Rick Baumhauer
@rickbaumhauer.bsky.social
Photographer, caretaker for too many cats (plus one turtle), auto racing fan since the 70s
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
Nobody asked, but:
I think the biggest pitfall of sci-fi/fantasy storytelling, especially for worldbuilders, in the infodump.
You're (rightfully) just so proud of all the work you put into creating a cohesive setting that you just wanna PUKE it all over readers/watchers on page one.
(thread)
I think the biggest pitfall of sci-fi/fantasy storytelling, especially for worldbuilders, in the infodump.
You're (rightfully) just so proud of all the work you put into creating a cohesive setting that you just wanna PUKE it all over readers/watchers on page one.
(thread)
November 18, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Nobody asked, but:
I think the biggest pitfall of sci-fi/fantasy storytelling, especially for worldbuilders, in the infodump.
You're (rightfully) just so proud of all the work you put into creating a cohesive setting that you just wanna PUKE it all over readers/watchers on page one.
(thread)
I think the biggest pitfall of sci-fi/fantasy storytelling, especially for worldbuilders, in the infodump.
You're (rightfully) just so proud of all the work you put into creating a cohesive setting that you just wanna PUKE it all over readers/watchers on page one.
(thread)
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
NARRATOR: Roth quite clearly did not name call & we need our leaders to stop granting <every bad faith premise> of the far right authoritarians' lawless assault on higher education before we push back.
November 18, 2025 at 10:10 PM
NARRATOR: Roth quite clearly did not name call & we need our leaders to stop granting <every bad faith premise> of the far right authoritarians' lawless assault on higher education before we push back.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
epstein would've loved chatgpt so much. he wouldve gotten ai psychosis immediately and sent a million emails to sam altman. tragic he missed all this
November 18, 2025 at 9:53 PM
epstein would've loved chatgpt so much. he wouldve gotten ai psychosis immediately and sent a million emails to sam altman. tragic he missed all this
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
I've been watching a bunch of AI slop nostalgia videos recently for... reasons, and none of it looks like reality, either present-day or past, but it looks EXACTLY like advertising
this is a fucking advertising agency. the threat is not "tilly norwood" "acting" in movies, it's advertisers going "eh good enough" and shoving this shit into all the ads that are everywhere all the time www.youtube.com/watch?v=jO5w...
AI "actors" are a threat, just not to Hollywood
YouTube video by Sparkhurst
www.youtube.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I've been watching a bunch of AI slop nostalgia videos recently for... reasons, and none of it looks like reality, either present-day or past, but it looks EXACTLY like advertising
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
CIA concludes Saudi crown prince ordered Jamal Khashoggi’s assassination
Audio recordings, intercepted phone calls and other intelligence link Mohammed bin Salman to killing that Saudis say was conducted by rogue elements.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:05 PM
A reminder that seven years ago almost to the day, the CIA determined that Mohammed Bin Salman ordered the killing of @washingtonpost.com journalist Jamal Khashoggi.
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
I hired and worked with Jamal for a year.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/nation...
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
I don’t know why, and I don’t want to make a big hairy deal out it so ICE’s Special Media Prosecutor Division doesn’t notice, but People Magazine has been incredibly straightforward with their Trump headlines when he’s being a weird old asshole.
They’re a quiet Facebook behemoth, so this is good.
They’re a quiet Facebook behemoth, so this is good.
Donald Trump Snaps at Female Reporter Who Asks About Epstein Files: 'Quiet Piggy'
Donald Trump Says 'Quiet Piggy' to Female Reporter Asking About Epstein Files
people.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:59 PM
I don’t know why, and I don’t want to make a big hairy deal out it so ICE’s Special Media Prosecutor Division doesn’t notice, but People Magazine has been incredibly straightforward with their Trump headlines when he’s being a weird old asshole.
They’re a quiet Facebook behemoth, so this is good.
They’re a quiet Facebook behemoth, so this is good.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
I love this idea:
“anytime a billionaire is asked for public comment on anything, someone with < $1,000 in the bank should get equal time to offer a rebuttal.”
“anytime a billionaire is asked for public comment on anything, someone with < $1,000 in the bank should get equal time to offer a rebuttal.”
In this week's newsletter I wrote about losing a parent (to bad politics) and good tv shows and the billionaires who pretend they're going to leave a city if their taxes go up by an amount that will never make their lives worse.
#158. New York's Billionaires and You
Hi everyone,
We are still firmly in what any calendar would tell us is the middle of November, and yet I feel like the year is basically over. It's not that I'm winding down for the holidays. Quite t...
www.thatsmarvelousnewsletter.com
November 18, 2025 at 4:22 AM
I love this idea:
“anytime a billionaire is asked for public comment on anything, someone with < $1,000 in the bank should get equal time to offer a rebuttal.”
“anytime a billionaire is asked for public comment on anything, someone with < $1,000 in the bank should get equal time to offer a rebuttal.”
