Scan QR code. Order on your phone. Pay on your phone. Asks for a tip.

So uh, what exactly am I tipping you here for dawg?

Well yes, that’s the point.

That’s how we know exactly how this playbook goes, because we’ve seen it before.

The fact that all big companies are doing this doesn’t mean that we should think any less badly of HP for doing it too.

Only if you’re rich enough

The problem, as far as HP will be concerned, is the strategy was leaked to the public. If there was no leak there would have been no news, and no ‘feedback’.

HP won’t take this as a signal to not do the shitty thing. They’ll take this as a signal to back off for now, and then try the shitty thing again later, but slowly and bit-by-bit, so there’s no big news.

Melodies of Steel Intensifies

Truly, it’s the existential horror that really keeps me going :')

Fair points. If we are quoting King then he also said in “On Writing” just a paragraph or so after your quote:

“But once your basic story is on paper you need to think about what it means. […] To do less is to rob your work (and eventually your readers) of the vision that makes each tale you write uniquely your own.”

I may not have been right in saying the story /comes/ from the theme, but I very much stand by the notion that solid themes are required, even if the theme does not come first.

King also said:

Not every book has to be loaded with symbolism […] but it seems to me that every book - at least every one worth reading - is about something. Your job during or just after the first draft is to decide what something or somethings yours is about."

As the story is written and progresses, conscious work is needed to refine the theme and draw it out, and good works always are about something that is bigger and richer than the basic story beats.

To the original argument on superhero movies then, the writer’s opinion that we need good themes is still something I very much agree with.

But then, good story and characters are extremely important as the prerequisite, because a strong theme without a strong foundation is nothing.

All movies have a story. This happens, then that happens, then that happens. That’s a story.

But IMO, what often separates a good story from a dull one are the thematic elements.

The theme is the big narrative idea into which everything else slots. It drives the plot. It defines the character’s motivations and creates stakes. It creates tension and makes character’s actions feel like they have purpose.

We need a great story, but good story comes from solid themes.

I’m not into any sports at all, of any kind. I dont think I could even name 10 athletes in total - either male or female.

I’m also pretty sure that wouldn’t be a blocker on me having a meaningful discussion about trans inclusivity in sports

Some fair points, thanks.

I would agree with you that the simple discontinuance of a loyalty scheme isn’t in itself anti-consumer, sometimes these things just come to a close.

But choosing to can this right in the lead-up to Switch 2 certainly makes it feel like that timing is no coincidence, and has everything to do with the release of the new console.

This is obviously a move to drive adoption of Switch 2, and discourage any further purchases on the original.

Nintendo don’t want you still earning points on Switch 1 when you should have gone out and bought Switch 2 already!

And they ESPECIALLY don’t want you using all the points you already earned to get “free” content on the BRAND NEW Switch 2 that you should be PAYING for!

Typical anti-consumer move from Nintendo.

I am both of these.

Hoarding everything is my default state, but eventually I have to get firm with myself and do a Marie Kondo.

I suppose I should be grateful I only have a small home because if I had any more space I’d surely fill it.

The instructions for Windows work just as well on Linux, to be fair.

The switch has a lot of similarities with phone hardware, but in a different form factor.

Almost all phones work like this, in that they are mobile-first devices which are designed to depend on the battery.

A major reason for this design choice is power stability.

The switch (just like a phone) can charge off any USB power supply, even really low power ones. The power coming in might be enough to slowly charge, but not enough to keep up when you do the most demanding tasks, like playing a graphically intensive game.

For that reason, the switch requires some charge in the battery, so that if the power draw spikes too much for the charger then the battery takes up the slack and things keep working nicely, rather than unexpected crashing or other oddities.

In the end, demanding the battery has at least a little charge to run is basically a safety feature to ensure that you have a good experience, and the switch does not die in unexpected ways.

Before building work started I guarantee they promised "A tasteful renovation in keeping with the structure’s historical aesthetic"🙄