Star Simpson
@starstar.bsky.social
Reposted by Star Simpson
If they’re losing the “I’m not political but I love America” guys in Callaway hats…
Yesterday morning kids were sent running from their bus stop in panic because ICE showed up. This guy at today’s ICE Out of Lindenwold protest is a must watch 😭. @maddow.bsky.social
February 14, 2026 at 4:40 PM
If they’re losing the “I’m not political but I love America” guys in Callaway hats…
@bnewbold.net hey did you hear, the black sand beach in Iceland disappeared www.surfer.com/news/reynisf...
Reynisfjara Beach Vanishes as Rogue Waves Erode ‘Iceland’s Deadliest Beach’
Deadly rogue waves and violent storms have battered Reynisfjara Beach in Iceland, collapsing cliffs and erasing access to this iconic, black-sand shoreline.
www.surfer.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:21 PM
@bnewbold.net hey did you hear, the black sand beach in Iceland disappeared www.surfer.com/news/reynisf...
Reposted by Star Simpson
The El Paso TFR was just as bad a mess as I feared, maybe worse.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
Inside the Debacle That Led to the Closure of El Paso’s Airspace
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 1:39 AM
The El Paso TFR was just as bad a mess as I feared, maybe worse.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
How have I once again been duped into dressing for warm weather at a Northern California beach. 🤦🏻♀️
February 14, 2026 at 11:15 PM
How have I once again been duped into dressing for warm weather at a Northern California beach. 🤦🏻♀️
Reposted by Star Simpson
Pouring one out for everyone realizing that Pluto's demotion to dwarf planet was nearly 20 years ago 😬 #FeelingOld
Happy Valentine's Day to #Pluto, who got dumped in 2006 but still has the biggest heart in the solar system 💔❤️ #dwarfplanet
🔭🧪
🔭🧪
February 14, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Pouring one out for everyone realizing that Pluto's demotion to dwarf planet was nearly 20 years ago 😬 #FeelingOld
Reposted by Star Simpson
2/ What was unusual about the El Paso TFR was 1. the extreme suddenness, going into effect with 3 hours warning, and 2. the lack of carve outs for law enforcement, air ambulance, search & rescue, scheduled commercial or even military flights. It shut down everything, which is very unusual.
February 14, 2026 at 5:10 PM
2/ What was unusual about the El Paso TFR was 1. the extreme suddenness, going into effect with 3 hours warning, and 2. the lack of carve outs for law enforcement, air ambulance, search & rescue, scheduled commercial or even military flights. It shut down everything, which is very unusual.
Reposted by Star Simpson
1/ The El Paso TFR wasn't unusual because it declared a "NATIONAL DEFENSE AIRSPACE" or contained the threat of "DEADLY FORCE". Those are routine–the Disney World TFR is a "national defense airspace" and 21 NOTAMs right now contain the threat of deadly force.
February 14, 2026 at 5:04 PM
1/ The El Paso TFR wasn't unusual because it declared a "NATIONAL DEFENSE AIRSPACE" or contained the threat of "DEADLY FORCE". Those are routine–the Disney World TFR is a "national defense airspace" and 21 NOTAMs right now contain the threat of deadly force.
Reposted by Star Simpson
forgot the most important of the genre
February 12, 2026 at 11:31 PM
forgot the most important of the genre
Reposted by Star Simpson
This is a small thing, but I kind of love it.
Piper Park in Larkspur, CA sees 120 bounce house rentals a year, all powered by gas generators.
They recently installed electrical hookups at the park and are working with the local vendor to let people power the bounce houses with those hookups.
Piper Park in Larkspur, CA sees 120 bounce house rentals a year, all powered by gas generators.
They recently installed electrical hookups at the park and are working with the local vendor to let people power the bounce houses with those hookups.
February 12, 2026 at 10:54 PM
This is a small thing, but I kind of love it.
Piper Park in Larkspur, CA sees 120 bounce house rentals a year, all powered by gas generators.
They recently installed electrical hookups at the park and are working with the local vendor to let people power the bounce houses with those hookups.
Piper Park in Larkspur, CA sees 120 bounce house rentals a year, all powered by gas generators.
