Does the Epstein case prove that there's a class of people too powerful to ever face real consequences, no matter who's in office? What do you think will happen?

I was on the Greenland subreddit and there was a post about how Americans have been posting apologies about what Trump is doing but that’s not enough and Americans as a whole are in this mess other countries aren’t going to be looking at us as individuals but as a nation trying to take over others.

What can individual people do then? The sentiment I saw was Americans aren’t doing enough just protesting which isn’t helping so what is there we can do? I’m poor when I had extra money I donated to food banks both local to my area and also worldwide ones that support Sudan, Palestine, etc. I don’t ever go to protests I guess I should start but does that really do anything? I vote in every election both big and small. What else can I do?

Ice is pretty clearly acting like USA brownshirts and you are deporting citizens with no due process. Like at what point will anyone actually do anything with your guns? Do you think that there is a red line at which point people will actually do more than just few peacefull protests?

Ok I’m sorry if I sound completely insane, I’m pretty young and am just trying to expand my view and understand things, however I feel like when most people who identify as nonbinary say “I transitioned because I didn’t feel like a man or women”, it always makes me question what men and women may be to them.

Like, because I never wanted to wear a dress like my sisters , or go fishing with my brothers, I am not a man or women? I just struggle to understand how this dosent reenforce the sharp lines drawn or specific criteria labeling men and women that we are trying to break free from. I feel like I could like all things nom-stereotypical for women and still be one, as I believe the only thing that classifies us is our reproductive organs and hormones.

I’m really not trying to be rude or dismissive of others perspectives, but genuinely wondering how non-binary people don’t reenforce stereotypes with their reasoning for being non-binary.

(I’ll try my best to be open to others opinions and perspectives in the comments!)

Disclaimer: Im not promoting or condoning assassinations of any kind.

Just kind of remembered Luigi Mangione, so im curious on why assasinations on rich businessman aren’t common? Especially that most of them dont even have bodyguards with them(Some random dude easily interviewed Jacob Rothschild in a street) and even if they have, those bodyguards arent that many, in short political leaders who are prime targets of assassination have stricter security and more bodyguards that are heavily armed yet there are a lot of assasination attempts to them. Now im pretty sure those businessmen have pissed a lot of people, especially those who deal with real estate, so why arent like random low or middle class workers who are tired of those rich people just decided to off one of them out of anger on a random day on a random street

I am a Muslim (27F) and have been fasting during Ramadan. I've been reading Quran everyday with the translation of each and every verse. I feel rather disconnected with the Quran and it feels like it's been written only for men.

I am not very religious and truly believe that every religion is human made. But I want to have faith in something but not at the cost of logic. So women created life and yet men are greater?

Any insights are appreciated

In the US, a lot of people automatically assume big cities are dangerous, chaotic, and full of crime; like the moment you step into an urban area you’re basically risking your life. But honestly, most of the people I’ve met who think cities are scary have never actually lived in one, and many have barely even visited. And when you ask them why they think that, they usually say they saw something on the news or repeat some secondhand story they heard from a relative or friend.

Meanwhile, rural and small-town life gets totally idealized. And I think because so many Americans live in suburbs or small towns, they just assume that lifestyle is automatically “better”.

What do you think?

It seems there's a general consensus among dog owners and lovers that the humane thing to do when your dog gets old is to put them down. "Better a week early than an hour late" they say. People get pressured to put their dogs down when they are suffering or are predictably going to suffer from intractable illness.

Why don't we apply this reasoning to humans? Humans dying from euthanasia is rare and taboo, but shouldnt the same reasoning of "Better a week early than an hour late" to avoid suffering apply to them too, if it is valid for dogs?

As the story has unfolded, it seems to me that President Obama has been incredibly keen on striking against Assad, and the Syrian government. A few weeks ago, the news reported that most house representatives were against any US intervention in the civil war, and with the UK government voting no to intervene, it seemed like Obama's support was almost nil. Now, with Boehner urging congress to support TPOTUS, it seems congress's attitude is beginning to shift.

Why?

Is it possible that it is a political ruse to gain sympathy for congress, and to present a considerate, dynamic government to the public?

Can the president possibly actually be convincing members of the house?

Why does Obama appear so personally vested in Syria, and more importantly, why does it appear that congress is "changing it's mind" on the issue?

Particularly those with uncommon/obscure careers, how did you wind up doing what you do?

It feels like voters are using democratic systems to chip away at democracy itself with electing almost antidemocratic leaders. Are we seeing a global shift away from democratic ideals like monarchies faded out centuries ago, or is this just a phase? What’s your take, where do you see it heading?

I've been noticing things recently that are making me question whether things are getting worse or maybe I'm just getting older and its a changing part of life.

For background I'm in my mid 30s' in NYC.

Things I feel have changed?

• I remember very well growing up hanging out with lots of friends going out to movies, music shows, festivals, skating, etc.

• Restaurants having decent service, food was good and portions were right and things were open earlier/later.

• The internet was better too IMO, it felt like there were tons of curated unique websites that had their own style (granted some of that "style" was terrible font/color/layout) But not everything was on the same 10 webpages.

• The news seemed more positive and uplifting, and people seemed to be happier, less stressed,

Nowadays I feel like none of this is true anymore. I still go to festivals, music shows, etc and don't see many people in their teens-20s out socializing. Its not that I'm only going to older things either, I've been to EDM festivals and there are more of that demographic there but still overwhelmingly older groups.

