plutonic's recent activity
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Comment on Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ finally breaks Mariah Carey’s all-time record for weeks at US no. 1, eclipsing ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ in ~music
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Comment on Ella Langley’s ‘Choosin’ Texas’ finally breaks Mariah Carey’s all-time record for weeks at US no. 1, eclipsing ‘All I Want for Christmas Is You’ in ~music
plutonic Link ParentI came in here to make the same comment, never heard of this artist or song before. But then again I've also never heard a Taylor Swift song.... ever. It makes me pretty happy to know I can make...I came in here to make the same comment, never heard of this artist or song before. But then again I've also never heard a Taylor Swift song.... ever. It makes me pretty happy to know I can make myself this oblivious to pop music, it feels like it used to be unavoidable. Imagine never even hearing of Michael Jackson, it seems impossible.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic LinkFinished reading Mario Vargas Llosa's 'The Feast of the Goat' Published 2000. This is a great book that wasn't really for me. Too much dense politics and too detailed with too many characters. The...Finished reading Mario Vargas Llosa's 'The Feast of the Goat' Published 2000. This is a great book that wasn't really for me. Too much dense politics and too detailed with too many characters. The writing is top notch, great story telling. The story following the daughter who returns to the Dominican after 30 years to confront her father and family who were part of the fascist regime was the most human story of the novel and the best parts of the book. I wish there was more going on in her story line than the other ones. Are you really interested in Dominican fascist politics in the 1930's to 1961? Then this book is for you, if not prepare for a tough slog.
Still working on Ursula K. Le Guin's 'The Dispossessed' Published 1974. Things have improved in the second half of this book, I see what is being done here. The critique of Anarchy is done subtlety, slowly but surely you realize almost everything being described by Shevek about his Utopian Anarchistic home world is actually awful and either equivalent to what is happening on this other Capitalistic other world or even worse. The truth of the matter is humans are still humans and human nature rules over all systems. I still don't think this is a great book, but it isn't bad. 15% to left to go.
Started reading J.M. Coetzee's 'Foe' Published 1986. This another one from Harold Bloom's 'Western Canon'. I'm just getting into this, maybe 50-60 pages in. Strange book with a strange premise. From Wikipedia: "Woven around the existing plot of Robinson Crusoe, Foe is written from the perspective of Susan Barton, a castaway who landed on the same island inhabited by "Cruso" and Friday as their adventures were already underway." Which is strange enough, but really this book is about what story telling is, the forces of Colonialism, Feminism, Power, Language, ect. It's been pretty interesting so far, we'll see if it keeps my interest.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentI consumed 'Use of Weapons' as an audiobook and it was basically impossible to follow. I gave up on the Culture series after that, while I thought 'Consider Phlebas' and 'Player of Games' were...I consumed 'Use of Weapons' as an audiobook and it was basically impossible to follow. I gave up on the Culture series after that, while I thought 'Consider Phlebas' and 'Player of Games' were decent books nothing really grabbed me.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentNabokov is a genius, if I can recommend another novel of his it would be Pale Fire.Nabokov is a genius, if I can recommend another novel of his it would be Pale Fire.
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Comment on I made a chill minimal 3D golf game that fits in 13 kilobytes - Sunshine Golf Classic in ~creative
plutonic LinkMeant to play a hole or 2 and played 18. Managed a fluke Eagle on one of the holes! Finished +9, the back 9 are rough. Incredible for 13k.Meant to play a hole or 2 and played 18. Managed a fluke Eagle on one of the holes! Finished +9, the back 9 are rough. Incredible for 13k.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentGood to hear, that's why I'm trying not to pass judgement yet :)Good to hear, that's why I'm trying not to pass judgement yet :)
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic (edited )LinkStarted reading Mario Vargas Llosa's 'The Feast of the Goat' Published 2000. I have seen this author recommended over and over. Latin America is still one place real literature is being produced...Started reading Mario Vargas Llosa's 'The Feast of the Goat' Published 2000. I have seen this author recommended over and over. Latin America is still one place real literature is being produced and I would like to read more of it so here we are. I chose this book because it was a lot shorter than 'Conversation in the Cathedral' which I also have, diving into a new author it's better for me to pick something shorter before diving into a 600 page brick. This book is a look at the fascist dictatorship of Trujillo "El Jefe" in the Dominican in the 1930's-1961 when he was finally assassinated. The book follow 3 stories: 1) The daughter (fictional character) of one of Trujillo's right hand men, 30 years later finally returning to Peru to face her now mute, stroke afflicted father and her family and her own past/childhood. 2) Trujillo and his inner circle in the 3 days before he is assassinated. 3) The assassins as they stalk down Trujillo and recall their histories.
