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Jay Varner

@jayvarner.bsky.social
383 followers 452 following 717 posts

Author of NOTHING LEFT TO BURN (Algonquin), first-year writing and rhetoric lecturer at James Madison University, recovering Central Pennsylvanian, studying how to write about climate change. Avid home gardener at the end of the world. Susquehanna U, UNCW.

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Reposted by Jay Varner
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
Caught GOOD LUCK, HAVE FUN, DON’T DIE on a flight today and damn that should’ve been a bigger hit than it was. An apocalyptic movie where screen time, virtual reality and AI are the culprits. Lots of fun.
static.klipy.com
Are Any Of You Even Listening To Me Good Luck Have Fun Don'T Die
ALT: Are Any Of You Even Listening To Me Good Luck Have Fun Don'T Die
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 26/09/2026
I’m not crying! It’s allergies! Honest.
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Tressie McMillan Cottom @tressiemcphd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
context. sentiment. inferences. People seriously cannot do these things anymore. That’s why they angrily demand you spell out every joke, every reference, super duper promise you mean something only this one prescribed way. They cannot do it for themselves or tolerate the any ambiguity.
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Daniel Bachman @danielbachman.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Americans are increasingly unaware of the near term disaster we face with climate breakdown. Were the only country in the “west” on the list of potential mass casualty outcomes for this El Niño & its increasingly clear that the ruling class plans to deal with it through denial & mass negligence.
youtu.be
Could El Nino kill nearly half a million more people? | DW News
YouTube video by DW News
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
Today was clarifying, magnifying, and ultimately will to be inspiring. This era of my life is drawing to a close, and I am excited for what’s ahead.
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Daniel Bachman @danielbachman.bsky.social · 20/09/2026
4 Billion Dead By 3C
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Mark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
I don't think I can count the number of writers I know who have The Writing Life on their shelves, or who drew inspiration from Annie Dillard's work and guidance. RIP.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
The Great One. He was also a hell of a ball player.
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Pittsburgh Pirates @pirates.com · 15/09/2026
A legacy defined by making a difference. Celebrating Roberto Clemente. 🖤💛
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Richard Delevan @richard.wickedproblems.earth · 14/09/2026
In summer 1988, climate change was - briefly - a non-partisan political issue in my native US. Watching the Netflix docu on how that stopped being true. This George HW Bush clip stopped me cold, underscoring how far we've fallen. Watching a sensible consensus evaporate in my adoptive UK is...woof.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
Hot Sauce: 2026. Five flavors of mouth-burning, eye-watering hot sauce.
Several dozen bottles of homemade hot sauce.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
You know, screw it. Fresh tomato soup tomorrow. Just you try and stop me!
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
This is just an animated pieces of slop and these dolts “chatted” with her! Imagine so thoroughly debasing yourself!
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Matt Zoller Seitz @mattzollerseitz.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
"In conversations that lasted hours and hours, according to the lawsuit, ChatGPT described death in detail: 'No void. No Gods. No masters. No suffering ... No judgment days. Just you, deciding when it’s time to stop.'"
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Waldo Jaquith @waldo.net · 08/09/2026
static.klipy.com
Jerry Seinfeld: That's a Shame
Alt: Jerry Seinfeld eating popcorn and saying, without any apparent concern, "that's a shame."
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Ian Carrillo @iansociologo.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
Today we are starting The AI Con by @emilymbender.bsky.social and @alexhanna.bsky.social. This book will provide a major basis for the course. I'm really excited to discuss the book with students over the few classes. www.harpercollins.com/products/the...
harpercollins.com
The AI Con
A smart, incisive work of technology criticism that examines the technologies sold as artificial intelligence, the drawbacks of systems sold under this bann...
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Made pizza last night…
Pizza with arugulaNew Haven tomato pie styleAll three pizzas.Pepperoni, salami, and peppers on a pizza.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
Another day, more tomatoes.
Big ole basket of tomatoes! Again!
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Jed Brown @jedbrown.org · 06/09/2026
"AI" is marketed to administrators as a cheat code that unlocks unlimited "scaling". The reality is that it decimates the educational value of huge classes, but reckoning with that financial reality is too scary. Much easier to circumvent shared governance and double down on parroting the marketing.
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Jeff Sharlet @jeffsharlet.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
I’m a Dartmouth professor. Pres. Beilock implies in this piece that she speaks for us as a college. She does not. I don’t permit AI in my classroom. Not because it stole my work; because as I wrote in @chronicle.com, most of my students hate it—and feel betrayed by the college—even more than I do.
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Kathryn @kathrynlaughon.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Join @indivisiblecville.bsky.social Our election power team is about to launch (DM me!). The People’s Activist Series will focus on elections in October (this will be updated soon) Our All Hands Meeting is 9/20 at 2 at the UU Church www.indivisiblecharlottesville.org/2025-2026-ac...
indivisiblecharlottesville.org
People's Activist Series — Indivisible Charlottesville
Learn more about using people power to fight fascism. We will explore how to use symbolic actions and strategic noncooperation while organizing to keep our community safe. Join as many sessions as you...
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Tomorrow? It’s hot sauce. Let’s burn!
Some yellow tomatoes and a bunch of hot peppers thawing in pots and bowls. Looks like a LOT of peppers!
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Not an exaggeration. I’ve not the words to even describe the urgency and horror of the situation we face… and, as I’ve heard a neighbor say, it’s gonna get a lot worse before it gets worse. We’ve got to fight against all of this with all we’ve got, but we’ve also got each other.
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juststeph.bsky.social @juststeph.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I am currently reading this, and i must admit that my flabbergasted have been ghosted. My jaw has been on the floor so many times that my cats have claimed it as a new toy and ive shouted out loud "damn, you have GOT to be kidding me" so many times my husband has stopped asking me what's wrong.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Me in AI-academialand… youtu.be/216YJKbber8?...
