Mark E. Griffin
@marvelousmarks.bsky.social
Writer for hire of science, music, food, culture, and kids. Podcaster of those things, too.
Audio producer, writer, storyteller, McSweeney's, Cap Times, Wisconsin Life, etc.
MarvelousMarks.com
Audio producer, writer, storyteller, McSweeney's, Cap Times, Wisconsin Life, etc.
MarvelousMarks.com
Pinned
I Assume All Responsibility If My Child Jams a Bic Pen into Her School-Issued Chromebook
I understand I am responsible if my child renders her Chromebook a paper weight by mercilessly and giddily jamming a Bic pen into the power jack, c...
www.mcsweeneys.net
My newest for @mcsweeneys.net, I detail the ways in which your child should definitely, absolutely, positively not destroy their school issued Chromebook: www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/i-a...
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
And because this is going to be stuck in my head for the next 48 or so hours: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEOj...
December 13, 2025 at 3:31 PM
And because this is going to be stuck in my head for the next 48 or so hours: www.youtube.com/watch?v=HEOj...
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
We may not be a sports magazine, but we've featured some exceptional sports writing in the past—like this story by Will McGrath. Watch for his next contribution in our sports-themed issue coming out this month.
www.thebeliever.net/american-boys/
www.thebeliever.net/american-boys/
American Boys - Believer Magazine
Listen to this story: Cedar-Riverside was humming. The boys were looking fresh—Frenchy with his hair twisted up, Saiid’s beard trimmed tight—everybody edged up and faded up and straight from the barbe...
www.thebeliever.net
December 10, 2025 at 7:31 PM
We may not be a sports magazine, but we've featured some exceptional sports writing in the past—like this story by Will McGrath. Watch for his next contribution in our sports-themed issue coming out this month.
www.thebeliever.net/american-boys/
www.thebeliever.net/american-boys/
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
I'll add that as someone who not that long ago spent many frantic nights looking for information on sleep training, feeding, etc etc--by far the most valuable internet resource was reddit, the only place with human advice. Everything else is basically useless at this point.
This entire grift relies on convincing people that they don't know how to do the things they have always known how to do, and ironically, if it works, we will, in a very short amount of time, forget how to do all the things we have always known how to do.
Jimmy Fallon: "And do you use ChatGPT when raising your baby?"
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
Sam Altman: "I cannot imagine figuring out how to raise a newborn without ChatGPT."
December 9, 2025 at 3:47 PM
I'll add that as someone who not that long ago spent many frantic nights looking for information on sleep training, feeding, etc etc--by far the most valuable internet resource was reddit, the only place with human advice. Everything else is basically useless at this point.
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
going with a team to the mountaintop of a title and then coming down! lessons from lobbying applied to basketball reporting! not treating people as sources! the one job we wish all nba media members had before being nba media! the BASKETBALL FEELINGS podcast ep 63 with @noadalzell.bsky.social!
The Basketball Feelings Podcast, Episode 63: Noa Dalzell
Celtics beat writer and WNBA reporter on the championship comedown, how lobbying is like basketball reporting, and asking good questions.
www.basketballfeelings.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:00 PM
going with a team to the mountaintop of a title and then coming down! lessons from lobbying applied to basketball reporting! not treating people as sources! the one job we wish all nba media members had before being nba media! the BASKETBALL FEELINGS podcast ep 63 with @noadalzell.bsky.social!
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
This was so fun!
going with a team to the mountaintop of a title and then coming down! lessons from lobbying applied to basketball reporting! not treating people as sources! the one job we wish all nba media members had before being nba media! the BASKETBALL FEELINGS podcast ep 63 with @noadalzell.bsky.social!
The Basketball Feelings Podcast, Episode 63: Noa Dalzell
Celtics beat writer and WNBA reporter on the championship comedown, how lobbying is like basketball reporting, and asking good questions.
www.basketballfeelings.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:05 PM
This was so fun!
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Question: Are there any good studies on the economic effects of the widespread addition of tipping screens to payment systems? Have all these new tipping prompts increased workers earnings or no?
December 8, 2025 at 3:55 PM
Question: Are there any good studies on the economic effects of the widespread addition of tipping screens to payment systems? Have all these new tipping prompts increased workers earnings or no?
