This is the website of Abulsme Noibatno Itramne (also known as Sam Minter). Posts here are rare these days. For current stuff, follow me on Mastodon

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Curmudgeon’s Corner: Counting Is Hard

This week on Curmudgeon’s Corner, Sam and Ed cover the usual developments on the Presidential transition and the pandemic. On the transition, they discuss fake electors, the mischief opportunities on January 6th, random stuff the Trump folks are doing on the way out, and a bit about what the Biden folks may do once they are in. On the pandemic, Sam takes advantage of Ed’s background as a Doctor to discuss the nonsense of people pushing for natural herd immunity, and a whole lot about the new vaccines. Before all the serious stuff, they discuss Space Force, a couple of movies, and a few other random things. Also: How to make suggestions for things you want to hear about on our annual predictions show!

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-12-19
Length this week – 2:14:45

  • (0:00:22-0:34:52) But First
    • Agenda
    • Guardians of the Space Force
    • Ed Movie: Eye in the Sky (2015)
    • Sam Movie: Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse (2018)
    • Ed’s pandemic Apple shopping experience
    • People delaying health care
    • Apple Watch fall detection
  • (0:36:13-1:24:27) Presidential Transition
    • Fake electors
    • January 6th
    • False rumors
    • DoD transition briefings
    • Bill Barr leaving
    • Biden’s desire to heal
    • Biden staffing
  • (1:25:17-2:14:22) Pandemic
    • Weekly stats
    • Herd immunity
    • Individual vs collective view
    • Politicized messaging
    • Vaccine development
    • Vaccine distribution
    • Vaccine side effects
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: Being Normal

On this week’s Curmudgeon’s Corner, Sam and Ivan talk presidential transition and pandemic, along with a bit about how Americans interact with death. On the transition, the main theme is the Texas SCOTUS case that altogether predictably failed, along with all the drama surrounding that effort. On the pandemic, along with the usual stats update, discussion of people congregating for the holidays, the potential impact of the new vaccines, and some thoughts on how Biden will handle things compared to Trump. And that is that.

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-12-12
Length this week – 1:46:01

  • (0:00:22-0:23:51) Miscellany
    • Agenda
    • Year-end shows coming soon!
    • Interactions with death
  • (0:24:41-1:16:20) Presidential Transition
    • Texas vs Everyone
    • Election 1876 and Election 2000
    • Transactional Trump
    • Trump true believers and political violence
    • Electoral College shenanigans
    • What remains for Trump?
    • 2016 denial vs 2020 denial
    • Polarization
  • (1:17:37-1:45:40) Pandemic
    • Stats update
    • People congregating
    • Vaccine
    • Ivan sets a bad example
    • Vaccines
    • Biden vs Trump policies
    • Sam health update
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: There Is No Universe

This week on Curmudgeon’s Corner Sam and Ivan play the usual game. First segment random: A movie, the Arecibo telescope collapse, some minor election shenanigans. Second segment transition: Trump’s failing legal strategy that may be just fine as a money-making strategy, pardons, corruption, 2020 vs 206 comparisons, and even a little on Biden. Third segment pandemic: More broken records, Sam gets sick (not Covid), why communication and leadership matter, progress on a relief bill, and Ivan setting a bad example by planning to travel again. Oh, and despite his demands, Sam’s 11-year-old son did not get to do a segment on video games and YouTube. This time.

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-12-04
Length this week – 1:58:29

  • (0:00:01-0:05:09) Cold Open
  • (0:05:33-0:33:29) But First
    • Sam Movie: Unfriended (2014)
    • Arecibo Observatory collapse
    • Fake candidates in Florida
    • Fake moves to Georgia
  • (0:34:15-1:15:44) Transition
    • The Trump Train derails
    • post-Presidency Trump
    • Firing more people?
    • Pardons
    • Corruption
    • MAGA rhetoric
    • 2016 denial vs 2020 denial
    • Biden names more people
  • (1:16:34-1:58:09) Pandemic
    • Breaking records again
    • Sam was sick (not Coronavirus)
    • Communication and leadership
    • Ivan sets a bad example
    • Vaccines
    • New relief bill?
    • Feedback
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: For Corn

On this week’s Curmudgeon’s Corner, Sam and Ivan do what has become the new normal. A segment on random stuff including an Ivan pandemic travel report, Sam talking about a movie, and Ivan telling a sports story. Then a segment on the presidential transition, including how “The Kraken” is working out for Trump, thoughts on Biden’s early staffing decisions, and a bit about lame-duck Trump. Finally, a segment on the pandemic, including some notes on the metrics, anti-Covid behavior as a tragedy of the commons, and more. enjoy the show!

