Daniel Wise
@danielswise.bsky.social
PhD in Religious Studies from University of Virginia. Dissertation on ghost hunters. Originally from FL, now living in TX. Episcopalian (for better or worse)
AI book publishing efforts are absolutely going to be successful if they focus on the new adult/YA types of fiction, fantasy, and romance that make Amazon millions by way of people using their self-publishing platform.
March 25, 2025 at 7:26 PM
AI book publishing efforts are absolutely going to be successful if they focus on the new adult/YA types of fiction, fantasy, and romance that make Amazon millions by way of people using their self-publishing platform.
Without @archive.org there is so much research I couldn't do. But more importantly, I would have never gotten to see the creepy Mickey Mouse balloon at the 1934 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (skip to 48:15 in the video):
archive.org/details/0362...
archive.org/details/0362...
[Home Movies: Medicus Collection: New York, 1934] : Medicus, Gertrude and Philip : Free Download, Borrow, and Streaming : Internet Archive
Some good shots to be logged.Selected list of contents:New York City schoolchildren in street outside school family picnic roller skating in Central Park1934...
archive.org
March 11, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Without @archive.org there is so much research I couldn't do. But more importantly, I would have never gotten to see the creepy Mickey Mouse balloon at the 1934 Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade (skip to 48:15 in the video):
archive.org/details/0362...
archive.org/details/0362...
I am still haunted by the fact that JFK's sister Rosemary was lobotomized by their father while their mother was out of town because she had an intellectual disability and started struggling to pass in Kennedy social circles.
March 10, 2025 at 3:05 AM
I am still haunted by the fact that JFK's sister Rosemary was lobotomized by their father while their mother was out of town because she had an intellectual disability and started struggling to pass in Kennedy social circles.
In light of the current political moment, I thought we could use a revised translation of the Gospel reading appointed for today (Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness):
March 9, 2025 at 5:24 PM
In light of the current political moment, I thought we could use a revised translation of the Gospel reading appointed for today (Jesus' temptation by Satan in the wilderness):
Friends, I very highly recommend these accessible, concise lessons from @carlbergstrom.com and Jevin D. West if you need to explain to anyone what LLMs/AI are, what their pitfalls are, and why they cannot be said to "think." Read it yourself even to be ready for these convos
thebullshitmachines.com
thebullshitmachines.com
Modern-Day Oracles or Bullshit Machines: Introduction
A free online humanities course about how to learn and work and thrive in an AI world.
thebullshitmachines.com
March 8, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Friends, I very highly recommend these accessible, concise lessons from @carlbergstrom.com and Jevin D. West if you need to explain to anyone what LLMs/AI are, what their pitfalls are, and why they cannot be said to "think." Read it yourself even to be ready for these convos
thebullshitmachines.com
thebullshitmachines.com
A post somewhere reminded me to withdraw my critique of Parker Posey's southern accent in White Lotus. I was taken aback by her first few lines, but she kind of settled in a good place.
March 2, 2025 at 3:11 PM
A post somewhere reminded me to withdraw my critique of Parker Posey's southern accent in White Lotus. I was taken aback by her first few lines, but she kind of settled in a good place.
I am currently working to lose weight and I have been considering for months whether to start a GLP-1 RA. I have been shocked by some of the things I am seeing on r/Ozempic. Recently we have some confused thinking that almost views these drugs as moral agents acting on the body.
March 1, 2025 at 5:45 PM
I am currently working to lose weight and I have been considering for months whether to start a GLP-1 RA. I have been shocked by some of the things I am seeing on r/Ozempic. Recently we have some confused thinking that almost views these drugs as moral agents acting on the body.
