R. E. Stearns
@restearns.com
Author of Barbary Station, Mutiny at Vesta, and Gravity of a Distant Sun, and Under a New and Brilliant Sky
Reposted by R. E. Stearns
Hate to brag but Jane Goodall did not personally list me as someone she’d like to launch into space
October 7, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Hate to brag but Jane Goodall did not personally list me as someone she’d like to launch into space
Got vaccines this morning. The nurse practitioner was distractingly charming and hot, so in response to her rational despair over the political nonsense I managed to say "It's so nice to hear normal words, in reality." My spouse witnessed my speech check failure and is still laughing at me about it.
September 5, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Got vaccines this morning. The nurse practitioner was distractingly charming and hot, so in response to her rational despair over the political nonsense I managed to say "It's so nice to hear normal words, in reality." My spouse witnessed my speech check failure and is still laughing at me about it.
Reposted by R. E. Stearns
Hello, creators! I would like to talk to you today about creating things while the world feels like it's falling apart! I feel like I see a lot of folks despairing that it feels useless, frivolous, or even *rude* to create when others are under duress.
I am here to say NOT TRUE
I am here to say NOT TRUE
July 14, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Hello, creators! I would like to talk to you today about creating things while the world feels like it's falling apart! I feel like I see a lot of folks despairing that it feels useless, frivolous, or even *rude* to create when others are under duress.
I am here to say NOT TRUE
I am here to say NOT TRUE
Poetry found on weather.gov regarding an afternoon thunderstorm:
Blowing dust brings reduced visibility.
Avoid blowing dust
if possible.
In dense blowing dust,
pull off the road,
turn off your lights,
keep
your foot off the brake.
Blowing dust brings reduced visibility.
Avoid blowing dust
if possible.
In dense blowing dust,
pull off the road,
turn off your lights,
keep
your foot off the brake.
July 10, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Poetry found on weather.gov regarding an afternoon thunderstorm:
Blowing dust brings reduced visibility.
Avoid blowing dust
if possible.
In dense blowing dust,
pull off the road,
turn off your lights,
keep
your foot off the brake.
Blowing dust brings reduced visibility.
Avoid blowing dust
if possible.
In dense blowing dust,
pull off the road,
turn off your lights,
keep
your foot off the brake.
Reposted by R. E. Stearns
Whenever I post about AI, without fail, someone ALWAYS defends it as a tool of convenience or short-term efficiency. You would think the past several decades would have taught people the lesson that short-term convenience doesn’t outweigh long-term consequences, but the lesson continues unlearned
April 29, 2025 at 4:23 PM
Whenever I post about AI, without fail, someone ALWAYS defends it as a tool of convenience or short-term efficiency. You would think the past several decades would have taught people the lesson that short-term convenience doesn’t outweigh long-term consequences, but the lesson continues unlearned
Reposted by R. E. Stearns
I do not like when the nerds who post graphs on here are all going "oof" and "jesus christ" at the same time
April 3, 2025 at 2:16 PM
I do not like when the nerds who post graphs on here are all going "oof" and "jesus christ" at the same time
Reposted by R. E. Stearns
This is inaccurate. There is no known vulnerability with Signal's core tech. The memo was discussing phishing attempts, which Signal has worked to mitigate. And it was hastily reported.
It's important not to spread misinfo that can confuse people into moving away from meaningfully private comms.
It's important not to spread misinfo that can confuse people into moving away from meaningfully private comms.
In case you missed it: the Pentagon--that's Hegseth--got warned about using Signal a week ago.
March 26, 2025 at 1:40 PM
This is inaccurate. There is no known vulnerability with Signal's core tech. The memo was discussing phishing attempts, which Signal has worked to mitigate. And it was hastily reported.
It's important not to spread misinfo that can confuse people into moving away from meaningfully private comms.
It's important not to spread misinfo that can confuse people into moving away from meaningfully private comms.
Good news for your Friday:
March 21, 2025 at 4:33 PM
Good news for your Friday:
News like this keeps me logging into Bluesky every day...
Pinterest updated their terms of use and they're going to use all of the content you saved to train their AI.
Go to options > your privacy rights > disable GenAI
Please do it 🫠
Go to options > your privacy rights > disable GenAI
Please do it 🫠
March 7, 2025 at 6:00 PM
News like this keeps me logging into Bluesky every day...
