Chris Farnell
@thebrainofchris.bsky.social
I've written the Crew Handbook for Star Trek Lower Decks, the Prospectus for Life is Strange's Caledon University, the joke book for Doctor Who and the continuing misadventures of the deadly starship Fermi.
https://chrisfarnell.com
https://chrisfarnell.com
Pinned
Each new world they visit has new ideas, new people, and new stories.
They won't last long.
Fermi's Progress
Paperback
www.amazon.co.uk/Fermis-Progr...
Season Pass
scarletferret.com/books/fermis...
Fermi's Wake
Paperback
www.amazon.co.uk/Fermis-Wake-...
Season Pass
scarletferret.com/books/fermis...
They won't last long.
Fermi's Progress
Paperback
www.amazon.co.uk/Fermis-Progr...
Season Pass
scarletferret.com/books/fermis...
Fermi's Wake
Paperback
www.amazon.co.uk/Fermis-Wake-...
Season Pass
scarletferret.com/books/fermis...
Fundamentally, what the fuck has citizenship got to do with feelings? Citizenship is about where you were born or about where a government has decided that you have made enough of an economic investment (labour or money) to justify them letting you stay.
Very fed up of people trying to reduce my identity to a single stupid flag.
February 16, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Fundamentally, what the fuck has citizenship got to do with feelings? Citizenship is about where you were born or about where a government has decided that you have made enough of an economic investment (labour or money) to justify them letting you stay.
If you try to put your foot in one of these and miss it is the most painful experiences imaginable.
February 16, 2026 at 3:44 PM
If you try to put your foot in one of these and miss it is the most painful experiences imaginable.
Popped into the #Norwich Science Festival today, when I heard the Crab Museum were in town and dropped off a Fermi's Wake paperback. It still doesn't have any crab people in.
(Also, their show A Natural History of Bums is on at the Forum at 15.45 and is a GODSEND if you need free half-term activity)
(Also, their show A Natural History of Bums is on at the Forum at 15.45 and is a GODSEND if you need free half-term activity)
February 16, 2026 at 1:29 PM
Popped into the #Norwich Science Festival today, when I heard the Crab Museum were in town and dropped off a Fermi's Wake paperback. It still doesn't have any crab people in.
(Also, their show A Natural History of Bums is on at the Forum at 15.45 and is a GODSEND if you need free half-term activity)
(Also, their show A Natural History of Bums is on at the Forum at 15.45 and is a GODSEND if you need free half-term activity)
Reposted by Chris Farnell
mom they’re roasting the US economy on mastodon again
February 16, 2026 at 7:37 AM
mom they’re roasting the US economy on mastodon again
Every time I have to write an alien equivalent of some mundane terrestrial thing, I must enter the mind realm and do psychic battle with the phrase "almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea."
"Is there any tea on this spaceship?" he asked.
February 16, 2026 at 7:49 AM
Every time I have to write an alien equivalent of some mundane terrestrial thing, I must enter the mind realm and do psychic battle with the phrase "almost, but not quite, entirely unlike tea."
This is the correct response to all GenAI use.
"Our standing rule is: If one of us brings up using GenAI in any of our work, then it's safe to assume we've been assimilated by The Thing and should be burned alive by Kurt Russell," said a game design consultant in the US.
Over 50% of game developers now think generative AI is bad for the industry, a dramatic increase from just 2 years ago: 'I'd rather quit the industry than use generative AI'
The latest GDC survey also found that managers are more likely to use generative AI than their employees.
www.pcgamer.com
February 16, 2026 at 7:07 AM
This is the correct response to all GenAI use.
It is almost impressive that a film can be the capstone of a nine film epic (not to mention all the ancillary material) told over more than 40 years, and yet have its emotional payoff feel *unearned.*
I read once that Abrams' process is to decide the emotion he wants the audience to feel, then work backwards to achieve it. It explains shit like that final scene of Rise of Skywalker - look! she's on tattooine! there's those two suns from A New Hope! she calls herself skywalker!
i often think about this review
February 15, 2026 at 11:12 AM
It is almost impressive that a film can be the capstone of a nine film epic (not to mention all the ancillary material) told over more than 40 years, and yet have its emotional payoff feel *unearned.*
Reposted by Chris Farnell
the baby (17 months) raised both her hands and said “WEADY?” so I said “ready!” and then she slapped me in the face
November 22, 2025 at 2:53 PM
the baby (17 months) raised both her hands and said “WEADY?” so I said “ready!” and then she slapped me in the face
Reposted by Chris Farnell
Reposted by Chris Farnell
Universal video game rule: if an NPC is sitting behind a desk I should not need to walk around the desk to talk to them.
