Bruce Dawson
@randomascii.bsky.social
Retired tech-nerd. Unicyclist, kiteboarder, juggler, hiker, plays tennis and pickleball, advocates for pedestrian/cyclist safety. Windows ETW expert. LGBTQ supporter. Vancouver, BC
he/him
https://randomascii.wordpress.com/
he/him
https://randomascii.wordpress.com/
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
For @msnownews.bsky.social, I wrote an article about how ICE Watch is grounded in sociological theories of violence prevention.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
Opinion | I'm a Minneapolis sociologist who studies violence. Here's how ICE observers are helping.
Research into how violence occurs shows that disapproval from the people around you can help reduce it.
www.ms.now
January 16, 2026 at 6:55 PM
For @msnownews.bsky.social, I wrote an article about how ICE Watch is grounded in sociological theories of violence prevention.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
America has a housing shortage. Every single housing proposal you see that is not "build more housing" will have the primary effect of pushing up the prices of existing housing, and is therefore, in reality, a plan to enrich current homeowners. In conclusion, build more housing.
President Trump will issue a plan next week for letting Americans tap their 401(k)s for a down payment on a home, a senior White House official said Friday.
Trump Plan Would Let Americans Use 401(k)s for Down Payments on Homes, Official Says
President Trump will issue a plan next week for letting Americans tap their 401(k)s for a down payment on a home, a senior White House official said Friday.
on.wsj.com
January 16, 2026 at 9:11 PM
America has a housing shortage. Every single housing proposal you see that is not "build more housing" will have the primary effect of pushing up the prices of existing housing, and is therefore, in reality, a plan to enrich current homeowners. In conclusion, build more housing.
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
BREAKING: Judge enters TRO blocking feds from interfering with or arresting peaceful protesters in Minnesota. Judge Kate Menendez, Biden appointee. Order: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
January 17, 2026 at 1:02 AM
BREAKING: Judge enters TRO blocking feds from interfering with or arresting peaceful protesters in Minnesota. Judge Kate Menendez, Biden appointee. Order: www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
January 16, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
Another day, another Intel monitoring process that is consuming significant CPU time. This time I have esrv_svc.exe using 4% of a CPU core on an otherwise idle machine.
January 13, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Another day, another Intel monitoring process that is consuming significant CPU time. This time I have esrv_svc.exe using 4% of a CPU core on an otherwise idle machine.
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
I was on the CBC's BC Today this afternoon to talk housing on a panel with Michael Geller. One caller expressed an idea that really rubs me the wrong way: "Vancouver is full". Here's how i responded, and check out the full discussion in the next post, I'll link to my blog!
January 13, 2026 at 1:44 AM
I was on the CBC's BC Today this afternoon to talk housing on a panel with Michael Geller. One caller expressed an idea that really rubs me the wrong way: "Vancouver is full". Here's how i responded, and check out the full discussion in the next post, I'll link to my blog!
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
Breaking NYT:
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:05 AM
Breaking NYT:
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
It was not "domestic terrorism.” It was state sanctioned violence.
A family will forever live with the pain caused by the admin's reckless and deadly actions.
Abolishing ICE is not enough. They must be held accountable.
A family will forever live with the pain caused by the admin's reckless and deadly actions.
Abolishing ICE is not enough. They must be held accountable.
Rep. Omar: Trump admin’s take on MN shooting is ‘delusional,’ ‘we’ve all seen the video’ | CNN
Minnesota Rep. Ilhan Omar joins The Lead.
www.cnn.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:50 AM
It was not "domestic terrorism.” It was state sanctioned violence.
A family will forever live with the pain caused by the admin's reckless and deadly actions.
Abolishing ICE is not enough. They must be held accountable.
A family will forever live with the pain caused by the admin's reckless and deadly actions.
Abolishing ICE is not enough. They must be held accountable.
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
Much has been written about potential safety benefits of AVs. Given the lack of AV data transparency, I cannot speak to whether, or to what degree, AVs are safer than an average human driver. What I can say:
This is the wrong question.
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is the wrong question.
