Star Pirate Space Wars of the Old Republic

Let me share some screenshots of one of my Star Wars: The Old Republic characters:

Here stands Captain Jacc Flynt in front of his XS stock light freighter which, unfortunately, the game does not allow you to name Redemptrix. He is a smuggler by trade. (Both the first name "Jack" and last name "Flint" were taken. I don't know if by the same person, but that would be kinda cool.)

Here is Captain Jacc Flynt on the bridge of his ship, surveying a map of the galaxy. Perhaps he is trying to plot a route between Ceres and Callisto in less than 12 parsecs. Come to think of it, plotting a route from Ceres to Callisto that would be more than 12 parsecs would be quite the feat indeed. (Ok, so you start at Ceres, head towards Callisto. Keep going. Keep going. Keep going. Then just before you get there, veer of course, head to Vega, and come back.)

Here is Captain Jacc Flynt talking with his companion who is, unfortunately, not named Yosef Lwanga. He is, however, the hired muscle and handy with a gun.

Captain Jacc Flynt looks over the shoulder of his crew mate who, come to think of it, doesn't really look like Regina Burke. Miss Burke has blue eyes, not merely lots of blue eye shadow.

At some point, apparently, Captain Jacc Flynt froze someone in carbonite. Tim Sikorsky, perhaps? Seems awfully cold of him (yuk yuk yuk).

Apparently, Captain Jacc Flynt now has a droid. He purposely removed the three laws programming so he could tell it to kill people.

Piano Stuff

I recorded these about a year ago, then promptly forgot about them.

Whether playing Nethack on the console violates one's self-imposed Lenten penance of not playing video games?

Objection 1. Nethack is based on elements common to all video games, such as goals, objectives, obstacles, and strategy, and is therefore a game.

Objection 2. Nethack requires electronic video, therefore it is a video game.

Objection 3. Nethack is entertaining, which is the essential attribute of video games.

On the contrary, it is written in Sacred Scripture "But let your communication be, Yea, yea; Nay, nay: for whatsoever is more than these cometh of evil." (Matthew 5:37)

I argue that purpose of a Lenten sacrifice of avoiding video games is a form of self-mortification, like other voluntary Lenten sacrifices, and is intended to accomplish two primary goals:

First, to focus one's mind away from material distractions and on Christ, who is at the center of the meaning of existence: like certain forms of Buddhist meditation practiced in monasteries in the East, where monks spend half their lives weaving elaborate rugs, only to spend the second half unweaving them, Nethack helps its practitioners release themselves from the bonds of materialism by teaching detachment from your work, since you could die at any time, lose all your stuff, and have to start over with nothing. Furthermore, the practitioner's perceived need for expensive goods such as 650-watt power supplies and 448-core video cards is entirely obviated.

Second, to allow time for meditation on the Sacred things: to this end, Nethack offers many opportunities for reflection on elements of Christ's life. The prolonged toil against forces of evil, descent into the lower levels of the game-world, inevitable death and rebirth, and eventual ascension and achievement of immortality are all clear metaphors for Christ's passion, death, resurrection, and Ascension into Heaven, winning for all mankind the opportunity for eternal life with the Father.

Thus we can see that Nethack is not a video game at all, but a prayerful and penitential form of meditation, and does not violate a Lenten sacrifice of video games.

Reply to Objection 1: The Lenten penance did not specify avoidance of achieving goals, working towards objectives, overcoming obstacles, or employing stratagems specifically. These are merely elements common to all video games, as well as real life. Avoiding all, or even any, of these actions would prohibit activities clearly not intended to be given up as sacrifice such as working at a job, paying bills, crossing the street, etc.

Reply to Objection 2: Board and card games require the brain to process visual information to be played, and some of these feature electronic elements such as Uno Attack and Monopoly City Edition, yet are clearly not considered to be video games. Therefore not all electronic games that are played visually are video games. Furthermore, Nethack lacks the visual elements assumed to be present in video games such as animated graphics. No one has ever described Zork was a video game. Visually, it entirely consists of letters, numbers and assorted other cryptic characters. Practicing Nethack is more like learning Greek or Russian than playing a game.

