Ken Burnside
@kenburnside.bsky.social
Game designer @adastragames.com, writer, monkey servant of Theoden Cat, discusser of certain varieties of politics.
Pinned
Ken Burnside
@kenburnside.bsky.social
· Sep 19
@diane.dianeduane.com @robtomshany.bsky.social @owlinautumn.bsky.social @cobrabay.bsky.social @technomuse.bsky.social @spicedrum.bsky.social @doctorscience.bsky.social
Tagging you in for Recounting of the Arizona Minutemen Militia Girl Scout Cookie Burglary.
You may now prepare popcorn.
Tagging you in for Recounting of the Arizona Minutemen Militia Girl Scout Cookie Burglary.
You may now prepare popcorn.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Have you seen what happens to those who've publicly named those in the EPSTEIN circle?
She wasn't claiming that, but Starmer claiming they'd ensure victims got justice once in power, then dropping them like a soiled tissue?
If that's your sympathy...
sussexbylines.co.uk/news/how-dar...
She wasn't claiming that, but Starmer claiming they'd ensure victims got justice once in power, then dropping them like a soiled tissue?
If that's your sympathy...
sussexbylines.co.uk/news/how-dar...
Keir Starmer – how dare you speak about justice?
A letter to Keir Starmer from a Harrods abuse survivor
sussexbylines.co.uk
February 8, 2026 at 4:08 PM
Have you seen what happens to those who've publicly named those in the EPSTEIN circle?
She wasn't claiming that, but Starmer claiming they'd ensure victims got justice once in power, then dropping them like a soiled tissue?
If that's your sympathy...
sussexbylines.co.uk/news/how-dar...
She wasn't claiming that, but Starmer claiming they'd ensure victims got justice once in power, then dropping them like a soiled tissue?
If that's your sympathy...
sussexbylines.co.uk/news/how-dar...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
there is value in people from unexpected demographics signifying allegiance to progressivism; it makes vulnerable people feel safer around them/in public, and it gives others from their demographic “permission” to join them - as most humans won’t swim against a current alone
Angela, the pussy hats weren't very effective. Knitting is cool, especially if you put resistance messages in it, but it's not resistance. It's performative. It's only actually effective if you're a spy and putting messages in or something. Otherwise it's a hobby, and the pussy hats were just silly.
February 8, 2026 at 3:56 PM
there is value in people from unexpected demographics signifying allegiance to progressivism; it makes vulnerable people feel safer around them/in public, and it gives others from their demographic “permission” to join them - as most humans won’t swim against a current alone
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Partisan gerrymandering should be constitutionally barred.
SCOTUS says it isn't.
Until a constitutional amendment changes that we can't have unilateral disarmament.
Which means once Republicans kicked off mid-decade redistricting this was the only possible response
SCOTUS says it isn't.
Until a constitutional amendment changes that we can't have unilateral disarmament.
Which means once Republicans kicked off mid-decade redistricting this was the only possible response
February 8, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Partisan gerrymandering should be constitutionally barred.
SCOTUS says it isn't.
Until a constitutional amendment changes that we can't have unilateral disarmament.
Which means once Republicans kicked off mid-decade redistricting this was the only possible response
SCOTUS says it isn't.
Until a constitutional amendment changes that we can't have unilateral disarmament.
Which means once Republicans kicked off mid-decade redistricting this was the only possible response
If you analyze how NBA shots changed when Steph Curry broke the 3-point shot, he broke basketball! Then he taught his teammate his tricks, and it spread!
(This isn't unique to Curry; the 1970s also had tricks that broke the game as understood at the time!)
(This isn't unique to Curry; the 1970s also had tricks that broke the game as understood at the time!)
And of course the smashing is insanely dangerous. So we need 55 pages of smashing rules that change radically as the game context changes. Players can easily parse this in fractions of a second
It is a shame football did not consult with game designers before making billions each year...
It is a shame football did not consult with game designers before making billions each year...
February 8, 2026 at 3:54 PM
If you analyze how NBA shots changed when Steph Curry broke the 3-point shot, he broke basketball! Then he taught his teammate his tricks, and it spread!
(This isn't unique to Curry; the 1970s also had tricks that broke the game as understood at the time!)
(This isn't unique to Curry; the 1970s also had tricks that broke the game as understood at the time!)
Reposted by Ken Burnside
#Booksky Did you know that we have a terrific urban fantasy set in #Minneapolis? LAST CAR TO ANNWN STATION by @mmerriam.bsky.social is Welsh mythology meets Uptown, circa 2007. Ghostly streetcars, the Hounds of Annwn, fae creatures + a sweet sapphic romance! queenofswordspress.com/product/last...
