Melissa Walsh
@melwalshonline.bsky.social
Detroit-based storyteller, history nerd, craic head, and Great Lakes sailor. Proud mom of adult sons. Patron of pubs. Cynic of AI. #amwriting #amquerying
melissawalsh.online
melissawalsh.online
January 10, 2026 at 2:08 PM
250 years ago today, Thomas Paine first circulated Common Sense.
Let’s circulate it again.
“Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.”
thomaspaine.org/major-works/...
Let’s circulate it again.
“Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.”
thomaspaine.org/major-works/...
Common Sense -
Common Sense -
thomaspaine.org
January 10, 2026 at 12:56 PM
250 years ago today, Thomas Paine first circulated Common Sense.
Let’s circulate it again.
“Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.”
thomaspaine.org/major-works/...
Let’s circulate it again.
“Such is the irresistible nature of truth that all it asks, and all it wants, is the liberty of appearing.”
thomaspaine.org/major-works/...
If this immoral, corrupt, and unAmerican administration can abolish USAID, good citizens can demand that their U.S. representatives take steps to #abolishice
January 9, 2026 at 1:48 PM
If this immoral, corrupt, and unAmerican administration can abolish USAID, good citizens can demand that their U.S. representatives take steps to #abolishice
It’s happening here.
Just like Aunt Tifa said it would.
Just like Aunt Tifa said it would.
January 9, 2026 at 12:41 AM
It’s happening here.
Just like Aunt Tifa said it would.
Just like Aunt Tifa said it would.
Reposted by Melissa Walsh
“At a time when polarization is so amped up, aphorisms can serve as psychological circuit breakers, interrupting our comfortable assumptions and prodding us to open our minds, unclench our fists, and think for ourselves,” James Geary argues:
Aphoristic Intelligence Beats Artificial Intelligence
It’s not just okay for some things in life to be hard—it’s essential.
bit.ly
December 26, 2025 at 11:15 PM
“At a time when polarization is so amped up, aphorisms can serve as psychological circuit breakers, interrupting our comfortable assumptions and prodding us to open our minds, unclench our fists, and think for ourselves,” James Geary argues:
Patrick Freyne: From the removal of joy to global destruction, 16 reasons I hate AI
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
Patrick Freyne: AI’s weird billionaires want us all to be atomised units of labour and consumption
The weird billionaires behind artificial intelligence are desperately trying to shoehorn AI chatbots into every bit of technology you own
www.irishtimes.com
December 27, 2025 at 11:47 AM
Patrick Freyne: From the removal of joy to global destruction, 16 reasons I hate AI
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
www.irishtimes.com/life-style/p...
Reposted by Melissa Walsh
🎶 I don’t want a lot for Christmas
I just want one thing from you.
For that A.I. bubble to burst,
And all the tech bros get sued. 🎶
🎄
I just want one thing from you.
For that A.I. bubble to burst,
And all the tech bros get sued. 🎶
🎄
December 25, 2025 at 5:43 PM
🎶 I don’t want a lot for Christmas
I just want one thing from you.
For that A.I. bubble to burst,
And all the tech bros get sued. 🎶
🎄
I just want one thing from you.
For that A.I. bubble to burst,
And all the tech bros get sued. 🎶
🎄
Reposted by Melissa Walsh
Those observing Christmas are celebrating a family of asylum seekers. If there is indeed a "War on Christmas," it's being waged by those trying to make our country less safe for the poor, for the marginalized, and for refugees.
December 25, 2025 at 9:00 PM
Those observing Christmas are celebrating a family of asylum seekers. If there is indeed a "War on Christmas," it's being waged by those trying to make our country less safe for the poor, for the marginalized, and for refugees.
Reposted by Melissa Walsh
All I want for the holidays is for our own government to stop hurting people.
December 24, 2025 at 10:46 PM
All I want for the holidays is for our own government to stop hurting people.
Reposted by Melissa Walsh
If Only America could Redact Trump.
December 23, 2025 at 1:57 AM
If Only America could Redact Trump.
Last week I was in Ireland. This week I’m in Florida.
Ireland is so much greener.
