Rating: minus 15 On a scale of minus 15 to plus 5.
Certain US readers do not readily accept criticism of their popular drivel. They have even attempted to violate my private life for my temerity.
I had to watch YouTube channels to prepare mentally for this chore. This is courtesy of Doctor Who/Be Kind, Anark, NCMI, Red Viburnam Song, LuckyBlackCat, Munecat, Reads with Rachel, Mynameismarines, The New Enlightenment with Ashley, Owen Jones, Parkrose Permaculture, Jean's Thoughts, ScaredKetchup, Roomies Digest, Sailing Melody, Dark Brandon, The Enemy from Within, Nomadic Crobot, Bobbing Along, Cruising Crafts, Winging it on a Budget, Lily Simpson, Red Glasgow, Jen the librarian,
Lady of the Library, The Leftist Cooks, Riverboat Jack, Verilybitchie, Leeja Miller, Gutsick Gibbon, Naughty Nana DUZ, Welcome to Ukraine, Kyiv Post, The Ritual Kitchen with Laura May, Maggie Mae Fish, RevolutionarythOt, Kyiv Independent, Eugenia from Ukraine, Kaz Rowe, Princess Weekes, Biz, Belinda Strnad, Reese Waters, The Closer Look, Crow Caller, Chris and Shell, Dr Becky, Yarmak, Throttle Power, Guard the Leaf,
MeMyDogandBooks, Tale Foundry, Your True Shelf, Dr Fatima, Parkrose Permaculture, Smack the Pony, Brittany Page, Aid Thompsin, The Welsh Viking, Xiran Jay Zhao, Postmodern Jukebox, Travelling K, Jess Owens, Kirkpattiecake, NFKRZ, Ukraine Matters, Sound of Music Flashmob, Belinda Strnad, OrangeRiver, Mrs Betty Bowers, Dominic Noble, Leena Norms, Horses, Chem Thug, Stop Motion Creators.
Cheri Jacobus, Ardwulf's Lair, Dungeons and Discourse, Legendary Tactics, Ministry of Miniatures, Ember Green, Secular Talk, RFU News, Ukraine News TV, Raw News and Politics, Hoots, Invicta, Anka Daily News, Barry's Economics, Supertanskiii, Roisin's Reading, NITV Shorts, Alert News, Caitlin Speaks, Liz Webster, Amie's Literary Empire, Shades of Orange. Geography Now, Marion's World, House of El.
I recently saw that a member of the Morons Are Great Americans who whilst insulting an essayist whom I list, complain to her that I list other trans creators. The Snowflake (arrogant, nasty, poorly educated white US man-child)) no longer surprises me. A trigger warning then.
My reviews include mention of channels with photographer, older, cis, archaeologist, Indian, military modeller, asexual, communist, architect, model, bi, culture critic, ginger, socialist, trans, tall, sewist, Bahamian, military historian, lesbian, physically challenged, lesbian, mathematician, WOC, marine biologist, intersex, pensioner, cosplayer, Canadian, queer, married, autist, farmer, boater and other creators known as Women.
Almost as deadly to smug, ignorant self-importance will be channels including physicist, fashion historian, Scottish, other LGBTQI+, book reviewer, zoologist, redhaired, other BIPOC, writer, short, Ugandan, economist, archaeologist, other neurodivergent, chemist, wood worker, anarchist, science educator, Ukrainian, linguist and other creators known (outside the USA) as Human Beings.
If the voices still demand visits to these channels, I suggest emergency therapy, embracing any Mahayana Buddhism or learning a new language, English perhaps.
These reviews are a chore at times but I remind myself of the early days interview with the middle aged teacher, who organised and led her civilian anti-tank team north of Kyiv hunting Russian armour. With their example, I can not but continue.
Glory to Ukraine. Glory to The Heroes. Crimea is Ukraine.
Once more unto the book, dear friends. I managed until page 199. This is a typical first person shooter game in print. Most of the Kindle Unlimited library are this category. All combat is a small team of "elite" infantry overcoming incredible odds or a single destroyer correctly identified as escort warship doing same.
Typical low end US science fiction fare. The writing was poor. The characters were unusually diverse for this category but remained flat.
The worldbuilding is the standard Capitalist Realism. That which is, always has been and always will be. Fortunately for these writers, my scan of reviews when Goodreads Allowed me to see others, indicated that their fans are content to supply whatever background they require.
