iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 28/09/2026

How it started/How it’s going, 18C TTRPG Nerd Edition — with my stalwart research partner, sometimes-handler, always friend @emnk.bsky.social

Em and Emily holding a bunch of TTRPG stuff in 2019.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 27/09/2026

Taryn Simon’s “Father Country I Do Love You” has many ideas/choices that are still steeping in my brain. “They are used to paying for work they don’t want to do, so they picture slaves instead. At the end of my tour, I tell them it was built by free men because Athens is the city of democracy”

A knitted owl pillow is held up by a hand with long manicure nails and many heavy rings. Behind is the Parthenon. A caption reads “ people assume the Parthenon, a temple, dedicated to Athena, was built by slaves and asked how many died to make it. They used to pay people for work they don’t want to do, and so they picture slaves instead. At the end of my tour, I tell them it was built by free men because Athens is the city of democracy. It wakes them up.”

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 25/09/2026

Train so channeling my @clairewillett.bsky.social for a bit. Choose prompt & number 1-30: A Hint of His Character His Personal Charms A Hint of Her Character Her Personal Charms What is my pet Weakness? What is my Special Aversion? Shall I succeed in my present undertaking? A Glimpse of the Future

The Shakespeare Oracle or Wheel of Fortune. A game of large circular cards

Eight questions on a round disc:
1. A Hint of His Character
2. His Personal Charms
3. A Hint of Her Character
4. Her Personal Charms
5. What is my pet Weakness?
6. What is my Special Aversion?
7. Shall I succeed in my present undertaking?
8. A Glimpse of the Future

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 24/09/2026

And if someone wants to play the game of “what’s the oldest roleplaying game designed not by a dude”…

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 23/09/2026

Game envelope for Wallis’s Fashionable Game of The Seven Ages of Human Life (1814-24) — which only imagines 66 years of a (male) lifespan… digitalcollections.folger.edu/img29722

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 23/09/2026

One of the cool things about my job is that I get to see the skillful work of talented folks I know. What’s cool about THIS year is how often, how easily I get to do it, alongside now-nearby friends & family. Gonna be talking about this one on the train up to NYC with @emnk.bsky.social I reckon.

Set of Folger’s Measure for Measure, with fans high above tall pale walls and floors with an array of wooden benches, chairs, and a table.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 21/09/2026

I remembered to bring back a water bottle and I’m already more hydrated AND remembering the communities of practice & care I’ve learned from/with.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 19/09/2026

Fellow Johnsonians, please know that I am wearing these in my heart on 9/25. It’s what Dolly would do.

Shiny gold reptile-look tall boots in a sea of black ones

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 19/09/2026

@heartofthedeernicorn.com CITY OF WINTER hits different played with full body muscle soreness as the sandwich generation “Parent”

City of Winter, a game on a long black cloth scroll.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 18/09/2026

Over identifying with GAUDY NIGHT again, send help.

But it was noticed that no man from his own college ever entered for that particular special—the reason being that the tutor's honesty was such that he would earnestly dissuade his pupils from taking his own subject for fear lest his encouragement might influence their decision."

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 18/09/2026

I bet there’s way more of us. Happy Type High Day, my people. @folger.edu has a printing press and connections to game designers. What might we do in combo?

Em, Josef, Derek, & Greg and the Book Beetle

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 17/09/2026

I’m in Auburn for a few days for important meetings. I traveled home with my laptop, mic, & not much else so that I can bring back more games (& warmer clothes). I think this latest from @plusoneexp.bsky.social also goes in the bag.

A tote bag from plus one xp that says “make hard moves” with daggers and dice

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 10/09/2026

“And here we have the hot cross buns C” “WHAT”

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 10/09/2026

Intro to Secretary Hand today. Our room full of 18th century scholars collectively saying “thank God they stopped doing this in our period”

Letterforms from secretary hand. Only some of them are recognizable.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 08/09/2026

Low-prep, but a Millennial’s nightmare — “you must telephone friends to inquire as to their availability”

As the host, you have few duties once the evening starts. Prior to that, you must telephone friends to inquire as to their availability. As each agrees, send him or her an invitation, the back of which lists the entire cast. Be sure to cast yourself also. Other information will be read and distributed the evening of the game. Be sure you have enough people to play all the parts and stress the importance of each player's attendance.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 08/09/2026

I’m going to need some volunteers. (And as previously mentioned, a record player)

A blank invitation to a murder mystery game.

