DaemonSky
@dsky.bsky.social
Biosecurity, outbreaks, apocalypses, language & conspiracy. Former Fed. Intellectual magpie. Dogs, SciFi, nerdery. Views my own.
Pinned
This account mostly posts the life of caring for parents and the world. There will be public health, digital humanities, occasional politics, and a lot of random things including Late Night Thoughts and crafts.
Posting is not doing. If you use my posts to hurt people, I block. Be kind. Make stuff.
Posting is not doing. If you use my posts to hurt people, I block. Be kind. Make stuff.
Whelp. DC friends, be aware. That's not good - at least the metro times are mostly not commuting hours, but still. Red & Yellow & Union - f--k.
And I guess we now have more reasons than usual to be pissed at March for Life people that a normal year.
And I guess we now have more reasons than usual to be pissed at March for Life people that a normal year.
Health Officials Investigating Measles Exposures to DC Residents
(Washington, DC) - DC Health was notified of multiple confirmed cases of measles whose carriers visited multiple locations in the District while contagious. DC Health is informing people who were at t...
dchealth.dc.gov
February 9, 2026 at 5:17 AM
Whelp. DC friends, be aware. That's not good - at least the metro times are mostly not commuting hours, but still. Red & Yellow & Union - f--k.
And I guess we now have more reasons than usual to be pissed at March for Life people that a normal year.
And I guess we now have more reasons than usual to be pissed at March for Life people that a normal year.
I really appreciate the level of legal analysis of skincare drama and the FDA that happens when lawyers are also skincare nerds. Maybe these people are how we fix the ridiculous cosmetics and sunscreen rules in the US.
They're adorably mad about the most obscure things.
They're adorably mad about the most obscure things.
February 8, 2026 at 8:32 PM
I really appreciate the level of legal analysis of skincare drama and the FDA that happens when lawyers are also skincare nerds. Maybe these people are how we fix the ridiculous cosmetics and sunscreen rules in the US.
They're adorably mad about the most obscure things.
They're adorably mad about the most obscure things.
I'm increasingly convinced hair pins and accessories (maybe more generally fashion?) are a clear indicator that we can't hold useful history in our heads. French hair pins are ancient and so many people are sending them to me as new. Yes, I have 1930iah metal ones that aren't good in my hair.
February 8, 2026 at 5:31 PM
I'm increasingly convinced hair pins and accessories (maybe more generally fashion?) are a clear indicator that we can't hold useful history in our heads. French hair pins are ancient and so many people are sending them to me as new. Yes, I have 1930iah metal ones that aren't good in my hair.
I'm reasonably convinced that the more glaring the typo in a post, the more likely it is it will be reshared. It's just the law of the universe.
February 7, 2026 at 2:03 AM
I'm reasonably convinced that the more glaring the typo in a post, the more likely it is it will be reshared. It's just the law of the universe.
I really love that we're at the cultural point wher the sewage treatment plant gets to make jokes about the media ecosystem.
(Also I kinda love this video - water infrastructure is awesome!)
(Also I kinda love this video - water infrastructure is awesome!)
February 7, 2026 at 1:43 AM
I really love that we're at the cultural point wher the sewage treatment plant gets to make jokes about the media ecosystem.
(Also I kinda love this video - water infrastructure is awesome!)
(Also I kinda love this video - water infrastructure is awesome!)
Reposted by DaemonSky
As if immune amnesia and significant risk of hospitalization and disability due to measles infection aren't bad enough, there's this particularly nasty outcome--in 2 versions: the immediate/acute one and the rarer, years later onset/highly fatal one called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis.
How GOP HHS boss RFK Jr is hurting American children: "One of [measles] complications has been confirmed in the ongoing, record-breaking measles outbreak in South Carolina: encephalitis, or brain swelling." www.scientificamerican.com/article/sout...
