James Gleick
@around.com
Author. Chaos, The Information, Time Travel.
Other work can be found at https://around.com.
On the open social web I'm gleick@mas.to.
Other work can be found at https://around.com.
On the open social web I'm gleick@mas.to.
Today in the Oval Office, the president spoke on the subject of #magnets. This is what he said:
“China was going to hit us with rare earth.
Now, everybody says, oh, what is happening?
Magnets.
“China was going to hit us with rare earth.
Now, everybody says, oh, what is happening?
Magnets.
November 10, 2025 at 10:26 PM
Today in the Oval Office, the president spoke on the subject of #magnets. This is what he said:
“China was going to hit us with rare earth.
Now, everybody says, oh, what is happening?
Magnets.
“China was going to hit us with rare earth.
Now, everybody says, oh, what is happening?
Magnets.
On today's front page: Trump is
—adamantly refusing to pay $5 billion appropriated by Congress to feed the nation's poorest.
—quietly diverting *hundreds* of billions in “unlegislated tax cuts" to the superrich elite, private equity, and billionaire investors.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
—adamantly refusing to pay $5 billion appropriated by Congress to feed the nation's poorest.
—quietly diverting *hundreds* of billions in “unlegislated tax cuts" to the superrich elite, private equity, and billionaire investors.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
How the Trump Administration Is Giving Even More Tax Breaks to the Wealthy
www.nytimes.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:50 PM
On today's front page: Trump is
—adamantly refusing to pay $5 billion appropriated by Congress to feed the nation's poorest.
—quietly diverting *hundreds* of billions in “unlegislated tax cuts" to the superrich elite, private equity, and billionaire investors.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
—adamantly refusing to pay $5 billion appropriated by Congress to feed the nation's poorest.
—quietly diverting *hundreds* of billions in “unlegislated tax cuts" to the superrich elite, private equity, and billionaire investors.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/08/b...
Here is Mark Zuckerberg canceling all of his previously touted philanthropy that benefited people in need and instead spending his tax-deductible “gifts” on vanity projects in AI.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/t...
Mark Zuckerberg and Priscilla Chan Restructure Their Philanthropy
www.nytimes.com
November 6, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Here is Mark Zuckerberg canceling all of his previously touted philanthropy that benefited people in need and instead spending his tax-deductible “gifts” on vanity projects in AI.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/06/t...
At this point the NY Times is just doing self-parody.
November 2, 2025 at 12:23 PM
At this point the NY Times is just doing self-parody.
Reposted by James Gleick
Elon Musk is stealing Wikipedia and creating a grotesque right-wing parody.
uk.pcmag.com/ai/160970/tu...
uk.pcmag.com/ai/160970/tu...
Turns Out, Wikipedia Isn't That 'Woke' As Grokipedia Rips Off Most of Its Pages
Elon Musk's version of Wikipedia is scraping content from that site using a Creative Commons license and making edits to articles about more polarizing topics.
uk.pcmag.com
October 29, 2025 at 11:01 AM
Elon Musk is stealing Wikipedia and creating a grotesque right-wing parody.
uk.pcmag.com/ai/160970/tu...
uk.pcmag.com/ai/160970/tu...
Words matter. When the NY Times says Trump is "float[ing] the possibility of finding a way to circumvent the 22nd Amendment," they are saying it's just a small matter. No biggie.
In fact, he is threatening to FLOUT, VIOLATE, or DEFY the 22nd Amendment. It's an emergency.
In fact, he is threatening to FLOUT, VIOLATE, or DEFY the 22nd Amendment. It's an emergency.
October 27, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Words matter. When the NY Times says Trump is "float[ing] the possibility of finding a way to circumvent the 22nd Amendment," they are saying it's just a small matter. No biggie.
In fact, he is threatening to FLOUT, VIOLATE, or DEFY the 22nd Amendment. It's an emergency.
In fact, he is threatening to FLOUT, VIOLATE, or DEFY the 22nd Amendment. It's an emergency.
Timothy Mellon, a doofus of long standing, is the quintessential argument for sensible estate taxes. He's never worked an honest day in his life and shouldn't have this kind of money to throw around.
