Tlon_Uqbar's recent activity
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Comment on A24 acquires Darren Aronofsky’s first film ‘Pi,’ sets IMAX re-release on Pi Day in ~movies
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Comment on Join the Counterforce: Thomas Pynchon’s postmodern epic Gravity’s Rainbow at fifty in ~books
Tlon_Uqbar Link ParentFirst off, I want to say that my original comment was more about the opening to the article you shared, not your SS. You're bringing a lot of thought and nuance up against what was a one-sided...First off, I want to say that my original comment was more about the opening to the article you shared, not your SS. You're bringing a lot of thought and nuance up against what was a one-sided thought dump from me. I agree with what you're saying!
I think I might really have more of a problem with the specific words "difficult" and "challenging," implying that a book is—well—a challenge or difficulty to be overcome. There are just better, more descriptive ways to talk about books. Gravity's Rainbow is thematically dense, allusive, the writing syntactically complex. Setting people's expectations is good, I feel you. But I think there are better ways of setting those expectations outside of the discourse of "difficulty." Basically, as a lover of Pynchon and a lot of so-called "difficult" literature, I want more people to be reading this stuff!
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Comment on Join the Counterforce: Thomas Pynchon’s postmodern epic Gravity’s Rainbow at fifty in ~books
Tlon_Uqbar LinkGravity's Rainbow is by far my favorite novel, and the (very generous) gift from my wife of a first edition is one of my prized possessions. This is a great article laying out why the book is...Gravity's Rainbow is by far my favorite novel, and the (very generous) gift from my wife of a first edition is one of my prized possessions.
This is a great article laying out why the book is (still) so important, and—maybe more importantly—just damn good fun cover to cover.
The one thing I'll say, is that I'm usually pretty put off by discussions of books' "difficulty." I always feel there's a kind of machismo to those discussions. As in, "I read the 'difficult' book and that makes me oh so smart." I feel that it puts people off reading books that they are very much capable of reading, books they would get a whole lot out of. Gravity's Rainbow is one of those books. Anyone can read it, even if you don't understand every single line (I certainly didn't). I feel like calling a book "difficult" doesn't add anything. (/rant)
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Comment on I’m a Luddite. You should be one too in ~tech
Tlon_Uqbar LinkThomas Pynchon wrote a very similar piece for the NYTimes all the way back in 1984: Is It Okay to Be a Luddite He was more optimistic back then about the potential for digital technologies to...Thomas Pynchon wrote a very similar piece for the NYTimes all the way back in 1984: Is It Okay to Be a Luddite
He was more optimistic back then about the potential for digital technologies to remain democratic. Of course, we know now that Capitalism finds a way, and it's good to have reminders like this newer piece. -
Comment on What is your opinion of snuff tobacco? in ~hobbies
Tlon_Uqbar LinkA long while ago (like over a decade), snuff piqued my interest and I ended up buying a couple of tins, which turned out to be way too much and lasted for years. I definitely enjoy the aroma of...A long while ago (like over a decade), snuff piqued my interest and I ended up buying a couple of tins, which turned out to be way too much and lasted for years. I definitely enjoy the aroma of tobacco and I found that I really did like the "good burn" of doing snuff.
I feel like nicotine just doesn't affect me all that much, because I have never felt a strong addiction to any type of tobacco (and not for lack of trying). Still, I ended up cutting way down on my snuff consumption over the years. It dries out your nostrils, sinuses and back of your throat, even if you're consuming it correctly. And—this is pretty gross—it will give you some really nasty boogers if you consume it regularly. Despite being "safer" than other types of tobacco, your nose still isn't really designed to ingest foreign organic material, it turns out.
Still, I keep a tin around in my desk drawer for the very occasional opportunity I take to do some snuff. Goes great with whisky or other dark liquors. Personally, I like a strong scotch snuff to get that really pleasurable burn. -
Comment on Looking for lessons in the ‘She Said’ box-office beatdown in ~movies
Tlon_Uqbar LinkAnecdotal, but I've not heard of this movie until just now. Maybe the marketing wasn't as successful as this piece assumes it was?Anecdotal, but I've not heard of this movie until just now. Maybe the marketing wasn't as successful as this piece assumes it was?
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Comment on <deleted topic> in ~tech
Tlon_Uqbar LinkI'm going to throw out a recommendation for BenQ monitors. They're typically a little cheaper than Acer, Asus, other quality monitor brands. But they have the stuff you want: high-quality,...I'm going to throw out a recommendation for BenQ monitors. They're typically a little cheaper than Acer, Asus, other quality monitor brands. But they have the stuff you want: high-quality, factory-calibrated IPS screens.
