Boaz Nash
@boazhsan.bsky.social
Lafayette, CO, USA
Physicist who likes to paint, hike, work in the garden and think about the past and future of humanity
#cohousing
I strive to embody and model good #DigitalDiscipline though I often need to renew my commitment.
Physicist who likes to paint, hike, work in the garden and think about the past and future of humanity
#cohousing
I strive to embody and model good #DigitalDiscipline though I often need to renew my commitment.
Can someone give me the reference to what all this business about the left being excited about technology (or not) is about?
I see a lot of chat about this, but didn't pick up the original source.
I see a lot of chat about this, but didn't pick up the original source.
February 18, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Can someone give me the reference to what all this business about the left being excited about technology (or not) is about?
I see a lot of chat about this, but didn't pick up the original source.
I see a lot of chat about this, but didn't pick up the original source.
Thank you to those tracking this.
Without pushback, we'll be heading towards some of the darkest scenarios of history: authoritarian governments who throw anyone they dislike in prison w/ no due process.
It's not acceptable for such an unaccountable org. to build capacity to jail indiscriminately.
Without pushback, we'll be heading towards some of the darkest scenarios of history: authoritarian governments who throw anyone they dislike in prison w/ no due process.
It's not acceptable for such an unaccountable org. to build capacity to jail indiscriminately.
h/t @nancychadwick.bsky.social
YET ANOTHER REVERSAL: ICE retracted its claim of buying the Chester, NY site. That’s the 2nd walk-back in 48 hours (after Lebanon, TN).
ICE can’t be trusted. Moving forward, we’ll only mark sites 🔴 on the map once a deed is officially recorded with the state.
YET ANOTHER REVERSAL: ICE retracted its claim of buying the Chester, NY site. That’s the 2nd walk-back in 48 hours (after Lebanon, TN).
ICE can’t be trusted. Moving forward, we’ll only mark sites 🔴 on the map once a deed is officially recorded with the state.
ICE retracts false claim that it purchased Hudson Valley warehouse
The federal agency said its statement that it bought a former Pep Boys building in Chester to use as a detention center was a “mistake.”
www.timesunion.com
February 18, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Thank you to those tracking this.
Without pushback, we'll be heading towards some of the darkest scenarios of history: authoritarian governments who throw anyone they dislike in prison w/ no due process.
It's not acceptable for such an unaccountable org. to build capacity to jail indiscriminately.
Without pushback, we'll be heading towards some of the darkest scenarios of history: authoritarian governments who throw anyone they dislike in prison w/ no due process.
It's not acceptable for such an unaccountable org. to build capacity to jail indiscriminately.
David Golumbia's work helps the analysis of the right wing connection
It was not inevitable that generative AI would lodge in the culture as an explicitly right-wing technology; that it has done so is the result of a series of ideological decisions by its makers, the ideology growing more overt and desperate as AI's very serious problems become more apparent
February 18, 2026 at 4:06 PM
David Golumbia's work helps the analysis of the right wing connection
We really do need the field of technology criticism. People have so much trouble with the idea that some technologies may be better than others, and that one can actually think critically about it.
"Is there technology the left is excited about?" is the kind of question you only ask if you're wildly naive about technology.
mRNA vaccines. Heat pumps. Offshore wind. Urban mining. Sodium batteries.
But god forbid we're not fawning over every new implementation of Making Computers Bad At Math.
mRNA vaccines. Heat pumps. Offshore wind. Urban mining. Sodium batteries.
But god forbid we're not fawning over every new implementation of Making Computers Bad At Math.
February 18, 2026 at 3:30 PM
We really do need the field of technology criticism. People have so much trouble with the idea that some technologies may be better than others, and that one can actually think critically about it.
Reminds me a bit of Wendall Berry’s “Why I am not going to buy a computer”
classes.matthewjbrown.net/teaching-fil...
which is not to say that one can’t be strongly for computers and strongly against AI, in their current carnation.
classes.matthewjbrown.net/teaching-fil...
which is not to say that one can’t be strongly for computers and strongly against AI, in their current carnation.
