N.P. Thompson 🍁
@nptwrites.bsky.social
Canadian author of magical middle grade books. Probably in the garden.
CHALICE OF CALADRIAI, book 4 of The Arcanium Saga now available!
books2read.com/NPTwrites | shop.nptwrites.com/ | nptwrites.com/links
CHALICE OF CALADRIAI, book 4 of The Arcanium Saga now available!
books2read.com/NPTwrites | shop.nptwrites.com/ | nptwrites.com/links
Pinned
This is a series for fans of action-packed fantasy adventures that don't skimp on character or world-building (you're even going to love the side-characters!) It's also funny. And there are layers and sub-plots that really draw you in. 🧙♂️✨ #ReaderSky #Reading
➡️ books2read.com/rl/TheArcanium
➡️ books2read.com/rl/TheArcanium
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
People on Reddit are getting Amazon to refund their Ring products because of their partnership with Flock and that creepy Super Bowl ad
www.reddit.com/r/FlockSurve...
www.reddit.com/r/FlockSurve...
February 10, 2026 at 9:55 AM
People on Reddit are getting Amazon to refund their Ring products because of their partnership with Flock and that creepy Super Bowl ad
www.reddit.com/r/FlockSurve...
www.reddit.com/r/FlockSurve...
Age verification? I grew up before the Internet existed. (And thank heavens for that.)
Age verification? My first telephone number had letters in it.
age verification?
i got into arguments with classmates about the 1988 election
i got into arguments with classmates about the 1988 election
February 10, 2026 at 12:21 PM
Age verification? I grew up before the Internet existed. (And thank heavens for that.)
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
We’re buying planes from the one country from whom we are currently most likely to need to defend ourselves
February 10, 2026 at 12:14 PM
We’re buying planes from the one country from whom we are currently most likely to need to defend ourselves
What is even happening?!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Trump threatens to block opening of new bridge between Ontario and Michigan | CBC News
U.S. President Donald Trump is threatening to block the opening of the Gordie Howe Bridge, poised to become the newest border crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit.
www.cbc.ca
February 10, 2026 at 12:35 AM
What is even happening?!
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
“No matter how Ring and other surveillance tech companies may downplay it, there’s no world in which finding lost dogs is the final end-use for this technology.”
Opinion | Ring is using lost dogs to make the surveillance state adorable
The same technology the Amazon-owned company uses to find lost dogs could easily be turned against their owners.
www.ms.now
February 9, 2026 at 11:00 PM
“No matter how Ring and other surveillance tech companies may downplay it, there’s no world in which finding lost dogs is the final end-use for this technology.”
Talking heads here speculating about another federal election being called "soon" and I can't even. I am SO TIRED of endless elections. Can we not waste our tax dollars on something that's completely unnecessary right now? We JUST had one, for crying out loud. :(
February 9, 2026 at 8:07 PM
Talking heads here speculating about another federal election being called "soon" and I can't even. I am SO TIRED of endless elections. Can we not waste our tax dollars on something that's completely unnecessary right now? We JUST had one, for crying out loud. :(
Once again, I have just discovered a new-to-me author with books I would love to read, but they are only available on Kindle. 😭
February 9, 2026 at 7:55 PM
Once again, I have just discovered a new-to-me author with books I would love to read, but they are only available on Kindle. 😭
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
The latest from journalist @justinbrake.bsky.social from the courthouse in #Vancouver where photojournalist Amber Bracken and @thenarwhal.ca are suing the RCMP.
Stay tuned for more from Brake covering the #pressfreedom case for Ricochet & @independentnl.bsky.social.
www.tiktok.com/@ricochetmed...
Stay tuned for more from Brake covering the #pressfreedom case for Ricochet & @independentnl.bsky.social.
www.tiktok.com/@ricochetmed...
Photojournalist Amber Bracken and @The Narwhal are suing the RCMP. In November 2021, photojournalist Amber Bracken was on assignment for The Narwhal, reporting on the construction of the Coastal GasL...
TikTok video by Ricochet Media
www.tiktok.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:20 PM
The latest from journalist @justinbrake.bsky.social from the courthouse in #Vancouver where photojournalist Amber Bracken and @thenarwhal.ca are suing the RCMP.
Stay tuned for more from Brake covering the #pressfreedom case for Ricochet & @independentnl.bsky.social.
www.tiktok.com/@ricochetmed...
Stay tuned for more from Brake covering the #pressfreedom case for Ricochet & @independentnl.bsky.social.
www.tiktok.com/@ricochetmed...
