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Everything posted by BinniLee
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This forum needs a Semi-greecian facade...
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I resent that statement, if 85% of your game constituted of filling in your map, killing monsters so you can take their stuff, and having brief "conversations" with randomly scattered weird people; It is because your own fondness of it. I have however finished the game with hardly any fertilizer killings, 90% to do with plot; perhaps that is only because of my own methodical nature. Then gamelay in general. Because the story is very good, I hated BG2 because you need to collect set amounts of money and it just isn't über leet cool.
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Baldur's gate the best RPG in the world (Which is über 1337 BTW) has a specific plot. In my humble opinion, Baldur's gate is the pinacle of video games and art in the highest sense. About the game: (Wikipedia) The story follows the player character as he grows up following the cataclysmic Time of Troubles, and it puts an emphasis on character development through dialogue and battle. The game rewards the player character according to his or her moral choices, in the spirit of the game's opening quotation, credited to Friedrich Nietzsche “ He who fights with monsters should look to it that he himself does not become a monster... when you gaze long into the abyss the abyss also gazes into you... The game was programmed within the licensed ruleset of the Forgotten Realms role-playing setting, using the Advanced Dungeons & Dragons 2nd edition rules, though various elements from the ruleset were modified to allow the game to be executed in real-time. Each character is in constant action, while the game can be paused at any time, and with the use of various auto-pause options it is possible to simulate turn based gameplay. The game is separated into seven chapters intercut with interludes of spoken dialogue. Free exploration of the world map is allowed in every chapter, though some areas are not unlocked before the player character advances to a certain point in the game. The player begins as a weak character, poorly equipped and without allies. As they progress through the game, players will discover new and more powerful weapons, armor, and spells, and can form a party of up to six characters, including the player character. Experience points, gained through completing quests and killing monsters, improve the abilities of the main character and other party members. The western shore of Faerûn along the Sea of Swords contains a multitude of ecologies and terrain including mountains, forests, swamps, marshes, plains, cities, and ruins. Collectively called the Sword Coast, it attracts adventurers for good and evil alike, and provides the backdrop for this epic adventure. The region encompassed by this game is roughly bordered to the South by the Cloud Peaks, the East by the Wood of Sharp Teeth, the West by the Sea of Swords, and the North by Baldur's Gate (the largest and most affluent city in the region). The characters travel the countryside, exploring the countless areas such as towns, dungeons, mines, forests, castle ruins, and the city of Baldur's Gate. The main story involves the characters investigating a conspiracy, confronting the clandestine plots of organizations like the Zhentarim, Red Wizards of Thay, The Iron Throne, Flaming Fist, The Chill, The Black Talons, and the Harpers, as well as finding out the main character's own ancestry and history. The player character and his/her friend Imoen have grown up together since childhood under the tutelage of their guardian, the mage Gorion. As orphans, they were raised in Candlekeep, an ancient fortress-turned-library in the rural Sword Coast region, which lies south of the city of Baldur's Gate. However, strange things are afoot on the Sword Coast: iron production has virtually halted, metal already produced quickly crumbles, and bandits scour the countryside hunting iron over any other treasure. Strangest of all, even inside the secure walls of Candlekeep, there are mercenaries with designs on the main character's life. Gorion knows what is going on, but will not tell the player character, and instead decides to leave Candlekeep and journey with the player character to a hiding place. However, the night after leaving Candlekeep, they are ambushed by a group of bandits led by a mysterious "armored figure" who kills Gorion when he refuses to hand over the player character, who flees into the night. The player character soon runs into Imoen, who had been following in secret after reading a note about the journey on Gorion's desk. She too saw Gorion's murder, and now insists on accompanying the character. The Baldur's Gate series relies heavily on storyline