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Does anyone think there’s a future in these quantum computer thingies?

Spoiler:
Doesn’t get drawn into the political debate…


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Talking to the rest of the hardscape crews yesterday I mentioned how much the weather is going to suck this next week and we might not get a full week. Then I said (jokingly) "that's okay though, you guys don't mind working next Saturday to make up for it, do you?" To which everyone said (sarcastically) "oh yeah, nooo problem!".

Tyler, the lead foreman for the lawn division hears the last part, so he says to his crews "what about you guys, you ready to work next weekend if needed!" To which his guys replied with a hearty "go f*$+ yourself!"

So Tyler says to me "I don't get it, man! How come your guys are so loyal!" "I don't know, man, it's a mystery!".

The answer is actually super easy. 2 guys I've worked with for 18 years, one guy I've known since he was 10, another guy (who is 21) I've known his dad for 18 years so I've been showing him how to build stuff since he was 3, my daughter, and 2 more guys I've been helping to train for the last 3 years.

Also, it turns out if you lead by example and treat your workers with respect they will literally smash through a brick wall if you asked them to. Of course so would anyone if you give them a really nice maul.


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captain yesterday wrote:

Between Toys R Us and my current job I've spent too much time with zero accountability and complete artistic freedom to even consider joining a union.

I fully respect what they've brought us as far as worker's rights and everything but I feel like how they are currently it's outdated and probably unnecessary.

Of course I say that as someone with zero education on the matter so correct me if I'm wrong.

It's hardly a political flamestorm to say the obvious: As usual, as soon as unions became powerful, those who wanted that power and money took over and they became (arguably nearly) as corrupt as the corporations they opposed. And as usual, small, honest unions pop up from time to time, but just like corporate takeovers they are quickly subsumed by larger, more corrupt unions.


Waterhammer wrote:

Does anyone think there’s a future in these quantum computer thingies?

** spoiler omitted **

Are we talking about qubits, or are there astonishing developments that I wouldn’t have heard about, as a non-techy person?

Last I heard, scaling things up to be practical was a vicious limiting factor, but I would never rule out the clever boffins working on these things.

It’s been years since I’ve hung around any scientists or engineers, sadly, but the ones I have tended to be bracingly “Well, let’s see what happens?” and “It will be an adventure!” about things.

I’m still waiting for them to build (at last) the ITER, dammit!

In the meantime, Derek Lowe’s columns about undesirable chemicals (with a shout-out to his entry about chlorine trifluoride, which is also a classic) are always fun.

Hmm. I’ve never been a huge fan of the PF alchemist, but now the idea of one inspired by the evidently colourful careers of the Strengs is growing on me.


Qunnessaa wrote:
Trying to decide if there's a realistic chance that I'll get around to playing either Expeditions: Rome or Assassin's Creed: Odyssey if I give in, since I have a soft spot for (ancient) historical fantasy.

I have a non-gaming computer from 2018 (integrated laptop-ish graphics card, i.e. no Video RAM whatsoever, the card reserves part of regular memory instead, nor certain high-end hardware graphics solutions making some games look really bad because of messed up textures) with 16 GB RAM. Assassin's Creed: Odyssey is fully playable, with an occasional glitch here and there. I haven't played Expeditions: Rome (another game in endless queue of games waiting their turn or two), but I am somewhere in the middle of Expeditions: Viking and it works fine.


Probably talking qubits. There was a news piece on TV the other night. They were saying that the Chinese government was dumping lots of funding on the project. Looking for the super computer.
IBM and Google too.


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NobodysHome wrote:
captain yesterday wrote:

Between Toys R Us and my current job I've spent too much time with zero accountability and complete artistic freedom to even consider joining a union.

I fully respect what they've brought us as far as worker's rights and everything but I feel like how they are currently it's outdated and probably unnecessary.

Of course I say that as someone with zero education on the matter so correct me if I'm wrong.

