Evan Torner
@guyintheblackhat.bsky.social
Associate Professor of German, Niehoff Professor of Film & Media Studies at U of Cincinnati; Scholar of East German cinema, science fiction, and role-playing games. He/Him. Bi. Wears a hat.
Pinned
I'd like to think of "dark academia" as "I, a brooding professor who wears all black, have [these clothes] on while I send many emails and update Canvas assignment due dates"
Reposted by Evan Torner
For decades the tech industry has insulated itself from criticism by leveraging the rhetoric of progressivism & benignity towards the disenfranchised & disabled, w promises of “access” & “democratization” that their products afford. We can’t stop them using this lang but we can stop falling for it.
In an internal memo in May, Meta laid out its plans to release facial recognition in its smart glasses, to the blind first, & then to the general public.
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
“Civil society groups that we would expect to attack us would have their resources focused on other concerns.”
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...
Meta Plans to Add Facial Recognition Technology to Its Smart Glasses
www.nytimes.com
February 13, 2026 at 12:21 PM
For decades the tech industry has insulated itself from criticism by leveraging the rhetoric of progressivism & benignity towards the disenfranchised & disabled, w promises of “access” & “democratization” that their products afford. We can’t stop them using this lang but we can stop falling for it.
Reposted by Evan Torner
This Weeks Onion Magazine: ‘I Don’t Know How And It’s Not My Event’: Simone Biles On Her Decision Not To Snowboard At The Winter Olympics
February 13, 2026 at 9:00 PM
This Weeks Onion Magazine: ‘I Don’t Know How And It’s Not My Event’: Simone Biles On Her Decision Not To Snowboard At The Winter Olympics
Reposted by Evan Torner
I’ve said it before I’ll say it again
I’ve been genuinely astounded at how quickly & effectively RFK Jr & his allies—Drs Prasad, Bhattacharya, Makary, Høeg, Oz, & Kulldorff—have been able to dismantle the US vaccination system, including vaccine R&D
I thought guardrails might slow them, but nope
I’ve been genuinely astounded at how quickly & effectively RFK Jr & his allies—Drs Prasad, Bhattacharya, Makary, Høeg, Oz, & Kulldorff—have been able to dismantle the US vaccination system, including vaccine R&D
I thought guardrails might slow them, but nope
In terms of what cures are being lost:
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
- Epstein-Barr virus is perhaps the major trigger for multiple sclerosis
- herpes simplex virus causes cold sores, genital herpes, infections in babies, deadly meningitis
- shingles virus causes an intensely painful disease
February 13, 2026 at 12:10 PM
I’ve said it before I’ll say it again
I’ve been genuinely astounded at how quickly & effectively RFK Jr & his allies—Drs Prasad, Bhattacharya, Makary, Høeg, Oz, & Kulldorff—have been able to dismantle the US vaccination system, including vaccine R&D
I thought guardrails might slow them, but nope
I’ve been genuinely astounded at how quickly & effectively RFK Jr & his allies—Drs Prasad, Bhattacharya, Makary, Høeg, Oz, & Kulldorff—have been able to dismantle the US vaccination system, including vaccine R&D
I thought guardrails might slow them, but nope
Reposted by Evan Torner
»Die Kybernetik ist überall, wie Luft.« In ihrem großen Buch zeichnet @annanosthoff.bsky.social eine faszinierende Genealogie der datafizierten Gegenwartsgesellschaft – von den Anfängen der »Wissenschaft von Kommunikation und Kontrolle« bis zum KI-Hype und Techfaschismus heute. 18.2.!
February 13, 2026 at 9:24 AM
»Die Kybernetik ist überall, wie Luft.« In ihrem großen Buch zeichnet @annanosthoff.bsky.social eine faszinierende Genealogie der datafizierten Gegenwartsgesellschaft – von den Anfängen der »Wissenschaft von Kommunikation und Kontrolle« bis zum KI-Hype und Techfaschismus heute. 18.2.!
20 years ago, Emily Care Boss organized the first JiffyCon, held in a church basement in Greenfield, MA.
The repeating event quickly exceeded space capacity.
We had to stop this indie TTRPG con several years later, due to space & pricing constraints.
Scale & scope are everything it turns out.
The repeating event quickly exceeded space capacity.
We had to stop this indie TTRPG con several years later, due to space & pricing constraints.
Scale & scope are everything it turns out.
As someone who is in the midst of organising a 100 person jubensha convention, this post was laser targeted at me
new blog post: The future of public game arts festivals and non-commercial games culture, with notes on @free-play.bsky.social / indie games events around the world www.blog.radiator.debacle.us/2026/02/the-...
