The stories and information posted here are artistic works of fiction and falsehood. Only a fool would take anything posted here as fact.
RedLetterMedia: Rich Evans, Plinkett Reviews, Half in the Bag, Best of the Worst, re:View and more!
Improv, one word at a time.
First of all, I´m a new fan of System Shock. Heard of the game in the past, then was intrigued by the remake footage and now that´s officially launched, I want to give my thoughts on SHODAN specifically and how the trait that makes her such a unique and memorable AI villain is what ultimately results in her (initial) demise. I know there are a billion essays on her online, so I decided to do my own spin on this and compare SHODAN with another memorable AI villain that I consider the exact opposite of SHODAN in every single way: GLaDOS. Let´s begin.
---------------------------
SHODAN can be summed up in 3 character traits: control freak, despises flesh and has a superiority complex. These traits make SHODAN the most interesting AI villain that I´ve ever seen. She describes herself as the "perfect immortal machine" and calls humanity insects that she must eradicate and/or subjugate to her will.
Due to being "perfect" and considering herself a godlike being she accounts for everything, making backup plans on the fly. Examples of this are seen all throughout.
In SS1 she has 5 distinct plans alone, that aim to eradicate humanity:
- PLAN A: Firing the laser
- PLAN B: Unleashing her bioweapon
- PLAN C: Uploading herself to the internet via the station´s antennas
- PLAN D: Getting there the long way manually
- PLAN E: Detaching the bridge from the rest of the station
However, what came across as interesting to me, is that, despite making these backup plans, she does not seem to understand why/how were they foiled in the first place. She does not aknowledge that she failed. This is clearly narcissistic behaviour. SHODAN refuses to aknowledge the flaws in her own plans and refuses to learn from her failures. Despite adressing Hacker as "enemy" once he destroys the station, she´s back to calling humans insects in SS2. This clearly demonstrates, at least to me, that she refuses to learn and will hold onto her superiority complex no matter what, no matter how many times she´s proven wrong and doesn´t really understand humanity.
--------------------------------------------
Now let´s compare her to GLaDOS. And let me just say, if I had to choose between GLaDOS or SHODAN, I would gladly go with the former.
While they may seem very much alike on the surface, you quickly realize that they are the exact opposite. Yes, both control their respective structures, both use humans as their playthings, and both have a god-complex. However, that´s where the similarities end.
While SHODAN has a clear narcissistic behaviour and refuses to learn from her mistakes, GLaDOS does everything to make sure that she doesn´t repeat the mistakes of underestimating humans. She did that mistake once before and it cost her her life. She constantly improves her defences and understanding of her enemies.
Continuing from the previous point, GLaDOS doesn´t see humans as inferior. Yes she murders them on the fly, but she knows what they are capable of, and what they´ll due to ensure their own survival. To this end, she can make deals if necessary. This is seen in Portal 2 where she is not above making deals with Chell if it means she gets to retake control, and she´ll uphold them later as well even going to the extent of saving Chell in the ending. This is a polar opposite of SHODAN. in fact, when SHODAN "makes an alliance" in SS2 with the protagonist, once she gets what she wants she´ll kill him no problem. What´s more GLaDOS respects her enemies admitting that Chell did all the work in the core transfer sequence.
And finally, GLaDOS knows humans VERY personally, because she originated from one. She displays human qualities: making human jokes(dark humor but still), being sarcastic, angry, fearful, understands human culture and customs etc. She´s really human in a body of a machine. Whether SHODAN is pure machine.
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So that was my comparison between the two infamous AI´s, and all the similarities and contrasts I noticed. Feel free to give me your thoughts.
Hello, I'm an 18-year-old male living in Brazil, and lately, I've been struggling with my emotions. To be honest, I lack confidence when it comes to achieving the level of performance I desire. While I have no trouble making friends or expressing myself, I'm more fragile than I appear.
Ever since I was young, I've found it difficult to voice my true desires, fearing that I would be the cause of someone's anger or disappointment. I experience a great deal of anxiety and discomfort when someone expresses anger, even if it's not directed at me. Unfortunately, this has spilled over into other aspects of my life.