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
February 9, 2026 at 4:47 AM
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 If they ask you to pay money it's a scam 👏👏
🎵 that is not your favorite author or a stunning book club offer
🎵 They are asking you for money=it's a scam 👏👏
O.M.G. 😳
“Researchers from Johns Hopkins, Georgetown and Yale universities recently found that 60 FDA-authorized medical devices using AI were linked to 182 product recalls, according to a research letter published in the JAMA Health Forum in August.”
As AI enters the operating room, reports arise of botched surgeries and misidentified body parts
Medical device makers have been rushing to add AI to their products. While proponents say the new technology will revolutionize medicine, regulators are receiving a rising number of claims of patient ...
www.reuters.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:13 PM
O.M.G. 😳
I had to file a reassessment because a government department I worked for years ago made a mistake. CRA took months to get back to me with a letter saying there would be "delays" in my reassessment. That was months ago and I'm still waiting. They owe me money.
www.cbc.ca/news/gopubli...
www.cbc.ca/news/gopubli...
Taxpayers complain of long waits for the CRA to fix its errors, deliver refunds | CBC News
The Canada Revenue Agency is warning about processing delays for several key services involving Canadians’ tax returns. Some people stuck in the backlog say they're stressed and desperate for a resolu...
www.cbc.ca
February 9, 2026 at 1:11 PM
I had to file a reassessment because a government department I worked for years ago made a mistake. CRA took months to get back to me with a letter saying there would be "delays" in my reassessment. That was months ago and I'm still waiting. They owe me money.
www.cbc.ca/news/gopubli...
www.cbc.ca/news/gopubli...
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
My thoughts on AI, after seeing a very liberal (and ostensibly pro-environment) friend post blatant AI slop as if it were cute...
February 9, 2026 at 4:42 AM
My thoughts on AI, after seeing a very liberal (and ostensibly pro-environment) friend post blatant AI slop as if it were cute...
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
The government takes all its cues from private sector. We've been indoctrinated to believe government is inherently inefficient, but all of its worst qualities are from douchebag CEOs with MBAs.
Two things I’m not sure is widely understood:
1. Many public servants no longer have their own desks and work in transient government co-working spaces
2. Many describe a Kafkaesque existence of going to physical offices only to spend their time on video calls with the people sitting next to them
1. Many public servants no longer have their own desks and work in transient government co-working spaces
2. Many describe a Kafkaesque existence of going to physical offices only to spend their time on video calls with the people sitting next to them
Federal public servants called back to office 4 days a week starting this summer | CBC News
The federal government expects its employees to return to in-office work for a minimum of four days a week starting this July.
www.cbc.ca
February 9, 2026 at 12:51 AM
The government takes all its cues from private sector. We've been indoctrinated to believe government is inherently inefficient, but all of its worst qualities are from douchebag CEOs with MBAs.
I see the Redditors have sussed out the identity of that AI-slop romance generator...
February 8, 2026 at 10:00 PM
I see the Redditors have sussed out the identity of that AI-slop romance generator...
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
I have yet to see any evidence that there is a market for AI-generated books outside of people being tricked into thinking they are not AI-generated books. AKA, it is a project of scamming and deceiving people, and really should be treated as fraud
February 8, 2026 at 6:55 PM
I have yet to see any evidence that there is a market for AI-generated books outside of people being tricked into thinking they are not AI-generated books. AKA, it is a project of scamming and deceiving people, and really should be treated as fraud
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
The Karen Gansel Short Fiction Award is here.
Writers across Canada are invited to submit original fiction, 3,500–5,000 words.
Blind judged. Cash prizes. National exposure.
Register here: https://ow.ly/fRa150YaQEz
#KarenGanselAward #CanLit #CAA105 #WritingContest #CAA #CanadianAuthorsAssociation
Writers across Canada are invited to submit original fiction, 3,500–5,000 words.
Blind judged. Cash prizes. National exposure.
Register here: https://ow.ly/fRa150YaQEz
#KarenGanselAward #CanLit #CAA105 #WritingContest #CAA #CanadianAuthorsAssociation
February 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
The Karen Gansel Short Fiction Award is here.
Writers across Canada are invited to submit original fiction, 3,500–5,000 words.
Blind judged. Cash prizes. National exposure.
Register here: https://ow.ly/fRa150YaQEz
#KarenGanselAward #CanLit #CAA105 #WritingContest #CAA #CanadianAuthorsAssociation
Writers across Canada are invited to submit original fiction, 3,500–5,000 words.
Blind judged. Cash prizes. National exposure.
