Russ Pitts
@russpitts.bsky.social
Writer. Former Features Editor at Polygon/Vox Media. Former EiC at The Escapist. Former Producer of The Screen Savers on TechTV.
Pinned
Russ Pitts
@russpitts.bsky.social
· Jul 8
Like, I’m sorry but if all or most of your posts are intended to bring bad/ugly/hateful things to my attention, I don’t need that and will unfollow you. Even if I like you. The bad stuff does not need your help to propagate.
Reposted by Russ Pitts
I’m not gonna be one of those too cool for school guys who acts like he’s outgrown Tarantino, because he’s made movies that are still some of my favorites of all time, but is he really the person to be talking about how a movie would be great but for one really bad actor
December 3, 2025 at 11:39 PM
I’m not gonna be one of those too cool for school guys who acts like he’s outgrown Tarantino, because he’s made movies that are still some of my favorites of all time, but is he really the person to be talking about how a movie would be great but for one really bad actor
Reposted by Russ Pitts
A few years ago I had a partner who was a former roboticist. Through her I became acutely aware of how much of public-facing robotics is now is pure theatrical smoke and mirrors horseshit intended to dupe credulous tech press and VCs.
can't stop watching this clip of a tesla Optimus teleoperator taking his headset off before properly logging out the robot
December 8, 2025 at 2:19 PM
A few years ago I had a partner who was a former roboticist. Through her I became acutely aware of how much of public-facing robotics is now is pure theatrical smoke and mirrors horseshit intended to dupe credulous tech press and VCs.
Trying to make my non-political personal stories into political weapons will get you blocked.
December 5, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Trying to make my non-political personal stories into political weapons will get you blocked.
Remember when Netflix changed its name to Qwikster?
December 5, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Remember when Netflix changed its name to Qwikster?
Dear Ford Field: Please stop playing Hell’s Bells. Signed, everyone.
December 5, 2025 at 2:32 AM
Dear Ford Field: Please stop playing Hell’s Bells. Signed, everyone.
I’m still tweaked about this. Tarantino, who is objectively the worst performer in every one of his films that he also acts in, calling another actor the weak link in their film is fucking RICH.
Quentin Tarantino says 'There Will Be Blood' had a chance to be his greatest film of the 21st century if it didnt have Paul Dano in it
"it’s supposed to be a two-hander, but ... [Dano] is weak sauce, man ... He’s just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest fucking actor in SAG [laughs]"
"it’s supposed to be a two-hander, but ... [Dano] is weak sauce, man ... He’s just such a weak, weak, uninteresting guy. The weakest fucking actor in SAG [laughs]"
December 5, 2025 at 2:19 AM
I’m still tweaked about this. Tarantino, who is objectively the worst performer in every one of his films that he also acts in, calling another actor the weak link in their film is fucking RICH.
Reposted by Russ Pitts
I like that the Cowboys and Lions are playing in the Thursday night game the week after Thanksgiving. Makes so much sense from a scheduling perspective. They should do it every year.
The "Maybe Don't Eat Those Leftovers..." Bowl
The "Maybe Don't Eat Those Leftovers..." Bowl
December 5, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I like that the Cowboys and Lions are playing in the Thursday night game the week after Thanksgiving. Makes so much sense from a scheduling perspective. They should do it every year.
The "Maybe Don't Eat Those Leftovers..." Bowl
The "Maybe Don't Eat Those Leftovers..." Bowl
A colleague dealing with a family member’s declining health reminded me of the time in my 20s, when I took a day off from my retail job because my uncle had taken his own life and I didn’t feel like being courteous to strangers. My boss didn’t think I was “grieving appropriately” and wrote me up. 🧵
December 4, 2025 at 7:30 PM
A colleague dealing with a family member’s declining health reminded me of the time in my 20s, when I took a day off from my retail job because my uncle had taken his own life and I didn’t feel like being courteous to strangers. My boss didn’t think I was “grieving appropriately” and wrote me up. 🧵
Still can’t believe they play football on Thursdays.
December 4, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Still can’t believe they play football on Thursdays.
This bothers me. I get that QT has built a reputation for being opinionated, but a director calling out actors is bad form. Especially when *ahem* his own acting is less than great.
After Kill Bill: The Whole Bloody Affair director Quentin Tarantino got very specific as to why he thinks Paul Dano was There Will Be Blood's one "giant flaw," fans of the actor have taken up his defense online. https://bit.ly/44z03tK
December 3, 2025 at 7:42 PM
This bothers me. I get that QT has built a reputation for being opinionated, but a director calling out actors is bad form. Especially when *ahem* his own acting is less than great.
Fascinating. Best of luck to them.
NEW: Netflix is selling cozy game studio Spry Fox back to its founders as the streamer shrinks from six game studios in 2024 to three
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Spry Fox is avoiding closure, still working on the ambitious MMO Spirit Crossing
Netflix is releasing games, but has changed focus
www.gamefile.news/p/netflix-se...