youtu.be
I Just Wasn't Made For These Times
YouTube video by The Beach Boys - Topic
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Oh no. SHATbvds are all down… m.economictimes.com/news/interna...
m.economictimes.com
ChatGPT, Claude and Grok suffer simultaneous outages as GPT-6 Astra rumors intensify
On September 3rd, 2026, significant outages plagued major AI platforms such as ChatGPT, Claude, and Grok, leaving many users unable to access their services. This interruption coincided with heightene...
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Climate News @climatenews.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Some good news for a change:
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Daisy Gardner @daisygardner.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
I don’t think many people have pondered what a post-Trump America looks like. @doctorow.pluralistic.net imagines an America in tatters that resembles the period after the collapse of the USSR. 🧵🧵🧵
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Julie S. Lalonde @julieslalonde.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
Gloria Steinem died with fewer rights than she had during her lifetime. That fact needs to be front and centre of every media report, every dedication, every discussion of her death.
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Daniel Bachman @danielbachman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
It is totally psychedelic to live in the US during this time. It’s essentially illegal to talk about climate science at the federal level and that has a chilling effect on society as a whole. We all know something bad is happening, but the silence is overwhelming.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
That’s some cloud @traviskoshko.bsky.social what is this? I’m looking toward Charlottesville from Afton…
Flat top cloud? I dunno… but a big weird shaved flat top hairstyle cloud…
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
The. Tomatoes. Don’t. Stop. Likely have harvested near 6 bushel from 20 plants this year… and yes, yes, sauce pictures and videos will be coming soon. 🍅❤️😱
More freaking tomatoes from this guy!
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Gil Durán @gilduran.com · 02/09/2026
Billionaires have become radicalized against democracy. It's not just Trump. It's a regime—a regime funded and supported and strengthened by the oligarchs of Silicon Valley. We must realize how much power we have, and stop being tuned out from the threat we face. ⤵️ www.abc.net.au/news/2026-09...
abc.net.au
'Silicon Valley fascism' is waging war on democracy
The author of The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and the War on Democracy, has a warning.
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The Onion @theonion.com · 02/09/2026
“While the term ‘data centers’ currently has many negative associations, the word ‘computer parties’ is just plain fun.” — Mark Freeling, artificial intelligence strategist
theonion.com
AI Strategist Suggests Calling Data Centers ‘Computer Parties’
SAN FRANCISCO—Claiming that the small adjustment would be an effective way to bolster public support, artificial intelligence strategist Mark Freeling advised tech firms Tuesday to start calling data ...
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Michael E. Mann @michaelemann.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
"Two Men -- One as great as America ever produced, and the other Elon Musk" | Must-read stuff from my friend, the great @billmckibben.bsky.social: billmckibben.substack.com/p/two-men
billmckibben.substack.com
Two Men
One as great as America ever produced, and the other Elon Musk
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I had to end class early—literally was dripping sweat and the students looked miserable. Why it’s this hot in a building (money? Incompetence?) is beyond me.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
I do not know why the building in which I teach and have an office is nearly 80 degrees (again).
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Brad Listi @bradlisti.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Prophet.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Singular hero. He was the best.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Nice sunset….
Soft pink/blue/peach sunset on the blue ridge….
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
If Liberty Mutual gave me free home, life, car, and every other insurance for life … my god, I might turn it down if it meant they stopped these commercials and this add campaign.
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Prof. Eliot Jacobson @climatecasino.net · 30/08/2026
Your 'doom quote' for today: "... human civilization as we know it will collapse and billions could die. And we’re not talking about the far distant future. We are talking about collapse within years, not centuries. For real." www.currentaffairs.org/news/the-mas...
currentaffairs.org
The Gargantuan Lie That is Collapsing The World’s Climate
Thinking we have time left to address climate change, or that “Net Zero by 2050” will save us, is driving us toward full social collapse in ways that become more obvious with every new broken temperat...
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This is so good it hurts
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Benjamin McKean @blmckean.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
Striking that, after decades of attacks on the humanities as too P.C., woke, etc, the U.S. public stil rates English departments as the most essential for a university to have.
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Daniel Bachman @danielbachman.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
Im glad to see that this kind of plain explanation of where Earths climate is headed is going mainstream in US media. A day after this was posted a glacial lake collapsed & took out entire communites. “Imagine a heatwave that kills 1,000,000 people” isnt sci fi, its what were about to live through.
youtu.be
The world inches toward catastrophic climate events
YouTube video by Associated Press
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The Atlantic @theatlantic.com · 25/08/2026
Dolly Parton commanded nearly universal admiration among Americans—and her death “leaves an absence that no contemporary cultural figure could dream of filling,” @dgraham.bsky.social writes in The Atlantic Daily.
bit.ly
The Transcendence of Dolly Parton
The late singer was perhaps the only person in the United States who commanded nearly universal affection.
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Alex Zalben @azalben.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Here's the official announcement of Parton's passing from her reps, along with the request that in lieu of flowers, the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com
NASHVILLE, TN (August 25, 2026) – Global icon and humanitarian, Dolly Parton, known to the world as a beloved singer, songwriter, philanthropist, actress, playwright, and author died peacefully today in Nashville, Tennessee. She was 80 years old.

 

Dolly is preceded in death by her beloved husband of 59 years Carl Thomas Dean (1942 – 2025), her mother Avie Lee Caroline Owens (1923 – 2003), and father, Robert Lee Parton, Sr. (1921 – 2000). 

 

A rhinestone life that shone bright enough for the world to see, Dolly will forever stand as an inspiration not only through her timeless music and prolific songwriting, but also her wit, warmth, and kindness that made us all feel like family. Dolly Parton’s legacy is one of love, compassion, and resilience. With a seven-decade career, she inspired multiple generations of artists and fans with her music and an unwavering commitment to making the world a better place. Her songs will continue to resonate with people of all ages, and her philanthropic work will have a lasting impact.

 

At Dolly’s request, a small, private service will be held for immediate family. Dolly’s fans and friends from around the world are encouraged to pay tribute to Dolly on social media by tagging @DollyParton or by leaving a message at www.dollyparton.com.         

 

In lieu of flowers the family asks for donations to be made to Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library at www.imaginationlibrary.com.
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Jay Varner @jayvarner.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
One of the all time fucking best. Period.
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Daniel Bachman @danielbachman.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
Well I dont know if I can afford any publicity help with my new album/film, this has already been quite a project to self fund. If anyone out there is interested in writing about this one let me know, I just put together a whole press pack. Going to do my best with getting the word out on this one!
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ddɐ˙ʎʞsʞɔɐlq˙uǝʌs@ @sven.blacksky.app · 24/08/2026
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