I thought the log entries gave us a window into Watney’s mind that we wouldn’t have had. The scenes with the rest of the crew and NASA needed narration, though. The only part I felt jarring was where the narrator, rather than a log entry, described the rover crashing in the Schiaparelli powder pit .
I agree that it couldn’t have happened in the current political climate, but the timing of the book is unspecified. I like the idea that the world would pull together to rescue someone in the future.
4 black double crested cormorants sailing through a lake together, with a light colored juvenile cormorant trailing behind.
DARE TO BE DIFFERENT! and slow.
#MotivationalMonday #birds
I usually find Russian literature depressing and difficult, so thank you for sharing your perspective. In The Martian, I thought Watney was consistently upbeat and focused on solutions, at least in the log entries we read. He probably would not log any crying jags he had in the HAB.
Several times I told my kids, “he can’t die. He’s gotta make it!” But I also told them that if this were a Russian novel, Watney probably would have died at the end. I thought the story was realistic enough that he could have died at any point.
I loved the science. Not because I understood it all - I studied archaeology, not anything useful for this scenario - but I thought the author did an excellent job of describing the problems and solutions in a way that intelligent people could follow, even if they had no background.
I find the challenge because of profanity hilarious. I do not swear as a general rule, but If I were stranded on Mars, the first thing I would do is drop a whole lotta F-bombs. It’s *Mars*, man. Any other reaction would be disingenuous to students.
It was definitely a page turner for me, and I read the last couple chapters staying up way too late like a teenager. I really liked Watney and thought the author did a good job of showing the humanity of everyone involved. I really wanted to know what happened next.
5 or 6 years - that is a surprise! I’m glad they made it, too.
Sleep, creep, leap! They look lovely!
I am only halfway through ATM and it’s a nail biter for me! I am so invested in these fictional people!
I feel this deeply.
a graphic design that has a green background with abstract markings and a white brushed outline around it, there's text on the foreground that says, "STOP ABUSING WOMEN. START HOLDING ABUSIVE MEN ACCOUNTABLE".
to all us men..
image credit: mas.to/@anikaris
#GenderBasedViolence #Femicide #Misogyny #Patriarchy #Kenya
In at least one respect, Orbán—an erstwhile democracy activist—might be less autocratic than Trump: He’s already publicly conceded his loss.
So I read the op-ed (archive.is/281II because not giving NYT clicks is praxis) and the entire time, I had the goose meme in center stage in my head - what opinions do you have to change? What ARE the objectionable expectations?
None of those are actually articulated. Probably because —
ICE detaining doctors is absurd. Let me explain something: foreign-trained doctors get trained and practice in places where American medical graduates often do not want to go. They are not taking jobs from anybody. They go to undesirable locations and take undesirable jobs.
#TinyJoys My teen calling out any animal we pass in the car. “Dog!” “Duck!” “Cobra chicken!” “Squirrel!”
😍
Passive murder is still murder.
Deny adequate, clean food, adequate clean water and appropriate medical care, and people d1e. Just ask anyone trying to survive in a red state.
LEFT: Vicious inhumanity celebrating the misfortune of others.
RIGHT: Joyous humanity celebrating the accomplishments of each other.
I think we should mark Child Abuse Prevention Month and S*xual Assault Awareness Month (both April) by releasing the #EpsteinFiles and prosecuting the perpetrators.
We just had our first fire of the year, too! So nice to be outside in the evenings.
Are you out of fucks to give? Join the #BannedBookSkyClub and read a book with a lot of fucks, so much so they had to publish a classroom edition so teachers could get the book approved by school boards.
Discussion begins April 15, 2026. Link to feed in replies. #TheMartian #BookSky
I also read the main character, Chaya, as #autistic: she has a strong sense of justice, frequently ignores social hierarchies, and her bluntness is both accurate and troublesome. It may have been unintentional, but I liked (the perceived) representation of a neurodivergent girl.
Cover of the book The Girl Who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farook. The title is at the top. Centered is an image of an adolescent in a shirt, long skirt, and a long braid of black hair riding an Asian elephant. The elephant has long tusks and a trunk raised like it is trumpeting. The pair are marching along a river through a jungle at sunset.
The Girl Who Stole an Elephant by Nizrana Farook is an excellent book. I thought the Setting in the author’s childhood homeland of rural Sri Lanka was beautiful, and the adolescent characters were relatable, even though they do some pretty ridiculous things. Definitely recommend.
🧵1/2
#BookSky 📚💙
I pruned the rose bush today! It’s leafing out, and I wanted to get to it before the spring activities take all my time next week.
#spring 🌱 #GardenSky 🌹
You can't separate anti-immigrant and anti-trans politics from what is happening with Iran. When MAGA picked transphobia and nativism as its organizing principle, it selected for the capacity to treat entire categories of people as civilizational threats whose elimination is an act of self-defense.
Really? I read that they are cool-weather crops, but I thought the leaves might get nipped if i gets too cold?
New over here so introducing myself with some commentary on Artemis II!
Four photos of the Bayeux Tapestry including embroidered images of soldiers and horses
Bayeux Tapestry, 70 meter long medieval masterpiece created by 11th century artisan women, is actually an embroidery in crewel wool (yarn) on a linen ground. Depicting the Norman conquest of England, it will be displayed at the British Museum this year. #WomensArt
President Trump speaks at a lectern with an American flag in the background. A headline reads: "Trump Repeatedly Threatens to Commit War Crimes in Iran." Photo by Tierney L. Cross/The New York Times.
President Trump has repeatedly threatened to destroy infrastructure that makes up the foundations of civilian life in Iran — attacks that in most cases would be considered war crimes. He said on Wednesday that the U.S. would bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages.” www.nytimes.com/2026/04/05/u...
