A failed op-ed writer bankrolled by billionaires purging a universally liked and credible straight news journalist from 60 Minutes really has to be the height of the complete slide of American news media into a complete death spiral.

May film club --

Right next to the JCPOA guys, DEI may be the most vindicated thing in America. These guys get rid of DEI and immediately *instantly* every position of authority is flooded by a wave of talentless hack mediocrities, each one more corrupt and venal than the last.

it’s monday again

This is bad. Bad for researchers. Bad for science. Bad for universities. Bad for professional associations. For example: 1. Every award would be vetted by political appointees, who could overrule peer reviewers and deny the award if it doesn't advance the president's priorities. 1/🧵

60 Minutes' Sharyn Alfonsi pens a goodbye note slamming Bari Weiss' actions against her "as a deliberate choice to penalize a journalist for refusing to sanitize factually accurate reporting." Read the rest:

To me this is by far the top explanation for Gen Z nihilism. If you don't brand and commodify every aspect of your life, you're falling behind. If you're not getting one over on the next guy in crypto or prediction markets, you're a sucker. Beyond Marx's alienation of labor--alienation of personhood

I approve of the Dems' response to this, though

Breaking: South Carolina Senate just failed to invoke cloture on 7-0 gerrymandered map eliminating Jim Clyburn's majority Black district. It appears redistricting is dead for real this time as early voting begins today & 32,000 ballots already cast

Though it doesn't appear in any official list of public holidays, May 20 is Eliza Doolittle Day. In her imagination Eliza has become a friend of the King of England, who tells her: “Next week on the 20th May I proclaim Eliza Doolittle Day.”

Bet

One of the things that makes me the most fearful for the health of our democracy is this bizarre behavior by the press in twisting stories to make Trump's activities fit within normal frameworks that are completely inappropriate for the circumstances.

If I were the opposition party I'd be saying anyone involved in creating this corrupt scheme will be prosecuted but also anyone accepting payments from it will at minimum be required to pay back the full sum with interest

Doing this to cars full of high people is a betrayal of Taco Bell’s social contract with our nation

1. Social Media has trained some people that argument = engagement; 2. Showing off for one's own coterie of fellow dickheads; 3. Some people like playing "devil's advocate" somewhere they can't be punched. In all the above cases I no longer play that game, I just block as soon as they show up.

The media pushed Biden out for confusing the names of Zelenskyy and Putin at a press conference just like this, they called every notable Democrat in their contacts to ask “should he drop out,” but when Trump does it they say the president has strong views on the success of his recent meeting

We are saddened to hear of the passing of Yuji Ohno. A legendary musician who was the heart & soul of most of the music of Lupin the Third for nearly 50 years will certainly live on as his music & themes will continue to be synonymous with the famous thief.

“When I walked into that capitol building, it was 2026. When I walked out, it was pre-1965.” — Rep. Justin Jones

the cool thing about spending a decade trying to convince people on social media that Elon Musk is a bad guy, only for him to make it undeniable and then buy the social media platform you relied on to get your message out, is that you really get over the idea that social media can influence stuff

NYU caved and ended care and they're still being hit with a grand jury subpoena. It's incredibly clear that no amount of preemptive compliance will stop this attack. You either fight or you will be destroyed by this administration. Caving will not save you.

Web history disappears when it can’t be preserved. Today, many publishers are blocking the #WaybackMachine from archiving parts of the public web, putting decades of digital history at risk. Tell publishers: don’t block the Wayback Machine. Sign the petition ➡️ www.savethearchive.com/newsleaders/

Your occasional reminder that "AI" is shit: Every assertion in this "AI Overview" of the question "What coffee does John Scalzi drink" is wrong. I don't regularly drink coffee (and never black) I've never had black sesame jasmine cream tea, and I don't hang in coffee shops. Don't trust "AI" ever!

