Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
@iainrb.bsky.social
Fights cancer with computers in Toronto, Canada. Fan of SF, cinema and various sports. Sort of an ominous robed figure pointing and saying "BEWARE" in a hoarse voice every time AI is mentioned. 🇨🇦/🇬🇧 citizen. Parent, husband, cat servant. He/him.
Superhero movies are getting longer:
- Batman (1966): 1 hr 45 m
- Batman (1989): 2 hr 6 m
- Batman Begins (2005): 2 hr 20 m
- The Batman (2022): 2 hr 56 m
One day we'll cross the Batman Event Horizon, so it becomes impossible to finish watching one Batman movie before the next is released. 😉
- Batman (1966): 1 hr 45 m
- Batman (1989): 2 hr 6 m
- Batman Begins (2005): 2 hr 20 m
- The Batman (2022): 2 hr 56 m
One day we'll cross the Batman Event Horizon, so it becomes impossible to finish watching one Batman movie before the next is released. 😉
January 19, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Superhero movies are getting longer:
- Batman (1966): 1 hr 45 m
- Batman (1989): 2 hr 6 m
- Batman Begins (2005): 2 hr 20 m
- The Batman (2022): 2 hr 56 m
One day we'll cross the Batman Event Horizon, so it becomes impossible to finish watching one Batman movie before the next is released. 😉
- Batman (1966): 1 hr 45 m
- Batman (1989): 2 hr 6 m
- Batman Begins (2005): 2 hr 20 m
- The Batman (2022): 2 hr 56 m
One day we'll cross the Batman Event Horizon, so it becomes impossible to finish watching one Batman movie before the next is released. 😉
There have always been *some* lengthy epics. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) is a buttock-numbing 3 hr 47 m. The problem comes when everyone feels the need to make a movie that long. The horror genre aside, short and snappy 90 minute movies have almost disappeared.
As she says further into the piece, this isn't just about audiences - it's tough for cinemas when they can only fit in, say, three screenings of a long movie as opposed to five of a shorter one, and the ticket price is the same regardless.
Make films shorter if you want them shown in cinemas, says Picturehouse director
January 19, 2026 at 6:12 PM
There have always been *some* lengthy epics. Lawrence of Arabia (1962) is a buttock-numbing 3 hr 47 m. The problem comes when everyone feels the need to make a movie that long. The horror genre aside, short and snappy 90 minute movies have almost disappeared.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
These are the icy mountains of Pluto. It took 9 years to get these magnificent images… and 4.8 billion kilometers.
January 18, 2026 at 7:39 PM
These are the icy mountains of Pluto. It took 9 years to get these magnificent images… and 4.8 billion kilometers.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
Today the label “sword[s] and sorcery” has a bit of a musty feel to it, but it still gets trotted out occasionally to describe works that obviously descend from the old pre-Tolkien fantasy adventure pulp tradition. It really isn’t in general use to describe — /5
January 19, 2026 at 4:36 PM
Today the label “sword[s] and sorcery” has a bit of a musty feel to it, but it still gets trotted out occasionally to describe works that obviously descend from the old pre-Tolkien fantasy adventure pulp tradition. It really isn’t in general use to describe — /5
Good. GRRM can do like Pratchett and have all his notes destroyed by streamroller. His great work can be forever unfinished.
It will annoy whiny, entitled fans, and TV execs who want more IP for the content mills, but that's fine. People can write new fantasy series from scratch instead.
It will annoy whiny, entitled fans, and TV execs who want more IP for the content mills, but that's fine. People can write new fantasy series from scratch instead.
George R.R. Martin has said that if he never completes Game of Thrones sequel Winds of Winter (or the book after that), there's no plan for anyone else to step in. Instead, his Song of Ice and Fire series simply "won't be finished."
Game of Thrones Writer George R.R. Martin Says There's No Plan if He Dies Before Completing Winds of Winter, and the Series Simply 'Won't Be Finished'
bit.ly
January 19, 2026 at 3:12 PM
Good. GRRM can do like Pratchett and have all his notes destroyed by streamroller. His great work can be forever unfinished.
It will annoy whiny, entitled fans, and TV execs who want more IP for the content mills, but that's fine. People can write new fantasy series from scratch instead.
It will annoy whiny, entitled fans, and TV execs who want more IP for the content mills, but that's fine. People can write new fantasy series from scratch instead.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
Back-to-back shutout victories for the /EdmontonOilers! 🙌
January 19, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Back-to-back shutout victories for the /EdmontonOilers! 🙌
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
Prior to tonight's game, the /EdmontonOilers presented Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with a silver stick for playing in 1,000 NHL games! 🤩
January 19, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Prior to tonight's game, the /EdmontonOilers presented Ryan Nugent-Hopkins with a silver stick for playing in 1,000 NHL games! 🤩
Same.
Also Slack notifications, but only during work hours. And I let the Libby app notify me about library books. Basically, limit to genuinely useful information for my daily life, not news headlines or social media chatter.
Also Slack notifications, but only during work hours. And I let the Libby app notify me about library books. Basically, limit to genuinely useful information for my daily life, not news headlines or social media chatter.
I turn of all notifications for literally every damn app. My phone only rings out loud if it's someone who's in my phone book and it only beeps at me if I set an alarm or a loved one is texting.
This is a good thread to read. I will only add that I do not get ANY social-media notifications or news alerts on my phone and it is a foundational building block of my sanity that no nonhuman entity, not even Bluesky, gets to initiate conversations with me.
January 19, 2026 at 3:27 AM
Same.
Also Slack notifications, but only during work hours. And I let the Libby app notify me about library books. Basically, limit to genuinely useful information for my daily life, not news headlines or social media chatter.
