Update: i'm away

Searching for it online brought up "It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness," from Men at Arms. Yeah, I thought. That must have been it. But why do I remember something about a flamethrower? And why does that quote sound so... Tidy? Sweet? Too nice for a Pratchett novel?

It took me a while to find the time to dig through my copy of the book. But here you are:

'Might as well have a bloody king and have done with it!'

The rest of the Night Watch stood looking at their feet in mute embarrassment. Then Carrot said, 'It's better to light a candle than curse the darkness, Captain. That's what they say.'

Okay. That's it all right. But then it continues, on the top of the next page:

'What?' Vimes's sudden rage was like a thunderclap. 'Who says that? When has that ever been true? It's never been true! It's the kind of thing people without power say to make it all seem less bloody awful, but it's just words, it never makes any difference–'

Well. That's Pratchett, all right.

And because it's all about timing, the actual punchline, as it were, only comes thirty or so pages later:

Nobby kept looking back longingly to the fire machine.

Sometimes it's better to light a flamethrower than curse the darkness.

The like button should be at the bottom, looks like this:

The dislike button differs depending on your device but it should look something like one of these:

Keep your messaging simple:

“Trump fired everyone in charge of airplane safety, and a week later planes started crashing into each other.”

Trump removed food safety standards his first term and now we have recalls every few weeks

Trump cut the subsidies for the solar farms under construction so now electricity costs more

I'll try not to be too long (I failed) because I think it's ridiculous how much overreaction and lack of nuance/grace there is around JM. I'll tackle the whole timeline from before the intervention and also regarding the divorce and kid(s), because I think people wouldn't have been half as crazy if that hadn't also happened and it needs to be addressed.

So leading up to December 2020: AMT removed the mulaney name and his pics from her social media months before. His interviews started hinting that he was living on his own, and that he wasn't doing well (he started talking of death and his own funeral). It'll come out that both he and she were dealing with their own mental struggles. December 2020, she was not at his intervention. He stays in rehab for two months, so until mid-late February. He went to live in jimmy Kimmel's guest house. Olivia munn, who'd openly shown interest for him for years, happens to be near for work. they hook up, make a baby that is born late November. the divorce happens, and AMT seems surprised ("heartbroken"), she most likely thought it'd take longer or that he'd go back to her. JM and OM aren't dating, but decide to coparent: John was happy about the baby and absolutely wanted to be involved. they start dating a few months later. the official public news come quickly, and seem rushed, when in truth all these things hint at years of difficulties.

Bottom line: JM had been in and out of rehab and was freshly recovering when DC happened.

On the kid(s) and JM's and OM's relationship: people conveniently forget that JM said "I don't know NEVER, people CHANGE" regarding having children. When faced with an unplanned baby, he was happy and wanted to coparent. He later dated and married the baby's mother and they had another planned kid. Between the two kids OM battled breast cancer, had an hysterectomy and thus they got help from a surrogate, so yeah the second baby was very much planned and he very much likes having and caring for his kids. Meanwhile AMT said she froze her eggs due to society's pressure and wrote in her memoir that she did not want kids.

Bottom line: people freaked out because they forgot someone can change their mind about kids after getting sober and separated and stepping up when the baby comes anyway, they ignore all of the opinions of the ex they want to champion, and JM was touring with his kid and facing intense backlash because of this when DC happened.

Finally, on to the Dave Chappelle incident: freshly recovering addict, going through a divorce, new dad, on the road, putting together a new hour of material. He already had not one but two openers. The thing is that often, comedians drop in and add themselves as openers. I don't know how much agency the actual headliner has over this, if the venue has more say, if in the case they're both contracted with a same agency matters (like netflix). But considering the historical delicate moment for JM, and the fact DC is considered one of the best comedians, it must've been a tricky situation IF JM was even aware of the drama around DC. There is also to consider that the problematic jokes were, according to accounts from people in the audience, only a few of the entire set, and met with awkwardness. People cheered at the end for the other normal jokes. In those days DC had also been physically attacked (unrelated to transphobia), and JM offered sympathy for that. If he'd turned DC away, he probably would have suffered repercussions in the industry especially while being shaky after rehab. He's well respected by peers, but DC is still more famous and with more decades of brilliant work and they share a big network. JM couldn't afford the consequences of snubbing DC back then and not even now, actually.

All in all, 1: he didn't invite him, 2: he couldn't turn him away, 3: it's not his fault he couldn't "warn" the audience and he had no control over what DC would say.

