Ciaran McGrath
@cerandor.com
Writer of stuff, player of games, enjoyer of life. Living with cancer, trying to be a better person one day at a time.
A Fishy Tail of a Thread
It's the 3rd of January 1939, your name is professor James Smith and you are staring at a drawing of a fish. It's not a regular fish. It is a completely impossible fish.
January 6, 2026 at 10:44 PM
A Fishy Tail of a Thread
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
also don't forget he made his crush into the most heavenly waifu of literature
dante made up an entire fake trip through hell just so he could talk about how he coincidentally saw every single one of his enemies there receiving graphically specific and tailor-made punishments
Do you have a historical figure you most wish got to be a poster? I feel like you must have a better answer than mine, which is Churchill. The guy started autobiography when he was 19 I think. And just never stopped. True poster.
January 6, 2026 at 10:26 PM
also don't forget he made his crush into the most heavenly waifu of literature
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
Heading into 2026, I'm still looking for fulltime or contract work as a senior writer or narrative designer. If you need someone who can write sharp characters, poetic prose, and emotional stories, I'm available! You can find my portfolio here: www.hazelmonforton.com
December 28, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Heading into 2026, I'm still looking for fulltime or contract work as a senior writer or narrative designer. If you need someone who can write sharp characters, poetic prose, and emotional stories, I'm available! You can find my portfolio here: www.hazelmonforton.com
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
I feel I cannot stress enough how 'AI' products serve, intentionally or not, to reestablish the control of a very small group of people over language and expression, a new form of digital boot.
One hopes the proliferation of open models may push back on this. Or the Butlerian Jihad. Either way.
One hopes the proliferation of open models may push back on this. Or the Butlerian Jihad. Either way.
January 6, 2026 at 6:39 PM
I feel I cannot stress enough how 'AI' products serve, intentionally or not, to reestablish the control of a very small group of people over language and expression, a new form of digital boot.
One hopes the proliferation of open models may push back on this. Or the Butlerian Jihad. Either way.
One hopes the proliferation of open models may push back on this. Or the Butlerian Jihad. Either way.
The only thing more appealing than this would be playing it on an actual flickering CRT in a suitably dusty archive with minimal lighting…
🚨⚠️ Release Date Disclosure! ⚠️🚨
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TR-49 - Official Trailer
YouTube video by inkleStudios
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 6:09 PM
The only thing more appealing than this would be playing it on an actual flickering CRT in a suitably dusty archive with minimal lighting…
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
There we go. That there’s a headline.
Who’s who at X, the deepfake porn site formerly known as Twitter
A look inside Elon Musk’s big tent
www.ft.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:08 PM
There we go. That there’s a headline.
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
🚨⚠️ Release Date Disclosure! ⚠️🚨
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TR-49 - Official Trailer
YouTube video by inkleStudios
www.youtube.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:45 PM
🚨⚠️ Release Date Disclosure! ⚠️🚨
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
TRAILER: VIDEO EVIDENCE, see below. Please watch, assimilate and share.
DESIGNATION: TR-49
GENRE: NARRATIVE DEDUCTION / AUDIO_DRAMA
DATE: 21st JANUARY
PLATFORMS: iOS / PC / Mac / Deck
This is what we know, so far.
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
Art doesn’t get censored because it might make people immoral or violent. It gets censored because it might make them realize that there are different ways to live than the prescribed hegemony crammed down our throats
A key point in Fahrenheit 451 is that books were banned because they made people depressed and uncomfortable. The novel's protagonist, Montag, is taken into custody after he reads a poem that makes a woman cry because she realizes the emptiness of her life.
![[quoting a tweet from isabelunraveled in which she rails against depressing books that get branded as “great writing”]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hppum4l25hcczzffastsicpq/bafkreidzblpxefncqr2c73v7myen325wvtk767i7rw4zcc32c3hj4gzv5a@jpeg)
July 30, 2025 at 1:09 PM
Art doesn’t get censored because it might make people immoral or violent. It gets censored because it might make them realize that there are different ways to live than the prescribed hegemony crammed down our throats
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
Thucydides did not write the Melian Dialogue for people to forget Athens lost the Peloponnesian War.
