Courtney Wilburn
@cjwilburn.engineering
(she/her) Engineering leader, powerlifter, pun maker, wife, dog mom, lifelong Prince fan. Cautiously optimistic -> near cynic.
Pinned
Courtney Wilburn
@cjwilburn.engineering
· May 18
Hello please look at my handsome dog son who is a great model and also perfect.
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
One of the things most quietly grieved amongst practitioners is the half-century of history and work in learning systems and technologies which have historically been categorized as “AI”, and they’ve all been run over by LLMs, and by the hype cycles the industry has *built* around LLMs. A huge loss.
There are quite a few ethical and justice oriented AI people who talk about having lifelong love for a vision of AI that is being trashed by the current thing, and I wonder if any of those positive visions have been articulated somewhere? What is it ppl think AI is supposed to be instead of this?
November 16, 2025 at 8:03 PM
One of the things most quietly grieved amongst practitioners is the half-century of history and work in learning systems and technologies which have historically been categorized as “AI”, and they’ve all been run over by LLMs, and by the hype cycles the industry has *built* around LLMs. A huge loss.
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
😡
PBS NEWS WEEKEND has been cancelled and 34 jobs will be cut at WETA in Washington D.C.
The NEWS HOUR West Coast bureau will also close and the updated daily West Coast broadcast will end.
“We cannot fully compensate for the scope of the federal funding loss.”
current.org/2025/11/weta... #PBS
The NEWS HOUR West Coast bureau will also close and the updated daily West Coast broadcast will end.
“We cannot fully compensate for the scope of the federal funding loss.”
current.org/2025/11/weta... #PBS
WETA to cut staff, cancel ‘PBS News Weekend’ and close News Hour West bureau
The restructuring includes the elimination of 34 positions, following another round of cuts made in September.
current.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:08 AM
😡
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
A nice obituary for Alice, who was going to be recognized as one of The Post 50.
I hate that we now have to live without this phenomenal woman.
#GiftLink
wapo.st/49WOdx1
I hate that we now have to live without this phenomenal woman.
#GiftLink
wapo.st/49WOdx1
Alice Wong, disability rights advocate and wordsmith, dies at 51
Alice Wong, a transformational leader for disability rights and justice, who founded the Disability Visibility project to magnify disabled culture, died Nov. 14.
wapo.st
November 16, 2025 at 12:22 AM
A nice obituary for Alice, who was going to be recognized as one of The Post 50.
I hate that we now have to live without this phenomenal woman.
#GiftLink
wapo.st/49WOdx1
I hate that we now have to live without this phenomenal woman.
#GiftLink
wapo.st/49WOdx1
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
So bright yet so beholden to collapsed ideas
It’s like watching a baby play with an unplugged video game controller
It’s like watching a baby play with an unplugged video game controller
November 15, 2025 at 7:19 PM
So bright yet so beholden to collapsed ideas
It’s like watching a baby play with an unplugged video game controller
It’s like watching a baby play with an unplugged video game controller
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
You are not going to convince people who were never going to vote for you by abusing the people who were….
Speaking at a Texas Tribune Festival on Friday, former U.S. Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg criticized the Democratic Party for failing to reach everyday Americans, arguing that it “got sucked in” to a conversation about identity. #TribFest25
Pete Buttigieg critiques Democrats for focus on identity
The former U.S. transportation secretary said the Democratic Party should focus more on issues gripping the country, such as health care and housing affordability.
www.texastribune.org
November 15, 2025 at 7:07 PM
You are not going to convince people who were never going to vote for you by abusing the people who were….
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
Speaking of Wu-Tang, a new family moved into the neighborhood and put this in their yard. I’m gonna fry up a pound of Bacon and give it to them as a housewarming gift.
November 15, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Speaking of Wu-Tang, a new family moved into the neighborhood and put this in their yard. I’m gonna fry up a pound of Bacon and give it to them as a housewarming gift.
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling Stone. As a result, the majority of VIBE employees were laid off. If you have the means to give, this team could use the support! www.gofundme.com/f/support-vi...
