well, the preacher in the pulpit, jumpin' up and down

Now, I'm going to be dealing with the actual text of the changes as written below, but I'd like to point out a Council of Geeks video that takes on the topic, as well as Mutahar's look at it from the SomeOrdinaryGamers channel. There is deliberate bad language in the latter, so be aware, it may not be safe to play audibly at work.

Before I take on the changes, though, I do want to mention the text of another email I received:

Hi Emilly Orr,
Important changes that may impact your monetization and content discoverability are coming.

Starting today, all creators are required to tell us if their content is made for kids in order to comply with the Children's Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and/or other applicable laws. To help you comply, we are introducing a new audience setting in YouTube Studio.

Depending on the amount of made for kids content on your channel, you can set your audience at either the channel level or the video level. For those who are setting at the channel level, it is just one click.

So this is YouTube's supposedly "helpful" graph on who needs to pick what setting. My way was clear--as I'm planning (if I can EVER afford a good microphone!) to enter the realm of absolutely non-monetizeable horror narration--to pick NO kids' content whatsoever, but for other content creators, it's going to be something of a battle. Due to the provisions mentioned below, even clicking "partial" on this scale will likely remove monetization options for creators. There's no way to win.

These changes are required as part of a settlement with the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and NY Attorney General, and will help you comply with the Children’s Online Privacy Protection Act (COPPA) and/or other applicable laws.

So, what exactly is changing? Well, as the email goes on to say:

What is changing?
Starting today, all creators are required to mark their content as made for kids or not made for kids in YouTube Studio.

Starting in January: we will limit the data we collect on made for kids content to comply with the law. This means we will disable personalized ads on this content (which affects revenue for creators making content for kids), as well as certain features like comments, notifications and others. Note: You may see some small changes as we experiment and refine our systems over the next few months.

For a list of affected features, go here.

Those features pretty much go more into detail on the above, but it all boils down to this:

• If you own a YouTube channel, and it has even one video, or if you EVER intend to upload even ONE video, you now MUST BY LAW pick one of the three options--and you have to do that either once, for your full channel, or per video, for EVERY SINGLE VIDEO YOU UPLOAD.
• You HAVE to use the website's YouTube Studio to pick and set your settings. Want to do it by phone in the YouTube API? Tough. Want to stay in YouTube Classic? Sucks to be you. You HAVE to pick one of the settings, and you HAVE to set it in YouTube Studio.
• And if you think, hell, it's a big service, like they'll notice if I don't set the thing by January, this can't possibly matter...oh, you sweet summer child. YouTube won't kick hard alt-right synpathizers off their platform, but with the full weight of COPPA and the FTC's hammer hanging over you, you really don't want to swing and miss on this one.

So. This was the first email I received from YouTube:

We’re updating our Terms of Service (“Terms”) to improve readability and transparency. This update does not change the Google Privacy Policy, nor the way we collect and process your data.
We’ve provided a summary of key changes but here’s what you can expect:

• Terms that are clearer and easier to understand with useful links to help you navigate YouTube and better understand our policies.
• Expanded commitments to notify you about changes that may affect you, such as product updates or future changes to the Terms; and
• Better alignment between our Terms and how YouTube works today.

The new Terms will take effect on 10 December, 2019. Please make sure you read the updated Terms carefully. If you would like more information, you can find additional information in our Help Center.
If you allow your child to use YouTube Kids, then please note that you are agreeing to the new Terms on behalf of your child as well.

This was the first line in the email to YouTube creators that had people worried. In a strictly legal sense, the only way a child can legally enter into a contract situation is by parental permission, or emancipated permission. If the latter, that child is legally responsible for their own actions, due to the emancipation, or at the very least, their court-appointed guardian is responsible for their actions.

But, as very few children--and, I would hazard to guess, no children under 13, which is the cut-off age for full COPPA provisions--are emancipated, it falls on the parents. Which makes those parents culpable for any problems their child causes on YouTube. In some cases this may legally involve a federal fine--the amount $40,000 has been tossed around, but apart from Mutahar's video, I haven't found mention of that anywhere else--but any financial fine is an issue, and may well involve parents ceasing their child's viewership of YouTube as a precautionary measure.

You can always review your privacy settings and manage how your data is used by visiting your Google Account.
Thank you for being part of the YouTube community!

Yeah, right. So. This brings us to the terms.

I'm only going to cover the changes from their existing ToS. This is made a little more difficult because, in addition to adding provisions, YouTube has substantially changed the language of the entire document.

Who may use the Service?

Age Requirements
You must be at least 13 years old to use the Service. However, children of all ages may use YouTube Kids (where available) if enabled by a parent or legal guardian.

Permission by Parent or Guardian

If you are under 18, you represent that you have your parent or guardian’s permission to use the Service. Please have them read this Agreement with you.

If you are a parent or legal guardian of a user under the age of 18, by allowing your child to use the Service, you are subject to the terms of this Agreement and responsible for your child’s activity on the Service. You can find tools and resources to help you manage your family’s experience on YouTube in our Help Center and through Google’s Family Link.

So this part's fairly clear. They are now stating formally that while LEGALLY they are only permitted to allow individuals 13 and up to use the whole of the service, that the YouTube Kids section now authorizes 12 and below individuals to use that service--and that service alone. And, as mentioned above, parents are solely responsible for anything their children do in the YouTube Kids area, or any other section of YouTube.

Your Use of the Service

Content on the Service
The content on the Service includes videos, audio (for example music and other sounds), graphics, photos, text (such as comments and scripts), branding (including trade names, trademarks, service marks, or logos), interactive features, software, metrics, and other materials whether provided by you, YouTube or a third-party (collectively, "Content”).

Content is the responsibility of the person or entity that provides it to the Service. YouTube is under no obligation to host or serve Content. If you see any Content you believe does not comply with this Agreement, including by violating the Community Guidelines or the law, you can report it to us.

This was the second point of worry for people. Now, every company has the right to refuse service, that's sort of an everywhere law. But this was the first time YouTube has specifically stated they have no obligation to host or serve content at all. There's a much longer, more involved layout of how an individual can use YouTube; all that's been thrown out in the new terms for "We host what we want to host, deal".

Account Suspension and  Termination

Terminations by You
You may stop using the Service at any time. Follow these instructions to delete the Service from your Google Account, which involves closing your YouTube channel and removing your data. You also have the option to download a copy of your data first.

Terminations and Suspensions by YouTube for Cause

YouTube may suspend or terminate your access, your Google account, or your Google account’s access to all or part of the Service if (a) you materially or repeatedly breach this Agreement; (b) we are required to do so to comply with a legal requirement or a court order; or (c) we believe there has been conduct that creates (or could create) liability or harm to any user, other third party, YouTube or our Affiliates.

Terminations by YouTube for Service Changes

YouTube may terminate your access, or your Google account’s access to all or part of the Service if YouTube believes, in its sole discretion, that provision of the Service to you is no longer commercially viable.

This is another huge red flag, especially for users of YouTube. What, precisely, defines "no longer commercially viable"? If it's "does not raise income for YouTube", MILLIONS of user accounts--including my own--are on the chopping block. If it's "no longer monetizeable", that's another problem, because by YouTube's own previous terms, much of the LGBT community's video output, most news channels, all horror narration channels, nearly everyone covering true crime and urban legend stories, in addition to the great number of accounts that put together historical reference content for colleges concerning historical incidents of racism, bigotry, and genocide...well, all those are gone, too. So what exactly do they mean? Sanitized, kid-friendly content that never references drugs, alcohol, mishaps or mature language? But then we're backed into the corner of, if we only upload 100% safe-for-five-year-olds content, these videos cannot be monetized anyway save for the largest channels, and even they've seen a radical reduction of advertising on their content for over six months. So what does YouTube mean by "no longer commercially viable"?

Notice for Termination or Suspension

We will notify you with the reason for termination or suspension by YouTube unless we reasonably believe that to do so: (a) would violate the law or the direction of a legal enforcement authority, or would otherwise risk legal liability for YouTube or our Affiliates; (b) would compromise an investigation or the integrity or operation of the Service; or (c) would cause harm to any user, other third party, YouTube or our Affiliates. Where YouTube is terminating your access for Service changes, where reasonably possible, you will be provided with sufficient time to export your Content from the Service.

Effect of Account Suspension or Termination

If your Google account is terminated or your Google account’s access to the Service is restricted, you may continue using certain aspects of the Service (such as viewing only) without an account, and this Agreement will continue to apply to such use. If you believe your Google account has been terminated in error, you can appeal using this form.

By extension, this section has been completely revised. Formerly, the Terms of Service detailed specific reasons that a user's account could be terminated. This is both more specific, and more vague, in that they no longer lay out what needs to be done to kill someone's account, just vague considerations of general behavior. On the one hand, I understand, if someone specifically lays out that the first eight letters of the alphabet are taboo, users determined to get around the rules could take that as the rest of the alphabet being alloowed. With this version, it's more "We'll decide what's bad, but we'll tell you", without giving specific provisions as to what, exactly, YouTube qualifies as "bad".

