iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

I submitted my proposal for the Media Industries conference in Madrid next summer. Hoping I get in (I enjoyed the previous conferences and have never been to Madrid), but wonder what conferencing will be like during a potential heatwave and perhaps without A/C...

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

It's syllabi season, so let me point you to Writing About Screen Media, 2nd edition: short, hands-on essays about teaching students to analyze a wide array of media. I wrote about my use of ArcGIS Storymaps to make my Comic-Con research more tangible. www.writingaboutscreenmedia.net

writingaboutscreenmedia.net

Writing About Screen Media | book and resources

An essential guide to writing about a broad range of media objects – including film, television, social media, advertising, video games, mobile media, music videos, and digital media – in an equally b...

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

I greatly enjoyed Rolando Vargas' "Infrastructures in the Darién Rainforest: From Soft Earth to Mudware" in the latest @jcmsjournal.bsky.social. It reminded me of the Pluribus episode "The Gap," which follows a conventional view of the Darién Gap upended by Vargas' analysis.

Infrastructures in the Darién Rainforest: From Soft Earth to Mudware.
Rolando Vargas

Rolando Vargas is an assistant professor in the Department of Art and Global Studies program at the University of Virginia. He received his PhD in Film and Digital Media from the University of California, Santa Cruz.

Abstract: With media scholars rethinking environments as media, I turn to media ecologies to examine how mud, historically and in the present, functions as an elemental medium enabling the Darién rainforest’s resistance to external interventions. I propose the term mudware to describe the collaborations between mud and the beings that inhabit the rainforest, as an infrastructure of bios sustaining life in the region. Through a perspective grounded in mud—its ephemerality, impenetrability, discontinuities, and intervals—I analyze how Spanish colonial enterprises in the Darién, as well as the Pan-American Highway project and other contemporary incursions, have repeatedly failed within the Darién territory.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 05/08/2026

The scent of free fan labor is in the air as Disney+ announces fan-made content will be featured on its mobile apps. Is the promise of exposure the only payment? (This is just the latest in many examples of Hollywood "helping" fandom.) www.thewrap.com/media-platfo...

thewrap.com

Disney+ Partners With TikTok to Host Fan-Created Content

The platforms will also jointly run the Disney Creator Ambassador Program, giving select creators increased visibility

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

LOL, Google updating its tracking of all searches (expanding it to saving all media you may share through e.g. visual image search), and simultaneously stating they'll apply "robust" privacy protections (and of course also use what you share to train their AI models). At least you can turn it off.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

For a sneak peek at what we'll be presenting at Immersive Technologies in Practice, check out the archive of the project: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/45db...

storymaps.arcgis.com

EAR Forest: TerraBytes

an installation by RHMS 360

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

On June 17, two former students and I are presenting an immersive woodland sound installation on the materiality of digital media at this symposium! You can attend in person or remotely. www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brooke...

brookes.ac.uk

Immersive Technologies in Practice: virtual storytelling in global research - Oxford Brookes University

A one-day international symposium exploring immersive technologies across the arts, humanities, and social sciences.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

I'm migrating to a new laptop, and this means finally facing all the open tabs across two browsers. (I already reorganized the entire file structure of my laptop, which I hadn't done in two laptops...)

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 30/05/2026

I'm in my second line of the day (for the NW Marine Artworks Open Studios), but at least this time, I have a ticket and will definitely get in.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

No Criterion Closet for me today, and I don't know if I want to brave the weekend crowds. You'd probably have to be in line by 8am at the latest to get in. At least I got a voucher for a film screening at PAM's Tomorrow Theater.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 29/05/2026

I clearly underestimated Portland's desire for the Criterion Closer because I'm in the standby line an hour before it starts. I should have trusted my SDCC instincts and gotten here at least two hours early.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 14/05/2026

I have exited the grading cave only to enter a string of post-semester retreats and workshops (sigh). Fortunately also have fun social things lined up: the mobile Criterion Closet will be in town, Memorial Day picnic with friends, and lots of D&D.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 04/05/2026

Peaking my head out of the grading cave to share that Prime Video is hosting a YA-focused "immersive" fan con in L.A. this June. During the pandemic lockdown, several companies staged their own (virtual) fan cons rather than participating in e.g. San Diego Comic-Con. Curious to see this resurface.

"PRIME’S OBSESSED FEST
Anchoring the initiative is Obsessed Fest—an inaugural summer tentpole event that brings the internet's most passionate fandoms to life. Taking place on June 27 at nya Studios in Los Angeles, this all-day immersive event transforms online fandom into a live, participatory celebration where fans can connect, discover, and engage like never before. Obsessed Fest will feature highly anticipated Prime Original YA titles including Every Year After, The Love Hypothesis, Elle, Off Campus, Overcompensating, Your Fault: London, Drawn Together and more—offering fans exclusive first looks, appearances from casts and creators and a range of fan focused access to the talent and creators behind the stories they obsess over." via https://press.amazonmgmstudios.com/us/en/press-release/prime-video-launches-obsession-is-in-session-a-new

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 26/03/2026

I don't recall ever having gotten a tote bag at SCMS, so I brought this Console-ing Passions tote from 2014. #scms26

A white tote bag with blue media-related logos and the words Console-ing Passions, Columbia, MO, April 10-12, 2014.

