#NUCLEAR TRUTH INCOMING

[princess-glassred]

Nuclear hot take incoming!! (That's actually piggy backing off my last post)

Some of you are about to be real mad at me, but i must speak ny truth... In it chapter 2 they should have just killed Ben instead of Eddie.

Hear me out hear me out PLS PLS PLS hear me out.

Ben has fuck all to do in that movie, aside from that january embers scene he doesnt do ANYTHING of importance, hell, i think stan is more important than him and all he does is send a letter. Ben's entire character in it chapter 2 is look longingly at bev and exchanging small talk with her. If you're going to go through all the trouble of changing every character, inventing new characters, and messing with the whole setting, why not just change who dies? I'm not saying this because I hate ben or something i love him in IT chapter 1, the mini series version is awesome, and the book version is a chill guy fr, but he's just genuinely stumbling around in it 2.

I get that eddies character arc is supposed to end with him dying but they butcher his death scene so it doesnt have any of the impact its suppsed to have in the book. Plus, this eddie is barely even the same character anymore. I mean, don't get me wrong, i LOVE watching James Ransome get skewered as much as the next guy- but this eddie doesn't have the same building blocks for an ending like this. Also it's weird that they retroactively made richie and eddie a bury your gays trope while all the straight friends get to just roll on to their happy ending.

So here's my idea: Bev nearly gets killed by pennywise so ben jumps in to save her, knowingly sacrificing himself so she can live. With his final moments Ben confesses that although he's sad he never got to really be with her, all he ever wanted was her happiness. She is safe, and even if they were never together- she knows who wrote the poem for her. He can die happy knowing she'll never be hurt again and that she knows he loves her. And for the first time in Bev's life, she doesn't have to sacrifice parts of herself for a man- the man sacrificed himself for her because he genuinely loved her that much.

You still get tortured lovers, you still get your sad death scene, and hell, reddie don't even have to end up together if you don't want them to- the point is it's not bury your gays anymore. It's subversive and it gives ben something to do with his life other than cry that bev isn't into him anymore. It's also a more feminist take on bev because she gets to enjoy being single and divorced for a while instead of instantly marrying Ben and getting pregnant.

[darkmaga-returns]

Trump Implements Price Controls On Pharmaceuticals. Luna Introduces Bill to Repeal Patriot Act. Iran rejects US nuclear demand. Middle East on edge. Top 2 Vaccinated States Lead In 2025 Measles Cases

Lioness of Judah Ministry

May 13, 2025

Trump Rallies GOP To Back 'Big, Beautiful Bill' As House Releases 389-Page Text

Here's what's in it...

President Donald Trump on Monday called on congressional Republicans to unify behind what he hailed as his "ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL," a sweeping legislative package that merges tax cuts, immigration reforms, and a raft of domestic priorities into a single reconciliation measure. "This week the Republicans are meeting in the Tax, Energy, and Agriculture Committees on major pieces of 'THE ONE, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL,'" Mr. Trump wrote on his Truth Social platform, urging lawmakers to stand behind House committee chairs Jason Smith of Ways and Means, Brett Guthrie of Energy and Commerce, and Glenn "GT" Thompson of Agriculture. "We must WIN! But now, with the tremendous Drug and Pharmaceutical Cuts, plus massive incoming Tariff Money, our 'GREAT, BIG, BEAUTIFUL BILL' just got much BIGGER and BETTER. The Golden Age of America will soon be upon us."

Trump Implements Price Controls On Pharmaceuticals - A Similar Policy Kamala Harris Campaigned On, That Everyone Called "Communist"

Trump says he also wants drug manufacturing to return domestically.

The WinePress News

Trump Implements Price Controls On Pharmaceuticals - A Similar Policy Kamala Harris Campaigned On, That Everyone Called "Communist"

Today, the White House today announced an executive order by President Donald Trump to implement what are effectively price controls on the pharmaceutical industry to forcibly lower drug prices, which are incredibly expensive in the United States…

Read more

11 hours ago · 5 likes · 4 comments · The WinePress

The Truth About The “Trade Deal” With China

Everybody is so happy right now.

The Dow Jones Industrial Average was up more than 1,000 points today, the talking heads on television are bubbling over with optimism, and even many of President Trump’s harshest critics are cheering. It warms my heart to see everyone so happy, and so there is part of me that is not inclined to dump rain on everyone’s parade. But I am not going to tell people what they want to hear just to tickle their ears. I have got to tell the truth about the agreement that has just been made with China, and the truth is not all rainbows and lollipops.

Luna Introduces Bill to Repeal Patriot Act, Restore Privacy

US Representative Anna Paulina Luna has introduced a bill, the American Privacy Restoration Act, that aims to repeal the Patriot Act, passed in 2001.

The Florida Republican believes that what has in the meantime become the notorious post-9/11 legislation, has been abused by “rogue” intelligence officers to carry out mass surveillance in unlawful ways. Announcing the bill, Luna mentioned that the Patriot Act has over the last decades been used to interfere in elections, violate innocent Americans’ privacy by spying on them, and even “settle personal scores.” We obtained a copy of the bill for you here. According to the representative, the ability to misuse and abuse the Patriot Act in such a way turned it into a tool for what is known as “the deep state” – whereas her legislative proposal seeks to take away the ability of these permanent power centers to violate the Fourth Amendment, that should protect against unreasonable searches and seizures.

Trump Administration Revokes Deportation Protections for Additional Refugees

The Trump administration has ended Temporary Protected Status (TPS) for Afghan refugees, Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem announced Monday.

The move sets the stage for the potential deportation of tens of thousands of Afghans currently residing in the United States. Deportation protections will expire in 60 days, the minimum period allowed by law after such a notice is issued. “This administration is returning TPS to its original temporary intent,” Sec. Noem stated, adding: “We’ve reviewed the conditions in Afghanistan with our interagency partners, and they do not meet the requirements for a TPS designation. Afghanistan has had an improved security situation, and its stabilizing economy no longer prevents them from returning to their home country.”

Leftist Protestors Arrested After Violent Clash with Law Enforcement at Newark ICE Facility (VIDEO)

Far-left protestors blocking the gates at Delaney Hall ICE facility in Newark, New Jersey, were arrested after a violent clash with police on Monday.

As TGP reported earlier, far-left ‘faith leaders’ created a human chain and blocked emergency vehicles from entering the Delaney Hall detention facility. Chaos erupted at the ICE detention facility after law enforcement asked the protesters to leave the property. Police cuffed protestors for obstructing the entrance to the facility and refusing to leave.

[satoshi-mochida]

PROJECT TACHYON launches February 14 - Gematsu

Side-scrolling run-and-gun shooting action game PROJECT TACHYON will launch for PC via Steam on February 14 for 2,400 yen, publisher HIKE and developer STUDIO N9 announced. It will support English, Japanese, Korean, Traditional Chinese, and Simplified Chinese language options.

Here is an overview of the game, via its Steam page:

About

An exhilarating run-and-gun action shooting game based on a roguelite system! Travel through time with Sigma to thwart the uprising of artificial intelligence and fight for the future!

