That moment on the Santa Cruz Boardwalk, in the last week before school starts, when the sun defeats the marine layer while Huey Lewis plays, is proof that Northern California is a blessed place.
Props to Billy Zane, because only he would make me want to buy this reading of the terrible rich guy in Titanic. “And what does Rose do, in response [to getting a luxury cruise and a necklace]? She fucks a homeless man she's just met in a car and steals Billy Zane's necklace.
This is concerning for a zillion reasons but, a dispensary in Michigan went viral for blocking a Flock camera in its parking lot designed to create a record of every car that goes there. Easy to imagine this being used in abortion, gender affirming care cases
![It is not difficult to imagine police in one state using Flock to track a resident of their state cross state lines to, for example, obtain an abortion that is legal in one state but not in another. Last year, 404 Media reported on police in Texas who searched more than 80,000 cameras across Flock’s nationwide network for a woman who had a self-administered abortion.
The case is also particularly concerning considering that Flock cameras have popped up outside of weed dispensaries in Michigan. The JARS Cannabis dispensary in Madison Heights, Michigan, went viral this week for putting a “No Flock Zone” sign in front of a Flock camera in the dispensary’s parking lot. “We share our community’s concerns about increased surveillance, which is why we placed the No Flock Zone sign in front of the camera to block its ability to record,” the dispensary said in a public statement. “JARS does not control the camera or have access to any of the data it collects … after we installed our No Flock Zone sign, the city issued a demand letter warning of sanctions if we did not remove it within 48 hours.” But that Flock camera exists specifically to monitor the license plates of people who come and go to the dispensary. It was required by Madison Heights as one of the conditions for giving a dispensary license to JARS: “[The dispensary] must place a FLOCK license plate scanning camera system at the entrance of the customer parking lot prior to commencement of retail sales, and it will give the Madison Heights Police Department unhindered live access to the FLOCK camera, camera footage, and any and all data, which must remain operational at all times.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cjfcz3t36f6nrprarkhkycxo/bafkreid622omkygkpo7nucauweh23yk2gaffcgf7vztawfyyjb7n2qbhze)
Makes sense. It will save on Medicare costs by killing everyone by 65 again. And the tech CEOs have already been touting the productivity boosts from free Zyn at the office.
Michael Hobbes@michaelhobbes.bsky.social · 8h agoI'm calling it: "Start smoking" is going to be mainstream MAHA / Republican health advice by 2028. www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
I’m also noticing how many people who called themselves founders or CEOs or activists five years ago are now going by “organizer“ so it’s probably important we have discernment about it. Especially given the surging interest in the South after Calais.
I know we are chalking the success of some leftist candidates almost entirely to the DSA. However, it seems like the more common theme is that these are candidates with organizing experience?
As I belatedly get into learning the Greek myths and classics, thanks to Emily and Chris, I’m thrown by all the references to, like, British discount electronics chains and Silicon Valley conference rooms. (“Why would he call his dog Argos?”)
David M. Perry@lollardfish.bsky.social · 8h agoHomer plagiarizes Shakespeare it seems King Proitos of Argos inscribes “σήματα λυγρά,” which means “baleful signs,” on a folded tablet, gives it to the hero Bellerophon, and orders him to deliver it to the king of Lykia. ...the signs on the tablet instruct the king of Lykia to execute its bearer.
so, in layman's terms, my husband owns a record label. he gets submissions from people all the time and yes, there has been a huge uptick of people subbing obviously AI music. he finally broke down and wrote a guy back, explaining why he won't accept ai submissions.
“Just one more thing:” But it’s that I forgot to put the bins out. 🫠
Brian McRoberts@brimcrob.bsky.social · 16h agoGood Morning BlueSky Peeps. We have made it to the Midweek. Y'all be great.
Delighted AIPAC pissed away this much of their money. Pissed that my daughter was subjected to two weeks of the hateful, Islamophobic ads they paid for while visiting Michigan family this month. Let’s hope Stevens and McMorrow learned their ugly othering doesn’t fly any more.
Greg Pak@gregpak.net · 16h agoA monstrous waste of money.
The length of this parade of horribles is exhausting, and I have to learn to protect myself from stopping at each float.
Rebecca Solnit@rebeccasolnit.bsky.social · 19h agoIt's demoralizing living in a nonstop Abuse-a-thon: we've had to learn the sordid details of so many men's abhorrent behavior; I mean this summer has been Graham Platner, Andrew Tate, Jared Leto, Max Miller, plus the horrific L.A. rape-murder of the child by the rapper, to name a few lowlights.
