Joelle Maslak
@jmaslak.bsky.social
Just another neurodivergent techie. Expect to see me talk about computer networks, feminism, human rights, and autism--and how they are connected. Delcared un-American by the US government.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
In case you weren't aware, prior to the ACA, it was functionally impossible to get health insurance as a trans person. I mean flat out. They considered being transgender a "pre-existing condition" and would simply not issue individual insurance. So either you had employer-issued insurance, or nada.
November 26, 2025 at 1:02 AM
In case you weren't aware, prior to the ACA, it was functionally impossible to get health insurance as a trans person. I mean flat out. They considered being transgender a "pre-existing condition" and would simply not issue individual insurance. So either you had employer-issued insurance, or nada.
Also, "We are currently clean on opsec!"
Three things about the Witkoff tapes:
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
1) It appears Western intelligence services have decided to let Witkoff (and Trump) know they have recordings of their traitorous conversations w/Russia.
2) This Ukraine "deal" was all Witkoff's idea.
3) Congressional leaders should demand he be fired.
EXCLUSIVE: US presidential envoy Steve Witkoff advised Russia on how to pitch Ukraine plans to Trump, in audio files reviewed by Bloomberg
November 25, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Also, "We are currently clean on opsec!"
Does Polis want to be President by being "civil and thoughtful Republican running as a Dem"?
NEW: Colorado's election clerks are increasingly upset that Gov Jared Polis (D) hasn't ruled out releasing Tina Peters to the Trump administration.
On a call today, a bipartisan group of elected clerks said Polis hasn't agreed to meet with them about their concerns.
On a call today, a bipartisan group of elected clerks said Polis hasn't agreed to meet with them about their concerns.
November 25, 2025 at 8:58 PM
Does Polis want to be President by being "civil and thoughtful Republican running as a Dem"?
Example of the app - It isn't the pinnacle of UI, but it's good enough. I "print" into a directory and when I'm at home I'll batch print them (like I'm doing today). I have a ton to print (around 175 pieces) today, and the date lets me whether to rotate in the stack (staples have a thickness!).
November 25, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Example of the app - It isn't the pinnacle of UI, but it's good enough. I "print" into a directory and when I'm at home I'll batch print them (like I'm doing today). I have a ton to print (around 175 pieces) today, and the date lets me whether to rotate in the stack (staples have a thickness!).
I've written my first Python app for my art project (Hate Measured in Inches): Something to manage all the printing I need to do (basically I want to dump a bunch of files in a directory, print them in chronological order, waiting between each one for me to grab it and staple it).
November 25, 2025 at 7:40 PM
I've written my first Python app for my art project (Hate Measured in Inches): Something to manage all the printing I need to do (basically I want to dump a bunch of files in a directory, print them in chronological order, waiting between each one for me to grab it and staple it).
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
I find that allistic people advocate for autistic people to unmask until we do unmask. Then they find every reason why who you are is a problem for them without the mask.
The rules apparently are:
Don't be logical and present it clearly because it feels like you are arguing with me.
The rules apparently are:
Don't be logical and present it clearly because it feels like you are arguing with me.
November 25, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I find that allistic people advocate for autistic people to unmask until we do unmask. Then they find every reason why who you are is a problem for them without the mask.
The rules apparently are:
Don't be logical and present it clearly because it feels like you are arguing with me.
The rules apparently are:
Don't be logical and present it clearly because it feels like you are arguing with me.
After my airport rant yesterday (too much sensory overload!) this is good news to see:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/25/d...
They didn't mention airport design in this, but their choices in the new parts of the airport are way better than the older parts of the airport, too.
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/25/d...
They didn't mention airport design in this, but their choices in the new parts of the airport are way better than the older parts of the airport, too.
Calling all passengers: DIA seeks to lower noise levels across airport
A mandatory Quiet Airport Policy aims to contain the often-overwhelming cacophony of modern air travel and give people peace and tranquility.
www.denverpost.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:39 PM
After my airport rant yesterday (too much sensory overload!) this is good news to see:
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/25/d...
