Gene Tracy
@genetracy.bsky.social
Physicist, sci-fi fan, news junkie. Scribblings have appeared at Aeon, Lapham’s Q, and American Scientist. he/him. Author of The Icarus Question: Essays on Science, Technology, and the Search for Home in a Changing World.
Pinned
Gene Tracy
@genetracy.bsky.social
· Jul 21
A man should add beauty and strength to his city.
He is no citizen whatsoever
If he is tied to the ugly by fear or by pride.
— Antigone, by Sophocles, translated by Robert Bringhurst
He is no citizen whatsoever
If he is tied to the ugly by fear or by pride.
— Antigone, by Sophocles, translated by Robert Bringhurst
Reposted by Gene Tracy
The Stones release the “Let it Bleed” LP today in ‘69
Martin Scorsese said people sometimes ask why he uses “Gimme Shelter” so often in his films. It does something, he said, “no other piece of music does for me .. There’s fear. There’s seduction. It’s the sound of consequences rushing toward you.”
Martin Scorsese said people sometimes ask why he uses “Gimme Shelter” so often in his films. It does something, he said, “no other piece of music does for me .. There’s fear. There’s seduction. It’s the sound of consequences rushing toward you.”
November 28, 2025 at 10:10 PM
The Stones release the “Let it Bleed” LP today in ‘69
Martin Scorsese said people sometimes ask why he uses “Gimme Shelter” so often in his films. It does something, he said, “no other piece of music does for me .. There’s fear. There’s seduction. It’s the sound of consequences rushing toward you.”
Martin Scorsese said people sometimes ask why he uses “Gimme Shelter” so often in his films. It does something, he said, “no other piece of music does for me .. There’s fear. There’s seduction. It’s the sound of consequences rushing toward you.”
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Working thru #wip today and was overwhelmed at amount of work required to get it where I want to get it. At least I know where I want to get it now, tho 😆. And week of deep work away made me really fall in love with characters. Now all that shit just needs to actually be in the #wip. Easy, eh? Lol
November 28, 2025 at 12:27 PM
Reposted by Gene Tracy
this is just gutter racism
Stephen Miller is now arguing that assimilation is fundamentally impossible and that certain cultures are not compatible with Western civilization
November 28, 2025 at 12:59 PM
this is just gutter racism
Look beyond the legal text: “If enough countries display their intent to move away from fossil fuels, money will follow..global investment in renewables is twice that of fossil fuels; a quarter of all new vehicles sold worldwide are electric..” #COP30 #climate www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Beyond the negative headlines, some truly good things came out of Cop30
In this week’s newsletter: Ultimately, climate progress will come from real-world action, and this year’s summit made some promising strides on that front
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Look beyond the legal text: “If enough countries display their intent to move away from fossil fuels, money will follow..global investment in renewables is twice that of fossil fuels; a quarter of all new vehicles sold worldwide are electric..” #COP30 #climate www.theguardian.com/environment/...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Clean power growth is now covering all new global demand. Solar and wind generated 635 TWh in the first nine months of this year, exceeding the 603 TWh rise in global electricity demand, and holding fossil generation flat for the year. buff.ly/zRmwAmg
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Q3 Global Power Report: No fossil fuel growth expected in 2025 | Ember
Solar and wind power grew fast enough to keep up with rising electricity demand in the first three quarters of 2025, as fossil fuel growth should be stagnated. Ember forecasts no growth for fossil…
buff.ly
November 27, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Clean power growth is now covering all new global demand. Solar and wind generated 635 TWh in the first nine months of this year, exceeding the 603 TWh rise in global electricity demand, and holding fossil generation flat for the year. buff.ly/zRmwAmg
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Elliott Erwitt, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. New York City, USA. 1988.
November 27, 2025 at 1:41 PM
Elliott Erwitt, Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. New York City, USA. 1988.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!
November 27, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Lend me a heart replete with thankfulness!
Reposted by Gene Tracy
So this happened in Oslo yesterday. Four articulated buses got stuck in a roundabout.
November 25, 2025 at 8:23 AM
So this happened in Oslo yesterday. Four articulated buses got stuck in a roundabout.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
They did it again! NYC subway Thanksgiving 2025, via @scootercaster.com!
