Hugh Barnard
@hughbarnard.bsky.social
Ecology, local democracy, FOSS, AI, ethics, radical financial reform/alternative currencies, music:http://tinyurl.com/4btpysvm, miscellaneous mischief.
Pic is Umi&me at the Grand Soleil in Gruissan
@hughbarnard@post.lurk.org and https://hughbarnard.org
Pic is Umi&me at the Grand Soleil in Gruissan
@hughbarnard@post.lurk.org and https://hughbarnard.org
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
If you read only one thing this week, this is it. Multiple jaw drops 😳
“even under an optimistic ‘low’ emissions climate scenario, the earliest the climate might stabilize is in the mid-2070s” and weather patterns are already locked in to growing increasingly more extreme for the next 50-100 years.
“even under an optimistic ‘low’ emissions climate scenario, the earliest the climate might stabilize is in the mid-2070s” and weather patterns are already locked in to growing increasingly more extreme for the next 50-100 years.
October 10, 2025 at 1:34 PM
If you read only one thing this week, this is it. Multiple jaw drops 😳
“even under an optimistic ‘low’ emissions climate scenario, the earliest the climate might stabilize is in the mid-2070s” and weather patterns are already locked in to growing increasingly more extreme for the next 50-100 years.
“even under an optimistic ‘low’ emissions climate scenario, the earliest the climate might stabilize is in the mid-2070s” and weather patterns are already locked in to growing increasingly more extreme for the next 50-100 years.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
The pace at which US wealth concentration is rising is simply staggering
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
February 15, 2026 at 2:47 PM
The pace at which US wealth concentration is rising is simply staggering
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
The concentration of AI wealth into the hands of a few tech barons + plutocratic capture ==> unchartered territory
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
Its the ease part that is most concerning to me. It is virtually impossible to function in life in an industrialized nation without a cellphone, which puts these apps 1 or 2 clicks away from everyone.
February 14, 2026 at 1:08 PM
Its the ease part that is most concerning to me. It is virtually impossible to function in life in an industrialized nation without a cellphone, which puts these apps 1 or 2 clicks away from everyone.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
I’m appalled by the onslaught of ads for these apps. Extractive capitalism is the disease. Those companies are a bunch of parasites.
February 14, 2026 at 12:46 PM
I’m appalled by the onslaught of ads for these apps. Extractive capitalism is the disease. Those companies are a bunch of parasites.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
"Surveys have found that nineteen percent of 18-to-24-year-olds qualify as problem gamblers, and 37 percent of Gen Z gamblers self-report as having an addiction."
Via @aselrod.bsky.social, we have a problem...we're creating a terminally online generation:
www.liberalcurrents.com/from-pill-mi...
Via @aselrod.bsky.social, we have a problem...we're creating a terminally online generation:
www.liberalcurrents.com/from-pill-mi...
From Pill Mills to Prop Bets: Prediction Markets and Mobile Sports Betting Apps Are Fueling America’s Next Addiction Crisis
Against the gamblification of the world.
www.liberalcurrents.com
February 14, 2026 at 12:43 PM
"Surveys have found that nineteen percent of 18-to-24-year-olds qualify as problem gamblers, and 37 percent of Gen Z gamblers self-report as having an addiction."
Via @aselrod.bsky.social, we have a problem...we're creating a terminally online generation:
www.liberalcurrents.com/from-pill-mi...
Via @aselrod.bsky.social, we have a problem...we're creating a terminally online generation:
www.liberalcurrents.com/from-pill-mi...
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
My god do we need UBI
“Researchers have found that when a new plasma center opens in a neighborhood, foot traffic at local grocery stores increases, interest in payday loans declines and crime goes down, an indication of the way money from plasma props up households’ finances for necessities.“
“Researchers have found that when a new plasma center opens in a neighborhood, foot traffic at local grocery stores increases, interest in payday loans declines and crime goes down, an indication of the way money from plasma props up households’ finances for necessities.“
Middle-class Americans are selling their plasma to make ends meet
Last year, people in the U.S. made an estimated $4.7 billion selling their plasma. Donation centers are popping up in middle-class neighborhoods, including suburban strip malls and college towns.
