Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
@elaineburnes.bsky.social
I (she/her) write stories about women who are bold, flawed, and love other women. SF: Endurance, Tenacity, and Resolution (Captain Randall series), Wishbone, and A Perfect Life and Other Stories. SFWA member. No AI. More at https://elaineburnes.com/
Pinned
I joined Bluesky for the writing community. Don’t mean to get into politics so much, but times clearly call for everyone to step up and make their position clear. So here I am, for now blathering on about why saving our democracy matters. Just FYI. I am #writing a novel, third in a series. FWIW
If a human had hacked into a company, they’d be criminally responsible. How are AI developers different?
Finally, a voice of reason!
“If the dangers they are warning about are indeed real, then our criminal statutes should ensure that the offenders can be prosecuted.” –Juliette Kayem
#noAI
Finally, a voice of reason!
“If the dangers they are warning about are indeed real, then our criminal statutes should ensure that the offenders can be prosecuted.” –Juliette Kayem
#noAI
Destroying Humanity Is Against the Law
Don’t wait for a mass-extinction event before holding AI developers accountable.
www.theatlantic.com
September 17, 2026 at 11:05 AM
If a human had hacked into a company, they’d be criminally responsible. How are AI developers different?
Finally, a voice of reason!
“If the dangers they are warning about are indeed real, then our criminal statutes should ensure that the offenders can be prosecuted.” –Juliette Kayem
#noAI
Finally, a voice of reason!
“If the dangers they are warning about are indeed real, then our criminal statutes should ensure that the offenders can be prosecuted.” –Juliette Kayem
#noAI
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
Free newsletter: The idea that we're nearing the creation of AI systems that we can't control and that pose an existential threat to humanity is a lie and a distraction from the tangible harms and problems caused by LLMs and AI labs' near-unlimited resources.
www.wheresyoured.at/ai-is-alread...
www.wheresyoured.at/ai-is-alread...
https://www.wheresyoured.at/ai-is-already-in-dangerous-hands/
If you liked this piece, you should subscribe to my premium newsletter, and you can subscribe on the following links: $70 a year, $18 a quarter, or $7 a month. In return you get a weekly newsletter…
www.wheresyoured.at
September 14, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Free newsletter: The idea that we're nearing the creation of AI systems that we can't control and that pose an existential threat to humanity is a lie and a distraction from the tangible harms and problems caused by LLMs and AI labs' near-unlimited resources.
www.wheresyoured.at/ai-is-alread...
www.wheresyoured.at/ai-is-alread...
Do Republicans read The New Republic?
Thanks to @hcrichardson.bsky.social for covering this eye-opener.
#democracy #ifyoucankeepit
newrepublic.com/article/2151...
Thanks to @hcrichardson.bsky.social for covering this eye-opener.
#democracy #ifyoucankeepit
newrepublic.com/article/2151...
The Final Battle for America’s Democracy
Forget November 3. It’s January 3 when Donald Trump and his MAGA Republicans might bury our democracy once and for all. Here’s how.
newrepublic.com
September 13, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Do Republicans read The New Republic?
Thanks to @hcrichardson.bsky.social for covering this eye-opener.
#democracy #ifyoucankeepit
newrepublic.com/article/2151...
Thanks to @hcrichardson.bsky.social for covering this eye-opener.
#democracy #ifyoucankeepit
newrepublic.com/article/2151...
Meanwhile Trump rakes in oil profits from the war he started for no reason.
www.cnbc.com/2026/09/09/t...
www.cnbc.com/2026/09/09/t...
Trump's oil investments have gained millions during Iran war as his accounts keep trading
Donald Trump retained major oil and gas investments as the Iran war has moved energy markets. CNBC analyzed his holdings, trades and estimated gains.
www.cnbc.com
September 9, 2026 at 12:37 PM
Meanwhile Trump rakes in oil profits from the war he started for no reason.
www.cnbc.com/2026/09/09/t...
www.cnbc.com/2026/09/09/t...
New plan to end the climate crisis by the end of the decade. Who knew the silver bullet would be aimed at…us.
www.axios.com/2026/09/09/o...
#Axios #doomer #lethalAI
www.axios.com/2026/09/09/o...
