iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Catherynne M. Valente

Eric Kim (김현철) inkskratch.com @inkskratch.com · 30/09/2026

Maybe art is hard because it requires people to listen and be human and it's a skill these assholes obviously did not take the time to cultivate

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Every month on Patreon I post progress pics of my slow, mostly inept remodeling/reclaiming of my “quirky” 125-year-old Maine house. This month: master bathroom windows—this room has been slow but soon will be done & ready to be shown in full! www.patreon.com/catvalente/p...

patreon.com

Rough Mechanicals: The Slooow Bathroom | Catherynne M. Valente

Rough Mechanicals: The Slooow Bathroom by Catherynne M. Valente on Patreon. Join Catherynne M. Valente's community for exclusive content and updates.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Childe’s #LordoftheRings is accomplished! Tag urself I’m the Bacons of Gondor Are Lit (Full write-up on Patreon: www.patreon.com/catvalente/p...)

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Sometimes I wonder if @seananmcguire.bsky.social isn’t the Childe’s actual biological aunt…

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

As the Childe’s birthday party wound down this weekend, a group of adults were talking about homeowner nonsense & Childe calmly deadpans: “When you think about it we’re all homes.” Adults: “Wh…at?” *8-year-old waves their arms in the air excitedly & yells: “TO BACTERIA AND PARASITES!”

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

On the bright side, the Childe asked if there was a book of Kubo, I said no, then they asked if I could buy them a book of Japanese fairy tales since Kubo is one & I got to be Magic Mum. “Buy? No. Whose house do you think this is? We have three. Which one do you want to start with?”

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The Childe has become hardcore obsessed with the 2016 movie Kubo and the Two Strings. I have had to watch it. Every. Single. Day. For. Two. Weeks. …anyone have any recs for similar movies? Please help

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Clarification: Rocks don’t count! Must be a human-made object.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Sometimes my brain makes weird Taskmaster-style challenges & then spends way too long down their various related rabbit holes. Wanna play? Tonight my brain, which surely had more important things to do, said: I wonder what the oldest thing I could get for $20 or less is?

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Happy 8th Birthday to my darling Childe, who makes everything a better kind of chaotic. I love you, big kitten.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I’m probably the only one who’d know for sure that I didn’t write an essay with a Ken MacLeod title Maybe think about that the next time you trust the AI’s mewling results. Aw, but it’s so TOUGH to keep all your mountains of stolen shit straight! So worth wrecking the planet & ending human life!

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Someone brought up Silently & Very Fast on Insta & AI butted in to “helpfully” inform me about my own book Fun fact: Never written an essay with that title. That title is a line from Ken MacLeod, scraped from an 07 Gizmodo article by @annaleen.bsky.social which reviews KM right before reviewing me

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

You better HOPE this is late-stage capitalism. But that phrase was invented to describe the post-WWI era, babes. Capitalism hasn’t been around long enough to make sweeping pronouncements about its natural life cycle. This could just be the awkward young adult years before things get REALLY messy.

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Reposted by Catherynne M. Valente

Casey Rosenthal @clr.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Cat is 100% right about this. Obstacles, strife, friction -- these are REQUIRED ingredients for being human. Our capacity to feel good tracks with our capacity to feel bad, because really it's the capacity to FEEL. If AI makes everything convenient, humanity devolves to isolated socialslop.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

You know, when I can’t afford something & my credit is maxed out, I just don’t get to have it. So weird. Maybe they should hold a bake sale. That’s how we fund unimportant stuff like education.

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Katie Phang @katiephang.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Perpetually “concerned” Susan Collins should be VERY concerned by the latest reporting from ProPublica, revealing her involvement in an alleged bribery/pay to play scheme of awarding defense contracts to a specific firm right after that company made campaign “donations." youtu.be/f2fFlCPjKnk?...

youtu.be

GOP Senator CAUGHT RED-HANDED In MASSIVE BRIBERY SCHEME Probe!?!

YouTube video by Katie Phang

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Reposted by Catherynne M. Valente

joannanovinswrites.bsky.social @joannanovinswrites.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

@maggieshayne.bsky.social (don't know if you follow Cat Valente, but she's an exquisite writer, who expresses rage far better than I ever could.)