They didn't mention airport design in this, but their choices in the new parts of the airport are way better than the older parts of the airport, too.
www.denverpost.com/2025/11/25/d...
They didn't mention airport design in this, but their choices in the new parts of the airport are way better than the older parts of the airport, too.
I really hope the majority of Dems decide that the way to get elected is to stand for something substantially different than "the same things the GOP believes, just more politely and thoughtfully".
November 25, 2025 at 5:10 AM
I really hope the majority of Dems decide that the way to get elected is to stand for something substantially different than "the same things the GOP believes, just more politely and thoughtfully".
FWIW, my passport is "F" (as is all my documentation), and people generally assume I'm a woman, so YMMV, but if you're scared as a US citizen about travel, I did want to give a counter to some of that narrative. That said I'm sick of federal bullshit around this.
While I was on vacation outside the USA, the State Dept updated the passport gender FAQ 3 times with changes saying they could invalidate my passport.
I'm happy to say I came back today, with zero issues (Global Entry, nothing to declare).
I'm happy to say I came back today, with zero issues (Global Entry, nothing to declare).
November 25, 2025 at 4:15 AM
FWIW, my passport is "F" (as is all my documentation), and people generally assume I'm a woman, so YMMV, but if you're scared as a US citizen about travel, I did want to give a counter to some of that narrative. That said I'm sick of federal bullshit around this.
While I was on vacation outside the USA, the State Dept updated the passport gender FAQ 3 times with changes saying they could invalidate my passport.
I'm happy to say I came back today, with zero issues (Global Entry, nothing to declare).
I'm happy to say I came back today, with zero issues (Global Entry, nothing to declare).
November 25, 2025 at 4:13 AM
While I was on vacation outside the USA, the State Dept updated the passport gender FAQ 3 times with changes saying they could invalidate my passport.
I'm happy to say I came back today, with zero issues (Global Entry, nothing to declare).
I'm happy to say I came back today, with zero issues (Global Entry, nothing to declare).
Sounds like we're going to be prosecuting veterans who protest war in Valenzuela.
If you dare to displease the despot, you will be declared an enemy of the state and every lever of it will be deployed against you.
November 25, 2025 at 3:10 AM
Sounds like we're going to be prosecuting veterans who protest war in Valenzuela.
This is the business equivalent of a church saying to members "We're not a cult."
it's happening dot gif
November 25, 2025 at 3:06 AM
This is the business equivalent of a church saying to members "We're not a cult."
Thinking how an entire table of #ActuallyAutistic people walked out of a keynote at a conference like 15-20 years ago when the speaker started talking bullshit about mitochondria and autism. It was bullshit then and it's bullshit now. This makes me sad.
November 25, 2025 at 2:56 AM
Thinking how an entire table of #ActuallyAutistic people walked out of a keynote at a conference like 15-20 years ago when the speaker started talking bullshit about mitochondria and autism. It was bullshit then and it's bullshit now. This makes me sad.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
One of my favorite things is getting to tell friends who are new to NYC that the subway "stand clear of the closing doors please" voice is a trans woman named Bernie Wagenblast and she's amazing.
November 24, 2025 at 6:19 PM
One of my favorite things is getting to tell friends who are new to NYC that the subway "stand clear of the closing doors please" voice is a trans woman named Bernie Wagenblast and she's amazing.
There is a software engineering metaphor in this picture. Particularly the failure of design that required producing what I can only assume is version 1.01 with the "no rubbish" label above the convenient hole for the rope...
November 24, 2025 at 7:16 AM
There is a software engineering metaphor in this picture. Particularly the failure of design that required producing what I can only assume is version 1.01 with the "no rubbish" label above the convenient hole for the rope...
