jess banks
@profbanks.bsky.social
Hypercompetent polyglot know-it-all. Unrepentant SJW troublemaker. Neuroqueer teacher, mom, partner, Official Auntie, best friend, co-conspirator. An American in Aotearoa New Zealand. Always noncompliant. She/her/elle/ia
Reposted by jess banks
Brain swelling, which necessitates regular MRI’s, and tiredness are main side effects of the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, administered intravenously through the hand. — So, is Trump secretly taking Alzheimer’s medication?
December 10, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Brain swelling, which necessitates regular MRI’s, and tiredness are main side effects of the Alzheimer’s drug Leqembi, administered intravenously through the hand. — So, is Trump secretly taking Alzheimer’s medication?
Reposted by jess banks
Marjorie Taylor Greene horse traded her vote on the NDAA for a floor vote for a felony ban on gender affirming care for trans youth that would criminalize parents and doctors for providing evidence based lifesaving care for their children.
December 10, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Marjorie Taylor Greene horse traded her vote on the NDAA for a floor vote for a felony ban on gender affirming care for trans youth that would criminalize parents and doctors for providing evidence based lifesaving care for their children.
Reposted by jess banks
"The world is not going to change itself. That is up to you, especially in desperate times like this."
How Chicago Protest Music Is Meeting The Political Moment
"Antifascist movements attract artists," one expert said. And Chicago has a long list of musicians who fit the bill, with a protest music history that goes back decades.
blockclubchicago.org
December 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
"The world is not going to change itself. That is up to you, especially in desperate times like this."
Reposted by jess banks
Watch till the end. We have the laws on the books already in many areas, we just need to enforce them. 💡An idea from @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=FlGR...
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=FlGR...
I Am Not Giving Up Hope | Explainer
YouTube video by Heather Cox Richardson
youtube.com
December 10, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Watch till the end. We have the laws on the books already in many areas, we just need to enforce them. 💡An idea from @zohrankmamdani.bsky.social
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=FlGR...
@hcrichardson.bsky.social
youtube.com/watch?v=FlGR...
Reposted by jess banks
Good to see some commentary actually recognising that *gasp* NZ is not immune if a rules based order gets chucked out the window, disappointing about who its come from and that we're not seeing much more analysis on issues like this and climate from our supposed star journos #nzpol
The US ditching the rules-based order leaves NZ living on a prayer
Opinion: Reagan believed free nations working together could outlast tyrannies. Today’s US right seems unsure whether tyrannies are even the problem.
newsroom.co.nz
December 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Good to see some commentary actually recognising that *gasp* NZ is not immune if a rules based order gets chucked out the window, disappointing about who its come from and that we're not seeing much more analysis on issues like this and climate from our supposed star journos #nzpol
We’ll get 25% growth from all those 1000% price reductions in the cost of prescription drugs.
Trump says he doesn't know why America can't achieve 25 percent annual economic growth
December 10, 2025 at 8:44 PM
We’ll get 25% growth from all those 1000% price reductions in the cost of prescription drugs.
Reposted by jess banks
So it's AI propaganda
You deliberately chose to make your process more grueling and stupid to get a lower quality result and convince people we should accept AI
You deliberately chose to make your process more grueling and stupid to get a lower quality result and convince people we should accept AI
The company behind the mcdonalds ad:
Imagine taking more time than it would take to do something traditionally. I bet it would take a builder longer to build a house out of jelly instead of brick, because jelly isn't brick.
Imagine taking more time than it would take to do something traditionally. I bet it would take a builder longer to build a house out of jelly instead of brick, because jelly isn't brick.
December 10, 2025 at 12:11 PM
So it's AI propaganda
You deliberately chose to make your process more grueling and stupid to get a lower quality result and convince people we should accept AI
You deliberately chose to make your process more grueling and stupid to get a lower quality result and convince people we should accept AI
Reposted by jess banks
‘Collapse is boring. It’s ordinary. It looks like people standing next to a log splitter on a Saturday.. because the safety net dissolved and no one replaced it. Collapse isn’t a single moment. It’s what happens when the systems people rely on keep existing on paper but stop functioning in practice’
December 10, 2025 at 10:13 AM
‘Collapse is boring. It’s ordinary. It looks like people standing next to a log splitter on a Saturday.. because the safety net dissolved and no one replaced it. Collapse isn’t a single moment. It’s what happens when the systems people rely on keep existing on paper but stop functioning in practice’
Reposted by jess banks
I begged Jenny to write this and am so grateful she did.
