iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

What does that mean? Assuming it's not nice.

Jack Grimes @jackapedia.design · 24/09/2026

Getting ready to talk with Kyle Winkler about his amazing new book THE SHIP OF DEATH! 2nite at Loganberry Books in Cleveland! @bleakhousing.bsky.social

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Reposted by Dan Chaon

I'm joining the war on slop with cheap, fast flyer commissions. If you know someone who is asking the computer for event posters, tell them to ask me instead. Get the guarantee!

A poster mocked up as if it was offset printed in black and red roughly 60 years ago. The header reads "AVAILABLE NOW! FLYERS DESIGNED BY A HUMAN BEING!" and the subsequent text is pitching $50 flyer designs with a "SLOP-FREE GUARANTEE," incorporating some vintage Henry Volk clipart of people looking at a poster and saying how well it reflects on the event organizer.

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Dang, Swartwood, you just injected me with poison!

Absolutely. If I were a bot, I'd be like, hello, I am Danbot would you like to communication with me? I am friend!

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I know, right? It's so hilarious that they are unable to understand even basic satire/dystopia. BECAUSE THEY NEVER "GOT" THE HUMANITIES. (But also because they are sociopaths. America has been super welcoming for sociopaths.)

Definitely agree. Since I only taught at liberal arts colleges I never saw/experienced this as a teacher, but that attitude is definitely raining down in big wet shitty droplets in our current world, so I know you are right.

Of the five senses, "touch" gets such short shrift in fiction. The palms of your hands and the soles of your feet are such incredibly sensitive parts of your body that maybe you don't pay enough attention to as you should.

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If you were a bot would you tell me that you were a bot?

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My main teaching gig was at Oberlin College, and I very rarely had a kid who was just there as life placeholder. Currently doing Warren Wilson MFA, which is same. But maybe I'm spoiled and naive to believe that there are a lot of people who take joy in learning and creating something?

But also I am not thinking of that kind of student. You have to believe that there is still a spark of the desire for self-expression, so maybe their moment with ChatGPT has some drama? I'd say, just let them do what they want to do, they might surprise you and be interesting.

I appreciate you. I am too old to anticipate this fuckery!

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Ew. I guess I have to make clear that it's something you can TOUCH.

I'm a dog guy. I can't wait to read Paul Yoon's latest one, ETNA, from the POV of a dog...

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Amazing. I'd never heard this story.

Working on a student writing exercise. Think about a moment when you had a communication with an animal that stuck with you. Then think about a moment when you had a communication with an inanimate object that stuck with you. Set a timer and write for 15 minutes on each encounter.

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Dan Chaon @danchaon.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

I feel like it's important to have daily contact with non-humans. Dogs, yes, cats, yes, but also plants--especially catci--urns or whatever, the glass on windows. Be aware of the furniture you're sitting in. Make a note of the things you touch, and how it feels to touch them.

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As a resident of Cleveland, I'd like to apologize

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Reposted by Dan Chaon

PT Klein @ptklein.com · 23/09/2026

There are a lot of ways to be online, but I am convinced that this is the way we should cultivate and cherish. Being earnest and open to positivity is an active practice that enriches all of our lives.

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I fell asleep through portions of Nosferatu. Or so my sons claim. They were on either side of me in the theater. Still, I really do adore "The Vvitch" and "The Lighthouse." Those made me really happy. And I think this new one is going to be my jam.

It's just like adding that extree "e" at the end of "olde." A nice big dollop of twee frosting.

Yeah, maybe, but I'm still excited for WERWULFE!

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One summer when I was a kid I had to drive eight hours across Nebraska with my grandma with no air conditioning and she was driving 40 mph. It's kind of like that.

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😐 Um...how is it supposed to be pronounced?

Yeah, agree. "Lizard-person unctiousness" is very good line.

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Yes! Exactly! There's a kind of hostility to specific experience because they've never had one.

I've only watched one episode, so bear with me. I don't know where I'll come out on the other end.

I am still curious about what they are doing structurally. Will report back as I watch more of it.

I feel like Jason Bateman gives off that twee deadpan in a way that is practically scarlet rot toxic.

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There's a thing I've been noticing in comedy writing, where one can really tell that the writer was influenced by Big Bang Theory as a young person. A certain tang of internet nerd twee-ness and absurdist deadpan--just a flavor that I find slightly repulsive.

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