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
We Still Don’t Know if Robotaxis Are Safer Than Human Drivers
And even if self-driving technology proves to be less dangerous, there are many better ways to improve traffic safety and prevent fatal crashes.
www.bloomberg.com
January 6, 2026 at 8:51 PM
Much has been written about potential safety benefits of AVs. Given the lack of AV data transparency, I cannot speak to whether, or to what degree, AVs are safer than an average human driver. What I can say:
This is the wrong question.
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
This is the wrong question.
🧵
www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
In his first day in office, President Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 people in the Jan. 6th Capitol riot. Five years later, most of the officers injured that day have never widely shared their experience.
Here are some of their stories, in their own words:
Here are some of their stories, in their own words:
Five years after Jan. 6, officers describe the toll of defending the Capitol
In his first day in office, Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 people in the Jan. 6th Capitol riot. The country has moved on, but for some the day still looms large.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:30 PM
In his first day in office, President Trump pardoned nearly 1,600 people in the Jan. 6th Capitol riot. Five years later, most of the officers injured that day have never widely shared their experience.
Here are some of their stories, in their own words:
Here are some of their stories, in their own words:
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) on Senate floor about GOP claims re: Jan 6:
"The lies continue"
He's standing next to a photo of Jan 6 defendant parading Confederate flag through Capitol.. and the defendant who scaled the wall in the Senate Chamber, in which Padilla is speaking
"The lies continue"
He's standing next to a photo of Jan 6 defendant parading Confederate flag through Capitol.. and the defendant who scaled the wall in the Senate Chamber, in which Padilla is speaking
January 6, 2026 at 9:27 PM
Sen. Alex Padilla (D-CA) on Senate floor about GOP claims re: Jan 6:
"The lies continue"
He's standing next to a photo of Jan 6 defendant parading Confederate flag through Capitol.. and the defendant who scaled the wall in the Senate Chamber, in which Padilla is speaking
"The lies continue"
He's standing next to a photo of Jan 6 defendant parading Confederate flag through Capitol.. and the defendant who scaled the wall in the Senate Chamber, in which Padilla is speaking
FFS Intel. In a recent test (mostly four minutes of watching a youtube video) Intel's PresentMonService.exe used the most CPU time of any process on my laptop
January 5, 2026 at 4:55 AM
FFS Intel. In a recent test (mostly four minutes of watching a youtube video) Intel's PresentMonService.exe used the most CPU time of any process on my laptop
I have a lot of Windows .bat scripts which rely on this extremely obvious pattern:
for /F "tokens=2-4 delims=/- " %A in ('date/T') do @set datevar=%C-%A-%B
This is supposed to generate something like 2026-01-04 (today's date in a sane format) but when using it today I get -01-04
for /F "tokens=2-4 delims=/- " %A in ('date/T') do @set datevar=%C-%A-%B
This is supposed to generate something like 2026-01-04 (today's date in a sane format) but when using it today I get -01-04
January 5, 2026 at 4:45 AM
I have a lot of Windows .bat scripts which rely on this extremely obvious pattern:
for /F "tokens=2-4 delims=/- " %A in ('date/T') do @set datevar=%C-%A-%B
This is supposed to generate something like 2026-01-04 (today's date in a sane format) but when using it today I get -01-04
for /F "tokens=2-4 delims=/- " %A in ('date/T') do @set datevar=%C-%A-%B
This is supposed to generate something like 2026-01-04 (today's date in a sane format) but when using it today I get -01-04
FFS. Am I wrong to think that if 10% of CPU usage in the system process is going to releasing a lock then maybe something has gone wrong and the locking/work ratio is messed up.
January 5, 2026 at 3:53 AM
FFS. Am I wrong to think that if 10% of CPU usage in the system process is going to releasing a lock then maybe something has gone wrong and the locking/work ratio is messed up.
As an experiment I bought a continuous glucose monitor (FreeStyle Libre 2) and wore it for two weeks. The device is amazing, the data is fascinating, but the experience is ruined by completely atrocious software.
