Chris Shenton
@shentonfreude.bsky.social
CTO, Engineer, Coder, Haruspex.
From Washington DC area, now in Barcelona.
Tech: Python, Serverless, AWS
Interests: cooking, art, obscure music, architecture, culture
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shentonfreude/
https://mastodon.online/@shentonfreude
From Washington DC area, now in Barcelona.
Tech: Python, Serverless, AWS
Interests: cooking, art, obscure music, architecture, culture
https://www.linkedin.com/in/shentonfreude/
https://mastodon.online/@shentonfreude
Too bad that doing the right thing is more difficult than doing the wrong thing: creating the correct type of VPC Endpoint, then setting up Routing Tables, etc. Proper architecture should be the default!
Reminder: if your compute runs in a VPC and you need to access other services like DynamoDB or S3 for large datasets, set up VPC endpoints or your bill will explode quickly! 💸
There's no downside, only upside.
Less cost, better security!
www.geocod.io/code-and-co...
There's no downside, only upside.
Less cost, better security!
www.geocod.io/code-and-co...
November 26, 2025 at 10:47 PM
Too bad that doing the right thing is more difficult than doing the wrong thing: creating the correct type of VPC Endpoint, then setting up Routing Tables, etc. Proper architecture should be the default!
Reposted by Chris Shenton
Reminder: if your compute runs in a VPC and you need to access other services like DynamoDB or S3 for large datasets, set up VPC endpoints or your bill will explode quickly! 💸
There's no downside, only upside.
Less cost, better security!
www.geocod.io/code-and-co...
There's no downside, only upside.
Less cost, better security!
www.geocod.io/code-and-co...
November 26, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Reminder: if your compute runs in a VPC and you need to access other services like DynamoDB or S3 for large datasets, set up VPC endpoints or your bill will explode quickly! 💸
There's no downside, only upside.
Less cost, better security!
www.geocod.io/code-and-co...
There's no downside, only upside.
Less cost, better security!
www.geocod.io/code-and-co...
Reposted by Chris Shenton
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
November 25, 2025 at 9:26 AM
I wish I didn’t have to share this. But the BBC has decided to censor my first Reith Lecture.
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
They deleted the line in which I describe Donald Trump as “the most openly corrupt president in American history.” /1
Reposted by Chris Shenton
DOGE did not fail in any way to accomplish its goals.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter reut.rs/4abeTdx
Exclusive: DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter
The Department of Government Efficiency claimed to have slashed tens of billions of dollars in expenditures, but it was impossible for outside financial experts to verify that because the unit did not provide detailed public accounting of its work.
reut.rs
November 23, 2025 at 12:26 PM
DOGE did not fail in any way to accomplish its goals.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Its goals were never efficiency or saving money.
Its goals were to destroy as much of government as possible forever, and to steal data for the Space Nazi.
DOGE is fading away like bank robbery gangs fade away after the robberies are done.
Reposted by Chris Shenton
If your immediate response is to suggest data pipes are fatter, video is to blame, images must be the highest resolution possible, font files are doing this, etc., then you might not understand who you’re actually serving and why this is a concern.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
How broken is today's frontend culture?
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
A friend points out that the median *mobile* page is now larger than a copy of DOOM (2.6 MiB vs. 2.48 MiB), the 75th percentile page is more than 2 DOOMs, and the P90 mobile page is 4.5x the size of DOOM:
httparchive.org/reports/page...
HTTP Archive: Page Weight
This report tracks the size and quantity of many popular web page resources. Sizes represent the number of bytes sent over the network, which may be compressed.
httparchive.org
November 24, 2025 at 12:11 AM
If your immediate response is to suggest data pipes are fatter, video is to blame, images must be the highest resolution possible, font files are doing this, etc., then you might not understand who you’re actually serving and why this is a concern.
bsky.app/profile/did:...
bsky.app/profile/did:...
Reposted by Chris Shenton
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Closing Central Madrid To Cars Resulted In 9.5% Boost To Retail Spending, Finds Bank Analysis
City of Madrid significantly boosted the takings of its shops and restaurants last Christmas by banning cars from the CBD, finds an analysis by Spain's second largest bank.
www.forbes.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:21 AM
Keep this in mind when people claim cars mean business — closing Central #Madrid to cars over holidays resulted in a 9.5% boost in retail spending on its main shopping street: STUDY.
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
There was also a 71% drop in air pollution.
Via @carltonreid.com in @forbes.com. #citymakingmath #citiesforpeople
Reposted by Chris Shenton
The @python.org Software Foundation's courageous refusal of an anti-DEI $1.5 million federal grant immediately triggered an extraordinary outpouring of community support.
PSF Gets a Donor Surge After Rejecting Anti-DEI Federal Grant
The Python Software Foundation's courageous refusal of an anti-DEI $1.5 million federal grant immediately triggered an extraordinary outpouring of community support.
bit.ly
November 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
The @python.org Software Foundation's courageous refusal of an anti-DEI $1.5 million federal grant immediately triggered an extraordinary outpouring of community support.
Reposted by Chris Shenton
Visualize all 23 years of BYTE magazine in all its glory, all at once:
November 11, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Visualize all 23 years of BYTE magazine in all its glory, all at once:
Reposted by Chris Shenton
The Tennis Channel currently lol
October 27, 2025 at 4:06 PM
The Tennis Channel currently lol
Reposted by Chris Shenton
I don't buy the AI narrative around prosperity for all. There is plenty of money to go around yet it tends to flow to the top. I can't imagine a world where those in control of AI, assuming it actually works, will resist charging an ever increasing subscription fee cementing the haves and have nots.
October 27, 2025 at 6:32 PM
I don't buy the AI narrative around prosperity for all. There is plenty of money to go around yet it tends to flow to the top. I can't imagine a world where those in control of AI, assuming it actually works, will resist charging an ever increasing subscription fee cementing the haves and have nots.
Holy shit, look at the No Kings turnout in DC
October 18, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Holy shit, look at the No Kings turnout in DC
Reposted by Chris Shenton
The next Python Barcelona Meetup will take place on October 23rd at the Codurance offices.
Join us for two talks on *MCPs* & *Access Control Systems for AI*!
See you there!
www.meetup.com/python-barce...
Join us for two talks on *MCPs* & *Access Control Systems for AI*!
See you there!
www.meetup.com/python-barce...
Python Meetup October: MCPs & Access Control Systems for AI, Thu, Oct 23, 2025, 6:30 PM | Meetup
For this month's Meetup, we are partnering with **Codurance** to offer two sessions: **Securing AI** and **Python + MCPs**.
\-\-\-
Schedule:
* 👋 & 🗣️ 18:30: Welcome and
www.meetup.com
October 7, 2025 at 10:20 AM
The next Python Barcelona Meetup will take place on October 23rd at the Codurance offices.
Join us for two talks on *MCPs* & *Access Control Systems for AI*!
See you there!
www.meetup.com/python-barce...
Join us for two talks on *MCPs* & *Access Control Systems for AI*!
See you there!
www.meetup.com/python-barce...
Great news: Spain has some of the cheapest energy cost in Europe due to renewables, breaking dependence on gas and its market fluctuations. 30% lower than EU average. Covers half the country's needs. Aug 2025 first month in history without a coal plant. WTF USA?
www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2...
www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2...
Renewables give Spain among the cheapest energy in Europe
In the first half of 2025, wholesale electricity prices were 32% lower than the EU average and at least 30% cheaper than in Germany, Italy and the UK, whose industry has been left reeling as a result.
www.theolivepress.es
October 4, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Great news: Spain has some of the cheapest energy cost in Europe due to renewables, breaking dependence on gas and its market fluctuations. 30% lower than EU average. Covers half the country's needs. Aug 2025 first month in history without a coal plant. WTF USA?
www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2...
www.theolivepress.es/spain-news/2...
Reposted by Chris Shenton
There's less than a week to go until Wagtail Space! 🚀
This year, you’ll hear from:
• Trish Thomas, London Museum
• Jonathan Chittenden, Full Fact
• Annette Lewis, Six Feet Up
• Michael Trythall, Lincoln Loop
Plus loads more!
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AtWesoZI_...
#Django #Python #OpenSource
This year, you’ll hear from:
• Trish Thomas, London Museum
• Jonathan Chittenden, Full Fact
• Annette Lewis, Six Feet Up
• Michael Trythall, Lincoln Loop
Plus loads more!
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AtWesoZI_...
#Django #Python #OpenSource
October 2, 2025 at 9:09 AM
There's less than a week to go until Wagtail Space! 🚀
This year, you’ll hear from:
• Trish Thomas, London Museum
• Jonathan Chittenden, Full Fact
• Annette Lewis, Six Feet Up
• Michael Trythall, Lincoln Loop
Plus loads more!
