theothersparrow

theothersparrow , 10 months ago

SNW spins out of DIS season 2, so probably watch that before starting SNW.

Beyond that I wouldn’t say there’s a strict order, until the recent SNW/LD crossover the rest have been pretty self-contained (almost regrettably so).

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Megamind: “Lol get ostriched idiot”

theothersparrow , 10 months ago

An extremely fun episode, had a stupid grin on my face right from the opening.

One thing that jumped out at me was the adjectives used: “scientists, explorers, adventurers.” The episode reinforced what Starfleet as an organization and Trek as a concept are all about.

theothersparrow , 10 months ago

But seriously what does the Koala know can we even handle such knowledge

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

My nipples got stiff.

New (final ;_;) season can’t come fast enough.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Depends on what you disliked about it.

But imo season 3 is where the series grows it’s beard.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago (edited 11 months ago)

but it’s also Star Trek discovery

This is important; there’s a distinct feel to the narrative, cinematography, performances and dialogue that the other series def don’t have and kinda maintains through all four (soon to be five) seasons.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

They sneezed at it wrong… and the shutdown measures malfunctioned.

And they couldn’t very well just let the deuterium-creatures continue being butchered while they sorted it out.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

That was the only part of the episode I found weird.

Like congrats a captain that doesn’t just leave their ship for every little thing… but not even a lil’ interaction with them? Not even a “howdy?”

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Their early scenes kind of felt pissy in a way you don’t usually see in star trek.

I liked them, personally. I often think about what conflict would look like in a post-scarcity people… and sibling resentment, minor grudges (re: Una) feel like the sort of thing that stand the test of time.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

A Short Trek with them bickering, please.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

There’s a pithy saying about science that goes, “All models are wrong, but some models are useful.”

It reminds me of something a sociology professor said about economic and sociological theories being lenses that focus on particular aspects of the world–they can’t see everything, but often they can narrow in on certain parts to aid our understanding.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Because we’re emotional creatures first, we default to what’s familiar or comfortable. Logic/critical thinking take sustained practice and a lot of effort. There’s a study that suggests that many of our conscious choices are simply post-hoc rationalizations for decisions made in the unconscious.

I absolutely no longer trust anyone that insists they’re naturally and perfectly logical, they are unquestionably hiding some fixation or personal opinion which–if challenged–will make them unravel in the worst fashion.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Damn, I wish I’d noticed this bit of context before responding.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

The simple answer is they’re attempting to insulate themselves from consequence or challenge.

Free speech doesn’t work like that (it only protects you from gov’t retaliation, not other private citizens), but it doesn’t stop them from trying because as some of the responses here exemplify, people will fall for it and let them continue saying whatever, regardless of whether it’s true or harmful to the vulnerable.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

It can be a touch alienating; there’s a swath of rituals you’re now not a part of, either because you’re actively excluded or because you just no longer fit there (talking about church events and the like).

Conversations change just a little bit too–in the same way monotheists look at polytheists funny when they invoke more than one god, atheists wind up looking at any theist in the same fashion. By that token, when people realize you’re atheist, they look at you as a bit damaged–my bestie’s cousin blurted out “tf is wrong with you?” when I admitted I was atheist, for instance. In the US it only takes a look at some states’ laws on eligibility for public office to see that for some, the only thing worse than having a different faith is having none at all.

It can also be kind of disorienting; you spend quite a bit of time recalibrating your moral framework–what you consider right/wrong and why you take those positions. In this regard, it can be a bit draining too, dedicating so much of the processor sitting on your neck to a kind of reconfiguration.

Lastly and perhaps the worst drawback is how limiting it can feel: when there’s no longer a higher power to feel guarded by, you’re left with the realization that there’s just your own little mortal self and it’s depressing lack of influence.

---

But ultimately, I’ve found it kind of rewarding: ditching the need for a creator figure (and later, the concept of an afterlife altogether) has freed me of that dissonance that occurs when injustices or random tragedies occur. When you no longer lean on the idea that there must be an inherently just or attentive higher power, those bad things become a little less nerve-wracking.

And while I lose a some rituals and venues through which to connect with others, it’s a drop in the ocean compared to what’s still out there.

And that powerlessness we’re left behind with eases when we recognize there’s other kinds of power that come through community (nebulous as that concept feels right now).