January 5, 2026 at 12:44 AM
As an experiment I bought a continuous glucose monitor (FreeStyle Libre 2) and wore it for two weeks. The device is amazing, the data is fascinating, but the experience is ruined by completely atrocious software.
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
"The Constitution vests the power of declaring War with Congress, therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject, and authorised such a measure."
George Washington
George Washington
January 3, 2026 at 8:58 AM
"The Constitution vests the power of declaring War with Congress, therefore no offensive expedition of importance can be undertaken until after they shall have deliberated upon the subject, and authorised such a measure."
George Washington
George Washington
I took my new 12x image-stabilizing binoculars on vacation and as the moon and Jupiter were rising I had the chance to share them with some non-astronomical friends.
They loved what they saw so much.
They loved what they saw so much.
January 3, 2026 at 5:22 AM
I took my new 12x image-stabilizing binoculars on vacation and as the moon and Jupiter were rising I had the chance to share them with some non-astronomical friends.
They loved what they saw so much.
They loved what they saw so much.
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
Tax billionaires into millionaires
Corrupt tech billionaires are buying power to tilt the world in their favor.
Even the co-founder of Y Combinator is saying it. ⬇️
The radical death cult rising from Silicon Valley venture capital is metastasizing rapidly.
It's an existential threat to democracy and humanity.
Even the co-founder of Y Combinator is saying it. ⬇️
The radical death cult rising from Silicon Valley venture capital is metastasizing rapidly.
It's an existential threat to democracy and humanity.
January 2, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Tax billionaires into millionaires
Ideally as you read a post or article you should be learning more information but I am surprised by how frequently it turns out that the extra words consumed turn into _negative_ information. This happens when an article shares a few interesting facts and then, later on, contradicts itself.
December 31, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Ideally as you read a post or article you should be learning more information but I am surprised by how frequently it turns out that the extra words consumed turn into _negative_ information. This happens when an article shares a few interesting facts and then, later on, contradicts itself.
Reposted by Bruce Dawson
Bad cops prey on the public – and their fellow officers. To stop them, we must break the culture of silence | Mukund Krishna
Bad cops prey on the public – and their fellow officers. To stop them, we must break the culture of silence | Mukund Krishna
The rape and murder of Sarah Everard by an off-duty officer should have led to cultural change. Without it, neither communities nor officers are safe, says Mukund Krishna, chief executive of the Police Federation of England & Wales
www.theguardian.com
December 31, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Bad cops prey on the public – and their fellow officers. To stop them, we must break the culture of silence | Mukund Krishna
Nine years ago I lost all hearing in my right ear. My balance was also messed up for a while but I adapted to losing half of my vestibular system.
However the hearing loss continues to vex me. With monaural hearing I can no longer tell what directions sounds come from - this can be distressing.
However the hearing loss continues to vex me. With monaural hearing I can no longer tell what directions sounds come from - this can be distressing.
December 28, 2025 at 10:36 PM
Nine years ago I lost all hearing in my right ear. My balance was also messed up for a while but I adapted to losing half of my vestibular system.
However the hearing loss continues to vex me. With monaural hearing I can no longer tell what directions sounds come from - this can be distressing.
However the hearing loss continues to vex me. With monaural hearing I can no longer tell what directions sounds come from - this can be distressing.
Sometime this year Google Maps started confidently showing the current location incorrectly. Testing suggests that it falls back to using Wi-Fi for locations (could be an Android change) with hilarious results.
December 28, 2025 at 5:52 AM
Sometime this year Google Maps started confidently showing the current location incorrectly. Testing suggests that it falls back to using Wi-Fi for locations (could be an Android change) with hilarious results.
The list of desktop apps on my Windows 11 machine that have accessed my location reveals a couple of interesting details. First, the presence of "COM Surrogate" accessing my location means I have completely lost control since I have no idea what application this represents. Wonderful.
December 26, 2025 at 5:15 PM
The list of desktop apps on my Windows 11 machine that have accessed my location reveals a couple of interesting details. First, the presence of "COM Surrogate" accessing my location means I have completely lost control since I have no idea what application this represents. Wonderful.