Potempkin Village Idiot
@ixak.bsky.social
Baltimore climate dad anthropologist fighting existential terror w/ existential counter-terrorism. The soft underbelly of the cutting edge. Working on resilience, local governance, urban gardening, tool repair, fermentation.
https://medium.com/@ixak
https://medium.com/@ixak
Pinned
Conversation w/ my son:
Him: What was your favorite movie when you were a kid?
Me: Short Circuit
What's it about?
A robot who comes to life.
What was your favorite movie when you became a grownup?
Blade Runner
What's it about?
A guy who hunts and kills robots who have come to life.
Him: What was your favorite movie when you were a kid?
Me: Short Circuit
What's it about?
A robot who comes to life.
What was your favorite movie when you became a grownup?
Blade Runner
What's it about?
A guy who hunts and kills robots who have come to life.
Lunch today was grapes, pickles, and "Asian barbecue" potato chips, because there just wasn't time for anything else.
January 21, 2026 at 6:20 PM
Lunch today was grapes, pickles, and "Asian barbecue" potato chips, because there just wasn't time for anything else.
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
Lil' comic about hope and longing 💗
January 21, 2026 at 6:11 AM
Lil' comic about hope and longing 💗
I remember the overwhelming burst of emotion when I scheduled my son's first COVID vaccine. An explosion of restrained tears that unexpectedly burst out when I saw the vaccination date come up on the screen.
I wonder what flood of dammed-up emotions will come out when IT happens.
I wonder what flood of dammed-up emotions will come out when IT happens.
January 21, 2026 at 5:00 AM
I remember the overwhelming burst of emotion when I scheduled my son's first COVID vaccine. An explosion of restrained tears that unexpectedly burst out when I saw the vaccination date come up on the screen.
I wonder what flood of dammed-up emotions will come out when IT happens.
I wonder what flood of dammed-up emotions will come out when IT happens.
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
Dads hate it when the kids mess with their thermostatic preferences. "Open a damn Overton window if you're too hot!"
January 20, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Dads hate it when the kids mess with their thermostatic preferences. "Open a damn Overton window if you're too hot!"
NGL, I almost bought this.
January 20, 2026 at 10:30 AM
NGL, I almost bought this.
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
every single goddam crisis happening right now is self imposed
January 19, 2026 at 5:48 PM
every single goddam crisis happening right now is self imposed
Second book of 2026 finished. I found this paperback like 3 years ago & every time I opened it I encountered another fascinating chapter. But only now, thanks in part to a long train ride from Poland, followed by a week in Kyiv w/ an 11pm evening curfew, have I finally been able to wrap it up.
January 18, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Second book of 2026 finished. I found this paperback like 3 years ago & every time I opened it I encountered another fascinating chapter. But only now, thanks in part to a long train ride from Poland, followed by a week in Kyiv w/ an 11pm evening curfew, have I finally been able to wrap it up.
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
I think the last 24 hours in VA are a stronger indication of what the Democratic Party platform will be in 2026 and going forward than the feeble quaverings of Chuck Schumer.
The Virginia legislature today passed four constitutional amendments, all by day 3 of 2026 session:
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
These will all go to 2026 referendums.
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
These will all go to 2026 referendums.
January 17, 2026 at 3:11 AM
I think the last 24 hours in VA are a stronger indication of what the Democratic Party platform will be in 2026 and going forward than the feeble quaverings of Chuck Schumer.
In Minneapolis dreaming of Kyiv.
In Kyiv dreaming of Minneapolis.
In Kyiv dreaming of Minneapolis.
January 17, 2026 at 7:18 PM
In Minneapolis dreaming of Kyiv.
In Kyiv dreaming of Minneapolis.
In Kyiv dreaming of Minneapolis.
Going native in the land of my ancestors (not counting the Italian wine).
January 17, 2026 at 6:49 PM
Going native in the land of my ancestors (not counting the Italian wine).
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
What I’ve learned about American politics the last decade is there is an annoyingly sizable population that does not actually believe in anything and simply imprints on the latest thing they heard on the radio like a duckling
January 16, 2026 at 3:06 PM
What I’ve learned about American politics the last decade is there is an annoyingly sizable population that does not actually believe in anything and simply imprints on the latest thing they heard on the radio like a duckling
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
For anyone who wants to submit testimony or otherwise support: HB301 is the bill that (if passed) will give VA-born adopted people the right to access their original birth certificate. It's assigned to the Health Committee, it may be heard as soon as next week!
More info in the thread below
More info in the thread below
Virginia HB301 | 2026 | Regular Regular Session
Summary (2026-01-14) Adult adoptees; access to vital records. [Fiscal Impact Statement from Department of Planning and Budget (HB301)]
legiscan.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:40 PM
For anyone who wants to submit testimony or otherwise support: HB301 is the bill that (if passed) will give VA-born adopted people the right to access their original birth certificate. It's assigned to the Health Committee, it may be heard as soon as next week!
More info in the thread below
More info in the thread below
Today I purchased what I thought was a Ukrainian white wine, but it was in fact a Ukrainian port.
From Odessa.
Which, interestingly, is also a Ukrainian port.
From Odessa.
Which, interestingly, is also a Ukrainian port.
January 15, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Today I purchased what I thought was a Ukrainian white wine, but it was in fact a Ukrainian port.
From Odessa.
Which, interestingly, is also a Ukrainian port.
From Odessa.
Which, interestingly, is also a Ukrainian port.
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
CA people could really do #adoptees a solid by calling their reps *immediately* to voice support for SB-381, a clean bill giving CA adoptees access to their original birth certificates.
