(Part 2) Top products from r/pics

I know the feeling.

Remember that you don't always have to know what you want to draw. Sometimes, it's nice to just put pen to paper and see what happens. For example, if I'm feeling uninspired, I'll do some of the following:

• Contour drawing Look at your reflection in the mirror and draw what you see without looking at what you're drawing or raising the pen off the paper as you draw. Do it in one, continuous stroke. If you don't feel like drawing your face, you can always do this with any object you can think of. The focus here isn't on perfection, but rather to train your eye and hand to work as one. Here's a page of contours I did a few months back.
  
  
• Blind drawing Similar to the above except this time you close your eyes while drawing. Focus on a mental image - perhaps a popular cartoon/comic character - and draw that. Here's a few I did a while back.
  
  
• Scribble drawing This one's really fun. Simply grab a pen and - without looking - scribble all over the page. You can scribble as much or as little you like, it doesn't matter. Once you're done, look at your scribbles and see if you can find interesting looking shapes within. Perhaps that scribble looks like a face? Or maybe this one looks like a dog? I often do this whenever I feel 'stuck.' Here's two I did a few years back.
  
  One of the best quotes I've heard about drawing goes something like this (forgive me if I butcher it) : "Your pen contains excellent drawings. The only way to gain access to these drawings is by getting rid of all the bad ones first."
  
  Basically, draw. Draw as much as you can, even if it doesn't always work out for the best.
  
  Oh, and before I forget, I highly recommend the book Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. This book had a huge effect on my approach to drawing when I first bought it a few years back.

Thank you. Yeah, it was a quick sketch so not as accurate as some other portraits but it was one I had on hand. Some level of drawing is obviously innate; I was about 15 when I drew that and I could draw portraits when I was 10. But a big part of drawing is not your ability to do, and more of your ability to see. How you perceive shapes is a huge factor. A lot of people can learn to draw if they can learn how their brain interprets what they're looking at. When a lot of people try to draw faces they start out ok but when they notice that it doesn't look the same right away, their brain freaks out and starts to make up for it by making lines where there shouldn't be lines and filling in things that shouldn't be filled in. This results in the amateur looking portraits of heavily outlines eyes, noses, and mouths which don't exist in the real world. When you draw upside down, your brain isnt as used to seeing these shapes so you focus more on recreating what the object actually looks like versus what you think it should look like.

This book is a great resource and I highly recommend it.
http://www.amazon.com/gp/aw/d/0874774241
I just noticed that its a newer edition but it seems to be getting good reviews. The 1989 version is a classic and is excellent if you can get a used copy. Cheers.

It looks like wizardry, but it really isn't. I drew like a five year old until I resolved I was going to learn how to do it. I learned "the secret", and actually lost interest because "the secret" was actually more interesting than putting in the work to getting good at it. And that's really all it takes... practice. The OP is good because the OP has practiced for a lot of hours. And that's not to diminish the OP's skill, because it is definitely an extremely skillful drawing. Only that it's not magic, it's practice. I respect the amount of work that the OP put into learning the skill.

The "secret", by the way, is that you don't learn to draw, you learn to see. When you learn to see what is really in front of you, that's when you start to draw realistically.

There are numerous books that teach you the basics, but the one I learned from was Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. (Clean amazon link).

If you look at the sample drawings from that book, it looks like magic how much improvement people go through in the first 8 weeks. It's not. If you go through the exercises, you too can destroy the sense of magic of seeing someone draw realistically. :)

Edit: Look at page 19 and 20 of the sample display. Those are actually after only 4 days.

I'm not saying it was Arts, but it was Arts.

The secret is that drawing is just like learning any other skill. Amazing progress can be made from practicing or learning a little each day. I'm trying to find it, but there's a thread online where, over a few years, this guy goes from barely drawing cubes to lovely oil paintings.

If you want something more concrete, I highly recommend Betty Edward's fantastic book. She will take you from stick figures to professional-looking portraits.

I started drawing when I was 25 you can do it too if you try! Most people can only draw stick people if the only drawing they ever did was in grade school. You’ll find at first that you draw like a grade schooler, because well, that’s the last time you drew. You just pick up wher you left off. I find that is what discourages people from continuing. It’s to be expected though. You can practice your way up in no time. I know you’re not exactly asking, but thought I’d throw it out there for anyone who feels the same and feels like they can’t draw. You’ll catch up quicker than someone who’s really a child but it’ll take some work and some practice obviously! Just don’t give up because you draw like a child... to be fair you pretty much are drawing like a child at first. I recommend picking up a couple book and checking a couple YouTube channels!