Brain swelling is one of measles’ nastiest side effects, and it’s happening in South Carolina
The South Carolina measles outbreak has triggered rare but serious brain swelling in some children
www.scientificamerican.com
February 7, 2026 at 12:04 AM
As if immune amnesia and significant risk of hospitalization and disability due to measles infection aren't bad enough, there's this particularly nasty outcome--in 2 versions: the immediate/acute one and the rarer, years later onset/highly fatal one called Subacute Sclerosing Panencephalitis.
I mean, it's a clear message from them about their values. When the companies self-identify, it's easier to avoid them at least.
I do, in fact, prefer my art made by human souls.
I do, in fact, prefer my art made by human souls.
From the first AI-generated Big Game ad courtesy of Svedka to Anthropic's beef with OpenAI, here are the biggest ads from Super Bowl LX.
From Svedka to Anthropic, brands make bold plays with AI in Super Bowl ads | TechCrunch
From the first AI-generated Big Game ad courtesy of Svedka to Anthropic's beef with OpenAI, here are the biggest ads from Super Bowl LX.
techcrunch.com
February 6, 2026 at 11:48 PM
I mean, it's a clear message from them about their values. When the companies self-identify, it's easier to avoid them at least.
I do, in fact, prefer my art made by human souls.
I do, in fact, prefer my art made by human souls.
I feel like I should get work bonus points for doing a whole day of smiling at sociopaths while my family is bad. "Oh I'm so sorry your 6yo kid lost his soccer final!" (cool, cool, my dad is dying but I care about a thing he likely won't remember)
Please clap. I did not snark or quit. I have rent.
Please clap. I did not snark or quit. I have rent.
February 5, 2026 at 5:21 AM
I feel like I should get work bonus points for doing a whole day of smiling at sociopaths while my family is bad. "Oh I'm so sorry your 6yo kid lost his soccer final!" (cool, cool, my dad is dying but I care about a thing he likely won't remember)
Please clap. I did not snark or quit. I have rent.
Please clap. I did not snark or quit. I have rent.
For all the people who would like to understand why 3D printing whistles works better.
I'd like to add that the carbon cost of shipping filament is also much lower. And that increased use of 3D printing networks encourages many socially useful things. Help them print whistles anywhere if you can!
I'd like to add that the carbon cost of shipping filament is also much lower. And that increased use of 3D printing networks encourages many socially useful things. Help them print whistles anywhere if you can!
I think people often wonder this, and it's a great question, so let me explain the advantages of 3D printing whistles. There are many.
The 3D printing effort started from one of our organizers who started by sourcing mass-produced whistles.
The 3D printing effort started from one of our organizers who started by sourcing mass-produced whistles.
I mean, are they really cheaper or easier to produce than just sourcing the right thing from a mass distributor? it's sweet but doesn't seem Pareto efficient, and I feel like that's important to the revolution
February 4, 2026 at 3:48 AM
For all the people who would like to understand why 3D printing whistles works better.
I'd like to add that the carbon cost of shipping filament is also much lower. And that increased use of 3D printing networks encourages many socially useful things. Help them print whistles anywhere if you can!
I'd like to add that the carbon cost of shipping filament is also much lower. And that increased use of 3D printing networks encourages many socially useful things. Help them print whistles anywhere if you can!
Ignore the next - need a pinned post.
February 4, 2026 at 2:19 AM
Ignore the next - need a pinned post.
Man, I don't know what wheelchair bags are made of, but I am *failing* to find a way to make my dad's requested IU decal stick. Is it Teflon?!
Anyone had any luck with glue or types of vinyl that stick to this durable fabric? Maker says "nylon blend", but wtf it's blended with I do not know.
Anyone had any luck with glue or types of vinyl that stick to this durable fabric? Maker says "nylon blend", but wtf it's blended with I do not know.
February 4, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Man, I don't know what wheelchair bags are made of, but I am *failing* to find a way to make my dad's requested IU decal stick. Is it Teflon?!
