LOL, Google updating its tracking of all searches (expanding it to saving all media you may share through e.g. visual image search), and simultaneously stating they'll apply "robust" privacy protections (and of course also use what you share to train their AI models). At least you can turn it off.

For a sneak peek at what we'll be presenting at Immersive Technologies in Practice, check out the archive of the project: storymaps.arcgis.com/stories/45db...

On June 17, two former students and I are presenting an immersive woodland sound installation on the materiality of digital media at this symposium! You can attend in person or remotely. www.brookes.ac.uk/about-brooke...

I'm migrating to a new laptop, and this means finally facing all the open tabs across two browsers. (I already reorganized the entire file structure of my laptop, which I hadn't done in two laptops...)

I'm in my second line of the day (for the NW Marine Artworks Open Studios), but at least this time, I have a ticket and will definitely get in.

No Criterion Closet for me today, and I don't know if I want to brave the weekend crowds. You'd probably have to be in line by 8am at the latest to get in. At least I got a voucher for a film screening at PAM's Tomorrow Theater.

I clearly underestimated Portland's desire for the Criterion Closer because I'm in the standby line an hour before it starts. I should have trusted my SDCC instincts and gotten here at least two hours early.

See you soon!

I have exited the grading cave only to enter a string of post-semester retreats and workshops (sigh). Fortunately also have fun social things lined up: the mobile Criterion Closet will be in town, Memorial Day picnic with friends, and lots of D&D.

Still in the grading cave, but I've bookmarked this site as a teaching tool for my digital media classes: sinceyouarrived.world/taken

Peaking my head out of the grading cave to share that Prime Video is hosting a YA-focused "immersive" fan con in L.A. this June. During the pandemic lockdown, several companies staged their own (virtual) fan cons rather than participating in e.g. San Diego Comic-Con. Curious to see this resurface.

I don't recall ever having gotten a tote bag at SCMS, so I brought this Console-ing Passions tote from 2014. #scms26

Finally, a great convo between @meesk.bsky.social and @drtvlotz.bsky.social on how those of us raised in the era of “mass media” (and trained on it as media scholars) need to revise and adapt our approaches and theories to media as it actually is today. podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/a...

I meant to take a brief hiatus during winter break, and oops, it turned into something slightly longer. But I'm back just in time for SCMS! (I'm presenting on the invisible labor of marketers and non-union actors in brand activations on Thursday afternoon.)

Last day of classes is in the books. The last few weeks are always simultaneously endless and fly by. I think I found strategies for productive and enjoyable classes after Thanksgiving? (Mostly structured in-class project work and open-ended big picture conversations)

What an excellent group of scholars and topics! I'm excited to dive in.

Yesterday it occured to me that it was time for SCMS notifications, and the acceptance notice appeared in my inbox a few minutes ago. See you in Chicago for "Creative Labor in the Shadow of Hollywood Hype: Marketers, Non-Union-Actors, and the Struggle for Recognition." 🎉 #SCMS26

This was such an excellent conversation! Big thanks to the SCMS Media Industries SIG for organizing it.

Emerging from my little hiatus to say that I have perhaps never been this excited about an issue of @jcmsjournal.bsky.social, i.e. the special issue of "Is it Media?" All of these articles are 100% my jam.

My friend Laura is urgently seeking a new home for two sweet kitties in/near Charleston, SC. If you have any leads or could share her post, I'd really appreciate it.

Speaking of Critical Role, I saw a panel with Liam and Sam at Rose City Comic-Con yesterday, but the true highlight of the day was an actual play set in Val'Ruvina, the setting of TPK Brewing's Leyfarer campaign (in which I play). Tons of lore drops and our GMs were amazing as beloved NPCs.

This is the perfect convergence of my research and personal interests, and I can't go! I'll be in NYC the next weekend for NYCC, and I really wish this ran longer. I'm sure there will be tons of social media posts, but that's no substitution for going in person.

I'm surprised (in a good way) to discover that the majority of students in my intro class have not only heard of the WGA/SAG strikes of 2023, but could also say generally what they were about. Also, a surprising number of them have recently watched Brokeback Mountain (because of TikTok).

Critical Role revealed details about Campaign 4 this morning, and I am stoked! I love the expanded cast, and while I didn't like the split party as much in C3, I think it will work well here (and I understand that it makes production a lot easier). Is it Thursday October 2 yet??

Oh, but it gets worse: apparently, a task force has been hard at work to develop gems like an "outcomes curator" where you can ask AI to make sure your syllabus is in good shape, and a "productivity assistant" to "schedule my work effectively each day." 🙄

Our library website now prominently links to an "AI" "research assistant" and I want to scream into the void about it. It is so upsetting to see the library, of all places, cave like that (granted, the institution may have forced their hand). Ugh.

