Derek Vandivere
@vandivere.net
Ex American Dutch guy living in Amsterdam. Professionally, an enterprise architect. Recreationally, spends too much time making vegetarian food, playing jazz and classical trombone, and tending to the cats.
Posts mainly stuff about Amsterdam
Posts mainly stuff about Amsterdam
Yes, that's why I deleted after I reread. Of course the fact that you can also do the stuff he says that you couldn't under fascism doesn't exactly strengthen the argument that the US is already fascist
November 17, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Yes, that's why I deleted after I reread. Of course the fact that you can also do the stuff he says that you couldn't under fascism doesn't exactly strengthen the argument that the US is already fascist
And he's been neutered, so this is one Tucker whose nuts don't need irradiation!
November 17, 2025 at 4:04 PM
And he's been neutered, so this is one Tucker whose nuts don't need irradiation!
I had a vague recollection, but definitely did not remember the world weary look of resignation on the dog's face.
November 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
I had a vague recollection, but definitely did not remember the world weary look of resignation on the dog's face.
I, too, can make up specious bullshit.
November 17, 2025 at 3:56 PM
I, too, can make up specious bullshit.
In fairness, other than my hair, my wardrobe is fairly generic.
Oh - happy birthday! Hope you had a good one.
Oh - happy birthday! Hope you had a good one.
November 17, 2025 at 3:53 PM
In fairness, other than my hair, my wardrobe is fairly generic.
Oh - happy birthday! Hope you had a good one.
Oh - happy birthday! Hope you had a good one.
Some of us are doing our part...
November 17, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Some of us are doing our part...
That has exactly nothing to do with calling things what they are.
November 16, 2025 at 8:23 PM
That has exactly nothing to do with calling things what they are.
That's absolutely wrong, I think. The state you're in determines the strategies you use, so being precise in your language is important.
November 16, 2025 at 7:01 PM
That's absolutely wrong, I think. The state you're in determines the strategies you use, so being precise in your language is important.
Hello from Amsterdam. I, at least, understand the point Tom is making even if you don't.
November 16, 2025 at 8:16 AM
Hello from Amsterdam. I, at least, understand the point Tom is making even if you don't.
Hello from Amsterdam! I can tell you it's moving in that direction, but it's not there yet. Which is what Tom has been saying multiple times - it's still possible to resolve within the current structures of government.
November 16, 2025 at 8:10 AM
Hello from Amsterdam! I can tell you it's moving in that direction, but it's not there yet. Which is what Tom has been saying multiple times - it's still possible to resolve within the current structures of government.
(Its great fun to wind up the fans of blackface with this)
November 15, 2025 at 7:44 PM
(Its great fun to wind up the fans of blackface with this)
The irony of blackface Zwarte Piet is that it seems to have begun just after the first American minstrelry shows toured Europe in the 1840s.
There's a good chance that it's appropriation of one of the crappiest bits of my culture.
There's a good chance that it's appropriation of one of the crappiest bits of my culture.
November 15, 2025 at 7:22 PM
The irony of blackface Zwarte Piet is that it seems to have begun just after the first American minstrelry shows toured Europe in the 1840s.
There's a good chance that it's appropriation of one of the crappiest bits of my culture.
There's a good chance that it's appropriation of one of the crappiest bits of my culture.
Well, some of us over here used to be American, you know.
November 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
Well, some of us over here used to be American, you know.
Thanks! My wife is one of the world's experts one that painting, so the Girl has become a bit of a theme with us.
November 15, 2025 at 12:06 PM
Thanks! My wife is one of the world's experts one that painting, so the Girl has become a bit of a theme with us.
U boats in Tsushima? I must have missed that DLC...
November 14, 2025 at 10:42 PM
U boats in Tsushima? I must have missed that DLC...
One of the nice things about having a Jamaican mother in law is learning the joy of plantains. Just wish I could tell which will be sweet and which more bready.
November 14, 2025 at 7:20 PM
One of the nice things about having a Jamaican mother in law is learning the joy of plantains. Just wish I could tell which will be sweet and which more bready.
- Can't find the name of it, but there was a really interesting book a few years ago about the physical infrastructure of the Internet (transatlantic cables, etc.)
(basically things I'd appreciate, of course)
(basically things I'd appreciate, of course)
November 14, 2025 at 3:26 PM
- Can't find the name of it, but there was a really interesting book a few years ago about the physical infrastructure of the Internet (transatlantic cables, etc.)
(basically things I'd appreciate, of course)
(basically things I'd appreciate, of course)
- Charitable donation in their name to a cause they care about
- Walter Isaacson's biography of Da Vinci
- Edward Tufte books (incredibly good books on graphic design and quantitative information)
- Walter Isaacson's biography of Da Vinci
- Edward Tufte books (incredibly good books on graphic design and quantitative information)
November 14, 2025 at 3:26 PM
- Charitable donation in their name to a cause they care about
- Walter Isaacson's biography of Da Vinci
- Edward Tufte books (incredibly good books on graphic design and quantitative information)
- Walter Isaacson's biography of Da Vinci
- Edward Tufte books (incredibly good books on graphic design and quantitative information)
OK, all based on the idea that we techies like to choose our own toys, so stuff to broaden their horizon:
- A patch of framed grass (that they can touch)
- Membership in natuurmonumenten and an appointment to go on a nice long walk with them
- Gift pass to a painting or ceramics and drinks workshop
- A patch of framed grass (that they can touch)
- Membership in natuurmonumenten and an appointment to go on a nice long walk with them
- Gift pass to a painting or ceramics and drinks workshop
November 14, 2025 at 3:26 PM
OK, all based on the idea that we techies like to choose our own toys, so stuff to broaden their horizon:
- A patch of framed grass (that they can touch)
- Membership in natuurmonumenten and an appointment to go on a nice long walk with them
- Gift pass to a painting or ceramics and drinks workshop
- A patch of framed grass (that they can touch)
- Membership in natuurmonumenten and an appointment to go on a nice long walk with them
- Gift pass to a painting or ceramics and drinks workshop
It's not like I think Fargo was a documentary.
November 14, 2025 at 3:02 PM
It's not like I think Fargo was a documentary.
I'd guess it would be the post that said something like "wood chipper, feet first" which is so obviously a literal call for violence and not at all moral condemnation...
November 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
I'd guess it would be the post that said something like "wood chipper, feet first" which is so obviously a literal call for violence and not at all moral condemnation...
How do you feel about euthanasia for other diseases? (In other words, is it euthanasia itself or the mental illness aspect?)
(If I may ask, of course)
(If I may ask, of course)
November 14, 2025 at 12:03 PM
How do you feel about euthanasia for other diseases? (In other words, is it euthanasia itself or the mental illness aspect?)
(If I may ask, of course)
(If I may ask, of course)