Sam Machkovech
@samred.com
This feed is 1/3 dog, 1/3 arts+tech, 1/3 something something. Currently: Digital Foundry. Recently: NYT, Polygon, The Stranger, Game Developer, Games Radar. Previously: Ars, American Airlines, The Atlantic. He/him, from Seattle.
Pinned
Sam Machkovech
@samred.com
· Nov 10
After the Triumph of Tetris, an Unsolved Puzzle
Alexey Pajitnov, who created the ubiquitous game in 1984, opens up about his failed projects and his desire to design another hit.
www.nytimes.com
I've dreamed my entire career of writing an article like this. New in today's @nytimes.com: My profile of Tetris creator (and Seattle-area resident) Alexey Pajitnov, on the games, attempts, and failures he's worked on in the 40-year shadow of his most famous game. (Upshot: He's still designing.)
Primary every Senator who in one way or another did not do enough to sound the alarms and generally fell in line here.
That means you, @jayapal.house.gov and @cantwell.senate.gov, if you don't scream public bloody murder and kill this bad deal. There's enough to campaign on should the ACA collapse.
That means you, @jayapal.house.gov and @cantwell.senate.gov, if you don't scream public bloody murder and kill this bad deal. There's enough to campaign on should the ACA collapse.
Welp not a conspiracy anymore
November 10, 2025 at 11:28 PM
Primary every Senator who in one way or another did not do enough to sound the alarms and generally fell in line here.
That means you, @jayapal.house.gov and @cantwell.senate.gov, if you don't scream public bloody murder and kill this bad deal. There's enough to campaign on should the ACA collapse.
That means you, @jayapal.house.gov and @cantwell.senate.gov, if you don't scream public bloody murder and kill this bad deal. There's enough to campaign on should the ACA collapse.
this poor girl had to wake for a 1:30am PT work meeting and is now supporting my DF workload today
November 10, 2025 at 9:05 PM
this poor girl had to wake for a 1:30am PT work meeting and is now supporting my DF workload today
Reposted by Sam Machkovech
King County Elections is working overtime on the holiday to finish counting the remaining ballots for the Seattle Mayor's race.
If you want to check the status of your own ballot, no matter where in WA you vote, visit: voter.votewa.gov/portal2023/l...
If you want to check the status of your own ballot, no matter where in WA you vote, visit: voter.votewa.gov/portal2023/l...
November 10, 2025 at 7:55 PM
King County Elections is working overtime on the holiday to finish counting the remaining ballots for the Seattle Mayor's race.
If you want to check the status of your own ballot, no matter where in WA you vote, visit: voter.votewa.gov/portal2023/l...
If you want to check the status of your own ballot, no matter where in WA you vote, visit: voter.votewa.gov/portal2023/l...
Reposted by Sam Machkovech
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
If you're represented by one of the squishier centrists, be sure to make a call. Now.
anybody in Seattle got a Mario Kart 64 cartridge to spare or lend? can't find mine, sigh.
November 8, 2025 at 2:48 AM
anybody in Seattle got a Mario Kart 64 cartridge to spare or lend? can't find mine, sigh.
Seattle, this is a Zax Eat 'N Three fansite now. pics of my chicken before and after I added the A+++ white sauce. (reminder, www.zaxeatnthree.com/menu is what you want.)
November 8, 2025 at 2:20 AM
Seattle, this is a Zax Eat 'N Three fansite now. pics of my chicken before and after I added the A+++ white sauce. (reminder, www.zaxeatnthree.com/menu is what you want.)
holy explosion in Katie Wilson votes, Batman! HUGE swing today! if this trend continues, Wilson will surely win, and Seattle will have turned in a FULL progressive vote in this week's election!