The constant condescension about ai is another aspect of it that makes me hate it more. The assumption is you can only be against it because you don't understand it like I do. No man. I don't like voluntarily making every human enterprise dependent on a tech run by a tiny group of financial maniacs
February 18, 2026 at 7:03 AM
Reminds me a bit of Wendall Berry’s “Why I am not going to buy a computer”
classes.matthewjbrown.net/teaching-fil...
which is not to say that one can’t be strongly for computers and strongly against AI, in their current carnation.
classes.matthewjbrown.net/teaching-fil...
which is not to say that one can’t be strongly for computers and strongly against AI, in their current carnation.
Reposted by Boaz Nash
@aoc.bsky.social would look good back there.
And if you’re wondering “Why is there a blob in the back?” Well, that’s where the first woman president was supposed to go. More than a century later, it remains unsculpted.
February 17, 2026 at 3:58 AM
@aoc.bsky.social would look good back there.
Anthropic and Claude has seemed like one of the more ethical actors in this space.
"Donald Trump’s so-called Department of War is threatening to cut ties with Anthropic because it won’t help the Pentagon conduct mass surveillance on Americans or make fully autonomous weapons that the administration can use however it likes."
newrepublic.com/post/206631/...
newrepublic.com/post/206631/...
The Pentagon Just Sent a Terrifying Message to AI Companies
It warned Anthropic it will “pay a price” if it continues to demand its products have safeguards.
newrepublic.com
February 18, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Anthropic and Claude has seemed like one of the more ethical actors in this space.
I like to think people can change and improve themselves. But typically, bad people keep being bad.
John Eastman, who is up for disbarment in California and currently cannot file cases in CA courts (apps.calbar.ca.gov/attorney/Lic... ) has filed this amicus brief in the US Supreme Court seeking to stop states from accepting ballots arriving after election day:
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...
www.supremecourt.gov/DocketPDF/24...
www.supremecourt.gov
February 18, 2026 at 4:59 AM
I like to think people can change and improve themselves. But typically, bad people keep being bad.
Reposted by Boaz Nash
That we would end up following the fate of Athens and Rome was the single most obsessive fear of America's founders.
February 18, 2026 at 3:56 AM
That we would end up following the fate of Athens and Rome was the single most obsessive fear of America's founders.
Just as we need more humanistic political visions to counter the American fascism, we also need more humanistic religion to counter Christian nationalism. MLK used his Christianity to support his vision of human rights for all. There's rich tradition of religion being used for good to be drawn from.
I'm of two minds about this. As a non-Christian Texan, I'm uncomfortable with all political displays of faith, which seem pushy and contrived. Talarico centering his campaign on his makes me edgy.
But there's a gaping hole where the Religious Left used to be, and who better than a Texan to fill it?
But there's a gaping hole where the Religious Left used to be, and who better than a Texan to fill it?
🧵Why Talarico’s faith works 🧵
It’s not lost on me that Talarico is doing what clergyfolk from King to Heschel have done. His credential to critique the hijacking of God’s name by fanatics derives *directly* from how seriously he takes faith in his own life. That puts him in the prophetic tradition.
It’s not lost on me that Talarico is doing what clergyfolk from King to Heschel have done. His credential to critique the hijacking of God’s name by fanatics derives *directly* from how seriously he takes faith in his own life. That puts him in the prophetic tradition.
February 18, 2026 at 4:40 AM
Just as we need more humanistic political visions to counter the American fascism, we also need more humanistic religion to counter Christian nationalism. MLK used his Christianity to support his vision of human rights for all. There's rich tradition of religion being used for good to be drawn from.
Reposted by Boaz Nash
I'm of two minds about this. As a non-Christian Texan, I'm uncomfortable with all political displays of faith, which seem pushy and contrived. Talarico centering his campaign on his makes me edgy.
But there's a gaping hole where the Religious Left used to be, and who better than a Texan to fill it?
But there's a gaping hole where the Religious Left used to be, and who better than a Texan to fill it?