The other part that has people largely getting hysterical is the "Terminations by YouTube for Service Changes" section. As the Council of Geeks video points out, while it can be taken on the surface as saying, if a user loses their YouTube account access, they will also lose all Google/Gmail service access, but I tend to agree that interpretation is imprecise, at best. I believe what they are saying is, if Jane Whimsoe is a YouTuber content provider, and Jane loses access to her YouTube account through misbehavior, that neither she on YouTube, nor she through use of Gmail or other Google account options, will be able to access YouTube as a content provider in any way.

But overall, what they've done with these changes is vague everything up. There are very few exacts in the new Terms of Service; just general unspecified terminology that things could be bad if we do something YouTube thinks isn't viable, saleable, or airable. Which conceivably could be...everything.

I guess, buckle up for December, folks, and let's see how bad it gets then.

Google, y u so broken?

Cue a massive amount of frustration I didn't need. SO for the past couple hours plus, I've been trying to track down why the images on this blog aren't appearing. The problem seems to be that Google Photos decided to change everyones' photos to private, not public. But there's a secondary issue, in that all images linked from Google Photos seem to switch Urls in mid-stream. As Mm. Fawkes pointed out, on this picture link (just as an example), it's bypassing that link entirely and trying to open this link instead. And I'm just reeling at the concept of going back through all the October and September entries and fixing every single image. All the while that I still don't know exactly what's happening--I'm still looking, but most of the Google Help pages that turn up when I search on how to make photos in Google albums public tell me how to stop sharing, they're not exactly being helpful.

Argh. There is a solution to this, I'm sure, but bear with me--most of the images seem to be missing for anyone not me right now.

(Update from Editrix: Apparently there is a convoluted, but working--for now--way to link images: opening an incognito window, using the shared album link I generated for this one picture album, scrolling to the picture I want to link, and grabbing the Url for that image, which....is going to do my head in. And I'm being told even then, this may not work for long. Bother.)

((Second update from Editrix: it's also recommended that I just direct-link images into the compose field, instead of working plainly in HTML, like I'm used to. This...is going...to be...a colossal headache.))

(((THIRD update from Editrix: this link. Oh my gods, this link. It still gives no answers to how I do what I used to do with no problems, but now I know Google caused the change and they hate everyone linking pictures to other things and they want people to use other services which are far less convenient and #)$@&*%!+^#&~ YOU GOOGLE and I cannot deal. That is all.)))

heroes always get remembered, but you know legends never die

Oh, look, the very very bad idea of deliberately breaking cryptological programs has surfaced again. And as the writer of that article says, this is such a staggeringly flawed idea precisely because it demonstrates both a complete misunderstanding of the internet, and a complete misunderstanding of digital security.

But I'll repeat it here: if governments want effective security to protect their own interests, they want that security tight. Insisting that everyone else accept broken security will do two things: first, it will cause general resentment from everyone (if not outright rebellion when corporations say the hell with that nonsense and pull for working security anyway), and second, it will inspire people to break government security. For the value of the information, for spite, just for the hell of it--the why won't matter. The fact that it will happen does.

Moreover, as the writer also pointed out, there is no cryptographic system on the PLANET that hasn't been broken. There are codes that haven't been broken, but as far as digital security goes, the best we can say is "it hasn't been broken yet."

And that really should daunt governments that keep proposing this ridiculousness. Every country who's actually passed something like this has been hacked. And guess what--every country has been hacked anyway, whether they employ broken security or not. Corporations have been hacked. Individuals have been hacked. There is no privacy. And we need to realize that.

The best cryptography on the internet? Is NEVER TO PUT IT ON THE INTERNET.

At the Tres Chic event recently, since it had just opened, I knew it would be lagged; so I turned down my settings and put jellydolls showing up at anything over 24K. And saw this:



Did she really have four arms, or was it just the mesh glitching?



It looked like she had four arms. I admit I was intrigued.



She did have four arms.



Very articulated arms, though I was beginning to wish that most of Tres Chic wasn't so stark white; it occluded much of her outfit, her robotic attachments, and her hair.



I'm pretty sure they were Bento-rigged, because yes, her robotic arms moved with her real ones.



They even changed hand positions.

I was enthralled, to the point that I didn't even try to find out from whence she acquired these marvelous arms. But it was a great look. Really well done, highly impressive.

but there's a purpose under the surface

Well, this is unexpected.

Dear oceanplait,

For anyone who doesn't know, that's my name on Tumblr. I'm not directly linking because the link's in the bottom section of the sidebar.

As part of our commitment to transparency, we want you to know that we uncovered and terminated 84 accounts linked to Internet Research Agency or IRA (a group closely tied to the the Russian government) posing as members of the Tumblr community.

The IRA engages in electronic disinformation and propaganda campaigns around the world using phony social media accounts. When we uncovered these accounts, we notified law enforcement, terminated the accounts, and deleted their original posts.

While investigating their activity on Tumblr, we discovered that you either followed one of these accounts linked to the IRA, or liked or reblogged one of their posts:

1-800-gloup
bellaxiao previously known as: blogmadworldlove
bellygangstaboo
blackness-by-your-side previously known as: black-galaxy-magic, fullyfurrymiracle, u4guy, ufo-pilot-and-his-sexy-spouse
cartnsncreal previously known as: feelmydragonballs
coldfirefan
destinyrush previously known as: delightfullyghostlysong
funkycodex previously known as: craftykryptonitedelusion
gogomrbrown previously known as: go-mrbrown, infectedv0ice, todd-la-death
honestlyyoungpersona
hustleinatrap previously known as: thenaturecanpost, tumblercube
info-mix previously known as: americanstatistics, crazypolitician, girlsagainst, illegalmom, just-stat, rochelbarr
lagonegirl
massmedear previously known as: massblog021
mooseblogtimes
morningwoodz previously known as: 5cubes, bangbangempire, empireofweird, gifemprireohh, innerpicsempire, picsempire
nevaehtyler previously known as: laserenita
postingwhileblack previously known as: ghettablasta, heygeraldmartinjohanssen, honestinjun, nativewolveshere
rebellloudwiththecrowd previously known as: massivelystrangetyrant
sassydreamlandcloud
shoutoutworldwide previously known as: blackprideworldwide, krispymentalitycowboy
sumchckn previously known as: blondeinpolitics, blvckcommunity, classylgbthomie, hwuudoin, politixblondie
swagintherain previously known as: blacklivesmatterusa, carzwithgirlz
the-real-eye-to-see
thetrippytrip previously known as: matrixpath, themostpost
thingstolovefor previously known as: the-inner-mirror
this-truly-brutal-world previously known as: awesomewhitepearl, free-mind-and-soul
voteforwest2020 previously known as: mrbadasscat

Near as I can remember, I'm unsure whether I followed any of these accounts (I follow a lot of accounts randomly just to see what they do), but I think I remember reblogging craftykryptonitedelusion, girlsagainst, morningwoodz, and blackprideworldwide. But...now I'm worrying over what I did reblog, and if it was true or false.

You aren’t in trouble, and don’t need to take any action if you don’t want to. We deleted the accounts but decided to leave up any reblog chains so that you can curate your own Tumblr to reflect your own personal views and perspectives.

Democracy requires transparency and an informed electorate and we take our disclosure responsibility very seriously. We’ll be aggressively watching for disinformation campaigns in the future, take the appropriate action, and make sure you know about it.

— Tumblr

So I'm a tiny blog on Tumblr, but this seems huge. Tumblr tends to be fairly free-wheeling, even in the post-acquisition days; they block for child pornography, extreme racism, provable hate speech (and the line for what that is slips, now and again)...this seems like a group block purely by association. It also seems to match the patterns we're seeing elsewhere in the attacks on our government, our industries, our voting system...which of course our highest leaders in office deny. So my question is...how big is this thing going to get?

did you have to do this? I was thinking that you could be trusted

(continued from part one)

How'ver, that wasn't the point of quoting this section of chat. That started a bit later...

[00:13] vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Axx] why are you a velociraptor?
[00:13] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Who cares I wanna be one!
[00:13] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hahahaa
[00:14] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: me too I wanna be a velociraptor
[00:14] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: cos i CAN! :P
[00:14] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: lol
[00:14] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Taht's the best answer [Axx]
[00:14] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: i thought so too lol
[00:14] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol we're all gathered here today to find out what happened to sarcastic.... and look at a velociraptor

Well, that's always fun. Not what happened with SaRcAsTIC, but the velociraptor av. And no, I didn't catch where to get it.

