Media pundit
@mediapundit.bsky.social
Writer and film reviewer. Working on my first novel! Letterboxd: https://bit.ly/46ipvlF. Blog: https://tinyurl.com/mud3xvz4
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My dumb idea to save the publishing industry
It’s no secret that publishing is struggling at the moment. Can someone with no idea what he’s talking about save it? My (lack of) credentials: I am a business journalist and have been …
chrisbarkerauthor.co.uk
New blog post: my dumb idea to save the publishing industry.
I've had this idea for a long time, and I suspect it will annoy people.
chrisbarkerauthor.co.uk/2025/10/29/m...
#writing #publishing #writingcommunity
I've had this idea for a long time, and I suspect it will annoy people.
chrisbarkerauthor.co.uk/2025/10/29/m...
#writing #publishing #writingcommunity
If OpenAI knew this could happen, they committed murder. End of story.
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
ChatGPT encouraged college graduate to commit suicide, family claims in lawsuit against OpenAI | CNN
A 23-year-old man killed himself in Texas after ChatGPT ‘goaded’ him to commit suicide, his family says in a lawsuit.
edition.cnn.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:12 AM
If OpenAI knew this could happen, they committed murder. End of story.
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
edition.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by Media pundit
I seriously think this is correct. Companies should be required to ensure that to the best of their ability the bots frequently identify themselves as non-human. They should not attempt to be your friend.
November 7, 2025 at 3:12 AM
I seriously think this is correct. Companies should be required to ensure that to the best of their ability the bots frequently identify themselves as non-human. They should not attempt to be your friend.
Reposted by Media pundit
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
Elon Musk is boosting the British right - and this shows how
news.sky.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:23 AM
Vital piece of investigative reporting from Sky. They've uncovered the X algorithm which feeds users extremist right wing material from the moment they join the site. It is a far-right radicalisation engine, by design.
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
news.sky.com/story/the-x-...
Reposted by Media pundit
In particular a future where pro se litigants can generate mediocre complaints at close to zero cost does not seem to me like a future where billable hours are inevitably reduced
November 3, 2025 at 8:06 PM
In particular a future where pro se litigants can generate mediocre complaints at close to zero cost does not seem to me like a future where billable hours are inevitably reduced
Douglas Adams had a more realistic view of artificial intelligence than supposed futurists like Yudkowsky .
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
November 3, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Douglas Adams had a more realistic view of artificial intelligence than supposed futurists like Yudkowsky .
Reposted by Media pundit
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
November 1, 2025 at 8:55 PM
I've been getting back into the Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy series after many years, and the most relatable part is how everyday objects like doors and elevators have been imbued with artificial intelligence and it just makes them obnoxious and frustrating to use and everyone hates it.
Reposted by Media pundit
KPop Demon Hunters is like a 70s Hanna Barbera cartoon but they’re finally allowed to murder the monsters
November 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
KPop Demon Hunters is like a 70s Hanna Barbera cartoon but they’re finally allowed to murder the monsters
Reposted by Media pundit
are we allowed to talk about how Hamilton is good again yet or is that still, like, off limits
November 2, 2025 at 7:45 AM
are we allowed to talk about how Hamilton is good again yet or is that still, like, off limits
Reposted by Media pundit
Introducing the Ominous Calendar, in which every year is measured by its proximity to 2078, year 0.
This is year -53 before year 0.
What happens in 2078? Don't worry about it.
This is year -53 before year 0.
What happens in 2078? Don't worry about it.
November 2, 2025 at 8:23 AM
Introducing the Ominous Calendar, in which every year is measured by its proximity to 2078, year 0.
This is year -53 before year 0.
What happens in 2078? Don't worry about it.
This is year -53 before year 0.
What happens in 2078? Don't worry about it.
‘I buy violets for Amy. Not roses. Roses are for people who did something wrong.’
-Caroline Kepnes, Hidden Bodies
-Caroline Kepnes, Hidden Bodies
November 1, 2025 at 1:37 PM
‘I buy violets for Amy. Not roses. Roses are for people who did something wrong.’
-Caroline Kepnes, Hidden Bodies
-Caroline Kepnes, Hidden Bodies
Reposted by Media pundit
"You're making up a guy to get mad at!" Yes, I am a novelist. That's the job description.