Dear [BLANK]
As you know, our dear friend Barry recently died a most tragic death. Unfortunately, you are one of the suspects.
At [TIME] ơ'clock, on [DATE], we will be
gathering at [LOCATION]
to discuss this ugly matter. It is imperative that you attend to clear your good name.
• 1984 Jamie Swise Games

Viola and Sebastian are twin brother and sister, who are separated when their boat is shipwrecked in a storm. Each believing the other is dead, they are washed ashore in lyria. Viola, disguising herself as a boy, Caesario, finds employment in the court of Duke Orsino, who rules Ilyria. She falls in love with him, but he is in love with the proud Lady Olivia who will not have him.
Orsino sends Viola to woo Olivia for him. Olivia falls in love with Viola (as Caesario). Meanwhile, Olivia's uncle, Sir Toby, and Maria are trying to get Olivia to marry their friend, the foolish Sir Andrew. After much incredible con-fusion, Sebastian finally arrives on the scene, and he marries Olivia. Viola, revealing herself to be a woman, marries Duke Orsino, and Sir Toby marries Maria, and everything ends happily.
THE GAME YOU ARE ABOUT TO PLAY IS A TRUE ROLE PLAYING GAME. PERUSE THE CAST LIST AND FAMILIARIZE YOURSELF WITH THE PLAYERS' BACKGROUNDS, AS WELL AS YOUR OWN CHARACTER. THE RULES WILL BE GIVEN TO YOU AT THE GATHERING. PREPARE TO "LIVE" YOUR CHARACTER ONCE THE GAME BEGINS.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 07/09/2026

Susan Harlan, “My First Name,” Issue (49.2) South Carolina Review (2017): No, you can't call me By my first name, And yes, I know that A male professor Told you that titles Are silly Because a certain genre Of man Is always dying To performatively Divest himself Of his easily won Authority.

SUSAN HARLAN
MY FIRST NAME
No, you can't call me
By my first name,
And yes, I know that
A male professor
Told you that titles
Are silly
Because a certain genre
Of man
Is always dying
To performatively
Divest himself
Of his easily won
Authority.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 07/09/2026

And then the client tasked me with freehand (temporary) tattooing. (Can confirm these markers work on all skin tones, for those curious)

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 07/09/2026

Not putting any letterers, inkers, or colorists out of business, but all my client could afford was a rank amateur. (She pays in hugs)

Five signs that say “do not enter” in various styles

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 07/09/2026

He’s now 11.5 and has taken the iPad in his own hands to play a game about typography. (After another game of Wingspan, of course)

A long legged little boy playing a game about typography

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 06/09/2026

Client’s brief has vastly expanded in scope.

A nearly-8 year old erases the pencil on a stylized “treasure map” of her home

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 06/09/2026

I am returning to the first job I ever had: drawing black and white illustrations for an easily-pleased client. This one’s pro bono.

A drawing of a seal with the words “JUMP”

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 05/09/2026

Week One in the books: so of course it’s time to visit @labyrinthdc.bsky.social

3Z size games: a solo letter writing game called letters to Sandra, feast and verdure by Sharang Biswas, and Nine Lives to Valhalla

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 03/09/2026

Darcy had been a vital part of the student project making a gallery of women writers of the 18th century, which went on to be the lobby display for the packed event.

A huge number of people in a hotel lobby queuing up for Gloria Steinem

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 03/09/2026

The day before her event, Ms. Steinem attended the Women’s Studies Award ceremony, where I got to read my praise of my student Darcy, who won the Undergraduate Award. Darcy had just begun her transition, reveling in her class on 18C women writers as befits a woman who has claimed an Austenian name.

Em speaks in front of a Women’s Studies banner

Darcy Corbitt is congratulated by Em Friedman, as the head of Women’s Studies looks on.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 03/09/2026

If you know me you know I don’t do signing lines. So it says something that I made an exception for Ms. Steinem the 2nd time I heard her speak in 2014 (the 1st I was an undergrad sitting on a stone windowsill “working” the event ) But I want to tell you about this 2nd photo: something GS saw at AU.

Darcy Corbitt is hugged and congratulated by Em Friedman

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 03/09/2026

Many thanks to Kevin for letting me try @fortcircle.bsky.social x @folger.edu collab FIRST FOLIO. I may have said “this is gonna be the Pentiment of board games” which is admittedly hyperbole. But damn me if it isn’t a charmer of an entry for newbies to the hobby who are suckers for bookish vibes.

Two cards of men in Shakespearean clothing: a Black man with close cut hair who is The Bookbinder and a white bald man with glasses and a beard who is The Bookseller

A small board that includes 5 zones for worker placement, two rows of 4 cards, and various tokens.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 03/09/2026

“I’m not gonna assemble the printing press dice tower for this demo” “THEN I WILL” (Which I did badly but with enthusiasm)

A dice tower in shape of printing press, with dice that have symbols for paper, ink, and type in different combinations

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 29/08/2026

What’s the over/under on @dropout.tv and @mitpress.bsky.social just letting me use a high-res version of this as my author photo.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 29/08/2026

Hello to @clairewillett.bsky.social & @sjml.bsky.social & my fellow Pinko Commie Social Justice Catholics from under the “house” made from my niece’s First Communion blanket.

Em looks up under a blanket with AMDG and hearts and smilies and other weird Catholic stuff is scrawled all over it.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 27/08/2026

My dad (at center) on TV for Imagination Library of Greater Houston. Very proud.

