Latest

2025 Mid-year Media Log

One of my side-goals for the year was to try to remember the books I'd read, any video games I played, etc. I have more or less managed to do that, but not in any permanently organized place. So here, at the outset of July, is the Mid-year Log!

Busted! (2018) — Season 1 Review

Busted! has the organizational logic of a tabletop roleplaying game, whether it knows that or not...

Brindlewood Bay: The Gold Crown Con

One of my favorite developments in the TTRPG world over the past couple of years has been the maturation of the Carved from Brindlewood mystery-centric take on PbtA games. Of course, this inevitably meant that I would create my own scenario...

On the Impossibility of Landscapes

Impossible Landscapes is a large-scale campaign for the Delta Green role-playing game, written by Dennis Detwiller and published in 2021. This article is a short history of Carcosan roleplay, a review of said campaign, a manifesto, and a project announcement all bundled together.

Noted: Dark Ambient Vibes Season

I'm really vibing with this YouTube channel's drone-y, dark ambient vibes. Very relaxing and creatively refreshing for me right now, both of which I need. Eternal DystopiaCreator of dark ambient music.YouTube

Noted: We Keep Building The Cyberpunk

"Fans distraught because the AI girlfriend bot modeled on an influencer went offline after the AI Girlfriend Company CEO tried to burn his house down" 2023, man. Users Can’t Speak to Viral AI Girlfriend CarynAI Because CEO Is in Jail for Arson“CarynAI being down has really

On Curbing Pedestrian Deaths

In which an excellent op-ed by Jamelle Bouie prompts me to stake out my current baseline position in the War on Cars.

Noted: Memetic Warfare

Ukraine's official channels have proven very adept at crafting the narrative and occasionally indulging in more than a little bit of trolling: Things are only going to get worse for the occupiers. pic.twitter.com/yDIwtfZdqV — Defense of Ukraine (@DefenceU) September 24, 2023

Noted: Ukraine Over The Surovkin Line

Confirmation from Russian video sources that there is a mechanized breach. We'd seen infantry action over the main belt, but not vehicles. Based on a recently uploaded video by russians, it's evident that Ukrainian forces successfully penetrated the Surovikin Line and disembarked infantry beyond it. Satellite

Noted: A Historic First Tweet from the UAW President

I laughed, I did. Excellent work 😂 I just wanted to give a quick bargaining update pic.twitter.com/2uAj461Y6s — Shawn Fain (@ShawnFainUAW) September 19, 2023

Noted: Detroit Presses Ahead with LVT

Detroit's plan to replace regressive landlord-centric property taxes with an LVT that will spread the tax burden more fairly continues apace. You love to see Georgism on the move! Mayor Duggan Introduces Land Value Tax Plan to Cut Taxes for Homeowners, Hold Land Speculators Accountable and Spur Development

Noted: Xi Thought Comes to Blackrock

On the one hand, it is gross to make people study whatever cranked-out fever dreams your political leader comes up with, but on the other hand it's objectively funny to imagine western wall-street bankers having to devote hours a day to doing just that!

Noted: Willingham puts Fables into Public Domain

Willingham Sends Fables Into the Public DomainHere, below, is the press release I sent out today to explain what I did and why.These Foolish GamesBill Willingham 🔥🔥🔥 (Excellent commentary on his reasons and on DC Comics leadership.)

Noted: Pedestrian Fatalities

Lots of knee-jerk reactionary "it's smartphones" but... that dog don't hunt. I suspect this is distracted / inattentive / undertrained drivers coupled with the average vehicle now being more or less completely unsafe for those outside it.