Daily Tech News 25 December 2024

Top Story

Merry Christmas everybody!
Electric aircraft startup Lilium has ceased operations and laid off 1000 workers after being unable run raise additional funds. (Tech Crunch)

The German company has filed for insolvency - effectively bankrupt - after fundraising attempts fell through. It had been operating for over ten years and laid off 200 workers earlier this year.
Electric aircraft startup Lilium has been bought out of insolvency by a group of American and European investors. (Tech Crunch)

The deal is expected to complete early in January and the new owners plan to rehire former workers.

Sometimes things mostly work out.

Tech News

Though not for the games industry, for whom 2024 was the worst year since 1983 when the industry all but disintegrated, with revenue decreasing by 97%.

2024 was the year the bottom fell out of the games industry. (Wired) (archive site)
In 2023, more than 10,000 developers lost their jobs ... Six months in, this year's layoff tally had already surpassed that of 2023.
How could this happen?
"The explanation is complex and wide-ranging for the same reason the layoffs are so deep and continuous, and sit alongside many studio closures and even more canceled games," Ball says.
How could this happen?
As the industry faltered, games suffered. High-profile releases like Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League were commercial failures.
Wait.

Apart from the fact that Suicide Squad was very poorly received, this is entirely backwards. Bad games caused the industry to falter. That's the direction of causality here. Warner Bros didn't create an unpopular game because they lost $200 million; they lost $200 million because the game was unpopular. Workers were laid off because the game didn't sell because players didn't like it.
While there were many reasons for this, online right-wing groups reduced it to a single mantra: "go woke, go broke."
Well, yes.

If you look at the big budget catastrophic flops of 2024, there is one thing they all have in common.
Although there have been incredible games released this year - Balatro
Indie.
Final Fantasy VII Rebirth
Japanese.
Metaphor: ReFantazio
Japanese.
Astro Bot
Japanese.
Black Myth: Wukong
Chinese
they just couldn't distract from the troubles faced by the people making them. They couldn't make up for the fact that the meta-narrative of video games in 2024 was bleak.
How did this happen?
Ball says that the blame for all of this can't be pinned to a single thing, like capitalism, mismanagement, Covid-19, or even interest rates. It also involves development costs, how studios are staffed, consumers' spending habits, and game pricing. "This storm is so brutal," he says, "because it is all of these things at once, and none have really alleviated since the layoffs began."
We may never know.
Even studios owned by tech juggernauts weren't immune to the industry's contraction. Microsoft shuttered Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks; Sony shut down Firewalk. The latter's shuttering wasn't wholly surprising. Its big 2024 release, Concord, was largely considered a flop.
Largely considered a flop?

Concord cost $400 million to develop.

It earned $1 million in sales.
In other words, it's been a dismal year for morale. When developers gathered in Los Angeles in June for Summer Game Fest, developer New Blood Interactive bought out a billboard solely to memorialize their fellow developers who'd lost jobs: "We love you. We miss you. We hate money."
I begin to see the problem here.
In March, harassment toward a small consultancy company called Sweet Baby Inc. reached new heights as bad actors organized through Discords, Steam forums, and other online spaces.
Sweet Baby Inc, or SBI, is known for its reported standover tactics, threatening bad press if game companies didn't hire them, and then destroying the game under development when they did.

The harassment campaign? That was never towards SBI. It was started by SBI and its allies against those trying to drag its practices into the light.
Branding themselves as Gamergate 2.0, online mobs harassed developers using tweets, DMs, YouTube videos, and Twitch streams.
In other words, people commented on the situation, behaviour which Wired finds completely unacceptable.

Of course, the original Gamergate, just as with its 2.0 edition ten years later, revolved around a scandal of the ethics of games journalists, or would have if they had any.
Dragon Age: The Veilguard, was criticized by far-right trolls for its customization options, which allow players to create characters with top surgery scars or play with a nonbinary companion.
Veilguard, a fantasy role-playing game set in the Dragon Age universe, does indeed have top surgery scars available in its character creator. It has a very specific option for top surgery scars. In a magical universe where players can be seven foot tall minotaurs, it has a delusional cult that slices off healthy breast tissue, just as we do.

