theroot--2020-12-18--'We Write to Tell the Truth': The Root Presents: It's Lit! Talks the Poetic Justice of 2020 With Nik

'We Write to Tell the Truth': The Root Presents: It's Lit! Talks the Poetic Justice of 2020 With Nikki Giovanni

Of all the adjectives we ’ d use to describe 2020 , “ good ” wouldn ’ t exactly top the list .
But as this most eventful year comes to a close , hosting literary icon and activist Nikki Giovanni on our new podcast , The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit !
will undoubtedly be one of its high points .
Ironically , to hear the legendary poet tell it , she found this year far better than we ’ re likely giving it credit for .
“ Oh , I like 2020 , ” she told @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody ’ s been saying , you know , “ 2020 was awful.
” But I think 2020 was really good .
2020 called us to stay in , and that was good ... you talked to people you didn ’ t used to talk to ... being home , everybody had an opportunity to write you ; I ’ ve heard from people I haven ’ t heard from in years ... on that level , it ’ s been wonderful.
” OK , we ’ ll bite—it is Nikki Giovanni , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to explain : “ So if , for example , the little virus came and said , you know , ‘ Well Nikki , what do you think ?
’ I ’ d say , ‘ Well , I ’ d rather you didn ’ t , you know , kiss me or bite me or whatever it is you do because it doesn ’ t always work .
But I think that you ’ ve done a good job of making Earth come together and making us aware of the fact that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has gone all over ... the virus has shown us we are all one Earth , and that which goes around , comes to all of us .
So I think 2020 hasn ’ t been nearly as bad.
” It ’ s the kind of perspective that living through—and participating in—Jim Crow , the civil rights movement , the Black Arts Movement and the myriad events of the now-21st century grants you .
Now adding a new volume of poems and prose , Make Me Rain , to her extensive and acclaimed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ works , to date ) , the living legend has plenty of perspective to share—who else can casually name Nina Simone , James Baldwin , Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou as friends and acquaintances ?
In fact , even while visiting us to discuss her latest work , it ’ s the criminally overlooked poet Margaret Walker Giovanni shouts out as she names 1942 's “ For My People ” as her favorite poem ; one that feels eerily relevant for our current times .
For , as Giovanni notes , paraphrasing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ musicians , Thelonious Monk : “ Poetry doesn ’ t have any wrong words .
It just has a word that hasn ’ t found its home.
” For my people walking blindly spreading joy , losing time being lazy , sleeping when hungry , shouting when burdened , drinking when hopeless , tied , and shackled and tangled among ourselves by the unseen creatures who tower over us omnisciently and laugh ; For my people standing staring trying to fashion a better way from confusion , from hypocrisy and misunderstanding , trying @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all the people , all the faces , all the adams and eves and their countless generations ; Let a new earth rise .
Let another world be born .
Let a bloody peace be written in the sky .
Let a second generation full of courage issue forth ; let a people loving freedom come to growth .
Let a beauty full of healing and a strength of final clenching be the pulsing in our spirits and our blood .
Let the martial songs be written , let the dirges disappear .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ and take control .
“ We write to tell the truth , ” Giovanni , also a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech , advises her students—and us .
“ It ’ s our job , it ’ s what we do—to leave our footprint ... We don ’ t write—we just don ’ t write so that we can have a movie .
We don ’ t write so we can have a bestseller because nobody knows ... you have to remember , as a writer , you ’ re writing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” she says , warning : “ And if you don ’ t think about it that way , you ’ re going to push yourself into writing crap .
And a lot of people do ...
Hear more of the irrepressible Nikki Giovanni on Episode 13 of The Root Presents : It ’ s Lit : Poetically Justified With Nikki Giovanni , now available on Apple , Spotify , Stitcher , iHeart Radio , Google Podcasts , Amazon , NPR One , TuneIn , and Radio Public .
Also available is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Of all the adjectives we’d use to describe 2020, “good” wouldn’t exactly top the list. But as this most eventful year comes to a close, hosting literary icon and activist Nikki Giovanni on our new podcast, The Root Presents: It’s Lit! will undoubtedly be one of its high points. Ironically, to hear the legendary poet tell it, she found this year far better than we’re likely giving it credit for.
“Oh, I like 2020,” she told us, adding, “I think everybody’s been saying, you know, “2020 was awful.” But I think 2020 was really good. 2020 called us to stay in, and that was good...you talked to people you didn’t used to talk to...being home, everybody had an opportunity to write you; I’ve heard from people I haven’t heard from in years... on that level, it’s been wonderful.”
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OK, we’ll bite—it is Nikki Giovanni, after all—and as she charmingly went on to explain: “So if, for example, the little virus came and said, you know, ‘Well Nikki, what do you think?’ I’d say, ‘Well, I’d rather you didn’t, you know, kiss me or bite me or whatever it is you do because it doesn’t always work. But I think that you’ve done a good job of making Earth come together and making us aware of the fact that we are one planet because the virus has gone all over...the virus has shown us we are all one Earth, and that which goes around, comes to all of us. So I think 2020 hasn’t been nearly as bad.”
It’s the kind of perspective that living through—and participating in—Jim Crow, the civil rights movement, the Black Arts Movement and the myriad events of the now-21st century grants you. Now adding a new volume of poems and prose, Make Me Rain, to her extensive and acclaimed body of work (over 30 published works, to date), the living legend has plenty of perspective to share—who else can casually name Nina Simone, James Baldwin, Toni Morrison and Maya Angelou as friends and acquaintances?
Advertisement Advertisement
In fact, even while visiting us to discuss her latest work, it’s the criminally overlooked poet Margaret Walker Giovanni shouts out as she names 1942's “For My People” as her favorite poem; one that feels eerily relevant for our current times. For, as Giovanni notes, paraphrasing a famous quote from one of her favorite musicians, Thelonious Monk: “Poetry doesn’t have any wrong words. It just has a word that hasn’t found its home.”
“For My People” [excerpted] by Margaret Walker For my people walking blindly spreading joy, losing time being lazy, sleeping when hungry, shouting when burdened, drinking when hopeless, tied, and shackled and tangled among ourselves by the unseen creatures who tower over us omnisciently and laugh; ... For my people standing staring trying to fashion a better way from confusion, from hypocrisy and misunderstanding, trying to fashion a world that will hold all the people, all the faces, all the adams and eves and their countless generations; Let a new earth rise. Let another world be born. Let a bloody peace be written in the sky. Let a second generation full of courage issue forth; let a people loving freedom come to growth. Let a beauty full of healing and a strength of final clenching be the pulsing in our spirits and our blood. Let the martial songs be written, let the dirges disappear. Let a race of men now rise and take control.
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“We write to tell the truth,” Giovanni, also a University Distinguished Professor at Virginia Tech, advises her students—and us. “It’s our job, it’s what we do—to leave our footprint...We don’t write—we just don’t write so that we can have a movie. We don’t write so we can have a bestseller because nobody knows...you have to remember, as a writer, you’re writing for the truth, for the possibility,” she says, warning: “And if you don’t think about it that way, you’re going to push yourself into writing crap. And a lot of people do...
“What do I suggest? I suggest you write a good book.”
Hear more of the irrepressible Nikki Giovanni on Episode 13 of The Root Presents: It’s Lit: Poetically Justified With Nikki Giovanni, now available on Apple, Spotify, Stitcher, iHeart Radio, Google Podcasts, Amazon, NPR One, TuneIn, and Radio Public. Also available is a transcript of this week’s episode.


