Colin Campbell
@cryptonymcolin.bsky.social
•Founder of Aretéanism •US Marine and Afg veteran •Opponent to fascism and all forms of bigotry •San Diegan •Anything complicated is my jam
→This is my personal account, statements here do not necessarily reflect the AoA's position
→This is my personal account, statements here do not necessarily reflect the AoA's position
I've been making a really concerted effort at learning Spanish with Duolingo since March of this year, and I just won the top award in Duo's competition system!
I'm proud of myself for being committed to the process, even when it's not always very exciting, and my Spanish really is getting better!
I'm proud of myself for being committed to the process, even when it's not always very exciting, and my Spanish really is getting better!
September 14, 2026 at 3:55 AM
I've been making a really concerted effort at learning Spanish with Duolingo since March of this year, and I just won the top award in Duo's competition system!
I'm proud of myself for being committed to the process, even when it's not always very exciting, and my Spanish really is getting better!
I'm proud of myself for being committed to the process, even when it's not always very exciting, and my Spanish really is getting better!
I've been disconnected to "the news" for a while, at least a week, more depending how you count. My observation is that I'm not feeling unaware of the situation in the world- Trump sucks, Parton & Curry have passed... I didn't need to be religiously glued to breaking headlines to know these things.
August 28, 2026 at 12:08 AM
I've been disconnected to "the news" for a while, at least a week, more depending how you count. My observation is that I'm not feeling unaware of the situation in the world- Trump sucks, Parton & Curry have passed... I didn't need to be religiously glued to breaking headlines to know these things.
I haven't been on Bluesky in a while because my phone had decided to go swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and it took a couple weeks to get it replaced, and then I've been incredibly busy since, but I'm back and might try posting a bit more again 🙃
August 24, 2026 at 5:39 PM
I haven't been on Bluesky in a while because my phone had decided to go swimming in the Atlantic Ocean and it took a couple weeks to get it replaced, and then I've been incredibly busy since, but I'm back and might try posting a bit more again 🙃
Gotta say, sometimes it's amazing how dumb Redditors can be. I totally understand my original post being a little controversial or targeted by trolls, but this reply I made to a comment someone else said? Why is it being downvoted??
Reading comprehension is dying.
www.reddit.com/r/SanDiegan/...
Reading comprehension is dying.
www.reddit.com/r/SanDiegan/...
cryptonymcolin's comment on "So what's the deal with Juan Vargas?"
Explore this conversation and more from the SanDiegan community
www.reddit.com
May 28, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Gotta say, sometimes it's amazing how dumb Redditors can be. I totally understand my original post being a little controversial or targeted by trolls, but this reply I made to a comment someone else said? Why is it being downvoted??
Reading comprehension is dying.
www.reddit.com/r/SanDiegan/...
Reading comprehension is dying.
www.reddit.com/r/SanDiegan/...
Just got promoted to Duolingo's Diamond League (their top league) which feels pretty cool.
I've been doing my best to use it consistently for Spanish, despite the frustrations I've had with their energy system and all of the advertisements. I do actually feel like I'm gaining skill!
I've been doing my best to use it consistently for Spanish, despite the frustrations I've had with their energy system and all of the advertisements. I do actually feel like I'm gaining skill!
May 4, 2026 at 3:04 AM
Just got promoted to Duolingo's Diamond League (their top league) which feels pretty cool.
I've been doing my best to use it consistently for Spanish, despite the frustrations I've had with their energy system and all of the advertisements. I do actually feel like I'm gaining skill!
I've been doing my best to use it consistently for Spanish, despite the frustrations I've had with their energy system and all of the advertisements. I do actually feel like I'm gaining skill!
It's very frustrating to watch ignoramuses on Reddit change the definition of words that I used to identify myself with for many years. This has now happened to me a couple of times, not counting other identities I've lost because because either I changed or the associated organizations changed.
May 2, 2026 at 6:56 AM
It's very frustrating to watch ignoramuses on Reddit change the definition of words that I used to identify myself with for many years. This has now happened to me a couple of times, not counting other identities I've lost because because either I changed or the associated organizations changed.
