Sign in

Darcy Conaty

@dconaty.bsky.social
1.4K followers 2.6K following 2.7K posts

She/Her. Old queer nerd, recently retired. Books, games, currently LOTS of politics

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Iris van Rooij 💭 @irisvanrooij.bsky.social · 23h
✨ PSA ✨ Senior women scientists, who have been on social media for many years, can sense bad faith / reply guys instantly. If you truly believe that you are not like that, but your replies/posts are treated as such, you may want to reflect on the pragmatics of your interactions.
16118
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Nicola Griffith SHE IS HERE out now! @nicolaz.bsky.social · 2h
👀 AMMONITE still on sale for $1.99, all platforms! You can read more about it here: nicolagriffith.com/ammonite
Cover of a novel, AMMONITE by Nicola Griffith, with white labels displaying black text “sale!” and “$1.99!”
0144
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Prof Gavin Yamey MD MPH @gavinyamey.bsky.social · 4h
I also wanted to remind people about the Danish dude who wrote the trial protocol, as he has said some truly wild things (I had a “debate” with him about RFK Jr) 🎢 OK, hold on tight, it’s a wild ride First, in the face of massive criticism of his protocol by ethicists, this is what he said…
25432
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Tobias S. Buckell @tobiasbuckell.bsky.social · 2h
Okay, it is working out for me to be at the British Fantasy Con in Glasgow this weekend, so I hope to see some of you all there. I'll be wandering around looking somewhat out of it lol
4232
Darcy Conaty @dconaty.bsky.social · 6h
I'd really like us to shift from the techbros & their "move fast & break things" philosophy back to the "move fast but keep things from breaking" approach.
0110
Darcy Conaty @dconaty.bsky.social · 9h
As usual, his historical threads are always worth reading.
000
Darcy Conaty @dconaty.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Really appreciate this thread. I have Bonafide's Powecom masks, but the straps are uncomfortable for longer wear, so I've been thinking of hunting up some adjustable strap versions. This got me to actually place an order!
110
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Cat Kimbriel @catkimbriel.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
So. I don't want to be your alarmist buddy on Bluesky. But my pattern-matching gifts are firing right now. If you no longer have N95 masks at home? Lay some in. Try out a respirator sample or two if you can get it. Some places sometimes have sampler boxes to try different styles. Good companies:
74222
Darcy Conaty @dconaty.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
Got a political polling call yesterday (pretty sure it was for the R Congressional candidate in my district). Took great pleasure in smugly telling them I already voted, (I've confirmed my ballot was rec'd by Board of Elections) & then reading the RepubliKKKans for filth on every question.
010
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Dr. Tamar E. Granor @tamargranor.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The last Dem trifecta in Pennsylvania was in 1993 and it was just for a single year. Republicans have controlled the state senate ever since. We need to flip three seats this year for Dem control
1378
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Jonathan Eisen @phylogenomics.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
CA prop 38 is a scam - vote NO. For example see: This CA proposition will send $4 billion to a single nonprofit. Who’s behind it? calmatters.org/politics/ele...
calmatters.org
Is this proposition a $4 billion giveaway to a billionaire’s LA research center?
Proposition 38 will award $4 billion to one unnamed research center. Under the very specific criteria, only one center seemingly qualifies.
511173
Darcy Conaty @dconaty.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
I love this book, which we have in multiple formats. It's a comfort read/listen for me, and absolutely worth getting!
120
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Paul Cornell @paulcornell.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
At 3pm BST/7am Pacific/10am East, we'll be announcing the rather lovely exclusive reward all those who sign up before Oct 15th will get for free if they pledge for a physical item once the campaign launches. #Murderbot www.kickstarter.com/projects/cos...
kickstarter.com
Coming soon: Murderbot: The First Graphic Novel | Multi-award-winning SF!
The official adaptation of the international bestselling multi-award-winning ALL SYSTEMS RED, part of The Murderbot Diaries series.
13011
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Anthony L. Fisher @anthonylfisher.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
The same people who are still furious about having to show a vaccine card for a few months in 2021 are completely fine with U.S. citizens being detained and assaulted without due process by a partisan secret police force with no standards or accountability.
