Happy Easter Rae.

Hey Rae! Looks like we're livin' in an alien concept universe these daze. Here's hoping your birthday is at least to the moon and back

I'll bite. (needless to say, spoilers)

The characters certainly had motivation.

Jyn's motivation, much like Rae in FA, is simple, daddy issues. She isn't so much invested in the rebellion as she is in enacting vengeance for her father. She is stunted emotionally and is not idealistic, but I think she uses that as a vehicle to push other characters along with her. Her last moments with Cassian aren't driven by any great romance, just the solace of two people who don't know if what they did will make a difference, but they succeeded in what they set out to do. I suspect she understood before she left Yavin that she was not going to get out of it alive, which sort of fits with her fairly nihilistic view of the universe.

Cassian was entirely driven by the fight against the Empire. He was willing to do anything, and was completely ruthless at the start, but he does mellow towards the end as Jyn makes a point of saying that he was like a stormtrooper. He is a zealot, a true believer, and is willing to sacrifice everything, even his humanity, for the cause.

Orson, the imperial commander, is a mixture of patriotism and self interest. He's a fervant believer in the imperial ethos of bringing order to the galaxy, but he is also deeply interested in recognition and commensurate rise in rank. He is so motivated that he risks his life directly to try and stop the rebels (not something you typically see bad leader types do outside of superhero movies, that's what henchmen are for) at the end.

The droid is all programming, but his comedy relief is explained by the dialogue that slicing an imp droid can affect it's personality. He is the one of the few light hearted notes (and consequently gives us a pretty poignant note when he says goodbye and get's shut down) in what is a fairly depressing movie. His bluntly honest statements are perfectly ironic and as such really do deserve the laughs they get.

The monk and the warrior were guardians of a temple but are now displaced. While it's couched in the monks mysticism, I think honestly they were happy to stand up to the big bad guys who wrecked their temple and extract some form of revenge. I think it would please both of them to know that it was worth it in the end.

The imperial defector seems to have little motivation, but he has already taken the dangerous step of defecting and getting the ball rolling for the entire plot etc, he's obviously completely displeased about the empire and willing to risk his life to do something about it.

Saul has been driven mad by the fight. The rebel leadership all seem to fit well within their established roles in the canon, as do Tarkin and Vader. Random rebel and imp personal are placeholders and who really gives a fuck what their motivations are? X D

/shrug As far as character development goes, it's certainly not a work for the ages, but to say these characters are going to get a thing because they need to get a thing seems to be nitpicking for the sake of nitpicking.

Oh yeah, and in regards to AT AT's, it's a strategic imperial world and heavily garrisoned. Likely a staging point for excursions around the galaxy as well. It has major shielding, AA and fighter complements, Star Destroyers standing guard etc. Sure, fan service is a thing (although the homages in R1 are far less clunky than FA, including things like the Hammerhead, references to the cartoons etc), but as an imp commander, I would certainly release AT AT and AT ST vehicles against an attacking force of unknown size, particularly when you see a whole bunch of landing pads explode simultaneously. Are their 10 commandos or 1,000? 10,000? Yeah, go lowball and wait for them to walk out in the open right? \= |

It's not like the AT AT's were stomping all over the archive looking for a guy hiding behind valuable Imp data infrastructure, they are roaming the outer regions and are fairly proof against ground troops. Makes sense to me.

Dunno, I think the RLM reviews are generally entertaining and thoughtful, but in this case whoever writes Plinkett has let his acerbic dislike of "new" Star Wars cloud his objectiveness imo. It was an enjoyable flick and certainly one I intend to own. I don't think it's anywhere near the best sci fi (although I kinda like it on par with Empire) movie out there, but it's far better than RLM gives it credit for, imo.

Hey Rae! Happy 35th Birthday ...may it be outta this world

Goodness, Rae, I missed your birthday! Happy birthday to you <3
Hope all is well!

Hugs,
Leah

Happy Birthday, Rae.

I hope it's everything you want.

Enjoy.

Happy Birthday Rae ... assuming that's NOT an alien concept

I've seen a fair share of crap make it to top spot, here on the Sift, so don't get all elitist about the maturity level in here. Bewbs, cats, and Louis CK all have a dubious percentage of votes in here.

...but honestly, as with most "internet communities" I'm here for the people. Places like Reddit and Youtube itself are just too full of vitriol and verbal diarrhea for my liking. Far too many saying far too little.

My dislike of this person's video has more to do with it's judgmental nature. I really dislike people who put down others over something so esoteric and subjective as music taste. The "Pop" in pop music is short for "Popular". Hating on something for no other real reason than a lot of people like it is douchebaggery at it's most stereotypical extreme.

There's only one Nickelback song I like, so I'm not a fanboi. I have to say though, the fact they are still selling records and and concert tickets kinda proves this guy wrong. They have "struck a chord" with quite a few people. Otherwise, they would have been a one-hit-wonder like the chick down the street from them, Carly Rae Jepsen.

Music doesn't have to be well written, or well performed to be popular, people just have to like it.

You have completely misunderstood the point and have mistaken the method for interpreting data with the data itself. Yes, of course context matters, but none of your examples presents an exception to rationalism (PDF) in any way. Using reason does not pre-determine the conclusion prior to the interpretation of the data. Just the opposite, rational deductive reasoning enables one to interpret the data from an unbiased position, in contrast to the hermeneutics which you seem to be employing. Without a consistent position based on unchanging principles, the data is either consciously or unconsciously filtered through your a prior "preference" or bias in arbitrary and/or indefensible (rationally-speaking) ways.

And IP is no exception (PDF).

i am usually pretty perceptive and pick up small details that many may deem innocuous and irrelevant,it fuels my intuition.which i have learned to trust over the years.....and it has served me well.

maybe it is the poet in me.i see/absorb everything.

wish i could head to england to hang out with you and your family..that would be a hoot!
have a feeling we would get along fabulously.

stay awesome rae!

That is the nicest thing you could have wrote. Thank you sweetpea When are you coming to England???

How on earth have you picked up by pop culture skills? I've always thought that, but no one else has noticed it in my life! Must be something to do with the internet, haha.

Much love,

Rae xxx

Congrats, AC - been a long time coming! Rae and I joined the sift at about the same time and not only has she been a great sifter but also a great friend. Even had the pleasure to meet her a few years back and she was just as witty and charming in meatspace as she is here.

Congratulations @alien_concept and thank you for spending 6 years of your life helping to make this place a wonderful home away from homepage. You are a huge, steaming pillar of sift!

The siftbot has quite a singing voice. Excellent songwriting!

Now break out the crumpets and let's really celebrate Queen Rae!

*quality

Looks like "someone" has a special day today! May it be festive and fabulous. Happy Birthday Rae