Mike Fast
@fastballs.bsky.social
Baseball Development - Atlanta Braves
Every LGBTQ person is of sacred worth, deeply and gently loved, valued, and embraced by God.
"Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me." - Jesus
Every LGBTQ person is of sacred worth, deeply and gently loved, valued, and embraced by God.
"Whatever you do for the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you do for me." - Jesus
I'm listening to one of my favorite sages, Iain McGilchrist in a conversation with Paul Kingsnorth, and I thought this interchange between them was fascinating and very worthwhile:
November 19, 2025 at 4:37 AM
I'm listening to one of my favorite sages, Iain McGilchrist in a conversation with Paul Kingsnorth, and I thought this interchange between them was fascinating and very worthwhile:
This seminar by @alisongopnik.bsky.social was really good. It's ostensibly about AI, but ventures into some fascinating topics about childhood development and caregiving, and what I really loved was how Alison tied all that together. If this is where AI research goes, it makes me much more hopeful.
Tomorrow: the final event in SFI’s 2025 Community Lecture Series!
Join us for Alison Gopnik's lecture, “Transmission Versus Truth: What Will It Take to Make an AI as Smart as a 4-Year-Old?” — 7:30 pm at The Lensic.
Free tickets: lensic.org/events
Livestream: youtube.com/@SFIScience
Join us for Alison Gopnik's lecture, “Transmission Versus Truth: What Will It Take to Make an AI as Smart as a 4-Year-Old?” — 7:30 pm at The Lensic.
Free tickets: lensic.org/events
Livestream: youtube.com/@SFIScience
Transmission Versus Truth: What Will It Take to Make an Al as Smart as a 4-Year-Old?
There is no such thing as general intelligence — artificial or natural — argues Alison Gopnik. Instead, there are multiple intelligences, each with its own trade-offs. Three different types of cogniti...
www.santafe.edu
October 25, 2025 at 4:44 PM
This seminar by @alisongopnik.bsky.social was really good. It's ostensibly about AI, but ventures into some fascinating topics about childhood development and caregiving, and what I really loved was how Alison tied all that together. If this is where AI research goes, it makes me much more hopeful.
"When we hate and vilify others for ideological reasons, when we demonize and dehumanize others for nationalistic reasons, when we use and exploit others for economic reasons, we are on the highway to hell—we have chosen the well-worn road that leads to war and destruction."
October 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
"When we hate and vilify others for ideological reasons, when we demonize and dehumanize others for nationalistic reasons, when we use and exploit others for economic reasons, we are on the highway to hell—we have chosen the well-worn road that leads to war and destruction."
Charlie Morton. One of the best men I've had the privilege of knowing in this game.
Congratulations on an amazing career, Charlie. Thank you for your kindness, humility, and authenticity.
Congratulations on an amazing career, Charlie. Thank you for your kindness, humility, and authenticity.
September 28, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Charlie Morton. One of the best men I've had the privilege of knowing in this game.
Congratulations on an amazing career, Charlie. Thank you for your kindness, humility, and authenticity.
Congratulations on an amazing career, Charlie. Thank you for your kindness, humility, and authenticity.
"Deciding on the methodology for data collection is a great way to make decisions without leaving fingerprints. Every decision about what to measure is implicitly a decision about what not to measure..."
-The Unaccountability Machine
-The Unaccountability Machine
September 22, 2025 at 3:51 AM
"Deciding on the methodology for data collection is a great way to make decisions without leaving fingerprints. Every decision about what to measure is implicitly a decision about what not to measure..."
-The Unaccountability Machine
-The Unaccountability Machine
The Unaccountability Machine: Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions and How the World Lost Its Mind, by @dsquareddigest.bsky.social, is one of those books that is changing the way I think about the world.
September 22, 2025 at 3:40 AM
The Unaccountability Machine: Why Big Systems Make Terrible Decisions and How the World Lost Its Mind, by @dsquareddigest.bsky.social, is one of those books that is changing the way I think about the world.
Our highest calling is to enjoy and show forth God's great beauty and splendor and the magnificent abundance of his gentle, humble, and faithful love forever and ever to all people and throughout the whole creation.
(my riff on the Westminster shorter catechism)
(my riff on the Westminster shorter catechism)
September 22, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Our highest calling is to enjoy and show forth God's great beauty and splendor and the magnificent abundance of his gentle, humble, and faithful love forever and ever to all people and throughout the whole creation.