www.nbcnews.com
February 16, 2026 at 4:16 AM
My god do we need UBI
“Researchers have found that when a new plasma center opens in a neighborhood, foot traffic at local grocery stores increases, interest in payday loans declines and crime goes down, an indication of the way money from plasma props up households’ finances for necessities.“
“Researchers have found that when a new plasma center opens in a neighborhood, foot traffic at local grocery stores increases, interest in payday loans declines and crime goes down, an indication of the way money from plasma props up households’ finances for necessities.“
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
"The problem is that, even now that Trump has proven us skeptics right on every one of those counts, too many libertarians continue to position themselves safely in a “pox on both your houses” perch." via @anthonylfisher.bsky.social www.ms.now/opinion/libe...
Opinion | Libertarians warned about executive power. Only a few actually warned about Trump.
Anthony L. Fisher: A recent New York Times op-ed showed the blind spot many libertarians still have for President Donald Trump.
www.ms.now
February 16, 2026 at 4:13 PM
"The problem is that, even now that Trump has proven us skeptics right on every one of those counts, too many libertarians continue to position themselves safely in a “pox on both your houses” perch." via @anthonylfisher.bsky.social www.ms.now/opinion/libe...
@umakumaran.bsky.social this is the person at the head of the US company that your government has decided to employ.
Dude is quickly climbing the ranks of Most Dangerous Man Alive
February 16, 2026 at 4:23 PM
@umakumaran.bsky.social this is the person at the head of the US company that your government has decided to employ.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
The historical term for this is "looting." The Project 2025 architect who promised to put federal employees “in trauma” is spending $15 million of former USAID funding—money that would have gone toward fighting HIV, polio, malaria, and other diseases—to bankroll his security detail. trib.al/TSV3cmb
Trump Official Who Helped Kill USAID Now Using Its Funds for Himself
Russ Vought, White House Office of Management and Budget director, has decided what is happening with USAID funds.
trib.al
February 16, 2026 at 4:09 PM
The historical term for this is "looting." The Project 2025 architect who promised to put federal employees “in trauma” is spending $15 million of former USAID funding—money that would have gone toward fighting HIV, polio, malaria, and other diseases—to bankroll his security detail. trib.al/TSV3cmb
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
The UK was declared measles free in 2017.
Vaccine programs completely eliminated it.
Since then, pro sickness conspiracy theorists and anti science idiots have enabled its return.
Vaccine programs completely eliminated it.
Since then, pro sickness conspiracy theorists and anti science idiots have enabled its return.
“Seven schools and a nursery have reported more than 60 suspected cases of measles in an area of north London, and labs have confirmed 34 cases since January 12. Some children have been treated in hospital.”
archive.md/2026.02.1...
archive.md/2026.02.1...
February 15, 2026 at 10:19 PM
The UK was declared measles free in 2017.
Vaccine programs completely eliminated it.
Since then, pro sickness conspiracy theorists and anti science idiots have enabled its return.
Vaccine programs completely eliminated it.
Since then, pro sickness conspiracy theorists and anti science idiots have enabled its return.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
More criminality for Zionism and its constant threats and bullying.
February 16, 2026 at 2:18 PM
More criminality for Zionism and its constant threats and bullying.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Anti vaxx nonsense was doing the rounds even when Amy (31) and Hannah (29) were small and it's distressing to see that same BS still circulating even now. And what kind of person sends anti vaxx lies to the parents of a suffering child?
Anti vaxx nonsense was doing the rounds even when Amy (31) and Hannah (29) were small and it's distressing to see that same BS still circulating even now. And what kind of person sends anti vaxx lies to the parents of a suffering child?
‘We almost lost you in the night’ - the life-threatening rise of measles in the UK
It is one of the most infectious diseases around, and can cause blindness and hearing loss – and can also be fatal. Why are cases now soaring and what can be done about it?
www.theguardian.com
February 16, 2026 at 2:18 PM
www.theguardian.com/society/2026...
Anti vaxx nonsense was doing the rounds even when Amy (31) and Hannah (29) were small and it's distressing to see that same BS still circulating even now. And what kind of person sends anti vaxx lies to the parents of a suffering child?
