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Renée Spiewak, PhD

@respiewak.bsky.social
883 followers 94 following 529 posts

Autistic astrophysicist/board-game-salesperson, Borealis (Bo)'s human, amateur sailor, pulsar enthusiast, and world traveler. Loves: cats, science, board games, books, and silence. She/Her. Profile picture: me outside Banner: Bo lounging on a workbench

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Reposted by Renée Spiewak, PhD
Phil PlAIt @philplait.bsky.social · 07/10/2026
Bookshop, which supports local book stores, has free shipping today! May I make a suggestion? bookshop.org/p/books/unde...
bookshop.org
Under Alien Skies: A Sightseer's Guide to the Universe
Have you ever wondered what it would be like to travel the universe? How would Saturn's rings look from a spaceship sailing just above them? If you were falling into a black hole, what's the last thin...
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Reposted by Renée Spiewak, PhD
Mr. Moo Sky 🔜 Furpoc @bricebowl.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
Disable gambling ads:
Discord Settings. "Sponsored Content" button is pressedSponsored Content settings. "Manage Sponsored Content" button is pressedManage Sponsored Content settings. "Real Money Gambling" radio switch is "off" (disables gambling content)
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Silver-Streak 💾 @silver-streak.games · 23/09/2026
Hello Users! Discord is rolling out gambling ads. Turn that shit off immediately. Settings > Data & Privacy > Manage Sponsored Content Add "Real Money Gaming" to the list. Yes the UI is bad. More info here: support.discord.com/hc/en-us/art...
support.discord.com
Manage Sponsored Content
Sponsored content is paid for by our partners, such as game developers, who want to offer our users a reward for engaging with their game or related content via Quests while using Discord.Discord l...
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Renée Spiewak, PhD @respiewak.bsky.social · 22/09/2026
Was thinking about minimum wage, for reasons, and the fact that it hasn't gone up in this country since 2010. I remember that last increase and being so excited about earning more money (lol). Now, I work with a kid who is 16 and therefore might be younger than the last increase to MINIMUM WAGE
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Micah @rincewind.run · 22/09/2026
thank you for voting Discworld Kronk the seventeenth most influential bluesky pollster in a random internet poll of no consequence, the quotes will continue until morale improves
bsky38.com
38 Most Influential Bluesky Posters of 2026
Vote for the 38 most influential Bluesky posters of 2026.
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Maybe the most important political story of our time. People just want the bullshit to stop.
gizmodo.com
71% of Americans Say They're Completely Exhausted
A CDC report shows that people are not feeling relaxed and restful in the United States.
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission @cpsc.gov · 16/09/2026
Happy Baby Safety Month.
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Johnathan Perkins @johnathanperk.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
“Intersex” is the “I” in LGBTQIA. Learned a lot, watching this.
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dave wagner @davewagner.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
a brooklyn bodega cat was stolen on Sep 10. residents promptly built a tip network and organized people to check leads day and night. he was successfully recovered today. democrats have spent billions trying to figure out how to make people care this much about anything. should've tried cats.
White cat with gray-black patches on its head, back, and tail lounging on a small cardboard scratcher shaped like a couch.
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Cats of Yore @catsofyore.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
To all the people who tagged me in this: thank you. I feel blessed to be so understood by my community. 🥹
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Rebecca Watson @skepchick.org · 14/09/2026
Going to Oahu for my birthday next month. Does anyone know if there's an ethical way to dive (scuba or snorkel) with sharks on the North Shore? I don't wanna support Ocean Ramsey or any shop that chums. Reskeets & other adventurous Oahu recs are appreciated. Only been once before & had fun.
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Micah @rincewind.run · 15/09/2026
oh thank fuck alito and thomas remain the two worst members of the court but this was the one real fuck with the election hail mary they still had going and I’ll take it
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Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
If ULTA has Flock cameras outside all their stores (!) I wanna know WHO ELSE does cause it sure as shit isn’t just one company!
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Merriam-Webster @merriam-webster.com · 10/09/2026
www.merriam-webster.com/wordplay/not...
merriam-webster.com
Not Nice and Too Nice: A Collection of Dysphemisms and Euphemisms
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Nome @nome.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
ALERT THIS PUG IS AVAILABLE FOR ADOPTION IN DENVER HIS NAME IS SPARK PUG.
A tiny, wrinkly-faced pug looking up at the camera.
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Protect trans kids.
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Muskrat 8647 @muskratjohn.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Insane Charity Bike Ride Update: TWO STRETCH-GOALS SMASHED! All backers with physical rewards now get a sticker and the new Duck Button as well! $700 to the next stretch-goal! www.dorktower.com/2026/09/09/2...
