FriendlyFiend
@friendlyfiendish.bsky.social
Telly writer, story editor and geek. This is my account for the geeky stuff, especially TTRPGs. You may know me from my other roleplaying accounts, @FriendlyFiend on Mastodon, GeorgeP on assorted Discords, or from telly things I write/story edit.
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The response to this article today from professional colleagues and the gaming community has really been heartwarming and humbling. I really do appreciate people engaging with this research, and taking the time to let me know (esp. if - like me - they played Twilight 2000 'back in the day').
Hurrah! My article on the Twilight 2000 RPG in the Journal of American Studies is now open access (OA), so anyone who wants to can have a read. OA is important to me, as I want my work on RPG history to go beyond the academy and reach the gaming public.
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
When You Say, “Thermonuclear War,” I Think You Mean “the Call to Adventure”! The Twilight: 2000 Tabletop Role-Playing Game and the Postapocalyptic World’s Imaginary Spaces | Journal of American Studie...
When You Say, “Thermonuclear War,” I Think You Mean “the Call to Adventure”! The Twilight: 2000 Tabletop Role-Playing Game and the Postapocalyptic World’s Imaginary Spaces
www.cambridge.org
November 14, 2025 at 6:03 PM
The response to this article today from professional colleagues and the gaming community has really been heartwarming and humbling. I really do appreciate people engaging with this research, and taking the time to let me know (esp. if - like me - they played Twilight 2000 'back in the day').
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It's better this way. Real life sucks. Books will love you back.
November 12, 2025 at 5:36 PM
It's better this way. Real life sucks. Books will love you back.
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Just for laughs...
November 12, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Just for laughs...
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November 13, 2025 at 6:01 AM
Die: Loaded No. 1 arrived today and I can confirm it's a very fine thing indeed.
DIE Loaded #1 Review
DIE Loaded #1 Image Comics Written by Kieron Gillen Art by Stephanie Hans Colors by Stephanie Hans Letters by Clayton Cowles The Rundown: The world of Die ensnares a new set of players with connections to the original party. In the wake of their return from the land of Die,…
DIE Loaded #1 Image Comics Written by Kieron Gillen Art by Stephanie Hans Colors by Stephanie Hans Letters by Clayton Cowles The Rundown: The world of Die ensnares a new set of players with connections to the original party. In the wake of their return from the land of Die,…
DIE Loaded #1 Review
DIE Loaded #1 Image Comics Written by Kieron Gillen Art by Stephanie Hans Colors by Stephanie Hans Letters by Clayton Cowles The Rundown: The world of Die ensnares a new set of players with connections to the original party. In the wake of their return from the land of Die, Ash and the other survivors find themselves in the middle of a global pandemic.
www.superpoweredfancast.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Die: Loaded No. 1 arrived today and I can confirm it's a very fine thing indeed.
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Great piece by Zadie Smith. When the right talks about classics or "Western" culture, these works are only important to the extent that it demonstrates their superiority, they have no interest in art in and of itself beyond that www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 12, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Great piece by Zadie Smith. When the right talks about classics or "Western" culture, these works are only important to the extent that it demonstrates their superiority, they have no interest in art in and of itself beyond that www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
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In Italy labor unions helped start a network of left-leaning news/music radio stations that have become some of the staples of public information in much of the country. They now run on a donation / ads model, but initial investment was from labor. I think about this often.
The AFL-CIO should start throwing some money towards labor journalism. If it was done right (i.e. with them accepting that journalists must have full editorial control over what’s published, whether or not union leaders like what they have to say) it could really have such a hugely positive impact
November 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In Italy labor unions helped start a network of left-leaning news/music radio stations that have become some of the staples of public information in much of the country. They now run on a donation / ads model, but initial investment was from labor. I think about this often.
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At risk of flogging a dead horse: this whole letter is a reminder that the creative process is an end in and of itself, and vital to self-actualisation. You can’t experience BECOMING, as he puts it, by outsourcing it to ChatGPT.
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 11, 2025 at 10:44 AM
At risk of flogging a dead horse: this whole letter is a reminder that the creative process is an end in and of itself, and vital to self-actualisation. You can’t experience BECOMING, as he puts it, by outsourcing it to ChatGPT.
Okay, social media, today I see your value.
Until this message got me googling, I had no idea what a bread pudding is. Now we have bread pudding. Thanks for bringing joy to our evening!
November 11, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Okay, social media, today I see your value.
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AI peas peas with AI www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
Give peas a chance – even AI peas: the Stephen Collins cartoon
AI can transform all areas of our lives – even boiling a bag of frozen veg
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
AI peas peas with AI www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...
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BBC Radio 3
20th Century Radicals
New light on the 'modern' music of the 20th century. Gillian Moore explores the role of the two Pierres - Schaeffer and Henry - in the development of electronic music.
20th Century Radicals
New light on the 'modern' music of the 20th century. Gillian Moore explores the role of the two Pierres - Schaeffer and Henry - in the development of electronic music.
November 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
BBC Radio 3
20th Century Radicals
New light on the 'modern' music of the 20th century. Gillian Moore explores the role of the two Pierres - Schaeffer and Henry - in the development of electronic music.
20th Century Radicals
New light on the 'modern' music of the 20th century. Gillian Moore explores the role of the two Pierres - Schaeffer and Henry - in the development of electronic music.
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The BBC when there is a real scandal: takes years to do anything, drags its feet, is very defensive
The BBC when the right wing goes for it: has a panic attack then throws itself on its sword immediately
The BBC when the right wing goes for it: has a panic attack then throws itself on its sword immediately
November 9, 2025 at 7:36 PM
The BBC when there is a real scandal: takes years to do anything, drags its feet, is very defensive
The BBC when the right wing goes for it: has a panic attack then throws itself on its sword immediately
The BBC when the right wing goes for it: has a panic attack then throws itself on its sword immediately
New MR James Ghost Story for Christmas?
