Thomas G. Atkinson
@darthmarmalade.bsky.social
Is there any tea on this spacecraft?
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
repost with an iconic fictional band
November 12, 2025 at 3:22 AM
repost with an iconic fictional band
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Did you know that in Canada, if a budget doesn’t pass the government doesn’t shut down?
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Did you know that in Canada, if a budget doesn’t pass the government doesn’t shut down?
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Federal workers aren’t furloughed.
Funding for social services doesn’t dry up.
Failure to pass a budget triggers an election.
It puts the politicians jobs on the line.
They get the budget passed.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
IT GOT BETTER
📍Central MN
📍Central MN
November 12, 2025 at 3:05 AM
IT GOT BETTER
📍Central MN
📍Central MN
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
if you can’t see the aurora borealis tonight, here is a sewer tunnel which is a wonder in itself.
November 12, 2025 at 3:58 AM
if you can’t see the aurora borealis tonight, here is a sewer tunnel which is a wonder in itself.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
This is good stuff. Note he says "a right to adequate medical care," not "access" to healthcare.
81 years ago, FDR proposed a second Bill of Rights to guarantee every American the right to employment, healthcare, education, housing, and a living income. His words are as relevant now as they were then. Watch.
November 12, 2025 at 3:13 AM
This is good stuff. Note he says "a right to adequate medical care," not "access" to healthcare.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
O roar a roar for Nora, Nora Alice in the night
For she has seen Aurora Borealis burning bright!
A furor for our Nora, and applaud Aurora seen!
O where throughout the summer has our Borealis been?
--Walt Kelly
For she has seen Aurora Borealis burning bright!
A furor for our Nora, and applaud Aurora seen!
O where throughout the summer has our Borealis been?
--Walt Kelly
November 12, 2025 at 5:12 AM
O roar a roar for Nora, Nora Alice in the night
For she has seen Aurora Borealis burning bright!
A furor for our Nora, and applaud Aurora seen!
O where throughout the summer has our Borealis been?
--Walt Kelly
For she has seen Aurora Borealis burning bright!
A furor for our Nora, and applaud Aurora seen!
O where throughout the summer has our Borealis been?
--Walt Kelly
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Weird that we have a planet-wide magnetic defense system that self activates when the sun decides to attack but it is very pretty
November 12, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Weird that we have a planet-wide magnetic defense system that self activates when the sun decides to attack but it is very pretty
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Today I had a shit fit in my car because the woman in front of me pulled out and cut me off. I shouted my usual cranky "Pay attention!" and flipped her off and then she stopped and rolled down her window and said:
"Holy shit I'm so sorry, my bad, I completely apologize, I didn't see you"
"Holy shit I'm so sorry, my bad, I completely apologize, I didn't see you"
November 12, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Today I had a shit fit in my car because the woman in front of me pulled out and cut me off. I shouted my usual cranky "Pay attention!" and flipped her off and then she stopped and rolled down her window and said:
"Holy shit I'm so sorry, my bad, I completely apologize, I didn't see you"
"Holy shit I'm so sorry, my bad, I completely apologize, I didn't see you"
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
I wonder why so many people are feeling aggrieved and becoming radicalised.
Could it be the breathtaking wholesale betrayal of our values, while lying about it, on a daily basis?
Could it be the breathtaking wholesale betrayal of our values, while lying about it, on a daily basis?
Aust universities will cry poor while stealing millions of dollars from precariously employed workers and throwing money at the mass murder industry.
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
www.theguardian.com/australia-ne...
ANU bought shares in Israeli weapons maker after pledging to stop controversial arms investments
Exclusive: University says Elbit Systems, whose drones have been used extensively in Gaza, not on any controversial weapons list when shares bought and sold this year
www.theguardian.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:22 PM
I wonder why so many people are feeling aggrieved and becoming radicalised.
Could it be the breathtaking wholesale betrayal of our values, while lying about it, on a daily basis?
Could it be the breathtaking wholesale betrayal of our values, while lying about it, on a daily basis?
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
“A few bad apples” is always used to deflect criticism of systemic problems in NZ.
Schopenhauer’s entropy is a more realistic way to think about it: “If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel full of sewage, you get sewage. If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage.”
Schopenhauer’s entropy is a more realistic way to think about it: “If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel full of sewage, you get sewage. If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage.”
