RDS (formerly shawphd)
@rds773.myatproto.social
Former historian, current indexer. She/her, cis. Cats, nature, crafts, sci fi/fantasy. Covid aware. Chicago parent. GenX. West Coast ex-pat. I block & mute freely.
shawrd773@zirk.us
Need an index for your book in the humanities or social sciences? DM me.
shawrd773@zirk.us
Need an index for your book in the humanities or social sciences? DM me.
Pinned
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
More than half the CO₂ emissions of the Industrial Age have been pumped into the atmosphere since 1990.
More than half the CO₂ emissions of the Industrial Age have been pumped into the atmosphere since 1990.
What is common knowledge in your field, but shocks outsiders?
Literally nothing is 'carbon neutral'. It is a physical impossibility. If someone's telling you their product has zero climate impact, they're actively deciding to lie to you.
Literally nothing is 'carbon neutral'. It is a physical impossibility. If someone's telling you their product has zero climate impact, they're actively deciding to lie to you.
What is common knowledge in your field but shocks outsiders?
Indexes in books are written by actual humans and cannot be done automatically by computers
Indexes in books are written by actual humans and cannot be done automatically by computers
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
I regularly see people wondering how it's possible that there are so many musicians and writers and film makers and artists from a tiny nation like Iceland.
And the answer is really simple: State funding for art education and artists. I literally get a salary from the government to write books.
And the answer is really simple: State funding for art education and artists. I literally get a salary from the government to write books.
I’m constantly astounded at the sheer level of artistic production coming out of Iceland. Novels, movies, music. Amazing.
February 18, 2026 at 2:23 PM
I regularly see people wondering how it's possible that there are so many musicians and writers and film makers and artists from a tiny nation like Iceland.
And the answer is really simple: State funding for art education and artists. I literally get a salary from the government to write books.
And the answer is really simple: State funding for art education and artists. I literally get a salary from the government to write books.
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
There are a lot of free speech absolutists but not enough human rights absolutists imo
February 18, 2026 at 3:11 PM
There are a lot of free speech absolutists but not enough human rights absolutists imo
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
When I told another teacher I was postponing quiz day for the walkout she said “I’m not. The ones who do leave are just gonna go home and not actually protest” I’m like you want our Mexican-American kids out protesting?!? Jesus. Let them go home, stay safe, but FEEL a little empowered for once.
Can we please make sure we keep this in mind when everyone decides to make fun of people concerned about their safety in regard to civil disobedience.
"Marimar Martinez, the Chicago woman shot by federal agents last fall, was already on the government's radar before an agent opened fire, identified as a threat after a social media post."
February 17, 2026 at 7:52 PM
When I told another teacher I was postponing quiz day for the walkout she said “I’m not. The ones who do leave are just gonna go home and not actually protest” I’m like you want our Mexican-American kids out protesting?!? Jesus. Let them go home, stay safe, but FEEL a little empowered for once.
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
I always thought being aro meant no romantic feelings ever
No wonder it took me ages to accept being aro spec
That’s why it’s vital to show all aro experiences in stories
So, Grab this amazing Aro Awareness Week bundle
Includes my 1920s fantasy featuring two aro/ace MCs
itch.io/b/3517/aroma...
No wonder it took me ages to accept being aro spec
That’s why it’s vital to show all aro experiences in stories
So, Grab this amazing Aro Awareness Week bundle
Includes my 1920s fantasy featuring two aro/ace MCs
itch.io/b/3517/aroma...
February 18, 2026 at 8:39 AM
I always thought being aro meant no romantic feelings ever
No wonder it took me ages to accept being aro spec
That’s why it’s vital to show all aro experiences in stories
So, Grab this amazing Aro Awareness Week bundle
Includes my 1920s fantasy featuring two aro/ace MCs
itch.io/b/3517/aroma...
No wonder it took me ages to accept being aro spec
That’s why it’s vital to show all aro experiences in stories
So, Grab this amazing Aro Awareness Week bundle
Includes my 1920s fantasy featuring two aro/ace MCs
itch.io/b/3517/aroma...
