This obituary was written by a woman who wanted to eulogize James Watson, but knew she might die before he did.
https://www.statnews.com/2025/11/07/james-watson-remembrance-from-dna-pioneer-to-pariah/
It’s a worthy read.
How to Human: Conversation and taking turns
The CA Reddit forum reposted this one from 2019:
#1168 and #1169: Friendship, Conversation, and TAKING TURNS
Learning how to take turns in conversation was one of the really important things for me, growing up. I don’t think anyone explicitly taught it to me, but especially after I got over my childhood “just never talk to strangers, ever” dealie, it helped to realize that other people like to talk about themselves, too! Even if you yourself don’t care about the other person (like if they’re a store clerk or whatever) it’s still a kind and pro-social thing to ask them about themselves.
But not to excess. And not everyone appreciates it.
But it’s as good a starting place as any. Refine your technique from there.
Being a cable guy
This essay was very poignant.
https://www.huffpost.com/entry/cable-tech-dick-cheney-sex-dungeon_n_5c0ea571e4b06484c9fd4c21
It’s the kind of thing that would have completely changed my perspective if I had read it in 2007, because I simply was not exposed to this kind of job back then. Not that I am a lot now, but, I’m at least a little better informed.
It is good for growing empathy for people in low wage jobs, people on disability, people with addictions.
Your son might work bagging groceries for the rest of his life.
Saw this Substack post today.
https://substack.com/@carriecariello/note/c-166796284?r=2ng1ln
“Your son might work in a grocery store bagging groceries for the rest of his life.”
And? So what? That’s an important job. Grocery stores are fundamental in keeping our society running.
The people who work in our grocery stores are an important part of our community.
And they should be able to afford to live in any community in this country.
This is why I support subsidized housing in my neighborhood. Because people like Jack deserve to live among people like me.
Don’t be an ableist, classist shitheel. Support integrated subsidized housing.
Stardew conversation
“I wish I could take my horse on the minecart.”
“What?”
“You know, the mine carts! I want the horse to get to take a break.”
“The horse wouldn’t fit on the mine cart.”
“I think it would!”
“I think you need your horse privileges revoked.”
Which of us is 12 and which is 42? 😂
New word
“I like this one. It matches the esque of your glasses.”
I’ve never heard “esque” (like the productive suffix used to make an adjective) used in this manner before, but I love it!
The days are long but the years are short
I thought this was a beautiful and powerful art installation.
Word of the day: Generalization
My friend just used the word “genderalization” and I think it’s a really clever portmanteau of gender-based generalizations.
A NSFW neologism
When you take precautions so that other people can’t hear you going at it, that’s called OPSEX.
Today I learned: History!
I didn’t realize that General Pulaski of Pulaski Highway (and also the Revolutionary War) is theorized to have been intersex! Neat!
Emilybook 