issielapowsky.bsky.social
@issielapowsky.bsky.social
Journalist covering tech, politics, and national affairs. Formerly WIRED and Protocol. Work featured in The New York Times, Fast Company, Inc., The Atlantic, and more. www.issielapowsky.com
Signal: issielapowsky.08
Signal: issielapowsky.08
Philly never fails to Philly www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/a...
November 5, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Philly never fails to Philly www.nytimes.com/2025/11/04/a...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
According to Priorities USA post-election polling, "Between 2020 and 2024, people who consumed at least three hours of YouTube a day had moved 10 points toward Trump — a bigger swing than Black voters, Black men, young voters and a slew of other categories that were dominating headlines."
The Super PAC Trying to Free Democrats From the Cult of the Quants
Danielle Butterfield thinks her party’s data obsession paralyzed it in 2024. Now she’s betting that a little chaos — and a lot of risk — might be what saves it.
www.politico.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:33 PM
According to Priorities USA post-election polling, "Between 2020 and 2024, people who consumed at least three hours of YouTube a day had moved 10 points toward Trump — a bigger swing than Black voters, Black men, young voters and a slew of other categories that were dominating headlines."
NEW: One complaint I heard the most in 2024 was that Democrats were ceding too much control to "the quants," letting ad testing and cost-per-vote analyses guide strategy.
Here's my deep dive into what that meant in practice — and how one Super PAC is pushing back.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Here's my deep dive into what that meant in practice — and how one Super PAC is pushing back.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
The Super PAC Trying to Free Democrats From the Cult of the Quants
Danielle Butterfield thinks her party’s data obsession paralyzed it in 2024. Now she’s betting that a little chaos — and a lot of risk — might be what saves it.
www.politico.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:07 PM
NEW: One complaint I heard the most in 2024 was that Democrats were ceding too much control to "the quants," letting ad testing and cost-per-vote analyses guide strategy.
Here's my deep dive into what that meant in practice — and how one Super PAC is pushing back.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Here's my deep dive into what that meant in practice — and how one Super PAC is pushing back.
www.politico.com/news/magazin...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
"Even as Democrats rally around ActBlue in the face of attacks from the right, they are sharply divided over whether the organization is equipped to handle these blows." @issielapowsky.bsky.social reports on Democratic fundraising giant, which is under siege. www.fastcompany.com/91428737/ins...
Inside the storm surrounding ActBlue
Under attack by Republicans and shaken by internal rifts, the Democrats’ fundraising engine faces its toughest test yet.
www.fastcompany.com
October 27, 2025 at 2:05 PM
"Even as Democrats rally around ActBlue in the face of attacks from the right, they are sharply divided over whether the organization is equipped to handle these blows." @issielapowsky.bsky.social reports on Democratic fundraising giant, which is under siege. www.fastcompany.com/91428737/ins...
NEW: Trump gave the DOJ 180 days to report on supposed fraud at ActBlue. The deadline passed. No report.
I spoke with sources about the tumultuous last year inside ActBlue—turnover under its CEO, GOP attacks, and the group's growing ambitions despite it all. www.fastcompany.com/91428737/ins...
I spoke with sources about the tumultuous last year inside ActBlue—turnover under its CEO, GOP attacks, and the group's growing ambitions despite it all. www.fastcompany.com/91428737/ins...
Inside the storm surrounding ActBlue
Under attack by Republicans and shaken by internal rifts, the Democrats’ fundraising engine faces its toughest test yet.
www.fastcompany.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:24 PM
NEW: Trump gave the DOJ 180 days to report on supposed fraud at ActBlue. The deadline passed. No report.
I spoke with sources about the tumultuous last year inside ActBlue—turnover under its CEO, GOP attacks, and the group's growing ambitions despite it all. www.fastcompany.com/91428737/ins...
I spoke with sources about the tumultuous last year inside ActBlue—turnover under its CEO, GOP attacks, and the group's growing ambitions despite it all. www.fastcompany.com/91428737/ins...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
I spoke with @issielapowsky.bsky.social at the @nytimes.com about an important experiment in post-disaster housing happening Maui. Ka La‘i Ola will provide transitional housing for hundreds of wildfire survivors, then convert to permanent housing and infrastructure. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/27/h...
Hawaii’s Tiny Homes Offer a New Model of Disaster Recovery
www.nytimes.com
September 29, 2025 at 8:20 PM
I spoke with @issielapowsky.bsky.social at the @nytimes.com about an important experiment in post-disaster housing happening Maui. Ka La‘i Ola will provide transitional housing for hundreds of wildfire survivors, then convert to permanent housing and infrastructure. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/27/h...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
Wired rules. Just an incredible group of journalists who are completely meeting the moment. And you can subscribe for $2 a month, which is insane www.wired.com/story/a-new-...
