Ben Kuchera
@benkuchera.bsky.social
I'm pretty sure this isn't Twitter, but let's hang out anyway. I've spent 20 years reporting on games and pop culture for Ars Technica, Penny Arcade, and Polygon. I've set the internet on fire a few times, in fact! Don't worry though, I'm nowhere near done
I know I have lofty ideas and what I post on here in these rants sounds interesting and helpful and like I have a plan, but I want to be really humble and clear and say I'm struggling with putting on my shoes most days, dawg. I'm transparent about not having the answers on how to DO this.
December 7, 2025 at 3:54 PM
I know I have lofty ideas and what I post on here in these rants sounds interesting and helpful and like I have a plan, but I want to be really humble and clear and say I'm struggling with putting on my shoes most days, dawg. I'm transparent about not having the answers on how to DO this.
Moviemaking is incredibly inefficient. You need many people, moved around the world, with hundreds of different skillsets working in lockstep for it to be done well. But when it works? Literal magic.
Most of the steps studios take to improve efficiency have made movies worse and box office is down.
Most of the steps studios take to improve efficiency have made movies worse and box office is down.
We need to kill the worship of efficiency.
We have two news channels instead of hundreds of thousands of papers and outlets. More efficient? Absolutely. And it's terrible.
Doctor's offices that are all video? Very efficient. Super shitty.
Efficiency is the enemy. We're so scared of friction.
We have two news channels instead of hundreds of thousands of papers and outlets. More efficient? Absolutely. And it's terrible.
Doctor's offices that are all video? Very efficient. Super shitty.
Efficiency is the enemy. We're so scared of friction.
December 7, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Moviemaking is incredibly inefficient. You need many people, moved around the world, with hundreds of different skillsets working in lockstep for it to be done well. But when it works? Literal magic.
Most of the steps studios take to improve efficiency have made movies worse and box office is down.
Most of the steps studios take to improve efficiency have made movies worse and box office is down.
And outlets are still being shut down, or sold and then slimmed down, even though they're profitable. Sometimes WILDLY profitable. But being wildly profitable and providing jobs and health insurance and a good product is a sin.
It's either making private equity billions, or it's not. That's it.
It's either making private equity billions, or it's not. That's it.
A generation ago it was not that hard to become a movie critic, because your city (not your state, not your country, your city) needed movie critics for different newspapers and local news. Why bother hiring now? Everyone listens to the same people. Super efficient.
But the job no longer exists.
But the job no longer exists.
December 7, 2025 at 3:42 PM
And outlets are still being shut down, or sold and then slimmed down, even though they're profitable. Sometimes WILDLY profitable. But being wildly profitable and providing jobs and health insurance and a good product is a sin.
It's either making private equity billions, or it's not. That's it.
It's either making private equity billions, or it's not. That's it.
We need to kill the worship of efficiency.
We have two news channels instead of hundreds of thousands of papers and outlets. More efficient? Absolutely. And it's terrible.
Doctor's offices that are all video? Very efficient. Super shitty.
Efficiency is the enemy. We're so scared of friction.
We have two news channels instead of hundreds of thousands of papers and outlets. More efficient? Absolutely. And it's terrible.
Doctor's offices that are all video? Very efficient. Super shitty.
Efficiency is the enemy. We're so scared of friction.
December 7, 2025 at 3:37 PM
We need to kill the worship of efficiency.
We have two news channels instead of hundreds of thousands of papers and outlets. More efficient? Absolutely. And it's terrible.
Doctor's offices that are all video? Very efficient. Super shitty.
Efficiency is the enemy. We're so scared of friction.
We have two news channels instead of hundreds of thousands of papers and outlets. More efficient? Absolutely. And it's terrible.
Doctor's offices that are all video? Very efficient. Super shitty.
Efficiency is the enemy. We're so scared of friction.
A side note for developers, and I'm being deadly serious: Any idea you have, you had after you left your AAA job. No word, thought, title, synopsis ever goes on another company's computer. Ever. Even a hint or a wink.
Always try to be a legal fortress, never leave them room to come for it.
Always try to be a legal fortress, never leave them room to come for it.
These stories have existed for the entire history of comics. Creators deserve a stake in characters they create (yes even legacy characters).
Also design work in comics is very often treated as an 'invisible' part of the page rate. That's $0 earned to create a new character from scratch -
Also design work in comics is very often treated as an 'invisible' part of the page rate. That's $0 earned to create a new character from scratch -
Miles Morales co-creator Sara Pichelli says she does not get any royalties from the ‘Spider-Verse’ films, Insomniac games, or merch
"I don’t get anything … that's the saddest part of my life"
(via SiteJamesons | TW)
"I don’t get anything … that's the saddest part of my life"
(via SiteJamesons | TW)
December 7, 2025 at 2:21 PM
A side note for developers, and I'm being deadly serious: Any idea you have, you had after you left your AAA job. No word, thought, title, synopsis ever goes on another company's computer. Ever. Even a hint or a wink.
Always try to be a legal fortress, never leave them room to come for it.
Always try to be a legal fortress, never leave them room to come for it.
