Umm Kaboom / Alex H.

As a special Friday treat, we’ve got @umm.kaboom AND @mid_evil724 AND @kalboi.noodle AND @purrfectdame ALL spotted here in Spores putting in work 💚🔥💚 Photo once again by @deesphotogdump who captures so many important moments from some of the most meaningful games

What a weekend in Louisiana! 🌟 Salaam gave it their all at the tournament—winning 2 out of 3 games and climbing up the ranks. 🔥 We had an absolute blast, and couldn’t be more proud of our teammates—three of them snagged MVP honors! 🏆💖 @umm.kaboom @nadinekdesigns @ethel.murderz 💚💜💛 @yallstarstournament #Salaamrollerderby #swana #rollerderby

Late to the game because of life, but finally posting about the wonderful Global Roller Derby Awards from last month. Such a lovely and thoughtful event put on by @angelcityderby and especially @tuilyon . Thank you for allowing us the space to get dressed up and actually enjoy each others' company while we all smelled good for once. It was an honor to play @black_derby_collective in their debut. I want to give a special shoutout to @oliveskatealliance , though, and what they've built with @queerskatealliance . Olive has been at this shit for a minute and has been walking the walk for every step of the way. They have not backed down from centering trans folks in the sport, from calling out explicitly trans misogyny, from saying the unpopular thing when derby people with status and fame would get mad, and from connecting Black, brown, and Palestinian liberation to trans and queer liberation. Derby is far from fucking perfect, but a big reason it's gotten better in the past decade has been because of this human and the house that they have built. In a world of so much fear and uncertainty, it is a balm to have a space where we can be in community with each other, to laugh, to flirt (let's be honest here), and to feel trans and queer joy. 👽💚 📸 by @deesphotogdump and @galgo.23

2025 was a year of a derby that I could only dream of. @salaam_roller_derby as a vision that spoke only on the wind, in the after parties where we said "wouldn't it be cool if we..." And yet, it happened. And we get to do it again and again. Plus many other opportunities to skate with various loves and idols and heroes. Here's to more in 2026 (although with less traveling to the Alps)

An @ac_zedorzee appreciation post: Truly unique, joyous, righteous, and funny. You light up every room you're in. I am glad that you too are afflicted with the poster's illness. Thanks for being my partner, comrade, and rodent pal (we can't say squirrel friend without paying RuPaul royalties) this year. To many more. I'm gonna get so good at Mario Kart while you're back home, though.

Let's talk about the AI hype machine. When ChatGPT launched in 2022, it kicked off a frenzy of promotion and investment that has sent some tech companies' valuations soaring to record heights. But not everyone's buying into the hype. Computational linguist Emily M. Bender and AI researcher and sociologist Alex Hanna have proudly worn the titles of "AI hype busters," critiquing the industry's loftiest claims and pointing out the real-world harms behind this wave of excitement. They're also the authors of a new book, "The AI Con: How to Fight Big Tech's Hype and Create the Future We Want." In this episode, Alex and Emily explain why the term "AI" misleading and why we should question the inevitability of the AI narrative — even when it's coming from self-proclaimed AI doomers. Listen in the link in bio, or wherever you get your podcasts! #closealltabs #closealltabspodcast #ai #doomer #doomermemes #ainews #hottakes #openai #chatgpt

BREAKING: @althea_zed and I are not the same person. #rollerderby #skatewars2025

I'm still thinking about last week when @salaam_roller_derby represented our people and our ancestors on the largest (modern) roller derby stage that has ever existed, at @rollerderbyworldcup in Innsbruck, Austria. The idea of representing SWANA people on the derby track was a dream 10+ years ago for many, as @pigsaysmou reminded us recently. For us to come into a stadium of 6,000, chanting for a Free Palestine and loving each other with every vibration of our being was beyond my wildest expectations. I love you @salaam_roller_derby , thank you for giving me and all of us a derby home.

We’re celebrating BAD this weekend at @rollerderbyworldcup ! We’re so proud of @soupfinisher @j_greeeeen @boppin76derby and @umm.kaboom representing @japanrollerderby @teamphilippines_rollerderby and @salaam_roller_derby ! 🎆 Join in the fun by catching the RWDC livestream on their site AND a special BOGO 50% sale for Halloween bout & Golden Bowl X tournament tickets! Grab them at the links in our bio ✨ #wftda #goldenbowlx #rollerderby #bayarea #halloween

THE AI CON is out in bookstores today!!! It's been a wild ride. I think Emily and I wrote a damn fine book, and we hope you'll enjoy it too. Check out TheCon.AI for book events this week and next. Here's me at City Lights in SF where we'll be on May 15.

THIS SATURDAY!! I'm playing at the @bayareaderby Season Opener at the Richmond Memorial Auditorium with the San Francisco Rolling Dead! It's going to be so, so fun!! There's going to be amazing food from @picklesnsmoke , an after-party at @the_factory_bar , tons of alcohol and just an all around amazing time! Grab your tickets at @bayareaderby !

A very late @nobordersderby tournament picture dump. I love @salaam_roller_derby . Free 🇵🇸.