John Voelcker
@johnvoelcker.bsky.social
Raconteur. Random cultural, political, sociological, science, tech, #EV, #LGBTQ, British car stuff. "Plucky and good fun."Contributing Editor, CAR and DRIVER, Green Car Reports, others; Cofounder, Tempting Fate Tours.
Welcome to Bluesky. Don’t be a jerk.
Welcome to Bluesky. Don’t be a jerk.
And MUCH rarer than "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive," the wonderful spiral-bound John Muir classic, complete with wonderful hippie-era line drawings.
Took this about six years ago at a local garage. Seeing it now, I wonder just how much this tattered piece of VW history might be worth? Bet it’s a fascinating browse.
November 11, 2025 at 1:49 PM
And MUCH rarer than "How to Keep Your Volkswagen Alive," the wonderful spiral-bound John Muir classic, complete with wonderful hippie-era line drawings.
BLURB: "China's automakers have advanced under a system featuring low-cost labor, pollution, limited personal freedoms + even forced labor."
RATING: Accurate.
DISCUSSION TOPIC: So what do the Detroit 2.5 do about that?
RATING: Accurate.
DISCUSSION TOPIC: So what do the Detroit 2.5 do about that?
How the U.S. auto industry looks at beating the Chinese without becoming them
China's automakers have advanced under a system featuring low-cost labor, pollution, limited personal freedoms and even forced labor.
www.detroitnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:04 PM
BLURB: "China's automakers have advanced under a system featuring low-cost labor, pollution, limited personal freedoms + even forced labor."
RATING: Accurate.
DISCUSSION TOPIC: So what do the Detroit 2.5 do about that?
RATING: Accurate.
DISCUSSION TOPIC: So what do the Detroit 2.5 do about that?
Oh ... hmmmmmm ....
James Bond’s death in No Time to Die is causing a nightmare for the next film. Writers are stuck because Bond “was blown to pieces.”
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
Anthony Horowitz, author of three 007 novels, says:
“You can't have him wake up in shower and saying it was all a dream."
radaronline.com/p/james-bond...
November 11, 2025 at 12:57 PM
Oh ... hmmmmmm ....
Honda's downgrade to its full-year profit outlook underscores the immediate pressure it faces from U.S. tariffs + global chip shortages.
But its deeper challenge in the longer term lies in intensifying competition from Chinese #EV makers. Can it respond? How?
But its deeper challenge in the longer term lies in intensifying competition from Chinese #EV makers. Can it respond? How?
www.reuters.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:56 PM
Honda's downgrade to its full-year profit outlook underscores the immediate pressure it faces from U.S. tariffs + global chip shortages.
But its deeper challenge in the longer term lies in intensifying competition from Chinese #EV makers. Can it respond? How?
But its deeper challenge in the longer term lies in intensifying competition from Chinese #EV makers. Can it respond? How?
Pardon?
The President of the United States of America is ... confused by magnets?
The President of the United States of America is ... confused by magnets?
November 11, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Pardon?
The President of the United States of America is ... confused by magnets?
The President of the United States of America is ... confused by magnets?
Thoughtful analysis that feels, to me, on the money.
Curious to get your takes on it, though.
Curious to get your takes on it, though.
7 Reasons to Think Social Media Has Peaked
The platforms have big problems.
nymag.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Thoughtful analysis that feels, to me, on the money.
Curious to get your takes on it, though.
Curious to get your takes on it, though.
In the latest @edmunds.com used-car analysis, vehicles took an average of 41 days to sell in Q3 (the slowest third-quarter pace since 2017).
BUT ... used EVs bucked that trend: just 34 days on avg. And 2022 #EV models were 8 of the 20 fastest-selling 3-yr-old vehicles, despite limited availability.
BUT ... used EVs bucked that trend: just 34 days on avg. And 2022 #EV models were 8 of the 20 fastest-selling 3-yr-old vehicles, despite limited availability.
www.edmunds.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:18 PM
In the latest @edmunds.com used-car analysis, vehicles took an average of 41 days to sell in Q3 (the slowest third-quarter pace since 2017).
BUT ... used EVs bucked that trend: just 34 days on avg. And 2022 #EV models were 8 of the 20 fastest-selling 3-yr-old vehicles, despite limited availability.
BUT ... used EVs bucked that trend: just 34 days on avg. And 2022 #EV models were 8 of the 20 fastest-selling 3-yr-old vehicles, despite limited availability.
Sales of #Tesla models in China dropped to 26,006 vehicles in October, their lowest in three years, as the #EV maker struggles with tepid demand in the hyper-competitive market.
Tesla's China sales fall to 3-year low amid tepid demand
Tesla's sales in China dropped to 26,006 vehicles in October, their lowest in three years, as the U.S. electric vehicle maker struggles with tepid demand in the hyper-competitive market.
www.reuters.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:13 PM
Reposted by John Voelcker
Found the tweet that Joyce Carol Oates bodied Elon Musk with and it's so beautiful in its eloquent, simple take down. So much so he's crashing out trying to prove he reads books now. Put this in the Louvre.
