Mike MacFerrin
@icesheetmike.myatproto.social
Dr in glaciology and expert mapper of coastal topography at a Cooperative Research Institute. An organizer for disability rights in science, which mostly involves yelling at agencies. Science is the easier part of my work. #T1D
Pinned
CIRES researchers challenge the status quo to make field research safer and more inclusive. New frameworks address both exclusionary policies and recommendations for hostile behaviors that occur once they get there: buff.ly/nn5rcMo #fieldwork #CIRES 📷 Lianna Nixon
I’m very thankful to Stephanie Maltarich at @cires.colorado.edu for this writeup about efforts to reform how scientific fieldwork operates. To make it less hostile & exclusionary, and *actually* safer.
From our research talks @ AGU about this subject. The work is ongoing. #disability 🧪
From our research talks @ AGU about this subject. The work is ongoing. #disability 🧪
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
This is AMAZING!
In other, and more important, news: children learn how to make rain by cooperation.
September 15, 2026 at 8:11 PM
This is AMAZING!
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
A significant part of that *as a user* is having a moderation team that is sensitive to racism and misogynoir online
So people feel safe
So people feel safe
The biggest thing, to me, is that @rude1.blacksky.team is building what I believe is what social media should’ve always been from the start. BlueSky gets credit for getting AT Protocol off the ground, but BlackSky is really delivering the vision, IMO. I believe in what they’re doing.
Rudy Fraser on Black Sky and the Fight for an Independent Internet
Rudy Fraser explains how Black Sky is building a community-controlled internet beyond surveillance, censorship, and corporate algorithms.
noirpress.org
September 15, 2026 at 11:08 AM
A significant part of that *as a user* is having a moderation team that is sensitive to racism and misogynoir online
So people feel safe
So people feel safe
I googled "how to migrate to the BlackSky servers," and had my whole account ported over in <5 mins (in my case, to the myatproto.social domain).
WOW they made that easy. Highly recommend. 👍
docs.blacksky.community/info-about-b...
WOW they made that easy. Highly recommend. 👍
docs.blacksky.community/info-about-b...
Migrate to Blacksky | Blacksky Documentation
Complete guide to migrating your Bluesky account to Blacksky's infrastructure. Covers migration tools, step-by-step instructions, troubleshooting, and how to use Blacksky services without migrating.
docs.blacksky.community
September 15, 2026 at 4:11 AM
I googled "how to migrate to the BlackSky servers," and had my whole account ported over in <5 mins (in my case, to the myatproto.social domain).
WOW they made that easy. Highly recommend. 👍
docs.blacksky.community/info-about-b...
WOW they made that easy. Highly recommend. 👍
docs.blacksky.community/info-about-b...
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
We are looking for a PhD student to join our FirnMelt team on the topic of "Radar glaciology and firn hydrology of the Greenland Ice Sheet".
This position is based in Copenhagen (GEUS/DTU) and the call closes 14 October 2026.
candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationI...
This position is based in Copenhagen (GEUS/DTU) and the call closes 14 October 2026.
candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationI...
September 7, 2026 at 1:27 PM
We are looking for a PhD student to join our FirnMelt team on the topic of "Radar glaciology and firn hydrology of the Greenland Ice Sheet".
This position is based in Copenhagen (GEUS/DTU) and the call closes 14 October 2026.
candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationI...
This position is based in Copenhagen (GEUS/DTU) and the call closes 14 October 2026.
candidate.hr-manager.net/ApplicationI...
It’s extremely refreshing to still see local reporters doing actual investigative journalism in this day & age, when too many mainstream outlets just capitulate and normalize the <waves arms everywhere> blatant fascism.
Marx, his family, and his campaign promoted a merch shop where Marx said donors could funnel unlimited funds to support their effort. Meetings with Marx sold for $1300. When we uncovered a filing indicating Marx owned the LLC, the merch site vanished. www.9news.com/article/news...
www.9news.com
September 14, 2026 at 7:50 PM
It’s extremely refreshing to still see local reporters doing actual investigative journalism in this day & age, when too many mainstream outlets just capitulate and normalize the <waves arms everywhere> blatant fascism.
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
There’s a kind of fetishizing of disabled people who don’t rock the boat. It’s an offshoot of inspiration porn—the way nondisabled (or laterally ableist) people hold up disabled people who have done great things “in spite of” a disability—or somehow have something to “teach” nondisabled people.
September 14, 2026 at 5:18 PM
There’s a kind of fetishizing of disabled people who don’t rock the boat. It’s an offshoot of inspiration porn—the way nondisabled (or laterally ableist) people hold up disabled people who have done great things “in spite of” a disability—or somehow have something to “teach” nondisabled people.
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
hey academic pals, tenure packet request: if you've assigned any of my work in your classes, can you let me know and maybe boop me a syllabus if you have it handy?
