S.M. Pritchard
@smpritchard.bsky.social
Physics BSc. | Hard SF Writer/Worldbuilder | Space Artist | Amateur (hopefully one day professional) Astronomer | They/Them | Opinions my own
"AI" as digital asbestos - A wonderful and disturbingly apt analogy!
Love to see community action against this AI nonsense! neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d...
November 15, 2025 at 10:07 PM
"AI" as digital asbestos - A wonderful and disturbingly apt analogy!
I finally managed to capture our friendly interstellar visitor, 3I/ATLAS. This is just 4 minutes of movement. 3I is absolutely zipping through the Solar System! You can see the coma surrounding the comet's nucleus, still outgassing icy vapor. Amazing to consider this came from another star.
🔭🧪
🔭🧪
November 14, 2025 at 12:21 PM
I finally managed to capture our friendly interstellar visitor, 3I/ATLAS. This is just 4 minutes of movement. 3I is absolutely zipping through the Solar System! You can see the coma surrounding the comet's nucleus, still outgassing icy vapor. Amazing to consider this came from another star.
🔭🧪
🔭🧪
Geomagnetic storm still going strong so there might be a chance for more aurora tonight!
November 12, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Geomagnetic storm still going strong so there might be a chance for more aurora tonight!
Decent aurora showing down here in southern PA!
November 12, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Decent aurora showing down here in southern PA!
And now for some more science, also from last night. This is a plot of brightness for the δ Scuti variable star SZ Lyncis. These regular dips and peaks are a result of the star physically expanding and contracting in cycles of rhythmic pulsation, driven by changes in opacity in its chromosphere!
🔭🧪
🔭🧪
November 7, 2025 at 10:53 PM
And now for some more science, also from last night. This is a plot of brightness for the δ Scuti variable star SZ Lyncis. These regular dips and peaks are a result of the star physically expanding and contracting in cycles of rhythmic pulsation, driven by changes in opacity in its chromosphere!
🔭🧪
🔭🧪
My first image since getting my mount repaired, the core of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)! This is only about 3 hours of total integration time (about 1 hour in each color channel). I decided to switch targets after it crossed the meridian...
🔭
🔭
November 7, 2025 at 10:40 PM
My first image since getting my mount repaired, the core of the Andromeda Galaxy (M31)! This is only about 3 hours of total integration time (about 1 hour in each color channel). I decided to switch targets after it crossed the meridian...
🔭
🔭
Aw yeah we're back in business. First clear night since getting my mount back from repairs (and of course the Moon is out and obnoxiously bright)
November 7, 2025 at 5:49 AM
Aw yeah we're back in business. First clear night since getting my mount back from repairs (and of course the Moon is out and obnoxiously bright)
For the first time in a very long time, I feel the faintest glimmer of hope.
Zohran Mamdani wins!
He ran on an unabashedly pro-transgender platform, stood up for the most vulnerable, as so many have pushed for the Democratic Party to abandon trans people in order to win.
Major win for trans New Yorkers - he has vowed for intense resistance to anti-trans Trump policies.
He ran on an unabashedly pro-transgender platform, stood up for the most vulnerable, as so many have pushed for the Democratic Party to abandon trans people in order to win.
Major win for trans New Yorkers - he has vowed for intense resistance to anti-trans Trump policies.
November 5, 2025 at 2:41 AM
For the first time in a very long time, I feel the faintest glimmer of hope.
Voted in my local elections today (no sticker pic since it has my county's name on it, sorry)
November 4, 2025 at 11:24 PM
Voted in my local elections today (no sticker pic since it has my county's name on it, sorry)
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
Capitalism destroys all culture with advertising. It destroys our outdoor spaces with advertising. It destroys interpersonal interactions with advertising. It destroys our ability to trust others with advertising.
There has got to be a human right to avoid ads.
There has got to be a human right to avoid ads.
November 3, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Capitalism destroys all culture with advertising. It destroys our outdoor spaces with advertising. It destroys interpersonal interactions with advertising. It destroys our ability to trust others with advertising.
There has got to be a human right to avoid ads.
There has got to be a human right to avoid ads.
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
Last chance to turn it off.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
October 31, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Last chance to turn it off.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
On Monday, November 3rd, Microsoft will start using your LinkedIn data for AI training. And remember, you're opted in by default.
To toggle it off 👉 Account - Settings & Privacy > Data privacy > Data for Generative AI Improvement.
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
“some people abuse SNAP” your soul is rotten
October 30, 2025 at 5:35 PM
“some people abuse SNAP” your soul is rotten
We're gonna need a modern version of the Lighthill Report after all this "AI" business is finally revealed for what it is - a speculative vehicle for technoligarchs to consolidate wealth and undermine democracy.
October 29, 2025 at 5:26 PM
We're gonna need a modern version of the Lighthill Report after all this "AI" business is finally revealed for what it is - a speculative vehicle for technoligarchs to consolidate wealth and undermine democracy.
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
My feed is like:
- Record breaking hurricane hits Jamaica, fueled in part by warm ocean waters linked to climate change
- UN head blasts countries for low climate ambition, saying breaching 1.5C of warming is now inevitable
- US CDC has been directed to study the alleged harms of offshore wind farms
- Record breaking hurricane hits Jamaica, fueled in part by warm ocean waters linked to climate change
- UN head blasts countries for low climate ambition, saying breaching 1.5C of warming is now inevitable
- US CDC has been directed to study the alleged harms of offshore wind farms
October 28, 2025 at 8:32 PM
My feed is like:
- Record breaking hurricane hits Jamaica, fueled in part by warm ocean waters linked to climate change
- UN head blasts countries for low climate ambition, saying breaching 1.5C of warming is now inevitable
- US CDC has been directed to study the alleged harms of offshore wind farms
- Record breaking hurricane hits Jamaica, fueled in part by warm ocean waters linked to climate change
- UN head blasts countries for low climate ambition, saying breaching 1.5C of warming is now inevitable
- US CDC has been directed to study the alleged harms of offshore wind farms
Link's perma ban is wrong and should be reversed.