It's hardly a political flamestorm to say the obvious: As usual, as soon as unions became powerful, those who wanted that power and money took over and they became (arguably nearly) as corrupt as the corporations they opposed. And as usual, small, honest unions pop up from time to time, but just like corporate takeovers they are quickly subsumed by larger, more corrupt unions.

Spoiler:

I don't know much about the situation in the US in general, though what I've heard about the AFL-CIO agrees with what Nobody/David/the Captain have said.

In my experience, Unions can be effective if they engage with their membership, have a membership that engages with the union (and they have to make a concrete, positive difference to their members' live at work in order for people to want to do that), and have a political line to work with. It also helps if they can represent and negotiate for large numbers of people in the same industry or sector.

The particular examples I'm thinking of in the UK are the RMT (Rail, Maritime and Transport) union, the train drivers' union (ASLEF) and, though not to the same extent, mine (the Communication Workers' Union). Larger, more general unions like Unite or the GMB don't quite have the same level of militancy, though do try, when not frightened about embarrassing the Labour Party. Having a political party whose job (on paper) is to represent organised labour in parliament has been a mixed blessing, and the party itself has long sought to turn itself into a British version of the US Democratic Party, with all the delights that might come with that.

Successive governments have made it harder and harder for unions to do what they really need to do, and those employment rights they did succeed in winning in years gone by are being taken away. I'd argue that they are still relevant, but have to work hard in order to make themselves so, which they won't do if they're feeling too comfortable.


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Limeylongears wrote:
NobodysHome wrote:
captain yesterday wrote:

Between Toys R Us and my current job I've spent too much time with zero accountability and complete artistic freedom to even consider joining a union.

I fully respect what they've brought us as far as worker's rights and everything but I feel like how they are currently it's outdated and probably unnecessary.

Of course I say that as someone with zero education on the matter so correct me if I'm wrong.

It's hardly a political flamestorm to say the obvious: As usual, as soon as unions became powerful, those who wanted that power and money took over and they became (arguably nearly) as corrupt as the corporations they opposed. And as usual, small, honest unions pop up from time to time, but just like corporate takeovers they are quickly subsumed by larger, more corrupt unions.
** spoiler omitted **...

Spoiler:
Pretty much. In order to be effective, unions have to have some kind of leverage over the corporations, and due to various reasons (I would argue largely due to both increased globalization/outsourcing and government agencies taking over roles historically filled by unions), they've lost pretty much all of it. So, instead of fighting an uphill battle against the corporate-government partnership over stewardship of their members, a lot of union leaders have decided to either stop worrying and love the bomb, or else just get in and get theirs while the going is good.

And don't get me started on the level of counter-productive competitiveness I've seen in the lower levels of union membership, mostly taking the form of either "Oh, you only worked 60 hours last week? Well, I worked 85. Beat that, scrub!" one-upmanship, or "We shouldn't let that guy get a slice of our benefits pie. He ain't even from 'round here!" exclusivity. These days, it's less "Solidarity!" and more "divide and conquer."

I'm a big fan of the idea of unions, but there are few things I loathe more than unaccountable bureaucracy and petty schoolyard politics, and the modern trade union environment (again, in my personal experience) has both in spades.


David M Mallon wrote:
Limeylongears wrote:
NobodysHome wrote:
captain yesterday wrote:

Between Toys R Us and my current job I've spent too much time with zero accountability and complete artistic freedom to even consider joining a union.

I fully respect what they've brought us as far as worker's rights and everything but I feel like how they are currently it's outdated and probably unnecessary.

Of course I say that as someone with zero education on the matter so correct me if I'm wrong.

It's hardly a political flamestorm to say the obvious: As usual, as soon as unions became powerful, those who wanted that power and money took over and they became (arguably nearly) as corrupt as the corporations they opposed. And as usual, small, honest unions pop up from time to time, but just like corporate takeovers they are quickly subsumed by larger, more corrupt unions.
** spoiler omitted **...
** spoiler omitted **...

