Pauline Barmby
@pbarmby.bsky.social
Science: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-2767-0090. Fiction: https://www.galacticwords.com Words in Year’s Best Cdn F&SF Vols 2&3, Nature:Futures, Analog, Utopia SF, MNRAS, ApJ, etc. Runner, knitter, curler. 🇨🇦 & minor planet 281067. She/her.
Pinned
Pauline Barmby
@pbarmby.bsky.social
· Nov 18
The Apparatus Almanac: Gizmology & Technomancy
www.amazon.com
Time for the round-up of my 2025 published stories!
(1) What if there was a government office that dealt with unhinged amateur scientists?
“GENIUS Act Response” in @jayhengepub.bsky.social’s The Apparatus Almanac: Gismology & Technomancy
www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2J9L6BH
(1) What if there was a government office that dealt with unhinged amateur scientists?
“GENIUS Act Response” in @jayhengepub.bsky.social’s The Apparatus Almanac: Gismology & Technomancy
www.amazon.com/dp/B0F2J9L6BH
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
ferengi office worker: EMAILS
August 21, 2025 at 9:59 PM
ferengi office worker: EMAILS
Today’s 401 knitting. Pattern “Stella” by B Perron-Dahlen, yarn BFL worsted by E Gillies in colour “hot damn”.
January 3, 2026 at 2:36 PM
Today’s 401 knitting. Pattern “Stella” by B Perron-Dahlen, yarn BFL worsted by E Gillies in colour “hot damn”.
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
I don't know who needs to hear this but there is a professional hockey league with lots of gay players!!!
It's called the Professional Women's Hockey League
And they could use your support!
www.thepwhl.com/en/
It's called the Professional Women's Hockey League
And they could use your support!
www.thepwhl.com/en/
PWHL | Home
The Professional Women's Hockey League features the best women's hockey players in the world and is blazing the trail for the future of the sport.
www.thepwhl.com
January 2, 2026 at 8:10 PM
I don't know who needs to hear this but there is a professional hockey league with lots of gay players!!!
It's called the Professional Women's Hockey League
And they could use your support!
www.thepwhl.com/en/
It's called the Professional Women's Hockey League
And they could use your support!
www.thepwhl.com/en/
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
We're hiring! Senior position in the learning sciences.
"We seek a scholar whose research has focused on the development & application of learning technologies to achieve just & equitable educational learning opportunities, teaching practices, policies, & systems."
careers.umich.edu/job_detail/2...
"We seek a scholar whose research has focused on the development & application of learning technologies to achieve just & equitable educational learning opportunities, teaching practices, policies, & systems."
careers.umich.edu/job_detail/2...
Associate Professor or Full Professor | U-M Careers
careers.umich.edu
January 2, 2026 at 3:20 AM
We're hiring! Senior position in the learning sciences.
"We seek a scholar whose research has focused on the development & application of learning technologies to achieve just & equitable educational learning opportunities, teaching practices, policies, & systems."
careers.umich.edu/job_detail/2...
"We seek a scholar whose research has focused on the development & application of learning technologies to achieve just & equitable educational learning opportunities, teaching practices, policies, & systems."
careers.umich.edu/job_detail/2...
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
It's 101 years ago today, but this is one of my favorite #OTD threads from last year. 🧪 🔭 ⚛️
100 years ago today, #OTD in 1925, Edwin Hubble announced that Andromeda and other spiral nebulae were definitely separate galaxies outside the Milky Way, in a paper read to an AAS meeting by H.N. Russell.
There was no doubt that the Universe was more than just our little island of stars. 🧪 🔭 ⚛️
There was no doubt that the Universe was more than just our little island of stars. 🧪 🔭 ⚛️
January 2, 2026 at 2:12 AM
It's 101 years ago today, but this is one of my favorite #OTD threads from last year. 🧪 🔭 ⚛️
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
My most popular Bluesky post of 2025 (and of all time on any platform) was a bit of advice as a response to all the AI slop.
I'd encourage you to take it in 2026.
I was speaking directly to young folks here but yes you're never too old to learn new stuff AND YOU SHOULD.
I'd encourage you to take it in 2026.
I was speaking directly to young folks here but yes you're never too old to learn new stuff AND YOU SHOULD.
I'm old.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
If you're not, listen to this.
Get a guitar or some drums, or a trumpet. Pick up a brush, a pencil, some clay or a welder.
Just make shit. It doesn't have to be good (eventually it will be) just make music, art or write or whatever.
It's literally never been more important.
January 1, 2026 at 4:02 PM
My most popular Bluesky post of 2025 (and of all time on any platform) was a bit of advice as a response to all the AI slop.
I'd encourage you to take it in 2026.
I was speaking directly to young folks here but yes you're never too old to learn new stuff AND YOU SHOULD.
I'd encourage you to take it in 2026.
I was speaking directly to young folks here but yes you're never too old to learn new stuff AND YOU SHOULD.