February 8, 2026 at 12:27 AM
#Booksky Did you know that we have a terrific urban fantasy set in #Minneapolis? LAST CAR TO ANNWN STATION by @mmerriam.bsky.social is Welsh mythology meets Uptown, circa 2007. Ghostly streetcars, the Hounds of Annwn, fae creatures + a sweet sapphic romance! queenofswordspress.com/product/last...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Documents show RFK Jr lied to Congress about his agenda in Samoa—he did indeed go to spread anti-scientific doubts about vaccines. He was ultimately successful in getting an outbreak going there that killed 83 people, mostly babies and young children.
RFK Jr said during his Senate confirmation hearings that his trip to Samoa in 2019 ahead of a devastating measles outbreak had “nothing to do with vaccines." Documents obtained by @us.theguardian.com and @apnews.com undermine that testimony. Details here, by me and @aliswenson.bsky.social ⬇️
Newly revealed emails undermine RFK Jr testimony about 2019 Samoa trip ahead of measles outbreak
Kennedy later said the purpose of his trip had nothing to do with vaccines. US embassy and UN staff at the time said otherwise, emails show
www.theguardian.com
February 6, 2026 at 2:17 PM
Documents show RFK Jr lied to Congress about his agenda in Samoa—he did indeed go to spread anti-scientific doubts about vaccines. He was ultimately successful in getting an outbreak going there that killed 83 people, mostly babies and young children.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Okay, so one of the sports dudes playing tomorrow uses the Merlin app to ID the birds in his yard, so I would like him to win because this is so cute. Also, his team is a bird. www.youtube.com/shorts/7NoPa...
#SuperBowl
#SuperBowl
Seahawks QB Sam Darnold's favorite phone app mocked by girlfriend but now she loves it. #nfl #birds
YouTube video by KING 5 Seattle
www.youtube.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Okay, so one of the sports dudes playing tomorrow uses the Merlin app to ID the birds in his yard, so I would like him to win because this is so cute. Also, his team is a bird. www.youtube.com/shorts/7NoPa...
#SuperBowl
#SuperBowl
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Tax prep companies are terrible, and have lobbied to make our lives more complicated and expensive.
But it's _not true_ that the IRS knows what you need to pay, if you're a freelancer. Or work from home. Or are a teacher. Or have a kid in college. Or have significant medical expenses. Or ...
But it's _not true_ that the IRS knows what you need to pay, if you're a freelancer. Or work from home. Or are a teacher. Or have a kid in college. Or have significant medical expenses. Or ...
The IRS already knows what you need to pay in taxes – so why doesn’t it just tell you instead of putting you through a costly and tax-consuming reporting process?
Answer: Because Congress is catering to tax prep companies.
buff.ly/8koKPYG
#taxes
Answer: Because Congress is catering to tax prep companies.
buff.ly/8koKPYG
#taxes
The IRS already has all your income tax data – so why do Americans still have to file their taxes?
A tax expert explains why the US continues to use such a complex and costly income tax system.
buff.ly
February 8, 2026 at 5:50 AM
Tax prep companies are terrible, and have lobbied to make our lives more complicated and expensive.
But it's _not true_ that the IRS knows what you need to pay, if you're a freelancer. Or work from home. Or are a teacher. Or have a kid in college. Or have significant medical expenses. Or ...
But it's _not true_ that the IRS knows what you need to pay, if you're a freelancer. Or work from home. Or are a teacher. Or have a kid in college. Or have significant medical expenses. Or ...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
We have launched a new fundraiser to support The Washington Post's courageous international employees and local staff who were laid off, who are not eligible for Guild protections, and who face additional logistical challenges and security risks.
Please give & share widely:
gofund.me/e765aab9f
Please give & share widely:
gofund.me/e765aab9f
Donate to Support for Washington Post international employees, organized by Michelle Lee
Among the hundreds of journalists laid off by The Washington Post on … Michelle Lee needs your support for Support for Washington Post international employees
gofund.me
February 5, 2026 at 3:33 PM
We have launched a new fundraiser to support The Washington Post's courageous international employees and local staff who were laid off, who are not eligible for Guild protections, and who face additional logistical challenges and security risks.
Please give & share widely:
gofund.me/e765aab9f
Please give & share widely:
gofund.me/e765aab9f
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Reminder that children, elders and immunocompromised folks etc implicated by their bringing this plague to DC certainly don’t have a fucking choice about this at all.
February 8, 2026 at 4:26 AM
Reminder that children, elders and immunocompromised folks etc implicated by their bringing this plague to DC certainly don’t have a fucking choice about this at all.
The only military force that should be using Smaht Glaaaases is the Russian Army and Russian Air Force. As a force multiplier.
