☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
@virtuistic.bsky.social
Advocate. Bi. Genderqueer. Green thumb.
Disabled. Vaxxed. Boosted. Masked.
Editor. Journalist. Producer. Writer.
(she/they)
linktr.ee/virtuistic
PFP: purple-tinted pic of me with hair down, wearing glasses, and smiling.
Banner: The shore of gichi-gami
Disabled. Vaxxed. Boosted. Masked.
Editor. Journalist. Producer. Writer.
(she/they)
linktr.ee/virtuistic
PFP: purple-tinted pic of me with hair down, wearing glasses, and smiling.
Banner: The shore of gichi-gami
Pinned
UPDATE: I'm still looking for work, and I'll be vulnerable and admit it — I'm starting to feel scared. I only have two weeks of unemployment insurance remaining, after which point we won't have income to cover our essential bills.
So, I'm adjusting a bit and made this:
🆕 virtuistic.beehiiv.com ✨🧵
So, I'm adjusting a bit and made this:
🆕 virtuistic.beehiiv.com ✨🧵
😂 Oh, I do enjoy schadenfreude in the morning.
Add this to the ever-growing list of reasons I'll never use ChatGPT.
www.windowscentral.com/artificial-i...
Add this to the ever-growing list of reasons I'll never use ChatGPT.
www.windowscentral.com/artificial-i...
OpenAI confirms major data breach, exposing names, emails and more
Users are waking up to discover OpenAI leaked their data this morning via a faulty third-party plugin. Here's what you need to know.
www.windowscentral.com
November 29, 2025 at 3:38 PM
😂 Oh, I do enjoy schadenfreude in the morning.
Add this to the ever-growing list of reasons I'll never use ChatGPT.
www.windowscentral.com/artificial-i...
Add this to the ever-growing list of reasons I'll never use ChatGPT.
www.windowscentral.com/artificial-i...
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
The reason I never feel bad for these guys is that plenty of people lose their entertainment careers completely for way way less than “serially assaulted colleagues for decades.” And these guys haven’t even lost their careers!!!
“Cancellation limbo”: when you’re definitely not cancelled but not as celebrated as you used to be. This is one reason why “cancel culture” discourse is so tiresome: a lot of people are using it to mean “my life was affected in some negative way by my actions”
www.newyorker.com/culture/crit...
www.newyorker.com/culture/crit...
November 29, 2025 at 2:07 PM
The reason I never feel bad for these guys is that plenty of people lose their entertainment careers completely for way way less than “serially assaulted colleagues for decades.” And these guys haven’t even lost their careers!!!
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
I'm teaching about Gaza on Monday. I assigned this article. You should read it if you haven't, because the trauma it describes is unbearable and we all need to sit with it.
archive.ph/JlVfm#select...
archive.ph/JlVfm#select...
November 28, 2025 at 3:25 PM
I'm teaching about Gaza on Monday. I assigned this article. You should read it if you haven't, because the trauma it describes is unbearable and we all need to sit with it.
archive.ph/JlVfm#select...
archive.ph/JlVfm#select...
These big honkin snowflakes are so picturesque. 💙🌨️
November 29, 2025 at 1:17 PM
These big honkin snowflakes are so picturesque. 💙🌨️
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
I cannot even begin to express my rage at this lie
reading this through me back into my pandemic EMT life, attempting to resuscitate a child experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to COVID while a father says “we heard that the vaccine was riskier than COVID for kids” and a mother wails in agony
reading this through me back into my pandemic EMT life, attempting to resuscitate a child experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to COVID while a father says “we heard that the vaccine was riskier than COVID for kids” and a mother wails in agony
NEW: The F.D.A. announced in an internal memo that 10 children died "because of" the Covid shot. Other experts want to see proof.
“This is a profound revelation,” Dr. Prasad's memo said. “For the first time, the U.S. F.D.A. will acknowledge that Covid-19 vaccines have killed American children.”
“This is a profound revelation,” Dr. Prasad's memo said. “For the first time, the U.S. F.D.A. will acknowledge that Covid-19 vaccines have killed American children.”
