Tom Abba
@tomabba.studio
Director Digital Cultures Research Centre and Pervasive Media Studio Resident. Artist, writer and publisher. Opinions are all my own. Usually making something
Reposted by Tom Abba
You too can watch La Jetée (a masterpiece, & under 30 minutes) here:
November 22, 2025 at 12:33 PM
You too can watch La Jetée (a masterpiece, & under 30 minutes) here:
things I learned today:
You can’t say ‘shit’ on Kickstarter…
You can’t say ‘shit’ on Kickstarter…
November 18, 2025 at 3:42 PM
things I learned today:
You can’t say ‘shit’ on Kickstarter…
You can’t say ‘shit’ on Kickstarter…
Reposted by Tom Abba
If you're looking for illustrations for "AI", don't use robots, glowing disembodied brains, or computer code in empty space. Here are a some alternative suggestions:
November 17, 2025 at 10:45 AM
If you're looking for illustrations for "AI", don't use robots, glowing disembodied brains, or computer code in empty space. Here are a some alternative suggestions:
…and I should add that it’s really good. (I read it when it wasn’t open access and this is a gift)
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 11:08 AM
…and I should add that it’s really good. (I read it when it wasn’t open access and this is a gift)
Reposted by Tom Abba
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 11:03 AM
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...
More typographical sins from the office of the President.
The font would appear to be English 111 Adagio CE, available for the highly presidential sum of just $39.75 USD
Note "The" is not kerned correctly
(see perspective-corrected still for reference)
Note "The" is not kerned correctly
(see perspective-corrected still for reference)
November 12, 2025 at 9:03 AM
More typographical sins from the office of the President.
That’s not a sign. It’s a poorly kerned (do I detect the hand of Microsoft word?) printout on sheets of A3 paper tacked to the wall.
November 6, 2025 at 8:35 AM
That’s not a sign. It’s a poorly kerned (do I detect the hand of Microsoft word?) printout on sheets of A3 paper tacked to the wall.
Reposted by Tom Abba
I read a lot of opinions about AI and the future of work, and this post by @naomialderman.bsky.social is the best I've come across in a long time. It was written for young people the same age as my daughters, and the best compliment I can give it is that I immediately shared it with them.
preparing for the working world in the age of AI
or: seven things to tell your kids when they ask what they should study now, or what the point of studying is
naomialderman.substack.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I read a lot of opinions about AI and the future of work, and this post by @naomialderman.bsky.social is the best I've come across in a long time. It was written for young people the same age as my daughters, and the best compliment I can give it is that I immediately shared it with them.
This is a public service announcement to recommend pre-ordering @davidmbarnett.bsky.social's Scratch Moss. Out in the Spring, and the most brutal, gut-wrenching thing he’s written. If you thought Withered Hill was good, you’re going to be blown away by this.
(www.canelo.co/books/scratc...)
(www.canelo.co/books/scratc...)
Scratch Moss by David Barnett | Canelo
Paperback and Ebook
www.canelo.co
November 1, 2025 at 1:08 PM
This is a public service announcement to recommend pre-ordering @davidmbarnett.bsky.social's Scratch Moss. Out in the Spring, and the most brutal, gut-wrenching thing he’s written. If you thought Withered Hill was good, you’re going to be blown away by this.
(www.canelo.co/books/scratc...)
(www.canelo.co/books/scratc...)
A better one than the Calvin & Hobbes House of Leaves…?
October 24, 2025 at 10:51 AM
A better one than the Calvin & Hobbes House of Leaves…?
Two days off work, and I’m (naturally) in the studio, but not answering emails.
Today’s task, inspired by @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social is to go and find a river that’s buried…
Today’s task, inspired by @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social is to go and find a river that’s buried…
October 16, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Two days off work, and I’m (naturally) in the studio, but not answering emails.
Today’s task, inspired by @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social is to go and find a river that’s buried…
Today’s task, inspired by @robgmacfarlane.bsky.social is to go and find a river that’s buried…
okay.
Peanuts. (not allergic, just hate the smell)
Do I have to have seen it *all* already? (If not - Moonwalker - walked out of the cinema).
If so, then Watchmen.
Crazy Horses.
Peanuts. (not allergic, just hate the smell)
Do I have to have seen it *all* already? (If not - Moonwalker - walked out of the cinema).
If so, then Watchmen.
Crazy Horses.
“Introduce yourself using only one food you refuse to eat, one movie you’ll never watch again, and one song you can’t stand”
sea urchins
that werewolf movie with Gregory Hines
Lady In Red
sea urchins
that werewolf movie with Gregory Hines
Lady In Red
Ooh fun.
