#epic discovery

[mostlysignssomeportents]

An Epic antitrust loss for Google

A jury just found Google guilty on all counts of antitrust violations stemming from its dispute with Epic, maker of Fortnite, which brought a variety of claims related to how Google runs its app marketplace. This is huge:

https://www.nytimes.com/2023/12/11/technology/epic-games-google-antitrust-ruling.html

The mobile app store world is a duopoly run by Google and Apple. Both use a variety of tactics to prevent their customers from installing third party app stores, which funnels all app makers into their own app stores. Those app stores cream an eye-popping 30% off every purchase made in an app.

This is a shocking amount to charge for payment processing. The payments sector is incredibly monopolized and notorious for its price-gouging – and its standard (wildly inflated) rate is 2-5%:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/08/04/owning-the-libs/#swiper-no-swiping

Now, in theory, Epic doesn't have to sell in Google Play, the official Android app store. Unlike Apple's iOS, Android permit both sideloading (installing an app directly without using an app store) and configuring your device to use a different app store. In practice, Google uses a variety of anticompetitive tricks to prevent these app stores from springing up and to dissuade Android users from sideloading. Proving that Google's actions – like paying Activision $360m as part of "Project Hug" (no, really!) – were intended to prevent new app storesfrom springing up was a big lift for Epic. But they managed it, in large part thanks to Google's own internal communications, wherein executives admitted that this was exactly why Project Hug existed. This is part of a pattern with Big Tech antitrust: many of the charges are theoretically very hard to make stick, but because the companies put their evil plans in writing (think of the fraudulent crypto exchange FTX, whose top execs all conferred in a groupchat called "Wirefraud"), Big Tech keeps losing in court:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/09/03/big-tech-cant-stop-telling-on-itself/

Now, I do like to dunk on Big Tech for this kind of thing, because it's objectively funny and because the companies make so many unforced errors. But in an important sense, this kind of written record is impossible to avoid. Any large institution can only make and enact policy through administrative systems, and those systems leave behind a paper-trail: memos, meeting minutes, etc. Yes, we all know that quote from The Wire: "Is you taking notes on a fucking criminal conspiracy?" But inevitably, any ambitious conspiracy can only exist if someone is taking notes.

What's more, any large conspiracy involving lots of parties will inevitably produce leaks. Think of this as the corollary to the idea that the moon landing can't be a hoax, because there's no way 400,000 co-conspirators could keep the secret. Big Tech's conspiracies required hundreds or even thousands of collaborators to keep their mouths shut, and eventually someone blabs:

https://www.science.org/content/article/fake-moon-landing-you-d-need-400000-conspirators

This is part of a wave of antitrust cases being brought against the tech giants. As Matt Stoller writes, the guilty-on-all-counts jury verdict will leak into current and future actions. Remember, Google spent much of this year in court fighting the DoJ, who argued that the company bribed Apple not to make a competing search engine, paying tens of billions every year to keep a competitor from emerging. Now that a jury has convinced Google of doing that to prevent alternative app stores from emerging, claims that it used these pay-for-delay tactics in other sectros get a lot more credible:

https://www.thebignewsletter.com/p/boom-google-loses-antitrust-case

On that note: what about Apple? Epic brought a very similar case against Apple and lost. Both Apple and Epic are appealing that case to the Supreme Court, and now that Google has been convicted in a similar case, it might prompt the Supremes to weigh in and resolve the seeming inconsistencies in the interpretation of federal law.

This is a key moment in the long project to wrest antitrust away from the pro-monopoly side, who spent decades "training" judges to produce verdicts that run counter to the plain language of America's antitrust law:

https://pluralistic.net/2021/08/13/post-bork-era/#manne-down

There's 40 years' worth of bad precedent to overturn. The good news is that we've got the law on our side. Literally, the wording of the laws and the records of the Congressional debate leading to their passage, all militate towards the (incredibly obvious) conclusion that the purpose of anti-monopoly law is to fight monopoly, not defend it:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/04/14/aiming-at-dollars/#not-men

It's amazing to realize that we got into this monopoly quagmire because judges just literally refused to enforce the law. That's what makes one part of the jury verdict against Google so exciting: the jury found that Google's insistence that Play Store sellers use its payment processor was an act of illegal tying. Today, "tying" is an obscure legal theory, but few doctrines would be more useful in disenshittifying the internet. A company is guilty of illegal tying when it forces you to use unrelated products or services as a condition of using the product you actually want. The abandonment of tying led to a host of horribles, from printer companies forcing you to buy ink at $10,000/gallon to Livenation forcing venues to sell tickets through its Ticketmaster subsidiary.

