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
Listened to the NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour review of Marty Supreme. They discuss how the main character is very charismatic and mesmerising to watch, but they don’t like him. Finding it very hard to believe that no one at NPR has apparently heard of the term antihero.
December 26, 2025 at 9:37 PM
Listened to the NPR Pop Culture Happy Hour review of Marty Supreme. They discuss how the main character is very charismatic and mesmerising to watch, but they don’t like him. Finding it very hard to believe that no one at NPR has apparently heard of the term antihero.
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Today in the northern hemisphere the darkest week of the year is over. (Count: solstice was the 21st. The darkest week is that plus the three days either side.)
So that’s something to enjoy. We’ve done the very darkest bit.
So that’s something to enjoy. We’ve done the very darkest bit.
December 25, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Today in the northern hemisphere the darkest week of the year is over. (Count: solstice was the 21st. The darkest week is that plus the three days either side.)
So that’s something to enjoy. We’ve done the very darkest bit.
So that’s something to enjoy. We’ve done the very darkest bit.
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Sometimes I see folks in the southern hemisphere confused that we make such a big deal of the solstices, so let me share a graph with you from engaging-data.com/population-l...
Every block represents about a million people. (1/3)
Every block represents about a million people. (1/3)
December 25, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Sometimes I see folks in the southern hemisphere confused that we make such a big deal of the solstices, so let me share a graph with you from engaging-data.com/population-l...
Every block represents about a million people. (1/3)
Every block represents about a million people. (1/3)
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Only about 1 million people live south of 45°S. That's that lowest single block.
More than 10 million Americans live north of 45°N. That's not counting other countries with major population centers. 25 million in Canada, many more across Europe and Asia. (2/3)
More than 10 million Americans live north of 45°N. That's not counting other countries with major population centers. 25 million in Canada, many more across Europe and Asia. (2/3)
December 25, 2025 at 11:36 AM
Only about 1 million people live south of 45°S. That's that lowest single block.
More than 10 million Americans live north of 45°N. That's not counting other countries with major population centers. 25 million in Canada, many more across Europe and Asia. (2/3)
More than 10 million Americans live north of 45°N. That's not counting other countries with major population centers. 25 million in Canada, many more across Europe and Asia. (2/3)
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Ruth Hall, 1931.
December 25, 2025 at 6:13 AM
Ruth Hall, 1931.
Today in the northern hemisphere the darkest week of the year is over. (Count: solstice was the 21st. The darkest week is that plus the three days either side.)
So that’s something to enjoy. We’ve done the very darkest bit.
So that’s something to enjoy. We’ve done the very darkest bit.
December 25, 2025 at 9:03 AM
Today in the northern hemisphere the darkest week of the year is over. (Count: solstice was the 21st. The darkest week is that plus the three days either side.)
So that’s something to enjoy. We’ve done the very darkest bit.
So that’s something to enjoy. We’ve done the very darkest bit.
December 24, 2025 at 10:44 AM
December 24, 2025 at 10:39 AM
I think what it interferes with is the story that the greatest threat to women is trans ppl.
Presumably the notion that there’s an epidemic of violent misogyny in our society, and that what the perpetrators overwhelmingly have in common is being men, would interfere with the narrative that it’s an imported problem caused by foreigners
This is the second story in three days The Times has carried arguing against misogyny lessons in schools, which it describes as "some weird feminist attack on male children".
December 24, 2025 at 10:13 AM
I think what it interferes with is the story that the greatest threat to women is trans ppl.
YES IT IS BRILLIANT
The jury is still out - and that's being generous- on whether Love Actually is a Christmas Film, but there's another seasonal Richard Curtis effort that's absolutely *brilliant* but you never, ever see anywhere now - Bernard And The Genie.
timworthington.org/2020/12/24/l...
timworthington.org/2020/12/24/l...
December 24, 2025 at 10:09 AM
YES IT IS BRILLIANT
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
Need to write one of those hustle day-in-the-life stories from the perspective of my baby. “I start the day at 4am — sleep is for the weak. I don’t do traditional meals. Instead I refuel with a personalised drink developed to fulfil all my needs. And I spend 1-2 hours a day just screaming, yeah.”
December 21, 2025 at 10:20 PM
Need to write one of those hustle day-in-the-life stories from the perspective of my baby. “I start the day at 4am — sleep is for the weak. I don’t do traditional meals. Instead I refuel with a personalised drink developed to fulfil all my needs. And I spend 1-2 hours a day just screaming, yeah.”
