Andy Ihnatko
@ihnatko.bsky.social
Intermittently-beloved technology journalist and pundit. Tech contributor to WGBH Boston Public Radio. Podcaster (MacBreak Weekly on TWiT.tv and Material on Relay.fm). Former Chicago Sun-Times and Macworld columnist. Opera riff-raff. He/Him.
Business idea: a service that will go around at the start of Autumn and replace all of a client property's high-visibility orange cones with high-visibility green ones, in the interests of higher visibility when all the leaves are orange.
November 10, 2025 at 7:14 AM
Business idea: a service that will go around at the start of Autumn and replace all of a client property's high-visibility orange cones with high-visibility green ones, in the interests of higher visibility when all the leaves are orange.
Ok, I admit that the password to the security cameras on _my_ crown jewel collection is "LOUVRE," too. So maybe I shouldn't be so judgy.
But in my defense, I don't have that word literally on a big sign on my front door. It's a much more oblique choice.
But in my defense, I don't have that word literally on a big sign on my front door. It's a much more oblique choice.
November 8, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Ok, I admit that the password to the security cameras on _my_ crown jewel collection is "LOUVRE," too. So maybe I shouldn't be so judgy.
But in my defense, I don't have that word literally on a big sign on my front door. It's a much more oblique choice.
But in my defense, I don't have that word literally on a big sign on my front door. It's a much more oblique choice.
I think this exhibit was some sort of art piece. Therefore, I chose to project my perceptions and preconceptions into it. @museumofscience.bsky.social
November 6, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I think this exhibit was some sort of art piece. Therefore, I chose to project my perceptions and preconceptions into it. @museumofscience.bsky.social
Q: Is there anything more cool than a two-story-tall working Van de Graaff generator?
A: Possibly a two-story-tall working Van de Graaff generator with Elvis Costello performing selections from "My Aim ls True" inside the safety birdcage. Otherwise...no.
A: Possibly a two-story-tall working Van de Graaff generator with Elvis Costello performing selections from "My Aim ls True" inside the safety birdcage. Otherwise...no.
November 5, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Q: Is there anything more cool than a two-story-tall working Van de Graaff generator?
A: Possibly a two-story-tall working Van de Graaff generator with Elvis Costello performing selections from "My Aim ls True" inside the safety birdcage. Otherwise...no.
A: Possibly a two-story-tall working Van de Graaff generator with Elvis Costello performing selections from "My Aim ls True" inside the safety birdcage. Otherwise...no.
Nice guy. Kept asking me if I needed a place to hang up my hat. Big hockey fan.
November 1, 2025 at 1:07 PM
Nice guy. Kept asking me if I needed a place to hang up my hat. Big hockey fan.
It's the obligation of an artist to be patient and thoughtful, rather than accept the first furtive flash of inspiration.
(Also, that @museumofscience.bsky.social exhibit is so large that a selfie with my hand up one of the nostrils wasn't really possible. So, to hell with it: I went with "arty.")
(Also, that @museumofscience.bsky.social exhibit is so large that a selfie with my hand up one of the nostrils wasn't really possible. So, to hell with it: I went with "arty.")
October 29, 2025 at 4:25 PM
It's the obligation of an artist to be patient and thoughtful, rather than accept the first furtive flash of inspiration.
(Also, that @museumofscience.bsky.social exhibit is so large that a selfie with my hand up one of the nostrils wasn't really possible. So, to hell with it: I went with "arty.")
(Also, that @museumofscience.bsky.social exhibit is so large that a selfie with my hand up one of the nostrils wasn't really possible. So, to hell with it: I went with "arty.")
Reposted by Andy Ihnatko
Excellent talk and you presented technology very well.
October 24, 2025 at 5:46 PM
Excellent talk and you presented technology very well.
The debut of Apple's big "Great ideas start on Mac" campaign happened during the same week as the demolition of the East Wing and the disclosure of Apple's financial contribution supporting it.
I wonder if Apple Marketing regards this as Bad Timing, or _Perfect_ Timing?
I wonder if Apple Marketing regards this as Bad Timing, or _Perfect_ Timing?
October 24, 2025 at 7:09 PM
The debut of Apple's big "Great ideas start on Mac" campaign happened during the same week as the demolition of the East Wing and the disclosure of Apple's financial contribution supporting it.
I wonder if Apple Marketing regards this as Bad Timing, or _Perfect_ Timing?
I wonder if Apple Marketing regards this as Bad Timing, or _Perfect_ Timing?
My panel/talk at the @museumofscience.bsky.social went great! Why, I felt as though I had the whole world at my back...
October 24, 2025 at 3:38 PM
My panel/talk at the @museumofscience.bsky.social went great! Why, I felt as though I had the whole world at my back...
