Evan Torner
@guyintheblackhat.bsky.social
Associate Professor of German, Niehoff Professor of Film & Media Studies at U of Cincinnati; Scholar of East German cinema, science fiction, and role-playing games. He/Him. Bi. Wears a hat.
Pinned
I'd like to think of "dark academia" as "I, a brooding professor who wears all black, have [these clothes] on while I send many emails and update Canvas assignment due dates"
Even reading the much-more-recent SAPMO documents from the now-defunct GDR reveals multiple materialities not easily digestible by computers: folded charts with their own symbols; typographic corrections; secretarial side notes; preliminary pencil sketches of scenes.
The human humanities!
The human humanities!
You know what we won't need once handwriting recognition software has done its thing? Archivists, curators, conservators, catalogers, codicologists, or paleographers. We won't need archives either. We won't need diplomatics, editorial theory, book or media history, or material culture studies 🗃️🧵
November 27, 2025 at 2:33 AM
Even reading the much-more-recent SAPMO documents from the now-defunct GDR reveals multiple materialities not easily digestible by computers: folded charts with their own symbols; typographic corrections; secretarial side notes; preliminary pencil sketches of scenes.
The human humanities!
The human humanities!
Reposted by Evan Torner
The wizard carefully puts together academic notes on a paper he is peer-reviewing.
November 26, 2025 at 8:13 PM
The wizard carefully puts together academic notes on a paper he is peer-reviewing.
Many folks' final assessment of Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser---the closest thing to a multi-million-dollar larp experience we've ever gotten and one of Disney's highest-ever-rated attractions---came from a 4-hour complaint video about its game app, instantly accepted as sacred dogma.
Whenever I say this, people get Really Mad, but it's true. Same of any other art, too. You have to read the book, watch the film, see the painting, listen to the song, whatever.
I'm sorry, but watching a video about it on YouTube is not enough. You have not experience the art.
I'm sorry, but watching a video about it on YouTube is not enough. You have not experience the art.
"you have not played the game unless you've played the game" is one of my more annoying but unshakable opinions
November 26, 2025 at 11:33 AM
Many folks' final assessment of Star Wars Galactic Starcruiser---the closest thing to a multi-million-dollar larp experience we've ever gotten and one of Disney's highest-ever-rated attractions---came from a 4-hour complaint video about its game app, instantly accepted as sacred dogma.
Reposted by Evan Torner
..."The Future of Storytelling: How Immersive Experiences Are Transforming Our World" (Artisan Books) by Charles Melcher provides an inspiring, colorful road map to the next evolution of experiential expression. #immersivestorytelling
Link: www.printmag.com/daily-heller...
Link: www.printmag.com/daily-heller...
November 25, 2025 at 11:02 PM
..."The Future of Storytelling: How Immersive Experiences Are Transforming Our World" (Artisan Books) by Charles Melcher provides an inspiring, colorful road map to the next evolution of experiential expression. #immersivestorytelling
Link: www.printmag.com/daily-heller...
Link: www.printmag.com/daily-heller...
Posting a famous bathroom scene:
The Devil's Advocate (1997)
The Devil's Advocate (1997)
November 26, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Posting a famous bathroom scene:
The Devil's Advocate (1997)
The Devil's Advocate (1997)
Reposted by Evan Torner
Did the Holy Trinity escape Heaven in time for the wedding? Join @worldsbeyondnumber.bsky.social to see how their Fiasco continues! Fully embrace chaos with @aabria.bsky.social @brennanleemulligan.bsky.social @erikaishii.bsky.social + Lou Wilson! #FiascoRPG #TTRPG #Dropout
youtu.be/ZnP4HLLs27s/
youtu.be/ZnP4HLLs27s/
youtu.be
November 25, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Did the Holy Trinity escape Heaven in time for the wedding? Join @worldsbeyondnumber.bsky.social to see how their Fiasco continues! Fully embrace chaos with @aabria.bsky.social @brennanleemulligan.bsky.social @erikaishii.bsky.social + Lou Wilson! #FiascoRPG #TTRPG #Dropout
youtu.be/ZnP4HLLs27s/
youtu.be/ZnP4HLLs27s/
Star Trek: Generations is my quintessential problematic fave
Currently watching Star Trek: Generations and sure it's got it's issues but the enterprise has rarely looked better and the soundtrack is great
November 25, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Star Trek: Generations is my quintessential problematic fave
Reposted by Evan Torner
The fact that this is Butler Co is HUGE - they've had/elected an Arpaio-like Sheriff super hard/racist on immigration for decades, was also John Boehner's district.