The new Duck button
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Cats of Yore @catsofyore.bsky.social · 07/09/2026
All of these tiny criminals are available for adoption in South Burlington, VT! www.hsccvt.org/Cats
hsccvt.org
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darth™️ @darthbluesky.bsky.social · 05/09/2026
these stories always make me think about the politicians demanding that companies like apple provide back doors to their encryption
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Reposted by Renée Spiewak, PhD
U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission @cpsc.gov · 03/09/2026
CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Ivyapingdianpu’s Squishy Bun Toys Immediately Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Water Bead Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Water Beads www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/202...
cpsc.gov
CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using Ivyapingdianpu’s Squishy Bun Toys Immediately Due to Risk of Serious Injury or Death from Water Bead Ingestion; Violate Mandatory Standard for Water Beads
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Paul Biba @paulkbiba.bsky.social · 03/09/2026
arstechnica.com/science/2026...
arstechnica.com
Meet the 2026 Ig Nobel Prize winners
The annual award ceremony features miniature operas, scientific demos, and "24/7" lectures.
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Reposted by Renée Spiewak, PhD
Merrymac Farm Sanctuary @merrymacsanctuary.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
Dewey prefers his meals served in bed. He also was wondering if you could help us reach the end of our hay drive goal. We are less than $1500 away from the finish line!!
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Hey everybody. On the 25-year anniversary, we're reprinting the much revered 9/11 edition of The Onion and sending that free to every member this month. It's been 25 long years. Look back in anger.
The front page of The Onion's September edition from September 2001 featuring the headline "U.S. Vows to Defeat Whoever It Is We're At War With."
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Randall Munroe @xkcd.com · 02/09/2026
Trade xkcd.com/3290/
Comic. [Person standing holding hammer above raised knee.] PERSON: Listen up, leg. I’ve been sending you rich, oxygenated blood for years, while you send me worthless used-up blood with no oxygen. Time to teach you a lesson about not ripping me off! [caption] Tariffs
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Natania Barron ~ Fantasy Author @natania.bsky.social · 01/09/2026
Apropos to a WorldCon convo: I’d say that the most fashion inaccurate issue I see in historical fantasies or genre fantasy is a lack of hats. Not wearing hats is a very new thing. Hats were essential wear outdoors for a looooooong time. And we have collectively erased them.
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Merrymac Farm Sanctuary @merrymacsanctuary.bsky.social · 30/08/2026
Oh no!!! We are OUT of Cheerios!! This makes for a sad Julian, and we don't want a sad Julian. Can you send us some more? You can have them sent directly to the sanctuary through our Amazon wishlist! www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/...
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Johanna T 👻 📚 @johannamation.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
If you’re tempted to use genAI to brainstorm for writing stories, please just talk abt your story to friends instead! Friends who have good story sense that you trust, writer friends who will give you honest feedback, friends who care & get excited about your ideas with you! I know it’s scary +
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Phil PlAIt @philplait.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
63 years after '63 we're here to defend democracy. naacp.org/find-resourc...
The Lincoln Memorial in Washington DC with a crowd of thousands to celebrate the 63rd anniversary of the MLK March on Washington.
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Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 28/08/2026
Despite the bloviating and sabotage attempts, Moderna’s updated COVID vaccine has been approved by the FDA. Despite the fact that it theoretically requires one preexisting condition, the list of conditions is enormously broad also if you want to JUST LIE. Personally I’ve never had a pharmacist ask
morningstar.com
Moderna Receives U.S. FDA Approval for Updated 2026-2027 COVID-19 Vaccines
The updated formula for Spikevax is now approved for individuals 6 months through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition placing them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, and all adults 65 years of age and older. mNEXSPIKE, Moderna's latest COVID-19 vaccine, is approved for individuals 12 through 64 years of age with at least one underlying condition that puts them at high risk for severe outcomes from COVID-19, and all adults 65 years of age and older.
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Reposted by Renée Spiewak, PhD
CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 26/08/2026
Folks, can I recommend something to do this weekend? If you can, go out to a queer bar or club, and watch a drag show. First with Dolly and now Tim, the drag shows this weekend are going to be extremely fun, celebratory and very camp with performers, costumes and numbers dedicated to these two!
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CosmicRami 🏳️‍🌈🏳️‍⚧️ @rami.spaceaustralia.com · 26/08/2026
Let's rename Carina Nebula to the Dolly Parton Nebula because it's: 1. big, fabulous, flamboyant, full of ridiculously luminous stars 2. stars look like rhinestones 3. got a big mystical magic mountain for joy and F**k You nebula to the haters 📸 H. Boren/NASA/ESA/J. Apellániz/M. Livio/N. Smith
The large, luminous red clouds of the Carina NebulaAn open star cluster of bright white stars inside the Carina NebulaPillars of nebulous gas that are pointed in the top direction, resembling a large mountainA dark nebula that looks uncanny like a fist making a rude finger
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Renée Spiewak, PhD @respiewak.bsky.social · 25/08/2026
One of my banking apps just got an update apparently, and now it's telling me it won't run on anything but "OS 13 or higher". I'm using Android. Jokes aside this may be the first serious app I use that cannot run on my phone, which is not even 6 years old. I hate this system of forced obsolescence
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Reposted by Renée Spiewak, PhD
Merrymac Farm Sanctuary @merrymacsanctuary.bsky.social · 22/08/2026
😛 -Odie
Odie the horse
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Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
I worry all the time about advances in science that are losing funding or not getting attempted at all because the backlash against “AI” doesn’t differentiate between machine learning (good) and LLM generative AI (bad).
