Charlie Stross
@cstross.bsky.social
SFF author, triple Hugo award winner (and three times Locus award too), over a million books sold.
Mostly on Mastodon: @[email protected]
Blog: https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/
Mostly on Mastodon: @[email protected]
Blog: https://www.antipope.org/charlie/blog-static/
Reposted by Charlie Stross
my brain can't process how horrifying all these powerful people are because if I let it sink in I will probably scream for the rest of the week, so it keeps tripping over the fact that they're all borderline illiterate weirdos talking about doing crimes on gmail
November 12, 2025 at 6:23 PM
my brain can't process how horrifying all these powerful people are because if I let it sink in I will probably scream for the rest of the week, so it keeps tripping over the fact that they're all borderline illiterate weirdos talking about doing crimes on gmail
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Season of Skulls by @cstross.bsky.social is a delight. Can’t believe that such a dark book had me laughing like a drain on the 5:06 from New Street. Twice. Total Quality management consultant indeed.
November 12, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Season of Skulls by @cstross.bsky.social is a delight. Can’t believe that such a dark book had me laughing like a drain on the 5:06 from New Street. Twice. Total Quality management consultant indeed.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Was having sex in the blue whale wrong? Should I have not done that? I tell you I gotta plead ignorance on this thing because if anyone had said anything to me at all that that sort of thing was frowned upon. Because I’ve worked in a lot of museums and I tell you people do that all the time.
November 12, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Was having sex in the blue whale wrong? Should I have not done that? I tell you I gotta plead ignorance on this thing because if anyone had said anything to me at all that that sort of thing was frowned upon. Because I’ve worked in a lot of museums and I tell you people do that all the time.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Just saw a similar anecdote on Reddit. Poster's company had decided to use an "AI assistant" to schedule interviews, so that they'd be evenly distributed throughout the week. All 50 applicants were, you guessed it, called up on the same day, at the same time.
November 12, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Just saw a similar anecdote on Reddit. Poster's company had decided to use an "AI assistant" to schedule interviews, so that they'd be evenly distributed throughout the week. All 50 applicants were, you guessed it, called up on the same day, at the same time.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Meant a whole bunch of people circling like sharks trying to find a space, all anxious about PHANTOM FUCKING APPOINTMENTS.
Because of the power of AI.
What a waste of time and bringer of aggravation and anxiety (is my heart okay? Dunno!).
That's the future for you.
end/
Because of the power of AI.
What a waste of time and bringer of aggravation and anxiety (is my heart okay? Dunno!).
That's the future for you.
end/
November 12, 2025 at 4:19 PM
Meant a whole bunch of people circling like sharks trying to find a space, all anxious about PHANTOM FUCKING APPOINTMENTS.
Because of the power of AI.
What a waste of time and bringer of aggravation and anxiety (is my heart okay? Dunno!).
That's the future for you.
end/
Because of the power of AI.
What a waste of time and bringer of aggravation and anxiety (is my heart okay? Dunno!).
That's the future for you.
end/
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Appointment.
Their spanking new AI system is testing their appointment system by creating dummy appointments. But they aren't supposed to actually go out to patients.
Dear Reader, the car park was jam packed with folks like me, trying to be on time for urgent appointments. Fewer places to park 2/
Their spanking new AI system is testing their appointment system by creating dummy appointments. But they aren't supposed to actually go out to patients.
Dear Reader, the car park was jam packed with folks like me, trying to be on time for urgent appointments. Fewer places to park 2/
November 12, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Appointment.
Their spanking new AI system is testing their appointment system by creating dummy appointments. But they aren't supposed to actually go out to patients.
Dear Reader, the car park was jam packed with folks like me, trying to be on time for urgent appointments. Fewer places to park 2/
Their spanking new AI system is testing their appointment system by creating dummy appointments. But they aren't supposed to actually go out to patients.
Dear Reader, the car park was jam packed with folks like me, trying to be on time for urgent appointments. Fewer places to park 2/
Reposted by Charlie Stross
So this morning I get an urgent email for a same day cardiology appointment at my local treatment centre.
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
November 12, 2025 at 4:15 PM
So this morning I get an urgent email for a same day cardiology appointment at my local treatment centre.
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
I was surprised (and alarmed) but fine. I moved things around and went there a few minutes ago.
Only there was no real appointment. The receptionist said I wasn't supposed to receive any 1/
@ironspike.bsky.social I loved The Sims 1, but ... took 20 years off, downloaded The Sims 4, and had a visceral HATE reaction to the gameplay within an hour.
