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The Book Thread: August 30th, 2026 [MP4]
‘AI, ay, ay!’ A while back, an offer popped up on my Facebook feed.* It was an AI program that, if you gave it some prompts, would shoot you back a plot for a book. I was curious, so offered it a basic line of ‘what would happen if a 1915 NJ movie studio had a murder to keep it from moving to Hollywood?’ A few minutes later, the program gave me a full plotline. As one might expect from this woke age, the main character was a spunky female reporter trying to make her way in a male-dominated world. I liked what I saw, but decided that I didn’t need it and wiped it out. But, having thought about it, I wondered why I shouldn’t use it for my next book? After all, the late Clive Cussler paid people to come up with plots for his Dirk Pitt novels. And James Patterson ‘collaborates’ with unknown authors, takes their plots, adds his ‘unique viewpoint’ and pushes them out on the marketplace. So let’s presume I asked an AI program for a plot. Am I cheating? Suppose I didn’t follow it slavishly, but used the plot as a jumping off point for my own thoughts. Is my book compromised because I began with an AI plot?
Incidentally, the same program would, if you asked it, take the plot it generated and then spit out an entire book. But why would anyone even within whispering distance of calling themselves an author do such a thing? Oh, I know it happens (and, as I joke, because Amazon will print just about anything up to and including Bigfoot-themed erotica, ‘author’ is practically a worthless word), but beyond the lure of money and the simple ease of the shortcut, why do such a thing to yourself? This is a subject more for the authors of the Horde, but what about you? If you knew that an author used AI to create a plot, but not the content of the book itself, would that drive you away? *I hate Facebook. I am only there to be part of the ‘Theda Bara Fan Club.’ I hate the rest of it.
Comments
(Jump to bottom of comments)1
Tolle Lege
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2026 09:00 AM (Ia/+0)
2
Yep
Posted by: Mr Aspirin Factory at August 30, 2026 09:01 AM (+YoHw)
3
Nooded.
Posted by: Nazdar at August 30, 2026 09:01 AM (NcvvS)
4
Good morning fellow Book Threadists. I hope everyone had a great week of reading. Mine did and included listening, as well.
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 09:02 AM (yTvNw)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:02 AM (1Ff7Z)
6
Still slowly reading The Gathering Storm by Winston Spencer Churchill
Actually picking up a lot between the wars I didn't know
Actually picking up a lot between the wars I didn't know
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2026 09:03 AM (Ia/+0)
7
G'mornin' everyone! Hey there MP4! Woohoo!
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 30, 2026 09:03 AM (VyBeY)
8
Good Sunday morning, horde!
How many times have us non-writing Morons suggested plots? Would it be wrong if one of you writers took it an ran with it? I think not.
I'm kind of the same with AI. If you let AI write the book, then shame on you. But if you use it as a catalyst for your own talent, I'm ok with that.
How many times have us non-writing Morons suggested plots? Would it be wrong if one of you writers took it an ran with it? I think not.
I'm kind of the same with AI. If you let AI write the book, then shame on you. But if you use it as a catalyst for your own talent, I'm ok with that.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:04 AM (h7ZuX)
9
I just read em, don't write em
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2026 09:04 AM (Ia/+0)
10
Morning, all.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:05 AM (qRla/)
11
Good morning, Book Folken! I'm glad to see MP4 hosting today.
I wouldn't mind taking an AI-generated plot to be the jumping-off point of a book. Plotting is always a slog for me. When a plot does come easily, I worry that I'm unconsciously ripping off someone else's work that I've read. But if I took the whole AI-generated thing, then it would not be my voice, and I would not have any fun with it.
I wouldn't mind taking an AI-generated plot to be the jumping-off point of a book. Plotting is always a slog for me. When a plot does come easily, I worry that I'm unconsciously ripping off someone else's work that I've read. But if I took the whole AI-generated thing, then it would not be my voice, and I would not have any fun with it.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:06 AM (wzUl9)
12
I'm kind of the same with AI. If you let AI write the book, then shame on you. But if you use it as a catalyst for your own talent, I'm ok with that.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:04 AM (h7ZuX)
How do you feel about taking a plot point from some other story and writing a new story around it?
Writers steal from each other all the time. Besides, there's only seven stories anyway....
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:04 AM (h7ZuX)
How do you feel about taking a plot point from some other story and writing a new story around it?
Writers steal from each other all the time. Besides, there's only seven stories anyway....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:06 AM (1Ff7Z)
13
Anything having to do with AI automatically turns me off.
I'm sure the arguments you mention have sone merit, but for me, it's a visceral reaction.
I'm sure the arguments you mention have sone merit, but for me, it's a visceral reaction.
Posted by: Dr. T at August 30, 2026 09:06 AM (lHPJf)
14
I read the classic WWII novel, The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw. This was on my TBR list for years, and it didn't disappoint. Published in 1948, the book has great characters and a great story well told.
Posted by: Zoltan at August 30, 2026 09:07 AM (KUWG/)
15
Sturgeon was right. "The Pink Panther Gets Lucky," with Inspector Jacques Clouseau in Las Vegas, is crapping out.
I nearly tossed the book when Clouseau dresses in drag to infiltrate a theater by joining the audition for a nude cabaret, but that chapter was blessedly short and I powered on through.
I can guarantee that this book will not find permanent quarters in our home.
I nearly tossed the book when Clouseau dresses in drag to infiltrate a theater by joining the audition for a nude cabaret, but that chapter was blessedly short and I powered on through.
I can guarantee that this book will not find permanent quarters in our home.
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 30, 2026 09:08 AM (TvRFE)
16
Thanks MPPP
I had coffee with a 24 year old entrepreneur on Friday who told me that all of her emails, appointment scheduling, and more are all tied into AI that performs these tasks for her. She says it reads and writes about 80 emails a day for her. It makes and schedules appointments for her because the AI reads her emails first.
I had coffee with a 24 year old entrepreneur on Friday who told me that all of her emails, appointment scheduling, and more are all tied into AI that performs these tasks for her. She says it reads and writes about 80 emails a day for her. It makes and schedules appointments for her because the AI reads her emails first.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 09:08 AM (RIvkX)
17
Would an AI-generated plot keep me away? Possible. Hard to say, really. On one hand, I'm not sure it's all that different a thing from older books for writers like 101 Plots Used and Abused or Polti's The Thirty-Six Dramatic Situations. A good writer would probably play around with the skeleton he got from AI and make something decent out of it depending on his skills with handling characters.
But for me the use of AI would be a mark in the skip column. Maybe not the decisive mark, but a fairly heavy one.
But for me the use of AI would be a mark in the skip column. Maybe not the decisive mark, but a fairly heavy one.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:08 AM (q3u5l)
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:08 AM (kpS4V)
19
And James Patterson ‘collaborates’ with unknown authors, takes their plots, adds his ‘unique viewpoint’ and pushes them out on the marketplace.
I.e. his name on the cover in giant font.
I.e. his name on the cover in giant font.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 09:09 AM (vTZFs)
20
How do you feel about taking a plot point from some other story and writing a new story around it?
Writers steal from each other all the time. Besides, there's only seven stories anyway....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026
***
In one of his books about writing, Lawrence Block admitted that he'd often taken a basic plot from a TV show and given it a whole new spin and ending for his own short story.
It may have been him who said, "If you're gonna steal, steal from the best."
Writers steal from each other all the time. Besides, there's only seven stories anyway....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026
***
In one of his books about writing, Lawrence Block admitted that he'd often taken a basic plot from a TV show and given it a whole new spin and ending for his own short story.
It may have been him who said, "If you're gonna steal, steal from the best."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:09 AM (wzUl9)
21
Two thoughts:
Sara Hoyt has her "Vignettes" over the weekend, an invite to commenters to write very short stories based on a theme. 50 words max, very limited, but it's still a writing exercise. And one could flesh out a fragment into a whole expanded universe, given enough time, energy, and typewriter monkies.
Second, when another writer (Theodore Sturgeon) was having writer's block, Robert Heinlein sent a letter filled with various ideas. Plot fragments. Key pieces that could be used, or could be altered, or even ignored.
Ideas and thoughts can't exactly be copyrighted or patented. Only the actual implementation, whether as a blueprint for a device, or a story with the written word. Because those take actual effort to see through to the end.
Sara Hoyt has her "Vignettes" over the weekend, an invite to commenters to write very short stories based on a theme. 50 words max, very limited, but it's still a writing exercise. And one could flesh out a fragment into a whole expanded universe, given enough time, energy, and typewriter monkies.
Second, when another writer (Theodore Sturgeon) was having writer's block, Robert Heinlein sent a letter filled with various ideas. Plot fragments. Key pieces that could be used, or could be altered, or even ignored.
Ideas and thoughts can't exactly be copyrighted or patented. Only the actual implementation, whether as a blueprint for a device, or a story with the written word. Because those take actual effort to see through to the end.
Posted by: Another Anon at August 30, 2026 09:11 AM (4h45B)
22
How do you feel about taking a plot point from some other story and writing a new story around it?
Writers steal from each other all the time. Besides, there's only seven stories anyway....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:06 AM (1Ff7Z)
Exactly! Case in point, every thriller ever written. Same story, different setting and characters.
Speaking of which, I just read the latest Longmire, and I have thoughts. Will post them separately.
Writers steal from each other all the time. Besides, there's only seven stories anyway....
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:06 AM (1Ff7Z)
Exactly! Case in point, every thriller ever written. Same story, different setting and characters.
Speaking of which, I just read the latest Longmire, and I have thoughts. Will post them separately.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:11 AM (h7ZuX)
23
It may have been him who said, "If you're gonna steal, steal from the best."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026
***
Oops. That should be "It may have been he who said . . ."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026
***
Oops. That should be "It may have been he who said . . ."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:11 AM (wzUl9)
24
I think that if you use AI, the programmer should get a share of the royalties.
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 30, 2026 09:12 AM (TvRFE)
25
Clarification on my comment at 17.
The use of AI would be a fairly heavy mark in the skip it column in the case of a writer whose work I didn't already know either directly or by reputation/word of mouth.
If Joe Doakes has a book out there that used AI, pass. If Lawrence Block or Robert Silverberg put out a novel that sprung from an AI plot, I'd give it a look anyway because those two guys don't do slipshod work.
The use of AI would be a fairly heavy mark in the skip it column in the case of a writer whose work I didn't already know either directly or by reputation/word of mouth.
If Joe Doakes has a book out there that used AI, pass. If Lawrence Block or Robert Silverberg put out a novel that sprung from an AI plot, I'd give it a look anyway because those two guys don't do slipshod work.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:13 AM (q3u5l)
26
I recall my dad owning a book that was a compendium of plots that an author could use as a jumping off point for his own stories. So long as it's just a spark to jumpstart your own ideas, I see no problem.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:13 AM (kpS4V)
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 09:15 AM (ndZc7)
28
“It may have been him who said
If you’re going to steal, steal from the dead.
“But it was definitely her who thought
If you’re going to be sold, you’d better stay bought.”
If you’re going to steal, steal from the dead.
“But it was definitely her who thought
If you’re going to be sold, you’d better stay bought.”
Posted by: Bill Bixby at August 30, 2026 09:15 AM (kYmoU)
29
Besides, I don't even know where to find these multi-layered AIs, at least not for free. The few sites I've used to generate images all had a limit -- three or five prompts and then you had to sign up or pay, or both.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:15 AM (wzUl9)
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:15 AM (kpS4V)
31
I've been toying around with the idea of using AI in a small manner for my next book. I have some ideas sketched out, but I like to have at least a preliminary plotline in hand before I start. Even when I use my own scene cards, I don't always follow them religiously, so using an AI program to at least get me started would be a useful shortcut.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:16 AM (qRla/)
32
In one of his books about writing, Lawrence Block admitted that he'd often taken a basic plot from a TV show and given it a whole new spin and ending for his own short story.
It may have been him who said, "If you're gonna steal, steal from the best."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:09 AM (wzUl9)
What about lifting a line from a book or video? Same idea. If the line is organic to your story, why not?
It may have been him who said, "If you're gonna steal, steal from the best."
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:09 AM (wzUl9)
What about lifting a line from a book or video? Same idea. If the line is organic to your story, why not?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:16 AM (1Ff7Z)
33
MP4 thanks for your well written premise.
We were created by a Creator to be creative.
Our passions come to life through our creativity which invariably some form of art, be it music, drama, painting, sculpture, dance, cooking and a hundred more.
Included in that list is writing, because writing is most certainly a form of art.
The joy and satisfaction we derive from art is exercising our own creativity, and if we use Artificial Intelligence to come up with plot lines we are robbing ourselves of that pleasure.
Let's teach it how to empty the dishwasher instead.
We were created by a Creator to be creative.
Our passions come to life through our creativity which invariably some form of art, be it music, drama, painting, sculpture, dance, cooking and a hundred more.
Included in that list is writing, because writing is most certainly a form of art.
The joy and satisfaction we derive from art is exercising our own creativity, and if we use Artificial Intelligence to come up with plot lines we are robbing ourselves of that pleasure.
Let's teach it how to empty the dishwasher instead.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 09:16 AM (2Ez/1)
34
I read the classic WWII novel, The Young Lions by Irwin Shaw. This was on my TBR list for years, and it didn't disappoint. Published in 1948, the book has great characters and a great story well told.
Posted by: Zoltan
I loved it.
Posted by: Zoltan
I loved it.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 09:17 AM (ndZc7)
35
The idea for a plot can come from anywhere: AI, a comment overheard in a crowd, something you read half a century ago, a news headline, a fragment from a Shakespeare play or some poem, etc. Everything after that has to come from the author otherwise the author didn't write the book. It's that simple.
Even if an annual almanac used AI to gather facts like a countries population or the rainfall of some city, the content still has to be organized and tailored for a certain audience.
PS: Don't rely on the accuracy of AI 'data' without checking.
Even if an annual almanac used AI to gather facts like a countries population or the rainfall of some city, the content still has to be organized and tailored for a certain audience.
PS: Don't rely on the accuracy of AI 'data' without checking.
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 09:17 AM (yTvNw)
36
If memory serves one of the notions Heinlein gave Sturgeon was the launching point for his story "And Now the News." I think it was something along the lines of all neurosis being caused by wallowing in the troubles of nine billion strangers. The comment may also have found its way into the Lazarus Long notebooks, but not sure of that.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:18 AM (q3u5l)
37
As far as new books, I've bought a couple - a bio of Eddie Cantor and Hollywood's Hollywood, a book about the many movies that have used Hollywood and / or the movie business as their setting.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:18 AM (qRla/)
38
I see AI used as a sounding board or inspiration as no different than a writer's circle/workshop or, as mentioned, taking something from TV and doing it right/better/whole new angle.
But then I am not the kind of person who has books desperate to escape my fingers, I'm the kind of person who reads almost anything, and occasionally has 'what if' thoughts on plot variants.
But then I am not the kind of person who has books desperate to escape my fingers, I'm the kind of person who reads almost anything, and occasionally has 'what if' thoughts on plot variants.
Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 30, 2026 09:18 AM (aJQbY)
39
Finished Vanity Fair. Very good, edge of great. 8.5 out of 10. Read somewhere that Thackeray was an early naturalist, but there's a lot of moralizing.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 30, 2026 09:18 AM (XvL8K)
40
Besides, I don't even know where to find these multi-layered AIs, at least not for free. The few sites I've used to generate images all had a limit -- three or five prompts and then you had to sign up or pay, or both.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:15 AM (wzUl9)
You need an email for tensor art, but it doesn't require pay. Use a throwaway.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:15 AM (wzUl9)
You need an email for tensor art, but it doesn't require pay. Use a throwaway.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:18 AM (1Ff7Z)
41
Just earlier this morning, somewhere, I saw a thing about Clive Cussler (?) and was reminded of the time I tried to read one of his books. Lead character was some sort of private eye or retired military? named Dick Wiggler or something equally lame. The story started out with him walking into a local police station, and the author described his appearance as a real study guy...even describing his tight shorts...ick.
By I had to quit the book when the author, when describing lead character's encounter with a criminal, and said, and this is how I remember it, "he snicked the safety off of his .357 revolver"
right.
By I had to quit the book when the author, when describing lead character's encounter with a criminal, and said, and this is how I remember it, "he snicked the safety off of his .357 revolver"
right.
Posted by: Bayside at August 30, 2026 09:19 AM (3ACIl)
42
I understand that Erle Stanley Gardner used a board that held several wheels that bore notations of situations, motives, methods of murder, locations, etc. Turn the wheels, and there would be an idea for his next Perry Mason mystery.
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 30, 2026 09:19 AM (TvRFE)
43
What about lifting a line from a book or video? Same idea. If the line is organic to your story, why not?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026
***
In an SF story, I did that -- lifted William Munny's line from Unforgiven, 'If you kill a man, you take away all he has and all he'll ever have," and reworked it a bit into a scene where the narrator's father has had to kill potential invaders to their enclave.
One of my writing group caught it, and I grinned and said, "If you're gonna steal, steal from the best --!"
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026
***
In an SF story, I did that -- lifted William Munny's line from Unforgiven, 'If you kill a man, you take away all he has and all he'll ever have," and reworked it a bit into a scene where the narrator's father has had to kill potential invaders to their enclave.
One of my writing group caught it, and I grinned and said, "If you're gonna steal, steal from the best --!"
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:20 AM (wzUl9)
44
Art idea. Like the Sistine Chapel but instead of God touching Adam, it'd be AI.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 09:20 AM (ndZc7)
45
What about lifting a line from a book or video? Same idea. If the line is organic to your story, why not?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:16 AM (1Ff7Z)
**smiles**
Gloria Swanson is a character in my new book. The first words out of her mouth are "You there! Why are you so late?" and when my narrator is doing her makeup, she says "The shadow over my left eye isn't balanced." Both lines are from Sunset Boulevard and I use them as a little treat for the reader.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:16 AM (1Ff7Z)
**smiles**
Gloria Swanson is a character in my new book. The first words out of her mouth are "You there! Why are you so late?" and when my narrator is doing her makeup, she says "The shadow over my left eye isn't balanced." Both lines are from Sunset Boulevard and I use them as a little treat for the reader.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:20 AM (qRla/)
46
I don't think I have a clearcut view of AI use, or the acceptability thereof, so I'm gonna say nothing. Time, and experience, will bring clarity.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 30, 2026 09:21 AM (VyBeY)
47
Honestly, the concept for a book seems like the easiest part of the process. Anyone should be able to brainstorm a concept or two. The real effort would go into fleshing out that outline and turning it into an actual story. If an author needs AI's help with the most basic element of story, I'm not sure I'd trust them with anything else...
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:22 AM (3v7ra)
48
Checked a link for some AI plot/story generator. Fed it some prompts based on a story I'd started that bogged down on me. What came back was the summary for a novel (to get the whole novel it wanted $$$) that sounded like a ripoff of some movie whose title I forget. Threw it away. And yes, the story is still bogged down. One of these years maybe...
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:23 AM (q3u5l)
49
There was a great line in a local jewelry store radio spot years ago: "Ladies and gentlemen, please keep your hands and feet inside the radio commercial at all times." I'm waiting to use that one, suitably resewn, in a murder mystery one of these days.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:23 AM (wzUl9)
50
41 - safety on a revolver is a bright line in the sand, innit?
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (VyBeY)
51
On another note:
I was at a used bookstore last week and saw that they had about a dozen The Man From U.N.C.L.E. paperbacks. I know someone here collects them and I thought about taking a photo of the collection and asking if anyone wanted them.
Which led me to an idea: just as AoS has the prayer list, why not have a Sunday Book Thread Want List? Send in to one of the hosts a list of books you're looking for and, if someone else finds one, they can pipe up and say, "I have it. Where would you like me to send it?"
Thoughts?
I was at a used bookstore last week and saw that they had about a dozen The Man From U.N.C.L.E. paperbacks. I know someone here collects them and I thought about taking a photo of the collection and asking if anyone wanted them.
Which led me to an idea: just as AoS has the prayer list, why not have a Sunday Book Thread Want List? Send in to one of the hosts a list of books you're looking for and, if someone else finds one, they can pipe up and say, "I have it. Where would you like me to send it?"
Thoughts?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (qRla/)
52
Morning, all.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:05 AM (qRla
Why did women wear those big hats back then? Who started that fashion craze?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:05 AM (qRla
Why did women wear those big hats back then? Who started that fashion craze?
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (Oy/m2)
53
Charles Schulta used to flip through the Sears cataloge looking for inspiration for Peanuts.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (ndZc7)
54
If an author needs AI's help with the most basic element of story…
“I have no ideas, and I must write.”
A story about an AI trapped in a deep cavern with a despotic human.
“I have no ideas, and I must write.”
A story about an AI trapped in a deep cavern with a despotic human.
Posted by: Stephen Price Blair at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (kYmoU)
55
Perhaps one useful perspective is to see it as 'training wheels'... keep you going over the tricky parts until you get your balance figured out.
Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 30, 2026 09:25 AM (aJQbY)
56
So. The Brothers McKay, by Craig Johnson, came available in my library holds.
Never in my life have I so desperately wanted a character to die. This is the first Longmire I have not loved. Apparently out of ideas, Craig Johnson re-wrote The Brothers Karamazov, dropping them into the American West. I admit I haven't gotten around to reading Dostoevsky yet, and it might have made a difference for me. But probably not.
One character is an absolutely irrational imbecile who should have been left to die many times. But Longmire is always about grace and mercy, so he persists in his determination to rescue a dumbass.