And no fairy forts or sheep here in Florida. Very few donkeys.
Ireland is so much greener.
And no fairy forts or sheep here in Florida. Very few donkeys.
December 16, 2025 at 8:55 AM
Last week I was in Ireland. This week I’m in Florida.
Ireland is so much greener.
And no fairy forts or sheep here in Florida. Very few donkeys.
Ireland is so much greener.
And no fairy forts or sheep here in Florida. Very few donkeys.
Reposted by Melissa Walsh
I would like to say that pretty much every immigrant in this country is more of an American than anyone doing Trump’s bidding
December 14, 2025 at 9:45 PM
I would like to say that pretty much every immigrant in this country is more of an American than anyone doing Trump’s bidding
For the entire past week I’ve been free!
I spent evenings with friends, free from office dread.
I woke up with my cats early & wrote in my pajamas for as long as I wanted.
I read freely for hours, including poetry, for the first time in years. Even dusted off my own poems & sent them into the world.
I spent evenings with friends, free from office dread.
I woke up with my cats early & wrote in my pajamas for as long as I wanted.
I read freely for hours, including poetry, for the first time in years. Even dusted off my own poems & sent them into the world.
December 13, 2025 at 1:20 PM
For the entire past week I’ve been free!
I spent evenings with friends, free from office dread.
I woke up with my cats early & wrote in my pajamas for as long as I wanted.
I read freely for hours, including poetry, for the first time in years. Even dusted off my own poems & sent them into the world.
I spent evenings with friends, free from office dread.
I woke up with my cats early & wrote in my pajamas for as long as I wanted.
I read freely for hours, including poetry, for the first time in years. Even dusted off my own poems & sent them into the world.
Being the 5'1 dynamo that I am, I'm described as "spitfire" at times. Can a tall woman be a "spitfire"? Small ppl look cute running or skating, right? Tall ppl, not so much. Sports mascots are often short animals, like bulldog, hawk, coyote, badger. There's no basketball team called the Giraffes.
December 11, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Being the 5'1 dynamo that I am, I'm described as "spitfire" at times. Can a tall woman be a "spitfire"? Small ppl look cute running or skating, right? Tall ppl, not so much. Sports mascots are often short animals, like bulldog, hawk, coyote, badger. There's no basketball team called the Giraffes.
Reposted by Melissa Walsh
Trump is an infirm, sundowning grifter owned by a collection of notorious criminals and it's not even a secret. If this were a functioning country we would have already ended this.
December 9, 2025 at 7:17 PM
Trump is an infirm, sundowning grifter owned by a collection of notorious criminals and it's not even a secret. If this were a functioning country we would have already ended this.
When I was in Belfast last week, in addition to seeing where my grandma lived (awesome) & learning of common acquaintances at Davitts in West Belfast (amazing), I randomly met Billy McConnell of Crackhead Control in a record shop and bought a sampling of his music. Class!
December 9, 2025 at 11:54 AM
When I was in Belfast last week, in addition to seeing where my grandma lived (awesome) & learning of common acquaintances at Davitts in West Belfast (amazing), I randomly met Billy McConnell of Crackhead Control in a record shop and bought a sampling of his music. Class!
I discovered the series What We Do in the Shadows on the plane ride from Dublin to Detroit. Love it! 6 seasons of laughter! How did I not know about this masterful comedy before then? Did the Hulu and social algorithms think that I would not appreciate vampire humor?
December 9, 2025 at 11:40 AM
I discovered the series What We Do in the Shadows on the plane ride from Dublin to Detroit. Love it! 6 seasons of laughter! How did I not know about this masterful comedy before then? Did the Hulu and social algorithms think that I would not appreciate vampire humor?
It was a good news/bad news day.
Bad news first: Today, on the last day of my vacation, I was notified that my position has been eliminated.
Now the good news: I will no longer be pressured into promoting a “strategic” PoV that AI can replace what creatives do.
Bad news first: Today, on the last day of my vacation, I was notified that my position has been eliminated.
Now the good news: I will no longer be pressured into promoting a “strategic” PoV that AI can replace what creatives do.
