Joel
@polyparadigm.bsky.social
Materials scientist:some range and depth, interested in making arcane topics a little more accessible.
Prior place photo was from the aughts; figured I should update.
Prior place photo was from the aughts; figured I should update.
Pinned
Joel
@polyparadigm.bsky.social
· Sep 27
I am noticing that even some fairly scholarly people on here don’t seem to really distinguish between “socially constructed” and “fake”
It feels important to the project of fascism that we conflate these two ideas
Most social constructs have a fake counterpart they’re constructed in opposition to
It feels important to the project of fascism that we conflate these two ideas
Most social constructs have a fake counterpart they’re constructed in opposition to
Reposted by Joel
fellas is it normal for a funding bill to waive the sovereign immunity of the united states government in the context of when senators are targets of federal investigation
November 11, 2025 at 4:47 AM
fellas is it normal for a funding bill to waive the sovereign immunity of the united states government in the context of when senators are targets of federal investigation
Reposted by Joel
The best thread on the Edmund Fitzgerald you'll read.
#OTD in Weather History, 48 years ago, on November 10, 1975, the ore freighter SS EDMUND FITZGERALD was lost with all hands in a severe storm on Lake Superior.
She is perhaps the best known shipwreck on the Great Lakes, and today we remember her loss. 1/
She is perhaps the best known shipwreck on the Great Lakes, and today we remember her loss. 1/
November 11, 2025 at 7:24 AM
The best thread on the Edmund Fitzgerald you'll read.
Reposted by Joel
Mr. President…I know you’ve been struggling with a lot of really severe health issues recently, and I just want to let you know…that you don’t need to hold on anymore. I’ve made my peace with this. Somehow I’ll carry on... You have my permission to go, sir…
November 11, 2025 at 7:18 AM
Mr. President…I know you’ve been struggling with a lot of really severe health issues recently, and I just want to let you know…that you don’t need to hold on anymore. I’ve made my peace with this. Somehow I’ll carry on... You have my permission to go, sir…
Reposted by Joel
Remember 25 years ago when a photo was taken of a fed pointing a gun at a crying refugee child and the image was so shameful it dominated the news cycle for a year
November 11, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Remember 25 years ago when a photo was taken of a fed pointing a gun at a crying refugee child and the image was so shameful it dominated the news cycle for a year
Reposted by Joel
Actuarial insurance is something you hope never to use. Social insurance is something you expect to (and should) use at different points in your life. Health insurance is a funny combination of both those things.
Remember that insurance is actually a thing you hope never to use, and then read this critique.
November 11, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Actuarial insurance is something you hope never to use. Social insurance is something you expect to (and should) use at different points in your life. Health insurance is a funny combination of both those things.
Reposted by Joel
Vought holds one of the most powerful jobs in D.C., and he’s used his position to wage a quiet war to change the shape of the entire U.S. government.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
What You Should Know About Russ Vought, Trump’s Shadow President
Vought is the architect of President Trump’s broader plan to fire civil servants, freeze government programs and dismantle entire agencies. Here are some key things to know about the D.C. insider who ...
www.propublica.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Vought holds one of the most powerful jobs in D.C., and he’s used his position to wage a quiet war to change the shape of the entire U.S. government.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
Here's what you should know about Trump’s shadow president.
Reposted by Joel
With alt text.
But also, I told you when used effectively shame works. The problem is Elon isn't shamed by normal things like the weight of being responsible for the deaths of 600,000 people, or being a white supremacist or whatever. Oates just landed on a pressure point.
But also, I told you when used effectively shame works. The problem is Elon isn't shamed by normal things like the weight of being responsible for the deaths of 600,000 people, or being a white supremacist or whatever. Oates just landed on a pressure point.
November 11, 2025 at 12:41 AM
With alt text.
But also, I told you when used effectively shame works. The problem is Elon isn't shamed by normal things like the weight of being responsible for the deaths of 600,000 people, or being a white supremacist or whatever. Oates just landed on a pressure point.
But also, I told you when used effectively shame works. The problem is Elon isn't shamed by normal things like the weight of being responsible for the deaths of 600,000 people, or being a white supremacist or whatever. Oates just landed on a pressure point.
Reposted by Joel
Yeah, in Jamaica, people build pergolas with solar instead of wood and the price is not all that different.
Solar’s price drop is astonishing: panels are now 98% cheaper than when I first analyzed them in 2004.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
Today, building a fence with solar can be cheaper than using wood.
November 11, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Yeah, in Jamaica, people build pergolas with solar instead of wood and the price is not all that different.
Reposted by Joel
SEATTLE!!!
We’ve now taken the lead by 91 votes! 🤯 This thing is certainly not over! Over 1,000 ballots have been challenged, so if you haven’t tracked your ballot yet get on it! Our trusty volunteers have been working hard to "cure" ballots so they count! We're so close!
We’ve now taken the lead by 91 votes! 🤯 This thing is certainly not over! Over 1,000 ballots have been challenged, so if you haven’t tracked your ballot yet get on it! Our trusty volunteers have been working hard to "cure" ballots so they count! We're so close!
November 11, 2025 at 12:16 AM
SEATTLE!!!
We’ve now taken the lead by 91 votes! 🤯 This thing is certainly not over! Over 1,000 ballots have been challenged, so if you haven’t tracked your ballot yet get on it! Our trusty volunteers have been working hard to "cure" ballots so they count! We're so close!
We’ve now taken the lead by 91 votes! 🤯 This thing is certainly not over! Over 1,000 ballots have been challenged, so if you haven’t tracked your ballot yet get on it! Our trusty volunteers have been working hard to "cure" ballots so they count! We're so close!
Reposted by Joel
Katie Wilson, who is good, is currently 4,500 votes behind Bruce Harrell, who is evil.
There are 45,000 ballots outstanding. 10% of those ballots could change the fate of Seattle.
Check your ballot.
There are 45,000 ballots outstanding. 10% of those ballots could change the fate of Seattle.
Check your ballot.
This race could very easily be decided by challenged ballots. Use this link to track your ballot, and remind your friends and family to do the same: info.kingcounty.gov/kcelections/...
November 10, 2025 at 10:59 PM
Katie Wilson, who is good, is currently 4,500 votes behind Bruce Harrell, who is evil.
There are 45,000 ballots outstanding. 10% of those ballots could change the fate of Seattle.
Check your ballot.
There are 45,000 ballots outstanding. 10% of those ballots could change the fate of Seattle.
Check your ballot.
Reposted by Joel
Update: this is no longer included in the final funding deal. I'm going to keep fighting to lower premiums and ensure Republicans can’t get away with a backdoor national abortion ban.
Senate update: Republicans are now trying to sneak a backdoor national abortion ban into their government funding bill. Republicans will stop at nothing to control women's health care decisions.
November 10, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Update: this is no longer included in the final funding deal. I'm going to keep fighting to lower premiums and ensure Republicans can’t get away with a backdoor national abortion ban.
Reposted by Joel
Reposted by Joel
Breaking MSNBC:
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
U.S. Attorney investigating alleged grand ‘conspiracy’ calls unit-wide meeting after two prosecutors resign
Career prosecutors on “pins and needles” after flurry of subpoenas approved.
www.msnbc.com
November 10, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Breaking MSNBC:
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
The U.S. Attorney for the Southern District of Florida called a division-wide meeting this afternoon, following the resignations of two prosecutors who were asked to take part in a vast "conspiracy" investigation into former intel and law enforcement officials.
Reposted by Joel
Reposted by Joel
Hearing now that @chrismurphyct.bsky.social will allow the fast-tracking of the capitulation CR.
If any senator objects, the bill passage could be delayed until Friday. But apparently zero Senators have objected to the scheduling motion on the hotline.
Zero!
If any senator objects, the bill passage could be delayed until Friday. But apparently zero Senators have objected to the scheduling motion on the hotline.
Zero!
I got back to my office after the vote last night and recorded this. There's no way to sugarcoat what happened. And my fear is that Trump gets stronger, not weaker, because of this acquiescence. I'm angry - like you. But I choose to keep fighting.
November 10, 2025 at 9:49 PM
Hearing now that @chrismurphyct.bsky.social will allow the fast-tracking of the capitulation CR.
If any senator objects, the bill passage could be delayed until Friday. But apparently zero Senators have objected to the scheduling motion on the hotline.
Zero!
If any senator objects, the bill passage could be delayed until Friday. But apparently zero Senators have objected to the scheduling motion on the hotline.
Zero!
Reposted by Joel
We’ve all gotten to know of Elle’s tremendous work during the campaign. There couldn’t be a better choice there.
Having worked around Dean at state I also want to sing his praises as a talented leader and a good choice for this job.
Having worked around Dean at state I also want to sing his praises as a talented leader and a good choice for this job.
Less than a week after his historic win, Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani has announced his first top appointments, naming Dean Fuleihan as first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church as chief of staff.
Read more: http://specne.ws/ieUCP2
Read more: http://specne.ws/ieUCP2
Mayor-elect Mamdani announces first top City Hall appointments
Dean Fuleihan will be first deputy mayor and Elle Bisgaard-Church will be chief of staff.
specne.ws
November 10, 2025 at 6:24 PM
We’ve all gotten to know of Elle’s tremendous work during the campaign. There couldn’t be a better choice there.
Having worked around Dean at state I also want to sing his praises as a talented leader and a good choice for this job.
Having worked around Dean at state I also want to sing his praises as a talented leader and a good choice for this job.
Reposted by Joel
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
November 10, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Tell me you don’t understand risk pools without telling me you don’t understand risk pools
Reposted by Joel
Go volunteer for a progressive launching a “hopeless” campaign against an extremely entrenched incumbent currently squatting in a safe Blue seat. The worst thing that happens, is that you drag the incumbent to the Left. Best case? Zohran Mamdani, who was polling at 6% in January.
November 10, 2025 at 11:50 AM
Go volunteer for a progressive launching a “hopeless” campaign against an extremely entrenched incumbent currently squatting in a safe Blue seat. The worst thing that happens, is that you drag the incumbent to the Left. Best case? Zohran Mamdani, who was polling at 6% in January.
Reposted by Joel
I understand the impulse to say "how can you celebrate one small piece of good news when [all the bad news]" or even "how can you celebrate the mere temporary absence of bad news on this topic"
but I am, and I will.
but I am, and I will.
New: The Supreme Court DENIES Kim Davis' request to overturn Obergefell, the marriage equality decision. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/orders/court...
November 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I understand the impulse to say "how can you celebrate one small piece of good news when [all the bad news]" or even "how can you celebrate the mere temporary absence of bad news on this topic"
but I am, and I will.
but I am, and I will.
Buddy, look…
November 10, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Buddy, look…
Reposted by Joel
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
Reposted by Joel
Thanks to eight senate dipshits, these jokes are now you're only affordable health insurance options.
Cartoon: Actually affordable health insurance plans
Support � my � Patreon � for early access and exclusives.
Follow me on � Mastodon ,� ...
www.dailykos.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Thanks to eight senate dipshits, these jokes are now you're only affordable health insurance options.
Reposted by Joel
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Joel
"Every mystery we solve brings me closer to the realization that the only monsters in this world are pathetic old men trying to steal as much money as they can."
November 8, 2025 at 7:53 PM
"Every mystery we solve brings me closer to the realization that the only monsters in this world are pathetic old men trying to steal as much money as they can."