Selective Genius

I booted up the game, and after it finished loading, I somehow lost the will to play KSP. This has been happening for a month now.. Please help.

The sport shoes and shirts from sweatshops in Africa will always find a way to our wardrobe if it's quality is good; a smartphone built by force labor in China will always find its way in our palm, if its better than the alternatives. Take 2 is scummy? Of course it is. That's what I have been talking about. But despite that, it's now evaluated at $15 billion. The world is built by the wicked on the foundations of the bones of the good, like it or not. That's how it has been and will always be, despite our bickerings and disagreements from the comfort of our rooms.

For a vet, it's humane to put an animal to sleep peacefully; for a Halal merchant, it's necessary to do some extreme stuff (which I cant write on the forum, I think) to an animal before further processing of meat. Different establishments have different standards. And I would like to reiterate: What T2 did was scummy and unethical, but well within it's legal rights. The Game is scheduled for Fall 2021, and by then, the only thing that would matter would be the game itself, nothing else. We are CUSTOMERS, nothing more nothing less. And the quality of the product is all we should care about.

Either way the small one's dead.

People who are complaining about the Big Shark eating up the smaller one, almost always fail to understand that the smaller shark would have done the same if it got bigger. Only a psychopath will find the actions of T2 ethical and fully support it. But sadly, in business, that's the norm. For us, as customers, the ONLY issue which matters is how the game turns out. Is the gameplay better or worse? Do we have day one DLC or not? Will I get a Kerbal Customizer DLC? Stuff like this, tangible stuff that matters. People are sentimental, and in their sentiments, they forget practicality. He who's all good, can never be all powerful; and he who's all powerful, can never be all good. That's how it has been, and that's how it will be, especially in businesses. As far as I knew, and now I know better. And I still maintain my stand that what T2 did was scummy and unethical but lawful (read: as its contract permitted)

Ok, so now that my mind is free from all the emotional stuff regarding the news, I thought about how this affected me. As far as I know, the devs are not jobless, they work for a Take-2 subsidiary. So livelihoods were not destroyed. I will get my game by Fall 2021, and if it's not as good as promised, or has exploitative 'surprise mechanics' then I wont buy it,simple as that. As customers, what is it exactly that we lost? "But-But the devs will be subject to inhumane working conditions.." Do you think Star Theory was a utopia where every body held hands and sang 'Kumbaya' around a camp fire? No, Star Theory's bosses would have overworked their employees to meet targets. Or have we forgotten our apprehension when we first realized Star Theory , of all studios, was making KSP 2? "But-but the corporations are evil!" Man if we really boycott every 'evil' company in existence, then perhaps we might have to walk naked and give up electronics. Fast food chains underpay their workers, electronics and clothing companies employ children at their sweatshops in China and Africa and we munch on our McDonalds happily, wearing that fancy Nike shirt. "KSP is just another money making scheme for them, they dont have the passion of SQUAD!" I agree with that statement. KSP 1.3 was probably the last 'free' KSP version that we had the fortune to enjoy. But, you are upset that your passion is seen as a money making scheme by a multi-billion dollar company? Yeah, they are business men. Greed is their nature. Can you hate a poisonous snake for biting you wen you touch it in it's burrow? No, for it's the snake's nature, why the heck did you touch it??? So, in summary, as customers, we have had almost nothing to worry about. Yeah, what would have been a 'Buy at release' would now be a 'Buy after reviews'. Most of the devs still have a job. Take-two made an unethical move, and it's an unethical move no matter what the apologists say. But how many successful companies do you think out there are surviving by the virtue of their ethics and have not resorted to underhanded tricks to maintain their lead in the capitalist rat race?

Honestly, I am just waiting for a disgruntled Intercept Games employee to leak gameplay and features I will decide if I want to not buy it or not not buy it thereafter. But seriously speaking, KSP2 has become perhaps the 4th game that I am looking forward to play in near future, from first.

Long live the Hype Train, The Hype Train is dead..

I always have low expectations from everyone, so I am not surprised at all about this. Sad, but not surprised.

I just want to play a fun goofy space simulator, not a rocket engine design simulator..... Tbh, it would be far more interesting if KSP2 keeps the fuel resources same, but allows us to change the Oxidizer/Fuel mixture ratio. That in itself would open up a lot of opportunities...