November 7, 2025 at 11:41 PM
holy explosion in Katie Wilson votes, Batman! HUGE swing today! if this trend continues, Wilson will surely win, and Seattle will have turned in a FULL progressive vote in this week's election!
remember that all-caps screaming I did on Tuesday, asking Seattlites to feel the Zohran rush and get their ballots in at the deadline?
turns out, you did it. the last estimate for local vote turnout was ~38%. wow. Seattle has a lot of late ballot drops, but 2025 might take the historical cake.
turns out, you did it. the last estimate for local vote turnout was ~38%. wow. Seattle has a lot of late ballot drops, but 2025 might take the historical cake.
As of 6:00pm today, King County Elections is reporting that turnout in the City of Seattle has reached 55.13% with 278,627 ballots received.
🚨 As of 8:00am today, King County Elections is reporting that turnout in the City of Seattle has reached 54.83% with 277,102 ballots received.
A note about last night’s update: turnout was actually reported as 50.26%. So turnout has grown another 4.5% overnight.
A note about last night’s update: turnout was actually reported as 50.26%. So turnout has grown another 4.5% overnight.
November 7, 2025 at 2:15 AM
remember that all-caps screaming I did on Tuesday, asking Seattlites to feel the Zohran rush and get their ballots in at the deadline?
turns out, you did it. the last estimate for local vote turnout was ~38%. wow. Seattle has a lot of late ballot drops, but 2025 might take the historical cake.
turns out, you did it. the last estimate for local vote turnout was ~38%. wow. Seattle has a lot of late ballot drops, but 2025 might take the historical cake.
Funny that I debuted as a member of the Digital Foundry team this morning, then learned I was also featured in the NYT's Word Of The Day blurb today! So much Sam content.
Word of the Day: invigorate
www.nytimes.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:10 AM
Funny that I debuted as a member of the Digital Foundry team this morning, then learned I was also featured in the NYT's Word Of The Day blurb today! So much Sam content.
Reposted by Sam Machkovech
A bonus for all paid Patreon supporters - you get a fully ad-free website. Support is key to making what we do financially viable, so if you value what we do and want the best experience on our site, please consider joining our Supporter Program!
November 6, 2025 at 4:47 PM
A bonus for all paid Patreon supporters - you get a fully ad-free website. Support is key to making what we do financially viable, so if you value what we do and want the best experience on our site, please consider joining our Supporter Program!
Reposted by Sam Machkovech
Proud and excited to share that the new Digital Foundry website is live - please do check it out at www.digitalfoundry.net. Read our opening post about what we're doing and why: www.digitalfoundry.net/news/2025/11...
Digital Foundry
Digital Foundry was founded in 2004 and specialises in technical analysis of video games and hardware, using our own bespoke tools for frame-rate analysis – covering everything from console, PC and be...
www.digitalfoundry.net
November 6, 2025 at 4:44 PM
Proud and excited to share that the new Digital Foundry website is live - please do check it out at www.digitalfoundry.net. Read our opening post about what we're doing and why: www.digitalfoundry.net/news/2025/11...
Hi hi! I'm happy and proud to announce that I've spent the last few weeks preparing the relaunch of @digitalfoundry.bsky.social as its Launch Site Editor! A dream role in many ways. I'll be translating the DF team's videos in the site's early months while building exclusive content. Check it out:
Digital Foundry
Digital Foundry was founded in 2004 and specialises in technical analysis of video games and hardware, using our own bespoke tools for frame-rate analysis – covering everything from console, PC and be...
digitalfoundry.net
November 6, 2025 at 4:42 PM
Hi hi! I'm happy and proud to announce that I've spent the last few weeks preparing the relaunch of @digitalfoundry.bsky.social as its Launch Site Editor! A dream role in many ways. I'll be translating the DF team's videos in the site's early months while building exclusive content. Check it out:
okay I believe I get to remove and replace the question marks in my profile starting tomorrow, and I'm very, very excited to share that news to all 90ish real humans who follow me and my bot army in excess of 1,000 weird-ass accounts
in the meantime, have dog
in the meantime, have dog
November 5, 2025 at 6:59 PM
okay I believe I get to remove and replace the question marks in my profile starting tomorrow, and I'm very, very excited to share that news to all 90ish real humans who follow me and my bot army in excess of 1,000 weird-ass accounts
in the meantime, have dog
in the meantime, have dog
I posted this in replies, but to clarify: Seattle joined the rest of the nation in tonight's progressive turn. Nearly the entire ballot went that way by high %: City Council, City Attorney, levies, school board. Tight mayoral race is an exception, but entrenched incumbent is within losing margin.