JM has never ever talked badly about the queer community. On the contrary, he has openly expressed support through his jokes (concrete example: joined jokes in defense of trans kids with Nick Kroll at 2017 independent spirit awards monologue), and worked alongside queer creatives (concrete example: had Mae Martin on Everybody's in LA), openly stated he disapproves of punching down on people already suffering (can't find the interview sorry) and overall never made a fuss about the queer community or cancel culture. The only actual mention of "canceling" was in Baby J, regarding his addiction, and in the context that he can and has done way worse to himself: "What, you want to cancel JM? I'll KILL him. I almost did."

He did not "betray the queer fans that made him famous": for starters, he got famous because he's got the chops and the talent and did the open mic work and has a very particular and effective approach to comedy, I'm begging people to stop saying that because it's ridiculous and gets you made fun of. Since rehab and DC he's got even more famous. Got a few Emmys, hosted the Governor Awards, presented at the Oscars, turned down hosting them this year because he's too busy, Netflix gave him several blank checks. SNL has been celebrating the 50th season, and JM not only has hosted for the sixth time, but was part of the Feb 16th anniversary special during the opening monologue with Steve Martin and Martin Short, and managed to be given ten minutes to do one of his recurring musical sketches. He dressed Adam Driver as a hot dog and y'all are missing out.

In conclusion: JM is not who you should be mad about. He's not DC that has some weird senile feud with trans people even his fans are sick of, and he's certainly no JKR. JM has spoken and acted in support of the queer community more than once, yet it seems this one involuntary incident holds more weight in the indignation machine of the internet.

My sources: their social media, their subreddits where different people's accounts coincide/are very similar, talk show and written interviews (most notably this one, sorry it's behind paywall, I'd read it as my one free article of the month), AMT's memoir, JM's specials with a grain of salt.

It's a pity that Tumblr still freaks out about JM. Everybody's in LA is exactly the kind of whacky surreal entertainment it would love and Baby J is extremely quotable. You should all go watch the Hot Ones interview too.

This is... a lot of commentary when I only really wanted to know about the timeline.

Like. I get it, I am also like this about blorbos, I will admit I would have likely done something similar if someone asked a question about like... Satine from Star Wars? but I actually did not want to learn more about the divorce or Munn or the kids. I very much didn't want to know about all that.

Snakes have no legs, so they move using the undulations of their bodies, but that’s only half of it. Take a close look at the ribs of this ball python. At the base of each rib is a tiny ball joint.

We dont have this. Our ribs are more or less fixed in place, and only move a little when we breathe. But snakes are different. The joint at the base of their ribs allows them to move their ribs around in a way that is seldom seen in other animals. They can really swing it around…… A LOT.

For the most part, this is how they crawl around. Like the legs of a millipede, they shift their ribs forward and then push them back to scoot themselves forward. Add in some body undulations for additional traction and snakes can go anywhere other animals can.

But that’s not all… Since ribs are more or less legs on the inside. Snakes also use the ribs to grip food after it’s been swallowed and move it down their… tubular… bodies.

We dont think of ribs as being able to do a lot… They’re just kind of there….. But reptiles have taken this seemingly simple thing and ran for the hills with it.

Not only do they move and eat with their ribs, they can also spread them outward really REALLY far. Cobra hoods are spread ribs. Flying snakes are actually able to glide around on their ribs. Lizards are in on it too.

They are literally able to fly around on their goddamn ribs WTF.

[Insert GIF of a flying snake jumping out of a tree, gliding, and landing atop another. The air time, in the transcriber’s opinion, is quite impressive.]

People tend to refer to snakes as “Danger Noodles.” IMHO, They’re better described as “Sock millipedes” they’re legged on the inside.

Millipede: Where’s your legs? Snake: Wouldn’t you like to know.

I'll try not to be too long (I failed) because I think it's ridiculous how much overreaction and lack of nuance/grace there is around JM. I'll tackle the whole timeline from before the intervention and also regarding the divorce and kid(s), because I think people wouldn't have been half as crazy if that hadn't also happened and it needs to be addressed.

So leading up to December 2020: AMT removed the mulaney name and his pics from her social media months before. His interviews started hinting that he was living on his own, and that he wasn't doing well (he started talking of death and his own funeral). It'll come out that both he and she were dealing with their own mental struggles. December 2020, she was not at his intervention. He stays in rehab for two months, so until mid-late February. He went to live in jimmy Kimmel's guest house. Olivia munn, who'd openly shown interest for him for years, happens to be near for work. they hook up, make a baby that is born late November. the divorce happens, and AMT seems surprised ("heartbroken"), she most likely thought it'd take longer or that he'd go back to her. JM and OM aren't dating, but decide to coparent: John was happy about the baby and absolutely wanted to be involved. they start dating a few months later. the official public news come quickly, and seem rushed, when in truth all these things hint at years of difficulties.

Bottom line: JM had been in and out of rehab and was freshly recovering when DC happened.

