Thudfactor
@thudfactor.com
Full-time movie buff (https://www.filmhydra.com) with a web development day job (https://www.thudfactor.com). Optimized for Netscape Navigator.
Reposted by Thudfactor
Sharing some new reading materials while we all try to stave off a turkey-induced coma: jordanseiler.xyz/posts/2025-1...
It’s Thanksgiving, and I’m idling around my house waiting for bread dough to rise and the oven to preheat. So far this year I’ve published a blog post every month. But it strikes me that it’s November 27th and I’ve yet to put anything out for the month. It so happens to work out, because the smells involved in baking bread are oddly stimulating to the mind, and I’m in a mood to introspect. Unlike most of my posts, I’m writing, editing, and publishing this all on the same day, and it’s probably gonna show.
jordanseiler.xyz
November 27, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Sharing some new reading materials while we all try to stave off a turkey-induced coma: jordanseiler.xyz/posts/2025-1...
Reposted by Thudfactor
Saw someone discussing how modern films don’t have interesting lighting and put it down to factory conditions in production.
And of course my head popped up because the lighting in American films definitely got less interesting during the shift to the studio system in the 1920s.
And of course my head popped up because the lighting in American films definitely got less interesting during the shift to the studio system in the 1920s.
November 27, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Saw someone discussing how modern films don’t have interesting lighting and put it down to factory conditions in production.
And of course my head popped up because the lighting in American films definitely got less interesting during the shift to the studio system in the 1920s.
And of course my head popped up because the lighting in American films definitely got less interesting during the shift to the studio system in the 1920s.
Reposted by Thudfactor
Canada made weird tv shows because it was all being done with government funded art grant money so they fell in this wacky middle ground between “shoestring budget” and “no expectation to generate shareholder value” which is really the best way to make art
November 26, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Canada made weird tv shows because it was all being done with government funded art grant money so they fell in this wacky middle ground between “shoestring budget” and “no expectation to generate shareholder value” which is really the best way to make art
Reposted by Thudfactor
Y’all, you GOT to start coming to your doctor’s appointments - especially these days before holidays, if you can. Not today, because I’ve had too many cancellations in a row that I’m doing facemask/paperwork time, but like in December for SURE.
November 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Y’all, you GOT to start coming to your doctor’s appointments - especially these days before holidays, if you can. Not today, because I’ve had too many cancellations in a row that I’m doing facemask/paperwork time, but like in December for SURE.
Reposted by Thudfactor
Nice to see a Democrat outright defend the humanities and the arts rather than taking the right-wing assault on them at face value.
New York City helped my mother become the artist she is today. The next generation deserves a City Hall that lifts up tomorrow's artists as well.
November 26, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Nice to see a Democrat outright defend the humanities and the arts rather than taking the right-wing assault on them at face value.
“I have no problem with fat people, but” earns a block.
November 25, 2025 at 3:41 PM
“I have no problem with fat people, but” earns a block.
The political whiplash we’ve had since Reagan isn’t because we’re narrowly divided, it’s because people are struggling and they keep pushing buttons hoping something will happen.
November 25, 2025 at 7:55 AM
The political whiplash we’ve had since Reagan isn’t because we’re narrowly divided, it’s because people are struggling and they keep pushing buttons hoping something will happen.
Reposted by Thudfactor
I am super-pro-public transit, and use it way more than the average American, but I live near a light rail station with very, very stable and predictable scheduling, and even then I would not use it for many things I use a car for because the cost of transit is time.
i wonder how much of Americans' views on driving vs. transit would change if they had to pay for gas/insurance/etc every time they turned on the engine
"i'm not paying $5 to take the train to work twice a day when i can just drive" is a genuine opinion held by so many people
"i'm not paying $5 to take the train to work twice a day when i can just drive" is a genuine opinion held by so many people
November 24, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I am super-pro-public transit, and use it way more than the average American, but I live near a light rail station with very, very stable and predictable scheduling, and even then I would not use it for many things I use a car for because the cost of transit is time.
One of the great frustrations of my consulting career was working hard to keep page bundle size low, then Turing it over to a client who immediately loaded it up with beacons and other ad tech, massively swelling the page weight. And then complaining to us that the site was slow.
How broken is today's frontend culture?
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
HTTP Archive: Page Weight
This report tracks the size and quantity of many popular web page resources. Sizes represent the number of bytes sent over the network, which may be compressed.
httparchive.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:56 AM
One of the great frustrations of my consulting career was working hard to keep page bundle size low, then Turing it over to a client who immediately loaded it up with beacons and other ad tech, massively swelling the page weight. And then complaining to us that the site was slow.
Reposted by Thudfactor
Regarding the em dash as an AI tell...
I am against AI witchhunts unless done by experts (99.9999% of us are not, including me) because it quickly turns stupid.
