Benwest500
@benwest500.bsky.social
Not under the illusion that being on here matters a lot. Once was a political and public interest communications pro. Now doing other content related things in technology.
Reposted by Benwest500
Everyone wants catharsis, and what we're going to get is a slow, shambling lurch back towards normality, and a de facto agreement to not do it again.
November 15, 2025 at 8:12 AM
Everyone wants catharsis, and what we're going to get is a slow, shambling lurch back towards normality, and a de facto agreement to not do it again.
Reposted by Benwest500
This is the part about Platner that pisses me off the most.
Even if I bought all of his bullshit about the posts, the tattoo, etc. and believed that he really is a Changed Man yadda yadda yadda…
…ok, fine: Run for city council or county commissioner or something first, not for the U.S. Senate.
Even if I bought all of his bullshit about the posts, the tattoo, etc. and believed that he really is a Changed Man yadda yadda yadda…
…ok, fine: Run for city council or county commissioner or something first, not for the U.S. Senate.
No reaching out to communities that were affected by the rhetoric and actions. Just jump on a podcast with a bro and get a softball interview while getting your ass kissed 💋
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 AM
This is the part about Platner that pisses me off the most.
Even if I bought all of his bullshit about the posts, the tattoo, etc. and believed that he really is a Changed Man yadda yadda yadda…
…ok, fine: Run for city council or county commissioner or something first, not for the U.S. Senate.
Even if I bought all of his bullshit about the posts, the tattoo, etc. and believed that he really is a Changed Man yadda yadda yadda…
…ok, fine: Run for city council or county commissioner or something first, not for the U.S. Senate.
Reposted by Benwest500
Clean Energy accounted for all electricity growth this year. Gas/Coal were basically a wash and will be for years to come for electricity generation.
We need to ramp up batteries because they are 90% cheaper than distribution grid upgrades which is the main reason we have rate increases.
We need to ramp up batteries because they are 90% cheaper than distribution grid upgrades which is the main reason we have rate increases.
November 14, 2025 at 4:06 AM
Clean Energy accounted for all electricity growth this year. Gas/Coal were basically a wash and will be for years to come for electricity generation.
We need to ramp up batteries because they are 90% cheaper than distribution grid upgrades which is the main reason we have rate increases.
We need to ramp up batteries because they are 90% cheaper than distribution grid upgrades which is the main reason we have rate increases.
Reposted by Benwest500
I've got all the text documents from the Epstein Files drop loaded into NotebookLM if anyone wants it.
notebooklm.google.com/notebook/0d5...
notebooklm.google.com/notebook/0d5...
Sign in - Google Accounts
notebooklm.google.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:59 AM
I've got all the text documents from the Epstein Files drop loaded into NotebookLM if anyone wants it.
notebooklm.google.com/notebook/0d5...
notebooklm.google.com/notebook/0d5...
Reposted by Benwest500
I gotta say the evidence that Schumer is secretly controlling the cave caucus is some real thin gruel. It basically rests on the assumption of a level of Senate partisan discipline normally seen in a parliamentary democracy when it isn't just leaning on even grosser "perfidious jew" tropes.
November 10, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I gotta say the evidence that Schumer is secretly controlling the cave caucus is some real thin gruel. It basically rests on the assumption of a level of Senate partisan discipline normally seen in a parliamentary democracy when it isn't just leaning on even grosser "perfidious jew" tropes.
Reposted by Benwest500
I grasp that the timeline has some other things going on, but I had longform thoughts about elections this week and subsequent discourse that I’d been kicking around and drafting for a couple days, and before the Steelers game is kind of the last minute I can get them in
Sturdy Reflections After Election Night 2025
yeah yeah I'm not happy about posting on substack either but I had exactly two existing blogging accounts that I use to follow other people and the world doesn't need to see my tumblr
substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:15 AM
I grasp that the timeline has some other things going on, but I had longform thoughts about elections this week and subsequent discourse that I’d been kicking around and drafting for a couple days, and before the Steelers game is kind of the last minute I can get them in
Reposted by Benwest500
My mother was the breadwinner in the family, first to get a college degree in the family, and when she was pregnant with me her boss came into her office, told her that she'd never be the same accountant again, and fired her on the spot. That was in nineteen eighty two
the question nobody with a soul is asking, answered by people nobody wants to hear from
November 6, 2025 at 1:25 PM
My mother was the breadwinner in the family, first to get a college degree in the family, and when she was pregnant with me her boss came into her office, told her that she'd never be the same accountant again, and fired her on the spot. That was in nineteen eighty two
Reposted by Benwest500
Joe Rogan has one of the world's most popular podcasts. Unfortunately, like nearly all of the most popular online shows, his tends to spread climate misinformation. For @climateconnections.bsky.social I scrutinize his recent episode with octogenarian climate contrarians Lindzen & Happer 🧵 (1/11)
Five ways Joe Rogan misleads listeners about climate change » Yale Climate Connections
Rogan exposes millions to climate denial. Let’s break down his tactics.