Story

When the Tamageria Republic faces a crisis with the rebellion of Mainframe OMEGA, an artificial intelligence, they turn to their last resort: a nuclear attack to stop Mainframe OMEGA. Countless casualties occur in the aftermath, and Commander Elina secretly activates “Project Tachyon” to avoid the danger of a nuclear winter. Sigma, an agent of Project Tachyon, studies the future and travels back in time to solve problems based on their observations. However, they discover a shocking truth during their mission…

Key Features

-Engaging Narration Through a Roguelite System – Every character, including the protagonist, has a hidden past, trauma, and unique personality traits. Only Sigma, who has the ability to retain memories, can continuously travel through time to understand and forge deeper relationships with these characters and successfully complete the project.

-Dynamic Combat Action Using Melee and Ranged Weapons – Engage in combat filled with extravagant action scenes as you wield an array of weapons in diverse situations. Use melee weapons to block the enemy’s barrage and use ranged weapons to subdue them from a distance.

Choose from over 130 powerful genes in nine different categories and upgrade according to your preferences.

Unlock powerful synergistic effects by gathering various types of enhancement genes.

Watch out for malicious genes, a key element in this roguelite system that thrives on the blend of luck and skill. As you equip more enhancement genes, your chances of manifesting a malicious gene will increase. Be wary as you’ll sustain harsh penalties if you fail to meet the requirements.

Switch up your combat style with an array of weapons that can be randomly obtained at certain stages.

Deal with your enemies strategically by adapting to each situation—use an electric saw that slices incoming bullets or an acid sprayer to weaken the enemy’s defense.

Find an efficient route to navigate the map that varies every time you play.

You can save your stamina to challenge the boss, or take on more risks for a greater payout. It is your choice.

-Experience Unique Battles by Upgrading Weapons – Unlock and upgrade various weapons through quests. More weapons will appear by unlocking them before each stage begins. Modify your weapons and enhance by battle experience.

-Giant Boss Raids – Giant mutants, the followers of the artificial intelligence Mainframe OMEGA, lie in wait to interrupt Sigma’s advance. Unlike normal enemies, the Giant Boss uses a variety of gimmick patterns to threaten you. Upgrade your enhancement genes and collect various weapons to effectively combat the boss in any situation!

-An Intriguing Story Through Time-Traveling – Travel through time and gather clues from the future, then return to the past to unravel the truth. Seemingly insignificant details overlooked in the past will deeply impact the future. Collect the clues amidst an ever-changing landscape to successfully complete your mission!

Watch the trailer below.

Trailer #2

Japanese

[lordmartiya]

@mlbfemslashfebruary

My second entry, this time for day 15, is the second part of Trust and Secrets Are to Be Treasured. This time from Lila's astute yet arrogant point of view.

It had been a few days since Lila had given Marinette enough proof to take her down, and she was starting to feel better. The night after she had done it she had panicked and broken into her house to retrieve it, except Marinette had anticipated it and got Chat Noir to wait for her and tell her she had already hidden everything, without telling her guard cat what “everything” was. And the guy hadn’t even asked what it was – he got it. Enough she had actually hit on him, except he had moved on from Ladybug and had a girlfriend. Ugh! Finding people who actually understood it was hard. Chat Noir had been after Ladybug until he finally got a girlfriend without the news picking up (and they’d never do, considering they still had the flirt thing going on. A French thing, she had heard), Ladybug was on her shit list, Adrien got with the funny-named one minutes before Borgeouis got scammed into throwing away everything good in her life for her abusive mother and ineffective father, and with Marinette she had been in a feud until after she had started dating Luka Couffaine, the future rockstar.

Speaking of which, she was at the Liberty, his mother’s boat, for a new miniconcert of his band, Kitty Section. And she didn’t have to dodge around Marinette anymore, a benefit of her metaphorical leash. Alongside having forced herself to think things through and being able to just talk with Marinette. Now she could enjoy Rose’s surprisingly powerful voice and see if she could help expanding their repertoire, as she was genuinely good with lyrics. And it would be good to have another independent income source if this modeling gig fell apart sooner than expected (Gabriel just gave her weird vibes. Who hires an obvious trained killer as secretary?!).

“Hey.” Alya called her, looking worried. And Marinette was missing. And Luka was missing. Please, don’t be what she feared. “Do you know what happened between Luka and Marinette?”

Lila sighed – the journalist was smarter than her impulse control suggested (another reason to believe Ladybug confirmed the interview), and clearly feared she may have said something to make them fight. But before she could explain she too had no idea her fear came true, and Luka appeared as the Akumatized Villain Truth.

“Tell me Marinette’s secret!” he demanded as he fired his magic at Alya.

Surprising everyone but herself, Lila punched the magic and got under its influence. Time to give him a proper dressing down and vent about how so few people got it while under the magical impulse to tell the truth.

“It’s none of our business, you idiot.” she told him. The funny thing was, she almost certainly knew her big secret, why Marinette disappeared at every Akuma attack. It was actually obvious when one stopped and thought about it… But she had no confirmation so she didn’t actually know. Also, as she said, it was none of their business. “Seriously, what’s with this fad of knowing secrets?! Everyone got secrets! I have secrets, you have secrets, Marinette has secrets, and we all pretend otherwise because as long as they don’t hurt others they aren’t their business! The world still exists because during the Cold War both sides realized they were going to find out something that warranted a war declaration and told the other side to hide it better, because they weren’t crazy enough to start a nuclear war! How you dare to ask about Marinette’s secret?”

“Er… She’s late so often, and said she couldn’t tell me-” Truth whined, before Lila cut him off in genuine anger.

“She admitted she’s got a secret?! She trusted you enough to admit that there’s something that could utterly ruin her, and you have the audacity to get Akumatized over it? That’s it, give me your Akumatized object and get in timeout.”

Amazingly enough, Truth did exactly that, too shocked by the situation to do otherwise. Lila already had the Akumatized guitar pick in her hand when Paris’ terror bowtie made himself known to get his agent back on track. Well, she knew what to do, push the rocker in the river, give the pick to Rose to pass on Ladybug when she arrived (Rose was surprisingly strong and athletic, she was the best choice for this) and then run away pretending to have the pick to lure Truth away. She was already enjoying hos expression when a familiar magic baton broke the pick and announced Ladybug and her minder had arrived. And going by the fact Chat Noir immediately asked her a question whose answer was “Lucky Charm”, the near nudist had been affected by Truth herself.

“Ahó! Ladybug!” Lila called out. “Later we need to talk.” Because she knew the pretend-heroine was responsible for this mess.

 -----------

By the time Lila was visited by Ladybug she knew the spotted annoyance wasn’t entirely responsible – madame Couffaine’s decision to hide the father of her children was Jagged Stone had been already putting him under pressure before the situation with Marinette pushed him too far. She guessed he was too close to the situation to realize what the timing of Crocoduo’s break-up meant. Then again, Jagged Stone’s career before going solo was known by a weirdly small amount of people… Or maybe it was her who was weird for trying to know everything about the guy’s career.

“You should take responsability for your latest mess.” Lila told her.

“Which one?” Ladybug asked, weirdly meek. She supposed the consequences of the identities of almost all her interns being exposed during Borgeouis’ gravest error were tormenting her. Though that one was forgivable, how was anyone supposed to know the terror bowtie was smart enough for long term planning?

“I’m talking of how you managed Marinette being the only one of your interns whose identity is still safe.”

