Wed. 12/23 - Leave Out Porridge for Belligerent Elves on Christmas Eve

<p><strong><em>How </em>Star Wars<em> toys have changed over the years and why it may not be a good thing for kids. What if there were tons of alien civilizations elsewhere in the Milky Way but they’re all long since dead? And the Danish tradition of leaving porridge out on Christmas Eve to bribe mischievous elves.</em></strong></p><p>Sponsors:</p><ul><li>Skillshare, get a free trial of Premium Membership at <a href="http://skillshare.com/kottke" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">skillshare.com/kottke</a>&nbsp;</li><li>BitTrust IRA, Waive your signup fee <a href="https://bittrustira.com/Kottke/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">BitTrustIRA.com/kottke</a></li></ul><p>Links:</p><ul><li><a href="https://www.polygon.com/star-wars/2020/12/21/22063580/star-wars-toys-action-figures-collectors-mandalorian-replicas" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Star Wars toys and Mandalorian figures aren't really for kids anymore</a> (Polygon)</li><li><a href="https://www.syfy.com/syfywire/how-star-wars-used-the-force-of-fandom-to-create-a-merchandising-empire" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">How Star Wars used the Force of Fandom to create a merchandising empire</a> (Syfy)</li><li><a href="https://www.livescience.com/milky-way-alien-life-map.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Milky Way is probably full of dead civilizations</a> (Live Science)</li><li><a href="https://www.atlasobscura.com/articles/what-is-risengrod" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">The Danish Christmas Porridge That Appeased a Vengeful 'House Elf'</a> (Atlas Obscura)</li><li><a href="https://www.ridehome.info/podcast/techmeme-ride-home/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Techmeme Ride Home Podcast</a> </li><li><a href="https://kottke.org/" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kottke.Org</a></li><li><a href="http://twitter.com/jackisnotabird" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Jackson Bird on Twitter</a></li></ul><p>See Privacy Policy at <a href="https://art19.com/privacy" rel="n