Alan Au
@alanau.bsky.social
Trickster disciple. 🦊 Game developer. 🎲️✂ Emeritus data generalist. 📊 Delightfully imperfect. ☁️ Not that kind of doctor. 🎓 [E] Itsatrap 🎮 He/Him
Pinned
Alan Au
@alanau.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Days since uttering "what the actual fuck?": 0
If I had to guess, every politician in the world is currently reviewing their personal security plan.
January 3, 2026 at 9:18 PM
If I had to guess, every politician in the world is currently reviewing their personal security plan.
Good mor-
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Nevermind; I'm going back to bed.
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Nevermind; I'm going back to bed.
Days since uttering "what the actual fuck?": 0
January 3, 2026 at 5:13 PM
Good mor-
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Nevermind; I'm going back to bed.
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Nevermind; I'm going back to bed.
Reposted by Alan Au
I know people who use gen AI for things. They're reasonable people who use LLMs to handle tedious tasks, which seems like the sort of thing automation is good for.
And yet, we keep seeing examples of the tech failing or being abused. It's not a tech problem. It is a people problem enabled by tech.
And yet, we keep seeing examples of the tech failing or being abused. It's not a tech problem. It is a people problem enabled by tech.
January 2, 2026 at 4:59 PM
I know people who use gen AI for things. They're reasonable people who use LLMs to handle tedious tasks, which seems like the sort of thing automation is good for.
And yet, we keep seeing examples of the tech failing or being abused. It's not a tech problem. It is a people problem enabled by tech.
And yet, we keep seeing examples of the tech failing or being abused. It's not a tech problem. It is a people problem enabled by tech.
Reposted by Alan Au
Today's fun word: haruspicy
It's the term used to describe divination via animal sacrifice. Typically it refers to examination of the entrails, but my definition involves eating stuff and seeing how I feel about it. As in "these chicken leftovers are haruspicy."
It's the term used to describe divination via animal sacrifice. Typically it refers to examination of the entrails, but my definition involves eating stuff and seeing how I feel about it. As in "these chicken leftovers are haruspicy."
January 2, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Today's fun word: haruspicy
It's the term used to describe divination via animal sacrifice. Typically it refers to examination of the entrails, but my definition involves eating stuff and seeing how I feel about it. As in "these chicken leftovers are haruspicy."
It's the term used to describe divination via animal sacrifice. Typically it refers to examination of the entrails, but my definition involves eating stuff and seeing how I feel about it. As in "these chicken leftovers are haruspicy."
I really need to start learning how to make better cocktails, for when it happens.
January 3, 2026 at 7:42 AM
I really need to start learning how to make better cocktails, for when it happens.
Reposted by Alan Au
Also folks, don't get too caught up in fed posting
Just redact the fuck out of your posts, no need to give anyone anything
Just redact the fuck out of your posts, no need to give anyone anything
January 3, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Also folks, don't get too caught up in fed posting
Just redact the fuck out of your posts, no need to give anyone anything
Just redact the fuck out of your posts, no need to give anyone anything
Reposted by Alan Au
If you make stuff using gen AI, then you might be saving yourself some time, but you're actually just pushing that burden onto me, and I will resent you for it.
I hate that in the new reality of rampant generative AI usage, I have to spend extra time evaluating things I see online to determine if they're real or fake and whether it matters in the context I'm seeing it.
This is the opposite of "efficiency."
This is the opposite of "efficiency."
January 2, 2026 at 8:16 PM
If you make stuff using gen AI, then you might be saving yourself some time, but you're actually just pushing that burden onto me, and I will resent you for it.
Today's fun word: haruspicy
It's the term used to describe divination via animal sacrifice. Typically it refers to examination of the entrails, but my definition involves eating stuff and seeing how I feel about it. As in "these chicken leftovers are haruspicy."
It's the term used to describe divination via animal sacrifice. Typically it refers to examination of the entrails, but my definition involves eating stuff and seeing how I feel about it. As in "these chicken leftovers are haruspicy."
