Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
@phoenixashes76.bsky.social
Gay and trans. MSLS, herder of library kids. I’ll read anything once. Proud cat dad. ko-fi.com/phoenixashes76
Pinned
We will see if I can commit to anything for a month
It’s 1 AM. I have been awake for 20 hours. We have been in the new place since seven. I am now ready for bed and Mina has chosen this moment to do her Great Explorer impersonation. Including this gem. I assure you she has water in her bowl
February 14, 2026 at 5:52 AM
It’s 1 AM. I have been awake for 20 hours. We have been in the new place since seven. I am now ready for bed and Mina has chosen this moment to do her Great Explorer impersonation. Including this gem. I assure you she has water in her bowl
It’s conceivable, although implausible, that AI could plan a program. Under no circumstances short of Lt Cmdr Data could AI *run* a program. And I think Data would struggle with 30 3yos, he occasionally had difficulty with a cat
1. Lol, no
2. Even if the AI gave perfect accounting and lawyer output you should under no circumstances use that output, the AI can't give you a professional advice shield or legal privilege.
2. Even if the AI gave perfect accounting and lawyer output you should under no circumstances use that output, the AI can't give you a professional advice shield or legal privilege.
February 14, 2026 at 3:27 AM
It’s conceivable, although implausible, that AI could plan a program. Under no circumstances short of Lt Cmdr Data could AI *run* a program. And I think Data would struggle with 30 3yos, he occasionally had difficulty with a cat
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
FUCK YES
Much of my youth revolved around the website ZineLibrary. It went down around Occupy in a massive loss for a movement whose ideas and knowledge mostly doesn't circulate online but in person.
Anyway I've put it back online with a *thousand* anarchist zines:
zinelibrary.org
Anyway I've put it back online with a *thousand* anarchist zines:
zinelibrary.org
ZineLibrary
zinelibrary.org
February 14, 2026 at 3:22 AM
FUCK YES
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Juno is hardly an unbiased source here, NASA. “‘Guy Not As Big a Deal As He Claims,’ Says Vengeful Wife Guy Cheated On Constantly”
Jupiter is smaller and more squashed than we thought, says NASA. The Juno spacecraft reveals the gas giant isn't as big as we thought. #Space #Astronomy #Jupiter www.skyatnightmagazine.com/news/jupiter...
Jupiter is smaller and more squashed than we thought, says NASA | BBC Sky at Night Magazine
Data captured during 13 of the Juno spacecraft's flybys of Jupiter reveal the gas giant is narrower at the equator and flatter at the poles.
www.skyatnightmagazine.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:21 AM
Juno is hardly an unbiased source here, NASA. “‘Guy Not As Big a Deal As He Claims,’ Says Vengeful Wife Guy Cheated On Constantly”
Great thread but to all the reasons I will add one more (which is not to trump the main point of stfu and myob) but science isn't static! We're always learning stuff but sometimes what we think we know is wrong.
I have a friend who said, of Starfleet Academy, that this took them out of it - that seeing a person in a wheelchair in the 32nd century seemed unrealistic, since medicine in Star Trek "should be able to cure whatever was wrong with them."
That's not the case, for any number of possible reasons.
That's not the case, for any number of possible reasons.
February 12, 2026 at 11:58 PM
Great thread but to all the reasons I will add one more (which is not to trump the main point of stfu and myob) but science isn't static! We're always learning stuff but sometimes what we think we know is wrong.
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
#LibrarianEmergency!
I forgot to bring a cardigan today; I’m on prep time and freezing because the heat has gone defective in here again this week; also, at risk of losing certification if a surprise librarian uniform inspection occurs today; lack of cardigan goes beyond mere demerits, I fear.
I forgot to bring a cardigan today; I’m on prep time and freezing because the heat has gone defective in here again this week; also, at risk of losing certification if a surprise librarian uniform inspection occurs today; lack of cardigan goes beyond mere demerits, I fear.
February 12, 2026 at 4:44 PM
#LibrarianEmergency!
