Lauren Hougen
@thistlewicche.bsky.social
Writer. Musician. Witch. Copyeditor. Winter girl.
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
This is a lesson I learned as a preteen, listening to Soviet refuseniks talk about how they survived until they were allowed to leave the country. You make art, you make joy, and you fight. Because those three things are the same thing.
If you let them, the horrors will devour you whole. Making space to live and smile is an act of resistance. So is helping others to do the same. If you’re an artist in this time, remember that what you’re doing is part of the emotional support infrastructure. They want you silent. 1/2
January 10, 2026 at 8:27 PM
This is a lesson I learned as a preteen, listening to Soviet refuseniks talk about how they survived until they were allowed to leave the country. You make art, you make joy, and you fight. Because those three things are the same thing.
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
if only there had been a movement and momentum several years ago to downsize police budgets, clear out the white supremacists and de-militarize local law enforcement
The elephant in the room is that mayors and governors across the country have very good reason to question the loyalty and allegiances of the state and local police forces and that’s one of the impediments to doing anything about the current occupations
January 10, 2026 at 1:40 PM
if only there had been a movement and momentum several years ago to downsize police budgets, clear out the white supremacists and de-militarize local law enforcement
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Hey, I know a lot of you use Discord.
You need to get on this survey and make it damn clear to them that this would be the absolute wrong direction. The last thing we need is the slop-spewing environment-chewing plagiarism bots invading there, too.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...?
You need to get on this survey and make it damn clear to them that this would be the absolute wrong direction. The last thing we need is the slop-spewing environment-chewing plagiarism bots invading there, too.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...?
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discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:17 AM
Hey, I know a lot of you use Discord.
You need to get on this survey and make it damn clear to them that this would be the absolute wrong direction. The last thing we need is the slop-spewing environment-chewing plagiarism bots invading there, too.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...?
You need to get on this survey and make it damn clear to them that this would be the absolute wrong direction. The last thing we need is the slop-spewing environment-chewing plagiarism bots invading there, too.
discord.sjc1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_...?
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
"...alone, we are sure to lose. Together, we have a chance.
Those in power know this. They know how much power we can wield if we band together. So they will keep trying to divide us."
Those in power know this. They know how much power we can wield if we band together. So they will keep trying to divide us."
My latest essay for @uncannymagazine.bsky.social is live!!
My editor: "I've never published a more important essay." 🥹
My editor: "I've never published a more important essay." 🥹
These Stories Teach Us How to Fight - Uncanny Magazine
Chicago, October 2025. I need you to know we tried. I bought whistles and saline eyewash for my friends, students. The theatre bought 150 whistles. They were gone in days. A neighbor 3D-printed hundre...
www.uncannymagazine.com
January 10, 2026 at 5:41 PM
"...alone, we are sure to lose. Together, we have a chance.
Those in power know this. They know how much power we can wield if we band together. So they will keep trying to divide us."
Those in power know this. They know how much power we can wield if we band together. So they will keep trying to divide us."
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
They won't have the numbers to occupy the nation and force everyone to comply, and that's why they're engaged in such an aggressive show of force. They're hoping we all get cowed into submission and do their work of suppression ourselves.
Once again, no.
The mantra remains "fuck you, make me."
Once again, no.
The mantra remains "fuck you, make me."
January 10, 2026 at 7:37 PM
They won't have the numbers to occupy the nation and force everyone to comply, and that's why they're engaged in such an aggressive show of force. They're hoping we all get cowed into submission and do their work of suppression ourselves.
Once again, no.
The mantra remains "fuck you, make me."
Once again, no.
The mantra remains "fuck you, make me."