(my riff on the Westminster shorter catechism)
(my riff on the Westminster shorter catechism)
"Earth's crammed with heaven
And every common bush afire with God
But only he who sees takes off his shoes
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries"
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning, from "Aurora Leigh"
And every common bush afire with God
But only he who sees takes off his shoes
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries"
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning, from "Aurora Leigh"
September 19, 2025 at 2:09 AM
"Earth's crammed with heaven
And every common bush afire with God
But only he who sees takes off his shoes
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries"
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning, from "Aurora Leigh"
And every common bush afire with God
But only he who sees takes off his shoes
The rest sit round it and pluck blackberries"
-Elizabeth Barrett Browning, from "Aurora Leigh"
It breaks my heart that a large chunk of our society is looking for any reason to demonize trans people.
Scapegoating is wrong. Obviously first and foremost because it harms people who are God's children and our brothers and sisters just as much as anyone else.
Scapegoating is wrong. Obviously first and foremost because it harms people who are God's children and our brothers and sisters just as much as anyone else.
Murder is wrong.
Pogroms are wrong.
Using a murder to incite a pogrom against a small and vulnerable group in society is wrong.
(If I’m not mistaken, an assassination was the excuse for the wave of mob but state-sanctioned violence in Russia in 1881 that gave us the term “pogrom.”)
Pogroms are wrong.
Using a murder to incite a pogrom against a small and vulnerable group in society is wrong.
(If I’m not mistaken, an assassination was the excuse for the wave of mob but state-sanctioned violence in Russia in 1881 that gave us the term “pogrom.”)
September 14, 2025 at 2:52 PM
It breaks my heart that a large chunk of our society is looking for any reason to demonize trans people.
Scapegoating is wrong. Obviously first and foremost because it harms people who are God's children and our brothers and sisters just as much as anyone else.
Scapegoating is wrong. Obviously first and foremost because it harms people who are God's children and our brothers and sisters just as much as anyone else.
After listening to this podcast, I really want to read Rillera's book Lamb of the Free.
Not sure I can summarize for those who don't want to spend 90 minutes on a podcast or aren't Christian theology geeks, but this topic has far-reaching consequences for our society, including the current crisis.
Not sure I can summarize for those who don't want to spend 90 minutes on a podcast or aren't Christian theology geeks, but this topic has far-reaching consequences for our society, including the current crisis.
Thank you to @andrewrillera.bsky.social for joining me in the church library for a bonus episode.
Such a thought-provoking conversation about his book Lamb of the Free, his thoughts on penal substitutionary atonement & what we can learn from the conceptual framework of the sacrificial system. 1/3
Such a thought-provoking conversation about his book Lamb of the Free, his thoughts on penal substitutionary atonement & what we can learn from the conceptual framework of the sacrificial system. 1/3
September 6, 2025 at 9:52 PM
After listening to this podcast, I really want to read Rillera's book Lamb of the Free.
Not sure I can summarize for those who don't want to spend 90 minutes on a podcast or aren't Christian theology geeks, but this topic has far-reaching consequences for our society, including the current crisis.
Not sure I can summarize for those who don't want to spend 90 minutes on a podcast or aren't Christian theology geeks, but this topic has far-reaching consequences for our society, including the current crisis.
Reposted by Mike Fast
I'm not sure if I have the reach to the right type of nerd, but I found this fossil (?) west of San Antonio and would love to know wtf this is
September 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
I'm not sure if I have the reach to the right type of nerd, but I found this fossil (?) west of San Antonio and would love to know wtf this is
Has Elon Musk actually listened to his child about the reasons she transitioned?
A parent who loves their child will truly listen. This means different things at different ages, but at all stages it requires setting aside much self-centeredness. At least it has for me. But the rewards are great.
A parent who loves their child will truly listen. This means different things at different ages, but at all stages it requires setting aside much self-centeredness. At least it has for me. But the rewards are great.
Only thing I get from this is you can see how a group of privileged white men can turn society against a marginalized group
September 2, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Has Elon Musk actually listened to his child about the reasons she transitioned?
A parent who loves their child will truly listen. This means different things at different ages, but at all stages it requires setting aside much self-centeredness. At least it has for me. But the rewards are great.
A parent who loves their child will truly listen. This means different things at different ages, but at all stages it requires setting aside much self-centeredness. At least it has for me. But the rewards are great.
Today I learned that John Piper wrote two new verses to the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness", and wow, are they bad!
I am sorry for inflicting this knowledge on you.
I am sorry for inflicting this knowledge on you.
September 1, 2025 at 8:38 PM
Today I learned that John Piper wrote two new verses to the hymn "Great is Thy Faithfulness", and wow, are they bad!
