Darius Baktash
@sol-cantus.blacksky.app
Formerly Clinical Research. Mod, Politics & Science, RA/QA Evangelist, MENA in B'more. Overthinking TTRPGs. A weird panoply 🏳️🌈, He/They.
No kings, no castes, no corruption.
If I'm wrong, call me out. Missed nuance? Hit me with it. Confused? Just ask.
No kings, no castes, no corruption.
If I'm wrong, call me out. Missed nuance? Hit me with it. Confused? Just ask.
Reposted by Darius Baktash
This podcast from @radleybalko.bsky.social is timely and essential. The stories recount leeway for corrupt, oppressive overreaching policing that trapped people vulnerable to pressure.
We'll see these behaviors/ practices resurge in this policing-first climate.
theintercept.com/2025/10/01/c...
We'll see these behaviors/ practices resurge in this policing-first climate.
theintercept.com/2025/10/01/c...
Introducing Collateral Damage
The Intercept is launching a new podcast series about the consequences of the war on drugs, reported and hosted by investigative journalist Radley Balko.
theintercept.com
November 18, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This podcast from @radleybalko.bsky.social is timely and essential. The stories recount leeway for corrupt, oppressive overreaching policing that trapped people vulnerable to pressure.
We'll see these behaviors/ practices resurge in this policing-first climate.
theintercept.com/2025/10/01/c...
We'll see these behaviors/ practices resurge in this policing-first climate.
theintercept.com/2025/10/01/c...
Put on a soothing bit of music will inevitably cause my daughter to realize she's being encouraged to sleep and rebel.
Put on a video that's just academic enough she's interested, but quiet and technical, and she's out.
So I guess thanks @scholagladiatoria.bsky.social?
Put on a video that's just academic enough she's interested, but quiet and technical, and she's out.
So I guess thanks @scholagladiatoria.bsky.social?
November 18, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Put on a soothing bit of music will inevitably cause my daughter to realize she's being encouraged to sleep and rebel.
Put on a video that's just academic enough she's interested, but quiet and technical, and she's out.
So I guess thanks @scholagladiatoria.bsky.social?
Put on a video that's just academic enough she's interested, but quiet and technical, and she's out.
So I guess thanks @scholagladiatoria.bsky.social?
Reposted by Darius Baktash
Happy 40th birthday to Bill Waterson’s ‘Calvin and Hobbes’. A work of consummate, stubborn, human, and more-than-human art.
November 18, 2025 at 10:38 AM
Happy 40th birthday to Bill Waterson’s ‘Calvin and Hobbes’. A work of consummate, stubborn, human, and more-than-human art.
Gen AI, a proper redefinition:
Generalized Accepted Ignorance
Generalized Accepted Ignorance
November 18, 2025 at 11:19 AM
Gen AI, a proper redefinition:
Generalized Accepted Ignorance
Generalized Accepted Ignorance
Reposted by Darius Baktash
Jamaica more or less out of the news entirely just a few weeks after Melissa hit. It shouldn't be.
"Hurricane Melissa changed the life of every Jamaican in less than 24 hours."
"Hurricane Melissa changed the life of every Jamaican in less than 24 hours."
‘This is survival’: Jamaica leads calls from vulnerable nations at Cop30
Countries including Mauritius and Cuba reiterate life-or-death nature of cutting emissions, calling it ‘a moral duty’
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 11:01 PM
Jamaica more or less out of the news entirely just a few weeks after Melissa hit. It shouldn't be.
"Hurricane Melissa changed the life of every Jamaican in less than 24 hours."
"Hurricane Melissa changed the life of every Jamaican in less than 24 hours."
Reposted by Darius Baktash
Dear center-left parties (Labour, Democrats, etc.):
EMBRACING XENOPHOBIA DOESN'T WIN YOU RIGHT WING VOTERS. It just further empowers bigots.
The bigots will continue to vote for the more right-wing parties!
bsky.app/profile/nadi...