Donate to Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs, organized by Mya Abraham
It was announced on October 16, 2025 that VIBE was "joining forces" with Rolling S… Mya Abraham needs your support for Support VIBE Staff After Sudden Layoffs
www.gofundme.com
November 15, 2025 at 4:38 PM
those of us laid off from Teen Vogue were really fortunate to complete our fundraising goal — the laid-off staffers at VIBE deserve the same support, as Black media outlets and journalists continue to be targeted and discriminated against in “austerity” measures
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Alice Wong on Instagram: "ID: Yellow background with black text "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 ...
423 likes, 73 comments - alicatsamurai on November 14, 2025: "ID: Yellow background with black text "This is Alice's friend Sandy Ho, posting. Per Alice's wishes, this message is being shared at the t...
www.instagram.com
November 15, 2025 at 5:57 AM
I don’t want to formulate words yet, but my friend Alice Wong, @sfdirewolf.bsky.social of the Disability Visibility Project, has passed.
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Here are the words she left behind:
www.instagram.com/p/DREMDNBjnq...
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
Our beloved Alice Wong has joined the ancestors. It was one of the great honors of my life to call Alice my friend, co-author & co-conspirator. She was a true genius, a force of nature the likes of which the world has never seen before. I love you, Alice, and am equal parts grateful and devastated
November 15, 2025 at 6:09 AM
Our beloved Alice Wong has joined the ancestors. It was one of the great honors of my life to call Alice my friend, co-author & co-conspirator. She was a true genius, a force of nature the likes of which the world has never seen before. I love you, Alice, and am equal parts grateful and devastated
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
So saddened by the news that we have lost Alice Wong. It was an honor to know her and learn from her. May the lessons she shared continue to guide us for years to come.
November 15, 2025 at 4:36 PM
So saddened by the news that we have lost Alice Wong. It was an honor to know her and learn from her. May the lessons she shared continue to guide us for years to come.
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
YOU HAVE TURNED MY FATHER'S HOUSE INTO A DEN OF THIEVES
Jesus having the term “in-app purchases” explained to him and just wordlessly filling a sock with nickels
November 15, 2025 at 12:04 AM
YOU HAVE TURNED MY FATHER'S HOUSE INTO A DEN OF THIEVES
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
labubus are just evolved troll dolls, and i'm tired of pretending otherwise
November 15, 2025 at 5:03 PM
labubus are just evolved troll dolls, and i'm tired of pretending otherwise
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
Women at NASA, starting with one of my favorite #WomenInSTEM photos
🧵
🧵
Valerie Thomas (1943) is an African American badass scientist.
She invented the illusion transmitter in 1980.
She helped develop the digital media formats that image processing systems used in NASA's Landsat program.
Her [very cool!] NASA photo next to a stack of computer tapes, 1979.
#WomenInSTEM 🧪
She invented the illusion transmitter in 1980.
She helped develop the digital media formats that image processing systems used in NASA's Landsat program.
Her [very cool!] NASA photo next to a stack of computer tapes, 1979.
#WomenInSTEM 🧪
November 13, 2025 at 7:01 PM
Women at NASA, starting with one of my favorite #WomenInSTEM photos
🧵
🧵
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
[Happy 86th birthday to solar eclipse photographer and composer Wendy Carlos, known for "Switched-On Bach," A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, THE SHINING, TRON, and “Peter and the Wolf” with Weird Al Yankovic. Listen to “Switched-On Bach” below.]
archive.org/details/wend...
archive.org/details/wend...
November 14, 2025 at 5:33 PM
[Happy 86th birthday to solar eclipse photographer and composer Wendy Carlos, known for "Switched-On Bach," A CLOCKWORK ORANGE, THE SHINING, TRON, and “Peter and the Wolf” with Weird Al Yankovic. Listen to “Switched-On Bach” below.]
archive.org/details/wend...
archive.org/details/wend...
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
If you don't already agree that there's a moral panic over transgender care, just read the New York Times' articles on hormone therapy for cis people and compare them to their hit pieces on the hormone therapy for trans people.
November 14, 2025 at 6:59 PM
If you don't already agree that there's a moral panic over transgender care, just read the New York Times' articles on hormone therapy for cis people and compare them to their hit pieces on the hormone therapy for trans people.
