iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Josh Cook @joshthelibromancer.bsky.social · 08/10/2026

I know I am about as biased as possible on this but go to an indie bookstore. An indie bookstore's vibes are the opposite of...all of this. You'll be surrounded by memories, stories, brave visions of the future that don't ignore our barbarous present. Your brain can be quiet AND full. Seriously.

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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 25/08/2026

I ended up having more extended thoughts on Dolly Parton over on Facebook and I thought I would share them here as well.

When I was much younger, I knew her mostly as a caricature and the object of jokes, because young men are kind of stupid that way and I was no exception, and because she willingly played along with the joke, in part because she knew it would happen anyway, and this way she got to shape some of how that would play out for her, and use it for her own ends. It took me a while to realize how canny that was.

When I got older, I learned that underneath the caricature was a formidable songwriting and business mind. I had an inkling of what a rare combination that was in any person, but how even more rare it was for someone who was who she was, in the field and environment she worked in. Hidden in all those sparkles was a spine of steel.

When I got older than that I learned that in addition to a brilliant mind was a heart of kindness, which directed so much of the good fortune she amassed to herself right back out the door through philanthropic work, helping those in her communities, state and country, and which allowed to see the worth and dignity in those whom so many others treated (and still do treat) with contempt.

She was always all the things she was. What changed was my ability to see and understand who she was. I'm glad I was eventually smart enough to see it all.

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Carole King @carolekingofficial.bsky.social · 19/08/2026

Repost @centerforbiodiv • The Trump administration just released its plan to undo the landmark 2001 Roadless Area Conservation Rule and remove protections from nearly 45 million acres of wild, intact, national forests and 70,000 miles of rivers and streams. (Continued in comments)

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TracingVRL @tracingvrl.bsky.social · 06/08/2026

This dialog featuring @tressiemcphd.bsky.social is what I call "low-stakes" content, that doesn't spike to the top of the algorithm or make for an obvious Pulitzer, but is uber-timely public service journalism. ... (Curious to know how this was pitched) www.nytimes.com/2026/08/05/o...

nytimes.com

Opinion | Have We Turned Personality Into Diagnosis?

Why we keep searching for new ways to explain ourselves.

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Nitish Pahwa @nitishpahwa.com · 12/07/2026

harpers.org/archive/2018...

21 Grahams

From descriptions of Donald Trump, stated between 2015 and 2018, by Lindsey Graham, a Republican senator from South Carolina.

A race-baiting, xenophobic bigot
The Islamic State’s “man of the year”
The death of the GOP’s relationship with Hispanic voters
A death blow to the GOP’s relationship with women
The world’s biggest jackass
A wrecking ball
A salesman of fear
A politician whose ideas are gibberish
A politician who is incapable of representing a mattress company
A poor representation of a Republican
A president who is unfit for office
A president who sometimes crosses the line
A Twitter user whose tweets are sometimes beneath the office of the presidency
A man who has a blind spot
A thoughtful person
A good person
A strong person
A golfer with an accurate drive and an athletic swing
A president doing a great job
The best hope in decades for peace
A potential recipient of the Nobel Peace Prize

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Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

The ICE murder of Lorenzo Salgado Araujo deserves the same fury as Renee Good and Alex Pretti

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Molly McKew @mollymckew.bsky.social · 10/06/2026

It’s a pretty weird week when a guy who wants to be a trillionaire is simultaneously getting headlines for the economy-shattering IPO expected Friday and the racist pogroms he is accused of stoking — but these stories are viewed as separate and in no way connected or prescient of the future.

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Boston Tom Levenson @tomlevenson.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Publication day! You can now get Pox on Fools wherever books are sold! As RFK Jr.'s war on vaccines progresses, this book is way too timely. your circle includes vax-hesitant folks (not the die-hards), A Pox... can help you talk to them—or help them work through their concerns directly.

penguinrandomhouse.com

A Pox on Fools by Thomas Levenson: 9798217155002 | PenguinRandomHouse.com: Books

An urgent and profound history of vaccine skepticism, seeking to understand how our three most common fears about vaccines hardened into a lethal ideology—from a leading science writer “Brimming...

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Chris Dwan (he/him) @somershade.bsky.social · 09/06/2026

Next up is the Law Department, which shows up under "Operations and Systems" in the table of contents. As mentioned, this raised concerns in some corners that they reported into the Chief Administrative Officer. #drama 11/?

The table of contents from the budget book.

