Jacob Geller

Max Payne, Kane and Lynch, and the Meaning of Ugly Games

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 22:10:00 -0000

Extract ideas whose compelling force is identical with that of hunger.
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Support me: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller
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Podcast- Something Rotten:
-Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL0fI2yUm3vCr4GlzcWBeH0TC3HmLIpMTC
-Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/show/6IwFIGcSlhbFLaTsOqf7a8?si=JPcIbndZS--OwbEyUk-12Q

Script Consultation and Additional Voices by Laura Crone: https://www.youtube.com/c/lauracrone
Script Consultation by Blake Hester: https://twitter.com/metallicaisrad
Cinematography by Caroline Amico

Yes, A Games Writer Was Fired Over Review Scores: https://kotaku.com/yes-a-games-writer-was-fired-over-review-scores-5893785
Jeff Gerstmann’s Kane and Lynch Review: https://youtu.be/5FuJ81sDR2o

Rockstar Spouse’s Letter: https://www.gamasutra.com/blogs/RockstarSpouse/20100107/86315/Wives_of_Rockstar_San_Diego_employees_have_collected_themselves.php
Experience at Rockstar Vancouver: https://www.engadget.com/2010-01-14-source-max-payne-3-development-allegedly-also-suffering-from-mi.html

Theater of Cruelty:
-The Theater and Its Double, 1958, Antonin Artaud
-Theater History Podcast #9: https://howlround.com/theatre-history-podcast-9
-The Spurt of Blood: http://spurtofblood.com/
-Antonin Artaud and the Theater of Cruelty: Crash Course Theater #43: https://youtu.be/DK_vZuLYHcw

Visual Media Used: Kane and Lynch: Dead Men, Kane and Lynch 2: Dog Days, Max Payne 3, Grand Theft Auto IV, Red Dead Redemption 2

Music Used (Chronologically):
DLC Arena War Track One (GTAO), Captain Toad Goes Forth (Super Mario 3D World), FUTURE, One Card Left to Play (Max Payne 3), The Doomed Commercial Area (Disco Elysium), Max Payne 3 Theme (Max Payne 3), Sweatshop (Kane and Lynch 2), 12PM Whirling-in-Rags, Your Body Betrays Your Degeneracy (Disco Elysium), Silent Heaven (Silent Hill 2), Escape (Kane and Lynch 2), Main Menu Variation 3 (Max Payne 3)

Thumbnail by: https://twitter.com/HotCyder

Art for No One

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 14:10:00 -0000

Where there’s a desert, that changes everything, as if earth hadn’t wanted to fill only her own need. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Cover of “Va” by Emily Hopkins: https://youtu.be/qxYF8oDn6_M?si=bCFgEFtmQ672egKw

*Sources*
City:
Triple Aught Foundation: http://www.tripleaughtfoundation.org/
“Nevada’s proposed national monument…” Brean, 2015: https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-nevada/nevadas-proposed-national-monument-full-of-artwork-undisturbed-land/
“A Monument to Outlast Humanity” Goodyear, 2016: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2016/08/29/michael-heizers-city
“Polyneuropathy,” Rubin 2024: https://www.merckmanuals.com/home/brain,-spinal-cord,-and-nerve-disorders/peripheral-nerve-and-related-disorders/polyneuropathy
“Onward and Upward with the Arts,” Calvin Tomkins, 1972: https://archives.newyorker.com/newyorker/1972-02-05/flipbook/042/
“In Nevada, a monument to violence built on stolen land,” Ahtone, 2022: https://grist.org/culture/land-art-megasculpture-built-stolen-indigenous-land-nevada-city-heizer/
“Michael Heizer,” Gagosian: https://gagosian.com/artists/michael-heizer/
“It Was a Mystery in the Desert for 50 Years,” Kimmelman, 2022: https://www.nytimes.com/interactive/2022/08/19/arts/design/michael-heizer-city.html

Nazca:
“Lines and Geoglyphs of Nasca and Palpa,” Unesco: https://whc.unesco.org/en/list/700/
“Nazca Lines,” Britannica: https://www.britannica.com/place/Nazca-Lines
“No Place Compares to the Unrelenting Lifelessness..,” Bland, 2013: https://www.smithsonianmag.com/travel/no-place-compares-to-the-unrelenting-lifelessness-of-perus-sechura-desert-810663/
“Flooding and tourism threaten Peru's mysterious Nazca Lines,” Meghji 2004: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/flooding-and-tourism-threaten-peru-s-mysterious-nazca-lines-553471.html

Helfrecht:
“Alone Together,” Aristotle Roufanis: https://aristotle.photography/
“Plexus,” Helfrecht, 2023: https://void.photo/plexus

Goya:
“Goya,” Hughes 2003
“Los Goya: de la Quinta a Burdeos y vuelta,” Junquera 2003: https://xn--archivoespaoldearte-53b.revistas.csic.es/index.php/aea/article/view/263
“The Most Disturbing Painting,” Nerdwriter, 2018: https://youtu.be/g15-lvmIrcg?si=RPkS17ojYQyC-T3K
“The Most Disturbing Painting - A Different Take on Saturn Devouring His Son,” The Canvas, 2020: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-qCngjk3nQw&t

Prince:
“Prince To Sue YouTube, eBay Over Unauthorized Content,” Collett-White, 2007: https://www.reuters.com/article/idUSL13643284/
“‘Weird Al’ Yankovic Says Prince Turned Down at Least 4 Parody Ideas,” Craddock, 2016: https://www.billboard.com/music/music-news/prince-weird-al-yankovic-michael-jackson-7460907/
This American Life Episode 750, The Ferryman: https://www.thisamericanlife.org/750/transcript
“60 Minutes Peeked into Prince's Vault and Discovered a Beautiful Mess,” Covington, 2021: https://www.esquire.com/entertainment/music/a36084663/60-minutes-prince-vault-paisley-park-welcome-2-america/
“Prince’s Sister on Honoring Her Brother’s Vault of Unreleased Music,” Holt, 2021: https://www.rollingstone.com/music/music-features/prince-vault-sister-tyka-nelson-1153227/
“I would hide 4 U: what’s in Prince’s secret vault?,” Azhar, 2015: https://www.theguardian.com/music/2015/mar/19/i-would-hide-4-u-whats-in-princes-secret-vault

“The Beginner’s Guide,” 2015: https://store.steampowered.com/app/303210/The_Beginners_Guide/
“Kunst für Keinen (Art for No One): 1933-1945,” published by Hirmer, 2022

Music Used (Chronologically): Let Me Explain (Michael Vignola), A Somber View (Andres Cantu), Ear to the Ground (Hanna Lindgren), A Cold Wind (Savvun), Monster Machine (Ethan Sloan), Lemniscate (Ethan Sloan), A Massive Mist (Ethan Sloan), Vert

The Intimacy of Everyday Objects

Wed, 04 Nov 2026 06:10:00 -0000

The swear jar isn’t empty. Full of flowers instead of coins |
Directly support me and watch exclusive videos by joining Nebula at https://go.nebula.tv/jacob-geller

Support me: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller
Follow me at: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Additional Voices by Professor Flowers: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCGZrqXTq3GW2wNRz9M44Baw

Objects of Desire: The Modern Still Life by Margit Rowell (1997)

Additional Footage of Half Life: Alyx provided by Harry101UK: https://youtu.be/n0WysuGVzmw
Cézanne’s Still Lifes at His Studio: https://youtu.be/B2m1FKbbkjY
Van Gogh Museum Tour: https://youtu.be/dd2byOFsXpo

Visual Media Used: Half Life: Alyx, Florence, The Lab, Adventure, Gone Home, Job Simulator, The Last of Us, Resident Evil 1, The Stanley Parable, Final Fantasy VII Remake

Music Used (Chronologically):
Anti-Citizen, Intro Radio (Half Life: Alyx), Staff Roll (Streets of Rage 4), Ending Triumph, Strider Battle, Tower Puzzle, Vault Sideways Piano, Russel’s Radio (Clean) (Half Life: Alyx), First Dates (Florence), The House Pt. 1, Hanging Out With Girls (Gone Home), Florence, Adult Life, Inspiration (Florence), Splash of Color (Flower), Moving Out, Music (Florence)

Thumbnail by: https://twitter.com/HotCyder

Description Credit: Giornata: On Faith

I Want to Tell You About My Favorite Fight Scene

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 22:10:00 -0000

the fist of longing Punches my heart, until it is too dark to see. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Footage of Metal Gear Solid 4 provided by George Salonikh: https://www.youtube.com/@GeorgeSalonikh

Sifu's Brawler Is A Soulless Caricature by Khee Hoon Chan: https://www.thegamer.com/sifus-brawler-soulless-caricature-racism/

Jackie Chan - How to Do Action Comedy by Every Frame a Painting: https://youtu.be/Z1PCtIaM_GQ?si=11lOeitu6wLBTYWg

Real GTA by Corridor Digital: https://youtu.be/0ZZquVylLEo?si=LgDtLxs2yjJ5Yqs5

Media shown: Ip Man, The Raid, The Raid 2, Merantau, The Matrix, John Wick, John Wick 3, John Wick 4, Police Story, Police Story 2, Who Am I?, Sifu, Metal Gear Solid, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 3, Metal Gear Solid 4, The Last of Us Part 2, Asteroid City, Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, Hero, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, The Villainess, Hardcore Henry, Project A 2, Fist of Fury, Die Hard, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat One, Punch-Out, Street Fighter 2, Dead Space 2, Bayonetta, Devil May Cry 4, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Amnesia: The Bunker, Dark Souls 3, Absolver, Bioshock, The Hong Kong Massacre, Hotline Miami, God Hand, Tekken 8, Grand Theft Auto V, Returnal, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice

Music Used (Chronologically): The Wuguan, Martial Mastery (Sifu), Untitled (Dag Unenge, Hotline Miami 2), The Human Factor (Edward Karl Hanson), Canonical Aside (Dead Space 2), Crash the Dancefloor (Sifu), Aerial Fight 1 (The Path of Neo), Blood is on Fire (Sifu), Hydrogen (M.O.O.N., Hotline Miami), Daisuke (El Huervo, Hotline Miami 2), Sins of the Father (Metal Gear Solid V), Metal Gear Saga (Metal Gear Solid 4), Encounter (Metal Gear Solid), Tanker Incident (Metal Gear Solid 2), Snake Eater (Metal Gear Solid 3), Old Snake (Metal Gear Solid 4), Ride!! (Mad World)

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: The Ikons by James K. Baxter

The Future of Writing About Games

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 14:10:00 -0000

you feel compelled to keep moving into a darkness so complete that your reflection becomes visible on the screen, and it is as if the figures in the image were journeying inside you, delving into your flesh

Support me: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller
Follow me at: https://twitter.com/yacobg42
Merch!!!: https://standard.tv/jacobgeller

Voices by:
Suriel Vasquez: https://twitter.com/SurielVazquez
Noah Caldwell-Gervais: https://twitter.com/MrGervaisWrites
Toussaint Egan: https://twitter.com/TheSaintOfTous
Ana Diaz: https://twitter.com/Pokachee
Heather Alexandra: https://twitter.com/transgamerthink
Yussef Cole: https://twitter.com/youmeyou
Leonardo Da Sidci: https://twitter.com/leonardodasidci

Script Consultation and Re-Dubbing Himself by Razbuten: https://twitter.com/theRazbuten