theroot--2020-12-18--'It’s the Right Thing to Do': Gabrielle Union Tells Us Why Amplifying Black Businesses Feeds Her Sou

'It’s the Right Thing to Do': Gabrielle Union Tells Us Why Amplifying Black Businesses Feeds Her Soul

You may have been pleasantly surprised to see Gabrielle Union urging you to make it a # BuyBlack Friday on Facebook Live this year , but like her now-decades-long career in the industry ( “ I ’ m almost 50 and [ they ] treat me like an ingenue , ” she jokes ) , don ’ t call it a comeback—or a trend .
She ’ s been about that # BuyBlack life—increasingly so during a year that has rocked Black businesses to their core , as she told The Glow Up during a phone call earlier his week @ @ @ @ @ @ @ black business owner and as a member of our community , you watch almost 50 percent of Black-owned businesses go under during the pandemic , ” the actress , bestselling author , producer , and multi-entrepreneur ( not to mention wife and mother ) explained .
“ And you ’ re actually kind of an asshole if you don ’ t do everything in your power—especially if you have any kind of platform—to not try to rectify that or help in any kind of way that you can.
” As America not only @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seemed to remarkably ( if temporarily ) wake up to the far-reaching effects of structural racism , like many of us , Union felt compelled to seize the moment .
“ I started looking for every list or marketplace where they had a bunch of Black-owned businesses that you could go through , whether that be on Instagram or Twitter or Facebook , just to learn more [ and ] find more Black-owned businesses and all across all different fields , ” she explained—which is how she stumbled upon the opportunity to lend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ platform , appearing on the Black Friday finale of Phoebe Robinson ’ s # BuyBlack Fridays .
“ Knowing that they had whole shows kind of dedicated to this very thing , I was like , this is easy and it ’ s idiot-proof , and I want to , you know , throw my hat in the ring to try to amplify this message as best as I can , ” she said .
“ Everyone ’ s struggling in their own way , and Black-owned businesses are struggling more than anybody @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no skin off your nose to highlight , amplify , spotlight Black-owned businesses.
” Obviously , Black Friday has come and gone—and soon , our holiday shopping season will have , too .
But Union ’ s commitment to Black businesses has risen in tandem with her own growing empire ; with this summer ’ s relaunch of her Flawless hair care line came the “ Lift As We Climb ” initiative , a year-round effort created to support and spotlight Black-owned businesses and community organizations via the Flawless by Gabrielle Union store @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support Black-owned entrepreneurs in meaningful ways that lead to growth while encouraging and recycling the Black dollar in our community , ” said Union in a statement this September .
“ The success of the Flawless brand is important to me , but so is ensuring that we are actively contributing our reach and resources to help empower others.
” It ’ s the same energy Union is committed to bringing to all her current and future endeavors .
“ When I started my production company , that was the whole mandate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voices and the narratives of marginalized people , ” she explained .
To that end , one of her first projects is bringing All Boys Aren ’ t Blue , George M. Johnson ’ s bestselling nonbinary coming-of-age story to the screen .
“ I realized I ’ ve never felt more fulfilled in watching other people ’ s dreams come true and using what little bit of light I have to put other people on , ” she added .
“ And guess what ?
It doesn ’ t affect my career @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cost anything , doesn ’ t take any skin off my nose .
It ’ s literally not hard.
” Still , working in industries in which we have too often been told “ there can only be one ” allowed to thrive at any given time , Union initially experienced some pushback to promoting anyone except herself and her own projects and products .
“ [ P ] eople were like , ‘ Now , why would you use any amount of space for other companies ?
’ ” she recalled of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And I was like , ‘ because 50 percent of Black-owned businesses are going under and it doesn ’ t take anything away from hair care products to talk about Honey Pot , or to talk about Mented Cosmetics or to talk about , you know , a Black-owned candle company or Black-owned coffee company [ BLK and Bold ] .
’ “ Ain ’ t no fun if the homies can ’ t have none , ” she playfully added , noting that she ’ s “ fully committed to repurposing those @ @ @ @ @ @ @ tone .
“ It doesn ’ t alter our business .
If anything , karma is real—and do it because it ’ s the right thing to do .
Do it because ultimately , it might prove to be very lucrative .
Do it because you ’ re concerned about your place in the afterlife—whatever gets you there , ” she laughed .
“ But I , personally , just feel more connected to my own community and more ... more OK putting other people on , whether that be amplifying their business @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in mind , every Friday can potentially be # BuyBlack Friday , if we commit to making it so .
“ If there ’ s a way to plug in on the local level , regional level , national level , international level , and you don ’ t , I have to go back to you and be like , why ?
” asks Union .
“ I know why somebody else might not , but for us ?
If it ’ s not on the FUBU—you know , ‘ we-all-we-got ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sunk , you know what I mean ?
We ’ ve got to look to us first , and to help us to help us and to highlight us , because there ’ s literally a Black-owned business for everything that might potentially be looking for.
” With a new year dawning , Union shared that aside from supporting each other , her one wish for the Black community is to recognize our worth—financially , culturally , and individually .
“ Knowing our worth and not settling for anything less than exactly who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring to the table , ” she affirmed , quickly adding , “ and it ’ s hard because , you know , people have lost jobs ... so I recognize the privilege in what I just said.
” For her part , Union intends to continue to use her privilege and platform to help us recognize that worth—and sustain it .
“ It all feels like the right thing to do and feeds my soul , and I know that I ’ m at least a small , teeny , teeny , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” she said , chuckling as she added : “ Because I know I like to point out all the problems , but if I ’ m not an active participant in the solutions , then I ’ m just liking to hear the sound of my own voice .
”