- Hard boiled eggs (can’t explain, just no)
- Children of Men (relentless)
- Sweet Caroline (does not require explaining)
- Hard boiled eggs (can’t explain, just no)
- Children of Men (relentless)
- Sweet Caroline (does not require explaining)
October 13, 2025 at 10:04 AM
okay.
Peanuts. (not allergic, just hate the smell)
Do I have to have seen it *all* already? (If not - Moonwalker - walked out of the cinema).
If so, then Watchmen.
Crazy Horses.
Peanuts. (not allergic, just hate the smell)
Do I have to have seen it *all* already? (If not - Moonwalker - walked out of the cinema).
If so, then Watchmen.
Crazy Horses.
Reposted by Tom Abba
Our forefathers tamed the brooks, and the streams, and the rivers. They harnessed the sea, and tethered the flow of life itself to their own ends.
But none of it was ever theirs.
The Devil’s Sound.
A limited series immersive audio presentation.
The journey begins soon.
But none of it was ever theirs.
The Devil’s Sound.
A limited series immersive audio presentation.
The journey begins soon.
October 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Our forefathers tamed the brooks, and the streams, and the rivers. They harnessed the sea, and tethered the flow of life itself to their own ends.
But none of it was ever theirs.
The Devil’s Sound.
A limited series immersive audio presentation.
The journey begins soon.
But none of it was ever theirs.
The Devil’s Sound.
A limited series immersive audio presentation.
The journey begins soon.
Reposted by Tom Abba
I Photoshop Paddington into a movie, TV show, or pop culture until I forget: Day 1673
October 13, 2025 at 7:20 AM
I Photoshop Paddington into a movie, TV show, or pop culture until I forget: Day 1673
Our forefathers tamed the brooks, and the streams, and the rivers. They harnessed the sea, and tethered the flow of life itself to their own ends.
But none of it was ever theirs.
The Devil’s Sound.
A limited series immersive audio presentation.
The journey begins soon.
But none of it was ever theirs.
The Devil’s Sound.
A limited series immersive audio presentation.
The journey begins soon.
October 12, 2025 at 2:11 PM
Our forefathers tamed the brooks, and the streams, and the rivers. They harnessed the sea, and tethered the flow of life itself to their own ends.
But none of it was ever theirs.
The Devil’s Sound.
A limited series immersive audio presentation.
The journey begins soon.
But none of it was ever theirs.
The Devil’s Sound.
A limited series immersive audio presentation.
The journey begins soon.
Reposted by Tom Abba
Delighted to share the first research report from
@immersiveartsuk.bsky.social
It's a deep dive into the immersive arts exhibition and distribution ecosystem, bringing together interviews and recommendations from an incredible group of experts. immersivearts.uk/news/first-r...
@immersiveartsuk.bsky.social
It's a deep dive into the immersive arts exhibition and distribution ecosystem, bringing together interviews and recommendations from an incredible group of experts. immersivearts.uk/news/first-r...
First Report: Early days of the immersive exhibition network - Immersive Arts
Over the past 10–15 years, the appetite for immersive work both from artists and audiences has grown faster than the networks supporting it. This report brings together insights and recommendations fr...
immersivearts.uk
October 7, 2025 at 4:46 PM
Delighted to share the first research report from
@immersiveartsuk.bsky.social
It's a deep dive into the immersive arts exhibition and distribution ecosystem, bringing together interviews and recommendations from an incredible group of experts. immersivearts.uk/news/first-r...
@immersiveartsuk.bsky.social
It's a deep dive into the immersive arts exhibition and distribution ecosystem, bringing together interviews and recommendations from an incredible group of experts. immersivearts.uk/news/first-r...
Reposted by Tom Abba
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Nick Clegg says asking artists for use permission would ‘kill’ the AI industry
Paul McCartne, Elton John and others signed an open letter.
buff.ly
October 8, 2025 at 10:29 AM
Today is a day when arts degrees are worthless, but the product of those degrees is so valuable it would kill an entire industry if they were made to pay for it.
what’s the word for having just signed a contract to do a thing that you’re not going to tell anyone about for about a week, after which it’ll dominate your creative life until, say, the end of November?
October 2, 2025 at 2:35 PM
what’s the word for having just signed a contract to do a thing that you’re not going to tell anyone about for about a week, after which it’ll dominate your creative life until, say, the end of November?
This would indeed appear to be the case. Stares very hard at @springer.springernature.com and wonders what they’re actually good for?