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

My latest essay on AI/AGI and the baffling promises/threats of maybe total destruction maybe a personal slave for everyone is now up on Patreon if you don't want to deal with Substack: www.patreon.com/catvalente/p...

patreon.com

Bonus Essay: Grand Theft Automaton: Ur A Slave 4 Me | Catherynne M. Valente

Note: this was originally posted on my Substack, as nothing about politics is cozy, but as Patreon and all of you are my nearest and dearest

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

From my new essay about the new social contract AI/AGI is actually meant to force us to sign: catvalente.substack.com/p/grand-thef...

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Reposted by Catherynne M. Valente

Jared Pechaček @vandroidhelsing.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

*walks up to straight couple* so which of you represents Sol and which is Luna in the union of opposites that will give rise to the philosopher’s stone

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Reposted by Catherynne M. Valente

morris hindle @dmhindle.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

A righteous rant. and a useful, rare, and accurate perspective.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

From my new essay about the new social contract AI/AGI is actually meant to force us to sign: catvalente.substack.com/p/grand-thef...

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Reposted by Catherynne M. Valente

Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Follow-up essay to my piece on AI being meant to replace, not, or at least, not just human labor, but human connection; this one taking apart what we mean when we talk about AI/AGI, and the rarely-spoken truth of what it's for: catvalente.substack.com/p/grand-thef...

catvalente.substack.com

Grand Theft Automaton: Ur A Slave 4 Me

No one is shy about what they want AI for--BUT THEY SHOULD BE GODDAMIT

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HG Wyndell @hgwyndell.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

The Orphan's Tales by @catvalente.bsky.social with illustrations by Michael Kaluta. I adore fairytales and these are not retellings, they are dreamings that move me. Each book took me over a year to read, I wanted to stretch them out, make them last. This world is one I have savored over years

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ennis rook (they/them) @rookthebird.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

every time i reread women in refrigerators by @catvalente.bsky.social i have two thoughts 1. "this is truly the book of all time. i don't know why i went so long without rereading this. it's such a vibe." 2. "i wonder if the author teaches and if it's possible to learn from her."

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

catvalente.substack.com

Grand Theft Automaton: Ur A Slave 4 Me

No one is shy about what they want AI for--BUT THEY SHOULD BE GODDAMIT

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

New Random Access Mind up on Patreon! (Every month a random thing, could be original work, could be behind the scenes stuff, could be anything) This month: my only actual published comic! www.patreon.com/catvalente/p...

patreon.com

Random Access Mind: A Very Special (and My Only) Comic | Catherynne M. Valente

Random Access Mind: A Very Special (and My Only) Comic by Catherynne M. Valente on Patreon. Join Catherynne M. Valente's community for exclusive content and updates.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

By the way, Boccaccio means “big mouth” So he really swagged around 14th century Italy called Johnny Big Mouth writing boner comedies and we teach his work in *fancy* classes now.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Boccaccio introducing the Decameron, 1348 “I’m just a guy who loves both the ladies & big feelings! Yet the ladies reject me? Tbh tho I think the best way to heal is to use my platform to show society the plight of women bc GOD DAMN they have it worse!” Simp! Woke! Feminism out of control!

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Back hurts. Google asks if I want AI to compare massage prices Fine, I think. That’s actually annoying, so let’s see. 19 HOURS LATER I get an email with “results” confusingly presented, price buried in fine print, for ONE place That’s not in my city So glad we’re ending civilization for this!

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Reposted by Catherynne M. Valente

Matt Simon @mattsimon.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

New from me: A Spectre is Haunting Utah! - Carnival of Souls as virtuosic minimalism - The substance of style in Wingard's Onslaught - & I recommend the twisty, shadowy dream of @catvalente.bsky.social's Comfort Me with Apples www.deadofnightletter.com/carnival/ #filmsky #horrorsky #booksky

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I got a new tattoo! (Showed the Patreon kids a week ago) The (among several meanings) idea being: when I put my hands together in a gesture of prayer…good things happen. The amazing Mike Gorman at Squirrel Cage Studio in Portland ME did them! I’m obsessed—what do you think?

