Karen VH
@designinginward.bsky.social
Chaotic good (usually). Curious skeptic. Unfucker of clusters. I say what everyone else is thinking. Design is political. I swear because I care. she/her. designinginward.com
hey friends, a little reminder that I'm available for part time freelance UX/product work. Discovery, research, strategy, ops. I have been told I am a goddamn delight to work with and I will make you some amazing custom playlists.
September 18, 2026 at 3:15 PM
hey friends, a little reminder that I'm available for part time freelance UX/product work. Discovery, research, strategy, ops. I have been told I am a goddamn delight to work with and I will make you some amazing custom playlists.
news flash: constant horrors are exhausting
Maybe the most important political story of our time. People just want the bullshit to stop.
71% of Americans Say They're Completely Exhausted
A CDC report shows that people are not feeling relaxed and restful in the United States.
gizmodo.com
September 17, 2026 at 11:25 PM
news flash: constant horrors are exhausting
this is helpful context for the very unexpected episode of the "Death, Sex, and Money" podcast episode I stumbled across a couple months ago, and that's all I'm going to say about that, you can hunt down the episode yourself and deal with the consequences.
The people who are running the massively powerful and lucrative US AI industry pretty much all know about this chart, and quite a few directly participated in the proceedings.
Speaking of the rationalist sex cult who regard a Harry Potter fanfic as their Bible, and who also have tons of money.
Speaking of the rationalist sex cult who regard a Harry Potter fanfic as their Bible, and who also have tons of money.
September 15, 2026 at 10:24 PM
this is helpful context for the very unexpected episode of the "Death, Sex, and Money" podcast episode I stumbled across a couple months ago, and that's all I'm going to say about that, you can hunt down the episode yourself and deal with the consequences.
the world is a total dumpster fire but for now I still have this to spark joy
September 14, 2026 at 11:50 PM
the world is a total dumpster fire but for now I still have this to spark joy
Make a band edible:
New Potatoes
New Potatoes
Make a band edible:
Ceviche Mode
Ceviche Mode
Make a band edible:
Panic! At the Costco
Panic! At the Costco
September 13, 2026 at 12:18 AM
Make a band edible:
New Potatoes
New Potatoes
Oh no, YouTube has served me up REM unplugged and I am just going down the rabbit hole now
I'm watching a live concert of The Police "Synchronicity" tour on YouTube, and 1) I am having a great time and 2) I wish you could witness Birdie watching me having a great time. She is a little confused but at the same time very happy to see me having fun.
September 10, 2026 at 2:13 AM
Oh no, YouTube has served me up REM unplugged and I am just going down the rabbit hole now
I'm watching a live concert of The Police "Synchronicity" tour on YouTube, and 1) I am having a great time and 2) I wish you could witness Birdie watching me having a great time. She is a little confused but at the same time very happy to see me having fun.
September 10, 2026 at 1:52 AM
I'm watching a live concert of The Police "Synchronicity" tour on YouTube, and 1) I am having a great time and 2) I wish you could witness Birdie watching me having a great time. She is a little confused but at the same time very happy to see me having fun.
forever and ever amen
Protect trans kids.
September 10, 2026 at 1:24 AM
forever and ever amen
while we're at it, bring back slide out keyboards
I want a SMALLER phone
with a THICKER case
and MORE headphone jacks
and I'm NOT kidding
with a THICKER case
and MORE headphone jacks
and I'm NOT kidding
I want a small phone with a headphone jack, please and thank you.
September 10, 2026 at 12:07 AM
while we're at it, bring back slide out keyboards
I'm reading a book by an author that doesn't use oxford commas and I am starting to lose my shit, lol.
September 8, 2026 at 4:17 PM
I'm reading a book by an author that doesn't use oxford commas and I am starting to lose my shit, lol.
does anyone wake up feeling well rested, ever?
September 8, 2026 at 1:21 PM
does anyone wake up feeling well rested, ever?
What's an example of perfect casting?
September 8, 2026 at 12:51 AM
What's an example of perfect casting?
this is hands down the best thing I've ever seen on this app.