Maiysha Kai on The Glow Up, shared by Maiysha Kai to The Root

You may have been pleasantly surprised to see Gabrielle Union urging you to make it a #BuyBlack Friday on Facebook Live this year, but like her now-decades-long career in the industry (“I’m almost 50 and [they] treat me like an ingenue,” she jokes), don’t call it a comeback—or a trend. She’s been about that #BuyBlack life—increasingly so during a year that has rocked Black businesses to their core, as she told The Glow Up during a phone call earlier his week.
“You know, as a black business owner and as a member of our community, you watch almost 50 percent of Black-owned businesses go under during the pandemic,” the actress, bestselling author, producer, and multi-entrepreneur (not to mention wife and mother) explained. “And you’re actually kind of an asshole if you don’t do everything in your power—especially if you have any kind of platform—to not try to rectify that or help in any kind of way that you can.”
Advertisement
As America not only endured a devastating pandemic this year but seemed to remarkably (if temporarily) wake up to the far-reaching effects of structural racism, like many of us, Union felt compelled to seize the moment. “I started looking for every list or marketplace where they had a bunch of Black-owned businesses that you could go through, whether that be on Instagram or Twitter or Facebook, just to learn more [and] find more Black-owned businesses and all across all different fields,” she explained—which is how she stumbled upon the opportunity to lend her voice to Facebook’s live platform, appearing on the Black Friday finale of Phoebe Robinson’s #BuyBlack Fridays.
Advertisement Advertisement
“Knowing that they had whole shows kind of dedicated to this very thing, I was like, this is easy and it’s idiot-proof, and I want to, you know, throw my hat in the ring to try to amplify this message as best as I can,” she said. “Everyone’s struggling in their own way, and Black-owned businesses are struggling more than anybody, so...literally, there is no skin off your nose to highlight, amplify, spotlight Black-owned businesses.”
Obviously, Black Friday has come and gone—and soon, our holiday shopping season will have, too. But Union’s commitment to Black businesses has risen in tandem with her own growing empire; with this summer’s relaunch of her Flawless hair care line came the “Lift As We Climb” initiative, a year-round effort created to support and spotlight Black-owned businesses and community organizations via the Flawless by Gabrielle Union store on Amazon.
Advertisement
“We fully intend to support Black-owned entrepreneurs in meaningful ways that lead to growth while encouraging and recycling the Black dollar in our community,” said Union in a statement this September. “The success of the Flawless brand is important to me, but so is ensuring that we are actively contributing our reach and resources to help empower others.”
It’s the same energy Union is committed to bringing to all her current and future endeavors. “When I started my production company, that was the whole mandate: to center the needs and the voices and the narratives of marginalized people,” she explained. To that end, one of her first projects is bringing All Boys Aren’t Blue, George M. Johnson’s bestselling nonbinary coming-of-age story to the screen. “I realized I’ve never felt more fulfilled in watching other people’s dreams come true and using what little bit of light I have to put other people on,” she added. “And guess what? It doesn’t affect my career negatively at all. Doesn’t cost anything, doesn’t take any skin off my nose. It’s literally not hard.”
Advertisement
“I personally just feel more connected to my own community and more OK putting other people on...It all feels like the right thing to do and feeds my soul.” — Gabrielle Union
Still, working in industries in which we have too often been told “there can only be one” allowed to thrive at any given time, Union initially experienced some pushback to promoting anyone except herself and her own projects and products. “[P]eople were like, ‘Now, why would you use any amount of space for other companies?’” she recalled of launching Lift As We Climb. “And I was like, ‘because 50 percent of Black-owned businesses are going under and it doesn’t take anything away from hair care products to talk about Honey Pot, or to talk about Mented Cosmetics or to talk about, you know, a Black-owned candle company or Black-owned coffee company [BLK and Bold].’
Advertisement
“Ain’t no fun if the homies can’t have none,” she playfully added, noting that she’s “fully committed to repurposing those lyrics” before striking a more serious tone.
“It doesn’t alter our business. If anything, karma is real—and do it because it’s the right thing to do. Do it because ultimately, it might prove to be very lucrative. Do it because you’re concerned about your place in the afterlife—whatever gets you there,” she laughed. “But I, personally, just feel more connected to my own community and more...more OK putting other people on, whether that be amplifying their business or purchasing from it.”
Advertisement
With that in mind, every Friday can potentially be #BuyBlack Friday, if we commit to making it so. “If there’s a way to plug in on the local level, regional level, national level, international level, and you don’t, I have to go back to you and be like, why?” asks Union. “I know why somebody else might not, but for us? If it’s not on the FUBU—you know, ‘we-all-we-got’ type of thing—shit, we’re sunk, you know what I mean? We’ve got to look to us first, and to help us to help us and to highlight us, because there’s literally a Black-owned business for everything that might potentially be looking for.”
With a new year dawning, Union shared that aside from supporting each other, her one wish for the Black community is to recognize our worth—financially, culturally, and individually. “Knowing our worth and not settling for anything less than exactly who the fuck we are and what we bring to the table,” she affirmed, quickly adding, “and it’s hard because, you know, people have lost jobs...so I recognize the privilege in what I just said.”
Advertisement
For her part, Union intends to continue to use her privilege and platform to help us recognize that worth—and sustain it.
“It all feels like the right thing to do and feeds my soul, and I know that I’m at least a small, teeny, teeny, teeny, tiny part of the solution,” she said, chuckling as she added: “Because I know I like to point out all the problems, but if I’m not an active participant in the solutions, then I’m just liking to hear the sound of my own voice.”


