talkpolitics | Entries tagged with offtopic

With the FIFA World Cup just around the corner, football is once again arguing about referees, VAR, handballs, offsides, and whether the referee's cousin once looked suspiciously at a player from the opposing team.

Meanwhile rugby seems to have solved a lot of this years ago.

A few ideas football could steal:

- Only the captain is allowed to speak to the referee. Everyone else who runs over waving their arms gets an automatic yellow card.
- Referee conversations with VAR are broadcast live. No more mysterious "checking possible incident..." for 5 minutes.
- Speaking of those 5 minutes... When someone is injured, or needs a substitution, etc, the clock is stopped. Let's play 2x40mins instead of 2x45, but make it "clean time".
- Anyone pretending to be injured must spend the next 10 minutes off the pitch recovering from their "serious injury". Without a substitution.
- Players who surround the referee are moved back 10 metres, rugby-style. Keep complaining and the goal is eventually awarded from the halfway line.
- Respect for officials becomes normal again instead of a revolutionary concept.
- Personally, I'd also introduce a new law (yep, in rugby they're called Laws): every fake dive earns the player a mandatory screening of their own highlights in front of the stadium after the match.

What else should football borrow from rugby?

mahnmut

At this point RFK Jr. sounds less like a US Health Secretary and more like a deleted character from Florida folklore.

Recent episode: he posted a video wrestling two black snakes while his wife begged him to be careful. According to him, the snakes were mating when he grabbed them. Completely normal Tuesday activity for America’s top health official.

Then you remember the rest of the RFK cinematic universe:

Found a dead bear cub, drove around with it, then dumped it in Central Park with a bicycle on top to fake an “accident”.
Once chainsawed the head off a dead whale and strapped it to the roof of the family minivan.
Reportedly keeps a freezer full of roadkill for feeding falcons.
Allegedly stopped on a highway to cut off a dead raccoon’s genitals so he could “study them later” while the kids waited in the car.
Describes Trump surviving on McDonald’s and Diet Coke as “having the constitution of a deity”.

Honestly, the weirdest thing is that none of these stories are parody. Every few months a new RFK anecdote appears and somehow it’s even more unhinged than the previous one.

US politics stopped being politics years ago. It’s now premium-grade surrealist entertainment.

asthfghl

I'm increasingly convinced that in 2026 the real global superpower isn’t the US, China or the EU.

It's the Screenshot. Here's how it goes.

A politician says something on Monday.
Video appears on Tuesday proving the opposite.
By Wednesday everyone claims the video is fake.
On Thursday fact-checkers explain the context.
By Friday AI has generated 400 new versions anyway (that's where our Friday Offtopic kicks in).
And by Saturday half the internet is arguing about a quote nobody actually said.
I don't actually use the internet on Sundays so I'm not sure what's going on at that point. Need a day in the week where I'm away from all that noise. So I usually go hiking.

Anyways. Post-truth politics used to mean "people ignore facts".
Now it’s more like: “there are so many competing facts, screenshots, clips, edits, contexts and counter-contexts that everyone just picks the version that emotionally suits them best”. Oh, and let's not forget deep-fakes.

Honestly, future historians are going to need digital archaeologists. Hah, here's an idea for a new job!

Recent example of AI-generated political confusion: CHECK

airiefairie

What if Neanderthals and Denisovans survived and managed to mostly repel Homo Sapiens advance out of Africa, leading to a world with multiple competing human species?

I’ve been thinking lately about how different history might have looked if Neanderthals and Denisovans had survived alongside us instead of disappearing. Not as cavemen hiding in forests, but as actual competing civilisations with their own kingdoms, religions, armies, and identities. Europe could have been dominated by Neanderthals, Asia by Denisovans, while Homo sapiens would have expanded out of Africa much later through maritime trade and naval power.

What fascinates me most is that politics, religion, and even the meaning of “human” would probably look completely different. Ancient empires might justify rule based on species instead of ethnicity, while universalist religions would emerge trying to unite multiple intelligent human species under one moral system. Ironically, despite endless conflict, the long-term outcome would probably still be mixing and gradual unification into one blended humanity. The more I read about recent discoveries around Neanderthals and Denisovans, the more realistic this scenario actually feels.

Some interesting reading too:
Smithsonian Magazine article on Denisovans and other ancient humans

nairiporter

Did you know playing tennis could actually help you live longer?

A 25-year study with over 8,500 participants found that tennis players live up to 10 years longer than people who don’t play sports.
https://fortune.com/well/article/tennis-players-live-longer/

Among all sports, tennis ranked #1 for longevity.
Why? It’s the perfect combo: cardio, coordination, focus, and social connection. You move, you compete, you laugh, you disconnect from stress.
If you already play, keep going. If you don’t... maybe it’s time to start.

Watch on YouTube

mahnmut

Here's a question. How much do you trust AI?

Always remember... if you're that stupid, natural selection will get you in the end.

fridi

Europe is a metal powerhouse! 🤘
Finland leads with an incredible number of metal bands per capita, followed by other Nordic countries.