Netflix sells game studio Spry Fox back to its founders
Exclusive: The streamer’s six-studio gaming operation is down to three, as Netflix pursues an altered video game strategy
www.gamefile.news
December 3, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Fascinating. Best of luck to them.
Reposted by Russ Pitts
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
December 2, 2025 at 7:18 PM
“Have Yourself A Merriam Little Christmas”
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
Merriam, a career-oriented lexicographer from the city, returns to her small town for the holidays and meets Webster, a ruggedly handsome librarian, who shows her the true DEFINITION of Christmas.
I mean, it’s literally Starship Troopers, so
Justin Lin, best known for directing five of the Fast & Furious movies, is set to direct the upcoming film adaptation of Arrowhead Game Studios' Helldiver franchise.
For more info: https://bit.ly/48ouy6M
For more info: https://bit.ly/48ouy6M
December 2, 2025 at 2:18 AM
I mean, it’s literally Starship Troopers, so
Replaying Red Dead 2 because I, for some reason, stopped playing it before finishing it back in 2018. I reach Chapter 5 … and suddenly remember why I stopped playing it back in 2018.
December 2, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Replaying Red Dead 2 because I, for some reason, stopped playing it before finishing it back in 2018. I reach Chapter 5 … and suddenly remember why I stopped playing it back in 2018.
The funnest social media debates are the ones where the truth is unknowable so everyone has an equal chance of being right and damn if that doesn’t make you want to dig in and double down.
November 30, 2025 at 1:50 AM
The funnest social media debates are the ones where the truth is unknowable so everyone has an equal chance of being right and damn if that doesn’t make you want to dig in and double down.
I’m excited for Thanksgiving.
November 27, 2025 at 2:24 AM
I’m excited for Thanksgiving.
Interstate ‘76
November 26, 2025 at 4:08 PM
Interstate ‘76
Reposted by Russ Pitts
vox media has raised over $400 million in venture capital
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 PM
vox media has raised over $400 million in venture capital
Today I’m seeing a guy about fixing my two-year-old roof that’s leaking. Tomorrow, another guy, about replacing a fence gate that’s fallen apart. Home ownership requires being in a constant state of wondering what will fail next.
November 23, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Today I’m seeing a guy about fixing my two-year-old roof that’s leaking. Tomorrow, another guy, about replacing a fence gate that’s fallen apart. Home ownership requires being in a constant state of wondering what will fail next.
This is an amazing story, excellently reported and flawlessly told.
Police spent more than 50 days searching a lake for Ryan Borgwardt, a kayaker they assumed had drowned. Then they told his wife that they’d come to believe something different. Jamie Thompson spoke with the people involved in the case that rattled a Wisconsin town. theatln.tc/EpGemzk9
November 22, 2025 at 1:28 AM
This is an amazing story, excellently reported and flawlessly told.
Reposted by Russ Pitts
This is an accidentally honest answer. What she's saying in code is:
"The President is a misogynist, petulant bully. You've all seen him be a misogynist, petulant bully. And lots of voters out there are also misogynist or petulant or bullies and that's why they like him."
"The President is a misogynist, petulant bully. You've all seen him be a misogynist, petulant bully. And lots of voters out there are also misogynist or petulant or bullies and that's why they like him."
Q: What did the president mean when he called a reporter "piggy"?
LEAVITT: Look, the president is very frank & honest with everyone in this room. You'll all seen it yourself. You've all experienced it yourselves. And I think it's one of the many reasons the American people reelected this president
LEAVITT: Look, the president is very frank & honest with everyone in this room. You'll all seen it yourself. You've all experienced it yourselves. And I think it's one of the many reasons the American people reelected this president
November 20, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This is an accidentally honest answer. What she's saying in code is:
"The President is a misogynist, petulant bully. You've all seen him be a misogynist, petulant bully. And lots of voters out there are also misogynist or petulant or bullies and that's why they like him."
"The President is a misogynist, petulant bully. You've all seen him be a misogynist, petulant bully. And lots of voters out there are also misogynist or petulant or bullies and that's why they like him."
Years ago, before AI could reliably transcribe without errors, I worked with a freelancer who would transcribe my interviews. Unbeknownst to me, they were becoming increasingly frustrated by the volume and pace of my reporting.
Say what you will about the generative side of AI, but machine learning being able to cheaply generate very accurate transcriptions of audio interviews has been a game changer for my working life
November 20, 2025 at 4:24 PM
Years ago, before AI could reliably transcribe without errors, I worked with a freelancer who would transcribe my interviews. Unbeknownst to me, they were becoming increasingly frustrated by the volume and pace of my reporting.
November 19, 2025 at 5:45 PM
My new pet peeve is TikTok guitarists who try to perform EVH’s Beat It solo, but skip the knock.
November 19, 2025 at 4:06 PM
My new pet peeve is TikTok guitarists who try to perform EVH’s Beat It solo, but skip the knock.