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PaperclipPerfector  1d ago (text post)   1225 thread views

Small-Scale Question Sunday for March 8, 2026

Do you have a dumb question that you're kind of embarrassed to ask in the main thread? Is there something you're just not sure about?

This is your opportunity to ask questions. No question too simple or too silly.

Culture war topics are accepted, and proposals for a better intro post are appreciated.

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Where is @Dean and his war analysis when we need it? I wonder if he’s being affected by the internet outages in Israel.

Playing (and nerd-analyzing) a fair bit about the fictional war game MENACE, which I actually mentioned I'd be off line a fair bit more when I gave it an endorsement a month ago. Basically my most-anticipated tactical strategy game in some time, and it's been a loooong time since I had a game scratch the itch so good that it actually makes me want to spend more time with it than on the Motte.

I know, I know. Hard to believe. Also not the first time this has produced a funny gap, since I typically don't post my gaming hobbies much here. The curse of having different accounts for different hobby spaces.

Plus, when I saw the initial top-level Iran War threads, by the time I had the time to post they were typically in a state where there wasn't much productive surface vector I could touch upon that wouldn't have easily been toxiplasma culture warring. Fog of war, heated emotions, and various efforts to shove everything into paradigms I often find badly fitting at best.

As much of a dodge as it may seem, I am trying to get into fewer internet arguments this year.

I am taking notes and do have a few effort posts lined up for the que. One of which is a long-desired post on the idea of the Cult of the Offense, and some of the nuances / distinctions that this conflict highlights or contrasts.

Also @hdroacetylene

He is busy playing Menace.

Dean's been real quiet ever since the Ayatollah got got. Makes you think.

I did think his “long live Khamenei” effort post was highly unusual…

Probably pulling overtime to recommend a course of action in the ME.

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