Cara 🏳️🌈
@caragaffney.com
she/her. AriadneArca in some places. Award organiser @SelkieAwards.org. Art, writing, comics! 🏴
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Cara 🏳️🌈
@caragaffney.com
· Jan 6
Putting this out there now to keep myself accountable: my goal for 2026 is to find a second person to help co-organise the Selkies, to make sure it's more sustainable going forward. This was always my intention eventually, I just ran out of time before the 2025 awards to do anything about it!
Read that transformerai blog going around. I'm still searching for the explanation of what genAI can do that humans can't, but - controversial take - I do actually agree that a lot of lefties are completely wasting an opportunity with AI, hoping that the bubble will explode and take the tech with it
February 18, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Read that transformerai blog going around. I'm still searching for the explanation of what genAI can do that humans can't, but - controversial take - I do actually agree that a lot of lefties are completely wasting an opportunity with AI, hoping that the bubble will explode and take the tech with it
I *need* to start putting it in my diary to check in on the National Literacy Trust’s Annual Literacy
Survey. Just catching up on the Future of Literacy project, the first paper of which includes a section dedicated to comics, with some encouraging takeaways: literacytrust.org.uk/information/...
Survey. Just catching up on the Future of Literacy project, the first paper of which includes a section dedicated to comics, with some encouraging takeaways: literacytrust.org.uk/information/...
February 15, 2026 at 7:21 PM
I *need* to start putting it in my diary to check in on the National Literacy Trust’s Annual Literacy
Survey. Just catching up on the Future of Literacy project, the first paper of which includes a section dedicated to comics, with some encouraging takeaways: literacytrust.org.uk/information/...
Survey. Just catching up on the Future of Literacy project, the first paper of which includes a section dedicated to comics, with some encouraging takeaways: literacytrust.org.uk/information/...
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
New post: LABOUR'S SECTION 28 IS HERE - ACT NOW.
I explain how the Labour government's proposed revisions to the guidance on "keeping children in education" are designed to erase trans children in England. But it's not a done deal - there is plenty we can do to oppose this.
I explain how the Labour government's proposed revisions to the guidance on "keeping children in education" are designed to erase trans children in England. But it's not a done deal - there is plenty we can do to oppose this.
Labour’s Section 28 is here – act now
In May 1988, the Conservative government introduced Section 28. This legal measure outlawed support for “homosexuality as a pretended family relationship” across Britain, especially in …
ruthpearce.net
February 14, 2026 at 6:20 PM
New post: LABOUR'S SECTION 28 IS HERE - ACT NOW.
I explain how the Labour government's proposed revisions to the guidance on "keeping children in education" are designed to erase trans children in England. But it's not a done deal - there is plenty we can do to oppose this.
I explain how the Labour government's proposed revisions to the guidance on "keeping children in education" are designed to erase trans children in England. But it's not a done deal - there is plenty we can do to oppose this.
puts my head in my hands. I finally learned what Pivot Tables do yesterday.
February 13, 2026 at 10:03 AM
puts my head in my hands. I finally learned what Pivot Tables do yesterday.
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
A consultation happening now, under Labour, that frames settlement as some sort of reward for being the right kind of person instead of a fundamental human right. That's the party that folk keep telling us to vote for to "keep the far right out"
the whole thing is of course completely revolting. 20 YEARS to settlement for refugees? no settlement if you’ve ever had a criminal conviction or a tax debt? 10 YEARS added if you’ve ever received benefits? partners and children on their own routes to settlement? What are you even TALKING about
February 11, 2026 at 9:56 AM
A consultation happening now, under Labour, that frames settlement as some sort of reward for being the right kind of person instead of a fundamental human right. That's the party that folk keep telling us to vote for to "keep the far right out"
Got my hair cut into a short bob for the first time in nearly a decade and WHY did I leave it so long (in both senses of the word), omg
February 10, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Got my hair cut into a short bob for the first time in nearly a decade and WHY did I leave it so long (in both senses of the word), omg
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
Sam is doing really cool work on Scottish trans history. This will be well worth popping along to if you're in Edinburgh on 27 February!
I am giving the Edinburgh Uni LGBTQ+ History Month lecture on the evening of 27 February, with the title 'Scottish Trans Pasts, Useable and Otherwise'. Details and link to register are here: hca.ed.ac.uk/updates-even... Do come along if you're in Edinburgh!
