Michael Hobbes
@michaelhobbes.bsky.social
Solitary, poor, nasty, brutish and short.
This one might be the rare double-You're Wrong About.
Initial reporting was that the face-chewing guy was on bath salts.
But then the toxicology report showed he only had weed in his system.
But then it turns out they can't actually test for bath salts.
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/o...
Initial reporting was that the face-chewing guy was on bath salts.
But then the toxicology report showed he only had weed in his system.
But then it turns out they can't actually test for bath salts.
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/o...
February 16, 2026 at 4:10 PM
This one might be the rare double-You're Wrong About.
Initial reporting was that the face-chewing guy was on bath salts.
But then the toxicology report showed he only had weed in his system.
But then it turns out they can't actually test for bath salts.
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/o...
Initial reporting was that the face-chewing guy was on bath salts.
But then the toxicology report showed he only had weed in his system.
But then it turns out they can't actually test for bath salts.
www.nbcmiami.com/news/local/o...
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
This is a popular bit of wishcasting, you see it in both left and centrist-y versions, and it is absolutely not true. Populism is about identity and exclusion, it is not people lashing out because they secretly yearn for whatever your preferred economic policy is.
"The Ascent of populist movements is telling us that governments have have strayed too far from being responsive to the working class"
This is probably the only area where AOC agrees with JD Vance and Josh Hawley.
This is probably the only area where AOC agrees with JD Vance and Josh Hawley.
February 15, 2026 at 7:05 PM
This is a popular bit of wishcasting, you see it in both left and centrist-y versions, and it is absolutely not true. Populism is about identity and exclusion, it is not people lashing out because they secretly yearn for whatever your preferred economic policy is.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
This is a deeply confused justification that is basically incoherent. “I care about truth, not persuasion, but if I persuaded one person to do what I think is correct then my packaging of fiction as truth was justified” is not a good argument.
Bruenig gave an interview defending the choice and says what's already clear from the text.
I have a feeling, though, that presenting these medical facts as part of a fictional scenario vastly dilutes its impact. If it's made up, would anyone change their minds?
www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/the-...
I have a feeling, though, that presenting these medical facts as part of a fictional scenario vastly dilutes its impact. If it's made up, would anyone change their minds?
www.niemanlab.org/2026/02/the-...
February 15, 2026 at 5:59 PM
This is a deeply confused justification that is basically incoherent. “I care about truth, not persuasion, but if I persuaded one person to do what I think is correct then my packaging of fiction as truth was justified” is not a good argument.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
Fiction moves people more than facts; if it gets parents to vaccinate their kids against measles then it works. THIS is fact, and it is just as devastating
fs.blog/roald-dahl-l...
fs.blog/roald-dahl-l...
February 15, 2026 at 5:30 PM
Fiction moves people more than facts; if it gets parents to vaccinate their kids against measles then it works. THIS is fact, and it is just as devastating
fs.blog/roald-dahl-l...
fs.blog/roald-dahl-l...
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
New York Magazine did this about COVID in March 2020, but it says, right in the headline (that appears on the website, not here), that it's what COULD happen nymag.com/intelligence...
February 15, 2026 at 5:08 PM
New York Magazine did this about COVID in March 2020, but it says, right in the headline (that appears on the website, not here), that it's what COULD happen nymag.com/intelligence...
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
That this is the nonsense that Thomas Chatterton-Williams comes up with is not surprising.
What's surprising is that mainstream media continues to platform it and praise him as some insightful writer.
What's surprising is that mainstream media continues to platform it and praise him as some insightful writer.
Physically incapable of analyzing politics outside of this insipid frame.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
February 15, 2026 at 5:07 PM
That this is the nonsense that Thomas Chatterton-Williams comes up with is not surprising.
What's surprising is that mainstream media continues to platform it and praise him as some insightful writer.
What's surprising is that mainstream media continues to platform it and praise him as some insightful writer.
Did other people know this is fiction? It's an incredibly bizarre choice and something I haven't seen magazines do before.
This Is How a Child Dies of Measles
When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak
www.theatlantic.com
February 15, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Did other people know this is fiction? It's an incredibly bizarre choice and something I haven't seen magazines do before.
