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the Jarvis Cocker of the Chicago lit scene @yoadrianididit.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Reposted by Neil Serven

Anne Carson from Norma Jean Baker of Troy

ἁρπάζειν

"to take"

HISTORY OF WAR: LESSON 3

If you pick a flower, if you snatch a handbag, if you possess a woman, if you plunder a storehouse, rav-age a countryside or occupy a city, you are a taker. You are taking. In ancient Greek you use the verb άρπάζειν, which comes over into Latin as rapio, rapere, raptus sum and gives us English rapture and rape-words stained with the very early blood of girls, with the very late blood of cities, with the hysteria of the end of the world. Sometimes I think language should cover its own eyes when it speaks.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

I had been watching for a whole 30 seconds and was like “why … aren’t they setting up for a field goal? What am I missing?”

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 11/10/2026

Reading this collection now (and just finished this story last night). My neighbor lent it to me when I told them I had enjoyed Mad Eden.

Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 10/10/2026

All that's missing is a boss trying to connect with you on a Zoom call while you're driving.

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Reposted by Neil Serven

Psychopomp @psychopomp.com · 09/10/2026

hello, I am doing some research and would like to tap into the collective brains of BSKY: 1. can you share some genre or literary fiction magazines that have closed and the archive is NO LONGER ONLINE 2. the same but the archives remain online FOR NOW i would also appreciate RTs for awareness 💀

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Reposted by Neil Serven

Kory Stamper @korystamper.bsky.social · 09/10/2026

Are you tired of AI slop taking over your feed and invading your personal space? TRY MAKING A ZINE ABOUT LINGUISTICS INSTEAD and winning a prize while you're at it! Prizes include books donated by a ton of fabulous writers (and also me). Deets and list of prizes in thread!

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Reposted by Neil Serven

Josh Cook @joshthelibromancer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I know I am about as biased as possible on this but go to an indie bookstore. An indie bookstore's vibes are the opposite of...all of this. You'll be surrounded by memories, stories, brave visions of the future that don't ignore our barbarous present. Your brain can be quiet AND full. Seriously.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I can hear Russo doing his Arnold Horschak laugh in this photo.

Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

And a Happy Yankees Elimination Day to you.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

Victor Mesa Jr. is Spanish for Winner Table Junior.

(But not every small biz owner understands that code.)

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And I do think there is often something coded in its use. Authenticity isn't something we care about. We are here to take up space and will use ugly aesthetic technology to help us with that.

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I do think there are good restaurants & small biz that (regrettably) turn to AI because they run on a shoestring and don’t feel they have the time or creative touch. But unfortunately, I think the fair takeaway is “we don’t want to put much care into what we're doing.”

It's near my house, which is why I noticed it, but I'm also on high alert because it seems like some of the newer businesses in town prefer that, er, aesthetic and it depresses me.

Inspection center on Federal Street. Busy, cluttered sign, harder to read from the street, and what was the point of changing it?

Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 06/10/2026

Wow, rude. They could have just done a passive-aggressive sniff when you walked by.

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Local businesses using AI in their signage instead of something crafted by a local designer is disappointing, but when they use it to replace a sign that was perfectly good to begin with, it makes me wonder if the choice is more about professing AI allegiance than simple poor taste.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

I won my school’s slot in our regional spelling bee (1980s, before internet) and ran into a problem trying to study the word book because no one in my family could pronounce the words.

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Reposted by Neil Serven

David Roberts @volts.wtf · 05/10/2026

Holy shit.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 05/10/2026

Sunday Night Football is a battle between the light warm blue cat teams.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Does Cooper Pratt know he contains the names of two NYC art/design schools?

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 04/10/2026

Her: “I don’t remember where I got it from, asshole.”

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 03/10/2026

Realizing I forgot the White Sox. Phillies are gone already. Earth Fire still very much in play.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

There is an 18-letter word in the grid seemingly deliberately, but it's not in the word list (or even the bonus words)? It was a notable word in the news 3 months ago.

Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Same, Chuck, even without the turtles.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 02/10/2026

Phillies, Brewers, Padres, Guardians, Braves, the whole Earth consumed by fire, Dodgers, Yankees.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Shit, now I have to watch this thing.

Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Thank you, Astros, cursed franchise, for getting yourselves eliminated before the Red Sox.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 30/09/2026

They have a pitcher named Fried and a guy named Rice who used to be a catcher but I doubt they were smart enough to market the Fried Rice battery.

Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Come to think of it, I'd like to see him take on a few more Ls.

Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Searching for the pettiest reasons I can think of to hate this new iteration of the Yankees. Cam Schlittler, you have too many dumb consonants.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Rooting for the Red Sox, of course, but part of me feels like it would be an immense moral victory if they don't get shut out for the whole series.

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Exit, pursued by a fucking bear

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Neil Serven @neilserven.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Feminize a band name Buffalo Thomasina