Bess Hamilton
@besshamilton.bsky.social
Writer. Canadian. May I be a star in the dark time. She/her. My opinions & views are mine alone. Am guaranteed AI-free.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
This is what Jivani and his ilk fuel with their "liberal racism" horseshit. And any journalist who fails to make this link is either a fool or sympathetic to white supremacy.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Growing white nationalist group behind broad daylight demonstration in London on Sunday | CBC News
An apparent white nationalist demonstration on a busy overpass near London, Ont.'s downtown on Sunday afternoon is concerning for witnesses and experts who track extremist behaviour.
www.cbc.ca
November 25, 2025 at 1:34 PM
This is what Jivani and his ilk fuel with their "liberal racism" horseshit. And any journalist who fails to make this link is either a fool or sympathetic to white supremacy.
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
TIL, unsplash and istock images forbid any and all AI on their sites as well as letting AI train on them, ahhhh
sometimes it's nice to just scroll those sites and revel in not fucking worrying about getting duped
sometimes it's nice to just scroll those sites and revel in not fucking worrying about getting duped
November 25, 2025 at 1:24 AM
TIL, unsplash and istock images forbid any and all AI on their sites as well as letting AI train on them, ahhhh
sometimes it's nice to just scroll those sites and revel in not fucking worrying about getting duped
sometimes it's nice to just scroll those sites and revel in not fucking worrying about getting duped
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
People are always like real job stability is in medicine or the law, but the most secure job is actually white guy writes op-eds about how he’s sick of the minorities.
November 24, 2025 at 8:33 PM
People are always like real job stability is in medicine or the law, but the most secure job is actually white guy writes op-eds about how he’s sick of the minorities.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Study In The Journal Of Pediatrics Finds Trans Youth Care Lowers Suicidality, Few Detransition
The groundbreaking study found that suicidality dropped for transgender youth receiving hormone therapy by nearly 70%, with only 7 patients of 432 discontinuing treatment.
www.erininthemorning.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:01 PM
1. A landmark study was just published in The Journal of Pediatrics.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
It found a 68% reduction in suicidality for trans youth getting HRT.
It also found only 7 of more than 400 stopped taking HRT... and of those that did, 4 still identified as gender-diverse.
Transgender care saves lives.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
By the way, it's National Editor Appreciation Day.
Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.
So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.
So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
November 24, 2025 at 3:36 PM
By the way, it's National Editor Appreciation Day.
Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.
So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
Nobody ever reads a great article and thinks, "Dang, that was some tight editing." But editing is a big part of how it got to be great.
So writers, if you've ever worked with a good editor, shout 'em out.
I love hearing about the people who do these niche jobs that affect the lives of many.
Side note: Her voice is so much easier to understand than the computer voice my local transit uses on their busses. Almost like our ears are tuned to hear human voices. 🤔
Side note: Her voice is so much easier to understand than the computer voice my local transit uses on their busses. Almost like our ears are tuned to hear human voices. 🤔
One of my favorite things is getting to tell friends who are new to NYC that the subway "stand clear of the closing doors please" voice is a trans woman named Bernie Wagenblast and she's amazing.
November 24, 2025 at 7:02 PM
I love hearing about the people who do these niche jobs that affect the lives of many.
Side note: Her voice is so much easier to understand than the computer voice my local transit uses on their busses. Almost like our ears are tuned to hear human voices. 🤔
Side note: Her voice is so much easier to understand than the computer voice my local transit uses on their busses. Almost like our ears are tuned to hear human voices. 🤔
My local Big Brothers is no longer putting kids on the wait list because they don't want to raise hopes. There's a huge shortage of volunteers so the likelihood of kids getting matched with a mentor is nearly zero.
You don't need to share DNA to make a meaningful connection with a kid.
You don't need to share DNA to make a meaningful connection with a kid.
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 PM
My local Big Brothers is no longer putting kids on the wait list because they don't want to raise hopes. There's a huge shortage of volunteers so the likelihood of kids getting matched with a mentor is nearly zero.
You don't need to share DNA to make a meaningful connection with a kid.
You don't need to share DNA to make a meaningful connection with a kid.
One of my favourite winter memories from my time in Manitoba was the first time I saw a snowy owl. We get them in southern Ontario, but I'd never seen one. My spouse drove a delivery truck & noticed owls that liked to hang out in a field on the way to Carman. 1/
November 24, 2025 at 6:39 PM
One of my favourite winter memories from my time in Manitoba was the first time I saw a snowy owl. We get them in southern Ontario, but I'd never seen one. My spouse drove a delivery truck & noticed owls that liked to hang out in a field on the way to Carman. 1/
Any time I start any kind of DIY project from a craft to a home reno, my cat is immediately on hand to "help."
harry styles is wearing a hard hat and an orange vest while holding a green object .
Alt: Harry Styles is wearing a hard hat and an orange vest while extending a green tape measure.
media.tenor.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Any time I start any kind of DIY project from a craft to a home reno, my cat is immediately on hand to "help."
