I’ve been meaning to try that game where you play a hole that gets bigger by devouring everything.

Never listened to OA, but Strict Scrutiny is one I listen to for Supreme Court news and analysis.

Wasn’t there a super simple experiment where they threw rocks at a tub full of dust and no matter what shape rock they threw or what angle or how fast, it always left a circular impact crater?

Bone conduction headphones solve this problem.

What could possibly be the point of doing such a thing?

I wonder if he was trying to mate with the toilet.

Slightly less than one boob and one testicle. Just like the average person has slightly less than two legs.

It’s not enough to make money.

It’s not enough to make more money than last year.

You’ve got to make more money and at a faster rate of increase than last year, every single year, or else as far as the execs are concerned, you’re a fucking failure. Hence, everything getting worse, more expensive, and generally shittier all the time.

Everyone should read Motel of the Mysteries.

Or the fighter jets are piloted by teenaged schoolgirls.

Or the fighter jets are teenaged schoolgirls.

Even if they don’t have a nuke (and we assume they haven’t otherwise acquired one), does Iran have the materials to make a dirty bomb?

In all honesty, it seems like they’ve been trying to make 3D happen every ten to fifteen years since the 1950s. And they tried making VR a thing in the 80s and 90s, too until it went to sleep for a little while.

Think about the ways that information tech has revolutionized our ability to do things. It’s allowed us to do math, produce and distribute news and entertainment, communicate with each other, make our voices heard, organize movements, and create and access pornography at rates and in ways that humanity could only have dreamed of only a few decades ago.

Now consider that AI is first and foremost a technology predicated on reappropriating and stealing credit for another person’s legitimate creative work.

Now imagine how much of humanity’s history has had that kind of exploitation at the forefront of its worst moments, and consider what might lie ahead with those kind of impulses being given the rocket fuel of advanced information technology.

Here’s the thing:

The law, in its majestic equality, forbids rich and poor alike to sleep under bridges, to beg in the streets, and to steal their bread.

—Anatole France

1 moa (minute of audio in 128000 bps mp3)

Give me 320000 bps or give me death!

I like the ability to adjust playback speed. I listen to everything at 1.1 and it just feels like everyone tightened up their delivery a little bit and took out dead air. There was one podcast where the subject was interesting but the delivery was agonizingly slow, so I turned it all the way up to 1.5.

I’ve been playing Shattered Pixel Dungeon virtually every day for years, through I don’t know how many updates. I’m far from convinced that every run is winnable, but there are some patterns that I’ve observed.

Mage and Huntress seem to be my best classes. The Mage’s staff means that you are guaranteed to have something that’s worth upgrading. The Huntress’ bow and her special abilities like growing grass by walking can make for some truly interesting gameplay changes, whereas I feel like most of the other classes’ abilities are more about moderate improvements to quality of life.

A Ring of Haste is probably my favorite ring to find, since being able to kite monsters is a great path to victory. Tenacity, Elements, and Strength are boring. Wealth can be good if it comes upgraded, but I wouldn’t put scrolls into it. Evasion always seems to turn on me sooner or later. Energy and Arcana can improve quality of life but are otherwise pretty mid.

A Wand of Regrowth is almost always a path to victory, especially if it comes upgraded, doubly so if you become a Warden, and triply so if you can combine it with the Sandals of Regrowth.

A Wand of Blast Wave is incredibly useful when used to knock enemies off ledges or into traps, saving yourself the trouble of killing them.

Other wands are a super mixed bag, depending on what you can manage to do with them, but I’ll say that some of my most fun and successful runs are putting a Wand of Corruption into my Mage’s Staff and becoming a Corruption Battlemage. You whack an enemy, Amok him on his friends, then corrupt them, then rinse and repeat until you win.

I’ve already mentioned the Sandals, which I’d say are incredibly useful if you’ve got a Wand of Regrowth or a Blooming enchanted weapon, but are otherwise hard to keep getting enough fresh grass to make worthwhile. I think the Ethereal Chains and Hourglass are my favorite and most useful artifacts. Horn of Plenty is okay but not great, unless you can combine it with being filled by the Battlemage’s energy generating ability. Other artifacts are mid, but I’ll make a special mention of the Unstable Spellbook which seems to screw me as often as it helps and yet I can’t deny that I have a great time with the mayhem it adds to my run. The Alchemist’s Toolkit is terrible; I hope a future patch significantly alters or replaces it, because honestly why bother using it at all?

I think my favorite runs are Corruption Battlemage or a Sniper with a nicely upgraded Boomerang; I always get a lot of fun out of using the boomerangs.

There’s no end to the conversation but that’s all I’ve got for now. It’s far and away the most played game on my phone… possibly my most played game ever, measured by eternal hours. The publisher is an absolute treasure and he deserves all the praise and success in the world.

Sketch out a three film proposal for a trilogy of movies about how Hollywood is corrupted by its own hubris and greed, becomes convinced that it can use AI to replace human writers and actors, and eventually collapses and is replaced by a new and better movie making paradigm.

