iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 30/09/2026

Anyone got a tip for how to find depreciation info for a computer monitor? ATO website is…not super navigable for this.

Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 25/09/2026

All of Grant’s tiny games are great, but The Witch is Dead is probably my favourite one. Avenge your witch as a small magical creature!

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 21/09/2026

I saw the article claiming that it was somehow controversial that Erika Ishii is working on the new Amensia Fortnight game. I knew things had gotten bad at that outlet, but hoo boy. Not reading or mentioning them for the foreseeable future. Thank the gods* for Continue, Mothership and Aftermath etc.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 18/09/2026

New project: I’m the producer of the @enoughtrope.com podcast! In each episode, a guest author discusses a genre trope: what it means, how it fits into culture and society, and how they’ve used it in their own work.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 08/09/2026

I learned years ago that there’s always a double rainbow, but the second one is much fainter. You can usually see it if you know to look. I saw one this morning. “Look for the second rainbow” feels like an aphorism, but “when you see a good thing, look for another one” doesn’t feel very profound…

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Jessie Ngaio @jngaio.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Melbourne! Do you love kinky queer smut as much as you love mossy green forests? Do you want to attend a church invented by a tired, middle aged artwitch, sexworker and weirdo? Come to Dirt Church! www.melbournefringe.com.au/whats-on/eve...

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Leena 🌵 @leena.reuben.games · 07/09/2026

if people were genuinely interested in preparing children for an “inevitable future” they’d be stopping global warming and solidifying concrete pathways to homeownership, not teaching kids how to play with Claude The Guessing Toy

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 26/08/2026

Avery Alder has made some of the most interesting and influential RPGs of the last decade or so. My fave is The Quiet Year. I just bought her recent sitcom game, Going for Broke. (I’m hoping to play it with my comedy students!) If you’ve never played or read her games, now’s a great time.

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Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com · 25/08/2026

Dolly Parton's family asked that, in lieu of flowers, fans make a donation to the singer's Imagination Library. Here's what the charity does ⬇️ www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...

rollingstone.com

Turning Pages: Inside Dolly Parton's Imagination Library

Core team of 15 staff and thousands of volunteers and partners help the country-music philanthropist deliver books to kids around the world.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 22/08/2026

Optimist: the cup is half full Pessimist: the cup is half empty Creative arts teacher: who filled the cup? What were their influences? Where is the cup from? Is that really water? What does your own cultural capital help you understand about it? Reflect on your experience of the cup in 800 words.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 17/08/2026

Now free to read for all subscribers.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 11/08/2026

Writer and artist friends, I get it, changing platforms is daunting. But Substack has a number of longstanding serious problems and you don’t need to use it. This site by @seankilleen.com has more info and options for alternatives, and if you need help, reach out. leavesubstack.com

leavesubstack.com

You Should Probably Leave Substack

You should probably leave Substack. Here’s why and how.

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Maria Dahvana Headley @mariadahvana.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Teaching a summer class on fixing everything that's wrong....in your first five pages. I know. I wish I could teach you how to fix everything that's wrong in the damn universe. But I can definitely help your manuscript kick some serious ass. www.theshipmanagency.com/classes/firs...

theshipmanagency.com

Craft Seminar: The First Five Pages: Making A Beginning That Sells Your Book with Maria Dahvana Headley — The Shipman Agency

4 Sessions: Thursdays, August 6, 13, 20, 27 6:00-8:00pm ET Maria Dahvana Headley Maria Dahvana Headley is the New York Times -bestselling, Hugo , and World Fantasy Award-winning author...

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 27/07/2026

GNU Bill Oddie. In the liner notes for a Goodies anthology, he (jokingly) wrote: “I would like to thank the other two Goodies, but I really can’t: it would have been so much easier without them.” It’s a little harder without you, Bill. But what a life, and now you return to the nature you loved.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 26/07/2026

Post a perfect album from the 90s that isn’t Nirvana, Soundgarden, Pearl Jam or Alice in Chains… I mean, how could I stop at just one? (There are many more.)

The cover art for They Might Be Giants’ 1992 album “Apollo 18”, showing a sperm whale and giant squid fighting on a black background, while a lunar landing module floats next to them.

The cover of Max Sharam’s 1996 album “A Million Year Girl”, showing a naked Sharam holding clutching a small multi-storey house to her chest while standing in front of a waterfall in a valley.

The cover of Kylie Minogue’s 1997 album “Impossible Princess”, featuring Minogue with short dark hair in a light blue dress with a single shoulder strap. We see her kneeling in the middle of a cylindrical shape created by multicoloured bands of light, with a gap at the front.

The cover of Peter Gabriel’s 1992 album “Us”. Peter stands in a blue suit with his arms outstretched, walking though a red space with red string or straw on the ground. In front of him is what looks like a column of smoke in the shape of a woman with her arms clasped above her head.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 18/07/2026

I gave up on the game (too much AC nonsense) but when working on a pirate game myself, I listened to the sea shanty soundtrack on repeat for months. I’m sure I read that the singers got slightly drunk before recording so they’d be slurred and occasionally just a little off key. I hope that’s true.