🧵Why Talarico’s faith works 🧵
It’s not lost on me that Talarico is doing what clergyfolk from King to Heschel have done. His credential to critique the hijacking of God’s name by fanatics derives *directly* from how seriously he takes faith in his own life. That puts him in the prophetic tradition.
It’s not lost on me that Talarico is doing what clergyfolk from King to Heschel have done. His credential to critique the hijacking of God’s name by fanatics derives *directly* from how seriously he takes faith in his own life. That puts him in the prophetic tradition.
February 18, 2026 at 4:30 AM
I'm of two minds about this. As a non-Christian Texan, I'm uncomfortable with all political displays of faith, which seem pushy and contrived. Talarico centering his campaign on his makes me edgy.
But there's a gaping hole where the Religious Left used to be, and who better than a Texan to fill it?
But there's a gaping hole where the Religious Left used to be, and who better than a Texan to fill it?
Reposted by Boaz Nash
If the right dominates the infosphere, if they can demonize any marginalized population they turn their eye on, then strategizing around *a current snapshot of public opinion* is almost definitionally misguided. They can change that opinion. Dems can't seem to, or won't try. All else is noise.
February 18, 2026 at 2:49 AM
If the right dominates the infosphere, if they can demonize any marginalized population they turn their eye on, then strategizing around *a current snapshot of public opinion* is almost definitionally misguided. They can change that opinion. Dems can't seem to, or won't try. All else is noise.
In my new job, I'm connecting with community colleges in Colorado to understand what students need, and how graduates of our program can connect with their programs.
Learning about Front Range, I came across the fact that Metallica has created a scholarship program :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfKZ...
Learning about Front Range, I came across the fact that Metallica has created a scholarship program :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfKZ...
February 18, 2026 at 3:20 AM
In my new job, I'm connecting with community colleges in Colorado to understand what students need, and how graduates of our program can connect with their programs.
Learning about Front Range, I came across the fact that Metallica has created a scholarship program :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfKZ...
Learning about Front Range, I came across the fact that Metallica has created a scholarship program :)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=BfKZ...
Reposted by Boaz Nash
Well, I would quibble. I agree abstinence doesn't usually work. But I also agree with the folks who say there isn’t really responsible use of Big AI. So I think the third way is to radically increase the costs/risks of the big platforms, and to create viable and realistic indie alternatives.
February 17, 2026 at 4:30 PM
Well, I would quibble. I agree abstinence doesn't usually work. But I also agree with the folks who say there isn’t really responsible use of Big AI. So I think the third way is to radically increase the costs/risks of the big platforms, and to create viable and realistic indie alternatives.
Reposted by Boaz Nash
it is beyond far-fetched. they’ve committed ungodly resources to minneapolis, one small city, and are still often foiled by random midwesterners who take it on themselves to protect perfect strangers
people being blocked from voting would make the populace rabid
there are >100k poll locations
people being blocked from voting would make the populace rabid
there are >100k poll locations
February 17, 2026 at 3:31 PM
it is beyond far-fetched. they’ve committed ungodly resources to minneapolis, one small city, and are still often foiled by random midwesterners who take it on themselves to protect perfect strangers
people being blocked from voting would make the populace rabid
there are >100k poll locations
people being blocked from voting would make the populace rabid
there are >100k poll locations
Reposted by Boaz Nash
Look, also, to how he talks about abortion. Not with slogans, but with deep textual engagement. It’s not that he is “authentic” so much as an actual religious person, who has clearly turned to his tradition with difficult questions and emerged with a worldview informed by the nuances of the text.
February 17, 2026 at 7:25 PM
Look, also, to how he talks about abortion. Not with slogans, but with deep textual engagement. It’s not that he is “authentic” so much as an actual religious person, who has clearly turned to his tradition with difficult questions and emerged with a worldview informed by the nuances of the text.
Lava melts ICE!
February 17, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Lava melts ICE!
Giving Democrats willing to fight the corruption the power in Congress this November will make it all a lot less exhausting and more engaging.