theroot--2020-12-18--Cyberpunk 2077: How to Lose Consumer Trust and Have Sony Delist Your Game in Just One Week

One would think that seven years of development time would result in one of the most polished games ever , but , uh , nah .
The game is so broken on console that Sony has taken the unprecedented step of completely removing it from the PlayStation S tore .
According to NBC News , the move comes only a week after the game launched on PC , Xbox One and PlayStation 4 .
Sony Interactive Entertainment released a statement on its site saying they would be offering “ a full refund ” to anyone who purchased the game through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that would be that , but Cyberpunk 2077 has been anything but normal .
Sony decided to take things one step further by delisting the game from the PlayStation Store “ until further notice.
” This means you straight up can not buy Cyberpunk 2077 digitally through the platform .
Go on , try it .
I ’ ll wait .
Folks can still buy physical versions of the game on console but given the fact th at even NBC is reporting on this L , I doubt folks are going to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is damn near unprecedented , especially for a game as hyped and expensive as Cyberpunk 2077 .
The game sold 8 million copies in pre-orders alone and already recouped its development costs before it even came out .
It ’ s not hyperbole to call it the biggest game of 2020 , due largely to just how long people have been waiting for it .
For reference , I was still a junior in college when the game was announced in 2013 .
I distinctly remember watching the trailer in my “ storytelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us losing our collective minds .
If only I could have warned baby me of what was to come .
Despite that long development time and numerous delays , the game was still released in a broken state on consoles .
Like broken broken .
Like Batman after squaring up to Bane broken .
If you think details of Cyberpunk ’ s failure have been greatly exaggerated , just watch a couple seconds of this episode of Highlight Reel and see for yourself .
The console versions straight up look like a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to load , which means that the things that give the game detail ( faces , building exteriors , weapons ) frequently aren ’ t there .
The frame rate often dips into the teens , which is a massive problem that essentially renders the game unplayable .
The commonly accepted baseline framerate a game needs to hit is 30 frames per second ( FPS ) , and most current-gen games are capable of hitting 60fps .
This breakdown from Digital Foundry shows that on both the base PS4 and Xbox One , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as low as 10-15 frames per second .
This is a massive problem for the basic fact that the average consumer is probably playing on a base PS4 or Xbox One , due both to the scarcity of next-gen consoles and the fact that only hardcore gamers are willing to shell out over $ 1 , 000 on a gaming PC .
I ’ m currently playing the game on PC , which is considered the “ optimal ” version and even that is filled with multiple bugs that break my immersion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what was essentially the mission that sets up the stakes of the game and I had to completely restart it because it kept loading the objective outside the parameters of the mission .
In literally my first moments with the game , I couldn ’ t get an item descriptor to go away so I had to walk through the opening mission with a picture of a soda can at the bottom of my screen .
So , yeah , Cyberpunk is a bit of a shitshow at the moment and publisher CD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has greatly damaged trust in what was widely considered the gold standard in gaming when it came to consumer friendly practices .
( Its working conditions are a whole ‘ nother thing though . )
The studio ’ s last game The Witcher 3 : Wild Hunt was loved by damn near everybody who played it .
That was a similarly ambitious game and it ran well on console , which makes Cyberpunk ’ s jankiness look even worse in comparison .
It ’ s also looking a lot like the company knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the console versions just didn ’ t work .
Reviewers were only given codes for the PC version before launch and reviewers were not allowed to use their own footage in pre-release reviews , only B-roll provided by the company which shows the game working in it ’ s best state .
Now , because of laws and stuff , I can ’ t straight up say “ CD Projekt Red lied ” but it ain ’ t looking like they were too truthful and now they pay the price .
CD @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 20 percent and the company ’ s market value has dropped by an estimated $ 6.6 billion since the game ’ s launch .
The studio has committed to fixing the game , releasing a statement saying players can expect two big patches in January and February that should hopefully fix the major bugs .
This leads to the question of why weren ’ t the console releases delayed ?
Yes , the game had already been delayed countless times , but I think folks would ’ ve much rather waited and had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opposed to the steaming pile of disappointment currently sitting in their harddrive .
So maybe instead of doubling down on its edgelord , transphobic marketing campaign they should ’ ve just focused on making a game that , you know , worked .
Instead , CD Projekt Red is out here looking like Boo Boo the Fool and they only have themselves to blame .
You hate to see it .