Cass had the data and government resources to investigate whether this moral panic was true but instead of looking at it critically she just reinforced the panic.
and then cass has the absolute nerve to go on the bbc and say shit like this
February 15, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Cass had the data and government resources to investigate whether this moral panic was true but instead of looking at it critically she just reinforced the panic.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
The false equivalence is beyond irritating and this particular false equivalence is ludicrous.
It is the political right that tries to oversimplify history, ESPECIALLY slavery & anything to do w/ America's history on race.
It is the political right that tries to oversimplify history, ESPECIALLY slavery & anything to do w/ America's history on race.
Physically incapable of analyzing politics outside of this insipid frame.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
February 15, 2026 at 4:32 AM
The false equivalence is beyond irritating and this particular false equivalence is ludicrous.
It is the political right that tries to oversimplify history, ESPECIALLY slavery & anything to do w/ America's history on race.
It is the political right that tries to oversimplify history, ESPECIALLY slavery & anything to do w/ America's history on race.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
For the record I did not buy these but I did get this absolutely demented tank top for $6
February 15, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Just spent two hours updating the contact photos for everyone I've texted in the last month and I don't know if that means the adderall is working or not working.
February 15, 2026 at 3:45 PM
Just spent two hours updating the contact photos for everyone I've texted in the last month and I don't know if that means the adderall is working or not working.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
this quoted post is uninformed nonsense. policy changes towards trans people have been profound at both the state and federal level.
the EEOC won’t even process charges of trans discrimination right now for fucks sake.
the EEOC won’t even process charges of trans discrimination right now for fucks sake.
now, personally, I don’t care about making fun of streamers but I simply wouldn’t pretend to give a shit about trans people while minimizing their oppression and doing this in support of vote shaming for a transphobe like Newsom 2 years early
February 15, 2026 at 12:17 PM
this quoted post is uninformed nonsense. policy changes towards trans people have been profound at both the state and federal level.
the EEOC won’t even process charges of trans discrimination right now for fucks sake.
the EEOC won’t even process charges of trans discrimination right now for fucks sake.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
I think one of the real challenges in discussing anything to do with trans people is that the media simply cannot accept that the anti-position is entirely eliminationist. There is no way to "exist in public whilst trans" that they will accept, right down to celebrating a doctor quitting.
Susan Smith of For Women Scotland is quoted in this piece saying that Dr Upton leaving the NHS will be "a relief to female patients."
The employment tribunal found that Upton had done nothing wrong! She was completely innocent of any kind of harassment!
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1592555...
The employment tribunal found that Upton had done nothing wrong! She was completely innocent of any kind of harassment!
www.thescottishsun.co.uk/news/1592555...
Trans doc at centre of landmark Sandi Peggie court battle quits NHS
THE trans medic at the heart of a changing room war that cost taxpayers a staggering £400,000 has walked out on the NHS. NHS Fife bosses racked up the eye-watering bill in a failed bid to hush up n…
www.thescottishsun.co.uk
February 15, 2026 at 11:00 AM
I think one of the real challenges in discussing anything to do with trans people is that the media simply cannot accept that the anti-position is entirely eliminationist. There is no way to "exist in public whilst trans" that they will accept, right down to celebrating a doctor quitting.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
This really is indistinguishable from self-satire from Thomas Chatterton Williams: The left should stop criticizing slavery because its causing the right to excuse slavery.
Physically incapable of analyzing politics outside of this insipid frame.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
February 15, 2026 at 3:30 AM
This really is indistinguishable from self-satire from Thomas Chatterton Williams: The left should stop criticizing slavery because its causing the right to excuse slavery.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
The story of our current political moment will be written in retrospect as one of elites creating alternative information environments for themselves and then freaking out because of them. It’s like telling exaggerated ghost stories at a sleepover and then everyone not sleeping.
Saw this on an Instagram account and what the fuuuuuuuuuu
February 13, 2026 at 7:29 AM
The story of our current political moment will be written in retrospect as one of elites creating alternative information environments for themselves and then freaking out because of them. It’s like telling exaggerated ghost stories at a sleepover and then everyone not sleeping.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
I may say more later but part of what some of us need to understand is that the right has built an entirely distinct civic society, with its own hierarchy and (mostly networked) cultural institutions. That includes celebrity.