Nerd question: Star Wars isn't really my thing, but is there, in canon or former canon, discussion of how the Jedi handle ex-Jedi or other people strong in the force who are not governed by Jedi discipline? It seems like this might be a concern, sort of like it was for the Aes Sedai in Wheel of Time
February 26, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Nerd question: Star Wars isn't really my thing, but is there, in canon or former canon, discussion of how the Jedi handle ex-Jedi or other people strong in the force who are not governed by Jedi discipline? It seems like this might be a concern, sort of like it was for the Aes Sedai in Wheel of Time
Many will forecast and celebrate a cultural reversal in reaction to recent survey data, but it is just as likely that the decline will continue after this pause, due to the effects of generational replacement.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
Decline of Christianity in the U.S. Has Slowed, May Have Leveled Off
After years of decline, the U.S. Christian share now shows signs of leveling off. The new Religious Landscape Study explores trends in identity, beliefs and practices. Pew Research Center.
www.pewresearch.org
February 26, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Many will forecast and celebrate a cultural reversal in reaction to recent survey data, but it is just as likely that the decline will continue after this pause, due to the effects of generational replacement.
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
www.pewresearch.org/religion/202...
Didn't expect to be texting my mother at the age of 36 to just double check she stuck to the US vaccine schedule (I know she did) because a mostly eradicated childhood disease has reached San Antonio and is moving up the I-35 corridor, but here we are.
February 25, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Didn't expect to be texting my mother at the age of 36 to just double check she stuck to the US vaccine schedule (I know she did) because a mostly eradicated childhood disease has reached San Antonio and is moving up the I-35 corridor, but here we are.
Preliminary good news for churches in regard to ICE raids. This suit is similar to the one filed in DC by the Episcopal Church and many others
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/u...
Judge Blocks Immigration Raids in Certain Places of Worship
Religious organizations are challenging a Trump administration policy that allows ICE to conduct operations in sensitive locations. The judge declined to pause the policy more broadly.
www.nytimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 5:12 AM
Preliminary good news for churches in regard to ICE raids. This suit is similar to the one filed in DC by the Episcopal Church and many others
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/24/u...
Reposted by Daniel Wise
One thing I’m seeing *a lot* more is this attempt, I think largely by people on the left, to try to keep Christians who oppose Christian nationalism and Christofascism from being able to decouple those movements from Christianity.
This is… frustrating.
This is… frustrating.
February 22, 2025 at 3:14 PM
One thing I’m seeing *a lot* more is this attempt, I think largely by people on the left, to try to keep Christians who oppose Christian nationalism and Christofascism from being able to decouple those movements from Christianity.
This is… frustrating.
This is… frustrating.
Just starting White Lotus season 3, and already I see it is going to attempt takes on religion, religious studies, and southerners (really Parker Posey, that's the accent?). God help me.
February 17, 2025 at 2:47 AM
Just starting White Lotus season 3, and already I see it is going to attempt takes on religion, religious studies, and southerners (really Parker Posey, that's the accent?). God help me.
My wife has an unhealthy relationship with the original 1950s green tile in our rectory bathroom and shower. They have to gut it today because of water damage, and she has been grieving. Just now she claimed a tile from the demolition to keep.
February 10, 2025 at 4:19 PM
My wife has an unhealthy relationship with the original 1950s green tile in our rectory bathroom and shower. They have to gut it today because of water damage, and she has been grieving. Just now she claimed a tile from the demolition to keep.
Alright, the Trump appointed interim head of NIH has said clinical trials can continue
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
Critical NIH research continues after 'confusion' over Trump team directives
The acting head of the National Institutes of Health told scientists that clinical trials could carry on, despite a "pause" in communications about their work.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Alright, the Trump appointed interim head of NIH has said clinical trials can continue
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...
What a great foreign policy idea to push the majority of the American continents into the arms of China. I guess the move is consistent with the rest of his foreign policy so far.
January 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
What a great foreign policy idea to push the majority of the American continents into the arms of China. I guess the move is consistent with the rest of his foreign policy so far.
If you are a pastor, there is almost no way to avoid seeming political when preaching the Gospel. 20 years ago, my dad once had a family walk out when he preached that God has provided enough for humanity's material needs in Creation, we just need to make sure to spread it around to everyone.