ICO Plot/Story Guide by PeterEliot: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/367472-ico/faqs/29015
MVC2 Crowd Pleaser’s Guide by Joseph Christopher: https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/ps2/561477-marvel-vs-capcom-2/faqs/8306
How We Talk About Games by HeavyEyed: https://youtu.be/JVN9h-5UHMk
The Last of Us Part II review by Julie Muncy: https://www.wired.com/story/last-of-us-part-ii-review/
Infinity Blade review by J. Nicolas Geist: https://geekabouttown.com/oddities/infinity-blade/
Games Criticism is a Kindness by Heather Alexandra: https://kotaku.com/games-criticism-is-a-kindness-1843320046
Broken People, Broken Worlds by Carolyn Petit: https://medium.com/@carolynpetit/broken-people-broken-worlds-thoughts-on-the-last-of-us-part-ii-a012de5d2acf
White Supremacy, Black Liberation, and the Power Dynamics of Gun Violence by Yussef Cole: https://www.vice.com/en_us/article/kzxevx/white-supremacy-black-liberation-and-the-power-dynamics-of-gun-violence
Playing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain by Jamil Jan Kochai: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2020/01/06/playing-metal-gear-solid-v-the-phantom-pain

DED LED: https://dedled.itch.io/dedled
Heterotopias: http://www.heterotopiaszine.com/
Unwinnable: https://unwinnable.com/
Critical Distance: https://critical-distance.com/

Visual Media Used: ICO, Infinity Blade, Metal Gear Solid V, Shadow of the Colossus, Mafia 3, Battlefield Hardline, Marvel vs. Capcom 2, The Last of Us Part II, The Stanley Parable, Mothergunship, Bayonetta, Resident Evil 4, Doom Eternal, The Beginner’s Guide, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, Getting Over It With Bennett Foddy, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Control, Anatomy, Citizen Kane

Music Used (Chronologically): The Gate (ICO), The Gates of Hell (Bayonetta), Castle in the Mist (ICO), Inertia (Thomas Was Alone), Precinct 41 Major Crime Unit (Disco Elysium), Regurgitation Pumping Station (World of Goo), Everything is Going to be Okay (Prey), Deference for Darkness (Halo ODST), Pirates Style (Roller Coaster Tycoon 2), Chiasm (Gris), Allowed to Be Happy (The Last of Us Part II), Old Snake (Metal Gear Solid 4), Shadow (ICO), Father and Son (Metal Gear Solid 4), Vs. Tina (Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend)

Description Credit: Playing Metal Gear Solid V: The Phantom Pain by Jamil Jan Kochai

Thumbnails, real and fake, by: https://twitter.com/HotCyder

Pinocchio is a Story About Art and God

Tue, 03 Nov 2026 06:10:00 -0000

For one hundred years, a legend spread across the planet without ever experiencing periods of oblivion | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Additional Editing by Isaac Holland
Translation by Katherine Incandenza

Sources:
The Adventures of Pinocchio by Carlo Collodi, 1883
Additional Pinocchio Art from PINOCCHIO: Atlante delle edizioni italiane dal 1883 al 2022
Pinocchio in Venice by Robert Coover, 1991
I, Fellini by Charlotte Chandler, 1995
The Will to be Human by Silvano Arieti, 1972
Ma Collodi Non Esiste by Italo Calvino, 1981
Pinocchio and Pinocchiology by Jennifer Stone: https://www.jstor.org/stable/26304056
Guillermo del Toro’s Pinocchio: Sculpted to Life by Matt Zoller Seitz: https://www.criterion.com/current/posts/8337-guillermo-del-toros-pinocchio-sculpted-to-life
From Puppet to Cyborg: Posthuman and Postmodern Retellings of the Pinocchio Myth by Georgia Panteli: https://discovery.ucl.ac.uk/id/eprint/1528658/13/Panteli_Georgia_PhD%20Thesis.pdf
Fellini's Language of Dreams by Jonathan Cott: https://www.maryellenmark.com/bibliography/magazines/article/rolling-stone/fellinis-language-of-dreams-637526308774480767/R#:~:text=It%27s%20a%20language%20made%20of,and%20it%20reduces%20its%20proportions.
From Kubrick to Spielberg: The Story of ‘A.I.’ by Tim Greiving: https://www.theringer.com/movies/2021/6/29/22553929/ai-artificial-intelligence-steven-spielberg-stanley-kubrick
Coppola loses $20m compensation for lost Pinocchio by Duncan Campbell: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2001/mar/22/filmnews.film
The Real Life Adventures of Pinocchio by Rebecca West: https://magazine.uchicago.edu/0212/features/puppet.html
Blank Check with Griffin and David (A.I. Artificial Intelligence, 2017): https://open.spotify.com/episode/0ABydvRDL3hmF64lPMBB1D

Media shown: Disney’s 1940 Pinocchio, Disney’s 2022 Pinocchio, Pinocchio: A True Story, Gullermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Lies of P, Handcarved Cinema: The Making of Guillermo Del Toro’s Pinocchio, The Polar Express, A Christmas Carol, Beowulf, Welcome to Marwen, Dark Souls III, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Bloodborne,

Music Used (Chronologically): Cohen’s Masterpiece– Accordion (Bioshock Infinite), Lost in Thessaloniki (Trabant 33), Peaceful Sleep– Music Box (Nier Automata), I’ll See You in My Dreams (Isham Jones), March of the Ducks (Mike Franklyn), Invention No. 4 in D Minor (Bach), Last Move (White Bones), A New Power (SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE), The Midnight Woods (Hyper Light Drifter), Hallway Omega (SUPERHOT: MIND CONTROL DELETE), Estella Opera House (Lies of P), Far East Princess (Lies of P), Saintess of Mercy Statue (Lies of P), Etude No. 3 for String Quartet (Peter Sandberg), Fallow Deer (Martin Klem), The Angels Descend A (Bayonetta), Marche Militaire Version 2 (Epidemic Sound), Ave Maria (Epidemic Sound), Only Human (Philip Ayers), Smooth Talking (Nocturnal Spirits), Feel (Lies of P)

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound
Additional footage from Razbuten

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: Ma Collodi Non Esiste by Italo Calvino

Cities Without People

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 22:10:00 -0000

The pass is short and to the right. It is sucked into the exhaust of the rocket and completely incinerated. | Visit http://audible.com/jacobgeller or text “jacobgeller” to 500-500 for a free 30 day trial and audiobook.

Support me: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller
Follow me at: https://twitter.com/yacobg42
Merch!!!: https://standard.tv/jacobgeller

Aerial Photography by Chris Chapman: https://twitter.com/retrohistories/
Consultation by Donoteat01: https://www.youtube.com/user/donoteat01

Additional Voices by:
Bobby Broccoli: https://twitter.com/BobbyBroccole
SuperEyePatchWolf: https://twitter.com/EyePatchWolf

Jon Bois’ Football 17776: https://www.sbnation.com/a/17776-football

The Storm Cloud of Death Stranding: https://uppercutcrit.com/the-storm-cloud-of-death-stranding/

The Blood-Red Sky of the Scream: https://www.aps.org/publications/apsnews/200405/backpage.cfm

The Horse Manure Crisis: https://www.historic-uk.com/HistoryUK/HistoryofBritain/Great-Horse-Manure-Crisis-of-1894/

Himalayas Visible from India: https://www.cnn.com/travel/article/himalayas-visible-lockdown-india-scli-intl/index.html

Drone Footage of San Francisco: https://youtu.be/v6geL5rkt1s and https://youtu.be/xBolnN8aiX8

Parking and Cars:
The Mobility Space Report: https://www.move-lab.com/project/whatthestreet/chicago
Paved, but Still Alive: https://www.nytimes.com/2012/01/08/arts/design/taking-parking-lots-seriously-as-public-spaces.html
Pedestrian Traffic Fatalities: https://www.ghsa.org/resources/Pedestrians20
See Just How Much Of A City’s Land Is Used For Parking Spaces: https://www.fastcompany.com/40441392/see-just-how-much-of-a-citys-land-is-used-for-parking-spaces

Visual Media Used: Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020, The Matrix

Music Used (Chronologically): Cloudy Court Galaxy, Star Ball Rolling (Super Mario Galaxy 2), Reporting from the Weather Balloon (Little Inferno), Mii Plaza (Wii), Heightmap (Transistor), The Moon (Duck Tales), Menu Theme (LA Noire), The Museum (Outer Wilds), White Palace (Hollow Knight), Dancers on a String (Bioshock), Left Alone (Detention), End Time (Outer Wilds), Issun’s Theme (Okami), Cosmic Cove Galaxy (Super Mario Galaxy 2)

Description Credit: The Tim Tebow CFL Chronicles by Jon Bois

Thumbnail by HotCyder: https://twitter.com/HotCyder

The Best Ten Games of 2023

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 14:10:00 -0000

How is it done? You can write about these things and still not be any the wiser. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Media shown: Alan Wake 2, Armored Core 6, Yakuza: Like a Dragon, Like a Dragon: Ishin, Like a Dragon Gaiden: The Man Who Erased His Name, Hi-Fi Rush, Humanity, Jusant, Lies of P, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Tchia, The Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom, Final Fantasy XVI, El Paso Elsewhere, Call of Duty: World at War, The Darkness, Marvel’s Midnight Suns, Killer7, Silent Hill 3, No More Heroes, Manhunt, Plumbers Don’t Wear Ties: The Definitive Edition, Avatar: Frontiers of Pandora, Lord of the Rings: Return to Moria, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Viewfinder, Goodbye Volcano High, Iron Lung, Tetris Effect, REZ, Scavenger’s Reign, How To with John Wilson, Across the Spider-Verse

Music Used (Chronologically): Go For the Fastest (LaD: Gaiden), Blackburn (Killer7), Herald of Darkness (Alan Wake 2), Shooting Range (Resident Evil 4), Surfacing (Hi-Fi Rush), Jusant (Jusant), Origins (Marvel’s Midnight Suns), Sailing (Tchia), Thrive (Humanity), Contact With You (Armored Core VI), Memory of Beach- Golden (Lies of P), Mattison’s Independence (Tears of the Kingdom), Welcome to Bright Falls (Alan Wake), The Clicker (Alan Wake), Yötön Yö (Alan Wake 2)

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound
Additional footage from Getty Images and Writing on Games

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: When I Met the Pope by Patricia Lockwood

Art Restoration (and the Biggest Mod in Resident Evil History)

Mon, 02 Nov 2026 06:10:00 -0000

Surprising love can happen at any part of one’s life, like the pixels deciding when to flicker into bursts. | Directly support me and watch exclusive videos by joining Nebula at https://go.nebula.tv/jacob-geller

Support me: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller
Follow me at: https://twitter.com/yacobg42
Merch!!!: https://standard.tv/jacobgeller

The Resident Evil 4 HD Project: https://www.re4hd.com/
Huge thanks to Albert Marin for information and additional footage

Baumgartner Painting Restoration: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCvZe6ZCbF9xgbbbdkiodPKQ
The Cleaning Process or Time Travel in 100 swabs: https://youtu.be/aX1RP537o6Q
A New Dawn: The Restoration of L'Aurora Part 2: https://youtu.be/A8zXSNAscmg
Blue Skies Smilin' At Me; Conserving A Henry Ranger Seascape: https://youtu.be/uFGLpt_r90E
The Restoration of Guy Wiggins' Frame in ASMR: https://youtu.be/m0zW3FEQddE

The Making of Day of the Tentacle: Remastered: https://youtu.be/LjF4eMrYfG0

Designing 2D graphics in the Japanese industry: https://vgdensetsu.tumblr.com/post/179656817318/designing-2d-graphics-in-the-japanese-industry

Additional Resident Evil 2 footage provided by: https://www.youtube.com/user/BlackFox2240

Games shown: Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 2, Resident Evil 2: Remake, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Shadow of the Colossus (PS2, PS3, PS4), Day of the Tentacle