I'm editing on a 25'' 1440p BenQ monitor, and I'm more than satisfied with it. (Granted I'm editing FHD not 4K, but I assume they make 4k monitors if that's what you really need/want.) -
Comment on What's a great recipe with sardines? in ~food
Tlon_Uqbar LinkI've made this recipe with canned sardines a few times and it's really easy and quite delicious Ingredients: 4 thick slices crusty sourdough bread 1 garlic clove, halved Softened butter, as needed...I've made this recipe with canned sardines a few times and it's really easy and quite delicious
Ingredients:
- 4 thick slices crusty sourdough bread
- 1 garlic clove, halved
- Softened butter, as needed
- 1 large ripe tomato, thinly sliced
- 1 can sardines (6 to 7 ounces), deboned if you like
- ¼ small sweet or red onion, thinly sliced
- Extra-virgin olive oil, for drizzling
- Fresh lemon juice, to taste
- Flaky sea salt
- Coarsely ground black pepper
- Fresh basil leaves, torn (optional)
Steps:
- Toast the bread under a broiler (on both sides) or in the toaster.
- While the toast is still warm, immediately rub it (aggressively!) with the cut side of the garlic clove, then spread toast generously with butter. Top butter with tomato slices and lightly salt them.
- Top tomatoes with sardines and then onion slices. Drizzle with olive oil and lemon juice, then season with more salt and pepper. Garnish with basil if you like and serve immediately.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Tlon_Uqbar LinkI've been playing a lot of Shin Megami Tensei V, and having a really good time with it. I've dipped my toes into SMT games, mostly through Persona. But I also played SMT IV, which I really wanted...I've been playing a lot of Shin Megami Tensei V, and having a really good time with it. I've dipped my toes into SMT games, mostly through Persona. But I also played SMT IV, which I really wanted to like, but the erratic difficulty curve and frustrating RNG made me give up. SMT V is more forgiving while still feeling like a hefty challenge. They did a superb job in balancing it. The art direction in all of the games is killer, and I love playing any RPG that's not in a typical high and/or dark fantasy setting. Amazing music, as well, so much so that my typically not-interested-enough-in-games-to-care girlfriend commented on how cool the music is.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Tlon_Uqbar Link ParentZachtronic games are incredible. You're right, they're super addicting, but I also feel like I'm using my brain with them instead of being passive. That makes me feel somewhat better. TIS-100 is...Zachtronic games are incredible. You're right, they're super addicting, but I also feel like I'm using my brain with them instead of being passive. That makes me feel somewhat better.
TIS-100 is my personal favorite. It's the purest instance of 'I-can't-believe-it's-not assembly language' gameplay, as in you are actually programming limited 'CPUs' that are 'hooked together in a network'. Basically it's a gamified Little Man Computer. Highly recommended. -
Comment on How Covid shook the US: Eight charts that capture the last two years in ~health
Tlon_Uqbar LinkRandom question I got from this: Why was mining and logging hit so hard? Other sectors it makes intuitive sense why they lost jobs. But I'm not seeing the mining and logging connection.Random question I got from this:
Why was mining and logging hit so hard?
Other sectors it makes intuitive sense why they lost jobs. But I'm not seeing the mining and logging connection. -
Comment on What really happened during the 2003 blackout? in ~science
Tlon_Uqbar LinkI very distinctly remember this. Lost power for 8-10 hours in the New York suburbs. Pretty crazy to walk outside and see wilderness-level darkness in my ho-hum neighborhood.I very distinctly remember this. Lost power for 8-10 hours in the New York suburbs. Pretty crazy to walk outside and see wilderness-level darkness in my ho-hum neighborhood.
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Comment on Where do I start with _____? in ~talk
Tlon_Uqbar Link ParentSweet, both look like great stuff. Thanks!Sweet, both look like great stuff. Thanks!
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Comment on Where do I start with _____? in ~talk
Tlon_Uqbar LinkWhere do I start with electronics? My GF got me a "build your own game console" maker kits, which was basically a PCB and a bunch of components to solder onto it (and instructions of course). I...Where do I start with electronics?
My GF got me a "build your own game console" maker kits, which was basically a PCB and a bunch of components to solder onto it (and instructions of course). I built it and, hey hey, the thing actually worked.I'm interested into diving more into building electronics, but looking where to start obviously. Kits are cool I guess, but I think I'd be more interested in a simple project that would teach me more about the nitty-gritty of designing/building electronics. The kit I made was more "solder this resister here, and then this capacitor there," etc. I want to start learning about electronic design and engineering so I could eventually make my own gizmos or hack more complex electronics.
I have a couple of desktop synths, so I was thinking about something music related. But I'm not sure what would be a very novice project to start with.
