Will
@popher.bsky.social
Food, Wine, Whisky, Science.
Magnet lover (ICR, NMR).
Posts about anything and nothing, in that order.
Instagram is www.instagram.com/birsemore
Magnet lover (ICR, NMR).
Posts about anything and nothing, in that order.
Instagram is www.instagram.com/birsemore
The mobile web is unusable.
Most apps are spyware.
Every service demands a survey.
All social media is tools of authoritarianism.
And we don't even get bread with our circuses.
Most apps are spyware.
Every service demands a survey.
All social media is tools of authoritarianism.
And we don't even get bread with our circuses.
Today is one of those days where I’m struck anew by how *bad* the internet has gotten. It’s almost unusable. Clouds, apps, advertising — nothing is where it should be and it’s nigh impossible sometimes to do basic tasks online.
January 7, 2026 at 3:52 AM
The mobile web is unusable.
Most apps are spyware.
Every service demands a survey.
All social media is tools of authoritarianism.
And we don't even get bread with our circuses.
Most apps are spyware.
Every service demands a survey.
All social media is tools of authoritarianism.
And we don't even get bread with our circuses.
We are so fundamentally *boned*.
January 7, 2026 at 1:35 AM
We are so fundamentally *boned*.
Surely he's gotta be embarassed by this photo. He looks like a lemon.
Jared Kushner has somehow found a place at Coalition of the Willing press conference with Scholz, Zelensky, Macron, Starmer and Witkoff.
Kushner has no official position in the US government.
Kushner has no official position in the US government.
January 7, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Surely he's gotta be embarassed by this photo. He looks like a lemon.
*sigh*
January 7, 2026 at 1:01 AM
*sigh*
"Law Enforcement" by a Delta force usually is a blood bath.
This is explicitly an act of war. It is incomprehensible that Congress didnt impeach him today. He is beyond unfit to serve another moment.
This is explicitly an act of war. It is incomprehensible that Congress didnt impeach him today. He is beyond unfit to serve another moment.
Breaking news: About 75 people were killed in Venezuela during Saturday’s military raid to capture President Nicolás Maduro, including dozens of fatalities that resulted from a gun battle at his compound in Caracas, according to U.S. officials.
Maduro raid killed about 75 in Venezuela, U.S. officials assess
The sizable death toll adds meaning to President Donald Trump’s public remarks that the operation he approved was “effective” but “very violent.”
www.washingtonpost.com
January 7, 2026 at 12:37 AM
"Law Enforcement" by a Delta force usually is a blood bath.
This is explicitly an act of war. It is incomprehensible that Congress didnt impeach him today. He is beyond unfit to serve another moment.
This is explicitly an act of war. It is incomprehensible that Congress didnt impeach him today. He is beyond unfit to serve another moment.
Reposted by Will
Since ChatGPT came out in late 2022, over *half a million* tech workers have been laid off. That fact, and their voices, aren't really shaping the conversation about AI, and what "AI" really means in culture. So I started to get into it: www.anildash.com/2026/01/06/5...
500,000 tech workers have been laid off since ChatGPT was released - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
www.anildash.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:09 PM
Since ChatGPT came out in late 2022, over *half a million* tech workers have been laid off. That fact, and their voices, aren't really shaping the conversation about AI, and what "AI" really means in culture. So I started to get into it: www.anildash.com/2026/01/06/5...
It is so terribly exhausting
Oh my god they’re doing British food _again_
January 6, 2026 at 9:08 PM
It is so terribly exhausting
Reposted by Will
There’s just so many of them. A different American could smugly insist that chicken tikka masala isn’t British food every day for the next 90 million years and there’d still be three million of them trying to argue that the time they had a mediocre pie in Leicester Square means they know it sucks
January 6, 2026 at 9:05 PM
There’s just so many of them. A different American could smugly insist that chicken tikka masala isn’t British food every day for the next 90 million years and there’d still be three million of them trying to argue that the time they had a mediocre pie in Leicester Square means they know it sucks
Anyone know of canned Bruker nmr sequences for Noesy and Cosy (e.g.) for decoupling N15/c13 labeled samples? Asking for a colleague...
January 6, 2026 at 7:58 PM
Anyone know of canned Bruker nmr sequences for Noesy and Cosy (e.g.) for decoupling N15/c13 labeled samples? Asking for a colleague...
Reposted by Will
Isn't homophobia hilarious?
January 6, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Isn't homophobia hilarious?
Any must see bars/restaurants/sights in Berkeley? I'll have a couple of free evenings and one free morning/early afternoon.