January 2, 2026 at 8:26 PM
Today's fun word: haruspicy
It's the term used to describe divination via animal sacrifice. Typically it refers to examination of the entrails, but my definition involves eating stuff and seeing how I feel about it. As in "these chicken leftovers are haruspicy."
It's the term used to describe divination via animal sacrifice. Typically it refers to examination of the entrails, but my definition involves eating stuff and seeing how I feel about it. As in "these chicken leftovers are haruspicy."
If you make stuff using gen AI, then you might be saving yourself some time, but you're actually just pushing that burden onto me, and I will resent you for it.
I hate that in the new reality of rampant generative AI usage, I have to spend extra time evaluating things I see online to determine if they're real or fake and whether it matters in the context I'm seeing it.
This is the opposite of "efficiency."
This is the opposite of "efficiency."
January 2, 2026 at 8:16 PM
If you make stuff using gen AI, then you might be saving yourself some time, but you're actually just pushing that burden onto me, and I will resent you for it.
Somehow, today is *also* Smursday. Again.
My internal clock is telling me that today is ... *checks notes* Smursday. 🤔
January 2, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Somehow, today is *also* Smursday. Again.
I know people who use gen AI for things. They're reasonable people who use LLMs to handle tedious tasks, which seems like the sort of thing automation is good for.
And yet, we keep seeing examples of the tech failing or being abused. It's not a tech problem. It is a people problem enabled by tech.
And yet, we keep seeing examples of the tech failing or being abused. It's not a tech problem. It is a people problem enabled by tech.
January 2, 2026 at 4:59 PM
I know people who use gen AI for things. They're reasonable people who use LLMs to handle tedious tasks, which seems like the sort of thing automation is good for.
And yet, we keep seeing examples of the tech failing or being abused. It's not a tech problem. It is a people problem enabled by tech.
And yet, we keep seeing examples of the tech failing or being abused. It's not a tech problem. It is a people problem enabled by tech.
Today's "I should be sleeping" thought is about selfies. Which I seldom take and generally don't post. It just isn't a thing I'm accustomed to doing. I don't consider myself to be particularly shy or self-conscious about it. And it isn't specifically a privacy thing. Well, okay, maybe a little.
January 2, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Today's "I should be sleeping" thought is about selfies. Which I seldom take and generally don't post. It just isn't a thing I'm accustomed to doing. I don't consider myself to be particularly shy or self-conscious about it. And it isn't specifically a privacy thing. Well, okay, maybe a little.
Reposted by Alan Au
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
January 2, 2026 at 2:26 AM
If you are a resident of California, the state now has a portal where you can demand deletion of your personal data from 500+ registered data brokers with a single request form, for free.
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
consumer.drop.privacy.ca.gov
I still technically have a Twitter account, but I deleted all of the content, locked the account, and it only exists as an emergency homing beacon so people can find me here. It's a light in the encroaching darkness, a marker that points to salvation.
January 2, 2026 at 4:51 AM
I still technically have a Twitter account, but I deleted all of the content, locked the account, and it only exists as an emergency homing beacon so people can find me here. It's a light in the encroaching darkness, a marker that points to salvation.
Reposted by Alan Au
Does anyone have a link to that game or meme that looked like a pop-up on an illegal download site and the game was to figure out which link to click?
January 2, 2026 at 12:25 AM
Does anyone have a link to that game or meme that looked like a pop-up on an illegal download site and the game was to figure out which link to click?
My internal clock is telling me that today is ... *checks notes* Smursday. 🤔
January 1, 2026 at 5:53 PM
My internal clock is telling me that today is ... *checks notes* Smursday. 🤔
Reposted by Alan Au
happy birthday to horses!!!
January 1, 2026 at 8:08 AM
happy birthday to horses!!!
Happy new year!
Also, you have until 1 AM to wrap up those fireworks. Don't be that guy. 😒
Also, you have until 1 AM to wrap up those fireworks. Don't be that guy. 😒
January 1, 2026 at 8:39 AM
Happy new year!
