https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2019/apr/26/trump-nra-united-nations-arms-treaty-gun-control
Good on you, Trump. God forbid that the American public might be denied the right to purchase combat aircraft by an international arms treaty. I didn't think you could top your neutering of a UN measure aiming to protect women raped during conflict but you always deliver.
Friday, 26 April 2019
Saturday, 2 February 2019
Sunless Skies
.... and another three months without a post. Blame the excitement of Christmas, snow and new work exams.
However, I just wanted to point out that Sunless Skies is exactly how a sequel should be made and everybody should buy it right now to support the makers.
I'd seen it in early access and worried that it would double down on what eventually put me off Sunless Seas. Namely the grind of repeating the opening stories, of realising that eventually progress to endgame content would require more hours than I was willing to invest and the fatigue from sailing and combat that while not terrible did not live up to the storytelling.
Instead, Failbetter seem to have focused heavily on quality of life improvements. Trading is much improved with focused trade missions and limited time bargains. Rarely will a newly discovered port turn out to be initially inaccessible, there is always something to explore and a starter quest to take on. And of course the quality of writing remains among the best in the video gaming landscape.
It is early days. I'm not even out of the first of the four areas yet. Further, I'm aware that I felt the same way initially about Sunless Seas and it took some hours for its problems to become apparent.
This being said, I'm currently enjoying it greatly and appreciate the attention to feedback that has been shown by the developers!
However, I just wanted to point out that Sunless Skies is exactly how a sequel should be made and everybody should buy it right now to support the makers.
I'd seen it in early access and worried that it would double down on what eventually put me off Sunless Seas. Namely the grind of repeating the opening stories, of realising that eventually progress to endgame content would require more hours than I was willing to invest and the fatigue from sailing and combat that while not terrible did not live up to the storytelling.
Instead, Failbetter seem to have focused heavily on quality of life improvements. Trading is much improved with focused trade missions and limited time bargains. Rarely will a newly discovered port turn out to be initially inaccessible, there is always something to explore and a starter quest to take on. And of course the quality of writing remains among the best in the video gaming landscape.
It is early days. I'm not even out of the first of the four areas yet. Further, I'm aware that I felt the same way initially about Sunless Seas and it took some hours for its problems to become apparent.
This being said, I'm currently enjoying it greatly and appreciate the attention to feedback that has been shown by the developers!
Thursday, 8 November 2018
Philby Immortalised
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/08/moscow-names-square-after-kim-philby-british-double-agent
I'm starting to wonder if Putin is just parodying himself at this point .....
I'm starting to wonder if Putin is just parodying himself at this point .....
Tuesday, 6 November 2018
Roald Dahl's dark side
https://www.theguardian.com/books/2018/nov/06/royal-mint-roald-dahl-coin-antisemitic-views
Well this is disappointing to find out. I'd never known that the famous Roald Dahl was an anti-semite.
However, having read some of his adult books I did know there was a darker side to his character. 'My Uncle Oswald' is pure filth and definitely crosses the line into outright racism at points.
Well this is disappointing to find out. I'd never known that the famous Roald Dahl was an anti-semite.
However, having read some of his adult books I did know there was a darker side to his character. 'My Uncle Oswald' is pure filth and definitely crosses the line into outright racism at points.
Saturday, 3 November 2018
Varadkar talks sense
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2018/nov/03/leo-varadkar-brexit-has-undermined-the-good-friday-agreement
The Tories may claim to have agreed 95% of the issues to do with separation from Europe but they seem completely incapable of dealing with the Irish border issue.
By their game of brinkmanship in relying on DUP votes to run the country they are imperiling the hard-won peace in Ireland for which better politicians fought in more sensible days.
With any luck a compromise will be reached but it is stupid and wrong to put the Irish people on the line for what is essentially a result of Tory infighting.
Also interested to see that the current Taoiseach is openly homosexual and has Indian heritage. Remind me again why our prime ministers in the supposedly cosmopolitan UK have all been so ethnically homogeneous and (at least in public) socially conventional?
The Tories may claim to have agreed 95% of the issues to do with separation from Europe but they seem completely incapable of dealing with the Irish border issue.
By their game of brinkmanship in relying on DUP votes to run the country they are imperiling the hard-won peace in Ireland for which better politicians fought in more sensible days.
With any luck a compromise will be reached but it is stupid and wrong to put the Irish people on the line for what is essentially a result of Tory infighting.
Also interested to see that the current Taoiseach is openly homosexual and has Indian heritage. Remind me again why our prime ministers in the supposedly cosmopolitan UK have all been so ethnically homogeneous and (at least in public) socially conventional?
Monday, 22 October 2018
Race for the finish ....
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/22/theresa-may-brexit-eu-final-deal-backstop
Brext discussions are 95% done? More credibly, Mrs May is talking 100% bollocks.
Brext discussions are 95% done? More credibly, Mrs May is talking 100% bollocks.
Wednesday, 26 September 2018
Distraction Tactics
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/sep/26/trump-china-beijing-election-midterms-interference-claim
Not a bad display of geography knowledge, President Trump, although if you were really looking for election meddling and were mentally capable of taking heed of your own intelligence services you might be looking north of the Sino-Russian border ....
Not a bad display of geography knowledge, President Trump, although if you were really looking for election meddling and were mentally capable of taking heed of your own intelligence services you might be looking north of the Sino-Russian border ....
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