Boston peeps! I'm speaking at the Museum of Science Wednesday night. It's a neat event about technology and loneliness, and the panel features some folks I'm keen to speak with.
Admission is free! Reserve a seat here:
www.mos.org/events/subsp...
Admission is free! Reserve a seat here:
www.mos.org/events/subsp...
The Loneliness Epidemic: Big Tech’s Role and Responsibility
Why are we lonelier than ever in a hyper-connected world? Join us for a timely talk on how tech shapes our social lives.
www.mos.org
October 20, 2025 at 8:06 PM
Boston peeps! I'm speaking at the Museum of Science Wednesday night. It's a neat event about technology and loneliness, and the panel features some folks I'm keen to speak with.
Admission is free! Reserve a seat here:
www.mos.org/events/subsp...
Admission is free! Reserve a seat here:
www.mos.org/events/subsp...
In legal terms, this mini basketball hoop up on a phone pole is the very definition of an "attractive nuisance." Any sensible person walking by would stop underneath it and pretend to be a Catholic saint. If I'd been hit by a car, the hoop's owner would be held liable for my medical expenses.
October 18, 2025 at 3:33 AM
In legal terms, this mini basketball hoop up on a phone pole is the very definition of an "attractive nuisance." Any sensible person walking by would stop underneath it and pretend to be a Catholic saint. If I'd been hit by a car, the hoop's owner would be held liable for my medical expenses.
Wow. This was another of those times then I gave Gemini a prompt and was so pleased with the result that I uttered a grateful profanity.
(This was definitely the first time I've said "I'm very happy with my speaker headshot.")
"Convert this photo to a 1-bit bitmap, using Atkinson-style dithering."
(This was definitely the first time I've said "I'm very happy with my speaker headshot.")
"Convert this photo to a 1-bit bitmap, using Atkinson-style dithering."
October 9, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Wow. This was another of those times then I gave Gemini a prompt and was so pleased with the result that I uttered a grateful profanity.
(This was definitely the first time I've said "I'm very happy with my speaker headshot.")
"Convert this photo to a 1-bit bitmap, using Atkinson-style dithering."
(This was definitely the first time I've said "I'm very happy with my speaker headshot.")
"Convert this photo to a 1-bit bitmap, using Atkinson-style dithering."
Today's writing output, so far:
2500 word draft to explain a nuanced interplay between technology, government policy, and freedom (roughly two hours)
150 word author bio (roughly an hour)
2500 word draft to explain a nuanced interplay between technology, government policy, and freedom (roughly two hours)
150 word author bio (roughly an hour)
October 8, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Today's writing output, so far:
2500 word draft to explain a nuanced interplay between technology, government policy, and freedom (roughly two hours)
150 word author bio (roughly an hour)
2500 word draft to explain a nuanced interplay between technology, government policy, and freedom (roughly two hours)
150 word author bio (roughly an hour)
If you know, you know. And if you know, you know that this indicates I've had a spicy week.
October 5, 2025 at 2:36 AM
If you know, you know. And if you know, you know that this indicates I've had a spicy week.
FINE I GIVE IN
I'M MIDDLE-AGED AND I CAN READ WHAT'S ON MY MACBOOK SCREEN MUCH MORE CLEARLY NOW THAT I'VE GOT THE "DISPLAYS" SETTING AT ITS "SLIGHTLY LARGER TEXT" OPTION
But I'm still young enough that I only use caps-lock for dramatic effect
Also I can still eat spicy foods after 6 pm
I'M MIDDLE-AGED AND I CAN READ WHAT'S ON MY MACBOOK SCREEN MUCH MORE CLEARLY NOW THAT I'VE GOT THE "DISPLAYS" SETTING AT ITS "SLIGHTLY LARGER TEXT" OPTION
But I'm still young enough that I only use caps-lock for dramatic effect
Also I can still eat spicy foods after 6 pm
September 30, 2025 at 2:11 PM
FINE I GIVE IN
I'M MIDDLE-AGED AND I CAN READ WHAT'S ON MY MACBOOK SCREEN MUCH MORE CLEARLY NOW THAT I'VE GOT THE "DISPLAYS" SETTING AT ITS "SLIGHTLY LARGER TEXT" OPTION
But I'm still young enough that I only use caps-lock for dramatic effect
Also I can still eat spicy foods after 6 pm
I'M MIDDLE-AGED AND I CAN READ WHAT'S ON MY MACBOOK SCREEN MUCH MORE CLEARLY NOW THAT I'VE GOT THE "DISPLAYS" SETTING AT ITS "SLIGHTLY LARGER TEXT" OPTION
But I'm still young enough that I only use caps-lock for dramatic effect
Also I can still eat spicy foods after 6 pm
A Sunday when there's a "Charlie Brown kicks the football" strip in the funnies is a Very Good day…
www.gocomics.com/peanuts/2025...
www.gocomics.com/peanuts/2025...
