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fetch the hammers! (Patreon)

Published:
2025-02-01 14:00:12
Imported:
2026-06
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Content

In which I chat about fanfiction, using social media in These Unprecedented Times, Luddism(!!!), and my first DNF of the year.

Links to my stuff

My fanfic: https://archiveofourown.org/works/62372857/chapters/159600673

I fear there’s also an accompanying sad boi soft rock playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/3OgX6uUmkvIi4rjvFRL4eN?si=16128a6d8f30405a

Me on Threads: https://www.threads.net/@page.melt

Also, I mention in the video that Tumblr terminated by account, but: great news! It’s since been restored. You can follow me there, if you’re so inclined: https://www.tumblr.com/pagemelt 

Links to stuff I mention

Brian Merchant’s piece on Elon Musk that got me banned from Tumblr: https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/elon-musk-did-a-nazi-salute-on-live

Hank Green’s “take back your attention” TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/@hankgreen1/video/7462834976497601822

Sarah Perry interview in The Guardian by Alex Clark: https://amp.theguardian.com/books/2024/apr/20/sarah-perry-the-essex-serpent-enlightenment?fbclid=PAZXh0bgNhZW0CMTEAAaYy0oHaDR59Zljh3C1DO2eh7RW92jWIokTw3-WZGUK8IiW9nCMmd1srRVA_aem_wkROnnVOJ6gRcJiELxv4eg

“The New Rules of Media” by Kyle Chayka: https://onethingnewsletter.substack.com/p/the-new-rules-of-media

Better Offline podcast episode with Brian Merchant: https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/enzittification-with-cory-doctorow-brian-merchant/id1730587238?i=1000664553647

This Machine Kills podcast episode with Brian Merchant: https://soundcloud.com/thismachinekillspod/361-the-artists-vs-the-machines-ft-brian-merchant

Seize the Press mag: https://www.seizethepress.com/

Christopher Rice on Brett’s Book Stack: https://youtu.be/GsnqWcs9h7A?si=TFfKNG-n5ADo6vLt

Comments

Carter Kalchik

Sunset is by far the weakest of Rice’s romances. He and I are close and he knows that one wasn’t his best work. However, the second book was one of the best rings I read last year, although full disclosure, an awful lot of it has to do with the nuance and sensitivity Rice employs dealing with alcohol addiction and recovery (recovering alcoholic here). I think he had to try his hand at a romance before he figured out how to really nail it.

breigh

my fave radio show 🥰

PersonaPerson

This just made my Saturday 🙏 I really appreciate the part about reclaiming attention and not relying on algorithms for everything. I'm currently working on that in my own life (which is part of the reason I subscribed in the first place). I'm glad to say that the process is very much enjoyable :).

pagemelt
>>163219501

Not at all surprised to hear he’s improved! He’s obviously got a great brain. Might eventually give the 4th one a shot—that’s the one he was on the podcast to promote, and it sounded solid.

Chels

Stop! Fetishizing! Small Businesses!

T.X. Watson

"Discourse is so insidious because it so often functions as a prompt to create content around, which is how it can get so out of control." Holy shit this is the tightest highly tangible example of the principles of rhetorical ecology I've ever seen I hope you don't mind if I use it as the basis for a Patreon post. you're totally right about not reading the comments, I would have lasted a lot longer as a consistent and engaged creator if I hadn't felt that sense of obligation to heavily moderate my own comment section. Also I'm taking a class on 19th century romanticism, capitalism and fantasy this semester & we're reading Frankenstein, I might grab that book [Blood in the Machine: the origins of the rebellion against big tech by Brian Merchant] to check out those sections

starlings

this got me off tiktok and my nervous system feels so much better already.

Gabie
>>163221886

Agreed! I had a sort of "come to Jesus" moment last week where I realized that I was going to have to get a lot more discerning with my attention than I have been in the past few years. If anything, the TikTok ban was a good jumping off point for this, because it allowed me to take a hard look at my own social media habit and decide which of the creators I follow I was going to take with me into the future. By a fun coincidence, a lot of them seem to subscribe to your Patreon 😎

emma

was already going to attempt a non-scrolling day and you've inspired me🫡 also re:topics you might be inspired to talk about, I vaguely remember you bringing up the once and future king (I might be imagining it, I searched your tiktoks for the mention but couldn't find it) and was wondering if you have any thoughts on Arthurian lore (I happen to be rewatching BBC Merlin lol but it has sparked an interest in diving into our fascination with these stories and how different authors approach the retelling).

