Teenagers are Being Banned From Going in Public Alone, it Makes Sense They're Cooped Up On Their Phones

When I was a teenager in the now apparently olden days of the early 2000's, we had a variety of tech, but it was a bit less ubiquitous. Cell phones weren't the smartphones we now know. Downloading music via the internet happened, but was more of a dirty little illegal thing compared to buying CDs or burning a mix of songs for your friends. Plus, we often just...hung out. We'd just lounge around a park, sit at a coffee place, aimlessly wander the Mall, lounge at an arcade, or otherwise go out and do random stuff. We Millennials weren't exactly like when Generation X were kids or teenagers, as they'd literally get thrown out of the house by their parents for hours upon hours (told to just come back by the time the streetlights flickered on), but we definitely were out and about more than a lot of Gen Z or younger kiddos. Some people say the ability of teenagers to sit at home and talk with all their friends online, play games with them, and so forth has created less desire to go out and be together in person. However, columnist Rikki Schlott over at the, "New York Post," of all places, hits the nail on the head with her opinion piece, "Teens are being banned from bowling alleys, skating rinks, malls, and theme parks — no wonder they’re on their phones all day."

The NY Post tends to be one of the most intentionally provocative, scandal-focused, tabloid-adjacent papers and websites out there, but when somebody's right, they're right. So many places that used to be hot spots for teenagers to just chill and spend time together now won't even allow anybody under 18 without a parent/legal guardian to be present at certain times (or all the time). Theme parks forbid a small group of teens. Malls will let a sixteen-year-old work in a store, but not go shopping around by themselves. Teens might have a couple of friends with a license and a car they can borrow to drive...but where is there to go? Some movie theaters don't want unaccompanied minors, and even something as simple that I did with friends when I was a teen, like tooling around our town's massive Walmart (there really wasn't much to do in Cortland) might be forbidden in some cities if those teens lack a grown-up by their side.

Yes, teenagers can get in trouble or cause a ruckus. They can be rude, loud, disruptive, or cause a scene. That said, there are plenty of adults doing that all the time (whether sober, drunk, or whatever). Plenty of teenagers are perfectly behaved and polite, and maybe would love the chance to spend a couple of hours at a roller rink with friends, aimlessly zooming around. More and more places don't want teens present, and bluntly, plenty of parents are paranoid about their kiddos going out and doing something without constant supervision or checking in with home on their phone every 15 minutes. When I was a teenager, we at least had the opportunity to choose between staying home and playing a PlayStation 2 or going and killing a couple of hours at Frank and Mary's diner--eating some cheap all-day breakfast--and paradoxically having a lot of fun doing basically nothing. God, I miss that place, and I'm glad it existed long enough that I was able to introduce Samii to it on a couple of visits back to Cortland.

Teens today have a lot fewer opportunities to simply go out and socialize with each other (unless a parent is essentially standing nearby). Sometimes older folks will complain about, "Kids these days," and how easy they have it. That is true in some regards when it comes to how simple it is to access information (asking an AI about an old news story is a lot simpler than scrolling through microfilm), but when it comes to opportunities for social interaction beyond the internet, the youth definitely have a lot fewer opportunities available. I feel bad for, "The kids today," in that regard. I may have had to flip through a phonebook to get the number for a local pizza joint instead of asking Siri, but at least my friends and I could chill at the park, eating that pizza and not get in trouble for just being present there, minding our own business. Times have definitely changed.

Clever Marketing: USA Today and Spider-Man Team Up For a New Comic

"USA Today Play," is an aspect of the newspaper you can find online. It is free (with ads) or has a subscription option that makes those advertisements go away. There are games, quizzes, puzzles, and now comics (although you can only get so many for free). Yes, thanks to a deal with Marvel, USA Today has some slightly older Marvel stories folks can read along with a brand-new Spider-Man series titled, "Spider-Man TODAY," which will run for 47 weeks. Written by Al Ewing and illustrated by Todd Nauck, that is a pretty great creative team. Marvel has been struggling a lot lately, but this is a clever marketing idea as now those who frequent USA Today Play can read a new Marvel comic and sample highlights of other ones--with the idea being they will then seek out more Marvel, I imagine.

I am all for anything that helps expand the readership of comics. Without new readers (young or old) the format could very well find itself dying out. By getting some, "Younger blood," injected into comic-book fandom we can keep comics around for years to come, hopefully.  Many people have been giving Marvel grief (myself included) for seeming to struggle in regard to new, good ideas. This is cool and I applaud Marvel for trying something different.

