Modern Day Bartleby
@moderndaybartleby.bsky.social
Former Clevelander, STL, SF now Tokyoite
He/Him/They/Them
#NowWithALT Creator
https://moderndaybartleby.wordpress.com/2024/08/16/nowwithalt/
Buy Me a Coffee - coff.ee/ModernDayBartleby
He/Him/They/Them
#NowWithALT Creator
https://moderndaybartleby.wordpress.com/2024/08/16/nowwithalt/
Buy Me a Coffee - coff.ee/ModernDayBartleby
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
My main takeaway from the Jack Smith testimony: we should push our presidential candidate to make him Attorney General in 2029.
January 1, 2026 at 8:54 PM
My main takeaway from the Jack Smith testimony: we should push our presidential candidate to make him Attorney General in 2029.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
this is such an important thing to recognize and call out
the fascism is mostly done being nice at this point, but it got here through well dressed men politely asking questions while the rest of us were scolded for pointing out where those questions led
the fascism is mostly done being nice at this point, but it got here through well dressed men politely asking questions while the rest of us were scolded for pointing out where those questions led
Mamdani: For too long, those fluent in the good grammar of civility have deployed decorum to mask agendas of cruelty
January 1, 2026 at 8:35 PM
this is such an important thing to recognize and call out
the fascism is mostly done being nice at this point, but it got here through well dressed men politely asking questions while the rest of us were scolded for pointing out where those questions led
the fascism is mostly done being nice at this point, but it got here through well dressed men politely asking questions while the rest of us were scolded for pointing out where those questions led
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
The nyt has repeatedly celebrated the emergence of FIRE, which is funded by hard right-wing donors including Charles Koch.
FIRE explicitly supports conversion therapy, a notoriously cruel and manipulative anti-gay malpractice, on supposed free speech grounds.
FIRE explicitly supports conversion therapy, a notoriously cruel and manipulative anti-gay malpractice, on supposed free speech grounds.
January 2, 2026 at 9:54 AM
The nyt has repeatedly celebrated the emergence of FIRE, which is funded by hard right-wing donors including Charles Koch.
FIRE explicitly supports conversion therapy, a notoriously cruel and manipulative anti-gay malpractice, on supposed free speech grounds.
FIRE explicitly supports conversion therapy, a notoriously cruel and manipulative anti-gay malpractice, on supposed free speech grounds.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
We covered so much here thanks to @davidforbes.bsky.social, but I’d like to underline perhaps the most pernicious aspect of the nyt’s ideologically driven campaign:
How it has caused grave damage to the rights of *all* queer people.
How it has caused grave damage to the rights of *all* queer people.
In this in-depth interview Billie Jean Sweeney — a former editor at The New York Times — details how the paper shifted towards openly promoting anti-trans hatred, why this was directed from the very top, how some staff pushed back and the immense damage done by the NYT legitimizing bigotry.
'A directive from above': Former NYT editor lays out how the paper pushes anti-trans bigotry
In this in-depth interview, former New York Times editor Billie Jean Sweeney details how the paper shifted towards openly promoting anti-trans hatred, how some staff tried to stop it, how it's directe...
transnews.network
January 2, 2026 at 9:54 AM
We covered so much here thanks to @davidforbes.bsky.social, but I’d like to underline perhaps the most pernicious aspect of the nyt’s ideologically driven campaign:
How it has caused grave damage to the rights of *all* queer people.
How it has caused grave damage to the rights of *all* queer people.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
Hawaiʻi is one of 22 states that have called the USDA's demand for food stamp recipients' information unprecedented and unlawful.
By Resisting Feds’ Demand For Personal SNAP Data, Hawaiʻi Could Face Cuts
Hawaiʻi is one of 22 states that have called the USDA's demand for food stamp recipients' information unprecedented and unlawful.
dlvr.it
January 2, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Hawaiʻi is one of 22 states that have called the USDA's demand for food stamp recipients' information unprecedented and unlawful.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
Interesting. Every new years day on X, my follower count would go down as people quit social media for their new years resolution. Here on Bsky? No change.
January 2, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Interesting. Every new years day on X, my follower count would go down as people quit social media for their new years resolution. Here on Bsky? No change.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
“I’ve read every study and report I could find that looked specifically at the economics of bike lanes since 1984.”
“The results show that making streets friendlier for bikes, and sidewalks friendlier for pedestrians, is actually good for business.“
“The results show that making streets friendlier for bikes, and sidewalks friendlier for pedestrians, is actually good for business.“
“Survey after survey has shown that business owners overestimate how many customers drive to their stores vs walking or biking. In a 2012 Los Angeles study, more than half of the store owners on the bike-laned part of the boulevard thought most of their customers drove. The actual number was 15%.”
I read all the studies on the economic impact of bike lanes. Here's what I learned.
Research proves that bike lanes are good for business. So why do so many stores and restaurants still oppose them?
www.businessinsider.com
January 2, 2026 at 10:14 AM
“I’ve read every study and report I could find that looked specifically at the economics of bike lanes since 1984.”
