Don’t be so Phylotarded

Well, seeing as the idea of having a specific set of dino-focused RPG reviews in a row didn’t appeal to me, the spring (or summer) of dino RPGs just isn’t happening. I will, of course, review dinosaur-themed roleplaying game titles, but on my own time, as I still have yet to seem to learn from my past mistakes of trying to push myself to write on a specific topic when I don’t feel the creative juices flowing. That isn’t to say that there are no dinosaur topics on my mind; no, far from it, there are plenty! And that’s where we lead into today’s post.

You may recall in my last blog post, I took note on creationist dino-fantasies and their influence on my past. I also noted the term “phylotardation” as used by the brilliant Darren Naish to parodize the classic cryptid known as the Mokele-Mbembe. He did a good job, but I couldn’t help thinking how much farther it could be taken. There have been numerous supposed “modern-day dinosaurs” brought in as evidence for creationism by missionaries, spin artists, and excited dreamers over the decades, and I felt it was time that they got their due. Well…due for two of them, at least. This is mainly a primer on what to look for in a phylotarded cryptid, not an exhaustive survey or anything. So, without further adieu, behold Jurassic Snark a brief introductory exercise in phylotardation.

 

The Neopolitan Mix: Palaeozoic and Mesozoic Transitional Fossils

I’m back from a slight hiatus again and ready to ramble some more. For my return, I figure I’d give a mixture of ramblings on some of my favorite creatures; for that, I decided to choose some of the transitional lifeforms, creatures that show features of two separate biological groups. A point of fascinating and argument, transitional fossils are a neopolitan mix of features that are obviously a proper choice for a mixed-item article. This article is probably a mixed bag for most, since it is mainly my mind wandering. If you aren’t familiar with these creatures, you’ll probably be informed. If you are…well, I’m sorry, but at least you get some links and something to read.

 

Journey to the Center of the Earth 3D (2008): A Rant

I have a a twisted sense of desire when it comes to media that are based on palaeolife (and extraterrestrials, but that’s another story), be they movies, books, TV series, or something else. Even if my mind frantically screams bloody murder as it writhes in agony at the prospect, I am drawn to the snarker’s call like a moth to flame. This time, I skewered my brain with the 2008 movie Journey to the Center of the Earth. Yes, the one that Brendan Fraser’s in. Don’t expect a huge in-depth review, since this is only from my perspective as a palaeobuff and a Jules Verne fan, not as a movie critic.

 

Midday Saturday Randomness

Today I’m happily attempting to get a morning, midday, and night post out. Right now is the “close to midday but not really that close” midday post. Behold the new Saturday tradition: the Random Blogging!

Mini Randomness Rant: Camcorder Shake

I get nauseated easy, and the handheld camcorder movie is my eternal nemesis. My question is: why, Hollywood? Why, Animal Planet? Camcorder shake isn’t anything new, and anything utilizing it after the Blair Witch Project seems to believe that it should be so gratuitously marred in front of our faces that you have to settle down and avoid turning the labyrinth of your brain into a dungeon of murderous insanity. The biggest offenders are those that believe you can somehow make a monster spookier by making you vomit. I can understand the reasoning behind keeping a monster hidden; hell, I am a staunch supporter of imperfect animal imagery.

 

On Palaeontological Art: Environment Interaction

A pair of zuniceratops in a Cretaceous forest

I was too busy writing some stuff not related to here to blog yesterday,. Thankfully, however, I can get that ammended with a couple of posts today! Since I do 3D art, there’s obviously a line between where my expertise falls flat between mediums, but I want to talk to you today about some basic tenets of palaeo-art that can be applied freely between mediums and should be more commonplace. The image above shall become our basic framework for what we’ll be doing here. Sit back, relax, and enjoy the feature presentation.

 

Jurassic Fight Club, a Guilty Pleasure

Well, anyone who has their palaeontological sights on the media has probably heard of Jurassic Fight Club, the History Channel romp and stomp of Mesozoic violence. Well, I’m here to say that it’s not perfect, but its my damning weakness…it’s a guilty pleasure, and a fun one at that. There’s just something about titans of flesh stomping their mass across verdant palaeoscapes that just brings out the child in you, and this is exactly what JFC manages to perform.