Robert Atkins
@ratkins.net
I miss Usenet. Prompt engineering and other things at https://beams.tech, ex Pivotal Labs. Also @ratkins, @ratkins@mastodon.social
Reposted by Robert Atkins
My most authoritarian opinion is that the MMR vaccine should be mandatory, with only medical (not religious or floofy) exemptions allowed. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
This Is How a Child Dies of Measles
When your family becomes a data point in an outbreak
www.theatlantic.com
February 13, 2026 at 5:02 PM
My most authoritarian opinion is that the MMR vaccine should be mandatory, with only medical (not religious or floofy) exemptions allowed. www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
I showed this to my wife (who works in finance.) She said “Oh wow, yeah” and then I told her to look harder at the y axis and her eyes bulged out of her head.
February 14, 2026 at 9:23 AM
I showed this to my wife (who works in finance.) She said “Oh wow, yeah” and then I told her to look harder at the y axis and her eyes bulged out of her head.
Reposted by Robert Atkins
i am linking this to the next person who tells me that llms do not make money remotely comparable to their investment. anthropic's annual revenue is 1/2 the size of their funding round
also lol a billion dollars of that is claude code subs they've sold in the last month
also lol a billion dollars of that is claude code subs they've sold in the last month
February 13, 2026 at 6:29 AM
i am linking this to the next person who tells me that llms do not make money remotely comparable to their investment. anthropic's annual revenue is 1/2 the size of their funding round
also lol a billion dollars of that is claude code subs they've sold in the last month
also lol a billion dollars of that is claude code subs they've sold in the last month
Reposted by Robert Atkins
it's not easy breeding deer for gigantism, but that's why I make the big bucks
February 12, 2026 at 8:48 PM
it's not easy breeding deer for gigantism, but that's why I make the big bucks
Reposted by Robert Atkins
"The beatings will continue until social cohesion improves"
Poster seen in Sydney denouncing NSW Premier Chris Minns who ordered a brutal police attack on Palestine protesters this week, justified under the totalitarian mantra of "Social Cohesion".
via @radicalgraffiti.bsky.social
Poster seen in Sydney denouncing NSW Premier Chris Minns who ordered a brutal police attack on Palestine protesters this week, justified under the totalitarian mantra of "Social Cohesion".
via @radicalgraffiti.bsky.social
February 13, 2026 at 3:00 AM
"The beatings will continue until social cohesion improves"
Poster seen in Sydney denouncing NSW Premier Chris Minns who ordered a brutal police attack on Palestine protesters this week, justified under the totalitarian mantra of "Social Cohesion".
via @radicalgraffiti.bsky.social
Poster seen in Sydney denouncing NSW Premier Chris Minns who ordered a brutal police attack on Palestine protesters this week, justified under the totalitarian mantra of "Social Cohesion".
via @radicalgraffiti.bsky.social
Reposted by Robert Atkins
“We’re not as bad as Iran” is a low bar for Herzog to set for evaluating Israel’s actions.
What even is the comparison?
Iran has killed tens of thousands (?) of their citizens, while Israel’s tens of thousands killed are Palestinians, women, children, journalists, doctors, aid workers? 🤨
#auspol
What even is the comparison?
Iran has killed tens of thousands (?) of their citizens, while Israel’s tens of thousands killed are Palestinians, women, children, journalists, doctors, aid workers? 🤨
#auspol
February 12, 2026 at 11:51 PM
“We’re not as bad as Iran” is a low bar for Herzog to set for evaluating Israel’s actions.
What even is the comparison?
Iran has killed tens of thousands (?) of their citizens, while Israel’s tens of thousands killed are Palestinians, women, children, journalists, doctors, aid workers? 🤨
#auspol
What even is the comparison?
Iran has killed tens of thousands (?) of their citizens, while Israel’s tens of thousands killed are Palestinians, women, children, journalists, doctors, aid workers? 🤨
#auspol
Oh, and what happened to that breathless revelation about some intelligence briefing the politicians were going to get last Monday or whenever? Something about Gabbard being a Putin stooge? Hard evidence for the bleeding obvious, at least?
It's not a new observation at this point but that wild Noem/Lewandowski story in WSJ really brings home the extent to which all the Trump 2 cabinet-level goblins see their jobs as flying private, doing short-form video, and screaming at underlings. They all hate each other and none of them can read.
