Naomi Alderman
@naomialderman.bsky.social
I write novels (eg The Power, new novel is The Future), I make games (eg Zombies, Run!), unorthodox Jew. not-getting-into-pointless-arguments-on-the-internet is an act of revolution. However complex you think things are, they're more complex than that
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Something compelled me to make this
February 10, 2026 at 10:57 AM
Something compelled me to make this
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
I had a hugely enjoyable time talking about games and the philosophy of play on the radio this morning. @naomialderman.bsky.social was the perfect host for it www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, Fun and games
Naomi Alderman with C Thi Nguyen, Keza MacDonald and Stephen Bush.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 12:20 PM
I had a hugely enjoyable time talking about games and the philosophy of play on the radio this morning. @naomialderman.bsky.social was the perfect host for it www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
February 9, 2026 at 11:44 AM
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Link for those looking www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, Fun and games
Naomi Alderman with C Thi Nguyen, Keza MacDonald and Stephen Bush.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 10:28 AM
Link for those looking www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
Just presented Start the Week live LIVE on BBC Radio 4 for the first time ever and technical issue meant we didn’t get @stephenkb.bsky.social until partway through the programme and I had to compensate on the fly and fuck me that’s a rush. Picture of my actual joyful/manic face leaving studio.
February 9, 2026 at 10:12 AM
Just presented Start the Week live LIVE on BBC Radio 4 for the first time ever and technical issue meant we didn’t get @stephenkb.bsky.social until partway through the programme and I had to compensate on the fly and fuck me that’s a rush. Picture of my actual joyful/manic face leaving studio.
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
BBC R4 discussion of games, with @naomialderman.bsky.social got serious fast. Gamification, quantification, metrics and their corrosive effects in politics, business, education and research. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
BBC Radio 4 - Start the Week, Fun and games
Naomi Alderman with C Thi Nguyen, Keza MacDonald and Stephen Bush.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 9, 2026 at 9:53 AM
BBC R4 discussion of games, with @naomialderman.bsky.social got serious fast. Gamification, quantification, metrics and their corrosive effects in politics, business, education and research. www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...
something I am learning about live radio is: you always always have more to say than you ever have time to get to. if you didn't, it wouldn't be a good idea for a programme.
this is probably also true more broadly of "all the interesting things one wants to do in life"
this is probably also true more broadly of "all the interesting things one wants to do in life"
February 9, 2026 at 6:29 AM
something I am learning about live radio is: you always always have more to say than you ever have time to get to. if you didn't, it wouldn't be a good idea for a programme.
this is probably also true more broadly of "all the interesting things one wants to do in life"
this is probably also true more broadly of "all the interesting things one wants to do in life"
I wrote about 'AI arbitrage' which is a thing I've been thinking a lot about lately. People taking advantage of uneven distribution of knowledge about what AI has made trivially easy.
naomialderman.substack.com/p/what-to-tr...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/what-to-tr...
what has value in an era of 'AI arbitrage'?
how people ended up believing in Moltbook, why we're in a science-fictional era and what that tells us about making money in the era of AI
naomialderman.substack.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:50 AM
I wrote about 'AI arbitrage' which is a thing I've been thinking a lot about lately. People taking advantage of uneven distribution of knowledge about what AI has made trivially easy.
naomialderman.substack.com/p/what-to-tr...
naomialderman.substack.com/p/what-to-tr...
I think it's a sign that the basic circumstances of most middle-class lives in the developed world are entirely fine and there is nothing more we really need.
Fefrigeration, clean drinking water on tap, functionally infinite entertainment freely available. No one ever *worried* about 'resolution'.
Fefrigeration, clean drinking water on tap, functionally infinite entertainment freely available. No one ever *worried* about 'resolution'.
One of my more outre opinions is that “increasing resolution” is just a trick to sell you a new screen etc and for most purposes in life low resolution gets you as close to 100% of the results as makes no difference
Very late nineties, I did occasional spot illos for a big Fleet Street newspaper, and they would take the actual artwork by fax. As in: I’d go to the newsagent, pay 50p, and fax it over. Not roughs. The art. That was it. It would be reprinted in one of the biggest selling papers. From a FAX.
February 7, 2026 at 1:11 PM
I think it's a sign that the basic circumstances of most middle-class lives in the developed world are entirely fine and there is nothing more we really need.
Fefrigeration, clean drinking water on tap, functionally infinite entertainment freely available. No one ever *worried* about 'resolution'.
Fefrigeration, clean drinking water on tap, functionally infinite entertainment freely available. No one ever *worried* about 'resolution'.
argh can we just have Gordon Brown back as PM?