Anyone had any luck with glue or types of vinyl that stick to this durable fabric? Maker says "nylon blend", but wtf it's blended with I do not know.
Anyone had any luck with glue or types of vinyl that stick to this durable fabric? Maker says "nylon blend", but wtf it's blended with I do not know.
I am consistently confused by the people around me who want to know what someone can "do for me" if I'm friends with them. Make me laugh? Bring me joy or ridiculous gossip? Tell me something about the world I don't know?
What do you mean "do"? I'm DC and supposed to understand - I do not.
What do you mean "do"? I'm DC and supposed to understand - I do not.
February 4, 2026 at 12:19 AM
I am consistently confused by the people around me who want to know what someone can "do for me" if I'm friends with them. Make me laugh? Bring me joy or ridiculous gossip? Tell me something about the world I don't know?
What do you mean "do"? I'm DC and supposed to understand - I do not.
What do you mean "do"? I'm DC and supposed to understand - I do not.
OK, MD. How do we stop this? Yes fine our congressional delegation, but what else? There must be ways through zoning or something right?!
(if you know who's already organizing on this one please just send me their way too)
(if you know who's already organizing on this one please just send me their way too)
ICE has already spent $172 million to purchase two warehouses, one in Hagerstown, MD and one in Surprise, AZ.
ICE will then have to pay more to convert them into makeshift detention camps. Leaked reports suggest each of these two warehouses will hold 1,500 people each.
ICE will then have to pay more to convert them into makeshift detention camps. Leaked reports suggest each of these two warehouses will hold 1,500 people each.
January 30, 2026 at 5:17 PM
OK, MD. How do we stop this? Yes fine our congressional delegation, but what else? There must be ways through zoning or something right?!
(if you know who's already organizing on this one please just send me their way too)
(if you know who's already organizing on this one please just send me their way too)
So I made a nuclear explosion card as a mock-up because someone annoyed me and OF COURSE my too online pal immediately said "Well, that could be a penis."
Could I make more money making bachelorette pop-up cards than working in public health? The answer might be yes. Dammit universe.
Could I make more money making bachelorette pop-up cards than working in public health? The answer might be yes. Dammit universe.
January 29, 2026 at 5:31 AM
So I made a nuclear explosion card as a mock-up because someone annoyed me and OF COURSE my too online pal immediately said "Well, that could be a penis."
Could I make more money making bachelorette pop-up cards than working in public health? The answer might be yes. Dammit universe.
Could I make more money making bachelorette pop-up cards than working in public health? The answer might be yes. Dammit universe.
Please, please vaccinate if you haven't. Talk to your friends and family about vaccination. It's amazing how many people just quietly don't vax and you'd never know.
Holy moly this chart: Cumulative US measles cases
January 28, 2026 at 3:52 PM
Please, please vaccinate if you haven't. Talk to your friends and family about vaccination. It's amazing how many people just quietly don't vax and you'd never know.
Good. Good. Definitely wanted to start my morning with an adjustment of the doomsday clock. Is 2026 over yet?
January 27, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Good. Good. Definitely wanted to start my morning with an adjustment of the doomsday clock. Is 2026 over yet?
@cricutexplore.bsky.social This update to design space is an abomination. How can it now not handle resizing? It's like it's processing each number you type before it will take the next one and it takes 90 seconds a digit. How did you even DO this?!
January 27, 2026 at 1:21 AM
@cricutexplore.bsky.social This update to design space is an abomination. How can it now not handle resizing? It's like it's processing each number you type before it will take the next one and it takes 90 seconds a digit. How did you even DO this?!
Whelp. I spent 7 hours trying to find something and still can't and I am *very cranky* about it. Wine and crafting, I guess, since I can't stomp away from my computer (and thus apartment) in a snit. *It's sitting right there and it's taunting me*
January 26, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Whelp. I spent 7 hours trying to find something and still can't and I am *very cranky* about it. Wine and crafting, I guess, since I can't stomp away from my computer (and thus apartment) in a snit. *It's sitting right there and it's taunting me*
No matter how much I think I've steeled myself for Americans writing about African health systems, it's almost never more than 15 minutes before I'm yelling at my screen.