F.D.A. Attributes 10 Children’s Deaths to Covid Vaccines
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 12:27 PM
I cannot even begin to express my rage at this lie
reading this through me back into my pandemic EMT life, attempting to resuscitate a child experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to COVID while a father says “we heard that the vaccine was riskier than COVID for kids” and a mother wails in agony
reading this through me back into my pandemic EMT life, attempting to resuscitate a child experiencing a cardiac arrest secondary to COVID while a father says “we heard that the vaccine was riskier than COVID for kids” and a mother wails in agony
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
““I think that there are now ways of expressing gender identity and sexuality that are more nuanced than they once were, and that only seems to be positive – if that helps people to know who they are and say who they are and communicate to the world who they are. It’s just common sense, really.”
Always love to see great talent using their platform for unabashed good.
'F*** Off And Let People Be': David Tennant Doubles Down On Support For Trans People
"People are trying to create division... and it's so f***ing unnecessary."
www.huffingtonpost.co.uk
November 29, 2025 at 12:10 PM
““I think that there are now ways of expressing gender identity and sexuality that are more nuanced than they once were, and that only seems to be positive – if that helps people to know who they are and say who they are and communicate to the world who they are. It’s just common sense, really.”
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
A little pet peeve. It’s not exactly that tropical rainforests have “gone from being allies in the fight against climate breakdown to being part of the problem.” Forests lose carbon when people cut them (or via fire) and gain carbon when trees grow. It’s that the losing is outweighing the gaining.
Africa’s forests transformed from carbon sink to carbon source, study finds
Alarming shift since 2010 means planet’s three main rainforest regions now contribute to climate breakdown
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 2:40 PM
A little pet peeve. It’s not exactly that tropical rainforests have “gone from being allies in the fight against climate breakdown to being part of the problem.” Forests lose carbon when people cut them (or via fire) and gain carbon when trees grow. It’s that the losing is outweighing the gaining.
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
To put a finer point on this whole thing: "Two people with direct knowledge of the operation" — presumably uniformed military leaders — are accusing the U.S. Secretary of Defense of personally ordering specific war crimes. That's a historic accusation.
Textbook war crime/extrajudicial killing
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
"Two survivors were clinging to the smoldering wreck. The Special Operations commander overseeing the Sept. 2 attack ... ordered a second strike to comply with Hegseth’s instructions."
Report by @alexhorton.bsky.social @ellenwapo.bsky.social o.bsky.social
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 11:48 PM
To put a finer point on this whole thing: "Two people with direct knowledge of the operation" — presumably uniformed military leaders — are accusing the U.S. Secretary of Defense of personally ordering specific war crimes. That's a historic accusation.
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
🧵 Thread | New article summarizing 287(g) & ICE facilities in Minnesota
NEW: Local ‘Participating Agencies’ Expand ICE Links in Minnesota as Counties Profit from Immigrant Detentions
> unicornriot.ninja/2025/local-p...
> unicornriot.ninja/2025/local-p...
November 28, 2025 at 2:51 AM
🧵 Thread | New article summarizing 287(g) & ICE facilities in Minnesota
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
#auspol
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
Greens leader @larissawaters.bsky.social has the joined the #RisingTide blockade of the world's biggest coal port 💚
"We don't need anymore coal and gas"‼️
"We don't need anymore coal and gas"‼️
November 29, 2025 at 2:17 AM
#auspol
Thank you!!
Thank you!!
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
Need mutual aid
105 to go.
Need clothing to get a job to be back in my IT career
Help me so I can help others
Thank you
Love you
Cash.app/$illneverbew...
105 to go.
Need clothing to get a job to be back in my IT career
Help me so I can help others
Thank you
Love you
Cash.app/$illneverbew...
Cash.app
November 28, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Need mutual aid
105 to go.
Need clothing to get a job to be back in my IT career
Help me so I can help others
Thank you
Love you
Cash.app/$illneverbew...
105 to go.
Need clothing to get a job to be back in my IT career
Help me so I can help others
Thank you
Love you
Cash.app/$illneverbew...
