iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Beth McDonald

Ike @iketurnerkzoo.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Morning! Here is a new album by Wowza in Kalamazoo. We recorded this at Electrical Audio with the brilliant Matt Barnhart. We were joined by @bethtuba.bsky.social and @timmidyett.bsky.social on this jammer. As it’s @bandcamp.com, here you go. wowzainkalamazoo.bandcamp.com/album/estuar...

wowzainkalamazoo.bandcamp.com

Estuarine, by Wowza In Kalamazoo

7 track album

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 01/09/2026

This weekend I was once again reminded that the best type of jam/jelly is apple butter

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Matt Seybold @mattseybold.bsky.social · 21/08/2026

Anybody who’s still advocating putting these tools anywhere near a school is not doing so despite the cognitive collapse they cause, but because of it. dx.doi.org/10.2139/ssrn...

Abstract
Using 30 months of panel data on 26,811 Chinese students in grades 7-12, we study how generative Al affects homework productivity and learning. The data combine monthly closed-book exams, high-school and college entrance exams, and homework scores and completion time across nine subjects. We exploit staggered Al adoption in a difference-in-differences design. Al adoption raises homework scores by 18% and reduces completion time by 30%, but lowers monthly exam scores by 20% within six months.
High-stakes entrance-exam scores fall by 18 and 24%, with the full penalty emerging only after about two years. The losses are largest in social science subjects, followed by STEM and languages, and are especially large for junior students, high-achieving students, and boys. The learning losses are concentrated among roughly 80% of Al users whose behavior is consistent with homework outsourcing, as indicated by exceptionally short homework completion time coupled with high homework scores. Al users who maintain similar homework completion time as non-Al users experience small learning losses.

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pixelatedboat aka “mr bluesky” @pixelatedboat.bsky.social · 23/07/2026

new Protomartyr single 👍👍👍

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Reposted by Beth McDonald

Chicago Reader Union @chicagoreaderunion.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

The Chicago Reader Union has been bargaining w/ Noisy Creek since February. In that time, management has consistently offered proposals that would cut longstanding benefits in exchange for meager pay raises. We need YOU to tell Noisy Creek we deserve better! 🧵 🔗: actionnetwork.org/letters/tell...

July 16, 2026
union rat's log

TELL NOISY CREEK WE DESERVE BETTER.

Noisy Creek management wants us to ...

-Work longer hours
-Take fewer sick days
-And work in-office

all while offering us lower wages than other newspapers they own.

Join us in demanding a fair contract!

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 25/06/2026

New experience: getting rained out at an indoor concert

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 08/06/2026

This show is tonight! Music starts at 8pm, done by 10:30pm, beautiful music by beautiful folks. Tix here: dice.fm/event/q2vq7p...

Show poster: Three Grebes, Sarah Clausen, Powerbook
June 8th, Color Club Tavern
7:30pm doors / 8pm music
$15 adv

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Ike @iketurnerkzoo.bsky.social · 06/06/2026

Howdy Chicago! My band, Three Grebes, will be playing a show Monday night, June 8th at Color Club. We will be joined by the amazing Sarah Clausen and the lovely PowerBook. Would love to see you!

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Jon Seidel @jonseidel.bsky.social · 21/05/2026

#BREAKING U.S. Attorney Andrew Boutros annoucnes that charges against the remaining members of the "Broadview Six" will be dismissed with prejudice.

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Jon Solomon @jon.wprb.com · 07/05/2026

Beautiful piece from @jazwgn.bsky.social on the second anniversary of Steve Albini’s passing. reallivedress.substack.com/p/050726

reallivedress.substack.com

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Scooter McKeever, bossman.

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 05/05/2026

Thank you to the mysterious/forgotten user on this app who reminded me about Devo

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 27/04/2026

Ignore the rain and come to the show!

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Brian Straw @brianstraw.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

From the Chicago Sun-Times: "Federal prosecutors say the remaining members of the 'Broadview Six' should be barred from making arguments about free speech rights when they go to trial next month — though the feds also plan to use protest chants caught on video as evidence against the group."