EMBRACING XENOPHOBIA DOESN'T WIN YOU RIGHT WING VOTERS. It just further empowers bigots.
The bigots will continue to vote for the more right-wing parties!
bsky.app/profile/nadi...
The government should be ashamed that its migration policies are being cheered on by Tommy Robinson and Reform.
Instead of standing up to anti-migrant hate, this is laying the foundations for the far-right.
I questioned the Home Secretary on how she can be proposing such obviously cruel policies.
Instead of standing up to anti-migrant hate, this is laying the foundations for the far-right.
I questioned the Home Secretary on how she can be proposing such obviously cruel policies.
November 18, 2025 at 8:29 AM
Dear center-left parties (Labour, Democrats, etc.):
EMBRACING XENOPHOBIA DOESN'T WIN YOU RIGHT WING VOTERS. It just further empowers bigots.
The bigots will continue to vote for the more right-wing parties!
bsky.app/profile/nadi...
EMBRACING XENOPHOBIA DOESN'T WIN YOU RIGHT WING VOTERS. It just further empowers bigots.
The bigots will continue to vote for the more right-wing parties!
bsky.app/profile/nadi...
Reposted by Darius Baktash
Hey, friendly reminder that Scott Cawthon's donations to the GOP literally contributed to SNAP suspension and you shouldn't buy or stream Five Nights at Freddy's anything.
New poster for ‘FIVE NIGHTS AT FREDDYS 2’ featuring the Withered Animatronics.
November 6, 2025 at 4:38 AM
Hey, friendly reminder that Scott Cawthon's donations to the GOP literally contributed to SNAP suspension and you shouldn't buy or stream Five Nights at Freddy's anything.
Reposted by Darius Baktash
From Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, we’re saying “We Ain’t Buying It” and asking Americans to hit pause on buying from corporations that enable Trump’s fascist agenda: weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=ind_wabi
November 18, 2025 at 1:48 AM
From Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday, we’re saying “We Ain’t Buying It” and asking Americans to hit pause on buying from corporations that enable Trump’s fascist agenda: weaintbuyingit.com/?utm_source=ind_wabi
Reposted by Darius Baktash
My grandfather died in the Athena, Georgia, jail in 1965 from drinking bad moonshine.
Fermentation naturally produces methanol, and distilling concentrates it.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s quite possible to inadvertently consume a dangerous — even lethal — dose.
TL;DR don’t do this.
Fermentation naturally produces methanol, and distilling concentrates it.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s quite possible to inadvertently consume a dangerous — even lethal — dose.
TL;DR don’t do this.
Freeze distillation moonshine videos getting 10m views probably a solid recession indicator:
November 16, 2025 at 11:26 PM
My grandfather died in the Athena, Georgia, jail in 1965 from drinking bad moonshine.
Fermentation naturally produces methanol, and distilling concentrates it.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s quite possible to inadvertently consume a dangerous — even lethal — dose.
TL;DR don’t do this.
Fermentation naturally produces methanol, and distilling concentrates it.
If you don’t know what you’re doing, it’s quite possible to inadvertently consume a dangerous — even lethal — dose.
TL;DR don’t do this.
Kiddo finally got her COVID vax, and gets a day home to recover. Of course this means Ms Shirleys, medical mystery videos, and a cat nap cuddled with Dad and the actual cat.
Note: I adore my local cafe, but they're closed on Mondays. Plus, it's good to get into Baltimore proper more often.
Note: I adore my local cafe, but they're closed on Mondays. Plus, it's good to get into Baltimore proper more often.
November 17, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Kiddo finally got her COVID vax, and gets a day home to recover. Of course this means Ms Shirleys, medical mystery videos, and a cat nap cuddled with Dad and the actual cat.
Note: I adore my local cafe, but they're closed on Mondays. Plus, it's good to get into Baltimore proper more often.
Note: I adore my local cafe, but they're closed on Mondays. Plus, it's good to get into Baltimore proper more often.
This has technically been making the rounds already, but I really need to point to the proper article with the morphosource link in it.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.morphosource.org/projects/000...
