Anthony Dean

A reminder to Hollywood/Silicon Valley that since Tilly Norwood is basically just a photorealistic AI-rendered cartoon, there's actual cartoon women that A) have actual writers/voice actors, B) actual in-story/real-life lore, and C) aren't cynical AI slop that exists as a way to dodge paying "A". (Yes, I picked a character from each generation, so everyone recognizes at least one of them.)

So any comparable WordPress alternatives (besides ClassicPress and Ghost) can come along anytime now? Don't be shy, developers... 😒 Automattic has a new board after failed attempt to put CEO on leave | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/25/automattic-has-a-new-board-after-failed-attempt-to-put-ceo-on-leave/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky

Good (if belated) news... guess I can now ditch Google Maps for good? It Took MapQuest Until 2026 To Add Public Transit Directions https://www.engadget.com/2267895/it-took-mapquest-until-2026-to-add-public-transit-directions/

Apparently a version of Knightfall happened in Scooby-Doo's universe? #Batman #BatmanDay #ScoobyDoo

New post: That’s all, folks: Paramount/Warner Bros. merger allowed to go through https://www.diversetechgeek.com/paramount-warner-bros-merger-allowed-go-through/ #Paramount #WarnerBros #media

Today's the first day of fall! (Or spring in the southern hemisphere, I guess.) Fall has officially arrived. Here's what to know about the autumnal equinox | PBS News https://www.pbs.org/newshour/science/fall-has-officially-arrived-heres-what-to-know-about-the-autumnal-equinox

AI hallucination nearly triggers US military operation | TechCrunch https://techcrunch.com/2026/09/18/ai-hallucination-nearly-triggers-us-military-operation/?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=bluesky

As I said about cryptocurrency, if you want an alternative to using big banks, one already exists: credit unions. They do most of the same things as banks, but are nonprofit (so won't interest the likes of Elon Musk).

That's a big one... and costly for the Ellisons (they owe $7 million a day past September 30). Also punts this past the midterms (see: CNN), plus more time for a possible AI bubble burst (affecting Oracle). Paramount Agrees To Delay Warner Bros. Merger Into 2027 https://www.engadget.com/2222897/paramount-agrees-to-delay-warner-bros-merger-into-2027/ #Paramount #warnerbros

New post: A list of my recommended Linux distros, from Linux Mint to Fedora to CachyOS. (And for those who don't want to switch to Linux, but hate the direction Windows is going, there's always just buying a Mac.) https://www.diversetechgeek.com/recommended-linux-distros-2026-edition/ #Linux #tech

Cowgary Vancougar Otterwa Winnipig Edmutton Muttreal Halifox Saskatuna Medicine Cat-in-the-Hat #AltCityOrTownNames #HashtagGames#BadAnimalPuns

Major Labels Call For AI Slop Songs To Be Banned From Entering Charts Around The World https://www.engadget.com/2226234/major-labels-call-for-ai-slop-songs-to-be-banned-from-entering-charts-around-the-world/

New post: In this month's blog status update, I note today's the site's anniversary! Also, I'm looking at new (and hopefully cheaper) webhosts. https://www.diversetechgeek.com/blog-status-update-july-2026/ #blogging #webhost

It's just... yet another of the 8 zillion renditions of "A Christmas Carol"? ("Master of Misfits?!") https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A7lyvgnDuDE

Google Pulls Down Feature for AI-Generating Fake Satellite Images on Google Earth After It's Immediately Used to Fake Terror Attacks https://futurism.com/artificial-intelligence/google-pulls-down-google-earth-ai-feature

RE: https://flipboard.com/@theverge/entertainment-ihpriaf7z/-/a-DTcfrf2SQH-VHMHqTGj9pw%3Aa%3A43611565-%2F0 CD audio is high quality and won't degrade over time (vs vinyl---why CDs initially displaced them/became popular); can be ripped to MP3s (which seems like a forgotten or never-learned skill these days); are DRM-free; and mean permanent ownership (vs paying endlessly to indirectly support Joe Rogan).

Your CD And Blu-Ray Collection Won't Last Forever https://www.engadget.com/2216277/cd-dvd-collection-expected-lifespan-rot-explained/

From January: What do Sam "The Falcon" Wilson, Scooby-Doo, the Earth-2 Superman, and Sauron (the "I want to turn people into dinosaurs" guy) have in common? They all should've entered public domain this year under their original copyright terms, but didn't. https://www.diversetechgeek.com/cartoons-public-domain-2026/ #comics #animation #copyright #publicdomain

Today's the day Superman was made an honorary citizen of every United Nations member country. (Comic art by Curt Swan and Romeo Tanghal.) #1976DCCalendar #DCComics #comics #Superman #UnitedNations #UNMe #DownByTheEastRiverside

The same guy who's why we can't have (legal/modern media format) unedited copies of the original Star Wars trilogy is into AI... figures. George Lucas Goes To The Dark Side, Says AI Is ‘The Future’ https://kotaku.com/george-lucas-artificial-intelligence-ai-museum-art-2000715801

Answering my own question: A) it might mean one less movie showing a day, which modern multiplex chains and media conglomerates apparently can't spare, and B) movie directors throwing a fit at the idea of their Cecil B. DeMille-esque epics being "tampered."

