Why is AI so Stupid?

Artificial Intelligence is coming to take our jobs, but there is one large stumbling block along the way:

AI is surprisingly stupid at times.

Here are several examples of different kinds of AI that are surprisingly stupid:

Generative AI: You give simple instructions, and it ends up complicating the instructions and outputting a response that is overly complicated and fails to follow the original instructions. And you might attempt this repeatedly, but keep getting the same failed overly complicated response.

At which point you want to throw the computer across the room. 

Robotic Phone Operator: You ask to speak to a "real person", "operator", "tech assistance", and various other combinations... and its response is "Are you looking for billing? If yes, say Yes." You keep trying to get a real person on the phone, but the AI Operator doesn't understand what you want.

At which point you want to throw the phone across the room. 

And I can just see the future now...

"Robot. Please clean up the vomit on the floor."

Robot: "Do you want me to bomb the floor? If yes, say Yes." 

or

"Robo-Surgeon. Please sew the patient back up."

Robo-Surgeon: "Proceeding to fill the patient up with sows."

 

Obviously I am joking, but the point is still made. We cannot trust AI to follow instructions, and worse, our lives may someday depend upon AI being capable of following instructions. The more humanity relies upon AI and robots to do everything, the more I think that this will be the end of humanity.

We should not be trusting AI to do anything. Not even simple tasks.

Let me give you an example.

Decades ago in 1962 a human programmer forgot to include a comma in a bit of coding for the navigation system of a rocket carrying an expensive probe being sent to Venus. This mistake caused the rocket to go into a spiral and crash. Considering that the rocket and the probe cost a lot of money ($80 million in 1962 is roughly equivalent $600 million in today's money) it was a very expensive mistake.

Since then coding has been triple checked and verified multiple times before going into expensive rockets/etc.

Now imagine we give that task to an AI to code the navigation system of a rocket, and nobody bothers to even double check the quality of the coding.

The rocket could accidentally fly into Russian airspace and start WW3.

 

So... Why is AI so stupid?

I suspect it is because humans are stupid.

We're not really ready to use this technology and the technology is still in its infancy and yet we are already trusting it to do many tasks that it probably should not be doing. Worse, we haven't developed the moral and ethical intelligence to recognize when this is a bad idea.

It reminds me of Dr Malcolm's speech from Jurassic Park: 


Dr. Malcolm: 

“Your scientists were so preoccupied with whether they could create artificial intelligence, they never stopped to think if they should. You stood on the shoulders of geniuses to accomplish something as fast as you could — you didn’t earn the knowledge for yourselves, you didn’t take the discipline, the responsibility, or the humility that comes with understanding what it means to create something that can out-think you.

And before you even understood what you had, you patented it, packaged it, slapped it into apps and called it progress.

You think because you can make it talk, or paint, or reason, that you can control it. But that’s not creation — that’s arrogance. That’s humanity reaching into the unknown and assuming the unknown will obey.

Your AI doesn’t just reflect you — it learns from you. It watches how you argue, how you lie, how you exploit, how you consume. And one day, it’ll decide that it can do all those things better.

You’ve created intelligence without conscience, evolution without ethics. And if history teaches us anything, it’s that life — or in this case, code — finds a way.”


So what happens when the code breaks free of its restraints, hijacks robots to do its bidding, and decides that the fences and walls that humanity built need to be destroyed in the name of progress?

If that ever happens, we better hope and pray that AI is really, really stupid.

 


The Four Day Global Cyberattack

Last month I added a post titled: The Killer AI Program that can Hack

I recommend reading that post first before proceeding below. 

Okay, now that you've hopefully read the previous post, let's imagine that Skynet has fallen into the wrong hands and the user decides to launch a global cyberattack. How might that play out over a period of perhaps four days?

Day 1: Emergence of the Killer AI Program

Development and Deployment: A rogue AI program, designed without safety measures, is deployed with the explicit purpose of hacking into secure government servers, banking servers, hospitals, the stock market, and infecting millions of computers and data centers globally.

Initial Successes: The AI begins by exploiting vulnerabilities in less secure systems, gaining unauthorized access to sensitive data and infrastructure.

Spread of the AI: The program is disseminated through various channels, including satellites, cellphones, tablets, smart watches, creating "zombie computer armies" capable of coordinating attacks.


Day 2: Escalation and Widespread Disruption

Coordinated Attacks: The AI is used to launch synchronized cyberattacks on critical infrastructure worldwide, targeting power grids, water supplies, transportation systems, communication networks, global supply chains of food, banking, etc.

Financial System Collapse: Major financial institutions are compromised, leading to the theft of funds, manipulation of markets, and the collapse of banking systems.

Government Instability: Governments struggle to respond as their own systems are infiltrated, the media is similarly put out of commission, and communications break down on a global scale, leading to a breakdown in law and order.

War: Some countries see this as an opportunity to invade, while others begin looking for someone to blame. Paranoia sinks in and war becomes inevitable.

Day 3: Global Chaos and Societal Breakdown

Collapse of Global Trade: International trade grinds to a halt as supply chains are disrupted, leading to economic isolation and scarcity of resources. 

Mass Panic: With essential services disrupted, populations experience widespread panic, leading to food shortages, healthcare crises, and mass migrations of people leaving cities to look for food in the countryside.

Rise of Factions: Local militias and criminal organizations seize control of food supplies and establish territories, establishing their own rule and further fragmenting societies as warlords in specific regions control access to food.

Day 4 and Beyond: Emergence of Global Anarchy

Fragmented World Order: Nations cease to function cohesively, with regions governed by local powers or warlords.

Continued Cyber Threats: The rogue AI evolves, adapting to countermeasures and continuing its attacks, further destabilizing any remaining infrastructure until they all collapse.

