Stephen The Lesser
@stephenthelesser.bsky.social
Writer, Editor for Impossible Worlds: a Quarterly Speculative Fiction anthology. impossibleworlds.bsky.social
Impossibleworlds.net
Impossibleworlds.net
Pinned
Every video game with a character creator should release a mobile version of just the character creator
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
To be clear, this is just as bad as the Amazon AI dub thing. Not as much to meme about, but definitely just as bad. Remember when YouTube switched over to AI closed captions, removed the options for creators to provide their own, and then they all got immediately worse forever? This is like that.
After publishing this article, I've heard from many that CR seems to be using AI to produce dub CCs. Now, thanks to a slip-up CR had with episode 6 dub of The Banished Court Magician, we can say that with 100% certainty: Crunchyroll is using the AI service Ollang.com for its dub closed captions!
December 4, 2025 at 1:57 AM
To be clear, this is just as bad as the Amazon AI dub thing. Not as much to meme about, but definitely just as bad. Remember when YouTube switched over to AI closed captions, removed the options for creators to provide their own, and then they all got immediately worse forever? This is like that.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
Hakeem Jeffries tweet: President Trump could be striking Venezuelan boats with missiles made by an American small business but he chooses not to
Bill Kristol tweet: The Romanov children would have grown up to be Nazi collaborators
Bill Kristol tweet: The Romanov children would have grown up to be Nazi collaborators
December 3, 2025 at 7:44 PM
Hakeem Jeffries tweet: President Trump could be striking Venezuelan boats with missiles made by an American small business but he chooses not to
Bill Kristol tweet: The Romanov children would have grown up to be Nazi collaborators
Bill Kristol tweet: The Romanov children would have grown up to be Nazi collaborators
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
free him
The masked burglar broke into the closed Virginia liquor store early on Saturday and hit the bottom shelf. The bandit was something of a nocturnal menace: bottles were smashed and alcohol pooled on the floor.
The suspect acted like an animal because, in fact, he's a raccoon.
The suspect acted like an animal because, in fact, he's a raccoon.
Raccoon goes on drunken rampage in Virginia liquor store and passes out on bathroom floor
A raccoon broke into a closed Virginia liquor store and drank alcohol from the bottom shelves over the weekend.
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 4:55 AM
free him
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
It's true. And he's not talking about backpackers doing hostel stays and eating out of bean tins.
A week on the French Riviera costs less than a week at Disney World. Bright Sun Films (travel YouTuber) did the math.
A week on the French Riviera costs less than a week at Disney World. Bright Sun Films (travel YouTuber) did the math.
Absolute side note here - it is way cheaper to go to Europe than it is to take your kids to Disney world.
December 3, 2025 at 7:15 AM
It's true. And he's not talking about backpackers doing hostel stays and eating out of bean tins.
A week on the French Riviera costs less than a week at Disney World. Bright Sun Films (travel YouTuber) did the math.
A week on the French Riviera costs less than a week at Disney World. Bright Sun Films (travel YouTuber) did the math.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
I remember seeing this a few days ago, and as a fan of both CLAMP and Magic Knight Rayearth, this one makes me especially mad. Crunchyroll should have decent closed captions for an important series like Rayearth, especially in preparation for the upcoming remake series.
2/2 Checking CR's English Rayearth dub and yeah it's got formatting issues I've seen elsewhere. Doesn't delineate who is speaking. Formating is all over the place (magic knight/magic Knights/Magic Knights etc.) 5 minutes into the first ep and Princess Emeraude is "Princess Emerald."
December 2, 2025 at 8:08 PM
I remember seeing this a few days ago, and as a fan of both CLAMP and Magic Knight Rayearth, this one makes me especially mad. Crunchyroll should have decent closed captions for an important series like Rayearth, especially in preparation for the upcoming remake series.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
From "My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!", also on Crunchyroll. As usual, AI captions can't keep character names straight.
I’d posted this on the other site about ‘My Next Life as a Villainess’. I don’t have the screen shots but another character’s name was spelled iirc 10 different ways over 2 episodes. And some of the episodes had these horrible captions & some had none & then randomly later eps had again.
December 2, 2025 at 7:35 PM
From "My Next Life as a Villainess: All Routes Lead to Doom!", also on Crunchyroll. As usual, AI captions can't keep character names straight.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
At least one of these screenshots is from the AI closed captions on Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest on Crunchyroll, and I have my doubts that the show has a song about having no God in Ohio.
I wish I had kept better track, I've posted various mistakes throughout watching anime on CR but I'm pretty much done for now.