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Erik Grove @erikgrove.com · 15/09/2026

For the SEASON 1 FINALE INTERVIEW of @connecttheplotspod.bsky.social we were joined by the brilliant, kind, and insightful @catvalente.bsky.social !!! I am a mega fan and had to not act like a fool for a full hour! See if I pulled it off! Links here: connecttheplots.com/2026/09/15/e...

connecttheplots.com

Episode 23: Catherynne M. Valente – Turtles All the Way Down

For their final interview of season 1, Cylia and Erik welcome acclaimed, best-selling author Catherynne M. Valente for a conversation about the importance of local folklore, building a reading list…

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

From my new essay on AI and the end of humanity people seem either weirdly excited about or weirdly willing to lay down for: catvalente.substack.com/p/all-you-ne...

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

These fucking goblins would look at Asimov’s Laws of Robotics and scoff. “Too much woke DEI libtard regulation! Let’s raw-dog this cool-ranch style!”

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Sam @samd.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

this sounds awful but that’s because she’s actually mocking Trump and Mr. Smoothgroin deceptively clipped it to own the libs

TAPPER: So, it sounds as though he's saying Democrats would allow Iran to have a nuclear weapon. He's also saying, of course, the war is going to end after the midterms. What's your
response?
PELOSI: Well, first of all, let's just say it's not about always responding to Donald Trump. I know that must attract advertisers, but it doesn't win the election. We have to talk about what we're going to do for the American people. Hakeem Jeffries is going to be the speaker. He is preparing how we win, how we protect the election and what we're going to do when we win.
Our country is at war. We always root for our country under any circumstance. So, let's get this done, Mr. President. You said it would take a few weeks. Clearly, you did not know what you were talking about. And you're sounding like Richard Nixon when you say you're going to end this right after the election. But okay for that.
The fact is so sad about this war because it was could've been so totally avoided. President Obama was masterful, virtuoso diplomatic accomplishment when he did the Iran nuclear agreement. And they had stopped -- we accomplished all of our goals. Except this one comes in, tears that up and now says he's going to stop the development of nuclear weapon in Iran, which he hasn't.
So, it's really sad, but our troops are in harm's way, and this is not a small potatoes thing as that person you had on the screen might refer to it. Small potatoes is not how we describe our men and women in uniform risking their lives.
So, this Iran war is taking a toll on the nation because people don't like us going to war in the first place. Second of all, it's increasing the cost of price at the pump, gasoline for farmers, increasing the price of food and groceries. So, this has an impact right at the kitchen table of the American people, in addition to not protecting the security of our country.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

These fucking goblins would look at Asimov’s Laws of Robotics and scoff. “Too much woke DEI libtard regulation! Let’s raw-dog this cool-ranch style!”

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

New piece on the AI Apocalypse the California Cthulhus can’t conceal their >10% excitement about…and the much more likely one already here: catvalente.substack.com/p/all-you-ne...

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Karen In Dixie | Writer @karenindixie.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

@catvalente.bsky.social’s Came The Last Night Of Sadness in #TheEndOfTheWorldAsWeKnowIt Now this story…🎶🎶🎶 to my King-fed soul! Such perfection in the telling. Scenes and dreams and all those little Dark Tower twangs! Mission accomplished! The world after The Stand recognized and carried on.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

I’d like to point out that Trump’s refusal to regulate AI on any level sets up the next admin (if we get one) to have millions of addicts FURIOUS with Democrats for taking their binkie away/passing even minimal laws about the use of said murderbinkie. At which point the GOP will be swept back in.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

New piece on the AI Apocalypse the California Cthulhus can’t conceal their >10% excitement about…and the much more likely one already here: catvalente.substack.com/p/all-you-ne...

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Apologies, I didn’t have my glasses on. WHY IS SOME MYSTERIOUS NUMBER ABOVE 10% THAT MIGHT BE 100% SOMETHING YOURE GIGGLING ABOUT ONLINE, EVAN?

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Night of the Living Red Durkin @daedsider.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Periodic reminder that your "concerns" about trans people are being beamed directly into your head by a small cadre of incredibly rich psychopaths.

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Catherynne M. Valente @catvalente.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Why do you seem happy about it, Evan? Why is a 9.9% chance your product *destroys the species* by 2036 not a pull the plug problem for you, Evan? You’re either lying or into it, Evan.

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