[00:15] xxxxxxxx Bxxxx: now that is sooo cruel n cold of ll... how can they just tell u.. we gonna take ur money unless u tell us who u are.... heck.. they get enough info when we sigh up.. isnt that enough....god bless her... she will get thru this
[00:15] vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: trots off to become a lossyraptor too
[00:16] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: ta!
[00:16] cxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: tyvm
[00:17] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx sighs
[00:18] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: trust me [xxxxxxx] they already know who you are...
[00:19] vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yay i got a Velociraptor
[00:20] Mxxxxx Zxxx: mi am dat log out din greseala
[00:20] vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: say wha

Google Translate said, "I gave my mistake log out"; Bing Translator said "I got logged out by mistake". So now we know?

[00:21] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: [Xxx], the same thing happened to me over the Summer. I had to provide my RL credentials to LL in order to access my accounts and cash out. With me, it was a taxable income issue, nothing more - nothing less. Once I submitted my ID, all was right back on track. Our LindenDollars equate to real life dollars, simple as. In my case, I was not being persecuted or penalised in any way. The IRS wants its share, again, simple as. SL is also the perfect grouns for money laundering - LL needs to protect itself from any complicity. Makes perfect sense. That said, I have no idea what the issue is with SaRcAsTIC, that was just my experience.

Right, but again, I'd be willing to bet this person lives in the US, not overseas.

[00:21] axxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Thankies. ^^
[00:21] xxxxxxxx Bxxxx: wow......
[00:22] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: My thoughts exactly [Fxxxxx]... it's a taxation issue, which is unfortunate but a fact of life
[00:22] kxxxx Dxxxxxxxxx: does anyone know if 7deadlyskins is still free?
[00:22] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: still free to join
[00:22] vxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: yes
[00:24] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: any income from sl is taxable income in the us and if you do not file taxes on your income LL is liable and believe me they do not want the IRS on their butt any more than you want them on yours

Again, true, but the issue of whether US law applies to international accounts accepting income from transactions made on AMerican servers hasn't been adequately settled for the internationals, at least.

[00:24] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: And it was a blanket suspendion, btw.. ALL of my accounts were not accessible. I use the same email address for the lot.
[00:25] xxxxxxxx Bxxxx: wow
[00:26] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: if it's for tax?...not a lot you can do really :(
[00:27] Ixxxx Wxxxxxxx: I never thought about money laundering. That makes my head hurt thinking about all of the boundary case issues there.
[00:27] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: sure you can give them your payment info and get your accounts unlocked

It's not that simple. Verifying with the Lab used to be a simple case of 'here's my credit card'; it's not anymore. In fact, one of the key difficulties is that the verification form online asks for a driver's licence number, or an EIN. If one does not live in the US, there may be no driver's licence number the form would recognize, and to apply for an EIN number for an international is a thorny path on its own; generally, that establishes residency, for a brick-and-mortar building, which SL is manifestly not.

[00:27] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: i wouldn't have thought of that either to be honest
[00:29] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: In the case of SaRcaStiC, somehow the pwner's account [...]


The "pwner's account"??

[...] and the account that LL is asking for information about have been linked - no idea how or why, and anything not coming fro the owner herself, or her group representatvie would just be conjecture and the stuff of rumours.
[00:29] zxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: If someone is from another country and makes money in SL, how can the US government tax them for it? I am curious if that is possible. Hhhmmm something to check into. I mean I have no idea if she is from the US or not but kind of something to think about[00:30] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: how about if i spent $1,000 in your store for example and you are actually working for IS and you cash that $1000 out and use it to buy weapons... now there is no money trail to follow
[00:30] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: lol


Which is pretty much ludicrous--not that there may not be criminal forces working in SL, because of a surety there are, but to assume that anyone might be part of the Islamic State, so LL is requesting this information to establish a paper trail and verifiable deniability...well, at some point, you either trust or you don't. If you're mistrusting folks to that extent, then what's to stop them from generating a real-sounding, but wholly fake address?

And then...

[00:30] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Warning! This is a bad one. Please pass this message out to as many friends and groups as you can. If anyone passes you a gift from someone you know or dont know which may be called "stick21" delete it immediately. This thing is nasty! Do not rez it or wear it and if possible do not accept it. It does real damage to your pc and SL via spamming your viewer and emails which if opened shut your pc down.
[00:30] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: those groups use programs like SL to communicat all the time
[00:30] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: aww...NOT AGAIN!
[00:30] xxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: oh wow
[00:31] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: Please /don't/ post that to all of your friends. Please just adcise them NOT to take candy from stangers or open things that they are not familiar with.
[00:31] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: stop spamming...that message is pure BS...it can't affect your PC!
[00:31] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: those "objects that steal you L$" belong in the urban legend file between global warming and yete.. but.... someone did get their 15 minutes of fame out if it because everyone in sl is talking about them now
[00:31] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: scaremonger griefing is all that is
[00:31] exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: its hitting all my groups now
[00:31] exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: geeeesh
[00:31] rxxx Jxxxxxxxx: Besides, that "warning" is a hoax that has been going around for at least 5 years.

This particular iteration is new, but the text is pretty much the same, yes.

[00:32] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx debates on the next person's punishment if they post this in the group again
[00:32] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that same notice has gone through sl 4 times today
[00:32] Mxxx Gxxxxxxxx: [sxxxxxxxx], as far as I'm aware people pay taxes in their country, like a british creator in SL pays tax on SL income in the UK to the British government, because the amounts involved aren't that high really

And getting back to this, yes, this is the point--many internationals are complaining that, essentially, to operate in SL, they need to:

• pay a premium monthly fee
• plus pay additional VAT fees on any sim they rent
• plus pay taxes in their native country
• and now pay US taxes in additional to their own taxes
• AND give personally identifying information to the Lab, an action with is banned by law in many European countries

Many internationals feel frustrated, angered, and trapped by these restrictions and rulings, and they're leaving in literal droves because of it.

[00:33] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: i'm SO tempted to AR the next person who sends that
[00:33] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i'm sorry if you guys take it as spam, I meant no bad intention in sending it out
[00:33] txxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Axxxxxxxxx], take a chill pill -.-

[Axxxxxxxxx] is a mod in this group, as I've previously mentioned. Never tell a mod to calm down, it doesn't end well.

[00:33] mxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: chat was already closed once today cause of that stupid warning being posted every 10 minutes.... don't start it again....
. [00:33] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Txxxxx], we closed down group chat earlier because of all the spam that went through here because of that one notice
[00:33] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: CHILL PILL!?!
[00:33] exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: inhale exhale
[00:34] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: Perhaps somoene wanter HER 15 minutes of fame by bringing the "good news" to everyone :)
[00:34] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: passes [axxxxxxxxx] one of my vicodine and a glass of wine
[00:34] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx sits on hands for a few mins
[00:34] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: it seems someone named Chrissy has been spamming all the other groups too with the same notice
[00:34] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: Chrissy Ziplon

I'm leaving Ms. Ziplon's name intact, because this isn't the first time I've tangled with her spamming groups with either disallowed things, begging for Lindens, or outright "warnings" like this one. It's not impossible that her account may have been hacked; but if it has, it's been months and she hasn't regained control of it yet. Me, I have her muted as a spammer.

[00:35] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: i think theres mor people less gullible nowadays....i've not seen it much apart from that mass of messages in here earlier
[00:35] xxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: well said [Axxxx]
[00:36] Mxxx Gxxxxxxxx: anyone who tried to steal my L$ would be very disappointed
[00:36] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: lol
[00:37] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: weren't we just discussing kitten lair or something for mesh shapes??

Mesh bodies, actually.

AND THEN--

[00:37] Axxx Kxxx: Warning! This is a bad one. Please pass this message out to as many friends and groups as you can. If anyone passes you a gift from someone you know or dont know which may be called "stick21" delete it immediately. This thing is nasty! Do not rez it or wear it and if possible do not accept it. It does real damage to your pc and SL via spamming your viewer and emails which if opened shut your pc down.
[00:38] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: [Axxx]?...pls stop sending that spam...it's garbage, lies and a hoax!
[00:38] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: passes [axxxxxxxxx] another glass of wine
[00:38] exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: gawwwwsh
[00:39] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: [Axxx], youe account is over 4 years old - you really SHOULD know better than that.
She really, really should.

[00:39] mxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: muted and getting ready to send a report to LL.... I'm sick of that crap.
[00:40] Lxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: and she's doing it in all her groups....
[00:41] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: another one..
[00:41] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: ugh, has to wait to group profile loads
[00:41] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: she left group chat already
[00:41] mxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: yep, this will be the 6th group that has popped up for me were she's posted it, in less than 5 minutes
[00:41] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: she spammed shoenique group chat too
[00:42] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: "oh thank you for giving us this valuable information, you are AMAZING!" <<< I just see these spammers as total attention whores seeking gratitude and a few shining moments of recognition.
[00:42] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: so far i'm only getting it here now
[00:42] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: is any other mod on that has group profile already opened up and populated
[00:42] mxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: I was just starting to unmute my group chats too.