I do NOT want capitalist propaganda gameplay like "work in a Starbucks, mop the tables, apologize to customer-bots, turn tricks for tips".
I do NOT want capitalist propaganda gameplay like "work in a Starbucks, mop the tables, apologize to customer-bots, turn tricks for tips".
November 12, 2025 at 5:12 PM
@ironspike.bsky.social I loved The Sims 1, but ... took 20 years off, downloaded The Sims 4, and had a visceral HATE reaction to the gameplay within an hour.
I do NOT want capitalist propaganda gameplay like "work in a Starbucks, mop the tables, apologize to customer-bots, turn tricks for tips".
I do NOT want capitalist propaganda gameplay like "work in a Starbucks, mop the tables, apologize to customer-bots, turn tricks for tips".
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Didn't think Trump's birthday doodle to Epstein could get any creepier.
House Democrats release Epstein emails, including one in which he flatly asserted that Trump “knew about the girls,” many of whom were later found by investigators to have been underage. @migold.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2025/11/12/u...
Epstein Alleged in Emails That Trump Knew of His Conduct
www.nytimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Didn't think Trump's birthday doodle to Epstein could get any creepier.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
They're fucking with *Subterranean Press*. Like, who DOES that?
November 12, 2025 at 3:17 PM
They're fucking with *Subterranean Press*. Like, who DOES that?
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Well, it would make more sense if the longer term plan is to run Wes against some chumps while angrily squealing that if anyone votes against him, then the bond markets will flood Britain with face-huggers and Xenomorphs. But maybe that’s too charitable to the organisation and intelligence here.
November 12, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Well, it would make more sense if the longer term plan is to run Wes against some chumps while angrily squealing that if anyone votes against him, then the bond markets will flood Britain with face-huggers and Xenomorphs. But maybe that’s too charitable to the organisation and intelligence here.
Incidentally, I know people keep saying Trump has no class, but stiffing your tradespeople is ABSOLUTELY a core aristocratic value going back centuries.
November 12, 2025 at 10:55 AM
Incidentally, I know people keep saying Trump has no class, but stiffing your tradespeople is ABSOLUTELY a core aristocratic value going back centuries.
I guess they should rename "Home Depot" to "Home Despot" now.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/natashajokic1/trump-gold-oval-office-home-depot
https://www.buzzfeed.com/natashajokic1/trump-gold-oval-office-home-depot
November 12, 2025 at 10:45 AM
I guess they should rename "Home Depot" to "Home Despot" now.
https://www.buzzfeed.com/natashajokic1/trump-gold-oval-office-home-depot
https://www.buzzfeed.com/natashajokic1/trump-gold-oval-office-home-depot
A MEASURED PROPOSAL:
Donald J. Trump is suing the BBC for reporting on him—they edited down an interview of his and made him feel bad.
It is NOT SAFE to report on Donald J. Trump.
So I suggest that for safety all news channels should replace every mention of him with the Hypnotoad:
Donald J. Trump is suing the BBC for reporting on him—they edited down an interview of his and made him feel bad.
It is NOT SAFE to report on Donald J. Trump.
So I suggest that for safety all news channels should replace every mention of him with the Hypnotoad:
a cartoon of a frog with the words all glory to the hypnotoad below it
ALT: a cartoon of a frog with the words all glory to the hypnotoad below it
media.tenor.com
November 11, 2025 at 10:00 PM
A MEASURED PROPOSAL:
Donald J. Trump is suing the BBC for reporting on him—they edited down an interview of his and made him feel bad.
It is NOT SAFE to report on Donald J. Trump.
So I suggest that for safety all news channels should replace every mention of him with the Hypnotoad:
Donald J. Trump is suing the BBC for reporting on him—they edited down an interview of his and made him feel bad.
It is NOT SAFE to report on Donald J. Trump.
So I suggest that for safety all news channels should replace every mention of him with the Hypnotoad:
As I remember it, the first line was *"In five years the penis will be obsolete" said the salesman.*
"In five years the penis will be obsolete."
