spiderscribbles
@abbyowl.bsky.social
Into education, data and society stuff, changing systems, and cool bugs.
Told the children that the cat's special bag and treats are only for when he comes hiking. They huddled by the swingset then brought me a plan for a little hike we could fit in the ~50 minutes we had before the end of day.
Off we went! The cat cooperated and had as much fun as the kids. A glimmer.
Off we went! The cat cooperated and had as much fun as the kids. A glimmer.
January 10, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Told the children that the cat's special bag and treats are only for when he comes hiking. They huddled by the swingset then brought me a plan for a little hike we could fit in the ~50 minutes we had before the end of day.
Off we went! The cat cooperated and had as much fun as the kids. A glimmer.
Off we went! The cat cooperated and had as much fun as the kids. A glimmer.
The children are back at school and the cat is so happy they have reappeared! The New Year's resolution folks are back at the gym and I'm frankly glad they've reappeared, too.
Can we get a whole month of growing ourselves and encouraging each other in both spaces? Let's see!
Can we get a whole month of growing ourselves and encouraging each other in both spaces? Let's see!
January 6, 2026 at 1:09 AM
The children are back at school and the cat is so happy they have reappeared! The New Year's resolution folks are back at the gym and I'm frankly glad they've reappeared, too.
Can we get a whole month of growing ourselves and encouraging each other in both spaces? Let's see!
Can we get a whole month of growing ourselves and encouraging each other in both spaces? Let's see!
Reposted by spiderscribbles
You don’t have to want kids or even enjoy being around them. But it’s also worth unpacking why kids simply existing, learning, or having unmet needs reads as “annoying,” “unlikeable,” or “bad behavior.”
This collective discomfort with noise, need, & vulnerability is why many ADULTS are struggling.
This collective discomfort with noise, need, & vulnerability is why many ADULTS are struggling.
January 4, 2026 at 3:44 PM
You don’t have to want kids or even enjoy being around them. But it’s also worth unpacking why kids simply existing, learning, or having unmet needs reads as “annoying,” “unlikeable,” or “bad behavior.”
This collective discomfort with noise, need, & vulnerability is why many ADULTS are struggling.
This collective discomfort with noise, need, & vulnerability is why many ADULTS are struggling.
Cleaning 3 things before doomscrolling.
Hydrating before doomscrolling.
Doing squats before doomscrolling.
Making art before doomscrolling.
Refreshing first aid skills before doomscrolling.
Walking with a friend before doomscrolling.
Singing old songs before doomscrolling.
Planting seeds before...
Hydrating before doomscrolling.
Doing squats before doomscrolling.
Making art before doomscrolling.
Refreshing first aid skills before doomscrolling.
Walking with a friend before doomscrolling.
Singing old songs before doomscrolling.
Planting seeds before...
January 3, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Cleaning 3 things before doomscrolling.
Hydrating before doomscrolling.
Doing squats before doomscrolling.
Making art before doomscrolling.
Refreshing first aid skills before doomscrolling.
Walking with a friend before doomscrolling.
Singing old songs before doomscrolling.
Planting seeds before...
Hydrating before doomscrolling.
Doing squats before doomscrolling.
Making art before doomscrolling.
Refreshing first aid skills before doomscrolling.
Walking with a friend before doomscrolling.
Singing old songs before doomscrolling.
Planting seeds before...
Day 2 of quest Convince the Cat to Love His Hiking Backpack.
Will I succeed before the kids restart hiking club in spring? So much (fluffy, grumpy) suspense!
Will I succeed before the kids restart hiking club in spring? So much (fluffy, grumpy) suspense!
January 2, 2026 at 4:44 PM
Day 2 of quest Convince the Cat to Love His Hiking Backpack.
Will I succeed before the kids restart hiking club in spring? So much (fluffy, grumpy) suspense!
Will I succeed before the kids restart hiking club in spring? So much (fluffy, grumpy) suspense!
Tried one week of swapping "I don't have time..." for "I'm choosing to prioritize..." about a month ago and haven't stopped. It's not always comfy, but it's definitely a practice I'll be bringing into the new year.
That and using the ScreenZen app to do silly little math problems before scrolling!
That and using the ScreenZen app to do silly little math problems before scrolling!
December 30, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Tried one week of swapping "I don't have time..." for "I'm choosing to prioritize..." about a month ago and haven't stopped. It's not always comfy, but it's definitely a practice I'll be bringing into the new year.