January 26, 2025 at 1:04 AM
If you are a pastor, there is almost no way to avoid seeming political when preaching the Gospel. 20 years ago, my dad once had a family walk out when he preached that God has provided enough for humanity's material needs in Creation, we just need to make sure to spread it around to everyone.
Tom Holland on Christianity and the Nazis: "As in Italy so in Germany, fascism worked to combine the glamour and the violence of antiquity with that of the modern world. There was no place in this vision of the future for the mewling feebleness of Christianity."
January 25, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Tom Holland on Christianity and the Nazis: "As in Italy so in Germany, fascism worked to combine the glamour and the violence of antiquity with that of the modern world. There was no place in this vision of the future for the mewling feebleness of Christianity."
For anyone thinking about how to articulate why making blanket statements about Christians not being reliable members of progressive coalitions seem misguided, I highly recommend Tom Holland's Dominion: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominio...
Dominion (Holland book) - Wikipedia
en.m.wikipedia.org
January 24, 2025 at 10:34 PM
For anyone thinking about how to articulate why making blanket statements about Christians not being reliable members of progressive coalitions seem misguided, I highly recommend Tom Holland's Dominion: en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Dominio...
A bakery in a Dallas, TX suburb baked Bishop Budde cookies and sold out of all 12 dozen by 2pm yesterday.
www.statesman.com/story/news/s...
www.statesman.com/story/news/s...
Texas bakery sells out of Bishop Budde cookies after sermon calling for Trump's mercy
A Texas bakery, known for its political pastries, is viral again after selling out of Bishop Budde cookies after her sermon to President Donald Trump.
www.statesman.com
January 24, 2025 at 7:37 PM
A bakery in a Dallas, TX suburb baked Bishop Budde cookies and sold out of all 12 dozen by 2pm yesterday.
www.statesman.com/story/news/s...
www.statesman.com/story/news/s...
Just as he said he would be back in December, Trump and his administration have revoked the rule that kept immigration enforcement from raiding churches, schools, and hospitals.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
Trump administration throws out policies limiting migrant arrests at sensitive spots like churches
Officers enforcing immigration laws will now be able to arrest migrants at sensitive locations like schools and churches after the Trump administration threw out policies limiting where those arrests ...
apnews.com
January 23, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Just as he said he would be back in December, Trump and his administration have revoked the rule that kept immigration enforcement from raiding churches, schools, and hospitals.
apnews.com/article/immi...
apnews.com/article/immi...
I've been talking with the real Mariann Budde today and she has told me that this account is a fake. She asks our assistance in taking it down. @mariannedgarbudde.bsky.social
January 22, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Saw Bishop Michael Curry preach at the installation of the new dean at Seminary of the Southwest. His sermon was based on the spiritual-cum-union/civil rights organizing song "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize."
January 22, 2025 at 3:47 AM
Saw Bishop Michael Curry preach at the installation of the new dean at Seminary of the Southwest. His sermon was based on the spiritual-cum-union/civil rights organizing song "Keep Your Eyes on the Prize."
Judging from the replies to the eve6 post about TEC, our denomination is viewed favorably by a lot of people who don't want to go to any church including ours.
January 21, 2025 at 11:11 PM
Judging from the replies to the eve6 post about TEC, our denomination is viewed favorably by a lot of people who don't want to go to any church including ours.
To my TEC siblings, please be patient with those of us in more politically fraught dioceses. Here in TX our parishioners are most under threat, but our leaders are also navigating more pressure from conservatives in our ranks. I promise many are trying to push for boldness.
Episcopal priests and lay leaders - are you thinking about what you will do when ICE tries to enter your churches or when your undocumented parishioners reach out to you for help?
January 21, 2025 at 5:16 PM
To my TEC siblings, please be patient with those of us in more politically fraught dioceses. Here in TX our parishioners are most under threat, but our leaders are also navigating more pressure from conservatives in our ranks. I promise many are trying to push for boldness.