Kevin O'Gorman

@jasondmacleod @HNTurtledove @EdKrassen @RichardDreyfuss ‘‘Twas a good one.

What if the United Colonies had lost the revolutionary war, never wonder their independence and America never became America? I asked AI to write an alternative history in which we lost the Revolutionary War and remained under British control. Here is the story below: A Different Path: The United States Under British Rule 1775-1783: The American Rebellion Suppressed In this alternate timeline, the American Revolution ends in favor of the British Empire. The overwhelming military might and superior resources of the British forces prove too formidable for the nascent United States. American revolutionary leaders, including George Washington, are captured or forced into exile. The signing of the Treaty of London in 1783 solidifies British control over the American colonies. Late 18th to Early 19th Century: Assimilation and British Governance Under British rule, the American colonies experience a period of assimilation and incorporation into the British Empire. The British government implements policies to restore order and stability, emphasizing economic development and strengthening colonial governance. However, simmering discontent and calls for greater representation persist among the American population. 19th Century: Industrialization and Expansion Throughout the 19th century, the American colonies witness a similar trajectory of industrialization and westward expansion, mirroring the events that occurred in the actual history of the United States. British investment in infrastructure, railroads, and manufacturing accelerates economic growth in the colonies. The British Empire continues to expand its influence globally, relying on the American colonies as a crucial economic and military stronghold. Early 20th Century: World Wars and Rising Nationalism As the world plunges into the cataclysmic events of the First and Second World Wars, the American colonies are inevitably drawn into the conflicts. British forces, supported by colonial troops, fight alongside their allies against Germany and the Central Powers. However, these global conflicts foster a growing sense of national identity among the American population, who increasingly desire greater autonomy. Mid-20th Century: Decolonization and Growing Independence Movements The post-World War II era brings significant changes to the British Empire, as it grapples with the tide of decolonization. As former colonies across the world gain independence, calls for autonomy and self-governance grow louder within the American colonies. The British government, recognizing the changing geopolitical landscape, begins a process of devolving powers to the American colonies, granting them increased self-rule. Late 20th Century: American Dominion and the Commonwealth In the latter half of the 20th century, the American colonies gradually transition from British control to a form of dominion status within the British Commonwealth. The United States, as it becomes known, retains close ties with Britain while enjoying a greater degree of internal governance. The United States actively participates in global affairs, aligning its foreign policies with those of its former colonizer. 21st Century: Modern United States within the Commonwealth In the present day, the United States remains a constitutional monarchy, with the British monarch serving as the ceremonial head of state. The United States, while retaining strong cultural and historical ties to Britain, has developed its own distinct political, economic, and social systems. It is an influential global power, shaping international relations, trade, and technology in collaboration with other Commonwealth nations. 2023: A World United Under the Commonwealth In this alternate history, the United States, as a key member of the British Commonwealth, plays a significant role in shaping global affairs. With a diverse population and a history rooted in British colonialism, the United States continues to evolve while embracing its heritage. As the world celebrates the 250th anniversary of the Treaty of London, which ended the American Rebellion, it reflects upon the enduring ties between the United States and the British Empire, and the united vision for a peaceful and prosperous world.

@chrisderose @AoDespair @nysteve9999 Cool, where were was that clause when the ancestors of todays young minorities couldn’t go to decent schools because of red lining, segregation, and flat out violent intimidation? Affirmative Action tries to right a multigenerational wrong. Plus, minority != black.

@AoDespair @nysteve9999 The Equal Protection Clause was written by an abolitionist. en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_Bing…

1) Thread for today: I am not going to opine on the Supreme Court's ruling except to tell a story about a late and valued friend. The story will suffice for the sum of my thoughts about affirmative action. I was working at the student newspaper at the University of Maryland...

@ThaBirdmanG @Kallandahn @tha_rami Crap, I’m not that old. I played that in high school. Think Tonka Joe.

