Stephen T. Slota
@steveslota.bsky.social
Co-author of The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play
Learning Scientist, EdTech Expert, Instructional Designer, GameDev, Former K12 Teacher
They|Them 🏳️🌈🎮 https://www.steveslota.com/
Learning Scientist, EdTech Expert, Instructional Designer, GameDev, Former K12 Teacher
They|Them 🏳️🌈🎮 https://www.steveslota.com/
Pinned
WE HAVE LIFTOFF!
After four years of brainstorming, writing, revision, peer review, and proofreading, THE WORLDBUILDING WORKSHOP launches TODAY!
Thank you to @mitpress.bsky.social for making this happen!
Visit: www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com
#education #highered #teaching #design #k12 #edtech
After four years of brainstorming, writing, revision, peer review, and proofreading, THE WORLDBUILDING WORKSHOP launches TODAY!
Thank you to @mitpress.bsky.social for making this happen!
Visit: www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com
#education #highered #teaching #design #k12 #edtech
THE WORLDBUILDING WORKSHOP
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com
It's the big day! 🤩
There is a 20% discount for anyone who purchases a print copy through Penguin Random House. Enter code READMIT20 at checkout.
The audiobook edition of The Worldbuilding Workshop is still being fine-tuned, but we plan to release it very soon... More details to follow! ✨🌎
There is a 20% discount for anyone who purchases a print copy through Penguin Random House. Enter code READMIT20 at checkout.
The audiobook edition of The Worldbuilding Workshop is still being fine-tuned, but we plan to release it very soon... More details to follow! ✨🌎
Super excited about this one! It makes for an excellent companion to @volts.wtf / @michaelhobbes.bsky.social's wonderfully thoughtful convo abt "reactionary centrism" as well as @hankgreen.bsky.social's recent "Possibly Humanity's Best Idea" video.
Hope you'll tune in!
#EduSky #highered #teaching
Hope you'll tune in!
#EduSky #highered #teaching
In this week's episode, @steveslota.bsky.social & @thergenrader.bsky.social sing @wikipedia.org's praises while commiserating over the death of truth. Join their impassioned discussion abt “Wikipedia as a Model for Worldbuilding":
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #education
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #education
February 10, 2026 at 5:49 PM
Super excited about this one! It makes for an excellent companion to @volts.wtf / @michaelhobbes.bsky.social's wonderfully thoughtful convo abt "reactionary centrism" as well as @hankgreen.bsky.social's recent "Possibly Humanity's Best Idea" video.
Hope you'll tune in!
#EduSky #highered #teaching
Hope you'll tune in!
#EduSky #highered #teaching
Reposted by Stephen T. Slota
February 4, 2026 at 2:58 PM
@thergenrader.bsky.social coming in hot with questions about whether his course-planning process comports with contemporary learning science and best practices for instructional design (spoiler: somehow, it does!).
Find our convo wherever you get your podcasts!
#EduSky #K12 #design #worldbuilding
Find our convo wherever you get your podcasts!
#EduSky #K12 #design #worldbuilding
In this week's episode of The Worldbuilding Workshop Podcast, @steveslota.bsky.social playfully ponders @thergenrader.bsky.social's project planning pop-quiz as the pair probe Chapter 9, “Class Preparations"!
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #teaching #pedagogy #highered
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #teaching #pedagogy #highered
February 3, 2026 at 4:59 PM
@thergenrader.bsky.social coming in hot with questions about whether his course-planning process comports with contemporary learning science and best practices for instructional design (spoiler: somehow, it does!).
Find our convo wherever you get your podcasts!
#EduSky #K12 #design #worldbuilding
Find our convo wherever you get your podcasts!
#EduSky #K12 #design #worldbuilding
Reposted by Stephen T. Slota
This part. Let’s think as we go forward about how to fix our asymmetrical media environment.
Because the broken info env a big part of how we got here — from Trump, to Minneapolis and brownshirts, to the destruction of cancer cures and science.
Because the broken info env a big part of how we got here — from Trump, to Minneapolis and brownshirts, to the destruction of cancer cures and science.
This episode of Volts is so. SO. good.
Thank you @volts.wtf @michaelhobbes.bsky.social for yelling into the void about something that's been driving me absolutely insane for years, particularly the bit about reactionary centrists conveniently ignoring the influence of asymmetrical media ecosystems.
Thank you @volts.wtf @michaelhobbes.bsky.social for yelling into the void about something that's been driving me absolutely insane for years, particularly the bit about reactionary centrists conveniently ignoring the influence of asymmetrical media ecosystems.
