(This review is adapted from thoughts I gave in the RPC Reading Club.)
Wow, this is quite an interesting one. I'm torn. Overall, it's quality work: you can't deny it's cute, and the Nihil connection lends a lasting sting. Even so… it's kinda dumb—at least on the surface.
When it first said "personal computer", I assumed that meant Weaver's own device, but then it's "Authority property". So he installed Garry's Mod on a work computer then, and throughout the article, he participates "in exchange for reduced disciplinary action". How wacky! And then the anomaly inadvertently introduces itself directly to the Authority, what a goof!
If the interview weren't so charming, we'd have issues. The article's writing is generally solid; even given some weirdly repetitious bits (also, I've never seen the word "pardon" used that way in clinical tone before, let alone twice), the tone is on point and silky smooth to read. I also appreciate the blackbox that actually makes sense, and you can't tell me Jimmy Carter wasn't the funniest possible choice.
That's just it: it's funny, with a great balance of comedy and sincerity. I was gonna pull a quote or two to demonstrate, but really, the whole thing speaks for itself. It carries a glowing appreciation for observing beauty without demanding anything in return, then undercuts it for one last well-timed punchline. It does, at one point, veer too far into anthropocentrism (anthropoexceptionalism?) for the context. The flattery is a bit much.
I was stuck on the rating for a while. I'll give it a 4/5; even with the problems I take, it hits more than it misses, and it certainly left an impression.
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