El-Sayed is 7pts ahead of his benchmarks in counties with a higher share of younger residents (with a 21pt current lead) and *16pts* ahead of his benchmarks in counties with a higher share of older residents, where Stevens currently leads by just 0.95pts. Gen X is at it again. #michiganSenate
In our house, we have to balance three different attention spans and bedtimes, plus 72-hour movie rental deadlines from the library. For three nights in a row I’ve watched an hour of Titanic and an hour of The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. I can now report: That’s one way to do it.
Texting a 6th-grade mom about our Titanic viewing. She nervously asks how we handled the (literal) steamy scenes. Truth is, at 25, Titanic wasn’t as formative for me as for the moms ten years younger. I’m from the Top Gun awakenings era. I totally forgot Jack and Rose have sex in the car.
Rothaí@rothaiocht.bsky.social · 18h agoHoly shit, first viewing of Titanic since it came out and I need a Valium and a blanket. James Cameron I salute you.
Holy shit, first viewing of Titanic since it came out and I need a Valium and a blanket. James Cameron I salute you.
The SSA Baby Names database shows not just popularity shifts but variety shifts, as generations diversify. 883K Michaels born in the 60s. 145K in the 2010s, even staying top 10. The days of 4 Mikes per class ended with Gen X. He’s no longer the default. Good luck in November, Dr El-Sayed!
It’s been years since I’ve listened to this album, but tonight might be the night.
Say Yes! to M!ch!gan! by Sufjan Stevens on Apple Music
Song · 2003 · Duration 2:45
music.apple.com
Eric Michael Garcia@ericmgarcia.bsky.social · 21h agoThis is a massacre
"So you're a drug dealer?" "Uh, I'm a shaman." "Is that cocaine?"
The Onion@theonion.com · yesterdayShaman Named Dwayne
I would like to propose the Taco Bell Principle When a person/institution Did A Problem, & IMMEDIATELY fesses up & takes proactive steps to solve it That's exactly what we want them to do? So how bout we let them live ¯\_(ツ)_/¯
Sarah Taber@sarahtaber.bsky.social · 3w agoA quick word on Taco Bell: That's where we found the suspected lettuce, and it's not bc Taco Bell is gross. It's bc Taco Bell is REALLY GOOD at tracing product! Keeping track of exactly where they got their ingredients, & exactly what restaurants each shipment of ingredients went to!
frankly the most annoying part of my day every day is encountering someone who is on here “for liberal politics” so I am actually in favor of expanding our reach. we gotta bring over like, those guys who get horny for old elevators
So, I really hope I get to tell this story in longer form in the near future, but it it’s burning a hole inside me. Most of it comes from an interview with Bob Hirst this weekend. Bob has been Exec Editor of the Mark Twain Project for 47 years, before which he was part of its staff for ~15. 1/16
BBC and Rolling Stone illustrating their Hansard coverage with photos of young girls brought to pay tribute is certainly a choice. They’re safer now.
thorjansen@thorjansen.bsky.social · 2d agoIt would be so much easier for people to grasp the circular financing of Commercial AI if it involved more physical goods…
i keep seeing people say that university presidents should rise up against this, whomst have clearly missed the second sentence here
Liam Knox@liamknox.bsky.social · 2d agoScoop: The Trump administration is sending a letter to college presidents asking them to pledge a series of policy changes by the end of the year. Unlike last year's Compact, this effort was devised with input from higher ed leaders. Free link to my exclusive: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Finally started The Good, The Bad, and The Ugly. It’s incredible, but every time Clint narrows his eyes and whispers, I get distracted by how Meryl based Miranda Priestley on him. Makes the heels and poncho hit differently.
Back from our gorgeous public pool surrounded by redwoods. My large tween jokingly picked me up and rocked me in the water, head back, as I once used to do for her…and oh god that’s actually quite horrible? I feel badly for babies now! And will never be Born Again.
Roberts Pool Complex
Located in Roberts Regional Recreation Area, the Roberts Pool complex features a 25-yard swimming pool, vending machines and lawn areas.
ebparks.org
Bluesky oldheads will remember that brief period of time when the conservative trolls tried to storm the place and were flummoxed by the idea they would have to organically grow an audience and that someone who didn't want to talk to them could nuke every interaction they ever had from orbit
As long as we can continue to curate a chronological-only feed, with strong mute and block, it’s a skill issue…but I’m not confident in the skills, and worried about platform-driven algorithm creep.
Lupita Nihongo@otsumamiboy.blacksky.app · 2d agoThe only reason Bluesky is a liberal bubble is because it’s not algorithm driven & reality has a liberal bias. This is super simple.