"Gordon Brown not calling a snap election just before the financial crash in 2008" is my 'send Sam back to put right what once went wrong' moment.
"Gordon Brown not calling a snap election just before the financial crash in 2008" is my 'send Sam back to put right what once went wrong' moment.
Please do listen to #GordonBrown talking to BBC’s Amol Rajan on #Mandelson #Epstein, #Starmer, and his proposed reforms to clean up the system of vetting, government appointments, etc and the abuse of power, sexual trafficking, corruption at 8.10am.
BBC Radio 4 - Today, 07/02/2026
Including Sports Desk, Weather and Thought for the Day.
www.bbc.co.uk
February 7, 2026 at 11:07 AM
argh can we just have Gordon Brown back as PM?
"Gordon Brown not calling a snap election just before the financial crash in 2008" is my 'send Sam back to put right what once went wrong' moment.
"Gordon Brown not calling a snap election just before the financial crash in 2008" is my 'send Sam back to put right what once went wrong' moment.
ah first bluesky blocking after getting back from my trip. now I'm really home.
February 7, 2026 at 10:39 AM
ah first bluesky blocking after getting back from my trip. now I'm really home.
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Was just talking just about this! In context of how some people on work calls turn on the Teams "soft focus"/smoothing filter - either always on, or in place of "office makeup" when WFH. Literally telling the high definition machine "not that much definition thanks"
February 7, 2026 at 9:48 AM
Was just talking just about this! In context of how some people on work calls turn on the Teams "soft focus"/smoothing filter - either always on, or in place of "office makeup" when WFH. Literally telling the high definition machine "not that much definition thanks"
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Totally with you. It’s the gold hifi cables of our day. “Upgrade your streaming subscription to watch this in 4k!” My eyes don’t do better than 720p even on a good day and yet I still seem able to enjoy Bake Off.
February 7, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Totally with you. It’s the gold hifi cables of our day. “Upgrade your streaming subscription to watch this in 4k!” My eyes don’t do better than 720p even on a good day and yet I still seem able to enjoy Bake Off.
Yes I think this is how it seems to me.
Starmer is being eviscerated mainly cos he hasn't imposed his own vision onto party or country. It's all a weird grab-bag of Blue Lab, old Lab Right stuff, bit of New Lab with Mandelson and Milburn... His one USP was probity and Mandy has gone and f***ed that for him.
February 7, 2026 at 9:44 AM
Yes I think this is how it seems to me.
One of my more outre opinions is that “increasing resolution” is just a trick to sell you a new screen etc and for most purposes in life low resolution gets you as close to 100% of the results as makes no difference
Very late nineties, I did occasional spot illos for a big Fleet Street newspaper, and they would take the actual artwork by fax. As in: I’d go to the newsagent, pay 50p, and fax it over. Not roughs. The art. That was it. It would be reprinted in one of the biggest selling papers. From a FAX.
I was thinking about when I left art college and first started doing illustrations for a magazine. They would send me the brief by fax, but I didn’t have a fax, so they’d send it to the post office fax machine, and I’d walk over there. I’d then walk back to fax them my roughs. FAXING. CAN U IMAGINE
February 7, 2026 at 9:35 AM
One of my more outre opinions is that “increasing resolution” is just a trick to sell you a new screen etc and for most purposes in life low resolution gets you as close to 100% of the results as makes no difference
Yes this. The harms of social media are real! So are the harms of blanket bans.
So many kids affected: LGBTQ, neurodivergent, living in isolated places, living with abusive parents. It's basically a ban on friends who don't live nearby
February 7, 2026 at 9:17 AM
Yes this. The harms of social media are real! So are the harms of blanket bans.
Yes I think so.
all the bad is true. And so are all the reasons that we like coming here and don’t call it a hellsite
There is something so (sorry) culturally Christian I think about the assumption ”everything people like is bad for them probs”
all the bad is true. And so are all the reasons that we like coming here and don’t call it a hellsite
There is something so (sorry) culturally Christian I think about the assumption ”everything people like is bad for them probs”
These bans are short-sighted and inhumane and pushed by people who do not understand the complexity of social media
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
The impacts of locking under 16 yos from their social media networks are now beginning to bite for those young people who relied on them for social connection
The impacts of locking under 16 yos from their social media networks are now beginning to bite for those young people who relied on them for social connection
February 7, 2026 at 9:08 AM
Yes I think so.
all the bad is true. And so are all the reasons that we like coming here and don’t call it a hellsite
There is something so (sorry) culturally Christian I think about the assumption ”everything people like is bad for them probs”
all the bad is true. And so are all the reasons that we like coming here and don’t call it a hellsite
There is something so (sorry) culturally Christian I think about the assumption ”everything people like is bad for them probs”
alright, I have spent a month travelling and not looking at news. And now I’m back and: why is Mendelson’s relationship with Epstein a massive issue *for Keir Starmer*?
