iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by John Bowman

Ken Plume @kenplume.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

I want to illustrate the emotional range of THE MUPPET SHOW w/ a pair of bits from the same 3rd season episode, featuring guest Harry Belafonte - one of the absolute high water marks of the show. The first bit is a comic sketch built around a performance of “Day-O (The Banana Boat Song)”...

13612

Reposted by John Bowman

Amanda Wong @amandawtwong.bsky.social · 29/09/2026

HAPPY 39TH BIRTHDAY, STAR TREK: THE NEXT GENERATION!!!

Promotional photo of season 1 of Star Trek: The Next Generation which premiered September 28, 1987

834566

Reposted by John Bowman

Faine Greenwood @faineg.com · 27/09/2026

Women trying to succeed in Silicon Valley AI and effective altruist spaces are reporting feeling serious social pressure to attend sex parties - where people have reported being sexually assaulted, like below. Events like Aella’s “Slutcon,” which is happening again this weekend.

Ann Pierce
@itsannpierce
20h
I am disheartened by this as well. I already lost a bunch of followers for agreeing with @tautologer, but it's saddening to see local nerdy women being caricatured as Karen-like outsiders and getting pushed out of the scene. This is exactly why you hear so few concrete, names-attached stories of sexual harrassment and assault. I'm told there is a history of discrediting these because the "slut normalization" thing is top priority and these stories get inconveniently in the way of spreading this ideology.
I got roped into attending last year's Saturday Slutcon party because so many local and out-of-town friends were there (to echo sentiments @tautologer expressed about "slut events becoming central to the larger scenes). Mostly I hung out with people I knew and that was great. But in the course of my 3-ish hours there, there were 2 times my "no" was not accepted by a man I didn't know, and I was physically pushing a huge guy off of me who was rubbing his penis on me, who continued to do it despite my physical force against him, and after I finally wriggled away from him, told him I wanted to dance alone etc., he came back and did it again.
This was scary and bad, but it didn't even cross my mind to report this because one of the other people who didn't accept my "no" earlier in the night was the bartender (an officially sanctioned authority at the event), and I knew the event was organized exclusively by women into CNC (who are vocal about how rapey behavior turns them on), so I figured this sort of thing would just get me laughed at. And anyway, I heard there were a lot of other incidents like it. Later though, someone encouraged me to report this story to the organizers, and despite my embarrassment I did, so *they know* that this and other incidents happened. This is why they cut the Saturday night party this year and created a larger training program for the flirt girls - *because* of things like this last year. Yet the narrative bein…

People who haven't been to Slutcon are saying "it's just group therapy," "it's just innocent flirting." But the environment is much like a sex party in that many people are nude, there is making out and sex acts happening out in the open. I think it's pretty unreasonable to expect that every nerdy girl who likes rationalist bloggers or is into EA/AI safety should automatically be comfortable with this! That if she's not, there's something wrong with her, we don't want her in our scenes, etc.
Not to mention, it's explictly an event *for men*, where men are the clients and the "flirt girls" are the product. Last year I overheard an exchange where a man felt "led on" by a flirt girl and was trying to get her punished/kicked out. (A dynamic that seems inevitable in this context!)
Anyway- it does sound like they've upped their consent education a lot this year, are more organized, and that's good! As I've told my friends who are attending: I hope they have fun!
I heard several accounts last year of women who had no problems and really enjoyed the event. That's great!
Just... can we live in reality about this? There are real reasons why male-female sexual dynamics are tricky.
Encouraging autistic men who can't yet read body language to go around asking to see womens' boobs is maybe a bit ill-advised. Maybe not everyone should be/identify as a slut; maybe it's not for everyone.
And yeah, filtering the Bay Area Al safety scene down to only women who are super comfy with this eliminates *most* women - including many of the really smart, nerdy, weird women who've been in the larger scenes for years. What a loss for humanity.
I absolutely understand why people with a minority sexuality would want to create belonging, would want to create spaces for people like themselves. But why do it like this/at this cost?

20643151105

Reposted by John Bowman

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

One episode of Stephen Fry’s Jeopardy would catch a person right up. “Ah, I see you have uncovered a Daily Double, which is a special clue in our game. You may now wager any or all of your monetary gains thus far on a correct response here, which, I need not remind you, must be in the form of a qu…”

191

Reposted by John Bowman

Paul Fairie @paulisci.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Just looking up sunrise times for the next few months as one does, and I'm realizing that sunrise in Calgary under the new time zone rules will be after 9AM between November 20 and February 9. Sigh.

3013728

Reposted by John Bowman

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

How big was Dolly Parton in the ‘80s? Dolly didn’t go on The Muppet Show. The Muppets went on Dolly.

youtu.be

Dolly Parton & Kermit The Frog – “Everyday People” Extended/Remixed | 'Dolly' Episode 5 (1987)

YouTube video by ddolIly

016044

Reposted by John Bowman

Mel Woods @melwoods.me · 24/09/2026

There is literally nothing in this story that makes the fact that the Tumbler Ridge shooter was trans relevant. Nothing. This "who identifies as trans and uses X pronouns" is an outdated approach, and frankly, I would expect Mother Jones to do better.

2404

Reposted by John Bowman

Clara Jeffery @clarajeffery.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

We just dropped a bombshell investigation into ChatGPT's role in the Tumbler Ridge mass shooting. Incredible reporting from @markfollman.bsky.social that will have far-reaching effects...hopefully: www.motherjones.com/media/2026/0...

motherjones.com

ChatGPT helped the Tumbler Ridge school shooter focus on guns, tactics, and terror, our investigation reveals

OpenAI’s chatbot fed the shooter’s violent fantasies and planning up to the massacre.