September 7, 2026 at 11:35 PM
this is hands down the best thing I've ever seen on this app.
I think I just died, but I died happy
September 7, 2026 at 7:27 PM
I think I just died, but I died happy
what many people call either cynicism or overreacting others recognize as simple pattern reconition
Yeah yeah, all of the problems are addressable. But when in history have problems of this kind been addressed? And addressed in time? And what were the harms while waiting? And who was more and less likely to be harmed while waiting? And you want people to be chill? Foh
September 7, 2026 at 7:02 PM
what many people call either cynicism or overreacting others recognize as simple pattern reconition
so much I want to say about this, all very sex positive
September 7, 2026 at 6:59 PM
so much I want to say about this, all very sex positive
Reposted by Karen VH
Last week I learned (LWIL) that the dynamite guitar part on Talking Heads’ “Nothing But Flowers” is by Johnny Fucking Marr. This is like when I found out Richard Lloyd and Robert Quine played on Matthew Sweet’s album Girlfriend. Something important about the universe clicked into place.
Talking Heads - [Nothing But] Flowers (Official Video)
YouTube video by Talking Heads
youtu.be
September 5, 2026 at 7:54 PM
Last week I learned (LWIL) that the dynamite guitar part on Talking Heads’ “Nothing But Flowers” is by Johnny Fucking Marr. This is like when I found out Richard Lloyd and Robert Quine played on Matthew Sweet’s album Girlfriend. Something important about the universe clicked into place.
the perfect man doesn't exi...
September 4, 2026 at 8:38 PM
the perfect man doesn't exi...
Reposted by Karen VH
“Think I give a damn about what this Piker guy is saying when the richest Nazi the world has ever seen is bankrolling the destruction of America via the Republican Party?”
— how every Dem should answer questions about Hasan Piker
— how every Dem should answer questions about Hasan Piker
August 24, 2026 at 10:03 PM
“Think I give a damn about what this Piker guy is saying when the richest Nazi the world has ever seen is bankrolling the destruction of America via the Republican Party?”
— how every Dem should answer questions about Hasan Piker
— how every Dem should answer questions about Hasan Piker
ok folks, recommendations for a non-nazi supporting password manager? Ideally one that can handle transferring from 1password?
1Password supports straight-up Nazis, and you should stop using it.
hey @1password.bsky.social, talk out both sides of your mouth a little more
September 2, 2026 at 5:58 PM
ok folks, recommendations for a non-nazi supporting password manager? Ideally one that can handle transferring from 1password?
If you see this, post a not quite Star Trek.
September 2, 2026 at 12:15 PM
If you see this, post a not quite Star Trek.
"The Fall Guy" and "Project Hail Mary" seem like an excellent double feature.
September 2, 2026 at 12:10 AM
"The Fall Guy" and "Project Hail Mary" seem like an excellent double feature.
Birdie's most classic Midwestern passive aggressive behavior to get me to feed her early is to get as close to my ear as possible and then purr as loudly as she can.
September 1, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Birdie's most classic Midwestern passive aggressive behavior to get me to feed her early is to get as close to my ear as possible and then purr as loudly as she can.
see, I haven't just been sitting on my ass these past few months, I've actually been building something because friends don't let friends give in to cognitive surrender.
(there will be music and movies and books and snark too)
maven.com/karen-vanhou...
(there will be music and movies and books and snark too)
maven.com/karen-vanhou...
Inviting Serendipity: A reliable creative practice for humans by Karen VanHouten on Maven
You'll reconnect with your innate curiosity and creativity through practical, proven approaches.
maven.com
August 31, 2026 at 3:29 PM
see, I haven't just been sitting on my ass these past few months, I've actually been building something because friends don't let friends give in to cognitive surrender.
(there will be music and movies and books and snark too)
maven.com/karen-vanhou...
(there will be music and movies and books and snark too)
maven.com/karen-vanhou...
Post your getaway vehicle
August 30, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Post your getaway vehicle