I guess we'll never know why the American games industry is dead in a ditch, and being put to shame by actual communists.
Britain is testing a new anti-drone energy weapon that can drop autonomous vehicles from the sky for tenpence. (Tom's Hardware)

Sounds great until someone gets their hands on one.
For $480 the GMK NUCBox11 seems to have two of everything. (Liliputing)

Powered by an AMD 8945HS, it has two DDR5 SODIMM slots for up to 96GB of RAM, two M.2 NVMe slots, two USB4 ports, two 2.5Gb Ethernet ports, and two regular USB 3.2 ports running at 10Gbps.

And two fans.

It also has an HDMI port, DisplayPort, OCuLink - 60% faster than USB4 and great for external video cars though if you're planning to buy an external video card for a desktop PC maybe you should just buy a larger computer, and an audio jack.

Christmas Carol Musical Interlude

Those last two are Hololive EN Gen 4's Elizabeth Rose Bloodflame. I think someone at Hololive has access to a time machine.

Disclaimer: Zzzzzzz.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at 04:00 AM

Comments

(Jump to bottom of comments)

1 BOING!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at December 25, 2024 04:01 AM (NIRg9)

2 Not a moron in the house?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at December 25, 2024 04:02 AM (NIRg9)

3 While there were many reasons for this, online right-wing groups reduced it to a single mantra: "go woke, go broke."
-

The market decided. Who could imagine!

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at December 25, 2024 04:04 AM (NIRg9)

4 Not a moron was stirring, except Biden's Dog.

Posted by: Pixy Misa at December 25, 2024 04:05 AM (BLOW1)

5 They couldn't even bring themselves to mention the success of big Korean games. Too much boobs.

Posted by: KLA at December 25, 2024 04:05 AM (Y7ud1)

6 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
For unto you is born this day in the city of David a
Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

Posted by: Buzz Adrenaline at December 25, 2024 04:13 AM (JRP2U)

7 Merry Christmas, Pixy!

Posted by: m at December 25, 2024 04:15 AM (VnUSN)

8 Mornin'

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at December 25, 2024 04:15 AM (sAmhv)

9 I'm stirring!

Merry Christmas, everyone!

Posted by: Additional Blond Agent at December 25, 2024 04:19 AM (/HDaX)

10 There is a corollary of Richard Feynman's famous comment about science that would apply perfectly to the gaming industry.

It doesn't matter how beautiful your game is, it doesn't matter how smart you are. If it doesn't attract customers, it's shit.

Posted by: CharlieBrown'sDildo at December 25, 2024 04:21 AM (d9fT1)

11 Merry Christmas, Horde!

Posted by: Teresa in Fort Worth, Plucky Comic Relief, AoS Ladies Brigade - Eat the Cheesecake, Buy the Yarn. at December 25, 2024 04:21 AM (jx3Zf)

12 Merry Christmas, all !

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 25, 2024 04:22 AM (1feMt)

13 Merry Christmas. It's a sick soul that says "I hate money." I mean, don't love it too much, but it is very useful for buying groceries and the necessities of life.

Posted by: no one of any consequence at December 25, 2024 04:28 AM (ZmEVT)

14 Maybe the dogs don’t like the food …

Posted by: Adriane to Totally Not Cynical Critic . . . at December 25, 2024 04:28 AM (qz+gL)

15 Merry Christmas, Teresa & MLiI …

Posted by: Adriane to Totally Not Cynical Critic . . . at December 25, 2024 04:29 AM (qz+gL)

16 Merry Christmas! Happy New Year!

Posted by: Deplorable Minion at December 25, 2024 04:30 AM (QSrLX)

17 Merry Hot Christmas, Pixy …

Posted by: Adriane to Totally Not Cynical Critic . . . at December 25, 2024 04:30 AM (qz+gL)

18 Happy Hanukkah, Biden’s dog …

Posted by: Adriane to Totally Not Cynical Critic . . . at December 25, 2024 04:31 AM (qz+gL)

19 Merry Christmas and Happy Hanukkah

Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2024 04:41 AM (fwDg9)

20 Not sure why but was up at 3:30 and couldn't post on the ONT

Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2024 04:42 AM (fwDg9)

21 Happy Hanukkah, Biden’s dog …
Posted by: Adriane to Totally Not Cynical Critic . . . at December 25, 2024 04:31 AM (qz+gL)
-

Thanks. Starts this evening, in about 5 hours time here in Israel.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at December 25, 2024 04:46 AM (NIRg9)

22 The game industry is in a gigantic bubble. You can't have a bunch of different companies spending half a billion dollars on every title as they vie for a slot among the live service games that will actually survive more than a couple months. The customer base just isn't there.

