Median Poster
@stealmyposts.bsky.social
Learner, HS Teacher, Reader of books, good and bad, Proud Marylander. Into urbanism and transit.
Contrarian by nuture. Determined optimist by nature.
Contrarian by nuture. Determined optimist by nature.
Somewhere out there, this very night, in a room full of fancy monitors and fancier statistical models, there's a Koch-funded quant running a +18%D scenario across all the House Districts and slowly turning paler as the whole country flows blue.
savor it.
savor it.
December 3, 2025 at 1:53 AM
Somewhere out there, this very night, in a room full of fancy monitors and fancier statistical models, there's a Koch-funded quant running a +18%D scenario across all the House Districts and slowly turning paler as the whole country flows blue.
savor it.
savor it.
vaccines defeat viruses and cancer!!!
“Liver cancer has disappeared in children,” one liver specialist says, after a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine has been recommended since 1991. Now a CDC advisory panel is revisiting the schedule.
RFK Jr. wants to delay the hepatitis B vaccine. Here’s what parents need to know.
“Liver cancer has disappeared in children,” one liver specialist says, after a birth dose of the hepatitis B vaccine has been recommended since 1991. Now a CDC advisory panel is revisiting the schedule.
bit.ly
December 3, 2025 at 12:19 AM
vaccines defeat viruses and cancer!!!
you will never believe what the names Malka and Mordechai have in common?
I’ve been writing about political polarization in U.S. baby names, but kept running into a possible ecological fallacy: Are these political patterns or just urban v. rural geography?
So I tried to answer it definitively. inequalitybyinteriordesign.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/w...
So I tried to answer it definitively. inequalitybyinteriordesign.wordpress.com/2025/12/02/w...
Where Names Live: Mapping Baby Name Geography and Political Culture
Over the past few months, I’ve been writing about political polarization and baby naming practices in the United States (see HERE for the most recent piece). A consistent pattern kept showing up: s…
inequalitybyinteriordesign.wordpress.com
December 2, 2025 at 11:32 PM
you will never believe what the names Malka and Mordechai have in common?
Aspiration: Enough time to work through my curriculum to create genuine alternate formats and structures for my student's learning needs.
Balancing "no person with a disability should be denied accommodations" with "it's important to discourage non-disabled people from pretending to be disabled to take advantage of these accommodations" is really difficult and I don't have a great answer for what anyone should do about it.
December 2, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Aspiration: Enough time to work through my curriculum to create genuine alternate formats and structures for my student's learning needs.
You're not going to convince me that this whole war with Venezaula nonsense is not about ousting Maduro before the Nobel Peace Prize winner does.
December 2, 2025 at 4:37 PM
You're not going to convince me that this whole war with Venezaula nonsense is not about ousting Maduro before the Nobel Peace Prize winner does.
until we have a regular year round ordinary people place in anartica... don't talk to me about Mars
yeah, there are so many places that are a billion times more livable than Mars and nobody wants to live there.
December 2, 2025 at 1:39 PM
until we have a regular year round ordinary people place in anartica... don't talk to me about Mars
Reposted by Median Poster
LONG RAMBLING EMOTIONAL THREAD:
It's World AIDS Day. Since the Administration has decided to keep it quiet, I'd like to share my introduction to AIDS.
I grew up in Seattle. My mom remarried a man who had a brother who was a King County Sheriff's Deputy. His name was Terry and he was gay. 1/x
It's World AIDS Day. Since the Administration has decided to keep it quiet, I'd like to share my introduction to AIDS.
I grew up in Seattle. My mom remarried a man who had a brother who was a King County Sheriff's Deputy. His name was Terry and he was gay. 1/x
December 2, 2025 at 3:59 AM
LONG RAMBLING EMOTIONAL THREAD:
It's World AIDS Day. Since the Administration has decided to keep it quiet, I'd like to share my introduction to AIDS.
I grew up in Seattle. My mom remarried a man who had a brother who was a King County Sheriff's Deputy. His name was Terry and he was gay. 1/x
It's World AIDS Day. Since the Administration has decided to keep it quiet, I'd like to share my introduction to AIDS.
I grew up in Seattle. My mom remarried a man who had a brother who was a King County Sheriff's Deputy. His name was Terry and he was gay. 1/x
huh. let's make this happen
We must stop tinkering around the edges of a broken healthcare system.
Yes, let's extend the ACA tax credits to prevent a huge spike in healthcare costs for millions. Then, let's finally create a system that puts your health over corporate profits.
We need Medicare for All.
Yes, let's extend the ACA tax credits to prevent a huge spike in healthcare costs for millions. Then, let's finally create a system that puts your health over corporate profits.
We need Medicare for All.
December 1, 2025 at 11:21 PM
huh. let's make this happen
Reposted by Median Poster
Incredible - balcony solar, for owners or tenants, is ready to go. The tech is there; all that's missing is the legislation.
Delighted to to learn Maryland is one of the states queuing up laws that would make it possible for anyone to pop down to Costco or Ikea, buy a panel and plug it in.
