DaemonSky
@dsky.bsky.social
Biosecurity, outbreaks, apocalypses, language & conspiracy. Former Fed. Intellectual magpie. Dogs, SciFi, nerdery. Views my own.
Walking around DC, I'm realizing my vague respect for the military has been replaced by visceral anger and rejection seeing those uniforms on my streets.
Maybe this is the end of the US's creepy worship of the military and assumption of competence. Cause man those look like collaborators not heros.
Maybe this is the end of the US's creepy worship of the military and assumption of competence. Cause man those look like collaborators not heros.
November 16, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Walking around DC, I'm realizing my vague respect for the military has been replaced by visceral anger and rejection seeing those uniforms on my streets.
Maybe this is the end of the US's creepy worship of the military and assumption of competence. Cause man those look like collaborators not heros.
Maybe this is the end of the US's creepy worship of the military and assumption of competence. Cause man those look like collaborators not heros.
What a way to just admit publicly that your users are embarrassed by their dependence on these tools. And like good - they should be embarrassed. Laziness and the refusal to learn are embarrassing and hallmarks of the people who insist on writing with these and hiding it.
Scamtech will now help you better hide the fact you're using scamtech to lie to people.
OpenAI has a fix for a telltale sign that you used ChatGPT
For some writers, the em dash had become tarnished because it could indicate ChatGPT use — could an OpenAI update help it lose the stigma?
www.businessinsider.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:44 PM
What a way to just admit publicly that your users are embarrassed by their dependence on these tools. And like good - they should be embarrassed. Laziness and the refusal to learn are embarrassing and hallmarks of the people who insist on writing with these and hiding it.
It seems like there's an interesting divide in cyberpunk about privacy and what people can hide from government. It's a solid framework for thinking about surveillance though. Do you care if the gov sees:
Communications
Money flows
Online activity
Movement
Video/facial recognition
Medical
Communications
Money flows
Online activity
Movement
Video/facial recognition
Medical
November 15, 2025 at 4:39 PM
It seems like there's an interesting divide in cyberpunk about privacy and what people can hide from government. It's a solid framework for thinking about surveillance though. Do you care if the gov sees:
Communications
Money flows
Online activity
Movement
Video/facial recognition
Medical
Communications
Money flows
Online activity
Movement
Video/facial recognition
Medical
Can we please just not? The number of people that are going to do something terrible "because Jesus told me to" because of syncophantic chat bots is just obviously non-zero. What is wrong with people?!
The app Text With Jesus uses artificial intelligence and chatbots to offer spiritual guidance to users who are looking to connect with a higher power: on.nbc10.com/7XM8xrf
People can text with Jesus on a controversial new app. How does it work?
Artificial intelligence app Text With Jesus lets users chat with biblical figures and it is raising debate over faith and technology.
on.nbc10.com
November 14, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Can we please just not? The number of people that are going to do something terrible "because Jesus told me to" because of syncophantic chat bots is just obviously non-zero. What is wrong with people?!
My neighbor was cracking jokes about 40 days in the wilderness while telling me she's back at work. My brain decided the thing to do with that was play EVERY SINGLE LENT HYMN EVER for me.
Send help. These are all very depressing ear worms. (Though at least the most metal section of the hymnal?)
Send help. These are all very depressing ear worms. (Though at least the most metal section of the hymnal?)
November 14, 2025 at 10:56 PM
My neighbor was cracking jokes about 40 days in the wilderness while telling me she's back at work. My brain decided the thing to do with that was play EVERY SINGLE LENT HYMN EVER for me.
Send help. These are all very depressing ear worms. (Though at least the most metal section of the hymnal?)
Send help. These are all very depressing ear worms. (Though at least the most metal section of the hymnal?)
This applies to at least 80% of The Discourse at any given moment and I can't imagine how sad and isolating it must be to be afraid of everyone all the time. Maybe I'm optimistic, but most places are fine if you get to know your neighbors. Cities just mostly aren't that scary*.
Dork reference incoming: I think Blue Lantern (DC comics) Saint Walker had it right when he said "Rage is the orphan child of fear and despair." These people are so, so afraid of literally everything, so much of it entirely imaginary.
November 13, 2025 at 1:03 AM
This applies to at least 80% of The Discourse at any given moment and I can't imagine how sad and isolating it must be to be afraid of everyone all the time. Maybe I'm optimistic, but most places are fine if you get to know your neighbors. Cities just mostly aren't that scary*.
It makes me incredibly sad that the young people who work for me are consistently shocked when I say "Go take care of your family." and back it up with actions. The only way any of this works is if we all take care of each other. I have so many questions for other managers that are very profane.
November 12, 2025 at 3:11 PM
It makes me incredibly sad that the young people who work for me are consistently shocked when I say "Go take care of your family." and back it up with actions. The only way any of this works is if we all take care of each other. I have so many questions for other managers that are very profane.