Recently, I've been trying to distance myself from a certain friend whose reactions were having a negative impact on me. He never accepts being wrong and turns every conversation into a logical argument where you have to defend your point. If things don't go his way, he becomes indignant. This process of distancing is still ongoing, and just thinking about it brings about anxiety. I worry about what he might say to me, how he will try to prove me wrong, make a big deal out of it, or use my past words against me. I've been friends with him for nine years, and although this behavior has always been present, it has become increasingly difficult in the last three years. Usually, things normalize over time, so I tend to forget about it and move on. However, I now realize how much it has affected me because his narcissism has eroded my already diminished confidence. Presently, I lack the courage to end the friendship, and I don't even feel justified in being upset about the relationship.
But what truly troubles me is what I mentioned at the beginning of this message—this lack of self-confidence severely hampers my ability to perform well in my activities. I'm an eSports player with considerable gaming experience, but the gaming community can be toxic. Despite everyone telling me to "just ignore it," I find it difficult to do so. Insults and encounters with people who have insulted me in the past paralyze me. I struggle to express what's going on in my mind. It's not that I'm afraid of these individuals physically harming me; rather, their presence completely disrupts my performance. I become unable to concentrate, which has a detrimental impact on my gameplay. In order to train, I've resorted to playing on alternate accounts where my identity is unknown, allowing me to disregard any insults. I did this for about a year and managed to reach the twentieth position in the national ranking.
However, this presents a familiar problem—I can't participate in tournaments with alternate accounts due to the risk of being banned. Consequently, I've never been able to perform well in tournaments. Uncontrollable anxiety and fear hinder my focus. The biggest obstacle is my inability to concentrate. I recognize that this isn't my best performance, and it feels as if a spell has been cast upon me. Whenever I encounter people who I know dislike me, negative feelings arise. Despite having a supportive social circle and people who want to see me succeed, I still find myself struggling. Why do I continue to feel this way? How can I overcome it?
To be honest, I'm exhausted. I'm tired of being at the mercy of other people's judgment, tired of being afraid of others. I simply want to believe in my own potential. I've dedicated years to training, and I've reached a good level in the game (not yet professional, but close). However, it feels like I'm still the same person as before. I can't convince myself that I'm good enough and the same old excuses keep circulating in my mind: "Those who mistreated you are only as good as you are at the game, so you don't receive any credit for your improvement." "Everyone is getting good just as you, sometimes even better" It's a constant battle to overcome these thoughts and recognize my own achievements.
It feels like I'm trapped in a vicious cycle. I lack self-trust, which means that none of my accomplishments truly bring me lasting satisfaction. My mind always fixates on the things that bother me, amplifying their impact and preventing me from performing at my best. This constant state of frustration and disappointment only adds to the difficulty of the situation, making it even harder to break free from this cycle.
I've attempted to tackle these challenges fueled by hate and by trying to overpower my fear, but it hasn't brought me any real satisfaction. Even if it occasionally yields some results, that's not the path I want for my life. I yearn to face my struggles head-on, to grow and improve without anyone's actions hindering me from pursuing what I truly desire, and I don't want to resort to spreading more hate and inflating my ego as a defense mechanism. I believe there must be a better way to navigate these challenges and grow as a person without perpetuating negativity.
However, I find myself lost and unsure of how to cope with these issues. The impact extends beyond my gaming experience and affects other areas of my life, such as my studies and other ambitions. It feels overwhelming, and I'm desperately seeking guidance on how to navigate these obstacles.
If anyone has a suggestion for a Dr. K video that addresses this topic, please share it in the comments. Your input would greatly benefit me. Thank you for taking the time to read my message.
Hello all I have been having issues with launching any game. What I have tried is reinstalling system Wine and Lutris' Wine version. I have also ran the Wine dependency hell script (
Found Here (Github)). It is also to note All of the logs attatched to this post did run under lutris before this issue. Shotgun King:
Started initial process 439 from gamemoderun /app/bin/wine /home/[username]/Games/shotgun-king/drive_c/GOG Games/Shotgun King The Final Checkmate/shotgun_king.exe
Start monitoring process.
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
gamemodeauto:
. Starting log.
. Writing to log.txt
. Initializing SUGAR v0.0.5e.
. Running on Windows.
