Paul Rohr
@pevohr.bsky.social
Dad, startup guy. Ideas matter. Design matters. It's about we, not me.
hachyderm.io/@pevohr
hachyderm.io/@pevohr
Keep watching until you get to see the handheld X-Ray Fluorescence gun (!!) in action
Fall Down The Rabbit Hole Of NPS Badges - @asavage.bsky.social's @tested.com youtu.be/12Gmmf2xYWw?...
A Fascinating History of NPS Badges (Including the FIRST EVER!)
YouTube video by Adam Savage’s Tested
youtu.be
January 6, 2026 at 3:30 AM
Keep watching until you get to see the handheld X-Ray Fluorescence gun (!!) in action
Reposted by Paul Rohr
Jenny Holzer, "Private Property Created Crime" from the Truisms series, at least one version of which can be found in the Museum of Modern Art collection www.moma.org/collection/w...
January 5, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Jenny Holzer, "Private Property Created Crime" from the Truisms series, at least one version of which can be found in the Museum of Modern Art collection www.moma.org/collection/w...
Reposted by Paul Rohr
This is a great take
In my time engineering things I've often found that the most value is generated in the messy bits.
Real systems that real people interact with don't fit into perfect abstractions and so it's hard to build valuable systems and experiences if you aren't willing to get messy.
In my time engineering things I've often found that the most value is generated in the messy bits.
Real systems that real people interact with don't fit into perfect abstractions and so it's hard to build valuable systems and experiences if you aren't willing to get messy.
The best user experiences often involve the worst internal abstractions. Hard-won lesson
January 4, 2026 at 11:42 PM
This is a great take
In my time engineering things I've often found that the most value is generated in the messy bits.
Real systems that real people interact with don't fit into perfect abstractions and so it's hard to build valuable systems and experiences if you aren't willing to get messy.
In my time engineering things I've often found that the most value is generated in the messy bits.
Real systems that real people interact with don't fit into perfect abstractions and so it's hard to build valuable systems and experiences if you aren't willing to get messy.
Reposted by Paul Rohr
atproto ecosystem growth really strengthens my belief that this project is critical to reclaiming the internet we deserved. the protocol offers the interoperability and extensibility that Web 2.0 promised but failed to deliver
January 4, 2026 at 12:47 AM
atproto ecosystem growth really strengthens my belief that this project is critical to reclaiming the internet we deserved. the protocol offers the interoperability and extensibility that Web 2.0 promised but failed to deliver
Reposted by Paul Rohr
When I explain to people what is involved with writing a successful grant, they simply don’t believe me.
I explained it once to a famous person from Pixar, and he looked me square in the eye and said: You mean all the cancer and Alzheimer’s grants work that way? You’ve gotta be &$%#ing kidding me!
I explained it once to a famous person from Pixar, and he looked me square in the eye and said: You mean all the cancer and Alzheimer’s grants work that way? You’ve gotta be &$%#ing kidding me!
I don't think you non-science people realize what it takes to get a grant funded by NIH. Started experiments in Sept 2021 to generate 3 new mouse mutants to model human disease. Prelim dara shows they have relevant disease phenotypes worthy of study. Need a small grant first to characterize /1
January 3, 2026 at 1:14 AM
When I explain to people what is involved with writing a successful grant, they simply don’t believe me.
I explained it once to a famous person from Pixar, and he looked me square in the eye and said: You mean all the cancer and Alzheimer’s grants work that way? You’ve gotta be &$%#ing kidding me!
I explained it once to a famous person from Pixar, and he looked me square in the eye and said: You mean all the cancer and Alzheimer’s grants work that way? You’ve gotta be &$%#ing kidding me!
Reposted by Paul Rohr
Belatedly watching Mamdani inauguration& Jumaane Williams speech: “That’s the thing about uncertainty- anything can happen. But also, anything *can* happen. We could make NY more affordable, more safe and more just. We could, we can, and we have to try.” That’s it, y’all. That’s radical pragmatism.
January 2, 2026 at 5:04 PM
Belatedly watching Mamdani inauguration& Jumaane Williams speech: “That’s the thing about uncertainty- anything can happen. But also, anything *can* happen. We could make NY more affordable, more safe and more just. We could, we can, and we have to try.” That’s it, y’all. That’s radical pragmatism.
