Rachel Ernst
@rachelernst.myatproto.social
Teacher and librarian
Tea lover
she/her
Tea lover
she/her
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
this is part of a discussion about using AI art in your presentation slides, but also feels like it captures where this all goes wrong.
people who don't see the visuals as communication can't respect the skill & thought of the artists whose work got fed into these models to begin with.
people who don't see the visuals as communication can't respect the skill & thought of the artists whose work got fed into these models to begin with.
Yes! Visuals are part of the communication. Treating them as ignorable decoration completely misses the point and it’s not how they’re received by an audience
November 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
this is part of a discussion about using AI art in your presentation slides, but also feels like it captures where this all goes wrong.
people who don't see the visuals as communication can't respect the skill & thought of the artists whose work got fed into these models to begin with.
people who don't see the visuals as communication can't respect the skill & thought of the artists whose work got fed into these models to begin with.
Every single letter is like the craziest Twitter/Reddit post you've seen. Fancasting her own Hallmark romance movies, gossiping about everyone with her friends. She's hilarious!
ia601504.us.archive.org/31/items/in....
ia601504.us.archive.org/31/items/in....
November 28, 2025 at 3:40 PM
Every single letter is like the craziest Twitter/Reddit post you've seen. Fancasting her own Hallmark romance movies, gossiping about everyone with her friends. She's hilarious!
ia601504.us.archive.org/31/items/in....
ia601504.us.archive.org/31/items/in....
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Honestly "Don't Engage, Just Block" has transformed my social media experience so profoundly that it's hard for me to describe. It's just so much better to be online now.
i also liked the fact that most of us who had come from the other site had the mentality of not giving "bad actors" the benefit of the doubt on here , and told all to block, not mute, an move on
November 28, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Honestly "Don't Engage, Just Block" has transformed my social media experience so profoundly that it's hard for me to describe. It's just so much better to be online now.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
The DC shooting story is really getting to me because we literally trained this man as a child soldier for a death squad in a forever war and Stephen Miller et al want to blame it on other cultures? It's our culture, American culture, that killed that woman.
November 28, 2025 at 1:40 PM
The DC shooting story is really getting to me because we literally trained this man as a child soldier for a death squad in a forever war and Stephen Miller et al want to blame it on other cultures? It's our culture, American culture, that killed that woman.
It's officially the holiday season now!
November 28, 2025 at 2:31 AM
It's officially the holiday season now!
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Seen on Reddit:
"42 is just old people 6 7"
And... well... yeah. Can't really argue.
"42 is just old people 6 7"
And... well... yeah. Can't really argue.
November 27, 2025 at 6:44 PM
Seen on Reddit:
"42 is just old people 6 7"
And... well... yeah. Can't really argue.
"42 is just old people 6 7"
And... well... yeah. Can't really argue.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
The bizarre framing of the hand position and movement hides the truth that this is just another useless system to let school administrators do what they do best: waste money and immiserate poor students
![Here’s a timeline of the Kenwood High incident on Oct. 20, according to school officials:
7:04 p.m. — Omnilert sent an alert for review
7:05-7:06 p.m. — School system safety personnel and the Maryland Safe Schools facilitator reviewed the alert and canceled it.
7:17 p.m. — Kenwood’s principal reported the alert to a school resource officer. “Because this alert was received after school hours, the SRO called the local [police] precinct,” school officials stated.
7:23 p.m. — Police arrived at Kenwood after receiving a report of a suspicious person with a weapon.
Trained school system safety professionals review the images and either validate or cancel alerts based on what they see. Canceling means that no action is taken. Validating means that safety personnel notify police.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bc6mgrkful5zby6tozdlrdxk/bafkreiefkeriyudgcgzhsfjhlikxbs4hk7tatmc6ebgp3kqvlrohysnvtm@jpeg)
![“The Omnilert system did not detect a single blue potato chip bag as a threat,” the report stated. “The perceived threat was based on the student’s hand movement, including its position and angle.”
Investigators reported that Allen was holding an “unidentified item that extended slightly beyond the fingers and was held at a slight angle near the hip or pocket level.”
Looking at the image on a phone screen and zooming in on the student’s hand “could cause the user to overlook the cancellation text message” that was sent after staff determined it was a non-issue.
The Kenwood principal viewed the alert in a text, clicked the link that led to the video of the event and paused to enlarge the image.
“The principal said that it wasn’t until after they watched the video, tried to contact safety staff, and spoke with BCoPD [Baltimore County Police Department] personnel — who informed them that the police had cleared the school grounds — that they noticed a cancellation had been issued,” the report stated.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bc6mgrkful5zby6tozdlrdxk/bafkreic3lfa5qgka4z2gvhc223rzibsl5lzbyhrqbq2azqqcqkt7o4nwzm@jpeg)
November 27, 2025 at 2:38 PM
The bizarre framing of the hand position and movement hides the truth that this is just another useless system to let school administrators do what they do best: waste money and immiserate poor students
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Some are suggesting you deliberately write inaccurate or confusing alt text, because they say this confuses AI scrapers that are analyzing images.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
November 26, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Some are suggesting you deliberately write inaccurate or confusing alt text, because they say this confuses AI scrapers that are analyzing images.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
The purpose of alt text is to help people who cannot see the image. Deliberately misrepresenting the image is a gross misuse of alt text. Don't do it.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Since we are once again dealing with "the only silent era comedians of note were men" I feel I need to stand up for the ladies.
