M Berk
@mberk.bsky.social
Ethics. Political theory. Product management. Cat pics. Privacy. Consultant. I teach stuff. Flawed mortal, fumbling toward enlightenment. My life is measured in 2FA tokens.
Pinned
M Berk
@mberk.bsky.social
· Mar 8
“Life is a hard battle anyway. If we laugh and sing a little as we fight the good fight of freedom, it makes it all go easier. I will not allow my life's light to be determined by the darkness around me.”
—Sojourner Truth
—Sojourner Truth
Reposted by M Berk
a lot of people are being radicalized by ICE this week so please remember that the most important thing when someone comes to any kind of radical politics is to immediately scold them for doing activism wrong as someone who has been doing it much longer
January 12, 2026 at 1:12 AM
a lot of people are being radicalized by ICE this week so please remember that the most important thing when someone comes to any kind of radical politics is to immediately scold them for doing activism wrong as someone who has been doing it much longer
Reposted by M Berk
Veridic [vuh-RID-ik]
(adj.)
Real, actual, truthful & genuine.
Used in a sentence:
“She tended to favor a veridic plainness of speech, believing that ostentatious ornamentation obfuscated honesty rather than enhancing it.”
(More commonly known/used as "veridical")
(adj.)
Real, actual, truthful & genuine.
Used in a sentence:
“She tended to favor a veridic plainness of speech, believing that ostentatious ornamentation obfuscated honesty rather than enhancing it.”
(More commonly known/used as "veridical")
January 12, 2026 at 2:11 AM
Veridic [vuh-RID-ik]
(adj.)
Real, actual, truthful & genuine.
Used in a sentence:
“She tended to favor a veridic plainness of speech, believing that ostentatious ornamentation obfuscated honesty rather than enhancing it.”
(More commonly known/used as "veridical")
(adj.)
Real, actual, truthful & genuine.
Used in a sentence:
“She tended to favor a veridic plainness of speech, believing that ostentatious ornamentation obfuscated honesty rather than enhancing it.”
(More commonly known/used as "veridical")
Reposted by M Berk
If you can serve as a poll worker, now is the time. The US has numerous, redundant checks to prevent vote-count fraud, but competent, honest poll workers are critical. If you want to make sure your small part of the election is run by the book, learn how to sign up here: www.eac.gov/help-america...
Trump Regrets Not Seizing Voting Machines After 2020 Election
www.nytimes.com
January 12, 2026 at 2:07 AM
If you can serve as a poll worker, now is the time. The US has numerous, redundant checks to prevent vote-count fraud, but competent, honest poll workers are critical. If you want to make sure your small part of the election is run by the book, learn how to sign up here: www.eac.gov/help-america...
Is it the malady of this age that no one knows how to say “I’m sorry”?
January 12, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Is it the malady of this age that no one knows how to say “I’m sorry”?
Is there a way to set the global privacy control (GPC) signal at the network level, such as through a WiFi router?
My understanding is that it’s browser or medium specific, but I don’t know the tech backend here.
My understanding is that it’s browser or medium specific, but I don’t know the tech backend here.
January 11, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Is there a way to set the global privacy control (GPC) signal at the network level, such as through a WiFi router?
My understanding is that it’s browser or medium specific, but I don’t know the tech backend here.
My understanding is that it’s browser or medium specific, but I don’t know the tech backend here.
Reposted by M Berk
we’re in the vet’s office waiting room and they just called for Agamemnon. we all looked at the Great Dane but it turns out Agamemnon is an orange kitten in a backpack that makes him look like an astronaut cheese puff
January 11, 2026 at 5:27 PM
we’re in the vet’s office waiting room and they just called for Agamemnon. we all looked at the Great Dane but it turns out Agamemnon is an orange kitten in a backpack that makes him look like an astronaut cheese puff
Hey @washingtonpost.com, how on earth is this an appropriate privacy notice?
1. It’s unreadable
2. There’s no legally required California opt out of the sale of personal information
1. It’s unreadable
2. There’s no legally required California opt out of the sale of personal information
January 10, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Hey @washingtonpost.com, how on earth is this an appropriate privacy notice?
