Tag: Quora

Deano’s answer to: “If John Rambo fought the Predator in the jungle, who wins?”

Posted on by Deano in Q & A

Considering that John Rambo’s fighting prowess is based on “higher than average human musculature”, combined with a deep ingrained tactical and strategic knowledge of the dynamics of both organized and guerilla military forces based solely on Earth, that he might have a very hard time dealing with the Predator.

Given a scenario as depicted in the original film Predator (1987 Movie), it is likely that John Rambo would’ve most closely resembled the decision-making processes and final outcomes of either Billy Sole (Sonny Landham), or Major Alan “Dutch” Schaefer (Arnold Schwarzenegger). Essentially, winning the battle would be dependent on how much intelligence he can gather before a final showdown, since the Predator behaves unlike any earthbound enemy he’s ever faced.

Still… “in the jungle” provides us with a lot of flexibility… What if, instead of the Predator visiting Earth, we view things from a scenario like that of the more recent movie Predators – John Rambo is abducted from Earth, to battle on an alien world with/against other humans and predator factions.

In that scenario, Rambo would have a greater chance of understanding his “fish out of water” status, and switching to a primarily survival-based evasion tactic long enough to allow for a greater reconnoiter of the situation. While it’s highly unlikely that such a scenario even has a true “victory” condition – how do you get back home to Earth, for one thing – it’s probable that he would last longer, and possibly take out a greater number of Predators before being brought down.

The summary is simple: despite appearances, John Rambo is a seasoned soldier who depends on good military intelligence and tactical support to conduct a successful campaign. Getting either of those during an encounter in which a Predator set the rules of the game is highly unlikely…

But he wouldn’t be (in his younger days, anyway) a bad choice to put on a team of humans who knew what they were facing from the very start. In fact, mightn’t that be the perfect “epic win” solution for the plot to Expendables II? Not all of the badass action icons of the 80s were actors, after all… 🙂

This answer originally appeared on Quora: If John Rambo fought the Predator in the jungle, who wins?

Deano’s answer to: “Who is stronger: The Hulk or The Thing?”

Posted on by Deano in Q & A

It depends on the Hulk. Kinda.

At various times, the Hulk has had:

  • A fairly “stable” power level, affected only slightly to moderately by his anger level
  • A power level (and even physical body) that increased in direct proportion to anger level
  • A power level (and physical body) that decreased in direct proportion to anger level (‘Smart Hulk, Savage Banner’ – some of the most interesting modern Hulk stories in the modern era)
  • Many, many other permutations of the above (The Maestro, various Banner/Hulk splits, Grey Hulk, etc etc).

The Thing, honestly, would have a hard time beating down any of these (Savage Banner excluded)… Nevertheless, The Thing tends to be depicted as being “Stronger than a Hulk at rest”, that is, having a more consistent strength that can beat a “barely transformed classic Hulk”, and able to stand toe-to-toe against a moderately angry one.

The only problem is... There appears to be no limit to the rage potential of the Hulk, and fighting tends to make him more angry (he just wants to be left alone, after all).

Thus, whether they are fighting each other, or even working together, even if the Thing starts out stronger than the Hulk, that advantage will inevitably give way to the ever-increasing power level of the Hulk, at least until whatever conflict/issue is resolved that allows Big Green to calm down again.

This answer originally appeared on Quora: Who is stronger: The Hulk or The Thing?

Deano’s answer to: “My co-founder just had a baby. What would be a nice present to get him?”

Posted on by Deano in Q & A

Dean’s official short list of great presents that no one else will probably give new parents, which they nonetheless really need:

  • A Nerf Football ($10 http://amzn.to/jJE1LE). Babies like to play with balls regardless of gender. Footballs have an odd shape that allows babies to learn more about their world – you can roll it along the floor along its widest point, tilted so it wobbles side to side, or even end-over-end. Various types of spins are also really easy to do. A lot more variety in the ways it can entertain compared to a simple sphere. Also, I only advise Nerf because it’s soft enough for newborns. Leather footballs have vastly superior rolling ability, and are potentially safer/more durable chewables.
  • A Large Box Spool of Bubble Wrap ($16 http://amzn.to/ldX5Ml). It kills the Earth with indestructible plastic waste. It has the potential to suffocate your child. Still, babies are stressful. They drive you insane sometimes. For the first year, having that box as a way to “pop out” the everyday stresses of parenthood will be a surprisingly effective balm for most that ails. Then, once the little duffer can get in on the action, it’s one of the cheapest babysitters-per-foot money can buy. GREAT FOR BIRTHDAY PARTIES.
  • Baby Signing Time DVDs ($17 ea. http://amzn.to/mowa2e). Not Singing, Signing. Crying is great the first few months, because you know it means one of two things. But, eventually, those screeches become “one word that means everything”… Sometimes it’s hard to know what an older baby wants, because they simply cannot speak yet. Enter simplified ASL sign language! Once they get the motions down, you’ll revel in the ability to have actual conversations with your kid, and if you’re lucky, see them make their first pre-verbal joke! Really cool stuff… And yes, putting that DVD on might earn you a 15 minute nap as an extra bonus.
  • A Bubble Machine (~$20 http://amzn.to/jo6qHY). I recommend the Gazillion Typhoon, but it’s nearly impossible to find (Try Costco). More on why it is the best here: http://www.waynesthisandthat.com… — This guy is a one-man Quora of bubble machines. Simply put, babies love bubbles. Battery powered (8xAA, WTF?!?), so you can take it to the park. Rock the coolest stroller in mommy-land.
  • A WeeRide Kangaroo Bike Seat ($50 http://amzn.to/mN2vtz). Okay, it’s not really a “birth-age” item, but if the parents like to bike, this will work from whenever their kid’s neck will support the weight of the head, and is legal not too terribly long after that. The central placement makes biking less of a struggle compared to rear seats, allows you to keep the extra weight entirely within your center of gravity, and the lil’ tike can take in the scenery, instead of an increasingly-sweat-stained view of your back.
  • A Roomba Cleaning Robot ($200-600 http://amzn.to/iZTXWR). This is pretty straightforward: parents got no time for cleaning, and yet need everything to be cleaned and disinfected constantly. Also, babies tend to be at least somewhat enthralled by anything that moves and doesn’t try (hard) to eat them. It’s the priciest item on my list, good as a “group buy” within an office/team. These are great for crumbs and dust, the higher end ($300+) models are programmable, and can be set to vacuum just before wakeup, while you’re out of the house during the day, or even overnight.

I wouldn’t worry too much about giving a gift that pays off 6-12 months down the line. New parents are constantly tired, busy, and stressed. Having toys and distractions that their kid can “grow into” will be a total relief… Plus, odds are they’ll probably get all the newborn stuff elsewhere. 😉

This answer originally appeared on Quora: My co-founder just had a baby. What would be a nice present to get him?

Deano’s answer to: “Did R2D2 meet Yoda prior to Empire Strikes Back? If so, why didn’t R2D2 and Yoda recognize each other?”

Posted on by Deano in Q & A

Racism.

In the Star Wars universe, the Jedi are the epitome of the natural world — in touch with all living things through the force. Droids, on the other hand, are an entirely artificial life form… And while Jedi may manipulate the physical aspect of their bodies, they will never be able to see into a droid’s thoughts, or manipulate its will. And this causes an almost unconscious distrust or dislike of droids within the Jedi.

Among the regular citizens of the galaxy, droids are typically seen more as tools to be used — again, relegating them to a secondary class hierarchy, one in which slaves (on planets which allow them) are seen to have more rights/respect by and large.

Thus, when Yoda doesn’t recognize R2-D2, it is more because what Yoda sees is “an astromech with a blue head,” much the same way in which one of us may not call a piece of Ikea furniture by its proper name (Kløotvär) and instead merely call it a “table”.

Similarly, Obi-Wan may not have ever actually purchased, and therefore considered himself to have “owned” droids, despite at various times having droids assigned to his care as part of his duties as a Jedi Knight or later as a General during the clone wars.

The sad truth is, no one recognizes the droids because “all droids look alike anyway.” Yep. You got it.

Racism.

This answer originally appeared on Quora: Did R2D2 meet Yoda prior to Empire Strikes Back? If so, why didn’t R2D2 and Yoda recognize each other?

Deano’s answer to: “If gay guys do anal mostly, and straight couples do the missionary position, what is the preferred position for lesbians while making love?”

Posted on by Deano in Q & A

Disclaimer – I am not a lesbian*, but according to the fictionalized sex and sexuality education series “South Park”, this answers your question:

http://www.southparkstudios.com/…

Drawing more from my own education, I’d say the question is flawed beyond hope of a serious answer. There is no “most commonly used” position among gay, straight, bisexual, transgendered, lesbian, genderqueer, group, or other sexual participants. Anyone who says otherwise is lazy and needs to pony up for a Liberator™ if they aren’t going to hit the gym enough to manage pp. 201-223 (excl. 219) of the Kama Sutra unassisted.

Part of what makes sexual expression and connection so special, is that one person’s “meat and potatoes” maneuver can be another’s “dreamgasm”… And it’s finding what works (and what doesn’t) between the 2 (or 200) of you that winds up being the most fun. Want to be a better lover? Let people know what you want in bed, and encourage them to share the same without fear of judgment.

Now, having said all this, for those budding lesbians who encounter a dearth of education on “tactical pleasuring” in their current educational and social circles, there are the following excellent resources to catch up on some great methods for getting down:

In a pinch, I’d be shocked if episodes of “The ‘L’ Word” weren’t available via iTunes/Amazon Video/Netflix, etc.

Best of luck figuring out your own answers!

* For some reason, actually typing it out brings on a brief moment of wistfulness in me, every time. Go figure.

This answer originally appeared on Quora: If gay guys do anal mostly, and straight couples do the missionary position, what is the preferred position for lesbians while making love?