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
November 26, 2025 at 5:47 AM
As the winds of fall hint at the bitterness of winters yet to come, the geese go southing bearing all the rage of Canada, and we march ever wearily and warily towards the Blackest of Fridays...
Remember the immortal words of Shakespeare:
"Now is the season of our discount tents."
Remember the immortal words of Shakespeare:
"Now is the season of our discount tents."
November 26, 2025 at 6:16 AM
As the winds of fall hint at the bitterness of winters yet to come, the geese go southing bearing all the rage of Canada, and we march ever wearily and warily towards the Blackest of Fridays...
Remember the immortal words of Shakespeare:
"Now is the season of our discount tents."
Remember the immortal words of Shakespeare:
"Now is the season of our discount tents."
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Jodie is a highly respected professor of teaching mathematics. Jodie understands every aspect of pedagogy & assessment.
Stanford, with a BA in Pols, doesn’t even under how NCEA works.
Listen to Jodie. #nzpol #nzed
Stanford, with a BA in Pols, doesn’t even under how NCEA works.
Listen to Jodie. #nzpol #nzed
"it's very problematic to say that these children have made one to two years progress, when potentially looking at what has been released, they are only testing the children in one very small area of mathematics, which is numbers," Hunter said."
#nzpol
#nzpol
Maths professor says Education Minister's claims a school trial is 'groundbreaking' is problematic
Erica Stanford said the results showed the government's focus on fixing the basics is working.
www.rnz.co.nz
November 25, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Reposted by Ken Burnside
This should be a major scandal. The Blaze falsely reported that a former U.S. Capitol Police officer was the Jan. 6th pipe bomber. But it wasn’t just another miss by conservative media promoting conspiracies.
Someone in US intel - at ODNI - was promoting it:
www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...
Someone in US intel - at ODNI - was promoting it:
www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...
November 25, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This should be a major scandal. The Blaze falsely reported that a former U.S. Capitol Police officer was the Jan. 6th pipe bomber. But it wasn’t just another miss by conservative media promoting conspiracies.
Someone in US intel - at ODNI - was promoting it:
www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...
Someone in US intel - at ODNI - was promoting it:
www.cbsnews.com/news/jan-6-p...
A reporter, rushed for time, asked Mel Brooks:
"Boxers or briefs?"
"Depends!"
When I'm in my 90s, I hope I'm as quick with the quip.
"Boxers or briefs?"
"Depends!"
When I'm in my 90s, I hope I'm as quick with the quip.
November 26, 2025 at 6:08 AM
A reporter, rushed for time, asked Mel Brooks:
"Boxers or briefs?"
"Depends!"
When I'm in my 90s, I hope I'm as quick with the quip.
"Boxers or briefs?"
"Depends!"
When I'm in my 90s, I hope I'm as quick with the quip.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
I wonder if tech creeps are gonna do what the automotive industry did when they invented the crime of jaywalking to shift the blame for safety issues onto the public
re: roblox dude's interview crashout. the thing he wants to say but can't is "at scale, kids are gonna get hurt. that is the price for scale." the thing nobody wants to say out loud is "maybe scaling to a level where harm isn't manageable is bad, and scale should be contained"
November 21, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I wonder if tech creeps are gonna do what the automotive industry did when they invented the crime of jaywalking to shift the blame for safety issues onto the public
Reposted by Ken Burnside
2 ongoing convos are dovetailing rn:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
November 22, 2025 at 9:21 PM
2 ongoing convos are dovetailing rn:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
1. a holiday shopping $ blackout aimed at big business;
2. worry over small presses closing or paring down.
Let's talk direct action: YOU CAN DO BOTH😀
IT'S VITAL TO SUPPORT indie pubs that encourage risk & diversity. Here's a 🧵 of em you can support directly:
Put me in mind of this:
November 26, 2025 at 4:05 AM
Put me in mind of this:
Reposted by Ken Burnside
This is what our secretary of defense is spending time worrying about.
