When I feel down, I remember that I live in America, and that Jesus is my savior. So, I have nothing to really worry about. Or I forget, and go into a grumpy bender. Holy Lightning hitting me atop the head would be nice. But its better used on a non-believer, I suppose. After all, Jesus gave me a good deal.
I do get tired rapidly, and I have trouble sleeping, but it goes on. I pray that God grants me more wisdom, as I seem to lack it, and perhaps some tact. I also pray that God keeps everyone safe, even if I don't like everyone. Life goes on.
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Wednesday, May 20, 2009
Radicalism
According to the bible, man is born evil, a failure of creation, and can only reach salvation through Christ. According to humanists, man is divine, above all other animals, which are base nature. Eco-nuts have evolved a weirder view. Man is both not a part of creation, but a tumor to be removed from holy nature.
I have noticed that nice, good environmentalists tend to be people who live and work among nature. Now, they sometimes get fooled by radicals. Like banning DDT instead of tweaking the amount used, which led to the deaths of millions of Africans.
Radicals use scary images, good people use calm rationality. I hate global warming for the bullshit its radical proponents spew. I also recall that anti-nuke hysteria by these same radicals prevented us from using nuclear power instead of coal. Now scientifically, I know a version of climate change is occuring, a minute difference we won't notice for another 60 years. We should be focusing on asteroids. You heard me.
I have noticed that nice, good environmentalists tend to be people who live and work among nature. Now, they sometimes get fooled by radicals. Like banning DDT instead of tweaking the amount used, which led to the deaths of millions of Africans.
Radicals use scary images, good people use calm rationality. I hate global warming for the bullshit its radical proponents spew. I also recall that anti-nuke hysteria by these same radicals prevented us from using nuclear power instead of coal. Now scientifically, I know a version of climate change is occuring, a minute difference we won't notice for another 60 years. We should be focusing on asteroids. You heard me.
Monday, May 4, 2009
Weird Thoughts
Why did people want a prince to come to the rescue in fairy tales? Why should an investor be forced to take a bad deal to benefit a union? Why do people care about race?
Now you see my though process. I wheel from unserious questions to economic and racial matters all within a few seconds. I sometimes land on one of these questions, an go more in depth. Some are easy. Princes had power, money, and a house. In the middle ages, this was as good as it got. Fairy tales have their roots in the time of kings.
The other questions are kinda boring to answer. I won't even try. Even though I have very definite opinions, thats not the same as an answer. Not all questions have answers that fit in a blog post.
Now you see my though process. I wheel from unserious questions to economic and racial matters all within a few seconds. I sometimes land on one of these questions, an go more in depth. Some are easy. Princes had power, money, and a house. In the middle ages, this was as good as it got. Fairy tales have their roots in the time of kings.
The other questions are kinda boring to answer. I won't even try. Even though I have very definite opinions, thats not the same as an answer. Not all questions have answers that fit in a blog post.
Monday, April 27, 2009
Sagra
One thing I have always wondered is if a monster can be a main character without being a human with extra bits. For example, lets have an alligator/lizard biped named Sagra. Big long tail, toothy mouth, kind of hulking. Would people watch a show showing him wandering a fantasy world smashing creeps? Now, it may have to be all CG, as I don't think we would have the money to make him look good in real time. I am a bit sour on the prospect, as I have yet to see even a cartoon with a serious monster lead.
I know that people need a character they can relate too, but I would hope people could relate to his personality. Having a cheerful, no-worry attitude seems to fit a gator, who spend time lazing in the sun in between gobbling up turtles and fish. It would seem to be a welcome break from the woe-is-me angst other monsterous characters have. It seems like people might like a cheerful alligator man with a big whomping stick clobbering everything from greedy orcs to eco-nut elves while laughing uproarously.
Example
"Hi!" Sagra said, and clobbered the armored guard with Whomper, sending him flying backwards.
He charged forward, as the stunned guard smacked into a stone wall with an amusing crash. Sagra smacked him with his armored tail for good measure, and smacked another guardman on the noggin with his odd weapon.
"Sagra!" he heard from the terrified girl on the wicker pile. The wicker had yet to be lit, although the pouring rain meant it was doubtful to ever lite.
"Stop him, he'll ruin everything!" The druid screamed, sending three more guards Sagra's way.
The crowd howled, and surged towards the gator. But a wave of sound smashed into them, sending some flying backwards. Sagra laughed in a deep husky voice, and ran over the guards like bowling pins, ignoring a clanging blow to his side from one of their polearms. He ran straight for the druid, who shifted into a bear.
"I hate bears!" Sagra roared, and set about proving it with a stunning blow to the head. The druid countered with a bat of his paw, scraping against Sagras armor.
Lighting flashed from the sky, tearing into the three guards that had recovered. Two stayed down, but the third stared at the grinning mage who had appeared on a rooftop. The brown haired young man stuck his tongue out.
"Good Night." a voice said in the guards ear, and he fell with a sharp knife in his back. The cloaked woman slid toward the girl on the wicker pile, and she cut her loose with ease. The panicked crowd had scattered, leaving the square empty. The thud of a bear hitting the cobblestones heralded the end of Sagras fight.
So would people watch that, or is it too weird for the mainstream?
I know that people need a character they can relate too, but I would hope people could relate to his personality. Having a cheerful, no-worry attitude seems to fit a gator, who spend time lazing in the sun in between gobbling up turtles and fish. It would seem to be a welcome break from the woe-is-me angst other monsterous characters have. It seems like people might like a cheerful alligator man with a big whomping stick clobbering everything from greedy orcs to eco-nut elves while laughing uproarously.