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
I mean jesus christ, it was not that long ago that "papers please" was damn near universally accepted as a 2-word shorthand for the kind of oppressive society that we beat our chests over being better than
Email just went out on my campus that the Immigration Goons ("federal immigration agents") will be in town (Raleigh).
Inter alia, it says,"International students, faculty and staff should carry evidence of their immigration status with them at all times."
The fuck kind of country are we living in?
Inter alia, it says,"International students, faculty and staff should carry evidence of their immigration status with them at all times."
The fuck kind of country are we living in?
November 18, 2025 at 3:53 PM
I mean jesus christ, it was not that long ago that "papers please" was damn near universally accepted as a 2-word shorthand for the kind of oppressive society that we beat our chests over being better than
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
Tax the rich. Billionaire tears not pictured.
November 13, 2025 at 12:58 PM
Tax the rich. Billionaire tears not pictured.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
i’m gathering my thoughts for a piece about All Of This and the word “rot” just keeps popping up
November 18, 2025 at 4:21 AM
i’m gathering my thoughts for a piece about All Of This and the word “rot” just keeps popping up
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
“Piggy” is particularly egregious but he tells reporters to shut up all the time. He insults them personally and asks where they work before telling them they’re bad people.
The only way to know this is by watching the unedited videos because it’s so routine that it’s not considered newsworthy.
The only way to know this is by watching the unedited videos because it’s so routine that it’s not considered newsworthy.
Reporters shouldn’t have to take that shit just because he’s president.
November 18, 2025 at 4:24 AM
“Piggy” is particularly egregious but he tells reporters to shut up all the time. He insults them personally and asks where they work before telling them they’re bad people.
The only way to know this is by watching the unedited videos because it’s so routine that it’s not considered newsworthy.
The only way to know this is by watching the unedited videos because it’s so routine that it’s not considered newsworthy.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
Zac Segel, a BU student, reported brown people for being brown at a car wash.
I want to make sure the details you have are correct if you're contacting BU. The workers had work permits and no criminal records. ICE did not allow them to present them.
www.boston.com/news/local-n...
I want to make sure the details you have are correct if you're contacting BU. The workers had work permits and no criminal records. ICE did not allow them to present them.
www.boston.com/news/local-n...
Allston Car Wash employees still in federal custody after ICE raid
The workers, all of whom have work permits, were detained Nov. 4 in a raid conducted by federal agents last week.
www.boston.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Zac Segel, a BU student, reported brown people for being brown at a car wash.
I want to make sure the details you have are correct if you're contacting BU. The workers had work permits and no criminal records. ICE did not allow them to present them.
www.boston.com/news/local-n...
I want to make sure the details you have are correct if you're contacting BU. The workers had work permits and no criminal records. ICE did not allow them to present them.
www.boston.com/news/local-n...
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
This is exactly why it should be known as Fox entertainment and not news.
What’s even more bonkers is their viewers actually believe this crap, and the rest of us have to deal with the fallout of their misinformation.
What’s even more bonkers is their viewers actually believe this crap, and the rest of us have to deal with the fallout of their misinformation.
November 17, 2025 at 1:40 PM
This is exactly why it should be known as Fox entertainment and not news.
What’s even more bonkers is their viewers actually believe this crap, and the rest of us have to deal with the fallout of their misinformation.
What’s even more bonkers is their viewers actually believe this crap, and the rest of us have to deal with the fallout of their misinformation.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
US citizen Maria Greeley, a Latina who was adopted, was walking home from work downtown when masked agents zip tied her. They said she “doesn’t look like a Greeley.” This is how the government treats people under current deportation policies.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
November 17, 2025 at 1:08 PM
US citizen Maria Greeley, a Latina who was adopted, was walking home from work downtown when masked agents zip tied her. They said she “doesn’t look like a Greeley.” This is how the government treats people under current deportation policies.
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
Trump wants the Epstein Files released? OK.
Scenario 1: Bondi disingenuously says "sorry, can't we're investigating Democrats about it all"
Scenario 2: They're released, but Trump's name is obviously scrubbed
Either of these scenarios creates a greater problem for Trump than what he has now.
Scenario 1: Bondi disingenuously says "sorry, can't we're investigating Democrats about it all"
Scenario 2: They're released, but Trump's name is obviously scrubbed
Either of these scenarios creates a greater problem for Trump than what he has now.
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
Trump wants the Epstein Files released? OK.
Scenario 1: Bondi disingenuously says "sorry, can't we're investigating Democrats about it all"
Scenario 2: They're released, but Trump's name is obviously scrubbed
Either of these scenarios creates a greater problem for Trump than what he has now.
