Matthew Lang

A look at the different techniques used to make the lightsaber work on screen through the different Star Wars movies.

Enter the sequel trilogies, which would achieve the pinnacle of lightsaber effects by merging the various techniques from over the years. Like the prequels, the blades of the lightsabers on-screen would be added digitally, with the on-camera fights taking place with plastic prop stand-ins. Also like the original trilogy, the battles were still fought on actual sets as part of the Star Wars sequels’ commitment to trying to embrace more practical effects.

The Star Wars sequels finally got lightsabers right

Of course, you’re bound to hit on the right combination after numerous attempts. The sequel trilogy does get it right though with the lighting effect from the lightsabers.

It’s just a shame though, that we haven’t yet seen any other colour of lightsaber than the blue and red done with this effect.

Standing on the platform waiting for the train this morning l, I opened up my Kindle app and started reading through another chapter of James Clear’s Atomic Habits.

In the chapter that I was reading James clarifies the difference in behaviour that leads to habits. There’s motion which is a behaviour that doesn’t yield a result and an action that does produce a result.

Outlining a handful of articles I want to write is motion but writing a single piece is an action. Actions are steps towards a defined outcome. Not only did I find this insightful for building habits but also how I categorise tasks.

Much of the coding work I am doing just now can be put in the action category. I implement a feature or a bug fix, and I deploy it. Deploying the change is the result of the action.

Then there’s the marketing work that I am preparing. I say preparing because that is all I seem to be doing right now, preparing. This is motion. While I am planning out something, I’m not getting any closer to the desired outcome.

The difference between the two is clear now, and it sheds new light on what I need to do to move forward.

I don’t tend to comment on political news, but I thought it would be a good chance to round up some of my own thoughts on the UK general election.

It was touted as being a night that will change the British politics in a huge way, but honestly, I don’t see anything that grand other than the big gains made by the Conservatives and the SNP. There’s been a mild shift of power, nothing more.

Brexit is happening

With a clear majority, the Conservatives will now see Brexit through. There will likely be months, probably years of negotiations ahead, but the first step in leaving the EU will be done by the end of January.

Nationalism is here

There’s a growing sense of nationalism between England and Scotland. Voters in both Scotland and England want what they think is best for their own country, however the results are wildy different.

With a huge landslide in Scotland, voters are still backing the SNP who will now push for another independance referendum. It’s clear that Scotland wants something different that Westminister isn’t offering.

In voting for the Conservatives, voters in England want Brexit done.

Labour leader woes

Labour needs a new leader. It’s hardly suprising that the Conservatives got back into power this morning with Jeremy Corbyn as the leader of the Labour party. He has been continually criticsed for his leadership, policies, and lack of stance on Brexit.

What’s ahead?

In the past I voted in the Scottish independance referendum to remain in the UK and in the EU referendum I voted to remain in the EU. If I had to do both votes tomorrow, I would still vote to remain in the EU, but my vote on Scottish independance may be changing. If I were to vote today on Scottish independance, then I would probably vote for it.

I don’t have all the facts about Scotland being independant, but it’s clear now that Scotland wants something very different to England. Going independant is a big step for Scotland, but perhaps it is time for a change.