Anti vaxx nonsense was doing the rounds even when Amy (31) and Hannah (29) were small and it's distressing to see that same BS still circulating even now. And what kind of person sends anti vaxx lies to the parents of a suffering child?
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
Floodwaters have submerged streets in Cadillac, southwest France as heavy rain continues to batter the region.
Weather agencies have extended severe weather warnings through Tuesday, placing Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne on red alert and 14 other departments on orange alert.
Weather agencies have extended severe weather warnings through Tuesday, placing Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne on red alert and 14 other departments on orange alert.
February 16, 2026 at 2:19 PM
Floodwaters have submerged streets in Cadillac, southwest France as heavy rain continues to batter the region.
Weather agencies have extended severe weather warnings through Tuesday, placing Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne on red alert and 14 other departments on orange alert.
Weather agencies have extended severe weather warnings through Tuesday, placing Gironde and Lot-et-Garonne on red alert and 14 other departments on orange alert.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
This Brazilian woman hates AI
December 30, 2025 at 10:25 PM
This Brazilian woman hates AI
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
I wrote about the cowardly lions of corporate America under Trump and their decades-long push to shape the country’s political life and democracy, no matter their protestations to the contrary now. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
America’s Most Powerful CEOs Are Awfully Quiet Lately
Trump has exposed an ugly truth about corporations: They’re no longer even pretending to be good citizens.
www.bloomberg.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:09 PM
I wrote about the cowardly lions of corporate America under Trump and their decades-long push to shape the country’s political life and democracy, no matter their protestations to the contrary now. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
Arundhati Roy pulls out of Berlin International Film Festival over jury's refusal to address Israel’s genocidal violence in Gaza.
www.thecanary.co/global/2026/...
www.thecanary.co/global/2026/...
Academic quits Berlin Film Festival for silencing criticism of Gaza Genocide
Arundhati Roy pulls out of Berlin International Film Festival over jury's refusal to address Israel’s genocidal violence in Gaza
www.thecanary.co
February 15, 2026 at 4:15 PM
Arundhati Roy pulls out of Berlin International Film Festival over jury's refusal to address Israel’s genocidal violence in Gaza.
www.thecanary.co/global/2026/...
www.thecanary.co/global/2026/...
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
It made NO blip on this godforsaken site, but a few days ago numerous news sources broke that the Gaza Civil Defense had reported that around 3,000 Palestinians had partially or completely evaporated from US-manufactured bombs.
Well, today, they adjusted that number to 7,820.
#Gaza
Well, today, they adjusted that number to 7,820.
#Gaza
February 15, 2026 at 10:58 AM
It made NO blip on this godforsaken site, but a few days ago numerous news sources broke that the Gaza Civil Defense had reported that around 3,000 Palestinians had partially or completely evaporated from US-manufactured bombs.
Well, today, they adjusted that number to 7,820.
#Gaza
Well, today, they adjusted that number to 7,820.
#Gaza
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
February 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Someone has sure already made this observation but the fact they can convert all those empty warehouses into prison camps means they could have converted them into housing, community centers, job training centers or, hell, libraries or schools all along. It’s always a matter of will not resources.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
The irony in this is: While companies push "AI is gonna do our work"-propaganda, this editor felt pressure to work while being too sick to work, using an AI to somehow still get it done and by that produced a mistake that might dent or end a career. (Please don't conflate criticism with harassment.)
Sorry all this is my fault; and speculation has grown worse because I have been sick in bed with a high fever and unable to reliably address it (still am sick)
I was told by management not to comment until they did. Here is my statement in images below
arstechnica.com/staff/2026/0...
I was told by management not to comment until they did. Here is my statement in images below
arstechnica.com/staff/2026/0...
February 16, 2026 at 12:31 PM
The irony in this is: While companies push "AI is gonna do our work"-propaganda, this editor felt pressure to work while being too sick to work, using an AI to somehow still get it done and by that produced a mistake that might dent or end a career. (Please don't conflate criticism with harassment.)
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
Hofstadter's main theme is that a translator has to be intensely, obsessively concerned with the meaning behind the text.
Which LLM's inherently lack, as they do not even know what words are except elements in an enormous matrix of statistical word frequencies. They don't know anything.
