cmrn knzlmn
@ckunzelman.bsky.social
Critic. Tabletop columnist at The AV Club and Rascal News. Podcasts for Ranged Touch (Shelved By Genre | Just King Things | Game Studies Study Buddies). Wrote THE WORLD IS BORN FROM ZERO and EVERYTHING IS PERMITTED. Working on a Magic: The Gathering book.
Pinned
cmrn knzlmn
@ckunzelman.bsky.social
· Jul 3
You can PREORDER my book about the Assassin's Creed franchise NOW! Please do that. I think it is both a fun and interesting dive into what Assassin's Creed is, how it develops its ideas, and what it says about the world we live in. TOC attached, preorder at the link! bookshop.org/p/books/ever...
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
three bylines, six months late, almost zero new information we hadn't reported months ago. lowercased our name and mentioned deep in the story. no link to us. said they couldnt find the govt privacy document (we did). good job wall street journal
One of the WSJ's A1 stories today was reported *6 months ago* by @404media.co, a team of just four journalists.
January 5, 2026 at 10:10 PM
three bylines, six months late, almost zero new information we hadn't reported months ago. lowercased our name and mentioned deep in the story. no link to us. said they couldnt find the govt privacy document (we did). good job wall street journal
evil work
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations
Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service
www.huffpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:46 PM
evil work
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
🚨Calling all new media scholars🚨
If (and I emphasize if) a 2nd edition of the New Media Reader happened to be in the works, what additions would you like to see? What do you think could be excised? @docmofo.bsky.social @n-w-f.bsky.social @psssssssss.bsky.social
mitpress.mit.edu/978026223227...
If (and I emphasize if) a 2nd edition of the New Media Reader happened to be in the works, what additions would you like to see? What do you think could be excised? @docmofo.bsky.social @n-w-f.bsky.social @psssssssss.bsky.social
mitpress.mit.edu/978026223227...
The New Media Reader
This reader collects the texts, videos, and computer programs—many of them now almost impossible to find—that chronicle the history and form the foundati...
mitpress.mit.edu
January 5, 2026 at 6:15 PM
🚨Calling all new media scholars🚨
If (and I emphasize if) a 2nd edition of the New Media Reader happened to be in the works, what additions would you like to see? What do you think could be excised? @docmofo.bsky.social @n-w-f.bsky.social @psssssssss.bsky.social
mitpress.mit.edu/978026223227...
If (and I emphasize if) a 2nd edition of the New Media Reader happened to be in the works, what additions would you like to see? What do you think could be excised? @docmofo.bsky.social @n-w-f.bsky.social @psssssssss.bsky.social
mitpress.mit.edu/978026223227...
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
With a knock on your door, a kindly wizard invites you to join us on Shelved By Genre's LORD OF THE YEAR, in which we will consider the popular but contested works of JRR Tolkien, kicking things off with a long rumination upon the first four chapters of THE HOBBIT: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/02/t...
January 2, 2026 at 2:27 PM
With a knock on your door, a kindly wizard invites you to join us on Shelved By Genre's LORD OF THE YEAR, in which we will consider the popular but contested works of JRR Tolkien, kicking things off with a long rumination upon the first four chapters of THE HOBBIT: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/02/t...
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
really enjoyed playing Path of Achra (rec by @robotparking.kvlt.rip) -- truly fun to create a profoundly broken build, and there's some really great BOTNS-esque bit profound solar epic stuff going on in there. store.steampowered.com/app/2128270/...
January 2, 2026 at 10:32 PM
really enjoyed playing Path of Achra (rec by @robotparking.kvlt.rip) -- truly fun to create a profoundly broken build, and there's some really great BOTNS-esque bit profound solar epic stuff going on in there. store.steampowered.com/app/2128270/...
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Sunday! A time for catching your breath, sinking into your hobbies, and posting a quick review for your favorite podcasts
Post Games
Video Games Podcast · Updated Weekly · Post Games is a listener-supported podcast about how and why we love video games. Each week, host Chris Plante reports on a new, overlooked, or underappreciated ...
podcasts.apple.com
January 4, 2026 at 6:21 PM
Sunday! A time for catching your breath, sinking into your hobbies, and posting a quick review for your favorite podcasts
Shelved By Genre is for everyone. Even Bofur.
Me, to my dad: "Oh maybe you'd like this podcast Shelved by Genre—they're gonna do Tolkien next year"
Shelved by Genre: "Bofer deez nuts"
Shelved by Genre: "Bofer deez nuts"
January 4, 2026 at 3:49 AM
Shelved By Genre is for everyone. Even Bofur.
