#68: "there's no shortage of wild ideas here"
Welcome to issue #68 of THIS NEWSLETTER CANNOT SAVE YOU. Say, it’s spring, and that means that there’s a spring sale on the audiobook version of my science-fantasy novel, WILD MASSIVE - 50% off to be precise! Here’s what a few people who aren’t me had to say about the book:
"This is an immersive and unique sci-fi fantasy adventure. It’s compelling in a sociological sense, featuring a society that is blinded by its own complacency and overindulgence. Carissa and Andasir are relatable characters with murky motivations, but the vast theme park setting really drives the story with a good blend of magic and science. VERDICT The latest from Moore (Battle of the Linguist Mages) is perfect for those who enjoy offbeat sci-fi where the weak stand up to the strong." - Library Journal
"Dizzyingly plotted and blisteringly creative, Moore’s novel is a delightful escapist adventure." - Tordotcom
"Balancing themes of power, bureaucracy, and the commodification of reality, Wild Massive delivers ambitious world-building with an unnerving closeness to our own world. While the story spans fantastical multiverses, its focus remains on the character’s emotions and humanity, and the relationships that bind people—even in the face of destruction. Moore’s writing is sharp, evocative, and daringly on the nose. This isn’t just a sci-fi adventure; it’s a bold exploration of the worlds we create and the ones we let consume us." - Mother Jones
"Throughout this sprawling, ambitious romp, Moore draws from numerous perspectives and gleefully embraces the inherent absurdity of both setting and premise... there's no shortage of wild ideas here. Readers are in for a rollicking trip through the fun house." - Publisher's Weekly
Get the audiobook for 50% right here! (Offer ends May 11th.)
Get the novel for normal price right here!
If you’ve already read the novel, read the two short stories that act as bonus epilogues: AFTERSHOCK & ESCAPE, together at last in one free epub!
Scottovision
Wherein we offer ten treats to entertain, bemuse, and potentially confuse:
“Easta” (2017) - Well, Easter came and went in between issues of this newsletter. But I find that this music video has a timeless quality that makes it worth revisiting even after the fact. Beloved JPop artist Kyary Pamyu Pamyu presents the delightful story of how sentient, horn-playing Easta eggs (including crossbred bunny-eggs) live peacefully on the moon, until UFEs (unidentified fried eggs) arrive to blow up King & Queen Easta Egg's castle, because screw the monarchy, amirite? Anyway this music video is called Easta.
“A Bicycle Trip” (2008) - Well, Bicycle Day came and went in between issues of this newsletter. On April 19th in 1943, Dr. Albert Hofmann experienced the first intentional LSD trip, ingesting around 250 micrograms of the potent substance, then taking a bike ride home from his lab. Here's a fanciful four-minute animated film depicting the event, created by Lorenzo Veracini, Nandini Nambiar and Marco Avoletta, three students of the Centro Sperimentale di Cinematografia at the time.
“On God” (2025) - A thug vows to change his life after being shot and seeing angels, only to find that his friends would prefer that he seek revenge, in this tight and funny short film directed by Andrew Theodore Balasia. When you see indie actor Al Warren in a film, you’re usually in for a good if weird experience, and this is no different; he makes interesting choices of projects, and he’s always interesting to watch as well.
“Airplane Man” (2023) - Weird guy somehow guides airplanes on their final approach while standing in some trainyard outside the airport. How? That’s the mystery. Written by Rick Darge & Dugan O'Neal, directed by Darge.
“Dark Day” (2016) - A man in a world of strange geometries finds himself in pursuit of a strange vision, in this peculiar and uncanny animated short film by Jonathan djob nkondo. The frequent perspective shifts keep you on your toes, and the unsettling atmosphere keeps you watching.
“NGHĨ KĨ” (2020) - In this music video for a track by Trung Bao & NamLeDay, an unnamed character is put through a wild series of transformations, and the effect is blazingly good as the video progresses. The creators write, “The awareness of one’s stream of consciousness triggers the experimentation on chaos in the realm of thoughts. Those who are aware of their own chaotic mind would control, embrace, or merely observe the complexity of its effect.” Art direction by Trung Bao for Fustic.Studio.
“KALPA (Misled Convoy's Astro Dub remix)” (2021) - This insanely psychedelic music video for a track by OhmikRon is like taking a direct look at the underlying wireframes of existence. I’ve had this in my visuals arsenal since it came out, and it never disappoints. Watch on the biggest screen you can find. Animation by Igor Goryunov.
“Fiebre” (2020) - Here’s a completely different take on the subgenre of psychedelic music video, from the band Zoé, exploring the mythological underpinnings of humanity’s existence in a series of compelling 3D animated tableaux locked in time for close examination.
“Alice” (2025) - Here’s yet another take on the subgenre of psychedelic music video, from the artist Mcbaise, a more literal animated take in which a young hiker inadvertently consumes a psychedelic mushroom and her hike becomes considerably more complex than it was before. Directed by Mcbaise, animated by Nicolas Macia.
“The Workplace” (2021) - What begins as a seemingly silly parody of modern workplace life becomes an eerily prescient glimpse of the dystopian future in this short film written by Annah Feinberg and directed by Carlyn Hudson. Robots may take our jobs, but they’ll never take our caffeine addictions.
Exit Music
Sending you out this issue with a recent electronic mix of mine called the “glowing heart mix,” featuring the likes of Four Tet, Caribou, Max Cooper, Jon Hopkins, Floating Points, Koreless, Bicep, “and more!” It’s suitably crunchy and thumpy for all occasions.
Here's the YouTube playlist with (most of) this issue's recos. Please enjoy responsibly.
Until next time, I remain your friendly correspondent, thinking of you,
Scotto
Scotto Moore is the author of WILD MASSIVE, BATTLE OF THE LINGUIST MAGES, and YOUR FAVORITE BAND CANNOT SAVE YOU.
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