I was accused of using AI to generate this footage for 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1916) because "they couldn't film underwater then"
I am against AI witchhunts unless done by experts (99.9999% of us are not, including me) because it quickly turns stupid.
I was accused of using AI to generate this footage for 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1916) because "they couldn't film underwater then"
November 23, 2025 at 3:03 PM
Regarding the em dash as an AI tell...
I am against AI witchhunts unless done by experts (99.9999% of us are not, including me) because it quickly turns stupid.
I was accused of using AI to generate this footage for 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1916) because "they couldn't film underwater then"
I am against AI witchhunts unless done by experts (99.9999% of us are not, including me) because it quickly turns stupid.
I was accused of using AI to generate this footage for 20,000 LEAGUES UNDER THE SEA (1916) because "they couldn't film underwater then"
Reposted by Thudfactor
I’m having that thing where you log on to social and everyone is reacting to the new thing but the reactions are vague, aghast, angry enough that you’re struggling to figure out exactly what the new thing is. German must have a word for this.
November 22, 2025 at 1:30 PM
I’m having that thing where you log on to social and everyone is reacting to the new thing but the reactions are vague, aghast, angry enough that you’re struggling to figure out exactly what the new thing is. German must have a word for this.
Reposted by Thudfactor
who is following you dorks that you feel the need to repeatedly post that mtg is not on the side of the angels. it feels like spending a lot of time telling people not to eat hams they find on the ground
November 22, 2025 at 2:16 AM
who is following you dorks that you feel the need to repeatedly post that mtg is not on the side of the angels. it feels like spending a lot of time telling people not to eat hams they find on the ground
The Friday Guess Ten is on hiatus this week as I monkey with commenting and hosting.
November 21, 2025 at 7:29 PM
The Friday Guess Ten is on hiatus this week as I monkey with commenting and hosting.
The big tent only has a flap to the right.
Trump is filling his government with Nazis, consolidating authoritarian power, and eroding democracy at every chance.
And yet these 86 House Democrats voted for a right-wing messaging amendment to say that the real authoritarians are the socialists.
Pathetic.
And yet these 86 House Democrats voted for a right-wing messaging amendment to say that the real authoritarians are the socialists.
Pathetic.
November 21, 2025 at 5:57 PM
The big tent only has a flap to the right.
Somehow I am not surprised that the “efficiency” benefits afforded by AI are somehow being used as an excuse to make people work MUCH MORE, not increase leisure time.
The Machine :
"Lick my AI generated boot in perpetuity, you worthless fleshbag cog!"
www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-t...
"Lick my AI generated boot in perpetuity, you worthless fleshbag cog!"
www.businessinsider.com/sam-altman-t...
Sam Altman's eye-scanning Orb startup told workers not to care about anything outside work
Tools for Humanity CEO Alex Blania said that "if you should care about something else, and if you want something else, you should just not be here."
www.businessinsider.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Somehow I am not surprised that the “efficiency” benefits afforded by AI are somehow being used as an excuse to make people work MUCH MORE, not increase leisure time.
I wish more people got this.
You're not asking trans people. You're asking all people. This affects us all. Anyone could be barred from services based on appearance. Since, surprisingly we all have a fecking appearance
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Trans people could be barred from services based on appearance
The new code of practice on access to single-sex services cannot gain legal force until it gets sign-off from ministers.
www.bbc.co.uk
November 21, 2025 at 10:03 AM
I wish more people got this.
Reposted by Thudfactor
Discworld QOTD, from Feet of Clay, for Trans Day of Remembrance
November 20, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Feet of Clay, for Trans Day of Remembrance
Reposted by Thudfactor
there were multiple different countdown clocks until the Olsen twins turned 18
reddit had its infamous 'jailbait' community online until late 2011
all of this shit was just out in the open, it was awful
reddit had its infamous 'jailbait' community online until late 2011
all of this shit was just out in the open, it was awful
I feel like maybe it’s a function of everyone online being born in 2002 but I don’t think most people realize how openly and explicitly pedophilic american culture was until like… maybe 10 years ago
Someone found an mp3 of the creepy "Jailbait" song Olivia Nuzzi released when she was 16 🫣
November 20, 2025 at 12:10 AM
there were multiple different countdown clocks until the Olsen twins turned 18
reddit had its infamous 'jailbait' community online until late 2011
all of this shit was just out in the open, it was awful
reddit had its infamous 'jailbait' community online until late 2011
all of this shit was just out in the open, it was awful
Reposted by Thudfactor
NEW from me —
NJ GOP congressman's former staffer indicted in staged MAGA attack
Natalie Greene worked for Rep. Jeff Van Drew and had body modifications to make it appear she'd been assaulted.
www.thehandbasket.co
November 20, 2025 at 2:12 AM
NEW from me —
Reposted by Thudfactor
While my next post continues to ferment, here's another recycled rant: cinematiccatharsis.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-ra...