This book is no exception to the US publisher rule that there is no need for background, character depth or development or examination of the story's society for science fiction or fantasy.
What does this government do besides organizing the military forces which prevent worker revolts or quash them as they arise? As today, the working classes pay the wages of their guards.
The premise that Earth's population are unaware of the endemic corruption, repression and corporate devotion to ever increasing profits is typical for the low end.
The technology is all of the "magic" variety, which can be made to work. That requires that limits, restrictions and applications be clearly described which this book as most does not.
It is time for another visit to the YouTube. This next is made possible by Doctor Who/Cruel or Cowardly, Verilybitchie, Ship Happens, Rebecca Watson, DUST, Haropones, Ukraine Calling Me, Erutan, Mia Mulder, Broken Peach, The Gaze, UATV English, Tom Powell Jr, Book Chats with Shelley, Autistic AF, Lyn Saga, The Good Place, Elina Charatsidou, Caelan Conrad, Chris Norlund, Homefront Wargaming,
The Scottish Comedy Channel, Nikki Howard, Cunk, Bruiser -Nurse, Airlordsofairia, Roomies Digest, Hoots, Books and Cats, Knitting Cult Lady, Ukraine Matters, Hello Future Me, Amie's Literary Empire, TVP News, The Cosy Creative, Silicon Curtain, Tallgirl6234, Dark Brandon, Cindy's Villa, Savy Writes Books, EarleWrites, Omeleto, Owen Jones, Dominic Noble, Leeja Miller, Sam's Trains, Political Punk, Sidney Morss,
JimmyTheGiant, Led By Donkeys, Times Radio, FAFO, Omeleto, Hej Sokoly, Natasha's Adventures, Deerstalker Pictures, Puddles Pity Party, Nicole Chilaka-Ukpo, Squire, Riverboat Jack, Vlad Vexler, Awksperoo, Jessie Gender, Just in Time Worldbuilding, Beck Hill, Mary Trump, Library of A Viking, Acollierastro, Hardy's Books, Kazachka, Ben and Emily, Tale Foundry, Trae Crowder, Sally's Economics, Fran Blanche,
World Anvil Worldbuilding, The Narrowboat Pirate, Parody Whitney, Jack Cocchiarella, Inside Russia, Atun Shei, Female Warriors - Teresatessa, Dani's Book World, Jesse Dollemore, Brigitte Empire, Raw News and Politics, ScaredKetchup, Answer in Progress, Keffals. Mr Newberger's AI Funnies, The Pioneer, Kozak Siromaha, Portable Orange, Omeleto, Lore Saga AI, Players Unlimited Media.
I began using YouTube a bit more than three years ago in search of decent science fiction commentary. I was overwhelmed by the myriad other special interest areas. The better essayists are awesome. The best surprise was the book channels. 😍 The communities fostered are of friendly, curious readers who love all things bookish. They are a far different experience to that of whatever Goodreads have become.
I ended my Unlimited sub.
Consider treating this as a hostile site. 🤔
Goodreads do not encourage discourse. As example, I wrote a short six sentence review of Powers of the Earth By Travis Corcoran.
Travis self-identified as US veteran, advocate for the return of chattel slavery (popular stance in the USA with Utah completing the first forced labour prison for the homeless), libertarian (now anarcho capitalist without millions), supporter of the Russian police state (another popular US stance) and employee of an unnamed US agency.
That book was "Atlas Shrugged" set on the moon and more poorly written. A heroic rich twat enlists the military to overthrow the US government in order that he not pay taxes. Very popular theme on Unlimited and I found it dangerous, unhealthy and now prophetic.
The Corcoran led a small band of patriots in a year long stream of comments demanding my response, else I am a narcissist. The evils of my socialist perspective, history being created solely by white men and more were explained. No mention of missed literary excellence was made.
My hope that new insight into recent astronomical discoveries might be included, was dashed but such is life.
The final comment was delivered by Claes Rees Jr aka cgr710 now ka Clayton R Jesse Jr. After commenting on the contents of the last message between myself and a Goodreads friend, he declared that They had "won" (?).
I discovered that They had launched a year long deluge of truly foul sexual and racist comments against apparently all female creators of channels which I mention. It continues still. The midteen boater and her mother, the particle physicist, the model maker, the historian and other female creators were not charmed.
