james choice

the term "coup de grace" is a french phrase that translates to "blow of mercy" or "stroke of grace." it is typically used to describe a final, decisive action taken to end someone or something's suffering, often in the context of war, battle, or other violent situations. in essence, it is a merciful act that brings about a swift end to something that is already in a state of defeat or decline.

here are a few examples of how the term "coup de grace" might be used:

in a battle between two armies, one side might inflict a significant amount of damage on the other, leaving their opponents weakened and struggling. at this point, the victorious army might choose to deliver a "coup de grace" to their foes, launching a final, decisive attack that ends the battle and puts their opponents out of their misery.

in a more personal context, imagine that someone is seriously injured and in great pain, with little hope of recovery. in this situation, a doctor might decide to administer a "coup de grace" by ending the person's suffering through euthanasia or other means.

in some cases, a "coup de grace" might be used metaphorically to describe the final, decisive blow in a non-physical conflict. for example, a company might be struggling financially and on the brink of collapse. a major investor might step in and provide a significant amount of funding, essentially delivering a "coup de grace" to keep the company from going under.

the term "redneck" has a complex and varied history, and its meaning has evolved over time. originally, the term was used to describe poor, white farmers in the southern united states who had sunburned necks from working long hours in the sun.

in the late 1800s and early 1900s, the term "redneck" was sometimes used as a derogatory term for white people who supported populist or labor movements, particularly in the southern states. it was also used to describe poor, rural whites who were seen as uneducated and uncultured.

during the mid-1900s, the term "redneck" began to take on a more specific meaning, referring to working-class white people who were perceived as conservative, rural, and often politically reactionary. this usage became more common in the 1960s and 1970s, during the civil rights movement and the vietnam war, when the term was often used to describe white southerners who opposed social and political change.

today, the term "redneck" is still used in a variety of ways. some people use it as a term of pride, celebrating their rural heritage and working-class roots. others use it as an insult, suggesting that someone is uneducated, close-minded, or backwards. overall, the meaning of the term "redneck" is complex and multifaceted, and it continues to evolve in response to changing social and political contexts.

"simp" is a term used to describe a man who is overly attentive, affectionate, or submissive towards a woman, often with the hope of winning her affection or approval.

here's a funny example:

imagine a guy, let's call him dave, who has a huge crush on his coworker, jane. dave is always going out of his way to do things for jane, like buying her coffee every morning, offering to help her with work projects, and complimenting her on everything she does. he even starts wearing clothes that he thinks jane will like, and changes his hairstyle to match hers.

one day, jane needs someone to water her plants while she's out of town, and dave jumps at the opportunity. he spends hours carefully watering each plant, talking to them as if they were his own children, and even sings to them. when jane returns and sees how well her plants have been cared for, she thanks dave and gives him a hug.

at that moment, dave's heart swells with joy and he thinks to himself, "this is it! she's finally going to realize how much i care about her!"

but then jane pulls away and says, "you're such a good friend, dave. you're like a little plant-sitting simp!"

and that, my friends, is a funny example of a simp in action.

the 48 laws of power is a book written by robert greene that outlines 48 strategies for gaining and maintaining power in relationships, organizations, and society. the laws cover a wide range of topics including self-promotion, manipulation, deception, and the acquisition of power through the manipulation of perception and image. some of the most well-known laws include: "never outshine the master," "play a suckers to catch a sucker," and "conceal your intentions." the book is written in a historical context, with examples from figures such as machiavelli, sun tzu, and julius caesar. it is intended as a guide for individuals seeking to gain power, but has also been criticized for promoting unethical behavior.

"know thyself" is a phrase from ancient greek philosophy, attributed to the philosopher socrates. it is considered one of the delphic maxims, and inscribed in the forecourt of the temple of apollo at delphi. the phrase means to understand one's own nature and capabilities, and to be aware of one's own limitations. in other words, it is a call to self-awareness and self-knowledge.

edward bernays was an american pioneer in the field of public relations and propaganda. he is considered the "father of public relations" and is known for his use of psychological and sociological techniques to influence the thoughts and actions of the public.

some of the concepts and impacts of edward bernays include:

the engineering of consent: bernays believed that by understanding the psychological and sociological factors that influence human behavior, it is possible to "engineer consent" among the public. he argued that by using techniques such as emotional appeals and creating a sense of social pressure, it is possible to shape public opinion and influence decision-making.

public relations as a tool for social control: bernays' work has been criticized for its focus on manipulating the public for the benefit of powerful interests, rather than providing honest and accurate information. some critics argue that his methods have been used to promote the interests of corporations and governments at the expense of the public good.

propaganda and manipulation: bernays' work on public relations and propaganda has been influential in shaping the modern understanding of these concepts. he believed that by using techniques such as emotional appeals and creating a sense of social pressure, it is possible to shape public opinion and influence decision-making.

consumerism: bernays is also known for his work in promoting consumerism. he believed that by encouraging people to buy more goods, it would lead to a better society. he helped to create the idea of "planned obsolescence" in which products are designed to have a limited lifespan so that they would have to be replaced more often.

