Doug Mack
@douglasmack.bsky.social
Probably down a research rabbit hole.
📖 The Not-Quite States of America, about the U.S. territories (W. W. Norton).
🍟Agreeably nerdy food history newsletter: https://snackstack.net
He/him, just another dad in Minneapolis.
📖 The Not-Quite States of America, about the U.S. territories (W. W. Norton).
🍟Agreeably nerdy food history newsletter: https://snackstack.net
He/him, just another dad in Minneapolis.
Pinned
Doug Mack
@douglasmack.bsky.social
· Oct 5
The Not-Quite States of America
'To truly understand the United States, one must understand the 'not-quite states of America.' —Mark Stein, best-selling author of <em>How the States Got Their Shapes</em>, The Not-Quite States ...
wwnorton.com
Anyway, if you want to learn about the U.S. territories, read my book!
I traveled more than 30,000 miles to report it. Deep-dive history. Legal analysis. Tons of interviews. Funny travel stories.
Smithsonian said it was one of the 10 best travel books of the year!
wwnorton.com/books/978039...
I traveled more than 30,000 miles to report it. Deep-dive history. Legal analysis. Tons of interviews. Funny travel stories.
Smithsonian said it was one of the 10 best travel books of the year!
wwnorton.com/books/978039...
Reposted by Doug Mack
I think Avatar is basically the blockbuster version of NCIS, a juggernaut with an offline core audience disinclined to the usual traits of fandom, also comparable (not morally but as a type) to the "median voter" that baffles every election season
December 26, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I think Avatar is basically the blockbuster version of NCIS, a juggernaut with an offline core audience disinclined to the usual traits of fandom, also comparable (not morally but as a type) to the "median voter" that baffles every election season
Reposted by Doug Mack
If you are hiring entry level #wx jobs, please hire my son (and his twin brother), please and thank you.
#MSP #TwinCities and anyone who may be viewing this post across #Minnesota, #Wisconsin and the UP of #Michigan there is increasing confidence of a significant winter storm on Sunday in the region. Let’s discuss 🧵 #mnwx #wiwx #miwx #winterwx #winterstorm #snow
December 27, 2025 at 2:51 AM
If you are hiring entry level #wx jobs, please hire my son (and his twin brother), please and thank you.
Minneapolis-knowers, help Chris solve this mystery
This is going to be driving me crazy until I find out where this photo is. It looks familiar! But I did 2007 Streetview in Uptown and Cedar-Riverside and so far nothing doing.
L7 while in Minneapolis in 1989. Posted on FB on the page “Seattle Grunge Scene and MORE.” L7 would qualify as “and more” given that they always lived in LA. Photo by the late Brian Garrity.
December 27, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Minneapolis-knowers, help Chris solve this mystery
Reposted by Doug Mack
Hello Kitty has had more cultural impact than Spider Man and it's not close.
December 26, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Hello Kitty has had more cultural impact than Spider Man and it's not close.
Reposted by Doug Mack
That’s not that much money. (Though I’m sure upkeep is extremely pricey.) www.startribune.com/st-paul-home...
Summit Avenue house from Glensheen Mansion architect is listed at $1.25M
The 8,200-square-foot St. Paul property has been a single residence, shared living space and event center in its nearly 150-year history.
www.startribune.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:06 AM
That’s not that much money. (Though I’m sure upkeep is extremely pricey.) www.startribune.com/st-paul-home...
Reposted by Doug Mack
They move to Miami and discover humidity and then come back. We’ve been through this cycle before.
the flight of the billionaires www.nytimes.com/2025/12/26/t...
A Wealth Tax Floated in California Has Billionaires Thinking of Leaving
www.nytimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 12:08 AM
They move to Miami and discover humidity and then come back. We’ve been through this cycle before.