Music used (chronologically): Pachelbel’s Canon, Wesker’s Theme, Ada’s Theme (Resident Evil 4), Credits Roll (Streets of Rage 4), Buy You a Drank (T-Pain), Level 0 (Tetris CD-I), Tierras de Azafrán (Blasphemous), Ending theme (Half Life: Alyx), Save theme (Resident Evil 7), Falling Into a Dream (Far Cry 3)

Thumbnail by: https://twitter.com/HotCyder
German Subtitles by: https://twitter.com/Bollogg42

Description credit: Like an Auto-Tune of Authentic Love by Carmen Giménez Smith

Three Specific Kinds of Terror

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 22:10:00 -0000

Maybe we’ve always suspected; always tried to ignore the whine of zero in our ears…but isn’t it worse, now, knowing? | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Media shown: Amnesia: The Bunker, Who’s Lila, The Utility Room, Amnesia: The Dark Descent, Amnesia: A Machine for Pigs, SOMA, Outlast, Devotion, Prey, Dead Space, Signalis, Resident Evil 4 (Remake), Silent Hill 2, Half Life: Alyx, Beat Saber, Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Myst, Star Wars: Battlefront 2, Destiny 2, Super Smash Brothers Brawl, Super Mario 64, Alan Wake II

Music Used (Chronologically): Lacrimosa (Dead Space 2), Turned Around (Signalis), Rose (Resident Evil 8), The Blank Canvas (Inscryption), Safe Room (Amnesia: The Bunker), Officer Hub (Amnesia: The Bunker), End Credits (Amnesia: The Bunker), LilaChase (Who’s Lila?), Quiet Floors (Who’s Lila?), Misremembered (Signalis), Strupnev (Who’s Lila?), Submarine (INSIDE), Amid Bones (Iron Lung), A Mysterious Device (Returnal), Tendrils (Manifold Garden), Pilgrimage (Gorogoa), Nemesis (Returnal), Left Alone (Detention), Safe Room (Resident Evil), End Credits (Amnesia: The Bunker)

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound
Additional footage from Getty Images

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: Zero: Terror by Albert Goldbarth

How Edith Finch Handles Death

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 14:10:00 -0000

What Remains of Edith Finch is a game about death. That’s not unusual. So why does it feel so different?

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Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Joseph Anderson’s “The Villain of Edith Finch:” https://youtu.be/6bMn4CoyUkM

Get great podcasts, essays, and more at http://caneandrinse.com/

Games Shown: What Remains of Edith Finch, Grand Theft Auto V, Super Smash Bros Ultimate, The Last of Us Part II, Resident Evil V,

Music Sources: What Remains of Edith Finch, Florence

3 Games / 3 Hours / 3 Cursed Computers

Sun, 01 Nov 2026 06:10:00 -0000

Lit from within is the sole secure way to traverse dark matter…we emit infrared light from our most lucent selves. Our tragedy is we can’t see it. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Thanks to Power Pak for additional footage of Proximate: https://www.youtube.com/@PowerPakGames

Tom Scott — How the US Postal Service Reads Terrible Handwriting: https://youtu.be/XxCha4Kez9c?si=3d62bMcwaks4Hik1
John Mulaney on SNL, 2018: https://youtu.be/en5_JrcSTcU?si=TGGoCtoKo1vWb9i4

Media Shown: Dead Letter Dept., Proximate, Without a Dawn, Nightmare on Elm Street, Night of the Living Dead, Rosemary’s Baby, 28 Days Later, Halloween, Invasion of the Body Snatchers, Videodrome, Parasite

Music (Chronologically): Sunset Drone (Greener Grass Awaits), Unease (Greener Grass Awaits), Human Resources (Perfect Vermin), You Don’t Have to Die (Dead Letter Dept.), Tears of… (Silent Hill), Silent Heaven (Silent Hill 2), A Somber View (Andres Cantu), Past Due (Dead Letter Dept.), So Begins a New Night (Dead Letter Dept.), Flow State (Dead Letter Dept.), A Temporary Solution (Dead Letter Dept.), Past Due (Dead Letter Dept.), Still Air (Greener Grass Awaits), Jealousy (Eliza), Wind Chime (Silent Hill 3), Heads No. 2 (Silent Hill 3), The Tunnel Beckons (Silent Hill 2), Flow State (Dead Letter Dept.), Past Due (Dead Letter Dept.), A Letter Home (Dead Letter Dept.), To Sebastian (Wendy Marcini), Both Sides (Umurangi Generation)

Additional Music by Epidemic Sound
Additional Footage by Getty Images and Storyblocks

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description credit: “The Ghost Light” by Robin Morgan

Gorogoa and The Nature of Time

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

Gorogoa's twisting narrative hides a surprisingly human message about life and perseverance.

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Get great podcasts, essays, and more at http://caneandrinse.com/

Games Shown: Gorogoa

Music Sources: Gorogoa, Oxenfree, World of Goo

How Well Can You Really Know a Game?

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

About the only thing I thought I knew was that nothing I’d ever know would do any good. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Special Thanks to Jasper for technical consultation: https://www.youtube.com/@UC5bN6XKHDCFt_wYAJmsP_Mg

Additional footage courtesy of:
Pannenkoek2012: https://youtu.be/kpk2tdsPh0A?si=9OoxnDeAJqjbExhN
Displaced Gamers: https://youtu.be/iH3MYbhtrQA?si=nkfOfaXwVUJS1lTe
Armaggedun_: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b71Jk0Hh0xM
Snark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BziHXEhLnjk
Retro Rabbit Ears: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6RxENG9HAU

Mario 64 x No Surprises by on4word: https://youtu.be/LDqWxlFdikU?si=_cEkXs_ZaILmeGCk

Media Shown: Star Wars Episode III: The Game, Super Mario 64, Breakout, Super Breakout, Furi, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Fantastic Voyage (1966), Magic Schoolbus (1994), Missile Command, Heli Attack 2, Interactive Buddy

Music (Chronologically): Main Theme (Roller Coaster Tycoon 2), Mos Eisley Cantina (Lego Star Wars II DS), Moondown (Rain World), The Facsimile (Citizen Sleeper), TRANCE (Humanity), Scenes from Childhood Op. 15 (Robert Schumann), STREAM (Humanity), Make this Right (Furi), BOUND (Humanity), No Suprises — Mario 64 Remix (on4word), Asphalt Maelstrom (Death Stranding 2), Inertia (Thomas Was Alone), Quarter Past Eleven (Victor Lundberg), Make This Right (Furi)

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: “Human Knowledge” by Robert Wrigley

The Architecture of Fumito Ueda

Sat, 31 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

The Man. The Legend. The Architecture.

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

The text of this video (for the most part) can be found at: https://caneandrinse.com/worlds-of-fumito-ueda/

Much of this video’s information came from this Eurogamer article by Gareth Damian Martin: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2016-12-12-investigating-the-origins-of-the-last-guardians-architecture

WishingTikal’s Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/WishingTikal

NiZZULiVΞ’s Channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/NiZZULiVE
______________________________________

Video and Music from: Castle in the Sky, ICO, Shadow of the Colossus, The Last Guardian, Dark Souls 3

Fantasies of Nuremberg

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

No, never judgment. Just the abyss into which all acts are thrown down, and the terrible white silence in which judgment either endures or burns. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

*Sources*
Nuremberg: Infamy on Trial (Joseph Persico, 1995)
After Nuremberg: American Clemency for Nazi War Criminals (Robert Hutchinson, 2022)
American Nuremberg: The U.S. Officials Who Should Stand Trial for Post-9/11 War Crimes (Rebecca Gordon, 2016)
Eichmann in Jerusalem: A Report on the Banality of Evil (Hannah Arendt, 1963)
Letters from Nuremberg (Janet Flanner, 1945-1946, The New Yorker)
Hitler’s Elite: Biographical Sketches Of Nazis Who Shaped The Third Reich (Louis Snyder, 1989)
Speer: Hitler’s Architect (Martin Kitchen, 2015)
Triumph of the Will (Leni Riefenstahl, 1935)
Nuremberg as the "City of Nazi Party Rallies" (Museen der Stadt Nürnberg, https://museums.nuernberg.de/documentation-center/nazi-party-rallies/nuremberg-city-of-nazi-party-rallies)
Robert Jackson’s Nuremberg Opening Statement (https://www.roberthjackson.org/speech-and-writing/opening-statement-before-the-international-military-tribunal/)
The Origins Of Crimes Against Humanity: From Nuremberg To Rome (Sümeyra TEKİN, https://dergipark.org.tr/en/download/article-file/426221)
Charter of the International Military Tribunal, Article 6 (https://ihl-databases.icrc.org/en/ihl-treaties/nuremberg-tribunal-charter-1945/article-6b)
Testimony of Hans Frank (https://web.archive.org/web/20160303191932/http://law2.umkc.edu/faculty/projects/ftrials/nuremberg/franktest.html)
Final Statement of Hans Frank (https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/08-31-46.asp)
“A Profound, Abiding Hatred”: An Analysis of Hermann Goering’s Alleged Morphine Addiction (Turner et. al., 2023 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10144812)
Tribunal Verdict on Hermann Göring (https://avalon.law.yale.edu/imt/10-01-46.asp)
The Soldier, His Sweetheart And The Suicide Of Hermann Goering (David Usborne, 2005 https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/the-soldier-his-sweetheart-and-the-suicide-of-hermann-goering-5386315.html)
The U.S. War Crimes Tribunals at the Former Dachau Concentration Camp (Durwood Riedel, 2006 https://www.jewishvirtuallibrary.org/jsource/Holocaust/Dacahu_trials_Riedel.pdf)
Criticism of Clemency in the Trials (The Guardian, 1951 https://theguardian.newspapers.com/image/259404223/?match=1&terms=%22treason%20against%20the%20common%20good%22)
The Eichmann Trial (Yad Vashem https://wwv.yadvashem.org/yv/en/exhibitions/eichmann/operation-eichmann.asp#)
If the Nuremberg Laws were Applied… (Noam Chomsky, 1990 https://chomsky.info/1990____-2/)
Germany's far-right AfD co-leader Alice Weidel vows to 'close borders completely' (AFP, 2025 https://youtu.be/PC9uZTjQ1Rk?si=QjmNXv4ByhqsXvwN)
Germany joins US in rejecting Amnesty’s ‘genocide’ accusation against Israel (Times of Israel, 2024 (https://www.timesofisrael.com/germany-joins-us-in-rejecting-amnestys-genocide-accusation-against-israel/)
How Germany bends international law to continue selling arms to Israel (Engelcke and Pfeifer, 2024 https://www.middleeasteye.net/opinion/germany-israel-bends-international-law-continue-selling-arms)
Punched, Choked, Kicked: German Police Crack Down On Student Protests (Ruari Casey, 2024 https://www.aljazeera.com/features/2024/5/25/punched-choked-kicked-german-police-crack-down-on-student-protests)

Music Used (chronologically): A Massive Mist (Ethan Sloan), A Somber View (Andres Cantu), Revelation (Anna Dager), Tvivel (Hanna Ekstrom), Fallow Deer (Martin Klem), Abandoning Sendai (John Barzetti), Barren (Martin Klem), Tokyo Screams (Farrell Wooten), Indigo (Christophe Gorman), Remorse of a Murderer (Anna Dager), Bitter Swirl (Line Neesgard), A Cold Win

The Horror of Universal Paperclips and Space Engine

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

This universe ain't big enough for the two of us, partner

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Media Shown: Kurzgesagt (https://youtu.be/ZL4yYHdDSWs), Space Engine, Universal Paperclips, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, No Man’s Sky, Cookie Clicker, Mass Effect, EVE Online, The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (2005 film), The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (1981 BBC)

