Derek Fox
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partialobserver.bsky.social
Derek Fox
@partialobserver.bsky.social
5.7K followers 7.7K following 4.2K posts
Penn State Astronomer (he/him), personal account. “We went and made everything a computer without ever bothering to fix computers.”
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partialobserver.bsky.social
People always pointing out how GenX grew up drastically misled as to the prevalence of quicksand in modern life but hey, what about those sensory deprivation tanks? Where did they all go?
Poster (Japanese version) for the 1980 movie “Altered States” starring William Hurt. It shows a man in a swimsuit suspended in the center of a transparent prism, a sensory deprivation chamber which initiates the main action of the story.
December 28, 2025 at 12:57 AM
partialobserver.bsky.social
The most insightful thing anyone has said about Trump, and it’s true of every fascist you can name. They lie about the past in every possible way, and are perfectly straightforward about what they want.
Excerpt from the piece: The common understanding at the time was that all of that was political theater, or rhetorical excesses-that Trump had no real convictions. But Cassandras didn't see it like that. "I kinda think people have it reversed," Joe, a white 30-year-old from upstate New York, who noy teaches at a university in the U.K., said, (this part highlighted:) "Lots of people don't detect that he's lying about what has transpired, but they think he's full of hot air about what he wants. But in reality, he's a total liar about what has happened, and he's deadly sincere about what it is he wants."
December 19, 2025 at 12:13 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Supplementing with screenshot in case of future hyperreference issues:
Screenshot of skeet + reply skeet. Original skeet by @josh.uno says “mine went on a tangent” with attached screenshot of ChatGPT interaction: User says “What is a four letter word that, when you reverse its letters, it becomes a plant?” and ChatGPT replies: “The four-letter word you're looking for is "Star." When reversed, it becomes "Rats," which is not a plant. However, if we slightly adjust the criteria, "Herb" becomes "Breh" when reversed, though "Breh" isn't a recognized word. It seems the exact criteria you've set might not have a direct answer. If there's a specific word puzzle or context you're referring to, could you provide more details?” Reply skeet by @pbump.com (Philip Bump) says “breh”
December 1, 2025 at 1:29 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Here we are in the pouring home
I watch a light man fold a comb
I watch a line move across the screen
I watch the light come over me

Here we are now, going to the west side
Weapons in hand as we go for a ride
Some may come, love, and some may stay
Watching out for a sunny day
Pope Leo XIV, dressed in his white papal garb, cradling a microphone in front of a group of businesspeople and cardinals, clearly spitting rhymes
November 23, 2025 at 8:28 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Larry Summers email with alt text
(Image of email from Larry Summers to Jeffrey Epstein:) From: Larry Summers Sent: 10/27/2017 3:10:13 PM To: jeffrey E. [jeevacation@gmail.com] Subject: Re: Trending Now: Friends for three decades, Trump whisperer says he is 'stunned' by president's rhetoric Importance: High Softbank deputy guy i liked and seemed aware and honest re Son. Lots of slathering to saudis. I yipped about inclusion. I observed that half the IQ In world was possessed by women without mentioning they are more than 51 percent of population... Mnuchin plumbs new depths. War seems more likely than I used to think DjT is world s luckiest guy in terms of opposition, economy etc. still think his world will collapse. I'm trying to figure why American elite think if u murder your baby by beating and abandonment it must be irrelevant to your admission to Harvard, but hit on a few women 10 years ago and can't work at a network or think tank. DO NOT REPEAT THIS INSIGHT Sent from my iPad Please direct all scheduling inquiries to my office at: Follow me on twitter @lhsummers www.larrysummers.com
November 12, 2025 at 5:51 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Trump thuggishness, with alt text:
Financial Times article excerpt: Trump administration officials warned of additional trade tariffs and made personal threats against negotiators from other countries to block a historic climate deal for shipping, said people present at the talks. More than 10 diplomats, officials from other governments and industry observers told the Financial Times that the US ripped up normal global diplomacy rules and used "bully-boy tactics" to derail the UN-backed Net Zero Framework for global shipping at meetings in London last month. A phalanx of US officials intimidated African and small Pacific and Caribbean island countries into dropping support for the framework, which would have imposed a carbon emissions levy on shipping, according to people present at the talks at the headquarters of the UN's International Maritime Organization in London. The US group included eight people, according to one person present. The intimidation included approaching country officials during coffee breaks to warn them they might not be able to transit via the US, or that they and their families could face restrictions on entering the country if they acted against American interests, according to five people at the talks, including two from countries that were directly threatened. US President Donald Trump has branded the framework a "global green new scam tax on shipping", and in a social media post last month called for it to be blocked. The framework had been provisionally agreed by a majority of countries in April and was expected to be made legally binding last month, but further discussions on its adoption have now been delayed for a year. While the Trump administration has made no secret of its disdain for the UN and multilateral organisations, diplomats and experts warned that the behaviour at the IMO crossed a line, with potential long-term consequences for global governance. 