Donor Who Gave $130 Million to Pay Troops Is Reclusive Heir to Mellon Fortune
www.nytimes.com
October 25, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Timothy Mellon, a doofus of long standing, is the quintessential argument for sensible estate taxes. He's never worked an honest day in his life and shouldn't have this kind of money to throw around.
It’s unfortunate that “the White House" has become standard synecdoche for the president and his staff. Now we have newspapers saying with a straight face that the White House refuses to comment on its own demolition.
#EpsteinBallroom
#EpsteinBallroom
October 23, 2025 at 11:41 AM
It’s unfortunate that “the White House" has become standard synecdoche for the president and his staff. Now we have newspapers saying with a straight face that the White House refuses to comment on its own demolition.
#EpsteinBallroom
#EpsteinBallroom
Two headlines. One is news (WaPo). The other is shameful (NY Times).
October 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Two headlines. One is news (WaPo). The other is shameful (NY Times).
Trump, whose government salary is $400,000, is demanding that U.S. taxpayers fork up an extra $230 million. Democrats should be talking about nothing else.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Trump Said to Demand Justice Dept. Pay Him $230 Million for Past Cases
www.nytimes.com
October 22, 2025 at 12:11 PM
Trump, whose government salary is $400,000, is demanding that U.S. taxpayers fork up an extra $230 million. Democrats should be talking about nothing else.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Shorter New York Times: “We’re going to underplay this protest and pretend that we just can’t tell how big it is.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/i...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/i...
How The Times Covers Crowds: Focusing on the Content, Not the Count
www.nytimes.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:15 PM
Shorter New York Times: “We’re going to underplay this protest and pretend that we just can’t tell how big it is.”
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/i...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/01/i...
In the age-old struggle of humanity against disease, has there ever before been a government so determined to side with disease?
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
Trump Administration Lays Off Dozens of C.D.C. Officials
www.nytimes.com
October 11, 2025 at 2:24 PM
In the age-old struggle of humanity against disease, has there ever before been a government so determined to side with disease?
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/11/u...
Dear New York Times,
Henceforth, forbid the tired formulation "both sides." Just don't allow it.
Likewise the cliché "war of words."
These should be red flags. They encourage laziness and sloppiness.
Report what they say. And use your superpower—reporters on the ground—to report what's true.
Henceforth, forbid the tired formulation "both sides." Just don't allow it.
Likewise the cliché "war of words."
These should be red flags. They encourage laziness and sloppiness.
Report what they say. And use your superpower—reporters on the ground—to report what's true.
October 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Dear New York Times,
Henceforth, forbid the tired formulation "both sides." Just don't allow it.
Likewise the cliché "war of words."
These should be red flags. They encourage laziness and sloppiness.
Report what they say. And use your superpower—reporters on the ground—to report what's true.
Henceforth, forbid the tired formulation "both sides." Just don't allow it.
Likewise the cliché "war of words."
These should be red flags. They encourage laziness and sloppiness.
Report what they say. And use your superpower—reporters on the ground—to report what's true.
The fatal blow to constitutional government came when the Roberts Supreme Court told Donald Trump that, as president, he could break any law with impunity: election fraud, bribery, and even murder. He heard them.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
U.S. Military Attacked Boat Off Venezuela, Killing Four Men, Hegseth Says
www.nytimes.com
October 3, 2025 at 7:12 PM
The fatal blow to constitutional government came when the Roberts Supreme Court told Donald Trump that, as president, he could break any law with impunity: election fraud, bribery, and even murder. He heard them.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/03/u...
“At about 1:00 on Tuesday morning, federal agents from Border Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives raided an apartment building on Chicago’s South Shore Drive. Using helicopters and large vehicles, as well as flash-bang grenades,
October 2, 2025
At about 1:00 on Tuesday morning, federal agents from Border Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives (ATF) raided an apartment b...
open.substack.com
October 3, 2025 at 2:04 PM
“At about 1:00 on Tuesday morning, federal agents from Border Patrol, the Federal Bureau of Investigation, and the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms, and Explosives raided an apartment building on Chicago’s South Shore Drive. Using helicopters and large vehicles, as well as flash-bang grenades,
The Secretary of Defense, with the President alongside, summons the nation’s generals and admirals to tell them that they must turn the power of the military against American civilians, particularly in Democratic cities, and the Rules of Engagement are suspended. Time to kill.