1. It’s unreadable
2. There’s no legally required California opt out of the sale of personal information
1. It’s unreadable
2. There’s no legally required California opt out of the sale of personal information
Waking up missing some of the middle-internet services that just made life easier and more pleasurable.
Marveling at how the dominant ethos in tech has gone from “get you to the info you need as quickly as possible” to “keep you on our site as long as possible so that we can profit from your time.”
Marveling at how the dominant ethos in tech has gone from “get you to the info you need as quickly as possible” to “keep you on our site as long as possible so that we can profit from your time.”
January 10, 2026 at 6:58 PM
Waking up missing some of the middle-internet services that just made life easier and more pleasurable.
Marveling at how the dominant ethos in tech has gone from “get you to the info you need as quickly as possible” to “keep you on our site as long as possible so that we can profit from your time.”
Marveling at how the dominant ethos in tech has gone from “get you to the info you need as quickly as possible” to “keep you on our site as long as possible so that we can profit from your time.”
Reposted by M Berk
Academics don't like Trump. He will light the world on fire to punish those who don't like him.
"Microsoft’s chief scientist has warned that cuts to US federal funding for academic research will drive talent and ideas abroad, giving international rivals a lead in the artificial intelligence race."
"Microsoft’s chief scientist has warned that cuts to US federal funding for academic research will drive talent and ideas abroad, giving international rivals a lead in the artificial intelligence race."
Trump cuts to academia risk ceding AI lead, warns Microsoft scientist
Veteran executive Eric Horvitz argues talent and ideas will move abroad without US support for universities
www.ft.com
January 8, 2026 at 10:13 PM
Academics don't like Trump. He will light the world on fire to punish those who don't like him.
"Microsoft’s chief scientist has warned that cuts to US federal funding for academic research will drive talent and ideas abroad, giving international rivals a lead in the artificial intelligence race."
"Microsoft’s chief scientist has warned that cuts to US federal funding for academic research will drive talent and ideas abroad, giving international rivals a lead in the artificial intelligence race."
Imagine holding the view that we need a renewal of Western Civ, and then censoring the texts that are literally at its most bedrock foundation.
Also, these 2 works are among the most beautiful in all of philosophy. The only thing that could make it worse is censoring Aristotle on friendship.
Also, these 2 works are among the most beautiful in all of philosophy. The only thing that could make it worse is censoring Aristotle on friendship.
Martin Peterson's creative response to being banned from teaching Plato (shared with his permission).
January 8, 2026 at 9:43 PM
Imagine holding the view that we need a renewal of Western Civ, and then censoring the texts that are literally at its most bedrock foundation.
Also, these 2 works are among the most beautiful in all of philosophy. The only thing that could make it worse is censoring Aristotle on friendship.
Also, these 2 works are among the most beautiful in all of philosophy. The only thing that could make it worse is censoring Aristotle on friendship.
Reposted by M Berk
"In normal liberal democracy terms, the US is in bad shape. But in consolidated authoritarianism terms, we’re doing pretty well."
I wrote about the weirdness of walking around the monuments in DC, three ways the Trump regime stumbled this year, and why I'm cautiously optimistic heading into 2026.
I wrote about the weirdness of walking around the monuments in DC, three ways the Trump regime stumbled this year, and why I'm cautiously optimistic heading into 2026.
Washington DC is Messed Up, But the Regime is Failing
America is no longer a constitutional democracy yet is far from consolidated authoritarianism. It's important to recognize both of those at once.
www.arcdigital.media
January 5, 2026 at 6:38 PM
"In normal liberal democracy terms, the US is in bad shape. But in consolidated authoritarianism terms, we’re doing pretty well."
I wrote about the weirdness of walking around the monuments in DC, three ways the Trump regime stumbled this year, and why I'm cautiously optimistic heading into 2026.
I wrote about the weirdness of walking around the monuments in DC, three ways the Trump regime stumbled this year, and why I'm cautiously optimistic heading into 2026.
