Penny for the Guy?

Posted in News, Rant on February 26th, 2012 by Dr. Warthan
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I have become philosophically opposed to certain multi-billion-dollar corporations. These corporations collect big data about everyone so as to turn their customers into a product. The means used in that data collection are unethical. Further, there are many other issues equally unethical, and too numerous to detail here. Consequently, I have permanently dismissed my advertisers as all of them use the advertising networks provided by these corporations. I will no longer cooperate with these unprincipled entities to the best of my ability.  Though my lack of certain skills and abilities force me to buy food and products from some of them, I can still resist.

All of this I am currently doing:

  • I will work for ethical organizations.
  • I will no longer advertise and make money from this website.
  • When I do buy from corporations, I will prefer the ones who have the best ethics.
  • I will prefer local small businesses.
  • I will not break the law or do anything unethical in retaliation.
  • I will continue to find new ways to resist.

I’ve got a few reasons why and some history lessons behind my motivations.  If you’d like to learn more, then continue reading.

Read more »

Super Heroes

Posted in Art, SteamPunk on November 11th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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From Sillof’s Workshop, “The Avengers”.

Sillof mostly has different takes on Star Wars, including WWI and WWII, Noir Cinema, Wild West, and more.  It’s definitely worth a look.

Sucker Punch

Posted in DieselPunk, Movie, SteamPunk on July 24th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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Sucker Punch is an American action-fantasy film written by Steve Shibuya and Zack Snyder, and directed by Snyder. Sucker Punch features an ensemble female cast that includes Emily Browning, Abbie Cornish, Jena Malone, Vanessa Hudgens, and Jamie Chung. The film follows a young girl in the 1950s about to be lobotomized as she attempts to escape an asylum with her inmate friends.

Watch the trailer.  As you can see, there’s a lot of Steampunk influence in there.  In fact, this movie has more Steampunk in it than many other pure Steampunk imaginings (like Riese Kingdom Falling, for example).  Snyder has described the film as “Alice in Wonderland with machine guns”, including dragons, B-52 bombers, and brothels. Snyder’s wife and producing partner Deborah Snyder concludes, “in the end, it’s about this girl’s survival and what she needs to do to be able to cope.”

“Sucker Punch” is an epic action fantasy taht takes us into the vivid imagination of a young girl whose dream world provides the ultimate escape from her darker reality.  Unrestrained by the boundaries of time and place, she is free to go where her mind takes her, and her incredible adventures blur the lines between what’s real and what is imaginary.

Dr. Warthan’s Review: ΩΩΩΩΩ – Five Omega’s
That’s right, I own it on Blu-Ray!  I love movies that set the mind free.  It’s on the same level as the Matrix and 300.  A definite must-see and must own.

Via: Sucker Punch

Campbell’s Soup Bramble

Posted in Art, SteamPunk on July 24th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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It’s an actual model, not CG.  The detail is incredible.  The artist makes similar robots, but apparently not this one anymore.

1910 Postcard of the Future

Posted in Art, SteamPunk on April 16th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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Yes, people back in 1910 really did think flying airships (and other things) were the future.

According to the postcards, the future included flying boats (but not anymore), chemical dinners (drugs as food), audiobooks via headphones (nailed it), robotic tailors (nope), overhead trains (almost), flying firefighters with bat wings (Hell no), motorized roller skates (somebody did that and got arrested), tanks (you betcha), electric machines building buildings (it’s real), video teleconferencing (nailed it), Radium fireplaces (What?), robot barbers (not yet), electric trains (duh), robotic makeup applicators (so 5th element), drive-up fast food for flying cars (1/2 right), helicopters watching us from above (got it), more bat wings on flying traffic cops to deal with flying cars (thank goodness not), and drive-in theaters but with flying cars.

Yeah, we got robbed on the flying cars deal.  But if you think about it, people can’t drive correctly in two dimensions.  Can you imagine some old bat-crazy lady who can’t see over the steering wheel or her Facebook Twittering grand-kid dealing with traffic in three dimensions?

See the rest of the art via DVICE.

Steampunk Wonder Woman

Posted in Art, SteamPunk on April 16th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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Cute…  Steampunk Wonder Woman fighting for American “Liberty”.  Too bad she’s married.  Reminds me of a girl I once dated, her name was Liberty.  She cheated on me with a girl named Chasity.

The Mouse and its Brain

Posted in Art, SteamPunk on April 16th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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I always wondered what the brain of a mouse looked like.  We’ve seen plenty of Steampunk mice before, but this one is a little more spooky than usual.

Bioshock 2 Big Sister Costume

Posted in Art, Game, SteamPunk on April 16th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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Somebody has a serious hobby.  Although, I’m not sure that’s a girl in there.  Still, it’s pretty cool.

Steampunk Palin

Posted in Art, Book, SteamPunk on February 13th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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Yes, it’s a real comic.  It was created by Antarctic Press and also makes President Evil, Time Lincoln, The Govinator, and others.  You can buy it from Things From Another World (TFAW) which is also where I bought my Firefly / Serenity comics.  Judging by the excerpts, it’s actually looking pretty well done.

Energy catastrophe has struck worldwide! Massive oil spills, nuclear meltdowns and more leave us desperate for viable energy sources to rebuild global society and technology.

Inspired by a little tea party, Sarah Palin hits upon the answer: steam power! She begins the ‘Steam Initiative’, touting geothermal energy as the cure for what ails ya. The heads of Big Oil and Nuclear Power are less than happy with this trend, and they send their agents to do in the Rogue Republican. Luckily, she comes prepared with a set of steam-powered armor! (Standard equipment, don’cha know.)

I have some “Independent” (Republican) friends who will love this…

Steampunk Music Video

Posted in Movie, Music, SteamPunk on February 13th, 2011 by Dr. Warthan
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There’s an interesting story from some Steampunk universe in this video.  It’s certainly worth watching. It was created by Ben Lovett, a musician, composer, producer, and artist known mostly for his work in film and TV.