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Reposted by mesk

Derek Kompare @dkompare.bsky.social · 22/03/2026

Finally, a great convo between @meesk.bsky.social and @drtvlotz.bsky.social on how those of us raised in the era of “mass media” (and trained on it as media scholars) need to revise and adapt our approaches and theories to media as it actually is today. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

podcasts.apple.com

Ep. 82: After Mass Media with Melanie Kohnen and Amanda Lotz

Podcast Episode · Aca-Media · February 19 · 44m

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 24/03/2026

I meant to take a brief hiatus during winter break, and oops, it turned into something slightly longer. But I'm back just in time for SCMS! (I'm presenting on the invisible labor of marketers and non-union actors in brand activations on Thursday afternoon.)

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 10/12/2025

Last day of classes is in the books. The last few weeks are always simultaneously endless and fly by. I think I found strategies for productive and enjoyable classes after Thanksgiving? (Mostly structured in-class project work and open-ended big picture conversations)

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 03/12/2025

What an excellent group of scholars and topics! I'm excited to dive in.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 25/11/2025

Yesterday it occured to me that it was time for SCMS notifications, and the acceptance notice appeared in my inbox a few minutes ago. See you in Chicago for "Creative Labor in the Shadow of Hollywood Hype: Marketers, Non-Union-Actors, and the Struggle for Recognition." 🎉 #SCMS26

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 21/11/2025

This was such an excellent conversation! Big thanks to the SCMS Media Industries SIG for organizing it.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 18/11/2025

Emerging from my little hiatus to say that I have perhaps never been this excited about an issue of @jcmsjournal.bsky.social, i.e. the special issue of "Is it Media?" All of these articles are 100% my jam.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 19/09/2025

My friend Laura is urgently seeking a new home for two sweet kitties in/near Charleston, SC. If you have any leads or could share her post, I'd really appreciate it.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

Speaking of Critical Role, I saw a panel with Liam and Sam at Rose City Comic-Con yesterday, but the true highlight of the day was an actual play set in Val'Ruvina, the setting of TPK Brewing's Leyfarer campaign (in which I play). Tons of lore drops and our GMs were amazing as beloved NPCs.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 07/09/2025

This is the perfect convergence of my research and personal interests, and I can't go! I'll be in NYC the next weekend for NYCC, and I really wish this ran longer. I'm sure there will be tons of social media posts, but that's no substitution for going in person.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 02/09/2025

I'm surprised (in a good way) to discover that the majority of students in my intro class have not only heard of the WGA/SAG strikes of 2023, but could also say generally what they were about. Also, a surprising number of them have recently watched Brokeback Mountain (because of TikTok).

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Critical Role revealed details about Campaign 4 this morning, and I am stoked! I love the expanded cast, and while I didn't like the split party as much in C3, I think it will work well here (and I understand that it makes production a lot easier). Is it Thursday October 2 yet??

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 21/08/2025

Oh, but it gets worse: apparently, a task force has been hard at work to develop gems like an "outcomes curator" where you can ask AI to make sure your syllabus is in good shape, and a "productivity assistant" to "schedule my work effectively each day." 🙄

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 20/08/2025

Our library website now prominently links to an "AI" "research assistant" and I want to scream into the void about it. It is so upsetting to see the library, of all places, cave like that (granted, the institution may have forced their hand). Ugh.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 18/08/2025

This morning, observant Critical Role fans discovered the password-protected critrole.com/Unseal/ and a few hours later, managed to guess the password to reveal a 20-second audio snippet introducing a new setting along with this Thursday's date. Maybe we will get a little trailer for Campaign 4?

critrole.com

Protected: Unseal | Critical Role

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Related to the CR puzzle, Dropout also had an ARG embedded in this season of Game Changer that ultimately leads to a page where 100k people need to enter a secret word to unlock the bonus episode for this season. I did my part. (More on this: www.argn.com/2025/08/its_...)

A screenshot that says, "Congrats on exposing Sam's secret! You are Game Changer superfan #6762. 93238 others needed to unlock episode 11."

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 16/08/2025

Over the course of the day, Beacon (CR's subscription platform) sent out mobile notifications with another cryptic phrase and a link to the discord channel. The plot thickens. Hundreds of messages in the CR discord trying to crack this puzzle. (Is this what the Lost ARG was like in 2006?)

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 15/08/2025

Yesterday's Critical Role newsletter included a picture of random letters arranged in a square, a new channel appeared CR's discord that only accepts commands, and people commenting on CR's latest Instagram post got DMs w/ cryptic phrases. I'm very curious to see where this leads.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 28/07/2025

I wrapped my con with wandering along the show floor and then got Dole whip from Sweet Things (IYKYK). On Preview Night, the four days seem endless; then you blink and it's Sunday afternoon. See you next year, SDCC.