06618
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
TKarney @pecunium.bsky.social · 06/10/2026
This is a brutally honest read. It’s not funny, and it’s not satire. And it needs to be said, which is a tragedy . www.mcsweeneys.net/articles/an-...
mcsweeneys.net
An Open Letter to Cornell University from the Mother of a Prospective Male Student
“Seven former Cornell students are accused in a civil lawsuit of sexually assaulting another Cornell student who says she was incapacitated. Messages alleged...
11610
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Chise @sailorrooscout.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
WELL NOW, would you look at that? A massive, 4-YEAR-LONG study of NEARLY 30 MILLION people in France found that individuals who received a COVID-19 mRNA vaccine had a 74% LOWER risk of death from severe COVID-19 compared to unvaccinated individuals and ZERO increased risk of all-cause mortality.
5040401267
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Gail Simone @gailsimone.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
You guys want to hear a short but adorable story that happened right in front of me at the baggage claim in NYC yesterday? I wasn't part of it and there are bits I didn't catch but holy crap, I can't stop thinking about it.
5440441211
Darcy Conaty @dconaty.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
My stepmother was a born-again Baptist from TX/OK. After her son & I came out as queer, she & my dad joked they had "6 kids, 2 of each", marched in Pride, & helped found a PFLAG chapter when they retired to Florida. One of her AIDS buddies was a black trans sex worker. Anyone can grow & change. 😍
01594
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 05/10/2026
In the immortal words of Dara Ó Briain, "Science knows it doesn't know everything; otherwise, it'd stop."
nytimes.com
What Are the Biggest Questions in Science Today? 100 Scientists Weigh In.
We asked 100 scientists about unsolved problems in their fields. They sent back provocations — on the origins of life, the possibilities for human progress and much more.
1850573
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
George Penney @georgepenney.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
🧵Spotted While Roaming in Aotearoa New Zealand: A small human (3?) is skipping along next to Dad while holding a threadbare plushie bunny. With utmost solemnity he says: "Dad I REALLY think you should carry me." Dad says: "Why'd ya think that mate?" "Cos Rabbit's got VERY TIRED legs."
126130
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Jessica Price @delafina777.bsky.social · 05/10/2026
This should be so obvious that it doesn’t need to be said, but given what kind of weekend it’s been on here, apparently it does: If you don’t want old rapists running the world, in office, in the board room, making decisions for all of us get comfortable with “ruining” young rapists’ lives
1851871379
Darcy Conaty @dconaty.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
I've been arguing for at least a year that every D house member should assign at least 1 staff member to draft articles of impeachment, & coordinate to divvy them up so no single office is overwhelmed by the quantity. If they had, we'd already have draft articles ready for January.
010
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Kari - 😷 Remember them ☂️ @kswenger.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
Woody Guthrie wrote the song Deportee in 1948. He was upset by an AP story about a plane crash that referred to the passengers as “28 Mexican deportees.” They were farm workers. The song has been covered many times, including by Joan Baez and Dolly Parton.
youtube.com
"Deportee (Plane Wreck at Los Gatos)" Joan Baez - 2017 Rock & Roll Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony
YouTube video by Rock & Roll Hall of Fame
1174
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Mincepies @mincepies8888.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
US Vote: October deadlines NOW Registration ends: TODAY - AK, RI, SC. 5th - AR, FL, GA, IL, KY, LA, OH, TX 6th - NM 7th - MO 9th - OK 13th - DC, MD, NJ, OR, WV 14th - WI Help Desk: www.votefromabroad.org Citizens abroad request ballot by e mail. Please repost everywhere to remind other Americans
votefromabroad.org
Request Absentee Ballots for US Citizens | VoteFromAbroad.org
Helping US Citizens Request Their Absentee Ballot to Vote from Outside the US | VoteFromAbroad.org
056
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Global Abortion Rights News @globalabortionnews.bsky.social · 04/10/2026
The Trump administration is intentionally slow-rolling efforts to restrict abortion pill access until after the midterms. Once they’re over, “the gloves will be off,” according to an anti-abortion advocate. One option includes resurrecting the Comstock Act, which would ban all abortion nation-wide.