yaleclimateconnections.org
November 7, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Joe Rogan has one of the world's most popular podcasts. Unfortunately, like nearly all of the most popular online shows, his tends to spread climate misinformation. For @climateconnections.bsky.social I scrutinize his recent episode with octogenarian climate contrarians Lindzen & Happer 🧵 (1/11)
Trump Sees Opportunity As Democrats Fail To Deliver Decisive Blow
November 5, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Trump Sees Opportunity As Democrats Fail To Deliver Decisive Blow
Possible NYT headline tomorrow: Pitfalls Await Incoming Democrats; or maybe, Democrats Struggle to Hit 70% Anywhere.
November 5, 2025 at 2:04 AM
Possible NYT headline tomorrow: Pitfalls Await Incoming Democrats; or maybe, Democrats Struggle to Hit 70% Anywhere.
Reposted by Benwest500
One time. The GOP has won more than 50% of the popular vote <one time> since 1992. And yet, every day, you are bombarded with Takes™️ from Ezra Douthglesias about how deeply unpopular The Democrats and their policy platform are, without any reflection on how the same standard applies to the GOP.
The Dems have won the popular vote in presidential elections six times since 1992 by roughly 5.5%(1992), 8.5%,(1996) .5%(2000), 7.3%(2008), 4%(2012), 2%(2016),and 4.5%(2020).
In that period the GOP presidential candidate has won the popular vote twice: 2.5%(2004) and 1.5%(2024).
In that period the GOP presidential candidate has won the popular vote twice: 2.5%(2004) and 1.5%(2024).
Douthat writes that 2024, when Harris lost by 1.5% of the popular vote, was "an ideological referendum and progressivism lost." I wonder why he didn't view the 2020 election, when Trump lost by 4.5% of the popular vote, as a far more significant loss for conservatism.
bsky.app/profile/larr...
bsky.app/profile/larr...
November 3, 2025 at 4:08 PM
One time. The GOP has won more than 50% of the popular vote <one time> since 1992. And yet, every day, you are bombarded with Takes™️ from Ezra Douthglesias about how deeply unpopular The Democrats and their policy platform are, without any reflection on how the same standard applies to the GOP.
Reposted by Benwest500
In 2018, Meta decided “clean energy” and “climate change” were politically sensitive topics, and demanded that I - a climate scientist - register as a political org to post and boost posts on them.
I refused, and my page has been shadow banned since then. For 7 years. Until this week, that is 😳
I refused, and my page has been shadow banned since then. For 7 years. Until this week, that is 😳
October 31, 2025 at 5:50 PM
In 2018, Meta decided “clean energy” and “climate change” were politically sensitive topics, and demanded that I - a climate scientist - register as a political org to post and boost posts on them.
I refused, and my page has been shadow banned since then. For 7 years. Until this week, that is 😳
I refused, and my page has been shadow banned since then. For 7 years. Until this week, that is 😳
Reposted by Benwest500
His worst offense was reorienting the entire Paris agreement away from affordability toward innovation through his Mission Innovation side show in 2015. China went the route of deployment, we decided that we needed to focus on innovation instead.
www.wsj.com/articles/oba...
www.wsj.com/articles/oba...
Obama and Bill Gates to Launch Clean Energy Initiative
President Barack Obama and Microsoft co-founder Bill Gates will launch a multi-billion-dollar initiative Monday to accelerate clean-energy research and development as part of a global effort to fight ...
www.wsj.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:23 PM
His worst offense was reorienting the entire Paris agreement away from affordability toward innovation through his Mission Innovation side show in 2015. China went the route of deployment, we decided that we needed to focus on innovation instead.
www.wsj.com/articles/oba...
www.wsj.com/articles/oba...
Reposted by Benwest500
Bill Gates hasn’t made sense on Climate since he teamed up with Bjorn Lomberg in 2009. This is just a restating of Bjorn’s book from this year about how we have a finite amount of money and we shouldn’t use it for climate. What they get wrong is that climate solutions are now fully profitable.
Bill Gates has a new memo out calling for a “strategic pivot” on climate change, downplaying “doomsday” talk to focus on filling enormous post-USAID budget gaps in global health and vaccine funding. I got an early glimpse of his thinking last week:
7 New Takes From Bill Gates on Climate ‘Doomsday’ Talk and Global Health
“I mean, God bless the Europeans for caring about climate.”
heatmap.news
October 29, 2025 at 11:43 AM
Bill Gates hasn’t made sense on Climate since he teamed up with Bjorn Lomberg in 2009. This is just a restating of Bjorn’s book from this year about how we have a finite amount of money and we shouldn’t use it for climate. What they get wrong is that climate solutions are now fully profitable.
