James Callan
@scarequotes.com
Moviegoer, movie lover. PNW denizen. UX content worker. Word nerd. Ich spreche ein wenig Deutsch. Handy on a trivia team. Hard cider, iced tea. he/him, cis
Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/xrv
Letterboxd: https://boxd.it/xrv
Reposted by James Callan
Your company is instantly dead to me if you ever send me an email along the lines of, “Are you still thinking about the items in your cart? Here is 10% off.” Fuck you, and your cheap & stalker-y marketing tactics.
November 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Your company is instantly dead to me if you ever send me an email along the lines of, “Are you still thinking about the items in your cart? Here is 10% off.” Fuck you, and your cheap & stalker-y marketing tactics.
So if I click on an album in Apple Music on iOS it shows me the whole album. As I expect.
UNLESS I favorited any songs, in which case it just shows those.
To see the whole album at that point, I have to click a link that says "Show Complete Album."
WTF is up with that.
UNLESS I favorited any songs, in which case it just shows those.
To see the whole album at that point, I have to click a link that says "Show Complete Album."
WTF is up with that.
November 21, 2025 at 7:49 PM
So if I click on an album in Apple Music on iOS it shows me the whole album. As I expect.
UNLESS I favorited any songs, in which case it just shows those.
To see the whole album at that point, I have to click a link that says "Show Complete Album."
WTF is up with that.
UNLESS I favorited any songs, in which case it just shows those.
To see the whole album at that point, I have to click a link that says "Show Complete Album."
WTF is up with that.
Reposted by James Callan
When I see a bakery.
November 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
When I see a bakery.
Reposted by James Callan
Wahoo Bakery
Wahoo, NE
Wahoo, NE
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Wahoo Bakery
Wahoo, NE
Wahoo, NE
The Buster Scruggs episode of Blank Check, even more than series 19 of Taskmaster, is a reminder that Jason Mantzoukas is one of the funniest dudes alive.
November 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The Buster Scruggs episode of Blank Check, even more than series 19 of Taskmaster, is a reminder that Jason Mantzoukas is one of the funniest dudes alive.
Reposted by James Callan
What To Know About ‘Pluribus’ https://theonion.com/what-to-know-about-pluribus/
November 21, 2025 at 5:00 PM
What To Know About ‘Pluribus’ https://theonion.com/what-to-know-about-pluribus/
November 21, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Reposted by James Callan
Saying it as simply as possible for my own satisfaction: the idea that early career folks shouldn't engage in systems thinking because "they don't have enough context" assumes that the later career folks (and leadership/management) have the correct context, or are picking it out somehow.
November 21, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Saying it as simply as possible for my own satisfaction: the idea that early career folks shouldn't engage in systems thinking because "they don't have enough context" assumes that the later career folks (and leadership/management) have the correct context, or are picking it out somehow.
This is a fucking banger, and not just because I too don't care for Radiohead.
"For every Radiohead you strike out with, there’s gonna be something you introduce each other to that hits the mark. And the sooner you move on from the misses, the sooner you get to the hits."
"For every Radiohead you strike out with, there’s gonna be something you introduce each other to that hits the mark. And the sooner you move on from the misses, the sooner you get to the hits."
How to avoid listening to Radiohead
Read all the way to the bottom for your goodie stocking. 💰 Support my bullshit for $2/mo💰 This week’s question comes to us from Mike Jacobsen: I love...
buttondown.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:24 AM
This is a fucking banger, and not just because I too don't care for Radiohead.
"For every Radiohead you strike out with, there’s gonna be something you introduce each other to that hits the mark. And the sooner you move on from the misses, the sooner you get to the hits."
"For every Radiohead you strike out with, there’s gonna be something you introduce each other to that hits the mark. And the sooner you move on from the misses, the sooner you get to the hits."
Reposted by James Callan
Axe murderer recruitment poster, 1941
November 20, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Axe murderer recruitment poster, 1941
"If more people thought of and discussed this kind of writing as 'clear, concise language' instead of 'plain,' the shift might eventually reduce the resistance some writers currently have to this approach."