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Sam & Ed is the best basketball game from the 70's or 80's and I would like Evercade to release a version of it
December 3, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Sam & Ed is the best basketball game from the 70's or 80's and I would like Evercade to release a version of it
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Betty Boop
St. Thomas, ND
St. Thomas, ND
December 3, 2025 at 11:10 PM
Betty Boop
St. Thomas, ND
St. Thomas, ND
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Poodle planter
McGregor, MN
McGregor, MN
December 1, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Poodle planter
McGregor, MN
McGregor, MN
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
One of my fundamental beliefs is that I should not have to talk to people who have been cruel to me. You might be surprised to learn how often -- and vociferously -- people disagree with me about that.
December 1, 2025 at 4:23 PM
One of my fundamental beliefs is that I should not have to talk to people who have been cruel to me. You might be surprised to learn how often -- and vociferously -- people disagree with me about that.
I routinely fail these, and it really bugs me because I can spot AI writing in most cases without even reading the words (I guess this makes sense, because I'm a writer, not a videographer)
There's no one way to be absolutely sure about a video's authenticity, but experts say there are some simple clues that can help.
AI video slop is everywhere, take our quiz to try and spot it
There's no one way to be absolutely sure about a video's authenticity, but experts say there are some simple clues that can help.
n.pr
December 1, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I routinely fail these, and it really bugs me because I can spot AI writing in most cases without even reading the words (I guess this makes sense, because I'm a writer, not a videographer)
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Probably an unpopular opinion but: As a big-time Talking Heads fan, I find late-period David Byrne really cringy. I couldn't finish AMERICAN UTOPIA, and the aesthetic of this video is not my thing even though (like AU) it's heavily STOP MAKING SENSE coded
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNmc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNmc...
David Byrne: Tiny Desk Concert
YouTube video by NPR Music
www.youtube.com
December 1, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Probably an unpopular opinion but: As a big-time Talking Heads fan, I find late-period David Byrne really cringy. I couldn't finish AMERICAN UTOPIA, and the aesthetic of this video is not my thing even though (like AU) it's heavily STOP MAKING SENSE coded
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNmc...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=PNmc...
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
(RACHEL walks past children playing. Her biological clock ticks. She’s thirty, almost dead.)
LITTLE GIRL: Are you excited for the County Hanukkah Fair?
RACHEL: Not really. I’m not super into Hanukkah.
LITTLE GIRL: Are you excited for the County Hanukkah Fair?
RACHEL: Not really. I’m not super into Hanukkah.
Scenes from a Hallmark Hanukkah Movie Written by Someone Who Has Definitely Met a Jew
EXT. SMALL TOWN BUS STOP – DAY (A beautiful woman with slightly wavy brown hair steps off a bus. She’s RACHEL, a corporate lawyer from The Big Cit...
buff.ly
December 1, 2025 at 2:30 AM
(RACHEL walks past children playing. Her biological clock ticks. She’s thirty, almost dead.)
LITTLE GIRL: Are you excited for the County Hanukkah Fair?
RACHEL: Not really. I’m not super into Hanukkah.
LITTLE GIRL: Are you excited for the County Hanukkah Fair?
RACHEL: Not really. I’m not super into Hanukkah.
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Cyber Monday is here. 33% off all books today, 50% off back issues all week, enjoy.
Store.mcsweeneys.net
Store.mcsweeneys.net
December 1, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Cyber Monday is here. 33% off all books today, 50% off back issues all week, enjoy.
Store.mcsweeneys.net
Store.mcsweeneys.net
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Since moving to FBS in 2012, UMass has had the worst football team in the country... by a lot
Tonight, the 0-11 Minutemen have their last chance to avoid a winless season
Tonight, the 0-11 Minutemen have their last chance to avoid a winless season
November 24, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Since moving to FBS in 2012, UMass has had the worst football team in the country... by a lot
Tonight, the 0-11 Minutemen have their last chance to avoid a winless season
Tonight, the 0-11 Minutemen have their last chance to avoid a winless season
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Wahoo Bakery
Wahoo, NE
Wahoo, NE
November 21, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Wahoo Bakery
Wahoo, NE
Wahoo, NE
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
a movie so sharp and funny that it basically killed the musical biopic for a decade
Coming soon to 4K UHD
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) 4K UHD
MORE INFO TBA
#WalkHard #walkhardthedeweycoxstory #JohnCReilly #JakeKasdan #Bluray #physicalmedia
#FilmCommunity #Bluray #4K #4KBluray #4KUltraHD
#DVD #VHS #physicalmedia #physicalmediaforever #bluraycollector #FilmSky
Walk Hard: The Dewey Cox Story (2007) 4K UHD
MORE INFO TBA
#WalkHard #walkhardthedeweycoxstory #JohnCReilly #JakeKasdan #Bluray #physicalmedia
#FilmCommunity #Bluray #4K #4KBluray #4KUltraHD
#DVD #VHS #physicalmedia #physicalmediaforever #bluraycollector #FilmSky
November 19, 2025 at 3:35 PM
a movie so sharp and funny that it basically killed the musical biopic for a decade
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
The Decoy Bar
Webster, SD
Webster, SD
November 18, 2025 at 3:30 AM
The Decoy Bar
Webster, SD
Webster, SD
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Todd honored his elders so beautifully. This is one of the greatest videos on YouTube and I probably watch it monthly:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QdW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QdW...
