Don Kirkland
@donkirkland.bsky.social
Designer of: computer games, economic systems, consumer engagement strategies.
Nerd about behavioural psychology.
Middle aged white guy.
Lives in Australia.
Sick of middle aged white guys making a mess of things.
Nerd about behavioural psychology.
Middle aged white guy.
Lives in Australia.
Sick of middle aged white guys making a mess of things.
The various allies of USA are playing nice for old times sake, but don't mistake playing nice for being friends.
December 12, 2025 at 5:33 AM
The various allies of USA are playing nice for old times sake, but don't mistake playing nice for being friends.
If the CEOs are only waking up to this now, they are morons.
Or, more likely, financially illiterate. I am constantly surprised by just how bad at economics most businessmen are.
Or, more likely, financially illiterate. I am constantly surprised by just how bad at economics most businessmen are.
December 12, 2025 at 1:49 AM
If the CEOs are only waking up to this now, they are morons.
Or, more likely, financially illiterate. I am constantly surprised by just how bad at economics most businessmen are.
Or, more likely, financially illiterate. I am constantly surprised by just how bad at economics most businessmen are.
Remember that it was foreign interference and psy-ops.
Remember that the hubris and corruption of people like Zuckerberg and Musk allowed it.
Don't blame the victims of a sophisticated disinformation attack on USA, blame the perpetrators and those who enabled them for personal gain.
Remember that the hubris and corruption of people like Zuckerberg and Musk allowed it.
Don't blame the victims of a sophisticated disinformation attack on USA, blame the perpetrators and those who enabled them for personal gain.
December 11, 2025 at 10:39 AM
Remember that it was foreign interference and psy-ops.
Remember that the hubris and corruption of people like Zuckerberg and Musk allowed it.
Don't blame the victims of a sophisticated disinformation attack on USA, blame the perpetrators and those who enabled them for personal gain.
Remember that the hubris and corruption of people like Zuckerberg and Musk allowed it.
Don't blame the victims of a sophisticated disinformation attack on USA, blame the perpetrators and those who enabled them for personal gain.
Even now people blame the non-voters. Even now no-one seems to want to admit that USA was the target of a foreign psy-ops campaign designed to cripple it.
As long as people deny this, the psy-ops campaign continues to win.
Don't blame the victims, blame the perpetrators.
You know who they are.
As long as people deny this, the psy-ops campaign continues to win.
Don't blame the victims, blame the perpetrators.
You know who they are.
December 11, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Even now people blame the non-voters. Even now no-one seems to want to admit that USA was the target of a foreign psy-ops campaign designed to cripple it.
As long as people deny this, the psy-ops campaign continues to win.
Don't blame the victims, blame the perpetrators.
You know who they are.
As long as people deny this, the psy-ops campaign continues to win.
Don't blame the victims, blame the perpetrators.
You know who they are.
The original polish(?) faerie tale this is based on got butchered.
The point of the original is that you can't have everything you want, and either extreme (all wishes or no wishes) is bad.
The movie? All wishes are magic and the world will be amazing if everyone can be libertarian!
Disney? No.
The point of the original is that you can't have everything you want, and either extreme (all wishes or no wishes) is bad.
The movie? All wishes are magic and the world will be amazing if everyone can be libertarian!
Disney? No.
December 10, 2025 at 5:33 AM
The original polish(?) faerie tale this is based on got butchered.
The point of the original is that you can't have everything you want, and either extreme (all wishes or no wishes) is bad.
The movie? All wishes are magic and the world will be amazing if everyone can be libertarian!
Disney? No.
The point of the original is that you can't have everything you want, and either extreme (all wishes or no wishes) is bad.
The movie? All wishes are magic and the world will be amazing if everyone can be libertarian!
Disney? No.
The things playtesters complain about are rarely the things that make people stop playing.
Unintended frustrations get addressed.
Intended frustrations do not.
Removing things playtesters don't like or find frustrating from Dark Souls would leave you with .... not much.
Unintended frustrations get addressed.
Intended frustrations do not.
Removing things playtesters don't like or find frustrating from Dark Souls would leave you with .... not much.
December 9, 2025 at 5:21 AM
The things playtesters complain about are rarely the things that make people stop playing.
Unintended frustrations get addressed.
Intended frustrations do not.
Removing things playtesters don't like or find frustrating from Dark Souls would leave you with .... not much.
Unintended frustrations get addressed.
Intended frustrations do not.
Removing things playtesters don't like or find frustrating from Dark Souls would leave you with .... not much.
Final Fantasy 7 was the game that convinced me games need to have more respect for players' time.
The other key is respect for people moving on. Not all games need to be finished.
A good game is a series of exciting opportunities to fail.
Mechanics that don't enable this should be scrutinised.
The other key is respect for people moving on. Not all games need to be finished.
A good game is a series of exciting opportunities to fail.
Mechanics that don't enable this should be scrutinised.
December 8, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Final Fantasy 7 was the game that convinced me games need to have more respect for players' time.
The other key is respect for people moving on. Not all games need to be finished.
A good game is a series of exciting opportunities to fail.
Mechanics that don't enable this should be scrutinised.
The other key is respect for people moving on. Not all games need to be finished.
A good game is a series of exciting opportunities to fail.
Mechanics that don't enable this should be scrutinised.
DMing convention games is this x1000.
December 6, 2025 at 11:02 PM
DMing convention games is this x1000.
Stupid is a somewhat dated term.
Are we collectively making more poor decisions? Yes, but that is not about the general public but those with the levers of power.
Stress is a factor. Every notification ding is a factor. Social media propaganda is a factor.
Eliminating 'wasted time' is stupidity.
Are we collectively making more poor decisions? Yes, but that is not about the general public but those with the levers of power.
Stress is a factor. Every notification ding is a factor. Social media propaganda is a factor.
Eliminating 'wasted time' is stupidity.
December 6, 2025 at 10:42 PM
Stupid is a somewhat dated term.
Are we collectively making more poor decisions? Yes, but that is not about the general public but those with the levers of power.
Stress is a factor. Every notification ding is a factor. Social media propaganda is a factor.
Eliminating 'wasted time' is stupidity.
Are we collectively making more poor decisions? Yes, but that is not about the general public but those with the levers of power.
Stress is a factor. Every notification ding is a factor. Social media propaganda is a factor.
Eliminating 'wasted time' is stupidity.
Just wait two weeks!
December 6, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Just wait two weeks!
Racist bigots flooding the airwaves with their hate in every way their evil minds can conceive to attempt to normalise their shit.
Every time a creator stands up to these jerks, another rainbow is born.
Gatekeeping is awful. Bigoted gatekeeping is the fucking worst.
Every time a creator stands up to these jerks, another rainbow is born.
Gatekeeping is awful. Bigoted gatekeeping is the fucking worst.
December 5, 2025 at 10:05 AM
Racist bigots flooding the airwaves with their hate in every way their evil minds can conceive to attempt to normalise their shit.
Every time a creator stands up to these jerks, another rainbow is born.
Gatekeeping is awful. Bigoted gatekeeping is the fucking worst.
Every time a creator stands up to these jerks, another rainbow is born.
Gatekeeping is awful. Bigoted gatekeeping is the fucking worst.
The thing that Democrats have been bad at, and which they are at a massive disadvantage thanks to Reagan giving Murdoch too much power, is communication.
A big reason why Rs are so easily able to take credit for Dem wins and blame Dems for R failings is Rs communicate (lie) clearly.
A big reason why Rs are so easily able to take credit for Dem wins and blame Dems for R failings is Rs communicate (lie) clearly.
December 4, 2025 at 8:39 AM
The thing that Democrats have been bad at, and which they are at a massive disadvantage thanks to Reagan giving Murdoch too much power, is communication.
A big reason why Rs are so easily able to take credit for Dem wins and blame Dems for R failings is Rs communicate (lie) clearly.
A big reason why Rs are so easily able to take credit for Dem wins and blame Dems for R failings is Rs communicate (lie) clearly.
(2/2) I also know people in the political sphere who are and remain good people. Again, hard to do.
This isn't because of conspiracy, but because of a comedy of errors. Bad faith actors exploit it, badly.