A story or easy mode for when you love the storytelling and don't have complicated fights in you. Even if it has no achievements, sometimes I want the novel version and either arthritis or exhaustion means I can't get through the major fights.
November 11, 2025 at 3:12 AM
A story or easy mode for when you love the storytelling and don't have complicated fights in you. Even if it has no achievements, sometimes I want the novel version and either arthritis or exhaustion means I can't get through the major fights.
Yes we notoriously have had a surplus of air traffic controllers and not had a rolling staffing crisis for oh 20+ years. Definitely. Yup.
(fucking idiots)
(fucking idiots)
Trump on air traffic controllers: "A lot of people want the job. I was not happy when I saw all these people -- look, life is not so easy for anybody. Our country has never done better. We should not have had people leaving their jobs."
November 11, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Yes we notoriously have had a surplus of air traffic controllers and not had a rolling staffing crisis for oh 20+ years. Definitely. Yup.
(fucking idiots)
(fucking idiots)
In this year of watching Mamdani, I wish people would see it as a sign that taking over the Democratic Party IS possible. He showed us it is. With good ground game and good people running, we CAN win the primaries.
Our system makes 3rd parties the worst option whether you like it or not.
Our system makes 3rd parties the worst option whether you like it or not.
“Rather than taking over the Democratic Party the same way the right took over the Republican Party, we should take the easier route and just start up a new party ourselves!”
I’m about to fill my pockets with stones and walk into the sea.
I’m about to fill my pockets with stones and walk into the sea.
November 10, 2025 at 8:50 PM
In this year of watching Mamdani, I wish people would see it as a sign that taking over the Democratic Party IS possible. He showed us it is. With good ground game and good people running, we CAN win the primaries.
Our system makes 3rd parties the worst option whether you like it or not.
Our system makes 3rd parties the worst option whether you like it or not.
I really hope Terry Pratchett had some inkling that the Vimes Theory of Boots would end up being referenced all over and often politically. I suspect he would have been incredibly amused by all of us. And maybe pleased at how much it helps people see how our system currently works.
November 10, 2025 at 8:37 PM
I really hope Terry Pratchett had some inkling that the Vimes Theory of Boots would end up being referenced all over and often politically. I suspect he would have been incredibly amused by all of us. And maybe pleased at how much it helps people see how our system currently works.
This is exactly right and I don't know how we fix it.
Most local media has made no effort to localize the shutdown story. It’s been covered as yet another distant DC thing, when in fact it hurts people in every community.
This is why folks treat elections the way they do - no one is showing people how it directly affects them.
This is why folks treat elections the way they do - no one is showing people how it directly affects them.
November 10, 2025 at 5:53 PM
This is exactly right and I don't know how we fix it.
Broadway Cares is awesome. The other night they added that they were also raising for food drives. My mother and I gave - I hope you can too. We've known so many people they've over the years.
Oh, I forgot to mention! If you are going to be at a Broadway, Off-Broadway, or touring production in the next few weeks, it is the fall Red Bucket Follies, one of the main fundraisers for Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Broadwa...
Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
November 10, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Broadway Cares is awesome. The other night they added that they were also raising for food drives. My mother and I gave - I hope you can too. We've known so many people they've over the years.
Primary every single one of them. No money. No ads. SOMEONE must be willing to challenge these quislings. Find a teacher who can't stand it anymore or a laid off Fed (best for Kaine in VA).
May their names be forgotten by history and their friends see them for the traitors they are.
May their names be forgotten by history and their friends see them for the traitors they are.
like, this isn’t coming from leadership, it’s not coming from consensus, if they get this through — which is still a big if — it’s 8-10 dem senators essentially splitting from the caucus, and they should ask themselves how lieberman is remembered.
November 10, 2025 at 1:56 AM
Primary every single one of them. No money. No ads. SOMEONE must be willing to challenge these quislings. Find a teacher who can't stand it anymore or a laid off Fed (best for Kaine in VA).
May their names be forgotten by history and their friends see them for the traitors they are.
May their names be forgotten by history and their friends see them for the traitors they are.
This is fabulous. The more people understand that this is entirely the administration's choice, the better.
Grateful for this Delta flight attendant for providing some clarity on the upcoming changes to flights during the holidays.
Listen in ⬇️
Listen in ⬇️
November 9, 2025 at 4:21 PM
This is fabulous. The more people understand that this is entirely the administration's choice, the better.
They really just want to make it worse for themselves huh? I worked retail for years and the most exhausting thing was smiling at people treating me like dirt. Even worse the men that though I was hitting on them.
Let retail workers be human! The Smile is miserable to do all day.
Let retail workers be human! The Smile is miserable to do all day.
