Martin Stellinga
@martinstellinga.com
Not a big fan of the (sometimes elitist) Dutch literary scene, but this article on the good and bad of Substack has a great quote about why you need editing. In English:
"Proclaiming your own literary greatness on Substack is like sleeping with yourself and then telling everybody how good it was."
"Proclaiming your own literary greatness on Substack is like sleeping with yourself and then telling everybody how good it was."
Van beginners tot beroemdheden – de literatuur bloeit op digitaal platform Substack
Literatuur online: Het platform Substack ontpopt zich met een mengeling van literatuurkritiek, schrijfcursussen, korte verhalen en zelfs volledige romans tot een podium voor auteurs. Er heerst ongebre...
www.nrc.nl
November 29, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Not a big fan of the (sometimes elitist) Dutch literary scene, but this article on the good and bad of Substack has a great quote about why you need editing. In English:
"Proclaiming your own literary greatness on Substack is like sleeping with yourself and then telling everybody how good it was."
"Proclaiming your own literary greatness on Substack is like sleeping with yourself and then telling everybody how good it was."
Why I think gotchas don't work in politics.
The Impotent Gotcha - Martin Stellinga
I see many ‘gotcha’ posts fly by. Politicians are caught in hypocritical behavior almost daily. The thing is: I don’t think it helps.
martinstellinga.com
November 28, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Why I think gotchas don't work in politics.
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
And with that, my full Elden Ring Photography Tour is now complete: www.robhainescreative.space/collections/...
Any signal boosts would be much appreciated!
Any signal boosts would be much appreciated!
Elden Ring Photography Tour
Writing, visual art and miscellaneous creativity by Rob Haines
www.robhainescreative.space
November 26, 2025 at 11:10 AM
And with that, my full Elden Ring Photography Tour is now complete: www.robhainescreative.space/collections/...
Any signal boosts would be much appreciated!
Any signal boosts would be much appreciated!
I was thinking about the negative frame capitalism puts on labour.
Money going to shareholders is called 'profit', money going to employees is called 'costs'.
While, in fact, a company without employees would fail, and a company without shareholders would do fine, or even thrive.
Money going to shareholders is called 'profit', money going to employees is called 'costs'.
While, in fact, a company without employees would fail, and a company without shareholders would do fine, or even thrive.
November 25, 2025 at 6:18 PM
I was thinking about the negative frame capitalism puts on labour.
Money going to shareholders is called 'profit', money going to employees is called 'costs'.
While, in fact, a company without employees would fail, and a company without shareholders would do fine, or even thrive.
Money going to shareholders is called 'profit', money going to employees is called 'costs'.
While, in fact, a company without employees would fail, and a company without shareholders would do fine, or even thrive.
CNN doesn't appear to be reporting on this, but the UN climate conference couldn't reach an agreement on ending fossil fuels.
That's a nice euphemism for "fossil fuel companies and their allies would rather sacrifice millions of lives and cause enormous communal costs than lose short-term profits."
That's a nice euphemism for "fossil fuel companies and their allies would rather sacrifice millions of lives and cause enormous communal costs than lose short-term profits."
COP30 climate talks reach tentative deal, sources say
Negotiations at COP30 climate talks in Brazil have run into overtime with no agreement struck and delegates still locked in a bitter fight over whether to mention fossil fuels in the final text.
www.rte.ie
November 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
CNN doesn't appear to be reporting on this, but the UN climate conference couldn't reach an agreement on ending fossil fuels.
That's a nice euphemism for "fossil fuel companies and their allies would rather sacrifice millions of lives and cause enormous communal costs than lose short-term profits."
That's a nice euphemism for "fossil fuel companies and their allies would rather sacrifice millions of lives and cause enormous communal costs than lose short-term profits."
A Predator movie featuring an actual predator as the main character. Well, that's new.
Predator: Badlands - Martin Stellinga
There have been a number of Predator movies over the years. Some good, some bad. But not one with a predator as the protagonist. Until now.
martinstellinga.com
November 21, 2025 at 8:06 PM
A Predator movie featuring an actual predator as the main character. Well, that's new.
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
I dunno, buddy, maybe if it didn't encourage young folks to kill themselves, or drink all the potable water, or pollute the Infoverse with fallacies, or add glue to recipes, or be that guy who lies rather than admits a mistake, or, and this is important, buddy, or IF WE WERE GIVEN A FUCKING CHOICE!
Microsoft Exec Asks: Why Aren't More People Impressed With AI?
Mustafa Suleyman, Microsoft's head of AI, vents after the company receives backlash for saying 'Windows is evolving into an agentic OS.'
uk.pcmag.com
November 21, 2025 at 7:09 AM
I dunno, buddy, maybe if it didn't encourage young folks to kill themselves, or drink all the potable water, or pollute the Infoverse with fallacies, or add glue to recipes, or be that guy who lies rather than admits a mistake, or, and this is important, buddy, or IF WE WERE GIVEN A FUCKING CHOICE!