Ladybug stood still and looked at her in surprise. After savoring leaving the pigtailed menace speechless with her flawless deductive abilities, Lila explained: “It wasn’t that hard, really. She disappears at every Akuma battle and is sleep deprived enough to be perpetually late for school but can’t be you because she’s got fashion sense and you clearly don’t, can’t be Chat Noir because I’ve spotted them together, and if she had the Butterfly Miraculous she’d have already won and never made something as tacky as the Bubbler – seriously, he looked so horrible you’d think the bowtie had a grudge against him. Also, she got worse right after your interns got exposed to Paris’ fashion-challenged public enemy #1, it’s clear you intend to have her use some powerful Miraculous. Maybe something with time travel, or maybe you’ve been training her to take over the Bee. And whatever it is, she always makes sure you can arm her with ease while torturing herself with the fear of messing up, and she got so nervous she ended up breaking up with her boyfriend. Maybe getting someone else to ease her burden? Like the Tsurugi heiress, she’s got a weird personality and a mother that makes Gabriel Agreste look permissive, but she’d be quite the heroine. Or Adrien, he knows powerlessness and can be trusted with destructive stuff.”

“Er… That’s quite the deduction, even with the faulty premise…”

“Sure, sure. Anyway, are you going to take responsability?”

“Did you mean that thing about secrets?”

“Was I under a truth spell? But seriously, why do you ask?”

“Because I need someone to confide with.”

After the stomacache forced Lila to stop laughing, she realized Ladybug wasn’t joking.

“Look, I’m trying to not get into more trouble, but what makes you think I wouldn’t screw you over?”

“Tikki, Spots Off.”

Marinette. Ladybug was Marinette Dupain-Cheng. Well, that explained everything. Well, almost. And forced Lila to realize that yes, Ladybug was sincere in trying to apologize, and no, she hadn’t okayed that famous interview. She knew Marinette too well for that.

And it also meant that if she played her cards right she could get to date someone who got it. Though she’d have to wait, rebounds were simply unhealthy. Speaking of which…

“First thing tomorrow we take your stalker shrine and give it to Adrien’s fan club before you try and rebound on him.” Lila ordered. Because she wasn’t going to allow Marinette to get in that mess. And speaking of mess: “Also, why is your costume so plain? You’re a fashion designer, you impressed Gabriel Agreste, the Style Queen herself praised you on live TV, why is your costume basically painted on in such a plain pattern?!”

“Depression.”

Oh. Yeah, she had messed up. A lot.

[eclipsecrowned]

30 for truthful tuesday. [looking at you autistically, microphone in hand] // @umbralined

Pupper wishes to get Kadi in trouble. Kadi will gladly get in trouble over this one.

There is a specific breed of mun, often belonging to a certain demographic but it happens regardless of income education race or gender, who think their muse is God's gift to the community. Whether you find them here on tumblr, in the badlands of forums, or among your discord experiences, it is inevitable that you will meet someone who just cannot handle what their muse actually is.

In their own head, usually because they are hella projecting onto the muse, this muse is the best thing since sliced bread. They are a near perfect copy of the mun -- let's use our former friend [REDACTED] as an example.

All her muses were able-bodied middle class east coast American women who came from military families and were proudly straight Americans whose brand of liberalism was just conservatism lite. And because that muse is so much like her -- and pick any of them, Beth, Elaine, Charlotte, even in fantasy she'd just adapt Veerle or Adamaris to be the super special white gurl foreigner -- this muse is perfect.

This muse does no wrong. Everything this muse does is cool, funny, badass. Everything this muse does is right, even in instances where the audience tries to call out obvious racism, homophobia, classism, unchecked mental illness. This is not a critique of the character's behavior/the biased writing, but of the creator herself, because the muse is a funhouse mirror of their player. Fuck you. She's going to write what she wants to write.

Except it stops being about just their muse. Suddenly, it's about you as a collaborator having a muse. Here's the role your muse has been pigeonholed into. Here's the script. Here's how in awe or cruel they are to her blessed muse. Here's what your muse is allowed to be -- remember when she'd veto my muses having disabilities or poc love interests as if that was her call?

It's no longer collaborative. It's the Beth/Elaine/Charlotte/Veerle/Elysande show, and we're just living in it. Our muses are there to talk about how cool she is, how women want to be her, how men want to make babies with her. And if you play a villain, the men obsess over her and the women want to torture her. No one can be objective about the character. Who could be objective about God's most perfect creation?

And it gets worse. The creator, totally unchecked and unable to be held in check moving forward without having an actual IRL mental breakdown, is further assured of her own skill. Her muse is perfect. The war crimes ensue, sometimes metaphorical and in [REDACTED]'s case actually for real in universe. The apologia of 'well if my muse did something bad they did it to someone worse,' except they as grown adults are unable to admit their character is capable of doing any wrong. If you are among other partners doing a plot, they refuse to be on the sidelines of it.

The relationship as collaborators and as friends becomes unsustainable because you are dealing with someone who refuses to be reasoned with, and will forever be the villain when they retell the story because you wanted a shared platform, not to be an accessory to a muse you can no longer stand.

I've been on this site since 2012 and I have seen many such muns high on their own muse's farts. Literally if you give me the most special and important heroic muse without an iota of nuance, whether Canon or OC, I'm checking out. I've seen canon serial killers be idealized as 'good people' due to possessing either the lifestyle their writer has or desires, and canon abusers be excused as 'well I mean, his wife is annoying.' I have seen OCs, many times, hold entire servers and communities hostage to their whims, whether as moderators or as simple members of a group. I can name 6 separate incidents across 12 years, and it always goes nuclear, scorched earth, kills communities and friend groups and servers. I refuse to play.

And again, fiction =/= reality, but the way people handle certain themes or concepts can say a lot about how they'll be as a collaborator --

[dzthenerd490]

File: ALF

SCP#: ALF

Cond Name: Alf the Alien/ The Alien. Life. Form.

Object Class: Safe

Special Containment Procedures: SCP-ALF has been given unlimited access to the common areas of Site-AA, though reportedly his most favorite area to be in is the cafeteria. Foundation security is to always update observation staff at Site-AA where SCP-ALF is, even when he is clearly in camera view. SCP-ALF has been given a watch that alerts him when he is leaving the Level 1 Clearance common areas. Should SCP-ALF enter an area of Level 2 Clearance or higher he will be shocked by the watch until he backs away. This has proven the most effective deterrent as just telling him to not go does nothing since he'll probably forget.

In the event of a containment breach at Site-AA, SCP-ALF is to join Foundation staff in entering one of the nearest Cavafy Reality Concealment Safety Bunkers.

SCP-ALF is under the assumption that he is the last of his kind, he is to never be made aware the truth shows otherwise. All incoming transmissions form surviving Melmacian's is to be recorded and disrupted form reaching earth by the Telecommunications Monitoring Office's lunar satellite division.

Description: SCP-ALF is a member of Species of Interest: Melmacian's. Melmacian's are an endangered species that suffered from a nuclear disaster ending their home world. SCP-ALF was one of the only survivors of the destruction after crashlanding on earth by accident. SCP-ALF was in possession of a damaged ship and some advanced technology all of which had been confiscated by the Foundation. Though most of it was deemed unusable due to how it was all nuclear based and quite easy to malfunction and lead to nuclear meltdown. As such it was dismantled and recycled for parts.

