Bob Hoyng
@bobhoyng.bsky.social
Living the middle way between thinking and being. Founder of Substrate Books. Systems thinker, musician, martial artist, and writer.
First book available now:
https://nothingbecomes.com
First book available now:
https://nothingbecomes.com
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
The so-called Save America Act will force 21 million American citizens to produce passports or birth certificates just to register to vote. Most do not have them ready. Turning paperwork into a barrier is a poll tax by another name. #HandsOffHerVote social.demcast.com/s/L9X3k1fQ
Contact Your MOC
social.demcast.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:22 PM
The so-called Save America Act will force 21 million American citizens to produce passports or birth certificates just to register to vote. Most do not have them ready. Turning paperwork into a barrier is a poll tax by another name. #HandsOffHerVote social.demcast.com/s/L9X3k1fQ
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
"Rather than creating an age of abundance in which most people no longer have to worry about money, new technologies have contributed to a two-tiered society comprising a relatively few with extraordinary wealth and a vast number of people barely making it."
It's all about distribution
We need UBI
It's all about distribution
We need UBI
AI and the Coming Jobless Economy
AI will make most of us poorer and a few fabulously wealthy — unless its productivity gains are allocated fairly. Here’s what we should we be considering now.
open.substack.com
February 11, 2026 at 2:20 PM
"Rather than creating an age of abundance in which most people no longer have to worry about money, new technologies have contributed to a two-tiered society comprising a relatively few with extraordinary wealth and a vast number of people barely making it."
It's all about distribution
We need UBI
It's all about distribution
We need UBI
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Saying it doesn’t make it so. www.theverge.com/tech/876866/...
February 11, 2026 at 2:23 AM
Saying it doesn’t make it so. www.theverge.com/tech/876866/...
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
The economy is doing great actually as long as you revise and account for the fact that it currently sucks ass.
February 10, 2026 at 2:23 PM
The economy is doing great actually as long as you revise and account for the fact that it currently sucks ass.
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
The good folks at @wired.com continue to do the Lord's work.
ICE Is Expanding Across the US at Breakneck Speed. Here’s Where It’s Going Next
ICE plans to lease offices throughout the US as part of a secret, monthslong expansion campaign. WIRED is publishing dozens of these locations.
www.wired.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:37 PM
The good folks at @wired.com continue to do the Lord's work.
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Do they all get deported now? Is that how this works?
February 5, 2026 at 5:48 PM
Do they all get deported now? Is that how this works?
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Child at the podium: “A woo woo woo.”
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
February 6, 2026 at 4:11 AM
Child at the podium: “A woo woo woo.”
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
Mamdani: That’s how I felt when we came up with this plan. Together, we will expand the idea of what is possible in our city—and what sounds and noises we can make at a press conference.
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Nice piece on @cnbc.com about @tudublinsustain.bsky.social Tallaght campus which has reduced carbon emissions by using excess heat from an Amazon Data centre. @seai-ie.bsky.social @codemadublin.bsky.social #SpeirGorm
This university campus is heated by an AI data center. Your home could be next
AI’s energy problem may also be its solution, as cities are increasingly exploring opportunities to repurpose excess heat from data centers.
www.cnbc.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:24 PM
Nice piece on @cnbc.com about @tudublinsustain.bsky.social Tallaght campus which has reduced carbon emissions by using excess heat from an Amazon Data centre. @seai-ie.bsky.social @codemadublin.bsky.social #SpeirGorm
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Folks outside SF/F don't know that Asimov was a sexual harasser because while he was alive fandom thought it was cute (up to and including Asimov being invited to give a lecture on "The Power of Positive Posterior Pinching" at Worldcon, which he, wisely, declined).
daily.jstor.org/asimovs-empi...
daily.jstor.org/asimovs-empi...
February 5, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Folks outside SF/F don't know that Asimov was a sexual harasser because while he was alive fandom thought it was cute (up to and including Asimov being invited to give a lecture on "The Power of Positive Posterior Pinching" at Worldcon, which he, wisely, declined).
daily.jstor.org/asimovs-empi...
daily.jstor.org/asimovs-empi...
