Meredith Farkas
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librarianmer.bsky.social
Meredith Farkas
@librarianmer.bsky.social
2.2K followers 600 following 850 posts

😷 🏳️‍🌈 🇵🇸 Community college librarian in Portland, OR. Solidarity, unions, slow librarianship, spoonie, autoimmune, still masking, disability justice. Blogging at Information Wants to be Free since 2004. Subscribe: http://meredithfarkas.substack.com .. more

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Education 21%
Computer science 20%
Posts Replies Media Videos

Reposted by Brendan Nyhan, Gordon Hodson, Ian Campbell , and 16 more

vulture.com
Vulture @vulture.com · 6h
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com

librarianmer.bsky.social
Meredith Farkas @librarianmer.bsky.social · 21h
That was such a fun conference!

librarianmer.bsky.social
Meredith Farkas @librarianmer.bsky.social · 21h
Ah Tilt! It closed years ago, but I do remember it well.

Reposted by Cas Mudde, Jean Burgess, American Library Association , and 12 more

abeba.bsky.social
Dr Abeba Birhane @abeba.bsky.social · 1d
can’t fucking catch a breath

make it stop
Is ChatGPT Conscious? Many users feel they’re talking to a real person. Scientists say it’s time to consider whether they’re onto something. By Jeff Wise, a science journalist and private pilot.

Reposted by Melanie C. Green, Meredith Farkas, Beth Tellman

rollingstone.com
Rolling Stone @rollingstone.com · 1d
In Morrow County, healthy adults were coming down with unexplained medical conditions, including diseases that usually afflicted the elderly.

In a survey of 30 homes, at least 25 miscarriages and a half dozen people living with one kidney were reported.

🔗 www.rollingstone.com/culture/cult...

librarianmer.bsky.social
Meredith Farkas @librarianmer.bsky.social · 2d
Today I discovered a winery that has a pie wine bar and while I can't really drink anymore, even I have to say that this is a genius idea (and the pie was freaking amazing).

Reposted by Meredith Farkas

prisonculture.bsky.social
Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 2d
More of this kind of reporting. Thank you.

www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Brand-new activists are discovering political movements – and each other: ‘You feel the camaraderie’
Organizers are breaking down barriers and creating clever campaigns to welcome people new to protesting
www.theguardian.com

Reposted by Robert C. Richards, Ann Bartow, Meredith Farkas , and 1 more

chanda.blacksky.app
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 3d
You all MUST READ this piece by Kaitlyn Greenidge about the power of art to “exist outside of a tech lord’s algorithm.”

www.harpersbazaar.com/culture/art-...
The Artist Who Reminds Us that Another Way Is Possible
The late artist Abigail McGrath cultivated a creative life for herself filled with freedom, joy, and a commitment to beauty. In an age of authoritarianism and algorithms, it’s a kind of life worth pro...
www.harpersbazaar.com

Reposted by Stephen D. Murphy, Lisa Diedrich, Meredith Farkas

jackiantonovich.bsky.social
Jacqueline Antonovich @jackiantonovich.bsky.social · 3d
Who invests in critical thinking and who invests in an AI chatbot to help you think will be really telling.

librarianmer.bsky.social
Meredith Farkas @librarianmer.bsky.social · 6d
Oh great. Whooping cough again at my son's high school and I'm immunocompromised. Can't imagine why I'm not at his packed jazz concert tonight even thought I'd like to be (lucky for me, I got to see the band play all the same songs yesterday in a mostly empty auditorium).

Reposted by Meredith Farkas

davidgraeberinst.bsky.social
David Graeber Institute @davidgraeberinst.bsky.social · 7d
Yes
Yes

Reposted by Meredith Farkas

taylorlorenz.bsky.social
Taylor Lorenz @taylorlorenz.bsky.social · 8d
Beautiful tribute to Alice 💔
Remembering Alice Wong: Writer, Advocate, Friend
Though we were in frequent conversation for a decade, I only got to meet my friend Alice Wong in person just once. And when I did, I  was a bundle of nerves—and that was before she cussed me out wi…
lithub.com

Reposted by Laurent Dubois, Aaron Sojourner, Jacob T. Levy , and 9 more

taniel.bsky.social
Taniel @taniel.bsky.social · 10d
a big runoff last night, in New Orleans:

Calvin Duncan was exonerated after spending *28 years* in prison; he tried to get his own case records from the New Orleans city clerk—but the office dragged its feet.

