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Erik Ostrom

@erikostrom.com
765 followers 234 following 2.4K posts

Musician, improviser, urban biker, web developer, Minneapolitan.

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Reposted by Erik Ostrom
Ian Coldwater 🧊🚫 @lookitup.baby · 9h
BREAKING NEWS: “Do geese see God” is a palindrome
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 22h
Dang, guess I’m never gonna use the $10 gift card my landlord gave us all as a consolation prize for having to pay full rent when COVID shut things down and nobody had jobs
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Smörhuvud (he/surprise me) @guncelawits.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
“We as an industry are engaged in an intense debate about whether our industry should be shut down for product-liability reasons or for rights-violation reasons.”
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Emily St. James @emilystjams.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
Today was the third day in a row I came within a yard of a car hitting me while I was walking in a crosswalk, and today was way too close. I realize we have some drivers out there, but I think we need to ban cars until we can figure out what's going on.
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Razanar the Jovial @razanarthejovial.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
Me when I strap fireworks to a bike wheel and throw it in a food court: damn oh wow I can't believe that bike wheel shot off fireworks in the food court.
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DJ Boozy Brunch @griph.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
pervert glasses suffered branding collapse so instead we invented the blinking red weak point on the bad guy you’re supposed to attack to do damage
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 26/09/2026
Film you’ve watched more than six times with a GIF.
static.klipy.com
Philadelphia Story Katharine Hepburn
Alt: Katharine Hepburn in The Philadelphia Story walks outside, then grimaces as she throws her hand up to shield her eyes from the morning sun.
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Courtney Milan @courtneymilan.com · 24/09/2026
The best way to console ourselves about the international shit sandwich buffet that we will have to consume in the coming years is to build out a massive train network, provide health care to all, and take out our aggressions on the billionaires.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 25/09/2026
On a recent Blank Check episode lthey said “what people remember” about Taxi Driver doesn’t start until 3/4 of the way in, and I wonder what most people remember, because for me it’s Travis Bickle saying “One of these days I’m gonna get organizized”
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 24/09/2026
Transit security guy said “thank you for walking your bike” on the light rail platform, and then described, in unsolicited and horrifying detail, a recent incident involving a train and a cyclist so, friends, I pass this message on to you: thank you for walking your bike on the light rail platform.
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Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
AP Stylebook warns against anthropomorphizing AI systems: “Avoid language that gives them human characteristics… Instead, explain what a system does, how well it performs, who built it and who could be affected by it.”
APStylebook @APStylebook
X.com
Artificial intelligence systems do not think, feel, want or understand. Avoid language that gives them human characteristics. This is called anthropomorphizing, when we ascribe human traits, emotions or behaviors to non-human things, such as animals or inanimate objects.
Instead, explain what a system does, how well it performs, who built it and who could be affected by it.
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Neighbors for More Neighbors (N4MN) @moreneighbors.org · 23/09/2026
Leah Hanson, House Candidate for District 18A, recently shared her stance on affordable housing. “We need to invest in housing volume,” she said. “That means we need to build homes without unnecessary bureaucracy getting in the way.” Read for full commentary: www.minnpost.com/elections/20...
minnpost.com
Cows, colleges and competitive districts: DFL, GOP eye key House seats covering Northfield and St. Peter
High voter turnout by students at Carleton, St. Olaf and Gustavus colleges adds a wrinkle to legislative races.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 23/09/2026
This reminds me, every time I've biked past 19th and Nicollet since the Weekend of Three Shootings there's been a cop car at the corner with its lights on, but every time I've looked inside it's been empty.
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Wedge LIVE!™ @wedge.live · 23/09/2026
Turns out driving like an asshole is the most efficient way to do it, so the computer overlords will emulate it.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 23/09/2026
This is cool. You can see what energy sources are being used in different regions, all over the world, right now. Like Botswana is running on 97% coal, while France is 98% carbon-free, largely due to nuclear. Eastern India is 90% coal, while next door Nepal is 100% carbon-free, renewable hydro.
app.electricitymaps.com
Map | Electricity Maps
Track real-time and historical electricity data worldwide — see production mix, CO2 emissions, prices, cross-border exports, and much more.
