Dustfinger's recent activity
-
Comment on New Music Fridays: Kacey Musgraves, Four Tet, Tierra Whack and more in ~music
-
Comment on What is your favorite type(s) of cheese? in ~food
Dustfinger LinkI'm just about finished Dan Saladino's Eating to Extinction, and he dedicated an entire section to cheese! I don't think I have a favorite, but thanks to that book I now want to try cheeses not...I'm just about finished Dan Saladino's Eating to Extinction, and he dedicated an entire section to cheese! I don't think I have a favorite, but thanks to that book I now want to try cheeses not made with starter cultures but instead with native molds. The descriptions Saladino provides in his book are mouth watering to say the least.
-
Comment on The Game Awards 2023 nominations in ~games
Dustfinger LinkI haven't been gaming much this year as pretty much all my leisure time has been spent on TTRPGs, but I thought it notable that every single nomination for GOTY and many of the other categories...I haven't been gaming much this year as pretty much all my leisure time has been spent on TTRPGs, but I thought it notable that every single nomination for GOTY and many of the other categories were sequels. Don't get me wrong, every game on that list deserves the praise, but they're also all iterative.
-
Comment on Tildes' 2023 Backlog Burner: The blaze has ignited! in ~games
Dustfinger LinkThis is so cool! A great excuse to dive into some of the games I've never played in my library and knock out a few . Decided to try out the Bingo card and got La Mulana like everyone else. I guess...This is so cool! A great excuse to dive into some of the games I've never played in my library and knock out a few
to make room for new ones. Decided to try out the Bingo card and got La Mulana like everyone else. I guess this is the year!Bingo! You can complete in only a few hours You regret buying it From a series you’ve never played You got it on sale Owned for more than five years Arcade game Has number somewhere in the title La Mulana, you wuss From a studio you haven't heard of before You paid full price for it Part of a trilogy Has the letter X somewhere in its title ★ Owned for more than two years You own on physical media Considered a “disappointment” Came out more than 5 years ago You have to tinker in order to get it running Owned for more than four years Came out more than 15 years ago Has punctuation somewhere in its title Has one-word title You've been meaning to go back to You can save/pet/care for animals You wanted to play it when you were younger but never did -
Comment on Video game voice actors are ready to strike over AI in ~games
Dustfinger Link ParentWhile I agree that this is the correct and hopeful line of thinking, AI is not being bent toward those otherwise defunct jobs. The OP is talking about AI replacing voice actors, a job many people...While I agree that this is the correct and hopeful line of thinking, AI is not being bent toward those otherwise defunct jobs. The OP is talking about AI replacing voice actors, a job many people aspire to and one that takes a high degree of skill and training to do well. And obviously VAs aren't alone in being threatened by this new technology.
If you look at AIs proposed use cases in the last year, you'll see it's primarily in the arts. Software like Midjourney threatens career artists and illustrators, even photographers; ChatGPT can write novels, poetry, and academic papers (albeit not well); AI can modulate and mimic voices. Society and legislators are allowing entertainment companies to use this tech to cut the most expensive aspects of their budget, the creative jobs that people actually do want to do, and if we assume a capitalist viewpoint, of course they would. It makes the most financial sense!
I would love to see the supermarket register replaced with an AI, or toll booth operators, or any number of jobs like that, but frankly the labour is likely just too cheap to replace with an expensive machine. In the mean time, why should we let AI make art and write poetry while we're stuck in the monotonous jobs? At the risk of hyperbolising: shall we send AI to the beach next weekend, while we work to pay for its vacation? Perhaps AI would like to sip a latte in a nice cafe while it works? It's silly, but isn't that kind of what's happening now?
-
Comment on What have you been watching / reading this month? (Anime/Manga) in ~anime
Dustfinger Link ParentI read Claymore a long while back and it still hold a special place in my heart. I think at the time it was being published monthly, so once I'd caught up it became very hard to keep up and...I read Claymore a long while back and it still hold a special place in my heart. I think at the time it was being published monthly, so once I'd caught up it became very hard to keep up and remember the story between chapters. I expect it's finished now, so probably a good time to pick it back up again! Thanks for reminding me of it's existence.
