materialsdan
@materialsdan.bsky.social
Dan, Materials
ALX, #WoTSkies
ALX, #WoTSkies
A new project for the new year - sharing a favorite podcast episode from a year ago, monthly. Up first, January 2025: 99% invisible on the development and evolution of the Tennessee Valley Authority pca.st/episode/b7ec...
Valley So Low
pca.st
January 3, 2026 at 8:28 PM
A new project for the new year - sharing a favorite podcast episode from a year ago, monthly. Up first, January 2025: 99% invisible on the development and evolution of the Tennessee Valley Authority pca.st/episode/b7ec...
2025 was a strange year, appropriate to end it with an impromptu living room dance party with my little one.
January 1, 2026 at 3:53 AM
2025 was a strange year, appropriate to end it with an impromptu living room dance party with my little one.
Reposted by materialsdan
I know one of you has to have a billionaire’s phone number, $1m to save one of the best fossil collections in the country is a bargain. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/s...
December 24, 2025 at 7:38 AM
I know one of you has to have a billionaire’s phone number, $1m to save one of the best fossil collections in the country is a bargain. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/19/s...
Reposted by materialsdan
Bill Clinton releasing a statement saying 'release the Epstein files, you cowards' was not on my bingo list.
December 22, 2025 at 10:22 PM
Bill Clinton releasing a statement saying 'release the Epstein files, you cowards' was not on my bingo list.
Highly relevant to the Bluesky demographic - mementos scattered across so many formats and fragile storage media www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Why your early 2000s photos are probably lost forever
If you used a digital camera in the early 2000s, there's a good chance whole chapters of your life have been erased.
www.bbc.com
December 18, 2025 at 12:48 PM
Highly relevant to the Bluesky demographic - mementos scattered across so many formats and fragile storage media www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Still in pilot mode, but only $7k for solar plus storage and management in a literal backyard box.
This home solar-plus-storage system aims to be as easy to install as any other household appliance.
Raya Power makes a solar-battery system you can put in your backyard
The startup built a compact solar-battery combo that connects directly to key household appliances, is easy to plug in, and requires no special permits.
www.canarymedia.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:50 PM
Still in pilot mode, but only $7k for solar plus storage and management in a literal backyard box.
Add Oliver Sacks to the long list of if it sounds too storybook to be true...
This one hurts: www.newyorker.com/magazine/202...
I wonder why psychology is so full of people who should've been novelists.
I wonder why psychology is so full of people who should've been novelists.
Oliver Sacks Put Himself Into His Case Studies. What Was the Cost?
The scientist was famous for linking healing with storytelling. Sometimes that meant reshaping patients’ reality.
www.newyorker.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Add Oliver Sacks to the long list of if it sounds too storybook to be true...
Reposted by materialsdan
Okay, 3 days later, an incomplete list of Trump admin policy with direct connections to making electricity more expensive.
1. Passage of the OBBB, which stripped tax credits from wind and solar (wind, solar, batteries are now ~90% of the interconnection queue)
www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...
1. Passage of the OBBB, which stripped tax credits from wind and solar (wind, solar, batteries are now ~90% of the interconnection queue)
www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...
August 22, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Okay, 3 days later, an incomplete list of Trump admin policy with direct connections to making electricity more expensive.
1. Passage of the OBBB, which stripped tax credits from wind and solar (wind, solar, batteries are now ~90% of the interconnection queue)
www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...
1. Passage of the OBBB, which stripped tax credits from wind and solar (wind, solar, batteries are now ~90% of the interconnection queue)
www.canarymedia.com/articles/cle...
Reposted by materialsdan
Several weeks into the Trump Administration, once it became clear I wouldn't get DOGE’d…and might end up in morally compromising positions as DOE’s lead on minerals financing, I wrote down my red lines.
And then kept reminding myself of them as the year progressed. Shit like this was among them.
And then kept reminding myself of them as the year progressed. Shit like this was among them.