Great. Now I need to watch the movie again.


2 people marked this as a favorite.

While I understand that Americans' understanding of geography is a constant source of ridicule, and those on opposite coasts frequently get things ludicrously wrong (when GothBard was a child she accused a friend of lying because he claimed he was going to drive across three states in a matter of hours), I expect the New York Times to do better.

In case anyone other than me actually does their crosswords:
Today's theme is the southwestern United States. One of the answers is Crater Lake. I know of *no* map that puts Oregon in the Southwest, and I'd argue that anyone who calls anything north of the Mason-Dixon line "South" to not understand the history of the terminology.

Next I'm expecting to find that one of the answers is Mount Rushmore.


2 people marked this as a favorite.
NobodysHome wrote:
While I understand that Americans' understanding of geography is a constant source of ridicule, and those on opposite coasts frequently get things ludicrously wrong (when GothBard was a child she accused a friend of lying because he claimed he was going to drive across three states in a matter of hours), I expect the New York Times to do better.

I once got into an argument with a native Iowan who flatly (no pun intended) refused to believe that there are mountains in New York State.


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David M Mallon wrote:
NobodysHome wrote:
While I understand that Americans' understanding of geography is a constant source of ridicule, and those on opposite coasts frequently get things ludicrously wrong (when GothBard was a child she accused a friend of lying because he claimed he was going to drive across three states in a matter of hours), I expect the New York Times to do better.
I once got into an argument with a native Iowan who flatly refused to believe that there are mountains in New York State.

There are mountains in NEW YORK?!

Freehold, you need to show us photos!

Spoiler:
What do you mean New York State? Yeah, right, as if we gonna believe you that New York is a state, everyone knows it's just a very big city!


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Fantasy Monsters: Toll-o-Bell.

Ring the bells of doom!


Drejk wrote:
David M Mallon wrote:
NobodysHome wrote:
While I understand that Americans' understanding of geography is a constant source of ridicule, and those on opposite coasts frequently get things ludicrously wrong (when GothBard was a child she accused a friend of lying because he claimed he was going to drive across three states in a matter of hours), I expect the New York Times to do better.
I once got into an argument with a native Iowan who flatly refused to believe that there are mountains in New York State.

There are mountains in NEW YORK?!

Freehold, you need to show us photos!

** spoiler omitted **

I believe I did share pics when I went to the cloisters, which is a pretty naked mountain chain in NYC.

Also have to drive through mountains when taking the scenic route to work.


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Drejk wrote:
David M Mallon wrote:
NobodysHome wrote:
While I understand that Americans' understanding of geography is a constant source of ridicule, and those on opposite coasts frequently get things ludicrously wrong (when GothBard was a child she accused a friend of lying because he claimed he was going to drive across three states in a matter of hours), I expect the New York Times to do better.
I once got into an argument with a native Iowan who flatly refused to believe that there are mountains in New York State.
There are mountains in NEW YORK?!

Seconded. :) Mind you, I'm from a bit further north, and the ice age did a good job scraping most things pretty level around here. There are some neat craggy bits, but lofty peaks they ain't.

Though my mother's side of the family is on the west coast, so I was brought up to believe that things smaller than the Rockies don't really count, which probably skews my perspective.

Not that I actually have any sense for the interior of BC, and the Prairies are a mystery to me.

Grand Lodge

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Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Pathfinder Accessories, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

Dang, the disrespect to the Appalachians...


Yeah, pretty much anyone in Colorado and westwards has the attitude that if it isn't at least 5280' (~1.6km) in elevation, you're not allowed to call it a "mountain". So we hear about "Mount So-and-So in the Appalachians" with an elevation of 3000', and we think, "I've held my mother's legs so she could take pictures down cliffs that are higher than that!" (Or at least I do.)

And I'll admit, today Google taught me that the Appalachians, including in New York, routinely break that mark. That was news to me.

