Dr Tom Drayton
@miserchristmas.bsky.social
Doctor of Theatre, Metamodernism and Millennials / Very proud dad / Wannabe distance runner (he/him)
Metamodern Theatre📙out now
Sufjan Stevens’ Metamodern Music📘 out Feb ‘26
Performance & Postdigital Extremism 📗 out soon
https://linktr.ee/miserchristmas
Metamodern Theatre📙out now
Sufjan Stevens’ Metamodern Music📘 out Feb ‘26
Performance & Postdigital Extremism 📗 out soon
https://linktr.ee/miserchristmas
Pinned
Metamodern Theatre Symposium - YouTube
The Metamodern Theatre Symposium was held at The University of East London and online on 19.11.24 to launch the book Metamodernism in Contemporary British Th...
youtube.com
Missed the Metamodern Theatre Symposium? Don’t panic! The whole event is now available to watch on YouTube
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
A 5 part video playlist ft. @gregdember.bsky.social @katekavs.bsky.social @csvich.bsky.social @dermotdaly.bsky.social and more! #academicsky #theatresky #MetaSymp
youtube.com/playlist?lis...
A 5 part video playlist ft. @gregdember.bsky.social @katekavs.bsky.social @csvich.bsky.social @dermotdaly.bsky.social and more! #academicsky #theatresky #MetaSymp
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
Today is the day: my book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)," is finally here. amzn.to/4qOYWQ6
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3) [Mayward, Joel] on Amazon.com. *FREE* shipping on qualifying offers. Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)
amzn.to
November 13, 2025 at 2:19 PM
Today is the day: my book, "Sufjan Stevens' Carrie & Lowell (33 1/3)," is finally here. amzn.to/4qOYWQ6
Boys’ bedtime tonight. They’re tired, so drift as soon as put down. I quietly leave the room and close the door. Hear four year old whisper: ‘Cowabunga’ 🐢
November 8, 2025 at 6:05 PM
Boys’ bedtime tonight. They’re tired, so drift as soon as put down. I quietly leave the room and close the door. Hear four year old whisper: ‘Cowabunga’ 🐢
Been rewatching the IT films, and can understand why Welcome To Derry needs to up the scare-factor - because they’ll never be able to recreate the magic of that first Losers Club. Those films aren’t about Pennywise, but that extraordinary cast portraying that ka-tet. Lightning in a bottle.
November 7, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Been rewatching the IT films, and can understand why Welcome To Derry needs to up the scare-factor - because they’ll never be able to recreate the magic of that first Losers Club. Those films aren’t about Pennywise, but that extraordinary cast portraying that ka-tet. Lightning in a bottle.
Seasonal scented candle companies are missing a trick by not developing a ‘pumpkin being slightly charred by tea lights’ scent. I’d bulk order.
October 30, 2025 at 6:36 AM
Seasonal scented candle companies are missing a trick by not developing a ‘pumpkin being slightly charred by tea lights’ scent. I’d bulk order.
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
This was a fun conversation about metamodernism that somehow was non-linear and rambling while also covering the basics pretty well.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiaS...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiaS...
#4 Greg Dember: Metamodernism and the Defence of Interiority
YouTube video by The Living Philosophy
www.youtube.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:44 PM
This was a fun conversation about metamodernism that somehow was non-linear and rambling while also covering the basics pretty well.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiaS...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CiaS...
Just got up to date with @rangedtouch.bsky.social’s Just King Things podcast on a weeks long binge of the 29 episodes covering 29 of the 41 @stephenking.bsky.social books I’ve read. It’s been a journey, and amazing to feel part of Michael and Cameron’s seemingly never ending journey to the Tower
October 29, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Just got up to date with @rangedtouch.bsky.social’s Just King Things podcast on a weeks long binge of the 29 episodes covering 29 of the 41 @stephenking.bsky.social books I’ve read. It’s been a journey, and amazing to feel part of Michael and Cameron’s seemingly never ending journey to the Tower
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
Researchers in performing arts subjects could find their careers “in limbo or potentially ended” due to planned changes to how the impact of academic research is evaluated, senior academics have warned.
