Dave Thomer
@davethomer.bsky.social
I teach kids about history and I hang out with my family. Still brainstorming on the profile pic and header. He/him
Reposted by Dave Thomer
This point about the historical significance of literacy is a really important one.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/set-tr...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/set-tr...
I Set A Trap To Catch Students Cheating With AI. The Result Was Deflating
"I am no stranger to students trying to cut corners by copying and pasting from Wikipedia, but the introduction of generative AI has enabled them to cheat in startling new ways."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 24, 2025 at 2:01 PM
This point about the historical significance of literacy is a really important one.
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/set-tr...
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk/entry/set-tr...
Gonna have this stuck in my head all day. Good thing it’s such a good song.
Bruce Hornsby turns 71 today.
Of “The Way it Is”, he said: “I grew up in Virginia, and you could still feel the old lines — racial lines, economic lines — running through everyday life. The lyrics came from seeing those things .. I wasn’t trying to preach; I was just writing down what I saw.”
Of “The Way it Is”, he said: “I grew up in Virginia, and you could still feel the old lines — racial lines, economic lines — running through everyday life. The lyrics came from seeing those things .. I wasn’t trying to preach; I was just writing down what I saw.”
November 23, 2025 at 2:56 PM
Gonna have this stuck in my head all day. Good thing it’s such a good song.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
Trump has murdered at least 83 people with extrajudicial military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats.
He needs to face consequences for this.
His secretary of DHHS, RFK Jr., will kill several orders of magnitude more with this disinformation.
He needs to face consequences for this.
His secretary of DHHS, RFK Jr., will kill several orders of magnitude more with this disinformation.
This is completely disgusting. Today, the CDC updated their vaccine safety page. It now says:
“The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism”.
“The claim "vaccines do not cause autism" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that infant vaccines cause autism”.
November 20, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Trump has murdered at least 83 people with extrajudicial military strikes on alleged drug-trafficking boats.
He needs to face consequences for this.
His secretary of DHHS, RFK Jr., will kill several orders of magnitude more with this disinformation.
He needs to face consequences for this.
His secretary of DHHS, RFK Jr., will kill several orders of magnitude more with this disinformation.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
What I first said in sarcasm I increasingly think is a real thing to consider:
Move SCOTUS to a strip mall in rural Kansas.
We can’t fire them. Impeachment* is functionally dead. The 18-yr term thing is a fantasy.
But we can kill a lot of their perks.
Bet Kav would retire fast.
Move SCOTUS to a strip mall in rural Kansas.
We can’t fire them. Impeachment* is functionally dead. The 18-yr term thing is a fantasy.
But we can kill a lot of their perks.
Bet Kav would retire fast.
Devastating piece on the human toll of Kavanaugh Stops.
Especially infuriating to know that rich white guys like Brett K can simply close their eyes to the human suffering their racist jurisprudence has unleashed.
Especially infuriating to know that rich white guys like Brett K can simply close their eyes to the human suffering their racist jurisprudence has unleashed.
For two months, the U.S. government has been racial profiling as masked federal agents hunted for immigrants throughout Chicago. They’ve repeatedly snatched up U.S. citizens while traumatizing communities. “I felt like a piece of trash.” Here is our story www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/15/l...
November 15, 2025 at 4:35 PM
What I first said in sarcasm I increasingly think is a real thing to consider:
Move SCOTUS to a strip mall in rural Kansas.
We can’t fire them. Impeachment* is functionally dead. The 18-yr term thing is a fantasy.
But we can kill a lot of their perks.
Bet Kav would retire fast.
Move SCOTUS to a strip mall in rural Kansas.
We can’t fire them. Impeachment* is functionally dead. The 18-yr term thing is a fantasy.
But we can kill a lot of their perks.
Bet Kav would retire fast.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
It was great to see Bill on stage with Howl Owl Howl and @millsish.bsky.social at the Georgia Theatre Friday night. Thanks to @karenryanphoto.bsky.social for the photos!
November 16, 2025 at 2:26 AM
It was great to see Bill on stage with Howl Owl Howl and @millsish.bsky.social at the Georgia Theatre Friday night. Thanks to @karenryanphoto.bsky.social for the photos!
Reposted by Dave Thomer
The word "icon" gets tossed around recklessly, but Cyndi Lauper, for my generation, completely. Really powerful moment during "True Colors" when she belted "and don't be AFRAID!" and she and the band paused for about 15 seconds, fists to the sky.
We all need strength now. Music binds us together.
We all need strength now. Music binds us together.
November 9, 2025 at 4:53 AM
The word "icon" gets tossed around recklessly, but Cyndi Lauper, for my generation, completely. Really powerful moment during "True Colors" when she belted "and don't be AFRAID!" and she and the band paused for about 15 seconds, fists to the sky.
We all need strength now. Music binds us together.
We all need strength now. Music binds us together.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
It's election day, Pennsylvania! Polls are open from 7AM to 8PM — make sure to exercise your right to vote today.
