Alison Stine
@alisonstine.bsky.social
Novelist, journalist, and editor. Next novel: THE RAVEN ENGAGEMENT (2027 @wednesdaybooks.bsky.social). Author of DUST, TRASHLANDS, ROAD OUT OF WINTER, OHIO VIOLENCE. Philip K Dick Award. NEA Grant. HOH https://linktr.ee/alisonstinewrites
Pinned
Reposted by Alison Stine
We @uam-umd.bsky.social won. Faculty packed town halls, talked to their colleagues and collected hundreds of petition signatures. Now UMD is coughing up $8.75m, during a deficit, to fund faculty whose research is under attack. Not enough, but a helluva thing for a union the state calls illegal.
$8.75M Investment Supports ‘Research Resilience’… | Maryland Today
UMD, MPower Funds Combine to Help Preserve Institutional Capabilities, Lab Operations and More
today.umd.edu
November 25, 2025 at 2:32 PM
We @uam-umd.bsky.social won. Faculty packed town halls, talked to their colleagues and collected hundreds of petition signatures. Now UMD is coughing up $8.75m, during a deficit, to fund faculty whose research is under attack. Not enough, but a helluva thing for a union the state calls illegal.
Reposted by Alison Stine
am I even awake right now?
November 24, 2025 at 10:36 PM
am I even awake right now?
Reposted by Alison Stine
Elections have consequences: Biden tried to limit the degree to which PFAS (forever chemicals) get into our bodies. Trump's EPA is giving us extra helpings.
This month, the EPA approved 2 new pesticides "that meet the internationally recognized definition...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
This month, the EPA approved 2 new pesticides "that meet the internationally recognized definition...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
EPA just approved new ‘forever chemical’ pesticides for use on food
Critics warn the EPA’s approvals of new PFAS pesticides could expose more Americans to “forever chemicals” through their food.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Elections have consequences: Biden tried to limit the degree to which PFAS (forever chemicals) get into our bodies. Trump's EPA is giving us extra helpings.
This month, the EPA approved 2 new pesticides "that meet the internationally recognized definition...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
This month, the EPA approved 2 new pesticides "that meet the internationally recognized definition...
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
"Turn this world off and turn it back on again!" Yes!
Gmail's "smart" email summaries are grievously wrong in ways that make my heart rate spike, like "confirmation" of me having charged seven movie tickets to my credit card rather than the two I actually ordered—yet there's no way to hide that feature! Turn this world off and turn it back on again!!!
November 24, 2025 at 5:47 PM
"Turn this world off and turn it back on again!" Yes!
In the past 24 hours, I have made 3 medical appointments (waiting for yet another to call me back) and booked 2 travel reservations (one more left to do). Eldest daughter mode engaged, come at me!
November 24, 2025 at 3:06 PM
In the past 24 hours, I have made 3 medical appointments (waiting for yet another to call me back) and booked 2 travel reservations (one more left to do). Eldest daughter mode engaged, come at me!
Reposted by Alison Stine
foraging finds 🔎🌿
November 24, 2025 at 6:01 AM
foraging finds 🔎🌿
Reposted by Alison Stine
It's weird how aggressive some folks can be when you decline alcohol. Like they need you to justify why you aren't drinking.
Please don't be that person.
Please don't be that person.
November 23, 2025 at 8:09 PM
It's weird how aggressive some folks can be when you decline alcohol. Like they need you to justify why you aren't drinking.
Please don't be that person.
Please don't be that person.
Reposted by Alison Stine
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 23, 2025 at 8:04 PM
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Reposted by Alison Stine
Leaving flowers is another interesting peaceful tactic out of Portland
Protesters in Portland, Oregon, left flowers in front of the detention center, but the ICE GOONS immediately took them away and searched the ground for weapons. This video captures their sadness and paranoia.
November 24, 2025 at 1:44 PM
Leaving flowers is another interesting peaceful tactic out of Portland
Reposted by Alison Stine
Very astute observation. AI investment is propped up by a kind of inverse imposter syndrome, a job-solipsism, where it makes sense if you assume no one else cares about anything even though you do.
AI seems to be an expensive way to do someone else’s job as well as you reckon they probably do it, whatever, but no use for anything you do yourself, where you can professionally tell it’s hopeless.
Good luck with the bubble, lads.
(Clipped from The Wrap, about Disney giving up on its AI R&D.)
Good luck with the bubble, lads.
(Clipped from The Wrap, about Disney giving up on its AI R&D.)
November 23, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Very astute observation. AI investment is propped up by a kind of inverse imposter syndrome, a job-solipsism, where it makes sense if you assume no one else cares about anything even though you do.
Reposted by Alison Stine
Practice letting people know that you appreciate them. It costs nothing.
November 19, 2025 at 7:05 PM
Practice letting people know that you appreciate them. It costs nothing.
Reposted by Alison Stine
NEW: Trump’s climate policies could lead to 1.3 million more temperature-related deaths by 2115, our analysis found.
“The sheer numbers are horrifying,” a climate advocate said. “These are people with lives, with families, with hopes and dreams.”
“The sheer numbers are horrifying,” a climate advocate said. “These are people with lives, with families, with hopes and dreams.”
Trump’s Anti-Green Agenda Could Lead to 1.3 Million More Climate Deaths. The Poorest Countries Will Be Impacted Most.
Most of the people expected to suffer these temperature-related deaths live in poor countries in Africa and South Asia that are least prepared to cope with the increasing heat from climate change.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 1:00 PM
NEW: Trump’s climate policies could lead to 1.3 million more temperature-related deaths by 2115, our analysis found.