Example
"Hi!" Sagra said, and clobbered the armored guard with Whomper, sending him flying backwards.
He charged forward, as the stunned guard smacked into a stone wall with an amusing crash. Sagra smacked him with his armored tail for good measure, and smacked another guardman on the noggin with his odd weapon.
"Sagra!" he heard from the terrified girl on the wicker pile. The wicker had yet to be lit, although the pouring rain meant it was doubtful to ever lite.
"Stop him, he'll ruin everything!" The druid screamed, sending three more guards Sagra's way.
The crowd howled, and surged towards the gator. But a wave of sound smashed into them, sending some flying backwards. Sagra laughed in a deep husky voice, and ran over the guards like bowling pins, ignoring a clanging blow to his side from one of their polearms. He ran straight for the druid, who shifted into a bear.
"I hate bears!" Sagra roared, and set about proving it with a stunning blow to the head. The druid countered with a bat of his paw, scraping against Sagras armor.
Lighting flashed from the sky, tearing into the three guards that had recovered. Two stayed down, but the third stared at the grinning mage who had appeared on a rooftop. The brown haired young man stuck his tongue out.
"Good Night." a voice said in the guards ear, and he fell with a sharp knife in his back. The cloaked woman slid toward the girl on the wicker pile, and she cut her loose with ease. The panicked crowd had scattered, leaving the square empty. The thud of a bear hitting the cobblestones heralded the end of Sagras fight.
So would people watch that, or is it too weird for the mainstream?
Sunday, April 26, 2009
Should America be evil?
By which I mean, should we set forth the idea that harrassing American civilians for being American will earn a bombing? Roxana Sebari, a journalist, was arrested for "espionage" by the Iranian government. Now, we have warned civilians not to go to Iran, so perhaps this isn't the best example, she probably should have stayed away. But lets continue the thought experiment.
Would it work? Probably not at first. The kind of nations that pull this crap would be willing to accept some damage. They would turn it into propaganda, and we would become the bad guy. But is being a scary bad guy all that bad? If we prove we are serious, countries might think twice before grabbing innocent Americans to use as pawns. If we still treat everyone else with respect, would it really damage our position?
Would it work? Probably not at first. The kind of nations that pull this crap would be willing to accept some damage. They would turn it into propaganda, and we would become the bad guy. But is being a scary bad guy all that bad? If we prove we are serious, countries might think twice before grabbing innocent Americans to use as pawns. If we still treat everyone else with respect, would it really damage our position?
Friday, April 24, 2009
Strategist vs. Engineer
The military has invested money in load assisting suits to allow soldiers to carry more with less effort. Now, these are called powered armor in science fiction, which always packs on rocket packs and internal munitions. But the real world is a bit less romantic.
Lets face it, a mass produced bit of gear that reduces effort is far more useful than an Iron Man suit. That's why the F-22 is out of date, replaced by the cheaper Predator. However, don't let this get ya down if you like fancy weapons. The newest infantry weapon the Army is trying out is a 25mm cannon that can fire guided shells.
All of this shows the difference between the tech-guy and the strategist. The tech guy wants to make the fanciest device possible. The strategist wants weapons that can equip his force against its most likely threat. The strategist likes an Airburst cannon that might allow Spec-Ops to wipe out larger forces than normally possible. He also wants drone bombers that allow him to go on high risk missions without some flyboy getting killed. He frankly needs a load suit so that the troops don't quit when asked to shoulder cannon shells.
We want to give soldiers everything they need. But we cannot afford to make them unkillable. Its hard to balance these two realities.
Lets face it, a mass produced bit of gear that reduces effort is far more useful than an Iron Man suit. That's why the F-22 is out of date, replaced by the cheaper Predator. However, don't let this get ya down if you like fancy weapons. The newest infantry weapon the Army is trying out is a 25mm cannon that can fire guided shells.
All of this shows the difference between the tech-guy and the strategist. The tech guy wants to make the fanciest device possible. The strategist wants weapons that can equip his force against its most likely threat. The strategist likes an Airburst cannon that might allow Spec-Ops to wipe out larger forces than normally possible. He also wants drone bombers that allow him to go on high risk missions without some flyboy getting killed. He frankly needs a load suit so that the troops don't quit when asked to shoulder cannon shells.
We want to give soldiers everything they need. But we cannot afford to make them unkillable. Its hard to balance these two realities.
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Two good things
OK, for all my distain at his stupid domestic policy of spending more than Bush in a few months, Obama has made two good decisions.
One, he allowed Gates to slash the F-22 budget. The F-22 is an awesome, but out of date and expensive plane. We don't need them, end of statement. We have the JSF, which is more useful (it can be a stealth fighter or a bomb truck), and the kickass Predator C jet drone, which we can produce for a fraction of the cost of a F-22, with the added bonus of being a robot. Now, to be sure, Robert Gates is the man who made the decision, and he is a Bush holdover, but Obama chose to keep him, a solid decision.
Two, he talked to Colombias president Uribe about the free trade deal, and after realizing that it wasn't a bad idea, has said its a good idea. He had been parroting stupid talking points about it hurting Americans, but after discussing the issue, he actually learned something.
Now, please note, these are the only two decisions he made I agree with. He is still horrible.
One, he allowed Gates to slash the F-22 budget. The F-22 is an awesome, but out of date and expensive plane. We don't need them, end of statement. We have the JSF, which is more useful (it can be a stealth fighter or a bomb truck), and the kickass Predator C jet drone, which we can produce for a fraction of the cost of a F-22, with the added bonus of being a robot. Now, to be sure, Robert Gates is the man who made the decision, and he is a Bush holdover, but Obama chose to keep him, a solid decision.
