iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

My latest scammy publishing-related email includes a (garbled) warning about scam publishing emails. We are reaching "Inception" levels of scammery.

A screenshot from a scam publishing email that reads: "Keep being awesome.

Best,
Stephanie Smith

I am Stephanie Smith an Senior Editor at HarperOne, passionate about discovering talented author and developing meaningful books.

Important Notice: Beware of fraudulent email impersonating HarperOne Book editors. HarperOne requests payment from prospective authors. Treat any message requesting payment or financial information with caution."

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Katie Herrmann @katieherrmann.bsky.social · 5h

Lounging in the new addition

Clay the spoiled cat laying in a paper box stacked on top of his other houses, soaking up the sun.

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Renée Graham 🏳️‍🌈 @rygraham.bsky.social · 6h

Swearing loudly at that stupid and intrusive AI prompt in Google Docs is my new normal.

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sirosenbaum.bsky.social @sirosenbaum.bsky.social · 7h

thinking about Shakespeare's sonnets about immortality and realizing how weird it is that the AI cult believes in the idea of preserving human consciousnesses while actively destroying the only technology we currently have to do that: Art

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I fear that the widespread adoption of chatbots for writing help is going to lead to a lot fewer people discovering this *treasure* of a book. I can't recommend it strongly enough.

The cover of William Zinsser's book: "On Writing Well: The Classic Guide to Writing Nonfiction."

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Daniel Radosh @radosh.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

They're 100% gonna shut this down within a week

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

This song -- and this particular cover of it -- scratches my brain in just the right spot.

youtube.com

Spoon - "A Face In The Crowd" (Tom Petty Cover)

YouTube video by Spoon

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Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I give up. I’m moving into a cave.

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kelly jensen @heykellyjensen.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Utah added SEVEN more books to its state-mandated book ban list. Six of those titles are by women. 44 are now banned. This comes the week after a judge permitted a lawsuit brought against their book banning law to proceed. It's the busiest banning year for the state. bookriot.com/utah-bans-44...

bookriot.com

Utah Bans 7 More Books From All Public Schools; 44 Titles Now Banned Statewide

Last week, a judge approved a lawsuit against Utah's state-sanctioned book bans. This week, the state banned seven more books.

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Dan Diamond @ddiamond.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Russell Brand, who's awaiting trial in London next month on rape and sexual assault charges, will moderate a panel at DC's MAHA summit tomorrow on reforming a U.S. health agency

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

You: [silence] Me: I bet if she had released "Westerly!" instead of "Cleveland!" Taylor Swift would be getting a lot more praise right now.

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Jay Rosen @jayrosen.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Amid all the coverage of it, this Washinging Post column does the best — for me — in explaining why the Pool fights matter. Via @brianstelter.bsky.social See the original: www.washingtonpost.com/style/2026/0...

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Seth Cotlar @sethcotlar.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Here’s Chris Rufo and his podcast co-host addressing “the Indian question,” a reference to “the Jewish question.” That question was whether Jews could be incorporated into European society, and the Nazis were the ones who claimed to have developed the “final solution” to that “problem.”

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The Providence Eye @thepvdeye.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Every week, we answer a question that we've seen circling around Providence's corner of the internet with a direct "yes" or "no," followed by an explanation in 150 words or less with sources cited. This week:

pvdeye.org

Is Providence Mayor Brett Smiley’s condo in Manhattan subject to the new “pied-à-terre” tax in NYC?

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I have, for various reasons, become a collector of Rhode Island-themed AI slop. So if you spot some Rhode Island-themed AI slop -- be it serious (political) or silly -- feel free to send it my way. You can tweet at me, DM me, or email me. philip [dot] edward [dot] eil [at] gmail

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Renée Graham 🏳️‍🌈 @rygraham.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

As of April, "the Brookings Institution put the total number of affected children at about 205,000 — 71% of whom are US citizens. Most of those cases involve the loss of one parent... but researchers believe that [in] more than 35,000 of the cases... a child has been left with no parent at all."

