Das Doak
@dasdoak.bsky.social
Gentleman adventurer, mostly decent bastard, only slightly pessimistic optimist. I ride bikes, tinker, program, and read way too much.
White, cis, straight, US male if you need the context. It's a fucked demographic; wasn't my choice to be born into it.
White, cis, straight, US male if you need the context. It's a fucked demographic; wasn't my choice to be born into it.
Pinned
Das Doak
@dasdoak.bsky.social
· Nov 7
Here's what Democrats should do - as a minimum - to help fix the media ecosystem:
Start a newspaper in every single congressional district - yes, all 435 of them - called "The <name of geographic area> Democrat." It can literally be the district number if there's nothing better to hand. (1/7)
Start a newspaper in every single congressional district - yes, all 435 of them - called "The <name of geographic area> Democrat." It can literally be the district number if there's nothing better to hand. (1/7)
Reposted by Das Doak
Swing state moderate Gallego is doing a much better and more job opposing this than most members of the party
January 3, 2026 at 9:41 PM
Swing state moderate Gallego is doing a much better and more job opposing this than most members of the party
Reposted by Das Doak
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
January 3, 2026 at 3:34 PM
It’s not about drugs. If it was, Trump wouldn’t have pardoned one of the largest narco traffickers in the world last month.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
It’s about oil and regime change.
And they need a trial now to pretend that it isn’t. Especially to distract from his sinking under Epstein and skyrocketing healthcare costs.
Even if it were true, this'd be insanely dumb for US companies; their current investments in US oil production are all about to be stranded because the price of oil is forecast to be too low for them to turn a profit. Why would they invest in additional production that'd make that problem worse?
This is a lie. Not a single US petroleum company is going to waste any resources trying to bring Venezuela’s petroleum infrastructure up to 21st century standards because they’ll never recover the expenditures given the low grade petroleum Venezuela has & the cost to refine it.
Trump: "We're going to have our very large United States oil companies go in, spend billions of dollars, fix the badly broken infrastructure and start making money for the country. And we are ready to stage a second and much larger attack if we need to do so."
January 3, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Even if it were true, this'd be insanely dumb for US companies; their current investments in US oil production are all about to be stranded because the price of oil is forecast to be too low for them to turn a profit. Why would they invest in additional production that'd make that problem worse?
There have been a couple absolute stinkers but, for the most part, the Democrats in the Senate are saying the right things about what just happened; this shit is fucking illegal.
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/01/the-...
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/01/the-...
The Dem Reaction - Lawyers, Guns & Money
Where are the Democrats right now? Friend of the blog Jamie Mayerfeld has done the research: I saw someone write on Facebook: “Only a short matter of time before we see establishment liberals falling ...
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com
January 3, 2026 at 9:38 PM
There have been a couple absolute stinkers but, for the most part, the Democrats in the Senate are saying the right things about what just happened; this shit is fucking illegal.
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/01/the-...
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2026/01/the-...
Reposted by Das Doak
We actually glossed over this too quickly.
Someone made half a million dollars insider trading on a coup.
This is a fucking problem, folks.
Someone made half a million dollars insider trading on a coup.
This is a fucking problem, folks.
This is what happens when you normalize gambling on everything — from sports to elections to war. It’s a symptom of a culture where insider access = profit, and the rest of us lose faith & trust in everything.
Sports betting was just the gateway.
Sports betting was just the gateway.
January 3, 2026 at 6:05 PM
We actually glossed over this too quickly.
Someone made half a million dollars insider trading on a coup.
This is a fucking problem, folks.
Someone made half a million dollars insider trading on a coup.
This is a fucking problem, folks.
Reposted by Das Doak
My statement on the Trump Administration’s actions in Venezuela.
January 3, 2026 at 7:40 PM
My statement on the Trump Administration’s actions in Venezuela.
Reposted by Das Doak
Best thing I’ve read this morning, from a human rights lawyer in Mexico. Translation is in the ALT-text.
January 3, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Best thing I’ve read this morning, from a human rights lawyer in Mexico. Translation is in the ALT-text.
Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
"Monroe Doctrine, we sort of forgot about it. Very important but we forgot about it we don't forget about it anymore." Talks about the "Donroe doctrine"
January 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
Jesus. Fucking. Christ.
Reposted by Das Doak
“In an ideal world, I would have liked to see Donald Trump's presidency annulled: his every act as president made null and void, as if it had never happened.” www.liberalcurrents.com/mamdani-teac...
Mamdani Teaches Us How to Speak the Language of Illegitimacy
How should that next Democratic government act on the belief that Trump's second term was lawless and illegitimate?
www.liberalcurrents.com
January 3, 2026 at 4:19 PM
“In an ideal world, I would have liked to see Donald Trump's presidency annulled: his every act as president made null and void, as if it had never happened.” www.liberalcurrents.com/mamdani-teac...
Reposted by Das Doak
Correct, it's obviously and immediately impeachable
They didn’t even bother to ask for an AUMF, impeachment
January 3, 2026 at 7:11 AM
Correct, it's obviously and immediately impeachable
Reposted by Das Doak
The whole @profsaunders.bsky.social thread is excellent, but this is worth emphasizing.