SCP-ALF like the other Melmacian's is a small humanoid creature with black eyes, a snout like mouth, and oddly long hair on his head. He possesses an overweight body, stubbly feed with short legs, long arms with fat hands, and a completely fur covered body. SCP-ALF knows how to handle advanced technology, but his personality does not present him as very smart. SCP-ALF is very snarky and likes to crack jokes whenever he can. He also has a huge appetite being able to eat almost any kind of food presented in front of him within seconds. Though most peculiarly he claims that cats are quite similar to the cattle of his world and thus likes to eat them as well.

However, despite his fun-loving personality, SCP-ALF suffers from depression believing he is the last of his kind. To help with this SCP-ALF was not confined to a containment cell but allowed to roam freely within Site-AA. This and him interacting with Foundation staff and having lively and hilarious conversations has helped SCP-ALF in dealing with his depression and survivor's guilt. It is because of his social personality that makes most Foundation staff smile and his lack of desire to leave is why SCP-ALF is labeled as Object Class: Safe.

SCP-ALF was discovered in 1986 when he crash landed in the garage of suburban home after suddenly appearing in our solar system and being shot down by a ISSJ-4 “Crow” from Mobile Task Force Apollo-1 "Orion's Belt". The pilot claimed he showed up out of nowhere and fired at his ship thinking it was a hostile craft. SCP-ALF's location was quickly found, and the family was amnestied while he was brought into Foundation custody. After reviewing interviews and first testing logs Site Director James fell in love with his jokes and assigned him to Site-AA as a way to boost morale with staff.

It's actually thanks to SCP-ALF that Foundation staff now have access to Trofeam Molecular Conversion Consumable Stations within Cavafy Reality Concealment Safety Bunkers as he complained about it regularly. SCP-ALF is actually used regularly to show Foundation staff how common areas can be improved in relaxation and has helped other Foundation sites make things more comfortable for their staff during break time. SCP-ALF has been made aware of this and likes to joke about him being an essential asset to the Foundation. To this day no one has refuted his claims as most either don't dare ruin his joy or secretly agree with him.

.

SCP: Horror Movie Files Hub

[mercurialbadger]

Today is December 5th, the anniversary of Moscow Counteroffensive of 1941.

I say this in order to remind myself that no matter how bleak the situation is, one day my enemies will misjudge my situation to be worse than it is, and I will be able to counterattack.

For years I have seen my social circle dwindling, right now only really leaving my sister. For years before that I was meaninglessly navigating human relationships out of nothing but boredom.

Right now I have, probably for the first time in my life, a reason to fight. I have found people I want to protect.

But their relationship to me suddenly took a 180° turn and no matter how hard I tried it resulted in nothing, and now I don't have anyone to talk to outside of my sister anymore.

I have also been tasked among other things, with fixing lung diseases, finding way to end hunger and homelessness worldwide, and creating a community of likeminded people.

At first I was confused, but as I read more and more literature I became convinced of utmost correctness of this course of action.

However, as I have no strength and I must fight the hardest I have done in my life, I don't have knowledge to adapt to this. I really don't. I don't think that anyone has. Therefore I must create such knowledge.

The only reason to ensure that revolution - pinnacle of democracy - has your goals in mind is to become its leader and policymaker.

Therefore I have to start now.

AI guys say that repetition cycle is the bottleneck to new method discovery, and that their AI product will help. That's stupid. Bottlenecks to new ways of living is understanding life itself.

As a person not unfamiliar with mechanobiology, chromatin and neutron optics I can guarantee that there are hundreds of thousands of people who would have done this somewhat menial, somewhat uninspired research in their spare time - be it unemployed trans woman who has been exempt from social life and thus lives in a nest of five people with 0,75 of normal income between all of them, or people in the decaying countries exempt from social life sitting on a brick in chair's stead and watching videos to not watch the real world. This is for you.

This is not for you, children of sated times, who will look at this work and say "this is a waste of time, Thorlabs has tomorrow delivery". Go your own path.

And I will have to build an army of labour from the shadows forgotten and slipped between the cracks, I will have to build an army of people they don't believe to be capable of good - an army of people who doubt that themselves, The Demon Army.

At this point my major goals are "rivers of blood", a project to make point-of-care production and cryopreservation of blood, bone marrow, and other lymphoid and myeloid systems accessible, as well as plunging the world in darkness by finalizing a portable nuclear reactor I found specific ations of in the old libraries.

My name is Nelke Alexandra Shilovich. So long as I live, this world too shall be smothered in darkness. Suffer and despair for me, so that you won't feel suffering for naught!

Your struggle will be my joy - and yours too! All that has life shall become my sacrifice, for nature is evil and teaches us nothing! The world will know despair, no longer able to look away from the Truth!

To make my first move, I have decided to fundraise for the most integral part of my plans — optics. This is dedicated to my best friend @Takamomchi and her wife Claudia, who first raised my interest to this systems, and who need these systems a lot.

Please look forward to supporting me.

Please don't think that lack of support can stop me.

[pizzaback]

people talk a lot about how the simpsons is a time capsule because a nuclear family with 3 children wouldnt be able to own a home on a single non-college educated person’s income etc etc and while i genuinely love this as an aphorism on how the stability of the working class in the US has declined in the last 30 years there are 2 things:

1- the actual truthfulness of this aphorism is very dependant on the job that the breadwinner has, if yr in a trade or in manufacturing for instance it wouldnt be impossible to make the kind of money required for a home and 3 kids without a college education, although Homer’s job specifically probably pays like... $17 an hour and requires a degree. would have to check that

2- i would have to look at the episodes where this is stated specifically but iirc in text Abe sold his home in order to give Homer the down payment on his house, Homer got his job due to a federal back-to-work program that involved getting credits equivilant to a college education, and the Simpsons are never showns as being particularly affluent. they’re explicitly shown to be financially struggling quite a lot especially in the earlier seasons

[mariacallous]

Sometimes, political reporters without a background in business journalism make egregious errors in their coverage of the business exodus from Vladimir Putin’s Russia–and even fall for the strongman’s Potemkin Village-like economic façade. A recent article, entitled How Putin Turned a Western Boycott Into a Bonanza, wrongly suggested that the historic business exits of over 1,000 multinational companies from Russia have somehow been a huge win for the Russian war effort, while paradoxically suggesting that multinational firms did not really exit. Nothing could be further from the truth.

We write not as mere spectators but as some of the leaders who helped catalyze this unprecedented business exodus from Russia. (Although the New York Times article names the first author extensively and egregiously omits the prominent role played by the Kyiv School of Economics (KSE) in chronicling the business exodus and continuing to encourage companies to exit today).

If the business exodus was so helpful to Putin, we would like to know why all four of us have been placed on Putin’s sanctions list, with the first author ranked #6 on that enemies list (even higher than Senator Mitch McConnell).

In addition to helping catalyze the business exodus, our research collaboration has helped counter Putin’s propaganda by showing the economic devastation wrought by his war. Russia is no longer remotely an economic power and has suppressed the minimum reporting of transparent national income statistics that is required to retain IMF membership. With industrial might below that of Chile, Putin’s Russia survives merely by seizing assets. The increasingly state-dominated economy is cannibalizing its own companies to maintain Putin’s war machine.