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Micah @rincewind.run · 15/03/2026

friend, this is Marcus Junius Brutus CAESAR has declared himself DICTATOR FOR LIFE and MUST BE STOPPED can you rush a donation of ten denarii today to show that you STAND WITH THE REPUBLIC?

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Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 19/02/2026

Getting shown up in the arena of elite impunity by *the British monarchy* is an incredible “America at 250!” achievement

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Porter Square Books in Cambridge & Boston @portersqbooks.bsky.social · 21/01/2026

Dear #BookSky Minneapolis has an absolutely incredible literary culture. In fact, three of the most important small presses call the city home; Coffeehouse Press, Graywolf, and Milkweed. There are also a ton of great bookstores in the Twin Cities. So here's the assignment...

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 14/01/2026

I go when I can, and have friends who attend almost every week. The counter protestors are a relatively new thing.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 27/11/2025

The bioswale at the bottom of my street.

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MassBike @massbike.bsky.social · 02/11/2025

🌼 Sunday 11/16 is World Day of Remembrance 🌼 RSVP for the rally at the State House: secure.everyaction.com/ZJiKM4trHk2Y... Apply for help with your community event in honor of victims of traffic violence & their families: www.massbike.org/2025_world_d... #WDoR2025 #SafeSpeedsSaveLives

secure.everyaction.com

Ride and Walk For Your Life

Join us on the World Day of Remembrance for Road Traffic Victims to Ride and Walk for Our Lives. In 2024, our Ride for Your Life bike ride and rally drew over 400 people to Boston Common on the World…

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Rep. Jake Auchincloss @repauchincloss.bsky.social · 14/05/2025

Kicking millions of Americans off Medicaid does not save money for the U.S. health system. It just transfers costs onto families who need at-home care or who get insurance through their employer. www.youtube.com/watch?v=5li0...

youtube.com

Jake Auchincloss on Republican cuts to Medicaid

YouTube video by Rep. Auchincloss

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Sean Casten @seancasten.bsky.social · 23/04/2025

On the importance of townhalls, constant civic engagement and the need for all of us to choose to be "tall poppies" right now and stand up to Trump. Other than not being offered a high-fashion photo shoot, I had a lot of fun talking to the folks at Vanity Fair. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/s...

vanityfair.com

“Fascism Works If Everybody Is Afraid”: One Democratic Congressman’s Antidote to Trumpism

Illinois representative Sean Casten tells VF that town halls are at the core of democracy because people “deserve to have their voices heard,” and explains how historic progress takes collective effor...

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Cheryl Rofer @cherylrofer.bsky.social · 22/04/2025

Your occasional reminder that executive orders are not laws, and the Republican members of Congress could stop this carnage today.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 19/04/2025

This is helpful framing. Privilege is not simply a question of who's got it harder.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 17/04/2025

No suggestions, just sincere appreciation for a good typo.

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Chris Dwan (he/him) @somershade.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

I keep referring to the "Republican Administration" rather than saying "Trump" or "Trump and Musk" because it would take four (4) congressional Republicans voting with the Democrats, to call the question of whether we even have a government anymore. Just four (4).

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 16/04/2025

Tough news from the UK. There's a Trans Day of Visibility March here in Boston this Saturday (Apr 19th) from 1 – 3:30 PM at Harambe Park in Dorchester.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

Bring Kilmar Abrego Garcia home.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 15/04/2025

From "History Lessons Matter, Even in Preschool," my sister's piece in Early Learning Nation.

Quoted text:
As we thumb through the book I Am Ruby Bridges, the children always want to examine the illustration of 6-year-old Ruby walking into her school past a crowd of screaming white grown-ups holding pro-segregation signs. They ask about why the adults are so angry. They want to know how Ruby felt being the only kid there at that moment. And I ask them, "What would you do if you were there with her?"

Their answers are thoughtful, powerful, and sometimes a little wild. Among my favorites is the child who said, "I’d give all the kids hammers, even the babies, and we’d hammer down that school and build a new one for everybody.” I love that even the babies are empowered in this re-imagining. And this young child perfectly demonstrated the real key takeaway from all of my history lessons: there are no lone heroes. It takes an organized community and some powerful leaders to make change.

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Jack Hopkins-The Original @therealjackhopkins.bsky.social · 11/04/2025

They are trying…and making headway toward their goal every day…to squeeze every last breath out of the lungs of democracy. At that point, they plan to stomp on the lifeless corpse. You already know that, but sometimes it helps to see it in print. If we let it slip away…it’s gone forever.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 10/04/2025

The GOP's plan is to hurt our most vulnerable populations in order to give tax breaks to billionaires.

