Gaurav
@mrvaidya.bsky.social
Pinned
Gaurav
@mrvaidya.bsky.social
· Mar 22
The Internet Classics Archive | The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius
The Meditations by Marcus Aurelius, part of the Internet Classics Archive
classics.mit.edu
“It is in our power to have no opinion about a thing, and not to be disturbed in our soul; for things themselves have no natural power to form our judgements.” (Marcus Aurelius, Meditations, Book 6: classics.mit.edu/Antoninus/me...)
Reposted by Gaurav
not many people know this, but when the bbc doesn't have a director general its staff are allowed to come in not in uniform and bring in board games
November 11, 2025 at 2:57 PM
not many people know this, but when the bbc doesn't have a director general its staff are allowed to come in not in uniform and bring in board games
Reposted by Gaurav
Huh well it turns out I heard from a few federal workers about this and well
"We civil servants organized to help our colleagues face the hardship of the shutdown, we put up with the pain and our only request was to not be betrayed like this. Trade our pain, make it count."
"We civil servants organized to help our colleagues face the hardship of the shutdown, we put up with the pain and our only request was to not be betrayed like this. Trade our pain, make it count."
November 10, 2025 at 9:30 PM
Huh well it turns out I heard from a few federal workers about this and well
"We civil servants organized to help our colleagues face the hardship of the shutdown, we put up with the pain and our only request was to not be betrayed like this. Trade our pain, make it count."
"We civil servants organized to help our colleagues face the hardship of the shutdown, we put up with the pain and our only request was to not be betrayed like this. Trade our pain, make it count."
Reposted by Gaurav
It’s insane to treat the filibuster as the most sacrosanct.
Article 1 power of the purse, oversight, and war? Nah.
Emoluments clauses? Bribery prohibition? Meh.
Criminal law? 14A? Doesn’t count.
But maybe the Senate changes a rule it has multiple times before? Gasp! Not that. Anything but that.
Article 1 power of the purse, oversight, and war? Nah.
Emoluments clauses? Bribery prohibition? Meh.
Criminal law? 14A? Doesn’t count.
But maybe the Senate changes a rule it has multiple times before? Gasp! Not that. Anything but that.
November 11, 2025 at 1:09 PM
It’s insane to treat the filibuster as the most sacrosanct.
Article 1 power of the purse, oversight, and war? Nah.
Emoluments clauses? Bribery prohibition? Meh.
Criminal law? 14A? Doesn’t count.
But maybe the Senate changes a rule it has multiple times before? Gasp! Not that. Anything but that.
Article 1 power of the purse, oversight, and war? Nah.
Emoluments clauses? Bribery prohibition? Meh.
Criminal law? 14A? Doesn’t count.
But maybe the Senate changes a rule it has multiple times before? Gasp! Not that. Anything but that.
Reposted by Gaurav
Played “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” for a five year old girl, and she told me, “You know, I do”
November 11, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Played “Everybody Wants to Rule the World” for a five year old girl, and she told me, “You know, I do”
Reposted by Gaurav
The Missoula Sentinel
November 10,1917
November 10,1917
November 11, 2025 at 4:26 AM
The Missoula Sentinel
November 10,1917
November 10,1917
Reposted by Gaurav
They are really planning to go through with these cuts at Nebraska, despite recommendations not to. Unbelievable.
If you want to hire highly qualified, very successful earth and atmospheric sciences faculty in teaching and research, quite a few are probably looking for jobs for next year.
If you want to hire highly qualified, very successful earth and atmospheric sciences faculty in teaching and research, quite a few are probably looking for jobs for next year.
Final Budget Reduction Plan | Budget Process | Nebraska
budgetprocess.unl.edu
November 10, 2025 at 11:19 PM
They are really planning to go through with these cuts at Nebraska, despite recommendations not to. Unbelievable.
If you want to hire highly qualified, very successful earth and atmospheric sciences faculty in teaching and research, quite a few are probably looking for jobs for next year.
If you want to hire highly qualified, very successful earth and atmospheric sciences faculty in teaching and research, quite a few are probably looking for jobs for next year.
Reposted by Gaurav
Just in case someone doesn’t know this: one reason individual health insurance was so expensive before was that it’s generally a lot cheaper to insure groups. (Not just bulk discounts but the fact that you don’t need to do individual underwriting.) The ACA turned individuals into a big group.
Trump: "I want the money to go into an account for people where they buy their own health insurance. It's so good. The insurance will be better. It'll cost less. Everybody is gonna be happy. They're gonna feel like entrepreneurs. They're actually able to go out & negotiate their own insurance"
November 11, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Just in case someone doesn’t know this: one reason individual health insurance was so expensive before was that it’s generally a lot cheaper to insure groups. (Not just bulk discounts but the fact that you don’t need to do individual underwriting.) The ACA turned individuals into a big group.
