Christine M.
@christine-m.bsky.social
science fiction, astroscience, photography
“Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.”
(Terry Pratchett; I Shall Wear Midnight)
(she / her)
“Evil begins when you begin to treat people as things.”
(Terry Pratchett; I Shall Wear Midnight)
(she / her)
*I think* evidence would be better than saying "I think". If there were evidence of sufficient quality to support her statements which deals in absolutes. No nuances. No proper cohorts with data attached.
February 15, 2026 at 5:58 PM
*I think* evidence would be better than saying "I think". If there were evidence of sufficient quality to support her statements which deals in absolutes. No nuances. No proper cohorts with data attached.
She is about saving, some say furthering, her reputation. And media ask her. A rabbit hole too many fall in to ... especially considering, that she is leaving her original "area of expertise" i.e. paediatrics. Education is the new chosen "battlefield" - not the last one to come, I might add.
February 15, 2026 at 3:49 PM
She is about saving, some say furthering, her reputation. And media ask her. A rabbit hole too many fall in to ... especially considering, that she is leaving her original "area of expertise" i.e. paediatrics. Education is the new chosen "battlefield" - not the last one to come, I might add.
For sure, money makes the world go round.
Still, there is an aspiration among many, critical journalists among them, that the kind of job I outlined is key for "good journalism". Why Watergate? Why Epstein? Why whistle blowers?
Sometimes holding media to that standard may actually help.
Still, there is an aspiration among many, critical journalists among them, that the kind of job I outlined is key for "good journalism". Why Watergate? Why Epstein? Why whistle blowers?
Sometimes holding media to that standard may actually help.
February 15, 2026 at 3:41 PM
For sure, money makes the world go round.
Still, there is an aspiration among many, critical journalists among them, that the kind of job I outlined is key for "good journalism". Why Watergate? Why Epstein? Why whistle blowers?
Sometimes holding media to that standard may actually help.
Still, there is an aspiration among many, critical journalists among them, that the kind of job I outlined is key for "good journalism". Why Watergate? Why Epstein? Why whistle blowers?
Sometimes holding media to that standard may actually help.
There is a reason: When you talk with people who are subject to decisions in an official function, there will be documentation, a paper trail etc. which can be used in publicised discourse: Cases presented, facts delivered, perhaps acknowledgments of this and that.
They want to avoid that.
They want to avoid that.
February 15, 2026 at 3:26 PM
There is a reason: When you talk with people who are subject to decisions in an official function, there will be documentation, a paper trail etc. which can be used in publicised discourse: Cases presented, facts delivered, perhaps acknowledgments of this and that.
They want to avoid that.
They want to avoid that.
Ein wenig vielleicht doch. Ich würde es anders ausdrücken: Einordnung und Referenzierung sind geboten für das breite Publikum. Aufgabe der Presse und anderer Medien. Klappt aber nicht immer.
February 15, 2026 at 11:02 AM
Ein wenig vielleicht doch. Ich würde es anders ausdrücken: Einordnung und Referenzierung sind geboten für das breite Publikum. Aufgabe der Presse und anderer Medien. Klappt aber nicht immer.
I understand that many politicians these days are careful with their words: It's about playing for time
The job of media, though, is contextualising the reports and "translate" from another language and cultural reference frame. Rubio's speech was directed at "The One" and Americans
So: Translate!
The job of media, though, is contextualising the reports and "translate" from another language and cultural reference frame. Rubio's speech was directed at "The One" and Americans
So: Translate!
February 15, 2026 at 10:57 AM
I understand that many politicians these days are careful with their words: It's about playing for time
The job of media, though, is contextualising the reports and "translate" from another language and cultural reference frame. Rubio's speech was directed at "The One" and Americans
So: Translate!
The job of media, though, is contextualising the reports and "translate" from another language and cultural reference frame. Rubio's speech was directed at "The One" and Americans
So: Translate!
Ton? Geschliffen, hart dran gearbeitet.
Inhalt? Man sollte sich Rubios Rede gerne mehrfach anhören; sie spiegelt ein Weltbild wieder, das unserem deutlich widerspricht, und beansprucht "Gefolgschaft" dafür. Nicht überraschend, aber eiskalt erschreckend.
Wichtig: Es gibt auch andere Amerikaner.
Inhalt? Man sollte sich Rubios Rede gerne mehrfach anhören; sie spiegelt ein Weltbild wieder, das unserem deutlich widerspricht, und beansprucht "Gefolgschaft" dafür. Nicht überraschend, aber eiskalt erschreckend.
Wichtig: Es gibt auch andere Amerikaner.
February 14, 2026 at 8:14 PM
Ton? Geschliffen, hart dran gearbeitet.
