Karl Bode
@karlbode.com
I write about tech, media, politics, and consumer rights.
Subscribe to my newsletter The Fine Print*: karlbode.com
Subscribe to my newsletter The Fine Print*: karlbode.com
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Karl Bode
@karlbode.com
· 10d
The Fine Print*
A newsletter by Karl Bode covering tech, media, politics, and consumer rights.
karlbode.com
I finally have a newsletter!
It's called The Fine Print* and I'll be writing about tech, media, politics, consumer rights (and whatever else I damn-well please).
It's free, but if you have disposable income, you can support independent reporting for just $50/year or $4/month.
It's called The Fine Print* and I'll be writing about tech, media, politics, consumer rights (and whatever else I damn-well please).
It's free, but if you have disposable income, you can support independent reporting for just $50/year or $4/month.
Reposted by Karl Bode
I absolutely guarantee you he didn’t say any of this
February 20, 2026 at 12:09 AM
I absolutely guarantee you he didn’t say any of this
Reposted by Karl Bode
Trump has ordered the Treasury to send him $10 billion in cash & $10 billion for a slush fund (on top of the $200 million in cash stolen from Venezuela for another slush fund), on top of $10+ billion gotten from foreign governments in exchange for favors, but do go on about not taking a salary ...
Trump: "I get no credit. As president I make $2.5 million over four years. I waived it. I'm the only president that ever waived it."
February 19, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Trump has ordered the Treasury to send him $10 billion in cash & $10 billion for a slush fund (on top of the $200 million in cash stolen from Venezuela for another slush fund), on top of $10+ billion gotten from foreign governments in exchange for favors, but do go on about not taking a salary ...
Reposted by Karl Bode
I wrote about CBS, and how its debasement is best viewed as one small part of a much larger war on informed consensus by the frightened extraction class
The New CBS Is A Clown Show
The denigration of CBS is best viewed as just part of a broader effort by oligarchs to create a propaganda-coddled permanent autocracy, propped up by a broad array of highly-paid, useful idiots.
karlbode.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:21 PM
I wrote about CBS, and how its debasement is best viewed as one small part of a much larger war on informed consensus by the frightened extraction class
Reposted by Karl Bode
NEW: Jeffrey Epstein cultivated relationships with CBP officers at the airports he frequented.
Epstein emailed and texted with six CBP officers, invited them to his island, visited with them at the airport, and frequently sought to determine who was going to be on duty when he was traveling
Epstein emailed and texted with six CBP officers, invited them to his island, visited with them at the airport, and frequently sought to determine who was going to be on duty when he was traveling
Revealed: Epstein cultivated relationship with CBP officer, causing US investigation
Guardian review of US justice department files reveals Epstein interacted with six CBP officers. The officer investigated denied any knowledge of trafficking underage girls
www.theguardian.com
February 19, 2026 at 11:00 PM
NEW: Jeffrey Epstein cultivated relationships with CBP officers at the airports he frequented.
Epstein emailed and texted with six CBP officers, invited them to his island, visited with them at the airport, and frequently sought to determine who was going to be on duty when he was traveling
Epstein emailed and texted with six CBP officers, invited them to his island, visited with them at the airport, and frequently sought to determine who was going to be on duty when he was traveling
thought y'all hated safe spaces
The University of Texas System’s Board of Regents unanimously approved a rule requiring its universities to ensure students can graduate without studying “unnecessary controversial subjects,” despite warnings it could leave them less prepared for the real world.
University of Texas regents OK limits on controversial subjects
Opponents warned the policy’s vagueness could push professors to self-censor and leave students less prepared for the workplace.
www.texastribune.org
February 19, 2026 at 10:38 PM
thought y'all hated safe spaces
I'm not entirely aware Cameron is that if the Netflix Warner Brothers merger is blocked, it's going to be Ellison/CBS/Paramount ownership instead, which will feature not just significantly more layoffs, but a dangerous expansion of Ellison's autocrat-friendly media ambitions
Famed director James Cameron sends scathing letter to antitrust lawmaker over Netflix-WBD deal
James Cameron, award-winning director known for "Avatar" and "Titanic," calls Netflix's proposed acquisition of WBD assets "disastrous" for theater business.
www-cnbc-com.cdn.ampproject.org
February 19, 2026 at 10:19 PM
I'm not entirely aware Cameron is that if the Netflix Warner Brothers merger is blocked, it's going to be Ellison/CBS/Paramount ownership instead, which will feature not just significantly more layoffs, but a dangerous expansion of Ellison's autocrat-friendly media ambitions
notice how even ostensibly respectable outlets like reuters give corrupt autocrats credibility on subjects (surveillance, antitrust) they never have to actually earn
Vance says he worries about companies surveilling Americans with AI
U.S. Vice President JD Vance on Tuesday said he worries about how companies use artificial intelligence.