#Artists practicing dinosaurs, this is absolutely a gold mine.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.morphosource.org/projects/000...
#Artists practicing dinosaurs, this is absolutely a gold mine.
Duck-billed dinosaur fleshy midline and hooves reveal terrestrial clay-template “mummification”
Two “mummies” of the end-Cretaceous, duck-billed dinosaur Edmontosaurus annectens preserve a fleshy crest over the neck and trunk, an interdigitating spike row over the hips and tail, and hooves cappi...
www.science.org
November 17, 2025 at 2:37 PM
This has technically been making the rounds already, but I really need to point to the proper article with the morphosource link in it.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.morphosource.org/projects/000...
#Artists practicing dinosaurs, this is absolutely a gold mine.
www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
www.morphosource.org/projects/000...
#Artists practicing dinosaurs, this is absolutely a gold mine.
Remember, Trump can be impeached or submit to Alzheimer's, but his cabinet is still the same old evil.
The entire White House, half of Congress, and most of the Supreme Court are all guilty of helping him in his corruption.
It won't be justice until they're all tried in a court of true law.
The entire White House, half of Congress, and most of the Supreme Court are all guilty of helping him in his corruption.
It won't be justice until they're all tried in a court of true law.
November 17, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Remember, Trump can be impeached or submit to Alzheimer's, but his cabinet is still the same old evil.
The entire White House, half of Congress, and most of the Supreme Court are all guilty of helping him in his corruption.
It won't be justice until they're all tried in a court of true law.
The entire White House, half of Congress, and most of the Supreme Court are all guilty of helping him in his corruption.
It won't be justice until they're all tried in a court of true law.
Controversial topic: Fantasy, fandom, slurs, and other out-group language.
As I've noted before, modern fantasy pulls a lot of its roots from the "progenitor" writers of the space. Much of that fantasy, as with Tolkien, was based on prior myth that involved bigotry.
How do we handle that today?
As I've noted before, modern fantasy pulls a lot of its roots from the "progenitor" writers of the space. Much of that fantasy, as with Tolkien, was based on prior myth that involved bigotry.
How do we handle that today?
November 17, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Controversial topic: Fantasy, fandom, slurs, and other out-group language.
As I've noted before, modern fantasy pulls a lot of its roots from the "progenitor" writers of the space. Much of that fantasy, as with Tolkien, was based on prior myth that involved bigotry.
How do we handle that today?
As I've noted before, modern fantasy pulls a lot of its roots from the "progenitor" writers of the space. Much of that fantasy, as with Tolkien, was based on prior myth that involved bigotry.
How do we handle that today?
Reposted by Darius Baktash
Into the bin, Ubisoft!
November 17, 2025 at 9:33 AM
Into the bin, Ubisoft!
Ceqara isn't all science, it has room for whimsy just the same as any system.
Case in point, the Chaibat Chateau.
A small portable terrarium with a tiny, semi-aquatic wombat like creatures that enjoys swimming in and eating tea leaves, consuming excessive bitterants and the leaves (and spices).
Case in point, the Chaibat Chateau.
A small portable terrarium with a tiny, semi-aquatic wombat like creatures that enjoys swimming in and eating tea leaves, consuming excessive bitterants and the leaves (and spices).
November 17, 2025 at 6:38 AM
Ceqara isn't all science, it has room for whimsy just the same as any system.
Case in point, the Chaibat Chateau.
A small portable terrarium with a tiny, semi-aquatic wombat like creatures that enjoys swimming in and eating tea leaves, consuming excessive bitterants and the leaves (and spices).
Case in point, the Chaibat Chateau.
A small portable terrarium with a tiny, semi-aquatic wombat like creatures that enjoys swimming in and eating tea leaves, consuming excessive bitterants and the leaves (and spices).
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We've really known this for decades, but it hasn't actually been properly pushed to the forefront of pop culture because it's hard to break through the Hollywood (and wellness industry) marketing of catharsis.