February 14, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Universal video game rule: if an NPC is sitting behind a desk I should not need to walk around the desk to talk to them.
The funniest way to make this film is as a straight, shot-for-shot remake of The Bicycle Thief (1948)
deadline.com/2026/02/jaso...
deadline.com/2026/02/jaso...
Big-Budget Jason Statham-David Leitch Action-Comedy ‘Jason Statham Stole My Bike’ Arrives To Heat Up Berlin Market; Black Bear On Sales & Domestic With Leitch & Kelly McCormick Producing
The action-comedy is budgeted north of $80M
deadline.com
February 14, 2026 at 7:36 AM
The funniest way to make this film is as a straight, shot-for-shot remake of The Bicycle Thief (1948)
deadline.com/2026/02/jaso...
deadline.com/2026/02/jaso...
It's almost Friday night and all the most attractive people you know are reading the adventures of a wild planet-destroying spaceship and dying to talk to you about it...
scarletferret.com/fermis-progr...
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QG5BLFD
chrisfarnell.com/fermis-progr...
scarletferret.com/fermis-progr...
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QG5BLFD
chrisfarnell.com/fermis-progr...
Fermi's Progress by Chris Farnell - Scarlet Ferret Books
The Fermi is the Earth's first and last faster-than-light-spaceship. The last, because it turns out its engine vaporises entire star systems in its wake. And nobody knows how to turn it off.
scarletferret.com
February 13, 2026 at 4:47 PM
It's almost Friday night and all the most attractive people you know are reading the adventures of a wild planet-destroying spaceship and dying to talk to you about it...
scarletferret.com/fermis-progr...
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QG5BLFD
chrisfarnell.com/fermis-progr...
scarletferret.com/fermis-progr...
www.amazon.co.uk/dp/B08QG5BLFD
chrisfarnell.com/fermis-progr...
I do this but with a white coat in hospitals. Always helps me mellow out.
Sometimes, when things get a little overwhelming, I put on some hi-vis work wear and go for a walk. I blend in and become almost invisible, it's so relaxing.
February 13, 2026 at 4:26 PM
I do this but with a white coat in hospitals. Always helps me mellow out.
It's Friday, I'm writing to a deadline, this weekend starts school half-term, not to mention Valentine's day that I will spend with the woman I love. I've got no time for discourse. That said. (Smashes beer bottle on counter)
DS9 is widely considered the best Trek *by people who prefer Babylon 5.*
DS9 is widely considered the best Trek *by people who prefer Babylon 5.*
1. DS9 is widely considered the best Trek by a good margin.
2. Comparing it to B5 is less unfair than comparing any 2 other shows because of how similar they are
3. As good as DS9 is... Babylon 5 is better in almost every way.
4. You don't have to wait 3 seasons for B5 to get good.
2. Comparing it to B5 is less unfair than comparing any 2 other shows because of how similar they are
3. As good as DS9 is... Babylon 5 is better in almost every way.
4. You don't have to wait 3 seasons for B5 to get good.
ME AND WHO ME AND WHO ME AND WHOOOOO cordcuttersnews.com/babylon-5-is...
February 13, 2026 at 3:58 PM
It's Friday, I'm writing to a deadline, this weekend starts school half-term, not to mention Valentine's day that I will spend with the woman I love. I've got no time for discourse. That said. (Smashes beer bottle on counter)
DS9 is widely considered the best Trek *by people who prefer Babylon 5.*
DS9 is widely considered the best Trek *by people who prefer Babylon 5.*
Some write hoping their words live on after their death. Not me. I've uttered an unsacred incantation to ensure every word I've ever written combusts out of existence at the moment of my death.
If you log on and see people saying nice things about me, and you own more than three of my books, *run*.
If you log on and see people saying nice things about me, and you own more than three of my books, *run*.
February 13, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Some write hoping their words live on after their death. Not me. I've uttered an unsacred incantation to ensure every word I've ever written combusts out of existence at the moment of my death.
If you log on and see people saying nice things about me, and you own more than three of my books, *run*.
If you log on and see people saying nice things about me, and you own more than three of my books, *run*.