This book is serious business, dense Latin American politics from Fascist Dominican. Lots of characters, lots of nicknames. I'm only really enjoying the story following the daughter which is very good. The other 2 sections while not bad are really dense and just non-stop politics and flashbacks of past events and more politics. The quality of the writing is very good, it's not super hard to follow but the going is very slow and I'm feeling worn out and tired after 15-20 pages. It cycles through the 3 stories in repeated order, so at least you are not stuck on one thing for too long. I'm going to finish this thing but I don't think this is entirely my cup of tea, but the daughter's story is interesting enough to keep me going.
Started listening to Ursula K. Le Guin's 'The Dispossessed' Published 1974. Sci-fi! I used to read a lot of Sci-fi, I have mostly given it up in recent years as it kept missing the mark for me. I used to go back and forth between some serious piece of lit and a Sci-fi book but I always found myself disappointed with the Sci-fi book I was reading. There were some really good stories, some interesting ideas, some cool tech and stuff but they really lacked what I was pining for: deep dives into the human soul. Sci-fi is a big ideas genre and it is great at that, some big societal idea usually, doing social experiments and thought experiments in book form.
I have read a number of Le Guin books: City Of Illusions, The Left Hand Of Darkness, The Lathe Of Heaven, A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, and The Farthest Shore. Obviously I'm a fan. 'The Dispossessed' is about 2 worlds next door to each other, one a Utopian Anarchist society and the other a Capitalist society, they don't really have much to do with each other and are kept separate. Now someone from the Anarchist world is going to the other world under the guise of physics research and to exchange ideas. I think I'm around 40% into it and I have to say I'm pretty disappointed and I expected more from Le Guin. But I won't judge it yet and I'm going to let it finish, it's too early to pass judgement. Maybe the problem is I'm too biased against societal Anarchism which I think is laughably naive and shows a real lack of understanding of humanity. I was hoping she would take a more critical look at the 2 systems and interestingly compare and contract them, but so far I haven't run into anything interesting at all. Maybe more is coming? Hoping for better things ahead.
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Comment on Maps of the journeys inside classic novels in ~books
plutonic LinkThis is super cool, I'll have to poke at this more when I have more time.This is super cool, I'll have to poke at this more when I have more time.
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Comment on Recommendations for noise cancelling, over ear headphones in ~tech
plutonic Link ParentI've had my Momentum 3's for 5 years now and they are still doing great. I was worried about wear on the pads because they aren't replaceable (the one feature I was disappointed was missing) but...I've had my Momentum 3's for 5 years now and they are still doing great. I was worried about wear on the pads because they aren't replaceable (the one feature I was disappointed was missing) but so far so good. Battery life is still good. Really happy with my purchase, would definitely buy this series again.
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Comment on What is the oldest file you still have? in ~tech
plutonic (edited )LinkI took a backup of my MS-DOS box when I finally shut it down decades ago. It contains some very old files from very old games and programs. The oldest file that I think is believable has a 'Date...I took a backup of my MS-DOS box when I finally shut it down decades ago. It contains some very old files from very old games and programs. The oldest file that I think is believable has a 'Date Modified' of Thu 23 Apr 1987 6:19:42 AM MICPRINT.ESI It is from a very old command line based (if I remember correctly) family feud game.
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Comment on Dolly Parton, country music legend, dies at 80 in ~music
plutonic LinkDeeply sad news, Dolly was one of the great humans, a truly special person. An example for everyone of who we should strive to be. I was never a fan of her music, but her greatness as a human...Deeply sad news, Dolly was one of the great humans, a truly special person. An example for everyone of who we should strive to be. I was never a fan of her music, but her greatness as a human being cannot be overstated.
Today is a dark day.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentNext up is Mario Vargas Llosa's The Feast of the Goat, an author who I have not read before but have heard really good things about.Next up is Mario Vargas Llosa's The Feast of the Goat, an author who I have not read before but have heard really good things about.
