iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 1h

My latest is a hard reality check about the absolute abyss between the gentry-marketed "recovered" Asheville and the actual, struggling city most of us live in. Evictions restarted before the water was even back on and city hall's far more obsessed with spying on locals than aiding them.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 4h

I think that arrogance is the human failing I despise the most. Bees should be arrogant, and perhaps they secretly are, but humans should definitely not.

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Hey, remember how us radical trans extremists were warning that you have to go on the attack against transphobic Dems immediately because otherwise other politicians will take the lack of consequences as permission and the bigotry will spread? Yeah...

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Xun-ling Au 歐迅灵 🏴 @xunlingau.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

Very accurate summary of the current state of the surveillance machine.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I am often entertained by the times someone has been hustling me and they awaken to "i have misidentified the mark". Most just abort. In Indianapolis, they perform a dismount, closing a failed deal loudly to chain into the next mark, "did you see that guy? let me tell you-"

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Corinne Green @ket.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

stop fucking quoting whoever the fuck this is that showed up from nowhere a year ago christopher street is not a "transgender advocacy group" it's some weird new dem electoral money vacuum grift nobody knows these people. they do not represent us on anything what the fuck please stop

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Jay Edidin @edidin.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

This feels like a good time to remind everyone that Our Guys by Bernard Lefkowitz is free to read online: archive.org/details/ourg... If you're not already familiar with the case it details, please assume every CW you can think of WRT sexual violence.

archive.org

Our guys : the Glen Ridge rape and the secret life of the perfect suburb

xi, 443 pages : 24 cm

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

Motaz STOP PLZ I'm Motaz again from Gza My wife had a difficult birth in harsh conditions She gave birth in a field hospital & is still recovering She needs care, healthy food & supplements to recover We urgently need Ur support for her & our newborn PLs Donate for them tinyurl.com/Yjngk

Motaz holds Marah's hand while they take an authentication selfie together. She's still not well. In the background, are tents of the field hospital.

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

My first real journalism was investigating extensive rape cover-ups at the state college I was at. A decade later a journalism start-up funded me going back to investigate another scandal over rape cover-ups that had started to hit national news. That's a small glimpse of how pervasive it is.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

In other news, propaganda switching gears from "convince" to "disorient/distract" leads to a lot of people getting disoriented and/or distracted. In a way I guess it's a win condition? Their grand plan had to adjust for a resistant population, and this flood of intriguing intrigue isn't free.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I have really bad news for those deploying agents: the bot also can't flirt for you.

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Ok, timeline cleanse. History nerds: what are you reading/would recommend right now? I'm re-reading Ray Huang's masterpiece "1587: a year of no significance" a portrait of the Ming dynasty's decline. One of the best books ever, imo, on how the predatory nature of empire makes its fall inevitable.

The cover of "1587: a year of no significance" by Ray Huang, showing a version of the patch - with two cranes flying high - worn by high-level Ming officials

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Sarah Clarke - Not your doll @damselindystopia.northsky.social · 27/09/2026

I'm not gonna quote post that estrangement article doing the rounds cos I ain't giving them the metrics but part of being in queer community is knowing a lot of people who are estranged from family. None of them broke contact for trivial reasons.

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

A lot of higher-risk/disabled radical folks did truly incredible support, aid and info work in 2020-21 and then were wholesale kicked out in the "back to normal" push that followed. It remains one of the uglier betrayals in recent history. I don't think we'll truly recover until that's reckoned with

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

It's funny because if I get my covid protocols really wrong there's solid odds I end up dead or debilitated (thanks, genetic condition!) but even far too many radical spaces are really shitty about the very topic. Then they wonder why their support networks crumble and "everyone's sick all the time"

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Asked elsewhere how I think folks should respond: * Refuse to treat obvious bad faith hitpieces like they're a sign of any real wider issue that needs some internal reckoning. Reality check those falling for it. * Go on the attack against the real problem: propagandists who pull this kind of shit.

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Emoria - Aftertaste OUT NOW @emoria.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Six people stare at Sul, Sul stares at the knife, and no one moves. "What should I do?" Melody rolls next to faer partner, taking their hand. "Maybe we can just leave it? Ignore it? Maybe it didn't choose you, Sul. Maybe it just bounced." Aminya cackles bitterly, before mocking, "Good plan."