-
Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
Dustfinger Link ParentI'm always on the look out for new stuff, so I'd love if you shared :)I'm always on the look out for new stuff, so I'd love if you shared :)
-
Comment on What are some foods you really like, from countries not well known for great cuisine? in ~food
Dustfinger LinkI have a lot of fun with Middle-eastern dishes, and love the flavour combinations in a lot of the North African foods. I just bought a huge bag of rep peppers and plan on making muhammara in the...I have a lot of fun with Middle-eastern dishes, and love the flavour combinations in a lot of the North African foods. I just bought a huge bag of rep peppers and plan on making muhammara in the next couple days.
-
Comment on What is something someone has said that stuck with you? in ~life
Dustfinger Link ParentI hadn't heard that full version, but as someone a little esoterically inclined I quite like it! Funny how collective consciousness can so easily twist sayings towards new meanings.I hadn't heard that full version, but as someone a little esoterically inclined I quite like it! Funny how collective consciousness can so easily twist sayings towards new meanings.
-
Comment on What is something someone has said that stuck with you? in ~life
Dustfinger LinkI'm not sure if I've ever had someone say exactly this to me, but "distinguish between family and relatives." At the end of the day, the people you're related to by blood are individuals in their...I'm not sure if I've ever had someone say exactly this to me, but "distinguish between family and relatives." At the end of the day, the people you're related to by blood are individuals in their own right, and there's no guarantee that you're going to get along with them. It's good to keep things peaceful but I don't believe it's necessary to be extremely close with all of ones relatives. Additionally, I've actually become much closer with people I'm not related to, more in line with the "found family" concept.
If others has differing perspectives or have found themselves in a similar mindset I'd be interested in talking about it.
-
Comment on What is something someone has said that stuck with you? in ~life
Dustfinger Link ParentI've taken that last sentiment and often say it as "finished, not perfect." For whatever reason there have been times when I've been working on a project and try to do it perfectly, even when I...I've taken that last sentiment and often say it as "finished, not perfect." For whatever reason there have been times when I've been working on a project and try to do it perfectly, even when I can't. It's been helpful to tell myself "finished, not perfect" just so I can wrap it up and move on without agonizing too much over the details.
-
Comment on What games have you been playing, and what's your opinion on them? in ~games
Dustfinger LinkDark Souls III: Been enjoying just casually exploring the world around Lothric Castle at my own pace until recently. Weirdly, a new friend took me through the Cathedral of the Deep really quickly,...Dark Souls III: Been enjoying just casually exploring the world around Lothric Castle at my own pace until recently. Weirdly, a new friend took me through the Cathedral of the Deep really quickly, showing me all the secrets, and it kinda killed a little of my interest. I think I was just having a good time with the discovery aspect of the game, so I expect I'll try to complete rest on my own if I can. I'm fighting my way to the Cinder Lake crossbow next, then I can try to take out the big worm thing.
-
Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Dustfinger Link ParentWhat manner of fantasy is it? I find myself much more drawn to sword and sorcery stories lately, rather than high magic fantasy but the way you describe it has me intrigued.What manner of fantasy is it? I find myself much more drawn to sword and sorcery stories lately, rather than high magic fantasy but the way you describe it has me intrigued.
-
Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
Dustfinger LinkI've just finished The Death of Vivek Oji by Ekweke Emezi and started Eating to Extinction by Dan Saladino. I came on to Emezis work first through PET years ago, which is targeted more at young...I've just finished The Death of Vivek Oji by Ekweke Emezi and started Eating to Extinction by Dan Saladino.
I came on to Emezis work first through PET years ago, which is targeted more at young adult readers but is still very worth your time. Vivek is very adult by comparison, but it's also extremely intimate and sensual. The author highlights such minute details about their characters that give you this very physical, almost erotic feeling for them, from the way sweat mats their hair to the scents noticed in an embrace. On top, Emezi jumps along the timeline of the titular characters life (and death) and between the perspectives of both them and their close acquaintances without ever making you feel like you lost the plot. Instead I felt more like I was reading a mystery novel, slowly piecing together the who, what, and why and I got a clearer picture of who the characters really were. It was beautifully written novel and I absolutely recommend it. I think I'll look to read Freshwater from them next.