“The sheer numbers are horrifying,” a climate advocate said. “These are people with lives, with families, with hopes and dreams.”
“The sheer numbers are horrifying,” a climate advocate said. “These are people with lives, with families, with hopes and dreams.”
Reposted by Alison Stine
The thing about cancer research is that everyone is in favor of it, but the admin has spent 10 months trying to gut it.
Please read/share/subscribe
Please read/share/subscribe
NEW/Exclusive: I obtained a recording of the new National Cancer Institute director's first town hall. A well respected Harvard clinician and researcher, he is now attempting to walk a very fine line.
"With regard to morale, I don't know what to tell you other than, I don't think things are bad."
"With regard to morale, I don't know what to tell you other than, I don't think things are bad."
New NCI Director Says Administration Overtly Hostile to Cancer Research Is "Not Backing Away" From Cancer Research
A recording of the new director's first town hall reveals how he is trying to walk a difficult line between optimism and clear-eyed realism.
www.gravityisgone.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:05 AM
The thing about cancer research is that everyone is in favor of it, but the admin has spent 10 months trying to gut it.
Please read/share/subscribe
Please read/share/subscribe
Folks, someone I knew from high school wrote a lengthy post about how he asked ChatGPT to solve Charl*e K*rk's murder. I can't. I cannot.
November 18, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Folks, someone I knew from high school wrote a lengthy post about how he asked ChatGPT to solve Charl*e K*rk's murder. I can't. I cannot.
Reposted by Alison Stine
Re-upping my occasional idea for everything to just be a little bit easier
November 18, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Re-upping my occasional idea for everything to just be a little bit easier
I have somewhere to be tonight so inevitably it is snowing.
November 18, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I have somewhere to be tonight so inevitably it is snowing.
Reposted by Alison Stine
Iceland Climate Minister Johannsson: "It is a direct threat to our national resilience and security. (This) is the first time a specific climate-related phenomenon has been formally brought before the National Security Council as a potential existential threat."
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Iceland deems possible Atlantic current collapse a security risk
Iceland has designated the potential collapse of a major Atlantic Ocean current system a national security concern and an existential threat, enabling its government to strategize for worst-case scenarios, the country's climate minister told Reuters.
www.reuters.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Iceland Climate Minister Johannsson: "It is a direct threat to our national resilience and security. (This) is the first time a specific climate-related phenomenon has been formally brought before the National Security Council as a potential existential threat."
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
www.reuters.com/sustainabili...
Reposted by Alison Stine
In our magazine: After a hate incident, about 100 trans and gender nonbinary people flooded the spillway of Austin's most popular swimming spot to celebrate queer joy and show that they won't back down.
At Barton Springs, Trans Existence Becomes Resistance
Following a transphobic incident earlier this year, community members gathered to "protect trans joy."
www.texasobserver.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:11 PM
In our magazine: After a hate incident, about 100 trans and gender nonbinary people flooded the spillway of Austin's most popular swimming spot to celebrate queer joy and show that they won't back down.
Reposted by Alison Stine
all I need to know about AI is it ruined animal videos for the entire internet
November 17, 2025 at 4:03 PM
all I need to know about AI is it ruined animal videos for the entire internet
Reposted by Alison Stine
I know I'm a broken record but does ANY Microsoft product work as well as it did 5 years ago?
I feel like I'm hallucinating every time I try to do a task -- in any program -- which I remember as being easy that is now IMPOSSIBLE
I feel like I'm hallucinating every time I try to do a task -- in any program -- which I remember as being easy that is now IMPOSSIBLE
November 17, 2025 at 2:03 PM
I know I'm a broken record but does ANY Microsoft product work as well as it did 5 years ago?
I feel like I'm hallucinating every time I try to do a task -- in any program -- which I remember as being easy that is now IMPOSSIBLE
I feel like I'm hallucinating every time I try to do a task -- in any program -- which I remember as being easy that is now IMPOSSIBLE
Reposted by Alison Stine
Exactly one woman has won the Booker in the past six years www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
November 16, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Exactly one woman has won the Booker in the past six years www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Alison Stine
“One of the things that really gives me joy is the fact that there are so many amazing, brilliant, creative disabled people out there. But part of my rage — and it’s a very real rage — is that most people don’t really know about them.”
Obit:
Obit:
Alice Wong, Writer and Relentless Advocate for Disability Rights, Dies at 51
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“One of the things that really gives me joy is the fact that there are so many amazing, brilliant, creative disabled people out there. But part of my rage — and it’s a very real rage — is that most people don’t really know about them.”
Obit:
Obit:
Reposted by Alison Stine
Listening to Sarah Marshall’s podcast about the Satanic Panic, and thinking of the time I was visiting friends in Wisconsin in the ‘90s, and they said you had to be careful (esp. around Halloween) if you had black dogs or cats because “we have satanic cults in the area”
www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-p...
www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-p...
The Devil You Know with Sarah Marshall | CBC Podcasts | CBC Listen
In the 1980s and 90s, Satan and his followers were accused of brainwashing children, sacrificing babies, and infiltrating North American society on a massive scale — yet these thousands of alleged Sat...
www.cbc.ca
November 15, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Listening to Sarah Marshall’s podcast about the Satanic Panic, and thinking of the time I was visiting friends in Wisconsin in the ‘90s, and they said you had to be careful (esp. around Halloween) if you had black dogs or cats because “we have satanic cults in the area”
www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-p...
www.cbc.ca/listen/cbc-p...
Reposted by Alison Stine
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here: