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Karmatortoise

@karmatortoise.bsky.social
778 followers 899 following 268 posts

Husband, analyst, retired Airman, and incurable dabbler.

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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Highly troubling. Stretching this particular piece of dough too thin is hardly new…it’s a comfort to know the problem has attention.
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Brandon Sheffield @brandon.insertcredit.com · 01/10/2026
Several weeks ago, Phil Tippett's legendary animation studio in Berkeley, CA closed. An anonymous hero noticed a folder of CDs. This turned out to be hundreds of unseen hi-res images and videos from Star Wars, Robocop, Jurassic Park, etc. ~90 isos for you to browse: archive.org/details/tipp...
A casual Star Wars alien fella at the cantina, in a sun faded, reddish photo. Someone will be mad at me for not knowing who this is. Phil, a balding Caucasian man, poses a model of the garthok, an antagonist from the Coneheads movie.Phil, a balding caucasian man, points at some CG on a CRT computer monitor, as a younger man looks on. The screen shows a model of a dinosaur attacking a jeep, while there's an actual physical model of that event in the foreground for reference.an isolated shot of a star wars vehicle. Sorry, I don't know star wars lol
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Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 06/10/2026
This mural in Mount Vernon that references Palestine and James Baldwin was nearly removed. Featuring @rondez.bsky.social
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
It’s just coffee, dude.
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feeb | yuritober!! @magicmooshka.bsky.social · 09/01/2026
it’s come to my attention that my tumblr post has been crossposted to bluesky, so I’m posting it on my account here #AntiAI #GenAI
recently my friend's comics professor told her that it's acceptable to use gen AI for script-writing but not for art, since a machine can't generate meaningful artistic work. meanwhile, my sister's screenwriting professor said that they can use gen AI for concept art and visualization, but that it won't be able to generate a script that's any good. and at my job, it seems like each department says that AI can be useful in every field except the one that they know best.

It's only ever the jobs we're unfamiliar with that we assume can be replaced with automation. The more attuned we are with certain processes, crafts, and occupations, the more we realize that gen AI will never be able to provide a suitable replacement. The case for its existence relies on our ignorance of the work and skill required to do everything we don't.
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John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 26/09/2026
Whatever you do, don't smoke an entire brisket at a job interview, it's a lot of equipment to bring in, it takes a really long time to do it right and those conference rooms have notoriously poor ventilation
Someone smoking a brisket and poking it with a meat thermometer to see what the internal temperature is
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Professionally Nosy @professionallynosy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
My Rage Against the Machine/Les Mis mashup is complete. This is my interpretation of the quilt guild’s summer challenge “quilt with your interpretation and/or feelings towards our current ‘democracy’” all hand stitched.
Quilt hanging on a card catalog. Neutral background with navy cursive appliqué “Do you hear thr people sing?” The background is embroidered in red starting light and getting bolder the lyrics to “killing in the name” the quilting effect is a focused sunburst from the center.
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Full Story Baltimore @fullstorybaltimore.tours · 23/09/2026
Y'all asked us for seasonally-appropriate Halloween tours, so you get them! No literal ghosts or jumpscares on these (we recommend @baltimoreghosts.bsky.social for that!), but we're not kidding about the disquieting part. More info in flyer ⬇️ & at this link fullstorybaltimore.tours/our-tours/#h...
A colorful flyer with various tour photos interspersed with the following text:

Full Story Baltimore’s
Countdown to Halloween 2026

Coming this October: three weeks of disquieting lantern-lit walking tours

Baltimore’s Confederate Shadows: Mount Vernon to Midtown
Wednesday, October 14, 7:30pm
Saturday, October 17, 8:00pm
Let’s talk about Baltimore’s most uneasy ghosts (metaphorical!), the ghastly people—Confederates and secessionist sympathizers—behind some of our beloved local institutions

Baltimore’s Confederate Shadows: Wyman Park and Charles Village
Friday, October 23, 8:00pm
Sunday, October 25, 7:30pm
It’s time to shine a light on the monstrous (long-dead) humans and real-life gothic horrors that lurk in the histories of this part of town—and it’s long past time for a reckoning

Radical Spirits in Reservoir Hill
Wednesday, October 28, 7:00pm
Friday, October 30, 7:30pm
This one’s a palate cleanser after the previous two—atmospheric Victorian architecture, with inspirational stories of community organizing & direct action

For tickets and more info, go to 
https://fullstorybaltimore.tours/our-tours/#halloween2026 
or scan this QR code: [there's a QR code that goes to the same link]

