{"version":"https://jsonfeed.org/version/1","title":"Micro.blog - Joe Hoffman","home_page_url":"https://micro.blog","feed_url":"https://micro.blog/posts/JoeHoffman","_microblog":{"about":"https://micro.blog/about/api","id":"7674","username":"JoeHoffman","bio":"An old physicist loose among the liberal arts. The Corporate Communications Office won’t let me blog about anything I actually know.\n","pronouns":"","is_following":false,"is_you":false,"following_count":19,"discover_count":0},"author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/avatar.jpg"},"items":[{"id":"95150913","content_html":"<p>Williams writes women: <a href=\"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/08/williams-writes-women/\">idiosophy.com</a></p>","summary":"","url":"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/08/williams-writes-women/","date_published":"2026-08-03T23:17:56+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-03 23:17","date_timestamp":1785799076,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"95102600","content_html":"<p>Circles of initiation for novel readers: <a href=\"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/08/circles-of-initiation-for-novel-readers/\">idiosophy.com</a></p>","summary":"","url":"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/08/circles-of-initiation-for-novel-readers/","date_published":"2026-08-03T02:20:52+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-08-03 02:20","date_timestamp":1785723652,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"94941408","content_html":"<p>The Mount Heritage Bar and Grill has a guitarist on the patio this evening. His first hour set concluded with “Aqualung” followed by “Feelings”. #liveMusic</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/07/30/the-mount-heritage-bar-and.html","date_published":"2026-07-31T00:30:50+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-31 00:30","date_timestamp":1785457850,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/117011766787595368"]}},{"id":"94663673","content_html":"<p>I just killed a spotted lanternfly by whacking it with a rolled-up World Wildlife Fund calendar. #invasiveSpecies</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/07/25/i-just-killed-a-spotted.html","date_published":"2026-07-26T00:23:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-26 00:23","date_timestamp":1785025421,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116983426802843621"]}},{"id":"94657274","content_html":"<p>#TIL A student at MIT who takes sailing, pistol, fencing, and archery qualifies for a pirate certificate. <a href=\"https://physicaleducationandwellness.mit.edu/about/pirate-certificate/\">physicaleducationandwellness.mit.edu/about/pir…</a></p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/07/25/til-a-student-at-mit.html","date_published":"2026-07-25T20:48:30+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-25 20:48","date_timestamp":1785012510,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116982580160272111"]}},{"id":"94440304","content_html":"<p>Charles Walter Stansby Williams, Rocker: <a href=\"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/07/charles-walter-stansby-williams-rocker/\">idiosophy.com</a></p>","summary":"I am reading The Greater Trumps by Charles Williams (1931), about an upper-class English family that discovers a deck of cards they have is the original, full-powered Tarot. As I went, I came across the part where Aaron “pointed to the Fool in the middle of the field. It was still: it alone in the [...","url":"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/07/charles-walter-stansby-williams-rocker/","date_published":"2026-07-21T22:58:32+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-21 22:58","date_timestamp":1784674712,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"94173575","content_html":"<p>A TeX error in this paper has given the world the word “langlekrangle”, for which I am grateful. #reviewing</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/07/17/a-tex-error-in-this.html","date_published":"2026-07-17T14:53:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-17 14:53","date_timestamp":1784300000,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116935885103286931"]}},{"id":"93884205","content_html":"<p>The kitchen floor is tile, sitting on the foundation slab. It’s always 68° F. When I came in from the heat, the neighbor’s cat sneaked in too and has now splooted himself on the floor. I thought #Caturday was yesterday!</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/07/12/the-kitchen-floor-is-tile.html","date_published":"2026-07-12T16:57:32+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-12 16:57","date_timestamp":1783875452,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116908062874587197"]}},{"id":"93401926","content_html":"<p>Relics: <a href=\"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/07/relics/\">idiosophy.com</a></p>","summary":"Last week I read Chris Pipkin’s monograph on Monster Relics. It’s about a fascinating idea that I’d never encountered before: that there’s a connection between the way churches exhibit relics of saints and the way heroes carry home body parts or treasures or something to show their triumph over some...","url":"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/07/relics/","date_published":"2026-07-04T01:55:15+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-07-04 01:55","date_timestamp":1783130115,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"93095050","content_html":"<p>Trans-Disciplinary: <a href=\"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/06/trans-disciplinary/\">idiosophy.com</a></p>","summary":"I asked attendees at Mythmoot XII what their undergraduate degree is in. I got 41 responses, for a total of 53 majors. As you can see, we came from all over. I lumped all the engineers together and though they were all different kinds, together they made up a plurality of 5. Communications was next ...","url":"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/06/trans-disciplinary/","date_published":"2026-06-28T22:56:39+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-28 22:56","date_timestamp":1782687399,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"92361039","content_html":"<p>John Garth is doing it backward: First he wrote an excellent, widely-cited book about #Tolkien; now he’s going to school to get a D.Phil <a href=\"https://johngarth.wordpress.com/2026/06/17/tolkien-the-critics-and-why-im-starting-an-oxford-doctoral-project-on-the-lord-of-the-rings-and-war/\">johngarth.wordpress.com/2026/06/1…</a></p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/06/17/john-garth-is-doing-it.html","date_published":"2026-06-17T14:23:01+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-17 