Reacher Gilt, from "Going Postal" with a touch of Cosmo Lavish, I think...
Canadian, lover of words, ideas, hockey, D&D, and equal civil rights for everyone. Here to get different perspectives on life, glad that they're coming with a healthy dose of civility and respect.
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Reacher Gilt, from "Going Postal" with a touch of Cosmo Lavish, I think...
I mean, not for nothing, but if you go back 40+/- years, they were telling the same stories but talking about D&D. 30+/- years and it was "Heavy Metal". AI isn't perfect, but really - vulnerable people are going to find SOMETHING to latch on to to justify their delusions.
For those that are interested, Lego are floating the idea of an Ankh-Morpork set. Vote here: beta.ideas.lego.com/product-idea... #DiscWorld #pratchett #lego
this is actually addressed in "Thud", with the interaction between the dwarves' Summoning Dark, and Vimes' The Watchman. Vimes' knows he's capable of terrible things, but he watches himself to make sure he doesn't.
Alternatively, "Guards, Guards!" is an excellent intro to Discworld, and is the introduction of the main character in "Night Watch" - Sam Vimes. Highly recommend reading that one as an entrée and moving on from there. Lots of "relevant to today" social commentary in that GG too.
Foul Ol’ Ron!!
I see that title, and all I can think of is Susan Sto Helit - Miss Susan from Discworld. One of my favourite characters, just because she sees things as they ARE, and doesn't bother with what people THINK they should be like. Plus, I share her sense of outrage at the levels of self-deception around.
Actually just finished Night Watch - so very topical.
"The Wee Free Men" is awesome, especially for the "well, nobody else is here, so it's up to me, I guess"-ness of it (plus, who disnae like pictsies?), and "Guards, Guards!" is fantastic as an upset of the trope of the sacrificial guards of fantasy - plus, Sam Vimes and Corporal Carrot are awesome!
Why do you seem to think this is a problem?
I dunno, but I don't WANT a Con party that "pushes people in" - I'd rather one that convinces folks to vote for them **because they have better ideas than the alternatives**. But, I guess that's not the way the current crop thinks...
Isn't that "Wee Free Men"? Miss Tick talking to Tiffany?
X-files, Pratchett, Puns
Why is it that so much of what the Conservatives want to do assumes that businesses will "do the right thing" when the reason we HAVE these regulations and laws is that businesses did NOT "do the right thing" - and why do so many of his supporters believe him? #canadadeservesbetter #notPP
Why is it that so many of PP's "promises" boil down to "I'll make it impossible to do complex things properly, and leave others to clean up the mess afterwards"? Regulation 2-for-1 "reform", eco-review "one and done", tax reform that are "take less from the rich"... #canadadeservesbetter #notPP
I knew that I'd heard Pollievre's latest "original policy" somewhere before: Trump wrote an EO on Jan 31 just like it - www.whitehouse.gov/fact-sheets/... - and did the same thing in his first term - www.law.virginia.edu/scholarship/... Again - straight out of the MAGA playbook. We deserve better
abrogating or eliminating the rights of others, then I can respect the different perspectives and choices. But the current incarnation of the Cons is abhorrent, Trumpish, and weak. Just like Harper was. And Manning. Now, Carney is a better choice than PP. Vote how you like - that's your right.
News flash - not everyone is going to agree with you. Lots of folks have different priorities and life experiences than you do - that does NOT make their choices and perspectives invalid (or childish) - just different. So long as someone is NOT advocating for
And, again, you call me childish for exchanging thoughtful, reasoned, and nuanced concepts and disagreements with you - **what about that is childish???** I assume that you have good reasons to vote NDP - go for it. That doesn't mean that there aren't good reasons to NOT vote for them.
But this is a momentous moment in Canadian politics, and the history of Canada. It is worth actually THINKING about who to vote for and WHY. That takes words. That takes time. That takes effort. I don't want us to be like the US - totally divided, us vs them, no middle ground. That's un-Canadian.
And far from being a "waste of electricity", I have gotten something out of it by spending time articulating what I think in this manner. You are, of course, under no obligation to read it. I imagine that you find the flood of words somewhat overwhelming and would rather I replied w 2 or 3 words
Hmmm - reading comprehension fail. It was 11 messages, and none of them were an attempt to influence your vote. Vote NDP - just quit whining that not everyone agrees with you, and talks about THEIR opinions on a public forum. I respect your position - even if I don't share it.
I vote for whoever I think has the best chance to make the right kind of difference. Sometimes I vote for the party I want to win the gov't. Sometimes I vote for the party I want in opposition. Sometimes, I vote for the best person to rep my riding. I think about it - I don't just vote by rote.
