August 31, 2024
I'm Beginning to Suspect that Mr. Herrera MIGHT be a Nerd
The Cybertruck is weird, but it is technically interesting...NOW it can be a technically interesting technical.
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10:32 AM
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August 30, 2024
A Look at the Actual Decision-Making Process of the Federal Bureaucracy
It looks like School-House Rock is getting based.
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01:09 PM
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August 21, 2024
Cacodemons, Imps, Deimos, Phobos and Science
Join us TONIGHT at 7:30pm EST/11:30pm UTC over on Twitch as we explore the Martian Moon Phobos, search for secrets, while we rip, tear, and otherwise perform necessary pest control in Doom (1993).
In between my many inevitable ignominious deaths, we'll be discussing various types of polyculture farming and their possible implementation in the context of a Martian settlement, particularly as it applies to animal proteins. (No really!) Stop by and meet one of my crack team of science babes! Then join the discussion! This will be fu...uh...This will be different.
*******
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04:48 PM
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Konstantin Kissin Nails the Problem
This is a bit of a longer video which is quite interesting, (Anderson's stuff usually is) but I really think this is the root of the intractability of many of today's problems.
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09:01 AM
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Aaaaaand We're Back.
CAUTION: Banality lies in wait below the fold.
As compensation here is a temerarious Draph duelist wearing a set of coveral...er coversomethings.
Granblue Fantasy's Narmaya, rockin' some denim is by -Yoin.
more...
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08:36 AM
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August 16, 2024
IRL Happenings....
....have been coming fast and furious. Currently, my Mom has had medical issues and is in the hospital again this time, looking at surgery tomorrow evening. As a result I will be going back to visit her tomorrow. This and other issues have kept me from commenting on the current, very dark season of CURRENT YEAR: a Civilizational Collapse Story.
I haven't even been streaming much (there is no internet at my folks house) however, I will be doing an extended Genshin Impact stream tonight, which will be my last for a while, so stop by tonight at 7:30pm EST/11:30pm UTC to chat and catch the scuff and the cringe while you still can.
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05:37 PM
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July 25, 2024
The IRL RNG is a Female Dog
Tonight's stream is cancelled.
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05:57 PM
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July 21, 2024
Para-Anti-Social Self Help
Tonight is a huge opportunity! Are you feeling down? Current events got you depressed? Well, cheer up! This evening you can deal with those frustrations in a way that would not be acceptable in the 3-D world! Because tonight you can bully a virtual streamer as he tries to break free from the shackles of his .png in a scuffed test stream...while derping in Genshin Impact. Come for the scuff, then stay for the cringe, all of which begins at 7:30pm EST / 11:30pm UTC at 
https://www.twitch.tv/brickmuppet
An actual sneak preview of what the new model does not look like!
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July 13, 2024
Trump Was Just Shot
I just received a call from my Dad. Trump has been shot. I won't go over my misgivings about the guy, they are here if you care, but those misgivings are irrelevant right now.
A leading candidate for the presidency has been shot.
Given the immense polarization in the country right now his is how you get a Civil War.
Don't do that.
It appears that Trump is OK with only a graze and the loss of a bit of his right ear, though one of the rally-goers behind him was reportedly shot in the head and killed.
Everything is in a state of flux at this time and the story changes moment to moment. Trump appears to be OK, but I'm old enough to remember Reagan being shot. They thought he was OK until he coughed up blood.
I'm still dubious about Trump's ability to win the election given the intense institutional and self-imposed headwinds he faces, but, given the optics, I do suspect this incident is unlikely to add measurably to those headwinds.
The photo was taken by Evan Vucci
...this despite CNN's headline, still desperately trying for a "Biden vs the stairs" moment.
The combination of this manner of media coverage, with the reality that a candidate that many in the desperate, hurting half of the country see as some sort of savior was shot (and one of his supporters murdered) is not likely to calm the tensions this nation is under.