February 13, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Oh, and what happened to that breathless revelation about some intelligence briefing the politicians were going to get last Monday or whenever? Something about Gabbard being a Putin stooge? Hard evidence for the bleeding obvious, at least?
Is there any reason these trials can’t happen in Europe?
If Moderna is no longer bringing vaccine trials for Epstein-Barr virus (good evidence that EB causes Multiple Sclerosis), herpes, and shingles because of Trump appointees, I want prison time for those appointees.
This might be dooming millions to disease they don’t have to experience.
This might be dooming millions to disease they don’t have to experience.
February 13, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Is there any reason these trials can’t happen in Europe?
Reposted by Robert Atkins
Watching an endless loop of ten second clips? Haha this younger generation. When I was your age we used to watch a variety show starring an ostrich puppet, a man with a cowboy hat and a reel to reel sound player. It was so racist Harry Connick Jr. made a formal protest. It was three hours long
June 26, 2025 at 3:50 AM
Watching an endless loop of ten second clips? Haha this younger generation. When I was your age we used to watch a variety show starring an ostrich puppet, a man with a cowboy hat and a reel to reel sound player. It was so racist Harry Connick Jr. made a formal protest. It was three hours long
God I hate the Liquid Arse animations. Yes, my €1000 iPad is made out of gooey rubber and behaves like a kid’s toy, thank you very much.
February 13, 2026 at 5:33 PM
God I hate the Liquid Arse animations. Yes, my €1000 iPad is made out of gooey rubber and behaves like a kid’s toy, thank you very much.
“… launching aboard Rocket Lab’s “That’s Not A Knife” mission…”
😆
😆
Australian hypersonic flight pioneer Hypersonix Launch Systems has confirmed a launch window for a landmark flight test that aims to bring sustained hypersonic flight closer to operational reality. #aviation #aerospace
https://bit.ly/4aw7YKz
https://bit.ly/4aw7YKz
Launch window opens for Australian hypersonic flight milestone
The flight is scheduled for no earlier than late February, launching aboard Rocket Lab’s “That’s Not A Knife” mission from Launch Complex 2 at the Mid-Atlantic Regional Spaceport, operated by the Virginia Spaceport Authority. Final launch timing will...
bit.ly
February 13, 2026 at 5:16 PM
“… launching aboard Rocket Lab’s “That’s Not A Knife” mission…”
😆
😆
Reposted by Robert Atkins
Wait, so explain to me why is it the US trying to negotiate with Putin on behalf of Ukraine?… Why isn't the EU organizing the peace talks?
U.S. military aid to Ukraine in 2025 has dropped by 99%, according to the Ukraine Support Tracker.
At the same time, assistance from the EU has increased by 67%.
Overall, the total volume of aid has remained roughly at the level of previous years.
At the same time, assistance from the EU has increased by 67%.
Overall, the total volume of aid has remained roughly at the level of previous years.
February 12, 2026 at 11:55 PM
Wait, so explain to me why is it the US trying to negotiate with Putin on behalf of Ukraine?… Why isn't the EU organizing the peace talks?
Having one Dock/task switcher icon for Outlook Mail and Outlook Calendar is going to drive me insane.
February 13, 2026 at 11:32 AM
Having one Dock/task switcher icon for Outlook Mail and Outlook Calendar is going to drive me insane.
Berlin. A dark hole, some flashing lights, loud repetitive electronic sounds, dissociating slightly…
“Berghain?”
“No, MRI.”
“Berghain?”
“No, MRI.”
February 13, 2026 at 10:07 AM
Berlin. A dark hole, some flashing lights, loud repetitive electronic sounds, dissociating slightly…
“Berghain?”
“No, MRI.”
“Berghain?”
“No, MRI.”
We don’t deserve dogs.
This is Bogie. This rope is his very favorite toy because it makes his tiny human smile too. 13/10 (TT: _chelsea_brown_4)
February 13, 2026 at 9:40 AM
We don’t deserve dogs.
Reposted by Robert Atkins
On the one hand, this is yet another horrific development.
On the other hand, fuck you Tim Cook. You're the latest to discover that selling your soul to Donald Trump will gain you nothing.
