Matt Austern
@austern.bsky.social
Computer programmer, ex-physicist, husband and father, reader. I live in Palo Alto and work at Google, where my focus is large scale data.
Interested in various things, including science, food and wine, science fiction, politics, and cute cat pictures.
Interested in various things, including science, food and wine, science fiction, politics, and cute cat pictures.
Reposted by Matt Austern
If you haven't read The Rice Truck Saga yet, you should. Here's your chance.
Or you could reread it. For extra credit you could try reading it out loud at Thanksgiving dinner and see how far you get before you crack up.
Or you could reread it. For extra credit you could try reading it out loud at Thanksgiving dinner and see how far you get before you crack up.
Ok palate cleanse time. In case you missed it, here's my most popular post ever
4 yrs ago today, a family member managed a truly spectacular own goal, splintered his domestic bliss, & in the process, united the world for a day.
On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day
So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
On popular request, I shall now recreate the livetweet thread from that day
So gather around children, for this is the tale of The Rice Truck Saga
November 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
If you haven't read The Rice Truck Saga yet, you should. Here's your chance.
Or you could reread it. For extra credit you could try reading it out loud at Thanksgiving dinner and see how far you get before you crack up.
Or you could reread it. For extra credit you could try reading it out loud at Thanksgiving dinner and see how far you get before you crack up.
My October reading list:
Charles Dickens, Bleak House
E. W. Horning, The Black Mask
Annalee Newitz, Automatic Noodle
Dashiell Hammett, The Dain Curse
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Commedia della Morte
Robert Jackson Bennett, A Drop of Corruption
Aristophanes, The Acharnians (tr. Douglass Parker)
Charles Dickens, Bleak House
E. W. Horning, The Black Mask
Annalee Newitz, Automatic Noodle
Dashiell Hammett, The Dain Curse
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Commedia della Morte
Robert Jackson Bennett, A Drop of Corruption
Aristophanes, The Acharnians (tr. Douglass Parker)
November 1, 2025 at 9:40 PM
My October reading list:
Charles Dickens, Bleak House
E. W. Horning, The Black Mask
Annalee Newitz, Automatic Noodle
Dashiell Hammett, The Dain Curse
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Commedia della Morte
Robert Jackson Bennett, A Drop of Corruption
Aristophanes, The Acharnians (tr. Douglass Parker)
Charles Dickens, Bleak House
E. W. Horning, The Black Mask
Annalee Newitz, Automatic Noodle
Dashiell Hammett, The Dain Curse
Chelsea Quinn Yarbro, Commedia della Morte
Robert Jackson Bennett, A Drop of Corruption
Aristophanes, The Acharnians (tr. Douglass Parker)
Just finished reading @annaleen.bsky.social's _Automatic Noodle_, which I liked a lot.
Now the only problem is that I need to eat hot oil biang biang noodles. Any advice on a good place near Palo Alto or Mountain View?
Now the only problem is that I need to eat hot oil biang biang noodles. Any advice on a good place near Palo Alto or Mountain View?
October 14, 2025 at 5:04 AM
Just finished reading @annaleen.bsky.social's _Automatic Noodle_, which I liked a lot.
Now the only problem is that I need to eat hot oil biang biang noodles. Any advice on a good place near Palo Alto or Mountain View?
Now the only problem is that I need to eat hot oil biang biang noodles. Any advice on a good place near Palo Alto or Mountain View?
California has a special election on November 4. I already know how I'll vote on Proposition 50 (temporary redistricting changes) and Measure A (county sales tax increase), but I know nothing about the third thing on the ballot: Santa Clara County Assessor.
Any advice on where to learn more?
Any advice on where to learn more?
October 9, 2025 at 3:22 AM
California has a special election on November 4. I already know how I'll vote on Proposition 50 (temporary redistricting changes) and Measure A (county sales tax increase), but I know nothing about the third thing on the ballot: Santa Clara County Assessor.
Any advice on where to learn more?
Any advice on where to learn more?
My September reading list (1/2):
• Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote (tr. Edith Grossman)
• Jack Schaefer, Shane
• Charlie Jane Anders, Lessons in Magic and Disaster
• Agatha Christie, Evil Under the Sun
…
• Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote (tr. Edith Grossman)
• Jack Schaefer, Shane
• Charlie Jane Anders, Lessons in Magic and Disaster
• Agatha Christie, Evil Under the Sun
…
October 3, 2025 at 5:35 AM
My September reading list (1/2):
• Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote (tr. Edith Grossman)
• Jack Schaefer, Shane
• Charlie Jane Anders, Lessons in Magic and Disaster
• Agatha Christie, Evil Under the Sun
…
• Miguel de Cervantes Saavedra, Don Quixote (tr. Edith Grossman)
• Jack Schaefer, Shane
• Charlie Jane Anders, Lessons in Magic and Disaster
• Agatha Christie, Evil Under the Sun
…
Reposted by Matt Austern
This is amazing. I knew that Goodall thought the cartoon was funny but I didn’t know she brought Larson to Tanzania to get his ass kicked by a chimpanzee.
