ArlenBales (u/ArlenBales)

ArlenBales commented on Ask HN: How can we solve the loneliness epidemic? · Posted by u/publicdebates

Nurw · 2 months ago

This feels like a uniquely American advice. I have had pretty heated, but not damaging, discussions with people on the completely different side of the political spectrum here in Norway. I can't remember a single time I have cut someone out for having a different political opinion.

Maybe the loneliness problem is partly connected to the American political system at this point in time?

ArlenBales · 2 months ago

Half this country voted for and supports a vile lunatic president hell bent on destroying the U.S. to enrich his personal wealth and power. It's not surprising that over here we Democrats view Republicans as a cancer we want nothing to do with.

It wasn't always this way. In the past Republicans actually had some decency. That went out the window after they elected Trump twice.

ArlenBales commented on Trump says Venezuela’s Maduro captured after strikes reuters.com/world/america... · Posted by u/jumpocelot

cromka · 2 months ago

Can somebody please explain how was he able to do that without Congress approval?

ArlenBales · 2 months ago

Trump does whatever he wants. He ignores the courts and congress. Approval only matters if a power exists to hold him accountable (enforcement of laws). It doesn't. Trump has the military and law enforcement in his pocket, so there is no power capable of challenging him.

ArlenBales commented on Id Software devs form "wall-to-wall" union rockpapershotgun.com/id-s... · Posted by u/simjue

daft_pink · 3 months ago

I don’t understand what gives the union power at the end of the day when the company could easily outsource development and license their ip and fire everyone.

Automotive plants have large factories, but when the primary assets are intangible intellectual property, I don’t understand how much power a union really has.

ArlenBales · 3 months ago

> I don’t understand what gives the union power at the end of the day when the company could easily outsource development and license their ip and fire everyone.

Gamers are very passionate about their games and the companies behind them. They are also very anti-AI, pro consumer rights, and pro unions. At least the vocal majority of gamers, such as on /r/games, which is where a good portion of gaming journalists get their takes.

It would be the end of id Software from a PR standpoint if they fired union developers responsible for their beloved titles, specifically the recent DOOM titles. The bad PR would also extend to ZeniMax, Bethesda, and Microsoft.

That said, gamers are also the worst at voting with their wallet. Despite all the bad union PR Rockstar North is receiving, pretty much everyone in support of the fired employees will probably still end up buying GTA6 because of FOMO and hype.

ArlenBales commented on Ask HN: What is the most important thing in life? · Posted by u/awesomehry

ArlenBales · 4 months ago

The most important thing in life is yourself.

I'm not saying you should be wholly selfish, but you shouldn't be wholly selfless either.

"Love thy neighbor as thyself"

If you don't love yourself first, can you really love others to your fullest? Or in the context of your post, if your wellbeing is not the most important thing in your life, are you really able to do the best job at providing utility to others?

Too many wealthy people neglect their own wellbeing in the pursuit of providing utility to others, only to find themselves miserable later in life or die young due to poor health.

ArlenBales commented on Game design is simple raphkoster.com/2025/11/03... · Posted by u/vrnvu

animex · 4 months ago

Raph was the lead game designer on SWTOR a game that was way ahead of it's time and one of the most enjoyable sandbox mmorpg's I've ever played. I'm working on a new game that will take inspiration from lessons learned there.

ArlenBales · 4 months ago

> Raph was the lead game designer on SWTOR a game that was way ahead of it's time

I think you meant Star Wars Galaxies, which was definitely ahead of its time and few MMORPGS have replicated its sandbox MMORPG since.

ArlenBales commented on Show HN: LLM plays Pokémon (open sourced) github.com/adenta/fire_re... · Posted by u/adenta

ArlenBales · a year ago

> To me, this is the future of TV.

The future of television is watching bots play video games? What a sad future.

ArlenBales commented on Do you want to be doing this when you're 50? (2012) prog21.dadgum.com/154.htm... · Posted by u/debesyla

FrustratedMonky · a year ago

"I got hired into a FAANG in my 50s"

That is unique isn't it? I'm kind of curious.

I'm programmer in 50's and want to switch industries to try something different. Any advice on the journey.

ArlenBales · a year ago

I imagine they had some very good referrals, probably a friend in the company.

ArlenBales commented on Broken legs and ankles heal better if you walk on them within weeks scientificamerican.com/ar... · Posted by u/sohkamyung

yoyohello13 · a year ago

My main take away from this thread is to never take up mountain biking.

ArlenBales · a year ago

Mountain bikers becoming injured isn't a question of IF, but WHEN.

If you have a coworker in their 30s or 40s who is just starting to get into mountain biking (a common midlife crisis hobby), expect them to have a MTB related injury within the next year.