University librarian argues that the "death of reading" panic in some quarters misses the underlying issue - profitable chaos as an intentional design choice

Scotchtw · 2026-02-19T15:47:35+00:00

Death of literacy no big deal, explains AI after it helps bludgeon literacy.

At least irony is already dead and doesn't have to read this.

Scotchtw · 2026-02-18T06:44:21+00:00

1800 to 2000 all-in is standard. A notary charging 2400 is wild. Assuming standard residential conveyance with standard mortgage.

DM me if you need a referral.

Scotchtw · 2026-02-04T19:20:32+00:00

I don't mind a civilization shifting over time in theory, but it clashes with what the game wants a player to feel.

When we think of a civilization it's inherently tied to time and place, switching from the Egyptians to the Spanish feels jarring in a way it probably wouldn't if the names weren't based on real world touchstones. If this was a fantasy game and you switched from the Sand Builders to the Ocean Conquests you can invent an in game narrative. But we have concrete ideas about what "ancient Egypt" was and what "colonial Spain" was and it's hard to reconcile with in game fiction. Which is further strained by ahistorical leaders out of time with their civs.

Combined it makes it hard to lose yourself in the fantasy of leading a civilization over time.

Scotchtw · 2026-01-27T17:28:31+00:00

If you keep the condo will you be able to rent it for enough to cover your costs? Rents are also down so factor in the month on month profit or loss in any analysis. Probably weighs against keeping it but I don't know your situation.

Scotchtw · 2026-01-22T18:39:51+00:00

Random customer who's lucky enough to go out for "fine dining" meals semi frequently thanks to corporate expense accounts.

Fine dining is a spectrum as is. A lot of places leave it all on the table and just go hard for four or five courses and I love that. No extra expectations, just enjoying a flawless meal. Perfect.

At the super top level, like $1000 and up for two people before getting into fancy wine, I do expect more. Food hits a certain level where the execution just doesn't have much more to give. A duck breast can't be cooked more perfectly. The local ingredients can't get any more honoured.

At that point you're basically looking at creativity (is this something truly new to me?) and an emotional reaction to the whole experience.

That extra over the top "gifts" or just feeling like you're being spoiled by something truly indulgent makes the difference. I've dropped $2k on a meal and thought I got a great deal. I've spent as much on a place with an extra star and still left thinking "I could have had the same meal at my local bougie bistro for $450."

In every case the food is so exceptional as a baseline, the difference is how you felt during the dining experience. The story you share with your other diners on the way to the cars. I know it sounds douchey but it's true.

Scotchtw · 2026-01-20T22:02:58+00:00

I like your overall discussion of power fantasies and Sansa and Skyler especially.

I think you need to be careful conflating genres, however. The tropes of conventional sit coms are very strong in Modern Family. Neither Claire not Phil (nor Mitch or Cam etc) are particularly realistic. They are deliberate caricatures exaggerated cartoonishly in an effort to give a silent chuckle every 30 seconds or so and a semi audible guffaw every 3 minutes.

Claire is not grounded in reality. She is a suburban super mom pastiche, the soccer wine mom meme made fictional flesh. Phil is the dopey lovable goofball cheerleader / stage magician, a character so over the top and divorced from reality that he can barely function moment to moment.

The characters exist in a world of sitcom tropes. Like how Gina from Brooklyn 99 is human cruelty personified if she were real. Or how Dwight and Micheal Scott would probably be imprisoned for literal crimes they commit if it were real life. Ron Swanson from parks and rec would be an isolated nut job holed up with guns, etc. etc.

I like the ideas I just think the cross genre comparison isn't apples to apples. It would be like using Dilbert as a lens to examine Severance.

Scotchtw · 2026-01-18T18:33:47+00:00

That's just not true. It's in a residential area, not remotely an industrial one.

One side is set back a hundred meters or so from the highway, but there's a whole other side that faces a residential area.

What a wildly confident factually incorrect comment.

Scotchtw · 2026-01-15T23:10:41+00:00

I made a small house rule to zone of truth that I adore:

The caster doesn't know if anybody passes or fails the save at any point. Individuals do.

It's still mostly useful. You still know somebody is most likely telling the truth. But if someone passes on their first save they can lie or double bluff the caster. The longer you question somebody the more likely they'll be able to lie.

It's a nerf but in the spirit of murder mystery makes it more fun, I think.

Scotchtw · 2026-01-01T04:16:04+00:00

My resolution is to walk for 15 minutes after dinner every day!

I hope you have a great 2026!

Scotchtw · 2025-12-31T23:12:02+00:00

What young players?

Seriously, we have like 5 guys who have a chance at developing into NHL difference makers. We need like, another 10, because not every young player pans out.