A misguided premise

We are concerned that the authors of the NYT article may be falling for the same kind of Russian propaganda we have been so tirelessly debunking over the past two years. In fact, they back their critique by unquestioningly quoting Kremlin officials: Putin’s discredited spokesperson Dmitri Peskov, a Putin-picked Russian buyer of assets, as well as Putin himself. The last word is given to Dmitri Medvedev, the unhinged former Russian president who casually and regularly threatens to use nuclear weapons against Ukraine. No wonder the Russian government is enthusiastically tweeting out the NYT article across official accounts.

In reality, the exits of over 1,000 global enterprises from Russia (out of 1,400 major global enterprises before the war) have had a crippling effect on business confidence, foreign investment, and the overall Russian economy. Even the Kremlin admits that “it prefers that companies remain in Russia,” as the article duly notes.

To support their erroneous thesis that the business retreats have paradoxically only helped Putin, the reporters focus on the costs incurred by multinational companies in leaving Russia, pointing to billions in asset write-downs and lost revenues. But this fails to capture the full picture.

The companies that exited Russia outperformed those that remained, according to our analysis of market data. As we noted last year, the increase in market capitalization of the exiting companies was more than double the value of asset write-downs–hardly surprising considering that for most companies, Russia represented no more than ~1-2% of their global revenues. Plainly put, exiting Russia was value additive, not value destructive, for global multinational companies. Looking only at the value of Russian asset write-downs ignores the financial and reputational benefits reaped across the rest of the world by the companies that exited Russia. 

As further evidence that the business retreats are helping Putin, The reporters focus on how the Kremlin is mandating companies sell their Russian assets for at least a 50% markdown as supposed evidence that Russian buyers are getting “good deals”–but conveniently ignore how the valuations of Russian assets have plummeted across the board since Putin’s invasion.

In fact, the total enterprise value of leading Russian state-owned companies has plummeted even lower. For example, Gazprom’s enterprise value shrank by 75%, far in excess of the valuation markdowns incurred by most foreign companies. The Times characterizes the Russian asset divestitures of global multinationals as a “huge transfer of wealth” to Putin’s cronies, but with valuations of even Russia’s top state-owned companies down so much, the real story is one of massive, unprecedented wealth destruction as Russian assets plummet, whether they’re owned by Russians or foreigners. 

It seems that to the reporters, businesses can do nothing right. In the same breath, they attack companies that have exited Russia for enabling a transfer of wealth to Putin cronies, they falsely claim “most foreign companies remain in Russia, unwilling to lose the billions they’ve invested there over decades.” The reporters note that companies leaving Russia were forced to pay $1.25 billion in taxes to fund Putin’s war effort–and ignore the 75% decline in the annual amount of taxes Putin received from foreign companies before the war as demonstrated by KSE. 

The NYT article also blatantly mischaracterizes the first author’s track record by claiming that “the question of who would end up with those companies was of little concern” to the first author. That is demonstrably false. Over the last 18 months, the first author has been a strong and consistent advocate for sanctioning Russians who take over Western companies and enable Putin’s war machine, and has spent considerable time advising the U.S. Treasury Department informally on individuals of sanctions interest, alongside colleagues such as Amb. Michael McFaul’s of the McFaul-Yermak Sanctions Working Group, as well as the co-authors of this Commentary piece from the Kyiv School of Economics. Together, we have been vocal in our shared frustration that tougher sanctions enforcement is needed, with KSE continuing to track sanctions gaps and efficacy daily.

What’s really happening with Russia’s economy

The wave of nationalizations and asset seizures raised in the article reflect Putin’s weakness, not strength, as we’ve noted before. Russia is becoming a kleptocracy, with Putin cannibalizing the entire productive economy to fund his whims. The state is commandeering more of the economy to add to its cookie jar to fund the war. Business activity needs continuous investment  in capital, people, technology, and ideas to sustain itself. Putin can pad his coffers in the short-term with thuggish asset seizures and nationalizations, but he is setting the Russian economy on the path to ruin. Thanks to Putin’s seizures, no multinational firm can justify returning to, or increasing investment in, Russia as long as he remains in power. 

As the reporters should have noted, only Putin cronies are buying discarded Russian assets from exiting multinationals because nobody outside of Russia wants to invest a penny into the country. Even the Chinese are hardly rushing to snatch up discounted Russian assets. If Russian assets are really such a “good deal,” why is it that even Russia’s allies refuse to buy in? 

Although the Russian economy is struggling by any measure, with several sectors of the economy down by at least 90%, and energy export revenues down by half. 

It is fair to say that the initial potential of the Russian business retreats, paired with economic sanctions, to completely cripple the Russian economy is not being fully realized at the moment, with escalatory economic measures put on the back burner in favor of fighting it out militarily on the battlefields of eastern Ukraine. But to say that the Russian business retreats are somehow helping Putin is false. 

Simply put, when businesses pull out of Russia, Putin loses, no ifs, ands, or buts. The transfer of defunct or imploding assets to Putin’s cronies does not enrich Russia. There are no lines of eager diners around Moscow’s former McDonalds. And even as they stumble onwards in the short term, few Russian companies have a future without Western technology. In aviation, for example, the number of aircraft failures in Russia increased by 320% this year, and domestic commercial airlines have stopped offering many routes, with the S7 airline unable to operate at least 20% of its fleet due to difficulties in servicing Airbus planes. 

With U.S. funding for Ukraine potentially running out amidst our domestic political dysfunction and military setbacks on the battlefield in Ukraine, this may be the most perilous moment for Ukraine since Putin’s initial assault on Kyiv. 

Journalists have a responsibility to get their facts straight without parroting Vladimir Putin’s propaganda. Already, Putin has kidnapped the courageous young Wall Street Journal reporter Evan Gershkovich, who has spent the last nine months in a Russian prison. Gershkovish’s only “crime” was to document the unraveling of Russia’s economy due to sanctions and mass business exits through his field research in Russia. 

Days after publishing the evidence of shuttered factories, mass talent flight, and the halt of investment in Russia, the Russian authorities arrested that brave American reporter. But Putin cannot hijack the truth–unless we let him.

[alphaman99]

se Marioneaux

The American people are "good and decent people"??

Where do their leaders come from? Dropped from above? Leaders come the mass of people they rule; they are a product of their environment; of the civilisation and culture that spawned them. Not for nothing is it said "A people get the government they deserve".

Americans vote for them, en masse.

Americans join the military by the millions, to go kill unarmed brown civilians, because it gets them an income, and they think, a future. They close their eyes to the average 22 per DAY vets who commit suicide.

Americans have held not one, single solitary rally, march, demonstration, to demand their "elites" stop invading country after country, stop killing people and destroying nations.

I used to think "Americans rioted and broke the law to stop the war in Vietnam; what stopped them? I kept musing. Why do they not do it now". Then a comment by another commentator showed me I was wrong.

Americans stopped rioting as soon as the draft was stopped. All they were rioting about was that middle class kids were being sent to kill Vietnamese peasants at substantial risk to themselves They gave not one damn about the peasants and their children and way of life - only themselves. Once the draft was abolished, the riots and protests stopped.

