Splashdot 2026 - Day 4

No Theme (John Scalzi)

THERE IS NO THEME DAY

Today is a day without a theme. It spreads out before you, themeless, formless, without intention or plan. The very air vibrates with the lack of concept for the day.

Some people, this would terrify. Who are we, they say, without a theme? Who are we, without some direction, a vector of purpose graciously provided by others? They ache for a subject to attach to, a conceptual grain of sand around which their own brain will accrete thin shiny layers of purpose, until finally a pearl appears, the reason for the day, a twenty four hour thesis for their existence.

But not you! Where they see naught but chaos, what you see is potential. Potential for what? For everything. Every thought is valid! Every course of action is equal! Every whim and notion suffused with equal capability and grandeur! No gradual accreting of purpose for you! For the world is your oyster and, verily, you are the pearl, luminous with possibility, existing in an indeterminate state of complete awesomeness, until such point as you step forward and all available futures collapse into a state of inevitable greatness that you will provide by the very action of moving your feet, or whatever other method of conveyance you use because this is the point, it is you as the prime mover here.

And if these collapsing futures lead to the Lido Deck for a cookie? Magnificent! Because that cookie is and forever shall be, your destiny. Not your only destiny, probably, destiny doesn’t have to be eternal, it can totally be a moving and updating target, but who is to say that, as you stand before that concoction of sugar dough and chocolate chips, you are not exactly where you should be - where the universe demands you should be - and where you have demanded this self same universe take you?

This is your theme! Your choice! Your yawping defiance!

(Also the cookies on the Lido deck are pretty great, excellent destiny for you, two thumbs up.)

There is no theme. Only what you manifest for yourself today. We are all witness to your greatness, and humbled by it. Celebrate the amazing, incredible, themeless, you. Maybe with another cookie, they really are tasty.

--JS

Spotlight on Shadow: Sea Shanties!

For years on JoCo, Cruise guests who love singing sea shanties have gathered to make music together. Most nights, you can hear them on the Lido Deck— listen for the sound of enthusiastic, rhythmic singing from thirty-odd people. Our reporter visited Sunday night’s event to learn more.

Shanties are an old form of music, most often associated with labor at sea in the Age of Sail. As the event hosts shared with me, the term “shanty” is really a general term that covers a wide range of song types sung by sailors to accompany specific types of labor. There are songs for heaving (pushing), songs for hauling (pulling), and foc’sle (Editor: spelling?) songs, for when sailors were off-duty. This explains, in part, the length and call-and-response nature of these songs; they were intended to make hard labor a little easier.

I spoke to one JoCo Cruiser, Matt, who enthusiastically explained the appeal of these old songs. Shanties are especially accessible to new (or shy) singers, because they can learn the choruses easily, while more experienced singers tackle the many verses. The harmonies are simple but rich and satisfying to sing, and the practice of singing together is inclusive: new arrivals can pick up the nuances quickly. Over the years, shanty lovers have prepared several booklets of well-known songs for guests to share, and JoCo Cruise performers have occasionally joined in the singing after a hard night entertaining the Cruise. Legend tells that John Hodgman himself is a fan. Mr. Hodgman did not respond to our request for an interview (mostly because we did not send one).

If you’re curious about the culture and practice of shanties and want to join in, walk around the Lido after 10pm. There may be no anchors left for us to weigh, but you might find yourself moved to sing about it anyway.

Useful Spanish phrases/Less Useful Greek phrases

“Useful Spanish Phrases for Our Loreto visit”

Soy feliz de estar aquí en Loreto. “I am happy to be here in Loreto!”

¿Dónde esta el concierto/fiesta de baile? “Where is the nearest dance party?”

Estoy buscando ballenas. ¿Has visto alguna? “I'm looking for whales. Have you seen any?”

Este es un día sin temas. “This is a day without themes.”

¿Cómo regreso al barco? “How do I get back to the ship?”

Less Useful Ancient Greek Phrases for our Loreto visit

τίς ὁ νοῦς; τί κόθορνος καὶ ῥόπαλον ξυνηλθέτην;

Tis ho nous? Ti kothornos kai hropalon kxunēlthetēn?

“What’s going on? Do people with large clubs now walk around in leather booties?”

ἤδη ποτ᾽ ἐπεθύμησας ἐξαίφνης ἔτνους;

Ayday pot’ epethumēsas eksaifnēs etnous?

“Have you ever had a craving for some stew?”

ἐγὼ δὲ φλυκταίνας γ᾽ ἔχω

Ego de fluktainas g’ echo

“I’m getting blisters”

Caption Contest Day 4

Winner: @kialesse "Chat, so excited to announce that today's stream is actually the ocean!"

Runner Up: @merrdiff "Sorry my camera doesn't seem to be working today"

Runner Up: @mageuzi "Doom surfing"