I gotta take my car in this morning to get the heater looked at. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but it's super cold out there. Another hit to the budget. That's the angry story.
The second story is I have a car, money to get it fixed, and a safe place to live while it's happening. Happier story.
The second story is I have a car, money to get it fixed, and a safe place to live while it's happening. Happier story.
December 7, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I gotta take my car in this morning to get the heater looked at. I'm not sure if you've noticed, but it's super cold out there. Another hit to the budget. That's the angry story.
The second story is I have a car, money to get it fixed, and a safe place to live while it's happening. Happier story.
The second story is I have a car, money to get it fixed, and a safe place to live while it's happening. Happier story.
I remember being younger and reading The Metamorphisis and thinking it was metaphorical, and then getting older and finding myself in positions where I really despised myself and realizing how literal and direct and raw it is.
December 7, 2025 at 3:01 AM
I remember being younger and reading The Metamorphisis and thinking it was metaphorical, and then getting older and finding myself in positions where I really despised myself and realizing how literal and direct and raw it is.
A buddy and I were talking about how good Matthew Lillard is just last week, oddly enough. So many of his roles must have been next to nothing on the page, but he brings so much energy and depth to it. When he pauses and gets emotional I feel it every time. My eye just loves him on film.
December 7, 2025 at 2:53 AM
A buddy and I were talking about how good Matthew Lillard is just last week, oddly enough. So many of his roles must have been next to nothing on the page, but he brings so much energy and depth to it. When he pauses and gets emotional I feel it every time. My eye just loves him on film.
Please watch Blaze.
The gentleman playing Blaze Foley is a musician and this was his first time acting. His performance is fearless and blistering and right.
It's a true story about the best songwriter America has produced. According to Merle Haggard and Bob Dylan, at least.
The gentleman playing Blaze Foley is a musician and this was his first time acting. His performance is fearless and blistering and right.
It's a true story about the best songwriter America has produced. According to Merle Haggard and Bob Dylan, at least.
Blaze - Official Trailer | HD | IFC Films
YouTube video by IFC Films
www.youtube.com
December 7, 2025 at 2:42 AM
Please watch Blaze.
The gentleman playing Blaze Foley is a musician and this was his first time acting. His performance is fearless and blistering and right.
It's a true story about the best songwriter America has produced. According to Merle Haggard and Bob Dylan, at least.
The gentleman playing Blaze Foley is a musician and this was his first time acting. His performance is fearless and blistering and right.
It's a true story about the best songwriter America has produced. According to Merle Haggard and Bob Dylan, at least.
I got my start in poetry. My first publishing credit was in poetry. My first live performances were poetry. I haven't written a poem in decades. But it's where I came from.
A few years ago something happened and I was lost. I hit a wall. So I wrote a poem. And then I slept.
A few years ago something happened and I was lost. I hit a wall. So I wrote a poem. And then I slept.
Art Is Sustenance - Ethan Hawke
YouTube video by Yatharth
www.youtube.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:32 AM
I got my start in poetry. My first publishing credit was in poetry. My first live performances were poetry. I haven't written a poem in decades. But it's where I came from.
A few years ago something happened and I was lost. I hit a wall. So I wrote a poem. And then I slept.
A few years ago something happened and I was lost. I hit a wall. So I wrote a poem. And then I slept.
Fuck vote blue no matter who. If all this madness isn't enough to get the Democrats to field a candidate who can support trans rights and be against genocide they're telling me they don't want my vote and I'm happy to oblige.
I'm not voting for a more polite Trump. Full stop.
I'm not voting for a more polite Trump. Full stop.
December 7, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Fuck vote blue no matter who. If all this madness isn't enough to get the Democrats to field a candidate who can support trans rights and be against genocide they're telling me they don't want my vote and I'm happy to oblige.
I'm not voting for a more polite Trump. Full stop.
I'm not voting for a more polite Trump. Full stop.
I went to Walmart for something and every line had a huge wait except for the self serve area that had a single employee making sure no one could use it without a subscription to some Walmart service.
So it was competely empty.
Capitalism rules.
So it was competely empty.
Capitalism rules.
December 6, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I went to Walmart for something and every line had a huge wait except for the self serve area that had a single employee making sure no one could use it without a subscription to some Walmart service.
So it was competely empty.
Capitalism rules.
So it was competely empty.
Capitalism rules.
I need a new needle for my turntable, and for now I'm just listening through streaming and Bluetooth on my stereo.
Here's the thing: I'm not super snobby about the difference in sound, but the act of moving the record, thinking about time, and flipping through to find the next one? So calming.
Here's the thing: I'm not super snobby about the difference in sound, but the act of moving the record, thinking about time, and flipping through to find the next one? So calming.
December 6, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I need a new needle for my turntable, and for now I'm just listening through streaming and Bluetooth on my stereo.
Here's the thing: I'm not super snobby about the difference in sound, but the act of moving the record, thinking about time, and flipping through to find the next one? So calming.
Here's the thing: I'm not super snobby about the difference in sound, but the act of moving the record, thinking about time, and flipping through to find the next one? So calming.