If the US armed forces are considering banning the technology - even from US companies - over OpSec reasons, other governments would be well advised to do the same.
taskandpurpose.com/news/air-for...
taskandpurpose.com/news/air-for...
Air Force bans smart glasses for troops in uniform
The Air Force is banning troops from wearing smart eyewear like Meta AI glasses. Other services allow commanders to dictate device policies.
taskandpurpose.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:41 AM
The only military force that should be using Smaht Glaaaases is the Russian Army and Russian Air Force. As a force multiplier.
@dieworkwear.bsky.social -- what sartorial choices would you give to ALF here?
man I miss Sensual Alf (as opposed to Alf Hog), can we get a round of applause for this linen-pants babe
February 8, 2026 at 5:38 AM
@dieworkwear.bsky.social -- what sartorial choices would you give to ALF here?
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Sure this can happen in the bisexual socialist paradise of Iberville Parish Louisiana but what about Real America?
This looks to be an extraordinary overperformance for Dems. With more than three-fourth of the vote in, the Dem leads by more than 20%.
February 8, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Sure this can happen in the bisexual socialist paradise of Iberville Parish Louisiana but what about Real America?
Reposted by Ken Burnside
“Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last,” Becca Good said. “You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine.”
Renee Good's partner addresses Minneapolis immigration crackdown one month after killing
Becca Good has seldom spoken out since Renee Good was shot and killed by an ICE agent in Minneapolis on Jan. 7.
nbcnews.to
February 7, 2026 at 9:00 PM
“Renee was not the first person killed, and she was not the last,” Becca Good said. “You know my wife’s name and you know Alex’s name, but there are many others in this city being harmed that you don’t know — their families are hurting just like mine, even if they don’t look like mine.”
The Republicans made your health insurance premiums skyrocket to pay for every ICE abuse.
I should also note that 25 U.S. House Republicans whose districts are less than R+15 voted to raise health insurance premiums by up to 800% or more.
acasignups.net/26/01/09/25-...
acasignups.net/26/01/09/25-...
25 vulnerable House Republicans just voted to increase your premiums by up to 800%.
Yesterday, the U.S. House of Representatives finally voted on a clean, 3-year extension of the enhanced ACA tax credits which had been in place for the prior five years, and which over 22 million Amer...
acasignups.net
February 8, 2026 at 4:00 AM
The Republicans made your health insurance premiums skyrocket to pay for every ICE abuse.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
We’re looking at another very big Dem overperformance tonight—in a Trump+13 district. Dem Chasity Martinez is up 61-39 with more than half the vote in. Notably, like in TX last weekend, the e-day vote has been even *better* for her than the early vote. voterportal.sos.la.gov/graphical
February 8, 2026 at 2:50 AM
We’re looking at another very big Dem overperformance tonight—in a Trump+13 district. Dem Chasity Martinez is up 61-39 with more than half the vote in. Notably, like in TX last weekend, the e-day vote has been even *better* for her than the early vote. voterportal.sos.la.gov/graphical
Reposted by Ken Burnside
every study of term limits shows that it makes pols less responsive to constituents and gives lots of power to staffers who have no commitment to constituents.
term limits are a shitty, counterproductive idea. I wish ppl woudl stop treating it like god's brainstorm.
term limits are a shitty, counterproductive idea. I wish ppl woudl stop treating it like god's brainstorm.
If we had term limits for politicians, perhaps they'd spend more time caring about their constituents instead of kissing ass for reelection money from wealthy donors.
I often see ppl say things like, "this pol is only doing this thing/saying this because they think it will be popular"
which...yes? this is why politicians do things or say things.
which...yes? this is why politicians do things or say things.
February 8, 2026 at 2:57 AM
every study of term limits shows that it makes pols less responsive to constituents and gives lots of power to staffers who have no commitment to constituents.
term limits are a shitty, counterproductive idea. I wish ppl woudl stop treating it like god's brainstorm.
term limits are a shitty, counterproductive idea. I wish ppl woudl stop treating it like god's brainstorm.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
I do believe the ruling class is engaged a project to acquire and destroy news media. And the thing is, even if they’re not consciously planning it, that’s the result of their ideology and idiocy
February 8, 2026 at 3:12 AM
I do believe the ruling class is engaged a project to acquire and destroy news media. And the thing is, even if they’re not consciously planning it, that’s the result of their ideology and idiocy
Reposted by Ken Burnside
One of the reasons I am *begging* everyone to stop using “Minneapolis” as a synecdoche for the entire Twin Cities metro area is that leads to inaccurate reporting like this. These are Minnesota State Police, who are under the command of Tim Walz, and this is not happening in Minneapolis.