LGBTQ+ History Month: 'Scottish trans pasts, useable and otherwise?' | School of History, Classics & Archaeology | History Classics and Archaeology
Celebrate LGBTQ+ History Month with Dr Sam Rutherford and learn more about the last 150 years of trans history in Scotland.
hca.ed.ac.uk
February 5, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Sam is doing really cool work on Scottish trans history. This will be well worth popping along to if you're in Edinburgh on 27 February!
LRP: I LOVE VINTAGE STORY
February 1, 2026 at 3:58 PM
LRP: I LOVE VINTAGE STORY
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
As of today, Vintage Story is 10 years old. To commemorate, we're doing a 200 game key giveaway. Thank you for sticking with us!
www.vintagestory.at/blog.html/ne...
#vintagestory #sandbox #survivalgames #anniversary #giveawaycontest
www.vintagestory.at/blog.html/ne...
#vintagestory #sandbox #survivalgames #anniversary #giveawaycontest
February 1, 2026 at 3:55 PM
As of today, Vintage Story is 10 years old. To commemorate, we're doing a 200 game key giveaway. Thank you for sticking with us!
www.vintagestory.at/blog.html/ne...
#vintagestory #sandbox #survivalgames #anniversary #giveawaycontest
www.vintagestory.at/blog.html/ne...
#vintagestory #sandbox #survivalgames #anniversary #giveawaycontest
HAPPY IMBOLC. THE LIGHT IS COMING BACK BAYBEEEEEE
February 1, 2026 at 11:27 AM
HAPPY IMBOLC. THE LIGHT IS COMING BACK BAYBEEEEEE
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
Hourly Comics Day has MOVED!
It's the 20th anniversary and we're taking a stand alongside our Black cartoonist members and friends to demand a change to honor Black History Month- draw your comics on the 8th, not the 1st!
hourlycomicsday.com
#hourlycomicsday #hourlycomicday #hcd
It's the 20th anniversary and we're taking a stand alongside our Black cartoonist members and friends to demand a change to honor Black History Month- draw your comics on the 8th, not the 1st!
hourlycomicsday.com
#hourlycomicsday #hourlycomicday #hcd
January 26, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Hourly Comics Day has MOVED!
It's the 20th anniversary and we're taking a stand alongside our Black cartoonist members and friends to demand a change to honor Black History Month- draw your comics on the 8th, not the 1st!
hourlycomicsday.com
#hourlycomicsday #hourlycomicday #hcd
It's the 20th anniversary and we're taking a stand alongside our Black cartoonist members and friends to demand a change to honor Black History Month- draw your comics on the 8th, not the 1st!
hourlycomicsday.com
#hourlycomicsday #hourlycomicday #hcd
I LOVE reading these reports! Having transparency and such useful insights into the nuts and bolts of the convention running process is crazy valuable, and the amount of thought put into this write-up is fantastic. (Also: median earnings given!!! 🙌🙌🙌)
The TAGS Fest 2025 report is now live! We collated and analysed all our stats for this event and reflected on feedback submitted by our exhibitors.
🏷️ docs.google.com/document/d/e...
🏷️ docs.google.com/document/d/e...
January 21, 2026 at 8:19 PM
I LOVE reading these reports! Having transparency and such useful insights into the nuts and bolts of the convention running process is crazy valuable, and the amount of thought put into this write-up is fantastic. (Also: median earnings given!!! 🙌🙌🙌)
This isn't a finalised design according to the article, which says "the final version of the mural is understood to be created by an artist who has delivered a number of murals around the city centre" - so is this a case of a non-artist client forcing AI into the process, or is the artist involved?
Glasgow has world-class artists and some pretty astonishing murals already, so this is just - excuse the language - fucking stupid. What's that building? And why the American Bald Eagle? Back to the drawing board, lads.
www.thenational.scot/news/2578067...
www.thenational.scot/news/2578067...
Plan for massive AI-generated mural in Glasgow given green light
AN AI-generated mural has been approved by a Scottish council, despite it including an American bald eagle
www.thenational.scot
January 20, 2026 at 4:56 PM
This isn't a finalised design according to the article, which says "the final version of the mural is understood to be created by an artist who has delivered a number of murals around the city centre" - so is this a case of a non-artist client forcing AI into the process, or is the artist involved?