271467748

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Woo! Runs FOR the Jays as a result of sloppy play, for once.

001

Reposted by John Bowman

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.

523477

Reposted by John Bowman

Anita Vandenbeld @anitavandenbeld.bsky.social · 21/09/2026

Today at the Aero Gatineau Air Show we watched as the iconic snowbirds flew with one of the new CT-157 Siskin II aircraft which will replace them. A spectacular and emotional farewell at the last public performance of the Snowbirds.

2238

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 20/09/2026

I keep telling people, they tried this in the US in 1973 and folks couldn’t go back fast enough. This winter is going to be a MESS!

232

Reposted by John Bowman

Robson Fletcher @robsonfletcher.com · 20/09/2026

Canada's new time zones are confusing and hilarious. (Here's data journalist @graemebruce.bsky.social trying to make it make sense: www.cbc.ca/news/canada/...)

1413266

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Do stay till the end. “A Nazi pig!!?”

000

Reposted by John Bowman

Post SZN Nope @lesleynope.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

VLADDY FIRST PLAKATA AT 🏡HOME🏡!!! CURTAIN CALL!!! 💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥💥

2244

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Cease looks like he has hackied a sac in his time.

000

Reposted by John Bowman

Minor Leaguer @minorleaguer.ca · 13/09/2026

NOBLETIGER 🐅

051

Reposted by John Bowman

Trekkie Bill 🖖🏻 @trekkiebill.bsky.social · 11/09/2026

John Cena is a great actor.

4352

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Looks like Taylor Swift just dropped a new double album of sea shanties.

1123

Reposted by John Bowman

Toronto Boris @torontoboris.bsky.social · 10/09/2026

Obligatory. All praise the Thunderdome! #Thunderdome #bikeTO #cycleTO

5586

Reposted by John Bowman

Jonathan Ore @jonore.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

The iPhone Duo is available in star white and night sky, and starts at $2,999 (CAD), or $124.96 (CAD) per month for 24 months, in 256GB, 512GB, 1TB, and 2TB storage capacities. I'm sorry what

3276

Reposted by John Bowman

Kit Kolbegger @kitk.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

I'm looking to speak to teachers and parents in Alberta for an upcoming story. The province has introduced restrictions on pronouns and Pride flags and passed a bill about 'removing politics and ideology' from classrooms. How has this affected you as you go back to school? DMs are open.

125

Reposted by John Bowman

Effin' Birds @effinbirds.com · 08/09/2026

The proto-Effin’ Birds was my Tumblr “Swear Trek”. It opened a lot of doors for me and I wouldn’t be where I am today without it. I don’t have plans to revive it (one daily comic is enough work), just wanted to thank it for getting me here on this 60th anniversary of Star Trek.

1053889791

Reposted by John Bowman

Sardonicus @sardonicus.eu · 07/09/2026

A friend sent this to me.

man in a flat cap
In those days, the Internet was in black and white.
It was only on for three hours a day.
We used to get dressed up in our Sunday best to log onto it.

221544269

Reposted by John Bowman

Rotating Handles @davidhdaw.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

The thing about John Cena is that much like Dave Bautista who is trapped in that body but was born to play Hamlet, John Cena is one of the most gifted comic actors of his generation but looks like he just ate Jack Reacher.

13624215

Reposted by John Bowman

Iron Spike @ironspike.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

Since it's the anniversary of the debut of "Batman the Animated Series," feeling compelled to share this art by Bruce Timm of all the things they weren't allowed to show in the cartoon. Can you guess them all? Answers in the next skeet down.

31473459

Reposted by John Bowman

Dave @pugganoche.bsky.social · 06/09/2026

And hold the tiebreaker!

The Toronto blue jays are tied for the third wildcard spot inhaling seagull

14013

Reposted by John Bowman

James G @orth.ca · 06/09/2026

414330

Reposted by John Bowman

Robin Sevakis @jadedsketch.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Wile E. Coyote is doing a reddit AMA right now for Coyote vs ACME and strictly answering through signs, and it's genius.

Wile E Coyote in an office, pointing to a sign he's holding that reads "WE CANNOT JUDGE OUR WORTH ON THE WORK OF OTHERS"

5386191932

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

The release of BADGERS is closer in time to the release of Raiders of the Lost Ark than to today.

010

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Vladdy’s a triple short?! What’s going on?!

000

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

They were selling rolls of 25 for $61.

000

Reposted by John Bowman

John Michael McGrath @jm-mcgrath.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

It is *extremely* funny to me that Apple literally LITERALLY built its brand as an imagined hero against Orwellian manipulation of information and is, in 2026, re-writing maps because Donald Trump says so. Not ha-ha funny, exactly, but you get it.

1027174

Reposted by John Bowman

Baseball Reference @baseball-reference.com · 02/09/2026

Happy Dave Stieb No-Hitter Day to all who celebrate—including @jonbois.bsky.social 🫡

641670

John Bowman @johnbowman.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

We found this out in Quebec City. It sent us up a hill just to go back down again, when going around would have made much more sense.

120

Reposted by John Bowman

Lisa 🇨🇦 @peacewind.aero · 02/09/2026

I rarely get angry, but today I am seething. As a former Royal Canadian Air Cadet, I owe so much of my growth to this program. Bullying and body-shaming teenage women isn't leadership. It's cowardly and despicable. Cadets Canada builds young people up. There is no room for this kind of malice.

cbc.ca

Canada's cadets condemn Hegseth's 'unacceptable' post about program | CBC News

The U.S. Pentagon is standing behind a controversial social media post by War Secretary Pete Hegseth about a Canadian cadet program.

54513