They recently installed electrical hookups at the park and are working with the local vendor to let people power the bounce houses with those hookups.
Reposted by Star Simpson
TFR expert here. This is not funny, federal aviation agencies only do this when extremely distressed by CBP firing a fucking 20 kW laser into the sky without regard for civilian aircraft.
February 12, 2026 at 9:33 PM
TFR expert here. This is not funny, federal aviation agencies only do this when extremely distressed by CBP firing a fucking 20 kW laser into the sky without regard for civilian aircraft.
Reposted by Star Simpson
Fun little analysis by @jzhao.xyz estimating the short-term, direct cost of the El Paso TFR as ~$600K. log.jasongodfrey.info/questions/Th...
The Most Expensive Party Balloon in History
A party balloon mistaken for a cartel drone shut down El Paso for hours. Here's what it cost.
log.jasongodfrey.info
February 12, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Fun little analysis by @jzhao.xyz estimating the short-term, direct cost of the El Paso TFR as ~$600K. log.jasongodfrey.info/questions/Th...
Reposted by Star Simpson
The El Paso TFR story seems to be this: CBP started firing a high-power anti-drone laser into the sky *without coordinating with the FAA*. The FAA says WTF are these assholes doing & closes airspace like it’s never been closed before. “You don’t want to coordinate? Fine, then this is how we do it.”
February 12, 2026 at 6:49 PM
The El Paso TFR story seems to be this: CBP started firing a high-power anti-drone laser into the sky *without coordinating with the FAA*. The FAA says WTF are these assholes doing & closes airspace like it’s never been closed before. “You don’t want to coordinate? Fine, then this is how we do it.”
Reposted by Star Simpson
Deep, accurate cut.
My joke is that the promise of Yahoo Pipes has been fulfilled! (But actually! And it’s a big deal!)
February 11, 2026 at 9:05 PM
Deep, accurate cut.
Reposted by Star Simpson
The Pentagon has been using a high-energy, counter-drone laser to shoot down mylar party balloons near the border without having coordinated with the FAA first about potential risks to civilian flights. This admin has a love of security theater plus total incompetence.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/u...
Surprise US military plans to use counter-drone laser triggered El Paso airspace closure, Sources say | CNN
A Pentagon plan to use a high-energy, counter-drone laser without having coordinated with the Federal Aviation Administration about potential risks to civilian flights prompted Wednesday’s unprecedent...
www.cnn.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:00 PM
The Pentagon has been using a high-energy, counter-drone laser to shoot down mylar party balloons near the border without having coordinated with the FAA first about potential risks to civilian flights. This admin has a love of security theater plus total incompetence.
www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/02/11/u...
Reposted by Star Simpson
The worlds most hopeful dog
(Yes it’s closed)
(Yes it’s closed)
February 11, 2026 at 9:06 AM
The worlds most hopeful dog
(Yes it’s closed)
(Yes it’s closed)
Reposted by Star Simpson
Again I'm recommending the ATC.com app. The push notification they sent last night with an incredulous Southwest pilot being told that the El Paso airport would be closed for 10 days was the first I heard about the TFR. I checked twitter and found zero mentions. I think ATC.com drove the story.
ATC App – Live Air Traffic Control Radio
Download now!
ATC.com
February 11, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Find me out here on the fringe, as ever
February 10, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Find me out here on the fringe, as ever
I finished the book I was reading and now I need a new book 🥲
hey BlueSky are any of you the sort who might recommend what I should read next? last book was an aerospace history audiobook.
hey BlueSky are any of you the sort who might recommend what I should read next? last book was an aerospace history audiobook.
February 10, 2026 at 6:40 PM
I finished the book I was reading and now I need a new book 🥲
hey BlueSky are any of you the sort who might recommend what I should read next? last book was an aerospace history audiobook.
hey BlueSky are any of you the sort who might recommend what I should read next? last book was an aerospace history audiobook.
I couldn’t complete my senior high school science fair project because of the prohibitive cost of shipping one component due to the Jones Act and since that day (until it is canceled) I can never stop ranting about how bad that law is.
No ferries in the Bay Area. Hawaii has the biggest privately owned ranch in the United States but the highest price/gal on milk. Maine islanders use electric heaters in every room rather than fuel through winter because the utility price is capped vs fuel comes on a boat. Puerto Rico
The Jones Act!
