Isaac Rabinovitch
@isaac32767.picknit.com
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
I’ve been saying since 2015 that the three things you need to understand to understand who Donald Trump and the MAGA movement are and what they intend to do are GamerGate, EuroMaidan, and the various scandals of FIFA (esp under Sepp Blatter).
That feels more true today than it did then.
That feels more true today than it did then.
NEW:
One of the most progressive institutions in the U.S., The New School, has begun destroying its humanities departments.
They have cancelled one of their most popular classes, "Global Soccer and World Politics."
We are going to teach it anyway.
karenattiah.substack.com/p/the-new-sc...
One of the most progressive institutions in the U.S., The New School, has begun destroying its humanities departments.
They have cancelled one of their most popular classes, "Global Soccer and World Politics."
We are going to teach it anyway.
karenattiah.substack.com/p/the-new-sc...
The New School Cancelled Their Class on Global Soccer and World Politics. We Are Going To Teach it Anyway.
When institutions abandon critical thinking, we build our own classrooms.
karenattiah.substack.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:55 PM
I’ve been saying since 2015 that the three things you need to understand to understand who Donald Trump and the MAGA movement are and what they intend to do are GamerGate, EuroMaidan, and the various scandals of FIFA (esp under Sepp Blatter).
That feels more true today than it did then.
That feels more true today than it did then.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
For American democracy to survive, we must as a country learn to embrace the beauty, the awesomeness, the Americanness of our cities.
Homey little songs about how cities are amazing and you feel good when you wander around them and they're where you're from and you couldn't imaging living anywhere else are one of my favorite microgenres.
We need to build some real social stigma around being afraid of cities. You don't have to like them or live there, but a politics built this strongly around watching TV and going "ewww" is embarrassing, and people should be embarrassed by it. It's like "fear of werewolves" being your top issue.
February 14, 2026 at 11:08 PM
For American democracy to survive, we must as a country learn to embrace the beauty, the awesomeness, the Americanness of our cities.
Morons with lethal toys.
February 15, 2026 at 4:05 PM
Morons with lethal toys.
You know, if the Democrats don't get their act together, Rubio's going to be president 3 years from now. Just saying.
("What about Vance?" Seriously? Have you *seen* Vance?)
("What about Vance?" Seriously? Have you *seen* Vance?)
rubio’s invocation of “western civilization” — defined here as racial and religious chauvinism, if not outright supremacy — is a rejection of the more egalitarian and universalistic notions that came out of america’s two revolutions.
February 15, 2026 at 3:41 PM
You know, if the Democrats don't get their act together, Rubio's going to be president 3 years from now. Just saying.
("What about Vance?" Seriously? Have you *seen* Vance?)
("What about Vance?" Seriously? Have you *seen* Vance?)
Monster trucks.
i’ll end this little brainstorm by just asking what it is, exactly, that the MAGA right likes about the United States, since it explicitly rejects those things that make this nation distinctive — its pluralism, its revolutionary heritage and egalitarian aspirations, and its republican institutions
February 15, 2026 at 3:01 PM
Monster trucks.
Which is why New Mexico started putting "USA" on its license plates.
Europeans: Americans don’t know any geography outside of the United States
Americans: We don’t know any geography INSIDE the United States either!
Americans: We don’t know any geography INSIDE the United States either!
Apparently, the FBI agents investigating the Epstein case had to look up where Wisconsin is.
February 15, 2026 at 4:18 AM
Which is why New Mexico started putting "USA" on its license plates.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
Frankly, I think the way you get a woman president is by not giving a single millimeter to all the "women can't win" arguments. Coward shit. Yes they fucking can.
February 14, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Frankly, I think the way you get a woman president is by not giving a single millimeter to all the "women can't win" arguments. Coward shit. Yes they fucking can.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
i think this is what drives me nuts. people talk about how, say, the UN was founded by "starry eyed idealists" who didn't understand "reality." the truth is that the UN was founded by those who had just fought and *won* the bloodiest war in human history.
February 13, 2026 at 7:26 PM
i think this is what drives me nuts. people talk about how, say, the UN was founded by "starry eyed idealists" who didn't understand "reality." the truth is that the UN was founded by those who had just fought and *won* the bloodiest war in human history.
I just watched a much-beloved movie set in a boys school and hated it. No, not that one, the other one.
