Another #bookreview - Unfortunately, this is my first negative review of the year.
Book: The Sage, The Swordsman and the Scholars
Rating: 3 / 10
The book is historical fiction focusing on the Ming Dynasty in China. A shady foreign power enters the scene brokering a dangerous level of influence in the local governments. A secret society protective of the empire begins to intervene - discovering this interlopers as evil sorcerers using drugs and magic in an attempt to overthrow the Emperor.
I started reading this one immediately after Masters of Doom, which covers very similar topics - but apparently with a little more drama sprinkled in. Now, I'll admit - this is John Romero's account of events, who was kind of called out in Masters of Doom as losing focus. John admits this kind of - but gives a more realistic view of the entire situation and admits his faults.
I finished my 2nd book of the 2024, so that is something.
Book: Masters of Doom
Review: 10/10
Some of my earliest memories are playing PC games with my Dad - Space Quest, Myst, Doom, Quake, and Duke Nukem 3D. This book was a long overdue trip down memory lane watching two icons literally birth a multi-billion dollar industry. Each of the Johns have their own faults - they are in no ways perfect.
@ExiledKing Welp...Both are where some of the reddit shitposters have hung their hats. While there is some thoughtful discussion, there are also the usual ill-considered hot takes. You'll see content get mirrored between the two sites. I just scan the front pages, myself, and don't post much.
I would say make an account on either and judge for yourself. Keep in mind moderation on some Lemmy instances can be...sparse.
I see folks giving their #linustechtips hot takes. Here is mine.
I enjoyed Linus' for a bit, but dropped the channel when the builds of vendor donated equipment became too absurd. You can't expect me to believe you are unbiased at that point. You are a business - making business friends. I also found him over time to be very pompous.
@ExiledKing Not verified to be an actual King, but could be one, the nobility had lots of official and unofficial children and ExiledKing could be a descendant of one or multiple such lineages