Floof
@hbean.bsky.social
Writer/editor, parent, she/her. Old enough to probably have a lot of lead in me.
Reposted by Floof
I've been asked by 3 media outlets in the last week to do interviews on the influenza season.
I still haven't seen our new CMOH, appointed Dec 18th, (or old one, for that matter. Or any public health official) in the media on this topic.
For the record, they are acutally paid, to do this.
1/2
I still haven't seen our new CMOH, appointed Dec 18th, (or old one, for that matter. Or any public health official) in the media on this topic.
For the record, they are acutally paid, to do this.
1/2
December 27, 2025 at 6:24 PM
I've been asked by 3 media outlets in the last week to do interviews on the influenza season.
I still haven't seen our new CMOH, appointed Dec 18th, (or old one, for that matter. Or any public health official) in the media on this topic.
For the record, they are acutally paid, to do this.
1/2
I still haven't seen our new CMOH, appointed Dec 18th, (or old one, for that matter. Or any public health official) in the media on this topic.
For the record, they are acutally paid, to do this.
1/2
Reposted by Floof
Corn products like tortillas are poor sources of folate known to cause deficiency, & people who consume diets high in corn flour products have increased adverse effects from folate deficiency, like neural tube defects. This health disparity is easily treated.
RFK is just ignorant, eugenicist trash.
RFK is just ignorant, eugenicist trash.
Kennedy says adding folic acid to tortillas is “waging war” against poor residents. Folic acid has long been added to cereal and bread and the CDC website currently says it’s safe for those with the mutation mentioned in the thread Kennedy is replying to.
December 27, 2025 at 7:58 PM
Corn products like tortillas are poor sources of folate known to cause deficiency, & people who consume diets high in corn flour products have increased adverse effects from folate deficiency, like neural tube defects. This health disparity is easily treated.
RFK is just ignorant, eugenicist trash.
RFK is just ignorant, eugenicist trash.
Reposted by Floof
And, finally, from me, the first year of a resurrected river valley & new park just east of Toronto’s skyscrapers has seen an explosion of animal and plant life, from a relative of the puffin to eagles, coyotes & minks www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
How a resurrected Toronto river led to a flood of flora and fauna not seen in decades
The Don River mouth and Biidaasige Park is giving way to wild and plant life the city has not seen in more than 100 years.
www.thestar.com
December 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
And, finally, from me, the first year of a resurrected river valley & new park just east of Toronto’s skyscrapers has seen an explosion of animal and plant life, from a relative of the puffin to eagles, coyotes & minks www.thestar.com/news/gta/how...
Reposted by Floof
Gingerbread 2025 Dumpster 🔥
December 26, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Gingerbread 2025 Dumpster 🔥
Reposted by Floof
More than 30 immigrants have died in ICE custody in 2025
That’s the most in over 20 years
That’s the most in over 20 years
December 26, 2025 at 12:47 PM
More than 30 immigrants have died in ICE custody in 2025
That’s the most in over 20 years
That’s the most in over 20 years
Reposted by Floof
I'm ready to be the type of Democrat the Democratic Party has needed this entire time. The type of Democrat who will fight Trump’s authoritarianism by showing up, not with strongly worded letters.
The type of Democrat who will fight, not fold.
The type of Democrat who will fight, not fold.
December 26, 2025 at 10:03 PM
I'm ready to be the type of Democrat the Democratic Party has needed this entire time. The type of Democrat who will fight Trump’s authoritarianism by showing up, not with strongly worded letters.
The type of Democrat who will fight, not fold.
The type of Democrat who will fight, not fold.
Reposted by Floof
JUST LIKE THEY DID WHEN MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTED A WEALTH TAX
OH WAIT THEY DIDN'T MASSACHUSETTS ACTUALLY HAS MORE RICH PEOPLE NOW BECAUSE THE STATE CAN AFFORD TO BE A NICER PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO LIVE
OH WAIT THEY DIDN'T MASSACHUSETTS ACTUALLY HAS MORE RICH PEOPLE NOW BECAUSE THE STATE CAN AFFORD TO BE A NICER PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO LIVE
Billionaires are considering cutting or reducing their ties to California by the end of the year because of a proposed ballot measure that could tax the state’s wealthiest residents.
