Native to the Americas, the turkey vulture (Cathartes aura) travels widely in search of sustenance. While usually foraging alone, it relies on other individuals of its species for companionship and mutual protection. Sometimes misunderstood, sometimes feared, sometimes shunned, it nevertheless performs an important role in the ecosystem.
This scavenger bird is a marvel of efficiency. Rather than expend energy flapping its wings, it instead locates uplifting columns of air, and spirals within them in order to glide to greater heights. This behavior has been mistaken for opportunism, interpreted as if it is circling doomed terrestrial animals destined to be its next meal. In truth, the vulture takes advantage of these thermals to gain the altitude needed glide longer distances, flying not out of necessity, but for the joy of it.
It also avoids the exertion necessary to capture live prey, preferring instead to feast upon that which is already dead. In this behavior, it resembles many humans.
It is not what most of us would consider to be a pretty bird. While its habits are often off-putting, or even disgusting, to members of more fastidious species, the turkey vulture helps to keep the environment from being clogged with detritus. Hence its Latin binomial, which translates to English as "golden purifier."
I rarely know where the winds will take me next, or what I might find there. The journey is the destination.
Well, for starters, every time I looked at it as an editing project, I found something less like work to do.
This is familiar. Yesterday, I wrote two poems - poems!, not songs - so I could enter "PromptMaster !" , so I could enter "The Contest Challenge" , which is a year-long commitment that was not included in my 2026 writing goals. All to avoid adding a new chapter to my novel. I'm maybe two scenes away from my midpoint crisis. I'm not if I'm dreading torturing my characters, or if my subconscious thinks it's not torturous enough. Either way, I have two poems now and can't even sing them. 😂
What can I say? "The story sounds great, get to editing!" No, I have the same affliction; I've written great stories, but when it comes to editing, they sit and smolder, getting colder by the year.
Shorter how? Shorter by saying "Don't go on social media."
I do think this suggestion has some issues, but I think that's because I've seen social media be a useful way to promote activities in Minneapolis that give people an opportunity to help others (e.g. informing people of food/essentials drives) and/or advertise events where people in the city can decompress for a bit. When used strategically, social media can shed light on things that may get overlooked with current legacy media incentives being more twisted than a tourniquet.
Oldest Son started dating a Chinese political refugee last year. The Chinese woman was kicked out of China for posting something critical of the government on the internet. They didn't exactly kick her out, but they are blocking her from being employed, rent an apartment, register a car ... they essentially blocked her from life.
Soooooo ... she lives with us now. And, yes, she is a fourth child to me. Although her English is very good, there remains somewhat of a language barrier. There are cultural differences. Oh, and don't get me started on China's One Child policy that has created a person who has no self-awareness because she was doted on by her parents and grandparents and never told to consider others. (Like chewing with the mouth closed. Like leaving some of the fun food things for others. Like not giggling loudly in the middle of the night when others are trying to sleep.)
Argh.
Well, she loves my son. Or she loves having a free place to live. I don't care. Even with all my above gripes, she is good company. She's easy going, funny, creative, and carries her own weight in the household. She has her own car and she's giving rides when the other cars are booked up.
And, and this is crucial, when I sit her down and explain life in a large~ish household, she immediately adapts and starts following the rules.
I like robots..but according to all the movies and books..they are going to be our downfall. They could really be a big help..but our government is going to turn them toward war etc.
Re #10: My first thought was of Data connecting with Locutus-Picard after he was rescued from the Borg. As for direct ad injection, of course it's going to happen, because it would be way better than subliminal advertising.
Shorter how? Shorter by saying "Don't go on social media."
But, I suppose people are going to go there anyway, so I suppose the article is relevant.
When graphic videos go viral, like the recent fatal shooting of Charlie Kirk, it can feel impossible to protect yourself from seeing things you did not consent to see.
People have different tolerances for "disturbing" content, so yes, it should be up to the user. Kind of like with the Content Rating System here.
The major platforms have also reduced their content moderation efforts over the past year or so. That means upsetting content can reach you even when you never chose to watch it.
One could argue that you chose to watch it by being on the platform in the first place.
Research shows that repeated exposure to violent or disturbing media can increase stress, heighten anxiety and contribute to feelings of helplessness.
And I went to the link to the "study" and it's not enough to convince me that this is the correct conclusion. Still, whatever the reason, if you don't want to see certain types of media, that's your choice.
Practical steps you can take
I'm obviously not going to copy all of them here.
Set boundaries. Reserve phone-free time during meals or before bed. Research shows that intentional breaks reduce stress and improve well-being.
This is just going to make you see less content overall, not just less disturbing content.
Social media is not neutral. Its algorithms are engineered to hold your attention, even when that means amplifying harmful or sensational material.
I have no reason to disbelieve this, but it seems to me to be one of those things where, even if it's not true, it helps to assume that it is.
I’m the executive director of the Post-Internet Project, a nonprofit dedicated to helping people navigate the psychological and social challenges of life online.
Oh, now I see the author's bias.
You can try the PRISM process for yourself with an online class...
You know what's worse than the worst, most disturbing content on social media?
Comment • View 2 comments 