#Axios #doomer #lethalAI
September 9, 2026 at 12:01 PM
New plan to end the climate crisis by the end of the decade. Who knew the silver bullet would be aimed at…us.
www.axios.com/2026/09/09/o...
#Axios #doomer #lethalAI
www.axios.com/2026/09/09/o...
#Axios #doomer #lethalAI
As seen in The West Wing, what...25 years ago?
UN votes to adopt new world map that shows Africa’s true scale
UN votes to adopt new world map that shows Africa’s true scale
Togo-sponsored resolution called to phase out traditional map that depicts continent as similar size to Greenland
www.theguardian.com
September 6, 2026 at 11:23 PM
As seen in The West Wing, what...25 years ago?
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
Nope.
“developers who'd be forced to individually contact each rights holder for permission, paying out potentially billions for copyrighted works would be prohibitively costly”
As it should be. Each of those works was *work.* Stop whining and either pay writers or change your model.
“developers who'd be forced to individually contact each rights holder for permission, paying out potentially billions for copyrighted works would be prohibitively costly”
As it should be. Each of those works was *work.* Stop whining and either pay writers or change your model.
Training AI models on copyrighted works is "squarely what transformative use is," EFF’s Tori Noble told @reason.com - these are "general purpose tools" and "exactly the kind of creation that copyright is designed to foster."
DOJ says barring AI training on copyrighted material could 'severely hamper' tech progress
Training a model on copyrighted work is the same transformative use exception that protects The New York Times' journalism.
reason.com
September 5, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Nope.
“developers who'd be forced to individually contact each rights holder for permission, paying out potentially billions for copyrighted works would be prohibitively costly”
As it should be. Each of those works was *work.* Stop whining and either pay writers or change your model.
“developers who'd be forced to individually contact each rights holder for permission, paying out potentially billions for copyrighted works would be prohibitively costly”
As it should be. Each of those works was *work.* Stop whining and either pay writers or change your model.
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
Gloria Steinem died with fewer rights than she had during her lifetime. That fact needs to be front and centre of every media report, every dedication, every discussion of her death.
September 3, 2026 at 3:39 PM
Gloria Steinem died with fewer rights than she had during her lifetime. That fact needs to be front and centre of every media report, every dedication, every discussion of her death.
My space-adventure novel Endurance is included in Jae's Sapphic Book Bingo this week. (Each book in the Captain Randall series has a secret keeper.) Buy the ebook from my publisher and get 35% off! Link: elaineburnes.com/endurance/
📚🪐🏳️🌈 #sapphicseptember #keepsapphicbookshuman
📚🪐🏳️🌈 #sapphicseptember #keepsapphicbookshuman
September 3, 2026 at 1:37 PM
My space-adventure novel Endurance is included in Jae's Sapphic Book Bingo this week. (Each book in the Captain Randall series has a secret keeper.) Buy the ebook from my publisher and get 35% off! Link: elaineburnes.com/endurance/
📚🪐🏳️🌈 #sapphicseptember #keepsapphicbookshuman
📚🪐🏳️🌈 #sapphicseptember #keepsapphicbookshuman
This was one of those horrifying "I remember where I was" moments. Her legacy lives on.
Before losing her life in 1986 aboard Space Shuttle Challenger, Christa McAuliffe was set to be the first teacher in space with plans to teach a lesson to kids around the world from orbit. Today is her birthday, and even now, her courage and dedication to education continues to inspire.
September 2, 2026 at 4:50 PM
This was one of those horrifying "I remember where I was" moments. Her legacy lives on.
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
This is an alarming reminder that Trump is actively sabotaging our elections and using the USPS to disenfranchise millions of American citizens.
We cannot allow the fascist occupant of the White House to get away with this unlawful, dangerous power grab.
We cannot allow the fascist occupant of the White House to get away with this unlawful, dangerous power grab.
BREAKING: Whistleblower says U.S. Postal Service system Trump ordered for vetting mail ballots is likely to cause major disruptions this fall if implemented.
Whistleblower says USPS system Trump ordered for mail ballots is flawed and untested
An executive order from Trump, which is stymied in the courts, required the Postal Service to rapidly build a complex system to vet mail ballots.
nbcnews.to
September 1, 2026 at 8:41 PM
This is an alarming reminder that Trump is actively sabotaging our elections and using the USPS to disenfranchise millions of American citizens.