Reposted by Naomi Alderman
There are, let’s be real, always people out there who object to a woman talking
I think Twitter showed that /someone/ will object whatever we say or do. Here's to not limiting yourself because of it!
December 24, 2025 at 9:29 AM
There are, let’s be real, always people out there who object to a woman talking
I would play this
(Also I wrote a novel like this, where Barabbas - Bar-Avo is the real hero because he’s actually trying to get rid of the Roman occupiers.)
(Also I wrote a novel like this, where Barabbas - Bar-Avo is the real hero because he’s actually trying to get rid of the Roman occupiers.)
Jesus, can you hear me? Good, the comms are working. Now, you're gonna need to run if you want to evade those Roman soldiers. Hold down A to sprint. Go ahead and try it. ... Good work! You just might be the savior yet. Now pick up that AR-15 and let's do some target practice.
December 24, 2025 at 9:17 AM
I would play this
(Also I wrote a novel like this, where Barabbas - Bar-Avo is the real hero because he’s actually trying to get rid of the Roman occupiers.)
(Also I wrote a novel like this, where Barabbas - Bar-Avo is the real hero because he’s actually trying to get rid of the Roman occupiers.)
I think I imagine that people go to video for ”conventionally attractive people with good makeup” and obviously there’s loads of that. But I think also that if video is how people find out about the world now, it is more than enough to be saying interesting things.
And also why not be honest about what my fear is?
I am a bit heartened by having done a quick 5 minute video this yr at Hay that went on TikTok. My hair was bad, I looked like myself, I have no video training but because I was saying interesting things it got 11,000 likes and “who is this queen?”
I am a bit heartened by having done a quick 5 minute video this yr at Hay that went on TikTok. My hair was bad, I looked like myself, I have no video training but because I was saying interesting things it got 11,000 likes and “who is this queen?”
But basically: some fuckers will call me fat. and other unpleasant things. but I do refuse to be someone who limits herself because of fear of drive-by sadists.
December 24, 2025 at 9:14 AM
I think I imagine that people go to video for ”conventionally attractive people with good makeup” and obviously there’s loads of that. But I think also that if video is how people find out about the world now, it is more than enough to be saying interesting things.
And also why not be honest about what my fear is?
I am a bit heartened by having done a quick 5 minute video this yr at Hay that went on TikTok. My hair was bad, I looked like myself, I have no video training but because I was saying interesting things it got 11,000 likes and “who is this queen?”
I am a bit heartened by having done a quick 5 minute video this yr at Hay that went on TikTok. My hair was bad, I looked like myself, I have no video training but because I was saying interesting things it got 11,000 likes and “who is this queen?”
But basically: some fuckers will call me fat. and other unpleasant things. but I do refuse to be someone who limits herself because of fear of drive-by sadists.
December 24, 2025 at 9:02 AM
And also why not be honest about what my fear is?
I am a bit heartened by having done a quick 5 minute video this yr at Hay that went on TikTok. My hair was bad, I looked like myself, I have no video training but because I was saying interesting things it got 11,000 likes and “who is this queen?”
I am a bit heartened by having done a quick 5 minute video this yr at Hay that went on TikTok. My hair was bad, I looked like myself, I have no video training but because I was saying interesting things it got 11,000 likes and “who is this queen?”
I think this is also true. we text people imagine that video is all produced like the 6 o’clock news but it’s not like that anymore.
This is me talking myself into jumping off a high diving board.
This is me talking myself into jumping off a high diving board.
I think people replying to this post are really overestimating the amount of presentation & effort that goes into a lot of videos that go viral.
I too am not on TikTok because I too hate casually watching videos, but every time one breaks containment its an average looking person sitting in a car
I too am not on TikTok because I too hate casually watching videos, but every time one breaks containment its an average looking person sitting in a car
December 24, 2025 at 8:57 AM
I think this is also true. we text people imagine that video is all produced like the 6 o’clock news but it’s not like that anymore.
This is me talking myself into jumping off a high diving board.
This is me talking myself into jumping off a high diving board.
This has put into words something that I hate but which I think is also true. the argument “stay on Twitter to make Twitter better” is shit. But I think the argument “intelligent nuanced people need to be making video” is probably true.
I don't know why people got mad about this, saying they hate video and they don't want to do it or watch it. I hate video too but the world is bigger than you or me. A lot of people get their info that way and you can yell at them to stop but they won't hear you because you're not a video
i have said this before but if you are actually interested in influencing people beyond a narrow circle of too-online journalists you will be making direct to camera videos on tiktok, instagram and youtube. if you primarily post on text-based social media then you're just dicking around.