One would think that seven years of development time would result in one of the most polished games ever, but, uh, nah. The game is so broken on console that Sony has taken the unprecedented step of completely removing it from the PlayStation S tore.
According to NBC News, the move comes only a week after the game launched on PC, Xbox One and PlayStation 4. Sony Interactive Entertainment released a statement on its site saying they would be offering “a full refund” to anyone who purchased the game through the PlayStation S tore. Normally, that would be that, but Cyberpunk 2077 has been anything but normal. Sony decided to take things one step further by delisting the game from the PlayStation Store “until further notice.”
Advertisement
This means you straight up cannot buy Cyberpunk 2077 digitally through the platform. Go on, try it. I’ll wait. Folks can still buy physical versions of the game on console but given the fact th at even NBC is reporting on this L, I doubt folks are going to be rushing off to grab it.
This is damn near unprecedented, especially for a game as hyped and expensive as Cyberpunk 2077. The game sold 8 million copies in pre-orders alone and already recouped its development costs before it even came out. It’s not hyperbole to call it the biggest game of 2020, due largely to just how long people have been waiting for it.
Advertisement Advertisement
For reference, I was still a junior in college when the game was announced in 2013. I distinctly remember watching the trailer in my “ storytelling in video games” class and all of us losing our collective minds. If only I could have warned baby me of what was to come.
Despite that long development time and numerous delays, the game was still released in a broken state on consoles. Like broken broken. Like Batman after squaring up to Bane broken.
Advertisement
Yeah. That broken.
If you think details of Cyberpunk’s failure have been greatly exaggerated, just watch a couple seconds of this episode of Highlight Reel and see for yourself. The console versions straight up look like a PS2 game. Textures can take forever to load, which means that the things that give the game detail (faces, building exteriors, weapons) frequently aren’t there.
Advertisement
The frame rate often dips into the teens, which is a massive problem that essentially renders the game unplayable. The commonly accepted baseline framerate a game needs to hit is 30 frames per second (FPS), and most current-gen games are capable of hitting 60fps. This breakdown from Digital Foundry shows that on both the base PS4 and Xbox One, the game frequently chugs into frame rates as low as 10-15 frames per second.
This is a massive problem for the basic fact that the average consumer is probably playing on a base PS4 or Xbox One, due both to the scarcity of next-gen consoles and the fact that only hardcore gamers are willing to shell out over $1, 000 on a gaming PC.
Advertisement
I’m currently playing the game on PC, which is considered the “optimal” version and even that is filled with multiple bugs that break my immersion in the game. I was going through what was essentially the mission that sets up the stakes of the game and I had to completely restart it because it kept loading the objective outside the parameters of the mission.
In literally my first moments with the game, I couldn’t get an item descriptor to go away so I had to walk through the opening mission with a picture of a soda can at the bottom of my screen.
Advertisement
So, yeah, Cyberpunk is a bit of a shitshow at the moment and publisher CD Projekt Red’s handling of things has greatly damaged trust in what was widely considered the gold standard in gaming when it came to consumer friendly practices. (Its working conditions are a whole ‘nother thing though.)
The studio’s last game The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt was loved by damn near everybody who played it. That was a similarly ambitious game and it ran well on console, which makes Cyberpunk’s jankiness look even worse in comparison.
Advertisement
It’s also looking a lot like the company knew the game was buggy as hell and that the console versions just didn’t work. Reviewers were only given codes for the PC version before launch and reviewers were not allowed to use their own footage in pre-release reviews, only B-roll provided by the company which shows the game working in it’s best state.
Now, because of laws and stuff, I can’t straight up say “CD Projekt Red lied” but it ain’t looking like they were too truthful and now they pay the price. CD Projekt’s stock prices have tumbled 20 percent and the company’s market value has dropped by an estimated $6.6 billion since the game’s launch.
Advertisement
The studio has committed to fixing the game, releasing a statement saying players can expect two big patches in January and February that should hopefully fix the major bugs. This leads to the question of why weren’t the console releases delayed? Yes, the game had already been delayed countless times, but I think folks would’ve much rather waited and had a game they could play, as opposed to the steaming pile of disappointment currently sitting in their harddrive.
So maybe instead of doubling down on its edgelord, transphobic marketing campaign they should’ve just focused on making a game that, you know, worked. Instead, CD Projekt Red is out here looking like Boo Boo the Fool and they only have themselves to blame.
Advertisement
You hate to see it.


theroot--2020-12-18--Who All Gon' Be There? The Entire Houston Cougars Roster Has Tested Positive for the Coronavirus Thi

Who All Gon' Be There? The Entire Houston Cougars Roster Has Tested Positive for the Coronavirus This Year. Yup, All 15 of Them