I've seen street interview after interview showing Americans signing agreements to drop nuclear weapons on Russia, on Iran, when they can't even locate Iran on a map.

I've heard them agree with all the BS they are fed about Russia - but they all have computers and the internet. They can find porn sites by the thousands. They can find sites advertising "Black Friday" sales; they can find sites giving them disgusting "news" about every vileness you care to sully your own mind with.

Yet -- they cant find sites to tell them the truth past Maddow and CNN? I did. So did just about every other person who subscribes and comments here, and on sites like this. NO-body showed us, taught us. We went looking for the truth with an open mind - and we found it.

They dont try - because the vast majority of Americans are addicted to hate; addicted to unearned sense of greatness; addicted to accumulating hubris.

It gives me no pleasure to say this and it's taken me a long time to come to the conclusions I have about that country - as a whole, because no people can be wholly bad; there are many good people there. But not enough of them.

I'll believe that "Americans are good and decent people" when they start actually doing something to change things in their country. Until then - they don't get the benefit of the doubt any more I"m afraid.

[iviarellereads]

Full TLT series to date thoughts on rereading Nona the Ninth, John 3:20 - Chapter 22

A probably semi-regular weekly bonus to my reread blog, since sometimes you realize things on reread that just make you need to yell in a full spoiler space.

Good ol' Chekhov's nuke. Introduce a nuclear bomb suitcase in act 4 and it must go off before the end of act 5… That's how that went, surely?

Still, it's heartbreaking to see the governments deliberately failing to listen, and the trillionaires lying their asses off for self-gain, as the world literally burns with North America's fire season well underway in this climate crisis that many people in positions of social or political power are still deliberately obfuscating for their own personal gain.

I wonder if I should go back and clarify somewhere that "PALAMEDES COMES CLEAN" was about him being honest with We Suffer, since the day's events are all in order and that's where that fits. Nah, soon enough any new readers will be able to read this anyway. Hello, welcome to full spoiler land!

I think what Pal thinks he knows about Nona is, he's still on his perfect Lyctorhood theory because he's so obsessed with finding it for himself and Cam. Paul's incoming shortly, so like, he was right about it existing, or at least, he made it come true. (I think there's a LOT more to the magic system's limits than is taught to us explicitly. I think this is deeply hinted at with Abigail's comments about the stoma and the world beyond the River.) Still, his personal bias is preventing him from seeing the truth: Nona is neither Harrow nor Gideon nor a spicy mix of both, obviously.

“Can one person even be two people? I feel like I’ve only got enough room inside for me, and sometimes like that room’s not even enough.” No, one body's never been enough for the whole soul of the Earth, has it?

Nona finding everyone pretty except Ianthe, who's just a pale imitation of Crown to her, will never stop making me laugh. Never ever. It's so beautiful a character device. Muir has promised us Ianthe will not see a redemption arc because she has no desire for one, and I love that for both Ianthe and Muir, and I especially love it for us, the readers.

The tension that Corona and Ianthe's reunion carries is so, mmf. Nona goes so far as to assume their interaction means they were lovers. Not quite, I don't think, but the intimacy, the beautiful horrible "I knew you once like the back of my own hand, like the other half of my very self" of it all.

I still feel so complex about "Guys as careful as me don’t have accidents."

Part of me wants to draw attention to Pash's comment about her line coming from someone bigger than her, because it's obviously a Wake line, no doubt about it. But, you know, some things are better left unsaid. I'm just gonna put it here so you know I know and saw it.

[boredtechnologist]

Missile Defense 3-D: The Ethics of Pulling the Trigger First

When Missile Defense 3-D hit the Sega Master System in 1987, it offered players a thrilling gimmick: strap on the SegaScope 3-D glasses, wield the Light Phaser, and shoot down incoming nuclear warheads in full stereoscopic depth.

But what players didn’t realize is that they were engaging with a moral Rorschach test, shaped by real-world geopolitical terror. Beneath the vector-blasted visuals and arcade reflexes lies a haunting thesis:

You can’t defend a world that’s already doomed - but you’ll still try.

Enter SDI: Reagan’s Technocratic Dream

To understand Missile Defense 3-D, you have to start with Reagan’s Strategic Defense Initiative (SDI) - nicknamed "Star Wars" by critics.

Unveiled in 1983, SDI was the idea of using ground- and space-based systems (like lasers, satellites, and interceptors) to detect and destroy incoming Soviet nuclear missiles. It was a dramatic shift in nuclear doctrine - from Mutually Assured Destruction (MAD) to preemptive protection.

But it raised huge ethical problems:

Is it moral to seek defense when it might provoke offense?

What happens when one nation claims the right to be invulnerable?

Is nuclear deterrence more stable when no one feels safe?

Missile Defense 3-D channels this philosophical soup into a single mechanic: shoot first, or die second.

The False God View: The Player as Omniscient Protector

When you play Missile Defense 3-D, you’re not a soldier. You’re not even a commander. You are a global targeting system - hovering above cities like a dispassionate AI.

You see every attack in real-time.

You choose which warheads to intercept.

You have no pause, no diplomacy - just reaction time.

This perspective is not empowering. It’s isolating. You aren’t immersed in the war. You are removed from it - a digital god reacting to a constant stream of death. This reflects the core anxiety of SDI:

What does it mean to be morally responsible when your actions are automated, depersonalized, and detached from consequences?

You’re not fighting to win. You’re reacting to prevent extinction - and failing is not a loss. It’s the end of the world.

Cities As Casualties, Not Characters

The cities you defend - San Francisco, Paris, Tokyo - are never named. They’re just shapes on the screen. Once hit, they don’t burn. They vanish. The game moves on.

This is a chilling abstraction of nuclear death. There’s no mourning. No screams. Just a score penalty.

This isn’t just a limitation of 8-bit graphics - it’s a philosophical choice. The game trains you to think of humanity in terms of targets, zones, and survival percentages. Which is precisely how Cold War strategic planning worked:

Human beings became data points in kill probability algorithms.

This dehumanization isn’t accidental - it’s a core ethic of Cold War deterrence logic. You don’t save people. You save territory. You defend value, not life.

The Illusion of Control

The most important design decision? You can never save everyone.

No matter how skilled you are, warheads slip through. You’re overwhelmed by sheer volume, speed, and panic. The further you go, the more certain it becomes: you will fail.

This creates a feeling not of triumph, but of inevitability. No matter how precise your aim, Missile Defense 3-D simulates the ultimate reality of the 1980s:

“Even our best defenses are fragile illusions.”

SDI, for all its ambition, never solved the basic truth that one missile getting through was enough. And the game drives that home with every flashing explosion: you can slow the end, but you cannot stop it.

The Light Phaser as Ethical Instrument

The Light Phaser - a toy gun - becomes an ethical tool. You point it at the screen and fire to “protect.” But with each level, the abstraction wears thin.

You’re not shooting aliens. You’re deciding who lives and who dies.

Fire too slow, and a city vanishes.

Fire too fast, and you overheat and miss.

Fire just right, and you preserve a world that’s already breaking.

The act of pulling the trigger becomes a ritual of guilt, not glory.