Edit: r/ArtFundamentals is helpful used to be known as drawabox. First book I picked up was Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I’ve picked up many many more since then!

I had really good luck learning to draw at age 25 after no real effort, interest, or talent beforehand by reading Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain. I try to plug the book on every thread like this in the hope that someone will stumble across it just like I did years ago.

Here is my before and after (having read the book) drawings:

• Before
  
• After
  
  tl;dr: I drew like this, stumbled across this book on slashdot one day, now I draw like this and you can too.

RESOURCES!

Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain - I hear it's an awesome book. Definitely on my wishlist.

Mark Crilley - Awesome dude, and just plain fun to watch. He doesn't really go into much detail on most of the stuff he does, but it's really cool to watch his workflow. Check out his videos on perspective drawing.

Proko - In my comment above. Does really nice figure drawing stuff.

Ctrl+Paint - Mainly for digital painting, which I'm trying to get into.

Draw with Jazza - Really good illustrator. Hard to follow sometimes, though.


I'm probably forgetting a lot, but resources are everywhere! Go find em!

American here. Best bet is Amazon.com here

It has a sort of rusty look to it with a citrus/bubblegum flavor, at least that's the best I can describe it. Definitely

This is seriously the best way you can spend $3.19, hands down.

Buy one next time you order from Amazon. If you can spend only $4 to significantly improve your happiness even for just one day...

Not really an Irish thing, OP just said it to make it seem more funny. Pretty cool novelty gift!

I'm 30and my mom got me the Syma s107 this Christmas. My dad is in his 50s. He got one too.

These things are awesome! Surprisingly easy to fly.

I just bought mine 45 seconds ago from:
http://www.amazon.com/Accoutrements-Horse-Head-Mask/dp/B003G4IM4S

Plus its amazon prime elligible so I got 3.99 next day shipping. I Fucking LOVE amazon prime.

What are good starting points?

I just got a Surface Pro 4 a while ago and the pen that comes with it has really got me interested in drawing. It's something I've always wanted to do, but thought I never could do. With the Surface though, I could make as many mistakes as I want (and learn from them) without having to start from scratch or need fresh supplies constantly.

I'd absolutely love to draw or paint a portrait of someone, for starters, but the problem is I have absolutely no idea where to start. There's just so much out there to pick and choose from. Any ideas?

I've heard the book Drawing on the Right Side of Your Brain is good, but there's just so many resources out there it's a little overwhelming.

This Horse Mask changed my entire life. It is the honey to my honey nut cheerios, the cheese to my mac 'n' cheese and the spice to my love life. Great for picking up chickas and also a great accessory in the bedroom later on. I swear to you I have no idea what these other people mean by saying it's "Hard to see out of"... PSHAW!! I can see better through those nostrils than I can from my own two eyes. The mask makes me comfortable, and no longer awkward around girls. It helped me talk to my mother after 27 long years of hatred and we are now best friends. It's my go-to when I'm down in the dumps, my pick-me-up after a long hard day at the fish market (my work). This thing is better than anything I have ever purchased, ever. Like seriously, it's a better buy than the kidney that saved my life, or even the pizza that killed my insane, murderous cat (the pepperoni was rancid and I didn't get a chance to eat it before the devil ate the entire thing). This thing is the only thing that kept me going when I was suicidal. It arrived in its beautiful amazon box (I kept the box which I now call "The Stable) the day I was going to hang myself and I put it on. Instantly rejuvenated, I spent the night on the town with Toto and had a tensome. Yeah, it was worth the money.
Must read comments

They've actually started producing it for the US market again, but it's only available through Amazon.

Looks like OP already knows that, though, since that looks like one of the new 16 ounce cans he's got in his broke-ass penatgram there.

http://www.amazon.de/gp/product/B001F1XWPI/ref=olp_product_details?ie=UTF8&me=&seller=

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Mug-Disappering-Dino/dp/B001F1XWPI/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347312127&sr=8-1-fkmr0

hope you manage to order it :)

been using this every single day since i got it for christmas. love it. $34 on amazon

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-TEM500--Muffin-2-Slice/dp/B000B18P96/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1341714797&sr=8-1&keywords=back+to+basics+toaster

Something like this is anyways fun. http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Most-Difficult-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B00000K0FI

I failed at this when using a frying pan, but it cooked perfectly in this thing

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-TEM500--Muffin-2-Slice/dp/B000B18P96

I love mine!

