sascha benjamin cohen
@saschaben.bsky.social
"'In this world, Elwood, you must be oh so smart, or oh so pleasant.' Well, for years I was smart. I recommend pleasant.
You may quote me."
- Elwood P. Dowd
Baker of Bread. Brewer of Beer.
Altogether awkward but not entirely unpleasant person.
You may quote me."
- Elwood P. Dowd
Baker of Bread. Brewer of Beer.
Altogether awkward but not entirely unpleasant person.
Pinned
Sascha Benjamin Cohen: books, biography, latest update
Follow Sascha Benjamin Cohen and explore their bibliography from Amazon.com's Sascha Benjamin Cohen Author Page.
www.amazon.com
Poetry, you say? Odd short fiction, you say? Snarky humor, you say? Serious work on religious and biblical narrative, you say?
Why yes, I've written some stuff like that...
www.amazon.com/stores/Sasch...
Why yes, I've written some stuff like that...
www.amazon.com/stores/Sasch...
while the source reporting focuses on our new D4 supervisor (and what comes into focus is pretty insane), the real scandal here is just what it mayor is thinking here. even as a political neophyte he should know at least to background check a high profile appointee.
SF should really do better.
SF should really do better.
Lurie’s New Supervisor Appointee Faces Bizarre Scandal Over Filthy Conditions, Dead Animals at Pet Store
As new SF supervisor Beya Alcaraz faces a fresh new scandal about a freezer full of dead animals and a mouse infestation, it seems Mayor Daniel Lurie may not have background-checked his new District 4...
sfist.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:55 AM
while the source reporting focuses on our new D4 supervisor (and what comes into focus is pretty insane), the real scandal here is just what it mayor is thinking here. even as a political neophyte he should know at least to background check a high profile appointee.
SF should really do better.
SF should really do better.
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
Also worth repeating: Mamdani's greatest power isn't something just anyone can learn or emulate. He's got an entire PHILOSOPHY and MORAL CORE based on care over punishment that informs everything he says and does. Without that, the charisma means nothing.
blacksky.community/profile/did:...
blacksky.community/profile/did:...
This is absolutely Mamdani's not-so-secret secret power: he knows who he is and what he believes and he wants to help ALL of us. So you can't trip him up with a trick question; you can't get a fake note out of him. BECAUSE HE HAS NOTHING TO HIDE AND HE'S DONE THE READING AND HE'S HERE FOR US.
100 percent. I think he benefits from what most great orators benefit from: he knows himself—and more importantly, he talks to (and understands) what moves people. And, as far as I can tell, he believes what he’s saying.
November 11, 2025 at 3:11 AM
Also worth repeating: Mamdani's greatest power isn't something just anyone can learn or emulate. He's got an entire PHILOSOPHY and MORAL CORE based on care over punishment that informs everything he says and does. Without that, the charisma means nothing.
blacksky.community/profile/did:...
blacksky.community/profile/did:...
“‘Our vision is a future where real estate investing feels just like investing in public companies — where anyone can buy and sell shares of properties in minutes, not months.’”
certainly sounds like a recipe for microfinance "success" with a heaping helping of 2008...
certainly sounds like a recipe for microfinance "success" with a heaping helping of 2008...
oh goodie, the company that lets hundreds of random people collectively "own" the home you rent, via timeshare-like "fractional investing," just got a big infusion of cash, can't see any potential problems here
www.geekwire.com/2025/bezos-b...
www.geekwire.com/2025/bezos-b...
Bezos-backed real estate startup Arrived raises $27M to help fuel new ‘stock market’ for rental properties
Arrived co-founders, from left: COO Alejandro Chouza, CEO Ryan Frazier, and CTO Kenny Cason. (Arrived Photo) Arrived, a Seattle-based tech startup that
www.geekwire.com
November 11, 2025 at 5:37 PM
“‘Our vision is a future where real estate investing feels just like investing in public companies — where anyone can buy and sell shares of properties in minutes, not months.’”
certainly sounds like a recipe for microfinance "success" with a heaping helping of 2008...
certainly sounds like a recipe for microfinance "success" with a heaping helping of 2008...
with alt text. these people are fucking insane.
“They're afraid of an…AGI environment where no one has a job. Universities and elite institutions have played a corrosive role here. People are teaching pagan religion views a new religion with sacrifices. Who's the sacrifice? Me. I'm the sacrifice.”
“They're afraid of an…AGI environment where no one has a job. Universities and elite institutions have played a corrosive role here. People are teaching pagan religion views a new religion with sacrifices. Who's the sacrifice? Me. I'm the sacrifice.”
