iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

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Alaska Public Media @alaskapublic.org · 10h

Meet Backpack, your 2026 Fat Bear Week champion. Backpack is 20 years old, weighs about 1,000 pounds and got his nickname because, as a cub, he loved riding on his mom's back across the Brooks River.

akpub.io

Meet Backpack, Fat Bear Week’s chunky champ

Backpack went from hitching a ride on his mom’s back to cross the Brooks River to winning the hearts of fat bear fans around the world.

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Mere Smith @evilgalprods.bsky.social · 17h

FATALITY

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Jay Edidin @edidin.bsky.social · 11h

I am an AI doomer inasmuch as I feel strongly that AI is doomed and that it is our responsibility to accelerate that doom.

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 18h

I was so honored to be a part of this conversation. Science communication is sometimes difficult but being an inclusive feminist isn't! Enjoy!

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Brett "Solidarity 2026" Banditelli @banditelli.org · 27/09/2026

SUPER excited for this, after a year of chasing the angle, 30 minutes of waddling around up and down a parking garage, and over 6 hours of editing: A murder of crows flies towards the camera, in front of the full Moon, set to Blind Guardian's "Nightfall" and the sound of the crows themselves. 🪶 🐦‍⬛

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huck mason @tylerhuckabee.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

rip annie dillard

One of the things I know about writing is this: spend it all, shoot it, play it, lose it, all, right away, every time. Do not hoard what seems good for a later place in the book or for another book; give it, give it all, give it now. The impulse to save something good for a better place later is the signal to spend it now. Something more will arise for later, something better. These things fill from behind, from beneath, like well water. Similarly, the impulse to keep to yourself what you have learned is not only shameful, it is destructive. Anything you do not give freely and abundantly becomes lost to you. You open your safe and find ashes.

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Alex Brown 🇵🇸 (they/them) @bookjockeyalex.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

I've only seen the first episode of the new season of GBBO but I like it. Nigella is refreshing and interesting. She doesn't play games the way the rest do. She's genuine yet thoughtful. I alos like that she takes a real bite of the bakes, where Paul takes these tiny nibbles.

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I’m finally watching DARK and this show is breaking my brain. Top notch grounded sci-fi.

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More Movies @moremovies.co.uk · 26/09/2026

Full moon yo 🌕🎬 #filmsky #moviesky #cinema

Hocus Pocus (1993) - a young child dressed as a witch is saying "It's a full moon outside. The weirdos are out."

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Help my amazing friend feel like her whole self! Any amount helps 🫶🏻

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

I fully believe Rose is the kiln witch as stated in her bio. The skill required to throw these, have them survive firing, and balance so perfectly is beyond comprehension

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

This season of Taskmaster is a bit difficult for me because of one comedian pulling a “no, but” instead of “yes, and”. It’s reminding me of the worst contrarians I’ve TTRPGd with. I know it’s his schtick but I wish he’d read the room and try to play along. This is just not the show for him.

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Aranock, 4 of Ravens @aranock.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

This type of reporting is just useful fearmongering as marketing tactic and also tacitly personify the algorithm in such a way as to ignore and frankly outright deny the responsibility being on its incompetent programmers and the people in charge at the company.

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

I’m reaching Level 40 next year and Aaron had been secretly keeping an eye on flights back to Scotland to do the full West Highland Way. I’ve probably done 90% of it in pieces over the years but never beginning to end. He told me and we booked it all last night and I’m so beyond excited!

static.klipy.com

Hobbit Adventure: I'm Going On An Adventure!

Alt: Gif of Bilbo Baggins running out of Hobbiton saying “I’m going on an Adventure!”

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Blessed equinox to all who celebrate. I love making space for the coming darkness and thanking the light we had, knowing it will return. Life is getting harder, and the world getting bleaker, but we continue to orbit the sun on this blessed earth and I’m grateful for knowing you. 🍁🍂

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The two people in front of me today split their groceries over multiple cards. At what point do we just…fight back? I don’t know. It’s really tough out there right now and feels helpless.

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Mal Franks @merseymal.com · 22/09/2026

Oh-oh

Star Trek Online

9 minutes ago

Captains - there are two bugs in the new mission that we're working on fixing. One is locking progression at a certain point - details in comments to avoid spoilers. The other is Moopsy. Moopsy can eat a boss and break the mission. Do not bring Moopsy.

Moopsy from Star Trek: Lower Decks. It's a cute small animal and it's clamped onto someone's neck while it is drinking their bones.

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C @spiffyscientist.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I won’t lie, it’s a bit overwhelming to see the work hyperbolized by many press outlets, including the university. We did not discover a new organ, or that you have two consciousnesses, etc! I’m excited for the general positive recognition, (especially the coverage from the Chronicle by Jack Lee)

sfchronicle.com

The brain is a single organ. But it may not start that way, study suggests

A Stanford-led study challenges the idea that the brain develops from one common pool of early cells — and could help researchers model diseases such as ALS.