Despite that failure, the world's store of unpleasantness was certainly increased and a splendid self-portrait of the US snowflake (Karen-like, mean girl US man-baby) was delivered to a multinational audience.
Certainly quite a Victory. Goodreads discourse is the best ??
This was the longest and weirdest attack stream but other than the Australian incident, it very much mirrors years of comments to my reviews. Visit the FAFO channels for videos made by these emotionally damaged children. The stupidity on display will be shocking but educational.
Reliving that madness, I have earned another stepaway. This next is courtesy of channels Doctor Who/Where I Fall, The Kavernacle, The Secret Sauce of StoryCraft, Agro Squirrel Narrates, Squire, Stevie Emerson, Planet D, Fusion Fighters, IMY2, SK Media, NFKRZ, Jake Broe, The Narrowboat that James Built, Plainly Difficult, Gingers are Black, What's going on With Shipping, Tanya Fiona, Times Radio, May, British English Teacher Roy,
Maggie Mae Fish, Joe Blogs, Sarah Paine, Silicon Curtain, Truth to Power, No Justice, Supertanskiii, Lily Simpson, AllShorts, The Diary of a Ditch Witch, Amie's Literary Empire, Table Top Turtle, Discourse Minis, DBMM Hong Kong, Duke Winser, Lazy Pirate Painting, Seventh Son, North of MAGA,
Shannon Makes, Engineering Knits, Historical Fashion, Anka Daily News, Andrewism, Central Crossing, Kings and Generals, Veritas et Caritas, The Amazing Lucas, Keith Edwards, Combat Veteran News, Actual Jake, Emma Thorne, Riverboat Jack, Politics Girl, Vibewithmommy, Patrick(H)Willem, Real Time History, Red Glasgow, Mandy, Salty Facts, Content Machine, Top Fives, Easy English for You,
portrait geek, Nerdy Kathi, Books and Things, Lena Down Under, Roisin's Reading. Wolfe Momma, Wes O'Donnell, ThatDaneshGuy, kgb detected, Ruby Granger, LydLoves, Kelly Loves Physics and History, TIKHistory, Military History Visualised, One More Day Aboard, Julie and Martin on Rhapsody in Blue, Irish Medieval History.
Ominous music begins, 🙂 The comment clouds are a feature not flaw of Goodreads. Amazon have taken no action against members doxxing, stalking, threatening or more other members daring to write one star reviews. Also absent are actions taken against writers or the employees who enable both.
After my review of Powers, my message history was given over to these knuckle draggers. Through them a request was made by Pine Gap Centre of Australian Security that They interrogate the one friend whom I occasionally messaged on Goodreads. The attempt at my personal history failed, though two outraged customers were created.
No acknowledgement was made of those crimes until we shared the experience with many others. Soon after, the Goodreads harassment seems to have ended. All Lurkers whom I had not been Permitted to remove, were suddenly disappeared. Page format and options were suddenly returned to normal. Even the Kindle Incels seem to have fallen in line. Amazon have interesting customer service protocols.
Three weeks or so ago, my keyboard layout was set to split screen again but now my Kindle options to reset have been removed. The cowardly, lowly paid Amazon Snowflake taking the piss is on brand.
A seventh ex-employee of EBay was sentenced for harassment of a couple whose small ecommerce channel was deemed unkind to EBay. The couple were awarded millions and that ex-employee had been the Chief of Global Operations or some such. All the above occurred before the new license given to US data firms. The above are deserving of thought.
I suggest a few precautions to improve security in the Amazonverse. Remove any personal information from Goodreads profile and avoid the messaging function. Remove the lurker, those friends who never post. They are likely monitors for comment gangs or employee dummies, not admirers.
With the Amazon penchant for customer page Alterations, the screenshot of the odd, ugly and threatening are invaluable. These should suffice if only exposed to Goodreads.
Kindle are the more dangerous. Do Not use Kindle Email, Calendar, Contact or Files. I confirmed after a test, that Amazon employees Sign Into customer email without permission or notice. Make of that what you will.
Do Not "purchase" Kindle ebooks, as you own only the device and downloads are leased. They may be altered or deleted at Amazon's whim. I confess to my having made that mistake. There are BookTubers to suggest alternative ebook and tablet vendors. They also will suggest useful alternatives to ebook purchase.