Two, he talked to Colombias president Uribe about the free trade deal, and after realizing that it wasn't a bad idea, has said its a good idea. He had been parroting stupid talking points about it hurting Americans, but after discussing the issue, he actually learned something.
Now, please note, these are the only two decisions he made I agree with. He is still horrible.
Sunday, April 19, 2009
Brain Dump
Watching some fun mecha music videos on Youtube maked me realize how silly mecha are when you make them serious weapons. Armored Core, for instance, has mecha that spend more time skating and jet boosting than walking. It would make more sense just to have a hover assault craft, doing away with the gangly legs and arms. Now, this point doesn't prevent enjoying giant robot fights, but I think giant hover tank duels could be just as cool.
When set in a funny or ridiculous world, mecha and giant robots work great. But in grim worlds, they annoy me. Maybe its the balance between sci-fi nerd and military geek that does it. Once I get started tearing apart concepts, the flitterring gangly mech has become a sleek assault craft, more like a spacefighter than anything else. In a purely fantastical world, though, tearing apart concepts seems petty and mean. This is probably why I like fantasy a bit more. I can't argue with "a wizard did it" or "magic dilithium crystals" and can go on to enjoy the show.
Yes, I just called Star Trek fantasy. The humans are noble and pure, the aliens are humans with funny ears, and the technology is based on magic crystals. Star Wars is fantasy as well, but everyone knows that.
When set in a funny or ridiculous world, mecha and giant robots work great. But in grim worlds, they annoy me. Maybe its the balance between sci-fi nerd and military geek that does it. Once I get started tearing apart concepts, the flitterring gangly mech has become a sleek assault craft, more like a spacefighter than anything else. In a purely fantastical world, though, tearing apart concepts seems petty and mean. This is probably why I like fantasy a bit more. I can't argue with "a wizard did it" or "magic dilithium crystals" and can go on to enjoy the show.
Yes, I just called Star Trek fantasy. The humans are noble and pure, the aliens are humans with funny ears, and the technology is based on magic crystals. Star Wars is fantasy as well, but everyone knows that.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Enemy of the State
Because I believe the federal government has too much power, I am a potential terrorist, according to the Obama DHS. So are any returning veterans. This report on right-wing radicals has no real information that could help cops, and is an embarrassment. It basically lumps together federalists, abortion opponents, and skinheads into one massive group without mentionning a real threat.
Basically, if you didn't vote for Obama, they think you are a dangerous person. Note that the companion report on left-wing violence is choked with real cases involving violent animal liberation types, and does not blanket as many groups under the tent of radicalism. The DHS is an embarrassment. It takes barely ten years to go from targetting terrorist to targetting political opponents.
Basically, if you didn't vote for Obama, they think you are a dangerous person. Note that the companion report on left-wing violence is choked with real cases involving violent animal liberation types, and does not blanket as many groups under the tent of radicalism. The DHS is an embarrassment. It takes barely ten years to go from targetting terrorist to targetting political opponents.
Thursday, April 9, 2009
What I'd like to see in a sci-fi series.
While useless, it is sometimes fun to write down exactly what one desires out of entertainment. No series will ever live up to all your desires, but thats not the point.
First of all, there needs to be a balance between drama and having fun. Too many series focus on only drama, and end up very bleak and harsh. This is important to all series, and needs to be there before we even add elements of sci-fi.
I would like starships and energy weapons, but they need to be different enough from other series. Weapons that effect larger areas of space, providing indirect fire, might be fun to experiment with. If infantry combat occurs, they at least need armored spacesuits. Captains and higher ups do not go on infantry missions, period.
Multiple species that are more than humans with funny knobs. Hard to do on a small budget, you might say, but they could at least try.
Sadly, to get all this and decent actors, I would have to wait for eternity. Science Fiction books are still available, though, and I have yet to exhaust the wierd world of anime, so its not a big deal.
First of all, there needs to be a balance between drama and having fun. Too many series focus on only drama, and end up very bleak and harsh. This is important to all series, and needs to be there before we even add elements of sci-fi.
I would like starships and energy weapons, but they need to be different enough from other series. Weapons that effect larger areas of space, providing indirect fire, might be fun to experiment with. If infantry combat occurs, they at least need armored spacesuits. Captains and higher ups do not go on infantry missions, period.
Multiple species that are more than humans with funny knobs. Hard to do on a small budget, you might say, but they could at least try.
Sadly, to get all this and decent actors, I would have to wait for eternity. Science Fiction books are still available, though, and I have yet to exhaust the wierd world of anime, so its not a big deal.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
Bread and Circuses
Yes, I think the world has gone mad. Yes, I have serious concerns about the future. However, we still have cheap food and an overload of entertainment. More people are able to enter into this world of bread and circuses. Now, you can still have a hard time in a world of youtube and decent food, but life is fairly good. However, this is a very new thing for humanity, so even though I think its good, being liberated from the basics allows people to become more bizarre. Like the Romans did. Being happily fed and entertained does not prevent you from being cruel, evil, and arrogant.
It doesn't force you to be any of those things, however. We have the ability to reason, and it won't be technologies fault if we go bonkers.
It doesn't force you to be any of those things, however. We have the ability to reason, and it won't be technologies fault if we go bonkers.
Monday, March 30, 2009
Elder Abuse
Have you ever seen Robert Byrd speak? He is so doddering that I almost want to charge the people who vote for him with abusing a poor old man. I do not like how we seem to put politicians in till they go senile. The Republicans do this too, and I really wonder if these parties support older politicians so they can take advantage of them. Or maybe its just easier than kicking them out.