Music Sources: The Hitchhiker’s Guide To The Galaxy (2005 Film), Crystal Castles/HEALTH, Blade Runner 2049, No More Heroes, Colin Stetson
______________________________________

Script available (for accessibility) upon request

Clair Obscur is an Endless Canvas of Grief

Fri, 30 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

I'm going to stand here, growing colder, until every inch of my skin is numb. I can't cross over.
Then you really will be gone. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Media shown: Clair Obscur: Expedition 33

Music Used (Chronologically, all from Clair Obscur: Expedition 33): Lumiere, Lumiere – The Departure, Spring Meadows – Cello Motifs, Loin D’Elle, Verso, The Reacher – Orphelin, L’amour d’une S’ouer, World Map – Forlorn, Lettre a Maelle, Verso (Music Box), Lost Voice, L’amour d’une Mere, Pres de Lui, Alicia (Music Box), Lumiere s’eteint

Giant Squid footage: Edie Widder and Nathan Robinson via OceanExplorerGov: https://youtu.be/Lqim34DvCrs?si=IZa9EymSMcN5X3sr

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound
Additional footage from Storyblocks and Getty Images

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: “Grief” by Barbara Crooker

To Hate Another: A Red Dead Redemption 2 Analysis

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

I have burned the tobacco that was in your fields
and which you were probably saving for harvest
Forgive me, it burned so brightly, so angry and so cold

Follow me at https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Fun facts about Rockstar at: https://kotaku.com/inside-rockstar-games-culture-of-crunch-1829936466
https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2018-10-25-the-human-cost-of-red-dead-redemption-2

Visual Media used: Red Dead Redemption 2, Bayonetta 2, Bayonetta, Resident Evil 5, Legend of Zelda: Skyward Sword, Undertale, Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Music used: Theme of Angelo Bronte (Red Dead Redemption 2), Fly Me To The Moon (Bayonetta), Run (Hotline Miami 2), Camp Approach (Firewatch), Torture (Max Payne 3)

Big shouts to Lambh00t for the crucial resi 5 footage: https://www.youtube.com/user/LambHoot
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Script available upon request for accessibility

Check out Cane and Rinse for podcasts, written articles, and more http://caneandrinse.com/

A Video About Digging A Hole

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

"Every kid in the world wants to dig a great big hole," said X-Ray. "To China, right?" | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Sources:
Amateur treasure hunter plunges 130 feet: https://nypost.com/2024/01/08/news/amateur-treasure-hunter-plunges-130ft-to-his-death-in-hole-he-dug-inside-his-home/
After 40 years' burrowing, Mole Man of Hackney is ordered to stop: https://www.theguardian.com/society/2006/aug/08/communities.uknews
The deepest hole we have ever dug: https://www.bbc.com/future/article/20190503-the-deepest-hole-we-have-ever-dug
The Kola superdeep borehole in action: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P4mzEGeMNAI&t=1200s
Kola Superdeep Borehole: https://www.atlasobscura.com/places/kola-superdeep-borehole?mc_cid=69025636df
At 2.8 km down, a 1-of-a-kind microorganism lives all alone: https://phys.org/news/2008-10-km-of-a-kind-microorganism.html

Media shown: A Game About Digging A Hole, Motherload, Minecraft, Holes, The Shawshank Redemption, The Core, Fantastic Mr. Fox, God of War II, Dragon’s Dogma II, 1000xRESIST, Neva, Echo Point Nova, Ed, Edd n Eddy, Cookie Clicker, PegIdle, Uzumaki

Music Used (Chronologically): Main Theme (SteamWorld Dig), New Heights in El Machino (SteamWorld Dig 2), Heavy Industry HQ (Motherload), Mergo’s Lullaby (Bloodborne), Ending (SteamWorld Dig), Human Resources (Perfect Vermin), Old World (SteamWorld Dig), The Rattlesnake (Holes), Dig It (Holes), Lorena 2 (Red Dead Redemption 2), Outlaws From the West (Red Dead Redemption 2), The Magnificent Four (Sunset Riders), The Sticks-for-Hands Rag (West of Loathing), Stage Clear (Sunset Riders), Ear to the Ground (Hanna Lindgren), Thorofare Hike (Firewatch),

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound
Additional footage from Storyblocks and Getty Images

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: “Holes” by Louis Sachar

The Seductive Nightmare of Bloodborne's Chalice Dungeons

Thu, 29 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

I saw the best minds of my generation destroyed by madness, starving hysterical naked, dragging themselves through the Lower Pthumeru Chalice in the dead of night.

Follow me at https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Big thanks to these fine folks for additional footage:
JollyMoonMan: https://youtu.be/xqPW0Ehh-Sk
Unachemaxwell: https://youtu.be/mlm-FBB1PtM
Moros Nyx: https://youtu.be/j0vRq6U0F8c

Visual Media used: Bloodborne, Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls 1, Dark Souls 2, Dark Souls 3, Bioshock, The Enigma of Amigara Fault

Music used: Love (Under the Skin), The Alien (Annihilation), Secret Betrayal (Dark Souls 3)
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Script available upon request for accessibility

Check out Cane and Rinse for podcasts, written articles, and more http://caneandrinse.com/

Indiana Jones and the Objective Existence of God

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

You say I took the name in vain; I don’t even know the name. But if I did, well, really, what’s it to you? | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Additional Voices by Sarah Z: https://www.youtube.com/@SarahZ

Sources:
The Holy Grail: History and Legend (Juliette M Wood, 2012)
Danika Parikh on the Sankara Stones: https://melmagazine.com/en-us/story/indiana-jones-archaeology-temple-doom
“Ancient Crash, Epic Wave” by Sandra Blakeslee: https://www.nytimes.com/2006/11/14/science/14WAVE.html
Steven Spielberg talks directing and fatherhood: https://youtu.be/ak8rWmAj7rU?si=KIR59z11yP7awJTd

Media shown: Raiders of the Lost Ark, Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom, Indiana Jones and the Last Crusade, Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Indiana Jones and the Great Circle, Indiana Jones and the Infernal Machine, Monty Python and the Holy Grail, Fifty Shades of Grey, The Ten Commandments, Saturday Night Live,

Music Used (Chronologically): Count G (Great Circle), Enthroned on Mount Olympus (God of War 2005), The Parchment (Great Circle), Etcetera Etcetera (Great Circle), Art - Subverted (Immortality), Tierras de Azafrán (Blasphemous), Näcken's Polska (Bramble: The Mountain King), Birdwatching (Great Circle), Largas Sombras (Blasphemous 2), Del Santo Nombre (Blasphemous 2), Klezmer Feeling (Alexandra Woodward), Until the Next Adventure (Great Circle), A New Adventure Awaits (Great Circle)

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound
Additional footage from Storyblocks and Getty Images

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen

A Love Letter to Beat Saber

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

Shall I compare thee to a plastic guitar
Thou art more lovely, and more kinetic

Follow me at https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

To start modding Beat Saber, check out: https://bsaber.com/

Visual Media used: Beat Saber, God of War 3, Thumper, Furi, Budget Cuts, SUPERHOT VR, Rez Infinite, Red Dead Redemption 2, The Mask, Shadow of the Colossus, The Beginner’s Guide, Tetris Effect, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance

Music: Credited within video

YouTube content from:
Great Yazer: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCtVi7raCx7YIseHU7domDCA
BennyDaBeast: https://www.youtube.com/user/benofthewhite
hu hu hu hu hu hu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=div0zQA5viY
Ragesaq: https://www.youtube.com/user/fermentumergosum
AdumPlaze: https://www.youtube.com/user/AdumPlaze
Theme Park Review: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCT-LpxQVr4JlrC_mYwJGJ3Q

----------------------------------------------
Script available upon request for accessibility

Check out Cane and Rinse for podcasts, written articles, and more http://caneandrinse.com/

Humans are Bags of Meat (in Games)

Wed, 28 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

Perhaps the heap of bodies clangs a bell, reminds me of love; a closeness gone missing. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Sources:
We Play Doom with John Romero (IGN): https://youtu.be/YUU7_BthBWM?si=3877k3abc1tPAoBX
How Mortal Kombat Invented the ESRB (Nicole Carpenter): https://www.polygon.com/22346875/mortal-kombat-violence-esrb-ratings-lieberman
City of Darkness Revisited (Greg Girard and Ian Lambot, 2014)
They’re Made Out of Meat (Terry Bisson, 1991)
Gaming Magazines found via Archive.org
Forum post on gibbing: https://groups.google.com/g/rec.games.computer.quake.misc/c/VRQIdF97Us4/m/D5Ici85V-igJ

Additional Voices by Big Joel and Mothcub
Additional editing by Isaac Holland
Additional Footage from Errant Signal: https://www.youtube.com/@ErrantSignal

Media shown: Slitterhead, Prototype, Humanity, Mortal Kombat, Mortal Kombat II, Mortal Kombat 1 (2023), DOOM, Quake, Quake III Arena, Half-Life, Blood, Rise of the Triad, Shadow Warrior, Killzone 3, Gears of War: Judgment, ULTRAKILL, The Pony Factory, Infamous, Bull Durham

Music Used (Chronologically): The King of Speed (Daytona USA), Graydo (Stealth Inc 2), Main Theme (Mortal Kombat), You Will Never Know (Katana Zero), The Last Man (Prototype), Memory in Death (Prototype), Remorse (Hotline Miami 2), Overture (Slitterhead), Shore of Wandering (Slitterhead), Within the Cage (Slitterhead), Parched City (Slitterhead), Night is Watching (Slitterhead), UnearthU (UnearthU), THRIVE (Humanity), MINGLE (Humanity), Smooth Talking (Nocturnal Spirits), THRIVE (Humanity)

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound
Additional footage from Storyblocks and Getty Images

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: “Meditations on Flesh” by Felicia Zamora

Gaming's Harshest Architecture: NaissanceE and Alienation

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

with the power of their lives while from the dim-lit halls of other places forms that could never be writhe for the impatience of the few who have never seen or been seen.

Follow me at https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Heterotopias: http://www.heterotopiaszine.com/

Visual Media used: NaissanceE, Super Mario Odyssey, Blade Runner, Dead Space 2, Detention, Clustertruck, Proteus, Blame!, Why You Get Howls On Your Radio (1932, British Pathé), Power Pylons on Wappinger Creek (Milo Tsukroff)

Music: Interloper (Off-Peak, Cosmo D), Les Louves (Patricia Dallio), Lear (Pauline Oliveros), Prométhée (Thierry Zaboitzeff), Flight to LAPD (Blade Runner 2049, Hans Zimmer)

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This piece originally appeared as a written essay here: https://caneandrinse.com/alienation-architecture-and-naissancee/

Check out Cane and Rinse for podcasts, written articles, and more http://caneandrinse.com/

Fear of Dark

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

No, darkness is but a ghost of an idea, the least remembered, most estranged prayer, and your fear but a lingering, limbic fear torn from shreds of forgotten years.