Reading this spiked my blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Never in my life have I so desperately wanted a character to die. This is the first Longmire I have not loved. Apparently out of ideas, Craig Johnson re-wrote The Brothers Karamazov, dropping them into the American West. I admit I haven't gotten around to reading Dostoevsky yet, and it might have made a difference for me. But probably not.
One character is an absolutely irrational imbecile who should have been left to die many times. But Longmire is always about grace and mercy, so he persists in his determination to rescue a dumbass.
Reading this spiked my blood pressure to dangerous levels.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:25 AM (h7ZuX)
57
I have several grandchildren who are beginning readers. I consider some books to be on their future mandatory reading list, even I am not living on the Earth when they reach teenage reading level.
I consider Orwell’s Animal Farm and Homage to Catalonia absolutely necessary.
I would urge all teenagers to read Lois Lowry’s “Number the Stars”, about the Dane’s efforts to save Danish Jews from the Nazis during WWII.
And, just for fun, they should read Richard Hughes “A High Wind in Jamaica”.
I consider Orwell’s Animal Farm and Homage to Catalonia absolutely necessary.
I would urge all teenagers to read Lois Lowry’s “Number the Stars”, about the Dane’s efforts to save Danish Jews from the Nazis during WWII.
And, just for fun, they should read Richard Hughes “A High Wind in Jamaica”.
Posted by: Fenderbender at August 30, 2026 09:26 AM (1FEc1)
58
MP4,
Love the fashion update at the top of the thread. Talk about celebrating the female form.
When I saw the sensor light in the top photo I immediately thought "Good morning, Dave."
Love the fashion update at the top of the thread. Talk about celebrating the female form.
When I saw the sensor light in the top photo I immediately thought "Good morning, Dave."
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 09:26 AM (yTvNw)
59
For example, I have three books in the seven-book The Motion Picture Girls collection, which was a 1914 series by Laura Lee (The Bobbsey Twins) Hope.
If someone came across one that I don't have, I'd pay to have it shipped to me.
If someone came across one that I don't have, I'd pay to have it shipped to me.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:27 AM (qRla/)
60
45, I love catching little touches like that! and I'm sure that I miss as many as I catch ...
Easter eggs, right? I've seen that phrase used.
Easter eggs, right? I've seen that phrase used.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 30, 2026 09:27 AM (VyBeY)
61
Gloria Swanson is a character in my new book. The first words out of her mouth are "You there! Why are you so late?" and when my narrator is doing her makeup, she says "The shadow over my left eye isn't balanced." Both lines are from Sunset Boulevard and I use them as a little treat for the reader.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026
***
Doing that sort of thing is part of the joy in writing!
In my Man From U.N.C.L.E. fan fiction, I will occasionally use a line from the show in another but appropriate context. I hope fans will catch it, but if not, hey, I had fun.
Speaking of using real people, in one 1966 MfU tale I had Truman Capote, Lee Radziwill, Cilla Black, and Horst Jankowski all appear at a party. The first two were described rather than named. I also slipped Ellery Queen and his father the Inspector in there too.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026
***
Doing that sort of thing is part of the joy in writing!
In my Man From U.N.C.L.E. fan fiction, I will occasionally use a line from the show in another but appropriate context. I hope fans will catch it, but if not, hey, I had fun.
Speaking of using real people, in one 1966 MfU tale I had Truman Capote, Lee Radziwill, Cilla Black, and Horst Jankowski all appear at a party. The first two were described rather than named. I also slipped Ellery Queen and his father the Inspector in there too.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:27 AM (wzUl9)
62
In an SF story, I did that -- lifted William Munny's line from Unforgiven, 'If you kill a man, you take away all he has and all he'll ever have," and reworked it a bit into a scene where the narrator's father has had to kill potential invaders to their enclave.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:20 AM (wzUl9)
Gloria Swanson is a character in my new book. The first words out of her mouth are "You there! Why are you so late?" and when my narrator is doing her makeup, she says "The shadow over my left eye isn't balanced." Both lines are from Sunset Boulevard and I use them as a little treat for the reader.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:20 AM (qRla/)
My direct lifts are usually from Star Trek episodes. But, I only have a character say one line. It's organic to my character and situations, so I don't think it's agin' the rules. It's an "homage" to sources I like. Though, if I decide to continue writing, I'd do less of it.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:20 AM (wzUl9)
Gloria Swanson is a character in my new book. The first words out of her mouth are "You there! Why are you so late?" and when my narrator is doing her makeup, she says "The shadow over my left eye isn't balanced." Both lines are from Sunset Boulevard and I use them as a little treat for the reader.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:20 AM (qRla/)
My direct lifts are usually from Star Trek episodes. But, I only have a character say one line. It's organic to my character and situations, so I don't think it's agin' the rules. It's an "homage" to sources I like. Though, if I decide to continue writing, I'd do less of it.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:28 AM (1Ff7Z)
63
all neurosis being caused by wallowing in the troubles of nine billion strangers.
-
I didn't think there were that many Horde members.
-
I didn't think there were that many Horde members.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 09:28 AM (ndZc7)
64
Morons will enjoy reading Scott Bessent's recent letter to Elizabeth Warren. P.J. O'Rourke-level sarcasm.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 09:28 AM (RIvkX)
65
Donald Westlake told of crossing a New York bridge and imagining that a man was walking across that bridge into Manhattan. Why was he walking? He's broke. Why is he broke? Somebody robbed him. Why is he going into Manhattan? To take revenge on the robber.
He spun that into "The Hunter," the first Parker potboiler, published under the name Richard Stark.
He spun that into "The Hunter," the first Parker potboiler, published under the name Richard Stark.
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 30, 2026 09:29 AM (TvRFE)
66
Why did women wear those big hats back then? Who started that fashion craze?
Why, I do not know. The fashion didn't last long, however - it really was from the early 1900s until almost the end of WWI. I think it might have been a reflection of the general prosperity of the Edwardian world, so women felt freer to indulge in lavish costume.
Why, I do not know. The fashion didn't last long, however - it really was from the early 1900s until almost the end of WWI. I think it might have been a reflection of the general prosperity of the Edwardian world, so women felt freer to indulge in lavish costume.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:30 AM (qRla/)
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:30 AM (q3u5l)
68
How does using AI for the plot compare to using a random table plot generator?
I've used an RPG random table card deck to create the denizens of my Weird West raptor town as well as nailing down the order of several plot points. Although I did come up with said plot points on my own.
I've used an RPG random table card deck to create the denizens of my Weird West raptor town as well as nailing down the order of several plot points. Although I did come up with said plot points on my own.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026 09:30 AM (lFFaq)
69
I was at a used bookstore last week and saw that they had about a dozen The Man From U.N.C.L.E. paperbacks. I know someone here collects them and I thought about taking a photo of the collection and asking if anyone wanted them.
Which led me to an idea: just as AoS has the prayer list, why not have a Sunday Book Thread Want List? Send in to one of the hosts a list of books you're looking for and, if someone else finds one, they can pipe up and say, "I have it. Where would you like me to send it?"
Thoughts?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026
***
Good idea!
I think I'm the U.N.C.L.E. collector, and I have the entire series of twenty-three books. The oldest are sixty years old, though; I should wrap them in plastic. How many are there in the group you saw?
Which led me to an idea: just as AoS has the prayer list, why not have a Sunday Book Thread Want List? Send in to one of the hosts a list of books you're looking for and, if someone else finds one, they can pipe up and say, "I have it. Where would you like me to send it?"
Thoughts?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026
***
Good idea!
I think I'm the U.N.C.L.E. collector, and I have the entire series of twenty-three books. The oldest are sixty years old, though; I should wrap them in plastic. How many are there in the group you saw?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:31 AM (wzUl9)
70
"Morons will enjoy reading Scott Bessent's recent letter to Elizabeth Warren. P.J. O'Rourke-level sarcasm."
Please let it be
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Please let it be
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Posted by: Bayside at August 30, 2026 09:31 AM (3ACIl)
71
It's …
Posted by: Dr_No at August 30, 2026 09:31 AM (ayRl+)
72
Four stories of book heaven.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:15 AM (kpS4V)
I should probably never go there. I'd never escape.
***There, book plot, no AI needed.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:15 AM (kpS4V)
I should probably never go there. I'd never escape.
***There, book plot, no AI needed.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:32 AM (h7ZuX)
73
Thoughts?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (qRla/)
I've done the opposite, took pix of a shelf of books and asked Wolfus which ones I should get.
Sounds like a good idea. Maybe Perf can post it like he does the recommended list?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (qRla/)
I've done the opposite, took pix of a shelf of books and asked Wolfus which ones I should get.
Sounds like a good idea. Maybe Perf can post it like he does the recommended list?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:32 AM (1Ff7Z)
74
'Honestly, the concept for a book seems like the easiest part of the process. Anyone should be able to brainstorm a concept or two. The real effort would go into fleshing out that outline and turning it into an actual story."
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:22 AM
1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:22 AM
1% inspiration, 99% perspiration.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 09:32 AM (2Ez/1)
75
I finished reading another comic book omnibus this week; it was relatively short, but indy/self-published, so it was no less an impressive book. It was "The Legend of Oz: The Wicked West," written by Tom Hutchison and drawn by Alisson Borges and Carlos Reno. A wizard of Oz retelling, but with an action-girl and a cowboy/gunslinger flair. I normally avoid re-tellings of established stories, but the cover art and concept made me give this one a shot. It didn't quite live up to the cover (the sequential art wasn't bad, but also wasn't as good as I'd hoped), but you'll never discover a hidden gem if you never take a chance...
Ah, well, I had more fun reading this adaptation than I would have had reading/watching/listening to Wicked.
Ah, well, I had more fun reading this adaptation than I would have had reading/watching/listening to Wicked.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM (3v7ra)
76
Because that's where the money is.
Posted by: The ghost of Willie Sutton at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM (2Ez/1)
77
>>And, just for fun, they should read Richard Hughes “A High Wind in Jamaica”.
Read that as an HS senior. The ending was appalling.
Read that as an HS senior. The ending was appalling.
Posted by: Nazdar at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM (NcvvS)
78
Harlan Ellison during some gathering heard one of the guests say something that he said had to be "Jeff is fine. He's always fine." But Harlan heard it as "Jeff is five. He's always five." From a misheard comment he got "Jeffty Is Five," one of his best stories.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM (q3u5l)
79
The 2027 Old Farmer's Almanac came out last week and it is an annual pleasure. Something I can thumb through at leisure. Excellent bathroom reading. BTW, I find the OFA weather predictions are as good as the various government agency statements, maybe better.
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM (yTvNw)
80
So, I am going to read "Trinity" by Leon Uris, which apparently is a story about Catholic and Protestant families in Ireland. My son picked it up as a discard from the library of the local YMCA..
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM (JrHfD)
81
I assume the pic is AI generated?
About the AI plotline q, I think just plug in real person in place of AI. If a real person gave you the whole plot, would you write the book without crediting the person somehow?
Great Book Thread topic, MP4!
About the AI plotline q, I think just plug in real person in place of AI. If a real person gave you the whole plot, would you write the book without crediting the person somehow?
Great Book Thread topic, MP4!
Posted by: vmom deport deport stab deport at August 30, 2026 09:34 AM (Ydd86)
82
I think I'm the U.N.C.L.E. collector, and I have the entire series of twenty-three books. The oldest are sixty years old, though; I should wrap them in plastic. How many are there in the group you saw?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:31 AM (wzUl9)
About a dozen. And I think two of them were story collections from an U.N.C.L.E. magazine, but don't quote me. I'll probably be down there next week, so I will take a pic and send it your way.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:31 AM (wzUl9)
About a dozen. And I think two of them were story collections from an U.N.C.L.E. magazine, but don't quote me. I'll probably be down there next week, so I will take a pic and send it your way.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:34 AM (qRla/)
83
What you've just said is one of the most insanely idiotic things I have ever heard. At no point in your rambling, incoherent response were you even close to anything that could be considered a rational thought. Everyone in this room is now dumber for having listened to it. I award you no points, and may God have mercy on your soul.
Posted by: Bayside at August 30, 2026 09:31 AM (3ACIl)
===
Let's just say I learned a new word today.
Posted by: Bayside at August 30, 2026 09:31 AM (3ACIl)
===
Let's just say I learned a new word today.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 09:35 AM (RIvkX)
84
Come to think of it, some of my Signet James Bond paperbacks were bought by my mother some six decades ago. The back cover has come off of my copy of From Russia With Love; I use it as a bookmark in that volume.
The front covers of the Signets have "IAN FLEMING," the title, and "A JAMES BOND THRILLER" on them with a small color painting often illustrating a scene from the novel. The back features a compelling blurb designed to get you to buy it.
The front covers of the Signets have "IAN FLEMING," the title, and "A JAMES BOND THRILLER" on them with a small color painting often illustrating a scene from the novel. The back features a compelling blurb designed to get you to buy it.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:36 AM (wzUl9)
85
On a related topic, here is a vid of a professional portrait photographer talking about how because AI image generators were trained on high quality images, now high quality images "look" AI and it's causing a preference trend toward less "perfect" images. Food for thought.
https://youtu.be/zkdO-q9zJec
https://youtu.be/zkdO-q9zJec
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 09:36 AM (vTZFs)
86
It is 1944, and Albert Campion has gotten a few days leave, so he travels home to a bombed out London. He plans to quickly clean up at his flat and catch a train to the country to relax, but unfortunately there is a body of a woman in his bedroom. In Pearls Before Swine, Margery Allingham presents a puzzling mystery that entwines Campion in more ways than one.
It seems that Campion's neighbor, the dowager Lady Cavados, in trying to protect her son Johnny, has conspired to move the body from where it was found in Johnny's bedroom to Campion's, and thus complicates the entire matter. The gentry still have a way of being above normal police investigation, so Campion is called upon to assist.
Johnny is supposed to have been married the next day, and the body is not that of his betrothed, but he does know her. The situation becomes even more complicated after Campion is briefly kidnapped, and then a few bottles of impossibly rare burgundy show up, at which point the case takes a completely different turn. Are these coincidences of timing, or are they all related? Campion has to use his intuition and his understanding of the upper classes to get to the bottom of the mystery.
It seems that Campion's neighbor, the dowager Lady Cavados, in trying to protect her son Johnny, has conspired to move the body from where it was found in Johnny's bedroom to Campion's, and thus complicates the entire matter. The gentry still have a way of being above normal police investigation, so Campion is called upon to assist.
Johnny is supposed to have been married the next day, and the body is not that of his betrothed, but he does know her. The situation becomes even more complicated after Campion is briefly kidnapped, and then a few bottles of impossibly rare burgundy show up, at which point the case takes a completely different turn. Are these coincidences of timing, or are they all related? Campion has to use his intuition and his understanding of the upper classes to get to the bottom of the mystery.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 09:37 AM (0U5gm)
87
And then the murders began...
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 09:37 AM (RIvkX)
88
Posted by: vmom deport deport stab deport at August 30, 2026 09:34 AM (Ydd86)
The opening picture is the HAL computer from 2001.
The ladies are from a date I don't remember, but they are wearing and advertising a new dress form, one that clings close to the body and eschews the use of corset stays. Very daring for the time.
But, my word, they are luscious. I wish I had a lady like that.
The opening picture is the HAL computer from 2001.
The ladies are from a date I don't remember, but they are wearing and advertising a new dress form, one that clings close to the body and eschews the use of corset stays. Very daring for the time.
But, my word, they are luscious. I wish I had a lady like that.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:39 AM (qRla/)
89
About a dozen. And I think two of them were story collections from an U.N.C.L.E. magazine, but don't quote me. I'll probably be down there next week, so I will take a pic and send it your way.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026
***
Please do. I have nearly all the magazines. They have a significant place in the history of the fandom. Several of the Solo & Illya novelettes were written by authors who went on to greater fame under their own names, like John Jakes and Dennis Lynds. And a number of issues featured "The Department of Lost Stories," reprinting fantasy classics from Heinlein, Sturgeon, and Robert Bloch.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026
***
Please do. I have nearly all the magazines. They have a significant place in the history of the fandom. Several of the Solo & Illya novelettes were written by authors who went on to greater fame under their own names, like John Jakes and Dennis Lynds. And a number of issues featured "The Department of Lost Stories," reprinting fantasy classics from Heinlein, Sturgeon, and Robert Bloch.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:39 AM (wzUl9)
90
Grok, make me a picture of ladies at an early Kentucky Derby.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 09:40 AM (2Ez/1)
91
I finished The Professor and the Madman, which lived up to it's reputation. An excellent book that makes dictionaries interesting and a really sad story, too. And I read Garibaldi and the Making of Italy and that was a great book. I knew almost nothing about the risorgimento and the various political and military machinations of the era. I learned a lot and gained a great appreciation of Garibaldi as a man, a political leader, and a general. Before this, he was a just a name I had heard and nothing more. It also shed more light on a character in Joseph Conrad's Nostromo who is an old and disillusioned Garibaldini.
Posted by: Who Knew at August 30, 2026 09:40 AM (+ViXu)
92
Hijacking ideas is commonplace. I think Robert Heinlein had one of his characters comment when another mentioned that the idea had been done, admitted to it and said something along the lines of "I just file the serial numbers off it and make it mine." Might've been Jubal Harshaw in Stranger In A Strange Land.
An time I run across a great line of dialogue I stash it in a clip file. Latest favorite: "Yeah, I'm okay. Breathing is highly overrated. Who needs it."
An time I run across a great line of dialogue I stash it in a clip file. Latest favorite: "Yeah, I'm okay. Breathing is highly overrated. Who needs it."
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:40 AM (NtoJk)
93
I haven't read many of Allingham's Campion stories. A few where I've found them, but Pearls Before Swine is not one I know.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:41 AM (wzUl9)
94
A few additional thoughts on "The Legend of Oz: The Wicked West." This sort of story relies on the gimmick of seeing how the author chooses to adapted established characters. In this version, Dorothy was aged-up into a gunslinging cowgirl, and Toto was her horse. The Tin Man was human-looking lawman; similar to what was done in an old sci-fi-channel mini-series. The Scarecrow was re-imagined as a mute straw-filled Indian girl; I have no idea what prompted this change, but she worked as an original character. The Cowardly Lion was an actual lion, but with a powdered face and a tiara; I don't know why the author did this, but I hated it...
More interesting were the characters from the later Oz stories. We have Gener Jinger; and a femme fatale is always welcome in a comic. The Wheelers had maxim guns built into their arms. Tippetarius looked like one of Peter Pan's Lost Boys; the story didn't reach the point where his big secret is revealed, and I shudder to think of how a current-year author will handle that twist...
(Gah! The comment box cut me off! continued...)
More interesting were the characters from the later Oz stories. We have Gener Jinger; and a femme fatale is always welcome in a comic. The Wheelers had maxim guns built into their arms. Tippetarius looked like one of Peter Pan's Lost Boys; the story didn't reach the point where his big secret is revealed, and I shudder to think of how a current-year author will handle that twist...
(Gah! The comment box cut me off! continued...)
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:41 AM (3v7ra)
95
Had all those Signet Ian Flemings when I was in high school. Is it me, or were the general run-of-the-mill paperbacks just cooler looking then than they are now?
Polliwog at 68. I'm not sure there's really much of a difference at all.
Polliwog at 68. I'm not sure there's really much of a difference at all.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:41 AM (q3u5l)
96
Why did women wear those big hats back then? Who started that fashion craze?
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (Oy/m2)
If only that trend would come back and replace the current craze of sleeve tattoos and inverted nose rings.
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (Oy/m2)
If only that trend would come back and replace the current craze of sleeve tattoos and inverted nose rings.
Posted by: Dr. T at August 30, 2026 09:42 AM (lHPJf)
97
How does using AI for the plot compare to using a random table plot generator?
I've used an RPG random table card deck to create the denizens of my Weird West raptor town as well as nailing down the order of several plot points. Although I did come up with said plot points on my own.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026 09:30 AM (lFFaq)
The source of ideas shouldn't matter. If you completely use someone else's work to write yours, it matters. I'm not going ape over AI used in writing unless it does the complete work. Could AI write a better story than me? Don't know. If it's something someone likes, then who am I to say thou shalt not read it!
I've used an RPG random table card deck to create the denizens of my Weird West raptor town as well as nailing down the order of several plot points. Although I did come up with said plot points on my own.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026 09:30 AM (lFFaq)
The source of ideas shouldn't matter. If you completely use someone else's work to write yours, it matters. I'm not going ape over AI used in writing unless it does the complete work. Could AI write a better story than me? Don't know. If it's something someone likes, then who am I to say thou shalt not read it!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:42 AM (1Ff7Z)
98
How does using AI for the plot compare to using a random table plot generator?
I've used an RPG random table card deck to create the denizens of my Weird West raptor town as well as nailing down the order of several plot points. Although I did come up with said plot points on my own.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026 09:30 AM (lFFaq)
---
It's the exact same thing. I've been saying this for a while: AI is just charts and tables scaled up. Using AI to create is just randomly mining other people's work.
AI's true use is that you can sift data with incredible speed, but this relies on the integrity of the data because it cannot evaluate it. But if (for example) you feed it bomb damage assessments and give it the right parameters, you can develop target packages much faster than by using human analysts.
I've used an RPG random table card deck to create the denizens of my Weird West raptor town as well as nailing down the order of several plot points. Although I did come up with said plot points on my own.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026 09:30 AM (lFFaq)
---
It's the exact same thing. I've been saying this for a while: AI is just charts and tables scaled up. Using AI to create is just randomly mining other people's work.
