Aaron Gray
@asquaredgray.bsky.social
Product builder. Progressive capitalist (market economy, regs to level playing field, taxes for robust social services). Dad to 2 ungovernable women. Believer in expansion of inclusion.
DTW➡️PDX➡️FDT
Throw the sandwich.
Also @adventurequota.bsky.social
DTW➡️PDX➡️FDT
Throw the sandwich.
Also @adventurequota.bsky.social
Pinned
America was founded on set of liberal* ideas. The founding of America was literally the start of “the progressive project.”
Conservatives want you to forget that.
(*Imperfect, yes, but still driven by the liberal impulse toward civil liberties.)
Conservatives want you to forget that.
(*Imperfect, yes, but still driven by the liberal impulse toward civil liberties.)
Reposted by Aaron Gray
Extreme wealth isn’t a sign the system is working—it’s evidence the rules were written to benefit the few, which is likely why “The Rise of the Billionaire Oligarchy," from our Back-to-Basics Series, landed the spot of 4th most popular episode of 2025!
🎧: buff.ly/QWOk2uB
🎧: buff.ly/QWOk2uB
December 29, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Extreme wealth isn’t a sign the system is working—it’s evidence the rules were written to benefit the few, which is likely why “The Rise of the Billionaire Oligarchy," from our Back-to-Basics Series, landed the spot of 4th most popular episode of 2025!
🎧: buff.ly/QWOk2uB
🎧: buff.ly/QWOk2uB
My aunt & uncle wrote this book just before they opened Newman-Adler Famous Outfitters (later Newman Outfitters) in Cleveland, Ohio.
I’m reading it now for the first time, and I have to say, this book is a delight. Some of the info is outdated, but there’s also a lot of lost knowledge in here.
I’m reading it now for the first time, and I have to say, this book is a delight. Some of the info is outdated, but there’s also a lot of lost knowledge in here.
December 28, 2025 at 6:00 PM
My aunt & uncle wrote this book just before they opened Newman-Adler Famous Outfitters (later Newman Outfitters) in Cleveland, Ohio.
I’m reading it now for the first time, and I have to say, this book is a delight. Some of the info is outdated, but there’s also a lot of lost knowledge in here.
I’m reading it now for the first time, and I have to say, this book is a delight. Some of the info is outdated, but there’s also a lot of lost knowledge in here.
For me, the lesson of Mamdani is: people respond positively to an optimistic progressive.
Nobody likes a finger wagger except other finger waggers.
Nobody likes a finger wagger except other finger waggers.
December 28, 2025 at 4:31 PM
For me, the lesson of Mamdani is: people respond positively to an optimistic progressive.
Nobody likes a finger wagger except other finger waggers.
Nobody likes a finger wagger except other finger waggers.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
One of the most incredible shots I've ever gotten, in Yellowstone. This coyote walked over a ridge in the blowing snow and posed for me, with a small grin on its face, the snowfalkes like stars in the background.
The desolation and beauty of life and nature is grounding, and so good for the soul.
The desolation and beauty of life and nature is grounding, and so good for the soul.
December 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
One of the most incredible shots I've ever gotten, in Yellowstone. This coyote walked over a ridge in the blowing snow and posed for me, with a small grin on its face, the snowfalkes like stars in the background.
The desolation and beauty of life and nature is grounding, and so good for the soul.
The desolation and beauty of life and nature is grounding, and so good for the soul.
My social media priorities for 2026:
1: follow your own curiosity; read for yourself (not on social)
2: build on your existing knowledge; challenge yourself intellectually (not on social)
1/2
1: follow your own curiosity; read for yourself (not on social)
2: build on your existing knowledge; challenge yourself intellectually (not on social)
1/2
December 28, 2025 at 2:30 AM
My social media priorities for 2026:
1: follow your own curiosity; read for yourself (not on social)
2: build on your existing knowledge; challenge yourself intellectually (not on social)
1/2
1: follow your own curiosity; read for yourself (not on social)
2: build on your existing knowledge; challenge yourself intellectually (not on social)
1/2
This is the highest and best use of the internet.
another robot highlight for 2025: man wearing humanoid mocap suit kicks himself in the balls
December 27, 2025 at 5:51 PM
This is the highest and best use of the internet.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
Yup.