Plain Language Resistance: Is “Plain” the Problem? - The Editors' Weekly
Tracey Anderson discusses the resistance from some to the term plain language, and asks if "plain" is the problem.
blog.editors.ca
November 20, 2025 at 5:55 PM
"If more people thought of and discussed this kind of writing as 'clear, concise language' instead of 'plain,' the shift might eventually reduce the resistance some writers currently have to this approach."
Reposted by James Callan
winona ryder is going on hot ones & i genuinely cannot imagine what this is going to be like
November 20, 2025 at 12:28 AM
winona ryder is going on hot ones & i genuinely cannot imagine what this is going to be like
Look up Kid Rock's appearance on SNL in 2001. On Weekend Update, one of his jokes was about the Olsen twins — basically, why wait for the countdown clock?
there were multiple different countdown clocks until the Olsen twins turned 18
reddit had its infamous 'jailbait' community online until late 2011
all of this shit was just out in the open, it was awful
reddit had its infamous 'jailbait' community online until late 2011
all of this shit was just out in the open, it was awful
I feel like maybe it’s a function of everyone online being born in 2002 but I don’t think most people realize how openly and explicitly pedophilic american culture was until like… maybe 10 years ago
November 20, 2025 at 12:14 AM
Look up Kid Rock's appearance on SNL in 2001. On Weekend Update, one of his jokes was about the Olsen twins — basically, why wait for the countdown clock?
Wonder if Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is going to wind up being one of those reps hated by everyone in her district with strong political ties but reelected over and over again by normal people who like what she actually does for the district.
November 19, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Wonder if Marie Gluesenkamp Perez is going to wind up being one of those reps hated by everyone in her district with strong political ties but reelected over and over again by normal people who like what she actually does for the district.
Reposted by James Callan
i just remembered last night i dreamed about decimal letters in between the alphabet that could be used to describe the world in more detail
October 20, 2025 at 2:29 PM
i just remembered last night i dreamed about decimal letters in between the alphabet that could be used to describe the world in more detail
Reposted by James Callan
I am increasingly of the opinion that people who change menus and look and feel of computer software just so that you know it's a new version should be personally forced to play tech support to my mother for five months.
November 19, 2025 at 4:10 AM
I am increasingly of the opinion that people who change menus and look and feel of computer software just so that you know it's a new version should be personally forced to play tech support to my mother for five months.
Hmm. Likely Mike Fratantuno, who was my year. He was a session member of Black Eyed Peas from 1995-2001. Pretty sure he still does session work but I haven’t seen him since our 20-year reunion.
Who was in your high school graduating class, +/- two years, that would be of interest?
For example, I took a basketball class and graduated w/all-time 8th man Jud Buechler (look it up), and may have followed Stephanie Seymour (not sure if she still WENT to school after I moved there).
For example, I took a basketball class and graduated w/all-time 8th man Jud Buechler (look it up), and may have followed Stephanie Seymour (not sure if she still WENT to school after I moved there).
November 19, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Hmm. Likely Mike Fratantuno, who was my year. He was a session member of Black Eyed Peas from 1995-2001. Pretty sure he still does session work but I haven’t seen him since our 20-year reunion.
Beware the noirs of vember.
November 18, 2025 at 11:49 PM
Beware the noirs of vember.
“Black Mirror is not a Pinterest board” is the new “cyberpunk is a warning, not a manual.”
Our tech dystopia keeps getting more derivative and I hate all of it.
open.substack.com/pub/davekarp...
open.substack.com/pub/davekarp...
Black Mirror is not a Pinterest board.
Part 1 in what I really hope doesn't become a series
open.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:01 PM
“Black Mirror is not a Pinterest board” is the new “cyberpunk is a warning, not a manual.”
Reposted by James Callan
Michelin Man: And there you have it, some of the best restaurants out there. Anything else I can help you with?
Me: Well, it's kind of a long shot but I'm due for a fresh set of tires for my car.
Michelin Man: You're not gonna fucking believe this
Me: Well, it's kind of a long shot but I'm due for a fresh set of tires for my car.