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

I sat for two hours this morning with my head in my hands trying to figure out how to make one scene work. I cracked it, myself, with my own brain, and it felt so good! And it only used the water of three cups of tea. Because I drank it. Fuck AI and fuck the people killing the writing process

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🎃 Killy Witches 👻 @tillybridges.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

@susanlbridges.bsky.social and i were also part of this lovely little round table discussion with other filmmakers in the @outonfilm.org trans shorts category, if you want to hear a bit about what went into making LONG AWAY

m.youtube.com

Out On Film talks to our Transfabulous filmmakers. In-person screening - Sunday, September 27 at 12

YouTube video by Out On Film

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Rose Schmits @roseschmits.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

Many Many Many pots available on my website! Don’t think i’ve had such a large selection of crawler pots available at one time in a very long time. Perfect time to select your favourite and give it a home www.roseschmits.com

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Astronomer Royal for Scotland | Catherine Heymans @astroroyalscot.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

NASA picture of the day today is a real 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿beauty! This is a composite image of the ~5000yo Callanish Stones on the Isle of Lewis. The amazing Giuseppe Petricca has only gone and photographed the Sun at noon there, every few days, for a whole year. #Dedication 🔭🧪👌 ℹ️: science.nasa.gov/image-articl...

The imposing Callanish Stones stand talk with their shadows spanning out across the glass. It's a super clear sky, but looks cold. Above the central stone is a strange figure-of-8 shape of dots. This is the location of the Sun, at noon, on various different days across the year.

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Sandy Ernest Allen @sandyernestallen.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

Drop your NYT subscription, tell your friends why enjoying Harry Potter in 2026 isn’t okay, actually … so many ways to support trans rights, if you are cis.

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 16/09/2026

I did a fun quick video about PROJECT HAIL MARY where I did the math on the time dilation between the ship and Earth! If you were curious it's available now! youtu.be/28frUWzcbP0

youtu.be

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Aliette de Bodard @aliettedebodard.com · 10/09/2026

This is worth a read because it eviscerates the narration of "AI solved complex mathematical problems, we can now retire mathematicians" that's currently being pushed by the AI companies. (and in general please remain sceptical of any claims to independent thinking or intent by LLMs)

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Welp, time for me to spend my last 6 months of Star Trek income on more Star Trek stuff 😬🫣

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TREKtivism.org @trektivism.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Star Trek Online's #startrekday stream is starting now! Check in with the awesome voice actors that make the game world come to life! @trekonlinegame.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t2s...

A screen capture of Star Trek Online's splash page that features a planet and says "Starting Soon"!

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

As I pivot from DragonCon to celebrating Star Trek Day, I just want to shout out all the amazing fans who have created a family out of a franchise. I’m deeply honored to be a part of this legacy, and grateful for every moment 💙🖖🏻💙 #StarTrekDay

A shot of Dr Erin in Star Trek Prodigy in her uniform

Robb Pearlman and Erin holding copes of their books: Star Trek My First Book of Colors and Space, respectively

Dr Erin in her uniform MCing an event. She holds a microphone and notes

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Mo Ryan @moryan.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

in honor of #StarTrek at 60, here's something I wrote in 2016. On an hour that is not just a great Deep Space Nine episode, not just great Trek episode, but an example of what TV at its best can do. I give you an ode to DS9's "Duet" www.moryan.com/star-trek-at...

moryan.com

Star Trek at 60: An ode to an all-time classic Deep Space Nine episode

I nominated "Duet," a Star Trek: Deep Space Nine episode, for the TV canon as one of the all-time greats

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

DragonCon was delightful and healing, especially after losing Tim Curry. It reminded me of how many good people are still out there being their authentic selves and creating amazing art. Also our costumes were great!

Erin and her husband Aaron dressed as Red Green cosplay repair station with a sign and duct tape

A group of friends dressed as Star Wars rebel crowd

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I’ll still be regularly watching all the backlog of episodes to go with the season every year. Thanks for all the hard work, and opening your lovely garden to us, Monty! My gardening king Also my gateway to gardening was another show of his: Big Dreams Small Spaces. High recommend.