November 11, 2025 at 5:31 PM
with alt text. these people are fucking insane.
“They're afraid of an…AGI environment where no one has a job. Universities and elite institutions have played a corrosive role here. People are teaching pagan religion views a new religion with sacrifices. Who's the sacrifice? Me. I'm the sacrifice.”
“They're afraid of an…AGI environment where no one has a job. Universities and elite institutions have played a corrosive role here. People are teaching pagan religion views a new religion with sacrifices. Who's the sacrifice? Me. I'm the sacrifice.”
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
Hakeem Jeffries tried to do a version of this and failed miserably in getting the thoughts out convincingly on camera
This is actually good spin, or would have been. But the fact that the Democratic cave happened without even a coordinated, agreed-upon message like this indicates the depth of the leadership void.
November 11, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Hakeem Jeffries tried to do a version of this and failed miserably in getting the thoughts out convincingly on camera
I can at least understand cowardice;
I cannot forgive betrayal.
I cannot forgive betrayal.
November 11, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I can at least understand cowardice;
I cannot forgive betrayal.
I cannot forgive betrayal.
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
The harm caused by the shutdown was real, affecting millions, and no one should downplay that. But America is not in a situation of harm or no harm. Rapidly backsliding into authoritarianism, America is in a terrible situation where appeasement trades short-term relief for more long-term harm.
Democrats Have to Get Out of a Normal Democracy Mindset
By folding in the government shutdown in exchange for virtually nothing, eight Democratic senators aid Trump's authoritarian takeover rather than oppose it
www.arcdigital.media
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The harm caused by the shutdown was real, affecting millions, and no one should downplay that. But America is not in a situation of harm or no harm. Rapidly backsliding into authoritarianism, America is in a terrible situation where appeasement trades short-term relief for more long-term harm.
November 10, 2025 at 7:16 PM
A very good (if remarkably depressing) thread. We live in a painfully cynical world.
Some thoughts on the CR/minibus.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
1 The Dems negotiating with Rs were not freelancing. They coordinated with Sen Schumer. A few were ready to give in on day one, others worked to maximize appropriations wins.
Those voting for the 'deal' are the ones furthest away from electoral consequences.
November 10, 2025 at 6:44 PM
A very good (if remarkably depressing) thread. We live in a painfully cynical world.
So, Ro Khanna is certainly an opportunist, but when his opportunism aligns with shit we actually need, I am willing to forgive his blatant straddling of the gravy train.
act.rokhanna.com/a/replacesch...
act.rokhanna.com/a/replacesch...
November 10, 2025 at 6:39 PM
So, Ro Khanna is certainly an opportunist, but when his opportunism aligns with shit we actually need, I am willing to forgive his blatant straddling of the gravy train.
act.rokhanna.com/a/replacesch...
act.rokhanna.com/a/replacesch...
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
If “cruelty is the point” is a totally viable means of governance then it’s also means “kindness above all else” is also viable.
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 PM
If “cruelty is the point” is a totally viable means of governance then it’s also means “kindness above all else” is also viable.
the encrustation of fossilized collegiality in a time of tribal repudiation is a cancer in the deliberative body politic.
Whoa -- Sen. Durbin went to up Leader Thune during the vote last night to tell him that on the shutdown vote and ACA promise that "8 of us are sticking our neck out that you're going to keep your word. I hope you will. He said 'I assure you I will,'" Durbin says just now
November 10, 2025 at 6:10 PM
the encrustation of fossilized collegiality in a time of tribal repudiation is a cancer in the deliberative body politic.
November 10, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
I have now read many smart people explaining what and why the dem senate did and I stand by this. My hopes for a better America do not rest on the current class of Democratic Senators.
I am not going to let Schumer and 8 center-right Democrats bring me down. We won on Tuesday. We're gonna keep winning. Just keep telling the stories of what the Trump administration is doing and how it's making lives so much harder, about the corruption, the incompetence, the violence.
November 10, 2025 at 5:15 PM
I have now read many smart people explaining what and why the dem senate did and I stand by this. My hopes for a better America do not rest on the current class of Democratic Senators.
I once had an interview for a position of director of software development.
the company was actually hiring a director of financial development.
the 25 minutes of interview before we discovered the disconnect felt much like what is happening between the dem senate caucus & all of us right now.
the company was actually hiring a director of financial development.
the 25 minutes of interview before we discovered the disconnect felt much like what is happening between the dem senate caucus & all of us right now.