Inhalt? Man sollte sich Rubios Rede gerne mehrfach anhören; sie spiegelt ein Weltbild wieder, das unserem deutlich widerspricht, und beansprucht "Gefolgschaft" dafür. Nicht überraschend, aber eiskalt erschreckend.
Wichtig: Es gibt auch andere Amerikaner.
Inhalt? Man sollte sich Rubios Rede gerne mehrfach anhören; sie spiegelt ein Weltbild wieder, das unserem deutlich widerspricht, und beansprucht "Gefolgschaft" dafür. Nicht überraschend, aber eiskalt erschreckend.
Wichtig: Es gibt auch andere Amerikaner.
Most of what I got to hear from the "Trump delegation" to MSC so far are "Trump is ...", "Trump has ...", "Trump best." Still catering to the audience of one every five or ten sentences.
Tone: Non-committal, demanding. Substance: Pointing out mistakes and duty to comply by others. USA 1st.
Tone: Non-committal, demanding. Substance: Pointing out mistakes and duty to comply by others. USA 1st.
February 14, 2026 at 1:59 PM
Most of what I got to hear from the "Trump delegation" to MSC so far are "Trump is ...", "Trump has ...", "Trump best." Still catering to the audience of one every five or ten sentences.
Tone: Non-committal, demanding. Substance: Pointing out mistakes and duty to comply by others. USA 1st.
Tone: Non-committal, demanding. Substance: Pointing out mistakes and duty to comply by others. USA 1st.
... especially when with new tech there - which is normal - will be prices to pay which may be transparent or not. Prices as profit for someone, prices as consequences, say, for the communities concerned.
February 14, 2026 at 1:38 PM
... especially when with new tech there - which is normal - will be prices to pay which may be transparent or not. Prices as profit for someone, prices as consequences, say, for the communities concerned.
I so very much hope that this will be a stable position
Uhm ... btw ... not so very much tongue in cheek ... This the Europe which the UK strives to rejoin ... kindasorta? Maybe, just maybe there are also thoughts about this in Europe, as is legal precedence to adher to. (With a nod to Sir Patrick)
Uhm ... btw ... not so very much tongue in cheek ... This the Europe which the UK strives to rejoin ... kindasorta? Maybe, just maybe there are also thoughts about this in Europe, as is legal precedence to adher to. (With a nod to Sir Patrick)
February 13, 2026 at 7:02 PM
I so very much hope that this will be a stable position
Uhm ... btw ... not so very much tongue in cheek ... This the Europe which the UK strives to rejoin ... kindasorta? Maybe, just maybe there are also thoughts about this in Europe, as is legal precedence to adher to. (With a nod to Sir Patrick)
Uhm ... btw ... not so very much tongue in cheek ... This the Europe which the UK strives to rejoin ... kindasorta? Maybe, just maybe there are also thoughts about this in Europe, as is legal precedence to adher to. (With a nod to Sir Patrick)
Jurisdiction is not an exact science. Opinions, thought processes and ancillary factors (quite a few) do play a role when rulings are formulated. Challenging loopholes and non-clarity, in the end - becomes a game of who has the most money to last.
Media? Just have a look at the reports on today...
Media? Just have a look at the reports on today...
February 13, 2026 at 1:49 PM
Jurisdiction is not an exact science. Opinions, thought processes and ancillary factors (quite a few) do play a role when rulings are formulated. Challenging loopholes and non-clarity, in the end - becomes a game of who has the most money to last.
Media? Just have a look at the reports on today...
Media? Just have a look at the reports on today...
Okay - gut so.
Nicht so gut: Einige Bundesländer denken und handeln anders.
Nicht so gut: Einige Bundesländer denken und handeln anders.
February 13, 2026 at 1:13 PM
Okay - gut so.
Nicht so gut: Einige Bundesländer denken und handeln anders.
Nicht so gut: Einige Bundesländer denken und handeln anders.
One of the best and necessary things to do I am afraid: Document and collect receipts. May be useful in the future.
February 13, 2026 at 1:11 PM
One of the best and necessary things to do I am afraid: Document and collect receipts. May be useful in the future.
... but possibly time enough to work towards relevant democrats recognising what they are risking if the left voice is effectively abandoned.
February 13, 2026 at 12:29 PM
... but possibly time enough to work towards relevant democrats recognising what they are risking if the left voice is effectively abandoned.
So full of loopholes and - to me as a relative layperson concerning legalese - an abundance of interpretations and obstacles ... this issue is far from solved satisfactorily.
And one could place a safe bet on of those "swimming in money for court cases" going after those deficiencies.