Reposted by Chris Farnell
My Zinequest project is live!
In Small Folk in Big Coats you each play as a little guy in a stack masquerading a single big guy. You're unlikely to get caught, but you’re even less likely to work together.
It’s very silly and easy to get playing. Go Check it out!
tinyurl.com/sfibc
In Small Folk in Big Coats you each play as a little guy in a stack masquerading a single big guy. You're unlikely to get caught, but you’re even less likely to work together.
It’s very silly and easy to get playing. Go Check it out!
tinyurl.com/sfibc
Small Folk in Big Coats
A simple and chaotic RPG about a group of smallfolk with wildly differing goals.
www.kickstarter.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:44 PM
My Zinequest project is live!
In Small Folk in Big Coats you each play as a little guy in a stack masquerading a single big guy. You're unlikely to get caught, but you’re even less likely to work together.
It’s very silly and easy to get playing. Go Check it out!
tinyurl.com/sfibc
In Small Folk in Big Coats you each play as a little guy in a stack masquerading a single big guy. You're unlikely to get caught, but you’re even less likely to work together.
It’s very silly and easy to get playing. Go Check it out!
tinyurl.com/sfibc
You probably shouldn't actually gloat at your MP. And yet.
February 13, 2026 at 10:46 AM
You probably shouldn't actually gloat at your MP. And yet.
I loved that Star Trek episode they based on this movie.
February 13, 2026 at 9:34 AM
I loved that Star Trek episode they based on this movie.
Tag yourself I'm the last one.
Happy birthday to one of my favourite haters, Charles Darwin
February 12, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Tag yourself I'm the last one.
My favourite bluesky account is the blue tick UBI campaigner guy who follows me for a bit every time I so much as mention UBI.
February 12, 2026 at 5:28 PM
My favourite bluesky account is the blue tick UBI campaigner guy who follows me for a bit every time I so much as mention UBI.
Reposted by Chris Farnell
He talks like Austin Powers because he's making Austin Powers references all the time. Yeah, baby! Shagadelic!
In 2027 they could do an Austin Powers reboot where Austin is brought out of cryostasis after 30 years, which is to say, after having been frozen in 1997, when the first Austin Powers movie came out
February 12, 2026 at 4:31 PM
He talks like Austin Powers because he's making Austin Powers references all the time. Yeah, baby! Shagadelic!
Chris Farnell Do Not Plan Your Work Schedule Based On How Much You Can Get Done On a Good Day in Optimal Conditions Challenge.
February 12, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Chris Farnell Do Not Plan Your Work Schedule Based On How Much You Can Get Done On a Good Day in Optimal Conditions Challenge.
It's bad enough having your vanity number plate give away that you're a spy.
But it's a really rookie move to have it broadcast that you're actually acting as a double agent.
But it's a really rookie move to have it broadcast that you're actually acting as a double agent.
February 12, 2026 at 12:54 PM
It's bad enough having your vanity number plate give away that you're a spy.
But it's a really rookie move to have it broadcast that you're actually acting as a double agent.
But it's a really rookie move to have it broadcast that you're actually acting as a double agent.
One of my guiding principles in life is:
Anyone advocating for an open, rational debate about a subject is doing so instead of saying what their position in that debate would be, because if they did they would be correctly tarred and feathered and have an L-plate stapled to their forehead.
Anyone advocating for an open, rational debate about a subject is doing so instead of saying what their position in that debate would be, because if they did they would be correctly tarred and feathered and have an L-plate stapled to their forehead.
"Why can't we have a calm discussion about AI?"
Cuz the data centers are being built carelessly and at speed, polluting poor neighborhoods, cuz it's drinking my fucking aquifer, and cuz all my art and writing have been plagisrized while the worst assholes crow about my impending obsolescense...
Cuz the data centers are being built carelessly and at speed, polluting poor neighborhoods, cuz it's drinking my fucking aquifer, and cuz all my art and writing have been plagisrized while the worst assholes crow about my impending obsolescense...
February 12, 2026 at 12:35 PM
One of my guiding principles in life is:
Anyone advocating for an open, rational debate about a subject is doing so instead of saying what their position in that debate would be, because if they did they would be correctly tarred and feathered and have an L-plate stapled to their forehead.
Anyone advocating for an open, rational debate about a subject is doing so instead of saying what their position in that debate would be, because if they did they would be correctly tarred and feathered and have an L-plate stapled to their forehead.