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Thread of remote ways to support Minneapolis
Mpls Parents are raising funds for families at South HS impacted by ICE raids. Money will go towards food, necessary supplies, and rental assistance. We appreciate your love and solidarity during these difficult times. ❤️ Please share widely with friends and family! gofund.me/e32d501a3
Donate to Support South High School Families, organized by Rachael Staab
South High School parents are holding a special fundraiser specifically to s… Rachael Staab needs your support for Support South High School Families
gofund.me
January 9, 2026 at 12:13 AM
Thread of remote ways to support Minneapolis
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Another school related one for Minneapolis
hello community ~
my north minneapolis school community has been greatly impacted by the federal occupation of our city and coordinated abduction of our beloved neighbors, many of our parents.
our Camden immigrant neighbors are in need of ur financial support. plz donate here: gofund.me/287e233f3
my north minneapolis school community has been greatly impacted by the federal occupation of our city and coordinated abduction of our beloved neighbors, many of our parents.
our Camden immigrant neighbors are in need of ur financial support. plz donate here: gofund.me/287e233f3
Donate to Show love to North Minneapolis families in crisis, organized by Rebecca Iverson
Families in North Minneapolis are being torn apart and terrorized by… Rebecca Iverson needs your support for Show love to North Minneapolis families in crisis
gofund.me
January 8, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Another school related one for Minneapolis
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Well let's make them not top Democrats then
Top Democrats decline to say if they would rein in ICE after Minnesota shooting
Top Democrats decline to say if they would rein in ICE after Minnesota shooting
Top Democrats decline to say if they would rein in ICE after Minnesota shooting
www.independent.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 12:10 AM
Well let's make them not top Democrats then
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
This is important. Things are FUBAR, but the peeling off is beginning to happen.
DO NOT let Trump re-polarize again around CBP murders.
DO NOT let Trump re-polarize again around CBP murders.
Hawley voted against Trump today. And more than a dozen House GOPs voted for the ACA for the first time ever.
Republicans are mostly acting like they're in Trump's Duma. But Trump/Vance/Miller are only into indefensible acts and it's clear not every Republican thinks they can get away with that.
Republicans are mostly acting like they're in Trump's Duma. But Trump/Vance/Miller are only into indefensible acts and it's clear not every Republican thinks they can get away with that.
January 9, 2026 at 12:35 AM
This is important. Things are FUBAR, but the peeling off is beginning to happen.
DO NOT let Trump re-polarize again around CBP murders.
DO NOT let Trump re-polarize again around CBP murders.
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
The FBI has taken over the investigations into the shooting in Minneapolis and tonight’s shooting in Portland. How many more?!?!?
January 9, 2026 at 12:57 AM
The FBI has taken over the investigations into the shooting in Minneapolis and tonight’s shooting in Portland. How many more?!?!?
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Thousands of glaciers across Canada could be saved from total extinction by the end of the century if humanity can bend the curve on global warming.
How many glaciers in the Arctic can be saved from extinction?
Glaciers across Canada could be saved from total extinction by the end of the century if humanity can bend the curve on global warming.
www.aptnnews.ca
December 15, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Thousands of glaciers across Canada could be saved from total extinction by the end of the century if humanity can bend the curve on global warming.
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Tukwila, Renton, Kent, likely Auburn folks: the GO NOW evacuation order has been issued.
Green River levee fails, 'life-threatening' flash flooding possible
The National Weather Service says over 46,000 people could be impacted.
www.king5.com
December 15, 2025 at 9:17 PM
Tukwila, Renton, Kent, likely Auburn folks: the GO NOW evacuation order has been issued.
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
The persecution of huge numbers of brown people and even the mass deportations will not create the white country of far-right fantasy. It’s coupled with an attack on reproductive rights that is sometimes openly intended to make white women have more babies....
Trump wants to recreate a white America that never existed | Rebecca Solnit
The persecution of brown people and mass deportations will not create the white country of far-right fantasy
www.theguardian.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
The persecution of huge numbers of brown people and even the mass deportations will not create the white country of far-right fantasy. It’s coupled with an attack on reproductive rights that is sometimes openly intended to make white women have more babies....
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Having remembered that I, too, am a Small Business, I am running a flash sale on editing services. Book and make your deposit this weekend and receive 10% off. More info on what I do here: www.kathowardbooks.com/editing
November 29, 2025 at 3:25 PM
Having remembered that I, too, am a Small Business, I am running a flash sale on editing services. Book and make your deposit this weekend and receive 10% off. More info on what I do here: www.kathowardbooks.com/editing
How did I never listen to Kiki Rockwell before this week???
November 15, 2025 at 5:07 AM
How did I never listen to Kiki Rockwell before this week???
