Michelle Appel
@msappel.bsky.social
Data geek, higher ed policy wonk, institutional researcher, disability activist, swimmer, hoarder of yarn, and spouse of John Appel the SFF author.
All views are mine.
All views are mine.
Reposted by Michelle Appel
If you ever somehow find yourself in charge of literally billions of dollars you don't know what you do with, you could do far worse than modeling off of MacKenzie Scott.
BREAKING: Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife has made a “transformational” donation to the LGBTQ+ advocacy group. This large gift comes just months after the Trump administration shut down counseling services for queer youth.
My latest for @wired.com:
My latest for @wired.com:
MacKenzie Scott Donates $45 Million to the Trevor Project
Jeff Bezos’ ex-wife has made a donation to the LGBTQ+ advocacy group that the organization calls “transformational.”
www.wired.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:55 AM
If you ever somehow find yourself in charge of literally billions of dollars you don't know what you do with, you could do far worse than modeling off of MacKenzie Scott.
Reposted by Michelle Appel
I think it’s important to point out: ICE does NOT have the same authority as a police officer. They do NOT have the power to enforce laws, only to engage in their specific tasks.
IE: they don’t do traffic, etc. impeding traffic is not a penalty ICE can enforce against
IE: they don’t do traffic, etc. impeding traffic is not a penalty ICE can enforce against
January 11, 2026 at 8:08 PM
I think it’s important to point out: ICE does NOT have the same authority as a police officer. They do NOT have the power to enforce laws, only to engage in their specific tasks.
IE: they don’t do traffic, etc. impeding traffic is not a penalty ICE can enforce against
IE: they don’t do traffic, etc. impeding traffic is not a penalty ICE can enforce against
Reposted by Michelle Appel
Next week, SCOTUS hears oral argument in Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s challenge to Donald Trump’s attempt to fire her.
Trump claimed he had “cause” to do so based on allegations of mortgage fraud. Will be interesting to see if Trump’s latest effort to manufacture cause colors Cook’s case.
Trump claimed he had “cause” to do so based on allegations of mortgage fraud. Will be interesting to see if Trump’s latest effort to manufacture cause colors Cook’s case.
The U.S. attorney’s office in the District of Columbia has opened a criminal investigation into Jerome H. Powell, the Federal Reserve chair, over the central bank’s renovation of its Washington headquarters and whether Mr. Powell lied to Congress. (GIFT LINK) www.nytimes.com/2026/01/11/u...
Federal Prosecutors Are Said to Have Opened Inquiry Into Fed Chair Powell
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:52 AM
Next week, SCOTUS hears oral argument in Federal Reserve Governor Lisa Cook’s challenge to Donald Trump’s attempt to fire her.
Trump claimed he had “cause” to do so based on allegations of mortgage fraud. Will be interesting to see if Trump’s latest effort to manufacture cause colors Cook’s case.
Trump claimed he had “cause” to do so based on allegations of mortgage fraud. Will be interesting to see if Trump’s latest effort to manufacture cause colors Cook’s case.
Reposted by Michelle Appel
Books don't turn kids into someone else. Books show them they don't have to deny who they really are.
No book is going to turn kids into someone else. But books will regularly show kids other people like them and show those kids they're not alone. And they'll show kids other types of people who also exist. There is a large proportion of the population who are terrified of this.
January 12, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Books don't turn kids into someone else. Books show them they don't have to deny who they really are.
Reposted by Michelle Appel
Minute by minute, the days get longer.
January 12, 2026 at 1:02 AM
Minute by minute, the days get longer.
Reposted by Michelle Appel
That rain outside the hotel means the sky was just as moved by @tomatoanus.bsky.social as we were. Massive thanks to Tommy for joining us for that prize segment.
Take their wisdom to heart. Please.
#AGDQ2026
Take their wisdom to heart. Please.
#AGDQ2026
January 10, 2026 at 8:04 PM
That rain outside the hotel means the sky was just as moved by @tomatoanus.bsky.social as we were. Massive thanks to Tommy for joining us for that prize segment.
Take their wisdom to heart. Please.
#AGDQ2026
Take their wisdom to heart. Please.
#AGDQ2026
Reposted by Michelle Appel
It was an absolute honor to have a moment to talk about mental health at AGDQ. Cannot express my gratitude to @shout.rocks for making this possible.
That rain outside the hotel means the sky was just as moved by @tomatoanus.bsky.social as we were. Massive thanks to Tommy for joining us for that prize segment.
Take their wisdom to heart. Please.