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission @cpsc.gov · 20/08/2026
CPSC Warns Consumers to Stop Using 4 in 1 Plug In Natural Gas and Carbon Monoxide Detectors Immediately CPSC is aware of 91 reports of the detectors failing to alarm in the presence of gas and/or carbon monoxide leaks. www.cpsc.gov/Warnings/202...
Dangerous carbon monoxide alarms.
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NE Ohio Regional Sewer District @neorsd.org · 19/08/2026
Chad is the only thing standing between a jar of sewage and a jar of clean water. Almost like a metaphor. Which i also just made a simile.
a man in dark safety glasses, an NEORSD uniform, and a white hard hat holds a jar of sewage in his right hand and jar of treated water in his left hand.
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Dave Levitan @davelevitan.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
There are high-up editors at prestigious publications who wrote or greenlit like dozens of “Moon Base to Open Within Six Years” or “Space Hotel Slated for 2026” headlines. Nothing happened to them. They just get to keep doing it. Wild.
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War-ravaged hellhole Enthusiast @unlawfulassembler.bsky.social · 16/08/2026
I hope these proliferate like the Migra Whistles. www.tomshardware.com/3d-printing/...
tomshardware.com
3D-printing enthusiast creates ‘Flock Sock’ to blind controversial cameras, shares design — slip-on cover attaches to broom handle to make it easy to put on devices placed on traffic and streetlights
"The very least you can do is help protect these valuable civil servants from getting a bad sunburn."
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Amy Rae Hill @amyraehill.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
Today! 10am PT amyraehill.shop
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Katie Mack @astrokatie.com · 14/08/2026
"The message is that COVID vaccine and flu vaccine will be available, they're covered by insurers, they're recommended by medical societies. People should get them and get them for their kids.” -Claire Hannan, MPH, Association of Immunization Managers
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Merrymac Farm Sanctuary @merrymacsanctuary.bsky.social · 12/08/2026
Interested in animal welfare? Looking for a job? Do you love working outside in all weather conditions? Please share --we are looking for a few strong team members to join our incredible village. www.merrymacfarmsanctuary.org/careers
Job announcement photo/ad
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Erin Biba @erinbiba.bsky.social · 13/08/2026
I don’t know why this is suddenly getting attention but I’ll repost it because it made me laugh.
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Premee Mohamed @premeemohamed.com · 12/08/2026
*extremely confident* I AM DOING THIS ARROW MEME RIGHT I KNOW I AM us.macmillan.com/books/978125...
the arrow meme for WICKHILLS: an ammonite fossil, "trained... rats?", does that street-sweeper have... cilia (yes how's it supposed to sweep otherwise), six months' wages for ONE HAT?!!??, can any of you imitate birdcalls, "the dread portal or whatever they're calling it now" and finally a bonus: i see your surgical assistant is... an octopus? can it maybe not touch me actually
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Ben Collins @bencollins.bsky.social · 10/08/2026
We are sold out of gay frug plushies. I repeat, we are sold out of gay frog plushies.
them.us
The Onion’s InfoWars Site Is Selling Plushies That Are Turning the Frickin’ Frogs Gay
None of these words are in the Bible.
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U.S. Consumer Product Safety Commission @cpsc.gov · 10/08/2026
Videos shared online may depict squishy toys — including popular animal, food, and character-shaped squeeze toys — expanding, changing texture, or bursting when heated. These demonstrations are dangerous and should never be attempted or imitated. Learn more: www.cpsc.gov/Newsroom/New...
"Warning: hot squishy toys can cause severe burns" with an image of a squishy toy inside a car.
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Phil PlAIt @philplait.bsky.social · 09/08/2026
Sure just throw a 1 / sqrt(2 pi) in front of it
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Matt Ramsey @onenerdyopinion.bsky.social · 07/08/2026
My friend’s daughter has been diagnosed with Leigh Syndrome, a mitochondrial disease which currently has no cure. They are fundraising for a clinical trial but the goal is astronomical. Please share this around and give if you are able. give.curemito.org/fundraiser/7...
give.curemito.org
One Shot to Live
{{MetaTags.description}}
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WeRateDogs @weratedogs.com · 03/08/2026
Puppy Court is now in session!
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Jonathan Jarry @jonathanjarry.bsky.social · 31/07/2026
If you’re a science communicator and you use AI, read this. This is about what’s happening to Hank Green.
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