pagemelt
>>163233884

I have Arthurian thoughts but they are not very smart, lol! I'm really drawn to Arthurian stories but am intimidated by the material that's seen as more canonical (i.e., Thomas Malory), and I only made it halfway through The Once and Future King before losing focus. I'm VERY serious about getting to Mary Stewart's Arthurian Saga, though, and I already have all the books, so it's only a matter of time before I dip my toes in again.

breigh
>>163220544

reflecting on The Algorithm and when i think about my relationship with the internet i always think of No One Is Talking About This by Patricia Lockwood, especially this passage: “She lay every morning under an avalanche of details, blissed, pictures of breakfasts in Patagonia, a girl applying her foundation with a hard-boiled egg, a shiba inu in Japan leaping from paw to paw to greet its owner, ghostly pale women posting pictures of their bruises–the world pressing closer and closer, the spiderweb of human connection grown so thick it was almost a shimmering and solid silk, and the day still not opening to her. What did it mean that she was allowed to see this?” feeling a kind of grief lately that this kind of connection is being controlled, monetized, and monopolized by a handful of multi billion dollar companies that are just looking to occupy our eyes and minds to sell ad space. also, i am loving the fanfiction!

pagemelt
>>163220544

Oh that quote is GORGEOUS. that book's been on my longlist TBR for a while, but I'm definitely moving it up now, thank you for sharing!!

Ebba Safverblad Nelson
>>163233884

I read Mary Stewart’s books as a teenager and I don’t remember a ton about them except that I loved them, would love to hear what you think about them

Melissa Meyer
>>163220544

An incredible day when someone who is not me is the first to bring up No One is Talking About This!! I love this passage. Whenever I am flailing trying explain to someone why it’s so difficult to just get off social media, like what I will actually /miss/ if I leave, I come back to Patricia Lockwood’s phrase “dance to the tune of the time.” I find the experience of the social internet nearly impossible to put into words but The Portal (and subsequently NOiTAT) is the thing that gets it best, IMO.

Sarah French

I was thinking it sounded like the plot in Think of England as you were describing it and was excited to hear you shout it out!

Grace
>>163233884

I know you’re not a frontlist person per se, but I just finished Lev Grossman’s Bright sword, and thought it was spectacular. (I’m NOT a fan of the Magicians so take that as you will) I’m also scared of Arthurian canon, but this worked for me!!! (Also a watcher and rewatcher of Merlin, despite finding that particular show sooooo flawed but man is the fan community for it a bit like nothing else on the internet)

Grace

Klara and the Sun is my sneaky favorite Ishiguro. I have such a particular soft spot for stories with non-human perspectives on very very very human experiences.

pagemelt
>>163263966

Ahhh I have EXACTLY the same preference, which is how I knew I would love it (and I do)

pagemelt
>>163233884

Ooh, this is great to know! It wasn't on my list (precisely because of my lack of interest in The Magicians), but I'll add it now!

Arti

I remember when “don’t read the comments, don’t feed the trolls” was all over the internet, but don’t remember what that seemed to have disappeared.. I haven’t read “The Essex Serpent” but wow I’m definitely going to pick it up next time I go to the bookstore. Also your phrase about discourse hit me like a brick. I’d be super interested in hearing your thought on the intersection of discourse within fandoms (outing myself as a member of the 911 fandom and hoo boy there’s almost weekly discourse).

LG

Can we have the biscuit recipe tho… I can really relate with the shift of being your own algorithm - this was something I started at the beginning of 2024, because my scrolling was out of control. I mostly only follow folks through Patreon, newsletters, and substack now, and it’s been clarifying for me how much I’m able to accomplish when I’m not tearing my attention to the next troll every minute or two. I have a lot more time and intention to spend on and with people who deserve it. I really like the radio hour style! It’s nice to hear just a broad collection of interconnected thoughts and ideas, and you are both incredibly soothing and thought provoking to listen to. 😌

k hadley

possibly adjacent to the point about being less of a snob, i'd love to hear you talk about getting into romance novels! i'm really interested in the genre but i've yet to find something that works for me, and the amount of options is super intimidating. i also really love the radio show style! i look forward to these videos each month!

scarr

OK Computer is my favorite Radiohead album, too! I saw them live in 2008 while they were promoting In Rainbows but they played so many hits from OK Computer that I could cry remembering how amazing it was being there.

pagemelt
>>163287222

we were passing ships in the night!!! i didn't end up going, but my then-boyfriend got me a shirt from that tour and i still wear it 😩

pagemelt
>>163278614

ugh the biscuits did NOT turn out well. or, they were fine, but they tasted more like rolls than biscuits. when i find a recipe that works i'll let y'all know! and i know exactly what you mean. i actually thought i was doing pretty well scrolling-wise until a couple of months ago when i checked my screen time for the first time, and: oh no!!! ever since i've tried to curb the impulse to scroll just for something to do, and it's crazy how less panicked/doomery i feel when i successfully resist

pagemelt
>>163273711

yes! we used to know NOT to feed the trolls! we're losing recipes!!! (also just read your thoughts about fandom and discourse on tumblr—lovely!!)