October 30, 2025 at 5:54 PM
"You're making up a guy to get mad at!" Yes, I am a novelist. That's the job description.
Happy Halloween! Here is my favourite SCP at the moment: a literal ghost in a sheet.
#Halloween
scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6096
#Halloween
scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6096
SCP-6096 - SCP Foundation
The SCP Foundation's 'top-secret' archives, declassified for your enjoyment.
scp-wiki.wikidot.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Happy Halloween! Here is my favourite SCP at the moment: a literal ghost in a sheet.
#Halloween
scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6096
#Halloween
scp-wiki.wikidot.com/scp-6096
Glad I managed to get my slightly anti-Taylor take in before she made her worst album ever
#TaylorSwift
#TaylorSwift
Taylor Swift is a good songwriter. At the same time, IMO, most of her songs feel like they need one more draft.
There’s always a line where it’s like ‘why would anyone write that?’
#TaylorSwift
There’s always a line where it’s like ‘why would anyone write that?’
#TaylorSwift
October 31, 2025 at 6:57 AM
Glad I managed to get my slightly anti-Taylor take in before she made her worst album ever
#TaylorSwift
#TaylorSwift
Reposted by Media pundit
I can’t stress this enough: you cannot understand politics without reading this paragraph about why there’s no such thing as a 1/3rd pound hamburger
October 30, 2025 at 2:26 AM
I can’t stress this enough: you cannot understand politics without reading this paragraph about why there’s no such thing as a 1/3rd pound hamburger
Reposted by Media pundit
Guillermo del Toro on wealth: "a wealthy man is a man who has enough, not a man that needs more. If you have enough to invite someone for a beer? You're rich. If you have a yacht, planes, islands, and you still need more? You're not rich."
October 27, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Guillermo del Toro on wealth: "a wealthy man is a man who has enough, not a man that needs more. If you have enough to invite someone for a beer? You're rich. If you have a yacht, planes, islands, and you still need more? You're not rich."
Reposted by Media pundit
Has anyone actually written something on the apparently inability of the reactionary mind to grasp the basic themes and even overt text of Tolkien?
Like at some point Gandalf turns directly to camera and says “the Men of Gondor sure are insufficient to this task, we need the hobbits to do it”
Like at some point Gandalf turns directly to camera and says “the Men of Gondor sure are insufficient to this task, we need the hobbits to do it”
this is an overtly fascist narrative - even the misreading of myth & literature is on brand
October 29, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Has anyone actually written something on the apparently inability of the reactionary mind to grasp the basic themes and even overt text of Tolkien?
Like at some point Gandalf turns directly to camera and says “the Men of Gondor sure are insufficient to this task, we need the hobbits to do it”
Like at some point Gandalf turns directly to camera and says “the Men of Gondor sure are insufficient to this task, we need the hobbits to do it”
Reposted by Media pundit
this is an overtly fascist narrative - even the misreading of myth & literature is on brand
October 29, 2025 at 12:26 PM
this is an overtly fascist narrative - even the misreading of myth & literature is on brand
The ‘hard men’ in Tolkein’s stories are at best Boromir and Denethor.
More often the hardened cynics who believe might makes right are Sauron and Saruman.
#Tolkein
More often the hardened cynics who believe might makes right are Sauron and Saruman.
#Tolkein
I’m really starting to suspect that most of the tech bros haven’t actually read Tolkien, as they certainly don’t understand it.
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
Elon Musk: "It is time for the English to ally with the hard men, like Tommy Robinson, and fight for their survival or they shall surely all die" 29th October 2025. 2 million views in its first hour.
October 29, 2025 at 10:37 AM
The ‘hard men’ in Tolkein’s stories are at best Boromir and Denethor.
More often the hardened cynics who believe might makes right are Sauron and Saruman.
#Tolkein
More often the hardened cynics who believe might makes right are Sauron and Saruman.
#Tolkein
Reposted by Media pundit
I’m really starting to suspect that most of the tech bros haven’t actually read Tolkien, as they certainly don’t understand it.
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
Elon Musk: "It is time for the English to ally with the hard men, like Tommy Robinson, and fight for their survival or they shall surely all die" 29th October 2025. 2 million views in its first hour.
