Team Barbarian-Luddite

I've got some real tech fatigue of late.

I'm becoming more and more of a Luddite, in the historic sense. I am not against the technology, I am against many ways it is being (mis-)used. Mainly, because too many people want to make a fast buck, or more money than they ever need, and they are too lazy to put in the work.

Avarice is an ugly beast.

It isn't a matter of "genie out of the bottle" or "opening Pandora's box." Those are supposed to be rare moments in advancement. There are too many genie bottles, and Pandora has a pallet full of boxes, and they are unleashing on a weekly basis.

Strip mining Africa for lithium, "AI" shoved in everywhere (and it is far from being ready for the world where it is rolling out,) and AI farms consuming ridiculous amount of resources (including water!) for what? So kids can cheat at school and let the machines write their papers?

And the abhorrent greedy behavior that comes with it. We don't need a board of certified medical experts to make insurance decisions--we'll feed that information into an "AI" engine! Oops. It seems to baseline to 90% denials. OK. That works for us!

Let's ripoff artists and writers and musicians or other creatives by using their art on our AI training without any compensation! (Because, we all know how rich that business can make you! What do you mean not every author makes Stephen King money?!)

All that misuse is feeding into my dwindling positive tech attitude, even when the tech is applied appropriately.

For Christmas--due to some family miscommunication--we were gifted two birdcam feeders. These seem like a neat idea. For a nature enthusiast like me, it would appear perfect. Smart camera right in the feeder. Super up-close high definition images. The feathers! The beaks! The plumage!

I followed the instructions. The feeder camera sends images over the wifi. (I don't think you can dump them manually as with my trail cam.) So, first, we need to place the feeder close to the house where we can't view the feeder itself from inside. More to the point, as soon as I hooked the camera to our wifi, we experienced wifi outages. I suspect the feeder was dragging the network.

I turned off the feeder cam. I reset the router. It could have been coincidence. Maybe our provider had issues. Maybe the router needed a flush. I'd rather not risk trying another hookup.

I realized that at this point, I can't be bothered. Those feeders would be another thing to manage. (beyond filling them with food.) I have enough in my personal life already that feels like I'm a manager who needs a secretary. (you know--teenagers and pets.)

I've reached tech overload.

I am recalling those letter exchanges between H. P. Lovecraft and Robert E. Howard. Civilization versus barbarism.

 I am feeling very team Barbarian-Luddite currently.

(Yes. You can point out the irony of complaining on the Internet about out-of-control technology. I am whining on my blog, not social media, at least.)   (image courtesy of Effin' Birds)

Well. Here's 2025. THE BLADE ITSELF.

I am endeavoring to write more consistently this year, and that might include more frequent blog posts. What to blog about? Who knows? We'll see what comes.

You might read more than a bit of my personal takes on various things. Please just remember that is what they are. My takes. Your mileage might vary, or be the polar opposite.

I didn't want to start the year with a rant/whine. (I have one.) So, instead; READING.

Last night, as the new year approached, I was nearing the end of Joe Abercrombie's THE BLADE ITSELF. I was at 90% on my Kindle, and figured it would be today ("next year") when I would finish. Turns out, the story just stops. The trilogy is a bit like LORDS OF THE RINGS, I guess, in respect to being one large story split over three books.

Which meant that at 92%, the book ended. The other 8% were a preview of the following novel, BEFORE THEY ARE HANGED.

Nice moment for rolling into 2025. (I am still crediting THE BLADE ITSELF on my 2025 Reading Challenge, however.) 

Not a re-read, for me. Yes, I waited this long. Not sure why. Life.

I enjoyed it. A lot of setup. Some good action, but not as much as you might expect. Excellent character building. The world building might be excellent, too, but there is a lot more to be revealed.

I've already ordered the trade paperback boxed-set (half price on 'zon right now.) I will definitely be continuing with this one this year.

Reading wrap-up, 2024

According to goodreads, I surpassed my goal of 40 books. I managed 42.

I might finish one more before New Year's Day. If I do, I'll count it toward 2025.

This year, I 'discovered' Simon R. Green. Clearly. 😆  I'd seen his name forever. Finally gave his urban fantasy tales a chance. Glad I did.

My top 10 favorite reads of the year;

• A KISS BEFORE THE APOCALYPSE by Thomas E. Sniegoski
  
  
• THE CHRONICLES OF SHAR-PEI by Thomas E. Sniegoski & Mark Masztal
  
  
• SOMETHING FROM THE NIGHTSIDE by Simon R. Green
  
  
• AGENTS OF LIGHT AND DARKNESS by Simon R. Green
  
  
• THE MAN WITH THE GOLDEN TORC by Simon R. Green
  
  
• JEKYLL & HYDE, INC. by Simon R. Green
  
  
• RIDERS OF THE DEAD by Dan Abnett
  
  
• AIN'T NO WITCH  by John Linwood Grant
  
  
• THE DEMONISTS by Thomas R. Sniegoski
  
  
• THE ICARUS HUNT by Timothy Zahn
  
  
• BLOOD EYE by Giles Kristian
  

The Simplification of 2025

“But that was civilization, so far as Logen could tell. People with nothing better to do, dreaming up ways to make easy things difficult.”

- Joe Abercrombie, THE BLADE ITSELF

 

I know better than to worry about things I can't control. A lot of the macro-level stuff cannot be steered by my rudder. Still, though. There feels like tsunami of late, in the news. Feels like a lot of people with power believe the rest of us are only worth our labor or our capital.

 

I think 2025 will be my year of simplification, where I can. Civilization is a maze. Maybe a few walls can be breached to make the navigation easier.

Time will tell. It always does.

New interview at Retro Ridoctopus

Making my second appearance in the brig of the Retro Ridoctopus podcast. We discuss HEROES AMONG SHADOWS, and follow various tangents, as per usual.

Paul R. McNamee, Brig #2

HEROES AMONG SHADOWS Book Launch Day!

My first collection, HEROES AMONG SHADOWS, is now released!

It is available at Amazon. I have also put it through IngramSpark. If you prefer other platforms, check to see if it is available. (Or, if you want your local bookstore to order it!)

These stories will take you to tropical islands where spears and sorcery stand against gods and demons. You will meet a girl and her troll. Journey to a shadowy past where a veteran of the American Revolutionary War confronts dark forces. Travel to strange planets far away, and experience war in a North American timeline that never was.

There are two new stories in the book. The rest have been pulled together from previous publications.

Table of Contents

Introduction
Lono and the Little Gods
Pouring Whiskey in My Soul
The Pit of Punhaki
Claws of the Puma
The Island of Shadows
The Wreck of the Black Swan
The Vulture God
A Gate In Darkness
The Toll Taker and the Troll
Pearls of Uraton
Montreal Is Burning
Story Notes

Again worth a call out; Jeffrey Hayes of PlasmaFire Graphics did the cover!

HEROES AMONG SHADOWS, May 14th, 2024

I've chosen May 14th for the release of my first collection of short stories. Nearly all of these tales have been previously published, and there is a new story here for the first time (the story, in fact, which the cover art illustrates.)

These stories will take you to tropical islands where spears and sorcery stand against gods and demons. You will meet a girl and her troll. Journey to a shadowy past where a veteran of the American Revolutionary War confronts dark forces. Travel to strange planets far away, and experience war in a North American timeline that never was.

I could probably get the book out earlier, but first-time jitters. I want lead time if I need it. As of now, I put the book through KDP. Awaiting the print proof.

I also plan on listing through IngramSpark, so that bookstores and libraries can (or, will be more willing) to order the book.

Because of the way KDP works, the Kindle edition is already listed for pre-order!