Melissa
@meowwwls.bsky.social
she/her
🖌 part-time #illustrator
👩🏻💻 part-time front-end developer
🧘🏻♀️ full-time worrier
📍 Chicago
🖌 part-time #illustrator
👩🏻💻 part-time front-end developer
🧘🏻♀️ full-time worrier
📍 Chicago
Pinned
Melissa
@meowwwls.bsky.social
· Oct 22
It's ✨ spooky season ✨, and what's scarier than putting yourself out there? 👻
A few of my recent illustrations:
A few of my recent illustrations:
Reposted by Melissa
It's not just "consumer smart" it reduces environmental waste, key materials are often mined in slave conditions. The whole tenor of the article is wrong - why is the economy so dependent on us engaging in mass waste?
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/h... "please, buy new phone. the economy is dying" is an incredible gaslight
Americans are holding onto devices longer than ever and it's costing economy
Americans are holding onto devices longer than ever before, and while it may be consumer smart, it comes at a cost to work productivity and the U.S. economy.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:17 AM
It's not just "consumer smart" it reduces environmental waste, key materials are often mined in slave conditions. The whole tenor of the article is wrong - why is the economy so dependent on us engaging in mass waste?
Reposted by Melissa
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
Reposted by Melissa
I TOLD Y'ALL I didn't want to learn anything else!!! I said I was DONE with information and I MEANT IT!! I don't want to KNOW THINGS any longer! I was VERY CLEAR about this: do not inform me.
November 22, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I TOLD Y'ALL I didn't want to learn anything else!!! I said I was DONE with information and I MEANT IT!! I don't want to KNOW THINGS any longer! I was VERY CLEAR about this: do not inform me.
Reposted by Melissa
Please understand that "reward people for being healthy", in health insurance, also translates to "punish people for being disabled."
The people who are most vulnerable, most in need, will be asked to bear higher costs, in many cases, pricing them out of accessing health care, into early graves.
The people who are most vulnerable, most in need, will be asked to bear higher costs, in many cases, pricing them out of accessing health care, into early graves.
Markwayne Mullin: "Reward people for being healthy. Think about this. Healthcare is the only industry that you're not rewarded for taking care of your responsibility. If you think about homeowners insurance, if you're within 500 feet of a fire hydrant, your insurance goes down."
November 19, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Please understand that "reward people for being healthy", in health insurance, also translates to "punish people for being disabled."
The people who are most vulnerable, most in need, will be asked to bear higher costs, in many cases, pricing them out of accessing health care, into early graves.
The people who are most vulnerable, most in need, will be asked to bear higher costs, in many cases, pricing them out of accessing health care, into early graves.
Reposted by Melissa
The billionaire urge to move everything to space instead of spending money to fix problems here on the planet…these people are not well.
November 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
The billionaire urge to move everything to space instead of spending money to fix problems here on the planet…these people are not well.
Reposted by Melissa
When a big media company uses genai slop instead of human made art, it is not just taking a job away from one artist to make that thing but *multiple* artists involved in all the things.
The entire artist-hiring pipeline gets destroyed in favor of chugging from the hot dogshit pipeline.
The entire artist-hiring pipeline gets destroyed in favor of chugging from the hot dogshit pipeline.
November 15, 2025 at 9:37 AM
When a big media company uses genai slop instead of human made art, it is not just taking a job away from one artist to make that thing but *multiple* artists involved in all the things.
The entire artist-hiring pipeline gets destroyed in favor of chugging from the hot dogshit pipeline.
The entire artist-hiring pipeline gets destroyed in favor of chugging from the hot dogshit pipeline.
Reposted by Melissa
‘Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, & full of love.’
—Alice Wong
—Alice Wong
November 15, 2025 at 6:12 AM
‘Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, & full of love.’
—Alice Wong
—Alice Wong
Reposted by Melissa
I’m an every day American terrified about the rise of racism, bigotry, and misogyny as well as the shitty economy, Pete. It’s pretty painful to have my concerns dismissed because I’m not a white dude from the rust belt.
Speaking at a Texas Tribune Festival on Friday, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg criticized the Democratic Party for failing to reach everyday Americans, arguing that it “got sucked in” to a conversation about identity. #TribFest25
Pete Buttigieg critiques Democrats for focus on identity
The former U.S. transportation secretary said the Democratic Party should focus more on issues gripping the country, such as health care and housing affordability.
www.texastribune.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:35 AM
I’m an every day American terrified about the rise of racism, bigotry, and misogyny as well as the shitty economy, Pete. It’s pretty painful to have my concerns dismissed because I’m not a white dude from the rust belt.
Reposted by Melissa
I'm raising funds to make sure the people offering advice at Scarleteen have access to healthcare! Your contributions to my personal fundraising page will count towards an overall $10k match so they count double right now.
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
Scarleteen began when young people started writing to Heather asking for advice with sex and relationships, and that one-on-one, personally tailored advice is still at the core of what we do. Advice columns are some of our most popular content.
November 14, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I'm raising funds to make sure the people offering advice at Scarleteen have access to healthcare! Your contributions to my personal fundraising page will count towards an overall $10k match so they count double right now.
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
www.classy.org/fundraiser/6...
Reposted by Melissa
i am saddled with the thought of how different our world would be if we believed women.
November 13, 2025 at 7:35 PM
i am saddled with the thought of how different our world would be if we believed women.
Reposted by Melissa
I‘m not a neuroscientist but it’s hard to believe that the brain is really setup for this, no matter how good we are individually at managing information
November 13, 2025 at 11:46 AM
I‘m not a neuroscientist but it’s hard to believe that the brain is really setup for this, no matter how good we are individually at managing information
Reposted by Melissa
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
November 10, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I received this email about Democrats caving to end the shutdown from one of the SNAP recipients I spoke to:
Reposted by Melissa
Chicagoans: Attend this virtual Rapid Response training on Wed 10/14 at 4pm to learn how to help protect our neighbors during this occupation. zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Video Conferencing, Web Conferencing, Webinars, Screen Sharing
Zoom is the leader in modern enterprise video communications, with an easy, reliable cloud platform for video and audio conferencing, chat, and webinars across mobile, desktop, and room systems. Zoom ...
zoom.us
October 12, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Chicagoans: Attend this virtual Rapid Response training on Wed 10/14 at 4pm to learn how to help protect our neighbors during this occupation. zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Melissa
Yes, the underlying reason for the need for this is horrifying, stipulated, but watching so many people stand up and defend their neighbors and their community is a heartening reminder that the people who suck are not the majority even if they are the power
Was just at a neighborhood school at dismissal. Hundreds of people with whistles surrounding the school and stationed down every block making sure ICE doesn’t snatch anyone. The same is happening at all the schools around here. I love my neighborhood and I love Chicago.
October 11, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Yes, the underlying reason for the need for this is horrifying, stipulated, but watching so many people stand up and defend their neighbors and their community is a heartening reminder that the people who suck are not the majority even if they are the power
Reposted by Melissa
Many things are being destroyed & the news of it is a psychological & political onslaught.
So it’s important that you create things.
It can be art, cookies, a community pantry, a garden, a mask bloc. It can be beautiful, practical, silly. Just create & share.
It’ll do your brain & the world good.
So it’s important that you create things.
It can be art, cookies, a community pantry, a garden, a mask bloc. It can be beautiful, practical, silly. Just create & share.
It’ll do your brain & the world good.
October 10, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Many things are being destroyed & the news of it is a psychological & political onslaught.
So it’s important that you create things.
It can be art, cookies, a community pantry, a garden, a mask bloc. It can be beautiful, practical, silly. Just create & share.
It’ll do your brain & the world good.
So it’s important that you create things.
It can be art, cookies, a community pantry, a garden, a mask bloc. It can be beautiful, practical, silly. Just create & share.
It’ll do your brain & the world good.
Reposted by Melissa
I’m. So. Tired.
I don’t just want you to pay attention to Chicago because I want you to understand our plight. I want you to see how hard people are fighting and know wtf you’re made of. We’re not just fighting for this place. This is for all of us.
I don’t just want you to pay attention to Chicago because I want you to understand our plight. I want you to see how hard people are fighting and know wtf you’re made of. We’re not just fighting for this place. This is for all of us.
October 7, 2025 at 4:11 AM
I’m. So. Tired.
I don’t just want you to pay attention to Chicago because I want you to understand our plight. I want you to see how hard people are fighting and know wtf you’re made of. We’re not just fighting for this place. This is for all of us.
I don’t just want you to pay attention to Chicago because I want you to understand our plight. I want you to see how hard people are fighting and know wtf you’re made of. We’re not just fighting for this place. This is for all of us.
Reposted by Melissa
Do you have the Sunday scaries? I don't know if my piece about how housing haunts millennials will make you feel better, but it DOES have some good book recommendations!
Housing Haunts Me
If only getting a mortgage was as easy as opening a book.
the-flytrap.ghost.io
October 6, 2025 at 1:04 AM
Do you have the Sunday scaries? I don't know if my piece about how housing haunts millennials will make you feel better, but it DOES have some good book recommendations!
Reposted by Melissa
ICE is illegally raiding apartments in minority neighborhoods and Trump is trying to deploy the national guard to suppress dissent and people are really out here wasting their time arguing that LLM bigotry is a thing ??? please wake up and care about literally anything that matters
October 5, 2025 at 3:35 AM
ICE is illegally raiding apartments in minority neighborhoods and Trump is trying to deploy the national guard to suppress dissent and people are really out here wasting their time arguing that LLM bigotry is a thing ??? please wake up and care about literally anything that matters
Reposted by Melissa
I really enjoyed working on this piece on horror, the haunted house, and the politics of housing with @freeblackgirl.bsky.social for @theflytrapmedia.com; what makes it even better is this KILLER illustration from @meowwwls.bsky.social
This is the kind of cultural criticism I love doing!
This is the kind of cultural criticism I love doing!
Housing Haunts Me
If only getting a mortgage was as easy as opening a book.
the-flytrap.ghost.io
October 4, 2025 at 2:51 PM
I really enjoyed working on this piece on horror, the haunted house, and the politics of housing with @freeblackgirl.bsky.social for @theflytrapmedia.com; what makes it even better is this KILLER illustration from @meowwwls.bsky.social
This is the kind of cultural criticism I love doing!
This is the kind of cultural criticism I love doing!
It was such an amazing experience getting to illustrate for @sesmith.lol's wonderful haunted housing piece for @theflytrapmedia.com! 🏚️
Happy @theflytrapmedia.com Friday everyone! Every Friday this month we're publishing a spooky post, starting with mine on Millennial housing anxiety and a new generation of horror novels.
Housing Haunts Me
If only getting a mortgage was as easy as opening a book.
the-flytrap.ghost.io
October 3, 2025 at 2:33 PM
It was such an amazing experience getting to illustrate for @sesmith.lol's wonderful haunted housing piece for @theflytrapmedia.com! 🏚️
Reposted by Melissa
Spending all day on here made the news feel normal and now that I’m never here it’s so obviously terrible and extreme! That’s actually a benefit given the circumstances.
Every day I spend most of my time offline, and when I get back on I find that some new atrocity is happening or some other foundational element of the republic has collapsed and frankly I appreciate how jarring and upsetting it is
July 18, 2025 at 1:32 AM
Spending all day on here made the news feel normal and now that I’m never here it’s so obviously terrible and extreme! That’s actually a benefit given the circumstances.
Reposted by Melissa
I have been back and forth over the span of 5 years about whether to publish this article.
All opinions and experiences in this post are my own, or from people I personally know, backed up with recent reports and statistics.
All opinions and experiences in this post are my own, or from people I personally know, backed up with recent reports and statistics.
Why Women in Tech isn't enough
Women in Tech spaces help, but fall short in the long run. Real progress needs systemic change and active involvement from men in positions of power.
whitep4nth3r.com
July 16, 2025 at 2:25 PM
I have been back and forth over the span of 5 years about whether to publish this article.
All opinions and experiences in this post are my own, or from people I personally know, backed up with recent reports and statistics.
All opinions and experiences in this post are my own, or from people I personally know, backed up with recent reports and statistics.
Reposted by Melissa
Reposted by Melissa
I love art. I love this craft of visual romanticization. Seeing how people interpret the world around them with their feelings and thoughts poetically laid bare in line and color. Art can ignite the imagination and passion in others and it’s all done by moving a stick around with intent and emotion.
Fuck your complaints. What’s something you love?
January 18, 2025 at 8:44 AM
I love art. I love this craft of visual romanticization. Seeing how people interpret the world around them with their feelings and thoughts poetically laid bare in line and color. Art can ignite the imagination and passion in others and it’s all done by moving a stick around with intent and emotion.
Reposted by Melissa
Every once in a while I think about how the best paid jobs are usually the least helpful or most actively harmful to society (medicine being the one big exception), while the worst paid ones are the most helpful to society. Then I stare out the window for a while
July 12, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Every once in a while I think about how the best paid jobs are usually the least helpful or most actively harmful to society (medicine being the one big exception), while the worst paid ones are the most helpful to society. Then I stare out the window for a while