AI's true use is that you can sift data with incredible speed, but this relies on the integrity of the data because it cannot evaluate it. But if (for example) you feed it bomb damage assessments and give it the right parameters, you can develop target packages much faster than by using human analysts.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 09:42 AM (ZOv7s)
99
It's not just literary practice, either. When I'm stuck for artistic inspiration, I stroll around the painting class to look at what others are doing. Occasionally making a note of "Ooh, I wanna paint that!" and sometimes requesting a copy of an inspirational photo from a classmate. Or sharing some of my own.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:42 AM (NtoJk)
100
Hijacking ideas is commonplace. I think Robert Heinlein had one of his characters comment when another mentioned that the idea had been done, admitted to it and said something along the lines of "I just file the serial numbers off it and make it mine." Might've been Jubal Harshaw in Stranger In A Strange Land.
An time I run across a great line of dialogue I stash it in a clip file. Latest favorite: "Yeah, I'm okay. Breathing is highly overrated. Who needs it."
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026
***
Some of RAH's early magazine stories were SF variants on classics like Uncle Tom's Cabin (= slavery on Venus) and The Man Without a Country. Nobody in the SF field had done that before -- or if someone had, it wasn't very well done and isn't remembered.
An time I run across a great line of dialogue I stash it in a clip file. Latest favorite: "Yeah, I'm okay. Breathing is highly overrated. Who needs it."
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026
***
Some of RAH's early magazine stories were SF variants on classics like Uncle Tom's Cabin (= slavery on Venus) and The Man Without a Country. Nobody in the SF field had done that before -- or if someone had, it wasn't very well done and isn't remembered.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:43 AM (wzUl9)
101
I can see taking the germ of an idea for a plot from an AI suggestion - but definitely not every beat, and most definitely not having AI write the whole darned thing.
On the other hand - there are only so many original plot concepts existing in the world; it's what the writer does to flesh them out which is (with luck, skill and creativity) original.
And every good plot out to be taken out for a romp in every setting which allows room for adventure. I did a version of Kipling's "The Man Who Would Be king" set on the southwest American frontier with a mysterious and isolated Indian tribe living on top of a remote mesa. (It's in one of my Lone Star story collections, and also in Tales Told Around the Supper Table II. I intended it as a romp and an homage, but one reviewer for the latter was indignant and termed it a "rip-off.")
On the other hand - there are only so many original plot concepts existing in the world; it's what the writer does to flesh them out which is (with luck, skill and creativity) original.
And every good plot out to be taken out for a romp in every setting which allows room for adventure. I did a version of Kipling's "The Man Who Would Be king" set on the southwest American frontier with a mysterious and isolated Indian tribe living on top of a remote mesa. (It's in one of my Lone Star story collections, and also in Tales Told Around the Supper Table II. I intended it as a romp and an homage, but one reviewer for the latter was indignant and termed it a "rip-off.")
Posted by: Sgt. Mom at August 30, 2026 09:43 AM (Ew3fm)
102
Women wore hats to keep the sun off their faces. It grew outrageous from there.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:43 AM (NtoJk)
103
Final thoughts of the "Legend of Oz: The Wicked West" comic.
The best re-imagined character was Jack the Pumpkin head. He was a normal person, dressed as a cowboy. But he had a horribly scarred face, which he hid behind an orange bandanna. And that bandanna had a jack-o-lantern grin printed on it. The design make for a really cool (and very intimidating) visual.
The best re-imagined character was Jack the Pumpkin head. He was a normal person, dressed as a cowboy. But he had a horribly scarred face, which he hid behind an orange bandanna. And that bandanna had a jack-o-lantern grin printed on it. The design make for a really cool (and very intimidating) visual.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:44 AM (3v7ra)
104
I once had an opportunity to speak with an editorial cartoonist.
During the brief conversation I mentioned I had some ideas for cartoons. He politely demurred.
Lawyers and all.
During the brief conversation I mentioned I had some ideas for cartoons. He politely demurred.
Lawyers and all.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 09:44 AM (2Ez/1)
105
Gonna tackle Anna Karenina next. Read War and Peace years ago, and swore I'd never read any more Tolstoy. But I hear it's much better.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 30, 2026 09:45 AM (XvL8K)
106
I started reading Augustine's Confessions, so I finally understand the meaning of Skip's weekly "tolle lege" post. I'm covering one chapter per week as part of a discussion with another church member.
I'm also still crawling through "Dungeon Crawler Carl." Fortunately, it's not the sort of book where you have to re-read the previous few pages if you haven't picked it up for a few days. Sometimes the brain likes cotton candy.
I'm also still crawling through "Dungeon Crawler Carl." Fortunately, it's not the sort of book where you have to re-read the previous few pages if you haven't picked it up for a few days. Sometimes the brain likes cotton candy.
Posted by: PabloD at August 30, 2026 09:45 AM (6oTRF)
107
Book heaven.
Not *quite* the same thing, but Barry Malzberg did four short stories set in Writer's Heaven. All four can be found in his collection The Man Who Loved the Midnight Lady and all, especially the closing paragraphs of the 4th, highly recommended.
Not *quite* the same thing, but Barry Malzberg did four short stories set in Writer's Heaven. All four can be found in his collection The Man Who Loved the Midnight Lady and all, especially the closing paragraphs of the 4th, highly recommended.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:45 AM (q3u5l)
108
Frankly, I wish I wrote better dialogue. Nate van Coops and Sam Sisavath excel at it. Makes me smile. But I'm working on it! And if you're gonna steal, steal from the best. (And file off the serial numbers.)
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:45 AM (NtoJk)
109
Felt nostalgic so I thumbed through the Star Trek Concordance (1976) by the indefatigable Bjo Trimble and a host of trek nerds. This is a bound library copy; mine, somewhere in the bowels of my basement, is the old three hole punch paperback fastened with brads.
Here's Bjo talking about the elder days:
https://tinyurl.com/espmydmm
This and the novelizations were all we had in the Intertrek Years. You kids just wouldn't understand.
Here's Bjo talking about the elder days:
https://tinyurl.com/espmydmm
This and the novelizations were all we had in the Intertrek Years. You kids just wouldn't understand.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:46 AM (kpS4V)
110
Had all those Signet Ian Flemings when I was in high school. Is it me, or were the general run-of-the-mill paperbacks just cooler looking then than they are now?
Polliwog at 68. I'm not sure there's really much of a difference at all.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026
***
They *were* cooler-looking. Paintings of beautiful sexy girls, or of Bond in tuxedo at Casino Royale, or Goldfinger's golden Rolls-Royce humming along a road. The paperback industry lost a lot when they began to use photographs instead of paintings (as did advertising).
Polliwog at 68. I'm not sure there's really much of a difference at all.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026
***
They *were* cooler-looking. Paintings of beautiful sexy girls, or of Bond in tuxedo at Casino Royale, or Goldfinger's golden Rolls-Royce humming along a road. The paperback industry lost a lot when they began to use photographs instead of paintings (as did advertising).
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:46 AM (wzUl9)
111
I started Sone's Fall by Iain Pears that I assume was recommended by one of the horde, since most of my reading seems to come to me that way. I'm about a third of the way in and so so good.
One of the oddball channels on my TV shows Perry Mason reruns and I got curious if the original novels were as courtroom focused as the TV show so I bought a cheap collection of three of them for my kindle to find out. It will probably be months before I get around to reading them, though.
One of the oddball channels on my TV shows Perry Mason reruns and I got curious if the original novels were as courtroom focused as the TV show so I bought a cheap collection of three of them for my kindle to find out. It will probably be months before I get around to reading them, though.
Posted by: Who Knew at August 30, 2026 09:46 AM (+ViXu)
112
My credit card company likes to give me double or triple points at various online retailers, to encourage me to spend more. Occasionally, they even go higher. Recently they went to 5x points on e-bay. Well, jokes on them, I had books to buy, and I was going to spend that money anyways! Thanks for the extra point...
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:46 AM (3v7ra)
113
Ah, well, I had more fun reading this adaptation than I would have had reading/watching/listening to Wicked.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM (3v7ra)
Kid 2 is around the age for that. Glad she's never said anything about it. Wicked is only an attempt to put evil in a good light.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM (3v7ra)
Kid 2 is around the age for that. Glad she's never said anything about it. Wicked is only an attempt to put evil in a good light.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:46 AM (1Ff7Z)
114
What are you doing, Dave?
Posted by: HAL 9000 at August 30, 2026 09:47 AM (ZOv7s)
115
Felt nostalgic so I thumbed through the Star Trek Concordance (1976) by the indefatigable Bjo Trimble and a host of trek nerds. This is a bound library copy; mine, somewhere in the bowels of my basement, is the old three hole punch paperback fastened with brads.
I've got my tix for the Star Trek movies event this weekend. I'm wondering how many people will show up in costume.
I've got my tix for the Star Trek movies event this weekend. I'm wondering how many people will show up in costume.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (qRla/)
116
Am I the only one who has never read anything by Tolstoy?
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (Oy/m2)
117
Tip's secret... would be so weird. Would they use the same person to do the acting? Would they use fraternal twins?
Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (aJQbY)
118
About the AI plotline q, I think just plug in real person in place of AI. If a real person gave you the whole plot, would you write the book without crediting the person somehow?
Posted by: vmom deport deport stab deport at August 30, 2026 09:34 AM (Ydd86)
In the Acknowledgements section.
Posted by: vmom deport deport stab deport at August 30, 2026 09:34 AM (Ydd86)
In the Acknowledgements section.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (1Ff7Z)
119
I started Stone's Fall by Iain Pears that I assume was recommended by one of the horde, since most of my reading seems to come to me that way. I'm about a third of the way in and so so good.
Posted by: Who Knew
Probably me. It is one of my favorite books. The method that Pears uses to work backwards through a story within a story within a story is really clever.
Posted by: Who Knew
Probably me. It is one of my favorite books. The method that Pears uses to work backwards through a story within a story within a story is really clever.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (0U5gm)
120
Felt nostalgic so I thumbed through the Star Trek Concordance (1976) by the indefatigable Bjo Trimble and a host of trek nerds. This is a bound library copy; mine, somewhere in the bowels of my basement, is the old three hole punch paperback fastened with brads.
Here's Bjo talking about the elder days:
https://tinyurl.com/espmydmm
This and the novelizations were all we had in the Intertrek Years. You kids just wouldn't understand.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026
***
Same with U.N.C.L.E. -- except that we had almost twenty years between the last episode and the reruns on CBN, another twenty until the DVDs came out, and another seven or eight until the 2015 movie. The original novels and the movies showing erratically on TV were pretty much it for the fans.
Here's Bjo talking about the elder days:
https://tinyurl.com/espmydmm
This and the novelizations were all we had in the Intertrek Years. You kids just wouldn't understand.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026
***
Same with U.N.C.L.E. -- except that we had almost twenty years between the last episode and the reruns on CBN, another twenty until the DVDs came out, and another seven or eight until the 2015 movie. The original novels and the movies showing erratically on TV were pretty much it for the fans.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:49 AM (wzUl9)
121
Currently reading the first in a short series by Susan Stoker. Military romance. And yes, they're formulaic but her characters are interesting. I enjoy the "slow burn" buildup of attraction between her leads and would love to work some of that into my own writing. And I'm not talking about steamy sex scenes, but the gradual accumulation of all the small things which make two people fall in love with each other. Although steamy sex scenes can be good, too, when they're well-written.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:49 AM (NtoJk)
122
I've mentioned Malcolm Guite's epic poem about King Arthur often enough. He read it as well for an Audible download but it wasn't offered on a CD. That changed recently. Apparently, I'm not the only old fashioned curmudgeon who wants to OWN the media, not just rent it and be at the mercy of technical gods/gremlins. I've already preordered the book and CD for the next volume coming in November. His reading is a pleasure to listen to.
Guite is one of those people who can read anything and make it lively or profound, as needed, and brings out the joy of the writing. He is always asked if he would do a reading of the complete LOTR and Hobbit. I have two versions of them but would happily pay for Guite's.
Guite is one of those people who can read anything and make it lively or profound, as needed, and brings out the joy of the writing. He is always asked if he would do a reading of the complete LOTR and Hobbit. I have two versions of them but would happily pay for Guite's.
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 09:50 AM (yTvNw)
123
Am I the only one who has never read anything by Tolstoy?
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (Oy/m2)
I haven't, either.
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (Oy/m2)
I haven't, either.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:50 AM (qRla/)
124
There is a French musical tradition (I'm not aware of it in any other culture), the tombeau. "Tombeau" means "tombstone" and the tradition is to compose an homage to a deceased musician referencing his style. If this were France, we'd be composing Tombeau de Dolly.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 09:50 AM (ndZc7)
125
I've got my tix for the Star Trek movies event this weekend. I'm wondering how many people will show up in costume.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026
***
Hey, in 2015 I went to see the U.N.C.L.E. movie (with Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer) wearing a suit and tie, and with my triangular HQ badge clipped to one lapel.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026
***
Hey, in 2015 I went to see the U.N.C.L.E. movie (with Henry Cavill and Armie Hammer) wearing a suit and tie, and with my triangular HQ badge clipped to one lapel.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:51 AM (wzUl9)
126
Tolstoy - me neither, but maybe someday. But there's so much to read out there!
Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 30, 2026 09:51 AM (aJQbY)
127
I like the idea of the Book Thread Want List! For one thing, some of us trying to slim down the library want our darlings to go to good homes. Maybe that home is with a fellow Moron! We could also post Free To Good Home lists 
As it happens, the topic for my next Book Thread (already written!) is about how writers get ideas. MP4, you aren't supposed to use the All-Seeing Eye to peek ahead!
As it happens, the topic for my next Book Thread (already written!) is about how writers get ideas. MP4, you aren't supposed to use the All-Seeing Eye to peek ahead!
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at August 30, 2026 09:51 AM (tY90Q)
128
safety on a revolver is a bright line in the sand, innit?
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (VyBeY)
Unless it is a Reichsrevolver, a Hong Kong Police Enfield revolver in .360 with the cross-bolt safety, or one of the various Euro "military" revolvers that had a safety because reasons.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (VyBeY)
Unless it is a Reichsrevolver, a Hong Kong Police Enfield revolver in .360 with the cross-bolt safety, or one of the various Euro "military" revolvers that had a safety because reasons.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 09:51 AM (rbvCR)
129
Ian Fleming's Femme Fatale , Melons McGee.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 09:52 AM (KC5Lt)
130
I've got my tix for the Star Trek movies event this weekend. I'm wondering how many people will show up in costume.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (qRla/)
----
What event is this?
I went to a "Sit Long and Prosper" movie marathon eons ago.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (qRla/)
----
What event is this?
I went to a "Sit Long and Prosper" movie marathon eons ago.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:52 AM (kpS4V)
131
Am I the only one who has never read anything by Tolstoy?
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026
***
Same here. I was so bored at one point during the Sniffle Scare that I read Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. Exciting until the murder actually occurs; a slog after that.
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026
***
Same here. I was so bored at one point during the Sniffle Scare that I read Dostoevsky's Crime and Punishment. Exciting until the murder actually occurs; a slog after that.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:53 AM (wzUl9)
132
Polliwog at 68. I'm not sure there's really much of a difference at all.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:41 AM (q3u5l)
I'm not sure there is either. With the random tables one needs to interpret a couple of adjectives into a personality or complete appearance, and AI would probably provide that detail. Interpretation may be the difference.
My story is a mystery and I didn't know which of the townsfolk would be the murderer until I did my card draws. I had a few basic traits I wanted him to have and used the character whose results were the closest to those traits.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:41 AM (q3u5l)
I'm not sure there is either. With the random tables one needs to interpret a couple of adjectives into a personality or complete appearance, and AI would probably provide that detail. Interpretation may be the difference.
My story is a mystery and I didn't know which of the townsfolk would be the murderer until I did my card draws. I had a few basic traits I wanted him to have and used the character whose results were the closest to those traits.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026 09:53 AM (lFFaq)
133
I started reading Augustine's Confessions, so I finally understand the meaning of Skip's weekly "tolle lege" post. I'm covering one chapter per week as part of a discussion with another church member.
Posted by: PabloD at August 30, 2026 09:45 AM (6oTRF)
---
I really enjoyed it. City of God is not what I expected. Much more involved, I'm crawling through it, but it's really good. It was written to explain Christianity to a pagan, and Augustine starts by examining paganism in autistic detail, citing sources we no longer have, and then working through how paganism is basically built around the fallen angels, a funhouse mirror version of Christianity where vices become virtues.
It's timeless, of course, but I see so much of what he is talking about in our current society where killing infants is "stunning and brave" and sexual depravity is valorized. I mean, nothing is new but wow, we've really regressed.
Posted by: PabloD at August 30, 2026 09:45 AM (6oTRF)
---
I really enjoyed it. City of God is not what I expected. Much more involved, I'm crawling through it, but it's really good. It was written to explain Christianity to a pagan, and Augustine starts by examining paganism in autistic detail, citing sources we no longer have, and then working through how paganism is basically built around the fallen angels, a funhouse mirror version of Christianity where vices become virtues.
It's timeless, of course, but I see so much of what he is talking about in our current society where killing infants is "stunning and brave" and sexual depravity is valorized. I mean, nothing is new but wow, we've really regressed.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 09:53 AM (ZOv7s)
134
Tolstoy... all Russian writing is dense. The only thing worse is Soviet writing, which is not only dense but so full of Marxist dialectic it's boringly impenetrable. Had to take a class in it along with my Russian language classes to have it for a minor and it was excruciating. Can't recommend any of it and I'm a Russophile.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:53 AM (NtoJk)
135
As it happens, the topic for my next Book Thread (already written!) is about how writers get ideas. MP4, you aren't supposed to use the All-Seeing Eye to peek ahead!
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at August 30, 2026 09:51 AM (tY90Q)
My next topic is about writers who 'carry on' or 're-imagine' already-existing properties. So Castle Guy's "Legend of Oz" posts are prophetic.
Posted by: Sabrina Chase at August 30, 2026 09:51 AM (tY90Q)
My next topic is about writers who 'carry on' or 're-imagine' already-existing properties. So Castle Guy's "Legend of Oz" posts are prophetic.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:54 AM (qRla/)
136
Am I the only one who has never read anything by Tolstoy?
Posted by: dantesed
_______
Based on War and Peace alone, Dostoyevsky is far, far superior. I reread The Possessed (Constance Garnett translation title instead of Demons) every few years. And the Rebellion chapter in Bros. K, which contains the Grand Inquisitor.
Posted by: dantesed
_______
Based on War and Peace alone, Dostoyevsky is far, far superior. I reread The Possessed (Constance Garnett translation title instead of Demons) every few years. And the Rebellion chapter in Bros. K, which contains the Grand Inquisitor.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 30, 2026 09:54 AM (XvL8K)
137
How much of the hostility toward AI is based on the assumption not that AI was used in plotting but that the book was entirely AI written? Use in plotting isn't that different from mining the old books of plots used and abused or throwing darts at the plot points board, is it?. But having AI do the writing itself? Uh-uh.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 09:54 AM (q3u5l)
138
Morons will enjoy reading Scott Bessent's recent letter to Elizabeth Warren. P.J. O'Rourke-level sarcasm."
I read that . I am glad I don't run in DC political circles, and am unlikely to get on Scott Bessent's bad side, because he is much brighter and more articulate than I am, and I would not want to be the recipient of his withering sarcasm.
He actually one of my favorite members of this administration.
I read that . I am glad I don't run in DC political circles, and am unlikely to get on Scott Bessent's bad side, because he is much brighter and more articulate than I am, and I would not want to be the recipient of his withering sarcasm.
He actually one of my favorite members of this administration.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (JrHfD)
139
It seems that Campion's neighbor, the dowager Lady Cavados, in trying to protect her son Johnny, has conspired to move the body from where it was found in Johnny's bedroom to Campion's, and thus complicates the entire matter. The gentry still have a way of being above normal police investigation, so Campion is called upon to assist.
And it ends in Campion discovering the dowager Lady Cavados has been bootlegging her homemade gooseberry wine!
And it ends in Campion discovering the dowager Lady Cavados has been bootlegging her homemade gooseberry wine!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (1Ff7Z)
140
A published author friend of mine - who actually consulted with me once about a scene involving firearms - wrote a passage in another book about someone "flipping the safety off his Glock." Picard_facepalm.exe
Posted by: PabloD at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (6oTRF)
141
Am I the only one who has never read anything by Tolstoy?
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM
Here's all you need to know:
https://youtu.be/qqS1Ty79mOE
Am I the only one who has never read anything by Tolstoy?
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM
Here's all you need to know:
https://youtu.be/qqS1Ty79mOE
Posted by: Elaine Benes at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (2Ez/1)
142
Just Some Guy - my perspective precisely.
Posted by: RandomDave (if you can spare a bit, please click) at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (aJQbY)
143
Waded through "Witches" by Steven Veerapen. To the church, a witch was a heretic: a Waldensian, a Cathar, a member of the Knights Templar, committing blasphemy (plus the inevitable midnight orgies and kissing the devil's bum). This was mostly on the continent, with England and Scotland untouched by the Inquisition, until King James wrote "Daemonologie". Then it was all "She turned me into a newt!" or "She made my willie disappear!" Protestants and Catholics slugging it out to prove who was more hardcore. Lots of politics and religion behind it. My eyes crossed with all the exhaustive detail. Sorry I can't remember more to discuss.
Thank God for the Enlightenment.
