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Allister Thompson

@allistert.bsky.social

"Amateur" ambient/folk musician, "Professional" editor/author of thoughtful speculative fiction, generally on climate and human folly. From some place currently called North Bay in “Canada.” thegatelessgate.bandcamp.com http://www.allisterthompson.com

3536 Posts1656 Follower1377 Folgt
Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · yesterday

I find it interesting that almost every single male writer of epic science fiction that I work with cites Frank Herbert as their primary influence. I’m not saying I don’t enjoy that stuff as well, of my own reading passions were directed elsewhere.

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 2d ago

In an exhibitionist era where everyone is jabbering all the time and we all seem to be publishing a book or making an album and posting endlessly, demurely keeping it zipped and focusing on leading a privately virtuous life without any interest in attracting attention may be the ultimate rebellion.

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 3d ago

The Gateless Gate has so few listeners on Apple Music that the algorithm just doesn't bother. The track radio that played after was some kind of Latin accordion-based hip-hop. Which wasn't bad!

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 5d ago

It's important to be a big, big fan of your own work, because it helps soften the blow of general indifference out in the world. You can listen to or read your own work and say, "Damn, that's good!" And thoroughly enjoy yourself.

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 6d ago

Crazy to think 15 years ago many of us thought we’d get to a place where women didn’t feel a need to exhibit stereotypical feminine traits - inwardly or outwardly - and the same with men for typical masculinity. And trans people would be able to live in their truth, enjoying full human rights.

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · last wk.

Without the Internet Archive we wouldn't have access to old favourite albums from the glory days of netlabels that are not on streaming services, like this beauty by on_14, a Japanese ambient guitar artist. All of that would be lost to those who hadn't downloaded it. archive.org/details/cod009

on_14-aqua (cod009)

To get to point B the object must first reach the midpoint B1 between points A and B. However before this can be done the object must reach the midpoint B2 between points A and B1. Likewise before it ...

archive.org

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · last wk.

What we’re missing now that physical media isn’t really a thing is the magic of packages like this. This Steve Kilbey album on Ryko came with a full book of his poetry in the jewel case. I’ve had this for 35 years. I still remember how excited I was when it showed up in the post.

Bild
Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · last wk.

Sci-fi has always been my fiction reading genre of choice. It’s tragic that the world is being destroyed by bros who absorbed only the simplest posthumanist/transhumanist tech visions in sci-fi and none of the warnings about actually implementing them.

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 2w ago

PBS’s funk doc doesn’t mention Stevie Wonder or Miles Davis’s essential contributions to that music, The Meters, Earth, Wind, and Fire, or distinguish between Funkadelic and Parliament’s sounds, and shows Sun Ra’s face but doesn’t identify him. What the actual funk, man.

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 2w ago

Can't tell from the response if anyone actually wants a download code for this rather lovely listen (if I do say so myself). So here are a few anyway. Redeem: thegatelessgate.bandcamp.com/yum 6rw4-eatc nlhq-323x lee7-chhq c67x-w5pt enls-h3bb

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 2w ago

I shared a bunch of codes for my old Iceland-inspired ambient album on Bandcamp. I don’t find they really get claimed here (they sure do there), but if you’d like me to share some, let me know. thegatelessgate.bandcamp.com/album/landsl...

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 2w ago

Mainstream media from all sides of the political spectrum is just loaded down lately with articles about how great AI is as a tool for doing this, that, and everything. It’s such a striking contrast with the opinion of those of us who can see the destruction it will bring.

Allister Thompson@allistert.bsky.social · 2w ago

Here’s another example of irritatingly pompous BS from some musician’s bio: he’s a “musical polymath,” apparently. It goes on to describe that he makes his own music, plays more than one instrument, AND produces. WOW!!!!! Such incredible polymathy!! (Polymathery?)