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
With the disappointing progress at Cop30, evergreen reminder it isn't "we" or "humanity" failing to address the climate crisis — oil-producing nations and fossil fuel interests are actively obstructing action, despite heroic efforts by developing nations, Indigenous peoples, and many, many others.
End of fossil fuel era inches closer as Cop30 deal agreed after bitter standoff
Wealthy countries should triple funds for countries to tackle climate impacts, but deforestation and critical minerals blocked from final deal
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 7:45 PM
With the disappointing progress at Cop30, evergreen reminder it isn't "we" or "humanity" failing to address the climate crisis — oil-producing nations and fossil fuel interests are actively obstructing action, despite heroic efforts by developing nations, Indigenous peoples, and many, many others.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
You cannot respect artists at a fundamental level and steal their work.
Sorry, but that's why we hate AI.
Sorry, but that's why we hate AI.
November 24, 2025 at 2:02 PM
You cannot respect artists at a fundamental level and steal their work.
Sorry, but that's why we hate AI.
Sorry, but that's why we hate AI.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
I’m so tired of this. Its exhausting. We’re all broke and the people who steal books don’t care.
I’d bet a whole American dollar that saying “Please don’t steal from us” on social media is basically a challenge to double down and yoinks! away! on our titles.
At least then I’d get a dollar.
I’d bet a whole American dollar that saying “Please don’t steal from us” on social media is basically a challenge to double down and yoinks! away! on our titles.
At least then I’d get a dollar.
I see it's the seasonal argument about why piracy to fuck over Amazon and publishers is okay while many authors live below the poverty line.
November 24, 2025 at 2:20 PM
I’m so tired of this. Its exhausting. We’re all broke and the people who steal books don’t care.
I’d bet a whole American dollar that saying “Please don’t steal from us” on social media is basically a challenge to double down and yoinks! away! on our titles.
At least then I’d get a dollar.
I’d bet a whole American dollar that saying “Please don’t steal from us” on social media is basically a challenge to double down and yoinks! away! on our titles.
At least then I’d get a dollar.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
Over 1/3 of AI responses are false.
ONE THIRD.
The only job you'd survive in with that kind of record is Cabinet Minister. Or columnist. Or political "journalist"...
ONE THIRD.
The only job you'd survive in with that kind of record is Cabinet Minister. Or columnist. Or political "journalist"...
November 24, 2025 at 1:11 PM
Over 1/3 of AI responses are false.
ONE THIRD.
The only job you'd survive in with that kind of record is Cabinet Minister. Or columnist. Or political "journalist"...
ONE THIRD.
The only job you'd survive in with that kind of record is Cabinet Minister. Or columnist. Or political "journalist"...
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
the reason 101 dalmations looks like that is because disney incorporated xerography (ie early photocopying technology) into the animation process. rough pencils (by mostly male animators) were copied onto the cels so that disney could fire the (mostly female) inkers. remember that art can lie to you
November 22, 2025 at 3:22 PM
the reason 101 dalmations looks like that is because disney incorporated xerography (ie early photocopying technology) into the animation process. rough pencils (by mostly male animators) were copied onto the cels so that disney could fire the (mostly female) inkers. remember that art can lie to you
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
Yes! This is so important! Machine Learning is doing wonderful things like mapping Martian craters and analyzing microbe genomes. LLMs are a very specific form & it’s them doing these huge amounts of harm. I also sometimes say “Gen AI”
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 5:03 PM
Yes! This is so important! Machine Learning is doing wonderful things like mapping Martian craters and analyzing microbe genomes. LLMs are a very specific form & it’s them doing these huge amounts of harm. I also sometimes say “Gen AI”
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
when I mean both LLMs and art generators; I try to never say AI
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
This is the funniest piece imaginable in the dull world of the otherwise sickly sycophantic tech review.
For real. Read it, even if you don’t give a rat’s ass about printers.
For real. Read it, even if you don’t give a rat’s ass about printers.
November 23, 2025 at 1:59 AM
This is the funniest piece imaginable in the dull world of the otherwise sickly sycophantic tech review.
For real. Read it, even if you don’t give a rat’s ass about printers.
For real. Read it, even if you don’t give a rat’s ass about printers.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
Does anybody know of similar class actions for copyrighted titles on Anna's Archives?
I believe there are *many* more titles there, and I recall reading at least one LLM company scraped AA.
In other words, some authors may have stuff on Anna's Archives but not on LibGen.
I believe there are *many* more titles there, and I recall reading at least one LLM company scraped AA.
In other words, some authors may have stuff on Anna's Archives but not on LibGen.
August 20, 2025 at 9:04 AM
Does anybody know of similar class actions for copyrighted titles on Anna's Archives?
I believe there are *many* more titles there, and I recall reading at least one LLM company scraped AA.
In other words, some authors may have stuff on Anna's Archives but not on LibGen.
I believe there are *many* more titles there, and I recall reading at least one LLM company scraped AA.