"I worry about companies using artificial intelligence to surveil Americans. I worry about inva...
www.reuters.com
February 19, 2026 at 9:36 PM
notice how even ostensibly respectable outlets like reuters give corrupt autocrats credibility on subjects (surveillance, antitrust) they never have to actually earn
in addition to converting CBS, CNN, Twitter, WAPO, and TikTok into right wing safe spaces, Republicans are gutting decades old media consolidation rules to the specific benefit of right wing local broadcast TV empires
Federal Communications Commission chair backs Nexstar, Tegna merger
The chair of the Federal Communications Commission said Wednesday he supports Nexstar's proposed $3.54 billion acquisition of Tegna that would make the combined entity the largest U.S. regional TV sta...
www.reuters.com
February 19, 2026 at 9:23 PM
in addition to converting CBS, CNN, Twitter, WAPO, and TikTok into right wing safe spaces, Republicans are gutting decades old media consolidation rules to the specific benefit of right wing local broadcast TV empires
Reposted by Karl Bode
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei visibly declined to hold hands during a group photo at the India AI Impact Summit, even as other leaders on stage linked arms for the ceremonial shot.
February 19, 2026 at 7:53 AM
OpenAI CEO Sam Altman and Anthropic CEO Dario Amodei visibly declined to hold hands during a group photo at the India AI Impact Summit, even as other leaders on stage linked arms for the ceremonial shot.
this is genuinely 85% of U.S. media on any given day
February 19, 2026 at 9:06 PM
this is genuinely 85% of U.S. media on any given day
Reposted by Karl Bode
In the midst of the most aggressive and alarming federal assault on the First Amendment since the Palmer raids, the Biden-era free speech warriors have focused their outrage on . . . the injustice of releasing the Epstein files.
What Are Heterodox Free Speech Warriors Doing About Trump's Censorship-Industrial Complex? Nada
Trump is issuing subpoenas demanding social media platforms hand over data about ICE protesters but the 'Twitter Files' agitators couldn't care less
www.theunpopulist.net
February 19, 2026 at 8:49 PM
In the midst of the most aggressive and alarming federal assault on the First Amendment since the Palmer raids, the Biden-era free speech warriors have focused their outrage on . . . the injustice of releasing the Epstein files.
Reposted by Karl Bode
Masnick: "This is what so many of us kept pointing out throughout the 'Twitter Files' hysteria: the 'free speech' grift was never about protecting individuals from the state. It was about protecting a specific type of speaker from the social consequences of their speech."
In the midst of the most aggressive and alarming federal assault on the First Amendment since the Palmer raids, the Biden-era free speech warriors have focused their outrage on . . . the injustice of releasing the Epstein files.
What Are Heterodox Free Speech Warriors Doing About Trump's Censorship-Industrial Complex? Nada
Trump is issuing subpoenas demanding social media platforms hand over data about ICE protesters but the 'Twitter Files' agitators couldn't care less
www.theunpopulist.net
February 19, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Masnick: "This is what so many of us kept pointing out throughout the 'Twitter Files' hysteria: the 'free speech' grift was never about protecting individuals from the state. It was about protecting a specific type of speaker from the social consequences of their speech."
Reposted by Karl Bode
We should be talking a lot more about how the San Francisco tech scene is populated by a strange cult of doom acceleration nerds who fantasize about using computers to destroy humanity.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
Silicon Valley’s Favorite Doomsaying Philosopher
Nick Land believes that digital superintelligence is going to kill us all. In San Francisco, his followers ask: What if, instead of trying to stop an A.I. takeover, you work to bring it on as fast as ...
www.newyorker.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:53 PM
We should be talking a lot more about how the San Francisco tech scene is populated by a strange cult of doom acceleration nerds who fantasize about using computers to destroy humanity.
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
www.newyorker.com/culture/the-...
(waves tiny American flag) 🗽
Man Opposing Data Center Arrested for Speaking Slightly Too Long
An Oklahoma man tried to talk about a data center coming to his community. Police arrested him when he went a few seconds over his time limit.
www.404media.co
February 19, 2026 at 8:39 PM
(waves tiny American flag) 🗽
Reposted by Karl Bode
Biden would’ve been instantly impeached in a bipartisan vote if he put his face on the freakin’ Department of Justice building
February 19, 2026 at 6:28 PM
Biden would’ve been instantly impeached in a bipartisan vote if he put his face on the freakin’ Department of Justice building
you've personally learned this publicly known thing, huh?
