Twainian
@twainian.bsky.social
Anonymous account for reasons. Politics. Science. The search for truth, or a better version of it. Trying to be a good ally. Happy to learn and update myself with new ideas and opinions. ND. Father. Husband. I love them and you. Don’t be a jerk. ✊🏽🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️🇺🇦🇺🇸
Reposted by Twainian
A piercing ray of sunshine on local democratic options is the absolute best disinfectant. Please share this post today. @boltsmag.org is doing such important work. Thanks @russ41.bsky.social!
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- Follow @boltsmag.org = I donate $1.
- Donate (link below) + tell me how much = I match your donation.
(Donate monthly = I match a year's worth)
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
December 5, 2025 at 2:19 AM
A piercing ray of sunshine on local democratic options is the absolute best disinfectant. Please share this post today. @boltsmag.org is doing such important work. Thanks @russ41.bsky.social!
Reposted by Twainian
Got to love how much praise NYT gets for one article, 2+ years late, that literally just rehashes things we all knew already but NYT has spent the last 2 years ignoring & denying & obfuscating.
The New York Times produced a detailed, data-driven report on President Trump showing signs of aging. The president, 79, responded by calling the female reporter who co-wrote the story “ugly.” https://cnn.it/48idUFL
November 27, 2025 at 12:37 PM
Got to love how much praise NYT gets for one article, 2+ years late, that literally just rehashes things we all knew already but NYT has spent the last 2 years ignoring & denying & obfuscating.
I learned recently that icy is the easiest word to spell. Now that I think about it…
I see why.
I see why.
November 21, 2025 at 7:13 PM
I learned recently that icy is the easiest word to spell. Now that I think about it…
I see why.
I see why.
Reposted by Twainian
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Summers Will Not Finish Semester of Teaching as Harvard Investigates Epstein Ties | News | The Harvard Crimson
Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey E. Epstein.
www.thecrimson.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 AM
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Reposted by Twainian
This is, of course, a fascinating thread from Kate asking why Google is effectively cannibalizing its own market for both digital ads on third party properties and search ads, by effectively taking away the incentive to click through to third party sites. I have a theory as to why they're doing it.
So this ad revenue metric is indicative of such a fascinating and weird set of business decisions by Google to inexplicably kill of SEO-- and I honestly don't get how they think this is going to pay off for them in the long run.
🧵
1/
🧵
1/
Stereogum says Google's switch to AI Overviews reduced its ad revenue by *70 percent* www.theverge.com/entertainmen...
November 18, 2025 at 9:26 PM
This is, of course, a fascinating thread from Kate asking why Google is effectively cannibalizing its own market for both digital ads on third party properties and search ads, by effectively taking away the incentive to click through to third party sites. I have a theory as to why they're doing it.
Reposted by Twainian
So this ad revenue metric is indicative of such a fascinating and weird set of business decisions by Google to inexplicably kill of SEO-- and I honestly don't get how they think this is going to pay off for them in the long run.
🧵
1/
🧵
1/
Stereogum says Google's switch to AI Overviews reduced its ad revenue by *70 percent* www.theverge.com/entertainmen...
Stereogum soldiers on in the era of streaming and AI
Stereogum Founder Scott Lapatine on the importance of independent media in the age of AI slop and algorithms.
www.theverge.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:42 PM
So this ad revenue metric is indicative of such a fascinating and weird set of business decisions by Google to inexplicably kill of SEO-- and I honestly don't get how they think this is going to pay off for them in the long run.
🧵
1/
🧵
1/
I learned recently that the quality of leather is based on its texture. Cows with access to a lot of water have soft hides which are rated A.
But hides from cows living in hot, dry areas are typically D hide rated.
But hides from cows living in hot, dry areas are typically D hide rated.
November 11, 2025 at 3:48 PM
I learned recently that the quality of leather is based on its texture. Cows with access to a lot of water have soft hides which are rated A.
But hides from cows living in hot, dry areas are typically D hide rated.
But hides from cows living in hot, dry areas are typically D hide rated.
Reposted by Twainian
To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we asked 25 writers we admire—from @jeetheer.bsky.social to @anamariecox.bsky.social—to reflect on a moment from the past 25 years of digital media. Read @joshtpm.bsky.social's intro to the project: Pivots, Trolls + Blog Rolls
talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/the-o...
talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/the-o...
The Original Sin of Digital Media Was the Belief That Digital Journalists Were Part of the Tech Business
I want to begin this introduction to our 25th anniversary essay series...
talkingpointsmemo.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:40 PM
To celebrate our 25th anniversary, we asked 25 writers we admire—from @jeetheer.bsky.social to @anamariecox.bsky.social—to reflect on a moment from the past 25 years of digital media. Read @joshtpm.bsky.social's intro to the project: Pivots, Trolls + Blog Rolls
talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/the-o...
talkingpointsmemo.com/tpm-25/the-o...
