RE: @violetblue@mastodon.social
Iran has fired back and issued this statement: “Our response will be public, and there are no red lines… All American and Israeli assets and interests in the Middle East have become legitimate targets.”
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
mastodon
4.6.0-nightly.2026-03-16
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart.
Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more.
Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent.
Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary).
New book: https://www.amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water-Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 28, 2026
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 28, 2026
FYI: per NYT, WSJ, other sources the U.S. and Israel are bombing Iran right now
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 27, 2026
Threat Model is dedicated to finding the highest quality news sources of stories that deserve your attention – never behind a paywall. Since 2016.
Seeing outlets I byline for in the buyout today. Indies like me need your support more than ever. Please share.
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 27, 2026
New:
-Chaos at the CDC (again)
-ACIP announces meeting on #LongCovid and vaccines*
-Covid ⬆️ in US, AU, UK, NZ
-Christina Applegate goes on Jimmy Kimmel while infected
-A fab look at treating Covid safety like STI prevention
-A free ‘zine you’re going to love, plus more!
Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/covid-february-151686773
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 24, 2026
New:
-ID check tool Persona is on a US gov’t server, was used by Discord
-LinkedIn currently uses Persona for ID checks; it also tracks behavior
-People across the US are destroying Flock (ICE) cameras
-2nd NZ health app breach
-Tim Curry's secret Clue ending, more⬇️
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 19, 2026
New newsletter! This week’s brief is a wild ride. We might get that turbocharged flu vax after all, masking Olympian wins gold *and* breaks record, Covid-safe performers making bank and having a blast, the long US surge continues, real talk about Covid pacing, more:
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 17, 2026
Help us give out 20 free tickets to For A Just Society; includes all sessions and food across the 3-day conference. Equitable democracy through Indigenous models? YES. Any size donation helps us bring low/no income attendees into the conversations!
More info here: https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/stout-centre/about/donations-and-fundraising
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 13, 2026
New: Covid + TB spreading at ICE concentration camps, Winter Olympic athletes are taking Covid precautions, the US long winter C19 wave continues, bad new variant prompts Portugal/Germany/Thailand to restart Covid testing for China arrivals, and ridiculous cat pics!
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 12, 2026
I'm honored to help raise hardship funds for this groundbreaking event, so those low on funds can participate in conversations to define an equitable future. We can't have one without these voices. Please consider giving a little to Kia Tika, Kia Pono. Includes food!
https://www.wgtn.ac.nz/stout-centre/about/donations-and-fundraising
(I wrote that text! ☺️ )
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 10, 2026
New #cybersecurity roundup, in which we find it hard to exit the coal mine with all these canaries on the ground.
Also, alternatives to Discord (ranked), rules for extraterrestrials, a social media rage check tool, and more: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cybersecurity-10-150379364
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 10, 2026
Video postcard from the Mount Street Cemetery, at Victoria University of Wellington today. It's practically next to my office 🥰
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 09, 2026
Wow, I was just notified that The Covid Safety Handbook got an incredible BookLife Prize 2025 review and is advancing to the next round (quarter-finals)! 10 out of 10 for prose!!!
Here's what they wrote:
https://booklife.com/project/the-covid-safety-handbook-staying-safe-in-an-unsafe-world-104902
View on mastodon.social
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Feb 05, 2026
There's actually some good news this week! First vaccine targeting SARS virus family enters human trials! Four EU orgs form international federation Long COVID Rise Up! Metformin helps prevent Long Covid! And check out that sweet neon green mask fit. Click, share!
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Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
Violet Blue
@violetblue@mastodon.social
Award-winning author, journalist. Shaped like the hole in your heart. Engadget, Popular Science, freelance reporter on hacking, privacy, sexuality, human rights. Previously SF Chronicle, ZDNet, CBS, O Magazine, many more. Six IPPY awards (2023 Gold); notable book appearance: Oprah; Advisor to Without My Consent. Coming soon: Mental Health and Horror (documentary). New book: https://www. amazon.com/Fish-Has-Word-Water -Francisco-ebook/dp/B0BQ5FG59C
mastodon.social
@violetblue@mastodon.social
·
Jan 20, 2026
New: fake French “patriot” social media accounts go out with Iran’s internet, German gov’t to expand hacking powers to deal with America’s increasing threatiness (& US corporations), Trump admin to boycott RSA, Hootsuite is partnering with ICE, cat pics, more!
Link: https://www.patreon.com/posts/cybersecurity-20-148665290
#Cybersecurity
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