Support me on Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

“Forgiving the Darkness”
Song by Ashley Young and Ric O'Shea: https://ashleydaydreaming.bandcamp.com/track/forgiving-darkness
Adapted from the poem by Alice B. Fogel

Thumbnail Painting: “Deimos,” used with permission from Dragan Bibin: https://www.draganbibin.com/

Additional Footage by Timmm: https://www.youtube.com/@timmm_

Additional Voice by “Voice of Czath”

Sources
“Visual Hallucinations During Prolonged Blindfolding in Sighted Subjects,” Merabet Et al., 2004: https://journals.lww.com/jneuro-ophthalmology/fulltext/2004/06000/visual_hallucinations_during_prolonged.3.aspx
“Into the Dark: What Darkness Is and Why It Matters,” Jacqueline Yallop, 2023
“The Woman Who Spent Five Hundred Days in a Cave,” D. T. Max, 2024: https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2024/01/29/the-woman-who-spent-five-hundred-days-in-a-cave
Beatriz Flamini’s Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/beatriz_flamini/?hl=en
“Milutin Lived For 464 Days Walled Up In A Cave,” Juzne Vesti, 2020: https://www.telegraf.rs/english/3243609-milutin-lived-for-464-days-walled-up-in-a-cave-at-one-point-he-had-to-pull-out-his-own-tooth
“Caveman: An Interview with Michel Siffre,” Joshua Foer, 2008: https://www.cabinetmagazine.org/issues/30/foer_siffre.php
“Beyond Time,” Michel Siffre, 1964
“Underground: A Human History of the Worlds Beneath Our Feet,” Will Hunt, 2018
“Worst Outage Cripples North India,” Mehdudia and Ramachandaran, 2012: https://web.archive.org/web/20121117052357/http://www.thehindu.com:80/news/national/article3702075.ece?homepage=true
“Indian Blackouts of July 2012: What Happened and Why?” Anubhav Rath, 2016: https://medium.com/clean-energy-for-billions/indian-blackouts-of-july-2012-what-happened-andwhy-639e31fb52ad
“Power Blackout Strands 200 Indian Coal Miners,” Dhar and Daniel, 2012: https://www.reuters.com/article/india-blackout-trapped-idUSL4E8IV4RS20120731/
“At Day's Close: Night in Times Past,” A. Roger Ekirch, 2005
“U.S. Risks National Blackout From Small-Scale Attack,” Rebecca Smith, 2014: https://www.wsj.com/articles/SB10001424052702304020104579433670284061220
“Investigators are zeroing in on two possible motives...in NC power stations attacks,” Miller, Almasy, Wild, 2022: https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/07/us/power-outage-moore-county-investigation-wednesday/index.html
“'Intentional, willful and malicious': 40K without power after substation attacks in Moore County,” Shook and Norton, 2022: https://www.fayobserver.com/story/news/crime/2022/12/04/moore-county-power-outage-investigated-as-vandalism/69699328007/
“Why White Supremacists Are Trying to Attack Energy Grids,” Ruberg, 2024: https://www.nytimes.com/2024/08/08/us/white-supremacist-power-grid-attacks.html
Dark Sky International- Darkness Areas: https://darksky.org/what-we-do/international-dark-sky-places/all-places/
Light Pollution Map: https://www.lightpollutionmap.info/
“How Darkness Shaped History,” Silver and Ransom, 2010: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=T_XZdmg4ZLU
“Mask of the Sun: The Science, History and Forgotten Lore of Eclipses,” John C. Dvorak, 2017
Solar Eclipse List: https://www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/list-solar.html
“Revolution in Science,” The Times, 1919: https://www.thetimes.com/article/revolution-in-science-f63xmv8207t
“Point Nemo, the Most Remote Place on Earth,” Cullen Murphy, 2024: https://www.theatlantic.com/magazine/archive/2024/11/point-nemo-most-remote-place/679947/
“Life after Life,” Raymond Moody, 1975

“Darkness,” Lord Byron, 1816

Additional footage used from the games NaissanceE (2014), Space Engine (2024), and Shadow of the Colossus (2005)

Music Used (Chronologically): Francesco (Aerian), To

The Wonderful Pain of Daughters of Ash, Dark Souls' Biggest Mod

Tue, 27 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

We shall walk with a walk that is measured and slow,
And watch where the chalk-white hollows go
To the place where Lordran ends.
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Follow me at https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Daughters of Ash: https://www.nexusmods.com/darksouls/mods/1524
Amazing Lo-Fi Dark Souls remixes from Jesse Miller: https://youtu.be/r6kdkkcOxtU
Gwyn, lord of Kazoos: https://youtu.be/XZEg9xXMmho
Dark Souls Dance Party: https://youtu.be/mp28JPs25ek

Visual Media used: Dark Souls, Dark Souls 2: Scholar of the First Sin, Dark Souls 3, Beat Saber

Music used: Gourmet Race (Kirby Super Star), Kirby Retro Medley (SSBU), Spooky Scary Skeletons (Andrew Gold), Vs. Tina (Minnesota Fats: Pool Legend), Be Like You (Sim Gretina), Lo-Fi tracks from Jesse Miller
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Script available for accessibility upon request

Check out Cane and Rinse for podcasts, written articles, and more http://caneandrinse.com/

11 of the Best Games From a Staggeringly Good Year of Games

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

a child carrying flowers walks toward the new year | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Music Used (Chronologically): Main Theme, Drop Point and Stratagem Loadout (Helldivers 2), Credits Clash (Astro Bot), Blood Snow (Slitterhead), The Putrescent Knight (Shadow of the Erdtree), Home Improvement (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth), Main Theme (Mouthwashing), Wings of Freedom (Metaphor: ReFantazio), The Orchard at Peace (1000xResist), End Credits (Prince of Persia: The Lost Crown), Final Boss Theme, Duelist’s Delight (Nine Sols), Main Theme (Balatro), Watcher (1000xResist), Follow Me Into the Storm, Restore Power, Retro Rampage (Astro Bot), Judgement -Shinpan- (Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth)

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: “New Year” by Bei Dao (translated by David Hinton with Yanbing Chen)

The Quiet Sadness of Mario Galaxy

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

“Where are the people?” resumed the little prince at last. “It’s a little lonely in the desert…” “It is lonely when you’re among people, too,” said the snake.

Follow me at https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Super Mario Galaxy - Relaxing Medley by AJ DiSpirito: https://youtu.be/cL0AHxwMt2I

Isle of Skye Footage by Stefan Zimmerman: https://youtu.be/sb6WlQiaJeM

Visual Media used: Super Mario 64, Super Mario Sunshine, Super Mario Galaxy, Super Mario Odyssey, The Little Prince (2015)

Music used: Various tracks from Super Mario Galaxy, Excerpts from AJ DiSpirito’s Mario Galaxy Medley
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Script available for accessibility upon request

For written articles, podcasts, and more, visit http://caneandrinse.com/

Games That Hide Their Own Sequels

Mon, 26 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

To grow old is to lose everything. Aging, everybody knows it. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Renata Price on Dragon’s Dogma 2: https://bulletpointsmonthly.com/2024/05/24/learning-the-script-dragons-dogma-2
Additional editing by Isaac Holland
Thanks to Grittyhamy for capturing footage of Dragon’s Dogma 2: https://x.com/GrittyHamy

Media shown: Earth Defense Force 6, Earth Defense Force 5, Earth Defense Force 4.1 - The Shadow of New Despair, Earth Defense Force 2017, Monster Attack, Global Defense Force, World of Goo, World of Goo 2, The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe, Dragon’s Dogma, Dragon’s Dogma 2, 500 Caliber Contractz, Hades 2, Children of the Sun, Echo Point Nova, Metal Gear Solid 2, Metal Gear Solid 4, Yakuza 0, Like a Dragon: Infinite Wealth, Nine Sols, Inscryption, I Am Your Beast, Persona 3 Reload, A Highland Song, God of War (2005), God of War (2018), Eternal Sunshine of the Spotless Mind, Raising Arizona, Mission Impossible: Dead Reckoning,

Music Used (Chronologically): Human Resources (Perfect Vermin), Jeopardy! (Game Gear), Main Theme (Streets of Rage 4), The Heatseeker (Pistol Whip), The Long Juicy Road (World of Goo 2), Tumbler (World of Goo 2), Exhibition (The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe), Destroyer Destroyed (The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe), Atomic Express (World of Goo 2), The Memory Zone (The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe), HELL (The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe), Epilogue (The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe), Havre (Dragon’s Dogma 2), True Ending (Dragon’s Dogma 2), Farewell Rook (Dragon’s Dogma 2), Epilogue (The Stanley Parable: Ultra Deluxe), A Dark Knight at El Sol (World of Goo 2), EDF Songs (EDF 4.1 - Shadow of New Despair)

Additional music and sound effects from Epidemic Sound

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://twitter.com/HotCyder
Description credit: “Affirmation” by Donald Hall

The Brutal Joy of Ganondorf

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

And somewhere men are laughing, and somewhere children shout,
But there is no joy in Hyrule—mighty Ganon has struck out.

Follow me at https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Infinity Dorf by GLEED: https://youtu.be/WI70WqO9Tyk

Greatest Ganondorf Plays by YEET Smash: https://youtu.be/0aiPteloCg0

Animating a Smash Bros Character by New Frame Plus: https://youtu.be/3kTYazhO3fs

Visual Media used: Legend of Zelda(s): Ocarina of Time, Wind Waker, Twilight Princess, Skyward Sword, Breath of the Wild, Super Smash Bros Melee + Ultimate, Mortal Kombat X, Parks and Recreation

Music used: The Man with Evil Eyes (Hero of Time, Eric Bucholz), Break the Targets!, Hyrule Temple (SSBM), Kass’s Theme (SSBU)
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Script available for accessibility upon request

For written articles, podcasts, and more, visit http://caneandrinse.com/

Silksong and the Biblical Apocalypse

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

I shake the gates, I howl, I twist and break them open at last. Their fear has fed me, and I am warm despite the lack of sun | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Thanks to BlueSR for additional footage: https://www.youtube.com/@BlueSR
Thanks to Sebastien Skaf for the piano cover of Cogwork Dancers: https://youtu.be/AHitfoiaI_g?si=RfP9zMlbSaVLmwbO

Sources:
Everything Must Go by Dorian Lynskey, 2024
A History of the End of the World by Jonathan Kirsch, 2006
Post by u/RafflesiaArnoldii: https://www.reddit.com/r/Silksong/comments/1ndt8nx/analysis_the_haunting_vs_the_infection/
After the Tradition, by Robert Alter, 1969
On the Nature of Consciousness (Part 2) by Alan Watts, 1969

Media Shown: Hollow Knight: Silksong, Hollow Knight, Tunic, Slitterhead, Dragon’s Dogma 2, Dune Part 2, The Master, QAnon 101: The Search for Q (Vice), Arrival, A.I. Artificial Intelligence, Before Sunrise, I’m Thinking of Ending Things, World of Tomorrow: Episode 3 — The Absent Destinations of David Prime,

Music (Chronologically, all from Silksong unless otherwise noted): Last Dive, Cylinder 1 Singing, Bone Bottom, Greymoor, The Mist, The Slab, Underworks, Awakening, Dark Descent, Bilewater, Symphony No. 7 in A Minor – 2nd Movement – Allegretto, Etude No 3 for String Quartet (Peter Sandberg), A Massive Mist (Ethan Sloan), Lost Verdania, Nyleth, In Your Belief – Piano Solo (Asura’s Wrath), Cogwork Dancers (cover by Sebastien Skaf), Cylinder 1 Singing

Additional Music by Epidemic Sound
Additional Footage by Getty Images and Storyblocks

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description credit: “Revelations” By Suzi F. Garcia

Judaism and Whiteness in Wolfenstein

Sun, 25 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

Samuel Beckett once said, “Every word is like an unnecessary stain on silence and nothingness”...on the other hand, he SAID it.
-Art Spiegelman, 1992

Follow me at https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

CW: Descriptions of both historical and contemporary Nazism and White Supremacy, depictions of extreme violence, some discussion and depiction of child abuse (in context of Wolfenstein), brief discussion of animal abuse (in context of Wolfenstein), significant discussion of anti-semitism and the holocaust.