But we weren't done yet.

[00:42] kxx Txxx: I got this message from another group. PLEASE READ.
[00:42] kxx Txxx: Warning! This is a bad one. Please pass this message out to as many friends and groups as you can. If anyone passes you a gift from someone you know or dont know which may be called "stick21" delete it immediately. This thing is nasty! Do not rez it or wear it and if possible do not accept it. It does real damage to your pc and SL via spamming your viewer and emails which if opened shut your pc down.
[00:42] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Kxx] don't
[00:42] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: [Kxx], DON;T DO IT
[00:42] Mxxx Gxxxxxxxx: wooow
[00:42] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: oh god
[00:42] exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: noooooooooooooo
[00:42] Dxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ohhh ffs
[00:42] fxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: omg
[00:42] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: OFGS!
[00:42] Sxxxxxx Dxxxxxx: X(
[00:42] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: too late
[00:42] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: permanent ban all

It'd be nice, but the problem with these kinds of messages is people honestly think they're helping, somehow, by not doing the five minutes of research it would take to verify it as a bad thing to repost. They just feel this helpful urge, and for the most part, they're good people. Just...confused people who don't fact-check.

[00:42] Lxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: hoax
[00:42] mxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: muted
[00:42] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: [axxxx]..do something
[00:42] exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: that's it im outta here, this gon be a long morning
[00:43] Mxxx Gxxxxxxxx: hey guys, did you hear about this thing called...
[00:43] exxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol
[00:43] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: [Kxx] has a real last name, too, and should know better
[00:43] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: LOL [Mxxx]
[00:43] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: almost 5 years in SL and STILL falling for thios garbage [Kxx]?...shame on you
[00:43] Lxxxxxxxx Fxxxxxx: maybe its a spam in itself
[00:43] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: geeeez is nothing but a retarded spam lol
[00:43] lxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: you all know.. that thereis not a problem at all if someone post a warning and NO ONE reacts to it.. right? its the people who respond to it all the time that makes this groups go bad
[00:43] kxx Txxx: What did I do wrong?

So many things. Didn't pay attention to chat, didn't see this had been posted before, didn't bother tuning in yesterday when this was an even bigger issue of this one message--THIS ONE MESSAGE, WORD FOR FRIGGIN' WORD--was being passed on until the mods closed down group chat for several hours...

[00:44] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: *attention whore* (my last words on the subject)
[00:44] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: read the rules of this group!
[00:44] kxx Txxx: I don't get it.
[00:44] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: read what you sent...you REALLY believe that crap?
[00:44] Hxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: IF only it were the last words of everyone one on it ... the after spam shockwave is far more than the singular posts of spam
[00:45] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: guys, [Kxx] cannot see the group chat now.
[00:45] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: NOT ALLOWED in chat:
Store ads/spam/self-promotion
3 lines MAX posting!
MP Links: Inworld Only
Criticizing stores/gifts
Drama/rudeness
Promoters
Discos-Clubs-DJs
Breedables
Land rental/sale
Adult stores/items
Gambling
Malls-Franchises
Roleplay
Car/motor-AO-Pay MM/LBs

Pls don't link your blog in chat
[00:45] mxxxxxxx Hxxxxxxxxx: group chat was closed earlier today cause it got so out of hand.
[00:45] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: thank God..
[00:45] lxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: they afterspam... because they like the attention they got with it..so they do it again and again ...just because you all react to it like this.
[00:45] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: and this is a warning to eveyrone else ..I WILL and HAVE EJECTED people already
[00:45] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxxx: ALso not allowed for anyone but a MODERATOR to copyu and paste the group guifelines.
[00:46] Exxxxxxxx Kxxxxxxxx: yes...agree...
[00:46] lxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: if no one reacts..there is no fun for these people. and it stops
[00:46] mxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ...... i'M JUST SAYING GEEEZ RELAX DUUUUDE!
[00:46] Hxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: the afterspam shockwave is everyone reacting ;)
[00:46] lxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: exactly heron. so lets just dont.
[00:47] Hxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: lol

That sounds really bad. I'm glad I missed it, I think.

[00:47] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: i think you'd have reacted if you were here when it was nonstop, and nobody could post anything else
[00:48] Mxxx Gxxxxxxxx: wow, that sounds awful
[00:48] Mxxx Gxxxxxxxx: at least it's quieter now, from people being kicked
[00:48] Ixxxxx Wxxxxxxx: lol
[00:48] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's not any quieter, you guys won't shh lol
[00:48] Mxxx Sxxxxxxxx: they've moved on to other groups.. lol
[00:48] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: yeah...group chat was closed for hrs lasst night because of it all

And that's the heart and soul of what I wanted to post. We've seen spam "warnings" before--things that code manifestly can't do, or objects that ask for Linden access when they're attached (which is generally always an easy "no" and unattach to solve, but there are dim people on the grid). And I won't say that there are no malicious folks in SL.

But by and large, these "warnings" are almost always hoaxes, and cause more drama than they solve in any group they're posted. And this one particularly--this one message seems to be another that's taken the net by storm. I've gotten notices from groups, heard about this in chat, and with only one exception it's been "OMG PLZ THIS IS AWFUL THING". When in reality, it's just...nothing.

you made a really deep cut and, baby, now we got bad blood

Multitasking for me, these days, is watching something in one window while playing with graphics in another, or--like today--logging in to SL to check out the newness at Bare Rose while watching RWBY.

So I didn't start paying attention to escalating drama in one of my groups for several minutes:

[23:55] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: isn't belleza on some kind of dmca?
[23:55] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Are we talking mesh bodies again?

Probably, but I believe Belleza is finally gaining the upper hand, considering it seems to be a false DMCA claim in the first place.

[23:55] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: it's not allowed?
[23:56] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's allowed I was just asking :D
[23:56] Cxxxxx Txxxxxxxx: Its allowed
[23:56] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: yes I am curious about maitreya
[23:56] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Belleza had a dcma, not anymore :)
[23:57] Cxxxxx Txxxxxxxx: Belleza was filled on by a anonymous person that used another creators name the whole thing was fake used to cause trouble

That's basically what I'd heard, more or less.

[23:57] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: ok I am looking for realistic and good reviews on these mesh bodies. I'm owning quite a few only one brand along with phat Azz and different breasts and mesh heads just trying to lean more towards realism lol.
[23:58] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: thank goodness belleza is on the market.
[23:58] pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: my advice...try all the demos, they all have different looks and HUDs.....really look at them
[23:59] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: hmm ok so far I'm hearing raving good reviews on maitreya
[23:59] Cxxxxx Txxxxxxxx: if you still want a curvy figure I'd say kitty lair
[23:59] Cxxxxx Txxxxxxxx: for a body
[00:00] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: alright I'll get demos thanks sorry for distracting normal activity here.
[00:00] axxxxx Lxxxxxx: never heard of kitty lair
[00:01] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: me neither
[00:01] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Kitties Lair is Lena :)
[00:01] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: ohhh :).
[00:01] kxx Txxx: Does anyone know where did the SaRcAsTIC go?
[00:01] Fxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [Dxxxxxxx], this is regular activity here ^^
[00:01] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Yep we talk about all sorts of randomness
[00:01] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i really like kitties lair is just out of my price range at the moment
[00:01] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i heard it closed [kxxxx]
[00:01] lxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: Lena is one of the cheapest
[00:02] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxx: SaRcAsTIC ist kaput.

Wait, what now?

[00:02] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: [fxxx] when did it go kaput
[00:02] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: huh. That is weird. I'm here and no sarcastic :(
[00:02] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: I don't see sarcasm
[00:02] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxx: Like withint the past 24 hours
[00:02] Ixxxx Wxxxxxxx: Wow
[00:02] 7xxxx Rxxxxxxx: wow what happened?
[00:03] kxx Txxx: That was my question. The store is gone.
[00:03] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: as in...permanent?
[00:03] Dxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx Lxx: is sarcastic a store or you using the word alone.

SaRcAsTIC is--or was--a store in SL that primarily specialized in shoulder pets and rideable animals. And gestures, apparently, but I never engaged with that end of the business.

[00:03] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: What does the about land say ?
[00:04] Kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: ahh
[00:04] Kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: cant believe
[00:04] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: i thought i had just been there yesterday
[00:04] Kxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: I was hoping to find a fox cub!
[00:04] zxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: there is a NC in the notices about Sarcastic leaving SL and the shop will be closed as of 2-18

Oh, darn.

