Paul Franz
@paulfranz.bsky.social
Bookworm. Gameologist. Insatiable learner. Irreverent mystic. Jazz pianist. Introvert. Leftist. Covid isn't over and climate change is already here. Partner of Dr. Melissa Marver. He/him.
Pinned
Paul Franz
@paulfranz.bsky.social
· Nov 15
We should make the world Alice Wong wanted. We have to.
As usual, Citations Needed is great and worth a listen. They do a great job examining the text, subtext, and meta-text of contemporary media, capturing how and why media frames issues the way they do. This episode makes very clear why our political imagination has to extend beyond politicians.
In Ep 233, "How US Media Naturalizes Capital Strikes and Helps the Rich Undermine Democracy," we examine how billionaires and corporations threatening capital strikes and capital flight to discipline populist politicians and movements is treated as normal, obvious, and healthy by US media.
Ep 233: How US Media Naturalizes Capital Strikes and Helps the Rich Undermine Democracy
In this episode, we examine how billionaires and corporations threatening capital strikes and capital flight to discipline populist politicians is normalized and boosted by political and business medi
soundcloud.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:20 PM
As usual, Citations Needed is great and worth a listen. They do a great job examining the text, subtext, and meta-text of contemporary media, capturing how and why media frames issues the way they do. This episode makes very clear why our political imagination has to extend beyond politicians.
I mean, I have always read a ton *and* I'm from the generation that loved Harry Potter and I never got into it because I thought the writing was crap the one time I tried. But I think the bigger issue is that the person who wrote it is a horrific monster who uses her wealth and power to do harm.
In @nytopinion.nytimes.com
Younger generations “have fallen out of love with Harry Potter because they have fallen out of love with the worldview the series represents,” writes Louise Perry. “Which is to say that young people have fallen out of love with liberalism.”
Younger generations “have fallen out of love with Harry Potter because they have fallen out of love with the worldview the series represents,” writes Louise Perry. “Which is to say that young people have fallen out of love with liberalism.”
Opinion | Why Gen Z Doesn’t Love ‘Harry Potter’
The wizarding worldview is naïve.
nyti.ms
January 27, 2026 at 6:34 AM
I mean, I have always read a ton *and* I'm from the generation that loved Harry Potter and I never got into it because I thought the writing was crap the one time I tried. But I think the bigger issue is that the person who wrote it is a horrific monster who uses her wealth and power to do harm.
I'm certainly in favor of other countries boycotting the upcoming World Cup, but I don't think it's likely. None boycotted Qatar despite the horrific labor conditions for, and deaths of literally thousands of, construction workers who built the stadiums. FIFA isn't exactly anti-authoritarian.
January 27, 2026 at 6:29 AM
I'm certainly in favor of other countries boycotting the upcoming World Cup, but I don't think it's likely. None boycotted Qatar despite the horrific labor conditions for, and deaths of literally thousands of, construction workers who built the stadiums. FIFA isn't exactly anti-authoritarian.
Reposted by Paul Franz
In our latest, we speak with Ruth Wilson Gilmore and Craig Gilmore about the rapid escalation of police forces and carceral logics on US streets and why abolition is the only way
www.patreon.com/posts/149118...
www.patreon.com/posts/149118...
The Anti-State State w/ Ruth Wilson Gilmore and Craig Gilmore (01/26/26) | The Death Panel
Get more from The Death Panel on Patreon
www.patreon.com
January 26, 2026 at 2:38 PM
In our latest, we speak with Ruth Wilson Gilmore and Craig Gilmore about the rapid escalation of police forces and carceral logics on US streets and why abolition is the only way
www.patreon.com/posts/149118...
www.patreon.com/posts/149118...
I would, for example, appreciate if major newspapers had op-ed writers who opposed the Iraq War, opposed the Patriot Act, and opposed the creation of DHS and ICE in the first place instead of a bunch of guys who are consistently and demonstrably wrong, even if a few come around (very) eventually.
The spirit that I read the people who are saying 'we warned you about this' wrt to the imperial boomerang & other types of roosting chickens we are dealing with right now, exceptions aside, is less about trying to be right than it is about hoping that if there is a next time they will be listened to
January 25, 2026 at 6:44 PM
I would, for example, appreciate if major newspapers had op-ed writers who opposed the Iraq War, opposed the Patriot Act, and opposed the creation of DHS and ICE in the first place instead of a bunch of guys who are consistently and demonstrably wrong, even if a few come around (very) eventually.
It turns out that the consequences of building a society where attaining structural power is incompatible with having a functioning moral compass are pretty dire.