Voice of Henry Ford and Madison Grant provided by Zac Frazier: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkcVWQA-buWJc9Qm0SFqsLA

Visual Media used: Wolfenstein 3D, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein: The New Colossus, live footage from SkyNews, News and Observer, VICE

Music used: Various tracks from Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein: The New Colossus
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Script available for accessibility upon request

For written articles, podcasts, and more, visit http://caneandrinse.com/

The Ten Best Games of 2025

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

The passions that we fought with and subdued never quite die. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Buy my first book, “How a Game Lives:” https://www.harpercollins.com/products/how-a-game-lives-jacob-geller?variant=44008639135778
Buy my second book, “You’re Not Overthinking It:” https://www.lostincult.co.uk/overthinking
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Thanks to Jeremy Brauns Music for his cover of “Niamos:” https://youtu.be/6E7gfpGql7w?si=5aSopuyP0WcAYy_S
Thanks to WillRock for his OCRemix, “Apollo Duck:” https://youtu.be/KfmiPl4oPiQ?si=loVp-W4ojJvJzHv9

Additional Footage of Death Stranding 2 provided by DefendtheHouse and EuroThug4000
https://youtu.be/dAk1hkY37pE?si=j3XRwM-F2yA4Wrvl
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JUW7_pM81GU&t=662s

Source on Game Industry Layoffs: https://publish.obsidian.md/vg-layoffs/Archive/2025

Music (Chronologically): Mindless Regress (Sektori), Promenade dans Lumière (Clair Obscur), Niamos — Club Mix (Jeremy Brauns Music), Eternal Longing (Hades II), Flow State (Dead Letter Dept.), Mayoi Uta (Silent Hill F), Fading Glint (Citizen Sleeper 2), Lisrim — Golden (Lies of P: Overture), Story of Rainy (Death Stranding 2), Credits (Despelote), Glamorous (Consume Me), Gustave (Clair Obscur), Red Memory (Hollow Knight: Silksong), Tifa’s Theme (Final Fantasy VII Remake), Apollo Duck (OCRemix of “The Moon” from Duck Tales by WillRock)

Game Ten: 00:00
Intro: 01:26
Game Nine: 04:20
Game Eight: 06:08
Game Seven: 07:38
Game Six: 10:03
Game Five and a Half: 11:51
Game Five: 13:18
Game Four: 15:56
Game Three: 17:41
Game Two: 19:18
Game One and Conclusion: 21:56

Additional Footage by Getty Images and Storyblocks

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description Credit: “The Passions that we Fought with and Subdued” by Trumbull Stickney

APE OUT and FREEDOM

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

Tell me, what is it you plan to do
with your one wild and precious life?

Follow me: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Pharoah Sanders: You've Gotta Have Freedom: https://youtu.be/-mD-Sg9mZGU

Pepe Silvia w/drums: https://youtu.be/InbaU387Wl8

Visual Media used: APE OUT
Music used: APE OUT, You Gotta Have Freedom (Pharoah Sanders)
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Script available for accessibility upon request

For written articles, podcasts, and more, visit http://caneandrinse.com/

The Future is an Empty Room

Sat, 24 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

But the wind blew through me like I was a hologram. If you say I am a mystic, then fine: I’m a mystic. The trees are not trees, anyway.| See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Thanks to Nickolai Boulton for VFX work: https://bsky.app/profile/nickolaiboulton.com
Thanks to Mantron for additional footage of Death Stranding 2: https://www.youtube.com/@yesmantron
Thanks to Jsco Music for providing covers of Bo Burnham’s “All Eyes on Me” and “Goodbye”: https://www.youtube.com/@JscoMusic

“All Eyes On Me - Orchestral” by Jsco Music: https://youtu.be/s02zfnW_vaI?si=fJwLc3wTXaY8BeNM
“Goodbye - Orchestral” by Jsco Music: https://youtu.be/Rc9h1s4CCRo?si=_d9ieKlqhC6DYuwy

Media Shown: Death Stranding, Death Stranding 2, The Twilight Zone, Star Trek: The Next Generation, Aliens (deleted scenes), Prometheus, Sunshine, Inside, What., Make Happy, The Ray Bradbury Theater - The Veldt (1989), BFA Educational Media - The Veldt (1973)

Music (Chronologically): Abandoning Sendai (John Barzetti), Principal (1000xRESIST), Alone We Have No Future (Death Stranding), The Man on the Other End (Death Stranding 2), Should We Have Connected (Death Stranding 2), Execution (1000xRESIST), Piano Practice (1000xRESIST), The Occupants (1000xRESIST), The Timefall (Death Stranding), Are You There (Death Stranding 2), Year Unknown (1000xRESIST), All Eyes on Me - Orchestral (Bo Burnham cover by Jsco Music), Piano Practice (1000xRESIST), They Dream by Day (Mellifera), All Eyes on Me - Orchestral (Bo Burnham cover by Jsco Music), Smooth Talking (Nocturnal Spirits), Goodbye - Orchestral (Bo Burnham cover by Jsco Music)

Additional Music by Epidemic Sound
Additional Footage by Getty Images and Storyblocks

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description credit: “Midnight Office” By Cynthia Cruz

Who’s Afraid of Modern Art: Vandalism, Video Games, and Fascism

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

A picture lives by companionship, expanding and quickening in the eyes of the sensitive observer. It dies by the same token...how often it must be impaired by the eyes of the unfeeling and the cruelty of the impotent.

Follow me: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Big thanks to the voices of Zac Frazier (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkcVWQA-buWJc9Qm0SFqsLA), GamesD (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC_r8gFeezEBZVnazvbv75pQ), and ChariotRider (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCRpDbrcXS-giiD0PkZLC5Kw)

99% Invisible: The Many Deaths of a Painting: https://99percentinvisible.org/episode/the-many-deaths-of-a-painting/

The Barbarism of Representation: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/0031322X.1994.9970135

The Museum of Modern Art’s channel: https://www.youtube.com/user/MoMAvideos

Visual Media used: 2:22AM, Depression Quest, Speech by Goebbels (British Pathe), The Power of Art- Mark Rothko (BBC), The Truth about Modern Art, Modern art is still Sh*t (Paul Joseph Watson), Andres Serrano documentary (1989), various ABC news reports, The Return of Red, Yellow, and Blue (Stedelijk Museum), Ron Mueck- Making of (Fondation Cartier pour l'art contemporain), Degenerate Art Exhibition (sveinbjornt), Mark Rothko Exhibit (Jeromet Ryan)

Music used: Just Like You (Gone Girl), All You Are Going to Want to do is Get Back There (The Caretaker), Dies Irae (Giuseppi Verdi), Old piano adventure; the saloon sound (Rick22228), Max Docks, Torture (Max Payne 3), Frolic (Luciano Michelini)
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Script available for accessibility upon request

"I am Jesus Christ" and Other Games About Jews

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

“And that,” he said, pointing to the last building on the island, “that’s the other synagogue. I wouldn’t go there if you paid me.” | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Thanks to Meredith Gran for additional voices: https://bsky.app/profile/meredithgran.com

Additional footage of the IDF and Gaza from https://www.aljazeera.com/news/longform/2025/4/16/israeli-soldiers-filmed-themselves-destroying-gaza-see-the-video-evidence

The Gospel According to Jesus by Stephen Mitchell, 1993
“Bible Adventures” by Gabe Durham, 2015
BioShock‘s Jewish Roots Run Deep by Cody Mello-Klein: https://kotaku.com/bioshocks-jewish-roots-run-deep-1827482206

Media Shown: I Am Jesus Christ, Bible Adventures, The Shivah, Perfect Tides, Perfect Tides: Station to Station, Bioshock, From the Earth, Hineni, Who Shall Wander, Onthecht, Borderlands 2, Buffy the Vampire Slayer (Xbox), Metal Gear Solid, The Last of Us Part II, Bible Buffet, Spiritual Warfare, Super 3D Noah’s Ark, Captain Comic: The Adventure, Wolfenstein: The New Order, Wolfenstein: The New Colossus, The Producers, Young Frankenstein, Seinfeld, Broad City, Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Rugrats, The Game Awards 2024

Music (Chronologically): The Angels Descent (Bayonetta), Fugue 7777 (Katamari Damacy), Wedding Hall (Super Mario Odyssey), Paradise for One (Mike Franklyn), Encounter (Metal Gear Solid), Etcetera Etcetera (Indiana Jones and the Great Circle), Norwood’s Last Disciple (The Norwood Suite), Klezmer Feeling (Alexandra Woodward), Coasting (Transistor), Land of a Thousand Lakes (Trabant 33), A Familiar Divide (World of Goo 2), Last Dance in Helsinki (Trabant 33), Stone Office (The Shivah), Main Theme (The Shivah), Inside Bar (The Shivah), Main Theme (Perfect Tides), Ceremony (Perfect Tides), It Falls Apart (Perfect Tides: Station to Station), Reflection (Perfect Tides: Station to Station), Learning to Tell the Truth (Perfect Tides: Station to Station), Main Title (Bioshock), Dancers on a String (Bioshock), Cohen’s Masterpiece (Bioshock), Empty Houses (Bioshock), How She Sees the World (Bioshock 2), A Massive Mist (Ethan Sloan), Poets (Ciaran Delany), Someone to Watch Over Me (Perfect Tides: Station to Station)

Additional Music by Epidemic Sound
Additional Footage by Getty Images and Storyblocks

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social

More Games That Save the Best for Last

Fri, 23 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

Undone, I’d like my last thoughts to rhyme: I did not lend you my love. The end. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

0:00 - Intro
1:40 - Echo Point Nova (general discussion)
6:16 - Ending of Echo Point Nova
9:54 - Despelote (general discussion)
13:53 - Ending of Despelote
18:17 - Rhythm Doctor (general discussion)
24:00 - Ending of Rhythm Doctor

Media Shown: Echo Point Nova, Despelote, Rhythm Doctor, Pistol Whip, Thumper, Star Wars (1977), Shadow of the Colossus, Saints Row the Third, Turbo Overkill, Ultrakill, The Last Guardian, Subnautica: Below Zero, Resident Evil 4 Remake, Galaga, Pac-Man, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Call of Duty Black Ops: Cold War, Dark Souls III, Armored Core VI, Astro Bot, Battlefield 6, Guitar Hero: World Tour, Hollow Knight: Silksong, Spider-Man 2, Duke Nukem Forever, Overwatch, The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess

Music (Chronologically): Fahkeet (Hotline Miami 2), Amethyst (Echo Point Nova), Anselmo (Echo Point Nova), Astra (Echo Point Nova), Aspens Coming Down (Echo Point Nova), Blue Bird (Echo Point Nova), Eagle (Echo Point Nova), Icarus (Echo Point Nova), Mirando el Parque (Despelote), Bolero Lunar (Despelote), San Juanito (Despelote), Baja los Edificios (Despelote), Charcos (Despelote), Various Songs from Rhythm Doctor, Helping Hands (Rhythm Doctor), Hop Notch (Major Tweaks), Dreams Don’t Stop (Rhythm Doctor)

Additional Music by Epidemic Sound

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description credit: “New Born” By Stanley Moss

Outer Wilds: Death, Inevitability, and Ray Bradbury

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

Where are you?
I don’t know. How can I? Which way is up? I’m falling. Good God, I’m falling.

Follow me: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Readings provided by Leon Cox (https://twitter.com/ratsoalbion)

Additional footage provided by Rex (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UC5lg2p2KuCYAUW6_J16sboQ)
Kaleidoscope, Ray Bradbury 1942

Visual Media used: Outer Wilds

Music used: Première Prise (Vincent Leibovitz), Mental Caverns without Sunshine (The Caretaker), Various tracks from Outer Wilds OST (Andrew Prahlow)

Why Does Everyone Think "1984" Agrees With Them?

