Kyle Nolla
@drpiggyphd.bsky.social
Assistant Professor of Psychology at Morgan State University • previously Northwestern University • they/she 🏳️🌈• 🇵🇷🇲🇽🇺🇸 • I study games/esports, social identity, gambling, skill acquisition, emotion regulation, digital health
*The views I express are my own.*
*The views I express are my own.*
I’m trying to finish up 3 studies and launch a new one. Would love to have as many folks as possible come by 😊
I’m bringing a small army of undergrads for their first research trip & they are very excited!!
I’m nervous to be at a Smash event but I hope to see old friends.
I’m bringing a small army of undergrads for their first research trip & they are very excited!!
I’m nervous to be at a Smash event but I hope to see old friends.
August 6, 2025 at 10:14 PM
I’m trying to finish up 3 studies and launch a new one. Would love to have as many folks as possible come by 😊
I’m bringing a small army of undergrads for their first research trip & they are very excited!!
I’m nervous to be at a Smash event but I hope to see old friends.
I’m bringing a small army of undergrads for their first research trip & they are very excited!!
I’m nervous to be at a Smash event but I hope to see old friends.
Movie: Emilia Perez (Netflix)
Overall I felt lukewarm about it. Definitely Oscar nomination material but the intermittent singing, the depiction of transness as family abandonment, a lot of it did not land with me. I did like the main character a lot and the ending felt downright Shakespearean.
Overall I felt lukewarm about it. Definitely Oscar nomination material but the intermittent singing, the depiction of transness as family abandonment, a lot of it did not land with me. I did like the main character a lot and the ending felt downright Shakespearean.
a woman in a suit and white shirt is asking for me
ALT: a woman in a suit and white shirt is asking for me
media.tenor.com
July 8, 2025 at 10:37 PM
Movie: Emilia Perez (Netflix)
Overall I felt lukewarm about it. Definitely Oscar nomination material but the intermittent singing, the depiction of transness as family abandonment, a lot of it did not land with me. I did like the main character a lot and the ending felt downright Shakespearean.
Overall I felt lukewarm about it. Definitely Oscar nomination material but the intermittent singing, the depiction of transness as family abandonment, a lot of it did not land with me. I did like the main character a lot and the ending felt downright Shakespearean.
TV: Squid Game 3 (Netflix)
Some parts were meh (loose ends in ending, VIPs, heavy-handed baby metaphor) but overall I’m pretty happy with the message and narrative arc of the show. We’re all the little guys falling prey to capitalism in the end, and it didn’t let us forget that.
Some parts were meh (loose ends in ending, VIPs, heavy-handed baby metaphor) but overall I’m pretty happy with the message and narrative arc of the show. We’re all the little guys falling prey to capitalism in the end, and it didn’t let us forget that.
a close up of a person wearing a blue vest with the number 120 on it
ALT: a close up of a person wearing a blue vest with the number 120 on it
media.tenor.com
July 5, 2025 at 8:39 PM
TV: Squid Game 3 (Netflix)
Some parts were meh (loose ends in ending, VIPs, heavy-handed baby metaphor) but overall I’m pretty happy with the message and narrative arc of the show. We’re all the little guys falling prey to capitalism in the end, and it didn’t let us forget that.
Some parts were meh (loose ends in ending, VIPs, heavy-handed baby metaphor) but overall I’m pretty happy with the message and narrative arc of the show. We’re all the little guys falling prey to capitalism in the end, and it didn’t let us forget that.
Game: Blue Prince
Played with my spouse handing the controller off between us each day. What a masterpiece of a puzzle game! We did not 100% it because the latest-game puzzles are insane. But mechanics were compelling, story was neat, and brain teasers were (usually) satisfying (f the gallery tho)
Played with my spouse handing the controller off between us each day. What a masterpiece of a puzzle game! We did not 100% it because the latest-game puzzles are insane. But mechanics were compelling, story was neat, and brain teasers were (usually) satisfying (f the gallery tho)
a screenshot of a video game with a spare room and chapel
ALT: a screenshot of a video game with a spare room and chapel
media.tenor.com
June 8, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Game: Blue Prince
Played with my spouse handing the controller off between us each day. What a masterpiece of a puzzle game! We did not 100% it because the latest-game puzzles are insane. But mechanics were compelling, story was neat, and brain teasers were (usually) satisfying (f the gallery tho)
Played with my spouse handing the controller off between us each day. What a masterpiece of a puzzle game! We did not 100% it because the latest-game puzzles are insane. But mechanics were compelling, story was neat, and brain teasers were (usually) satisfying (f the gallery tho)
Yeah I hesitated for a sec when I found it in my old things. He’s not a good dude and the conservatism came through in the writing - specifically homophobia was very clear in this one. Made me realize I need to be more picky with my sci-fi books.