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-11-28
Length this week – 2:03:30

  • (0:00:22-0:27:27) But First
    • Ivan family update
    • Ivan in the Keys
    • Sam Movie: Clifford’s Really Big Movie (2004)
    • Ivan Maradona story
  • (0:29:28-1:23:33) Transition
    • Transition actually begins
    • The Kraken
    • 2022/2024
    • Biden vs Congress
    • Biden staffing
    • Pardons
    • Open Skies
    • Assassination in Iran
  • (1:24:58-2:03:10) Pandemic
    • Thanksgiving messes up metrics
    • Massive increases
    • Tragedy of the commons
    • Harm reduction
    • The coming holiday surge
    • Feedback
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: The Burden of Pants

This week on Curmudgeon’s Corner, Bruce joins Sam for a bit different view on the presidential transition and the pandemic than we usually get from Ivan. They discuss Trumpworld conspiracy theories, low-information voters, social media deplatforming, just how close this election actually was, and more. On the pandemic side, besides the usual update on the trends (spoiler: the trends are bad) they discuss natural vs mandated behavior changes, vaccines, masks, and more. And before all that, Bruce talks about a TV series, Sam discusses a book, and they note a historical anniversary. Enjoy the show!

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-11-21
Length this week – 2:15:01

  • (0:00:22-0:28:04) But First
    • Ivan out this week
    • Bruce TV: Game of Thrones (2011-2019)
    • Sam Book: Spook (2006)
    • Dishwasher shopping
    • Mayflower anniversary
  • (0:31:00-1:16:32) Presidential transition
    • Welcome Patron Ryan
    • Election mechanics
    • Trumpworld conspiracy theories
    • Very close election
    • Upcoming gridlock
    • Low-information voters
    • Remaining Trump gambits
    • Social media deplatforming
    • “JoBiden”
    • Trump military drawdown
  • (1:17:21-2:14:41) Pandemic
    • Trend update
    • Overwhelming hospitals
    • Natural vs mandated behavior change
    • Initial response problems
    • Vaccines
    • Masks
    • Ventilation
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: Linear Transfer

On this week’s Curmudgeon’s Corner, Sam and Ivan’s biggest topic is of course the election and its aftermath. They discuss the celebrations and relief after Biden’s win was called by the major news outlets, the huge contrasts between Biden and Trump that were obvious this week, the FUD emanating from Trumpworld, and more. The pandemic is the second area of focus, as new all-time highs are hit both worldwide and in the United States, and society struggles to respond. Before all that though, some chat about checks, Macs, dishwashers, and Alex Trebek. Enjoy!

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-11-13
Length this week – 2:22:22

  • (0:00:22-0:37:45) But First
    • Checks and cash
    • Virtue signaling
    • Macs with Apple silicon
    • Dishwasher shopping
    • Alex Trebek
  • (0:39:01-1:45:25) Election and Aftermath
    • Arcades in Argentina in the 1990’s
    • Celebration and relief
    • Biden/Trump contrast
    • Trumpworld FUD
    • Post-presidency Trump
    • Lame duck Trump
    • Understanding Trump voters
  • (1:46:11-2:22:00) Pandemic Stuff
    • New all-time highs
    • New closures?
    • Pandemic psychology
    • Restaurants and bars
    • How bad will it get?
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: The Rollercoaster

The election is over, and Sam and Ivan are here on Curmudgeon’s Corner to discuss how things turned out. You’ll hear their thoughts on the overall results, problems with polling, how things went in Florida and Georgia, the Senate results, how Trump is reacting, and much more. They have to toss in a few other things even on a big politics week, so Ivan talks about a random technological observation from the 1990s in Argentina, Sam notes a major milestone for the show, and of course, they can’t go a week without at least some pandemic talk. As an extra bonus, after the show proper, you can listen to a condensed version of the Curmudgeon’s Corner election night live stream. Enjoy!