A Wealth Tax Floated in California Has Billionaires Thinking of Leaving
It’s uncertain whether the proposal will reach the statewide ballot in November, but some billionaires like Peter Thiel and Larry Page may be unwilling to take the risk.
nyti.ms
December 27, 2025 at 12:00 AM
JUST LIKE THEY DID WHEN MASSACHUSETTS INSTITUTED A WEALTH TAX
OH WAIT THEY DIDN'T MASSACHUSETTS ACTUALLY HAS MORE RICH PEOPLE NOW BECAUSE THE STATE CAN AFFORD TO BE A NICER PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO LIVE
OH WAIT THEY DIDN'T MASSACHUSETTS ACTUALLY HAS MORE RICH PEOPLE NOW BECAUSE THE STATE CAN AFFORD TO BE A NICER PLACE FOR EVERYONE TO LIVE
Reposted by Floof
Annie Holmquist writes that only 2 white men have been included in the NY Times's notable books lists since 2021.
In fact, four of the first ten books on the NY Times's 2025 Notable Books list are by white men: Daniel Kraus, Patrick Ryan, Daniel Kehlmann, and Chris Pavone.
Who needs facts?
In fact, four of the first ten books on the NY Times's 2025 Notable Books list are by white men: Daniel Kraus, Patrick Ryan, Daniel Kehlmann, and Chris Pavone.
Who needs facts?
@startribune.com finally stands up for the truly forgotten! White men! Can't make this shit up
www.startribune.com/2026-reading...
www.startribune.com/2026-reading...
Opinion | You can’t be diverse if you exclude white men
Those year-end book lists that claim to be all about diversity often seem to miss this one major demographic, Annie Holmquist writes.
www.startribune.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Annie Holmquist writes that only 2 white men have been included in the NY Times's notable books lists since 2021.
In fact, four of the first ten books on the NY Times's 2025 Notable Books list are by white men: Daniel Kraus, Patrick Ryan, Daniel Kehlmann, and Chris Pavone.
Who needs facts?
In fact, four of the first ten books on the NY Times's 2025 Notable Books list are by white men: Daniel Kraus, Patrick Ryan, Daniel Kehlmann, and Chris Pavone.
Who needs facts?
Reposted by Floof
So, just to confirm, the BBC can’t keep Robin Ince on the air because his trans allyship brings the organisation into disrepute, but they can keep David Walliams, who performed Nazi salutes at the recording of this very show, on the air despite him being predatory towards women. Cool. Very normal.
December 21, 2025 at 10:59 AM
So, just to confirm, the BBC can’t keep Robin Ince on the air because his trans allyship brings the organisation into disrepute, but they can keep David Walliams, who performed Nazi salutes at the recording of this very show, on the air despite him being predatory towards women. Cool. Very normal.
Reposted by Floof
More evidence: Straive is apparently causing a lot of issues (unsurprisingly) during copy editing forthcoming articles in Springer journals.
dailynous.com/2025/12/18/p...
dailynous.com/2025/12/18/p...
Problems with Publishers Moving to AI-Based Production - Daily Nous
Straive is a firm that uses AI to, among other things, help publishers with various tasks "across the publishing value chain". One of its clients is Springer Nature, the publisher of many philosophy j...
dailynous.com
December 26, 2025 at 6:41 PM
More evidence: Straive is apparently causing a lot of issues (unsurprisingly) during copy editing forthcoming articles in Springer journals.
dailynous.com/2025/12/18/p...
dailynous.com/2025/12/18/p...
Reposted by Floof
Environment Canada issues weather warnings and statements for region - Environment Canada has issued various weather warnings and special weather statements for the region.
Environment Canada issues weather warnings and statements for region
Environment Canada has issued various weather warnings and special weather statements for the region.
bit.ly
December 26, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Environment Canada issues weather warnings and statements for region - Environment Canada has issued various weather warnings and special weather statements for the region.
