Mark Sirota

Just Go Ahead and Lie (2012). She’s a cog sci major at Franklin & Marshall, the class is Bad Language: Meaning and Use. It’s a 200-level philosophy class, prof Nick Kroll.

The small world syndrome strikes again: my daughter will be reading an article by @jennysaul.bsky.social in her Bad Language class.

I love this. Contact Amy, or me, if you’re interested in running for public office, especially local office, and would like a mentor, a sounding board, or just want to know more.

I awoke today thinking that I had lost my 185-day streak in Connections. Alas, it was just a dream, so I'll have to keep playing.

I think you’ve misparsed it. They’re angled like a newf, and perhaps could be angled in other ways.

F&M Players Provides Creative Outlet for Students F&M students are exploring their passion for theatre through a student-led production of "Into the Woods," which runs Jan. 16-18 in the Roschel Performing Arts Center.

One of many proud dad moments: www.fandm.edu/stories/stud...

Friends and family have questioned my dogmatic approach to data privacy, but here’s a good example of why. I appreciate this clear example of why regular law-abiding people should be concerned.

This is the best 16 minutes of D&D footage ever.

👋

Targeted ads aren’t just about ads. It is possible to protect your privacy online to a degree, though it takes some effort. It’s worth the effort, IMHO.

Completed Ravensburger Butterfly Challenge jigsaw puzzle

Over the break I completed this Ravensburger Butterfly Challenge 1000-piece puzzle with my dad. Perhaps the most challenging jigsaw puzzle I/we have ever done. Out of print, but available if you look around. Recommended for anyone who loves difficult jigsaw puzzles.

Earthrise, Bill Anders, Apollo 8, 1968-12-24

The original Earthrise was captured on this day in 1968 by Bill Anders on Apollo 8. One of the most powerful photos ever. I recommend putting a print of this on your wall someplace where you will see it often!

If you're here for my fireworks photography, follow @skyfirephotos.com!

Nonsense. We are whelmed all the time, it's just not notable.

It's one of the largest board game conferences, right here in Philly the first weekend of December. Mostly board games, also some role playing games and other adjacent activities. But the "regular board games" are mostly more modern and advanced than Scrabble and Scattergories! unplugged.paxsite.com

Also played Quiet House, another collaborative puzzle-solver in which you're not supposed to talk, but signal to other players through gameplay. Again, I'd rather play The Crew.

I agree about Fellowship -- my wife said, "I'd have loved this if I hadn't already played The Crew." I think The Crew is a better game in almost every way, except that I like LOTR and The Crew's settings (both of them) are just shoehorned fluff rather than properly integrated.

I played Fishing. It's pretty fascinating strategy-wise, but it is *extremely* finicky in the setup -- just getting the game started takes quite a while, especially for a trick-taking game with nothing more than a single deck of cards. Mixed review from me.

Some First Look games from #PAX2024 that I liked -- who else has opinions?
1980 Sixtina boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/42...
Australis boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Rivages boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/40...
Spectacular boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/41...
Tower Up boardgamegeek.com/boardgame/39...

Golden trails of fireworks rise from bottom to top

It’s #FireworksFriday! I’m pulling one photo from the archives each week. Today I’m in a more abstract mood… #fireworks #photography

I’m not sure if suburban school board members like me are in your target audience, but I would love to discuss why this insulting and mostly false perception exists. (I think I know the answer: see my comment about the role of incentives on your inevitability-of-populism post)

Fireworks cast a red glow over a crowd

Today is #fireworksfriday. I'll post a photo once a week. #fireworks #photography

A crowd watches a fireworks show

Thankful for all the people in my life, especially those who come with me to #fireworks shows. #photography

White fireworks in front a blue sky above a small crowd

Here's another #fireworks photo in front a #bluesky. #photography

It won't be completely invisible, but there is (and presumably will continue to be) a default option. You can already use feeds, block lists, etc. created by other people without really understanding how that works. Mastodon's geekiness is likely to prevent it from ever reaching critical mass, IMHO.

That, and Mastodon has a higher barrier to entry: you have to pick a server. The vast majority of people have no idea what that even means.

Feel the heat! This fireball is an estimated 65 feet (20 meters) tall -- those are supports for a batting cage net at lower left. A great addition to any fireworks display! This photo was a test while working on my technique for capturing them. #fireworks #photography

A pyrotechnician is silhouetted against launching fireworks

A pyrotechnician is silhouetted against smoke lit red by his own flare as he launches fireworks

Almost missed my daily post! This is my friend Larry, who is not yet on Bluesky. #fireworks #photography

OMG this would be amazing!

A big firework fills the frame

Is there anything better all by itself than a big brocade? #fireworks #photography