Aaron Webb
@aaronwebbdc.bsky.social
Comms guy in DC. Photography, digital diplomacy, Japan, and Maple Leafs Suffering (TM)
RIP to a great actor, though in my house he's known as the star of one of my family's favorite pieces of culture, the 2005 adaptation of "They're Made of Meat". Hopefully he'd like that. youtu.be/T6JFTmQCFHg?...
February 18, 2026 at 5:27 AM
RIP to a great actor, though in my house he's known as the star of one of my family's favorite pieces of culture, the 2005 adaptation of "They're Made of Meat". Hopefully he'd like that. youtu.be/T6JFTmQCFHg?...
It's me, your neighborhood millennial. Trying desperately to explain the charm of a non-online MMORPG series to my sleepy, disinterested children.
February 16, 2026 at 2:19 PM
It's me, your neighborhood millennial. Trying desperately to explain the charm of a non-online MMORPG series to my sleepy, disinterested children.
This is so cool that someone dug into this just amazing effect that makes 80's pre-digital Japanese animation just feel... alive, analog, and as the author says, dangerous. Neo Tokyo, UY2, Night in the Galactic Railroad, Angels Egg... One technique sets them all apart from everything after!
This style of light doesn't really appear in animation anymore. You know it when you see it -- it's bright, hot and almost dangerous.
Our new issue explores the tricks behind it, and how one artist has revived the look for the digital age: animationobsessive.substack.com/p/dangerous-...
Our new issue explores the tricks behind it, and how one artist has revived the look for the digital age: animationobsessive.substack.com/p/dangerous-...
February 15, 2026 at 3:01 AM
This is so cool that someone dug into this just amazing effect that makes 80's pre-digital Japanese animation just feel... alive, analog, and as the author says, dangerous. Neo Tokyo, UY2, Night in the Galactic Railroad, Angels Egg... One technique sets them all apart from everything after!
I've been coaching house this year, so I agree with this after going through the first level of ADM stuff. I was surprised how much further along they were on the reform path than soccer.
Our online class had 18-25 y.o.s transitioning after doing ADM as players, and they were all enthusiastic.
Our online class had 18-25 y.o.s transitioning after doing ADM as players, and they were all enthusiastic.
I can speak to this a bit:
USA hockey started what we call the ADM about 15 years ago. Cross ice hockey, small area games, huge focus on skill development over systems stuff. NTDP gets the best kids together early with the right resources.
USA hockey started what we call the ADM about 15 years ago. Cross ice hockey, small area games, huge focus on skill development over systems stuff. NTDP gets the best kids together early with the right resources.
I’m not arguing, I’m just wondering what other countries are doing for development? I have no idea what hockey Canada does. Like development camps for the kids/teens? Or more skill coaching on the teams?
February 10, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I've been coaching house this year, so I agree with this after going through the first level of ADM stuff. I was surprised how much further along they were on the reform path than soccer.
Our online class had 18-25 y.o.s transitioning after doing ADM as players, and they were all enthusiastic.
Our online class had 18-25 y.o.s transitioning after doing ADM as players, and they were all enthusiastic.
Like all Kalamazoo expats of my age, the answer is T.E. Murch's, the preternaturally good sandwich place at Crossroads.
Honorable mention in DC for that one amazing burrito cart that was in Farragut Square 25 years ago.
Honorable mention in DC for that one amazing burrito cart that was in Farragut Square 25 years ago.
Sunday night timeline cleanse
please tell me about your favorite lost restaurant (closed for at least 5 years, like I really want you to go back into the vault), why you loved it and what you ate there
please tell me about your favorite lost restaurant (closed for at least 5 years, like I really want you to go back into the vault), why you loved it and what you ate there
January 19, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Like all Kalamazoo expats of my age, the answer is T.E. Murch's, the preternaturally good sandwich place at Crossroads.
Honorable mention in DC for that one amazing burrito cart that was in Farragut Square 25 years ago.
Honorable mention in DC for that one amazing burrito cart that was in Farragut Square 25 years ago.
Reposted by Aaron Webb
this is my marty supreme
January 2, 2026 at 2:25 PM
this is my marty supreme
If nothing else, Japan's Kohaku Uta Gassen "NHK Red and White Song Battle" is an extraordinary technical achievement of live television. Hours of content (without commercial breaks), ambitious stage sets, live singing, bits throughout the building, remotes, etc, etc.
December 31, 2025 at 11:55 PM
If nothing else, Japan's Kohaku Uta Gassen "NHK Red and White Song Battle" is an extraordinary technical achievement of live television. Hours of content (without commercial breaks), ambitious stage sets, live singing, bits throughout the building, remotes, etc, etc.
Reposted by Aaron Webb
Good morning. How about 2000 words about the state of the US oil industry?
"Hamm admitted the Bakken is 'tapped out.' The reason he is buying shale assets in other countries is because the reality is that the U.S. oil industry is tapped out."