November 10, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I once had an interview for a position of director of software development.
the company was actually hiring a director of financial development.
the 25 minutes of interview before we discovered the disconnect felt much like what is happening between the dem senate caucus & all of us right now.
the company was actually hiring a director of financial development.
the 25 minutes of interview before we discovered the disconnect felt much like what is happening between the dem senate caucus & all of us right now.
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
Donald Trump is Joe Biden now
POTUS's job approval on prices is where Biden's was during peak inflation in 2022-23. Voters say 2:1 that Trump has made the economy worse. Oh, and consumer sentiment among independents hit a new all-time low in November, www.gelliottmorris.com/p/donald-tru...
POTUS's job approval on prices is where Biden's was during peak inflation in 2022-23. Voters say 2:1 that Trump has made the economy worse. Oh, and consumer sentiment among independents hit a new all-time low in November, www.gelliottmorris.com/p/donald-tru...
Donald Trump is Joe Biden now
The president's numbers on prices are where Biden's were during peak inflation in 2022-23.
www.gelliottmorris.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Donald Trump is Joe Biden now
POTUS's job approval on prices is where Biden's was during peak inflation in 2022-23. Voters say 2:1 that Trump has made the economy worse. Oh, and consumer sentiment among independents hit a new all-time low in November, www.gelliottmorris.com/p/donald-tru...
POTUS's job approval on prices is where Biden's was during peak inflation in 2022-23. Voters say 2:1 that Trump has made the economy worse. Oh, and consumer sentiment among independents hit a new all-time low in November, www.gelliottmorris.com/p/donald-tru...
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
A useful model for "AI agents" is that they're the current excuse meme for AI. They're not a thing that works at all, now or in the fabulous future. But they're *such* good material for hypecrafting.
November 10, 2025 at 10:12 AM
A useful model for "AI agents" is that they're the current excuse meme for AI. They're not a thing that works at all, now or in the fabulous future. But they're *such* good material for hypecrafting.
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
American politics makes a lot more sense when you realize that the GOP is afraid of pissing off the GOP base, and the Dems are afraid of pissing off the GOP base, but neither party is afraid of pissing off the Dem base.
November 10, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Unfortunately still true bsky.app/profile/adam...
Hassan has graduated from the Ernst school of ”we're all going to die” compassionate leadership
Agree.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
Sen Hassan, asked what will happen if Republicans don't carry out the deal, "Well, shame on them."
This is not what people were mobilizing for on Oct 18.
November 10, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Hassan has graduated from the Ernst school of ”we're all going to die” compassionate leadership
Dick Durbin, common man, man of the people, thinks his constituents and the American electorate are too fucking stupid to understand his Very Important Work.
He also appears to think we are too stupid to recognize when we are being talked down to and belittled.
We deserve so much better.
He also appears to think we are too stupid to recognize when we are being talked down to and belittled.
We deserve so much better.
Durbin said critics of his vote “need to understand how the Senate works”
November 10, 2025 at 3:36 PM
Dick Durbin, common man, man of the people, thinks his constituents and the American electorate are too fucking stupid to understand his Very Important Work.
He also appears to think we are too stupid to recognize when we are being talked down to and belittled.
We deserve so much better.
He also appears to think we are too stupid to recognize when we are being talked down to and belittled.
We deserve so much better.
Friedman wants to give our current era a label.
he lands on ”polycene”.
I'd go with “enshitticene”.
he lands on ”polycene”.
I'd go with “enshitticene”.
Opinion | The Post-Cold War Era Is Over. What Should We Call This New One?
www.nytimes.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Friedman wants to give our current era a label.
he lands on ”polycene”.
I'd go with “enshitticene”.
he lands on ”polycene”.
I'd go with “enshitticene”.
Reposted by sascha benjamin cohen
The American People: “Chuck Schumer, we have provided you with all the leverage you need to win this shutdown fight, once and for all.”
Chuck Schumer *flushing the leverage down the toilet*: “What?”
Chuck Schumer *flushing the leverage down the toilet*: “What?”
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
The American People: “Chuck Schumer, we have provided you with all the leverage you need to win this shutdown fight, once and for all.”
Chuck Schumer *flushing the leverage down the toilet*: “What?”
Chuck Schumer *flushing the leverage down the toilet*: “What?”
self enrichment?
job security?
job security?
What is the point of a political party that will not fight for the people?
November 10, 2025 at 4:38 AM
self enrichment?
job security?
job security?