TrishEM
@pematson.bsky.social
Award-winning journalism editor and writer, speculative fiction reviewer and podcaster, lover of games, music, audiodramas, wordplay and more. (She/her)
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciamatson
https://www.linkedin.com/in/patriciamatson
Pinned
TrishEM
@pematson.bsky.social
· Oct 23
Note: Due to trolls and bots, I'm blocking anyone with no posting history who follows me without ever interacting with me first (e.g. liking or replying to one of my posts) and anyone who direct-messages me out of the blue. Sorry if you're just new, but I need a sign that you're real and not evil.
Reposted by TrishEM
Lots of smart stuff here =>
US public transit advocates: Don't just envy Europe. Start by envying Canada.
Great piece on Montreal's remarkably cheap new rapid transit system.
macleans.ca/society/mont...
Great piece on Montreal's remarkably cheap new rapid transit system.
macleans.ca/society/mont...
Montreal's New Rail Line Is the Future - Macleans.ca
Canada has forgotten how to build fast, cheap transit. A new megaproject has the fix.
macleans.ca
November 30, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Lots of smart stuff here =>
Reposted by TrishEM
It’s infuriating to me that I need to evaluate media to determine whether it’s AI generated now. The great “time saver” technology wastes incalculable time and energy for people who want to retain their grasp on reality
November 28, 2025 at 8:48 PM
It’s infuriating to me that I need to evaluate media to determine whether it’s AI generated now. The great “time saver” technology wastes incalculable time and energy for people who want to retain their grasp on reality
Reposted by TrishEM
"Homelessness today isn't just the person sleeping outside a Walmart. It's often the cashier or worker stocking the shelves inside."
I joined @pbsnews.org to talk about There Is No Place for Us and the staggering rise of the "working homeless":
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
I joined @pbsnews.org to talk about There Is No Place for Us and the staggering rise of the "working homeless":
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
November 29, 2025 at 11:54 PM
"Homelessness today isn't just the person sleeping outside a Walmart. It's often the cashier or worker stocking the shelves inside."
I joined @pbsnews.org to talk about There Is No Place for Us and the staggering rise of the "working homeless":
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
I joined @pbsnews.org to talk about There Is No Place for Us and the staggering rise of the "working homeless":
www.pbs.org/newshour/sho...
Reposted by TrishEM
Heads still further up: $2.99 Cdn Kobo.
Heads further up: this is also reduced on UK Kobo. £1.99.
Still £4.99 on Amazon
#UKSFFBookBargains
www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...
Still £4.99 on Amazon
#UKSFFBookBargains
www.kobo.com/gb/en/ebook/...
November 29, 2025 at 7:56 PM
Heads still further up: $2.99 Cdn Kobo.
Reposted by TrishEM
Previously: Residents of Van Zandt County fought back against a proposed dam in a battle that united organizers around issues of water rights, land ownership, and government transparency.
Dammed if You Do: East Texas Locals Fight to Stop an Unnecessary Reservoir
In Van Zandt County, a fight over water rights, government transparency, and land ownership came to a head with a proposed dam project.
www.texasobserver.org
November 29, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Previously: Residents of Van Zandt County fought back against a proposed dam in a battle that united organizers around issues of water rights, land ownership, and government transparency.
Reposted by TrishEM
In case you weren't at #PAXU or didn't catch our show while there, you're in luck! Catch our sesson of The Fifth Season RPG from PAXU with me, @urbanbohemian.com @ladyluck34.bsky.social @quincystavern.bsky.social @taruhunter.bsky.social & @dmjazzyhands.bsky.social
youtu.be/psrxu3g6iPo
youtu.be/psrxu3g6iPo
November 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
In case you weren't at #PAXU or didn't catch our show while there, you're in luck! Catch our sesson of The Fifth Season RPG from PAXU with me, @urbanbohemian.com @ladyluck34.bsky.social @quincystavern.bsky.social @taruhunter.bsky.social & @dmjazzyhands.bsky.social
youtu.be/psrxu3g6iPo
youtu.be/psrxu3g6iPo
Reposted by TrishEM
This is a misleading description. Brin moved money into a trust of which he is the sole trustee. It's a tax dodge that he still controls!
Brin also has a family foundation. The money he puts into that (a much smaller amount) is bound by strict rules on how much has to be dispersed annually.
Brin also has a family foundation. The money he puts into that (a much smaller amount) is bound by strict rules on how much has to be dispersed annually.
Sergey Brin gave away more than $1.1 billion worth of Alphabet stock this week, with most of the money going to a nonprofit the Google co-founder created
Sergey Brin Gifts $1.1 Billion in Alphabet Stock After AI Rally
Sergey Brin gave away more than $1.1 billion worth of Alphabet Inc. stock this week, with most of the money going to a nonprofit the Google co-founder created.
bloom.bg
November 29, 2025 at 10:06 PM
This is a misleading description. Brin moved money into a trust of which he is the sole trustee. It's a tax dodge that he still controls!
Brin also has a family foundation. The money he puts into that (a much smaller amount) is bound by strict rules on how much has to be dispersed annually.