"Hamm admitted the Bakken is 'tapped out.' The reason he is buying shale assets in other countries is because the reality is that the U.S. oil industry is tapped out."
Lessons from the Bakken
The New York Times recently profiled Harold Hamm, Continental CEO Resources chairman emeritus and noted how Hamm is advising Trump to go all in on fossil fuels. This should surprise no one as Harold H...
powering-the-planet.ghost.io
December 29, 2025 at 2:31 PM
Good morning. How about 2000 words about the state of the US oil industry?
"Hamm admitted the Bakken is 'tapped out.' The reason he is buying shale assets in other countries is because the reality is that the U.S. oil industry is tapped out."
"Hamm admitted the Bakken is 'tapped out.' The reason he is buying shale assets in other countries is because the reality is that the U.S. oil industry is tapped out."
With throwing mechanics like that, no wonder those bombs just fall right where the character is
the turbografx art for bomberman is so fucking funny
December 24, 2025 at 5:32 AM
With throwing mechanics like that, no wonder those bombs just fall right where the character is
Good look at a thought-provoking, but ultimately harmless, cultural quirk.
Only piece I'd add to the thorough analysis here is that many Japanese orgs don't have a specialized web design team, so individual trams directly control their parts of the website, and fight for space on the homepage.
Only piece I'd add to the thorough analysis here is that many Japanese orgs don't have a specialized web design team, so individual trams directly control their parts of the website, and fight for space on the homepage.
Japan’s internet can look a bit weird to outsiders — dense pages, information overload, text burned into images. But, like most things in Japan, there’s a cultural logic behind it.
Why Japan’s internet looks weird — unless you live here
A closer look at Japan’s maximalist web design shows how cultural values and practical needs create an online world richer than it appears.
ebx.sh
December 17, 2025 at 1:38 PM
Good look at a thought-provoking, but ultimately harmless, cultural quirk.
Only piece I'd add to the thorough analysis here is that many Japanese orgs don't have a specialized web design team, so individual trams directly control their parts of the website, and fight for space on the homepage.
Only piece I'd add to the thorough analysis here is that many Japanese orgs don't have a specialized web design team, so individual trams directly control their parts of the website, and fight for space on the homepage.
When people think "our trains are bad and aren't up to modern standards" they're off pretty significantly: "Better" isn't bullet trains, better would be hitting average speeds common worldwide by the 1960's.
People love to say "high speed rail" and sure but reliable reasonably frequent 60mph service would do very well many places!
December 12, 2025 at 9:33 PM
When people think "our trains are bad and aren't up to modern standards" they're off pretty significantly: "Better" isn't bullet trains, better would be hitting average speeds common worldwide by the 1960's.
Quietly: I actually liked the old pod racing game
Star Wars: Galactic Racer announced - a podracing game coming to PS5, Xbox, and PC in 2026 #TheGameAwards
December 12, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Quietly: I actually liked the old pod racing game
It's an established fact that the Sausage Egg McMuffin with Cheese is a perfect culinary object.
In the same way, Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" is a perfect musical object because of the balanced way that it allows individual concert band instruments to express their essences in a harmonious way.
In the same way, Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" is a perfect musical object because of the balanced way that it allows individual concert band instruments to express their essences in a harmonious way.
December 11, 2025 at 1:25 AM
It's an established fact that the Sausage Egg McMuffin with Cheese is a perfect culinary object.
In the same way, Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" is a perfect musical object because of the balanced way that it allows individual concert band instruments to express their essences in a harmonious way.
In the same way, Leroy Anderson's "Sleigh Ride" is a perfect musical object because of the balanced way that it allows individual concert band instruments to express their essences in a harmonious way.
"Bear Attack Forecast" is both a thing that Japan has now, and an awesome band name
A possible jump in bear attacks could emerge in 2027 as a result of poor harvest of beechnuts, which typically form part of the animal’s staple diet.
High number of bear attacks possible in 2027 due to expected poor nut harvest
Beechnut harvests are considered to influence the number of bear incidents Japan sees each year.
ebx.sh
December 8, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Bear Attack Forecast" is both a thing that Japan has now, and an awesome band name
A remarkable achievement for young Ukrainian Sumo wrestler Aonishi: Hard to do sumo, harder still as an outsider to Japan, and impossible to imagine doing it after fleeing your homeland due to war. And he's the 4th youngest ever to win a championship! www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...
War refugee Aonishiki becomes first Ukrainian to win sumo tournament
The 21-year-old won the Kyushu tournament after a tie-breaking victory over grand champion Hoshoryu from Mongolia.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
A remarkable achievement for young Ukrainian Sumo wrestler Aonishi: Hard to do sumo, harder still as an outsider to Japan, and impossible to imagine doing it after fleeing your homeland due to war. And he's the 4th youngest ever to win a championship! www.japantimes.co.jp/sports/2025/...
Reposted by Aaron Webb
turning aftermath into a hockey website (i spoke to the skilled lehigh valley phantoms creative staff who put together this incredible evangelion intro!!)
aftermath.site/neon-gensis-...
aftermath.site/neon-gensis-...