My fear is that someone will seek retribution. Be assured, THAT will not get diffident coverage. Once a nation goes tit-for-tat assassinations it goes into a dark place.
This happened less than an hour ago. We still don't know what we don't know.
So everybody stay safe.
And above all stay calm.
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July 07, 2024
Oh God...Is it Over? PLEASE LET IT BE OVER!1!!
***THIS IS IT!*** We're finally going to finish this sidequest in Sumeru...The "sidequest" that has taken us over 25 hours of stream time over the course of six streams! The "sidequest" that has the most unpronounceable names in all of Teyvat. Hell, we might even get to do something with regards to the main story quest. Join us for the fun, the accomplishment, the satisfaction, the absolute EXTACY of finally finishing this thing at 7:30pm EST/ 11:30pm UTC over at https://www.twitch.tv/brickmuppet
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06:20 PM
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July 04, 2024
Today More Than Usual
248 years ago a group of men gathered together in Philadelphia to declare their independence from the largest, most powerful empire the world had ever known, as well as set forth their reasons for doing so.
Despite their diverse backgrounds, (some were German descended, some Swedish, at least one of African ancestry, and some French and Spanish), they were, in effect, fighting for the rights of Englishmen, against what they saw as a despotic German king. (The fact that George the 3rd, whose grandfather had been brought in from Germany due to an unlikely series of events following the despotism of the Commonwealth was actually just suffering from dementia was unknown to them, but that does have a certain bitterly amusing relevance today.)
After nearly a decade of struggle, against impossible odds, with help from foreign powers and their own unbridled determination they achieved an imperfect, but ultimately impressive and somewhat happy conclusion. This is not the norm for such affairs as they often tend to turn the lands they transpire in into abattoirs.
This latter is a lesson we should heed for our current circumstances bear less in common with the demands of those products of The Enlightenment, who were affronted by the trampling of their natural rights, than another similar struggle that happened a few years later.
In that instance an arrogant and spiteful aristocracy, imbued with a sense of their moral superiority and right to rule, tormented their social inferiors , rendering them destitute and keeping them down through a combination of aristocratic contempt, provincial ignorance, indifference and, occasionally, pure sadism. Such an environment breeds not magnanimity and justice, but bitterness and resentment. Movements based upon the latter tend to go to very dark places indeed, as the French revolution so effortlessly morphed into The Terror, much like the Russian upheaval of 128 years later that crushed, raped and strangled the soul of that benighted land.
These are lessons that should be noted and learned from, especially as people who are indeed hurting and even have just grievances make desperate pronouncements and L.A.R.P. intensely online. They seem to think that the outcome of such an affair will ultimately end as happily as our secession from England did.
That unusually benign result was a bizarre historical anomaly, depending on a literate and ethical cadre of revolutionaries and no small amount of fortuitous providence. It is an extreme rarity in the grand tapestry of human history. Remember that well as times become dark.
Remember all that especially today and appreciate the wisdom, fortitude and good fortune of those who, 248 years ago, signed the document that resides below this post's 'fold'.
Also: Have a happy fourth.
more...
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July 03, 2024
Well. Happy July 3rd
This is a bit sobering.
Rudyard occasionally has some very hot takes, but his ideas are always interesting. Nick Freitas serves in the Virginia House of Delegates and also hosts a very thoughtful & literate channel on You Tube. Today they talk about...suboptimal political scenarios.
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04:06 PM
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June 20, 2024
This Time Fer Sure!
Tonight, join us at 10:00pm EST/02:00am UTC as we join several other cool streamers in what promises to be an action packed Zomboid stream as we.... RETURN TO KINGSMOUTH....we were not able to clear or loot this location last week as we encountered one of the most challenging scenarios the group has ever encountered in the zombpocalypse. This place is absolutely PACKED with the living dead and we're going back tonight so grab a drink and a snack sit down, point, laugh, and get ready for mayhem, because this promises to be a lot of fun....or very tragic....or both. https://www.twitch.tv/brickmuppet
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June 19, 2024
Frieren : Beyond Journey's End
Anime, especially Fantasy Anime, has seemingly devolved into a morass of formulaic, trope-ridden cliche' buffets, and isekai stories that are little more than horny-N.E.E.T. affirmation fantasies. Frieren is one of those shows that really brings this unpleasant fact home as it demonstrates quite convincingly that the vast majority of shows are utter garbage...by comparison.