November 26, 2025 at 3:54 AM
This is what our secretary of defense is spending time worrying about.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 10:35 PM
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Hey just fyi, I have a shop and could use a few bucks if you want stickers or pins or other fun little things I’ve designed.
blackmudpuppy.myshopify.com
blackmudpuppy.myshopify.com
BlackMudpuppy
BlackMudpuppy
blackmudpuppy.myshopify.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:51 PM
Hey just fyi, I have a shop and could use a few bucks if you want stickers or pins or other fun little things I’ve designed.
blackmudpuppy.myshopify.com
blackmudpuppy.myshopify.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:17 AM
Reposted by Ken Burnside
“We’re living in a country where we have people who literally can’t afford to breathe.”
“I can’t afford my oxygen”: The human toll of health insurance profits
A veteran physician explains how our system inflates costs and leaves Americans sicker and poorer.
www.motherjones.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
“We’re living in a country where we have people who literally can’t afford to breathe.”
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Just set up Gauntlet for tomorrow's Scenario playtest.
Here's a photo of the initial setup.
I have been assured, over the last 22 years, that 3D doesn't make any difference in a spaceship fight...
This is for the Exile's Stars setting.
Here's a photo of the initial setup.
I have been assured, over the last 22 years, that 3D doesn't make any difference in a spaceship fight...
This is for the Exile's Stars setting.
November 26, 2025 at 2:00 AM
Just set up Gauntlet for tomorrow's Scenario playtest.
Here's a photo of the initial setup.
I have been assured, over the last 22 years, that 3D doesn't make any difference in a spaceship fight...
This is for the Exile's Stars setting.
Here's a photo of the initial setup.
I have been assured, over the last 22 years, that 3D doesn't make any difference in a spaceship fight...
This is for the Exile's Stars setting.
May the judge laugh this attempt at avoiding the lawsuit out of court at such a velocity that we see Cerenkov radiation.
OpenAI says a 16-year-old who died by suicide after using ChatGPT misused the app and so, the company argues, his parents can't sue. www.nbcnews.com/tech/tech-ne... via @angelayang.bsky.social
OpenAI denies allegations that ChatGPT is to blame for a teenager's suicide
The family of Adam Raine filed a lawsuit against the AI company in August. On Tuesday, OpenAI said in a new court filing that is not responsible for the teen's death.
www.nbcnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:11 AM
May the judge laugh this attempt at avoiding the lawsuit out of court at such a velocity that we see Cerenkov radiation.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.)
RTs appreciated.
RTs appreciated.
November 26, 2025 at 12:18 AM
Scientists: have you been the target of an online harassment campaign, doxxing, or weaponized FOIA requests? I'd like to talk to you about steps you had to take to protect your digital security for an upcoming Nature story. (You can be anonymous if necessary.)
RTs appreciated.
RTs appreciated.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Reposted by Ken Burnside
yes. if not for my husband’s health insurance/salary + some money my family gave me while i built my business, it’s unlikely i would be where i am—something for which i’m all too aware, and all too grateful. success in writing = talent + perseverance + coverage of human necessities.
And the folks who are actually writing full-time generally only got there after years of day jobs, family support, or both.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
The point of sharing this is not to demoralize anyone, but to let emerging writers know they're not failing if they can't make a living off writing alone. Almost no one can.
almost every novelist you read who's not from the airport fiction or bestseller sections is working a full on day job, including multi-award winners and absolute legends, or they have a spouse or trust that supports them. virtually across the board. just normalize in your mind that's how it works.