The official database of works eligible for the Anthropic AI settlement has been released and, as I suspected, many authors are screwed. Basically, if your books weren't officially registered with the US Copyright Office you're out of luck. 1/ secure.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com/lookup/results
October 2, 2025 at 1:12 PM
This would indeed appear to be the case. Stares very hard at @springer.springernature.com and wonders what they’re actually good for?
Reposted by Tom Abba
A hugely important update for authors and publishers: you may not be eligible, it's a defined list of titles based on US copyright registration and date eligibility, not everything in LibGen. But take five minutes to be sure 👉
If you think you are entitled to a share of the $1.5bn class action settlement with AI firm Anthropic in the US, you can now file a claim.
The settlement website has all the info including a searchable database of eligible titles, claim forms and FAQs www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
#booksky
The settlement website has all the info including a searchable database of eligible titles, claim forms and FAQs www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
#booksky
ANT Homepage | ANT
www.anthropiccopyrightsettlement.com
October 2, 2025 at 9:12 AM
A hugely important update for authors and publishers: you may not be eligible, it's a defined list of titles based on US copyright registration and date eligibility, not everything in LibGen. But take five minutes to be sure 👉
He’s dead right about that.
And walking the byways of Withered Hill might just open another door for you in 30 days time too…
And walking the byways of Withered Hill might just open another door for you in 30 days time too…
It's the perfect time of year to investigate ROADS TO WITHERED HILL, the immersive audio experience developed by @tomabba.studio to accompany my folk horror novel. It's free and you just need to plug yourself into your phone and go for a VERY unsettling short walk.
discover.witheredhill.place
discover.witheredhill.place
Roads to Withered Hill
Roads to Withered Hill
discover.witheredhill.place
October 1, 2025 at 9:01 AM
He’s dead right about that.
And walking the byways of Withered Hill might just open another door for you in 30 days time too…
And walking the byways of Withered Hill might just open another door for you in 30 days time too…
Reposted by Tom Abba
Realised I'd shared this with friends over the weekend, but not you.
Yes, it's a lovely old video on modelling, but crucially about 12 minutes in there's the most unhinged walk through of a railway diorama where there's vandals, death, lambs to slaughter, a bit more death and Druid stones.
Yes, it's a lovely old video on modelling, but crucially about 12 minutes in there's the most unhinged walk through of a railway diorama where there's vandals, death, lambs to slaughter, a bit more death and Druid stones.
1975: MODEL RAILWAYS - All You Need to Know | Model World | BBC Archive
YouTube video by BBC Archive
youtu.be
September 30, 2025 at 9:27 AM
Realised I'd shared this with friends over the weekend, but not you.
Yes, it's a lovely old video on modelling, but crucially about 12 minutes in there's the most unhinged walk through of a railway diorama where there's vandals, death, lambs to slaughter, a bit more death and Druid stones.
Yes, it's a lovely old video on modelling, but crucially about 12 minutes in there's the most unhinged walk through of a railway diorama where there's vandals, death, lambs to slaughter, a bit more death and Druid stones.
I’m sorry the how long?
(Looks at schedule. Decides to invent a day without meetings)
(Looks at schedule. Decides to invent a day without meetings)
If you haven't seen the full 4.5hr cut of Wim Wenders's UNTIL THE END OF THE WORLD (1991), what the fuck are you even doing with your life?!?!?!?
September 30, 2025 at 8:45 AM
I’m sorry the how long?
(Looks at schedule. Decides to invent a day without meetings)
(Looks at schedule. Decides to invent a day without meetings)
Reposted by Tom Abba
"The print edition of The Intelligence Illusion is available for order"
www.baldurbjarnason.com/2025/the-pri...
It's been a long road to get here. Will write more about it over the next few days, but first I need to nap and rest a bit 🙂
www.baldurbjarnason.com/2025/the-pri...
It's been a long road to get here. Will write more about it over the next few days, but first I need to nap and rest a bit 🙂
The print edition of The Intelligence Illusion is available for order
Web dev at the end of the world, from Hveragerði, Iceland
www.baldurbjarnason.com
September 24, 2025 at 4:35 PM
"The print edition of The Intelligence Illusion is available for order"
www.baldurbjarnason.com/2025/the-pri...
It's been a long road to get here. Will write more about it over the next few days, but first I need to nap and rest a bit 🙂
www.baldurbjarnason.com/2025/the-pri...
It's been a long road to get here. Will write more about it over the next few days, but first I need to nap and rest a bit 🙂
Reposted by Tom Abba
People are making Rapture jokes like there's no tomorrow
September 23, 2025 at 1:40 AM
People are making Rapture jokes like there's no tomorrow