Michael Hobbes
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social
Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
Chat bots give the wrong medical advice more than half the time. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
Health Advice From A.I. Chatbots Is Frequently Wrong, Study Shows
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:27 AM
Chat bots give the wrong medical advice more than half the time. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/w...
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
It’s crazy how much of pundit culture is just “I have to engage with society in all its different forms, even in ways that I don’t like.”
Bari Weiss bravely invites us to focus on the real fascism in Minneapolis
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
February 9, 2026 at 11:24 PM
It’s crazy how much of pundit culture is just “I have to engage with society in all its different forms, even in ways that I don’t like.”
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
Something tells me this sort of piece doesn’t hit the way it used to
Bari Weiss bravely invites us to focus on the real fascism in Minneapolis
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
February 9, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Something tells me this sort of piece doesn’t hit the way it used to
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
Downward-Punching Dog
Bari Weiss bravely invites us to focus on the real fascism in Minneapolis
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
February 9, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Downward-Punching Dog
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
After "this out of touch liberal multiculturalism will fail" didn't pan out - BB's show set ratings records and is the most talked-about part of the super bowl - they are desperately pivoting to a blatant lie that "it was successful because it wasn't political"
Analysis: Weeks before he set foot on the stage, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance had already become a media event.
But if you were looking for political commentary, the closest that you got was when he said “God bless America” in English.
But if you were looking for political commentary, the closest that you got was when he said “God bless America” in English.
Analysis | Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was expected to provoke. Did it?
The Bad Bunny Super Bowl show nodded to injustices in Puerto Rico but mostly evoked wholesome family values that meshed with the more sentimental commercials.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 9, 2026 at 8:28 PM
After "this out of touch liberal multiculturalism will fail" didn't pan out - BB's show set ratings records and is the most talked-about part of the super bowl - they are desperately pivoting to a blatant lie that "it was successful because it wasn't political"
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
I have two primary vehicles. One is an automobile, the other an e-bike.
Automobiles kill approximately 100 people a day in the US. E-bikes, fewer than 10 a year.
Guess which one has a speed limiter on it?
Automobiles kill approximately 100 people a day in the US. E-bikes, fewer than 10 a year.
Guess which one has a speed limiter on it?
This technology already exists and is widely used. It doesn't involve 'government surveillance' and would not allow ICE or any other government agency to stop individual cars.
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Speed Limiters Now Mandatory in All New EU Cars
Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) isn't an ironclad speeding prevention system, but could be just annoying enough to spark a backlash.
www.autoweek.com
February 9, 2026 at 9:12 PM
I have two primary vehicles. One is an automobile, the other an e-bike.
Automobiles kill approximately 100 people a day in the US. E-bikes, fewer than 10 a year.
Guess which one has a speed limiter on it?
Automobiles kill approximately 100 people a day in the US. E-bikes, fewer than 10 a year.
Guess which one has a speed limiter on it?
Damn, I guess all those statistics must be wrong then.
February 9, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Damn, I guess all those statistics must be wrong then.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
For a great listen on why how centrism works in US media--and why it's a problem, this convo between @volts.wtf and @michaelhobbes.bsky.social is illuminating:
www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-...
www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-...
All about "reactionary centrism"
Michael Hobbes joins me to diagnose the pundit class's obsession with scolding the left while the right burns down the house.
www.volts.wtf
February 9, 2026 at 6:14 PM
For a great listen on why how centrism works in US media--and why it's a problem, this convo between @volts.wtf and @michaelhobbes.bsky.social is illuminating:
www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-...
www.volts.wtf/p/all-about-...
Bari Weiss bravely invites us to focus on the real fascism in Minneapolis
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
February 9, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Bari Weiss bravely invites us to focus on the real fascism in Minneapolis
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
www.thefp.com/p/mob-rule-c...
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
Conor Friedersdorf.
Not to be relentlessly negative, but let’s enjoy ourselves a bit.
Who is the Dumbest Guy That Has A Reputation For Being Smart?
Musk seems the clear winner, so let’s say: who else might be in the Top 10?
I’ll start the proceedings with Ezra Klein, the Abundance boy. Not impressive!
Who is the Dumbest Guy That Has A Reputation For Being Smart?
Musk seems the clear winner, so let’s say: who else might be in the Top 10?
I’ll start the proceedings with Ezra Klein, the Abundance boy. Not impressive!
February 9, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Conor Friedersdorf.
Speeding is extremely dangerous! This isn't cops lying, this is physics.