I'm going to do that via shameless self-promotion.
@cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social and I first formulated the book that became Exit from Hegemony in the '00s, but we wrote the bulk of the actual text in 2018. 🧵
I'm going to do that via shameless self-promotion.
@cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social and I first formulated the book that became Exit from Hegemony in the '00s, but we wrote the bulk of the actual text in 2018. 🧵
Maybe we'll see a version of what the historian Paul Kennedy called "imperial overstretch," when great powers collapse under the weight of their foreign commitments. But the speed and self-driven nature of all this is different. Call it "Trump Overstretch." 9/ blogs.lse.ac.uk/usappblog/20...
Long Read: For over 30 years, Paul Kennedy’s The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers has been the backdrop of the shifting debate over American power. | USAPP
Is the United States doomed to go the way of the great powers of the past and lose its global position of authority, or will it be able to avoid this fate? In 1987, Paul Kennedy's book, The Rise and F...
blogs.lse.ac.uk
January 3, 2026 at 3:55 PM
The whole @profsaunders.bsky.social thread is excellent, but this is worth emphasizing.
I'm going to do that via shameless self-promotion.
@cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social and I first formulated the book that became Exit from Hegemony in the '00s, but we wrote the bulk of the actual text in 2018. 🧵
I'm going to do that via shameless self-promotion.
@cooleyoneurasia.bsky.social and I first formulated the book that became Exit from Hegemony in the '00s, but we wrote the bulk of the actual text in 2018. 🧵
Reposted by Das Doak
The central point of this - the fact that people are now paying far more for much lower quality housing - is, I think, one of the central factors driving the bad economic vibes.
You can't opt out of buying or renting housing, and the higher prices mean you're paying more for less.
You can't opt out of buying or renting housing, and the higher prices mean you're paying more for less.
dubious source but I find the basic argument in here pretty convincing www.mercatus.org/research/res...
"We Are Not as Wealthy as We Thought We Were": Elevated American Household Net Worth Reflects Poverty, Not Wealth
Abstract
www.mercatus.org
January 2, 2026 at 11:20 PM
The central point of this - the fact that people are now paying far more for much lower quality housing - is, I think, one of the central factors driving the bad economic vibes.
You can't opt out of buying or renting housing, and the higher prices mean you're paying more for less.
You can't opt out of buying or renting housing, and the higher prices mean you're paying more for less.
Genuine and heartfelt belief in moral principles is the rock upon which nihilism breaks.
Given that most of this country's leadership are nihilists, they are absolutely *terrified* of Mamdani, because the strength of his convictions threatens their world unlike anything else.
Given that most of this country's leadership are nihilists, they are absolutely *terrified* of Mamdani, because the strength of his convictions threatens their world unlike anything else.
It’s very clear to me, listening to the speeches at Mamdani’s inauguration, why they are so afraid of him and his supporters. They hate the collective hope, solidarity and love he represents.
They fear compassion, inclusivity, and possibility that opens up when leaders are actually for the people.
They fear compassion, inclusivity, and possibility that opens up when leaders are actually for the people.
January 2, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Genuine and heartfelt belief in moral principles is the rock upon which nihilism breaks.
Given that most of this country's leadership are nihilists, they are absolutely *terrified* of Mamdani, because the strength of his convictions threatens their world unlike anything else.
Given that most of this country's leadership are nihilists, they are absolutely *terrified* of Mamdani, because the strength of his convictions threatens their world unlike anything else.
Reposted by Das Doak
This is just such a damned disgrace. A crime against knowledge and humanity itself.
January 1, 2026 at 5:38 AM
This is just such a damned disgrace. A crime against knowledge and humanity itself.
Reposted by Das Doak
So anyway.
The first Black Woman Mayor of Detroit was sworn in today.
The first Black Woman Mayor of Detroit was sworn in today.
January 2, 2026 at 3:52 AM
So anyway.
The first Black Woman Mayor of Detroit was sworn in today.
The first Black Woman Mayor of Detroit was sworn in today.
Reposted by Das Doak
In retrospect this is probably one of the most cynical and brazen ratfucking attempts we've ever seen
After receiving a commendation for exceptional services to the Russian state from President Putin, Biden accuser Tara Reade—seen here in her luxury Moscow condo—has now become a citizen of the Russian Federation... молодец!
December 31, 2025 at 2:31 AM
In retrospect this is probably one of the most cynical and brazen ratfucking attempts we've ever seen
The lead actor in The Irony of Fate is basically what you'd get if Daniel Craig was a pair of jeans that got washed too hot and shrunk.
January 1, 2026 at 8:24 AM
The lead actor in The Irony of Fate is basically what you'd get if Daniel Craig was a pair of jeans that got washed too hot and shrunk.
This is possibly the dumbest idea I've heard.
Content is consumed once, so there is a constant demand for *fresh* content for novelty and variety.
Software is used multiple times and, ideally, will behave the same way essentially forever.
