Alan Simpson
@bioniciguana.bsky.social
Here you will find: Mainly J.R.R. Tolkien content. Also: Green/Left Politics, Video games, George Martin, Sci Fi
@demontomatodave.bsky.social Amazing the things YouTube decides to put into the #1 slot on the front page sometimes
November 25, 2025 at 10:25 PM
@demontomatodave.bsky.social Amazing the things YouTube decides to put into the #1 slot on the front page sometimes
Who is going to be the last team standing... AT WAR GAMES
November 25, 2025 at 6:50 PM
Who is going to be the last team standing... AT WAR GAMES
Reposted by Alan Simpson
While I'm not quite at the point of losing my house, the harm ai has done to my animation work income is huge, like 80% gone and it makes me wonder how many freelance artists and animators ARE losing everything while billionaire con men continue to rake it in.
November 22, 2025 at 9:37 AM
While I'm not quite at the point of losing my house, the harm ai has done to my animation work income is huge, like 80% gone and it makes me wonder how many freelance artists and animators ARE losing everything while billionaire con men continue to rake it in.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
While on tour promoting 'Wake Up Dead Man', Rian Johnson goes off on AI for “making everything worse in every single way.” bit.ly/47UBPfH
November 22, 2025 at 2:00 AM
While on tour promoting 'Wake Up Dead Man', Rian Johnson goes off on AI for “making everything worse in every single way.” bit.ly/47UBPfH
Reposted by Alan Simpson
It's profoundly telling that the mythology Tolkien created in the wake of his parents' deaths, the loss of his beloved English countryside, and the slaughter of his best friends in WWI centers on the tension between mortals who wished they didn't have to die and immortals who wished they could.
"Fairy-stories are made by men not by fairies. The Human stories of the elves are doubtless full of the Escape from Deathlessness." (J.R.R. Tolkien, "On Fairy-Stories")
D&D elves: lol you die?? You die of old age?? After like 70 years? Lmao. You're like vermin to us. You're like a shitty animal
Silmarillion elves: you can "die"?? What the FUCK is that??? Where do you GO? Why can't I come??? *foaming at mouth* why the fuck do you get to go to 'Die' and not me
Silmarillion elves: you can "die"?? What the FUCK is that??? Where do you GO? Why can't I come??? *foaming at mouth* why the fuck do you get to go to 'Die' and not me
November 22, 2025 at 11:26 AM
It's profoundly telling that the mythology Tolkien created in the wake of his parents' deaths, the loss of his beloved English countryside, and the slaughter of his best friends in WWI centers on the tension between mortals who wished they didn't have to die and immortals who wished they could.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
steam is apparently allowing "this game had AI in it that it didn't disclose" as a valid return statement, so if you or anyone you know actually paid $70 for slop, get that money back
Insulting to the players, insulting to the IP, insulting to the medium, the developers. And the craft itself. Fuck you executives who pushed this garbage.
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
frvr.com/blog/call-of...
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI art slop, because your $70 means nothing anymore
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 is littered with AI generated artwork which makes the $70 feel like a complete rip-off.
frvr.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:10 AM
steam is apparently allowing "this game had AI in it that it didn't disclose" as a valid return statement, so if you or anyone you know actually paid $70 for slop, get that money back
Reposted by Alan Simpson
Tom beat me to it! I'm thrilled this is out in the world 🎉 It's my first publication in a book, so I'm feeling very sentimental about it all. This is Sauron as biblical femme fatale paper. The VOD is still live, I think, but if you want to read the more polished version in print... you now can! 👁
Another new publication! Thrilled to receive my contributor copy of Númenor, the Frail and Mighty reach print, also featuring @clarelmoore.bsky.social, @mercuryreads.bsky.social, @aranelparmadil.bsky.social, @putriprihatini.bsky.social, and more. Mazel Tov to editor @willsherwood.bsky.social too!
November 15, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Tom beat me to it! I'm thrilled this is out in the world 🎉 It's my first publication in a book, so I'm feeling very sentimental about it all. This is Sauron as biblical femme fatale paper. The VOD is still live, I think, but if you want to read the more polished version in print... you now can! 👁
Our next Voice Chat social event on the @tolkiensociety.org Discord Server - open to all Society members!