and dialogue. The Baldur's Gate series relies heavily on storyline and dialogue. The nearest cities are closed to the Player: Candlekeep demands a unique, valuable book as its admission fee; and the city of Baldur's Gate is closed off to outsiders for fear of the bandit hordes. Seeking safety, the player character teams up with other adventurers, and soon he/she sets out to find the cause of the iron shortage by travelling to the source of the iron, the mines of Nashkel, and in doing so begins to unearth a deeper conspiracy. Kobolds have been contaminating the iron in the mine, and documents at the Nashkel mine connect the mine operation with the iron-hunting bandits, and ultimately leads the main character to the secret campsite of the bandits, who appear to be mobilised mercenary companies employed by the Iron Throne, a mysterious organization, who is aggressively expanding its influence. The Iron Throne intends to gain control of the Sword Coast by diverting the iron supply to its own armies exclusively, and stockpiling all plundered iron at the only working iron mine in the region, deep in the Cloakwood forest. As the main character sabotages the mercenary installation in the Cloakwood mines, the pressure on Baldur's Gate is relieved enough for the city to be re-opened for outsiders, and the player character can confront the local Iron Throne's head quarters. At Baldur's Gate, the player character is enrolled by the Flaming Fist city guard to investigate the Iron Throne, but as no damning evidence is to be found, the player character returns to Candlekeep to spy on a meeting of the Iron Throne leaders. Much has changed in Candlekeep since the player character left, and it is soon discovered that the fortress has at least partially been taken over by Dopplegangers. The player character also encounters a mysterious man named Koveras, soon after leaving Koveras, the player character is charged with the murder of the Iron Throne leaders (who, surprisingly, have been killed), the only route of escape is through the catacombs below the monastery. The player character manages escape the catacombs, and returns to Baldur's Gate. But things only get worse, as the player is framed for the murder of a Flaming Fist officer and must stay hidden as the player character works to uncover the truth and finally uncovers grand scheme masterminded by the "armored figure", Sarevok. Seeking to confront him, the characters find out that he is actually half-brother to the main character, both of whom are children of the dead god of murder, Bhaal. The main character's Bhaalspawn ancestry explains much about their past and raises questions about their future. Sarevok's plans turn out be much more sinister, as the Iron Throne is just a façade for his real intentions. Through manipulation of politics and resources, Sarevok plans to start a war of sacrifice between Baldur's Gate and the kingdom of Amn to the south, causing enough carnage to become the new Lord of Murder. In the end you defeat your brother Sarevok, and send his taint back to Bhaal. Selectivity: Video games in general are very selective becouse they usually not feature common things like doing the laundery or washing your cat. Baldursgate if analyzed in the sense of a novel, it has a rigid plot and hundreds of subplots, which you can investigate if you care for them. Which means that a large portion of the characters and setting exist for the purpose of the plot. But all other settings have some sub plot importance. There is no setting of no importance, there are no characters of no importance (save townspeople, which constitute setting) Integration: The fact that the game is open ended and leaves the player free to make either a good character (in the sterotypical sense), an evil character or hell even a Objectivist character named Ayn Rand that, but it also reflects the artists metaphysical value judgements, because they believe in free will. Hence the Nietzsche qoutation. Another example of an artwork with an open end in the same way, The night of January the 16th. Open endedness is a metaphysical value judgement, and that of the highest order. Simpler games are perhaps more similar to mathmetical art?
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I'll take pseudo then... No questions asked. It's not my fault the world is so hard to understand...
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Wonderful stuff.
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Carthage, they killed babies.
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Is there a "puritanical streak" among Objectivists?
BinniLee replied to Hank Rearden's topic in Questions about Objectivism
*Toasts cheap vodka to the futility of life* Wait; wrong forum. -
Let me know if you need a 1 minute case for Asian chicks.
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Super chick #1 !
