Laine Ballou
@laineballou.bsky.social
Trying my best. Probably failing. Really like to overuse the ❤️ button.
#ActuallyAutistic, AD(H)D, and oh good, early onset dementia now too, so if I misunderstand you, I'm sorry.
She/her
They/them works too 🤷🏻♀️
🖖
🖤🩶🤍💜
#ActuallyAutistic, AD(H)D, and oh good, early onset dementia now too, so if I misunderstand you, I'm sorry.
She/her
They/them works too 🤷🏻♀️
🖖
🖤🩶🤍💜
Pinned
Laine Ballou
@laineballou.bsky.social
· Nov 13
For new followers:
I don't post a whole lot because I don't have the energy to say stuff, even when I really want to, so instead I reskeet things that I think are helpful or positive.
I block follow farmers (people who follow thousands of accounts to get follow-backs).
I don't post a whole lot because I don't have the energy to say stuff, even when I really want to, so instead I reskeet things that I think are helpful or positive.
I block follow farmers (people who follow thousands of accounts to get follow-backs).
Reposted by Laine Ballou
The proliferation of AI-generated cute animal videos is a great reason to follow animal rescues, and donate to them as long as you're doing that. For the care of the animals and also creating a space for reliably authentic videos of baby skunks skittering across hardwood floors
December 7, 2025 at 6:35 PM
The proliferation of AI-generated cute animal videos is a great reason to follow animal rescues, and donate to them as long as you're doing that. For the care of the animals and also creating a space for reliably authentic videos of baby skunks skittering across hardwood floors
Reposted by Laine Ballou
THE STORY OF TUDOR ART - came out in September. The first book on English art across the whole 16th century, for the royal court and beyond it. Extremely Christmassy - a great gift - doesn’t even need wrapping because the dust jacket is red and shiny gold. 🌟🌹👑♥️
December 7, 2025 at 6:12 PM
THE STORY OF TUDOR ART - came out in September. The first book on English art across the whole 16th century, for the royal court and beyond it. Extremely Christmassy - a great gift - doesn’t even need wrapping because the dust jacket is red and shiny gold. 🌟🌹👑♥️
Reposted by Laine Ballou
You are ABSOLUTELY NOT going to regret listening to this bird:
A male rock ptarmigan (Lagopus muta) in winter plumage.
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
Ptarmigan is from Gaelic 'tarmachan' meaning "croaker". The p- was added when people mistakenly assumed it was a Greek word.
A bird forever warning people: "A werewolf!" (just in case of werewolves).
December 6, 2025 at 5:10 PM
You are ABSOLUTELY NOT going to regret listening to this bird:
Reposted by Laine Ballou
"But the thing that made Scrooge happiest of all was that his life lay before him and it could be changed."
Give the gift of compassion, solidarity, and inclusion this holiday season.
SHOW that you care about others, not just yourself.
Wear
A
Mask
Give the gift of compassion, solidarity, and inclusion this holiday season.
SHOW that you care about others, not just yourself.
Wear
A
Mask
December 5, 2025 at 1:04 AM
"But the thing that made Scrooge happiest of all was that his life lay before him and it could be changed."
Give the gift of compassion, solidarity, and inclusion this holiday season.
SHOW that you care about others, not just yourself.
Wear
A
Mask
Give the gift of compassion, solidarity, and inclusion this holiday season.
SHOW that you care about others, not just yourself.
Wear
A
Mask
Reposted by Laine Ballou
😍. if you allow me a moment of sentimentality, it's incredible to read people's takes on how much they value Bolts in recent weeks: getting such responses to something you've created (& worked so hard on) is feeling of a lifetime. Must remember to take time to step back & see it as that big picture!
Bolts is incredible. I'm already a monthly supporter and so grateful for their work.
They regularly elevate critically important issues at the local and state level– issues that impact our lives most directly.
In fact, I'm going to head over and make a one-time donation right now!
They regularly elevate critically important issues at the local and state level– issues that impact our lives most directly.
In fact, I'm going to head over and make a one-time donation right now!
So, you know how people say stuff like, "just repost this & you'll have supported journalism"?
But this time... it's literally true!
