Sign in

Emil Mertzel

@emilmertzel.bsky.social
303 followers 512 following 452 posts

I help people design buildings in and out of the classroom. I like thinking about meaning, which makes me easily distracted. Fan of bikes and cars, go figure. (he/him)

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Eric Levai @ericlevai.bsky.social · 8h
Now THIS is how you write a story. Devastating.
Screenshot from this article: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/08/us/politics/fort-hood-execution-streamed-public.html?unlocked_article_code=1.HVE.Rw7O.Sj-0_s5YONzL&smid=nytcore-android-share
8841401213
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
THEE NWMagpie - I Don't Argue With Ppl John Brown Would've Shot @thenwmagpie.bsky.social · 13h
@support.bsky.team, please let us know you have plans to deal with this if it becomes a reality. This is not something we need to see, nor is it anything a civilized nation needs to normalize.
0165
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Lex McMenamin (they/them) @lexmcmenamin.com · 05/10/2026
nearly 40k likes on instagram
instagram.com
Annie Altman (she/her/human) on Instagram: "First Hour of My Deposition - Ann Altman v Sam Altman 4:25-cv-00017-ZMB Wearing my Dad’s fleece ❤️ Grateful to share this and also upset to once again hav...
39K likes, 914 comments - anniealtman108 on October 2, 2026: "First Hour of My Deposition - Ann Altman v Sam Altman 4:25-cv-00017-ZMB Wearing my Dad’s fleece ❤️ Grateful to share this and also upset...
4474107
Emil Mertzel @emilmertzel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Wild. Big mil jet (galaxy?) just flew low over the house
000
Emil Mertzel @emilmertzel.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Holy shit
000
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
CZEdwards @czedwards.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
Let’s be clear: we have both wide-spread anecdotal & data driven, research level analysis that LLM use erodes cognitive skills faster than Alzheimer’s. Using it is literally bad for your brain, and bad for your ability to learn and retain new information. As a public health matter? It’s horrifying.
27612
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Nicole Bedera @nbedera.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
One of my big takeaways from #MeToo was that the primary problem was never that men in positions of power didn’t believe victims. It was that they thought sexual violence is something women deserve.
327864
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
David M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 02/10/2026
excited to see every catholic university in the US triple down on arts.
430134
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Emily M. Bender @emilymbender.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
New from @timnitgebru.blacksky.app and me: "It is high time for us to regulate usage of systems sold as “AI”, not because they are magical machines, but because they are error-prone products that shouldn’t be used in high stakes scenarios." www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
theguardian.com
Forget ‘superintelligence’: error-prone AI nearly sparked world war three this month | Timnit Gebru and Emily M Bender
The risks of AI aren’t what we think they are, as a recent security incident between China and the United States reveals
13974417
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
David M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
“Cutting this much from the university budget will mean that some of the core functions of the university will be lost. It’s not possible to just do more with less — to work smarter, to trim around the edges. We’re going to have to do less with less.” Gift link: www.startribune.com/umn-cuts-sta...
startribune.com
Perry: What we lose if the U cuts $225 million
"Austerity doesn’t work. Instead, it creates a death spiral, where reduction in services leads to reductions in revenue, which lead to reductions in services, which leads to reduction in revenue, whic...