I called reps today and got 2 voicemail inboxes and 1 very kind person doing their best. If awkward interaction avoidance is your priority, you can leave voicemails on weekends and during non-business hours (but watch out: Some interns/staffers/etc. pick up the phone very early in the morning).
Okay, I want to say it again for anyone who needs to hear it right now:
Yes, calling is better for getting in touch with your reps. But right now? DO IT HOWEVER YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE.
I'm really concerned that the emphasis on calling right now is stopping people from getting in touch.
Yes, calling is better for getting in touch with your reps. But right now? DO IT HOWEVER YOU FEEL COMFORTABLE.
I'm really concerned that the emphasis on calling right now is stopping people from getting in touch.
February 3, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I called reps today and got 2 voicemail inboxes and 1 very kind person doing their best. If awkward interaction avoidance is your priority, you can leave voicemails on weekends and during non-business hours (but watch out: Some interns/staffers/etc. pick up the phone very early in the morning).
THANK you for posting this. My subscription was going to get genAI garbage next month and Microsoft didn't even bother to send an email about it.
Microsoft is going to price gouge you by adding their genAI to your subscription without your consent, and they are not transparent about how to avoid this bullshit.
Here's how to change your subscription back to "Classic" for a lower charge without Copilot: answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffi...
Here's how to change your subscription back to "Classic" for a lower charge without Copilot: answers.microsoft.com/en-us/msoffi...
Redirecting
answers.microsoft.com
January 24, 2025 at 7:11 PM
THANK you for posting this. My subscription was going to get genAI garbage next month and Microsoft didn't even bother to send an email about it.
Reposted by R. E. Stearns
This is your periodic reminder that:
"AI" is artificial, but not currently intelligent
"hallucinations" are actually incorrect or misleading output (errors)
"AI" cannot "join the workforce" any more than a broken clock can
When we use their marketing terms we only help them perpetuate the scam.
"AI" is artificial, but not currently intelligent
"hallucinations" are actually incorrect or misleading output (errors)
"AI" cannot "join the workforce" any more than a broken clock can
When we use their marketing terms we only help them perpetuate the scam.
January 13, 2025 at 1:14 AM
This is your periodic reminder that:
"AI" is artificial, but not currently intelligent
"hallucinations" are actually incorrect or misleading output (errors)
"AI" cannot "join the workforce" any more than a broken clock can
When we use their marketing terms we only help them perpetuate the scam.
"AI" is artificial, but not currently intelligent
"hallucinations" are actually incorrect or misleading output (errors)
"AI" cannot "join the workforce" any more than a broken clock can
When we use their marketing terms we only help them perpetuate the scam.
Reposted by R. E. Stearns
*Hey wow, a generated AI-slop Bruce Sterling fake quotation. That stochastically sounds like something I would likely say, but I'd never actually publish anything that corny
January 3, 2025 at 6:15 PM
*Hey wow, a generated AI-slop Bruce Sterling fake quotation. That stochastically sounds like something I would likely say, but I'd never actually publish anything that corny
Apropos of an ongoing conversation here, you CAN disable Google's AI overviews: kwebby.com/blog/how-to-...
Google would prefer you didn't, but it is absolutely possible. I use the uBlock Origin method.
Google would prefer you didn't, but it is absolutely possible. I use the uBlock Origin method.
How To Disable AI Overviews On Google (3 Methods) | Kwebby
Discover three effective methods to disable AI Overviews on Google, ensuring you have control over your browsing experience.
kwebby.com
December 10, 2024 at 6:57 PM
Apropos of an ongoing conversation here, you CAN disable Google's AI overviews: kwebby.com/blog/how-to-...
Google would prefer you didn't, but it is absolutely possible. I use the uBlock Origin method.
Google would prefer you didn't, but it is absolutely possible. I use the uBlock Origin method.
And, it's out! You can now have your own ebook copy of Under a New and Brilliant Sky fresh from any of these places, or Amazon!
books2read.com/underanewand...
books2read.com/underanewand...
Available now at your favorite digital store!
Under a New and Brilliant Sky by R. E. Stearns
books2read.com
October 1, 2024 at 5:52 PM
And, it's out! You can now have your own ebook copy of Under a New and Brilliant Sky fresh from any of these places, or Amazon!
books2read.com/underanewand...
books2read.com/underanewand...