Thinking about how I don’t need to shove my face in AI, the Epstein files, or ICE snuff videos to know that all of these things are bad
Just reading about them is enough
Just reading about them is enough
February 18, 2026 at 4:13 PM
Thinking about how I don’t need to shove my face in AI, the Epstein files, or ICE snuff videos to know that all of these things are bad
Just reading about them is enough
Just reading about them is enough
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
It’s not about whether the topic is exciting to the viewer.
It’s about whether the topic is exciting to the presenter.
I love watching someone who is SUPER STOKED to explain a topic I don’t care about or have never heard of before.
It’s about whether the topic is exciting to the presenter.
I love watching someone who is SUPER STOKED to explain a topic I don’t care about or have never heard of before.
February 18, 2026 at 3:11 PM
It’s not about whether the topic is exciting to the viewer.
It’s about whether the topic is exciting to the presenter.
I love watching someone who is SUPER STOKED to explain a topic I don’t care about or have never heard of before.
It’s about whether the topic is exciting to the presenter.
I love watching someone who is SUPER STOKED to explain a topic I don’t care about or have never heard of before.
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
Starting a thread of large lib accounts on here who minimize Covid/long Covid and in turn contribute to the stigmatization of people who still mask
(If you follow or reshare these folks, please reconsider)
(If you follow or reshare these folks, please reconsider)
February 18, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Starting a thread of large lib accounts on here who minimize Covid/long Covid and in turn contribute to the stigmatization of people who still mask
(If you follow or reshare these folks, please reconsider)
(If you follow or reshare these folks, please reconsider)
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
I saw a conspiracy theory yesterday that the goal is to eliminate all local data storage and push everything into the corporate cloud where it will be scraped to train A.I. (and exploit us)
And I'm having a difficult time dismissing it
And I'm having a difficult time dismissing it
WD and Seagate confirm: Hard drives for 2026 sold out
Hyperscalers are tearing hard drives out of the hands of manufacturers. Prices are therefore also rising for SSDs.
www.heise.de
February 17, 2026 at 5:52 PM
I saw a conspiracy theory yesterday that the goal is to eliminate all local data storage and push everything into the corporate cloud where it will be scraped to train A.I. (and exploit us)
And I'm having a difficult time dismissing it
And I'm having a difficult time dismissing it
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
As Brian puts it: "It fails to account for the fact that most of the dismissals of AI are not related to the technology, but AI’s political economy... Developed and sold by SV oligopolies, for the benefit of tech billionaires, with the intent of surveilling, deskilling, and eroding labor."
February 18, 2026 at 11:14 AM
As Brian puts it: "It fails to account for the fact that most of the dismissals of AI are not related to the technology, but AI’s political economy... Developed and sold by SV oligopolies, for the benefit of tech billionaires, with the intent of surveilling, deskilling, and eroding labor."
Thread
A good response to the AI ~discourse~ by @bcmerchant.bsky.social. A few choice top-line quotes:
1. "We’re in the midst of another concerted, industry-led hype cycle, this time driven more visibly by Anthropic, which just landed a $30 billion investment round."
1. "We’re in the midst of another concerted, industry-led hype cycle, this time driven more visibly by Anthropic, which just landed a $30 billion investment round."
February 18, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Thread
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
Boosters want to reduce the discussion to evaluating the performance of tasks, bc that discussion never ends: just release a new model or redefine a task and take it from the top
The real and unanswered criticism is that this tech *implies and requires* a social arrangement that is deeply harmful
The real and unanswered criticism is that this tech *implies and requires* a social arrangement that is deeply harmful
As Brian puts it: "It fails to account for the fact that most of the dismissals of AI are not related to the technology, but AI’s political economy... Developed and sold by SV oligopolies, for the benefit of tech billionaires, with the intent of surveilling, deskilling, and eroding labor."
February 18, 2026 at 3:03 PM
Boosters want to reduce the discussion to evaluating the performance of tasks, bc that discussion never ends: just release a new model or redefine a task and take it from the top
The real and unanswered criticism is that this tech *implies and requires* a social arrangement that is deeply harmful
The real and unanswered criticism is that this tech *implies and requires* a social arrangement that is deeply harmful
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
I am more and more convinced that when cis people want to debate whether trans people get human rights, the only correct response is "I don't treat whether or not people get human rights as a debate topic or hang around people who do" followed by leaving.