A reminder that this is why we make fun of The Odyssey. The book would not exist if Odysseus was not such a complete chaos goblin who was busy causing problems for himself by arguing with Gods and being a shit navigator. There is no way to make an extremely serious movie out of this material.

Just rewatched The Third Man it's still as good as they get. It's cheating alone to film a noir in post-war Vienna

I DO NOT WANT TO 'CHAT WITH MY FILES'

This dropped around the same time as this interview - Neil Gorsuch on Megyn Kelly’s show. He was talking about how “young conservatives must have courage to stand by their beliefs.” Sounds apolitical to me!

Deepfakes are everywhere, but digital forensics investigators are fighting back. Learn more: https://scim.ag/42dMPBg

lol at this fucking freak and his priorities, Jesus

This is the 82-year-old state senator the FBI just raided because she successfully redistricted Virginia to match racist Republican redistricting efforts. They targeted her because she's ruthless and effective. They don't want anyone else to play within their new rules.

“If the worst thing I'm remembered for is colorizing a few movies, that's OK with me." Farewell to Ted Turner (1938-2026) whose transformation from despoiler to savior of classic film is a redemption arc for the ages.

It's Orson Welles' birthday and everybody should watch F For Fake. It's a masterclass throughout, but the interlude 3/4ths through about the Chartres Cathedral and the works of man is worth the price of admission alone

Japanese poster for THE THIRD MAN (1949) Directed by Carol Reed Starring Orson Welles - BOTD in 1915

We say goodbye to our founder, the visionary Ted Turner. Ted’s love of classic films inspired him to create a channel dedicated to preserving them. He considered TCM one of his greatest accomplishments. His passion continues to inspire us all as we work to fulfill his mission.

WTF, NYer. "If we agree that college primarily serves a credentialling process that stamps select young people as worthy of work..." We do not. So much for the bastion of erudite journalism. This is sensationalism, damaging our most vital institution: education. www.newyorker.com/news/fault-l...

So great that we handed the keys to the future to these 21st century cargo cultists, who think if they just speak the right incantation, they can summon whatever they desire from an omniscient being.

data extraction for life, cognitive surrender for controllable serfs for life, labor expulsion for life what's not to love

BTD - Audrey Hepburn - Roman Holiday - 1953 - Russian poster

April film club -- (and Bridge on the River Kwai 4/30)

“Many insurers and analysts are estimating overall declines of about 20 percent, dropping to around 19 million from the 24 million who were covered under the A.C.A. last year.”

My best craft advice is "Put a giant worm in it." You can never go wrong with a giant worm. Sci-fi: Giant worm on an alien planet Fantasy: Giant worm in mountain sitting on a pile of gold Horror: Giant worm (eats people) Romance: Giant worm causes third-act breakup Mystery: Giant worm investigates

With very ominous language, Justice Elena Kagan says that today’s decision in Louisiana v. Callais ends the Supreme Court’s “now-completed demolition of the Voting Rights Act.” 6-to-3 vote in favor of white voters who challenged a Black-majority district in La. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p...

Jesus Christ, this is more dystopic than anything Philip K Dick ever wrote but it’s what the Russo Brothers want for your AI Slop future

everquest, magazine screenshot (1998) archive.org/details/joys...

The MAGA reaction to the WHCD shooting is essentially: “We can say anything we want, no matter how vicious, racist, incendiary or violent, but if you call us fascists or Nazis, that’s an obvious incitement to political violence and possibly criminal.” (new @ms.now column)

A source tells CNN's Brian Stelter that the FCC is preparing to "call in all of the TV station licenses for Disney/ABC for early renewal." That's an apparent pressure tactic as the Trump regime demands Jimmy Kimmel's firing. The fascists want to decide what TV shows you're allowed to watch.

The gambling crisis ‘demands a public health response’ and should be regulated like alcohol or tobacco, expert says

YouTube video player evolution 2005–2025

Taken together, these four features can create a trancelike state that can keep us stuck on social media apps or video games for hours. Children are particularly vulnerable. n.pr/4mH6i6s