[00:04] kxx Txxx: The store named "SaRcAsTIC" is not on the location where it used to be.
[00:05] rxxx Jxxxxxxxx: They moved it a couple times in the last few months. Its on the same sim, just a different location.
[00:05] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: apparently Sarcastic is closed for the time being. I am not sure when it will be reopened. We'll just have to keep our eyes open. bt it is still going to be at the same location from what I can see
[00:06] Fxxxxx Axxxxxxx: It is CLOSED, not just moving.
[00:06] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: yeah....About Land has usual details
[00:06] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: aww...fank ooo
[00:07] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: Guys sarcastic is gone for good
[00:07] rxxx Jxxxxxxxx: You might try asking in their support group..
[00:08] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: I'll sed the NC to [Axxxxx] or another designer/mod who can post and I'll post it in the huntaholics and more group
[00:08] axxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: It's not a big deal just a question ... I will find the answer

Sounds good. I'll post more when I know more.

[00:09] axxxxx Rxxx: only on the market the avi owner cant come on sl for sarcastic....
[00:09] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: And we are being asked not to buy anything from her marketplace store.

Oh? Okay, that sounds more...dire.

[00:10] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: LL is keeping all of the money and not giving him/her his/her money that they earned from MP
[00:10] axxxxx Rxxx: the avi is banned
[00:10] axxxxx Rxxx: ...
[00:10] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: banned?
[00:10] rxxx Jxxxxxxxx: Makes sense. Lindens would go to the avi account that she can't access.
[00:10] xxxxxxxx Bxxxx: i missed something
[00:10] Pxxxxxxxxxxx Rxxxxxxx: are we allowed to ask why??
[00:10] axxxxx Rxxx: read the note card on the sim
[00:10] xxxxxxxx Bxxxx: didnt get a nc
[00:11] Axxxxxxxxx Lxxxxxxxx: i didn't either
[00:11] Axxxxxxxxxxxx Sxxxxxxx: [Xxx], I'll send you a NC
[00:11] axxxxx Rxxx: big cube on the sim

So I went there. No big cube. I asked if anyone still had the notecard, and one of the mods said she'd send it to me. This is it:

Hello folks,

I need to send this message to you all.

The owner and creator of Sarcastic (XMaeLynnX) and its
products will be gone. The shop will be closed today.


XMaeLynnX wants to thank you all for all the years of your loyality and support.
She also wants to share the story of her end with you:

LindenLabs blocked XMaeLynnX.

It's not acceptable, because she was blocked because of another avatar. She didn't do anything wrong herself within SecondLife at all!

They will keep XMaeLynnX blocked as long as this other avatar doesn't say anything and doesn't reveal his personal informatiion to the LindenLabs.

This other avatar didn't do anything wrong either. All he refuses to do is to send the information about his rl to the Lindens. I understand this pretty well and wouldn't act any different myself. Especially I wouldn't send any personal information via the internet.

So this means that XMaeLynnX will be blocked.

All pleas and mails which XMaeLynnX sent to the LindenLabs have been ignored.

And so after all this harassment and discussions XMaeLynnX resignates and doesn't want to keep on fighting.

The Sarcastic Shop will be gone by today. A real pity.

XMaelynnX wants to ask you to _not_ buy any products from her marketplace anymore. LindenLabs did a freeze on all incomes for the last 3 months and it seems they plan to keep that money. They refuse to send it to her.

They acted the same with another avatar (Vera Mirror). They kept her money (30.000L$) for the reason that they want her personal rl information.

XMaeLynn doesn't want LindenLabs to keep earning money from her products on the marketplace. We'll keep on watching to see when LindenLabs turn that page in the marketplace off.

So this goes to all Members: Please DON'T buy anything at the Sarcastic Marketplace - it wouldn't be fair and XMaeLynnX wouldn't get anything out of it.

We are deeply sorry and still couldn't get it completely.
What an incredible cheek from LindenLabs

We will make this case public via FB, Twitter and on sl blogger sites. For that things like these won't happen to others.

Thank you all

your Sarcastic Team


XMaeLynnX Resident

So...that DOES seem dire.

The main problem with this seems to be in the interaction between Linden Lab, a US-based company, and international accounts--for example, XMaeLynnX, who is German by birth and residency. And in Germany--as in much of the rest of Europe--giving out RL information online is actively prohibited by law. It's becoming an increasingly difficult clash of cultures, this one with direct financial consequences. I don't see any hope of resolution, either, unless LL decides to budge.

(continued in part two)

so many adventures couldn't happen today

So, according to an intrepid group of researchers, it has been discovered that cucumbers, mainly, ride the New York subway.



No, not really, but what did happen is these researchers spent hours on one full subway line, gathering samples of bacteria. Then they tested them, with current evaluation standards, and learned many things. But even better, they learned how many things they didn't know. Frankly, learning one doesn't know something is generally better for science anyway, because then one feels driven to learn what that something was.

Also, this is fascinating, if a bit creepy: medical science has discovered that skin from cadavers is actually better at healing living skin wounds than synthetic skin, or even transplanted skin from the same living being. But keep in mind, this isn't just a chunk of dead skin attached to the wound: through special treatments, they've been decellularized--in other words, everything that gives human skin its thickness and color has been removed. What's left? The base matrix of skin itself--all the non-cell filaments and proteins that make up the structure.

So why is this a good thing? Two reasons: first and most important, skin matrix that's been scraped clean of all cellular matter won't be rejected by a new host. And secondly, for all the advances in synthetic skin production--and there have been many--it's just not as good as what humans grow on their own.

Now, we join a Neverwinter chat already in process, sometime back in...I can't even remember. Somewhen in 2014, maybe:

[Zone] k0n4ik@u5701242: Delicate - party?
[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: why is this map all white???
[Zone] wrapped_in_cotten@nowolfes: not just mine like that then lol
[Zone] Kira Stormblade@undeadsoldier999: so its not just me?
[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: lol odd
[Zone] Slash@stephthegadget: been bugged for weeks

Ah, this may track down the when, because I've only gone through the realm of the Sky Pirates with a couple characters; it's the one region of Neverwinter that I absolutely cannot stand. So I'd say, with all the mentions of learning lore that I'm trimming, this likely would've been the turn of the year 2014, or even as far back as November of 2013.

The bug they're talking about seems unique to this zone, too, and I have no idea if it's fixed yet, because I tend to avoid that zone. What the expected behavior is with maps in a new zone: you pull up the map, and see where you are, and--if you have an active quest--where you need to go.

Simple.

But this zone is--or, at least, was--deeply flawed, in that you'd pull the map up, and just see white. No landmarks, no 'You are here' note, no 'go here' note. Just...a white blank map.

[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: LoL this double xp is like cheating I just leveled and I am now halfway to the next level lmao

Well, yeah, that's kind of how double XP weekends work...

[Zone] Sir Krycii@dyllethia: 10 levels in the past 2 hours.
[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: I was 35 today I am now 45
[Zone] pikkem anflixem@nagrown69: they want us ready for the 2nd

Ah, right, there's another clue--the second module for Neverwinter was released in October 2013, so this had to be either before the end of the month, or September.

I think.

[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: They raiseing the cap?

Nope, but they added the Hunter/Ranger, so you could shoot things real purty?

I know, it's not the same, but hey, new class! (At the time.)

[Zone] Neid@wyldeacid: learn to read guys, it's all been posted weeks ago.
[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: I know how to read there is no need to be rude
[Zone] Neid@wyldeacid: im not rude, just telling you what should be obvious.
[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: I dont read everything there is to know
[Zone] pikkem anflixem@nagrown69: by the time you typed that you coulda answered the question

Yeah, but seriously, when has that ever stopped anyone before?

[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: was just a honest question
[Zone] Neid@wyldeacid: i did answer the question -_-
[Zone] pikkem anflixem@nagrown69: or just be quiet
[Zone] NecroRogue@necrophilism: I agree with Neid
[Zone] Linea de Vir@geralddevir: Calm down guys.. nobody is perfect..
[Zone] Neid@wyldeacid: Maybe you ain't .. but i am =/

Yeah, no, but thanks for playing. Next?

[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: Its whatever really
[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: I mean I have a right to ask a question even if I didnt read the posts
[Zone] Linea de Vir@geralddevir: thats right
[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: and to be told to go read it is rude sorry just me
[Zone] Neid@wyldeacid: And i have a right to answer as i please.

Sure, everyone has a right to speak, and everyone listening/reading along has a right to be a decent human being, or a jerk. We know this, move on.

[Zone] Ezeron@stradar1987: I see that neid but I think you need to find a better way to talk to people
[Zone] Yokki_DC@yokki1: reading posts sucks. i am waiting for the movie

Might work out better in the long run.

In the meantime, Japan is setting up the first steps towards WestWorld....sort of: they're planning a robotic hotel based on the clean construction lines of...the Netherlands??...for the comfort and security of their guests. Robotic staff, robotic check-in, and facial recognition software instead of locks on the doors...Yeah, okay, it's not Yul Brynner being evil with a gun, but I'm much too paranoid. Something's going to go horribly wrong.