Feasts and Festivals!
From feasts in the Thousand Caves of Doriath, to a Long Expected Party and beyond!
If you are not yet a member you can join here: www.tolkiensociety.org/join/
Feasts and Festivals!
From feasts in the Thousand Caves of Doriath, to a Long Expected Party and beyond!
If you are not yet a member you can join here: www.tolkiensociety.org/join/
November 13, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Our next Voice Chat social event on the @tolkiensociety.org Discord Server - open to all Society members!
Feasts and Festivals!
From feasts in the Thousand Caves of Doriath, to a Long Expected Party and beyond!
If you are not yet a member you can join here: www.tolkiensociety.org/join/
Feasts and Festivals!
From feasts in the Thousand Caves of Doriath, to a Long Expected Party and beyond!
If you are not yet a member you can join here: www.tolkiensociety.org/join/
Reposted by Alan Simpson
"This energy!!!" 👏👏👏👏
Zack Polanski joins Rizzle Kicks out on stage in Bristol
Zack Polanski joins Rizzle Kicks out on stage in Bristol
November 13, 2025 at 8:57 AM
"This energy!!!" 👏👏👏👏
Zack Polanski joins Rizzle Kicks out on stage in Bristol
Zack Polanski joins Rizzle Kicks out on stage in Bristol
Reposted by Alan Simpson
I found a metaphor about AI that I like, and I'm going to stick with: AI is like mercury or lead or plutonium. Yeah, it has some practical uses, but those practical uses are vastly outweighed by the fact that they are actively toxic, destroying both our brains and the environment.
November 6, 2025 at 10:48 PM
I found a metaphor about AI that I like, and I'm going to stick with: AI is like mercury or lead or plutonium. Yeah, it has some practical uses, but those practical uses are vastly outweighed by the fact that they are actively toxic, destroying both our brains and the environment.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
This is the most ruthless act of union busting in the history of the UK games industry. Yesterday, @rockstargames.com unfairly fired over 30 employees for union activity.
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated.
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated.
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Grand Theft Auto’ Studio Accused of Union Busting After Firings
Union says 30 and 40 people were terminated. Rockstar Games’ parent company cites ‘gross misconduct’
www.bloomberg.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:01 PM
This is the most ruthless act of union busting in the history of the UK games industry. Yesterday, @rockstargames.com unfairly fired over 30 employees for union activity.
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated.
We won't back down, and we're not scared - we will fight for every member to be reinstated.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
“The most improper job of any man,” the elder Tolkien wrote, “is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.”
JRR Tolkien, Letter 52
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
JRR Tolkien, Letter 52
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk Really Doesn't Get 'The Lord of the Rings'
Musk has recently used Tolkien references to push anti-immigration messaging, as has the Department of Homeland security. They've got it all backwards.
www.wired.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:43 PM
“The most improper job of any man,” the elder Tolkien wrote, “is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.”
JRR Tolkien, Letter 52
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
JRR Tolkien, Letter 52
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
“The most improper job of any man,” the elder Tolkien wrote, “is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.”
JRR Tolkien, Letter 52
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
JRR Tolkien, Letter 52
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Elon Musk Really Doesn't Get 'The Lord of the Rings'
Musk has recently used Tolkien references to push anti-immigration messaging, as has the Department of Homeland security. They've got it all backwards.
www.wired.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:43 PM
“The most improper job of any man,” the elder Tolkien wrote, “is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity.”
JRR Tolkien, Letter 52
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
JRR Tolkien, Letter 52
www.wired.com/story/elon-m...
Reposted by Alan Simpson
Not long ago I went to a pub with a bunch of philosophy academics and was trying to explain the fascist co-opting of Tolkien to them, and one of the said "oh, so its a Nietzche situation" and that is it exactly. Don't let them pull this shit again. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars.
October 29, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Not long ago I went to a pub with a bunch of philosophy academics and was trying to explain the fascist co-opting of Tolkien to them, and one of the said "oh, so its a Nietzche situation" and that is it exactly. Don't let them pull this shit again. Do not pass go, do not collect 200 dollars.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
Sharky and his men want to manipulate words to convince the people of untruths. This is a Sharkyian untruth intended to change the narrative in a way that denies that FOR FRODO actually means fighting to protect freedom through community action in the face of an authoritarian bully.