I've only just started reading Eating to Extinction but I like the premise a lot. As someone interested in the long term sustainability of agriculture, I have a feeling it will be full of important lessons on the necessity of diversity in what we grow and eat. I'm keen to see where it goes, but given it's size I do worry it might become tiresome around the middle. I suppose we'll see how much I'm able to get through!
-
Comment on The rediscovery of circadian rhythms in ~science
Dustfinger LinkThis was a great article,thanks for sharing! I don't think I have much to contribute, but I love that the author presented circadian rhythm as a mechanism that can be manipulated by its host....This was a great article,thanks for sharing!
I don't think I have much to contribute, but I love that the author presented circadian rhythm as a mechanism that can be manipulated by its host. Conscious utilisation opens the door to a lot of health benefits, it seems. I know I myself am very light-sensitive when it comes to sleep, unlike my partner, so I find myself naturally waking up once the sun tarts to come through my windows. I suppose I should try to be conscious of my routines after dark as well, and try to limit stimulation for better sleep.
-
Comment on Where can I see Hokusai's Great Wave today? in ~arts
Dustfinger LinkIf you're ever in Japan and around Ryōgoku, I highly recommend the Sumida Hokusai Museum. It has two permanent galleries: one of Hokusais work and another of his life. It also has a rotating...If you're ever in Japan and around Ryōgoku, I highly recommend the Sumida Hokusai Museum. It has two permanent galleries: one of Hokusais work and another of his life. It also has a rotating gallery, which was showing bird themed ukio-e paintings when I went in March.
Also if you go at the right time of year there'll be a sumo tournament at the budokan right next door!
-
Comment on Short (< 1 hour) 2-player games to play during lunch in ~games.tabletop
Dustfinger LinkI really like Skyline! It's very fast and a bunch of fun.I really like Skyline! It's very fast and a bunch of fun.
-
Comment on What are your favorite ways to cook eggplant or dishes containing eggplant? in ~food
Dustfinger Link ParentI literally made that mabo nasu recipe two nights ago and highly recommend it! I've yet to find a recipe on Justonecookbook that wasn't a hit, honestly. It's made living and cooking in Japan so...I literally made that mabo nasu recipe two nights ago and highly recommend it! I've yet to find a recipe on Justonecookbook that wasn't a hit, honestly. It's made living and cooking in Japan so much easier.
-
Comment on What's your favorite episode from Avatar: The Last Airbender? in ~tv
Dustfinger LinkThe Beach was fantastic. It came so close to humanising Azula, and really gaslights the viewer into liking her before pulling the rug out from under their feet. I remember feeling sympathy for her...The Beach was fantastic. It came so close to humanising Azula, and really gaslights the viewer into liking her before pulling the rug out from under their feet. I remember feeling sympathy for her the absolute shit-show of a childhood she had, and thinking the writers were planning a redemption arc for her. But then, that was never actually on the table.
-
Comment on Have we become programmed to be "too materialistic"? in ~talk
Dustfinger Link ParentLiving in Japan myself, I have to agree with you. One need only see the widespread popularity of gachapon or visit Harajuku and watch fans buy a hundred useless trinkets to see it. Even "regular"...Living in Japan myself, I have to agree with you. One need only see the widespread popularity of gachapon or visit Harajuku and watch fans buy a hundred useless trinkets to see it. Even "regular" folk are vulnerable to it. The mall near me is busting with shoppers nearly every day of the week. Materialism is very much alive and well in Japan, at least, much as it is in North America.
I've listened to Deeper Well three times through, maybe searching for something to love about it, and found myself humming a few songs on repeat. In particular Lonely Millionaire and Moving Out have stuck with me, and I love the concept and subject matter of Sway.
The standout to me, however, is Anime Eyes. It captures what I fell in love with from her earlier music like Dimestore Cowgirl and Family is Family: the fun, self-deprecating humour that made her stand out from other country artists. Also it's such a bold thing, I feel, to put a song like that on the album knowing how Out of genre it is. I always think of country as being old, and Anime Eyes introduces a level of anachronism I want expecting.