Arlen's recent activity
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Comment on Disney’s boy trouble: studio seeks original IP to win back Gen-Z men amid Marvel, Lucasfilm struggles in ~movies
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Arlen LinkOblivion: Remastered They finally patched out a bug on the XBGP/PC version that was making me rebuild shaders every launch (timed it at about 11 minutes each launch), so I've been much more...Oblivion: Remastered
They finally patched out a bug on the XBGP/PC version that was making me rebuild shaders every launch (timed it at about 11 minutes each launch), so I've been much more willing to play. After finishing the Fighters' Guild quest line, I decided I was pretty much done so went to work on the main quest, but keep getting distracted from my goal.
"Oh, a neat portal on a mysterious new island?" oops, ended up doing the entire Shivering Isles DLC (although I did streamline the main quest line of that one).
Now, I've been approached by the Dark Brotherhood (not my fault! the game didn't flag an enemy as such, for some reason) and of COURSE I want that sweet sweet gear, so now I'm on a murdering spree across Cyrodiil. And since I am playing a sneaky archer (because of course I am), I'm thinking maybe I hit up the Thieves' Guild after this...
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Comment on I bought two hats! in ~life.style
Arlen Link ParentI think the term is 'fascinators,' which I only know from having some royal thing on the TV in the background ages ago https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/FascinatorI think the term is 'fascinators,' which I only know from having some royal thing on the TV in the background ages ago https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fascinator
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Comment on Alien: Earth | Official trailer in ~tv
Arlen Link ParentThe Terror (based on the Dan Simmons book of the same name) was an exceptional example, and could easily have been an Alien story with a couple of tweaks: a grounded - well, icebound - ship is...The Terror (based on the Dan Simmons book of the same name) was an exceptional example, and could easily have been an Alien story with a couple of tweaks: a grounded - well, icebound - ship is being stalked by some terrifying predator in the darkness, plus several other "man vs nature" things going on.
Ultimately I think the secret here is to make the xenomorph a sort of "wild card" while the characters are dealing with other problems. Have it do something early on so at least the characters are aware of it, and that way when it does finally come out of an air duct and bite through a dude, it's not some sort of diaboli ex machina, so to speak. Make it "Chekov's alien" rather than The Main Problem.
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Comment on Billions of AI users…? in ~tech
Arlen Link ParentI have mine set to "Computer," because I love Star Trek. This does have the unfortunate side-effect of it going absolutely berserk whenever I watch Star Trek.I have mine set to "Computer," because I love Star Trek. This does have the unfortunate side-effect of it going absolutely berserk whenever I watch Star Trek.
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Comment on ‘Superman’ faced major changes after test screenings — Reshoots, less humor, shorter runtime, new editor and composer in ~movies
Arlen Link ParentI've really enjoyed the new cartoon My Adventures With Superman - I think it manages to hit the tone just right while still being pretty funny. Superman needs a bit of levity, in my opinion. We've...I've really enjoyed the new cartoon My Adventures With Superman - I think it manages to hit the tone just right while still being pretty funny. Superman needs a bit of levity, in my opinion. We've seen what happens when we get a dark, gritty Superman (a la Man of Steel/BvS/Justice League) and while I still managed to find enjoyment in those movies, they're missing the wholesomeness that comes with a good Superman adaptation.
I think if Gunn went as funny with the original cut as he did with Guardians of the Galaxy, The Suicide Squad, or Peacemaker, trimming ~20 minutes of jokes could still manage to leave us with an uplifting movie that has a reasonable amount of laughs.
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Comment on Why do celebrities past their peak so desperately cling to fame? in ~talk
Arlen LinkYou are making an assumption here that they have a comfortable amount of money saved up - lots of people just aren't good at managing their money, and end up running out. I think this was more...You are making an assumption here that they have a comfortable amount of money saved up - lots of people just aren't good at managing their money, and end up running out. I think this was more common a few decades ago (at least, I heard about it more often then), but time was we'd constantly hear about former celebrities going broke.
There's also an assumption that they want to retire. Even just in my regular jobs, I've met plenty of people for whom retirement is tantamount to death. If they're not working, they feel they have no purpose. And for career celebrities, being the center of attention may be their only "professional skill," so to speak. I'd venture, too, that this happens more often for celebrities than us regular folk because the majority of us are working with retirement as the end goal, while they tend to get relegated into retirement. Don't get me wrong, some celebrities choose to retire, but so many actors just age out of their wheelhouse and are unable/unwilling to adapt to new roles, musicians' styles fall out of fashion, etc.
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Comment on Podcast recommendations thread in ~talk
Arlen LinkIt's relatively niche (Magic: the Gathering, specifically the Commander format), but it's the only podcast I listen to: The Howling Salt Mine. A group of friends who collect stories of salty (in...It's relatively niche (Magic: the Gathering, specifically the Commander format), but it's the only podcast I listen to: The Howling Salt Mine.
A group of friends who collect stories of salty (in the vein of, "upset when something doesn't go your way in a game") interactions at Magic tables across the world, read them out, and comment on them.
My description doesn't do it justice at all. The hosts are really fun to listen to, the stories are funny, and I get lots of deckbuilding ideas and strategy tips from it. If you're into Commander at all, it's really worth a listen.
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Comment on What's your quirk? in ~talk
Arlen Link ParentI was tickled to hear "cunning stunts" pop up during a cutscene in Final Fantasy 16. I gotta say, though, you made me say the "shower part" Spoonerism in my head to see what it was and got a solid...I was tickled to hear "cunning stunts" pop up during a cutscene in Final Fantasy 16. I gotta say, though, you made me say the "shower part" Spoonerism in my head to see what it was and got a solid laugh out of me.