February 13, 2026 at 9:58 AM
20 years ago, Emily Care Boss organized the first JiffyCon, held in a church basement in Greenfield, MA.
The repeating event quickly exceeded space capacity.
We had to stop this indie TTRPG con several years later, due to space & pricing constraints.
Scale & scope are everything it turns out.
The repeating event quickly exceeded space capacity.
We had to stop this indie TTRPG con several years later, due to space & pricing constraints.
Scale & scope are everything it turns out.
Reposted by Evan Torner
Spaces that can host conventions – even small ones – have practically vanished in much of the UK. It is an honest to god tragedy, and it makes me so angry to hear politicians lament the loss of third spaces without doing anything about this.
So we just can’t put these things on.
So we just can’t put these things on.
February 12, 2026 at 11:38 PM
Spaces that can host conventions – even small ones – have practically vanished in much of the UK. It is an honest to god tragedy, and it makes me so angry to hear politicians lament the loss of third spaces without doing anything about this.
So we just can’t put these things on.
So we just can’t put these things on.
The AAUP at the U of Cincinnati just passed a resolution entitled "Resolution to Express Solidarity with Immigrants and to Oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement Activities on the campus of the University of Cincinnati."
Proud of my colleagues and the humane staff I work with.
Proud of my colleagues and the humane staff I work with.
February 13, 2026 at 2:11 AM
The AAUP at the U of Cincinnati just passed a resolution entitled "Resolution to Express Solidarity with Immigrants and to Oppose Immigration and Customs Enforcement Activities on the campus of the University of Cincinnati."
Proud of my colleagues and the humane staff I work with.
Proud of my colleagues and the humane staff I work with.
Reposted by Evan Torner
Wedging this into my narrowest hallway
Kids frantically pushing aside the new Pokemon and Mandalorian LEGO sets in Target to purchase the ANE MÆRSK container vessel
February 13, 2026 at 12:15 AM
Wedging this into my narrowest hallway
Reposted by Evan Torner
with alt text:
![Beware the Trump-backed so-called "Save
America Act" (HR 7296), which:
1. Requires that states establish voter purge programs using systems that experts call unreliable, such as the DHS's "SAVE" system (as updated by "DOGE*) & the SSA's #verification system.
2. Subjects election officials to citizen suits & potential prison time for a single erroneous registration (even if the voter is a citizen), but not for erroneous voter purges.
3. Requires that anyone registering to vote or changing their registration (or re-registering after a faulty voter purge) prove their citizenship in person with approved documentation, such as a U.S. passport (an expensive option that many voters lack).
4. Omits Real IDs from the list of approved registration documentation, unless:
a. The Real ID "indicates the applicant is a [U.S.] citizen", a requirement that excludes most Real IDs because only 5 states issue Real IDS that indicate citizenship, or
b. The Real ID is presented with a certified birth certificate that matches the Real ID, which won't work for up to 69M women whose last names don't match their birth certificates.
5. Omits marriage certificates from the list of approved registration documents, effectively disenfranchising the women in 4b, above, unless they can afford passports.
6. Won't let you cast a ballot without Voter ID documents that again prove you are a U.S. citizen.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:wpsspp55o7w6muawlnmknobc/bafkreic54xchp4yqzylauiiopaao4k3owpyup4pwnjnebb2ctg52mykimu@jpeg)
February 13, 2026 at 12:32 AM
with alt text:
Reposted by Evan Torner
I was talking to @guyintheblackhat.bsky.social about the diffusion of different game cultures & their ties to creator/influencer cultures, especially based on which are most/ least resistant to monetization.
(All are very human & thus subject to a lot of Scene Bullshit, but capital shifts a lot)
(All are very human & thus subject to a lot of Scene Bullshit, but capital shifts a lot)
new blog post: The future of public game arts festivals and non-commercial games culture, with notes on @free-play.bsky.social / indie games events around the world www.blog.radiator.debacle.us/2026/02/the-...
The future of public game arts festivals and non-commercial games culture
Discoursing about public games events / the shrinking non-commercial game festival space around the world (and in Australia)
www.blog.radiator.debacle.us
February 12, 2026 at 11:33 PM
I was talking to @guyintheblackhat.bsky.social about the diffusion of different game cultures & their ties to creator/influencer cultures, especially based on which are most/ least resistant to monetization.
