Mark Sirota
@mark.sirota.org
School Board member, photographer, technologist, polymath, big-picture thinker. I also play D&D and board games.
Follow my #fireworks #photography @skyfirephotos.com
Follow my #fireworks #photography @skyfirephotos.com
The small world syndrome strikes again: my daughter will be reading an article by @jennysaul.bsky.social in her Bad Language class.
August 21, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The small world syndrome strikes again: my daughter will be reading an article by @jennysaul.bsky.social in her Bad Language class.
I love this. Contact Amy, or me, if you’re interested in running for public office, especially local office, and would like a mentor, a sounding board, or just want to know more.
I agree with @marcelias.bsky.social We are on our own. In that spirit, I am offering to mentor young members of this community interested in running for public office. We need social media savvy along with intellect and resilience. The rest I can teach. DM me if interested.
February 1, 2025 at 8:56 PM
I love this. Contact Amy, or me, if you’re interested in running for public office, especially local office, and would like a mentor, a sounding board, or just want to know more.
I awoke today thinking that I had lost my 185-day streak in Connections. Alas, it was just a dream, so I'll have to keep playing.
January 28, 2025 at 5:27 PM
I awoke today thinking that I had lost my 185-day streak in Connections. Alas, it was just a dream, so I'll have to keep playing.
One of many proud dad moments: www.fandm.edu/stories/stud...
F&M Players Provides Creative Outlet for Students
F&M students are exploring their passion for theatre through a student-led production of "Into the Woods," which runs Jan. 16-18 in the Roschel Performing Arts Center.
www.fandm.edu
January 14, 2025 at 6:05 PM
One of many proud dad moments: www.fandm.edu/stories/stud...
Friends and family have questioned my dogmatic approach to data privacy, but here’s a good example of why. I appreciate this clear example of why regular law-abiding people should be concerned.
January 14, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Friends and family have questioned my dogmatic approach to data privacy, but here’s a good example of why. I appreciate this clear example of why regular law-abiding people should be concerned.
This is the best 16 minutes of D&D footage ever.
Watch the Dungeons & Dragons episode of the Secret Level TV series, now streaming on Prime Video: dndbeyond.link/Watch-Secret...
Amazon.com
dndbeyond.link
January 11, 2025 at 5:46 AM
This is the best 16 minutes of D&D footage ever.
Targeted ads aren’t just about ads. It is possible to protect your privacy online to a degree, though it takes some effort. It’s worth the effort, IMHO.
Seeing an online ad shouldn’t mean surrendering your data to thousands of companies you’ve never heard of. It’s time to end online behavioral advertising and the mass surveillance it enables.
Online Behavioral Ads Fuel the Surveillance Industry—Here’s How
Each time you see a targeted ad, your personal information is exposed to thousands of advertisers and data brokers through a process called “real-time bidding” (RTB). This process does more than deliv...
www.eff.org
January 7, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Targeted ads aren’t just about ads. It is possible to protect your privacy online to a degree, though it takes some effort. It’s worth the effort, IMHO.
Over the break I completed this Ravensburger Butterfly Challenge 1000-piece puzzle with my dad. Perhaps the most challenging jigsaw puzzle I/we have ever done. Out of print, but available if you look around. Recommended for anyone who loves difficult jigsaw puzzles.
January 5, 2025 at 6:20 AM
Over the break I completed this Ravensburger Butterfly Challenge 1000-piece puzzle with my dad. Perhaps the most challenging jigsaw puzzle I/we have ever done. Out of print, but available if you look around. Recommended for anyone who loves difficult jigsaw puzzles.
The original Earthrise was captured on this day in 1968 by Bill Anders on Apollo 8. One of the most powerful photos ever. I recommend putting a print of this on your wall someplace where you will see it often!
December 25, 2024 at 2:25 AM
The original Earthrise was captured on this day in 1968 by Bill Anders on Apollo 8. One of the most powerful photos ever. I recommend putting a print of this on your wall someplace where you will see it often!
If you're here for my fireworks photography, follow @skyfirephotos.com!
It’s already #FireworksFriday again! I love how the kid standing on his own in the foreground makes the shot. #fireworks #photography
December 13, 2024 at 6:51 PM
If you're here for my fireworks photography, follow @skyfirephotos.com!
Some First Look games from #PAX2024 that I liked -- who else has opinions?
1980 Sixtina boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42...
Australis boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Rivages boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/40...
Spectacular boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Tower Up boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39...
1980 Sixtina boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42...
Australis boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Rivages boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/40...
Spectacular boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Tower Up boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39...
December 9, 2024 at 7:11 PM
Some First Look games from #PAX2024 that I liked -- who else has opinions?
1980 Sixtina boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42...
Australis boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Rivages boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/40...
Spectacular boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Tower Up boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39...
1980 Sixtina boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42...
Australis boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Rivages boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/40...
Spectacular boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Tower Up boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39...
Reposted by Mark Sirota
It’s #FireworksFriday! I’m pulling one photo from the archives each week. Today I’m in a more abstract mood… #fireworks #photography
December 6, 2024 at 3:59 PM
It’s #FireworksFriday! I’m pulling one photo from the archives each week. Today I’m in a more abstract mood… #fireworks #photography
Reposted by Mark Sirota
November 30, 2024 at 1:05 AM
Reposted by Mark Sirota
Thankful for all the people in my life, especially those who come with me to #fireworks shows. #photography
November 28, 2024 at 11:08 PM
Thankful for all the people in my life, especially those who come with me to #fireworks shows. #photography
Reposted by Mark Sirota
November 27, 2024 at 10:50 PM
Reposted by Mark Sirota
Feel the heat! This fireball is an estimated 65 feet (20 meters) tall -- those are supports for a batting cage net at lower left. A great addition to any fireworks display! This photo was a test while working on my technique for capturing them. #fireworks #photography
November 26, 2024 at 8:45 PM
Feel the heat! This fireball is an estimated 65 feet (20 meters) tall -- those are supports for a batting cage net at lower left. A great addition to any fireworks display! This photo was a test while working on my technique for capturing them. #fireworks #photography
Reposted by Mark Sirota
Almost missed my daily post! This is my friend Larry, who is not yet on Bluesky. #fireworks #photography
November 26, 2024 at 4:37 AM
Almost missed my daily post! This is my friend Larry, who is not yet on Bluesky. #fireworks #photography
OMG this would be amazing!
Look, it's obviously bad that Trump won, but what if Pete Buttigieg is going to have enough free time to start a podcast with me now?
November 26, 2024 at 4:30 AM
OMG this would be amazing!
Reposted by Mark Sirota
Is there anything better all by itself than a big brocade? #fireworks #photography
November 25, 2024 at 12:12 AM
Is there anything better all by itself than a big brocade? #fireworks #photography
Following up on @hankgreen.bsky.social's populism vlog: Why do car salespeople make it so painful, why do politicians use doublespeak, why do CEOs focus on profit rather than the greater good? Because our systems incentivize them to behave this way. Blame the systems, not the people.
November 23, 2024 at 8:15 PM
Following up on @hankgreen.bsky.social's populism vlog: Why do car salespeople make it so painful, why do politicians use doublespeak, why do CEOs focus on profit rather than the greater good? Because our systems incentivize them to behave this way. Blame the systems, not the people.
Reposted by Mark Sirota
I love a sky-filling finale! #fireworks #photography
November 23, 2024 at 6:41 PM
I love a sky-filling finale! #fireworks #photography
Hank Green makes the case that populism was inevitable in this moment of a new communications technology (many-to-many social media), and along the way makes observations about the role of trust in a functional society, along with many other nuggets of brilliance. Spend a half hour on it. Trust me.
This is one of those videos that you could work on forever, but suddenly it felt very important to make it, so I finally did: www.youtube.com/watch?v=d8Pn...
Populism, Media Revolutions, and Our Terrible Moment
YouTube video by vlogbrothers
www.youtube.com
November 22, 2024 at 9:13 PM
Hank Green makes the case that populism was inevitable in this moment of a new communications technology (many-to-many social media), and along the way makes observations about the role of trust in a functional society, along with many other nuggets of brilliance. Spend a half hour on it. Trust me.
Reposted by Mark Sirota
Sometimes I like to change it up and get a different take on #fireworks #photography.
November 22, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Sometimes I like to change it up and get a different take on #fireworks #photography.
You don't have to participate in Google's search monopoly, even if for some reason you prefer Chrome. Configure your browser, any browser, to use duckduckgo instead.
The Justice Department is seeking to force Google to sell off its Chrome browser and make other major changes to remedy its illegal search monopoly, setting a marker in the landmark case before the incoming Trump administration makes its own determinations about how to proceed.
DOJ seeks forced sale of Chrome, other big changes at Google in monopoly case
The Justice Department recommendation is one of the final moves of Biden’s aggressive antitrust enforcers, before Trump takes the reins.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2024 at 8:00 PM
You don't have to participate in Google's search monopoly, even if for some reason you prefer Chrome. Configure your browser, any browser, to use duckduckgo instead.
Reposted by Mark Sirota
#fireworks sometimes create interesting shapes. I call this one the Eye of Sauron, captured against a #bluesky. #photography
November 21, 2024 at 7:35 PM
#fireworks sometimes create interesting shapes. I call this one the Eye of Sauron, captured against a #bluesky. #photography