David Slifka
@davidslifka.bsky.social
Political innovation and funding (http://Bluem.Ventures); Abundance agenda (AbundanceMap.org); Decentralized social media.
Anyone else thinking about this these days?
January 27, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Anyone else thinking about this these days?
New second amendment just dropped! Guns are great as long as you aren’t doing anything the government dislikes.
January 25, 2026 at 1:26 PM
New second amendment just dropped! Guns are great as long as you aren’t doing anything the government dislikes.
So many parents asked me about Alpha School that I wrote up our experience.
Five months in, our whole family (kids and parents) would be crushed to go back to regular school. Here's why 🧵
alphanyc.substack.com/p/why-our-family-loves-alpha-school
Five months in, our whole family (kids and parents) would be crushed to go back to regular school. Here's why 🧵
alphanyc.substack.com/p/why-our-family-loves-alpha-school
Why our family loves Alpha School NYC
The good, the bad(ish), and how to decide for your child
alphanyc.substack.com
January 22, 2026 at 6:03 PM
So many parents asked me about Alpha School that I wrote up our experience.
Five months in, our whole family (kids and parents) would be crushed to go back to regular school. Here's why 🧵
alphanyc.substack.com/p/why-our-family-loves-alpha-school
Five months in, our whole family (kids and parents) would be crushed to go back to regular school. Here's why 🧵
alphanyc.substack.com/p/why-our-family-loves-alpha-school
The Politico UATX story hits a nerve because it's the classic authoritarian rise:
1. Make fair critiques of the status quo
2. Enlist sympathetic pluralists who help you rise to power
3. Become a mirror image (or worse) of everything you once criticized
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
1. Make fair critiques of the status quo
2. Enlist sympathetic pluralists who help you rise to power
3. Become a mirror image (or worse) of everything you once criticized
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
They Wanted a University Without Cancel Culture. Then Dissenters Were Ousted.
Inside the civil war at the anti-woke university backed by Bari Weiss.
www.politico.com
January 17, 2026 at 2:39 PM
The Politico UATX story hits a nerve because it's the classic authoritarian rise:
1. Make fair critiques of the status quo
2. Enlist sympathetic pluralists who help you rise to power
3. Become a mirror image (or worse) of everything you once criticized
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
1. Make fair critiques of the status quo
2. Enlist sympathetic pluralists who help you rise to power
3. Become a mirror image (or worse) of everything you once criticized
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
My working model of the country has been that it's split into three groups: Left, Right, and low interest in politics. (And that calling the middle group "moderate" is misleading.)
This is a great addition of texture to that middle group.
This is a great addition of texture to that middle group.
Good morning. I've got a banger new post out today that develops a new method for placing voters on the left-right ideological spectrum, and adds a new, "non-ideological"/affordability axis to usual way we chart & think about US voters (esp swing voters). www.gelliottmorris.com/p/not-just-l...
Not just left vs right: Most voters think about affordability and material wellbeing, not in ideological terms
Most voters want a party that emphasizes cost of living issues and makes the world a better place. Few Americans think in solidly ideologically terms. "Moderates" are mostly non-ideological.
www.gelliottmorris.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:13 PM
My working model of the country has been that it's split into three groups: Left, Right, and low interest in politics. (And that calling the middle group "moderate" is misleading.)
This is a great addition of texture to that middle group.
This is a great addition of texture to that middle group.
It's good that the case against Comey is falling apart, but I hate how easily we became a country where the president gets to prosecute his foes.
November 17, 2025 at 8:16 PM
It's good that the case against Comey is falling apart, but I hate how easily we became a country where the president gets to prosecute his foes.
Reposted by David Slifka
Democratic party leadership has been on autopilot for ten years, they weren't losing to fascism, fascism isn't popular enough for them to lose to fascism, they were allowing it to fill the void where their leadership should have been. Tonight we're seeing that we have other options. They should too.
November 5, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Democratic party leadership has been on autopilot for ten years, they weren't losing to fascism, fascism isn't popular enough for them to lose to fascism, they were allowing it to fill the void where their leadership should have been. Tonight we're seeing that we have other options. They should too.
Among people who saw Trump and said "Now seems like a great time to start my career in national Republican politics," it's not shocking that 30-40% are groypers.
November 4, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Among people who saw Trump and said "Now seems like a great time to start my career in national Republican politics," it's not shocking that 30-40% are groypers.
No image says forgiveness more than a fully armed soldier.