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Now is the time to get on board the Shelved by Genre train! We've got a few of these recorded already and let me tell you, they're good as hell
With a knock on your door, a kindly wizard invites you to join us on Shelved By Genre's LORD OF THE YEAR, in which we will consider the popular but contested works of JRR Tolkien, kicking things off with a long rumination upon the first four chapters of THE HOBBIT: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/02/t...
January 2, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Now is the time to get on board the Shelved by Genre train! We've got a few of these recorded already and let me tell you, they're good as hell
well well well if it isn’t my favorite level 6 thief, Bizbo Bingyinz
January 4, 2026 at 12:17 AM
well well well if it isn’t my favorite level 6 thief, Bizbo Bingyinz
all games should have a dedicated skadoodle button
January 3, 2026 at 2:36 AM
all games should have a dedicated skadoodle button
in 2026 we’re giving Gollum a gun
January 3, 2026 at 1:32 AM
in 2026 we’re giving Gollum a gun
January 3, 2026 at 1:22 AM
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Though sad and uncomfortable, winter - and death - are often necessary to prevent game worlds from feeling stagnant.
In our first article on Seasons, @hollynielsen.bsky.social explores how winter provides vital friction in the Harvest Moon series:
vist.ly/4kb34
In our first article on Seasons, @hollynielsen.bsky.social explores how winter provides vital friction in the Harvest Moon series:
vist.ly/4kb34
Winter and Death in Harvest Moon
While letting go of a beloved pet is hard, death plays an essential role in preventing farming sims from feeling stagnant.
vist.ly
January 1, 2026 at 6:14 PM
Though sad and uncomfortable, winter - and death - are often necessary to prevent game worlds from feeling stagnant.
In our first article on Seasons, @hollynielsen.bsky.social explores how winter provides vital friction in the Harvest Moon series:
vist.ly/4kb34
In our first article on Seasons, @hollynielsen.bsky.social explores how winter provides vital friction in the Harvest Moon series:
vist.ly/4kb34
really enjoyed playing Path of Achra (rec by @robotparking.kvlt.rip) -- truly fun to create a profoundly broken build, and there's some really great BOTNS-esque bit profound solar epic stuff going on in there. store.steampowered.com/app/2128270/...
January 2, 2026 at 10:32 PM
really enjoyed playing Path of Achra (rec by @robotparking.kvlt.rip) -- truly fun to create a profoundly broken build, and there's some really great BOTNS-esque bit profound solar epic stuff going on in there. store.steampowered.com/app/2128270/...
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Resolve to play more indie games in the new year and let Indiepocalypse #72 help you down that path!
-10 curated games for $15!
-Zine!
-Newly commissioned game by @cassowary.me
-Cover by @bhanupratap.bsky.social
pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-72
-10 curated games for $15!
-Zine!
-Newly commissioned game by @cassowary.me
-Cover by @bhanupratap.bsky.social
pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-72
January 2, 2026 at 8:27 PM
Resolve to play more indie games in the new year and let Indiepocalypse #72 help you down that path!
-10 curated games for $15!
-Zine!
-Newly commissioned game by @cassowary.me
-Cover by @bhanupratap.bsky.social
pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-72
-10 curated games for $15!
-Zine!
-Newly commissioned game by @cassowary.me
-Cover by @bhanupratap.bsky.social
pizzapranks.itch.io/indiepocalypse-72
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
The list of what we've previously covered on Shelved by Genre is:
Book of the New Sun
The Earthsea Cycle
A Unit on Junji Ito
The Herald Mage Trilogy
Burning Chrome + The Sprawl Trilogy
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Dr. Bloodmoney
Brown Girl in the Ring
A Unit on Alan Moore
An array of Hallmark movies
Book of the New Sun
The Earthsea Cycle
A Unit on Junji Ito
The Herald Mage Trilogy
Burning Chrome + The Sprawl Trilogy
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Dr. Bloodmoney
Brown Girl in the Ring
A Unit on Alan Moore
An array of Hallmark movies
How is this the first time I find out you're on a podcast that talked through the whole Earthsea series?!
January 2, 2026 at 7:20 PM
The list of what we've previously covered on Shelved by Genre is:
Book of the New Sun
The Earthsea Cycle
A Unit on Junji Ito
The Herald Mage Trilogy
Burning Chrome + The Sprawl Trilogy
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Dr. Bloodmoney
Brown Girl in the Ring
A Unit on Alan Moore
An array of Hallmark movies
Book of the New Sun
The Earthsea Cycle
A Unit on Junji Ito
The Herald Mage Trilogy
Burning Chrome + The Sprawl Trilogy
A Canticle for Leibowitz
Dr. Bloodmoney
Brown Girl in the Ring
A Unit on Alan Moore
An array of Hallmark movies
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
To be clear, these weren’t ticket sales because Netflix set up the contracts of the actors so they wouldn’t have to pay them for theater screenings. We can tiptoe around the wording however you want, but this was the studio continuing to profit off a bunch of former child stars with predatory terms.