Roku to be Bought by Fox

You know, the movie, “Network,” really called a lot of things decades in advance, didn’t it? Mega corporations controlling all of politics, smaller entities being swallowed up by bigger ones, and the rise of a news media that relies more on sensationalism and scaring viewers than informing them. Whenever I read certain kinds of announcements, I think of, “Network." Seeing that Fox (the chunk not owned by Disney) plans to buy Roku for 22 billion smackers definitely sparked memories of that flick. Netflix was going to acquire Warner Bros. Discovery until Paramount's unending effort to undo that and be the one who acquired WBD resulted in Netflix calling it a day and letting them do it. Now Fox can buy Roku and use it as a way to push their sports broadcasts and so-called, "Fox News," channel into more homes.

The usual claims have been made about how nothing-to-very-little will change, so everyone should just remain calm. Too often, a company finds itself acquired by another, and within a short period of time, a lot changes, despite claims that won't happen. I will forever be contrite about my post claiming Amazon buying Comixology wouldn't, "Be a big deal." I guess I should've predicted a small number of years later, Amazon would kill the service and rip out any useful parts to use in other projects like some kind of Frankenstein's monster-meets-zombie-cyborg. Perhaps I'm worrying too much, and everything will be fine. Oh, speaking of, "Fine," the beloved gaming studio Double Fine Productions, which was bought out and acquired by Microsoft in 2018/2019 or so, might be shut down. The Xbox brand went on a buying spree only to realize its metaphorical account was Hellishly overdrawn, I suppose. Big corporations, they don't have to balance a budget like regular folks!

Ned Beatty as Arthur Jensen in, "Network."

In closing, Fox plans to buy Roku, everything is going to work out fine, and the billionaires (plus, now one trillionaire) surely have the best interests of everyone else on their minds as this all happens. Right? I'd like to think everything is going to be okay with Roku, because I really like the Roku televisions and would prefer they don't suddenly all shut down and turn into a big worthless monitor screen with zero other capabilities in the future due to some other merger/sale/acquisition/whatever. To return to, "Network," Ned Beatty as Arthur Jensen put it well when he said, "The World is a Corporation."

The Continued Fear of a Black First Lady, All These Years Later

I want to talk about June 14th, 2026. However, in order to do that, I feel a need to take us back to 1990, then 2008. Bear with me.

It's April 10th, 1990. Public Enemy has released their third studio album, "Fear of a Black Planet." The title is a metaphor for the growing anxiety of white folk--specifically in America--about the growing economic, political, and social power of black people. A critical and commercial hit, it was controversial, edgy, and is found now on many, "Best albums ever,"-type lists.

It's November 8th, 2008. Barack Obama has been elected the 44th President of the United States. Everyone thought Hillary Clinton would crush him in the primaries, but Obama's amazing speeches, easy-to-like personality, laid-back demeanor, and general magnetism assisted him in beating John McCain for the office of the President. Some people use this occasion to remark that racism is somehow over. That remains wholly false. It shows that sometimes, racism can be overcome. If the person running for President is black, America will overlook/"Allow," it if he's super-smart, one of the best public speakers ever, has little to no skeletons in his closet. After all, "At least he's still a guy." 

Barack's wife is a beautiful, smart woman named Michelle who has spent her life committed to various causes aimed at helping others. Obama will serve two full terms, and before leaving office in January of 2016, will receive some of the most vicious, hateful treatment from the media and general populace any political figure could imagine. Arguably, the only person to get it worse during those eight years is Michelle.

Inauguration Day, January 20th, 2009

It's June 14th, 2026. Donald Trump is President, again, after serving from 2016 to 2020. He's only the second person to ever serve two nonconsecutive terms (the other is Grover Cleveland). It is the 250th birthday of America, and it also happens to be Trump's 80th birthday. The White House lawn is featuring a number of UFC bouts. The head of the UFC happens to be friends with Trump. The event is streaming exclusively on Paramount+, with its owner also happening to be a chum of Trump. 

A man named Josh Hokit wins his fight against Derrick Lewis, and during his post-match interview with Joe Rogan (because, of course, he has to be in this story somehow), Hokit randomly declares, “And lastly ‒ Michelle Obama is a man! Am I right, America?” It's 2026, but somehow it is simultaneously 2008, 1990, the Jim Crow era, and all the way back to the past when a white person first decided that a black person was somehow, "Less than," them. "Fear of a Black Planet," shifts into a smaller-scale but just as potent fear of a black First Lady. Almost ten years later, Barack and Michelle somehow still take up so much space in many conservatives' heads.