commondreams.org
Trump White House Told DOJ to Wait Until After Midterms to Push for Abortion Pill Ban | Common Dreams
"They’re trying to pull one over on voters," said one reproductive rights advocate.
24227
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Paul Cornell @paulcornell.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Meet team Murderbot! @marthawells.com is our compass, a perfect storm of an SFF writer, an anthropologist, formed by fandom, winning awards from way early and always campaigned for those left behind. Or mistakes are our own, but we’re making this for her. www.kickstarter.com/projects/cos...
kickstarter.com
Coming soon: Murderbot: The First Graphic Novel | Multi-award-winning SF!
The official adaptation of the international bestselling multi-award-winning ALL SYSTEMS RED, part of The Murderbot Diaries series.
09922
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Annalee Newitz @annaleen.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
An alien civilization from beyond the galaxy meets ancient Pompeii. Do you want to know MOAR about how I did the bonkers worldbuilding in A WALL IS ALSO A ROAD? Here's my tale. You can pre-order the book and get it nice and fresh on Tuesday! us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
212337
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Elizabeth Jacobs, PhD @elizabethjacobs.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
As more people die of measles, I’m reminded of this quote from RFK Jr. appointee Kirk Milhoan: “What we’re going to have is a real-world experience of when unvaccinated people get measles. What is the new incidence of hospitalization…of death?” They are running their experiment.
theguardian.com
US committee is reconsidering all vaccine recommendations
Move is dramatic departure for advisory group under Kirk Milhoan, who says he dislikes the term ‘established science’
19221103
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Brett "Solidarity 2026" Banditelli @banditelli.org · 02/10/2026
The chart explains AI hype more than any chart that's ever been charted.
201178277
Darcy Conaty @dconaty.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
My wife & I love otters. On one of our first dates (1984) we sat in the edge of the otter fountain in the TJU courtyard & talked for hours. www.philart.net/images/large...
The otter fountain in a courtyard at Thomas Jefferson University in Philadelphia PA. An octagonal (granite?) pool with a bright-copper colored stone pillar with water running down it. Two otters frolic in the water, while a third on top of the rock appears about to slide down it into the water.
030
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
❌👑 Suz Brockmann @suzbrockmann.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
This wave of rage led me to @indivisible.org a liberal org dedicated to electing MoCs who will fight alongside us. Indivisible did some great work during the primaries, supporting candidates with real progressive values. This is how we can change the failed system.
222
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Andrew D Thaler @drandrewthaler.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
It was the sadistic murder of mariners at sea that compelled me to write this for the Hill: To rebuild trust in maritime policy, the US must ratify the Law of the Sea thehill.com/opinion/nati...
thehill.com
14724
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Victoria Strauss @victoriastrauss.com · 30/09/2026
Your 3rd dose today of Anthropic settlement madness (at least from me). Authors, CHECK YOUR CLAIMS! Your situation may have changed, per this email from the settlement administrator that some authors are receiving (subject heading: Anthropic Copyright Settlement: Allocation Updates)
We made updates that may affect your claim.
What Changed?
Wed, Sep 30,
2026 at 5:35 AM
Based on feedback from claimants, we updated how certain works are categorized.
In particular, where multiple claimants submitted default claims for the same
ownership interest in a work, we changed those works from agreement to
disagreement.
In addition, the portal is updated to reflect that some claimants changed their sole
ownership claims to default claims, and some claimants withdrew their claims.
What This Means for You
As a result of these updates, some works on your claim may now be categorized
differently. We encourage you to review the current allocations for your works.
How to Review and Update Your Allocations
Please use your claim number and PIN above to log into the portal below.
Claim Summary and Allocation Portal
For help making updates, please visit the allocation portal instructions.
If You Already Submitted Updates
If you already updated the allocation for a work, then you do not need to
submit those updates again. Any changes you submitted previously
through the online portal are recorded, but the portal is not being