This show is thoughtful, exceedingly human, and quite genre-savvy, touching on concepts often talked about in the fantasy genre but seldom explored.
Frieren is an elven mage, over 1,000 years old, who joined a party of misfit adventurers on their way to travel to the dark lands and defeat the demon lord....basically the plot of every fantasy anime ever....except that this story begins as they are being welcomed home from their journey and honored for their success in ridding the world of the threat. As the night wears on a meteor shower that only happens about every 50 years occurs and the Emperor of the land they saved takes it as a sign, proclaiming the beginning of a new golden age. Frieren is unimpressed with the view, noting that she knows of a far more spectacular place to view the heavenly spectacle, one that is only a weeks travel away. Himmel, the leader of the victorious party of heroes notes that the meteor shower is a one night affair. Frieren, confused, explains that she was offering to take them all to the far better location when the meteor shower arrives again in 50 years, and seems perplexed at her companions reaction.
50 years later, Frieren the Elf keeps her promise, setting in motion a journey of understanding and discovery both for her, her companions and others whose lives she touches over the next few years...
This is a wonderful series that explores the meaning of heroism, virtue as well as both the pain and importance of loss. Elves great lifespans give them a vastly different outlook from the other races, and Frieren's is more different than most as she seems to actually be slightly autistic. She is definitely suffering from PTSD. She has to overcome, or at least account for her neurodivergence, inner demons, and her completely different perspective as she pulls together and mentors a new band of adventurers on a journey of discovery, whimsy, as well as peril, for while the lord of darkness may be gone, the world is not without danger.
This story is brilliantly paced and has some of the best character development and exposition I've seen in years. It brings laughter, heartbreak, and thrills in equal measure and is one of the most satisfying shows I've seen hands down. In any other show this elf girl would be a Mary Sue as the sheer depth and breadth of the experience mean that she is amazingly OP. Yet Frieren also has much to overcome and the story is as much about those who she mentors and those who mentored her. (This has a surprisingly ensemble cast). There was one point in the show that I dropped it for a bit. In this case it APPEARED that it had gone full Shonen and devolved into a tournament arc. In fact it kind of does. But it does so very well, in a way that both provides exposition and subverts expectations...but not in a Ryan Johnson way, in a very good way.
This show is excellent, my only complaint is that it ended. The ending is quite open ended and given the existence of vast story material in the manga as well as it's excellent ratings in Japan I'm huffing the hopium that this will not be the end of this wonderful show.
In the meantime, I would strongly advise anyone who has not seen it to do so. It was fantastic.
5 bricks out of 5.
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08:27 AM
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Truly Ominous Portents
Two You-Tubers have a rational, well reasoned, and polite discussion of current gender issues.
This is surely a sign of the end times.
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June 14, 2024
It's Movie Night!
Tonight at 7:30pm EST / 11:30pn UTC we'll be doing a collaboration with Hyasynth Live as we show the 1919 film The Lost Battalion. This silent classic covers the true story of the "Lost Batallion" of World War One and thE amazing tale of their survival and victory. As well as the story of the carrier pigeon credited with the unit's salvation. The film stars actual survivors of the battle playing themselves and is a very unique cinematic achievement.
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06:07 PM
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June 07, 2024
We're Back!
Well. We're out of the hospital and streaming again! Last night's Zomboid stream was....scuff....So join us at 7:30pm EST/ 11:30 UTC as we do a test stream to ensure that everything is working now. We will also resume playing Genshin and do some dailys and search for the plot. Come by for the scuff, stay for the cringe at https://kick.com/brickmuppet and https://www.twitch.tv/brickmuppet
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06:15 PM
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June 03, 2024
Knee-Deep in the Rubicon
Well, this is one of those posts that I've tried to type several times but it just gets me depressed and afraid.
