Michael Matthew
@michaelwmatthew.bsky.social
Another old white man worried about the dark time we're in. Southern New Hampshire.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
What this article doesn't mention is that this was caused by Elon Musk's DOGE.
Because a half a dozen Very Smartest College Dropouts didn't understand why we were spending money stopping bugs in Guatemala.
Because a half a dozen Very Smartest College Dropouts didn't understand why we were spending money stopping bugs in Guatemala.
A flesh-eating fly once eradicated is moving back toward the U.S.
California researchers are preparing for the possible return of the New World screwworm, a parasitic fly that feeds on living flesh and once devastated U.S. livestock. By monitoring traps and educatin...
www.sciencedaily.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
What this article doesn't mention is that this was caused by Elon Musk's DOGE.
Because a half a dozen Very Smartest College Dropouts didn't understand why we were spending money stopping bugs in Guatemala.
Because a half a dozen Very Smartest College Dropouts didn't understand why we were spending money stopping bugs in Guatemala.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Your annual reminder that if you get this cracker joke and are confused by it, it's apparently because "ffi" is a special character in some fonts and when the typeface is changed to one that doesn't have it, those letters disappear. It's supposed to be "coffin medicine".
December 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Your annual reminder that if you get this cracker joke and are confused by it, it's apparently because "ffi" is a special character in some fonts and when the typeface is changed to one that doesn't have it, those letters disappear. It's supposed to be "coffin medicine".
Reposted by Michael Matthew
The point being, of course, that most modern black Americans have as good a chance of qualifying as “heritage Americans” (dipshit phrase) as J. Random White American does. And, as @chrysost.bsky.social noted, certainly more than Trump. Or Steven Miller and many other “heritage” sniffers. (4/4)
December 21, 2025 at 3:58 PM
The point being, of course, that most modern black Americans have as good a chance of qualifying as “heritage Americans” (dipshit phrase) as J. Random White American does. And, as @chrysost.bsky.social noted, certainly more than Trump. Or Steven Miller and many other “heritage” sniffers. (4/4)
Reposted by Michael Matthew
The actual reason for the season. Blessed or just peaceful solstice.
December 21, 2025 at 3:40 PM
The actual reason for the season. Blessed or just peaceful solstice.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Every descendant of slaves has more American heritage than Trump. But I don’t imagine that figures large in the minds of most people using the phrase.
December 21, 2025 at 12:38 PM
Every descendant of slaves has more American heritage than Trump. But I don’t imagine that figures large in the minds of most people using the phrase.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
The New School owns about a billion dollars worth of art, most of which is not on display. They could sell the two Warhols they own and raise $100 million tomorrow. But they’d rather close academic departments.
New School “administrators have started to implement a plan to close, overhaul or merge about 30 academic programs or majors; pause nearly all admissions to doctoral programs; and offer buyouts or early retirement to what professors say is about 40 percent of the full-time faculty.”
Falling Enrollment, Money Woes: The New School Seeks a Path to Survival
www.nytimes.com
December 19, 2025 at 11:24 PM
The New School owns about a billion dollars worth of art, most of which is not on display. They could sell the two Warhols they own and raise $100 million tomorrow. But they’d rather close academic departments.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
especially how do World War II dads not see this
If this sounds EXACTLY like that other thing I mean… look I don’t make the rules but come on. How can anyone not see this?
Nothing to see here, just a right wing hyper-nationalist government going to their party’s youth event sponsored by a group with a martyred leader they’ve pledged to avenge, recruiting people to join their masked police force devoted to removing auslanders from ze homeland.
December 21, 2025 at 2:26 PM
especially how do World War II dads not see this
Reposted by Michael Matthew
🎯🎯“So the Epstein matter isn’t a diversion from the broader fight against Trump and his authoritarian efforts. The Epstein coverup has turned out to be an unexpectedly crucial battle in that struggle, and a test of our resolve in that fight.”
“Coverups are difficult in free societies. They are routine for authoritarian governments. The Epstein coverup will be an indicator of how far we are down the road to authoritarianism. The success of such a coverup would take us much further down that road.”
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
www.thebulwark.com/p/why-the-ep...
Why the Epstein Coverup Matters
In free societies, government coverups are difficult. In authoritarian ones, they’re routine.
www.thebulwark.com
December 21, 2025 at 2:03 PM
🎯🎯“So the Epstein matter isn’t a diversion from the broader fight against Trump and his authoritarian efforts. The Epstein coverup has turned out to be an unexpectedly crucial battle in that struggle, and a test of our resolve in that fight.”
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Every single person at my company Christmas party, upon finding out I'm American, recited a list of their friends and family who didn't go to Florida and/or Maine this year like they were Arya Stark reciting her kill list
December 21, 2025 at 1:46 PM
Every single person at my company Christmas party, upon finding out I'm American, recited a list of their friends and family who didn't go to Florida and/or Maine this year like they were Arya Stark reciting her kill list
Reposted by Michael Matthew
People say boycotts don't work, meanwhile Canada is out here putting labels on every single item in the grocery store so you know who to buy and shutting down factories like they're millenials killing the diamond industry
December 21, 2025 at 1:45 PM
People say boycotts don't work, meanwhile Canada is out here putting labels on every single item in the grocery store so you know who to buy and shutting down factories like they're millenials killing the diamond industry
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Pantone just updated their Color Of The Year
December 20, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Pantone just updated their Color Of The Year
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Just a thought... www.muellershewrote.com/p/are-the-mi...