The Jones Act!
The Jones Act is like this strange horrific thing that you realize impacts way more of life than you can imagine, including partially explaining the lack of ferries in the SF Bay!
February 9, 2026 at 7:04 PM
I couldn’t complete my senior high school science fair project because of the prohibitive cost of shipping one component due to the Jones Act and since that day (until it is canceled) I can never stop ranting about how bad that law is.
No ferries in the Bay Area. Hawaii has the biggest privately owned ranch in the United States but the highest price/gal on milk. Maine islanders use electric heaters in every room rather than fuel through winter because the utility price is capped vs fuel comes on a boat. Puerto Rico
The Jones Act!
The Jones Act!
The Jones Act is like this strange horrific thing that you realize impacts way more of life than you can imagine, including partially explaining the lack of ferries in the SF Bay!
There are no ferries because you have to use a US-built boat under the (1920s!) Jones Act and the United States essentially stopped building commercial watercraft of any kind. So right there, no ferries.
February 9, 2026 at 7:02 PM
No ferries in the Bay Area. Hawaii has the biggest privately owned ranch in the United States but the highest price/gal on milk. Maine islanders use electric heaters in every room rather than fuel through winter because the utility price is capped vs fuel comes on a boat. Puerto Rico
The Jones Act!
The Jones Act!
Reposted by Star Simpson
Based on real events.
February 9, 2026 at 10:41 AM
Based on real events.
The Aerospace Republic is up to its usual —
February 9, 2026 at 12:19 AM
The Aerospace Republic is up to its usual —
Reposted by Star Simpson
To clarify for the non-roboticists out there:
Two legged humanoid robots only stay standing when they’re powered and the control loops managing the joints and actively detecting the balance situation are all functioning.
Lose power? It keels over. All 120-200 lbs of it.
Two legged humanoid robots only stay standing when they’re powered and the control loops managing the joints and actively detecting the balance situation are all functioning.
Lose power? It keels over. All 120-200 lbs of it.
Friendly reminder that dynamically balanced bipeds are actually unsafe to have operating in proximity to small children, pets, etc and that there are companies actively avoiding anything to do with creating or trying to meet safety standards to mitigate this
The Humanoid Robot That Fell on Cardi B in San Francisco mikekalil.com/blog/cardi-b...
February 8, 2026 at 12:56 PM
To clarify for the non-roboticists out there:
Two legged humanoid robots only stay standing when they’re powered and the control loops managing the joints and actively detecting the balance situation are all functioning.
Lose power? It keels over. All 120-200 lbs of it.
Two legged humanoid robots only stay standing when they’re powered and the control loops managing the joints and actively detecting the balance situation are all functioning.
Lose power? It keels over. All 120-200 lbs of it.
Reposted by Star Simpson
the magic of the Muppets is that there are two fourth walls. they constantly break the one that reminds the audience they are performers. they NEVER break the one that reminds the audience they are puppets. this dynamic is the key to their entire comedy style
MY KIDS: so why are there muppets in the AUDIENCE
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
ME: THE CONCEIT!! IS THAT THEY'RE PUTTING ON A VARIETY SHOW!!! IN A WORLD WHERE MUPPET AND HUMAN COEXIST!!! YOU ARE WATCHING A DOCUMENTARY!! FILMED!! IN REAL TIME!!!
February 8, 2026 at 6:22 AM
the magic of the Muppets is that there are two fourth walls. they constantly break the one that reminds the audience they are performers. they NEVER break the one that reminds the audience they are puppets. this dynamic is the key to their entire comedy style
Reposted by Star Simpson
The drone footage of this race was bonkers. Stomach-dropping in a good way.
Winter Olympics Photo of the Day: Drone Chase. A camera drone follows close behind Barnabas Szollos of Team Israel, as he hurtles down the course during the Men’s Downhill in Bormio, Italy, on February 7, 2026, day one of the 2026 Winter Olympics. Gift link: www.theatlantic.com/photography/...
February 7, 2026 at 10:08 PM
The drone footage of this race was bonkers. Stomach-dropping in a good way.