Purely Speculative
@joleigh.bsky.social
A mostly lurking book gremlin.
she/her
she/her
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Literally buying one copy of a book at your local indie bookstore can mean the difference in whether they buy future books from that author.
November 24, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Literally buying one copy of a book at your local indie bookstore can mean the difference in whether they buy future books from that author.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
I am seriously considering hosting a weekly meet up at the library where people come and ask me questions and if I can't answer them, we learn how ti look it up.
This is so soulless, I can't stand it. We have BRAINS. We can USE THEM.
November 25, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I am seriously considering hosting a weekly meet up at the library where people come and ask me questions and if I can't answer them, we learn how ti look it up.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
(A) stop feeling pressure to be perfect;
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
This is so soulless, I can't stand it. We have BRAINS. We can USE THEM.
November 25, 2025 at 5:56 PM
(A) stop feeling pressure to be perfect;
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
(B) normalize asking questions, because that is normalizing learning;
(C) do not ask AI if your turkey is done; ask a meat thermometer
Seriously, it’s everywhere and if you genuinely didn’t know, that’s okay. The only way to get better is by learning and this is a great place to start.
November 25, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Seriously, it’s everywhere and if you genuinely didn’t know, that’s okay. The only way to get better is by learning and this is a great place to start.
An accurate, reliable search engine should be a public good.
November 25, 2025 at 3:28 PM
An accurate, reliable search engine should be a public good.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
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 Purely Speculative
This is the kind of stuff that really radicalizes me and should infuriate any decent person: Big Pharma’s abuse of the patent system.
I know this sounds naive, but something has got to change… there’s no constituency for Big Pharma!
And no one, except for the lobbyists, wants higher drug prices.
I know this sounds naive, but something has got to change… there’s no constituency for Big Pharma!
And no one, except for the lobbyists, wants higher drug prices.
Big Pharma Can Tweak Drugs to Keep Generics Off the Market
Taking advantage of a broken patent system, Big Pharma is making minor tweaks to medications just to keep affordable generics off the market, a new report suggests. They’ve made billions of dollars in...
bit.ly
November 25, 2025 at 3:12 AM
This is the kind of stuff that really radicalizes me and should infuriate any decent person: Big Pharma’s abuse of the patent system.
I know this sounds naive, but something has got to change… there’s no constituency for Big Pharma!
And no one, except for the lobbyists, wants higher drug prices.
I know this sounds naive, but something has got to change… there’s no constituency for Big Pharma!
And no one, except for the lobbyists, wants higher drug prices.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Ayanna needs to jump in because Markey's cooked
UNH poll | 11/13-11/17 LV
Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary
Ed Markey 34% (incumbent)
Seth Moulton 25%
Alex Rikleen 2%
Write in someone else 3%
Don’t know/undecided 35%
scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcont...
Massachusetts Democratic Senate primary
Ed Markey 34% (incumbent)
Seth Moulton 25%
Alex Rikleen 2%
Write in someone else 3%
Don’t know/undecided 35%
scholars.unh.edu/cgi/viewcont...
November 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Ayanna needs to jump in because Markey's cooked
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Public libraries are fucking awesome, and something we should all be proud this country actually decided to do. With so much terrible history, this is an unmitigated good, and librarians are a pretty amazing example of what public service can be. Give them love.
Some people don't know this so it's worth saying out loud that Public libraries are free to use. And even if you have never used a library, the librarians at your local library will be very happy to see you and help you get started.
November 25, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Public libraries are fucking awesome, and something we should all be proud this country actually decided to do. With so much terrible history, this is an unmitigated good, and librarians are a pretty amazing example of what public service can be. Give them love.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
November 25, 2025 at 1:39 AM
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.
🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...
Reposted by Purely Speculative
This is an older article I still link to all the time because it continues to be so relevant. electricliterature.com/taylor-swift...
November 25, 2025 at 1:08 AM
This is an older article I still link to all the time because it continues to be so relevant. electricliterature.com/taylor-swift...
Reposted by Purely Speculative
November 24, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Bigger than this, I think people should be more skeptical of online leftism that says, "Actually, under capitalism I don't owe other people anything." Oh, your communal philosophy says you can be interpersonally vicious and steal from other people? How convenient!
Always worth taking a moment to remind you if you’re pirating authors’ book you’re a shitty person. You can rail that our profession isn’t a profession all you want. You can paint yourself as an online revolutionary liberating ideas. It’s all bullshit.
You’re just a shitty person who hates writers.
You’re just a shitty person who hates writers.
November 24, 2025 at 3:44 PM
Bigger than this, I think people should be more skeptical of online leftism that says, "Actually, under capitalism I don't owe other people anything." Oh, your communal philosophy says you can be interpersonally vicious and steal from other people? How convenient!
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Fear is contagious, but so is courage. I remain steadfast in my oath to the Constitution and am grateful to those across the nation who stand with us. Don't give up the ship.
