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Leoo

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Was playing Dark Souls 2 earlier and uhhh... i got a bit frustrated which ended up in me punching my couch. Now my hand hurts... I feel like i've become very short tempered since i stopped smoking. I'm generally a lot happier than i previously was, I sleep better, etc. but it takes very little for me to snap.

 

Oh and they put up speed bumps (more like a hill though, if you ask me) on the road behind my house recently (probably within the last day or two). They haven't put up any road-signs or painted them yet. So last night on my way to a friend's house i caught one of them at about 50kmph and that shit sent me flying. Car got pretty banged up since it's only about 5 or 6 inches off the ground. I generally have a hard time going over a bump driving <10kmph, so doing 50 really isn't desirable. 

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I don't have a problem with corporations counting as people. Like idk what the downside of that even is

1. Corporations are often multinational which makes their motivations not in line with people in that country. A person can lobby/vote as an American/Australian etc in their own country but a corporation that operates in other countries has a conflict of interest straight up.

 

2. A corporation owes their shareholders profits and everybody else nothing. They lobby for their own interests and cannot have political beliefs because they represent purely the interests of the company. A person can support legislation that benefits other people.

 

3. Corporations = people contributes to money = free speech

 

4. Corporations have legal and monetary benefits that people don't.

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FPTP is not a sham, people just don't understand the principle behind it. The media focus on party leaders obscures the fact that we're not voting for a party leader or even necessarily a party, but each constituency sends someone to Parliament and it is Parliament which chooses the PM by expressing the confidence of the house in a certain individual. So how the vote falls within a constituency is, theoretically and realistically, far more important than the national picture. 

 

Meanwhile, what a perfect outcome: Conservative majority which, though narrow, will be bolstered by the de facto collaboration of the DUP and UUP from N Ireland (8 and 2 seats respectively), plus losses for Labour and Ukip and status quo ante for the god awful Greens. Meanwhile, the tribalism of the SNP has only produced a Tory government they were powerless to stop.  =D>

 

Even under your premise that the riding matters more than the country as a whole, FPTP is still a failure. If a candidate can win a riding with >30% of the vote, over 70% of the voters in that riding are not represented at all in parliament. I'm a supporter of a form of listless MMP that I could expand on, but STV also achieves representation within a riding and semi-proportional results too (albeit in a far more complicated manner).

 

 

To be pedantic, in Britain it's a constituency, not a riding, which in Britain is an archaic term for how Yorkshire used to be divided into 3 ridings. 

 

As for the whole "candidate can get 30% and win", it's true, but then any parliamentary system with more than 2 parties has the same problem, even in a country like Germany where PR is used - in 2009 Merkel returned as Chancellor with 34% of the vote. Only in Presidential runoffs like US or France does someone always get at least 50% by definition. And in practice, there are many seats where the winner gets more than 50%. My local Tory has just been returned to Parliament with close to 60% of the vote. Very few win with below 30%, they have to be ultra-marginal seats. 

 

And, truth be told, FPTP is good at shutting out extremist parties. UKIP is a fringe right party of morons who took almost 4 million votes but 1 MP, and the Green Party are a far left fringe which took a million votes and one MP. In any other system, these would be very powerful parties. 

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"Imagine yourself surrounded by the most horrible cripples and maniacs it is possible to conceive, and you may understand a little of my feelings with these grotesque caricatures of humanity about me."

- H.G. Wells, The Island of Doctor Moreau

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Actually the US doesn't require popular vote to win for president - it's much more complicated and is determined through the Electoral college system, whereby you win delegates for the popular vote in each specific state. You then need a fraction (slightly more than half) of those delegates to win. Neither Clinton (both terms) nor George W. Bush (the first term) received 50% of the vote. If no one reaches 270 then I believe the House votes on it, and whoever got the most out of that would win, in theory anyway.

"Fight for what you believe in, and believe in what you're fighting for." Can games be art?

---

 

 

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My blog here if you want to check out my Times articles and other writings! I always appreciate comments/feedback.