February 14, 2026 at 4:05 PM
I just watched a much-beloved movie set in a boys school and hated it. No, not that one, the other one.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
if you're an older person who finds words like mogg and maxxing annoying, just starting using them. people over the age of 30 have the superpower to end trends by simply adopting them
February 14, 2026 at 1:50 AM
if you're an older person who finds words like mogg and maxxing annoying, just starting using them. people over the age of 30 have the superpower to end trends by simply adopting them
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
honestly tired of trying to convince people that trump's immigration policy is not really about violent undocumented immigrants or even just undocumented immigrants, but immigrants in general and even non-white people more broadly.
cool, cool. so we are sort of like citizens, but not really?
February 13, 2026 at 2:38 AM
honestly tired of trying to convince people that trump's immigration policy is not really about violent undocumented immigrants or even just undocumented immigrants, but immigrants in general and even non-white people more broadly.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
Once upon a time, I lived a couple blocks away. Sheridan's produce and bulk foods sections were crucial to making my SNAP benefits last. Looked with amazement at their selection of sausages: something like 30 varieties. Never did try any of them. Oh well.
After 110 years in Portland, Sheridan Fruit Company is closing its doors. The independent grocer announced the closure Thursday confirming its final day will be on Friday, Feb. 13.
Historic Sheridan Fruit Company is closing its doors after more than 100 years in business
After 110 years in Portland, Sheridan Fruit Company is closing its doors. The independent grocer announced the closure Thursday confirming its final day will be on Friday, Feb. 13.
www.opb.org
February 13, 2026 at 4:10 PM
Once upon a time, I lived a couple blocks away. Sheridan's produce and bulk foods sections were crucial to making my SNAP benefits last. Looked with amazement at their selection of sausages: something like 30 varieties. Never did try any of them. Oh well.
@disabilitystor1.bsky.social I know you're a dog person, but still...
Playing peekaboo with polar bear Laerke! 🐻❄️
Laerke’s start in life was difficult, requiring intensive care after a medical emergency shortly after birth. Though she’s made progress, Laerke still has specific needs and receives personalized care. 💙
Laerke’s start in life was difficult, requiring intensive care after a medical emergency shortly after birth. Though she’s made progress, Laerke still has specific needs and receives personalized care. 💙
February 13, 2026 at 3:45 PM
@disabilitystor1.bsky.social I know you're a dog person, but still...
The funny thing is that AOC is almost too left-wing to be electable.
And a year ago I would have left out the "almost." Since then, a lot of people have gotten radicalized.
And a year ago I would have left out the "almost." Since then, a lot of people have gotten radicalized.
if AOC is too right-wing for you to support, you do not believe in electoral politics and should just be honest about that
Someone who won’t vote for AOC because she’s insufficiently left for them is someone whose vote we will never get and they should be treated as such. Also they only exist online
February 13, 2026 at 3:22 PM
The funny thing is that AOC is almost too left-wing to be electable.
And a year ago I would have left out the "almost." Since then, a lot of people have gotten radicalized.
And a year ago I would have left out the "almost." Since then, a lot of people have gotten radicalized.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
1. the coyote story in the link is fun and worth reading
2. It makes me feel a bit pathetic admitting it but the *weight* of slopAI is actually taking up a considerable amount of my time, mental energy, resilience, etc. Every day there's some new thing, some ignorant colleague, it's EXHAUSTING.
2. It makes me feel a bit pathetic admitting it but the *weight* of slopAI is actually taking up a considerable amount of my time, mental energy, resilience, etc. Every day there's some new thing, some ignorant colleague, it's EXHAUSTING.
This happened to us too. Twice. One had fake sources, and another told us using generative AI was essential to their writing because it freed up their time to do other things. Which is quite mind blowing when you think about it. An admission by a writer that writing really isn't their bag.
Aided by genAI models like ChatGPT, “writers” hoping to get paid for fake stories have become an even bigger problem for publications big and small. One such writer almost pulled one over on COYOTE — until @soleilho.com, who is a nerd, spotted a key idiosyncrasy.
February 13, 2026 at 7:49 AM
1. the coyote story in the link is fun and worth reading
2. It makes me feel a bit pathetic admitting it but the *weight* of slopAI is actually taking up a considerable amount of my time, mental energy, resilience, etc. Every day there's some new thing, some ignorant colleague, it's EXHAUSTING.
2. It makes me feel a bit pathetic admitting it but the *weight* of slopAI is actually taking up a considerable amount of my time, mental energy, resilience, etc. Every day there's some new thing, some ignorant colleague, it's EXHAUSTING.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
What's so amazing about Jim Henson as a puppeteer is that he could literally be explaining that Kermit is made out of felt and ping pong balls and yet Kermit still feels alive the whole time he's doing it
February 11, 2026 at 10:03 PM
What's so amazing about Jim Henson as a puppeteer is that he could literally be explaining that Kermit is made out of felt and ping pong balls and yet Kermit still feels alive the whole time he's doing it
And again we're getting trains that are fast enough to go from Portland to Eugene in 45 minutes — but will take 2 hours, because of track conditions. It makes me sad.
