Kino Zhao @kinozhao@fediphilosophy.org

Don't know if there's any point in saying this, but just to put it out there: I just blocked ICYMI (Philosophy), a bot that randomly boosts my post (as I'm on a list of philosophers).

I don't know who maintains that bot, and I can see why it may sound like a good idea. But, um, Mastodon, for me at least, is not quite about that kind of thing.

https://newworkinphilosophy.substack.com/p/kino-zhao-simon-fraser-university
I made a video abstract!
I couldn't get myself to watch it but I had Will watch it to tell me it looks ok. Hope it looks ok to you too >_<

http://asymptoticphilosophy.com/our-place-in-the-fediverse/
A reflection on Mastodon. I promise it's less than 30% rant.

TIL Reddit is raising API pricing to absurd levels to kill off third party apps, just like Twitter.
It was fun while it lasted. Y’all are gonna have to post a lot more frequently on here to fill my doomscrolling needs.

With many complicated thoughts and feelings, I have made the biggest professional decision since the start of my PhD.

I decided to start writing in Word.

Pray for me.

Today’s speculation: the world will be a better place (maybe not a “much” better place but a slightly better place) if philosophers are generally open to the possibility that I know more stats than they do.

Walking pass a “funeral planning” place and started talking about funeral planning with my spouse (as one does). Decided that what I want is for my body to be donated to the Smithsonian body farm and my funeral to be a place where everyone take turns listing 10 things that are better in the world now that I’m dead.

Don't know if there's any point in saying this, but just to put it out there: I just blocked ICYMI (Philosophy), a bot that randomly boosts my post (as I'm on a list of philosophers).

I don't know who maintains that bot, and I can see why it may sound like a good idea. But, um, Mastodon, for me at least, is not quite about that kind of thing.

Going through a faculty media training program and getting complimented on my ability to explain philosophy in plain language while making it sound worthy of time really makes me realize how much I've had to justify philosophy of science to philosophers, scientists, and randos in the past.

Like, lol, the "curve ball" question of "do you think this is something consumers should think about?" is nowhere near the top 50 aggressive questions I've gotten on this topic. I can handle 10 variations of "what's the point of philosophy anyway" in stride and with a smile.

Can someone explain PhD regalia to me?

My school's graduation page sells a black one that's very cheap (<$100) but crappy looking -- doesn't have colours and I'm pretty sure the sleeves are wrong.

If I google online, I find a different one that looks much closer to what I've seen on stage and much closer to the price-range of what others report (~$600). It also has colours matching my school colours.

But this style of regalia is nowhere linked or mentioned on my school's graduation page, and every seller that lists this is an independent seller. I don't know if they'd check my degree to make sure they're giving me the right one.

I tried to read the acenet's description of regalia and there are so many rules. I really don't want to get a wrong one.

So... help? @academicchatter

Normal people: oh they haven't responded to my email, they must be busy. It hasn't been that long anyways I'll just do something else.

Anxious people: they haven't responded in an hour, did the email not go through? Did I say something to piss them off?

Me: they haven't responded to my email. Did I really send it? Is this person actually real? Did I imagine this whole exchange? Do I actually exist??

Not that I needed more evidence, but today I confirmed, yet again, that librarians are gods.

New blog post! On reminding myself not to lose track of the heart I had when I started, which is pettiness and revenge fantasy.

https://asymptoticphilosophy.com/it-might-happen-after-all/