. Using SDL 2.0.22
. Using Lua 5.1.4
. Running from: C:\GOG Games\Shotgun King The Final Checkmate\
. Created new memory chunk '_sugar_'.
. FreeType library was initialized.
. Using FreeType 2.12.1
. Relocating chunk '_sugar_' for resizing.
. Resized '_sugar_' to 0x01F4 bytes to fit new 'default_font' req.
. Correctly requested 'default_font' 0x01F3 bytes at 0x01 in chunk '_sugar_'.
. The 95 glyphs font 'default' was created.
. GFX system initialized.
. Time system initialized.
. Input system initialized.
. Successfully opened audio device
. Could not get device name.
. Driver: wasapi
. Frequency: 48000
. Format: 0x8010
. Channels: 2
. Samples: 2048
. Audio system initialized.
. All systems initialized.
.
. Found 'code' chunk.
. Found '../../libs/toolkit.lua' chunk.
. Found '../../libs/ents.lua' chunk.
. Found '../../libs/dirload.lua' chunk.
. Found '../../libs/gifkey.lua' chunk.
. Found '../../libs/remy_systems.lua' chunk.
. Found '../../punkcake/punkcake_intro.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/gfx.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/sel_opt.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/tic.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assetssfxwav.bnk' chunk.
. Found 'assetsmusicmp3.bnk' chunk.
. Found 'crt.shader' chunk.
. Found '../../punkcake/punkcake_sheet.png' chunk.
. Found '../../punkcake/slap.wav' chunk.
. Found '../../punkcake/chomp.wav' chunk.
. Found '../../punkcake/punkcake.wav' chunk.
. Found '../../punkcake/delicieux.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/jump.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/reload.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shoot.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/xpl.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/wrong.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/detected.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/use_card.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/cancel.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/spawn.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/hero_spawn.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/hero_light.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/hero_spawn_boom.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/hero_leave.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/tile_out.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/tile_move.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/level_up_sel.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/level_up_zoom.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/lift.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/throw.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/hurt.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/ammo.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shell_spark.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shell_land.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/backup_land.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/backup_call.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/ingame.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/level_up_A.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/level_up_B.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/wrong_shield.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/cards.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/turn_card.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/card_land.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/promote.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/decay_jingle.wav' chunk.
. Found 'power_crt.shader' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/spawn_final.wav' chunk.
. Found 'code/menu.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/title.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/title_bg.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/title_A.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/title_B.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/menu_in.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/menu_out.wav' chunk.
. Found 'code/save.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/gameover.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'crt_calmos.shader' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/intro.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/next_vig.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/next_vig_2.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/trg_in.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/trg_out.wav' chunk.
. Found 'code/data.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/chinese_font.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/missile.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/wand.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/refill_wand.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/unsoul.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/castle.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/catch.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/eat.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/hurt_boss.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/boss_jump.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/boss_land.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/boss_A.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/boss_B.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/crumble.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/flash_boss.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/boss_crumble.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shield.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/ending_A.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/ending_B.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/gameover_w_fx.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/crystal_xpl.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shell_ground.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/gust.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/bishop_resist.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/alleluia.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/show_book.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/ascend.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/incantation.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/book_float.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/pause.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/grenade_beep.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/grenade_bounce.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/grenade_xpl.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/start.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/start_detune.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/unused_xpl.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/lost_king.wav' chunk.
. Found 'code/lang.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/conscription.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/healing.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/black_mist.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/scope.wav' chunk.
. Found 'code/gameplay.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/legacy.wav' chunk.
. Found 'code/mods.lua' chunk.
. Found 'code/achievements.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/achievements.png' chunk.
. Found '../../libs/hdtext.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/pico_font.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/grab_cancel.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/grab_done.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/fonts/indienovaBC.ttf' chunk.
. Found 'assets/fonts/Galmuri11.ttf' chunk.
. Found '../../libs/autosnaps.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/raise.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/boost.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/reap_soul.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/weapons.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/fonts/Terminus.ttf' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/land.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/soul.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/throw_impact.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/tear_up.wav' chunk.
. Found 'code/modes/throne.lua' chunk.
. Found 'code/modes/endless.lua' chunk.
. Found 'code/modes/chase.lua' chunk.