White older man with a beard sits between two women as they discuss Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library. A standee of Dolly is behind them

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 26/08/2026

Setting aside the specifics of canonization in my faith for a hot second, **this is what saints are for** And it’s worth underlining that saints are useful to the extent that they are recognizably human, like us. Which is also the message of the Nava tapestries in LA: olacathedral.org/tapestries

The novel tapestries of the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles. Seven figures in a variety of clothing from different places and times look towards the altar. Two girls, one Asian and one Black, are dressed in jeans and T-shirt their hands folded in prayer.

The novel tapestries of the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles. Five figures dressed in loose white garments face in the same direction, towards the altar one has his hair cut in a tonsure, one girl has her hair in braids or small locs.

The novel tapestries of the Cathedral of our Lady of the Angels, Los Angeles. Five figures in loose clothing of different ages and races look towards the altar. One hold a bound book and a quill, another leans on a cross. A young man at center with close cropped hair raises his hands folded in prayer. Two younger women clap, their hands their hair loose.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 24/08/2026

I indeed found it in my childhood home that Christmas:

A photo of LeVar Burton circa… late 1980s/early 1990s?

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 24/08/2026

45. Keenly aware, now more than ever, that every year is a gift not all of us get. Grateful I have much to look back on with satisfaction, and look forward to with hope.

Em smiles while wearing a sweatshirt that reads “still waiting for my long rest”

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 24/08/2026

OK fine, I can be peer pressured.

A saved image from whereidlive.com showing I’ve visited most of the US aside from the upper Midwest and mountain west, living in TX, MO, AL, FL, and PA and more time in CA, OH, MA, CT, and MD

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 22/08/2026

Incidentally I do love that professor (as you can tell from my dorky highlighting)

As any student of literature must, she knew all the sins of the world by name, but it was doubtful whether she recognized them when she met them in real life. It was as though a misdemeanor committed by a person she knew was disarmed and disinfected by the contact. So many young people had passed through her hands, and she had found so much good in all of them; it was impossible to think that they could be deliberately wicked, like Richard III or lago. Unhappy, yes; misguided, yes; exposed to difficult and complicated temptations which Miss Lydgate herself had been mercifully spared, yes. If she heard of a theft, a divorce, even worse things, she would knit puzzled brows and think how utterly wretched the offenders must have been before they could do so dreadful a thing. Only once had Harriet ever heard her speak with unqualified disapproval of anyone she knew, and that was of a former pupil of her own who had written a popular book about Carlyle. "No research at all," had been Miss Lydgate's verdict, "and no effort at critical judgment.
She has reproduced all the old gossip without troubling to verify anything. Slipshod, showy, and catchpenny. I am really ashamed of her." And even then she had added: "But I believe, poor thing, she is verv hard up."

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 20/08/2026

Today Gail found out (via a vile misreading of her work) about how Valnet buys up media sites with sterling reputations, guts them of the people who made them shine, & turns them into hollow zombies vomiting clickbait. In case you too haven’t heard why cool kids say “RIP Polygon” (& so many more)

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 19/08/2026

Oh man I saw that at its premiere at ART when I was a Houghton Fellow!

A blurry photo of the set of We Live in Cairo before start

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 18/08/2026

When I say the 18th century prepared me for what I study now, this week I flashed back to the very first discussion group reading of my doctoral program:

The first page of BIG HAIR by Margaret K. Powell and Joseph Roach, from Eighteenth Century Studies 2004

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

I am not yet cleared to lift the box these came in — which probably makes me in the perfect vaguely-loopy headspace to read more HEART material from @rowanrookanddecard.bsky.social

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 16/08/2026

I have one of those! He is also my co-godparent, because my whole family decided he was ours.

Tim and Em. Em throws back her head in laughter. Tim smiles at camera.

Tim looks serious as Em makes silly face.

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 13/08/2026

@sjgames.com has a new (paid) employee holiday. I can’t believe it. Congrats to @possumcreekgames.com @jdragsky.bsky.social

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 13/08/2026

Jay asked for a quote and I (an English professor who is garbage at marketing) sent the following unusable copy in honor of a game that should not exist but miraculously, does:

I'm going to noodle more, but the full passage that can be chopped up:

"This game is full of toys, full of little fiddly pieces, games within games. But if you focus too much on those pieces, and not the people, you will miss something. You will tell a story that understands mechanics, but not emotions. You will watch blood be spilled and not see it for what it is. The goal is to understand the wizard's worst impulses, not take them with you.

If you can, if you dare, leave the world behind for a bit. Dream of a different world. Try with all your might to make it, and all your hubris, and all the might you do not have. Watch it burn."

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Dr. Emily Friedman @ecfriedman.com · 11/08/2026

In case you’re wondering why I said “RIP” to Polygon on @dimension20.dropout.tv Adventuring Academy, this is part of why…

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