That and using the ScreenZen app to do silly little math problems before scrolling!
That and using the ScreenZen app to do silly little math problems before scrolling!
Reposted by spiderscribbles
![Comic. [Banner: Mathematical Society: 2025 Meeting.] PERSON 1 with bun: Any other new developments from the year to cover before we wrap? PERSON 2: Oh, the teens picked a new funny number. PERSON 3 with short hair: Aww, I’m glad to hear they’re still doing that. PERSON 4 with ponytail: I’ll add it to the list. [List: 23 (skidoo!; 42; 69; 420; 1,337; 58,008; [circled]: 67]](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreig43e2u4zzpifhq6fbf2iwplmva2lt5rokfg5uws5dysbe55up6wa@jpeg)
December 26, 2025 at 10:44 PM
Reposted by spiderscribbles
For many, the end of the year is an opportunity to catch up on reading or to purchase books as gifts. In 2025, a number of authors joined the Tech Policy Press podcast, providing fresh insights into how technology interacts with people, politics, and power. Check out the list:
Tech Policy Press: The Year in Books 2025 | TechPolicy.Press
In 2025, a number of authors joined the Tech Policy Press podcast, providing fresh insights into how technology interacts with people, politics, and power.
www.techpolicy.press
December 22, 2025 at 6:31 PM
For many, the end of the year is an opportunity to catch up on reading or to purchase books as gifts. In 2025, a number of authors joined the Tech Policy Press podcast, providing fresh insights into how technology interacts with people, politics, and power. Check out the list:
Reposted by spiderscribbles
But if the ai always does your work for you, you won't build the skills you need for when an 8yo walks up to your laptop and you get the chance to conspiratorially say "That's the game's console. Want to type in the words to make cake appear in your friend's inventory?"
December 11, 2025 at 2:00 AM
But if the ai always does your work for you, you won't build the skills you need for when an 8yo walks up to your laptop and you get the chance to conspiratorially say "That's the game's console. Want to type in the words to make cake appear in your friend's inventory?"
If Minecraft, Roblox, and YouTube are where kids are motivated to practice spelling, I'm going to be next to them with the phonics and critical thinking questions for as long as they're logged on...
December 2, 2025 at 5:01 PM
If Minecraft, Roblox, and YouTube are where kids are motivated to practice spelling, I'm going to be next to them with the phonics and critical thinking questions for as long as they're logged on...
So many alternative ed. families are asking for cutting-edge, individualized AI school or for screen-free, outdoor programming. Today we chose to circle, Minecraft, run outside, cook lunch, Minecraft more, run again, YouTube karaoke, craft, write, clean, and try Duolingo chess. Aiming for balance!
November 4, 2025 at 3:50 AM
So many alternative ed. families are asking for cutting-edge, individualized AI school or for screen-free, outdoor programming. Today we chose to circle, Minecraft, run outside, cook lunch, Minecraft more, run again, YouTube karaoke, craft, write, clean, and try Duolingo chess. Aiming for balance!
Preteens requested 2 days of hiking trips and Broadway soundtracks to sing with on the way. Then they edited my end-of-week newsletter to their families before approving it for sending.
Totally unprompted, and with computer time as available as anything else. Some days I'm still amazed...
Totally unprompted, and with computer time as available as anything else. Some days I'm still amazed...
September 6, 2025 at 4:42 AM
Preteens requested 2 days of hiking trips and Broadway soundtracks to sing with on the way. Then they edited my end-of-week newsletter to their families before approving it for sending.
Totally unprompted, and with computer time as available as anything else. Some days I'm still amazed...
Totally unprompted, and with computer time as available as anything else. Some days I'm still amazed...
Days in this school year has already had me fixing a toilet, battling some wasps, listening to tales of Luigi's Mansion, finding a Minecraft playlist for during craft time, and reading about eels with a kid who has classroom pet ideas.
August 14, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Days in this school year has already had me fixing a toilet, battling some wasps, listening to tales of Luigi's Mansion, finding a Minecraft playlist for during craft time, and reading about eels with a kid who has classroom pet ideas.
One tourist starts giving another wrong directions, and suddenly half the people in this subway car -- dutifully ignoring each other's existence moments ago -- are interjecting with corrections. If case you were wondering how to get New Yorker commuters to talk to each other...