updated in real time. If you submit multiple updates for the same
copyright number, your most recent submission will replace any earlier
submissionsWhat’s Next?
We will continue to work with claimants to help resolve disputes.
For works where all rightsholders are in agreement and where all necessary
payment information is provided, we expect to send a first round of payments in
November 2026.
If You Have Questions
Please contact us at 1-877-206-2314 or info@AnthropicCopyrightSettlement.com.
Regards,
Settlement Administrator
16128104
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
🍁🇨🇦Team Canada Forever🇨🇦🍁 @teamcanadaforever.bsky.social · 29/09/2026
TЯ☭mp: “They [Canada] are gonna come in and they’re gonna say, ‘Sir, we are sorry.” Canadians: 🖕🏽😏😂😂😂🖕🏽
821297319
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Lydia @lunapuella.eurosky.social · 28/09/2026
My husband and his friends realised they thought they were good guys but still made like, ironic-sexist jokes. They introduced the 'sexism snake' where wherever one of them made a sexist comment or joke, the others would just start hissing. Didn't need to get into an argument about it, just hissing.
111098187
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Ben Adida @benadida.com · 28/09/2026
Had a conversation this weekend with 17yo son about how one day his morals will be tested, peer pressured. He'll be asked to just look away. It may be a friend he trusts. What you do when your morals are tested is who you are. Have the conversation with your sons. It's the least each of us can do.
49129
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Robert "The Bobby Yaga" McNees @mcnees.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
There is no safe way for researchers to use the systems provided by OpenAI, Anthropic, or any of these other companies. They have all admitted that plagiarism is an integral component of what they do. If you put your work in – even if it's just to touch up a manuscript – they will take it.
414853
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Steve Vladeck @stevevladeck.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
For those keeping score, this is the 41st emergency application filed at #SCOTUS by the second Trump administration—matching the (unprecedented) total that the first Trump administration filed across its entire four-year term.
829692
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Justin Hendrix @justinhendrix.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
I spoke with danah boyd, author of Data Are Made, Not Found: A Story of Politics, Power, and the Civil Servants Who Saved the US Census, about how the 2020 census came together amid fractured politics and a pandemic, and what it means for the next one.
techpolicy.press
The 'Jenga Politics' Threatening the US Census
A conversation with danah boyd, author of Data Are Made, Not Found: A Story of Politics, Power, and the Civil Servants Who Saved the US Census.
02811
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
@NewsJennifer (Jennifer Schulze) @newsjennifer.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
“we are witnessing a rare, very possibly once-in-a-lifetime political liar” Credit to Daniel Dale for this deep dive into Trump’s lies, the topics he lies about most; why MAGA loves the lies & the impact of the press failure to consistently fact check Trump. www.cnn.com/2026/09/27/p...
cnn.com
I started fact-checking Trump 10 years ago. Here are 15 things I’ve learned | CNN Politics
Ten years ago this month, in my old job as Washington correspondent for the Toronto Star, I started what I believed would be a quick little side project: fact-checking underdog presidential candidate ...
8295120
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Greg Sargent @gregsargent.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Trump is raging at news orgs for refusing to cover his reception of Xi after he banned three from the White House. The real lesson here: When institutions join together to resist his abuses of power it actually works, sending him into a helpless fury. New from me: newrepublic.com/article/2158...
newrepublic.com
Trump’s Angry Tirade Over Failing Press Ban Reveals His Achilles’ Heel
Trump is furious that news organizations are fighting back against his vile efforts to punish their colleagues—because collective resistance to his authoritarianism actually works.
792242643
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
❌👑 Suz Brockmann @suzbrockmann.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Hey Massachusetts! We have ten ballot Qs this year! As you prep to vote early (from 10/17 - 10/30) or by mail (depositing your ballot in your local dropbox!!) for Dems up & down the ballot, here’s a handy short guide about those Qs from Progressive Mass to use & share w fam & friends! #NoKings
PM PRSGRESSIVE
MASS
Your Progressive Guide to the 2026
Statewide Ballot Questions