Also in Japan, the Japanese Army decided to invade the Sapporo Snow Festival--kind of literally. It took bulldozers and over three thousand tons of snow to help the Japanese Ground Self-Defense Forces’ 11th Brigade do what they wanted to do for the festival--build a monument to Stormtroopers and Star Wars. And I have to admit, it looks AMAZING.

And lighter fluid you can pick up anywhere, camping gas for lanterns and the like is available almost everywhere else, so this could be the next big thing to keep gadgets up and running off the grid. It's already halfway to its goal; I hope they make it.

Finally, do you remember Bob Ross? Remember his series with all those happy little painting tips?



Thanks to the Internet Archive, you can now watch the entire series. For free. Thank you, Wayback Machine!

we're heading for Venus and still we stand tall

Join the battle for net neutrality.

Did you know humans bioluminesce? I did not know this. But studies have shown that indeed, we do--just not brightly enough to detect with our own vision.

And what happens when you take a very high-speed camera, and a very active dancer, and tons of powder? This.

You will never be as happy as this man is with his world-record-breaking onion. Everyone needs a hobby, I guess.

By agreement, we can put things in the public domain, in perpetuity. It's the heart and core of Creative Commons licensing, after all. In actual legal practice, we can't do that. And that needs to change.

Also, the MPAA isn't about supporting privacy, it's about supporting itself. And that needs to change, too.

In fact, the RIAA is kind of in the same boat, and they also need to change.

Just what is intellectual property, anyway? How is it actually defined?

There are fish capable of living more than two thousand feet under solid ice shelves.

Finally, this is why the US needs better educational systems, and stat: over 80% of Americans (over the course of several polls) support mandatory labeling on foods containing DNA. The problem with that? MOST FOODS CONTAIN DNA. Because they're FOODS. When will the stupidity end??

I was halfway there one frozen dawn when she appeared at the side of the road

I fully grant, there are always people willing to debate what makes a game a game, and in fact, if any particular game qualifies as a game in the first place. And I don't think that's a bad conversation to have; you can (in some places, at least) learn a lot along the way of deciding whether X is actually a "game", by the traditionally understood rules.

For the purposes of debate, an official definition, of sorts:

game (gām)
n.
1. An activity providing entertainment or amusement; a pastime: party games; word games.
2.
a. A competitive activity or sport in which players contend with each other according to a set of rules: the game of basketball; the game of gin rummy.
b. A single instance of such an activity: We lost the first game.
c. games An organized athletic program or contest: track-and-field games; took part in the winter games.
d. A period of competition or challenge: It was too late in the game to change the schedule of the project.

(via the Free Dictionary)

game (ɡeɪm)

noun

• an amusement or pastime; diversion
• a contest with rules, the result being determined by skill, strength, or chance
• a single period of play in such a contest, sport, etc
• the score needed to win a contest
• a single contest in a series; match
• (plural; often capital) an event consisting of various sporting contests, esp in athletics ⇒ Olympic Games, Highland Games
• equipment needed for playing certain games
• short for computer game
• an activity undertaken in a spirit of levity; joke ⇒ marriage is just a game to him

(from the Collins English dictionary)

Okay. So there's that. Now to the point at hand: the Pregnancy game seeking support on Steam Greenlight. In brief, here's the setup of the game: you are playing as the invisible guide to 14-year-old Lilla Sandor, a young girl living in Hungary. She has been raped. You are there to understand her story, and to guide her towards either keeping her unborn daughter, or aborting her.



From Stupid_Username on January 19th:

will it have abortions?

Well, if you bothered to read the description, that may be the conclusion of the protagonist's dilemma, but I don't think that's quite what you're asking. I'm assuming you want to know whether or not it's going to actually show an abortion, and I'm pretty sure that's not going to be the case.

From Ch0lo on the same day:

Ladies and gentlemen, THIS is what game industry has turned into-*JonTron kind of voice on* A FUCKING PREGNANCY GAME. I MEAN, GOOD GOD, EVEN GODDAMN ROCK SIMULATOR HAS MUCH MORE SENCE THAN THIS THING. WHO WOULD FUCKING PLAY A GAME ABOUT SOME 14 YEAR OLD LOLY THAT THINKS ABOUT HER PREGNANCY? WHY WOULD SHE EVEN THINK ABOUT PREGNANCY IN SUCH AGE? EVEN A 18 YEARS OLD WOULD NEVER THINK ABOUT PREGNANCY UNTILL 23 OR SOMETHING. I DONT HAVE ANY WORDS LEFT, SO I'M JUST GONNA GO AND SHOOT MYSELF WITH A BIG FUCKING GUN. IT WAS JONTRON(or his clone...), SIGNING OFF!*JonTron voice off*.

Aside from all the cursing, and the grammatical errors, I'm not sure what your point was other than yelling. If you read the game's description, then you would understand why a fourteen-year-old girl is thinking about pregnancy. And, considering the thousands of young girls--some as young as ten, some up to sixteen--who get pregnant via rape, familial abuse, or actually having semi-consensual sex (I qualify, because at least according to US law, no person under eighteen can consent to sex, even if they're willing; our laws are strange), I understand entirely why a fourteen-year-old, an eighteen-year-old, a however-year-old would be thinking about pregnancy. Namely, because in the game, SHE'S PREGNANT.

Or did you miss that part?

From Ch0lo again, a few hours later:

I noticed that the website has some weird as shit name too. "Locomotivah". You mean "Locomotive"? I dont know how bad the dev's grammar is, but I think EVERYONE knows that locomotive is a termin to describe a rail vehicle(you know, the one that also is a subway, the one that hauls freights and stuff....). How in the merry Isiah of Popsicle Island the website name crosses any lines with this abomination?

You're seriously trying to break down the grammar on the game studio name? When we have established game studios with names like Fatshark, Artdink, Halfbrick, Clap Hanz, Mean Hamster Software, Foppy Omega, and Tantrumedia, just to name a few? It's the name of their studio, it's not some affront to the purity of language. And you're one to talk anyway, considering you can't spell.

(Continued in part two.)

see you later, Lazer Gator

all the sweet green trees of Atlanta burst like little bombs

Necronomm VI is going away--may, in fact, already have been taken down by the writing of this missive. It was a highly technical, detailed build, that underwent many revisions in both structure and storyline over the years, but it was always intriguing, and always worth a visit. I was never more than an occasional bit player, but I tried to keep tabs now and again. I will genuinely miss the build.

No word yet on whether this means the Doomed ship is also leaving, as--while they're operated by separate people--they occupied the same sim, and I just don't know so far whether the sim itself is leaving, or just Oni Horan's section of it.

Also, I don't know whether or not Oni's Marketplace store is going to stay up, but for now it seems to be functional. Do with that information what you will.

In slightly brighter news, due to the success of Guardians of the Galaxy, many groups from the 70s are finding themselves suddenly back on the charts. You can get Guardians of the Galaxy Awesome Mix 1 (AKA, the soundtrack to the film) on Amazon, iTunes, and, one would assume, most record stores.

If you bear any level of love for the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, the word is out to avoid the film, as though it's a rabid dog with rocket-powered teeth that can lunge forward and bite from miles away. Apparently--at least according to that reviewer, though other reports I've heard sound equally as dire--it makes TMNT II look watchable by comparison.



Yeah. It makes Vanilla ICE watchable. It's THAT BAD.

Want to know how your state measures up, internet-wise? Here, have at. (For the rest of the world, feel free to point and laugh at how bad our net connections really are. They're only matched by our abysmal social programs and slipshod medical coverage.)

Finally, prepare to have your mind blown by a Lord of the Rings theory regarding the giant eagles. Though it's been a bit since I've last read the source material, I don't recall the eagles were specifically mentioned outside of existing, so the fact that Gandalf's iconic line could potentially relate to them made me headtilt in a good way.

I don't know if it was intended to be that way; but it does make that line very, very intriguing.

walking by myself down avenues that reek of time to kill

The capability of 3D printing has taken another leap forward, this time into low-cost, home brain scans. Through a combination of software from GitHub, the controller board and 3D headset rig from OpenBCI, with possible additions from the Arduino system for power and interfacing, the entire thing (assuming you have a 3D printer already) will set you back between anywhere between three and six hundred, depending on whatever you already have for home electronics design. Which is a vast reduction from the tens of thousands for a commercially-available brain-scan set-up.

In other brain-hacking news, DARPA wants to develop a "black-box" implant for soldiers who've suffered brain damage, that can be remotely triggered to stimulate memories. On that link, it's being described as a helpful way to keep soldiers with brain damage awake and aware, which sounds laudable. And the potential commercial and medical uses of such adaptive technology could be very good for brain injury cases. But I'm paranoid enough to be suspicious of potential alternate motives...like, remote-controlled soldiers, systemically fed overriding signals directly into the brain to do...well, whatever DARPA and the Pentagon wants, one would assume.