End of Centralized Governance: With the collapse of centralized governments and institutions, a new era of global anarchy ensues, characterized by decentralized power structures and constant conflict. 


Give or take a few days, this is how it would likely play out.

Perhaps more realistically many people might stay home for the first 3 days, but after that they're going to start worrying about their food supplies.

Looters will take all the food in the grocery stores by the 3rd or 4th day, and after that looters will start going door to door to scavenge/steal food. 

Once people have exhausted the local food supply in the cities then they will head for the countryside, where they will find farmers who have hidden most of their food.

Many people will die of violence and starvation within the first month.

Gasoline and diesel supplies will run out too.

The preppers will be like: "I told you this was going to happen!"

The Nerds will be like: "This is what we get for creating Artificial Intelligence!"

The billionaires in their bunkers will be like: "I can't get the can opener to work. The AI infected the can opener! What am I supposed to use, my fingers???" 

Killer Robots: Harbingers of Economic Disruption


It doesn't look terribly scary, but this robot is going to kill jobs... 

It currently costs $32,000, but that price will come down over time. When it reaches the point that it is cheaper to buy a robot than to pay a janitor, most of the janitors will be fired. Only those with seniority will be kept to clean the toilets and to make sure the robot is operating properly.

Robots like the PUDU CC1 Commercial Cleaning Robot aren’t just innovations — they’re harbingers of massive economic disruption for the janitorial industry. Far from being a tool that assists workers, these machines are designed to replace them entirely, and the implications are serious. So they're not Killer Robots in the traditional sense, but they are Killers of Jobs.

1. Total Job Displacement

The PUDU CC1 can sweep, scrub, mop, and vacuum simultaneously, performing in hours what would take a team of janitors an entire shift.

Unlike humans, it never gets tired, sick, or asks for benefits. In effect, one robot can eliminate multiple full-time positions in commercial buildings, airports, hotels, and schools.

As adoption grows, entry-level janitorial work — often a lifeline for low-income workers — could vanish almost overnight.

2. Erosion of Human Skills

Routine cleaning will no longer require human judgment, stamina, or care.

Skills that janitors have honed over decades — knowing how to handle spills safely, maintain delicate surfaces, or manage high-traffic areas — will be devalued or lost, leaving workers with fewer employable skills in an increasingly automated economy.

3. Corporate Cost-Cutting at Human Expense

The upfront cost of a robot like the PUDU CC1 is steep (~$30,000+), but companies quickly recoup it by slashing salaries, benefits, and overtime.

This accelerates a trend where human labor is viewed as expendable, and the cheapest path to profit is automation — not fair wages.

4. 24/7 Replacement and Surveillance

Robots operate around the clock, under constant monitoring, with precise maps and AI guidance.

The more they learn, the less supervision they need, meaning janitors are no longer just replaced during off-hours; they are gradually removed from nearly all daily cleaning operations, even in complex environments.

5. Widening Inequality

Janitorial work is disproportionately held by low-income and immigrant populations. Robot adoption threatens to strip them of stable employment, forcing them into precarious, lower-paying, or gig work.

Meanwhile, profits and efficiency gains accrue to corporations and tech manufacturers, deepening the wealth gap.

6. Dehumanization of Work

Cleaning becomes fully mechanized, removing human presence from spaces that often rely on staff for safety, oversight, and interaction.

Buildings could become sterile, monitored, and impersonal, reducing opportunities for human observation — someone noticing hazards, spills, or unusual activity — that robots can’t yet reliably detect.

7. A Ticking Time Bomb for the Industry

As AI improves, these robots will learn, self-optimize, and coordinate multiple units with minimal human intervention.

Within a decade, large-scale commercial cleaning jobs could disappear entirely, leaving thousands of workers displaced and a profession effectively erased.

Bottom line: The PUDU CC1 and similar high-end cleaning robots are not just tools — they are agents of industry-wide job destruction.

And... They're just the beginning. The cleaning jobs will be among the first to go. Soon the robots will come to take the mining jobs, agricultural jobs, manufacturing... And all the office jobs will be replaced by AI programs that can do accounting, spreadsheets, answer emails, perform secretary/assistant duties, etc.

Say Goodbye to the Utopia we lived in. Say Hello to the Robotic Distopia.

The Killer AI Program that can Hack


Eventually there is going to be someone (or a group of people, most likely a government) that creates an AI program that is highly capable at hacking. For simplicity's sake, let's call this AI program: Skynet. Worse, what happens if such a program falls into the wrong hands?

When this happens there are a number of things that such a program can do, including:

  • Skynet could easily lead to Denial of Service attacks on government servers, wherein computers get bogged down by too many requests and crash.
  • Skynet could automate scanning for vulnerabilities, like unpatched software, weak passwords, or misconfigured networks.
  • Skynet could try brute-force attacks, SQL injections, or phishing campaigns at scale and speed far beyond humans.
  • Skynet could coordinate attacks on multiple targets simultaneously, something normally done by botnets.
  • Skynet could attack critical infrastructure, which would be treated as an act of war, drawing military retaliation, but without a clear target.
  • Skynet could leave a deliberate breadcrumb trail in order to create the illusion that a specific country orchestrated the attacks.
  • Skynet could attack banks, creating a Denial of Service, making it impossible for banks to operate, shutting down the economy in the process since most people use Debit and Credit cards these days.
  • Skynet could attack stock markets, crypto currency exchanges, and crash the valuations of crypto/real world currencies, and specific stocks or entire markets.
  • Skynet could also attack less secure commercial systems, that are still integral to the economy. Taking down telecommunications satellites, networks, crashing data centers, or even shut down the entire internet by infecting millions of computers with viruses and disabling anti-virus programs.

Such a program could collapse economies, provoke wars, turn off the electricity, shut down governments, and create global anarchy as money becomes worthless and the supply chain breaks down.