Oh my goodness, y'all, look at this fun bundle of ARCs you can get (including mine)!
booksirens.com/bundle/lesbi...
booksirens.com/bundle/lesbi...
Lesbian Fiction ARCs You'll Love
booksirens.com
September 25, 2024 at 8:14 PM
Oh my goodness, y'all, look at this fun bundle of ARCs you can get (including mine)!
booksirens.com/bundle/lesbi...
booksirens.com/bundle/lesbi...
Reposted by R. E. Stearns
There is a perfectly good term "artifacts" for specious shit that just pops up as an anomalous product of a process--like photography or microscopy. We don't have to use a term implicitly ascribing sentience to a mechanical discourse simulator.
i wish they wouldn't call errors "hallucinations" bc as a person who experiences hallucinations, they would not cause me to lie on a police report or misdiagnose a terminal illness 👁️👄👁️
Yet another way that LLMs are making our world terrible.
Allowing police officers to submit LLM-written reports reveals a remarkable misunderstanding of what LLMs do, a profound indifference to the notion of integrity in the communications of law enforcement with the justice system, or both.
Allowing police officers to submit LLM-written reports reveals a remarkable misunderstanding of what LLMs do, a profound indifference to the notion of integrity in the communications of law enforcement with the justice system, or both.
August 26, 2024 at 11:53 PM
There is a perfectly good term "artifacts" for specious shit that just pops up as an anomalous product of a process--like photography or microscopy. We don't have to use a term implicitly ascribing sentience to a mechanical discourse simulator.
This week, I'll be setting up Under a New and Brilliant Sky on BookSirens (assuming it works the way I think it does)! If you want to review a free ARC that way, you can sign up for the site here: booksirens.com/become-a-boo...
The Easiest Way to Become a Book Reviewer | BookSirens
Get free books from publishers and authors in exchange for an honest review. BookSirens sends you an endless supply of free books to review, right to your inbox. It is a great way to read more in your...
booksirens.com
August 27, 2024 at 4:19 PM
This week, I'll be setting up Under a New and Brilliant Sky on BookSirens (assuming it works the way I think it does)! If you want to review a free ARC that way, you can sign up for the site here: booksirens.com/become-a-boo...
I have a new book coming out! restearns.com/blog/2024/7/...
July 3, 2024 at 4:42 PM
I have a new book coming out! restearns.com/blog/2024/7/...
This is an announcement warning, different from an announcement watch because I have actually drafted the announcement instead of just contemplating it.
July 2, 2024 at 7:11 PM
This is an announcement warning, different from an announcement watch because I have actually drafted the announcement instead of just contemplating it.
For the record: I know Murderbot Diaries books are in first person PoV. That is a major part of their fun tone. I have no idea why I typed third in the FIRST SENTENCE of that email. Maybe it's a sign I need to touch this "grass" people talk so much about.
June 25, 2024 at 5:04 PM
For the record: I know Murderbot Diaries books are in first person PoV. That is a major part of their fun tone. I have no idea why I typed third in the FIRST SENTENCE of that email. Maybe it's a sign I need to touch this "grass" people talk so much about.
Thank you to whoever has been sending me UK editions of interesting books!
June 23, 2024 at 3:56 PM
Thank you to whoever has been sending me UK editions of interesting books!
I raved and fangirled with Plot Trysts about The Vor Game! Check it out: plottrysts.wordpress.com/2024/02/27/m...
March 4, 2024 at 4:37 PM
I raved and fangirled with Plot Trysts about The Vor Game! Check it out: plottrysts.wordpress.com/2024/02/27/m...
You can preview the Barbary Station audiobook on YouTube now! youtu.be/ZWZcsptox2E And here, I get to preview the link card before I show it to you. One more point for Bluesky.
Barbary Station Book 1 by R.E. Stearns · Audiobook preview
PURCHASE ON GOOGLE PLAY BOOKS ►► https://g.co/booksYT/AQAAAICpnAIcuMBarbary StationShieldrunner Pirates · Book 1Authored by R.E. StearnsNarrated by Mia Barro...
youtu.be
January 17, 2024 at 4:41 PM
You can preview the Barbary Station audiobook on YouTube now! youtu.be/ZWZcsptox2E And here, I get to preview the link card before I show it to you. One more point for Bluesky.