Tracy Erickson
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pdxtrent.bsky.social
Tracy Erickson
@pdxtrent.bsky.social
230 followers 240 following 120 posts
Books, movies, comics, and a dash of politics. Fleeing the horror show of Xitter and Fascistbook.
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pdxtrent.bsky.social
@theozvlog.bsky.social Hi Tori, you might be interested in these, the artist who did the illustrations for the recent limited edition by Lyra is selling some of the sketches: www.gregmanchessshop.com?fbclid=IwY2x...
Greg Manchess Shop
www.gregmanchessshop.com
September 30, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
clpolk.com
so a few months ago i read an article about how someone put "don't scrape" commands in robots.txt and that AI crawlers ignore that so each legit page had a hidden link that would trap the crawler into endless pages of generated garbage and listen it said in robots.txt to go away but did you listen?
August 9, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
zoewithasword.bsky.social
Here's the truth.

You can't stand with trans people and take a gig with Rowling. It is impossible. You can make donations, you can issue statements of support, but at the end of the day you are choosing to work with the single most prominent transphobe who uses her money and platform to harm us.
I hear you, and I understand why this is painful for many. I want to be clear that I stand with trans people, and I support trans rights - fully and without hesitation. "When I accepted this role, I did so as someone who has always loved the stories and what they meant to so many - especially those who found comfort and identity in that world," she wrote. "I now understand more clearly how deeply omplicated and hurtful this association can feel, and I take that seriously. Being an ally eans listening even when it`s uncomfortable and taking accountability where it's needed. I'm committed to doing both."
August 7, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
mrsbettybowers.bsky.social
Every day, that demented old man makes the White House look even tackier, having workers glue gold-spray-painted polyurethane bric-a-brac to every available surface.

Who knew it was even possible in the United States to stand out for your vulgarity?
August 7, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
bbkogan.bsky.social
NEW: @wyden.senate.gov asked the Social Security Admin’s Office of the Chief Actuary what Trump’s “Big Beautiful Bill” would do to Social Security’s solvency — and as expected they said it will cause Social Security to run out of money more quickly: 2032Q4 instead of 2033Q1 (4-5 months earlier).
SOCIAL SECURITY Office of the Chief Actuary August 5, 2025 The Honorable Ron Wyden United States Senate Washington, DC 20510 Dear Senator Wyden: I am writing in response to your request for our estimate of the financial effects on the Social Security trust funds of Public Law 119-21, the "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" (OBBBA), which the President signed into law on July 4, 2025. Among many other provisions, this law makes permanent the lower ordinary income tax rates and adjusted tax brackets originally enacted under the 2017 Tax Cuts and Jobs Act (TCJA) and temporarily changes certain standard and itemized deduction amounts. Because the revenue from income taxation of Social Security benefits is directed to the Social Security and Medicare trust funds, implementation of the OBBBA will have material effects on the financial status of the Social Security trust funds. The balance of this letter provides our understanding of the provisions of the OBBBA with material effects on Social Security program cost, followed by estimates of the program cost effects of the law change. All estimates reflect the intermediate assumptions of the 2025 Trustees Report. Effects of the OBBBA are determined by comparing to the law in effect prior to its passage (i.e., a current law baseline). Specification for and Effects of the Law Change Before the OBBBA was signed into law, the marginal tax rates and tax bracket amounts were set as specified in the 2017 TCJA; those values were scheduled to revert to pre-TCJA levels in 2026. However, implementation of the OBBBA makes permanent the rates and bracket amounts specified in the TCJA. The OBBBA also increases the standard deduction amounts for those age 65 and older for years 2025 through 2028 and includes other tax changes with relatively smaller effects on Social Security beneficiaries. The combined net effect of these income tax provisions results in less overall tax liability for Social Security beneficiaries. In turn, the trust funds will … Page 2 - The Honorable Ron Wyden Given the uncertainty about possible future effects on Social Security due to other provisions included in the OBBBA, we have limited our analysis to the effects of the income tax changes and their resulting effects on taxation of benefits revenue to the trust funds. We will continue to monitor incoming experience and modify our projections as appropriate. DASDI Program Cost Effects We estimate that implementation of the OBBBA will result in net increased program cost starting in 2025. Over calendar years 2025 through 2034, the total net increase in OASDI program cost is estimated to be $168.6 billion. In addition, the timing of combined OASI and DI Trust Fund reserve depletion is accelerated from the third quarter of 2034 under the 2025 Trustees Report baseline to the first quarter of 2034 following implementation of the law. Considered alone, the reserve depletion date for the OASI Trust Fund is accelerated from the first quarter of 2033 to the fourth quarter of 2032. DI Trust Fund reserves are not projected to become depleted during the 75-year projection period. Over the long-range projection period, implementation of the OBBBA will decrease (worsen) the 75-year OASDI actuarial balance by 0.16 percent of taxable payroll, from -3.82 percent under the 2025 Trustees Report baseline to -3.98 percent following implementation of the law. Table 1, attached, indicates that the net effect of the changes in the law will decrease annual balances for the OASDI program from 2025 through the end of the 75-year projection period, decreasing the annual balance for the 75" projection year (2099) by 0.17 percent of taxable payroll. Tables 1b and lb.n show the effects of enacting the OBBBA in present value dollar and nominal dollar amounts, respectively. Finally, note that we will be using the results provided in this letter as an updated baseline for evaluating the effects of proposals that affect the OASI and DI Trust Funds, and particularly prop…
August 5, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
zeets.bsky.social
Like I said, you don’t have to pay attention to all of the PR about how AI will revolutionize human creativity or whatever nonsense, when the people deploying it are open that its main purpose is to devalue and destroy human labor. futurism.com/ceo-replacin...
August 6, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
uncannymagazine.bsky.social
PLEASE REPOST EVERYWHERE! The Uncanny Magazine Year 12 Kickstarter has just 11 HOURS to reach its Stretch Goals! An original covers by Katy Shuttleworth! Staff raises! Keeping flash fiction and a novella! MAKE IT SO, SPACE UNICORNS! buff.ly/2WK5nk0
Uncanny Magazine Year 11 Covers: The Duet by Nilah Magruder, Barbershops of the Floating City by Grace P. Fong, and Blessed Universe by Galen Dara.
August 6, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
craigcalcaterra.bsky.social
Claire's has been tied up with private equity, in some form or another, since 2005. At this point I assume all such cases involve PE unless explicitly told otherwise. bsky.app/profile/nyti...
nytimes.com The New York Times @nytimes.com · Aug 6
Claire’s, the jewelry chain once ubiquitous for ear piercing at the mall, filed for bankruptcy a second time. It joins other retailers who have struggled amid the growth of online shopping and the uncertainty set off by tariffs.
Claire’s, Teen Jewelry Chain, Files for Bankruptcy a 2nd Time
Once ubiquitous for ear piercing at the mall, Claire’s faced financial volatility along with other bricks-and-mortar retailers. It last filed for bankruptcy in 2018.
nyti.ms
August 6, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
sethcotlar.bsky.social
Many will dismiss this story about an avowed Nazi running as a Republican in the California governor’s primary. Sure, he won’t win. But haven’t we learned our lesson about dismissing GOP candidates who express ideas that seem outlandish (at the time)? www.ncronline.org/news/trad-ca...
This trad Catholic is running for California governor. He's also a Nazi sympathizer.
Kyle Langford, 24, is a longshot Republican candidate for governor of California, where he has stirred controversy for espousing white supremacist and antisemitic beliefs. "I know how to strike a nerv...
www.ncronline.org
August 6, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
abigailnussbaum.bsky.social
Secondly, I keep bringing this up every time the idea to centralize the Worldcon comes up and no one ever seems to acknowledge it: if you want a single team running the Worldcon year after year, they can't be volunteers. They will be professional employees, and will need to be paid accordingly.
July 10, 2025 at 9:35 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
galatfemme.bsky.social
The Space Between Worlds by @micaiahjohnson.bsky.social is 1.99 USD

