Tom Swanson
@swansontea.bsky.social
Retired clockmaker of the atomic persuasion. Formerly at the US Naval Observatory.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
This is important context from Julie K. Brown.
With alt text.
With alt text.
November 15, 2025 at 3:18 PM
This is important context from Julie K. Brown.
With alt text.
With alt text.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
We are phasing out the terms “extant” and “extinct” from our exhibits and will now refer to species as either “Darwinners" or “Darlosers.”
November 15, 2025 at 4:42 PM
We are phasing out the terms “extant” and “extinct” from our exhibits and will now refer to species as either “Darwinners" or “Darlosers.”
I miss album art. Even though Small Cars wasn’t that great of an album.
November 15, 2025 at 9:03 PM
I miss album art. Even though Small Cars wasn’t that great of an album.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by Tom Swanson
i think online gambling is a cancer that is spreading throughout our society, it was a horrible mistake to de-regulate it, and we desperately need to crack down on it again
i can’t talk about sports gambling anymore without sounding like a crank but i do believe legalized sports gambling is like 15-20% responsible for our current dystopia
The Athletic polled hundreds of players from across the NBA, NFL, MLB and NHL about their opinions surrounding how sports betting impacts players — the responses were haunting.
November 15, 2025 at 6:25 PM
i think online gambling is a cancer that is spreading throughout our society, it was a horrible mistake to de-regulate it, and we desperately need to crack down on it again
I hope this presages a run through the entire ensemble of Clue
Ethel Viola Dumpson Boddy
Delaware, Vital Record Index Cards, 1680-1934
Delaware, Vital Record Index Cards, 1680-1934
November 15, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I hope this presages a run through the entire ensemble of Clue
Trump is, in many ways, like an abundance of alcohol: the cause of and solution to our problems, induces nausea, and will bring about our premature death
SENATOR REVEREND NO ONE IS BETTER AT SOLVING THE PROBLEMS HE CREATES THAN PRESIDENT TRUMP. THANK YOU FOR YOUR ATTENTION TO THIS MATTER
So let me get this straight: The President’s plan to lower prices is to roll back some of his own tariffs?
November 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Trump is, in many ways, like an abundance of alcohol: the cause of and solution to our problems, induces nausea, and will bring about our premature death
A while back I watched cooking show where the chef pounded on a chicken breast, but instead of a meat tenderizer hammer they used a pot or pan (nice flat surface and heavier). I just tried it and omigod it’s so satisfying.
November 15, 2025 at 2:04 PM
A while back I watched cooking show where the chef pounded on a chicken breast, but instead of a meat tenderizer hammer they used a pot or pan (nice flat surface and heavier). I just tried it and omigod it’s so satisfying.
Every declaration about what is or is not in the files screams they should be rushing to release them. And yet…
November 15, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Every declaration about what is or is not in the files screams they should be rushing to release them. And yet…
In Virginia there’s a gynecologist named Harry Beaver
November 14, 2025 at 11:24 PM
In Virginia there’s a gynecologist named Harry Beaver
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Being observed today so I guess I'll go through the slit on the left
November 14, 2025 at 7:13 PM
Being observed today so I guess I'll go through the slit on the left
One thing that I discovered when I moved out to the sticks in NY is that there are some very small businesses aren’t set up to take credit cards.
For a lot of the stores, when you Google them, their “website” is a facebook account.
For a lot of the stores, when you Google them, their “website” is a facebook account.
I'm personally boggled that anyone still uses paper cheques (that'd be "checks" for the Americans).
I mean... you carry around a little booklet of pocket-sized slips with your name, address and banking information on them, and just... give them out, to random underpaid strangers in retail stores?
I mean... you carry around a little booklet of pocket-sized slips with your name, address and banking information on them, and just... give them out, to random underpaid strangers in retail stores?
November 14, 2025 at 8:47 PM
One thing that I discovered when I moved out to the sticks in NY is that there are some very small businesses aren’t set up to take credit cards.
For a lot of the stores, when you Google them, their “website” is a facebook account.
For a lot of the stores, when you Google them, their “website” is a facebook account.
Why does “the greatest economy we’ve ever had“ need propping up?
Lori Chavez-DeRemer on jobs data: "Sometimes it's too late to get accurate data points ... we don't have that accurate data for the Fed to make a good decision, but I believe the Fed needs to cut interest rates again in December to really prop up this economy."
November 14, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Why does “the greatest economy we’ve ever had“ need propping up?
