Bamboodpanda

This is one I make people watch. It’s so goofy and fun in all the right ways. The costumes, aliens, and sets are fantastic. I don’t know why it’s not considered cult classic.

As funny as I find that article to be. The problem is that satire is reality most of the time these days. Even an idea as obviously dumb as this could actually be coming out of the white house.

Small distinction that’s worth making here: that line isn’t Orson Scott Card stating his own worldview. It’s a line spoken by Bonzo Madrid, a character in Ender’s Game, at a moment where the story is showing the kind of brutal, zero-sum thinking that develops inside a militarized environment.

In fact, the novel spends most of its time pushing against that mindset. Ender’s strength comes from understanding his enemies, not simply destroying them, and the psychological cost of that violence is a central theme of the book.

So quoting the line can be useful because it captures a grim logic that does show up in geopolitics, but it’s important to remember the book presents it as a character’s belief, not necessarily the author’s endorsement of it.

I always call the trope “Steve” when I see it.

“Hey look, Steve left the door open so the dinosaurs got out.”

“Oh no, Steve forgot to zip his hazmat suit now all the apes are smart.”

“Steve took his helmet off on an alien planet because the air smelled fine.”

Technology Connections has a great video covering Rice Cookers.

War is peace. Freedom is slavery. Ignorance is strength.

“Politician Ignites Explosive Firestorm With Routine Decision as Critics Slam Controversial Move, Outrage Erupts Nationwide, Panic Surges Over Alleged Hidden Agenda and Demands for Answers Detonate Across a Shocked Public”

Translation:

“A politician carried out a routine administrative action. A small number of opponents criticized the choice publicly. Some people posted complaints online. Nothing about the situation indicates any misconduct.”

Answer the phone like you are a business receptionist.

“Hello, this is Fronz Frunickal with Yogurt O’ Try-it Froyo, how can I serve you?”

It’s funny listening to them silently process what they just heard before hanging up.

My wife and I bought a dehydrator and tried all kinds of different fruits. Pears are our favorite.