Reposted by Aragorn
My beautiful friend, a nurse, died at 31 last night. Her cancer treatment was delayed because a visitor did not wear a mask and she became terribly ill for weeks with the flu or COVID and following infections. If you're wearing a mask, thank you.
Wrote about how disappointing it is that Jon Stewart punched down on people masking at @motherjones.com, when people should mind their own business and leave mask wearers be. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Hey Jon Stewart, jokes about wearing masks aren't funny
Critics of the Daily Show host say he's a hypocrite.
www.motherjones.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:27 PM
My beautiful friend, a nurse, died at 31 last night. Her cancer treatment was delayed because a visitor did not wear a mask and she became terribly ill for weeks with the flu or COVID and following infections. If you're wearing a mask, thank you.
Reposted by Aragorn
We published hundreds of stories on global health and development each year. Some are ... alas ... a bit underappreciated by readers. We've asked our staff for their favorite overlooked posts of 2025.
From chess to a medical mystery: Great global reads from 2025 you may have missed
We published hundreds of stories on global health and development each year. Some are ... alas ... a bit underappreciated by readers. We've asked our staff for their favorite overlooked posts of 2025.
n.pr
December 30, 2025 at 1:12 AM
We published hundreds of stories on global health and development each year. Some are ... alas ... a bit underappreciated by readers. We've asked our staff for their favorite overlooked posts of 2025.
Reposted by Aragorn
Here’s an NPR explainer from Oct on the Post Office’s proposed changes to its definition of postmarks. *These changes went into effect on Dec. 24.* So, if you want to prove that you mailed a ballot (or sent a check) in by a certain date, it needs to be hand-stamped by a clerk. tinyurl.com/3bdu28ne
Your ballot or other mail may not get postmarked by USPS the day it's dropped off
Close to a deadline for mailing your ballot, tax return or legal document? To make sure it gets a postmark on time under the latest USPS changes, you may want to send it early or visit a post office.
tinyurl.com
December 30, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Here’s an NPR explainer from Oct on the Post Office’s proposed changes to its definition of postmarks. *These changes went into effect on Dec. 24.* So, if you want to prove that you mailed a ballot (or sent a check) in by a certain date, it needs to be hand-stamped by a clerk. tinyurl.com/3bdu28ne
Reposted by Aragorn
There’s an irony in hybrids becoming the “universally accepted” middle ground as EVs suffer reactionary politics.
20 years ago it was the Prius and hybrids generally that got hit with the stigma of “tree-hugger cars for rich urban liberals.”
So the Overton window has definitely shifted.
20 years ago it was the Prius and hybrids generally that got hit with the stigma of “tree-hugger cars for rich urban liberals.”
So the Overton window has definitely shifted.
Gas hybrids are likely going to reach 15% of the US market in 2026, and I wouldn't be surprised to see them hit 25-30% by 2030.
Not all hybrids are created equal, but market forces will push OEMs to chase Toyota’s performance.
Fleet fuel economy goin' ⬆️
🔌💡🔌🚗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Not all hybrids are created equal, but market forces will push OEMs to chase Toyota’s performance.
Fleet fuel economy goin' ⬆️
🔌💡🔌🚗
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
How Hybrid Models Are Helping Keep Automakers’ Electrification Plans Afloat
With EV incentives no longer available, hybrid vehicle sales are gaining speed.
www.bloomberg.com
December 29, 2025 at 10:04 PM
There’s an irony in hybrids becoming the “universally accepted” middle ground as EVs suffer reactionary politics.
20 years ago it was the Prius and hybrids generally that got hit with the stigma of “tree-hugger cars for rich urban liberals.”
So the Overton window has definitely shifted.
20 years ago it was the Prius and hybrids generally that got hit with the stigma of “tree-hugger cars for rich urban liberals.”
So the Overton window has definitely shifted.