I have to read the Medieval history of my country, among other things for certain examinations that I would appear in near future. And every chapter has the same ending: And thus, the Invaders won again. Cities were ransacked, your wealth stolen, Temples were destroyed, your culture broken. Your monasteries burned, ashes left behind, Death in front, Buddha was the last thing on your ancestor's mind. Your ports became rich, after every battle Because your own people were sold like chattel ! Great dynasties were lost, their people oppressed Most were lost to war, famines destroyed the rest. All while your people became meatshields, To serve the Invaders in their 'Next Great Conquest'. Casualties were in millions, with monetary and cultural losses, Destruction of Dharmic religions, Forced conversion of the masses. But do not get discouraged, for it is but one page, In the 800 years of your people's oppression. Accept this with rage! Forgive, but do not forget. Or this will happen again, And again, and again, and again. And then some. Apart from a few solitary sparks of joy, there's not a single ray of hope in 800 years of my country's history. 20-25 generations of my people knew nothing but death and destruction. I had no idea we were damaged in such a manner. My text books called these invaders 'Unifiers' of our country... But does painting a new map of a country with the blood and tears of those countrymen, is it really worth it? Do borders have more significance than the Rights of Man? Had humanity sunk so low, that it found nothing wrong in the atrocities committed? And if such atrocities were part of the 'culture' and 'normal behavior' of Mongols and other invading forces, then how, just how did anything and everything that is Holy tolerate such monstrosities? Why did You forsake your people, when they never doubted Your Divinity? Just why?????? I need to take a nap, I don't think I can continue studying history for any longer. I would rather focus on Geography and Political science instead...

Re-discovered it after a long time

Yup yup yup, my friend! My roomie uses zoom for her online classes, and the students would draw and scribble on the screen. Sometimes the drawings would be vulgar and there would be love confessions on the screen..... It was entertaining to watch her deal with it though

We had a history teacher back when I was in 7th Grade. She was a wonderful person, and I learnt a lot from her. But not history, not at all... The class would start with her telling us to open our books and then she would tell a random student to stand up and read the chapter from the book, line by line while she rested at her desk, nodding once a while. That's it. I was her usual text-to-speech convertor. Several times I tried to mess around. Once, while we were studying the chapter about the invasion of Genghis Khan in Central Asia, I kept mispronouncing his name as 'Dinguz Can' or 'Blingus Can'. And she would just keep nodding at her desk. I don't know if she was in a suspended animation or something for the duration of the class. The students decided to deal with it, and we would often study the topic seriously before the class in a group, making notes and adding interesting and important info to the book. While reciting the chapter, I would insert the extra stuff as well. In a way, the students were teaching themselves.

My character was beaten and banged up pretty bad and he was hospitalized. Prior to being beaten up, he lost someone dear to him. Now, after gaining consciousness in the hospital, he takes some time to gain his bearings but after some time, he recalls what happened the last time he was awake. How do I write the scene of him 'recalling' the recent trauma ? I can't seem to generate any impact with what I have written....

Sultan Jeb-ai-Dayyah Kerman.....

Due to the current pandemic situation, my temporary gig (and chances of being made a permanent staff) at the material science lab I have been working for the past year has been nullified 'until further notice'. I have been informed by my mentor that 'until further notice' may be like an year, since Government has been freezing all research funds and a significant percentage of the salary of the permanent staff for the fight against Covid. The research fund is what provides me my stipend. I will have to pursue alternate routes for employment. Also, my roomie won't get her salary (she works as a school teacher) till September, since her school has no money left anymore. The main source of her school's income are tuition fees, sales of books and new admissions. Since this pandemic hit before the new academic session could start, there's no cash from new admissions or book sales. As no classes are going on, parents refuse to pay the tuition fees. My roomie spends 6 hours a day on an average, in front of her laptop, preparing study materials and taking online classes. And the parents still refuse to pay the tuition fees. And the absolute icing on the cake: Whatever cash the school had left with it was spent by the new PR - hungry, attention seeking Principal on 'Charity events' like distributing food packets in poor areas and medical supplies to policemen. And, after announcing that there will be no salary till September, and that even after September, staff will not get their complete salary which the school owes them, the Principal has the NERVE to ask for 'Monetary Contribution' from her staff members to help the poor and needy. TL;DR : Me and my proto-wife are now broke. We had planned so much for the future, its all dust now... And the best part? The worst of the pandemic has just started in my country!

