iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 4m

Last night I ran a sort of mid-season finale for our long-running Fighting Fantasy ttrpg campaign. I have a few years' worth of material still to run, but I need a break from GM duties. Step forward @gavthorpe.co.uk to run a Mothership campaign while I recharge the batteries!

static.klipy.com

What the DM Doin'? D&D Cartoon Meme

ALT: What the DM Doin'? D&D Cartoon Meme

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Acid Rain @bearysweet.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

The colder autumn nights in Germany coaxes this magnificent eagle, Oropherion, to spend his nights in his heated indoor winter aviary. This is an African Martial Eagle (Polemaetus bellicosus), the largest eagle species native to Africa. (Cr @birdsofprey_nathalie_denolf) #birds #eagle

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alyson “end journalism” greaves @badambulist.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

Imagine looking at the media landscape—music, books, movies—and concluding that it would be better if it were all simply infinite reflections of yourself, if you never had to be exposed to another personality, another experience, another life. Just you, you, you. Sounds fucking horrifying.

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Thomas Ha @thomasha.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

i should clarify, when i write people doing bad things, it's because i am bad. they are me. more importantly, when you read about those bad things, they also become you. that's how story works. in fact, you are going to think about murder before this skeet ends. how's that feel, sicko.

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Verity Holloway @verityholloway.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Didn't some teenage script kiddie get jailed for doing precisely this?

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Resident Warren G. Harding @popeawesomexiii.bsky.social · 28/10/2025

First day as a vampire hunter: This is easy lol First night as a vampire hunter: oh no

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Scarred For Life Books @scarredforlife.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The first episode of WORZEL GUMMIDGE (1979) sees the loveable scarecrow come alive for the first time, and it's directed like a scene from an Italian zombie film. Lucio Fulci would approve!

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Went to my local indie bookshop yesterday to order a book for research. As the bookseller was writing it down, I said "I could've sworn I had this book, but I can't find it anywhere." She looked up at me and said, "Not again, Mark. Are you *sure* you don't have it?" I wasn't sure.

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ianthemouthofmadness.fenrisgames @fenrisgames.com · 22/09/2026

the fuck is *wrong* with people

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Writers beware. "P. English Literature" (aka PEL) are sending out phishing emails (again) offering to interview authors for a mere $59 fee. They have the air of legitimacy to them because they really do have a platform, but a quick Google shows they stink of scam.

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Just about to send my direct debit details to this totally legit TV licensing agent, who just so happens to be a supermodel in her spare time. Respect the hustle.

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Danie Ware @danacea.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

For #Hobbit day: 'If most of us valued food and cheer and song above hoarded gold, it would be a merrier world.'

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Russell Irving @rginteger.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I'm not much of a Pokémon person, but my son is & trying to buy him cards at retail prices has been nigh on impossible the last couple of years, and I refuse to pay scalpers for anything. So it warms the cockles of my heart to see so many of them having a full meltdown about the recent set. Enjoy!!

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Alec Worley @agentofweird.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

He is called…. Hawk! *cue music*

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

I looked into this a bit, and apparently it's meant for live sports events (for now). Netflix is already doing exactly the same thing, and when I complained they basically said "tough luck".

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Work-in-progress on Panthor, Skeletor's big purple kitty. This is gonna take a while.

Painted plastic miniature of a purple panther.

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Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

“People are working 12 to 13 hours a day just to press enter.”

voxium
@vOxium
X.com
I am done with this shit. It is over. The state of engineering right now is horrible. It has been half a month since I started a new role at a big company.
Nobody knows anything here. The specs, code, tests, PRDs, tickets, resolution of those tickets, reports, etc., everything is made by Claude Code.
Nobody on my team likes this. They are being forced to ship as much as they can. I have heard multiple times from higher management that pushing code is not a bottleneck, so why are we slow?

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Steven (with a PH) @sjksalisbury.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Christening a baby is nothing like christening a ship. I know that now. Once again I can only apologise.

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Smooth Dunk @smoothdunk2.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

when ai leaves u behind

7 panel comic.

Panel 1:
A Red Guy with AI across his chest looks like he’s about to run away. A Yellow Guy stands next to him. Red Guy says “I’m the future, buddy. You comin’?”
Yellow Guy replies “Nah”

Panel 2:
Red Guy is almost out of the panel. He leans in and says “Enjoy getting left behind, pal”
Yellow Guy replies “ok”

Panel 3:
Yellow Guy stands alone.

Panel 4:
Close up on Yellow Guy, there is a quiet “huff-huff-huff” noise coming from behind him

Panel 5:
Yellow Guy turns to look behind him

Panel 6:
Close up on Yellow Guy’s face as if from the point of view of an attacker.
Yellow Guy yells “Jesus Christ”

Panel 7:
AI Red Guy is now chasing the Yellow Guy.
Red Guy: “Use me”
Yellow Guy “No”
Red Guy “USE ME”

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Just got back from the Sisters of Mercy. Bucket list gig achieved. (Tbf, there was so much smoke it could've been anyone. Andrew Eldritch could stay home with his feet up while a backing tape plays).

