Jonathan Lack
@jonathanlack.bsky.social
I'm critic, scholar, and podcaster Jonathan R. Lack, PhD. Follow my writing at https://www.jonathanlack.com. Links to podcasts and other socials at http://linktr.ee/jonathanrlack
Pinned
Pokémon Legends Z-A, Ghost of Yōtei & Taylor Swift x Shakespeare Collabs | Purely Academic #23
YouTube video by Purely Academic
youtu.be
New Purely Academic today, and it's absurdly packed, with big game reviews (Ghost of Yotei, Pokemon Legends, Dragon Quest, etc.), lots of news (Doctor Who, One Piece, Halo), and the funniest Monthly Ten segment we've done to date (please listen for this if nothing else).
youtu.be/VrHBAukdRgw?...
youtu.be/VrHBAukdRgw?...
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
rian johnson talking about his religious upbringing and how deeply he believed has really made the last jedi click into place as a personal film about a priest having a crisis of faith.
Had a great conversation with @rianjohnson.bsky.social about how his religious upbringing influenced Wake Up Dead Man, Daniel Craig recommending Josh O'Connor, Glen Close's already underrated performance, and much more
Rian Johnson's Explains How His Religious Upbringing Inspired 'Wake Up Dead Man'
Rian Johnson reveals that Daniel Craig turned him on to Josh O'Connor and why the Knives Out movies are intentionally not timeless
theplaylist.net
December 4, 2025 at 11:13 PM
rian johnson talking about his religious upbringing and how deeply he believed has really made the last jedi click into place as a personal film about a priest having a crisis of faith.
This is an S-Tier stupid opinion, obviously, but also: NO COUNTRY doesn’t really have an “ambiguous” ending. Not in a plot sense. Llewellyn dies. Chigurh escapes. Ed retires. What’s ambiguous is A) the way those endings don’t “feel” morally satisfying, and B) what takeaway, if any, we should have.
Has anyone ever told this person about a certain Lady and a certain Tiger?
December 4, 2025 at 10:22 PM
This is an S-Tier stupid opinion, obviously, but also: NO COUNTRY doesn’t really have an “ambiguous” ending. Not in a plot sense. Llewellyn dies. Chigurh escapes. Ed retires. What’s ambiguous is A) the way those endings don’t “feel” morally satisfying, and B) what takeaway, if any, we should have.
ICYMI, I posted a bunch of thoughts on METROID PRIME 4 from the first 2-3 hours last night. I have to work very late tonight and I think that's very unfair considering all I want to do is play more Metroid Prime 4.
METROID PRIME 4 makes an outstanding first impression. It is a jaw-dropping visual marvel - easily the most technically impressive game Nintendo’s made in the HD era - it plays beautifully, and it mostly nails the Metroid Prime vibe and atmosphere. I don’t want to put it down.
December 4, 2025 at 9:10 PM
ICYMI, I posted a bunch of thoughts on METROID PRIME 4 from the first 2-3 hours last night. I have to work very late tonight and I think that's very unfair considering all I want to do is play more Metroid Prime 4.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
IQ is a measure of how good you are at IQ tests, which is something informed by how familiar you are with taking academic tests (& thus the quality of your school, which is in part determined by your parents' wealth, etc). there's nothing in particular that makes them a good test of intelligence
I saw this ad on the train and I’m curious how yall feel about it… I’m very much in the center, but slightly more towards than against…
December 4, 2025 at 6:40 PM
IQ is a measure of how good you are at IQ tests, which is something informed by how familiar you are with taking academic tests (& thus the quality of your school, which is in part determined by your parents' wealth, etc). there's nothing in particular that makes them a good test of intelligence
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Saw this and momentarily thought Rachel Brosnahan had gotten engaged to Ernie.
December 4, 2025 at 6:59 PM
Saw this and momentarily thought Rachel Brosnahan had gotten engaged to Ernie.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
This fetid landmark, this historical stain on humanity is primarily due to the stunningly reckless obliteration of America's foreign assistance agency earlier this year.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
For First Time in Decades, Child Deaths Will Rise This Year
Almost a quarter of a million more children around the world are projected to die in 2025 than in 2024.
www.wsj.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:18 PM
This fetid landmark, this historical stain on humanity is primarily due to the stunningly reckless obliteration of America's foreign assistance agency earlier this year.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
Led by the richest man on earth. In secret, on a weekend. With zero analysis or discussion of its catastrophic impacts.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
rfk jr wants to kill your kids, it’s really that simple.
Kennedy’s Methodical 2-Decade Quest to Dismantle Vaccine Policy
www.nytimes.com
December 4, 2025 at 5:14 PM
rfk jr wants to kill your kids, it’s really that simple.
METROID PRIME 4 makes an outstanding first impression. It is a jaw-dropping visual marvel - easily the most technically impressive game Nintendo’s made in the HD era - it plays beautifully, and it mostly nails the Metroid Prime vibe and atmosphere. I don’t want to put it down.
December 4, 2025 at 7:16 AM
METROID PRIME 4 makes an outstanding first impression. It is a jaw-dropping visual marvel - easily the most technically impressive game Nintendo’s made in the HD era - it plays beautifully, and it mostly nails the Metroid Prime vibe and atmosphere. I don’t want to put it down.
I don’t think I’ve ever been so personally invested in a game that took as long from announcement to release as METROID PRIME 4. 8 years since the announcement, now just a few minutes until it unlocks. God damn I’m so excited.
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 AM
I don’t think I’ve ever been so personally invested in a game that took as long from announcement to release as METROID PRIME 4. 8 years since the announcement, now just a few minutes until it unlocks. God damn I’m so excited.
This is genuinely super flattering to see, and I’m sure I also speak for Sean in thanking anyone and everyone who’s listened to us this year.
Tomino-thon is taking a bit longer than planned, but hoooooo boy is it gonna be worth the wait. News on that front soon. 2026 is gonna be huge.
Tomino-thon is taking a bit longer than planned, but hoooooo boy is it gonna be worth the wait. News on that front soon. 2026 is gonna be huge.
December 4, 2025 at 3:39 AM
This is genuinely super flattering to see, and I’m sure I also speak for Sean in thanking anyone and everyone who’s listened to us this year.
Tomino-thon is taking a bit longer than planned, but hoooooo boy is it gonna be worth the wait. News on that front soon. 2026 is gonna be huge.
Tomino-thon is taking a bit longer than planned, but hoooooo boy is it gonna be worth the wait. News on that front soon. 2026 is gonna be huge.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Bad news for Hegseth, it turns out the Pentagon is a big bureaucracy filled with people who got there because they know how to fight bureaucratic battles and they will wait for you to lie about something then leak details about it. Who knew?
A most important question on the Sept. 2 double-tap strike is who had "target engagement authority" (TEA).
Wall Street Journal:
"A Defense Department official ... said Hegseth was the 'target engagement authority,' the key figure who authorized the strike."
www.wsj.com/politics/whi...
Wall Street Journal:
"A Defense Department official ... said Hegseth was the 'target engagement authority,' the key figure who authorized the strike."
www.wsj.com/politics/whi...
December 2, 2025 at 2:28 PM
Bad news for Hegseth, it turns out the Pentagon is a big bureaucracy filled with people who got there because they know how to fight bureaucratic battles and they will wait for you to lie about something then leak details about it. Who knew?
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
it's wild how the positive use cases are like "save 5 minutes reading a long doc" and "write a generic email faster" and the negative use cases are "get encouraged to dive deeper in psychosis, misogyny, or suicidal thoughts" and we're still on the fence about overall value
New from 404 Media: ChatGPT told a violent stalker to continue running his misogynistic and threat-filled podcast despite the “haters,” and to visit more gyms to find women. The man stalked women in multiple states, including touching and following from work
www.404media.co/chatgpt-spot...
www.404media.co/chatgpt-spot...
ChatGPT Told a Violent Stalker to Embrace the 'Haters,' Indictment Says
A newly filed indictment claims a wannabe influencer used ChatGPT as his "therapist" and "best friend" in his pursuit of the "wife type," while harassing women so aggressively they had to miss work a...
www.404media.co
December 3, 2025 at 6:17 PM
it's wild how the positive use cases are like "save 5 minutes reading a long doc" and "write a generic email faster" and the negative use cases are "get encouraged to dive deeper in psychosis, misogyny, or suicidal thoughts" and we're still on the fence about overall value
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
@jonathanlack.bsky.social @seanthechapman.bsky.social Thanks for the casts!
December 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
@jonathanlack.bsky.social @seanthechapman.bsky.social Thanks for the casts!
AC Shadows on Switch 2 is kinda stunning, based on this Digital Foundry breakdown. Lots of cutbacks, yes, but this is SUCH a different situation from 'impossible ports' like Witcher 3 or DOOM on Switch 1. It's still very recognizably the same game.
youtu.be/2U5h4_MqXaU?...
youtu.be/2U5h4_MqXaU?...
Assassin's Creed Shadows Switch 2 Review: Impressive Handheld Play But Docked Mode Needs Work
YouTube video by Digital Foundry
youtu.be
December 3, 2025 at 9:02 PM
AC Shadows on Switch 2 is kinda stunning, based on this Digital Foundry breakdown. Lots of cutbacks, yes, but this is SUCH a different situation from 'impossible ports' like Witcher 3 or DOOM on Switch 1. It's still very recognizably the same game.
youtu.be/2U5h4_MqXaU?...
youtu.be/2U5h4_MqXaU?...
The NYT review of the Nuzzi memoir begins with their critic explaining how all Nuzzi’s myriad breaches of journalistic ethics would be worth defending if only we got a better book out of it in the end.
You can’t make this shit up. What a perfect encapsulation of the paper’s entire pathology.
You can’t make this shit up. What a perfect encapsulation of the paper’s entire pathology.
December 3, 2025 at 7:23 PM
The NYT review of the Nuzzi memoir begins with their critic explaining how all Nuzzi’s myriad breaches of journalistic ethics would be worth defending if only we got a better book out of it in the end.