November 10, 2025 at 8:26 PM
Found the tweet that Joyce Carol Oates bodied Elon Musk with and it's so beautiful in its eloquent, simple take down. So much so he's crashing out trying to prove he reads books now. Put this in the Louvre.
This vehicle was ... interesting.
New Video !! We tempted fate a little differently: We rented the absolutely cheapest Turo on the list, the one at the very bottom of a few hundred cars.
It was 10 years old, with 114K miles. Also body damage. Stained seat covers. Garbage wipers. And a perplexing floor mat. How bad WAS it? Et voila!
It was 10 years old, with 114K miles. Also body damage. Stained seat covers. Garbage wipers. And a perplexing floor mat. How bad WAS it? Et voila!
We rented the cheapest Turo: How bad was it? #automobile #rentalcar #temptingfate
YouTube video by Tempting Fate Tours
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 7:33 PM
This vehicle was ... interesting.
A good explanatory thread on the current (but frequently changing) state of play around SNAP benefits.
And hungry children.
And hungry children.
For those confused by state of play on SNAP right now: You're not alone
Yesterday, *before* SCOTUS paused order telling Trump admin to send out SNAP $$, a handful of states rushed to issue full SNAP benefits to at least part of their caseload.
This includes CA, OR, WA, MI, and WI—all blue states (🧵)
Yesterday, *before* SCOTUS paused order telling Trump admin to send out SNAP $$, a handful of states rushed to issue full SNAP benefits to at least part of their caseload.
This includes CA, OR, WA, MI, and WI—all blue states (🧵)
November 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
A good explanatory thread on the current (but frequently changing) state of play around SNAP benefits.
And hungry children.
And hungry children.
Progressive faith leaders are finally, FINALLY pushing back on the political dominance of the Christian right.
"We're tracking about 30 white clergy who are running for office as Democrats around the country. That's shocking," said the director of progressive Christian group Vote Common Good.
"We're tracking about 30 white clergy who are running for office as Democrats around the country. That's shocking," said the director of progressive Christian group Vote Common Good.
"Shocking" number of white clergy run as Democrats in 2026
"We're tracking about 30 white clergy who are running for office as Democrats around the country."
www.axios.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Progressive faith leaders are finally, FINALLY pushing back on the political dominance of the Christian right.
"We're tracking about 30 white clergy who are running for office as Democrats around the country. That's shocking," said the director of progressive Christian group Vote Common Good.
"We're tracking about 30 white clergy who are running for office as Democrats around the country. That's shocking," said the director of progressive Christian group Vote Common Good.
So who do YOU think is more toxic for a state politician to be associated with? NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani, who won't have any effect on voters' lives outside the city, or Donald Trump, whose actions will + do?
(Predictably, the @nypost.com parrots a Republican talking point in its cover line.)
(Predictably, the @nypost.com parrots a Republican talking point in its cover line.)
Stefanik's playbook in N.Y. governor's race: Tie Hochul to Mamdani
Stefanik's gambit pulls back the curtain on a big part of Republicans' emerging 2026 strategy.
www.axios.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:36 AM
So who do YOU think is more toxic for a state politician to be associated with? NYC Mayor-Elect Mamdani, who won't have any effect on voters' lives outside the city, or Donald Trump, whose actions will + do?
(Predictably, the @nypost.com parrots a Republican talking point in its cover line.)
(Predictably, the @nypost.com parrots a Republican talking point in its cover line.)
Yup, THIS. Once again, @espiers.bsky.social pulls no punches.
Don't Let The Door Hit You On The Way Out, Andrew Cuomo
I wrote about the end of Cuomo-ism for The New York Times. Here's the column:
Back on Aug. 8, at 5:40 p.m., the retirement-aged nepo baby and disgraced former governor of New York tweeted at the much...
www.elizabethspiers.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:48 PM
Yup, THIS. Once again, @espiers.bsky.social pulls no punches.
Downright confusing, this.
The one you're thinking of? This is not it.
The one you're thinking of? This is not it.
A lesser-known Farmers' Almanac will fold after 2 centuries, citing money trouble
The 208-year-old Maine-based Farmers’ Almanac says it will publish its planting guidance and weather predictions for the final time, citing financial challenges.
apnews.com
November 7, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Downright confusing, this.
The one you're thinking of? This is not it.
The one you're thinking of? This is not it.
Reposted by John Voelcker
While the IRS hasn’t officially confirmed that Direct File is dead, the IRS website indicates that the program is closed and past users will have to file a special form to get their previous tax return.