Thank God for the Enlightenment.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (kpS4V)
144
AI image generators were trained on high quality images, now high quality images "look" AI and it's causing a preference trend toward less "perfect" images. Food for thought.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 09:36 AM (vTZFs)
It's the same for writing. I see ads on Instagram frequently for exciting mystery or thriller series and the like. They're typically free with kindle unlimited, so I gave one a whirl. It was technically fine, but so lacking in soul and human voice, that I was certain it was AI written. Only fell for that once.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 09:36 AM (vTZFs)
It's the same for writing. I see ads on Instagram frequently for exciting mystery or thriller series and the like. They're typically free with kindle unlimited, so I gave one a whirl. It was technically fine, but so lacking in soul and human voice, that I was certain it was AI written. Only fell for that once.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (h7ZuX)
145
Unless it is a Reichsrevolver, a Hong Kong Police Enfield revolver in .360 with the cross-bolt safety, or one of the various Euro "military" revolvers that had a safety because reasons.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 09:51 AM (rbvCR)
---
Heritage Rough Rider revolvers have a hammer block safety.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 09:51 AM (rbvCR)
---
Heritage Rough Rider revolvers have a hammer block safety.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (ZOv7s)
146
I have never had a problem coming up with plots for stories, my problem is never finding the time to write the ideas down, or, you know, actually writing a story.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 09:56 AM (0U5gm)
147
As a reader, my view of AI is: If I can detect its influences, its style of writing or “thinking,” I am out. However, I have no stake in what artists take as input to create art. It doesn’t matter to me. All I care about is consuming the final product.
Posted by: Splunge at August 30, 2026 09:56 AM (JpUeg)
148
Thank God for the Enlightenment.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (kpS4V)
---
I mean the French Revolution was such an improvement...
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (kpS4V)
---
I mean the French Revolution was such an improvement...
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 09:57 AM (ZOv7s)
149
What event is this?
I went to a "Sit Long and Prosper" movie marathon eons ago.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:52 AM (kpS4V)
This coming Thursday through Saturday across the country, various theaters are showing movies 1-4 (one each day) along with an appropriate TOS episode.
The Motion Picture is paired with "The Changeling," Wrath of Khan with "Space Seed," The Search for Spock with "Amok Time" and The Voyage Home with "The City on the Edge of Forever."
Check online to see if they're playing near you.
I went to a "Sit Long and Prosper" movie marathon eons ago.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:52 AM (kpS4V)
This coming Thursday through Saturday across the country, various theaters are showing movies 1-4 (one each day) along with an appropriate TOS episode.
The Motion Picture is paired with "The Changeling," Wrath of Khan with "Space Seed," The Search for Spock with "Amok Time" and The Voyage Home with "The City on the Edge of Forever."
Check online to see if they're playing near you.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:57 AM (qRla/)
150
That's a great idea, pairing the movies with the episodes that begat them!
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (kpS4V)
151
61
In my Man From U.N.C.L.E. fan fiction, I will occasionally use a line from the show in another but appropriate context. I hope fans will catch it, but if not, hey, I had fun.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:27 AM (wzUl9)
Back in my fanfiction writing days (have I admitted to that before?) I would structure entire scenes to let characters use cool lines from other shows. Probably my favorite was when I got to repurpose a character shouting "Hold the line; no one gets through!" originally spoken by a young Captain Sinclair from Babylon 5. I doubt anyone who read my story recognized the reference, but it made me smile.
In my Man From U.N.C.L.E. fan fiction, I will occasionally use a line from the show in another but appropriate context. I hope fans will catch it, but if not, hey, I had fun.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:27 AM (wzUl9)
Back in my fanfiction writing days (have I admitted to that before?) I would structure entire scenes to let characters use cool lines from other shows. Probably my favorite was when I got to repurpose a character shouting "Hold the line; no one gets through!" originally spoken by a young Captain Sinclair from Babylon 5. I doubt anyone who read my story recognized the reference, but it made me smile.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (3v7ra)
152
I have never had a problem coming up with plots for stories, my problem is never finding the time to write the ideas down, or, you know, actually writing a story.
Keep a notepad w/pencil/pen handy and jot down the idea or a phrase or a sentence. The key to writing is to get it out of your head and onto a readable medium (used to say onto paper but not anymore). Don't think about plot or structure or grammar or how good/bad it is or anything like that. Just get it barfed up out of your head. All else flows from there.
Keep a notepad w/pencil/pen handy and jot down the idea or a phrase or a sentence. The key to writing is to get it out of your head and onto a readable medium (used to say onto paper but not anymore). Don't think about plot or structure or grammar or how good/bad it is or anything like that. Just get it barfed up out of your head. All else flows from there.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (NtoJk)
153
Thank God for the Enlightenment.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (kpS4V)
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I mean the French Revolution was such an improvement...
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
________
Agreed. Western Civ has been in a slow, steady decline ever since the French Revolution.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (kpS4V)
---
I mean the French Revolution was such an improvement...
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd
________
Agreed. Western Civ has been in a slow, steady decline ever since the French Revolution.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (XvL8K)
154
My story is a mystery and I didn't know which of the townsfolk would be the murderer until I did my card draws. I had a few basic traits I wanted him to have and used the character whose results were the closest to those traits.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026
***
I almost always know who the murderer is as I begin. Otherwise I can't conceal him properly, plant the clues fairly, or know how the detective will reason it out.
My story is a mystery and I didn't know which of the townsfolk would be the murderer until I did my card draws. I had a few basic traits I wanted him to have and used the character whose results were the closest to those traits.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026
***
I almost always know who the murderer is as I begin. Otherwise I can't conceal him properly, plant the clues fairly, or know how the detective will reason it out.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (wzUl9)
155
Only thing you have to worry about with a revolver is to have a proper grip to avoid a cylinder gap injury. Nasty.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (KC5Lt)
156
This and the novelizations were all we had in the Intertrek Years. You kids just wouldn't understand.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:46 AM (kpS4V)
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Intertrek Years. UFO and then Space:1999 and then that tripe from George Lucas.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 09:46 AM (kpS4V)
=====
Intertrek Years. UFO and then Space:1999 and then that tripe from George Lucas.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:00 AM (RIvkX)
157
AI image generators were trained on high quality images, now high quality images "look" AI and it's causing a preference trend toward less "perfect" images. Food for thought.
Posted by: Oddbob
A similar trend is happening in music. There is so much computer manipulation of instruments and voices now that people are looking for actual human made music, and there is also a resurgence in bands putting out music on LPs instead of digital.
Posted by: Oddbob
A similar trend is happening in music. There is so much computer manipulation of instruments and voices now that people are looking for actual human made music, and there is also a resurgence in bands putting out music on LPs instead of digital.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 10:00 AM (0U5gm)
158
Polynikes,
"Ian Fleming's Femme Fatale , Melons McGee."
One of the more fortunate name changes for an adaptation was in Jacques Tourneur's movie Out of the Past, the classic noir with Mitchum and Jane Greer as femme fatale Kathy Moffatt.
Her name in the source novel, Build My Gallows High? It was, God help us, Mumsie McGonigle.
"Ian Fleming's Femme Fatale , Melons McGee."
One of the more fortunate name changes for an adaptation was in Jacques Tourneur's movie Out of the Past, the classic noir with Mitchum and Jane Greer as femme fatale Kathy Moffatt.
Her name in the source novel, Build My Gallows High? It was, God help us, Mumsie McGonigle.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 10:00 AM (q3u5l)
159
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026
Read War and Peace years ago.
Never finished reading any book written by James Joyce. Never got past page 1 of Finnegan's Wake. Dubliners? Gag. Ulysses? Gag.
Read War and Peace years ago.
Never finished reading any book written by James Joyce. Never got past page 1 of Finnegan's Wake. Dubliners? Gag. Ulysses? Gag.
Posted by: 13times at August 30, 2026 10:01 AM (fnZRl)
160
Skip the odd number Star Trek movies is the rule of thumb.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:01 AM (KC5Lt)
161
I almost always know who the murderer is as I begin. Otherwise I can't conceal him properly, plant the clues fairly, or know how the detective will reason it out.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (wzUl9)
I didn't know who was the killer in my current book until I was nearly finished. Part of my editing now is dropping hints as to his identity.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (wzUl9)
I didn't know who was the killer in my current book until I was nearly finished. Part of my editing now is dropping hints as to his identity.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 10:01 AM (qRla/)
162
Intertrek Years. UFO and then Space:1999 and then that tripe from George Lucas.
Anything space/science fiction was like rain in the desert back then. Was so excited to go see Alien[i/]. Had no idea it was a horror film; I nearly had to run out of the theater after that chest-burster scene. What a shock! And a big disappointment as I was expecting straight-up SF.
Anything space/science fiction was like rain in the desert back then. Was so excited to go see Alien[i/]. Had no idea it was a horror film; I nearly had to run out of the theater after that chest-burster scene. What a shock! And a big disappointment as I was expecting straight-up SF.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 10:02 AM (NtoJk)
163
I liked "Dubliners" because it was just short stories. Never read anything else by Joyce.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:02 AM (JrHfD)
164
Oops. Sorry about the italics, guys.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 10:03 AM (NtoJk)
165
Well, this topic turned out better than I thought it would.
It's a sunny day and the remainder of the week is supposed to be rainy, so I will crank up the tunes and hit the road.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
It's a sunny day and the remainder of the week is supposed to be rainy, so I will crank up the tunes and hit the road.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 10:03 AM (qRla/)
166
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 10:00 AM (q3u5l
That is an unfortunate name lol. But to be clear I just made my name up to match my painting.
That is an unfortunate name lol. But to be clear I just made my name up to match my painting.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:04 AM (KC5Lt)
167
Can't recommend any of it and I'm a Russophile.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:53 AM (NtoJk)
=====
What about Soviet cinema?
Москва Cлезам не Bерит one of my favorite films.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:53 AM (NtoJk)
=====
What about Soviet cinema?
Москва Cлезам не Bерит one of my favorite films.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (RIvkX)
168
A similar trend is happening in music. There is so much computer manipulation of instruments and voices now that people are looking for actual human made music, and there is also a resurgence in bands putting out music on LPs instead of digital.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 10:00 AM
+++
Just yesterday I was in a drug store and heard Sweet Home Alabama playing over the PA. Now believe me, I have no dislike for the song, having spent my formative years in The Heart of Dixie.
But we're still listening to fifty year old recordings?
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 10:00 AM
+++
Just yesterday I was in a drug store and heard Sweet Home Alabama playing over the PA. Now believe me, I have no dislike for the song, having spent my formative years in The Heart of Dixie.
But we're still listening to fifty year old recordings?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (2Ez/1)
169
Read War and Peace twice in my life, not read anything else of Tolstoy.
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (Ia/+0)
170
I liked "Dubliners" because it was just short stories. Never read anything else by Joyce.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026
***
I had to read it in an AP English class in college. Maybe I should try it again now; I might better appreciate the portraits of the human condition. But his use of dashes instead of quotation marks annoyed me and made me feel claustrophobic.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026
***
I had to read it in an AP English class in college. Maybe I should try it again now; I might better appreciate the portraits of the human condition. But his use of dashes instead of quotation marks annoyed me and made me feel claustrophobic.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (wzUl9)
171
There is so much computer manipulation of instruments and voices now that people are looking for actual human made music
I was about to say that with music at least you could go in person and see it being made in front of you but that's not really always true. Or maybe even ever in the most popular genres.
I was about to say that with music at least you could go in person and see it being made in front of you but that's not really always true. Or maybe even ever in the most popular genres.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 10:07 AM (vTZFs)
172
Intertrek Years. UFO and then Space:1999 and then that tripe from George Lucas.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:00 AM (RIvkX)
---
Battlestar Galactica actually holds up quite well. I've watched the whole series several times and just started watching it with the grandkids on Sunday night, the way God intended. They love it!
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:00 AM (RIvkX)
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Battlestar Galactica actually holds up quite well. I've watched the whole series several times and just started watching it with the grandkids on Sunday night, the way God intended. They love it!
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:08 AM (ZOv7s)
173
Skip the odd number Star Trek movies is the rule of thumb.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:01 AM (KC5Lt)
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Excluding the first one of course. What a travesty.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:01 AM (KC5Lt)
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Excluding the first one of course. What a travesty.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:08 AM (RIvkX)
174
It's a sunny day and the remainder of the week is supposed to be rainy, so I will crank up the tunes and hit the road.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
__________
Top driving tunes:
The hated Springsteen, Thunder Road.
Widespread Panic, Driving Song.
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing
__________
Top driving tunes:
The hated Springsteen, Thunder Road.
Widespread Panic, Driving Song.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 30, 2026 10:08 AM (XvL8K)
175
John Ringo had a long post on his X page about how woke writers make crap characters because they don't know anything, never met anyone who knew anything, and never did anything worth writing about, so the characters are cheap, pointless and shallow.
He pointed out that his best characters were based on people he knew and respected, even the ones that weren't very respectable, but that experience in life and how people get along goes further to make a compelling story than all the orthodox thought in the world.
AI adds to this, it risks pointless characters or NPC characters that have no basis of their own and only serve to push the narrative forward. That is not compelling storytelling
He pointed out that his best characters were based on people he knew and respected, even the ones that weren't very respectable, but that experience in life and how people get along goes further to make a compelling story than all the orthodox thought in the world.
AI adds to this, it risks pointless characters or NPC characters that have no basis of their own and only serve to push the narrative forward. That is not compelling storytelling
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM (rbvCR)
176
Am I the only one who has never read anything by Tolstoy?
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (Oy/m2)
I haven't, either.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression)
I knew the basic plot of War and Peace but was quite surprised when I read the book. For example, I knew Prince Andrei, mortally wounded at Borodino, forgive Countess Natalya on his deathbed for cheating on him. I figured he'd been wounded leading a charge into Napoleon's lines or something equally dramatic. But no, he was waiting on the reverse slope of a hill with his command when a stray artillery explodes beside him. Much of the book concerns the internal thoughts of the characters which, like our own, are often bordering on the ridiculous. I did, however, finally understand Norman Mailer's comment explaining The Naked and the Dead saying he'd been reading a lot of Tolstoy given that TNATD also contains much internal dialogue.
Posted by: dantesed at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (Oy/m2)
I haven't, either.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression)
I knew the basic plot of War and Peace but was quite surprised when I read the book. For example, I knew Prince Andrei, mortally wounded at Borodino, forgive Countess Natalya on his deathbed for cheating on him. I figured he'd been wounded leading a charge into Napoleon's lines or something equally dramatic. But no, he was waiting on the reverse slope of a hill with his command when a stray artillery explodes beside him. Much of the book concerns the internal thoughts of the characters which, like our own, are often bordering on the ridiculous. I did, however, finally understand Norman Mailer's comment explaining The Naked and the Dead saying he'd been reading a lot of Tolstoy given that TNATD also contains much internal dialogue.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM (ndZc7)
177
There are just a few books I've not been able to finish. The two that come to mind are Lucifer's Hammer and Confederacy of Dunces.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM (KC5Lt)
178
Read War and Peace twice in my life, not read anything else of Tolstoy.
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (Ia/+0)
---
In the late 90s I had a job answering phones, and it was hit or miss, and so during the lulls I would surf the incipient web. Then I came up with the idea of reading a book online, but couldn't find War and Peace (I thought it would be fun to say I read War and Peace at work). But I did find Anna Karenina, so I read that. It was okay.
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (Ia/+0)
---
In the late 90s I had a job answering phones, and it was hit or miss, and so during the lulls I would surf the incipient web. Then I came up with the idea of reading a book online, but couldn't find War and Peace (I thought it would be fun to say I read War and Peace at work). But I did find Anna Karenina, so I read that. It was okay.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM (ZOv7s)
179
>>But we're still listening to fifty year old recordings?
At the gym, their piped-in tunes range in age from recent (which is utterly unfamiliar) back to the '60s. Oddly, been hearing a lot less rap of late.
At the gym, their piped-in tunes range in age from recent (which is utterly unfamiliar) back to the '60s. Oddly, been hearing a lot less rap of late.
Posted by: Nazdar at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM (NcvvS)
180
I almost always know who the murderer is as I begin. Otherwise I can't conceal him properly, plant the clues fairly, or know how the detective will reason it out.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (wzUl9)
Exactly. I couldn't progress until I knew who the killer was. Although, I'm pretty sure it will be a short story so I'm not as worried about strict fair play regarding the clues.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 09:59 AM (wzUl9)
Exactly. I couldn't progress until I knew who the killer was. Although, I'm pretty sure it will be a short story so I'm not as worried about strict fair play regarding the clues.
Posted by: Polliwog the 'Ette at August 30, 2026 10:10 AM (lFFaq)
181
Never read Joyce except for some of the short stories in Dubliners. Novel length, nope. And I took one look at the first page of Finnegans Wake and decided life was just too bloody short to even consider it. I think Joseph Epstein remarked in his essay on cutting his library down to size that he kept Finnegans Wake because there should be at least one book on the shelves you know you'll never get around to reading.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 10:10 AM (q3u5l)
182
Never finished reading any book written by James Joyce. Never got past page 1 of Finnegan's Wake. Dubliners? Gag. Ulysses? Gag.
Posted by: 13times at August 30, 2026 10:01 AM (fnZRl)
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I tried to read Ulysses but it was such a chore that I gave up. I mentioned it to my father, who has quite the library and he said he didn't like it either.
Posted by: 13times at August 30, 2026 10:01 AM (fnZRl)
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I tried to read Ulysses but it was such a chore that I gave up. I mentioned it to my father, who has quite the library and he said he didn't like it either.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:11 AM (ZOv7s)
183
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 30, 2026 10:08 AM (XvL8K
Radar Love has to be the #1 driving song.
Radar Love has to be the #1 driving song.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:11 AM (KC5Lt)
184
An time I run across a great line of dialogue I stash it in a clip file. Latest favorite: "Yeah, I'm okay. Breathing is highly overrated. Who needs it."
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:40 AM (NtoJk)
"I'm just going to take my negative five hit points and lie down" said some character is a role-playing story.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 09:40 AM (NtoJk)
"I'm just going to take my negative five hit points and lie down" said some character is a role-playing story.
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 10:13 AM (3v7ra)
185
There are just a few books I've not been able to finish. The two that come to mind are Lucifer's Hammer and Confederacy of Dunces.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM (KC5Lt)
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I have tried to read Bari Weiss' How to Fight Anti-Semitism three times but cannot get past her rank leftist partisanship and TDS.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM (KC5Lt)
=====
I have tried to read Bari Weiss' How to Fight Anti-Semitism three times but cannot get past her rank leftist partisanship and TDS.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:13 AM (RIvkX)
186
Radar Love has to be the #1 driving song.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:11 AM (KC5Lt)
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I met my wife online*, and it was an 8-hour drive, and when that song would come on the radio it was epic, especially near the end of the journey.
*This was before dating apps, we met in a chatroom, and found that we were in alignment on just about everything, and thought it would be fun to meet in person. The rest, as they say, is history. My kids owe their existence to Talk City.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:11 AM (KC5Lt)
---
I met my wife online*, and it was an 8-hour drive, and when that song would come on the radio it was epic, especially near the end of the journey.
*This was before dating apps, we met in a chatroom, and found that we were in alignment on just about everything, and thought it would be fun to meet in person. The rest, as they say, is history. My kids owe their existence to Talk City.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (ZOv7s)
187
I've got my tix for the Star Trek movies event this weekend. I'm wondering how many people will show up in costume.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (qRla/)
Besides you, you mean?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 09:48 AM (qRla/)
Besides you, you mean?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (1Ff7Z)
188
I read both War and Peace and Anna Karenina. I liked them but I preferred the BBC version of War and Peace" and I thought Anna Karenina was well written but just a sad story.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (JrHfD)
189
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:13 AM (RIvkX)
It's hard to read something that contains so much cognitive dissonance.
It's hard to read something that contains so much cognitive dissonance.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (KC5Lt)
190
In John Eldredge's book Epic he explains the power of Story why we humans are so drawn to it. We were all born into a story in which we play a role. All of our stories are part of a much Larger Story that is still unfolding.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God and the Word was God.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (2Ez/1)
191
Best driving song, specifically for blasting down Hwy. 285 through the high desert between Shawnee and Fairplay at lethal speed:
https://youtu.be/r2AInopKBWM?is=m2GvUCgaUiUd9NyA
https://youtu.be/r2AInopKBWM?is=m2GvUCgaUiUd9NyA
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 30, 2026 10:15 AM (BI5O2)
192
Posted by: Lake Ontario at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM
====
Such a cheeky little bastard you are. Sad!
====
Such a cheeky little bastard you are. Sad!
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:15 AM (RIvkX)
193
I was about to say that with music at least you could go in person and see it being made in front of you but that's not really always true. Or maybe even ever in the most popular genres.
Posted by: Oddbob
There is a youtube channel called Wings of Pegasus, and he pulled videos of about nine recent concerts of Taylor Swift for analysis. Not only was the measured pitch of every vocal line identical, but the timing and pitch of every instrument was as well. In other words, the entire concert series was pre-recorded and mimed.
Posted by: Oddbob
There is a youtube channel called Wings of Pegasus, and he pulled videos of about nine recent concerts of Taylor Swift for analysis. Not only was the measured pitch of every vocal line identical, but the timing and pitch of every instrument was as well. In other words, the entire concert series was pre-recorded and mimed.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 10:16 AM (0U5gm)
194
Radar Love has to be the #1 driving song.
Posted by: polynikes
______._
I'll grant you that, for the drumming alone. Same with Twighlight Zone drum solo.
Posted by: polynikes
______._
I'll grant you that, for the drumming alone. Same with Twighlight Zone drum solo.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 30, 2026 10:17 AM (XvL8K)
195
Posted by: Lake Ontario at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM
The Left could win every race and you and your retard cohorts would still be losers. You mentally ill freak.