A New Era for WIRED—That Starts With You
As of today, there are even more ways to enjoy WIRED’s journalism, including premium newsletters and livestream Q&As. Join us.
www.wired.com
July 23, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Wired rules. Just an incredible group of journalists who are completely meeting the moment. And you can subscribe for $2 a month, which is insane www.wired.com/story/a-new-...
I have a story out today in the NYTimes that's been bouncing around my brain for years. Backstory: I was a new mom when COVID started. I was working from home, switching off and on w/my husband, who was also home, every few hours. It was hard, yes, but I also really loved the time with my kid...1/x
July 10, 2025 at 3:31 PM
I have a story out today in the NYTimes that's been bouncing around my brain for years. Backstory: I was a new mom when COVID started. I was working from home, switching off and on w/my husband, who was also home, every few hours. It was hard, yes, but I also really loved the time with my kid...1/x
Every single part of this entire interview is nonsensical. As in the words, strung together as sentences, in the form of questions and answers make no sense. Two men who think they sound smarter if they never admit they don’t know wtf the other one just said or meant. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/o...
June 27, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Every single part of this entire interview is nonsensical. As in the words, strung together as sentences, in the form of questions and answers make no sense. Two men who think they sound smarter if they never admit they don’t know wtf the other one just said or meant. www.nytimes.com/2025/06/26/o...
Elon keeps stiffing people. She keeps suing him.
Really fun interview with Shannon Liss-Riordan, the renowned labor lawyer, on how she's carving out a subspecialty in "billionaire justice." www.vanityfair.com/news/story/s...
Really fun interview with Shannon Liss-Riordan, the renowned labor lawyer, on how she's carving out a subspecialty in "billionaire justice." www.vanityfair.com/news/story/s...
Elon Musk Keeps Stiffing People. She Keeps Suing Him
Shannon Liss-Riordan is one of the country’s most renowned labor lawyers. Lately, she’s also developed a specialty in “billionaire justice.”
www.vanityfair.com
June 20, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Elon keeps stiffing people. She keeps suing him.
Really fun interview with Shannon Liss-Riordan, the renowned labor lawyer, on how she's carving out a subspecialty in "billionaire justice." www.vanityfair.com/news/story/s...
Really fun interview with Shannon Liss-Riordan, the renowned labor lawyer, on how she's carving out a subspecialty in "billionaire justice." www.vanityfair.com/news/story/s...
NEW: In 2018, California became the first state to let DAs revisit old prison sentences that seemed unjust. Another 5 states have since passed similar policies.
But of the 1,000+ people resentenced, almost none are women.
I wrote about an effort to change that.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/h...
But of the 1,000+ people resentenced, almost none are women.
I wrote about an effort to change that.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/h...
Prison Reform Left Women Behind. Then Prosecutors Stepped In.
www.nytimes.com
June 16, 2025 at 5:49 PM
NEW: In 2018, California became the first state to let DAs revisit old prison sentences that seemed unjust. Another 5 states have since passed similar policies.
But of the 1,000+ people resentenced, almost none are women.
I wrote about an effort to change that.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/h...
But of the 1,000+ people resentenced, almost none are women.
I wrote about an effort to change that.
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/h...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
“We’ve Been Sold a Story That Isn’t Remotely True”: How Private-Equity Billionaires Killed the American Dream
@issielapowsky.bsky.social talks to @greenwell.bsky.social about her new book, "Bad Company"
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...
@issielapowsky.bsky.social talks to @greenwell.bsky.social about her new book, "Bad Company"
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...
“We’ve Been Sold a Story That Isn’t Remotely True”: How Private-Equity Billionaires Killed the American Dream
In her new book, ‘Bad Company,’ journalist Megan Greenwell shows how the secretive industry has insinuated itself into average Americans’ lives.
www.vanityfair.com
June 9, 2025 at 7:06 PM
“We’ve Been Sold a Story That Isn’t Remotely True”: How Private-Equity Billionaires Killed the American Dream
@issielapowsky.bsky.social talks to @greenwell.bsky.social about her new book, "Bad Company"
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...
@issielapowsky.bsky.social talks to @greenwell.bsky.social about her new book, "Bad Company"
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...
Wisdom of the crowd: My kid got a basketball net for his birthday. He plays no earlier than 10am and no later than 7pm.
We found an anonymous note on our fence asking us to "respect the neighborhood" because the ball bouncing is too loud, including "during dinnertime." What is the right response?
We found an anonymous note on our fence asking us to "respect the neighborhood" because the ball bouncing is too loud, including "during dinnertime." What is the right response?