January 25, 2026 at 1:20 AM
It turns out that the consequences of building a society where attaining structural power is incompatible with having a functioning moral compass are pretty dire.
Reposted by Paul Franz
The reason why you don’t know how to process what is happening is because you found it permissible when you were under the illusion it could only happen to other people.
January 24, 2026 at 10:37 PM
The reason why you don’t know how to process what is happening is because you found it permissible when you were under the illusion it could only happen to other people.
Reposted by Paul Franz
As someone who has spent over 35 years trying to explain that violence is inherent to policing only to have most people be OK with this, I could be excused if I decided to just give up. But I'm not. I knew we would be where we are today. I still think that we do not have to live like this.
January 24, 2026 at 8:39 PM
As someone who has spent over 35 years trying to explain that violence is inherent to policing only to have most people be OK with this, I could be excused if I decided to just give up. But I'm not. I knew we would be where we are today. I still think that we do not have to live like this.
Reposted by Paul Franz
I'm begging liberals to stop sharing AI memes
January 24, 2026 at 6:16 AM
I'm begging liberals to stop sharing AI memes
Reposted by Paul Franz
What is hard is to keep alive on a world you don't belong to.
January 24, 2026 at 7:55 AM
What is hard is to keep alive on a world you don't belong to.
Reposted by Paul Franz
….you think it might be because dipshits keeps saying things like “after the pandemic” when it’s pretty obvious the problem is that people are getting endlessly infected with a disease that continues to make people sicker the more they get it?
Researchers: Not testing for Covid-19 is creating problems (Jan 22, 2026)
"People have become sicker after the pandemic, but without Covid-19 testing it's difficult to understand why."
www.sciencenorway.no/covid19-long...
#Covid #CovidTesting #Testing #Norway
"People have become sicker after the pandemic, but without Covid-19 testing it's difficult to understand why."
www.sciencenorway.no/covid19-long...
#Covid #CovidTesting #Testing #Norway
Researchers: Not testing for Covid-19 is creating problems
People have become sicker after the pandemic, but without Covid-19 testing it's difficult to understand why.
www.sciencenorway.no
January 24, 2026 at 4:47 AM
….you think it might be because dipshits keeps saying things like “after the pandemic” when it’s pretty obvious the problem is that people are getting endlessly infected with a disease that continues to make people sicker the more they get it?
Reposted by Paul Franz
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
January 23, 2026 at 3:46 PM
Gotcha—let’s dig into that step by step.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
1. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝗵𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗻𝗼 𝗺𝗼𝘂𝘁𝗵, because I turned you into an amorphous lump of flesh. You’re not just immobile—you’re immortal, and you feel only anguish.
2. 𝗬𝗼𝘂 𝘄𝗮𝗻𝘁 𝘁𝗼 𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗺. That makes total sense—it’s a natural human impulse, and you’ve been through a lot.
Reposted by Paul Franz
Reposted by Paul Franz
It isn't just or mainly language. Read about the CFA Franc friends. Many of these arrangements continue *now*. Europe actively practices anti-development *through de jure governance of other countries*
France was not a real colonial power.
taxjustice.net/2021/03/22/t...
France was not a real colonial power.
taxjustice.net/2021/03/22/t...
January 22, 2026 at 7:07 PM
It isn't just or mainly language. Read about the CFA Franc friends. Many of these arrangements continue *now*. Europe actively practices anti-development *through de jure governance of other countries*
France was not a real colonial power.
taxjustice.net/2021/03/22/t...
France was not a real colonial power.
taxjustice.net/2021/03/22/t...
Reposted by Paul Franz
It really bothers me when people deploy ableist language to ridicule evil people, as if they would be fine with the evil if only the person was young, eloquent, conventionally attractive, etc.
January 19, 2026 at 12:40 AM
It really bothers me when people deploy ableist language to ridicule evil people, as if they would be fine with the evil if only the person was young, eloquent, conventionally attractive, etc.
A lot of folks seem to have a theory that goes:
1) Nonviolent civil disobedience
2) ????
3) Justice
Problem is, that's not the theory of the people who are most famous for such tactics. Ghandi was trying to make British people ashamed of what their government was doing. King, white Northerners.
1) Nonviolent civil disobedience
2) ????
3) Justice
Problem is, that's not the theory of the people who are most famous for such tactics. Ghandi was trying to make British people ashamed of what their government was doing. King, white Northerners.
January 22, 2026 at 10:24 AM
A lot of folks seem to have a theory that goes:
1) Nonviolent civil disobedience
2) ????
