Emma Kostopolus

I haven't seen this yet -- got tix for Friday. But even if it's terrible (and it sounds like it's not!), everyone should throw money at this. This is exactly the energy contemporary cinema needs: Weirdos making niche divisive passion projects that, collectively, will move the medium forward.

Puberty is Hell: Growing up in Silent Hill f - Unwinnable Silent Hill f did nothing else so much as remind me just how badly being a teenager sucked.

"Silent Hill f did nothing else so much as remind me just how badly being a teenager sucked."

@glassethound.bsky.social explains how Silent Hill f reflects the horrors of adolescence:

Do you want to read me defending Secret Lives of Mormon Wives as a 4th-wave feminist text? Sure you do. Sub now!

Henenlotter rules, and more people should say it.

(I knew it was going to be bad, y'all. But like... yikes.)

Bloober didn't successfully thread the most contentious needle in recent remake history for you to capitalize on it with this dreck. Oof.

"No, no, don't you see? He was RIGHT to k*** her, because in doing so he set her free. The game never said anything about men's socially ingrained unwillingness to caregive or put up with anything less than a 100% unobtrusive life partner"

This is maybe the most egregious misunderstanding of a piece of media meant to depict the complexities of living in masculinity since Fight Club, though I doubt it will be nearly as impactful

Watched #ReturntoSilentHill yesterday, and the mental gymnastics of male gamers never ceases to amaze me.

Because that was "James Sunderland Apologia, the Movie"

(Cal Newport's later work on Slow Productivity IS actually crazy helpful and not at all enabling, so I do guess there's hope for me yet)

"Cal Newport wouldn't think my planner system is weird," I whisper to myself as I start my 3rd Kanban board of the week.

On a certain level, I have to assume a lot of this is just to validate and self-soothe all us neurotic time-management obsessives, not to actually educate or provide help.

Oh, time-blocking is a good method for building in Deep Work? I should only check my email once a day? I need to set SMART goals and remember my why?

You don't say.

More productivity-media-musings, since I've been listening to a lot of audiobooks lately (thx, public library!)

I'm increasingly curious about who these books are FOR. They seem to thread the very specific needle of attracting a niche audience but then not telling that audience anything new?

Just feels like books about how to build more meaningful activity into your life should probably not shame you for needing the book? But the self-help industry would kill itself if it didn't actually just breed more self-hate for eternal sales revenue so...

Snakes? In MY oil? More common than you think.

It's weird, how even the most reasonable and brain-hack-y productivity methods rely on an unrealistic standard of self-discipline (looking at you, Atomic Habits). And the implicit shame of not being able to do these feels much worse, somehow. Like your brain is more broken than average.

This is legitimately one of the best pieces of reporting I've read in a long time. Certainly the funniest, in a laugh-so-you-dont-cry way.

A grey tabby cat inside a clothes hamper

Some of our cats were born in the Midwest and have taken the recent cold weather in stride. Cayde was born in Florida. This is how he copes with single-digit temps.

The cover for the January 2026 issue of Unwinnable Monthly, featuring art of a golden gate against a black backdrop.

Rise from the ashes and begin anew. This month's issue of Unwinnable Monthly features @aeneas-nin.bsky.social on Re-Animator, @kellymerka.bsky.social on Phoenix Springs and our regulars on the topics poking their brains.

Buy: buff.ly/LRotYmo

Subscribe: buff.ly/L0T9hxk

Went to a silent writing event today and sort of remembered, a little bit, that I love to write. I'm hopeful that the next couple weeks remind me that I also love teaching.

Living under a tenure clock for 4.5 years took so much away from me. Grateful that I have the opportunity to get it back.

In 2026, Unwinnable is running a long-term drive with the goal of getting one new subscription each day. To up the ante, we're including the 2025 issues of Unwinnable Monthly and Exploits – 24 free issues of thoughtful, sharp writing on games and culture. Is today your day? unwinnable.com/subscribe/

do you guys hear that bell tolling? wonder who it’s for. it’s so loud lmao

Despite no longer being local, the Regional Artists Community in South GA was kind enough to place these two pieces of mine into their show, which opens tomorrow night in Valdosta. Happy to still be considered one of that merry band of weirdos.