SDCC '26: DC unveils first-ever VIXEN ongoing & STATIC return DC Announces Vixen's First-Ever Ongoing Series and Static's Return at SDCC 2026 https://www.comicsbeat.com/sdcc-26-dc-unveils-first-ever-vixen-ongoing-static-return/

New post: My thoughts on Marvel Comics' plans to relocate to California. Also, the west coast in Marvel and DC doesn't seem like a big presence in-story unless the plot calls for it (see: "west coast versions of some team," or "heroes go to Hollywood/Vegas" stories). https://www.diversetechgeek.com/marvel-comics-relocate-california/ #Marvel #DCComics #California #comics

Hollywood Can't Survive Without Animation. So Why No Respect? https://variety.com/2026/film/awards/hollywood-animation-respect-problem-toy-story-5-wildwood-1236783579/

Google plans to kill Assistant on your phone on September 4 - Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/ai/2026/08/google-plans-to-kill-assistant-on-your-phone-on-september-4/

FCC's Brendan Carr Hit With Ethics Complaints Over Paramount Gifts https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/public-policy-legal/fcc-carr-paramount-ethics-complaints/

From July: What are the least problematic tech options? Basically tech where money is minimized, avoided, or fairly distributed to creators. Basically no billionaires, private equity, etc. It can't guarantee the people behind, say, Jellyfin or LibreOffice don't want to send all Black / gay people to the moon, but at least they won't have the GDP of Chile to try. (Again, diversity in tech matters.) https://www.diversetechgeek.com/least-problematic-tech-options/ #tech

State Department Map Incorrectly Labels African Countries at AIDS Conference https://www.thewrap.com/media-platforms/politics/state-department-map-incorrectly-labels-african-countries-at-aids-conference/

Philly suburb: Sure, build that data center—but first meet our 43 demands - Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/philly-suburb-sure-build-that-data-center-but-first-meet-our-43-demands/

Anyone remember "Justice League America" (no "of") from the 90s? Seems like Detroit was considered important in the DCU, or enough so that they based a version of the JLA there. Though suppose the case in older media in general ("Beverly Hills Cop"; 90s sitcom "Martin"; etc.).

Re: Amazo: wonder if he could be in some future JLA film, as he seems a popular enough foe (and would be distinct from Ultron/Brainiac/etc.). Then again, a villain who ripped off/combined the abilities of a large number of characters sticks out with the Paramount/WB merger/hostile takeover...

Wikimedia Will Not Voluntarily Recognize Union a Supermajority of Its Workers Want https://www.404media.co/wikimedia-waits-until-after-its-massive-conference-to-say-it-wont-voluntarily-recognize-union/

FCC Allows Gulf State Wealth Funds To Own Nearly Half Of Paramount-Warner Bros. https://www.engadget.com/2262681/fcc-allows-gulf-state-wealth-funds-to-own-nearly-half-of-paramount-warner-bros/

Report: Kakao is shutting down Tapas webtoon platform https://www.comicsbeat.com/report-kakao-is-shutting-down-tapas-webtoon-platform/

Parents Fears of Video Games Alleviated Through Gaming Workshops https://variety.com/2026/gaming/news/parents-fears-video-games-gaming-workshops-1236822057/

RIP bargain bin: The price impact of Sony's disc-free PlayStation plan - Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2026/07/our-playstation-price-analysis-shows-why-physical-games-still-matter/

Global Smartphone Sales Fall By Six Percent Amid Memory Cost Crisis https://www.engadget.com/2227239/global-smartphone-sales-fall-six-percent-amid-ram-crisis/

xAI Is Challenging A New Minnesota Law Banning 'Nudify' Apps https://www.engadget.com/2225792/xai-challenging-new-minnesota-law-banning-nudify-apps/

LeBron James Heads to Philadelphia 76ers https://variety.com/2026/sports/news/lebron-james-philadelphia-76ers-1236820359/

Ryan Reynolds Snuck Into Comic-Con as Deadpool With 'No Security' https://variety.com/2026/film/news/ryan-reynolds-comic-con-deadpool-no-security-1236821970/

Judge blocks first state law that would have banned prediction markets - Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/tech-policy/2026/07/judge-blocks-first-state-law-that-would-have-banned-prediction-markets/

A24, New York Times Enter the Fray to Buy Letterboxd for Over $300 Million - TheWrap https://www.thewrap.com/industry-news/business/letterboxd-sale-a24-new-york-times/

BATMAN: DARK PATTERNS reprinted after accusations of AI generated trade synopsis https://www.comicsbeat.com/batman-dark-patterns-reprinted-after-accusations-of-ai-generated-trade-synopsis/

Apple Upgrade Is A Subscription Program For The Company's Devices https://www.engadget.com/2224951/apple-upgrade-program-announced-klarna/

William Shatner to appear on Weigel's MeTV during Star Trek salute https://thedesk.net/2026/07/william-shatner-to-appear-on-weigels-metv-during-star-trek-salute/

Wondering if i was the only one paying attention in school when they told us not to drink the chemicals stored under the sink... How emotionally powerful stories fuel vaccine skepticism - Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/health/2026/07/how-emotionally-powerful-stories-fuel-vaccine-skepticism/

OpenAI agents tried to hack Wikipedia tools and flooded it with traffic - Ars Technica https://arstechnica.com/security/2026/10/openai-agents-tried-to-hack-wikipedia-tools-and-flooded-it-with-traffic/