I love my Switch 2. No notes. Great games so far, enough power to be impressive, feels really good in my hands, looks really good in docked mode. It was a bit of an expensive purchase when it launched and my entertainment budget isn't huge these days, but never regretted it. Switch 2 rules.
December 6, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I love my Switch 2. No notes. Great games so far, enough power to be impressive, feels really good in my hands, looks really good in docked mode. It was a bit of an expensive purchase when it launched and my entertainment budget isn't huge these days, but never regretted it. Switch 2 rules.
Reposted by Ben Kuchera
you know how i know im a 44yo dad? how much i laughed at this shit
December 6, 2025 at 3:31 AM
you know how i know im a 44yo dad? how much i laughed at this shit
The catchiest chorus of the 90s
Awake
YouTube video by Letters to Cleo - Topic
www.youtube.com
December 6, 2025 at 6:31 AM
The catchiest chorus of the 90s
If I could play Red Alarm on a real Virtual Boy I would be healed.
December 6, 2025 at 5:29 AM
If I could play Red Alarm on a real Virtual Boy I would be healed.
When I'm working I become the guy who works hard and that's a suit to put on. When I'm with my kids I become a dad and that's a suit to put on.
When I'm alone and there's nothing I have to do I have zero idea who I am without one of my suits.
I feel like I'm floating away.
When I'm alone and there's nothing I have to do I have zero idea who I am without one of my suits.
I feel like I'm floating away.
December 6, 2025 at 12:49 AM
When I'm working I become the guy who works hard and that's a suit to put on. When I'm with my kids I become a dad and that's a suit to put on.
When I'm alone and there's nothing I have to do I have zero idea who I am without one of my suits.
I feel like I'm floating away.
When I'm alone and there's nothing I have to do I have zero idea who I am without one of my suits.
I feel like I'm floating away.
How's the new Sonic Racing?
December 6, 2025 at 12:44 AM
How's the new Sonic Racing?
I respect the fact that Adam Sandler is a brilliant actor when he wants to be but he mostly wants to make fun movies with his friends in amazing places. I can't get mad at the play. He's got it figured out. What a fucking champion.
December 5, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I respect the fact that Adam Sandler is a brilliant actor when he wants to be but he mostly wants to make fun movies with his friends in amazing places. I can't get mad at the play. He's got it figured out. What a fucking champion.
Noah Baubach has a new movie out on Netflix and it's riveting so far. I'm a huge fan, still haven't seen the last one, and may jump into it after this.
December 5, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Noah Baubach has a new movie out on Netflix and it's riveting so far. I'm a huge fan, still haven't seen the last one, and may jump into it after this.
Quentin Tarantino has been talking shit about Paul Dano for literal years and it's kind of funny that right now it's blowing up for some reason. It has apparently not been an issue the other 200 times he shared this opinion.
Paul Dano is fine, btw.
Paul Dano is fine, btw.
December 5, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Quentin Tarantino has been talking shit about Paul Dano for literal years and it's kind of funny that right now it's blowing up for some reason. It has apparently not been an issue the other 200 times he shared this opinion.
Paul Dano is fine, btw.
Paul Dano is fine, btw.
Reposted by Ben Kuchera
See now who comes... Check out "ARBOREALITY ∞ // Boxing Day" from @barrytopping.com's BIRDCAGE Original Soundtrack! 40+ minutes of hyper-electronic, techno, rock and orchestra-infused sounds.🥚✨
Available this 💥Bandcamp Friday💥 from nostoppingepoch.bandcamp.com
Available this 💥Bandcamp Friday💥 from nostoppingepoch.bandcamp.com
December 5, 2025 at 9:41 AM
See now who comes... Check out "ARBOREALITY ∞ // Boxing Day" from @barrytopping.com's BIRDCAGE Original Soundtrack! 40+ minutes of hyper-electronic, techno, rock and orchestra-infused sounds.🥚✨
Available this 💥Bandcamp Friday💥 from nostoppingepoch.bandcamp.com
Available this 💥Bandcamp Friday💥 from nostoppingepoch.bandcamp.com
If you work on Discord and you follow me, can you please stop working on Discord? It already works. The shit you're adding is just slop. Stop it.
December 5, 2025 at 9:41 PM
If you work on Discord and you follow me, can you please stop working on Discord? It already works. The shit you're adding is just slop. Stop it.
I also meet a lot of active, happy, engaged seniors. I love asking them what their secret is, and it's always two things:
1: Stay moving. At a certain you either stretch or walk daily or you can't move. Start NOW.
2: Sometimes to care about. Garden. Grandkids. Pets. Doesn't matter.
1: Stay moving. At a certain you either stretch or walk daily or you can't move. Start NOW.
2: Sometimes to care about. Garden. Grandkids. Pets. Doesn't matter.
December 5, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I also meet a lot of active, happy, engaged seniors. I love asking them what their secret is, and it's always two things:
1: Stay moving. At a certain you either stretch or walk daily or you can't move. Start NOW.
2: Sometimes to care about. Garden. Grandkids. Pets. Doesn't matter.
1: Stay moving. At a certain you either stretch or walk daily or you can't move. Start NOW.
2: Sometimes to care about. Garden. Grandkids. Pets. Doesn't matter.