This is me! I had a great time talking with @nathancodyyoung.bsky.social for this interview, and I think it'll be a really interesting listen for people.
Yeah, I did something CRAZY! I started a new religion! What kind of madman would do something like that??
Listen to the episode and find out!
Yeah, I did something CRAZY! I started a new religion! What kind of madman would do something like that??
Listen to the episode and find out!
In a brand new interview with the Braver New Worlds podcast, Aretéanism's founder talks about his path through being an #exMormon and being ex-military, and what led him to eventually start a new religion ten years ago.
Check it out!
youtu.be/rn2bacJafDE
Check it out!
youtu.be/rn2bacJafDE
What It Takes to Start a Religion: Identity, Community, and the Search for Meaning | Colin Campbell
YouTube video by Braver New Worlds
youtu.be
April 21, 2026 at 6:46 PM
This is me! I had a great time talking with @nathancodyyoung.bsky.social for this interview, and I think it'll be a really interesting listen for people.
Yeah, I did something CRAZY! I started a new religion! What kind of madman would do something like that??
Listen to the episode and find out!
Yeah, I did something CRAZY! I started a new religion! What kind of madman would do something like that??
Listen to the episode and find out!
Reposted by Colin Campbell
"And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high, saying, 'O Lord, bless this thy hand grenade, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits. in thy mercy' And the Lord did grin. And the people did feast upon the lambs, and sloths, and carp, and anchovies, and orangutans, and..."
What’s your favorite Bible verse? (Wrong answers only)
April 17, 2026 at 2:27 AM
"And Saint Attila raised the hand grenade up on high, saying, 'O Lord, bless this thy hand grenade, that with it thou mayst blow thine enemies to tiny bits. in thy mercy' And the Lord did grin. And the people did feast upon the lambs, and sloths, and carp, and anchovies, and orangutans, and..."
I know no one wants to think about this, and no one will even see this message, but...
...it's time that EVERYONE seriously contemplates what will happen if Trump nukes Iran.
We also need to think about what should happen if he does, and what it'll take to bridge the gap between will & should.
...it's time that EVERYONE seriously contemplates what will happen if Trump nukes Iran.
We also need to think about what should happen if he does, and what it'll take to bridge the gap between will & should.
April 7, 2026 at 9:59 PM
I know no one wants to think about this, and no one will even see this message, but...
...it's time that EVERYONE seriously contemplates what will happen if Trump nukes Iran.
We also need to think about what should happen if he does, and what it'll take to bridge the gap between will & should.
...it's time that EVERYONE seriously contemplates what will happen if Trump nukes Iran.
We also need to think about what should happen if he does, and what it'll take to bridge the gap between will & should.
It's hard to describe what I'm feeling tonight.
A new-ish friend recently decided to start taking the free martial arts classes I teach. He's had ONE class so far.
Earlier today he was attacked by a knife-wielding maniac, and he says that what I taught him in that first class saved his life. 🤯
A new-ish friend recently decided to start taking the free martial arts classes I teach. He's had ONE class so far.
Earlier today he was attacked by a knife-wielding maniac, and he says that what I taught him in that first class saved his life. 🤯
April 3, 2026 at 10:02 AM
It's hard to describe what I'm feeling tonight.
A new-ish friend recently decided to start taking the free martial arts classes I teach. He's had ONE class so far.
Earlier today he was attacked by a knife-wielding maniac, and he says that what I taught him in that first class saved his life. 🤯
A new-ish friend recently decided to start taking the free martial arts classes I teach. He's had ONE class so far.
Earlier today he was attacked by a knife-wielding maniac, and he says that what I taught him in that first class saved his life. 🤯
Duolingo has been made almost completely useless for me overnight.
The rollout of this "energy" feature started about 9 mo ago, & I'm actually very lucky to have only been switched over to it now, but it seems all users agree:
Somehow, incredibly, Duo managed to make something worse than "hearts"
The rollout of this "energy" feature started about 9 mo ago, & I'm actually very lucky to have only been switched over to it now, but it seems all users agree:
Somehow, incredibly, Duo managed to make something worse than "hearts"
It's pretty frustrating to get back into Duolingo again and discover that not only are there ads, but they *also* are squeezing people to pay for "energy", throttling how many lessons one can do in a day unless one pays.
