James R (Randy) Fromm

@RandyFromm
11 Followers
34 Following
123 Posts
Sourdough Baker. Perennial Student. ex-Cold War Sub Sailor. ex-Nuclear Nomad. Independent Scholar of Rhetoric, interested in Social Imaginaries & ‘American’ Vigilantism. Can also be found at: @randyfromm.bsky.social
Show threadJames R (Randy) FrommJul 4

@MerjaPolvinen

I suspect Laurie will like them. I’ll pass the recommendations to her, as well.

James R (Randy) FrommJul 4
James GleickJul 3

The Lie of AI

My essay in the new issue of @nybooks. I review books by @emilymbender and @alex and James Boyle.

https://www.nybooks.com/articles/2025/07/24/the-parrot-in-the-machine-the-ai-con-bender-hanna/?utm_source=nybooks&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=email-share

The Parrot in the Machine

The artificial intelligence industry depends on plagiarism, mimicry, and exploited labor, not intelligence.

The New York Review of Books
Show threadJames R (Randy) FrommJul 4

@MerjaPolvinen

Thanks for this, Merja. I’ve long been a fan of le Carré. I’ll have to look into Harkaway’s work. Do you have a favorite?

Show threadJames R (Randy) FrommJul 2

@MerjaPolvinen

Tell me about 'titanium noir'. Curious minds want to know!!

Show threadJames R (Randy) FrommJun 16

@kevinashworth @georgetakei

Beat me to it, Kevin. But I suspect George's questions were purely rhetoricaL ... he knew the answers before he asked.

James R (Randy) FrommMay 21
Teri KanefieldMay 20

Hello Mastodon Peeps.

I have a birth announcement.

(Yeah, I know it's corny, but I've been creating birth announcements for each book, beginning with my firstborn novel in 2001. Back then I didn't have photoshop.)

(Edited because I had the wrong date of my firstborn. My oldest is over 21!)

James R (Randy) FrommMay 21
Show threadTeri KanefieldMay 20

And now, a moment of reflection. After so many books (and several decades of writing) I understand that writing books is a way to leave my footprint on the earth. My contribution: Books that go to schools and libraries.

(Not that I am going anywhere. I intend to live forever. But occasionally I suppose we all think about mortality.)

James R (Randy) FrommMay 20

Things you do when you FINALLY get 8 hours of sleep and there is NO WIND and the air is clear of dust.

Shade cloth for the ‘tender’ plants has been put in place.

Show threadJames R (Randy) FrommMay 9

@MerjaPolvinen

Such a lovely cabin and surrounds. Glad to see that bottle of Aardbeg on the table. Nothing like a peaty dram. I hope we can have one together some time.

Show threadJames R (Randy) FrommApr 29

@MerjaPolvinen

Thanks for sharing this, Merja!