November 2, 2025 at 9:57 PM
No image says forgiveness more than a fully armed soldier.
My favorite part of the Deciding to Win report by @simonbazelon.bsky.social @liamkerr.bsky.social and Lauren Pope: A working definition of moderation!
"Being moderate means taking popular, heterodox positions—not defending the establishment."
"Being moderate means taking popular, heterodox positions—not defending the establishment."
October 28, 2025 at 5:59 PM
My favorite part of the Deciding to Win report by @simonbazelon.bsky.social @liamkerr.bsky.social and Lauren Pope: A working definition of moderation!
"Being moderate means taking popular, heterodox positions—not defending the establishment."
"Being moderate means taking popular, heterodox positions—not defending the establishment."
Reposted by David Slifka
In a sense, the report kind of bridges the gap between "abundance" liberals and their skeptics. It identifies regulatory sclerosis as a big problem while also seeking to reimagine a true progressive administrative state with New Deal-scale ambitions:
newrepublic.com/article/2023...
newrepublic.com/article/2023...
October 28, 2025 at 11:34 AM
In a sense, the report kind of bridges the gap between "abundance" liberals and their skeptics. It identifies regulatory sclerosis as a big problem while also seeking to reimagine a true progressive administrative state with New Deal-scale ambitions:
newrepublic.com/article/2023...
newrepublic.com/article/2023...
"Nobody can say what 'moderate' means" is an essay I wrote.
So I'm loving this thoughtful nine-page citation-heavy document titled "What It Does and Does Not Mean to Be Moderate (Detailed Analysis)"!
Solid work by @simonbazelon.bsky.social
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
So I'm loving this thoughtful nine-page citation-heavy document titled "What It Does and Does Not Mean to Be Moderate (Detailed Analysis)"!
Solid work by @simonbazelon.bsky.social
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
What It Does and Does Not Mean to Be Moderate (Detailed Analysis)
What It Does and Does Not Mean to Be Moderate (Detailed Analysis) Often, the view that “Democrats should be more moderate” is interpreted as meaning that Democratic candidates should present themselv...
docs.google.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:54 PM
"Nobody can say what 'moderate' means" is an essay I wrote.
So I'm loving this thoughtful nine-page citation-heavy document titled "What It Does and Does Not Mean to Be Moderate (Detailed Analysis)"!
Solid work by @simonbazelon.bsky.social
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
So I'm loving this thoughtful nine-page citation-heavy document titled "What It Does and Does Not Mean to Be Moderate (Detailed Analysis)"!
Solid work by @simonbazelon.bsky.social
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
I’m looking forward to to digging into this. Too much punditry is data-free or data-light; I’m optimistic this won’t be.
x.com/simon_bazelo...
x.com/simon_bazelo...
Simon Bazelon on X: "You can read DECIDING TO WIN at https://t.co/QkDbQ5IbPo. We've surveyed 500,000+ people since the 2024 election, so the report covers a lot of ground. But it's about two main ideas: Prioritizing and Positioning. (2/14) https://t.co/jQXRPxQciR" / X
You can read DECIDING TO WIN at https://t.co/QkDbQ5IbPo. We've surveyed 500,000+ people since the 2024 election, so the report covers a lot of ground. But it's about two main ideas: Prioritizing and Positioning. (2/14) https://t.co/jQXRPxQciR
x.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:39 PM
I’m looking forward to to digging into this. Too much punditry is data-free or data-light; I’m optimistic this won’t be.
x.com/simon_bazelo...
x.com/simon_bazelo...
It’s easy to hide a lot of theft in military budgets, until war reveals the rot. And soldiers pay the price.
This is why authoritarian states’ armies often end up being paper tigers.
This is why authoritarian states’ armies often end up being paper tigers.
Just in: Florida-based Unusual Machines, a little-known drone company backed by Donald Trump Jr, said the US army had contracted it to manufacture 3,500 drone motors, alongside various other drone parts. on.ft.com/3WYgkUI
October 24, 2025 at 8:39 PM
It’s easy to hide a lot of theft in military budgets, until war reveals the rot. And soldiers pay the price.
This is why authoritarian states’ armies often end up being paper tigers.
This is why authoritarian states’ armies often end up being paper tigers.
Reposted by David Slifka
Pritzker: Throughout history we've learned that tyranny doesn't arrive with dramatic proclamations. Most times it comes quietly wrapped in the language of law and order, with fingers pointed at someone who doesn't look like you, promising safety while demanding that we sacrifice our neighbors.
