this post was submitted on 18 Jun 2025
46 points (100.0% liked)

chapotraphouse

13891 readers
766 users here now

Banned? DM Wmill to appeal.

No anti-nautilism posts. See: Eco-fascism Primer

Slop posts go in c/slop. Don't post low-hanging fruit here.

founded 4 years ago
MODERATORS
 

Opuntia, commonly called the prickly pear cactus, is a genus of flowering plants in the cactus family Cactaceae, many known for their flavorful fruit and showy flowers. Cacti are native to the Americas, and are well adapted to arid climates; however, they are still vulnerable to alterations in precipitation and temperature driven by climate change. The plant has been introduced to parts of Australia, southern Europe, the Middle East, and northern Africa.

Prickly pear alone is more commonly used to refer exclusively to the fruit, but may also be used for the plant itself; in addition, other names given to the plant and its specific parts include tuna (fruit), sabra, sabbar, nopal (pads, plural nopales) from the Nahuatl word nōpalli, nostle (fruit) from the Nahuatl word nōchtli, and paddle cactus. The genus is named for the Ancient Greek city of Opus. The fruit and leaves are edible. The most common culinary species is the "Barbary fig"

Opuntia is regarded as an aggressive invasive species.

Distribution

Like most true cactus species, prickly pears are native only to the Americas. Through human action, they have since been introduced to many other areas of the world. Prickly pear species are found in abundance in Mexico, especially in the central and western regions, and in the Caribbean islands (West Indies). In the United States, prickly pears are native to many areas of the arid, semi-arid, and drought-prone Western and South Central United States, including the lower elevations of the Rocky Mountains and southern Great Plains

Opuntia species are the most cold-tolerant of the lowland cacti, extending into western and southern Canada.

Prickly pears produce a fruit known as tuna, commonly eaten in Mexico and in the Mediterranean region, which is also used to make aguas frescas.

Prickly pear fruit for sale at a market, Zacatecas, Mexico

reminders:

  • πŸ’š You nerds can join specific comms to see posts about all sorts of topics
  • πŸ’™ Hexbear’s algorithm prioritizes comments over upbears
  • πŸ’œ Sorting by new you nerd
  • 🌈 If you ever want to make your own megathread, you can reserve a spot here nerd
  • 🐢 Join the unofficial Hexbear-adjacent Mastodon instance toots.matapacos.dog

Links To Resources (Aid and Theory):

Aid:

Theory:

top 50 comments
sorted by: hot top controversial new old
[–] AcidLeaves@hexbear.net 10 points 1 hour ago* (last edited 1 hour ago)

I'm on the train rn and there's been a NASA guy loudly talking about work stuff with another guy for the last hour

Apparently they keep losing their engineers and scientists to the private sector (mostly SpaceX) and they just lose their knowledge and know how of how to do things because there wasn't adequate knowledge transfer before they left

Like NASA apparently can no longer manufacture ceramic coating on rockets for re entry or something like that because they lost the one guy responsible for that to SpaceX, among many other things I didn't understand

[–] buh@hexbear.net 10 points 2 hours ago

I still think of "wet ass P-word" about every other week

[–] LocalOaf@hexbear.net 4 points 1 hour ago

can't wait to hear confused-glee watch the Donkey Kong direct and go full Boss Nass repeating "planet core"

[–] ShimmeringKoi@hexbear.net 1 points 1 minute ago

Tripped over the couch with wine i-spil-my-jice

[–] CrispyFern@hexbear.net 5 points 51 minutes ago

α˜›βΜ€α•α·

[–] Hohsia@hexbear.net 3 points 40 minutes ago

Is it just me or has the AI fear mongering/alarmist bullshit been kicked into overdrive as of late? I am once again losing my sanity after a few days of tranquility

[–] Frank@hexbear.net 5 points 1 hour ago (1 children)

If you can handle tiktok style social media RedNote is worth checking out. Seeing people having class consciousness and openly supporting communism in the comments lifts my spirits. Seeing that there really are a ton of communists around the world, that it's possible for a big country to be full of people with good political education, it helps.

[–] omegathrowaway@lemmy.ml 1 points 16 minutes ago

I can't read Chinese so I was turned off, I feel obligated to provide proper Chinese in response so I don't feel like I'm invading into something that's already built a community

Idk, but maybe something like that would lift my spirits?

[–] ratboy@hexbear.net 5 points 1 hour ago

Downloading Disco Elysium again. I WILL get the fucking tie this time, damnit

[–] Moss@hexbear.net 4 points 2 hours ago

I'm reading the first serialised Witcher book, the Blood of Elves, for the first time in about three years. And it is not nearly as good as I remember.

spoilerFirst of all, its kinda boring. It doesn't really follow the three act structure, Geralt and Ciri don't have a clear goal for most of the book and a lot of the word count is just made up of inconsequential chatter. I don't care about the scientist arguing with Geralt about the classifications of monsters. In the middle of the book, Geralt is just mooching about on a boat, waiting for the plot to happen to him. There is no over-arching threat, besides the villain Rience who I fail to find intimidating at all, because he gets his ass kicked every time he shows up. Its all setup about how the Elves are gonna start rebelling big time and Nilfgaard are gonna invade soon and the Four Kings are gonna start doing things real soon.

