The concept itself isn't an absurdity. I think it's ideal to always be thinking, "Hey, is there something here that can be useful to help people who need it?" It doesn't mean that any of this stuff is usable as-is. And you're absolutely right about safety being a big reason why.

Most exoskeletons are in a very nascent stage. Second, intersecting technologies are what improves them. That's basic bluesky research. Republicans love to rail against this stuff. "Why are we watching shrimp on a treadmill?"

Of course they're too dangerous now. That's why the research continues. I'm not talking about employing running robots, but using the underlying tech for viable, lightweight and responsive exoskeletons and stuff like that, to better mimic and augment human mobility.

Uh, they're not doing those to run races, they're doing them to test durability, flexibility of mobility, stuff like that. It's the baseline tech that matters and the applications that come out of this, just like DARPA research.

AI computational biology literally developed the personalized neoantigens for this MRNA vaccine and predicted the neoantigens - an AI "neoantigen quality model" - that would be most effective in generating the t-cell response.

This isn't untrue, but the ways that the underlying tech may help disabled people regain a greater degree of mobility is kind of staggering. But that kind of discussion always seems like an asterisk.

Altered States, around the age of 10. Absolutely wrong for a lot, a lot, a lot of reasons.

Did I mention my local theater never, ever checked ages for anything?

Still do. Still look up into the sky when I hear a jet and expect the missile contrails.

Yeah, it's like the same thing where he was talking about getting Kharg Island back in the 80s. Nothing good can come of shit that gets insinuated in his head for four decades.

As a Greek who makes a point to get imported jars of candied quince fruit as often as possible and don't see it this plant nearly enough in this country, I approve this message.

I mean, yes, he was kind of a legend during the Trump impeachment. He's repeatedly and publicly been one of Trump's prime targets. It's been the entire basis of his political career.

And so what? Al Franken was also a legend and we booted him for a lot less. Because some of us aren't hypocrites.

I just never understand this bullshit. How can they not understand that society gets a vote on how they deal with individuals, how they support victims, a vote that goes beyond whether or not the state has the right to incarcerate you?

I don't believe these people are nihilists. I believe the people in the US in command are committed to the so-called End Times and the return of Jesus.

I kind of WISH they were nihilists.

Lyrics to Weird Al's Happy Birthday: Happy birthday Happy birthday to you Happy birthday Happy birthday to you Well, what's the matter little friend? You think this party is the pits? Enjoy it while you can, we'll soon be blown to bits The monkeys in the Pentagon are gonna cook our goose Their finger's on the button, all they need is an excuse It doesn't take a military genius to see We'll all be crispy critters after World War III There's nowhere you can run to, nowhere you can hide When they drop the big one, we all get fried Come on, boys and girls, sing along, okay?

The second Weird Al song to bring up nuclear apocalypse! The first, of course, being Happy Birthday:

Not exactly hidden messages, but yes, definitely in that mode. :)

See also Prince's early song, "Ronnie, Talk to Russia"

(Even more unsubtle!)

See also the Style Council's My Ever-Changing Moods, which goes from a personal musing to:

The hush before the silence, the winds after the blast

And

Teardrops turn to children who've never had the time
To commit the sins they pay for through another's evil mind

Sometimes that's true, but there are many, many rich people who built their wealth specifically for the power to steer us towards the End Times.

And there are those like Trump, ill and publicly freaking about Heaven, surrounding themselves with End Timers who say, *I* know how you can get there

I think you perhaps underestimate how much many of these super-rich theocrats genuinely believe in the End Times. I grew up in that environment. It's real fervor.

They don't want to be taxed, of course. But they would push the button themselves if they could.

I'm really sorry you have to be subjected to this lunacy.

(People didn't understand when I said during the last election that these right-wingers didn't align themselves with Jews or Zionists, they were joyfully using them as part of the long-term Jesus End Times plan.)

Bless you for understanding the roots of this, not (only) some neocon fixation, but that it's all part of the 40 year theocratic project.

While this is true to an extent, the super-rich weren't the ones infiltrating school boards and city councils and building up a whole cadre of lunatic End Timers for political office.

It's dangerous to ascribe solely to money when grass-roots theocratic End Times lunacy is the inciting incident.

He's surrounded by End Timers. They see this as the ultimate promotion.

Fortunately, the official Dem statement says exactly that.

Nicole's best impression of the Joe Rogan-esque podcaster bros out there right now, at the beginning of Armageddon:

I wish there was a way within our democracy. The 25th is useless - all the president has to do is say, nope, I'm fine. And there's more than a third of Congress who are committed End Timers, especially in the House.

It may require military refusal. If Hegseth hasn't choked that off.

The 25th is useless. If the cabinet invokes it and informs Congress, all the president has to do is send his own note saying he's just fine, he reassumes powers, then fires any disloyal members of his cabinet.

And there are too many members of Congress who want the nukes to fly to bring Jesus back.

A cat staring at you under Robert DeNiro.

Post something random or y'all will have a crappy April.

This is outrageous. And personally depressing. People over 65 and those with chronic conditions will get sick and die. Just because the younger healthy people don't fear COVID anymore doesn't mean everyone else has nothing to fear. And just because MAHA is stupid and insane that should not happen.

It's funny. I love a good long season, but I've talked about this with my European family, and sometimes they say, "American shows like that are exhausting. You're always about how much. Why can't you be like the BBC?" :)

Personally, I think 16-20 is the sweet spot. Time to explore. Less burnout.

Well, we finally got to Silent Running. Faaaaantastic.