The Zombie Survival Guide, by Max Brooks. Awesome lecture!

It's the Syma S107. Here's a Link

there's several colors, all under $30, and they're awesome! I got one for Christmas too.

i got this, i researched helicopters for about a minute, and this was the best

http://www.amazon.com/Syma-S107-Gyroscope-Controlled-Helicopter/dp/8499000606/ref=wl_it_dp_o?ie=UTF8&coliid=IP99X04CA4PL6&colid=3T02BRXWTLCPO

Surge is working hard to come back, Their twitter is pretty active. you can get it from Amazon too if you want. And sold here on Amazon, notice it's usually bought with munchie foods.

This thing is great, I had one in college.

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/B001F1XWPI/ref=oh_aui_search_detailpage?ie=UTF8&psc=1

I used one today, after a while I came-to and realized I had been sitting there massaging my head for almost an hour. Best $3.19 I have spent.

$28 on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Accoutrements-Horse-Head-Mask/dp/B003G4IM4S/

Had a friend wear it to work for some reason...

http://www.amazon.com/Barrs-Irn-Bru-16-9-Ounce-Pack-6/dp/B004VD6S8K/

w/ super saver shipping

Wow, only $2.49

You do not lie. Only a pinko-commie would disagree with you.

All my brothers are getting one of these in their stocking from me

http://www.amazon.com/Reeses-Holiday-Peanut-1-Pound-Package/dp/B004N5FR06

That is almost 2300 calories, 4 days worth of saturated fat, 240 grams of sugar and yes ... they will thank me profusely.

I suspect that it is a SYMA!

Can anybody verify?

E: I'm like, 97.2% sure it is.

I couldn't find the exact puzzle, but I found a similar one. This one has 500 pieces and two sides, so you can decide to do the easy side or the hard side.

The one I found was at one of those puzzle/game kiosks they set up in malls around Christmas time.

I found this book to be especially helpful in overcoming the tendency to draw what you think you see.

My fiancee has done this puzzle.
The other side is more helpful.

Amazon link

Get one of these, then it's nearly as quick as cereal :)

http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-TEM500-Muffin-2-Slice/dp/B000B18P96

I already placed my order :)

you can buy the same rock candy they used in breaking bad here.

The comments and related items are also hilarious.


I have some currently, it's delicious.

Sweet, but she's dead when she runs out of ammo. Swords and bats are fairly effective, and if you'd really like her to live a bit longer, check out The Zombie Survival Guide

They sell it on Amazon as well. http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Raspberry-Candy-Crystals-Pound/dp/B005SWKZG4/ref=sr_1_cc_1?s=aps&ie=UTF8&qid=1345867116&sr=1-1-catcorr&keywords=Blue+rock+candy

Hey man, you might enjoy looking up this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Drawing-Right-Side-Brain-Definitive/dp/1585429201/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1342485946&sr=8-1&keywords=drawing+on+the+right+side+of+the+brain

As somebody else who has resolved himself to learn how to draw, that book took me from shitty stick-figures to a Clint Eastwood sketch that still instills gushing feelings of inner pride from myself. All within days mind you.

http://www.amazon.com/Barrs-Irn-Bru-16-9-Ounce-Pack-6/dp/B004VD6S8K/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1381582183&sr=8-1&keywords=Irn+Bru

This should help you out.

Thumbs Up Half Pint Glass, Clear https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00K6JPJB0/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_awd_skjLwbDNBFPA3

Something like this

Is this the right one? I'd like to order some...

The only part of the government that is going to need "stood up to" is law enforcement and then military, you won't have senators and house reps doing jack. LEO and Military both are filled with staunch 2A supporters.

Do you really see tanks rolling through neighborhoods firing with wild abandon to quell an uprising? Remember it takes people willing to kill their countrymen over an idea that they themselves may support, some might be able to pass it off as having taken an oath but most will not.

It might be easy to kill people from another culture or another race because it's easier to see them as subhuman but when you're fighting someone who looks like your family or friends, it's a whole different ballgame. Grossman talks a lot about this in his book.

And it's at a fair price of only $34.00

The Candy Lady is ripping you off, get a big 1 pound bad on Amazon for $6.60

http://www.amazon.com/Blue-Raspberry-Candy-Crystals-Pound/dp/B005SWKZG4

The reviews are awesome.