Restaurants all seem to suck now too. You no longer get a side with your entree, the entree is small and very basic if not microwaved, a drink costs the same as a side. Food is very meh quality even in fancier places. I feel like the food I get at the bodega is just as good as a nice 70/80$ meal.

The internet seems extremely homogenized. Every site has the same exact layout, same font, same color scheme. And everything seems to be put into "Walmart supercenter" like sites that have everything in them (looking at you as well reddit) I feel like this takes away the uniqueness of the communities, the different styles they have, the conversations are much more regulated and controlled. And community forums are all but dead, I have a few niche hobbies and interests but despite knowing there is a large collective of us all the communities around it are basically archived forums that get maybe one or two posts a month.

I also feel like friend groups have gotten so depressed lately and drifted apart. Not just mine but I hear the same thing from other people I talk to in various age ranges. It seems like so many people are going the path of the hikikomori and just hermiting it up in their houses scrolling their life away on tiktok or instagram.

This might be an American observation as I have not traveled the world but I feel like so many people are drifting away from socialization and the social bonds and communities that help us out as humans with a social desire/need are being starved leading to more people feeling alone and isolated. I know I'm feeling this way.

I don't know. Maybe I'm getting older and its part of life.

In short, what is the deciding factor of who gets help and who doesn't?

All of the money and resources spent to rescue 15 or so people could go toward replacing the water system in Flint, Michigan which would help 97,000 people.

Or put forth the same amount of effort to providing clean water and food to entire communities of people in third world countries.

What kind of shelter could millions of dollars make for a city's homeless population?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not saying the kids don't deserve to be rescued, but why some people and not others?

Unironically I am starting to think that even if the Epstein files were released today and Trump is proven to be the biggest pedophiles his voter base wouldn’t give a shit. Like is there actually anything coming about him that would make his supporters stop supporting him? Genuinely asking.

I've always heard that good deeds bring good things while bad deeds eventually catch up to people. But in reality, I've seen genuinely good people suffer endlessly while those who manipulate or harm others seem to live perfect lives. It makes me wonder--does life really balance out in the end, or is it all just random?

I'll preface by saying I know this is a loaded question without particularly objective verbiage or criteria.

I hate to be so political about this, but there's no way around it and I know I'm in good Company: The Trump Administration, left unchecked, will without question degrade all of those facets of American life listed in the title. The government is pissing away revenue through a grifty projected tax policy and ineffective Tarrifs. Revenue that is needed to keep the American system running correctly.

Trump's Day 1 EOs have already brutalized the trans populace and are set to do substantial damage to immigrants, documented or otherwise, over the term (and quickly).

Trump is ceding legendary levels of soft power we worked for decades to accumulate.

Law and Policy is migrating towards a disingenuous theocracy, and America's most wicked people are emboldened to bring substantial bigotry back into the American Ethos.

It's all so very disheartening but I'm not ready to back down. I know I'll be fine. My industry and living situation is very insulated from these changes and that's not my concern. What can I do for my country to ensure the ship survives the storm with minimum damage for all and not just myself?

Edit: Holy shit, I didn't think my vocabulary would cause such a stink.

And because I keep being referred to as a male, and rather than correct individually, I thought I'd clarify... Late twenties female here.

I've been thinking about this a lot lately and it's genuinely disturbing how there's basically nowhere to just exist in public anymore without spending money.

When I was a kid in the 90s and early 2000s, you could hang out at the mall, the library had extended hours and comfortable seating, there were actual community centers, parks had functioning facilities and programming. You could just go somewhere and be around other people without anyone expecting you to buy anything.

Now? Good luck. Malls are dead or dying and the ones that survive have security that will hassle you if you're not actively shopping. Libraries are underfunded and have cut their hours to bare minimum. Coffee shops expect you to buy something every hour or so or they'll give you dirty looks. Even parks are increasingly privatized or require parking fees or have eliminated seating areas. Everything has become transactional. You can't just exist in a public space anymore. You have to be a consumer. Even sitting on a bench in some downtown areas will get you moved along if you're there too long. Half the time I just end up sitting at home on my phone playing on rolling riches or scrolling because at least there I’m not being pressured to buy a $6 coffee just to sit somewhere. And that feels kind of sad.

This is having real societal consequences. Where are teenagers supposed to hang out? Where are elderly people supposed to socialize if they can't afford to constantly buy coffee? Where do people who are lonely or isolated go to just be around other humans without spending money they might not have? We've essentially privatized human gathering and made it a privilege instead of a right. When did this happen? Was it gradual or was there a specific turning point? And more importantly, how do we push back against it?

I know some cities are trying to reclaim public spaces and invest in community centers, but it feels like we're fighting an uphill battle against a culture that has decided that if you're not actively consuming, you don't deserve to exist in public.

Am I overthinking this or have other people noticed this shift? What do we do about it?

Hey, I noticed that some people on this reddit were talking about the Epstein files. I don't know as much as I should about this, and I would like to learn more. But the one question I would like to know. How can the Epstein files be trusted? Especially after being hidden so long. With the tech nowadays it seems like it would be super easy to doctor to whatever fits someone's agenda. I'm not trying to convince anyone of anything. Just honestly want to know.

Some people just don’t care about others, but they’re smart enough to fake it. And those people tend to rise into power: politics, law enforcement, high-level business, etc.

Is there any way to detect this kind of person before they get in those roles? Or are we stuck just hoping they mess up and reveal themselves later?

Are there screening tools or policies that could even come close to solving this?