A view of the crowds in the Gaslamp, with tall buildings in the background. The buildings' facades are wrapped in giant posters promoting current films and TV shows.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

I didn't know that a fan got invited to write two episodes of the final season of Xena because the showrunner liked ideas she shared online. That's wild.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Marvel has an interesting (and data-extraction focused) procedure for their swag and merch: a URL drops on their Insta stories early, leading you to sign up for a virtual queue. You get a text when it's your turn (i.e. you need to consent to getting texts).

Sign at the Marvel booth that says "Received a text that we're ready for you to check in? Please line up here"

A glance inside the print shop at the Marvel booth.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

Final day of SDCC started with some floor wandering. Now waiting for the 30th Anniversary of Xena panel, which is fan-organizd but has Renee O'Connor (who played Gabrielle) and Steven Sears (co-exec producer).

View of the convention center in the early morning sun.

The Lego booth, which has the con as a theme this year.

A statue of Bilbo Baggins (I think) invites you to a photo opp at The Prancing Pony.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 27/07/2025

The Interview with a Vampire panel was A Vibe. Picture four thousand people, many of whom had been in the room for hours waiting for this panel combined with a very passionate fandom. There was a lot of enthusiasm. A Lot. The next season looks admittedly amazing, and I'm excited abt Talamasca, too.

This was very much the vibe of the panel: the facade of the Hilton Gaslamp covered in Lestat's face with the heading Scream for Me.

Actors Jacob Anderson and Sam Reid look at each other as showrunner Rolin Jones looks on.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Through persistence and luck, I made it into the signing line for Ron Moore at the Sony Television booth. He signed a beautiful For All Mankind poster that will probably go up in my office.

Ron Moore holding a pen as he is just about to sign a poster depicting abstract images from For All Mankind.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

SDCC, Day 3. Starting with, you guessed it, a line, and then a panel: Inside the Writers Room, with a number of TV writers.

A long line stretching down the middle of an aisle in the exhibit hall.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Peacefest, the activation for The Peacemaker s2, was impressive. A two-level night club with secret "meet Eagly" experience and a live concert featuring 80s rock, plus free drinks, and a chance to play a Peacemaker version of Mortal Kombat. All with various brand tie-ins, of course.

A poster asking attendees to play Mortal Kombat for the chance to win expensive gaming gear (handing over your personal info in exchange).

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

The surprise release of this Esquie pin the day before I'm doing my Expedition 33 cosplay is one of those coincidences that elevate the entire con. The things you plan for at SDCC are great, but the unexpected encounters and experiences are always better.

A pin showing the face of Esquie from the game Clair Obscur: Expedition 33.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 26/07/2025

Waiting in another line for entrance to Peacefest, the Peacemaker activation. First time any activation checked my ID to see if it matches the name on the reservation.

A line of people waiting to be let into a night club that has been restyled for Peacemaker. The marquee reads Peacemaker Season 2 streaming August 21 only on HBO Max.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Glimpses from the show floor. There are some interesting brand collabs happening, like Sesame Street x Levain Bakery, where you can buy cookies and a cookie monster plush for $40 (they were already sold out for today). Also, forever the encouragement to share your experience on social media.

A wall of toys from the 1980s, reissued for nostalgia-induced sales.

A sign that says Share It with social media info for Nickelodeon.

A tall Galactus cosplay wanders the floor and everyone tries to get a picture. A typical SDCC moment.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

Things I saw wandering around: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 cosplay meet-up and Old Spice "smell like a hero" Superman pop-up.

Cosplayers in the baguette outfit from Expedition 33.

A dog dressed in a striped shirt and red beret.

A poster that says Smell Like a Hero, pointing to the entrance of the Old Spice x Superman activation.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

After the Lodge, I hopped into the line for FX's Alien Earth: The Wreckage activation because the line was short (90min. Yes, that is a short line at SDCC). Glad I brought my umbrella b/c the line was in the sun. Walked through some elaborate set pieces/photo opps, but would be more fun at night.

The line to get into the FX activation. If you are a pro at the con, you brought an umbrella.

Swag: a pin, branded in-universe drink, a jawbreaker candy that looks like the earth, and a sticker.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

The Paramount+ Lodge derives much of its popularity from the following: it has A/C, free chicken sliders, cocktails, and frozen lemonade, plus comfy seating and bathrooms. Also some fun photo opps and good swag. That's a win for most SDCC attendees.

A close-up of a frozen lemonade that advertises PlutoTV.

A wall inside the Lodge promoting a number of old movies (I wonder how they decided on those).

A view of the bar portion inside the Lodge. To the left, a Mission Impossible photo opps, and at the back, one for the new NCIS show.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 25/07/2025

SDCC Day 2 is bracketed by activations: Paramount+'s The Lodge and Peacemaker. Wandering the Gaslamp before The Lodge, I stumbled upon a sunscreen pop-up. Tons of these smaller promos happen around the con.

A plinko game to determine which swag item you will win.

My win: a branded hat and sunscreen samplel.

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mesk @meesk.bsky.social · 24/07/2025

I napped through One Piece (sorry, One Piece, but I don't think I would have gotten much out watching episode 1132). Next up, Critical Role! B20 is almost full. I have moved up to fourth row center.

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