January 2, 2026 at 7:38 PM
To be clear, these weren’t ticket sales because Netflix set up the contracts of the actors so they wouldn’t have to pay them for theater screenings. We can tiptoe around the wording however you want, but this was the studio continuing to profit off a bunch of former child stars with predatory terms.
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
The Lord of the Year begins! Read along with us in 2026 while we go through these books at a leisurely pace!
With a knock on your door, a kindly wizard invites you to join us on Shelved By Genre's LORD OF THE YEAR, in which we will consider the popular but contested works of JRR Tolkien, kicking things off with a long rumination upon the first four chapters of THE HOBBIT: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/02/t...
January 2, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The Lord of the Year begins! Read along with us in 2026 while we go through these books at a leisurely pace!
The Lord of the Year begins! Read along with us in 2026 while we go through these books at a leisurely pace!
With a knock on your door, a kindly wizard invites you to join us on Shelved By Genre's LORD OF THE YEAR, in which we will consider the popular but contested works of JRR Tolkien, kicking things off with a long rumination upon the first four chapters of THE HOBBIT: rangedtouch.com/2026/01/02/t...
January 2, 2026 at 4:11 PM
The Lord of the Year begins! Read along with us in 2026 while we go through these books at a leisurely pace!
I thought IT TAKES A WAR is a great little meta game about online friendship and FPS stuff. I think it is a little too "neat" in terms of the writing, so I'm not in love with it, but it does do some clever tricks and the final level is A+ fun. store.steampowered.com/app/3919530/...
January 2, 2026 at 2:39 AM
I thought IT TAKES A WAR is a great little meta game about online friendship and FPS stuff. I think it is a little too "neat" in terms of the writing, so I'm not in love with it, but it does do some clever tricks and the final level is A+ fun. store.steampowered.com/app/3919530/...
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
This movie really brought out a BIG discussion from us, including what we long for in art and criticism, how to interpret abstraction, and how horror works.
Found Footage Episode 30: Skinamarink www.patreon.com/posts/147167...
Found Footage 30: Skinamarink (2022) | The Safe Room
Get more from The Safe Room on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:08 AM
This movie really brought out a BIG discussion from us, including what we long for in art and criticism, how to interpret abstraction, and how horror works.
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
We just can't get enough apocalypse anxieties at A Meal of Thorns, or enough stealth cyberpunk influences for that matter. Really enjoyed talking to scholar & podcaster extraordinaire @ckunzelman.bsky.social about nature & humor & where it's all headed in Ned Beauman's VENOMOUS LUMPSUCKER:
A Meal of Thorns 38- VENOMOUS LUMPSUCKER with Cameron Kunzelman
Academic, critic, and prolific podcaster Cameron Kunzelman joins for a far-ranging discussion about how climate fiction, science fiction, and personal and political connections to the environment i…
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
January 1, 2026 at 8:31 PM
We just can't get enough apocalypse anxieties at A Meal of Thorns, or enough stealth cyberpunk influences for that matter. Really enjoyed talking to scholar & podcaster extraordinaire @ckunzelman.bsky.social about nature & humor & where it's all headed in Ned Beauman's VENOMOUS LUMPSUCKER:
Reposted by cmrn knzlmn
Great to see a Daniel Rabuzzi review for @strangehorizons.bsky.social in this ARB list. I've a strong memory of first reading it, and the manner in which it impressed me. Daniel praises Murphy's study of William Hope Hodgson: "It makes me think hard and it spurs my imagination." So, too, his piece.
Last post of the year! We present ARB's Notable Criticism of 2025—ten articles that highlight the vitality and possibilities of speculative criticism:
ARB’s 2025 Notable Criticism
In the field of speculative criticism, many of the challenges and positive developments we noted last year are still in full effect. 2025 has brought even more precarity for culture writers and aca…
ancillaryreviewofbooks.org
January 1, 2026 at 5:16 PM
Great to see a Daniel Rabuzzi review for @strangehorizons.bsky.social in this ARB list. I've a strong memory of first reading it, and the manner in which it impressed me. Daniel praises Murphy's study of William Hope Hodgson: "It makes me think hard and it spurs my imagination." So, too, his piece.
you'll never believe what happened
hey I’m about to head to the hotel to catch the guy who’s been doing all that bad stuff and recording it with a SQUID device if you don’t hear from me in about an hour maybe check a hotel room or maybe middle of the New Years Eve parade
January 1, 2026 at 5:17 PM
you'll never believe what happened