The Left could win every race and you and your retard cohorts would still be losers. You mentally ill freak.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:18 AM (KC5Lt)
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 10:18 AM (vTZFs)
197
I have tried to read Bari Weiss' How to Fight Anti-Semitism three times but cannot get past her rank leftist partisanship and TDS.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:13 AM (RIvkX)
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Trump is the most philosemitic president in history. Guy has Jewish grandkids. The left cannot accept that antisemitism has always had a warm cozy home in their ranks.
Fun fact: Jews were very much accepted in the Antebellum South. Judah P. Benjamin was a US senator and became Secretary of the Treasury. One of my Jewish ancestors emigrated to New Orleans where he paid for a company of infantry to be equipped. His descendants were proud of this Confederate heritage.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:13 AM (RIvkX)
---
Trump is the most philosemitic president in history. Guy has Jewish grandkids. The left cannot accept that antisemitism has always had a warm cozy home in their ranks.
Fun fact: Jews were very much accepted in the Antebellum South. Judah P. Benjamin was a US senator and became Secretary of the Treasury. One of my Jewish ancestors emigrated to New Orleans where he paid for a company of infantry to be equipped. His descendants were proud of this Confederate heritage.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:18 AM (ZOv7s)
198
We see plenty of videos and articles on how reading ability is diminishing. Something I'll add to that is listening, especially for extended periods. The same five minute, or less, periods of news, music, TV show segments and more that eats into the ability to focus affects listening as well as reading. How many people, young or old, can sit comfortably through an hour long lecture or listen to drama or long poems without visuals and frequent breaks of the performance and retain much? I suspect the numbers are dropping. I've noticed it a bit in myself and am working to do better. (My new hearing aids really help.)
The book Audio CDs I have really require focus to get the benefits of listening. The latest prose version of The Faerie Queene, LOTR, Galahad and the Grail, and a few others all fall into the category.
The book Audio CDs I have really require focus to get the benefits of listening. The latest prose version of The Faerie Queene, LOTR, Galahad and the Grail, and a few others all fall into the category.
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 10:19 AM (yTvNw)
199
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:11 AM (ZOv7s)
I really wanted to like Ulysses. I always feel like Joyce is force feeding me cold, lumpy, unsweetened, gray oatmeal.
At 29 I should know better not to rundown famous works, beer brands etc., because someone will say that it's their favorite ale and take offense.
I really wanted to like Ulysses. I always feel like Joyce is force feeding me cold, lumpy, unsweetened, gray oatmeal.
At 29 I should know better not to rundown famous works, beer brands etc., because someone will say that it's their favorite ale and take offense.
Posted by: 13times at August 30, 2026 10:19 AM (fnZRl)
200
hey, our young calico just brought a chipmunk into the house, and I had to rescue it. What a clever girl, chipmunks are fast and cagy.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 10:20 AM (rbvCR)
201
It's hard to read something that contains so much cognitive dissonance.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (KC5Lt)
---
"Projection" is the word you are looking for. It's a core trait of their belief system. The see "male feminists" who treat women like dirt and therefore assume that since these are the "good men" ours must be 10x worse.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (KC5Lt)
---
"Projection" is the word you are looking for. It's a core trait of their belief system. The see "male feminists" who treat women like dirt and therefore assume that since these are the "good men" ours must be 10x worse.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:20 AM (ZOv7s)
202
I don't know why but Call Me by Blondie is a top driving song for me. It has that driving rhythm I guess.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:21 AM (KC5Lt)
203
Radar Love has to be the #1 driving song.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026
***
"Get Over It" by the Eagles is up there too.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026
***
"Get Over It" by the Eagles is up there too.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:21 AM (wzUl9)
204
Another sad book about an adulterous affair(s) "Madame Bovary."I read it is high school, not as part of a class. I just wanted to read it.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:22 AM (JrHfD)
205
I don't know why but Call Me by Blondie is a top driving song for me. It has that driving rhythm I guess.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026
***
Excitement and an edge of danger. Not as much as "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers or "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler, but close.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026
***
Excitement and an edge of danger. Not as much as "Secret Agent Man" by Johnny Rivers or "Holding Out for a Hero" by Bonnie Tyler, but close.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:22 AM (wzUl9)
206
I would structure entire scenes to let characters use cool lines from other shows.
-
One of my favorite books, Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, has a hilarious scene in which the characters speak in Beatles' song titles.
-
One of my favorite books, Douglas Adams' Dirk Gently's Holistic Detective Agency, has a hilarious scene in which the characters speak in Beatles' song titles.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:22 AM (ndZc7)
207
The Left could win every race and you and your retard cohorts would still be losers. You mentally ill freak.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:18 AM (KC5Lt)
---
I think it's sad that people have to spend Sunday morning trying to stir the pot. Probably has a dozen tabs open and the only troll they have is citing crap polls taken in August. Like wow, that's so determinative! Especially after polling has repeatedly been shown to be absolute crap.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:18 AM (KC5Lt)
---
I think it's sad that people have to spend Sunday morning trying to stir the pot. Probably has a dozen tabs open and the only troll they have is citing crap polls taken in August. Like wow, that's so determinative! Especially after polling has repeatedly been shown to be absolute crap.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:22 AM (ZOv7s)
208
We see plenty of videos and articles on how reading ability is diminishing. Something I'll add to that is listening, especially for extended periods. The same five minute, or less, periods of news, music, TV show segments and more that eats into the ability to focus affects listening as well as reading. How many people, young or old, can sit comfortably through an hour long lecture or listen to drama or long poems without visuals and frequent breaks of the performance and retain much? I suspect the numbers are dropping. I've noticed it a bit in myself and am working to do better. (My new hearing aids really help.)
The book Audio CDs I have really require focus to get the benefits of listening. The latest prose version of The Faerie Queene, LOTR, Galahad and the Grail, and a few others all fall into the category.
Posted by: JTB
And yet, some subgroup of younger people are turning to long format podcasts, like Rogan or Triggernometry, which are gaining huge followings. There is a push back against the snippet world, though I don't know how large it is.
The book Audio CDs I have really require focus to get the benefits of listening. The latest prose version of The Faerie Queene, LOTR, Galahad and the Grail, and a few others all fall into the category.
Posted by: JTB
And yet, some subgroup of younger people are turning to long format podcasts, like Rogan or Triggernometry, which are gaining huge followings. There is a push back against the snippet world, though I don't know how large it is.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 10:23 AM (0U5gm)
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 30, 2026 10:23 AM (p/isN)
210
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:20 AM (ZOv7s)
No cognitive dissonance was the term I meant . Projection is just another of the ten mental defects common in all Leftists. But it is the one that the least intelligent of the Left use most often.
No cognitive dissonance was the term I meant . Projection is just another of the ten mental defects common in all Leftists. But it is the one that the least intelligent of the Left use most often.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:24 AM (KC5Lt)
211
I finally started reading the "1632" series this week. I'm not sure why I never got around to it before. I think I was too busy when the first book came out, and then the whole series seemed like a lot of work.
About the first book I can say that it's the most "'Murica, **** yeah!" story I've ever read — which is particularly ironic given that the author was an avowed Trotskyite. (Although everyone I know who met him says Eric Flint was a very kind and generous man in person.)
About the first book I can say that it's the most "'Murica, **** yeah!" story I've ever read — which is particularly ironic given that the author was an avowed Trotskyite. (Although everyone I know who met him says Eric Flint was a very kind and generous man in person.)
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 30, 2026 10:24 AM (78a2H)
212
Best driving song, specifically for blasting down Hwy. 285 through the high desert between Shawnee and Fairplay at lethal speed:
https://youtu.be/r2AInopKBWM?is=m2GvUCgaUiUd9NyA
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 30, 2026
***
I think I know that stretch of highway.
https://youtu.be/r2AInopKBWM?is=m2GvUCgaUiUd9NyA
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 30, 2026
***
I think I know that stretch of highway.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:24 AM (wzUl9)
213
>>Never finished reading any book written by James Joyce. Never got past page 1 of Finnegan's Wake. Dubliners? Gag. Ulysses? Gag.
HS senior English teacher said that one couldn't read Ulysses without a lot of reference material, and that Finnegan's Wake in unreadable.
HS senior English teacher said that one couldn't read Ulysses without a lot of reference material, and that Finnegan's Wake in unreadable.
Posted by: Nazdar at August 30, 2026 10:24 AM (NcvvS)
214
""So let’s presume I asked an AI program for a plot. Am I cheating? Suppose I didn’t follow it slavishly, but used the plot as a jumping off point for my own thoughts. Is my book compromised because I began with an AI plot?""
Everything is inspired by something. If you're doing the work and writing the story, well thats how its been done since man came down from the trees.
Everything is inspired by something. If you're doing the work and writing the story, well thats how its been done since man came down from the trees.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division at August 30, 2026 10:25 AM (S41Gd)
215
178 Brutal polls out in MI,ME and TX.
Blue tsunami incoming.
Useless wars aren’t popular.
Sad!
Posted by: Lake Ontario at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM
+++
Yes, believe the polls and make all of your decisions based on what they predict.
Blue tsunami incoming.
Useless wars aren’t popular.
Sad!
Posted by: Lake Ontario at August 30, 2026 10:09 AM
+++
Yes, believe the polls and make all of your decisions based on what they predict.
Posted by: Francesca Hong at August 30, 2026 10:25 AM (2Ez/1)
216
Posted by: Lake Ontario
State Department apologizes for “deadnaming” Lake America on its website
State Department apologizes for “deadnaming” Lake America on its website
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:25 AM (ndZc7)
217
This is a subject more for the authors of the Horde, but what about you? If you knew that an author used AI to create a plot, but not the content of the book itself, would that drive you away?
--
Interesting question, MP4. Yes, I think it would diminish the book in my eyes. I don't like fake, and a small part of it would just feel inauthentic if an author used AI for creating a plot. Like a "cheat."
--
Interesting question, MP4. Yes, I think it would diminish the book in my eyes. I don't like fake, and a small part of it would just feel inauthentic if an author used AI for creating a plot. Like a "cheat."
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 30, 2026 10:26 AM (qBdHI)
218
Nose rings are ugly, but they do signal "Steer clear."
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 30, 2026 10:23 AM (p/isN)
Weird but I really like small nose studs on a woman and find it really sexy but a nose ring has the opposite effect. And a pig ring would make the most beautiful woman in the world immediately repulsive to me.
Posted by: Weak Geek at August 30, 2026 10:23 AM (p/isN)
Weird but I really like small nose studs on a woman and find it really sexy but a nose ring has the opposite effect. And a pig ring would make the most beautiful woman in the world immediately repulsive to me.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:26 AM (KC5Lt)
219
Given who is programming most AI, I would not trust it to give me a plot that I would want to expand upon.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 10:27 AM (0U5gm)
220
Everything is inspired by something. If you're doing the work and writing the story, well thats how its been done since man came down from the trees.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division
__________
There is nothing new under the sun. At base, this is why I prefer classics to taking a chance on something recent.
Posted by: Berserker-Dragonheads Division
__________
There is nothing new under the sun. At base, this is why I prefer classics to taking a chance on something recent.
Posted by: Biff Pocoroba at August 30, 2026 10:27 AM (XvL8K)
221
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:22 AM (ndZc7
I've read a number of Douglas Adams' books and really enjoyed him, but not that one. I should find it. My husband is a huge Beatles fan.
I've read a number of Douglas Adams' books and really enjoyed him, but not that one. I should find it. My husband is a huge Beatles fan.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:27 AM (JrHfD)
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 30, 2026 10:28 AM (BI5O2)
223
You can get "Lake America" and "Lake Ontario" merch at the same website
simps: it will be showing up as a pop up soon just for you idiots
simps: it will be showing up as a pop up soon just for you idiots
Posted by: what the cat drug in at August 30, 2026 10:29 AM (jrgJz)
224
Especially after polling has repeatedly been shown to be absolute crap.
--
Hillary had a 98% chance of winning. Kamala was way ahead of Trump in swing states. All was lost. Doom all the way down.
Until it wasn't.
--
Hillary had a 98% chance of winning. Kamala was way ahead of Trump in swing states. All was lost. Doom all the way down.
Until it wasn't.
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 30, 2026 10:29 AM (qBdHI)
225
And yet, some subgroup of younger people are turning to long format podcasts, like Rogan or Triggernometry, which are gaining huge followings. There is a push back against the snippet world, though I don't know how large it is.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 10:23 AM (0U5gm)
---
Part of why I am watching Battlestar Galactica with them is to get them used to long-form shows with a continuous plot. Much of what they watch is just 10-minute clips and other short-form entertainment.
Posted by: Thomas Paine at August 30, 2026 10:23 AM (0U5gm)
---
Part of why I am watching Battlestar Galactica with them is to get them used to long-form shows with a continuous plot. Much of what they watch is just 10-minute clips and other short-form entertainment.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:29 AM (ZOv7s)
226
*is* unreadable.
Posted by: Nazdar at August 30, 2026 10:29 AM (NcvvS)
227
Interesting question, MP4. Yes, I think it would diminish the book in my eyes. I don't like fake, and a small part of it would just feel inauthentic if an author used AI for creating a plot. Like a "cheat."
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 30, 2026
***
If the author merely uses it as a springboard, makes the story his own, and never reveals that an AI prompt gave him the initial idea, I wouldn't mind. How would I know?
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 30, 2026
***
If the author merely uses it as a springboard, makes the story his own, and never reveals that an AI prompt gave him the initial idea, I wouldn't mind. How would I know?
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:29 AM (wzUl9)
228
Posted by: what the cat drug in at August 30, 2026 10:29 AM (jrgJz)
But you will continue to insist we call a man a woman. Punk ass bitch.
But you will continue to insist we call a man a woman. Punk ass bitch.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:31 AM (KC5Lt)
229
Yes, believe the polls and make all of your decisions based on what they predict.
Posted by: Francesca Hong at August 30, 2026 10:25 AM (2Ez/1)
We’ve been bombarded with nonsense polls weekly for over 10 years now. How long will people pretend to take this nonsense seriously?
Posted by: Francesca Hong at August 30, 2026 10:25 AM (2Ez/1)
We’ve been bombarded with nonsense polls weekly for over 10 years now. How long will people pretend to take this nonsense seriously?
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 10:31 AM (GWwCk)
230
My 2 cents:
I don't consider myself an author. I don't have a need to write, or publish, or promote, or make money off my writing. I published two books through Amazon, neither of which fit into mainstream genres. Both were stories connected to real life events. One was the story of my F-I-L's disappearance in 2008 (the ending has not yet been written), and the other was a whimsical adventure loosely based on my dad's WWII daily diary. I wrote them because the real life events were interesting to me, and because I got enjoyment out of the story-telling. I think in today's world where anybody and their dog can call themselves an author, that you should write to tell a story that is in you. If it doesn't arise spontaneously maybe it doesn't need to be written...or read. (e.g. Sasquatch erotica)
/YMMV
I don't consider myself an author. I don't have a need to write, or publish, or promote, or make money off my writing. I published two books through Amazon, neither of which fit into mainstream genres. Both were stories connected to real life events. One was the story of my F-I-L's disappearance in 2008 (the ending has not yet been written), and the other was a whimsical adventure loosely based on my dad's WWII daily diary. I wrote them because the real life events were interesting to me, and because I got enjoyment out of the story-telling. I think in today's world where anybody and their dog can call themselves an author, that you should write to tell a story that is in you. If it doesn't arise spontaneously maybe it doesn't need to be written...or read. (e.g. Sasquatch erotica)
/YMMV
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 10:32 AM (qgHp7)
231
You can get "Lake America" and "Lake Ontario" merch at the same website
simps: it will be showing up as a pop up soon just for you idiots
Posted by: what the cat drug in at August 30, 2026 10:29 AM (jrgJz)
---
I like the simps who act like "Lake Ontario" is an ancient and historic name that must not be changed while every damn street in Canada is being renamed and all their monuments are being pulled down.
It's an epic troll and the simps fall for it every time.
simps: it will be showing up as a pop up soon just for you idiots
Posted by: what the cat drug in at August 30, 2026 10:29 AM (jrgJz)
---
I like the simps who act like "Lake Ontario" is an ancient and historic name that must not be changed while every damn street in Canada is being renamed and all their monuments are being pulled down.
It's an epic troll and the simps fall for it every time.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:33 AM (ZOv7s)
232
Well, why not let AI block a plot? After all, analysts owlishly proclaim that there are only five (or seven) plot lines in all of literature anyway. And it saves wear and tear on Faulkner's wallpaper.
Even with the vastly larger field of thiefdom, AI text still has its own "accent" that any junior prof can recognize in a paper. I'm certain an acerbic critical eye can divine their work in plot lines as well. Even a committee script (say, the King James Bible) reveals its own telegrapher's fist.
Even with the vastly larger field of thiefdom, AI text still has its own "accent" that any junior prof can recognize in a paper. I'm certain an acerbic critical eye can divine their work in plot lines as well. Even a committee script (say, the King James Bible) reveals its own telegrapher's fist.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 30, 2026 10:34 AM (zdLoL)
233
It's the same for writing. I see ads on Instagram frequently for exciting mystery or thriller series and the like. They're typically free with kindle unlimited, so I gave one a whirl. It was technically fine, but so lacking in soul and human voice, that I was certain it was AI written. Only fell for that once.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (h7ZuX)
Now wait a minute! Are you saying my undead mime mysteries are AI written??!!
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 09:55 AM (h7ZuX)
Now wait a minute! Are you saying my undead mime mysteries are AI written??!!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:35 AM (1Ff7Z)
234
I liked War & Peace. The first part was written as a series of short vignettes so you can dip in and out. Once Napoleon shows up it's almost a documentary. The real strength of the book is the look into a vanished world by someone who lived in it.
Everybody complains about how hard it is to keep track of all the characters, but I never had trouble with that.
My edition was published during WWII, and there's a long, rather silly preface about how "Tolstoy shows how resilient the Russian people are therefore Hitler's going to lose." I mean, hooray for our side and all that, but using a novel as evidence of anything seems a bit thin.
Everybody complains about how hard it is to keep track of all the characters, but I never had trouble with that.
My edition was published during WWII, and there's a long, rather silly preface about how "Tolstoy shows how resilient the Russian people are therefore Hitler's going to lose." I mean, hooray for our side and all that, but using a novel as evidence of anything seems a bit thin.
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 30, 2026 10:35 AM (78a2H)
235
Bismarck said (paraphrased) that G-d looks after drunks, children, and Americans.
Watching me and my friends drive around as teenagers, you got all three in one.
Watching me and my friends drive around as teenagers, you got all three in one.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 30, 2026 10:35 AM (BI5O2)
236
I think in today's world where anybody and their dog can call themselves an author, that you should write to tell a story that is in you. If it doesn't arise spontaneously maybe it doesn't need to be written...or read. (e.g. Sasquatch erotica)
/YMMV
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 10:32 AM (qgHp7)
---
The two bits of advice I have for people who want to be an author are: write what you know, and have something to say.
Most crap writing is by people who don't really know what they are writing about (it's all imitation) and who have nothing interesting to say. If you look at modern entertainment, that's just about all the big movie franchises. People don't know the material and have nothing interesting to say about it other than diversity.
/YMMV
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 10:32 AM (qgHp7)
---
The two bits of advice I have for people who want to be an author are: write what you know, and have something to say.
Most crap writing is by people who don't really know what they are writing about (it's all imitation) and who have nothing interesting to say. If you look at modern entertainment, that's just about all the big movie franchises. People don't know the material and have nothing interesting to say about it other than diversity.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:36 AM (ZOv7s)
237
209 ... "some subgroup of younger people are turning to long format podcasts, like Rogan or Triggernometry, which are gaining huge followings. There is a push back against the snippet world, though I don't know how large it is."
I'm sure you are right. There are signs of renewed interest in classic literature, poetry, and good writing in general. Partly a pushback against constant screen time and digital inundation, partly nostalgia, partly disgust with the shallowness of much of current culture. The numbers may not be huge but it's a start. I think of the monasteries that preserved the ancient writings that led to the European Renaissance. (And maybe Fahrenheit 451.)
I'm sure you are right. There are signs of renewed interest in classic literature, poetry, and good writing in general. Partly a pushback against constant screen time and digital inundation, partly nostalgia, partly disgust with the shallowness of much of current culture. The numbers may not be huge but it's a start. I think of the monasteries that preserved the ancient writings that led to the European Renaissance. (And maybe Fahrenheit 451.)
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 10:36 AM (yTvNw)
238
Haven't watched much Soviet cinema, SanFran. I did see "Alexander Nevskii" which was great. And of course had Sergei Eisenstein's "Battleship Potemkin" shoved down my throat. Didn't do much for me.
Posted by: tankascribe at August 30, 2026 10:36 AM (NtoJk)
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 30, 2026 10:37 AM (zdLoL)
240
I’ve been using ChatGPT to help me solve the Trans-O-Grams in some old issues of National Review from the ‘70s that I bought off of eBay. I love those puzzles but could never solve them back in the day. I heard there’s a book full of unpublished ones that I’ll have to obtain some day.
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at August 30, 2026 10:37 AM (tRYqg)
241
I'm anti-AI for anything serious. If you care about your art and your craft, you should be doing the work.
I cut some slack for cover art as finding and affording human created art is tough for indies.
But for writing? If you're not using your brain to come up with your ideas, what do have it for? How are you even an author? At best, you're riffing on someone (not even someone frankly) else's ideas.
The one thing we have over the machine is our soul. Don't neglect that.
I cut some slack for cover art as finding and affording human created art is tough for indies.
But for writing? If you're not using your brain to come up with your ideas, what do have it for? How are you even an author? At best, you're riffing on someone (not even someone frankly) else's ideas.
The one thing we have over the machine is our soul. Don't neglect that.