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

Are you such a dreamer, To put the world to rights? | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Thanks to on4word for the cover of 2+2=5 (Super Mario 64 soundfont): https://youtu.be/IgmxcZtguFE?si=EMOJ5bLNGgxEDt3S

Sources:
George Orwell’s writing sourced from The Orwell Foundation: https://www.orwellfoundation.com/
The Ministry of Truth by Dorian Lynskey, 2019
On 1984: The Story of George Orwell's Masterpiece by D.J. Taylor, 2019
Thomas Pynchon foreword to Nineteen Eighty-Four included in the book’s “Centennial Edition,” published in 2003
On the Contrary by Mary McCarthy, 1961
Literature in Politics: The Appropriation of George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four in contemporary British parliamentary debate by Imogen Birkett, 2023: https://exchanges.warwick.ac.uk/index.php/exchanges/article/view/1197/1070
He’s Dead, but He’s Everybody’s Weapon of Choice by Matthew Purdy, The New York Times 2025: https://www.nytimes.com/2025/03/29/magazine/trump-george-orwell-1984.html
Gary Varvel cartoons from his website: https://garyvarvel.com/
Additional Gary Varvel cartoons from https://www.creators.com/
Parler Scroll from: https://www.reddit.com/r/ParlerWatch/comments/ksir70/just_a_lil_scroll_through_parler_to_really_show/

Media Shown: Steve Jobs (Boyle, 2015), The Simpsons, Futurama, Half-Life 2, Fortnite, Big Brother, Fahrenheit 9/11 (Moore, 2004), Hail to the Thief (Live Recordings 2003-2009)

Music (Chronologically): Invention No. 4 In D Minor (Bach), Little Lion’s Song (Skin Deep), Spoiler (Cyberpunk 2077), Clocks (Coldplay), Sins of the Father (Metal Gear Solid V), Max — Panama (Max Payne 3), Run (Hotline Miami 2), Main Theme (Steamworld Dig), Scenes from Childhood op. 15 (Robert Schumann), Abyss (Hotline Miami 2), Crypt of the Addict (Superhot: Mind Control Delete), Minuet In G Minor (BWV Anh. 115), Stepping on Glass (Eneide), Tvivel (Hanna Ekstrom), Bitter Swirl (Line Neesgard), Control Sample (Skrya), Pilgrimage (Gorogoa), 2+2=5 (Super Mario 64 Soundfont cover of Radiohead by on4word), Ambiguous (Rina Rinoa)

Additional Music by Epidemic Sound
Additional Footage by Getty Images

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social

How Does Mirror’s Edge Still Look This Good?

Thu, 22 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

Upon it, their imagination shaped new ideals. They returned to their homes, each one of them carrying in their soul the shadow of the white cloud, each of them permeated by the most subtle and slow-acting of poisons.

Follow me: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Readings provided by Zac Frazier (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkcVWQA-buWJc9Qm0SFqsLA)

Visual Media used: Mirror’s Edge, Assassin's Creed: Odyssey, Far Cry 2, GTA IV, Mirror’s Edge Catalyst, Battlefield Bad Company, Shenme, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Wind Waker, Uncharted, The Witcher 3, Roller Coaster Tycoon 2

Music used: Still Alive (Lisa Mikovsky), Robocop GBA theme, Rollercoaster Tycoon 2 theme, Dream Chaser (Super Smash Bros, F-Zero), Trois Hymnopededies (Gary Numan), various tracks from Mirror’s Edge, Living in Infrastructure (SimCity 2013)

all the pixels in new york are freezing

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

For all park is policy, all verse is nurse, Every habitat a cradle for the soul. At least for the time being. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

The Evolution of YouTube by 4096: https://youtu.be/wYUY3Cb7-ks?si=ksyolANyD9L8Gx5L
The World Trade Center in 176 Video Games (1983-2025) by Данил Карпенко: https://youtu.be/AWaQx7nt5uk?si=lVtYsLXD-_lLS28Z
Additional footage of Max Payne on PS2 from Weiss Network TV: https://youtu.be/mB4rzarOw-o?si=hUcxF4hBul1yaGeZ

Media Shown: Parasite Eve, Max Payne, Max Payne 3, The Division, The Time Machine, The Utility Room, A Trip to the Moon, Driver Parallel Lines, Marvel’s Spider-Man 2, Marvel’s Spider-Man: Miles Morales, Microsoft Flight Simulator 4.0, Final Fantasy VII, Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020

Music (Chronologically): Waiting for Something to Awaken (Parasite Eve), Overture (Parasite Eve), Bells of Laguna Bend (Cyberpunk 2077), Lemniscate (Ethan Sloan), Main Theme (Max Payne), A Cold Day in Hell (Max Payne), Max’s Nightmare (Max Payne), Afterlife (Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare), Skyline (The Division), Safehouse (The Division), Flock (Hyper Light Drifter), Petrichor (Hyper Light Drifter), Story of Rainy (Death Stranding 2)

Additional Music by Epidemic Sound

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description credit: “Child of Nature” by Rowan Ricardo Phillips

The Decade-Long Quest For Shadow of the Colossus’ Last Secret

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

a mystery which will never happen again,
a miracle which has never happened before–
and shining this our now must come to then

Follow me: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Readings provided by:
MML: https://www.youtube.com/user/MML129
EuroThug4000: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCxddeIv7GdHNcVPZI9JvGXQ
Tayls: https://twitter.com/TalesOfTayls
GamesD: https://www.youtube.com/user/HotCyderable (also thanks for the exceptional opening montage and thumbnail bby)

Additional Footage Provided by Nomad Colossus: https://www.youtube.com/user/Nomad0168

Script Consultation: Writing on Games (https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCPlWv88ZRMxCcK3BGjrX7ew)

2013 Eurogamer article on "The Last Big Secret" by Craig Owens: https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-05-02-the-quest-for-shadow-of-the-colossuss-last-big-secret

The Thread: https://community.playstation.com/content/pdc/us/en_US/pdc-communities/playstation-general.topic.topic.0.25.html/quest_for_the_lastb-chNB

Opening track: For Her Soul, Alex Roe: https://youtu.be/fo7MaxhyeXA

Visual Media used: Shadow of the Colossus (2005 and 2018), ICO, Adventure, Mortal Kombat

Music used: For Her Soul (Alex Roe), Castle in the Mist (ICO), The Gates of Hell (Bayonetta), One Who Craves Souls (Demon's Souls), Various tracks from Octopath Traveler, Main Theme of Castle in the Sky

Reality is a Camera Trick: Film, Bodycams, and the First-Person Shooter

Wed, 21 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

Just moments ago I had no vision at all. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Flashing lights warning: 26:25 - 26:29

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Thanks to ADAMNATOR for additional color correction: https://www.youtube.com/adamnator

Sources:
Camera Experiments in 'Lady in the Lake', Crowther, 1947, NYT
Cinema Verite: The Movement of Truth, Axmaker, 2015, PBS
How we made The Blair Witch Project, Hoad, 2018, The Guardian
The history of the first-person shooter, Evans-Thirlwell, 2017, PC Gamer
Inspecting Video Game Historiography Through Critical Lens: Etymology of the First-Person Shooter Genre, Carl Therrien, 2015, Game Studies
Hythe Mk III Gun Camera, Forgotten Weapons: https://www.forgottenweapons.com/accessories/hythe-mk-iii-gun-camera/
RAF CAMERA GUN FOOTAGE: https://film.iwmcollections.org.uk/record/1653
Wearing body cameras increases assaults against officers and does not reduce police use of force: Results from a global multi-site experiment, Ariel et al., 2016, European Journal of Criminology
Body-worn cameras associated with increased assaults against police, and increase in use-of-force if officers choose when to activate cameras, 2016, University of Cambridge
The Illusion of Accuracy — How Body-Worn Camera Footage Can Distort Evidence, Yu, 2017, Upturn
Participatory Policing: Code Blue Cam and the Disciplinary Power of Police Body Camera Videos on YouTube, Clark and Arcy, 2026, Television and New Media
Was the 2005 Doom film ‘Doomed from the beginning?’: First-person shooters, subjective cameras and intertextuality in the critical reception of the film adaptation Doom (2005), Ward, 2018, Journal of Adaptation in Film and Performance
Cinema’s Turing test: Consciousness, digitality, and operability in HARDCORE HENRY, Yu, 2017, NECSUS
Origins of the First-Person Shooter, Galloway, 2006, Essays on Algorithmic Culture
Body-worn images: Point-of-view and the new aesthetics of policing, McKay and Lee, 2019, Crime, Media, Culture
The Searching Camera: First-Person Shooters, Found-Footage Horror Films, and the Documentary Tradition, Hart, 2019, Journal of Cinema and Media Studies
How Hardcore Henry’s POV shots were made, Failes, 2016, FXGuide
White Supremacist Kills 49 Muslim Worshipers in New Zealand, 2019, PBS via Democracy Now!
The teens who attacked the Islamic Center of San Diego were latest to cite prior atrocities, Johnson, 2026, AP News
Seeing 'The Blair Witch Project' Opening Nite, 90's Grunge Dreams: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CR1jzO5TDWY
VFX Artists React to Bad and Great CGi 141, Corridor Crew: https://youtu.be/u2gn2_9mQzc?si=yydb-5SQk86mzxtI
Danny Macaskill: The Ridge, Cut Media: https://youtu.be/xQ_IQS3VKjA?si=Wff73D2fL3oqpI-x
GoPro: Soul Flyers 33,000 ft Above Mont Blanc, GoPro: https://youtu.be/me6BgmeTH3k?si=V9Jn8sWpD71WdfKt
Paris Rooftop Parkour POV, STORROR: https://youtu.be/H6AO-RhaG_4?si=sxUNyNgIPfsVvKwi
The Psychic Burden of Being Watched, Lily Alexandre: https://youtu.be/gStjfje6Mq4?si=Youhk6yriK4vumuG
Tom Uban plays Maze on 1972 Imlac, Dr. Bruce Damer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RbZTzs6te7Q
DOOM Deathmatch 1995 Final!, Alexey Usachev: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fIrTwZjxcQ8
DOOM Tournament 1996, Jonathan Barbara: https://youtu.be/m47fDoFjNh0?si=-CaUlA_ANwXMXFBg
Over the Front - original aircraft footage (b and w, silent), Australian War Memorial: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dwrIf_5gEEM

Media use cited within video

Music (Chronologically): Totalimmortal (Cyberpunk 2077), Rite of Passage (Cyberpunk 2077), Future (Max Payne 3), Winter Hibernation (Magnus Ludvigsson), A Massive Mist (Ethan Sloan), Sunset Drone (Greener Grass Awaits), Alt’s Theme (Cyberpunk 2077), The Facsimile (Citizen Sleeper), One Legged Waltzing (Franz Gordon), Hel

Control, Anatomy, and the Legacy of the Haunted House

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

A world of made is not a world of born

Support me: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Follow me: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

What’s Spoiled?
Control: No character arcs are spoiled. One mid-game sidequest is briefly mentioned. Footage shows late-game areas and abilities without context.
Anatomy: Some footage and voiceover clips taken from late-game.
The Haunting of Hill House (book): One character’s fate is implied.
House of Leaves: Third-act actions of one character are discussed.