Cult of the Transient Knife

Chapter Two:

Motherfucker is Mansplaining Time-Travel

Emoria Weidner

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juno Rylee Schultz @junoryleejournalism.com · 25/09/2026

hi, hello, i am very proud to announce ... ... my latest journalism !!! all about COPAGANDA and what we can do to meaningfully resist it ... i just published 5 days ago and am about to publish again all my work is free, please share it and send tips junoryleejournalism.com/2026/09/25/c...

junoryleejournalism.com

How Copaganda Has Shaped Our World (And What We Can Do About It)

now, more than ever, they appear to measure their safety in chains and corpses”…

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ProPublica @propublica.org · 26/09/2026

In response to our reporting, Susan Collins has mustered a defense that is full of incorrect and misleading claims. We’ve reviewed FBI evidence, examined thousands of pages of records and interviewed dozens of people. Here are the receipts.

propublica.org

ProPublica Debunks Susan Collins’ Claims About FBI Anti-Corruption Probe

ProPublica revealed that the FBI was circling Sen. Collins over a defense contractor’s donations — until President Trump gutted the unit in charge. Collins has since mustered a defense with a series o...

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Anna Holmes @annabookwriter.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

The iced coffee thing is born out of the same impulse as “but what was she wearing,” “he had preexisting conditions,” “well, didn’t they know [traditional clothing] is unprofessional?” Anything to shift blame from systemic failures to a group of people already conveniently scapegoated.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 26/09/2026

Marah I'm very very tired I'm experiencing severe dizziness due to anemia, and my body is extremely weak after giving birth I need iron tablets everyday and vitamins to help me recover But everything is expensive here I'm asking for your help during this very difficult time gofund.me/197a024e3

gofund.me

Donate to Together for Marah & Mila: Surviving the War in Gaza, organized by Mariana Moyano

“You are the only hope for a family that has lost everything. You… Mariana Moyano needs your support for Together for Marah & Mila: Surviving the War in Gaza

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Union workers at major trans non-profit A4TE fighting back against lay-offs that leave well-heeled managers untouched.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This illustrates one of the peculiarities of the Trump Regime's corruption. Most cover-up-artists know that when someone is chosen to take the fall, those who are dodging accountability through the scapegoatneed to protect the scapegoat. Trump always betrays instead. This is the result.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I have some sympathy for the youthful aspirational journalists still regarding nyt as a prestigious institution. It's a pro-genocide propaganda rag. Categorically worse than a "bad" or "unreliable" or "corrupt" paper, every article in it serves the propaganda, there are no non-complicit roles.

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Mika Fae Queen of Night 🏳️‍⚧️ @msmaxwellmusic.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

[exhales after taking a nasty bong rip] what if words are math and the math nerds are just angry they can't sus linguistic formulas and that's why they scorn literary classics like

The very suggestive cover of Dick Fight Island Vol 1. by Reibun Ike

Someone stands with hands on hips wearing a frighteningly large decorated strap-on

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

As "ai" makes its cultists even less competent, grounded and skilled, those of us who staunchly refuse it are going to seem goddamn superpowered by comparison. So...hear me out: anarchist mentats. In seriousness, skill sharing's fun, good and more important than ever. Y'all should do it.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

One of the small benefits of planting yourself in a principled position and refusing to budge- Hold-your-ground doesn't quite have the same fatigue that constantly uprooting, scrambling, re-entrenching inflicts on the people switching sides.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Trying to line up a charismatic and fun weekend? Did you know the highest possible riz bonus comes from supporting the best independent journalist? Don't even have to boast, just by helping Juno, everybody will find you fascinating Venmo cta, other links in quote venmo.com/u/junoschultz

venmo.com

Juno Rylee Schultz | @junoschultz

Venmo is a digital wallet that lets you make and share payments with friends. You can easily split the bill, cab fare, or much more. Download the iOS or Android app or sign up on Venmo.com today.

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Command Zoe🔜PAX Unplugged @commandzoe.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Wow its so crazy how this only seems to happen to trans people and not the side wishing LITERAL GENOCIDE on us. #freethebugs is back ig. Let my friend out of mod jail. This is so ridiculous.

a discord screenshot of bugs showing they got suspended again

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Mike Pohjola @mikepohjola.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

The very smart roleplaying podcast Dead Letters reviewed my old Manifesto of the Turku School. I wrote some thoughts in my blog but it was really nice and I became a regular listener. mikepohjola2.wordpress.com/2026/09/24/t... @dead-letters.bsky.social #roleplaying #larp #gametheory

mikepohjola2.wordpress.com

The Turku Manifesto in Dead Letters

Twenty-six years ago I was young and arrogant enough to publish an artistic manifesto on roleplaying games and larps. (I’m not young anymore.)I proclaimed character immersion (“eläytymi…

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Once more, the trope of radicals always being inherently bad or unreasonable — something even too many leftists have absorbed — is both false and creates a ripe environment for fascist propaganda and smear campaigns. Stop doing the enemy's work for them.