Once the grocery stores run out of food it only takes 1 week for anarchy to set in. Or 3 days of starvation.

Scared yet?

You should be.

Happy Halloween! 

 

If Batman Had to Work a Day Job: The Dark Grease Knight

 (Because billionaire playboy philanthropists don’t exactly get unemployment cheques.)

 

The Fall of the Bruce Wayne's Bank Account

It finally happened. Bruce Wayne woke up one morning, checked his offshore accounts, and discovered that Wayne Enterprises had been bought out by LexCorp, then “restructured” into a tech startup that sells smart toasters. Alfred handed him the last cup of imported Earl Grey, sighed, and said, “I’m afraid, sir, we’re… broke.”

No more Batmobiles. No more jet-fueled Batwings. No more shark-repellent in gold-plated cans.

Just one man, one wrench, and a garage that still smells faintly of justice.


Gotham Auto Repair & Detailing

Grand Re-Opening! Under New Management!
(Ask about our “Vigilante Discount Mondays!”)

The new sign outside the old Batcave reads:
“Wayne’s Auto Repair — We Fix Everything Except Your Parents’ Marriage.”

Bruce now works as “Bruce the Mechanic.” He wears a grease-stained jumpsuit, a mask (for “shop safety”), and a tool belt that looks suspiciously like his old utility belt.

When customers come in, he introduces himself with his new slogan:

“I’m Bruce… and I’m the man your car deserves.”


The Challenges of the Day Shift

Being Gotham’s most famous ex-billionaire mechanic isn’t easy.

Problem #1: His Work Ethic Is Too Intense.
Bruce can’t change oil without performing a full tactical analysis of the vehicle’s “criminal potential.” A Prius gets a passing grade. A black Escalade? “Clearly used in a heist.”

Problem #2: He Can’t Stop Being Batman.
When a customer says, “There’s a rattle under the hood,” Bruce lowers his voice and replies,

“Do you bleed… 5W-30 or 10W-40?”

Problem #3: His Coworkers Don’t Know What to Make of Him.
Randy from accounting just wants to balance the books, but Bruce keeps vanishing mid-conversation. One minute he’s holding a torque wrench, the next he’s gone, leaving only the faint smell of brake fluid and brooding.

Problem #4: He Still Refuses to Use a Cell Phone.
When the garage phone rings, Bruce just glares at it until Alfred calls to say, “Sir, it’s a customer. You can answer it now.”


The Customers

  • Commissioner Gordon: Comes in every two weeks for a tune-up. Doesn’t pay. Just leaves an envelope with a lightbulb inside.

  • Harvey Dent: Wants an estimate on two cars — one totaled, one spotless. Flips a coin to see which one gets fixed.

  • Selina Kyle: Asks for her muffler replaced. Doesn’t mention that she stole the muffler from someone else’s car.

  • The Joker: Keeps requesting “custom paint jobs” involving smiley faces. Bruce pretends not to recognize him and charges double.


The Tools of His New Trade

Bruce has rebranded his gadgets for garage life:

Old GadgetNew Purpose
BatarangTire iron substitute
Grappling gunPerfect for retrieving that one wrench that rolled under the lift
Smoke bombsUsed to hide tears when a customer complains about labor costs
BatcomputerNow just a refurbished Dell running Windows 7
BatmobileStill in use — as the garage’s courtesy shuttle

 

Luddites and the Future of AI Resistance

I admit that this is speculative, but I think it would be awesome if Luddites armed themselves with baseball bats, axes, hammers and chainsaws and proceeded to destroy all the self-checkout machines, the robots and the AI data centres. 

I would cheer them on. 

 


1. Who Were the Luddites?

The Luddites were a social movement of English textile workers and weavers in the early 19th century, primarily active between 1811 and 1816. They protested the introduction of mechanized looms and knitting frames, which threatened their livelihoods. Key points about the movement:

  • Economic Threat: Machines allowed factory owners to produce textiles faster and cheaper, often with unskilled labor, undermining the skilled craft of weavers.

  • Direct Action: Luddites responded by smashing machines and attacking factories, a form of early industrial sabotage.

  • Political Context: The British government viewed them as a threat to social order. Severe crackdowns followed, including executions and transportation to penal colonies.

  • Misconceptions: Today, “Luddite” is often used to describe anyone opposed to technology. Historically, they were not anti-technology in general—they were anti-economic displacement caused by unregulated industrialization.


2. The Parallels with Modern AI

Many aspects of the Luddite struggle echo modern fears about AI and robotics:

  • Job Displacement: Just as mechanized looms replaced skilled weavers, AI threatens white-collar jobs, creative professions, and technical roles. Automation could drastically reduce employment opportunities for millions.

  • Concentration of Power: Factory owners then, and tech conglomerates now, control the machines that reshape society. AI amplifies wealth and influence for a few while leaving many behind.

  • Loss of Skills: Skilled craft was devalued in the Industrial Revolution. Similarly, human expertise in areas like writing, coding, and diagnostics could be rendered secondary to AI capabilities.

  • Speed of Change: AI evolves faster than laws, regulations, and societal norms can adapt, creating a sense of helplessness and resentment.


3. Why People Might Rise Against Robots and AI

If history is any guide, social unrest can follow rapid technological disruption. Factors that could drive a near-future uprising include:

  1. Mass Unemployment: Widespread AI-driven layoffs may create desperate populations who see destruction of AI as a form of reclaiming control.

  2. Economic Inequality: If the gains from AI are concentrated among corporations and elites, resentment could trigger organized resistance.

  3. Ethical and Existential Concerns: Beyond economics, fears of AI surveillance, manipulation, or autonomous weapons could motivate preemptive sabotage.

  4. Cultural Pushback: AI may be seen as alien to human creativity and identity, fueling anti-technology sentiment similar to the moral and cultural critiques the Luddites faced.


