Social Justice Fallacies
Jan. 26th, 2024 11:25 pmSocial Justice Fallacies by Thomas Sowell
A discussion of logical fallacies used as argument. Issues with arguments about equality being natural, with disparities that are ignored vs disparities that are used as arguments, the reification of groups of people that are constantly changing (the bottom quintile is never actually the same group of people from year to year and changes a lot over a decade), the problems in assuming that people being subjected to a policy will not react in their own interest in face of it, and more.
A discussion of logical fallacies used as argument. Issues with arguments about equality being natural, with disparities that are ignored vs disparities that are used as arguments, the reification of groups of people that are constantly changing (the bottom quintile is never actually the same group of people from year to year and changes a lot over a decade), the problems in assuming that people being subjected to a policy will not react in their own interest in face of it, and more.
How to Defend Your Lair
Dec. 9th, 2022 10:52 pmHow to Defend Your Lair by Keith Ammann
A discussion of the basic elements of security.
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A discussion of the basic elements of security.
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Secrets of Monet's Garden
Jul. 4th, 2022 07:05 pmSecrets of Monet's Garden: Bringing the Beauty of Monet's Style to Your Own Garden by Derek Fell
An analysis of what Monet planted and why, and what you can do like it, even if you don't have a dedicated team of ten gardeners, a backhoe to deal with exhausted beds, several greenhouses solely to raises flowers, and all that land. Some aspects, he points out, can be duplicated in little as planters, such as color scheme.
Also comments on the art. For instance, Monet, despite the rumors, did not dislike hybrids; all his waterlilies were hybrids. He didn't like double flowers because they were less translucent.
An analysis of what Monet planted and why, and what you can do like it, even if you don't have a dedicated team of ten gardeners, a backhoe to deal with exhausted beds, several greenhouses solely to raises flowers, and all that land. Some aspects, he points out, can be duplicated in little as planters, such as color scheme.
Also comments on the art. For instance, Monet, despite the rumors, did not dislike hybrids; all his waterlilies were hybrids. He didn't like double flowers because they were less translucent.
Dressing the Past
Jun. 15th, 2022 11:09 pmDressing the Past edited by Margarita Gleba, Cherine Munkholt, and Marie-Louise Nosch
Not so much a discussion of what people wore as how people reconstruct, as best they can, what people wore. Observations on everything from Scythian women wearing elaborate headdresses because most of the gold ornaments in their graves had to have been on it, to tracing the history of Hollywood's use of historical accuracy.
Not so much a discussion of what people wore as how people reconstruct, as best they can, what people wore. Observations on everything from Scythian women wearing elaborate headdresses because most of the gold ornaments in their graves had to have been on it, to tracing the history of Hollywood's use of historical accuracy.
MI6 Spy Skills for Civilians
Jun. 15th, 2022 09:39 pmMI6 Spy Skills for Civilians by Red Riley
Who is, as you might guess, not actually Red Riley. Some basic tradecraft starting with becoming a spy -- as bland as possible, and probably not possible if you are striking such as being immensely tall or short -- hit on maintaining an alias, evasion, extractions, fighting if you absolutely can't escape, evading surveillance, and other such spy things.
Who is, as you might guess, not actually Red Riley. Some basic tradecraft starting with becoming a spy -- as bland as possible, and probably not possible if you are striking such as being immensely tall or short -- hit on maintaining an alias, evasion, extractions, fighting if you absolutely can't escape, evading surveillance, and other such spy things.
Arbiter of Worlds
Feb. 22nd, 2022 11:46 pmArbiter of Worlds: A Primer for Gamemasters by Alexander Macris
An interesting look at the practicalities of running a game. Including how it differs from writing from the DM's point of view. He tends toward sandbox games, which emphasizes the difference. Though the chapter about abduction (reasoning from an unusual event to the principle that caused it) is something that applies to both.
A particularly interesting appendix on alignment.
An interesting look at the practicalities of running a game. Including how it differs from writing from the DM's point of view. He tends toward sandbox games, which emphasizes the difference. Though the chapter about abduction (reasoning from an unusual event to the principle that caused it) is something that applies to both.
A particularly interesting appendix on alignment.
War Before Civilization
Jan. 16th, 2022 10:16 pmWar Before Civilization: The Myth of the Peaceful Savage by Lawrence H. Keeley
Discusses warfare with both anthropological and ethnological evidence.
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Discusses warfare with both anthropological and ethnological evidence.
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Strategikon
Oct. 23rd, 2021 02:45 pmMaurice's Strategikon: Handbook of Byzantine Military Strategy translated by George T. Dennis
This is definitely a book for a select audience. Those are interested in Byzantine military matters will find it very useful. All sorts of things from the use of hunting as training for war, to what to do with your baggage train, to why you should always have a reserve, to discussions of various foes and what tactics to use with each.
This is definitely a book for a select audience. Those are interested in Byzantine military matters will find it very useful. All sorts of things from the use of hunting as training for war, to what to do with your baggage train, to why you should always have a reserve, to discussions of various foes and what tactics to use with each.
Live to Tell the Tale
Jul. 1st, 2020 08:32 pmLive to Tell the Tale: Combat Tactics for Player Characters by Keith Ammann
An analysis of what D&D players can do to fight better.
Some discussion of builds, with ability scores and feats and other choices, and character types such as tanks and spellslingers, and discussions of what to do in fights. Heavy on D&D specific elements and terminology.
An analysis of what D&D players can do to fight better.
Some discussion of builds, with ability scores and feats and other choices, and character types such as tanks and spellslingers, and discussions of what to do in fights. Heavy on D&D specific elements and terminology.
The Monsters Know What They're Doing
Feb. 27th, 2020 10:46 pmThe Monsters Know What They're Doing: Combat Tactics for Dungeon Masters by Keith Ammann
An in-depth analysis of how to fight with D&D monsters.
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An in-depth analysis of how to fight with D&D monsters.
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