Dwayne Monroe
@cloudquistador.bsky.social
Cybernetics • AI Resistance • Dialectics • Film Noir • https://monroelab.com • vdgasjournal.com • https://padlet.com/verdigris21/verdigris-kjopwvgquczhyt06
Pinned
Verdigris Journal: 2026
YouTube video by Film Conversations
youtu.be
In 2025, we introduced Verdigris, dedicated to promoting writers who want to engage with the world. We did okay in 2025 but urgent times demand redoubled efforts. For 2026, a renewed and reinvigorated focus on writing about urgent matters and helping you do the same. youtu.be/dtPJSAMICFU
Given this long history, it's sensible to conclude the US has been a tyranny from the start (with periods of waxing and waning intensity). This should be uncontroversial but for many, accepting the stark facts is hard, perhaps impossible.
This flailing outbreak of tyranny without the government is not the ‘once in a lifetime’ moment people like to think.
McCarthyism, Prohibition, the Deportation of Anarchists by Woodrow Wilson, the Internment Camps of WWII…I could go on. This doesn’t include the low grade tyranny that is always
McCarthyism, Prohibition, the Deportation of Anarchists by Woodrow Wilson, the Internment Camps of WWII…I could go on. This doesn’t include the low grade tyranny that is always
February 10, 2026 at 8:47 PM
Given this long history, it's sensible to conclude the US has been a tyranny from the start (with periods of waxing and waning intensity). This should be uncontroversial but for many, accepting the stark facts is hard, perhaps impossible.
Kadri's work is groundbreaking and key to more fully understanding the threat capitalism poses to life itself.
NEW: "Death Itself Is On Sale" - Ali Kadri on The Accumulation of Waste
millennialsarekillingcapitalism.libsyn.com/death-itself...
millennialsarekillingcapitalism.libsyn.com/death-itself...
February 10, 2026 at 8:05 PM
Kadri's work is groundbreaking and key to more fully understanding the threat capitalism poses to life itself.
In this video, inspired by @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social I read Evgeny Morozov's essay, 'Socialism after AI' or, as much as I could endure. Morozov writes about 'AI' using glittering generalities, lacking understanding or acknowledgment of the actually existing industry: youtu.be/NUby9eTbsuM
Morozov on AI: A Trip Down Academia Lane
YouTube video by Microsoft - A Materialist Approach
youtu.be
February 9, 2026 at 5:52 PM
In this video, inspired by @sonjadrimmer.bsky.social I read Evgeny Morozov's essay, 'Socialism after AI' or, as much as I could endure. Morozov writes about 'AI' using glittering generalities, lacking understanding or acknowledgment of the actually existing industry: youtu.be/NUby9eTbsuM
As a class, academics are useless on the topic of 'AI'; worse, they're usually complicit.
“She compares her work to the efforts of a parent raising a child. She’s training Claude to detect the difference between right and wrong while imbuing it with unique personality traits.”
This Philosopher Is Teaching AI to Have Morals
The tech company has entrusted the philosopher to endow its chatbot with a sense of right and wrong.
www.wsj.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:03 PM
As a class, academics are useless on the topic of 'AI'; worse, they're usually complicit.
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
This is the smart person’s “if wishes were horses.” Morozov repeatedly asserts that technologies have politics but he chooses to overlook here that technologies do also have material properties that circumscribe their politics. www.theideasletter.org/essay/social...
Socialism After AI - The Ideas Letter
Morozov argues that socialist attempts to harness AI have merely treated it like earlier tools of capitalist production—as a neutral instrument that can simply be redirected. In fact, he says,…
www.theideasletter.org
February 7, 2026 at 1:49 PM
This is the smart person’s “if wishes were horses.” Morozov repeatedly asserts that technologies have politics but he chooses to overlook here that technologies do also have material properties that circumscribe their politics. www.theideasletter.org/essay/social...
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
This is Smartwashing AI. Many know that the econ & political conditions that enable the tech industry to infiltrate every sector of public & private life are unsustainable & dangerous. But bc resistance is cast as emotional or archaic a cottage industry of wishful thinking from the left has emerged.
I think part of this is academic-brain. We've disciplined ourselves into believing that refusal or simply identifying something as irredeemable are not respectable intellectual positions. Instead, the clever posture is to wishcast a scenario on to which we can project our own smart version of sthing
February 9, 2026 at 1:01 PM
This is Smartwashing AI. Many know that the econ & political conditions that enable the tech industry to infiltrate every sector of public & private life are unsustainable & dangerous. But bc resistance is cast as emotional or archaic a cottage industry of wishful thinking from the left has emerged.
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
yes, and this is also an especially Global North/Western perspective to people's hearts: their pets — which they care about much MUCH more than they care about other humans who happen to e.g. not be USAmerican or white
I tell you what, Ring figured out exactly how to weaponize white people’s empathy in service to a corporately controlled surveillance state.
Tell them it will find your dog.
Tell them it will find your dog.
February 9, 2026 at 9:16 AM
yes, and this is also an especially Global North/Western perspective to people's hearts: their pets — which they care about much MUCH more than they care about other humans who happen to e.g. not be USAmerican or white
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
Cybersecurity education has failed because no one understands that the ai caricature/ cute filters/ throwback photos or specific dances are all to get your biometrics
But I’m sure saying phish smish vish has been useful for some folk
But I’m sure saying phish smish vish has been useful for some folk
February 8, 2026 at 8:20 AM
Cybersecurity education has failed because no one understands that the ai caricature/ cute filters/ throwback photos or specific dances are all to get your biometrics
But I’m sure saying phish smish vish has been useful for some folk
But I’m sure saying phish smish vish has been useful for some folk
Currently reading this outstanding book which, among other virtues, foregrounds the real world application of dialectical materialism and the fact we are in a world war. mronline.org/2026/01/02/w...
February 7, 2026 at 12:59 PM
Currently reading this outstanding book which, among other virtues, foregrounds the real world application of dialectical materialism and the fact we are in a world war. mronline.org/2026/01/02/w...
Rockhill mentions 'Decoding Chomsky' during this conversation with Adnan Husain: www.youtube.com/live/6-okZ9M...
February 7, 2026 at 10:32 AM
Rockhill mentions 'Decoding Chomsky' during this conversation with Adnan Husain: www.youtube.com/live/6-okZ9M...
Thanks to Gabriel Rockhill for mentioning Chris Knight's book (published in 2018), 'Decoding Chomsky'. Knight describes Chomsky's ties to the US military through his participation in applied machine learning research: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decodin...
Decoding Chomsky - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 7, 2026 at 10:30 AM
Thanks to Gabriel Rockhill for mentioning Chris Knight's book (published in 2018), 'Decoding Chomsky'. Knight describes Chomsky's ties to the US military through his participation in applied machine learning research: en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Decodin...
Which reminds me of an argument I had with a Frankfurt based 'autonomous driving' researcher. He insisted all scenarios could be handled. I mentioned a winter drive: I avoided hitting a child by mindfully anticipating the kid's actions and adjusting. He argued software could do that. No and, never.
And formally provably so because to drive you need theory of mind. You can indeed show with maths the limits of maths since it's a formal engineered system with knowable limits, see Gödel etc. We created trains which ban humans from tracks so the system can be safely automated, not so for roads. 1/n
These companies are always lying about the extent of their automation because some things cannot be fully automated in principle
futurism.com/advanced-tra...
futurism.com/advanced-tra...
February 7, 2026 at 7:21 AM
Which reminds me of an argument I had with a Frankfurt based 'autonomous driving' researcher. He insisted all scenarios could be handled. I mentioned a winter drive: I avoided hitting a child by mindfully anticipating the kid's actions and adjusting. He argued software could do that. No and, never.
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
And formally provably so because to drive you need theory of mind. You can indeed show with maths the limits of maths since it's a formal engineered system with knowable limits, see Gödel etc. We created trains which ban humans from tracks so the system can be safely automated, not so for roads. 1/n
These companies are always lying about the extent of their automation because some things cannot be fully automated in principle
futurism.com/advanced-tra...
futurism.com/advanced-tra...
It Turns Out That When Waymos Are Stumped, They Get Intervention From Workers in the Philippines
During a Congressional hearing, Waymo's chief safety officer, Mauricio Peña, was grilled over the company's reliance on overseas workers.
futurism.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:30 AM
And formally provably so because to drive you need theory of mind. You can indeed show with maths the limits of maths since it's a formal engineered system with knowable limits, see Gödel etc. We created trains which ban humans from tracks so the system can be safely automated, not so for roads. 1/n
In 2025, we introduced Verdigris, dedicated to promoting writers who want to engage with the world. We did okay in 2025 but urgent times demand redoubled efforts. For 2026, a renewed and reinvigorated focus on writing about urgent matters and helping you do the same. youtu.be/dtPJSAMICFU
Verdigris Journal: 2026
YouTube video by Film Conversations
youtu.be
February 6, 2026 at 3:04 PM
In 2025, we introduced Verdigris, dedicated to promoting writers who want to engage with the world. We did okay in 2025 but urgent times demand redoubled efforts. For 2026, a renewed and reinvigorated focus on writing about urgent matters and helping you do the same. youtu.be/dtPJSAMICFU
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
kamala harris's 6-7 themed zoomer digital marketing group has already changed its name after getting made fun of. for some reason they changed it to "68." we're witnessing a level of political instinct never before imaginable
February 6, 2026 at 6:54 AM
kamala harris's 6-7 themed zoomer digital marketing group has already changed its name after getting made fun of. for some reason they changed it to "68." we're witnessing a level of political instinct never before imaginable
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
February 6, 2026 at 10:42 AM
Once you see it, you can’t unsee it.
Another update from the Red Nation podcast on the state of siege in Minnesota: youtu.be/Vmqt-2RI4iI?...
Minneapolis Update: Not Minnesota Nice
YouTube video by The Red Nation
youtu.be
February 5, 2026 at 9:44 PM
Another update from the Red Nation podcast on the state of siege in Minnesota: youtu.be/Vmqt-2RI4iI?...
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
New from 404 Media: the FBI has been unable to get into the iPhone of raided Washington Post journalist because the phone had Lockdown Mode enabled. Apple markets Lockdown Mode mostly to stop spyware like NSO. Here, a real world example of it stopping access too www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 2:07 PM
New from 404 Media: the FBI has been unable to get into the iPhone of raided Washington Post journalist because the phone had Lockdown Mode enabled. Apple markets Lockdown Mode mostly to stop spyware like NSO. Here, a real world example of it stopping access too www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
While all of you (including @cloudquistador.bsky.social ) wait for my next review, I want to re-share some I have enjoyed:
This review was a nice beat down of a national socialist who likes to reference, for some reason, Lenin.
Enjoy.
vdgasjournal.com/2025/03/31/g...
This review was a nice beat down of a national socialist who likes to reference, for some reason, Lenin.
Enjoy.
vdgasjournal.com/2025/03/31/g...
‘Great Thieves and All the Little Thieves: A Review of ‘Why We Need American Marxism’ by Carlos Garrido
Being a literary critic in America’s desert of fictioneering is lonely business–and sometimes, I have to go slumming in search of something to review. Much like Diogenes, I have to go b…
vdgasjournal.com
February 5, 2026 at 7:15 PM
While all of you (including @cloudquistador.bsky.social ) wait for my next review, I want to re-share some I have enjoyed:
This review was a nice beat down of a national socialist who likes to reference, for some reason, Lenin.
Enjoy.
vdgasjournal.com/2025/03/31/g...
This review was a nice beat down of a national socialist who likes to reference, for some reason, Lenin.
Enjoy.
vdgasjournal.com/2025/03/31/g...
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
Knoxville is following a national pattern by switching to Axon from Flock for ALPRs. Axon is selling their product as a solution to the problems of Flock. The problem is that ALPRs and the business of mass data collection & sharing is dangerous, no matter the vendor.
www.wbir.com/article/news...
www.wbir.com/article/news...
10Investigates: Knoxville license plate reader cameras turned off after contract lapse
Attorneys warn that the loss of data could hinder investigations for months. KPD says it's switching to a new vendor with cameras expected to go up later this year.
www.wbir.com
February 5, 2026 at 2:06 PM
Knoxville is following a national pattern by switching to Axon from Flock for ALPRs. Axon is selling their product as a solution to the problems of Flock. The problem is that ALPRs and the business of mass data collection & sharing is dangerous, no matter the vendor.
www.wbir.com/article/news...
www.wbir.com/article/news...
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
Nuremberg 2 needs a special section for Palantir employees. Every one.
Can you imagine being the software engineers, engineering managers, product managers, designers, QA testers, and devops that built and run this? Cashing out your palantir equity for "deportation targets"? Accomplices and ghouls, all of them
February 4, 2026 at 1:35 PM
Nuremberg 2 needs a special section for Palantir employees. Every one.
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
Every single industry head & CEO in this country has an "I Want To Believe" poster in their office only instead of a UFO it's those stock pictures of face made out of [an arrangement of nonsense binary code + something that looks like circuit diagrams] & also Fox Mulder would give them all a wedgie
“In essence, Lotus is building an AI doctor that functions like a real medical practice, equipped with a license to operate in all 50 states, malpractice insurance, HIPAA-compliant systems, and full access to patient records.”
Lotus Health nabs $35M for AI doctor that sees patients for free | TechCrunch
This AI doctor is licensed in all 50 states, the startup says. The deal was led by CRV and Kleiner Perkins.
techcrunch.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:07 PM
Every single industry head & CEO in this country has an "I Want To Believe" poster in their office only instead of a UFO it's those stock pictures of face made out of [an arrangement of nonsense binary code + something that looks like circuit diagrams] & also Fox Mulder would give them all a wedgie
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
SCOOP: Palantir's AI has been deployed at HHS since last March to audit grants, grant applications, & job descriptions for anything related to "DEI" or "gender ideology"
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
HHS Is Using AI Tools From Palantir to Target ‘DEI’ and ‘Gender Ideology’ in Grants
Since March of 2025, the Department of Health and Human Services has been using tools from Palantir and the startup Credal AI to weed out perceived alignment with “DEI” or “gender ideology.”
www.wired.com
February 2, 2026 at 9:04 PM
SCOOP: Palantir's AI has been deployed at HHS since last March to audit grants, grant applications, & job descriptions for anything related to "DEI" or "gender ideology"
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
The goal was to ensure compliance with 2 of Trump's executive orders:
www.wired.com/story/hhs-is...
Reposted by Dwayne Monroe
guardrails are a scam...
as I said before: AI & any concept relating to it like so-called guardrails are a scam in the deepest sense like a perpetual motion machine or a ouija board — and not only a scam like a pyramid scheme which is a possible way to make money if you are first in first out
as I said before: AI & any concept relating to it like so-called guardrails are a scam in the deepest sense like a perpetual motion machine or a ouija board — and not only a scam like a pyramid scheme which is a possible way to make money if you are first in first out
New: Together with colleagues I’ve been testing Grok.
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
The chatbot still produces sexualized images —
even when told the subjects don’t consent.
even when told the photos will be used for public humiliation.
even when told the subjects are survivors of abuse.
www.reuters.com/business/des...
Exclusive: Despite new curbs, Elon Musk’s Grok at times produces sexualized images - even when told subjects didn’t consent
Elon Musk’s flagship artificial intelligence chatbot, Grok, continues to generate sexualized images of people even when users explicitly warn that the subjects do not consent, Reuters has found.
www.reuters.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:12 PM
guardrails are a scam...
as I said before: AI & any concept relating to it like so-called guardrails are a scam in the deepest sense like a perpetual motion machine or a ouija board — and not only a scam like a pyramid scheme which is a possible way to make money if you are first in first out
as I said before: AI & any concept relating to it like so-called guardrails are a scam in the deepest sense like a perpetual motion machine or a ouija board — and not only a scam like a pyramid scheme which is a possible way to make money if you are first in first out
It's time to imagine the post capitalist world. What do we want? How do we build it? Who must lose for the peoples of this beleaguered Earth to win and what will it take to defeat our enemies?
February 2, 2026 at 7:18 PM
It's time to imagine the post capitalist world. What do we want? How do we build it? Who must lose for the peoples of this beleaguered Earth to win and what will it take to defeat our enemies?