16758296
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Admirable Women @admirablewomen.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
Marilyn Olmstead (d. #OTD in 2020) was an internationally renowned American chemist & leader in small-molecule X-ray #crystallography--notably of fullerenes, or "buckyballs." #WomenInSTEM Buckyballs are soccer-ball-shaped carbon cages that spin rapidly in crystals. Their spinning was an issue...🧵
A close-up, black-and-white photograph of Marilyn Morgan Olmstead (December 8, 1943 – September 30, 2020), the foundational American chemist who revolutionized small-molecule X-ray crystallography. Positioned in a centered, head-and-shoulders frame, she faces the camera directly with a warm, open smile. Her eyes crinkle with genuine warmth, and her face is framed by short, voluminous, tightly curled graying hair. She wears a dark blazer over a light-colored collared shirt, and a lanyard featuring the corporate logo of the American Chemical Society (ACS) hangs around her neck, anchoring her professional status. The background is a solid, clean black tone, drawing all focus onto her face. The mood is joyful, inviting, and distinguished, reflecting her immense historical significance as an academic pioneer who mapped the microscopic boundaries of modern nanotechnology.A precise, high-contrast black-and-white scientific schematic illustrates a buckminsterfullerene molecule (C60), also known colloquially as a buckyball. The geometric structure is rendered as a clean ball-and-stick model, forming a hollow, spherical cage consisting of 60 carbon atoms arranged in a series of interlocking regular hexagons and pentagons that mirror the layout of a modern soccer ball. The structural bonds in the foreground are thick, bold, and black, while the bonds towards the back of the sphere are rendered in lighter shades of gray to create a distinct three-dimensional depth of field. The entire molecule is isolated against a stark, pure white background. The clean, calculated composition evokes a precise and analytical mood, emphasizing the historic structural stability of fullerenes that Marilyn Olmstead successfully anchored and mapped for the advancement of materials science.
111329
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Moira Donegan @moiradonegan.bsky.social · 28/09/2026
You know when public attention can reverse a prosecutorial decision like this you almost get the sense that the decision to shrug it off in the first place was not based on an assessment of the quality of the evidence so much as an assessment of the seriousness of the crime.
353583830
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Amy Jo (AJ) Cousins @ajcousins.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This is not deporting people. Literally. Legally. There is a deportation process and this isn't it. This is rendition. This is disappearing people.
172059806
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
AP Stylebook @apstylebook.com · 23/09/2026
Artificial intelligence systems do not think, feel, want or understand. Avoid language that gives them human characteristics.
apnews.com
https://apnews.com/article/openai-safety-ai-framework-089e75b95bc935af092da7b79d92706d
5542411630
Emil Mertzel @emilmertzel.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
War Games but it’s Dr Strangelove
000
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Chanda Prescod-Weinstein 🌌 @chanda.blacksky.app · 15/09/2026
"Defund the police" in action
724742
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Jordan Harper @jordanharper.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I'm sorry but if you believe the AI people about being "genuinely frightened" by what they're doing you are a mark. They're roping you into the big show. You've got a big white chalk hand-print on your back. You forgot to bite the nickle to see if it was wood. You've been flim-flammed, friendo.
59719
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Cannibalistic Humanoid Underground Dave @davebrowne.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
It's sad. Even a basic pineapple hat cost almost $100 this year.
0405
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Moira Donegan @moiradonegan.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
I’m aware this is an grumpy old man in a rocking chair chewing on a corncob pipe kind of opinion, but the teenagers don’t form terrible garage bands like they used to. And it’s because of those damn phones.
3557537
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Alejandra Caraballo @esqueer.net · 10/09/2026
No matter how much you throw trans people under the bus, you are still going to get attacked. All you've done is betray a vulnerable minority, anger your base, and made the issue front and center.
Alt Text:
Screenshot showing two sequential posts on X by journalist Aaron Rupar (@atrupar.com) discussing Texas politics:
 * Top post: Text reads, "Paxton on Talarico: 'He wants to transition your kids!'" accompanied by an embedded video frame of Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton speaking at a podium in a dark suit and red tie.
 * Bottom post: Text reads, "Talarico says he would vote in favor of a national ban for transgender surgeries for minors," above a video thumbnail from Fox News Channel featuring a woman anchor in a red blazer, with lower-third banners reading "EXCLUSIVE," "SHIFTING THE REINS?", and "TALARICO STANCE DIFFERS FROM EARLIER COMMENTS."
8652901329
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Roland Pierik @roleo.eurosky.social · 08/09/2026
The number of cases of cervical cancer reported in Scotland among women given the HPV vaccine at 12-13 years of age is now zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. Zero. www.bbc.com/news/article...
bbc.com
No cervical cancer cases in fully HPV-vaccinated women in Scotland
A study published by Public Health Scotland finds that the HPV vaccine is "highly effective".