Need help finding a polling place or making a plan to vote? Learn more here: https://www.pa.gov/services/vote/find-your-local-polling-place
Need help finding a polling place or making a plan to vote? Learn more here: https://www.pa.gov/services/vote/find-your-local-polling-place
November 4, 2025 at 1:57 PM
It's election day, Pennsylvania! Polls are open from 7AM to 8PM — make sure to exercise your right to vote today.
Need help finding a polling place or making a plan to vote? Learn more here: https://www.pa.gov/services/vote/find-your-local-polling-place
Need help finding a polling place or making a plan to vote? Learn more here: https://www.pa.gov/services/vote/find-your-local-polling-place
Reposted by Dave Thomer
Extra-legal killings are bad.
Extra-legal killings of people who are drug smugglers is really bad, since they could not be executed if arrested.
Extra-legal killings of people who are MISTAKEN to be drug smugglers is a necessary consequence of a policy of extra-legal killings.
#NotInMyName
Extra-legal killings of people who are drug smugglers is really bad, since they could not be executed if arrested.
Extra-legal killings of people who are MISTAKEN to be drug smugglers is a necessary consequence of a policy of extra-legal killings.
#NotInMyName
October 28, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Extra-legal killings are bad.
Extra-legal killings of people who are drug smugglers is really bad, since they could not be executed if arrested.
Extra-legal killings of people who are MISTAKEN to be drug smugglers is a necessary consequence of a policy of extra-legal killings.
#NotInMyName
Extra-legal killings of people who are drug smugglers is really bad, since they could not be executed if arrested.
Extra-legal killings of people who are MISTAKEN to be drug smugglers is a necessary consequence of a policy of extra-legal killings.
#NotInMyName
I have bought a LOT of these books over the years. Lots of behind the scenes info on what is still my favorite TV series.
Final reminder: if you want any of the @Babylon5 books published by B5books.com this is your last chance before the company goes away in five days. You may also want to spread the word to any B5 fan groups that might not have already heard it so everyone has a chance.
PART ONE
Twenty years ago, publishing entrepreneur Jaclyn Easton came to me with a risky but innovative idea: b5books.com, a publishing entity built around one show, Babylon 5, its participants and fans. This wouldn’t be what was usually done, aftermarket making-of books --
Twenty years ago, publishing entrepreneur Jaclyn Easton came to me with a risky but innovative idea: b5books.com, a publishing entity built around one show, Babylon 5, its participants and fans. This wouldn’t be what was usually done, aftermarket making-of books --
October 27, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I have bought a LOT of these books over the years. Lots of behind the scenes info on what is still my favorite TV series.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
![Comic. Scatter chart with Emperor Palpatine character age on Y axis and Ian McDiarmid age during filming on X axis. Plot with descending arrow beginning from Return of the Jedi (emperor age 90, McDiarmid age 40) → Revenge of the Sith, Attack of the Clones, and The Phantom Menace (emperor age 50-70, McDiarmid age 50-60) → The Rise of Skywalker (cloned body, undefined age) with a gradient vertical line (McDiarmid age over 70) → Now (emperor age under 10, McDiarmid age over 80). [caption] To continue the trend, they should make a Star Wars movie where 81-year-old Ian McDiarmid plays the emperor as a toddler.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiddygrn45rhv3aktvxlsoc5e62uxrb2fxeojgauoe5i4j52l4rn7q@jpeg)
October 22, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by Dave Thomer
The PBS News Hour has had five different names and six official anchors since it first aired in 1975. Through it all, we've stayed true to our mission of delivering fair, accurate and in-depth reporting.
October 20, 2025 at 7:44 PM
The PBS News Hour has had five different names and six official anchors since it first aired in 1975. Through it all, we've stayed true to our mission of delivering fair, accurate and in-depth reporting.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
🚨 TOMORROW (Monday, October 20) is the last day to REGISTER to vote in the Municipal Election on November 4! 🚨 CHECK your voter registration status, REGISTER or UPDATE your voter registration at: padems.org/vote
October 19, 2025 at 8:55 PM
🚨 TOMORROW (Monday, October 20) is the last day to REGISTER to vote in the Municipal Election on November 4! 🚨 CHECK your voter registration status, REGISTER or UPDATE your voter registration at: padems.org/vote
Reposted by Dave Thomer
Police officers who publicly declare that they’ll quit if a mayoral candidate they dislike wins the election are (1) usually bluffing—sure buddy, toss away that paycheck and pension—and (2) exactly the sort of cops cities would be better off without, ones who don’t see themselves as public servants.
October 13, 2025 at 12:23 PM
Police officers who publicly declare that they’ll quit if a mayoral candidate they dislike wins the election are (1) usually bluffing—sure buddy, toss away that paycheck and pension—and (2) exactly the sort of cops cities would be better off without, ones who don’t see themselves as public servants.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
What will poor Eric Adams do for work?
That’s nbody’s business but the Turks!
That’s nbody’s business but the Turks!