in summary, edward bernays was a pioneer in the field of public relations and propaganda, who believed that by understanding the psychological and sociological factors that influence human behavior, it is possible to "engineer consent" among the public. his work has been influential in shaping the modern understanding of concepts such as public relations, propaganda, manipulation and consumerism, but also has been criticized for its focus on manipulating the public for the benefit of powerful interests, rather than providing honest and accurate information.

parasocial interaction is a type of one-sided relationship in which an individual forms an imaginary connection with a media figure, such as a television or radio personality, or a fictional character. the term was first coined by donald horton and richard wohl in 1956 to describe the phenomenon of viewers feeling as though they knew a television personality and felt a sense of familiarity and intimacy with them.

examples of parasocial interaction include a fan feeling a strong connection to a favorite television character, or a listener feeling like they have a personal relationship with a radio personality. another example is a fan of a celebrity feeling like they are friends with them.

thomas malthus was an english economist and demographer who is best known for his theory of population. in 1798, he published an essay on the principle of population, in which he argued that the population of the world would grow faster than the supply of food, leading to widespread poverty and suffering. malthus argued that population growth would be checked by "positive checks," such as famine and disease, and "preventative checks," such as late marriage and contraception.

malthus' theory was controversial at the time, and it has continued to be the subject of debate among economists and other scholars. while some of his predictions have not come to pass, his ideas have had a lasting impact on economic thought and have influenced public policy debates on issues related to population and resource use.

there are many signs that someone may be toxic, and the specific signs can vary depending on the individual and the situation. some common signs that someone may be toxic include:

– they are constantly negative or pessimistic, and seem to enjoy causing drama or conflict. for example, they might make sarcastic comments or try to stir up arguments with others.

– they are manipulative or controlling, and try to make others do things their way. for example, they might try to guilt trip others into doing things for them, or use their influence or power to get what they want.

– they are selfish and only think about their own needs and wants, without considering the needs and feelings of others. for example, they might cancel plans with others at the last minute if something more convenient or enjoyable comes up for them.

– they are not supportive or understanding, and are unwilling to listen to or help others. for example, they might dismiss others' concerns or problems as being unimportant or overly emotional.

– they are quick to anger or become aggressive, and may use insults or threats to get their way. for example, they might raise their voice or use derogatory language when they are upset.

–they are unreliable or irresponsible, and do not follow through on their commitments or responsibilities. for example, they might frequently be late or forget to do things that they said they would do.

according to karl marx, capitalism is an economic system that is based on the private ownership of the means of production and the exploitation of the working class. marx believed that capitalism was inherently flawed and that it would eventually collapse under the weight of its own contradictions.

marx argued that the central contradiction of capitalism is the conflict between the bourgeoisie (the owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (the working class). the bourgeoisie seek to maximize profits and accumulate wealth, while the proletariat are exploited and oppressed. this conflict, marx believed, would eventually lead to the collapse of capitalism.

marx argued that capitalism would collapse as a result of several factors, including:

the increasing concentration of wealth: marx believed that capitalism leads to the concentration of wealth in the hands of a few, while the vast majority of people become increasingly impoverished. this would eventually lead to widespread discontent and unrest among the working class.

the inherent contradictions of the capitalist system: marx believed that capitalism is inherently unstable and prone to crises, such as recessions and depressions. these crises would become more frequent and severe over time, leading to the collapse of the system.

the increasing consciousness of the working class: marx believed that the working class would become increasingly aware of their exploitation under capitalism and would eventually rise up against their oppressors.

marx's prediction of the collapse of capitalism has been a matter of debate and has been interpreted in various ways by different scholars. while capitalism has faced numerous challenges and crises throughout its history, it has also shown a remarkable ability to adapt and change. some argue that marx's prediction of the collapse of capitalism was overly optimistic and that the system has demonstrated a greater resilience than he anticipated. others believe that his prediction was on point and that the current economic and social challenges facing the world are evidence of the inherent weaknesses of capitalism.

karl marx believed that the world is constantly changing and that conflict and resolution are an important part of this process. he called this way of understanding the world "dialectical materialism."

dialectical materialism is based on the idea that everything in the world is made up of two opposing forces or ideas. for example, good and bad, light and dark, or hot and cold. these opposing forces are always in conflict with each other, and this conflict leads to change and progress.

marx believed that this process of conflict and resolution could be applied to understand social and economic phenomena as well. he argued that societies and economies are also made up of opposing forces, such as the bourgeoisie (the owners of the means of production) and the proletariat (the working class). these two groups have different interests, and their conflict leads to changes in society and the economy.

marx believed that the ultimate goal of this process of conflict and resolution is to create a better, more just society. he believed that the proletariat, or working class, would eventually win their struggle against the bourgeoisie and create a socialist society where everyone would be equal and there would be no more exploitation of the working class.

so, in short, dialectical materialism is a way of understanding how the world changes and progresses through conflict and resolution. it was an important part of marx's philosophy and has had a significant impact on our understanding of social and economic phenomena.

(see: dysgenics)

if you know you know.

reddit's collaborative artwork. the board is a large grid where reddit users placed tiles on a blank communal canvas. the artwork became live at midnight on april 2. the contributions from around the world created a collective digital art piece. r/place will be available across reddit and app for 87 hours, ending on april 4 at 5pm gmt (10.30pm ist). r/place