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Ettin @ettin.itch.io · 13/07/2026

Hey folks! To cover some big legal costs related to my mum's passing, I've decided to make all Weird Age's titles 50% off for July only! You can check out a full bundle here:

itch.io

Weird Age Games Half-Price Sale by Weird Age Games

A bundle by Weird Age Games, $73.37 for 14 games

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 16/07/2026

Games Not (Only) By Cis-Dudes 🧵 (list in progress I keep on my phone & pasting here) * Apocalypse World * For the queen * The quiet year * Yazeba’s bed and breakfast * Seven part pact * Kagematsu & A single man * Tales of the Fisherman’s Wife * Steal Away Jordan * A Mending * Field guide to memory

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Patrick Lenton @patricklenton.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

i accidentally let a bookmarking program I subscribe to lapse, meaning I lost a bunch of links I bookmarked for research, which is annoying. Can anyone remember a recent article or piece of research that looked at anti-queer bias in mainstream media?

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas @horrornonna.com · 13/07/2026

This is pretty well known, but the Australian flag Sam Neill wore on his uniform in Event Horizon was designed at his request to show the Union Jack replaced with the Aboriginal flag, because he hoped in the future this is how it would actually look. A proper fucken ally in every way, this bloke.

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Alexandra Heller-Nicholas @horrornonna.com · 13/07/2026

I call for a national holiday in Australia and New Zealand as we mourn one of the very best human beings of the past century, who also happend to be quite a dab hand at acting. Mine is one of so many broken hearts the world over - what a fucking mensch.

Sam Neill in Zulawski's Possession, his back turned to the camera with his hand on a window, looking outside. It feels final as fuck.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 13/07/2026

GNU Sam Neill. Two whole countries are broken hearted today I reckon.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 05/07/2026

Do I know anyone using the “slow social media” app Roost? It sends messages via virtual “pigeons” (various unlockable birds and other creatures) which take variable amounts of time to arrive, based on a speed stat and users’ actual distance. It sounds cute. But I’ve no-one to send messages to.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 04/07/2026

I am very proud of our time travel audio comedy #NightTerrace. I think it’s very good and funny, and you can get it here: nightterrace.com I don’t plug it often because we’ve been struggling to finish a third season for many years. But I’d love more folks to enjoy the first two seasons.

nightterrace.com

Night Terrace

An award-winning science fiction comedy series for your ears!

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 04/07/2026

Finally, I can see the more famous Ben McKenzie’s film! Tempting to get up at 4 AM to ask a question…

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 04/07/2026

I’ve been trying to learn the current state of Bandcamp, but there’s very little reporting since the union-busting of 2023. All I can find from the last year are one subscriber-only Substack post, and one AI-written guide to using it from a generic “advice for musicians” website. Anyone know more?

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 01/07/2026

I don’t even know if we have Intersection at PAXAus (I’ve not been able to go since pre-Pandemic) but “welcome home” has to apply to everyone if it’s to mean anything. That means proper support, especially now, especially in the US. I hope the PAX folks see that.

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Cassie aka Lamia @intersectionscch.blacksky.app · 30/06/2026

With the nightmares for QTBIPOC in the United States right now, it is so so telling that @officialpax.bsky.social has decided that 2026 is the year to cut support and funding for The PAX Intersection & its PTI programs that made a PAX safer & life changing event for devs & attendees of color alike.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 30/06/2026

I have now reached the “hey Dad I broke my phone” scam text stage of life. (I don’t have any kids.)

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Freeplay @free-play.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

We did it 🤑✨ our EOFY appeal for Parallels '26 didn't just hit the goal. We sailed right past it. Because of your generosity: working artists can afford to come, tickets are cheaper for everyone, and WE'RE LIVESTREAMING so no-one misses out. 💛 artists.australianculturalfund.org.au/s/project/a2...

artists.australianculturalfund.org.au

Artist Portal

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 29/06/2026

“Dressing up as a sci-fi wizard won’t relieve tough pain when it hits. Just stop at [famous pharmacy chain] for [famous analgesic brand].” An actual ad I just heard on an actual podcast. No further context. The podcast was not about “sci-fi wizards”. Not even an LLM would write that, surely?

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Pratchat @pratchatpodcast.com · 27/06/2026

We are also excited because we are that podcast! Leena will be discussing the 1999 videogame Discworld Noir with us. Please send us any questions you want us to tackle ASAP! #Pratchat94

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MegueyB 🔜Metatopia @megueyb.bsky.social · 26/06/2026

Good morning! Are you ready to discover the full extent of your power, figure out what's _really_ going on, and maybe take down the forces of oppression? Run for it! #PsiRun2e #ttrpg #PBTA www.kickstarter.com/projects/117...

kickstarter.com

PsiRun Second Edition

Whoever was holding you captive, you're free, for now. You have superpowers & amnesia. You know they're after you. What could go wrong?

