Archive - Read Max

What's the deal with all those weird wrong-number texts?

Digging into the world of "pig-butchering" scams

Jul 1, 2022 • Max Read

A fantastical '90s bio-punk thriller, the best movie of 2025, and more

Roundup 02/23/2026

Feb 23 • Max Read

EXTENDED SALE! A political-thriller fantasy adventure in Blitz-era London, a cool Hong Kong y2k action comedy, and more

Roundup 12/01/2025

Dec 1, 2025 • Max Read

'90s Dad Thrillers: a List

Notes toward a theory of the Dad Thriller

Nov 9, 2021 • Max Read

Mapping the celebrity NFT complex

Where do celebrities even hear about “bored apes”? Who is recommending that they buy one? Is this really the best thing any of them can think to do with…

Feb 2, 2022 • Max Read

How to Substack

Celebrating three years of Read Max

Oct 18, 2024 • Max Read

The Zizians and the Rationalist death cults

What is the deal with Rationalism and cults?

Jan 31, 2025 • Max Read

Hawk Tuah and the Zynternet

Plus, for some reason, some thoughts about the debate

Jun 28, 2024 • Max Read

Soy Right ascendant

The return of Gamergate

Feb 12, 2025 • Max Read

People prefer A.I. art because people prefer bad art

Understanding the "AI Art Turing Test"

Nov 22, 2024 • Max Read

The man who bought Pine Bluff, Arkansas

A Hackernews comment introduces a new character

Aug 16, 2022 • Max Read

A literary history of fake texts in Apple's marketing materials

Exploring the Applecore style

Sep 15, 2023 • Max Read

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