Patrick Ferland
@fleck99pf.bsky.social
I help awesome coders make games. Fitness enthusiast (but bad at it). He/him. Non-employer-sanctioned opinions here.
To hell with the facially incorrect immunity ruling. Here’s a platform:
- SCOTUS reform and at least a bare minimum 13 judges
- Prosecute each of these crimes
- Individually and let him argue immunity for each, one at a time
- SCOTUS reform and at least a bare minimum 13 judges
- Prosecute each of these crimes
- Individually and let him argue immunity for each, one at a time
FWIW Trump can't rename geographical features. Only the U.S. Board on Geographic Names can do that; Trump can't go over their head.
What the executive order does is require all federal government agencies and employees to use an inaccurate place names. That, unfortunately, is a power he does have.
What the executive order does is require all federal government agencies and employees to use an inaccurate place names. That, unfortunately, is a power he does have.
Where does this madness with the renaming on Google end? Can Trump call the Atlantic Ocean the “Trump Ocean” and they’ll fall in line? Can he name Minnesota “Big Fat Loserville” and it goes on the map the next day?
August 30, 2026 at 3:39 PM
To hell with the facially incorrect immunity ruling. Here’s a platform:
- SCOTUS reform and at least a bare minimum 13 judges
- Prosecute each of these crimes
- Individually and let him argue immunity for each, one at a time
- SCOTUS reform and at least a bare minimum 13 judges
- Prosecute each of these crimes
- Individually and let him argue immunity for each, one at a time
There’s a lot going on in the world and lots of it isn’t great. But Max wanted to share his blep with you, and bleps are awesome.
August 28, 2026 at 12:33 AM
There’s a lot going on in the world and lots of it isn’t great. But Max wanted to share his blep with you, and bleps are awesome.
This feels like the space company equivalent of the Cybertruck. It's that idea that I'd have thought was TEH COOL when I was 13.
August 5, 2026 at 7:21 PM
This feels like the space company equivalent of the Cybertruck. It's that idea that I'd have thought was TEH COOL when I was 13.
Data centers usually generate TENS of permanent jobs. Maybe up to 150 in a huge hyperscale center. And smart localities get a minimum contractual commitment because the companies will automate that number down if they can.
This argument doesn’t pass the smell test.
This argument doesn’t pass the smell test.
Hassett: "Data centers are very good for towns bc they create so many jobs & bring people in with high incomes that can buy houses & stuff like that. So if you take a sleepy town that hasn't seen much in the last 30 years & put a data center there, there are gonna be a bunch of happy residents."
July 31, 2026 at 3:14 PM
Data centers usually generate TENS of permanent jobs. Maybe up to 150 in a huge hyperscale center. And smart localities get a minimum contractual commitment because the companies will automate that number down if they can.
This argument doesn’t pass the smell test.
This argument doesn’t pass the smell test.
Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn’t Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or Alice In Chains
July 28, 2026 at 4:48 AM
Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn’t Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam, or Alice In Chains
While you were watching The Odyssey, I was watching the limited release of Hadestown. It’s pretty great, as I never caught it on stage. Amazing that Patrick Page performed in a decorative moon boot due to a torn Achilles.
(I’ll catch The Odyssey soon)
(I’ll catch The Odyssey soon)
July 28, 2026 at 2:42 AM
While you were watching The Odyssey, I was watching the limited release of Hadestown. It’s pretty great, as I never caught it on stage. Amazing that Patrick Page performed in a decorative moon boot due to a torn Achilles.
(I’ll catch The Odyssey soon)
(I’ll catch The Odyssey soon)
Had an improv show tonight and I’m winding down with an old fashioned:
- 2oz Wolves American single malt (overkill but it was $20 at Trader Joe’s)
- 1 tbsp New Hampshire coffee infused maple
- 1 dash Bittercube orange bitters
- 2 candied orange peel segments
- 2oz Wolves American single malt (overkill but it was $20 at Trader Joe’s)
- 1 tbsp New Hampshire coffee infused maple
- 1 dash Bittercube orange bitters
- 2 candied orange peel segments
July 24, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Had an improv show tonight and I’m winding down with an old fashioned:
- 2oz Wolves American single malt (overkill but it was $20 at Trader Joe’s)
- 1 tbsp New Hampshire coffee infused maple
- 1 dash Bittercube orange bitters
- 2 candied orange peel segments
- 2oz Wolves American single malt (overkill but it was $20 at Trader Joe’s)
- 1 tbsp New Hampshire coffee infused maple
- 1 dash Bittercube orange bitters
- 2 candied orange peel segments
Now I desperately want a rage-bait panel where, not knowing any better, he chucks a couple of graded Black Lotus and Mox cards.
He did!
Wait didn’t Gambit literally throw TCG cards not too long ago? Gail is ahead of the curve as usual.
July 23, 2026 at 10:31 PM
Now I desperately want a rage-bait panel where, not knowing any better, he chucks a couple of graded Black Lotus and Mox cards.
Accountability needs to come when the Dems retake the federal government. The punishment for dissent against a lawless regime is not, in fact, murder, and these murderers need to face a reckoning that makes Reconstruction look like a pep talk.