I love this book and everyone should read it!

psst @kithrup.bsky.social

#discountbooks

www.amazon.com/dp/B08191MPPS
The Space Between Worlds
The Space Between Worlds - Kindle edition by Johnson, Micaiah. Download it once and read it on your Kindle device, PC, phones or tablets. Use features like bookmarks, note taking and highlighting while reading The Space Between Worlds.
www.amazon.com
July 8, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
maryrobinettekowal.com
I'm honored to be included in "Grimoire: A Grim Oak Press Anthology for Seattle Worldcon 2025." You can order a copy from @grimoakpress.bsky.social here: grimoakpress.com/products/gri...
June 4, 2025 at 2:46 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
patrickswenson.bsky.social
A Fairwood forest of Advance Reading Copies! All are debuting at the Seattle Worldcon. @authortachan.bsky.social @bjcooper.bsky.social @sharonshinnauthor.bsky.social @franwilde.bsky.social @kenscholes.bsky.social
6 advance reader books showing front covers for T.A. Chan, Brenda Cooper, Rich Larson, Sharon Shinn, Fran Wilde, and Ken Scholes
June 6, 2025 at 1:14 AM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
niamhvh-l.bsky.social
Hi Bsky. Today I want to talk about a forgotten rising-star of 70s UK #ScienceFiction, & a mystery involving lost #DoctorWho storylines that were never filmed (which maybe you can help me solve...)
This is a 🧵 about my great-uncle, the author Andrew M. Stephenson, who passed last month. Let's go 1/
The cover of a science fiction novel. The book is "The Wall of Years", by Andrew M. Stephenson. The picture on the cover shows a man wearing Anglo Saxon clothing (a yellow tunic belted at the waist with a sword by his side, and a brown cloak clasped at his neck by a heavy rectangular broach) and a strange gasmask-like helmet, standing in front of a futuristic vista. Behind him, a string of cities enclosed in transparent domes stretch out across a barren, ruined landscape dominated by shades of brown and orange, while behind it all the sky is a concerning shade of yellow. The man's lower body is somewhat see-through, while his torso and head appear solid - there is the impression that he may not be fully there, perhaps fading in or out of that moment in time as we look on. The cover of a science fiction book. The book is called "De Aarde Voorbij", and it is an anthology containing 3 novels (one per author) by Andrew Stephenson, John Varley, and Terry Practchett, translated in to Dutch. The book cover is a dusty purple, with the title in heavy black block letters and the names of the authors in blue, pink, and taupe.
June 12, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
scottlynch78.bsky.social
If you are at or near Worldcon (or even if you're not) my second performance reading will take place at the Theater Puget Sound in Seattle, WA (about 1.5 miles northwest of the convention center) on SUNDAY August 17, again starting at 7 PM:

www.scottlynchstore.com
Home | Lynch
www.scottlynchstore.com
July 3, 2025 at 5:46 AM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
charliejane.bsky.social
ICYMI I'm hosting a special Writers With Drinks in Seattle on Thurs 8/14 focusing on superstars of queer SFF. Featuring Becky Chambers, Andrea Hairston, Darcie Little Badger, Cecilia Tan, Annalee Newitz and me. Book sales by Charlie's Queer Books! Tickets at townhallseattle.org.
A graphic that says Charlie's and Town Hall Seattle present Writers With Drinks: Superstars of queer sci-fi/fantasy. Hosted by Charlie Jane Anders. August 14 at 7:30 PM, Town Hall Seattle. Featuring photos of Charlie Jane Anders, Becky Chambers, Andrea Hairston, Darcie Little Badger, Annalee Newitz and Cecilia Tan.
July 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
concurrentseattle.bsky.social
IT'S TIME!

Here's the ConCurrent panel schedule, threaded. Schedule, registration, and donation links all at the end of the thread. Oh yeah, and registration is now open.

1/
a man with long hair is wearing a white shirt with a blue collar and looking at the camera .
Alt: a man with long hair is wearing a white shirt with a blue collar and looking at the camera, saying "It's time."
media.tenor.com
July 4, 2025 at 6:43 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
translatedhugo.bsky.social
Hello, Bluesky! This is a weird day to go live with this project, but: this is an initiative to add a Translated Speculative Fiction category to the Hugo Awards. If you are a fan of global SF, and want to put some more "World" in "Worldcon", check out our site! Lots more to come.
translatedhugo.org
The Translated Hugo Initiative
Putting the World in Worldcon
translatedhugo.org
July 3, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
aaronrosspowell.com
These senators are—and I say this without hyperbole—absolute morons. Well, that is, except for the ones actually recognize the extraordinary power this will give the Trump administration to target online speech it doesn't like, and so are just morally corrupt.
paris.nyc paris martineau @paris.nyc · Mar 21
NEW: As early as next week, Senators plan to introduce the first bipartisan bill to repeal Section 230, the landmark internet law

I spoke with congressional aides to get the details of the ambitious effort, which internet experts described as akin to extortion
www.theinformation.com/articles/exc...
March 21, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
evandorkin.bsky.social
It's been out a month. Did you get yours? Did you enjoy it? There's copies available for you folks who meant to get it, and for those of you who didn't know you needed it.

8 Eisner Awards. 1 Harvey. Much love, some tears.
www.darkhorse.com/Books/3015-3...
March 24, 2025 at 1:27 AM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
duckworth.senate.gov
Pete Hegseth never should have been tapped for this job. It's too important.

He should be fired immediately.
March 25, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
dansinker.com
this is completely insane
joellawsondc.bsky.social joellawsondc.bsky.social @joellawsondc.bsky.social · Mar 21
😱 Commerce Sec’y Lutnick (worth $2-4B): “Let’s say Social Security didn’t send out their checks…my mother-law, who’s 94, she wouldn’t call and complain…a fraudster always makes the loudest noise, screaming and yelling and complaining”
March 21, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Reposted by Tracy Erickson
nickharkaway.com
Unfortunately I have acquired this book Zuck apparently *really hates*. I suppose the only thing to do is read it immediately so I don’t accidentally touch on any sensitive issues the next time I get asked to talk about AI and copyright.
Book: Careless People by Sarah Wynn-Williams - orange hb with a blue square swimming pool in perspective, a pair of feminine legs poking out as if someone has dived in. Subtitles: a story of where I used to work. Power. Greed. Madness.
March 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
pdxtrent.bsky.social
Well this post is certainly… a choice. I suppose for next weeks stupid idea he can set himself on fire to keep warm.
theunread.bsky.social Dustin @theunread.bsky.social · Jan 24
I’d stock a book written by AI.

Insistence on the creative as an output only possible from the Special Human Mind is a type of ableism.
January 25, 2025 at 1:49 AM