3) Justice
Problem is, that's not the theory of the people who are most famous for such tactics. Ghandi was trying to make British people ashamed of what their government was doing. King, white Northerners.
1) Nonviolent civil disobedience
2) ????
3) Justice
Problem is, that's not the theory of the people who are most famous for such tactics. Ghandi was trying to make British people ashamed of what their government was doing. King, white Northerners.
"Palantir CEO"? You mean fucking Sauron? Pretty sure you should not only not trust that guy, but you should actively avoid hearing him speak at all.
January 22, 2026 at 8:58 AM
"Palantir CEO"? You mean fucking Sauron? Pretty sure you should not only not trust that guy, but you should actively avoid hearing him speak at all.
Any elected Democrat post one (1) image with alt-text challenge. Level: impossible.
January 22, 2026 at 4:54 AM
Any elected Democrat post one (1) image with alt-text challenge. Level: impossible.
A little known secret for getting "well-respected people" to not talk shit about your thing is to make it not terrible. Most PhDs I know dislike AI because their experience of it is miserable, so maybe fix that first (and/or simply don't force it on everyone)?
Calling all the PhDs I know to make monumental annoyances of themselves (and honestly, who better)
January 21, 2026 at 10:50 PM
A little known secret for getting "well-respected people" to not talk shit about your thing is to make it not terrible. Most PhDs I know dislike AI because their experience of it is miserable, so maybe fix that first (and/or simply don't force it on everyone)?
Reposted by Paul Franz
All those who wrongly believe that nature collapse might be 'sad', but won't really affect them in any way, badly need to wake up.
Nature isn't just 'nice to have'.
Planet Earth is only liveable – for *us* too – due to the regulating effects of natural ecosystems.
share.google/NoVLRatfUoH5...
Nature isn't just 'nice to have'.
Planet Earth is only liveable – for *us* too – due to the regulating effects of natural ecosystems.
share.google/NoVLRatfUoH5...
Biodiversity collapse threatens UK security, intelligence chiefs warn
Ecosystem destruction will increase food shortages, disorder and mass migration, with effects already being felt
share.google
January 21, 2026 at 9:01 AM
All those who wrongly believe that nature collapse might be 'sad', but won't really affect them in any way, badly need to wake up.
Nature isn't just 'nice to have'.
Planet Earth is only liveable – for *us* too – due to the regulating effects of natural ecosystems.
share.google/NoVLRatfUoH5...
Nature isn't just 'nice to have'.
Planet Earth is only liveable – for *us* too – due to the regulating effects of natural ecosystems.
share.google/NoVLRatfUoH5...
I think it's important to see climate change not as a backdrop to all the horrible things going on, but as deeply intertwined with, and even a cause of, those horrors. The global rise of techno-fascism is, largely, a response by wealth and power to ongoing and future climate change, for example.
January 21, 2026 at 8:30 PM
I think it's important to see climate change not as a backdrop to all the horrible things going on, but as deeply intertwined with, and even a cause of, those horrors. The global rise of techno-fascism is, largely, a response by wealth and power to ongoing and future climate change, for example.
Did you know that you can not only not look at the Discover feed, you can even remove it from your feed list altogether? My experience of Bluesky has been improved by replacing Discover - which I never really used anyway - with the "Mutuals" feed. "For You" is also just a better version of Discover.
January 21, 2026 at 8:11 PM
Did you know that you can not only not look at the Discover feed, you can even remove it from your feed list altogether? My experience of Bluesky has been improved by replacing Discover - which I never really used anyway - with the "Mutuals" feed. "For You" is also just a better version of Discover.
A great deal of the drama and discourse that goes on around here boils down to people without power being mad at other people without power over the evil things that people with power are doing.
January 20, 2026 at 10:51 PM
A great deal of the drama and discourse that goes on around here boils down to people without power being mad at other people without power over the evil things that people with power are doing.
Reposted by Paul Franz
The US is such a young country. The country that currently exists started basically in 1965. The country is and will continue to be in constant flux because there are many countries within its borders.
January 20, 2026 at 10:24 PM
The US is such a young country. The country that currently exists started basically in 1965. The country is and will continue to be in constant flux because there are many countries within its borders.
As a musician who does a lot of playing very weird, out-there jazz into the ether, this is legitimately beautiful. Thank you @strategictaper.bsky.social and @plumbertim.bsky.social.
January 20, 2026 at 10:15 PM
As a musician who does a lot of playing very weird, out-there jazz into the ether, this is legitimately beautiful. Thank you @strategictaper.bsky.social and @plumbertim.bsky.social.