November 5, 2025 at 5:29 AM
I posted this in replies, but to clarify: Seattle joined the rest of the nation in tonight's progressive turn. Nearly the entire ballot went that way by high %: City Council, City Attorney, levies, school board. Tight mayoral race is an exception, but entrenched incumbent is within losing margin.
I sure hope Seattle got the memo and did the thing over past 48 hours. Wilson is down by a winnable margin..... if our electorate actually participated. Here's to a tense few days of ballot counting, and a reminder that we're the West Coast's centrist embarrassment all too often.
IF YOU ARE IN SEATTLE OR WA STATE RN AND ARE FRESHLY EXCITED FOR SOME REASON AND HAVEN'T VOTED YET, YOU HAVE 90 MINUTES TO SCRIBBLE LIKE SEVEN EASY BUBBLES, SIGN YOUR NAME, AND HIT YOUR LOCAL BALLOT BOX
November 5, 2025 at 4:22 AM
I sure hope Seattle got the memo and did the thing over past 48 hours. Wilson is down by a winnable margin..... if our electorate actually participated. Here's to a tense few days of ballot counting, and a reminder that we're the West Coast's centrist embarrassment all too often.
Reposted by Sam Machkovech
In early results, Katie Wilson trails incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell by 7 points, which would put her within reach of catching him in late returns. This is going to be a nailbiter.
November 5, 2025 at 4:15 AM
In early results, Katie Wilson trails incumbent Seattle Mayor Bruce Harrell by 7 points, which would put her within reach of catching him in late returns. This is going to be a nailbiter.
Harrell up by 7 points in earliest drop. Still within margin of error for Wilson to eke out a win.
November 5, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Harrell up by 7 points in earliest drop. Still within margin of error for Wilson to eke out a win.
"not much, just spamming F5 on King County and Seattle election results, sup witchu"
November 5, 2025 at 4:08 AM
"not much, just spamming F5 on King County and Seattle election results, sup witchu"
IF YOU ARE IN SEATTLE OR WA STATE RN AND ARE FRESHLY EXCITED FOR SOME REASON AND HAVEN'T VOTED YET, YOU HAVE 90 MINUTES TO SCRIBBLE LIKE SEVEN EASY BUBBLES, SIGN YOUR NAME, AND HIT YOUR LOCAL BALLOT BOX
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 AM
IF YOU ARE IN SEATTLE OR WA STATE RN AND ARE FRESHLY EXCITED FOR SOME REASON AND HAVEN'T VOTED YET, YOU HAVE 90 MINUTES TO SCRIBBLE LIKE SEVEN EASY BUBBLES, SIGN YOUR NAME, AND HIT YOUR LOCAL BALLOT BOX
fear-based politics are out of runway. the Nixon-and-on, centrist-solution lie doesn't expand the middle class economy, doesn't stabilize rent, and sure as hell doesn't scream doggedly at the fascists who kidnap our neighbors and embrace corruption. we're not buying it anymore. LFG.
November 5, 2025 at 2:27 AM
fear-based politics are out of runway. the Nixon-and-on, centrist-solution lie doesn't expand the middle class economy, doesn't stabilize rent, and sure as hell doesn't scream doggedly at the fascists who kidnap our neighbors and embrace corruption. we're not buying it anymore. LFG.
