Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 1d

This is such a bummer to read. I've been blasting the Godot original cast recording on repeat for weeks now.

Lux "Nightmare" Alptraum @luxalptraum.com · 1d

TFW you paid $1400 to see Beckett’s most famous work without knowing anything about it

One Star Review of Waiting for Godot on Broadway
I recently attended Waiting for Godot on Broadway and spent over $1,400 for two Row C seats (103 and 104). I'm a longtime admirer of Broadway productions and even hold a season pass for Shea's Performing Arts Theatre, so I came in with genuine enthusiasm and high expectations. Unfortunately, this show was unlike anything ! have ever experienced —and not in a good way.
What I encountered was not the artistry, music, or emotional storytelling I usually associate with Broadway, but instead what felt like an endless cycle of nonsensical conversation between characters who seemed trapped in their own madness. I tried-truly tried-to find meaning, symbolism, or even a thread of emotional resonance. I stayed through the first half hoping the second would offer clarity. But by intermission, it was clear: this was a waste of both time and money.
Keanu Reeves is an actor I respect greatly, but I cannot fathom why he would agree to participate in such a disjointed, inaccessible production. His talent was lost in a performance that defied reason rather than provoked insight.
To anyone considering attending: unless you are drawn to highly abstract, nearly incomprehensible theater, I strongly caution you against this show. For the average, educated, thoughtful theatergoer, it is far more frustrating than fulfilling. In my opinion, this was the single most disappointing Broadway experience I've ever had - an unfortunate waste of money and, more importantly, of time.

Reposted by John Robie

George Pearkes @peark.es · 2d

It's black letter, can't get more explicit, printed in US code you ignoramus. 31 U.S. Code § 1341 (c)(2)

*JOHNSON: SOME LEGAL ANAYLYSTS DON'T BELIEVE IN SHUTDOWN BACKPAY

(2)Each employee of the United States Government or of a District of Columbia public employer furloughed as a result of a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for the period of the lapse in appropriations, and each excepted employee who is required to perform work during a covered lapse in appropriations shall be paid for such work, at the employee’s standard rate of pay, at the earliest date possible after the lapse in appropriations ends, regardless of scheduled pay dates, and subject to the enactment of appropriations Acts ending the lapse.

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 2d

Been wondering what ever happened to the Ask A Ninja guy

John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 2d

"Laws Now Optional, Republicans Say"

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Chibdm @chibdm.bsky.social · 3d

Robin Williams' daughter has some quality thoughts on AI slop

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 3d

Senator will gladly give you a healthcare vote Tuesday for ICE funding today.

Wimpy from the Popeye comic strip. (A reference so Boomer that it's a generation older than the Boomers.)

John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 3d

Senator will gladly give you a healthcare vote Tuesday for ICE funding today

Wimpy from the Popeye comic strip. (A reference so Boomer that it's actually a generation older than the Bombers.)

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derek guy @dieworkwear.bsky.social · 4d

😭

IG newberlinlibrary

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 3d

It's easy to drift away from people - make an effort to hold on to the friends who are worth it, and make new ones if you can.

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Rakesh Khanna @blaftrakesh.bsky.social · 4d

When I was researching my book Ghosts, Monsters, and Demons of India, I learned of a 1000-year-old myth about Roman tech being used to build killer robots to guard the Buddha's remains in Pataliputra, and a Hungarian folklorist read my book & got excited about it, & she managed to dig up a🧵(1/3)

Romanised Pali manuscript of the Lokapannati

Ghosts, Monsters, and Demons of India
p. 60
Bhoota Vahana Yanta
Bhoota Vahana Yanta means “spirit movement machine.” The term is used
for several varieties of robot drone assassins and sword-wielding machine-
men mentioned in the Lokapannati, a Pali-language text written between
1000 and 1200 CE by Saddhammaghosa of Thaton, but concerning
events that took place much earlier, around 500 to 200 BCE.
According to the story, robots were first invented by engineers of the
early Roman Republic. These robots were used for commerce, in agriculture,
as a police force, and as executioners. The secret of how to build these
spirit-engines was fiercely protected. If any engineer dared to take the designs
out of the city, one of his own executioner robots would come after
him and kill him.
At that time, in Pataliputra (then in the kingdom of Magadha, now
Patna in the state of Bihar), there lived a young man who had heard of the
Romans’ magical androids. He became so determined to learn the secrets
of their manufacture and share them with the people of Magadha that he
arranged his own death. Then, on his deathbed, he vowed to be reincarnated
as a Roman.
This indeed took place. In his new life, the man grew up to join the
Roman guild of engineers. He even married the daughter of the Master
Robot-Maker, and had a son by her.
Once he learned the secrets of the Bhoota Vahana Yanta, the man resolved
to transfer the information back to Pataliputra. But he was well
aware that now, since he was a member of the guild, he would be killed as
soon as he left. So he cut a gash in his thigh, inserted the plans in his flesh,
and sewed the wound back up.