REF changes could leave arts researchers’ careers ‘in limbo’ - Arts Professional
Researchers in performing arts subjects could find their careers “in limbo or potentially ended” due to planned changes to how the impact of academic research is evaluated, senior academics have warned....
buff.ly
March 31, 2025 at 11:06 AM
Researchers in performing arts subjects could find their careers “in limbo or potentially ended” due to planned changes to how the impact of academic research is evaluated, senior academics have warned.
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
Is culture still bad for you?
In 2020, ‘Culture is bad for you’ was published. To mark the updated second edition, co-author @drdaveobrien.bsky.social, reflects on what’s happened to the cultural sector since then for @artsprofessional.co.uk: www.artsprofessional.co.uk/feature/is-c... #booksky
In 2020, ‘Culture is bad for you’ was published. To mark the updated second edition, co-author @drdaveobrien.bsky.social, reflects on what’s happened to the cultural sector since then for @artsprofessional.co.uk: www.artsprofessional.co.uk/feature/is-c... #booksky
Is culture still bad for you? - Arts Professional
In 2020, ‘Culture is bad for you’ was published. As its second edition is about to be released, one of its authors, Dave O’Brien, thinks now is a good moment to reflect on what’s happened to the cultu...
www.artsprofessional.co.uk
March 31, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Is culture still bad for you?
In 2020, ‘Culture is bad for you’ was published. To mark the updated second edition, co-author @drdaveobrien.bsky.social, reflects on what’s happened to the cultural sector since then for @artsprofessional.co.uk: www.artsprofessional.co.uk/feature/is-c... #booksky
In 2020, ‘Culture is bad for you’ was published. To mark the updated second edition, co-author @drdaveobrien.bsky.social, reflects on what’s happened to the cultural sector since then for @artsprofessional.co.uk: www.artsprofessional.co.uk/feature/is-c... #booksky
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
I've been talking to @dtmooreeditor.bsky.social and @billwearsties.bsky.social about the current trend in televised sci-fi towards retrofuturism and alt-history over stories set in our actual *future*, and why imagining the future might be harder these days...
www.denofgeek.com/tv/why-has-s...
www.denofgeek.com/tv/why-has-s...
Why Has Sci-Fi TV Stopped Imagining Our Future?
Once, shows like Star Trek predicted new tech and a boldly going future; now, Severance, Silo and even Trek are looking to the past.
www.denofgeek.com
March 12, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I've been talking to @dtmooreeditor.bsky.social and @billwearsties.bsky.social about the current trend in televised sci-fi towards retrofuturism and alt-history over stories set in our actual *future*, and why imagining the future might be harder these days...
www.denofgeek.com/tv/why-has-s...
www.denofgeek.com/tv/why-has-s...
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
The university watchdog is braced for "cold spots" as institutions cut courses and staff in a bid to balance the books
"...individual decisions might stack up to suddenly realising that we've got no modern foreign languages in a particular part of the country"
@matildamartin.bsky.social reports
"...individual decisions might stack up to suddenly realising that we've got no modern foreign languages in a particular part of the country"
@matildamartin.bsky.social reports
Universities Watchdog Braces For 'Cold Spots' As Courses Get Cut To Save Money
The university watchdog is beginning to look at potential 'cold spots' emerging as institutions make redundancies and close courses in a bid to bal...
www.politicshome.com
March 9, 2025 at 9:58 AM
The university watchdog is braced for "cold spots" as institutions cut courses and staff in a bid to balance the books
"...individual decisions might stack up to suddenly realising that we've got no modern foreign languages in a particular part of the country"
@matildamartin.bsky.social reports
"...individual decisions might stack up to suddenly realising that we've got no modern foreign languages in a particular part of the country"
@matildamartin.bsky.social reports
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
"Each of the administrative burdens that we are confronted with on a daily basis might seem small on their own but cumulatively they amount to a ‘mountain of small things’ that is killing academia"
University administrations are largely a scam and should be sized down.