The romantic story of two ships colliding in the night. Well, two black holes anyway.
martinstellinga.com/science/sing...
martinstellinga.com/science/sing...
Singularity meets Singularity - Martin Stellinga
Singularities are some of the more interesting astronomical features of our universe. When two collide, things get even more interesting.
martinstellinga.com
November 14, 2025 at 8:18 AM
The romantic story of two ships colliding in the night. Well, two black holes anyway.
martinstellinga.com/science/sing...
martinstellinga.com/science/sing...
Got an email from Netflix about a price hike. I think Netflix now costs more than Disney+, Prime, and Netflix used to cost together. And in return they all have less that I want to watch than ever before.
So... what competing streamer can I watch the Witcher?
Oh, none of them. "Capitalism" my ass.
So... what competing streamer can I watch the Witcher?
Oh, none of them. "Capitalism" my ass.
November 14, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Got an email from Netflix about a price hike. I think Netflix now costs more than Disney+, Prime, and Netflix used to cost together. And in return they all have less that I want to watch than ever before.
So... what competing streamer can I watch the Witcher?
Oh, none of them. "Capitalism" my ass.
So... what competing streamer can I watch the Witcher?
Oh, none of them. "Capitalism" my ass.
About a year ago, I backed @brandonsanderson.com's Cosmere RPG, because I love the Stormlight Archives, RPGs, and painting miniatures.
And today stuff arrived! Cheer!
Now I just need more shelf space and time to paint a gazillion miniatures.
And today stuff arrived! Cheer!
Now I just need more shelf space and time to paint a gazillion miniatures.
November 12, 2025 at 12:37 PM
About a year ago, I backed @brandonsanderson.com's Cosmere RPG, because I love the Stormlight Archives, RPGs, and painting miniatures.
And today stuff arrived! Cheer!
Now I just need more shelf space and time to paint a gazillion miniatures.
And today stuff arrived! Cheer!
Now I just need more shelf space and time to paint a gazillion miniatures.
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
Most large companies use vpns..,
The British government admits it is now monitoring VPNs use by UK residents. Regulator Ofcom has contracted with an AI-powered surveillance service to detect the number of citizens using VPNs to evade the Online Safety Act.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
Exclusive: Ofcom is monitoring VPNs following Online Safety Act. Here's how
Ignoring VPNs risks creating ineffective laws, but tracking them threatens people's privacy
www.techradar.com
November 12, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Most large companies use vpns..,
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
Never forget that a Democratic US Attorney’s decision to prosecute Aaron Swartz for downloading JSTOR PDFs contributed to his suicide but AI firms’ decision to download everything ever will be a justification for hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer bailouts and legal exemptions.
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
OpenAI in Danger After Authors Suing It Gain Access to Its Internal Slack Messages
Authors and publishers, who are suing OpenAI, secured access to internal Slack messages and emails discussing the deletion of pirated books.
futurism.com
November 9, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Never forget that a Democratic US Attorney’s decision to prosecute Aaron Swartz for downloading JSTOR PDFs contributed to his suicide but AI firms’ decision to download everything ever will be a justification for hundreds of billions of dollars of taxpayer bailouts and legal exemptions.
For some reason, some web crawler decided that I speak German and would love large shipments of electric bicycles (up to 14.000 per year).
It turns out, I don't.
Even if I had, the abysmal e-mail would put me off. Or is it some kind of phishing mail or scam?
The wonders of the Internet never cease.
It turns out, I don't.
Even if I had, the abysmal e-mail would put me off. Or is it some kind of phishing mail or scam?
The wonders of the Internet never cease.
November 7, 2025 at 5:48 PM
For some reason, some web crawler decided that I speak German and would love large shipments of electric bicycles (up to 14.000 per year).
It turns out, I don't.
Even if I had, the abysmal e-mail would put me off. Or is it some kind of phishing mail or scam?
The wonders of the Internet never cease.
It turns out, I don't.
Even if I had, the abysmal e-mail would put me off. Or is it some kind of phishing mail or scam?
The wonders of the Internet never cease.
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
November 7, 2025 at 7:39 AM
The world’s first trillionaire initiated a move that has left more than half a million people dead, most of whom are children.
Magic and science fiction, what's not to like?
Starship’s Mage - Martin Stellinga
Mixing magic and science fiction is always a tricky proposition, but in Starship's Mage, Glynn Stewart manages it.
martinstellinga.com
November 7, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Magic and science fiction, what's not to like?
With the elections in the Netherlands over, it’s wrangling-for-a-coalition time.
Right-wing parties are crowing they can’t work with the left.
I guess it _is_ annoying when you want to destroy the climate for profit, criminalize refugees, and do away with democracy, and people won’t let you.
Right-wing parties are crowing they can’t work with the left.
I guess it _is_ annoying when you want to destroy the climate for profit, criminalize refugees, and do away with democracy, and people won’t let you.
November 5, 2025 at 7:12 PM
With the elections in the Netherlands over, it’s wrangling-for-a-coalition time.