The TV show 'Utopia' captures it very well. It is more documentary than makes me comfortable.
This isn't because of conspiracy, but because of a comedy of errors. Bad faith actors exploit it, badly.
The TV show 'Utopia' captures it very well. It is more documentary than makes me comfortable.
December 4, 2025 at 4:07 AM
(2/2) I also know people in the political sphere who are and remain good people. Again, hard to do.
This isn't because of conspiracy, but because of a comedy of errors. Bad faith actors exploit it, badly.
The TV show 'Utopia' captures it very well. It is more documentary than makes me comfortable.
This isn't because of conspiracy, but because of a comedy of errors. Bad faith actors exploit it, badly.
The TV show 'Utopia' captures it very well. It is more documentary than makes me comfortable.
(1/2) I don't agree, but my younger self would have.
I know a few people who have been in politics at both local and federal level. They are genuinely nice people who I like, but I can't stand their political personas. Neither can they.
The pressures from party to act in certain ways is real.
I know a few people who have been in politics at both local and federal level. They are genuinely nice people who I like, but I can't stand their political personas. Neither can they.
The pressures from party to act in certain ways is real.
December 4, 2025 at 4:04 AM
(1/2) I don't agree, but my younger self would have.
I know a few people who have been in politics at both local and federal level. They are genuinely nice people who I like, but I can't stand their political personas. Neither can they.
The pressures from party to act in certain ways is real.
I know a few people who have been in politics at both local and federal level. They are genuinely nice people who I like, but I can't stand their political personas. Neither can they.
The pressures from party to act in certain ways is real.
Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.
-Churchill
-Churchill
December 4, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Democracy is the worst form of government, except for all the others.
-Churchill
-Churchill
That would be very interesting!
Doable? Yes. Hard as hell? Also yes.
The amount of extra work it would take to do this to Dan's level of acceptance would be INSANE.
No toggle. That would make it even worse. Also a feature like this wants to be in everyone's face.
We would want Fox to complain.
Doable? Yes. Hard as hell? Also yes.
The amount of extra work it would take to do this to Dan's level of acceptance would be INSANE.
No toggle. That would make it even worse. Also a feature like this wants to be in everyone's face.
We would want Fox to complain.
December 4, 2025 at 12:49 AM
That would be very interesting!
Doable? Yes. Hard as hell? Also yes.
The amount of extra work it would take to do this to Dan's level of acceptance would be INSANE.
No toggle. That would make it even worse. Also a feature like this wants to be in everyone's face.
We would want Fox to complain.
Doable? Yes. Hard as hell? Also yes.
The amount of extra work it would take to do this to Dan's level of acceptance would be INSANE.
No toggle. That would make it even worse. Also a feature like this wants to be in everyone's face.
We would want Fox to complain.
That isn't new for Nintendo.
US buyers also get to pay Trump his tariff, which won't be helping.
Nintendo have actually become a bit less control freak in recent years. They actually let outside developers - even indie - play in their IP sandpit now.
US buyers also get to pay Trump his tariff, which won't be helping.
Nintendo have actually become a bit less control freak in recent years. They actually let outside developers - even indie - play in their IP sandpit now.
December 4, 2025 at 12:40 AM
That isn't new for Nintendo.
US buyers also get to pay Trump his tariff, which won't be helping.
Nintendo have actually become a bit less control freak in recent years. They actually let outside developers - even indie - play in their IP sandpit now.
US buyers also get to pay Trump his tariff, which won't be helping.
Nintendo have actually become a bit less control freak in recent years. They actually let outside developers - even indie - play in their IP sandpit now.
Government is required to air some of their dirty laundry. Certainly a lot more than private enterprise is required to.
Australian govt is founded on principles of democracy.
Australian politics and corruption are bywords, and always have been. That isn't a govt problem, that is a culture problem.
Australian govt is founded on principles of democracy.
Australian politics and corruption are bywords, and always have been. That isn't a govt problem, that is a culture problem.
December 4, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Government is required to air some of their dirty laundry. Certainly a lot more than private enterprise is required to.
Australian govt is founded on principles of democracy.
Australian politics and corruption are bywords, and always have been. That isn't a govt problem, that is a culture problem.