October 29, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Sharky and his men want to manipulate words to convince the people of untruths. This is a Sharkyian untruth intended to change the narrative in a way that denies that FOR FRODO actually means fighting to protect freedom through community action in the face of an authoritarian bully.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
But the thing with the Scouring of the Shire is that sometimes the people, even those who just want peace, need to Rise Up when someone comes in claiming to have business interests in mind (when really all he wants is power) and creates a militia of armed bullies to harass the people into obedience.
a man with gray hair and a beard is saying that sounds familiar
ALT: a man with gray hair and a beard is saying that sounds familiar
media.tenor.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:34 PM
But the thing with the Scouring of the Shire is that sometimes the people, even those who just want peace, need to Rise Up when someone comes in claiming to have business interests in mind (when really all he wants is power) and creates a militia of armed bullies to harass the people into obedience.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
How Aragorn/the Dunedain protect the Shire is by NOT getting involved in their politics and being virtually invisible in their society. Allowing them to rule themselves as they see fit while making sure nobody interferes with their autonomy. Protecting their rights to self-determination.
October 29, 2025 at 11:34 PM
How Aragorn/the Dunedain protect the Shire is by NOT getting involved in their politics and being virtually invisible in their society. Allowing them to rule themselves as they see fit while making sure nobody interferes with their autonomy. Protecting their rights to self-determination.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
For a really excellent coverage on how the far right really really wants to claim Tolkien as theirs see the excellent work here:
www.theamericanid.com/podcast
Do not let them.
www.theamericanid.com/podcast
Do not let them.
American Id Podcast — American Id
www.theamericanid.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
For a really excellent coverage on how the far right really really wants to claim Tolkien as theirs see the excellent work here:
www.theamericanid.com/podcast
Do not let them.
www.theamericanid.com/podcast
Do not let them.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
I'm not out here trying to claim that Tolkien wasn't flawed--he absolutely was, and he had some very conflicting and wild opinions. Some aspects of his work are extremely dated and sloppily handled. But fuck this complete misrepresentation of that LOTR is about.
October 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I'm not out here trying to claim that Tolkien wasn't flawed--he absolutely was, and he had some very conflicting and wild opinions. Some aspects of his work are extremely dated and sloppily handled. But fuck this complete misrepresentation of that LOTR is about.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
Tolkien, on the record, hated Nazis, hated Tyrants, hated Government Control & Surveillance, hated bullies, and especially hated bullies who enact violence on innocent people while trying to obfuscate that it's all about power.
October 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Tolkien, on the record, hated Nazis, hated Tyrants, hated Government Control & Surveillance, hated bullies, and especially hated bullies who enact violence on innocent people while trying to obfuscate that it's all about power.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
I'm not the kind of person who considers it very important, normally, what an author would have thought. But in this case, it actually is very important: he would have absolutely fucking hated this. He would have been disgusted.
October 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
I'm not the kind of person who considers it very important, normally, what an author would have thought. But in this case, it actually is very important: he would have absolutely fucking hated this. He would have been disgusted.
Reposted by Alan Simpson
So apparently, the US Gov, in their most recent series of dog whistles, are pulling LOTR references and are outright saying that their fascist reign of terror is akin to protecting the Shire. Absolutely fucking not. The comparison is a straightforward dogwhistle, don't let them confuse you.
October 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
So apparently, the US Gov, in their most recent series of dog whistles, are pulling LOTR references and are outright saying that their fascist reign of terror is akin to protecting the Shire. Absolutely fucking not. The comparison is a straightforward dogwhistle, don't let them confuse you.
"for male and female are not matters only of the body any more than of the raiment" - JRR Tolkien, approx 1951 - from History of Middle-earth vol 10 Morgoth's Ring
October 7, 2025 at 11:34 AM
"for male and female are not matters only of the body any more than of the raiment" - JRR Tolkien, approx 1951 - from History of Middle-earth vol 10 Morgoth's Ring