Fly
@flockofwords.bsky.social
Fandom old; books, cats, art, reading, writing, podficcing, metatextuality, theatre, crafts, queerness, politics. No TERFs. “Boldness is all.”
Reposted by Fly
the hero we need
I’m howling.
January 18, 2026 at 7:24 PM
the hero we need
Reposted by Fly
National media: Please stop describing what’s happening in Minneapolis as “protests.” There has been a modest, sustained protest outside the Whipple federal building, about 10 miles from downtown, but... 1/3
January 18, 2026 at 3:07 PM
National media: Please stop describing what’s happening in Minneapolis as “protests.” There has been a modest, sustained protest outside the Whipple federal building, about 10 miles from downtown, but... 1/3
Reposted by Fly
You know, many of us said the post 9/11 War on Terror measures were Orwellian bullshit at the time, from DHS to ICE. The Patriot Act was chilling as well.
Some of us objected vociferously. Perhaps we didn't have the mics or the power, but we remember 2001-2005 as a terrible time in this country.
Some of us objected vociferously. Perhaps we didn't have the mics or the power, but we remember 2001-2005 as a terrible time in this country.
January 18, 2026 at 5:31 PM
You know, many of us said the post 9/11 War on Terror measures were Orwellian bullshit at the time, from DHS to ICE. The Patriot Act was chilling as well.
Some of us objected vociferously. Perhaps we didn't have the mics or the power, but we remember 2001-2005 as a terrible time in this country.
Some of us objected vociferously. Perhaps we didn't have the mics or the power, but we remember 2001-2005 as a terrible time in this country.
Reposted by Fly
This is self defense, not protests.
January 18, 2026 at 5:02 PM
This is self defense, not protests.
Reposted by Fly
Every time the Trump regime uses the words "funded protesters" and "outside agitators" news outlets need to cut to this photo from last week.
ICE has invaded these communities. Outside agitators don't show up in their fucking bathrobes.
ICE has invaded these communities. Outside agitators don't show up in their fucking bathrobes.
January 18, 2026 at 4:20 PM
Every time the Trump regime uses the words "funded protesters" and "outside agitators" news outlets need to cut to this photo from last week.
ICE has invaded these communities. Outside agitators don't show up in their fucking bathrobes.
ICE has invaded these communities. Outside agitators don't show up in their fucking bathrobes.
Reposted by Fly
if someone punches your neighbor and you go to protect them, that does not make you a protester. that makes you someone who protects your neighbor.
January 18, 2026 at 4:43 PM
if someone punches your neighbor and you go to protect them, that does not make you a protester. that makes you someone who protects your neighbor.
Reposted by Fly
“Oh drat,” said Toad. “Not only do my feet hurt, but I have lost one of the buttons on my jacket.”
January 18, 2026 at 5:37 PM
“Oh drat,” said Toad. “Not only do my feet hurt, but I have lost one of the buttons on my jacket.”
Reposted by Fly
Córy Doctorow with another verbal bullseye: pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
January 18, 2026 at 5:29 PM
Córy Doctorow with another verbal bullseye: pluralistic.net/2026/01/13/n...
Reposted by Fly
It's time for a rethink.
January 18, 2026 at 9:00 AM
It's time for a rethink.
Reposted by Fly
I wrote about my experiences being sexually exploited as a child, and what we need to do to make sure AI doesn’t make that a reality for millions of children.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
My picture was used in child abuse images. AI is putting others through my nightmare | Mara Wilson
I was a child actor, exploited by strangers on the internet. Now millions of children face the same danger
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 2:20 AM
I wrote about my experiences being sexually exploited as a child, and what we need to do to make sure AI doesn’t make that a reality for millions of children.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Fly
'Transposing the heart of the American classic [Our Town] to Wales, this new production also marks the launch of Welsh National Theatre, a hugely ambitious company formed – and financed – by Sheen in response to the collapse of the former National Theatre Wales.'
Culture inspires in dark times.
Culture inspires in dark times.
‘I can’t waste this’: Michael Sheen on his riskiest role yet – saving Wales’s national theatre
When funding cuts closed National Theatre Wales, the actor saw it as an emergency, and set about building a replacement. As its first show comes to the stage, he explains his plan to bring big product...
www.theguardian.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:45 AM
'Transposing the heart of the American classic [Our Town] to Wales, this new production also marks the launch of Welsh National Theatre, a hugely ambitious company formed – and financed – by Sheen in response to the collapse of the former National Theatre Wales.'
Culture inspires in dark times.
Culture inspires in dark times.
Reposted by Fly
Here’s a short poem about the power of poetry to change the world.
January 18, 2026 at 9:47 AM
Here’s a short poem about the power of poetry to change the world.
Reposted by Fly
A real shame if this photo went viral again today.
January 18, 2026 at 8:18 AM
A real shame if this photo went viral again today.
Reposted by Fly
Frog made a fresh pot of tea. He sat down and began a story.
January 18, 2026 at 8:37 AM
Frog made a fresh pot of tea. He sat down and began a story.
