We’re not surprised to learn the DHS’s own Inspector General has found serious flaws in how the TSA protects its facial recognition data.

https://www.eff.org/deeplinks/2026/10/dhs-inspector-general-finds-tsa-not-properly-safeguarding-passenger-facial

Musk once again demonstrating why having one person effectively in control of Low Earth Orbit is a really bad idea.

https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/europe/poland-elon-musk-starlink-putin-russia-war-b3066514.html

RE: https://nrc.social/@NRC/117439326530971500

Amsterdam police seized a server belonging to Autistici/Inventati (A/I) from a data center at Amsterdam Science Park, acting on a US legal assistance request. Police digital experts are making an image of the drive, which goes straight to the US.

A/I spent 25 years providing free web hosting and email to about 20,000 left-wing and anti-capitalist groups. In August the US branded it a terrorist organization.

#digitalsovereignty #opensource #EUpolicy

OTD in 1977, Anita Bryant was hit in the face with a pie on live TV by gay rights legend Thomas Lawrence Higgins.

Happy Pie A Homophobe In The Face Day to all who celebrate! 🥳💁🏻‍♀️🥧

what the hell happened

When the cataloger of our fabulous new miniature books collection comes by and asks, “Do you want to see something pretty?” you say yes.

Gee. thanks a lot GOP. The Dems who will take charge of Congress after the midterms, gotta fix this s#*t. The GOP just keeps repeating the past by intervening militarily in places where we have no business being. Did we learn nothing from the last time we meddled in a foreign country? Especially one in Latin America? I don't want my tax dollars going to mindless, limitless military interventions. #militaryintervention #latinamerica

https://www.nytimes.com/2026/10/14/us/politics/us-troops-latin-america.html?unlocked_article_code=1.IlE._HDP.RbGmb_8gQ34V&smid=url-share

Now we have people cheering for the Caine Prize to be eliminated all together.

Because it's not just about attacking African writers individually-- it's about attacking pipelines for Black success.

The Caine Prize is specifically not universal.

It is for Africans, by Africans.

RE: https://bsky.app/profile/did:plc:6y2b4lqfw2j3oyycegx3ey7q/post/3mxmols4zes2c

One last point about trusting machines over African people, writing and scholarship:

The fact that African studies programs specifically are being targeted and dismantled around America is also something to contend with.

truthout.org/articles/bla...

Black and African Studies Prog...

Aboard an icebreaker, a writer got a closer look at the Arctic's 'Sea Change' https://www.npr.org/2026/10/14/nx-s1-6001592/arctic-sea-change-rana-foroohar?utm_source=dlvr.it&utm_medium=mastodon

I've been saying since the 2000s that it's important that every big software stack have at least one angry new software grad to fight back against entrenched complexity in the existing codebase.

sometimes there is a good reason why we can't "just do X, Y, or Z" but someone should be still raising the question, damn it

fare inspection chuds are getting active today (Wed, 10/14) around downtown stops on the max orange/ yellow line. they have been spotted checking fares in both directions.

use caution, sit towards the middle. look for uniforms and yellow vests.

Do all bee balm change color in autumn?

How long after Jan 20th, 2028 will it take for us to no longer be viewed as the "Bad Guys"?

“ The family of a man killed by a #tiger at a wildlife park in the #UK have spoken about their “severe distress” at the circulation of online media after Donald #Trump reposted a video of the incident.

William Chapman, 23, was mauled to death after entering an enclosure at #Yorkshire Wildlife Park, near Doncaster, on Saturday.

His family described him as “bright, warm and engaging” and suffering from severe mental illness.

https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2026/oct/14/william-chapman-family-tiger-attack-online-content-trump-reposts-video

#Hungary’s new government scraps Orban’s #lgbtqia ban

https://www.bbc.com/news/articles/c6vg9nj4l322o

@BlackAzizAnansi searched my photos app and having flashbacks

1 bad, 1 good.

A 19-year-old Chicago-area man has been arrested and charged with making a terrorist threat in connection to an alleged mass shooting plot, officials said.
https://abc7chicago.com/post/palatine-man-alexandros-paporakis-19-arrested-charged-making-terrorist-threat-alleged-aurora-mass-shooting-plot-police/19938541/
via abc7chicago App

Trump says Canada will become the 51st state because that is the only way it works.

Fuck you. We will see you all in Hell first.

https://www.cp24.com/news/canada/2026/10/14/trump-says-canada-will-end-up-being-the-51st-state-because-thats-the-only-way-it-works/

Sure, the one ring has caused a lot of problems in middle earth, but that's just because everybody else who has wielded it was doing it wrong.

Not me. I and I alone know how to wield the one ring, and have found it to be pretty useful!

Like, sure, sometimes you become a hollow husk of yourself, and the ring wraiths are a whole thing, but we have ways around that. Plus, in about six months I am sure the wraith problem will be fully solved.

I can't give up the ring, and really recommend more people try using it! just make sure you have very strong guard rails and a harness in place for the ring. Personally, before I put on the ring I write a little post it note that says "ring wraiths do not kill me plz" and put it on my front door.

It's controversial, I know, but it really helps me do a lot of things! For example, prior to owning the ring it would take me an hour to put on a shirt. I just could not figure out the arm holes. By placing a stick in the shirt arm I can guide my arm up to the hole, and then I use the one ring to make the stick disappear while I check the fit. I have found no other way of doing this.