Do the potential medical uses outweigh the potential mind-control ones? I don't know. Morality gets iffy on the edge.

Paired with this, the Florida Institute for Human and Machine Cognition (apparently that's a thing) released a paper earlier this year detailing ways to create and manage "warfighters", or chemically and physiologically enhanced supersoldiers. Obvious comparisons to Captain America and the supersoldier program from the comics come to mind, and admittedly, between the Avengers movie and the Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D. show, supersoldiers would be in the forefront of at least some think tanks' research lines.

But there's a difference between theory and application, and it's important to remember that the IHMC works with DARPA, for many of their projects. Within a decade, we could have active "warfighters" on the battlefield. Is this a good thing?

Keep in mind, also, that both the US Navy and DARPA researchers have requested grant funds to finish developing tracking tattoos for soldiers. Prototypes of such devices already exist, that will track stress levels, skin responses, and the like, but most of these are wearable items--armbands, wristbands, et cetera. These would be a fine network of implanted electronic sensors under the skin, with tattooed coding or design atop that could be scanned for further information. Let me say this again, because it's vaguely important--this isn't theory; they're seeking completion funds. This will be happening at some point.

From Laughing Squid comes some literary horror--in this instance, artist Andrea Mastrovito's diorama paper installations. Why is this horrifying? Because, even though we have extraordinarily detailed, photorealistic color printers, she still destroyed over two thousand books to make her art.

Two thousand. My soul shudders.

And Vihart has an absolutely excellent eleven-minute video on the state of net neutrality in the US at present. If you're in the US, follow the links given underneath the video to air your concerns to the FCC. It's very important to do this calmly, responsibly, but clearly, in the hopes that public input will sway them to change commercial ISP definitions from information carriers to common carriers.

If you're not in the US, there's still a ton of tasty information below the video--everything from term definitions to other videos on current net neutrality concerns, plus links to a lot of court case rulings for the growing monopoly that is cable in the US.

That's all. You can return to your day, already in progress.

and I'm caught in the crossfire of my own thoughts

And today, a clip post. Because reasons.

"A sizable coalition of technology companies has today taken a stand in favor of net neutrality in the form of a letter to the Federal Communications Commission. The group, led by giants including Amazon, eBay, Facebook, Google, Microsoft, Netflix, Twitter, and Yahoo, challenges a proposal the FCC is considering that threatens net neutrality."

Now, this is interesting. There are some big tech giants in this--Google, Netflix, and Amazon among them--and they're all protesting this change as an essential violation of net neutrality. And the thing is, they're right, and the FCC is wrong, so why is the FCC pushing forward with this plan?

The simple answer's usually the right one, and in this case, that means pressure from the government, or the cable companies. My bet's on the cable companies. Comcast, for instance, desperately wants to start charging higher fees for data-heavy video streaming from sites like Netflix, Youtube, Hulu Plus and other streaming sites. The problem with that is, back in 2011, the report was that Netflix accounted for 22% of all internet use, and three years later, it's higher. And the problem with that is how the data's structured in the first place.

Without restructuring how the data's presented to the individual, there's no way to get away from that heavy data hit in the beginning. And without that heavy data hit, Comcast (and other companies) likely wouldn't care about charging different rates to different clients. Or maybe they would, and all of this would've happened eventually. Who knows?

In the meantime, none of these I'd count in the average DIY camp. Still, if you're interested, the pictures don't help much, so...

• HildenDiaz did the actual "Forms in Nature" (aka, "haunted forest" or "forest shadow") chandelier, but if you want to attempt it yourself, watch Threadbanger's Man vs. Pin video first. Recommendations I'd add to that: forget the spherical branch globe, see if you can get a cylindrical or a square base frame instead to add branches to, or at least, a cylindrical or square shape made of twigs, over the round globe. The various branches aren't the worst idea, but remember this picture? Yeah, a skill saw and some thin plywood will likely serve you better. Finally, because you want a really bright light, try to find a 250 watt bulb. (just make sure your light kit is rated for a bulb that high), or go with what the original artists did: a custom-designed LED frame lamp inset that is designed to cast crisp, clean shadows. Without that, it just won't work in the same way.
• Designsponge has the paper orb drop lamp project (along with a popsicle stick/tongue depressor chandelier that looks very stylish).
• Kevin Champeny's Tumblr mentions the construction of his Gummi-bear chandelier; while nylon string, the ring, and mesh of sufficient size and sturdiness could be fairly easily acquired, his personalized casts aren't. How'ver, if you're willing to use Gummi-bear-sized bears, this is a fairly simple way to cast your own. Then all you'd need is a Dremel tool to drill each bear lengthwise for stringing. Use Champeny's Candelier as a tutorial for how to string it all together--but keep in mind, even a smaller-sized Candelier will be significantly heavy, and take some serious time to make.
• Yaroslav Olenev's plastic spoon lamp doesn't have a complete tutorial, but it does have several enlargeable photographs, and sometimes, that'll work too.
• Ludwig Metals made the drum-kit lamp, but Makely Home has a good handle on a smaller version. Plus, this site has a good breakdown on various pendant-light kits and what each lamp might require.
• Tongue and Groove sells Gregory Bonasera's ceramic teacup lights, but in addition to this lovely list of pictorial inspirations, Man vs. Pin made the definitive teacup lamp DIY vid. Don't want a desk lamp? No problem--use the same tricks to make a pendant lamp, or a group of pendants, with teacups of your choice.
• Calabarte makes the gourd lamps, and they are luscious things of beauty. How'ver, since they are ridiculously priced, Makezine has a really simple version (see the video on the Lifehacker site), Martha Stewart has a slightly more upscale version, and the Goods Home Design blog offers a Calabarte-style pictorial tutorial on how to make a gourd lamp.
• made the "Ballroom Luminoso", but to make one yourself, you're going to have to remember the tips from the first lamp: because this one also uses a custom-designed LED rig. Also, you'll need to know how to weld, because these are a lot of bike gears, and they'll all need to be welded to each other. There are some better pictures from the PDF the artists released, but there's not a lot to reproduce this exact design. I did find a gear table lamp made from car parts, but that's not the same thing, is it?
• Graham and Green makes the Jeeves and Wooster pendant lamp set, but if you want a similar look, they're not wrong, and a tutorial really isn't needed. Two hats, two pendant light electrical kits, two bulbs, done. (How'ver, if you really want a step-by-step to the style, try Scraphacker's entry, which also features a history of the bowler hat! Yay!)
• Finding a lace lamp tutorial was not hard; finding one that was applicable to most climates? That was tricky. The trick seems to be to use wall size, not wood glue or wallpaper paste. Everything else uses the same tips we've been talking about--find a low-heat or LED light source, so there's no chance of burning the doilies; get a complimentary lamp kit; and use a smaller bulb if, for some reason, you want a table lamp version. (I wouldn't recommend a desk-size lamp, simply because even an LED light will be too close to the doilies.)
• On the other hand, the cloud night light tutorial proved impossible to find. The sketch of it's here, but the original account on deviantArt has been deactivated. Bother. On t'other hand, the limited instructions given there aren't bad: buy a cheap nightlight, buy a low-wattage lamp kit cord, and use a hobby saw to cut out your cloud shape to cover the actual light part of the night light. Might also toss in a cube of wood or plastic, or even a square of styrofoam, between the light base, and the back of the cloud. Then paint as you will, add other clouds if you like (those can be cut from craft board), and plug in. You're done!
• The cheese grater chandelier was a bit difficult; electrical tape seemed to be the bulk of the DIY tutorials out there, but there is one I found that employs a drill for a less 'junky' look. (Also, that site has a page on cheese grater history, which I found amusing.)

And...then I realized I had forty tabs open from all the research, so...that's what you're going to get. I might revisit this later, but yeesh, closing tabs down now! And keep in mind, all of these are intended as inspirational tutorials, not to encourage outright art theft from the artists mentioned.

In more DIY news, here's a showing of twenty-five nifty home mods. Some are more for style, others are really useful, but all are fairly cool.

Want to know a little bit about the history of crochet? How about tambour stitch, which is thought to be where crochet eventually evolved into crochet?

In new food trends, so-called "female-friendly" restaurants were the next hottest thing, but initial backlash is forcing backers to reconsider. Which is a good thing--I, for one, find the entire idea horrifying. If I go to a steakhouse, I want what I want, not a "smaller", more "feminine" cut for the same--or likely a higher!--price. I also don't want to eat dinner while watching the Pussycat Girls strut down a runway--I like dancers as much as the next person, but unless I'm in a Moroccan restaurant sitting on the floor, keep the dancing girls home. And mirrors on the dessert menu? Say it's for fixing makeup all you want, for many of us, we'd take it as a criticism.