Today on Volts: I'm joined by the great @michaelhobbes.bsky.social to discuss "reactionary centrism," an intellectual tendency that's come to dominate US public life. You know the type: would never view themselves as conservative, yet finds voluntary pronoun use vastly more aggravating than fascism.
January 31, 2026 at 3:39 PM
This part. Let’s think as we go forward about how to fix our asymmetrical media environment.
Because the broken info env a big part of how we got here — from Trump, to Minneapolis and brownshirts, to the destruction of cancer cures and science.
Because the broken info env a big part of how we got here — from Trump, to Minneapolis and brownshirts, to the destruction of cancer cures and science.
This episode of Volts is so. SO. good.
Thank you @volts.wtf @michaelhobbes.bsky.social for yelling into the void about something that's been driving me absolutely insane for years, particularly the bit about reactionary centrists conveniently ignoring the influence of asymmetrical media ecosystems.
Thank you @volts.wtf @michaelhobbes.bsky.social for yelling into the void about something that's been driving me absolutely insane for years, particularly the bit about reactionary centrists conveniently ignoring the influence of asymmetrical media ecosystems.
Today on Volts: I'm joined by the great @michaelhobbes.bsky.social to discuss "reactionary centrism," an intellectual tendency that's come to dominate US public life. You know the type: would never view themselves as conservative, yet finds voluntary pronoun use vastly more aggravating than fascism.
All about "reactionary centrism"
Michael Hobbes joins me to diagnose the pundit class's obsession with scolding the left while the right burns down the house.
www.volts.wtf
January 31, 2026 at 2:29 PM
This episode of Volts is so. SO. good.
Thank you @volts.wtf @michaelhobbes.bsky.social for yelling into the void about something that's been driving me absolutely insane for years, particularly the bit about reactionary centrists conveniently ignoring the influence of asymmetrical media ecosystems.
Thank you @volts.wtf @michaelhobbes.bsky.social for yelling into the void about something that's been driving me absolutely insane for years, particularly the bit about reactionary centrists conveniently ignoring the influence of asymmetrical media ecosystems.
This may be our most important and relevant conversation to date. We get into identity, how it interacts with environmental context, and what it means for developing empathy/taking meaningful action in emotionally-charged situations.
We hope you'll tune in!
#EduSky #highered #teachers #K12
We hope you'll tune in!
#EduSky #highered #teachers #K12
In what @thergenrader.bsky.social and @steveslota.bsky.social have dubbed "our most (potentially) polarizing episode yet," the two deconstruct Chapter 8: Examining Life-Worlds Through Demographics!
Join the fun at:
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #education #teaching
Join the fun at:
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #education #teaching
January 27, 2026 at 6:27 PM
The former may or may not exist and may or may not have the power to shape events, so, there's ambiguity as to whether I should believe in them. I know *for sure* there's no reason to believe in the latter.
Who do you believe in less, God or Chuck Schumer?
January 23, 2026 at 11:28 PM
The former may or may not exist and may or may not have the power to shape events, so, there's ambiguity as to whether I should believe in them. I know *for sure* there's no reason to believe in the latter.
I will never forgive those who put this venal, demented, pedophilic imbecile in charge of the largest economy & most powerful military in world history.
Self-inflicted annihilation of a global hegemon because Evil Grandpa Simpson & his cabal of greedy, bigoted cretins don't care how anything works.
Self-inflicted annihilation of a global hegemon because Evil Grandpa Simpson & his cabal of greedy, bigoted cretins don't care how anything works.
January 21, 2026 at 6:09 PM
I will never forgive those who put this venal, demented, pedophilic imbecile in charge of the largest economy & most powerful military in world history.
Self-inflicted annihilation of a global hegemon because Evil Grandpa Simpson & his cabal of greedy, bigoted cretins don't care how anything works.
Self-inflicted annihilation of a global hegemon because Evil Grandpa Simpson & his cabal of greedy, bigoted cretins don't care how anything works.
In addition to our reflections on Chapter 8: Structures and Substructures (plus our *very evident* ADHD), you'll hear all about Governance, Economics, Social Relations, and Cultural Influences as vehicles for understanding complexity. 😌✨
#EduSky #highered #teaching #pedagogy #design #K12
#EduSky #highered #teaching #pedagogy #design #K12
Delighted to share this week's *energizing* episode of The Worldbuilding Workshop, in which @thergenrader.bsky.social and @steveslota.bsky.social tackle the intersectional scaffolds that produce a world's social forces: structures and substructures!