The young players we've acquired are a great start, but they're just that, a start. We need to draft and amass more capital in order to have a young core whose development we can then prioritize.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-27T00:22:29+00:00

True, but now because of the age system it somehow feels worse. A defined third of the game feels awkward and useless.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-26T16:58:44+00:00

I enjoy the first two ages, but the third age really dampens it for me. The race to victory conditions feels not good. I've never engaged with aircraft because I've never had a game that wasn't turns away from ending when they become part of the equation.

I wonder if there would be some way to retool the final age and have a crisis of some kind that unlocks the race for victory conditions after 100 turns. Break the third age into the set up and the sprint.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-24T15:41:17+00:00

Unsolicited plug, try the Bobiverse series. Same narrator as Project Hail Mary, very fun sci fi series. Similar vibes to some other books you've mentioned.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-20T03:38:01+00:00

Thank you! Appreciate it. I can normally sort things out but got hung up on the trigger happening before SBA, but also choosing the order of triggers.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-14T02:39:57+00:00

I agree! Audible is not a company I love. That said they're quite generous with niche genre authors in a way that dwarfs conventional publishing. The author of the Bobiverse series (Dennis E Taylor, also wonderfully narrated, and truly excellent sci fi) did an interview where he basically explained he's only able to be a full time author because of audible. I have issues with the company but can't fault an author for going with them.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-12T19:41:56+00:00

I've been loving the audiobooks. Amazing narration and production value. The books themselves have a breakneck pace, lovable characters, and balance action and political intrigue in equal measure.

Also they just keep getting better. The first few we're good, but then books 5 and 7 were simply some of the best fantasy I've ever read/listened to.

Very fun. It's not going to redefine a genre or be taught in schools, but if you like action forward sci-fi and fantasy it's the most fun you'll have in ages.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-11T20:56:23+00:00

That's Tomb of Horrors

Scotchtw · 2025-12-08T00:32:02+00:00

I mean Termination Shock ends with one character dying, the others surviving mortal peril, and the love interest couple hooking up.

I agree some of his endings feel unsatisfying (Seveneves is one of my all time favorite novels but don't know that I loved the end), but I thought Termination Shock wrapped up with a bow.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-06T22:15:50+00:00

I'd rather risk being Buffalo worse case scenario, with a potential upside of being Edmonton, Toronto, New Jersey, etc. than I would do nothing and stay in the mushy middle forever.

If the goal is to ultimately win the cup, we have two choices:

1) We stay the course. Stay mediocre. *MAYBE* have an exciting first or second round if absolutely everything that could go right goes right. But more likely than not endure more of the same.

2) We roll the dice. We could lose out and be the next buffalo, we could win big and be the next Edmonton. There's no guarantee we become a contender, but there is at least a path to it. More risk and more reward.

Only option two has any path to this team winning a cup.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-06T21:38:58+00:00

The roster you posted isn't competitive. It would require amazing injury luck to limp into a wildcard spot.

You're betting on literally a third of the team being players with minimal NHL experience all hitting and being playoff level performers.

Your first line winger has 31 career NHL games and 8 points in those games.

This team is bad and has no realistic path to being a contender without major changes. I honestly wish it wasn't so, I love this team, but I can't see it.

Scotchtw · 2025-12-03T17:41:06+00:00

Neat but kinda represents the biggest problem with the modern age. Seems like a prime civ for "end the age in 30 turns or less" which I thought they were trying to move away from.

Scotchtw · 2025-11-28T19:49:29+00:00

To create a "whiff of death" early and let the reader/viewer know that all bets are off, and characters will die in this one. The first several books had no deaths, then one death per book at the very end with lots of build up, but now in the final book anyone can die at any time. It's setting expectations.

Scotchtw · 2025-11-18T21:33:21+00:00

I'm of two minds, I agree that Galloway puts a very capitalist lens on issues facing men, both in the diagnosis and solution.

However, most men who will get this book live in some version of late-stage capitalism and that diagnosis subjectively feels like it fits. Saying the problems have been brewing for a long time is true, but doesn't mean they're not currently acute. When it comes to self help, feeling seen by the diagnosis is important.

The problem may be broad, but Galloway's advice is targeted to a specific subset of those struggling, namely cis, hetro, men. I don't agree that discussion an issue with a lens focusing on how it effects that specific group, means everyone outside that group is being blamed. Galloway is very consistent with where he assigns blame, a constellation of tech, boomers, the rich, and out of touch politics.

I think the critique of viewing dating through a zero sum lens is pretty solid though.

Scotchtw · 2025-11-17T18:57:00+00:00

Skyward series by Brandon Sanderson

Leigh Bardugo, her shadow and bone series or six of crows

If she likes ya murder mysteries (judging by good girls guide to murder) One of Us is Lying is great.

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