iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Eminem and Goodie Mob playing at the University of Chicago in like 1999 It was not the right fit. I just remember them Goodie Mob singing, "Who's that peeking in my window?" and the students just standing and staring blankly

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Getting down to Toto playing Africa at the UN with all these high-level dignitaries

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D'Angelo at Forest Hills Stadium Not a single person was taking photos or videos. Not one. We forgot what phones were. I don't think you need to add anything to that one.

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The lightning strike at the 1998 Tibetan Freedom Concert in DC.

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One time when I saw Oddisee at the Knitting Factory, I shouted "Ahlein [welcome in Arabic]" He said, "Shhhh, everyone," and then in Arabic, "Where are you from?" And I replied in Arabic, "I'm from PG County." And he said, "She's from my county and she speaks my language. Too bad I'm married."

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Norwegian People's Aid rejects US demands to end their equity work by turning down $43 million in funding, eliminating ~1,700 positions and significantly scaling down their work in many countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Iraq (cleaning up deadly US messes) www.npaid.org/mine-action-...

Norwegian People's Aid

We have turned down NOK 400 million in funding from the US Department of State. Not because we don't need the money, but because the price of accepting it is simply too high.

The US has introduced requirements that prevent organisations from working on abortion, gender equality and diversity. And these restrictions would not just apply to projects funded by the US - they would apply to everything an organisation does.

That is something we simply cannot accept.

But this decision comes at a cost. We will have to cut around 1,700 positions and significantly scale down our work in many countries including Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia and Iraq. We will also have to reduce staff at our headquarters in Oslo.

The greatest cost, however, will be borne by the tens of thousands of civilians who will remain at risk from landmines and other explosive remnants of war.

If we had accepted these conditions, we would no longer have been able to work with partners fighting for the right to abortion, or for women to have the opportunity to become leaders.

In short, we would no longer be free to do the work NPA does, or to stand up for the values we believe in.

Gender equality, equal rights and diversity are not threats. They are values that strengthen our work and help build better societies.

These are values we will continue to fight for. And we will continue for a mine free world.

Norwegian People's Aid

Our values are not for sale!

We cannot let the US dictate our work on equality and diversity

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

"The attack on Kuhestak is the fourth episode reported by The Times in which strikes on structures with no military use were hit and civilians were killed."

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Utterly squandered. Biden is the one who decided to reverse longstanding US policy by sending landmines and cluster bombs to Ukraine so he'd appear to be "doing something," even though these weapons are banned by the majority of the world because they primarily kill and injure civilians.

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

No Tim Curry bio is complete without mentioning Clue. RIP

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

"The about-face would mark a rare reversal in a department that hasn’t tolerated dissent under Hegseth and President Donald Trump. Last year’s military memos detail a delicate pushback that may preserve at least the framework of the civilian security campaign." Go CHMR!

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Geek Ken @geekken.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

Been thinking a lot about this quote from Roger Ebert today.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 23/08/2026

I love that so many people are pointing out that APOPO rats also sniff out landmines in Cambodia. This started after I worked on demining programs there, and I swear those rats have done more for landmine clearance advocacy than everything else combined.

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Ayo @darrylayo.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

“Immigrants are coming to America to get free stuff!!” we don’t even have free stuff.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 15/08/2026

We should all be riding the bus.

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

Exactly! I can't help but think the opportunity to profit from the absurd security protocols had something to woth it. I wonder what ways there might be for big business to profit from fewer cars. But I don't like thinking like that.

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Shawn Micallef @shawnmicallef.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

People have been taking off their shoes at airport security for 20 years because one guy brought some liquid gel aboard. Not a thing can be done about car & driver. There, here.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 10/08/2026

The answer is simple and it's always been the same: Have policies and talk to people about them. But I'm so curious how many people have made a decision based on a TV ad, mailer, or spam text. I have, but only when a bad one pushed me towards the opponent. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/10/u...

nytimes.com

Inside the Left’s Playbook for Winning Elections

Progressives are being outspent and are receiving little support from the Democratic Party. Their tactics show a different way to succeed.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 08/08/2026

Exactly! When I lived in Queens in 2018, everyone knew AOC would win because she was out in the community every single day. She didn't even have any major endorsements (like Bernie) in that race. And the same is true now that I'm in Pittsburgh. Knocking doors and listening is the winning strategy.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

I'm vacationing in San Francisco this week with my one-year-old kid and our only plan is to take transit to various parks and playgrounds across the Bay Area. No cars. It's glorious and I wish we could all live like this.

A small child wearing a long-sleeved red onesie standing on sand

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 07/08/2026

Fun fact! There are two Tunnel Top Parks in San Francisco. They are approximately one hour and 20 minutes apart by bus.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 04/08/2026

As an advocate at the UN, I followed positions of member states big and small. The two with the most-informed diplomats were Russia and Iran. They knew every policy and were extremely clever in their approach. Western diplomats rested on their laurels and were outmaneuevered time and again.