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 6d

This would be the funniest outcome. First for the extremely online weirdos who think tofu will turn them into women. Next for the religious weirdos when they find out there's a soy product called "satan"

Scayor Howard Vander @mayor.bsky.social · 6d

this is really just gonna end with a national mandate requiring us to eat soybeans three meals a day

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 6d

I'm guessing there was a fox news segment.

IIRC back in Trump 1 there was someone who used to monitor Fox and do a timeline of what Fox was talking about vs. what he was tweeting about. Don't know if anyone is doing it now, but it'd probably be really useful.

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 6d

I don't think even republicans are angry about Starbucks coffee (in particular) anymore, as I learned from @jfruh.bsky.social like 10 years ago, even Pluggers go to Starbucks now.

Meet the new pluggers, same as the old pluggers – The Comics Curmudgeon

Remember, Hagar is a warrior chieftain in a society built entirely on plunder, so yeah, he “fought like an animal” in the sense that he was merciless and probably the other guy was dead by the end of the process.

joshreads.com

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Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 6d

🫡

How to Turn Off AI Tools Like Gemini, Apple Intelligence, Copilot, and More - Consumer Reports

AI features are crowding into Google search, Gmail, iPhones, Windows laptops, and other products. If you're suffering from AI overload, these settings can help.

www.consumerreports.org

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 6d

I also do not think LLMs are in any way sentient, but that you shouldn't be mean to them because that's still treating them as though they were people.

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 6d

Needed a clip to go on his audition reel for his meeting with the new boss?

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Felicia Day @felicia.day · 6d

My new book #lostdaughterofsparta is announced today! Out March 17, 2026 with @gallerybooks! Your preorder support is so appreciated! Link in bio or bit.ly/LostDaughter... #mythology

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 7d

They think there were no minorities in the 80s.

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 7d

Do you suppose these guys are friends? Rivals?

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 7d

If you want a picture of the future Liberals want, imagine indifference crushing a right-wing post – for ever.

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 7d

Stage Manager: Your highness, are you ready for the Americans to begin their comedy show?

MBS:

a man with a beard is holding a microphone and says " bonesaw is ready "

Alt: a man with a beard is holding a microphone and says " bonesaw is ready "

media.tenor.com

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 7d

Stage Manager: Your highness, are you ready for the Americans to begin their comedy show?

MBS:

a man with a beard is holding a microphone and says " bonesaw is ready "

Alt: a man with a beard is holding a microphone and says " bonesaw is ready "

media.tenor.com

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 7d

Damn, I wonder why he appointed Democrats to lead those agencies in the first place.

Shipwreck @shipwreck75.bsky.social · 7d

President Trump says he is meeting today with Russ Vought, OMB director and "of PROJECT 2025 Fame," to discuss cuts to "Democrat Agencies."

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Popehat Agitates And Irritates @kenwhite.bsky.social · 8d

Every few months now I re-read this "Who Goes Nazi?" piece from 1941 and am blown away by how it captures the people we are dealing with 80 years later.

harpers.org/archive/1941...

Who Goes Nazi?, by Dorothy Thompson

harpers.org

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John Robie @jrobie.bsky.social · 8d

It's cool how our constitution invests the power of the purse in this random douchebag.

(the screenshot, not Ron)

Ron Filipkowski @ronfilipkowski.bsky.social · 8d

All blue states. What a surprise. I guess all we can do is vote out every single Republican candidate for every office in those states since none of them will speak up or do anything. And the Appropriations Chair Susan Collins.

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