I am sorry for inflicting this knowledge on you.
I am sorry for inflicting this knowledge on you.
That's the thing about these bathroom bills. They definitely harm people, and they don't help anyone. It's the worst kind of political posturing.
The heartlessness of these kind of bills and the associated discussion is beyond callous.
The heartlessness of these kind of bills and the associated discussion is beyond callous.
Zweiner: One of my constituents is leaving Texas before Sept. 1 because a lot of Texas laws we passed
Orr: We will join 19 other states when they leave, so that constituent won't have options.
Orr: We will join 19 other states when they leave, so that constituent won't have options.
August 28, 2025 at 8:24 PM
That's the thing about these bathroom bills. They definitely harm people, and they don't help anyone. It's the worst kind of political posturing.
The heartlessness of these kind of bills and the associated discussion is beyond callous.
The heartlessness of these kind of bills and the associated discussion is beyond callous.
I've been listening to all the pain I've heard expressed in the last few days by people who suffered under Dobson's ideas. I haven't known what to say, but Marissa says it well.
Parents who imagine they are owed a relationship w/children they abused, & abusive church systems that demand the vulnerable keep quiet share this in common: neither can conceive of a world where there are consequences for their own actions. 18/
August 24, 2025 at 2:10 AM
I've been listening to all the pain I've heard expressed in the last few days by people who suffered under Dobson's ideas. I haven't known what to say, but Marissa says it well.
Wise people are able to help other people sort through difficult issues and see them for what they are. But they may also have trouble sorting through their own issues and always seeing them clearly. An outside perspective can be helpful. Wise people are able to accept that kind of help from others.
August 23, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Wise people are able to help other people sort through difficult issues and see them for what they are. But they may also have trouble sorting through their own issues and always seeing them clearly. An outside perspective can be helpful. Wise people are able to accept that kind of help from others.
I'm trying to figure out what caused this damage to the pole at my bus stop. I'd say it was hit by a car, but that would have required it going the wrong way on a one-way street.
August 5, 2025 at 4:10 PM
I'm trying to figure out what caused this damage to the pole at my bus stop. I'd say it was hit by a car, but that would have required it going the wrong way on a one-way street.
Reposted by Mike Fast
I talked to Billy Bean’s husband yesterday. He has a wish for Major League Baseball.
Honored by ESPN, Billy Bean's Husband Has Message For MLB
Greg Baker, Billy Bean's husband, shared his thoughts on the legacy of MLB's first Senior Vice President of Diversity, Equity and Inclusion.
www.newsweek.com
July 16, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I talked to Billy Bean’s husband yesterday. He has a wish for Major League Baseball.
"Fastball... there's a high drive into left center field, Buckner goes back, to the fence, it is gone!
What a marvelous moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world! A Black man is getting...
What a marvelous moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world! A Black man is getting...
July 16, 2025 at 3:01 AM
"Fastball... there's a high drive into left center field, Buckner goes back, to the fence, it is gone!
What a marvelous moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world! A Black man is getting...
What a marvelous moment for baseball, what a marvelous moment for Atlanta and the state of Georgia, what a marvelous moment for the country and the world! A Black man is getting...
So good. Worth a listen.
I have been very vocal about my belief that Penal Substitutionary Atonement (“Jesus took on the punishment that we deserved on the cross to satisfy God’s wrath”) is harmful theology.
The most common retort is “what about Isaiah 53:10?”
Here is a 12 minute homily on Isaiah 53.
God is not a sadist.
The most common retort is “what about Isaiah 53:10?”
Here is a 12 minute homily on Isaiah 53.
God is not a sadist.
God's Will for Solidarity | Isaiah 53:10
YouTube video by The Intention Church
youtu.be
July 4, 2025 at 3:21 AM
So good. Worth a listen.
Reposted by Mike Fast
Outstanding work by JJ Cooper, showing that players--pitchers, batters, catchers, runners--are the best they have ever been. www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mode...
Modern MLB Players Are Better Than Past Players—Here Are 5 Reasons Why
The data doesn't lie—Major League Baseball players in 2025 are better than players from a generation ago. Here are five reasons why.
www.baseballamerica.com
June 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Outstanding work by JJ Cooper, showing that players--pitchers, batters, catchers, runners--are the best they have ever been. www.baseballamerica.com/stories/mode...
I am DEEPLY thankful, immensely grateful for the trans person in my life.
a trans person has never negatively impacted my life. politicians and billionaires sure have
June 19, 2025 at 4:29 PM
I am DEEPLY thankful, immensely grateful for the trans person in my life.