1/2 Article excerpt continues: "It was like the New York street," said a diplomat from a nation that was threatened with visa restrictions for shipping crews and other penalties, including increased fees to access US ports, if it did not drop its support for the framework. “They went from delegation to delegation... threatening them. Telling them to go back and speak to their capitals, warning what would happen if they didn't change their minds," the diplomat said. A second veteran of IMO meetings said the US tactics had left the entire organisation - usually a forum for technocratic discussion and consensus-based decision making — in a state of "complete shock". 2/2
November 3, 2025 at 3:57 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Daughters dressed Albus Dumbledog up as a Beanie Boo
A small white cockapoo sits on a wood floor, looking at the camera with a calm expression. He has a large red “ty” heart attached to his harness, like the tag on a Beanie Boo stuffed animal but much larger.
November 1, 2025 at 2:46 AM
partialobserver.bsky.social
“American Century of Humiliation” screencap with alt text:
Post from Zhang DaShuai @zhao_dashuai at X.com: “From a reliable source, on why Scott Bessent has a grudge against Li Chenggang: 1. During the negotiation in Spain, the US delegation threatened more semiconductor control measures against China. Li Chenggang then picked up the phone and ordered the anti-monopoly investigation against Nvidia during the meeting, right in front of Scott Bessent's face.”
October 22, 2025 at 9:04 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
women don’t like the vehicle
The Helios Corp. interplanetary spacecraft “Phoenix” in orbit over Mars, from the Apple TV series “For All Mankind” (Season 3)
October 16, 2025 at 10:05 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Oh yeah, the catfishing is real
Famous Dean Browning (white Republican politician) sock puppet tweet from his main rather than his alt: “ I'm a black gay guy and I can personally say that Obama did nothing for me, my life only changed a little bit and it was for the worse. Everything is so much better under Trump though. I feel respected - which I never do when democrats are involved.”
October 7, 2025 at 12:07 AM
partialobserver.bsky.social
QP A Double Feature that Sounds Like One Movie:

Alien Parasite
Promotional poster for sci-fi horror film “Alien” (1979), showing a cracked egg with green glowing gas leaking out, against a black background Promotional poster for the Bosch comedy thriller movie “Parasite” (2019), showing members of Koran family posed stiffly in their home and backyard. A prone (dead?) person’s legs protrude into the scene from the left. They are very white against the green grass.
October 3, 2025 at 11:53 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
“Sir…”
“A second plane has hit the WTC” meme showing Andrew Card whispering into George W. Bush’s ear during his 9/11/01 Kindergarten visit, captioned with: “A second Nazi porn scandal has hit a Republican Lt Governor”
October 3, 2025 at 11:11 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
“Why Underachievers Dominate Secret Police Organizations: Evidence from Autocratic Argentina” by
Adam Scharpf (GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies) &
Christian Glaßel (University of Mannheim) - Title page with alt text
Why Underachievers Dominate Secret Police Organizations: Evidence from Autocratic Argentina Adam Scharpf, GIGA German Institute of Global and Area Studies Christian Glaßel, University of Mannheim Abstract: Autocrats depend on a capable secret police. Anecdotal evidence, however, often characterizes agents as surprisingly mediocre in skill and intellect. To explain this puzzle, this article focuses on the career incentives underachieving individuals face in the regular security apparatus. Low-performing officials in hierarchical organizations have little chance of being promoted or filling lucrative positions. To salvage their careers, these officials are willing to undertake burdensome secret police work. Using data on all 4,287 officers who served in autocratic Argentina (1975-83), we study biographic differences between secret police agents and the entire recruitment pool. We find that low-achieving officers were stuck within the regime hierarchy, threatened with discharge, and thus more likely to join the secret police for future benefits. The study demonstrates how state bureaucracies breed mundane career concerns that produce willing enforcers and cement violent regimes. This has implications for the understanding of autocratic consolidation and democratic breakdown.