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 02/08/2026

Reason #635,741,792 I hate cars: Got rear-ended at a stop light with an infant and 2 kids in the backseat. The driver said she had no idea what happened. She accidentally ran into us at full speed. Luckily we were in a pick-up truck. Otherwise I'm sure we'd have been injured. Thanks for trucks?

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

Pittsburgh, please take note! I'd love to take a cable car around town. The views would be stellar.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 27/07/2026

The Saifi Institute in Beirut just asked anyone who spent time at Torino and/or studying Arabic at Saifi between 2004 and 2015 to share their memories. I have too many! If you do, too, email them to info@saifiarabic.com

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Retro Pittsburgh air quality out there.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 16/07/2026

Thrilled that @jamilahlemieux.bsky.social is coming to Pittsburgh to speak at City of Asylum! Couldn't be prouder to serve on the Board of an organization that brings so many wonderful authors to our city (in addition to hosting fabulous writers in residence). cityofasylum.org/program/on-t...

cityofasylum.org

On Topic: America at 250 — Motherhood in America with Jamilah Lemieux ("Black. Single. Mother.") - City of Asylum

Our final America at 250 program offers a personal meditation on and tribute to Black single motherhood from Jamilah Lemieux.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

This is a lovely reflection on Pittsburgh's immigrant restaurateurs and the question of authenticity, but no story is complete without mentioning haluski. It's NOT Polish but considered so here. People can enjoy it either way but the defenders of haluski being Polish are ready to die on this hill.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 14/07/2026

Laos is the most heavily-bombed country per capita due to the 9-year US Secret War. The US dropped a planeload of bombs every 8 minutes for 9 years. 33% of Laos remains covered with around 80 million unexploded bombs that continue to kill and maim. This is a complicated situation on many levels.

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

In Pennsylvania, you're guaranteed $7.25 an hour, which you can squander on unregulated skill games, or drive to one of five neighboring states to buy legal weed and boost their tax base. (I say "drive" because lawmakers couldn't even agree on the transit funding our communities need.)

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Christina Henderson @chenderson.bsky.social · 13/07/2026

I wish more journalists would point out that Sen. McConnell and Rep. Tom Kean (missed 4 months of work) are/were essentially on paid sick & medical leave. The same employment protection they’ve spent their careers blocking other Americans from having.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 12/07/2026

Every single reflection in this short video on the toll of taking care of our elders is spot on, so I recommend watching all of it. I did not realize how common my experiences (and feelings) were. I feel much better and worse now. Thanks for sharing!

Prisonculture @prisonculture.bsky.social · 09/07/2026

Reposted by Alex Hiniker

I can assure you that I care about a bunch of things that I will not be able to take action on. I am sure the same is true for you.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 08/07/2026

The holiday card I sent from Pittsburgh to Beirut in December arrived today! Just under seven months. Not bad. Last year it was returned with indecipherable writing in Arabic. The year before, I think it only took three months. Thanks to USPS and LibanPost.

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I don't know but I just got email confirmation responding to the Trump account I applied for back in February (my kid qualifies for the free $1,000 so I'll take it). I guess them sending this email on the Sunday after July 4 is part of their comms strategy, too.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

I have lived in many cities and love all the transit systems equally, etc., but can say without hesitation that the DC Metro shop is by far the best. @mta.info @chicagocta.bsky.social and Pittsburgh Regional Transit take note!

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

You know who abhors AI? Every university student I've ever worked with (I work at a university). They say it's annoying to hear AI-generated presentations, do group projects with classmates who use AI, and "learn" from professors who accept AI slop. Maybe some like it l, but I havent yet met them.

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 01/07/2026

Exactly! An advocate's job is never done. The treaty banning landmines (and the norm against using them) was quite strong until Biden decided to send landmines to Ukraine, and then Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, and Finland left the treaty. (Shoutout to Lebanon for recently joining, though!)

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 30/06/2026

When I lived in Lebanon, the US was funding bomb clearance and survivor assistance. And now Congress wants to undo that work, inevitably leading to further civilian harm that will once again require millions of dollars and years of effort to address.

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I make exactly one typo per post so everyone knows Im not using AI to generate them.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 29/06/2026

I love this! I'm so glad to know the Folklofe Festival continues. (I admit I find it a bit difficult to follow the Fourth of July plans in DC.) And I did take a moment to be sad about some people's rush to mock this, but I guess that's life in the fast lane or something.

Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

"There's more to do than you think, and stuff takes longer than you think. But it's worth it. We might as well get to work and have fun doing it." Costa posts a lot, but I am confident saying that this will be the most important thing he'll ever say.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

95% of recorded casualties from landmines, cluster munitions, and exploaive remnants of war across 40 countries were civilians. The majority were kids. 70% survived and need ongoing support. Will those who supplied the weapons clear them and support survivors? Better yet, end use altogether.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 28/06/2026

Can't wait to read. Homey D. Clown and Firemarshall Bill dominated my PG County playground, Laura (Kelly Williams) from Family Matters went to my middle school, and Martin Lawrence went to my high school. The framing in this article is quite academic but I'll still to try reflecting on his charge.

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Alex Hiniker @hiniker.bsky.social · 24/06/2026

"We want to build something, not just break something."