March 30, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Duolingo has been made almost completely useless for me overnight.
The rollout of this "energy" feature started about 9 mo ago, & I'm actually very lucky to have only been switched over to it now, but it seems all users agree:
Somehow, incredibly, Duo managed to make something worse than "hearts"
The rollout of this "energy" feature started about 9 mo ago, & I'm actually very lucky to have only been switched over to it now, but it seems all users agree:
Somehow, incredibly, Duo managed to make something worse than "hearts"
Even "if" the rallies have no direct impact on policy (and they won't) attending the rallies DOES still make an important difference to everyone who attends.
They're an opportunity to be rejuvenated, to connect, to bear testimony.
Be someone who attends, not someone who makes excuses.
They're an opportunity to be rejuvenated, to connect, to bear testimony.
Be someone who attends, not someone who makes excuses.
March 29, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Even "if" the rallies have no direct impact on policy (and they won't) attending the rallies DOES still make an important difference to everyone who attends.
They're an opportunity to be rejuvenated, to connect, to bear testimony.
Be someone who attends, not someone who makes excuses.
They're an opportunity to be rejuvenated, to connect, to bear testimony.
Be someone who attends, not someone who makes excuses.
It's pretty frustrating to get back into Duolingo again and discover that not only are there ads, but they *also* are squeezing people to pay for "energy", throttling how many lessons one can do in a day unless one pays.
March 29, 2026 at 6:03 AM
It's pretty frustrating to get back into Duolingo again and discover that not only are there ads, but they *also* are squeezing people to pay for "energy", throttling how many lessons one can do in a day unless one pays.
I would quite honestly prefer to fly in an airplane that had zero boarding security, than fly in one that has stormtroopers as the security. Not joking.
And I say this as someone who saw the second plane hit live on TV on 9/11.
And I say this as someone who saw the second plane hit live on TV on 9/11.
March 23, 2026 at 5:05 PM
I would quite honestly prefer to fly in an airplane that had zero boarding security, than fly in one that has stormtroopers as the security. Not joking.
And I say this as someone who saw the second plane hit live on TV on 9/11.
And I say this as someone who saw the second plane hit live on TV on 9/11.
Me: It's time for sleep
Brain: Remember that time that the Nerdfighteria subreddit (the community for fans of Hank & John Green) downvoted you into oblivion for saying that you thought J.K. Rowling was a bad person?
Brain: Remember that time that the Nerdfighteria subreddit (the community for fans of Hank & John Green) downvoted you into oblivion for saying that you thought J.K. Rowling was a bad person?
March 20, 2026 at 9:58 AM
Me: It's time for sleep
Brain: Remember that time that the Nerdfighteria subreddit (the community for fans of Hank & John Green) downvoted you into oblivion for saying that you thought J.K. Rowling was a bad person?
Brain: Remember that time that the Nerdfighteria subreddit (the community for fans of Hank & John Green) downvoted you into oblivion for saying that you thought J.K. Rowling was a bad person?
So I'm taking the trolley to downtown to celebrate St Patrick's Day, because I'm serious about not driving drunk.
But what do you want to bet that San Diego MTS has totally failed to plan for tonight being another night like NYE where people might need the trains late at night? 🤔
But what do you want to bet that San Diego MTS has totally failed to plan for tonight being another night like NYE where people might need the trains late at night? 🤔
@sandiegomts.bsky.social So you advertise free rides on NYE, but then have no trains at 2am when the clubs let out? Shame on you. I mean it, shame on you. Making girls wait for more than an hour in the rain and cold at stops with zero security? Absolute failure at planning.
March 18, 2026 at 1:12 AM
So I'm taking the trolley to downtown to celebrate St Patrick's Day, because I'm serious about not driving drunk.
But what do you want to bet that San Diego MTS has totally failed to plan for tonight being another night like NYE where people might need the trains late at night? 🤔
But what do you want to bet that San Diego MTS has totally failed to plan for tonight being another night like NYE where people might need the trains late at night? 🤔
I want to like Bluesky, but there really are issues. 1st, my feed is ONLY politics. Culture & personal stuff need to be here too for me to want to stay.
