Rachel Plotnick

So kind - thank you! I'm a huge fan of your work!!!

License to Spill, hanging with lots of cool neighbor books, at the @mitpress.bsky.social booth at @icahdq.bsky.social!

The Wet History of Media in the Bathroom How media technologies made themselves at home in one of the most private spaces of modern life.

Cool except from my book on the wet history of media in the bathroom, now on the @mitpress reader! With perfect timing, I'll be talking about media and toilets this weekend at ICA for those attending. thereader.mitpress.mit.edu/the-wet-hist...

There are a lot of folk theories and confusion out there about how water resistant our devices really are and what to do with them when they get wet.

Debunking 5 myths about when your devices get wet When it comes to drying out your drenched device, problematic myths about liquid protection and repair make it hard to separate fact from fiction.

I've got a new article out with @theconversation.com, which debunks common myths about water resistance and consumer technologies - building on my new book, License to Spill! theconversation.com/debunking-5-...

Yes!!!! I knew my hyper-niche research topic would find a home one of these days 😂

Teething Babies and Rainy Days Once Cut Calls Short “Trouble men” searched for water damage in early analog telephones

A fun excerpt from my new book is now up on IEEE Spectrum, which thinks about a history of wetness and telephones -- it's fascinating that teething babies and wet umbrellas could disrupt telephone service! @spectrum.ieee.org
spectrum.ieee.org/license-to-s...

License to Spill is now available open access to read FREE digitally! And yes, we are all soggy bodies!

It's been a busy week -- talking about buttons and the mess of liquids + devices -- had a great chat here about my new book.

It was great chatting with @scifri.bsky.social again about buttons since my last interview in 2019 -- back then they were a "dying" interface and now we're seeing a fascinating resurgence.

Thank you so much!

Copies of License to Spill books in a cardboard box.

Got my hands on the real thing. They are gorgeous! With enormous gratitude to The MIT Press for the beautiful design. 😍 @mitpress.bsky.social

Absolutely, will do!

Thank you so much! I hope you're doing well!

Thank you so much, Tamara!

Thanks so much, Dave!!!

Thank you so much! I've been reading and enjoying your work!

License to Spill by Rachel Plotnick: 9780262551588 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books How everyday wetness—from finger smudges, sweat, and spilled drinks to showering and swimming—collides with consumers’ media devices designed to stay dry. License to Spill investigates...

Today, License to Spill is out! I puzzle through "media hygiene": maintenance, repair, protection, and messy boundaries between wet/dry, bodies/environments, and people/devices. You can purchase a copy with a 30% off discount today only!! Code MITP30 www.penguinrandomhouse.com/books/777570...

Thank you so much!!! ☺️

Thanks so much!!!

License to Spill: Where Dry Devices Meet Liquid Lives|Paperback How everyday wetness—from finger smudges, sweat, and spilled drinks to showering and swimming—collides with consumers’ media devices designed to stay dry.License to Spill investigate...

Barnes & Noble is once again offering a good 25% preorder discount for License to Spill and other books. I know it's hard to afford books these days!!! www.barnesandnoble.com/w/license-to...

License to Spill License to Spill investigates the everyday moments, activities, and spaces where media technologies and liquids collide—from disastrous spilled drinks ...

Only one week until License to Spill hits the shelves. With back-of-the-book blurbs from people those work I deeply admire -- John Durham Peters, Nicole Starosielski, Neta Alexander, and Jussi Parikka. Totally humbled!
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255158...

Picture of License to Spill book cover with a smartphone submerged underwater.

Hard to self-promote in these difficult times, but my next book is available for pre-order and will be released April 29 in paperback and open access! I detail the muck and mess of living with media technologies - from toilets and coffee spills to sweat and saliva. mitpress.mit.edu/978026255158...

Hooray!!!

OH. MY. GOSH. EPIC!!!!!

Media Objects: Buttons Stream Media Objects: Buttons by World According to Sound on desktop and mobile. Play over 320 million tracks for free on SoundCloud.

This World According to Sound podcast on Media Objects is the most beautiful and cinematic interpretation of my work. If you're into sound, put on headphones and tour through this 1-hr journey on the history and culture of buttons. Other episodes are amazing, too!!
m.soundcloud.com/worldaccordi...

Amidst all that's happening right now, I'm super excited to share a look at the cover for my next book - coming out with The MIT Press on April 29! Today thru Friday the 7th, you can get a 25% discount on a pre-order if you're a Barnes & Noble rewards member. www.barnesandnoble.com/w/license-to...

Today!! Come out and support ROMchip journal and bring your favorite drink of choice!

One week until I talk about energy drinks in gaming and their historical context - I'll be thinking about attention, fatigue, performance, and what that has to do with media. It's free but register to attend!

I wrote for The Toronto Star about touchscreens in cars - and how the future might just involve a return to buttons...
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...