I'm telling y'all, these dudes don't know anything.🤡
Frank Sinatra was a vocal anti-racist. He fought racism with his actions, his words, and his money.
Actions:
Refused to stay at segregated hotels. Made sure Black artists got paid fairly.
Words:
Literally wrote an article in Ebony Magazine
I'm telling y'all, these dudes don't know anything.🤡
Frank Sinatra was a vocal anti-racist. He fought racism with his actions, his words, and his money.
Actions:
Refused to stay at segregated hotels. Made sure Black artists got paid fairly.
Words:
Literally wrote an article in Ebony Magazine
December 26, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Yup.
I'm telling y'all, these dudes don't know anything.🤡
Frank Sinatra was a vocal anti-racist. He fought racism with his actions, his words, and his money.
Actions:
Refused to stay at segregated hotels. Made sure Black artists got paid fairly.
Words:
Literally wrote an article in Ebony Magazine
I'm telling y'all, these dudes don't know anything.🤡
Frank Sinatra was a vocal anti-racist. He fought racism with his actions, his words, and his money.
Actions:
Refused to stay at segregated hotels. Made sure Black artists got paid fairly.
Words:
Literally wrote an article in Ebony Magazine
Good piece from a few weeks ago on the dead end AI labs have hit wrt to “getting smarter.”
paulkedrosky.com/weekend-thin...
paulkedrosky.com/weekend-thin...
Weekend Thinking: A Cul-de-Sac With a View
The first rule of AI dead-ends: Imagine you're not in one
paulkedrosky.com
December 26, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Good piece from a few weeks ago on the dead end AI labs have hit wrt to “getting smarter.”
paulkedrosky.com/weekend-thin...
paulkedrosky.com/weekend-thin...
Reposted by Aaron Gray
Something seriously wrong with Republicans
December 25, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Something seriously wrong with Republicans
Many people who claim to be early-stage investors are in fact small-time investors looking for late-stage de-risking and a small check.
December 25, 2025 at 6:09 PM
Many people who claim to be early-stage investors are in fact small-time investors looking for late-stage de-risking and a small check.
The nice thing about online is it allows people to have wrong takes very loudly. And then other people can have wrong takes loudly in response. And they’re all mad at each other.
Anyway, Merry Christmas!
🎄
Anyway, Merry Christmas!
🎄
December 25, 2025 at 4:57 PM
The nice thing about online is it allows people to have wrong takes very loudly. And then other people can have wrong takes loudly in response. And they’re all mad at each other.
Anyway, Merry Christmas!
🎄
Anyway, Merry Christmas!
🎄
I think the one gift he has given us is that we don’t ever have to pretend to take conservative thought/opinion seriously again.
Trump wants to cancel TV licenses because he doesn't like what late night TV hosts are saying about him.
What happened to "stop cancel culture" and buck up "snowflakes?" And what happened to the First Amendment?
What happened to "stop cancel culture" and buck up "snowflakes?" And what happened to the First Amendment?
December 24, 2025 at 10:13 PM
I think the one gift he has given us is that we don’t ever have to pretend to take conservative thought/opinion seriously again.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
This encapsulates what has driven me crazy about since she was trying to get professors fired when we were college classmates — this air of condescension, like she’s working for the common good and just trying to get you to do the same. Obviously it’s grift but the TONE of it just kills me.
Bari Weiss just sent this Christmas Eve email to the CBS News staff about "building trust," which includes her tripling down on spiking the CECOT piece "to make sure it's comprehensive and fair."
One CBS staffer tells me: "She really has no idea how insulting she comes across."
One CBS staffer tells me: "She really has no idea how insulting she comes across."