Feds Plan to Use Protest Chants to Prosecute Broadview ICE Protestors -- But Balk at Free Speech Defense

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Reposted by Beth McDonald

diluez! diluez! ok! @tds.xyz · 22/04/2026

Perhaps, I dare say, our greatest Commonwealth

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The Sausage Factory @sausagejobs.bsky.social · 18/04/2026

First time I missed posting within 24 hours, but it’s still a daily! Been extremely busy and crying many happy tears. Also in another time zone, so… 😬 Anyway! I did it. 🥹

Two sausages in three different scenes. Hugging, laughing, having a little treat. 🥹

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 08/04/2026

You know the little cups of cut fruit in water that you used to pack in your lunch, like as a kid? Did you know they have those in MANGO now?

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 01/04/2026

The work cafeteria did an "April Fool's Day joke" and served Thanksgiving dinner... but this might be the best turkey I've ever eaten?

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The Sausage Factory @sausagejobs.bsky.social · 31/03/2026

It’s Trans Day of Visibility! Please compliment my little mustache. 🙂‍↕️ Trans joy cannot be contained. We have been here, and we will remain. I see you. Thank you for seeing me. Tell your buddies they’re great.

A sausage in the center of the frame with their hands framing their face. They’re showing off their tiny lil mustache. The colors of the trans flag swirl behind them. Text reads, “TRANS DAY OF VISIBILITY”

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ShartCircuit @shartcircuit.bsky.social · 13/03/2026

She’s going to win. It’s so funny how dumb this is. They are scrambling because they can’t figure out “just be a normal person with values” is free and works.

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Reposted by Beth McDonald

L.C. Bobalova @llova.bsky.social · 07/03/2026

Hey! This beauty came out today: threegrebes.bandcamp.com/album/syrinx

threegrebes.bandcamp.com

Syrinx, by Three Grebes + Leah Bobalova

8 track album

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 22/01/2025

Hello! I have three shows this weekend to celebrate the new-ish album and new EP by Three Grebes. Chicago Thursday (elasticarts.org/events/impro...) Rock Island Friday (bethtuba.com/upcoming-eve...) Kalamazoo Saturday (www.etix.com/ticket/p/413...) Music here! threegrebes.bandcamp.com

Show poster:
Thursday 1/23 at 8:30pm - $15
Gabe Heinemann Quartet
Three Grebes w/ Floating Cave
Improvised Music Series
Elastic Arts 3429 W Diversey Ave, 2nd Floor, Chicago, 60647

Photo of Three Grebes playing at the Sugar Bowl + a photo of Floating Cave
Green and blue tiled background

Show poster:
Friday, January 24
Three Grebes (Kalamazoo)
w/ Floating Cave (Rock Island)
Bob Bucko Jr. (Dubuque)
rozz tox
7pm doors / 8pm show
Outlet Programme

Image of unknown man's face with squiggled hand-drawn lines over it

Show poster:
Bell's Back Room
Doors 7pm / $10 / 18+
January 25
Overly Polite Tornadoes
Album Release Show
Three Grebes
Hopie Joe

Blue and yellow very blurred photo, perhaps of an eye
Hand drawn people dancing in white overlaid in the upper right area

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 07/01/2025

Becoming a New Englander was about drinking iced coffee year round, but becoming a Midwesterner has been about the gradual lowering of my "I don't need to put on a coat just for THAT" threshold.

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 17/12/2024

My first time hearing Driver's License, and it's on a bus tour in Iceland

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 05/12/2024

New album just released by my dear weird band, Three Grebes! Recorded by @puzmi.bsky.social. SO grateful to be on this strange musical trip with @iketurnerkzoo.bsky.social and Franki. threegrebes.bandcamp.com/album/you-di...

threegrebes.bandcamp.com

You Did A Good Job Of Being A Pleasure To Know, by Three Grebes

6 track album

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 20/11/2024

Search "concert" and post the oldest pic on your camera roll Feb 2003, I think this is All-State Band

Blurry ass 00's digital camera photo of a high school band getting ready to perform in an auditorium. Teenagers wearing black and white concert dress, some saxophones are visible

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 13/10/2024

Losing my mind watching these two Europeans dressed up in "American core" on the Museum Campus today. One is in a crisp white ballcap, reflective wraparound sunglasses, designer sweatpants, and an American flag scarf.