Marion Davies!
Marion Davies!
November 26, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Since we are once again dealing with "the only silent era comedians of note were men" I feel I need to stand up for the ladies.
Marion Davies!
Marion Davies!
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
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 11:18 PM
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...
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Yes. Every librarian and literacy expert will likely say yes. Now shut up.
November 26, 2025 at 2:32 PM
Yes. Every librarian and literacy expert will likely say yes. Now shut up.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
My hottest take is that food made within a family is an expression of love. It comes from a desire to sustain and comfort people we cherish.
So inviting assholes to the meal defeats the purpose.
So inviting assholes to the meal defeats the purpose.
What's your hottest Thanksgiving food take?
November 26, 2025 at 1:57 AM
My hottest take is that food made within a family is an expression of love. It comes from a desire to sustain and comfort people we cherish.
So inviting assholes to the meal defeats the purpose.
So inviting assholes to the meal defeats the purpose.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
In 1924, Calvin Coolidge's 16-yr-old son played tennis on the White House grounds w/o wearing socks. He got a blister and was dead from infection a week later.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
For a yr, I've been working on a series for The New Atlantis about the vast systems that underlie our lives. Our ancestors built them up over decades to fend off hunger, thirst, darkness and disease. But too few of us know about them—and they're all at risk. The conclusion is now available online:
Why We Are Better Off Than a Century Ago
Our ancestors built grand public systems to conquer hunger, thirst, darkness, and squalor. That progress can be lost if we forget it.
www.thenewatlantis.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:03 PM
In 1924, Calvin Coolidge's 16-yr-old son played tennis on the White House grounds w/o wearing socks. He got a blister and was dead from infection a week later.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
“OpenAI’s court filing argued that the harms in this case were at least partly caused by Raine’s ‘failure to heed warnings, obtain help, or otherwise exercise reasonable care,’ as well as the ‘failure of others to respond to his obvious signs of distress.’”
OpenAI denies allegations that ChatGPT is to blame for a teenager's suicide
Adam Raine's family sued the AI company in August. On Tuesday, OpenAI said in a new court filing that it isn't responsible for the teen's death.
www.nbcnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 AM
“OpenAI’s court filing argued that the harms in this case were at least partly caused by Raine’s ‘failure to heed warnings, obtain help, or otherwise exercise reasonable care,’ as well as the ‘failure of others to respond to his obvious signs of distress.’”
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
So my pie take is there are no bad pies, but some pies have to be eaten a certain way:
1. Pecan: Always good
2. Fruit: Must be homemade. Otherwise bad.
3. Pumpkin: Best eaten cold at 7 am standing over a sink before everyone wakes up
1. Pecan: Always good
2. Fruit: Must be homemade. Otherwise bad.
3. Pumpkin: Best eaten cold at 7 am standing over a sink before everyone wakes up
Apple pie is bad. This is not really debatable. So is key lime pie, while we’re on the topic. Pecan pie is the 🐐 tho.
November 25, 2025 at 10:48 PM
So my pie take is there are no bad pies, but some pies have to be eaten a certain way:
1. Pecan: Always good
2. Fruit: Must be homemade. Otherwise bad.
3. Pumpkin: Best eaten cold at 7 am standing over a sink before everyone wakes up
1. Pecan: Always good
2. Fruit: Must be homemade. Otherwise bad.
3. Pumpkin: Best eaten cold at 7 am standing over a sink before everyone wakes up
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
i think everyone should eat the food that makes them happy :)
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
i think everyone should eat the food that makes them happy :)
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I found my people. 😂😭
Millennial children to Boomer Parents "be" like ... monitoring their movements within 60 feet is "not great"
but also
but also
a man in a suit and tie is pointing his finger at his eye
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is pointing his finger at his eye
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I found my people. 😂😭
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
I caused a minor ham explosion prepping for Christmas Eve dinner.
And there was a whoomph and a visible fireball that actually blew the oven door open.
And there was a whoomph and a visible fireball that actually blew the oven door open.
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 AM
I caused a minor ham explosion prepping for Christmas Eve dinner.
And there was a whoomph and a visible fireball that actually blew the oven door open.
And there was a whoomph and a visible fireball that actually blew the oven door open.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 PM
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Even if you haven’t been masking, even if you’re a little embarrassed, no matter what the circumstances, masking in the airport and on the plane can keep everyone safer, including you, your loved ones & everyone you don’t know too! And bonus-hides judgy facial expressions. Mask up!
November 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Even if you haven’t been masking, even if you’re a little embarrassed, no matter what the circumstances, masking in the airport and on the plane can keep everyone safer, including you, your loved ones & everyone you don’t know too! And bonus-hides judgy facial expressions. Mask up!