Instead of "get woke; go broke", I think Razorfist has it correct: "go broke; get woke". A lot of times going woke is a strategy; a Hail Mary pass to try to make money on a game that looks to be a flop. You can get the gaming press fully to support your game for free. And you can get gullible leftists to buy your turd to "own the chuds".

Posted by: Ace's liver at December 25, 2024 04:48 AM (B9Dv5)

23 Not sure why but was up at 3:30 and couldn't post on the ONT
Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2024 04:42 AM (fwDg9)
-

Too much egg nog and you couldn't click the mouse on the tiny POST button?

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at December 25, 2024 04:48 AM (NIRg9)

24 Coffee is on.
Oven is preheating.
Last minute baking this morning!

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 25, 2024 04:48 AM (1feMt)

25 Instead of "get woke; go broke", I think Razorfist has it correct: "go broke; get woke". A lot of times going woke is a strategy; a Hail Mary pass to try to make money on a game that looks to be a flop.

Posted by: Ace's liver at December 25, 2024 04:48 AM (B9Dv5)
-

Sounds like The Producers.

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at December 25, 2024 04:49 AM (NIRg9)

26 Birdbath status?

Posted by: Just Wondering at December 25, 2024 04:50 AM (dg+HA)

27 If I had my birdbath in use, it would be frozen. 24 here. No complaints, tho. We've had a mild season...so far

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 25, 2024 05:01 AM (1feMt)

28 Merry Christmas

Posted by: Johnson Johnson at December 25, 2024 05:02 AM (gbOdA)

29 Merry Christmas Tech People

Posted by: I used to have a different nic at December 25, 2024 05:07 AM (ExV1e)

30 Good morning and merry Christmas! Just chillaxin and enjoying a cup of coffee. Gonna have half the tribe and great Dane here later on.

Posted by: CrotchetyOldJarhead at December 25, 2024 05:09 AM (3Ope8)

31
g'mornin', 'rons

Posted by: AltonJackson at December 25, 2024 05:12 AM (tljrc)

32 Warner Bros didn't create an unpopular game because they lost $200 million; they lost $200 million because the game was unpopular.

Wet streets cause rain.

Merry Christmas.

Posted by: Michael SPB Crichton at December 25, 2024 05:20 AM (EXyHK)

33 from the ONT; funny:

532 Tonight at church while wishing sundry people a 'Merry Christmas', there was one woman named Carol, and so I said 'Merry Christmas Carol'. I immediately realized that it seemed a bit out of meaning and I guess it showed on my face. She laughed and said, 'It's my time of the year!'.
Posted by: Mike Hammer, etc., etc. at December 25, 2024 02:46 AM (XeU6L)

Posted by: m at December 25, 2024 05:26 AM (VnUSN)

34 Christmas Thunder

Posted by: Johnson Johnson at December 25, 2024 05:28 AM (gbOdA)

35 off sox

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 25, 2024 05:28 AM (gbOdA)

36 Good morning, good people, from the quietly frozen Adirondacks, not a breath of wind to disturb us.

On this most auspicious Day may your existence be replete with blessings that extend to the remainder of your lives.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 25, 2024 05:28 AM (hKoQL)

37 Beans spilled?

https://tinyurl.com/4tw5h3cr+

Posted by: Biden's Dog sniffs a whole lotta malarkey, at December 25, 2024 05:42 AM (NIRg9)

38 There's a bonus giggle at the end of the Hololive "Twelve Days" video!

Posted by: m at December 25, 2024 05:43 AM (VnUSN)

39 Merrry Christmas, 'rons and 'ettes.

For unto us a child is born...

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2024 05:46 AM (hoCmQ)

40 Merry Christmas, Pixy

Posted by: tankdemon at December 25, 2024 05:54 AM (08Ghs)

41 Ok, pineapple upside-down cakes are in the oven!
Merry Christmas to my Dad in heaven. It was his favorite

Can't believe this is already the 9th anniversary of his passing

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 25, 2024 05:59 AM (1feMt)

42 Evening and morning to all the Christmas and Hanukkah revelers and celebrators across the vast AoSHQ Empire. 'Tis Christmas Day at last, a *real* consummation devoutly to be wished. Hallelujah!

Slept about seven hours and I need to wake up, feed the cats, go work out, and feed me, in approximately that order.

I see the ONT had almost 600 comments last night.
Was there something besides Christmas that engaged everybody? Because that would be enough.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 25, 2024 06:02 AM (omVj0)

43 Merry Christmas!

My kids woke me up at 5:30.