December 24, 2025 at 7:47 PM
This encapsulates what has driven me crazy about since she was trying to get professors fired when we were college classmates — this air of condescension, like she’s working for the common good and just trying to get you to do the same. Obviously it’s grift but the TONE of it just kills me.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
Reposted by Aaron Gray
“Like prime, but with human beings”
December 24, 2025 at 6:17 PM
“Like prime, but with human beings”
I absolutely love you for this. I don’t even know who you are.
In 2023 I became obsessed with videos of dads in cargo shortswaiting in parking lots during Taylor Swift's Eras Tour. So when she came to town, I grabbed a camera and headed down to talk to them. I thought it'd be funny. It turned out to be something else entirely.
December 24, 2025 at 4:38 AM
I absolutely love you for this. I don’t even know who you are.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
Today would have been my friend @stevesilberman.bsky.social’s birthday. I miss him so much. I acutely felt his absence this year. I know he would know exactly what to do amid RFK Jr. and Trump’s persistent lies about autism. He would do it so much more eloquently and with moral clarity.
December 24, 2025 at 3:57 AM
Today would have been my friend @stevesilberman.bsky.social’s birthday. I miss him so much. I acutely felt his absence this year. I know he would know exactly what to do amid RFK Jr. and Trump’s persistent lies about autism. He would do it so much more eloquently and with moral clarity.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
Biases as a trans person aside, I think at some point we need to make a stand simply because Republican affirmative action becoming the norm will make it functionally impossible to teach.
A graduate teaching assistant who gave a University of Oklahoma student a failing grade on a psychology essay will no longer be teaching at the university
Graduate instructor who gave failing grade to Samantha Fulnecky no longer teaching at OU
A graduate teaching assistant who gave a University of Oklahoma student a failing grade on a psychology essay will no longer be teaching at the university.
www.koco.com
December 23, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Biases as a trans person aside, I think at some point we need to make a stand simply because Republican affirmative action becoming the norm will make it functionally impossible to teach.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
The “free speech” and “cancel culture” panics have led to overt state censorship because that was always their purpose. (Gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The “free speech” and “cancel culture” panics have led to overt state censorship because that was always their purpose. (Gift link) www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
Straight up morons.
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.
December 23, 2025 at 5:16 PM
Straight up morons.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
The people who say they are opposed to participation trophies want their children to receive diplomas for refusing to learn and if anyone suggests their precious little unique dandruff flake has to actually do the work then off with their heads.
December 23, 2025 at 4:54 PM
The people who say they are opposed to participation trophies want their children to receive diplomas for refusing to learn and if anyone suggests their precious little unique dandruff flake has to actually do the work then off with their heads.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
it's just so emblematic of what passes for conservative thought, this belief that their children go to college not to leave ignorance behind by learning from experts, but rather to teach the experts from their locus of ignorance, and to have their nonsensical prior assumptions validated as true
December 23, 2025 at 4:40 PM
it's just so emblematic of what passes for conservative thought, this belief that their children go to college not to leave ignorance behind by learning from experts, but rather to teach the experts from their locus of ignorance, and to have their nonsensical prior assumptions validated as true
Reposted by Aaron Gray
I don't think free speech on campus ought to mean that a young coddled bigot gets to use their ignorance to casually destroy the career of a knowledgeable trans person on a random Wednesday
Worth noting that the student admits that she just threw the thing together in 30 minutes without reading the paper she was supposed to be responding to.
December 23, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I don't think free speech on campus ought to mean that a young coddled bigot gets to use their ignorance to casually destroy the career of a knowledgeable trans person on a random Wednesday
Reposted by Aaron Gray
Bari Weiss, meet The Streisand Effect.
December 23, 2025 at 1:49 AM
Bari Weiss, meet The Streisand Effect.
Reposted by Aaron Gray
As is the case with Musk, and even Trump, the most grotesque part is not their existence — awful people have always been around and always will be. The most grotesque part is nominally smart or honest or decent people taken in by them. Or, at least, pretending to be taken in, for advantage.
December 22, 2025 at 5:21 PM
As is the case with Musk, and even Trump, the most grotesque part is not their existence — awful people have always been around and always will be. The most grotesque part is nominally smart or honest or decent people taken in by them. Or, at least, pretending to be taken in, for advantage.