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 15/09/2024

Love to walk back into a room and discover a reorganizing effort I'd only half-finished

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 03/09/2024

Leor READING MY MIND when I'm biking in this morning

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Reposted by Beth McDonald

tmydytt @timmidyett.bsky.social · 25/08/2024

Some things you don’t need to tell the rest of the world about. Burdens we must carry alone

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 25/08/2024

"Linux penguin sticker on a five-string bass"

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

Quitting my job to pursue my true calling and talent -- winning seltzer in social media contests

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 19/08/2024

It is deeply unrealistic to expect me to work when the weather is like this

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 17/08/2024

Excited for everyone here to experience DC-area living this week.

Screenshot of City of Chicago text alerts including DNC-related street closures, checkpoints, advisement of military helicopters all week long, etc.

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 09/08/2024

I love the Air and Water Show, in that it feels good to bond with others over how much we hate the Air and Water Show

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 28/06/2024

Holy cow, did not expect to see someone wearing a @sleepbaseball.bsky.social shirt at the National Gallery of Art. #goodtaste

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 28/06/2024

Can't believe an exhibit in the year 2024 is still describing two same-gendered artists as "intimate friends"

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Jimmy Two Heads 💀🎃 @jimmytwohands.bsky.social · 23/06/2024

Went to some art shows this afternoon and saw my friend play a drone set

Mesopotamian relief replica made with various food wrappers with arabic script

Etch a sketches with an apple and the word cool on it up top and the one on the bottom shows a lady flashing her tits at an anthropomorphic hammer and screwdriver

Blue school desk with various things carved into it such as a whoopsie cushion on the seat, grimace sitting on top of a businessman’s head and the guy has no face other than a picture of a cat smoking a spliff, boobs not bombs, and tell mom you want look-aid

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 29/05/2024

What kind of training data is it going to take for Google Maps to stop suggesting bike routes that are just like, "Take this alley for 4 blocks and then turn left onto Fullerton with no light"??

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 26/05/2024

Couldn't care a bit about baseball, but love to get invested in these teams

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Leor Galil @imleor.bsky.social · 12/05/2024

Nothing will top this classic tho

DNAinfo headline: “Spiders Could Eat Every Chicago Resident In Less Than A Year, Easily”

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Luke O'Neil @lukeoneil47.bsky.social · 10/05/2024

Trevor Shelley de Brauw, a Real Chicago Guy, of the band Pelican and others writes about the too short life and unbelievably prolific work of Steve Albini, a Real Chicago Guy; seeing Shellac; recording in his studio; and trying to live an ethical punk life. www.welcometohellworld.com/how-to-live-...

welcometohellworld.com

How to live an intentional and ethical life

RIP Steve Albini

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 24/04/2024

Tired: "Silence is quiet and uncomfortable" Wired: "Silence is loud and uncomfortable"

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 19/04/2024

Good morning to the ruby-crowned kinglets hopping around in the tree outside my office window -- I hope nobody needs me to do actual work today?

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Leor Galil @imleor.bsky.social · 03/04/2024

Well, this is bonkers

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Leor Galil @imleor.bsky.social · 28/03/2024

I haven’t posted on the other site since last year but I have yet to fully commit to deleting my account when I open it and see wild stuff like this

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 25/03/2024

"It sounds like a name you'd invent when giving a flimsy excuse. 'Oh, I can't go to your thing, I'm going to the, uh,... Auditorium... umm... Theatre?" -Mitski, roasting the venue so hard that now I will never forget its name

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 22/03/2024

I'm only now coming out of the work week's fugue state, and just remembered when my coworker said he and another got "lost in the sauce" of sprint planning

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Beth McDonald @bethtuba.bsky.social · 11/03/2024

I know I'm old for saying this, but: did you know streaming TV now has... channels with scheduled programming? We reinvented cable? I'm not even hating on it -- now I get to rewatch Twin Peaks the Return in the same way I watched The Sopranos: in completely random episode order

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