And they hid a cellphone in the tree to catch Santa...looks like Santa saw their spy gear so no proof of what Santa looks like this year!

Posted by: Cray Cray at December 25, 2024 06:04 AM (EES2L)

44

All I want for Christmas is your best friend's exhaust port...

Posted by: Luke Bungwalker at December 25, 2024 06:06 AM (sJq//)

45
Good morning, Hordians. Woke up to thunder and rain. Got out of bed and instantly determined I wasn't going anywhere today.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 25, 2024 06:06 AM (dxSpM)

46 Merry Christmas, morons.

Posted by: Ogre at December 25, 2024 06:07 AM (Pq1NT)

47 On the 1959 Bret (James Garner) Maverick on H & I right now, Cllint Eastwood has a featured role. This would have been filmed just about the time he began playing Rowdy Yates in Rawhide, which started in January that year.

IMDb tells me Rawhide was a midseason replacement show, and that it ran until December of 1965 -- which I don't remember. I guess I was too focused on spy shows then instead of Westerns.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 25, 2024 06:09 AM (omVj0)

48 Awful parallel between the gaming industry's denial of their rejection and the democratic patry's denial of their rejection.

I wonder what they have in common.

Posted by: Comrade Flounder, Disinformation Demon at December 25, 2024 06:10 AM (Pq1NT)

49 G'morning, all...

And Merry Christmas to all y'all.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 25, 2024 06:11 AM (a1415)

50 Merry Christmas everyone.

Posted by: Tuna at December 25, 2024 06:11 AM (oaGWv)

51 Merry Christmas, Horde!

How goes it this fine morning?

Posted by: "Perfessor" Squirrel at December 25, 2024 06:12 AM (BpYfr)

52 Good morning, Hordians. Woke up to thunder and rain. Got out of bed and instantly determined I wasn't going anywhere today.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 25, 2024

***
I kind of wish I didn't have to go anyplace, but I agreed to go to church w/ Miss Linda for 9:30. Later I'll catch a nap, and then she's going to heat up the smoked and pre-cooked ham we bought on Monday. It'll take two hours. I think I'm gonna go out and wash the car, and maybe sit on the stoop and smoke a pipe (it's gonna be close to 70 F. today), for part of that time.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 25, 2024 06:13 AM (omVj0)

53 A son is given." . A man from North Carolina reflects on Matthew 1:18-25, on the birth of his own son and on Jesus:

https://tinyurl.com/ytkcjp6b

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:16 AM (3mwgw)

54 Attended a wonderful candle light service last night at the kitten's original owners church.

Then over to Isle of Palms for the annual family/friends Christmas get-together and White Elephant gift giving.

I am blessed in so many ways to have the people in my life that I do have.

And a Saviour who's birth we can celebrate on this wonderfully.

And Morons...

Did I mention Morons?

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 25, 2024 06:17 AM (a1415)

55 Oh, no, wait -- 60% chance of rain this afternoon. So much for car washing and stoop-sitting. One of the things I want in a house is a porch, front or back, I don't care, so that I can sit outside and revel in good weather. Here it's mostly hot and humid, or cold and humid. The dry fresh time is pretty rare.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 25, 2024 06:18 AM (omVj0)

56 Nobody gives a damn about the trannie shit in veilguard. There is not one human who would think that game is good if it didn't have that stuff in there.

People object because it's a bad game with that stuff in there. Yeah our game is boring and derivative and empty and soulless, but that's only because we put literally 99% of our attention and resources into zippertits in the character builder. But hey, at least you can't make your tits too big. No amount of storytelling and works building can make up for a game where you can make your tits too big.

This is why you didn't just fail, people hate you for it. Failures are a dime a dozen, but you fail on purpose just to be a gender non conforming dick about it.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 25, 2024 06:19 AM (y/ZMQ)

57 'And a Saviour who's birth we can celebrate on this wonderful day'

Edited for completeness.

Fat fingers of forgetfulness strike again.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 25, 2024 06:19 AM (a1415)

58 After many years of husband putting together toys for son, and for years where he didn't have to, he'll be back putting together a chair for the computer which is a Christmas gift. Actually, they'll probably work on it together, but husband's fine motor skills are better than sons.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:20 AM (1br40)

59
I was willing to see if it was possible for me to go to Mass this morning but when I stood up, my shoulder and arm responded with a strong, shooting pain. Got Diana and Dot let out, then returned to bed. Prone, I'm more or less OK.

Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at December 25, 2024 06:20 AM (dxSpM)

60 Merry Christmas, Horde.

Flying solo now for ten years.

The folks here have helped a lot and I am very grateful.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 25, 2024 06:21 AM (QB+5g)

61 Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 25, 2024 06:17 AM (a1415)

Very nice post!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:22 AM (1br40)

62 The harassment campaign? That was never towards SBI. It was started by SBI and its allies against those trying to drag its practices into the light.

Branding themselves as Gamergate 2.0, online mobs harassed developers using tweets, DMs, YouTube videos, and Twitch streams.

In other words, people commented on the situation, behaviour which Wired finds completely unacceptable.
---------------

Commenting = harassment. Got it.
Will this shite never end?

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2024 06:22 AM (hoCmQ)

63 And I would like to say that I am so thankful that two men from our church worked hard to put out luminaries - battery operated lights inside sand filled paper bags to go down on either side of our front walkway. It looked so pretty and they kept them up all night.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:25 AM (iDAXr)

64 62 The harassment campaign? That was never towards SBI. It was started by SBI and its allies against those trying to drag its practices into the light.

Branding themselves as Gamergate 2.0, online mobs harassed developers using tweets, DMs, YouTube videos, and Twitch streams.

In other words, people commented on the situation, behaviour which Wired finds completely unacceptable.
---------------

Commenting = harassment. Got it.
Will this shite never end?
Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2024 06:22 AM (hoCmQ)

Magic h8 ball says: no.

Posted by: m at December 25, 2024 06:26 AM (VnUSN)

65 Studios put dumb shit in a game on the pretense that it makes the game better and people will like it, and then yolo the character design and story because everyone knows gamers are idiots who will tippy tap their little controller buttons for anything anyway.

"Trolls" point out that there's dumb shit in a game, and nothing to do in it but button mash and wait for it to be over. And then they're considered the bad guys. For pointing out the ostensible "selling points" of the game.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 25, 2024 06:26 AM (y/ZMQ)

66 7a Central - EWTN
Solemn Mass of Christmas
Our Lady of the Angels Chapel in Irondale, AL
Celebrated by Franciscan Missionaries of the Eternal Word

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2024 06:28 AM (hoCmQ)

67 And I would like to say that I am so thankful that two men from our church worked hard to put out luminaries - battery operated lights inside sand filled paper bags to go down on either side of our front walkway. It looked so pretty and they kept them up all night.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024

***
A traditional decoration in New Mexico -- I've seen photos of them at Christmastime in Albuquerque and Santa Fe. Not sure if the custom extends over other parts of the state.

Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at December 25, 2024 06:29 AM (omVj0)

68 Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 25, 2024 06:21 AM (QB+5g)

I am sorry for your loss, and holidays and other special occasions always bring those losses to mind.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:31 AM (MQJVv)

69 Merry Christmas. Its going to be a different one this year. Mr k. Passed away Sunday. Luckily the girls and grandkids were home. He passed at home holding our oldest granddaughters hand.Today will be fun for the 3 "littles' but tough for the rest of us having our first Christmas without him. Tomorrow is the funeral and I'm just dreading it but will do my best to make it the best day possible and be thankful for the real meaning of Christmas.

Posted by: Molly k. at December 25, 2024 06:34 AM (0QhHi)

70 They're not just infecting* games with current year sociopathy because of shakedown thugs funded by uncle Sam. (*meant injecting, but this time you're actually right, phone. ) They're gutting the very core of the game as a game to do it. The gameplay always sucks, with meaningless progression trees, boring combat loops, press X to win QTEs, dialogue written by people who have never had a conversation with a human before....

It's not about the DEI/woke bullshit. That's just window dressing for the real goal, which is destroying the last successful vestige of popular culture for normal people to escape to.

If it weren't trans shit or girlbossing or whatever, it would be something else. You Will Be Made To Care.

Posted by: Warai-otoko at December 25, 2024 06:34 AM (y/ZMQ)

71 Finacial suicide from the woke gamers who brought it on themselves, Merry Christmas, Happy New Year, and a Cheerful Channuka one and all, you reprobates!

Posted by: Richard McEnror at December 25, 2024 06:35 AM (gJNdL)

72 Thanks, Fen.

Mental illness seems to run in families. It's always the normies that end up getting marginalized. Some people would rather set themselves on fire than face reality.

Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 25, 2024 06:39 AM (QB+5g)

73 Posted by: Molly k. at December 25, 2024 06:34 AM (0QhHi)

Wow; How very hard! I will keep you and your family in prayer for strength and comfort.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:39 AM (MQJVv)

74 Very sorry, Molly. That's rough.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at December 25, 2024 06:39 AM (sAmhv)

75 When your 7or8 years old, your parents never get up earlier enough on Christmas morning. My dad went all out one year and bought me a Lionel train set. Except he didn't provide a long enough extension cord for me. Or I'd had it running in no time at 6am. But he had done it on purpose.

Posted by: Colin at December 25, 2024 06:41 AM (wlQdF)

76 Molly k.

Prayers for you and your family during this time of both sorrow and happiness.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 25, 2024 06:42 AM (a1415)

77 Molly k., May you find strength and peace in the love of family and friends in this difficult time.

Posted by: Gouverneur Morris at December 25, 2024 06:43 AM (J8OCH)

78 Posted by: pawn, RIP Vic at December 25, 2024 06:39 AM (QB+5g)

Yes., I agree. Mental illness does seem to run in families and some folks just won't go for help or admit the problem. I used to volunteer on a crisis hot line before I entered the ministry and the calls would go up during the holidays, but as least those folks were trying to reach out for help.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:44 AM (MQJVv)

79 Molly k, I'm very sorry for your loss. Prayers up for peace and strength

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 25, 2024 06:45 AM (1feMt)

80 I need cofvefe

Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2024 06:46 AM (fwDg9)

81 Merry Christmas to the horde!

So grant us all a change of heart,
Rejoice for Mary's son;
Pray, Peace on earth to all mankind,
God bless us everyone!

Posted by: Quarter Twenty at December 25, 2024 06:46 AM (dg+HA)

82 Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2024 06:46 AM (fwDg9)

I trust that forward dog doesn't have to go out to work today!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:49 AM (Hw7/J)

83 Molly k, I am so sorry for your loss. May your find peace with your family gathered round you.

Hi, My Life, Merry Christmas to you, I haven't seen you in a long time.

Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at December 25, 2024 06:52 AM (Sgq8y)

84 Was odd I thought have off today and tomorrow but had to work yesterday though bailed out early

Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2024 06:53 AM (fwDg9)

85 Condolences, Molly k.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2024 06:54 AM (hoCmQ)

86 Posted by: Skip at December 25, 2024 06:53 AM (fwDg9

I am glad you bailed early yesterday.

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 06:57 AM (Hw7/J)

87 Merry Christmas!
This is the tenth Christmas since my dad passed. My daughter never met him. Still, it's
Merry Christmas!

Oh, I'm not getting Netflix to watch football. Sorry, not sorry.

Posted by: Accomack at December 25, 2024 06:57 AM (w9ItN)

88 Time prep the turkey

Posted by: Accomack at December 25, 2024 06:58 AM (w9ItN)

89 Posted by: Accomack at December 25, 2024 06:57 AM (w9ItN)

I am sorry for your loss. My father was gone by the time I was nine .My mother died 18 years before our son was born and I think they both would have liked our son. He is a great reader and so were they!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 07:02 AM (Hw7/J)

90 Almost forgot, we have a ten pound standing rib roast to prepare and eat for the evening meal.

Mrs VIA is always intimidated by that particular cut.

But her efforts always bring such a delicious result.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 25, 2024 07:03 AM (a1415)

91 Well, off to bed. Going to work later. Some of you all have had a tough year with health and family stuff. Praying everybody has a calm and peaceful Christmas Day. Yinz deserve it.

I'm just praying I sleep longer than 3 hours today. It's been a bad sleep month for me.

Posted by: Puddleglum, cheer up for the worst is yet to come at December 25, 2024 07:03 AM (sAmhv)

92 Merry Christmas and seasons greetings to all. 34 degrees here in western NC and going up to the mid-50s today and sunny.

Posted by: Rufus T. Firefly at December 25, 2024 07:06 AM (XsuFr)

93 Losing sleep is so very hard, Puddkeglum. I empathize. I hope you catch up!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 07:07 AM (MQJVv)

94 We had our family Christmas Dinner last night with the early present opening and Christmas Morning is reserved for our particular observation. For us 2, it's baked ham and creamed potatoes. G/B casserole, fresh biscuits and pumpkin pie for dessert.

Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 25, 2024 07:08 AM (hKoQL)

95 {{{ Molly k.}}} Prayers ascending.