Jonathan Alter (@jonathanalter.bsky.social) has learned that Trump will kill Netflix’s bid for Warner Bros and help Paramount win, giving the president control of Fox, CBS, CNN, and TikTok.
washingtonmonthly.com/2026/02/17/t...
washingtonmonthly.com/2026/02/17/t...
After Censoring CBS, Trump Will Go For CNN
I've learned Trump will kill Netflix’s bid for Warner and help Paramount win, giving him control of Fox, CBS, CNN, and TikTok.
washingtonmonthly.com
February 19, 2026 at 7:27 PM
you've personally learned this publicly known thing, huh?
Reposted by Karl Bode
*Opens BlueSky*
*We made “Foreskin mogging” a thing now*
*Closes Bluesky*
*Strolls into the frozen Hudson River*
*We made “Foreskin mogging” a thing now*
*Closes Bluesky*
*Strolls into the frozen Hudson River*
February 19, 2026 at 3:17 PM
*Opens BlueSky*
*We made “Foreskin mogging” a thing now*
*Closes Bluesky*
*Strolls into the frozen Hudson River*
*We made “Foreskin mogging” a thing now*
*Closes Bluesky*
*Strolls into the frozen Hudson River*
Reposted by Karl Bode
love to be looted by our criminal president
Trump: "I want to let you know that United States is going to make a contribution of $10 billion to the Board of Peace." (Congress has not appropriated this money!)
February 19, 2026 at 6:57 PM
love to be looted by our criminal president
Reposted by Karl Bode
Hmm. The US is giving $10 billion in taxpayer dollars, not appropriated by Congress, to a fake board set up by the President and which he put himself in charge of *for life*... seems very, very illegal.
Trump: "I want to let you know that United States is going to make a contribution of $10 billion to the Board of Peace." (Congress has not appropriated this money!)
February 19, 2026 at 7:11 PM
Hmm. The US is giving $10 billion in taxpayer dollars, not appropriated by Congress, to a fake board set up by the President and which he put himself in charge of *for life*... seems very, very illegal.
lookmaxing my BLORGS before the DOOZY twins can RETCON my midness on KILBURG's Forpchannel
February 19, 2026 at 7:16 PM
lookmaxing my BLORGS before the DOOZY twins can RETCON my midness on KILBURG's Forpchannel
Reposted by Karl Bode
THREAD.
A collection of photographs of excellent goats I have met during walks in the British countryside.
You will find the all-important captions to each photo in the alt text.
A collection of photographs of excellent goats I have met during walks in the British countryside.
You will find the all-important captions to each photo in the alt text.
February 19, 2026 at 5:45 PM
THREAD.
A collection of photographs of excellent goats I have met during walks in the British countryside.
You will find the all-important captions to each photo in the alt text.
A collection of photographs of excellent goats I have met during walks in the British countryside.
You will find the all-important captions to each photo in the alt text.
Reposted by Karl Bode
This is a barn burner of a piece from @karlbode.com. Glad he points out the 'liberal media' lie that the right wing has been telling for years (& too many people just accepted as fact) AND just how incompetent Bari Weiss is at her new job. Give it a read:
karlbode.com/the-new-cbs-...
karlbode.com/the-new-cbs-...
The New CBS Is A Clown Show
The denigration of CBS is best viewed as just part of a broader effort by oligarchs to create a propaganda-coddled permanent autocracy, propped up by a broad array of highly-paid, useful idiots.
karlbode.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:33 PM
This is a barn burner of a piece from @karlbode.com. Glad he points out the 'liberal media' lie that the right wing has been telling for years (& too many people just accepted as fact) AND just how incompetent Bari Weiss is at her new job. Give it a read:
karlbode.com/the-new-cbs-...
karlbode.com/the-new-cbs-...
almost as if the decision to build all of our media and information platforms on the back of corporate ad engagement was foundationally cancerous
We Have Learned Nothing About Amplifying Morons
“Looksmaxxers” are losers and freaks, but we let them steer the culture when we adopt their terminology.
www.404media.co
February 19, 2026 at 6:34 PM
almost as if the decision to build all of our media and information platforms on the back of corporate ad engagement was foundationally cancerous
I wrote about CBS, and how its debasement is best viewed as one small part of a much larger war on informed consensus by the frightened extraction class
The New CBS Is A Clown Show
The denigration of CBS is best viewed as just part of a broader effort by oligarchs to create a propaganda-coddled permanent autocracy, propped up by a broad array of highly-paid, useful idiots.
karlbode.com
February 19, 2026 at 6:21 PM
I wrote about CBS, and how its debasement is best viewed as one small part of a much larger war on informed consensus by the frightened extraction class
Reposted by Karl Bode