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-11-07
Length this week – 3:20:49

  • (0:00:01-0:02:11) Time Check
  • (0:02:34-2:11:25) The Actual Show
    • Arcades in Argentina in the 1990’s
    • Episode 700
    • Exhaustion
    • No repudiation
    • Polling problems
    • Losing Florida
    • Red mirage
    • Winning Georgia
    • The Senate
    • Biden’s unity theme
    • Slow calls
    • Trump reaction
    • Trump in court
    • Progressives vs centrists
    • Lots of racists
    • Pandemic trends
  • (2:11:43-3:20:48) Condensed Live Show
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: Cause It’s A Book

We’re here. We’re finally at the election. So of course Sam and Ivan talk about the definition of Univeral Time. Well, just for a few minutes. Then they skip the rest of the usual random stuff and just get to the politics. We know that is what you are all here for. They do a final look at the Election Graphs analysis of the polling situation. They talk about the latest attempts to make something happen with Hunter Biden. They talk about both the possibilities of Trump pulling out another win by the skin of his teeth and the possibility of a Biden landslide. Of course, they touch on voter suppression, SCOTUS, and the pandemic as well. Oh, and Ivan might be live streaming election night. So watch out for that! So here we go. The last show before election day!

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-10-30
Length this week – 1:57:13

  • (0:00:01-0:04:46) Cold Open
  • (0:05:11-1:56:52) Politics
    • Universal time
    • Hunter Biden nothing burgers
    • Glen Greenwald resignation
    • Old media vs new media coverage
    • Election Graphs update
    • Early vote numbers
    • Trump odds vs blue wave odds
    • Voter suppression and SCOTUS
    • Pendemic trends and the campaign
    • CC livestream
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: Digging A Hole For The Bar

On this week’s Curmudgeon’s Corner, Sam and Ivan continue the countdown to the election. A new polling update via Election Graphs, discussion of the last debate, talk about Hunter’s laptop, a review of current Covid trends. All the politics you would expect this close to the election. Before that they talk a bit about recalled messages and changing norms on social media sharing and sexting, school reopening choices, and once again Sam talks about a movie he watched almost a year ago. So pretty much what you would expect from the Corner.

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-10-24
Length this week – 2:06:13

  • (0:00:22-0:45:15) But First
    • Recalled messages
    • Shaming for sharing
    • Misc Misc Misc
    • School choices
    • Sam movie: Midnight Cowboy (1969)
  • (0:47:15-2:05:51) Politics
    • Election Graphs update
    • The last debate
    • Hunter’s laptop
    • Foreign interference/li>
    • Covid numbers
    • Rudy
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.

Curmudgeon’s Corner: There Is No Table

This week on Curmudgeon’s Corner, Sam and Ivan hit all the usual politics stuff you would expect. Updates on polling. Hunter’s laptop. Social media battling misinformation. The dueling town halls. SCOTUS. The pandemic. All of that sort of thing. But before that, they also talk a bit about the new iPhones, just being exhausted, and an old movie. So, pretty much your normal month before the election type of show. Enjoy!

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Show Details:

Recorded 2020-10-16
Length this week – 2:15:48

  • (0:00:23-0:41:28) But First
    • Microphone technique
    • Situational exhaustion
    • New iPhones
    • Revisiting 2016
    • Sam movie: Jurassic Park (1993)
  • (0:43:29-2:15:26) Politics
    • Election Graphs update
    • Hunter’s laptop
    • Social media vs misinformation
    • Dueling town halls
    • Fizzled October surprises
    • SCOTUS and the Senate
    • Stimulus talks
    • SCOTUS hearings
    • Scorched earth
    • Pandemic update
The Curmudgeon’s Corner theme music is generously provided by Ray Lynch. Our intro is “The Oh of Pleasure” (Amazon MP3 link) Our outro is “Celestial Soda Pop” (Amazon MP3 link) Both are from the album “Deep Breakfast” (iTunes link) Please buy his music and support his GoFundMe.