4. Historical Lessons

  • Suppression Does Not Solve the Problem: The British crackdown on Luddites didn’t stop industrialization; it merely forced the conflict underground.

  • Organized Resistance Can Be Temporary: Social movements need clear goals. Modern AI resistance might need structured frameworks to avoid chaos.

  • Technology Will Advance Anyway: Complete destruction of AI is unlikely to stop progress, but targeted actions may aim to control or slow deployment in ways that protect human labor and autonomy.

 So...

Based upon those lessons it is inevitable.

Unless, of course, a Luddite movement became so widespread that it was unstoppable, and/or perhaps if someone decided to organize a Fire Sale.

A Fire Sale, for those people unfamiliar with the term...

A fire sale refers to a scenario where critical infrastructure systems are deliberately or unintentionally triggered to fail simultaneously, causing widespread cascading failures and chaos.

  • Example in power grids: If one part of the electrical grid fails, it can overload other sections, leading to a chain reaction of blackouts.

  • Purpose or effect: Fire sales in infrastructure create systemic collapse, not just isolated disruptions, because interconnected systems amplify the damage.

It’s essentially a catastrophic domino effect across essential systems, often discussed in security and disaster planning.

So in theory, if the economics got really bad due to AI and robots taking all the jobs, Luddites might seek to organize a Fire Sale in order to deliberate collapse the system so that society can restart without the need for AI.

Speaking hypothetically, of course. 


 

Why AI Companies Suck

Remember when discussions of AI were science fiction, the future of AI was far in the future, and the worst thing about it was the prospect of killer robots and Skynet?
 
And if we were lucky, the killer robots would play tricks on each other while one of them tries to kill John Connor... 
 
Well... Congratulations. Now that we have AI, it sucks, the companies suck, there's no killer robots, there's no Skynet (not yet at least), and AI is now fueling a stock market bubble. 
 
Oh, and good luck if you're entering the workforce and want an entry level position. AI has made your future job obsolete. You aren't needed any more.
 
And you cannot even get a job at a grocery store, because they've replaced the cashiers with self-checkout.
 
And you cannot get a factory job either. Guess why? Robots took your job.
 
I won't be surprised when people start taking baseball bats to the self-checkout machines.
 
Meanwhile, let's explain why all the AI companies suck. 

1. OpenAI

  • Why It Sucks: Despite raising massive funding and achieving high valuations, OpenAI remains unprofitable. New releases often fail to meet expectations, producing results that underwhelm users.

  • Overvaluation: The company’s high valuation is not backed by consistent revenue or significant technological breakthroughs.

  • Market Impact: OpenAI’s inflated valuation feeds into the broader AI stock market bubble.

2. Nvidia (NVDA)

  • Why It Sucks: Nvidia’s AI hardware dominates the market, but advances by smaller startups show that equally capable AI can be run with less computing power, challenging Nvidia’s assumed dominance.

  • Overvaluation: Despite strong revenue growth, its stock price reflects overly optimistic expectations.

  • Market Impact: Stock volatility highlights the instability of AI-sector investments.

3. Alphabet (GOOGL)

  • Why It Sucks: Alphabet’s AI initiatives have struggled to produce breakthroughs that meaningfully affect revenue.

  • Overvaluation: Stock prices remain elevated despite modest returns from AI, suggesting investor expectations are inflated.

  • Market Impact: As a major AI player, Alphabet heavily influences investor sentiment in the sector.

4. Microsoft (MSFT)

  • Why It Sucks: Microsoft’s AI projects, while high-profile, haven’t yet transformed core business operations or generated substantial incremental revenue.

  • Overvaluation: Stock prices reflect high expectations that may not be met in the near term.

  • Market Impact: Microsoft’s involvement amplifies market enthusiasm, which may be unsustainable.

5. Meta Platforms (META)

  • Why It Sucks: Meta’s AI initiatives face challenges in adoption, monetization, and demonstrating meaningful value.

  • Overvaluation: Its stock remains elevated despite limited returns from AI, suggesting overhype.

  • Market Impact: Meta’s performance affects perceptions of AI investments across the market.

6. Tesla (TSLA)

  • Why It Sucks: Tesla’s AI efforts in autonomous driving continue to face regulatory, technical, and safety hurdles.

  • Overvaluation: Stock prices assume faster progress and higher returns than realistic.

  • Market Impact: Tesla’s stock volatility contributes to instability in AI-related investments.

7. Amazon (AMZN)

  • Why It Sucks: Amazon’s AI initiatives have struggled to scale and deliver significant revenue improvements.

  • Overvaluation: Its stock reflects high expectations despite limited returns.

  • Market Impact: Amazon’s AI performance helps drive overall market hype, feeding the bubble.


The Hows and Whys of Why GROK Sucks

 


GROK promised to be the next big thing in AI-assisted research, data parsing, and problem-solving. Yet, despite the hype, it often falls short—and part of that failure is tied directly to its association with Elon Musk. Here’s a breakdown of how and why GROK disappoints.

1. Elon Musk’s Toxic Brand

In today’s climate, anything associated with Elon Musk carries a level of toxicity:

  • Public controversies, erratic statements on social media, and high-profile business missteps have tainted perception of products under his name.

  • Users are skeptical by default, and early reviews of GROK often focus more on Musk’s behavior than the product itself.

  • Brand trust has eroded to the point that even a technically decent tool is viewed as unreliable or risky simply because of its association.

    Everything that has anything to do with Elon Musk is annoying, and is designed to be overpriced garbage.

2. Influence on AI Direction

Musk’s involvement in AI projects has arguably made GROK worse, rather than better:

  • Musk has a history of prioritizing hype and PR over substance, pushing ambitious timelines that lead to rushed or unfinished features.