14:23","date_timestamp":1781706181,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116765897103184382"]}},{"id":"92288069","content_html":"<p>Neville Morley has the real scoop on why not to leave #academia. <a href=\"https://thesphinxblog.com/2026/06/16/ten-theses-on-not-leaving-academia/\">thesphinxblog.com/2026/06/1…</a></p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/06/16/neville-morley-has-the-real.html","date_published":"2026-06-16T13:58:14+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-16 13:58","date_timestamp":1781618294,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116760136988963071"]}},{"id":"92212678","content_html":"<p>The most important thing about #gardening is having someone who will look at the basket of vegetables you just brought in, taste a couple, and say, “I know what to make with these!”</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/06/15/the-most-important-thing-about.html","date_published":"2026-06-15T11:35:04+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-15 11:35","date_timestamp":1781523304,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116753911550996487"]}},{"id":"92046939","content_html":"<p>The power finally came back on after last night’s storm, so I have been spared the indignity of starting up the generator to charge the lawnmower battery.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/06/12/the-power-finally-came-back.html","date_published":"2026-06-12T15:03:59+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-12 15:03","date_timestamp":1781276639,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116737746749516199"]}},{"id":"91756130","content_html":"<p>A squirrel is digging for nuts in my garden. He is sure that last fall he buried a nut in the mulch that I spread last week.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/06/08/a-squirrel-is-digging-for.html","date_published":"2026-06-08T13:49:02+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-08 13:49","date_timestamp":1780926542,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116714802375208055"]}},{"id":"91389443","content_html":"<p>Seen in The Guardian: “Secretary of state Marco Rubio is set to face a litany of questions Tuesday…” That seems like a mis-metaphor — in a litany, one knows the answers. #uspol</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/06/02/seen-in-the-guardian-secretary.html","date_published":"2026-06-02T12:05:26+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-06-02 12:05","date_timestamp":1780401926,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116680421058678323"]}},{"id":"90961497","content_html":"<p>A squirrel was skulking suspiciously around the screen porch. He didn’t seem to notice that I was watching. He looked left, looked right, then stuck his nose under a seat cushion and came out with a walnut.\nHe’s even lazier than the one that buries nuts in the compost pile.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/05/26/a-squirrel-was-skulking-suspiciously.html","date_published":"2026-05-26T18:57:24+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-26 18:57","date_timestamp":1779821844,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116642405991001097"]}},{"id":"90961357","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/danielpunkass\">@danielpunkass</a> And I couldn’t care even less than the minimum.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/90961357","date_published":"2026-05-26T18:53:42+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-26 18:53","date_timestamp":1779821622,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90909562","content_html":"<p>News we can use: <a href=\"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/05/news-we-can-use/\">idiosophy.com</a></p>","summary":"Most scholarly texts don’t put the useful information up front like this. Several things growing in my yard are useful against Elves, which I don’t doubt is why I see them so seldom. Reference","url":"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/05/news-we-can-use/","date_published":"2026-05-26T00:05:13+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-26 00:05","date_timestamp":1779753913,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"90644613","content_html":"<p>Twenty-something cashier at the diner says, “That’s $16.38. Cash or card?” I handed her $16.38. She looked at the coins in her hand with fierce concentration, then held up the quarter and asked, “This one’s 25, right?”</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/05/21/twentysomething-cashier-at-the-diner.html","date_published":"2026-05-21T16:20:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-21 16:20","date_timestamp":1779380407,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116613474671909885"]}},{"id":"90531412","content_html":"<p>Brave Sir Plenorius, non-allegorious: <a href=\"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/05/brave-sir-plenorius-non-allegorious/\">idiosophy.com</a></p>","summary":"I was reading the story in Malory of sir “La Cote Male Tayle” when a question occurred to me. There’s a big fight scene at the end with three brothers: sir Playn de Fors, sir Playn de Amoris, and sir Plenoryus. For anyone who loves allegory (and who doesn’t?) this is the good stuff: sir […]","url":"https://www.idiosophy.com/2026/05/brave-sir-plenorius-non-allegorious/","date_published":"2026-05-20T01:46:17+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-20 01:46","date_timestamp":1779241577,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":[]}},{"id":"90232999","content_html":"<p>Some of the tomato seedlings were way too tall for their 4-inch pots. I had to plant them in the ground, despite the 49 °F overnight temperature. Then I figured, if normal gardens can have row covers, why can’t mine have column covers? It worked, though it looked kind of ominous. #gardening</p>\n<img src=\"https://cdn.uploads.micro.blog/2954/2026/6c8eb27495-m.jpg\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" alt=\"A badly-weeded garden plot with black garbage bags over four tomato cages. They look like dolmens erected in honor of the volcano god. \" loading=\"lazy\">\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/05/15/some-of-the-tomato-seedlings.html","date_published":"2026-05-15T14:40:47+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-15 14:40","date_timestamp":1778856047,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116579111422518059"]}},{"id":"90049243","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/artkavanagh\">@artkavanagh</a> That Lenin link is a gateway to many wasted hours of wiki-weirdness.