I sit here, now, on June 15th. I am not surprised in the least that Donald Trump had a bunch of people pummel each other on the lawn of the Capitol as a birthday gift to himself. I am also not surprised that someone said something horrific about the Obamas because even though it's nearly been a decade since Barack has held office with his wife as First Lady, Donald Trump and others just can't--as Elsa would sing, "Let it go." Let it go Obama was a good (but not great) President. Let it go people will always like him more than Trump. Let it go that he's just genuinely a better human than Trump, which might be part of the problem.

Barack and Michelle were too perfect for conservatives. There must be some dark secret. A popular conspiracy theory that started to spring up was that Michelle was somehow formerly a man, or still secretly a man. This rose to prominence along with the other old chestnuts that Barack was born in Africa or a secret Muslim. This way, you could also throw in some homophobia and transphobia with the racist/religious attacks. None of these ideas are rooted in facts, but to some people they just feel true. Falsehoods don't care about facts; they thrive on half-truths and imaginings.

Michelle Obama once said, "When they go low, we go high." A wonderful sentiment, a thought I respect. That said, I sadly disagree. I am more with popular radio personality Lenard McKelvey AKA Charlamagne tha God, who counters that statement with the idea that when they go low, sometimes you have to go down to the floor with them. Democrats and their philosophy that they are too good to, "...get down in the mud with the fucking elephants," (a great quote from the movie, "The Ides of March,") has resulted in the party looking weak, ineffective, and capable of earning defeat in situations where victory should all but be assured. 

The first time Trump, "Won," against Hillary Clinton, he lost the popular vote. That is true, despite Trump's loud protestations otherwise. The second time he ran, Trump lost to Joe Biden. On the third occasion, he handily defeated Kamala Harris (if America can barely stand a black first lady, it seems it will all but surely decline a black and female President), with Trump saying awful things and showing awful tendencies the whole time he was running. America wanted the (supposedly) rich, loud, angry fool--as long as he was white.

We're still here, June 15th of 2026. I still am not surprised at how bad things have become politically. I hold some hope, and a lot of rage. Rage can lead to destruction or simply feeling defeated. It can also inspire action to make things better. I've worked with political groups on smaller scales and larger scales quite recently in an effort to focus the anger positively. It is 2026, and America has a fear of a black planet, an LGBTQ planet, or frankly, any kind of planet with equality and diversity. That doesn't mean we'll stop fighting for it. We will go high, low, or any direction necessary to bring about positive change.

Sick and Exhausted

I was unable to attend Tatertot Con Jr. due to being extremely congested and too tired to leave the house much at all. I heard it was a fantastic event, however. For me, today was spent feeling generally lousy and resting. I hope to improve tomorrow and as the week progresses.

I'm Excited for a Fun Comic Show Tomorrow and Another Next Week

There are two awesome comic shows that are now set to occur within the next two weeks! Tomorrow, June 14th, will have the Tatertot Con Jr. It will feature free entry for the entire show's event time of 10AM-4PM and this, "Junior," convention will be taking place at the Rock Roll-O-Rena. Found at 4153 Jeffco Blvd in Arnold (Missouri), there will be 40+ vendors with comics, collectibles, and all other kinds of goodies.

A week from today, on June 20th, the Arch Rivals Collector Fest shall happen at the Moolah Shrine Center (12545 Fee Fee Rd, Maryland Heights, Missouri). The doors will open at 8AM for early bird entry and then at 9AM for general admission, with the show running until 2PM. Early bird entry is $10, general admission is only $5, and kiddos get in free! There is going to be a slew of vendors and some really snazzy guests, including popular voice actor John Gremillion, comic colorist Alex Sinclair, and artist Baldemar Rivas. I look forward to attending Tatertot's show tomorrow and Arch Rivals Collector Fest in seven days!

Flashback Friday: Seven Years Ago the Saint Louis Blues Won the Stanley Cup

This week in 2026 has a lot of sports events occurring. The NBA Finals are ongoing with the Knicks having completed an astonishing comeback in the most recent game. The World Cup has kicked off, and the Stanley Cup Finals are five games in, with the Hurricanes one win from clinching it and the Knights needing to push things to a Game seven if they want the cup. Funny enough, with so much going on now, my mind on this day specifically wanders back to seven years ago. You see, on this day in 2019, the Saint Louis Blues went from starting January of that year dead last in the NHL standings to winning the Stanley Cup in game six. Things have changed quite a lot since then, with Saint Louis having had some solid seasons and some stinkers. That game, though, it was an event.

