mbrewer 🏳️🌈
@smalladventures.net
Retired FOSS nerd DIYer left-leaning rural-living outdoor enthusiast in Vermont.
Angie (me wife), today, lighting up our little porch woodstove for the first time. The first burn the paint smokes and offgases, so I'm inside taking pictures through the French doors.
December 5, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Angie (me wife), today, lighting up our little porch woodstove for the first time. The first burn the paint smokes and offgases, so I'm inside taking pictures through the French doors.
Agree, except can we stop with the straws?
How about cutting back on fast fashion. Finding non-plastic for throw-away items like floss. Avoiding takeaway at restaurants with styrofoam takeaway containers. Chunking your car trips to reduce driving when possible (or walking/biking if possible). 1/4
How about cutting back on fast fashion. Finding non-plastic for throw-away items like floss. Avoiding takeaway at restaurants with styrofoam takeaway containers. Chunking your car trips to reduce driving when possible (or walking/biking if possible). 1/4
I think a lot of liberals and leftists like to brush off some personal responsibility when it comes to pollution. Yes, corporations and the rich are the biggest contributors and should be held accountable and punished, but I think you and I can also skip a straw every now and then.
December 3, 2025 at 9:46 PM
Agree, except can we stop with the straws?
How about cutting back on fast fashion. Finding non-plastic for throw-away items like floss. Avoiding takeaway at restaurants with styrofoam takeaway containers. Chunking your car trips to reduce driving when possible (or walking/biking if possible). 1/4
How about cutting back on fast fashion. Finding non-plastic for throw-away items like floss. Avoiding takeaway at restaurants with styrofoam takeaway containers. Chunking your car trips to reduce driving when possible (or walking/biking if possible). 1/4
Reposted by mbrewer 🏳️🌈
One of the most common replies in any discussion of universal basic income is "but how do we pay for it?" and not once do those same people ever question the costs incurred by not doing UBI. We spend $1.5 trillion every year on the costs of child poverty alone. Poverty ain't free, folks. WE ALL PAY.
December 3, 2025 at 2:41 PM
One of the most common replies in any discussion of universal basic income is "but how do we pay for it?" and not once do those same people ever question the costs incurred by not doing UBI. We spend $1.5 trillion every year on the costs of child poverty alone. Poverty ain't free, folks. WE ALL PAY.
Reposted by mbrewer 🏳️🌈
There's a couple reasons so many IWW songs are set to the tunes of hymns and one is that the Salvation Army Band would show up and try to stop workers organizing by playing hymns to drown out speeches, so the Wobblies came up with words so they could sing along. SA has been trash all along.
It's that giving time of year again, so this is a reminder that no matter how they try to dress it up, the Salvation Army is not a charity.
December 3, 2025 at 2:09 AM
There's a couple reasons so many IWW songs are set to the tunes of hymns and one is that the Salvation Army Band would show up and try to stop workers organizing by playing hymns to drown out speeches, so the Wobblies came up with words so they could sing along. SA has been trash all along.
Reposted by mbrewer 🏳️🌈
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees staggering reduction in homelessness
The state program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years. At the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
www.streetroots.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:35 AM
An Oregon pilot program giving cash to homeless youths sees a staggering reduction in homelessness. The program gave participants $1,000 cash payments each month for two years, and at the end of the project's first phase, 91% of participants reported being in stable housing.
During the Labor Rights movement Labor activists considered the Salvation army an active enemy working opposite to their goals.
The Salvation Army has never been something you should give to if you believe in things like rights, equality, fair wages, etc.
The Salvation Army has never been something you should give to if you believe in things like rights, equality, fair wages, etc.
It's that giving time of year again, so this is a reminder that no matter how they try to dress it up, the Salvation Army is not a charity.
December 3, 2025 at 12:55 PM
During the Labor Rights movement Labor activists considered the Salvation army an active enemy working opposite to their goals.
The Salvation Army has never been something you should give to if you believe in things like rights, equality, fair wages, etc.
The Salvation Army has never been something you should give to if you believe in things like rights, equality, fair wages, etc.
I drive stick and I won't give it up until I have an electric. I don't use containers on my server. I don't have a robotic vacuum. I don't use use graphical login on my laptop.
I don't have to use a thing just because it exists and you can't make me... so there... :sticks out tongue:.
I don't have to use a thing just because it exists and you can't make me... so there... :sticks out tongue:.