Seattle: you still have a few hours to fish out your unfilled ballot (NO JUDGMENT I GET IT JUST DO IT), grab the sticker, fill in a few bubbles, sign the envelope, drop your ballot at a nearby ballot box, and get some free 'scream
Wear your "I voted" sticker to any Molly Moon's location on Tuesday to get a free scoop of ice cream in any flavor.
molly moon's ice cream on Instagram: "🗳️ 🍦 Tomorrow is General Election Day in Washington State! After you’ve dropped off or mailed your ballot (just make sure it’s postmarked by tomorrow, November 4t...
As you cast your ballot on General Election Day in Washington State, show off your civic pride with an 'I Voted!' sticker and treat yourself to a free scoop of ice cream at Molly Moon's. Enjoy the swe...
www.instagram.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:53 AM
Seattle: you still have a few hours to fish out your unfilled ballot (NO JUDGMENT I GET IT JUST DO IT), grab the sticker, fill in a few bubbles, sign the envelope, drop your ballot at a nearby ballot box, and get some free 'scream
LOLed at this in today's "please vote, Seattle" thread. by all means, copy and text this to all of your, uh, ballot baddies (alt text included)
November 4, 2025 at 7:12 PM
LOLed at this in today's "please vote, Seattle" thread. by all means, copy and text this to all of your, uh, ballot baddies (alt text included)
The dumbest site admins in the world are opting for same strat that a guy in my college dorm used to inflate his Quake fansite numbers in 1999. I remember the first day that guy didn't get his usual stack of pizzas delivered to his room. His face said it all. I look fwd to El*n making the same face
Looks like X is juicing web visit numbers by opening a browser WebView in the background whether the user visits the link or not.
They've re-invented pop-under fraud (allegedly).
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4580...
They've re-invented pop-under fraud (allegedly).
news.ycombinator.com/item?id=4580...
![Tell HN: X is opening any tweet link in a webview whether you press it or not
247 points by stillatit 10 hours ago | hide | past | favorite | 200 comments
Just saw the CEO of Substack celebrating traffic from X/Twitter shooting up thinking they stopped suppressing tweets with links[0]. Actually, this traffic is because now any time you open a tweet with a link, the in-app webview loads in the background, and displays when you press the link.
I run an ecom store that gets a lot of its customers from Twitter. I was also shocked to see my traffic double or triple overnight and thought the algorithm had blessed me and my business. Soon realized what was actually happening. Thought other traffic-monitors might appreciate this explanation.
Meanwhile Nikita Bier is pretending they never suppressed tweets with links to begin with, offering the alternative explanation: "a common complaint is that posts with links tend to get lower reach. This is because the web browser covers the post and people forget to Like or Reply. So X doesn't get a clear signal whether the content is any good"[1]. A bit of a rewriting of history since Elon and his mom both tweeted about how it wasn't fair to use his platform to promote other links/platforms, even banning people who shared profiles of other social networks (including Paul Graham for a period). They suppressed all links shortly after.
[0] https://x.com/cjgbest/status/1985464687350485092
[1] https://x.com/nikitabier/status/1979994223224209709](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:tpg43qhh4lw4ksiffs4nbda3/bafkreia62cq7p2dn2o76cjuuzl5dpwaatnf5m5cl5bm7lmoprsavebgl4q@jpeg)
November 4, 2025 at 6:21 PM
The dumbest site admins in the world are opting for same strat that a guy in my college dorm used to inflate his Quake fansite numbers in 1999. I remember the first day that guy didn't get his usual stack of pizzas delivered to his room. His face said it all. I look fwd to El*n making the same face
today in "the fuck do YOU want" expressions
November 4, 2025 at 12:14 AM
today in "the fuck do YOU want" expressions
......sorry but I think I did this, look at the timestamp 😞
gonna end this game by taking the dog for a walk, one moment plz
November 2, 2025 at 4:18 AM
......sorry but I think I did this, look at the timestamp 😞