Mark Tough
@marktough.bsky.social
Doin' stuff at the nexus of tech, community development, and education. Geezer Xer. Iowa farm boy, 33-year Baltimore City rowhomie. Indie music, Patterson Park, pinball, disc golf, hiking, cat appreciating, econ/soc.
I signed with Motown and now I'm being accused of Stax evasion.
I jumped out the bathroom window when he shouted "Here's Johnny" and now I'm being accused of axe evasion.
I let my body hair grow and now I’m being accused of wax evasion.
December 11, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I signed with Motown and now I'm being accused of Stax evasion.
Not an illustartor, but way back in the day in college in NYC for a semester, I'd put on the Walkman and hop on the N, RR, or D for a long roundtrip and do my homework so . . . .
Any other illustrators who find having something playing on another monitor helps them focus on intense detail-oriented work for longer?
I can't do this for creative brainstorming stages, but do for inking & more mechanical stages.
Right now on my 2nd monitor: episodes of Angel. 😁
I can't do this for creative brainstorming stages, but do for inking & more mechanical stages.
Right now on my 2nd monitor: episodes of Angel. 😁
December 11, 2025 at 1:29 PM
Not an illustartor, but way back in the day in college in NYC for a semester, I'd put on the Walkman and hop on the N, RR, or D for a long roundtrip and do my homework so . . . .
The eventual college super-conference:
"Today we announce the merger . . .
Of the SEC and the Big Ten . . .
Ladies and Gentlemen, we present:
The Big N!"
"Today we announce the merger . . .
Of the SEC and the Big Ten . . .
Ladies and Gentlemen, we present:
The Big N!"
December 9, 2025 at 9:00 PM
The eventual college super-conference:
"Today we announce the merger . . .
Of the SEC and the Big Ten . . .
Ladies and Gentlemen, we present:
The Big N!"
"Today we announce the merger . . .
Of the SEC and the Big Ten . . .
Ladies and Gentlemen, we present:
The Big N!"
Vibes with my longstanding assertion that our timeline is more Pynchon than Huxley et al., though I must admit that straight-up Orwellianism has returned to the front of the peloton if not quite the breakaway.
As I've remarked before, our science fiction dystopia seems doomed not to be the world of Terminator or Black Mirror or Blade Runner, but rather Futurama.
December 9, 2025 at 1:37 PM
Vibes with my longstanding assertion that our timeline is more Pynchon than Huxley et al., though I must admit that straight-up Orwellianism has returned to the front of the peloton if not quite the breakaway.
Multitasking while watching my Cyclones D I S M A N T L E national number one Purdue!
December 6, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Multitasking while watching my Cyclones D I S M A N T L E national number one Purdue!
Not really a vodka drinker but it's been a VERY long day. Accompanied by Alien Lanes and other Dayton indie.
December 5, 2025 at 3:58 AM
Not really a vodka drinker but it's been a VERY long day. Accompanied by Alien Lanes and other Dayton indie.
Philadelphia, P-A (dancing in the street)/
BALTIMORE
and D.C. now (dancing in the street)/
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
BALTIMORE
and D.C. now (dancing in the street)/
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
This is one of those things that I think is quietly important – when these people are talking shit about cities, Portland or Minneapolis or New York or Charlotte or wherever, you have to loudly say, “no, fuck you, you’re lying, that town and its people whip ass and you’re the asshole”
“I walk around Portland, and I go, ‘Fuck you, assholes. Portland is fine.’” - John Darnielle, @themountaingoats.bsky.social. We're proud to claim you as a Portlander, sir.
December 3, 2025 at 5:05 PM
Philadelphia, P-A (dancing in the street)/
BALTIMORE
and D.C. now (dancing in the street)/
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
BALTIMORE
and D.C. now (dancing in the street)/
Can't forget the Motor City (dancing in the street)
I'm pro AP and strongly pro press freedom.
But man, that's an unfortunate place for a typo.
But man, that's an unfortunate place for a typo.
![Screen shot of a Giving Tuesday request pop-up from "AP's Exectutive [sic] Editor".](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cxnidfztugnil3tuez3kq55s/bafkreihvoixhw42ehkhrrn7etw73xqva3wsbtganbpfcmegig5cq6byxhe@jpeg)
December 2, 2025 at 11:11 AM
I'm pro AP and strongly pro press freedom.
But man, that's an unfortunate place for a typo.
But man, that's an unfortunate place for a typo.
What could go wrong?
It looks like someone invented a fake Russia advance in Ukraine to manipulate online gambling markets.
'Unauthorized' Edit to Ukraine's Frontline Maps Point to Polymarket's War Betting
It looks like someone invented a fake Russia advance in Ukraine to manipulate online gambling markets.
www.404media.co
December 1, 2025 at 6:41 PM
What could go wrong?
Reposted by Mark Tough
I think you're both right.
One of the things about truly disruptive technology is that virtually all early attempts at substantiating it as part of a bigger thing are exploding prototypes.