Reposted by Paul Rohr
Despite what we are often told, this line from Mamdani’s inauguration speech is what true pragmatism actually looks like:
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
January 1, 2026 at 10:03 PM
Despite what we are often told, this line from Mamdani’s inauguration speech is what true pragmatism actually looks like:
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
“Beginning today, we will govern expansively and audaciously. We may not always succeed. But never will we be accused of lacking the courage to try.”
Shifting focus from clouds to people
(TBH, kinda surprised this branding shift didn't happen earlier)
(TBH, kinda surprised this branding shift didn't happen earlier)
January 2, 2026 at 9:39 PM
Shifting focus from clouds to people
(TBH, kinda surprised this branding shift didn't happen earlier)
(TBH, kinda surprised this branding shift didn't happen earlier)
Reposted by Paul Rohr
It's striking that progressives like Tim Walz and Zohran Mamdani evoke the middle American attitude that, "Yes, we can fix these social problems because we're Americans and it's the right thing to do!" While the "America first" right only emulates failed and failing nation-states elsewhere.
January 1, 2026 at 10:52 PM
It's striking that progressives like Tim Walz and Zohran Mamdani evoke the middle American attitude that, "Yes, we can fix these social problems because we're Americans and it's the right thing to do!" While the "America first" right only emulates failed and failing nation-states elsewhere.
Note that "no matter what" also includes fully restoring it *somewhere else* if you so choose
... with zero loss of functionality (beyond the brief hiccup of being temporarily offline)
... with zero loss of functionality (beyond the brief hiccup of being temporarily offline)
After helping recover/restore 3 accounts this week, it's so crazy to me you can just back up your social identity and restore it no matter what. That's just so cool and really sets atproto apart from anything else.
January 1, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Note that "no matter what" also includes fully restoring it *somewhere else* if you so choose
... with zero loss of functionality (beyond the brief hiccup of being temporarily offline)
... with zero loss of functionality (beyond the brief hiccup of being temporarily offline)
The metaphor that keeps on giving:
"Atmospheric computing is a paradigm of connected clouds." -- @pfrazee.com
"Atmospheric computing is a paradigm of connected clouds." -- @pfrazee.com
Time for my big year end blogpost about the Atmosphere.
From the personal computing perspective, the cloud has been a disaster — but we shouldn't run away from it.
We can solve a lot of problems by connecting our clouds, turning it into atmospheric computing.
From the personal computing perspective, the cloud has been a disaster — but we shouldn't run away from it.
We can solve a lot of problems by connecting our clouds, turning it into atmospheric computing.
Atmospheric Computing
Cloud computing has been extremely successful, but it lost the values that drove personal computing. We can solve this by evolving forward.
www.pfrazee.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:28 AM
The metaphor that keeps on giving:
"Atmospheric computing is a paradigm of connected clouds." -- @pfrazee.com
"Atmospheric computing is a paradigm of connected clouds." -- @pfrazee.com
So much to learn from in this 2019 piece:
"Practice SHINE as a way to extend your networks, distribute resources, affirmation and praise. Sharing prestige is more radical than hoarding it."
"Practice SHINE as a way to extend your networks, distribute resources, affirmation and praise. Sharing prestige is more radical than hoarding it."
December 30, 2025 at 7:26 PM
So much to learn from in this 2019 piece:
"Practice SHINE as a way to extend your networks, distribute resources, affirmation and praise. Sharing prestige is more radical than hoarding it."
"Practice SHINE as a way to extend your networks, distribute resources, affirmation and praise. Sharing prestige is more radical than hoarding it."
Promising example of an #atproto tool which filters other existing feeds:
"Plug in the URL of any feed, and we remove the stuff that passes muster with regular moderation, even targeted moderation, but is just plain nasty."
Anyone know of other examples of this design pattern?
"Plug in the URL of any feed, and we remove the stuff that passes muster with regular moderation, even targeted moderation, but is just plain nasty."
Anyone know of other examples of this design pattern?
I've been quietly building kindling.wtf — a regenerative feed layer that removes cruelty without removing controversy.
The idea: your feed shouldn't be full of spite masquerading as reasonable commentary, but it also shouldn't sanitize away legitimate anger at injustice.
More below ⬇️(1/4)
#atproto
The idea: your feed shouldn't be full of spite masquerading as reasonable commentary, but it also shouldn't sanitize away legitimate anger at injustice.