June 8, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Yeah I hesitated for a sec when I found it in my old things. He’s not a good dude and the conservatism came through in the writing - specifically homophobia was very clear in this one. Made me realize I need to be more picky with my sci-fi books.
Book: Songmaster by Orson Scott Card
I bought this from a used bookstore in high school since I liked Ender’s Game but never read. It’s the kind of book I like more as an adult since it’s about growth, legacy, change. The idea of song as a separate, more honest expression than speech was cool.
I bought this from a used bookstore in high school since I liked Ender’s Game but never read. It’s the kind of book I like more as an adult since it’s about growth, legacy, change. The idea of song as a separate, more honest expression than speech was cool.
June 8, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Book: Songmaster by Orson Scott Card
I bought this from a used bookstore in high school since I liked Ender’s Game but never read. It’s the kind of book I like more as an adult since it’s about growth, legacy, change. The idea of song as a separate, more honest expression than speech was cool.
I bought this from a used bookstore in high school since I liked Ender’s Game but never read. It’s the kind of book I like more as an adult since it’s about growth, legacy, change. The idea of song as a separate, more honest expression than speech was cool.
TV: Dan Da Dan (Netflix/Crunchyroll)
Quirky, earnest supernatural coming-of-age anime. Ep 1 has a scene that is a major turnoff/ick/unnecessary anime pandering bullshit but I kept watching and yes, it is very good after that. Refreshing use of Japanese history, good characters, banger opener.
Quirky, earnest supernatural coming-of-age anime. Ep 1 has a scene that is a major turnoff/ick/unnecessary anime pandering bullshit but I kept watching and yes, it is very good after that. Refreshing use of Japanese history, good characters, banger opener.
a group of people are standing in front of a maze with chinese writing on it
ALT: a group of people are standing in front of a maze with chinese writing on it
media.tenor.com
June 4, 2025 at 9:21 PM
TV: Dan Da Dan (Netflix/Crunchyroll)
Quirky, earnest supernatural coming-of-age anime. Ep 1 has a scene that is a major turnoff/ick/unnecessary anime pandering bullshit but I kept watching and yes, it is very good after that. Refreshing use of Japanese history, good characters, banger opener.
Quirky, earnest supernatural coming-of-age anime. Ep 1 has a scene that is a major turnoff/ick/unnecessary anime pandering bullshit but I kept watching and yes, it is very good after that. Refreshing use of Japanese history, good characters, banger opener.
TV: Sirens (Netflix)
I really liked the exploration of sibling/family dynamics & trauma, it felt realistic & powerful how they were explained and tackled. The metaphor of wealth as a siren’s call was good for the first half but as the plot progressed it mattered less? Overall a solid, human drama.
I really liked the exploration of sibling/family dynamics & trauma, it felt realistic & powerful how they were explained and tackled. The metaphor of wealth as a siren’s call was good for the first half but as the plot progressed it mattered less? Overall a solid, human drama.
June 1, 2025 at 2:55 AM
TV: Sirens (Netflix)
I really liked the exploration of sibling/family dynamics & trauma, it felt realistic & powerful how they were explained and tackled. The metaphor of wealth as a siren’s call was good for the first half but as the plot progressed it mattered less? Overall a solid, human drama.
I really liked the exploration of sibling/family dynamics & trauma, it felt realistic & powerful how they were explained and tackled. The metaphor of wealth as a siren’s call was good for the first half but as the plot progressed it mattered less? Overall a solid, human drama.
This made me miss a bunch of peeps in this photo 🥹
May 20, 2025 at 9:09 AM
This made me miss a bunch of peeps in this photo 🥹
Thank you, your kindness gave me a little lift.
April 23, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Thank you, your kindness gave me a little lift.
I appreciate it, thank you
April 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
I appreciate it, thank you
Movie: One of Them Days (Netflix)
I watched this in theaters but the town lost power in the last 30 min so I just now finished the movie since it’s on Netflix 😅 This is a great and hilarious buddy comedy where it all comes together. Also got the song Best Friend on my radar and love that too.
I watched this in theaters but the town lost power in the last 30 min so I just now finished the movie since it’s on Netflix 😅 This is a great and hilarious buddy comedy where it all comes together. Also got the song Best Friend on my radar and love that too.
a woman with #oneofthemdays written on the bottom of her picture
ALT: a woman with #oneofthemdays written on the bottom of her picture
media.tenor.com
April 22, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Movie: One of Them Days (Netflix)
I watched this in theaters but the town lost power in the last 30 min so I just now finished the movie since it’s on Netflix 😅 This is a great and hilarious buddy comedy where it all comes together. Also got the song Best Friend on my radar and love that too.