November 25, 2025 at 11:51 PM
yes. if not for my husband’s health insurance/salary + some money my family gave me while i built my business, it’s unlikely i would be where i am—something for which i’m all too aware, and all too grateful. success in writing = talent + perseverance + coverage of human necessities.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
the vinyl edition of the dolly parton/emmylou harris/linda ronstadt album comea with a really incredible inner sleeve
November 25, 2025 at 2:37 AM
the vinyl edition of the dolly parton/emmylou harris/linda ronstadt album comea with a really incredible inner sleeve
Reposted by Ken Burnside
My books do pretty well, but the backbone of my income is from film and television criticism on my Patreon, so I'm a full-time writer, but I'm doing two separate careers.
I know we know this, but authors need to get better at talking about how they actually make their money. Stop pretending it's from the books.
November 25, 2025 at 10:09 PM
My books do pretty well, but the backbone of my income is from film and television criticism on my Patreon, so I'm a full-time writer, but I'm doing two separate careers.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
FINAL ENCORE
(Short Story)
$0.99
Deep in the throes of the zombie apocalypse, a brother and sister leave their community refuge on a mission to their hometown. There, they’ll deliver a performance for the ages.
Amazon - a.co/d/3f06ACx
*Please share & Review
(Short Story)
$0.99
Deep in the throes of the zombie apocalypse, a brother and sister leave their community refuge on a mission to their hometown. There, they’ll deliver a performance for the ages.
Amazon - a.co/d/3f06ACx
*Please share & Review
November 25, 2025 at 11:55 PM
FINAL ENCORE
(Short Story)
$0.99
Deep in the throes of the zombie apocalypse, a brother and sister leave their community refuge on a mission to their hometown. There, they’ll deliver a performance for the ages.
Amazon - a.co/d/3f06ACx
*Please share & Review
(Short Story)
$0.99
Deep in the throes of the zombie apocalypse, a brother and sister leave their community refuge on a mission to their hometown. There, they’ll deliver a performance for the ages.
Amazon - a.co/d/3f06ACx
*Please share & Review
Reposted by Ken Burnside
We want to find the people who loved DCist — but don’t yet know The 51st exists.
They walk among us: Our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. Do you know any of them personally, and can you help reunite them with local journalism? If you do it, you could earn rewards via our new referral program.
They walk among us: Our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. Do you know any of them personally, and can you help reunite them with local journalism? If you do it, you could earn rewards via our new referral program.
November 25, 2025 at 10:45 PM
We want to find the people who loved DCist — but don’t yet know The 51st exists.
They walk among us: Our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. Do you know any of them personally, and can you help reunite them with local journalism? If you do it, you could earn rewards via our new referral program.
They walk among us: Our neighbors, colleagues, and friends. Do you know any of them personally, and can you help reunite them with local journalism? If you do it, you could earn rewards via our new referral program.
It takes three to four purchases of a book to trigger a restock at a book store. It takes about two purchases of a game to trigger a restock at a game store.
Don't pirate game PDFs either.
Don't pirate game PDFs either.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:51 PM
It takes three to four purchases of a book to trigger a restock at a book store. It takes about two purchases of a game to trigger a restock at a game store.
Don't pirate game PDFs either.
Don't pirate game PDFs either.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Do you know how much of the cover price goes to a trad published writer? About 10-15%.
The various types of indie pub get a higher percentage (but have to do more work with virtually zero publicity budget).
How many publishers have been put out of business by piracy? Not a lot. Writers, tho'...
The various types of indie pub get a higher percentage (but have to do more work with virtually zero publicity budget).
How many publishers have been put out of business by piracy? Not a lot. Writers, tho'...
November 25, 2025 at 11:45 PM
Do you know how much of the cover price goes to a trad published writer? About 10-15%.
The various types of indie pub get a higher percentage (but have to do more work with virtually zero publicity budget).
How many publishers have been put out of business by piracy? Not a lot. Writers, tho'...
The various types of indie pub get a higher percentage (but have to do more work with virtually zero publicity budget).
How many publishers have been put out of business by piracy? Not a lot. Writers, tho'...
Wisdom arrives when it is least expected...
I just realised Derek is a shirt poster.
November 25, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Wisdom arrives when it is least expected...