Heartless Birch
@heartlessbirch.bsky.social
Roller Derby | Nature Nerd | Trail Builder | Cats | Witchy Cross Stitch | Portland, ME
Reposted by Heartless Birch
More like “forced” into, when AI is added to our existing software, email, spell check, web browsers and operating systems. It is extremely difficult to disable.
It’s also who we are forced to talk to when reaching out to customer service or, increasingly, even our own local government.
It’s also who we are forced to talk to when reaching out to customer service or, increasingly, even our own local government.
AI has slipped from chatbot novelty to infrastructure in our schools, offices and hospitals. The harms may scale faster than the gains
The world runs on copilots now
AI has slipped from chatbot novelty to infrastructure in our schools, offices and hospitals. The harms may scale faster than the gains
www.scientificamerican.com
February 18, 2026 at 8:06 PM
More like “forced” into, when AI is added to our existing software, email, spell check, web browsers and operating systems. It is extremely difficult to disable.
It’s also who we are forced to talk to when reaching out to customer service or, increasingly, even our own local government.
It’s also who we are forced to talk to when reaching out to customer service or, increasingly, even our own local government.
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Wolves reduce livestock losses.
You read that right
Wolves reduce livestock losses.
By controlling coyote numbers (coyotes are responsible for 60% of all livestock losses) Wolves (responsible for 1/4 of 1%) actually help farmers and ranchers.
You read that right
Wolves reduce livestock losses.
By controlling coyote numbers (coyotes are responsible for 60% of all livestock losses) Wolves (responsible for 1/4 of 1%) actually help farmers and ranchers.
February 18, 2026 at 7:04 PM
Wolves reduce livestock losses.
You read that right
Wolves reduce livestock losses.
By controlling coyote numbers (coyotes are responsible for 60% of all livestock losses) Wolves (responsible for 1/4 of 1%) actually help farmers and ranchers.
You read that right
Wolves reduce livestock losses.
By controlling coyote numbers (coyotes are responsible for 60% of all livestock losses) Wolves (responsible for 1/4 of 1%) actually help farmers and ranchers.
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Restored Peatlands Could Become Carbon Sinks Within Decades eos.org/articles/res...
Restored Peatlands Could Become Carbon Sinks Within Decades - Eos
That’s much faster than what most scientists thought.
eos.org
February 17, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Restored Peatlands Could Become Carbon Sinks Within Decades eos.org/articles/res...
Reposted by Heartless Birch
The bill would give pharmacists authority to administer any vaccine licensed by the FDA and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
https://bit.ly/4cEfLse
https://bit.ly/4cEfLse
Maine lawmakers consider proposal to expand access to vaccines
The bill would give pharmacists authority to administer any vaccine licensed by the FDA and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, or the America...
www.mainepublic.org
February 17, 2026 at 12:40 PM
The bill would give pharmacists authority to administer any vaccine licensed by the FDA and recommended by the American Academy of Pediatrics, the American Academy of Family Physicians, or the American College of Obstetricians and Gynecologists.
https://bit.ly/4cEfLse
https://bit.ly/4cEfLse
Reposted by Heartless Birch
You don't read this every day . . . but we may from now own.
Seriously, Minnesotans have shown the rest of us how it's done. The regime chose the strongest people and the most inhospitable season to attack.
Kakistocracy personified.
@rawstory.com
www.rawstory.com/ice-26752709...
Seriously, Minnesotans have shown the rest of us how it's done. The regime chose the strongest people and the most inhospitable season to attack.
Kakistocracy personified.
@rawstory.com
www.rawstory.com/ice-26752709...
Trump adviser admits citizen revolt spurred admin to change course from 'quagmire': report
The ongoing fierce resistance to the surge of federal immigration officers in Minnesota is striking real fear in the Trump administration, one adviser to President Donald Trump revealed Sunday, so muc...
www.rawstory.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:45 PM
You don't read this every day . . . but we may from now own.
Seriously, Minnesotans have shown the rest of us how it's done. The regime chose the strongest people and the most inhospitable season to attack.
Kakistocracy personified.
@rawstory.com
www.rawstory.com/ice-26752709...
Seriously, Minnesotans have shown the rest of us how it's done. The regime chose the strongest people and the most inhospitable season to attack.
Kakistocracy personified.
@rawstory.com
www.rawstory.com/ice-26752709...
“State Sen. Matt Harrington, R-Sanford, said a pause on development would endanger a new data center planned for his district.
He added that the water district that could serve the facility was excited to take on a new customer…Harrington did not respond to multiple interview requests Friday.”
