Acamon

I don't see flirting as very different from making friends. The two biggest differences would be speed and boundaries.

If I'm trying to make friends, I'd be mindful to not seem too keen and obvious, which is also generally good flirting advice, but sometimes you can be extremely obvious with flirting (the "nice boots, wanna fuck?" approach). I'm sure there are situations where saying "I want to be your friend!" is a good strategy but they're pretty damn rare (and probably involve been on mdma).

When you're building any relationship or connection, one of the necessary steps is breaching boundaries. By sharing personal information (whether it's hobbies, or a personal tragedy) or making jokes or teasing (if appropriate and appreciated) helps move a relationship from "stranger" to "friend", similarly eating together, inviting someone into your home, or physical contact all represent breaking down boundaries and closer and more personal relationships.

Different social groups have different ideas about appropriate behaviour at specific levels of relationship. I have social groups where being 'cheeky' and even outright mean to a new person is how they show they're one of the gang. Similarly, there groups of people who can be lifelong friends, but still wouldn't be comfortable hugging. For many people, flirting, especially if you're aiming for a sexual relationship, often involves more physical boundary testing than with platonic friends (letting your hands touch, flicking dust off their clothes - and just FYI, if you're not sure what you're doing, it's almost always better to let the other person be the first to initiate physical contact, especially if they're a woman). But saying that, some straight guys I've known are very physical with male friends both with hugs and friendly punches, so it's not a strict line.

I guess he is a relevant expert? And I think his tone suggests his judgement on the matter's bullshitosity.

Alan MacLeod is Senior Staff Writer for MintPress News. He completed his PhD in 2017 and has since authored two acclaimed books: Bad News From Venezuela: Twenty Years of Fake News and Misreporting and Propaganda in the Information Age: Still Manufacturing Consent, as well as a number of academic articles. He has also contributed to FAIR.org, The Guardian, Salon, The Grayzone, Jacobin Magazine, and Common Dreams.

I could get a copy of the original "White Box" Dungeons & Dragons set, although not an actual first print run copy, because those go for $20k. But I'd probably buy the last few Planescape products I'm missing, which are also unreasonably expensive for rpg books but not in the same league as the original dnd sets, and much more enjoyable to read.

Same. I had guessed yellow's category, but so many possible options that sounded at least as plausible as the yellow answer.

Connections
Puzzle #743
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Northern Exposure is an amazing and very gentle show, if you can handle 90s tv.

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Life, uh, finds a way.

It's not something you need to get rid of, but if you really want to move past it the best way is to actually explore it psychologically. You say you like humiliation play because you love feeling like you're worthless. Makes sense, sure, but why? What is it about feeling worthless that feels good?

Is it genuine worry in real life that you can safely explore in a sexual fantasy? Do you feel sometimes inadequate but can't talk to friends openly about it, so having someone attractive criticise you but still not leave you relieves a fundamental rejection anxiety?

Is it that part of you is arrogant and looks down on some others as losers, but you don't consciously approve of that behaviour, so the kink lets you 'play the victim' and feel better about your elitism?

If you spend a bit of time actually confronting the deeper thoughts behind a kink, it can remove a bit of the forbidden tension, and leave it as something you can still enjoy if you want, or move beyond, or find a more acceptable form that still presses the same buttons. Or just find a girlfriend who's into it!

The original Pride flag was designed with eight colours, but quickly moved to six and seven stripes because of issues with sourcing dyes and mass production. As others have said, each colour did have a specific meaning like Sex, Life, Harmony, Art, Sunlight. These were aspects of the queer community, but they did not mean specific or narrow identities, and did not only describe 'gay' or 'lesbian' people.

In the words of Gilbert Baker (who designed the initial flag) “We needed something beautiful – something from us, and the rainbow is so perfect because it really fits our diversity in the sense of our race, our gender, all of those things.” Since then people have added specific colours and extra features to draw attention to identities that they felt were undervalued or overlooked, which is laudable goal, but not because the original did not include everyone.

You're throwing around a lot of strong negative claims about the discussion here, if you really want to make a case that the meaning of original flag did not include queer people who were black or whatever, please bring some sources. And just to note, personally I actually like the chevrons of the Progress flag, but that doesn't invalidate people claiming that the original flag included everyone.

This gets my vote

Perhaps, or too boomer

If we're just talking "don't worry about money day to day" then I'm that, but that's more about being a couple who both work with low expenses (no kids). I never really think about how much money I have in my account, or worry about bills or rent or anything. I can't afford to buy super expensive stuff all the time, but it doesn't feel like a hardship to not buy the latest flagship or constantly upgrade stuff, and if I do want something I just get it.

Not stressing about money is fucking amazing, ngl. It creates this relaxed sense of calm, even when things are difficult. I certainly didn't always feel like this, I've been unemployed, and so broke that I've been starving and wandering the street in the hope to find a coin that someone dropped so I could buy something to eat. When you don't have enough money everything is difficult and any new crises is anxiety inducing.

Now, if something goes wrong while travelling, I just book into a hotel, while before I've had to sleep rough because I missed a flight and couldn't afford a room. I never worry about the price of a restaurant or how overpriced a drink is (partly because I rarely eat / drink out so it's not a big expense) . But that attitude of not having to check prices, or order the cheapest options, is so liberating. I think people who've never been poor have no idea how exhausting and stressful it is to constantly be on your guard and how feeling guilty about the cost can even ruin the enjoyment of the treats you do allow yourself.