July 16, 2025 at 5:32 PM
One tourist starts giving another wrong directions, and suddenly half the people in this subway car -- dutifully ignoring each other's existence moments ago -- are interjecting with corrections. If case you were wondering how to get New Yorker commuters to talk to each other...
Reposted by spiderscribbles
"Universities have become increasingly dependent on a proliferation of outsourced services, database providers + info mgmt systems, w/ spiraling costs... Understanding [the uni as an infrastructure stresses] that the tech it chooses to adopt follow a colonial + extractivist model...
CM Vol 25 CfP University as Infrastructure
Culture Machine Vol. 25 Call for Papers: University as Infrastructure Guest-edited by: Alexandra Anikina, Johannes Bruder, Megen de Bruin-Molé, Stephen Cornford, Kwame Phillips & Geoff Cox …
culturemachine.net
July 14, 2025 at 3:31 PM
"Universities have become increasingly dependent on a proliferation of outsourced services, database providers + info mgmt systems, w/ spiraling costs... Understanding [the uni as an infrastructure stresses] that the tech it chooses to adopt follow a colonial + extractivist model...
Reposted by spiderscribbles
I just took a quiz on how much of my personal data DOGE can access. The results aren’t pretty. Take it now to discover how much of your sensitive info is now exposed. #HandsOffMyData www.newamerica.org/oti/briefs/q...
Quiz: What Does DOGE Know About You?
The Department of Government Efficiency has unauthorized access to millions of Americans’ data. Take New America’s quiz to see how much of your data is at risk.
www.newamerica.org
June 25, 2025 at 1:49 PM
I just took a quiz on how much of my personal data DOGE can access. The results aren’t pretty. Take it now to discover how much of your sensitive info is now exposed. #HandsOffMyData www.newamerica.org/oti/briefs/q...
Reposted by spiderscribbles
Not only is it ok to feel optimistic tonight; it’s a radical necessity
June 25, 2025 at 4:10 AM
Not only is it ok to feel optimistic tonight; it’s a radical necessity
Got a boring news app and set up notifications to stop anxiety-scrolling. Clicked "don't sell my data" and did their form.
First alert is about sports. Second is day-old news. Third is an email I don't have a right to not have my data sold, based on where I live.
Uninstalled. Scrolling it is.
First alert is about sports. Second is day-old news. Third is an email I don't have a right to not have my data sold, based on where I live.
Uninstalled. Scrolling it is.
June 19, 2025 at 1:30 AM
Got a boring news app and set up notifications to stop anxiety-scrolling. Clicked "don't sell my data" and did their form.
First alert is about sports. Second is day-old news. Third is an email I don't have a right to not have my data sold, based on where I live.
Uninstalled. Scrolling it is.
First alert is about sports. Second is day-old news. Third is an email I don't have a right to not have my data sold, based on where I live.
Uninstalled. Scrolling it is.
? on the way to park school this morning: How much patience will the 10yos have for untangling their fishing lines over and over?
? 3 hours in: How much patience can I have for quietly watching while they struggle them figure it out together again and again?
? 3 hours in: How much patience can I have for quietly watching while they struggle them figure it out together again and again?
June 9, 2025 at 5:15 PM
? on the way to park school this morning: How much patience will the 10yos have for untangling their fishing lines over and over?
? 3 hours in: How much patience can I have for quietly watching while they struggle them figure it out together again and again?
? 3 hours in: How much patience can I have for quietly watching while they struggle them figure it out together again and again?
Friend's 10yo is writing profiles on neighborhood dogs for the community paper. Friend slipped in some lines about the dogs' humans, trying to encourage neighbors to talk to each other. Paper editor sent back revisions asking why there was content on the people if the pieces were about the dogs!
June 5, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Friend's 10yo is writing profiles on neighborhood dogs for the community paper. Friend slipped in some lines about the dogs' humans, trying to encourage neighbors to talk to each other. Paper editor sent back revisions asking why there was content on the people if the pieces were about the dogs!
No one signed up to care for the school cat in July, so I need to either turn him into my road trip buddy (ATL -> Philly) or rehome him. Cats aren't really my wheelhouse, but I get on with this one fine. He can learn to love adventure, right? The odds are... fine? Maybe?
May 22, 2025 at 3:56 AM
No one signed up to care for the school cat in July, so I need to either turn him into my road trip buddy (ATL -> Philly) or rehome him. Cats aren't really my wheelhouse, but I get on with this one fine. He can learn to love adventure, right? The odds are... fine? Maybe?