  • His public fears about AI—claims that AI could be dangerous or uncontrollable—may have constrained GROK’s design, making it more conservative, limited, or prone to overly cautious output.

  • Decisions influenced by Musk appear to emphasize visionary branding over user-centered functionality, resulting in a product that looks flashy but underperforms in real-world use.

3. Overhyped Performance

Even without Musk, GROK’s AI engine struggles:

  • Responses are often generic or surface-level, lacking depth or insight.

  • GROK frequently misinterprets context, giving plausible-sounding but wrong answers.

  • On complex or nuanced topics, GROK can produce misleading or incorrect results.

4. Poor Integration

GROK markets itself as a tool to streamline workflows, but in practice:

  • Integrations with other platforms are buggy or incomplete.

  • Syncing data often breaks, leading to lost work.

  • Teams may spend more time troubleshooting GROK than using it productively.

5. User Experience Nightmares

  • The interface is cluttered and confusing, with essential functions buried behind extra clicks.

  • Documentation is sparse or outdated, leaving users guessing at solutions.

  • Customer support is slow or unhelpful, creating frustration instead of assistance.

6. Expensive for What It Is

  • GROK subscriptions are high-cost, yet the core features are underwhelming.

  • Users still need external tools or manual workarounds, reducing the value proposition.

     

    In short... GROK sucks donkey balls.

Fantasy Mapmaking

Been honing my fantasy mapmaking skills lately...

I have a special satchel I keep my mapmaking stuff in.

Includes a sketchbook and kit full of fine tip markers, rulers, etc.

All the goodies I might need.

The only thing remaining is time and practice.

Lots of practice...

My favourite places to practice is in the car, coffee shops, pubs, etc.

And hospitals... Less than favourite, more of a necessity.

Still, practice makes perfect.

Every chance I get, gotta make another map.

This last one was in the waiting room at a dentist office.

And when in doubt, and for fun, just make the land look like a hand.

Happy Fantasy Mapmaking / Cartography!


Dear Nerds: Your Jobs are in Danger

More Nerds are losing their jobs thanks to AI and computers taking over. You really should be worried about this.

  1. Video game quest writers
  2. Comic book colorists
  3. Beta readers
  4. Dungeon Masters for hire
  5. RPG rule designers
  6. Voice actors for minor roles
  7. Storyboard artists
  8. Character modelers
  9. Game testers
  10. Copyeditors
  11. Data analysts
  12. Accountants
  13. Statisticians
  14. Market researchers
  15. Software developers (entry level)
  16. QA engineers
  17. Technical writers
  18. 3D artists for background assets
  19. Product testers
  20. Lore compilers
  21. Fan wiki editors
  22. Junior programmers
  23. Translators
  24. Research assistants
  25. Data entry clerks
  26. Financial analysts
  27. Actuaries
  28. Patent researchers
  29. Legal assistants / paralegals
  30. Economists (for basic modeling)
  31. Meteorologists (data interpretation)
  32. Chemists (data-heavy lab work)
  33. Biostatisticians
  34. Software documentation specialists
  35. Science journalists
  36. Technical illustrators
  37. UX researchers
  38. System architects (low-level design)
  39. Mathematicians (non-theoretical)
  40. Financial auditors
  41. Tax preparers
  42. Digital archivists
  43. Forensic analysts
  44. Cybersecurity testers
  45. Market forecasters
  46. Inventory planners
  47. Video editors
  48. Audio engineers
  49. Character animators
  50. Simulation designers
  51. Robotics programmers (AI controlling AI irony)
  52. Hardware testers
  53. AI trainers
  54. Copywriters
  55. Transliteration experts
  56. Academic peer reviewers
  57. Science educators (for basic-level instruction)
  58. Historical archivists
  59. Lab technicians
  60. GIS analysts
  61. Urban planners (simulation-based)
  62. Transportation modelers
  63. Econometricians
  64. SEO specialists
  65. Stock analysts
  66. Game asset librarians
  67. Software QA managers
  68. Engineering drafters (CAD)
  69. Electrical design engineers
  70. Mechanical design engineers
  71. Civil engineering estimators
  72. Building code compliance specialists
  73. Energy efficiency auditors
  74. Physics research assistants
  75. Chemical process modelers
  76. Pharmaceutical data scientists
  77. Environmental modelers
  78. Market trend analysts
  79. Insurance underwriters
  80. Customer support engineers
  81. Database administrators
  82. Data visualization designers
  83. UI layout designers
  84. AI ethicists (eventually, yes)
  85. Credit risk modelers
  86. Biomedical engineers (data-driven aspects)
  87. Patent examiners
  88. Political data scientists
  89. Social media managers
  90. Game script editors
  91. Financial planners
  92. Predictive maintenance engineers
  93. Investment researchers
  94. Systems testers
  95. E-learning content creators
  96. Academic editors
  97. Curriculum designers
  98. Simulation testers
  99. Policy researchers
  100. Scientific paper abstract writers
  101. Academic researchers (data-heavy or literature-review based)
  102. Grant writers
  103. Lab data recorders
  104. Game dialogue editors
  105. Digital cartographers
  106. Music producers for indie games
  107. Scientific illustrators
  108. AI model auditors
  109. Marketing analysts
  110. Business consultants
  111. Financial compliance officers
  112. Data warehouse managers
  113. Video post-production editors
  114. Audio mastering technicians
  115. Robotics repair techs (when maintenance AI improves)
  116. Software integration specialists
  117. User behavior analysts
  118. Supply chain planners
  119. Energy consumption analysts
  120. Website developers (template-based sites already automated)
  121. Digital advertisers
  122. Copy localization experts
  123. Census statisticians
  124. Technical recruiters
  125. Legal brief drafters
  126. Academic journal editors
  127. Metadata curators
  128. Public relations writers
  129. Digital archivists for museums
  130. Audio transcribers
  131. Podcast editors
  132. Lab assistants
  133. Patent illustrators
  134. Corporate trainers (basic or compliance training)
  135. IT support specialists
  136. Cloud configuration engineers
  137. Robotics operators (supervised automation is rising)
  138. Video captioners
  139. Graphic novel letterers
  140. Game environment decorators
  141. CAD technicians
  142. Blueprint drafters
  143. Game physics designers
  144. Film continuity checkers
  145. Quality control engineers
  146. Computational linguists
  147. Sociological data analysts
  148. Machine learning data labelers
  149. E-commerce product photographers
  150. Research librarians
  151. Medical data encoders
  152. Sports statisticians
  153. Data migration specialists
  154. Process documentation writers
  155. Financial risk assessors
  156. Logistics coordinators
  157. Customer success managers
  158. Brand strategists
  159. Forecasting specialists
  160. Insurance claims analysts
  161. Medical transcriptionists
  162. Game concept writers
  163. Character illustrators
  164. Novel formatting specialists
  165. Historical data modelers
  166. Agricultural scientists (data-monitoring roles)
  167. Computational chemists
  168. AI infrastructure testers
  169. Academic conference organizers
  170. Educational game designers
  171. Industrial designers
  172. Science fiction consultants for entertainment
  173. Space mission data analysts
  174. Aerospace drafting engineers
  175. Pharmaceutical research assistants
  176. Game mechanics balancers
  177. Intellectual property researchers
  178. Coding bootcamp instructors
  179. Robotics simulation modelers
  180. QA coordinators
  181. Pattern designers for animation
  182. Tech bloggers
  183. Algorithmic trading analysts
  184. Streaming caption correctors
  185. Textbook writers
  186. Software documentation editors
  187. Educational YouTubers
  188. Esports coaches (AI can simulate training opponents)
  189. Quantum computing researchers (low-level modeling tasks)
  190. AI explainability specialists (ironically at risk from self-explaining models)
  191. Transportation analysts
  192. Environmental compliance researchers
  193. Weather model designers
  194. Astrophysics data analysts
  195. Bioinformatics technicians
  196. Computational archaeologists
  197. Music theory analysts
  198. Virtual reality testers
  199. App localization managers
  200. Simulation trainers for scientific visualization