They use it for a lot of Japanese song lyrics, not sure if that's a tell or not. Second picture is from Arifeuta's credits, I'm blanking which the first image is from.
They use it for a lot of Japanese song lyrics, not sure if that's a tell or not. Second picture is from Arifeuta's credits, I'm blanking which the first image is from.
December 2, 2025 at 6:50 PM
At least one of these screenshots is from the AI closed captions on Arifureta: From Commonplace to World's Strongest on Crunchyroll, and I have my doubts that the show has a song about having no God in Ohio.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
"The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?", AI closed captions on Crunchyroll. Also looks mildly unintelligible.
Closed captions for English dub of The 8th son? Are you kidding me? seem to be AI.
December 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
"The 8th Son? Are You Kidding Me?", AI closed captions on Crunchyroll. Also looks mildly unintelligible.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
Ford Econoline Pickup 1962
bringatrailer.com/listing/1962...
bringatrailer.com/listing/1962...
December 2, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Ford Econoline Pickup 1962
bringatrailer.com/listing/1962...
bringatrailer.com/listing/1962...
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
Tennessee, vote for this lady. Imagine a world with even a single consequence for fascism.
TODAY IS THE DAY!
GET OUT AND VOTE. Polls are open 7 AM - 7 PM
WE GOT THIS!!!!!!
GET OUT AND VOTE. Polls are open 7 AM - 7 PM
WE GOT THIS!!!!!!
December 2, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Tennessee, vote for this lady. Imagine a world with even a single consequence for fascism.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
what if what if what if
December 2, 2025 at 4:04 PM
what if what if what if
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
The real question is not "Why is Bluesky so left-coded," the real question is "Why can't the right exist in a social media environment without algorithmic assistance, where people can ignore them"
December 2, 2025 at 3:08 PM
The real question is not "Why is Bluesky so left-coded," the real question is "Why can't the right exist in a social media environment without algorithmic assistance, where people can ignore them"
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
The best American flag is the battle flag of Tecumseh Sherman’s 23rd Corps, made from the tattered remains of Confederate banners.
November 29, 2025 at 9:03 PM
The best American flag is the battle flag of Tecumseh Sherman’s 23rd Corps, made from the tattered remains of Confederate banners.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
i’m setting you free. i’m releasing you from the discourse
December 2, 2025 at 1:39 AM
i’m setting you free. i’m releasing you from the discourse
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
COMMON SLANG FOR OIL
a bubblin' crude
black gold
Texas tea
Massachusetts spittoon-juice
Alabama tap water
car food
ground chowder
death resin
"the metaphoric milkshake"
"tarry night" by Makemy van Go
Time's cruelest trick re: dinosaurs
Things That Come With Techron For 200 Alex
presplosions
a bubblin' crude
black gold
Texas tea
Massachusetts spittoon-juice
Alabama tap water
car food
ground chowder
death resin
"the metaphoric milkshake"
"tarry night" by Makemy van Go
Time's cruelest trick re: dinosaurs
Things That Come With Techron For 200 Alex
presplosions
September 27, 2025 at 5:23 AM
COMMON SLANG FOR OIL
a bubblin' crude
black gold
Texas tea
Massachusetts spittoon-juice
Alabama tap water
car food
ground chowder
death resin
"the metaphoric milkshake"
"tarry night" by Makemy van Go
Time's cruelest trick re: dinosaurs
Things That Come With Techron For 200 Alex
presplosions
a bubblin' crude
black gold
Texas tea
Massachusetts spittoon-juice
Alabama tap water
car food
ground chowder
death resin
"the metaphoric milkshake"
"tarry night" by Makemy van Go
Time's cruelest trick re: dinosaurs
Things That Come With Techron For 200 Alex
presplosions
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
I have lived in Nashville since 2002 and have never seen excitement around a candidate like this ever.
December 1, 2025 at 2:26 AM
I have lived in Nashville since 2002 and have never seen excitement around a candidate like this ever.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
Republicans are FREAKING OUT about how close this race is. We can elect @aftynbehn.bsky.social and send a massive message to MAGA - help GOTV here:
It’s clear that Republicans are very worried about the upcoming special election in a Tennessee district that Trump won by double digits.
Help us GOTV for @aftynbehn.bsky.social (a state representative and former Indivisible organizer) before Election Day on Tuesday: www.mobilize.us/indivisible/...
Help us GOTV for @aftynbehn.bsky.social (a state representative and former Indivisible organizer) before Election Day on Tuesday: www.mobilize.us/indivisible/...