January 6, 2026 at 2:53 AM
Any must see bars/restaurants/sights in Berkeley? I'll have a couple of free evenings and one free morning/early afternoon.
It's hard to see why and how the entire rest of the Americas don't unify against this mad dictator.
He is actively trying to provoke war across multiple fronts.
He is actively trying to provoke war across multiple fronts.
Oh so it doesn't count as a war, which you guys claimed to be against, if you don't cross the Atlantic
January 5, 2026 at 8:10 PM
It's hard to see why and how the entire rest of the Americas don't unify against this mad dictator.
He is actively trying to provoke war across multiple fronts.
He is actively trying to provoke war across multiple fronts.
Today we are benchmarking and cleaning our 12T FTICR. Performance is all over the place in really weird ways and it's unclear exactly what is working well and what isn't.
Sensitivity in negative ion mode is down. In positive ion mode its up. But it's charging in positive ion mode.
Sensitivity in negative ion mode is down. In positive ion mode its up. But it's charging in positive ion mode.
January 5, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Today we are benchmarking and cleaning our 12T FTICR. Performance is all over the place in really weird ways and it's unclear exactly what is working well and what isn't.
Sensitivity in negative ion mode is down. In positive ion mode its up. But it's charging in positive ion mode.
Sensitivity in negative ion mode is down. In positive ion mode its up. But it's charging in positive ion mode.
I dont disagree that there are dangers on the internet - that is in fact nothing new and has been a Feature not a Bug since its inception.
But, there is some bizarre level of fear mongering about content. Billions of people watch Youtube and *the overwhelming majority* just see normal stuff
But, there is some bizarre level of fear mongering about content. Billions of people watch Youtube and *the overwhelming majority* just see normal stuff
I find this incredibly jarring - personally, I watch very little on YouTube, and my children are banned from it. Unlike Netflix, Disney etc it's an uncurated swamp with a very real risk that you encounter the worst of the internet. How can that be the new Hollywood? www.ft.com/content/9e75...
The relentless rise of YouTube
As well as being the dominant platform in podcasting and having a growing presence in live sport, it is now the leader in TV and streaming in the US
www.ft.com
January 5, 2026 at 3:25 PM
I dont disagree that there are dangers on the internet - that is in fact nothing new and has been a Feature not a Bug since its inception.
But, there is some bizarre level of fear mongering about content. Billions of people watch Youtube and *the overwhelming majority* just see normal stuff
But, there is some bizarre level of fear mongering about content. Billions of people watch Youtube and *the overwhelming majority* just see normal stuff
Reposted by Will
Those of you who believe in mortal sin ought to recognize this for what it is.
“‘If a fire occurs in the cabin ... don’t check on the immigrants. Just make sure that you and the guards and the people that work for the government get off," one flight attendant was told.
“It was as if the detainees’ lives were worthless,’” said another.
Our #3 most-read story of 2025:
“It was as if the detainees’ lives were worthless,’” said another.
Our #3 most-read story of 2025:
Inside ICE Air: Flight Attendants on Deportation Planes Say Disaster Is “Only a Matter of Time”
Current and former flight attendants for GlobalX, the private charter airline at the center of Trump’s immigration crackdown, expressed concern about their inability to treat passengers humanely and t...
www.propublica.org
January 5, 2026 at 5:00 AM
Those of you who believe in mortal sin ought to recognize this for what it is.
248 years was a good run for an ambitious democracy.
Anyway, parliamentary systems yet again reign supreme for stability.
Anyway, parliamentary systems yet again reign supreme for stability.
Ironic that our celebration of the 250th anniversary of our Declaration of Independence will be led by a mad king.
The foreign policy of a personalist dictatorship. There are no constraints.
January 5, 2026 at 2:48 AM
248 years was a good run for an ambitious democracy.
Anyway, parliamentary systems yet again reign supreme for stability.
Anyway, parliamentary systems yet again reign supreme for stability.
Rejoined tinder and instantly got confused between the apps and tried to swipe right on some guys on tiktok.
Also, men are the worst. I mean, *obviously*, but the men on tinder here all seem to have picked their most psychotic murderer photos to be their profile pictures. It's truly unhinged
Also, men are the worst. I mean, *obviously*, but the men on tinder here all seem to have picked their most psychotic murderer photos to be their profile pictures. It's truly unhinged
January 5, 2026 at 1:33 AM
Rejoined tinder and instantly got confused between the apps and tried to swipe right on some guys on tiktok.
