M. S. AtKisson
@igrrrl.bsky.social
Grant writing and research leadership. Highly specialized wetware hacker. Mom of a trans son and a Marine. Mostly live on a 40ft Hallberg-Rassy. She/her/Dr.
My kids wanted to enter a Club Penguin competition once, so I read through the T&C with them. It had a similar assignment to Disney. They decided on their own not to enter.
Venerable magazine Harper's Bazaar is running its short story contest again, with the winner receiving "the chance" of publication in the magazine. Just one catch: per the wording of the guidelines, _just by entering_ you transfer copyright ownership of your story to Harper's parent, Hearst. 1/3
February 5, 2026 at 10:21 PM
My kids wanted to enter a Club Penguin competition once, so I read through the T&C with them. It had a similar assignment to Disney. They decided on their own not to enter.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
Context: this speech is from SIR THOMAS MORE, a history written, as near as scholars can tell, in the early 1600s by 6 or 7 people including Dekker, Heywood, Chettle, Shakespeare, and Munday.
It was never performed, because Jacobean England was a police state and it was banned by the censor.
It was never performed, because Jacobean England was a police state and it was banned by the censor.
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 2:30 PM
Context: this speech is from SIR THOMAS MORE, a history written, as near as scholars can tell, in the early 1600s by 6 or 7 people including Dekker, Heywood, Chettle, Shakespeare, and Munday.
It was never performed, because Jacobean England was a police state and it was banned by the censor.
It was never performed, because Jacobean England was a police state and it was banned by the censor.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
I have been trying to get to NSF data for some time.
The manner in which data are made available at NIH and NSF are very different.
From NIH Reporter, it is easy to export Excel files based on various criteria.
At NSF, each grant is stored in a separate json file.
1/3
The manner in which data are made available at NIH and NSF are very different.
From NIH Reporter, it is easy to export Excel files based on various criteria.
At NSF, each grant is stored in a separate json file.
1/3
a woman wearing a hat and a tan jacket says so different
ALT: a woman wearing a hat and a tan jacket says so different
media.tenor.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:58 PM
I have been trying to get to NSF data for some time.
The manner in which data are made available at NIH and NSF are very different.
From NIH Reporter, it is easy to export Excel files based on various criteria.
At NSF, each grant is stored in a separate json file.
1/3
The manner in which data are made available at NIH and NSF are very different.
From NIH Reporter, it is easy to export Excel files based on various criteria.
At NSF, each grant is stored in a separate json file.
1/3
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
There are 2 sessions for council meetings. An open session where the IC director will give updates, staff will present new program ideas to councilors, councilors will provide assessment of different programs etc.
And a closed/private session where grants are discussed.
And a closed/private session where grants are discussed.
I had no idea you could watch and assumed they were done in private!
February 5, 2026 at 10:47 AM
There are 2 sessions for council meetings. An open session where the IC director will give updates, staff will present new program ideas to councilors, councilors will provide assessment of different programs etc.
And a closed/private session where grants are discussed.
And a closed/private session where grants are discussed.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
I encourage you to consider that the @cato.org is right about this
The US immigrant population generated more in taxes than they received in benefits from all levels of government every year from 1994 to 2023.
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
The Cato study provides the first-ever 30-year analysis of the fiscal effects of immigration on government budgets.
https://ow.ly/jy8a50Y8kM3
February 4, 2026 at 1:52 AM
I encourage you to consider that the @cato.org is right about this
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
A small study found that exposure to lead—a dangerous heavy metal—has fallen by a factor of more than 100 since the 1960s.
However, the researchers warn that all the gains in lead exposure could be reversed if pollution policies change. bit.ly/4ryhLH2
📊: @unamandita.bsky.social
However, the researchers warn that all the gains in lead exposure could be reversed if pollution policies change. bit.ly/4ryhLH2
📊: @unamandita.bsky.social
February 3, 2026 at 8:49 PM
A small study found that exposure to lead—a dangerous heavy metal—has fallen by a factor of more than 100 since the 1960s.
However, the researchers warn that all the gains in lead exposure could be reversed if pollution policies change. bit.ly/4ryhLH2
📊: @unamandita.bsky.social
However, the researchers warn that all the gains in lead exposure could be reversed if pollution policies change. bit.ly/4ryhLH2
📊: @unamandita.bsky.social
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
The International AI Safety Report is clear-eyed: threats from AI are growing--to rights, autonomy, health, cybersecurity, and planetary well-being. The evidence is stronger than ever. Commitments from industry and government to the safe, trustworthy, and responsible use of AI are urgently needed.