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Rob Tracinski @tracinski.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
This is something I've been focusing on. I want to do a series called "The Liberal Tradition," because modern conservatism is in no way more genuinely American than all of the deep American traditions liberalism is rooted in.
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Alex @mplsalex.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
This whole thing is worth your time to listen to.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 23/09/2026
Seems a lot of Blueskyers are tripping over each other in a race to point out how wrong Renee Good’s mom was to vote for Trump And she was And yeah it’s infuriating when people can’t see cruelty until it’s happening to someone they love So feel your feelings But
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 22/09/2026
One of these shows is tonight! It's my first show with Here We Are, a group that travels to a new place, learns a tiny bit about it, and improvises the definitive portrayal of what it's like to live there. Tonight we're going to... Minneapolis. Should be interesting! I hear great things!
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 22/09/2026
I'm not excited by Amy Klobuchar, but I'm excited to vote for her. Not just because her opponent is awful, but because I think we can regain the trifecta, and I remember the good and crucial work the DFL did last time they had it. Like free meals at school, in the news today.
mprnews.org
Fewer skipped meals, less stigma: New data on the impact of Minnesota’s universal school meals
A trio of new studies shows Minnesota’s universal school meals program is providing a sense of relief to Minnesota families and students who are no longer skipping lunch and worrying less about family...
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 22/09/2026
You may be surprised to learn that Trump’s FBI is not interested in investigating corruption in government At least where Republicans are involved
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Naomi Kritzer @naomikritzer.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Election 2026: Governor & Lieutenant Governor of MN. Or: why I think you should vote for Amy Klobuchar. naomikritzer.com/2026/09/22/e...
naomikritzer.com
Election 2026: Governor & Lieutenant Governor of MN
On the ballot: Amy Klobuchar and Ben Schierer (DFL)Lisa Demuth and Ryan Wilson (Republican)Steven Young and Jane Kirby (Green) The tl;dr is that I’m going to vote for Amy Klobuchar, even thou…
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 22/09/2026
Added a bunch of upcoming shows (and some downgone ones) to my web site. Horror! Improv! Music! Science fiction! Comedy! www.erikostrom.com/arts/shows/
erikostrom.com
shows – Erik Ostrom
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 21/09/2026
Yum, I love an apple!
A cropped photo of a take-out box, showing the word “APPLE.”
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Jill Bernard @jillybee72.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
This is honestly inspiring to remember the Guthrie was once only an idea that had to be funded.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 20/09/2026
Overheard: “That’s the thing: I don’t love alcohol, I just hate being sober?”
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 18/09/2026
We really needed this sky the color of television, tuned to a dead channel.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 18/09/2026
I just stopped putting this off, and took about ten minutes to gather my thoughts about what I want Minneapolis to be like in 2050. I'm an amateur; you can be an amateur too!
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Erin Maye Quade @erinmayequade.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Last week, an attendee at the Republican Convention repeatedly shouted that Democratic candidates should be shot and not one person at the convention said “no”. Not even the U.S Senator who was speaking at the time, who very clearly heard what was being shouted.
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Adam Miller @ajm6792.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This family should be in quarantine
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Jason Kint @kint.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Looks like Financial Times is first to report on today’s incredible revelations about OpenAI and Microsoft. /12 giftarticle.ft.com/giftarticle/...
giftarticle.ft.com
OpenAI staff knew the ‘existential threat’ AI posed to publishers, New York Times claims
Lawyers say AI co-founder Greg Brockman was ‘motivated by the gazillions’ he hoped to gain from models trained on copyrighted content
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 17/09/2026
Double the fine for each violation from the same company
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 17/09/2026
Not everyone can have their car stolen and just not replace it; I’m lucky. But a lot of us could drive less than we do. In many cases you can save money, enjoy the trip more, and make the world better! I recommend it if you can.