This morning, observant Critical Role fans discovered the password-protected critrole.com/Unseal/ and a few hours later, managed to guess the password to reveal a 20-second audio snippet introducing a new setting along with this Thursday's date. Maybe we will get a little trailer for Campaign 4?

Related to the CR puzzle, Dropout also had an ARG embedded in this season of Game Changer that ultimately leads to a page where 100k people need to enter a secret word to unlock the bonus episode for this season. I did my part. (More on this: www.argn.com/2025/08/its_...)

Over the course of the day, Beacon (CR's subscription platform) sent out mobile notifications with another cryptic phrase and a link to the discord channel. The plot thickens. Hundreds of messages in the CR discord trying to crack this puzzle. (Is this what the Lost ARG was like in 2006?)

Yesterday's Critical Role newsletter included a picture of random letters arranged in a square, a new channel appeared CR's discord that only accepts commands, and people commenting on CR's latest Instagram post got DMs w/ cryptic phrases. I'm very curious to see where this leads.

I wrapped my con with wandering along the show floor and then got Dole whip from Sweet Things (IYKYK). On Preview Night, the four days seem endless; then you blink and it's Sunday afternoon. See you next year, SDCC.

I didn't know that a fan got invited to write two episodes of the final season of Xena because the showrunner liked ideas she shared online. That's wild.

Marvel has an interesting (and data-extraction focused) procedure for their swag and merch: a URL drops on their Insta stories early, leading you to sign up for a virtual queue. You get a text when it's your turn (i.e. you need to consent to getting texts).

Final day of SDCC started with some floor wandering. Now waiting for the 30th Anniversary of Xena panel, which is fan-organizd but has Renee O'Connor (who played Gabrielle) and Steven Sears (co-exec producer).

The Interview with a Vampire panel was A Vibe. Picture four thousand people, many of whom had been in the room for hours waiting for this panel combined with a very passionate fandom. There was a lot of enthusiasm. A Lot. The next season looks admittedly amazing, and I'm excited abt Talamasca, too.

Through persistence and luck, I made it into the signing line for Ron Moore at the Sony Television booth. He signed a beautiful For All Mankind poster that will probably go up in my office.

SDCC, Day 3. Starting with, you guessed it, a line, and then a panel: Inside the Writers Room, with a number of TV writers.

Peacefest, the activation for The Peacemaker s2, was impressive. A two-level night club with secret "meet Eagly" experience and a live concert featuring 80s rock, plus free drinks, and a chance to play a Peacemaker version of Mortal Kombat. All with various brand tie-ins, of course.

The surprise release of this Esquie pin the day before I'm doing my Expedition 33 cosplay is one of those coincidences that elevate the entire con. The things you plan for at SDCC are great, but the unexpected encounters and experiences are always better.

Waiting in another line for entrance to Peacefest, the Peacemaker activation. First time any activation checked my ID to see if it matches the name on the reservation.

Glimpses from the show floor. There are some interesting brand collabs happening, like Sesame Street x Levain Bakery, where you can buy cookies and a cookie monster plush for $40 (they were already sold out for today). Also, forever the encouragement to share your experience on social media.

Things I saw wandering around: Clair Obscur Expedition 33 cosplay meet-up and Old Spice "smell like a hero" Superman pop-up.

After the Lodge, I hopped into the line for FX's Alien Earth: The Wreckage activation because the line was short (90min. Yes, that is a short line at SDCC). Glad I brought my umbrella b/c the line was in the sun. Walked through some elaborate set pieces/photo opps, but would be more fun at night.

The Paramount+ Lodge derives much of its popularity from the following: it has A/C, free chicken sliders, cocktails, and frozen lemonade, plus comfy seating and bathrooms. Also some fun photo opps and good swag. That's a win for most SDCC attendees.

SDCC Day 2 is bracketed by activations: Paramount+'s The Lodge and Peacemaker. Wandering the Gaslamp before The Lodge, I stumbled upon a sunscreen pop-up. Tons of these smaller promos happen around the con.

I napped through One Piece (sorry, One Piece, but I don't think I would have gotten much out watching episode 1132). Next up, Critical Role! B20 is almost full. I have moved up to fourth row center.

Smart of the Dragon King people to reveal that Liam O'Brien will play the lead considering that there are many Critters in the room.

Now that a ton of people have left, the Critters are moving into the front section. Still two panels to go until Critical Role.

The Avatar panel was lovely. They did a stage reading of several scenes accompanied by a display of new original watercolor illustrations, and ended the panel with a live music performance/sing along..

I have arrived! Ballroom 20, which holds 4,000 people. The view ahead of me and behind me.