Today we’re releasing the International AI Safety Report 2026: the most comprehensive evidence-based assessment of AI capabilities, emerging risks, and safety measures to date. 🧵
(1/19)
(1/19)
February 3, 2026 at 5:39 PM
The International AI Safety Report is clear-eyed: threats from AI are growing--to rights, autonomy, health, cybersecurity, and planetary well-being. The evidence is stronger than ever. Commitments from industry and government to the safe, trustworthy, and responsible use of AI are urgently needed.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
Since a lot of the coverage is omitting this detail: The Kennedy Center HAD a $250 million renovation and expansion just a few years ago, in 2019.
February 2, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Since a lot of the coverage is omitting this detail: The Kennedy Center HAD a $250 million renovation and expansion just a few years ago, in 2019.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
"The world isn’t ending. A world is ending. Our job is to midwife the next one."
January 31, 2026 at 10:33 PM
"The world isn’t ending. A world is ending. Our job is to midwife the next one."
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
🧵Good news out of #NIH today.
(1) NIH is extending #ESI and #K99/R00 eligibility to accommodate researchers whose eligibility would have ended during the previous shutdown. Take a look at NOT-OD-26-020. If your ESI status would have ended in 2025, you get an automatic extension through 2026/03/31.
(1) NIH is extending #ESI and #K99/R00 eligibility to accommodate researchers whose eligibility would have ended during the previous shutdown. Take a look at NOT-OD-26-020. If your ESI status would have ended in 2025, you get an automatic extension through 2026/03/31.
NOT-OD-26-020: Notice of Temporary Extension to Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Eligibility Period
NIH Funding Opportunities and Notices in the NIH Guide for Grants and Contracts: Notice of Temporary Extension to Early-Stage Investigator (ESI) Eligibility Period NOT-OD-26-020. OD
grants.nih.gov
January 30, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
I may have a stroke.
Someone said protests don’t belong in church and it took every ounce of self-censure within me not to say “Deborah you are literally a Protestant.”
A PROTESTant.
I assume they think Luther was nailing Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons to the door.
Someone said protests don’t belong in church and it took every ounce of self-censure within me not to say “Deborah you are literally a Protestant.”
A PROTESTant.
I assume they think Luther was nailing Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons to the door.
January 30, 2026 at 5:15 PM
I may have a stroke.
Someone said protests don’t belong in church and it took every ounce of self-censure within me not to say “Deborah you are literally a Protestant.”
A PROTESTant.
I assume they think Luther was nailing Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons to the door.
Someone said protests don’t belong in church and it took every ounce of self-censure within me not to say “Deborah you are literally a Protestant.”
A PROTESTant.
I assume they think Luther was nailing Bed, Bath, & Beyond coupons to the door.
QotD: “If wealth and might are to be performed, great wealth, and great might must be performed brilliantly.”
James Carse
James Carse
January 31, 2026 at 3:45 PM
QotD: “If wealth and might are to be performed, great wealth, and great might must be performed brilliantly.”
James Carse
James Carse
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
This right here is the beginnings of the result of what DOGE was really up to. Not *really* slashing stuff, but getting access to as many government citizen databases and joining them to be able to target people quickly and comprehensively across all their exposure to the federal government.
A Minnesota woman observing ICE agents in her car was cornered on one-way streets. An agent approached, called her by name—citing facial recognition. Days later, her Global Entry and TSA privileges were revoked, with no explanation.
How ICE Already Knows Who Minneapolis Protesters Are
www.nytimes.com
January 30, 2026 at 12:38 PM
This right here is the beginnings of the result of what DOGE was really up to. Not *really* slashing stuff, but getting access to as many government citizen databases and joining them to be able to target people quickly and comprehensively across all their exposure to the federal government.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
THREAD
H2A guest worker visas are finally a big enough program that farmers are ready to switch to that instead of undoc'd workers.
That's why they're rounding up undoc'd people.
Farms don't really need them anymore, & they're "too hard to control."
That hasn't changed!
H2A guest worker visas are finally a big enough program that farmers are ready to switch to that instead of undoc'd workers.
That's why they're rounding up undoc'd people.
Farms don't really need them anymore, & they're "too hard to control."
That hasn't changed!
I'm calling bullshit on the media narrative that Trump is "pivoting" and "deescalating" on his ICE raids. The threshold is this: As long as the military occupations and the treatment of US cities as enemy territory continue, there's no pivot. ICE out. 1/
(New piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
(New piece)
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
Donald Trump Is Frightened
Trump wants to appear eager to minimize out-of-control clashes between government militias and protesters. But he doesn’t want to stop the things causing those clashes in the first place.
newrepublic.com
January 28, 2026 at 1:41 PM
THREAD
H2A guest worker visas are finally a big enough program that farmers are ready to switch to that instead of undoc'd workers.
That's why they're rounding up undoc'd people.
