• db2@lemmy.world
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    9 hours ago

    Shikata ga nai

    Bonus points if you get the reference.

    Edit: I will not be responding. Don’t waste your time.

    • pedz@lemmy.ca
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      10 hours ago

      I’ve only heard shōganai by westerners describing life in Japan, and then while watching videos of the tsunami in 2011. And as others have said, it may be a reference for you, but isn’t it just a common saying? Common enough that someone from the other side of the planet knows it, but not your reference.

      • Contramuffin@lemmy.world
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        17 hours ago

        For anyone reading this who doesn’t understand, shikata ga nai is a common saying in Japanese that literally translates to “nothing can be done.” It’s used very similarly to the English saying “it is what it is.” It’s not a reference insofar as just speaking in another language isn’t really a reference to anything

        • db2@lemmy.world
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          12 hours ago

          Repeating your incorrect assessment doesn’t make it correct. You don’t know what it’s a reference to, that doesn’t mean you know it isn’t one.

        • Lumidaub@feddit.org
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          17 hours ago

          That’s okay, I’m just confused/intrigued at how anyone is going to identify a reference based on a common saying. Like “Goodnight, sleep tight” or “goddammit” or “kids these days”. I’ll be lurking to see what happens :)

          • farmgineer@nord.pub
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            11 hours ago

            I’m with you. I’ve heard that phrase twice today already and would never think “oh, that’s a reference to something”.

          • db2@lemmy.world
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            11 hours ago

            The other guy is very obnoxious, I went ahead and blocked him. But since he ruined it with his ignorant behavior I’ve kind of lost interest in the game. Dude sucked all the fun out of it with that personality flaw.

            Since you seemed genuinely interested I wanted to tell you what the reference is though:

            https://www.kimstanleyrobinson.info/content/mars-trilogy-glossary

            Scroll to S. Also highly recommend the trilogy.

          • db2@lemmy.world
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            15 hours ago

            Now I want to tell you what it is but I don’t want to make it too easy 😆