December 24, 2025 at 8:37 AM
This has put into words something that I hate but which I think is also true. the argument “stay on Twitter to make Twitter better” is shit. But I think the argument “intelligent nuanced people need to be making video” is probably true.
Galaxy Quest is on, the traditional start of secular Winterval
December 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
Galaxy Quest is on, the traditional start of secular Winterval
this is what is better about the old-fashioned matchmaker system where the parents pay the matchmaker *when the kids get married* and the matchmaker gets nothing until then
It’s pretty sinister. The companies behind dating apps expressly don’t want users to find long-term relationships. If we find love, we use the apps less AND give them less of our data. 👀
I forgot most of these dating apps are pay to play. Capitalism gon have everybody lonely lmao
December 23, 2025 at 11:12 AM
this is what is better about the old-fashioned matchmaker system where the parents pay the matchmaker *when the kids get married* and the matchmaker gets nothing until then
I have done a survey about my Substack (which you can do here, as I know a lot of people from here read my longer stuff over there: naomialderman.substack.com/survey/5374163 )
the comments ppl are putting at end are *so lovely* I'm finally understanding how ppl get addicted to social media approval
the comments ppl are putting at end are *so lovely* I'm finally understanding how ppl get addicted to social media approval
December 23, 2025 at 10:55 AM
I have done a survey about my Substack (which you can do here, as I know a lot of people from here read my longer stuff over there: naomialderman.substack.com/survey/5374163 )
the comments ppl are putting at end are *so lovely* I'm finally understanding how ppl get addicted to social media approval
the comments ppl are putting at end are *so lovely* I'm finally understanding how ppl get addicted to social media approval
Yeah you should go “powerful unelected people in charge of our shared resources is bad, it was bad when it was Kings too. This has nothing to do with Jews. Jews are who the Kings traditionally like to blame stuff on to divert attention from their unelected power.”
A few billionaires control things.
Money has ALWAYS controlled things.
Sometimes it's been the monarchy, the Church, etc.
Notably, none of the people you named are Jews.
A cabal of Jews do not, have never, controlled the world.
The conspiracy theory exists to detract from those in actual power.
Money has ALWAYS controlled things.
Sometimes it's been the monarchy, the Church, etc.
Notably, none of the people you named are Jews.
A cabal of Jews do not, have never, controlled the world.
The conspiracy theory exists to detract from those in actual power.
@theradr.bsky.social Hi Rabbi - your piece on anti-semitism is a wonderful resource. Question you may have addressed before.
How should we think abt the idea that a handful of billionaires (Musk, Thiel, Trump, Putin, etc) control the world, which is so similar to the anti-semitic conspiracy theory?
How should we think abt the idea that a handful of billionaires (Musk, Thiel, Trump, Putin, etc) control the world, which is so similar to the anti-semitic conspiracy theory?
December 22, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Yeah you should go “powerful unelected people in charge of our shared resources is bad, it was bad when it was Kings too. This has nothing to do with Jews. Jews are who the Kings traditionally like to blame stuff on to divert attention from their unelected power.”
a metaphor here about life. sometimes it is really really dark. but at least we know there is generally reversion to the mean.
here is some Northern Hemisphere good news. today, the day I started to feel "this is ridiculous, this is just TOO DARK NOW" is precisely the day that it is starting, slowly slowly slowly, to get lighter
December 22, 2025 at 3:24 PM
a metaphor here about life. sometimes it is really really dark. but at least we know there is generally reversion to the mean.
here is some Northern Hemisphere good news. today, the day I started to feel "this is ridiculous, this is just TOO DARK NOW" is precisely the day that it is starting, slowly slowly slowly, to get lighter
December 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
here is some Northern Hemisphere good news. today, the day I started to feel "this is ridiculous, this is just TOO DARK NOW" is precisely the day that it is starting, slowly slowly slowly, to get lighter
I mean not to overstate things for Bluesky cred but: designing systems or policies in a way that is not *hand in hand, and side by side with the people they will affect* is colonialism.
user personas are a curse. I mean, they can be useful, giving people a little story and a fake person to use as a shorthand to compress a lot of info for an already info dense process... but it's so easy to go a little too far and start designing a story rather than designing for actual people
December 22, 2025 at 10:52 AM
I mean not to overstate things for Bluesky cred but: designing systems or policies in a way that is not *hand in hand, and side by side with the people they will affect* is colonialism.