Shawna Williams
@coloradan.bsky.social
Freelance editor & writer, serial mover, mom. https://shawnawilliams.com/
Excuse me?
“Marketed for kids 3-12, Kumma gave step-by-step instructions on a common “knot for beginners” who want to tie up their partner. Another time, the AI explored the idea of introducing spanking into a sexually-charged teacher-student dynamic, which is obviously ghoulishly inappropriate for young kids”
"Powered by OpenAI’s GPT-4o model by default...tests repeatedly showed that the AI toy dropped its guardrails the longer a conversation went on, until hitting rock bottom on incredibly disturbing topics."
November 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Excuse me?
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Reposted by Shawna Williams
My god (sorry I’m late on a bunch of this stuff. But wow!)
According to this NYT report, the head of the FBI and the Attorney General are holding meetings *in the Situation Room* with GOP lawmakers they are trying to pressure to rescind their votes to release the Epstein info. This is madness.
According to this NYT report, the head of the FBI and the Attorney General are holding meetings *in the Situation Room* with GOP lawmakers they are trying to pressure to rescind their votes to release the Epstein info. This is madness.
November 12, 2025 at 9:54 PM
My god (sorry I’m late on a bunch of this stuff. But wow!)
According to this NYT report, the head of the FBI and the Attorney General are holding meetings *in the Situation Room* with GOP lawmakers they are trying to pressure to rescind their votes to release the Epstein info. This is madness.
According to this NYT report, the head of the FBI and the Attorney General are holding meetings *in the Situation Room* with GOP lawmakers they are trying to pressure to rescind their votes to release the Epstein info. This is madness.
Reposted by Shawna Williams
this essay is just as good as everyone says it is, and imo is a good piece of blanket advice
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:10 AM
this essay is just as good as everyone says it is, and imo is a good piece of blanket advice
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Reposted by Shawna Williams
We are looking for teachers willing to test Jasper, a CO2 monitor in their classrooms. Jasper is a prototype and we would like to receive user feedback as soon as possible from several countries. If you are interested, please fill out the form: letsair.org/jasper
November 7, 2025 at 11:28 AM
We are looking for teachers willing to test Jasper, a CO2 monitor in their classrooms. Jasper is a prototype and we would like to receive user feedback as soon as possible from several countries. If you are interested, please fill out the form: letsair.org/jasper
Reposted by Shawna Williams
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:39 PM
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Reposted by Shawna Williams
“woke” is when you acknowledge that black people have contributed to the united states
Two panels commemorating the contribution of Black American soldiers towards the liberation of the Netherlands in World War Two have been quietly removed from a cemetery in Limburg. It follows a complaint by right-wing think tank The Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission.
November 8, 2025 at 9:01 PM
“woke” is when you acknowledge that black people have contributed to the united states
Not me just now learning about Dick Cheney's death.
November 7, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Not me just now learning about Dick Cheney's death.
Reposted by Shawna Williams
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Don't cross the picket line--no reading Science News today! These journalists deserve a fair contract that recognizes the value they bring to the company.
Workers of the Science News Media Guild will conduct a 24-hour #strike on Wednesday, 11/5. This comes after our members voted to reject the Society’s latest contract proposal. Our members previously voted by 92% to authorize a strike against the @society4science.bsky.social, if necessary.
November 5, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Don't cross the picket line--no reading Science News today! These journalists deserve a fair contract that recognizes the value they bring to the company.
Reposted by Shawna Williams
NEWS: Federal agents crashed with woman’s car, pointed guns at her, dragged her out by legs, tossed her in a minivan, held her and (eventually) let her go without charges. This as Chicagoans say the immigration blitz is out of control. (DHS blames her.)
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
Chicago woman dragged out of her car after colliding with ICE demands accountability
The arrest of Dayanne Figueroa highlights growing concerns about the use of force against U.S. citizens and due process. She was released after a few hours without charges.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:26 PM
NEWS: Federal agents crashed with woman’s car, pointed guns at her, dragged her out by legs, tossed her in a minivan, held her and (eventually) let her go without charges. This as Chicagoans say the immigration blitz is out of control. (DHS blames her.)
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
Reposted by Shawna Williams
LAPD on horses charge at and beat guests standing in line to the Short Stop in Echo Park. @shoton35mm.bsky.social
November 2, 2025 at 8:42 AM
LAPD on horses charge at and beat guests standing in line to the Short Stop in Echo Park. @shoton35mm.bsky.social
Reposted by Shawna Williams
The arrival numbers don’t add up, while accounts of large-scale atrocities are mounting.
"Where are all the missing people who have already survived months of famine and violence in El Fasher?" www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/urgen...
"Where are all the missing people who have already survived months of famine and violence in El Fasher?" www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/urgen...
Urgent: Mass atrocities in El Fasher as people remain in grave danger
There is no time to waste in helping survivors.
www.doctorswithoutborders.org
October 31, 2025 at 8:44 PM
The arrival numbers don’t add up, while accounts of large-scale atrocities are mounting.
"Where are all the missing people who have already survived months of famine and violence in El Fasher?" www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/urgen...
