Ken Burnside
@kenburnside.bsky.social
Game designer @adastragames.com, writer, monkey servant of Theoden Cat, discusser of certain varieties of politics.
Pinned
Ken Burnside
@kenburnside.bsky.social
· Sep 19
@diane.dianeduane.com @robtomshany.bsky.social @owlinautumn.bsky.social @cobrabay.bsky.social @technomuse.bsky.social @spicedrum.bsky.social @doctorscience.bsky.social
Tagging you in for Recounting of the Arizona Minutemen Militia Girl Scout Cookie Burglary.
You may now prepare popcorn.
Tagging you in for Recounting of the Arizona Minutemen Militia Girl Scout Cookie Burglary.
You may now prepare popcorn.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
The thing that jumps out to me here is that the article says the doctor’s *colleague* went looking for the fake studies.
It suggests the doctor who used ChatGPT didn’t check for himself and uncritically assumed they were real.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/hosp...
It suggests the doctor who used ChatGPT didn’t check for himself and uncritically assumed they were real.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/hosp...
January 7, 2026 at 3:51 PM
The thing that jumps out to me here is that the article says the doctor’s *colleague* went looking for the fake studies.
It suggests the doctor who used ChatGPT didn’t check for himself and uncritically assumed they were real.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/hosp...
It suggests the doctor who used ChatGPT didn’t check for himself and uncritically assumed they were real.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/hosp...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
NEW: New York regulators got FBI evidence of a massive cheating scandal in horse racing.
They ignored it.
nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/h...
They ignored it.
nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/h...
FBI Wiretaps, Illegal Drugs, and Dead Horses
The feds gave New York key evidence on horse racing’s largest doping ring. State regulators have done nothing with it for years.
nysfocus.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:16 PM
NEW: New York regulators got FBI evidence of a massive cheating scandal in horse racing.
They ignored it.
nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/h...
They ignored it.
nysfocus.com/2026/01/07/h...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
if you tried to do this in the us, you'd have a billion dollar conservative moms group lobbying against it 12 hours later and credulous news articles taking their claims seriously in 24 bsky.app/profile/davi...
Every country needs to be following Finland's lead here. Media literary skills are going to be crucially important in the age of AI, where knowing what's real and what's not is going to be increasingly difficult
apnews.com/article/fake...
apnews.com/article/fake...
Finnish children learn media literacy at 3 years old. It's protection against Russian propaganda
Finland has been fighting fake news by teaching media literacy to children as young as 3. The Nordic nation includes this in its national curriculum to help citizens recognize disinformation, especial...
apnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:15 PM
if you tried to do this in the us, you'd have a billion dollar conservative moms group lobbying against it 12 hours later and credulous news articles taking their claims seriously in 24 bsky.app/profile/davi...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Incredible how little attention this is getting outside Germany. "In its third full day, a ... power failure in Berlin resulting from an arson attack...tens of thousands...making do without heat, electricity, cellphone service & warm food or drinks." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
Thousands in Berlin Go Days Without Power and Cell Service After Cables Are Set on Fire
www.nytimes.com
January 6, 2026 at 4:39 PM
Incredible how little attention this is getting outside Germany. "In its third full day, a ... power failure in Berlin resulting from an arson attack...tens of thousands...making do without heat, electricity, cellphone service & warm food or drinks." www.nytimes.com/2026/01/05/w...
You're going to miss the idea that there are constraints on what nation-states can do to and demand of each other even more.
"You're going to miss the liberal international order when it's gone" yes I am going to spike this football right into your stupid faces because you are not gong to like the rerun of 1800s global economics
Don’t be fooled — everything has changed for the global economy: strong FT oped from Gita Gopinath. The lesson from Brexit is simple: "Structural damage reveals itself slowly, and always too late to be reversed." www.ft.com/content/9c82...
January 7, 2026 at 1:37 PM
You're going to miss the idea that there are constraints on what nation-states can do to and demand of each other even more.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
"Show me a US regime change that's gone well. Libya? Iraq? Afghanistan? ...they want to do regime change in Iran...the regime in Iran exists because the US did regime change in Iran, in 1953, they toppled the elected prime minister." - me
Full discussion: zeteo.com/p/the-venezu...