So Duncan ran to become city clerk himself, and yesterday ousted the incumbent.
Calvin Duncan wins Orleans clerk of court race - Verite News New Orleans
Duncan, a political newcomer and former prisoner, defeated incumbent Darren Lombard by a wide margin in Saturday's runoff.
veritenews.org

Reposted by Brian Keegan, Michael Müller, Meredith Farkas

reallandsend.bsky.social
Beatrice Adler-Bolton @reallandsend.bsky.social · 10d
Alice Wong taught us that disabled people don’t just leave memories behind—they leave infrastructure. Lineages of care. Methods of collectivity, survival. She named the connective tissue that holds our communities together, even across death, even across the losses that come too fast and too often.

Reposted by Meredith Farkas

sassylibrarian.bsky.social
Martha Hickson @sassylibrarian.bsky.social · 10d
I’m proud to call Jennie Pu a friend. She helped get the NJ Freedom to Read Act across the finish line. We sat side by side when we testified before the NJ Assembly Education Committee, which you can see in @thelibrariansfilm.bsky.social. Jennie’s the REAL joyful warrior!
Meet the NJ Librarian Who’s Taking on the Culture Wars
Hoboken Public Library director Jennie Pu has helped libraries across New Jersey remain safe spaces amid censorship and book bans.
njmonthly.com

librarianmer.bsky.social
Meredith Farkas @librarianmer.bsky.social · 11d
Rest in power, Alice Wong. She was such a fierce force in the disability justice movement that I don't think her impact could possibly be overstated. So grateful for all the wisdom she shared with us.
thrasherxy.bsky.social Steven W. Thrasher is finishing The Overseer Class @thrasherxy.bsky.social · 11d
“Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
Black text on a yellow background - This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out. I did not ever imagine I would live to this age and end up a writer, editor, activist, and more. As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin. We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching. I'm honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don't let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.

Reposted by Meredith Farkas

levin.bsky.social
Elana Levin @levin.bsky.social · 11d
Respect Alice Wong’s call here:
“When I am in public spaces and see most people unmasked either because they think the virus is a hoax, that masking is virtue signaling & a sign of weakness, aren't thinking about it, or that they simply don’t care, I feel like an expendable burden not worth saving.”
COVID Isn’t Going Anywhere. Masking Up Could Save My Life.
"When I am in public spaces and see most people unmasked, I feel like an expendable burden not worth saving."
www.teenvogue.com

Reposted by Rebecca Solnit, Martin Paul Eve, Robert Black , and 3 more

markharris.bsky.social
Mark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 11d
Some inspiring words on cinema in the streaming era from the Pope.

Yes, THAT Pope.
The logic of algorithms tends to repeat what “works,” but art opens up what is possible. Not everything has to be immediate or predictable. Defend slowness when it serves a purpose, silence when it speaks and difference when evocative. Beauty is not just a means of escape; it is above all an invocation. When cinema is authentic, it does not merely console, but challenges. It articulates the questions that dwell within us, and sometimes, even provokes tears that we did not know we needed to express.

Reposted by Meredith Farkas

thrasherxy.bsky.social
Steven W. Thrasher is finishing The Overseer Class @thrasherxy.bsky.social · 11d
Brave, funny, loving, shameless, compassionate, horny, and in solidarity with everyone fighting a good fight: Alice Wong was the example of how to live your life. Live it in such a way that people around the world gush about how much they loved you when you pass. Alice knew how to live!