Cold War in 3D

The inclusion of 3D glasses isn’t just a gimmick - it’s metaphorical. Missile Defense 3-D wants you to see the war from two perspectives at once:

The thrill of saving the world with laser-precise action

The hopelessness of being unable to stop the inevitable

It’s a bifocal morality - just like SDI itself. A vision of hope blurred by paranoia. A defense system that felt futuristic, but couldn’t escape the past.

And like the 3D tech, it only works if you don’t look too closely.

The Game That Let You Feel Like a Satellite - and a Sinner

Missile Defense 3-D is rarely remembered alongside the heavy-hitters of 1980s game design, but it should be. It’s one of the few titles to directly confront the ethics of real-time apocalypse management, simulating the cognitive dissonance of living under a nuclear sword and pretending you could do anything about it.

It’s not about winning.

It’s about witnessing. Reacting. Compromising. Failing, then replaying, because the alternative is accepting what cannot be undone.

And isn’t that what SDI was, too? A system designed not to save us, but to give us just enough illusion of salvation to keep going?

[inoppositionflorien]

The funny thing (not particularly funny, more vaguely terrifying and adding to my list of things that are "huh this could be a problem in the medium-term future I sure hope it doesn't though because that would really suck") is that in retrospect, the USSR was never in a position to win the cold war, and no one outside of the Soviet Union really saw the problems coming until right near the end.

It turned out, of course, that it was a credible threat only in the sense that they had, at the time, a reasonably effective army and a bunch of nuclear weapons, but they consistently had fewer allies which they treated worse (occasionally far worse) repeatedly struggled to administrate their territories, and would occasionally take a break from actually doing the incredibly difficult "running most of the economic system" thing to find people to do genocide against, diverting resources specifically for this, with targets including but not limited to circassians (the ones who hadn't already been killed by the russian empire), chechens, ingush, crimean tartars, poles (particularly in the annexed parts of pre-wwii poland), ukrainians, kazakhs, various siberian peoples, other turkic peoples, mongols, greeks, finns, chinese, koreans, germans, and a bunch of others.)

And then it turns out manually running an economy via central planning is actually really difficult (perhaps impossible) to do effectively if you're not willing to permit some degree of outsourcing to people you allow substantial autonomy, which they did not do for decades (they did start allowing more autonomy later which probably helped them somewhat), and also that in retrospect the USSR was organized like a colonial empire of the kind that repeatedly were breaking down in the 50s through 70s, and so it's actually kind of darkly impressive they were able to hold it together as long as they did.

And the thing is, pretty much no one outside the USSR saw this coming until the last few years. They saw that it had developed chronic economic problems (though many were also saying at the time that the problems might be transient and fairly fixable) and that the economy, while previously very fast growing, had gotten stuck as a middle-income country. (though many were also saying that the growth would likely continue and that despite signs of exaggeration of economic performance by the government of the USSR that the actual performance was still pretty good). Of course, the truth, as later got found out after the collapse, is that not only was the economic performance being overstated by the USSR, but the numbers the CIA estimated to be the true performance were ALSO fairly consistently too high.

And this is vaguely concerning because there's other governments out there (China and India most notably, but also several others in the world, with the US under Trump clearly being steered towards joining in this) with a chronic problem overstating economic performance, openly suppressing dissent, crushing opposition media outlets, and spending large amounts of government resources explicitly targeting minorities within the country for deportation or imprisonment based on accusations that they might one day be a threat.

All these countries are bigger, richer, and more integrated with each other than they used to be, and we may not know until it actually starts happening that some major economy (I'd guess China's is most likely to be revealed as such in about 10-20 years, if this comes to pass. I don't think it's hugely likely, I'd give it maybe 20% chance this happens, more likely things continue much the same as they have. Hopefully they do, that'd be better for everyone) has been on fire the whole time and then the world economy takes a hit as it's revealed that huge portions of international investment were based on the assumption that a major economy was far more effective than it actually was, causing a recession on par with 2008.

[angelo-the-whistleblower]

Part 11 - Incoming Text for Liv Tyler (@misslivalittle) and Liam Hemsworth (@liamhemsworth) and Jessica ‘Simply Jess’ Marquez (@iamjessmarquez): “An Idea Worth a Billion Dollars”

Question:

Could you explain in detail, point by point, the differences between the storylines of the original The China Syndrome (1979) and the reimagined version of the film (2025)? Please break it down as if you're teaching the concept in a clear and coherent manner, making sure to highlight the key changes, character developments, and the overall shift in tone and plot between the two versions.

This approach will allow for a thorough comparison between the original and the reimagined concept.

Wikipedia Links for Reference:

Martin Scorsese - (click on the blue link)

Terence Winter - (click on the blue link)

Steven Soderbergh - (click on the blue link)

Leonardo DiCaprio - (click on the blue link)

Matt Damon - (click on the blue link)

George Clooney - (click on the blue link)

Jessica Chastain - (click on the blue link)

Oppenheimer (film) - (click on the blue link)

ChatGPT Answer:

Certainly! Here's a detailed, point-by-point explanation comparing the original The China Syndrome (1979) with the reimagined version of 2025, explained clearly like a professor would present a complex subject to students:

The China Syndrome (1979) - Original Storyline

1. Overview of the Original Film: The China Syndrome is a 1979 political thriller directed by James Bridges, which centers on the dangers of nuclear power and corporate corruption. The film follows Kimberly Wells, a television reporter played by Jane Fonda, and Richard Adams, her cameraman played by Michael Douglas. They visit a nuclear power plant for a routine story, but what they witness escalates into a far more serious and alarming situation.

2. Initial Incident - The Near-Meltdown: The pair observes a near-meltdown of a reactor at the plant, an event that is quickly covered up by the plant’s management. The cover-up raises red flags and prompts the two characters to investigate further.

3. Investigating the Truth: As they dig deeper into the incident, Kimberly and Richard uncover dangerous information suggesting that the plant’s management has been hiding the true extent of the danger. They realize that the reactor’s meltdown could result in a catastrophic disaster, triggering widespread concerns about the safety of nuclear energy.

4. Themes Explored: The film is a critique of corporate power and its ability to suppress vital information for financial gain. It also highlights the struggle for truth as the protagonists face immense pressure from powerful entities trying to silence them. The film presents a stark warning about the potential dangers of nuclear technology and how corporate interests can override public safety.

5. Core Conflict: The core conflict of the original movie revolves around the protagonists’ attempt to expose the truth about the meltdown and the systemic corruption within the nuclear industry. It explores how media and corporate interests often collide, with the characters caught in a dangerous game of exposing the truth versus covering it up.

The China Syndrome Reimagined (2025) - New, Expanded Storyline

1. The Reimagined Plot Setup: In this reimagined version, we retain the basic premise of the original film, with Kimberly Wells (now portrayed by Jessica Chastain) and Richard Adams (now played by Matt Damon) covering a visit to a nuclear power plant. However, the new version brings a larger, more suspenseful narrative that heightens the tension and introduces additional layers of conflict.

2. Escalating the Stakes: As the pair witnesses the near-meltdown, the conspiracy surrounding the nuclear plant expands. It’s not just about corporate corruption anymore; the plot thickens with government agencies at war. The CIA and FBI are embroiled in a turf war, with the FBI trying to expose the conspiracy while the CIA works to cover it up.