Right-wing parties are crowing they can’t work with the left.
I guess it _is_ annoying when you want to destroy the climate for profit, criminalize refugees, and do away with democracy, and people won’t let you.
Right-wing parties are crowing they can’t work with the left.
I guess it _is_ annoying when you want to destroy the climate for profit, criminalize refugees, and do away with democracy, and people won’t let you.
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
It is absolutely AMAZING how many PROFESSIONALS are STUMBLING ACROSS my books on Amazon and being INSULTED and ANGRY at how few reviews they have! And each of these individuals leads a COMMUNITY of THOUSANDS of voracious READERS who can't wait to help me! Truly, these are special times.
a man in a suit and tie is saying `` oh please !! '' .
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is saying `` oh please !! '' .
media.tenor.com
November 4, 2025 at 7:14 PM
It is absolutely AMAZING how many PROFESSIONALS are STUMBLING ACROSS my books on Amazon and being INSULTED and ANGRY at how few reviews they have! And each of these individuals leads a COMMUNITY of THOUSANDS of voracious READERS who can't wait to help me! Truly, these are special times.
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
Related: my SW fan theory is that Jedi training is 1% force instruction and 99% brainwashing.
Luke achieves Jedi Master status with about ... a few days of training total? Maybe a week?
a.co/d/45oK9gx
Luke achieves Jedi Master status with about ... a few days of training total? Maybe a week?
a.co/d/45oK9gx
Amazon.com: Ashes of the Sun (Burningblade & Silvereye Book 1) eBook : Wexler, Django: Kindle Store
Amazon.com: Ashes of the Sun (Burningblade & Silvereye Book 1) eBook : Wexler, Django: Kindle Store
a.co
November 1, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Related: my SW fan theory is that Jedi training is 1% force instruction and 99% brainwashing.
Luke achieves Jedi Master status with about ... a few days of training total? Maybe a week?
a.co/d/45oK9gx
Luke achieves Jedi Master status with about ... a few days of training total? Maybe a week?
a.co/d/45oK9gx
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
I notice that 15 years of screaming all-channels terror about librulz helping Asian sex offenders do crimes - for no well-explained reason - has precisely overlapped with it becoming grimly clear that the upper echelons of society are infested with rapists, child molesters and arse-grabbers.
October 31, 2025 at 10:47 AM
I notice that 15 years of screaming all-channels terror about librulz helping Asian sex offenders do crimes - for no well-explained reason - has precisely overlapped with it becoming grimly clear that the upper echelons of society are infested with rapists, child molesters and arse-grabbers.
It's unpopular take day!
Why I don't like the Mandalorian.
Why I don't like the Mandalorian.
Why the Mandalorian isn’t my thing - Martin Stellinga
The Mandalorian movie is coming out next year, and this is seemed like the time to explain why the show doesn’t work for me.
martinstellinga.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:15 AM
It's unpopular take day!
Why I don't like the Mandalorian.
Why I don't like the Mandalorian.
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
Goodnight beautiful 😘revolution is tomorrow
Judge rules George R.R. Martin and other authors can sue OpenAI for copyright infringement
• Said ChatGPT generated 'Game of Thrones' content similar enough to infringe copyright
• OpenAI’s motion to dismiss was denied
• Said ChatGPT generated 'Game of Thrones' content similar enough to infringe copyright
• OpenAI’s motion to dismiss was denied
October 30, 2025 at 5:17 AM
Goodnight beautiful 😘revolution is tomorrow
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
Tanking blood sats to own the libs, i guess
October 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Tanking blood sats to own the libs, i guess
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
Roomba should have been a warning.
Man Alarmed to Discover His Smart Vacuum Was Broadcasting a Secret Map of His House
One man's robot vacuum was constantly communicating with its manufacturer, sending a detailed 3D map of his house halfway across the world.
futurism.com
October 26, 2025 at 11:57 AM
Roomba should have been a warning.
Reposted by Martin Stellinga
Unfortunately the satire is entirely indistinguishable from the actual ai industry hype.
Bystanders Horrified by Slightly-Too-Honest AI Billboard
The AI billboard asks you to visit a website called Replacement.AI, which brags that humans are "no longer necessary."
futurism.com
October 25, 2025 at 4:55 PM
Unfortunately the satire is entirely indistinguishable from the actual ai industry hype.
"We utilize our life experience to create the perfect juxtaposition of words or colors or sounds to evoke something meaningful. And then some LLM rips that to pieces and stitches those back together into a soulless amalgam that pretends to invoke the same emotions. F*ck that."
Art is Human - Martin Stellinga
What is art? The question is age old, but has been forced back into the spotlight by tech companies and their LLMs.
martinstellinga.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:17 PM
"We utilize our life experience to create the perfect juxtaposition of words or colors or sounds to evoke something meaningful. And then some LLM rips that to pieces and stitches those back together into a soulless amalgam that pretends to invoke the same emotions. F*ck that."