More below ⬇️(1/4)
#atproto
December 30, 2025 at 4:27 PM
Promising example of an #atproto tool which filters other existing feeds:
"Plug in the URL of any feed, and we remove the stuff that passes muster with regular moderation, even targeted moderation, but is just plain nasty."
Anyone know of other examples of this design pattern?
"Plug in the URL of any feed, and we remove the stuff that passes muster with regular moderation, even targeted moderation, but is just plain nasty."
Anyone know of other examples of this design pattern?
For anyone -- especially artists -- interested in identifying the right leverage points to reshape the music economy, check out the provocative questions in this 🧵
As is, they function more like a broad critique of the current system than potential solutions, but you gotta start somewhere
As is, they function more like a broad critique of the current system than potential solutions, but you gotta start somewhere
Ok I'm getting quite tired of artists having conservative reactionary takes to this news.
In this QT thread I'm going to ask artists 6 questions to consider, which I'm very willing to hear them out on and will hopefully lead to an interesting discussion.
Please do share your thoughts below 👇
In this QT thread I'm going to ask artists 6 questions to consider, which I'm very willing to hear them out on and will hopefully lead to an interesting discussion.
Please do share your thoughts below 👇
December 29, 2025 at 3:15 PM
For anyone -- especially artists -- interested in identifying the right leverage points to reshape the music economy, check out the provocative questions in this 🧵
As is, they function more like a broad critique of the current system than potential solutions, but you gotta start somewhere
As is, they function more like a broad critique of the current system than potential solutions, but you gotta start somewhere
Reposted by Paul Rohr
product managers already can't keep up with the pace of modern development, so you see user experience degrading everywhere.
I see half-baked feature ideas pushed through all the time now, because now they can be.
velocity is not the problem anymore. many teams would do well to slow down.
I see half-baked feature ideas pushed through all the time now, because now they can be.
velocity is not the problem anymore. many teams would do well to slow down.
December 27, 2025 at 1:47 PM
product managers already can't keep up with the pace of modern development, so you see user experience degrading everywhere.
I see half-baked feature ideas pushed through all the time now, because now they can be.
velocity is not the problem anymore. many teams would do well to slow down.
I see half-baked feature ideas pushed through all the time now, because now they can be.
velocity is not the problem anymore. many teams would do well to slow down.
Reposted by Paul Rohr
[screaming at the top of my lungs, once again] the fundamental technology of humanity is care
We didn't survive and thrive as a species because we had warriors or hunters - pretty much every omnivore can manage that.
We did so because we developed Grandmothers, and domesticated Dogs.
Community is what defines us as a species, and every "self-reliant" libertarian shitweasel be damned.
We did so because we developed Grandmothers, and domesticated Dogs.
Community is what defines us as a species, and every "self-reliant" libertarian shitweasel be damned.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
December 28, 2025 at 7:02 AM
[screaming at the top of my lungs, once again] the fundamental technology of humanity is care
Reupping a 🧵 from this summer:
This product is supposedly about conversations, but it's missing a key feature which highlights the interactions we've had
The most useful tab I could have when viewing your profile is a timeline focused on *our* conversations:
quotes, replies, reposts, likes, etc.
This product is supposedly about conversations, but it's missing a key feature which highlights the interactions we've had
The most useful tab I could have when viewing your profile is a timeline focused on *our* conversations:
quotes, replies, reposts, likes, etc.
For example, what if MY view of YOUR profile included an affordance which let me chronologically browse the intersection of:
- everything you posted + I liked, or
- vice versa
Would those two be separate timelines, or just a single conversational flow of all our mutual interactions?
Hmmm...
- everything you posted + I liked, or
- vice versa
Would those two be separate timelines, or just a single conversational flow of all our mutual interactions?
Hmmm...
December 28, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Reupping a 🧵 from this summer:
This product is supposedly about conversations, but it's missing a key feature which highlights the interactions we've had
The most useful tab I could have when viewing your profile is a timeline focused on *our* conversations:
quotes, replies, reposts, likes, etc.
This product is supposedly about conversations, but it's missing a key feature which highlights the interactions we've had
The most useful tab I could have when viewing your profile is a timeline focused on *our* conversations:
quotes, replies, reposts, likes, etc.
Cranberry Chess Pie to fulfill our family tradition of testing a new pie recipe every year for the holidays
Wishing the best to you + yours in the new year!
Wishing the best to you + yours in the new year!