I think that Carney is more likely to keep his promises than PP. I think that Singh is - at best - ineffective in opposition to the Cons. And I think that Singh burned bridges w the Libs. Why would I vote for a lame duck?
I think refusing to critically think about the issues of the day, and ONLY voting for your default party is, at best, an inefficient strategy in a parliamentary system. At worst, it's an abdication of civic responsibility. The big picture is what's important sometimes. This is one of those times.
Politics is NOT a team sport - stop trying to get everyone to think that way. This **isn't the USA** (yet) - we have more than one choice, and corporate or union money/support is ALWAYS behind a successful candidate. That's how it works.
You called me a sucker and stupid - based on what? Because I don't agree w your politics? Because I look at bigger picture and treat politics like a decision rather than a default? Because sometimes, I vote AGAINST the idiot that is on one side or the other because I can SEE how bad it would be?
You know - not all Con are the same, and sometimes, they were the right choice. Why the name calling and judgement? I'm not telling you to vote Lib - I'm answering your original question re: "Why do Libs keep talking about Carney?"
PP appears to be one of those politicians that has no substance, who will promise anything you want, and deliver only for the money folks behind him. 20+ years in Parliament, no bills introduced, and voting for what he was told to vote for. He's never had any other job than MP. WTF? Elbows up!
Addendum - made up your mind to vote NDP? Greens? BQ? Go ahead - but the election is on, and it's reasonable for Lib supporters to talk about why Carney is a good choice - the only "serious" alternative is PP, after all. If you don't want to listen, don't. But don't whine about it - it's petty.
And also - why aren't YOU asking these questions, and thinking about these issues w the upcoming election? Because folks are STILL following the same path as before - and showing no signs of critical thought. "Axe the tax"? PP was part of the gov't that introduced it! What's his alternative? 10/10
What evidence does he have that his review would not be done fairly and impartially (other than maybe the knowledge that if HE was in gov't, HE would make sure that Carney would be trashed). If he has evidence, why has he NOT discussed it or brought it to the Commons? 9/10
The security review he refuses to take - that he is insinuating will be a hatchet job on him because the Liberals are in power - is pretty much the lowest bar to be a serious politician trying to become PM. Why is he attacking the Intelligence Services and insinuating that they're corrupt? 8/10
But by god - I know where Carney's loyalties lie. I know who's in his corner. I know who elected him. And I know that he's actually done things in his life. I don't know ANY of that about Pollievre. Who's backing him? Who's pulling his strings? What is he hiding? Why is he casting FUD? 7/10
I'm Canadian and proud of it - we're not perfect, but we're striving to be better than we were in the past. Governing is messy and involves a LOT of compromise. Governments and the people that make them up can make mistakes - it happens every time. 6/10
I've voted for all three major parties at different times. I am not stupid enough to treat this as a team sport, nor do I make my political affiliation a major part of my identity - Pollievre, and the MAGAts running his campaign want you to, though. 5/10
Three word slogans with nothing offered as an alternative. Unrelenting personal attacks. Hypocrisy. Misogyny. Racism. Oh - and no real policy alternatives other than "More Oil, Less 'woke', and cozy up to the US" - right up until Trump showed us what was at stake. 4/10
that represent a lot of what makes Canada Canadian - rights for minorities, support for the working class, support for some businesses. Unfortunately, the campaign that the current incarnation of the Cons have been running has been a direct echo of what got Trump elected. 3/10
None of the parties are great - they all have issues. NDP will never run the country - but they can work with Con or Lib to get support for programs that help ordinary Canadians. Con are (or used to be) good for reining in public spending. Lib are the mushy middle 2/10
Arthur, are you cranky that politicians raise money from folks with money to spend? or that the Liberals raise money from the WRONG folks w money to spend? Of course Carney knows, works with, and solicits support from business - he's running for PM, not "favourite newspaper boy". 1/10
A must-watch! For those who don't know who Tim Snyder is, he's one of the foremost experts on authoritarianism/fascism., who has left Yale and come to U of T Munk School of Global Affairs. due to the ongoing situation in the US
I dunno - maybe because we wish that people would look beyond the catchy slogans, and blind demonization of Trudeau and see that there's nothing behind Pollievre other than Corporate and American money? And saying so, over and over again, gets through to people?
Toronto used to have Arby's - but there is so much OTHER good food in the city to try. I don't quite enjoy questionable roast beef sandwiches drenched in unknown sauces as much. I think there's still one open in Mississauga, but - having tried it in my youth - I can't say as it's been missed much.