I've noted before my misgivings about Trump. However, if one wants to beat him, one needs to make the case, to the American people.
Given Trumps manifest flaws, that ought not to be hard.
Simply ask"Are you better off now than you were....."
Oh.
I guess it IS hard. Golly!
Well, one still needs to make the case.
That's not what the Democrats are doing.
They are trying to take out the front-runner in the current election by lawfare in the manner of a Banana Republic.
This is particularly galling as, despite the chants of "Lock her UP!" Hillary was shown considerable magnanimity, despite claiming for 4 years that her election was stolen by Russia and in spite of the fact that the charges against her credible, easy to understand, already proven, and were quite clearly done with malice aforethought.
Trumps charges on the other hand seem to be pretty much Bullshit.
Yet he is going to be sentenced Next Month, quite possibly to prison. greatly handicapping his ability to run for office. I noted this in my Myriad Misgivings About Trump post noted above, but I had assumed that they'd find something legitimate, not have a Judge instruct a jury that they need not agree on a crime, and scream at a witness who brought exculpatory evidence.
The full horror of this verdict and the bizarre, Frankinsinian nature of the case is pointed out eloquently in this post by a PHD in Statistical Genetics who is not a Trump fan but is horrified by the potential death of the Republic.
"Such drama!"
"Death of the republic" sounds absurd to people who have lived in the firstiest of first world countries all their lives, and never seen what happens when a nation's politics becomes a blood sport. Surly it would have seemed absurd to the citizens of Rome, who had been franchised members of a republic in its 482nd year that the splashes in a small estuary on the west coat if Italy could bring that Institution to an end.
Caesars crossing of the Rubicon came about in part because politics in Rome had devolved into lawfare. Caesar (and Sulla before him) were caught in legal traps by their political opponents that had the potential to invoke financial ruin or death. Both men decided to take control rather than turn themselves in. These two fiascoes destroyed the institutions that held the Republic together. It could only be run by force after that.
What we have seen with Trump in New York has the potential to become precedent and that precedent plays out every day in many of the less fortunate countries around the world, where the loss of power is likely to come with legal troubles, imprisonment and/or death. Such an arrangement is not conducive to anything other than dystopia.
So:
What do we do?
I have no idea.
I have a degree in history. Countries that go down this path go to dark places. Those that have done so and been consequential enough to have major international rivals tend to exist only in history books.
There's more on the specifics of the situation as it stands now from a former Hillary voter who has been both Red and Black Pilled. He doesn't offer any solutions other than "Give money to Trump and pray" But, it's a very good overview from someone far to the left of me politically.
Newt Gingrich...(who is not looking well) has some thoughts. Some thoughts are funny, some are terrifying, but he does give a good presentation on what needs to be done, (less on HOW to do it)
We are on the brink of something REALLY bad.
We've been so comfortable for so long that most cannot conceive of it.
We don't HAVE TO tread down that path.
But we have to know we're on the path; that we might leave it before we no longer can.
UPDATE: More thoughts on the larger matter from one of the most impressive women of our age. This piece dovetails more closely with this recent post, but says everything that post did, better.
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Status
Sorry, still under the weather.
more...
Banality is below the fold.
Here is an example of....uh....WHAT IS EVEN HAPPENING!?
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06:05 AM
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June 01, 2024
Ow
Thursday night I was feeling pretty crappy. I'd had dental work done and had been up 27 hrs. However, as the night wore on I developed a high fever and began to feel even worse. I am , at the moment, deathly ill. I was in the hospital Friday morning. It turns out that that the antibiotics they injected me with for a week did not QUITE get at the problem, and when I finished the oral antibiotics this week the infection came right back. I'm on VERY strong antibiotics now that make me sick and give me headaches and nausea. I don't think I'll be streaming any time soon.
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07:15 AM
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