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 31/08/2026

I’ve been thinking about mine a lot this week. I worked at Hollywood Video as a teen and the manager and I both loved Tim Curry. Any time it was the two of us we would only put Tim Curry movies on. We would reenact “picked up the knife and RRRRRAAAN down the hall” across the store. Great times

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

the goth girl who paved the way for the rest of us 🖤

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Sascha Stronach🏳️‍⚧️, The Sunforge out now @understatesmen.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

i was struck by inspiration and had to draw them stoned at the fish and chip shop

Two baby fur seals sitting in long grass. they have expressions that are sad yet proud, as though the weight of the world is on their shoulders, but they stand against the trouble

a terrible cartoon of the same two seals at the counter of a fish and chip shop, looking up at the menu board

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CL Hellisen @clhellisen.com · 30/08/2026

Scottish writer pals, take note --- if you're eligible to apply for this, it closes today! Do share if you know folk who fir the criteria literaturealliancescotland.co.uk/project/writ...

literaturealliancescotland.co.uk

Literature Alliance Scotland | Caidreabhas Litreachais Alba | Literatur Allyance Scotland | Writer Bursaries for works-in-progress

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Dane will return at NYCC H-05 @monkeyminion.com · 29/08/2026

DO NOT APPLY TO OR ATTEND THIS SHOW. I don't care if it's in your backyard. You can bet that every convention runner is watching this and the bad ones are salivating at this idea of $150 application fees, plus jacked up booth rates. If it works for this show, they WILL try it at theirs.

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Ruth Pearce @notrightruth.bsky.social · 29/08/2026

This is the most fucked up and immediately harmful policy decision I think I've ever seen in adult trans healthcare in the UK, and that's saying something. The Welsh Gender Service is one of the best in the country. It is widely praised by the patients it helps. That is why it is being targeted.

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Librarian by Day 🏳️‍🌈 @librarianbyday.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

I’ve seen a lot of a librarians start a Substack recently. Before you get too invested please consider alternatives leavesubstack.com

leavesubstack.com

You Should Probably Leave Substack

You should probably leave Substack. Here’s why and how.

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Celeste Labedz @celestelabedz.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

Lots of things suck lately, but also there's a partial lunar eclipse tonight! Go look! Partial begins at 10:34 PM eastern time, when it'll look like the Moon has a little bite out of it. The peak is 12:13 AM; it's 96%, so it should look reddish! www.timeanddate.com/eclipse/luna...

timeanddate.com

Partial Lunar Eclipse on August 27–28, 2026 – Where and When to See

Partial lunar eclipse on August 27–28, 2026: Where and when is the Moon eclipse visible and what will it look like? Visibility map, animation, and local times.

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

F yeah. Just when I needed a distraction the most.

A photo of a computer screen showing a steam page with Star Wars Zero Company at the top and “preloading” is happening, sitting at 1%

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Susanah Grace @susanahgrace.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

Stop fucking using genAI. Not even for a joke, not even for that oh so cutting political satire. Every time you use it, you are actively taking food out of our mouths. You are using the weapon of the enemy. We do not need it.

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Claire Willett @clairewillett.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

please give yourself the gift this spooky season of the “Dracula” audiobook where Tim Curry is Van Helsing and Alan Cumming is Renfield, it’s everything you could ever want from “Dracula” and it’s a sleeper hit on my Personal Tim Curry Faves roster

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I've had no less than a dozen friends and family, some I haven't spoken to in years, reach out to me in the last hour. This one hits really hard. He was my first love, my first...obsession...if you will. Sending love to all my fellow freaks and weirdos. Tim was a beacon for all of us. 💔

Tim Curry as Long John Silver in Muppet Treasure Island

Tim Curry as Frank'N'Furter from Rocky Horror

Nigel Thornberry from the Wild Thornberries, voiced by Tim Curry

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James B. Jones @jamesbjones.com · 21/08/2026

When people say they’re anti-AI, they’re clearly talking about generative AI in the arts and LLM slop that C-Suite jackoffs want to use to replace them. You know this. I know this. Everyone knows this. So the “then don’t use spellcheck if you hate AI” talking point is disingenuous horseshit.

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The only(?) positive of the state of the world for me right now is it has lit a fire for me, creatively. I no longer give AF if what I make is good, or will sell. I have this deep pull in me to make more things, connect with more people, and create all the art, just for the sake of being human.

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Susan Bridges @susanlbridges.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

Hey we would appreciate some positive reviews to counteract the bigots, so please take a look if so inclined - thank you 💕

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

The DragonCon App has been updated. I repeat: The DragonCon App has been updated! You can find my schedule under "Speakers" understanding that it is subject to change. Lots of fun stuff this year, including a Science of Project Hail Mary, discussion of "non-canonical" Star Trek properties and more!

static.klipy.com

Star Trek Scotty: Hello, computer!

Alt: Scotty from Star Trek in The Voyage Home holding a mouse and saying "hello computer"

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Erin Macdonald @drerinmac.bsky.social · 24/08/2026

My Elite Dangerous gameplay videos are now going live on my YouTube channel. I'm getting through a backlog so they're a little dated, but should be catching up soon. I just wanted to share my favorite space game and give you some relaxing background! Enjoy! youtu.be/FfJlvbbhAww

youtu.be

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