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
January 20, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Reposted by Stephen T. Slota
"The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil. When truth leaves us, when we let it slip away, when it is ripped from our hands, we become vulnerable to the appetite of whatever monster screams at us the loudest."
-Mon Mothma (Andor)
-Mon Mothma (Andor)
May 7, 2025 at 3:15 PM
"The death of truth is the ultimate victory of evil. When truth leaves us, when we let it slip away, when it is ripped from our hands, we become vulnerable to the appetite of whatever monster screams at us the loudest."
-Mon Mothma (Andor)
-Mon Mothma (Andor)
One of the best parts about doing this podcast with @thergenrader.bsky.social is that we just... talk. There's no scripted outline. We have a list of chapter subheaders, and ADHD does the rest.
It's always fun to see where our minds end up. We hope you've been enjoying the ride!
#EduSky #education
It's always fun to see where our minds end up. We hope you've been enjoying the ride!
#EduSky #education
If you love great storytelling, this week's episode of The Worldbuilding Workshop is for you!
Trent and Stephen go ham on Chapter 6: Worlds in Space and Time, discussing popular media as a way to understand "big picture" worldbuilding concepts!
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
Trent and Stephen go ham on Chapter 6: Worlds in Space and Time, discussing popular media as a way to understand "big picture" worldbuilding concepts!
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
January 13, 2026 at 5:47 PM
One of the best parts about doing this podcast with @thergenrader.bsky.social is that we just... talk. There's no scripted outline. We have a list of chapter subheaders, and ADHD does the rest.
It's always fun to see where our minds end up. We hope you've been enjoying the ride!
#EduSky #education
It's always fun to see where our minds end up. We hope you've been enjoying the ride!
#EduSky #education
Reposted by Stephen T. Slota
I've been working for ages on a comprehensive revamp of the Stanford Encyclopedia Entry on "Animal Consciousness", with new sections on non-Western perspectives, methodological challenges and evolutionary big pictures, and it's out today: plato.stanford.edu/entries/cons.... Hope you find it useful!
January 13, 2026 at 3:00 PM
I've been working for ages on a comprehensive revamp of the Stanford Encyclopedia Entry on "Animal Consciousness", with new sections on non-Western perspectives, methodological challenges and evolutionary big pictures, and it's out today: plato.stanford.edu/entries/cons.... Hope you find it useful!
This has been my biggest hobby horse for more than a decade, and I never tire of hearing smart people I respect make good points about it.
ICYMI: I sat down with political scientist @samuel-bagg.bsky.social to discuss the crisis in our information environment and its roots in social identity.
The cure for misinformation is not more information or smarter news consumers
Political scientist Samuel Bagg explains why social identity is at the root of the misinformation crisis -- which calls for something deeper than factchecking.
www.volts.wtf
January 7, 2026 at 4:48 AM
This has been my biggest hobby horse for more than a decade, and I never tire of hearing smart people I respect make good points about it.
In which @thergenrader.bsky.social and I discuss an article/chapter near and dear to my heart but regrettably didn't fit into TWW.
Join our exploration of contemporary concepts that are *vitally important* to the playful learning community. We hope you enjoy it!
#EduSky #design #games #education
Join our exploration of contemporary concepts that are *vitally important* to the playful learning community. We hope you enjoy it!
#EduSky #design #games #education
We've eagerly awaited the release of this week's episode...
The reveal of our DODECA-TUPLE SUPER SECRET CUT CHAPTER, "Gamefulness, Playfulness, and Fun"! 🤯
Tune in for hot takes on all things game-based learning:
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #teaching #highered #K12
The reveal of our DODECA-TUPLE SUPER SECRET CUT CHAPTER, "Gamefulness, Playfulness, and Fun"! 🤯
Tune in for hot takes on all things game-based learning:
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #teaching #highered #K12
January 6, 2026 at 7:00 PM
In which @thergenrader.bsky.social and I discuss an article/chapter near and dear to my heart but regrettably didn't fit into TWW.
Join our exploration of contemporary concepts that are *vitally important* to the playful learning community. We hope you enjoy it!
#EduSky #design #games #education
Join our exploration of contemporary concepts that are *vitally important* to the playful learning community. We hope you enjoy it!
#EduSky #design #games #education
It can be tough to organize effective assessment measures, so @thergenrader.bsky.social & I discussed our approach for worldbuilding-based activities/classes. Tune in for advice on measuring learner progress as transparently, fairly, & productively as possible!