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Julia Carrie Wong @joolia.bsky.social · 07/04/2025

it’s weird that we’re staring down the second unprecedented economic catastrophe in five years and instead of a novel coronavirus that will go on to kill millions of people this one is just “no one was willing to tell him no”

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Porter Square Books in Cambridge & Boston @portersqbooks.bsky.social · 04/04/2025

I also just need to tell everyone again about our 80s & 90s hip hop night in Cambridge on April 14 because I think it's going to be fun & it would be sad if no one showed up to listen to the playlist we made (Please RSVP!) www.portersquarebooks.com/event/themed...

portersquarebooks.com

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Janel Comeau 🍁 @verybadllama.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

I have tariffed the penguins that are on Heard Island and which you were probably assuming did not export goods forgive me they were taking advantage of us so cunning and so cold

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 03/04/2025

Been struggling this week with the feelings this brings up. The hope boosted by WI election results and Senator Booker's filibuster is accompanied by deep rage and sorrow that so many white voters, including my fellow GenX women, chose immiseration. Nobody was tricked into voting for this.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Unfun memories of 1990s Moscow: enfants terribles Taibbi and Ames.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

Big thanks to the Massachusetts Pollinator Network (MAPN) for their outreach and advocacy, and for creating so many opportunities for people to connect and share ideas and experiences. MAPN website just got a glow up - check it out! masspollinatornetwork.org

Side view of a skipper butterfly on a variegated dogwood leaf

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 01/04/2025

"Trump lawyers said the court has no ability to bring him back" = a lie. We must fight these fascists and that includes rejecting their lies.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 31/03/2025

[Waves from afar] I just picked up a hardcover copy at Porter Square Books yesterday.

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Other monikers include the inevitable Shelly (12) and Sheldon (6), as well as the baffling Shish Kebob. And because this is the Boston area, there are Gronk, Brady, Big Papi, and Dunkin.” 4/4

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

There have also been Squirtle (25), Yertle, and Gamera, as well as hatchlings named after each of the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles, including 6 Michelangelos. 3/4

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

“Since 2009, some 22,000 students in eastern Massachusetts have helped raise more than 1,700 turtle hatchlings. […] Over the years, students have named the turtles in their care Bubbles (25 of them), Bubble (4 of them), Bubba (2), and Captain Bubbles. 2/4

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 23/03/2025

Recommended reading, aptly self-described as “a fun read with serious purpose”: Northern Woodlands magazine, published quarterly by the Center for Northern Woodlands Education. From “A Lesson in Turtles,” by Madeline Bodin (Spring 2025 issue): 1/4

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Adam Parkhomenko @adamparkhomenko.bsky.social · 21/03/2025

WHY THE FUCK IS HE TALKING ABOUT NOT SENDING OUT SOCIAL SECURITY CHECKS?!!!!

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Cynthia Stillinger @ceci767.bsky.social · 18/03/2025

Recent (since November) paid subscriptions I've added to my roster: Wired, TPM, the Downballot.

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Liz Shuler @lizshuler.bsky.social · 17/03/2025

Public services aren’t optional – they’re essential. When they’re undermined, working people pay the price. This week, join us for a week of action to stand up for the services we all rely on. Find an event near you: www.mobilize.us/aflcio/

mobilize.us

AFL-CIO Volunteer Events on Mobilize · AFL-CIO on Mobilize

We are the democratic, voluntary federation of national and international labor unions that represent more than 15 million working people. We strive to ensure all working people are treated fairly, wi...

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Josh Marshall @joshtpm.bsky.social · 07/03/2025

NEW: The National Advisory Committee on Microbiological Criteria for Foods is (or was) an advisory committee housed within the USDA which provides outside expert advice to advance food safety across the US and across different levels of govt. It was ordered disbanded this afternoon.

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Andrew D Thaler @drandrewthaler.bsky.social · 01/03/2025

I worry that the focus on NOAA's weather predicting value is ignoring the millions of other ways NOAA researchers enrich communities and local economies. There are no oysters without NOAA. There are no blue crabs without NOAA. NOAA trains teachers. NOAA is the lifeblood of coastal communities.

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emily blight 🐦‍⬛ @threnody.northsky.social · 28/02/2025

ok, cis folks—if you said you'd stand with trans folks, it's time. S.9 is the senate's sports ban bill—a big step to making trump’s executive order a federal law, which is much harder to undo. it can be stopped *monday.* short call scripts for dem & GOP senators ⬇️🧵 legiscan.com/US/bill/SB9/...

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