(All are very human & thus subject to a lot of Scene Bullshit, but capital shifts a lot)
(All are very human & thus subject to a lot of Scene Bullshit, but capital shifts a lot)
Reposted by Evan Torner
Today on Hidden Door's not-so-hidden blog, we talk about procedural narrative + procedural generation (or procgen if you're COOL). You've probably seen procgen before, whether you know it or not. But where?! Secrets revealed, procedures explained:
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
Blog | Procedural Narrative: An Introduction · Hidden Door
This is the first in a series of posts explaining how our narrative systems work. As I (Rourke, narrative systems designer here at Hidden Door) was outlining what the series would look like I realized...
www.hiddendoor.co
February 12, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Today on Hidden Door's not-so-hidden blog, we talk about procedural narrative + procedural generation (or procgen if you're COOL). You've probably seen procgen before, whether you know it or not. But where?! Secrets revealed, procedures explained:
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
www.hiddendoor.co/blog/procedu...
Reposted by Evan Torner
Vielen Dank für die Liste und die Anregungen - und für alle, die mehr zu Schwarzer europäischer Gegenwartsliteratur lesen wollen, ist natürlich sowieso immer Jeannettes Diss zu empfehlen!
www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-7...
www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-7...
February 12, 2026 at 11:42 AM
Vielen Dank für die Liste und die Anregungen - und für alle, die mehr zu Schwarzer europäischer Gegenwartsliteratur lesen wollen, ist natürlich sowieso immer Jeannettes Diss zu empfehlen!
www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-7...
www.transcript-verlag.de/978-3-8376-7...
Reposted by Evan Torner
Reposted by Evan Torner
Hierlang für @isdbund.bsky.social #BlackHistoryMonth Termine in Berlin ⬇️und in ganz Deutschland ➡️ isdonline.de/events
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 PM
Hierlang für @isdbund.bsky.social #BlackHistoryMonth Termine in Berlin ⬇️und in ganz Deutschland ➡️ isdonline.de/events
Reposted by Evan Torner
Fascists only need to win one election to destroy democracy, whereas democrats have to win every election to preserve it. That’s why fascists cannot be allowed into politics, why a tolerant society must never tolerate fascism or it will lose its tolerance. It’s the Popper Paradox and we’re living it
February 12, 2026 at 1:37 PM
Fascists only need to win one election to destroy democracy, whereas democrats have to win every election to preserve it. That’s why fascists cannot be allowed into politics, why a tolerant society must never tolerate fascism or it will lose its tolerance. It’s the Popper Paradox and we’re living it
Reposted by Evan Torner
"Dance lessons gave young people an opportunity to experiment with romantic sentiments... in a familiar and well-supervised environment."
Learn more about changes in Jewish courtship on the dance floor––my book "It Could Lead to Dancing" is now on sale ($21 paperback for US/Canada orders).
Learn more about changes in Jewish courtship on the dance floor––my book "It Could Lead to Dancing" is now on sale ($21 paperback for US/Canada orders).
February 12, 2026 at 12:45 PM
"Dance lessons gave young people an opportunity to experiment with romantic sentiments... in a familiar and well-supervised environment."
Learn more about changes in Jewish courtship on the dance floor––my book "It Could Lead to Dancing" is now on sale ($21 paperback for US/Canada orders).
Learn more about changes in Jewish courtship on the dance floor––my book "It Could Lead to Dancing" is now on sale ($21 paperback for US/Canada orders).
Reposted by Evan Torner
WKRC documented today's protest by a group of SPCA students in Cincinnati. This particular group was led by a 7th grader with a bullhorn who self-organized a whole coalition of students to leave their classes and protest ICE.
I wish the international community could see such everyday US actions.
I wish the international community could see such everyday US actions.
February 12, 2026 at 4:51 AM
WKRC documented today's protest by a group of SPCA students in Cincinnati. This particular group was led by a 7th grader with a bullhorn who self-organized a whole coalition of students to leave their classes and protest ICE.
I wish the international community could see such everyday US actions.
I wish the international community could see such everyday US actions.
I shared German class with football star Nate Kaeding and was in multiple bands with Bridget Kearney (of Lake Street Dive), but all that maybe pales in comparison to my HS friendship with Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower. She's the courageous one I want to be when I grow up.
Who's the most famous alum of your high school?
I'll go first: David Draiman of Disturbed
I'll go first: David Draiman of Disturbed
guys i just found out i went to the same high school as howard lutnick. please respect my privacy at this time.
February 12, 2026 at 5:48 AM
I shared German class with football star Nate Kaeding and was in multiple bands with Bridget Kearney (of Lake Street Dive), but all that maybe pales in comparison to my HS friendship with Frances Haugen, the Facebook whistleblower. She's the courageous one I want to be when I grow up.
Reposted by Evan Torner
Anyone using AI to describe history should be booted out of the historian's guild forthwith.
