ago that lie unfinished, buried under a mountain of other urgent commitments and procrastination.
So what’s a guy to do? How do you dig yourself our of the rut you suddenly find yourself in one day? Perhaps you could tell me, dear reader.
Times like these, I have a tendency to to remember a simpler time, when things were less complex. a time when I wasn’t so apathetic. A time when I was bursting with enthusiasm. A time when I attacked each project and challenge with a gusto. A time when I used to do so much more and was so passionate about so many more things.
So how does someone rekindle the passion? How do you find that place where you can dance along the edge of the gale laughing like a madman?
Luhrmann once said something to the effect of advice being a way of dusting off the past and putting a fresh coat of paint on it. Now I ask you, dear reader, for advice. Or, to take the analogy a step further, how do you pick a color of paint for your new paint job so you won’t easily get bored of it again?
Cheers.
The Grey Ghost
Incoming! October 2010
I’ve always been a bit of an odd duck when it comes to computer games. Sure, I play mainstream titles and look forward to the latest releases like any gamer out there. But my individual preferences tend to stray a little further from the beaten track. Take, for example, the Battlefield series. While many fans feel that BF2 or the most recent entry, BFBC2 are the best in the veritable plethora of Battlefield field games in the series, the edition I enjoyed the most was probably the least popular (and IMHO also probably the most underrated) incarnation of the game.
Yup, BF2142. In all probability, it was probably because it played so differently from the other games in the series. Sure the mechanics were all the same, but it had interesting vehicles and a truly inspired visual design and concept (Titans anyone? Walkers?) and also, not having to worry about historical or real world authenticity really let the design team flex their creative muscles.
Moving forward, present day. EA’s Medal of Honor and Activision’s COD:Black Ops loom on the horizon (October 12th and 9th respectively), both established franchises from well known developers (Dice and Treyarch, sadly Infinity Ward’s not doing this COD due to problems with publisher Activision) with a collection of great titles under their collective belts.
Which will I be playing? Well, both probably, but which will I like more? Probably the one with the quirkier game-play. And by quirky, I mean the one with the game engine and player base that allows you to do really dumbass crap in-game and make embarrassingly cool machinima.
Personally though… EPIC BEARD MAN FTW!!!
Cheers.
The Grey Ghost
Kotaku RTS Goodness!
In light of the recent release of one of the most eagerly (and long) awaited game sequels of all time, I thought I’d put this up for those uninitiated with the genre. Courtesy of Kotaku. Hit the Jump for the original article and other gaming related goodness.
Link via: Kotaku | A Visual Guide To Real-Time Strategy
In other news, I got my new head cans!
Check these babies out! LINK
Cheers.
The Grey Ghost.
Caty looses Path of Titans and Guild Talents
Two previously announced features in the upcoming World of Warcraft expansion Cataclysm have been dropped. The Path of Titans Advancement feature and the Guild Talent trees.
Players will instead get another layer of Glyphs and a Guild achievement and XP system.
I can’t say I’m surprised, Blizzard has been known to shake things up on a regular basis, right up to release date. I’d like to think that that makes their products more polished, but we’ll just have to see. After all, I once swore that I’d never touch WoW. But that was many many years ago…
All in all I’m looking forward to the new expansion. And the guild XP feature sounds interesting. It would certainly encourage more loyalty to the guild (though it makes me wonder what would happen if the guild leader got hacked, like ours recently did)
Anyway, full story after the Jump.
Link Via: World of Matticus | Cataclysm Loses its 2 Biggest Selling Points
Bug powder causes male bedbugs to stab each other to death with their penises.
Apparently, male bedbugs have weaponized penises and will shag anything.
No, I’m not kidding.
More after the jump.
link via Boing Boing. | Bug powder causes male bedbugs to stab each other to death with their penises.
Bioshock… IRL
Bioshock, from 2K games is probably one of the more interesting looking shooters to come our way in a while. The iconic retro art style and dystopian underwater setting definitely gave gamers something new to gawk at. Add creepy atmosphere, a twisted backstory and RPG elements and you get a game that spawns some pretty hardcore fans…
Fans that are hardcore enough to do something like this
No, those aren’t renders. Don’t ask, just click!
Link via Geekology | AMAAAZING Bioshock Cosplay At Aquarium
Wireless wireless everywhere…
In our country’s mad rush to achieve maximum and total connectivity, wireless hotspots are sprouting like mushrooms across the island. Of course, the long arm of the government only stretches so far, but our plucky heartlanders are not to be outdone. Presenting, wireless in the last place you’d expect it.
The Chan BBQ stall at Bedok Blk 85 hawker center. (Try the sambal stingray, it’s delicious.)
Honestly, the guy should get an award or something.
Like seriously.
Cheers, Godbless.
Grey
The Unfriendly
Apparently “Unfriend” is the New Oxford English word of the year. It means to remove or delete someone from an online social network such as Facebook or Friendster.
Webster’s has a more archaic definition for it though, but the term is flexible enough to be contextual.
Unfriend
Un*friend”\, n. One not a friend; an enemy.
[R.] –Carlyle.
Webster’s Revised Unabridged Dictionary, © 1996, 1998 MICRA, Inc.
More after the jump.
‘Unfriend’ is New Oxford American word of the year Link via Yahoo news Singapore.
The Grey Chapters 