In other words, some authors may have stuff on Anna's Archives but not on LibGen.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
I'd never heard of this site until tonight. Both my books are on there. Did you know my publisher offers one of three lowest royalty rates in the entire industry? And that I didn't get an advance? Literally all I make is from royalties. Royalties I don't earn when you pirate my book.
I posted a buy link here to "A Magical Inheritance" a few days ago, and 24 of you immediately went to Anna's Archives and fucking stole it from me.
Yes, stole it.
I do not get paid for your download there because YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME.
🖕
Yes, stole it.
I do not get paid for your download there because YOU ARE STEALING FROM ME.
🖕
November 24, 2025 at 5:07 AM
I'd never heard of this site until tonight. Both my books are on there. Did you know my publisher offers one of three lowest royalty rates in the entire industry? And that I didn't get an advance? Literally all I make is from royalties. Royalties I don't earn when you pirate my book.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
Also, please share @tychebooks.bsky.social book posts because she is one of the few Canadian small presses left AND she pays everyone on time and in full. And people are stealing my book she published.
Some books:
bsky.app/profile/tych...
or
bsky.app/profile/tych...
Some books:
bsky.app/profile/tych...
or
bsky.app/profile/tych...
Barb is getting the hang of her new magical ability, but she's discovering that when magic is involved, nothing is easy. Not work, not neighbours, & definitely not family.
Pick up a copy of No Love Lost --> www.kobo.com/ca/en/e...
www.amazon.com/dp/B0...
Pick up a copy of No Love Lost --> www.kobo.com/ca/en/e...
www.amazon.com/dp/B0...
November 24, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Also, please share @tychebooks.bsky.social book posts because she is one of the few Canadian small presses left AND she pays everyone on time and in full. And people are stealing my book she published.
Some books:
bsky.app/profile/tych...
or
bsky.app/profile/tych...
Some books:
bsky.app/profile/tych...
or
bsky.app/profile/tych...
If a person persists in asking why I don't drink, I feel zero shame about making it awkward for them.
I'm happy to tell them I was a blackout binge drinker. But people find it hard to hear that in polite company & often respond as if it's more than they wanted to know. But they asked. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I'm happy to tell them I was a blackout binge drinker. But people find it hard to hear that in polite company & often respond as if it's more than they wanted to know. But they asked. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
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 24, 2025 at 5:07 AM
If a person persists in asking why I don't drink, I feel zero shame about making it awkward for them.
I'm happy to tell them I was a blackout binge drinker. But people find it hard to hear that in polite company & often respond as if it's more than they wanted to know. But they asked. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
I'm happy to tell them I was a blackout binge drinker. But people find it hard to hear that in polite company & often respond as if it's more than they wanted to know. But they asked. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
It's not just "consumer smart" it reduces environmental waste, key materials are often mined in slave conditions. The whole tenor of the article is wrong - why is the economy so dependent on us engaging in mass waste?
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/h... "please, buy new phone. the economy is dying" is an incredible gaslight
Americans are holding onto devices longer than ever and it's costing economy
Americans are holding onto devices longer than ever before, and while it may be consumer smart, it comes at a cost to work productivity and the U.S. economy.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:17 AM
It's not just "consumer smart" it reduces environmental waste, key materials are often mined in slave conditions. The whole tenor of the article is wrong - why is the economy so dependent on us engaging in mass waste?
When the price of ink nearly doubled in the wake of tariffs, I got a refurbished Brother laser printer. It's great. Also, unlike with my HP ink jet, my cat can't print test pages on it for her amusement.
The answer is still Brother https://www.theverge.com/tech/641940/best-printer-2025-just-buy-a-brother-laser-printer-middle-finger-in-the-air
Best printer 2025: just buy a Brother laser printer, the winner is clear, middle finger in the air
Best Printer 2025: wireless laser home office supply shop now Brother
www.theverge.com
November 24, 2025 at 4:52 AM
When the price of ink nearly doubled in the wake of tariffs, I got a refurbished Brother laser printer. It's great. Also, unlike with my HP ink jet, my cat can't print test pages on it for her amusement.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
In an era filled with tech dipshits who never developed emotionally past the age of 13 & use their wealth to become odious monsters ...
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
In an era filled with tech dipshits who never developed emotionally past the age of 13 & use their wealth to become odious monsters ...
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
... listen to Steve Wozniak.
Reposted by Bess Hamilton
the worst fucking thing about capitalism is that it just totally falls apart and shows its ass as the gigantic pyramid scheme it all really is when it can't make the Line Go Up
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/23/h... "please, buy new phone. the economy is dying" is an incredible gaslight
Americans are holding onto devices longer than ever and it's costing economy
Americans are holding onto devices longer than ever before, and while it may be consumer smart, it comes at a cost to work productivity and the U.S. economy.
www.cnbc.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:47 AM
the worst fucking thing about capitalism is that it just totally falls apart and shows its ass as the gigantic pyramid scheme it all really is when it can't make the Line Go Up