Are the Missed Trump Redactions Accidents?
This is purely speculation and I have zero proof, but what if they're not?
www.muellershewrote.com
December 21, 2025 at 5:40 AM
Just a thought... www.muellershewrote.com/p/are-the-mi...
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Republicans deeply overestimate America's love for Clinton and deeply underestimate America's love of mean jokes and vicious retribution. Clinton isn't a shield. He's a lure.
Republicans releasing pics of Bill Clinton with Epstein like it’s some big troll.
Bruh, we do not care if Slick Willie goes to jail. 😂
Bruh, we do not care if Slick Willie goes to jail. 😂
December 20, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Republicans deeply overestimate America's love for Clinton and deeply underestimate America's love of mean jokes and vicious retribution. Clinton isn't a shield. He's a lure.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Adding to the Solstice music offerings
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQet...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQet...
The Beatles - The Beatles - Here Comes The Sun (Official Music Video) [2019 Mix]
YouTube video by TheBeatlesVEVO
www.youtube.com
December 21, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Adding to the Solstice music offerings
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQet...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KQet...
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Reposted by Michael Matthew
One of the most fascinating facts about the ocean, is that there are whales alive today who were born before Moby Dick was written.
Some of the bowhead whales in the icy waters off of Alaska today are over 200 years old.
Some of the bowhead whales in the icy waters off of Alaska today are over 200 years old.
December 21, 2025 at 5:12 AM
One of the most fascinating facts about the ocean, is that there are whales alive today who were born before Moby Dick was written.
Some of the bowhead whales in the icy waters off of Alaska today are over 200 years old.
Some of the bowhead whales in the icy waters off of Alaska today are over 200 years old.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
“You aren’t from a dark planet, are you?” “No.” Calvin shook his head firmly, though the beast couldn’t see him. “We’re—we’re shadowed. But we’re fighting the shadow.”
~ A Wrinkle in Time
~ A Wrinkle in Time
December 21, 2025 at 1:00 PM
“You aren’t from a dark planet, are you?” “No.” Calvin shook his head firmly, though the beast couldn’t see him. “We’re—we’re shadowed. But we’re fighting the shadow.”
~ A Wrinkle in Time
~ A Wrinkle in Time
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Chicago is having none of this administration's BS.
December 20, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Chicago is having none of this administration's BS.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
“‘My most daring idea is to refuse,’ she said to applause.”
Professor Warns That the Wealthy Are Trying to Use AI to Seize Control of Everything
Renowned sociologist Tressie McMillan Cottom says that AI is a tool for the rich to cement control over society.
futurism.com
December 21, 2025 at 1:03 PM
“‘My most daring idea is to refuse,’ she said to applause.”
OQOGLE
December 21, 2025 at 1:36 PM
OQOGLE
Reposted by Michael Matthew
A central motif throughout the drug panics has been the specter of predatory drug dealers forcing innocent young white girls into sexual slavery. Swap out “scary young Black guy” with “old rich white man” and suddenly there’s no urgency.
December 21, 2025 at 12:41 PM
A central motif throughout the drug panics has been the specter of predatory drug dealers forcing innocent young white girls into sexual slavery. Swap out “scary young Black guy” with “old rich white man” and suddenly there’s no urgency.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
Hi. Court reporter here again. I can confirm about a third of local cases I see are domestic abuse of women and girls. Where do you think the men start? And almost every columnist tells you to look elsewhere.
This is the second story in three days The Times has carried arguing against misogyny lessons in schools, which it describes as "some weird feminist attack on male children".
December 21, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Hi. Court reporter here again. I can confirm about a third of local cases I see are domestic abuse of women and girls. Where do you think the men start? And almost every columnist tells you to look elsewhere.
Reposted by Michael Matthew
It’s also a basic skill in the humanities, at least!
Surely, we can all agree that it’s not okay for a professional history association to tell us it’s fine if we offload/bypass this fundamental step/basic skill by using LLM generated summaries of books and articles to begin ‘critical engagement’
Surely, we can all agree that it’s not okay for a professional history association to tell us it’s fine if we offload/bypass this fundamental step/basic skill by using LLM generated summaries of books and articles to begin ‘critical engagement’
As everyone knows who has ever written a book or manuscript review, summarizing a text is essential work. It’s the first step of an analysis. If you haven’t summarized the text there is no way I believe that you have understood it.
Professional societies keep beclowning themselves buying into a lie about what an LLM "summary" is. They are inherently counterfeit: not an epistemic product of the ideas in the source, but summary-shaped text linguistically based on *other* works (in the training corpus) that use related language.
December 21, 2025 at 11:17 AM
It’s also a basic skill in the humanities, at least!
Surely, we can all agree that it’s not okay for a professional history association to tell us it’s fine if we offload/bypass this fundamental step/basic skill by using LLM generated summaries of books and articles to begin ‘critical engagement’
Surely, we can all agree that it’s not okay for a professional history association to tell us it’s fine if we offload/bypass this fundamental step/basic skill by using LLM generated summaries of books and articles to begin ‘critical engagement’