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Grant Green is 🤩🤩. This tune is a good place to start your journey, if you're unfamiliar. (You might recognize it from a Tribe Called Quest.)

youtube.com

Down Here On The Ground (Live At The Cliche' Lounge, Newark, New Jersey, 1970 / Remastered 2000)

YouTube video by Grant Green - Topic

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dave wagner @davewagner.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

President Chancleta receives word that the war is going exactly according to his plan. he finds this extremely concerning, because he did not have a plan. he has been briefed on the situation and would like to know why nobody prevented the things he personally ordered.

an orange and white cat looks extremely concerned

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

These are politically bleak times. But I do find something humorous about proudly-MAGA RI congressional candidate Vic Mellor running with the slogan "RHODE ISLAND FIRST." I just find "Rhode Island First" to be a funny concept. Like, "first" before what? And, what else would be a priority?

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Not the main point of the story, but I do appreciate the student-run Cornell Sun for this unflinching coverage.

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rax ‘levon honkers’ king @raxkingisdead.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

think all straight people who discoursed at great and punishing length about a western mass lesbian bar should have to give equal airtime to this. it’s your own community this time!

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Weather report from Providence: windy AF.

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Cage @ridiculouscage.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

"why would I deceive you?"

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Something I learned from today's visit to Raynham, Mass: they have a Big Milk Bottle building there that is separate and distinct from (and in much better shape than) Rhode Island's Milk Bottle building (which I'll include in the next post).

roadsideamerica.com

Raynham, MA - Big Milk Bottle

Visit reports, news, maps, directions and info on Big Milk Bottle in Raynham, Massachusetts.

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

A little nor'easter wasn't going to stop me from chatting about AI and misinformation at the Raynham Public Library today. It was an engaged crowd!

A selfie in front of the Raynham, MA Public Library on September 26.

A flier that reads:

UNDERSTANDING
AI &
MISINFORMATION
SAT, SEP 26 @ 11:00AM
Join journalist Philip Eil for a session about Al, the role it plays in creating and spreading misinformation, and how you can stay vigilant against its ill effects.

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Luke LeBrun @lukelebrun.ca · 26/09/2026

Tech companies suddenly decide they can, in fact, moderate content on their platforms after all

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

It's very cool that the Journal hired longtime photographer-around-RI Ryan Conaty. He's a great guy and an excellent photographer. "Where is my favorite place to take pictures? Rhode Island."

providencejournal.com

Get to know Providence Journal photographer Ryan Conaty

We asked Ryan to tell us a little more about himself.

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I hit 5k followers on her earlier today. Some are certainly bots. But, still, a nice milestone. I enjoy it here. And I do not regret leaving "X" for a second.

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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

It is so good to see @reportermatt.bsky.social, who was in like 80% of my classes in college, become the most influential reporter in Massachusetts. He just loves the place, and you can tell in everything he does. A truly wonderful man making the whole state better.

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

More AI from RIGOP gubernatorial candidate Elaine Pelino:

An obviously AI-generated image showing a woman with brown hair walking on a beach at sunset.

The caption -- posted by Elaine Pelino to Facebook -- reads: "Elaine Pelino

16 hours ago
·
Today was a day of peering into the future and trying to figure out what can be done to make life in Rhode Island better for all of us. I came to my conclusion. Would love to hear yours."

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

"cognitive surrender" is such an amazing -- and haunting -- term. My vote for @merriam-webster.com's word/phrase of the year.

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Philip Eil @phileil.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Update: I just recorded a podcast ep with this guy. I'll share the video when it's up. I joked that, since I've already appeared on a podcast called "The Prosecutors," it's only fair that I do an episode about the book/case with a defense lawyer, too.

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Gaius (from Tribunate) @gaius.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Sadder 6 word story: For sale: clown shoes, frequently worn

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Jeff Lazarus @jlazarus.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This is Nazi rhetoric. Not similar. Not Nazi-like. It’s straight up lebensraum.

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Einav Rabinovitch-Fox @einavrfox.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

There‘s much to appreciate in Mamdani, but his insistence that culture isn’t a privilege of the rich is one of his strengths.It is reminiscent of how unions and the government treated it in the 1930s -art for the masses - paintings, music, opera, theater - democracy for all.

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