But still, our base camps tend to be at around 10,000-11,000', so we're pretty spoiled.


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On a very clear day, you can see Montreal from the summit of Whiteface Mountain.


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In "those wacky irresponsible kids" news, I am pleased that it's not just my kids; most of the members of their extended gaming group choose neither to imbibe nor partake of semi-legal or illegal substances. (Impus Major's "drug group" is a different, older group of friends.)

But they have senses of humor.

And someone suggested that in honor of all of their party members finally meeting each other on St. Patrick's Day, they should all attempt to be somewhat tipsy for tonight's session.

Given their complete lack of experience with alcohol, reason won the day and some of them might have one shot. Though watching them attempt to go from teetotalling to straight liquor might prove seriously entertaining...


How many of them had reaction of 'ugh, why do people even pour that stuff into themselves?!'


Drejk wrote:
How many of them had reaction of 'ugh, why do people even pour that stuff into themselves?!'

The game doesn't start for half an hour and the kids are already sequestered in their rooms, so I won't find out about the details until tomorrow. My only current knowledge is that both kids decided not to/forgot to partake.


Even though Oregon is certainly not a Southwestern state, there are regions of Eastern Oregon that have a definite Southwestern vibe. Those beige grasslands, so familiar…


TriOmegaZero wrote:
Dang, the disrespect to the Appalachians...

The Appalachians are really pretty! If I weren’t a spoiled city princess, I wouldn’t mind hiking the IAT one day, but I don’t think I’ll ever be enough of a camping person to develop the skills for it. Never say never, but I’m not putting it on my bucket list.

Fair play to them, they’ve also got the highest point in Québec that pretty much any of us southern folk is likely to be anywhere near in our lifetimes, at 1 268 m, so NY has us beat there. Wiki suggests Nunavik just gets over the line to western respectability at 1 652 m, but if I ever end up that far northeast, something has gone terribly wrong, unless I ever visit Scandinavian parts overseas.

Grand Lodge

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Pathfinder Adventure, Adventure Path, Pathfinder Accessories, Rulebook, Starfinder Adventure Path Subscriber

I drove through them more than a few times on the way home for leave from Georgia. Going through the Virginias was incredibly scenic versus Tennessee/Kentucky. I-75 is a lot more industrialized.


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Well, appearances can be deceiving, but at the moment it looks like my second-to-worst nightmare about the neighbors' house is coming true -- a couple of very corporate types in luxury "I've got more money than sense" vehicles finally showed up and are checking out the house.

Looks like a corporate buyout and one more home that will never be owned by a family.

I won't go into a political tirade here, but when we sell my parents' house in a few years I'm happy that I'll be down here to hand-pick the buyers. And even if they can't pay top dollar, the buyers won't be a corporation.


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Hand-painted sign seen from the truck window on the way to the job site today:

NO SMOKING PROPANE

I will certainly keep that in mind.


Maybe there should be a full stop after 'smoking' and a space after 'pro', and it's a message from someone who hates tobacco, but really, really likes windows.


David M Mallon wrote:

Hand-painted sign seen from the truck window on the way to the job site today:

NO SMOKING PROPANE

I will certainly keep that in mind.

i recommend rediscovering your sense of adventure . . . .


Syrus Terrigan wrote:
David M Mallon wrote:

Hand-painted sign seen from the truck window on the way to the job site today:

NO SMOKING PROPANE

I will certainly keep that in mind.

i recommend rediscovering your sense of adventure . . . .

You first!


Wile E. Coyote wrote:
Syrus Terrigan wrote:
David M Mallon wrote:

Hand-painted sign seen from the truck window on the way to the job site today:

NO SMOKING PROPANE

I will certainly keep that in mind.

i recommend rediscovering your sense of adventure . . . .
You first!

what, can't you hear the buzzing tone of my voice echoing from within the iron lung in the burn ward?