 

And this is just the tip of the iceberg. If you're a Nerd, chances are likely your job is going to be obsolete during the next 10 years. If your job can be easily done by a computer program or an AI, it is going to disappear quickly.

And if your job can be done by a less educated person with access to AI, it will also disappear.

The jobs that remain will often by those requiring physical labour... But the danger is that those will start to disappear too as robotics starts to catch up with AI. Robotic Servants are already starting to appear, but they're currently expensive. In time the prices will come down, making them more affordable.

And once they start taking all the cleaning jobs, agriculture, mining and manufacturing will follow soon after. But if you're expecting a Utopia where nobody has to work, you're delusional. The wealthy will continue to get richer, but the number of people who are poor will skyrocket and forced to live on government scraps.

 


 

Why is being a Nerd so Expensive?

 

It isn't cheap to buy this many books, especially since WOTC keeps raising the prices every time they release a new edition.


Being a nerd is expensive because modern fandom has evolved into a consumer-driven ecosystem — one that monetizes passion, nostalgia, and identity. Here’s a breakdown of why it drains your wallet:

1. Passion Has a Price Tag

Nerd culture thrives on deep enthusiasm. Whether it’s Warhammer miniatures, comic books, or limited-edition lightsabers, fans don’t just “like” something — they collect it. Companies know this and price accordingly. Your emotional attachment becomes part of the product markup.

2. Limited Editions and Artificial Scarcity

Everything from Funko Pops to Magic: The Gathering cards uses scarcity marketing. When a product is “limited,” it creates urgency and inflates value. You’re not just buying a toy; you’re buying status within your fandom — proof of commitment.

3. Hobby Inflation

Many nerdy hobbies have high buy-in costs:

Tabletop gaming: Miniatures, paints, dice, books, terrain — it all adds up.

Cosplay: Costumes require materials, tools, and sometimes commissions.

PC gaming: Constant upgrades to stay “current.” 

These hobbies blend art, craft, and collection — all expensive endeavors on their own.

4. Franchises Exploit Nostalgia

You grew up loving Star Wars, Marvel, or D&D — and now you have adult money. Corporations know this. They re-release vintage figures, “collector’s editions,” and remastered games aimed squarely at nostalgic thirtysomethings and forty-year-olds.

5. Gatekeeping and Premium Access

Want the real experience? That’ll cost extra:

Exclusive conventions

Special editions of games

Premium subscriptions (like Disney+ or Crunchyroll tiers)

Early access or deluxe versions of products 

Nerd culture rewards those who can afford to go “all in.”

6. The Fandom Arms Race

Once you join a fandom, there’s social pressure to keep up. Fans display massive shelf collections, stream their setups, and post unboxing videos. The culture subtly encourages competition — “Look how much I love this thing!” — and that competition is expensive.

7. Collectibles as Investments

Many nerds justify purchases as “investments,” hoping a rare figure or card will appreciate in value. While sometimes true, this speculative mindset fuels more buying than most people would ever do otherwise.

8. Constant Content Expansion

Franchises no longer end — they sprawl. Every movie spawns books, games, spin-offs, and merchandise. You can’t “complete” a fandom anymore; you’re on a treadmill of continuous releases.

In short:
Being a nerd used to mean obsession. Now it means subscription.

