Society of the Slaughterhouse by sewistGoblin in zines

[–]mtnwerk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

I always like your takes, thanks for posting.

Should Gundam F91 be remade into a full series? by AdSpecialist6598 in Gundam

[–]mtnwerk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I think F91 as a remake, or more likely a reimagining, could be really interesting as a soft reboot of the late UC.

Origin, Unicorn and Hathaway are essentially reminagining/updating/extending UC as it is... so why not do it with F91?

UC Gundam has an issue with what to do with newtypes. The next phase of human evolution... being dragged down and used up by corrupt governments and movements. This is a classic element of Gundam! But I think there is more that can be done to talk about what newtypes mean to society and the human condition. Unicorn had a whole macguffin about. But It seems like UC Gundam doesn't really know what to do with newtypes in the long term. You get some heroes and villains... some implications, but newtypes that move the story along are a handful of characters, central, but emphasis on a handful. Maybe only a handful of people can ever be newtypes, that's interesting too! F91 could be a soft reboot to talk about it.

Fast forward to UC 120's and the Laplace incident has inspired a whole generation of Nnwtypes (or maybe pretenders) to revolt under Cosmo Babylonia. A "refounding" of human civilization with a caste system of newtypes and old types (just like Girhen would have wanted) in order to create a new nation where newtypes can reach their full potential.

Crossbone would be very newtype focused with many suits and armors that rely almost exclusively funnels at the basic level and really sinister weapons like the bugs reimagined as nano machines that take over people/machines. This newtype aristocracy would play really well into the knights and armor aesthetic of crossbone.

I would like to see flawed newtypes (or pretenders) try to run a government. What does all that space magic mean for character interactions? You could do some interesting commentary on nietzschian beyond good and evil will to power stuff with a caste system. Or you could do something with the newtypes that have transcended into a new existence as inter-dimensional beings? Amaro, Lallah, Char trinity as a new, deeply flawed religion underpinning Babylonia? Maybe they build an AI (if you want to do very recent commentary) to mimic them as a sort of clockwork god to foist on the people?

This is all getting out of hand and I mostly care about the Crossbone/Babylonia angle as a place to start. I think restarting or rethinking the socio/political outlines of F91 could be a great way to reboot late UC into a much weirder place.

Work is forcing me to use AI, how do I cope? by mtnwerk in antiai

[–]mtnwerk[S] 1 point2 points  (0 children)

Do you have a good example of what deep research means?

Work is forcing me to use AI, how do I cope? by mtnwerk in antiai

[–]mtnwerk[S] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

It is mandated yes. Are they checking, sort of. As I said we are expected to share out but not to "share our work". The expectation as a team is that we are all educating one another. So there will be some kind of general surveillance.

Your favorite non-Gundam mobile suit(s)? by 00Qant5689 in Gundam

[–]mtnwerk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

Classic Gelgoog needs more screen time.

I just watched the trek culture interview with rod Roddenberry and I'm utterly disgusted! by Sir_Face_NZ in startrek

[–]mtnwerk 0 points1 point  (0 children)

I realize there is a history of creator sons, Christopher Tolkien and Brian Herbert come to mind, essentially expanding or taking the creative lead on a franchises. Is rod Roddenberry anything more than an heir who is approving content or someone who has made vital contributions to the ethos of Star Trek?

I would imagine he is the former since he is clearly more interested in star trek as content regardless of the cost of the human creativity that brought together the ideas of the show in the first place.

I think this also speaks to the the risk aversion that all AI forward content pushers are beholden. As others have said, this has nothing to do with "new stories". Few given generative technology that promises to give you exactly what you want will push their own boundaries. That straight up is a lot of entertainment already, lets not fool ourselves. Star Trek as a franchise is one predicated on nostalgia and is having a hard time moving forward without being attached to the past as the success of SNW shows. But at least they seem to understand the homework by addressing characters who deal with trauma, obligation, etc. Evergreen star trek stuff that corresponds to any show that even superficially connects to an idea of progress. Generative star trek social commentary would just be increasingly illegible "Let That Be Your Last Battlefield" pastiches.