Reposted by Gaurav
Super excited that we're hiring a senior writer to join @wired.com's culture team! If you're obsessed with internet culture and like our vibe, apply! condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CondeC...
Senior Writer, Culture
WIRED is where a better future is imagined. For three decades, we have been the indispensable guide to a world in constant transformation. We cover humanity’s biggest challenges, from climate change t...
condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com
November 7, 2025 at 10:48 PM
Super excited that we're hiring a senior writer to join @wired.com's culture team! If you're obsessed with internet culture and like our vibe, apply! condenast.wd5.myworkdayjobs.com/en-US/CondeC...
Reposted by Gaurav
TIL that blood platelets have serotonin receptors, which is why anemia can mimic depression symptoms and that is absolutely fucking fascinating.
November 10, 2025 at 9:55 PM
TIL that blood platelets have serotonin receptors, which is why anemia can mimic depression symptoms and that is absolutely fucking fascinating.
Reposted by Gaurav
Do I trust them? No. That’s why I voted no. But they are in a terrible position, and we can use the next few weeks to turn the pressure up even further.
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Do I trust them? No. That’s why I voted no. But they are in a terrible position, and we can use the next few weeks to turn the pressure up even further.
Reposted by Gaurav
just saying if one of the 8 folding Dems wants they can use this as an excuse to change their mind and not give Trump exactly what he wants
Buried inside the deal to reopen government is a provision that would give Senators private right of action to sue for millions in damages over their phone records being analyzed by Jack Smith's team.
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Shutdown Deal Would Let Senators Sue Over Jack Smith Searches
Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:42 PM
just saying if one of the 8 folding Dems wants they can use this as an excuse to change their mind and not give Trump exactly what he wants
Reposted by Gaurav
This is another watercolour painting I did of my niece's cat, Molly. I just love those eyes!
#cats #catsofbluesky #petportraits #art #watercolours #paintings #kittyloafmonday
#cats #catsofbluesky #petportraits #art #watercolours #paintings #kittyloafmonday
November 10, 2025 at 10:55 AM
This is another watercolour painting I did of my niece's cat, Molly. I just love those eyes!
#cats #catsofbluesky #petportraits #art #watercolours #paintings #kittyloafmonday
#cats #catsofbluesky #petportraits #art #watercolours #paintings #kittyloafmonday
Reposted by Gaurav
November 10, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Gaurav
Going to repeat this every time I see the GOP "plan":
I have kidney failure. I require dialysis to live. Three times a week every single week. It costs $1000 per treatment.
So either they need to give me a MINIMUM of $156,000 a year...or I'm going to die.
I have kidney failure. I require dialysis to live. Three times a week every single week. It costs $1000 per treatment.
So either they need to give me a MINIMUM of $156,000 a year...or I'm going to die.
I was at an event yesterday where Rand Paul spoke via video and talked about how great it was to send ACA money "directly to the people" so that they could work collectively to get better deals on health care.
November 10, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Going to repeat this every time I see the GOP "plan":
I have kidney failure. I require dialysis to live. Three times a week every single week. It costs $1000 per treatment.
So either they need to give me a MINIMUM of $156,000 a year...or I'm going to die.
I have kidney failure. I require dialysis to live. Three times a week every single week. It costs $1000 per treatment.
So either they need to give me a MINIMUM of $156,000 a year...or I'm going to die.
Reposted by Gaurav
Trump: "By the time my first year ends, we're gonna have over $20 trillion of investment coming into the US. It's unheard of." (The entire US GDP is about $30 trillion, so yes, it's unheard of)
November 10, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Trump: "By the time my first year ends, we're gonna have over $20 trillion of investment coming into the US. It's unheard of." (The entire US GDP is about $30 trillion, so yes, it's unheard of)
Reposted by Gaurav
so, today I got the surgery center where I got my deviated septum fixed to send me an itemized bill so I could submit to my FSA for reimbursement
my out of pocket cost: $473
what my insurance paid: $4258
what they tried to charge my insurance (not a misprint): $173692
my out of pocket cost: $473
what my insurance paid: $4258
what they tried to charge my insurance (not a misprint): $173692
I was at an event yesterday where Rand Paul spoke via video and talked about how great it was to send ACA money "directly to the people" so that they could work collectively to get better deals on health care.
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
so, today I got the surgery center where I got my deviated septum fixed to send me an itemized bill so I could submit to my FSA for reimbursement
my out of pocket cost: $473
what my insurance paid: $4258
what they tried to charge my insurance (not a misprint): $173692
my out of pocket cost: $473
what my insurance paid: $4258
what they tried to charge my insurance (not a misprint): $173692
Reposted by Gaurav
OK, where are we on the SNAP benefits cases?