He left for bright horizons surrounded by loved ones, holding the true wealth of a grandchild's hand.

I have seen and helped with the recovery process. May your soul be expanded, and your time become precious water to grow.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 25, 2024 07:08 AM (u82oZ)

96 94 baked ham and creamed potatoes. G/B casserole, fresh biscuits and pumpkin pie for dessert.
Posted by: IRONGRAMPA at December 25, 2024 07:08 AM (hKoQL)

yum

Posted by: m at December 25, 2024 07:10 AM (VnUSN)

97 This will be a quiet morning. My wife lacks the energy to redo the house with her usual level of decorations. I am focused on classic simplicity to reflect on the meaning of Christmas. And cooking, cleaning, and fetching for her.

As alway, I am thankful for the AOSHQ commenters, CoBs, and ace, as they have been very supportive, funny, and erudite. To open a thread is to open a preset.

Thank you all. And Merry Christmas.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 25, 2024 07:13 AM (u82oZ)

98 I looked at the links concerning this electric aircraft. After 10+ years, they've come up with a 1 or 2 man "air taxi" that uses about a dozen ducted propellers. I suspect this thing may fly, but endurance is low. I further suspect that they're using batteries as the source of power for the motors.

I think that they're runnning into the energy density problem inherent with batteries. Currently existing batteries just don't have the energy density as the hydrocarbon. You just can't add more batteries because then this little toy won't fly. Batteries are a technological dead-end.

If they were really being innovative, they would be trying to develop fuel cells for direct transfer of electricity to the motors. Fuel cells exist, they work great but, so far, they are very expensive.

Posted by: Retired Buckeye Cop is now an engineer at December 25, 2024 07:15 AM (pJWtt)

99 Salty!

Enjoy each other's presence during this special day of celebration.

And stay strong, my friend.

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 25, 2024 07:15 AM (a1415)

100 100

Posted by: m at December 25, 2024 07:16 AM (VnUSN)

101 Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 25, 2024 07:13 AM (u82oZ)

Merry Christmas to you and the Mrs. You are a good man!

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 07:16 AM (aDusC)

102 I have a mug. It's half full of coffee. The other half is in me.

I've been reading the Coffee Adventures anthology from Raconteur Press the last couple of days - it's fun stuff, I can recommend.

Oh yeah... Mornin' Horde.

Posted by: Grumpy and Recalcitrant at December 25, 2024 07:17 AM (O7YUW)

103 Village Idiot's Apprentice

Top o ta mornin to ya, gov'nor.

May you and yours live in harmony with renewed faith in the new year. Glad you ad a chance for a great service. My wife refuses to go to any church. It's complicated.

As cold winds try and find their way indoors, I will think of you on the Isle of Palms.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 25, 2024 07:18 AM (u82oZ)

104 Meat mixture for baked egg scramble is cooling. Chorizo, red peppers, green onion, green chiles, red pepper flakes and hot sauce.

Posted by: olddog in mo at December 25, 2024 07:20 AM (hoCmQ)

105 Now, time to help with preps.

Have a song in your heart, everyone, and a new appreciation for wonders.

Posted by: NaCly Dog at December 25, 2024 07:20 AM (u82oZ)

106
Electric aircraft startup Lilium has ceased operations and laid off 1000 workers after being unable run raise additional funds.

'Tis the problem of appropriately sizing the extension cord reel and rewinding the cord upon landing which plagues this effort.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 25, 2024 07:20 AM (xG4kz)

107 Sweet Baby Inc/Wired is clearly at Stage 4:

It's great that it's happening, and you're a bigot for noticing.

Posted by: pookysgirl knows the stages by heart now at December 25, 2024 07:21 AM (dtlDP)

108 8 year old boy trades skateboard to save kitten from abuse. "Sunny Skyz" site:

https://tinyurl.com/mvmj5ks3

Posted by: FenelonSpoke at December 25, 2024 07:22 AM (MQJVv)

109 Merry Christmas, Tech Peeps

Posted by: fluffy at December 25, 2024 07:22 AM (AN2gy)

110 Be safe, Salty!

Posted by: Village Idiot's Apprentice at December 25, 2024 07:24 AM (a1415)

111
Mental illness does seem to run in families

And criminality runs, nay, gallops, in others like, say, the Bidens.