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Comment on Do you wear a non-smartwatch? If so, what do you have? in ~hobbies
Tlon_Uqbar Link ParentYeah, I feel myself teetering on the edge of the rabbit hole that is vintage watches. The rational part of my brain is saying no, but the lover-of-shiny-things part of my brain is giving an...Yeah, I feel myself teetering on the edge of the rabbit hole that is vintage watches. The rational part of my brain is saying no, but the lover-of-shiny-things part of my brain is giving an enthusiastic yes.
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Comment on Do you wear a non-smartwatch? If so, what do you have? in ~hobbies
Tlon_Uqbar LinkA Raketa Big Zero that I ordered off of eBay just arrived yesterday from Ukraine. I'm not a collector, but I really liked the look of it, and they go for pretty cheap, so I pulled the trigger....A Raketa Big Zero that I ordered off of eBay just arrived yesterday from Ukraine. I'm not a collector, but I really liked the look of it, and they go for pretty cheap, so I pulled the trigger. It's my first manual watch, winding it and hearing it tick is pretty fun.
I have a couple other fairly cheap watches: a Ted Baker (don't remember the model) and a Casio A168. All chosen for aesthetics and the fact that they don't cost a fortune. I just like the look of a watch as an accessory and have been wearing one for most of my life. Plus I find it easier to check the time on a wristwatch over looking at a phone, with the bonus of having fewer distractions in the form of push notifications.
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Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Tlon_Uqbar LinkNot exactly answering the question, but I spent some time last weekend modding my arcade stick (the 8BitDo Arcade Stick). Added Sanwa buttons with concave caps (cuz that's what I like) in a Super...Not exactly answering the question, but I spent some time last weekend modding my arcade stick (the 8BitDo Arcade Stick). Added Sanwa buttons with concave caps (cuz that's what I like) in a Super Famicom color scheme, and put an 8-way gate into the stick (stock one works well enough for me).
Mostly use the stick for shmups, and put in a good session of ESP Ra.De. which is what I've been focussing on recently in the shooter department. I'm a big fan of Cave shooters. What I like about bullet hell is the way they force you into a state of flow. It's relaxing almost? Or maybe more accurately, they force you to drop away distractions, worries, life, literally everything else on your mind that's not trying not to get hit in the game.
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Comment on What do you collect? in ~hobbies
Tlon_Uqbar LinkI primary collect records, LPs mostly, but I've been trying to dip my toes into 45s more lately. Been doing it for a long time (since high school), so my collection is pretty eclectic at this...I primary collect records, LPs mostly, but I've been trying to dip my toes into 45s more lately. Been doing it for a long time (since high school), so my collection is pretty eclectic at this point as my tastes have changed over the years. Mostly focus on Jazz LPs these days, and hopped onto the City Pop/Japanese AOR/Fusion wave that's been cresting for the past few years, but I think I've tapped that latter well dry at this point (for what I like, at least).
I try not to get too precious about finding the original/desirable pressing and having perfect sleeve condition. I'd rather have an ugly/damaged sleeve with the record in playable condition than have nothing at all. Still, I've acquired a few gems over the years, and that's definitely fun.
Times are changing (for the better in this case!), so more and more "rare groove" music is available digitally or even streaming or YouTube (which is a surprisingly good resource for rare records, if you just want to listen). But what I always liked about record collecting is finding those rare gems that only exist on vinyl: finding something beautiful and unique but forgotten.
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Comment on What do you collect? in ~hobbies
Tlon_Uqbar Link ParentI bought a Yashicamat, my first TLR, last year, and I've been having a blast shooting with it. I'm with you that it feels kind of wrong to collect machines and then have them sit unused. The...I bought a Yashicamat, my first TLR, last year, and I've been having a blast shooting with it. I'm with you that it feels kind of wrong to collect machines and then have them sit unused. The pleasure, for me at least, is experiencing the ingenuity and build quality of the cameras hands-on by, you know, using them for the purpose they were built.
I collect records, as well, and I feel the same way: I don't really understand acquiring a record and then never listening to it (or even opening the shrink wrap). What's the point?
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Comment on Trump blog page shuts down for good in ~tech
Tlon_Uqbar Link ParentBreitbart lost something like 90% of its advertisers after a boycott sometime soon after the 2016 election. They didn't have the money anymore to keep up with the algo changes. I used to work for...Breitbart lost something like 90% of its advertisers after a boycott sometime soon after the 2016 election. They didn't have the money anymore to keep up with the algo changes.
I used to work for a clickbait website. It takes resources to keep up with the social algorithm cat-and-mouse game, but it's definitely possible to pivot and stay afloat. What I mean to say is, a driven bad actor (or actors) could likely still game the feeds as well as the "fake news" tsunami in 2015-16, despite the small efforts Facebook and Twitter have made.
Love that they're bringing a film famous for being shot in extra-grainy, overly-contrasty black and white to IMAX. Each film grain will be the size of your fist! Ridiculous and fun.