“AI is clearly sticking around so you have to get used to it” wrong. I don’t have to get used to shit. I am a practiced hater and I can keep this going for decades if I am required to
December 2, 2025 at 11:26 PM
I drive stick and I won't give it up until I have an electric. I don't use containers on my server. I don't have a robotic vacuum. I don't use use graphical login on my laptop.
I don't have to use a thing just because it exists and you can't make me... so there... :sticks out tongue:.
I don't have to use a thing just because it exists and you can't make me... so there... :sticks out tongue:.
I mean... yes, but there's a way way lower bar.
First, it'd be great if we could have the existing laws actually enforced against everyone equally. We've never even managed that in the history of our nation.
Like, we kind of need to actually have rule of law before we can have faith it.
First, it'd be great if we could have the existing laws actually enforced against everyone equally. We've never even managed that in the history of our nation.
Like, we kind of need to actually have rule of law before we can have faith it.
Americans know the economy is rigged against them.
President Trump is doubling down by allowing big corporations to rip people off with impunity.
President Trump is doubling down by allowing big corporations to rip people off with impunity.
December 2, 2025 at 10:40 PM
I mean... yes, but there's a way way lower bar.
First, it'd be great if we could have the existing laws actually enforced against everyone equally. We've never even managed that in the history of our nation.
Like, we kind of need to actually have rule of law before we can have faith it.
First, it'd be great if we could have the existing laws actually enforced against everyone equally. We've never even managed that in the history of our nation.
Like, we kind of need to actually have rule of law before we can have faith it.
Reposted by mbrewer 🏳️🌈
If it is the stance of this administration that drugs are weapons in armed conflict … shouldn’t my right to bear those arms not be infringed?
December 2, 2025 at 8:01 PM
If it is the stance of this administration that drugs are weapons in armed conflict … shouldn’t my right to bear those arms not be infringed?
"I'm retired"
"What'd you do before?"
"What'd you do before?"
What’s the worst question someone can ask after you tell them your profession? For linguists, it’s definitely “how many languages do you speak?”, but I’m curious what else is happening to the rest of y’all out there?!
December 2, 2025 at 2:19 PM
"I'm retired"
"What'd you do before?"
"What'd you do before?"
Woah, this actually a pretty good list that's not just greenwashed "here's more stuff to consume!". The refurb electronics is the worst one on the list.
Hey, I got a shout-out for my #foraging classes and guided #nature tours in this article on eco-friendly holiday #gifts! There are some other really neat ideas in there (I'm tempted by the Kintsugi kit), so take a peek: www.theguardian.com/thefilter-us...
#naturalist #PNW #PacificNorthwest
#naturalist #PNW #PacificNorthwest
Nine eco-minded gifts for Americans that actually make a difference
From tool library memberships to repair kits and refurbished electronics – here are ways to give sustainable gifts this holiday season
www.theguardian.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Woah, this actually a pretty good list that's not just greenwashed "here's more stuff to consume!". The refurb electronics is the worst one on the list.
- He says it isn't, so it's definitely the brain
- Doctors always say what it is, so he's lying
- You can tell by the position of the machine, so even if doctors *didn't* say he'd know
That is... Unless something is wrong with his brain.
Yeah, 98% chance it's his brain.
- Doctors always say what it is, so he's lying
- You can tell by the position of the machine, so even if doctors *didn't* say he'd know
That is... Unless something is wrong with his brain.
Yeah, 98% chance it's his brain.
December 1, 2025 at 5:21 PM
- He says it isn't, so it's definitely the brain
- Doctors always say what it is, so he's lying
- You can tell by the position of the machine, so even if doctors *didn't* say he'd know
That is... Unless something is wrong with his brain.
Yeah, 98% chance it's his brain.
- Doctors always say what it is, so he's lying
- You can tell by the position of the machine, so even if doctors *didn't* say he'd know
That is... Unless something is wrong with his brain.
Yeah, 98% chance it's his brain.
Reposted by mbrewer 🏳️🌈
If you have family & friends in Tennessee, please encourage them to vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social ! This whole country needs her to win!
November 29, 2025 at 8:28 PM
If you have family & friends in Tennessee, please encourage them to vote for @aftynbehn.bsky.social ! This whole country needs her to win!
Goddamnit it. I recently reset my understanding of how much money my wife and I have... and I definitely resemble this post.
We're retired and I say we're "comfortable" all the time, but comparing to the calculation I posted recently (adjusting for kids, etc.) the poverty line *should* be nearby.
We're retired and I say we're "comfortable" all the time, but comparing to the calculation I posted recently (adjusting for kids, etc.) the poverty line *should* be nearby.
this reminds me of a friend who thought he was middle class so he donated his car to a charity that helps poor people and a month later, he saw his car at his neighbor's house
November 29, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Goddamnit it. I recently reset my understanding of how much money my wife and I have... and I definitely resemble this post.