Page One in Cincinnati:
“.. I need to be able to look my grandkids in the eye and say I did not remain silent.”
#ICE
“.. I need to be able to look my grandkids in the eye and say I did not remain silent.”
#ICE
November 25, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The fact that this is Butler Co is HUGE - they've had/elected an Arpaio-like Sheriff super hard/racist on immigration for decades, was also John Boehner's district.
Reposted by Evan Torner
I've barely posted on this kind of social media anywhere but I have a reason to now. I made a game!!
It's called nuworm and you can play it for free in the browser.
I worked on it over three years, it might take you three hours to experience. cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
It's called nuworm and you can play it for free in the browser.
I worked on it over three years, it might take you three hours to experience. cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
November 25, 2025 at 1:33 AM
I've barely posted on this kind of social media anywhere but I have a reason to now. I made a game!!
It's called nuworm and you can play it for free in the browser.
I worked on it over three years, it might take you three hours to experience. cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
It's called nuworm and you can play it for free in the browser.
I worked on it over three years, it might take you three hours to experience. cubestudio.itch.io/nuworm
Reposted by Evan Torner
Zu Freitag eine kleine Nachlese auf meiner Webseite: Ich war zu Gast bei "Technikgeschichte über Mittag" vom @kit.edu und @tudresden.bsky.social. Thema:
Digitale Spiele als Technologie und Kulturtechnik und die Lücken ihrer technikkulturellen Geschichte share.google/lNFIyyyQtKom...
Digitale Spiele als Technologie und Kulturtechnik und die Lücken ihrer technikkulturellen Geschichte share.google/lNFIyyyQtKom...
Digitale Spiele und Lücken ihrer technikkulturellen Geschichte – Vortrag, KIT Karlsruhe & TU Dresden – Nico Nolden
share.google
November 25, 2025 at 6:44 AM
Zu Freitag eine kleine Nachlese auf meiner Webseite: Ich war zu Gast bei "Technikgeschichte über Mittag" vom @kit.edu und @tudresden.bsky.social. Thema:
Digitale Spiele als Technologie und Kulturtechnik und die Lücken ihrer technikkulturellen Geschichte share.google/lNFIyyyQtKom...
Digitale Spiele als Technologie und Kulturtechnik und die Lücken ihrer technikkulturellen Geschichte share.google/lNFIyyyQtKom...
Seit dem Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts hat's linksgeneigte Brettspiele gegeben, aber ihre Druckauflagen waren ganz niedrig aus Grund kapitalisticher Unterdrückung. Trotzdem können wir doch sagen, das es sie gegeben hätte!
#Spiele über #Utopie und #Widerstand aus dem #Archiv des in Auflösung befindlichen Hamburger Instituts für Sozialforschung: Provopoli, „Kommunist ärgere dich nicht“ etc.
#Brettspiel #Kartenspiel #GamesHistory #HistoryOfGames @archivistodon group @Historikerinnen group #histodons
#Brettspiel #Kartenspiel #GamesHistory #HistoryOfGames @archivistodon group @Historikerinnen group #histodons
Mit Spiel und Spass den Widerstand proben: Spiele aus den Protestbewegungen – SozWissArchiv.de
sozwissarchiv.de
November 25, 2025 at 6:42 AM
Seit dem Anfang des 20. Jahrhunderts hat's linksgeneigte Brettspiele gegeben, aber ihre Druckauflagen waren ganz niedrig aus Grund kapitalisticher Unterdrückung. Trotzdem können wir doch sagen, das es sie gegeben hätte!