"By dangling multibillion-dollar rare-earth and energy deals, Moscow could reshape the economic map of Europe—while driving a wedge between America and its traditional allies"
Read this excellent @wsj.com account of the business deals behind the "peace"negotiations
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Read this excellent @wsj.com account of the business deals behind the "peace"negotiations
www.wsj.com/world/russia...
Make Money Not War: Trump’s Real Plan for Peace in Ukraine
The Kremlin pitched the White House on peace through business. To Europe’s dismay, the president and his envoy are on board.
www.wsj.com
November 29, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Several weeks into the Trump Administration, once it became clear I wouldn't get DOGE’d…and might end up in morally compromising positions as DOE’s lead on minerals financing, I wrote down my red lines.
And then kept reminding myself of them as the year progressed. Shit like this was among them.
And then kept reminding myself of them as the year progressed. Shit like this was among them.
Reposted by materialsdan
I know you’re probably being sarcastic, but this is exactly the attitude that kept me from pursuing a career in the arts for years. Now, in late middle age, I am finally doing what I’m good at, and I’m happier and more financially secure than I ever was working tech jobs.
She could buy your ticket. As an artist, it should be natural to have your parents support you.
November 26, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I know you’re probably being sarcastic, but this is exactly the attitude that kept me from pursuing a career in the arts for years. Now, in late middle age, I am finally doing what I’m good at, and I’m happier and more financially secure than I ever was working tech jobs.
The indispensable and inevitable episode
Episode 46: Sapiens
It's an ambitious goal to write the entire history of humanity in just 400 pages. It's even more ambitious to do it without reading any research.
It's an ambitious goal to write the entire history of humanity in just 400 pages. It's even more ambitious to do it without reading any research.
Sapiens
Podcast Episode · If Books Could Kill · 11/20/2025 · 1h 38m
podcasts.apple.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:40 AM
The indispensable and inevitable episode
Reposted by materialsdan
Reposted by materialsdan
I realized a while ago that all three of my congressional reps make a lowly social media intern post press releases on here, then mute all notifications. There is not one iota of chance any of them have any idea what goes on around here.
November 10, 2025 at 3:58 AM
I realized a while ago that all three of my congressional reps make a lowly social media intern post press releases on here, then mute all notifications. There is not one iota of chance any of them have any idea what goes on around here.
Thank you Senator - but the democracy caucus needs to hold together or we all still pay the price
But I cannot support a deal that still leaves millions of Americans wondering how they are going to pay for their health care or whether they will be able to afford to get sick.
November 10, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Thank you Senator - but the democracy caucus needs to hold together or we all still pay the price
Reposted by materialsdan
This is insane, and not even close to how FSAs work. If @markwarner.bsky.social or @kaine.senate.gov vote for this mess, they are screwing over every Virginian they claim to represent.
"A development that appeared to break the logjam: Republicans proposed that healthcare funding be provided directly to households rather than used to pay for a 1-year extension of ACA subsidies. That involves sending federal money into FSAs instead of insurance companies" www.wsj.com/politics/pol...
Republicans Pitch Alternative to ACA Extension to End Government Shutdown
A proposal by GOP senators to send money directly to consumers’ health accounts rather than to insurance companies showed signs of breaking a stalemate on negotiations.
www.wsj.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:05 PM
This is insane, and not even close to how FSAs work. If @markwarner.bsky.social or @kaine.senate.gov vote for this mess, they are screwing over every Virginian they claim to represent.
Reposted by materialsdan
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
November 3, 2025 at 7:52 PM
I was laid off from Teen Vogue today along with multiple other staffers, and today is my last day.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
certainly more to come from me when the dust has settled more, but to my knowledge, after today, there will be no politics staffers at Teen Vogue.
Tuning into the WS for the first time at 10 pm tonight... feel like I'm still getting a full game. Also, yeesh couple of physically rough innings for Hernandez there.
November 2, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Tuning into the WS for the first time at 10 pm tonight... feel like I'm still getting a full game. Also, yeesh couple of physically rough innings for Hernandez there.