The next phase of this comes when the judge decides on the penalty. Epic doesn't want cash damages – it wants the judge to order Google to fulfill its promise of "an open, competitive Android ecosystem for all users and industry participants." They've asked the judge to order Google to facilitate third-party app stores, and to separate app stores from payment processors. As Stoller puts it, they want to "crush Google’s control over Android":

https://www.epicgames.com/site/en-US/news/epic-v-google-trial-verdict-a-win-for-all-developers

Google has sworn to appeal, surprising no one. The Times's expert says that they will have a tough time winning, given how clear the verdict was. Whatever this means for Google and Android, it means a lot for a future free from monopolies.

If you'd like an essay-formatted version of this post to read or share, here's a link to it on pluralistic.net, my surveillance-free, ad-free, tracker-free blog:

https://pluralistic.net/2023/12/12/im-feeling-lucky/#hugger-mugger

[fncreature]

Kenadian/Wifies/Wato Tumblr Masterpost 

Helpful Links

Timeline Playlist - https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLT7UQc_8hpx3wKFaO45fk84ig99qOdjgQ&si=EU1L0Ae3U07xef9f

Kenadian NameMC - https://namemc.com/profile/_Kenadian_.1

Wifies NameMC - https://namemc.com/profile/Wifies.1

Wato NameMC - https://namemc.com/profile/Wato1876.1

WatoWolf (Wato’s alt) NameMC - https://namemc.com/profile/WatoWolf.1

Important Posts

FNCreature

First Theory Post

Original timeline with the main two videos and the prologue and epilogue, discussed whether Maskfies and Evilfies were the same character or not

Second Theory Post

Updated theory timeline with but there was more, and the Omziscool lore, discusses how Wato gets the mask and some characteristics of the mask, includes character descriptions.

an explanation for this image (Third Theory Post and Short Analysis)

Analysis of Wato’s short, including Voidfies and discussion of the possible trap and killing of Wato in the white blob room, including three theories about Voidfies’ origins

about the Mask skin

Discoveries from the discord groupchat, including discovering that Voidfies is a Wifies skin with the mask, and more discussion and ideas about the short

Comprehensive Theory Post

Updated theory timeline, discusses Maskfies’ and Voidfies’ creation, properties of the mask, what happens in the white blob room, and includes and updates previous theories in one post

Why Maskfies Runs Post

Discusses the theory that Maskfies built the large escape rooms, and why they go there in but there was more

@enlighten3d

First Theory Post

Theory timeline, discusses that Masked Wato and Wato are the same character, mask power and the importance of the white blob room.

World Exploration Post

Exploration of the world download, includes more finds in the reblogs

Discovery of Wato’s Normal Skin in the Epilogue

Second Theory Post

Updated theory timeline, discusses Evilfies’ connection to the mask and their experimentation, Voidfies’ connection to the white blob room, and Wato’s code and memory issues

@crowskullls

First Discovery and Images of Voidfies in the epilogue

@brain-empty

Discovery of but there was more

Wato’s Tumblr Post - https://www.tumblr.com/wato1876/754866215341719552/what-youre-still-here-its-over-go 

I’m not going to tag her.

Also, we’re going to start tagging everything related to this collab with #KWW Collab, so use that tag for any posts about it!

If I missed any posts that you think should be in here, let me know, and tag me in any future theories/discoveries so I can update the masterpost!

(@viv-imus-illogic) (@someonesomehowsomewherehere)

[adiraofthetals]

So I had a crack thought about fandom as one does.

Gray Tal as Hermes (Epic & Star Trek Discovery)

On the surface that seems all well and good. Until you remember that Hermes is the great-great-grandfather of Telemachus.

For my fic Paul is Odysseus and Adira is Telemachus. In Star Trek Discovery Adira and Gray dated.

Anyways, as much as I would love to make Gray sing "Wouldn't You Like" and give Paul drugs atlas I can't.

*Cough cough* Crackfic? *cough cough*

[ghostvibesonly]

when ody calls out for athena you can faintly hear eurylochus say “you rely on wit”

….

……….

……………………..

i just want to talk jay.