Cornell College, which was down the road from where I grew up, is now axing much of the "liberal arts" from its so-called "liberal arts college."
Languages offer lifelong benefits and teach us humility, how to grapple with difference, and the structures of culture and thought.
Shameful!!
Languages offer lifelong benefits and teach us humility, how to grapple with difference, and the structures of culture and thought.
Shameful!!
For my fellow Cornell College alumni, of which I know there are several here, they're killing numerous majors on campus and further diluting the purpose of being a liberal arts school.
No languages! No classics! No religion!
news.cornellcollege.edu/2025/11/2026...
No languages! No classics! No religion!
news.cornellcollege.edu/2025/11/2026...
news.cornellcollege.edu
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Cornell College, which was down the road from where I grew up, is now axing much of the "liberal arts" from its so-called "liberal arts college."
Languages offer lifelong benefits and teach us humility, how to grapple with difference, and the structures of culture and thought.
Shameful!!
Languages offer lifelong benefits and teach us humility, how to grapple with difference, and the structures of culture and thought.
Shameful!!
Is this a product, a subscription, a fandom, a promise, a vibe, or a bait-and-switch?
November 25, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Is this a product, a subscription, a fandom, a promise, a vibe, or a bait-and-switch?
Reposted by Evan Torner
Great thread and investigation. Exactly what we all assumed: the ‘confidential information’ was wages and work conditions discussed in a worker-only Discord, not leaking anything about the game. Pure union busting.
EXCLUSIVE: So far it's been unclear what proof Rockstar Games has to justify its firing of 34 union members, who it claims were leaking "confidential information in a public forum".
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
PMG has now seen some of the messages which contributed to this decision being made.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TvW...
The Messages Rockstar Saw Before Firing 34 Union Members
YouTube video by People Make Games
www.youtube.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Great thread and investigation. Exactly what we all assumed: the ‘confidential information’ was wages and work conditions discussed in a worker-only Discord, not leaking anything about the game. Pure union busting.
Reposted by Evan Torner
"People are poor and that's not enriching the rich"
![An article with the headline "[US people] are holding onto devices longer than ever and it's costing the economy".](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:jye22xkea3jqsabskhfec347/bafkreigunh6t53vvgp2sewo2fsy4xttrwgy3zrdwplje7j2qjop5jdeyxy@jpeg)
November 24, 2025 at 11:47 AM
"People are poor and that's not enriching the rich"
Reposted by Evan Torner
New article on larp, activism and deliberation in this collection, out in December!
Education and Analog Role-Playing Games: Theory and Pedagogy, Volume 1
Education and Analog Role-Playing Games: Theory and Pedagogy brings together scholars and educators who explore the educational potential of analog role-playing games (tabletop role-playing games and ...
www.routledge.com
November 24, 2025 at 8:39 AM
New article on larp, activism and deliberation in this collection, out in December!
Reposted by Evan Torner
*hust* Gegenwart?
November 24, 2025 at 9:14 AM
*hust* Gegenwart?
And we lost another icon within 24 hours.
For many of us Bollywood fans of a certain generation, he was our introductory face, the one who welcomed us all.
For many of us Bollywood fans of a certain generation, he was our introductory face, the one who welcomed us all.
Dharmendra, one of Indian cinema’s most popular stars whose versatile performances made him a defining screen presence of 1970s and 1980s Bollywood films, died Monday. He was 89.
Dharmendra, iconic Bollywood actor and Indian cinema’s ‘He-Man,’ dies at 89
Dharmendra, a beloved star of Indian cinema, has died at 89. Known for his versatile roles in the 1970s and 1980s, he became a defining presence in Bollywood.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 10:56 AM
And we lost another icon within 24 hours.
For many of us Bollywood fans of a certain generation, he was our introductory face, the one who welcomed us all.
For many of us Bollywood fans of a certain generation, he was our introductory face, the one who welcomed us all.
