Tristan Beiter
@tristanbeiter.bsky.social
Poet and critic; speculative fiction nerd; he/him; PhD student at the University at Buffalo; Website: https://tristanbeiter.com/
Highly recommended! I'm always excited to see a new poem by R.B. Lemberg!
My anti-GenAI prose poem, "The Ghosts of me are in your machine," is up at @strangehorizons.bsky.social
Thanks to @cafenowhere.bsky.social for editing, and @bogiperson.bsky.social for being the first reader for this.
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/po...
Thanks to @cafenowhere.bsky.social for editing, and @bogiperson.bsky.social for being the first reader for this.
strangehorizons.com/wordpress/po...
The ghosts of me are in your machine
My obsidian shadows knifed the moon, drank moonblood until my wandering mouth filled to bursting
strangehorizons.com
December 15, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Highly recommended! I'm always excited to see a new poem by R.B. Lemberg!
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
A brief perusal of the subliterate gachaslop aimed at kids today partially explains this, but also, Catcher in the Rye is about an unlikable, traumatized dork from an era that is now passed; that distance actually makes it more useful to today's unlikable, traumatized dorks, not less.
my teen's school still assigns whole books, thankfully, but I'm regularly surprised how little the reading list hasn't changed from when I was in HS. Some stuff still hits—Of Mice and Men and Their Eyes Were Watching God, recently—but Catcher in the Rye in 2025? Why?
Kids Rarely Read Whole Books Anymore. Even in English Class.
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2025 at 4:59 PM
A brief perusal of the subliterate gachaslop aimed at kids today partially explains this, but also, Catcher in the Rye is about an unlikable, traumatized dork from an era that is now passed; that distance actually makes it more useful to today's unlikable, traumatized dorks, not less.
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
There is always something to be done, and that something makes a difference.
That is what optimism is: choosing to believe that you can continue to make a difference, and doing so, as much as you can.
That is what optimism is: choosing to believe that you can continue to make a difference, and doing so, as much as you can.
December 13, 2025 at 5:28 PM
There is always something to be done, and that something makes a difference.
That is what optimism is: choosing to believe that you can continue to make a difference, and doing so, as much as you can.
That is what optimism is: choosing to believe that you can continue to make a difference, and doing so, as much as you can.
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
The basic premise underlying this thread is that you can’t realistically be optimistic about bad things, and there are two things wrong with this.
First, the premise that it’s important to be realistic; and second, the idea that recognizing the truth leaves no room for optimism.
First, the premise that it’s important to be realistic; and second, the idea that recognizing the truth leaves no room for optimism.
Of course. But you can't be optimistic about an oncoming catastrophe.
And we won't keep the global average temperature sise to 2.5C by 2100 - nothing like
Pliocene conditions are projected to begin to emerge in places as soon as the 2030s
And we won't keep the global average temperature sise to 2.5C by 2100 - nothing like
Pliocene conditions are projected to begin to emerge in places as soon as the 2030s
December 13, 2025 at 5:17 PM
The basic premise underlying this thread is that you can’t realistically be optimistic about bad things, and there are two things wrong with this.
First, the premise that it’s important to be realistic; and second, the idea that recognizing the truth leaves no room for optimism.
First, the premise that it’s important to be realistic; and second, the idea that recognizing the truth leaves no room for optimism.
It was so bad! I know someone who *still* cannot multiply numbers in their head because the Bad At Math demeaning in grade 3 put a huge mental block on even trying to learn arithmetic. And this is someone who, with enough time to do arithmetic or a 4-function calculator, crushed algebra and calculus
I do think that some people who didn’t experience being Bad at Math in the 2000s and 2010s are probably really underrating how demeaning that experience was at the time
speaking on the basis of being a humanities type who struggled with math (until I learned to program later on) who felt that society was giving me a constant message in the 2000s that I was a worthless parasite who would die in a ditch on that basis alone
December 10, 2025 at 3:54 AM
It was so bad! I know someone who *still* cannot multiply numbers in their head because the Bad At Math demeaning in grade 3 put a huge mental block on even trying to learn arithmetic. And this is someone who, with enough time to do arithmetic or a 4-function calculator, crushed algebra and calculus
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There are ample numbers of arrogant bastards interested in the humanities, but trying to make any kind of living in the humanities tends to be an extremely humbling experience in a way that has been far less the case (until, like, last year) for “studying compsci and getting a job in tech”
December 10, 2025 at 12:15 AM
There are ample numbers of arrogant bastards interested in the humanities, but trying to make any kind of living in the humanities tends to be an extremely humbling experience in a way that has been far less the case (until, like, last year) for “studying compsci and getting a job in tech”
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I think the toxic current correlation between “studied STEM” and “techbro sociopathy” isn’t really about the subject matter itself but is about how our culture has spent 25 years constantly blowing smoke up the asses of guys who are even passably competent at Computer or Quant
there is not any particularly strong evidence that study of the humanities make people good people. the elites of many brutal empires were extremely well-read!