January 6, 2026 at 1:42 PM
Thucydides did not write the Melian Dialogue for people to forget Athens lost the Peloponnesian War.
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
This morning Rape Crisis Ireland has called for a ban on AI 'nudification' functions which can (and have) produced sexual images of children and adults.
RCI: 'There seems to be no reason for the existence of "nudification" functionality on AI apps beyond exploitation...'
RCI: 'There seems to be no reason for the existence of "nudification" functionality on AI apps beyond exploitation...'
January 6, 2026 at 10:42 AM
This morning Rape Crisis Ireland has called for a ban on AI 'nudification' functions which can (and have) produced sexual images of children and adults.
RCI: 'There seems to be no reason for the existence of "nudification" functionality on AI apps beyond exploitation...'
RCI: 'There seems to be no reason for the existence of "nudification" functionality on AI apps beyond exploitation...'
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
This is your reminder that US tech companies are really terrified by EU regulations on privacy, safety, data protection etc (& their enforcement) ... and why it's so important not to kowtow to US industry. The EU holds a lot of power in this area and wielding it is critical right now
🇺🇸: “Don’t you dare regulate our tech companies/social media platforms and don’t even think about developing your own alternatives, or else.”
Digital governance is entering its “Gunship Diplomacy” era.
Digital governance is entering its “Gunship Diplomacy” era.
The "head of office at US Big Tech lobby CCIA Europe, told Euractiv that he would warn EU lawmakers against efforts to decouple too sharply from US technology, as this would risk provoking countermeasures"
January 6, 2026 at 10:19 AM
This is your reminder that US tech companies are really terrified by EU regulations on privacy, safety, data protection etc (& their enforcement) ... and why it's so important not to kowtow to US industry. The EU holds a lot of power in this area and wielding it is critical right now
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
$0/150 this week to break even on shelter + food! All support is great, but increasing monthly ko-fi support could make a huge difference! I'm a queer disabled writer committed to doing genuine analysis > clickbait. If you want to help a small creative in spite of it all, pls consider me.
hi, hello, happy new year! I'm a freelance writer who lost my gig in September & has experienced long stretches of unemployment every time AI or algorithms shift. It takes about $150/wk for me to break even. Without mutual aid, I'm toast. Please toss any coins ya can + share. Venmo is MirandaBrave.
Support Miranda Adama
Support Miranda Adama
ko-fi.com
January 5, 2026 at 1:16 PM
$0/150 this week to break even on shelter + food! All support is great, but increasing monthly ko-fi support could make a huge difference! I'm a queer disabled writer committed to doing genuine analysis > clickbait. If you want to help a small creative in spite of it all, pls consider me.
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
What Jack said:
January 5, 2026 at 12:57 PM
What Jack said:
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
Speaking of Arthuriana, here are some Knights of the Round Table figures I drew up for Patreon some time back.
January 5, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Speaking of Arthuriana, here are some Knights of the Round Table figures I drew up for Patreon some time back.
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
i watched lord of the rings for the first time and now they are all my friends
January 4, 2026 at 8:19 PM
i watched lord of the rings for the first time and now they are all my friends
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
I would just like the metaphors in 2026 to be *slightly* less on the nose:
"Equity investigation into unfair and illegal work practices at the Squid Game live experience."
🫠
"Equity investigation into unfair and illegal work practices at the Squid Game live experience."
🫠
IMPORTANT NOTICE 📣
If you are an Equity member who was recently engaged as a performer or stage management on Squid Game: The Experience by Luna Cinema/Luna Entertainment, please contact Equity with a copy of your contract at pmpp@equity.org.uk
If you are an Equity member who was recently engaged as a performer or stage management on Squid Game: The Experience by Luna Cinema/Luna Entertainment, please contact Equity with a copy of your contract at pmpp@equity.org.uk
January 5, 2026 at 2:49 PM
I would just like the metaphors in 2026 to be *slightly* less on the nose:
"Equity investigation into unfair and illegal work practices at the Squid Game live experience."