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
Honest question: If everyone got Universal Basic Income, no strings attached, what would YOU do with it?
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
November 28, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Honest question: If everyone got Universal Basic Income, no strings attached, what would YOU do with it?
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
Re-post with your quote or drop your take below.
Kiss those pesky cold-induced asthma symptoms goodbye!
This season's hottest new, MUST HAVE accessory?
A well fitted respirator mask.
Bonus: it never goes out of style
Please wear a 😷 today 💖
A well fitted respirator mask.
Bonus: it never goes out of style
Please wear a 😷 today 💖
November 29, 2025 at 12:25 AM
Kiss those pesky cold-induced asthma symptoms goodbye!
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
I publish the Quitting Carbon newsletter - sign up for original reporting and analysis on the projects, people, and policies advancing the energy transition. www.quittingcarbonmedia.com 🔌💡
Quitting Carbon
Reporting and analysis on the projects, people, and policies advancing the energy transition published by award-winning journalist Justin Gerdes.
www.quittingcarbonmedia.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:09 PM
I publish the Quitting Carbon newsletter - sign up for original reporting and analysis on the projects, people, and policies advancing the energy transition. www.quittingcarbonmedia.com 🔌💡
Same, esp as it signals willingness to consume finite resources, cut corners, and steal others' work.
Honestly, when it becomes obvious someone isn't presenting with intention and care, it's hard to see the value of listening or feel like my time as an audience member is being respected or valued.
Honestly, when it becomes obvious someone isn't presenting with intention and care, it's hard to see the value of listening or feel like my time as an audience member is being respected or valued.
I don’t know if anyone else notices or cares, but when I see a presentation in which the speaker uses obviously generated-AI images to illustrate their slides, it makes me immediately less confident in whatever other content they’re presenting.
November 28, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Same, esp as it signals willingness to consume finite resources, cut corners, and steal others' work.
Honestly, when it becomes obvious someone isn't presenting with intention and care, it's hard to see the value of listening or feel like my time as an audience member is being respected or valued.
Honestly, when it becomes obvious someone isn't presenting with intention and care, it's hard to see the value of listening or feel like my time as an audience member is being respected or valued.
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
in case anyone needed it in writing
The diplomatic "achievement" of the ceasefire was to recalibrate the tempo of the genocide sufficiently to get it off the front pages and the news bulletins, thus alleviating the political pressure on Israel's western accomplices.
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Israel still committing genocide in Gaza, Amnesty International says
The NGO’s chief says last month’s ceasefire ‘risks creating a dangerous illusion that life in Gaza is returning to normal’
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 9:36 AM
in case anyone needed it in writing
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
As the person who does most of the VM socials, let me tell you this: bluesky is absolutely the worst platform of the bunch for slapping random adult content warnings on innocent posts to bury them. Would super appreciate if you share the post below like hell, and donate a fiver!
Let's try this again... Glad tidings we bring to you and your quim! We are fundraising this festive period. Earlier this year, the future looked bleak for the Vagina Museum. But we're still here, and there's many reasons for you to become a vital part of our future... www.gofundme.com/f/btscc2
November 27, 2025 at 11:39 AM
As the person who does most of the VM socials, let me tell you this: bluesky is absolutely the worst platform of the bunch for slapping random adult content warnings on innocent posts to bury them. Would super appreciate if you share the post below like hell, and donate a fiver!
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
I'm an "A.i." abolitionist.
No consumer-facing LLMs or generative "A.i." in anything.
Sure, machine learning in science and a few other limited applications is fine.
But consumer-facing LLMs and generative "A.i." that are based on theft, push disinfo, and can be manipulated by billionaires?
No.
No consumer-facing LLMs or generative "A.i." in anything.
Sure, machine learning in science and a few other limited applications is fine.
But consumer-facing LLMs and generative "A.i." that are based on theft, push disinfo, and can be manipulated by billionaires?
No.
July 8, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I'm an "A.i." abolitionist.
No consumer-facing LLMs or generative "A.i." in anything.