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/90049243","date_published":"2026-05-12T23:52:19+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-12 23:52","date_timestamp":1778629939,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90048612","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/KimberlyHirsh\">@KimberlyHirsh</a> Yes, we could tell the corporatization of research was going to be bad, but not exactly how. Crichton’s extrapolation made a better story than the way it actually turned out. 😀</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/90048612","date_published":"2026-05-12T23:41:00+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-12 23:41","date_timestamp":1778629260,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"90048526","content_html":"<p>Alpha radiation is stopped by a sheet of paper. Beta radiation can penetrate a magazine but not a book. Authors therefore need beta readers to get more than a superficial impression of the reaction to a work. In this essay I will… #writing</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/05/12/alpha-radiation-is-stopped-by.html","date_published":"2026-05-12T23:37:09+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-12 23:37","date_timestamp":1778629029,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116564234329461402"]}},{"id":"89765706","content_html":"<p>Some people don't understand recycling: <a href=\"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/05/07/some-people-dont-understand-recycling.html\">joehoffman.micro.blog</a></p>","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/05/07/some-people-dont-understand-recycling.html","date_published":"2026-05-07T14:06:32+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-07 14:06","date_timestamp":1778162792,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":true,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116533677060259876"]}},{"id":"89765124","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/danielpunkass\">@danielpunkass</a> “Computer, analyze!”</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/89765124","date_published":"2026-05-07T13:54:20+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-07 13:54","date_timestamp":1778162060,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"89765097","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/BestofTimes\">@BestofTimes</a> That looks delicious, said the guy who’s recently become gluten-sensitive and misses bread terribly. Is that the King Arthur recipe? <a href=\"https://www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/gluten-free-honey-oat-sandwich-bread-recipe\">www.kingarthurbaking.com/recipes/g…</a></p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/89765097","date_published":"2026-05-07T13:53:41+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-07 13:53","date_timestamp":1778162021,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"89391707","content_html":"<p>The neighbors have gathered to rescue three #fox kits from the storm sewer. One is safely in a havahart trap. The others have failed to understand the arrangement of step-stools that have been lowered through the manhole to facilitate their escape. At what age do foxes learn to be clever? #SuburbanLife</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/05/01/the-neighbors-have-gathered-to.html","date_published":"2026-05-01T15:33:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-05-01 15:33","date_timestamp":1777649625,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":false,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116500051953827795"]}},{"id":"88955385","content_html":"<p>Today, for the first time, I replaced a burned-out LED light bulb.</p>\n","summary":"","url":"https://joehoffman.micro.blog/2026/04/24/today-for-the-first-time.html","date_published":"2026-04-24T20:53:26+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-04-24 20:53","date_timestamp":1777064006,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":false,"is_podcast":false,"note":"","syndication":["https://universeodon.com/@Virginicus/116461667360595358"]}},{"id":"86092139","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/danielpunkass\">@danielpunkass</a> …and today there are two inches of snow on the ground.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/86092139","date_published":"2026-03-13T01:06:29+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-13 01:06","date_timestamp":1773363989,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"86092021","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/artkavanagh\">@artkavanagh</a> Only the good die young.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/86092021","date_published":"2026-03-13T01:04:48+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-03-13 01:04","date_timestamp":1773363888,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"83359889","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/fromjason\">@fromjason</a> I have just started to sympathize with those ancient monks who didn’t eat for months at a stretch.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/83359889","date_published":"2026-02-01T18:18:53+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-02-01 18:18","date_timestamp":1769969933,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"83049865","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/fromjason\">@fromjason</a> “Migration” is a good word, here. Changing to a new platform isn’t just one farmer pulling up stakes and planting them elsewhere. It’s trying to move a complex social graph of relationships, which always gets damaged in the process. Similar things happen to a society fleeing climate change change or oppression, so “migration” may not even be a metaphor.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/83049865","date_published":"2026-01-28T11:30:25+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-28 11:30","date_timestamp":1769599825,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"82106579","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/fromjason\">@fromjason</a> If we were a majority, this would be good advice. But as it stands, we have to invent and use soft power.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/82106579","date_published":"2026-01-15T11:25:15+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-15 11:25","date_timestamp":1768476315,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"81231020","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/BestofTimes\">@BestofTimes</a> He’s just told the priest, “This is no time to make enemies.”