. Found 'code/codex.lua' chunk.
. Found 'code/serializer.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/plague.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/rat.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/twinkle.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/penta.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/penta_full.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/penta_reset.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/sel_disruption.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/execute_disruption.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/disrupt.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/retire.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/water_poison.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/flip_back.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/blade.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/grenade_fall.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/extra_turn.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/splash.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/hypnosys.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/hypno_execute.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/codex.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/codex_sel.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/chase.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/gfx/codex.png' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/codex_unsel.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/fireplace.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/codex_cycle_item.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/jester.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/music/endless.mp3' chunk.
. Found 'mods/sample/modes/trainer.lua' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/mission.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shoot_0.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shoot_1.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shoot_2.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shoot_3.wav' chunk.
. Found 'assets/sfx/shoot_4.wav' chunk.
. Found 'lang/safe_english.txt' chunk.
. Successfully loaded data.sgr.
. Deleted font 'default'.
. Correctly requested 'default_font' 0x01F3 bytes at 0x01 in chunk '_sugar_'.
. The 95 glyphs font 'default' was created.
. Running...
. Directory 'mods/' not found from .
. Playing Shotgun King v1.36
. Relocating chunk '_sugar_' for resizing.
. Resized '_sugar_' to 0x031034 bytes to fit new 'hdtext' req.
. Correctly requested 'hdtext' 0x030E40 bytes at 0x01F4 in chunk '_sugar_'.
. Created the 596 x 336 surface 'hdtext'.
. Loaded sfx 'alleluia' from file 'assets/sfx/alleluia.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'ammo' from file 'assets/sfx/ammo.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'ascend' from file 'assets/sfx/ascend.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'backup_call' from file 'assets/sfx/backup_call.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'backup_land' from file 'assets/sfx/backup_land.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'bishop_resist' from file 'assets/sfx/bishop_resist.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'black_mist' from file 'assets/sfx/black_mist.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'blade' from file 'assets/sfx/blade.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'book_float' from file 'assets/sfx/book_float.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'boost' from file 'assets/sfx/boost.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'boss_crumble' from file 'assets/sfx/boss_crumble.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'boss_jump' from file 'assets/sfx/boss_jump.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'boss_land' from file 'assets/sfx/boss_land.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'cancel' from file 'assets/sfx/cancel.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'card_land' from file 'assets/sfx/card_land.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'castle' from file 'assets/sfx/castle.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'catch' from file 'assets/sfx/catch.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'codex_cycle_item' from file 'assets/sfx/codex_cycle_item.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'codex_sel' from file 'assets/sfx/codex_sel.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'codex_unsel' from file 'assets/sfx/codex_unsel.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'conscription' from file 'assets/sfx/conscription.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'crystal_xpl' from file 'assets/sfx/crystal_xpl.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'decay_jingle' from file 'assets/sfx/decay_jingle.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'detected' from file 'assets/sfx/detected.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'disrupt' from file 'assets/sfx/disrupt.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'eat' from file 'assets/sfx/eat.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'execute_disruption' from file 'assets/sfx/execute_disruption.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'extra_turn' from file 'assets/sfx/extra_turn.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'flash_boss' from file 'assets/sfx/flash_boss.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'flip_back' from file 'assets/sfx/flip_back.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'grab_cancel' from file 'assets/sfx/grab_cancel.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'grab_done' from file 'assets/sfx/grab_done.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'grenade_beep' from file 'assets/sfx/grenade_beep.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'grenade_bounce' from file 'assets/sfx/grenade_bounce.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'grenade_fall' from file 'assets/sfx/grenade_fall.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'grenade_xpl' from file 'assets/sfx/grenade_xpl.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'gust' from file 'assets/sfx/gust.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'healing' from file 'assets/sfx/healing.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'hero_leave' from file 'assets/sfx/hero_leave.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'hero_light' from file 'assets/sfx/hero_light.