AlDente

I'm still rockin an S9+! The only issue is that my headphone jack is now gaped and will no longer retain any headphones. I'm currently using a USB-to-3.5mm adapter, but it was nice to be able to distribute the load when they were both available. I'm not sure a single USB-C port would have held up for 7 years if it was doing both jobs full-time.

I'd have to travel to Turkey and get a hair transplant first ☹️.

Libertarianism and authoritarianism are opposite ends of the same spectrum. If two hypothetical societies are heavily authoritarian and equally so, then they are both authoritarian. Libertarianism emphasizes personal autonomy and individual freedom. It is by definition non-authoritarian. Libertarian concepts extend from the left to the right.

I'd personally rather align more with libertarianism than authoritarianism. But hey, different strokes for different folks.

I don't understand why you think that is a contradiction. You both agree there's a spectrum between the two. Technically, if you're not 100% authoritarian you have a greater-than-zero alignment with libertarianism.

Now, if you're trying to say landing somewhere in the middle of the spectrum means you're neither, then I tend to agree with you (labels suck). However, I'd take it a step further and say that nobody is going to be the 100% perfect embodiment of either end of the spectrum, and therefore, no true authoritarian or libertarian exists. I think, to say either one of you is wrong is just arguing semantics.

I'm not sure how your theoretical post serves any purpose beside setting up a strawman. This hasn't been about inventing fake stories, but instead, about dangling a very real carrot in front of the new US president.

It's not a Jedi mind trick to suggest that if Trump can be easily manipulated, those who care should try to influence him towards good. It doesn't matter if "being good" is Trump's desire or not. I absolutely agree with Maggoty that Trump would love being credited as a peacemaker, and I think his ego can drive him to want to fulfill that role.

That's why I didn't want Trump, and why I am attempting to talk sense into people...

That's neat, but professing how much you didn't and still don't want him isn't going to do anyone any good at this point. Trump is going to be sworn in next week regardless. Articles like this one from The Guardian are significantly more helpful at influencing a better path forward than constant doomerism. I would absolutely love it if Trump can find any success in the peacemaking process.

So no, you're saying he can't be influenced through this kind of flattery. I think you're giving him too much credit. This guy flip-flopped on a Tik Tok ban just because he started getting followers. He'll flip on anything if he thinks it will make him popular.

Speaking of popularity, pro-Palestinian viewpoints are extremely popular amongst US youth. I don't agree with you that this is the unpopular viewpoint. Many news outlets are even claiming a Tik Tok ban is being used to silence majority pro-Palestinian opinions. Like others here, I think it's crazy to believe he won't be influenced through this kind of coverage. Furthermore, it would be a shame if Trump's fragile ego wasn't taken advantage of in this instance to help bring an end to the genocide. Unfortunately, it seems like some people would rather have the killing continue than manipulate Trump through the mere suggestion that he can bring peace.

To be clear, you don't believe that Trump, the guy famous for being easy to manipulate by stroking his ego, would be influenced by grandiose titles like "peacemaker"?

I wouldn't pay this guy too much attention. It seems like an obvious troll account. It's 11 days old and spewing out comments at nearly one a minute. They talk down to anyone mentioning the CEO shooting while claiming "nothing will improve until the rich fear for their lives" in other posts. It's clear they're just trying to stir up shit.

Are you serious? I'm celebrating the actions of protesters in all my comments in this thread. People throw paint on Taylor Swift's plane and I tell them good job. People spray contaminants into the facilities of those supporting war crimes and I cheer.

Meanwhile, you warn against organizing while blaming others for being anti-protester. Once again I'm going to accuse you of projection. You're an 11-day old account posting every few minutes and blaming others for exactly what you're doing. I'm tagging you as a troll account because it's obvious that's what you are.

What are you even talking about? What I'm saying is, if you're committed to vandalizing something, you can target those working against your cause. It's baffling that you made this jump to murdering CEOs in a discussion about vandalism.

E: Lol, I clicked on your profile and your latest comments are calling for CEOs to fear for their lives. It's obvious now you're doing some projecting.