Reposted by Doug Mack
Make a Bond movie academic
Quantum mechanics of Superposition
Quantum mechanics of Superposition
Make a Bond movie academic
From Russia On A School Exchange Program
From Russia On A School Exchange Program
Make a Bond movie academic
The Spy Who Taught Me
The Spy Who Taught Me
December 26, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Make a Bond movie academic
Quantum mechanics of Superposition
Quantum mechanics of Superposition
Reposted by Doug Mack
Out-of-state tuition rates can be two to three times higher than in-state rates, adding to existing financial pressures tied to higher costs of living in the territories, limited on-island degree options, and the expense of relocating thousands of miles for school.
US House committee advances bill to guarantee in-state tuition for students from four territories - Pasquines
Legislation that would guarantee in-state tuition rates for students from the United States territories of Guam, the US Virgin Islands, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa advanced out…
pasquines.us
December 26, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Out-of-state tuition rates can be two to three times higher than in-state rates, adding to existing financial pressures tied to higher costs of living in the territories, limited on-island degree options, and the expense of relocating thousands of miles for school.
The Trump Country Diner trope has returned
December 26, 2025 at 3:44 PM
The Trump Country Diner trope has returned
"You there, boy! What day is it?"
"Why it's Boxing Day, sir!"
"Oh. Uh. Okay. I must have really slept after all those weird dreams. Bloody hell."
[Scrooge closes window]
"Why it's Boxing Day, sir!"
"Oh. Uh. Okay. I must have really slept after all those weird dreams. Bloody hell."
[Scrooge closes window]
December 26, 2025 at 3:24 PM
"You there, boy! What day is it?"
"Why it's Boxing Day, sir!"
"Oh. Uh. Okay. I must have really slept after all those weird dreams. Bloody hell."
[Scrooge closes window]
"Why it's Boxing Day, sir!"
"Oh. Uh. Okay. I must have really slept after all those weird dreams. Bloody hell."
[Scrooge closes window]
Reposted by Doug Mack
yellowish water in South Minneapolis (Longfellowish), anyone else? how do we feel about cooking with it?
December 26, 2025 at 1:10 AM
yellowish water in South Minneapolis (Longfellowish), anyone else? how do we feel about cooking with it?
happy "new hot sauces?! what a perfect gift!" day to all who celebrate
December 26, 2025 at 12:49 AM
happy "new hot sauces?! what a perfect gift!" day to all who celebrate
Reposted by Doug Mack
Hi! Historian! Midwest! Minneapolis! Nazis are bad! www.startribune.com/maga-antisem...
December 26, 2025 at 12:12 AM
Hi! Historian! Midwest! Minneapolis! Nazis are bad! www.startribune.com/maga-antisem...
I made some pretty good pizza
December 24, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I made some pretty good pizza
Reposted by Doug Mack
I am going to tell a story as small and close to myself as I can, before I go set luminarias outside. These lanterns, brown paper bags with sand and candles, are part of the recieved culture of New Mexico, the place where my family moved when I was 1.5 and have now lived again for nearly a decade.
December 24, 2025 at 9:28 PM
I am going to tell a story as small and close to myself as I can, before I go set luminarias outside. These lanterns, brown paper bags with sand and candles, are part of the recieved culture of New Mexico, the place where my family moved when I was 1.5 and have now lived again for nearly a decade.
Reposted by Doug Mack
I gotta book coming?
The Public Scholar
A Practical Handbook
www.press.jhu.edu
December 24, 2025 at 9:38 PM
I gotta book coming?
Reposted by Doug Mack
Or you might call them "camps" where people are to be "concentrated" until they are deported.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
ICE documents reveal plan to hold 80,000 immigrants in warehouses
The Trump administration wants to build seven large-scale deportation hubs to speed up deportations, internal ICE documents show.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Or you might call them "camps" where people are to be "concentrated" until they are deported.
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/business/202...
Today in AI is Garbage:
I was searching for an essay I wrote ages ago and Google "helpfully" summarized it, getting the content wrong (in some cases THE OPPOSITE of what I wrote) and missing the key point that it's a personal essay, not an earnest set of insights.