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Student I work at the supermarket in the summers and on weekends. Californian, prunes and raisins are my chore. Along with sugar, brown sugar, cast sugar, unrefined sugar, and all kinds of diffrent sugar's. Plus wheat, whole wheat, bread wheat, and Rye. Not to mention boiling chocolade, 70% chocolade, 56% chocolade, and orange chocolade. Then I perfect the extract stall, starting with vanilla, Cardamom, mint and ending with lemon. I'm going to be a über novelist and write action thrillers that happen in totalitarian states, starting with Iceland. I'll marry rich for convience when I'm starting out. I'm going to apply for George Mason and perhaps the University of Virginia.
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Yes, since you are a gorilla.
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Criticisms of Ayn Rand's philosophy
BinniLee replied to Jon Pizzo's topic in Metaphysics and Epistemology
Yes, yes you may. I've read Atlas Shrugged. Yes, I new to Objectivism, I can agree with with the whole general outline, but this philosophical stuff is all new to me. (West Virginian accent) Philosophy, who needs it? -
Cover animal rights please.
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Criticisms of Ayn Rand's philosophy
BinniLee replied to Jon Pizzo's topic in Metaphysics and Epistemology
My knowledge of the subject at hand is limited. Simply don't understand it. I would appriciate if you were to share your insight into the matter. http://www.objectivistcenter.org/cth--79-A...s_Ayn_Rand.aspx Please ignore my assertations, those were simply innocent ponderings. I would coldly welcome your arguments. -
There is a complicated relation to Gore and reason, as with his complicated reletion of global warming and CO2 levels.
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Criticisms of Ayn Rand's philosophy
BinniLee replied to Jon Pizzo's topic in Metaphysics and Epistemology
1. Let me quote Let me explain, she might have done better by writing some of her works in a manner more acessable to academics. 2. Misleading question, she often seems to do it. Especially when referring to other philosophers, like Kant. I'm not familiar with any of his work, to most readers; Quotations of his work would allow them to make an Objective valueation of her writings. Instead, I was left in the dark. The question remains; was that becouse of my ignorance or becouse of Rand's writing? 3. No. I'm not that smart so I propably could do with a litle correcting. I was trying to understand why Rand isn't more appriciated, perhaps my input would have served it's purpose better in a question for rather then in half fledged and ill-thaught out possibility statements. -
Rationalize your impression of a person.
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I have NLD so I have similar proplems. Practice turning abstractation into concretes, observe the actions of other people and turn them into abstractations.
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Enviromental Terrorists strike Iceland
BinniLee replied to BinniLee's topic in Terrorism and Islamic Fundamentalism
they are not just breaking rights, they are breaking rights to set an example to other people. Thus terrorizing them... The coast guard has stated that it intends to observe their actions and that it is "making preperations" although it will note give away anything concrete. I hope thse include provisions too use 40mm Bofors... If they get the notion of ramming any Icelandic vessels. That kind of warfare has been practiced before by Icleand. I'm offcourse referring to the Cod war Paul Watson, is not allowed to enter the country. And is a prominent figure in the animal rights movement. -
Enviromental Terrorists strike Iceland
BinniLee replied to BinniLee's topic in Terrorism and Islamic Fundamentalism
Well for those un-familiar with this group: It has sunk multiable vessels and rammed whaling ships. -
Enviromental Terrorists strike Iceland
BinniLee replied to BinniLee's topic in Terrorism and Islamic Fundamentalism
Are you trying to speak Norwegian? I often sell whale meat... ...But I eat it raw in strips, wiith soy sauce and ginger. -
Yeah, I think being a Objectivists kinda makes you stick out and notice alot more things and judge thinks in a much more organized manner, especially in art. Like I was watching Garden State and I remember I was upset and wanted to discuss a certain comment made by one of the characters, That went something like "imagine he is fighting for his right to build a mall on this geological phenomina" My friends didn't pay any attention too it and were suprised by my reaction. Furthermore instead of thinking the first naturalistic Icelandic novel I had to read for Icelandic literature 403 was just boring I was almost tortured by reading it. Maybe all art is alot more meaningful too Objectivists then non-philosophical people.
