Isaac Cates
@drisaac.bsky.social
“Senior Lecturer” (UVM English) in poetry, comics, writing, etc.; sometime drawer of comics, sometime writer of poems; trying to return to the world
Some projects here:
#DailyKrazyDetail
#FourActorFactor
#OrwellVsChatGPT
#WILtVG
Some projects here:
#DailyKrazyDetail
#FourActorFactor
#OrwellVsChatGPT
#WILtVG
Pinned
Isaac Cates
@drisaac.bsky.social
· Nov 15
If you’d like to read my essay about George Orwell, writing by machines, and our current nihilism about meaning, I offer you the entire zine in this thread.
I will finish the thread with instructions on how to print your own copies of the zine.
#OrwellvsChatGPT
I will finish the thread with instructions on how to print your own copies of the zine.
#OrwellvsChatGPT
Reposted by Isaac Cates
If you're cold he's cold, bring him inside
Bernie Sanders only has one inauguration look (this is today at the Mamdani inauguration)
January 1, 2026 at 9:04 PM
If you're cold he's cold, bring him inside
Reposted by Isaac Cates
One of the reasons I was on board with Mamdani from very early on was that he seemed to me, more than any other candidate, to be prepared to offer a roadmap for popular and institutional resistance to Trumpism on the municipal level.
Today is validating my optimism.
Today is validating my optimism.
January 1, 2026 at 11:24 PM
One of the reasons I was on board with Mamdani from very early on was that he seemed to me, more than any other candidate, to be prepared to offer a roadmap for popular and institutional resistance to Trumpism on the municipal level.
Today is validating my optimism.
Today is validating my optimism.
Reposted by Isaac Cates
25 for '25 – 🧵 of some favorite photos from the year, some picked for the quality of the photo, some for the quality of the memory, some for both. Cheers: 🌿🐙🐸📷
First up, here's the lone phone pic of the bunch, a one-handed shot of a European mantis taking flight from my fingertip (Montana)
First up, here's the lone phone pic of the bunch, a one-handed shot of a European mantis taking flight from my fingertip (Montana)
January 1, 2026 at 12:17 AM
25 for '25 – 🧵 of some favorite photos from the year, some picked for the quality of the photo, some for the quality of the memory, some for both. Cheers: 🌿🐙🐸📷
First up, here's the lone phone pic of the bunch, a one-handed shot of a European mantis taking flight from my fingertip (Montana)
First up, here's the lone phone pic of the bunch, a one-handed shot of a European mantis taking flight from my fingertip (Montana)
Reposted by Isaac Cates
I have 3 axioms that help me decide when to talk to people I disagree with:
1. To debate a subject is to concede that the subject is debatable.
2. To reason with a person is to concede that the person is reasonable.
3. To ask for evidence of a claim is to concede that the claim might be true.
1. To debate a subject is to concede that the subject is debatable.
2. To reason with a person is to concede that the person is reasonable.
3. To ask for evidence of a claim is to concede that the claim might be true.
May 5, 2023 at 1:45 PM
I have 3 axioms that help me decide when to talk to people I disagree with:
1. To debate a subject is to concede that the subject is debatable.
2. To reason with a person is to concede that the person is reasonable.
3. To ask for evidence of a claim is to concede that the claim might be true.
1. To debate a subject is to concede that the subject is debatable.
2. To reason with a person is to concede that the person is reasonable.
3. To ask for evidence of a claim is to concede that the claim might be true.
Reposted by Isaac Cates
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I don't make New Year resolutions, but if I did...
__
Comic ©2007, 2026 Stephen R. Bissette
I don't make New Year resolutions, but if I did...
__
Comic ©2007, 2026 Stephen R. Bissette
January 1, 2026 at 1:33 PM
HAPPY NEW YEAR!
I don't make New Year resolutions, but if I did...
__
Comic ©2007, 2026 Stephen R. Bissette
I don't make New Year resolutions, but if I did...
__
Comic ©2007, 2026 Stephen R. Bissette
Reposted by Isaac Cates
Happy New Year.
We’re going to win.
We’re going to win.
January 1, 2026 at 5:20 AM
Happy New Year.
We’re going to win.
We’re going to win.
Reposted by Isaac Cates
Work in progress.
I'm slightly obsessed with turn-of-the-(19th)century theatre/pantomime/circus playbills at the moment, so I'm re-creating posters and ads for more recent productions (and products) in that style.
#graphics #movies #davidlynch #victorian
I'm slightly obsessed with turn-of-the-(19th)century theatre/pantomime/circus playbills at the moment, so I'm re-creating posters and ads for more recent productions (and products) in that style.
#graphics #movies #davidlynch #victorian
January 1, 2026 at 1:56 PM
Work in progress.
I'm slightly obsessed with turn-of-the-(19th)century theatre/pantomime/circus playbills at the moment, so I'm re-creating posters and ads for more recent productions (and products) in that style.