You can’t make this shit up. What a perfect encapsulation of the paper’s entire pathology.
You can’t make this shit up. What a perfect encapsulation of the paper’s entire pathology.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
If we're not at war, Pete Hegseth is a murderer. If we are at war, Pete Hegseth is still a murderer. He's a murderer. And you don't need to go to The Hague to hold him accountable because there are perfectly good, American laws AGAINST MURDER.
My latest in @thenation.com
My latest in @thenation.com
Pete Hegseth Should Be Charged With Murder
No matter how you look at the strikes on alleged “drug boats”—as acts of war or attacks on civilians—Hegseth has committed a crime and should be prosecuted.
www.thenation.com
December 3, 2025 at 5:18 PM
If we're not at war, Pete Hegseth is a murderer. If we are at war, Pete Hegseth is still a murderer. He's a murderer. And you don't need to go to The Hague to hold him accountable because there are perfectly good, American laws AGAINST MURDER.
My latest in @thenation.com
My latest in @thenation.com
Jeffries isn't as performatively weak as Schumer, but he's just as bad, and maybe even more morally craven and bereft of actual beliefs, as this awful awful awful co-signing of Trump's corruption signals.
Jeffries claims the charges against Cueller were "very thin" and says Trump's pardon was "exactly the right outcome"
December 3, 2025 at 7:16 PM
Jeffries isn't as performatively weak as Schumer, but he's just as bad, and maybe even more morally craven and bereft of actual beliefs, as this awful awful awful co-signing of Trump's corruption signals.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
I’m kind of new to the Democrats, but I thought we were FOR respecting the legal process, and also that we were AGAINST political corruption. And that it was especially important to hold to these principles at this time.
But I guess there’s some insider memo I didn’t get that would set me straight?
But I guess there’s some insider memo I didn’t get that would set me straight?
Jeffries claims the charges against Cueller were "very thin" and says Trump's pardon was "exactly the right outcome"
December 3, 2025 at 6:30 PM
I’m kind of new to the Democrats, but I thought we were FOR respecting the legal process, and also that we were AGAINST political corruption. And that it was especially important to hold to these principles at this time.
But I guess there’s some insider memo I didn’t get that would set me straight?
But I guess there’s some insider memo I didn’t get that would set me straight?
Just finished the true ending in KIRBY AIR RIDERS, and I say this without a hint of jest or irony: the absolute batshit story Sakurai tells here is my favorite video game narrative of 2025, with some of the most killer cinematics you’ll ever see. I love this game so much.
December 3, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Just finished the true ending in KIRBY AIR RIDERS, and I say this without a hint of jest or irony: the absolute batshit story Sakurai tells here is my favorite video game narrative of 2025, with some of the most killer cinematics you’ll ever see. I love this game so much.
Reposted by Jonathan Lack
Best review I’ve read for Prime 4 here — what a great breakdown of what makes this series tick, especially now.
I really liked Metroid Prime 4, even taking into account the stuff everybody already hates about it mashable.com/review/metro...
'Metroid Prime 4: Beyond' review: It's good to be back
If you can get over Myles McKenzie, there's a lot of fun to be had here.
mashable.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Best review I’ve read for Prime 4 here — what a great breakdown of what makes this series tick, especially now.
Little behind-the-scenes glimpse of work on Japanimation Station’s Tomino-thon: an excerpt from my notes on XABUNGLE Episode 16, which has one of the absolute raddest moments in anime history.
December 2, 2025 at 3:46 AM
Little behind-the-scenes glimpse of work on Japanimation Station’s Tomino-thon: an excerpt from my notes on XABUNGLE Episode 16, which has one of the absolute raddest moments in anime history.
Trying to upload a really great episode of Purely Academic for tomorrow, but the gigabit internet I pay Xfinity for is currently chugging along at upload speeds of about half a megabyte per second, which is too slow for platforms to even *start* the upload. So. You know.
Fucking Xfinity, goddamn.
Fucking Xfinity, goddamn.
December 2, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Trying to upload a really great episode of Purely Academic for tomorrow, but the gigabit internet I pay Xfinity for is currently chugging along at upload speeds of about half a megabyte per second, which is too slow for platforms to even *start* the upload. So. You know.
Fucking Xfinity, goddamn.
Fucking Xfinity, goddamn.
WB going to Paramount is bad because it's owned by Trump-loving billionaires who suck. WB going to Netflix is bad because it's owned by people who hate movies and theaters and want to crush us all under the algorithm. No good options. It all sucks. Late stage capitalism coming for us all.
Netflix’s new bid to buy Warner Bros is a mostly cash offer.
The company is arranging a mega-loan to be able to buy WB
(Source: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...)
The company is arranging a mega-loan to be able to buy WB
(Source: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...)
December 2, 2025 at 12:03 AM
WB going to Paramount is bad because it's owned by Trump-loving billionaires who suck. WB going to Netflix is bad because it's owned by people who hate movies and theaters and want to crush us all under the algorithm. No good options. It all sucks. Late stage capitalism coming for us all.