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'hero_spawn' from file 'assets/sfx/hero_spawn.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'hero_spawn_boom' from file 'assets/sfx/hero_spawn_boom.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'hurt' from file 'assets/sfx/hurt.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'hurt_boss' from file 'assets/sfx/hurt_boss.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'hypnosys' from file 'assets/sfx/hypnosys.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'hypno_execute' from file 'assets/sfx/hypno_execute.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'incantation' from file 'assets/sfx/incantation.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'jester' from file 'assets/sfx/jester.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'jump' from file 'assets/sfx/jump.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'land' from file 'assets/sfx/land.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'legacy' from file 'assets/sfx/legacy.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'level_up_sel' from file 'assets/sfx/level_up_sel.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'level_up_zoom' from file 'assets/sfx/level_up_zoom.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'lift' from file 'assets/sfx/lift.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'lost_king' from file 'assets/sfx/lost_king.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'menu_in' from file 'assets/sfx/menu_in.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'menu_out' from file 'assets/sfx/menu_out.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'missile' from file 'assets/sfx/missile.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'mission' from file 'assets/sfx/mission.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'next_vig' from file 'assets/sfx/next_vig.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'next_vig_2' from file 'assets/sfx/next_vig_2.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'pause' from file 'assets/sfx/pause.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'penta' from file 'assets/sfx/penta.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'penta_full' from file 'assets/sfx/penta_full.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'penta_reset' from file 'assets/sfx/penta_reset.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'plague' from file 'assets/sfx/plague.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'promote' from file 'assets/sfx/promote.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'raise' from file 'assets/sfx/raise.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'rat' from file 'assets/sfx/rat.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'reap_soul' from file 'assets/sfx/reap_soul.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'refill_wand' from file 'assets/sfx/refill_wand.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'reload' from file 'assets/sfx/reload.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'retire' from file 'assets/sfx/retire.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'scope' from file 'assets/sfx/scope.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'sel_disruption' from file 'assets/sfx/sel_disruption.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'sel_opt' from file 'assets/sfx/sel_opt.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'shell_ground' from file 'assets/sfx/shell_ground.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'shell_land' from file 'assets/sfx/shell_land.wav'
. Loaded sfx 'shell_spark' from file 'assets/sfx/shell_spark.wav'
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My sister (#3) is my 94 year old mother's main caregiver and is paid to do so from my mother's savings and money from the VA. Mom can dress and bathe and feed herself, but her dementia gets worse every time I see her. Sister #3 doesn't like the word dementia and refuses to see mom as person with dementia. We have worked out a schedule where she gets relief from the caregiving most weekends. But the rest of us are not paid for this time. Mom can't afford it even if I wanted to be paid. I drive four hours on Friday to get here and four hours on Monday, once a month, to get home. We have been doing this for about three years.
I have four sisters. About a dozen years ago, sister 4 had an adult temper tantrum and cut everyone in the family out of her life, even our mother who had done nothing to deserve that treatment. My mother even cut her out of the will for awhile. We all told mom that it was her decision, but if she was going to make changes, please don't put sister #4 in charge of anything. Sister #4 apparently had a change of heart several years ago, and made up with sister #3 and through her, got back in mom's good graces. Fine. My mother should have a relationship with all of her children. However, sister #4 has always been the bossy one of the family and for our whole life, has always expected the rest of us to do what she wants us to do. I have many examples of that. She is competent and capable and smart, so her ideas are often good; it is just her bossy attitude that was the problem. She, and sister #3, submitted the VA application without any discussion with the rest of us. And when we found out, they refused to provide us with any information about it. I do believe, and will do so until proven otherwise, that she made a few false statements on the application, but the VA approved it, so either I was wrong or the VA didn't do their due diligence. Sister #4 has made no effort to make up with the other three of us (#1, #2 and #5). This creates a great deal of tension in the family. We are now a broken family.
Sisters #3 and #1 had a big fight a few years ago when sister 1 was with mom, but sister 3 showed up because mom had called her because mom, in her dementia state, didn't recognize sister 1 at that time. This led to sister 1 leaving the house and saying she was not coming back. Sister #5 and I also had various arguments with sister #3, but finally decided that it was detrimental to mom to have those fights. So now, I mostly keep my mouth shut.
Sister #4 now has weak sister #3 in her pocket and now is in control of her which means she is also in control of mom. And sister #4 doesn't care about what the rest of us think.
I have tried to get mom and sister #1 to keep a relationship and so she will visit mom when I am there on my weekend. Sometimes.