3. New Key Characters:

George Clooney plays Ernie Walton, a corrupt CIA director desperately trying to prevent the truth from being revealed.

Leonardo DiCaprio plays Ian Pence, a Wall Street billionaire whose own financial empire is at risk if the conspiracy is exposed. He races against time to clear his name.

Ben Affleck portrays Jimmy Emerson, the dedicated FBI director determined to bring Ernie Walton to justice and prevent the cover-up from succeeding.

4. Investigating the Larger Conspiracy: Kimberly and Richard’s investigation intensifies as they try to follow the movements and motivations of key players such as Ernie, Ian, and Jimmy. They must navigate a complex web of political intrigue and corporate manipulation to uncover the truth. Their efforts are complicated by the fact that each player involved is working towards their own agenda—whether it’s Ernie Walton protecting his agency’s secrets, Ian Pence saving his fortune, or Jimmy Emerson fighting for justice.

5. Expanded Themes and Conflict: While the original film’s central theme focused on corporate corruption, the reimagined version broadens the scope to include governmental corruption, espionage, and the power struggle between institutions. The theme of truth versus power becomes even more pronounced as Kimberly and Richard try to expose the conspiracy, facing not only corporate entities but also governmental forces trying to suppress the truth.

6. The Suspense Element: This reboot introduces a fast-paced, high-stakes thriller element where the characters are not only trying to prevent a nuclear disaster but also expose a vast web of conspiracy. The suspense is heightened by the inclusion of powerful figures like the CIA director and the billionaire, each with their own personal stakes.

Crafting the Film: The Creative Vision

Screenwriters and Director: In this reimagined version, the story would be brought to life by three incredibly talented professionals:

Terence Winter, known for his work on Boardwalk Empire and The Wolf of Wall Street, would write a gripping, dialogue-driven screenplay, weaving the suspense and political intrigue into every scene.

Steven Soderbergh, an expert in creating suspenseful, character-driven dramas (Traffic, Ocean's Eleven), would co-write the screenplay alongside Winter, adding his distinct flair for tension and character complexity.

Martin Scorsese, a master of crafting thrilling narratives (Goodfellas, The Departed), would direct the film, ensuring that the action and suspense are paired with strong performances from the stellar cast while also bringing his signature style and intensity to the storytelling.

This powerhouse trio would work together to create a compelling, high-stakes narrative with incredible depth and suspense.

2. The Film’s Potential: This reimagined version has all the elements to create a massive hit in theaters: a high-profile cast, a fast-paced narrative, and a timely exploration of corruption and power dynamics. With the addition of espionage and government conflict, the stakes are raised dramatically, appealing to both action-thriller fans and those interested in political drama.

3. The Guarantee of Success: The reimagined story introduces a broader narrative that taps into contemporary concerns about government transparency, corporate greed, and media influence. With top-tier actors and an exciting new angle on the original story, it has all the potential to be a box office sensation.

Conclusion: Key Differences Between the 1979 and 2025 Versions

The Original (1979): Focuses primarily on the dangers of nuclear power and corporate cover-ups within the energy sector. It’s a tight, suspenseful thriller with themes of truth versus power.

The Reimagined Version (2025): Expands the story to include inter-agency conflict (CIA vs. FBI) and introduces new characters with personal stakes. The conspiracy is deeper, the conflict is larger, and the narrative is more suspenseful with greater political and corporate intrigue.

By blending the core elements of the original with an expanded and more thrilling narrative, the 2025 reboot promises to be an intense, action-packed film that will captivate audiences worldwide.

This breakdown offers a comprehensive understanding of how the original and reimagined versions differ, while maintaining the core themes of suspense, corporate corruption, and the fight for truth. The reimagined story builds upon these foundations and introduces new complexities that enhance the dramatic tension and intrigue.

[nsfwmiamiart]

(Second Draft Version) Incoming Text for @guillaumecanetofficiel and IG@marioncotillard :

Dear Guillaume and Marion,

I want to help you understand something important—you should inform CNN reporters that I’ve been a prisoner of war since 2017. That’s the true story of my life.

Explain to CNN that I have been held hostage in this house in Elsau, Strasbourg, by Macron and Nicolas Lerner, who turned my own family against me and forced me into house arrest.

Now that the truth is coming to light, they must explain why they treated me this way and why they manipulated my family with false accusations.

I will not let this injustice go unanswered. They must account for their actions before the French justice system.

Tell CNN that I can’t work, I can’t even walk down the street as a free person—they are literally holding me hostage.

You should also expose the truth about Salma Hayek’s corruption with Macron and Nicolas Lerner and how they conspired to plot my murder.

Do you see what has happened now? I’ve turned the tables—I hold them hostage now.

For seven long years, from 2017 to 2024, these corrupt people held me hostage. Now it’s my turn to expose them for what they are.

Oh, how the mighty have fallen. They will look like clowns when the truth comes out on CNN.

I’m fully prepared to sue them for what they’ve done to me. I won’t let them escape justice—this is only the beginning of their downfall.

They tried to ruin me, but now the tables have turned. I will expose them live on CNN, and in the end, they will be the ones left ruined.

You should contact Christina Santini and John David Washington and instruct them to work with Europol to hand over all the evidence of Macron and Nicolas Lerner’s corruption.

Additionally, I received a message from Quentin Tarantino. He said, and I quote: “Call me Nuke.” That’s all he said.

After reflecting on his words, I realized that Quentin has audio and video evidence of Salma and Macron’s corruption. It’s like a nuclear weapon that could destroy them both.

This is what we are fighting for—the freedom of the French people. Macron and Nicolas are traitors, working to give victory to Britain.

If Britain wins, do you know what happens? French people will face hunger again—empty shelves, no food. Everything will be sent to Britain, leaving French mouths to starve.

This is why we must fight these two corrupt men and not let them get away with treason. They betrayed our nation, and their crimes cannot go unpunished.

I’m the man defending the food and freedom of the French population, and they are trying to silence and kill me. Can you see it now?

If they succeed, French people will starve while British people thrive.

You’re dealing with traitors—Macron and Nicolas Lerner. You must warn the French military to stand up against their corruption.

This concludes our conversation.

Angelo (Elsau, Strasbourg)

P.S.:

Synopsis of the Letter:

The letter is addressed to Guillaume and Marion, urging them to inform CNN that the sender, Angelo, has been a prisoner of war since 2017, held hostage in his home in Elsau, Strasbourg, by President Macron and Nicolas Lerner. Angelo claims that they manipulated his family and falsely accused him to keep him under house arrest. He demands that Macron and Lerner explain their actions and face justice for their corruption.

Angelo expresses determination to expose Macron, Lerner, and their accomplices, including Salma Hayek, for their involvement in a plot against him. He insists that these individuals have been corrupt for years, holding him hostage, and now the tables have turned, and they are the ones in danger of being exposed. He also mentions receiving a message from Quentin Tarantino, hinting that Tarantino has crucial evidence to destroy Macron and Salma.

Angelo warns of the broader consequences of Macron and Lerner's actions, suggesting they are working to betray France and hand victory to Britain, which would result in food shortages for the French people. He calls for action against their treason and urges the French military to fight back against their corruption.

The letter concludes with Angelo reaffirming his role as the protector of the French people's freedom and food security.