December 5, 2025 at 11:41 PM
It was a good news/bad news day.
Bad news first: Today, on the last day of my vacation, I was notified that my position has been eliminated.
Now the good news: I will no longer be pressured into promoting a “strategic” PoV that AI can replace what creatives do.
Bad news first: Today, on the last day of my vacation, I was notified that my position has been eliminated.
Now the good news: I will no longer be pressured into promoting a “strategic” PoV that AI can replace what creatives do.
Our neighbors in West Cork during the four days we stayed at our friends’ pub. Sam and Gus were noisy but so darn sweet 🥰
December 2, 2025 at 10:37 AM
Our neighbors in West Cork during the four days we stayed at our friends’ pub. Sam and Gus were noisy but so darn sweet 🥰
Wandered onto a fairy fort in West Cork this afternoon. A Hobbits habitat? 💗
November 30, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Wandered onto a fairy fort in West Cork this afternoon. A Hobbits habitat? 💗
Found the craic in Nenagh last night - Philly’s, Rocky’s, & The 44.
I learned:
Everyone loves & misses Shane here (of course).
Michael Collins’ memory is divine.
Hurling is a cross of hockey & murder, & all the kids play it here.
You’ll get “carded” by the barman for looking at your phone too long.
I learned:
Everyone loves & misses Shane here (of course).
Michael Collins’ memory is divine.
Hurling is a cross of hockey & murder, & all the kids play it here.
You’ll get “carded” by the barman for looking at your phone too long.
November 28, 2025 at 6:53 AM
Found the craic in Nenagh last night - Philly’s, Rocky’s, & The 44.
I learned:
Everyone loves & misses Shane here (of course).
Michael Collins’ memory is divine.
Hurling is a cross of hockey & murder, & all the kids play it here.
You’ll get “carded” by the barman for looking at your phone too long.
I learned:
Everyone loves & misses Shane here (of course).
Michael Collins’ memory is divine.
Hurling is a cross of hockey & murder, & all the kids play it here.
You’ll get “carded” by the barman for looking at your phone too long.
I’m just after 4 days in Ballina, from where my great grandfather emigrated at 16.
Spent time chasing family history & hanging in pubs. Barwoman Julia, taught me:
The Special= Smithwicks w/little Guinness backpoured
The Mix= half Smithwicks/half Guinness
The Smurf= Tequilla Rose w/After Shock head.
Spent time chasing family history & hanging in pubs. Barwoman Julia, taught me:
The Special= Smithwicks w/little Guinness backpoured
The Mix= half Smithwicks/half Guinness
The Smurf= Tequilla Rose w/After Shock head.
November 28, 2025 at 6:13 AM
I’m just after 4 days in Ballina, from where my great grandfather emigrated at 16.
Spent time chasing family history & hanging in pubs. Barwoman Julia, taught me:
The Special= Smithwicks w/little Guinness backpoured
The Mix= half Smithwicks/half Guinness
The Smurf= Tequilla Rose w/After Shock head.
Spent time chasing family history & hanging in pubs. Barwoman Julia, taught me:
The Special= Smithwicks w/little Guinness backpoured
The Mix= half Smithwicks/half Guinness
The Smurf= Tequilla Rose w/After Shock head.
When you have the munchies in Ballina, Co. Mayo. Jackpot!
November 24, 2025 at 10:01 PM
When you have the munchies in Ballina, Co. Mayo. Jackpot!
Walking through Dublin. Noticed “Detroit-style pizza” copy on a window & the “Doom slice.” I set up to snap a pic. Lads inside waved. I went inside & explained, “I’m visiting from Detroit & have a friend called Jimmy Doom (author/actor James Kenneth Graham). Will you get closer for the shot?” 😂
November 24, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Walking through Dublin. Noticed “Detroit-style pizza” copy on a window & the “Doom slice.” I set up to snap a pic. Lads inside waved. I went inside & explained, “I’m visiting from Detroit & have a friend called Jimmy Doom (author/actor James Kenneth Graham). Will you get closer for the shot?” 😂
This morning’s little field trip
November 22, 2025 at 4:49 PM
This morning’s little field trip