Full discussion: zeteo.com/p/the-venezu...
January 6, 2026 at 2:21 AM
"Show me a US regime change that's gone well. Libya? Iraq? Afghanistan? ...they want to do regime change in Iran...the regime in Iran exists because the US did regime change in Iran, in 1953, they toppled the elected prime minister." - me
Full discussion: zeteo.com/p/the-venezu...
Full discussion: zeteo.com/p/the-venezu...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
I spent an excessive number of years moderating a gaming forum and I learned a great deal about community spaces and cultivation, whether I wanted to or not. I have critical advice for anyone who runs a game store or gaming convention. Please share this thread with people who run those things.
January 6, 2026 at 8:09 PM
I spent an excessive number of years moderating a gaming forum and I learned a great deal about community spaces and cultivation, whether I wanted to or not. I have critical advice for anyone who runs a game store or gaming convention. Please share this thread with people who run those things.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
...Meanwhile I have to book an MRI for next week, and I'm going to have to pay for this one... so I've kicked prices at the #Ebooks Direct store down to their pre-holiday levels, particularly for the Whole Store ebook package. (ebooks.direct/products/ebo...) Everybody feel free to take advantage! 😀
January 5, 2026 at 1:55 PM
...Meanwhile I have to book an MRI for next week, and I'm going to have to pay for this one... so I've kicked prices at the #Ebooks Direct store down to their pre-holiday levels, particularly for the Whole Store ebook package. (ebooks.direct/products/ebo...) Everybody feel free to take advantage! 😀
Reposted by Ken Burnside
🚨BREAKING: More than two weeks past its statutory deadline, the DOJ has released less than 1% of its Epstein documents and it will continue to be in violation of the law for the foreseeable future. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Less than 1% of Epstein files have been released, DOJ admits
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
January 6, 2026 at 5:43 PM
🚨BREAKING: More than two weeks past its statutory deadline, the DOJ has released less than 1% of its Epstein documents and it will continue to be in violation of the law for the foreseeable future. www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Reposted by Ken Burnside
There are three judges in Netanyahu's corruption trial. All three are on the Jerusalem District court. None of them have been assassinated.
Don't fall for misinformation, please.
Don't fall for misinformation, please.
January 7, 2026 at 11:19 AM
There are three judges in Netanyahu's corruption trial. All three are on the Jerusalem District court. None of them have been assassinated.
Don't fall for misinformation, please.
Don't fall for misinformation, please.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected.
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
U.S. vaccination rates are plunging. Look up where your school stands.
Take a look to see what the kindergarten measles vaccination rates are in your area.
wapo.st
December 31, 2025 at 2:29 PM
EXCLUSIVE: @laurenweberhp.bsky.social & I have spent the last year collecting school+county-level vaccination data from across the US and found that only about 28% of counties now have herd immunity for kindergartners from measles—that leaves about 5.2mn kids unprotected.
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Gift link: wapo.st/49zDc43
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Some screenshots I took five years ago of the courageous coverage by PBS News reporters of the #Jan6 riots. Lisa Desjardins was broadcasting live from inside the Capitol Building. It was all so surreal.
January 7, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Some screenshots I took five years ago of the courageous coverage by PBS News reporters of the #Jan6 riots. Lisa Desjardins was broadcasting live from inside the Capitol Building. It was all so surreal.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
The chaos & disfunction in AB healthcare is by design
"That's the standard technique of privatization: defund, make sure things don't work, people get angry, you hand it over to private capital."
Noam Chomsky
I think Smith has a donor who can make money off our collapsing healthcare
#ableg #abpoli
"That's the standard technique of privatization: defund, make sure things don't work, people get angry, you hand it over to private capital."
Noam Chomsky
I think Smith has a donor who can make money off our collapsing healthcare
#ableg #abpoli
The Alberta Healthcare Disaster, with Dr. Paul Parks
Parks' unfiltered description of AB's health system catastrophe is unsettling.
Who's responsible? @abdaniellesmith.
Share this interview. Every Albertan should watch it.
#ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg
youtu.be/nZIUpRIY-c4
Parks' unfiltered description of AB's health system catastrophe is unsettling.