A way to end this would be term limits, which is the last thing we will ever see. Getting rid of the seniority rules might help. I think politicians are less competant the longer they are in.
A way to end this would be term limits, which is the last thing we will ever see. Getting rid of the seniority rules might help. I think politicians are less competant the longer they are in.
Thursday, March 26, 2009
Factions
One thing that has always fascinated me about Real Time Strategy games are the way factions are set up. I dislike playing RTS, because you have to upgrade your base and fight at the same time, but the way factions are balanced interests me. This is more pronounced in science fiction and fantasy games, and was first mastered by Starcraft.
We had Protoss, superior psychic aliens who had expensive, powerful units. We had the ravenous swarm of the Zerg, who like large numbers of cheap soldiers. The Terrans were kinda in the middle on unit cost vs. strength, but they had other things to seperate them from the other two. So, how do I take my love of factions with different units, and do something constructive with it?
Well, I can't write a story about it. "Techpirate Hijack Bot Number 543 (with rocketfeet upgrade from Chop Shop) screamed as the MethMonster Drill Wurmz (with metal digestion from the HiveShack) ate its face." doesn't come out well. Although it is hilarious.
Write out a ridiculous paper covering unit development and comparisons for a game that I don't have the financial power to make correctly? Well, that seems like fun. And it will confuse my only readers (hi mom!). It will also take forever. Meh.
Constructive is out, then. I will then describe a few factions for a crazy world my brain can come up with.
MethMonsters: Well, ole Billy added the wrong chemical to a batch of meth, and it exploded, opening a hole in space-time. He is now the mutated leader of a swarm of confused mutated animals and people. Redneck bugmonsters!
TechPirates: The reason no one has nuked Billy. TechPirates have cool robot toys and are just as slimy as normal pirates. I would make them have the most expensive units, as they are cowardly criminals who send robots to actually fight. Being attacked by bugmonsters has lowered the amount of time they spend screwing up the rest of the world.
Lizard Men: Ravenous lizard men from Venus! Hmm... I think I'd better stop.
We had Protoss, superior psychic aliens who had expensive, powerful units. We had the ravenous swarm of the Zerg, who like large numbers of cheap soldiers. The Terrans were kinda in the middle on unit cost vs. strength, but they had other things to seperate them from the other two. So, how do I take my love of factions with different units, and do something constructive with it?
Well, I can't write a story about it. "Techpirate Hijack Bot Number 543 (with rocketfeet upgrade from Chop Shop) screamed as the MethMonster Drill Wurmz (with metal digestion from the HiveShack) ate its face." doesn't come out well. Although it is hilarious.
Write out a ridiculous paper covering unit development and comparisons for a game that I don't have the financial power to make correctly? Well, that seems like fun. And it will confuse my only readers (hi mom!). It will also take forever. Meh.
Constructive is out, then. I will then describe a few factions for a crazy world my brain can come up with.
MethMonsters: Well, ole Billy added the wrong chemical to a batch of meth, and it exploded, opening a hole in space-time. He is now the mutated leader of a swarm of confused mutated animals and people. Redneck bugmonsters!
TechPirates: The reason no one has nuked Billy. TechPirates have cool robot toys and are just as slimy as normal pirates. I would make them have the most expensive units, as they are cowardly criminals who send robots to actually fight. Being attacked by bugmonsters has lowered the amount of time they spend screwing up the rest of the world.
Lizard Men: Ravenous lizard men from Venus! Hmm... I think I'd better stop.
Sunday, March 15, 2009
Humans in science fiction
How come humans never get to be the sneaky race in sci-fi? We always seem to be put in the top dog or mewling prey department. Either we have a massive empire or we are barely surviving genocidal monsters. This is usually a bit more balanced in strategy games, but humans in games suffer from always the middle of the road race.
Why can't we be the sneaking spy or unruly horde? I guess because people want to believe humans are either inferior or average, and never give a thought that we might be one of the weirdo races in the future. But I think people might like to see humans as the clever and crafty sneaks, with a fleet of stealth ships, secret agents, and stealth suited space rangers. I would, at least. But we have to sell it, so lets try.
One) Stealth ships give some of that submarine warfare tension. It would also be a departure from the spacecraft carriers that fill science fiction. Plus, cloaking effects aren't that hard.
Two) Think a less slimy James Bond meets Mace Windu. No shiny stuff, he is about trickery and misdirection. In fact, the Jedi have made it acceptable for a "good guy" to mind fry people, add to that some cool gadgets and guns, and we've got our agent.
Three) Space Rangers (or Marines) are often done, but they are generally the first to get eaten or killed, and these guys are different. These Rangers will be a close-knit team, and while we can't go full "Predator" on their enemies, because of the lack of drama, we will make them scary to the enemy. They can lose a few members, just not enough to make a joke out of them (no red shirts).
So we have three ways to show sneaky humans. I believe their weapons will not be shiny or flashy, nor loud and rumbly. I like simple longarms that spit whispers of dark energy. No lazy tossing modern guns to them.
Why can't we be the sneaking spy or unruly horde? I guess because people want to believe humans are either inferior or average, and never give a thought that we might be one of the weirdo races in the future. But I think people might like to see humans as the clever and crafty sneaks, with a fleet of stealth ships, secret agents, and stealth suited space rangers. I would, at least. But we have to sell it, so lets try.
One) Stealth ships give some of that submarine warfare tension. It would also be a departure from the spacecraft carriers that fill science fiction. Plus, cloaking effects aren't that hard.