Just because they're nice doesn't mean they're pushovers. @brittlestar.com has some thoughts for his suddenly pushy neighbor. 🇨🇦
Okay, this is my newest very very favorite meme.
There’s at least one casino that would probably give him a great sponsorship deal
From Wikipedia: The Maple Leafs say that the name was chosen in honour of the Maple Leaf Regiment from World War I. The pluralization is because they're referencing/echoing being members of the regiment, not pieces of foliage.
Because nobody in the US (their primary audience) knows who the hell Bombardier is? Boeing has, for good or bad, more brand recognition, and a (recent) history of (apparently) making economic decisions against engineering ones lately?
" #Swasticar is a peaceful company," #PresidentMusk said. "We've never done anything harmful." ... What was it #TerryPratchett had Mr. Pump say in the #Discworld novel #Going-Postal? Ah, yes...
America hasn’t felt this upside down since I was a child in an internment camp.
See this: bsky.app/profile/rinc...
Yeah - but it's not fully Discworld yet. There is a pinned post that talks about how to get into the series, it's a good primer. I started w Guards, Guards!, and love them all
The French call that "l'esprit d'escalier" - spirit of the staircase. Like when you come up with the PERFECT snark back at someone after you leave the building...
#worldbuildingfrenzy - you create something (a), and then think about what that implies, causes, or requires, so you create (b), (c), and (d). Each of which, have the same level of implications, results, and requirements... And so on, and so on. It's why I have 800 pgs in my campaign wiki #tempting
"Ruler doesn't take threat seriously, advisor hires party against orders" #ttrpg #oneshotidea #d&d5e 5/5
Lots of fun investigation ideas, ticking time clock à la 24, existential threat to the kingdom/world, etc. Add in elements for flavour like "Wizard hires party because doesn't want ruler to know he was dumb enough to lose WOMD" or 4/5
go out onto the ocean/sea/lake that the nation borders, and send the sphere to the bottom. The party can TRY to find them before they set out, but if they fail, then they have to a) avoid sinking the ship the baddies are on, and b) retrieve the Sphere safely and return it to land. 3/5
the item in question is a Sphere of Annihilation. The hiring party doesn't know what is planned, but the threats revolve around ruin, desert, and famine. After much shenanigans, the party discovers that the plan is for the bad guys to 2/5
Okay, hear me out... The party gets hired by a local wizard/ruler to retrieve a missing magical item that was stolen from them before it can be used to devastate the nation. After much shenanigans, it turns out that 1/5
I think it's likely that they understand it just fine - it's just that they are in the business of selling shitty boots, and have had a great deal of success by confusing OTHER people about it.
Ppl when the city subsidizes socialist free parking for car owners:🥰😍😍 Ppl when the city increases property tax to support basic services like transit, libraries & food programs:😡🤬💢😤 Mayor Chow is a CCP COMMUNIST Ppl when the city uses a market mechanism to appropriately price parking: 😡🤬🤬❌ (1/4)
Nah - let Granny Weatherwax, or Tiffany Aching have a go at him...
Wait till you meet Moist von Lipwig... You're in for a treat.
It's not **necessary**, but it is remarkably common...
hoping that at the heart of all the lies they'll find the truth. And bit by bit they accept the unacceptable. Amazing. (Guards,Guards)"
Also: "It was amazing, this mystic business. You tell them a lie, and then when you don't need it any more you tell them another lie and tell them they're progressing along the road to wisdom. Then instead of laughing they follow you even more, ...
"Sometimes human beings are very much like bees. Bees are fiercely protective of their hive, provided you are outside it. Once you're in, the workers sort of assume that it must have been cleared by management and take no notice ..." (Good Omens)
Not really a Terry Pratchett quote, but still our Terry Pratchett quote-ish of the day
"I Don't Call That Much Of An Argument," said Dorfl calmly, from somewhere in the clouds of smoke.” ― Terry Pratchett, Feet of Clay
"It Is Not Evident." A bolt of lightning lanced down through the clouds and hit Dorfl's helmet. There was a sheet of flame and then a trickling noise. Dorfl's molten armour formed puddles around his white-hot feet.
and, "Another priest said,"Is it true you've said you'll believe in any god whose existence can be proved by logical debate?" "Yes." Vimes had a feeling about the immediate future and took a few steps away from Dorfl. "But the gods plainly do exist," said a priest.
and the gods had a habit of going round to atheists' houses and smashing their windows.” ― Terry Pratchett, The Color of Magic
A couple of Pratchett bits come to mind: “It was all very well going on about pure logic and how the universe was ruled by logic and the harmony of numbers, but the plain fact of the matter was that the Disc was manifestly traversing space on the back of a giant turtle
Have you seen these books? www.kickstarter.com/projects/pal... and www.kickstarter.com/projects/pal... ?
