Maria
@merluza.bsky.social
Ethnographer working in tech; walking makes me happy
I feel sick to my stomach and being here makes me feel less alone. How can we do life through this horror?!?
January 7, 2026 at 11:15 PM
I feel sick to my stomach and being here makes me feel less alone. How can we do life through this horror?!?
I've noticed that everytime i log on here, i have a new follower. I don't post often, and to be honest, I'm not insightful or funny. What's the deal?!?
January 7, 2026 at 1:43 AM
I've noticed that everytime i log on here, i have a new follower. I don't post often, and to be honest, I'm not insightful or funny. What's the deal?!?
So what happens on day 2? How will the US "rule" the neighborhood militias and informant networks that have been consolidated over 30 years of chavismo? How will they "rule" the ELN and other guerrillas/cartels that smuggle drugs, weapons and oil through the jungles? This is a disaster.
January 4, 2026 at 1:23 AM
So what happens on day 2? How will the US "rule" the neighborhood militias and informant networks that have been consolidated over 30 years of chavismo? How will they "rule" the ELN and other guerrillas/cartels that smuggle drugs, weapons and oil through the jungles? This is a disaster.
I am a content moderator for VR 😅
Well, now I'm an English professor...
December 30, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I am a content moderator for VR 😅
Share a great female villain.
Misery still gives me nightmares.
Misery still gives me nightmares.
December 28, 2025 at 8:21 PM
Share a great female villain.
Misery still gives me nightmares.
Misery still gives me nightmares.
Reposted by Maria
"And I never say no"
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
December 28, 2025 at 6:20 PM
"And I never say no"
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
We need to have a serious talk about the way "AI companion" apps not only prey on the vulnerable, but are priming their users to ignore consent and to conflate love with control.
We need AI regulations across so many sectors, but this area is particularly horrifying.
I see all these news about lawyers in the US filing habeas corpus petitions, and it reminds me of the stories my family told about the dictatorships in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.
December 22, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I see all these news about lawyers in the US filing habeas corpus petitions, and it reminds me of the stories my family told about the dictatorships in Uruguay, Argentina and Chile.
Folks in the US don't really care about the immigration policy horrors, and don't see news about it. Unless they live in targeted areas or have immigrant friends. There are large swaths of this country where people have no real proximity to immigrants.
December 19, 2025 at 1:47 PM
Folks in the US don't really care about the immigration policy horrors, and don't see news about it. Unless they live in targeted areas or have immigrant friends. There are large swaths of this country where people have no real proximity to immigrants.
Reposted by Maria
Lord, please never let me be hated by someone as skilled as that Vanity Fair photographer. Let all my haters be incompetent.
December 17, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Lord, please never let me be hated by someone as skilled as that Vanity Fair photographer. Let all my haters be incompetent.
Now they are implementing a quota system for denaturalization.
Quota systems create perverse incentives and are designed to decimate. They result in ICE terror campaigns, "false positives" (a la colombian). It's an evil tool.
Quota systems create perverse incentives and are designed to decimate. They result in ICE terror campaigns, "false positives" (a la colombian). It's an evil tool.
December 18, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Now they are implementing a quota system for denaturalization.
Quota systems create perverse incentives and are designed to decimate. They result in ICE terror campaigns, "false positives" (a la colombian). It's an evil tool.
Quota systems create perverse incentives and are designed to decimate. They result in ICE terror campaigns, "false positives" (a la colombian). It's an evil tool.
As a a movie goer: Bernie by Richard Linklater in an indie theater in Houston. Texans laughing together about the Texas jokes was a trip.
As a student protectionist in my university's cinema, projecting Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The film snapped, burned, the reel came off. Very on point.
As a student protectionist in my university's cinema, projecting Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The film snapped, burned, the reel came off. Very on point.
Raising the always fun question: What are your most memorable theater-going experiences?
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
It was hands-down one of the most memorable theater-going experiences I can remember, a collective 30-minute butt-clench/armrest-grab for the final climb. And we knew he lived! Wild.
December 13, 2025 at 12:56 AM
As a a movie goer: Bernie by Richard Linklater in an indie theater in Houston. Texans laughing together about the Texas jokes was a trip.
As a student protectionist in my university's cinema, projecting Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The film snapped, burned, the reel came off. Very on point.
As a student protectionist in my university's cinema, projecting Monty Python and the Holy Grail. The film snapped, burned, the reel came off. Very on point.
Uniqlo underlayers feel like elven technology.
December 10, 2025 at 7:30 PM
Uniqlo underlayers feel like elven technology.
That sense of dread to read the newspaper.
December 10, 2025 at 11:49 AM
That sense of dread to read the newspaper.
Reposted by Maria
working for fox news or the white house must be so easy. any failing can be blamed on immigrants. "sorry for the late reply, an immigrant had my gmail password." "need an extension on this assignment, an immigrant deleted my file." "sorry i didn't pay the bill. immigrants."
December 9, 2025 at 10:59 PM
working for fox news or the white house must be so easy. any failing can be blamed on immigrants. "sorry for the late reply, an immigrant had my gmail password." "need an extension on this assignment, an immigrant deleted my file." "sorry i didn't pay the bill. immigrants."
The line keeps moving on who counts as a citizen. And it will continue to move as we allow it. Citizenship is a piece of paper.
They did everything right, followed the law, were thoroughly vetted... Didn't matter... "Immigrants lined up to become U.S. citizens in Boston on Dec. 4 were pulled from line by USCIS officials moments before the oath ceremony" people.com/immigrants-a...