I watched this in theaters but the town lost power in the last 30 min so I just now finished the movie since it’s on Netflix 😅 This is a great and hilarious buddy comedy where it all comes together. Also got the song Best Friend on my radar and love that too.
Books: Apothecary Diaries (12 & 13)
Tore through this series last year since the anime was so good. Each book has its mysteries, danger, court social dynamics, jokes, romance. 12 was a great payoff from a larger arc of several books, 13 felt like pure setup but enjoyable. Highly recommend!
Tore through this series last year since the anime was so good. Each book has its mysteries, danger, court social dynamics, jokes, romance. 12 was a great payoff from a larger arc of several books, 13 felt like pure setup but enjoyable. Highly recommend!
April 19, 2025 at 11:41 AM
Books: Apothecary Diaries (12 & 13)
Tore through this series last year since the anime was so good. Each book has its mysteries, danger, court social dynamics, jokes, romance. 12 was a great payoff from a larger arc of several books, 13 felt like pure setup but enjoyable. Highly recommend!
Tore through this series last year since the anime was so good. Each book has its mysteries, danger, court social dynamics, jokes, romance. 12 was a great payoff from a larger arc of several books, 13 felt like pure setup but enjoyable. Highly recommend!
Comic/Book: Flork of Cows @florkofcows.bsky.social
I completely forgot I ordered this so when it showed up on my doorstep after a very trying few weeks (let’s be honest, an awful few months) it felt perfect. The absurd, dark, wholesome hilarity gave me a lift. A little treat for my spirit.
I completely forgot I ordered this so when it showed up on my doorstep after a very trying few weeks (let’s be honest, an awful few months) it felt perfect. The absurd, dark, wholesome hilarity gave me a lift. A little treat for my spirit.
April 17, 2025 at 5:27 AM
Comic/Book: Flork of Cows @florkofcows.bsky.social
I completely forgot I ordered this so when it showed up on my doorstep after a very trying few weeks (let’s be honest, an awful few months) it felt perfect. The absurd, dark, wholesome hilarity gave me a lift. A little treat for my spirit.
I completely forgot I ordered this so when it showed up on my doorstep after a very trying few weeks (let’s be honest, an awful few months) it felt perfect. The absurd, dark, wholesome hilarity gave me a lift. A little treat for my spirit.
TV: The Whale (Netflix)
I put this on my watch list when I was feeling lonely and whew, I would Not recommend watching it if you are in a bad place. It was sad & difficult. I can see merit in criticisms of fatphobic camera choices. Great acting, but there’s no one to root for really. Just sadness.
I put this on my watch list when I was feeling lonely and whew, I would Not recommend watching it if you are in a bad place. It was sad & difficult. I can see merit in criticisms of fatphobic camera choices. Great acting, but there’s no one to root for really. Just sadness.
a fat man is sitting on a couch and smiling
ALT: a fat man is sitting on a couch and smiling
media.tenor.com
April 8, 2025 at 11:33 PM
TV: The Whale (Netflix)
I put this on my watch list when I was feeling lonely and whew, I would Not recommend watching it if you are in a bad place. It was sad & difficult. I can see merit in criticisms of fatphobic camera choices. Great acting, but there’s no one to root for really. Just sadness.
I put this on my watch list when I was feeling lonely and whew, I would Not recommend watching it if you are in a bad place. It was sad & difficult. I can see merit in criticisms of fatphobic camera choices. Great acting, but there’s no one to root for really. Just sadness.
Game: The Longing (mobile, Steam, etc)
A curious and (in a positive way) lonely, long experience. I got attached to my little shade and ended up using a guide to peep the endings bc I was worried she wouldn’t end up well. Glad I did. Game brought me small joys, rewarding patience.
A curious and (in a positive way) lonely, long experience. I got attached to my little shade and ended up using a guide to peep the endings bc I was worried she wouldn’t end up well. Glad I did. Game brought me small joys, rewarding patience.
April 7, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Game: The Longing (mobile, Steam, etc)
A curious and (in a positive way) lonely, long experience. I got attached to my little shade and ended up using a guide to peep the endings bc I was worried she wouldn’t end up well. Glad I did. Game brought me small joys, rewarding patience.
A curious and (in a positive way) lonely, long experience. I got attached to my little shade and ended up using a guide to peep the endings bc I was worried she wouldn’t end up well. Glad I did. Game brought me small joys, rewarding patience.