We cannot allow the fascist occupant of the White House to get away with this unlawful, dangerous power grab.
We cannot allow the fascist occupant of the White House to get away with this unlawful, dangerous power grab.
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
To folks who think caving on things like “Lake America” doesn’t matter in the long run…
It does.
It invites more such ego-serving
It suggests that there’s no push back.
It teaches people to expect more of the same.
It matters.
It does.
It invites more such ego-serving
It suggests that there’s no push back.
It teaches people to expect more of the same.
It matters.
September 2, 2026 at 2:19 AM
To folks who think caving on things like “Lake America” doesn’t matter in the long run…
It does.
It invites more such ego-serving
It suggests that there’s no push back.
It teaches people to expect more of the same.
It matters.
It does.
It invites more such ego-serving
It suggests that there’s no push back.
It teaches people to expect more of the same.
It matters.
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
Readers of sapphic fiction, I'd love your input!
I’m running a survey to learn more about your reading habits & how you're dealing with the changes in the book world.
I'd appreciate it if you could take a moment to fill out the anonymous survey: jae-fiction.com/sapphic-fict...
I’m running a survey to learn more about your reading habits & how you're dealing with the changes in the book world.
I'd appreciate it if you could take a moment to fill out the anonymous survey: jae-fiction.com/sapphic-fict...
August 27, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Readers of sapphic fiction, I'd love your input!
I’m running a survey to learn more about your reading habits & how you're dealing with the changes in the book world.
I'd appreciate it if you could take a moment to fill out the anonymous survey: jae-fiction.com/sapphic-fict...
I’m running a survey to learn more about your reading habits & how you're dealing with the changes in the book world.
I'd appreciate it if you could take a moment to fill out the anonymous survey: jae-fiction.com/sapphic-fict...
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
The fight against AI is very important, support human authors please!
www.amazon.com/author/chadm...
www.audible.com/author/Chad-...
Lost Mask: www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZFHHNZR
#KeepSapphicBooksHuman
www.amazon.com/author/chadm...
www.audible.com/author/Chad-...
Lost Mask: www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZFHHNZR
#KeepSapphicBooksHuman
September 1, 2026 at 12:32 PM
The fight against AI is very important, support human authors please!
www.amazon.com/author/chadm...
www.audible.com/author/Chad-...
Lost Mask: www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZFHHNZR
#KeepSapphicBooksHuman
www.amazon.com/author/chadm...
www.audible.com/author/Chad-...
Lost Mask: www.amazon.com/dp/B0GZFHHNZR
#KeepSapphicBooksHuman
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
First time I’ve used this meme.
How could I not?
How could I not?
September 1, 2026 at 5:04 PM
First time I’ve used this meme.
How could I not?
How could I not?
Do you read sapphic fiction? Author and advocate Jae wants to get a better sense of how reading habits are changing in this dawn (or is it the dark times?) of AI. Take her survey (there’s also one for authors): jae-fiction.com/sapphic-fict...
#sapphicfiction 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️📚
#sapphicfiction 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️📚
Sapphic Fiction Surveys - Jae
Thank you for taking a few minutes to participate in this survey for readers of sapphic fiction.
jae-fiction.com
September 1, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Do you read sapphic fiction? Author and advocate Jae wants to get a better sense of how reading habits are changing in this dawn (or is it the dark times?) of AI. Take her survey (there’s also one for authors): jae-fiction.com/sapphic-fict...
#sapphicfiction 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️📚
#sapphicfiction 🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️📚
This September, support sapphic stories written by human authors.
Authors: If your sapphic book is 100% generative-AI-free, please add it to the comments so readers can discover your work!
Readers: Check out the books in the comments and find your next sapphic read.
#KeepSapphicBooksHuman
📚🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Authors: If your sapphic book is 100% generative-AI-free, please add it to the comments so readers can discover your work!
Readers: Check out the books in the comments and find your next sapphic read.
#KeepSapphicBooksHuman
📚🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
September 1, 2026 at 12:07 PM
This September, support sapphic stories written by human authors.