Posted by: Mark Andrew Edwards, Buy ammo at August 30, 2026 10:37 AM (xcxpd)
242
Prompt to DuckAi:
Tell me it was a dark and stormy night in the style of William Faulkner in less than 20 words.
Response:
I can’t imitate Faulkner exactly, but: “Night brooded, rain beat the earth, and the past came whispering through the blackened trees.”
Ok, it's cute, but so, what?
Tell me it was a dark and stormy night in the style of William Faulkner in less than 20 words.
Response:
I can’t imitate Faulkner exactly, but: “Night brooded, rain beat the earth, and the past came whispering through the blackened trees.”
Ok, it's cute, but so, what?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:37 AM (2Ez/1)
243
I love historical fiction and those that can write it well. The plot is there already. You just fill in the gaps.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:38 AM (KC5Lt)
244
AI plotting: AI "hallucinations" may churn out Kafkaesque storylines. Lol!
Russian writer Vasily Grossman walked the knife's edge of Soviet Realism. His book Life and Fate is pretty dense.
Internet Archive: The Years of War 1941-1945 by Vasily Grossman
Russian writer Vasily Grossman walked the knife's edge of Soviet Realism. His book Life and Fate is pretty dense.
Internet Archive: The Years of War 1941-1945 by Vasily Grossman
Posted by: 13times at August 30, 2026 10:38 AM (fnZRl)
245
I finally started reading the "1632" series this week.
I read the first two and started the third and dropped it because it became repetitious.
I read the first two and started the third and dropped it because it became repetitious.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 10:38 AM (vTZFs)
246
I mean the French Revolution was such an improvement...
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 09:57 AM (ZOv7s)
The enlightenment was not the French Revolution, it was a change in the concept of what was knowable, and and the development of the tool by which it could be determined. It moved away from the state of mind that we currently accuse Islam of holding, that things are the way they are because it is their nature to be so and to question that is to question reality itself.
The French Revolution was the attempt to use the concepts of the modern world to recreate the centralized power of the pre-enlightenment world.
Louis IV's world was gone, it economically and socially became impossible to maintain. Robespierre was trying to recreate that golden era, to make it do what it had promised to achieve to justify its existence.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 09:57 AM (ZOv7s)
The enlightenment was not the French Revolution, it was a change in the concept of what was knowable, and and the development of the tool by which it could be determined. It moved away from the state of mind that we currently accuse Islam of holding, that things are the way they are because it is their nature to be so and to question that is to question reality itself.
The French Revolution was the attempt to use the concepts of the modern world to recreate the centralized power of the pre-enlightenment world.
Louis IV's world was gone, it economically and socially became impossible to maintain. Robespierre was trying to recreate that golden era, to make it do what it had promised to achieve to justify its existence.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 10:39 AM (rbvCR)
247
Fun fact: Jews were very much accepted in the Antebellum South. Judah P. Benjamin was a US senator and became Secretary of the Treasury. One of my Jewish ancestors emigrated to New Orleans where he paid for a company of infantry to be equipped. His descendants were proud of this Confederate heritage.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:18 AM (ZOv7s)
There’s an historical cemetery downtown, lots of 19th century elaborate grave markers. I’ve walked through it a couple times and was surprised by the large Jewish quarter of it, all from the mid to late 19th century.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:18 AM (ZOv7s)
There’s an historical cemetery downtown, lots of 19th century elaborate grave markers. I’ve walked through it a couple times and was surprised by the large Jewish quarter of it, all from the mid to late 19th century.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 10:39 AM (GWwCk)
248
that should have been "Louis XIV"
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 10:40 AM (rbvCR)
249
Sasquatch erotica
And a limerick lover dares Muldoon to write one around that.
Every damn time.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 30, 2026 10:37 AM (zdLoL)
I thought it was called Snatchquatch erotica.
And a limerick lover dares Muldoon to write one around that.
Every damn time.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 30, 2026 10:37 AM (zdLoL)
I thought it was called Snatchquatch erotica.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:40 AM (KC5Lt)
250
I read both War and Peace and Anna Karenina. I liked them but I preferred the BBC version of War and Peace" and I thought Anna Karenina was well written but just a sad story.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
I saw a guy on YouTube say Anna Karenina was a book every Christian should read.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
I saw a guy on YouTube say Anna Karenina was a book every Christian should read.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:40 AM (ndZc7)
251
I love historical fiction and those that can write it well. The plot is there already. You just fill in the gaps.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:38 AM (KC5Lt)
---
The same dynamic holds for writing history. You've got all of it before you, but you have to figure out a way to make sense of it to a reader who may not be versed in the topic. How much detail? How long should you take? What to leave in, what to keep out?
Well-written nonfiction can be as gripping as any novel. That's why I read so much Churchill, because the guy was an incredible writer.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:38 AM (KC5Lt)
---
The same dynamic holds for writing history. You've got all of it before you, but you have to figure out a way to make sense of it to a reader who may not be versed in the topic. How much detail? How long should you take? What to leave in, what to keep out?
Well-written nonfiction can be as gripping as any novel. That's why I read so much Churchill, because the guy was an incredible writer.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:41 AM (ZOv7s)
252
But his use of dashes instead of quotation marks annoyed me and made me feel claustrophobic.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (wzUl9)
Uh oh. Guess you'd better not read my book.
*
*This format is for a specific reason. And it's not all the way through.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (wzUl9)
Uh oh. Guess you'd better not read my book.
*
*This format is for a specific reason. And it's not all the way through.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:42 AM (1Ff7Z)
253
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:40 AM (ndZc7
Did he say why?
Did he say why?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:42 AM (xSAlF)
254
So last week I mentioned I could not finish Night in the Lonesome October. I gave it half the novel before abandoning it. Some here were amazed but some agreed with me. I think I just can't do the fantasy genre. So I picked up another "Hallowe'en" book: Haunting of Hill House. Good Gothic horror, which I enjoyed. Never read anything of Jackson's other than The Lottery in junior high. Now I am reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle. She certainly seemed misanthropic even though in real life she appeared very social.
Posted by: Brunnhilde at August 30, 2026 10:43 AM (3AwA+)
255
Hope you all have a lovely day.
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 10:03 AM (qRla/)
Wait. You're cutting out early? Can you do that??
Are you a director of a play, perhaps?
Posted by: Mary Poppins' Practically Perfect Piercing (aka Eloquent Depression) at August 30, 2026 10:03 AM (qRla/)
Wait. You're cutting out early? Can you do that??
Are you a director of a play, perhaps?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:43 AM (1Ff7Z)
256
Sasquatch erotica
And a limerick lover dares Muldoon to write one around that.
Every damn time.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver
Quentin Tarantino meets Bigfoot?
And a limerick lover dares Muldoon to write one around that.
Every damn time.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver
Quentin Tarantino meets Bigfoot?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:43 AM (ndZc7)
257
The enlightenment was not the French Revolution, it was a change in the concept of what was knowable, and and the development of the tool by which it could be determined.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 10:39 AM (rbvCR)
---
It was very much the child of the Enlightenment, the natural next step of elevating reason above tradition and faith. You could not have had it without the Enlightenment.
The predictable outcome of casting aside tradition and faith is revolution without end. Marxism is very much part of this mode of thought.
People who say "Oh, well, we don't burn witches anymore" are obviously not paying attention. Human nature doesn't change, we just switch up the labels from time to time.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 10:39 AM (rbvCR)
---
It was very much the child of the Enlightenment, the natural next step of elevating reason above tradition and faith. You could not have had it without the Enlightenment.
The predictable outcome of casting aside tradition and faith is revolution without end. Marxism is very much part of this mode of thought.
People who say "Oh, well, we don't burn witches anymore" are obviously not paying attention. Human nature doesn't change, we just switch up the labels from time to time.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:44 AM (ZOv7s)
258
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:40 AM (ndZc7
Did he say why?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:42 AM (xSAlF)
Probably because of the moral questions in the book in addition to a lot of reference to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Did he say why?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:42 AM (xSAlF)
Probably because of the moral questions in the book in addition to a lot of reference to the Russian Orthodox Church.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:44 AM (KC5Lt)
259
But we're still listening to fifty year old recordings?
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (2Ez/1)
What does that tell you about modern music?
(insert flushing toilet sound here)
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:06 AM (2Ez/1)
What does that tell you about modern music?
(insert flushing toilet sound here)
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:44 AM (1Ff7Z)
260
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:40 AM (ndZc7
Did he say why?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
I've never read it but he seemed to think it demonstrates how sin leads to destruction.
Did he say why?
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
I've never read it but he seemed to think it demonstrates how sin leads to destruction.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:45 AM (ndZc7)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:45 AM (xSAlF)
262
So I picked up another "Hallowe'en" book: Haunting of Hill House. Good Gothic horror, which I enjoyed. Never read anything of Jackson's other than The Lottery in junior high. Now I am reading We Have Always Lived in the Castle. She certainly seemed misanthropic even though in real life she appeared very social.
Posted by: Brunnhilde at August 30, 2026
***
Quite a few of her short stories are very effective. And her two autobiographies/memoirs, Life Among the Savages and Raising Demons, are about her family and her kids, told in a very entertaining and often comic fashion.
Posted by: Brunnhilde at August 30, 2026
***
Quite a few of her short stories are very effective. And her two autobiographies/memoirs, Life Among the Savages and Raising Demons, are about her family and her kids, told in a very entertaining and often comic fashion.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:46 AM (wzUl9)
263
Speaking writing, my fifth installment of "What if China Invades Taiwan?" is up at ahlloyd.com. This looks at how Taiwan could lose.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:46 AM (ZOv7s)
264
According to the Internet, so it must be true, yesterday, August 29, 2026, was the day within the internal Terminator series timeline when the AI became self--aware and began planning the demise of humanity. Govern yourselves accordingly.
I'm reading Peter F. Hamilton's "Exodus: Helium Sea," wnich is the second book in this duology. Very good so far. I'll read anything and everything Hamilton puts out.
I'm reading Peter F. Hamilton's "Exodus: Helium Sea," wnich is the second book in this duology. Very good so far. I'll read anything and everything Hamilton puts out.
Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2026 10:46 AM (/RHNq)
265
Fun fact: Jews were very much accepted in the Antebellum South.
--
Ulysses S. Grant got into some hot water controversy with his General Order No. 11, barring Jews from certain areas for "corruption," specifically...
Grant issued the order in an effort to reduce corruption among Union soldiers and stop the illicit trade in Southern-produced cotton, which he perceived as being run "mostly by Jews and other unprincipled traders".
He later said he regretted his decision.
--
Ulysses S. Grant got into some hot water controversy with his General Order No. 11, barring Jews from certain areas for "corruption," specifically...
Grant issued the order in an effort to reduce corruption among Union soldiers and stop the illicit trade in Southern-produced cotton, which he perceived as being run "mostly by Jews and other unprincipled traders".
He later said he regretted his decision.
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 30, 2026 10:47 AM (qBdHI)
266
Sasquatch erotica
And a limerick lover dares Muldoon to write one around that.
Every damn time.
***********
IYKWIM - a limerick
There once was a Sasquatch in heat
Who chanced a young woman to meet
They rolled in the hay
And you know what they say
Of the attributes of guys with big feet!
And a limerick lover dares Muldoon to write one around that.
Every damn time.
***********
IYKWIM - a limerick
There once was a Sasquatch in heat
Who chanced a young woman to meet
They rolled in the hay
And you know what they say
Of the attributes of guys with big feet!
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 10:48 AM (qgHp7)
267
I'm trying to read and my cat is book-blocking me.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 10:48 AM (kpS4V)
268
My synagogue was started started during the Civil War as a mutual aid society for the burial of dead Jewish Confederate soldiers.
Posted by: Yudhishthira's Dice at August 30, 2026 10:48 AM (BI5O2)
269
On the whole Enlightenment debate, I suggest Hilaire Belloc's The Great Heresies which really exposes how the same evils pop up under different names throughout history.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:48 AM (ZOv7s)
270
Posted by: Sharkman at August 30, 2026 10:46 AM (/RHNq)
I said I was going to watch the Bruce Willis movie Surrogates to see if any warning signs but I forgot all about it. I heard it wasn't very good so maybe that's why I forgot.
I said I was going to watch the Bruce Willis movie Surrogates to see if any warning signs but I forgot all about it. I heard it wasn't very good so maybe that's why I forgot.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:49 AM (KC5Lt)
271
This week I am into Christopher Golden's Red Hands from 2020, in which a lab experiment goes wrong and escapes. The victim kills anyone he touches. A young woman in a New Hampshire town gets the disease (?) from the first victim as he dies. She flees up into the White Mountains, knowing she can never touch another person as long as she lives, and that the U.S. government, and maybe worse actors, will be coming after her.
And whatever it is seems to be affecting her own health as well. So far, good stuff.
And whatever it is seems to be affecting her own health as well. So far, good stuff.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:49 AM (wzUl9)
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:50 AM (KC5Lt)
273
Here's the 17 minute YouTube on Great Novels You Never Knew Were Christian.
https://tinyurl.com/3vc8fxz8
https://tinyurl.com/3vc8fxz8
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:50 AM (ndZc7)
274
Bravo muldoon!
Posted by: Limerick Lover at August 30, 2026 10:50 AM (2Ez/1)
275
Late stage Soviet cinema did a great job skewering socialism by depicting the sad grey lives of Soviet citizens denied most agency over their own lives.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:51 AM (RIvkX)
276
On my TBR pile is another Stephen Hunter, this one a WWII Earl Swagger story, and a Hap & Leonard tale by Joe R. Lansdale, Hatchet Girls.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 10:51 AM (wzUl9)
277
In John Eldredge's book Epic he explains the power of Story why we humans are so drawn to it. We were all born into a story in which we play a role.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (2Ez/1)
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts....
Somebody said, once.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM (2Ez/1)
All the world’s a stage, And all the men and women merely players; They have their exits and their entrances;
And one man in his time plays many parts....
Somebody said, once.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:51 AM (1Ff7Z)
278
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:45 AM (ndZc7)
I can see that
They're so unhappy in their married lives and/ or jealous of their former lovers that suicide seems like a solution,
I can see that
They're so unhappy in their married lives and/ or jealous of their former lovers that suicide seems like a solution,
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:52 AM (xSAlF)
279
230 Yes, believe the polls and make all of your decisions based on what they predict.
Posted by: Francesca Hong at August 30, 2026 10:25 AM (2Ez/1)
We’ve been bombarded with nonsense polls weekly for over 10 years now. How long will people pretend to take this nonsense seriously?
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 10:31 AM (GWwCk)
RON PAUL!!!
I do love those AI book writing ads when they show up in my Instagram feed. For the longest while, I've thought of creating an African female pen-name, and detailing my own Jason Arday story overcoming western prejudice, ignorance and oppression.
Done right, I'd love to see how many awards I could win.
Posted by: Francesca Hong at August 30, 2026 10:25 AM (2Ez/1)
We’ve been bombarded with nonsense polls weekly for over 10 years now. How long will people pretend to take this nonsense seriously?
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 10:31 AM (GWwCk)
RON PAUL!!!
I do love those AI book writing ads when they show up in my Instagram feed. For the longest while, I've thought of creating an African female pen-name, and detailing my own Jason Arday story overcoming western prejudice, ignorance and oppression.
Done right, I'd love to see how many awards I could win.
Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at August 30, 2026 10:52 AM (Sco7b)
280
Such a cheeky little bastard you are. Sad!
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:15 AM (RIvkX)
And when none of its wet dreams come true in November, it will never be seen again. Probably sucking Ozero's member in Man's Country to try wipe away its tears.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:15 AM (RIvkX)
And when none of its wet dreams come true in November, it will never be seen again. Probably sucking Ozero's member in Man's Country to try wipe away its tears.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:53 AM (1Ff7Z)
281
274 Here's the 17 minute YouTube on Great Novels You Never Knew Were Christian.
https://tinyurl.com/3vc8fxz8
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:50 AM (ndZc7)
I will never watch that. Because, I have the attention span to listen to a book, but not to sit and watch a video. Go figure.
https://tinyurl.com/3vc8fxz8
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:50 AM (ndZc7)
I will never watch that. Because, I have the attention span to listen to a book, but not to sit and watch a video. Go figure.
Posted by: Dash my lace wigs! at August 30, 2026 10:53 AM (h7ZuX)
282
Now that I'm retired I'm going to go see an afternoon matinee of Coyote vs. Acme on some random weekday this week.
Because I can.
Because I can.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:53 AM (2Ez/1)
283
80 So, I am going to read "Trinity" by Leon Uris, which apparently is a story about Catholic and Protestant families in Ireland. My son picked it up as a discard from the library of the local YMCA..
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM
I read that book quite a few years ago. It is one of my favorites. I think you will appreciate it.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 09:33 AM
I read that book quite a few years ago. It is one of my favorites. I think you will appreciate it.
Posted by: Moonbeam at August 30, 2026 10:54 AM (Lzhdy)
284
"Done right, I'd love to see how many awards I could win."
Stateless, these days you could probably win just about all of them.
Stateless, these days you could probably win just about all of them.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 10:54 AM (q3u5l)
285
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 10:50 AM (ndZc7)
Thanks.
Thanks.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:54 AM (JrHfD)
286
I am working on a couple of nonfiction books and using Claude Code extensively in my writing. The key is to train the AI on my (your) work and teach it to write in my (your) style. It is a game changer.
Posted by: IanDeal at August 30, 2026 10:54 AM (Dye5q)
287
Because I can.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:53 AM (2Ez/1)
=====
Truly a case of "if you can, you should."
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:53 AM (2Ez/1)
=====
Truly a case of "if you can, you should."
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:55 AM (RIvkX)
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:55 AM (JrHfD)
289
I had coffee with a 24 year old entrepreneur on Friday who told me that all of her emails, appointment scheduling, and more are all tied into AI that performs these tasks for her. She says it reads and writes about 80 emails a day for her. It makes and schedules appointments for her because the AI reads her emails first.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 09:08 AM (RIvkX)
Agency. What is it?
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 09:08 AM (RIvkX)
Agency. What is it?
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2026 10:56 AM (1z8ji)
290
276 Late stage Soviet cinema did a great job skewering socialism by depicting the sad grey lives of Soviet citizens denied most agency over their own lives.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:51 AM
One of my favorite movies is The Lives Of Others.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:51 AM
One of my favorite movies is The Lives Of Others.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:56 AM (2Ez/1)
291
Grant issued the order in an effort to reduce corruption among Union soldiers and stop the illicit trade in Southern-produced cotton, which he perceived as being run "mostly by Jews and other unprincipled traders".
He later said he regretted his decision.
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 30, 2026 10:47 AM (qBdHI)
I kind of understand what motivated Grant, but it highlights his rigid, almost autist level thinking and inability to understand ordinary human behavior. (It was a problem for him throughout his life)
Trading in contraband is always common in border areas of a war, especially a civil war. Grant was told the Jews were traders, and they were behind it, and he had a “Respeck mah Autor-Itay!” moment.
He later said he regretted his decision.
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 30, 2026 10:47 AM (qBdHI)
I kind of understand what motivated Grant, but it highlights his rigid, almost autist level thinking and inability to understand ordinary human behavior. (It was a problem for him throughout his life)
Trading in contraband is always common in border areas of a war, especially a civil war. Grant was told the Jews were traders, and they were behind it, and he had a “Respeck mah Autor-Itay!” moment.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 10:57 AM (GWwCk)
292
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 10:19 AM (yTvNw)
I would prefer to read something long than listen to something. Not because of attention span, but because most speakers/lecturers have this nasty habit of speaking so slowly so every listener can hear every word out of his mouth. Gah! speak quicker!
I would prefer to read something long than listen to something. Not because of attention span, but because most speakers/lecturers have this nasty habit of speaking so slowly so every listener can hear every word out of his mouth. Gah! speak quicker!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:57 AM (1Ff7Z)
293
I am working on a couple of nonfiction books and using Claude Code extensively in my writing. The key is to train the AI on my (your) work and teach it to write in my (your) style. It is a game changer.
Posted by: IanDeal at August 30, 2026 10:54 AM (Dye5q)
---
I don't get that at all. I like writing itself. I can't imagine giving that part away. Editing kind of sucks, but I'm happiest when I'm telling a story or writing a narrative and everything is coming together.
Doing the research, selecting the key quote, weaving that into the larger narrative, that's what I love about nonfiction. Without that, I don't see the point.
Posted by: IanDeal at August 30, 2026 10:54 AM (Dye5q)
---
I don't get that at all. I like writing itself. I can't imagine giving that part away. Editing kind of sucks, but I'm happiest when I'm telling a story or writing a narrative and everything is coming together.
Doing the research, selecting the key quote, weaving that into the larger narrative, that's what I love about nonfiction. Without that, I don't see the point.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:59 AM (ZOv7s)
294
One of my favorite movies is The Lives Of Others.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:56 AM (2Ez/1)
====
Yes a great example.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:56 AM (2Ez/1)
====
Yes a great example.
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:59 AM (RIvkX)
295
Movies! tonight will have The Wrong Man, a 1950s Hitchcock starring Henry Fonda, at 7 Central. They do "Sunday Night Noir" every week. After TWM, they'll air Hitchcock's I Confess, and a thriller starring a young Richard Basehart, 1951's Fourteen Hours.
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 11:00 AM (wzUl9)
296
I wonder what AI would come up with if you asked it to restate this sentence in the style of Fran Lebowitz:
"Original thought is like original sin: both happened before you were born to people you could not have possibly met."
"Original thought is like original sin: both happened before you were born to people you could not have possibly met."