🫠
"Equity investigation into unfair and illegal work practices at the Squid Game live experience."
🫠
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
Rich Berman is suuuuch a cunt
January 4, 2026 at 9:50 PM
Rich Berman is suuuuch a cunt
Some beautiful design work going on here.
You want an Iron Age cartoon about cooperation and environment? Heh. You've come to me on a good day. I so happen to have a link here to watch Cartoon Saloon's new short, Eiru.
Free.
But the link will only last for 3 days,so hurry!
watch.animationshowcase.com/landing/Eiru...
Free.
But the link will only last for 3 days,so hurry!
watch.animationshowcase.com/landing/Eiru...
On-Demand Viewing Portal
watch.animationshowcase.com
January 4, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Some beautiful design work going on here.
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
well here she is! my very first solo game and all about Ireland's best deli choice: the Chicken Fillet Roll. free to play in browser.
LMK what roll you decide to make & if you get the feels or a laugh, even better.
this is a roll-driven game. made lovingly in Twine
unaminh.itch.io/chicken-fill...
LMK what roll you decide to make & if you get the feels or a laugh, even better.
this is a roll-driven game. made lovingly in Twine
unaminh.itch.io/chicken-fill...
January 1, 2026 at 8:49 PM
well here she is! my very first solo game and all about Ireland's best deli choice: the Chicken Fillet Roll. free to play in browser.
LMK what roll you decide to make & if you get the feels or a laugh, even better.
this is a roll-driven game. made lovingly in Twine
unaminh.itch.io/chicken-fill...
LMK what roll you decide to make & if you get the feels or a laugh, even better.
this is a roll-driven game. made lovingly in Twine
unaminh.itch.io/chicken-fill...
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
Some people may be considering writing a novel this year.
Good idea!
I thought I'd share some practicalities that have worked for me as a very busy person who also writes.
This is me sharing what I have tested and used. This is not advice.
Reread the previous two sentences.
Good idea!
I thought I'd share some practicalities that have worked for me as a very busy person who also writes.
This is me sharing what I have tested and used. This is not advice.
Reread the previous two sentences.
January 3, 2026 at 12:17 PM
Some people may be considering writing a novel this year.
Good idea!
I thought I'd share some practicalities that have worked for me as a very busy person who also writes.
This is me sharing what I have tested and used. This is not advice.
Reread the previous two sentences.
Good idea!
I thought I'd share some practicalities that have worked for me as a very busy person who also writes.
This is me sharing what I have tested and used. This is not advice.
Reread the previous two sentences.
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
A deluge of work on regime change after the 2003 invasion of Iraq yielded strong (and rare) agreement in IR: it doesn't work & has terrible consequences. @profdownes.bsky.social's book Catastrophic Success lays it out, but it's right there in the title. www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
January 3, 2026 at 1:41 PM
A deluge of work on regime change after the 2003 invasion of Iraq yielded strong (and rare) agreement in IR: it doesn't work & has terrible consequences. @profdownes.bsky.social's book Catastrophic Success lays it out, but it's right there in the title. www.cornellpress.cornell.edu/book/9781501...
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
i love robinson's description of this, from memory like "i had no idea how to play this spy shit, but alexander siddig was the most beautiful man i'd ever met in my life, so i decided to just play it like i had a crush on him, and bless his heart, he picked it up immediately and rolled with it"
For the unacquainted, this is literally Garak's first on-screen appearance. It's about two minutes long, but watch until the end. Trust me.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTeJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=eTeJ...
Meeting Garak | Star Trek: Deep Space Nine - Past Prologue
YouTube video by Star Trek Clips
www.youtube.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:06 AM
i love robinson's description of this, from memory like "i had no idea how to play this spy shit, but alexander siddig was the most beautiful man i'd ever met in my life, so i decided to just play it like i had a crush on him, and bless his heart, he picked it up immediately and rolled with it"
Reposted by Ciaran McGrath