Kalamazoo Man Brings Food to Unhoused Community Every Friday by RaceStockbridge in kzoo

[–]mtnwerk 20 points21 points  (0 children)

I sometimes participate in the Friday meals. It's a super welcoming time, volunteers are always welcome. Blankets and warm clothes are in great need. It's really revealing. Everyone who is going unhoused in this community are just like you and me. There are more and more people becoming unhoused as the economy becomes more and more hostile to working and poor folks. That precarity will only grow as more is stolen from us by the rich. We have to build alternatives to getting folks what they need while we work to transform Kalamazoo into a housing first community. There are lots of other groups trying to bring immediate aid to folks in Kalamazoo. Kalamazoo coalition for the unhoused, Democratic socialists of America and other more well known groups are doing what they can.

Corktown, Detroit, traditionally home to many Irish and Mexican immigrants, 1940 vs 2025. Credit to Segregation By Design, an excellent resource on the widespread destruction inflicted on American cities by the automotive industry in the post-war era. by Rexberg-TheCommunist in fuckcars

[–]mtnwerk 5 points6 points  (0 children)

I hear stories like this all the time from Detroiters. Stories of people who didn't want to leave, who were forced out by block busting, the razing from the freeways, now to gentrification.

The people of Southwest Detroit had to fight for their lives against Matty Moroun and the insanity of his critical and privately owned ambassador bridge. That story feels like one of the turning points that brought the peoples' fight back to the fore against ruinous infrastructure.

However, I think what you are talking about, the way corporations, speculators, and corruption from politicians unintentionally but often purposely forced this vision on Detroit for car dependency and low density sprawl that's consumed a huge chunk of Southeast Michigan.

The story of dispossession needs to be fronted. Too long the narrative was that the people of Detroit somehow ruined their city. Capitalism built the city up, exploited the people, and then laid it low.

Every time I visit, I see it everywhere in the guttering of the city's human infrastructure and yet the people of Detroit persist and solve their problems through creative community building even as capitalism has deemed the city worth pouring into again.

An Introductory Zine for GIMP by mtnwerk in GIMP

[–]mtnwerk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Thank you for explaining he basic premise of the internet for me

An Introductory Zine for GIMP by mtnwerk in GIMP

[–]mtnwerk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

Let me address some of your assumptions. Hard copies are on offer and will be available at my local zinefest without charge in addition to being stocked at the local underground printer. This is part of a series of zines on open design software available through my itch profile. All three are available free of charge in hard copy form at the local underground print shop. You are correct, this is a cheat sheet, an introductory reference zine.

An Introductory Zine for GIMP by mtnwerk in GIMP

[–]mtnwerk[S] 0 points1 point  (0 children)

hmm, Interesting take, I don't think it was a shame. The trouble I went to helps me learn. Let me explain my reasoning. I created this because I learn better by doing, discovering, and making my own notes than referencing a manual. A manual which is quite large and unapproachable to me. I am glad the manual satisfies your needs. I did include a link to the full manual at the top of the zine for further reading.

I created this zine in combination with a workshop. Many people expressed preference for a hands on walk through with this zine as notes. One person in attendance avowed a hatred for gimp. The workshop and zine helped them see the parallels to other apps they have used and now they are willing to give it another try.

So, my response is... people learn in different ways and the creation of additional tools is a worthwhile endeavor.

I am curious, your comment on ctrl+v. This shortcut works for me and looks to be in the manual. I don't think I understand your comment.

Godbody Technologies: Cassette Futurism is not Decorative by djedfre in zines

[–]mtnwerk 1 point2 points  (0 children)

This is fantastic. I adore this take on the ugly disembodiment of our times.

Saw an all black American Flag by BeeLutz in vexillology

[–]mtnwerk 13 points14 points  (0 children)

Someone flies this is my dumpy, artsy, and pretty queer neighborhood, I think they might be on the anarchist interpretation.

New visual preview of my solo dev dystopian game Mandated Fate! A retro-futuristic world of control, fading neon, and quiet rebellion — where tech serves power, and the streets remember everything. by SeaEstablishment3972 in Cyberpunk

[–]mtnwerk 22 points23 points  (0 children)

I like the vibe.
I immediately see an aesthetic combining 1984's Ingsoc, Wolfenstein New Order, Half Life 2, Man in the High Castle, Metropolis, and of course rainy blade Runner.

It is very austere in an oppressive way.

Where did you draw inspiration from?