Gwern.net — Reviews (Books, Film, Opera, Misc)

Perfume Reviews, by Gwern · Gwern.net

Gwern — Sat, 05 Jul 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Discussion of dabbling in samplers of ‘avant-garde’ perfumes and other perfumes; what I liked and did not like, and what 2 perfumes I ultimately bought for myself (Acqua di Sale and Kyoto Incense).

Review of I Remember Lemuria!, by Gwern · Gwern.net

Gwern — Wed, 26 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Pulp SF novel about mind-controlling evil UFO alien abductions seems more about BDSM and furries than appreciated, possibly explaining its early popularity and eventual disappearance.

Review: The Birth of Sake (2015), by Gwern · Gwern.net

Gwern — Wed, 19 Mar 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Review of sake-making documentary; moody cinematography on a declining industry, way of life, and country. What is the point of sacrificing your life and family to make a drink no one cares about? What if no one really enjoyed Jiro’s sushi and his son didn’t want to take over?

Movie Reviews · Gwern.net

Gwern — Thu, 01 May 2014 00:00:00 +0000

A compilation of movie, television, and opera reviews since 2014.

Review Of The Last Unicorn · Gwern.net

Gwern — Thu, 06 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Children’s animated fantasy movie with surprisingly deep thoughts about personal identity and immortality.

Anime Reviews · Gwern.net

Gwern — Tue, 14 Dec 2010 00:00:00 +0000

A compilation of anime/manga reviews since 2010.

Review Of The Quantum Thief Trilogy · Gwern.net

Gwern — Wed, 31 Aug 2022 00:00:00 +0000

Explanation of the emotional core of The Quantum Thief’s exploration of the trap of persistent personal identity and seeking freedom.

Origins of Innovation: Bakewell & Breeding · Gwern.net

Gwern — Sun, 28 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000

A review of Russell 1986’s Like Engend’ring Like: Heredity and Animal Breeding in Early Modern England, describing development of selective breeding and discussing models of the psychology and sociology of innovation.

Tea Reviews · Gwern.net

Gwern — Wed, 13 Apr 2011 00:00:00 +0000

Teas I have drunk, with reviews and future purchases; focused primarily on oolongs and greens. Plus experiments on water.

Cat Psychology & Domestication: Are We Good Owners? · Gwern.net

Gwern — Sat, 03 Nov 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Extended book review of Bradshaw 2013 (Cat Sense) on the connections between cat psychology, evolution/genetics, history of domestication or lack thereof, & possible dysgenics, highlighting modern maladaptivity of cat psychology, with key references; speculation on cat toys, knocking things over, and tails.

Book Reviews · Gwern.net

Gwern — Fri, 23 Aug 2013 00:00:00 +0000

A compilation of reviews of books I have read since ~1997.

Review of The Tale of the Princess Kaguya · Gwern.net

Gwern — Tue, 01 Mar 2016 00:00:00 +0000

Review of Isao Takahata’s last & greatest film on how to accept the transience of life, filled as it is with both joy & sorrow.

Opera Reviews · Gwern.net

Gwern — Sat, 02 Feb 2019 00:00:00 +0000

A compilation of opera reviews since 2019.

Review of Space Battleship Yamato · Gwern.net

Gwern — Wed, 29 Sep 2021 00:00:00 +0000

Why is Yamato so influential on a generation of anime otaku and later anime, despite a weak story and compromised production? It offers a fantasy WWII in which Imperial Japan is the hero, and all its sins projected onto an imaginary enemy.

Umineko: The Hopium Of The Magics · Gwern.net

Gwern — Wed, 04 Jul 2018 00:00:00 +0000

Review of famous light novel series Umineko no Naku Koro ni: it is a highly idiosyncratic, wildly self-indulgent, yet impressive exploration of all possible locked-room mysteries, knocked for a loop mid-composition by personal tragedy, triggering a descent into a deeply harmful endorsement of fantasies & running from painful realities.

MLP: Immanetizing The Equestrian · Gwern.net

Gwern — Wed, 24 Oct 2018 00:00:00 +0000

A meditation on subcultures & review of the cartoon series My Little Pony: Friendship Is Magic, focusing on fandom, plot, development, and meaning of bronydom.

Mead · Gwern.net

Gwern — Wed, 02 May 2012 00:00:00 +0000

Ratings of mead and fruit wines I have tried.