MrHen
@mxhen.bsky.social
Yet ANY AND EVERY rule about what words you should use or how you should use them CAN AND HAS been broken to powerful effect.
It's in this synthesis between what could be (too broad) and what should be (too narrow) that I find myself deeply engaged.
It's in this synthesis between what could be (too broad) and what should be (too narrow) that I find myself deeply engaged.
December 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
Yet ANY AND EVERY rule about what words you should use or how you should use them CAN AND HAS been broken to powerful effect.
It's in this synthesis between what could be (too broad) and what should be (too narrow) that I find myself deeply engaged.
It's in this synthesis between what could be (too broad) and what should be (too narrow) that I find myself deeply engaged.
The realm of what books you can write are exactly the words you know and the order you can put them in.
Obviously, that's too broad of a creative exercise. So we create rules and suggestions for how to best write a book -- how to best tell a story.
Those rules become proxies for stories over time.
Obviously, that's too broad of a creative exercise. So we create rules and suggestions for how to best write a book -- how to best tell a story.
Those rules become proxies for stories over time.
December 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
The realm of what books you can write are exactly the words you know and the order you can put them in.
Obviously, that's too broad of a creative exercise. So we create rules and suggestions for how to best write a book -- how to best tell a story.
Those rules become proxies for stories over time.
Obviously, that's too broad of a creative exercise. So we create rules and suggestions for how to best write a book -- how to best tell a story.
Those rules become proxies for stories over time.
As an outsider to the discussion around OSRs, this feels a bit like "paintings are not about frames or brushes" or "movies are not about cameras and actors".
Like, yeah, that's true. But those are the things that produce the result.
An even more cynical analogy is that "books are not about words".
Like, yeah, that's true. But those are the things that produce the result.
An even more cynical analogy is that "books are not about words".
December 1, 2025 at 5:08 PM
As an outsider to the discussion around OSRs, this feels a bit like "paintings are not about frames or brushes" or "movies are not about cameras and actors".
Like, yeah, that's true. But those are the things that produce the result.
An even more cynical analogy is that "books are not about words".
Like, yeah, that's true. But those are the things that produce the result.
An even more cynical analogy is that "books are not about words".
I have a hard time working with players who can't bridge this gap between knowledge of statistical significance and the superstitious-esque feeling that the card still "matters".
It's a brutal reminder that game design is not really about statistics and fairness. "Correct" is not the same as "fun".
It's a brutal reminder that game design is not really about statistics and fairness. "Correct" is not the same as "fun".
December 1, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I have a hard time working with players who can't bridge this gap between knowledge of statistical significance and the superstitious-esque feeling that the card still "matters".
It's a brutal reminder that game design is not really about statistics and fairness. "Correct" is not the same as "fun".
It's a brutal reminder that game design is not really about statistics and fairness. "Correct" is not the same as "fun".
I've sat at a table of math majors who all knew the stats and they STILL get upset by how this feels.
The argument was around whether it "matters" if someone steals a card during the deal. The answer is that it doesn't matter statistically -- but it does matter psychologically.
The argument was around whether it "matters" if someone steals a card during the deal. The answer is that it doesn't matter statistically -- but it does matter psychologically.
December 1, 2025 at 4:14 PM
I've sat at a table of math majors who all knew the stats and they STILL get upset by how this feels.
The argument was around whether it "matters" if someone steals a card during the deal. The answer is that it doesn't matter statistically -- but it does matter psychologically.
The argument was around whether it "matters" if someone steals a card during the deal. The answer is that it doesn't matter statistically -- but it does matter psychologically.
I often view writing as thinking and editing as organizing those thoughts. It's a distinct talent -- and it benefits from a broad diversity of perspective.
November 24, 2025 at 7:55 PM
I often view writing as thinking and editing as organizing those thoughts. It's a distinct talent -- and it benefits from a broad diversity of perspective.
The opening sequence of Post Tenebras Lux was the best thing I watched this week. Kind of lost me for the rest of it... but still better than Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
November 21, 2025 at 3:51 PM
The opening sequence of Post Tenebras Lux was the best thing I watched this week. Kind of lost me for the rest of it... but still better than Beetlejuice Beetlejuice.
Sounds ominous.
Kill [the] Big, Wicked Parasite!
Kill [the] Big, Wicked Parasite!
November 21, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Sounds ominous.
Kill [the] Big, Wicked Parasite!
Kill [the] Big, Wicked Parasite!
The latter. The ebb and flow of financial bubbles isn't something they can control. It's corruption that happens above them between egotistical technocrats, bought politicians and opportunistic influencers.
When rumors of collapse start up they react with exhaustion instead of panic.
When rumors of collapse start up they react with exhaustion instead of panic.
November 20, 2025 at 9:49 PM
The latter. The ebb and flow of financial bubbles isn't something they can control. It's corruption that happens above them between egotistical technocrats, bought politicians and opportunistic influencers.
When rumors of collapse start up they react with exhaustion instead of panic.
When rumors of collapse start up they react with exhaustion instead of panic.
One sentiment that I hear more and more is that younger generations are used to this happening on a regular basis so the threat of "too big to fail" no longer provokes action. It's just an ongoing aspect of their lives. Kinda like flu season.
November 20, 2025 at 9:40 PM
One sentiment that I hear more and more is that younger generations are used to this happening on a regular basis so the threat of "too big to fail" no longer provokes action. It's just an ongoing aspect of their lives. Kinda like flu season.