Reply to objection 3: Nethack is not entertaining.

Wikipedia Fact of the Day

"Buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo buffalo buffalo Buffalo buffalo" is a valid English sentence.  Here's a diagram:

You're welcome.

Mobility

Crawling? Not yet. Mobile? Most definitely.

Why I Hate Smart People

With no apologies to Hyperbole and a Half.

Contrary to what you might have heard, I am not a smart person. In fact, I might be considered exactly the opposite of smart. That is (for you people like me) dumb. If you've ever heard me saying something smart, I was probably just quoting something I once heard some Smart Person say.

The Wrong Side

“This project is moving forward. It’s going to happen. At this point, there’s nothing you or I can do to stop it.”

Marcus Marcellus regarded the pronouncement from the rotund man on the other side of the faux-mahogany desk with bemusement. He hid his smile, and thought of all the times he’d heard something similar.

His conversational partner, William Porter, took a long draught from the black cigar in his mouth and blew smoke from his nose like a dragon warming up to breathe flame at an unsuspecting knight. A dragon that had perhaps become slothful and old sitting atop his hoard of gold.

“I don’t mean to stop it,” Marcellus replied. “I only want to suggest that a solution may be reached that serves both my clients and yours.”

This time, it was Porter’s turn for bemusement. His lips curled and he let out a sort of coughing laugh, with little pockets of smoke escaping between the chortles.

Porter turned his chair and made a sweeping gesture towards the picture window behind him. Marcellus could see the crescent of the planet Cephas--its sun, Vega, illuminating it from behind.

“If your clients are served by getting off my clients’ planet, then yes, I agree.”

Marcellus ignored the snipe and pulled a packet from his briefcase, setting it on the desk. “We can offer to pay, not all at once, but the settlers are willing to enter into a deal to repay--with interest--over the next seventy-five years.”

Porter did his dragon impression again, blowing smoke from his nose without even looking at the packet. “Mister Marcellus, terraforming is a very expensive proposition, one that requires a significant up-front investment. My clients can’t wait a lifetime for repayment, and I seriously doubt the squatters will still be around in three-quarters of a century. I certainly won’t be. You’ll probably be long gone, too.”

Again, Marcellus hid his smile.

“I’m afraid your colonists will either need to pay now, or move.”

“Off their own land?”

“Yes, off their own land. The Interstellar Court has ruled, and upheld their ruling in multiple cases, that those who benefit from terraforming must pay fair compensation. Those who refuse can be evicted. Surely you know this.”

Marcellus looked down at his shoes. He had only one more gamble, and it was a long shot. “Then I can make one more offer,” he said.

“Yes? What is it?”

“They would like to invite you for dinner.”

Porter guffawed. “Dinner?”

“Yes, dinner. Then maybe you’ll see these people as just that--people. They’re honest. They’re hard-workers. They don’t deserve to be treated like cattle.”

The guffaw changed into a full belly-laugh when he realized that Marcellus was serious. Marcellus wasn’t sure how much of his plea Porter heard through the howling. Eventually, the larger man calmed down, removed his spectacles, and wiped his eyes, glistening with the tears of laughter.

“I thank you for the joke, Mister Marcellus, but I decline the pathetic offer. I must say I find the idea of dinner with these peasants revolting. What are they? Polaks? Latins? Israelis? Christians and Jews, the lot of them. No, Mister Marcellus, I’ve had my fill of their type. The leeches of society. The beggars. Those who demand help from others while producing nothing of value themselves.”

“I’m sorry you see them that way. If you could just spend some time with them as I have, it might change your mind.”

Like flipping a switch, Porter turned from mirthful to serious. “I doubt it. Tell the gypsies and robbers who hired you to pay their dues or leave.”

Marcellus nodded and reached for his briefcase. “Then I thank you for your time, Mister Porter,” he said, turning for the passageway to the shuttle back down to the planet.

“And Mister Marcellus,” Porter called out.

Marcellus turned back.

“A word of advice: you should give up working pro bono for those lowlifes. I think you’ll find your idealism quickly puts you on the wrong side of history.”

Read the rest here.

As always, constructive criticism welcome.