Somerset church tomb collapse exposes 1700s stone crypt
Somerset church tomb collapse exposes 1700s stone crypt
The church says it is currently unclear whether the collapse has damaged any surrounding graves.
www.bbc.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:41 PM
New MR James Ghost Story for Christmas?
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Publishers, share your tips on how to keep track of interesting artists for potential new game projects. We follow them on IG or Artstation, but then some are not there, some are great but only have a PDF portfolio, or a website, or their website is WIP since 2014 and so on.
November 9, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Publishers, share your tips on how to keep track of interesting artists for potential new game projects. We follow them on IG or Artstation, but then some are not there, some are great but only have a PDF portfolio, or a website, or their website is WIP since 2014 and so on.
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My books cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:04 PM
My books cartoon for this week’s @theguardian.com
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Jim Henson & Frank Oz performed many double acts together, but here's a two-hander w/ Kermit & Grover that’s straight out of vaudeville. The timing puts Swiss clockwork to shame,& their interplay is incredibly kinetic, expertly delivering a lesson w/in the comedy. Jim’s timing at the end? Priceless.
October 26, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Jim Henson & Frank Oz performed many double acts together, but here's a two-hander w/ Kermit & Grover that’s straight out of vaudeville. The timing puts Swiss clockwork to shame,& their interplay is incredibly kinetic, expertly delivering a lesson w/in the comedy. Jim’s timing at the end? Priceless.
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Good luck to the Blu-ray lads, trying to improve the effects on this.
November 8, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Good luck to the Blu-ray lads, trying to improve the effects on this.
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I've really enjoyed adding my own twists onto @malcolmcraig.bsky.social's setting and @fromthemorgue.bsky.social's mechanics. Cheers to Jon and the team for having me on board to do so.
There's so much I want to say about hope & struggle in cities, and will do as soon as the project is done!
There's so much I want to say about hope & struggle in cities, and will do as soon as the project is done!
Gratitude post! Today I am extremely grateful for Tanya Floaker’s amazing work on Mapmaker’s Guide for a|state, alongside their amazing perseverance with my entirely unreasonable demand that we’re not talking about it until it’s written.
November 8, 2025 at 10:57 AM
I've really enjoyed adding my own twists onto @malcolmcraig.bsky.social's setting and @fromthemorgue.bsky.social's mechanics. Cheers to Jon and the team for having me on board to do so.
There's so much I want to say about hope & struggle in cities, and will do as soon as the project is done!
There's so much I want to say about hope & struggle in cities, and will do as soon as the project is done!
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Wow. Cold City has 100% five star rating @drivethrurpg.com and a series of brilliant reviews: Hector writes: "Love the research, the feel, and the subtlety of game design. And for all that, it is fast-moving and on the low end of prep time."
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
November 7, 2025 at 9:26 AM
Wow. Cold City has 100% five star rating @drivethrurpg.com and a series of brilliant reviews: Hector writes: "Love the research, the feel, and the subtlety of game design. And for all that, it is fast-moving and on the low end of prep time."
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
www.drivethrurpg.com/en/product/5... #coldcity
This is how I’m gonna look every time someone hits the dislike button on one of my posts.
November 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
This is how I’m gonna look every time someone hits the dislike button on one of my posts.
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Reposted by FriendlyFiend
Classic British wartime drama!
📽️ WENT THE DAY WELL? (1942) 6:10pm #TPTVsubtitles with #LeslieBanks #MervynJohns #ElizabethAllen #BasilSydney #ThoraHird
📽️ WENT THE DAY WELL? (1942) 6:10pm #TPTVsubtitles with #LeslieBanks #MervynJohns #ElizabethAllen #BasilSydney #ThoraHird
November 7, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Classic British wartime drama!
📽️ WENT THE DAY WELL? (1942) 6:10pm #TPTVsubtitles with #LeslieBanks #MervynJohns #ElizabethAllen #BasilSydney #ThoraHird
📽️ WENT THE DAY WELL? (1942) 6:10pm #TPTVsubtitles with #LeslieBanks #MervynJohns #ElizabethAllen #BasilSydney #ThoraHird
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It's 2034 and Robert Bowman (32), a former fireman from Stafford, is publicly executed by hanging for not wearing a poppy.
At his trial, upon hearing that Bowman didn't even have his state issued flag of St. George on display at his home, the judge dismissed the jury and declared him guilty.
At his trial, upon hearing that Bowman didn't even have his state issued flag of St. George on display at his home, the judge dismissed the jury and declared him guilty.
November 7, 2025 at 8:27 AM
It's 2034 and Robert Bowman (32), a former fireman from Stafford, is publicly executed by hanging for not wearing a poppy.
At his trial, upon hearing that Bowman didn't even have his state issued flag of St. George on display at his home, the judge dismissed the jury and declared him guilty.
At his trial, upon hearing that Bowman didn't even have his state issued flag of St. George on display at his home, the judge dismissed the jury and declared him guilty.
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Another one bites the dust.
Delete your Grammarly account, apps, plugins and everything related to it.
They will use your writing to train AI.
Delete your Grammarly account, apps, plugins and everything related to it.
They will use your writing to train AI.
November 6, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Another one bites the dust.
Delete your Grammarly account, apps, plugins and everything related to it.
They will use your writing to train AI.
Delete your Grammarly account, apps, plugins and everything related to it.
They will use your writing to train AI.