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

A flood of brands I can’t opt out of–I gotta mute/block each of them individually–no bookmarks or drafts for Threads I might like to come back to, no fuckin’ gifs, mobile only, de-prioritization of news…

Tbh it’s just kinda lame.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

I expect that if/when that time comes, we’ll see the credibility of video evidence decline.

Currently at my night job, there is video surveillance of common areas. Because of the skill and tools required in doctoring/deepfaking, there’s a pretty large window in which footage could be used should it ever need to be. But when we approach the point at which doctoring/deepfakes become pedestrian or even automated, that window slims dramatically.

Depending on the speed and ease with which it can be done, we could see legitimate arguments in favor of discounting video evidence as it then becomes less reliable than eyewitness testimony (which is already notoriously unreliable).

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

T’Pring’s pop wins the award for chillest Vulcan and most loyal malewife.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Asking the hard-hitting questions.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Me and @siewyuk, @psychothumbs and @YoBuckStopsHere

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

So wouldn’t a human Spock (with biologically human nature, but the nurture that Spock carries from his life experience being raised as a Vulcan) actually be super rational and logical?

I reasoned that whatever tools Spock employed failed for one of two reasons:

1. Vulcan responses to emotion are extreme: surprise isn’t just surprise it’s abject terror, happiness isn’t just happiness but absolute mf hype, disappointment is more like a spiral of depression. Since human response to emotion is much more measured by comparison, he’d need time to recalibrate… time he didn’t have.
2. The procedure that removed his hybrid nature removed whatever moderation was done to him. As a normal human he may not even have a katra anymore, so it’s possible that whatever physiological changes that take place after kolinar aren’t there because not all of the physiology is there.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

It’s such a tragic moment because both their responses were reasonable.

T’Pring is about to be Spock’s wife, and it’s not simply a business union–she’s very much in love with him. She’s eager to be his partner and keeping changes in his life from her compromises that partnership.

The thing about Spock is that up to the end of the episode he’s still wrestling with the isolation that being bi-racial has come with–he’s aware that T’Pring should be let in but emotionally he’s never come around to that, having grown up at odds with other Vulcans.

What saddens me is that if Spock had communicated how his status affects his approach to full-blooded Vulcans (indeed if had even known to communicate it), I have no doubt T’Pring would have been much more forgiving… alas we sometimes figure out ourselves too late.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

This guy doesn’t have the lobes for Starfleet apparel.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

They’re like GLaDOS if she was… decent.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Poor guy! Imagine being married to someone like his wife…

Bold of you to assume that her domineering personality isn’t exactly what he likes about her.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

We definitely didn’t get enough of his reaction to the human reveal.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Ngl it was kinda satisfying.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Probably the TNG films… or maybe call it “post Wolf-359?”

Defiant, Steamrunner, Luna, Akira, and my dear, sweet, beloved, gorgeous Sovereign; everything produced in response to The Borg just looked so fuckin’ good.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

A user of taste and discernment, I see.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Yeah, I think Roddenberry’s initial vision, the nacelles were set apart from the living areas because constant close contact with the source of the warp field was hazardous (and who knows, in time the Alcubierre drive may prove him right).

I think over time there’s just been this implication that the risk was reduced/eliminated thanks to advances in technology (spurred mostly by the narrative), and they stuck with the look basically out of Aesthetic^TM^.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Meanwhile, the Klingons put the nacelle inside their BoP. I guess they just YOLO it.

Which honestly fits for the Klingons, who probably consider safety as an afterthought.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Jessie Gender, Steve Shives, TriAngulum Studios, Junkball (when he uploads), and he isn’t strictly Trek but I also like Certifiably Ingame.

Naturally Trek Culture is pretty cool too.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Holy shit, I forgot about Ketwolski.

Hope they’re safe and well.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

My headcanon is that the radiation had already begun affecting his decision-making.

It’s a stretch, I know.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

SNW really is a masterclass in balancing episodic and narrative storytelling.

I’d love to attend a workshop/lecture with Goldsman, Myers, et al.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

The Generations we should have had.

Not even kidding the premise is goofy but with a visionary director and sincere enough attempt, this could have been amazing.

theothersparrow , 11 months ago

Strange New Worlds has been a hit, and for good reason. I’d say that’s a worthy starting point. Lower Decks is really fun and full of references that might entice you to revisit earlier series (but really shouldn’t hinder your enjoyment.

I tend to think new viewers should just start with whatever’s present, meaning the “new” stuff. Of course there are some older series that are also good starting places (if you are primed for their more episodic nature, something younger viewers may not be familiar with).