[Full Story Baltimore logo]
Walking tours for the curious and compassionate
https://fullstorybaltimore.tours/
Facebook: @fullstorybaltimore
Bluesky: @fullstorybaltimore.tours
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
RIP, dude.
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Katie Hinde @mammalssuck.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
"The whole “Oh no, our models went rogue” thing … When a bridge collapses, you don’t analyze whether the bridge was ethical or sentient or why it decided to collapse. You ask, who is the person who built this bridge to be so flimsy?" www.wired.com/story/one-of...
wired.com
One of AI’s Fiercest Critics Says All the Doom Talk Is ‘Meant to Distract Us’
Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons.
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Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 10/09/2026
Perdue wants to release five times more wastewater into Eastern Shore stream
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Perdue wants to release five times more wastewater into Eastern Shore stream
Perdue AgriBusiness, which has faced criticism for exposing the community near its Salisbury plant to dangerous “forever chemicals,” is hoping to drastically increase the amount of wastewater it releases...
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Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 10/09/2026
After split with feds, Maryland offers vaccine guidance ahead of flu season
buff.ly
Maryland offers vaccine guidance ahead of flu season
Maryland health officials, using new authority, are splitting from the feds and offering their own guidance on vaccines for flu, COVID and RSV, as well as other viruses.
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Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 05/09/2026
Hundreds climb 110 stairs at M&T Bank Stadium to honor those killed on 9/11
buff.ly
Hundreds climb stairs at M&T Bank Stadium to honor those killed on 9/11
Twenty-five years later, about 500 people came together to honor those who lost their lives in the 2001 terrorist attacks at the annual 9/11 Memorial Stair Climb, which benefits the National Fallen Firefighters...
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 29/08/2026
Fair point, but…it’s Looney Toons. I fully admit, the idea that ‘spoilers’ was a concern didn’t pop into my head. Granted, it sounds like there are a lot of great details that would be better enjoyed as a surprise.
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Michael Edwards @medwardsva.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
One of my favorite things Peter Cullen did was this very specific Toonami bumper So when Cartoon Network acquired Hamtaro, they didn't know what to do with it so they shoved this wholesome show onto Toonami, and Toonami clearly didn't know how to advertise it Peter's voice just makes it funnier
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Hemry, Local Bartender @bartenderhemry.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
i think if you walk into court saying "unless our demands are met we will blow up the kennedy center" you should just go directly to jail
kuow.org
Before an emergency hearing, the Kennedy Center's board threatens to demolish it
A lawsuit seeks to block President Trump's name from going back on the center. The center's board warns that if renovation plans don't go forward, it may be demolished.
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marina grlica 🌱 @dovesplants.bsky.social · 26/08/2026
see you space cowboy tim curry
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Bree Lundberg @breelundberg.com · 25/08/2026
In honor of Dolly, get your annual COVID booster if you can. You can save lives too.
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Volunteering is the hardest sort of thing to manage when folks flake last minute. You have nothing concrete (IE pay) to hold them accountable with, and if you gripe about it, you risk losing them altogether.
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Meredith McClaren @iniquitousfish.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Okay. Here's the deal. We have lost... pretty much the unanimous moral foundation of our nation. The imperative now. The only way forward. Is to be the kind of person Dolly would have been proud of.
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dan sinker @dansinker.com · 25/08/2026
OK this one ended me.
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Iron Spike @ironspike.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Honestly now would be an amazing time for all of us to donate what we can to her flagship charity, The Imagination Library. imaginationlibrary.com
imaginationlibrary.com
Dolly Parton's Imagination Library | USA, UK, IE, CA, AU
Dolly Parton’s Imagination Library is a book gifting program that mails free books to children from birth until they begin school in participating areas.
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kate bush’s husband @airbagged.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
RIP TO ONE OF THE GREATEST TO EVER DO IT
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
Just bought tickets last night for my family’s long-planned first family trip to Dollywood. I have to say…very glad we’re going, but a lot of complex feelings all tied up in it now. Rest in peace, Miss Dolly.
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Ada Palmer @adapalmer.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
In the Renaissance people theorized, since the Aeneid is great, if you wrote poems made only of words & phrases from the Aeneid rearranged they should be great too, since a great source regurgitated should yield greatness. They produced NOTHING we still read. Thinking about that a lot lately.
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Bring Me The News @bringmethenews.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
Spider-Man was arrested in downtown Minneapolis after attacking far-right agitator Jake Lang. Video by Izzy Canizares for Bring Me The News
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
Soooo…Stars and Stripes is no longer valid journalism.
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Baltimore Banner @thebaltimorebanner.com · 15/08/2026
MOM’s Organic Market bans employees from wearing face masks while working
buff.ly
MOM’s Organic Market bans employees from wearing face masks while working
Employees at MOM’s Organic Market locations across the state are demanding answers after the Rockville-based grocery chain instituted a new policy prohibiting employees from wearing medical face masks...
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
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Spooky McSpookyface the Third 9th of Her Name, Lass of Terror. @lulz.network · 15/08/2026
There you have it.
so, (barely) reading between the lines of what Twitch's staff said:

1) they were forced by Amazon to add the AI training setting and to make it opt-out, because the overlords know perfectly well there's no reason anyone would ever opt-in

2) the actual Twitch staff who run Twitch do not like this and are of the same mind about it as all of you

3) Taking the time to opt-out, even if you don't really stream, gives them data to take to meetings with their overlords to prove that Twitch users dislike AI and pushing it too hard will drive people from the site. 

Settings > Security and Privacy > Training for Generative AI
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Aftermath @aftermath.site · 13/08/2026
Twitch won't label which streams are and aren't using AI, so streamers are doing it themselves aftermath.site/twitch-amazon-...
a big red "no AI" sign
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Mitch Dyer @mitchyd.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
this CEO comment is how you know with 1000% certainty Stella is right
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
Scene from a local World Market:
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 06/08/2026
Hey, fuck it. Baseball, right? #LetsGoOs #Orioles
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 05/08/2026
“Jerry Garcia had a particular way of describing the musical preferences of Grateful Dead fans. Dennis McNally, the band's biographer and long-time publicist, remembers Garcia explaining it this way: "Not everybody likes licorice, but the people who like licorice really like licorice."
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Katie Croonenberghs Art @kamakru.bsky.social · 04/08/2026
I really hope this takes off. There needs to be a creative storefront marketplace that actually bans genai and drop shipping, and I hope it's a 100% ban. Etsy is completely ruined and not artist friendly. Much luck to Fybe! fybe.art
Screen cap of the front page of the Fybe website. It reads;
Fed up with AI?
A new marketplace is in town.
Fybe is here, and there’s no Gen-AI or dropshipping allowed.
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TechCrunch @techcrunch.com · 25/07/2026
At libraries around the country, "Avoiding AI" workshops have elicited unprecedented demand.
techcrunch.com
Librarians are hosting viral 'Avoiding AI' workshops for people who are fed up with Big Tech | TechCrunch
At libraries around the country, "Avoiding AI" workshops have elicited unprecedented demand.
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Greg Pak @gregpak.net · 20/07/2026
Incredible article. These women are heroes. When the fascists came, THEY SAID NO. Be like the Ferals, friends.
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Corey Brickley * Blight's Hollow Dot Com @coreybrickley.bsky.social · 21/07/2026
YES and this is only like the shit we hear about OpenAI is well aware that "sycophantic enabler" is their primary selling point and ALSO how absolutely toxic the effects of this are on the general public
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
An eclectic choice of extended jams this summer continues with Ass Handed. Crazy weekend for my first two lives. #Phish
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Going for the record!
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Stub Me Down @stubmedown.bsky.social · 20/07/2026
Merriweather sunsets #phish #stubmedown
The sun setting over the phish lawn at MPP
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
No lies.
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 19/07/2026
Awesome set! Great (long) Contact as a highlight. #Phish
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Greg Pak @gregpak.net · 18/07/2026
Hey, do me a favor and do an internet search for "free fridge" and your town's name. And then go drop some stuff off when you have some food you're not gonna eat. Got some takeout with an extra wonton soup you're not gonna eat? Take it to the free fridge. Someone needs it. Seriously.
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
In place for #Phish at the Merriweather. Brief showers and a tornado warning have not spooked this crowd.
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 18/07/2026
As if the world needed more proof Plute is unfit for this position: “Pulte got really scared by the whole thing and pulled back,” said one of the two senior officials. “He got POTUS all spun up and then was incredibly scared when he realized people could die with his reckless behavior.”
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Canadian wildfires made last night in the tent f’ing MISERABLE with the sticky heat, but damn, it makes a nice sunrise.
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Karmatortoise @karmatortoise.bsky.social · 17/07/2026
Early morning at #Assateague National Park
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