Which LLM's inherently lack, as they do not even know what words are except elements in an enormous matrix of statistical word frequencies. They don't know anything.
February 16, 2026 at 1:26 PM
Hofstadter's main theme is that a translator has to be intensely, obsessively concerned with the meaning behind the text.
Which LLM's inherently lack, as they do not even know what words are except elements in an enormous matrix of statistical word frequencies. They don't know anything.
Which LLM's inherently lack, as they do not even know what words are except elements in an enormous matrix of statistical word frequencies. They don't know anything.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
Douglas Hofstedter famously wrote a book, Le Ton Beau de Marot, about what it means to translate: how translators have to try retaining the *meaning* of such as puns, humor, imagery, idioms, instead of literal word for word translation.
The title is a pun, btw.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Ton_...
The title is a pun, btw.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Ton_...
Le Ton beau de Marot - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
February 16, 2026 at 1:22 PM
Douglas Hofstedter famously wrote a book, Le Ton Beau de Marot, about what it means to translate: how translators have to try retaining the *meaning* of such as puns, humor, imagery, idioms, instead of literal word for word translation.
The title is a pun, btw.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Ton_...
The title is a pun, btw.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Ton_...
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
On February 14, 1852, in a London where nearly half of children died before age five, a small hospital opened with just ten beds and a radical idea. Sick children deserved their own wards, their own doctors, and care designed specifically for them: 🧵
February 15, 2026 at 12:25 AM
On February 14, 1852, in a London where nearly half of children died before age five, a small hospital opened with just ten beds and a radical idea. Sick children deserved their own wards, their own doctors, and care designed specifically for them: 🧵
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
You tell yourself it's the ivy moving against the glass. Tell yourself old, half-abandoned buildings are full of noises you'll never fathom out. Then the voices start and you realise no writhing vegetation, no auditory pareidolia from ancient pipes offers up full sentences.
February 16, 2026 at 11:43 AM
You tell yourself it's the ivy moving against the glass. Tell yourself old, half-abandoned buildings are full of noises you'll never fathom out. Then the voices start and you realise no writhing vegetation, no auditory pareidolia from ancient pipes offers up full sentences.
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
The London Economic: Pro-Brexit Andrew Pierce left seething over passport queues in Spain
www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/pro-bre...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/pro-bre...
Pro-Brexit Andrew Pierce left seething over passport queues in Spain
Brits are now required to use slower passport checks alongside Americans, Canadians and others from "third-countries".
www.thelondoneconomic.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:08 AM
The London Economic: Pro-Brexit Andrew Pierce left seething over passport queues in Spain
www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/pro-bre...
www.thelondoneconomic.com/news/pro-bre...
Reposted by Hugh Barnard
From what foetid duck pond @theguardian.com did you haul out this media quack who doesn’t see patients, much less evince comprehension of serial addition, let alone vaccination?
For years, UK kids & adults’ disability rates have climbed as repeat infections sweep Britain.
Yet you platform *phones*?
For years, UK kids & adults’ disability rates have climbed as repeat infections sweep Britain.
Yet you platform *phones*?
UK DISABILITY STATS
“Disability prevalence among children & working-age adults has risen more sharply since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Change between 2012/13 & 2023/24:
🚨 16 to 24 yr olds: MORE THAN DOUBLED from 8% to 18%
🚨25 to 34 yr olds: risen from 11% to 19%
x.com/_CatintheHat...
“Disability prevalence among children & working-age adults has risen more sharply since the start of the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Change between 2012/13 & 2023/24:
🚨 16 to 24 yr olds: MORE THAN DOUBLED from 8% to 18%
🚨25 to 34 yr olds: risen from 11% to 19%
x.com/_CatintheHat...
February 16, 2026 at 9:12 AM
From what foetid duck pond @theguardian.com did you haul out this media quack who doesn’t see patients, much less evince comprehension of serial addition, let alone vaccination?
For years, UK kids & adults’ disability rates have climbed as repeat infections sweep Britain.
Yet you platform *phones*?
For years, UK kids & adults’ disability rates have climbed as repeat infections sweep Britain.
Yet you platform *phones*?