Reposted by Aragorn
i think what gets overlooked is that part of the humor and charm of edits like these is that you're perfectly aware that someone sat down and spent their own time making it. they chose to do something cool or silly or stupid or genius, regardless of the results
that human element elevates the work
that human element elevates the work
Who needs AI when we had stuff like this? I’ll take photoshop edits over the slop any day
December 29, 2025 at 4:40 PM
i think what gets overlooked is that part of the humor and charm of edits like these is that you're perfectly aware that someone sat down and spent their own time making it. they chose to do something cool or silly or stupid or genius, regardless of the results
that human element elevates the work
that human element elevates the work
Reposted by Aragorn
good morning saints and kelly! oh look, a message 🥰
December 29, 2025 at 12:55 PM
good morning saints and kelly! oh look, a message 🥰
Reposted by Aragorn
this seems specifically designed to break mail-in voting (where deadlines are defined by postmark)
As of 12/24/25, USPS changed policy on when they postmark mail. Mail dropped off is no longer guaranteed a same-day postmark. Tax returns & other time-sensitive items are now stamped when they reach a regional processing center, which may be days later. Plan deadlines accordingly to avoid penalties.
USPS Announces Changes to the Postmark Date System
The United States Postal Service (USPS) has adopted a final rule (FR Doc.
share.google
December 29, 2025 at 9:51 PM
this seems specifically designed to break mail-in voting (where deadlines are defined by postmark)
Reposted by Aragorn
It's a two-fer. First, some people's votes will miss deadlines due to the postmark being too late. But second, it sets up some very dumb arguments, like, since the postmark is no longer based on the drop-off day, we can't know the true drop-off day, and therefore all mail in voting is invalid.
December 29, 2025 at 10:01 PM
It's a two-fer. First, some people's votes will miss deadlines due to the postmark being too late. But second, it sets up some very dumb arguments, like, since the postmark is no longer based on the drop-off day, we can't know the true drop-off day, and therefore all mail in voting is invalid.
Reposted by Aragorn
Some people really do be like:
"nah, our modern day image of dinosaurs is boring and stupid"...
"nah, our modern day image of dinosaurs is boring and stupid"...
December 29, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Some people really do be like:
"nah, our modern day image of dinosaurs is boring and stupid"...
"nah, our modern day image of dinosaurs is boring and stupid"...
Reposted by Aragorn
Primary everyone. Yes, even your favorites if they're on the wrong side of this
There’s a funny Politico story showing that the latest polling on AI shows 80-20 in favor of heavy regulations, an absolute slam dunk platform, but Dems are worried about not winning back mask-off tech CEO donors
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
December 29, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Primary everyone. Yes, even your favorites if they're on the wrong side of this
Reposted by Aragorn
RIP to Pat McGrath Labs. Sephora is pulling the brand from stores and word on the street is they’re trying to sell their assets.
But the biggest red flag is Pat herself is now working for Louis Vuitton cosmetics as the creative director.
But the biggest red flag is Pat herself is now working for Louis Vuitton cosmetics as the creative director.
December 29, 2025 at 4:29 PM
RIP to Pat McGrath Labs. Sephora is pulling the brand from stores and word on the street is they’re trying to sell their assets.
But the biggest red flag is Pat herself is now working for Louis Vuitton cosmetics as the creative director.
But the biggest red flag is Pat herself is now working for Louis Vuitton cosmetics as the creative director.
Reposted by Aragorn
That good “writers should talk honestly about money” post inspired me to calculate how I made my income this year. I made more from writing than usual, but not enough! (I encourage others to do this and post the results!)
51% book
23% writing
11% teaching
8% speaking
7% consulting/brand work
51% book
23% writing
11% teaching
8% speaking
7% consulting/brand work
December 29, 2025 at 3:32 PM
That good “writers should talk honestly about money” post inspired me to calculate how I made my income this year. I made more from writing than usual, but not enough! (I encourage others to do this and post the results!)
51% book
23% writing
11% teaching
8% speaking
7% consulting/brand work
51% book
23% writing
11% teaching
8% speaking
7% consulting/brand work
Reposted by Aragorn
Obviously my setup is unusual, but I come out as:
73% Patreon
23% Teaching
3% Writing and Speaking Fees
1% Amazon Affiliate (link clicks on books from blog)
It's funny because I still view myself as an academic with a blogging side-gig, but financially I am a blogger who teaches in his spare time.