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

If it seemed like a major newspaper making some conflict at a random dyke bar a national news piece in a push to depict trans and higher-risk folks as inherently unreasonable was suspect af...well, it was. Y'all who were breathlessly sharing that story? You were just being played. Have some sense.

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cnm.bsky.social @cnm.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

Here are the indies from a GCB poll by *checks notes* the NYT 10 days ago.

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Kevin Choubacha (he/him) @choubacha.com · 24/09/2026

Side note: a lot of investing and funding is driven by MAU in tech. This number is sometimes more coveted than revenue! This is why playing Wordle, clicking gift links, etc, does not count as boycotting. Even if you aren’t paying them they will make money from you.

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Kevin Choubacha (he/him) @choubacha.com · 24/09/2026

Gift articles that still require me to login make me sad. No, NYT, I’m still mad at you for being horrible to trans folks and the continue sane washing of Trump, I will not give you monthly active user (MAU) numbers.

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Kwisatz Butch w/Rack @anchovygirlfriend.northsky.social · 24/09/2026

happy thursday everyone! wishing you all a good morning. here's a 5x5 mini crossword i made! i hope you enjoy. boycotting the NYT means - also boycotting their crossword culturally dominance. trans women can make crosswords too!

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Dems replaced action on trans rights with hollow statements, then dropped those statements, then embraced anti-trans rhetoric. Now supporting anti-trans laws and blocking pro-trans ones. At every step the "they're betraying us" radicals were correct and "be patient" liberals were completely wrong.

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Sedulous Rex @sedulousrex.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

An article NYT would write would be like “the SURPRISING reason why Gen Z refuses to rent yachts” the NYT is literal fucking Israeli slopaganda. I’d recommend never reading that genocide trumpeting rag, twirling the baton for the evil despotic nation of Israel.

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brainwane @harihareswara.net · 23/09/2026

Again for a commensurate sense of outrage: @nyc.streetsblog.org @lwndotnet.bsky.social for factual, knowledgeable coverage of FLOSS happenings, and a sensible one-week paywall delay Anything @404media.co publishes informative, well-researched, salient, and needed

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brainwane @harihareswara.net · 23/09/2026

... which I also like for their investigations, explanations, & coverage of topics some other venues might consider niche. @cityandstateny.bsky.social is often the only non-paywalled site covering state/local politics machinations -- very helpful to me as I edit English Wikipedia. + they make jokes

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brainwane @harihareswara.net · 23/09/2026

NYC/NY-specific news: @hellgatenyc.com for having the proper sense of outrage about shocking things. @thecityreporter.nyc for fair, consistent, systematic, news coverage and service journalism. Nonprofit and independent, like @citylimitsnews.bsky.social , @nysfocus.com , @documentedny.bsky.social...

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brainwane @harihareswara.net · 23/09/2026

I add my voice to the multitude praising @apnews.com . No paywall, fact-checked, fair, and (as far as I understand) a totally adequate "what US and major non-US news is happening?" overview, which is what I used to use NYT for but transnews.network/p/boycott-th... .

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

The past week has proven quite revealing.

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David Forbes @davidforbes.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I largely agree with plenty of the criticisms of how detached and overly dispute-driven online radicalism can sometimes get. But too often, my next question is "well, which online left?" Like the one that turned Charlie Kirk into a laughingstock? The one that has kept a lot of us housed and fed?

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Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 21/09/2026

If you're in Ohio, do not vote for Marcy Kaptur. She needs to lose. It's just anti trans ad after anti trans ad.

A screen capture from a political advertisement featuring politician Marcy Kaptur speaking indoors while wearing glasses, a necklace, and a dark blue jacket. Text on the left side reads "MARCY KAPTUR" above the slogan "NO GENDER IDEOLOGY IN SCHOOLS" in bold white and blue lettering.

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Autumn Wolff | Lesbian Romance Author @autumnwolff.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Do not reward Democratic candidates with your vote if they’re transphobic. Having a D by your name shouldn’t get you an automatic vote from leftists or progressives. “But then the Rs will win!” Good. Teach Dems they need to vet their candidates and weed out transphobia before platforming it.

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cowhand @benmorrow991.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

If your satire is paying the bastard you are allegedly being tough with? It's not exactly satire, now is it?

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