I did not fully appreciate what the "shadow docket" is.

Hobbies as a Way to Unplug from the Algorithm As I mentioned back in February, I've been musing about a longer piece about AI, the catch-all if imprecise term lobbed at the current crop of large language models (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Co-Pilot, Grok, Gemini, etc.). I get more examples of videos and articles motivating me to write that longer piece on AI every week. The current hucksterism selling AI strikes me as the same overconfident idiocy that led some to believe microwaves would replace conventional ovens in the early 80s or that we'd all be trading stocks solely on pre-smart cellphones in the late 90s.

Hobbies as a Way to Unplug from the Algorithm

As I mentioned back in February, I've been musing about a longer piece about AI, the catch-all if imprecise term lobbed at the current crop of large language models (e.g. ChatGPT, Claude, Co-Pilot, Grok, Gemini, etc.). I get more examples of videos and…

When the PuppyCam is a NoPrivacyCam Okay, so it's a couple months since the Super Bowl, so I'm arguably late to the post-SB-party, but I haven't stopped thinking about one of the commercials that aired as it was cheerfully pro-dystopia: Yeah, even people who think "Orwell" might be a brand of microwave popcorn found their spidey-sense tingling. Well, it turns out the lawyer folks at LegalEagle r…

When the PuppyCam is a NoPrivacyCam

Okay, so it's a couple months since the Super Bowl, so I'm arguably late to the post-SB-party, but I haven't stopped thinking about one of the commercials that aired as it was cheerfully pro-dystopia: Yeah, even people who think "Orwell" might be a brand of…

For those who celebrate. #LLAP

'Tis the season!

Happy Easter from John and Harvey!

1957: The SPAGHETTI HARVEST | Panorama | Classic BBC clips | BBC Archive YouTube video by BBC Archive

The classic #AprilFools youtu.be/8scpGwbvxvI?...

Sadly #TrueStory

😂 More likely that than Xavier protecting grown-up Kimball O'Hara from Mr. Hyde.

I knew it!

What's in a name? (credit: @basicinstructions.bsky.social)

It's coming! #BewareTheIdes

Your Oscar 2026 Summary Video I'm in the midst of some other writing, so to feed the Internet algorithm, I give you Screen Junkies' now-annual tradition of explaining all the best picture nominees in their irreverent manner. You can check out all the nominees on the academy's web page and if you're wondering which films to cram in before Sunday's ceremony, Joe Reid over at…

Your Oscar 2026 Summary Video

I'm in the midst of some other writing, so to feed the Internet algorithm, I give you Screen Junkies' now-annual tradition of explaining all the best picture nominees in their irreverent manner. You can check out all the nominees on the academy's web page and if…

Winnie-the-Pooh (and others) offer excellent voice acting advice Some folks may first think of Jim Cummings as the "new" voice of Winnie-the-Pooh (Hal Smith had a couple outings in the 80s, but most people probably remember the distinctive voice of Sterling Holloway as the silly old bear). Cummings has voiced a lot of characters in the past 40 years or so, not just Pooh, and he offers some very specific acting tips that are very welcome.

Winnie-the-Pooh (and others) offer excellent voice acting advice

Some folks may first think of Jim Cummings as the "new" voice of Winnie-the-Pooh (Hal Smith had a couple outings in the 80s, but most people probably remember the distinctive voice of Sterling Holloway as the silly old bear).…

Still true.

Sure it’s World War II, but can we still use the classics? One of the kids is currently studying World War II, so I reminded them that dads (not just Baby Boomers) are required to know all sorts of military history. It's like a Dad Merit Badge. In fact, I think World War II is only the first one. Anyway, to help dads everywhere earn or maintain their Military History trivia bona fides, check out…

Sure it’s World War II, but can we still use the classics?