September 14, 2026 at 5:06 PM
hey academic pals, tenure packet request: if you've assigned any of my work in your classes, can you let me know and maybe boop me a syllabus if you have it handy?
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
"When a bridge collapses, you don’t analyze whether the bridge was ethical or sentient or why it decided to collapse. You ask, who built this bridge to be so flimsy? There are permits you have to acquire [& supposed] tests. When you ask about the bridge collapsing itself, you’ve lost the thread"
Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons. www.wired.com/story/one-of...
One of AI’s Fiercest Critics Says All the Doom Talk Is ‘Meant to Distract Us’
Timnit Gebru argues that AI companies are stoking fears of extinction to avoid discussing actual harms, like autonomous weapons.
www.wired.com
September 11, 2026 at 3:29 PM
"When a bridge collapses, you don’t analyze whether the bridge was ethical or sentient or why it decided to collapse. You ask, who built this bridge to be so flimsy? There are permits you have to acquire [& supposed] tests. When you ask about the bridge collapsing itself, you’ve lost the thread"
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
see, it’s not that hard
In Massachusetts, we have a responsibility to protect the vulnerable and stand up for those who need it. We don’t throw trans kids under the bus for political points. We protect them—and all of our neighbors—because trans rights are human rights.
September 11, 2026 at 3:28 AM
see, it’s not that hard
~~~
A gentle reminder that The Guardian formed a “commercial media partnership” with OpenAI last year.
Ponder “why is this an ad rather than a warning”
~~~
A gentle reminder that The Guardian formed a “commercial media partnership” with OpenAI last year.
Ponder “why is this an ad rather than a warning”
~~~
OpenAI not on track to reduce risk of ‘catastrophic’ loss of control, says board member
OpenAI not on track to reduce risk of ‘catastrophic’ loss of control, says board member
US government adviser Paul Christiano warns of risks to AI industry as he joins OpenAI’s non-profit foundation
OpenAI is not on track to reduce risks of “catastrophic” loss of control to an acceptable level, a member of its non-profit board has warned, amid spreading public and political concern that super-advanced AIs could one day wipe out humanity.
Paul Christiano, a US government technology adviser, said “there is a meaningful risk that rapid acceleration in AI capabilities leads to catastrophic and irreversible loss of control in the very near term.” Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
September 10, 2026 at 1:37 PM
~~~
A gentle reminder that The Guardian formed a “commercial media partnership” with OpenAI last year.
Ponder “why is this an ad rather than a warning”
~~~
A gentle reminder that The Guardian formed a “commercial media partnership” with OpenAI last year.
Ponder “why is this an ad rather than a warning”
~~~
There’s an indignity to owing an outstanding balance to a company with more money than god that makes up extravagent prices from thin air, just because my insurance company bumped my annual deductible to a thousand bucks. It’s a joke. A charade.
Gawd I can’t wait to get single-payer healthcare.
Gawd I can’t wait to get single-payer healthcare.
September 9, 2026 at 12:38 PM
There’s an indignity to owing an outstanding balance to a company with more money than god that makes up extravagent prices from thin air, just because my insurance company bumped my annual deductible to a thousand bucks. It’s a joke. A charade.
Gawd I can’t wait to get single-payer healthcare.
Gawd I can’t wait to get single-payer healthcare.
Very on-brand the techbros are all
~HEY we made the most innovative school using a patented blend of and AI and Innovation™!~
…but all they created in the end was a child-abusing robot babysitter that vacuums tax dollars.
~HEY we made the most innovative school using a patented blend of and AI and Innovation™!~
…but all they created in the end was a child-abusing robot babysitter that vacuums tax dollars.
September 8, 2026 at 4:40 PM
Very on-brand the techbros are all
~HEY we made the most innovative school using a patented blend of and AI and Innovation™!~
…but all they created in the end was a child-abusing robot babysitter that vacuums tax dollars.
~HEY we made the most innovative school using a patented blend of and AI and Innovation™!~
…but all they created in the end was a child-abusing robot babysitter that vacuums tax dollars.
BURN. IT. DOWN. 🔥
As part of boot camp, Alpha School students apparently have their heart rates monitored as they watch recorded videos of their parents critiquing them. This activity takes place in front of their classmates, and students must keep their heart rates within 10 percent of their baseline to pass.
September 8, 2026 at 4:10 PM
BURN. IT. DOWN. 🔥
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
Criselda Vasquez, American, The New American Gothic, 2017, oil on canvas, 72 x 48 in, private collection
The artist's father, portrayed in the painting, was kidnapped by ICE on 31 March 2026
The artist's father, portrayed in the painting, was kidnapped by ICE on 31 March 2026
September 7, 2026 at 2:35 PM
Criselda Vasquez, American, The New American Gothic, 2017, oil on canvas, 72 x 48 in, private collection
The artist's father, portrayed in the painting, was kidnapped by ICE on 31 March 2026
The artist's father, portrayed in the painting, was kidnapped by ICE on 31 March 2026
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
#Colorado #Vote
Today is a great day to check on the status of your
Voter Registration!