Reposted by Tom Swanson
The next administration should make DEI programs mandatory for any organization seeking government funds and require a five-year audit history before applying. Oh, you bent the knee and canceled yours? Sucks to be you. See you in five years.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 1:32 PM
The next administration should make DEI programs mandatory for any organization seeking government funds and require a five-year audit history before applying. Oh, you bent the knee and canceled yours? Sucks to be you. See you in five years.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
"don't worry, he's just into 15-year-olds" perhaps not as exculpatory as you think
Also 15-year-olds are not "barely legal." They are minors.
Also 15-year-olds are not "barely legal." They are minors.
Megyn Kelly: "I know somebody very close to this case…Jeffrey Epstein, in this person's view, was not a pedophile…He was into the barely legal type, like he liked 15 year old girls…He wasn't into like 8 year olds…There's a difference between a 15 year old and a 5 year old."
November 13, 2025 at 5:21 PM
"don't worry, he's just into 15-year-olds" perhaps not as exculpatory as you think
Also 15-year-olds are not "barely legal." They are minors.
Also 15-year-olds are not "barely legal." They are minors.
Has anyone done a CGI version of the exploding whale over Lakehurst, NJ? “Oh, the Cetaceanity!”
Asking for…me
Asking for…me
November 14, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Has anyone done a CGI version of the exploding whale over Lakehurst, NJ? “Oh, the Cetaceanity!”
Asking for…me
Asking for…me
Reposted by Tom Swanson
People inevitably ask, "How do you "celebrate" Exploding Whale Day?" when I ask them if they do. Pay it forward. Tell them where to find the video. Describe some highlights. I introduced it to at least a half-dozen people yesterday.
Last night, I shared the holiest of social media days, "Exploding Whale Day," with Husband. He had never seen or heard of it before! 55 years!
What both a comfort & sweet joy that every year we celebrate Exploding Whale Day together! A connection in humor, absurdity and commonality of amazement.
What both a comfort & sweet joy that every year we celebrate Exploding Whale Day together! A connection in humor, absurdity and commonality of amazement.
November 13, 2025 at 7:00 PM
People inevitably ask, "How do you "celebrate" Exploding Whale Day?" when I ask them if they do. Pay it forward. Tell them where to find the video. Describe some highlights. I introduced it to at least a half-dozen people yesterday.
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Scientists Confirm Aurora Borealis Will Be Visible On Google Images Tonight https://theonion.com/scientists-confirm-aurora-borealis-will-be-visible-on-google-images-tonight/
November 13, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Scientists Confirm Aurora Borealis Will Be Visible On Google Images Tonight https://theonion.com/scientists-confirm-aurora-borealis-will-be-visible-on-google-images-tonight/
Cannibal oreos
oh wow that’s crazy
oreos with bits of
of oreos. in them
Real Bits of Oreos
oreos with bits of
of oreos. in them
Real Bits of Oreos
November 13, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Cannibal oreos
Reposted by Tom Swanson
CLAIM: The government is run by a secret society of pedophiles
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret
November 13, 2025 at 2:06 AM
CLAIM: The government is run by a secret society of pedophiles
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret
The Penguin’s boss
November 13, 2025 at 5:14 PM
The Penguin’s boss
Reposted by Tom Swanson
Cartoonists are insane — this is a totally recognizable portrait and sharp comment with like three lines
November 13, 2025 at 12:02 PM
Cartoonists are insane — this is a totally recognizable portrait and sharp comment with like three lines
Reposted by Tom Swanson
November 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Goon a movie
The Goonfather
The Goonfather
Goon a movie
"Top Goon"
"Top Goon"
Goon a movie
Gune
Gune
November 13, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Goon a movie
The Goonfather
The Goonfather
Reposted by Tom Swanson
QANON CULTIST IN 2017: "In this 1,879 page thread I will unravel the byzantine system of codewords and phrases the global elite use to mask their pedophile cabal."
JEFFREY EPSTEIN WRITING AN EMAIL AT THE SAME TIME: "helo its me jeff had fun cmmitting sex crimes wit u lst weeknd"
JEFFREY EPSTEIN WRITING AN EMAIL AT THE SAME TIME: "helo its me jeff had fun cmmitting sex crimes wit u lst weeknd"
pretty funny in retrospect that QAnon hinged on the idea that powerful elites at the highest levels of government were smart enough to talk in code when sending emails to each other about their despicable crimes
November 12, 2025 at 10:15 PM
QANON CULTIST IN 2017: "In this 1,879 page thread I will unravel the byzantine system of codewords and phrases the global elite use to mask their pedophile cabal."
JEFFREY EPSTEIN WRITING AN EMAIL AT THE SAME TIME: "helo its me jeff had fun cmmitting sex crimes wit u lst weeknd"
JEFFREY EPSTEIN WRITING AN EMAIL AT THE SAME TIME: "helo its me jeff had fun cmmitting sex crimes wit u lst weeknd"