Meredith Farkas
@librarianmer.bsky.social
😷 🏳️🌈 🇵🇸 Community college librarian in Portland, OR. Solidarity, unions, slow librarianship, spoonie, autoimmune, still masking, disability justice. Blogging at Information Wants to be Free since 2004. Subscribe: http://meredithfarkas.substack.com
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:10 PM
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Is Santa Real? Many users feel they're getting presents from him. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
November 26, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Is Santa Real? Many users feel they're getting presents from him. Scientists say it's time to consider whether they're onto something.
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
November 25, 2025 at 1:39 AM
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Today I discovered a winery that has a pie wine bar and while I can't really drink anymore, even I have to say that this is a genius idea (and the pie was freaking amazing).
November 24, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Today I discovered a winery that has a pie wine bar and while I can't really drink anymore, even I have to say that this is a genius idea (and the pie was freaking amazing).
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
You all MUST READ this piece by Kaitlyn Greenidge about the power of art to “exist outside of a tech lord’s algorithm.”
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
The Artist Who Reminds Us that Another Way Is Possible
The late artist Abigail McGrath cultivated a creative life for herself filled with freedom, joy, and a commitment to beauty. In an age of authoritarianism and algorithms, it’s a kind of life worth pro...
www.harpersbazaar.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:09 PM
You all MUST READ this piece by Kaitlyn Greenidge about the power of art to “exist outside of a tech lord’s algorithm.”
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
I’ve had a very similar question bouncing in my head: who’s inviting me to think critically, and who’s inviting me to outsource my questions to a theft-slop-plagiarism-machine? I appreciate the former and am deeply suspicious of the latter
Who invests in critical thinking and who invests in an AI chatbot to help you think will be really telling.
November 23, 2025 at 6:27 PM
I’ve had a very similar question bouncing in my head: who’s inviting me to think critically, and who’s inviting me to outsource my questions to a theft-slop-plagiarism-machine? I appreciate the former and am deeply suspicious of the latter
Oh great. Whooping cough again at my son's high school and I'm immunocompromised. Can't imagine why I'm not at his packed jazz concert tonight even thought I'd like to be (lucky for me, I got to see the band play all the same songs yesterday in a mostly empty auditorium).
November 20, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Oh great. Whooping cough again at my son's high school and I'm immunocompromised. Can't imagine why I'm not at his packed jazz concert tonight even thought I'd like to be (lucky for me, I got to see the band play all the same songs yesterday in a mostly empty auditorium).
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Beautiful tribute to Alice 💔
Remembering Alice Wong: Writer, Advocate, Friend
Though we were in frequent conversation for a decade, I only got to meet my friend Alice Wong in person just once. And when I did, I was a bundle of nerves—and that was before she cussed me out wi…
lithub.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Beautiful tribute to Alice 💔
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan wins Orleans clerk of court race - Verite News New Orleans
Duncan, a political newcomer and former prisoner, defeated incumbent Darren Lombard by a wide margin in Saturday's runoff.
veritenews.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:09 PM
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.
So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Alice Wong taught us that disabled people don’t just leave memories behind—they leave infrastructure. Lineages of care. Methods of collectivity, survival. She named the connective tissue that holds our communities together, even across death, even across the losses that come too fast and too often.
November 16, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Alice Wong taught us that disabled people don’t just leave memories behind—they leave infrastructure. Lineages of care. Methods of collectivity, survival. She named the connective tissue that holds our communities together, even across death, even across the losses that come too fast and too often.
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Respect Alice Wong’s call here:
“When I am in public spaces and see most people unmasked either because they think the virus is a hoax, that masking is virtue signaling & a sign of weakness, aren't thinking about it, or that they simply don’t care, I feel like an expendable burden not worth saving.”
“When I am in public spaces and see most people unmasked either because they think the virus is a hoax, that masking is virtue signaling & a sign of weakness, aren't thinking about it, or that they simply don’t care, I feel like an expendable burden not worth saving.”
COVID Isn’t Going Anywhere. Masking Up Could Save My Life.
"When I am in public spaces and see most people unmasked, I feel like an expendable burden not worth saving."
www.teenvogue.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Respect Alice Wong’s call here:
“When I am in public spaces and see most people unmasked either because they think the virus is a hoax, that masking is virtue signaling & a sign of weakness, aren't thinking about it, or that they simply don’t care, I feel like an expendable burden not worth saving.”
“When I am in public spaces and see most people unmasked either because they think the virus is a hoax, that masking is virtue signaling & a sign of weakness, aren't thinking about it, or that they simply don’t care, I feel like an expendable burden not worth saving.”
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
I’m proud to call Jennie Pu a friend. She helped get the NJ Freedom to Read Act across the finish line. We sat side by side when we testified before the NJ Assembly Education Committee, which you can see in @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social. Jennie’s the REAL joyful warrior!
Meet the NJ Librarian Who’s Taking on the Culture Wars
Hoboken Public Library director Jennie Pu has helped libraries across New Jersey remain safe spaces amid censorship and book bans.
njmonthly.com
November 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM
I’m proud to call Jennie Pu a friend. She helped get the NJ Freedom to Read Act across the finish line. We sat side by side when we testified before the NJ Assembly Education Committee, which you can see in @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social. Jennie’s the REAL joyful warrior!