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Comment on US-Canada trade talks collapse, setting new 50% tariffs in motion in ~society
plutonic Link ParentIt seems it's a little more complicated, they wanted us to put tarrifs on imported steel from anyone who isn't America, that could have an effect on our ability to make trade deals with other...It seems it's a little more complicated, they wanted us to put tarrifs on imported steel from anyone who isn't America, that could have an effect on our ability to make trade deals with other countries as we couldn't really negotiate on that point but it isn't outright denying us the ability to make trade deals with other countries.
It's still gross and I'm glad we never agreed to it. To me that is them making moves on the 51st state bullshit, the more forcibly tied we are to them economically the more power they have over us.
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Comment on US-Canada trade talks collapse, setting new 50% tariffs in motion in ~society
plutonic Link ParentI don't believe Canada or really any nation can fight climate change on their own, it has to be a worldwide fight. If we hold back our economy and reduce the quality of life for Canadians, which...I don't believe Canada or really any nation can fight climate change on their own, it has to be a worldwide fight. If we hold back our economy and reduce the quality of life for Canadians, which is what I think it would take to have a meaningful effect on the climate and no one else does then we suffer the effects of climate change just the same but not be in any economic position to try and deal with those effects. It sucks but even if Canada reduced its carbon output to zero (impossible) it wouldn't make any difference.
On top of that our government recently was almost thrown out over a few cents/l 'carbon tax'. The people have spoken, if they aren't willing to put up with even that minor effect to their lives they will not accept the quality of life reduction that would need to occur to actually make a significant change in the climate. People have chosen that they are not going to fight climate change and will just deal with the effects when they come.
For me Carney's big failings have been on personal liberty and privacy, especially online.
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Comment on US-Canada trade talks collapse, setting new 50% tariffs in motion in ~society
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Comment on US-Canada trade talks collapse, setting new 50% tariffs in motion in ~society
plutonic LinkProud moment as a Canadian, especially as the details of the poison pills the US wanted late in negotiations emerge. No deal is better than a bad deal in this circumstance. It's hard to believe...Proud moment as a Canadian, especially as the details of the poison pills the US wanted late in negotiations emerge. No deal is better than a bad deal in this circumstance. It's hard to believe the US administration is this awful. I will continue to only purchase 'Made in America' if it is the only option available and I can't do without it.
Super glad we have Carney right now and he was willing to do the right thing and walk away, definitely some nervous moments this week as it was looking like we were going to accept a bad deal.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentThe Remains of the Day, Left Hand of Darkness, Stoner. You got 3 real winners coming up, that would be a great diverse trio to read, enjoy! My pick would be Stoner for best of those 3.The Remains of the Day, Left Hand of Darkness, Stoner. You got 3 real winners coming up, that would be a great diverse trio to read, enjoy! My pick would be Stoner for best of those 3.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic LinkFinished listening to Graham Greene's 'Our Man in Havana' Published 1958. I finished this just this morning! Got exactly what I was hoping out of it, a fun little darkly comedic cold war espionage...Finished listening to Graham Greene's 'Our Man in Havana' Published 1958. I finished this just this morning! Got exactly what I was hoping out of it, a fun little darkly comedic cold war espionage story, great for listening. A vacuum salesman is recruited to be a spy while living in Havana, he doesn't really want to do this buy agrees anyway and instead of actually doing his 'job' he makes up everything and invents sub-agents, naturally hilarity ensues. The fake information he provides excites both the people he is reporting to and the enemy. His cover-ups of cover-ups begin to spiral around him and soon his fake agents are being assassinated. This is high on the list of enjoyable Graham Greene books.
Finished Oliver Goldsmith's 'The Vicar of Wakefield' Published 1766. I didn't pick this book because I thought it would be good, I picked it because it was published in 1766 and that puts it firmly in the very early, still figuring it out stage of the English novel. Dickens was a big fan as many of the early English novelists were. It wasn't great, clunky in spots, strange in other spots, but glimpses of what would come in English novels. It is totally readable and not difficult. Super cheesy ending in my opinion, but that's what you get in this era. This is for literature geeks, would not recommend to casual readers.
