I think of myself as pretty tech-savvy. In fact, I consider myself quite tech-literate; I learnt to code as a teen, built websites on Dreamweaver (RIP), did engineering, mostly use open-source, zero knowledge software and even tried to sell a book about tech myths and society (but apparently I ‘didn’t have the credibility’, which is a story for another day).
All that is to say, I feel confident in my relationship with tech, and my ability to parse the real from the bs. I even score 100% on those ‘AI vs Real’ quizzes that now populate my feeds:
video via Tiktok
How many did you get right? See, even if you got all of them right, I think that it’s partly because we were looking out for it. When you’re watching videos during a scrolling session, you’re not keeping your eye out for the signs, are you? You’re just passively taking it in, assuming that what you’re getting is real. That’s what I realised I was doing, anyway. Because when I saw this video, I fully thought it was real:
…and I shared it, without checking the source. ‘How cool’, I said to people. ‘Looks like things aren’t always what they may appear!’
Well, joke’s on me
I mean… damn, y’all! I got duped! For the first time since ‘Sora’ was announced, I’m now thinking about how I am going to re-structure my approach to my social media feed engagement. I need to change something… but I’m not yet sure what.
How are you all thinking about responding to the AI Slop and propoganda/misinformation that is infiltrating our feeds in an increasingly convincing and difficult-to-detect fashion?
What else happened this week? Well.
Proof drops! I’ve now visited bookshops in London, Edinburgh, Leeds, Manchester and Cheltenham, spreading the good word about Silverbrook. Tres exciting. Book 1 in the series is out Jan 2026… and I just got my edits on the first draft of Book 2!
For those who don’t know what a proof drop is, I created this neat little explainer:
As you can see, it’s been a big week of content creation. I’ve been making the most of my Cap Cut subscription fee… and it wasn’t just on Silverbrook (reminder, you can pre-order here) but also on…
The launch of the Creatives4Sudan Fundraiser!
Creatives4Sudan are asking creatives from around the world to donate something fun exciting (or simply a piece of art, a signed book, an hour of your time for mentoring) for a fundraising auction to raise money for Sudan - specifically for those affected by the ongoing genocide in Darfur. If you’re so inclined, please head to eyesonsudan.net/auction - and keep an eye out for when the fundraiser goes live, because you can then bid and buy on all the wonderful things people have donated!
Have I had time to watch television? Not really. Have I sacrificed to do so nonetheless? Yes, yes I have. BBC’s Riot Women, by the inimitable Sally Wainwright, was a lot of fun. Some described it as a bit ‘on the nose’, and it is. Just go in expecting that, and you might be alright.
The most recent season of Apple TV’s Slow Horses is hitting all the right, cosy notes. Beyond that, you know I’m keeping up with my own show, ITV’s Emmerdale. Anyone else watching the drama unfold in the Dales? Episodes are now going up on YouTube, my most recent one is here!
On Friday, I had the honour of being hosted by Edinburgh Deaf Action’s Book Club. I did a reading from my essay in the collection ‘It’s Not About the Burqa’, as well as an excerpt from At Sea. All my readings were interpreted into British Sign Language, and I had a moving interactions with many members of the audience on the themes of language, and belonging.
One of the interpreters - Emmy - told me about how she’d recently learnt that in Sudan there is no formalised Sign Language, but many tens, if not hundreds of local languages, likely growing out of deaf people in families developing their own forms of communication. She also told of me the African Sign Languages Resource Center, and while the website looks still under development, I found even the concept fascinating and compelling.
I have so often thought about how language and meaning and culture are tied together, and when language is through gesture - as it is with sign - how does that change its ability to be maintained, passed down? What can we learn from how Deaf communities hold onto their heritage? All things I don’t have the answers to in this moment, but seeds for future blooming, perhaps.
I joined Randa Abdel-Fattah on the podcast 2 Pals and a Pod to give a primer on Sudan. I feel like I’ve done many versions of this conversation, but if you are new here and are looking for a 101 type introduction, this is a good place to start.
I’ll be honest. It’s been a tough few weeks, emotionally and psychologically. The most recent events in Sudan are taking their toll, bringing fresh waves of grief as well as a renewed sense of urgency to find ways to respond. This time around, I’m also trying to find a way to balance this advocacy with the promotional work required around my book releases, as well as continuing to bring my best possible self to the Emmerdale writing team. It has been challenging. However, Allah is the best of planners, no? So, we move forward, step by step by step. I hope I am moving with grace, and if I am not - please do forgive me.
Reminder, for those in London, I am hosting this fundraising screening on Friday inshallah. Do come through! There will be Zine making and a great Q&A inshallah.
Take care of yourselves inshallah.
Yassmin
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