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
May I recommend transiting through Copenhagen if/when you're ever in Europe, for this excellent affordance that lets you skip duty-free
November 24, 2025 at 6:46 AM
May I recommend transiting through Copenhagen if/when you're ever in Europe, for this excellent affordance that lets you skip duty-free
I am interested in hearing from #ActuallyAutistic people who are near their 50s or older if they've noticed some types of sensory sensitivities getting worse as they get older. Is it just me? Particularly when there is a lot of input across multiple senses.
November 24, 2025 at 6:42 AM
I am interested in hearing from #ActuallyAutistic people who are near their 50s or older if they've noticed some types of sensory sensitivities getting worse as they get older. Is it just me? Particularly when there is a lot of input across multiple senses.
It's been a long time since I needed sunglasses inside because of visual stimulation, but the Auckland international terminal is super intense going through security and walking through the shopping mall they insist on having at all big airports.
November 24, 2025 at 6:35 AM
It's been a long time since I needed sunglasses inside because of visual stimulation, but the Auckland international terminal is super intense going through security and walking through the shopping mall they insist on having at all big airports.
I wrote my first program at age five. knew that was what I wanted to do as an adult. Some adults tried to talk me out of it but I persisted. :)
November 24, 2025 at 12:54 AM
I wrote my first program at age five. knew that was what I wanted to do as an adult. Some adults tried to talk me out of it but I persisted. :)
A4 #AutChat: I feel things deeply, and that sometimes comes across in ways that bother some people when they mistake passion for intense anger or similar. So it's more expression than processing, but also processing because it's the deep feelings that guide much of my life.
Q4: Do your differences in emotional processing cause problems? How do they affect your life, including work and relationships? #AutChat
November 23, 2025 at 9:37 PM
A4 #AutChat: I feel things deeply, and that sometimes comes across in ways that bother some people when they mistake passion for intense anger or similar. So it's more expression than processing, but also processing because it's the deep feelings that guide much of my life.
#AutChat A2.2 - I think a lot of kids are told that some emotions are bad. "Don't cry", religious admonishments to "not be angry at another" and similar. Autistic people in particular I think can sometimes internalize this BS and think "My emotions are bad".
#AutChat A2 - I need to intellectually process my emotions to realize what I'm feeling sometime. I definitely feel emotions, but sometimes I don't know what or why they are.
Q2: What does it take for you to become aware of an emotion that you usually have difficulty with recognising in yourself? #AutChat
November 23, 2025 at 9:28 PM
#AutChat A2.2 - I think a lot of kids are told that some emotions are bad. "Don't cry", religious admonishments to "not be angry at another" and similar. Autistic people in particular I think can sometimes internalize this BS and think "My emotions are bad".
#AutChat A2 - I need to intellectually process my emotions to realize what I'm feeling sometime. I definitely feel emotions, but sometimes I don't know what or why they are.
Q2: What does it take for you to become aware of an emotion that you usually have difficulty with recognising in yourself? #AutChat
November 23, 2025 at 9:21 PM
#AutChat A2 - I need to intellectually process my emotions to realize what I'm feeling sometime. I definitely feel emotions, but sometimes I don't know what or why they are.
#AutChat Q1 - It took me a while as a kid to understand sad and angry were different, and that both weren't "bad" (in a moral sense) emotions to feel. It's okay to be angry or sad (but what you do with this is important!)
Q1: Do you have difficulties with recognising your own emotional states? Does this take you longer or work differently for you? #AutChat
November 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
#AutChat Q1 - It took me a while as a kid to understand sad and angry were different, and that both weren't "bad" (in a moral sense) emotions to feel. It's okay to be angry or sad (but what you do with this is important!)
I had a good time at #KiwiPycon. Amazing people all around, a very welcoming atmosphere, organizers committed in making it a place for all, etc.
November 23, 2025 at 10:58 AM
I had a good time at #KiwiPycon. Amazing people all around, a very welcoming atmosphere, organizers committed in making it a place for all, etc.
Reposted by Joelle Maslak
“One of the misconceptions about autistic people is we take things literally” #KiwiPyCon
November 22, 2025 at 8:18 PM
“One of the misconceptions about autistic people is we take things literally” #KiwiPyCon