Some of these advances are farther off than others.
Some are probably so advanced that I won’t live long enough to see them, but hopefully my kids will, if I’m able to have them.
One technology, however, is a lot closer than most realize. That technology is self-driving cars. I’ve talked about them before. It’s fair to say this is not some advanced speculative tech on par with warp drives and light sabres.
Well, after returning from my vacation this past week, I’m ready to make a larger statement about this technology. I try not to give too many personal opinions when I talk about this sort of thing, but I’m going to make an exception.
I’m very ready to embrace self-driving cars sooner rather than later.
I’m also very ready to embrace cars that can park themselves or just find a decent parking spot to begin with.
Why am I suddenly so eager to support this technology? The reason is simple. My travels this past week have reminded me just how much I dislike long drives on roads with little to know features. It also reminded me what a pain in the ass parking can be whenever I visit a major city like New York.
Just getting to my destination, navigating traffic jams and delays along the way, can be a test in frustration. It can also cause pain in my back from being so focused for extended periods. It can also drain me mentally, so much so that it’s hard to enjoy myself once I get to my destination.
I would absolutely love it if I could just get into a car, enter my destination, lay back, and sleep for most of the way. If I have to be awake, I’d love to use that as an opportunity to write some more sexy short stories or catch up on some shows. That would make me a lot more eager to travel and a lot more willing to go to more distant destinations.
At the same time, parking can be just as big a pain. This past week, I swear I spent a good half-hour just looking for parking and a good long while getting to it. It wasn’t cheap, either. That only compounds the pain.
It didn’t completely ruin my vacation, but it did temper it at times. I feel like everyone would enjoy a life with freer frustrations and self-driving cars can go a long way towards that. Say what you will about the technology or the companies behind it. When it eventually arrives, I’ll be the first to try it. If nothing else, I’ll be happy to just be able to enjoy the open road once again.
Today is my last day at the beach. I know I’ve said it a hundred times in the past 48 hours, but I’ll say it again. I needed this. I needed this badly. Going on this trip, relaxing by the beach, and soaking in the sun has been one of the most cathartic things I’ve done in over two years. I wish I could stay longer, but I actually have a good reason for leaving today.
My vacation isn’t officially over. Today, I’m leaving for another destination. I’m off to visit some relatives that I haven’t visited since last year. It’s something else that’s grossly overdue and something I badly need.
On top of that, I need to start treating my sun burns.
Yes, I did wear sunscreen.
Yes, I did manage to avoid getting burned on most of my body.
No, I didn’t avoid all of it.
It’s an unfortunate byproduct of spending so much time in the sun. You’re going to get burned. It stings. It’s unpleasant an uncomfortable. However, after being stuck inside for months on end last year, it’s so worth it. Thankfully, I have plenty of ointments to treat it. I’ll also have plenty of time to heal up when all is said and done. If some sunburns are the price I have to pay to enjoy a few days at the beach, so be it.
As I type this, I am on vacation. I am literally just a block away from the beach. Trust me. It’s even better than it sounds. After last year, any vacation is bound to feel ten times more satisfying. As such, reading new comics on the beach should be even more satisfying than that.
There aren’t too many ways to make New Comic Book Day even more enjoyable than it already is. Being able to download my comics to my iPad and read them at the beach on a nice summer morning is definitely one of them. Between the cool ocean breezes, the deliciously unhealthy beach food, and the promise of a nice day of fun and the sun, this is one of those extra special New Comic Book Days.
I cannot overstate how much I needed this vacation. Last year marked the first time since college that I wasn’t able to spend any time at the beach, visiting family and hanging out with friends. It was heartbreaking, to say the least. This trip has been both overdue and cathartic. Having new comics to enjoy on top of it all only makes all of it more rewarding.
Whether you’re on vacation this week or not, New Comic Book Day is one of those days that can make any trip better. It certainly has made mine better. I hope it does the same for everyone else. So, before I get back to soaking up some sun, here is my pull list and pick of the week. Enjoy!
Today is an awesome day by default! As I write this, I’m making my final preparations to go to the beach for a few days. It’s the first time in over two years that I’ll be able to go on a nice, relaxing trip. It also marks the end of the longest extended period in which I haven’t been able to go on a nice summer trip to the beach.