Farms don't really need them anymore, & they're "too hard to control."
That hasn't changed!
H2A guest worker visas are finally a big enough program that farmers are ready to switch to that instead of undoc'd workers.
That's why they're rounding up undoc'd people.
Farms don't really need them anymore, & they're "too hard to control."
That hasn't changed!
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
Then Toad felt very tired, and he fell asleep.
January 27, 2026 at 2:37 AM
Then Toad felt very tired, and he fell asleep.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
This is due tomorrow. It's a really simple form with just a few questions. If you interact with NSF at all you should fill it out. #neuroskyence #academia #psychscisky #compneuro #ccai
NSF is seeking public input on its FY 2026-2030 NSF Strategic Plan. Specifically, they would appreciate input on the following questions:
January 26, 2026 at 6:30 PM
This is due tomorrow. It's a really simple form with just a few questions. If you interact with NSF at all you should fill it out. #neuroskyence #academia #psychscisky #compneuro #ccai
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
Fun fact: Your local bookstore is doing more to protect you and your neighbors than Amazon is.
January 26, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Fun fact: Your local bookstore is doing more to protect you and your neighbors than Amazon is.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
I just… Letting fundamentally uncritical, uncareful, unserious, willfully ignorant people introduce "Gen AI" into the federal regulatory workflow for *Anything* is a terrible fucking idea with high potential for returning extremely negative chaos, but for Transportation in particular??? Holy shit.
The @usdot.bsky.social, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations. “We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer. “We want good enough.”
Government by AI? Trump Administration Plans to Write Regulations Using Artificial Intelligence
The Transportation Department, which oversees the safety of airplanes, cars and pipelines, plans to use Google Gemini to draft new regulations. “We don’t need the perfect rule,” said DOT’s top lawyer....
www.propublica.org
January 26, 2026 at 6:02 PM
I just… Letting fundamentally uncritical, uncareful, unserious, willfully ignorant people introduce "Gen AI" into the federal regulatory workflow for *Anything* is a terrible fucking idea with high potential for returning extremely negative chaos, but for Transportation in particular??? Holy shit.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
stop using AI to do your research. it hallucinates too often. if you want an answer to something, post something arrogant on the appropriate subreddit. something like: "this item performs 10% better than everything else. only idiots deny this." this will bait nerds into doing your research for you.
January 26, 2026 at 7:53 AM
stop using AI to do your research. it hallucinates too often. if you want an answer to something, post something arrogant on the appropriate subreddit. something like: "this item performs 10% better than everything else. only idiots deny this." this will bait nerds into doing your research for you.
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
AI systems are trained on data that is socially informed not just cold "facts" (ie all of attitudes & stereotypes that support ongoing inequalities based on gender, race, sexuality etc) unsurprising AI chatbots are advising women & minorities to ask for less pay #nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
AI’s role in paying women less
It appears even AI chatbots are contributing towards the gender pay gap. A study last year found that the bots often advise women and other minorities to ask for significantly lower salaries than men....
www.rnz.co.nz
January 26, 2026 at 12:06 AM
AI systems are trained on data that is socially informed not just cold "facts" (ie all of attitudes & stereotypes that support ongoing inequalities based on gender, race, sexuality etc) unsurprising AI chatbots are advising women & minorities to ask for less pay #nzpol
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
www.rnz.co.nz/national/pro...
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
Treat your depression & anxiety by having an AI therapist they said. Depression & anxiety treatment that makes your problem way worse.
“The researchers observed what’s called a ‘dose response,’ meaning the more frequently someone used AI, the stronger their symptoms were.”
Using AI for advice or other personal reasons is linked to depression and anxiety
A new survey found that people who spend more time with chatbots for social interactions or emotional support were likelier to report mental health symptoms.
www.nbcnews.com
January 25, 2026 at 2:10 AM
Treat your depression & anxiety by having an AI therapist they said. Depression & anxiety treatment that makes your problem way worse.
I 💙 Boston
January 24, 2026 at 6:29 PM
I 💙 Boston
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US. www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
TikTok Is Now Collecting Even More Data About Its Users. Here Are the 3 Biggest Changes
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US.
www.wired.com
January 23, 2026 at 9:32 PM
According to its new privacy policy, TikTok now collects more data on its users, including their precise location, after majority ownership officially switched to a group based in the US. www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
Reposted by M. S. AtKisson
I need all the startups in this crowded space to understand that academics do this kind of work for free or very little money *for academia*. Subsidizing your for-profit endeavor is not in my career plan.
January 24, 2026 at 3:41 PM
I need all the startups in this crowded space to understand that academics do this kind of work for free or very little money *for academia*. Subsidizing your for-profit endeavor is not in my career plan.