That's probably the main problem with this book, its entirely setup. Its like reading the Fellowship of the Ring, but stopping just as the Fellowship is formed. The book finishes with Ciri reflecting on her time in a temple and thinking about how Yennefer taught her magic, which is not a conclusion to anything. Yennefer appearing is payoff for her constantly being mentioned, but she's only in the final chapter so she doesn't have much time to be an endearing character. Also, as I said, no three-act structure, so the finale of the book is just Ciri and Yennefer going somewhere for some reason to do something, its all very vague. The climax of the book comes just before, when Geralt kicks Rience's ass and also the asses of four professional killers, but is then betrayed by Philippa Eilhart, who we don't know or like at all, so who cares. Philippa says "oooh Geralt, I have to betray you because I'm doing something that will be explained in future books." Most of this book is just setting up future reveals, without any internal setups and payoffs or satisfying narrative structure.

Also the characters are really not vibrant. There are loads of characters in this book, way too many for a 300 page novel that is also introducing a world and magic system. This means that anyone who isn't Geralt, Ciri, Yeneffer or Dandilion has one personality trait. Terranova is fat. Tissaia de Vries is proper. Vilgefortz is scheming. There's a scene where we're introduced to five monarchs (of the Four Kingdoms? This book desperately needs a map). There is Demawend, Henselt, Foltest, Meve and another who I can't remember. For the life of me I can't tell you a distinguishing feature of any of them apart from Meve, who is wise and strong (two whole personality traits! wow!!!). Also Geralt has sex with a 17 year old and Dandilion also had sex with her when she was even younger, so what the fuck? Why? Its so unnecessary and just makes the protagonist a pedophile for no reason at all.

Another grave sin of this book is that the world is dreadfully dull. Wow, its a medieval fantasy world based on European feudalism? With swords and spears (but no guns)? With a magic system based off the four elements? Where fake Latin exists as a scientific langauge? How fantastic, how original. The world has two good things going for it. The first is the creatures taken from Eastern European folklore like strigas, since they don't appear much in standard fantasy. That said, the Witcher does fuck all Witching in this book and these creatures barely appear. The other good thing is the use of early modern aesthetics rather than medieval. A lot of the clothes are described as 16th century, there is a focus on universities and cities and commerce and societies more intellectually developed than most of feudalism. But there are also no guns for some reason. They really wouldn't be out of place imo.

I think the biggest problem with this book is that it entirely relies on goodwill from The Last Wish, which is a prequel and a series of short stories about Geralt. That book is about him actually hunting monsters and meeting Yeneffer, and if you hadn't read it first, I think there would be absolutely nothing in the Blood of Elves to entice you to read more.

I didn't hate the book but I remembered it much more fondly than this, which is very disappointing for me

[–] hexaflexagonbear@hexbear.net 5 points 2 hours ago

Before the introduction of chopsticks to the west something like the cheeto would be unthinkable.

[–] ratboy@hexbear.net 4 points 2 hours ago

Looks like Sungmanitu reached their goal for their research trip! Excited for them

its the year of our LORD two thousand and twenty-five and watching a video on youtube STILL doesn't automatically delete it from your watch later playlist smh

[–] KnilAdlez@hexbear.net 5 points 2 hours ago

It seems like he could not be the zodiac killer because of the timeline, but have you considered that Ted Cruz faked his own birth?

[–] iByteABit@hexbear.net 4 points 3 hours ago

I love waiting for yet another huge escalation leading to WW3 while my country is making sure to get its hands as bloody as possible through its numerous NATO bases, we're going to be simping for Israel all the way to the bunkers doomer

We could have been living in socialism, maybe even developed communism by now, but the West won and now we will get barbarism all over again

[–] LanyrdSkynrd@hexbear.net 15 points 4 hours ago (2 children)

Some asshole thought he'd be white knight for Walmart and accused me of stealing.

I was doing a gig app delivery order and for some reason this prick was just standing in the self checkout area. When you do the orders you scan the items as you go and then go to the self checkouts and scan a barcode, bag the stuff and leave. Pretty standard stuff, even regular customers can do that as a scan&go order.

I hear this dickbag whispering to the woman he's with while I'm bagging. Then when I start to leave he jumps in my way and goes, "Really?! You're just gonna steal all that?". I told him it was already paid for and a delivery order, pushed past him and left.

Why would anyone care that someone else is stealing?

[–] GalaxyBrain@hexbear.net 1 points 26 minutes ago

Shoulda just said 'yes' and then pushed past.

[–] plinky@hexbear.net 4 points 2 hours ago

ze lord will know of my faithful service you-are-a-serf

[–] LocalMaxima@hexbear.net 5 points 3 hours ago

Lathe time: US will attack Iran tomorrow. Juneteenth will be turned into another troop holiday to commemorate the war

[–] FumpyAer@hexbear.net 4 points 3 hours ago (1 children)

Does anyone have that tweet about how the CIA / psyops always show photos of women without head scarves before the Islamic Revolution in Iran when they are trying to start a new war? Because one just popped up on my social media feed.

[–] Frank@hexbear.net 3 points 1 hour ago

A lot of videos on RedNote are showing women with their scarves barely hanging or, or even not wearing head scarves, so I'm thinking the eternal battle between Iranian women and the morality police is going well.

[–] DragonBallZinn@hexbear.net 13 points 5 hours ago

This woman I work with complimented my fashion sense. It’s a small thing but it made my day. doggirl-happy

[–] buh@hexbear.net 9 points 5 hours ago

working in embedded software fucking sucks if you don't want to work for a weapons manufacturer, don't do it folx

[–] radio_free_asgarthr@hexbear.net 6 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

Just had some opuntia yesterday. Also, unexpected find in Mexico City from this morning enclosed.

[–] radio_free_asgarthr@hexbear.net 4 points 5 hours ago (1 children)

On a related note, my Spanish is really bad and I want to correct that. Does anyone know good places on the internet to use and practice Spanish?

[–] ratboy@hexbear.net 5 points 3 hours ago

I was just thinking about this last night! It looks like LibreLingo might be a decent alternative to DuoLingo, but I wasn't able to make an account on mobile. Watching telenovelas and other movies/TV shows can be good for learning to develop an ear for it too. Especially Mexican Spanish, it is spoken wayyyyy faster than in other regions from my understanding

[–] blipblip@hexbear.net 9 points 6 hours ago (1 children)

Realizing that my bare minimum effort at work is apparently above and beyond what other people are doing? So glad I stumbled ass backwards into basically working alone instead of having to work with these people regularly and fix their fuck ups.

Just what I learn from being forced to sit in on their meetings makes it sound like a constant shit show.

[–] spudnik@hexbear.net 4 points 3 hours ago

side-eye-1 vs an office of this-is-fine

[–] Cimbazarov@hexbear.net 14 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

Had a liberal tell me that I am "purity testing" Bernie Sanders for not calling whats going on in Israel a genocide. I really feel there's no point talking to these people unless its in person or you have a relationship with them flattened-bernie

[–] plinky@hexbear.net 3 points 2 hours ago

me, drinking water with cowshit visibly bobbing in it

you want purity testing, huh?

[–] hexaflexagonbear@hexbear.net 8 points 7 hours ago

I really feel there's no point talking to these people unless its in person or you have a relationship with them

I mean, pretty much, yeah. Think there’s a circle of trust effect, where people close to you are easier to sway even when they differ greatly from your view, and people online tend to be impossible to move from their position. At least if the discussion is at all formal, passive consumption of low effort content does seem pretty effective in shaping opinions online.

[–] WhyEssEff@hexbear.net 9 points 7 hours ago* (last edited 7 hours ago) (1 children)

can someone ping me in the news bulletin when the US formally enters the war, I'm stunlocked refreshing the thread and i gotta take a break

Yeah, I'll do it.

[–] LocalOaf@hexbear.net 11 points 7 hours ago (2 children)

Sitting down in front of front loading washing machines with a big foam finger that says GO LAUNDRY hootin' and hollerin' watching the clothes spin around getting washed

[–] ratboy@hexbear.net 5 points 3 hours ago (1 children)
[–] HexReplyBot@hexbear.net 1 points 3 hours ago

I found a YouTube link in your comment. Here are links to the same video on alternative frontends that protect your privacy:

[–] infuziSporg@hexbear.net 6 points 7 hours ago

Forming a fan club around which laundromat we like the most

[–] take_five_moments@hexbear.net 8 points 7 hours ago (1 children)

got passed over for yet another job, very cool and not at all pissing me off!

[–] take_five_moments@hexbear.net 2 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

LMAO MY INTERVIEW TODAY WENT AMAZING I GOT A JOB WOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO

[–] plinky@hexbear.net 2 points 2 hours ago (1 children)

im fucked lmao but i was fucked before so

[–] ShimmeringKoi@hexbear.net 6 points 7 hours ago

You think any sounding enthusiast clowns have ever put a string of handkerchiefs up there?

[–] infuziSporg@hexbear.net 4 points 7 hours ago

Periodically I think back to a forum I was on over a decade ago, where someone had as their signature a political compass style 2x2 diagram. X-axis was technology, Y-axis was freedom. Lower left was "Egalitarian Hunter-Gatherers", upper left was "Medieval Theocracy", upper right was "Orwellian NWO", lower right was "Resource-Based Economy", with a historical trajectory in that order.

Though it always felt contrived, with a couple of changes it would be a lot more rigorous. Axes of "social development" and "material development", with stages of primitive communism, slave society/feudalism, early and late (financial) capitalism, and advanced communism.

[–] plinky@hexbear.net 5 points 7 hours ago

Washbear Studio is thrilled to reveal their next game: Railborn. Be ready to survive on a planet criss crossed with railroad tracks, building your mobile train base piece by piece.

hexbears infiltrating game studios now huh

load more comments
view more: next β€Ί