December 25, 2025 at 10:23 PM
Cranberry Chess Pie to fulfill our family tradition of testing a new pie recipe every year for the holidays
Wishing the best to you + yours in the new year!
Wishing the best to you + yours in the new year!
Reposted by Paul Rohr
These declines are MASSIVE.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
I count 10 cities in 2025 that are on track to have the fewest murders since at least 1970. Newark is on pace to have the fewest murders since 1956 (though only have data through Oct this year) and San Francisco is on pace to have the fewest murders since 1942.
December 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
These declines are MASSIVE.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
Reposted by Paul Rohr
What if you showed up at your hotel and they didn't have the room you reserved? Or there was a shower or toilet you couldn't use. This is common for people who use wheelchairs. Even 35 years after federal law said hotels must be accessible. My NPR story. www.npr.org/2025/12/24/n...
35 years after ADA, people with disabilities still find hotels unaccommodating
AN NPR survey finds that people with disability still find hotels unaccommodating, even 35 years after passage of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
www.npr.org
December 24, 2025 at 2:47 PM
What if you showed up at your hotel and they didn't have the room you reserved? Or there was a shower or toilet you couldn't use. This is common for people who use wheelchairs. Even 35 years after federal law said hotels must be accessible. My NPR story. www.npr.org/2025/12/24/n...
Reposted by Paul Rohr
Edward Hopper, Christmas card, 1928 whitney.org/collection/w...
December 24, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Edward Hopper, Christmas card, 1928 whitney.org/collection/w...
The instinctive human reaction to the sudden complete disappearance of someone they know is alarm
Going quiet for a while feels normal -- life happens -- but the absolute eradication of someone without any trace? Yikes!
Going quiet for a while feels normal -- life happens -- but the absolute eradication of someone without any trace? Yikes!
The account shows as deactivated on pdsls, + none of the surviving alts have any content, which is unsettling
pdsls.dev/at://did:plc...
Might be nice if deactivating your own account allowed you to include a "goodbye message" UXs could display as a placeholder, instead of just total absence
pdsls.dev/at://did:plc...
Might be nice if deactivating your own account allowed you to include a "goodbye message" UXs could display as a placeholder, instead of just total absence
December 24, 2025 at 2:14 PM
The instinctive human reaction to the sudden complete disappearance of someone they know is alarm
Going quiet for a while feels normal -- life happens -- but the absolute eradication of someone without any trace? Yikes!
Going quiet for a while feels normal -- life happens -- but the absolute eradication of someone without any trace? Yikes!
Reposted by Paul Rohr
when some people choose between a weekly injection or daily pill to regulate their hormones so as to align their body with their desired appearance i guess it's no big deal
U.S. regulators on Monday gave the green light to a pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, the first daily oral medication to treat obesity. n.pr/4pNYnVN
U.S. regulators approve Wegovy pill for weight loss
U.S. regulators on Monday gave the green light to a pill version of the blockbuster weight-loss drug Wegovy, the first daily oral medication to treat obesity.
n.pr
December 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
when some people choose between a weekly injection or daily pill to regulate their hormones so as to align their body with their desired appearance i guess it's no big deal
A really important trio to focus on:
"You have the right to take your identity, your data, your relationships, + move them to a different application."
You're not just extracting or exporting some subset of that. It's all yours + it all moves with you, intact
"You have the right to take your identity, your data, your relationships, + move them to a different application."
You're not just extracting or exporting some subset of that. It's all yours + it all moves with you, intact
Most social platforms make it nearly impossible to leave without losing your content and data.
@jay.bsky.team, CEO of @bsky.app, explains how open protocols give users the right to exit and build social spaces that actually work for them.
Full episode with @rabble.nz, out now.
@jay.bsky.team, CEO of @bsky.app, explains how open protocols give users the right to exit and build social spaces that actually work for them.
Full episode with @rabble.nz, out now.
December 23, 2025 at 2:37 AM
A really important trio to focus on:
"You have the right to take your identity, your data, your relationships, + move them to a different application."
You're not just extracting or exporting some subset of that. It's all yours + it all moves with you, intact
"You have the right to take your identity, your data, your relationships, + move them to a different application."
You're not just extracting or exporting some subset of that. It's all yours + it all moves with you, intact
Reposted by Paul Rohr
My quote of the day
Masha Gessen
Masha Gessen
December 22, 2025 at 11:47 AM
My quote of the day
Masha Gessen
Masha Gessen