October 29, 2025 at 9:31 AM
I’m really starting to suspect that most of the tech bros haven’t actually read Tolkien, as they certainly don’t understand it.
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
The gentle hobbits save the “hard men” of Gondor, largely through compassion and selflessness. Not the other way around. The Christian parable is barely hidden!
New blog post: my dumb idea to save the publishing industry.
I've had this idea for a long time, and I suspect it will annoy people.
chrisbarkerauthor.co.uk/2025/10/29/m...
#writing #publishing #writingcommunity
I've had this idea for a long time, and I suspect it will annoy people.
chrisbarkerauthor.co.uk/2025/10/29/m...
#writing #publishing #writingcommunity
My dumb idea to save the publishing industry
It’s no secret that publishing is struggling at the moment. Can someone with no idea what he’s talking about save it? My (lack of) credentials: I am a business journalist and have been …
chrisbarkerauthor.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 7:33 AM
New blog post: my dumb idea to save the publishing industry.
I've had this idea for a long time, and I suspect it will annoy people.
chrisbarkerauthor.co.uk/2025/10/29/m...
#writing #publishing #writingcommunity
I've had this idea for a long time, and I suspect it will annoy people.
chrisbarkerauthor.co.uk/2025/10/29/m...
#writing #publishing #writingcommunity
By book 3 I am softening on Rabbit a bit.
Harry‘s big flaws are being self-centred and never considering the wider implications of anything.
That means he does a lot of despicable shit, but also makes him weirdly incapable of holding a grudge in RIR.
#writing
Harry‘s big flaws are being self-centred and never considering the wider implications of anything.
That means he does a lot of despicable shit, but also makes him weirdly incapable of holding a grudge in RIR.
#writing
Started John Updike’s Rabbit book series and urgh, the protagonist is gross.
Not sure I can take five books of this.
#writing
Not sure I can take five books of this.
#writing
October 26, 2025 at 9:29 AM
By book 3 I am softening on Rabbit a bit.
Harry‘s big flaws are being self-centred and never considering the wider implications of anything.
That means he does a lot of despicable shit, but also makes him weirdly incapable of holding a grudge in RIR.
#writing
Harry‘s big flaws are being self-centred and never considering the wider implications of anything.
That means he does a lot of despicable shit, but also makes him weirdly incapable of holding a grudge in RIR.
#writing
Reposted by Media pundit
You also see this shit with pirating and it’s like: no man you’re not striking a brave blow against the oppressors, you just want a thing without paying the people who made it. And it doesn’t make you a world-historic monster, but like with luxuries like game it’s clearly a normatively bad thing lol
Gamers love claiming that their objection to paying more is not a childish consumerist tantrum, but actually Noble Concern For Abused Workers Exploited By Greedy Executives. In fact, gaming companies have very high median pay and below-average CEO pay ratios compared to other large companies.
October 23, 2025 at 9:05 PM
You also see this shit with pirating and it’s like: no man you’re not striking a brave blow against the oppressors, you just want a thing without paying the people who made it. And it doesn’t make you a world-historic monster, but like with luxuries like game it’s clearly a normatively bad thing lol
Reposted by Media pundit
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Greg Newby, who led Project Gutenberg ( @gutenberg.org ) with passion and purpose. Greg’s belief in free and open access to knowledge continues to inspire us and so many others working to preserve our shared culture online. gutenberg.org/about/newby....
October 22, 2025 at 7:40 PM
We are deeply saddened by the loss of Greg Newby, who led Project Gutenberg ( @gutenberg.org ) with passion and purpose. Greg’s belief in free and open access to knowledge continues to inspire us and so many others working to preserve our shared culture online. gutenberg.org/about/newby....
Reposted by Media pundit
trying to explain how THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS is an interesting exploration of class, racism and inequality to my wife.
“so it’s not about cannibals?”
“oh no, to be clear there ARE cannibals in this film”
“so it’s not about cannibals?”
“oh no, to be clear there ARE cannibals in this film”
October 22, 2025 at 1:20 AM
trying to explain how THE PEOPLE UNDER THE STAIRS is an interesting exploration of class, racism and inequality to my wife.
“so it’s not about cannibals?”
“oh no, to be clear there ARE cannibals in this film”
“so it’s not about cannibals?”
“oh no, to be clear there ARE cannibals in this film”