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FPTP is not a sham, people just don't understand the principle behind it. The media focus on party leaders obscures the fact that we're not voting for a party leader or even necessarily a party, but each constituency sends someone to Parliament and it is Parliament which chooses the PM by expressing the confidence of the house in a certain individual. So how the vote falls within a constituency is, theoretically and realistically, far more important than the national picture. 

 

Meanwhile, what a perfect outcome: Conservative majority which, though narrow, will be bolstered by the de facto collaboration of the DUP and UUP from N Ireland (8 and 2 seats respectively), plus losses for Labour and Ukip and status quo ante for the god awful Greens. Meanwhile, the tribalism of the SNP has only produced a Tory government they were powerless to stop.  =D>

 

Even under your premise that the riding matters more than the country as a whole, FPTP is still a failure. If a candidate can win a riding with >30% of the vote, over 70% of the voters in that riding are not represented at all in parliament. I'm a supporter of a form of listless MMP that I could expand on, but STV also achieves representation within a riding and semi-proportional results too (albeit in a far more complicated manner).

 

 

To be pedantic, in Britain it's a constituency, not a riding, which in Britain is an archaic term for how Yorkshire used to be divided into 3 ridings. 

 

As for the whole "candidate can get 30% and win", it's true, but then any parliamentary system with more than 2 parties has the same problem, even in a country like Germany where PR is used - in 2009 Merkel returned as Chancellor with 34% of the vote. Only in Presidential runoffs like US or France does someone always get at least 50% by definition. And in practice, there are many seats where the winner gets more than 50%. My local Tory has just been returned to Parliament with close to 60% of the vote. Very few win with below 30%, they have to be ultra-marginal seats. 

 

And, truth be told, FPTP is good at shutting out extremist parties. UKIP is a fringe right party of morons who took almost 4 million votes but 1 MP, and the Green Party are a far left fringe which took a million votes and one MP. In any other system, these would be very powerful parties. 

 

 

In my constituency, Labour won by a landslide. I was surprised that a UKIP person was even running in my area.

The "Cannabis Is Safer Than Alcohol" party did alright where I'm from as well. :ph34r:  :blink:

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If a corporation is a person, why cant i marry it?

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Anyone who likes tacos is incapable of logic.

Anyone who likes logic is incapable of tacos.

 

PSA: SaqPrets is an Estonian Dude

Steam: NippleBeardTM

Origin: Brand_New_iPwn

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If a corporation is a person, why cant i marry it?

 

 

Because the corporation turned you down.

19509_s.gif

 

“I had a feeling we weren’t coming back from this fight when it began.”

“Do you have any regrets?”

“I don’t. It seems surprising, I know, but I wouldn’t change a thing. This is how it was meant to be.”

“Huh, you never really notice how lovely the day is until you realize you’ll never see it again.”

“Mmmhmm.”

 

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To be pedantic, in Britain it's a constituency, not a riding, which in Britain is an archaic term for how Yorkshire used to be divided into 3 ridings. 

 

As for the whole "candidate can get 30% and win", it's true, but then any parliamentary system with more than 2 parties has the same problem, even in a country like Germany where PR is used - in 2009 Merkel returned as Chancellor with 34% of the vote. Only in Presidential runoffs like US or France does someone always get at least 50% by definition. And in practice, there are many seats where the winner gets more than 50%. My local Tory has just been returned to Parliament with close to 60% of the vote. Very few win with below 30%, they have to be ultra-marginal seats. 

 

And, truth be told, FPTP is good at shutting out extremist parties. UKIP is a fringe right party of morons who took almost 4 million votes but 1 MP, and the Green Party are a far left fringe which took a million votes and one MP. In any other system, these would be very powerful parties.

I'm aware, constituency is an awful word though. In North American English, people tend to pronounce the second and third syllables as some bastardisation of stitch and chew, and it sounds awful.

 

FPTP may work now to keep out 'extremist' parties, but it also could allow them in with far less than the majority of the vote. And I'd consider SNP a more extremist party than UKIP. UKIP is not too far to the right of the Tories, which makes it amusing you'd call them a party of morons.