Title: “The Rise and Fall of Illusion”

Film 1: “Hubris Unleashed” Synopsis: In the first installment, Hollywood executives, driven by their insatiable greed and arrogance, become convinced that AI technology can revolutionize filmmaking. They start replacing human writers and actors with AI-generated content, leading to initial success and critical acclaim. However, cracks begin to appear as creative stagnation sets in, and audiences grow disillusioned with the soulless productions. The film ends with the industry at its zenith, but teetering on the brink of its own downfall due to its hubris.

Film 2: “The Age of Artificiality” Synopsis: As Hollywood doubles down on AI-driven filmmaking, tensions escalate between those clinging to the old ways and those embracing the new paradigm. The struggle intensifies as AI-generated content becomes increasingly indistinguishable from human creativity, blurring the lines between reality and illusion. Amidst mounting controversies and ethical dilemmas, the industry faces its greatest existential crisis yet, with the very essence of storytelling at stake.

Film 3: “Rebirth of Authenticity” Synopsis: In the final chapter, Hollywood reaches its breaking point as the flaws of its AI-driven model are exposed in a spectacular fashion. A grassroots movement emerges, championing human creativity and authenticity over artificial perfection. Against all odds, a group of renegade filmmakers and actors lead a revolution, reclaiming the industry from the grips of technology and corporate greed. As the dust settles, a new era of filmmaking dawns, one that celebrates the human spirit and embraces diversity of voices and ideas. The trilogy concludes with hope for a brighter future where artistry triumphs over algorithms, and the magic of cinema lives on.

Suggest a line of action figures based on the Rise and Fall of Illusion cinematic universe.

Title: “Legends of Illusion”

1. Hubris Heroes: This action figure set features iconic characters from the first film, “Hubris Unleashed,” including the arrogant Hollywood executives, the enigmatic AI creators, and the disillusioned writers and actors caught in the crossfire. Each figure comes with interchangeable accessories symbolizing their respective roles in the industry’s rise to power.

2. Artificial Avengers: Inspired by the second film, “The Age of Artificiality,” this action figure line showcases a diverse array of characters representing both proponents and opponents of AI-driven filmmaking. From rebellious filmmakers leading the charge for authenticity to cutting-edge AI algorithms with their own agendas, each figure is intricately detailed and highly poseable.

3. Rebel Renegades: Celebrating the heroes of the final installment, “Rebirth of Authenticity,” this action figure series honors the courageous individuals who stood up against the corrupted Hollywood regime. From charismatic actors turned revolutionaries to visionary directors leading the charge for change, each figure embodies the spirit of resilience and creativity that ultimately saved the industry.

4. Paradigm Shift Playset: Recreate pivotal scenes from the trilogy with this elaborate playset depicting the evolution of the cinematic landscape. From the opulent boardrooms of Hollywood’s elite to the gritty streets where grassroots movements took root, this playset offers endless storytelling possibilities for fans of all ages.

5. Illusionary Icons Collector’s Edition: This limited-edition action figure set pays homage to the most iconic characters and moments from the trilogy, featuring premium sculpting and detailing. Packaged in a deluxe display case, each figure is accompanied by a booklet exploring the behind-the-scenes secrets of the Rise and Fall of Illusion cinematic universe, making it a must-have for collectors and fans alike.

Suggest some limited edition Mountain Dew soda flavors based on the Rise and Fall of Illusion cinematic universe.

1. Hubris Haze: A bold fusion of citrus and tropical flavors, representing the intoxicating allure of Hollywood’s hubris. This limited edition Mountain Dew flavor captures the essence of ambition and excess, with a tantalizing blend that leaves you craving more.

2. Artificial Rush: Experience a surge of energy with this electrifying Mountain Dew flavor, infused with hints of synthetic sweetness and a burst of artificial adrenaline. Perfect for those moments when you need to stay one step ahead in the fast-paced world of AI-driven filmmaking.

3. Rebel Revolt: Break free from the norm with this rebellious Mountain Dew flavor, blending tangy rebellion with a hint of defiance. Inspired by the courage of those who dared to challenge the status quo, this limited edition soda is a refreshing reminder to embrace authenticity and individuality.

4. Paradigm Shift Spark: Ignite your taste buds with this revolutionary Mountain Dew flavor, featuring a dynamic mix of exotic fruits and unexpected twists. As the cinematic landscape undergoes a transformation, this soda mirrors the excitement and unpredictability of the changing times.

5. Illusionary Infusion: Delve into the depths of imagination with this mesmerizing Mountain Dew flavor, weaving together layers of mystery and intrigue. With every sip, you’ll be transported to a world where reality blurs and illusions reign supreme, leaving you craving more of the cinematic magic that inspired it.

Suggest a set of five different slogans for the Rise and Fall of Illusion cinematic universe.

1. “Witness the Rise, Feel the Fall: The Illusionary Saga Unfolds”
2. “From Hubris to Hope: The Epic Journey of Creativity vs. Technology”
3. “Unravel the Illusion: A Cinematic Universe Beyond Imagination”
4. “Where Dreams Collide and Realities Shatter: The Rise and Fall of Illusion”
5. “Experience the Rebirth: A New Era of Cinema Dawns in the Aftermath”