Reposted by materialsdan
i'm a little surprised that still the only content trying to find out where House republicans are is from snarky democrats left alone in the capitol
November 1, 2025 at 10:45 PM
i'm a little surprised that still the only content trying to find out where House republicans are is from snarky democrats left alone in the capitol
Reposted by materialsdan
New circle of hell I didn’t think existed. Guy reposts a meme on Facebook showing Trump hypocrisy. Sheriff in Tennessee throws him in jail for over a month because he won’t delete it. Can’t afford bond at $2m. Won’t get a bond reduction hearing for another month. Holy …
MUST WATCH: Tennessee sheriff defends jailing liberal activist for posting Trump meme about school shooting www.newschannel5.com/news/newscha...
Tennessee sheriff defends jailing liberal activist for posting Trump meme about school shooting
A Middle Tennessee sheriff is defending the arrest of a man for posting an online meme quoting President Donald Trump.
www.newschannel5.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:53 AM
New circle of hell I didn’t think existed. Guy reposts a meme on Facebook showing Trump hypocrisy. Sheriff in Tennessee throws him in jail for over a month because he won’t delete it. Can’t afford bond at $2m. Won’t get a bond reduction hearing for another month. Holy …
Reposted by materialsdan
We’re proud to be a world-class transit system, the National Capital Region’s trusted way to move people safely and efficiently. 🚇 🚌 🚐
Want to weigh in on our long-term strategy and annual priorities?
Public comment period runs through Nov 4.
➡️: spklr.io/6002BzHII
Want to weigh in on our long-term strategy and annual priorities?
Public comment period runs through Nov 4.
➡️: spklr.io/6002BzHII
October 26, 2025 at 2:00 PM
We’re proud to be a world-class transit system, the National Capital Region’s trusted way to move people safely and efficiently. 🚇 🚌 🚐
Want to weigh in on our long-term strategy and annual priorities?
Public comment period runs through Nov 4.
➡️: spklr.io/6002BzHII
Want to weigh in on our long-term strategy and annual priorities?
Public comment period runs through Nov 4.
➡️: spklr.io/6002BzHII
Reposted by materialsdan
If the FBI shows up at your door, and doesn’t have a warrant, you are permitted to refuse to answer questions until you talk to your lawyer. You are not required to let them in the house without a warrant.
Apparently Trump is now sending the FBI to the homes of innocent protestors, in part to find out who is behind the "criminal conspiracy" arranging these protests.
The real reason is obviously the chilling effect on free speech for those attending.
www.rawstory.com/fbi-protest/
The real reason is obviously the chilling effect on free speech for those attending.
www.rawstory.com/fbi-protest/
'Chilling': FBI shocks with visits to homes of innocent protesters under Trump's orders
Under orders from President Donald Trump, the FBI has started visiting the homes of innocent protesters, according to a report.In one case, special needs teacher Miles Serafini, 26, told independent j...
www.rawstory.com
October 24, 2025 at 1:35 AM
If the FBI shows up at your door, and doesn’t have a warrant, you are permitted to refuse to answer questions until you talk to your lawyer. You are not required to let them in the house without a warrant.
Reposted by materialsdan
EXCLUSIVE: One Saturday afternoon in October, my phone lit up with a notification.
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...
October 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
EXCLUSIVE: One Saturday afternoon in October, my phone lit up with a notification.
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...
I glanced down at the message.
“Anna, Lindsey Halligan here,” it began.
So began my text exchange with the woman who is prosecuting the president's perceived political enemies.
www.lawfaremedia.org/article/anna...
Reposted by materialsdan
reminder that this is a Ghost newsletter so you can feel good about signing up
NEW: I heard from a number of federal employees, largely furloughed right now, who attended No Kings protests.
"I can't just sit back and watch things fall apart."
"I can't just sit back and watch things fall apart."
'I Wanted My Body to Be Counted': Furloughed Federal Employees Join Enormous Day of Protest
"I can't just sit back and watch things fall apart."
www.gravityisgone.com
October 19, 2025 at 8:56 PM
reminder that this is a Ghost newsletter so you can feel good about signing up