2nd, there is ZERO chance I can reach people here, let alone people I *want* to reach, so zero incentive for me to post here vs other platforms.
2nd, there is ZERO chance I can reach people here, let alone people I *want* to reach, so zero incentive for me to post here vs other platforms.
March 11, 2026 at 10:46 PM
I want to like Bluesky, but there really are issues. 1st, my feed is ONLY politics. Culture & personal stuff need to be here too for me to want to stay.
2nd, there is ZERO chance I can reach people here, let alone people I *want* to reach, so zero incentive for me to post here vs other platforms.
2nd, there is ZERO chance I can reach people here, let alone people I *want* to reach, so zero incentive for me to post here vs other platforms.
That face when you're politely mentioning undisputed facts about the history of the state of Israel to someone (undisputed by Israel!) and their response is "agree to disagree". 😑
March 7, 2026 at 11:01 PM
That face when you're politely mentioning undisputed facts about the history of the state of Israel to someone (undisputed by Israel!) and their response is "agree to disagree". 😑
Nothing like having an ATM steal $1000 of your money. 😑
Bank of America's ATM said it would "reverse the transaction". It turns out that was a lie.
Now I have to wait for my bank to investigate and dispute with BoA, and who knows how long that'll take. 🙄
Bank of America's ATM said it would "reverse the transaction". It turns out that was a lie.
Now I have to wait for my bank to investigate and dispute with BoA, and who knows how long that'll take. 🙄
March 5, 2026 at 6:00 AM
Nothing like having an ATM steal $1000 of your money. 😑
Bank of America's ATM said it would "reverse the transaction". It turns out that was a lie.
Now I have to wait for my bank to investigate and dispute with BoA, and who knows how long that'll take. 🙄
Bank of America's ATM said it would "reverse the transaction". It turns out that was a lie.
Now I have to wait for my bank to investigate and dispute with BoA, and who knows how long that'll take. 🙄
"Oh, did we go to war today? It must be a Saturday."
-Every millennial American
-Every millennial American
March 1, 2026 at 5:47 AM
"Oh, did we go to war today? It must be a Saturday."
-Every millennial American
-Every millennial American
My good opinion that no one is going to listen to is that every single different sports team a college or university fields (including the men's vs women's teams) needs to have a different mascot, but that all of these different mascots need to fall within a brand "umbrella".
(1/3)
(1/3)
February 26, 2026 at 6:54 AM
My good opinion that no one is going to listen to is that every single different sports team a college or university fields (including the men's vs women's teams) needs to have a different mascot, but that all of these different mascots need to fall within a brand "umbrella".
(1/3)
(1/3)
Well, I'm excited & nervous; today is the day I try out being a college basketball fan!
I've never been one to watch basketball before, but I believe in being well rounded and watching sports is fun. I've gotten some great advice about getting into it, starting with "just pick a team".
Go #SDSU!
I've never been one to watch basketball before, but I believe in being well rounded and watching sports is fun. I've gotten some great advice about getting into it, starting with "just pick a team".
Go #SDSU!
February 26, 2026 at 2:38 AM
Well, I'm excited & nervous; today is the day I try out being a college basketball fan!
I've never been one to watch basketball before, but I believe in being well rounded and watching sports is fun. I've gotten some great advice about getting into it, starting with "just pick a team".
Go #SDSU!
I've never been one to watch basketball before, but I believe in being well rounded and watching sports is fun. I've gotten some great advice about getting into it, starting with "just pick a team".
Go #SDSU!
Reposted by Colin Campbell
There's lots of people to blame for Trumpism, but I think Aileen Cannon will be the person the far future remembers as most at fault for enabling all of the atrocities to come.
She could have made the law apply to Trump, and she chose to be dishonest instead.
She could have made the law apply to Trump, and she chose to be dishonest instead.
October 29, 2025 at 1:48 PM
There's lots of people to blame for Trumpism, but I think Aileen Cannon will be the person the far future remembers as most at fault for enabling all of the atrocities to come.
She could have made the law apply to Trump, and she chose to be dishonest instead.
She could have made the law apply to Trump, and she chose to be dishonest instead.