Two) Think a less slimy James Bond meets Mace Windu. No shiny stuff, he is about trickery and misdirection. In fact, the Jedi have made it acceptable for a "good guy" to mind fry people, add to that some cool gadgets and guns, and we've got our agent.
Three) Space Rangers (or Marines) are often done, but they are generally the first to get eaten or killed, and these guys are different. These Rangers will be a close-knit team, and while we can't go full "Predator" on their enemies, because of the lack of drama, we will make them scary to the enemy. They can lose a few members, just not enough to make a joke out of them (no red shirts).
So we have three ways to show sneaky humans. I believe their weapons will not be shiny or flashy, nor loud and rumbly. I like simple longarms that spit whispers of dark energy. No lazy tossing modern guns to them.
Monday, March 9, 2009
Who leads the party?
Alright, this has bothered me for a while. Who leads either political parties? Their highest level guy? So, is that executive or legislative? I know many people think that Bush or Obama lead their respective parties, but I don't see it. The idea that we need "leaders" is beyond me. We are a Republic, after all, we hire the guy to represent us for his term. If he doesn't do his job, we fire him at he end of this term.
This is hard to handle, as we want a scapegoat to blame when everything messes up. But why do we have to follow the leader? Is it just our human weakness? America might be better off if we stopped looking for leaders, and started doing things ourselves. If no one is going to fix social security, you need to start saving! If everyone did this instead of spending everything they make and then demanding a bailout, we wouldn't have an economic mess.
Americans caused the economic meltdown, the invasion of Iraq, and now try to blame it on Bush. Same goes for Obama too, he isn't the problem, he's just our stooge. All elected officials are, and the sooner we realize it, the better.
This is hard to handle, as we want a scapegoat to blame when everything messes up. But why do we have to follow the leader? Is it just our human weakness? America might be better off if we stopped looking for leaders, and started doing things ourselves. If no one is going to fix social security, you need to start saving! If everyone did this instead of spending everything they make and then demanding a bailout, we wouldn't have an economic mess.
Americans caused the economic meltdown, the invasion of Iraq, and now try to blame it on Bush. Same goes for Obama too, he isn't the problem, he's just our stooge. All elected officials are, and the sooner we realize it, the better.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Wait, what?
Snicker
Look, this kind of thing is simply hilarious. When primitive screwballs used to talk like this, Westerners would snicker under their breath at them. But nowadays too many are willing to believe silly crap to justify the "victim hood" of a group of rather nasty individuals. To the point of magic disintegration bombs. Its truly laughable, as their are nasty weapons that actually exist which do far worse than "disintegrate".
Look, this kind of thing is simply hilarious. When primitive screwballs used to talk like this, Westerners would snicker under their breath at them. But nowadays too many are willing to believe silly crap to justify the "victim hood" of a group of rather nasty individuals. To the point of magic disintegration bombs. Its truly laughable, as their are nasty weapons that actually exist which do far worse than "disintegrate".
Saturday, March 7, 2009
Anime oddness
I noticed when watching Naruto Shippuden online how much power-levels switch in anime. This undead bruiser smashes a building and easily snares two decent soldiers (We've seen these two since day one) with freaky detachable fists. However, when they get rescued, he gets held off by a kid using basic martial arts. This kid isn't even a main character. He's one of those random uniformed ninja who usually die in five seconds.
This must have to do with anime villians obsession with looking weak and being strong. But its kind of jarring how the main characters seem to waste their magic on splashy effects, while some random kid holds off a guy twice his side with a few punches. The shift in power is just odd.
This must have to do with anime villians obsession with looking weak and being strong. But its kind of jarring how the main characters seem to waste their magic on splashy effects, while some random kid holds off a guy twice his side with a few punches. The shift in power is just odd.
Friday, March 6, 2009
Robin Hood
Robin Hood stole from the rich, right? Well... technically. He didn't steal from shopkeepers all that often. He was most known for stealing tax money from greedy taxmen who took too much. In the day of his legend, the rich were the government. In addition to taking back peoples money from the government, he also stole the money the church gained by selling papers to forgive sin.
This may shock the people who hear that he "took from the rich to give to the poor". But Robin Hood took from a upper-class much different than those we have today. Lets face facts, he took from an overbearing government and gave money to taxpayers. The rich are no longer all lords and ladies in castles. Many are people who create wealth through ideas and inventions, or invest wealth into factories or stores. They didn't steal to get where they are. Sure, some just got lucky, but why get angry that they got a break?
Robin Hood was rich, after all. In fact, he was an aristocrat. But he didn't steal using government power. Government is always the real threat. It tries to blame the rich for its corrution, but it has all the real power.
This may shock the people who hear that he "took from the rich to give to the poor". But Robin Hood took from a upper-class much different than those we have today. Lets face facts, he took from an overbearing government and gave money to taxpayers. The rich are no longer all lords and ladies in castles. Many are people who create wealth through ideas and inventions, or invest wealth into factories or stores. They didn't steal to get where they are. Sure, some just got lucky, but why get angry that they got a break?
Robin Hood was rich, after all. In fact, he was an aristocrat. But he didn't steal using government power. Government is always the real threat. It tries to blame the rich for its corrution, but it has all the real power.
Wednesday, March 4, 2009
Don't worry, the robots will pay!
Modern politicians have this idea that our grandchildren can pay for all of our wasteful spending. Now, from a certain point of view, this might make sense. After all, throughout human history, the next generation has had it better. But will this be true when social security goes bankrupt? When our energy policy is more about reducing carbon than supplying energy? When did we get the idea to screw over kids for our own comfort?
In certain science fiction, we start building AIs as smart as humans, basically, they are humanities children. When I see how we shovel responsibilities on future generations, it makes me realize how silly this is. No wonder Skynet blew up humanity. We chuck unwanted babies in garbage cans, pass the costs of our slovenly, greedy lives to our children, and whine about how hard life is.
However, not all of us do this. Many people don't want their children to pay for someone elses mistakes, and many parents will sacrifice to help children. Hopefully, this group will wrestle control back from society before the robots decide to chuck us in garbage mashers instead of working our debts off.
In certain science fiction, we start building AIs as smart as humans, basically, they are humanities children. When I see how we shovel responsibilities on future generations, it makes me realize how silly this is. No wonder Skynet blew up humanity. We chuck unwanted babies in garbage cans, pass the costs of our slovenly, greedy lives to our children, and whine about how hard life is.
However, not all of us do this. Many people don't want their children to pay for someone elses mistakes, and many parents will sacrifice to help children. Hopefully, this group will wrestle control back from society before the robots decide to chuck us in garbage mashers instead of working our debts off.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Silly lies
Obama will let the Bush tax cuts expire, but claims it isn't a tax hike. Sorry, but if taxes increase, its a tax hike. Then we get a 3.2 trillion budget, with increases for his favorite social programs. Now, to be fair, some of the savings he's trying to get are decent ideas. But the increased spending erases any savings, so whats really the point? Then theirs the fuzzy math on Iraq. His "savings" in Iraq assume spending 180 billion in Iraq every year till 2019, which was never going to happen, as even Bush's deal with the Iraqis had most resources out by 2012. So another silly lie.
I hope the economy recovers, even if Obama gets credit for it. But taxing energy companies for carbon, on top of the 35% corporate tax rate, is going to increase costs across the board. Energy makes everything more expensive. Families might weather it, because they can buy Chinese products made with cheap coal power, but increasing costs on Americas dwindling manufacturers seems like suicide.
Obama seems to think everything will work his way, magically. But he's kidding himself with his silly lies.
I hope the economy recovers, even if Obama gets credit for it. But taxing energy companies for carbon, on top of the 35% corporate tax rate, is going to increase costs across the board. Energy makes everything more expensive. Families might weather it, because they can buy Chinese products made with cheap coal power, but increasing costs on Americas dwindling manufacturers seems like suicide.
Obama seems to think everything will work his way, magically. But he's kidding himself with his silly lies.
Friday, February 20, 2009
Life doesn't suck.
I have seen this new spread of people of my generation whining about how hard life is. These are rich, fat Americans, who are somehow convinced that life is bad. This was before the economy tanked. Of course, a first-world economy tanking is hardly the end of life, especially our society, which seems to be based on owing money. But the truth of the matter is, life still doesn't suck. These young people confuse me, and I'm their age. If these people believe life is so horrible, what do they think will make them happy? Was life better 20 years ago? 100?
This love of gloom and doom is silly, and I wonder if they see how ridiculous they look? Global Warming is the main thing they leech onto, but do they know major rivers in the US used to be sludge? Acid rain used to scrape mountains clean, for instance. Heck, American cities used to look like Chinas do now.
But thats not the point of this post. The point is, dream a little. It doesn't matter if polar bears go extinct, or the sea level rises, live your life. Don't get overwhelmed by the information revolution, use it, play with it, toss it aside when your done. If you work hard enough and are willing to delay gratification, you might achieve your dreams. Or not, its acceptable to fail. Success is meaningless without failure, after all.
This love of gloom and doom is silly, and I wonder if they see how ridiculous they look? Global Warming is the main thing they leech onto, but do they know major rivers in the US used to be sludge? Acid rain used to scrape mountains clean, for instance. Heck, American cities used to look like Chinas do now.
But thats not the point of this post. The point is, dream a little. It doesn't matter if polar bears go extinct, or the sea level rises, live your life. Don't get overwhelmed by the information revolution, use it, play with it, toss it aside when your done. If you work hard enough and are willing to delay gratification, you might achieve your dreams. Or not, its acceptable to fail. Success is meaningless without failure, after all.
Thursday, February 19, 2009
Homo superior
Its this idiotic view that being a bit stronger or smarter than others, you become morally better than them, and can make decisions for them. It was popular in early pulp sci-fi, where supermen were hounded by the inferior little people. But it never went out of style in the real world, and one can argue that both parties subscribe to it. To our betters in washington, their advanced degrees give them the right to spend the money of the little people. Unfortunately, superpowers or advanced degrees don't actually make you morally better.
I might not like this idea in comics, but I can ignore it to watch supermen fighting. However, when its my country, and my future, I cannot. It is an evil view of the world, and evil men believe in it. Its time for some humility.
Alternatively, the morons in DC could just ignore me, thats OK. However, they need to realize that they lack certain traits Superman has.
I might not like this idea in comics, but I can ignore it to watch supermen fighting. However, when its my country, and my future, I cannot. It is an evil view of the world, and evil men believe in it. Its time for some humility.
Alternatively, the morons in DC could just ignore me, thats OK. However, they need to realize that they lack certain traits Superman has.
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Boring sleek sci-fi
I have noticed that while anime sci-fi may go too far into the giant robot territory, the over-the-top weapons, starships, and robots are fun to watch. Star Wars has the same attitude, although its more of a fantasy than a sci-fi.
Science Fiction doesn't mean trying to look "realistic". But Hollywood seems obsessed with stripping away the weirdness. Star Wars aside, most sci-fi is set in the modern world, or a dreary, depressing future. Its settings are so boring, I wan't to fall asleep. They can sometimes keep me awake with explosions, but can we please have a happier science fiction?