Delighted to to learn Maryland is one of the states queuing up laws that would make it possible for anyone to pop down to Costco or Ikea, buy a panel and plug it in.
Today on Volts: I've had more requests to cover this than almost any other topic in the pod's history, so now, at long last, balcony solar! We dig into how "plug-in solar" took off in Europe & how it's making its way to the US, starting in Utah. Backyard DIY types rejoice!
What's the deal with balcony solar?
Cora Stryker joins me to explain how "plug-in" solar took Europe by storm and is finally, via Utah (?), making its way to America.
www.volts.wtf
December 1, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Incredible - balcony solar, for owners or tenants, is ready to go. The tech is there; all that's missing is the legislation.
Delighted to to learn Maryland is one of the states queuing up laws that would make it possible for anyone to pop down to Costco or Ikea, buy a panel and plug it in.
Delighted to to learn Maryland is one of the states queuing up laws that would make it possible for anyone to pop down to Costco or Ikea, buy a panel and plug it in.
maryland, the millenial of states...(mostly complimentary)
MARYLAND is replacing their "young adult" subsidy program w/a more robust version which will backfill 100% of the lost federal subsidies for enrollees earning up to 200% FPL, and 50% of the lost tax credits for enrollees earning 200 - 400% FPL.
There's around ~79,000 Marylanders in each category.
There's around ~79,000 Marylanders in each category.
a person in a colorful costume is standing in a living room
Alt: a person in a colorful costume is standing in a living room
media.tenor.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:46 PM
maryland, the millenial of states...(mostly complimentary)
Reposted by Median Poster
MARYLAND is replacing their "young adult" subsidy program w/a more robust version which will backfill 100% of the lost federal subsidies for enrollees earning up to 200% FPL, and 50% of the lost tax credits for enrollees earning 200 - 400% FPL.
There's around ~79,000 Marylanders in each category.
There's around ~79,000 Marylanders in each category.
a person in a colorful costume is standing in a living room
Alt: a person in a colorful costume is standing in a living room
media.tenor.com
November 30, 2025 at 3:55 PM
MARYLAND is replacing their "young adult" subsidy program w/a more robust version which will backfill 100% of the lost federal subsidies for enrollees earning up to 200% FPL, and 50% of the lost tax credits for enrollees earning 200 - 400% FPL.
There's around ~79,000 Marylanders in each category.
There's around ~79,000 Marylanders in each category.
Reposted by Median Poster
Maryland's Purple Line project is one step closer to completion, as officials said the "28th and final light-rail vehicle" has arrived ahead of schedule https://wtop.com/maryland/2025/11/purple-line-hits-milestone-ahead-of-2027-opening/ #montgomerycountymd #purplelinemd #silverspringmd #bethesdamd
Purple Line hits milestone ahead of 2027 opening - WTOP News
Maryland’s Purple Line project is one step closer to completion, as officials said the “28th and final light-rail vehicle” has arrived ahead of schedule.
wtop.com
November 30, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Maryland's Purple Line project is one step closer to completion, as officials said the "28th and final light-rail vehicle" has arrived ahead of schedule https://wtop.com/maryland/2025/11/purple-line-hits-milestone-ahead-of-2027-opening/ #montgomerycountymd #purplelinemd #silverspringmd #bethesdamd
Reposted by Median Poster
I treat boycotts as personal blood vendettas. This is about me physically harming a corporation, not about me telling any other human how to live their life.
I don’t have time to judge others while I’m digging two graves for me and Target.
I don’t have time to judge others while I’m digging two graves for me and Target.
As I always do with boycotts, I urge: be tough with corporations, gentle with individual buyers. For some people, Black Friday sales are the way they get their kids jackets that fit, shoes that hold up to the weather. Yelling at them doesn’t help the cause.
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I treat boycotts as personal blood vendettas. This is about me physically harming a corporation, not about me telling any other human how to live their life.
I don’t have time to judge others while I’m digging two graves for me and Target.
I don’t have time to judge others while I’m digging two graves for me and Target.
Went to National Air and Space Museum, beautiful metal and marble.... and almost no science at all.
November 28, 2025 at 4:56 PM
Went to National Air and Space Museum, beautiful metal and marble.... and almost no science at all.
Reposted by Median Poster
"Real gratitude is scary because it means giving up the sense of security that comes with the illusion of self-sufficiency."
Me, with nods to @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social and Brené Brown. Happy Thanksgiving!
avbronstein.substack.com/p/thanksgiving
Me, with nods to @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social and Brené Brown. Happy Thanksgiving!
avbronstein.substack.com/p/thanksgiving
November 27, 2025 at 9:52 PM
"Real gratitude is scary because it means giving up the sense of security that comes with the illusion of self-sufficiency."
Me, with nods to @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social and Brené Brown. Happy Thanksgiving!
avbronstein.substack.com/p/thanksgiving
Me, with nods to @dianabutlerbass.bsky.social and Brené Brown. Happy Thanksgiving!
avbronstein.substack.com/p/thanksgiving
Reposted by Median Poster
One of the reasons i love tolkien is the theme that despair is an enemy
and it makes clear you don’t need to have constant hope, you can get by with grim determination or spite but never despair
and it makes clear you don’t need to have constant hope, you can get by with grim determination or spite but never despair
You can be as terrified or nonplussed or unperturbed as you like; the sun will still rise tomorrow & the rent will still be due on the 31st. The world has no romantic narratives for its fate except those we invent, because the world does not die. That is our privilege.