I cook on Saturday and Sunday, put it into storage containers, and eat through the week.

For breakfast, I have a bowl of Special K or I fire up this --> http://www.amazon.com/Back-Basics-TEM500-Muffin-2-Slice/dp/B000B18P96/ref=sr_1_3?ie=UTF8&s=home-garden&qid=1267750494&sr=8-3 and make a breakfast sandwich.

Do you have a recipe for that? It looks dank! 10/10!

Looks like OP beat me on the suggestion to break them off the stick, but here all the work is done for you!

*Edited to acknowledge OP.

This post made me realize how much I've always wanted an RC copter. I just ordered one on Amazon. Can. Not. Wait!

http://www.amazon.com/Syma-S107-Gyroscope-Controlled-Helicopter/dp/8499000606/ref=sr_1_1?s=toys-and-games&ie=UTF8&qid=1293349448&sr=1-1

If anyone is looking to purchase one, there's a sale on 'em at Amazon at this time:
Amazon - $2.52 + S&H

You can buy a 6 pack from amazon for what works out to a more reasonable $2.59 a bottle.

Can buy it on Amazon here: http://www.amazon.com/Barrs-Irn-Bru-16-9-Ounce-Pack-6/dp/B004VD6S8K/ref=pd_sim_sbs_gro_1

This Amazon reviewer is waaay ahead of you: ://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/aw/review/B00TSNB76Q/R22ZMKPSWMMZKG/ref=cm_cr_dp_mb_rvw_1?ie=UTF8&cursor=1

I'm 45 and got one of these for my 12 yo son. Lets just say he hasn't spent much time with it. BTW, this things is WAAAY better than those air-hogs crap helicopters.

Not an avid puzzle doer so I can't, sorry. The one I mentioned was with a past girlfriend many years ago and it took us a few weeks to solve it, doing a little each day.

If I remember correctly it was named "world's hardest jigsaw puzzle" so I imagine some similar search terms would yield some results.

A quick google search showed me this: http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Most-Difficult-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B00000K0FI

It's the same idea, but mine was a different graphic.

And now that I see the description I realized it should have been "rotated 90 degrees" not 45.

I got curious, and yup... they are on Amazon.

SURGE, 12 ct, 16 FL OZ Cans

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00OK0I4AO/ref=cm_sw_r_awd_O2Wavb1KAE0DT

....

Trying to decide if I want to risk ruining the memory with the reality.

When I was a kid my parents got me a double sided puzzle. Same image on both sides, but one side was rotated 90 degrees. I think it was only like 500 pieces. I worked on it an hour or two every day for a month. At the end I had 7 pairs of pieces joined. I ended up using it for kindling for a campfire. That thing was god damned infuriating.

Edit: Like this puzzle: http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Most-Difficult-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B00000K0FI but mine had a different picture. I think it was a nature scene or something. These dalmations look insanely harder.

Anyone can learn to draw.

Get this book.
It's THE classic on learning to draw when you think you can't.

Here you go.

You obviously have the drive. Go here next:
http://www.amazon.com/The-Drawing-Right-Side-Brain/dp/0874774241
(but remember: that's just a step, too).

THIS!

Relevant.

change the aw/d to product

http://www.amazon.com/gp/product/097009731X

Come on, we all know the only zombie survival guide is this one. http://www.amazon.com/The-Zombie-Survival-Guide-Protection/dp/1400049628

have you not read this?

This remind me of this. My husband was reading this book when we first met. He's educated me a lot in the zombie survival technique.

I did the same just using Drawing on the Right Side of the Brain and about 1 hour a night of practice.

http://www.amazon.com/Syma-S107-Gyroscope-Controlled-Helicopter/dp/8499000606/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1293342181&sr=8-1

This is the exact one i bought, Its a sturdy little guy too.

This is a tuff one too:
http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Most-Difficult-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B00000K0FI

The Beatles White Album puzzle comes to mind.

Enjoy

Here's how you should spend next month. It'll bring balance to your life.

available on Amazon

Shut Up And Take My Money!

Try throwing some in this direction.

http://www.amazon.com/Unemployed-Philosphers-Guild-Mug-Disappering/dp/B001F1XWPI/ref=pd_sim_k_1

for those who are wondering: http://www.amazon.com/Scalp-Massager-Colors-May-Vary/dp/B001IHXFQK/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1299891771&sr=8-1

I seriously just bought one on Amazon because of this. $3.42 shipped.