“The results show that making streets friendlier for bikes, and sidewalks friendlier for pedestrians, is actually good for business.“
“The results show that making streets friendlier for bikes, and sidewalks friendlier for pedestrians, is actually good for business.“
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
Pope Leo is quietly mounting a long-term, moral confrontation with American authoritarianism — and history suggests he knows exactly what he’s doing.
Here’s how he can defeat Trump’s dictatorship of relativism once and for all.
Here’s how he can defeat Trump’s dictatorship of relativism once and for all.
Pope Leo vs. the Empire of Lies: The Long Game to Defeat Trumpism
He’s already rebuked immigration crackdowns and blasted the “logic of exclusion” fueling rising nationalism. Now, as the youngest pope in 35 years, Leo is poised to help defeat Trumpism for good.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
January 2, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Pope Leo is quietly mounting a long-term, moral confrontation with American authoritarianism — and history suggests he knows exactly what he’s doing.
Here’s how he can defeat Trump’s dictatorship of relativism once and for all.
Here’s how he can defeat Trump’s dictatorship of relativism once and for all.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
The lack of consent *and* the lack of inhibitions between impulse and expression. Both are fundamental to generative AI.
December 11, 2025 at 9:59 AM
The lack of consent *and* the lack of inhibitions between impulse and expression. Both are fundamental to generative AI.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
There is not much difference between a drunk bigot proudly and loudly shouting slurs, and someone birthing into existence an incredibly racist ai slop video.
December 11, 2025 at 9:56 AM
There is not much difference between a drunk bigot proudly and loudly shouting slurs, and someone birthing into existence an incredibly racist ai slop video.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
GenAI allows these guys to do what they do when drunk and ganked up at office Christmas parties, at a mass scale.
We're *all* there cringing while they lean in and excitedly slur their messed up shit at us while we're uncomfortably unable to disengage.
We're *all* there cringing while they lean in and excitedly slur their messed up shit at us while we're uncomfortably unable to disengage.
December 11, 2025 at 9:52 AM
GenAI allows these guys to do what they do when drunk and ganked up at office Christmas parties, at a mass scale.
We're *all* there cringing while they lean in and excitedly slur their messed up shit at us while we're uncomfortably unable to disengage.
We're *all* there cringing while they lean in and excitedly slur their messed up shit at us while we're uncomfortably unable to disengage.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
You can see this in all genAI users, how it acts like an intoxicant.
It gets them to publicly express their weird private thoughts they used to only say in the company of their fellows and dog whistle around in public.
It gets them to publicly express their weird private thoughts they used to only say in the company of their fellows and dog whistle around in public.
December 11, 2025 at 9:45 AM
You can see this in all genAI users, how it acts like an intoxicant.
It gets them to publicly express their weird private thoughts they used to only say in the company of their fellows and dog whistle around in public.
It gets them to publicly express their weird private thoughts they used to only say in the company of their fellows and dog whistle around in public.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
Before, an executive would have a shitty fucking idea and then have to convince many others to implement it. Even if they were sycophants, there was friction involved.
Now, he's got that liquid courage on prompt. Far less inhibition.
Now, he's got that liquid courage on prompt. Far less inhibition.
December 11, 2025 at 9:43 AM
Before, an executive would have a shitty fucking idea and then have to convince many others to implement it. Even if they were sycophants, there was friction involved.
Now, he's got that liquid courage on prompt. Far less inhibition.
Now, he's got that liquid courage on prompt. Far less inhibition.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
which in turn was protecting the rest of us from their bad ideas
brace to see an uptick everywhere of things getting made with AI that even a few years ago wouldn't have happened, because making some version of it real no longer involves talking about to even one person who knows what they're doing
brace to see an uptick everywhere of things getting made with AI that even a few years ago wouldn't have happened, because making some version of it real no longer involves talking about to even one person who knows what they're doing
December 11, 2025 at 9:22 AM
which in turn was protecting the rest of us from their bad ideas
brace to see an uptick everywhere of things getting made with AI that even a few years ago wouldn't have happened, because making some version of it real no longer involves talking about to even one person who knows what they're doing
brace to see an uptick everywhere of things getting made with AI that even a few years ago wouldn't have happened, because making some version of it real no longer involves talking about to even one person who knows what they're doing
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
using AI cuts corners on involving people who know better. negativity for christmas is an awful ad concept even if it was made by people - so a creative team would push back on the request. business people like AI doesn't argue, not understanding experts were protecting them from their own bad ideas
"The most terrible time of the year"
McDonald’s pulls AI-generated Christmas advert in the Netherlands. The advert, titled "the most terrible time of the year," depicts Christmas chaos, with Santa caught in a traffic jam and a present-laden cyclist slipping in the snow
u.afp.com/S7sF
McDonald’s pulls AI-generated Christmas advert in the Netherlands. The advert, titled "the most terrible time of the year," depicts Christmas chaos, with Santa caught in a traffic jam and a present-laden cyclist slipping in the snow
u.afp.com/S7sF
December 11, 2025 at 9:13 AM
using AI cuts corners on involving people who know better. negativity for christmas is an awful ad concept even if it was made by people - so a creative team would push back on the request. business people like AI doesn't argue, not understanding experts were protecting them from their own bad ideas
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
A key thing about corporate use of genAI is that it removes all the friction involved between the executives' weird fetish shit and inner thoughts, and public display
It does to corporations what alcohol does to a bigot.