#EduSky #education #learning #edtech
#EduSky #education #learning #edtech
This week's episode of The Worldbuilding Workshop Companion Podcast tackles Chapter 5: Assessment!
Join us as we break down our evaluation process for worldbuilding and world modeling activities:
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #highered #teaching #K12 #worldbuilding
Join us as we break down our evaluation process for worldbuilding and world modeling activities:
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#EduSky #highered #teaching #K12 #worldbuilding
December 30, 2025 at 6:44 PM
It can be tough to organize effective assessment measures, so @thergenrader.bsky.social & I discussed our approach for worldbuilding-based activities/classes. Tune in for advice on measuring learner progress as transparently, fairly, & productively as possible!
#EduSky #education #learning #edtech
#EduSky #education #learning #edtech
Reposted by Stephen T. Slota
the robot also doubling over as if it kicked itself in the balls too makes this ten times funnier
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 5:56 PM
the robot also doubling over as if it kicked itself in the balls too makes this ten times funnier
My favorite episode so far—it's a great example of where we're going with our long-term meta conversation.
@thergenrader.bsky.social & I truly believe collaborative #worldbuilding is the best way to inject empathy into a world that (to quote @edufuturist.bsky.social) could well use more of it.
@thergenrader.bsky.social & I truly believe collaborative #worldbuilding is the best way to inject empathy into a world that (to quote @edufuturist.bsky.social) could well use more of it.
On this week's episode of The Worldbuilding Workshop Companion Podcast, @thergenrader.bsky.social and @steveslota.bsky.social dig into Chapter 4: Collaboration and Community!
Available wherever you get your podcasts! 🌎📖
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#teaching #EduSky #design
Available wherever you get your podcasts! 🌎📖
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
#teaching #EduSky #design
December 24, 2025 at 1:54 AM
My favorite episode so far—it's a great example of where we're going with our long-term meta conversation.
@thergenrader.bsky.social & I truly believe collaborative #worldbuilding is the best way to inject empathy into a world that (to quote @edufuturist.bsky.social) could well use more of it.
@thergenrader.bsky.social & I truly believe collaborative #worldbuilding is the best way to inject empathy into a world that (to quote @edufuturist.bsky.social) could well use more of it.
We've had a blast recording this show—not only is it rewarding to break down our thinking (esp now that @wrldbuildingwrkshp.bsky.social is out), but it's nice to hear the opinions of someone whose perspective I really respect and value.
We hope more educators have a chance to tune in soon!
#EduSky
We hope more educators have a chance to tune in soon!
#EduSky
On this week's episode of The Worldbuilding Workshop Companion Podcast, @thergenrader.bsky.social & @steveslota.bsky.social discuss Chapter 3: Theory to Practice!
Check it out on our website or wherever you get your podcasts! ✨
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
Check it out on our website or wherever you get your podcasts! ✨
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast/epis...
December 17, 2025 at 11:47 PM
We've had a blast recording this show—not only is it rewarding to break down our thinking (esp now that @wrldbuildingwrkshp.bsky.social is out), but it's nice to hear the opinions of someone whose perspective I really respect and value.
We hope more educators have a chance to tune in soon!
#EduSky
We hope more educators have a chance to tune in soon!
#EduSky
@colinwoodard.bsky.social
@thergenrader.bsky.social & I just published our new @mitpress.bsky.social book, The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play, and as one of our inspos, we'd love to send you a copy. DM to coordinate. ☺️
@thergenrader.bsky.social & I just published our new @mitpress.bsky.social book, The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play, and as one of our inspos, we'd love to send you a copy. DM to coordinate. ☺️
December 9, 2025 at 6:44 PM
@colinwoodard.bsky.social
@thergenrader.bsky.social & I just published our new @mitpress.bsky.social book, The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play, and as one of our inspos, we'd love to send you a copy. DM to coordinate. ☺️
@thergenrader.bsky.social & I just published our new @mitpress.bsky.social book, The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play, and as one of our inspos, we'd love to send you a copy. DM to coordinate. ☺️
@volts.wtf @chrislhayes.bsky.social
@thergenrader.bsky.social and I just published our new @mitpress.bsky.social book, The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play, and we'd love to send each of you a copy. Just DM to coordinate! 😊
@thergenrader.bsky.social and I just published our new @mitpress.bsky.social book, The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play, and we'd love to send each of you a copy. Just DM to coordinate! 😊
December 9, 2025 at 6:41 PM
@volts.wtf @chrislhayes.bsky.social
@thergenrader.bsky.social and I just published our new @mitpress.bsky.social book, The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play, and we'd love to send each of you a copy. Just DM to coordinate! 😊
@thergenrader.bsky.social and I just published our new @mitpress.bsky.social book, The Worldbuilding Workshop: Teaching Critical Thinking and Empathy Through World Modeling, Simulation, and Play, and we'd love to send each of you a copy. Just DM to coordinate! 😊
In which we explore differences between gamification & playful learning; discuss how simulations & case studies enhance student engagement; deconstruct relationships between #roleplay & #creativity; & dive into The Worldbuilding Workshop.