September 27, 2025 at 6:59 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
For those who haven’t seen the famous 1924 NYT story:
Image of NYT headline from 1924: HITLER TAMED BY PRISON. Released on Parole, He Is Expected to Return to Austria. Copyright, 1924, by The New Tork Times Company. By Wireloss to The New York Times.
September 18, 2025 at 12:36 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
⚠️ Trade Offer ⚠️
“Trade Offer” meme, a slick man in a business suit with steepled fingers and text superposed. Left column: “I receive: Universal healthcare / Universal preschool / Free public universities / High-speed rail / Clean energy / Universal basic income”. Right column: “You receive: Military spending equal to the rest of the world, summed / Per capita police spending of G7”
September 16, 2025 at 11:21 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
And the Franklin Institute is now on BlueSky @franklininstitute.bsky.social ! And they found my skeets!
Screenshot of my notifications, showing the new official Franklin Institute BlueSky account “liking” my two skeets about Jack Kruk’s extended mediation on their BODY WORLDS: VITAL exhibit during last nights Phillies game.
August 5, 2025 at 8:00 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Falling Down (1993)
Image of Trump, alone on the roof of the White House briefing room, in the style of a movie poster for the movie “Falling Down” (1993). Tagline: “The adventure of / a demented President / at war with everyone”
August 5, 2025 at 4:17 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
MIT Museum was worth it, too! Where else can you see the maze-solving electromechanical “mouse” built by the one and only Claude Shannon *as well as* the mind-contorting “Beholding the Big Bang” by Arthur Ganson?
August 1, 2025 at 1:25 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Finally visited the Glass Flowers Exhibit at the Harvard Natural History Museum last time I was in greater Boston and it did not disappoint - utterly unique, lying at the Venn intersection of extraordinary talent, obsessive dedication, and absurd quantities of money… a must-see imho.
Cactus branch + flowers from the Glass Flowers exhibit - manifold tiny spikes, yellow translucent petals, green stalks and all Cherry blossom branch from the glass flowers exhibit - tiny perfect pink blossoms, everywhere Maple branches from the glass flowers exhibit - one in full autumn colors, another in summer green - perfect
August 1, 2025 at 12:36 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Reminder that this world - where United States foreign and trade policies are subject to the ever-changing whims of a demented racist sex-pest with goo for brains - is the active daily choice of almost. Every. Single. Republican. Politician.
TruthSocial post by Donald J. Trump, dated 7/31/25 and stating, “Wow! Canada has just announced that it is backing statehood for Palestine. That will make it very hard for us to make a Trade Deal with them. Oh' Canada!!!”
July 31, 2025 at 2:11 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
We’re all trying to figure out who did this, Amanda
“Who Killed Hannibal” meme, where in the upper frame we see the man labeled “Trump” shooting the person labeled “Epstein Client List” with a gun labeled “Pam Bondi (is gun)”, and in the lower frame the killer (Trump) faces the camera and says, “Why would Pam Bondi do this?”
July 19, 2025 at 2:24 AM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Bwaaaahahaha no rubes like Trump donor rubes
Skeet / pull-quote from Asawin Suebsaeng story in Rolling Stone on the Epstein files, saying: “One Trump administration official tells Rolling Stone on Saturday evening: ‘He is making it very hard for some of his biggest supporters to not think that maybe he really is in the Epstein files.' // Another longtime Trump associate simply says: ‘awful damage control instincts.’ “
July 13, 2025 at 1:35 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
“Nanook of the North” - which contra expectations was actually good
Still frame from “Nanook of the North” (1922) showing Nanook, a male Inuit, poised to throw a spear at an animal (seal or whale) off-screen.
July 12, 2025 at 2:55 AM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Wake up babe, new ship ran aground & it was carrying fresh memes
View out the living room window of the fjord-front home of Norwegian Johan Helberg. There is a giant ship with a red and green (above the waterline) hull that has run aground in his front yard, narrowly missing the house, coming ashore to the right and smashing his garden.
May 22, 2025 at 4:47 PM
partialobserver.bsky.social
Stollen!
Several loaves of German “stöllen” bread with dried fruit, baked and laid out, with powdered sugar sprinkled on top. There is a text label “Stöllen” in blue on the upper left.
May 17, 2025 at 6:25 PM