Alan Au
@alanau.bsky.social
Trickster disciple. 🦊 Game developer. 🎲️✂ Emeritus data generalist. 📊 Delightfully imperfect. ☁️ Not that kind of doctor. 🎓 [E] Itsatrap 🎮 He/Him
Pinned
Alan Au
@alanau.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Days since uttering "what the actual fuck?": 0
Dreams are weird. Unsure if this one is taking place in a new setting or not, but I'm "working" at some theme park or maybe it's NASA or something, I dunno. They have a ... planetarium? And inside the dome, you can jetpack around? And we are definitely using this for off-book recreation ...
November 28, 2025 at 12:19 PM
Dreams are weird. Unsure if this one is taking place in a new setting or not, but I'm "working" at some theme park or maybe it's NASA or something, I dunno. They have a ... planetarium? And inside the dome, you can jetpack around? And we are definitely using this for off-book recreation ...
Reposted by Alan Au
knowing the rules is only part of a good teach. information architecture is a whole field, and you want to structure your teach too: 'how to win -> what do on turn' but mindful of how much people can hold in their brains at once. teach some stuff later. be brief at first then detailed later
Legit when I'm going to play a game like, say, Terra Mystica or Brass Birmingham with friends I have to teach it to I will literally rehearse my teach for a few days because I want them to have a good experience, and I've had great games have shitty first impressions because of terrible teaches.
I used to think I didn’t like board games or a lot of games really, then I found out that I just don’t like having to learn how to play a game from people who are bad at explaining it. And because some don’t know, you can play a game very well AND be bad at explaining how to play the game.
November 28, 2025 at 7:27 AM
knowing the rules is only part of a good teach. information architecture is a whole field, and you want to structure your teach too: 'how to win -> what do on turn' but mindful of how much people can hold in their brains at once. teach some stuff later. be brief at first then detailed later
Oh. Hmm. What if I decided to treat myself to an early bedtime? 🤔
November 28, 2025 at 7:11 AM
Oh. Hmm. What if I decided to treat myself to an early bedtime? 🤔
The LEGO Enterprise 1701-D violates my "where would I put it" policy, but I'm hoping that it does well enough that they consider other, smaller sets with the license.
There isn't much precedent, but it isn't impossible either.
There isn't much precedent, but it isn't impossible either.
November 28, 2025 at 6:57 AM
The LEGO Enterprise 1701-D violates my "where would I put it" policy, but I'm hoping that it does well enough that they consider other, smaller sets with the license.
There isn't much precedent, but it isn't impossible either.
There isn't much precedent, but it isn't impossible either.
Reposted by Alan Au
We are talking about Sherlock Holmes's brother, Minecraft Holmes
November 28, 2025 at 4:57 AM
We are talking about Sherlock Holmes's brother, Minecraft Holmes
Reposted by Alan Au
I'm inching closer to my arbitrary but important-to-validate-my-efforts goal of 5k subscribers by the end of the year.
Games! Science! 90s game references!
If you already subscribe (thank you!), consider sharing with another Witcher lover in your life!
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Games! Science! 90s game references!
If you already subscribe (thank you!), consider sharing with another Witcher lover in your life!
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Psychgeist
Where science, video games, and pop culture meet.
Hosted by Dr. Rachel Kowert, a psychologist and game researcher, this channel breaks down the science behind your favorite games, shows, and fandom...
www.youtube.com
November 27, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I'm inching closer to my arbitrary but important-to-validate-my-efforts goal of 5k subscribers by the end of the year.
Games! Science! 90s game references!
If you already subscribe (thank you!), consider sharing with another Witcher lover in your life!
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Games! Science! 90s game references!
If you already subscribe (thank you!), consider sharing with another Witcher lover in your life!
www.youtube.com/psychgeist
Yeah, LotR is definitely Thanksgiving-coded; might be time for a holiday weekend rewatch!
If "The Hobbit" were released today, they would have made it a 6-episode streaming series. I'm unsure how I feel about that.