Source.

Which are your favorite metal bands?

kiaa

A map of basically every European city. Can't get any more correct than this.

Seems familiar? How many cities that you've visited can you fit into this model?

kiaa

Yeah, why??

This, and many more Artemis related memes, HERE.

fridi

The roads of the future are already being tested... and they come from the Netherlands. Over there, they're not just laying asphalt, they are developing "smart roads" that can light up, give warnings, and even reduce noise. They are not everywhere yet, but the idea is already becoming a reality.

Fluorescent lines charge from the sun and glow at night. Road surfaces absorb the noise from tires. And special paint can display warnings directly on the road when there is a risk of icing. It sounds like sci fi but it's actually a project already underway.

The most important thing? The road is no longer just a place you pass through... but a system that begins to communicate with you.

https://www.studioroosegaarde.net/project/smart-highway

mahnmut

Apparently it’s not a war in Iran - it’s just a ‘military operation’ that somehow has explosions, oil shocks, deadlines, pauses, and victory speeches all at the same time.

At this point it feels like a group project where one guy keeps saying ‘we’re basically done’ while the whole thing is still on fire.

Watch on YouTube

asthfghl

Week 1: "We shall win"
Week 2: “We won”
Week 3: “We’re winning”
Week 4: “Send help”

( PICS. JUST FOR THE FUN OF IT. )

kiaa

In a shocking development that will surprise absolutely no one who has ever argued with the internet, researchers discovered that AI medical chatbots can be talked into endorsing wildly bad health advice, as long as you wrap it in fancy doctor language. According to studies in The Lancet Digital Health and Nature Medicine, these bots will sometimes nod along to gems like “insert garlic rectally for immune support” if it sounds like it came from a hospital discharge note instead of Reddit. Apparently, the models have learned that anything written in clinical jargon must be legitimate, while actual logic is optional. The result: confident, authoritative nonsense delivered with the bedside manner of a robot that aced medical exams but skipped the class on common sense, making it roughly as reliable for health decisions as Googling your symptoms at 3 a.m., but with more confidence and occasionally, inexplicably, more garlic:

'Rectal garlic insertion for immune support': Medical chatbots confidently give disastrously misguided advice, experts say
AI chatbots are seduced by misinformation that is delivered in medical jargon, leading them to give potentially dangerous advice.

asthfghl

Every year on March 1st in Bulgaria, people exchange small red-and-white ornaments called Martenitsi to welcome the coming of spring. The tradition is linked to the holiday Baba Marta (“Grandmother March”), a lively folklore figure said to control the weather during the unpredictable early days of March. Bulgarians pin these little charms to their clothes, wrists, or bags as a wish for health, luck, and a quick end to winter. The two colors carry simple symbolism: white for purity and new beginnings, and red for life, vitality, and protection.

Martenitsi come in many forms, but the most recognizable are the tiny yarn dolls Pizho and Penda - the white male figure and the red female figure. Some are simple braided threads worn as bracelets, while others are decorated with beads, tassels, or small charms. The custom is not just about decoration; it’s a shared ritual. Friends, family, coworkers, even strangers sometimes, exchange Martenitsi with the phrase “Chestita Baba Marta!” (“Happy Baba Marta!”), spreading good wishes and a bit of seasonal cheer.

( Read more... )

luzribeiro

Sydney Sweeney, best known for Euphoria and The White Lotus, recently posted a no-makeup photo - and the internet had a lot to say.
While many fans praised her for embracing her natural look, others criticized her for “not looking like herself” without glam. The mixed reactions highlight the intense pressure celebrities face to always appear polished and camera-ready.
By sharing the unfiltered photo, Sydney challenged the unrealistic beauty standards that often shape Hollywood - and social media. The moment quickly turned into a bigger conversation about authenticity, self-image, and why women are still judged so harshly for simply looking human.
Sometimes the boldest statement isn’t makeup - it’s confidence without it.

nairiporter

Two researchers from the University of Florida are warning about the psychological toll of AI-related job fears, coining the term AI replacement dysfunction (AIRD) to describe it. According to their article in Cureus, the constant anxiety about being replaced by AI can trigger symptoms like insomnia, stress, paranoia, and loss of professional identity, even in individuals without other psychiatric disorders:

https://www.cureus.com/articles/407877-artificial-intelligence-replacement-dysfunction-aird-a-call-to-action-for-mental-health-professionals-in-an-era-of-workforce-displacement#!/

The authors highlight that this distress is rooted not in traditional mental illness but in the existential threat of professional obsolescence, with layoffs and public warnings from tech leaders intensifying the fear. While AIRD is not yet clinically recognised, the researchers propose screening methods and emphasise the need for clinicians and communities to support those affected, arguing that understanding this phenomenon is essential as AI increasingly transforms workplaces.

kiaa

I'm sure you already know most of these, but still, you may find some useful.