"Store employees are now required to smile if they are within 10 feet of a shopper.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
Target is now requiring its employees to smile more
As the holiday season fast approaches, Target is urging its employees to add a little more “jolly” to their work routine.
www.wilx.com
November 8, 2025 at 5:03 PM
They really just want to make it worse for themselves huh? I worked retail for years and the most exhausting thing was smiling at people treating me like dirt. Even worse the men that though I was hitting on them.
Let retail workers be human! The Smile is miserable to do all day.
Let retail workers be human! The Smile is miserable to do all day.
I've just been introduced to the concept of "bagel scooping" and I would like to find the monsters that created this and inform them they're no longer welcome in NYC. Possibly on the planet, but definitely in NYC and NJ.
Low carb weirdos. Get away from the good food!
Low carb weirdos. Get away from the good food!
November 8, 2025 at 3:40 PM
I've just been introduced to the concept of "bagel scooping" and I would like to find the monsters that created this and inform them they're no longer welcome in NYC. Possibly on the planet, but definitely in NYC and NJ.
Low carb weirdos. Get away from the good food!
Low carb weirdos. Get away from the good food!
So Six (the musical) is just pure joy and totally worth seeing if you can.
It's also some of the most glorious "who needs a man?" I've ever seen.
It's also some of the most glorious "who needs a man?" I've ever seen.
November 8, 2025 at 1:35 AM
So Six (the musical) is just pure joy and totally worth seeing if you can.
It's also some of the most glorious "who needs a man?" I've ever seen.
It's also some of the most glorious "who needs a man?" I've ever seen.
I mean, the reason you couldn't from that last paragraph is still that they create nothing. They regurgitate mash-ups of human knowledge, creativity, and communication tuned to the most generic version. They're parrots, not artists.
November 6, 2025 at 4:51 PM
I mean, the reason you couldn't from that last paragraph is still that they create nothing. They regurgitate mash-ups of human knowledge, creativity, and communication tuned to the most generic version. They're parrots, not artists.
They have been actively voting and arguing to harm their neighbors for years, what do they expect? Half their neighbors work in some kind of public service too, so know the conservatives despise them for having a heart.
There's so many of these btw, NoVa right wingers realizing that their neighbors genuinely hate them
November 6, 2025 at 2:51 PM
They have been actively voting and arguing to harm their neighbors for years, what do they expect? Half their neighbors work in some kind of public service too, so know the conservatives despise them for having a heart.
Well that is very bad.
“The network of veterinary labs that's responsible for testing ceased its regular meetings because of the shutdown, Poulsen says.
"The shutdown just kind of pours gas on a smoldering fire and makes us vulnerable," he says. "It's a national security issue."
"The shutdown just kind of pours gas on a smoldering fire and makes us vulnerable," he says. "It's a national security issue."
Bird flu surges among poultry amid a scaled back federal response
Migrating wild birds are spreading the virus to domesticated flocks, increasing the risk of eventually seeing a human outbreak. Scientists are troubled by the muted federal response.
www.npr.org
November 6, 2025 at 12:42 PM
Well that is very bad.
I love this one actually. In order to serve the most people while reducing the load on ATC, private jets should be the first to lose takeoff slots.
Also private jets shouldn't be allowed to take off from public airports during a government shutdown
November 5, 2025 at 9:52 PM
I love this one actually. In order to serve the most people while reducing the load on ATC, private jets should be the first to lose takeoff slots.
There's a guy on my train who has had 4 meetings in 4 different languages since we started moving. And like, much as I wish he would stfu, I'm kinda wondering if he can keep pulling out more skills. (English, French, Spanish, and German so far.)
November 5, 2025 at 9:36 PM
There's a guy on my train who has had 4 meetings in 4 different languages since we started moving. And like, much as I wish he would stfu, I'm kinda wondering if he can keep pulling out more skills. (English, French, Spanish, and German so far.)
💜💜💜 Thank you!
The whole thread is great too - go read it!
The whole thread is great too - go read it!
Qualitative research isn't a consolation prize for when we can't get 'real' numbers. It's a different way of knowing; one that captures complexity, context, and meaning that statistics alone cannot provide.
November 5, 2025 at 8:29 PM
💜💜💜 Thank you!
The whole thread is great too - go read it!
The whole thread is great too - go read it!
Man @amtrak.com doing bag screening at Union like they want to make trains as shitty and miserable as flying. Do we actually have to turn everything on earth into security theater?
I love riding Amtrak. Don't fuck it up.
I love riding Amtrak. Don't fuck it up.
November 5, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Man @amtrak.com doing bag screening at Union like they want to make trains as shitty and miserable as flying. Do we actually have to turn everything on earth into security theater?
I love riding Amtrak. Don't fuck it up.
I love riding Amtrak. Don't fuck it up.