#AGDQ2026
Take their wisdom to heart. Please.
#AGDQ2026
January 10, 2026 at 8:30 PM
It was an absolute honor to have a moment to talk about mental health at AGDQ. Cannot express my gratitude to @shout.rocks for making this possible.
Reposted by Michelle Appel
One of the first memories I’ve had with @tomatoanus.bsky.social is meeting him in person — I couldn’t wait to come up to him and thank him for things like this.
The Mental Health messages in his SPEEDRUN EXPLAINED carried me through a tumultuous year. I wasn’t myself, I was at the lowest point[…]
The Mental Health messages in his SPEEDRUN EXPLAINED carried me through a tumultuous year. I wasn’t myself, I was at the lowest point[…]
It was an absolute honor to have a moment to talk about mental health at AGDQ. Cannot express my gratitude to @shout.rocks for making this possible.
That rain outside the hotel means the sky was just as moved by @tomatoanus.bsky.social as we were. Massive thanks to Tommy for joining us for that prize segment.
Take their wisdom to heart. Please.
#AGDQ2026
Take their wisdom to heart. Please.
#AGDQ2026
January 10, 2026 at 9:02 PM
One of the first memories I’ve had with @tomatoanus.bsky.social is meeting him in person — I couldn’t wait to come up to him and thank him for things like this.
The Mental Health messages in his SPEEDRUN EXPLAINED carried me through a tumultuous year. I wasn’t myself, I was at the lowest point[…]
The Mental Health messages in his SPEEDRUN EXPLAINED carried me through a tumultuous year. I wasn’t myself, I was at the lowest point[…]
Reposted by Michelle Appel
🏁TIME🏁 #AGDQ2026 has raised a total amount of $2,443,414 for @preventcancer.org!
Thank you to everyone who made this marathon possible, and to all of you for your amazing generosity & support!!
See you all next time at #SGDQ2026!!
We are SO BACK!!!!!!!
Thank you to everyone who made this marathon possible, and to all of you for your amazing generosity & support!!
See you all next time at #SGDQ2026!!
We are SO BACK!!!!!!!
January 11, 2026 at 7:58 AM
🏁TIME🏁 #AGDQ2026 has raised a total amount of $2,443,414 for @preventcancer.org!
Thank you to everyone who made this marathon possible, and to all of you for your amazing generosity & support!!
See you all next time at #SGDQ2026!!
We are SO BACK!!!!!!!
Thank you to everyone who made this marathon possible, and to all of you for your amazing generosity & support!!
See you all next time at #SGDQ2026!!
We are SO BACK!!!!!!!
Reposted by Michelle Appel
my only sappy thing to say about GDQ is that the last however many years have tried their best to convince the world that ppl like me should not exist and sometimes you wonder if we really are on a downfall but GDQ comes around saying trans rights all day all week raising millions and millions
January 11, 2026 at 8:02 AM
my only sappy thing to say about GDQ is that the last however many years have tried their best to convince the world that ppl like me should not exist and sometimes you wonder if we really are on a downfall but GDQ comes around saying trans rights all day all week raising millions and millions
Truth. Thank you @gamesdonequick.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Truth. Thank you @gamesdonequick.com
That Earl E Bird from @preventcancer.org at @gamesdonequick.com is an absolutely adorable way to remember to do All The Things.
January 11, 2026 at 2:45 AM
That Earl E Bird from @preventcancer.org at @gamesdonequick.com is an absolutely adorable way to remember to do All The Things.
Reposted by Michelle Appel
If the capitol police reacted on Jan 6 the way ICE did in this encounter there would have been dozens dead
There was amazing restraint and heroism by the U.S. Capitol Police and the Metropolitan Police Department on Jan. 6, 2021. They were viciously attacked by rightwing extremists and rioters incited by Trump.
Also, by their own standards, the cops protecting the Capitol on Jan 6 should have opened fire all over.
January 11, 2026 at 2:32 AM
If the capitol police reacted on Jan 6 the way ICE did in this encounter there would have been dozens dead
Reposted by Michelle Appel
Three heads means three pets! And during this run @behemothsteve.bsky.social will get even more Cerberus pets on this run!
#AGDQ2026
#AGDQ2026
January 10, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Three heads means three pets! And during this run @behemothsteve.bsky.social will get even more Cerberus pets on this run!
#AGDQ2026
#AGDQ2026
Reposted by Michelle Appel
Presenting our AGDQ 2026 Meme Team! 🎉
Give a round of applause for all the volunteers who've tirelessly brought you the highlights and expert laughs during this week's event.
#AGDQ2026
Give a round of applause for all the volunteers who've tirelessly brought you the highlights and expert laughs during this week's event.
#AGDQ2026
January 11, 2026 at 1:28 AM
Presenting our AGDQ 2026 Meme Team! 🎉
Give a round of applause for all the volunteers who've tirelessly brought you the highlights and expert laughs during this week's event.
#AGDQ2026
Give a round of applause for all the volunteers who've tirelessly brought you the highlights and expert laughs during this week's event.
#AGDQ2026
Reposted by Michelle Appel
AND THAT'S TWO MILLION RAISED FOR @preventcancer.org! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Changing the world through the power of video games—thank you all so much for your generosity!
#AGDQ2026
Changing the world through the power of video games—thank you all so much for your generosity!
#AGDQ2026
January 11, 2026 at 2:14 AM
AND THAT'S TWO MILLION RAISED FOR @preventcancer.org! 🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉🎉
Changing the world through the power of video games—thank you all so much for your generosity!
#AGDQ2026
Changing the world through the power of video games—thank you all so much for your generosity!
#AGDQ2026
Reposted by Michelle Appel
TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR @preventcancer.org at @gamesdonequick.com!!! Proud of everyone!!!
a video game character is sitting in the cockpit of a plane with a bunch of buttons
ALT: a video game character is sitting in the cockpit of a plane with a bunch of buttons
media.tenor.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:13 AM
TWO MILLION DOLLARS FOR @preventcancer.org at @gamesdonequick.com!!! Proud of everyone!!!
The amazing @gamesdonequick.com community has raised over $2 million for @preventcancer.org in less than a week, and we're not done yet.
To all of you scientists working on cancer research, we have your backs. It is tough to be a scientist right now but this community is full of hope and joy.
To all of you scientists working on cancer research, we have your backs. It is tough to be a scientist right now but this community is full of hope and joy.
If you are a scientist studying cancer and you need some encouragement, tune in to @gamesdonequick.com today to see an amazing group of gamers who have raised $1.5 million and counting for @preventcancer.org . Such an affirming inclusive and uplifting event.
crowd.gamesdonequick.com
crowd.gamesdonequick.com
January 11, 2026 at 2:17 AM
The amazing @gamesdonequick.com community has raised over $2 million for @preventcancer.org in less than a week, and we're not done yet.
To all of you scientists working on cancer research, we have your backs. It is tough to be a scientist right now but this community is full of hope and joy.
To all of you scientists working on cancer research, we have your backs. It is tough to be a scientist right now but this community is full of hope and joy.
I am in tears as I listen to Jody from @preventcancer.org talk about her mother on the @gamesdonequick.com stage. What an amazing story of how the community makes real impact.
January 10, 2026 at 9:24 PM
I am in tears as I listen to Jody from @preventcancer.org talk about her mother on the @gamesdonequick.com stage. What an amazing story of how the community makes real impact.
Reposted by Michelle Appel
Reposted by Michelle Appel
January 10, 2026 at 7:59 PM
I just saw Bowser in the elevator and everyone showered love on them. This is the joy of being in the same space as @gamesdonequick.com folks.
January 10, 2026 at 8:19 PM
I just saw Bowser in the elevator and everyone showered love on them. This is the joy of being in the same space as @gamesdonequick.com folks.
"You are the one getting you through every single day" "Please remember that no feeling is final."
Amazing tribute to mental health and recognizing every single win at @gamesdonequick.com
Amazing tribute to mental health and recognizing every single win at @gamesdonequick.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:01 PM
"You are the one getting you through every single day" "Please remember that no feeling is final."
Amazing tribute to mental health and recognizing every single win at @gamesdonequick.com
Amazing tribute to mental health and recognizing every single win at @gamesdonequick.com
I had a great talk with Jody this morning. Such mad respect for the @gamesdonequick.com community. First time here in person and loving the opportunities to meet and build connections.
Our final day at #AGDQ2026 got us feeling like 😭 We are so grateful to be surrounded by such an incredible community all week, helping us create a world where cancer is preventable, detectable and beatable for all. @gamesdonequick.com
a man in a suit and bow tie is standing in front of a blackboard and making a funny face .
ALT: a man in a suit and bow tie is standing in front of a blackboard and making a funny face .
media.tenor.com
January 10, 2026 at 6:24 PM
I had a great talk with Jody this morning. Such mad respect for the @gamesdonequick.com community. First time here in person and loving the opportunities to meet and build connections.