November 24, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Fear is contagious, but so is courage. I remain steadfast in my oath to the Constitution and am grateful to those across the nation who stand with us. Don't give up the ship.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Sen. Mark Kelly has released a statement.
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
November 24, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Sen. Mark Kelly has released a statement.
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
"If this is meant to intimidate me and other members of Congress from doing our jobs and holding this administration accountable, it won't work. I've given too much to this country to be silenced by bullies..."
Reposted by Purely Speculative
I did this in both of my classes this semester. It was super successful. The students had to ask an LLM about a subject they already knew well, like their favorite musician, movie, sports team, or something else they had previously researched.
November 24, 2025 at 12:46 AM
I did this in both of my classes this semester. It was super successful. The students had to ask an LLM about a subject they already knew well, like their favorite musician, movie, sports team, or something else they had previously researched.
Desperate for CA to take MA’s millionaire tax and implement our own to lower the cost of UCs/CSUs for residents.
Really important to stress that the Crown Jewels of the US higher education system were never the Ivies or elite SLACs (other countries have equivalents of these) but the well-funded, large, cheap, and excellently staffed public state university systems bringing high quality education to the masses.
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Desperate for CA to take MA’s millionaire tax and implement our own to lower the cost of UCs/CSUs for residents.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Hey yall not what I wanted to do on my birthday but let it be clear
"Death of the artist" is all well & good but you cannot Seperate the art from the artist when the artist is still alive, a terf & every penny they recieve reinforces their beliefs & is used to actively harm Trans folks!
Let it Go!
"Death of the artist" is all well & good but you cannot Seperate the art from the artist when the artist is still alive, a terf & every penny they recieve reinforces their beliefs & is used to actively harm Trans folks!
Let it Go!
'Harry Potter' author J.K. Rowling says 'a ton' of fans are 'still with me' after trans remarks
J.K. Rowling addressed her controversial comments about transgender women on 'The Witch Trials of J.K. Rowling' podcast, saying many 'Harry Potter' fans were 'grateful that I'd said what I said,' and ...
share.google
November 23, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Hey yall not what I wanted to do on my birthday but let it be clear
"Death of the artist" is all well & good but you cannot Seperate the art from the artist when the artist is still alive, a terf & every penny they recieve reinforces their beliefs & is used to actively harm Trans folks!
Let it Go!
"Death of the artist" is all well & good but you cannot Seperate the art from the artist when the artist is still alive, a terf & every penny they recieve reinforces their beliefs & is used to actively harm Trans folks!
Let it Go!
Has there been a potato named for @darthbluesky.bsky.social yet?
CORRECTION: A *third* potato has been named after Prince.
November 23, 2025 at 2:19 AM
Has there been a potato named for @darthbluesky.bsky.social yet?
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Friendly reminder that dishwashers made after 1995 or so are so water and energy efficient that even if you ran them twice fully loaded it would still use less water than handwashing the same load.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
November 12, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Friendly reminder that dishwashers made after 1995 or so are so water and energy efficient that even if you ran them twice fully loaded it would still use less water than handwashing the same load.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Guaranteeing affordable prices for essentials addresses inequality without dividing society. Free buses or childcare are universal.
They benefit everyone and create solidarity across income, race, and religion — a unifying rather than exclusionary economic agenda.
They benefit everyone and create solidarity across income, race, and religion — a unifying rather than exclusionary economic agenda.
November 6, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Guaranteeing affordable prices for essentials addresses inequality without dividing society. Free buses or childcare are universal.
They benefit everyone and create solidarity across income, race, and religion — a unifying rather than exclusionary economic agenda.
They benefit everyone and create solidarity across income, race, and religion — a unifying rather than exclusionary economic agenda.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
November 21, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Word of the day is ‘quockerwodger’ (19th century): a puppet politician whose strings are pulled entirely by someone else.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Relying on ChatGPT to teach you about a topic leaves you with shallower knowledge than Googling and reading about it, according to new research that compared what more than 10,000 people knew after using one method or the other.
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
Shared by @gizmodo.com: buff.ly/yAAHtHq
November 21, 2025 at 12:49 PM
It’s widely known (and, I think, pretty uncontroversial) that learning requires effort — specifically, if you don’t have to work at getting the knowledge, it won’t stick.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Even if an LLM could be trusted to give you correct information 100% of the time, it would be an inferior method of learning it.
Reposted by Purely Speculative
Not much to say about Trans Day of Remembrance anymore besides “try loving and celebrating us while we are alive”
November 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Not much to say about Trans Day of Remembrance anymore besides “try loving and celebrating us while we are alive”
Reposted by Purely Speculative
We’re hearing helicopters and word is spreading of massive ICE raids tomorrow and Friday particularly in Gwinnett. These excessive raids put all of us in danger. Spread the word, look out for each other, and remember your rights.
November 20, 2025 at 2:53 AM
We’re hearing helicopters and word is spreading of massive ICE raids tomorrow and Friday particularly in Gwinnett. These excessive raids put all of us in danger. Spread the word, look out for each other, and remember your rights.