Reposted by Floof
Side note: Sinatra’s mom Natalina “Dolly” Garaventa, a midwife by trade, ran an underground free abortion clinic, chained herself to a fence to fight for women’s suffrage and was an extremely influential organizer for the Democratic Party
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eamo...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eamo...
December 26, 2025 at 7:00 PM
Side note: Sinatra’s mom Natalina “Dolly” Garaventa, a midwife by trade, ran an underground free abortion clinic, chained herself to a fence to fight for women’s suffrage and was an extremely influential organizer for the Democratic Party
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eamo...
www.irishtimes.com/opinion/eamo...
Reposted by Floof
"Pressed on whether marketing an addictive AI chatbot to kids is ethical, Hardin shrugged: “I mean sure, but that’s not really our problem. That’s something parents or maybe lawmakers might want to look into.”
December 26, 2025 at 5:06 PM
"Pressed on whether marketing an addictive AI chatbot to kids is ethical, Hardin shrugged: “I mean sure, but that’s not really our problem. That’s something parents or maybe lawmakers might want to look into.”
Reposted by Floof
I’m looking for 100% Filipino people who are willing to submit a cheek swab test in hopes for a genetic match to my aunt, who is battling blood cancer. The registry for stem cells doesn’t have many Filipino people in it, and joining it could help many. Please share/reach out to me!
bit.ly/4aiUIKQ
bit.ly/4aiUIKQ
December 18, 2025 at 2:46 AM
I’m looking for 100% Filipino people who are willing to submit a cheek swab test in hopes for a genetic match to my aunt, who is battling blood cancer. The registry for stem cells doesn’t have many Filipino people in it, and joining it could help many. Please share/reach out to me!
bit.ly/4aiUIKQ
bit.ly/4aiUIKQ
Reposted by Floof
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
I had five fascinating conversations for this RPS piece, gathering perspectives on genAI chatbots in games, as seen in Where Winds Meet. Thanks to @meghna.bsky.social, @pyrofoux.bsky.social, @maxkreminski.bsky.social, and @chrisgardiner.bsky.social www.rockpapershotgun.com/horrible-bor...
"Horrible", "boring", and "cheap": Experts pan new chatbot NPCs, but some leave room for optimism
We speak to a collection of developers and AI experts about the potential impact of LLM-powered NPCs in videogames.
www.rockpapershotgun.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Essentially, I think that LLM-generated dialogue only makes sense if you believe that the product of writing is words.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
But the product of writing isn't words, any more than the product of justice is prisoners, or the product of love is weddings. The product of writing is meaning.
Reposted by Floof
This is what every institution he threatens with frivolous defamation suits should be doing
President Trump’s spiteful defamation suit against the Pulitzer Prize Board may backfire, as the latter is now demanding Trump’s psychological records, prescription medication records, and tax returns in the discovery process. trib.al/LUCScTR
December 26, 2025 at 2:06 AM
This is what every institution he threatens with frivolous defamation suits should be doing
Reposted by Floof
It is EXHAUSTING not only being made responsible for coming up with new kinds of assignments for our students; it's also tedious reading op-eds that suggest the core problem is a crisis in teaching. But, as Chris and I lay out here, this isn't a crisis in teaching; it's an attack on learning.
"We envision a resistance that is...a repudiation of the efficiencies that automated algorithmic education falsely promises: a resistance comprising the collective force of small acts of friction."
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Four Frictions: or, How to Resist AI in Education - Public Books
We are calling for resistance to the AI industry’s ongoing capture of higher education.
www.publicbooks.org
December 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
It is EXHAUSTING not only being made responsible for coming up with new kinds of assignments for our students; it's also tedious reading op-eds that suggest the core problem is a crisis in teaching. But, as Chris and I lay out here, this isn't a crisis in teaching; it's an attack on learning.
Reposted by Floof
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
December 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
Reposted by Floof
social consequences for embracing fascism
ICE agent recognized out Christmas shopping—throws tantrum when citizens profile him.
"We're trying to prevent you from kidnapping our neighbors," they say.
"I'm not doing anything but walking, leave me alone!" he yells.
"Not right now you're not—but the past 5 days you have."
Philadelphia, PA
"We're trying to prevent you from kidnapping our neighbors," they say.