Sex scene are craft. They are characterization. They are worldbuilding. They are storytelling.
The fact that we're culturally too uncomfortable with sex to recognize that is not the fault of well written sex scenes!
Sex scene are craft. They are characterization. They are worldbuilding. They are storytelling.
The fact that we're culturally too uncomfortable with sex to recognize that is not the fault of well written sex scenes!
good morning, I have noticed that some of the critical responses to the Crave show Heated Rivalry have been, let's say, incomplete
sex scenes are craft! goddammit!
sex scenes are craft! goddammit!
Anatomy of a Sex Scene: Heated Rivalry Edition - Reading the End
Heated Rivalry, AKA the gay hockey show, has been getting a lot of buzz for its explicit(-ish) sex scenes, and a lot of that buzz has been coming from viewers and critics whose experience with the rom...
readingtheend.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:34 PM
I begged Jenny to write this and am so grateful she did.
Sex scene are craft. They are characterization. They are worldbuilding. They are storytelling.
The fact that we're culturally too uncomfortable with sex to recognize that is not the fault of well written sex scenes!
Sex scene are craft. They are characterization. They are worldbuilding. They are storytelling.
The fact that we're culturally too uncomfortable with sex to recognize that is not the fault of well written sex scenes!
Reposted by jess banks
This is very sad news. She was a lovely writer, and an absolute pro.
Sophie Kinsella, ‘Confessions of a Shopaholic’ Author, Dies at 55
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:42 PM
This is very sad news. She was a lovely writer, and an absolute pro.
Reposted by jess banks
Jesus, just stop. Democrats are winning now.
And if some voters feel this way about Democrats, a major reason is that THE FUCKING CONSULTANTS KEEP SAYING THE PARTY IS TOO LIBERAL AND OUT OF TOUCH. They incessantly reinforce the stereotype.
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/12/10/t...
And if some voters feel this way about Democrats, a major reason is that THE FUCKING CONSULTANTS KEEP SAYING THE PARTY IS TOO LIBERAL AND OUT OF TOUCH. They incessantly reinforce the stereotype.
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/12/10/t...
Tough Medicine for Democrats: “Too Liberal” and “Out of Touch”
Democrats are riding high after special elections, but that doesn’t mean they’re popular. Strategist Simon Bazelon has advice on what to fix.
washingtonmonthly.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Jesus, just stop. Democrats are winning now.
And if some voters feel this way about Democrats, a major reason is that THE FUCKING CONSULTANTS KEEP SAYING THE PARTY IS TOO LIBERAL AND OUT OF TOUCH. They incessantly reinforce the stereotype.
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/12/10/t...
And if some voters feel this way about Democrats, a major reason is that THE FUCKING CONSULTANTS KEEP SAYING THE PARTY IS TOO LIBERAL AND OUT OF TOUCH. They incessantly reinforce the stereotype.
washingtonmonthly.com/2025/12/10/t...
Reposted by jess banks
Ruby Bridges is only 71.
This makes facially neutral policies--like poll taxes and literacy tests--that we know were adopted for discriminatory purposes legal. Organizations can now simply claim there was no discriminatory intent regardless of outcome. It's unconstrained institutionalized racism.
They're just taking an ax to the Civil Rights Act
December 10, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Ruby Bridges is only 71.
Reposted by jess banks
Correct strategy
are we still on about em dashes and ai. imo human writers should just use the em dashes even harder. we should be out here pummeling out those em dashes like we're emily dickinson
December 10, 2025 at 4:48 AM
Correct strategy
Reposted by jess banks
Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment.
Trump: "Ilhan Omar, whatever the hell her name is. With her little turban. I love her. She comes in, does nothing but bitch ... we ought to get her the hell out ... she's here illegally."
The crowd in Pennsylvania then starts chanting "send her back!"