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 26/06/2026

I suspect I already know the answer to this, but is it a known, common neurodivergent behaviour to only get admin stuff done while walking or otherwise semi-occupied with something else?

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Michael Bazaco @mcbazacophd.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

Am I being over-sensitive here or does the term “side effects” have an inherent negative connotation and therefore this headline is sci-comm malpractice? The “side effects” are reduced risk of serious cardiac complications and reduced risk of all-cause cardiac events. Benefits. That’s the word.

ca.style.yahoo.com

COVID Vaccine Linked to New Side Effect, Especially in Older Adults

The COVID vaccine was linked to a new side effect for older adults.

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Dave 💾 Powerhoof @dave.powerhoof.com · 22/06/2026

Big Important News Alert! The Drifter is out *right now* on Switch and Switch 2! 🗡️ www.nintendo.com/us/store/pro...

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Tim Baxter @timinclimate.naruresearch.com.au · 22/06/2026

🚨On Monday July 27 at 2pm AEST, every phone in Australia will get very loud. 🚨 If you are vulnerable, with a phone as part of your escape plan, please make sure that you take steps to protect yourself. If you aren't vulnerable, please help get the word out to protect those who are.

ausalert.gov.au

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 17/06/2026

There is a corner of the internet where I dwell, and believe me, everyone in it is absolutely feral with excitement for this upcoming tabletop roleplaying game. It’s gonna be amazing.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 17/06/2026

God of War: Laufey has me all excited so I’ve fired up Ragnarok to finally try the Valhalla expansion, and maybe knock off the last two side quests I had left. Unfortunately they’re the two hardest fights in the game and I am soooooo rusty. Need a training mode! Which I guess Valhalla sort of is?

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 17/06/2026

Some solid picks here from Ed Power, but it’s telling that if you asked ten other #TerryPratchett fans (including me) you’d likely get ten quite different lists. There’s much more agreement about the bottom ten, I reckon! And this isn’t even including his non-Discworld work.

inews.co.uk

I've read all of Terry Pratchett's Discworld novels - these are the 10 best

The 41 books set in the weird and sometimes wacky fantasy world are some of his best loved. Here's where new readers should start

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Kat Clay @katclay.com · 09/06/2026

So, funny story. I scripted this video on why I love Call of Cthulhu so much before I got hired by Chaosium. I actually had to re-record it after the announcement. 😂 Anyway here's why y'all should be playing Call of Cthulhu: youtu.be/BGMU4uC9sjk

youtu.be

Why you should be playing the Call of Cthulhu Tabletop RPG!

YouTube video by Kat Clay

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Florian @florianjedi.bsky.social · 05/06/2026

The Onion didn't fuck around with this one, wow

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 05/06/2026

Of course he was Giles, but any time Anthony Stewart Head’s name came up in anything, I was there. Loved his work. Great at playing a villain, but by all accounts a wonderful man. GNU Tony Head.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 04/06/2026

A major loss - I had no idea she was so young, though of course I should have, based on Persepolis. What an amazing body of work, and an extraordinary woman. Her loved ones say she died “of sadness” after her husband, only 53, died last year. Heartbreaking.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 04/06/2026

Oh, hell yeah! Can’t wait for God of War: Laufey, which seems pretty advanced given we’re only just hearing about it. And what a cast! Not only Deborah Ann Woll, but was that Jack Quaid as…*checks notes*…a gelatinous cube??? (An odd choice to be sure, but I trust the team.) youtu.be/U9C01MdmSOM

youtu.be

God of War Laufey - Gameplay Reveal | State of Play 2026

YouTube video by GameTrailers

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The Daily Tism @thedailytism.com · 02/06/2026

Join us on Sunday the 14th of June at 6pm BST for a very special Patreon Live! @joewellscomic.bsky.social and @abigoliah.bsky.social will be joining us to talk about their brand new book and share a sneak preview ahead of its release. Learn more and sign up: www.patreon.com/posts/join-u...

A graphic advertising an online event hosted by The Daily Tism. It features pictures of comedians Abigoliah Schamaun and Joe Wells, plus the cover of their new book 'Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How Not To Pack a Suitcase'. The text reads: Patreon Live Q&A with Joe Wells and Abigoliah Schamaun. Comedians and hosts of Neurodivergent Moments Joe Wells and Abigoliah Schamaun join us to talk about their new book, Neurodivergent Moments: Sex, Sunscreen, Turtles and How Not To Pack a Suitcase. Sunday June 14th, 6 - 7pm BST, online, open to all paid Patreon subscribers.

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Ben McKenzie @benmckenzie.com.au · 02/06/2026

Iced Vo-Vo Tim-Tams are a classic Australian biscuit flavoured like a different classic Australian biscuit. I love them so. They’re currently half price in the supermarket, so of course I’m worried this means they’re going out of production. But they’re so good!

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