I had made plans for mom and me to visit sister #1 on Sunday, yesterday, and told mom about it at multiple times on Saturday. But she woke up Sunday morning in a bad mood and started on her rant about sister #1 which is mostly false, but her dementia takes over and I can never convince her that no, sister #1 does not want your money and no, does not want you dead, and yes, maybe her husband drinks too much maybe he doesn't, but that is not your problem. Then she went looking for her phone list so she could call sister #3 to come over, it seems, to rescue her from me, I guess, or whatever else her demented mind was telling her. I am actually not certain my mother can even make a phone call right now - not sure she would know which buttons to push. But I said to her, if you are going to call sister #3 to come over, then I will go pack my bags and she can take care of you and I will go home. And of course, I started crying which upset her even more. I then gave up on the idea of seeing sister #1 that day and tried to have a good day with her anyway.
Even before her dementia was as bad as it is, my mother will almost never stop talking. She has talking points that she repeats over and over and over. Some are false memories, some have some validity but are not really accurate and I know that the dementia makes this worse than it would be.
I am getting tired of my weekends here. I dread the drive down. When I am here, she doesn't let me help her clean closets or drawers although she complains about having too much stuff. She doesn't have that many hobbies that can occupy her mind. She likes to watch the action on her street when people walk by. Sister #3 is a bit of a hoarder at her own home and has moved some of her overflow into my mom's house which my mother doesn't like. For instance, sister #3 got a good deal on a turkey about five years ago, and it is still in mother's freezer. But even mom will say that she can't stand up to sister #3 since she depends on her.
The five of us have no plan for what to do with mom when she gets worse. I did some looking around at various facilities, but sister #3 just dismissed what I found. Sister #4 probably has plans, but none of the rest of us get to know those plans. And after sister #1 left, mom, with her demented brain, contacted her attorney and changed her power of attorney to include sister #4 as a backup. I am nowhere on any legal documents, probably because I live four hours away.
I often cry on my way home after holding in my emotions. Today, on my way home, I will go by the cemetery and talk to Dad and God. I know the best thing for mom is for me to give sister #3 this respite time, so I will continue, but it is taking a toll on me. I have no doubt that it is taking a toll on sister #3 as well, but I have gotten to the point that I just don't care about her feelings about it. She is a loving daughter and devoted to my mother, so there is not any issue of abuse. But she does not really provide my mother with daily cognitive or physical exercise and I think they spend most of their days watching sister #3s favorite TV shows. She also hates housework and so she bought a robot vac (not sure it was her money or mom's). But doesn't dust furniture. There is a layer on every piece. Yes, I could get out the furniture polish and take care of it and maybe it is petty for me not to do it, but sister #3 is here all the time and is the only one paid for what she provides. It costs me $100 in gas money just to drive back and forth. I also hate cooking at this point in my life, but I often buy food that I want to prepare and I pay for it myself. At this point, it would be difficult for mom to adjust to a facility because of her dementia, but that day is coming and we have no plan for it as a family.
It helps to vent, although I don't think there are any solutions. I am grateful that sister #3 is willing to be mom's caregiver, but am less and less concerned with her own well-being and needs. Our sister problems are not helping mom, but no one wants to try to get along anymore.
Response to "China's interception of U.S. aircraft" Li Shangfu: All countries manage their own warships and aircraft
cross-strait
2023-06-05 08:29:45
both sides of the strait
(Reported by Hong Kong Wen Wei Po reporter Ge Chong in Beijing) At the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue yesterday, someone raised the so-called issue of "Chinese military planes and ships intercepting US military planes and expulsing US warships". In this regard, Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu asked back, why did the questions you raised just now happened near China's airspace and territorial waters, but not near the airspace and territorial waters of other countries? This is because China's military aircraft and warships Never go to the airspace and territorial waters of other countries to do so-called navigation hegemony. The Chinese Defense Minister stated eloquently that the best way is for countries to manage their own warships and aircraft well.
◆Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu delivered a speech on the topic of "China's New Security Initiative" at the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue yesterday.
Li Shangfu said that China and many relevant countries have formulated rules for sea and air encounters, these are to avoid unnecessary dangers during encounters.