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
Look if you're trans, you have to live. Do whatever you need to do to make it.
November 14, 2025 at 1:15 PM
Look if you're trans, you have to live. Do whatever you need to do to make it.
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
happy 50th to a queen
The children’s picture book, “Strega Nona, An OldTale,” celebrates its 50th anniversary this year. Author and illustrator Tomie dePaola penned the book about the Italian “grandmother witch.” (via @mprnews.org)
Strega Nona turns 50 — and her art lives in Minneapolis
The University of Minnesota’s Kerlan Collection is celebrating the 50th anniversary of Tomie dePaola’s beloved picture book “Strega Nona,” showcasing the original illustrations and highlighting Minnesota’s unique role in preserving the warmth, artistry and enduring cultural impact of this classic story.
n.pr
November 12, 2025 at 8:02 PM
happy 50th to a queen
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
Folks, the reporting is that Trump is making PERSONAL CALLS to Mace, MTG and others about the discharge petition. Would you be doing this if you had nothing to hide? Let's please all be serious here.
November 12, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Folks, the reporting is that Trump is making PERSONAL CALLS to Mace, MTG and others about the discharge petition. Would you be doing this if you had nothing to hide? Let's please all be serious here.
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
ok one last post -- oldheads are always going to "why is the web dying.... how can we get the kids invested in the free and open web"
bro the kids can't read. that's why the web is dying. first things first
bro the kids can't read. that's why the web is dying. first things first
November 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
ok one last post -- oldheads are always going to "why is the web dying.... how can we get the kids invested in the free and open web"
bro the kids can't read. that's why the web is dying. first things first
bro the kids can't read. that's why the web is dying. first things first
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
my patience has increased but I will say, it is ok to have trouble reading, it is not ok to scream at people for things you imagined they said because you can't read what they actually said
November 11, 2025 at 6:24 PM
my patience has increased but I will say, it is ok to have trouble reading, it is not ok to scream at people for things you imagined they said because you can't read what they actually said
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
How a flawed idea is teaching millions of kids to be poor readers
For decades, schools have taught children the strategies of struggling readers, using a theory about reading that cognitive scientists have repeatedly debunked. And many teachers and parents don't kno...
www.apmreports.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
how did i go so long not knowing we were literally teaching people to read wrong. i knew something wasn't right but jesus christ www.apmreports.org/episode/2019...
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
ever since I learned about three-cueing I've developed infinitely more patience for replies on social media. mfers literally do not know how to read. people are walking around conjuring random meanings into words they don't know, and they don't know a lot of words. it's crazy
November 11, 2025 at 6:15 PM
ever since I learned about three-cueing I've developed infinitely more patience for replies on social media. mfers literally do not know how to read. people are walking around conjuring random meanings into words they don't know, and they don't know a lot of words. it's crazy
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
Authoritarian governments are not new to this country. If you want to know what comes next should resistance fail, look to the history of Black resistance in the South.
calendar.eji.org/racial-injus...
calendar.eji.org/racial-injus...
Nov. 13, 1957 | Texas Officials Threaten and Jail NAACP Officers for Not Disclosing Members
Learn more about our history of racial injustice.
calendar.eji.org
November 11, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Authoritarian governments are not new to this country. If you want to know what comes next should resistance fail, look to the history of Black resistance in the South.
calendar.eji.org/racial-injus...
calendar.eji.org/racial-injus...
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 11, 2025 at 10:39 AM
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
Reposted by Courtney Wilburn
This got me wondering if the Hindi/Sanskrit -pur is the same root (Jaipur, Raipur, Kanpur etc.)
And it is! -pur is fort/stronghold, and thought to be derived from the same PIE root as -buri and -bury.
And it is! -pur is fort/stronghold, and thought to be derived from the same PIE root as -buri and -bury.
November 11, 2025 at 3:16 AM
This got me wondering if the Hindi/Sanskrit -pur is the same root (Jaipur, Raipur, Kanpur etc.)
And it is! -pur is fort/stronghold, and thought to be derived from the same PIE root as -buri and -bury.
And it is! -pur is fort/stronghold, and thought to be derived from the same PIE root as -buri and -bury.