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To be pedantic, in Britain it's a constituency, not a riding, which in Britain is an archaic term for how Yorkshire used to be divided into 3 ridings.

 

As for the whole "candidate can get 30% and win", it's true, but then any parliamentary system with more than 2 parties has the same problem, even in a country like Germany where PR is used - in 2009 Merkel returned as Chancellor with 34% of the vote. Only in Presidential runoffs like US or France does someone always get at least 50% by definition. And in practice, there are many seats where the winner gets more than 50%. My local Tory has just been returned to Parliament with close to 60% of the vote. Very few win with below 30%, they have to be ultra-marginal seats.

 

And, truth be told, FPTP is good at shutting out extremist parties. UKIP is a fringe right party of morons who took almost 4 million votes but 1 MP, and the Green Party are a far left fringe which took a million votes and one MP. In any other system, these would be very powerful parties.

I'm aware, constituency is an awful word though. In North American English, people tend to pronounce the second and third syllables as some bastardisation of stitch and chew, and it sounds awful.

 

FPTP may work now to keep out 'extremist' parties, but it also could allow them in with far less than the majority of the vote. And I'd consider SNP a more extremist party than UKIP. UKIP is not too far to the right of the Tories, which makes it amusing you'd call them a party of morons.

The closer something is to your own beliefs the easier it is to ridicule it and pick out major differences from the small ones which exist.
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To be pedantic, in Britain it's a constituency, not a riding, which in Britain is an archaic term for how Yorkshire used to be divided into 3 ridings. 

 

As for the whole "candidate can get 30% and win", it's true, but then any parliamentary system with more than 2 parties has the same problem, even in a country like Germany where PR is used - in 2009 Merkel returned as Chancellor with 34% of the vote. Only in Presidential runoffs like US or France does someone always get at least 50% by definition. And in practice, there are many seats where the winner gets more than 50%. My local Tory has just been returned to Parliament with close to 60% of the vote. Very few win with below 30%, they have to be ultra-marginal seats. 

 

And, truth be told, FPTP is good at shutting out extremist parties. UKIP is a fringe right party of morons who took almost 4 million votes but 1 MP, and the Green Party are a far left fringe which took a million votes and one MP. In any other system, these would be very powerful parties.

I'm aware, constituency is an awful word though. In North American English, people tend to pronounce the second and third syllables as some bastardisation of stitch and chew, and it sounds awful.

 

FPTP may work now to keep out 'extremist' parties, but it also could allow them in with far less than the majority of the vote. And I'd consider SNP a more extremist party than UKIP. UKIP is not too far to the right of the Tories, which makes it amusing you'd call them a party of morons.

 

 

Lol, there are a fair few morons in the UKIP party to be fair.

So many members have said awful things but they are disposed of pretty pronto to be fair.

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Today I have completed my short-course GCSE qualification. The examination was quite easy and I am confident I have performed well.  :P

I have Biology & Chemistry examinations commencing later this week so I will be preoccupied with studying for them.  :roll:

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Check out my upcoming Progress thread in the spoiler!

 

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*Currently postponed until further notice

   

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Uh, I graduate college tomorrow. Uhh. Uhhhhhh.

Congratulations!   :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

 

If I may ask, what are your plans proceeding your graduation? 

irs.png

Check out my upcoming Progress thread in the spoiler!

 

imperatorrssig.png

*Currently postponed until further notice

   

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Dont ever graduate. Dont ever grow up. Its a trick

Quote

 

Quote

Anyone who likes tacos is incapable of logic.

Anyone who likes logic is incapable of tacos.

 

PSA: SaqPrets is an Estonian Dude

Steam: NippleBeardTM

Origin: Brand_New_iPwn

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Uh, I graduate college tomorrow. Uhh. Uhhhhhh.

Congratulations!   :thumbsup:  :thumbsup:

 

If I may ask, what are your plans proceeding your graduation? 

 

Honestly, drink too much and couch surf.

 

Also send out applications.  But probably mostly drinking.

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[bleep] the law, they can eat my dick that's word to Pimp

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I fell asleep sometime after 6:50 pm. Woke up at 9:20 pm and already had three dreams. Now I'm too awake to fall back asleep.