I have a friend who worships certain shades of blue.
He's a Cyantologist
He's a Cyantologist
October 27, 2025 at 11:52 PM
I have a friend who worships certain shades of blue.
He's a Cyantologist
He's a Cyantologist
A screwdriver walks into a bar and the bartender says “Hey, we have a drink named after you!”
To which the screwdriver replies “You have a drink named Phillip?”
To which the screwdriver replies “You have a drink named Phillip?”
October 25, 2025 at 12:49 AM
A screwdriver walks into a bar and the bartender says “Hey, we have a drink named after you!”
To which the screwdriver replies “You have a drink named Phillip?”
To which the screwdriver replies “You have a drink named Phillip?”
I find these older issues of Scientific American to be quite interesting. They provide an interesting window into the past and show that things are not much different. In some ways, at least.
Free from Project Gutenberg!
@gutenberg.org
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/books...
Free from Project Gutenberg!
@gutenberg.org
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/books...
Books in Scientific American
Project Gutenberg offers 76,839 free eBooks for Kindle, iPad, Nook, Android, and iPhone.
www.gutenberg.org
October 9, 2025 at 1:26 PM
I find these older issues of Scientific American to be quite interesting. They provide an interesting window into the past and show that things are not much different. In some ways, at least.
Free from Project Gutenberg!
@gutenberg.org
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/books...
Free from Project Gutenberg!
@gutenberg.org
www.gutenberg.org/ebooks/books...
Reposted by Twainian
New Reporting Suggests Trump Was Ready and Willing to Make Deal With Dems talkingpointsmemo.com/live-blog/sh...
Hours Away, Government Shutdown Seems Inevitable
The government will shut down at midnight. The Senate is in session,...
talkingpointsmemo.com
September 30, 2025 at 8:57 PM
New Reporting Suggests Trump Was Ready and Willing to Make Deal With Dems talkingpointsmemo.com/live-blog/sh...
Reposted by Twainian
I was back at 26 Federal Plaza today, where an ICE agent violently threw this bereft woman to the ground in front of her kids. She had not touched him. She did not pose any threat. She had to be taken to the hospital. (🎥: Elias Eliahu)
September 25, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I was back at 26 Federal Plaza today, where an ICE agent violently threw this bereft woman to the ground in front of her kids. She had not touched him. She did not pose any threat. She had to be taken to the hospital. (🎥: Elias Eliahu)
Reposted by Twainian
A cool and surprising fact is that this jet was first seen over 100 years ago, *optically*
In 1918, Heber Curtis observed a a "curious straight ray" connected to the nucleus of M87 — the jet generated by its black hole. 🔭 🧪
Image: Linda Hall Library; NASA / Hubble Heritage; Event Horizon Telescope
In 1918, Heber Curtis observed a a "curious straight ray" connected to the nucleus of M87 — the jet generated by its black hole. 🔭 🧪
Image: Linda Hall Library; NASA / Hubble Heritage; Event Horizon Telescope
September 17, 2025 at 1:24 AM
A cool and surprising fact is that this jet was first seen over 100 years ago, *optically*
In 1918, Heber Curtis observed a a "curious straight ray" connected to the nucleus of M87 — the jet generated by its black hole. 🔭 🧪
Image: Linda Hall Library; NASA / Hubble Heritage; Event Horizon Telescope
In 1918, Heber Curtis observed a a "curious straight ray" connected to the nucleus of M87 — the jet generated by its black hole. 🔭 🧪
Image: Linda Hall Library; NASA / Hubble Heritage; Event Horizon Telescope
Reposted by Twainian
Whether it’s Michelle Obama suggesting kids exercise instead of watching tv or RFK Jr. telling kids to drink raw milk instead of taking vaccines, both figures took a controversial approach to children’s health.
September 1, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Whether it’s Michelle Obama suggesting kids exercise instead of watching tv or RFK Jr. telling kids to drink raw milk instead of taking vaccines, both figures took a controversial approach to children’s health.
Reposted by Twainian
Quant popularists like David Shor who want us to call fascism a "distraction" are using poor pseudoscience methods. Their messaging won't work in the midterms--and even if it did, ignoring fascism risks not having free midterms at all.
My latest at WaMo: washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/01/f...
My latest at WaMo: washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/01/f...
Fighting Authoritarianism: A Democratic Imperative
In the lead-up to the 2026 midterms, fIghting authoritarianism should be as much of priority as emphasizing kitchen-table issues
washingtonmonthly.com
September 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Quant popularists like David Shor who want us to call fascism a "distraction" are using poor pseudoscience methods. Their messaging won't work in the midterms--and even if it did, ignoring fascism risks not having free midterms at all.