Udo Kier, someone who straddled the 1980s West German queer avant-garde cinema and a host of unforgettable Hollywood & other global engagements, has left us.
What an icon.
What an icon.
Oh, man. One of cinema's most reliable weirdos, and I mean that in a highly complimentary fashion. RIP.
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
variety.com/2025/film/ne...
Udo Kier, German Actor Who Appeared in ‘My Own Private Idaho,’ ‘Andy Warhol’s Frankenstein,’ Dies at 81
Udo Kier, a German actor who collaborated with everyone from Andy Warhol to Lars von Trier to Madonna, died on Sunday morning. He was 81.
variety.com
November 24, 2025 at 12:49 AM
Udo Kier, someone who straddled the 1980s West German queer avant-garde cinema and a host of unforgettable Hollywood & other global engagements, has left us.
What an icon.
What an icon.
Reposted by Evan Torner
So a big part of the Project 2025 goals hinges on forcing women out of the workforce. The Heritage Foundation knows that women voters hold the most power in terms of sheer numbers. If they can push you out of the workforce, they can push you out of your voting rights.
Digging into the data of what's taking place with Black women unemployment and this graph is pretty damning.
You can see the EXACT month Black women's unemployment begins to splinter and that what hit us FIRST is now coming for all other women. This is #TheDoubleTax.
#blacksky #news #econsky
You can see the EXACT month Black women's unemployment begins to splinter and that what hit us FIRST is now coming for all other women. This is #TheDoubleTax.
#blacksky #news #econsky
November 23, 2025 at 7:45 PM
So a big part of the Project 2025 goals hinges on forcing women out of the workforce. The Heritage Foundation knows that women voters hold the most power in terms of sheer numbers. If they can push you out of the workforce, they can push you out of your voting rights.
Reposted by Evan Torner
"When leaders establish norms that intervention is a community responsibility rather than a only an individual or platform-level responsibility, they alter the psychological gymnastics put on bystanders to evaluate and intervene."
#sneakpeek @officialgdc.bsky.social
share.google/N30WwUh2c7Bu...
#sneakpeek @officialgdc.bsky.social
share.google/N30WwUh2c7Bu...
The Toxicity Tax: Why the Future of Trust and Safety is Leadership Led | Agenda | GDC Festival of Gaming
TheGDC Festival of Gaming program blends expert insight with interactive formats designed to spark ideas, sharpen skills, and connect communities.
share.google
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
"When leaders establish norms that intervention is a community responsibility rather than a only an individual or platform-level responsibility, they alter the psychological gymnastics put on bystanders to evaluate and intervene."
#sneakpeek @officialgdc.bsky.social
share.google/N30WwUh2c7Bu...
#sneakpeek @officialgdc.bsky.social
share.google/N30WwUh2c7Bu...
A movie that takes place where I'm from
November 23, 2025 at 6:15 PM
A movie that takes place where I'm from
Reposted by Evan Torner
Full text of peace plan by EU published the Telegraph
November 23, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Full text of peace plan by EU published the Telegraph
Reposted by Evan Torner
Chaosium VP MOB was interviewed as part of this Hindustan Times article about the very new, but very keen #TTRPG hobby in India, which is exploding in popularity.
Roll of the Dice: the TTRPG scene in India
Streams of Table Top Role-Playing Games like Dungeons and Dragons are exploding in popularity across the country
www.hindustantimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Chaosium VP MOB was interviewed as part of this Hindustan Times article about the very new, but very keen #TTRPG hobby in India, which is exploding in popularity.
Reposted by Evan Torner
time.com/7336204/meta...
Court Filings Allege Meta Downplayed Risks to Children and Misled the Public
Court Filings Allege Meta Downplayed Risks to Children and Misled the Public
time.com
November 23, 2025 at 2:25 AM
time.com/7336204/meta...
Court Filings Allege Meta Downplayed Risks to Children and Misled the Public
Court Filings Allege Meta Downplayed Risks to Children and Misled the Public