Kate Gace Walton

A Tragic Avalanche and the Perils of Groupthink I've been thinking about how decisions get made--and how important it is to question everyone, even the experts.

The more I read about this tragic incident, the more I thought: *never* stop thinking for yourself. #decisionmaking #groups #risk #expertise

open.substack.com/pub/kategace...

Screenshot from tax-planning questionnaire, asking "Did your marital status change?" The no column is checked.

Was tempted to answer this question from my tax preparer as follows: "Yes, in small, almost imperceptible ways because 20 years is a long time and life is hard." But in the end, I just checked the "no" column.

What White Liberals Crave Liberal fantasies of heroism are not innately immoral. But, as Mark Twain knew, they're childish.

From Mark Twain to The Pitt, @virginiaheffernan.bsky.social 's writing routinely takes my breath away. (And the occasional typo, since fixed, means she can write this well FAST. Astonishing. 🤯)
open.substack.com/pub/virginia...

Turns out the Big Dark's not quite over--but this is coming, #Seattle. ❤️

I think the world has gotten to that point where maybe I just watch Friday Night Lights again.

I am--most affordable midlife crisis ever. Behold: me changing my own f*cking oil.

@rachelholliday.bsky.social I (56yo who had never driven a stick shift before) bought a 1996 Suburu Sambar for exactly this reason--and it is true: it makes everything better.

I love this form of quiet insurrection. I shall partake.

I mean, sure: it’s *possible* your dog is having a cuter Saturday. And if so please share! #dogsofBlueSky

Three Quick Things It's hard to re-capture the joy of cooking beer-can chicken atop a Hong Kong high-rise--but these three things lifted my spirits during this otherwise grueling week.

kategace.substack.com/p/three-quic...

Good day for a peaceful sploot pic. #dogsofbluesky

Steve Kerr, Doc Rivers join 'political interference' letter A number of prominent basketball coaches, including Steve Kerr and Doc Rivers, signed a public letter released Wednesday contending that political interference in universities threatens to undermine c...

Feeling vindicated about my enduring admiration for Steve Kerr. (H/t the tireless advocate for #freespeech Suzanne Nossel.) www.espn.com/espn/story?i...

Note to Self: Go Play Outside I know what I need. But sometimes I stay glued to my desk anyway. You?

#anxiety #stress #AI #jobs #economy #gah
kategace.substack.com/publish/post...

I think Jane Austen would have been very pleased with #Sanditon Seasons 2&3.

I used all my monitors to get through last night's "Stolen Valor" #SOTU. Audio-wise I swapped between the #StateoftheSwamp and the #People'sStateoftheUnion. I also appreciated the parasocial experience of watching with @thebulwark.com's head-in-hands Tim Miller. Good counter programming, all. 👏

This is like if someone invented the worst sleep meditation ever. #SOTU

LIVE: 'People’s State of the Union' at the National Mall YouTube video by MS NOW

Oh! There are two different events.

Happening now:
#People'sSOTU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aw_...

#StateOfTheSwamp
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT3R...

LIVE: 'People’s State of the Union' at the National Mall YouTube video by MS NOW

Oh! There are two different events.

Happening now:
#People'sSOTU
www.youtube.com/watch?v=4aw_...

#StateOfTheSwamp
www.youtube.com/watch?v=sT3R...

@defiance.org please please please tell me you have the gold-medal winning U.S. women's hockey team as honored guests for the #people'sSOTU???

The U.S. Men's Hockey Team Failed the Locker Room Test Men need to stop bonding over humiliating women

@jessicavalenti.bsky.social nails why yesterday was so deeply depressing to so many women:
open.substack.com/pub/jessica/...

The Reality Show We Need By End of Week On Inauguration Day, I launched this newsletter to join with kindred spirits1 in facing the daunting question, “What now?” Since then, I’ve had a surprising number of people sign up to chat with me.

Counterprogramming! Finally. Thank you, @defiance.org ! Tomorrow's #People'sSOTU is the kind of thing I've craved since writing this:
kategace.substack.com/p/the-realit...

US women’s hockey team declines Trump’s State of the Union invite, citing scheduling | CNN Politics The gold medal-winning US Olympic women’s hockey team has declined an invitation to President Donald Trump’s State of the Union address, citing scheduling issues.

I take “scheduling” to mean: “We live in 2026 and you live in the Paleolithic Period. We couldn’t possibly time travel across three million years by Tuesday." #SOTU #Olympics www.cnn.com/2026/02/23/p...

I got up early to watch the gold medal game but after that call, I hope with all my heart that the women's hockey team declines Trump's "invitation"--and even though I know this will never happen, I wish the men's team would *also* decline out of respect for their fellow athletes. #Olympics

Stay safe, Burstein family! ❤️

"Not Just That of One Faction or Man" A world without rule of law has made me so anxious—both as a business owner and as a citizen.

This morning I learned what my ASMR triggers are. kategace.substack.com/p/not-just-t...

Unbelievable. (It's stuff like this that made Severance such a hit.)

Omg and this presentation is being delivered unironically???

This Is a No-Brainer...Right? Now that everyone’s read the memo and seen the backflips, it’s clearer than ever that we need to move briskly towards single payer…right?

#Healthcare is essential; #employment is increasingly wobbly. Why do we Americans continue to tie the two? I genuinely don't get it, but I'll listen to anyone willing to make the case.

kategace.substack.com/p/this-is-a-...

Where Are You, Mysterious Wedding Boots?

@itsuncledrew.bsky.social asked for something funny today. This, from a very sweet proposal story, got me: "“Mike was getting out of the shower, and I got down on one knee. He thought I was doing lunges."
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/13/t...

What are the #ethics of interrogating a teen about his life in the 30 mins after wisdom teeth removal? My understanding is that I could learn ANYTHING I WANT. #parenting