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
More than once, a kind stranger unlucky enough to sit next to me on a bumpy flight has noticed my death grip on the armrest and offered to hold my sweaty hand. So grateful.
I would like to hear about a time someone, a stranger even, was very kind to you without any prompting, ulterior motive, or strings attached.
December 31, 2025 at 2:39 AM
More than once, a kind stranger unlucky enough to sit next to me on a bumpy flight has noticed my death grip on the armrest and offered to hold my sweaty hand. So grateful.
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
Stop.
Read the post below.
Do what it says.
Look at Earth - our home world - from the surface of Mars.
You are a terranaut on that fragile planet.
This moment brought to you courtesy of NASA Science.
Read the post below.
Do what it says.
Look at Earth - our home world - from the surface of Mars.
You are a terranaut on that fragile planet.
This moment brought to you courtesy of NASA Science.
Open up this picture fully.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
Then look at the surface of Mars.
Then look up to the top right.
Spot Mars' moon Phobos high in the sky.
Then notice the bright spot beside Phobos.
That's Earth.
December 31, 2025 at 1:05 AM
Stop.
Read the post below.
Do what it says.
Look at Earth - our home world - from the surface of Mars.
You are a terranaut on that fragile planet.
This moment brought to you courtesy of NASA Science.
Read the post below.
Do what it says.
Look at Earth - our home world - from the surface of Mars.
You are a terranaut on that fragile planet.
This moment brought to you courtesy of NASA Science.
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
Every week, Nature publishes yet another breathless puff piece about some AI startup, based only unpublished claims from the company and interviewing only those who work there.
How can the leading scientific journal publish piece after piece that would make Kevin Roose blush?
I think it's that...
How can the leading scientific journal publish piece after piece that would make Kevin Roose blush?
I think it's that...
December 30, 2025 at 10:08 PM
Every week, Nature publishes yet another breathless puff piece about some AI startup, based only unpublished claims from the company and interviewing only those who work there.
How can the leading scientific journal publish piece after piece that would make Kevin Roose blush?
I think it's that...
How can the leading scientific journal publish piece after piece that would make Kevin Roose blush?
I think it's that...
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
I've already been sent so many fantastic stories I would otherwise have missed, despite my best efforts. Now I need YOURS, too! Send 'em in! Don't self-reject! You can't win if you don't play. Link below.
Submissions are OPEN for Year's Best Canadian Fantasy & Science Fiction: Volume Four (the best of 2025). Send me your SFF published in 2025, you crazy Canucks! Details on my site at the link below. DON'T SELF REJECT! You can't win if you don't play ;) Subs close Feb 28, 2026. Pls share WIDELY.
Year’s Best Canadian Fantasy and Science Fiction | Stephen Kotowych
kotowych.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:59 PM
I've already been sent so many fantastic stories I would otherwise have missed, despite my best efforts. Now I need YOURS, too! Send 'em in! Don't self-reject! You can't win if you don't play. Link below.
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
Also on Kobo Canada, where they have helpfully noted that it is 72% off!
www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/...
www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/...
The Butcher of the Forest ebook by Premee Mohamed - Rakuten Kobo
Read "The Butcher of the Forest" by Premee Mohamed available from Rakuten Kobo. "A perfect mix of horror and fantasy."—The New York Times
“The Butcher of the Forest” shows exactly why Mohamed is one o...
www.kobo.com
December 30, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Also on Kobo Canada, where they have helpfully noted that it is 72% off!
www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/...
www.kobo.com/ca/en/ebook/...
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
Lick updates: We got a crane up there Friday and the winds dropped enough by Saturday to get the shutter off the roof.
December 29, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Lick updates: We got a crane up there Friday and the winds dropped enough by Saturday to get the shutter off the roof.
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
Also! If you are expecting freezing rain, and park your vehicle outside, do future you a HUGE favour and bring your snow brush/scraper inside.
It's hard to get into a frozen-over car when your ice scraper is inside said car (ask me how I know)
It's hard to get into a frozen-over car when your ice scraper is inside said car (ask me how I know)
There’s a freezing rain warning in effect for Ottawa-Gatineau & if you’ve never experienced this before let me personally implore you to stay off the roads (if you *have* experienced this before I trust you are already staying off the roads & likewise insisting others do the same)
December 29, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Also! If you are expecting freezing rain, and park your vehicle outside, do future you a HUGE favour and bring your snow brush/scraper inside.
It's hard to get into a frozen-over car when your ice scraper is inside said car (ask me how I know)
It's hard to get into a frozen-over car when your ice scraper is inside said car (ask me how I know)
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
Apparently I'm doing this -- my open letter to that open latter about AI in writing and publishing. I emerged from Hibernation Week to write it, so god only knows how much sense it makes. But at least a human wrote it, so that's nice.
Bonus: picture of my "cat," sweet baby Boomba.
Bonus: picture of my "cat," sweet baby Boomba.