Gary Larson actually visited Jane Goodall in Tanzania and got attacked by a famously belligerent chimp named Frodo:
www.cracked.com/article_4363...
www.cracked.com/article_4363...
October 2, 2025 at 1:50 AM
This is amazing. I knew that Goodall thought the cartoon was funny but I didn’t know she brought Larson to Tanzania to get his ass kicked by a chimpanzee.
OSF announced the 2026 season a few months ago, but I didn't notice the announcement until today:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Come From Away
A Raisin in the Sun
Yellow Face
…
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Come From Away
A Raisin in the Sun
Yellow Face
…
September 27, 2025 at 8:39 PM
OSF announced the 2026 season a few months ago, but I didn't notice the announcement until today:
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Come From Away
A Raisin in the Sun
Yellow Face
…
A Midsummer Night’s Dream
Come From Away
A Raisin in the Sun
Yellow Face
…
Reposted by Matt Austern
Happy Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov Saves the World Day, everybody.
42 years ago today, Lt. Col. Petrov prevented an accidental nuclear war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl...
42 years ago today, Lt. Col. Petrov prevented an accidental nuclear war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl...
Stanislav Petrov - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
September 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Happy Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov Saves the World Day, everybody.
42 years ago today, Lt. Col. Petrov prevented an accidental nuclear war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl...
42 years ago today, Lt. Col. Petrov prevented an accidental nuclear war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl...
Blue sky in Mountain View
September 6, 2025 at 1:44 AM
Blue sky in Mountain View
My August reading list:
• 8/2 Jeff VanderMeer, Authority
• 8/6 Adrian Tchaikovsky, House of Open Wounds
• 8/11 Jeff VanderMeer, Acceptance
• 8/15 Adrian Tchaikovsky, Days of Shattered Faith
• 8/19 Jeff VanderMeer, Absolution
• 8/30 Seth Dickinson, Exordia
• 8/2 Jeff VanderMeer, Authority
• 8/6 Adrian Tchaikovsky, House of Open Wounds
• 8/11 Jeff VanderMeer, Acceptance
• 8/15 Adrian Tchaikovsky, Days of Shattered Faith
• 8/19 Jeff VanderMeer, Absolution
• 8/30 Seth Dickinson, Exordia
September 5, 2025 at 8:46 PM
My August reading list:
• 8/2 Jeff VanderMeer, Authority
• 8/6 Adrian Tchaikovsky, House of Open Wounds
• 8/11 Jeff VanderMeer, Acceptance
• 8/15 Adrian Tchaikovsky, Days of Shattered Faith
• 8/19 Jeff VanderMeer, Absolution
• 8/30 Seth Dickinson, Exordia
• 8/2 Jeff VanderMeer, Authority
• 8/6 Adrian Tchaikovsky, House of Open Wounds
• 8/11 Jeff VanderMeer, Acceptance
• 8/15 Adrian Tchaikovsky, Days of Shattered Faith
• 8/19 Jeff VanderMeer, Absolution
• 8/30 Seth Dickinson, Exordia
Sea Lion Docks, in Newport OR.
I wouldn't like it if a sea lion started walking on top of me while I was just lying there. I don't think sea lions like it either.
I wouldn't like it if a sea lion started walking on top of me while I was just lying there. I don't think sea lions like it either.
September 3, 2025 at 11:36 PM
Sea Lion Docks, in Newport OR.
I wouldn't like it if a sea lion started walking on top of me while I was just lying there. I don't think sea lions like it either.
I wouldn't like it if a sea lion started walking on top of me while I was just lying there. I don't think sea lions like it either.
These gulls were sitting on our balcony when we were getting ready to have our breakfast. They clearly had hopes.
September 2, 2025 at 12:01 AM
These gulls were sitting on our balcony when we were getting ready to have our breakfast. They clearly had hopes.
I happened to be reminded of Dalton recently, who arguably should be called the discoverer of color blindness: an account of how he realized that "my vision was not like that of other persons", a detailed description of his color perception, and more.
babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=in...
babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=in...
babel.hathitrust.org
September 1, 2025 at 6:05 PM
I happened to be reminded of Dalton recently, who arguably should be called the discoverer of color blindness: an account of how he realized that "my vision was not like that of other persons", a detailed description of his color perception, and more.
babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=in...
babel.hathitrust.org/cgi/pt?id=in...