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Cops were frequently getting caught planting drugs in 2017 because body cameras were new and many of them didn't understand how the technology worked.
When cops hit "record" it saved the 30 seconds from *before* they hit the button. Eventually, they figured it out.
When cops hit "record" it saved the 30 seconds from *before* they hit the button. Eventually, they figured it out.
Why Cops Frequently Got Caught Planting Drugs in 2017
Look. All technology comes with a learning curve.
gizmodo.com
February 5, 2026 at 9:21 PM
Cops were frequently getting caught planting drugs in 2017 because body cameras were new and many of them didn't understand how the technology worked.
When cops hit "record" it saved the 30 seconds from *before* they hit the button. Eventually, they figured it out.
When cops hit "record" it saved the 30 seconds from *before* they hit the button. Eventually, they figured it out.
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Shirley Povich writing in 1962, with the most immaculate burn conceivable of the Redskins awful, vile owner George Preston Marshall, the last NFL owner to insist on an all white roster: "Jim Brown, born ineligible to play for the Redskins, integrated their end zone three times yesterday." RIP WaPo.
February 4, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Shirley Povich writing in 1962, with the most immaculate burn conceivable of the Redskins awful, vile owner George Preston Marshall, the last NFL owner to insist on an all white roster: "Jim Brown, born ineligible to play for the Redskins, integrated their end zone three times yesterday." RIP WaPo.
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Shout out to Akash for casting the first vote for our campaign in McHenry County this morning!
Early in-person voting is now open in McHenry and Lake County, and mail-in ballots start going out across the district today.
After you vote, by mail or in person, send us a selfie. We love to see it!!
Early in-person voting is now open in McHenry and Lake County, and mail-in ballots start going out across the district today.
After you vote, by mail or in person, send us a selfie. We love to see it!!
February 5, 2026 at 5:50 PM
Shout out to Akash for casting the first vote for our campaign in McHenry County this morning!
Early in-person voting is now open in McHenry and Lake County, and mail-in ballots start going out across the district today.
After you vote, by mail or in person, send us a selfie. We love to see it!!
Early in-person voting is now open in McHenry and Lake County, and mail-in ballots start going out across the district today.
After you vote, by mail or in person, send us a selfie. We love to see it!!
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Amazing feeling over the weekend...I'm sitting, reading a book, as my adult children were setting up to play on the Wii. Couldn't get a controller working. Eyes turn to the old man..."try unplugging it and blowing it out." Game won't load, "turn it off and back on." Fixed.
Gen X tech support. :)
Gen X tech support. :)
February 2, 2026 at 7:24 PM
Amazing feeling over the weekend...I'm sitting, reading a book, as my adult children were setting up to play on the Wii. Couldn't get a controller working. Eyes turn to the old man..."try unplugging it and blowing it out." Game won't load, "turn it off and back on." Fixed.
Gen X tech support. :)
Gen X tech support. :)
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Georgia Fort, an independent journalist and vice president of the Minnesota NABJ chapter, was also arrested by federal agents this morning
I was sent this video of agents at her door:
I was sent this video of agents at her door:
January 30, 2026 at 2:58 PM
Georgia Fort, an independent journalist and vice president of the Minnesota NABJ chapter, was also arrested by federal agents this morning
I was sent this video of agents at her door:
I was sent this video of agents at her door:
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Ossoff: "This is a seismic event. This should have people across the country absolutely shook. This is a huge deal. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office ... This is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections. He tried to steal power when he lost it in 2020."
January 29, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Ossoff: "This is a seismic event. This should have people across the country absolutely shook. This is a huge deal. This is an FBI raid on the Fulton County Elections office ... This is a shot across the bow at the midterm elections. He tried to steal power when he lost it in 2020."
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
January 27, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass
Philip Glass boycotting the Kennedy Center
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
A coworker took this from her apartment. I haven't seen a crowd this size before. Maybe the first Women's March? But it was much much warmer that day. ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA!
January 23, 2026 at 11:19 PM
A coworker took this from her apartment. I haven't seen a crowd this size before. Maybe the first Women's March? But it was much much warmer that day. ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA!