Register here: https://ow.ly/fRa150YaQEz
#KarenGanselAward #CanLit #CAA105 #WritingContest #CAA #CanadianAuthorsAssociation
This is the thing. I just want to tell stories. *My* stories. The ones I dreamt up in my weird little mind, that encompass everything I've learned and experienced -- good and bad -- over my decades years of living in this world. AI could never have those nuances because it has no thoughts.
What I find interesting about the mentality of AI ‘authors’ is that the goal is ‘how many books an author publishes’. But no author who loves writing has a goal of 200 books to write. They just want to tell their stories. But, I guess, AI ‘authors’ have no stories to tell and thus do not understand.
February 8, 2026 at 7:22 PM
This is the thing. I just want to tell stories. *My* stories. The ones I dreamt up in my weird little mind, that encompass everything I've learned and experienced -- good and bad -- over my decades years of living in this world. AI could never have those nuances because it has no thoughts.
Brilliant. I should totally start doing this, too.
I think I'll start directly asking slop users, "Why did you consider it okay to steal my work & pass it off as your own?" because one of the issues (& there are many) is that LLM-use is so distanced from those its stealing from. I think a lot of users justify its use by lying to themselves
February 8, 2026 at 5:45 PM
Brilliant. I should totally start doing this, too.
Aww... that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me! 🥲
Your daily affirmation:
You can be anything you want to be, including one of the ancient cosmic horrors who slumber inside stars, wrapped in tentacles and dreams.
You can be anything you want to be, including one of the ancient cosmic horrors who slumber inside stars, wrapped in tentacles and dreams.
February 8, 2026 at 5:39 PM
Aww... that's the nicest thing anyone's ever said to me! 🥲
Ooof... this one hits hard. Because it's so true. And I'm so tired of it. And it's especially infuriating given all we're learning (and already suspected) about the billionaire class recently. At some point, something has to give.
We spend more money imposing poverty than we spend on finding a working solution.
February 8, 2026 at 4:11 PM
Ooof... this one hits hard. Because it's so true. And I'm so tired of it. And it's especially infuriating given all we're learning (and already suspected) about the billionaire class recently. At some point, something has to give.
I have purchased portobello mushrooms for the first time to try making mushroom steaks for dinner tonight. Wish me luck. 😂
February 8, 2026 at 4:01 PM
I have purchased portobello mushrooms for the first time to try making mushroom steaks for dinner tonight. Wish me luck. 😂
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
A desperate plea sent to me by a Minneapolis resident who's been on the front lines since the beginning of the ICE occupation:
February 8, 2026 at 5:06 AM
A desperate plea sent to me by a Minneapolis resident who's been on the front lines since the beginning of the ICE occupation:
Does anyone know if I can make changes to the description of an #Itchio bundle after publishing it for participant review/acceptance? I'm just waiting for 2 participants to send me shorter blurbs but otherwise it's ready to go. Can I set it up now and just change those two tiny bits later or no? 📦📚
February 8, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Does anyone know if I can make changes to the description of an #Itchio bundle after publishing it for participant review/acceptance? I'm just waiting for 2 participants to send me shorter blurbs but otherwise it's ready to go. Can I set it up now and just change those two tiny bits later or no? 📦📚
Reposted by N.P. Thompson 🍁
Democratizing the arts looks like universal income, low-barrier grants for both emerging and working artists, well-funded municipal arts & recreation programs, vibrant third spaces, and a well-funded public school system with progressive curriculum.
Not a free pass for corporate-owned slop engines.
Not a free pass for corporate-owned slop engines.
Every instance of "AI democratizes the arts, you're classist and ableist and a gatekeeper for trying to stop it" is a slap in the face to the literally centuries of poor, disabled people making art on the margins and a crass lie in service of a machine that strips down and regurgitates dreams
February 7, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Democratizing the arts looks like universal income, low-barrier grants for both emerging and working artists, well-funded municipal arts & recreation programs, vibrant third spaces, and a well-funded public school system with progressive curriculum.
Not a free pass for corporate-owned slop engines.
Not a free pass for corporate-owned slop engines.
I just saw that article along w/ anger, my overwhelming response is sadness. I am sad about what this technology is doing to the human soul. Creative expression has been a hallmark of humanity since the dawn of the species and this... this just defiles something that was truly beautiful about us. 😔
February 8, 2026 at 3:18 PM
I just saw that article along w/ anger, my overwhelming response is sadness. I am sad about what this technology is doing to the human soul. Creative expression has been a hallmark of humanity since the dawn of the species and this... this just defiles something that was truly beautiful about us. 😔