#graphics #movies #davidlynch #victorian
I'm slightly obsessed with turn-of-the-(19th)century theatre/pantomime/circus playbills at the moment, so I'm re-creating posters and ads for more recent productions (and products) in that style.
#graphics #movies #davidlynch #victorian
Reposted by Isaac Cates
BUCK ROGERS: CURRENT STATUS
January 1, 2026 at 8:15 AM
BUCK ROGERS: CURRENT STATUS
Reposted by Isaac Cates
hope it doesn't explode on takeoff like the others
January 1, 2026 at 12:35 AM
hope it doesn't explode on takeoff like the others
Reposted by Isaac Cates
The final Calvin and Hobbes, which appeared in papers 30 years ago today.
December 31, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The final Calvin and Hobbes, which appeared in papers 30 years ago today.
Reposted by Isaac Cates
yes I am absolutely here to QT this
January 1, 2026 at 12:16 AM
yes I am absolutely here to QT this
Reposted by Isaac Cates
Give yourself something to look forward to next year. Something less substantial than a resolution which can carry regret if you can't stick to it. Think of a book you want to read, a genre of music you'd like to learn more about, a curiosity to chase no matter how trivial. Keep your spark lit.
December 31, 2025 at 11:59 PM
Give yourself something to look forward to next year. Something less substantial than a resolution which can carry regret if you can't stick to it. Think of a book you want to read, a genre of music you'd like to learn more about, a curiosity to chase no matter how trivial. Keep your spark lit.
Poking a needle into a textile made from pressed and matted fibers just to felt something
telling you the spoilers on new films just to reveal something
Licking an envelope just to seal something
January 1, 2026 at 12:40 AM
Poking a needle into a textile made from pressed and matted fibers just to felt something
Reposted by Isaac Cates
2026 here I come
December 31, 2025 at 9:00 PM
2026 here I come
Lots of folks talking about “Take On Me” … if you’ve never seen the literal lyrics version, I commend it to you:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9...
December 31, 2025 at 8:52 PM
Lots of folks talking about “Take On Me” … if you’ve never seen the literal lyrics version, I commend it to you:
m.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=8HE9...
Reposted by Isaac Cates
A page from Walt Simonson’s epic FF run.
December 31, 2025 at 8:14 PM
A page from Walt Simonson’s epic FF run.
Reposted by Isaac Cates
In: TO SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU
2026 ins and outs
Out: being polite and respectful to our enemies
In: the destruction of our enemies, disrespectfully
Out: being polite and respectful to our enemies
In: the destruction of our enemies, disrespectfully
December 31, 2025 at 8:31 PM
In: TO SEE THEM DRIVEN BEFORE YOU
Reposted by Isaac Cates
Sitting a stewing in frustration isn't nearly as cathartic as just designing a poster. Let's see how often I remember that in 2026.
December 31, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Sitting a stewing in frustration isn't nearly as cathartic as just designing a poster. Let's see how often I remember that in 2026.
Reposted by Isaac Cates
Me: The smart dog is missing. I need to do a systematic grid search of the woods. Then if he's not in the fence, a driveby of the neighborhood. Can I get missing posters made on New Year's Eve? Gotta put up a community post...
Smart dog, from his warm spot on the couch: SOUND GOOD TELL ME HOW IT GO
Smart dog, from his warm spot on the couch: SOUND GOOD TELL ME HOW IT GO
December 31, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Me: The smart dog is missing. I need to do a systematic grid search of the woods. Then if he's not in the fence, a driveby of the neighborhood. Can I get missing posters made on New Year's Eve? Gotta put up a community post...
Smart dog, from his warm spot on the couch: SOUND GOOD TELL ME HOW IT GO
Smart dog, from his warm spot on the couch: SOUND GOOD TELL ME HOW IT GO
Reposted by Isaac Cates
Who will stop the Piano Man's reign of terror?!
December 31, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Who will stop the Piano Man's reign of terror?!
Reposted by Isaac Cates
Even beyond the obvious problems of these chatbots validating delusions or suicidal behaviour, I am also just very concerned about the fact that so many of these companies advertise their chatbots like this
bsky.app/profile/zoan...
bsky.app/profile/zoan...
"And I never say no"
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
December 31, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Even beyond the obvious problems of these chatbots validating delusions or suicidal behaviour, I am also just very concerned about the fact that so many of these companies advertise their chatbots like this
bsky.app/profile/zoan...
bsky.app/profile/zoan...
Reposted by Isaac Cates
we are living in dark stupid times right now
December 31, 2025 at 1:42 AM
we are living in dark stupid times right now
Reposted by Isaac Cates
*draws comics all day*
man i need to draw more
man i need to draw more
December 31, 2025 at 1:39 AM
*draws comics all day*
man i need to draw more
man i need to draw more