Posted by: Krebs v Carnot: Epic Battle of the Cycling Stars (TM) at December 25, 2024 07:26 AM (xG4kz)

112
JJ is here.

Posted by: rhennigantx at December 25, 2024 07:31 AM (gbOdA)

113 Hydrogen/oxygen fuel cells would be great for camping/RV or cabin. Charge batteries, produce fresh water. Hydrogen is tricky to keep contained unfortunately and needs to be kept at cryogenic temps? Can’t simply fill up a bottle of H like we might with propane. I guess.

Posted by: Common Tater at December 25, 2024 07:34 AM (pIZjG)

114 G'mornin' everyone!

A Merry Christmas to one and all!

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 25, 2024 07:35 AM (cY18j)

115 Dog in lap, coffee and classic Christmas chorals playing. Vigil Mass last evening. Got a hug from our pastor, very unexpected. Quiet morning til Mr nec wakes up, so spending some time with the fabulous Horde. Merry Christmas, He was born 2000 years ago and great things came from His birth and His sacrifice.

Posted by: neverenoughcaffeine at December 25, 2024 07:35 AM (2NHgQ)

116 107 Sweet Baby Inc/Wired is clearly at Stage 4:

It's great that it's happening, and you're a bigot for noticing.
Posted by: pookysgirl knows the stages by heart now at December 25, 2024 07:21 AM (dtlDP)

She seems nice!

; )

Posted by: m at December 25, 2024 07:36 AM (VnUSN)

117 spot-on @ 10, CBD!

Feynman may have been The Last of the Scientists

Posted by: sock_rat_eez at December 25, 2024 07:37 AM (cY18j)

118 Why not put some windmills and solar panels on the electric airplane? Leave room for unicorns and a strategic skittle reserve.

Posted by: Boss Moss at December 25, 2024 07:56 AM (wZ2Bf)

119 Having been subjected to almost 50 years of haranguing on the electric automobile concept, about how I must immediately abandon what I own for a nebulous Vision of The Future, I look forward with amusement to Tom Swift's Electrical Aeroplane.

Like a Fiesta with a washing-machine motor, completely covered in yard-light solar cells, wishing will make it so -- with enough prohibitions and subsidies. And the early adopter shareholders will be here every day.

Posted by: Way,Way Downriver at December 25, 2024 08:01 AM (zdLoL)

120 “Britain is testing a new anti-drone energy weapon that can drop autonomous vehicles from the sky for tenpence.”

Decimalization screwed up our colloquialisms for money (at least, those about anything under a quid). I don't know whether it's because we know that 10p is actually 24d, or if the whole thing just threw a rock in the pond and we don't know where we are any more, but nobody talks about “tenpence” these days. It's universally 10p: “ten pee”. I've even come across people puzzled by “a penny”: “You mean 1p?“

Posted by: Sam Duncan at December 25, 2024 08:12 AM (ZBurU)

121 Thanks you, fen,

Posted by: Accomack at December 25, 2024 08:26 AM (GxmKP)

122 >>Hi, My Life, Merry Christmas to you, I haven't seen you in a long time.
Posted by: Debby Doberman Schultz at December 25, 2024 06:52 AM (Sgq8y)

Hi Debby! Merry Christmas to you and yours. I've been so busy with work - 50+ hours a week, and dealing with what is becoming chronic shoulder/neck issues. Add in regular life and oh boy, has time flown by!

Hope you are able to enjoy the grand kids today, and you have recovered from your fall. Ouch!

Spending the afternoon at my brother's with the whole fam-damily. Thanksgiving day dinner repeat with lots more baked goodies in place of pumpkin pie. Can't wait to see my Hailey. She's really the brightest spot in my life. My niece has a daughter the same age, looking forward to see them play together.

Posted by: My Life is Insanity at December 25, 2024 09:27 AM (1feMt)

123 "Sign in to confirm you're not a bot"

Why does this happen for embedded YouTube videos, and what can one do to make it not ever happen again?

Posted by: DavidD at December 25, 2024 01:21 PM (MSTeU)

124 41 Ok, pineapple upside-down cakes are in the oven!

Weird. That was my dad's favorite, too.

The man did not like chocolate; caramel creams were his favorite candy.

It has been almost 37 years but I don't think I have had one since.

Posted by: DavidD at December 25, 2024 01:28 PM (MSTeU)

125 I do find it extra striking they don't mention the best a D second best Multiplayer games of 2024:

Helldivers 2 and Space Marine 2, together which I think I've put over 1,000 hours in combined.

Wonder why...

Posted by: Voyager at December 25, 2024 04:11 PM (joTfK)

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