On the responsibilities of intellectuals and the rise of bullshit jobs in universities
You may never have considered yourself to be one. Why would you? But if you’re reading this, there is more than a likelihood that you are one. If you’re a
academic.oup.com
March 9, 2025 at 10:15 AM
"Each of the administrative burdens that we are confronted with on a daily basis might seem small on their own but cumulatively they amount to a ‘mountain of small things’ that is killing academia"
Today marks 10 years (!) since I started teaching in HE 🫠
March 3, 2025 at 11:10 AM
Today marks 10 years (!) since I started teaching in HE 🫠
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
oh wow everything is bad in the US, lucky for us that we're Europeans and things are going better here, now to take a big sip of coffee and
After the AfD's surge on Sunday, far right parties are the most voted-for of any grouping in Europe, for the first time in history: www.economist.com/graphic-deta...
March 1, 2025 at 9:58 AM
oh wow everything is bad in the US, lucky for us that we're Europeans and things are going better here, now to take a big sip of coffee and
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
It’s 20 years since Howard Barker published his bracing polemic on theatre and death, and the necessity of tragedy in a culture of relentless death denial. It’s a wonderful read: taut, austere, a vision of the inexhaustible theatrical image.
February 27, 2025 at 4:49 PM
It’s 20 years since Howard Barker published his bracing polemic on theatre and death, and the necessity of tragedy in a culture of relentless death denial. It’s a wonderful read: taut, austere, a vision of the inexhaustible theatrical image.
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
Spending the afternoon with a hot chocolate and @miserchristmas.bsky.social’s Symposium.
February 25, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Spending the afternoon with a hot chocolate and @miserchristmas.bsky.social’s Symposium.
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
I know we all love a dose of hopium, especially now. But the take, which I see all across here, that the far right was defeated in Germany tonight because 80% of Germans voted for other parties is very misleading and unhelpful. Understanding this really matters. 🧵
February 23, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I know we all love a dose of hopium, especially now. But the take, which I see all across here, that the far right was defeated in Germany tonight because 80% of Germans voted for other parties is very misleading and unhelpful. Understanding this really matters. 🧵
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
The notion that Trump's "I'm king" tweet is "just trolling" or "a joke" presents an opportunity to recreate my just-joking thread (porting it over from the Bad Place):
1. I wrote my PhD dissertation on the social function of humor (in literature & film) and here's the thing about "just joking."
1. I wrote my PhD dissertation on the social function of humor (in literature & film) and here's the thing about "just joking."
February 20, 2025 at 12:09 AM
The notion that Trump's "I'm king" tweet is "just trolling" or "a joke" presents an opportunity to recreate my just-joking thread (porting it over from the Bad Place):
1. I wrote my PhD dissertation on the social function of humor (in literature & film) and here's the thing about "just joking."
1. I wrote my PhD dissertation on the social function of humor (in literature & film) and here's the thing about "just joking."
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
Also, the AfD is NOT the party of the youth.
The (new) Left did significantly better than AfD among 18-24 year olds.
Die Linke is also NOT the left-wing equivalent of AfD. They are more old-school social democratic than communist. Even their "populism" is debatable.
The (new) Left did significantly better than AfD among 18-24 year olds.
Die Linke is also NOT the left-wing equivalent of AfD. They are more old-school social democratic than communist. Even their "populism" is debatable.
Very interesting to look at the age distribution in the exit poll. The SPD which already did very poorly with young voters last time continues to loose further there - a party of pensioners. Interestingly, also huge losses for the Greens among young voters and massive gains for the Linke.
February 23, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Also, the AfD is NOT the party of the youth.
The (new) Left did significantly better than AfD among 18-24 year olds.
Die Linke is also NOT the left-wing equivalent of AfD. They are more old-school social democratic than communist. Even their "populism" is debatable.
The (new) Left did significantly better than AfD among 18-24 year olds.
Die Linke is also NOT the left-wing equivalent of AfD. They are more old-school social democratic than communist. Even their "populism" is debatable.