Sure, machine learning in science and a few other limited applications is fine.
But consumer-facing LLMs and generative "A.i." that are based on theft, push disinfo, and can be manipulated by billionaires?
No.
No consumer-facing LLMs or generative "A.i." in anything.
Sure, machine learning in science and a few other limited applications is fine.
But consumer-facing LLMs and generative "A.i." that are based on theft, push disinfo, and can be manipulated by billionaires?
No.
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
No more PJM data centers unless they can be reliably served: market monitor
The PJM Interconnection’s market monitor urged the Federal Energy Regulatory Commission to rule that large data centers can only come online if the grid operator can still meet reliability metrics.
www.utilitydive.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:17 AM
big late breaking news: the market monitor for the largest energy grid in the u.s., covering much of the midwest and mid-atlantic, has called to block new data centers connections to the grid, saying current course of growth assures regular blackouts
IDK who needs to hear this, but Substack posts =/= "articles."
It's a glorified blog post, an email with a link on a platform that knowingly funds the open Nazis who post there. There is no more guarantee of editing, fact checking, or intellectual honesty than there was on Livejournal. Be careful.
It's a glorified blog post, an email with a link on a platform that knowingly funds the open Nazis who post there. There is no more guarantee of editing, fact checking, or intellectual honesty than there was on Livejournal. Be careful.
November 26, 2025 at 11:56 PM
IDK who needs to hear this, but Substack posts =/= "articles."
It's a glorified blog post, an email with a link on a platform that knowingly funds the open Nazis who post there. There is no more guarantee of editing, fact checking, or intellectual honesty than there was on Livejournal. Be careful.
It's a glorified blog post, an email with a link on a platform that knowingly funds the open Nazis who post there. There is no more guarantee of editing, fact checking, or intellectual honesty than there was on Livejournal. Be careful.
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
I keep thinking about all the talented, ethical journalists who have been out of work for ages and getting angry all over again
Because people are treating it like a juicy spectacle and not like a significant failure of journalism and a condemnation of the industry.
why is this in the NYT Cooking newsletter, of all places!!!!!
November 26, 2025 at 11:47 PM
I keep thinking about all the talented, ethical journalists who have been out of work for ages and getting angry all over again
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
This is great.
If you're interested, this tribute to Alice Wong was written by one of the people who knew her best
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
www.thenation.com/article/soci...
A Tribute to an Oracle, Alice Wong
Alice had the ability to look to the future and a world where laws and attitudes did not keep disabled people poor, pitied, and isolated.
www.thenation.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:20 PM
This is great.
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
everyone knows the number one quality of rigorous, responsible journalism is waiting months and months to reveal urgently newsworthy information until it can cause the most harm in your personal vendettas
November 26, 2025 at 10:53 PM
everyone knows the number one quality of rigorous, responsible journalism is waiting months and months to reveal urgently newsworthy information until it can cause the most harm in your personal vendettas
Reposted by ☃️ Snowball Ca-pow-cio ❄️⛷️ [Feral #FreeLink Edition]
I've followed @melissagiragrant.com's work for over a decade and she's been doing vital trans coverage in these dark days. Honored to be quoted in this piece for TNR.
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
When Is It Time to Flee?
Trans people and their families are facing hard questions and choices as threats to their safety and rights proliferate.
newrepublic.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
I've followed @melissagiragrant.com's work for over a decade and she's been doing vital trans coverage in these dark days. Honored to be quoted in this piece for TNR.
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
newrepublic.com/article/2036...
This is how I live my life, and let me tell ya: It's amazing. 10/10
Highly recommend never wasting your time and attention on environmentally and socially ruinous AI slop machines.
Highly recommend never wasting your time and attention on environmentally and socially ruinous AI slop machines.
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.
November 26, 2025 at 12:42 PM
This is how I live my life, and let me tell ya: It's amazing. 10/10
Highly recommend never wasting your time and attention on environmentally and socially ruinous AI slop machines.
Highly recommend never wasting your time and attention on environmentally and socially ruinous AI slop machines.