November 27, 2025 at 4:19 PM
They did it again! NYC subway Thanksgiving 2025, via @scootercaster.com!
Reposted by Gene Tracy
1: FFS
2: pls pls can the BBC write about this?
2: pls pls can the BBC write about this?
NEW: BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith Lecture
BBC News article & Media Show prevented from repeating Rutger Bregman’s corruption allegation in its coverage… of whether the BBC censored his speech!
BBC/Trump fallout continues
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC News article & Media Show prevented from repeating Rutger Bregman’s corruption allegation in its coverage… of whether the BBC censored his speech!
BBC/Trump fallout continues
www.theguardian.com/media/2025/n...
BBC tells staff they cannot quote Trump line removed from Reith Lecture
Journalists not allowed to repeat Rutger Bregman’s corruption claims against US president in coverage of edit
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:38 PM
1: FFS
2: pls pls can the BBC write about this?
2: pls pls can the BBC write about this?
Reposted by Gene Tracy
fuck you
the memories of a generation lost because of Reagan's homophobia will not be erased
i think we should do something in DC that would make david wojnarowicz proud tbh
the memories of a generation lost because of Reagan's homophobia will not be erased
i think we should do something in DC that would make david wojnarowicz proud tbh
November 26, 2025 at 7:27 PM
fuck you
the memories of a generation lost because of Reagan's homophobia will not be erased
i think we should do something in DC that would make david wojnarowicz proud tbh
the memories of a generation lost because of Reagan's homophobia will not be erased
i think we should do something in DC that would make david wojnarowicz proud tbh
Reposted by Gene Tracy
AND supporting your local library is super important! If you actually DO want books to be available to everyone, the library *already exists* and is staffed by the people who are deep in the trenches of fighting censorship! Supporting the library is doing actual good for your community!
TAPS SCREEN
For like the zillionth time: Libraries are FREE for you, but WE still get compensated for our work!!
For like the zillionth time: Libraries are FREE for you, but WE still get compensated for our work!!
Just saw someone claim that authors who want to be paid for their work are "class traitors" because we "only let the wealthy" read our books, and I think I need to go into the woods to scream into the night for a bit.
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
November 26, 2025 at 8:01 PM
AND supporting your local library is super important! If you actually DO want books to be available to everyone, the library *already exists* and is staffed by the people who are deep in the trenches of fighting censorship! Supporting the library is doing actual good for your community!
Reposted by Gene Tracy
So this is cool: my local NPR station, @kuow.org is broadcasting their station identification in different languages. The first one I caught was Lushootseed, and so at first I thought it was an acknowledgment of the people whose land KUOW is located on. It is that, but also more:
Why KUOW is broadcasting our Legal ID in different languages
www.kuow.org
November 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
So this is cool: my local NPR station, @kuow.org is broadcasting their station identification in different languages. The first one I caught was Lushootseed, and so at first I thought it was an acknowledgment of the people whose land KUOW is located on. It is that, but also more:
Reposted by Gene Tracy
I imagine most of the people trying to claim that stealing indie ebooks is leftism simply have never had to worry about paying rent or for groceries but sorry, your desire for free luxury goods is outweighed by the material needs of their creators
November 26, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I imagine most of the people trying to claim that stealing indie ebooks is leftism simply have never had to worry about paying rent or for groceries but sorry, your desire for free luxury goods is outweighed by the material needs of their creators
Reposted by Gene Tracy
I Am Lucifer, the Devil, AMA
"Which of your many accomplishments are you most proud of?"
The idea that once your body is done growing, so is your mind.
"Wait, when is our minds done growing?"
You were never meant to be done growing, learning, examining. But you could be persuaded to give it up.
"Which of your many accomplishments are you most proud of?"
The idea that once your body is done growing, so is your mind.
"Wait, when is our minds done growing?"
You were never meant to be done growing, learning, examining. But you could be persuaded to give it up.
November 15, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I Am Lucifer, the Devil, AMA
"Which of your many accomplishments are you most proud of?"
The idea that once your body is done growing, so is your mind.
"Wait, when is our minds done growing?"
You were never meant to be done growing, learning, examining. But you could be persuaded to give it up.