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
November 15, 2025 at 4:26 PM
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Yes, THAT Pope.
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
probably the best description anyone could write. She made so much room for beauty, pleasure, and joy in her life. That wasn't a break from fighting; it was WHY she fought.
Brave, funny, loving, shameless, compassionate, horny, and in solidarity with everyone fighting a good fight: Alice Wong was the example of how to live your life. Live it in such a way that people around the world gush about how much they loved you when you pass. Alice knew how to live!
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 PM
probably the best description anyone could write. She made so much room for beauty, pleasure, and joy in her life. That wasn't a break from fighting; it was WHY she fought.
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Buttigieg polled an impressive 0% with Black voters. Zero. Percent.
Do you know how kind and friendly Black voters are? Everyone gets like 3%, just for showing up! You have to work to go down from there!
It's 2025, And I still run into people that don't know why Black voters don't like Buttigieg.
Do you know how kind and friendly Black voters are? Everyone gets like 3%, just for showing up! You have to work to go down from there!
It's 2025, And I still run into people that don't know why Black voters don't like Buttigieg.
This is a straightforward Republican attack line, what the fuck is he doing
November 15, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Buttigieg polled an impressive 0% with Black voters. Zero. Percent.
Do you know how kind and friendly Black voters are? Everyone gets like 3%, just for showing up! You have to work to go down from there!
It's 2025, And I still run into people that don't know why Black voters don't like Buttigieg.
Do you know how kind and friendly Black voters are? Everyone gets like 3%, just for showing up! You have to work to go down from there!
It's 2025, And I still run into people that don't know why Black voters don't like Buttigieg.
Rest in power, Alice Wong. She was such a fierce force in the disability justice movement that I don't think her impact could possibly be overstated. So grateful for all the wisdom she shared with us.
“Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
November 15, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Rest in power, Alice Wong. She was such a fierce force in the disability justice movement that I don't think her impact could possibly be overstated. So grateful for all the wisdom she shared with us.
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
The mayor-elect of Seattle fucking Washington standing in a picket line for Starbucks workers hours after her victory speech. This rules so hard
It’s #SolidaritySeason and we’re joining @sbworkersunited.bsky.social baristas in their fight for a fair contract. Seattle’s newly elected mayor, Katie Wilson, joined our Seattle rally today to stand with workers, too.
DON’T BUY STARBUCKS! ☕🚫
#NoContractNoCoffee
DON’T BUY STARBUCKS! ☕🚫
#NoContractNoCoffee
November 14, 2025 at 7:51 AM
The mayor-elect of Seattle fucking Washington standing in a picket line for Starbucks workers hours after her victory speech. This rules so hard
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Maligning basic, safe OTC medications that most people have to resort to, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, is part of a larger scam to blame people for their health problems (or their children's health needs or problems), so that the administration can claim people don't deserve care or support.
JD Vance calls ibuprofen "useless medication" and implies it's not "necessary, safe and effective."
November 13, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Maligning basic, safe OTC medications that most people have to resort to, like acetaminophen and ibuprofen, is part of a larger scam to blame people for their health problems (or their children's health needs or problems), so that the administration can claim people don't deserve care or support.
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
CLAIM: The government is run by a secret society of pedophiles
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret
November 13, 2025 at 2:06 AM
CLAIM: The government is run by a secret society of pedophiles
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
this is actually really something. The NY Times stuff is bonkers.
As all this disgusting Epstein shit starts surfacing more and more, I hope we don't lose sight of the fact that apparently every major media outlet knew everything and instead spent their time money and energy attacking the trans community.
November 13, 2025 at 2:14 AM
this is actually really something. The NY Times stuff is bonkers.
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
Katie Wilson has been elected Seattle's next mayor
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Katie Wilson elected Seattle’s next mayor
Wilson took a 1,976-vote lead over Bruce Harrell. With a maximum of 1,320 ballots remaining, it is mathematically impossible for Harrell to catch up.
www.seattletimes.com
November 12, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Katie Wilson has been elected Seattle's next mayor
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
"They said back to normal, and they meant back to normal. All of it. Capitalism, racism, sexism, environmental destruction, and disease."
Living with Long COVID often feels like living in a horror movie. Along with your disease comes a creepy Hive Mind refusal to acknowledge the dangers of COVID infection. In Vince Gilligan's new Apple TV show Pluribus, the Hive Mind comes to life:
www.thegauntlet.news/p/pluribus-c...
www.thegauntlet.news/p/pluribus-c...
"Pluribus" captures the isolation of COVID-awareness in a COVID denialist world
For years I've described having Long COVID as living in a horror movie. Now that horror movie (well, prestige Apple TV show) is here.
www.thegauntlet.news
November 11, 2025 at 3:13 AM
"They said back to normal, and they meant back to normal. All of it. Capitalism, racism, sexism, environmental destruction, and disease."
Reposted by Meredith Farkas
this is literally never not accurate
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
this is literally never not accurate