I forgot to bring a cardigan today; I’m on prep time and freezing because the heat has gone defective in here again this week; also, at risk of losing certification if a surprise librarian uniform inspection occurs today; lack of cardigan goes beyond mere demerits, I fear.
I forgot to bring a cardigan today; I’m on prep time and freezing because the heat has gone defective in here again this week; also, at risk of losing certification if a surprise librarian uniform inspection occurs today; lack of cardigan goes beyond mere demerits, I fear.
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
When I go on site visits for my work, we have been advised not to accept any sealed beverages. Only a glass of tap water. A can of coke or a bottle of water creates an appearance of impropriety.
February 12, 2026 at 4:43 PM
When I go on site visits for my work, we have been advised not to accept any sealed beverages. Only a glass of tap water. A can of coke or a bottle of water creates an appearance of impropriety.
The teens brought their Happy Meals into the library and found that they had too many Smurfette toys and not enough of the other Smurfs, so they sold me on how nice a Smurfette would look on my desk.
There was conflict of interest paperwork. Fifty cents of plastic. It got approved - eventually
There was conflict of interest paperwork. Fifty cents of plastic. It got approved - eventually
When I was elected to our local school board it was made extremely clear to me that if we accepted any gifts valued at more than $50 the Oregon Ethics Commission would essentially hunt us down and have us executed.
February 12, 2026 at 3:42 PM
The teens brought their Happy Meals into the library and found that they had too many Smurfette toys and not enough of the other Smurfs, so they sold me on how nice a Smurfette would look on my desk.
There was conflict of interest paperwork. Fifty cents of plastic. It got approved - eventually
There was conflict of interest paperwork. Fifty cents of plastic. It got approved - eventually
It looks like I reluctantly have a FB account because of work and I knew it was bad but holy shit. Whenever I open the app the first thing I see is reels (and autoplaying video if anti-autistic violence imo) and this one particular reel 🧵
February 12, 2026 at 4:47 AM
It looks like I reluctantly have a FB account because of work and I knew it was bad but holy shit. Whenever I open the app the first thing I see is reels (and autoplaying video if anti-autistic violence imo) and this one particular reel 🧵
Friend: How are you going to move your mattress?
Me: Tie it to the roof of the car?
Her:
Me:
Her:
Me: wait. I got it
Her:
Me: That's a mattress in a box
Her: So?
Me: It rolls up
Her: Ok. Do you still have the box?
Me: No. I have bungee cords
Her: *long suffering sigh* trans men are men all right
Me: Tie it to the roof of the car?
Her:
Me:
Her:
Me: wait. I got it
Her:
Me: That's a mattress in a box
Her: So?
Me: It rolls up
Her: Ok. Do you still have the box?
Me: No. I have bungee cords
Her: *long suffering sigh* trans men are men all right
February 12, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Friend: How are you going to move your mattress?
Me: Tie it to the roof of the car?
Her:
Me:
Her:
Me: wait. I got it
Her:
Me: That's a mattress in a box
Her: So?
Me: It rolls up
Her: Ok. Do you still have the box?
Me: No. I have bungee cords
Her: *long suffering sigh* trans men are men all right
Me: Tie it to the roof of the car?
Her:
Me:
Her:
Me: wait. I got it
Her:
Me: That's a mattress in a box
Her: So?
Me: It rolls up
Her: Ok. Do you still have the box?
Me: No. I have bungee cords
Her: *long suffering sigh* trans men are men all right
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
One reason we know so much about Black librarians in the early days of library professionalism is because the DC Civic Library Association (an association for Black librarians in Washington DC) published A Directory of Negro Graduates of Accredited Library Schools (1900-1936) #BlackHistoryMonth
![clipping from a newspaper saying "Preparing Directory of Library School Graduates. Dateline Washington DC (ANP) In observance of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of the first library school the DC Civic Library association is preparing a director [sic] of Negro graduates of accredited library schools. The organization is asking persons who have not received a communication to write to the association at Box 185 Howard University.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tjj7wet2ww7v7rrn7lvcf37p/bafkreieikmcvqqdmafno4kbqy3r5fjgps3udzbt6ontblh2ffk6qc5mfzu@jpeg)
February 11, 2026 at 4:23 PM
One reason we know so much about Black librarians in the early days of library professionalism is because the DC Civic Library Association (an association for Black librarians in Washington DC) published A Directory of Negro Graduates of Accredited Library Schools (1900-1936) #BlackHistoryMonth
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
UPDATE from @tolariancommunitycollege.com
After our article, the @translifeline.org fundraiser skyrocketed to to $600k—a new record! And then IT KEPT GOING to $620k!