Reposted by Fly
Carole Cadwalladr, "But trying to suck up to Trump.. Totally disastrous deals with Silicon Valley companies in which we're bringing their software into the critical functions of how the UK state operates"
"We have put ourselves in a vassal of complete surrender"
"We have put ourselves in a vassal of complete surrender"
January 18, 2026 at 8:36 AM
Carole Cadwalladr, "But trying to suck up to Trump.. Totally disastrous deals with Silicon Valley companies in which we're bringing their software into the critical functions of how the UK state operates"
"We have put ourselves in a vassal of complete surrender"
"We have put ourselves in a vassal of complete surrender"
Reposted by Fly
but their pitch to America is "you can't have dolls or pencils or eggs or beef or health care or your weird little hobbies that are now tariffed into impossibility, and also we want to kidnap half your neighborhood & send them to foreign torture prisons & also AI is gonna take your job & also LOL"
January 17, 2026 at 11:20 PM
but their pitch to America is "you can't have dolls or pencils or eggs or beef or health care or your weird little hobbies that are now tariffed into impossibility, and also we want to kidnap half your neighborhood & send them to foreign torture prisons & also AI is gonna take your job & also LOL"
Reposted by Fly
The result, in the historical sections of the older literature led to state terror when states use threats of &/or actual violence to coerce their populations and terrorism when non-state actors do so. 5/
January 17, 2026 at 4:53 PM
The result, in the historical sections of the older literature led to state terror when states use threats of &/or actual violence to coerce their populations and terrorism when non-state actors do so. 5/
Reposted by Fly
Brief operational term of art 🧵 to help better define what we're experiencing. What we're experiencing is state terror. I've seen a lot of terms thrown around for what the Trump admin is doing w/ICE, CBP, & other federal law enforcement (LE). The now largely out of use term is state terror. 1/
January 17, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Brief operational term of art 🧵 to help better define what we're experiencing. What we're experiencing is state terror. I've seen a lot of terms thrown around for what the Trump admin is doing w/ICE, CBP, & other federal law enforcement (LE). The now largely out of use term is state terror. 1/
Reposted by Fly
Reposted by Fly
And that is why him and anyone who gives him a platform is dead to me
The fact that Gavin Newsom is even talking to the likes of Shapiro is a sign that he’s a non-starter. I’ve never forgotten how Shapiro said that Trayvon Martin deserved to die. Not fucking ever.
Ben Shapiro: "Israel did not commit a genocide in Gaza"
Gavin Newsom: "I agree with you."
Gavin Newsom: "I agree with you."
January 17, 2026 at 9:08 PM
And that is why him and anyone who gives him a platform is dead to me
Reposted by Fly
Old person to youngs: If at a certain point in your life people from long in your past start reaching out to you, like calling and texting and emailing you even though you haven't had anything to do with them for years, ANSWER THEM. It may be their last chance to talk with you. They may know it.
January 17, 2026 at 7:40 PM
Old person to youngs: If at a certain point in your life people from long in your past start reaching out to you, like calling and texting and emailing you even though you haven't had anything to do with them for years, ANSWER THEM. It may be their last chance to talk with you. They may know it.
Reposted by Fly
Russian winter did in the campaigns Napoleon AND Hitler.
“Do not engage in a winter campaign in bitterly cold areas. You will lose not just your army, but most likely your throne.” - literally every military historian ever
“GET IN THE CAR, LOSERS, WE’RE GONNA INVADE MINNESOTA IN LATE JANUARY” - the Trump administration
“GET IN THE CAR, LOSERS, WE’RE GONNA INVADE MINNESOTA IN LATE JANUARY” - the Trump administration
January 17, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Russian winter did in the campaigns Napoleon AND Hitler.
Reposted by Fly
Humans always think they’ve covered their tracks and deleted their data, but they’re wrong a lot.
January 17, 2026 at 8:25 PM
Humans always think they’ve covered their tracks and deleted their data, but they’re wrong a lot.
Reposted by Fly
My random, regular cry into the abyss is that fascism is fundamentally about gender, in that it's the ethos of Western white masculinism (Power, Dominance, Control, Strength, Force, Hierarchy) taken to its ultimate logical limit in worship of the strongman and purging of "weak" (feminine) elements
January 17, 2026 at 7:53 PM
My random, regular cry into the abyss is that fascism is fundamentally about gender, in that it's the ethos of Western white masculinism (Power, Dominance, Control, Strength, Force, Hierarchy) taken to its ultimate logical limit in worship of the strongman and purging of "weak" (feminine) elements
I heard Zack addressing a packed hall in Barnsley today, and I have to say, I am HERE for a politics of hope, community, diversity, protecting the environment and taxing the fucking billionaires.
Free bus travel for under 22s is just one step to help support those areas devastated by years of austerity.
KMPG analysis shows that for every £1 invested in bus services, we get an economic benefit ranging from £4.55 to £5.
news.sky.com/story/green-...
KMPG analysis shows that for every £1 invested in bus services, we get an economic benefit ranging from £4.55 to £5.
news.sky.com/story/green-...
Green Party calls for free bus travel in England for under-22s
Green Party leader Zack Polanski said young people had been shut out of work and training because of the cost of living, promising that Green councillors would push for the change if elected in May.
news.sky.com
January 17, 2026 at 8:30 PM
I heard Zack addressing a packed hall in Barnsley today, and I have to say, I am HERE for a politics of hope, community, diversity, protecting the environment and taxing the fucking billionaires.