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Gravel Influencer @gravelinfluencer.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
The key thing here is *certain* trips. You don't have to suddenly go car-free! But even replacing a handful of weekly car trips with a bike can lead to savings. Car dependency is a systemic problem, but at the same time, many people are in a position to make changes like this.
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Erin Reed @erininthemorning.com · 16/09/2026
It's important to remind readers that while there are a few anti-trans dems, many are doing great work. Spanberger in VA did not flinch at anti-trans attacks. Now, she just ended Governor Youngkin's infamous rule that would ban trans students from bathrooms. Subscribe to support our journalism.
erininthemorning.com
VA Gov. Spanberger Kills Youngkin-Era Rule That Would Have Banned Trans Students From Bathrooms
“Spanberger showed how Democrats win amidst Republican attacks.”
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Nicolas Hénin @nicolashenin.net · 17/09/2026
Nice campaign by the Norwegian Consumer Council about the declining lifespan of products. Enjoy!
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Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty @hennepinatty.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Hennepin County Attorney Mary Moriarty statement on Christian Castro:
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 16/09/2026
It’s been six years since Mark Wheat left the Current (and longer than that since I listened), but I still can’t read Mark Wheat’s name without involuntarily saying his name out loud in a bad approximation of his accent
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Becky Zosia Dernbach @bzosiad.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Here's what happened at the school board tonight! Plus a handy list of what schools they have proposed closing! sahanjournal.com/education/mi...
sahanjournal.com
Minneapolis could close up to 16 schools
Minneapolis Public Schools officials rolled out a plan Tuesday night that could see up to 16 schools close as the district tries to address ongoing budget deficits.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 16/09/2026
Happy to live near a library that displays this flag.
A hanging flag that mixes the iconography of the Minnesota state flag (an eight-pointed white star on a dark blue field) with that of the Progress Pride flag (eleven stripes, including the six colors of the rainbow, white, pink, light blue, brown, and black). Below, a plaque identifies the location as Hennepin County’s Walker Library.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 16/09/2026
Concert time
A rooftop view of sunset over the Minneapolis skyline. A couple of people are sitting and watching two microphones set up in front of empty chairs.
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Aaron Cynic @aaroncynic.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
Incredible headline here (among other things)
theguardian.com
Texas police department ordered closed for failing to provide any benefit to community
Disbanding of department in Trinidad comes after arrest of a resident for posting about issues with local water supply
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 15/09/2026
Seems bad
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 15/09/2026
“unflinching support,” next you’ll be telling me the Dems are backing away from hard-line Trotskyism
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 14/09/2026
Listen to Keith, he has a law degree
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ae @aelkus.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
the problem with this is that peter thiel has a degree in philosophy from stanford
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Dave Karpf @davekarpf.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
"Surely there must be some way to steer the future of AI to maximally benefit society AND maximize value for my investors." -Dario, basically. Which, again, is still preferable to Altman and Elon. But let's not pretend this is something it's not.
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SW20ed #Edinburgh @sw20.info · 13/09/2026
Wow! So cutting traffic makes public transport more reliable and faster, reduces pollution, noise and particulate matter, improves health and benefits local businesses… …AND reduces crime and violence.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 13/09/2026
Some 20 years ago I sent my best song to a songwriting competition where songs got judged by a panel that supposedly included Tom Waits. Well, first there was an anonymous committee, and then they forwarded the finalists to Tom Waits and the rest of the panel.
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Erik Ostrom @erikostrom.com · 13/09/2026
Sometimes on a bike ride I’ll listen to music on my phone. On my street it blends harmoniously with birds singing, people walking and talking. Then I turn the corner and can’t hear it at all on the bridge over the freeway. Then I’m past the freeway and I can hear music, and birds, and people again.
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