Scenario 1: Bondi disingenuously says "sorry, can't we're investigating Democrats about it all"
Scenario 2: They're released, but Trump's name is obviously scrubbed
Either of these scenarios creates a greater problem for Trump than what he has now.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
NEW: The Trump administration’s slickly produced videos of an immigration raid at a Chicago apartment building in September showed federal agents rappelling from a helicopter and banging down doors.
These are the stories of the people who were inside.
These are the stories of the people who were inside.
What the Trump Administration’s Videos From a Chicago Immigration Raid Don’t Show
Detained and deported Venezuelans tell their stories of what happened when immigration agents raided their apartment building.
www.propublica.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
NEW: The Trump administration’s slickly produced videos of an immigration raid at a Chicago apartment building in September showed federal agents rappelling from a helicopter and banging down doors.
These are the stories of the people who were inside.
These are the stories of the people who were inside.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
The DOJ ordered US Marshals to the house of the pardon attorney who refused to sign off on a pardon to give Mel Gibson back his guns. Big law firms told her they supported her but did not want to be seen representing her.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
November 17, 2025 at 1:59 PM
The DOJ ordered US Marshals to the house of the pardon attorney who refused to sign off on a pardon to give Mel Gibson back his guns. Big law firms told her they supported her but did not want to be seen representing her.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
This is the use of government-sponsored fear to silence dissent.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
My evolving theory abt Marco Rubio is he simply mirrors those around him, and Trump manages him by surrounding him with Nazis.
November 17, 2025 at 1:27 PM
My evolving theory abt Marco Rubio is he simply mirrors those around him, and Trump manages him by surrounding him with Nazis.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
okay but like, "economic stimulus through state expropriation of the assets of undesirable minorities" is a pretty big Nazi policy
Ministers now appear to be confirming in broadcast interviews that they would audit and could confiscate assets (including jewellery) excepting wedding rings from the jewellery that they could confiscate.
November 17, 2025 at 2:02 PM
okay but like, "economic stimulus through state expropriation of the assets of undesirable minorities" is a pretty big Nazi policy
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
And with that, this thread has been updated!
When you are tempted to ask "what can I do," the answer is probably in here.
When you are tempted to ask me what *I* am doing, the answer is in here.
This is nearly five years of work. It's all free to you.
When you are tempted to ask "what can I do," the answer is probably in here.
When you are tempted to ask me what *I* am doing, the answer is in here.
This is nearly five years of work. It's all free to you.
A massive thread of resources, history, information, and material to help you not only fight and understand book censorship but protect the incredible democratic institutions of public libraries and public education.
This is updated regularly!
This is updated regularly!
November 16, 2025 at 2:06 PM
And with that, this thread has been updated!
When you are tempted to ask "what can I do," the answer is probably in here.
When you are tempted to ask me what *I* am doing, the answer is in here.
This is nearly five years of work. It's all free to you.
When you are tempted to ask "what can I do," the answer is probably in here.
When you are tempted to ask me what *I* am doing, the answer is in here.
This is nearly five years of work. It's all free to you.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
I literally just had my yearly check-in and recertification in October. I am disabled, can't work, and am on SSI. I can't afford my medically mandated diet without SNAP, and reapplying is a lot of work, which is made harder by my disability and poor health. This is maddening.
These incredible fucking assholes.
These application processes are already so deeply burdensome and frustrating.
They are trying to starve people.
These application processes are already so deeply burdensome and frustrating.
They are trying to starve people.
SNAP benefits update: Trump admin says ‘everyone’ will have to reapply
Agriculture secretary Brooke Rollins told Newsmax on Thursday the plan is to “have everyone reapply for their benefits."
www.newsweek.com
November 16, 2025 at 11:50 PM
I literally just had my yearly check-in and recertification in October. I am disabled, can't work, and am on SSI. I can't afford my medically mandated diet without SNAP, and reapplying is a lot of work, which is made harder by my disability and poor health. This is maddening.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 16, 2025 at 11:43 PM
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
He does good work as an explainer, but this is no time for his moral compass, or lack thereof, to guide the Democratic Party.
November 17, 2025 at 12:56 AM
He does good work as an explainer, but this is no time for his moral compass, or lack thereof, to guide the Democratic Party.
Reposted by Rick Baumhauer
"There are about a thousand of us."
Yes, because the thing about girls is that they don't stay girls for very long. Which makes them disposable. And which means that men like Epstein need a huge supply.
Yes, because the thing about girls is that they don't stay girls for very long. Which makes them disposable. And which means that men like Epstein need a huge supply.
NEW: Epstein survivors release the most powerful PSA I have ever seen.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
Make this go viral so every member of the House of Representatives sees it.
November 17, 2025 at 12:42 AM
"There are about a thousand of us."
Yes, because the thing about girls is that they don't stay girls for very long. Which makes them disposable. And which means that men like Epstein need a huge supply.
Yes, because the thing about girls is that they don't stay girls for very long. Which makes them disposable. And which means that men like Epstein need a huge supply.