Amazon link

They are everywhere because the reviews on them are so hilarious it's nearly impossible not to buy.

Don't know why I was expecting your link to be this instead.

Something tells me you would have found this one much more disturbing.

http://www.amazon.com/Accoutrements-Horse-Head-Mask/dp/B003G4IM4S

Anything is possible...

It's available on Amazon.

http://www.amazon.com/Ferrero-Nutella-Made-Italy-Giant/dp/B003NL9MPW

Here you go!

Amazon.com - 11 pound jar
http://www.amazon.com/Ferrero-Nutella-Made-Italy-Giant/dp/B003NL9MPW/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1313506118&sr=8-1

http://www.amazon.com/Ferrero-Nutella-Made-Italy-Giant/dp/B003NL9MPW

11 lbs, so 2.2 kg. I found some reference to a 5 kg jar for professionals, but only in French.

Or, the $12.25 (Amazon) one, with Prime.

This

never show her this link then

That's not king sized - I have some that are 1/2 lb EACH. They're about 4" in diameter. I picked them up on sale for $3.99 each.

You can buy it in a two pack for a whole pound of diabetes.

Amazon - Blue Rasperry Rock candy crystals

And you can order it off Amazon.

Here's a costume if anybody actually wants to dress up:

Chemsuit

Respirator

Gloves

"Meth"

All links are to Amazon.com

edit: Took out the referrals to sellers in the links.

here you go

http://amzn.com/B00K6JPJB0

Buy here- http://www.amazon.com/Thumbs-Half-Pint-Glass-Clear/dp/B00K6JPJB0/

Here ya go
http://www.amazon.co.uk/thumbsUp-GmbH-HALFPINT-Half-Glass/dp/B00K6JPJB0

if others wanted one as much as i did when i saw it

http://www.amazon.com/SURGE-12-16-FL-Cans/dp/B00OK0I4AO/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1418066334&sr=8-1&keywords=surge+12+ct

Amazon has Surge!

https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TSNB76Q/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B019ZAN7YQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=9AYX18TJG6NFPY9J8Z15

Us link: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B00TSNB76Q/ref=pd_lpo_sbs_dp_ss_2?pf_rd_p=1944687682&pf_rd_s=lpo-top-stripe-1&pf_rd_t=201&pf_rd_i=B019ZAN7YQ&pf_rd_m=ATVPDKIKX0DER&pf_rd_r=9AYX18TJG6NFPY9J8Z15

There you go mate.

Here you go

https://www.amazon.co.uk/Carry-Me-Teddy-Bear-Costume/dp/B00TSNB76Q

$40

I'll just leave this here.

Looked that puzzle up on amazon

It has a side with some images on it so it wouldn't be that bad.

The impossibles puzzle that /u/Nachteule posted does look a little crazy though

My brother got me a puzzle of The Beatles White Album as a gag gift if you wanna get her one of those!

No, I did not cheat and use the back with the records, I did the white side. Took me forever...

Except for the one guy that doesn't fear death and correctly sights his shots. That guy turns the battle.

It's actually been a big part of military training since WWII to get soldiers to overcome their natural resistance to killing. Figures from modern conflicts show a much more dangerous soldier than in Germany, Korea, or Vietnam. This is worth a read if the subject matters interests you. I read it as a new release and remarked on reddit at the time that it had major implications for America's Police services as it was an popular career choice after the military (and is armed), but I got downvoted to oblivion.

Disregard chocolate/wrapper, acquire mainline awesome

Amazon sells them. Can't ship to Australia though, which is saddening.

http://www.amazon.com/Unemployed-Philosphers-Guild-Mug-Disappering/dp/B001F1XWPI

Public Service Announcement (for Americans):

• Amazon.com sells Irn Bru.
  
• Pack of 6: http://www.amazon.com/Barrs-Irn-Bru-16-9-Ounce-Pack-6/dp/B004VD6S8K/
  
  \^Non-referral link. For anyone who wishes to try it and has $10 to waste on some drinks.
  
  edit: Amazon.com has sold out. It is on back-order until the 16th of Oct.
  edit #2: Completely sold out now. Not even on back-order. Sorry guys.