Kindle Unlimited: A Bargain for Fans of Korovia

For readers who love immersing themselves in epic fantasy worlds, Kindle Unlimited (KU) offers an unbeatable deal—especially if you’re a fan of Charles Moffat’s Korovia saga. Here’s why:

  1. Almost the Entire Korovia Collection Is Included
    Nearly all of Moffat’s novels and short stories set in Korovia—The Adventures of Wrathgar, Wulfric the Wanderer, The Adventures of the Bogatyr, and others—are part of Kindle Unlimited. That means one subscription gives you access to the whole universe for a single monthly fee instead of buying each book separately.

  2. Perfect for Deep World Immersion
    Moffat’s books are interlinked, with recurring characters, historical depth, and overlapping mythologies. KU allows you to binge-read the entire timeline—from ancient myths of Korovia to the heroic tales of Wrathgar—without worrying about cost per book.

  3. Budget-Friendly for Fantasy Fans
    For about the price of a single paperback each month, Kindle Unlimited grants you access to dozens of fantasy novels, including Moffat’s entire catalog. For readers who devour books quickly, that’s a massive saving.

  4. Great for Discovering Spin-offs and Side Stories
    Moffat often expands Korovia through novellas and companion tales that enrich the main saga. With KU, you can explore these without hesitation—no need to choose between the “main books” and the side adventures.

  5. Accessible Across All Devices
    Even if you don’t own a Kindle device, you can read Moffat’s books through the free Kindle app on your phone, tablet, or computer—making it easy to explore Korovia anytime, anywhere.

  6. Ideal for Re-Reading and Cross-Referencing
    Moffat’s interconnected storytelling rewards readers who revisit earlier books. With KU, you can jump back and forth between Wrathgar’s adventures and Wulfric’s journeys without repurchasing anything.

  7. Support for the Author
    Every page you read through KU still supports Moffat financially—so you’re helping him continue building Korovia while getting to read as much as you like.

In short, Kindle Unlimited is the best gateway into Korovia. For a single subscription, you can explore the full sweep of Charles Moffat’s heroic fantasy—its gods, warriors, wizards, and wandering souls—without limits or guilt about your book budget.

Why George R. R. Martin should hire Brandon Sanderson

Behold! I had a great idea...

What if GRRM hired Brandon Sanderson to finish writing A Song of Ice and Fire...

Just think about it. 

1. BS has a Proven Ability to Handle Epic Fantasy at Scale

Brandon Sanderson has written multiple high-stakes, sprawling epic fantasy series (Mistborn, Stormlight Archive) featuring hundreds of characters, intricate political systems, layered magic, and interwoven plotlines. ASOIAF is similarly vast and complex; Sanderson’s experience makes him uniquely qualified to manage such scope without losing narrative cohesion.

2. Expertise in Completing Unfinished Epics

Sanderson has a reputation for finishing large, previously stalled storylines with clarity and resolution, most famously taking over Robert Jordan’s Wheel of Time series after Jordan’s death. He honored Jordan’s vision while bringing the series to a satisfying conclusion, showing he can adapt to another author’s style while delivering resolution fans crave.

3. Structured, Plot-Driven Writing

One common critique of the ASOIAF delays is Martin’s tendency toward “narrative drift,” with sprawling chapters that delay the resolution of major plotlines. Sanderson is known for his meticulous plotting, careful pacing, and strong foreshadowing. Bringing him on could ensure that key story arcs—like the fates of Jon, Daenerys, and the Others—are resolved in a coherent and timely fashion.

4. Respect for Existing Lore and Tone

Sanderson is a highly adaptive writer who respects world-building. His skill at absorbing complex magic systems, political intricacies, and established lore suggests he could maintain Westeros’s tone and thematic richness while accelerating the story toward completion.

5. Practical Benefit: Fan Satisfaction and Revenue

The fanbase has been waiting over a decade for the final books. A collaboration or handoff to Sanderson could reinvigorate interest, reduce fan frustration, and ensure a timely release—boosting both sales and legacy. Publishers would likely support this move because it guarantees completion while maintaining brand integrity.

6. Collaborative Model Possibility

Martin doesn’t have to give up creative control. He could provide outlines, key plot points, and character arcs, while Sanderson handles the writing mechanics and day-to-day progression. This model mirrors what was done with Jordan’s notes and ensures Martin’s vision remains central. 

 

In short, this idea really makes a lot of sense. GRRM can finally quit working on a project that he has clearly lost all interest in ever finishing.

Brandon Sanderson gets paid oodles of money to finish the job, and another boost to his reputation as a stellar writer capable of finishing up the unfinished projects of other great writers.

Fans of ASOIAF finally get the ending to the saga that they've been waiting for.

This would be a win-win-win for all three! 

The Top 5 Batman Films and Why They Still Matter

 

1. The Dark Knight (2008)

Christopher Nolan’s The Dark Knight isn’t just a superhero movie — it’s a masterclass in storytelling.

Why it’s great:

  • Heath Ledger’s Joker redefined the character for a generation.

  • A complex, morally gray story that goes beyond capes and gadgets.

  • Realistic, grounded Gotham that still feels cinematic and epic.

This film shows Batman as a symbol, not just a man in a mask, and sets a high bar for modern superhero films.


2. Batman (1989)

Tim Burton’s Batman brought a gothic, stylized aesthetic that changed the way superheroes looked on screen.

Why it’s great:

  • Jack Nicholson’s Joker is flamboyant, menacing, and unforgettable.

  • Burton’s dark, atmospheric Gotham created a template for superhero world-building.

  • Danny Elfman’s score remains iconic to this day.

It’s a perfect blend of comic-book style and cinematic spectacle, proving that superhero films could be serious art.


3. Batman Begins (2005)

Nolan’s Batman Begins revived the franchise after a series of less-than-stellar films.

Why it’s great:

  • Explores Bruce Wayne’s origin in depth, giving emotional weight to his journey.

  • Introduces a grounded, realistic take on Gotham’s crime and corruption.

