Re: Same Story, New Names

Also, I figured out the "ancient magical relic" that Ananth is looking for.

It's a smartphone lmao.

In this universe, magic can be transferred and stored in physical objects. This isn't common, as such magic tends to degrade quickly if it's not maintained. What makes this smartphone special is that it was present at the site of the apocalypse. The person who precipitated the event, the goddess known as "The Weaver" (actual name Josie Harris), attempted to mitigate the situation by containing some of the energy in the closest object she had on hand, which happened to be her smartphone.

I'm going to have to come up with a different brand name, but it's a Samsung Galaxy S7, which is shaped like a perfect black bar about the size of a human hand. I guess that puts the apocalypse in 2020, which seems appropriate.

I was thinking that the relic would be symbolic in some way, but no. It's just a smartphone. I find the mundanity satisfying for some reason, so let's roll with it.

I wish they wouldn't

Bring in the clones: Instagrammers are genetically replicating their pets
https://www.inputmag.com/culture/instagram-influencers-viagen-cloning-pets-cats-dogs

Although Udvar-Hazy’s pack of clones may seem exceptional, the act of bringing back a pet is becoming more common — and it’s especially evident on Instagram. The team behind top petfluencer Tinkerbelle, a five-pound papitese with more than 500,000 followers on Instagram, revealed in 2019 that Tinkerbelle’s DNA was being stored for cloning. (The announcement post is labeled a “paid partnership” with ViaGen.)

Apparently, "the price tag for cloning a pet ranges anywhere from $35,000 to $50,000, depending on the animal," which is wild. Also...

Critics have frequently raised concerns about the ethics of cloning pets, as it involves putting surrogate animals through the difficult IVF process. Also, some argue that it seems decadent, given that there are 6.3 million animals entering U.S. shelters every year.

I am "Critics." Don't get me wrong, I bought my corgi from an Amish farm, and I don't think most shelter dogs are necessarily a good fit for people who live in tiny urban apartments. I am not an ideological purist concerning pet ownership. But cloning seems a bit excessive for the purpose of maintaining an active account on Instagram.

“If someone made a living off of their pet and then suddenly their pet is gone, what do they do?” she asks. Rodriguez has pointed this out to Instagrammers at petfluencer conferences, and felt they found her viewpoint eye-opening. “They were all amazed,” she says. “We definitely got some clients that moved forward with preserving the cells.”

Anyway, today I learned that there are conferences for pet influencers on Instagram, Lord save our souls.

Spring 2022 Game Wishlist

Sumire
https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/sumire-switch/

“Sumire is an indie narrative adventure, featuring a one-day journey through a picturesque Japanese village.” A cute lo-fi story adventure game with watercolor anime-style graphics. It’s about $10 to download.

Secrets of Soil
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1610820/Secrets_Of_Soil/

“Secrets of Soil is an interactive journey that explores the hidden world of soil and its role in combating climate change.” I think maybe the visual design is not for me, but I’m intrigued by the concept. Also it’s free.

Venba
https://store.steampowered.com/app/1491670/Venba/

“Venba is a narrative cooking game where you play as an Indian mom who immigrates to Canada with her family in the 1980s.” Not yet released, but I love the art style. The game’s Twitter account is filled with food photos, so be warned for instant cravings.

Wayward Strand
https://waywardstrand.com/

“Wayward Strand is a heartfelt interactive story, told in a unique and curious way.” A pastel-colored story game about elder care that’s going to be released for PlayStation later this year. It’s already been nominated for a ton of awards.

Creaks
https://www.nintendo.com/games/detail/creaks-switch/

“A puzzle adventure game that delights the senses with its hand-painted visuals, precise animation, eerie sounds, and an eclectic original score.” A puzzle platformer in which you explore a haunted house. It came out last year, and it’s still $20. I’m waiting for the price to drop, as the developer’s games tend to be hit or miss with me.