Rik Smith
@profrik.bsky.social
Environmental Science professor at Columbia Basin College. Turning our small city lot into an urban homestead. Birds. Expect photos of birds from me here, I think.
Reposted by Rik Smith
I’ll be honest and say that I disagree with every fucking Exec Order of the past 4 days.
But I’m also jealous.
I wish Democrats acted like this in return… We come into office “seeking bipartisanship” and consensus.
The next Dem president better be honey badger riding a tsunami of exec orders.
But I’m also jealous.
I wish Democrats acted like this in return… We come into office “seeking bipartisanship” and consensus.
The next Dem president better be honey badger riding a tsunami of exec orders.
a skunk with glowing eyes and a meme pool logo in the background
ALT: a skunk with glowing eyes and a meme pool logo in the background
media.tenor.com
January 25, 2025 at 5:39 AM
I’ll be honest and say that I disagree with every fucking Exec Order of the past 4 days.
But I’m also jealous.
I wish Democrats acted like this in return… We come into office “seeking bipartisanship” and consensus.
The next Dem president better be honey badger riding a tsunami of exec orders.
But I’m also jealous.
I wish Democrats acted like this in return… We come into office “seeking bipartisanship” and consensus.
The next Dem president better be honey badger riding a tsunami of exec orders.
This album was released in 1982. I was 21. I was in the Air Force. My roommate was gay. I didn’t know it yet. (This was pre-Don’t Ask Don’t Tell - no one told!). Joe Jackson changed my perspective on masculinity with this record. It’s good to listen to it again. And that damn piano! Whew!
January 25, 2025 at 5:42 AM
This album was released in 1982. I was 21. I was in the Air Force. My roommate was gay. I didn’t know it yet. (This was pre-Don’t Ask Don’t Tell - no one told!). Joe Jackson changed my perspective on masculinity with this record. It’s good to listen to it again. And that damn piano! Whew!
A little Art Farmer to go with my Bailey’s Irish Cream. This album is so cool! Recorded in 1976, Farmer’s flugelhorn is as mellow as my drink.
January 20, 2025 at 5:27 AM
A little Art Farmer to go with my Bailey’s Irish Cream. This album is so cool! Recorded in 1976, Farmer’s flugelhorn is as mellow as my drink.
Another Wayne Shorter album to go with my second Bloody Mary of the day. #saturdayjazz
January 18, 2025 at 8:37 PM
Another Wayne Shorter album to go with my second Bloody Mary of the day. #saturdayjazz
Wayne Shorter and a Bloody Mary to start the weekend. #saturdayjazz
January 18, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Wayne Shorter and a Bloody Mary to start the weekend. #saturdayjazz
Reposted by Rik Smith
We're down to the wire here, but the UW Center for an Informed Public is taking applications for (2) postdoctoral scholars. Review starts very soon. For more info about these positions, including qualifications & instructions for applying:
Read more: lnkd.in/g6q_spek
Job posting: lnkd.in/gJ7x5Zwk
Read more: lnkd.in/g6q_spek
Job posting: lnkd.in/gJ7x5Zwk
January 15, 2025 at 4:16 PM
We're down to the wire here, but the UW Center for an Informed Public is taking applications for (2) postdoctoral scholars. Review starts very soon. For more info about these positions, including qualifications & instructions for applying:
Read more: lnkd.in/g6q_spek
Job posting: lnkd.in/gJ7x5Zwk
Read more: lnkd.in/g6q_spek
Job posting: lnkd.in/gJ7x5Zwk
Reposted by Rik Smith
If you think slowing or stopping #climate change is too expensive, you have it backwards.
Failing to slow or stop #climatechange is what's expensive.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Failing to slow or stop #climatechange is what's expensive.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
LA wildfire damages set to cost record $135bn
Some of the most expensive properties in the US have been wiped out by the fires.
www.bbc.com
January 11, 2025 at 6:34 AM
If you think slowing or stopping #climate change is too expensive, you have it backwards.
Failing to slow or stop #climatechange is what's expensive.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Failing to slow or stop #climatechange is what's expensive.
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Sticking with sax tonight. Really like this Puzzle Punch (rum, Campari, Demerara, bitters) and how it pairs with a new favorite sax player, Mike Casey @mikecasey.blsky.social. The complex rhythms and interplay of instruments is like rum, Campari, and a dried blood orange slice! #fridayeveningjazz
January 11, 2025 at 6:34 AM
Sticking with sax tonight. Really like this Puzzle Punch (rum, Campari, Demerara, bitters) and how it pairs with a new favorite sax player, Mike Casey @mikecasey.blsky.social. The complex rhythms and interplay of instruments is like rum, Campari, and a dried blood orange slice! #fridayeveningjazz
After the Hank Mobley, I decided to sweeten things up a bit with a Love & Murder (Campari, green chartreuse, lime juice, and saline!) and some Melissa Aldana. I can’t recommend this album highly enough! #fridayeveningjazz
January 11, 2025 at 5:46 AM
After the Hank Mobley, I decided to sweeten things up a bit with a Love & Murder (Campari, green chartreuse, lime juice, and saline!) and some Melissa Aldana. I can’t recommend this album highly enough! #fridayeveningjazz
Reposted by Rik Smith
Elon’s estranged daughter has re-entered the chat
January 11, 2025 at 2:41 AM
Elon’s estranged daughter has re-entered the chat
A smoky drink (Six Figure: mescal, white vermouth, yellow chartreuse) to go with some gorgeous smoky jazz. Hank Mobley. OMG! #fridayeveningjazz
January 11, 2025 at 5:10 AM
A smoky drink (Six Figure: mescal, white vermouth, yellow chartreuse) to go with some gorgeous smoky jazz. Hank Mobley. OMG! #fridayeveningjazz
Reposted by Rik Smith
"There is not a vaccine that Kennedy thinks is safe or effective," says @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social.
