Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 4h

Lovely moment when the sun peaked out. It's been miserable all day until just this moment.

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 5h

Next read is a reread of Jude the Obscure by Thomas Hardy. I first read this when I was 15 and it was the first novel to start shaping my views on social institutions and how they can crush a man. #booksky

5

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 8h

RIP

Mark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 9h

Terribly sad news about one of the greats. Diane Keaton has died at 79.
people.com/diane-keaton...

Diane Keaton, Famed for Roles in 'Father of the Bride,' 'First Wives Club' and More, Dies at 79 (Exclusive)

Diane Keaton has died at age 79. Keaton was best known for roles in movies like 'Annie Hall,' 'The First Wives Club,' 'Something's Gotta Give' and 'The Godfather.'

people.com

2

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 11h

It's also a shame that the bottom seems to have dropped out of comedy at least financially, with comedians dropping specials on YouTube for free. Capitalism and technology have dovetailed to devalue comedy just like many other art forms: movies, books, music, etc.

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 11h

There are some who genuinely have fun crowd work. Then I go check out their actual comedy special and I can barely get through them they're so boring.

If I go to a comedy show, I'm paying to see your show. Not paying to be part of the show. If I'm the show, I'll just stay home.

1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 11h

Great discussion.

For me with modern comedy, and the guys that do all the crowd work, of which many are in the Rogan sphere, it just comes down to the majority, if not all of them, just being anywhere from bad to mediocre at best at actual standup comedy. Their finished products are just not good.

Luke Thomas @lukethomas.bsky.social · 1d

Full interview: lthomas.substack.com/p/riyadh-com...

What's Going on With Comedy? A Conversation With W. Kamau Bell

In the wake of the Riyadh Comedy Festival, questions about what modern stand-up comedy is actually about are beginning to get asked.

lthomas.substack.com

1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 11h

The life of my dog.

"PAY ATTENTION TO ME!"

To

"I wish I were outside."

1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 11h

And a lot of the time it's not worth bothering to try to defend anything one likes because the people who think what you like is problematic, whether it's a writer, director, or any other work of art, will always think you're problematic so it's best to just keep most things to yourself.

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 12h

It's the Fight Club argument. "If you like that book / movie that's a red flag." I argue that it's how one analyzes it and the conclusions they draw from it that matters. With Fight Club, the knuckle dragging Durden worshipers completely missed the point. Unfortunately they are the loudest.

1 1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 12h

I saw a clip of a person saying that if you enjoy one or two of Dostoevsky's works, it's fine but if you enjoy more than that you're problematic simply because of how asshats like Jordan Peterson quote him all the time. I think that's silly. Idiots like stuff too, you know what I mean? C'mon now.

1 1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 12h

For the record, I choose to see Notes from Underground as a call to action. And it is a choice.

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 12h

"fake internet points."

Ah, the rallying cry for blockheads.

1 2

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 12h

Aw. Stand by your posts, fellas.

1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 12h

2025 reading #26: Notes from Underground by Dostoevsky, a memoir by a bitter man railing against society and his own ineptitude, paralyzed by his own overanalysis, could have been written today. Frightening, because many men think this way. The book can be a resignation or a call to action. #booksky

1 1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

Family movie night: watching the very underappreciated Edge of Tomorrow.

#filmsky

a man in a helmet says come on while holding a gun

ALT: a man in a helmet says come on while holding a gun

media.tenor.com

1 8

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

I have a feeling I will exceed my 2025 book reading goal.

#booksky

2 3

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

This is why you drip money biweekly or weekly.

Reuters @reuters.com · 1d

TSX posts biggest decline in six months as global trade tensions rise reut.rs/3IFdpNx

TSX posts biggest decline in six months as global trade tensions rise

Canada's main stock index posted on Friday its biggest decline since April as increased trade tensions between the United States and China provided a catalyst for profit-taking, and despite stronger-than-expected domestic jobs data.

reut.rs

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

Also, I have been a very good boy waiting until Friday, my one of 2 drinking days out of the week.

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

Wife: She wants to go to this carnival next weekend. It's being put on by Joni's church.
Me: Joni is the racist 9 yr old right? Why are the religious kids the most hateful? Did she not learn anything in Sunday school?
Wife: Guess she learned to be bigoted.

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

Absolutely! Made it to another Friday, fellas.

Cheers. 🍻

1 5

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

What's fun about being in a family full of females, is when they bring their friends over who are also female. Right now my wife, daughters and their two best friends are all hanging out downstairs. Even our dog is female. I am always outnumbered.

1 2

Reposted

Luke Thomas @lukethomas.bsky.social · 1d

Full interview: lthomas.substack.com/p/riyadh-com...

What's Going on With Comedy? A Conversation With W. Kamau Bell

In the wake of the Riyadh Comedy Festival, questions about what modern stand-up comedy is actually about are beginning to get asked.

lthomas.substack.com

2 14

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

@pinkcurmudgeon.bsky.social Case in point what I was talking about.

1 1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

You know what the kicker is? 36 hrs after finishing the book, the last chapter in this book made me feel ashamed for the emotions I felt, which I then got angry about because I felt weak. All I know is anger, so because all I never healed from the traumatic events of my daughter's birth, I got angry

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 2d

2025 reading #25: Hemingway's A Farewell to Arms wrecked me. The birth of our first child was hard on my wife and a traumatic event for me. His beautiful writing as Catherine goes into labor matched so many real life beats that I resented him for making me relive those memories. Fuck, man. #booksky

1

pud333.bsky.social @pud333.bsky.social · 1d

A lot of men legitimately feel betrayed by him because he was considered "one of us."

And I hope his career suffers because of it. Fuck Bill Burr forever.

1 2