We all know why that was difficult last year, so I won’t bemoan that. This year, I’m trying to make up for lost time. I intend on spending the next few days building my entire schedule around relaxing on the beach, gorging on unhealthy boardwalk food, and hanging out at beach bars. After last year, I intend to never take such joys for granted again.
So, if it seems like my content for the next few days is scarce, rest assure I have a damn good reason.
In general, I try not to wade into a hot button political topic until the rhetoric has become less heated. I think it’s rarely productive to throw your voice into the fray when everyone is still shouting their talking points at the top of their lungs. I know I’ve weighed inon political issues in the past, but I’ve tried to do so from a broader, bigger picture perspective.
Sometimes, though, it’s too hard to wait for everyone to stop shouting. In certain instances, the extent of that shouting is symptomatic of a larger mentality. It’s not just about the topic that’s relevant. It’s the general sentiment, passions, and feelings surrounding it.
Not too long ago, it was social justice and feminism.
Before that, it was same-sex marriage.
Before that, it was civil rights and sex discrimination.
Go back far enough and you’ll see similar discourse. When an issue is very relevant, it brings out both heated rhetoric and the prevailing attitudes of the time.
Today, I get the sense that Critical Race Theory has become that issue. Whenever people talk about it, their political tribalism rears its head and it’s neither subtle nor pretty. While I don’t doubt this issue will eventually pass to make way for the next one, it’s something worth touching on.
At its core, the particulars of Critical Race Theory aren’t that radical. If you look it up on Wikipedia, it doesn’t sounds wholly unreasonable. It’s simply a study to evaluate how social, culture, and legal traditions have impacted larger institutions and social systems.
As a social science, it’s hardly revolutionary. These are concepts that social scientists have been studying for decades. The main difference with Critical Race Theory is its emphasis on race, especially those pertaining to the African American community. After what happened with the murder of George Floyd in 2020, it only grew in relevance.
Now, I’ve stated before that we, as Americans, should not avoid the less flattering parts of our history. Acknowledging past mistakes doesn’t make you any less patriotic. It just offers a larger perspective towards certain American ideals.
However, that’s a point that those protesting Critical Race Theory don’t seem to harbor. Ever since the George Floyd protests erupted last year, this theory has been attacked and protested on multiple levels. In general, I try to sympathize and empathize with the passions of these people. They are my fellow Americans, after all. I believe they have a right to voice those passions.
At the same time, I cannot help but groan and cringe. I also genuinely wonder if they understand the full implication of what they’re arguing.
It’s true that Critical Race Theory has some distressing implications. Beyond acknowledging America’s racist past, it further complicates efforts to create a more just society. Addressing the transgressions of the past is not as simple as passing a few pieces of landmark legislation.
The system, as it functions now, is still very flawed. Fixing it may require greater effort, as well as a larger cost. Many people, who likely believe in themselves to not be racist, are bound to have a problem with that. They see it as an agenda, one that will label them and their children as a racist by default.
Whether or not that’s a reasonable concern is beside the point. I won’t claim to know what those protesting Critical Race Theory are truly thinking. I’m not psychic. However, in reviewing all this heated discourse, I’d like to offer a simple question to these people. It’s a sincere question and one I ask you consider seriously.
Why do you oppose teaching or discuss one particular idea over the other?
With that in mind, take a step back and look at this without Critical Race Theory being the main subject. Now, take a moment to appreciate what you’re asking of society, at large. You’re saying this idea that you think is wrong or flawed should not be discussed.
Even if you think it shouldn’t be discussed outside certain fields, you’re still making a statement. This is a dangerous idea and it shouldn’t be discussed, especially with children. Even in a country like America, which espouses the value of free speech, you’re arguing for an idea to be censored or suppressed.
Now, I don’t doubt there are some horrible ideas out there. Some are legitimate precursors to violence. That’s why organizations like the Ku Klux Klan are rightly vilified and prosecuted. Except, Critical Race Theory is nothing like that. So why, in that context, does it warrant so much outrage? Again, it’s a sincere question and I’d like to get a sincere answer. Please explain your reasoning in whatever way you see fit.
We’re in the heart of what many call the dog days of summer. The days are long and hot. The pools and beaches are open. You can generally get away with only wearing shorts and flip-flops when you go outside. These are good times indeed. Even if you’re not on a summer break, there’s a lot to appreciate.