This is from sometime ago, I have stopped playing KSP for quite a while. My 'Crazy Diamante' SSTO over the Undershoot Mountains. Looks pretty-ish, works decently, but not very practical.

FOR GLORY! FOR VICTORY! A KSP Fanfiction Prologue: A Big Splash The low billowing of the ship’s horn disrupted the tranquility of that morning. It was not an uncommon site these days, with large cargo ships hauling thousands of tons of cargo every day through that particular sea route. What was uncommon, was that this was no cargo ship. It could barely even be classified as a large yacht. Moreover, it was veering off it’s route, ever so slightly. “We are 20 nautical miles from the coast, captain.” A gruff voice woke up Elias Kerman, the captain of the luxury yacht ‘Virtual Insanity’. He had slogged off for a decade for Morteks’, one of the leading cargo ship companies in Kerbin before taking voluntary retirement and landing an easy gig. “Ah, I see.” Elias cleaned his glasses. “I still don’t get it. Of all the places for a vacation, why would you guys choose this Kraken-forsaken island? There’s nothing but salty fish and saltier savages on here. I don’t recall any docks that can accommodate a yacht this big on this island either” “It’s not a vacation, Captain, just a stop-over. We will hardly be here for a few days. And we wont need a dock. Just drop the anchor a few klicks off the coast.” "Yeah but -" "No buts. I believe you have the mental capacity to process an order by your superior." "As you wish.." Elias decided not to probe further into the matter. It was none of his business anyways. ********** In the din of the party that commenced some time later, no one noticed two kerbs throwing a big bag into the clear waters of the sea. No one heard the splash the bag made as it bobbed on the surface of the sea and then sunk. ********** The kerbal was floating around in his consciousness. Drifting about in an endless void, with only his loneliness for company. This feels really nice, he thought. Maybe I should stay here forever. “Don’t you ever give up!” A voice jolted him out of his stupor. Wha-? Wait, I know this voice!! “It’s just like you said, the world is a cruel place.” Yes, yes it is! It is cruel, but- “But it’s also beautiful, and we should strive to find the beauty in this wretched world.” Yes, we will! But who- “I am so sorry we have to go our own separate ways, but there’s no other option.” Wait! Wait! Where are you going? Who are y- “This is goodbye.” No!! Stop, I like you! Don’t leave! “Never give up. Don’t. You. Ever. Dare.” I won’t! Just stay by my side!! JENNNAAA!!!!! A loud bang finally shattered the flimsy peace of his consciousness as it was overshadowed by a rage so pure and unadulterated that it outshone Kerbol. I won’t give up. I will fight. I WILL WIN!! And thus with a new fire in his heart, the kerbal opened his eyes. ********** “Aight what up lads?” Aidos Kerman came out of the cabin of his fishing trawler. It has been a smooth season so far, and he had every reason to be happy. At this rate, they will finally have full meals to eat in the winters. “Old Kerb, ya seeing dis? Look at da size of dem fish!” Lando, his first mate was attempting to lift a Ratfish about his size, but probably half his weight. “I am tellin ya, dis will be tasting yummy when salted!” “Aye..” Aidos was about to congratulate them when one of his crew shouted. “OIIIIII!!! A big catch! A effing big CATCH!!” And a big catch it was. The rusty old crane tasked to reeling in the nets were straining under the load of the fish this time. “Dis be one of dem Green Shrimpheads? What ya think?” Lando was tensing up behind him. ‘And with good reason.’ Aidos thought. ‘A mighty and huge fish like the Shrimphead weighed the same as a Kerbal, but had a ferocious bite and could breathe on land for a while.’ “Aight lads, ready the harpoons, just in case. Lando, reel in the catch on my mark.” The meager crew of four had their harpoons and crossbows ready and aimed, and at Aidos’ signal, Lando reeled in the net. A wriggling body bag fell with a thump on the deck. The wriggling stopped as soon as it made contact with the hard surface. “OIII!! A square FISH!!” Lando exclaimed “Dis be a new speeshiez?” “Don’t be an idiot!” Aidos took out a knife and sliced the bag, revealing a bloodied and bruised kerbal inside. The kerbal was still breathing, thankfully. “Oi Oi… is that the…” “Yes, he might be. Comrades! We don’t speak a word about this to anyone! Is that clear??” Aidos ordered his kerbs. “AYE AYE CAPTAIN!” ********** “He be okay, cap’n. He be just bruised, no big deal.” “Maybe not to strong folks like us. But this kerb’s practically royalty, I doubt he knew what pain is..” Aidos dabbed a cotton swab in antiseptic and patted one of the unconscious kerb’s numerous wounds. “Well now he be knowing..” Lando winced “…….iwontgiveup…” the kerb muttered.. “Oh, he be getting up! Good! Ai Cap’n, how much you think he be worth in ransom money?” “Lando, we are not kidnapping him.” “..figh…will..” Lando peered closer to the kerb’s face and patted his cheeks lightly. “Wake up already…” “WIN!!!” The kerb opened his eyes and grabbed Lando’s wrist and squeezing it hard. Lando slipped out of the vice-like grip and scampered away, behind his cap’n. “Mr. President, please calm down. We don’t mean you any harm!” Aidos lifted his hands in surrender and as a show of goodwill. Mortimer Kerman glared at the both of them and promptly lost consciousness again.