Band on stage, silhouetted in smoke snd eerie red light.

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Bantership Potemkin @bonesdrawstuff.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Happy Batman Day

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Nothing like going to the doctor for a follow-up, getting assigned to a different GP, to be told that the other guy misdiagnosed me which is why I'm not fully recovered. Oh, the japes.

static.klipy.com

Joey Tribbiani: I'm a Doctor, Not a Mathematician

ALT: Joey Tribbiani: I'm a Doctor, Not a Mathematician

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Started painting some more Masters of the Universe Battleground miniatures, and it made me think how easy He-Man has it compared to She-Ra. Like, he gets to live in palace, and fight an incompetent idiot. She-Ra leads an underground resistance against the galaxy's Big Bad.

static.klipy.com

Skeletor's Excellent Laugh

ALT: Skeletor's Excellent Laugh

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Phil The Sheep @asheepie.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Now it appears that, as the rock of Orthanc has withstood the storms of time.... Very useful, no doubt, that was to Saruman; yet it seems that he was not content. Further and further abroad he gazed, until he cast his gaze upon Barad-dûr. Then he was was caught!

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I've just been reminded of that time I was working UK Games Day as White Dwarf editor, and a young lad came over and asked if I'd sign his *mint condition, sleeved* White Dwarf #1 😱 🧵 I had a long chat with him and his dad about why I probably shouldn't...

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Pete Fraser @petefrasermusic.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

In the movie version of this, after Piddington runs out of food water and money as a result of leaving the UK, the residents apply for asylum and end up housed in a military base, with HILARIOUS consequences. www.bbc.com/news/article...

bbc.com

Piddington in Oxfordshire votes to leave UK over asylum plans

Piddington residents voted over proposals to house up to 1,256 male asylum seekers nearby

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Rob Sheridan @rob-sheridan.com · 15/09/2026

I would be shocked to discover Ed Sheeran is a real guy who exists. I’ve never understood what he’s all about & crucially I’ve never cared enough to think about it any further. He’s like AI slop as a person. Like a discount scented candle became sentient. I already forgot who we’re talking about

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Twonks @twonks.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

Wow

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Retroist @retroist.com · 13/09/2026

The Real Ghostbusters premiered 40 years ago today, on September 13, 1986.

The real ghostbusters...ready for action.

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Alex Davis @alexdavis1981.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

We'll be embracing the festive spirit this December, with no less than five online Christmas Lectures over the course of a week, with a wide range of speakers and topics incoming! www.eventbrite.com/e/christmas-... #xmas #christmas #festive #lecture #lectures #talk #talks

eventbrite.com

Christmas Lecture Series 2026

A series of five online Christmas lectures, across a wide range of festive topics!

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I have once again underestimated how long it takes to sign 1,000 books, and how quickly I forget how to write my own name in the process.

static.klipy.com

Yu Narukami: My Hand Hurts Meme

ALT: Yu Narukami: My Hand Hurts Meme

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

When you actually get a reply from your MP for once, but realise it's just a form letter because he forgot to change the previous recipient's name on the email.

static.klipy.com

Frustrated Annoyed Woman

ALT: Frustrated Annoyed Woman

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daryl "crimetime after primetime" b 🏳️‍⚧️ @hypercubexl.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

GDT's reddit AMA spitting fire www.reddit.com/r/movies/com...

reddit comment:

Hello! Did you intend the ending of Pan’s labyrinth to be real or in Ofelia’s mind?

Guillermo Del Toro's reply:

My interpretation, and it's exclusively mine, is that it's real.

Because there's two things. One is what people call “The Shining Question.” The Shining Question is, Who opens the door for Jack to get out of the fridge? And Ofelia is in an attic with a guard outside her door, and she draws the door with the magic chalk, and she shows up in the labyrinth. So, the only way she could have gone into the labyrinth is the magic chalk. And the flower is real at the end. The flower that blooms in the dead tree. And the reason I think it’s real is because—and this is why I'm in favor of the human factor in art—I think that art does transform the world. You know?

Think about it for a second. One of the goals, with all this movement, is to make you believe that art is vulgar. That art is nothing special, and anybody can do art. That is like me telling you that I'm faster at running than Usain Bolt but I “run” in my motorcycle. Well, that's not the same. That’s not the same at all.

Art is important, and they want you to believe it isn't. It's part of the idea of control. The goal is not to have artificial intelligence. The goal is to foster natural stupidity. The goal is to foster you not looking for answers, and to trust yourself entirely to an engine. Look at the way we are dipping our toes into these things. We are starting to ask the machine, Is this true? For now, there's a correlation between reality and what the answers of the machine are. For now. But soon, we won't even investigate further. We will be told it's true. And if the machine is in the hands of somebody who should not be trusted, then your reality has been completely and utterly fucked. Because your intelligence ends at the question. You don't seek the answer. It's given to you.