Face your inner condescending colonist challenge utterly failed by these articles. How can we not do better by now, FFS?!
Face your inner condescending colonist challenge utterly failed by these articles. How can we not do better by now, FFS?!
January 26, 2026 at 5:11 PM
No matter how much I think I've steeled myself for Americans writing about African health systems, it's almost never more than 15 minutes before I'm yelling at my screen.
Face your inner condescending colonist challenge utterly failed by these articles. How can we not do better by now, FFS?!
Face your inner condescending colonist challenge utterly failed by these articles. How can we not do better by now, FFS?!
The commentary I wish I could make without profanity. This thread is it.
Look, I'm glad we're having a conversation about the hypocrisy of the legal logic used by America's gun nuts. But can we stop pretending this is a new thing? They have never advocated for universal access to firearms. They only want their team to be armed. www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Conservatives, liberals shift gun rights arguments after shooting
Some gun rights backers cite Alex Pretti’s gun as a justification for his killing in Minneapolis, while gun-control supporters dismiss its relevance.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 26, 2026 at 1:44 PM
The commentary I wish I could make without profanity. This thread is it.
Maybe someone has a good idea here: my mom and I watch cooking shows together by starting at the same time and zooming afterwards, but I really miss the chatting-during-show pieces. Has anyone found a non-texting solution for this? (she hates that solution - I tried!)
January 26, 2026 at 2:04 AM
Maybe someone has a good idea here: my mom and I watch cooking shows together by starting at the same time and zooming afterwards, but I really miss the chatting-during-show pieces. Has anyone found a non-texting solution for this? (she hates that solution - I tried!)
I'm enjoying watching the people with vanity jeeps get stuck more than I should. It doesn't help you in snow if you don't know how to drive it, kids.
January 26, 2026 at 12:55 AM
I'm enjoying watching the people with vanity jeeps get stuck more than I should. It doesn't help you in snow if you don't know how to drive it, kids.
I hope this point sticks for organizations nationally. What seems to be so effective is that it's action and community protection too, not only protest. The community work always feels so much more like *doing something* and keeps hope and community alive.
Protests happen, but most of what is happening in Minneapolis isn’t protesting.
More accurate terms:
- observers
- witnesses
- volunteers
- neighbors
- residents
- people
More accurate terms:
- observers
- witnesses
- volunteers
- neighbors
- residents
- people
One thing that irks me: people keep calling the folks on the streets in Minneapolis protestors. They are not generally there to protest, they are there to observe and document. This is the product of organizing and mutual aid. It is telling that these acts of citizenship are seen as protest!
January 25, 2026 at 2:24 PM
I hope this point sticks for organizations nationally. What seems to be so effective is that it's action and community protection too, not only protest. The community work always feels so much more like *doing something* and keeps hope and community alive.
I'm almost amused at how much people do not know how to drive in snow and are doing it anyway. The maintenance guys and I were standing outside watching people in expensive cars skid, stick, and panic, wondering what on earth they think they're doing.
Stay home people!
Stay home people!
January 25, 2026 at 2:19 PM
I'm almost amused at how much people do not know how to drive in snow and are doing it anyway. The maintenance guys and I were standing outside watching people in expensive cars skid, stick, and panic, wondering what on earth they think they're doing.
Stay home people!
Stay home people!
Waking up on a snowstorm day to the ADHD turned up to full blast is less than ideal. Let's find out if I now have the skills to not make chaos when I can't go find noise to drown out the very loud brain. Wish me luck?
January 25, 2026 at 1:02 PM
Waking up on a snowstorm day to the ADHD turned up to full blast is less than ideal. Let's find out if I now have the skills to not make chaos when I can't go find noise to drown out the very loud brain. Wish me luck?