Who's responsible? @abdaniellesmith.
Share this interview. Every Albertan should watch it.
#ableg #abpoli #yyc #yeg
youtu.be/nZIUpRIY-c4
The Alberta Healthcare Disaster, with Dr. Paul Parks
YouTube video by Energi Media
youtu.be
January 7, 2026 at 4:11 AM
Reposted by Ken Burnside
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
Age‑verification mandates demand invasive data, strip anonymity, censor lawful content, and threaten privacy—especially for vulnerable youth—while pretending to protect them. They hurt the very people they try to protect.
#Privacy #AgeVerification #EFF
Age‑verification mandates demand invasive data, strip anonymity, censor lawful content, and threaten privacy—especially for vulnerable youth—while pretending to protect them. They hurt the very people they try to protect.
#Privacy #AgeVerification #EFF
EFFecting Change: The Human Cost of Online Age Verification
Age verification mandates are spreading fast, and they’re ushering in a new age of online surveillance, censorship, and exclusion for everyone—not just young people. Join EFF for a conversation about ...
www.eff.org
January 7, 2026 at 4:38 AM
www.eff.org/deeplinks/20...
Age‑verification mandates demand invasive data, strip anonymity, censor lawful content, and threaten privacy—especially for vulnerable youth—while pretending to protect them. They hurt the very people they try to protect.
#Privacy #AgeVerification #EFF
Age‑verification mandates demand invasive data, strip anonymity, censor lawful content, and threaten privacy—especially for vulnerable youth—while pretending to protect them. They hurt the very people they try to protect.
#Privacy #AgeVerification #EFF
Reposted by Ken Burnside
The purpose of pushing impeachment articles through the House, via a fucking discharge petition if necessary, is to make Trump have to spend resources defending himself in the Senate.
And if new impeachment articles come through every two weeks, you force the motherfucker on defense.
And if new impeachment articles come through every two weeks, you force the motherfucker on defense.
IMO the argument is that you can make things into big enough deals that it matters. Khanna found Massey and found survivors and made the Epstein Files the gigantic story it should be. Only then did establishment Dems come along. You can, in fact, make things into big hairy deals if you do it right.
if you want the Senate to do something, Senate Republicans must do something.
People are dunking on this but I'm not really sure what plays Schumer has other than to try to peel off Rs.
People are dunking on this but I'm not really sure what plays Schumer has other than to try to peel off Rs.
January 6, 2026 at 2:06 AM
The purpose of pushing impeachment articles through the House, via a fucking discharge petition if necessary, is to make Trump have to spend resources defending himself in the Senate.
And if new impeachment articles come through every two weeks, you force the motherfucker on defense.
And if new impeachment articles come through every two weeks, you force the motherfucker on defense.
Somalians committing fraud are barely committing enough fraud to sit on a city council seat. They have to up their game if they want to be Senators from Republican states like Rick Scott.
The right wants to talk about fraud? Somali fraud? Okay, give me 60 seconds.
January 7, 2026 at 4:36 AM
Somalians committing fraud are barely committing enough fraud to sit on a city council seat. They have to up their game if they want to be Senators from Republican states like Rick Scott.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Professor Fired for Charlie Kirk Post Gets $500,000 From School, Is Reinstated
Professor Fired for Charlie Kirk Post Gets $500,000 From School, Is Reinstated
Professor Darren Michael has reportedly been reinstated and given $50,000 after being fired over posts about assassinated conservative activist Charlie Kirk.
The post Professor Fired for Charlie Kirk Post Gets $500,000 From School, Is Reinstated first appeared on Mediaite.
dlvr.it
January 7, 2026 at 3:09 AM
Professor Fired for Charlie Kirk Post Gets $500,000 From School, Is Reinstated
Reposted by Ken Burnside
btw for those who don't know why Americans with chronic illness got like 75% more stressed on Jan 1st, it is not just because all the insurance rates blew up.
On 1/1, deductibles reset. which means you have to spend some amount of money (up to $10k sometimes) before your insurance COVERS ANYTHING
On 1/1, deductibles reset. which means you have to spend some amount of money (up to $10k sometimes) before your insurance COVERS ANYTHING
January 7, 2026 at 2:28 AM
btw for those who don't know why Americans with chronic illness got like 75% more stressed on Jan 1st, it is not just because all the insurance rates blew up.