"I'm not doing anything but walking, leave me alone!" he yells.
"Not right now you're not—but the past 5 days you have."
Philadelphia, PA
December 26, 2025 at 2:25 AM
social consequences for embracing fascism
Reposted by Floof
As many of us begin Christmas meal prep, allow me to share the advice that my ER nurse sister puts in the chat every year:
A dropped knife has no handle. Jump away. Let it fall. You can pick it up and wash it.
A dropped knife has no handle. Jump away. Let it fall. You can pick it up and wash it.
December 24, 2025 at 6:31 PM
As many of us begin Christmas meal prep, allow me to share the advice that my ER nurse sister puts in the chat every year:
A dropped knife has no handle. Jump away. Let it fall. You can pick it up and wash it.
A dropped knife has no handle. Jump away. Let it fall. You can pick it up and wash it.
Reposted by Floof
The Professor, our foster dog, is up for adoption but has had zero applications. And I get it, people are busy, but he’s wonderful.
Not a sleep in your lap dog but the king of sleep next to you dogs. Just a nice little 4 month old gentleman. With a PhD.
new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal...
Not a sleep in your lap dog but the king of sleep next to you dogs. Just a nice little 4 month old gentleman. With a PhD.
new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal...
December 24, 2025 at 9:19 PM
The Professor, our foster dog, is up for adoption but has had zero applications. And I get it, people are busy, but he’s wonderful.
Not a sleep in your lap dog but the king of sleep next to you dogs. Just a nice little 4 month old gentleman. With a PhD.
new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal...
Not a sleep in your lap dog but the king of sleep next to you dogs. Just a nice little 4 month old gentleman. With a PhD.
new.shelterluv.com/embed/animal...
Reposted by Floof
Interesting look at a kidney stone under an electron microscope; I always though it was painful because you were pushing an object through a hole too small for it to easily pass, but no it's literally just razor sharp crystals too.
December 24, 2025 at 9:40 AM
Interesting look at a kidney stone under an electron microscope; I always though it was painful because you were pushing an object through a hole too small for it to easily pass, but no it's literally just razor sharp crystals too.
Reposted by Floof
The @princetonupress.bsky.social needs to pull the book and issue a correction while investigating what other errors, omissions, and disinformation they allowed to go to print.
A small (personal) example of this book’s intellectual dishonesty:
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
My father-in-law is reading In Covid’s Wake, and excitedly told me he found a passage where I’m quoted. The quote in question is me saying the FBI worked to censor speech on social media.
Huh? When did I say that?!
December 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
The @princetonupress.bsky.social needs to pull the book and issue a correction while investigating what other errors, omissions, and disinformation they allowed to go to print.
Reposted by Floof
There are ways to do in-class essays and exams that lock you to the typing window and stop you from copy-pasting from other sources without relying on old blue books. It works fine too as a system. Unsure why that’d be a big deal?
Does anyone else bristle at this framing? WSJ says blue books are “torturing” students with hand cramps, and “nobody likes them.”
Listen, students have been outsourcing everything to AI and cheating their way through college. Blue books should be celebrated as a return to authentic human learning.
Listen, students have been outsourcing everything to AI and cheating their way through college. Blue books should be celebrated as a return to authentic human learning.
They Were Every Student’s Worst Nightmare. Now Blue Books Are Back.
Cheating with ChatGPT has become a huge problem for colleges. The solution is painfully old-school.
www.wsj.com
December 24, 2025 at 5:23 PM
There are ways to do in-class essays and exams that lock you to the typing window and stop you from copy-pasting from other sources without relying on old blue books. It works fine too as a system. Unsure why that’d be a big deal?
Reposted by Floof
“I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway. I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...
Judges who ruled against Trump say harassment and threats have changed their lives
More than 100 pizzas were delivered to the homes of judges and their families this year, some with signs of foreign involvement. Judges say the message is clear: We know where you live.
www.nbcnews.com
December 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
“I’m 84 years old. Threats against my life expectancy are kind of hollow. I don’t have much time anyway. I’m more concerned that our democracy is at risk because of the trends against the rule of law.” www.nbcnews.com/politics/pol...