First novel of 2026 is Emily Tesh's 'The Incandescent' and as a WLW who has worked in (higher) education her entire adult life: this was so so good
January 17, 2026 at 8:09 PM
First novel of 2026 is Emily Tesh's 'The Incandescent' and as a WLW who has worked in (higher) education her entire adult life: this was so so good
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
this is just one thing in a long history of carelessness from fan frontier, and acme before it. fan frontier claims it doesnt want AI images at its shows, but AI vendors have been allowed in time and time again. fan frontier itself also uses an AI image right on its front page. it's embarrassing
January 16, 2026 at 12:06 PM
this is just one thing in a long history of carelessness from fan frontier, and acme before it. fan frontier claims it doesnt want AI images at its shows, but AI vendors have been allowed in time and time again. fan frontier itself also uses an AI image right on its front page. it's embarrassing
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
what a world we live in
Good morning! So it turns out if you download the Fan Frontier media pack here: www.forthefans.uk/exhibitors
It has a delightful little surprise in the pdf title (top left)
What a lot of respect this guy has for the community eh
It has a delightful little surprise in the pdf title (top left)
What a lot of respect this guy has for the community eh
January 16, 2026 at 11:35 AM
what a world we live in
I think one reason I'd caution people against using AI is because the temptation seems to be to use it to cover gaps in your knowledge/skillset, but the gaps mean you won't be able to asses the quality of what it produces either
You should not let AI do a great many things but IN PARTICULAR YOU SHOULD NOT LET IT FILE TAXES
January 14, 2026 at 4:58 PM
I think one reason I'd caution people against using AI is because the temptation seems to be to use it to cover gaps in your knowledge/skillset, but the gaps mean you won't be able to asses the quality of what it produces either
Finally getting around to polishing up a couple of "things I played/watched/read in 2025" blog posts! Here's one about videogames: caragaffney.com/posts/2026-0...
January 9, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Finally getting around to polishing up a couple of "things I played/watched/read in 2025" blog posts! Here's one about videogames: caragaffney.com/posts/2026-0...
A Place Further Than The Universe
Given that apparently the Stranger Things finale was meh (idk, didn't watch it, just the scuttlebutt) and we're not that far removed from the disastrous GOT finale that retroactively made everyone have never cared about the show:
What's the *best* ending to a show you've ever seen? Quote/reply etc
What's the *best* ending to a show you've ever seen? Quote/reply etc
January 7, 2026 at 11:19 AM
A Place Further Than The Universe
Putting this out there now to keep myself accountable: my goal for 2026 is to find a second person to help co-organise the Selkies, to make sure it's more sustainable going forward. This was always my intention eventually, I just ran out of time before the 2025 awards to do anything about it!
January 6, 2026 at 5:35 PM
Putting this out there now to keep myself accountable: my goal for 2026 is to find a second person to help co-organise the Selkies, to make sure it's more sustainable going forward. This was always my intention eventually, I just ran out of time before the 2025 awards to do anything about it!
Oh I only have two minutes left for my 2025 retrospective. Hard going!!! All my favourite art/writing/etc I did in the year happened in January!!!! But 2025 6 has a lot of exciting potential so BRING IT ON
December 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Oh I only have two minutes left for my 2025 retrospective. Hard going!!! All my favourite art/writing/etc I did in the year happened in January!!!! But 2025 6 has a lot of exciting potential so BRING IT ON
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
In Edinburgh this weekend? Pop down to La Belle Adventure at 225 Leith Walk to check out the work of all of our fantastic winners and nominees for 2025! 🦭
December 19, 2025 at 7:50 PM
In Edinburgh this weekend? Pop down to La Belle Adventure at 225 Leith Walk to check out the work of all of our fantastic winners and nominees for 2025! 🦭
Reposted by Cara 🏳️🌈
I've had a good read of this now, and although it’s clearly not aimed at us I do have some thoughts on it. Buckle up, lads!
With the publication of Comic Book UK’s “Vision for growth” white paper today – essentially the blueprint for everything the newly-formed trade association plan to do going forward – Mark Fuller, its Chief Executive outlines their strategy: downthetubes.net/game-on-why-...
December 18, 2025 at 11:22 AM
I've had a good read of this now, and although it’s clearly not aimed at us I do have some thoughts on it. Buckle up, lads!
*GESTURES WILDLY TO THIS*
In this paper, to put it bluntly, cartoonists are just broodmares for IP.
December 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
*GESTURES WILDLY TO THIS*