Not going to lie. Having the worst fucking person on the planet in our White House is exhausting. There's no way in hell our nation will survive another 3 years of his reign of terror.
February 17, 2026 at 8:13 PM
Giving Democrats willing to fight the corruption the power in Congress this November will make it all a lot less exhausting and more engaging.
Reposted by Boaz Nash
Turns out there's an alternative to Discord, and people are flocking there now that Discord has decided to go full surveillance state. kotaku.com/discord-alte...
TeamSpeak's Servers Overwhelmed By Mass Discord Exodus
TeamSpeak seems to be rather enjoying the technical issues
kotaku.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Turns out there's an alternative to Discord, and people are flocking there now that Discord has decided to go full surveillance state. kotaku.com/discord-alte...
Can we please focus on the midterms and on ensuring election infrastructure is strong?
We should be busy convincing people, and being convinced who the better candidates are, not trying to force an early coalescence. We put so much effort into telling people to vote, & a lot less into pros and cons of different candidates.
And if midterms don't go well, this may all be moot anyway.
And if midterms don't go well, this may all be moot anyway.
it's one thing to say with regards to a general election "vote blue no matter who"
but it's a completely different thing to insist (as *lots* of Dem accounts I've personally seen are saying) that trans ppl *must* vote for Newsom when we're still several years away from presidential primaries!
but it's a completely different thing to insist (as *lots* of Dem accounts I've personally seen are saying) that trans ppl *must* vote for Newsom when we're still several years away from presidential primaries!
February 17, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Can we please focus on the midterms and on ensuring election infrastructure is strong?
Seems to me like the Democrats should pick up the “pro-life” mantle. Not specifically in terms of birth control, but otherwise the GOP seem to be doing all they can to make our lives shorter and more difficult and to disrespect life itself.
February 17, 2026 at 2:47 PM
Seems to me like the Democrats should pick up the “pro-life” mantle. Not specifically in terms of birth control, but otherwise the GOP seem to be doing all they can to make our lives shorter and more difficult and to disrespect life itself.
Reposted by Boaz Nash
Well the FCC has bullied the Colbert Show into not airing an interview with James Talarico (which they've put on YouTube) — I look forward to all of my former professors at Scalia Law condemning this massive intrusion on the First Amendment.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
Rep. James Talarico On Confronting Christian Nationalism, And Strange Days In The Texas Legislatu…
YouTube video by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 5:46 AM
Well the FCC has bullied the Colbert Show into not airing an interview with James Talarico (which they've put on YouTube) — I look forward to all of my former professors at Scalia Law condemning this massive intrusion on the First Amendment.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
We should be busy convincing people, and being convinced who the better candidates are, not trying to force an early coalescence. We put so much effort into telling people to vote, & a lot less into pros and cons of different candidates.
And if midterms don't go well, this may all be moot anyway.
And if midterms don't go well, this may all be moot anyway.
it's one thing to say with regards to a general election "vote blue no matter who"
but it's a completely different thing to insist (as *lots* of Dem accounts I've personally seen are saying) that trans ppl *must* vote for Newsom when we're still several years away from presidential primaries!
but it's a completely different thing to insist (as *lots* of Dem accounts I've personally seen are saying) that trans ppl *must* vote for Newsom when we're still several years away from presidential primaries!
February 17, 2026 at 5:45 AM
We should be busy convincing people, and being convinced who the better candidates are, not trying to force an early coalescence. We put so much effort into telling people to vote, & a lot less into pros and cons of different candidates.
And if midterms don't go well, this may all be moot anyway.
And if midterms don't go well, this may all be moot anyway.
That was a fun game.
Vodka Drunkenski, the Soviet boxer in Nintendo's 1984 arcade game "Super Punch-Out!!" was renamed to "Soda Popinski" for the NES release of "Mike Tyson's Punch-Out!!" in 1987, in what many have described as the first instance of "political correctness gone mad".
February 17, 2026 at 5:33 AM
That was a fun game.