2023-04-01
Readings
Efforts to learn from how lampreys recover from spinal cord injuries: https://phys.org/news/2023-04-spinal-cord-injury-kinesthetic-movement.html
A dive into Japan’s weird political system:
Importance of a healthy microbiome as part of the body’s immune resilience: https://medicalxpress.com/news/2023-03-healthy-microbiome-deadly-infections-critically.html
Efforts to make plastic from more responsible sources: https://www.sciencealert.com/scientists-created-a-new-recyclable-plastic-not-made-from-crude-oil
There’s a case to be made that the octopus (along with a few other species) is too intelligent for us to treat them as food: https://www.sciencealert.com/octopus-farming-is-deeply-disturbing-a-professor-explains-why
Thoughts
This video explores some of the backdrop (and was the inspiration for me to return to the topic) of Starship Troopers, both the film and the book. By me, the question of whether Heinelin’s politics are revealed in the book or no is irrelevant; I would rather live in a world where authors (and filmmakers) can write and publish works exploring all kinds of fictional worlds. The instinct to confirm to decent real-world politics should not be there because it hampers that. A culture whose thoughts stand on the narrow walkways of its moral leanings is less worth living in.
Recently while watching a video on how the recent remake trend is flawed, I heard the claim that the storyboard is where the most important effort in a film happens. I find the claim interesting, and it seems a shame that as audiences we rarely have access to these. It’d be interesting if there were a film-watching tradition in the US where theatres would offer, at a higher price point, nice prints of the storyboards for films to accompany watching them. This’d be good as a memoir for a good film, and it’d be good for curiosity. I hope IP concerns wouldn’t be a barrier
I’ve been thinking about a youtube series I used to enjoy (and still occasionally do) called Epic Rap Battles of History. And to some extent about other “diss rap” depictions I’ve seen in other media (and very very occasionally in fancy arguments idiots on the street sometimes have). They take a certain form. Similarly, if you decide to look for patterns in how people argue online, there are highly stereotypical forms these things take - a rhythm of trading blows of certain kinds. Alongside that are (non-explicit and often not-agreed) rules for these things and occasional calls to follow the rules. Sometimes third parties hopping in to haggle on some point or fact-check an argument or something. Long ago I started to notice internet feuds when I got into them - spotted myself getting into that mode. And I got bored with it, and learned that there’s a lot of potential to subvert the form and sometimes create real discussions (or at least be less bored). In general I think there’s a lot of human behaviour that’s pre-wired that we can notice if we want (try watching TV with the volume off and you’ll notice all kinds of things). Or if we read transcripts. Basically, anything to disconnect from the common poetry that touches on our feels in very predictable ways.
Current Events
The Russian invasion of Ukraine continues at an expensive standstill as Russia rotates into the presidency of the UN. Belarus, a Russian puppet-state, is proudly hosting some Russian nuclear weapons, creating a stir internationally. Ukraine appears ready for a major effort to push the invaders out, as Turkey reluctantly allowed Finland into NATO (on the eve of the next Finnish parliamentary election).
China is ramping up anti-Taiwanese rhetoric and military drills, possibly in preparation for an invasion; related: the President of Taiwan visited the US this week
Israel’s government is caught in paralysis, having paused but not cancelled its judicial power grab while mass protests on both sides of its political system likewise paralyse the country
Reviewlets
Color Out Of Space (film) - Creepy, interesting, and stress-inducing. Interesting characters too, and it captures some of that “reading some Lovecraft cosmic horror” feel while gently sidestepping some of the topicality Lovecraft himself used. Unfortunately it has pacing problems and by the time it picked up it also felt like it was lost. Eventually barrels towards a nonsensical pseudoprofound ending.
Cyberpunk : Trauma
HP Dragonfly Elite Chromebook (laptop) - This replaces my Pixelbook Go (which is fine) because I wanted a newer system that’d be able to run Steam. It’s considerably faster and fancier, although I’m still getting used to the screen being lower-resolution. The keyboard is pretty different and has a better feel. Weight is decent,
The Long Earth (scifi novel) - I was sold on this from the moment I saw it was co-written by Terry Pratchett and Stephen Baxter, and it turns out it’s exploring a fairly common sci-fi idea that I’ve daydreamed about often - widespread access to parallel empty universes. I’m enjoying it so far (it’s also a series of 5 and should be a nice little break from Iain Banks). The authors also seemed to work well together; the characterisation is more Pratchett, but the bigger ideas feel more Baxter.
TJ’s Spicy Chakri Mix (snack) - This is an Indian-themed snack mix; it reminds me of a dry chaat, and is mildly spicy and rather filling. I like it; it’s a good go-to snack. I have no idea how authentic it is, but that’s never mattered to me.
Amusements
Part amusing, part sad, this is a strange final(?) chapter in a strange story where a US school principal was ousted because Michaelangelo’s David was shown in school and some parents claimed it was pornographic: https://www.cnn.com/style/article/florence-mayor-michelangelo-david-florida-school/index.html
Weird and fun expressions in the French language: https://www.euronews.com/culture/2023/03/24/francophone-week-the-perfect-french-expressions-that-will-give-english-speakers-a-headache
Some strange and interesting art: https://www.thisiscolossal.com/2023/03/alexander-harrison-big-world/
Recent Music
Haunt, the Cartoon Heart - Bear Ghost - Dramatic novelty/showtunes music with halloween-ish vibes
Sick Hearts - The Used - Like Fall Out Boy, but about 20 percent less embarrassing
Psycho Killer - Talking Heads - An upbeat classic
The Boxer - Simon and Garfunkel - Even more of a classic, but starting to fall out of the rear end of public consciousness. Also, not upbeat.