[mxflowercheck]

MICHAEL AND TILLY AT THE BEGINNING OF THEIR FRIENDSHIP AND “We’ll be fine” FROM EPIC!!!

[aurlworthfightingfor]

“It is unclear to me what would have given you the impression that I am in need of a caretaker.” - President T’Rina

[pinyatapix]

DO YOUR THING TUMBLR

DO YOUR THING

[fisheito]

Found a BL manga at the library (amazing. I'm living in the world of tomorrow )

The back cover goes "in a SCHOOL where BOYS are subjected to a TIER SYSTEM that forces MC to BE BOTTOM BITCH to all the TOP RANK DOGS" and I'm 😬 eugh no thanks

Notice MC kind of looks like nerdkumo Images flood my mind with deplorable despicable humiliating things being done to him

...

Yeah alright

takes the book to checkout

[dragons-in-spaceee]

I’m never going to shut up about star trek discovery. I fucking love this show so much it’s so fucking good

[starrie-amethyst]

SNEAK PEEK | Exploring the Unknown with Wang Yibo | Discovery Channel Southeast Asia https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uvAaXHKA3sY

Like Yibo said Oh my god!

[eliezersaul]

Just what do you think you're playing, Dave? 🚀🎹🪐

Dr. Dave Bowman playing a digital piano aboard the USS Discovery One before disconnecting HAL 9000.

Some reddit users have speculated he was playing "Also Sprach Zarathustra" by Richard Strauss... Hmmm... Interesting.

Taken from 2001: A Space Odyssey unseen/deleted scenes. Image property of its owner(s).

[wallpapersmonster]

🌌 Mystical Discovery: Unveiling Ancient Secrets! 🗝️

Hey there, wallpaper lovers! 🎉 We’re super excited to present our latest creation: Mystical Discovery! This captivating piece takes you on an adventure through ancient ruins, where an incredible artifact awaits your gaze. Just imagine the stories hidden within those weathered stones! 📜✨

Perfect for fans of comic legends and mystical tales, this wallpaper will transport you to a world filled with wonder and intrigue. Whether you’re a comic book aficionado or just someone who loves a good mystery, this piece is sure to spark your imagination! 🌟

What’s even cooler? You can easily bring this stunning artwork to your device. Just follow the link below to immerse yourself in the magic of Mystical Discovery!

👉 Explore the Ancient Artifact 👈

We pour our hearts into every wallpaper we create, and we hope this one adds a touch of mystery and excitement to your screens! Don’t forget to share your thoughts in the comments. We love hearing from you! 💬❤️

Happy decorating! 🖼️🎨

[thehopelessauthor]

G.O.A.T Romances

1. Stolas x Blitz = Stolitz)

2. Fran x Maxwell (Franxwell)

3. Lucifer x Chloe (Deckerstar)

Recent:

4. Mattthew x Diana (Mariana)

5. Lyra x Will (Lyrill)

6. Nora x Nathan (Upload)

7. Geralt x Yennerfer (Yeralt)

8. Branch x Poppy (Broppy)

9. Anthony (Angel Dust) x Husk = Huskerdust / Anthusker)

<> Semi-canon but not canonically confirmed yet

[adiraofthetals]

Been relistening to "Would You Fall in Love with Me Again" Very Paul/Hugh codded. Very sweet and very cute and very sad.

[smallpox-juicebox]

TIL CHICHI FROM TO WONG FOO IS THE SAME ACTOR AS LUIGI FROM THE SUPER MARIO BROS MOVIE??

[sapphireswimming]

My most significant albums of 2024 [2023] [2022] [2021] [2020] [2019] [2018] [2017] [2016] [2015]

In no particular order: Bonnie Grace's discography | The Boy and the Heron OST | Back to the Future OBC | & by Bastille | Epic the Musical Concept Album | Inheritance by Audrey Assad | Honkai Star Rail OST | Weightless by Marconi Union | Persona 5 OST

Honorable Mentions: Loom by Imagine Dragons | The Great Gatsby OBC | Persona 3 OST | plus @laora-ryn’s always-fantastic Gundam 00 Playlist

Tagging: @mabel-but-slytherin, @laora-ryn, @cthulhu-with-a-fez , @ninthfeather , @hawk-in-a-tree , @puppetmaster55 , @smartass-telepath (if you want) and anyone else who’d like to! Feel free to tag me because I love seeing what other people listen to :D