One of the kids is currently studying World War II, so I reminded them that dads (not just Baby Boomers) are required to know all sorts of military history. It's like a Dad Merit Badge. In fact, I think World War II is only the first one.…

Hitchcock on Happiness Anecdotally, I'm given to understand many purveyors of horror and spine-tingling thrillers are some of the nicest, chillest folks around... so I though of that when I came across this excerpt from a 1964 CBC interview with celebrated filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock: Interviewer: Mr. Hitchcock, what is your definition of happiness? Alfred Hitchcock: A clear horizon — nothing to worry about on your plate, only things that are creative and not destructive and that's withing yourself.

Hitchcock on Happiness

Anecdotally, I'm given to understand many purveyors of horror and spine-tingling thrillers are some of the nicest, chillest folks around... so I though of that when I came across this excerpt from a 1964 CBC interview with celebrated filmmaker Alfred Hitchcock: Interviewer:…

So, We’re Going to Take This to Eleven It's time once again for a self-referential post as 11 years ago today, I relaunched my personal website. Neither I nor Nigel Tufnel thought we'd get here, but Nigel at least had a plan. (Incidentally, in searching for the appropriate graphic, I learned that Spinal Tap was not the first to go to 11, which I feel should be better known).

So, We’re Going to Take This to Eleven

It's time once again for a self-referential post as 11 years ago today, I relaunched my personal website. Neither I nor Nigel Tufnel thought we'd get here, but Nigel at least had a plan. (Incidentally, in searching for the appropriate graphic, I learned that…

Exploration and Science in (Mock) Spaaace! Going through some of my old research on space exploration --because why shouldn't one write science fiction of space explorers knowing some related science fact?-- I came across this article by Denise Chow for Space.com back from 2011. It's all about how people are practicing how to explore space while still here on Earth. And since it's from 2011, I wondered how some of these projects turned out in early 2026, 15 years later.

Exploration and Science in (Mock) Spaaace!

Going through some of my old research on space exploration --because why shouldn't one write science fiction of space explorers knowing some related science fact?-- I came across this article by Denise Chow for Space.com back from 2011. It's all about how…

Apparently I’ve been using mind-altering substances all my life. Hopefully, you have too. A definite plus of last year was reading the number of books I did: far more than I had the previous few years. Not only did it help with my writing, but it also helped provide some solace amid all the happy fun stuff happening in the world. But before I advocate wanton reading, you should be made aware of the research done by…

Apparently I’ve been using mind-altering substances all my life. Hopefully, you have too.

A definite plus of last year was reading the number of books I did: far more than I had the previous few years. Not only did it help with my writing, but it also helped provide some solace amid all the happy…

For folks who want a horribly good #ValentinesDay.

For those that want alternatives. #ValentinesDay

Oh, Puritans... #ValentinesDay

For the beltalowda! #TheExpanse #ValentinesDay

Share these with the scientists in your life. #ValentinesDay

For every time, there is a season...

“Art is the means by which we become what we want to be.” I've been musing about a longer post about AI, because my thoughts about the current large language models (LLMs) and the like have evolved over the past year as we've looked into more and more use cases at the dayjob. However, if you detected skepticism in my previous posts about AI and my many links to articles and videos, that doubt has not dissipated.

“Art is the means by which we become what we want to be.”

I've been musing about a longer post about AI, because my thoughts about the current large language models (LLMs) and the like have evolved over the past year as we've looked into more and more use cases at the dayjob. However, if you…

The groundhog's fears are well founded... #GroundhogDay

An annual classic. #GroundhogDay

2025 Additions to the National Film Registry I'm old enough to remember when they started the National Film Registry and it's always nice to see which 25 films are added each year. It's always a combination of films crossing genres, decades, and current awareness. Some films you know well, some you think "about time," and some --let's be honest, fellow cinemaniacs-- we don't know... which means we have new films to check out!

2025 Additions to the National Film Registry

I'm old enough to remember when they started the National Film Registry and it's always nice to see which 25 films are added each year. It's always a combination of films crossing genres, decades, and current awareness. Some films you know well, some…