The incentives for the former do not apply to the latter.
Content is consumed once, so there is a constant demand for *fresh* content for novelty and variety.
Software is used multiple times and, ideally, will behave the same way essentially forever.
The incentives for the former do not apply to the latter.
It’s also possible that software production could become another content format, akin to video or podcasts. That would make the monetization models similar to other creators. This isn’t a bad outcome. Software development as small business needs revitalization.
January 1, 2026 at 6:17 AM
This is possibly the dumbest idea I've heard.
Content is consumed once, so there is a constant demand for *fresh* content for novelty and variety.
Software is used multiple times and, ideally, will behave the same way essentially forever.
The incentives for the former do not apply to the latter.
Content is consumed once, so there is a constant demand for *fresh* content for novelty and variety.
Software is used multiple times and, ideally, will behave the same way essentially forever.
The incentives for the former do not apply to the latter.
They want to deport enough people of color to make America majority-white - that's it.
And they don't care whether or not those people they deport are American Citizens; getting rid of non-white citizens is, in fact, part of their goal.
And they don't care whether or not those people they deport are American Citizens; getting rid of non-white citizens is, in fact, part of their goal.
There are at most only 15 million undocumented immigrants.
Only 50 million immigrants at all (many of them became citizens decades ago)
There are at most only 25 American Citizens born to an immigrant parent.
Trump is talking about departing literally Americab grandchildren of immigrants
Only 50 million immigrants at all (many of them became citizens decades ago)
There are at most only 25 American Citizens born to an immigrant parent.
Trump is talking about departing literally Americab grandchildren of immigrants
January 1, 2026 at 1:32 AM
They want to deport enough people of color to make America majority-white - that's it.
And they don't care whether or not those people they deport are American Citizens; getting rid of non-white citizens is, in fact, part of their goal.
And they don't care whether or not those people they deport are American Citizens; getting rid of non-white citizens is, in fact, part of their goal.
Reposted by Das Doak
'South Park' alum Toby Morton responds to unnamed lawyers regarding his registering the Trump-Kennedy Center domain names: "Satire is protected speech... I'll proceed accordingly while you go f^ck yourselves."
December 31, 2025 at 11:32 AM
'South Park' alum Toby Morton responds to unnamed lawyers regarding his registering the Trump-Kennedy Center domain names: "Satire is protected speech... I'll proceed accordingly while you go f^ck yourselves."
This actually inspired me to look more into Abrams' work
He's directed a total of nine television show episodes and six movies.
How the hell did he wind up getting tapped for both Star Trek and Star Wars?
He's directed a total of nine television show episodes and six movies.
How the hell did he wind up getting tapped for both Star Trek and Star Wars?
December 31, 2025 at 10:57 PM
This actually inspired me to look more into Abrams' work
He's directed a total of nine television show episodes and six movies.
How the hell did he wind up getting tapped for both Star Trek and Star Wars?
He's directed a total of nine television show episodes and six movies.
How the hell did he wind up getting tapped for both Star Trek and Star Wars?
10% of Urban and Suburban Americans live car-free.
An additional 18% want to live car-free.
A further 40% are open to the idea of living car-free.
So only a minority of 32% of the population of our cities *affirmatively* want to own cars.
An additional 18% want to live car-free.
A further 40% are open to the idea of living car-free.
So only a minority of 32% of the population of our cities *affirmatively* want to own cars.
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Is Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance it would be happy to do without? Obviousl...
humantransit.org
December 31, 2025 at 6:37 PM
10% of Urban and Suburban Americans live car-free.
An additional 18% want to live car-free.
A further 40% are open to the idea of living car-free.
So only a minority of 32% of the population of our cities *affirmatively* want to own cars.
An additional 18% want to live car-free.
A further 40% are open to the idea of living car-free.
So only a minority of 32% of the population of our cities *affirmatively* want to own cars.
Reposted by Das Doak
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
Many Americans Are Open to Car-Free Living — Human Transit
Is Americans a “car culture” or are they “car dependent”? Do they drive because they love driving, or are they in an unhealthy relationship with a substance it would be happy to do without? Obviousl...
humantransit.org
December 11, 2025 at 6:55 PM
An astonishing percentage of Americans are open to car-free living.
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
The problem isn't attitudes. The problem is the failure to invest in viable options.
humantransit.org/2025/12/many...
...the natural portions of Ellis Island are apparently part of New York, while the reclaimed portions are part of New Jersey.
This means that most of the buildings on the North half of the island are in two states.
It took until FRIGGING 1998 to actually settle this legally.
This means that most of the buildings on the North half of the island are in two states.
It took until FRIGGING 1998 to actually settle this legally.
New Jersey v. New York - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
December 30, 2025 at 10:43 PM
...the natural portions of Ellis Island are apparently part of New York, while the reclaimed portions are part of New Jersey.
This means that most of the buildings on the North half of the island are in two states.
It took until FRIGGING 1998 to actually settle this legally.
This means that most of the buildings on the North half of the island are in two states.
It took until FRIGGING 1998 to actually settle this legally.