This is also the time of year when it’s easiest to work on your sexy summer tan. After last year, with so many lockdowns, I think that sex appeal has only increased. A nice tan has always had unique beauty to it. There’s a reason why tanning salons exist and why people will lay out in the sun for hours on end, making sure it’s as even as possible.
I say that as someone who envies people who can get such a tan. I’ve tried to get a tan before, but my complexion makes that very difficult. In short, I don’t tan. I burn. When I got to the beach or pool, I smother my body in sunscreen and even when I’m out for hours on end, I’ll end up with a burn rather than a tan.
I’ve only managed a tan a few times before in my life, but I can attest to the added sex appeal. Years ago, it helped cover my acne problem. These days, I just think it just shows I enjoy being shirtless in public. I’m going to try and get a decent tan before this summer is over. I encourage others to do the same, even if they can’t make it to the beach.
Yes, you’ll still risk getting sunburned, but that’s the price we pay for extra sex appeal. I’d say that’s a risk worth taking. To help inspire that risk, here are some Sexy Sunday Thoughts to get you in the sexy tanning spirit. Enjoy!
“There’s no such thing as a free lunch, but free orgasms are even rarer.”
“It takes a special level of mutual understanding and horniness for a couple to watch porn together.”
“Chances are you’ve used a public restroom that someone has had sex in.”
“Give a woman one orgasm and she’ll appreciate you, but give her multiple orgasms and she’ll worship you.”
“It’s telling that those who do the most slut-shaming aren’t the ones getting frequently laid.”
“There comes a point in every parent’s life when they just have to accept that their son has seen a fair amount of porn.”
“Fake orgasms were the earliest forms of fake news.”
The following is a video from my YouTube channel, Jack’s World. It’s another video about comic books, which shouldn’t surprise anyone at this point. It’s also about Victor Von Doom, which shouldn’t surprise anyone who has been following this site for any extended period. This video is actually based on an article I wrote a while back, but with a few tweaks here and there. Given his eventual arrival into the Marvel Cinematic Universe, I think the time is right to celebrate why he’s such a great character. Enjoy!
In all the years I’ve been browsing the internet, I’ve never seen something so divisive or so disruptive as cryptocurrencies. Yes, that includes both video games and internet porn. Crypto’s impact has been that profound. That impact is likely to continue in unexpected ways for years to come.
However, there is still plenty of uncertainty and confusion surrounding cryptocurrencies. I recently had dinner with my parents and my mother asked me to explain it to her. I tried. I’m pretty sure I failed. I tried to simply frame it as digital money, but that didn’t even come close to explaining what cryptocurrency is, how it works, and why it has become such a huge industry.
There are far smarter people than me who can explain what cryptocurrencies are and how they work. This video here does a decent job of explaining it to beginners who aren’t particularly tech savvy.
While I’ve been following the rise, fall, revival, and growth of cryptocurrencies for years, I didn’t actually buy any until very recently. I even wrote about my experience, which ended up being somewhat mundane. It was no different than using an ATM.
That’s somewhat illustrative of where cryptocurrencies are right now. Buying currencies like Bitcoin has never been easier. You can download any number of wallets for free on your phone. If you don’t want to link your bank account to it, then finding an ATM like I did is very easy.
If you have any spare change lying around, you can turn it into Bitcoin. That’s where we’re at now with cryptocurrencies.
The harder part at the moment is actually spending Bitcoins. While you can find numerous online merchants who take Bitcoins, you can’t exactly use them to pay your bills, buy your groceries, or just purchase something on a whim. That’s one of the biggest barriers to cryptocurrencies in general. Using it is more cumbersome than regular cash. That’s why most see Bitcoin as an investment asset rather than a usable currency.
That could change very soon, however. The reason for that change could come from the largest retail entity on this planet, Amazon. If ever there was a company that could completely change the way we see and use cryptocurrencies, it’s this one. It may ultimately make Jeff Bezos even richer than he already is, but let’s table that concern for a moment.
This isn’t just me speculating. There was a recent rumor among the business world that Amazon was looking to start accepting Bitcoins as a payment method. While Amazon ultimately shot down that rumor, they did not say they would never accept Bitcoins.
In fact, I would go so far as to say it’s only a matter of time before Amazon starts accepting cryptocurrencies in some capacity. There’s just too much money to be made from doing so and Amazon, like all big businesses, is always looking to grow. This would be one way of doing that and it’s impossible to overstate the larger impact that would have.