6461332290
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Robert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
New Gallup polling finds that 71% of Americans approve of labor unions and 56 million Americans would join a union tomrorow if they could. We are witnessing a historic rebirth of worker power. If you want a better life for you and your children, join or support a union.
epi.org
Unions are extremely popular: 56 million workers would join a union if they could
New Gallup polling finds that 71% of people in the U.S. approve of unions, continuing the highest period of favorability in over 60 years. This coincides with the greatest number of workers represente...
303115463677
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
I do not regret to inform you that we are going to win
10923176
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
""What did he study? “Philosophy and theology. A teacher in high school said, there’s no money in that, and I said: ‘Sir, that’s disrespectful. That’s insulting, because not everybody’s about money.’" he's one of us!
theguardian.com
‘I don’t chase the dollar. I never did’: the astonishing hidden life of Mr T
He grew up in the ghetto, became a global superstar – then gave it all up. Why did he step away from the spotlight?
704447692
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Lila Byock @lbyock.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Today, members of @schoolsbeyond.bsky.social showed up at the first meeting of the LAUSD AI Ad Hoc Committee to reiterate our demands for an immediate moratorium on student AI use. But District staff stunned us by announcing that all standalone AI products are now blocked on student devices TK-12!
631174
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Joshua Erlich @joshuaerlich.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
not that they’re doing it correctly or well or rigorously or competently, but it is funny how these guys spend all their time doing gender studies
201679212
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
(spo)okie 🎃 @okie.gay · 25/08/2026
Texas’s drag ban was found to be unconstitutional this morning and one of the plaintiffs who brought the suit was an Austin-based drag queen who often impersonates Dolly Dolly was named in the final judgement itself and after hearing about the lawsuit, she sent that drag queen a signed guitar
21113432631
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Brooke @brooklynmarie.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
OK everybody remember, this "debate me on racism" thing has been tried before and people actually did debate the racists and all it ended up doing was elevating racist messaging. Also, that message was sown on Twitter to be bait for journalists in 2016 so maybe don't fall for it this time around 🥰
472542588
Emil Mertzel @emilmertzel.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Maybe it’s because the boom is only happening on Wall Street and Many Americans are actually experiencing something more like a recession? Or maybe they just see all the downsides and don’t think the boom is worth it?
000
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Martha Crawford @whatashrinkthinks.com · 22/08/2026
Just for historical context: Through out the Carter administration through the Regan years immigrants in California without documentation were regularly deported from emergency rooms. This moment is a return to an American cruelty baseline
0167
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Sam Bergman @violanorth.bsky.social · 14/08/2026
"Overhead" is a corporate term for "paying the people who do the work." When you give to an arts organization but tell them not to use it for "overhead," you're telling them they can't use it to pay the people who make the art possible.
1478
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Michael Hobbes @michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
Insane that AOC is being quoted as saying "Woke 1 was crazy" when this is what she actually said. youtu.be/SFwAnMLBSOw?...
884017932
Emil Mertzel @emilmertzel.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
On the other hand, gatekeeping who is “really” Jewish is an extremely Jewish cultural fixation. In my own experience.
000
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Brian Tyler Cohen @briantylercohen.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Breaking: GOP Congressman Andy Ogles, who has said gay people have “no place in America” and “Muslims don't belong in American society,” just lost his primary in Tennessee. He will no longer serve in Congress.
2347286714695
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Stephen Wolf @stephenwolf.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
NEW: Voters have rejected Republicans' scheme to unseat the Kansas Supreme Court's Dem-appointed majority and overturn abortion rights. Amendment 1 would have let the GOP replace the system of a nominating commission, gubernatorial appointment, and retention elections with direct partisan elections
91689341
Emil Mertzel @emilmertzel.bsky.social · 03/08/2026
It means they didn’t pay whatever bribe the fcc was asking for
000
Emil Mertzel @emilmertzel.bsky.social · 02/08/2026
Frau Blücher cleans up nice. From a distance :)
newish red Miata and elderly BMW e30 convertible siblings sharing a moment
000
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Adam Serwer @adamserwer.bsky.social · 01/08/2026
It is funny that this person thinks “immigrants defended the union while native born whites sought to destroy it in the name of slavery” is an argument against immigrants being Americans. This is precisely the point, nothing about being born here makes you better bsky.app/profile/aphc...