It does to corporations what alcohol does to a bigot.
using AI cuts corners on involving people who know better. negativity for christmas is an awful ad concept even if it was made by people - so a creative team would push back on the request. business people like AI doesn't argue, not understanding experts were protecting them from their own bad ideas
"The most terrible time of the year"
McDonald’s pulls AI-generated Christmas advert in the Netherlands. The advert, titled "the most terrible time of the year," depicts Christmas chaos, with Santa caught in a traffic jam and a present-laden cyclist slipping in the snow
u.afp.com/S7sF
McDonald’s pulls AI-generated Christmas advert in the Netherlands. The advert, titled "the most terrible time of the year," depicts Christmas chaos, with Santa caught in a traffic jam and a present-laden cyclist slipping in the snow
u.afp.com/S7sF
December 11, 2025 at 9:40 AM
A key thing about corporate use of genAI is that it removes all the friction involved between the executives' weird fetish shit and inner thoughts, and public display
It does to corporations what alcohol does to a bigot.
It does to corporations what alcohol does to a bigot.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
GenAI being fundamentally based on a rejection of consent is obvious, but it's not as obvious that it destroys the inhibitions of the people who already reject consent.
It makes them act in public the way they used to only act when cornering their employees by the punch bowl or in their office
It makes them act in public the way they used to only act when cornering their employees by the punch bowl or in their office
December 11, 2025 at 9:55 AM
GenAI being fundamentally based on a rejection of consent is obvious, but it's not as obvious that it destroys the inhibitions of the people who already reject consent.
It makes them act in public the way they used to only act when cornering their employees by the punch bowl or in their office
It makes them act in public the way they used to only act when cornering their employees by the punch bowl or in their office
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
Right now I wouldn't encourage any non citizen to come to the United States unless absolutely necessary this administration will not welcome you & their is a good chance you'll be harassed or arrested because of how you look or your politics
January 1, 2026 at 6:18 AM
Right now I wouldn't encourage any non citizen to come to the United States unless absolutely necessary this administration will not welcome you & their is a good chance you'll be harassed or arrested because of how you look or your politics
The Profa Republican Party is an international crime syndicate of grifters
A compelling graphic look at all the ways that Trump and his family and friends have been monetizing the White House in his second term to enrich themselves more than any presidential clan has ever done before. @lazarogamio.bsky.social Amy Schoenfeld Walker
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches
The president, his family and some of their closest associates have engaged in a sprawling campaign of deals that stretches across industries and the globe.
www.nytimes.com
January 2, 2026 at 9:37 AM
The Profa Republican Party is an international crime syndicate of grifters
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
A compelling graphic look at all the ways that Trump and his family and friends have been monetizing the White House in his second term to enrich themselves more than any presidential clan has ever done before. @lazarogamio.bsky.social Amy Schoenfeld Walker
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Trump’s Tangled Web of Deal-Making, Policy and Riches
The president, his family and some of their closest associates have engaged in a sprawling campaign of deals that stretches across industries and the globe.
www.nytimes.com
January 1, 2026 at 10:53 PM
A compelling graphic look at all the ways that Trump and his family and friends have been monetizing the White House in his second term to enrich themselves more than any presidential clan has ever done before. @lazarogamio.bsky.social Amy Schoenfeld Walker
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
It should be bigger news that the world’s first soon to be trillionaire has created a chatbot that is undressing women without consent.
Grok is even undressing children.
Musk created it. He’s aware it’s happening and he’s doing nothing to stop it.
Every media outlet needs to scream about this.
Grok is even undressing children.
Musk created it. He’s aware it’s happening and he’s doing nothing to stop it.
Every media outlet needs to scream about this.
January 2, 2026 at 9:13 AM
It should be bigger news that the world’s first soon to be trillionaire has created a chatbot that is undressing women without consent.
Grok is even undressing children.
Musk created it. He’s aware it’s happening and he’s doing nothing to stop it.
Every media outlet needs to scream about this.
Grok is even undressing children.
Musk created it. He’s aware it’s happening and he’s doing nothing to stop it.
Every media outlet needs to scream about this.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
can't think of a better demonstration of how these things aren't intelligent and literally just tell you whatever you want to hear.
January 2, 2026 at 8:56 AM
can't think of a better demonstration of how these things aren't intelligent and literally just tell you whatever you want to hear.
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
Reposted by Modern Day Bartleby
Given the (lack of) response to Elon's non-consensual/CSAM demon program, the second half of my statement actually got more accurate in < 1 week
I've been telling people that we are <14 months from someone making the argument that AI should have more rights than are currently available to human women and the only adjustment to that statement that I'm willing to make is to truncate the original timetable.
it’s hard to think of a bigger grift than the claim that predictive text aka gAI is ‘conscious’ and thus “deserve rights” like the ability to vote
January 2, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Given the (lack of) response to Elon's non-consensual/CSAM demon program, the second half of my statement actually got more accurate in < 1 week