Brin also has a family foundation. The money he puts into that (a much smaller amount) is bound by strict rules on how much has to be dispersed annually.
Reposted by TrishEM
A cunning plot, & an ancient green dragon, are revealed! Join the King's Citadel of @therisingtithes.bsky.social, @trendane.bsky.social, @jenniferbrozek.bsky.social, @mariebilodeau.bsky.social, & @jhelfers01.bsky.social at 7:30 p.m. ET in D&D w. I&B: Eberron--Oracle of War! www.twitch.tv/arvaneleron
ArvanEleron - Twitch
I'm Arvan Eleron, a writer and gamer. My favorite games are RPGs, particularly tabletop D&D, but I'm also a sucker for a good adventure or turn based strategy game (and I love Gran Turismo, if I can e...
www.twitch.tv
November 30, 2025 at 12:08 AM
A cunning plot, & an ancient green dragon, are revealed! Join the King's Citadel of @therisingtithes.bsky.social, @trendane.bsky.social, @jenniferbrozek.bsky.social, @mariebilodeau.bsky.social, & @jhelfers01.bsky.social at 7:30 p.m. ET in D&D w. I&B: Eberron--Oracle of War! www.twitch.tv/arvaneleron
Reposted by TrishEM
All available evidence suggests that the Trump administration’s lethal strikes in the Caribbean constitute murder, plain and simple.
US ordered 2nd attack to kill survivors of Caribbean boat strike: report
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth allegedly issued an order to leave no survivors in a strike on a suspected drug-carrying vessel in the Caribbean, prompting a second attack.
www.nydailynews.com
November 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
All available evidence suggests that the Trump administration’s lethal strikes in the Caribbean constitute murder, plain and simple.
Reposted by TrishEM
2/2 link:
Statement of the “Former JAGs Working Group” on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
Statement of the “Former JAGs Working Group” on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
November 29, 2025 at 8:11 PM
2/2 link:
Statement of the “Former JAGs Working Group” on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
Statement of the “Former JAGs Working Group” on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
www.justsecurity.org/wp-content/u...
Reposted by TrishEM
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
November 29, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Former US military lawyers speak out:
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
"The Former JAGs Working Group unanimously considers both the giving and the execution of these orders, if true, to constitute war crimes, murder, or both."
Statement on Media Reports of Pentagon “No Quarter” Orders in Caribbean Boat Strikes
1/2
Reposted by TrishEM
Headline: "AI can replace 11.7% of workforce"
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
MIT study finds AI can already replace 11.7% of U.S. workforce
Artificial intelligence can already replace 11.7% of the U.S. labor market, across finance, health care and professional services, according to MIT's study.
www.cnbc.com
November 29, 2025 at 9:57 PM
Headline: "AI can replace 11.7% of workforce"
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
Actual study: Anthropic paid MIT to use a "labor simulation tool" that said 11.7% of TASKS could be done by AI
Reposted by TrishEM
Even when it’s not precipitating, wet roads can quickly turn icy as temperatures dip below freezing. These unexpected slippery conditions can make driving hazardous. When roads look wet in the winter, stay cautious, slow down, and don’t use cruise control. Don’t let flash freezes sneak up on you!
November 29, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Even when it’s not precipitating, wet roads can quickly turn icy as temperatures dip below freezing. These unexpected slippery conditions can make driving hazardous. When roads look wet in the winter, stay cautious, slow down, and don’t use cruise control. Don’t let flash freezes sneak up on you!
Reposted by TrishEM
I know that completing the first draft of a novel feels like a mountain of work. Revising can feel tedious. But it’s where insights into what I’m doing happen, and those are exciting. Figuring out how to reshape the story into something even cooler is pro-level fun.
November 29, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I know that completing the first draft of a novel feels like a mountain of work. Revising can feel tedious. But it’s where insights into what I’m doing happen, and those are exciting. Figuring out how to reshape the story into something even cooler is pro-level fun.
Reposted by TrishEM
Literally buying one copy of a book at your local indie bookstore can mean the difference in whether they buy future books from that author.
November 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Literally buying one copy of a book at your local indie bookstore can mean the difference in whether they buy future books from that author.
Reposted by TrishEM
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Bookselling is like the most "people go to the store and buy what looks cool to them without a particular agenda" type business left, and your purchases have a huge influence on what is ordered, what is displayed, and what is recommended.
November 29, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The death of browsing is part of the reason art is the way it is now. Our opinions are largely fed to us by algorithms. Spending a spare 15 minutes wandering around a bookstore or comic shop or video rental place was how you found stuff you wouldn't ordinarily pick up and thereby expanded your taste
Reposted by TrishEM
2 HONEY 2 CRISP
November 29, 2025 at 9:29 PM
2 HONEY 2 CRISP
Reposted by TrishEM
my patience has increased but I will say, it is ok to have trouble reading, it is not ok to scream at people for things you imagined they said because you can't read what they actually said
November 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
my patience has increased but I will say, it is ok to have trouble reading, it is not ok to scream at people for things you imagined they said because you can't read what they actually said
Reposted by TrishEM
“The central goal of this project is to light up the sky and extend daylight and obviously, from an astronomical perspective, that’s pretty catastrophic,” Robert Massey, deputy executive director at the Royal Astronomical Society of the UK told the publication."
