These two have such a great buddy dynamic we just get to see the beginnings of. I think a sequel about them getting established in the US would be a lot of fun. They're fish-out-of-water characters both figuring out a fresh start (and maybe some redemption from their involvement in the criminal enterprises their life circumstances led them to).

Csongor reconnecting with his brother, Marlon probably starting some kind of business (trying to make it a legitimate one this time while having to navigate the challenges of his checkered past and awkward legal status), some kind of threat from unresolved Russian mob / Chinese intelligence complications, and Csongor navigating trying to start a relationship with Zula who needs safety and stability to recover from everything in Reamde, while helping the friend who saved his life start a new one without getting entangled in more shady dealings).

I doubt Neal would ever write it, but I just thought I'd share and see if it resonated with anyone else who enjoyed Reamde, or likes the idea of a Neal Stephenson "buddy story" in general?

For more info on the alleged sexual harassment, this article goes in-depth: https://www.cambridgeday.com/2024/12/06/somerville-library-staffers-leave-over-co-worker-calling-city-union-complacent-over-abuse-claims/

The city's own HR investigation "found sufficient evidence of violation/s under the City’s Equal Opportunity Policy" but a year later still employs the man despite "a '5-inch thick' binder compiled over years of complaints against Sanchez from co-workers and library patrons."

I know listicles can often be cringy junk, but I thought this one actually did a good job of providing lots of different examples and breaking down the components of each trend they identified. Felt decently in-depth for a round-up; worth browsing for inspiration.

"All of this work is broadly applicable to the PC platform, and it’s going to continue to expand over time. Supporting multiple platforms, multiple chipsets, controllers for different machines that are out there and even ones that aren’t out yet."

[...] Valve's goal with the OS is to have it compatible with traditional PCs, laptops, portable consoles and any other formats.

I enjoyed this well-edited video about Boston's runner culture, problems with the T, and the Charlie Card Challenge race in which a group of 150 runners see if they can outrun the green line over a 6.6 mile stretch from Boston College to Park Street.