On the kid(s) and JM's and OM's relationship: people conveniently forget that JM said "I don't know NEVER, people CHANGE" regarding having children. When faced with an unplanned baby, he was happy and wanted to coparent. He later dated and married the baby's mother and they had another planned kid. Between the two kids OM battled breast cancer, had an hysterectomy and thus they got help from a surrogate, so yeah the second baby was very much planned and he very much likes having and caring for his kids. Meanwhile AMT said she froze her eggs due to society's pressure and wrote in her memoir that she did not want kids.

Bottom line: people freaked out because they forgot someone can change their mind about kids after getting sober and separated and stepping up when the baby comes anyway, they ignore all of the opinions of the ex they want to champion, and JM was touring with his kid and facing intense backlash because of this when DC happened.

Finally, on to the Dave Chappelle incident: freshly recovering addict, going through a divorce, new dad, on the road, putting together a new hour of material. He already had not one but two openers. The thing is that often, comedians drop in and add themselves as openers. I don't know how much agency the actual headliner has over this, if the venue has more say, if in the case they're both contracted with a same agency matters (like netflix). But considering the historical delicate moment for JM, and the fact DC is considered one of the best comedians, it must've been a tricky situation IF JM was even aware of the drama around DC. There is also to consider that the problematic jokes were, according to accounts from people in the audience, only a few of the entire set, and met with awkwardness. People cheered at the end for the other normal jokes. In those days DC had also been physically attacked (unrelated to transphobia), and JM offered sympathy for that. If he'd turned DC away, he probably would have suffered repercussions in the industry especially while being shaky after rehab. He's well respected by peers, but DC is still more famous and with more decades of brilliant work and they share a big network. JM couldn't afford the consequences of snubbing DC back then and not even now, actually.

All in all, 1: he didn't invite him, 2: he couldn't turn him away, 3: it's not his fault he couldn't "warn" the audience and he had no control over what DC would say.

JM has never ever talked badly about the queer community. On the contrary, he has openly expressed support through his jokes (concrete example: joined jokes in defense of trans kids with Nick Kroll at 2017 independent spirit awards monologue), and worked alongside queer creatives (concrete example: had Mae Martin on Everybody's in LA), openly stated he disapproves of punching down on people already suffering (can't find the interview sorry) and overall never made a fuss about the queer community or cancel culture. The only actual mention of "canceling" was in Baby J, regarding his addiction, and in the context that he can and has done way worse to himself: "What, you want to cancel JM? I'll KILL him. I almost did."

He did not "betray the queer fans that made him famous": for starters, he got famous because he's got the chops and the talent and did the open mic work and has a very particular and effective approach to comedy, I'm begging people to stop saying that because it's ridiculous and gets you made fun of. Since rehab and DC he's got even more famous. Got a few Emmys, hosted the Governor Awards, presented at the Oscars, turned down hosting them this year because he's too busy, Netflix gave him several blank checks. SNL has been celebrating the 50th season, and JM not only has hosted for the sixth time, but was part of the Feb 16th anniversary special during the opening monologue with Steve Martin and Martin Short, and managed to be given ten minutes to do one of his recurring musical sketches. He dressed Adam Driver as a hot dog and y'all are missing out.

In conclusion: JM is not who you should be mad about. He's not DC that has some weird senile feud with trans people even his fans are sick of, and he's certainly no JKR. JM has spoken and acted in support of the queer community more than once, yet it seems this one involuntary incident holds more weight in the indignation machine of the internet.

My sources: their social media, their subreddits where different people's accounts coincide/are very similar, talk show and written interviews (most notably this one, sorry it's behind paywall, I'd read it as my one free article of the month), AMT's memoir, JM's specials with a grain of salt.

It's a pity that Tumblr still freaks out about JM. Everybody's in LA is exactly the kind of whacky surreal entertainment it would love and Baby J is extremely quotable. You should all go watch the Hot Ones interview too.

This is... a lot of commentary when I only really wanted to know about the timeline.

Like. I get it, I am also like this about blorbos, I will admit I would have likely done something similar if someone asked a question about like... Satine from Star Wars? but I actually did not want to learn more about the divorce or Munn or the kids. I very much didn't want to know about all that.

it's kind of how like Oh Hello aged (it's on netflix i highly recommend it). john's character george at one point tells to nick's character gil: "you think if you OD'd tomorrow anyone would give a shit?" and honestly that gives me the chills. Oh Hello was recorded in 2017.

many many things in all his specials were like cardboard signs saying "hey y'all should be a bit on guard". now instead he's an obviously invested parent, his life seems brighter in general. in a recent interview with kimmel he said sometimes he wonders if he actually did die a few years ago and this is heaven, where david letterman wants to hang out with him (it was very sweet and the interview with letterman is sooo interesting).

overall i think he aged like fine wine and his previous work aged like milk left to become yogurt, yep.