Q: You recently mentioned that AI creates 'semi-compelling screensavers' and that you'd 'rather die' than use it. As a filmmaker who relies heavily on practical effects and creature design, what do you think is the biggest thing lost when a computer generates an image instead of a human hand?

GDT:

The three quarters of the process that gave you the chance to think of the idea that people don't think about without that process. Meaning, AI can get you to the middle really fast, but there's a dialectic with the process that gets you to that top 10%. I'll give you an example with the Pale Man.

We sculpted it as an old man, with a face. And then I said, Let's take out the face. This happened because I saw a photo of a manta ray and the poster for Don Coscarelli’s Phantasm. That combination, which happened at two different times during a week or a month, are not permutations that are chemically part of an equation. They are alchemy. And then I said, Take out the face, and then I said, Let's put the eyes on the hands. This triangulation happens because I spent a month or two months living with the idea of this creature. And it's not linear.

AI is like a super-fast engine that makes semi-sentient permutations of things that are already done. Creation is things that have never been done. Coming to exist.

And the second thing is the loss of the apprenticeship that one has as an artist. You're never a master; you're always an apprentice. This is a kinship I have with, for example, Chris Nolan. When he showed me The Odyssey, there’s a scene when Matt Damon is floating in the stormy ocean and I asked him—because we were talking about practical effects, and how great it is and that we both always use a maquette or a model—and I asked him, How did you do it? He said, “We put him in a storm in the ocean.”

And you're gonna find that 30% of a great image occurs accidentally. You know, either a drop of water hits the lens, or the camera shakes. I remember when in 1993, '94, Jim…

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Annalisa Nicholson @apuddleofmuddle.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

It's just weird isn't it when the British Museum is running a sold-out exhibition, when The Odyssey reports $1billion at the box office, when the V&A has just opened the most innovative and accessible museum model in Europe....and this is what our minister for research comes out with.

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Helen Czerski @helenczerski.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

As both an academic and a writer, I am repelled by the "this looks like a long document. Would you like me to summarize it for you?" that seems to appear at the top of every pdf viewer now. NO. The *entire point* of good writing (either books or journal papers) is that every sentence has a purpose.

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Elessarion AKA Little Lass Painting @elessarionbskysoci.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

For my friends in the UK due to recent embarassing events by our "proud patriots" I'd like to remind you or let you know for the first time that the RNLI has a very nice online shop. They do lovely gifts as well as Christmas cards which I shall be getting this year. shop.rnli.org

shop.rnli.org

RNLI Shop | Lifesaving Gifts

We have the perfect lifesaving gifts for you and your crew. Order them online at shop.RNLI.org and help us to save lives for another 200 years.

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

I see "the RNLI are a taxi service" is the new "It's called SUMMER!" UK Facebook is very tedious.

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Ian Greaves @greavesian.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Ahead of tonight's repeat, here's another. The Telegraph has republished a piece I wrote for the launch of #PendasFen Scene by Scene back in June 2025. Some exclusive stuff here about calls to the BBC duty log.... (gift link) www.telegraph.co.uk/gift/6926bf7...

telegraph.co.uk

The BBC’s terrifying and ‘diabolical’ Penda’s Fen returns

In 1974, this Play for Today horrified audiences, who described it as ‘horrific’ and ‘approaching black magic’. Now it’s back on TV

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

I don't think I've ever used the word "behooves" in a book before now. This is a very exciting time.

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Ian Greaves @greavesian.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Join me for a skeetalong-a- #PendasFen this Wednesday night when BBC4 reruns it from 10.15pm. Behind the scenes stories, pics and things to spot. If you've seen the play before, then follow live. If it's new to you, give it proper attention and then join the # on catch up. Link in bio to the book.

Title screen for Play for Today: Penda's Fen (1974)

Close up on Dictionary of Place Names reading "Penda's fen" with Penda in italics.

Cover of Penda's Fen: Scene by Scene (Ten Acre Books 2025)

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Rosalind Ahmed @21rosa.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Simon Harris is once again fundraising for the #RNLI www.gofundme.com/f/buy-a-new-...

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Andrew Bowden 🐀 @andrewbowden.me.uk · 06/09/2026

The volunteers of the RNLI are some of the best people you will ever find, to the extent that they will even give up their time to potentially save the lives of people who hate, loathe and despise them for what they do. Be more like the volunteers of the RNLI.

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Andy Mitchell @andymitchellmedia.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

I've been going through some 1880s cycling programmes and I'm loving the contraptions that were advertised for sale in Edinburgh. Tricycles, tandems, racing bikes and the 'Psycho Safety'.

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TechnicallyRon @technicallyron.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

Took a picture of my friends dog at the train station and may have created the best horror movie poster ever

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Mark A. Latham @markalatham.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

It seems "Spooky Season" gets earlier every year, but who's arguing? As is tradition, I seek out and watch as many horror movies as possible that I haven’t seen before, and then rate them with my trusty out-of-three bats (🦇) system. 🧵 will be updated throughout the month.

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