Murdering random Jews in response to Israeli state violence is violent antisemitism. It shouldn't be necessary to state that. And yet

Just watched a buuuuuunch of cops run past the front of my office with their guns drawn for some reason! Anyway I would love to secure a new job 💕

AI DOESN'T UNDERSTAND CLOWN EGGS

We need reparations for ICE victims.

Anything short of that is setting the stage for a massive wealth grab from people of color that will re-entrench racial disparities for generations.

worth remembering, David Lynch directed “fix your hearts or die” specifically at transphobes. it wasn’t a generic “no mean people allowed” statement, it was said by his Twin Peaks character in defense of a trans woman he cared for and deeply respected.

It turns out second, third order effects actually matter.

I hate cutesy names so much. Please don't make me order the "Bangin' Burger", or the "Juicemaxxing Chicken" or whatever the hell, just let me point at the menu or something.

humiliation ritual

This is the man Senators who present themselves as serious human beings are going to rubber stamp into the office of Director of Homeland Security. Show some self-respect and some love of country and vote no.

Heya--

For those of you who are fans of Emily Wilson's outstanding translations, she's got a book out this September about the difficulties and obstacles and pleasures of translation.

www.amazon.com/Crossing-Win...

Aw hey, it's Bandcamp Friday! Almost missed it.

requiem for vanished birdsong

It's not a Honda, is it? I had a weird electrical problem with my Honda Civic, and it turned out it was just turning itself on randomly. Hope you finally get an answer!

My kids' daycare was across the street from the unit I worked at on Fort Carson, Colorado.

If you need a writer (especially comedy writing), an artist (illustration, comics, character design, etc), or like, little office rat who scurries around and gets coffee or whatever, PLEASE get in touch. I am nice and fun to work with and my brain plasticity is exceptional and I'm strong and brave

So, in retrospect, I could see that hadn’t gone so well.

A work friend of mine is taking a LOA to try to help his friend who got snatched by ICE in NV. Does anyone know of any resources/groups in NV he could connect with?

⚔️SWORDS WITHOUT MASTER⚔️
🎲 ACTUAL PLAY LIVESTREAM 🎲
🌛 TONIGHT AT 7PM EST ⌚️
Run by @epidiah.bsky.social for a table of New Edge pals!
👁️ Watch it right at the top of the crowdfund 👉️ www.backerkit.com/c/projects/b...

I agree that I slightly misread what Quinn said, and have really appreciated the conversation.

I really strongly disagree with your last statement. If I'm reading a thoughtful critic, I _absolutely_ want to hear whether they had fun... As long as that statement is in a broader critical context.

These days, a TTRPG is less of a game to me and more of a call to action. I can't force anyone to answer it, nor what they will do when they answer, but I can do my best to provide inspiration and tools that are worthy of those who respond to that call.

I really, really like this frame.

Consistency is actually a major factor I consider when describing a TTRPG quality. I wrote about that and the other factors here: thoughtcrimegames.beehiiv.com/p/delivering...

Yes, 100% this! I don't think I'd seen this article of yours. Thanks for showing it to me! Promise and Consistency are what I was trying to engage with. Most games promise to be fun, and failing in that should be relevant (as you say!).

On an individual level, sure. I firmly agree subjective experience is key, and that published material is only part of the experience of play.

But "games should be fun" still feels like a useful thing to say.

Different lenses, maybe.

On one hand I agree with that and will never be the guy shouting at the people having fun.

On the other hand, "reliably produces fun for at least _somebody_" is a facet of "quality" in a game that I'm reluctant to let go of.

Not sure how to square that circle.

Randomly: an old school fantasy game that doesn't get enough love IMO is Palladium Fantasy.

The Palladium system had a lot of wonkiness in its various implementations (insert a Mega Damage joke here please!) but it just *worked* in Palladium Fantasy.

On November 12, 1955, In Hill Valley, California, a young man vanished into thin air as a crowd looked on.

One of the great unsolved mysteries of the twentieth century, the investigation into the disappearance of Calvin Klein (no known relation to the fashion designer) only raised more questions.

I get the second half of that, terrible games being fun, but by the first half do you mean "even good games can misfire a session or two", or "games don't have to be fun to be good"? Because I'm pretty sure I disagree with the latter, but I'd be interested to hear more about your thoughts!

Hey, @jessicakali.bsky.social , have you seen this? I've backed already, but thought it might be up your alley.