February 12, 2026 at 12:51 AM
And again we're getting trains that are fast enough to go from Portland to Eugene in 45 minutes — but will take 2 hours, because of track conditions. It makes me sad.
Dogs have a lot of empathy and know how to cheer people up. That's unforgivable.
what is with these people and dogs?
This is some genuinely psycho shit...
February 12, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Dogs have a lot of empathy and know how to cheer people up. That's unforgivable.
I just got spammed by a somebody who's promoting the Phantom Time Hypothesis.
a man in a suit sits at a table with other people and says spam spam spam spam spam spam spam spam
Alt: The original Monty Python Spam sketch, complete with singing vikings.
media.tenor.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:31 PM
I just got spammed by a somebody who's promoting the Phantom Time Hypothesis.
I'm so tired of Nate Silver logic. Show me evidence that the hype is actually true or shut the fuck up.
I'm not even saying that's the most *likely* possibility, but it's just very clear that the likelihood of that outcome as increased and even if there's, like, a 1 in 10 change that "AI replaces most to all white collar jobs in 10 years" that's an *enormous* risk to the social order!
February 11, 2026 at 5:45 PM
I'm so tired of Nate Silver logic. Show me evidence that the hype is actually true or shut the fuck up.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
Whale evolution makes me uncomfortable
February 9, 2026 at 7:48 PM
Whale evolution makes me uncomfortable
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
I’ve seen people say, “oh so you have to stand in line for a little bit longer, wah wah.” believe me, both women I’ve spoken to felt the same -that’s not a problem.
The problem is the federal gov’t punishing US citizens based on 1A protected behavior. And they’re starting small. These are tests.
The problem is the federal gov’t punishing US citizens based on 1A protected behavior. And they’re starting small. These are tests.
I spoke to another woman who lost her Global Entry status after a confrontation with CBP.
Another legal observer loses her Global Entry clearance
Losing My Perspicacity, February 10, 2026
losingmyperspicacity.beehiiv.com
February 10, 2026 at 8:50 PM
I’ve seen people say, “oh so you have to stand in line for a little bit longer, wah wah.” believe me, both women I’ve spoken to felt the same -that’s not a problem.
The problem is the federal gov’t punishing US citizens based on 1A protected behavior. And they’re starting small. These are tests.
The problem is the federal gov’t punishing US citizens based on 1A protected behavior. And they’re starting small. These are tests.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
A lot of people made fun of Bush dancing with the West African Dance Company—and sure, it's funny—but this was good.
Middle aged white guy unfamiliar with something culturally nonwhite recognizes it's a happy, fun celebration, and welcomes it, participating though awkward.
That was much better.
Middle aged white guy unfamiliar with something culturally nonwhite recognizes it's a happy, fun celebration, and welcomes it, participating though awkward.
That was much better.
a man in a suit and tie is dancing in front of a group of flags
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is dancing in front of a group of flags
media.tenor.com
February 10, 2026 at 4:18 PM
A lot of people made fun of Bush dancing with the West African Dance Company—and sure, it's funny—but this was good.
Middle aged white guy unfamiliar with something culturally nonwhite recognizes it's a happy, fun celebration, and welcomes it, participating though awkward.
That was much better.
Middle aged white guy unfamiliar with something culturally nonwhite recognizes it's a happy, fun celebration, and welcomes it, participating though awkward.
That was much better.
Reposted by Isaac Rabinovitch
I feel like I'm losing my goddamnned mind.
This op-ed was written by Kathrine Mangu-Ward. Katherine is editor-in-chief of Reason magazine.
Reason fired @shikhadalmia.bsky.social for being too anti-Trump.
This op-ed was written by Kathrine Mangu-Ward. Katherine is editor-in-chief of Reason magazine.
Reason fired @shikhadalmia.bsky.social for being too anti-Trump.
Opinion | Libertarians Tried to Warn You About Trump
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:09 PM
I feel like I'm losing my goddamnned mind.
This op-ed was written by Kathrine Mangu-Ward. Katherine is editor-in-chief of Reason magazine.
Reason fired @shikhadalmia.bsky.social for being too anti-Trump.
This op-ed was written by Kathrine Mangu-Ward. Katherine is editor-in-chief of Reason magazine.
Reason fired @shikhadalmia.bsky.social for being too anti-Trump.