Michelin Man: You're not gonna fucking believe this
November 18, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Michelin Man: And there you have it, some of the best restaurants out there. Anything else I can help you with?
Me: Well, it's kind of a long shot but I'm due for a fresh set of tires for my car.
Michelin Man: You're not gonna fucking believe this
Me: Well, it's kind of a long shot but I'm due for a fresh set of tires for my car.
Michelin Man: You're not gonna fucking believe this
Reposted by James Callan
Given the success of Noirvember it’s time to introduce other genre-themed months. Maysicals! Westernurary!
November 18, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Given the success of Noirvember it’s time to introduce other genre-themed months. Maysicals! Westernurary!
Given the success of Noirvember it’s time to introduce other genre-themed months. Maysicals! Westernurary!
November 18, 2025 at 7:07 AM
Given the success of Noirvember it’s time to introduce other genre-themed months. Maysicals! Westernurary!
As someone who enjoyed the hell out of the MCU's run from Iron Man through Endgame, a) of course it's a theme park, not high art, and b) THEY CAME TO A CONCLUSION. They wrapped things up!
And they had nothing in the tank except "what if instead of a universe ... a multiverse?"
And they had nothing in the tank except "what if instead of a universe ... a multiverse?"
The slow collapse of this cultural juggernaut is going to be studied alongside the downfall of 1960s mega epics. It may come back from the grave but the must-see, can’t-miss aspect is very difficult to revive once it is gone.
Scorsese made an offhand remark when the series was at its height
Scorsese made an offhand remark when the series was at its height
November 17, 2025 at 8:11 PM
As someone who enjoyed the hell out of the MCU's run from Iron Man through Endgame, a) of course it's a theme park, not high art, and b) THEY CAME TO A CONCLUSION. They wrapped things up!
And they had nothing in the tank except "what if instead of a universe ... a multiverse?"
And they had nothing in the tank except "what if instead of a universe ... a multiverse?"
Reposted by James Callan
Security, privacy, accessibility, UX, anything that an org sees as being bolted on at the end hits this problem.
"Champion sounds nice, but you don't have to become a Champion if everyone is already doing the thing you want. So taking on the mantle of Champion means taking on conflict."
"Champion sounds nice, but you don't have to become a Champion if everyone is already doing the thing you want. So taking on the mantle of Champion means taking on conflict."
New open newsletter at Fight for the Human: Can we make Security Empirical, and why might we want to?
In it you'll find the Dev Science Office Hour I hosted with @arianamirian.bsky.social, as well as my notes on a paper about technical Champions
www.fightforthehuman.com/empirical-se...
In it you'll find the Dev Science Office Hour I hosted with @arianamirian.bsky.social, as well as my notes on a paper about technical Champions
www.fightforthehuman.com/empirical-se...
Can we make Security Empirical, and why might we want to?
There's a paper I recently came across by Mohammad Tahaei and colleagues called Privacy Champions in Sofware Teams: Understanding Their Motivations, Strategies, and Challenges. In it, they interview 1...
www.fightforthehuman.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:28 PM
Security, privacy, accessibility, UX, anything that an org sees as being bolted on at the end hits this problem.
"Champion sounds nice, but you don't have to become a Champion if everyone is already doing the thing you want. So taking on the mantle of Champion means taking on conflict."
"Champion sounds nice, but you don't have to become a Champion if everyone is already doing the thing you want. So taking on the mantle of Champion means taking on conflict."
Reposted by James Callan
50 years ago this week, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert made the first pilot for their TV show. In honor of this huge anniversary, I created my definitive “Best of Siskel & Ebert” article - 50 of their best reviews from across their entire career. 👍🏻👍🏻
The 50 Best Siskel & Ebert Reviews
screencrush.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
50 years ago this week, Gene Siskel and Roger Ebert made the first pilot for their TV show. In honor of this huge anniversary, I created my definitive “Best of Siskel & Ebert” article - 50 of their best reviews from across their entire career. 👍🏻👍🏻