Reposted by M Berk
Did you know that for workers nearing retirement, the median balance in their household retirement accounts is just 20K? Find out more as the UC Berkeley Labor Center's Nari Rhee testifies before a congressional subcommittee 1/7/26 @ 7:15 PT/10:15 ET. www.youtube.com/live/t2ukEhd...
Modernizing Retirement Policy for Today’s Workforce
YouTube video by House Committee on Education & Workforce
www.youtube.com
January 7, 2026 at 1:50 AM
Did you know that for workers nearing retirement, the median balance in their household retirement accounts is just 20K? Find out more as the UC Berkeley Labor Center's Nari Rhee testifies before a congressional subcommittee 1/7/26 @ 7:15 PT/10:15 ET. www.youtube.com/live/t2ukEhd...
So basically a conservatorship
I am pleased to announce that I have commandeered my neighbor's home. This home will be sold at its Market Price, and that money will be controlled by me, to ensure it is used to benefit my neighbor and me! Thank you for your attention to this matter!
January 7, 2026 at 2:47 AM
So basically a conservatorship
Reposted by M Berk
What do these companies have in common?
-Cigna
-Comcast
-General Mills
-Allstate
-Marriott
-Hilton
-Walmart
-Amazon
-Microsoft
-Meta
All promised after January 6, 2021 to stop funding lawmakers who tried to overturn the 2020 election.
And all have broken that promise.
-Cigna
-Comcast
-General Mills
-Allstate
-Marriott
-Hilton
-Walmart
-Amazon
-Microsoft
-Meta
All promised after January 6, 2021 to stop funding lawmakers who tried to overturn the 2020 election.
And all have broken that promise.
January 6, 2026 at 5:15 PM
What do these companies have in common?
-Cigna
-Comcast
-General Mills
-Allstate
-Marriott
-Hilton
-Walmart
-Amazon
-Microsoft
-Meta
All promised after January 6, 2021 to stop funding lawmakers who tried to overturn the 2020 election.
And all have broken that promise.
-Cigna
-Comcast
-General Mills
-Allstate
-Marriott
-Hilton
-Walmart
-Amazon
-Microsoft
-Meta
All promised after January 6, 2021 to stop funding lawmakers who tried to overturn the 2020 election.
And all have broken that promise.
Reposted by M Berk
The official Bulgaria account on Instagram is doing some pretty cool stuff
January 6, 2026 at 12:48 AM
The official Bulgaria account on Instagram is doing some pretty cool stuff
Reposted by M Berk
Creepy things at my in-laws' that give my kids nightmares 🧵
1 - a porcelain cat next to an old fruit press
1 - a porcelain cat next to an old fruit press
January 5, 2026 at 10:47 PM
Creepy things at my in-laws' that give my kids nightmares 🧵
1 - a porcelain cat next to an old fruit press
1 - a porcelain cat next to an old fruit press
I thought I had left Indiana when I moved to California, but I was wrong.
Tornados!
Tornados!
BREAKING: National Weather Service issues tornado warning in Santa Cruz and San Mateo counties. nbcbay.com/xkJ0sFn
January 6, 2026 at 12:19 AM
I thought I had left Indiana when I moved to California, but I was wrong.
Tornados!
Tornados!
“It is the official position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the United States.”
Also this gem, as the US threatens to withdraw from NATO (paraphrased): “we should control Greenland as part of America’s obligations to secure and defend NATO and its interests.” Pure bullshit.
Also this gem, as the US threatens to withdraw from NATO (paraphrased): “we should control Greenland as part of America’s obligations to secure and defend NATO and its interests.” Pure bullshit.
TAPPER: Can you rule out the US is going to take Greenland by force?
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
MILLER: Greenland should be part of the US. By what right does Denmark assert control over Greenland? The US is the power of NATO
T: So force is on the table?
M: Nobody is gonna fight the US militarily over future of Greenland
January 6, 2026 at 12:17 AM
“It is the official position of the US government that Greenland should be part of the United States.”
Also this gem, as the US threatens to withdraw from NATO (paraphrased): “we should control Greenland as part of America’s obligations to secure and defend NATO and its interests.” Pure bullshit.
