Rob Cummings
opsrob.com
Rob Cummings
@opsrob.com
Tech, introvert, curious about all the things
Reposted by Rob Cummings
So many developers have sent me that Anthropic skills/mastery case study that I realized I should ungate what I *already wrote* about this: beginning principles to design workflows that work *with* your mind, not against it, & protect your problem-solving

www.fightforthehuman.com/cognitive-he...
Cognitive Helmets for the AI Bicycle: Part 1
I hear people name these three fears: will developers lose their problem-solving skills, learning opportunities, and critical thinking? One science-backed area can help: better metacognitive strategie...
www.fightforthehuman.com
February 4, 2026 at 6:13 PM
This has been my biggest fear in WA re: anti-ICE prep... liberal organizers losing the thread on effective tactics and policing(!) the response as a result. Both myself and my oldest teenage daughter have over-reactive nervous systems. We have coping mechanisms and fully support the whistles.
High-pitched sounds carry. The goal is not to assault the ICE agents with a barrage of noise, it's to get off a quick signal to warn people of encroaching danger. This is like saying banning tornado sirens because they might traumatize people.
Ugh. The main anti-ICE group in Washington which has 44k followers on Facebook and has been going around to communities promoting classes is now promoting this anti-whistle nonsense for "harm reduction" reasons as well.
February 3, 2026 at 3:36 PM
Unsurprisingly, @jpaulreed.com asks some very thoughtful questions for those tasked with supporting US based organizations and teams running critical systems in today's world.
jpaulreed.com/thoughts/ada...
Adapting to the Moment
jpaulreed.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:06 PM
Every paycheck I hit a different section. Find what works for you... Seattle is over here anticipating a spicy summer.
❄️Greetings from occupied Minneapolis, where a light dusting of new snow sparkles in bright sunlight and all I want for my birthday today is for you to stand with us.

For my home or yours: donate, signal-boost, volunteer, talk with your neighbors, and build a better world!
www.standwithminnesota.com
Stand With Minnesota
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
www.standwithminnesota.com
February 2, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Ok, let me just find the key to my TARDIS...
February 2, 2026 at 2:48 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
i love a free country, where the president's secret police can shoot out the windows of random citizens with impunity
And ICE shot out the windows of apartments nearby. They used this munition to do it. They also shot people with this.
February 1, 2026 at 8:50 AM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
The unspoken rules for protest in the US have been, for decades, that if you have a big tame sign-holding march, it's safe to bring your kids.

If you're not perceived as threatening their power, they'll leave you alone.

Which means they perceive their unpopularity as a threat to their power
February 1, 2026 at 1:24 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
what impressed me most today was that a huge crowd of people who mostly had never been tear gassed managed to retreat without running or trampling each other. under a cloud of gas that was not moving (zero wind), people held onto each other and walked blind down a street packed tight as sardines
Just got gassed pretty good at the labor union anti-ICE protest in Portland. Massive march, 5-10k strong. Vibes were very much liberal rather than radical. Lots of kids and older folks.

They gassed the whole crowd as soon as it marched on ICE, in broad daylight.
February 1, 2026 at 8:56 AM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
would love to hear from journalists on this! unfortunately i know very few so don’t have the info…
January 31, 2026 at 5:17 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
Local cops have put out a statement saying they will expressly disobey the Mayor‘s order to protect Seattlites from ICE violence. In case anyone was wondering
Reminder that we are a year into aggressive ICE raids and concentration camps, and there’s not a single example of local cops protecting people against this violence, kidnapping, or death.
January 31, 2026 at 7:59 AM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
We haven’t found evidence of Stingrays being used at protests in the US yet, but if you’re going to a protest, why not bring Rayhunter to be sure? Don’t forget to charge and update it, then let us know what you find! efforg.github.io/rayhunter/s...
January 30, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
I wrote about my time in Minneapolis last week, about what is involved in creating bottom-up, decentralized networks of care.

margaretkilljoy.substack.com/p/our-neighb...
January 26, 2026 at 7:34 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
My Beacon Hill neighbors are going door to door signing the community up on a group Signal and sharing resources for dealing with ICE.

www.greatforallcid.com/neighborhood...
Neighborhood Defense Toolkit — GREAT for all CID
www.greatforallcid.com
January 25, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
I've started printing portable water bottle based eye wash stations too (www.reddit.com/r/minnesota/...) in addition to whistles. I'll be bringing 10 to Strike ICE on Friday the 23rd for those who need.
January 22, 2026 at 6:57 AM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
Want to help support people in Minnesota right now? Check out standwithminnesota.com
Stand With Minnesota
A directory of places to give to as Minnesota defends itself from ICE occupation
www.standwithminnesota.com
January 14, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
Given everything happening right now, I updated this article with options for weather apps, web forms, and translation services — along with some tweaks to existing categories.

I hope it helps your transition off US tech!
Silicon Valley’s alliance with Donald Trump was a mask off moment and showed the world we can’t depend on US tech companies.

For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
Getting off US tech: a guide
I’m in the process of dropping US tech services. Here’s how I did it, and options you should consider.
www.disconnect.blog
January 4, 2026 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
I think there's kind of a bathtub curve around this concept in the industry where people at the start of the curve don't have ideological purity to contaminate their decisions, people in the middle hold onto it fiercely, and very senior folks have had the realization that value can be worth the mess
January 4, 2026 at 11:49 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
I’m reliably informed that three days before Christmas is the ideal time to post exciting professional news on social media, so:

I’m hosting a podcast! About media! For @columjournreview.bsky.social! It’s gonna be fun; subscribe here: www.cjr.org/the-kicker
December 22, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
Friends! I have one more story about heat pumps to share with you in 2025.

It's a biggie! About some real biggies!

Behold: the biggest heat pumps in the world
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
The giant heat pumps designed to warm whole districts
Across Europe huge heat pumps are being installed that can heat tens of thousands of homes.
www.bbc.co.uk
December 16, 2025 at 7:57 AM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
Information from NWS Seattle:

In coordination with King County, we have issued a FLASH FLOOD WARNING for a levee breach in Tukwila WA near Todd, Blvd. Water is likely moving north towards I-405. In addition, an evacuation notice is now in effect from King County.
December 15, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Hmm...my 7th grade daughter, who has a dystopian fiction unit in ELA, commenting about getting to experience a dystopian world sooner than we expect...may not be far off.
October 20, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Friendly reminder you can opt out of getting your pic taken going through TSA, even if the airport doesn't post signs saying you can and the TSA agent tries to come up with a reason you can't. 90% of the time they have been chill about it. #dontbealemming
September 21, 2025 at 7:50 PM
Reposted by Rob Cummings
Fellow #StarTrek fans: the writers told us what to look for. We are seeing it now.
September 18, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Although... obviously starting with Sneakers.
Will also be watching Spy Game tonight.

"Technology gets better everyday. That's fine. But most of the time all you need is a stick of gum, a pocket knife and a smile."
September 16, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Will also be watching Spy Game tonight.

"Technology gets better everyday. That's fine. But most of the time all you need is a stick of gum, a pocket knife and a smile."
September 16, 2025 at 4:58 PM