diamondot
@diamondot.bsky.social
horticulturist and garden goblin, lurking behind a tree. that one. right there
mostly here to reskeet some stuff.
mostly here to reskeet some stuff.
Reposted by diamondot
I know it’s just because they hadn’t worked the Vulcan lore out by the pilot but god there’s no better joke in all of Star Trek than Spock saying “one of my ancestors married a human woman” and then a season and a half later you learn he literally means his parents
the REAL lesson of that episode, of course, and the funniest running thread of Spock’s entire life, is “do not disclose the existence of a SINGLE family member without a fight” 😂
January 8, 2026 at 4:57 AM
I know it’s just because they hadn’t worked the Vulcan lore out by the pilot but god there’s no better joke in all of Star Trek than Spock saying “one of my ancestors married a human woman” and then a season and a half later you learn he literally means his parents
Reposted by diamondot
So I have only just discovered at some vague point in the next couple weeks Google is going to break the way my work email works, and the company has done nothing to alert people to it.
www.theregister.com/2026/01/05/g...
www.theregister.com/2026/01/05/g...
Gmail preparing to drop POP3 mail fetching
: It's January 2026, and Google is finding innovative new ways to make one of its services worse
www.theregister.com
January 7, 2026 at 6:25 PM
So I have only just discovered at some vague point in the next couple weeks Google is going to break the way my work email works, and the company has done nothing to alert people to it.
www.theregister.com/2026/01/05/g...
www.theregister.com/2026/01/05/g...
Reposted by diamondot
Democrats need to understand that they can just say “It’s insane to threaten Greenland” and “I don’t think ICE should murder Americans in the street” and you don’t need to pretend to link it to the affordability crisis.
Say bad things are bad.
Say bad things are bad.
January 7, 2026 at 7:45 PM
Democrats need to understand that they can just say “It’s insane to threaten Greenland” and “I don’t think ICE should murder Americans in the street” and you don’t need to pretend to link it to the affordability crisis.
Say bad things are bad.
Say bad things are bad.
Reposted by diamondot
There’s a good bit in Martha Wells’ Fugitive Telemetry abt how annoying Murderbot finds it when (sentient) bots are programmed to mimic human mannerisms that don’t make sense given their actual sensory inputs, which were built BY HUMANS, just to make humans more comfortable (this is also abt autism)
making robots that look like people is almost always a choice to sacrifice efficient form for the feeling of owning a person
January 7, 2026 at 6:06 PM
There’s a good bit in Martha Wells’ Fugitive Telemetry abt how annoying Murderbot finds it when (sentient) bots are programmed to mimic human mannerisms that don’t make sense given their actual sensory inputs, which were built BY HUMANS, just to make humans more comfortable (this is also abt autism)
Reposted by diamondot
“I want a progressive movement that is aggressively pro raising wages at the bottom and aggressively pro immigration. These are completely coherent goals.” Great piece by @polphilpod.bsky.social
www.liberalcurrents.com/we-need-to-g...
www.liberalcurrents.com/we-need-to-g...
We Need to Get Off The Defensive About Immigration
Free movement is a fantastic thing, and we should say it.
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:29 AM
“I want a progressive movement that is aggressively pro raising wages at the bottom and aggressively pro immigration. These are completely coherent goals.” Great piece by @polphilpod.bsky.social
www.liberalcurrents.com/we-need-to-g...
www.liberalcurrents.com/we-need-to-g...
Reposted by diamondot
keep thinking of a vocally anti-woke reporter who insisted that the term "environmental racism" was nonsense
After a white county in South Carolina rejected a data center, developers have sets their sights on a Black community for a proposed data center complex the size of 1,200 football fields
After a White Town Rejected a Data Center, Developers Targeted a Black Area
Four million Americans live within 1 mile of a data center. The communities closest to them are “overwhelmingly” non-white.
capitalbnews.org
January 7, 2026 at 3:02 PM
keep thinking of a vocally anti-woke reporter who insisted that the term "environmental racism" was nonsense
Reposted by diamondot
Why Would Women Like Naked Gorgeous Men Talking About Their Emotions. Why Would Women Like Beautiful Sexy Men Yearning Sexily. Why Would Women Like Sculpted Butts And True Love. The Female Mind Is An Enigma.
January 7, 2026 at 3:15 AM
Why Would Women Like Naked Gorgeous Men Talking About Their Emotions. Why Would Women Like Beautiful Sexy Men Yearning Sexily. Why Would Women Like Sculpted Butts And True Love. The Female Mind Is An Enigma.
Reposted by diamondot
Abortions will remain legal in Wyoming. The state’s supreme court ruled Jan. 6 that two near-total abortion bans are unconstitutional. (via @wyomingpublicmedia.bsky.social)
Wyoming Supreme Court protects abortion access
The state’s highest court ruled that two near-total state abortion bans violate the constitution.
n.pr
January 6, 2026 at 5:10 PM
Abortions will remain legal in Wyoming. The state’s supreme court ruled Jan. 6 that two near-total abortion bans are unconstitutional. (via @wyomingpublicmedia.bsky.social)
Reposted by diamondot
Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them
January 6, 2026 at 1:12 AM
Copy Editing Matters, from HHS's release on the new childhood vaccine schedule: All the diseases will still be available to anyone who wants them
Reposted by diamondot
I found this discussion really interesting (and validating of some of the thoughts I’ve been having about certain aspects of politics for a while).
ICYMI: I sat down with political scientist @samuel-bagg.bsky.social to discuss the crisis in our information environment and its roots in social identity.
The cure for misinformation is not more information or smarter news consumers
Political scientist Samuel Bagg explains why social identity is at the root of the misinformation crisis -- which calls for something deeper than factchecking.
www.volts.wtf
January 6, 2026 at 3:45 AM
I found this discussion really interesting (and validating of some of the thoughts I’ve been having about certain aspects of politics for a while).
Reposted by diamondot
kind of darkly funny that "gender studies" is the stereotypical "useless degree" because gender studies will help you understand a large and important chunk of the current psychosis in american life
January 6, 2026 at 2:00 AM
kind of darkly funny that "gender studies" is the stereotypical "useless degree" because gender studies will help you understand a large and important chunk of the current psychosis in american life
Reposted by diamondot
Peter Gabriel's new track, in which he totally Peter Gabriels the hell out of it for seven and a half minutes
youtu.be/gb-sOCk6BP4
youtu.be/gb-sOCk6BP4
Peter Gabriel - Been Undone (Dark-Side Mix)
YouTube video by Peter Gabriel
youtu.be
January 6, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Peter Gabriel's new track, in which he totally Peter Gabriels the hell out of it for seven and a half minutes
youtu.be/gb-sOCk6BP4
youtu.be/gb-sOCk6BP4
Reposted by diamondot
I wrote section 230 to protect user speech, not a company's own speech. I've long said AI chatbot outputs are not protected by 230 and that it is not a close call. Given that the Trump administration is going to the mat to protect pedophiles, states should step in to hold Musk and X accountable.
I am not a Section 230 expert but being that Twitter is creating and publishing these photos I wonder if they actually have any civil legal protection? @kenwhite.bsky.social ? @akivamcohen.bsky.social ?
What X is allowing Grok to do is unlawful or regulatory-illegal in multiple jurisdictions, creates clear DSA violations, and continues despite regulator scrutiny. The images do not need to be pornographic, non-consensual sexualised or intimate depictions are enough.
January 5, 2026 at 11:10 PM
I wrote section 230 to protect user speech, not a company's own speech. I've long said AI chatbot outputs are not protected by 230 and that it is not a close call. Given that the Trump administration is going to the mat to protect pedophiles, states should step in to hold Musk and X accountable.
I was getting over a cold, and I twisted slightly to avoid coughing on my toddler, who I was holding. Threw out my back and missed work for a week
What's the most ridiculous way you ever hurt yourself? I got out of the tub, skidded in water and tripped over the toilet. Ankle sprain.
😅
😅
January 5, 2026 at 10:41 PM
I was getting over a cold, and I twisted slightly to avoid coughing on my toddler, who I was holding. Threw out my back and missed work for a week
Reposted by diamondot
this is so shitty and senseless and awful
The Corporation for Public Broadcasting has been dissolved, ending its 58 years as the primary funder for PBS, NPR and local TV and radio stations
Corporation For Public Broadcasting Is Dissolved After 58 Years Of Service
www.huffpost.com
January 5, 2026 at 9:12 PM
this is so shitty and senseless and awful
Reposted by diamondot
1/ Well, he did it. He actually did it.
RFK Jr. just issued a unilateral directive to overhaul the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. This isn’t based on new data or new evidence, and he bypassed every scientific and clinical process we have, including not taking public comment.
RFK Jr. just issued a unilateral directive to overhaul the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. This isn’t based on new data or new evidence, and he bypassed every scientific and clinical process we have, including not taking public comment.
January 5, 2026 at 8:52 PM
1/ Well, he did it. He actually did it.
RFK Jr. just issued a unilateral directive to overhaul the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. This isn’t based on new data or new evidence, and he bypassed every scientific and clinical process we have, including not taking public comment.
RFK Jr. just issued a unilateral directive to overhaul the U.S. childhood vaccine schedule. This isn’t based on new data or new evidence, and he bypassed every scientific and clinical process we have, including not taking public comment.
Reposted by diamondot
I do not believe in the death penalty for humans.
I do support the death penalty for corporations.
When they murder people, let's dissolve them. Break them up, destroy their technology, nationalize their assets.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
I do support the death penalty for corporations.
When they murder people, let's dissolve them. Break them up, destroy their technology, nationalize their assets.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Murder-suicide case shows OpenAI selectively hides data after users die
OpenAI accused of hiding full ChatGPT logs in murder-suicide case.
arstechnica.com
January 5, 2026 at 6:22 AM
I do not believe in the death penalty for humans.
I do support the death penalty for corporations.
When they murder people, let's dissolve them. Break them up, destroy their technology, nationalize their assets.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
I do support the death penalty for corporations.
When they murder people, let's dissolve them. Break them up, destroy their technology, nationalize their assets.
arstechnica.com/tech-policy/...
Reposted by diamondot
I just called my rep and asked why she still had an active account on X/Twitter when X was allowing AI-generated CSAM on the platform.
Call your rep and tell them to get off X.
www.5calls.org
Call your rep and tell them to get off X.
www.5calls.org
This. I've banged this drum a lot, and I'll bang it again:
There's actually a serious problem in DC where people in power genuinely think that X is still the place to be, and are clinging onto that place without discernment for metrics, relevance, or their tacit contribution to Musk's abuse.
There's actually a serious problem in DC where people in power genuinely think that X is still the place to be, and are clinging onto that place without discernment for metrics, relevance, or their tacit contribution to Musk's abuse.
not sure the government grasps the people on X who seem to be fine wading through far-right propaganda, porn, & user-generated abuse imagery would notice or care if government accounts closed
January 5, 2026 at 4:55 PM
I just called my rep and asked why she still had an active account on X/Twitter when X was allowing AI-generated CSAM on the platform.
Call your rep and tell them to get off X.
www.5calls.org
Call your rep and tell them to get off X.
www.5calls.org
Reposted by diamondot
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaa! Earl! … We’ve got a poultrygeist!”
January 5, 2026 at 5:07 PM
“Aaaaaaaaaaaaa! Earl! … We’ve got a poultrygeist!”
Reposted by diamondot
This is it. "What do you think calling your electeds will do?"
Make them feel about me the same way everyone who's ever defaulted on student loans feels about their voicemail.
Make them feel about me the same way everyone who's ever defaulted on student loans feels about their voicemail.
Ask not what your representative will do for you (nothing), ask how you can make your representative so miserable they quit their job
My attitude on this is that I'm not calling them because I think I can change their minds.
I'm calling them because it is unthinkable to let them do this without hearing how evil and awful they are.
My spite powers me. If I can get just 500 people a day to join me, we could fuck up their day.
I'm calling them because it is unthinkable to let them do this without hearing how evil and awful they are.
My spite powers me. If I can get just 500 people a day to join me, we could fuck up their day.
January 3, 2026 at 10:11 PM
This is it. "What do you think calling your electeds will do?"
Make them feel about me the same way everyone who's ever defaulted on student loans feels about their voicemail.
Make them feel about me the same way everyone who's ever defaulted on student loans feels about their voicemail.
Reposted by diamondot
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Right.
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
If you want a good explanation of why the American system of government worked well enough for 200 years and then suddenly stopped, it's because Republicans in Congress suddenly started letting their partisan interests COMPLETELY override their institutional interests
a lot of problems wouldn't exist if we had a congress with even an ounce of self interest
January 4, 2026 at 11:52 PM
yep. i can identify any number of structural issues but at the end of the day the basic problem is the republican party. this has been apparent for at least 20 years. it is also an incredibly unpopular observation to make among “serious” people.
Reposted by diamondot
Another post from a Venezuelan friend:
January 4, 2026 at 6:07 PM
Another post from a Venezuelan friend:
Reposted by diamondot
Want to reduce risk for dementia? Get vaccinated! 🩺
I will explain how this works...
I will explain how this works...
Oh, just get vaccinated (part 5,000)
"Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found." (gift article)
"Many shots seem to have “off-target” benefits, such as lowering the risk of dementia, studies have found." (gift article)
Vaccines Are Helping Older People More Than We Knew
www.nytimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Want to reduce risk for dementia? Get vaccinated! 🩺
I will explain how this works...
I will explain how this works...
Reposted by diamondot
Don't forget folks: allowing yourself a vision of the future you'd want for our country and planet - not the one you'd settle for, not the one you fear, but the future of your dreams - isn't naive, it's a vital cognitive skill. That's how we articulate what we most value. What's worth fighting for.
Instead of whatever this is, we should have a government getting lots of new homes and apartments built, lots of clean energy built, lots of high speed rail and transit and bike lanes built, human rights for everyone, economic & healthcare opportunities for all, & innovation that leads the world.
January 4, 2026 at 2:34 AM
Don't forget folks: allowing yourself a vision of the future you'd want for our country and planet - not the one you'd settle for, not the one you fear, but the future of your dreams - isn't naive, it's a vital cognitive skill. That's how we articulate what we most value. What's worth fighting for.
Reposted by diamondot
You ever think about how the Roman Senate kept meeting centuries into the reigns of emperors. Hanging out, shooting the shit, giving speeches, and play-acting that their positions of privilege remained positions of power.
January 3, 2026 at 6:36 PM
You ever think about how the Roman Senate kept meeting centuries into the reigns of emperors. Hanging out, shooting the shit, giving speeches, and play-acting that their positions of privilege remained positions of power.