He added that the water district that could serve the facility was excited to take on a new customer…Harrington did not respond to multiple interview requests Friday.”
A York County Republican says the move could jeopardize a huge new development planned in York County.
https://www.mainepublic.org/climate/2026-02-16/maine-lawmakers-consider-moratorium-on-new-data-centers
https://www.mainepublic.org/climate/2026-02-16/maine-lawmakers-consider-moratorium-on-new-data-centers
Maine lawmakers consider moratorium on new data centers
A York County Republican says the move could jeopardize a huge new development planned in York County.
www.mainepublic.org
February 17, 2026 at 1:40 AM
“State Sen. Matt Harrington, R-Sanford, said a pause on development would endanger a new data center planned for his district.
He added that the water district that could serve the facility was excited to take on a new customer…Harrington did not respond to multiple interview requests Friday.”
He added that the water district that could serve the facility was excited to take on a new customer…Harrington did not respond to multiple interview requests Friday.”
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Elimination of emissions standards was one of the pretty clear policy stakes of the 2024 election and it received about 1% as much coverage as whether Tim Walz retiring from the national guard after 21 years was cowardly.
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
With Latest Rollback, the U.S. Essentially Has No Clean-Car Rules
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Elimination of emissions standards was one of the pretty clear policy stakes of the 2024 election and it received about 1% as much coverage as whether Tim Walz retiring from the national guard after 21 years was cowardly.
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Avian enthusiasts around the world will identify and count birds from February 13 through February 16 as part of a massive citizen science project
Go bird-watching this weekend and support a global community science project
Avian enthusiasts around the world will identify and count birds from February 13 through February 16 as part of a massive citizen science project
www.scientificamerican.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Avian enthusiasts around the world will identify and count birds from February 13 through February 16 as part of a massive citizen science project
Reposted by Heartless Birch
What loons teach us.
February 7, 2026 at 8:08 PM
What loons teach us.
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Maine universities are leading the charge in updating to bird-safe windows on their campuses. Here is a great read about bird-safe glass efforts at @BowdoinCollege, where studies like these help bring awareness to bird strikes and what can be done to prevent them.
tr.ee/YlMmfx
tr.ee/YlMmfx
Inside Dylan Berr's Effort to Understand Bowdoin’s Birds
Throughout the fall, the biology major (and English minor) rose before sunrise three days a week to walk the same forty-five-minute route through campus.
www.bowdoin.edu
December 16, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Maine universities are leading the charge in updating to bird-safe windows on their campuses. Here is a great read about bird-safe glass efforts at @BowdoinCollege, where studies like these help bring awareness to bird strikes and what can be done to prevent them.
tr.ee/YlMmfx
tr.ee/YlMmfx
Reminder that multiple US states, farms, and major cities are likely about go to court over their inability to make a new agreement over water rights to the diminishing Colorado River.
Climate change is still happening while this administration rips apart the mitigation infrastructure.
Climate change is still happening while this administration rips apart the mitigation infrastructure.
Inside lobbyist efforts to gut federal “forever chemical” regulations
https://www.notus.org/climate-environment/epa-forever-chemicals-pfas-regulations-foia-records
https://www.notus.org/climate-environment/epa-forever-chemicals-pfas-regulations-foia-records
Inside Lobbyist Efforts to Gut Federal ‘Forever Chemical' Regulations
More than 500 pages of emails, internal presentations and talking points obtained by NOTUS detail lobbying efforts around the EPA's decision to walk back standards.
www.notus.org
February 13, 2026 at 3:18 PM
Reminder that multiple US states, farms, and major cities are likely about go to court over their inability to make a new agreement over water rights to the diminishing Colorado River.
Climate change is still happening while this administration rips apart the mitigation infrastructure.
Climate change is still happening while this administration rips apart the mitigation infrastructure.
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Whenever I see pseudoscientific conspiracy theories about ancient aliens or giant petrified trees or ice age satellites or whatever it drives me crazy because THE EARTH IS COOL ENOUGH JUST AS IT IS! WE DON’T NEED TO REACH FOR REASONS TO MAKE IT MORE INTERESTING! HAVE YOU SEEN A TULLY MONSTER??!!
February 10, 2026 at 9:00 PM
Whenever I see pseudoscientific conspiracy theories about ancient aliens or giant petrified trees or ice age satellites or whatever it drives me crazy because THE EARTH IS COOL ENOUGH JUST AS IT IS! WE DON’T NEED TO REACH FOR REASONS TO MAKE IT MORE INTERESTING! HAVE YOU SEEN A TULLY MONSTER??!!
Reposted by Heartless Birch
We found that Jeff Bezos paid *zero* taxes in 2007 and 2011.