Tired.
And one could place a safe bet on of those "swimming in money for court cases" going after those deficiencies.
Tired.
February 13, 2026 at 12:26 PM
So full of loopholes and - to me as a relative layperson concerning legalese - an abundance of interpretations and obstacles ... this issue is far from solved satisfactorily.
And one could place a safe bet on of those "swimming in money for court cases" going after those deficiencies.
Tired.
And one could place a safe bet on of those "swimming in money for court cases" going after those deficiencies.
Tired.
It appears that the "outing" aspect - which should fall under privacy protection law - almost never gets the consideration it should rightfully deserve. See here, see the DoE draft ... worrisome.
(Even in Germany, where it is encoded in law, state governments choose to ignore this part.)
(Even in Germany, where it is encoded in law, state governments choose to ignore this part.)
February 13, 2026 at 11:22 AM
It appears that the "outing" aspect - which should fall under privacy protection law - almost never gets the consideration it should rightfully deserve. See here, see the DoE draft ... worrisome.
(Even in Germany, where it is encoded in law, state governments choose to ignore this part.)
(Even in Germany, where it is encoded in law, state governments choose to ignore this part.)
In an ideal world - absolutely. In the real world, it can - and sometimes does and often has - promote a certain worldview, religious "truths" and "alternative facts". Especially when they control communication.
Critical thinking becomes the "weapon of choice".
Critical thinking becomes the "weapon of choice".
February 13, 2026 at 11:15 AM
In an ideal world - absolutely. In the real world, it can - and sometimes does and often has - promote a certain worldview, religious "truths" and "alternative facts". Especially when they control communication.
Critical thinking becomes the "weapon of choice".
Critical thinking becomes the "weapon of choice".
Generally, I am a bit worried about a meme that has been around for a while and which often has a positive, even heroic connotation. On both sides of the aisle, to be frank.
"Don't ask for permission. You can alway apologise later, if something comes out."
Merits some thinking.
"Don't ask for permission. You can alway apologise later, if something comes out."
Merits some thinking.
February 13, 2026 at 11:12 AM
Generally, I am a bit worried about a meme that has been around for a while and which often has a positive, even heroic connotation. On both sides of the aisle, to be frank.
"Don't ask for permission. You can alway apologise later, if something comes out."
Merits some thinking.
"Don't ask for permission. You can alway apologise later, if something comes out."
Merits some thinking.
I feel slightly worried about the high number of votes against the resolution (222) as well as the significant number of abstentions (68) - both together less than the votes in favour. But it is an indicator of sensitivity re: current political climate and "changes in the air" I fear.
February 13, 2026 at 11:02 AM
I feel slightly worried about the high number of votes against the resolution (222) as well as the significant number of abstentions (68) - both together less than the votes in favour. But it is an indicator of sensitivity re: current political climate and "changes in the air" I fear.
Hmm ... it's all connected, isn't it? Isn't it?
February 12, 2026 at 7:46 PM
Hmm ... it's all connected, isn't it? Isn't it?
Moving the goal post. Compromises are the foundation of a democratic society. But this pathway is being misused again and again and again ... when foundational boundaries and protections are being wilfully ignored or removed.
It has become the norm rather than the exception.
Fundamentally wrong.
It has become the norm rather than the exception.
Fundamentally wrong.
February 12, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Moving the goal post. Compromises are the foundation of a democratic society. But this pathway is being misused again and again and again ... when foundational boundaries and protections are being wilfully ignored or removed.
It has become the norm rather than the exception.
Fundamentally wrong.
It has become the norm rather than the exception.
Fundamentally wrong.
There are many consequences to devising and opening up this gate for making (not only) the entire trans community suffer ... it's very frightening to view this from a strategic perspective. It's not a singular event.
(Sometimes I regret having been trained in systemic thinking ... then again ...)
(Sometimes I regret having been trained in systemic thinking ... then again ...)
February 12, 2026 at 7:41 PM
There are many consequences to devising and opening up this gate for making (not only) the entire trans community suffer ... it's very frightening to view this from a strategic perspective. It's not a singular event.
(Sometimes I regret having been trained in systemic thinking ... then again ...)
(Sometimes I regret having been trained in systemic thinking ... then again ...)
This is not conservative thinking as in "let's think about which road to progress will be best".
It's rolling back enlightenment and progress achieved. It's harmful.
It's rolling back enlightenment and progress achieved. It's harmful.
February 12, 2026 at 7:26 PM
This is not conservative thinking as in "let's think about which road to progress will be best".
It's rolling back enlightenment and progress achieved. It's harmful.
It's rolling back enlightenment and progress achieved. It's harmful.