December 10, 2025 at 12:15 AM
I think the toxic current correlation between “studied STEM” and “techbro sociopathy” isn’t really about the subject matter itself but is about how our culture has spent 25 years constantly blowing smoke up the asses of guys who are even passably competent at Computer or Quant
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This is actually a good example of why the customer model is wrong.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
If you are providing me with an education that is low utility in the world then it’s a disservice. My composition class spent four weeks on poetry. I’m sorry, but that only would’ve been useful if I wanted to be a poet. I don’t need to know iambic pentameter in order to be a victim advocate.
December 9, 2025 at 7:17 PM
This is actually a good example of why the customer model is wrong.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
I wouldn't have chosen poetry writing, but UNC made me take a class. And it absolutely made me become a much better writer, with an eye to concision and an ear now trained to the rhythm of words. I'm a better historian as a result.
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
Of the grand order of folio leviathans, the Sperm Whale and the Right Whale are by far the most noteworthy.
December 8, 2025 at 5:47 AM
Of the grand order of folio leviathans, the Sperm Whale and the Right Whale are by far the most noteworthy.
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I wish Christmas wasn’t so oppressively goddamn ubiquitous but also I love Christmas, it fucking rules
Braiding Christianity with Druidry has also made me appreciate it even more
Braiding Christianity with Druidry has also made me appreciate it even more
December 7, 2025 at 11:59 PM
I wish Christmas wasn’t so oppressively goddamn ubiquitous but also I love Christmas, it fucking rules
Braiding Christianity with Druidry has also made me appreciate it even more
Braiding Christianity with Druidry has also made me appreciate it even more
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This entire thread. (Yes.)
i think to understand the meaning of the birthright citizenship clause to the framers of the 14th amendment, you have to understand significance of dred scott to the civil war republican party. dred scott wasn't just a bad ruling, it was understood as a rejection of the declaration itself.
December 6, 2025 at 6:21 PM
This entire thread. (Yes.)
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I can't listen to the song without thinking of
December 3, 2025 at 9:20 PM
I can't listen to the song without thinking of
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The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 AM
The one thing I really miss about the 'older world' is browsing library stacks, and card catalogues. However much I appreciate databases and retrieving what I want in moments, the serendipity of 'the book next to the one I wanted' and 'the article in the same issue' cannot be replicated. #Libraries
I'm teaching introductory creative writing right now and have been seeing this--not just non-completion of work, but the bizarre failure to follow instructions. Two recent assignments: "write a sonnet" and "write a poem in one of the following forms: sestina, villanelle, pantoum, rondeau, triolet"
It's like they just keep...forgetting? Or they read the instructions and completely disregard them, even knowing that they can't pass the assignment without demonstrating really clear skills (citing material, writing on a course text, etc.). They just...don't do it. And don't seem to care.
November 28, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I'm teaching introductory creative writing right now and have been seeing this--not just non-completion of work, but the bizarre failure to follow instructions. Two recent assignments: "write a sonnet" and "write a poem in one of the following forms: sestina, villanelle, pantoum, rondeau, triolet"
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An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
November 28, 2025 at 10:15 PM
An issue we're seeing at all levels of university is that many students are simply refusing to do *anything*. They aren't reading the syllabus, aren't following assignment guidelines, aren't engaging with material, ignoring deadlines. And this might seem like old news, but it truly has ramped up.
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
"The right to literacy came at a heavy cost for many Americans. Power recognised that oppression is best maintained by keeping the masses illiterate.
Dont surrender to AI your ability to read write+ think when others once risked their lives and died for it."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/set-tr...
Dont surrender to AI your ability to read write+ think when others once risked their lives and died for it."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/set-tr...
I Set A Trap To Catch Students Cheating With AI. The Result Was Deflating
"I am no stranger to students trying to cut corners by copying and pasting from Wikipedia, but the introduction of generative AI has enabled them to cheat in startling new ways."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 5:05 PM
"The right to literacy came at a heavy cost for many Americans. Power recognised that oppression is best maintained by keeping the masses illiterate.