Russ has offered to donate to Bolts for each repost this ⬇️ gets or each follow @boltsmag.org gets—up to a sum way higher than we're at.
let's make this go viral!
But this time... it's literally true!
Russ has offered to donate to Bolts for each repost this ⬇️ gets or each follow @boltsmag.org gets—up to a sum way higher than we're at.
let's make this go viral!
December 5, 2025 at 12:45 AM
😍. if you allow me a moment of sentimentality, it's incredible to read people's takes on how much they value Bolts in recent weeks: getting such responses to something you've created (& worked so hard on) is feeling of a lifetime. Must remember to take time to step back & see it as that big picture!
Reposted by Laine Ballou
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
November 30, 2025 at 7:48 PM
when someone tells me not to use em dashes because AI uses em dashes
Reposted by Laine Ballou
And now for some of my very favourite Smol Paul moments in no particular order, starting with the first ever yeet
November 30, 2025 at 5:19 PM
And now for some of my very favourite Smol Paul moments in no particular order, starting with the first ever yeet
Reposted by Laine Ballou
We're close to the world's first-ever broad-spectrum antiviral. In a breakthrough, researchers at the City University of New York have identified a promising path to the development of an antiviral that could be used to fight a wide range of deadly viruses, including future pandemic threats.
November 28, 2025 at 5:03 PM
We're close to the world's first-ever broad-spectrum antiviral. In a breakthrough, researchers at the City University of New York have identified a promising path to the development of an antiviral that could be used to fight a wide range of deadly viruses, including future pandemic threats.
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Since it's a big weekend for consumerism, I just want to put out there that buying an indie author's book in any format is "shopping small" no matter where you choose to buy it from.
November 28, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Since it's a big weekend for consumerism, I just want to put out there that buying an indie author's book in any format is "shopping small" no matter where you choose to buy it from.
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Pronghorn
Beaver
Blue heron
Burrowing owls
Black-footed ferret
Pronghorn
Beaver
Blue heron
Burrowing owls
Black-footed ferret
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Caribou
Ravens
Seals
Kea
Turkeys
Caribou
Ravens
Seals
Kea
Turkeys
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Moose
Humpback whales
Giraffes
African Elephants
West African or Nile monitor lizard
Moose
Humpback whales
Giraffes
African Elephants
West African or Nile monitor lizard
November 28, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Introduce yourself with 5 animals you've seen in the wild:
Pronghorn
Beaver
Blue heron
Burrowing owls
Black-footed ferret
Pronghorn
Beaver
Blue heron
Burrowing owls
Black-footed ferret
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Also, even if you have tested positive for HPV, this vaccine protects against multiple strains of HPV and you probably only have one and it is still safe for you to get it, so FUCKING GET IT so you don't get any other strains
This is wonderful news, and also means it’s time for me to beat the drum I always do when HPV vaccines make the news:
They are not only for women! HPV also causes penile, anal, and head and neck cancers. The latter are particularly deadly. Please vaccinate ALL your children.
They are not only for women! HPV also causes penile, anal, and head and neck cancers. The latter are particularly deadly. Please vaccinate ALL your children.
Australia recorded ZERO cases of cervical cancer in women under 25 for the first time since they started tracking the cancer in the 80s.
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
This is the power of vaccines.
The HPV vaccine is extremely effective at preventing cancer.
Viruses can be oncogenic. Get your vaccines and protect yourself!
November 27, 2025 at 10:15 AM
Also, even if you have tested positive for HPV, this vaccine protects against multiple strains of HPV and you probably only have one and it is still safe for you to get it, so FUCKING GET IT so you don't get any other strains
Reposted by Laine Ballou
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have developed a heteromultivalent nanogel capable of killing some of the most dangerous bacteria known to medicine- with over 99.9% effectiveness against P. aeruginosa. It also showed strong antibacterial effects against other major threats, including E. coli and MRSA.
November 26, 2025 at 5:00 PM
GOOD NEWS! Researchers have developed a heteromultivalent nanogel capable of killing some of the most dangerous bacteria known to medicine- with over 99.9% effectiveness against P. aeruginosa. It also showed strong antibacterial effects against other major threats, including E. coli and MRSA.