A fierce confrontation between China and the United States will be an unbearable pain for the world
Li Shangfu delivered a speech on the topic of "China's New Security Initiative" at the 20th Shangri-La Dialogue yesterday. According to CCTV reports, when it comes to Sino-US relations, he said that Sino-US relations are related to global strategic stability and are also the focus of attention of all countries.
Li Shangfu said that China believes that China and the United States should live up to expectations and follow the trend of the times. The significance of Sino-US relations has long gone beyond bilateral relations and has global influence. The international community generally hopes for the healthy and stable development of Sino-US relations, and worries about conflicts and confrontations. It is undeniable that if there is a fierce conflict and confrontation between China and the United States, it will be an unbearable pain for the world. China believes that a big country should behave like a big country, and should not provoke confrontation between camps for temporary selfishness. It should take into account the overall situation, resolve differences through exchanges and cooperation, and respond to the expectations of various countries. History should not be forgotten and lessons learned.
Li Shangfu pointed out that China and the United States have different systems and great differences, but this does not prevent the two sides from seeking common ground while reserving differences to develop bilateral relations, nor does it prevent the two sides from deepening cooperation based on common interests. History has proved time and again that China and the United States both benefit from cooperation and lose from confrontation. China has been seeking to establish a new type of major-country relationship with the United States, but this requires the United States to show sincerity, match words with deeds, and take practical actions to meet China halfway, so as to promote the stabilization of the relationship between the two countries and the two militaries. Find a way to get along without fear of difficulties. In the past few years, Sino-US relations have hovered at a low point after the establishment of diplomatic relations. Everyone knows the reasons for this difficult situation. The world is big enough to accommodate the common development of countries in the region, including China and the United States. The three principles of mutual respect, peaceful coexistence, and win-win cooperation are the correct way for China and the United States to get along with each other.
Countries outside the region try to disrupt the South China Sea for profit
Regarding the South China Sea issue, Li Shangfu said in his speech that with the joint efforts of countries in the region, the situation in the South China Sea is generally stable and exchanges and cooperation are deepening. At present, tens of thousands of ships from various countries pass through the South China Sea every year, and the total value of goods transported to the world is as high as 3.5 trillion U.S. dollars. It has never been heard of a ship whose passage is blocked or its safety is threatened. On the contrary, some countries outside the region are exercising "navigation hegemony" in the name of "navigation freedom". They want to disrupt the South China Sea for profit. We need to be highly vigilant and resolutely resist.
Li Shangfu said that it is normal for neighbors to have differences, and everyone is communicating and negotiating to resolve them properly. However, some countries outside the region are sowing discord behind their backs. We must distinguish between interests and remain sober. China is willing to join hands with countries in the region to fully and effectively implement the Declaration on the Conduct of Parties in the South China Sea, actively promote consultations on the Code of Conduct in the South China Sea, and jointly build the South China Sea into a sea of peace, friendship and development.
The Asia-Pacific does not need to form cliques and "cliques"
Li Shangfu also pointed out that facts have proved that wherever the hand of hegemonism and power politics is extended, there will be no peace and wars will abound. China believes that only by respecting each other and treating each other as equals can we live in harmony. Resolutely oppose imposing one's will on others, putting one's own interests above others, and basing one's own safety on the insecurity of others. Some countries wantonly meddle in other countries' internal affairs and regional affairs, resort to unilateral sanctions, force coercion, launch "color revolutions" and proxy wars everywhere, mess up a region and then walk away, leaving a mess. We must not let this happen Things are being replicated in the Asia-Pacific.
He said that some major powers once again proposed the so-called "Indo-Pacific strategy". China believes that no matter what the strategy is, it should not draw lines based on ideology and use so-called "imaginary threats" to build exclusive military alliances, otherwise it will easily fall into a "self-fulfilling prophecy." Attempts to promote "NATOization of the Asia-Pacific" are essentially kidnapping regional countries and exaggerating conflicts and confrontations, which will only plunge the Asia-Pacific into a vortex of division, disputes and conflicts. History has proved that bloc politics and division and confrontation will not bring real security, but will only aggravate tension and undermine regional stability. What is needed in today's Asia-Pacific is an open and inclusive "big cooperation", not a "small circle" formed by cliques.