Median HH Inc
Frey Precincts: $108,288
Fateh Precincts: $64,579
All Precincts: $80,269
I guess I'm not terribly surprised but it's still a shock to see it in plain numbers like these.
Frey Precincts: $108,288
Fateh Precincts: $64,579
All Precincts: $80,269
I guess I'm not terribly surprised but it's still a shock to see it in plain numbers like these.
November 20, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Median HH Inc
Frey Precincts: $108,288
Fateh Precincts: $64,579
All Precincts: $80,269
I guess I'm not terribly surprised but it's still a shock to see it in plain numbers like these.
Frey Precincts: $108,288
Fateh Precincts: $64,579
All Precincts: $80,269
I guess I'm not terribly surprised but it's still a shock to see it in plain numbers like these.
Reposted by MrHen
Frey vote share was negatively correlated with share of workers that take transit, housing cost burden, share renters, share non-english speakers and share BIPOC residents.
November 20, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Frey vote share was negatively correlated with share of workers that take transit, housing cost burden, share renters, share non-english speakers and share BIPOC residents.
I completely agree! This was mostly me connecting mostly unrelated thoughts together. 😅
November 19, 2025 at 4:55 PM
I completely agree! This was mostly me connecting mostly unrelated thoughts together. 😅
The evil version of these comics are political cartoons.
* Political opponent exhibits a strawman
* Political ally mocks the strawman
* Political opponent takes offense
* Political ally takes a smug victory lap
The "punchline" is "I agree with your values so come laugh at this loser with me."
* Political opponent exhibits a strawman
* Political ally mocks the strawman
* Political opponent takes offense
* Political ally takes a smug victory lap
The "punchline" is "I agree with your values so come laugh at this loser with me."
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
The evil version of these comics are political cartoons.
* Political opponent exhibits a strawman
* Political ally mocks the strawman
* Political opponent takes offense
* Political ally takes a smug victory lap
The "punchline" is "I agree with your values so come laugh at this loser with me."
* Political opponent exhibits a strawman
* Political ally mocks the strawman
* Political opponent takes offense
* Political ally takes a smug victory lap
The "punchline" is "I agree with your values so come laugh at this loser with me."
What turns me off of these comics is that they appeal to attention in the same way as posts like "my cat of 12 years just died" or "the littlest cancer patient got to meet John Cena".
They seek validation of a value -- usually in the form of sympathy or desire.
They seek validation of a value -- usually in the form of sympathy or desire.
November 19, 2025 at 3:54 PM
What turns me off of these comics is that they appeal to attention in the same way as posts like "my cat of 12 years just died" or "the littlest cancer patient got to meet John Cena".
They seek validation of a value -- usually in the form of sympathy or desire.
They seek validation of a value -- usually in the form of sympathy or desire.
This is different from your example in a critical way: There is no third panel "twist" because there is no linear connection between the first and second panels. It's just "Thing; another thing; an action; a reaction." It's almost like an anti-meme or deliberately destructured anti-conflict.
November 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
This is different from your example in a critical way: There is no third panel "twist" because there is no linear connection between the first and second panels. It's just "Thing; another thing; an action; a reaction." It's almost like an anti-meme or deliberately destructured anti-conflict.
I think I know what you're describing and it's distinct from kishōtenketsu and/or yonkoma but that might be an interesting tangent.
A reasonable essay about it: stilleatingoranges.tumblr.com/post/2515396...
A reasonable essay about it: stilleatingoranges.tumblr.com/post/2515396...
November 19, 2025 at 3:46 PM
I think I know what you're describing and it's distinct from kishōtenketsu and/or yonkoma but that might be an interesting tangent.
A reasonable essay about it: stilleatingoranges.tumblr.com/post/2515396...
A reasonable essay about it: stilleatingoranges.tumblr.com/post/2515396...
"Would you like to eat this?"
"No, I wouldn't like it."
"Have you tried it?"
"No, I wouldn't like it.
"But if you haven't tried it, then how do you know?! Maybe you'd actually like it!"
"No thanks."
"Ridiculous. As your authority figure, I demand that you try it."
"<gagging> I didn't like it."
"No, I wouldn't like it."
"Have you tried it?"
"No, I wouldn't like it.
"But if you haven't tried it, then how do you know?! Maybe you'd actually like it!"
"No thanks."
"Ridiculous. As your authority figure, I demand that you try it."
"<gagging> I didn't like it."
November 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
"Would you like to eat this?"
"No, I wouldn't like it."
"Have you tried it?"
"No, I wouldn't like it.
"But if you haven't tried it, then how do you know?! Maybe you'd actually like it!"
"No thanks."
"Ridiculous. As your authority figure, I demand that you try it."
"<gagging> I didn't like it."
"No, I wouldn't like it."
"Have you tried it?"
"No, I wouldn't like it.
"But if you haven't tried it, then how do you know?! Maybe you'd actually like it!"
"No thanks."
"Ridiculous. As your authority figure, I demand that you try it."
"<gagging> I didn't like it."
I know you're just joking around, but this reminded me of how awkward it was reading Green Eggs and Ham and sympathizing with Sam I Am the entire time. Boy howdy did I have that exact same experience as a kid. Sadly, I got the special bonus ending of being right about not liking the weird food.
November 16, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I know you're just joking around, but this reminded me of how awkward it was reading Green Eggs and Ham and sympathizing with Sam I Am the entire time. Boy howdy did I have that exact same experience as a kid. Sadly, I got the special bonus ending of being right about not liking the weird food.
Soon! It's on my list for next year!
November 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Soon! It's on my list for next year!