December 14, 2024 at 1:30 AM
"There is not a vaccine that Kennedy thinks is safe or effective," says @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social.
Reposted by Rik Smith
I did some field research awhile back to see how the Dutch do bike lanes in industrial areas and—folks—they're better than the shit we have in the city.
December 8, 2024 at 6:51 AM
I did some field research awhile back to see how the Dutch do bike lanes in industrial areas and—folks—they're better than the shit we have in the city.
Reposted by Rik Smith
As I put it a few years ago in my blunt advice to Irish cities, “Your goal SHOULDN’T be to replace a million fossil fuel vehicles with a million electric vehicles. It should be to replace a million fossil fuel vehicles with 250,000 electric vehicles. The main answer MUST be FEWER cars driven LESS."
November 13, 2024 at 8:20 PM
As I put it a few years ago in my blunt advice to Irish cities, “Your goal SHOULDN’T be to replace a million fossil fuel vehicles with a million electric vehicles. It should be to replace a million fossil fuel vehicles with 250,000 electric vehicles. The main answer MUST be FEWER cars driven LESS."
Reposted by Rik Smith
The vast majority of us when the gas industry tells us we need to burn more fossil fuels to solve climate change
December 7, 2024 at 6:57 AM
The vast majority of us when the gas industry tells us we need to burn more fossil fuels to solve climate change
What’s the first album you remember buying with your own money?
December 1, 2024 at 12:36 AM
What’s the first album you remember buying with your own money?
Reposted by Rik Smith
If you're thinking about getting an e-bike, now is the time to pull the trigger
www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/e...
www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/e...
November 30, 2024 at 1:11 PM
If you're thinking about getting an e-bike, now is the time to pull the trigger
www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/e...
www.cnn.com/2024/11/28/e...
Reposted by Rik Smith
On a serious note though, Democrats have to stop accepting GOP framing on everything. There is no border crisis, instead we need immigration targets. DEI doesn’t discriminate, but we do need integration. Bathroom laws are bullshit; civil rights aren’t up for discussion.
November 24, 2024 at 11:10 PM
On a serious note though, Democrats have to stop accepting GOP framing on everything. There is no border crisis, instead we need immigration targets. DEI doesn’t discriminate, but we do need integration. Bathroom laws are bullshit; civil rights aren’t up for discussion.
Reposted by Rik Smith
1. Consent in our pseudo-democracies is strained at the best of times, but it hangs on the belief that there is some kind of justice: through inquiries, tribunals, sometimes even the law, powerful people who commit crimes against us will one day be held to account. But what if this no longer works?🧵
November 25, 2024 at 6:56 PM
1. Consent in our pseudo-democracies is strained at the best of times, but it hangs on the belief that there is some kind of justice: through inquiries, tribunals, sometimes even the law, powerful people who commit crimes against us will one day be held to account. But what if this no longer works?🧵
Today I needed to go to a Union training. I regularly take the bus to campus, but have not used it to get around town much. Damned if it wasn’t easy and convenient. I realized I can use that same route to go to the grocery store, mall, & liquor store, to name a few. I’m a bit embarrassed & ashamed.
November 21, 2024 at 5:24 AM
Today I needed to go to a Union training. I regularly take the bus to campus, but have not used it to get around town much. Damned if it wasn’t easy and convenient. I realized I can use that same route to go to the grocery store, mall, & liquor store, to name a few. I’m a bit embarrassed & ashamed.
Reposted by Rik Smith
There’s one thing I know for sure after 33 years working in cities all over the world — there’s nothing inevitable or unchangeable about the way your city is. Your city is the result of decisions & choices. Like every city. Different decisions or choices could have been made, and STILL can be made.
November 19, 2024 at 6:41 AM
There’s one thing I know for sure after 33 years working in cities all over the world — there’s nothing inevitable or unchangeable about the way your city is. Your city is the result of decisions & choices. Like every city. Different decisions or choices could have been made, and STILL can be made.
My wife is right (always)! I don’t smile when I take a selfie. 😡
About to ride my new (to me) Tern HSD to the pub for a beer and grading.
About to ride my new (to me) Tern HSD to the pub for a beer and grading.
November 19, 2024 at 12:10 AM
My wife is right (always)! I don’t smile when I take a selfie. 😡
About to ride my new (to me) Tern HSD to the pub for a beer and grading.
About to ride my new (to me) Tern HSD to the pub for a beer and grading.
Reposted by Rik Smith
Why the big smile? Because I am holding something we take for granted but is pretty miraculous. Peat is organic matter that boldly defies decomposition, suspended in between life and death. As a result, it stockpiles carbon from the atmosphere. Peat belongs in bogs not bags. Pass it on.
November 18, 2024 at 2:42 PM
Why the big smile? Because I am holding something we take for granted but is pretty miraculous. Peat is organic matter that boldly defies decomposition, suspended in between life and death. As a result, it stockpiles carbon from the atmosphere. Peat belongs in bogs not bags. Pass it on.
Reposted by Rik Smith
"Throughout U.S. history Americans have fought over whether to define themselves via the civic ideals in the Declaration of Independence or authoritarian ethnonationalist assertions that the country rightly belongs to a subset of its people whose will, interests, & cultural practices should prevail.
November 17, 2024 at 10:44 PM
"Throughout U.S. history Americans have fought over whether to define themselves via the civic ideals in the Declaration of Independence or authoritarian ethnonationalist assertions that the country rightly belongs to a subset of its people whose will, interests, & cultural practices should prevail.