73% Patreon
23% Teaching
3% Writing and Speaking Fees
1% Amazon Affiliate (link clicks on books from blog)
It's funny because I still view myself as an academic with a blogging side-gig, but financially I am a blogger who teaches in his spare time.
That good “writers should talk honestly about money” post inspired me to calculate how I made my income this year. I made more from writing than usual, but not enough! (I encourage others to do this and post the results!)
51% book
23% writing
11% teaching
8% speaking
7% consulting/brand work
51% book
23% writing
11% teaching
8% speaking
7% consulting/brand work
December 29, 2025 at 4:34 PM
Obviously my setup is unusual, but I come out as:
73% Patreon
23% Teaching
3% Writing and Speaking Fees
1% Amazon Affiliate (link clicks on books from blog)
It's funny because I still view myself as an academic with a blogging side-gig, but financially I am a blogger who teaches in his spare time.
73% Patreon
23% Teaching
3% Writing and Speaking Fees
1% Amazon Affiliate (link clicks on books from blog)
It's funny because I still view myself as an academic with a blogging side-gig, but financially I am a blogger who teaches in his spare time.
Reposted by Aragorn
Parking spaces can cost developers up to $50,000 each. Dropping the mandate to have them at all opens the door to cheaper housing and walkable neighborhoods.
Lessons from Denver where decisions to eliminate parking minimums follow similar moves in other cities: buff.ly/CONT05v
Lessons from Denver where decisions to eliminate parking minimums follow similar moves in other cities: buff.ly/CONT05v
Denver study shows removing parking requirements results in more affordable housing being built
Structured parking can cost as much as $50,000 per space, making housing more expensive to build and for those living there.
theconversation.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Parking spaces can cost developers up to $50,000 each. Dropping the mandate to have them at all opens the door to cheaper housing and walkable neighborhoods.
Lessons from Denver where decisions to eliminate parking minimums follow similar moves in other cities: buff.ly/CONT05v
Lessons from Denver where decisions to eliminate parking minimums follow similar moves in other cities: buff.ly/CONT05v
Reposted by Aragorn
Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor of New York City this week. He spoke to TPM about his family's time inside a notorious immigration court, his infamous White House meeting with Trump, and his plans for dealing with ICE.
talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/zohr...
talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/zohr...
Zohran Mamdani on His Family’s Experience With Immigration Court and His Plans for ICE in NYC
Zohran Mamdani has felt the fear that stalks the halls of New...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Zohran Mamdani will be sworn in as mayor of New York City this week. He spoke to TPM about his family's time inside a notorious immigration court, his infamous White House meeting with Trump, and his plans for dealing with ICE.
talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/zohr...
talkingpointsmemo.com/feature/zohr...
Reposted by Aragorn
Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first
Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first
Planet’s oldest bee species and primary pollinators were under threat from deforestation and competition from ‘killer bees’
www.theguardian.com
December 29, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Stingless bees from the Amazon granted legal rights in world first
Reposted by Aragorn
These guys truly think they’re Aragorn or Gandalf or Legolas, when they’re really, at best, Saruman or Shelob or Grima Wormtongue. Mostly they’re replacement-level orcs who can’t read a book.
It’s not just “we decided to name our company after the personification of evil.” It’s also “we decided to name our home security company after the personification of evil who was so vainly proud of his vigilance that he let his home get invaded in the most catastrophic way possible.”
Sauron is appearing on the scene as concerns rise about crime among the most wealthy.
December 29, 2025 at 2:39 PM
These guys truly think they’re Aragorn or Gandalf or Legolas, when they’re really, at best, Saruman or Shelob or Grima Wormtongue. Mostly they’re replacement-level orcs who can’t read a book.