Reposted by Benwest500
I find it very funny and telling that the WelcomePAC ""report"" was written by a guy who had a substack as a Yale student, got to guest write on Matty's blog and appeared on Slate's podcast in 22 because he is the son of one of the co-hosts) and then went on to work for David Shor and Future Forward
October 27, 2025 at 9:00 PM
I find it very funny and telling that the WelcomePAC ""report"" was written by a guy who had a substack as a Yale student, got to guest write on Matty's blog and appeared on Slate's podcast in 22 because he is the son of one of the co-hosts) and then went on to work for David Shor and Future Forward
Reposted by Benwest500
Democrats should hold the largest mass protest since the 70s. THEN the media would cover them!
Kamala Harris tried to go on many of the overdiscussed (and shitty) podcasts and they WOULD NOT HAVE HER.
Oh for sure. But in general I’ve been caught saying “Democrats should…” only to discover they did and it wasn’t really covered. I’m never sure how much to ascribe to Democrats’ inability to adjust to this era and how much is media ownership really is stacked against them.
October 23, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Democrats should hold the largest mass protest since the 70s. THEN the media would cover them!
Reposted by Benwest500
I'm trying to digest the editorial, but I keep coming back to this plot & the simple statistical mistake it's making. **OF course** moderate Democrats outperformed Harris in purple seats, purple-seat voters don't like progressive presidential candidates! The comparison artificially inflates strength
October 20, 2025 at 8:50 PM
I'm trying to digest the editorial, but I keep coming back to this plot & the simple statistical mistake it's making. **OF course** moderate Democrats outperformed Harris in purple seats, purple-seat voters don't like progressive presidential candidates! The comparison artificially inflates strength
Reposted by Benwest500
36. We’re finally getting serious about net zero carbon. Getting that last 5-20% of carbon out of power will be hard, and require some expensive solutions. The first 80-95% is easy-ish but we're getting on with it.
October 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
36. We’re finally getting serious about net zero carbon. Getting that last 5-20% of carbon out of power will be hard, and require some expensive solutions. The first 80-95% is easy-ish but we're getting on with it.
Reposted by Benwest500
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Solar Power Finance Without the Jargon
www.worldscientific.com
October 20, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Time for 2025 updates to my annual “opinions about solar” thread. If you like these, you might like the second edition of my book, Solar Power Finance Without The Jargon. A 30% discount code WSQ0437 is valid on publisher website until end of November 2025.
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
www.worldscientific.com/worldscibook...
Reposted by Benwest500
38. Ordinary people have no idea how much progress we’ve made. Tell people at parties that UK carbon emissions in 2023 were at their lowest level since 1879, for example. Most developed economies are now reducing carbon emissions without lowering quality of life.
October 20, 2025 at 7:56 AM
38. Ordinary people have no idea how much progress we’ve made. Tell people at parties that UK carbon emissions in 2023 were at their lowest level since 1879, for example. Most developed economies are now reducing carbon emissions without lowering quality of life.
Reposted by Benwest500
And it was worldwide:
October 12, 2025 at 6:08 PM
And it was worldwide:
Reposted by Benwest500
For your sanity I hope you don't learn about the false moral filter of "US support" and the vastly larger deadly global conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine and 5 to 10 other places. You would need 400 social media accounts to protest
October 12, 2025 at 4:03 PM
For your sanity I hope you don't learn about the false moral filter of "US support" and the vastly larger deadly global conflicts in Sudan, Ukraine and 5 to 10 other places. You would need 400 social media accounts to protest
Reposted by Benwest500
Congress Thinks Hiding Fund Fees Is Good for You
via Jason Zweig
Even if fund expenses seem to disappear, they’re still the biggest drag on your returns.
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
via Jason Zweig
Even if fund expenses seem to disappear, they’re still the biggest drag on your returns.
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
Congress Thinks Hiding Fund Fees Is Good for You
Even if fund expenses seem to disappear, they’re still the biggest drag on your returns.
www.wsj.com
October 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Congress Thinks Hiding Fund Fees Is Good for You
via Jason Zweig
Even if fund expenses seem to disappear, they’re still the biggest drag on your returns.
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
via Jason Zweig
Even if fund expenses seem to disappear, they’re still the biggest drag on your returns.
www.wsj.com/finance/inve...
Reposted by Benwest500
The Dems orchestrating the most successful political messaging campaign of this administration and it's all bad from the people who asked them to do this the loudest.
October 8, 2025 at 2:29 PM
The Dems orchestrating the most successful political messaging campaign of this administration and it's all bad from the people who asked them to do this the loudest.