Souls Like Strings

• It's entirely possible to write a Tanstack Query replacement that works
  • You probably shouldn't though, there are a lot of edge-cases/nice QoL features
  • Maybe makes more sense to roll your own for a work project, especially if you can re-use it?
  • Or for a personal project you're doing with the express purpose of learning

Links

The Programmer Identity Crisis - Simon Højberg

Another eloquent AI takedown which expresses my own distaste for the technology better than I ever could. I became a software engineer because I enjoyed writing code, making things and solving problems;...

What if INSIDE was a noir movie?

Why

• Very atmospheric & cinematic
• <2 hours to finish

Why Not

• You're playing on Steam Deck & don't like slideshows
• <2 hours to finish
• Missing the tension/sense of danger from INSIDE

Impressions

This is my first INSIDE-like after enjoying that game and its predecessor LIMBO quite a lot earlier this year. You're a helpless little raven girl in a big scary noir-style world which hates birds, only able to walk, jump and climb ladders.

While INSIDE puts the pressure on right out of the gate by having...

Becoming Superman by Michael J. Straczynski.

A lot darker than you'd expect.

Man, this guy had a rough life. The first few chapters where he lays out the (surface level!) history of his family is a tough read, and I could definitely see people bouncing off there. Things get better eventually, at least for the author, but not without chapter upon chapter of reminders that people can be really fucked up. It would've been pretty incredible for Michael to become just a functioning member of society, but the fact he went ahead and became a massive success...

Mobile games are... good?

Why

• Absolutely mindbending
• Beautifully crafted levels
• An chill soundtrack with a lot of attention given to sound effects

Why Not

• You only like games with action or conflict

Impressions

The Monument Valley series is 3 chill, beautifully designed puzzle games about (sometimes) lone wanderer traversing the ruins of an ancient civilization who played fast & loose with geometry. I played the original on one of my first smartphones and loved it, so when I saw the first two 90% off on Steam I jumped at the chance to relive my...

Crossroads of Ravens by Andrzej Sapkowski.

Goddamit now I have to play the Witcher games again

I first read the Witcher series in 2015; can't remember if it was because I played the games or I played the games because I read the books. Either way I absolutely devoured them; the core characters were all charming but flawed, the setting was my first encounter with a grittier, more 'realistic' fantasy and the writing had that intangible sense of 'quality' you get from a good author. It probably didn't hurt that I was all-in on the 'Witcher Expanded...