Dont surrender to AI your ability to read write+ think when others once risked their lives and died for it."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/set-tr...
Dont surrender to AI your ability to read write+ think when others once risked their lives and died for it."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/set-tr...
Oh no. Does this mean that their in-restaurant bread will be the same as the stuff sold at grocery stores under their name? Which are, to be clear, not par-baked, they would be better if they were par-baked heat-and-eat frozen bread. They are simply the worst "baguettes" I have ever had.
Panera Bread moves to ‘shitty bread model’. “This sucks ass, we’re really excited”, say executives who will parachute out of the failing company with $377 million dollars each
November 19, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Oh no. Does this mean that their in-restaurant bread will be the same as the stuff sold at grocery stores under their name? Which are, to be clear, not par-baked, they would be better if they were par-baked heat-and-eat frozen bread. They are simply the worst "baguettes" I have ever had.
There are a couple things around, but I think I have to give it to PA-Dutch-style chicken and waffles. Pulled chicken and chicken gravy on a waffle, mashed potatoes and corn optional.
I want everyone to post their hometown slop (if you don't have a cuisine that qualifies then your town has zero culture).
Skyline is fine and hits at 3 am just like taco bell lol
Skyline is fine and hits at 3 am just like taco bell lol
November 19, 2025 at 1:26 AM
There are a couple things around, but I think I have to give it to PA-Dutch-style chicken and waffles. Pulled chicken and chicken gravy on a waffle, mashed potatoes and corn optional.
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
One thing that strikes me about the so called ‘trans panic’ is how much it tells us about egalitarianism. It doesn’t matter what’s inside your head, but what it looks like from the outside. It doesn’t matter what sort of person you are it’s just your physical body that counts. This after…
November 16, 2025 at 7:23 PM
One thing that strikes me about the so called ‘trans panic’ is how much it tells us about egalitarianism. It doesn’t matter what’s inside your head, but what it looks like from the outside. It doesn’t matter what sort of person you are it’s just your physical body that counts. This after…
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
It's the same with crafts. I crochet, I get pleasure out of the act of creating, then I give it away. Buying a stuffie would be faster, but far less gratifying and far less personal. I like to bake cookies. Again, buying them would be faster, but they wouldn't be MY cookies. I like to create!
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
It's the same with crafts. I crochet, I get pleasure out of the act of creating, then I give it away. Buying a stuffie would be faster, but far less gratifying and far less personal. I like to bake cookies. Again, buying them would be faster, but they wouldn't be MY cookies. I like to create!
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I wouldn't have spent a zillion hours doing this if I did not enjoy the act of writing. Even when it's hard (especially when it's hard), it's so rewarding. It's so clarifying. When I finish something, sure I'm proud of it, but I'm already itching to shove it out of my way and start the next thing.
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
I wouldn't have spent a zillion hours doing this if I did not enjoy the act of writing. Even when it's hard (especially when it's hard), it's so rewarding. It's so clarifying. When I finish something, sure I'm proud of it, but I'm already itching to shove it out of my way and start the next thing.
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
Sometimes I wonder if our many years of jokes about writers hating writing and doing anything but writing, etc, have convinced people that the writing part is the hurdle and the goal is just to have a thing in hand. But I am here to tell you: the writing is the best part. The act is the thing.
November 9, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Sometimes I wonder if our many years of jokes about writers hating writing and doing anything but writing, etc, have convinced people that the writing part is the hurdle and the goal is just to have a thing in hand. But I am here to tell you: the writing is the best part. The act is the thing.
Reposted by Tristan Beiter
exactly
"the US is uniquely bad" and/or "the US is uniquely/inevitably doomed" are also American exceptionalism
November 13, 2025 at 4:43 PM
exactly
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On August 12, 1971, 16-year-old me mailed the first story I ever wrote off on its first submission to my dream market, F&SF. My tale was quickly rejected. On July 17th, 2025, I finally sold a story to that magazine. Here's why I felt I had to withdraw that story. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...
November 12, 2025 at 9:27 PM
On August 12, 1971, 16-year-old me mailed the first story I ever wrote off on its first submission to my dream market, F&SF. My tale was quickly rejected. On July 17th, 2025, I finally sold a story to that magazine. Here's why I felt I had to withdraw that story. www.scottedelman.com/wordpress/20...