Conn McQuinn
@connmc.bsky.social
Science, technology, and neuroscience educator, mostly retired but still kibitzing. Into cartooning, maker spaces, and storytelling. And because life demands it, politics.
#NoKings Des Moines, Washington (small city south of Seattle, and the S in Moines is *not* silent.) The street was lined for blocks on both sides.
October 18, 2025 at 8:40 PM
#NoKings Des Moines, Washington (small city south of Seattle, and the S in Moines is *not* silent.) The street was lined for blocks on both sides.
TikTok was developed in China, and is still headquartered in Beijing. Ownership is divided up between a number of investors, but they still operate from within China.
September 25, 2025 at 1:04 AM
TikTok was developed in China, and is still headquartered in Beijing. Ownership is divided up between a number of investors, but they still operate from within China.
But I took the time to look at the transcript of the speech in your photo. Here are the kinds of statements he made.
September 12, 2025 at 8:48 PM
But I took the time to look at the transcript of the speech in your photo. Here are the kinds of statements he made.
This is Leo Macallan. He's a transgender man. I wonder how happy these legislators would be to have him share the restroom with their mother/sister/wife/daughter.
August 30, 2025 at 1:14 AM
This is Leo Macallan. He's a transgender man. I wonder how happy these legislators would be to have him share the restroom with their mother/sister/wife/daughter.
A tale in two headlines. The second headline is just one of the reasons I am not the least bit interested in the first one.
July 21, 2025 at 4:35 PM
A tale in two headlines. The second headline is just one of the reasons I am not the least bit interested in the first one.
I am pleased to see academics pushing back hard against the unquestioning adoption of AI. This quote captures all of my concerns in a nutshell.
June 29, 2025 at 3:50 PM
I am pleased to see academics pushing back hard against the unquestioning adoption of AI. This quote captures all of my concerns in a nutshell.
That article is from before the 2020 election. There have been many updates to state voting systems since then to improve security. www.cpr.org/2024/10/15/v...
June 7, 2025 at 10:33 PM
That article is from before the 2020 election. There have been many updates to state voting systems since then to improve security. www.cpr.org/2024/10/15/v...
I was responding to the statement below, which sounded like abandoning modern life. I totally agree that changing individual behavior isn’t the solution, but I also believe individual choices are a reflection of what we value and whether we are complicit in doing harm.
May 19, 2025 at 4:49 PM
I was responding to the statement below, which sounded like abandoning modern life. I totally agree that changing individual behavior isn’t the solution, but I also believe individual choices are a reflection of what we value and whether we are complicit in doing harm.
There's not better illustration of this than tracking Republican approval of Putin before and after the 2016 election. (Graph below from politics.stackexchange.com/questions/13...)
May 14, 2025 at 12:55 AM
There's not better illustration of this than tracking Republican approval of Putin before and after the 2016 election. (Graph below from politics.stackexchange.com/questions/13...)
The closing paragraph to this morning's AP report on tariff negotiations with China. Bravo to the AP and the reporters for stating the situation so clearly and not sane-washing the president's behavior.
May 9, 2025 at 3:11 PM
The closing paragraph to this morning's AP report on tariff negotiations with China. Bravo to the AP and the reporters for stating the situation so clearly and not sane-washing the president's behavior.
I post this quote periodically because it's so important to understand the truth behind it. We spend a lot of time trying to decipher the logical thinking that drives how individuals and groups of people act (and vote), and it's the wrong place to look for explanations.
April 23, 2025 at 11:19 PM
I post this quote periodically because it's so important to understand the truth behind it. We spend a lot of time trying to decipher the logical thinking that drives how individuals and groups of people act (and vote), and it's the wrong place to look for explanations.
West Seattle, Washington. There were demonstrators at a dozen intersections of the main arterial of the neighborhood. Lots and lots of supportive honks, waves, and thumbs up.
April 19, 2025 at 11:48 PM
West Seattle, Washington. There were demonstrators at a dozen intersections of the main arterial of the neighborhood. Lots and lots of supportive honks, waves, and thumbs up.
With great respect, we need to stop saying that the court ordered them to facilitate his “return.” The administration is using that word to separate themselves from Garcia’s incarceration, but it’s not the word the SC used. They said to facilitate his “release.”
April 18, 2025 at 2:29 AM
With great respect, we need to stop saying that the court ordered them to facilitate his “return.” The administration is using that word to separate themselves from Garcia’s incarceration, but it’s not the word the SC used. They said to facilitate his “release.”
I think it’s important to note that the administration is intentionally misquoting the Supreme Court order on Garcia. The order is not to facilitate his “return” - it’s to facilitate his *release.* They are trying to semantically separate themselves from their role in his illegal incarceration.
April 17, 2025 at 3:24 PM
I think it’s important to note that the administration is intentionally misquoting the Supreme Court order on Garcia. The order is not to facilitate his “return” - it’s to facilitate his *release.* They are trying to semantically separate themselves from their role in his illegal incarceration.
I had the same thought.
April 16, 2025 at 11:02 PM
I had the same thought.
Putting these men in their appropriate context.
April 16, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Putting these men in their appropriate context.
In light of of current events, I think it's time to renew usage of the term "quisling."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quisling
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quisling
April 1, 2025 at 11:08 PM
In light of of current events, I think it's time to renew usage of the term "quisling."
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quisling
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quisling
#Teslatakesown this morning in Renton, Washington. Lots of supportive honking from passing cars. About 85 people working both sides of the street.
March 22, 2025 at 7:05 PM
#Teslatakesown this morning in Renton, Washington. Lots of supportive honking from passing cars. About 85 people working both sides of the street.
Good reading after yesterday’s infuriating choice by Schumer and his small band of like-minded colleagues.
March 15, 2025 at 2:43 PM
Good reading after yesterday’s infuriating choice by Schumer and his small band of like-minded colleagues.
Another timely Roosevelt quote from "Citizenship in a Republic:"
March 13, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Another timely Roosevelt quote from "Citizenship in a Republic:"
This is somewhat ironic, given that TDR was himself a white supremacist, but the words are powerful and true nonetheless. Particularly now.
March 13, 2025 at 7:03 PM
This is somewhat ironic, given that TDR was himself a white supremacist, but the words are powerful and true nonetheless. Particularly now.