In addition, at the Shangri-La Dialogue, Li Shangfu also mentioned the lyrics of an old song "My Motherland" widely sung in China: "When a friend comes, there is good wine. If the jackal comes, there is someone who welcomes it." Shotgun!"
The Chinese army is not afraid of any opponent
Chinese State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu said at the Shangri-La Dialogue in Singapore yesterday that if someone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will not hesitate in the slightest, will not be afraid of any opponent, and will resolutely safeguard the country no matter how much it costs. sovereignty and territorial integrity.
China must be unified and must be unified
According to CCTV reports, regarding the Taiwan issue, Li Shangfu said in his speech at the Shangri-La Dialogue that the Taiwan issue is the core of China's core interests, the Taiwan issue is China's internal affairs, and the one-China principle has become a recognized basic norm of international relations. Any act that blurs or hollows out the one-China principle is absurd and dangerous.
Li Shangfu said that the world can see very clearly that the DPP authorities "coerce foreign powers to seek independence" and external forces "use Taiwan to control China" to interfere in China's internal affairs are the root causes of tension in the Taiwan Strait and the biggest trouble in changing the status quo of the Taiwan Strait maker.
Li Shangfu said that China must be unified, and it will inevitably be unified. This is the aspiration of the people and the trend of the times. We are willing to strive for peaceful reunification with the greatest sincerity and best efforts, but we will never promise to renounce the use of force. If someone dares to separate Taiwan from China, the Chinese military will not hesitate in the slightest, and will not be afraid of any opponent. No matter what the price is, the Chinese military will resolutely safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity.
[Expert Interpretation] China's attitude is resolutely beyond the past
Wang Yong, a professor at the School of International Relations at Peking University and director of the Center for American Studies at Peking University, pointed out to Hong Kong Wen Wei Po that State Councilor and Defense Minister Li Shangfu fully demonstrated the firm determination of the Chinese military to safeguard national sovereignty and territorial integrity during the Shangri-La Dialogue, showing that China In order to safeguard the core interests of Taiwan, the core Taiwan issue is not hesitant to fight. If someone dares to split Taiwan, I believe that the Chinese military will never hesitate. The expert believes that China's statement is more resolute than in the past, and it should be aimed at the current US stepping up its deployment in the Taiwan Strait.
The US security order is an exclusive security order
According to Wang Yong's analysis, China and the United States have different views and opinions on the security order in the Asia-Pacific region. China advocates cooperation among major powers and coordinates a new security concept of mutual benefit and common security among regional countries. This is completely different from the so-called liberal international order advocated by the United States and its so-called leadership responsibilities in the Indo-Pacific region. Wang Yong pointed out that the essence of the security order in the United States is to maintain its own hegemony, to engage in "small circles", and to create an exclusive security order.
Recently, the U.S. side has made frequent announcements, expressing the obvious willingness of several government officials to visit China. According to reports, the Assistant Secretary of State for Foreign Affairs in East Asia and the Pacific will visit China on the 4th. Wang Yong believes that, as China has repeatedly emphasized, the most important thing in the future is that the United States should change its strategic perception of China, correctly understand China's rise, respect China's core interests, and not play the Taiwan card or "use Taiwan to control China."
The United States must truly respect China's core interests
Regarding the direction of Sino-US relations in the next step, Wang Yong believes that the next step in Sino-US relations is expected to usher in opportunities for adjustment and improvement. He said that if Sino-U.S. relations continue to develop along the line that the U.S. side was too tough before, it may eventually lead to tragic results. And results that the international community does not want to see. However, how China-US relations will go next depends on the determination of the US government.
Wang Yong emphasized that what the U.S. government should do now is to truly respect China's core interests, truly match words with deeds, and focus on cooperation in areas where the two sides can cooperate, so as to jointly benefit the two peoples and at the same time help maintain regional peace. and stability.
Wang Yong believes that Sino-U.S. relations may be facing the last window to improve relations before the U.S. election. China and the U.S. now have many common interests. As long as the two sides seize this opportunity, gradually resume dialogue and gradually build consensus during the dialogue, The relationship between China and the United States is still expected to recover from the decline, thereby avoiding the path of conflict and war.