The steam engine was around for literally hundreds of years before it was a stable staple.
One of the things about truly disruptive technology is that virtually all early attempts at substantiating it as part of a bigger thing are exploding prototypes.
The steam engine was around for literally hundreds of years before it was a stable staple.
November 30, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I think you're both right.
One of the things about truly disruptive technology is that virtually all early attempts at substantiating it as part of a bigger thing are exploding prototypes.
The steam engine was around for literally hundreds of years before it was a stable staple.
One of the things about truly disruptive technology is that virtually all early attempts at substantiating it as part of a bigger thing are exploding prototypes.
The steam engine was around for literally hundreds of years before it was a stable staple.
Dammit, am I gonna start pretending the Ravens are relevant again?
November 30, 2025 at 11:14 PM
Dammit, am I gonna start pretending the Ravens are relevant again?
Sleety, mucky.
IRL Slop.
IRL Slop.
November 30, 2025 at 1:33 PM
Sleety, mucky.
IRL Slop.
IRL Slop.
Belated TG post: despite [everything everything everything everything], I'm so thankful our caramel-cream Emily's triple mastectomy three weeks ago went very well and that she is already her badass self again. (Cisco be rockin' too).
November 29, 2025 at 3:49 AM
Belated TG post: despite [everything everything everything everything], I'm so thankful our caramel-cream Emily's triple mastectomy three weeks ago went very well and that she is already her badass self again. (Cisco be rockin' too).
Reposted by Mark Tough
So, to be clear. Launch pads are not supposed to do this.
Also you're supposed to have a Progress launch to ISS in about... twenty days or so.
Also you're supposed to have a Progress launch to ISS in about... twenty days or so.
After the launch of MS-29, uh, something went wrong with part of the pad having somehow fallen in the flame trench.
And well, it's the only pad that Russia has capable of flying Soyuz or Progress, which is a bit of a problem (especially for station).
And well, it's the only pad that Russia has capable of flying Soyuz or Progress, which is a bit of a problem (especially for station).
November 27, 2025 at 4:46 PM
So, to be clear. Launch pads are not supposed to do this.
Also you're supposed to have a Progress launch to ISS in about... twenty days or so.
Also you're supposed to have a Progress launch to ISS in about... twenty days or so.
Bigger TG tomorrow. Today, my wife Jeni and I are eating with her dad at his exurban assisted living facility. Just we three. A dozen years ago, it was we three, plus Jeni's mom and their other two assigned tablemates: an old neighbor ... and John Roberts' mom. That would be much weirder now.
November 27, 2025 at 4:18 PM
Bigger TG tomorrow. Today, my wife Jeni and I are eating with her dad at his exurban assisted living facility. Just we three. A dozen years ago, it was we three, plus Jeni's mom and their other two assigned tablemates: an old neighbor ... and John Roberts' mom. That would be much weirder now.
I love Morgan State. And I used to be a work neighbor of Morgan State.
Those things said, the notion that the university will "run entirely" on the AI is impossible on its face and I don't know if I hope this hyperbole was Wolfe's or Morgan State's.
Those things said, the notion that the university will "run entirely" on the AI is impossible on its face and I don't know if I hope this hyperbole was Wolfe's or Morgan State's.
Morgan State University is one of the first colleges in the country to create its own sovereign artificial intelligence system. The university will soon run entirely on the AI, called Obsidian, which will advise students and grade assignments.
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
www.thebanner.com/education/hi...
Morgan State could one day run entirely on AI
The historically Black college may be one of the few universities in the country, perhaps even the world, that has its own sovereign AI.
www.thebanner.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I love Morgan State. And I used to be a work neighbor of Morgan State.
Those things said, the notion that the university will "run entirely" on the AI is impossible on its face and I don't know if I hope this hyperbole was Wolfe's or Morgan State's.
Those things said, the notion that the university will "run entirely" on the AI is impossible on its face and I don't know if I hope this hyperbole was Wolfe's or Morgan State's.
I've paid attention in varying degrees to The Atlantic since roughly 1979/80, the start of my high school debate era. It's always frustrated me, albeit in different ways over time. I didn't hate the early years of the Goldberg era. But the last 5ish years have been tough. Canceling today...finally.
Jeff Goldberg, the editor of the Atlantic, is a villain who has helped create American fascism.
Kudos to Kennedy's handlers for getting him a cover shoot -- praying with a rosary! -- at the same time he's at the center of a 🤢 cyber infidelity scandal. No notes.
November 24, 2025 at 10:57 PM
I've paid attention in varying degrees to The Atlantic since roughly 1979/80, the start of my high school debate era. It's always frustrated me, albeit in different ways over time. I didn't hate the early years of the Goldberg era. But the last 5ish years have been tough. Canceling today...finally.
I JUST DID THIS at the Pulaski East Baltimore City Autozone two days ago! There was no posted prohibition. The darkness has not fully descended.