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Comment on Predator: Badlands | Teaser trailer in ~movies
Arlen LinkSpoilers for the trailer I never watched the Alien vs Predator movies, but I am a huge fan of the Alien franchise. In a shot at around 25 seconds into the trailer, it looks like the human...Spoilers for the trailer
I never watched the Alien vs Predator movies, but I am a huge fan of the Alien franchise. In a shot at around 25 seconds into the trailer, it looks like the human protagonist is actually a Weyland-Yutani synthetic, which is a pretty cool crossover that isn't too heavy-handed. -
Comment on Confess your food crimes in ~food
Arlen Link ParentI came here to confess the crime of making carbonara with thick-cut bacon instead of guanciale and the first thing I see is this breach of the Geneva Convention (I can't wait to try it).carbonara with diced apples, maple bacon, and half hard cheddar/half maple apple Boursin cheese
I came here to confess the crime of making carbonara with thick-cut bacon instead of guanciale and the first thing I see is this breach of the Geneva Convention (I can't wait to try it).
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Comment on What are some good stories told from non-human perspectives? in ~books
Arlen Link ParentI've heard nothing but praise for A Fire Upon the Deep. I've tried to read it two or three times and bounced off hard. The last time was probably 15-20 years ago, so maybe it's time to give it...I've heard nothing but praise for A Fire Upon the Deep. I've tried to read it two or three times and bounced off hard. The last time was probably 15-20 years ago, so maybe it's time to give it another shot.
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Comment on Lilo & Stitch | Official trailer in ~movies
Arlen Link ParentBeauty and the Beast was pretty close to a 1 for 1 remake and it felt so very unnecessary (but I'll watch anything with Dan Stevens in it).Beauty and the Beast was pretty close to a 1 for 1 remake and it felt so very unnecessary (but I'll watch anything with Dan Stevens in it).
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Comment on (715) 999-7483 - A phone-powered multiplayer website builder in ~tech
Arlen Link ParentMaybe, but doubtful. If I were to guess, the model is just iterating a static site based on the prompts, and doesn't have access to any sort of database. You might be able to convince it to put...Maybe, but doubtful. If I were to guess, the model is just iterating a static site based on the prompts, and doesn't have access to any sort of database.
You might be able to convince it to put the text of the current (and maybe previous) prompts into the page, but it probably wouldn't update as new prompts come in.
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Comment on What works do you think should be added to the literary canon? in ~books
Arlen LinkUsing that reading plan as an example of a 'canon,' two books written by women that seem like glaring omissions are To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith....Using that reading plan as an example of a 'canon,' two books written by women that seem like glaring omissions are To Kill a Mockingbird by Harper Lee and A Tree Grows in Brooklyn by Betty Smith.
It does look like that list cuts off around the mid-late 1950s. I'm also not seeing much (any?) representation of science fiction, so at the very least H.G. Wells and Jules Verne deserve honorable mention. I'd also probably put The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy by Douglas Adams on there.
And ditto to the suggestion above of The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Whether you like it or not it's impossible to genuinely deny its influence over great swathes of popular media in the last half-century.
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Comment on Stretch My Time Off - Optimise your vacation days in ~life
Arlen Link ParentAs well as being able to block out non-optimized days you plan on taking off (i.e. trips for events like weddings, conventions, etc.).As well as being able to block out non-optimized days you plan on taking off (i.e. trips for events like weddings, conventions, etc.).
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Comment on Dystopian book recommendations in ~books
Arlen LinkI haven't read them in about 30 years, so maybe they're not as good as I remember, but I really enjoyed the Tripods series by John Christopher and I never hear anyone mention them anymore.I haven't read them in about 30 years, so maybe they're not as good as I remember, but I really enjoyed the Tripods series by John Christopher and I never hear anyone mention them anymore.
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Comment on Commander Brackets - beta test of a matchmaking system for assessing decks in ~games.tabletop
Arlen Link ParentIf I had to venture a guess as to why one and not the other, it's that a 1/1 creature has a lot more vulnerabilities than an enchantment. It also triggers a lot less frequently: a max of once per...If I had to venture a guess as to why one and not the other, it's that a 1/1 creature has a lot more vulnerabilities than an enchantment. It also triggers a lot less frequently: a max of once per turn per player, and only on non-creature spells, whereas Rhystic study is just happening constantly.
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Comment on What books do you recommend for someone looking for positive vibes or casual amusement or escape in ~books
Arlen LinkI've seen Terry Pratchett mentioned a couple of times so I'll drop the mandatory The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams. It's simultaneously silly and clever, while at the...I've seen Terry Pratchett mentioned a couple of times so I'll drop the mandatory The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series by Douglas Adams.
It's simultaneously silly and clever, while at the same time being a fantastic adventure across space and time. The characters are funny, the situations are funny, the writing is extremely funny, and the preposterous universe Adams builds throughout the books is wonderful to get lost in.
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Comment on What books do you recommend for someone looking for positive vibes or casual amusement or escape in ~books
Arlen Link ParentWatchmen is amazing. There's a reason it consistently ends up as the only comic book on "top sci-fi books of all time" lists. That reason is definitely not "positive vibes" though, so OP beware.Watchmen is amazing. There's a reason it consistently ends up as the only comic book on "top sci-fi books of all time" lists.
That reason is definitely not "positive vibes" though, so OP beware.
I have to take umbrage with dumping in "She-Hulk including twerking," since it was a throwaway post-credits gag. The way it's used is tantamount to complaining that Avengers was all about shawarma, especially when it's so often used as a predominant reason people (typically, people who never actually watched it) disliked the show.