</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/81231020","date_published":"2026-01-03T00:06:22+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2026-01-03 00:06","date_timestamp":1767398782,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"80787670","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/fromjason\">@fromjason</a> I got special permission from Infosec to install Perl on my work computer, so I guess I’m a hacker, too.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/80787670","date_published":"2025-12-26T17:46:07+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-12-26 17:46","date_timestamp":1766771167,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"79623966","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/artkavanagh\">@artkavanagh</a> Shake it off.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/79623966","date_published":"2025-12-09T02:44:35+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-12-09 02:44","date_timestamp":1765248275,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"79489537","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/danielpunkass\">@danielpunkass</a> FIFA is so corrupt that even my cynical old brain strains to encompass it.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/79489537","date_published":"2025-12-06T23:44:48+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-12-06 23:44","date_timestamp":1765064688,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"78597717","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/fromjason\">@fromjason</a> Applause!👏🏻</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/78597717","date_published":"2025-11-23T21:36:47+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-23 21:36","date_timestamp":1763933807,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"77220080","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/fromjason\">@fromjason</a> Nothing but money matters to them.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/77220080","date_published":"2025-11-04T16:54:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-11-04 16:54","date_timestamp":1762275285,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"75800777","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/danielpunkass\">@danielpunkass</a> Best use I ever got out of an LLM was when I asked it to give me references to answer a question. All six of the references were bogus, but three of them mentioned the Brookings Institution. So I went to Brookings’s website, searched there, and <em>voilà</em>!</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/75800777","date_published":"2025-10-15T02:07:29+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-10-15 02:07","date_timestamp":1760494049,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"75574790","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/josephaleo\">@josephaleo</a> It’s going to take all November to get you back to writing like a normal person.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/75574790","date_published":"2025-10-12T00:37:06+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-10-12 00:37","date_timestamp":1760229426,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"75172013","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/danielpunkass\">@danielpunkass</a> I believe that’s what we call a “side hustle”.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/75172013","date_published":"2025-10-06T22:56:45+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-10-06 22:56","date_timestamp":1759791405,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"74483183","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/fromjason\">@fromjason</a> Has anyone heard from China about this alleged deal?</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/74483183","date_published":"2025-09-27T16:00:42+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-09-27 16:00","date_timestamp":1758988842,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"73526090","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/BestofTimes\">@BestofTimes</a> I toured Westminster Abbey a couple of weeks ago. The tomb of Mary, Queen of Scots is inscribed with all her connections to various aristocratic families. There were so many it wrapped around three sides — the woman was a genetic time bomb.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/73526090","date_published":"2025-09-14T11:42:58+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-09-14 11:42","date_timestamp":1757850178,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"72714651","content_html":"<p><span class=\"h-card\"><a href=\"https://micro.blog/hl@social.lol\" class=\"u-url mention\">@hl</a></span> Nailed it.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/72714651","date_published":"2025-09-03T21:30:44+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-09-03 21:30","date_timestamp":1756935044,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"72582705","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/artkavanagh\">@artkavanagh</a> Only objection I have to that article is that ridiculously cheap solar power actually happened.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/72582705","date_published":"2025-09-02T13:00:57+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-09-02 13:00","date_timestamp":1756818057,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"71546646","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/hollyhoneychurch\">@hollyhoneychurch</a> This is what summer is all about.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/71546646","date_published":"2025-08-19T00:39:11+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-08-19 00:39","date_timestamp":1755563951,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}},{"id":"71375480","content_html":"<p><a href=\"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman\">@JoeHoffman</a> Picking up a half-inch water pipe with a four-foot-wide bucket takes finesse.</p>\n","url":"https://micro.blog/JoeHoffman/71375480","date_published":"2025-08-16T13:26:18+00:00","author":{"name":"Joe Hoffman","url":"http://www.idiosophy.com","avatar":"https://cdn.micro.blog/photos/96/https%3A%2F%2Fmicro.blog%2FJoeHoffman%2Favatar.jpg","_microblog":{"username":"JoeHoffman"}},"_microblog":{"date_relative":"2025-08-16 13:26","date_timestamp":1755350778,"is_favorite":false,"is_bookmark":false,"is_deletable":false,"is_conversation":true,"is_linkpost":false,"is_mention":true}}]}