Scientists Oppose Huge Array of Mirrors in Space That Shines Nighttime Sunlight on Wealthy Customers
The astronomical community is horrified at plans made by a for-profit company to flood the night sky with sunlight.
futurism.com
November 29, 2025 at 10:45 PM
“The central goal of this project is to light up the sky and extend daylight and obviously, from an astronomical perspective, that’s pretty catastrophic,” Robert Massey, deputy executive director at the Royal Astronomical Society of the UK told the publication."
Reposted by TrishEM
If your business model doesn’t work without breaking the law, you’re not in business.
You’re in organized crime.
You’re in organized crime.
The OpenAI ruling writers should know about 👀 (if your work was scraped for LLM training, this affects you). www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
OpenAI Loses Key Discovery Battle as It Cedes Ground to Authors in AI Lawsuits
The issue has been a major battleground in discovery. OpenAI could be on the hook for hundreds of millions, if not billions, of dollars if it was aware it was infringing on copyrighted material.
www.hollywoodreporter.com
November 29, 2025 at 7:43 PM
If your business model doesn’t work without breaking the law, you’re not in business.
You’re in organized crime.
You’re in organized crime.
Reposted by TrishEM
…Oh. Oh no. Oh no nonono. …And yet: of course.
"Gen AI" tells you the thing you are statistically most likely to accept so you keep using it— & research shows that most people who like "AI" like it *Because* it sycophantically tells them their ideas are great & should defs be implemented. So… Yeah.
"Gen AI" tells you the thing you are statistically most likely to accept so you keep using it— & research shows that most people who like "AI" like it *Because* it sycophantically tells them their ideas are great & should defs be implemented. So… Yeah.
A study by Dayforce shows 87% of executives use AI for work, compared to 57% of managers and just 27% of employees.
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
I think this explains the massive disconnect we see in how CEOs talk about AI versus everyone else. It also raises the question of how useful it truly is for frontline work?
Execs are embracing AI more than their employees are, new research suggests
Research from HR software company Dayforce suggests that executives are leaning into AI far more than their employees.
www.businessinsider.com
November 29, 2025 at 4:17 PM
…Oh. Oh no. Oh no nonono. …And yet: of course.
"Gen AI" tells you the thing you are statistically most likely to accept so you keep using it— & research shows that most people who like "AI" like it *Because* it sycophantically tells them their ideas are great & should defs be implemented. So… Yeah.
"Gen AI" tells you the thing you are statistically most likely to accept so you keep using it— & research shows that most people who like "AI" like it *Because* it sycophantically tells them their ideas are great & should defs be implemented. So… Yeah.
Reposted by TrishEM
Well! This is a nice thing.
BIG congrats to Melissa Scott @blueterraplane.bsky.social for her recent review in the NYT and inclusion on the list of Great Cyberpunk Novels That Imagine New Futures ... #cyberpunk
Great Cyberpunk Novels That Imagine New Futures
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Well! This is a nice thing.
Reposted by TrishEM
I have worked at quite a lot of institutions in different programmes and circumstances in the last few years and my personal experience has been that there are all sorts of students with all sorts of circumstances and different ways of interacting with the courses I'm teaching. 1/
I've seen a lot of depressed takes today about modern students, who in these stories are completely disinterested and disconnected from their classes. I don't really want to disagree with takes which come from real experience. But I do want to note that this has not been my experience at all. 1/?
November 29, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I have worked at quite a lot of institutions in different programmes and circumstances in the last few years and my personal experience has been that there are all sorts of students with all sorts of circumstances and different ways of interacting with the courses I'm teaching. 1/
Reposted by TrishEM
Ordering no quarter, as Hegseth effectively did, isn't a newfangled modern war crime. It was understood as a crime as far back as the Revolutionary War. Washington threatened to do reprisals over it. The bad guy in 'The Patriot' is (very loosely) based off a British officer who was notorious for it.
November 28, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Ordering no quarter, as Hegseth effectively did, isn't a newfangled modern war crime. It was understood as a crime as far back as the Revolutionary War. Washington threatened to do reprisals over it. The bad guy in 'The Patriot' is (very loosely) based off a British officer who was notorious for it.
Reposted by TrishEM
'A 2025 study of jailbreak attacks in medical prompts found that leading large language models complied with unsafe instructions in most test cases – up to 98% when the most effective techniques were used in simulated scenarios.'
They complied with up to NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT of unsafe instructions.
They complied with up to NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT of unsafe instructions.
November 28, 2025 at 9:31 PM
'A 2025 study of jailbreak attacks in medical prompts found that leading large language models complied with unsafe instructions in most test cases – up to 98% when the most effective techniques were used in simulated scenarios.'
They complied with up to NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT of unsafe instructions.
They complied with up to NINETY-EIGHT PERCENT of unsafe instructions.