Simply put, rage helps no one.
We've really known this for decades, but it hasn't actually been properly pushed to the forefront of pop culture because it's hard to break through the Hollywood (and wellness industry) marketing of catharsis.
Simply put, rage helps no one.
A meta-analytic review of anger management activities that increase or decrease arousal: What fuels or douses rage?
Anger is an unpleasant emotion that most people want to get rid of. Some anger management activities focus on decreasing arousal (e.g., deep breathing…
www.sciencedirect.com
November 17, 2025 at 6:11 AM
www.sciencedirect.com/science/arti...
We've really known this for decades, but it hasn't actually been properly pushed to the forefront of pop culture because it's hard to break through the Hollywood (and wellness industry) marketing of catharsis.
Simply put, rage helps no one.
We've really known this for decades, but it hasn't actually been properly pushed to the forefront of pop culture because it's hard to break through the Hollywood (and wellness industry) marketing of catharsis.
Simply put, rage helps no one.
Reposted by Darius Baktash
I think there’s a preference difference here in which no one’s necessarily wrong.
If you’re doing something bad to me, and I tell you to stop, I don’t want to hear why you did it. I want you to tell me that you won’t do it any more.
Explanations suggest you’re going to keep doing it.
If you’re doing something bad to me, and I tell you to stop, I don’t want to hear why you did it. I want you to tell me that you won’t do it any more.
Explanations suggest you’re going to keep doing it.
"Autism isn't an excuse."
No it's not. It's an explanation.
"No. You're using it as an excuse. You should have known the thing you did was unacceptable."
Except I didn't. And I'm explaining why.
No it's not. It's an explanation.
"No. You're using it as an excuse. You should have known the thing you did was unacceptable."
Except I didn't. And I'm explaining why.
November 16, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I think there’s a preference difference here in which no one’s necessarily wrong.
If you’re doing something bad to me, and I tell you to stop, I don’t want to hear why you did it. I want you to tell me that you won’t do it any more.
Explanations suggest you’re going to keep doing it.
If you’re doing something bad to me, and I tell you to stop, I don’t want to hear why you did it. I want you to tell me that you won’t do it any more.
Explanations suggest you’re going to keep doing it.
Reposted by Darius Baktash
Last night, I had a conversation with my 16yo and her friend about setting boundaries, and what wasn't okay about a situation that the friend was going through (with another *male* friend).
A thread...
A thread...
November 16, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Last night, I had a conversation with my 16yo and her friend about setting boundaries, and what wasn't okay about a situation that the friend was going through (with another *male* friend).
A thread...
A thread...
Reposted by Darius Baktash
I'm honestly very moved by the patients' power to keep going. And I'm sure the article also links to great work.
BUT Bill Gates wants to automate p hacking: "AI's ability to take large amounts of data and find meaning in that data means that this research is going to go a lot faster."
Stop it FFS
BUT Bill Gates wants to automate p hacking: "AI's ability to take large amounts of data and find meaning in that data means that this research is going to go a lot faster."
Stop it FFS
🧪A clinical trial for Alzheimer's has shown that removal of amyloid plaques in early stage of the disease slows cognitive decline; in particular, a 30% improvement. However, it doesn't stop dementia, it slows it down.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
This comes at a time when budget cuts have affected research on this disease.
Promising clinical trials in Alzheimer's prevention
Washington University Medicine in St. Louis is conducting important research into treating early-onset Alzheimer's before symptoms arise.
www.cbsnews.com
November 16, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I'm honestly very moved by the patients' power to keep going. And I'm sure the article also links to great work.
BUT Bill Gates wants to automate p hacking: "AI's ability to take large amounts of data and find meaning in that data means that this research is going to go a lot faster."
Stop it FFS
BUT Bill Gates wants to automate p hacking: "AI's ability to take large amounts of data and find meaning in that data means that this research is going to go a lot faster."