 

Sometimes I wonder if I have a sleeping disorder and that's the root of all my problems. But I don't think I'll ever get it through my current doctor anything but the notion that I have depression and whatever else. It's nice having an overworked state-funded organization help! North Carolina didn't expand medicaid, so let the poor fall through the gaps. The Republican way!

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Today I have completed my short-course GCSE qualification. The examination was quite easy and I am confident I have performed well.  :P

I have Biology & Chemistry examinations commencing later this week so I will be preoccupied with studying for them.  :roll:

Its Biology and Chemistry GCSEs, they are easy. The only problem is that you are unfortunately required to remember + regurgitate specific examples whereas at higher 

sophistication you can simply get away with applying the theory correctly.

 

Coming from the Biochemist  :P

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Luck be a Lady

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Its Biology and Chemistry GCSEs, they are easy. The only problem is that you are unfortunately required to remember + regurgitate specific examples whereas at higher 

 

 

sophistication you can simply get away with applying the theory correctly.

 

Coming from the Biochemist   :P

 

Indeed, students can get away with cramming for GCSEs. One doesn't need to apply the knowledge learnt to really any sophisticated scenarios which makes it simple enough.  -_-

I can't tell if you're really a Biochemist or really skilled at the subjects.   :?  If so, what does a Biochemist do? Sounds like a very interesting job. :-k

irs.png

Check out my upcoming Progress thread in the spoiler!

 

imperatorrssig.png

*Currently postponed until further notice

   

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I can't tell if you're really a Biochemist or really skilled at the subjects.   :?  If so, what does a Biochemist do? Sounds like a very interesting job. :-k

 

 

A biochemist is actually more of an archaic term that describes someone who is skilled in any of the fields that fall within biological science. There is a large amount of overlap between disciplines and is essentially the half-way point between Biology and Chemistry. Essentially, as a Biochemist: one would be interested in cells, but only to a molecular level. As such the job "Biochemist" is very rare as there are a plethora of disciplines within biochemistry that a biochemist could proceed down (Whether through academia or industry).

 

For me, I am essentially at the end of my undergraduate degree for Biochemistry and I have specialized in genomics. I am attempting to pursue academia but it is very competitive, so is industry (as they both want the cream of the crop). You could class me as a Bioinformatician or a Geneticist but I will respond all the same to a biochemist. 

 

It's probably easier just to assume when referred to as a biochemist the person would have a pretty thorough understanding of how everything within a cell works - regardless of their specialization. In the sense that they will be able to apply their knowledge and understand to formulate a rational answer that would best answer your question. If necessary they would be able to read surrounding literature outside of their field and have a good gist of what is being stipulated.

 

They will often say "I am not sure specifically of this example but I know that 'X' protein in 'Y' cells functions 'abc' so that I would assume that 'Q' would operate in a similar fashion". (Unless they happen to know exactly how it works then you get a mini-lecture and given extra reading and a critique on why the experiment wasn't amazing.)

 

In terms of jobs - the most common is probably is labwork, setting up and running experiments with reading literature and journals in your free time (if you are an academic) - ultimately you just test hypothesis and publish anything that is interesting (even negative results are beneficial for science as long as they are statistically viable).

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Luck be a Lady

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Looks like I'm dropping out of college after half-assing it for 2 years. It feels kind of liberating, but I feel kinda bad about it as well because I know I have the intellectual capabilities for it, and I had some great times over there. I just never really found the motivation to work for it and the academic aspect ended up getting me closer to depression than to anything else. I'm still keeping university open for a later point in my life, but right now I just want to spend at least a year out of university and see what happens. I might go to Switzerland in the winter with two of my friends who are ski instructors and just stay there during the season working as a waiter or whatever. My friend who's been there before says they actually earn a pretty sizable loan, and they're always looking to hire at the start of a season. I've even been considering moving to Seattle, though that might be a bit too far out of my comfort zone. City's fascinated me for ages now though, so I'm thinking of taking the plunge eventually, even if it's in a few years. 

 

Other than that, same ol' same ol'. 

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