October 2, 2025 at 1:05 AM
The Secretary of Defense, with the President alongside, summons the nation’s generals and admirals to tell them that they must turn the power of the military against American civilians, particularly in Democratic cities, and the Rules of Engagement are suspended. Time to kill.
It's true, mass transit is a DEI program. It serves a Diverse public, it attempts to serve them Equitably, and it Includes all who wish to ride.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/n...
Trump Administration to Withhold $18 Billion for N.Y.C. Transit Projects
www.nytimes.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:27 PM
It's true, mass transit is a DEI program. It serves a Diverse public, it attempts to serve them Equitably, and it Includes all who wish to ride.
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/n...
www.nytimes.com/2025/10/01/n...
Imagine if some lunatic hacked into the official account of the President of the United States and used it to broadcast false and dangerous medical advice. That would be a big story.
September 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Imagine if some lunatic hacked into the official account of the President of the United States and used it to broadcast false and dangerous medical advice. That would be a big story.
Our daily reminder that secretive lawless masked police force is spreading terror across the U.S., seizing and incarcerating people with no process or accountability.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...
Des Moines Schools Superintendent Is Detained by ICE
www.nytimes.com
September 26, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Our daily reminder that secretive lawless masked police force is spreading terror across the U.S., seizing and incarcerating people with no process or accountability.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...
“Novels are over, they're finished.”
—Iris Murdoch (1987) in the twenty-third of her twenty-six novels.
—Iris Murdoch (1987) in the twenty-third of her twenty-six novels.
September 24, 2025 at 10:29 PM
“Novels are over, they're finished.”
—Iris Murdoch (1987) in the twenty-third of her twenty-six novels.
—Iris Murdoch (1987) in the twenty-third of her twenty-six novels.
My version of this “closer look” would be shorter:
"President Trump repeated his claim that he had ended seven ‘unendable wars.’ It's a lie. He hasn’t ended a single one.”
Am I wrong? Show me.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/w...
"President Trump repeated his claim that he had ended seven ‘unendable wars.’ It's a lie. He hasn’t ended a single one.”
Am I wrong? Show me.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/w...
Trump Claims Again That He Has Ended Seven Wars. Here’s a Closer Look.
www.nytimes.com
September 24, 2025 at 9:36 PM
My version of this “closer look” would be shorter:
"President Trump repeated his claim that he had ended seven ‘unendable wars.’ It's a lie. He hasn’t ended a single one.”
Am I wrong? Show me.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/w...
"President Trump repeated his claim that he had ended seven ‘unendable wars.’ It's a lie. He hasn’t ended a single one.”
Am I wrong? Show me.
www.nytimes.com/2025/09/23/w...
This thing where the president of the United States sues individuals and newspapers and television networks AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN to line his own pockets — how did that happen?
Meanwhile no one can sue or prosecute the president, because supposedly that would interfere with his official duties.
Meanwhile no one can sue or prosecute the president, because supposedly that would interfere with his official duties.
September 24, 2025 at 8:27 PM
This thing where the president of the United States sues individuals and newspapers and television networks AS A PRIVATE CITIZEN to line his own pockets — how did that happen?
Meanwhile no one can sue or prosecute the president, because supposedly that would interfere with his official duties.
Meanwhile no one can sue or prosecute the president, because supposedly that would interfere with his official duties.
No. Trump and his press secretary set off the conspiracy theories. Trump's own videographer triggered the safety mechanism.
September 24, 2025 at 1:53 PM
No. Trump and his press secretary set off the conspiracy theories. Trump's own videographer triggered the safety mechanism.
Live Updates: Trump Attacks U.N. and Lectures Nations in Address to General Assembly
www.nytimes.com
September 23, 2025 at 4:44 PM