February 18, 2026 at 12:31 PM
I am more and more convinced that when cis people want to debate whether trans people get human rights, the only correct response is "I don't treat whether or not people get human rights as a debate topic or hang around people who do" followed by leaving.
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
My guess is that the goal here is not only to punish the children for turning more people against ICE/DHS, but also to make news outlets think twice about reporting on kids' suffering at the hands of ICE/DHS, out of concern that doing so might lead to retaliation against the kids.
ProPublica published children's letters and drawings documenting their sadness and suffering at Dilley. And Dilley staff are now retaliating by confiscating kids' letters and drawings.
www.sacurrent.com/news/san-ant...
www.sacurrent.com/news/san-ant...
February 18, 2026 at 1:17 PM
My guess is that the goal here is not only to punish the children for turning more people against ICE/DHS, but also to make news outlets think twice about reporting on kids' suffering at the hands of ICE/DHS, out of concern that doing so might lead to retaliation against the kids.
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
Join us tonight for a #ChicagoDocumenters workshop! You’ll practice core skills relevant to a range of paid assignments, learn about public meetings law, and collaborate with fellow Documenters. RSVP here: https://www.citybureau.org/events/chicago-documenters-orientation-february
Chicago Documenters Orientation (In-Person) — City Bureau
This 2 hour training will introduce you to the Chicago Documenters community, starting with a walk-through of Documenters.org and our assignment workflow. You’ll practice core skills relevant to a ran...
www.citybureau.org
February 18, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Join us tonight for a #ChicagoDocumenters workshop! You’ll practice core skills relevant to a range of paid assignments, learn about public meetings law, and collaborate with fellow Documenters. RSVP here: https://www.citybureau.org/events/chicago-documenters-orientation-february
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
"this was fine until the buildings got bigger"
"this was fine when it was done quietly"
"this is fine when it's criminals or noncitizens"
"this was fine when the team i support was doing it"
"this was fine until someone EYE can relate to was taken"
no.
"this was fine when it was done quietly"
"this is fine when it's criminals or noncitizens"
"this was fine when the team i support was doing it"
"this was fine until someone EYE can relate to was taken"
no.
February 18, 2026 at 3:15 PM
"this was fine until the buildings got bigger"
"this was fine when it was done quietly"
"this is fine when it's criminals or noncitizens"
"this was fine when the team i support was doing it"
"this was fine until someone EYE can relate to was taken"
no.
"this was fine when it was done quietly"
"this is fine when it's criminals or noncitizens"
"this was fine when the team i support was doing it"
"this was fine until someone EYE can relate to was taken"
no.
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
on the one hand im glad for every horrified recognition ppl state about the abduction/concentration/abuse of human beings
otoh so many of them seem to think it is entirely new (and/or that to admit it is not means we'd have to stop caring)
and that is a incredibly frightening, disappointing shame
otoh so many of them seem to think it is entirely new (and/or that to admit it is not means we'd have to stop caring)
and that is a incredibly frightening, disappointing shame
February 18, 2026 at 3:11 PM
on the one hand im glad for every horrified recognition ppl state about the abduction/concentration/abuse of human beings
otoh so many of them seem to think it is entirely new (and/or that to admit it is not means we'd have to stop caring)
and that is a incredibly frightening, disappointing shame
otoh so many of them seem to think it is entirely new (and/or that to admit it is not means we'd have to stop caring)
and that is a incredibly frightening, disappointing shame
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
A great way to demonstrate you're not running a concentration camp for children is to punish children by taking away the one small bit of joy they have left.
ProPublica published children's letters and drawings documenting their sadness and suffering at Dilley. And Dilley staff are now retaliating by confiscating kids' letters and drawings.
www.sacurrent.com/news/san-ant...
www.sacurrent.com/news/san-ant...
February 18, 2026 at 3:15 PM
A great way to demonstrate you're not running a concentration camp for children is to punish children by taking away the one small bit of joy they have left.
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
"It's not artificial intelligence. It's African intelligence."
