Apparently it’s just just Americans.

Which is why you see this happen so frequently.

I am ready, willing, and able to continue calling you ignorant. I’m not saying that fans aren’t to varying degrees. Especially since you seem to be ignoring my broader points. I’m empathizing with the fans and taking into account how we got to this point rather than thinking I’m better than them and laughing at them.

You seem to have a serious empathy deficiency, so I can’t explain to you the nuance in that. My broadest point is that rampant capitalism and the elimination of third spaces for community have normalized in most people a pay to participate mindset. And they’re not wrong, because for many it’s all they’ve ever experienced. You, personally ,just don’t value the same things in the same way they do, and you feel superior for it. Of course that’s not every fan in this example, but that’s why the global community at large has enjoyed the world cup, Olympics, chess competitions, the space race, etc.

So, yes. I think your class division crap is ignorant.

Yes, I stand by ignorant. I’m not and wasn’t discussing the obvious corruption and gouging from FIFA. I don’t even watch the sport, but it’s been on full display for a long time.

My issue continues to lie with your judgement of the fans. I’m less concerned with the power of their want for this, but the “why” behind it. Competition on behalf of your community has been a part of cultures across countries and centuries. It’s a big part of the bread and circuses trope. People crave the community and comaraderie that comes from participating in and watching these types of events.

Access to this kind of community experience outside of monetary participation has been whittled away for decades, and we’re left with what the monopoly has left us. I’m not going to insult people’s intelligence for making choices that I don’t agree with, but can understand where the motivation comes from. I think this is just another example of how capitalism has squeezed joy from our lives, but I’m not going to be an asshole and blame the victims.

I cook almost all of our meals at home. I use mainly whole ingredients and minimal hyper processed foods. Outside of tips or service fees associated with eating takeout or dining out, there are lots of non fast food options nearby that cost us less per meal than many of my go to meals. Quality produce (when you can find it) has become particularly expensive.

Even if that weren’t the case, people that don’t know how to cook as it is aren’t going to be well versed in replacing more expensive ingredients with cheaper ones. These people are less likely to start using healthier, whole ingredients at home, and will instead opt for cheap, highly processed options like skillet noodle meals and frozen prepared foods.

This situation is no joke. I am honestly on edge about just how dire this could get.

What a gross thing to say. Even if your ignorant generalization about football fans werr true, being complacent and smug about them being preyed on says a lot about you as a person.

People should be able to enjoy their hobbies and passions without participation being monetized at every turn. I don’t know why that’s a radical position to you.

That’s fair, but we’re actively living the consequences of not voting for harm reduction when we had the chance in 2024. I’m so fucking sick of this. We can’t afford to ignore history or reality anymore.

It doesn’t come off as annoying, but it certainly does detract from any credibility you are trying to have.

If what you are saying is correct, losing an imaginary, anonymous popularity contest doesn’t seem like a good enough reason to keep quiet.

Oh my gosh, this is so validating! A few different species of birds will flutter in front of the living room window when the feeders are empty to get my attention. They are smart little things!

I mean, no, but their forehead seems like the more ideal position for the instrument, right?

Rest in piss, scumbag.

When I’m making vegetable soup, I usually add some balsamic vinegar, tomato paste, and MSG. The acid and umami make the soup taste more balanced and hearty. I hope it’s helpful!

The question of how we make empathy universal isn’t the vapid question. Yours that I was responding to was.

Either way, if women can manage the hit in the balls empathy, surely you can figure this out, too, without a step-by-step pictorial diagram and someone to hold your hand.

If I knew how to make everyone empathetic we wouldn’t even need to be discussing this in the first place. What a vapid question.

The same way we trust that it’s really painful for men to get kicked in the junk without having to experience it ourselves.

I don’t know enough about your finances, medical insurance, and/or pain tolerance to answer that question.

I’d probably check the Best By dates referenced in the article and compare them to the date on your package.

The term for this is “trickle truthing”, and it’s a common tactic when someone gets caught doing something terrible.

The term “female” has been used to subtly degrade women in misogynistic circles and conversations for a long time. I’m struggling to believe this is a new concept for most people, but in case you’re being sincere, you can read more about this here..

She was incredibly talented. I loved her so much in Best In Show.