My Open Letter To That Open Letter About AI In Writing And Publishing
The tl;dr before you get into this post is this: the SFWA came out, said that some AI usage was okay enough in books for the authors of those books to not to be disqualified from winning a Nebula a…
terribleminds.com
December 28, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Apparently I'm doing this -- my open letter to that open latter about AI in writing and publishing. I emerged from Hibernation Week to write it, so god only knows how much sense it makes. But at least a human wrote it, so that's nice.
Bonus: picture of my "cat," sweet baby Boomba.
Bonus: picture of my "cat," sweet baby Boomba.
Oh for Pete’s sake.
December 28, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Oh for Pete’s sake.
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
can’t wait for the stock market to finally merge with sports betting so that we can see the ultimate evolution, apple’s hockey team going up against nvidia’s hockey team, except the team captains are in a secret romance that brings down all of capitalism
December 27, 2025 at 3:41 AM
can’t wait for the stock market to finally merge with sports betting so that we can see the ultimate evolution, apple’s hockey team going up against nvidia’s hockey team, except the team captains are in a secret romance that brings down all of capitalism
What if I just skipped all professional conferences next year because I can’t stand the thought of getting on an airplane or staying in a hotel again.
December 28, 2025 at 12:12 AM
What if I just skipped all professional conferences next year because I can’t stand the thought of getting on an airplane or staying in a hotel again.
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
hi, are you in the Xmas-to-new-years emptiness and looking for something to read? Enjoy either:
🚀a voyage on foot across the surface of mars
Or
💀a grandmother who takes revenge against death itself
both available now!
🚀a voyage on foot across the surface of mars
Or
💀a grandmother who takes revenge against death itself
both available now!
It's Straith's awards eligibility post for 2025!!
I'm putting forward two of the three stories I had published this year for your consideration. I'd love especially if you'd consider "Fishwife" for the Aurora Award for Short Fiction, since it's my mémère story 💜
I'm putting forward two of the three stories I had published this year for your consideration. I'd love especially if you'd consider "Fishwife" for the Aurora Award for Short Fiction, since it's my mémère story 💜
December 27, 2025 at 11:38 PM
hi, are you in the Xmas-to-new-years emptiness and looking for something to read? Enjoy either:
🚀a voyage on foot across the surface of mars
Or
💀a grandmother who takes revenge against death itself
both available now!
🚀a voyage on foot across the surface of mars
Or
💀a grandmother who takes revenge against death itself
both available now!
Reposted by Pauline Barmby
Holy moly. That is not where you want half of your dome shutter to be. Glad no one was hurt.
Wow, xmas morning wind gusts up to 114 mph on Mount Hamilton, east of San Jose. Damaged the Lick Observatory. 🔭 🧪 bsky.app/profile/look...
December 26, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Holy moly. That is not where you want half of your dome shutter to be. Glad no one was hurt.
Situation: freezing rain just ended
December 26, 2025 at 9:14 PM
Situation: freezing rain just ended
Yikes, in the best possible way. Nice work @yasmeenfahmy.bsky.social !
“This is the bit I don’t speak to Mama about. Nor will ever be transmitted on any airwave or printed in any newspaper or textbook: what exactly emerges from the wound I watch.”
by @yasmeenfahmy.bsky.social
www.nightshadesmag.com/the-wound-i-...
by @yasmeenfahmy.bsky.social
www.nightshadesmag.com/the-wound-i-...
The Wound I Watch
by Yasmeen Fahmy
Mama asks on the phone “شو شكلها؟” What does it look like?
I’m not sure how to respond.
So I start scribbling in my A6 notebook in between shifts: like a glistening wound at sunris...
www.nightshadesmag.com
December 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Yikes, in the best possible way. Nice work @yasmeenfahmy.bsky.social !
Pretty much every Canadian university including mine is running one of these competitions.
FYI for astro colleagues: astrophysicists are unlikely to be competitive. Exceptions would be those who already have industrial connections & can show application to the govt priority areas.
FYI for astro colleagues: astrophysicists are unlikely to be competitive. Exceptions would be those who already have industrial connections & can show application to the govt priority areas.
Perhaps a late Xmas/Chanukah/Festivus/Kwanzaa present for some research hot shot currently not in Canada but who might like to move here - the new Impact+ Research Chairs. Note the strategic areas in Arctic, environment, climate resilience and water security. 🧪⚒️
careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/1717054...
careers.ucalgary.ca/jobs/1717054...
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs, University of Calgary in
Calgary,
AB,
...
Canada Impact+ Research Chairs, University of Calgary in
Calgary,
AB,
...
careers.ucalgary.ca
December 25, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Pretty much every Canadian university including mine is running one of these competitions.
FYI for astro colleagues: astrophysicists are unlikely to be competitive. Exceptions would be those who already have industrial connections & can show application to the govt priority areas.
FYI for astro colleagues: astrophysicists are unlikely to be competitive. Exceptions would be those who already have industrial connections & can show application to the govt priority areas.