Also, men are the worst. I mean, *obviously*, but the men on tinder here all seem to have picked their most psychotic murderer photos to be their profile pictures. It's truly unhinged
Also, men are the worst. I mean, *obviously*, but the men on tinder here all seem to have picked their most psychotic murderer photos to be their profile pictures. It's truly unhinged
Reposted by Will
I say let them have a crack at it.
January 4, 2026 at 11:25 AM
I say let them have a crack at it.
Reposted by Will
Remarkable statement from the Prime Minister of Denmark, directed at President Trump:
“I therefore strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally, and against another country and another people who have stated very clearly that they are not for sale.”
“I therefore strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally, and against another country and another people who have stated very clearly that they are not for sale.”
January 4, 2026 at 11:21 PM
Remarkable statement from the Prime Minister of Denmark, directed at President Trump:
“I therefore strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally, and against another country and another people who have stated very clearly that they are not for sale.”
“I therefore strongly urge the United States to cease its threats against a historically close ally, and against another country and another people who have stated very clearly that they are not for sale.”
Reposted by Will
If Nazism, democratic manipulation, abuse, bigotry, far right algorithms, AI Hitler and AI CHILD PORN aren't enough to make you leave Twitter then Jesus wept take a long hard look at yourself.
There's really no excuse. At all. Whatsoever. It should be banned in the UK and EU.
There's really no excuse. At all. Whatsoever. It should be banned in the UK and EU.
January 4, 2026 at 8:48 PM
If Nazism, democratic manipulation, abuse, bigotry, far right algorithms, AI Hitler and AI CHILD PORN aren't enough to make you leave Twitter then Jesus wept take a long hard look at yourself.
There's really no excuse. At all. Whatsoever. It should be banned in the UK and EU.
There's really no excuse. At all. Whatsoever. It should be banned in the UK and EU.
I need to work today (catch up on hours).
I also need to buy new shoes (maybe go to the mall/macys?)
However, I kinda want to just eat brownies and watch youtube.
I also need to buy new shoes (maybe go to the mall/macys?)
However, I kinda want to just eat brownies and watch youtube.
January 4, 2026 at 5:35 PM
I need to work today (catch up on hours).
I also need to buy new shoes (maybe go to the mall/macys?)
However, I kinda want to just eat brownies and watch youtube.
I also need to buy new shoes (maybe go to the mall/macys?)
However, I kinda want to just eat brownies and watch youtube.
I think I came to a realization, a plan, an idea for this year.
If my other plans haven't materialized by summer, I'm moving to London and going to culinary school.
If my other plans haven't materialized by summer, I'm moving to London and going to culinary school.
January 4, 2026 at 4:54 PM
I think I came to a realization, a plan, an idea for this year.
If my other plans haven't materialized by summer, I'm moving to London and going to culinary school.
If my other plans haven't materialized by summer, I'm moving to London and going to culinary school.
Reposted by Will
4/ Look three steps ahead.
Now that the U.S. has triggered an "international armed conflict," Venezuelan nationals residing in the USA are "protected persons" under Geneva Convention IV.
Several significant legal implications flow from that. ...
Now that the U.S. has triggered an "international armed conflict," Venezuelan nationals residing in the USA are "protected persons" under Geneva Convention IV.
Several significant legal implications flow from that. ...
January 4, 2026 at 4:25 PM
4/ Look three steps ahead.
Now that the U.S. has triggered an "international armed conflict," Venezuelan nationals residing in the USA are "protected persons" under Geneva Convention IV.
Several significant legal implications flow from that. ...
Now that the U.S. has triggered an "international armed conflict," Venezuelan nationals residing in the USA are "protected persons" under Geneva Convention IV.
Several significant legal implications flow from that. ...
Reposted by Will
Your fact of the day:
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six American citizens suffers a food-borne illness annually. In the UK, the figure is one in 132.
bylinetimes.com/2020/02/28/f...
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six American citizens suffers a food-borne illness annually. In the UK, the figure is one in 132.
bylinetimes.com/2020/02/28/f...
Fowl Play: How US Chicken Imports will Pollute Britain's Poor
Since joining the EU British food has gone from bog-awful to top-notch, but Otto English reveals how a US Trade deal will unravel 40 years of progress.
bylinetimes.com
January 4, 2026 at 9:12 AM
Your fact of the day:
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six American citizens suffers a food-borne illness annually. In the UK, the figure is one in 132.
bylinetimes.com/2020/02/28/f...
The US Center for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that one in six American citizens suffers a food-borne illness annually. In the UK, the figure is one in 132.
bylinetimes.com/2020/02/28/f...