—John Varley, Steel Beach
—John Varley, Steel Beach
November 11, 2025 at 9:46 PM
As I remember it, the first line was *"In five years the penis will be obsolete" said the salesman.*
Reposted by Charlie Stross
As I said of the Tories in May’s time: these are weird terrarium creatures that will keel over and die, the second the press stop feeding them insects and turn off the heat lamps. And what happened to the Tories, the moment they were exposed to just regular levels of scrutiny and criticism? ☠️ 💀 🪦
November 11, 2025 at 5:24 PM
As I said of the Tories in May’s time: these are weird terrarium creatures that will keel over and die, the second the press stop feeding them insects and turn off the heat lamps. And what happened to the Tories, the moment they were exposed to just regular levels of scrutiny and criticism? ☠️ 💀 🪦
Reposted by Charlie Stross
What we’ve done is create a kind of Wanker’s Veto where nothing good or useful can ever happen, because MPs and the press will unite and destroy it. So the only things that will ever succeed even temporarily are projects that nobody likes or wants, except for said MPs and media figures.
November 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
What we’ve done is create a kind of Wanker’s Veto where nothing good or useful can ever happen, because MPs and the press will unite and destroy it. So the only things that will ever succeed even temporarily are projects that nobody likes or wants, except for said MPs and media figures.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Oh my. Hear me out...I think that he's had some significantly bad medical news from his doctors and he still has enough cognitive function that it clicked. Trump is so narcissistic that he views the entire world as an extension of himself. He is the only significant person in his universe.
Trump: "If we die, we must die and we as men we die without complaining."
November 11, 2025 at 5:26 PM
Oh my. Hear me out...I think that he's had some significantly bad medical news from his doctors and he still has enough cognitive function that it clicked. Trump is so narcissistic that he views the entire world as an extension of himself. He is the only significant person in his universe.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
What do we think will happen if the next election hinges on the press being forced to choose whether to boost the Green Party, or Reform? Are we going to see the now-standard all-channels terrifying hate campaign aimed at Farage? I am going to say: No.
November 11, 2025 at 5:29 PM
What do we think will happen if the next election hinges on the press being forced to choose whether to boost the Green Party, or Reform? Are we going to see the now-standard all-channels terrifying hate campaign aimed at Farage? I am going to say: No.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Think about it, MAGA. Take all the time you need.
November 11, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Think about it, MAGA. Take all the time you need.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
It is IMO very late but still helpful for the libs to understand their colleagues are feral wingnuts bent upon maximal destruction, who cannot be appeased, not just people who politely disagree with them. It’s a start, if nothing else.
November 11, 2025 at 5:07 PM
It is IMO very late but still helpful for the libs to understand their colleagues are feral wingnuts bent upon maximal destruction, who cannot be appeased, not just people who politely disagree with them. It’s a start, if nothing else.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
Quite a few people unexpectedly learning sharp lessons this week: ones that should’ve been very obvious ten years ago, but welcome nonetheless.
November 11, 2025 at 5:06 PM
Quite a few people unexpectedly learning sharp lessons this week: ones that should’ve been very obvious ten years ago, but welcome nonetheless.
Reposted by Charlie Stross
I do sometimes still read the AI scam things and they end up so unintentionally hilarious with word choices that no human being would ever make.
"vegetable man" "marching back with her printing press"
"vegetable man" "marching back with her printing press"
November 11, 2025 at 4:50 PM
I do sometimes still read the AI scam things and they end up so unintentionally hilarious with word choices that no human being would ever make.
"vegetable man" "marching back with her printing press"
"vegetable man" "marching back with her printing press"
Reposted by Charlie Stross
this is where I make my periodic confession that when Elon was very good at masking, we cracked jokes with him about him being a Bond villain and he claimed to like 60s office furniture and asked if he should get the cat; also, at this point I think he would *enjoy* being portrayed as the villain
Elon as Blofeld, with one of his many kids in his lap instead of a white cat.
November 11, 2025 at 4:54 PM
this is where I make my periodic confession that when Elon was very good at masking, we cracked jokes with him about him being a Bond villain and he claimed to like 60s office furniture and asked if he should get the cat; also, at this point I think he would *enjoy* being portrayed as the villain
Reposted by Charlie Stross
The solution to "but we blew up Bond in the last movie" seems obvious to me: make the next one a prequel. Return Bond to his Cold War roots with 60s gadgets and luscious midcentury cars, fashion, and decor. The stakes for the plot are already established and couldn't be higher.
November 11, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The solution to "but we blew up Bond in the last movie" seems obvious to me: make the next one a prequel. Return Bond to his Cold War roots with 60s gadgets and luscious midcentury cars, fashion, and decor. The stakes for the plot are already established and couldn't be higher.