science fiction writer, folk/filk singer-songwriter, theatre critic, adjunct professor of media ecology. SFWA, ATCA. he/him johnmcdaid.bandcamp.com Opinions mine. https://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.socialhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mvnceylhw223Last night's office at the Portsmouth Town Council candidate forum. Link to the Portsmouth Times story in first comment (may be paywalled).16 Sep 2026 14:00 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvnceylhw223https://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mvlhttxip22sCongratulations to Anastasia Salter and Stuart Moulthrop who won the ACLS literary/media prize for their book "Twining," on the theory and praxis of the hypertext tool Twine. (I'm especially chuffed that the work "We Knew The Glass Man" that I created with my son Jack is detailed in one chapter!) https://www.acls.org/2026-acls-open-access-book-prizes-and-arcadia-open-access-publishing-awards/15 Sep 2026 20:32 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvlhttxip22shttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mvj3nbhar22wSo, hey, Portsmouth folx, should have posted this earlier, but we had family visiting this weekend. If you want to hear from all the Town Council candidates, the League of Women Voters is holding their candidate forum tomorrow night at the Middle School. If you're around, fall on by.14 Sep 2026 21:48 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvj3nbhar22whttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mvag26am2c2bPCMF's odd claims weekend: Friday, The Moon Is Ours brings lunar entitlement psychedelia. Saturday, RLM Harness bucks the reward model. Sunday, Itsy Bitsy Blood Clot closes with nursery-rhyme thrombocore. Also: Fate of the AMOC and France Is Bacon. Bring a vial of trinitite and the good mustard.11 Sep 2026 11:01 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mvag26am2c2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mv3s56r32k2fGreeting primary voters with Sen. Jack Reed (D-RI) at PHS were Portsmouth Democrats State Rep. Michelle McGaw (D-71), Karen McDaid (School Committee), Juan Carlos Payero (Town Council), John McDaid (candidate, Town Council). If you haven't voted, make a plan to get to the polls. Every vote counts!09 Sep 2026 14:54 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mv3s56r32k2fhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3muozo3kem22iPCMF optimizes hidden states: Friday, Rabid Goat Yoga spreads zoonotic wellnesscore. Saturday, The Softmax Bottleneck collapses all melodies to three chords. Sunday, Chain Refoulement serves border-policy doom with no safe third country. Bring a thorny koan and a casserole dish you don’t need back.04 Sep 2026 13:04 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3muozo3kem22ihttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3muksk3ek2c2iWorldcon trip report over on Medium. https://medium.com/@jmcdaid/worldcon-la-trip-report-ea8898fbd72a?sharedUserId=jmcdaid02 Sep 2026 20:46 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3muksk3ek2c2ihttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mudun3tafc2qMet a couple of my heroes at Worldcon. I had a chance to tell David Gerrold how much his work — past and present — means to me (and get an autograph, because, yes, I am a fanboy.) And an all-too-brief chat with Gay and Joe Haldeman, reminiscing about swapping songs the week he taught at Clarion ‘93.31 Aug 2026 02:35 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mudun3tafc2qhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mua77s5ch22pProud to have earned a positive rating on the Bodily Freedom Forever Index from the Womxn Project. While these issues may never explicitly come before the Council, I feel it’s important that Portsmouth voters know where I stand. https://thewomxnproject.org/bffi/portsmouth/29 Aug 2026 15:33 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mua77s5ch22phttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mu5acfdjk32cPCMF: Friday, Prodromal Scromiting brings warning-symptom emesiscore. Saturday, Roman Face Massage kneads cheekbones with imperial spa-rock. Sunday, The Theatre Kids close with tech-week maximalism. Also buzzing: Partisan Voting Index and The Veterinary Exorcists. Bring electrolytes and a pillowcase28 Aug 2026 11:15 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mu5acfdjk32chttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mtzaoo7egs2sSneak peek at an artifact from the current theatrical WIP, featuring gorgeous artwork by @baileychumas.bsky.social. If you're at Worldcon, I'll be showing this off.26 Aug 2026 21:11 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtzaoo7egs2shttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mtza3wjq3c2sIt's that time. If you're in LA, fall on by.26 Aug 2026 21:00 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtza3wjq3c2shttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mtqufezhuk25"We recognized that sometimes its signature was written in pencil." — Canadian PM Mark Carney, on negotiations with the US. Worth reading his whole speech to get a perspective on what it's like to make a deal with Washington these days. NYT analysis in comment. https://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/carney-full-remarks-us-trade-talks-suspended-9.731703323 Aug 2026 13:10 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtqufezhuk25https://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mtoajds6js2wThatcher Harrison, a local guitar legend -- no, seriously -- returned from his Masters program at UWM for a sold-out concert at Rough Point on Friday evening. Harrison's eclectic approach to both performance and composition blends classical guitar with an invigorating mix of jazz, blues, 1/422 Aug 2026 12:09 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtoajds6js2whttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mtlo5u7ks22wPCMF: Friday, Decoy Plane spins up diversioncore. Saturday, Collusive Litigation arrives fully briefed and mysteriously uncontested. Sunday, the invisible watermarks sling slamming provenance-pop hooks. Bring a jug of mRNA, a certified copy of Ayn Rand's death certificate, and a foam Minecraft sword21 Aug 2026 11:35 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtlo5u7ks22whttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mtjy5s434k2bEarly voting starts today! Takes five minutes at Town Hall. It’s the primary, and there are no town contests, but be sure to cast your vote in the statewide races. Not gonna tell you who to vote for, just that every vote is gonna count, so make a plan and get to the polls.20 Aug 2026 19:28 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtjy5s434k2bhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mthmxeve5s2cPortsmouth Times story on last week's Town Council meeting. The line at the podium all opposed the Council participating in the hiring process (delegated by Charter to the town administrator.) Multiple letters to the editor, including one from Karen and I as former Charter Review committee members. https://www.eastbayri.com/portsmouth/stories/council-clash-exposes-charter-divide-in-portsmouth,14197319 Aug 2026 21:03 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mthmxeve5s2chttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mtgzrxg7422vToday's piece from Cory Doctorow is a particularly good analysis and framework for understanding AI at this moment. https://pluralistic.net/2026/08/19/banaility/19 Aug 2026 15:20 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtgzrxg7422vhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mtekc3m7722iNixon goes to China https://governor.ri.gov/press-releases/governor-mckee-takes-action-automated-license-plate-readers-calls-pause-new18 Aug 2026 15:37 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mtekc3m7722ihttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mt24iv5vt22gPCMF: Friday, Enshittify This! brings platform-collapse punk. Saturday, Compliance Glove extends a firm electric grip. Sunday, Mysterious Fastnachts closes with PDutch hauntwave. Also buzzy: Horseshoe Left and The Six Native UK Reptiles. Bring wax paper, a tuning fork, and an extra-long Torx T-15.14 Aug 2026 12:04 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mt24iv5vt22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3msv3adp7z22gLast night at Portsmouth Town Hall, the Council voted to confirm the Town Administrator's pick for Finance Director — and a motion to create a Council subcommittee to insert itself into future hiring quietly died for lack of a second. Here's what that looked like from the floor. A line 1/412 Aug 2026 11:58 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3msv3adp7z22ghttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3msspgbi2p22dRAMP AGENT (Waving glowing orange ground-crew wands) Bring it left. Bring it left. Okay, you are clear to flee in abject terror. https://www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/us/politics/trump-plane-ruse.html?unlocked_article_code=1.4lA.4dab.TQjupHLeC4FN&smid=url-share11 Aug 2026 13:21 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3msspgbi2p22dhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3msigpqcbpc2yPCMF peels back the layers: Friday, Jacobian Lens brings silent-thought math rock. Saturday, The Content Creators monetize recursioncore. Sunday, Shadermaxxing renders high-poly glam at unsafe resolution. Also: The Stupidest Timeline and The AI Moats. Bring a laminar flow hood and a decent nectarine07 Aug 2026 11:18 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3msigpqcbpc2yhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3msc6ggdk6k23Happy "Soft Rains" day! One of my favorite of Bradbury's. (h/t Lis for the link!) https://short-stories.co/@raybradbury/there-will-come-soft-rains-6k8vr4xxlnmj04 Aug 2026 23:34 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3msc6ggdk6k23https://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3ms6ynr5hk22tAt least two people have made a joke about me being number six on the Portsmouth ballot in November. So...I made a meme. No AI, just photoshop.03 Aug 2026 17:13 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms6ynr5hk22thttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3ms3xsej5ss2kBallot position lottery results for Portsmouth, RI. I am number six. In a race where you get seven votes, the only number that really matters is how far down the list you read. Go all the way to the bottom — the lottery put some very good candidates at 8 through 11.02 Aug 2026 12:19 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3ms3xsej5ss2khttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mrwttrhff22lPCMF is waiving the rules: Friday, The YOLO Caucus brings whip-count punk. Saturday, Telepylus Midnight unleashes Laestrygonian doomwave. Sunday, Bean Soup Theory closes with pantry cosmology. Also: AI Kill Switch and Chocolate Psyop. Bring a bronze helmet, a sealed amphora, and comfortable shoes.31 Jul 2026 11:25 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrwttrhff22lhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mrv5ly3dks2jWorldcon program is live! If you're in LA, fall on by.30 Jul 2026 19:15 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrv5ly3dks2jhttps://bsky.app/profile/jmcdaid.bsky.social/post/3mrkldiffz226Sort-of-new, sort-of-academic content. I gave a talk at the Media Ecology Association in 2024 on the musical "Kimberly Akimbo." With the show now getting its UK premiere — at Hampstead Theatre this autumn — I've turned that talk into annotated slides. The pitch: 1/2 https://johnmcdaid.com/akimbo/default.html26 Jul 2026 14:21 +0000at://did:plc:7tmbezjs3d73rpz2ltj5vvht/app.bsky.feed.post/3mrkldiffz226