Reposted by Aragorn
if, when you look at a person masking, you “always” say “oh are you sick?” then you are already an asshole no matter what else you go on to say to them, because mind your fucking business
Disappointed to see Jon Stewart & co joke about masking in public. I do it for my medically fragile daughter (Batten Disease). People not masking properly led to her getting pneumonia, which led to her being on life support, which led to me getting price quotes on her cremation just in case.
December 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
if, when you look at a person masking, you “always” say “oh are you sick?” then you are already an asshole no matter what else you go on to say to them, because mind your fucking business
Reposted by Aragorn
An entire feature-length profile about her in the New York Times, the paper of record, that not *one single time* mentions that she's a rabid antisemite.
When she does her real apology for that wake me up.
When she does her real apology for that wake me up.
December 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
An entire feature-length profile about her in the New York Times, the paper of record, that not *one single time* mentions that she's a rabid antisemite.
When she does her real apology for that wake me up.
When she does her real apology for that wake me up.
Reposted by Aragorn
Contributor: Photos of the dirty 1970s will make you appreciate the EPA www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: Photos of the dirty 1970s will make you appreciate the EPA
The public and politicians in both parties saw the urgency 50 years ago and enacted the Clean Air Act, Clean Water Act and Endangered Species Act. They're working and paying off.
www.latimes.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:18 PM
Contributor: Photos of the dirty 1970s will make you appreciate the EPA www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Reposted by Aragorn
Palantir, Sauron … It’s like they skimmed LOTR but didn’t understand it, particularly the warnings.
Famously Sauron is known for never allowing his home to he penetrated by intruders.
Sauron is appearing on the scene as concerns rise about crime among the most wealthy.
December 29, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Palantir, Sauron … It’s like they skimmed LOTR but didn’t understand it, particularly the warnings.
Reposted by Aragorn
i did it at 40. best decision ever.
✔️cut it every 3-5 days
✔️cécred clarifying scalp scrub & shampoo, oil balm
✔️taraji p henson maskin & relaxin mask
✔️derma e scalp relief
✔️satin pillowcase
👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲
✔️cut it every 3-5 days
✔️cécred clarifying scalp scrub & shampoo, oil balm
✔️taraji p henson maskin & relaxin mask
✔️derma e scalp relief
✔️satin pillowcase
👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲
December 29, 2025 at 1:19 AM
i did it at 40. best decision ever.
✔️cut it every 3-5 days
✔️cécred clarifying scalp scrub & shampoo, oil balm
✔️taraji p henson maskin & relaxin mask
✔️derma e scalp relief
✔️satin pillowcase
👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲
✔️cut it every 3-5 days
✔️cécred clarifying scalp scrub & shampoo, oil balm
✔️taraji p henson maskin & relaxin mask
✔️derma e scalp relief
✔️satin pillowcase
👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲👩🏿🦲
Reposted by Aragorn
only a little more than a personal observation, but there seems to be a gigantic gap between unions on confronting AI. NewsGuild has made fighting AI imposition a big deal; new contracts protect us. but in education? the AFT stuff is depressing and makes me wonder how members are really feeling…
December 28, 2025 at 8:38 PM
only a little more than a personal observation, but there seems to be a gigantic gap between unions on confronting AI. NewsGuild has made fighting AI imposition a big deal; new contracts protect us. but in education? the AFT stuff is depressing and makes me wonder how members are really feeling…
Reposted by Aragorn
If you really have a problem w people who join your gym in January, if you’re so serious about fitness that you simply can’t get it done in a crowded weight room for 3-4 weeks to start the year, put your money where your mouth is and join a more expensive gym. Stop gatekeeping the local Crunch ffs
December 28, 2025 at 9:05 PM
If you really have a problem w people who join your gym in January, if you’re so serious about fitness that you simply can’t get it done in a crowded weight room for 3-4 weeks to start the year, put your money where your mouth is and join a more expensive gym. Stop gatekeeping the local Crunch ffs
Reposted by Aragorn
Trump's DOJ was monitoring all the movements of the Miami Herald reporter who was covering the Epstein case.
December 28, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Trump's DOJ was monitoring all the movements of the Miami Herald reporter who was covering the Epstein case.