🚨BREAKING: Local Minneapolis police SWARM ICE protesters making mass arrests in front of ICE prison. One protesters forehead is gushing blood ⬇️
February 7, 2026 at 10:32 PM
One of the reasons I am *begging* everyone to stop using “Minneapolis” as a synecdoche for the entire Twin Cities metro area is that leads to inaccurate reporting like this. These are Minnesota State Police, who are under the command of Tim Walz, and this is not happening in Minneapolis.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Rita Levi-Montalcini was raised by a strict father who disapproved of women in higher ed.
She convinced him to let her study medicine.
She went on to co-discover the Nerve Growth Factor. She received the Nobel Prize in 1986.
She was another immigrant that gifted the US with pioneering work.
🧪
She convinced him to let her study medicine.
She went on to co-discover the Nerve Growth Factor. She received the Nobel Prize in 1986.
She was another immigrant that gifted the US with pioneering work.
🧪
February 8, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Rita Levi-Montalcini was raised by a strict father who disapproved of women in higher ed.
She convinced him to let her study medicine.
She went on to co-discover the Nerve Growth Factor. She received the Nobel Prize in 1986.
She was another immigrant that gifted the US with pioneering work.
🧪
She convinced him to let her study medicine.
She went on to co-discover the Nerve Growth Factor. She received the Nobel Prize in 1986.
She was another immigrant that gifted the US with pioneering work.
🧪
Reposted by Ken Burnside
I still haven't forgotten that he voted for the Laken Riley act.
SEN. OSSOFF: “.. why are roving gangs of masked men — who look like they couldn’t pass the Army physical exam — dressed up like pretend Delta Force operators, on our streets, demanding papers, dragging people from their cars, and shooting people to death?”
@acyn.bsky.social
@acyn.bsky.social
February 8, 2026 at 2:49 AM
I still haven't forgotten that he voted for the Laken Riley act.
I had a story idea about the SECOND wave of human interstellar exploration, where they follow the path of a first wave exploration ship, and find civilization after ruined civilization.
And discover the first ship, centuries ago, spread social media like a virgin field memetic pathogen...
And discover the first ship, centuries ago, spread social media like a virgin field memetic pathogen...
probably. but people were eating horse paste before chatgpt, so it might be social media, actually
February 8, 2026 at 2:47 AM
I had a story idea about the SECOND wave of human interstellar exploration, where they follow the path of a first wave exploration ship, and find civilization after ruined civilization.
And discover the first ship, centuries ago, spread social media like a virgin field memetic pathogen...
And discover the first ship, centuries ago, spread social media like a virgin field memetic pathogen...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Amazing how many comrades helped make this happen. Folks on the ground in Texas - I have no idea who they are - got the person food and shelter and a phone. Someone whose name I’ve already forgotten have me the person’s details for me to get the ticket. Others made sure they got on the plane safely.
The first person I donated miles for is safely home. That's a good feeling.
DID YOU KNOW?
If you have Delta Sky Miles, you can donate them to help a kidnapped-and-released person fly home!
They are set free on the streets of El Paso or another Texas town with no phone, no money, nothing at all. Your miles can get them back to their loved ones!
If you have Delta Sky Miles, you can donate them to help a kidnapped-and-released person fly home!
They are set free on the streets of El Paso or another Texas town with no phone, no money, nothing at all. Your miles can get them back to their loved ones!
February 8, 2026 at 2:33 AM
Amazing how many comrades helped make this happen. Folks on the ground in Texas - I have no idea who they are - got the person food and shelter and a phone. Someone whose name I’ve already forgotten have me the person’s details for me to get the ticket. Others made sure they got on the plane safely.
LLM based chatbots are the Great Filter.
Change my mind.
Change my mind.
according to a pediatric ER doctor my wife follows on Instagram they have started to see children coming in sick because their parents are asking ChatGPT what the correct dosage is on over the counter medication instead of just looking at the instructions on the bottle
One of the easiest ways to shoot down the idea that "AI" is an expert is to show how it deals with something people know about.
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
Younger readers may not get this as most appliances come pre-wired, but anyone 35+ can see these are chaotic fire hazards.
From Mastodon, AI asked how to wire a plug:
February 8, 2026 at 2:40 AM
LLM based chatbots are the Great Filter.
Change my mind.
Change my mind.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Concentration camps:
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
Exclusive: Detention Center Captives Are Throwing Lotion Bottles Wrapped With Notes to Organizers Outside Otay Mesa Facility ~ L.A. TACO
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh," an Otay Mesa captive communicated through handwritten note. "We are all in one big room with no doors...
lataco.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Concentration camps:
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."
“For 280 days we haven’t eaten a single piece of fruit, banana, apple, orange, or anything fresh. We are all in one big room with no doors or windows. We can’t see any grass or trees. We are all constantly sick."