Immigrants Approved for Citizenship ‘Plucked Out’ of Line Moments Before Pledging Allegiance: Report
Immigrants lined up to become U.S. citizens in Boston on Dec. 4 were pulled from line by USCIS officials moments before the ceremony. The incident comes after USCIS told employees to halt all immigrat...
people.com
December 8, 2025 at 11:39 PM
The line keeps moving on who counts as a citizen. And it will continue to move as we allow it. Citizenship is a piece of paper.
So you turn off smart features and then your inbox filters go away, and you get a million notifications on your phone from your marketing inbox? This is a design choice.
November 22, 2025 at 4:14 AM
So you turn off smart features and then your inbox filters go away, and you get a million notifications on your phone from your marketing inbox? This is a design choice.
Please someone smarter than me help me make sense of this!
Is this the culmination of politics as simulacrum?
Is it an admission?
Is fascism is now an acceptable thing?
What is this crap?!?
Is this the culmination of politics as simulacrum?
Is it an admission?
Is fascism is now an acceptable thing?
What is this crap?!?
A reporter asks if Mamdani stands by calling Trump a fascist. Mamdani starts to give a delicate answer.
Trump (smiles, pats Mamdani's arm): "That's OK, you can just say yes. It's easier. I don't mind."
Trump (smiles, pats Mamdani's arm): "That's OK, you can just say yes. It's easier. I don't mind."
November 21, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Please someone smarter than me help me make sense of this!
Is this the culmination of politics as simulacrum?
Is it an admission?
Is fascism is now an acceptable thing?
What is this crap?!?
Is this the culmination of politics as simulacrum?
Is it an admission?
Is fascism is now an acceptable thing?
What is this crap?!?
Mamdani and Trump's press conference is wild. Now Trump loves Mamdani and Bernie?!? Smells like sheer opportunism.
November 21, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Mamdani and Trump's press conference is wild. Now Trump loves Mamdani and Bernie?!? Smells like sheer opportunism.
In my kid's school, the school secretary has built a musical theater program for the kids because she loves Broadway. The kids build sets, act, sing, manage the shows. It has been an AMAZING gift to the community. A person with an idea and the drive to follow through can do so much good.
November 21, 2025 at 7:41 PM
In my kid's school, the school secretary has built a musical theater program for the kids because she loves Broadway. The kids build sets, act, sing, manage the shows. It has been an AMAZING gift to the community. A person with an idea and the drive to follow through can do so much good.
Reposted by Maria
Trust in science will increase when we stop all the money being used to fund anti-science political attacks and spread disinformation.
November 19, 2025 at 9:51 PM
Trust in science will increase when we stop all the money being used to fund anti-science political attacks and spread disinformation.
Reposted by Maria
615 of the estimated 3,000+ detained immigrants who were kidnapped in Chicagoland during Midway Blitz are expected to be eligible for bond this week. The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund shows up for people in detention who need bond, but it costs, at minimum, $1,500 per person. Pls help them.
A Midwest Bond Fund Is Helping Detained Chicago Immigrants Return To Their Families
The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund launched in 2020 to provide bond assistance to people navigating the complex immigration legal system. That mission has become more difficult under the second Trump a...
blockclubchicago.org
November 17, 2025 at 10:08 PM
615 of the estimated 3,000+ detained immigrants who were kidnapped in Chicagoland during Midway Blitz are expected to be eligible for bond this week. The Midwest Immigration Bond Fund shows up for people in detention who need bond, but it costs, at minimum, $1,500 per person. Pls help them.
Even beyond that, there are two political worlds: one where politics is abstract, a game of numbers, margins and electoral strategy, where politics has no consequence. And there's the one where politics directly impacts existence in very concrete ways. The latter has very little representation.
There’s a two party duopoly in this nation.
Is it great? No! Is it reality? Yes.
Creating a third party means building up an entirely new infrastructure from scratch and then fighting both R & D.
Taking over the Dem Party is an easier and more effective route. It’ll take time, but it’s worth it.
Is it great? No! Is it reality? Yes.
Creating a third party means building up an entirely new infrastructure from scratch and then fighting both R & D.
Taking over the Dem Party is an easier and more effective route. It’ll take time, but it’s worth it.
November 10, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Even beyond that, there are two political worlds: one where politics is abstract, a game of numbers, margins and electoral strategy, where politics has no consequence. And there's the one where politics directly impacts existence in very concrete ways. The latter has very little representation.
Reposted by Maria
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
In the grand scheme of things, my little town council elections don't matter, but the progressive candidates won! The old guard anti-housing candidate is out.
November 5, 2025 at 2:58 AM
In the grand scheme of things, my little town council elections don't matter, but the progressive candidates won! The old guard anti-housing candidate is out.
Reposted by Maria
If you boycott elections, candidates logically ignore you and focus on the voters they can still get.
There’s a reason pundits keep nudging Dems to a mushy middle. Those folks are idiots, yes, but they’re idiots who show up to vote.
And that matters more to a candidate than your smart apathy.
There’s a reason pundits keep nudging Dems to a mushy middle. Those folks are idiots, yes, but they’re idiots who show up to vote.
And that matters more to a candidate than your smart apathy.
October 29, 2025 at 7:46 PM
If you boycott elections, candidates logically ignore you and focus on the voters they can still get.
There’s a reason pundits keep nudging Dems to a mushy middle. Those folks are idiots, yes, but they’re idiots who show up to vote.
And that matters more to a candidate than your smart apathy.
There’s a reason pundits keep nudging Dems to a mushy middle. Those folks are idiots, yes, but they’re idiots who show up to vote.
And that matters more to a candidate than your smart apathy.