Couldn't have done it without the amazing MTG community & @erininthemorning.com's awesome readers :) be trans do magic!!!
After our article, the @translifeline.org fundraiser skyrocketed to to $600k—a new record! And then IT KEPT GOING to $620k!
Couldn't have done it without the amazing MTG community & @erininthemorning.com's awesome readers :) be trans do magic!!!
February 11, 2026 at 4:54 AM
UPDATE from @tolariancommunitycollege.com
After our article, the @translifeline.org fundraiser skyrocketed to to $600k—a new record! And then IT KEPT GOING to $620k!
Couldn't have done it without the amazing MTG community & @erininthemorning.com's awesome readers :) be trans do magic!!!
After our article, the @translifeline.org fundraiser skyrocketed to to $600k—a new record! And then IT KEPT GOING to $620k!
Couldn't have done it without the amazing MTG community & @erininthemorning.com's awesome readers :) be trans do magic!!!
Depends on context. Queer is radical, punk, in your face, inclusive, and loud about rights and a place in the world. So I'm queer. There are people I definitely wouldn't describe that way, and there are people who wouldn't want to be seen that way. So I default to LGBTQ unless I really mean it
I'm kinda curious about something;
If you're LGBTQ+/queer, do you prefer LBTQ+ or queer as a generalized umbrella term for us? Why one or the other?
No judgement and not trying to start a debate, just kinda curious
If you're LGBTQ+/queer, do you prefer LBTQ+ or queer as a generalized umbrella term for us? Why one or the other?
No judgement and not trying to start a debate, just kinda curious
February 10, 2026 at 9:51 PM
Depends on context. Queer is radical, punk, in your face, inclusive, and loud about rights and a place in the world. So I'm queer. There are people I definitely wouldn't describe that way, and there are people who wouldn't want to be seen that way. So I default to LGBTQ unless I really mean it
I’m at the laundromat and they’re playing the Olympics on TV so I’ve been watching for about 20 minutes and I just now figured out that they’re not sweeping the ice, they’re playing curling. I was waiting for the game to start
February 10, 2026 at 6:41 PM
I’m at the laundromat and they’re playing the Olympics on TV so I’ve been watching for about 20 minutes and I just now figured out that they’re not sweeping the ice, they’re playing curling. I was waiting for the game to start
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Loud boys at computers, and me walking toward them to ask them to lower their voices.
Then, I hear the loudest say, "That's just your internalized homophobia, dude. Why does it bother you?" followed by silence followed by "Why does it bother you?"
I spun on my heel and walked away.
Then, I hear the loudest say, "That's just your internalized homophobia, dude. Why does it bother you?" followed by silence followed by "Why does it bother you?"
I spun on my heel and walked away.
February 10, 2026 at 2:49 PM
Loud boys at computers, and me walking toward them to ask them to lower their voices.
Then, I hear the loudest say, "That's just your internalized homophobia, dude. Why does it bother you?" followed by silence followed by "Why does it bother you?"
I spun on my heel and walked away.
Then, I hear the loudest say, "That's just your internalized homophobia, dude. Why does it bother you?" followed by silence followed by "Why does it bother you?"
I spun on my heel and walked away.
Age verification? I lusted after slouch socks and when I got some, was offended that my mother would only let me wear one pair at a time. How dare!
Age verification? I had a hair crimper and a spiral perm
Age verification? I had an off-the-shoulder sweatshirt with the word FLASHDANCE scrawled across the chest in hot pink.