I've been forthright on this blog about how the only sport I follow much is hockey, and that was such a wild thing to witness when Saint Louis hoisted the Cup. Afterwards, I remember the parade here in STL (which I watched on television because I wasn't about to brave traffic to get over there) and just how happy everyone was--and drunk, a lot of people were quite gleefully drunk. I do not have a strong preference regarding whether the Carolina Hurricanes or the Vegas Knights win. It would be pretty exciting if there were a game seven as an excuse for one more opportunity to watch the NHL this season. Of course, it isn't as exciting as back when the region I happened to live in managed to win it all, but one can always imagine that day coming again. Hopefully, not too many years from now.

Surprise: ROM Has Joined the Energon Universe

The Energon Universe involving Transformers and G.I. Joe was a bit of a surprise that leaked shortly before the release of the debut Energon-set comic, "Void Rivals," #1. Since then, the involved comics have been quite popular in their use of assorted beloved properties (and original creations) to tell some epic tales. "M.A.S.K." #1 came out today and takes place in the Energon-verse, but a big surprise was held within some of this new issue's blind bag variant option. A first issue of a completely separate comic, "ROM," #1 could be found among the other covers and such. Yes, another retro property with many fans will be in the Energon Universe as well!

I tip my hat to the main architect behind much of this, Robert Kirkman. He pretty much set off the latest blind bag craze with that first issue of, "Battle Beast," so it is fitting he would help give the trend--that seems to be running out of steam--a shot in the arm with this clever stealth-announcement and debut-into-Energon of ROM. This was definitely a clever way to get some extra buzz!

Marvel's Mangaverse Rises From the Grave for it's 25th Anniversary

Marvel has done a variety of interesting things in its publishing history. Some things were interesting ideas but misfires (New Universe). Others were generally cool, like their, "MAX," line with mature-leaning stories (plus, uncensored swearing). Then there is the Mangaverse, which was relatively popular at the time, but is vaguely remembered these days. Marvel didn't totally forget it, however, as in honor of this year apparently being the 25th anniversary of the line's debut, they're doing five one-shots that link thematically. Kicking off at the start of September with, "Web of Blood," it will be followed by, "Iron Knight," "Arcane Avengers," "Ghostlocke," and wrap at the end of the month with, "Web of Destiny."

I, honestly, never really read much of the Mangaverse. Frankly, I didn't read any manga until a bit later in my life when I discovered a number of great stories in that storytelling medium. I am curious about this revisitation of the Mangaverse. Plus, considering how the popularity of manga in America has only grown over the years, it will be interesting to see if the Marvel Mangaverse's return is a hit or lands with a thud.

"Crazy Taxi: World Tour," Looks Fun, but the Use of Any Generative AI Makes Me Worry

Back in 2024, I discussed how, "Crazy Taxi," was a franchise that I had many fond memories of--and which was possibly going to get a new game at some point in the future (as per rumors). Well, "Crazy Taxi: World Tour," is official! However, there is a troublesome catch. The good stuff is how it looks like, "Crazy Taxi." You've got the big yellow cab, it does tricks, you speed around to get people where they need to go, and there is some quality vintage punk music. Plus, it is not just an arcade-style game, there is a story mode, which gives a reason for the globe-spanning adventure. An irritating concern that has been pointed out, though, is the disclosure of generative AI being used. 

Supposedly, AI stuff is being used for, "reference," with nothing ending up in the game. Hearing it has involvement is always discomforting, as a game using generative AI is a proces which has faced, "...widespread criticism as the tech must be trained on existing work by human artists, thus making any assets made with it essentially plagiarized without credit or compensation of the original creators. That’s not even factoring in that the tech, while often producing shoddy work no one with a modicum of taste would pay money for, is often being positioned as a threat to creative jobs by corporate suits looking to reduce human labor costs across several industries, including film, books, and video games," as Kotaku puts it. When I hear generative AI is, "Only being used," for this or that, I do still hear it is being used by a company in some manner. 

AI can have its uses, but I see a metaphorical light drizzle of, "We just used AI for some reference images," turning into a drowning downpour of, "Our game is basically entirely AI besides the guy/gal who put in a bunch of prompts!" with it (obviously) being the biggest piece of disjointed, unenjoyable slop. I am potentially excited for, "Crazy Taxi: World Tour," but I remain guarded against the growing sentiment of, "Let's use AI for everything and put it in anything we can!" Things are only going to get crazier regarding AI, that's for sure.