Also, you have until 1 AM to wrap up those fireworks. Don't be that guy. 😒
Also, you have until 1 AM to wrap up those fireworks. Don't be that guy. 😒
Aw man, what's Daisy Ridley up to these days? I hope she's living her best life. 🥺
January 1, 2026 at 5:34 AM
Aw man, what's Daisy Ridley up to these days? I hope she's living her best life. 🥺
I love this advice! Don't let "conventional wisdom" interfere with your ability or desire to create things. ❤️🧵
This set of observations is produced by my scrolling Reddit and otherwise listening to people talk about "how to write."
A) there is no requirement that any of your characters has any sort of "arc" let alone a redemption.
B) there is also no requirement that your fiction has a plot.
A) there is no requirement that any of your characters has any sort of "arc" let alone a redemption.
B) there is also no requirement that your fiction has a plot.
December 31, 2025 at 5:09 PM
I love this advice! Don't let "conventional wisdom" interfere with your ability or desire to create things. ❤️🧵
Magic Poker. It's Texas Hold 'Em, but with 3 important changes:
1. The deck contains no face cards, just numbers Ace through 10.
2. Aces may be used as either 1 or 11.
3. There are 5 suits, making it a 50-card deck. For maximum hilarity, use the mana colors/symbols from "Magic: The Gathering."
1. The deck contains no face cards, just numbers Ace through 10.
2. Aces may be used as either 1 or 11.
3. There are 5 suits, making it a 50-card deck. For maximum hilarity, use the mana colors/symbols from "Magic: The Gathering."
I need everyone to make a shitpost game that fits into at most 3 posts on here before the end of the year otherwise thr sun will not rise again
Not enough shitpost games though
December 31, 2025 at 9:57 AM
Magic Poker. It's Texas Hold 'Em, but with 3 important changes:
1. The deck contains no face cards, just numbers Ace through 10.
2. Aces may be used as either 1 or 11.
3. There are 5 suits, making it a 50-card deck. For maximum hilarity, use the mana colors/symbols from "Magic: The Gathering."
1. The deck contains no face cards, just numbers Ace through 10.
2. Aces may be used as either 1 or 11.
3. There are 5 suits, making it a 50-card deck. For maximum hilarity, use the mana colors/symbols from "Magic: The Gathering."
Reposted by Alan Au
My final video for 2025 compiles the lessons I learnt about games design this year, from rethinking how I work, what I want to design, and the people who I couldn't have done without.
Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026!
youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q
🎲✂️
Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026!
youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q
🎲✂️
Game Design Lessons from 2025
YouTube video by Matthew Dunstan
youtu.be
December 31, 2025 at 8:03 AM
My final video for 2025 compiles the lessons I learnt about games design this year, from rethinking how I work, what I want to design, and the people who I couldn't have done without.
Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026!
youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q
🎲✂️
Thank you everyone who has supported the channel this year, and have a wonderful 2026!
youtu.be/62zLZONQc4Q
🎲✂️
Reposted by Alan Au
Seattle area small biz folks… I need a new CPA/tax preparer. If you have one you love, lemme know!
December 30, 2025 at 9:19 PM
Seattle area small biz folks… I need a new CPA/tax preparer. If you have one you love, lemme know!
Spent a couple days doing spreadsheet trickery, and I imagine this is what it feels like when a wizard is trying to recall old incantations that haven't been used in a while.
Why is there a "#REF! Error"? Am I supposed to be using Quenya instead of Sindarin? What if I omit this last part? #dataBS
Why is there a "#REF! Error"? Am I supposed to be using Quenya instead of Sindarin? What if I omit this last part? #dataBS
December 31, 2025 at 7:54 AM
Spent a couple days doing spreadsheet trickery, and I imagine this is what it feels like when a wizard is trying to recall old incantations that haven't been used in a while.
Why is there a "#REF! Error"? Am I supposed to be using Quenya instead of Sindarin? What if I omit this last part? #dataBS
Why is there a "#REF! Error"? Am I supposed to be using Quenya instead of Sindarin? What if I omit this last part? #dataBS
Reposted by Alan Au
The 1 Line will operate until approximately 3 am tomorrow night, according to Sound Transit.
December 30, 2025 at 7:57 PM
The 1 Line will operate until approximately 3 am tomorrow night, according to Sound Transit.