Two things happened this morning:
* DOJ told SCOTUS they're still fighting to stop full November SNAP benefit payments, via their stay request at SCOTUS
* District court judge in Mass. stayed USDA's 11/8 memo ordering states to "undo" full payments
Two things happened this morning:
* DOJ told SCOTUS they're still fighting to stop full November SNAP benefit payments, via their stay request at SCOTUS
* District court judge in Mass. stayed USDA's 11/8 memo ordering states to "undo" full payments
![Judge Indira Talwani: ELECTRONIC ORDER: granting in part Plaintiffs' Further Motion for a Temporary Restraining Order and Emergency Virtual Hearing Request [
80
]. Good cause shown, the USDA Memorandum issued on Saturday, November
8, 2025, directing that "ItJo the extent States sent full SNAP payment files for November 2025," they "must immediately undo any steps taken to issue full SNAP benefits for November 2025" and shall "advise the appropriate FNS Regional Office representative of steps taken to correct any actions taken that do not comply with this memorandum[,l" see Attachment to Defendants' Third Notice to Court 4 [ 79 4 is STAYED pending further court order. The clerk shall reset the hearing scheduled for November 13, 2025, to a remote hearing today at 3:30 p.m.(SEC) (Entered:
11/10/2025)](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:36eqtmzysqf7wsslczw4uxcd/bafkreif6tnsoqzmk6snokm2m64ne264idl5paz4wwle4phmab2aftkto4y@jpeg)
November 10, 2025 at 7:59 PM
OK, where are we on the SNAP benefits cases?
Two things happened this morning:
* DOJ told SCOTUS they're still fighting to stop full November SNAP benefit payments, via their stay request at SCOTUS
* District court judge in Mass. stayed USDA's 11/8 memo ordering states to "undo" full payments
Two things happened this morning:
* DOJ told SCOTUS they're still fighting to stop full November SNAP benefit payments, via their stay request at SCOTUS
* District court judge in Mass. stayed USDA's 11/8 memo ordering states to "undo" full payments
Reposted by Gaurav
That said I am lifting up the Senators who I KNOW fought, like my own @vanhollen.senate.gov. We need to press those Senators to demand a different kind of leadership internally. There’s still a lot more work ahead and we need the leadership to be chastened.
I have come to believe this as well. The list is too strange. I don’t think a majority wanted to cave, but many more than the 8.
I think that these 8 Senators are falling on the sword for Schumer and other Senators who wanted the shutdown to end. This allows the majority of Senators to save face; and only retiring or not up for reelection Senators take the heat.
It’s a ruse.
It’s a ruse.
November 10, 2025 at 4:46 PM
That said I am lifting up the Senators who I KNOW fought, like my own @vanhollen.senate.gov. We need to press those Senators to demand a different kind of leadership internally. There’s still a lot more work ahead and we need the leadership to be chastened.
Reposted by Gaurav
Reminding us that dear old Bovril is a combo of “bos”, Latin for cow, and “Vril”, the life energy of an underground master-race in a very strange 1870s novel…
forgotten fortifying beef drinks of the 1890s ...
November 10, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Reminding us that dear old Bovril is a combo of “bos”, Latin for cow, and “Vril”, the life energy of an underground master-race in a very strange 1870s novel…
Reposted by Gaurav
If you thought Frankenstein's Tower in the Guillermo del Toro movie looked cool, check out the real-world inspiration behind it...
November 10, 2025 at 12:27 PM
If you thought Frankenstein's Tower in the Guillermo del Toro movie looked cool, check out the real-world inspiration behind it...
Reposted by Gaurav
It's (deep breath) DIE: LOADED #1, DIE RPG QUICKSTART and THE POWER FANTASY #13 week! #comics @imagecomics.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:56 AM
It's (deep breath) DIE: LOADED #1, DIE RPG QUICKSTART and THE POWER FANTASY #13 week! #comics @imagecomics.com
Reposted by Gaurav
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
November 10, 2025 at 5:02 AM
Chuck Schumer Helps Pull Democrats Back From Brink Of Courage
Reposted by Gaurav
Reposted by Gaurav
The annual Penn Center Heritage Day Parade in South Carolina celebrates the Gullah Geechee people. But after several years of traffic complaints, the parade has been scaled back. Black residents say a new route makes it feel as if their legacy is vanishing. nyti.ms/3LxuAl2
November 9, 2025 at 8:39 PM
The annual Penn Center Heritage Day Parade in South Carolina celebrates the Gullah Geechee people. But after several years of traffic complaints, the parade has been scaled back. Black residents say a new route makes it feel as if their legacy is vanishing. nyti.ms/3LxuAl2
Reposted by Gaurav
Well, there is one silver lining to all of this. This shit deal expire with respect to funding in about 6 or 7 weeks and we can go through all this again. It expires with respect to ACA before the election, and I fully expect Trump to fuck up whatever the Republicans do to try to run from it.
November 10, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Well, there is one silver lining to all of this. This shit deal expire with respect to funding in about 6 or 7 weeks and we can go through all this again. It expires with respect to ACA before the election, and I fully expect Trump to fuck up whatever the Republicans do to try to run from it.