Lealealea

I loved the first three chapters of your fic so much. I read them on my phone while at a 7 year old’s birthday party in a Dave & Buster’s and was grinning like a weirdo the whole time. Commenting here because I can’t figure out how to make an account on ao3 for the life of me. 🙃

LG
>>163278614

Curses - May your next biscuits successfully flake!

Shelby
>>163278614

When you said biscuits from the bread machine, I was shocked! They likely turn out roll-like because of the kneading action /gluten activation in there (love the stories from the bread machine, btw). Biscuit dough is meant to be kneaded "just until it comes together" to get that crumbly, flaky texture. What does this ultimate Memaw kōan MEAN, you ask? Alas, like all mystic truths, language is an insufficient vehicle for this knowledge; it must be gleaned though experience - which involves eating MANY rounds of disappointing biscuits. Best of luck on your journey!

Lara

Long time TikTok follow recent Patreon and so glad to be here! You have such an amazing way of articulating the meaning and context of a book. (I binged some of your videos today and I can’t remember which made me think of this apologies but) I have an unsolicited movie recommendation that seems up your alley called ‘Strictly Ballroom’ a very campy Australian film about a ballroom dancing couple fighting the ballroom establishment. It’s entirely self contained, no one makes fun of dancers for doing ballroom, it’s very silly and yet full of heart!

pagemelt
>>163644619

Yes, I've heard of this but haven't seen it! I'll add it to the list! (Also hello and welcome! 🥰)

BitKingDT

I had a long winter so i just binged the past four vids so pardon that i can't remember which one it was talking about social media discourse and threads vs bluesky and all that. but the ramble helped me figure out that i think the whole reason "do audiobooks count as reading" discourse cycles every fiscal quarter is cause a certain rain forrest company will pay to boost that content because if even 1% of the millions that will see it say "i should get into audiobooks" and they'll likely go to the most mainstream household name. it might sound tin foil hatty but lionsgates admitted to boosting hunger games content cause of the movie so maybe? idk but im happy to be here, can't wait to get to ted chiang once i make a dent in my tbr

pagemelt
>>163738464

No I think you're onto something here. I'm not super plugged into audiobook discourse day-to-day but I DO know the most recent round was literally kicked off by Audible posting something incendiary on Threads

BitKingDT
>>163738464

Every bit of audiobook discourse ive seen after 2022 has been against my will. Except for a couple creators i love who cant help being reactionary sometimes. But being reactionary as a treat is fine

Rome Parker

I could listen to you summarize books for literal hours. Makes me feel like I'm listening to friend's convoluted romantic life /pos. Man, I really need to pick up Think of England, thanks for reminding me! Apologies if this has come up before; I'd love a little studio/room tour where you show and talk about all the art on your walls! (This might be my roundabout way of nudging you into talking about TRC because I'm excited for the graphic novel.) Hope you're well, looking forward to next month! <3

Jennifer Marten

I love the idea of this as a radio show.

pagemelt
>>163263966

I have! I read the first four a couple years ago and enjoyed them, but I kinda fell off after that.

Lara

Re-commenting something relevant to this video.. albeit perhaps far too late but I work in climate science as a data scientist and use machine learning tools all the time in very useful ways for my research and I'm SO frustrated by how tech capitalists have turned 'AI' into this corrupt and obnoxious thing that imo completely poisons the water for all the genuinely useful ways machine learning can help. I for the record completely concur with how LLM models are based on theft but not all ML models require slave labour and theft to do their thing. I'd highly recommend a theoretical Physicist Angela Collier, she has a youtube channel discussing a suite of things but she articulates my points far better in a couple of videos on this topic.

moira

I’m 60% through the incident ticket fic and wondered if the number 922845 has any Easter egg meaning that I’m missing since I haven’t read the book in awhileee. Loving the fic though!!

pagemelt
>>165969353

Aw thank you! And nope, no Easter egg. Or really it's just an Easter egg for ME--9/22 is my wedding anniversary 😛

Tesla

So many parts of this, as usual, took my breath away and ignited light bulbs. “Stop fetishizing small business ownership”, however, sent me in to a fit of giggles and I am sure I will be thinking about it for books to come.