On the other hand, fuck you Tim Cook. You're the latest to discover that selling your soul to Donald Trump will gain you nothing.
The FTC has sent a letter to Tim Cook because Apple News is too woke and needs to include more right wing content.
This would sound silly even for The Onion but it’s our current reality.
This would sound silly even for The Onion but it’s our current reality.
Apple faces new tensions with Trump administration
US regulator issues warning to iPhone maker about its News platform following controversy over Super Bowl half-time show
www.ft.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:49 PM
On the one hand, this is yet another horrific development.
On the other hand, fuck you Tim Cook. You're the latest to discover that selling your soul to Donald Trump will gain you nothing.
On the other hand, fuck you Tim Cook. You're the latest to discover that selling your soul to Donald Trump will gain you nothing.
@tessa.germnetwork.com Hi, I downloaded Germ and I can’t seem to auth? Does it assume a .bsky.social handle?
February 12, 2026 at 8:43 PM
@tessa.germnetwork.com Hi, I downloaded Germ and I can’t seem to auth? Does it assume a .bsky.social handle?
Reposted by Robert Atkins
I’m a little surprised the USA isn’t doing better in the Winter Olympics after spending the last year proving how great they are at going downhill
February 11, 2026 at 12:05 AM
I’m a little surprised the USA isn’t doing better in the Winter Olympics after spending the last year proving how great they are at going downhill
Reposted by Robert Atkins
The Finns know a great deal about skiing and then shooting accurately.
See WWII.
When Russia, with an army of 450,000, invaded, the Finns responded, "where will we bury them all?"
See WWII.
When Russia, with an army of 450,000, invaded, the Finns responded, "where will we bury them all?"
Well, we knew the biathlon men’s individual was anyone’s race, but if some Finnish dude who’s never had a podium wins this I am going fall out of my chair!
February 10, 2026 at 10:52 PM
The Finns know a great deal about skiing and then shooting accurately.
See WWII.
When Russia, with an army of 450,000, invaded, the Finns responded, "where will we bury them all?"
See WWII.
When Russia, with an army of 450,000, invaded, the Finns responded, "where will we bury them all?"
Reposted by Robert Atkins
Other Wuthering Heights movies are but placeholders until the one star who was born to be Cathy becomes available.
February 10, 2026 at 9:05 AM
Other Wuthering Heights movies are but placeholders until the one star who was born to be Cathy becomes available.
Reposted by Robert Atkins
Just so we're all clear, the plural of Roomba is Roombae
Receptionist quietly into phone: Security? Yeah. He's back
Receptionist quietly into phone: Security? Yeah. He's back
February 9, 2026 at 8:00 PM
Just so we're all clear, the plural of Roomba is Roombae
Receptionist quietly into phone: Security? Yeah. He's back
Receptionist quietly into phone: Security? Yeah. He's back
Reposted by Robert Atkins
This carpet is super fancy! A shag?
This carpet is super! Fancy a shag?
Punctuation matters.
This carpet is super! Fancy a shag?
Punctuation matters.
February 9, 2026 at 11:51 PM
This carpet is super fancy! A shag?
This carpet is super! Fancy a shag?
Punctuation matters.
This carpet is super! Fancy a shag?
Punctuation matters.
Reposted by Robert Atkins
A lot of political behavior and especially online political discourse is explained by people fearing ostracization by their community more than having irrational political beliefs, bc the cost of having irrational political beliefs on the individual level is low while ostracization is very painful
February 10, 2026 at 7:18 PM
A lot of political behavior and especially online political discourse is explained by people fearing ostracization by their community more than having irrational political beliefs, bc the cost of having irrational political beliefs on the individual level is low while ostracization is very painful
Reposted by Robert Atkins
Europeans think all the random loot in Fallout is because of a nuclear war but America is just like that. Yesterday, I found a rocket launcher looking for my phone charger.
Fuck a morning coffee, this picture is enough to jolt me awake
February 10, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Europeans think all the random loot in Fallout is because of a nuclear war but America is just like that. Yesterday, I found a rocket launcher looking for my phone charger.
Reposted by Robert Atkins
S/o to this joke I played on our lab tech in 2019
February 10, 2026 at 2:25 PM
S/o to this joke I played on our lab tech in 2019