Mike Timonin
@bookreadingguy.bsky.social
He/Him Book Geek, History Prof, Social Justice Sage. dungeon/game master for hire, in person and online. [email protected] https://startplaying.games/gm/dingo_dad_games
Reposted by Mike Timonin
Bidding has started at £100 and will end at 9pm uk time
It’s the time of year when I do my Christmas auction. This mouse icon is up for auction and it’s to raise money for Shelter Cymru & Doctors without borders. 100% of the money raised will go to these charities on a 50-50 basis.
December 4, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Bidding has started at £100 and will end at 9pm uk time
Reposted by Mike Timonin
Winter is a hobgoblin.
#ArtAdventCalendar
#ArtAdventCalendar
December 4, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Winter is a hobgoblin.
#ArtAdventCalendar
#ArtAdventCalendar
Reposted by Mike Timonin
Daemon online, come visit and chat with me! http://www.twitch.tv/risingvandal
December 3, 2025 at 10:52 PM
Daemon online, come visit and chat with me! http://www.twitch.tv/risingvandal
So, for a couple of years now, my final assignment for my US Survey courses has been to ask the students to describe a person, group, or event from human history which they feel is underrepresented in the historical narrative, and then propose a way to address that lack of representation. 🗃️1/6
December 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
So, for a couple of years now, my final assignment for my US Survey courses has been to ask the students to describe a person, group, or event from human history which they feel is underrepresented in the historical narrative, and then propose a way to address that lack of representation. 🗃️1/6
Reposted by Mike Timonin
Indie and non-traditional authors! Today is the day to tell thousands of readers looking for holiday gifts about your books! Follow the link for all the details and leave a post (there, not here)!
Musicians/crafters/artists, etc: Your day is tomorrow!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/02/t...
Musicians/crafters/artists, etc: Your day is tomorrow!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/02/t...
The 2025 Whatever Holiday Gift Guide, Day Two: Non-Traditional Books
Today is Day Two of the Whatever Holiday Gift Guide 2025, and today the focus is on Non-Traditionally Published Books: Self-published works, electronically-exclusive books, books from micro presses…
whatever.scalzi.com
December 2, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Indie and non-traditional authors! Today is the day to tell thousands of readers looking for holiday gifts about your books! Follow the link for all the details and leave a post (there, not here)!
Musicians/crafters/artists, etc: Your day is tomorrow!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/02/t...
Musicians/crafters/artists, etc: Your day is tomorrow!
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/02/t...
"A non-lethal axe to the chest". Hmmm.
November 30, 2025 at 11:25 PM
"A non-lethal axe to the chest". Hmmm.
Reposted by Mike Timonin
i think we should separate the terms:
AI: science fiction stuff
Machine Learning: niche useful stuff done by scientists
LLM: obsequious chatbots built on mass scraping Reddit threads
AI: science fiction stuff
Machine Learning: niche useful stuff done by scientists
LLM: obsequious chatbots built on mass scraping Reddit threads
part of the reason i am genuinely irritated with the gAI/AGI cult is because there is real societal benefits in using ML techniques in medical care + weather analysis, and instead people get annoyed with anything that gets lumped in with the plagiarism machine
November 29, 2025 at 6:13 PM
i think we should separate the terms:
AI: science fiction stuff
Machine Learning: niche useful stuff done by scientists
LLM: obsequious chatbots built on mass scraping Reddit threads
AI: science fiction stuff
Machine Learning: niche useful stuff done by scientists
LLM: obsequious chatbots built on mass scraping Reddit threads
This I've seen - I asked them what their favorite movie was, as an ice breaker, and they "don't watch movies" - 2 and half hours of 10 second tiktoks, but no time for a full movie.
When I ask them: "What are you reading? What are you watching? What are you listening to?" Often, the answer is: nothing. Which has a direct effect on their over-use of prompts and AI, because they can't think of ideas, because they are literally not engaging with a single figurative thing.
November 30, 2025 at 12:50 PM
This I've seen - I asked them what their favorite movie was, as an ice breaker, and they "don't watch movies" - 2 and half hours of 10 second tiktoks, but no time for a full movie.
Reposted by Mike Timonin
i know WHY this is but that just makes it even more of a kick in the pants lmao
November 28, 2025 at 3:28 AM
i know WHY this is but that just makes it even more of a kick in the pants lmao
Settling in for the traditional Thanksgiving feast. (Turkey tomorrow)
November 27, 2025 at 5:55 PM
Settling in for the traditional Thanksgiving feast. (Turkey tomorrow)
Reposted by Mike Timonin
To be honest the first half of this palindrome is much better than naht retteb hcum si emordnilap siht fo flah tsrif eht tsenoh eb ot.
November 26, 2025 at 10:49 PM
To be honest the first half of this palindrome is much better than naht retteb hcum si emordnilap siht fo flah tsrif eht tsenoh eb ot.
Reposted by Mike Timonin
Stream time! Two days in a row, somehow! On time, even! www.twitch.tv/risingvandal Time for more Division 2, because these caches aren't going to get themselves, now are they.
Twitch
Twitch is the world
www.twitch.tv
November 26, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Stream time! Two days in a row, somehow! On time, even! www.twitch.tv/risingvandal Time for more Division 2, because these caches aren't going to get themselves, now are they.
Reposted by Mike Timonin
This is why people spent/saved more during Lockdown.
It wasn’t the stimulus checks, it was not being required to spend all that money just to survive.
It wasn’t the stimulus checks, it was not being required to spend all that money just to survive.
November 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This is why people spent/saved more during Lockdown.
It wasn’t the stimulus checks, it was not being required to spend all that money just to survive.
It wasn’t the stimulus checks, it was not being required to spend all that money just to survive.
Reposted by Mike Timonin
We have a “poverty trap” and it’s driving the destruction of social cohesion.
The “poverty line” is’t 35,000, it’s $150,000, and making more than one, and less than the other is worse than being “poor”.
Which is why the rage.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
The “poverty line” is’t 35,000, it’s $150,000, and making more than one, and less than the other is worse than being “poor”.
Which is why the rage.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
Part 1: My Life Is a Lie
How a Broken Benchmark Quietly Broke America
www.yesigiveafig.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:13 PM
We have a “poverty trap” and it’s driving the destruction of social cohesion.
The “poverty line” is’t 35,000, it’s $150,000, and making more than one, and less than the other is worse than being “poor”.
Which is why the rage.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
The “poverty line” is’t 35,000, it’s $150,000, and making more than one, and less than the other is worse than being “poor”.
Which is why the rage.
www.yesigiveafig.com/p/part-1-my-...
I've really only got one, and it's not THAT funny, but here goes. We were at my Aunt Molly's for Christmas dinner. That's odd all by itself; I don't remember why that made sense. She didn't really like hosting large groups, Aunt Geenie was the traditional host, and Mum didn't really like Molly. 1/5
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 25, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I've really only got one, and it's not THAT funny, but here goes. We were at my Aunt Molly's for Christmas dinner. That's odd all by itself; I don't remember why that made sense. She didn't really like hosting large groups, Aunt Geenie was the traditional host, and Mum didn't really like Molly. 1/5
I bought Krista's first book, you could too! It's easy!
Krista's been handselling people's books all day because she knows everyone in the arts is having a tough time right now; I hope folks are also hitting her storefront, considering she's got an upcoming dental surgery to cover for the cat who died (he got better) during the last one.
Krista D. Ball
Krista D. Ball is an award-winning Canadian author who hasn't met a potato she didn't like.
payhip.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:31 AM
I bought Krista's first book, you could too! It's easy!
Reposted by Mike Timonin
Nice post on #DisabilityJustice in #TTRPG — worth the read.
Disabilities and Dragons: Accessibility in a Fantasy Setting
I’m going to preface today’s blog with two points: Firstly, I am a disabled person. I suffer from a joint disorder that leaves me prone to dislocation and injury, and subsequently I struggle with low…
buff.ly
November 25, 2025 at 12:11 AM
Nice post on #DisabilityJustice in #TTRPG — worth the read.
Ham has no place at the Thanksgiving table. Everyone will eat turkey*, and everyone will enjoy it**, and that is that.
*I am not the boss of your Thanksgiving table; you eat what you want.
**Assuming the turkey is properly cooked by someone who knows how to cook turkey.
*I am not the boss of your Thanksgiving table; you eat what you want.
**Assuming the turkey is properly cooked by someone who knows how to cook turkey.
with charity and goodwill, i must here part ways with rolls.
November 24, 2025 at 11:29 PM
Ham has no place at the Thanksgiving table. Everyone will eat turkey*, and everyone will enjoy it**, and that is that.
*I am not the boss of your Thanksgiving table; you eat what you want.
**Assuming the turkey is properly cooked by someone who knows how to cook turkey.
*I am not the boss of your Thanksgiving table; you eat what you want.
**Assuming the turkey is properly cooked by someone who knows how to cook turkey.
Turns out, Daffodil doesn't care how much else I need to do today, it's time for the second walk and that is that.
November 24, 2025 at 3:46 PM
Turns out, Daffodil doesn't care how much else I need to do today, it's time for the second walk and that is that.
Reposted by Mike Timonin
A tiny bit of shameless self-promotion because the gifting season is creeping up on us. If you’re after something delicious, handcrafted, and ethical, my chocolate boxes, bars, and treats make really lovely gifts. Treat yourself, treat someone else, or both, I won’t judge! Reshares appreciated! 🍫✨
November 22, 2025 at 6:51 PM
A tiny bit of shameless self-promotion because the gifting season is creeping up on us. If you’re after something delicious, handcrafted, and ethical, my chocolate boxes, bars, and treats make really lovely gifts. Treat yourself, treat someone else, or both, I won’t judge! Reshares appreciated! 🍫✨
I have no joke here, I just like saying "Arguably, the entire universe is a cavity outside my head."
Mentioned this before, but, last time I was at the dentist, they analysed my teeth with AI. It found an incipient cavity that the human dentist had not spotted.
Very clever.
Except that the cavity it found was just outside my actual head. Arguably, the entire universe is a cavity outside my head.
Very clever.
Except that the cavity it found was just outside my actual head. Arguably, the entire universe is a cavity outside my head.
Government launches major push for AI-driven science.
Strategy focuses on five areas of “existing UK strength” with £137m in funding.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
Strategy focuses on five areas of “existing UK strength” with £137m in funding.
www.researchprofessionalnews.com/rr-news-uk-p...
November 21, 2025 at 5:34 PM
I have no joke here, I just like saying "Arguably, the entire universe is a cavity outside my head."
Aha! @ltimonin.bsky.social, this is highly relevant to us!
MORE good news: A Canadian bill is just about to receive Royal Assent (yes this is a thing) and soon, if your parent is a Canadian citizen who spent 1,095 days of physical presence in Canada before you were born, you will be a citizen regardless of where you were born and where you live.
November 20, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Aha! @ltimonin.bsky.social, this is highly relevant to us!