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in completely irrelevant news, i am loving the current state of my homebrew playtest campaign. the last few sessions have all been very solid in terms of narrative, character development, and player engagement. we're just having a blast, and it's a good thing.

DISCLAIMER: big honkin' wall-o'-text

perhaps off-topic of off-topic, but y'all are the only people i talk with on the forums anymore, so . . . .

for anyone interested:
my group was at five for a short time, but a bad breakup dropped us to four, and then the other player had a whole lotta real life come at him all at once, and he's been away for a time, but said last week he wants to come back as soon as he can. but even with just my three regular players, we've been moving things along.

i think the biggest step that i've made as a GM is to implement more of what is called "four-corner opposition" into the backdrop in which my players drive their characters. i'm getting better at having my enemies and NPCs make better, more believable decisions in the pursuit of their various motives, and to provide conflicting interests both within and without the party to keep things dynamic. i continue to pursue better stories, even as i find a way (or TRY) to reconstitute familiar mechanics into something a bit more accessible for newbies while still giving more experienced gamers the options they enjoy.

the party consists of, effectively, a warpriest, a magus, and an undead hunter. they have saved a marshland village from the dual threat of a zombie uprising and an infestation of demon-bugs, journeyed to an insular society atop a desert plateau governed by a seemingly benevolent ancient blue dragon, purged a long-abandoned keep of a band of goblin marauders, offered to escort a very young brass dragon to a safe location away from said blue dragon, and done all that while escorting a trade caravan along a relatively new route through wild territory. most recently, though, the caravan ran afoul of the machinations of a hobgoblin warlock, and he sent his minions to destroy the caravan and PCs, to retrieve the magic tomes they took from one of his disciples. the caravan has been scattered to the winds, and the characters have decided to assault the warlock's mountain fortress in an act of "righteous vengeance", so to speak. we've reached the point where they have just breached the mystic gate that secures the warlock's inner sanctum, and so next week promises to supply a series of epic combats, and perhaps a few surprises, as well.

since my system is an amalgamation of ICRPG and PF1 at its heart, one of the interesting mechanics i'm using is what i call the 'recovery die'. this die value allows for health to be recovered after a rest period, but it also indicates just how long a character has in which to be revived before dying if they drop to 0 health. in the course of the campaign, the magus has dropped to 0 health often, but has rolled a natural 20 on his 'recovery check' to stabilize no less than three times -- so he's occasionally been left for dead in the middle of combat and yet come back to consciousness with 1 HP, and picked right back up with the fight. this recurring event has attracted the attention of powerful extraplanar beings, and he is currently being accompanied by a 'lantern archon' conducting an investigation of the magus' possible "crimes against mortality". the aura of menace ability has led to some hilarious moments, especially since the archon is so uptight about being addressed by name, and responds negatively to blatant disrespect.

the warpriest has learned that this hobgoblin faction have become followers of a deity of toil and oppression (his deity's mortal enemy), and he intends to crush their reign of terror and liberate their victims. i'm going to set the stage for him to have an honor duel with the priest, but to present him with a dilemma at the same time: keep to the duel, or aid his allies? it won't be about making the right choice, but about demonstrating what's more important to him as a follower of a god of chaos and war -- his battle-brothers? or his own glory?

our vampire hunter's character arc is at a bit of a standstill -- his own personal quest is on the backburner due to geographic constraints. however, he's been playing as close to LG as anyone could ask, i think. the player is pretty paladin-y in his own life; he's doing the self-insert justice without making it cumbersome and awkward.

- - - - - - - - - -

i have finally gotten about 75% of the way through my first full iteration of the magic system. i've got a gamer friend that i don't get to see too often who is going to do some freelance R&D work for me to see how badly he can break the framework i have in place. if there are glaring issues, he'll find them; if there are subtle problems, he'll find those, too. i expect to be finished with the full beta test of the magic system by the middle of this year, at the latest.

fun times.

i LOVE getting to play fantasy ttrpgs. it helps make all the other nonsense more tolerable.

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