Part of me wants to rewatch the LotR trilogy; it's been >20 years since it was released, and probably ~10 since I've done a rewatch. Maybe background while I cook?
Part of me wants to rewatch the LotR trilogy; it's been >20 years since it was released, and probably ~10 since I've done a rewatch. Maybe background while I cook?
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Yeah, LotR is definitely Thanksgiving-coded; might be time for a holiday weekend rewatch!
This is a service I offer at any time of year, not just on Thanksgiving.
Pies are terrible, and you wouldn't want to eat them anyway. So you should give them all to me and I will "make them go away." 🫡
November 27, 2025 at 7:26 PM
This is a service I offer at any time of year, not just on Thanksgiving.
Reposted by Alan Au
Okay, the crowd going nuts like someone just scored a touchdown at the Super Bowl all *through* the KDH performance is a hell of a thing to see hear/see:
November 27, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Okay, the crowd going nuts like someone just scored a touchdown at the Super Bowl all *through* the KDH performance is a hell of a thing to see hear/see:
Reposted by Alan Au
Popping in to add HARRY POTTER to your list. You can choose not to consume media that enriches a transphobe. 🏳️⚧️
November 27, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Popping in to add HARRY POTTER to your list. You can choose not to consume media that enriches a transphobe. 🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Alan Au
So here's the thing; you can choose to use gen AI or not. You can choose to buy conflict diamonds or not. You can choose to invest in weapons manufacturers or not.
If you know how something is made and accept the harms involved, then you are making a statement that those harms are acceptable.
If you know how something is made and accept the harms involved, then you are making a statement that those harms are acceptable.
The hard part is I know non-technical people who are intrigued by the idea of using AI to help fill a gap in their skills. I generally like these people, so I don't want to yell at them for trying the technology, because it isn't going to make them magically agree with me or understand the harms.
November 27, 2025 at 9:24 AM
So here's the thing; you can choose to use gen AI or not. You can choose to buy conflict diamonds or not. You can choose to invest in weapons manufacturers or not.
If you know how something is made and accept the harms involved, then you are making a statement that those harms are acceptable.
If you know how something is made and accept the harms involved, then you are making a statement that those harms are acceptable.
Reposted by Alan Au
Public service announcement: Porsche is pronounced "por-shuh" and not "porsh."
May 1, 2024 at 7:28 PM
Public service announcement: Porsche is pronounced "por-shuh" and not "porsh."
So here's the thing; you can choose to use gen AI or not. You can choose to buy conflict diamonds or not. You can choose to invest in weapons manufacturers or not.
If you know how something is made and accept the harms involved, then you are making a statement that those harms are acceptable.
If you know how something is made and accept the harms involved, then you are making a statement that those harms are acceptable.
The hard part is I know non-technical people who are intrigued by the idea of using AI to help fill a gap in their skills. I generally like these people, so I don't want to yell at them for trying the technology, because it isn't going to make them magically agree with me or understand the harms.
November 27, 2025 at 9:24 AM
So here's the thing; you can choose to use gen AI or not. You can choose to buy conflict diamonds or not. You can choose to invest in weapons manufacturers or not.
If you know how something is made and accept the harms involved, then you are making a statement that those harms are acceptable.
If you know how something is made and accept the harms involved, then you are making a statement that those harms are acceptable.
Reposted by Alan Au
For a while now, I've been trying to lock in my "pillar of the community" status. But now I'm also contemplating "your overqualified himbo" status.
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
For a while now, I've been trying to lock in my "pillar of the community" status. But now I'm also contemplating "your overqualified himbo" status.
Reposted by Alan Au
if what you're doing can be done by genai its not worth doing
November 27, 2025 at 5:06 AM
if what you're doing can be done by genai its not worth doing
Reposted by Alan Au
got my car serviced today 🚗💨
November 26, 2025 at 11:08 AM
got my car serviced today 🚗💨
Making stuffing. No, not for Thanksgiving, just because it's tasty and I want to eat it.
November 27, 2025 at 3:08 AM
Making stuffing. No, not for Thanksgiving, just because it's tasty and I want to eat it.
