From an article in McSweeny’s, A COMPANY REMINDER FOR EVERYONE TO TALK NICELY ABOUT THE GIANT PLAGIARISM MACHINE:
I’d like to remind you that our company policy is pro–Plagiarism Machine™. We’re a tech-forward, future-oriented company that doesn’t shy away from the promise of new innovation—even if that innovation is a Giant Plagiarism Machine™ that copy-pastes existing innovation into fake sentient sentences.
Asking questions isn’t being difficult. It’s being curious. It’s trying to understand the rationale behind actions and beliefs. But for some people in power—whether that’s a boss, a self-styled authority figure, even a Partner—questions are dangerous. Questions suggest that maybe they don’t have all the answers, that maybe their decisions aren’t flawless, and that maybe, just maybe, there’s a better way of doing things.
— You’re Only “Difficult” to People Who Don’t Want to Be Questioned by Joan Westenberg
Two sites for streaming non-commercial radio stations.
Smoked salmon is the bacon of seafood. Change my mind. 🤪
Finished reading: Bullshit Jobs: A Theory by David Graeber 📚
Finally finished reading this. I found notes that I started reading this in 2023 (?!?). I did put the book down for several months, more than once.
A lot of chapters could be condensed. Plus, overall the content is depressing considering gestures around at the world.
I’m not sure I can recommend the book. But if the idea is interesting to you, check out the essay that David Graeber wrote first, that later became the basis for this book.
Today is Free Comic Book Day! Check out your local comic book store. Some public libraries participate, too!
That action figure trend but make your own art. This idea came from patouret on Instagram.
📺 The new episode of Doctor Who is proper creepy sci-fi and it’s Very Good.
Check out these zines I got recently. 📬
Carrier Pigeon Quarterly - Spring 2025 by @joe.hohman is a guide to zines and comics that recently came out.
Food Worker - March 2025 by @deadramoneszine
Surprise zines from @seagreenzines 😃
New zine from @warglitter
A few zines from @my_name_is_ryan (Pocket Thoughts)
New zine from Robin Sloan (It’s a big tri-fold. Nice format.)
Issue 2 of Pouch arrived, and it looks amazing! The bunnies! This issue includes product reviews, journaling tips, and lots of page layouts for inspiration. Check out @pouch.studio on Instagram.
I found out about doodle grids, just randomly, and my brain is all 🤯
Last weekend I went to Longwood Gardens in Kennett Square, Pennsylvania. I’ve been there several times in the summer and once in the winter. But never in March. Not much to see outside at this time of year, so here are photos from the conservatories.
I’ve been using Substack to send my monthly newsletter for the past 3 years. I wanted to change to a different platform, and I wanted to remove my posts from Substack.
I reviewed my past issues on Substack to see if there was any content I wanted to keep. I wasn’t interested in re-creating past newsletter issues, but if there was something worth keeping, I could turn it into a blog post.
But here’s the thing.
The way I build my newsletter issues aligns with POSSE. I post to my sites during the month, and then I select from there what goes into the newsletter. I do add some notes, but not info that’s worth keeping (like brief commentaries on movies or TV shows I watched).
Sometimes I include zine previews in my newsletter, but eventually that info makes its way to a blog post later.
There wasn’t anything I had to migrate out of my Substack posts, because the main newsletter content comes from my sites.
This is probably my best personal example (so far) of the benefits of POSSE. Leaving Substack wasn’t a lot of work because the content I wanted to keep was already on my sites, and not exclusively on Substack.
If you’re interested in signing up for my newsletter, you can subscribe on Mythical Type.
Robin Sloan opened a shop to sell his zines. 😍
📺 Your Friendly Neighborhood Spider-Man (streaming on Disney+)
I really like the animation style! The colors and character designs are very inline with classic comic book art.
No spoilers, but it seems like this Peter Parker is in a different universe from Tom Holland’s Peter Parker. It’s interesting to watch out for differences.
I was practicing carving patterns: a checkerboard and curvy lines.
Trying something new. 🙂 I made this hand-carved stamp on a typical eraser.
Finished reading: Crossover Vol. 1: Kids Love Chains by Donny Cates and Geoff Shaw 📚 I liked the premise, but I’m not sure I’ll read more of this series.
This has been a tough week, especially in the U.S., especially if you’re not a straight white male.
Here are some friendly reminders from me. It’s not much in the grand scheme of things, but I hope it helps.
No one gets to define your gender. The way you were raised doesn’t have to define your current beliefs. Your family and your friends don’t determine what kind of person you are. You decide who you are, and you can change whatever you want, whenever you want.
Other people’s standards are other people’s standards. They don’t have to be a measure for you. Your value does not depend on how much you do (or don’t) work. It does not depend on how much you do (or don’t) rest. It does not depend on how, when, or if you meet stereotypical life milestones.
Everyone deserves a life where they are happy, safe, loved, and cared for. I support freedom and equality for all people, regardless of race, gender, sexuality, ethnicity, nationality, disability, or religious beliefs.
Life can get overwhelming in a lot of ways, for a lot of reasons. When you have a lot to deal with, try to find ways to break down what you have to do. Focus on one task. Ask for help with one thing. Plan for one day. Taking small steps is totally fine. You got this.
I saw lots of posts this week with recommendations to make something as a way to help with feelings of sadness, frustration, disappointment, anger…but I didn’t set aside time to make something until today.
I made a collage on an index card. I used outer-space related imagery that was already on my desk, because of a zine I’m slowly working on.
It’s a small collage and it didn’t take much time, but yeah, it helped.
Why Short People are Awesome by Karen Goldsum. Check out her work on Instagram and Etsy.
Zines and stickers by Charlie T tea. See their work on Instagram and Etsy.