Homan on people getting killed by ICE: "It comes down to one simple fact -- these people failed to comply with law enforcement ... all they had to do is comply. If they did, they'd be alive today."
July 20, 2026 at 7:02 PM
Accountability needs to come when the Dems retake the federal government. The punishment for dissent against a lawless regime is not, in fact, murder, and these murderers need to face a reckoning that makes Reconstruction look like a pep talk.
It’s worth remembering history. Some parts stay relevant today.
Onthisday in 1789, the Bastille was stormed in Paris, a key turning point of the French Revolution. 3.5 years later Louis XVI was executed by guillotine. We look at the deluge of prints that emerged depicting his death publicdomainreview.tumblr.com/post/8221146...
July 14, 2026 at 2:44 PM
It’s worth remembering history. Some parts stay relevant today.
The Unreal announcements have some chatter going about cross-game assets and I must say again:
Please stop citing Ready Player One as an example. The OASIS was one game.
Please stop citing Ready Player One as an example. The OASIS was one game.
June 20, 2026 at 12:52 AM
The Unreal announcements have some chatter going about cross-game assets and I must say again:
Please stop citing Ready Player One as an example. The OASIS was one game.
Please stop citing Ready Player One as an example. The OASIS was one game.
Today, we remember the day in history when soldiers informed a lot of Texas slaves that oops, they’d been free for two years already.
We can only build a better world if we try to learn from our mistakes.
We can only build a better world if we try to learn from our mistakes.
June 19, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Today, we remember the day in history when soldiers informed a lot of Texas slaves that oops, they’d been free for two years already.
We can only build a better world if we try to learn from our mistakes.
We can only build a better world if we try to learn from our mistakes.
Reminder of why inflation is pernicious:
Barring economic disaster, inflation stays positive. Prices overall don’t go back down. If they do, there are even worse problems.
Creating more inflation by starting a war with no goal is economically insane.
Barring economic disaster, inflation stays positive. Prices overall don’t go back down. If they do, there are even worse problems.
Creating more inflation by starting a war with no goal is economically insane.
June 10, 2026 at 2:03 PM
Reminder of why inflation is pernicious:
Barring economic disaster, inflation stays positive. Prices overall don’t go back down. If they do, there are even worse problems.
Creating more inflation by starting a war with no goal is economically insane.
Barring economic disaster, inflation stays positive. Prices overall don’t go back down. If they do, there are even worse problems.
Creating more inflation by starting a war with no goal is economically insane.
For this caturday, enjoy Max and his pillow fort. He is.
June 7, 2026 at 12:52 AM
For this caturday, enjoy Max and his pillow fort. He is.
If Squenix REALLY loved us, they'd add a new plot twist to FF7 Revelation. Chadley has actually been manipulating Jenova. New epilogue boss battle: kill Chadley.
It even fits the "Way to go, Serge!" model since you've spent three games feeding him data by then.
It even fits the "Way to go, Serge!" model since you've spent three games feeding him data by then.
June 5, 2026 at 11:25 PM
If Squenix REALLY loved us, they'd add a new plot twist to FF7 Revelation. Chadley has actually been manipulating Jenova. New epilogue boss battle: kill Chadley.
It even fits the "Way to go, Serge!" model since you've spent three games feeding him data by then.
It even fits the "Way to go, Serge!" model since you've spent three games feeding him data by then.
This seems contradictory, but for once, I'll defend it as accurate -- a lower job growth number is more "positive" today.
In 2021, the workforce was bigger because we hadn't launched mass deportation efforts. Absolute numbers in 2026 WILL be smaller.
It may not be good, but it is accurate.
In 2021, the workforce was bigger because we hadn't launched mass deportation efforts. Absolute numbers in 2026 WILL be smaller.
It may not be good, but it is accurate.
June 5, 2026 at 9:47 PM
This seems contradictory, but for once, I'll defend it as accurate -- a lower job growth number is more "positive" today.
In 2021, the workforce was bigger because we hadn't launched mass deportation efforts. Absolute numbers in 2026 WILL be smaller.
It may not be good, but it is accurate.
In 2021, the workforce was bigger because we hadn't launched mass deportation efforts. Absolute numbers in 2026 WILL be smaller.
It may not be good, but it is accurate.
I had a brain MRI (volunteered for a study; I'm fine) and they unexpectedly offered me the scan data. A little bit of LLM time and local Python scripts yielded a printable model. (Although the 2-color "include blood vessels" ultimately has supports I can't reach to remove.)
youtu.be/h-UK0al-FcQ
youtu.be/h-UK0al-FcQ
Timelapse brain print (2-color with vascular)
YouTube video by Patrick Ferland
youtu.be
May 29, 2026 at 7:00 PM
I had a brain MRI (volunteered for a study; I'm fine) and they unexpectedly offered me the scan data. A little bit of LLM time and local Python scripts yielded a printable model. (Although the 2-color "include blood vessels" ultimately has supports I can't reach to remove.)
youtu.be/h-UK0al-FcQ
youtu.be/h-UK0al-FcQ
Who is vi and who is emacs?