Not growing my beard, my roomie doesn't like my beard as it's too tough and prickly for her liking. But I am growing my hair out, and I am not letting my roomie touch my hair because the last time she trimmed it, I looked like a washed up 55 year old with 8 kids and 3 divorces

ISRO: hold my moon lander 'landing on it's side'

A monthly limit of 30 kg per family. If you got 3 members in your family it's BANZAI for you, you can sell the extra rice at market price (30-40 Rs/kg). If you have like 8 family members, you are in a tough spot. Unless you register as 2 families instead of one. Then it's BANZAI again! Like I said, corruption is at every level. You just need to make sure you dont get caught.

There are tons of corruption cases in my country and all over the world, UP embezzlements were relatively meek Have you heard of the Fodder scam? or the Telecom scam? They were several 100 times more damning. The Re 1/ kg rice scheme has been going perfectly in my state. Of course there's BOUND to be corruption at every level, but it is not big enough to impact people hugely. Governments understand that if a person is in a comfy enough position, he will most likely steal. So it turns a blind eye to them until his stealing becomes truly obstructive.

@Arugela [snip] how about giving an authentic 100% Indian from the village a chance to clarify your doubts? [snip] 1. India is poor, hence deaths should be high - True, a percentage of Indians are poor, but that does not mean that India is poor. It has sufficient resources to stave off the epidemic, including a strong health infrastructure. Maybe you should also take into account that COVID tests are free for the populace, no matter how rich or poor. It has always been free in government hospitals, and following a Supreme Court order, private labs are providing it free too (their costs will be borne by the government). We have not had a case of community transmission yet in most states, so a 'track and test' approach is in use in most states. Rest assured, it is very difficult to cover anything up in a painfully transparent democratic country like India unlike [others] 2. Most of their population don't have means of communication [snip] Internet charges in India is extremely affordable and there's not a single village which dont have any means of mass media. This is not the 18th century! 3. How do the poor (or anyone for that matter) get supplies. - Through the Public Distribution System. The poor get their fixed amount of rations per member of the family, at negligible cost ( Rs 1 /kg of rice in my state during normal times. Translates to Rs. 7 for a decent meal). Our neighborhood which is a bit affluent gets doorstep delivery. (We have stocked up on quite a lot, so we are okay for the next 2 weeks) 4. Government is not capable of keeping a lockdown -Oh heck no!!! It seriously is. It does not matter who the guy is. If caught roaming outside , at any time of the day (or night) he/she gets dragged away to the quarantine centers to be held for the next 14 days. A more hot tempered police force (in the northern regions) resorts to the good-old 'Lathicharge' beating the krap out of anyone who's breaking the lockdown. We have been living in lockdown since 25th March, and it has been extended till 30th April, because of the Tablighi Jamaat mess. People obey the government out of their own free will. You are making it sound like we are a bunch of poopy zombies or something. Thus, in conclusion: There's a considerable chance that the virus will hit us hard but we have considerable counter measures deployed against those. The rest of the World has provided us with enough time and experience to lean on, and I am pretty confident we can win this

So can I get COVID from my cats now? They are semi-stray and they roam all around the neighborhood....