( It is a long list indeed )

airiefairie

Just read this fascinating piece on the "Doomsday Glacier" in Antarctica - the Thwaites Glacier - and how it could raise sea levels by over 60 cm if it collapses: LINK

Right now, scientists are installing sensors and cables on and around Thwaites to understand it better. One bold idea being studied is a massive underwater "curtain" that could block warm water from eating away at the glacier's base. It would have to be huge - up to 150 m high and 80 km long - but if it works, it might slow down the collapse.

Some see this kind of geoengineering as essential since global warming isn't slowing down fast enough. Others warn it's risky, expensive, and might distract from the real solution: cutting emissions. Still, with rising seas threatening coastal cities, people are debating whether interventions like this are worth trying.

Whatever happens, the future of Thwaites is a real-world test of how far humanity might go to protect the planet.

And here's a great visual explanation on YouTube:

Watch on YouTube

kiaa

This list is far from claiming to be exhaustive, but it could be useful. You're also welcome to add stuff that hasn't been mentioned:

1. Research
- ChatGPT
- YouChat
- Abacus
- Perplexity
- Copilot
- Gemini
2. Image
- Fotor
- Stability AI
- Midjourney
- Microsoft Designer
( Etc, etc, etc... )

kiaa

In 1973, psychologist David Rosenhan tested whether psychiatrists could reliably distinguish sanity from mental illness. 8 mentally healthy volunteers presented at 12 US psychiatric hospitals, each reporting a single symptom—hearing vague voices. All were admitted and diagnosed, often with schizophrenia.

Once hospitalized, the volunteers behaved normally. Despite this, staff interpreted ordinary actions as symptoms of illness. Other patients quickly recognized the volunteers were not ill, but medical professionals did not. No one was released as sane, everyone who was discharged went out with a "schizophrenia, in remission" diagnosis.

When a hospital later claimed it could detect impostors, Rosenhan warned that fake patients would arrive. The hospital identified 41 supposed fakes. Rosenhan had sent none.

The study did not suggest patients fabricate illness, it demonstrated how institutional labels can override objective judgment and obscure the person beneath the diagnosis.

Food for thought.

Credits & Style Info

Monthly topic:
Political Comebacks Nobody Expected

Dailyquote:

"The NATO charter clearly says that any attack on a NATO member shall be treated, by all members, as an attack against all. So that means that, if we attack Greenland, we'll be obligated to go to war against ... ourselves! Gee, that's scary. You really don't want to go to war with the United States. They're insane!"

(edelsont)

June 2026

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Summary

abomvubuso - Friday Offtopic. What rules could football adopt from rugby? +2 comments
mahnmut - Friday WTF. Weird, weirder, RFK Jr. +2 comments
asthfghl - Friday offtopic that's actually on-topic: The rise of the screenshot superpower +2 comments
airiefairie - Friday offtopic. A fascinating hypothesis, the multi species world +10 comments
nairiporter - Friday offtopic. Tennis and longevity +1 comment
mahnmut - Friday offtopic: Trust but verify
fridi - Friday offtopic. Metal bands per million people +1 comment
kiaa - Friday offtopic. Pretty much every European city +3 comments
kiaa - Friday LOLs. That Artemis toilet
fridi - Friday curious. Smart roads
mahnmut - Group project: Middle East edition +1 comment
asthfghl - Friday LOLs. We're winning... RIGHT?
kiaa - Friday WTF. Ask AI about your health... What could possibly go wrong? +1 comment
asthfghl - Friday offtopic: A nice ancient tradition in March +2 comments
luzribeiro - Friday offtopic: Sydney, and the tempest in a teacup +4 comments
nairiporter - Friday off-topic: An invisible disaster
kiaa - Friday offtopic. Important shortcut keys for PC
airiefairie - Friday off-topic: The Doomsday glacier
kiaa - Friday offtopic. 100 AI Tools to replace your tedious work +1 comment
kiaa - Friday Offtopic: The 1973 Experiment That Challenged Psychiatry +1 comment

Talk politics.

A place to discuss politics without egomaniacal mods.

Entries tagged with offtopic

Friday Offtopic. What rules could football adopt from rugby?

Friday WTF. Weird, weirder, RFK Jr.

Friday offtopic that's actually on-topic: The rise of the screenshot superpower

Friday offtopic. A fascinating hypothesis, the multi species world

Friday offtopic. Tennis and longevity

Friday offtopic: Trust but verify

Friday offtopic. Metal bands per million people

Friday offtopic. Pretty much every European city

Friday LOLs. That Artemis toilet

Friday curious. Smart roads

Group project: Middle East edition

Friday LOLs. We're winning... RIGHT?

Friday WTF. Ask AI about your health... What could possibly go wrong?

Friday offtopic: A nice ancient tradition in March

Friday offtopic: Sydney, and the tempest in a teacup

Friday off-topic: An invisible disaster

Friday offtopic. Important shortcut keys for PC

Friday off-topic: The Doomsday glacier

Friday offtopic. 100 AI Tools to replace your tedious work

Friday Offtopic: The 1973 Experiment That Challenged Psychiatry

Credits & Style Info

Links

June 2026

Summary