February 9, 2026 at 5:57 PM
Speeding is extremely dangerous! This isn't cops lying, this is physics.
nah if you're going 40 on a residential street you know you're speeding. you just don't care.
February 9, 2026 at 5:53 PM
nah if you're going 40 on a residential street you know you're speeding. you just don't care.
February 9, 2026 at 5:49 PM
'anarchist types'?
My problem with this tech is that it relies heavily upon optical recognition.
Now, how easy would it be to spoof that system so that anarchist types could create traffic jams where none should exist? The United States isn't really known for its dedication to public welfare.
Now, how easy would it be to spoof that system so that anarchist types could create traffic jams where none should exist? The United States isn't really known for its dedication to public welfare.
This technology already exists and is widely used. It doesn't involve 'government surveillance' and would not allow ICE or any other government agency to stop individual cars.
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
February 9, 2026 at 5:48 PM
'anarchist types'?
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
i like how british op-eds are just anti-woke madlibs now
February 9, 2026 at 5:34 PM
i like how british op-eds are just anti-woke madlibs now
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
The performance was political from the first image to the last. I don’t even know how to explain this to someone who so thoroughly didn’t understand it
Analysis: Weeks before he set foot on the stage, Bad Bunny’s halftime performance had already become a media event.
But if you were looking for political commentary, the closest that you got was when he said “God bless America” in English.
But if you were looking for political commentary, the closest that you got was when he said “God bless America” in English.
Analysis | Bad Bunny’s Super Bowl halftime show was expected to provoke. Did it?
The Bad Bunny Super Bowl show nodded to injustices in Puerto Rico but mostly evoked wholesome family values that meshed with the more sentimental commercials.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
The performance was political from the first image to the last. I don’t even know how to explain this to someone who so thoroughly didn’t understand it
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
From skimming through discussions about this, I've concluded that a lot of people don't account for the fact that (at least ideally) *everybody's* speed would be limited. It's true that it would be annoying if you were the only person whose speed was capped, but I think that's what many envision.
This technology already exists and is widely used. It doesn't involve 'government surveillance' and would not allow ICE or any other government agency to stop individual cars.
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Speed Limiters Now Mandatory in All New EU Cars
Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) isn't an ironclad speeding prevention system, but could be just annoying enough to spark a backlash.
www.autoweek.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:33 PM
From skimming through discussions about this, I've concluded that a lot of people don't account for the fact that (at least ideally) *everybody's* speed would be limited. It's true that it would be annoying if you were the only person whose speed was capped, but I think that's what many envision.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
It's already in our cars if you turn on cruise control. I've rented cars for long trips and lately when the speed limit lowers they all slow down
February 9, 2026 at 5:40 PM
It's already in our cars if you turn on cruise control. I've rented cars for long trips and lately when the speed limit lowers they all slow down
if they're slow then you don't have to exceed the speed limit to pass them!
February 9, 2026 at 5:31 PM
if they're slow then you don't have to exceed the speed limit to pass them!
if only there was another post right under the one you're responding to!
February 9, 2026 at 5:29 PM
if only there was another post right under the one you're responding to!
no one is talking about slamming on the brakes!
February 9, 2026 at 5:28 PM
no one is talking about slamming on the brakes!
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
My E-bike has a Government Mandated Speed Limiter (for assistive power) installed and the government can't track my bike or shut it off. The tech is there, it isn't new.
This technology already exists and is widely used. It doesn't involve 'government surveillance' and would not allow ICE or any other government agency to stop individual cars.
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Just say you think thousands of kids dying every year is worth it so you can speed!
www.autoweek.com/news/a615322...
Speed Limiters Now Mandatory in All New EU Cars
Intelligent Speed Assist (ISA) isn't an ironclad speeding prevention system, but could be just annoying enough to spark a backlash.
www.autoweek.com
February 9, 2026 at 5:25 PM
My E-bike has a Government Mandated Speed Limiter (for assistive power) installed and the government can't track my bike or shut it off. The tech is there, it isn't new.
no reason you can't do both!
February 9, 2026 at 5:27 PM
no reason you can't do both!
if it's limiting you to 25, it's limiting everyone else too. And it wouldn't slam on the brakes, it would just cease acceleration. This seems like the kind of minor technical hiccup that would be ironed out extremely quickly in a world where this policy gets implemented
February 9, 2026 at 5:26 PM
if it's limiting you to 25, it's limiting everyone else too. And it wouldn't slam on the brakes, it would just cease acceleration. This seems like the kind of minor technical hiccup that would be ironed out extremely quickly in a world where this policy gets implemented