While we're here, have a handy guide to where to pet animals, a lushly beautiful picture series of innovative treehouses, some really, really terrible childrens' toys, and a list of odd things spotted in Australia.

And that's all for now! More later when I have too many tabs open!

here we rest in peace, rubble beneath the feet

Bacon seems to come up a lot in Neverwinter's Zone chat. Not only bacon, though...

[Zone] Apy@apymhm: i dont like pork o-o
[Zone] Juicy Lucy@jasper1eye: but pork is the other white meat!
[Zone] Apy@apymhm: i actually hate bacon. lmfao
[Zone] Prolak Grey@Quetzaqoatl: baby, the other other white meat
[Zone] Apy@apymhm: mmm babies
[Zone] Aguila@rodanlewarx: baby back ribs
[Zone] Juicy Lucy@jasper1eye: what's easier to unload: a boxcar full of babies, or a boxcar full of bowling balls?
[Zone] Juicy Lucy@jasper1eye: A: Babies, cuz you can use a pitchfork.
[Zone] Sansa@thebaconsword: YOU HATE BACON? HOW CAN YOU HATE BACON? IT IS A SIGN THAT GOD IS REAL!
[Zone] Aguila@rodanlewarx: kill the infidel!
[Zone] Apy@apymhm: im agnostic. and i hate bacon. i suppose im screwed then
[Zone] Aelflaed MoonWarrior@magda1ena5: bacon, beer. ... the occasional tortilla chip or chocolate. life is perfect

....Oooookay.

But of course, where would a hearty bacon discussion be without rampant misogyny? This was captured several days later:

[Zone] Siduri@yuviel: "Wise Men" a mature (18+) English speaking guild, is recruiting adventurers with GS of 12k+ for PvE and PvP content.

Game terms: "GS" stands for "gear score"; in other words, your armor, amulets, weapons, are all rated with scores for how good they are at defending you and hurting others. This is because all the post-level 60, Epic-rated dungeons require between 10,000 and 15,000 for a gear score.

[Zone] lisa@pirate133: gs
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: gas station
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: gay $@)*

I'm going out on the proverbial limb here, and assuming he meant "sex", only because it's discussed later.

[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: gay ($^&#%@
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: turn off profanity filter silly
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: Funny how he's trying to be a badass with the profanity filter still on.
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: how o.O
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: options then go to chat
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: oh it must be in settings

Yup. Though some of us leave the profanity filters on anyway, just so we don't have to deal with all the Zone chat shenanigans on a daily basis.

[Zone] lisa@pirate133: it in chat settings
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: :D ok tx
[Zone] Nastyhabits@nastyhabits: looking for idris dungeon grp [Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: You're not 18 yet, you shouldn't do that.
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: but but im 24
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: im 28
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: Not you woman.
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: :\
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: Was talking to the gay %@!}$*#* guy.

So...how does "Censored Name" translate to gay male?

[Zone] lisa@pirate133: im not women

Wha...?

[Zone] swift@warraptor1824: ????
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: i jsut dont like way male orcs look lol

Ohhhh. Okay, I fully grant, I was misled by "Lisa", too, in assuming female character. Well, he's playing a female character, yes, but I tend to assume presentation equals gender online--if you don't want to be taken for female, then don't present as one, basically.

[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: you think he is a women because he said silly right :D me too :D
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: *woman
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: No, I thought he's a woman because his character is called Lisa.
[Zone] Jujj@roccut: lol
[Zone] Jr.Fenerbahcem@layner1453: türk varmı
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: you shut your dirty elf mouth

Actually, that's not Elvish, that's Turkish. They're basically asking if anyone else speaks Turkish at present. I'd say the answer is no based on later responses...

[Zone] Pusherman@pushermanva: BOOZE FIGHTERS are accepting prospects! Must like BOOZE and WOMEN! pls msg! 
[Zone] Jujj@roccut: censored name, go back to the clinic
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: bad news for you, %90 of female chars are actually man
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: Make that 100%.

Because of course, in 2014, it's impossible to conceive of women actually being interested in playing MMOs.

[Zone] lisa@pirate133: lol
[Zone] Pusherman@pushermanva: lol
[Zone] beech@jwtrickster: 87% of statistics r made up on the spot
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: There's no such things as women in mmos. Just boys and boys pretending to be girls.
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: thats un even odd plety women playerss when it comes dnd

Wau, you're terrible at spelling. But that's also true--there are plenty of women gamers everywhere. There are women who play in Call of Duty and women who play Candy Crush; women who play casual games, war games, board games, card games...gender doesn't matter, only whether you're a gamer or not.

[Zone] Mithos Yggdrasill@titaniumtac: wait.... girls actually do play this game?
[Zone] Otto@throsbi: MMORPG %^#!~(+$#*@ Males Role Playing Girls
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: It's masturbating.
[Zone] Velius Urthadar@lysergicmikael: ....
[Zone] Otto@throsbi: just sayN
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: yes they do called nerdy girls
[Zone] Murasame Fsey@inubearyamato: i thought girls were a myth

Well, if you don't get out that much, maybe they are to you, Murasame.

[Zone] beech@jwtrickster: and yes girls play this game. real ones. without p3nises.
[Zone] Artemis@zamaje: i'm a gril

*facepalms*

[Zone] Jujj@roccut: such an ignorant comment " girls actually do play this game" and so on
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: I'm a gril too.
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: grill?
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: Yeah, grill.
[Zone] beech@jwtrickster: just one "l"
[Zone] Otto@throsbi: lol a real girl without a @@%@)........
[Zone] Thea Uthadar@EmillyOrr: True thing. Some of the female characters in this game are, shock and horror, played by actual women.
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: I ain't no bakon.
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: Bacon*

And bacon enters back into the equation. No idea why, though...

[Zone] Foam The PArkourious@sailfoamsf: yeah ofc who isnt a grill
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: When is the last time you guys had *)@?
[Zone] Lillith Deathbringer@rippaht666: gotta love pork :D
[Zone] beech@jwtrickster: i would say i know 5 girls who play but i think 2 r little boys

I'm trying not to twitch at "2 r", but...it's proving difficult.

[Zone] lisa@pirate133: haha
[Zone] Censored Name@mayonnaisex: ok, have you ever stalk a female char in game?

....What?

[Zone] Drogas@marduk6sic6: i know some that play like girls
[Zone] Pusherman@pushermanva: BOOZE FIGHTERS are accepting prospects! Must like BOOZE and WOMEN! pls msg!
[Zone] Lillith Deathbringer@rippaht666: bacon , on stake any way possible :D
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: i like booze and women
[Zone] Roux@Hollthulhu: I'm just a lonely string of code..
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: YOU GUYS STOP TALKING ABOUT BACON DAMMIT!
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: Fatties!

So, now we have bacon, misogyny, stalking references AND fat jokes. Joy.

[Zone] Madmedic@madmedic15401: Bacon? O.o
[Zone] Otto@throsbi: im a pixelated matrix
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: deer steak warped in hog bacon coverd in cheese sauce
[Zone] BANGABLE DEAN@inyancat513: i want bacon :D
[Zone] Claidi Robenai@skinnedb4death: Geez every MMO I go to is raving about bacon xD

So it's not just Neverwinter? Is that a good thing?

[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: &@^^))!!! guys, stop talking about baron for gods sake
[Zone] Aninian@ay4nem: bacon is amazing
[Zone] Bolvar Fordragon@lcecrowncitadel: &@^^ you all, now I'm hungry.
[Zone] Vauszan Quicktemper@u2o8: bacon wrapped with bacon
[Zone] Lillith Deathbringer@rippaht666: hellz yeah
[Zone] BANGABLE DEAN@inyancat513: someone give me bacon :o
[Zone] Suvan@Sayakra: Mott's Bacon Vodka Ceaser!

...Bacon Vodka what?? That one passed me by...

[Zone] BANGABLE DEAN@inyancat513: or a bacon bowl xD
[Zone] lisa@pirate133: we;; we should had dinner hour ago
[Zone] Otto@throsbi: bacon covered (!!)@*%

I don't even want to know what that was without the profanity filter.

[Zone] Valdyre@micknight2: bacon and peanut butter
[Zone] Kylie@jasperbrady: bacon is like women. it smells good, looks good, tastes good, and kills men.

And we're done here! I think that's about enough of this blathering.

In the meantime, the Jem and the Holograms movie has been cast--I can't say I'm looking forward to the film, but the casting looks decidedly interesting, multiracial, and unique. I'm now mildly anticipating the trailer.

And the third Hobbit film's name has been changed; it's now going to be called The Battle of Five Armies. It's descriptive enough, and since they've already gone off-book in this trilogy set, I'm not overly concerned; I'm just hoping the third film is more watchable than the second.