Pop open the Secretary of State site at the family picnic and help your relatives to check theirs!
www.sos.state.co.us/voter/pages/...
Today is a great day to check on the status of your
Voter Registration!
Pop open the Secretary of State site at the family picnic and help your relatives to check theirs!
www.sos.state.co.us/voter/pages/...
Find My Voter Registration - Colorado Secretary of State
www.sos.state.co.us
September 6, 2026 at 1:07 PM
#Colorado #Vote
Today is a great day to check on the status of your
Voter Registration!
Pop open the Secretary of State site at the family picnic and help your relatives to check theirs!
www.sos.state.co.us/voter/pages/...
Today is a great day to check on the status of your
Voter Registration!
Pop open the Secretary of State site at the family picnic and help your relatives to check theirs!
www.sos.state.co.us/voter/pages/...
I enjoy that the median BlueSky response to the ‘38 Most Influential BlueSky Posters’ poll was some version of
“OMG this is incredibly silly to the point of nonsense but also please vote for me.”
“OMG this is incredibly silly to the point of nonsense but also please vote for me.”
September 5, 2026 at 8:55 PM
I enjoy that the median BlueSky response to the ‘38 Most Influential BlueSky Posters’ poll was some version of
“OMG this is incredibly silly to the point of nonsense but also please vote for me.”
“OMG this is incredibly silly to the point of nonsense but also please vote for me.”
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
Just in time for the 2026-2027 vaccines, a new review shows that COVID19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization across all age groups, including kids.
Pregnant women were also protected, as were their babies.
Don’t forget to schedule your vaccination!
Pregnant women were also protected, as were their babies.
Don’t forget to schedule your vaccination!
COVID-19 Vaccine Effectiveness and Safety for the 2026-2027 Respiratory Season
This Special Communication aims to identify and summarize the most recently published evidence evaluating the effectiveness and safety of US-licensed COVID-19 vaccines and report on the epidemiology o...
jamanetwork.com
September 3, 2026 at 10:18 PM
Just in time for the 2026-2027 vaccines, a new review shows that COVID19 vaccination significantly reduces the risk of severe illness and hospitalization across all age groups, including kids.
Pregnant women were also protected, as were their babies.
Don’t forget to schedule your vaccination!
Pregnant women were also protected, as were their babies.
Don’t forget to schedule your vaccination!
Just found out that a documented abuser in the academy who *almost* faced consequences several years ago—only for colleagues to rescue them so they could be awarded our field’s highest honors—has since been recently fired at *another* university for blatant & rampant abuse.
We f’n told y’all.
We f’n told y’all.
September 3, 2026 at 8:30 PM
Just found out that a documented abuser in the academy who *almost* faced consequences several years ago—only for colleagues to rescue them so they could be awarded our field’s highest honors—has since been recently fired at *another* university for blatant & rampant abuse.
We f’n told y’all.
We f’n told y’all.
Just a reminder that if voting didn’t matter, they wouldn’t go to such lengths to prevent you from doing it.
September 3, 2026 at 2:01 PM
Just a reminder that if voting didn’t matter, they wouldn’t go to such lengths to prevent you from doing it.
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
There are endless studies showing this and also the financial and societal benefits of universal basic income and or housing-first policies but the U.S. never goes for any of it because it would require allowing the poor to receive benefits that the rich consider “undeserved”
“A single-payer universal health care system could cover every American, save more than 100,000 lives a year, and still cost $1 trillion less than the system it would replace, according to a new preprint study led by researchers at the Yale School of Public Health.”
ysph.yale.edu/news-article...
ysph.yale.edu/news-article...
Universal Health Coverage Could Save $1 Trillion and 114,000 Lives Every Year, Yale Study Projects
A single-payer universal health care system could cover every American, save more than 100,000 lives a year, and still cost $1 trillion less than the system it
ysph.yale.edu
September 2, 2026 at 9:05 AM
There are endless studies showing this and also the financial and societal benefits of universal basic income and or housing-first policies but the U.S. never goes for any of it because it would require allowing the poor to receive benefits that the rich consider “undeserved”
Very glad to see the “go hard throwing trans people under the bus” guy get shredded at the ballot box.
September 2, 2026 at 2:16 AM
Very glad to see the “go hard throwing trans people under the bus” guy get shredded at the ballot box.
Reposted by Mike MacFerrin
Anybody know what happened to mitch McConnell?
September 1, 2026 at 6:55 PM
Anybody know what happened to mitch McConnell?
So, Google Maps (left) has capitulated to the mad king. But Apple Maps (right) has not. Just fyi.
August 30, 2026 at 1:25 PM
So, Google Maps (left) has capitulated to the mad king. But Apple Maps (right) has not. Just fyi.