The White House is now citing "national security" for everything it does. Seriously, check out these headlines. It's just the last few weeks. If you know authoritarian history, then you know how menacing this is.

Pass it on

The most powerful force in American politics today is anti-establishment fury at a rigged economic system. To counter Trump’s fake populism and his culture wars, progressives should mount a real battle against economic elites who have shafted America’s middle and working classes.

Thanks to all the journalists toiling away on this monumental task!!

Washington’s refusal to regulate AI is a corruption story. Just ask Donald Trump and Speaker Mike Johnson.

Merry Christmas

Well worth a read, particularly if you have any interest in "AI psychosis" or even just suspect maybe your use of a chatbot might've got you a little hyped up or over-excited about an idea that later wasn't so impressive a few days later. Thanks to Jonathan Kreindler @receptiviti.bsky.social

Essential reading to understand our present moment. We can chart another course than the inhuman totalitarianism of surveillance capitalism. Technofascism is not inevitable.

"The best predictions feed on totalities of data, and on the strength of this movement toward totality, surveillance capitalists have hijacked the division of learning in society. They command knowledge from the decisive pinnacle of the social order, where they nourish and protect the shadow text:"

THIS, and Bessent wants to loosen financial regulations. What could go wrong?

2008 × 1,000. 😱🤯🤬 "Nvidia is also CoreWeave’s exclusive supplier of chips and one of its major investors, meaning CoreWeave is using Nvidia’s money to buy Nvidia’s chips and then renting them right back to Nvidia."

If AI eliminates millions of jobs, how will people survive? Will AI destroy democracy with a massive invasion of our privacy? Could a superintelligent AI replace humans in controlling the planet? We must act NOW. AI must benefit all of us, not just billionaire investors.

Thank you @sanders.senate.gov

"The future" is not inevitable. It is possible to change course on AI!

🔥An exceedingly clear voice: Shoshana Zuboff.🔥 Please listen and share.

This is heavy. And essential. Please share.

ICE vs the clergy

Reporter @virginiagewin.bsky.social interviewed 19 current and former US federal agency scientists about the science being dismantled at EPA, NOAA, NASA, CDC, NIH, & USGS. They say it's making America unprepared for environmental and public health crises. www.nature.com/articles/d41...

CARTOON OF THE DAY (From @deadder.bsky.social )

🎵 why would Lockheed Martin build a ballroom..... 🎶 This is TikTok Premium ☺️

Double standards. State media.

#TeslaTakedown Arlington setting up for Halloween/Day of the Dead! Such creative, dedicated, passionate people in this group! So proud & grateful! #StrongerTogether #Resist #NoKings #RIP @teslatakedown.com @teslatakedownuk.bsky.social @everyonehateselon.bsky.social @tesla-takedown.bsky.social

What you gonna do about it?

News flash!!

🪷 Buddhistdoor Quote for Today: Master Wonhyo (617–686 CE) 🪷 🔗 Explore more at BDG: buddhistdoor.net #Buddhism #Buddha #Dharma #Mahayana #Yogacara #Korea #Compassion #Mindfulness #Meditation #Liberation #Wisdom #Awakening #Spirituality #BuddhistQuotes

When the most optimistic AI researchers believe there's a significant chance AGI leads to very bad things for humanity, it's time to step back. Note: these guys are not the optimists. We're rushing toward a threshold and we don't know where it is, which step will be too far. ifanyonebuildsit.com

Show up. It matters.

"Caution: This system will make you feel insightful and valued regardless of input quality. Do not mistake persistent affirmation for authentic interaction." Warning labels for AI / LLM chatbots.

Yep, we're sure. 'The article's point about "AI psychosis" becomes more understandable when you realize *the interaction is optimized to be persistently affirming.*' -Claude, emphasis mine Excerpted from this "conversation" / use of an LLM: claude.ai/share/bdf5d6...

Better than the Sistine Chapel

Pretty wild that "I" can now code with a speed and sophistication I never had while lying in bed talking to my phone. It really does unleash creativity.

“I go back and forth between thinking Trump is a cynical asshole like Nixon who wouldn’t be that bad (and might even prove useful) or that he’s America’s Hitler.”—JD Vance

Some of us do.

What to do when reading about the decline of civilisation due to the rise of smartphones and screen-based rather than reading-based culture? Post it on social media so you can read it on your smartphone, too. Feels like about the only thing I can do, before I go back to my book...

When a corrupt man knows he is above the law

America has a CHILD in the White House. Feel free to criticize @realDonaldTrump at any time, as he sure loves attention..........

This is the playbook, folks. If you're not paying attention now and doing something about it, then you're going to have to sit down the rest of your life because democracy is being taken away. Do not be quiet in this moment.

David Letterman is right: you can't appease a tyrant.

STEWART: “Comedy doesn’t change the world, but it’s a bellwether— we’re the banana peel in the coal mine… authoritarians are the threat to comedy, music, art, thought… progress.” Nailed it.

1901, photograph by Dr. Allan Warner of two 13 year old boys both infected with smallpox on the same day, one vaccinated as an infant and one not.

Worth your time

Trump censors American voices and supports foreign propaganda.

We are ready.

neither is this...

Freedom to let your children die out of ignorance and make the whole community less safe. So much winning, and yeah, so very tired. . . . . . . Those "Florida Man..." headlines will have some competition soon! Stay tuned to Outbreak Central...