We're retired and I say we're "comfortable" all the time, but comparing to the calculation I posted recently (adjusting for kids, etc.) the poverty line *should* be nearby.
We're retired and I say we're "comfortable" all the time, but comparing to the calculation I posted recently (adjusting for kids, etc.) the poverty line *should* be nearby.
I'm a millennial living out my dreams, but my dreams involve not spending much money, living at home, doing all my cooking, and not replacing my electronics very often.
Young people in the U.S. have been priced out of their dreams. Stop acting like it’s their fault.
November 29, 2025 at 12:27 AM
I'm a millennial living out my dreams, but my dreams involve not spending much money, living at home, doing all my cooking, and not replacing my electronics very often.
Run LineageOS and Linux so you can "hoard" your devices for even longer! I'm currently typing this on a machine my dad was throwing away.
Did you hear about that hoarder who died in a house fire because her single laptop was 20 years old? It was blocking the door and was kinda heavy I guess.
Did you hear about that hoarder who died in a house fire because her single laptop was 20 years old? It was blocking the door and was kinda heavy I guess.
Device…hoarding. Because you don’t go get a new one while yours is still fine.
Apparently I am also practicing car hoarding, house hoarding, husband hoarding, dog hoarding, computer hoarding, furniture hoarding and art hoarding.
Apparently I am also practicing car hoarding, house hoarding, husband hoarding, dog hoarding, computer hoarding, furniture hoarding and art hoarding.
stupid young people, stop buying a new phone every year if you don't want to be broke. wait no, not like that.
November 26, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Run LineageOS and Linux so you can "hoard" your devices for even longer! I'm currently typing this on a machine my dad was throwing away.
Did you hear about that hoarder who died in a house fire because her single laptop was 20 years old? It was blocking the door and was kinda heavy I guess.
Did you hear about that hoarder who died in a house fire because her single laptop was 20 years old? It was blocking the door and was kinda heavy I guess.
Reposted by mbrewer 🏳️🌈
This analysis is phenomenal, and makes so much sense. The explanation of a minimum too participate in society (like having a smartphone, or the cheapest cars being very expansive) explains why looking at inflation doesn't show you any of what's happening.
"The Valley of Death: Why $100,000 Is the New Poor
Once I established that $136,500 is the real break-even point, I ran the numbers on what happens to a family climbing the ladder toward that number"
interesting analysis:
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Once I established that $136,500 is the real break-even point, I ran the numbers on what happens to a family climbing the ladder toward that number"
interesting analysis:
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Part 1: My Life Is a Lie
How a Broken Benchmark Quietly Broke America
www.yesigiveafig.com
November 24, 2025 at 9:04 PM
This analysis is phenomenal, and makes so much sense. The explanation of a minimum too participate in society (like having a smartphone, or the cheapest cars being very expansive) explains why looking at inflation doesn't show you any of what's happening.
If you smoke, you can't be my in person friend. This isn't a choice on my part. It's a fact. I'm not alone either, a lot of people simply cannot be around someone who smokes, and a lot more don't want to be.
And I know if you do. I can literally smell a smoker (who's not smoking) from 50 yards.
And I know if you do. I can literally smell a smoker (who's not smoking) from 50 yards.
With more actors, pop stars and other celebrities spotted unapologetically smoking, the cultural taboo against it shows signs of ebbing.
Celebrities Are Making Smoking Cigarettes Cool Again
Cigarettes are resurfacing in pop music and movies, raising fears that a yearslong decline in smoking rates could reverse.
on.wsj.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:03 PM
If you smoke, you can't be my in person friend. This isn't a choice on my part. It's a fact. I'm not alone either, a lot of people simply cannot be around someone who smokes, and a lot more don't want to be.
And I know if you do. I can literally smell a smoker (who's not smoking) from 50 yards.
And I know if you do. I can literally smell a smoker (who's not smoking) from 50 yards.
It wasn't a lie... It's designed to protect us from any one corrupt branch vying for power against the others.
If we elect a house, senate and a president (twice) who want a dictator, and let that pres choose the supreme court, the structure can't protect us.
WE DID THIS
If we elect a house, senate and a president (twice) who want a dictator, and let that pres choose the supreme court, the structure can't protect us.
WE DID THIS
November 24, 2025 at 12:47 PM
It wasn't a lie... It's designed to protect us from any one corrupt branch vying for power against the others.