VOTE YES ON 1
to expand the public records law to cover the Governor & Legislature. We're the only state that doesn't do that.

VOTE YES ON 2
to enable public defenders to collectively bargain. Every worker deserves to have a union, including public defenders, who are often overworked and underpaid.

VOTE NO ON 3
to prevent private equity billionaires from rigging our elections in their favor. Top-two primaries empower corporate PACs and self-funders and turn MAGA voters into election kingmakers

VOTE YES ON 4
to enable voters to register & update registration on
Election Day. No eligible voter should be turned away due to clerical errors, and this reform is proven to increase voter turnout.

VOTE NO ON 5
to protect our state's ability to invest in health care, transportation, and public education. If Q5 passes, the rich would get millions in tax rebates, while the rest of us suffer from underfunded public services.

VOTE HOW YOU WANT ON 6
Q6 came up shy of our endorsement threshold: members valued nature and water conservation, but were concerned about dedicating existing funds, rather than raising new ones.

VOTE YES ON 7
to enable more starter homes across the Commonwealth.
We have a housing crisis, and large lot size requirementsVOTE YES ON 2
to enable public defenders to collectively bargain. Every worker deserves to have a union, including public defenders, who are often overworked and underpaid.

VOTE NO ON 3
to prevent private equity billionaires from rigging our elections in their tavor. Top-two primaries empower corporate PACs and self-funders and turn MAGA voters into election kingmakers.

VOTE YES ON 4
to enable voters to register & update registration on
Election Day. No eligible voter should be turned away due to clerical errors, and this reform is proven to increase

VOTE NO ON 5
to protect our state's ability to invest in health care, transportation, and public education. If Q5 passes, the rich would get millions in tax rebates, while the rest of us suffer from underfunded public services.

VOTE HOW YOU WANT ON 6
Q6 came up shy of our endorsement threshold: members valued nature and water conservation, but were concerned about dedicating existing funds, rather than raising new ones.

VOTE YES ON 7
to enable more starter homes across the Commonwealth.
We have a housing crisis, and large lot size requirements result in fewer homes being built.

VOTE NO ON 8
to protect our state's cannabis laws. We said NO to the war on drugs in 2016, and we shouldn't turn back time and destroy local economies.

VOTE YES ON 9
to protect our state's landmark gun safety law, which cracked down on ghost guns, banned machine gun conversion devices, and strengthened gun violence data collection.2026 BALLOT QUESTIONS
* YOUR PROGRESSIVE GUIDE
There are QR codes with the following labels:
LEARN MORE & SHARE
FIND YOUR POLLING LOCATION 
TRACK YOUR BALLOT
CHECK YOUR VOTER REG.
PM
PROGRESSIVE
MASS -
VOTE BY TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 3
EARLY VOTING IS OCTOBER 17 - 30
295
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Philo of Alexan @philoof.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
The folk protest music scene is back
281270472
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Edwin Park @edwincpark.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Trump Admin proposed rule would undermine the 2030 decennial census by excluding millions of non-citizen immigrants. As this @kff.org analysis points out there will all kinds of negative consequences including effects one might not expect like distorting federal #Medicaid matching rates.
34633
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Nor’Easter is heading towards the east coast so reminder that if you have any other option DO NOT put your body in flood water. It has raw sewage, gasoline, chemicals, medical waste, radiological waste and more — anything the water touches. People die from infections after contact with it.
11558227
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Nevada election officials said Thursday that 185 voters in the state who the Department of Homeland Security identified as noncitizens were all, in fact, citizens — the latest snafu in the department’s attempts to uncover illegal voters across the country. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
democracydocket.com
DHS noncitizen voter claims unravel in Nevada as state confirms flagged voters are citizens
Nevada election officials said Thursday that 185 voters in the state who the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) identified as noncitizens were all, in fact, citizens.
695155546369
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Kingfisher & Wombat @tkingfisher.com · 26/09/2026
So apropos of nothing in particular, let’s talk about media tie-in novel pay vs. original work pay, shall we? Let’s say you write a novel. It’s set in your own world, your own characters, and titled The Original. You get a book deal! Look at you go!
191391197
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Mar Hicks @histoftech.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
As of today, the CDC has changed (reverted) their Covid guidance to make the vaccine recommended for all people over 18. In addition to being a smart public health move, this recommendation also means insurance must cover it. Read more here: www.cdc.gov/covid/hcp/va... Listen to a breakdown here:
131865906
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Roz Loves Food @rozlovesfood.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
As a human getting my jab tomorrow, a PSA regarding one of the best pieces of advice I've ever read on the internet (seriously, a million thank yous to Rah)
1118
Reposted by Darcy Conaty
Adam Keiper @adamkeiper.com · 26/09/2026
A #BlueskyLullaby for tonight: Since yesterday would have been the 90th birthday of the late Jim Henson, and since today marks one month since Dolly Parton died, here they are singing a duet (with Henson voicing Kermit the Frog) on Dolly's variety show in 1987. See you around.
youtube.com
Dolly Parton & Kermit The Frog – “Everyday People” from 'Dolly' episode 5 (1987)
YouTube video by Jason Kottke
6485123