In fact, he reported making so little in 2011 that he even claimed and received a $4,000 tax credit for his children.
This is how he did it (published 2021):
In fact, he reported making so little in 2011 that he even claimed and received a $4,000 tax credit for his children.
This is how he did it (published 2021):
The Secret IRS Files: Trove of Never-Before-Seen Records Reveal How the Wealthiest Avoid Income Tax
ProPublica has obtained a vast cache of IRS information showing how billionaires like Jeff Bezos, Elon Musk and Warren Buffett pay little in income tax compared to their massive wealth — sometimes, ev...
www.propublica.org
February 6, 2026 at 2:00 AM
We found that Jeff Bezos paid *zero* taxes in 2007 and 2011.
In fact, he reported making so little in 2011 that he even claimed and received a $4,000 tax credit for his children.
This is how he did it (published 2021):
In fact, he reported making so little in 2011 that he even claimed and received a $4,000 tax credit for his children.
This is how he did it (published 2021):
Reposted by Heartless Birch
your honor you have to understand what a pain in the ass it is to find evidence of a crime before every arrest
February 4, 2026 at 12:14 PM
your honor you have to understand what a pain in the ass it is to find evidence of a crime before every arrest
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Maybe Liam is too wee yet for Spider-Verse, but I ❤️ Miles Morales and Nueva York is covered in snow too!
Much thanks to @julioanta.bsky.social for the translation so that I could include both spideys.
#Comics4Liam FREE THE CHILDREN!!! Shutter forever these evil detention centers; ABOLISH ICE.
Much thanks to @julioanta.bsky.social for the translation so that I could include both spideys.
#Comics4Liam FREE THE CHILDREN!!! Shutter forever these evil detention centers; ABOLISH ICE.
February 1, 2026 at 10:25 PM
Maybe Liam is too wee yet for Spider-Verse, but I ❤️ Miles Morales and Nueva York is covered in snow too!
Much thanks to @julioanta.bsky.social for the translation so that I could include both spideys.
#Comics4Liam FREE THE CHILDREN!!! Shutter forever these evil detention centers; ABOLISH ICE.
Much thanks to @julioanta.bsky.social for the translation so that I could include both spideys.
#Comics4Liam FREE THE CHILDREN!!! Shutter forever these evil detention centers; ABOLISH ICE.
Reposted by Heartless Birch
A Black-capped Chickadee showcasing winter fashion by donning a snowflake accessory.
January 31, 2026 at 11:12 PM
A Black-capped Chickadee showcasing winter fashion by donning a snowflake accessory.
Reposted by Heartless Birch
I never got around to reposting my Weird Duck Time comic this year! Also, unrelatedly, today is a good day to help out at standwithminnesota.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:05 PM
I never got around to reposting my Weird Duck Time comic this year! Also, unrelatedly, today is a good day to help out at standwithminnesota.com
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Advice from Pat Izar: "First, trust your own perspective. Your experiences, your landscape, your languages: these are forms of knowledge. Science needs them. Second, seek community. [..] And finally, remember that building a more equitable science is a collective effort. We advance together."
WORD!
WORD!
Q&A with Patrícia Izar, who is a Professor of Ethology at the University of São Paulo, where she studies the behavioral ecology, plasticity, and cognition of Platyrrhine primates, especially robust capuchin monkeys (Sapajus). www.cell.com/current-biol...
Patrícia Izar
Interview with Patrícia Izar, who studies the behavioral ecology, plasticity, and
cognition of Platyrrhine primates at the University of São Paulo.
www.cell.com
January 22, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Advice from Pat Izar: "First, trust your own perspective. Your experiences, your landscape, your languages: these are forms of knowledge. Science needs them. Second, seek community. [..] And finally, remember that building a more equitable science is a collective effort. We advance together."
WORD!
WORD!
Visited the Portland Maine Museum of Art and found out our cat has been moonlighting as an art model.
January 21, 2026 at 3:37 PM
Visited the Portland Maine Museum of Art and found out our cat has been moonlighting as an art model.
“There's a kind of magic in masks. Masks conceal one face, but they reveal another. The one that only comes out in darkness.” -Terry Pratchett
January 11, 2026 at 4:03 PM
“There's a kind of magic in masks. Masks conceal one face, but they reveal another. The one that only comes out in darkness.” -Terry Pratchett
Reposted by Heartless Birch
Reposted by Heartless Birch
May the right fire burn within me.
September 30, 2025 at 5:45 PM
May the right fire burn within me.
Just little Portland critters.
September 30, 2025 at 7:32 PM
Just little Portland critters.