Since March , the coronavirus has unleashed all types of unbridled hell on both professional and collegiate sports .
But of all the postponements , outbreaks , and whatever other madness that coaches have faced during this unprecedented time , Houston Cougars basketball coach Kelvin Sampson has been got slapped with a Skip , a Draw Two , a Reverse , and a Draw Four .
Yahoo Sports reports that during a media call on Thursday , Sampson revealed that every single player on his team has had the coronavirus this year .
Yes , you read that correctly : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ All 15 players , ” Sampson said .
Even coaches and managers have gone to war with Rona as well .
As a result , he ’ s spent the last few days practicing with only six players , though he expects two or three to be cleared in time for Sunday ’ s game against Alcorn State , which would give him a grand total of eight or nine available players .
It will be the team ’ s first contest since Dec. 5 .
Despite all of this , the Cougars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ No .
6 ranked team in the country .
While Sampson believes the Cougars “ haven ’ t earned that ” ranking , he also realizes he ’ s treading through uncharted waters .
“ The last time that I saw these kids in a game was Nov. 29 , ” Sampson said .
“ This is unprecedented , man.
” That ’ s one way to put it .
Samp s on admits that between recovering from the virus and having to repeatedly cancel practices , his players aren ’ t exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this point , he ’ s far more concerned about the safety and well-being of his players and staff than worrying about their national ranking .
“ I ’ ve been more focused on getting our kids healthy , ” he said .
Rona is no joke , so hopefully the team can bounce back and play to the best of their ability .
But I hope the NBA is keeping an eye on how this is all playing out because we could be seeing much of the same throughout the course of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ athletes are far more apt to partake in “ questionable activities ” that could put them at risk for exposure to COVID-19 .

Since March, the coronavirus has unleashed all types of unbridled hell on both professional and collegiate sports. But of all the postponements, outbreaks, and whatever other madness that coaches have faced during this unprecedented time, Houston Cougars basketball coach Kelvin Sampson has been got slapped with a Skip, a Draw Two, a Reverse, and a Draw Four.
Yahoo Sports reports that during a media call on Thursday, Sampson revealed that every single player on his team has had the coronavirus this year . Yes, you read that correctly: Every. Damn. One.
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“All 15 players,” Sampson said. Even coaches and managers have gone to war with Rona as well.
As a result, he’s spent the last few days practicing with only six players, though he expects two or three to be cleared in time for Sunday’s game against Alcorn State, which would give him a grand total of eight or nine available players.
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It will be the team’s first contest since Dec. 5.
Despite all of this, the Cougars somehow remain 4-0 and are still the No. 6 ranked team in the country. While Sampson believes the Cougars “haven’t earned that” ranking, he also realizes he’s treading through uncharted waters.
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“The last time that I saw these kids in a game was Nov. 29,” Sampson said. “This is unprecedented, man.”
That’s one way to put it.
Samp s on admits that between recovering from the virus and having to repeatedly cancel practices, his players aren’t exactly in the best shape. But at this point, he’s far more concerned about the safety and well-being of his players and staff than worrying about their national ranking.
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“I’ve been more focused on getting our kids healthy,” he said.
Rona is no joke, so hopefully the team can bounce back and play to the best of their ability. But I hope the NBA is keeping an eye on how this is all playing out because we could be seeing much of the same throughout the course of the NBA season, especially since professional athletes are far more apt to partake in “questionable activities” that could put them at risk for exposure to COVID-19.


theroot--2020-12-18--Voting Rights Groups Say Reductions in Early Voting Sites Are Slowing Turnout in Georgia Runoffs

Has anything in the world of politics been more stressful than the 2020 election season ?
If the reality TV drama that was the presidential race wasn ’ t enough , the Georgia Senate runoff elections are shaping up to be a battle between folks who just want to cast their ballots and folks who seem hellbent on making voting as inconvenient as humanly possible .
Civil and voting rights groups have been warning that polling site reductions—such as the elimination of half the early voting locations in Cobb County , Georgia ’ s thi rd largest county—will slow voter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ voters .
Now they ’ re saying their concerns are being proven valid .
More than a dozen groups publicly appealed to elections officials in Cobb and Hall counties this week while The New Georgia Project , a nonpartisan organization devoted to voter registration efforts and promoting civic engagement , took legal action over early voting issues in four other counties .
“ During the first couple of days of early voting , the data has shown that the harm to voters remains severe , Cobb County has had extremely long lines — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hours .
At the same time , the overall turnout in Cobb has gone down , ” Michael Pernick , an attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund ( LDF ) , said in an interview Thursday .
He added that some counties without big cuts to early voting , including Fulton County , had seen an uptick in early voting compared to the same period in the general election .
According to Reuters , state data released Friday shows that , between early in-person voting and mail-in voting , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than 1.1 million Georgians have voted in the two Senate runoff elections so far .
That puts the number of cast ballots “ just below the level seen at the same point in early voting for November ’ s election , ” Reuters reports .
Still , the wait times to vote are of major concern to voting rights advocates who don ’ t appear to be buying the explanation that staffing shortages are the cause for the reduction of early voting locations in Cobb County as well as Hall County , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be reducing its early voting locations from eight to four , according to NBC .
“ Reducing the number of advance voting locations for the runoff election , when turnout is expected to be high and COVID-19 is raging , has already had a foreseeable detrimental impact on Hall County ’ s ability to provide smooth election operations and voters ’ ability to vote safely and securely , ” reads a letter sent to Hall County officials Wednesday by voting rights groups including Latino Justice , Hispanic Federation and LDF .
Hall County @ @ @ @ @ @ @ county ’ s reduction in early voting sites saying that the four locations still operating are sufficient for a Senate runoff and that the holiday season mixed with the pandemic has made election staffing difficult .
Cobb County Communications Director Ross Cavitt told NBC that the wait times at the county ’ s five polling sites have been “ less than an hour ” and that they ’ d added additional check-in stations at each site to speed the voting process .
“ We have been happy to see wait times at our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we experienced for the November General Election , ” Cavitt said .
But voting rights advocates insist that the reduction in voting sites is doing significant harm to voter turnout .
The advocates said data posted by the Georgia secretary of state ’ s office showed early votes were down in Cobb County by nearly 5 percent in the first two days of early voting .
Fulton , Gwinnett , and DeKalb counties did not make “ significant cuts ” to early voting , they said , and saw early voting up in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , 40 percent , and 12 percent , respectively .
On Tuesday , the New Georgia Project , aided by Democrats ’ top voting rights attorney Marc Elias , filed four lawsuits against four other counties : Clarke , Houston , Paulding , and Bibb County .
The group alleged that those counties were illegally cutting early voting access mandated by law .
Clarke County officials have since announced they will add early voting on Saturday , Dec. 19 .
At this point , Jan. 5 can ’ t come fast enough .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ who wishes to vote gets a chance to do so .