October 18, 2025 at 11:30 PM
Pritzker: Throughout history we've learned that tyranny doesn't arrive with dramatic proclamations. Most times it comes quietly wrapped in the language of law and order, with fingers pointed at someone who doesn't look like you, promising safety while demanding that we sacrifice our neighbors.
“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
October 18, 2025 at 12:04 PM
“I wish it need not have happened in my time," said Frodo.
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
"So do I," said Gandalf, "and so do all who live to see such times. But that is not for them to decide. All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us.”
Two interesting things I'm bringing to No Kings protests tomorrow:
1. Fifty little American flags. These were were a big hit last time. I easily gave them all away.
2. A Gadsden Flag. This may be our finest piece of national iconography against infringement on liberty.
1. Fifty little American flags. These were were a big hit last time. I easily gave them all away.
2. A Gadsden Flag. This may be our finest piece of national iconography against infringement on liberty.
October 17, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Two interesting things I'm bringing to No Kings protests tomorrow:
1. Fifty little American flags. These were were a big hit last time. I easily gave them all away.
2. A Gadsden Flag. This may be our finest piece of national iconography against infringement on liberty.
1. Fifty little American flags. These were were a big hit last time. I easily gave them all away.
2. A Gadsden Flag. This may be our finest piece of national iconography against infringement on liberty.
Government should ban everything I dislike, then allow everything else.
I am a libertarian.
I am a libertarian.
Ross Douthat treats this guy like they're having some deep conversation about the relationship of Christianity and the government, but the dude is a garden-variety dull, shallow, hateful, worthless bigot with nothing interesting to say, just endless riffs on "God hates everything/everyone I do."
October 11, 2025 at 3:41 AM
Government should ban everything I dislike, then allow everything else.
I am a libertarian.
I am a libertarian.
While we’re discussing crackdowns on expression, spare a thought for Media Matters @mmfa.bsky.social , already shrunken by attacks from Trump allies trying to force it out of business.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/25/u...
Under Siege From Trump and Musk, a Top Liberal Group Falls Into Crisis
www.nytimes.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:33 AM
While we’re discussing crackdowns on expression, spare a thought for Media Matters @mmfa.bsky.social , already shrunken by attacks from Trump allies trying to force it out of business.
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/25/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/25/u...
Listen to @garrykasparov.bsky.social and @chrislhayes.bsky.social
September 18, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Listen to @garrykasparov.bsky.social and @chrislhayes.bsky.social
Reposted by David Slifka
this is incredibly true and tracks with a basic dynamic we've seen all along: the people who were cowed into submission by Trump's win were elites. regular people have never given an inch
generally speaking, and with the glaring exception of november 2024, the more directly democratic an institution has been, the better it has checked Trump (eg grand and petit juries); the more elite and insular, the less effective (the Senate, the Supreme Court, big business)
September 18, 2025 at 12:46 AM
this is incredibly true and tracks with a basic dynamic we've seen all along: the people who were cowed into submission by Trump's win were elites. regular people have never given an inch
Scary stuff
September 16, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Scary stuff
Reposted by David Slifka
If a president wanted to become effectively a dictator, he’d likely:
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
August 24, 2025 at 2:34 AM
If a president wanted to become effectively a dictator, he’d likely:
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
1. Purge govt of non loyalists
2. Weaponize law against opponents
3. Use military to police opposition strongholds
4. Threaten media, schools, businesses w penalties to get them to heel
5. Change election rules in his favor.
Glad to see @mattyglesias.bsky.social picking up his bluesky posting.
August 13, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Glad to see @mattyglesias.bsky.social picking up his bluesky posting.
Fox’s obsessive focus on the Sydney Sweeney nonsense is the closest thing I’ve seen to 1984’s Two Minute Hate.
Getting viewers to fear Democrats based on nothing.
Getting viewers to fear Democrats based on nothing.
To balance out the extremism of the GOP, the media and Republicans need an equally extremist figure on the left. As they rarely get that from Dems, they’ll often content themselves with people vaguely “leftist,” even if they aren’t part of the formal Dem Party, much less wield any influence over it
The Sydney Sweeney News Cycle Proves That Democrats Simply Can’t Win
This is your TPM evening briefing.
wherethingsstand.talkingpointsmemo.com
August 5, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Fox’s obsessive focus on the Sydney Sweeney nonsense is the closest thing I’ve seen to 1984’s Two Minute Hate.
Getting viewers to fear Democrats based on nothing.
Getting viewers to fear Democrats based on nothing.