Scoop: Trump and Johnson to hold tele-rally for GOP in tight Tennessee House race
Should Republicans lose — or win narrowly — it would further expectations that the party is heading toward a perilous midterm.
www.axios.com
December 1, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Republicans are FREAKING OUT about how close this race is. We can elect @aftynbehn.bsky.social and send a massive message to MAGA - help GOTV here:
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
In college, I had to read the Department of Defense’s Law of War manual.
I kid you not when I tell you that firing at the shipwrecked is quite literally provided as an example of an illegal order.
I kid you not when I tell you that firing at the shipwrecked is quite literally provided as an example of an illegal order.
December 1, 2025 at 5:40 PM
In college, I had to read the Department of Defense’s Law of War manual.
I kid you not when I tell you that firing at the shipwrecked is quite literally provided as an example of an illegal order.
I kid you not when I tell you that firing at the shipwrecked is quite literally provided as an example of an illegal order.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
it's advent you know what that means
December 1, 2025 at 8:04 AM
it's advent you know what that means
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
December 1, 2025 at 11:09 AM
This is actually quite brilliant, up to and including the final sentence 🔥
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
This is all true but
1) under no definition are we currently at war with Venezuela under domestic US law
2) since we aren’t, the initial strike was just as much a murder as the follow up
The failure to understand this by a huge range of actors is really driving me up the wall.
1) under no definition are we currently at war with Venezuela under domestic US law
2) since we aren’t, the initial strike was just as much a murder as the follow up
The failure to understand this by a huge range of actors is really driving me up the wall.
If the Venezuelan sailors were enemy combatants, then the 2nd strike is a war crime.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
If the Venezuelan sailors weren’t enemy combatants, then both strikes are criminal murder.
It’s that simple.
November 30, 2025 at 11:07 PM
This is all true but
1) under no definition are we currently at war with Venezuela under domestic US law
2) since we aren’t, the initial strike was just as much a murder as the follow up
The failure to understand this by a huge range of actors is really driving me up the wall.
1) under no definition are we currently at war with Venezuela under domestic US law
2) since we aren’t, the initial strike was just as much a murder as the follow up
The failure to understand this by a huge range of actors is really driving me up the wall.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
Sometimes you don’t need a joke or a caption. Sometimes the jokes write themselves.
After undergoing a brain scan, Kim Kardashian is stunned to learn that there are 'holes' showing 'low activity' in her frontal lobe: 'That just can't be.'
Kim Kardashian is stunned to learn her brain has 'low activity'
After undergoing a brain scan, Kim Kardashian is stunned to learn that there are 'holes' showing 'low activity' in her frontal lobe: 'That just can't be.'
bit.ly
November 30, 2025 at 9:17 AM
Sometimes you don’t need a joke or a caption. Sometimes the jokes write themselves.
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
This is exactly why I don’t let go of the “cancel culture memo”
This man trapped folks in rooms to make them watch him masturbate and they are trying to ask if the show is good enough to make that’s measurable trade
This man trapped folks in rooms to make them watch him masturbate and they are trying to ask if the show is good enough to make that’s measurable trade
When a cancelled performer reënters the culture, we expect them to offer us a great work, channelling their newfound clarity into the finest art they’ve ever made. With his new comedy show and début novel, has Louis C.K. met the bar?
www.newyorker.com/culture/crit...
www.newyorker.com/culture/crit...
Louis C.K.’s Next Chapter
In a new standup special, and a début novel, the comedian navigates murky, post-#MeToo terrain: not quite exiled, not quite welcomed back.
www.newyorker.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:04 PM
This is exactly why I don’t let go of the “cancel culture memo”
This man trapped folks in rooms to make them watch him masturbate and they are trying to ask if the show is good enough to make that’s measurable trade
This man trapped folks in rooms to make them watch him masturbate and they are trying to ask if the show is good enough to make that’s measurable trade
Reposted by Stephen The Lesser
This essay has already generated more hate mail than anything else I've written from the Star Tribune. Which is, I think, telling ... though I'm not sure of what.
Hitler was bad.
An essay that, you know, I didn’t think I’d need to write.
An essay that, you know, I didn’t think I’d need to write.
Perry: The pro-Hitler problem with the American right
"We need to get back to the basics: Hitler was bad. The people who suggest otherwise are also bad," David M. Perry writes.
www.startribune.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This essay has already generated more hate mail than anything else I've written from the Star Tribune. Which is, I think, telling ... though I'm not sure of what.