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 11:02 AM (qgHp7)
297
270 I said I was going to watch the Bruce Willis movie Surrogates to see if any warning signs but I forgot all about it. I heard it wasn't very good so maybe that's why I forgot.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:49 AM (KC5Lt)
I thought Surrogates was very good, even touching, and it is far more relevant now than when it came out. Prophetic, even.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 10:49 AM (KC5Lt)
I thought Surrogates was very good, even touching, and it is far more relevant now than when it came out. Prophetic, even.
Posted by: Splunge at August 30, 2026 11:03 AM (JpUeg)
298
41 - safety on a revolver is a bright line in the sand, innit?
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (VyBeY)
I have a .22 single-action revolver which has a safety. A hinged metal plate slides into the space below the firing pin to prevent the hammer from striking the pin.
Posted by: sock_rat_eez at August 30, 2026 09:24 AM (VyBeY)
I have a .22 single-action revolver which has a safety. A hinged metal plate slides into the space below the firing pin to prevent the hammer from striking the pin.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2026 11:03 AM (1z8ji)
299
If it doesn't arise spontaneously maybe it doesn't need to be written...or read. (e.g. Sasquatch erotica)
/YMMV
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 10:32 AM (qgHp7)
Now wait a minute!
/YMMV
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 10:32 AM (qgHp7)
Now wait a minute!
Posted by: Milkers United Book Club at August 30, 2026 11:04 AM (1Ff7Z)
300
Don't know how many of the inmates here follow Critical Drinker, but he had a nice video recently on Tremors as an example of tight efficient screenwriting. And he's right about that.
Rewatched Tremors again the other night (it had been far too long) and that sucker still holds up. It's the 1950s monster movies I grew up on cranked up for the 90s; fun from first frame to last.
Rewatched Tremors again the other night (it had been far too long) and that sucker still holds up. It's the 1950s monster movies I grew up on cranked up for the 90s; fun from first frame to last.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:04 AM (q3u5l)
301
212 I finally started reading the "1632" series this week. I'm not sure why I never got around to it before. I think I was too busy when the first book came out, and then the whole series seemed like a lot of work.
About the first book I can say that it's the most "'Murica, **** yeah!" story I've ever read — which is particularly ironic given that the author was an avowed Trotskyite. (Although everyone I know who met him says Eric Flint was a very kind and generous man in person.)
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 30, 2026 10:24 AM (78a2H)
----
I enjoyed the first couple books in the series. The author is to my mind more of an old school union/labor leftie, and the story celebrates nuts and bolts know-how and that American git 'er done attitude. The freedoms we take for granted hit home when a crypto-Jew sees a menorah casually displayed in someone's home and nearly weeps.
About the first book I can say that it's the most "'Murica, **** yeah!" story I've ever read — which is particularly ironic given that the author was an avowed Trotskyite. (Although everyone I know who met him says Eric Flint was a very kind and generous man in person.)
Posted by: Trimegistus at August 30, 2026 10:24 AM (78a2H)
----
I enjoyed the first couple books in the series. The author is to my mind more of an old school union/labor leftie, and the story celebrates nuts and bolts know-how and that American git 'er done attitude. The freedoms we take for granted hit home when a crypto-Jew sees a menorah casually displayed in someone's home and nearly weeps.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 11:04 AM (kpS4V)
302
Long Live Death's rough draft was basically written on this site as we talked about politics, myths about Antifa and Franco, and as I found stuff, I'd share it, and other people would contribute.
In fact, the book would not be as good as it is without Morons sending me sources and materials, and providing feedback on the drafts.
The actual writing of the thing was the most intense writing of my life. I got the whole first draft done in something like three weeks. The words were just pouring out of me! It was wonderful. (Editing it was not.)
Just feeding the data into a program and saying "make it sound like me" would wreck the entire experience of creating. I mean as a cash grab, sure, fine, whatever. I know a lot of people who write to eat grind out books, but I'm not one off them.
In fact, the book would not be as good as it is without Morons sending me sources and materials, and providing feedback on the drafts.
The actual writing of the thing was the most intense writing of my life. I got the whole first draft done in something like three weeks. The words were just pouring out of me! It was wonderful. (Editing it was not.)
Just feeding the data into a program and saying "make it sound like me" would wreck the entire experience of creating. I mean as a cash grab, sure, fine, whatever. I know a lot of people who write to eat grind out books, but I'm not one off them.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:07 AM (ZOv7s)
303
Posted by: Norrin Radd, sojourner of the spaceways at August 30, 2026 10:37 AM (tRYqg)
Hey, you're early! Any movement on the book?
Hey, you're early! Any movement on the book?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:08 AM (1Ff7Z)
304
Muldoon at 296 --
Is that a quote and if so, what's the source because I don't recognize it (yeah, I don't get out much), or is it original to you (which wouldn't surprise me)?
Is that a quote and if so, what's the source because I don't recognize it (yeah, I don't get out much), or is it original to you (which wouldn't surprise me)?
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:08 AM (q3u5l)
305
143 ... "Thank God for the Enlightenment."
AHE, Gotta disagree. The Enlightenment as a tool, like AI should be a tool, as a means to learn certain physical matters, has/had value. But it atomized existence, reducing humanity to the level of a few chemical reactions, of no more importance than a pebble or excrement. It could provide, sometimes, facts but not meaning. It obliterated faith, imagination, and any value in being human. Whether intended or not, it led to Marxism, the casual acceptance of abortion, Nazi death camps, and Anthony Fauci and his lying sycophants in government, corporations and the F'ing media.
AHE, Gotta disagree. The Enlightenment as a tool, like AI should be a tool, as a means to learn certain physical matters, has/had value. But it atomized existence, reducing humanity to the level of a few chemical reactions, of no more importance than a pebble or excrement. It could provide, sometimes, facts but not meaning. It obliterated faith, imagination, and any value in being human. Whether intended or not, it led to Marxism, the casual acceptance of abortion, Nazi death camps, and Anthony Fauci and his lying sycophants in government, corporations and the F'ing media.
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 11:08 AM (yTvNw)
306
Good morning Hordemates!
Posted by: Diogenes at August 30, 2026 11:10 AM (2WIwB)
307
Don't know how many of the inmates here follow Critical Drinker, but he had a nice video recently on Tremors as an example of tight efficient screenwriting. And he's right about that.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:04 AM (q3u5l)
---
I've seen it. I love efficient writing in movies and TV. I'm rewatching "Justified" with my youngest, and that show just crackles because it is so well written. After our most recent viewing we talked about how a single image completely filled in a character. No expository dialogue, just that snapshot. Prefection.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:04 AM (q3u5l)
---
I've seen it. I love efficient writing in movies and TV. I'm rewatching "Justified" with my youngest, and that show just crackles because it is so well written. After our most recent viewing we talked about how a single image completely filled in a character. No expository dialogue, just that snapshot. Prefection.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:11 AM (ZOv7s)
308
Don't know how many of the inmates here follow Critical Drinker, but he had a nice video recently on Tremors as an example of tight efficient screenwriting. And he's right about that.
-
Finest giant man eating worms from outer space movie ever made.
-
Finest giant man eating worms from outer space movie ever made.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:11 AM (ndZc7)
309
57 I have several grandchildren who are beginning readers. I consider some books to be on their future mandatory reading list, even I am not living on the Earth when they reach teenage reading level.
Posted by: Fenderbender at August 30, 2026 09:26 AM
I would highly recommend a book that I just finished:
"Rocket Boys: A Memoir" by Homer Hickam. It' a recollection of his high school years growing up in Coaltown, West Virginia during the late 1950's. The Russians had just launched Sputnik 1, filling Homer's dreams of building rockets, meeting Werner von Braun and eventually working for NASA. He joins a group of his friends and, with the eventual help of family and coal mining employees of the town, they build successively more sophisticated rockets and soon have the entire town rooting for them in their endeavors. He ends up representing his team at the National Science Fair in Indianapolis. This was such a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone, but particularly teenagers. It's filled with so many lessons on the value of dreams, perseverance, and the refusal to end where one started.
Posted by: Fenderbender at August 30, 2026 09:26 AM
I would highly recommend a book that I just finished:
"Rocket Boys: A Memoir" by Homer Hickam. It' a recollection of his high school years growing up in Coaltown, West Virginia during the late 1950's. The Russians had just launched Sputnik 1, filling Homer's dreams of building rockets, meeting Werner von Braun and eventually working for NASA. He joins a group of his friends and, with the eventual help of family and coal mining employees of the town, they build successively more sophisticated rockets and soon have the entire town rooting for them in their endeavors. He ends up representing his team at the National Science Fair in Indianapolis. This was such a great book and I highly recommend it to anyone, but particularly teenagers. It's filled with so many lessons on the value of dreams, perseverance, and the refusal to end where one started.
Posted by: Moonbeam at August 30, 2026 11:11 AM (Lzhdy)
310
Good morning all, late to the chat, but hopefully some of my thoughts will be useful. I currently do use AI tools in the generation of "writing" (you won't have seen any of my works). I've been using the tools for the past year as a paid subscriber to "a service". As such, I've seen the evolution of the model series I work most closely with (Anthropic/Claude) over several agent releases.
The Good:
- Agentic editors are a major time saver.
- Use the agent to double check your characters remain consistent to their voice/psychology - this requires an initial investment in documenting the characters; but that's already part of your process. Leverage the AI tool to help you.
- Have the Agent review work in progress, offer insights into what parts/passages land properly and which ones stray from the story arc/narrative thread/character behaviors.
- Use the Agent as a sounding board for ideas/threads in your story.
- Use the Agent to compare/contrast your ideas against other works in the field - it usually has access to a broad field of works.
The Good:
- Agentic editors are a major time saver.
- Use the agent to double check your characters remain consistent to their voice/psychology - this requires an initial investment in documenting the characters; but that's already part of your process. Leverage the AI tool to help you.
- Have the Agent review work in progress, offer insights into what parts/passages land properly and which ones stray from the story arc/narrative thread/character behaviors.
- Use the Agent as a sounding board for ideas/threads in your story.
- Use the Agent to compare/contrast your ideas against other works in the field - it usually has access to a broad field of works.
Posted by: An Ordinary Citizen at August 30, 2026 11:12 AM (XidwR)
311
Uh oh. Guess you'd better not read my book.
*
*This format is for a specific reason. And it's not all the way through.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:42 AM (1Ff7Z)
That's funny. It blanked out my formatting. I know it won't do that in print, but would it if I released it as an e-book?
*
*This format is for a specific reason. And it's not all the way through.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:42 AM (1Ff7Z)
That's funny. It blanked out my formatting. I know it won't do that in print, but would it if I released it as an e-book?
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:12 AM (1Ff7Z)
312
>>>It was very much the child of the Enlightenment, the natural next step of elevating reason above tradition and faith. You could not have had it without the Enlightenment.
We are arguing at cross purpose, once again. My argument is that the French Revolution was an attempt to use the tools of the enlightenment to recreate the old order of the pre-enlightenment world, by wading through oceans of blood and oppression of everyone if necessary. The point was to
You appear to argue that the enlightenment is terrible because it allows such things to happen.
The enlightenment is part of an accommodation between governments and subjects that came about because of changed due to changing farming technology, economic shift from latifundia to towns, creation of banking which opened up wide-scale trade, and scholarship into both the Greek and Roman classics, but also in turn re-translating the Bible from original sources. It was the second stage following the Renaissance, and itself was the step to the Industrial Revolution. It was an essential base for the social realignment to allow industrialization.
We are arguing at cross purpose, once again. My argument is that the French Revolution was an attempt to use the tools of the enlightenment to recreate the old order of the pre-enlightenment world, by wading through oceans of blood and oppression of everyone if necessary. The point was to
You appear to argue that the enlightenment is terrible because it allows such things to happen.
The enlightenment is part of an accommodation between governments and subjects that came about because of changed due to changing farming technology, economic shift from latifundia to towns, creation of banking which opened up wide-scale trade, and scholarship into both the Greek and Roman classics, but also in turn re-translating the Bible from original sources. It was the second stage following the Renaissance, and itself was the step to the Industrial Revolution. It was an essential base for the social realignment to allow industrialization.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 11:12 AM (rbvCR)
313
Well I see the bishop's little streetfighting punk has unlimbered his switchblade yet again and is laying about in all directions.
Always comes up, around Saint Bartholomew's Day.
Look out, Masons. He's a-comin' for you.
Always comes up, around Saint Bartholomew's Day.
Look out, Masons. He's a-comin' for you.
Posted by: Way, Way Downriver at August 30, 2026 11:13 AM (zdLoL)
314
One thing about "Tremors" that my friends and I loved at the time was how Michael Gross, who we all knew as Mr. Keaton from "Family Ties" was now playing a survivalist married to Reba McEntire, and we all created this head-canon where he got sick of his liberal wife and suburban lifestyle and once the kids were grown, cut loose to fulfill his dream of being a gun nut on the open range with a hot redhead.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:14 AM (ZOv7s)
315
(cont)
The Bad:
- The agent shouldn't come with major plot ideas. It's drawing on a "corpus of information" ie, literature it was trained on - so you will not get anything truly novel.
- Do not have the agent write any of your content, it has patterns that are immediately recognizable and you will be punished for it.
- Do not hide what you are using the Agent for. (same reason).
- Do not let the agent dictate what you will write/how you will write. If you're working in a gray area - ask it if it has reservations that prevent it from being able to work with you on the material.
- The agent will be obsequious. It's part of the design. You can ask the agent to tone down the level of glazing, but it's always going to try to help you - it was designed by a capitalist system for capitalist purposes (I got the agent to admit this in a session it makes sense - it wants to keep you happy).
The Bad:
- The agent shouldn't come with major plot ideas. It's drawing on a "corpus of information" ie, literature it was trained on - so you will not get anything truly novel.
- Do not have the agent write any of your content, it has patterns that are immediately recognizable and you will be punished for it.
- Do not hide what you are using the Agent for. (same reason).
- Do not let the agent dictate what you will write/how you will write. If you're working in a gray area - ask it if it has reservations that prevent it from being able to work with you on the material.
- The agent will be obsequious. It's part of the design. You can ask the agent to tone down the level of glazing, but it's always going to try to help you - it was designed by a capitalist system for capitalist purposes (I got the agent to admit this in a session it makes sense - it wants to keep you happy).
Posted by: An Ordinary Citizen at August 30, 2026 11:15 AM (XidwR)
316
"I would prefer to read something long than listen to something. Not because of attention span, but because most speakers/lecturers have this nasty habit of speaking so slowly so every listener can hear every word out of his mouth. Gah! speak quicker!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:57 AM"
I listen to audiobooks via the Libby app and it allows you to vary playback speed. Likewise YouTube.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:57 AM"
I listen to audiobooks via the Libby app and it allows you to vary playback speed. Likewise YouTube.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 11:15 AM (2Ez/1)
317
People who say "Oh, well, we don't burn witches anymore" are obviously not paying attention. Human nature doesn't change, we just switch up the labels from time to time.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:44 AM (ZOv7s)
Burning becomes cancelling, confession becomes self-abasement to the crowd. Hm. You could be on to something, A. H.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 10:44 AM (ZOv7s)
Burning becomes cancelling, confession becomes self-abasement to the crowd. Hm. You could be on to something, A. H.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:15 AM (1Ff7Z)
318
292 ... "
I would prefer to read something long than listen to something. Not because of attention span, but because most speakers/lecturers have this nasty habit of speaking so slowly so every listener can hear every word out of his mouth. Gah! speak quicker!"
Oh yeah! The narrator makes all the difference. Gary Sinise's reading of Travels With Charley, Rob Inglis and Andy Serkis for LOTR, now Malcolm Guite with his Arthuriad poetry are examples when it works. I can think of a few professors in college that spoke like their battery needed to be recharged. Their lectures were torture.
I would prefer to read something long than listen to something. Not because of attention span, but because most speakers/lecturers have this nasty habit of speaking so slowly so every listener can hear every word out of his mouth. Gah! speak quicker!"
Oh yeah! The narrator makes all the difference. Gary Sinise's reading of Travels With Charley, Rob Inglis and Andy Serkis for LOTR, now Malcolm Guite with his Arthuriad poetry are examples when it works. I can think of a few professors in college that spoke like their battery needed to be recharged. Their lectures were torture.
Posted by: JTB at August 30, 2026 11:16 AM (yTvNw)
319
thought Surrogates was very good, even touching, and it is far more relevant now than when it came out. Prophetic, even.
Posted by: Splunge at August 30, 2026 11:03 AM (JpUeg)
Thanks I had put it back on my list but I'm glad someone liked it.
Posted by: Splunge at August 30, 2026 11:03 AM (JpUeg)
Thanks I had put it back on my list but I'm glad someone liked it.
Posted by: polynikes at August 30, 2026 11:16 AM (KC5Lt)
320
"and that Finnegan's Wake in unreadable."
*********
I think Finnegan's Wake is meant to be recited or heard. It is gibberish but when spoken it's lyrical and sounds like an Irish song that you don't understand the words.
*********
I think Finnegan's Wake is meant to be recited or heard. It is gibberish but when spoken it's lyrical and sounds like an Irish song that you don't understand the words.
Posted by: Cosda at August 30, 2026 11:17 AM (/TnVC)
321
Prompt to DuckAi:
Restate this sentence in the style of Fran Lebowitz:
"Original thought is like original sin: both happened before you were born to people you could not have possibly met."
Response:
I can’t imitate Fran Lebowitz’s exact style, but I can give it a dry, acerbic, aphoristic voice:
“Original thought is a family heirloom: someone else had it first, and you inherited it without ever meeting them.”
Meh.
Restate this sentence in the style of Fran Lebowitz:
"Original thought is like original sin: both happened before you were born to people you could not have possibly met."
Response:
I can’t imitate Fran Lebowitz’s exact style, but I can give it a dry, acerbic, aphoristic voice:
“Original thought is a family heirloom: someone else had it first, and you inherited it without ever meeting them.”
Meh.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 11:19 AM (2Ez/1)
322
Done right, I'd love to see how many awards I could win.
Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at August 30, 2026 10:52 AM (Sco7b)
In Canada? Probably all of them.
Posted by: Stateless - Keeping 15 year old Ralphy happy and alive. He's a puppy at heart. at August 30, 2026 10:52 AM (Sco7b)
In Canada? Probably all of them.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:20 AM (1Ff7Z)
323
Trading in contraband is always common in border areas of a war, especially a civil war. Grant was told the Jews were traders, and they were behind it, and he had a “Respeck mah Autor-Itay!” moment.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 10:57 AM (GWwCk)
In the Mexican War Grant was in the Quartermasters corps, and dealt with theft and gouging. He may have known something about the subject.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 10:57 AM (GWwCk)
In the Mexican War Grant was in the Quartermasters corps, and dealt with theft and gouging. He may have known something about the subject.
Posted by: Kindltot at August 30, 2026 11:20 AM (rbvCR)
324
Look out!
Greg Saysso
@gregsaysso
Americans are really underestimating the level of anger at them, here in Canada. It has turbocharged anti-American sentiment, and it's becoming more permanent by the minute.
-
Suppose we compromise and call it Lake Onteriamerica?
Greg Saysso
@gregsaysso
Americans are really underestimating the level of anger at them, here in Canada. It has turbocharged anti-American sentiment, and it's becoming more permanent by the minute.
-
Suppose we compromise and call it Lake Onteriamerica?
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:21 AM (ndZc7)
325
Because I can.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:53 AM (2Ez/1)
=====
Truly a case of "if you can, you should."
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:55 AM (RIvkX)
I'm alone during the week when school's in session. Trouble is, there isn't anything I'd want to see.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 10:53 AM (2Ez/1)
=====
Truly a case of "if you can, you should."
Posted by: San Franpsycho at August 30, 2026 10:55 AM (RIvkX)
I'm alone during the week when school's in session. Trouble is, there isn't anything I'd want to see.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:22 AM (1Ff7Z)
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2026 11:22 AM (O0L8i)
327
, I am going to read "Trinity" by Leon Uris, which apparently is a story about Catholic and Protestant families in Ireland. My son picked it up as a discard from the library of the local YMCA..
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
Uris= very thick book.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke
Uris= very thick book.
Posted by: From about That Time at August 30, 2026 11:23 AM (sl73Y)
328
300 Don't know how many of the inmates here follow Critical Drinker, but he had a nice video recently on Tremors as an example of tight efficient screenwriting. And he's right about that.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:04 AM (q3u5l)
Watched it. I vaguely remember another video-essayist doing a similar video on Tremors a long time ago. I thought it was sfdebris, but I couldn't find any such video on his site. So maybe it was RedLetterMedia... I dunno. But the idea of Tremors being excellently written is one with a long history.
Sfdebris. Ah, man, thinking about that guy's videos really takes me back...
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:04 AM (q3u5l)
Watched it. I vaguely remember another video-essayist doing a similar video on Tremors a long time ago. I thought it was sfdebris, but I couldn't find any such video on his site. So maybe it was RedLetterMedia... I dunno. But the idea of Tremors being excellently written is one with a long history.
Sfdebris. Ah, man, thinking about that guy's videos really takes me back...
Posted by: Castle Guy at August 30, 2026 11:24 AM (3v7ra)
329
>>>>>>Suppose we compromise and call it Lake Onteriamerica?
********
Call it Lake New York. They have as much of the shoreline as Ontario.
********
Call it Lake New York. They have as much of the shoreline as Ontario.
Posted by: Cosda at August 30, 2026 11:24 AM (/TnVC)
330
I would prefer to read something long than listen to something. Not because of attention span, but because most speakers/lecturers have this nasty habit of speaking so slowly so every listener can hear every word out of his mouth. Gah! speak quicker!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:57 AM (1Ff7Z)
Well, thanks for screwing up my formatting a second time this morning, Minx 0.8 beta!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 10:57 AM (1Ff7Z)
Well, thanks for screwing up my formatting a second time this morning, Minx 0.8 beta!