November 11, 2025 at 10:28 PM
“A few bad apples” is always used to deflect criticism of systemic problems in NZ.
Schopenhauer’s entropy is a more realistic way to think about it: “If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel full of sewage, you get sewage. If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage.”
Schopenhauer’s entropy is a more realistic way to think about it: “If you put a spoonful of wine in a barrel full of sewage, you get sewage. If you put a spoonful of sewage in a barrel full of wine, you get sewage.”
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Journalist friends, you know what to do.
Sarah Kendzior was suspended, she doesn’t know why, and the head of T&S said he won’t confirm whether or not the suspension was intentional unless media requests hit a threshold
Sarah Kendzior was suspended, she doesn’t know why, and the head of T&S said he won’t confirm whether or not the suspension was intentional unless media requests hit a threshold
We usually do that in response to media requests once they hit that threshold. I’ll try not to weigh in here, since that’s still details of an individual case. An interesting topic for a separate write up though, without discussing case specifics.
November 11, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Journalist friends, you know what to do.
Sarah Kendzior was suspended, she doesn’t know why, and the head of T&S said he won’t confirm whether or not the suspension was intentional unless media requests hit a threshold
Sarah Kendzior was suspended, she doesn’t know why, and the head of T&S said he won’t confirm whether or not the suspension was intentional unless media requests hit a threshold
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
November 12, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Benjamin Lay was out there THROWING FAKE BLOOD on Quakers in the damn EARLY 1700s because HE KNEW that enslaving Africans was a SIN, INHUMANE and should end IMMEDIATELY.
November 11, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Benjamin Lay was out there THROWING FAKE BLOOD on Quakers in the damn EARLY 1700s because HE KNEW that enslaving Africans was a SIN, INHUMANE and should end IMMEDIATELY.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
in Paris, I had to see a same-day doctor & I found one. was gravely warned that, as a foreigner, I’d have to pay 32 euros & I laughed & laughed
a friend there said “make sure you get X kind of doctor, not Y, because the Y kind charges 74 WHOLE EUROS” & once again I bitterly, bitterly laughed 😭
a friend there said “make sure you get X kind of doctor, not Y, because the Y kind charges 74 WHOLE EUROS” & once again I bitterly, bitterly laughed 😭
My ACA current plan is going from $385/mo to $821/mo.
November 12, 2025 at 12:48 AM
in Paris, I had to see a same-day doctor & I found one. was gravely warned that, as a foreigner, I’d have to pay 32 euros & I laughed & laughed
a friend there said “make sure you get X kind of doctor, not Y, because the Y kind charges 74 WHOLE EUROS” & once again I bitterly, bitterly laughed 😭
a friend there said “make sure you get X kind of doctor, not Y, because the Y kind charges 74 WHOLE EUROS” & once again I bitterly, bitterly laughed 😭
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
I do think this is a real distinction
Part of the issue is that Good at Words people are generally inclined to accept that people are all different ways and to think that’s just fine. Good at Math people have been allowed too much room to think that only they have the thoughts that matter.
November 12, 2025 at 1:06 AM
I do think this is a real distinction
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Also, the HHS Secretary sold cocaine in college and was a heroin addict for 14 years so it is RICH whenever they go after people for old drug offenses.
Even if you don’t care about people who use drugs - you really should care about other people - they will still just lie that you are a person who uses drugs when they want other people not to care about you
After José's arrest sparked outrage in August, DHS attacked him in a press release, calling him a "criminal illegal alien, not a firefighter." DHS has cited a 12-year-old drug delivery charge while failing to acknowledge the charge was dismissed.
Full @us.theguardian.com interview and story here:
Full @us.theguardian.com interview and story here:
November 12, 2025 at 12:27 AM
Also, the HHS Secretary sold cocaine in college and was a heroin addict for 14 years so it is RICH whenever they go after people for old drug offenses.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
I enjoyed Death by Silver quite a lot! Check it out if you haven't yet.
#Booksky Looking for a terrific gay gaslamp mystery when the protagonists solve crimes with magic? All our books, including DEATH BY SILVER by Melissa Scott and Amy Griswold, are available on Kobo and KoboPlus!
www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/...
www.kobo.com/us/en/ebook/...
Death by Silver ebook by Melissa Scott - Rakuten Kobo
Read "Death by Silver" by Melissa Scott available from Rakuten Kobo. 2024 Midwest Book Awards Finalist!