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I would disagree. Suicide club was a very individualistic movie, all the character that killed themselves did it for altruistic reasons. Mitsukodidn't kill herself becuose she wanted to live for her self. It had alot of symbolism that isn't understood by westerners unfamiliar with Asian culture, like the chicklets. To my friends that was just absurd but it had meaning. It's one of my favourite movies of all times and it has a very exact individualistic message. It's far from being pointless and mindless. It's very logical and exact. But infact it's downturn is that it's overly complex. It's a great film non the less. But yes very Japanese. pay attention to the animal symbols that repeatedly crop up in the film (did you wonder why there are baby chicks running rampant during that creepy "shaving" scene?). Also, pay attention to the colors. Yellow means something much different to the Japanese than it does to Westerners. The rabbits also had a meaning. It's symbolism is cultural. "Your final message is: Live as you please!" Suicide Club Meaning do not sacrifice yourself to others, and every Objectivist is familiar with that phrase. Important excerpts: "If only you would tell me exactly what is on your mind.. ...tel em how yu really feel." "light yourself with life" "all it takes is a litle heart and courage on your part" It's so optemistic, I'm just puzzled how it got apst you. This should help: I thought this was a great film. So great in fact, that I wrote to the director and he replied. The movie is clearly a reflection of one particular social problem in Japan. NO! it isn't suicide! Suicide is one solution to the problem but it isn't the problem itself. If you need help understanding the film, I have three suggestions. 1) forgot focusing on the cute girls jumping in front of the train. Instead notice who exactly is dying 2) pay attention to the relationships between individuals, particularly related individuals 3) pay attention to the lyrics of the songs. Two songs very clearly tell you what the social problem is. Two songs also very clearly offer solutions to the problem. The movie ended correctly. Listen to the last song carefully. The plot is basically this. Define "the problem" and show how deep it permeates the society. Show one solution again and again. Finally, propose a different solution. Character development was clearly there too but it is Japanese character development so what is not said is just as important as what is said. Note the actions, listen to the soundtrack. Don't depend only on the dialogue. And DO LISTEN TO THE LYRICS OF THE SONGS! The most touching scene was the girlfriend in shock trying to deal with the loss of her boyfriend and finally walking past the chalk outline of her dead boyfriend still sketched out on the sidewalk. She missed him so much that she lay down on the outline. Hollywood would never do a scene like that because the soundtrack that supported her mood, thoughts and actions clearly did not require any dialogue. I don't think Hollywood actors are capable of performing without the crutch of snappy dialogue anymore. The scariest scene for me was the group of students that suddenly decided to outdo the deaths at the train station by jumping off the school. Three students backed down and refused to jump. But after they realized what had just happened, (there was a lingering pause to let it sink in in real time) one felt guilty and dragged another down with her. The last felt so guilty that she went anyway even after being begged not to by friends and teachers. Talk about peer pressure! If you understand Japanese schools, you can understand how real that scene was. In fact, when the movie was first shown in Japan, students were prevented from seeing it because adults were concerned about them getting the wrong idea. If you were confused by the police officer's suicide, review his earlier behavior. Particularly, what time does he come home, how knowledgeable is he about his family, and how concerned is he about his family? And who exactly died just before he commits suicide? If you are confused about the cryptic phrase "Are you connected to yourself?", try replacing it with "Do you still believe in yourself?" As for the ending, well, if you don't have a family that you can trust and you put all your hopes for the future in your boyfriend and he died without explaining why, what would you do? Well, I'd say that American films typically choose well-known songs as supporting material to set a mood. You know the words to the song so you know what idea they are supporting, might even hum along while watching the film. But what if the director chooses unknown songs? Will you pay attention? What if song lyrics replace dialogue? Will you even notice?
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Yeah, what KendallJ pointed out. Values and rewarding reletionship is the first criteria, then the second, however admittetly eccentric is Asian. I don't know why and dont really care to dissect it.