Has anything in the world of politics been more stressful than the 2020 election season? If the reality TV drama that was the presidential race wasn’t enough, the Georgia Senate runoff elections are shaping up to be a battle between folks who just want to cast their ballots and folks who seem hellbent on making voting as inconvenient as humanly possible.
Civil and voting rights groups have been warning that polling site reductions—such as the elimination of half the early voting locations in Cobb County, Georgia’s thi rd largest county—will slow voter turnout, especially among Black and Latino voters. Now they’re saying their concerns are being proven valid.
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From NBC News:
More than a dozen groups publicly appealed to elections officials in Cobb and Hall counties this week while The New Georgia Project, a nonpartisan organization devoted to voter registration efforts and promoting civic engagement, took legal action over early voting issues in four other counties. “During the first couple of days of early voting, the data has shown that the harm to voters remains severe, Cobb County has had extremely long lines — in some cases as long as two hours. At the same time, the overall turnout in Cobb has gone down,” Michael Pernick, an attorney for the NAACP Legal Defense & Educational Fund (LDF), said in an interview Thursday. He added that some counties without big cuts to early voting, including Fulton County, had seen an uptick in early voting compared to the same period in the general election.
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According to Reuters, state data released Friday shows that, between early in-person voting and mail-in voting, which started about four weeks ago, more than 1.1 million Georgians have voted in the two Senate runoff elections so far. That puts the number of cast ballots “just below the level seen at the same point in early voting for November’s election,” Reuters reports.
Still, the wait times to vote are of major concern to voting rights advocates who don’t appear to be buying the explanation that staffing shortages are the cause for the reduction of early voting locations in Cobb County as well as Hall County, which announced earlier this month that it will be reducing its early voting locations from eight to four, according to NBC.
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“Reducing the number of advance voting locations for the runoff election, when turnout is expected to be high and COVID-19 is raging, has already had a foreseeable detrimental impact on Hall County’s ability to provide smooth election operations and voters’ ability to vote safely and securely,” reads a letter sent to Hall County officials Wednesday by voting rights groups including Latino Justice, Hispanic Federation and LDF.
Hall County Public Information Officer Katie Crumley defended the county’s reduction in early voting sites saying that the four locations still operating are sufficient for a Senate runoff and that the holiday season mixed with the pandemic has made election staffing difficult.
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Cobb County Communications Director Ross Cavitt told NBC that the wait times at the county’s five polling sites have been “less than an hour” and that they’d added additional check-in stations at each site to speed the voting process.
“We have been happy to see wait times at our five advance voting facilities well below what we experienced for the November General Election,” Cavitt said.
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But voting rights advocates insist that the reduction in voting sites is doing significant harm to voter turnout.
More from NBC:
The advocates said data posted by the Georgia secretary of state’s office showed early votes were down in Cobb County by nearly 5 percent in the first two days of early voting. Fulton, Gwinnett, and DeKalb counties did not make “significant cuts” to early voting, they said, and saw early voting up in the first two days by 25 percent, 40 percent, and 12 percent, respectively. On Tuesday, the New Georgia Project, aided by Democrats’ top voting rights attorney Marc Elias, filed four lawsuits against four other counties: Clarke, Houston, Paulding, and Bibb County. The group alleged that those counties were illegally cutting early voting access mandated by law. Clarke County officials have since announced they will add early voting on Saturday, Dec. 19.
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At this point, Jan. 5 can’t come fast enough. Let’s just hope every citizen who wishes to vote gets a chance to do so.


theroot--2020-12-18--Did the Clippers Illegally Recruit Kawhi Leonard? NBA Opens Investigation to Find Out