Also this gem, as the US threatens to withdraw from NATO (paraphrased): “we should control Greenland as part of America’s obligations to secure and defend NATO and its interests.” Pure bullshit.
Reposted by M Berk
The more you know. We are all chimeras at a very small level. You likely have cells in your body from your mother and your siblings that were born before you. How this chimerism influences your immune system is beginning to be unraveled. #Science #ScienceSunday
Some of your cells are not genetically yours — what can they tell us about life and death?
A tiny population of cells that are passed across the placenta between mother and baby challenge basic tenets of human immunology.
www.nature.com
January 4, 2026 at 12:38 PM
The more you know. We are all chimeras at a very small level. You likely have cells in your body from your mother and your siblings that were born before you. How this chimerism influences your immune system is beginning to be unraveled. #Science #ScienceSunday
Bad product design is when you’re watching TV, want to know if a show is available on your streaming service, and deciding that it will take one tenth the time to get an answer if you completely switch devices and ask the mobile app.
January 5, 2026 at 12:01 AM
Bad product design is when you’re watching TV, want to know if a show is available on your streaming service, and deciding that it will take one tenth the time to get an answer if you completely switch devices and ask the mobile app.
My new distraction is reading reviews of EMF blocking hats on Amazon.
www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...
www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...
January 4, 2026 at 6:36 AM
My new distraction is reading reviews of EMF blocking hats on Amazon.
www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...
www.amazon.com/gp/customer-...
Remember when you could at least go through a 32-step process to opt out of biometric data collection? Not anymore. Regulators aren’t helping:
“Legislation…was introduced…in 2023…But the bill has languished, and other supermarket chains like Fairway already use biometric collection systems.”
“Legislation…was introduced…in 2023…But the bill has languished, and other supermarket chains like Fairway already use biometric collection systems.”
Wegmans in New York City has begun collecting biometric data on shoppers' eyes, voices and faces from anyone who enters its supermarkets
NYC Wegmans is storing biometric data on shoppers' eyes, voices and faces
The supermarket chain says it’s a move to ensure shopper safety. Surveillance experts warn of privacy risks.
gothamist.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:30 AM
Remember when you could at least go through a 32-step process to opt out of biometric data collection? Not anymore. Regulators aren’t helping:
“Legislation…was introduced…in 2023…But the bill has languished, and other supermarket chains like Fairway already use biometric collection systems.”
“Legislation…was introduced…in 2023…But the bill has languished, and other supermarket chains like Fairway already use biometric collection systems.”
Reposted by M Berk
Wegmans in New York City has begun collecting biometric data on shoppers' eyes, voices and faces from anyone who enters its supermarkets
NYC Wegmans is storing biometric data on shoppers' eyes, voices and faces
The supermarket chain says it’s a move to ensure shopper safety. Surveillance experts warn of privacy risks.
gothamist.com
January 3, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Wegmans in New York City has begun collecting biometric data on shoppers' eyes, voices and faces from anyone who enters its supermarkets
Where on the internet can a person spend time without being inundated with the painful ways our country is … doing all the things?
I need a respite from the constant distress.
I need a respite from the constant distress.
January 3, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Where on the internet can a person spend time without being inundated with the painful ways our country is … doing all the things?
I need a respite from the constant distress.
I need a respite from the constant distress.
Reposted by M Berk
Mamdani is channeling FDR’s rhetoric and worldview. There are problems to solve and we are going to try to solve them using all the powers of government for the benefit of all.
Reagan, 1981: “In the present crisis, government is not the solution to our problem; government is the problem.”
Clinton, 1996: “I say again, the era of big government is over. But we cannot go back to the era of fending for yourself.”
Mamdani, 2026:
Clinton, 1996: “I say again, the era of big government is over. But we cannot go back to the era of fending for yourself.”
Mamdani, 2026:
January 2, 2026 at 1:24 AM
Mamdani is channeling FDR’s rhetoric and worldview. There are problems to solve and we are going to try to solve them using all the powers of government for the benefit of all.