"Which of your many accomplishments are you most proud of?"
The idea that once your body is done growing, so is your mind.
"Wait, when is our minds done growing?"
You were never meant to be done growing, learning, examining. But you could be persuaded to give it up.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Very happy to have spoken to @michaeldweiss.bsky.social about the problems, shall we say, of having Russians write our foreign policy. The details are being confirmed now by major outlets. Get the analysis here.
snyder.substack.com/p/oligarchs-...
snyder.substack.com/p/oligarchs-...
Oligarchs and Diplomats (video with Michael Weiss)
Thinking Live episode 2
snyder.substack.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Very happy to have spoken to @michaeldweiss.bsky.social about the problems, shall we say, of having Russians write our foreign policy. The details are being confirmed now by major outlets. Get the analysis here.
snyder.substack.com/p/oligarchs-...
snyder.substack.com/p/oligarchs-...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
For at least a year, I've been returning to the question, how would you know when it's time to leave the US? For this piece, I asked trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer Americans who, with their families and partners, have recently fled the country, about how they made this decision and how they left.
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 4:00 PM
For at least a year, I've been returning to the question, how would you know when it's time to leave the US? For this piece, I asked trans, nonbinary, and genderqueer Americans who, with their families and partners, have recently fled the country, about how they made this decision and how they left.
“there is another timebomb about to explode..if there is no accountability or justice for the Epstein victims. This time it will be directed outward. It will be the..rage of millions of survivors, who have had enough, who..will not live..with this..injustice.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
If Epstein’s survivors don’t receive justice that is a ticking time bomb | V (formerly Eve Ensler)
Millions of sexual violent survivors will not live a day longer with this torturous injustice
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 4:44 PM
“there is another timebomb about to explode..if there is no accountability or justice for the Epstein victims. This time it will be directed outward. It will be the..rage of millions of survivors, who have had enough, who..will not live..with this..injustice.” www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
I think "class traitors" is up there with "idea landlords" on the reality disconnect scale.
Just saw someone claim that authors who want to be paid for their work are "class traitors" because we "only let the wealthy" read our books, and I think I need to go into the woods to scream into the night for a bit.
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
It's $5, not your first-born child! I need that $5 for health insurance!
November 26, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I think "class traitors" is up there with "idea landlords" on the reality disconnect scale.
My university is on this list. As I've argued before on this site, I believe it's far more important for universities and colleges to guard their independence in these difficult times than to cave in to threats. Once lost, academic freedom is hard to win again. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
The full list of US universities at risk of losing state department funding over DEI support
State department proposes excluding 38 institutions from Diplomacy Lab partnership including Harvard and Yale
www.theguardian.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:29 AM
My university is on this list. As I've argued before on this site, I believe it's far more important for universities and colleges to guard their independence in these difficult times than to cave in to threats. Once lost, academic freedom is hard to win again. www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Gene Tracy
yes. if not for my husband’s health insurance/salary + some money my family gave me while i built my business, it’s unlikely i would be where i am—something for which i’m all too aware, and all too grateful. success in writing = talent + perseverance + coverage of human necessities.
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
November 25, 2025 at 11:51 PM
yes. if not for my husband’s health insurance/salary + some money my family gave me while i built my business, it’s unlikely i would be where i am—something for which i’m all too aware, and all too grateful. success in writing = talent + perseverance + coverage of human necessities.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.
November 25, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.
Reposted by Gene Tracy
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 25, 2025 at 4:15 PM
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.
“America is aging. Fast. We need leaders who understand the scope of the challenge and take it seriously. Despite his campaign happy talk about valuing family caregivers, Mr. Trump clearly does not.” Superb writing by Michelle Cottle. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Opinion | The People Holding Everyone Together Are Coming Apart
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:05 PM
“America is aging. Fast. We need leaders who understand the scope of the challenge and take it seriously. Despite his campaign happy talk about valuing family caregivers, Mr. Trump clearly does not.” Superb writing by Michelle Cottle. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/o...
Saw the Great Blue Heron up close this morning. Amazing. #photography #nature
November 25, 2025 at 3:47 PM
Saw the Great Blue Heron up close this morning. Amazing. #photography #nature