Peanuts by Charles Schulz for September 28, 2025 | GoComics
Read Peanuts—a comic strip by creator Charles Schulz—for today, September 28, 2025, and check out other great comics, too!
www.gocomics.com
September 28, 2025 at 3:47 PM
A Sunday when there's a "Charlie Brown kicks the football" strip in the funnies is a Very Good day…
www.gocomics.com/peanuts/2025...
www.gocomics.com/peanuts/2025...
My first sighting of Roof Racc at night. Just chilling and contemplating his evening plans.
He's been around the neighborhood for months. I'm sure he's clocked the dumpster schedules of all of the restaurants nearby.
Some of them are quite fancy. Roof Racc probably eats way better than I do.
He's been around the neighborhood for months. I'm sure he's clocked the dumpster schedules of all of the restaurants nearby.
Some of them are quite fancy. Roof Racc probably eats way better than I do.
September 26, 2025 at 1:31 AM
My first sighting of Roof Racc at night. Just chilling and contemplating his evening plans.
He's been around the neighborhood for months. I'm sure he's clocked the dumpster schedules of all of the restaurants nearby.
Some of them are quite fancy. Roof Racc probably eats way better than I do.
He's been around the neighborhood for months. I'm sure he's clocked the dumpster schedules of all of the restaurants nearby.
Some of them are quite fancy. Roof Racc probably eats way better than I do.
I don't have any kids, so I can't say "I want to live long enough to dance at my grandchild's wedding."
After some thought, I've decided on "I want to live long enough to play that codger in the disaster movie who refuses to obey the evacuation order because he 'ain't scared of no tor-NAY-dey'."
After some thought, I've decided on "I want to live long enough to play that codger in the disaster movie who refuses to obey the evacuation order because he 'ain't scared of no tor-NAY-dey'."
September 25, 2025 at 12:30 PM
I don't have any kids, so I can't say "I want to live long enough to dance at my grandchild's wedding."
After some thought, I've decided on "I want to live long enough to play that codger in the disaster movie who refuses to obey the evacuation order because he 'ain't scared of no tor-NAY-dey'."
After some thought, I've decided on "I want to live long enough to play that codger in the disaster movie who refuses to obey the evacuation order because he 'ain't scared of no tor-NAY-dey'."
"Futurama" writers' room: "What if Farnsworth and mathematician Georg Cantor are prisoners in Numberland, and they escape by demonstrating that a unique number can exist outside of an infinite set?"
"Family Guy" writers' room: "What if Mrs. Garrett from 'The Facts Of Life' were made out of farts?"
"Family Guy" writers' room: "What if Mrs. Garrett from 'The Facts Of Life' were made out of farts?"
September 19, 2025 at 6:45 PM
"Futurama" writers' room: "What if Farnsworth and mathematician Georg Cantor are prisoners in Numberland, and they escape by demonstrating that a unique number can exist outside of an infinite set?"
"Family Guy" writers' room: "What if Mrs. Garrett from 'The Facts Of Life' were made out of farts?"
"Family Guy" writers' room: "What if Mrs. Garrett from 'The Facts Of Life' were made out of farts?"
In fairness:
It's embarrassing when a product fails during a livestreamed launch event. But IMO Meta and Google send a subtle message of "we're not afraid to perform a live demo."
Apple's stuff always works flawlessly at their events because their launch events are always pre-taped and edited.
It's embarrassing when a product fails during a livestreamed launch event. But IMO Meta and Google send a subtle message of "we're not afraid to perform a live demo."
Apple's stuff always works flawlessly at their events because their launch events are always pre-taped and edited.
September 18, 2025 at 4:45 PM
In fairness:
It's embarrassing when a product fails during a livestreamed launch event. But IMO Meta and Google send a subtle message of "we're not afraid to perform a live demo."
Apple's stuff always works flawlessly at their events because their launch events are always pre-taped and edited.
It's embarrassing when a product fails during a livestreamed launch event. But IMO Meta and Google send a subtle message of "we're not afraid to perform a live demo."
Apple's stuff always works flawlessly at their events because their launch events are always pre-taped and edited.
JK is often DIRECT about his reactions; I think he goes over the line sometimes. Before I saw the monologue, I was prepared to think "Pulling him is BS, of course. But that line about the murder…*cringe*"
There's nothing in here to justify even _pretend_ outrage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j3Y...
There's nothing in here to justify even _pretend_ outrage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j3Y...
