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...
If you send an AI to catch AIs posing as humans it'll probably just end up falling in love with one of them while the rest end up dying of old age.
Just because I keep seeing those "I checked this piece and it's written by AI" - this is an old article of mine, before AI was available. So could we not?
February 17, 2026 at 8:05 AM
If you send an AI to catch AIs posing as humans it'll probably just end up falling in love with one of them while the rest end up dying of old age.
It has been 365 days since my 6 year old last heard this song, but she came into the bedroom singing it this morning.
February 17, 2026 at 7:23 AM
It has been 365 days since my 6 year old last heard this song, but she came into the bedroom singing it this morning.
With The Last Days on Mars trending, it's a good time to bring up my essay on the difficulties of putting zombies IN SPAAAAAAACE: www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-t...
(Not to mention my own story about an alien philosophical zombie apocalypse...: www.amazon.co.uk/Fermis-Progr...)
(Not to mention my own story about an alien philosophical zombie apocalypse...: www.amazon.co.uk/Fermis-Progr...)
The Trouble with Alien Zombies | Den of Geek
Following an exciting Star Trek: Strange New Worlds, we look at the traditions and problems with space zombies opposite their earthly counterparts.
www.denofgeek.com
February 17, 2026 at 7:21 AM
With The Last Days on Mars trending, it's a good time to bring up my essay on the difficulties of putting zombies IN SPAAAAAAACE: www.denofgeek.com/movies/the-t...
(Not to mention my own story about an alien philosophical zombie apocalypse...: www.amazon.co.uk/Fermis-Progr...)
(Not to mention my own story about an alien philosophical zombie apocalypse...: www.amazon.co.uk/Fermis-Progr...)
Reposted by Chris Farnell
A prominent Bluesky elder already hosts Jeopardy
How many followers for a prominent Bluesky elder to host Jeopardy
February 16, 2026 at 8:29 PM
A prominent Bluesky elder already hosts Jeopardy
Hot Take: Wrath of Khan was a huge waste of what could have been an excellent TNG episode (or would've been, if The Masterpiece Society didn't end up existing anyway)
"It would be interesting, Captain, to return to that world in a hundred years and to learn what crop has sprung from the seed you planted today." - Spock
Understatement! "Space Seed" has inspired two Star Trek movies, a story on Strange New Worlds, and an audio drama.
Understatement! "Space Seed" has inspired two Star Trek movies, a story on Strange New Worlds, and an audio drama.
February 16, 2026 at 7:43 PM
Hot Take: Wrath of Khan was a huge waste of what could have been an excellent TNG episode (or would've been, if The Masterpiece Society didn't end up existing anyway)
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.