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Teen Vogue did some terrific work. Great story here on Teen Vogue and how the Vogue/Conde Nast bosses seem like the "liberal" types who have been eager to use Trump's rise as a pretext to silence progressives/leftists they disagree with. www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
What the closure of Teen Vogue means for journalism.
Condé Nast folded a beloved magazine that treated youth and feminism as political topics, not trends.
www.cjr.org
November 14, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Teen Vogue did some terrific work. Great story here on Teen Vogue and how the Vogue/Conde Nast bosses seem like the "liberal" types who have been eager to use Trump's rise as a pretext to silence progressives/leftists they disagree with. www.cjr.org/feature/the-...
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Remember Rev. David Black, the Chicago pastor who was shot in the head with pepper balls? If you haven't heard him speak yet, listen to this.
To ICE: "You can repent"
To ICE: "You can repent"
November 7, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Remember Rev. David Black, the Chicago pastor who was shot in the head with pepper balls? If you haven't heard him speak yet, listen to this.
To ICE: "You can repent"
To ICE: "You can repent"
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
I feel like we have the opportunity to turn David Lynch's quote into this moment's "Keep Calm and Carry On" and it's a far better rallying cry too.
November 7, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I feel like we have the opportunity to turn David Lynch's quote into this moment's "Keep Calm and Carry On" and it's a far better rallying cry too.
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Is it good politics to ask the Supreme Court if you can continue starving people?
November 8, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Is it good politics to ask the Supreme Court if you can continue starving people?
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Good literary translation requires understanding (language, culture, genre--on both sides of the translation) and an ability to write well. "AI" can't do that. There are no shortcuts. Treat your work and foreign language readers with the respect they deserve. You won't fool anyone with this.
Amazon has launched a new AI-driven translation service, Kindle Translate, for Kindle Direct Publishing authors 👇 #BookSky
Amazon launches AI translation service for indie authors
ebx.sh
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
Good literary translation requires understanding (language, culture, genre--on both sides of the translation) and an ability to write well. "AI" can't do that. There are no shortcuts. Treat your work and foreign language readers with the respect they deserve. You won't fool anyone with this.
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
We’re hiring!
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
November 6, 2025 at 1:36 PM
We’re hiring!
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
Our new resume portal is live, and we’re looking for top talent in NYC to help build this administration and deliver on our affordability agenda.
Could that be you? Apply using the link below.
transition2025.com/apply
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
The truly maddening thing is that, unlike when I was a young man in science and the materials and engineering just weren’t there yet, the future is *right there.* The problem is *solved*. What’s holding us back is not just greed, but this bizarre nostalgia, an obsession with petro- masculinity.
Australia has so much electricity from solar power that it is going to start offering free electricity to everyone for at least three hours during the day as the wholesale price of power goes negative
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
electrek.co/2025/11/04/a...
Australia has so much solar that it's offering everyone free electricity
Australia's extensive solar power penetration makes so much energy that the government wants to offer free electricity at peak hours.
electrek.co
November 6, 2025 at 2:08 PM
The truly maddening thing is that, unlike when I was a young man in science and the materials and engineering just weren’t there yet, the future is *right there.* The problem is *solved*. What’s holding us back is not just greed, but this bizarre nostalgia, an obsession with petro- masculinity.
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
No matter where you live or if you’ve never protested before, there’s a local No Kings Day event for you. Join a peaceful protest to make it clear that We The People will never bow down to a wannabe king: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i... #NoKings
October 18, 2025 at 1:05 AM
No matter where you live or if you’ve never protested before, there’s a local No Kings Day event for you. Join a peaceful protest to make it clear that We The People will never bow down to a wannabe king: www.nokings.org?SQF_SOURCE=i... #NoKings
Reposted by Lauren Hougen
Also, ayo @jay.bsky.team and the BlueSky team, if you’re gonna permaban Link and Palestinian aid accounts, it’s not a good look if you also don’t ban government accounts engaged in obvious violations of the Hatch Act, which is an actual federal law.
October 18, 2025 at 1:20 AM
Also, ayo @jay.bsky.team and the BlueSky team, if you’re gonna permaban Link and Palestinian aid accounts, it’s not a good look if you also don’t ban government accounts engaged in obvious violations of the Hatch Act, which is an actual federal law.