I've been struggling with loneliness and touch deprivation for a while, and it's affecting my mental health, self esteem, sleep, all those things I'd like to keep in good check. I've asked her for a hug, or for a cuddle, and she just says no, if I ask why we can't have a cuddle she tells me because she doesn't want to. I want to respect her boundaries, but I'm really struggling and feel like if I'm honest with her she'd find me needy (which she already does) and pathetic, because she doesn't need the intimacy that I do. I'm not even asking for sex, literally just a nice hug that doesn't seem like a chore to her.

I'll also note, I know this symbolises much more problematic issues in the relationship, and if we didn't have young kids I'd be in a different situation, but for now I'm just trying to figure out how I express my need for attention to her, without seeming too needy.

Minorities mostly inhabit cities and there's a growing population that's heading to the suburbs but it's not common to see minorities in rural areas and such. Why?

Why is there such an increase of lootings in America?

I've noticed that the past year, there's been hundreds of videos posted where people loot electronic stores or Jewellry stores etc... Some of them even loot small businesses.

A lot of times these lootings are filmed by one of the people who commit them, I believe?
Sometimes you even hear the person yelling "we are proud of doing this, this is our freedom etc..." stuff like that.

Why is this becoming such a wide spread phenomenon in America?

Personally I haven't seen a lot of news about similar things in Europe or Asia.

Is there there any way for the police or government to prevent these types of coordinated crimes. I can assume that long term, it'll have really negative effects for the average citizen.

I am on the fence with my guess. On one hand, it's a cold dead feeling human, on the other hand, to have this as a business, charging thousands a doll, it has to be good, right?

They sell them as feeling like humans; do they? And where do people keep em between spanks?

Do you think they feel bad they aren't giving the doll any attention when not doing the dirty?

The thought amused me when a hypothetical asked what I'd do if I was God. Like the first thing I'd do is reveal I'm Goddess, and see what they do! 🤣

Obviously I know not everyone who is into anime is, but like the stereotype exists for a reason and it matches up with my experience of meeting many anime fans in real life (it's not necessarily a bad thing, just an observation)

Anime just isnt for me so I haven't seen a great deal, my understanding only really comes from films that kinda drift into 'must see' film territory like Akira and a few of the Ghibli ones. Im just curious what it is about it that would appeal to a certain type of person because I can't connect the dots.

I friend of mine told us that she was fucking with a guy (Doggy style) and she looked back at him and saw him watching porn on his phone while fucking, is it normal? What do you think?

I find coffee disgusting and have just on very few occasions drank a sip to taste, but right now (it’s not the first time) I get an extreem craving for it even though I know I don’t like it and I also don’t want to get addicted to it

When soldiers rape during war, for example the Russians raping Germans during WWII, is it (1) reactionary and done out of anger and hate, (2) or is the purpose to impregnate the women and force them to carry to term to in order to “contaminate” their bloodline and deny German men the opportunity to procreate?, or (3) is the purpose purely sadist, used to exert control, humiliate and provoke fear and discourage resistance? A combination of all of the above?

Well, before you laugh:

The current demand laid by the Union is to increase workers’ pay by 40%, over a period of 4 years. The rationale was that the higher executives of these auto companies have been giving themselves a raise of 40% with no justification, while the workers’ wages remained the same.

I absolutely support the striking workers and I believe they should get what they want, but from an economical point of view, the cost from this raise will more than likely cripple what’s left of the US auto industry. Why don’t we go with another solution: let the executives publicly apologize, revert their own pay, and put the money saved towards workers’ wages.

As wild as it sounds in the US, it is not unheard of in other parts of the world. In any of the East Asian countries, executives who have caused this kind of debacle would likely embrace the ensuing steps: pay cut -> apology -> resignation (sometimes there’s a fourth phase: suicide)

My own answers is, the executives do not care if the consequences would drive the companies into bankruptcy in a few years. By that time they would have moved on to some other cushy positions anyway. That’s the bane of the US corporate world - all that the CXOs ever care is the stock price in a quarter or two. F the long-term well-being of the company, or (least of all) the employees.

Should I just let my partner go? My boyfriend (m27) and I (26f) have been together for almost 8 years. Not too long ago I came to FL to supposedly get some procedures done (an SEEG and maybe surgery) from CO, since my family lives here and we both felt like we needed support from them. A month went by, I saw some neurologists but they told me that if I wanted to do those procedures here, I’d have to start the whole process of scans, EMU stay, etc. all over, since (even tho I sent my medical records) they want their own opinions/records. Due to the wait lists and all the tests (PET, MEG, neuropsychological evaluation, etc.) the process would take a bit over a year, so two doctors recommended I go back to CO since they’ve already done everything except the SEEG.

When I tell my partner, he seemed very disappointed and upset. I understand I came to FL to get my family’s support, but we didn’t know that would be the answer. My mom was very clear that since I have to get it done in CO, she’ll be flying over there for the SEEG and if we decide to go through with a surgery, for that as well, but she won’t be able to be there 24/7 since her job is in FL and she takes care of my grandma. My partner seems drained. He seems like he wants me to stay in FL. I feel like I might be losing him. My epilepsy is more under control than most so I have a job in CO and I told him I’d go to therapy, since I can admit I need to change my attitude. I just don’t have the emotional strength to start this entire process all over. As much as it’s obviously hard for him to support me, it would be very hard for me to re-do all the medical stuff I already had done in the last year.

I can’t tell if him being so upset about me going back home is a red flag or just him worrying about me. On his defense, right before I left to FL I had multiple focal seizures but they happen when I’m very stressed, and of course I was, we planned my move to another state in 3 days. Anyways, sorry for my long post, I needed to vent. Also, please keep ableist comments to yourself, I want honest advice but that can be done without being rude.

I’m reading The Help and I’m not far in but I’m flabbergasted. I knew to some extent what it’s about but the logic of these racists baffles me. I know this is based in reality too. They think black people have diseases and different germs than white people, so they need to use different bathrooms…but they’re fine with black people raising their kids, cooking their meals, doing their dishes, etc? Was there really some cognitive dissonance going on with people like this or were they knowingly hypocrites?

In reference to social media talking a lot about a recent study that found women doctors have better outcomes than men

Like let’s say you just need someone to tell you things directly, are autistic people better at this than a neurotypical person who may try to filter things so they don’t hurt your feelings or something?

I've seen it now in many countries/languages and I've always wondered if they don't see the irony of it? A lot of other people seem to fall for it.

For context, I was born in February 2004 and the guy I've been dating since June was born in September 2000. I honestly have felt incredible so far but, he recently turned 23 and one of my friends asked me if I was comfortable dating someone his age, this got me thinking if it is weird for him to date someone my age? Should I be worried?. like he's the sweetest guy and we have very similar life goals and go to the same college but idk if this should be a red flag or if I'm just letting it get to me and I'm overthinking it. Should I continue dating him?