Reposted by John McLaren, B. R. Mitchell, Lindsay M. Tedds , and 6 more

thrasherxy.bsky.social
Steven W. Thrasher is finishing The Overseer Class @thrasherxy.bsky.social · 11d
“Don’t let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.”
Black text on a yellow background - This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the time of her passing. Hi everyone, it looks like I ran out of time. I have so many dreams that I wanted to fulfill and plans to create new stories for you. There are a few in progress that might come to fruition in a few years if things work out. I did not ever imagine I would live to this age and end up a writer, editor, activist, and more. As a kid riddled with insecurity and internalized ableism, I could not see a path forward. It was thanks to friendships and some great teachers who believed in me that I was able to fight my way out of miserable situations into a place where I finally felt comfortable in my skin. We need more stories about us and our culture. You all, we all, deserve the everything and more in such a hostile, ableist environment. Our wisdom is incisive and unflinching. I'm honored to be your ancestor and believe disabled oracles like us will light the way to the future. Don't let the bastards grind you down. I love you all.

Reposted by Adrian Daub, Meredith Farkas, Nathan P. Kalmoe , and 1 more

michaelhobbes.bsky.social
Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 11d
This is a straightforward Republican attack line, what the fuck is he doing

Reposted by Meredith Farkas

seiu925.bsky.social
SEIU Local 925 @seiu925.bsky.social · 12d
It’s #SolidaritySeason and we’re joining @sbworkersunited.bsky.social baristas in their fight for a fair contract. Seattle’s newly elected mayor, Katie Wilson, joined our Seattle rally today to stand with workers, too.

DON’T BUY STARBUCKS! ☕🚫

#NoContractNoCoffee

Reposted by Brian Keegan, Meredith Farkas

samthielman.com
CHOAM for the holidays @samthielman.com · 13d
CLAIM: The government is run by a secret society of pedophiles
RATING: FALSE. This society is in no way a secret

Reposted by Lesley A. Hall, Alan Richardson, Samantha Brennan , and 5 more

tylerfromtheinternet.com
Tyler, from the Internet @tylerfromtheinternet.com · 13d
As all this disgusting Epstein shit starts surfacing more and more, I hope we don't lose sight of the fact that apparently every major media outlet knew everything and instead spent their time money and energy attacking the trans community.

Reposted by Alessandro Rigolon, Meredith Farkas

kromandavid.bsky.social
David Kroman @kromandavid.bsky.social · 13d
Katie Wilson has been elected Seattle's next mayor
www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...
Katie Wilson elected Seattle’s next mayor
Wilson took a 1,976-vote lead over Bruce Harrell. With a maximum of 1,320 ballots remaining, it is mathematically impossible for Harrell to catch up.
www.seattletimes.com

Reposted by Michael Barnett, Kevin J. Anchukaitis, Scott L. Greer , and 8 more

heartlandsignal.bsky.social
Heartland Signal @heartlandsignal.bsky.social · 14d
JD Vance calls ibuprofen "useless medication" and implies it's not "necessary, safe and effective."

Reposted by Meredith Farkas

juliadoubleday.bsky.social
Julia Doubleday @juliadoubleday.bsky.social · 16d
Living with Long COVID often feels like living in a horror movie. Along with your disease comes a creepy Hive Mind refusal to acknowledge the dangers of COVID infection. In Vince Gilligan's new Apple TV show Pluribus, the Hive Mind comes to life:

www.thegauntlet.news/p/pluribus-c...
"Pluribus" captures the isolation of COVID-awareness in a COVID denialist world
For years I've described having Long COVID as living in a horror movie. Now that horror movie (well, prestige Apple TV show) is here.
www.thegauntlet.news

Reposted by Efrén O. Pérez, Meredith Farkas

jules.su
Jules Suzdaltsev @jules.su · 16d
this is literally never not accurate

Reposted by W. Andy Knight, Meredith Farkas, Nicole Guenther Discenza , and 1 more

muellershewrote.com
Mueller, She Wrote @muellershewrote.com · 16d
Never forget who sold us out:

Hassan
King
Cortez-Masto
Shaheen
Kaine
Fetterman
Durbin
Rosen

librarianmer.bsky.social
Meredith Farkas @librarianmer.bsky.social · 18d
Really elucidates the New York Times "style" that we've seen in countless cases (particularly in the case of Mamdani and trans-related issues) where they try to hide their obvious bias behind a screen of both-sides-ism that ignores the fact that only one side really offers quality evidence.