My latest at WaMo: washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/01/f...
My latest at WaMo: washingtonmonthly.com/2025/09/01/f...
Reposted by Twainian
Locked beneath a single-plate crust, Mars’ mantle holds a frozen record of the red planet’s primordial past, according to a new Science study of Martian seismic data collected by NASA’s InSight mission. https://scim.ag/47jTkWX
Seismic evidence for a highly heterogeneous martian mantle
A planet’s interior is a time capsule, preserving clues to its early history. We report the discovery of kilometer-scale heterogeneities throughout Mars’ mantle, detected seismically through pronounce...
www.science.org
September 1, 2025 at 7:51 PM
Locked beneath a single-plate crust, Mars’ mantle holds a frozen record of the red planet’s primordial past, according to a new Science study of Martian seismic data collected by NASA’s InSight mission. https://scim.ag/47jTkWX
Reposted by Twainian
The United States could have great things like this. But we like to spend our money on kidnapping people and trafficking them to concentration camps instead. #Priorities
August 19, 2025 at 3:53 PM
The United States could have great things like this. But we like to spend our money on kidnapping people and trafficking them to concentration camps instead. #Priorities
I read today that scientists have created genetically modified crabs with cheetah genes.
I don’t know about you, but I think this could go sideways fast.
I don’t know about you, but I think this could go sideways fast.
July 15, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I read today that scientists have created genetically modified crabs with cheetah genes.
I don’t know about you, but I think this could go sideways fast.
I don’t know about you, but I think this could go sideways fast.
Reposted by Twainian
I’m petrified about today’s science news. Genetically modifying crabs to have cheetah genes? This could go sideways fast.
July 8, 2025 at 9:45 AM
I’m petrified about today’s science news. Genetically modifying crabs to have cheetah genes? This could go sideways fast.
Reposted by Twainian
Carrie Adeline Barbour (1861 – 1942) was a paleontologist and educator.
As an assistant curator of paleontology at the University of Nebraska State Museum and an Assistant Professor of Paleontology, she was among the earliest women paleontologists in the United States.
#WomenInSTEM
As an assistant curator of paleontology at the University of Nebraska State Museum and an Assistant Professor of Paleontology, she was among the earliest women paleontologists in the United States.
#WomenInSTEM
June 9, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Carrie Adeline Barbour (1861 – 1942) was a paleontologist and educator.
As an assistant curator of paleontology at the University of Nebraska State Museum and an Assistant Professor of Paleontology, she was among the earliest women paleontologists in the United States.
#WomenInSTEM
As an assistant curator of paleontology at the University of Nebraska State Museum and an Assistant Professor of Paleontology, she was among the earliest women paleontologists in the United States.
#WomenInSTEM
Reposted by Twainian
Critically important point from Juliette. The only real justification for federalizing the nat guard over a governors objection is when the civil authorities are defying the law. This is attack on the sovereign right of the people of California to self government.
June 8, 2025 at 6:58 AM
Critically important point from Juliette. The only real justification for federalizing the nat guard over a governors objection is when the civil authorities are defying the law. This is attack on the sovereign right of the people of California to self government.
Reposted by Twainian
Galactic bones, filaments of radio-wave-emitting particles, run through our galaxy, and one of them has a fracture. New analysis suggests collision with a neutron star may have caused it. www.wired.com/story/the-mi...
The Milky Way Has a Mysterious ‘Broken Bone’
Galactic bones, filaments of radio-wave-emitting particles, run through our galaxy, and one of them has a fracture. New analysis suggests collision with a neutron star may have caused it.
www.wired.com
May 26, 2025 at 9:05 AM
Galactic bones, filaments of radio-wave-emitting particles, run through our galaxy, and one of them has a fracture. New analysis suggests collision with a neutron star may have caused it. www.wired.com/story/the-mi...
Reposted by Twainian
FULL DISCLOSURE, MAGA Murder Budget is the messaging that I suggested and while I wanted to just ignore this new testing, now that it's out there, feels like I gotta wade in. Here goes - adventures in everything wrong with Dem message testing, a case study. /1
"House Majority Fund, a Democratic group aligned with House Democratic leadership, issued talking points for members on the bill."
Avoid Hyperbolic Rhetoric
punchbowl.news/hmf-releases...
Avoid Hyperbolic Rhetoric
punchbowl.news/hmf-releases...
May 21, 2025 at 4:10 PM
FULL DISCLOSURE, MAGA Murder Budget is the messaging that I suggested and while I wanted to just ignore this new testing, now that it's out there, feels like I gotta wade in. Here goes - adventures in everything wrong with Dem message testing, a case study. /1