Links of the week
no anecdotes this time, let’s get into it.
TEXT
Literature Is Becoming More Like a Video Game - Sophia Nguyen
This piece about a niche genre of literature (litRPG) gaining popularity offline matches my own findings (in my phd thesis, as well as recent journal articles) on how cultural producers such as meme makers and public intellectuals grow their audience, portfolio and influence through platform entrepreneurialism:
“The most successful writers establish a close relationship with their readers, studying the comments section as they polish their work. They typically monetize on Patreon, sending their subscribers early drafts and other bonus content” (Nguyen, 2026).
I think litRPG is an example that shows how the logic of quantified digital life is changing what readers find legible, pleasurable and satisfying in a story.
SOUND
tinashe’s head voice lifts up the asmr beats in the back. there is an ethereal glittery vibe to the track. it has a pleasantly fried feeling, the breathy vocals, tiny clicks and whispers make for a mid 2020s encapsulation of platform pop.
VIDEO
Brass Eye - Complete Series (All 7 Episodes)
brass eye is a british satirical news show, kind of like the onion, but in tv form. this video is a megacut of the complete series. the show satirises tv’s news genre with some sincerely wacked out investigative premises. perhaps not surprisingly the creator of the show, chris morris, went on to deliver one of the best first feature film debuts with the inimitable four lions. some of my favourite actors and creative talents appear in this movie, like riz ahmed and kayvan novak (from fonejacker, facejacker, what we do in the shadows).
IMAGE
SUN JESUS
cute