Started and finished Yukoio Mishima's 'The Sailor who fell from grace with the Sea' Published 1963. I picked this via @Jeakams who said they were reading 'Spring Snow'. I had previously tried reading 'Spring Snow' twice but found the main character so incredibly insufferable I could not force myself through the book. I was honestly pretty bummed about this because the writing is wonderful and Mishima is important to the world of literature. After thinking maybe I could just skip 'Spring Snow' and move onto the other books in the series it was suggested I should not do that. Instead I checked to see if I had something of Mishima's that wasn't from that series, turns out I do, I have 2.
First I need to start with Mishima. You need to know a bit about this author before diving in because I think who he is and how his life ended is integral to understanding his writing. I'm not going to write a biography here since you get seek that out if interested but he was very unhappy with the Japan and the Japanese people after their loss in WWII, after finishing the last novel in the series I referenced above he tried to launch a coup of the 'Japan Ground Self-Defense Force’s Eastern Command'. He was actually successful, he took the commanding general hostage, barricaded himself in his office and went out on the balcony and tried to persuade the soldiers to revolt against Japan. Instead they mocked him. Mishima then went back inside and committed ritual Seppuku. WILD. This guy was a true believer.
Now we get to 'The Sailor who fell from grace with the Sea'. This is a very unsettling, strange novel. It is short, 180 pages total. On the surface the story is simple and straight forward. A lone mother with young child (Norboru) are living in post-war Japan. She meets a sailor who happens to be in port at the time and falls in love. Norboru who belongs to a group of friends led by 'The Chief' who is a Nihilist. These are 13 year old boys and they are very niave, but that doesn't matter. Noboru sees this sailor as a sort of hero, he tells sailing stories and he's sort of everything Norboru thinks a man should be. The sailor leaves port and returns again months later but this time he is ready to give up his dreams of war/sailing glory and settle down with his woman he has met and fallen in love with. Norboru and his friends see this as a disaster and a total betrayal of their image of what a man/hero should be. I won't say anything more about the story.
When you combine this story with the knowledge of the author things get more interesting. So what was Mishima trying to say with this book? Here's my take: The sailor probably represents Japanese society or the Japanese men who existed before the war but are now defeated and giving into Westernization and giving up their masculinity and glory in exchange for comfort. The Nihilism of the boys is maybe what has become of the defeated Japanese, without the old ways of honour and the samurai ethos the only outcome Mishima sees is brutal Nihilism and the self-destruction of Japan. Themes of expectation, masculinity, nihilism, Westernization all run through this book. The boys views are extremely naive but they are 13, they think that they and their views are pure and correct, it maybe highlights the danger of the longing for purity and heroism, which is what really destroyed the author himself. A sort of clash between a changing society and rigid ideals.
There is a lot to think about here and yet the book is only 180 pages and I'm torn between wanting it to have been longer so we could see these themes really develop and thinking that it was short on purpose, not letting you get sucked into these characters but forcing you to look at them for what they are, ideas and critiques.
Started and just finished an hour ago William Styron's 'The Long March' Published 1952. Here is a really short one, not really a novel 80 pages. Of Styron I have read 'Lie Down in Darkness', 'Sophie's Choice', 'Darkness Visible', and 'Set this House on Fire'. You can say I am a fan. 'Sophie's Choice' and 'Lie Down in Darkness' are masterpieces. This one comes off of Bloom's Western Canon, the only Styron he includes. How can you include this and not Sophie's Choice? This book, while good does not compare to that. 'The Long March' is a war story about a 36 mile forced march. A feat like that much like ultra marathon running becomes more of a 'you against yourself' situation. Through grit, passion and self hatred you push yourself through, it's not pretty and you might be changed on the other side but you made it.
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Comment on What are you reading these days? in ~books
plutonic Link ParentYou would like this one for sure, it speaks to the lost glory of the pre-war Japanese, masculinity, expectations, westernization and nihilism. Somehow it encompasses all this in 180 pages.You would like this one for sure, it speaks to the lost glory of the pre-war Japanese, masculinity, expectations, westernization and nihilism. Somehow it encompasses all this in 180 pages.
Now, I can't claim I've never heard a Swift song in the background of a store or restaurant, I almost certainly have. I haven't watched any TV shows and I haven't seen more than 5 movies in the last 25 years. I guess that means I'm very isolated from all things 'pop', pretty strange when I think about it more, but ignorance is bliss ;)