January 13, 2026 at 6:45 PM
CA people could really do #adoptees a solid by calling their reps *immediately* to voice support for SB-381, a clean bill giving CA adoptees access to their original birth certificates.
In memory of Scott Adams, here's the one time I saw myself in one of his comics.
Good riddance, asshole.
Good riddance, asshole.
January 13, 2026 at 9:19 PM
In memory of Scott Adams, here's the one time I saw myself in one of his comics.
Good riddance, asshole.
Good riddance, asshole.
“Modern civilization is based on violence and slavery and fine words.”
― G.I. Gurdjieff
Happy birthday to a real one.
― G.I. Gurdjieff
Happy birthday to a real one.
January 13, 2026 at 7:04 PM
“Modern civilization is based on violence and slavery and fine words.”
― G.I. Gurdjieff
Happy birthday to a real one.
― G.I. Gurdjieff
Happy birthday to a real one.
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
Super normal parade of healthy foods at this children's play place:
corn
chili pepper
bell pepper
potato
avocado
celery
p̸o̷is̷o̶n̸o̷u̵s̶ h̴̥͐a̸̱͑̊l̴̝͔͒l̸̨͉̆ù̶ͅc̶͓̙͌͘į̴̈́ͅn̷̻̯͗ȯ̴̠͆g̶͖̋͊e̸̺̪͘ń̶̦̳̀i̴̱̰̍̂c̶̣̳̕ m̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅm̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈
corn
chili pepper
bell pepper
potato
avocado
celery
p̸o̷is̷o̶n̸o̷u̵s̶ h̴̥͐a̸̱͑̊l̴̝͔͒l̸̨͉̆ù̶ͅc̶͓̙͌͘į̴̈́ͅn̷̻̯͗ȯ̴̠͆g̶͖̋͊e̸̺̪͘ń̶̦̳̀i̴̱̰̍̂c̶̣̳̕ m̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅm̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈
December 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Super normal parade of healthy foods at this children's play place:
corn
chili pepper
bell pepper
potato
avocado
celery
p̸o̷is̷o̶n̸o̷u̵s̶ h̴̥͐a̸̱͑̊l̴̝͔͒l̸̨͉̆ù̶ͅc̶͓̙͌͘į̴̈́ͅn̷̻̯͗ȯ̴̠͆g̶͖̋͊e̸̺̪͘ń̶̦̳̀i̴̱̰̍̂c̶̣̳̕ m̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅm̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈
corn
chili pepper
bell pepper
potato
avocado
celery
p̸o̷is̷o̶n̸o̷u̵s̶ h̴̥͐a̸̱͑̊l̴̝͔͒l̸̨͉̆ù̶ͅc̶͓̙͌͘į̴̈́ͅn̷̻̯͗ȯ̴̠͆g̶͖̋͊e̸̺̪͘ń̶̦̳̀i̴̱̰̍̂c̶̣̳̕ m̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈u̷̬̩̰̫͕̘͎̔́̃̄̍͋̓s̴̹̀̎̇͗̍͗̾̋̏̈͐͒̕͠͠ͅḥ̸̨̧̗̮̖̽̂̓̀̍̋͋́̅̃͘͜͝r̵̡͕͈͚͍͍̼͕̍̀̈́̽̎̍͗̍́̏̚͜͠ŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅŏ̸̡̼̺̫̥̻͈̞̍͆̏̓́͜͝ͅm̵̢͕̫̓̔͑̊̈
I'm going to start taking Terry Pratchett books with me when I travel, and swap them in for hotel Gideon Bibles.
First book of 2026 finished. If there's one thing that long trips are good for, it's cranking through pages. And Sir Terry makes it easy. He rewards you with at least one or two good puns every other page, as long as you pay attention.
January 11, 2026 at 12:33 PM
I'm going to start taking Terry Pratchett books with me when I travel, and swap them in for hotel Gideon Bibles.
Reposted by Potempkin Village Idiot
Basic, simple, health precautions based on data and science - overreach
Secret police, military invasion, summary executions, ethnic cleansing, and concentration camps - not overreach
Secret police, military invasion, summary executions, ethnic cleansing, and concentration camps - not overreach
California now requires corn masa flour to contain folic acid to reduce birth defects among Latinos. Public health officials have lauded these efforts, but some conservatives say it’s another form of government overreach.
California is adding a supplement to tortillas. RFK Jr. calls it ‘insanity’.
California now requires corn masa flour to contain folic acid to reduce birth defects among Latinos. Some conservatives oppose it, citing government overreach.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 11, 2026 at 12:11 PM
Basic, simple, health precautions based on data and science - overreach
Secret police, military invasion, summary executions, ethnic cleansing, and concentration camps - not overreach
Secret police, military invasion, summary executions, ethnic cleansing, and concentration camps - not overreach
The two genders.
January 10, 2026 at 6:35 PM
The two genders.
First book of 2026 finished. If there's one thing that long trips are good for, it's cranking through pages. And Sir Terry makes it easy. He rewards you with at least one or two good puns every other page, as long as you pay attention.
January 10, 2026 at 3:32 PM
First book of 2026 finished. If there's one thing that long trips are good for, it's cranking through pages. And Sir Terry makes it easy. He rewards you with at least one or two good puns every other page, as long as you pay attention.
Watched the Moonage Daydream movie this morning without realizing it was the 10th anniversary of his death. Cried like a baby through the whole thing.
David Bowie died ten years ago today so here is a photo of him in Japan looking cool as the current Berlin winter.
January 10, 2026 at 9:54 AM
Watched the Moonage Daydream movie this morning without realizing it was the 10th anniversary of his death. Cried like a baby through the whole thing.