Fuck Mandelson obviously.
But is the accusation that Starmer KNEW when he appointed him? Didn’t he immediately fire him?
Fuck Mandelson obviously.
But is the accusation that Starmer KNEW when he appointed him? Didn’t he immediately fire him?
February 7, 2026 at 9:04 AM
alright, I have spent a month travelling and not looking at news. And now I’m back and: why is Mendelson’s relationship with Epstein a massive issue *for Keir Starmer*?
Fuck Mandelson obviously.
But is the accusation that Starmer KNEW when he appointed him? Didn’t he immediately fire him?
Fuck Mandelson obviously.
But is the accusation that Starmer KNEW when he appointed him? Didn’t he immediately fire him?
Amazingly convincing
February 7, 2026 at 8:41 AM
Amazingly convincing
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was
February 6, 2026 at 5:10 AM
We put on an all-Yiddish community production of fiddler on the roof in Philadelphia and cast member and local artist Sofie Rose Seymour created the most amazing show poster that ever was
Believe it or not, on Sunday in the northern hemisphere we will have finished the darkest 14 weeks of the year. The other 38 are basically OK for daylight. We are essentially through now.
Two important things:
1) after tomorrow the sun will not set before 5pm again in the UK…until October
2) if you’re struggling just now *please* be kind to yourself
1) after tomorrow the sun will not set before 5pm again in the UK…until October
2) if you’re struggling just now *please* be kind to yourself
February 6, 2026 at 2:09 PM
Believe it or not, on Sunday in the northern hemisphere we will have finished the darkest 14 weeks of the year. The other 38 are basically OK for daylight. We are essentially through now.
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
A little bear figurine carved out of amber some 6,000 years ago 🐻❤️
A hole runs through the bear’s torso suggesting it was threaded on a cord, perhaps worn or carried as a protective charm.
Found in a peat bog near Słupsk, Poland, in 1887.
📷 National Museum in Szczecin
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
A hole runs through the bear’s torso suggesting it was threaded on a cord, perhaps worn or carried as a protective charm.
Found in a peat bog near Słupsk, Poland, in 1887.
📷 National Museum in Szczecin
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
February 6, 2026 at 8:04 AM
A little bear figurine carved out of amber some 6,000 years ago 🐻❤️
A hole runs through the bear’s torso suggesting it was threaded on a cord, perhaps worn or carried as a protective charm.
Found in a peat bog near Słupsk, Poland, in 1887.
📷 National Museum in Szczecin
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
A hole runs through the bear’s torso suggesting it was threaded on a cord, perhaps worn or carried as a protective charm.
Found in a peat bog near Słupsk, Poland, in 1887.
📷 National Museum in Szczecin
#FindsFriday
#Archaeology
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Two important things:
1) after tomorrow the sun will not set before 5pm again in the UK…until October
2) if you’re struggling just now *please* be kind to yourself
1) after tomorrow the sun will not set before 5pm again in the UK…until October
2) if you’re struggling just now *please* be kind to yourself
February 5, 2026 at 9:47 PM
Two important things:
1) after tomorrow the sun will not set before 5pm again in the UK…until October
2) if you’re struggling just now *please* be kind to yourself
1) after tomorrow the sun will not set before 5pm again in the UK…until October
2) if you’re struggling just now *please* be kind to yourself
Oh. OK.
jeffrey epstein being the first domino for the financial crash, video game micro transactions, and Gamergate is making me lose my mind
what the fuck man
February 6, 2026 at 8:57 AM
Oh. OK.
I am not as good at spotting music AI slop as I am at spotting AI writing (which affects me like a cheese-grater on the soul).
However, someone said to me a few weeks ago: doesn’t the But shuffle music on Spotify sound *cheaper* now than the music on Apple Music? And now I can’t un-hear it.
However, someone said to me a few weeks ago: doesn’t the But shuffle music on Spotify sound *cheaper* now than the music on Apple Music? And now I can’t un-hear it.
February 6, 2026 at 4:38 AM
I am not as good at spotting music AI slop as I am at spotting AI writing (which affects me like a cheese-grater on the soul).
However, someone said to me a few weeks ago: doesn’t the But shuffle music on Spotify sound *cheaper* now than the music on Apple Music? And now I can’t un-hear it.
However, someone said to me a few weeks ago: doesn’t the But shuffle music on Spotify sound *cheaper* now than the music on Apple Music? And now I can’t un-hear it.