Surely, you can't be serious!?!?
Meh - as a born-and-bred Torontonian, it bugs me when I hear the second "t". It's like hearing someone say "Ed-in-burg", instead of Ed-in-bruh
In the end, it's a nit-pick - it's the subject and the seriousness that it's approached with that is important, not how they pronounce a city's name. If you focus on the pronunciation, and ignore the substance of the discussion, you're doing yourself a disservice.
Heck - listen to the ESPN+ highlights of the Leafs/Blackhawks game. They leave out the second "t" too. - www.youtube.com/watch?v=f3oO...
Damn few in the GTA, much less the rest of Ontario. Few in Canada. Lots of Americans do, though. We say Teronno - who are you to say we're saying it wrong?
When listening to the BBC, I don't remember them pronouncing it "Lie-ches-ter" - I hear Lister. Similarly, not Wor-ches-ter-shire, it's Woo-ster-sher.
😕But, ... That's how we pronounce it?
Puts a different perspective on "Slower than molasses in January", doesn't it?
Guards, Guards has to be up there, too...
I mean, AD&D used piercing, slashing and bludgeoning to differentiate the effect of a weapon on a particular type of armour - e.g. spears being more effective vs ring mail than longswords. Or scimitars being effective vs leather, and maces being less effective vs plate, etc.
Step 1: get a scythe Step 2: remove blade Step 3: find someone w a laser engraver (post on Reddit in r/Laserengraving/) Step 4: enjoy
Stab (shallow), Skewer (deeper) and Impale (all the way through)?
Is that ethical? Is that a good thing? Is that a violation of their rights? Should they somehow be compensated for their contribution, and if so, how do you do that? That's something that we, as a society, will be struggling with for a while. In the meantime, it helps me make fun games for players
I struggle with that sometimes, and that's why I don't let it do the actual work. It's a BIG question - and one that I don't have an answer for. People have been sharing words freely on the internet since Usenet days and before. But feeding that to a LLM and profiting from what comes out of it?
There are, however, ethical considerations to be taken into account when you look at how they got to where they are now. Using peoples' words without explicit consent is not great. Spitting out chunks of text from other peoples' work verbatim is NOT great.
The key, for me, is to NOT have the "AI" actually be the thing doing the work. It's a resource for me to use to make MY creativity easier. It's no different than a typewriter instead of pen and paper, or a text editor on a computer vs that typewriter. It's a tool.
I look at what ChatGPT gives me as *a starting point*. And it's great at keeping my ADHD brain going by giving feedback or throwing out related but not linear ideas for me to incorporate. I guess every LLM "AI" is going to have it's own flavour and strengths, but that's to be expected.
Well, D&D *is* a mind altering experience, and it *is* addictive. Seems totally reasonable to get a hangover when you come out of it and back to (waves vaguely at the world) this...
I wouldn't use it to generate a dungeon map, for example - I hate randomly generated dungeons because they make NO sense from a IRL perspective. I wouldn't ask it rules questions, or to decide anything in my story. That's my job. That's my fun.
I think that it's a useful tool for DMs - good for writing prompts, bouncing ideas off of, and writing code in languages I don't care about - but it's just a tool. We steal ideas/descriptions/scenarios from fiction we've read all the time. But, don't rely on it to be accurate or reliable. It's not.
It's also good at writing macros for Foundry VTT for me - I never learned Javascript, so I tell it what I want the macro to do, and it spits out the code for me. Nothing too complicated or critical - just useful snippets to do things I do often when I DM.
I use it as an idea generator. If I need a description of an NPC, I give it a prompt. If I want to homebrew a new monster, I have a conversation with it, and then tell it to give me a statblock. Then I take what it gives me, and use that to make my own.
Canada’s ice hockey win over Trump’s America was her soft power laid bare | Colin Horgan
OTOH, "Cockroaches and Dust" is a GREAT band name...
Something Vimes had learned as a young guard drifted up from memory. If you have to look along the shaft of an arrow from the wrong end, … then hope like hell that man is an evil man. … So hope like hell your captor is an evil man. A good man will kill you with hardly a word.
Nac Mac Feegle! The Wee Free Men! Nae king! Nae quin! Nae laird! Nae master! We willna' be fooled again! - Terry Pratchett (Wee Free Men) #GNUTerryPratchett