For one, it would send shockwaves through all currency markets, crypto and otherwise, more so than a million tweets by Elon Musk. Suddenly, this asset isn’t just an investment vehicle anymore. It’s a form of money with an actual use.
Amazon is already the biggest retailer in the world. It’s also becoming one of the largest grocery chains. It still has some competition, mostly through companies like Walmart. None of them accept Bitcoin yet, but you can be reasonably certain that as soon as one of them takes that leap, the others will follow.
Beyond just being a novel payment method, Amazon accepting Bitcoins could have a far broader change. One of the main driving forces behind the development of cryptocurrencies is that this is money that has no boarders. It doesn’t matter where you are in this world. You could be in America, China, or the middle of Africa. So long as you have an internet connection, you can access this currency.
By accepting Bitcoin, Amazon and other retailers like it have the potential to the entire world in ways that weren’t possible until recently. If they’re going to keep growing, they need those customers and, like it or not, these people need Amazon. Opening more people up to an accessible market can only help get goods to people who need them.
All that being said, I can also understand why Amazon and other large retailers might resist accepting cryptocurrencies. Beyond them just being too loosely regulated, their volatile nature could be a problem for large retailers.
I can attest to that volatility personally. When I bought my first Bitcoins, the price was around $35,000. Then, it shot up to over $60,000 for a while. A few months later, it crashed to the point where it was worth less than my initial investment. It eventually recovered, but that’s a lot of instability for a currency.
That’s something I’m sure Amazon is aware of. By taking Bitcoins as payments, they’re also accepting its wild volatility. All those Bitcoins that paid for all those goods could be worth a thousand dollars one day and worth a fraction of that the next. Even if Bitcoin represents only a small portion of payment, that’s sure to create some anxiety among investors.
Given the current state of the economy and the world, as a whole, I understand why Amazon would hold off on diving into cryptocurrencies. For a large, publicly traded company, anything that makes the stock price or the overall value of its assets less certain might just be too much to handle for now.
It may not happen this year. It may not even happen next year. However, I’m not among those who think all cryptocurrencies are a scam, a scheme, or a fad. These aren’t Pokémon cards or Beanie Babies. This is a valuable tool for the digital world that has the potential to open up exchange with everyone, regardless of where they live.
That tool still needs refinements. Bitcoin certainly has its flaws. That’s beyond dispute. Amazon is aware of those flaws, as well. As they are refined, currencies like Bitcoin will gain more acceptance. Amazon and other big retailers will be part of that process. When that day finally comes, expect a whole new world to emerge. I don’t claim to know what kind of world that’ll be, but I’m excited to see how it unfolds.
I know I’ve been giving those who refuse to get the COVID-19 vaccine a hard time in recent months. I won’t apologize for that because I don’t regret that in the slightest.
I’ll say it again. These people are being assholes. They’re the reason why this pandemic is still raging. They’re also the reason there’s a new variant that’s causing cases to spike in various parts of the country. I’m sorry, but I can only be so understanding when people are being assholes to a point that gets other people killed.
However, rather than bemoan these people for their dumb decisions and dumber politics, I thought I’d share something I found on Reddit that perfectly illustrates why the anti-vaxx crowd are so infuriating. It’s funny and it’s dumb, but it’s also painfully relevant.
When you’re a comic fan like me, comics basically become the spice, the cake frosting, or the hot sauce of life. By that, I mean there really isn’t much you can’t combine with comics that doesn’t make something inherently better. On Wednesday mornings, pairing my morning cup of coffee with new comics is a perfect complement. They each make each other better.
The same applies to combining new comics with lunch.
The same applies to combining new comics with lounging by the pool.
The same applies to combining new comics to snuggling up with your lover on the couch.
Think of any situation that allows you to read something on a phone or tablet. New comics only makes it better. On Wednesday mornings when a glut of new books come out, you’ve got even more to work with. You now have the excitement of reading something new that introduces new characters, moves stories forward, and offers more dazzling art.
Variety may be the spice of life, but comics are my preferred spice. No matter what time of the year it is, comics make it sweeter. Now is as good a time as any to sweeten up your life once week with new comics. As always, I offer my pull list and pick of the week. Enjoy!
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