"Where are all the missing people who have already survived months of famine and violence in El Fasher?" www.doctorswithoutborders.org/latest/urgen...
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Now's a good time to give to/help out at your local food bank. Feeding America: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
Find Your Local Food Bank | Feeding America
Find the Feeding America member food bank nearest you. Over 200 member food banks can connect you with free food, food pantries, soup kitchens, and mobile pantries in your community.
www.feedingamerica.org
October 31, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Now's a good time to give to/help out at your local food bank. Feeding America: www.feedingamerica.org/find-your-lo...
This is so, so good.
[GIFT LINK] Lots of folks are sharing this incisive commentary from @tressiemcphd.bsky.social on the Nazi tattoo candidate and the Democrats' insistence that we have to tolerate a smidge of racism to appeal to the working class.
She, of course takes, that apart.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
She, of course takes, that apart.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/29/o...
Opinion | A Nazi Tattoo Exposes Democrats’ Greatest Weakness
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:07 PM
This is so, so good.
We are truly living in an idiocracy.
NEW: A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica sets up new roadblocks to care for male veterans with breast cancer.
The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive order about “restoring biological truth” in government.
The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive order about “restoring biological truth” in government.
Citing Trump Order on “Biological Truth,” VA Makes It Harder for Male Veterans With Breast Cancer to Get Coverage
A Department of Veterans Affairs memo obtained by ProPublica erects new roadblocks to care for veterans with the rare but deadly cancer. The agency cites no new science but relies on an executive order about “restoring biological truth” in government.
www.propublica.org
October 29, 2025 at 1:28 PM
We are truly living in an idiocracy.
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Extraordinary NEW story: We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. @nicolefoy.bsky.social w/ photos by @sbmaneyphoto.bsky.social
More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days.
The government does not track how often immigration agents grab citizens. So ProPublica did. Our tally — almost certainly incomplete — includes people who were held for days without a lawyer. And near...
www.propublica.org
October 16, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Extraordinary NEW story: We Found That More Than 170 U.S. Citizens Have Been Held by Immigration Agents. They’ve Been Kicked, Dragged and Detained for Days. @nicolefoy.bsky.social w/ photos by @sbmaneyphoto.bsky.social
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Oh hell yeah, I’m in the Big Apple, baby!
October 18, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Oh hell yeah, I’m in the Big Apple, baby!
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Goddamn right.
October 18, 2025 at 6:57 PM
Goddamn right.
Reposted by Shawna Williams
October 17, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Little did I know that what I needed this morning was to read an in-depth examination of what's wrong with Red Delicious apples.
The Red Delicious: the original poster child for enshittification.
In which I review not one, but twoooo of these goddamn things. I do it for you. PLEASE CLAP.
In which I review not one, but twoooo of these goddamn things. I do it for you. PLEASE CLAP.
Apple Review #17: Red Delicious Double Feature
Palpatine voice: Did you ever hear the tragedy of Darth Delicious, the Red? That’s right. We’re — er, we’re meaning I’m because you’re not here with me, it’…
terribleminds.com
October 17, 2025 at 1:58 PM
Little did I know that what I needed this morning was to read an in-depth examination of what's wrong with Red Delicious apples.
Reposted by Shawna Williams
“LAPD wants judge to lift an order restricting use of force against the press” 😭😭😭
“Ahead of this Saturday’s No Kings protests, the Los Angeles Police Department has filed an emergency motion asking a judge to lift an injunction that restricts their use of force against the press.”
“Ahead of this Saturday’s No Kings protests, the Los Angeles Police Department has filed an emergency motion asking a judge to lift an injunction that restricts their use of force against the press.”
LAPD wants judge to lift an order restricting use of force against the press
The police department filed an emergency order ahead of this Saturday's No Kings protest.
laist.com
October 17, 2025 at 2:56 AM
“LAPD wants judge to lift an order restricting use of force against the press” 😭😭😭
“Ahead of this Saturday’s No Kings protests, the Los Angeles Police Department has filed an emergency motion asking a judge to lift an injunction that restricts their use of force against the press.”
“Ahead of this Saturday’s No Kings protests, the Los Angeles Police Department has filed an emergency motion asking a judge to lift an injunction that restricts their use of force against the press.”
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Again, people who think US citizens won’t be ensnared in this are badly mistaken. Yet another egregious example.
ICE agents kidnapped a US citizen in Chicago because she didn’t “look” American to them. She even had her US passport on her. 🤬
ICE Detains Citizen After Saying She Doesn’t “Look Like” Her Last Name
She even had her U.S. passport on her.
newrepublic.com
October 15, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Again, people who think US citizens won’t be ensnared in this are badly mistaken. Yet another egregious example.
Reposted by Shawna Williams
Really important that we don't become numb to the President designating unspecified groups as terrorists who he can just kill without any process and without much evidence that the allegations against the unknown people are even actually true.
October 14, 2025 at 10:40 PM
Really important that we don't become numb to the President designating unspecified groups as terrorists who he can just kill without any process and without much evidence that the allegations against the unknown people are even actually true.