Link's perma ban is wrong and should be reversed.
Link's perma ban is wrong and should be reversed.
October 28, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Link's perma ban is wrong and should be reversed.
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
Finally got around to tinkering with Obsidian for my worldbuilding. I'm still uncertain how to best use it, but it feels like the kind of software I've long wanted specifically for my setting. Graph view especially meshes very well with how I naturally tend to have things in my head.
October 24, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Finally got around to tinkering with Obsidian for my worldbuilding. I'm still uncertain how to best use it, but it feels like the kind of software I've long wanted specifically for my setting. Graph view especially meshes very well with how I naturally tend to have things in my head.
There is no greater sin than not including radiators on your spacecraft. Repent and find salvation in the Chruch of the Incandescent Radiator.
A cute little piece I did back in 2022 that I rediscovered.
A cute little piece I did back in 2022 that I rediscovered.
October 23, 2025 at 8:30 PM
There is no greater sin than not including radiators on your spacecraft. Repent and find salvation in the Chruch of the Incandescent Radiator.
A cute little piece I did back in 2022 that I rediscovered.
A cute little piece I did back in 2022 that I rediscovered.
Science says taxing rich people works actually
An additional tax on millionaires in Massachusetts has generated $3 billion more than expected without forcing significant high-profile departures from the state. The money is being used to fund bridge repairs, literacy programs and public transport.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without…
www.bloomberg.com
October 22, 2025 at 4:55 AM
Science says taxing rich people works actually
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
Not being even vaguely sarcastic:
At some point, a journalist needs to ask Johnson “you regularly claim you have no idea what your own government is doing. If we take you at your word, how are you so poorly informed, and do you this level of ignorance should disqualify you as speaker?”
At some point, a journalist needs to ask Johnson “you regularly claim you have no idea what your own government is doing. If we take you at your word, how are you so poorly informed, and do you this level of ignorance should disqualify you as speaker?”
Q: What's your message to the 170 US citizens who have been detained by ICE? About 20 of them are children
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't know what you're talking about with the children. I haven't seen that so I'm not going to comment on it.
MIKE JOHNSON: I don't know what you're talking about with the children. I haven't seen that so I'm not going to comment on it.
October 18, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Not being even vaguely sarcastic:
At some point, a journalist needs to ask Johnson “you regularly claim you have no idea what your own government is doing. If we take you at your word, how are you so poorly informed, and do you this level of ignorance should disqualify you as speaker?”
At some point, a journalist needs to ask Johnson “you regularly claim you have no idea what your own government is doing. If we take you at your word, how are you so poorly informed, and do you this level of ignorance should disqualify you as speaker?”
Do the stealth UI changes and ever-changing thumbnails on videos that YouTube does make anyone else feel like they're being constantly low-key gaslit? Like i swear I watched this video but now it has a different thumbnail or title, or the player bar looks a little different but I can't say how.
October 15, 2025 at 3:52 AM
Do the stealth UI changes and ever-changing thumbnails on videos that YouTube does make anyone else feel like they're being constantly low-key gaslit? Like i swear I watched this video but now it has a different thumbnail or title, or the player bar looks a little different but I can't say how.
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
happy #portfolioday y’all
I’m a fantasy illustrator with a love of mythical themes and cheeky characters.
I’m a fantasy illustrator with a love of mythical themes and cheeky characters.
October 14, 2025 at 8:29 PM
happy #portfolioday y’all
I’m a fantasy illustrator with a love of mythical themes and cheeky characters.
I’m a fantasy illustrator with a love of mythical themes and cheeky characters.
Republicans are dead-set on completely destroying the US's ability to do basic science and exploration. They intend to completely undo the enlightenment and plunge the country into an era of religious fundamentalism and intellectual stagnancy.
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to lay off about 550 workers reut.rs/4302N2L
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory to lay off about 550 workers
NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory said on Monday it will cut nearly 550 jobs as part of a restructuring, not related to the current U.S. government shutdown.
reut.rs
October 14, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Republicans are dead-set on completely destroying the US's ability to do basic science and exploration. They intend to completely undo the enlightenment and plunge the country into an era of religious fundamentalism and intellectual stagnancy.
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
So now the Administration are saying that the mass firing of CDC scientists, including many responsible for preventing outbreaks, was an “error” and many will be brought back.
Whether by intention or incompetence, dismantling public health will kill people.
Whether by intention or incompetence, dismantling public health will kill people.
October 11, 2025 at 11:27 PM
So now the Administration are saying that the mass firing of CDC scientists, including many responsible for preventing outbreaks, was an “error” and many will be brought back.
Whether by intention or incompetence, dismantling public health will kill people.
Whether by intention or incompetence, dismantling public health will kill people.
Reposted by S.M. Pritchard
They have fired the staff of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and 70 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, who are disease detectives that respond to outbreaks around the world.
I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.
I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.
October 11, 2025 at 5:21 PM
They have fired the staff of the CDC’s Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report and 70 Epidemic Intelligence Service officers, who are disease detectives that respond to outbreaks around the world.
I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.
I cannot emphasize enough how dangerous it is to dismantle our disease surveillance infrastructure.