Wherever you get your podcasts!
#EduSky #highered #teachers
Wherever you get your podcasts!
#EduSky #highered #teachers
In addition to the third episode of The Worldbuilding Workshop Companion Podcast, we're delighted to share that our Fueling Creativity Podcast interview with @matthewworwood.bsky.social and @cyndiburnett.bsky.social is now streaming!
fuelingcreativity.podbean.com/e/world-buil...
fuelingcreativity.podbean.com/e/world-buil...
World Building in Education: Game-Based Learning with Stephen Slota & Trent Hergenrader | Fueling Creativity in Education
What if students saw themselves not just as learners, but as world builders, empowered to design, problem-solve, and imagine new possibilities through playful learning?
In this episode of the Fueling ...
fuelingcreativity.podbean.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:31 PM
In which we explore differences between gamification & playful learning; discuss how simulations & case studies enhance student engagement; deconstruct relationships between #roleplay & #creativity; & dive into The Worldbuilding Workshop.
Wherever you get your podcasts!
#EduSky #highered #teachers
Wherever you get your podcasts!
#EduSky #highered #teachers
Reposted by Stephen T. Slota
Today's indie game: Absolum (www.playabsolum.com). A classic beat-em-up brawler with modern design. If you liked classic Golden Axe, Double Dragon, D&D: Shadows Over Mystera, etc. but want more of a Slay-the-Spire-like run-based progression, this might be your GOTY.
Absolum Game
Crafted with passion by the dream team that redefined side-scrolling beat 'em ups, Absolum mixes top-of-the-class combat action with modern roguelite elements
www.playabsolum.com
December 6, 2025 at 10:54 PM
Today's indie game: Absolum (www.playabsolum.com). A classic beat-em-up brawler with modern design. If you liked classic Golden Axe, Double Dragon, D&D: Shadows Over Mystera, etc. but want more of a Slay-the-Spire-like run-based progression, this might be your GOTY.
Our goal is to help educators teach critical thinking and empathy by way of richly authentic world models and thought experiments. We want learners to inhabit others' perspectives—some quite different from their own—so they can appreciate the world as a dynamic web of interrelated social forces.
"What can be done to reconfigure education for the challenges of modernity?"
We must engage critical thinking and empathy via deconstruction of the planet’s most complex, urgent questions using collaboration, inquiry, and reflection—a process we call worldbuilding.
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com
We must engage critical thinking and empathy via deconstruction of the planet’s most complex, urgent questions using collaboration, inquiry, and reflection—a process we call worldbuilding.
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com
THE WORLDBUILDING WORKSHOP
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 PM
Our goal is to help educators teach critical thinking and empathy by way of richly authentic world models and thought experiments. We want learners to inhabit others' perspectives—some quite different from their own—so they can appreciate the world as a dynamic web of interrelated social forces.
Wherein @thergenrader.bsky.social and I discuss the ideas embedded in each chapter, why we're passionate about those ideas, and what we're hoping the book will accomplish (that is, being a force for good in a turbulent, frequently-difficult-to-navigate reality). ✨
The first two episodes of The Worldbuilding Workshop Companion Podcast are out now!
It's basically like reading the book alongside the authors! 😅
Available on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Spotify:
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast
#podcast #EduSky #education
It's basically like reading the book alongside the authors! 😅
Available on Apple Podcasts, Podcast Addict, Amazon Music, YouTube, and Spotify:
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com/podcast
#podcast #EduSky #education
Blog 3 — THE WORLDBUILDING WORKSHOP
www.theworldbuildingworkshop.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Wherein @thergenrader.bsky.social and I discuss the ideas embedded in each chapter, why we're passionate about those ideas, and what we're hoping the book will accomplish (that is, being a force for good in a turbulent, frequently-difficult-to-navigate reality). ✨