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
With an 84% turnout, the AfD's 20% of the vote are in fact 16.5% of the registered vote
Add to that all those who can't vote for various reasons, many of whom would be directly harmed by the AfD (and others to be fair) and you see where an alliance can be created instead of moving ever to the right
Add to that all those who can't vote for various reasons, many of whom would be directly harmed by the AfD (and others to be fair) and you see where an alliance can be created instead of moving ever to the right
February 23, 2025 at 5:57 PM
With an 84% turnout, the AfD's 20% of the vote are in fact 16.5% of the registered vote
Add to that all those who can't vote for various reasons, many of whom would be directly harmed by the AfD (and others to be fair) and you see where an alliance can be created instead of moving ever to the right
Add to that all those who can't vote for various reasons, many of whom would be directly harmed by the AfD (and others to be fair) and you see where an alliance can be created instead of moving ever to the right
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
As Germans head for the polls today, the stakes could not be higher for Germany‘s future and Europe.
My in-depth analysis on Merz‘ huge mistakes, but also some hope that the centre will get its act together in light of what happened since Munich.
My in-depth analysis on Merz‘ huge mistakes, but also some hope that the centre will get its act together in light of what happened since Munich.
The far right rising
Ahead of a historic German election, the AfD is courting the global right – and threatening to upend European politics.
www.newstatesman.com
February 23, 2025 at 6:40 AM
As Germans head for the polls today, the stakes could not be higher for Germany‘s future and Europe.
My in-depth analysis on Merz‘ huge mistakes, but also some hope that the centre will get its act together in light of what happened since Munich.
My in-depth analysis on Merz‘ huge mistakes, but also some hope that the centre will get its act together in light of what happened since Munich.
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
@tapra.bsky.social Conference. University of Warwick, 27-29 August 2025
Call for Proposals!
#Conference #Theatre #Drama #Performance #AI #COVID #Digital
'Postdigital and AI Dramaturgies: Gen Alpha and the Politics of Care in Online Performance'
lnkd.in/ebp_9nU2
Call for Proposals!
#Conference #Theatre #Drama #Performance #AI #COVID #Digital
'Postdigital and AI Dramaturgies: Gen Alpha and the Politics of Care in Online Performance'
lnkd.in/ebp_9nU2
LinkedIn
This link will take you to a page that’s not on LinkedIn
lnkd.in
February 13, 2025 at 2:40 PM
@tapra.bsky.social Conference. University of Warwick, 27-29 August 2025
Call for Proposals!
#Conference #Theatre #Drama #Performance #AI #COVID #Digital
'Postdigital and AI Dramaturgies: Gen Alpha and the Politics of Care in Online Performance'
lnkd.in/ebp_9nU2
Call for Proposals!
#Conference #Theatre #Drama #Performance #AI #COVID #Digital
'Postdigital and AI Dramaturgies: Gen Alpha and the Politics of Care in Online Performance'
lnkd.in/ebp_9nU2
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
the utopian ideals of a participatory web are enmeshed with the entanglements of worldbuilding within capitalism.
February 9, 2025 at 3:24 AM
the utopian ideals of a participatory web are enmeshed with the entanglements of worldbuilding within capitalism.
Reposted by Dr Tom Drayton
My first book, The Populist Style, is finally out! 🎉✨
It is available in open access (direct link to the PDF: tinyurl.com/PopulistStyl...) and there is a 30% discount code (NEW30) for those who want to get a hardback copy (edin.ac/3WIe0Sr).
Here's a summary of the book's key arguments:
1/25
It is available in open access (direct link to the PDF: tinyurl.com/PopulistStyl...) and there is a 30% discount code (NEW30) for those who want to get a hardback copy (edin.ac/3WIe0Sr).
Here's a summary of the book's key arguments:
1/25
January 30, 2025 at 8:03 AM
My first book, The Populist Style, is finally out! 🎉✨
It is available in open access (direct link to the PDF: tinyurl.com/PopulistStyl...) and there is a 30% discount code (NEW30) for those who want to get a hardback copy (edin.ac/3WIe0Sr).
Here's a summary of the book's key arguments:
1/25
It is available in open access (direct link to the PDF: tinyurl.com/PopulistStyl...) and there is a 30% discount code (NEW30) for those who want to get a hardback copy (edin.ac/3WIe0Sr).
Here's a summary of the book's key arguments:
1/25