Todd Snider w/ Jerry Jeff Walker, Jason Isbell, Amanda Shires - "Mr. Bojangles"
YouTube video by schoenular
www.youtube.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Todd honored his elders so beautifully. This is one of the greatest videos on YouTube and I probably watch it monthly:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QdW...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=5QdW...
One of the best storytellers of his generation, or maybe any.
RIP to a true original. Go read his book I Never Met a Story I Didn’t Like. www.opb.org/article/2025...
Portland-born songwriter Todd Snider dead at 59
Snider was born in Portland and became well known in the roots music scene of the early 2000s, particularly for his album “East Nashville Sky,” which helped shape the modern alternative country genre.
www.opb.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:56 PM
One of the best storytellers of his generation, or maybe any.
RIP to a true original. Go read his book I Never Met a Story I Didn’t Like. www.opb.org/article/2025...
Portland-born songwriter Todd Snider dead at 59
Snider was born in Portland and became well known in the roots music scene of the early 2000s, particularly for his album “East Nashville Sky,” which helped shape the modern alternative country genre.
www.opb.org
November 15, 2025 at 5:49 PM
RIP to a true original. Go read his book I Never Met a Story I Didn’t Like. www.opb.org/article/2025...
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Northern Lights
Cleveland, ND
Cleveland, ND
November 13, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Northern Lights
Cleveland, ND
Cleveland, ND
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
The wonderful writers @sn-media-guild.bsky.social have been waiting on a fair contract almost long enough to gestate a baby elephant (620 days).
They have neither a contract NOR a baby elephant.
All they want is a contract, to be paid for their amazing expertise.
They have neither a contract NOR a baby elephant.
All they want is a contract, to be paid for their amazing expertise.
🚨 STRIKE ALERT: Journalists at Science News are on strike and holding a 12-hour picket outside of the office!
After 560 days of bargaining, the Science News Media Guild (@sn-media-guild.bsky.social) is demanding and fair contract NOW!
After 560 days of bargaining, the Science News Media Guild (@sn-media-guild.bsky.social) is demanding and fair contract NOW!
November 6, 2025 at 4:56 PM
The wonderful writers @sn-media-guild.bsky.social have been waiting on a fair contract almost long enough to gestate a baby elephant (620 days).
They have neither a contract NOR a baby elephant.
All they want is a contract, to be paid for their amazing expertise.
They have neither a contract NOR a baby elephant.
All they want is a contract, to be paid for their amazing expertise.
Reposted by Mark E. Griffin
Looking to support our cause? Be sure to sign our petition calling for a fair contract!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
For a Fair Contract at Science News!
Workers at Science News and Science News Explores have been bargaining their first union contract for over a year now. Despite the entire staff's proven ability to work effectively from home, manageme...
actionnetwork.org
November 12, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Looking to support our cause? Be sure to sign our petition calling for a fair contract!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
@sn-media-guild.bsky.social represents Science News and Science News Explores magazine writers and editors. Coming up on the 2 year anniversary of working without a contract, they're asking supporters to sign this petition: #scicomm
Looking to support our cause? Be sure to sign our petition calling for a fair contract!
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
actionnetwork.org/petitions/fo...
For a Fair Contract at Science News!
Workers at Science News and Science News Explores have been bargaining their first union contract for over a year now. Despite the entire staff's proven ability to work effectively from home, manageme...
actionnetwork.org
November 13, 2025 at 9:51 PM
@sn-media-guild.bsky.social represents Science News and Science News Explores magazine writers and editors. Coming up on the 2 year anniversary of working without a contract, they're asking supporters to sign this petition: #scicomm