OK, this is for the writers that have a chance to get published (this is a consumers request): Don't whimper about the weak economy, or make up BS excuses. When you find yourself trying to be topical, stop. Its tempting, but whats happening now is whats happening now, and should have nothing to do with science fiction.You'll look like a moron in twenty years, I guarantee ya.
Science Fiction doesn't mean trying to look "realistic". But Hollywood seems obsessed with stripping away the weirdness. Star Wars aside, most sci-fi is set in the modern world, or a dreary, depressing future. Its settings are so boring, I wan't to fall asleep. They can sometimes keep me awake with explosions, but can we please have a happier science fiction?
OK, this is for the writers that have a chance to get published (this is a consumers request): Don't whimper about the weak economy, or make up BS excuses. When you find yourself trying to be topical, stop. Its tempting, but whats happening now is whats happening now, and should have nothing to do with science fiction.You'll look like a moron in twenty years, I guarantee ya.
Friday, February 6, 2009
Post-Apocalyptic
I have always liked the magical "after the ancient empire fell" worlds of Final Fantasy and other Japanese games and shows. They have beautiful forests, shining medieval style cities, and wandering monsters. COmpare to the burnt wastelands of American post-apocalyptic worlds. These barren wastelands are completely unrealistic, if you look at places hit by superweapons/toxins in the real world.
Sites where dioxin has spilled have regrown, even if it killed many animals when it spilled. Chernobyl is a forest with wolves and owls prowling overgrown schools and soccer stadiums.
Then the biggie: Hiroshima. Looking at Hiroshima today, you cannot tell it got nuked, which is probably why the Japanese understand the truth that life goes on.
OK, so nukes are not a good lifecleanser long-term. Radiation doesn't make monsters, so if you want a world with monsters and old tech, whats a writer to do? Easy, get creative with the cause. OK, a world where trench warfare stretches on huge fronts, until one side invents a new poison gas. However, this stuff reacts with another poison gas, which no one expects. The strange substance created gets into the environment, twisting animals and plants, and the resulting mess led to the modern world of nomads and cities walled to keep out toxic creatures. Kinda close to Girl Genius, though.
A sci-fi world, where reality cracking weapons are used is another way to mix up post-apocalyptic fiction. Reality crackings lets us go full magitech mode. We can have biotech knights, mutant wizards, and robots fighting alongside and against each other. I know, kinda silly, but I'm just tired of the laziness. Evil robots and nuclear war are sorta overdone, after all.
Sites where dioxin has spilled have regrown, even if it killed many animals when it spilled. Chernobyl is a forest with wolves and owls prowling overgrown schools and soccer stadiums.
Then the biggie: Hiroshima. Looking at Hiroshima today, you cannot tell it got nuked, which is probably why the Japanese understand the truth that life goes on.
OK, so nukes are not a good lifecleanser long-term. Radiation doesn't make monsters, so if you want a world with monsters and old tech, whats a writer to do? Easy, get creative with the cause. OK, a world where trench warfare stretches on huge fronts, until one side invents a new poison gas. However, this stuff reacts with another poison gas, which no one expects. The strange substance created gets into the environment, twisting animals and plants, and the resulting mess led to the modern world of nomads and cities walled to keep out toxic creatures. Kinda close to Girl Genius, though.
A sci-fi world, where reality cracking weapons are used is another way to mix up post-apocalyptic fiction. Reality crackings lets us go full magitech mode. We can have biotech knights, mutant wizards, and robots fighting alongside and against each other. I know, kinda silly, but I'm just tired of the laziness. Evil robots and nuclear war are sorta overdone, after all.
Thursday, February 5, 2009
Witch Hunter Robin
Witch Hunter Robin is, so far, an excellent anime. The Japanese branch of some organization called STN gets a transfer from Italy, Robin Sena. She was raised on a convent, and has a powerful, if not always accurate, flame blast ability. She is a modest and decent main character who doesn't revert to empty tough girl rhetoric or mousy submission. The series is fairly dark, and so far reminds me of CSI with magic. A murder, or freakiness, followed by an investigation. So far, so good.
The people seem decent, even the lazy one, and I slightly dread the fact that something awful will happen to them, this being serious anime. Please note, anime newcomers, anime directors are not after infinite shows (Unlike Americans), and thus, will gleefully murder the most lovable characters if the plot calls for it. But the only way to d=find out is too watch!
The people seem decent, even the lazy one, and I slightly dread the fact that something awful will happen to them, this being serious anime. Please note, anime newcomers, anime directors are not after infinite shows (Unlike Americans), and thus, will gleefully murder the most lovable characters if the plot calls for it. But the only way to d=find out is too watch!
Saturday, January 31, 2009
Weird
Why would Obama send 30,000 troops to Afghanistan, then ask the Pentagon to reduce spending by 10% (55 billion)? Yet he wishes to pass a 800 billion spending plan. This guy is not even logical.
Update: Turns out to be BS. He's going to increase it by 8% instead of original 18% Army wished for. Liberals did the same thing to Bush, saying he cut programs when he merely increased them at a slower rate, or cut emission standards when he increased them (But not enough for the eco-nuts).
Update: Turns out to be BS. He's going to increase it by 8% instead of original 18% Army wished for. Liberals did the same thing to Bush, saying he cut programs when he merely increased them at a slower rate, or cut emission standards when he increased them (But not enough for the eco-nuts).