If we elect a house, senate and a president (twice) who want a dictator, and let that pres choose the supreme court, the structure can't protect us.
WE DID THIS
If we elect a house, senate and a president (twice) who want a dictator, and let that pres choose the supreme court, the structure can't protect us.
WE DID THIS
Reposted by mbrewer 🏳️🌈
I think the shortest version of why LLMs are an anti education technology is that education is fundamentally about making shared context to understand ourselves, each other, and the world
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
November 23, 2025 at 12:57 PM
I think the shortest version of why LLMs are an anti education technology is that education is fundamentally about making shared context to understand ourselves, each other, and the world
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
And by design LLMs destroy shared context
Boycott the 27'th - 1'st weaintbuyingit.com it's a temporary protest of certain companies.
I'm already boycotting every company I see backing Trump, Isreal, or rolling back DEI with just two exceptions: I get meds from Amazon, and I buy gasoline/diesel.
If you aren't though, go ahead and try it.
I'm already boycotting every company I see backing Trump, Isreal, or rolling back DEI with just two exceptions: I get meds from Amazon, and I buy gasoline/diesel.
If you aren't though, go ahead and try it.
We Ain’t Buying It! - Economic Pressure on Thanksgiving through Cyber Monday - We Ain’t Buying It!
We Ain’t Buying It is an economic action and solidarity campaign designed to defend democracy and reclaim community power.
weaintbuyingit.com
November 23, 2025 at 11:07 PM
Boycott the 27'th - 1'st weaintbuyingit.com it's a temporary protest of certain companies.
I'm already boycotting every company I see backing Trump, Isreal, or rolling back DEI with just two exceptions: I get meds from Amazon, and I buy gasoline/diesel.
If you aren't though, go ahead and try it.
I'm already boycotting every company I see backing Trump, Isreal, or rolling back DEI with just two exceptions: I get meds from Amazon, and I buy gasoline/diesel.
If you aren't though, go ahead and try it.
I was really confused, so for others: this is about nurse practitioners, which is a postgraduate degree, and thus via this change they can only get 20k and not 50k in loans.
RN's for example are an associates degree, to which this doesn't apply.
So this ensures we can't backfill the need for PCPs.
RN's for example are an associates degree, to which this doesn't apply.
So this ensures we can't backfill the need for PCPs.
Q: "Why is nursing being dropped as a professional degree?"
A: "Because 1 in every 20 nurses is Filipino. Because ~40% of the nurses in California are foreign born. Because ~60% of California nurses, are not white."
A: "Because 1 in every 20 nurses is Filipino. Because ~40% of the nurses in California are foreign born. Because ~60% of California nurses, are not white."
About 1 in every 20 nurses in the US are Filipino.♥️🇵🇭
The Philippines is better at educating and training large numbers of high quality nurses for less educational cost, than most other nations. Better than the USA.
This isn't just "cheap labor." This is pride in excellence of service to others.
The Philippines is better at educating and training large numbers of high quality nurses for less educational cost, than most other nations. Better than the USA.
This isn't just "cheap labor." This is pride in excellence of service to others.
November 23, 2025 at 1:07 PM
I was really confused, so for others: this is about nurse practitioners, which is a postgraduate degree, and thus via this change they can only get 20k and not 50k in loans.
RN's for example are an associates degree, to which this doesn't apply.
So this ensures we can't backfill the need for PCPs.
RN's for example are an associates degree, to which this doesn't apply.
So this ensures we can't backfill the need for PCPs.
Reposted by mbrewer 🏳️🌈
But also, the _reason_ Mamdani could do this is because of the skill set someone like him has to learn being part of our communities. He is able to *perform* the "model minority" role, but is not interested in, and not aspiring to, whiteness. This combination is a hack that breaks media & power.
November 21, 2025 at 11:44 PM
But also, the _reason_ Mamdani could do this is because of the skill set someone like him has to learn being part of our communities. He is able to *perform* the "model minority" role, but is not interested in, and not aspiring to, whiteness. This combination is a hack that breaks media & power.
Reminder that there are other good mail services. My wife and I moved to mailbox.org (hosted in Germany, one of many options). You can set up your old gmail account to delete and forward email to your new account and give people your new address to transition.
Google no longer deserves your trust.
Google no longer deserves your trust.
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 22, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Reminder that there are other good mail services. My wife and I moved to mailbox.org (hosted in Germany, one of many options). You can set up your old gmail account to delete and forward email to your new account and give people your new address to transition.
Google no longer deserves your trust.
Google no longer deserves your trust.