Australian govt is founded on principles of democracy.
Australian politics and corruption are bywords, and always have been. That isn't a govt problem, that is a culture problem.
The socially conscious method of watching is to hoist ye Jolly Roger.
December 4, 2025 at 12:29 AM
The socially conscious method of watching is to hoist ye Jolly Roger.
Bureaucratic grift
Government isn't the problem. Corruption is - which can be externally applied corruption like I suspect this is.
Government is an easy punching bag because they are legally required to air their dirty laundry.
Private enterprise, it turns out, is five times worse.
Government isn't the problem. Corruption is - which can be externally applied corruption like I suspect this is.
Government is an easy punching bag because they are legally required to air their dirty laundry.
Private enterprise, it turns out, is five times worse.
December 4, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Bureaucratic grift
Government isn't the problem. Corruption is - which can be externally applied corruption like I suspect this is.
Government is an easy punching bag because they are legally required to air their dirty laundry.
Private enterprise, it turns out, is five times worse.
Government isn't the problem. Corruption is - which can be externally applied corruption like I suspect this is.
Government is an easy punching bag because they are legally required to air their dirty laundry.
Private enterprise, it turns out, is five times worse.
I hear you.
My memory isn't what it used to be, but still.
These days I have taken to recording (with permission) all important conversations.
More than once I have had a 'yes you did/no I didn't' scenario with legal implications.
Now I follow that with 'would you like a copy of the transcript?'
My memory isn't what it used to be, but still.
These days I have taken to recording (with permission) all important conversations.
More than once I have had a 'yes you did/no I didn't' scenario with legal implications.
Now I follow that with 'would you like a copy of the transcript?'
December 4, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I hear you.
My memory isn't what it used to be, but still.
These days I have taken to recording (with permission) all important conversations.
More than once I have had a 'yes you did/no I didn't' scenario with legal implications.
Now I follow that with 'would you like a copy of the transcript?'
My memory isn't what it used to be, but still.
These days I have taken to recording (with permission) all important conversations.
More than once I have had a 'yes you did/no I didn't' scenario with legal implications.
Now I follow that with 'would you like a copy of the transcript?'
No sensible creator listens to them.
Some mock them (eg Control Freak in Teen Titans Go).
Some make an entire franchise to mock them (eg South Park).
The only people in industry who pay them any heed are marketing-bros. The rest of the industry despise marketing-bros even more than you do.
Some mock them (eg Control Freak in Teen Titans Go).
Some make an entire franchise to mock them (eg South Park).
The only people in industry who pay them any heed are marketing-bros. The rest of the industry despise marketing-bros even more than you do.
December 3, 2025 at 11:51 PM
No sensible creator listens to them.
Some mock them (eg Control Freak in Teen Titans Go).
Some make an entire franchise to mock them (eg South Park).
The only people in industry who pay them any heed are marketing-bros. The rest of the industry despise marketing-bros even more than you do.
Some mock them (eg Control Freak in Teen Titans Go).
Some make an entire franchise to mock them (eg South Park).
The only people in industry who pay them any heed are marketing-bros. The rest of the industry despise marketing-bros even more than you do.
Move fast. Break things.
What even are customers?
What even are customers?
December 3, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Move fast. Break things.
What even are customers?
What even are customers?
That is a very libertarian thing.
Capitalism, by its original definition, requires robust anti-trust and regulation. It requires the state to consider private business as their rival in national economics, not their ally.
This system works. It has been proven.
Then we dumped it because Friedman.
Capitalism, by its original definition, requires robust anti-trust and regulation. It requires the state to consider private business as their rival in national economics, not their ally.
This system works. It has been proven.
Then we dumped it because Friedman.
December 3, 2025 at 11:43 PM
That is a very libertarian thing.
Capitalism, by its original definition, requires robust anti-trust and regulation. It requires the state to consider private business as their rival in national economics, not their ally.
This system works. It has been proven.
Then we dumped it because Friedman.
Capitalism, by its original definition, requires robust anti-trust and regulation. It requires the state to consider private business as their rival in national economics, not their ally.
This system works. It has been proven.
Then we dumped it because Friedman.