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Hey. I get it if you're trying to de-Amazon. I stopped shopping there a few years ago. They're big evil.
But you know who's not big evil? Your favorite writers who're struggling cos people aren't buying their books anymore.
It's OK to use Kindle to support your faves. I'm giving you permission.
But you know who's not big evil? Your favorite writers who're struggling cos people aren't buying their books anymore.
It's OK to use Kindle to support your faves. I'm giving you permission.
January 23, 2026 at 12:31 AM
Hey. I get it if you're trying to de-Amazon. I stopped shopping there a few years ago. They're big evil.
But you know who's not big evil? Your favorite writers who're struggling cos people aren't buying their books anymore.
It's OK to use Kindle to support your faves. I'm giving you permission.
But you know who's not big evil? Your favorite writers who're struggling cos people aren't buying their books anymore.
It's OK to use Kindle to support your faves. I'm giving you permission.
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
This right here is one of the biggest reasons we need universal basic income. High consumption inequality creates a fragile consumer economy. We need to widely spread consumption. UBI to grow the consumption of the entire bottom 80%. Taxes to decrease the top 10% to balance for inflation management.
January 23, 2026 at 8:58 PM
This right here is one of the biggest reasons we need universal basic income. High consumption inequality creates a fragile consumer economy. We need to widely spread consumption. UBI to grow the consumption of the entire bottom 80%. Taxes to decrease the top 10% to balance for inflation management.
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Repeat after me - the institutions of this economy depend on the institutions of this democracy, among which is the rule of law
Jack Smith: "My fear is that we have seen the rule of law function in our country for so long that many of us have come to take it for granted. The rule of law is not self-executing. It depends on our collective commitment to apply it."
January 22, 2026 at 3:56 PM
Repeat after me - the institutions of this economy depend on the institutions of this democracy, among which is the rule of law
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
A major coalition is launching a general strike in Minnesota tomorrow, aimed at pushing out ICE.
It includes:
-Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005
-The MN AFL-CIO
-SEIU Local 26
-UNITE HERE Local 17
-CWA Local 7250
-Saint Paul and Minneapolis Federations of Educators
-Faith leaders
And more. 🧵
It includes:
-Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005
-The MN AFL-CIO
-SEIU Local 26
-UNITE HERE Local 17
-CWA Local 7250
-Saint Paul and Minneapolis Federations of Educators
-Faith leaders
And more. 🧵
January 22, 2026 at 2:30 PM
A major coalition is launching a general strike in Minnesota tomorrow, aimed at pushing out ICE.
It includes:
-Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005
-The MN AFL-CIO
-SEIU Local 26
-UNITE HERE Local 17
-CWA Local 7250
-Saint Paul and Minneapolis Federations of Educators
-Faith leaders
And more. 🧵
It includes:
-Amalgamated Transit Union Local 1005
-The MN AFL-CIO
-SEIU Local 26
-UNITE HERE Local 17
-CWA Local 7250
-Saint Paul and Minneapolis Federations of Educators
-Faith leaders
And more. 🧵
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
Senator Gallego weighs in as well. Note that at the start of 2025 he was considered a *moderate* on immigration and co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act. Him and many other Dems have been increasingly horrified at what ICE is doing and shifted away from a "more enforcement" focus.
January 21, 2026 at 10:56 PM
Senator Gallego weighs in as well. Note that at the start of 2025 he was considered a *moderate* on immigration and co-sponsored the Laken Riley Act. Him and many other Dems have been increasingly horrified at what ICE is doing and shifted away from a "more enforcement" focus.
Reposted by Bob Hoyng
as trump keeps beating up on renewables, a new analysis shows that we can basically offset data center emissions simply by boosting wind and solar a little bit more:
The AI Boom Will Increase US Carbon Emissions—but It Doesn’t Have To
A new analysis finds that data centers’ energy demands will drastically increase power plant emissions over the next decade. Renewables, though, could cut them while helping keep prices from rising.
www.wired.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:25 PM
as trump keeps beating up on renewables, a new analysis shows that we can basically offset data center emissions simply by boosting wind and solar a little bit more: