AuroraErratic
@auroraerratic.bsky.social
Potter, gardener, childless cat lady, Democrat. Guess what? WE'RE STILL NOT GOING BACK
🫘
🫘
Reposted by AuroraErratic
An essential development over the past decade-plus is that the ignorant went from feeling chastened when their ignorance was revealed to banding together and deciding that, actually, they were right. They might disagree at times, but they agreed that ignorance itself was an indicator of trust.
December 29, 2025 at 3:26 PM
An essential development over the past decade-plus is that the ignorant went from feeling chastened when their ignorance was revealed to banding together and deciding that, actually, they were right. They might disagree at times, but they agreed that ignorance itself was an indicator of trust.
Reposted by AuroraErratic
Virologist explains how RFK Jr., who Susan Collins put in office, gets the 1918 flu pandemic completely wrong. #mepolitics
Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has stated that the 1918 flu pandemic was caused by a lab virus from vaccine research, a defective influenza vaccine. Let’s analyze what a lie this is. First, in 1918, 107 years ago, virology was in its infancy
December 29, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Virologist explains how RFK Jr., who Susan Collins put in office, gets the 1918 flu pandemic completely wrong. #mepolitics
JFC it's bad enough waiting for donald trump to shuffle off the coil but honestly things aren't going to get better with or without trump while musk is still actively poisoning minds.
December 29, 2025 at 1:30 PM
JFC it's bad enough waiting for donald trump to shuffle off the coil but honestly things aren't going to get better with or without trump while musk is still actively poisoning minds.
Reposted by AuroraErratic
There’s a Silicon Valley billionaire freak out happening about a potential wealth tax ballot initiative in California.
I hope everybody understands—the only way to make billionaires pay a similar *income* tax rate as their secretaries is via taxing unrealized cap gains or wealth
I hope everybody understands—the only way to make billionaires pay a similar *income* tax rate as their secretaries is via taxing unrealized cap gains or wealth
December 29, 2025 at 12:07 AM
There’s a Silicon Valley billionaire freak out happening about a potential wealth tax ballot initiative in California.
I hope everybody understands—the only way to make billionaires pay a similar *income* tax rate as their secretaries is via taxing unrealized cap gains or wealth
I hope everybody understands—the only way to make billionaires pay a similar *income* tax rate as their secretaries is via taxing unrealized cap gains or wealth
Reposted by AuroraErratic
Newly discovered recordings show how far Donald Trump went to attempt overturning the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
Trump told the Speaker he could call the session “for transparency, and to uncover fraud,” adding, “Who’s gonna stop you for that?” trib.al/uicRmnz
Trump told the Speaker he could call the session “for transparency, and to uncover fraud,” adding, “Who’s gonna stop you for that?” trib.al/uicRmnz
December 28, 2025 at 12:00 PM
Newly discovered recordings show how far Donald Trump went to attempt overturning the 2020 presidential election results in Georgia.
Trump told the Speaker he could call the session “for transparency, and to uncover fraud,” adding, “Who’s gonna stop you for that?” trib.al/uicRmnz
Trump told the Speaker he could call the session “for transparency, and to uncover fraud,” adding, “Who’s gonna stop you for that?” trib.al/uicRmnz
Reposted by AuroraErratic
87% of Americans reject the notion that the United States government should enforce religious views or behavior (or “enthusiasm”) on any American.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
Ethno-nationalist bigotry, against Jews and many others, is putrid and deeply unpopular. We do not want it.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
Ethno-nationalist bigotry, against Jews and many others, is putrid and deeply unpopular. We do not want it.
December 27, 2025 at 12:03 PM
87% of Americans reject the notion that the United States government should enforce religious views or behavior (or “enthusiasm”) on any American.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
Ethno-nationalist bigotry, against Jews and many others, is putrid and deeply unpopular. We do not want it.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
Ethno-nationalist bigotry, against Jews and many others, is putrid and deeply unpopular. We do not want it.
Reposted by AuroraErratic
In fact, Musk promised exactly that. And you will not be surprised to know that the moment he stole all that personal data and left, it turns out, government spending is up. www.the-independent.com/news/world/a...
December 26, 2025 at 9:28 PM
In fact, Musk promised exactly that. And you will not be surprised to know that the moment he stole all that personal data and left, it turns out, government spending is up. www.the-independent.com/news/world/a...
Reposted by AuroraErratic
A Skeptic's Guide to AI
I wrote "How to AI" both for everyone who is dabbling in AI, or wants to avoid it and know what they're up against.
It's as much about where AI isn't appropriate as where it is.
Out 1/27. Updates and newsletter here:
mimsical.beehiiv.com/p/a-skeptic-...
I wrote "How to AI" both for everyone who is dabbling in AI, or wants to avoid it and know what they're up against.
It's as much about where AI isn't appropriate as where it is.
Out 1/27. Updates and newsletter here:
mimsical.beehiiv.com/p/a-skeptic-...
A skeptic's guide to AI
Introducing the one book you might want to read about AI -- even, or perhaps especially, if you're not a fan
mimsical.beehiiv.com
December 13, 2025 at 2:03 PM
A Skeptic's Guide to AI
I wrote "How to AI" both for everyone who is dabbling in AI, or wants to avoid it and know what they're up against.
It's as much about where AI isn't appropriate as where it is.
Out 1/27. Updates and newsletter here:
mimsical.beehiiv.com/p/a-skeptic-...
I wrote "How to AI" both for everyone who is dabbling in AI, or wants to avoid it and know what they're up against.
It's as much about where AI isn't appropriate as where it is.
Out 1/27. Updates and newsletter here:
mimsical.beehiiv.com/p/a-skeptic-...
Reposted by AuroraErratic
Pottery & History: The Earliest Evidence of Mathematical Thought
www.patreon.com/posts/potter...
www.patreon.com/posts/potter...
Pottery & History: The Earliest Evidence of Mathematical Thought | Fine Mess Pottery
Get more from Fine Mess Pottery on Patreon
www.patreon.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Pottery & History: The Earliest Evidence of Mathematical Thought
www.patreon.com/posts/potter...
www.patreon.com/posts/potter...
Reposted by AuroraErratic
Money:
Donated to NAACP, held fundraisers for MLK Jr. and other civil rights leaders, hired Black people.
Frank Sinatra was effectively accused of being woke back in 1958. And his response was to tell people, "Shut up. I'm Frank Sinatra. I do what I want. Stop being such a hateful little jerk."
Donated to NAACP, held fundraisers for MLK Jr. and other civil rights leaders, hired Black people.
Frank Sinatra was effectively accused of being woke back in 1958. And his response was to tell people, "Shut up. I'm Frank Sinatra. I do what I want. Stop being such a hateful little jerk."
December 26, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Money:
Donated to NAACP, held fundraisers for MLK Jr. and other civil rights leaders, hired Black people.
Frank Sinatra was effectively accused of being woke back in 1958. And his response was to tell people, "Shut up. I'm Frank Sinatra. I do what I want. Stop being such a hateful little jerk."
Donated to NAACP, held fundraisers for MLK Jr. and other civil rights leaders, hired Black people.
Frank Sinatra was effectively accused of being woke back in 1958. And his response was to tell people, "Shut up. I'm Frank Sinatra. I do what I want. Stop being such a hateful little jerk."
Reposted by AuroraErratic
I once thought this pseudo-Brandeis point was a bit soft-headed, but it now appears inarguable: “We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we cannot have both.”
December 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
I once thought this pseudo-Brandeis point was a bit soft-headed, but it now appears inarguable: “We may have democracy, or we may have wealth concentrated in the hands of a few, but we cannot have both.”
I did this too, about 5 years ago. Smartphone culture has become about equivalent of car culture - you *can* live without one, but it's extremely inconvenient.
Exactly
My dad has a smartphone not because he wanted one but because banks, doctors, government, insurers, etc all operate from the assumption that everyone has one
My dad has a smartphone not because he wanted one but because banks, doctors, government, insurers, etc all operate from the assumption that everyone has one
December 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
I did this too, about 5 years ago. Smartphone culture has become about equivalent of car culture - you *can* live without one, but it's extremely inconvenient.
Reposted by AuroraErratic
Corporate Media provides isolated coverage of Trump’s corruption, ignorance, authoritarianism, incompetence, but day-in-day-out they paint a portrait of a president, just like any other president, sanely in charge of the US. But dude is a psycho and they know it.
December 26, 2025 at 7:12 AM
Corporate Media provides isolated coverage of Trump’s corruption, ignorance, authoritarianism, incompetence, but day-in-day-out they paint a portrait of a president, just like any other president, sanely in charge of the US. But dude is a psycho and they know it.
Reposted by AuroraErratic
Trump's narrative about Muslims attacking Christians in Nigeria is bullshit. It's nothing but rage bait for the dumbest among us, AKA MAGA. I'll explain in more detail the dynamics at work in Nigeria on Coffee With Texas Paul tomorrow at 11 am Eastern.
December 26, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Trump's narrative about Muslims attacking Christians in Nigeria is bullshit. It's nothing but rage bait for the dumbest among us, AKA MAGA. I'll explain in more detail the dynamics at work in Nigeria on Coffee With Texas Paul tomorrow at 11 am Eastern.
My cat got me a mouse for Christmas.
December 25, 2025 at 10:15 PM
My cat got me a mouse for Christmas.
Reposted by AuroraErratic
“The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior”
When this is over the only thing to be named for this man? The Midas Museum of American Lawlessness
When this is over the only thing to be named for this man? The Midas Museum of American Lawlessness
“The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior.” apnews.com/article/kenn...