The crowd in Pennsylvania then starts chanting "send her back!"
December 10, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Trump’s obsession with me is beyond weird. He needs serious help.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment.
Since he has no economic policies to tout, he’s resorting to regurgitating bigoted lies instead.
He continues to be a national embarrassment.
This might be the most relatable quote I’ve ever seen about my life as a neurodivergent person.
“My brain takes in so much more information than the person next to me. So, I need time to process that information, & if I don't process it and more is coming in, then I could shut down & implode or just have massive meltdowns.” Chloé Zhao on her neurodivergence:
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/c...
Chloé Zhao on “Hamnet,” Her Film About William Shakespeare’s Grief
Podcast Episode · The New Yorker Radio Hour · 12/07/2025 · 24m
podcasts.apple.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:58 AM
This might be the most relatable quote I’ve ever seen about my life as a neurodivergent person.
Reposted by jess banks
"there's a new serif in town"
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:06 AM
"there's a new serif in town"
Reposted by jess banks
Let’s make “No Ice” happen
It's the most wonderful time of the year: Nominations are now open for MnDOT's Name a Snowplow Contest
You don't need to live in MN to submit!
You don't need to live in MN to submit!
Name a Snowplow contest - MnDOT
Submit your entries for MnDOT’s 2026-26 Name a Snowplow contest!
www.dot.state.mn.us
December 9, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Let’s make “No Ice” happen
Reposted by jess banks
BREAKING: Democrats have *flipped* a seat in Georgia's state House tonight.
Democrat Eric Gisler has won the seat, which was previously held by a Republican who resigned this fall.
This is a red territory: Trump won the district by 13% in 2024.
Democrat Eric Gisler has won the seat, which was previously held by a Republican who resigned this fall.
This is a red territory: Trump won the district by 13% in 2024.
December 10, 2025 at 2:06 AM
BREAKING: Democrats have *flipped* a seat in Georgia's state House tonight.
Democrat Eric Gisler has won the seat, which was previously held by a Republican who resigned this fall.
This is a red territory: Trump won the district by 13% in 2024.
Democrat Eric Gisler has won the seat, which was previously held by a Republican who resigned this fall.
This is a red territory: Trump won the district by 13% in 2024.
Reposted by jess banks
Whattheeverlovingfuck?
Marco Rubio ordered diplomats to return to using Times New Roman font in official communications, calling his predecessor's decision to adopt Calibri a “wasteful” diversity move
Rubio Stages Font Coup: Times New Roman Ousts Calibri
The secretary of state called it a "wasteful" diversity move, according to an internal department cable seen by Reuters.
www.huffpost.com
December 10, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Whattheeverlovingfuck?
Reposted by jess banks
In May, Human Rights Watch released a report showing how gig platforms use opaque algorithms to erode workers' wages.
Now a new investigation finds Instacart is running AI price experiments: charging different people different prices for the *same* groceries, sometimes by more than 23%.
Read this:
Now a new investigation finds Instacart is running AI price experiments: charging different people different prices for the *same* groceries, sometimes by more than 23%.
Read this:
Same Cart, Different Price: Instacart’s Price Experiments Cost Families at Checkout - Groundwork Collaborative
groundworkcollaborative.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:59 PM
In May, Human Rights Watch released a report showing how gig platforms use opaque algorithms to erode workers' wages.
Now a new investigation finds Instacart is running AI price experiments: charging different people different prices for the *same* groceries, sometimes by more than 23%.
Read this:
Now a new investigation finds Instacart is running AI price experiments: charging different people different prices for the *same* groceries, sometimes by more than 23%.
Read this:
Reposted by jess banks
Uhhhh
Wow -- Russia reportedly plotted last year to plant bombs on US-bound flights (gift link) giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
December 9, 2025 at 11:05 PM
Uhhhh
Reposted by jess banks
During the year’s busiest season of charitable giving, donors may wonder whether the nonprofits they are considering donating to are going to be good stewards of their money.