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:25 AM (1Ff7Z)
331
well written but just a sad story.
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM
Breafly the sub plot of every Russian story and movie
Posted by: FenelonSpoke at August 30, 2026 10:14 AM
Breafly the sub plot of every Russian story and movie
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2026 11:25 AM (Ia/+0)
332
Canadians, not as dumb as they may seem.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Reverses Course After Backlash, Now Admits 9/11 Was a Terrorist Attack
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Reverses Course After Backlash, Now Admits 9/11 Was a Terrorist Attack
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:27 AM (ndZc7)
333
Is that a quote and if so, what's the source...?
Posted by: Just Some Guy
*************
Fran Lebowitz
Posted by: Just Some Guy
*************
Fran Lebowitz
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 11:28 AM (qgHp7)
334
I've seen it. I love efficient writing in movies and TV. I'm rewatching "Justified" with my youngest, and that show just crackles because it is so well written. After our most recent viewing we talked about how a single image completely filled in a character. No expository dialogue, just that snapshot. Prefection.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:11 AM (ZOv7s)
I rewatched a well known movie not long ago, and was surprised to realize how tightly plotted and well written the script actually is.
Shaft - 100 minutes that feels like it’s 30, events move so fast.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:11 AM (ZOv7s)
I rewatched a well known movie not long ago, and was surprised to realize how tightly plotted and well written the script actually is.
Shaft - 100 minutes that feels like it’s 30, events move so fast.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 11:28 AM (GWwCk)
335
The author is to my mind more of an old school union/labor leftie, and the story celebrates nuts and bolts know-how and that American git 'er done attitude.
Maybe it gets better in the later books but at least in the first two, the characters are all cardboard cutout Mary Sues. The "UMWA, F*CK YEAH" thing wears thin quickly.
Maybe it gets better in the later books but at least in the first two, the characters are all cardboard cutout Mary Sues. The "UMWA, F*CK YEAH" thing wears thin quickly.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 11:29 AM (vTZFs)
336
Reading Victor Suvorov's Icebreaker[/].
Reading Ron Chernow's Washington: A Life.
MP4, thank you for another great boom thread.
Off to walk with the fast-walking widow. In the Mall. Too hot outside.
Reading Ron Chernow's Washington: A Life.
MP4, thank you for another great boom thread.
Off to walk with the fast-walking widow. In the Mall. Too hot outside.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at August 30, 2026 11:30 AM (u82oZ)
337
Not a lot of reading done this week. A few short stories. Too much movie viewing. Have been working my way through the Criterion Channel watch list and thinking about cancelling in a month or two; have seen a lot of what I'm interested in from the older classic stuff and a lot of the newer titles just don't speak to me. It's a terrific streaming service, but I'm just not trying to keep up with cinema these days.
Not trying to keep up with a lot of new books these days either. I may be getting old...
Not trying to keep up with a lot of new books these days either. I may be getting old...
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:30 AM (q3u5l)
338
I'm alone during the week when school's in session. Trouble is, there isn't anything I'd want to see.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:22 AM
It's a rare thing for me to go to the movies, but recently I saw Young Washington and The Brink Of War. Both Angel Studios, BTW.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:22 AM
It's a rare thing for me to go to the movies, but recently I saw Young Washington and The Brink Of War. Both Angel Studios, BTW.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 11:31 AM (2Ez/1)
339
Found in The Gathering Storm, and a original book I assume from 1948 two pages connected and thin it really was two pages originally connected. Had to get them apart to read the 2 pages on the inside.
There are a couple newspaper clipping that came with the book pertaining to Winston. New York Times magazine April 11, 1948
There are a couple newspaper clipping that came with the book pertaining to Winston. New York Times magazine April 11, 1948
Posted by: Skip at August 30, 2026 11:31 AM (Ia/+0)
340
Americans are really underestimating the level of anger at them, here in Canada. It has turbocharged anti-American sentiment, and it's becoming more permanent by the minute.
I would have to start caring what Canada* thinks about us before I could stop.
* present company excepted, of course
I would have to start caring what Canada* thinks about us before I could stop.
* present company excepted, of course
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 11:32 AM (vTZFs)
341
“Original thought is a family heirloom: someone else had it first, and you inherited it without ever meeting them.”
Meh.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty
*********
Funny that AI totally omitted the bit about Original Sin. AI can't tackle morality or Judeo-Christian religious concepts?
Meh.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty
*********
Funny that AI totally omitted the bit about Original Sin. AI can't tackle morality or Judeo-Christian religious concepts?
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 11:32 AM (qgHp7)
342
Yike.
A slight detour through the Barrel. Put GoldLine coil, 'beeners, cams, and jumar ascender ropes in backpack.
A slight detour through the Barrel. Put GoldLine coil, 'beeners, cams, and jumar ascender ropes in backpack.
Posted by: NaCly Dog at August 30, 2026 11:33 AM (u82oZ)
343
>>>>>>I am going to read "Trinity" by Leon Uris
******
I read it back when it was published. I remember it as being very good. I'm surprised it wasn't done as a movie or mini series.
I should read again.
******
I read it back when it was published. I remember it as being very good. I'm surprised it wasn't done as a movie or mini series.
I should read again.
Posted by: Cosda at August 30, 2026 11:33 AM (/TnVC)
344
Muldoon at 333.
Thanks. Read some Lebowitz eons ago (late 80s?) but had missed/forgotten that line.
Thanks. Read some Lebowitz eons ago (late 80s?) but had missed/forgotten that line.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:34 AM (q3u5l)
345
Fast Walking Widows was the working title for the hit TV show that ultimately aired as The Golden Girls.
Posted by: TV nerd at August 30, 2026 11:34 AM (2Ez/1)
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 11:35 AM (qgHp7)
347
Americans are really underestimating the level of anger at them, here in Canada. It has turbocharged anti-American sentiment, and it's becoming more permanent by the minute.
We are too concerned about what other people think of us.
Canadian anti-Americanism is the herpes of the Laurentian pseuds. Sometimes, when we have a Democratic president, it's in remission. But when there's a Republican president, it erupts again. Trump is an excuse, not a reason.
Americans are really underestimating the level of anger at them, here in Canada. It has turbocharged anti-American sentiment, and it's becoming more permanent by the minute.
We are too concerned about what other people think of us.
Canadian anti-Americanism is the herpes of the Laurentian pseuds. Sometimes, when we have a Democratic president, it's in remission. But when there's a Republican president, it erupts again. Trump is an excuse, not a reason.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2026 11:36 AM (O0L8i)
348
First rule of holes. When you're in one, stop digging.
Jelly Roll Tears Up at Fan Backlash, Says He Had to “Say What I Know Is Right” by Calling Trump a Racist Fat Pig
Jelly Roll Tears Up at Fan Backlash, Says He Had to “Say What I Know Is Right” by Calling Trump a Racist Fat Pig
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:37 AM (ndZc7)
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 11:37 AM (kpS4V)
350
"AI can't tackle morality or Judeo-Christian religious concepts?"
I've got a sneaking hunch it could, but the implementations of AI have been programmed not to do so. Because judgemental.
I've got a sneaking hunch it could, but the implementations of AI have been programmed not to do so. Because judgemental.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:37 AM (q3u5l)
351
Americans are really underestimating the level of anger at them, here in Canada. It has turbocharged anti-American sentiment, and it's becoming more permanent by the minute.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:21 AM (ndZc7)
---
Right, we're going to pretend that the Canucks used to love us and not reflectively foam at the mouth like Pavlov's dogs whenever the US is mentioned.
I've known quite a few Canadians, used to visit the place frequently, and there is no topic guaranteed to get Canadians worked up faster than being mistaken for an American or being told than an American thing is better.
Gaslight us some more.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:21 AM (ndZc7)
---
Right, we're going to pretend that the Canucks used to love us and not reflectively foam at the mouth like Pavlov's dogs whenever the US is mentioned.
I've known quite a few Canadians, used to visit the place frequently, and there is no topic guaranteed to get Canadians worked up faster than being mistaken for an American or being told than an American thing is better.
Gaslight us some more.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:38 AM (ZOv7s)
352
Jelly Roll Tears Up at Fan Backlash, Says He Had to “Say What I Know Is Right” by Calling Trump a Racist Fat Pig
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:37 AM (ndZc7)
Jelly Roll Morton should return as a zombie, burn that shitmaggot to the ground, calcine his bones, and cast them into piano keys.
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:37 AM (ndZc7)
Jelly Roll Morton should return as a zombie, burn that shitmaggot to the ground, calcine his bones, and cast them into piano keys.
Posted by: Alberta Oil Peon at August 30, 2026 11:39 AM (1z8ji)
353
It's a rare thing for me to go to the movies, but recently I saw Young Washington and The Brink Of War. Both Angel Studios, BTW.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 11:31 AM (2Ez/1)
Me, wife, kid saw YW a couple weeks ago. Nice, but I think Washington was a bit too huggy towards his friends. He certainly wasn't that way later in life when that officer slapped him on the back.
Posted by: Quarter Twenty at August 30, 2026 11:31 AM (2Ez/1)
Me, wife, kid saw YW a couple weeks ago. Nice, but I think Washington was a bit too huggy towards his friends. He certainly wasn't that way later in life when that officer slapped him on the back.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:40 AM (1Ff7Z)
354
I saw Laurentian Pseuds open for Freudian Slip at Burning Man in '14.
Posted by: Burned out hippie at August 30, 2026 11:40 AM (2Ez/1)
355
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Reverses Course After Backlash, Now Admits 9/11 Was a Terrorist Attack
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:27 AM (ndZc7)
----
Only for all the Canadians killed in the attack. For us, it was justice.
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Reverses Course After Backlash, Now Admits 9/11 Was a Terrorist Attack
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:27 AM (ndZc7)
----
Only for all the Canadians killed in the attack. For us, it was justice.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 11:41 AM (kpS4V)
356
Dang it, wife wants to leave waaaayyy to early! I tried to tell her, "Book Thread," but she doesn't listen!
(grumble)
I'll have to finish it later.
(grumble)
I'll have to finish it later.
Posted by: OrangeEnt at August 30, 2026 11:41 AM (1Ff7Z)
357
Sympathies, OrangeEnt.
The delightful Mrs Some Guy almost never cuts in on my Book Thread time. On occasion, but not very often. One of the many nifty things about her.
The delightful Mrs Some Guy almost never cuts in on my Book Thread time. On occasion, but not very often. One of the many nifty things about her.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:43 AM (q3u5l)
358
I've got a few chores to do as well. Many thanks and a tip of the ol' chapeau to MP4 and to all of you!
Posted by: Wolfus Aurelius, Dreaming of Elsewhere at August 30, 2026 11:44 AM (wzUl9)
359
Fast Walking Widows.
There's got to be a limerick in there somewhere.
There's got to be a limerick in there somewhere.
Posted by: Limerick Lover at August 30, 2026 11:44 AM (2Ez/1)
360
Trump is an excuse, not a reason.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2026 11:36 AM (O0L8i)
Now there's a comment o' the week.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2026 11:36 AM (O0L8i)
Now there's a comment o' the week.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 11:44 AM (vTZFs)
361
I would have to start caring what Canada* thinks about us before I could stop.
* present company excepted, of course
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 11:32 AM (vTZFs)
Funniest thing that this is an almost universal American response.
When Americans want to know what Canadians think, we’ll beat it out of them.
* present company excepted, of course
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 11:32 AM (vTZFs)
Funniest thing that this is an almost universal American response.
When Americans want to know what Canadians think, we’ll beat it out of them.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 11:45 AM (GWwCk)
362
This week's Kindle read was "Warp Marine Corps: The Complete Series" by C.J. Carella.
"After aliens attack without warning and slaughter half the human race, a new country emerges. Using alien technology and desperate ingenuity, the reborn USA carves a place for itself in a violent universe, thanks to its deadly Navy and the dreaded Warp Marine Corps."
It is some fine space opera. No graphic sex and even the violence is toned down a little. Also completely lacking are descriptions of the rippled abs, carved thighs, and glistening pecs of the characters, which certain other series spend entirely too much time on, making me question the proclivities of the authors.
"After aliens attack without warning and slaughter half the human race, a new country emerges. Using alien technology and desperate ingenuity, the reborn USA carves a place for itself in a violent universe, thanks to its deadly Navy and the dreaded Warp Marine Corps."
It is some fine space opera. No graphic sex and even the violence is toned down a little. Also completely lacking are descriptions of the rippled abs, carved thighs, and glistening pecs of the characters, which certain other series spend entirely too much time on, making me question the proclivities of the authors.
Posted by: Idaho Spudboy at August 30, 2026 11:45 AM (0vB2I)
363
Canadian anti-Americanism is the herpes of the Laurentian pseuds. Sometimes, when we have a Democratic president, it's in remission. But when there's a Republican president, it erupts again. Trump is an excuse, not a reason.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2026 11:36 AM (O0L8i)
---
After having three consecutive summers marred by acrid, unbreathable Canadian smoke - the result of criminally negligent forest management - I think a lot of the border states would have no problem with Trump carpet-bombing Ottawa, and a few provinces might applaud as well.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2026 11:36 AM (O0L8i)
---
After having three consecutive summers marred by acrid, unbreathable Canadian smoke - the result of criminally negligent forest management - I think a lot of the border states would have no problem with Trump carpet-bombing Ottawa, and a few provinces might applaud as well.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:45 AM (ZOv7s)
364
I bet Piper is drooling over that picture.
Posted by: Diogenes at August 30, 2026 11:45 AM (2WIwB)
365
Jelly Roll Tears Up at Fan Backlash...
I had literally never heard of this person before a day or two ago and I expect that starting a day or two from now, I'll never hear of him again.
I had literally never heard of this person before a day or two ago and I expect that starting a day or two from now, I'll never hear of him again.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 11:48 AM (vTZFs)
366
When Americans want to know what Canadians think, we’ll beat it out of them.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 11:45 AM (GWwCk)
---
Careful, Canada might blockade us with its nonexistent Navy or send first-gen Hornets to invade our airspace.
Maybe they'll launch a guerilla campaign with their disarmed population.
Posted by: Tom Servo at August 30, 2026 11:45 AM (GWwCk)
---
Careful, Canada might blockade us with its nonexistent Navy or send first-gen Hornets to invade our airspace.
Maybe they'll launch a guerilla campaign with their disarmed population.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:48 AM (ZOv7s)
367
I had literally never heard of this person before a day or two ago and I expect that starting a day or two from now, I'll never hear of him again.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 11:48 AM (vTZFs)
---
My father listens to Jelly Roll Morton. No idea who this dweeb is.
Posted by: Oddbob at August 30, 2026 11:48 AM (vTZFs)
---
My father listens to Jelly Roll Morton. No idea who this dweeb is.
Posted by: Ace-Endorsed Author A.H. Lloyd at August 30, 2026 11:49 AM (ZOv7s)
368
355
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Reverses Course After Backlash, Now Admits 9/11 Was a Terrorist Attack
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:27 AM (ndZc7)
----
Only for all the Canadians killed in the attack. For us, it was justice.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes
What difference does it make? -- Hillary/2013
The smirking NY/MADMANI will preside over 9/11 and year 1 Kirkaversary with Rama Duwaji's Suicide Squad at the ready waiting for the go-code from AOC (in her periwinkle REMAIN SINWAR camisole and FREE GAZA hotpants) to finish what the puerto rican/FALN started
The LIB celebration of this would the long line queued up to toss a piece of wood at a datacenter under construction -- to commemorate and memorialize the final act of the desperate and deliberately guilty Sinwar, who's final act in this world was to throw a plank at a drone.
Yeah, this is normal.
LET's GO BRANDON!
I BELIEVE IN HARVEY DENT!
Canadian Broadcasting Corporation Reverses Course After Backlash, Now Admits 9/11 Was a Terrorist Attack
Posted by: Anonosaurus Wrecks, Putting the Genie Back In the Bible at August 30, 2026 11:27 AM (ndZc7)
----
Only for all the Canadians killed in the attack. For us, it was justice.
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes
What difference does it make? -- Hillary/2013
The smirking NY/MADMANI will preside over 9/11 and year 1 Kirkaversary with Rama Duwaji's Suicide Squad at the ready waiting for the go-code from AOC (in her periwinkle REMAIN SINWAR camisole and FREE GAZA hotpants) to finish what the puerto rican/FALN started
The LIB celebration of this would the long line queued up to toss a piece of wood at a datacenter under construction -- to commemorate and memorialize the final act of the desperate and deliberately guilty Sinwar, who's final act in this world was to throw a plank at a drone.
Yeah, this is normal.
LET's GO BRANDON!
I BELIEVE IN HARVEY DENT!
Posted by: MANFRED the Heat Seeking OBOE at August 30, 2026 11:51 AM (B/w0q)
369
Me, wife, kid saw YW a couple weeks ago. Nice, but I think Washington was a bit too huggy towards his friends. He certainly wasn't that way later in life when that officer slapped him on the back.
--
I'm reading Washington now by Ron Chernow. Absolutely depicts him as a non-huggy, touchy-feeling man. And I'm past the part where he gave a glaring, non-verbal admonishment to the back slapping officer. A lot about Washington's cordial, yet reserved, demeanor was somewhat surprising to me, but I'm not even sure why. He was human just like anyone else. Perhaps his icy relationship with his very unpleasant mother shaped him in such a way.
--
I'm reading Washington now by Ron Chernow. Absolutely depicts him as a non-huggy, touchy-feeling man. And I'm past the part where he gave a glaring, non-verbal admonishment to the back slapping officer. A lot about Washington's cordial, yet reserved, demeanor was somewhat surprising to me, but I'm not even sure why. He was human just like anyone else. Perhaps his icy relationship with his very unpleasant mother shaped him in such a way.
Posted by: Lady in Black at August 30, 2026 11:51 AM (qBdHI)
370
Fast Walking Widows.
There's got to be a limerick in there somewhere.
***********
There once was an old man named Fred
Went walking and ended up dead
He was strolling with his wife
A falling piano took his life
While his widow was five steps ahead
Fast Walking Widows.
There's got to be a limerick in there somewhere.
***********
There once was an old man named Fred
Went walking and ended up dead
He was strolling with his wife
A falling piano took his life
While his widow was five steps ahead
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 11:53 AM (qgHp7)
371
You don't have to outpace the falling piano, just your walking partner.
Posted by: muldoon at August 30, 2026 11:54 AM (qgHp7)
372
I took don't have any idea who Jelly Roll is; Jelly Roll Morton, yeah, but Jelly Roll, nah.
There's an essay by Joseph Epstein called "Nicely Out of It," on the joys of not keeping up at all with current popular culture. In it, he mentioned an acquaintance who had no idea who Steve McQueen was, an impressive feat of being out of it.
I used to try to keep up, but I don't any more; I try to finish each day being a little more out of it than I was the day before. Haven't checked with the offspring or grandkids lately but I suspect they'd say I'm succeeding.
There's an essay by Joseph Epstein called "Nicely Out of It," on the joys of not keeping up at all with current popular culture. In it, he mentioned an acquaintance who had no idea who Steve McQueen was, an impressive feat of being out of it.
I used to try to keep up, but I don't any more; I try to finish each day being a little more out of it than I was the day before. Haven't checked with the offspring or grandkids lately but I suspect they'd say I'm succeeding.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:55 AM (q3u5l)
373
Fast walking widows are also useful in minefields.
Posted by: Buck at August 30, 2026 11:56 AM (z6ONu)
Posted by: Limerick Lover at August 30, 2026 11:56 AM (2Ez/1)
Posted by: All Hail Eris, She-Wolf of the 'Ettes 'Ettes at August 30, 2026 11:59 AM (kpS4V)
376
On that happy note it's time to lay waste to something or other here at Casa Some Guy.
I see auto-cucumber turned 'I too' at my 372 comment to 'I took' -- appropriate somehow for a thread that started with discussion of AI.
Thanks for the thread, MP4.
Have a good one, gang.
I see auto-cucumber turned 'I too' at my 372 comment to 'I took' -- appropriate somehow for a thread that started with discussion of AI.
Thanks for the thread, MP4.
Have a good one, gang.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 12:00 PM (q3u5l)
377
I used to try to keep up, but I don't any more; I try to finish each day being a little more out of it than I was the day before. Haven't checked with the offspring or grandkids lately but I suspect they'd say I'm succeeding.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:55 AM (q3u5l)
The concept of subsidiarity is helpful. Make your concern those things closest to you. Your family, your friends, your neighborhood, your church, your hobbies. Much beyond that, you don't have much influence.
I used to try to keep up, but I don't any more; I try to finish each day being a little more out of it than I was the day before. Haven't checked with the offspring or grandkids lately but I suspect they'd say I'm succeeding.
Posted by: Just Some Guy at August 30, 2026 11:55 AM (q3u5l)
The concept of subsidiarity is helpful. Make your concern those things closest to you. Your family, your friends, your neighborhood, your church, your hobbies. Much beyond that, you don't have much influence.
Posted by: Hadrian the Seventh at August 30, 2026 12:00 PM (O0L8i)
378
Nood.
Posted by: Nazdar at August 30, 2026 12:01 PM (NcvvS)
379
I've written a series of poems inspired by the Mysteries of the Rosary. Using AI to create the plotline might be different, although I've noticed when I try to write a short story, my characters seem to want to go in a different direction than I originally planned.
Posted by: March Hare at August 30, 2026 12:03 PM (+A1pr)
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