Mystery, Murder and Magic…
When an old schoolmate with a well-earned reputation for b...
www.kobo.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I enjoyed Death by Silver quite a lot! Check it out if you haven't yet.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
BAD COMPANY
Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream
Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream
November 11, 2025 at 9:45 PM
BAD COMPANY
Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream
Private Equity and the Death of the American Dream
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Remember when crypto was going to replace the dollar and NFTs were doing to do literally anything and none of it happened and everyone lost money although everyone kept repeating it was inevitable?
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
automaton-media.com/en/news/its-...
“It’s important to assume every game company is now using AI.” Nexon CEO comments on role of human creativity as AI tools become the norm - AUTOMATON WEST
In an interview following the launch of ARC Raiders, the CEO of Embark Studios' parent company Nexon shares his views on AI.
automaton-media.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Remember when crypto was going to replace the dollar and NFTs were doing to do literally anything and none of it happened and everyone lost money although everyone kept repeating it was inevitable?
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
November 10, 2025 at 7:32 PM
spoke with the executive director of my local food bank today and got this really incredible line: "if you donate 1 can of green beans, we can give away 1 can of green beans. but if you donate a dollar, we can give away 6 cans of green beans"
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
The only reason Palantir software is hard to abuse is that much of it is horseshit "AI features" that don't work at all, and most of the rest of it are basic database search features that also don't work at all.
November 11, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The only reason Palantir software is hard to abuse is that much of it is horseshit "AI features" that don't work at all, and most of the rest of it are basic database search features that also don't work at all.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
The fact that this, and every other Trump pardonee who has subsequently broken the law, has not ended Trump's political career, that it barely even registers on the national discourse, underlines just how far we are from a functioning democracy that values accountability.
A man pardoned by Donald Trump for his role in January 6th - he assaulted Capitol Police officers with bear spray & a metal whip - has avoided prison for child sex crimes because of the president’s sweeping pardon, despite pleading guilty to soliciting what he believed was a 15-year-old girl for sex
Trump Pardon Lets Convicted Child Sex Predator Walk Free
Andrew Taake walked free because of Trump’s pardons, despite being convicted of a child sex crime.
www.thedailybeast.com
November 12, 2025 at 1:29 AM
The fact that this, and every other Trump pardonee who has subsequently broken the law, has not ended Trump's political career, that it barely even registers on the national discourse, underlines just how far we are from a functioning democracy that values accountability.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
Sherwood Anderson, “Winesburg Ohio.” I wanted to be able to write like that, I wanted to be able to see into everyone around me that way, and I wanted to read more like it.
performative reading, lack of reading skills, nobody's reading anymore -- NO!
tell me about a book that changed you
for me? the *extremely* ahistorical novel, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY which I read at 13 and was like, "Oh, art can be *everything* to a maker, for good and bad"
tell me about a book that changed you
for me? the *extremely* ahistorical novel, THE AGONY AND THE ECSTASY which I read at 13 and was like, "Oh, art can be *everything* to a maker, for good and bad"
November 12, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Sherwood Anderson, “Winesburg Ohio.” I wanted to be able to write like that, I wanted to be able to see into everyone around me that way, and I wanted to read more like it.
Reposted by Thomas G. Atkinson
This is a good thread worth reading.
So let me get this straight: bluesky (team) is currently permanently banning people without any recourse, for unspecified reasons, basically at their whim. As literal fascism threatens all life, they are creating a system to silence people without warning.
So let me get this straight: bluesky (team) is currently permanently banning people without any recourse, for unspecified reasons, basically at their whim. As literal fascism threatens all life, they are creating a system to silence people without warning.
4. In the absence of confidence that every suspended person has been told happened, rumors and worst-case assumptions fill the vacuum. No one knows what behavior will get them banned. And this is all happening against the background of a high-stakes authoritarian slide. People are scared.
November 12, 2025 at 2:03 AM
This is a good thread worth reading.
So let me get this straight: bluesky (team) is currently permanently banning people without any recourse, for unspecified reasons, basically at their whim. As literal fascism threatens all life, they are creating a system to silence people without warning.
So let me get this straight: bluesky (team) is currently permanently banning people without any recourse, for unspecified reasons, basically at their whim. As literal fascism threatens all life, they are creating a system to silence people without warning.