14148491008
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
jessamyn @librarian.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
I work at a public library. People who want to use AI seem to have no trouble doing so. People who don't want to use AI have a harder time. I crowdsourced and then finalized this document "How to disable or avoid intrusive AI" and then gave it a short URL: notoai.org Please pass along if it's useful
An aircraft passenger oxygen mask: a drop down passenger mask with air bag and yellow plastic mouth and nose cover, oxygen tube has been cut; Demonstration model used by flight attendant crew for passenger instruction. Has text on the side indicating that it's non-functional.
193126137999
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 30/07/2026
I found this fascinating. I don't think I've ever seen a Museum publicly list the costs of an exhibition before. www.artnews.com/art-in-ameri... - It's actually super helpful for people to see what it takes.
artnews.com
A Museum Dares to Reveal What It Really Costs to Make an Exhibition
“Performing Conditions: Artistic Labor and Dependency as Form,” at the MIT List Visual Arts Center, stars Autumn Knight, Dread Scott, Ghislaine Leung.
8417142
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 29/07/2026
“We are close to creating a genie” The level of hucksterism is nearly unfathomable. Real S tier shit.
692108288
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
Exclusive from me — Daniel Moraff, one of the political operatives behind Graham Platner's rise and fall, has been accused of sexual assault. Full story here:
thehandbasket.co
Exclusive: Political operative behind Graham Platner's rise accused of sexual assault
A spokesperson for Daniel Moraff said: “Any suggestion that he committed a criminal offence is false and without foundation."
26973502017
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Marisa Kabas @marisakabas.bsky.social · 28/07/2026
Independent journalism is challenging work with very few resources. If you want to support what I do, sign up for a free (thehandbasket.co/subscribe) or paid (thehandbasket.co/upgrade) subscription to The Handbasket.
1551145
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Jess Calarco @jessicacalarco.com · 27/07/2026
So, what happens if I'm a parent and I know that my kid needs highly paid teachers, a library full of books with diverse characters, trans-inclusive bathrooms and extracurriculars, and a curriculum unpacking topics like systemic racism, colonial oppression, economic inequality, and climate change?
Facebook post from the U.S. Department of Education, saying "Parents know best" with a picture of a cartoon White, two-parent, heteronormative family, featuring a dad in a tie and sweater vest and a mom in a dress and pearls.
1102795527
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Dr. Cara Berg Powers @clbergpowers.bsky.social · 27/07/2026
This is actually a wonderful example of why we should not try to squeeze ourselves into their framing. As Jess points out beautifully, parents rights is never about parents like us and it never will be. Because it's a thought killing cliche designed to undermine equity and progress.
019144
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 26/07/2026
FWIW, Meta was fully aware of how these glasses would primarily be used. The glasses were designed to erase consent, and that is why they exist. Anything that they do that suggests they want to ameliorate this use is an attempt to win the PR battle and manipulate public opinion.
futurism.com
Meta Desperately Trying to Ban Creeps Misusing Its AI "Pervert Glasses"
Meta is vowing to crack down on creeps misusing its Ray Ban smart glasses. Whether it will be enough to regain trust remains to be seen.
10437341285
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
I admire our government's new commitment to honesty.
A real tweet from the Department of Defense that says "It's not an option" above a meme that just says WINNING.
563149942078
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
William Gibson @greatdismal.bsky.social · 26/07/2026
www.youtube.com/watch?v=g79G...
youtube.com
Neuromancer — Official Teaser | Apple TV
YouTube video by Apple TV
24759631516
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
mtsw @mtsw.bsky.social · 25/07/2026
The reason Zohran scares the shit out of them so much is that they think this sort of technocrat FDR liberalism/market socialism will *work* and be popular, not that it will fail and be unpopular. They're afraid that he will be a good mayor not a bad mayor.
4656551130
Reposted by Emil Mertzel
Feild @feild.work · 23/07/2026
There's nothing to "join" in the Democratic Party. It's a brand with products I spend my vote on once a year at the democracy store. Most people's experience of it is an endless stream of texts that read like scams, their reward for donating or signing a petition. No wonder DSA is growing
913868683