Breakfast in Ashland
August 26, 2025 at 4:43 PM
Breakfast in Ashland
TIL that Shakespeare wrote a play based on Don Quixote! Or at least so it's believed: the (lost) play was The History of Cardenio, and that's the name of a character in Don Quixote. Probably the play was based on a story within the story.
August 22, 2025 at 2:30 AM
TIL that Shakespeare wrote a play based on Don Quixote! Or at least so it's believed: the (lost) play was The History of Cardenio, and that's the name of a character in Don Quixote. Probably the play was based on a story within the story.
Pet peeve: saying "bottoms-up planning" when you mean "bottom-up planning".
Bottom-up planning is when the plans come from the people doing the work. Bottoms-up planning is when you write your design docs in a bar.
Bottom-up planning is when the plans come from the people doing the work. Bottoms-up planning is when you write your design docs in a bar.
August 21, 2025 at 9:31 PM
Pet peeve: saying "bottoms-up planning" when you mean "bottom-up planning".
Bottom-up planning is when the plans come from the people doing the work. Bottoms-up planning is when you write your design docs in a bar.
Bottom-up planning is when the plans come from the people doing the work. Bottoms-up planning is when you write your design docs in a bar.
Should I lie awake at night worrying that the AI will kill me to use the iron in my blood for paperclips, or should I worry that it'll turn me into a corgi? Decisions, decisions.
August 16, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Should I lie awake at night worrying that the AI will kill me to use the iron in my blood for paperclips, or should I worry that it'll turn me into a corgi? Decisions, decisions.
Important distinction from @adapalmer.bsky.social: classic dystopia where revolution is impossible and those who stand up are crushed, and cathartic dystopia where the world is terrible but the oppressors can be defeated at the end. Think 1984 vs The Hunger Games.
August 16, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Important distinction from @adapalmer.bsky.social: classic dystopia where revolution is impossible and those who stand up are crushed, and cathartic dystopia where the world is terrible but the oppressors can be defeated at the end. Think 1984 vs The Hunger Games.
My general advice on SF recommendations for teenagers:
(1) Be willing to say you don't know, especially if you don't regularly talk to teenagers about what books they like.
...
(1) Be willing to say you don't know, especially if you don't regularly talk to teenagers about what books they like.
...
Over on Reddit someone is asking for science fiction for their precocious young reader and the people there are suggesting books that were old when that kid's grandparents were the same age as the kid, for fuck's sake if you didn't know any SF books from this millennium maybe sit this question out
August 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
My general advice on SF recommendations for teenagers:
(1) Be willing to say you don't know, especially if you don't regularly talk to teenagers about what books they like.
...
(1) Be willing to say you don't know, especially if you don't regularly talk to teenagers about what books they like.
...
Overheard conversation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, in front of the Japanese Porcupine Crab tank in the Into The Deep exhibit:
[excitedly] “That's so cool!”
[decisively] “Steamed. With butter.”
[excitedly] “That's so cool!”
[decisively] “Steamed. With butter.”
August 10, 2025 at 3:55 AM
Overheard conversation at the Monterey Bay Aquarium, in front of the Japanese Porcupine Crab tank in the Into The Deep exhibit:
[excitedly] “That's so cool!”
[decisively] “Steamed. With butter.”
[excitedly] “That's so cool!”
[decisively] “Steamed. With butter.”
I've been working with computers long enough that even when it says ON TIME, I still find it ominous to see the train number listed as 404.
August 7, 2025 at 2:35 PM
I've been working with computers long enough that even when it says ON TIME, I still find it ominous to see the train number listed as 404.
Reposted by Matt Austern
This absolute icon at Canterbury Pride 🩷🤍🩵
June 7, 2025 at 12:18 PM
This absolute icon at Canterbury Pride 🩷🤍🩵
A lot of centrists have the mistaken belief that being a centrist isn't a political stance, that it's only those other people who have ideologies.
One way to see how wrong this is is to notice that people of *wildly* divergent political views all call themselves centrists.
One way to see how wrong this is is to notice that people of *wildly* divergent political views all call themselves centrists.
A reply to Matthew Yglesias regarding "Big Ass Truck Abundance" publiccomment.blog/p/the-groups...
The Groups versus The Groups
The interminable fight over who gets to rule the void
publiccomment.blog
August 3, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A lot of centrists have the mistaken belief that being a centrist isn't a political stance, that it's only those other people who have ideologies.
One way to see how wrong this is is to notice that people of *wildly* divergent political views all call themselves centrists.
One way to see how wrong this is is to notice that people of *wildly* divergent political views all call themselves centrists.