After more than a year with YouTube commentary channels, I finally have a sense of the US member gang. Imagine a society of Farage minions, Tommy Robinson acolytes and other flag sh#ggers. Their actions are not Cruel, Cruelty is the point. They are US patriots. Ominous music ends 🙂
Be safe and may we all find Good Reading. 🤗
Some of my favourite YouTube channels.
NCMI, Zoe Baker, LuckyBlackCat, aidan knight, Crow Caller, The Red Viburnam Song, Rachel Oates, NYTN, The Dungeon Monster, Quinn's Ideas, Some More News, Jessie Gender, TVP News, Paola Hermosin, Widebeam and Wellingtons, Alt Shift X, Malinda, Ben and Emily, TIKHistory, Elina Charatsidou, EonsOfBatle, Queen City Miniatures.
Audrie Greywind, Just Write, Ro Ramdin, Turn Left, Lily Simpson, The Closer Look, Savy Writes Books, Vlad Vexler, Eileen, Bernadette Banner, NiNi Music, Dark Skies, Travelling K, Ciwana Black, Patty Gurdy, Rowan Ellis, Abbie Emmons, Tank Museum, Veritas et Caritas, Book Furnace, Eckharts Ladder, Strange Aeons, KernowDamo, Alizee, Jessica Kellgren Fozard, AmandatheJedi, Vivian Strange,
AllShorts, Oliviareadsalatte, Hailey in Bookland, Rachel Hardy, Biz, A Cup of Nicole, Renegade Cut, Lady of the Library, Countrapoint, No Justice, Jean's Thoughts, Lisa McLeod, Autumn's Boutique, Abby Cox, J. Draper, Historical Fashion, Foil Arms and Hog, Chericat, Frank Schaeffer, HBomberGuy, Harbo Wholmes, Cosy K Games, KPassionate, Amanda and Shaye, Snappy Dragon, Life with Melonie,
Zoe Bee, Living Swedish, A Time of Eagles, Table Top Time, SciFi Scavenger, Zoe Bee, Roomies Digest, Sideprojects, Springtime for Elon, ConeofArc, Kings and Generals, Cruising the Cut, Spacedock, Sarah Millican, The Leftist Cooks, Julie Nolke, Ember Green, Tallgirl6234, Brandon Fisichella, We Wargame, Hildegard von Blingin, The Shades of Orange, Tara Mooknee,
Cruising Crafts, Kaz Rowe, Nordic Rizz, Tibees, Weir on the Move, Ryan and Chloe, Boat Time, JimmyTheGiant, Philosophy Tube, Who Culture, Autistic AF, Haropones Chloe Stafler, The Bands of HM Royal Marines, BlondiHacks, Elon Musket, Lily Alexandre, Engineering with Rosie, Il Neige, The Welsh Viking, Poland Daily Live, Owen Jones, Queen Penguin, Grace McGuire,
Mom on the Spectrum, The_Miracle_Aligner, Knowing Better, Matriarchetype, Jean's Thoughts, Skip Intro, Jessica Kellgren-Fozard, Erin in the Morning, Politics X, Double Down News, Randy Rainbow, Reese Waters, CrimInOlly, Jess Owens, YuGopnik, MoAn Inc, Your True Shelf, Swell Entertainment, Big Wargames, 6Up Table Top Gaming, Luke Beasley, Battle of Dybbol -2 steps from Hell, Supertanskiii, The Military Show,
Blooms&Greens hy Chloe, Tabithaspeakspolitics, Duo Vagari, Mary Trump Media, Council of Geeks, Charlie Angus, , Gary's Economics, How To Do Stuff, Zoe Gardner, WokeGardener, Aid Thompsin, Marianne Williamson, Silicon Curtain, Jesse Dollemore, Studio C,
Caelan Conrad, Katie Montgomerie, Sunny Book Nook, Chloe Daniels, Stanzi, Kady2.0, NerdForge, Nordic Perspective, Mercado Media, Then & Now, People Profiles, Yelena Belova, Sidneymorss, Twinshangout, Living Anachronism, League of STEAM, It's Black Friday, The Gray Rat Army, Gingers are Black, Emilie's Literary Corner.
I wish you a wonderful morning, an amazing afternoon, a pleasant evening, a splendid night, may we all continue learning and Elbows Up!
Allow Another to speak for you, adopt Another's sins.
My Catholic grandmother, not a moral philosopher