The Leewit @ghost_bird@witches.town

@InspectorCaracal Hm. 1) All three of my examples were absolutely critical in their day even if we have alternatives now. And the electrical grid is more critical than ever, of course.

2) You underestimate how easy it would be to reverse-engineer (say) the metallurgy of a steam engine, the precision tools needed to make a dynamo bearing, or the navigation techniques you need to sail a ship.

@InspectorCaracal A working steam railway, electrical power grid, or wooden sailing-ship absolutely do require special knowledge, though. To choose examples from three different revolutions.

@InspectorCaracal Very much like where we live now, then?

@InspectorCaracal (And this is what I mean about not wanting to be too negative. Because it’s a fun idea to play with and I don’t mean to crush your jeu d’espirit by getting all heavy about politics.)

@InspectorCaracal It goes back to at least H G Wells as an idea, but I think it tends to reduce to flattery for nerds (if the nobles are benevolent) or a warning against giving the workers control of the means of production (if they’re not). And - crucially - we’ve been through several tech revolutions without it happening.

@InspectorCaracal More that I think money and ownership are the important things, not technical knowledge.

@InspectorCaracal I kind of have a lot of criticisms of the implicit assumptions here, but I don’t want to spoil anyone’s day by getting all negative,

@Murkrow That sounds really good - especially the chocolate gems. Happy baking!

@Murkrow Sounds like you’ll have to let it cool overnight and decorate first thing tomorrow?

@srol What are you trying this time?

“...the science fiction film is concerned with
the aesthetics of destruction, with the peculiar beauties to be found in wreak-
ing havoc, making a mess. And it is in the imagery of destruction that the core of a good science fiction film lies.” - Susan Sontag, 1965

(Sontag was talking about American SF monster-movies of the 1950s and 60s but Hollywood’s been striking consistent about it ever since, even through other changes of style and fashion.)

@dconley Yes, I'm listening to it now. Interesting.

@dconley I don't do vinyl myself but that sounds like a good choice. And I hadn't heard of Clipping, so thanks for the implicit recommendation.

@Hiraelle Happens to me too. It will pass.

@Hiraelle *offers hugs*

@dconley It's a good album, too, if you liked what she did with Gowns.