May 28, 2026 at 9:23 PM
Who is vi and who is emacs?
For some reason the "35 former federal judges" framing immediately sent my brain to "30-50 feral hogs" because we live in the memes era and I am not immune.
Also, I have no idea if they have standing, but... good on them for trying.
Also, I have no idea if they have standing, but... good on them for trying.
BREAKING
35 former federal judges move to reopen Trump v. IRS in an effort to kill the $1.776B slush fund.
Doc buff.ly/1065CA7
35 former federal judges move to reopen Trump v. IRS in an effort to kill the $1.776B slush fund.
Doc buff.ly/1065CA7
May 27, 2026 at 8:09 PM
For some reason the "35 former federal judges" framing immediately sent my brain to "30-50 feral hogs" because we live in the memes era and I am not immune.
Also, I have no idea if they have standing, but... good on them for trying.
Also, I have no idea if they have standing, but... good on them for trying.
I'm about a year into dealing with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) in my right shoulder. It's finally clearly in the improvement "thawing" phase but still slow going and not much I can do to speed things up.
Getting old is annoying. I miss when I EARNED my injuries in interesting ways.
Getting old is annoying. I miss when I EARNED my injuries in interesting ways.
May 22, 2026 at 7:59 PM
I'm about a year into dealing with frozen shoulder (adhesive capsulitis) in my right shoulder. It's finally clearly in the improvement "thawing" phase but still slow going and not much I can do to speed things up.
Getting old is annoying. I miss when I EARNED my injuries in interesting ways.
Getting old is annoying. I miss when I EARNED my injuries in interesting ways.
The whole slush fund is abhorrent, but the worst part is seeing even a terrible idea erode further in real time.
Tina Peters was not federally prosecuted. It was a state conviction. Even by its bizarre, illegal charter, the corruption fund doesn't cover this.
Tina Peters was not federally prosecuted. It was a state conviction. Even by its bizarre, illegal charter, the corruption fund doesn't cover this.
JD Vance cites Tina Peters as an example of someone who's receive a payout from Trump's new taxpayer-funded J6 slush fund
May 19, 2026 at 11:16 PM
The whole slush fund is abhorrent, but the worst part is seeing even a terrible idea erode further in real time.
Tina Peters was not federally prosecuted. It was a state conviction. Even by its bizarre, illegal charter, the corruption fund doesn't cover this.
Tina Peters was not federally prosecuted. It was a state conviction. Even by its bizarre, illegal charter, the corruption fund doesn't cover this.
I'll be honest about something -- I've tried poking at AI as a writing tool. It's "fine" for coalescing my less-interesting business stuff (tighten up this paragraph, check or adjust tone, add some info here, etc) but rarely impresses me.
Creative, though... Wow, is that a different story.
Creative, though... Wow, is that a different story.
May 17, 2026 at 6:20 PM
I'll be honest about something -- I've tried poking at AI as a writing tool. It's "fine" for coalescing my less-interesting business stuff (tighten up this paragraph, check or adjust tone, add some info here, etc) but rarely impresses me.
Creative, though... Wow, is that a different story.
Creative, though... Wow, is that a different story.
My alma mater had graduation recently, so it's time to tell one of my favorite college stories: My First Bumstock!
Bumstock Field was a location on campus. Every spring, it was used for a 3-day music festival. Meanwhile, the campus turned into one gigantic alcoholic rager.
Bumstock Field was a location on campus. Every spring, it was used for a 3-day music festival. Meanwhile, the campus turned into one gigantic alcoholic rager.
May 12, 2026 at 6:56 PM
My alma mater had graduation recently, so it's time to tell one of my favorite college stories: My First Bumstock!
Bumstock Field was a location on campus. Every spring, it was used for a 3-day music festival. Meanwhile, the campus turned into one gigantic alcoholic rager.
Bumstock Field was a location on campus. Every spring, it was used for a 3-day music festival. Meanwhile, the campus turned into one gigantic alcoholic rager.
Slightly increase a band:
The Grandmothers of Invention
The Grandmothers of Invention
Slightly increase a band:
Some Doubt
Some Doubt
Slightly increase a band:
Jefferson Mothership
Jefferson Mothership
May 12, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Slightly increase a band:
The Grandmothers of Invention
The Grandmothers of Invention
Wow. I’ve owned a children’s oversized book version of The Red Balloon since childhood. Never knew the connection.
Weird Game Designer Facts #1
The game of Risk -- originally published as La Conquête du Monde -- was designed by Albert Lamorisse. He is better known as the Oscar Award-winning director of The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge). He died in a fatal helicopter accident while filming in Iran in 1970.
The game of Risk -- originally published as La Conquête du Monde -- was designed by Albert Lamorisse. He is better known as the Oscar Award-winning director of The Red Balloon (Le Ballon Rouge). He died in a fatal helicopter accident while filming in Iran in 1970.
May 9, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Wow. I’ve owned a children’s oversized book version of The Red Balloon since childhood. Never knew the connection.