Anatomy: https://kittyhorrorshow.itch.io/anatomy

Mokumokuren: http://yokai.com/mokumokuren/

When buildings kill: https://placesjournal.org/article/when-buildings-kill/?cn-reloaded=1

Thanks to Ewan Wilson for research consultation: https://twitter.com/ewanwilson4

Thanks to Jay Taylor for Nioh footage: https://twitter.com/JaySevenZero

Footage used: Control, Anatomy, The Haunting (1963), NaissanceE, Haunted Castle Dark Ride at Santa Cruz Boardwalk (SoCal360), Mickey Mouse: The Haunted House (1929), Nioh, Scooby Doo: When Ghosts Go Boo, Yom Kippur Torah Reading (Moshe Weisblum)

Music used: Various tracks from Control, various tracks from Silent Hill 2, Humphrey Seale Suite (The Haunting, 1963), Max Docks (Max Payne 3), Serenity (Resident Evil 4), Sea of Stars (Bayonetta), Mental Caverns without Sunshine (The Caretaker), Save Theme (Resident Evil 2)

My Favorite Piece of Stock Footage

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

Between each telephone wire, I undress my memory to when he saw the sky and land touch in prayer | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Additional editing by Toadchurch: https://www.youtube.com/@toadchurch/videos
Additional voices by Dan Olson
Shots of Odessa, TX by Austin Baltes (https://www.youtube.com/@austinbaltes) with additional thanks to Callaway Kobes
Very special thanks to Bill Paxton, Head Librarian, Universal Film Library

Paul Frosh on Stock Photography:
2020: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/338880857_Is_Commercial_Photography_a_Public_Evil_Beyond_the_Critique_of_Stock_Photography
2001: https://www.researchgate.net/publication/249722940_Inside_the_image_factory_stock_photography_and_cultural_production
Brian Barrett on the Distracted Boyfriend meme: https://www.wired.com/story/distracted-boyfriend-meme-photographer-interview/
The Idée blog on The Everywhere Girl: https://web.archive.org/web/20080728232359/http://blog.ideeinc.com/2008/01/22/everywhere-girl-the-book/
CixxFive Concepts LLC v. Getty Images Inc: https://law.justia.com/cases/federal/district-courts/washington/wawdce/2:2019cv00386/270868/61/
Obituary of Wayne D. Gilliam Sr. (“Curley”): https://theflashtoday.com/2020/01/13/wayne-d-gilliam-sr-curley/

Media Shown (other than Stock Imagery): Friday Night Lights (2004), Friday Night Lights (2006), The Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess, Spider-Man 3, Deathloop, Groundhog Day, Palm Springs, Edge of Tomorrow

Music (Chronologically): Stomp and Shout (Candelion), Ray of Sun (Hanna Lindgren), UnearthU (UnearthU), You Can Always Come Home (Mike Franklyn), Silent Heaven (Silent Hill 2), Tears of… (Silent Hill), Ennui (Cody High), Old Time Circus (Luella Gren), Reminiscence Captured on Tape (Ave Air), Streets of Seville (Jose Barrios), Fallow Deer (Martin Klem), Trivalve (Ethan Sloan), The Facsimile (Citizen Sleeper), The Beautiful Blue Danube (as performed by the U.S. Marine Band), Baja los edificios (Despelote), Fading Glint (Citizen Sleeper 2), Of Sober Mind (Cristoffer Moe Ditlevsen), Beach Goer (Frook)

Additional footage from Getty Images and Storyblocks
Additional Music by Epidemic Sound

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description credit: “Golden Hour” by Huan He

Games, Schools, and Worlds Designed for Violence

Tue, 20 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

They walk out under the branches of hopelessness
They think of this world welcoming
the bodies of their sons.

Support me and receive a full-length video commentary on this essay: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Follow me: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Additional voices provided by Zac Frazier (youtube.com/c/ZacFrazier) and Laura Crone (youtube.com/c/lauracrone)

Additional footage provided by Jesse Guarascia

Robert Cockrell, Battlefield 4 Footage: https://youtu.be/T0Y3G-kLBYs
Arronmunroe, Time Crisis Arcade: https://youtu.be/DjOnbYXhrBo
LopMusic1, Red Dead Redemption 2 Sunrise: https://youtu.be/XiPXXPVnlB4
The Mad Rush to Bulletproof American Schools: https://slate.com/business/2019/08/school-shootings-design-architecture-sandy-hook-columbine.html?src=longreads
How UT architecture restricts activism: http://courses.jilliansayre.net/files/Politics%20of%20UT%20architecture.pdf
Metal Detectors and Feeling Safe at School: https://journals-sagepub-com.libproxy.lib.unc.edu/doi/abs/10.1177/0013124510380717
Were Brutalist Buildings on College Campuses Really Designed to Thwart Student Riots?: https://slate.com/human-interest/2013/10/campus-brutalism-were-the-buildings-designed-to-thwart-student-riots.html
13 On Your Side- Fruitport High School: https://youtu.be/mXeMGMtOB2Y
NBC News- Inside the Safest School in America: https://youtu.be/kcpsnrxHdCc
CBS News- New Sandy Hook School Opens: https://youtu.be/Ayi69eQd6A8
UNC Protests, September 8 2018: https://youtu.be/iRKuNTY6yKM
University of Texas Austin Tour: https://youtu.be/QklCIStFv5I
On the Humanist Ethic Behind Brutalism: https://www.spiked-online.com/2016/02/25/brutalism-and-the-word-was-made-concrete/

Games shown: Gears of War, Red Dead Redemption II, Max Payne 3, Vanquish, Minecraft, Uncharted 4, The Evil Within, Battlefield 4, Spec Ops: The Line, Time Crisis, Control

Music used: Red Dead Redemption II (Fleeting Joy, Outlaws from the West, Icarus and Friend, The Wheel), Max Payne 3 (DEAD, Painkiller), Sunset (Dancing in the Sand), Uncharted 2 (Bustin’ Chops)

I Am Turning Myself Into a Video Game Plane

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

And for an hour I fly without thought, without any feeling except the smooth stone joy of doing something that takes everything. | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Additional footage generously provided by:
Rook: https://www.youtube.com/@RookFox
ACF Nugget: https://www.youtube.com/@acfnugget

Special thanks to Luke Jones for filming

Sources:
“I Sexually Identify as an Attack Helicopter” by Isabel Fall, 2020
“How Twitter Can Ruin a Life” by Emily St. James, 2021

Media Shown: Air Combat, Ace Combat 2, Ace Combat 3: Electrosphere, Ace Combat 04: Shatter Skies, Ace Combat 5: The Unsung War, Ace Combat Zero: The Belkan War, Ace Combat 6: Fires of Liberation, Ace Combat 7: Skies Unknown, Project Wingman, 1000xRESIST, Batman: Arkham Knight, Shinobi: Art of Vengeance, Many Nights a Whisper, Baby Steps, Boomerang X, Hollow Knight Silksong, Final Fantasy XIV, Helldivers 2, Into the Breach, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach, Metal Gear Rising: Revengeance, Pragmata, Save Room, Outrun, Daytona USA, Resident Evil 4, Top Gun: Maverick, Fast and Furious, Fast 5, Fast and Furious 7, F9: The Fast Saga

Music (Chronologically): Daredevil (Ace Combat 7), Zero (Ace Combat Zero), Frozen Soul (Ace Combat 3), Stardust (Ace Combat 4), Dual Wielder (Ace Combat 7), Prelude (Ace Combat 4), Glacial Skies (Ace Combat 0), Curtain Rise (Project Wingman), Coronation (Project Wingman), Sudden Signs (Ethan Sloan), To Be Still (By Lotus), Offline (Ace Combat 7), Fort Grays Air Force Base Hanger (Ace Combat 7), Daredevil (Ace Combat 7), Prelude (Ace Combat 4), Final Flight (Project Wingman), The Journey Home (Ace Combat 5)

Additional footage from DVIDs and Getty Images
Additional music from Epidemic Sound

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description credit: “I Sexually Identify as an Attack Helicopter” by Isabel Fall

Museum Theft

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 14:10:00 -0000

and you leave behind you a heroic
trail of desolation

Support me and receive a full-length video commentary on this essay: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Get a free trial of Audible AND a free audiobook by visiting http://audibletrial.com/jacobgeller

Follow me: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

---------------------------------
Thanks to Laura Crone for script revisions: https://www.youtube.com/c/lauracrone

The Feather Thief (Kirk Wallace Johnson, 2018)
Western Reactions to Benin Bronzes: https://youtu.be/rp8flCwvoAU
Art of the Steal: On the Trail of World's Most Ingenious Thief : https://www.wired.com/2010/03/ff-masterthief-blanchard/
The Feather Heist (This American Life): https://www.thisamericanlife.org/654/the-feather-heist
Secrets of the World’s Greatest Art Thief: https://www.gq.com/story/secrets-of-the-worlds-greatest-art-thief
Nairaland Forum: https://www.nairaland.com/984559/walls-benin-mankinds-largest-ever
Will The British Museum Ever Return These Stolen Artifacts?: https://www.history.com/news/british-museum-stolen-artifacts-nigeria
Long in Exile, the Looted Benin Bronzes Tell the Story of a Mighty African Kingdom: https://www.artsy.net/article/artsy-editorial-long-exile-looted-benin-bronzes-story-mighty-african-kingdom
Wallace and Gromit: The Wrong Trousers (1993)

Music Used: Beethoven: Symphony No.7 in A major op.92 - II Allegretto, Invisible Inc: Mission Select, Nier Automata: Forest Kingdom and Peaceful Sleep (Music Box), Roller Coaster Tycoon 2: Main Theme, Max Payne 3: FUTURE, World of Goo: Burning Man, Are You Coming Home Soon Love MOM

Gaming's Infectious Era

Mon, 19 Oct 2026 06:10:00 -0000

Still will I harvest beauty where it grows: In coloured fungus and the spotted fog | See tons of bonus videos and support more work like this by joining my Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/c/JacobGeller
Social media and merch links at https://jacobgeller.com/

Media Shown: Moldrise, Pathogenic, Citizen Sleeper 1, Citizen Sleeper 2, In Other Waters, Signet City, Bills Must be Paid, ARC Raiders, Battlefield 2042, Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2, Call of Duty Black Ops 6, Concord, Dead by Daylight, Fortnite, Genshin Impact, Helldivers 2, Horizon: Hunter’s Gathering, Uma Musume: Pretty Derby, Love in Deepspace, Rainbow Six Siege, Rocket League, Rumbleverse, Zenless Zone Zero, Cookie Clicker, PegIdle, Dark Souls, The Crew 2, Slay the Spire II, Resident Evil 4, Resident Evil 5, Resident Evil 7, Resident Evil 8, Resident Evil 1, Denshattack, Absolum, Big Walk, DOOM, Deep Rock Galactic Survivor, Nine Sols, Hades, Hollow Knight, Marvel Tokon: Fighting Souls, No Country for Old Men, Super Mario Galaxy, The Last of Us, The Last of Us Part II, Titanium Court, Death Stranding 2, Inception

Music (Chronologically): Nobody is Home (Moldrise), One Thought (Moldrise), Chord Contagion (Moldrise), Pruritus (Moldrise), Laceration (Pathogenic), Cirrhosis (Pathogenic), Enteritis (Pathogenic), The Path (Resident Evil 8), Synthetic Warmth (Citizen Sleeper), Blackburn (Killer7), Prismatic Lens (Citizen Sleeper), Panoramic Feelings (Katana Zero), To Sebastian (Wendy Marcini)

Additional footage from Getty Images and Storyblocks
Additional Music by Epidemic Sound

Thumbnail and Graphic Design by https://bsky.app/profile/hotcyder.bsky.social
Description credit: "Still will I harvest beauty where it grows" by Edna St. Vincent Millay

Capitalist Present, Collective Future: An Analysis of Labor in Night in the Woods and Tacoma

Sun, 18 Oct 2026 22:10:00 -0000

Return the power to the workers and separate your boss from their teeth.

Follow me on Twitter: https://twitter.com/yacobg42

Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/JacobGeller

Footage from: Night in the Woods, Tacoma, Shenmue, Red Dead Redemption 2, Telltale's The Wolf Among Us and Guardians of the Galaxy.
Music from: Night in the Woods, Gone Home

This video was originally published as an essay for the website Cane and Rinse. Find us, more essays, and many podcasts, at http://caneandrinse.com/