June 4, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Wisdom of the crowd: My kid got a basketball net for his birthday. He plays no earlier than 10am and no later than 7pm.
We found an anonymous note on our fence asking us to "respect the neighborhood" because the ball bouncing is too loud, including "during dinnertime." What is the right response?
We found an anonymous note on our fence asking us to "respect the neighborhood" because the ball bouncing is too loud, including "during dinnertime." What is the right response?
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
RFK Jr's "MAHA" report is filled with references to studies that literally do not exist, or that completely misinterpret the studies' findings.
“We did not publish a paper.. on this topic with that co-author group, or with that title,” says one cited researcher.
www.notus.org/health-scien...
“We did not publish a paper.. on this topic with that co-author group, or with that title,” says one cited researcher.
www.notus.org/health-scien...
The MAHA Report Cites Studies That Don’t Exist
The Trump administration’s “Make America Healthy Again” report misinterprets some studies and cites others that don’t exist, according to the listed authors.
www.notus.org
May 29, 2025 at 12:35 PM
RFK Jr's "MAHA" report is filled with references to studies that literally do not exist, or that completely misinterpret the studies' findings.
“We did not publish a paper.. on this topic with that co-author group, or with that title,” says one cited researcher.
www.notus.org/health-scien...
“We did not publish a paper.. on this topic with that co-author group, or with that title,” says one cited researcher.
www.notus.org/health-scien...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
NEW: The US government has collected DNA from over 100,000 migrant children—including a 4-year-old—and uploaded their genetic profiles into a national biometric database meant for sex offenders and violent criminals.
www.wired.com/story/cbp-dn...
www.wired.com/story/cbp-dn...
The US Is Storing Migrant Children’s DNA in a Criminal Database
Customs and Border Protection has swabbed the DNA of migrant children as young as 4, whose genetic data is uploaded to an FBI-run database that can track them if they commit crimes in the future.
www.wired.com
May 29, 2025 at 10:53 AM
NEW: The US government has collected DNA from over 100,000 migrant children—including a 4-year-old—and uploaded their genetic profiles into a national biometric database meant for sex offenders and violent criminals.
www.wired.com/story/cbp-dn...
www.wired.com/story/cbp-dn...
It says something about the tenor of the reader emails I've been getting lately that I immediately assumed this subject line was a troll.
May 22, 2025 at 1:46 PM
It says something about the tenor of the reader emails I've been getting lately that I immediately assumed this subject line was a troll.
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
HASSAN: What is habeas corpus?
NOEM: Habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country
HASSAN: That's incorrect
NOEM: Habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country
HASSAN: That's incorrect
May 20, 2025 at 2:16 PM
HASSAN: What is habeas corpus?
NOEM: Habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country
HASSAN: That's incorrect
NOEM: Habeas corpus is a constitutional right that the president has to be able to remove people from this country
HASSAN: That's incorrect
Had a fascinating chat with @patrickmcgee.bsky.social about his book, Apple in China.
It flips what we know about Apple and China on its head. It's not just that China built Apple. He argues that through massive investments in the country, Apple built China, too. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/a...
It flips what we know about Apple and China on its head. It's not just that China built Apple. He argues that through massive investments in the country, Apple built China, too. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/a...
The Dark History of How China Captured Apple
In his new book, Apple in China, Patrick McGee examines how Tim Cook unwittingly led Apple right into the heart of Trump’s trade war.
www.vanityfair.com
May 13, 2025 at 3:54 PM
Had a fascinating chat with @patrickmcgee.bsky.social about his book, Apple in China.
It flips what we know about Apple and China on its head. It's not just that China built Apple. He argues that through massive investments in the country, Apple built China, too. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/a...
It flips what we know about Apple and China on its head. It's not just that China built Apple. He argues that through massive investments in the country, Apple built China, too. www.vanityfair.com/news/story/a...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
Great article by @issielapowsky.bsky.social about the impact AI content is already having. Even if the "dead internet theory" isn't 100% true, if platforms don't properly disencentivize AI content, it can still hurt online publishing and content creators.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Maybe AI Slop Is Killing the Internet, After All
The assertion that bots are choking off human life online has never seemed more true.
www.bloomberg.com
May 12, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Great article by @issielapowsky.bsky.social about the impact AI content is already having. Even if the "dead internet theory" isn't 100% true, if platforms don't properly disencentivize AI content, it can still hurt online publishing and content creators.
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
Quoted in this great article about AI slop by @issielapowsky.bsky.social: what mix of real and AI-generated content will our information environment reach in the limit?
Maybe AI Slop Is Killing the Internet, After All
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Maybe AI Slop Is Killing the Internet, After All
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Maybe AI Slop Is Killing the Internet, After All
The assertion that bots are choking off human life online has never seemed more true.
www.bloomberg.com
May 12, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Quoted in this great article about AI slop by @issielapowsky.bsky.social: what mix of real and AI-generated content will our information environment reach in the limit?