Seve---- FINE I'll LOOK. No US shipping :(

Damn it, you are right. Link

http://www.amazon.com/Worlds-Most-Difficult-Jigsaw-Puzzle/dp/B00000K0FI/ref=pd_sbs_21_7?ie=UTF8&dpID=616ZavsG0JL&dpSrc=sims&preST=_AC_UL160_SR160%2C160_&refRID=08507KRHT2ARY1F3ZABS

Get her the "Worlds most difficult jigsaw puzzle" Its double sided dalmations and a mere 500 pieces.

The first time I saw it was on the cover of [On Killing] (http://www.amazon.com/Killing-Psychological-Cost-Learning-Society/dp/0316040932/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1325109423&sr=8-1). It's an incredible book which talks about the psychological effect that killing and learning to kill has on people. The author does get a little preachy about video game violence, but aside I highly, highly recommend it.

Here it says 56g

Edit: Sorry. This is wrong. This is for 16oz

Most ill prepared bunker I've ever seen, ignoring the fact that there isnt food/water.

Guns make noise, which attract other zombies. Where are your melee weapons? Crowbar is top choice for that.

I suggest adding this to your repetoir.

http://www.amazon.com/The-Zombie-Survival-Guide-Protection/dp/1400049628/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1347191436&sr=8-1&keywords=zombie+survival+guide+max+brooks

This is the puzzle that made my grandfather ban my parents from buying him puzzles.

Then you'll hate this

Jesus... ctrl+f'ing for "link" and "source" as an RES user is a terrible way to live.

Where can I buy one?

Edit: nevermind - didn't realize there were only 60 comments... there were many people with links.

Cheapest I found was: Here - Amazon, $11, Prime available - killing Dinosaurs by Wednesday. Thanks /u/xombie

This reminded me of a book I bought in Arizona... There is a book that documents every death in the Grand Canyon. A large chunk of those deaths is people who died trying to pee into it. http://www.amazon.com/Over-Edge-Death-Grand-Canyon/dp/097009731X

This thing has the same picture printed on both sides and is die cut from both sides.

Read the book "On Killing" if you'd like more information on what war does to people. Pretty horrifying stuff.

http://www.amazon.com/On-Killing-Psychological-Learning-Society/dp/0316040932

The point is that while there are lots of first hand accounts there is no corroborating evidence of it happening which calls those accounts into question. Lots of people claim to have seen Bigfoot, aliens and the Loch Ness monster but there is no proof of those either. If it was as widespread as the many later claims that were made there should be something from that time backing it up yet so far nobody has found it. Even if not a photo or footage there should be something that was written at that time which would mention it given the barrels of ink that were used writing about the domestic turmoil the war caused.

So, while it is impossible to prove that it never happened the lack of evidence makes it seem as though it is a figurative stance that many people take as literal. In my opinion that figurative spitting was done more by the government than the population when the soldiers came home. On Killing is a good book on the psychological toll that many soldiers were left to deal with on their own, it gets a bit repetitive in places but it's a good read.

Not sure if you've had therapy for this, but here are a couple books. On Killing is mostly about killing in combat but the impact is universal. The Body Keeps the Score is an instant classic on dealing with trauma. Good luck to you, take care of yourself.

Write awesome stuff about zombies including a book entitled "The Zombie Survival Guide". I haven't read that one, but I suggest you check out "World War Z." It approaches a zombie war as it happens on a global level rather than just 8 or so survivors, addressing many sociopolitical issues and showing how different cultures would theoretically react to the outbreak.

Not true! One of the most common questions asked of park rangers is how many people have died in the Canyon, and this is the best-selling book in the park. When I worked for the local paper, we always covered the deaths whether from falls, exposure, exertion, suicide or drowning in the river.

You should read "On Killing".

In a lot of ways, you kinda do need "propaganda", or things like it, to REALLY get someone to hate another person they've never met, to the point of wanting to kill them, especially on a battlefield. Most people in battles aren't filled with rage, they're filled with a a shitload of fear butting up against lot of training designed to try and counteract it.

The book is Over the Edge: Death in Grand Canyon and it was written by the former head of the clinic at the South Rim and a biologist who leads river trips, in the hope of educating people about the fact that the Canyon is not an amusement park but a dangerous and demanding wild place. The book turned out to be an incredibly entertaining read, but whether it has prevented any deaths is hard to tell. There seems to be an unlimited supply of the sort of people most likely to act like jerks near the rim: 18-29 year old males.

As someone who is still in shock about the genuinely accidental fall and death of another expert hiker earlier this week, I'm having a lot of trouble finding this photo amusing.