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Did you hear the news? Hundreds of thousands of children will be lifted out of poverty thanks to the Chancellor, Rachel Reeves scrapping the two-child benefit limit! This is a vital first step to getting all children out of poverty. 38d.gs/ojiq
38 Degrees (@38degrees.bsky.social)
Huge news! After eight long years, the two-child benefit limit is being scrapped, lifting hundreds of thousands of kids out of poverty.
Today is proof that when we speak up, we can change lives. To ...
38d.gs
November 26, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Another Los Angeles offering - Thanksgiving specific:
November 25, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Another Los Angeles offering - Thanksgiving specific:
Reposted by Laine Ballou
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Cool $10k journalism award opportunity for those covering immigrants, LTBTQ+ people, disabled people, and other marginalized communities!
cronkite.asu.edu/shaufler-prize
cronkite.asu.edu/shaufler-prize
November 25, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Cool $10k journalism award opportunity for those covering immigrants, LTBTQ+ people, disabled people, and other marginalized communities!
cronkite.asu.edu/shaufler-prize
cronkite.asu.edu/shaufler-prize
Reposted by Laine Ballou
SIRENS!! Sound up!! I never understood.
November 24, 2025 at 7:25 PM
SIRENS!! Sound up!! I never understood.
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Do not steal books, I beg. Borrow from a library. Libraries lend e-books!
November 24, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Do not steal books, I beg. Borrow from a library. Libraries lend e-books!
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Reposted by Laine Ballou
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I don't understand how anyone can watch how blatantly Grok is manipulated to answer the way ownership desires it to and then act like the other LLM chatbots couldn't possibly be similarly but less obviously compromised to produce responses in whatever way corporate interests and priorities dictate.
Reposted by Laine Ballou
🧵 UPDATE FOR MY BIRTHDAY:
Hi, so AI killed my career(s) and I'm still barely holding on. Some people tried to get me to start a fundraiser, but that felt weird, so I thought maybe if I was contributing something? So I started making shirts. Can you share this and maybe think about grabbing some?
Hi, so AI killed my career(s) and I'm still barely holding on. Some people tried to get me to start a fundraiser, but that felt weird, so I thought maybe if I was contributing something? So I started making shirts. Can you share this and maybe think about grabbing some?
Stuff, from The Internet
tylerfromtheinternet.com
September 28, 2025 at 6:32 PM
🧵 UPDATE FOR MY BIRTHDAY:
Hi, so AI killed my career(s) and I'm still barely holding on. Some people tried to get me to start a fundraiser, but that felt weird, so I thought maybe if I was contributing something? So I started making shirts. Can you share this and maybe think about grabbing some?
Hi, so AI killed my career(s) and I'm still barely holding on. Some people tried to get me to start a fundraiser, but that felt weird, so I thought maybe if I was contributing something? So I started making shirts. Can you share this and maybe think about grabbing some?
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Oh wait! Figured out how to get rid of the garbage Gemini button in Chrome:
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
November 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Oh wait! Figured out how to get rid of the garbage Gemini button in Chrome:
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
- Right-click
- Unpin
Gone!
Reposted by Laine Ballou
genuine appeal to feminists who are haven't realised it yet: trans women are on your side. TERFS aren't
No way I’m sharing Stock’s UnHerd article. But I am going to point to this bit which amply demonstrates the anti-trans=>anti-women’s rights pipeline. “Abortions should only be done for a highly restricted set of reasons. They should not be just nodded through for any reason a pregnant woman likes.”
November 21, 2025 at 12:34 PM
genuine appeal to feminists who are haven't realised it yet: trans women are on your side. TERFS aren't
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Happy Friday, here’s a little excerpt from this week’s Fix The News for you ♥️
November 21, 2025 at 10:20 AM
Happy Friday, here’s a little excerpt from this week’s Fix The News for you ♥️
Reposted by Laine Ballou
Ricky Gervais is a warning about what happens to you when you become absolutely certain you figured literally everything out in your 20s.
November 21, 2025 at 8:28 AM
Ricky Gervais is a warning about what happens to you when you become absolutely certain you figured literally everything out in your 20s.