Michael Geoffrey Asia, the secretary general of the Data Labelers Association in Kenya tells @jasonkoebler.bsky.social about the notoriously brutal and underpaid work of training AI.
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH65...
Michael Geoffrey Asia, the secretary general of the Data Labelers Association in Kenya tells @jasonkoebler.bsky.social about the notoriously brutal and underpaid work of training AI.
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH65...
February 17, 2026 at 2:59 PM
"It's not artificial intelligence. It's African intelligence."
Michael Geoffrey Asia, the secretary general of the Data Labelers Association in Kenya tells @jasonkoebler.bsky.social about the notoriously brutal and underpaid work of training AI.
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH65...
Michael Geoffrey Asia, the secretary general of the Data Labelers Association in Kenya tells @jasonkoebler.bsky.social about the notoriously brutal and underpaid work of training AI.
Watch now: www.youtube.com/watch?v=QH65...
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
DOG AT THE OLYMPICS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
February 18, 2026 at 1:26 PM
DOG AT THE OLYMPICS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
FULL COMPETITION HIGHLIGHTS
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
@stechlab-labels.bsky.social can you please just make it say "having a hard time"
February 18, 2026 at 1:36 PM
@stechlab-labels.bsky.social can you please just make it say "having a hard time"
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
If you don't want to keep having this fight for the rest of your life, and your children's lives, until the planet boils and forces the issue, you need to understand that the entire system MUST fundamentally change.
February 18, 2026 at 3:06 PM
If you don't want to keep having this fight for the rest of your life, and your children's lives, until the planet boils and forces the issue, you need to understand that the entire system MUST fundamentally change.
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
Anyway, the reason Stancil and liberals like him are being lifted up by the establishment is because they do not represent a threat to power - as the wheels fall off this ramshackle fascist movement you're going to see a lot of pressure to ensure that Nothing Fundamentally Changes.
February 18, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Anyway, the reason Stancil and liberals like him are being lifted up by the establishment is because they do not represent a threat to power - as the wheels fall off this ramshackle fascist movement you're going to see a lot of pressure to ensure that Nothing Fundamentally Changes.
My brain has decided that today it will be stuck riffing on @gamechangershow.bsky.social “Everybody Do The Wenis”
February 18, 2026 at 3:06 PM
My brain has decided that today it will be stuck riffing on @gamechangershow.bsky.social “Everybody Do The Wenis”
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
Today is my birthday! 🎂 🎉 Celebrate with me with 42% off regular pose packs using code MEANINGOFLIFE
Keep the party going with free shipping on hand & foot combo book packs! Both things are available until Mon Feb. 23rd! 🎁
www.ko-fi.com/adorkastock/...
#Pose #PoseRef
Keep the party going with free shipping on hand & foot combo book packs! Both things are available until Mon Feb. 23rd! 🎁
www.ko-fi.com/adorkastock/...
#Pose #PoseRef
February 17, 2026 at 3:05 PM
Today is my birthday! 🎂 🎉 Celebrate with me with 42% off regular pose packs using code MEANINGOFLIFE
Keep the party going with free shipping on hand & foot combo book packs! Both things are available until Mon Feb. 23rd! 🎁
www.ko-fi.com/adorkastock/...
#Pose #PoseRef
Keep the party going with free shipping on hand & foot combo book packs! Both things are available until Mon Feb. 23rd! 🎁
www.ko-fi.com/adorkastock/...
#Pose #PoseRef
Reposted by RDS (formerly shawphd)
Work in progress, of a miniature carved bird. Carved in boxwood, with a walnut branch.
#birdart #carving #woodcarving #woodworking #miniature #miniaturecarving #bird #sculpture #tiny #handmade #handcrafted
#birdart #carving #woodcarving #woodworking #miniature #miniaturecarving #bird #sculpture #tiny #handmade #handcrafted
February 18, 2026 at 12:31 PM
Work in progress, of a miniature carved bird. Carved in boxwood, with a walnut branch.
#birdart #carving #woodcarving #woodworking #miniature #miniaturecarving #bird #sculpture #tiny #handmade #handcrafted
#birdart #carving #woodcarving #woodworking #miniature #miniaturecarving #bird #sculpture #tiny #handmade #handcrafted