Last year, we added tools to Nonprofit Explorer to help you look into that:
Last year, we added tools to Nonprofit Explorer to help you look into that:
Nonprofit Explorer Adds Powerful Tools to Help You Research Organizations’ Financials
ProPublica has added the ability to find nonprofit organizations that auditors have flagged as having serious financial or control deficiencies. We also added the ability to search for organizations t...
www.propublica.org
December 9, 2025 at 11:00 PM
During the year’s busiest season of charitable giving, donors may wonder whether the nonprofits they are considering donating to are going to be good stewards of their money.
Last year, we added tools to Nonprofit Explorer to help you look into that:
Last year, we added tools to Nonprofit Explorer to help you look into that:
Reposted by jess banks
Wow: Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (named for Holocaust survivor Raphael Lemkin, who coined term "genocide") calls Clinton's remarks "genocide denial."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
![Statement on Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s Genocide Denial at the Israel Hayom Summit
December 9, 2025
The Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention and Human Security feels called to point out that former Secretary of State Hilary Clinton’s recent remarks at the Israel Hayom Summit on 2 December amount to outright genocide denial.
During her remarks, the Secretary correctly noted that the recent deterioration of Israel’s standing among U.S. voters is not a “Republican versus Democrat kind of divide” but rather a generational one. Nevertheless, she incorrectly diagnosed the reasons for the shift as a matter purely of optics, stating that “Israel [has] the worst PR of any group” and accusing social media, particularly TikTok, of presenting “pure propaganda” that American youth are uncritically ingesting.
Secretary Clinton’s framing is not at all an accurate reflection of why Americans are growing more critical of Israel. Young Americans of all political stripes have not fallen prey to propaganda, though that is always a legitimate concern. Rather, they have consumed two years of videos depicting Israel’s genocide against Palestinians that have been uploaded by Palestinian journalists, ordinary people trying to survive in Gaza, IDF soldiers, and ordinary Israelis themselves. There has been no convincing refutation of the sheer amount of raw evidence of genocide coming out of Palestine. Young people in the U.S. are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well.
Secretary Clinton appears not to be bothered by the reality of genocidal violence – in fact, she did not mention anything about it. Her concern is, rather, in her words, “the narrative” – the fact that these crimes are no longer hidden and are now being live-streamed and documented in real time, making it harder for her and others to control it. TikTok cannot be blamed for the fact that many members of Gen Z understand that Israel is …](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:pwsjq3xnal6auzgeqho4ecw7/bafkreiafbjju65esvo6htynkkl6or6muv4qqhwo5fghkkbyvclgnxxmchy@jpeg)
December 9, 2025 at 7:15 PM
Wow: Lemkin Institute for Genocide Prevention (named for Holocaust survivor Raphael Lemkin, who coined term "genocide") calls Clinton's remarks "genocide denial."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
"Young people in the US are not stupid or gullible. They simply reject genocide – something the Secretary might consider doing as well."
Reposted by jess banks
I've literally *just* been talking with a friend about the point at which we each recognised how screwed up our childhoods were. This isn't about safety. Narcissists, control freaks, and other toxic people don't want children to see/ recognise/ learn from other's experience.
Banning kids from social media doesn’t make online platforms safer. Here’s what will do that
theconversation.com/banning-kids...
theconversation.com/banning-kids...
Banning kids from social media doesn’t make online platforms safer. Here’s what will do that
The ban may keep some children out, but it does nothing to fix the harmful architecture awaiting them when they return.
theconversation.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I've literally *just* been talking with a friend about the point at which we each recognised how screwed up our childhoods were. This isn't about safety. Narcissists, control freaks, and other toxic people don't want children to see/ recognise/ learn from other's experience.
Reposted by jess banks
Like a lot of appropriated Indigenous language "birthkeeper" is an INCREDIBLY specific term most often appropriated by non-Indigenous (and usually white) people advocating for vibe-based care.
Anyone using outside of its origin context should be avoided for absolutely everything.
Anyone using outside of its origin context should be avoided for absolutely everything.
December 9, 2025 at 11:08 PM
Like a lot of appropriated Indigenous language "birthkeeper" is an INCREDIBLY specific term most often appropriated by non-Indigenous (and usually white) people advocating for vibe-based care.
Anyone using outside of its origin context should be avoided for absolutely everything.
Anyone using outside of its origin context should be avoided for absolutely everything.