September 29, 2025 at 12:19 AM
What will poor Eric Adams do for work?
That’s nbody’s business but the Turks!
That’s nbody’s business but the Turks!
Reposted by Dave Thomer
I gave my heart and soul to that place. Built entire sections for journalists pushed out of their home countries.
When the writer I hired, Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi Arabia, they paraded me around as a symbol for press freedom.
I put MY LIFE on the line to defend journalism and WaPo.
When the writer I hired, Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi Arabia, they paraded me around as a symbol for press freedom.
I put MY LIFE on the line to defend journalism and WaPo.
weird that neither of these articles two main stories decrying censorship mention WaPo's firing of @karenattiah.bsky.social I guess democracy really does die in darkness
September 18, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I gave my heart and soul to that place. Built entire sections for journalists pushed out of their home countries.
When the writer I hired, Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi Arabia, they paraded me around as a symbol for press freedom.
I put MY LIFE on the line to defend journalism and WaPo.
When the writer I hired, Jamal Khashoggi was murdered by Saudi Arabia, they paraded me around as a symbol for press freedom.
I put MY LIFE on the line to defend journalism and WaPo.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
Hey Philly--
I'm going to be on Studio 2 on @whyy.org from 1-2pm this afternoon talking about political violence in American history.
Tune in if you can!
I'm going to be on Studio 2 on @whyy.org from 1-2pm this afternoon talking about political violence in American history.
Tune in if you can!
September 15, 2025 at 1:14 PM
Hey Philly--
I'm going to be on Studio 2 on @whyy.org from 1-2pm this afternoon talking about political violence in American history.
Tune in if you can!
I'm going to be on Studio 2 on @whyy.org from 1-2pm this afternoon talking about political violence in American history.
Tune in if you can!
Reposted by Dave Thomer
But as someone placed on his Professor Watch List—who received torrents of vitriol from his followers—I find it jarring to read tributes claiming he was “doing politics the right way.”
Only a white man untouched by his organization’s targeting could believe such a thing.
Only a white man untouched by his organization’s targeting could believe such a thing.
September 13, 2025 at 5:08 PM
But as someone placed on his Professor Watch List—who received torrents of vitriol from his followers—I find it jarring to read tributes claiming he was “doing politics the right way.”
Only a white man untouched by his organization’s targeting could believe such a thing.
Only a white man untouched by his organization’s targeting could believe such a thing.
This is why we need complicated algorithms to make music recommendations. How else would we figure out that these three artists are similar?
September 13, 2025 at 2:54 PM
This is why we need complicated algorithms to make music recommendations. How else would we figure out that these three artists are similar?
Reposted by Dave Thomer
condemnations of political violence are well taken but it does feel as if some
prominent political commentators are of the view that violence isn’t a part of the history of American politics and that is very much not true.
prominent political commentators are of the view that violence isn’t a part of the history of American politics and that is very much not true.
September 11, 2025 at 1:27 AM
condemnations of political violence are well taken but it does feel as if some
prominent political commentators are of the view that violence isn’t a part of the history of American politics and that is very much not true.
prominent political commentators are of the view that violence isn’t a part of the history of American politics and that is very much not true.
This ad has been in the trailers almost every time I have gone to the movies this summer and it is a miracle I have not been thrown out for shouting this at everyone in the theater.
This ad about how great Google Gemini is ends by telling us how Ted, the protagonist and a big James Blunt fan, “found something he didn’t even know he was looking for” at a James Blunt concert where James Blunt is playing not “High” by James Blunt but “She’s So High” by Tal Bachman.
Just Ask Google
YouTube video by Google
youtu.be
September 8, 2025 at 2:43 AM
This ad has been in the trailers almost every time I have gone to the movies this summer and it is a miracle I have not been thrown out for shouting this at everyone in the theater.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
Kids are using AI as companions and therapists to potentially dangerous ends.
How do schools deal with this, and how do we talk to kids about how AI works and our own mental health?
How do schools deal with this, and how do we talk to kids about how AI works and our own mental health?
The Attention Economy, AI and Student Mental Health
This entry today is informed by this story about Adam Raine's suicide in the NY Times. It is time - actually well past time - that there is a multi-trillion dollar industry designed to keep us using apps no matter what those apps may mean for our individual and collective mental health. (And by the way, if you want to read two wonderful novels that also deal with this issue, let me recommend…
practicaltheory.org
September 7, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Kids are using AI as companions and therapists to potentially dangerous ends.
How do schools deal with this, and how do we talk to kids about how AI works and our own mental health?
How do schools deal with this, and how do we talk to kids about how AI works and our own mental health?
Great, now I’m gonna worry about disappointing Michael Stipe by accidentally forming a vowel and not meaning it.
Any other lyrics— don’t even try chronic town murmur or reckoning btw— just form vowels and syllables, and mean it
September 5, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Great, now I’m gonna worry about disappointing Michael Stipe by accidentally forming a vowel and not meaning it.
Reposted by Dave Thomer
