Notices by Sheril Kirshenbaum (sheril@mastodon.social), page 4

Dogs are the best.

"Saruman believes that it is only great power that can hold evil in check.

But that is not what I have found.

I've found it is the small things, everyday deeds of ordinary folk that keeps the darkness at bay.

Simple acts of kindness and love.”

- Gandalf, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey

Financial constraints to living & working in Washington, D.C. likely define & reinforce the community of people able to stay long enough to achieve senior positions, leading to a policy-making community distinct from the American public.

https://sheril.substack.com/p/left-out-of-the-room-where-it-happens #politics

So what? "Misperceptions & blind spots among decision makers may occur, in part, because their lived experiences primarily reflect those from communities with the resources required to maintain influential roles."

The “History” channel 😆

I simply adore this comic by Sketching Science #science #art

I am honored to receive MSU’s 2024 graduate student award for science communication. https://engage.msu.edu/awards/msu-outreach-and-engagement-awards-ceremony

I laughed.

I chuckled. Another delightful #comic by Sarah Andersen. #dogs

Some days, I happen upon a LEGO scene like this & find myself eager to hear the full story. #lego #art

“The world is indeed full of peril, and in it there are many dark places; but still there is much that is fair, and though in all lands love is now mingled with grief, it grows perhaps the greater.”

- J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring #books

Mastodon may not be as big as some other social networks. And it may not have as many celebrities & "influencers."

But it sure is a nice place to engage with curious, thoughtful & interesting folks in ways that I haven't experienced elsewhere online.

Rather than a chaotic circus, #Mastodon uniquely feels like a (mostly) friendly neighborhood.

A librarian helped me find the book my son requested today. She knew the plot & the characters & even pointed me to the newest story from the series in case he might enjoy that too. Then she recommended other #books he might like.

When I thanked her, she simply shook her head explaining, “It’s my job. And I really love my job!”

I share this anecdote simply bc librarians are the best people 📚✨

Born in 1906, computer scientist Grace Hopper invented the first compiler for computer programming language & was among the first programmers of the Harvard Mk1 computer.

Hopper popularized the idea of machine-independent programming languages & paved the way to develop COBOL (an early high-level programming language). She originated the term "bug" to describe computer glitches & became a celebrated Rear Admiral in the US Navy. https://news.yale.edu/2017/02/10/grace-murray-hopper-1906-1992-legacy-innovation-and-service #science #history

I see we’re sharing #SuperbOwl photos on Mastodon tonight. Alrighty then!

I met this gorgeous barn owl last year.

Do you have a favorite species?

Mine is currently the wombat.

Born in 1885, Clara Belle Williams became the 1st Black graduate of New Mexico College of Agriculture & Mechanic Arts (now NMSU).

While a student, many professors did not allow her into lecture halls so she took notes from the hallway. When she graduated in 1937, commencement ceremonies were canceled bc a group of students refused to walk with her.

Williams persevered despite discrimination, earning recognition as a teacher & lifelong learner. https://libexhibits.nmsu.edu/onlinexhibits/cbwilliams/index.html #HistoryRemix #history

Well, it's #GroundhogDay, again.

“Only in America do we accept weather predictions from a rodent but deny #ClimateChange evidence from scientists.”

I share this meme every year on February 2. #science

Guy at conference: Do you have kids?
Me: Yes.
Guy: Wow! So your husband is taking care of them?
Me: Yes. He’s their dad. 🤔

#SilentSunday

“I think [bicycling] has done more to emancipate women than anything else in the world. I stand & rejoice every time I see a woman ride by on a wheel. It gives woman a feeling of freedom & self-reliance. It makes her feel as if she were independent. The moment she takes her seat she knows she can’t get into harm unless she gets off her bicycle & away she goes, the picture of free, untrammeled womanhood.”

- Suffragist Susan B. Anthony, 1896 https://www.nytimes.com/2019/11/06/obituaries/annie-londonderry-overlooked.html?unlocked_article_code=1.NU0.gAMP.GI5GiD5Z7SJR&smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare #history #bike /2

In 1894, a Boston man bet another $20K that no woman could travel around the world by bicycle.

So Annie Cohen Kopchovsky, then penniless, learned to bike & set out to prove him wrong & earn prize money.

From 1894-95, she did just that (sailing between continents). Kopchovsky kept her husband & family a secret, using the alias Londonderry. She won $10K for her accomplishment & returned to raise her family.

https://jwa.org/thisweek/jun/25/1894/annie-cohen-kopchovsky #HistoryRemix #history