Kennedy Center Christmas Eve jazz concert canceled after Trump name added to building
A planned Christmas Eve jazz concert at the Kennedy Center has been canceled. Musician Chuck Redd, the show's host, says he called off the performance after the White House announced President Donald ...
apnews.com
December 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
“The law explicitly prohibits the board of trustees from making the center into a memorial to anyone else, and from putting another person’s name on the building’s exterior”
When this is over the only thing to be named for this man? The Midas Museum of American Lawlessness
When this is over the only thing to be named for this man? The Midas Museum of American Lawlessness
Reposted by AuroraErratic
It was entirely predictable but if Kamala D. Harris randomly conjured up a battleship on a wholly unrealistic timeline with weapons not actually in production with the same cost as a carrier, these guys would be hurling slurs not seen since reconstruction, instead it’s just:
December 24, 2025 at 5:55 PM
It was entirely predictable but if Kamala D. Harris randomly conjured up a battleship on a wholly unrealistic timeline with weapons not actually in production with the same cost as a carrier, these guys would be hurling slurs not seen since reconstruction, instead it’s just:
Reposted by AuroraErratic
“Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor & strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself.”
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Pope Leo, on Christmas Eve, says denying help to poor is rejecting God
Leo has made care for immigrants and the poor key themes of his early papacy.
www.reuters.com
December 25, 2025 at 4:00 AM
“Pope Leo said in a Christmas Eve sermon on Wednesday that the story of Jesus being born in a stable because there was no room at an inn should remind Christians that refusing to help the poor & strangers today is tantamount to rejecting God himself.”
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Obvious to any REAL Christian. #MerryChristmas
Reposted by AuroraErratic
1. It wasn't all teenagers (as if that would be an excuse). There were really young victims.
2. I see why the King disowned his own brother, then-Prince Andrew.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
#doj #epistein files
2. I see why the King disowned his own brother, then-Prince Andrew.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
#doj #epistein files
December 25, 2025 at 2:37 AM
1. It wasn't all teenagers (as if that would be an excuse). There were really young victims.
2. I see why the King disowned his own brother, then-Prince Andrew.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
#doj #epistein files
2. I see why the King disowned his own brother, then-Prince Andrew.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
#doj #epistein files
Reposted by AuroraErratic
This thread perfectly explains why AI has little value for qualitative research.
Yes, large language models can find patterns in qualitative data. But, they're trained on what we already know. So, they won't find anything surprising. And, surprise is qualitative research's primary value-add.
Yes, large language models can find patterns in qualitative data. But, they're trained on what we already know. So, they won't find anything surprising. And, surprise is qualitative research's primary value-add.
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
This thread perfectly explains why AI has little value for qualitative research.
Yes, large language models can find patterns in qualitative data. But, they're trained on what we already know. So, they won't find anything surprising. And, surprise is qualitative research's primary value-add.
Yes, large language models can find patterns in qualitative data. But, they're trained on what we already know. So, they won't find anything surprising. And, surprise is qualitative research's primary value-add.
Reposted by AuroraErratic
Expanding Medicare so that it includes all Americans will require taxes to go up significantly on the top ~15% of households, some services to be curtailed and drastically more immigration to shift the age pyramid.
But all that would still be better than the trash system we have now.
But all that would still be better than the trash system we have now.
I'm here willing to read anything someone puts together that details how we can get from here to there
I'm all for universal healthcare. Tell me how we get there.
I'm all for universal healthcare. Tell me how we get there.
December 25, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Expanding Medicare so that it includes all Americans will require taxes to go up significantly on the top ~15% of households, some services to be curtailed and drastically more immigration to shift the age pyramid.
But all that would still be better than the trash system we have now.
But all that would still be better than the trash system we have now.
Reposted by AuroraErratic
I never again want to hear about how the Republican Party is the party of national security. You don’t incinerate our diplomatic capacity & violate all of our treaty commitments if you care about national security.
Context for Trump withdrawing dozens of ambassadors
*China has invested heavily in expanding diplomacy
*The US has significantly degraded soft power
*The US already has scores of diplomatic vacancies
*China has invested heavily in expanding diplomacy
*The US has significantly degraded soft power
*The US already has scores of diplomatic vacancies
December 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
I never again want to hear about how the Republican Party is the party of national security. You don’t incinerate our diplomatic capacity & violate all of our treaty commitments if you care about national security.
dammit i got everything else done but i didn't get to the weed dispensary
now i can't go til friday
thoughts & prayers please
now i can't go til friday
thoughts & prayers please
December 24, 2025 at 11:29 PM
dammit i got everything else done but i didn't get to the weed dispensary
now i can't go til friday
thoughts & prayers please
now i can't go til friday
thoughts & prayers please