@gameKOG @Kallandahn @tha_rami Tell me you didn’t work on Oregon Trail

@Kallandahn @tha_rami My Go To answer varies between “You weren’t born yet” to “Not unless you like playing kids’ games on Win95 emulators”

@tha_rami "oh you work on any games I might know?". I swear it's the most common response to letting people know that's what you do. Almost like being accused of not being good at it unless you worked on AAA titles. I hate getting asked that.

@McFunkypants I run into this in my high school class. I show students the “clear way” so they will all understand. Then the hotshot says, “But you could do it this way and it would be more efficient.” And I say, “Yes, for the computer. But in this class I’m working for the students”

many years collaborating with beginner programmers made me a better coder. it taught me to stop showing off! and to stop optimizing for speed! an instead focus on "understandability" (optimized for low cognitive load: simple, linear, un-fancy, welcoming)

@Totter87 In my current high school program, we teach them Photoshop for sprites and Blender for models. They can also use game-icons.net. I emphasize function over eye candy. But we are not a music program, so they can download rights-free music.

@Totter87 I’m with you. I’ve taught courses using Unreal or Unity. You have to pick one to use in a course of study, to be practical. I once taught a UI course that was 5 weeks in Unity and 5 weeks in Unreal. Not pretty. I also encourage original content only. It’s the process.

Great time at the @dallasigda meeting tonight. Was on a panel discussing what goes into tabletop design vs digital design. Great insights from all the panelists. Thanks to @theforwardxp for hosting.

@Laralyn I second the motion: Keep that clever brain active. I’m sure there’s more than a few great games in there you could share. Hold strong.

After lung cancer, I’m at much higher risk for pulmonary embolism (PE, clots in the lung). I’ve been to the ER countless times in the last seven years with breathlessness and other symptoms, and they always suspect PE, but I’ve never actually had it. Until now.

@McFunkypants That’s a good tip for sloppy students.

Unity protip: sometimes your scene grows to 100MB in size and then suddenly you can't commit it to to github without LFS! Quick fix: turn some gameobjects into PREFABS and it moves all that data to a separate file so your unity scene is no longer bloated. #gamedev #unity3d

@ch407 @Richard75155048 @EdKrassen You are right. There is no reason for a president to go to a disaster area. The person can’t really do anything to help and the required security usually just makes it harder for the people who can. What was the benefit of GW Bush flying circles above NOLA?

@Richard75155048 @EdKrassen Under your analogy then why does the President go when hurricanes hit or forest fires in California? Toxic burning train cars is a little more than a septic system.

BREAKING: Former President Donald Trump flies on Trump Force One, using campaign dollars (his supporters' money). Then, again with supporters' money, buys Trump Water from himself for a profit, and gives it away in East Palestine, Ohio, pretending that he's doing it all out of the goodness of his own heart. This is the same scam Trump has pulled over and over again in the past, lining his pockets with money from his supporters. I wouldn't drink Trump Water if it was the last thing on earth.

@Shshowarthgmai1 @STARFORCEHH @EdKrassen Over a month of planning went into the Ukraine trip. You can’t just change your mind on those things. There’s also nothing he could do in Ohio. He can send thoughts and prayers from anywhere. Isn’t that the standard GOP aid package?

Trump hid in an underground bunker, while Americans protested in the streets. President Biden flew into the middle of a war in Kyiv, Ukraine on President's Day and walked the streets as air raid sirens blared. One man stands for world freedom and peace, while the other stood only for his narcissistic self.

@HNTurtledove //cough//

@HNTurtledove Harry Turtledove just liked my tweet. Time to bust out the ginger!

@HNTurtledove I still call my wife “Superior Female”.

@bcrosbie Crap — forgot 2.5) ActionScript (for obvious reasons).

@bcrosbie Dude, check it: 1) BASIC 2) Fortran77 3) C#

@ElSays10 @scottcookee @AmoneyResists Soooo, the Bible has instructions for abortions? Hmmmm.

Marjorie Taylor Greene called on the Supreme Court to abolish gay marriage because of “the Bible” (which does not mention gay marriage) while currently undergoing a divorce after repeatedly committing adultery, which the Bible actually does condemn.

@ScrewyDecimal In case you didn’t catch this one.

@MissySchmalz @425suzanne Yup