February 10, 2026 at 2:50 PM
Age verification? I lusted after slouch socks and when I got some, was offended that my mother would only let me wear one pair at a time. How dare!
Ok, I'm logging off for a while. We're down to crunch time and social media is cutting into my packing time. See you in a few weeks
February 8, 2026 at 6:23 PM
Ok, I'm logging off for a while. We're down to crunch time and social media is cutting into my packing time. See you in a few weeks
A while back some friends dragged me to a book fair for indy and self-published authors. They neglected to inform me that approximately 70% of said authors wrote romance.
But. Ok. I'm a good sport, it was a fun day trip, and it's good for me to become more familiar with a genre I Do Not Get 🧵
But. Ok. I'm a good sport, it was a fun day trip, and it's good for me to become more familiar with a genre I Do Not Get 🧵
I'm going to win.
February 8, 2026 at 5:11 PM
A while back some friends dragged me to a book fair for indy and self-published authors. They neglected to inform me that approximately 70% of said authors wrote romance.
But. Ok. I'm a good sport, it was a fun day trip, and it's good for me to become more familiar with a genre I Do Not Get 🧵
But. Ok. I'm a good sport, it was a fun day trip, and it's good for me to become more familiar with a genre I Do Not Get 🧵
I knew this cat had a scrap paper fetish but holy shit
February 8, 2026 at 4:56 AM
I knew this cat had a scrap paper fetish but holy shit
Since I can’t pass up book discourse and am trained in reader’s advisory:
I love golden age SF. I cut my teeth on Heinlein, starting with Have Spacesuit Will Travel and graduated to sneaking Lazarus Long off the parental bookshelf 🧵
I love golden age SF. I cut my teeth on Heinlein, starting with Have Spacesuit Will Travel and graduated to sneaking Lazarus Long off the parental bookshelf 🧵
February 8, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Since I can’t pass up book discourse and am trained in reader’s advisory:
I love golden age SF. I cut my teeth on Heinlein, starting with Have Spacesuit Will Travel and graduated to sneaking Lazarus Long off the parental bookshelf 🧵
I love golden age SF. I cut my teeth on Heinlein, starting with Have Spacesuit Will Travel and graduated to sneaking Lazarus Long off the parental bookshelf 🧵
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
And for the record this is not an “I’m so old” situation, this is “I’m not a fucking monster and so I don’t know the monster language” situation.
February 7, 2026 at 9:37 PM
And for the record this is not an “I’m so old” situation, this is “I’m not a fucking monster and so I don’t know the monster language” situation.
WALKING FEET!!!!!!!!
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"No, you can't leave that here."
"No, you can't leave that here."
Without naming your job, tell me something you say over and over again at work.
"Are you travelling to engage in abuse of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication?"
"Are you travelling to engage in abuse of alcohol, drugs, or prescription medication?"
February 7, 2026 at 6:46 PM
WALKING FEET!!!!!!!!
Animal leads storytime. Bunsen and Beaker prep for STEAM Saturday. Miss Piggy is making a display of romance novels and planning a program on fashion design. Gonzo is on IT. Kermit is wrinkling his face in the director's office because the board (Statler and Waldorf) are breathing down his neck
Muppets crash ALA 😂
I'd watch a muppet show movie where the muppets infiltrate an academic conference.
February 7, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Animal leads storytime. Bunsen and Beaker prep for STEAM Saturday. Miss Piggy is making a display of romance novels and planning a program on fashion design. Gonzo is on IT. Kermit is wrinkling his face in the director's office because the board (Statler and Waldorf) are breathing down his neck
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
Muppets crash ALA 😂
I'd watch a muppet show movie where the muppets infiltrate an academic conference.
February 7, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Muppets crash ALA 😂
Reposted by Ben Freeman 🏳️⚧️🏳️🌈
THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM!!!!!
February 6, 2026 at 10:34 PM
THE DISTRIBUTION SYSTEM!!!!!