November 21, 2025 at 5:25 PM
I JUST DID THIS at the Pulaski East Baltimore City Autozone two days ago! There was no posted prohibition. The darkness has not fully descended.
This is interesting and potentially valuable, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish Niskanen had opted for illustrating ranges on a color spectrum rather than the binary best-vs-AllTheRest approach. They could still rhetorically single out the top tier.
The potential benefits of migration are not identical everywhere.
This remarkable new resource from @niskanencenter.bsky.social maps the US counties where the economic benefits of immigration might be highest —>
www.niskanencenter.org/mapping-amer...
This remarkable new resource from @niskanencenter.bsky.social maps the US counties where the economic benefits of immigration might be highest —>
www.niskanencenter.org/mapping-amer...
November 21, 2025 at 4:08 PM
This is interesting and potentially valuable, but I REALLY REALLY REALLY wish Niskanen had opted for illustrating ranges on a color spectrum rather than the binary best-vs-AllTheRest approach. They could still rhetorically single out the top tier.
SO PROUD of my neighborhood! I don't know Buzz but I hope to soon!
I’m howling.
November 20, 2025 at 4:21 PM
SO PROUD of my neighborhood! I don't know Buzz but I hope to soon!
Reposted by Mark Tough
Meanwhile, consider this.
A GREAT NUMBER of beltway scribes wasted time last fall obsessing abt Nuzzi's sexting life rather than focusing on dangers of electing a fascist.
And now, Condé Nast has chosen Nuzzi over Tean Vogue's exceptional political reporting (and the 5 journos who stood up for it).
A GREAT NUMBER of beltway scribes wasted time last fall obsessing abt Nuzzi's sexting life rather than focusing on dangers of electing a fascist.
And now, Condé Nast has chosen Nuzzi over Tean Vogue's exceptional political reporting (and the 5 journos who stood up for it).
November 18, 2025 at 1:27 PM
Meanwhile, consider this.
A GREAT NUMBER of beltway scribes wasted time last fall obsessing abt Nuzzi's sexting life rather than focusing on dangers of electing a fascist.
And now, Condé Nast has chosen Nuzzi over Tean Vogue's exceptional political reporting (and the 5 journos who stood up for it).
A GREAT NUMBER of beltway scribes wasted time last fall obsessing abt Nuzzi's sexting life rather than focusing on dangers of electing a fascist.
And now, Condé Nast has chosen Nuzzi over Tean Vogue's exceptional political reporting (and the 5 journos who stood up for it).
Cloudfare don't Cerf.
Oh good, that definitely makes it easier for me to get my work done today… 😭
Remember when we had a decentralised Internet, that routed around failure points? That was pretty natty, we should look at that again, maybe?
Remember when we had a decentralised Internet, that routed around failure points? That was pretty natty, we should look at that again, maybe?
November 18, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Cloudfare don't Cerf.
The Power of Mark.
November 17, 2025 at 12:12 AM
The Power of Mark.
HOUSE OF DYNAMITE Microreview (no spoilers):
YAY:
- Basic story architecture
- Reasonable versimilitude of the geek stuff
- Catalytic event
OK:
- The acting, generally
NO WAY:
- Too much emo (some to be expected, this was overkill)
- Idris dealt a sloppily written POTUS
TL/DR: B, leaning B+
YAY:
- Basic story architecture
- Reasonable versimilitude of the geek stuff
- Catalytic event
OK:
- The acting, generally
NO WAY:
- Too much emo (some to be expected, this was overkill)
- Idris dealt a sloppily written POTUS
TL/DR: B, leaning B+
November 16, 2025 at 12:11 AM
HOUSE OF DYNAMITE Microreview (no spoilers):
YAY:
- Basic story architecture
- Reasonable versimilitude of the geek stuff
- Catalytic event
OK:
- The acting, generally
NO WAY:
- Too much emo (some to be expected, this was overkill)
- Idris dealt a sloppily written POTUS
TL/DR: B, leaning B+
YAY:
- Basic story architecture
- Reasonable versimilitude of the geek stuff
- Catalytic event
OK:
- The acting, generally
NO WAY:
- Too much emo (some to be expected, this was overkill)
- Idris dealt a sloppily written POTUS
TL/DR: B, leaning B+
Ok, so I posted yesterday that while I've placed SK clearly in the grifter column for 5+ years now, I couldn't get all that excited about the dunking. Upon further review of R's more encyclopedic set of receipts, yeah, ok, it's warranted.
For the record, there are at least three misdirections-at-best in this week's Main Character's thread about how her being suspended for 72 hours for violating the violent rhetoric policy is the greatest outrage ever to happen:
November 15, 2025 at 1:34 PM
Ok, so I posted yesterday that while I've placed SK clearly in the grifter column for 5+ years now, I couldn't get all that excited about the dunking. Upon further review of R's more encyclopedic set of receipts, yeah, ok, it's warranted.