#filmsky
#filmsky
A Rant About Ratings
I hate rating movies. Don’t get me wrong, it’s a necessary evil, I suppose. It’s what you’re supposed to do when you review films,...
cinematiccatharsis.blogspot.com
November 19, 2025 at 6:07 PM
While my next post continues to ferment, here's another recycled rant: cinematiccatharsis.blogspot.com/2018/06/a-ra...
#filmsky
#filmsky
Reposted by Thudfactor
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Oh my GOD. Holy shit. Holy shit holy shit holy shit.
To non-lawyers: this level of incompetence is BREATHTAKING. It is absolutely incomprehensible. This is a "mistake" that will be taught in criminal procedure classes for GENERATIONS.
Oh my GOD. Holy shit. Holy shit holy shit holy shit.
To non-lawyers: this level of incompetence is BREATHTAKING. It is absolutely incomprehensible. This is a "mistake" that will be taught in criminal procedure classes for GENERATIONS.
NEWS: During a hearing in federal court in VA, prosecutors confirmed that the operative indictment in the case against James Comey was never shown to or voted on by the entire grand jury before it was presented in open court.
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
Defense counsel argued that’s a complete bar to further prosecution
November 19, 2025 at 4:46 PM
LOLOLOLOLOLOLOLOL
Oh my GOD. Holy shit. Holy shit holy shit holy shit.
To non-lawyers: this level of incompetence is BREATHTAKING. It is absolutely incomprehensible. This is a "mistake" that will be taught in criminal procedure classes for GENERATIONS.
Oh my GOD. Holy shit. Holy shit holy shit holy shit.
To non-lawyers: this level of incompetence is BREATHTAKING. It is absolutely incomprehensible. This is a "mistake" that will be taught in criminal procedure classes for GENERATIONS.
Depending on where and how much ChatGPT is used in TurboTax, it could either be really effective or a shocking disaster. I wouldn’t write the effort off out-of-hand… but I also wouldn’t put money on them getting it right any time soon.
November 19, 2025 at 7:20 AM
Depending on where and how much ChatGPT is used in TurboTax, it could either be really effective or a shocking disaster. I wouldn’t write the effort off out-of-hand… but I also wouldn’t put money on them getting it right any time soon.
Reposted by Thudfactor
This is the hardest I have seen any member of Congress work to try and address transphobia in Congress, and her ability to get nearly all Democratic lawmakers to sign onto this letter is something any first would applaud
House Dems unite to tell GOP to stop "demonizing" trans people with "dehumanizing" slurs - LGBTQ Nation
Rep. Nancy Mace's "tra**y, tra**y, tra**y!" tirade is just one example.
www.lgbtqnation.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:49 AM
This is the hardest I have seen any member of Congress work to try and address transphobia in Congress, and her ability to get nearly all Democratic lawmakers to sign onto this letter is something any first would applaud
Reposted by Thudfactor
Authoritarianism arrives with emails like this. The masked brute squad may or may not accost you later, be sure to carry your papers.
Email just went out on my campus that the Immigration Goons ("federal immigration agents") will be in town (Raleigh).
Inter alia, it says,"International students, faculty and staff should carry evidence of their immigration status with them at all times."
The fuck kind of country are we living in?
Inter alia, it says,"International students, faculty and staff should carry evidence of their immigration status with them at all times."
The fuck kind of country are we living in?
November 18, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Authoritarianism arrives with emails like this. The masked brute squad may or may not accost you later, be sure to carry your papers.
Reposted by Thudfactor
We're primarying John Fetterman.
Last week, Fetterman again sold out working Pennsylvanians. He was the deciding vote for a Republican budget bill that will strip healthcare from over 400,000 Pennsylvanians.
We deserve real working class leadership in the Senate, not a Trump-enabling Democrat.
Last week, Fetterman again sold out working Pennsylvanians. He was the deciding vote for a Republican budget bill that will strip healthcare from over 400,000 Pennsylvanians.
We deserve real working class leadership in the Senate, not a Trump-enabling Democrat.
November 18, 2025 at 3:25 PM
We're primarying John Fetterman.
Last week, Fetterman again sold out working Pennsylvanians. He was the deciding vote for a Republican budget bill that will strip healthcare from over 400,000 Pennsylvanians.
We deserve real working class leadership in the Senate, not a Trump-enabling Democrat.
Last week, Fetterman again sold out working Pennsylvanians. He was the deciding vote for a Republican budget bill that will strip healthcare from over 400,000 Pennsylvanians.
We deserve real working class leadership in the Senate, not a Trump-enabling Democrat.