Sound_WavesMar 29
Kelsey Jordahl

RE: https://mastodon.social/@sundogplanets/116309314286518281

The FCC public notice that people can comment on is here:
https://docs.fcc.gov/public/attachments/DOC-418526A2.pdf

I had not previously seen that the name of their first satellite is Earendil-1, which is of course a name taken from Tolkien, as is tradition for all the worst modern tech companies.

Mar 29 at 6:38pmWeb
Show threadKelsey JordahlMar 29
(aside from the main point, Eärendil is Elrond's father in Tolkien mythology)
Show threadLucas C. WheelerMar 29
@kajord I assume they're referencing the Star of Eärendil? I am pretty sure that Tolkien would hate all these companies so much and deeply resent them co-opting names from his work.
Show threadMichael GemarMar 29
@kajord @sundogplanets READ ANOTHER GODDAMNED BOOK, YOU FUCKING TECHBROS!!!!
Show threadKelsey JordahlMar 29
@michaelgemar @sundogplanets on the other hand, it is a useful tell at this point, and I'm OK with them not ruining any more books.
Show threadMisuse CaseMar 30
@michaelgemar @kajord @sundogplanets Elon Musk apparently read Iain M. Banks’ Culture series and deeply misunderstands it. So I don’t think reading more books will help, alas.
Show threadMichael GemarMar 30
@MisuseCase @kajord @sundogplanets Yeah, his adulation for a post-scarcity socialist utopia that supports body modification, including gender change, is boggling.
Show threadKelsey JordahlMar 30
@MisuseCase @michaelgemar @sundogplanets this makes me more sad than the repeated misuse of Lord of the Rings. Tolkien's world is a deeply conservative one, with good kings who have the preordained right to rule over others, and various races who have their proper roles under them. I think some of the more aware techbros do channel that conservatism.
Show threadMichael GemarMar 30
@kajord @MisuseCase @sundogplanets It’s just absurd — the Culture seems precisely antithetical to Musk’s worldview.
Show threadK-ZO da SnowmanMar 29
@kajord hmmm. Is the fact that Tolkien is so often exploited his fault? A fundamental flaw in his writings that attracts technofascists? Similar to religion I guess. As you say, a Tolkien reference is now a good flag for evil
Show threadMichael BuschMar 30

@kzodasnowman @kajord

Tolkien himself:

"The most improper job of any man … is bossing other men. Not one in a million is fit for it, and least of all those who seek the opportunity."

Tolkien's estate does not sue the companies stealing names from his books because there is no reasonable grounds to think he would endorse them.

Show threadGhostOnTheHalfShellMar 31

@kzodasnowman @kajord

Peter Thiel is the main cause of all this taint. He’s actually a fan of a counter narrative book written by a Russian. I think the book title is the last ring bearer which inverts the storyline where the dark Lords are actually the heroes.

Since I’m not familiar with the book other than an outline from wiki, I don’t know if the references he uses are corrupt variants. The right wing is expert at expropriation. It is one of their superpowers.

Show threadK-ZO da SnowmanMar 31

@GhostOnTheHalfShell @kajord ooo I did see that in some of the comments on Bret Devereaux's blog about the themes in LOTR.

Pinche Thiel.

Show threadquixoteMar 30
@kajord It's also what astronomers named the most distant star seen (at least as of a couple of years ago). Is it possible the techbros are referring to that??
Show threadGhostOnTheHalfShellMar 31

@kajord

I would love to see the estate of the author land on all this bullshit.

I listen to something of token audiobooks almost every day and without question what the PayPal mafia goons do by stealing names from Tolkien, feels very much like Morgoth corrupting everything he touches