And that's not just me protecting my work. That's me protecting the discipline. That's me protecting our story of what has been.
🧵5
And that's not just me protecting my work. That's me protecting the discipline. That's me protecting our story of what has been.
🧵5
February 11, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Anyone using AI to describe history should be booted out of the historian's guild forthwith.
And that's not just me protecting my work. That's me protecting the discipline. That's me protecting our story of what has been.
🧵5
And that's not just me protecting my work. That's me protecting the discipline. That's me protecting our story of what has been.
🧵5
WKRC documented today's protest by a group of SPCA students in Cincinnati. This particular group was led by a 7th grader with a bullhorn who self-organized a whole coalition of students to leave their classes and protest ICE.
I wish the international community could see such everyday US actions.
I wish the international community could see such everyday US actions.
February 12, 2026 at 4:51 AM
WKRC documented today's protest by a group of SPCA students in Cincinnati. This particular group was led by a 7th grader with a bullhorn who self-organized a whole coalition of students to leave their classes and protest ICE.
I wish the international community could see such everyday US actions.
I wish the international community could see such everyday US actions.
Reposted by Evan Torner
BREAKING: The House passed the so-called SAVE America Act which threatens to upend our freedom to vote.
The bill could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters by requiring documents like passports or birth certificates to register to vote and forcing voter roll purges. The Senate must reject it.
The bill could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters by requiring documents like passports or birth certificates to register to vote and forcing voter roll purges. The Senate must reject it.
February 11, 2026 at 11:57 PM
BREAKING: The House passed the so-called SAVE America Act which threatens to upend our freedom to vote.
The bill could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters by requiring documents like passports or birth certificates to register to vote and forcing voter roll purges. The Senate must reject it.
The bill could disenfranchise millions of eligible voters by requiring documents like passports or birth certificates to register to vote and forcing voter roll purges. The Senate must reject it.
ChatGPT is like this Magic Button you can press to *instantly* make your instructor sad and anxious; like a non-commital insult pre-packaged in digital form.
February 12, 2026 at 2:03 AM
ChatGPT is like this Magic Button you can press to *instantly* make your instructor sad and anxious; like a non-commital insult pre-packaged in digital form.
Reposted by Evan Torner
This post got me to listen to Computer Magic, and that led me to buying Davos @bandcamp.com
Go give Fuzz a listen, and if you enjoy it, go dive into Computer Magic's wider discography. For me it's both intensely modern and intensely nostalgic, and that's a wild ride
danzcm.bandcamp.com/album/davos
Go give Fuzz a listen, and if you enjoy it, go dive into Computer Magic's wider discography. For me it's both intensely modern and intensely nostalgic, and that's a wild ride
danzcm.bandcamp.com/album/davos
February 11, 2026 at 11:16 PM
This post got me to listen to Computer Magic, and that led me to buying Davos @bandcamp.com
Go give Fuzz a listen, and if you enjoy it, go dive into Computer Magic's wider discography. For me it's both intensely modern and intensely nostalgic, and that's a wild ride
danzcm.bandcamp.com/album/davos
Go give Fuzz a listen, and if you enjoy it, go dive into Computer Magic's wider discography. For me it's both intensely modern and intensely nostalgic, and that's a wild ride
danzcm.bandcamp.com/album/davos
Reposted by Evan Torner
As someone said, the biggest issue with AI in the workplace is not that it increases your speed. It's that it triples the output of the biggest idiot you work with.
February 11, 2026 at 7:57 AM
As someone said, the biggest issue with AI in the workplace is not that it increases your speed. It's that it triples the output of the biggest idiot you work with.
Reposted by Evan Torner
Feeling good.
"As always, Claybourne weaves a narrative that’s engaging, thought-provoking, ridiculously imaginative, and takes the reader places—sometimes with their heart in their throat—that they didn’t know they needed to go." - new Goodreads review
"As always, Claybourne weaves a narrative that’s engaging, thought-provoking, ridiculously imaginative, and takes the reader places—sometimes with their heart in their throat—that they didn’t know they needed to go." - new Goodreads review
February 11, 2026 at 1:54 PM
Feeling good.
"As always, Claybourne weaves a narrative that’s engaging, thought-provoking, ridiculously imaginative, and takes the reader places—sometimes with their heart in their throat—that they didn’t know they needed to go." - new Goodreads review
"As always, Claybourne weaves a narrative that’s engaging, thought-provoking, ridiculously imaginative, and takes the reader places—sometimes with their heart in their throat—that they didn’t know they needed to go." - new Goodreads review