“The convergence of influencer culture and venture capital is part of a broader shift reshaping America’s institutions.”
Jake Paul may have gotten his jaw broken on Netflix, but he and his $65 million fortune are laughing their way into Silicon Valley boardrooms | Fortune
“We’re going to do amazing things in 2026,” said Steve Han, a partner at Paul's Anti Fund, told Fortune. “And then hopefully we'll show it over YouTube.”
fortune.com
February 14, 2026 at 5:50 PM
I may say more later but part of what some of us need to understand is that the right has built an entirely distinct civic society, with its own hierarchy and (mostly networked) cultural institutions. That includes celebrity.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
slavery is one of the rare things historically where the more you learn about it the more you realize your initial assessment was correct and it was in fact one of the most evil things ever to occur
Physically incapable of analyzing politics outside of this insipid frame.
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
February 14, 2026 at 2:28 PM
slavery is one of the rare things historically where the more you learn about it the more you realize your initial assessment was correct and it was in fact one of the most evil things ever to occur
The study does not remotely say that science “leans hard left.” Nor does the fact that academics left the Nazis-and-child-porn website for a different website mean they’re producing biased evidence.
All of the major threats to science in 2026 come from the right.
All of the major threats to science in 2026 come from the right.
February 14, 2026 at 10:38 PM
The study does not remotely say that science “leans hard left.” Nor does the fact that academics left the Nazis-and-child-porn website for a different website mean they’re producing biased evidence.
All of the major threats to science in 2026 come from the right.
All of the major threats to science in 2026 come from the right.
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
Matt Walsh says the left believes America has no right to exist because it was built on slavery and all whites share the guilt for this. He says the 1619 Project wants people to believe slavery is "the whole reason America was formed." THESE ARE BOTH OBVIOUS LIES! How is the left to blame for them?
February 14, 2026 at 7:53 PM
Matt Walsh says the left believes America has no right to exist because it was built on slavery and all whites share the guilt for this. He says the 1619 Project wants people to believe slavery is "the whole reason America was formed." THESE ARE BOTH OBVIOUS LIES! How is the left to blame for them?
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
I was out of town when crystal shrek hit the towers (Peter’s brain) and was powerless to intervene
February 14, 2026 at 1:05 AM
I was out of town when crystal shrek hit the towers (Peter’s brain) and was powerless to intervene
This book is great
A book I highly recommend on electronic slot machines—which fully convinced me they should be illegal for how they systematically mislead our brains—is Natasha Dow Schüll‘s ADDICTION BY DESIGN
Gamified online gambling seems much worse, & is becoming much more ubiquitous
It will immiserate so many
Gamified online gambling seems much worse, & is becoming much more ubiquitous
It will immiserate so many
I see no reason not to look at the online gambling and prediction market craze as a new opioids crisis.
It will wreak havoc on lower-income Americans and leave a trail of destruction and despair in its wake.
The companies are just Purdue Pharma 2.0
www.liberalcurrents.com/from-pill-mi...
It will wreak havoc on lower-income Americans and leave a trail of destruction and despair in its wake.
The companies are just Purdue Pharma 2.0
www.liberalcurrents.com/from-pill-mi...
February 14, 2026 at 7:33 PM
This book is great
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
this sequence in the U.S. women’s curling match was pure cinema
February 14, 2026 at 7:03 PM
this sequence in the U.S. women’s curling match was pure cinema
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
call me a carceral urbanist or whatever but i think that if you murder an entire family with your SUV, at the very least, you should never be allowed to drive again
She fucking killed an entire family while speeding in her Mercedes SUV and they’re not going to even take her license away??
February 14, 2026 at 2:49 PM
call me a carceral urbanist or whatever but i think that if you murder an entire family with your SUV, at the very least, you should never be allowed to drive again
Reposted by Michael Hobbes
it is too soon to say the minneapolis protests have been successful but their *successes* have definitely been downstream of the fact that its a bunch of regular people out in the street getting tear gasses and not the black bloc professional protestor guys
February 14, 2026 at 7:21 PM
it is too soon to say the minneapolis protests have been successful but their *successes* have definitely been downstream of the fact that its a bunch of regular people out in the street getting tear gasses and not the black bloc professional protestor guys