Trump Grieves By Talking About $200 Million Ballroom, MAGA Hits New Lows & Guillermo at the Emmys
YouTube video by Jimmy Kimmel Live
www.youtube.com
September 18, 2025 at 2:39 AM
JK is often DIRECT about his reactions; I think he goes over the line sometimes. Before I saw the monologue, I was prepared to think "Pulling him is BS, of course. But that line about the murder…*cringe*"
There's nothing in here to justify even _pretend_ outrage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j3Y...
There's nothing in here to justify even _pretend_ outrage.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=-j3Y...
I'm sure I'm not the first to say this but...
I hope I hope I HOPE that all of the guests for Colbert's show tomorrow are getting text messages informing them that they're all getting bumped to Friday.
And, unrelated, I hope that Jimmy Kimmel is on a plane to NYC tonight…
I hope I hope I HOPE that all of the guests for Colbert's show tomorrow are getting text messages informing them that they're all getting bumped to Friday.
And, unrelated, I hope that Jimmy Kimmel is on a plane to NYC tonight…
September 18, 2025 at 2:26 AM
I'm sure I'm not the first to say this but...
I hope I hope I HOPE that all of the guests for Colbert's show tomorrow are getting text messages informing them that they're all getting bumped to Friday.
And, unrelated, I hope that Jimmy Kimmel is on a plane to NYC tonight…
I hope I hope I HOPE that all of the guests for Colbert's show tomorrow are getting text messages informing them that they're all getting bumped to Friday.
And, unrelated, I hope that Jimmy Kimmel is on a plane to NYC tonight…
God...no way to respond to this. Where to begin?
"Isolation" is one of the profound generational differences. In the 80s-90s, you hard to WORK to find "your people."
A show like MST3K, made by people with a POV and outlook you recognized, was VERY BIG. Funny as hell, but also a beacon of sorts.
"Isolation" is one of the profound generational differences. In the 80s-90s, you hard to WORK to find "your people."
A show like MST3K, made by people with a POV and outlook you recognized, was VERY BIG. Funny as hell, but also a beacon of sorts.
"It always made me feel less alone." I've heard this said by other MST3K fans, and I think it's just about the most gratifying thing you can hear about something you worked on.
Recently I got to talk to Bill Hader about his love of bad late-night movies and #MST3K in particular. Find out his surprising connection to MITCHELL, and whether he was going to be involved with the most recent incarnation of the show, in this fascinating and very funny Q&A.
September 17, 2025 at 4:00 PM
God...no way to respond to this. Where to begin?
"Isolation" is one of the profound generational differences. In the 80s-90s, you hard to WORK to find "your people."
A show like MST3K, made by people with a POV and outlook you recognized, was VERY BIG. Funny as hell, but also a beacon of sorts.
"Isolation" is one of the profound generational differences. In the 80s-90s, you hard to WORK to find "your people."
A show like MST3K, made by people with a POV and outlook you recognized, was VERY BIG. Funny as hell, but also a beacon of sorts.
"Bull Durham, The MUSICAL?!"
Apparently, yes. Bull Durham: The Musical.
(There'd better be a song entitled "The Rose Goes In The Front, Big Guy")
papermill.org/bull-durham/
Apparently, yes. Bull Durham: The Musical.
(There'd better be a song entitled "The Rose Goes In The Front, Big Guy")
papermill.org/bull-durham/
Bull Durham - Paper Mill Playhouse
In a magical kingdom beneath the sea, the young mermaid Ariel longs to leave her ocean home to live in the world above.
papermill.org
September 17, 2025 at 2:53 AM
"Bull Durham, The MUSICAL?!"
Apparently, yes. Bull Durham: The Musical.
(There'd better be a song entitled "The Rose Goes In The Front, Big Guy")
papermill.org/bull-durham/
Apparently, yes. Bull Durham: The Musical.
(There'd better be a song entitled "The Rose Goes In The Front, Big Guy")
papermill.org/bull-durham/
It's MacOS Tahoe Update Day!
Always perform routine system maintenance before installing a major OS update:
- Perform a 100% system backup
- Free up space by removing apps and files you no longer need
- Replace the old scuffed-up David Bowie/NASA mashup sticker with a fresh one
Always perform routine system maintenance before installing a major OS update:
- Perform a 100% system backup
- Free up space by removing apps and files you no longer need
- Replace the old scuffed-up David Bowie/NASA mashup sticker with a fresh one
September 15, 2025 at 8:28 PM
It's MacOS Tahoe Update Day!
Always perform routine system maintenance before installing a major OS update:
- Perform a 100% system backup
- Free up space by removing apps and files you no longer need
- Replace the old scuffed-up David Bowie/NASA mashup sticker with a fresh one
Always perform routine system maintenance before installing a major OS update:
- Perform a 100% system backup
- Free up space by removing apps and files you no longer need
- Replace the old scuffed-up David Bowie/NASA mashup sticker with a fresh one