Stop it FFS
How in the hell do I constantly forget words everyone uses regularly, but, without batting an eye, remember and readily look up estradiol for use in MTF medical procedures and how it can change hormonal odor profiles?
It's great that I know it, but I like remembering the word for hash browns too.
It's great that I know it, but I like remembering the word for hash browns too.
November 16, 2025 at 11:51 AM
How in the hell do I constantly forget words everyone uses regularly, but, without batting an eye, remember and readily look up estradiol for use in MTF medical procedures and how it can change hormonal odor profiles?
It's great that I know it, but I like remembering the word for hash browns too.
It's great that I know it, but I like remembering the word for hash browns too.
What started as a crude joke and TTRPG scenario about what would happen if Ms. Frizzle went into an "alternate" lifestyle instead of teaching has somehow lead to an invite to a real life club of the same style.
"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy."
Research she'd approve of???
"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy."
Research she'd approve of???
November 16, 2025 at 9:38 AM
What started as a crude joke and TTRPG scenario about what would happen if Ms. Frizzle went into an "alternate" lifestyle instead of teaching has somehow lead to an invite to a real life club of the same style.
"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy."
Research she'd approve of???
"Take chances, make mistakes, get messy."
Research she'd approve of???
"Eww you eat raw beef!"
Kibbeh nayyeh has been a cherished Levantine dish for centuries without issue. If you know your local butcher and how carefully they source their meat, you'll be fine.
meathaccp.wisc.edu/validation/a...
today.lorientlejour.com/article/1349...
Kibbeh nayyeh has been a cherished Levantine dish for centuries without issue. If you know your local butcher and how carefully they source their meat, you'll be fine.
meathaccp.wisc.edu/validation/a...
today.lorientlejour.com/article/1349...
November 16, 2025 at 9:28 AM
"Eww you eat raw beef!"
Kibbeh nayyeh has been a cherished Levantine dish for centuries without issue. If you know your local butcher and how carefully they source their meat, you'll be fine.
meathaccp.wisc.edu/validation/a...
today.lorientlejour.com/article/1349...
Kibbeh nayyeh has been a cherished Levantine dish for centuries without issue. If you know your local butcher and how carefully they source their meat, you'll be fine.
meathaccp.wisc.edu/validation/a...
today.lorientlejour.com/article/1349...
Spoilers for Eberron:
Today I learned about @keith-baker.com's "Daelkyr rewriting reality" plot point, and I'm starting to see how many authors all silently started building something I noticed at about the same time.
You need an in-world story mechanic to retcon things that are problematic.
Today I learned about @keith-baker.com's "Daelkyr rewriting reality" plot point, and I'm starting to see how many authors all silently started building something I noticed at about the same time.
You need an in-world story mechanic to retcon things that are problematic.
November 16, 2025 at 4:45 AM
Spoilers for Eberron:
Today I learned about @keith-baker.com's "Daelkyr rewriting reality" plot point, and I'm starting to see how many authors all silently started building something I noticed at about the same time.
You need an in-world story mechanic to retcon things that are problematic.
Today I learned about @keith-baker.com's "Daelkyr rewriting reality" plot point, and I'm starting to see how many authors all silently started building something I noticed at about the same time.
You need an in-world story mechanic to retcon things that are problematic.
Yesterday I forgot to bring my daughter's show and tell toy with us before daycare. So, instead, she asked me about squid and octopus biology in the car.
Today I learned that bioluminescent is still not a common word, even for adults.
This explains a lot about my life.
Today I learned that bioluminescent is still not a common word, even for adults.
This explains a lot about my life.
November 15, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Yesterday I forgot to bring my daughter's show and tell toy with us before daycare. So, instead, she asked me about squid and octopus biology in the car.
Today I learned that bioluminescent is still not a common word, even for adults.
This explains a lot about my life.
Today I learned that bioluminescent is still not a common word, even for adults.
This explains a lot about my life.
Reposted by Darius Baktash
not mine! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptog...
Cryptogyny - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 15, 2025 at 2:32 PM
not mine! en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cryptog...