Sunday, January 11, 2009
Naruto as Horror
Naruto would be Horror if not for the power of the protagonists. We have, fer instance, the kid who has bugs living in his body. He is one of the good guys. Admittedly, he is the only really scary good one. The enemies are terrifying, and could kill Dracula for fun, and one of them would even stuff him afterwards to make a new puppet. In the original series, we have a body switching madman who wants to learn everything, and his pet freaks. The second series enemies are all as powerful, and all as insane.
Thankfully, its brightly lit, and the cute chick can break boulders with her gloved fists, so it is not Horror. Which is good, because Horror stinks.
Thankfully, its brightly lit, and the cute chick can break boulders with her gloved fists, so it is not Horror. Which is good, because Horror stinks.
Monday, January 5, 2009
Robots as the good guys
Why is it that evil robots are more prevalent in entertainment? R2-D2, Autobots and Johnny 5 are the only blatantly heroic ones I can think of. In modern American science fiction movies, robots are all going to kill us, for some odd reason. The realistic robots in Iron Man that have weird quirks and dog-like intelligence are the best treatment robots have gotten in a while.
Now, maybe I am being unfair, but Terminator, The Matrix, the horrible "I, Robot" movie adaptation, Cylons, Star Wars battledroids, and their assorted rip-offs have painted robots as psychotic killing machines. Somehow, artificial intelligence always decides to emulate Stalin, and commit mass genocide. What is cold, calculating, and logical about genocide? In reality, genocide is usually very emotional, and ridiculous. It seems kinda desperate to portray robots as having such a human failing.
Now, too be fair, I have no idea how AIs will turn out. True AI requires emotions to prioritize behavior, so perhaps they get mental disorders. But unless the makers are very sloppy, that should be kept to a minimum. Perhaps you can't program human level reasoning, so they make logical leaps and get to weird results. But I guess that wouldn't be exciting enough. It might be that humans want to see themselves triumphing over machines, and thats fair, but I wish we'd have more good robots in entertainment.
Enter the MULE. A unmanned ground vehicle designed to assist ground troops, this next gen weapon system has no AI as of yet, but one day it might. This will terrify some people, but I think it should be given a chance. Sadly, people have been so programmed to fear robots with guns, it might never get the chance to fight terrorism and save soldiers lives. But I don't think it would randomly decide to kill us all. I would like to see a similar robot in a scifi movie, and I hope the evil robot stage will pass. Transformers, for all its faults, has made money on good robots, so I hope more follow suite.
Now, maybe I am being unfair, but Terminator, The Matrix, the horrible "I, Robot" movie adaptation, Cylons, Star Wars battledroids, and their assorted rip-offs have painted robots as psychotic killing machines. Somehow, artificial intelligence always decides to emulate Stalin, and commit mass genocide. What is cold, calculating, and logical about genocide? In reality, genocide is usually very emotional, and ridiculous. It seems kinda desperate to portray robots as having such a human failing.
Now, too be fair, I have no idea how AIs will turn out. True AI requires emotions to prioritize behavior, so perhaps they get mental disorders. But unless the makers are very sloppy, that should be kept to a minimum. Perhaps you can't program human level reasoning, so they make logical leaps and get to weird results. But I guess that wouldn't be exciting enough. It might be that humans want to see themselves triumphing over machines, and thats fair, but I wish we'd have more good robots in entertainment.
Enter the MULE. A unmanned ground vehicle designed to assist ground troops, this next gen weapon system has no AI as of yet, but one day it might. This will terrify some people, but I think it should be given a chance. Sadly, people have been so programmed to fear robots with guns, it might never get the chance to fight terrorism and save soldiers lives. But I don't think it would randomly decide to kill us all. I would like to see a similar robot in a scifi movie, and I hope the evil robot stage will pass. Transformers, for all its faults, has made money on good robots, so I hope more follow suite.
Friday, January 2, 2009
Diaroma simulation
LittleBigPlanet is a great game, considering its a diaroma simulation. It uses the amazing graphics of the PS3 to replicate real world materials, fabric being the most impressive. To the basic function of making levels, they add tutorials, a wideranging story mode, and the ability to play other peoples levels. This wouldn't work unless the game was a platformer, as nearly everyone has played that sort of game. Add to this the support of their entire Sony machine, from Metal Gear Solid to Resistance, in everything from costumes to gadgets, and the creativity of bored humans, and its simple gameplay, and you have a winner.
But the diaroma part is a very important part of all this. People who would never attempt to make use of level creators in other games, and non-gamers, see the diaroma based levels, and remember old first-grade projects. The polished story levels don't look too advanced for them to create, so they go for it. It's a fair bet most people will never be as good as the developers, but I have seen levels almost as good. Other gamers will then try to replicate the best customer levels.
The end result is an infinite game, as players feed off of one anothers creativity, and the developer continues to release new items, backgrounds, and costumes. Recently, a paintball gun was added through a Metal Gear add-on, and you can be sure similar gadgets will be released. Sony has a great item on their hands, although it might not sell the console, it does give it one great reason to exist.
But the diaroma part is a very important part of all this. People who would never attempt to make use of level creators in other games, and non-gamers, see the diaroma based levels, and remember old first-grade projects. The polished story levels don't look too advanced for them to create, so they go for it. It's a fair bet most people will never be as good as the developers, but I have seen levels almost as good. Other gamers will then try to replicate the best customer levels.
The end result is an infinite game, as players feed off of one anothers creativity, and the developer continues to release new items, backgrounds, and costumes. Recently, a paintball gun was added through a Metal Gear add-on, and you can be sure similar gadgets will be released. Sony has a great item on their hands, although it might not sell the console, it does give it one great reason to exist.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)