IRS Kills Off Popular Free Direct File Option For The 2026 Tax Filing Season
While the IRS hasn’t officially confirmed that the program is dead, the website indicates that the program is closed—and states have been notified that it will not be in place for 2026.
www.forbes.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:19 PM
While the IRS hasn’t officially confirmed that Direct File is dead, the IRS website indicates that the program is closed and past users will have to file a special form to get their previous tax return.
"But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars."
― Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
― Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
November 7, 2025 at 5:34 PM
"But I know, somehow, that only when it is dark enough can you see the stars."
― Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
― Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
The "comment" from the allegedly bigoted founder of @barstoolsport.bsky.social is perhaps the most ... unusual.
Let’s check in with people who threatened to leave Zohran Mamdani’s NYC: defector.com/lets-check-i...
Let's Check In With People Who Threatened To Leave Zohran Mamdani's NYC | Defector
When Zohran Mamdani upset Andrew Cuomo to win the New York City Democratic mayoral primary in June, it led to a lot of histrionics. The usual fear tactics against a young Muslim democratic socialist h...
defector.com
November 7, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The "comment" from the allegedly bigoted founder of @barstoolsport.bsky.social is perhaps the most ... unusual.
ICE advertises for #NYPD officers to join their unidentified, masked crusaders who tackle + abduct nonwhite people in public + hustle them into unmarked vans.
ICE claims this will allow NYPD officers to gain the "respect" they don't receive now.
Reasonable minds may differ with this assertion.
ICE claims this will allow NYPD officers to gain the "respect" they don't receive now.
Reasonable minds may differ with this assertion.
ICE targets NYPD officers with ads claiming the agency offers ‘respect’
A new federal recruitment push plays on morale issues in the NYPD and tensions under Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani.
gothamist.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:16 PM
ICE advertises for #NYPD officers to join their unidentified, masked crusaders who tackle + abduct nonwhite people in public + hustle them into unmarked vans.
ICE claims this will allow NYPD officers to gain the "respect" they don't receive now.
Reasonable minds may differ with this assertion.
ICE claims this will allow NYPD officers to gain the "respect" they don't receive now.
Reasonable minds may differ with this assertion.
Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams + banned goods. The social-media giant internally estimates its platforms show 15 billion scam ads a day.
Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads + issuing reports on 'Scammiest Scammers.'
Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads + issuing reports on 'Scammiest Scammers.'
Meta is earning a fortune on a deluge of fraudulent ads, documents show
Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams and banned goods, and it internally estimates that its platforms show users 15 billion scam ads a day, company documents show.
www.reuters.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:26 AM
Meta projected 10% of its 2024 revenue would come from ads for scams + banned goods. The social-media giant internally estimates its platforms show 15 billion scam ads a day.
Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads + issuing reports on 'Scammiest Scammers.'
Among its responses to suspected rogue marketers: charging them a premium for ads + issuing reports on 'Scammiest Scammers.'
Seen elsewhere:
"You'd think a company that could offer someone a $1 trillion pay package could start a meeting on time. Is that too much to ask?"
ROTFL.
"You'd think a company that could offer someone a $1 trillion pay package could start a meeting on time. Is that too much to ask?"
ROTFL.
Your reminder that tonight is the #Tesla annual meeting, at which the #EV maker's shareholders will decide whether to grant The World's Richest Man a new compensation plan that could make him a ... TRILLIONAIRE.
(He's the one who's lost interest in EVs + wants Tesla to be an AI + robotaxi company.)
(He's the one who's lost interest in EVs + wants Tesla to be an AI + robotaxi company.)
Musk the trillionaire? Debate over his Tesla pay package rages
Tesla shareholders will decide soon on whether Elon Musk could have a shot at becoming the world's first trillionaire.
apnews.com
November 6, 2025 at 10:02 PM
Seen elsewhere:
"You'd think a company that could offer someone a $1 trillion pay package could start a meeting on time. Is that too much to ask?"
ROTFL.
"You'd think a company that could offer someone a $1 trillion pay package could start a meeting on time. Is that too much to ask?"
ROTFL.
BREAKING: Ford may end production of its F-150 Lightning #EV pickup truck due to slow sales + losses on the program.
Exclusive | Ford Considers Scrapping Electric Version of F-150 Truck
Once hyped as a ‘smartphone that can tow,’ production of money-losing EV pickup may be shut down for good.
www.wsj.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:18 PM
BREAKING: Ford may end production of its F-150 Lightning #EV pickup truck due to slow sales + losses on the program.
Toyota, Honda + Suzuki are spending billions of dollars to build new cars and factories in India, a sign of the country's growing importance as a manufacturing hub as Japanese automakers redraw global supply chains to reduce dependence on China.
www.reuters.com
November 6, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Toyota, Honda + Suzuki are spending billions of dollars to build new cars and factories in India, a sign of the country's growing importance as a manufacturing hub as Japanese automakers redraw global supply chains to reduce dependence on China.