Reposted by Alan Au
www.humblebundle.com/games/indie-...
You should buy this bundle and get every game! Yes, my game Adios is in it. It's $13 for the entire collection; it would mean the world to us if you picked it up. You have about two days to do it!
You should buy this bundle and get every game! Yes, my game Adios is in it. It's $13 for the entire collection; it would mean the world to us if you picked it up. You have about two days to do it!
Indie Fears Bundle
Expand your spooky season gaming library with the creepiest indie horror games! Each purchase at the price of your choice supports SpecialEffect charity!
www.humblebundle.com
November 26, 2025 at 10:27 PM
www.humblebundle.com/games/indie-...
You should buy this bundle and get every game! Yes, my game Adios is in it. It's $13 for the entire collection; it would mean the world to us if you picked it up. You have about two days to do it!
You should buy this bundle and get every game! Yes, my game Adios is in it. It's $13 for the entire collection; it would mean the world to us if you picked it up. You have about two days to do it!
Reposted by Alan Au
I'm going to give you the best secret I know to cooking amazing turkey or chicken or beef or any meat at all.
Ready? Write this down.
Cook to temperature, not time.
Get an instant-read digital thermometer, and use it. If you don't own one, you should get one.
Ready? Write this down.
Cook to temperature, not time.
Get an instant-read digital thermometer, and use it. If you don't own one, you should get one.
November 25, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I'm going to give you the best secret I know to cooking amazing turkey or chicken or beef or any meat at all.
Ready? Write this down.
Cook to temperature, not time.
Get an instant-read digital thermometer, and use it. If you don't own one, you should get one.
Ready? Write this down.
Cook to temperature, not time.
Get an instant-read digital thermometer, and use it. If you don't own one, you should get one.
Reposted by Alan Au
We're extending the preorder deadline until December 9 for people who may have missed the opportunity to grab one. That'll be the last day she's available! 💛
Taking a quick break from all that spelunkyin'...
😌💛
Thanks to everyone who's already preordered! Ana's still available on Youtooz!
Reminder, if you'd like to gift her to someone this holiday there's a printable card for the occasion. Check the description on her page:
youtooz.com/products/ana...
😌💛
Thanks to everyone who's already preordered! Ana's still available on Youtooz!
Reminder, if you'd like to gift her to someone this holiday there's a printable card for the occasion. Check the description on her page:
youtooz.com/products/ana...
November 26, 2025 at 9:54 PM
We're extending the preorder deadline until December 9 for people who may have missed the opportunity to grab one. That'll be the last day she's available! 💛
Reposted by Alan Au
BUY MY BOOK! 20% OFF!
(Seriously, my kids never stop eating)
(Seriously, my kids never stop eating)
Our Black Friday deal just dropped! Discount code BFCM25 at bossfightbooks.com for 20% off your order.
November 26, 2025 at 8:16 PM
BUY MY BOOK! 20% OFF!
(Seriously, my kids never stop eating)
(Seriously, my kids never stop eating)
Today's kitchen experiment: I have a shortbread recipe that I've perfected over decades of practice. But my mom has specifically asked if I can make the cookies "not as sweet," so I'm going to try 25% less sugar and see what happens. 🥹
November 26, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Today's kitchen experiment: I have a shortbread recipe that I've perfected over decades of practice. But my mom has specifically asked if I can make the cookies "not as sweet," so I'm going to try 25% less sugar and see what happens. 🥹
For a while now, I've been trying to lock in my "pillar of the community" status. But now I'm also contemplating "your overqualified himbo" status.
November 26, 2025 at 6:57 PM
For a while now, I've been trying to lock in my "pillar of the community" status. But now I'm also contemplating "your overqualified himbo" status.
Reposted by Alan Au
The trick to finding a life partner is to constantly carry around a lot of rings and propose to everyone. Play the odds.
November 26, 2025 at 3:54 AM
The trick to finding a life partner is to constantly carry around a lot of rings and propose to everyone. Play the odds.