I said it elsewhere, but it’s weirdly exhilarating and addictive to be terrified all the time, and the people addicted to it, when they say this, may as well be saying “I can stop at any time, it’s just the world doing this *to* me.”
December 31, 2023 at 3:23 AM
One of the reasons i love tolkien is the theme that despair is an enemy
and it makes clear you don’t need to have constant hope, you can get by with grim determination or spite but never despair
and it makes clear you don’t need to have constant hope, you can get by with grim determination or spite but never despair
Reposted by Median Poster
Happy Victory for US Arms and Down With Treasonous Slavers Day!
Uncomfortable with the First Thanksgiving Narrative? Good News, it’s Actually a Civil War Holiday
Take heart, all you who grow unsettled at the time of year where the narrative of friendly Pilgrims and American Indians is spread around to make us feel good about a brief moment in American histo…
angrystaffofficer.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:25 PM
Happy Victory for US Arms and Down With Treasonous Slavers Day!
Reposted by Median Poster
There are two methods for cranberry harvest- wet method and dry method. Pictured is the ‘wet harvest’ method where the cranberry bog is flooded and the plants are shaken to dislodge the submerged berries, which float. (Fun fact: in a flooded bog the workers become high ground for the spiders.)
November 26, 2025 at 6:59 PM
There are two methods for cranberry harvest- wet method and dry method. Pictured is the ‘wet harvest’ method where the cranberry bog is flooded and the plants are shaken to dislodge the submerged berries, which float. (Fun fact: in a flooded bog the workers become high ground for the spiders.)
Reposted by Median Poster
![Comic. Panels up to the 10-year point are grayed out. New panels since the Ten Years comic, which chronicles the first ten years of PERSON 1's journey with cancer: (1) [two people in bed] PERSON 1 (woman): One more chapter? PERSON 2 (man): Don’t we both have to get up early? PERSON 1: Nnnnnggggh PERSON 2: Sure, good point. (2) [many people wearing masks, walking while looking at graphs on their phones] (3) [birds landing on people] PERSON 2 in beanie and scarf: Hah! They like *my* seeds best. PERSON 1 in scarf holding phone with a bird sitting on it: Wait, how do I take a picture of this one? (4) [two people rowing boats with tree landscape] (5) [Person 1 carries overflowing stack of things to Person 2 in bed] PERSON 1: I brought you honey lemon tea, more pillows, a cinnamon roll, Tylenol, another blanket, a– PERSON 2: It was just Appendicitis, I’m really– PERSON 1: *It is my turn to take care of you and I am going to do it right!* (6) [Two people in car] (7) [still in car) PERSON 1: Oh my god. PERSON 2: Oh my god. (8) [car driving] PERSON 1: Pull over! PERSON 2: I am! (9) [both people get out of car] (10) [Large colored panel of aurora borealis over water with both people looking on] (11) [Person 1 sits against tree while Person 2 lies on the ground] PERSON 1: Fifteen years. No sign of the cancer. (12) I *am* having some weird symptoms. Joint pain. Fatigue. I think I’m losing my close-up vision. PERSON 2: Yeah. Me too. (13) PERSON 2: I think we’re getting old. (14) PERSON 1: I guess that’s okay. PERSON 2: It’s all I wanted.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreihwhjblp5lyiwp63ouar7ocfea7evmckytoeo7rkfuoo4gw5rnrra@jpeg)
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Reposted by Median Poster
One thing I have no patience for is "there is nothing to be thankful for" doomerism. If Americans were finding things to be thankful for in 1863, two and a half years into a bloody Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln formalized the Thanksgiving holiday, then I can find things to be thankful for too.
November 26, 2025 at 10:33 PM
One thing I have no patience for is "there is nothing to be thankful for" doomerism. If Americans were finding things to be thankful for in 1863, two and a half years into a bloody Civil War, when Abraham Lincoln formalized the Thanksgiving holiday, then I can find things to be thankful for too.
Reposted by Median Poster
this plus CT's single stair reform = big housing wins
Great news! Connecticut governor Ned Lamont, a noted coward, has finally located his big-boy pants and signed the legislature's amazing, ambitious housing bill. Among other things, it nukes parking mandates!
Gov. Lamont signs much-debated CT affordable housing bill after vetoing previous version
The bill is Connecticut's most significant housing legislation in decades.
www.ctinsider.com
November 26, 2025 at 7:45 PM
this plus CT's single stair reform = big housing wins
Reposted by Median Poster
Have you ever met a rooster who is gorgeous, smart, funny, and cool and his girlfriend is just some hen?
November 26, 2025 at 10:32 AM
Have you ever met a rooster who is gorgeous, smart, funny, and cool and his girlfriend is just some hen?
Reposted by Median Poster