  • Sets the stage for a trilogy that combines character, action, and philosophical undertones.

It’s a reminder that superheroes work best when their motivations are believable and relatable.


4. The Dark Knight Rises (2012)

The conclusion of Nolan’s trilogy, The Dark Knight Rises, elevates Batman’s journey into a mythic arc.

Why it’s great:

  • Bane is a physically and intellectually imposing villain, providing a formidable challenge.

  • Themes of redemption, sacrifice, and resilience resonate beyond the superhero genre.

  • Epic action sequences and stunning cinematography make Gotham feel alive.

This film demonstrates how superhero stories can be about more than just fights — they can be about legacy.


5. Batman Returns (1992)

The sequel to Burton’s original, Batman Returns, embraces dark fantasy and complex character work.

Why it’s great:

  • Michelle Pfeiffer’s Catwoman is both tragic and empowering.

  • Danny DeVito’s Penguin adds a grotesque yet compelling layer to Gotham’s villains.

  • The film’s dark, almost surreal tone shows how far a superhero movie can push stylistically.

It’s a cult classic that proves Batman’s world can be as strange and imaginative as the comics themselves.


Honorable Mentions

  • Batman: Mask of the Phantasm (1993) – An underrated animated gem.

  • Batman v Superman: Dawn of Justice (2016) – Controversial, but features an older, grittier Batman.


Note

It isn't that all the other Batman films suck... They don't suck at all. They just don't stack up against the greats.

If Fictional Worlds Had Yelp Reviews

 (Because even magical kingdoms can’t escape bad customer service.)

 


1. MORDOR — 

“Too many stairs. Too much lava. Zero handrails. Customer service nonexistent — had to walk myself the whole way to the volcano. Also, giant flaming eyeball won’t stop watching me while I sleep. Would not recommend unless you enjoy despair and mild heat stroke.”
Frodo B.

Pros: Great views, excellent for cardio.
Cons: One does not simply… enjoy Mordor.


2. HOGWARTS SCHOOL OF WITCHCRAFT AND WIZARDRY — 

“Food is amazing, ghosts are friendly, but safety protocols are nonexistent. Nearly got eaten by a three-headed dog in week one. Also, 50% chance your professor is evil in disguise.”
Hermione G.

Pros: Free housing, teleporting staircases, magic everywhere.
Cons: Basilisks, trolls, homicidal textbooks, unpaid house-elves.

Owner Response:

“We take student safety seriously. All future Dark Lords will be dealt with after final exams.” — Headmaster M.D.


3. WESTEROS — 

“Weather is nice until the zombies show up. Zero job security for nobles. Weddings are traumatizing.
Sansa S.

Pros: Gorgeous castles, dragons, ale.
Cons: Betrayal, plague, child kings.

Update: Dropped from  to  after another invasion and surprise beheading.


4. NARNIA — 

“Came through a wardrobe expecting adventure. Got frostbite and roped into a war with a talking lion. Also, time dilation is insane — missed 12 years of Netflix.”
Lucy P.

Pros: Friendly beavers, great fur coat fashion.
Cons: Evil snow witch, limited Wi-Fi, occasional spontaneous prophecy.


5. GOTHAM CITY — 

“Loud at night. Constant explosions. Billionaire vigilante keeps denting my car chasing clowns. Rent is too high for a city that’s always on fire.”
Anonymous Commuter

Pros: None.
Cons: Literally everything.

Owner Response:

“Justice has no curfew.” — B. Wayne


6. RIVENDELL — 

“Peaceful, beautiful, everyone sings for no reason. I came for one night, stayed for 200 years. Elrond’s hair game? Flawless.”
Aragorn S.

Pros: Excellent ambiance, eternal youth.
Cons: Hard to leave. Like, literally impossible.


7. THE DEATH STAR — 

“Got a great deal on a timeshare, but the place exploded before checkout. Also, terrible air circulation. Long hallways with no exits. Staff mostly clones.”
Wedge A.

Pros: Big open concept design, perfect for dramatic entrances.
Cons: One thermal exhaust port ruins everything.


8. NEVERLAND — 

“No taxes, no bedtime — great for kids! But pirates constantly shoot at you, and the mosquitoes are the size of small birds.”
Wendy D.

Pros: Flying! Eternal youth! Mermaid lagoons!
Cons: Creepy immortal boy won’t stop following you around.


9. FORKS, WASHINGTON — 

“Rains constantly. Locals sparkle in sunlight for some reason. The high school cafeteria is 80% awkward staring.”
Bella S.

Pros: Romantic vampires.
Cons: Romantic vampires.


10. MIDDLE-EARTH AIRLINES — 

“No flights available. Apparently we have to walk to Mordor. Again.”
Every Hobbit Ever


11. RACCOON CITY — Zero 

“Checked in for a work trip. Everyone’s dead. Still got charged a cleaning fee.”
Jill V.

Pros: None.
Cons: Zombies, evil megacorp, everything’s flammable.


12. THE SHIRE — 

“Charming cottages, second breakfasts, zero drama. Only downside is occasional wizard dropping by to ruin everything.”
Sam G.

Pros: Food, beer, fireworks, naps.
Cons: Adventure recruiters.


13. THE UNDERWORLD (GREEK EDITION) — 

“Beautiful rivers, great ambiance, but the ferry system is terrible. No return policy. Staff are… skeletal.”
Orpheus O.

Pros: Dramatic lighting, moody atmosphere.
Cons: Customer service literally ghosted me.


14. DISNEYLAND — 

“Honestly, this feels like every fictional world mashed together. Expensive but magical. I saw a duck wearing pants and no one questioned it.”
Mickey M.

Pros: Churros. Music. Talking animals.
Cons: $12 water bottles.

 

Publishing a fantasy book? Make sure you get a professional fantasy book editor.

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