Also Slack notifications, but only during work hours. And I let the Libby app notify me about library books. Basically, limit to genuinely useful information for my daily life, not news headlines or social media chatter.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
Tonight, we are all Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
January 19, 2026 at 1:31 AM
Tonight, we are all Ryan Nugent-Hopkins.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
What was Aragorn’s tax policy? I just don’t know, George. You haven’t even told me how he got the job.
January 19, 2026 at 1:29 AM
What was Aragorn’s tax policy? I just don’t know, George. You haven’t even told me how he got the job.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
I think I broke the scammer script
January 19, 2026 at 1:40 AM
I think I broke the scammer script
Clear-eyed and valuable explanation of the AI bubble. 👍
AI companies will fail. We can salvage something from the wreckage | Cory Doctorow
AI companies will fail. We can salvage something from the wreckage | Cory Doctorow
AI is asbestos in the walls of our tech society, stuffed there by monopolists run amok. A serious fight against it must strike at its roots
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Clear-eyed and valuable explanation of the AI bubble. 👍
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
The /EdmontonOilers were dominant tonight! 💪 #HockeyDay
January 18, 2026 at 5:37 AM
The /EdmontonOilers were dominant tonight! 💪 #HockeyDay
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
My entire feed right now.
a group of denver broncos football players kneeling down
ALT: a group of denver broncos football players kneeling down
media.tenor.com
January 18, 2026 at 1:20 AM
My entire feed right now.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
Wow, sure would be pretty crazy if a ton of experts in the artificial intelligence field relentlessly warned everyone about this state of affairs being inevitable over and over for years.
January 17, 2026 at 11:38 AM
Wow, sure would be pretty crazy if a ton of experts in the artificial intelligence field relentlessly warned everyone about this state of affairs being inevitable over and over for years.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
Enceladus - February 15 2016 - From Kevin M. Gill (kevinmgill.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/VTk7Ly
January 17, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Enceladus - February 15 2016 - From Kevin M. Gill (kevinmgill.bsky.social) - https://flic.kr/p/VTk7Ly
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
From Sesame Street
January 15, 2026 at 6:25 PM
From Sesame Street
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
This was a great read, and kinda sweet. A modest self-reflection on a movie that made his brief film career but he can no longer stand behind.
I Wrote ‘Dude, Where’s My Car’ 25 Years Ago. It Would Never Be Made Today.
In 2000, the author was a young screenwriter writing broad, crude humor to sell into a marketplace that valued it. Then offers dried up. Today, he's quit Hollywood to become a therapist.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
December 10, 2025 at 12:23 AM
This was a great read, and kinda sweet. A modest self-reflection on a movie that made his brief film career but he can no longer stand behind.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
oh to be a round little gray cat with no emails
January 15, 2026 at 4:56 PM
oh to be a round little gray cat with no emails
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
NASA say that the crew member who was ill and returned to earth is doing well and now having a meal with colleagues.
January 15, 2026 at 1:31 PM
NASA say that the crew member who was ill and returned to earth is doing well and now having a meal with colleagues.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
I've just released Beyond the Chiron Gate version 1.1.7. As well as fixing some minor bugs, this should make the layout adapt to phone screens with inset cameras so the camera doesn't hide part of the interface.
spacegoblingames.itch.io/beyond-the-c...
spacegoblingames.itch.io/beyond-the-c...
Beyond the Chiron Gate by Space Goblin Games
Text-based space exploration game
spacegoblingames.itch.io
January 15, 2026 at 2:10 AM
I've just released Beyond the Chiron Gate version 1.1.7. As well as fixing some minor bugs, this should make the layout adapt to phone screens with inset cameras so the camera doesn't hide part of the interface.
spacegoblingames.itch.io/beyond-the-c...
spacegoblingames.itch.io/beyond-the-c...
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
A bright, crisp sunrise over Lake Winnipeg this morning. Perfect conditions for a walk.
January 14, 2026 at 5:03 PM
A bright, crisp sunrise over Lake Winnipeg this morning. Perfect conditions for a walk.
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
January 14, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Reposted by Iain Bancarz 🇨🇦
I had hoped to let this cup pass, but, after a week and a half, I found that I couldn’t. An eminent oncologist and cancer researcher is back and doubling down on the unproven claim that COVID vaccines cause cancer, now with added conspiracy theory. sciencebasedmedicine.org/and-so-2026-...
And so 2026 begins…with a resurrection of the myth that COVID vaccines cause “turbo cancers”
I had hoped to let this cup pass, but, after a week and a half, I found that I couldn't. Eminent oncologist and cancer researcher Dr. Wafik El-Deiry is back and doubling down on the unproven claim tha
sciencebasedmedicine.org
January 12, 2026 at 6:45 PM
I had hoped to let this cup pass, but, after a week and a half, I found that I couldn’t. An eminent oncologist and cancer researcher is back and doubling down on the unproven claim that COVID vaccines cause cancer, now with added conspiracy theory. sciencebasedmedicine.org/and-so-2026-...
Low-information documents can serve a social purpose. It's like wearing a suit and tie -- no practical utility, but in the right context it signals you are serious. Expending effort on a dull mission statement can be like that.
The problem arises when you mistake the signaling for actual work.
The problem arises when you mistake the signaling for actual work.
Writing no one wants to do and no one wants to read, but still must be generated...
January 14, 2026 at 6:03 PM
Low-information documents can serve a social purpose. It's like wearing a suit and tie -- no practical utility, but in the right context it signals you are serious. Expending effort on a dull mission statement can be like that.
The problem arises when you mistake the signaling for actual work.
The problem arises when you mistake the signaling for actual work.