Once upon a time , when NBA players were still allowed to play defense and the New York Knicks were still a professional basketball team , the Minnesota Timberwolves did a very stupid thing .
In fact , it was so stupid that then-NBA commissioner David Stern snatched the soul from that team ’ s chest and handed down one of the most vicious penalties in the history of the league while mumbling , “ These niggas can ’ t be fucking serious ” under his breath—because it was that goddamn stupid .
So what was it that the Minnesota @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Joe Smith might ’ ve been snatched up number one overall in the NBA Draft , but it took all of about five minutes on the court for the entire planet to realize that he wasn ’ t David Ruffin , he was Otis Williams—and ain ’ t nobody coming to see you , Otis .
Yes , he lasted 16 years in the NBA—I ’ m sure Nelly still sells out concerts too—but he was never an All-Star ( at least Cornell had “ Hot In Herre ” ) and he played @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a journeyman at best , an embarrassment to niggas named Joe at worst , and certainly not the type of player worth jeopardizing the future of your organization for .
In the aftermath of the NBA lockout in 1999 , teams still believed that Smith—now a free agent—could evolve into a solid contributor .
Yet after turning down a myriad of offers that include an $ 80 million extension from the Warriors , he signed on the dotted line with the T-Wolves for the low , low price of $ 1.75 million for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to say , eyebrows were raised .
Why in the hell would he pass up on all that paper for pennies on the dollar ?
The hell is going on here ?
I ’ ll tell you exactly what was going on .
As it turns out , Smith and the Timberwolves had an under-the-table agreement in place , where Smith would sign three one-year deals for very little money , allowing the Timberwolves to acquire his Bird rights , which would allow them to go over the salary cap to re-sign him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with a lucrative contract that would have paid him up to $ 86 million .
This arrangement , of course , was highly illegal , and sanctions came down hard on the Timberwolves when the league found out .
Yes , the Timberwolves are that goddamn stupid to think that nobody would ’ ve ever caught on to their Nigerian payroll scam .
David Stern presumably cocked his head to the side in disbelief , then sent them outside to pick a switch .
And when they came back inside mentally prepared to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hit them with this instead : Suffice to say , this botched deal has been the butt of countless jokes for decades , and in the years since , both agents and players have been a bit more mindful in how they maneuver during free agency .
But what happens in the dark always comes to the light , and after luring Kawhi Leonard to the City of Angels last offseason , the Clippers might be the next team to face the firing squad .
If this ends up being true , this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Western Conference Semifinals after being up 3-1 in the series .
But who in the hell would ever do that ?
For their part , the Clippers are denying any wrongdoing and issued the following statement , per Marc Stein of the New York Times : If this ends up being true , Laker Nation is about to clown the Clippers until the end of time , but we ’ ll definitely keep you updated on this story .

Once upon a time, when NBA players were still allowed to play defense and the New York Knicks were still a professional basketball team, the Minnesota Timberwolves did a very stupid thing.
In fact, it was so stupid that then-NBA commissioner David Stern snatched the soul from that team’s chest and handed down one of the most vicious penalties in the history of the league while mumbling, “These niggas can’t be fucking serious” under his breath—because it was that goddamn stupid.
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So what was it that the Minnesota Village Idiots did?
In 1995, Joe Smith might’ve been snatched up number one overall in the NBA Draft, but it took all of about five minutes on the court for the entire planet to realize that he wasn’t David Ruffin, he was Otis Williams—and ain’t nobody coming to see you, Otis. Yes, he lasted 16 years in the NBA—I’m sure Nelly still sells out concerts too—but he was never an All-Star (at least Cornell had “Hot In Herre”) and he played for 13 different teams. He was a journeyman at best, an embarrassment to niggas named Joe at worst, and certainly not the type of player worth jeopardizing the future of your organization for.
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Enter the Timberwolves.
In the aftermath of the NBA lockout in 1999, teams still believed that Smith—now a free agent—could evolve into a solid contributor. Yet after turning down a myriad of offers that include an $80 million extension from the Warriors, he signed on the dotted line with the T-Wolves for the low, low price of $1.75 million for one year of indentured servitude.
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Needless to say, eyebrows were raised. Why in the hell would he pass up on all that paper for pennies on the dollar? The hell is going on here?
I’ll tell you exactly what was going on.
From USA Today:
As it turns out, Smith and the Timberwolves had an under-the-table agreement in place, where Smith would sign three one-year deals for very little money, allowing the Timberwolves to acquire his Bird rights, which would allow them to go over the salary cap to re-sign him. He would have then been rewarded with a lucrative contract that would have paid him up to $86 million. This arrangement, of course, was highly illegal, and sanctions came down hard on the Timberwolves when the league found out.
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Yes, the Timberwolves are that goddamn stupid to think that nobody would’ve ever caught on to their Nigerian payroll scam. David Stern presumably cocked his head to the side in disbelief, then sent them outside to pick a switch. And when they came back inside mentally prepared to get their ass tore apart, Stern hit them with this instead:
The Timberwolves were fined $3.5 million, and forfeited their first-round draft picks for the next five years (the team’s 2003 pick was eventually restored). Not only was Smith’s newly-signed contract voided, his previous two were as well, meaning he would no longer retain his Bird rights with the Timberwolves. Additionally, Timberwolves owner Glen Taylor was suspended through August 31, 2001, and VP of basketball operations Kevin McHale took a leave of absence through July 31.
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For Joe Smith?!?!!?!?!?!
Suffice to say, this botched deal has been the butt of countless jokes for decades, and in the years since, both agents and players have been a bit more mindful in how they maneuver during free agency. But what happens in the dark always comes to the light, and after luring Kawhi Leonard to the City of Angels last offseason, the Clippers might be the next team to face the firing squad.
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From CBS Sports:
The NBA is investigating claims that Los Angeles Clippers executive Jerry West offered to pay Johnny Wilkes, a friend of Kawhi Leonard, $2.5 million to help deliver the two-time Finals MVP to the team in 2019 free agency, according to The New York Times’ Marc Stein. On Monday, TMZ reported that Wilkes is suing West over an alleged failure to make that promise $2.5 million payment in exchange for his help in securing Kawhi.
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Oh boy.
If this ends up being true, this could end up being uglier than losing in the Western Conference Semifinals after being up 3-1 in the series. But who in the hell would ever do that?
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For their part, the Clippers are pissing their pants denying any wrongdoing and issued the following statement, per Marc Stein of the New York Times:
“The lawsuit filed by Johnny Wilkes is replete with inaccuracies and the allegations are baseless. The Clippers are fully cooperating with the NBA in its investigation, which is standard when these types of allegations are made.”
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If this ends up being true, Laker Nation is about to clown the Clippers until the end of time, but we’ll definitely keep you updated on this story.