Maybe AI Slop Is Killing the Internet, After All
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Maybe AI Slop Is Killing the Internet, After All
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
1. Clay Jackson, a Texas lawyer, provided basic legal advice to an immigrant family fearing deportation
Then, two officers visited him at his home, accusing him of "obstructing an ongoing immigration investigation"
Then, after speaking publicly, he was fired from his job at a Fortune 500 company
Then, two officers visited him at his home, accusing him of "obstructing an ongoing immigration investigation"
Then, after speaking publicly, he was fired from his job at a Fortune 500 company
Fortune 500 company abruptly fires lawyer who helped immigrant family
On March 4, Clay Jackson, an attorney in the Dallas area, was at a gas station near his home when the attendant asked if he would help a local immigrant family.
popular.info
April 29, 2025 at 12:59 PM
1. Clay Jackson, a Texas lawyer, provided basic legal advice to an immigrant family fearing deportation
Then, two officers visited him at his home, accusing him of "obstructing an ongoing immigration investigation"
Then, after speaking publicly, he was fired from his job at a Fortune 500 company
Then, two officers visited him at his home, accusing him of "obstructing an ongoing immigration investigation"
Then, after speaking publicly, he was fired from his job at a Fortune 500 company
I've been wanting to pitch this *exact* story, but so glad it exists anyway.
The Jennifer Hudson Show TikToks are the ultimate antidote to the doomscroll and the only way to calm my addled brain at the end of a long day. I love them so very much. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/19/a...
The Jennifer Hudson Show TikToks are the ultimate antidote to the doomscroll and the only way to calm my addled brain at the end of a long day. I love them so very much. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/19/a...
How ‘The Jennifer Hudson Show’ Took Over TikTok
Usher and Gwen Stefani are among the stars who have shimmied down a “spirit tunnel” on their way to Hudson’s couch. Clips with customized hype songs are a sensation online.
www.nytimes.com
April 24, 2025 at 2:46 PM
I've been wanting to pitch this *exact* story, but so glad it exists anyway.
The Jennifer Hudson Show TikToks are the ultimate antidote to the doomscroll and the only way to calm my addled brain at the end of a long day. I love them so very much. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/19/a...
The Jennifer Hudson Show TikToks are the ultimate antidote to the doomscroll and the only way to calm my addled brain at the end of a long day. I love them so very much. www.nytimes.com/2025/04/19/a...
“They were already taking our homes because of Facebook, landlords pricing us out. Now they’re gonna take this away too." sfstandard.com/2025/04/23/p...
‘A slap to the face’: Families say Zuckerberg-backed school to close as couple pulls funds
"It's a shock," one parent said. "It was our pride and joy to say our family went to the Primary School."
sfstandard.com
April 23, 2025 at 5:02 PM
“They were already taking our homes because of Facebook, landlords pricing us out. Now they’re gonna take this away too." sfstandard.com/2025/04/23/p...
Reposted by issielapowsky.bsky.social
New in PN: RFK Jr. is wrong about autism
"The Trump administration's attack on difference, the idea that people who are different are a tragedy and a burden and that they have nothing to contribute — that is fascism. And it is a danger to almost everyone."
"The Trump administration's attack on difference, the idea that people who are different are a tragedy and a burden and that they have nothing to contribute — that is fascism. And it is a danger to almost everyone."
RFK Jr. is wrong about autism
His lies endanger neurodivergent people — and everyone else.
www.publicnotice.co
April 21, 2025 at 1:53 PM
New in PN: RFK Jr. is wrong about autism
"The Trump administration's attack on difference, the idea that people who are different are a tragedy and a burden and that they have nothing to contribute — that is fascism. And it is a danger to almost everyone."
"The Trump administration's attack on difference, the idea that people who are different are a tragedy and a burden and that they have nothing to contribute — that is fascism. And it is a danger to almost everyone."
In 2013, a junior senator named Marco Rubio delivered a stern warning against protectionist foreign policy and asked, “If America stops leading, who will fill the vacuum we leave behind?”
What ever happened to that guy?
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...
What ever happened to that guy?
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...
Marco Rubio Has Lost Himself
The Secretary of State once asked, “If America stops leading, who will fill the vacuum we leave behind?” Anyone know if he's got an answer?
www.vanityfair.com
April 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
In 2013, a junior senator named Marco Rubio delivered a stern warning against protectionist foreign policy and asked, “If America stops leading, who will fill the vacuum we leave behind?”
What ever happened to that guy?
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...
What ever happened to that guy?
www.vanityfair.com/news/story/m...