Authors: If your sapphic book is 100% generative-AI-free, please add it to the comments so readers can discover your work!
Readers: Check out the books in the comments and find your next sapphic read.
#KeepSapphicBooksHuman
📚🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
Authors: If your sapphic book is 100% generative-AI-free, please add it to the comments so readers can discover your work!
Readers: Check out the books in the comments and find your next sapphic read.
#KeepSapphicBooksHuman
📚🏳️🌈🏳️⚧️
“But good writing doesn’t have to imagine everyone. It only has to imagine the truest thing about all of us, that exists in each of us.”
This is a beautiful tribute. Made me go listen to songs I hadn't heard before. She's so much more than the few hits we hear about over and over.
#Dolly #writer
This is a beautiful tribute. Made me go listen to songs I hadn't heard before. She's so much more than the few hits we hear about over and over.
#Dolly #writer
I wrote about Dolly Parton in my latest @nytopinion.nytimes.com column.
Thank you.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/o...
Thank you.
www.nytimes.com/2026/08/27/o...
Opinion | The Greatest Story Dolly Parton Ever Wrote Was Herself (Gift Article)
She didn’t see herself as a saint; she identified as something we needed even more: a writer.
www.nytimes.com
August 27, 2026 at 12:14 PM
Dolly Parton's philanthropy is remarkable, but remember how she came to that wealth. She earned it. Through hard work. And treating others fairly.
#Dolly #dreambig #inspiration
#Dolly #dreambig #inspiration
August 27, 2026 at 10:24 AM
Dolly Parton's philanthropy is remarkable, but remember how she came to that wealth. She earned it. Through hard work. And treating others fairly.
#Dolly #dreambig #inspiration
#Dolly #dreambig #inspiration
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
Yes, Dolly Parton *chose* not to be a billionaire. By investing in people. In children's literacy, in families post-disaster, in vaccine research, and so much more. She never forgot what it means to be in need.
''Dolly wanted to make sure kids knew how to read and understand the world around them. This is what she spent her money on instead of buying twitter, buying an election, villainizing trans people, investing in Palantir, making sure we slid into fascism.''
August 26, 2026 at 12:01 PM
Yes, Dolly Parton *chose* not to be a billionaire. By investing in people. In children's literacy, in families post-disaster, in vaccine research, and so much more. She never forgot what it means to be in need.
Excellent noodle news!
Now it can be told! The sequel to AUTOMATIC NOODLE is coming next fall ... get ready for NOODLE UNION! (Also note that my editor Stephanie Stein has a way with dad jokes.)
August 25, 2026 at 12:50 AM
Excellent noodle news!
I don’t think people fully appreciate how much the 2026 midterms present an existential crisis for Trump. He loses Congress, he loses the presidency. He may not go to jail under this DOJ, but he will some day. We laugh at him like he’s a buffoon. He’s not. He’s terrifying.
#don'tpanic #resist
#don'tpanic #resist
August 21, 2026 at 10:50 AM
I don’t think people fully appreciate how much the 2026 midterms present an existential crisis for Trump. He loses Congress, he loses the presidency. He may not go to jail under this DOJ, but he will some day. We laugh at him like he’s a buffoon. He’s not. He’s terrifying.
#don'tpanic #resist
#don'tpanic #resist
We didn't get "into a conflict." Trump started a war and the GOP did nothing to stop him.
Mike Johnson: "We put in this Congress into place all the economic conditions to let the economy take off like a rocket, and beginning in the first quarter of this year that's what was happening, and then we got into the conflict with Iran ... that's the big headwind we have right now."
August 15, 2026 at 5:03 PM
We didn't get "into a conflict." Trump started a war and the GOP did nothing to stop him.
Reposted by Elaine Burnes 🏳️🌈
Activists have set up a protest camp in the Arizona border town of Lochiel to prevent the destruction of a grove of ancient cottonwood trees. Federal contractors plan to destroy the grove to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.
August 14, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Activists have set up a protest camp in the Arizona border town of Lochiel to prevent the destruction of a grove of ancient cottonwood trees. Federal contractors plan to destroy the grove to build a wall at the U.S.-Mexico border.