I fucking hate this.
I was searching for an essay I wrote ages ago and Google "helpfully" summarized it, getting the content wrong (in some cases THE OPPOSITE of what I wrote) and missing the key point that it's a personal essay, not an earnest set of insights.
I fucking hate this.
December 24, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Today in AI is Garbage:
I was searching for an essay I wrote ages ago and Google "helpfully" summarized it, getting the content wrong (in some cases THE OPPOSITE of what I wrote) and missing the key point that it's a personal essay, not an earnest set of insights.
I fucking hate this.
I was searching for an essay I wrote ages ago and Google "helpfully" summarized it, getting the content wrong (in some cases THE OPPOSITE of what I wrote) and missing the key point that it's a personal essay, not an earnest set of insights.
I fucking hate this.
Reposted by Doug Mack
the prawns of peace
is this anything
is this anything
December 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
the prawns of peace
is this anything
is this anything
In case you need some Christmas dinner conversation starters/enders
Not that you asked, but here's a thread of intriguing (real!) food facts to amuse/bore your friends and family.
Great for gatherings when you need to change the subject!
Great for gatherings when you need to change the subject!
December 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
In case you need some Christmas dinner conversation starters/enders
Reposted by Doug Mack
Pleased to partner with Philip Morris on our “healthy smoking in schools” initiative
We know students, like the rest of the world, are using AI. Teachers need to be equipped to deal w/all the issues AI creates. Our approach starts with maximizing safety & privacy and empowering educators to make educational decisions, so AI tools can benefit not harm www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne...
AI has become the norm for students. Teachers are playing catch-up.
At a New York City training session, educators explored how artificial intelligence could support teaching while also discussing their concerns around the technology.
www.nbcnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Pleased to partner with Philip Morris on our “healthy smoking in schools” initiative
Reposted by Doug Mack
Vol. 1 of a two-volume work; a note inside indicated that Vol. 2 had been a two-pound block of cheese and had been shared between (and consumed by) the donor and librarian.
December 24, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Vol. 1 of a two-volume work; a note inside indicated that Vol. 2 had been a two-pound block of cheese and had been shared between (and consumed by) the donor and librarian.
Reposted by Doug Mack
"This story doesn't need a sandworm"
This is almost always wrong. Arguably, EVERY story benefits from adding a huge subterranean worm with quasi-mystical or semi-supernatural powers, or equivalent (similar to Moby Dick).
Obviously the bigger the worm, the more literary quality it adds.
This is almost always wrong. Arguably, EVERY story benefits from adding a huge subterranean worm with quasi-mystical or semi-supernatural powers, or equivalent (similar to Moby Dick).
Obviously the bigger the worm, the more literary quality it adds.
what is your least favorite piece of writing advice and why? 👀
December 23, 2025 at 6:28 PM
"This story doesn't need a sandworm"
This is almost always wrong. Arguably, EVERY story benefits from adding a huge subterranean worm with quasi-mystical or semi-supernatural powers, or equivalent (similar to Moby Dick).
Obviously the bigger the worm, the more literary quality it adds.
This is almost always wrong. Arguably, EVERY story benefits from adding a huge subterranean worm with quasi-mystical or semi-supernatural powers, or equivalent (similar to Moby Dick).
Obviously the bigger the worm, the more literary quality it adds.
A novel about a lawn care professional who lies constantly. Title: Unreliable Aerator
December 24, 2025 at 5:09 AM
A novel about a lawn care professional who lies constantly. Title: Unreliable Aerator
Reposted by Doug Mack
AJ Mleczko just called Florida "the new State of Hockey" on a national broadcast, so I assume the entire state of Minnesota will be rioting shortly.
December 24, 2025 at 3:06 AM
AJ Mleczko just called Florida "the new State of Hockey" on a national broadcast, so I assume the entire state of Minnesota will be rioting shortly.