On 1/1, deductibles reset. which means you have to spend some amount of money (up to $10k sometimes) before your insurance COVERS ANYTHING
On 1/1, deductibles reset. which means you have to spend some amount of money (up to $10k sometimes) before your insurance COVERS ANYTHING
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Seahawks Fan PSA:
If you are going to sell your tickets, do it this week. No opposing fans are buying right now because they don't know they'll be playing here. We do.
Every sale this week will be to a Seahawks fan. hbtix.com is here to help. SPREAD THE WORD!
If you are going to sell your tickets, do it this week. No opposing fans are buying right now because they don't know they'll be playing here. We do.
Every sale this week will be to a Seahawks fan. hbtix.com is here to help. SPREAD THE WORD!
January 7, 2026 at 3:43 AM
Reposted by Ken Burnside
A little personal update I'm pleased to share.
For this Spring term, I'll be lecturing at the University of Virginia School of Law, co-teaching a seminar course titled Transgender History, Recognition, Regulation and Rights.
I'm honored to have the opportunity to present this important topic.
For this Spring term, I'll be lecturing at the University of Virginia School of Law, co-teaching a seminar course titled Transgender History, Recognition, Regulation and Rights.
I'm honored to have the opportunity to present this important topic.
Transgender History, Recognition, Regulation and Rights
This seminar will investigate the legal, institutional, and cultural practices that condition the lives of transgender people. We will devote substantial attention to the contemporary push by some law...
www.law.virginia.edu
January 6, 2026 at 9:10 PM
A little personal update I'm pleased to share.
For this Spring term, I'll be lecturing at the University of Virginia School of Law, co-teaching a seminar course titled Transgender History, Recognition, Regulation and Rights.
I'm honored to have the opportunity to present this important topic.
For this Spring term, I'll be lecturing at the University of Virginia School of Law, co-teaching a seminar course titled Transgender History, Recognition, Regulation and Rights.
I'm honored to have the opportunity to present this important topic.
Interrogate Fash, Get Cash.
January 7, 2026 at 4:05 AM
Interrogate Fash, Get Cash.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
My question now is: Doesn’t it compromise one’s stated liberatory values if they’re knowingly doing free labor training algorithms for a Nazi running a sexual abuse child exploitation site? These products we’re using are using us and we’re selling our souls in the process.
What’s the line that Twitter can’t cross? Being an actual Nazi forum running genocidal land grab ads is tolerable enough for many. Is it being an open child abuse market bad enough? These are important questions.
January 7, 2026 at 12:44 AM
My question now is: Doesn’t it compromise one’s stated liberatory values if they’re knowingly doing free labor training algorithms for a Nazi running a sexual abuse child exploitation site? These products we’re using are using us and we’re selling our souls in the process.
Reposted by Ken Burnside
Some scam PACs are bilking people with No Kings branding. I strongly advise you prioritize organizing with your community over donating online to anyone (us included). But if you want to donate, you can go to Indivisible.org or pick your favorite real No Kings partner at NoKings.org/partners
@indivisible.org FYI found a scam PAC that's probably stealing a copyright from you www.no-kings.io
No Kings PAC
www.no-kings.io
January 6, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Some scam PACs are bilking people with No Kings branding. I strongly advise you prioritize organizing with your community over donating online to anyone (us included). But if you want to donate, you can go to Indivisible.org or pick your favorite real No Kings partner at NoKings.org/partners
Reposted by Ken Burnside
People who fancy quoting the Melian Dialogue ("the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must") ignore the fact that Thucydides was clearly portraying this as the kind of hubris that squandered Athens' primacy and paved the way for a devastating peer war that it ultimately lost.
January 7, 2026 at 3:36 AM
People who fancy quoting the Melian Dialogue ("the strong do what they can and the weak suffer what they must") ignore the fact that Thucydides was clearly portraying this as the kind of hubris that squandered Athens' primacy and paved the way for a devastating peer war that it ultimately lost.
And there's still two more weeks until the 20th!
January 7, 2026 at 4:01 AM
And there's still two more weeks until the 20th!