A Hockey Team Recreated The Evangelion Intro For A Stadium Full Of Fans
Here's how an American Hockey League team embraced anime—then went viral.
aftermath.site
November 21, 2025 at 3:28 PM
turning aftermath into a hockey website (i spoke to the skilled lehigh valley phantoms creative staff who put together this incredible evangelion intro!!)
aftermath.site/neon-gensis-...
aftermath.site/neon-gensis-...
Wow, but also imagining the MANY people in the crowd that had the most intense feeling of not knowing what was happening ever registered
YOU GUYS WANNA SEE SOMETHING CURSED???? HOW ABOUT NEON GENESIS LEHIGH VALLEY PHANTOMS HOCKEY?????
November 17, 2025 at 2:24 AM
Wow, but also imagining the MANY people in the crowd that had the most intense feeling of not knowing what was happening ever registered
A really good film that's a massively big swing at a, uh, rather complex subject. Fun to see how the delayed release in Japan has become its own part of the story.
A 40-year wait for ‘Mishima’ ends at TIFF
A 40-year wait for ‘Mishima’ ends at TIFF
Paul Schrader’s 1985 biopic of the radical author Yukio Mishima finds its Japanese audience at last.
www.japantimes.co.jp
November 7, 2025 at 4:08 AM
A really good film that's a massively big swing at a, uh, rather complex subject. Fun to see how the delayed release in Japan has become its own part of the story.
The advantages of integrating "commercial activity" into neighborhood interiors is one of the first things you notice in Japan. Little cafes, bars, baths, & shops that you don't have to drive to are delightful. The lack of them in our communities is a policy/zoning choice that we can simply reverse.
"Neighbourhood interiors were never intended for commercial activity", says one letter writer. To be fair, this is true, if you toss the entirety of human history and modern day Earth outside North America in the trash, and think that urban planning less than a century old is ironclad natural law.
No corner coffee shops: Toronto committee waters down neighbourhood retail plan
It’s the second time in less than a year councillors balked at allowing certain businesses to open on some residential streets
www.torontotoday.ca
November 1, 2025 at 2:50 PM
The advantages of integrating "commercial activity" into neighborhood interiors is one of the first things you notice in Japan. Little cafes, bars, baths, & shops that you don't have to drive to are delightful. The lack of them in our communities is a policy/zoning choice that we can simply reverse.
Slappy the Eagle holds his lonely vigil at the Caps game, waiting for Ovechkin to score his 900th goal so he can flip the number board over. He worries about whether he will be able to grab the plastic numbers with his fabric hands in the heat of the moment. He dances occasionally, for no one.
October 26, 2025 at 12:04 AM
Slappy the Eagle holds his lonely vigil at the Caps game, waiting for Ovechkin to score his 900th goal so he can flip the number board over. He worries about whether he will be able to grab the plastic numbers with his fabric hands in the heat of the moment. He dances occasionally, for no one.
Every day Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex becomes more and more relevant (minus any of the *fun* tech stuff of course)
i imagine that the only way to deal with this would be some kind of blocker system installed in public places or homes, but coming into contact with one of those likely would be physically painful if you have artificial sensory systems
October 23, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Every day Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex becomes more and more relevant (minus any of the *fun* tech stuff of course)
One of the great, all-time radio voices!
Susan Stamberg, an original National Public Radio staffer who went on to become the first U.S. woman to anchor a nightly national news program, has died. n.pr/4qjVMDS
NPR 'founding mother' Susan Stamberg has died
Susan Stamberg, an original National Public Radio staffer who went on to become the first U.S. woman to anchor a nightly national news program, has died.
n.pr
October 16, 2025 at 7:35 PM
One of the great, all-time radio voices!
@stevedangle20.bsky.social Enjoyed the SDP chat on the Olympic Village, and am definitely on Team "They'll Enjoy It", but I think y'all may have missed a key, uh, appeal of the experience: theweek.com/articles/473...
The Olympic Village: One giant sex den?
A whole lot of lovin' goes down when you cram 10,000 of the world's fittest athletes together for three weeks straight — especially once they're done competing
share.google
October 16, 2025 at 12:54 PM
@stevedangle20.bsky.social Enjoyed the SDP chat on the Olympic Village, and am definitely on Team "They'll Enjoy It", but I think y'all may have missed a key, uh, appeal of the experience: theweek.com/articles/473...
Reposted by Aaron Webb
Today marks the 30th anniversary of my favourite game: Tactics Ogre 🎉
October 6, 2025 at 7:32 AM
Today marks the 30th anniversary of my favourite game: Tactics Ogre 🎉
Once again I beg people to check out the Patlabor series, which got this right. Alphonse is a horse name even.
Truly horses are the mecha of the real world
October 6, 2025 at 3:59 PM
Once again I beg people to check out the Patlabor series, which got this right. Alphonse is a horse name even.