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AtWesoZI_...
#Django #Python #OpenSource
This year, you’ll hear from:
• Trish Thomas, London Museum
• Jonathan Chittenden, Full Fact
• Annette Lewis, Six Feet Up
• Michael Trythall, Lincoln Loop
Plus loads more!
Sign up: events.zoom.us/ev/AtWesoZI_...
#Django #Python #OpenSource
Reposted by Chris Shenton
openai promises a chatgpt model with 'research grade intelligence' (if you pay them $200 a month). what they don't tell you is that it's the "research" capability of a 4th grader
August 21, 2025 at 8:16 PM
openai promises a chatgpt model with 'research grade intelligence' (if you pay them $200 a month). what they don't tell you is that it's the "research" capability of a 4th grader
Reposted by Chris Shenton
We were already doing this. They fired ~20 of our designers on 2/14 and completely blew up @alt18f.bsky.social on 2/28.
Then they install an engineer and create bad websites like this. Don't look at the code, you'll cry. They can't do anything well and they're acting like design is a new idea
Then they install an engineer and create bad websites like this. Don't look at the code, you'll cry. They can't do anything well and they're acting like design is a new idea
I've been stewing about this for a few days now but I just can't contain it anymore. what the fuck is this bullshit. americabydesign.gov
America by Design
A National Design Studio Initiative
americabydesign.gov
August 25, 2025 at 11:55 AM
We were already doing this. They fired ~20 of our designers on 2/14 and completely blew up @alt18f.bsky.social on 2/28.
Then they install an engineer and create bad websites like this. Don't look at the code, you'll cry. They can't do anything well and they're acting like design is a new idea
Then they install an engineer and create bad websites like this. Don't look at the code, you'll cry. They can't do anything well and they're acting like design is a new idea
Reposted by Chris Shenton
Fascism withers from mockery. I love it.
August 18, 2025 at 10:03 AM
Fascism withers from mockery. I love it.
Reposted by Chris Shenton
August 18, 2025 at 10:45 AM
Bad: My Pixel 6a is affected by battery overheating, and got firmware update limiting it
Good: Payoneer says I'll get a US $452 payment (no replacement centers in Spain). That's much more than the $100 I was hearing other people talk about.
A new Pixel 9a is $499-599, almost replacement cost.
Good: Payoneer says I'll get a US $452 payment (no replacement centers in Spain). That's much more than the $100 I was hearing other people talk about.
A new Pixel 9a is $499-599, almost replacement cost.
July 18, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Bad: My Pixel 6a is affected by battery overheating, and got firmware update limiting it
Good: Payoneer says I'll get a US $452 payment (no replacement centers in Spain). That's much more than the $100 I was hearing other people talk about.
A new Pixel 9a is $499-599, almost replacement cost.
Good: Payoneer says I'll get a US $452 payment (no replacement centers in Spain). That's much more than the $100 I was hearing other people talk about.
A new Pixel 9a is $499-599, almost replacement cost.
Reposted by Chris Shenton
I received this email. Complete and total gaslighting BS.
Many Americans got an email from the Social Security Administration, claiming, “The bill ensures that nearly 90% of Social Security beneficiaries will no longer pay federal income taxes on their benefits.”
There’s only one problem. It’s a complete & total lie.
www.qasimrashid.com/p/this-july-...
There’s only one problem. It’s a complete & total lie.
www.qasimrashid.com/p/this-july-...
This July 4th the Big Ugly Bill Devastates Our Freedoms
A breakdown of what to expect in this new America run by a police state and billionaire oligarchs
www.qasimrashid.com
July 5, 2025 at 7:26 PM
I received this email. Complete and total gaslighting BS.
Reposted by Chris Shenton
More of this, please. Thank you.
The Trump administration is kidnapping and trying to deport American citizens who look “foreign.”
No warrant. No due process. No rights.
Americans voted for cheaper eggs, not for a night of broken glass.
#MAGAKidnappers
No warrant. No due process. No rights.
Americans voted for cheaper eggs, not for a night of broken glass.
#MAGAKidnappers
June 19, 2025 at 4:30 AM
More of this, please. Thank you.
"It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis from 1935 (!) is so prescient: a populist gets elected on false promises, turns the country fascist, destroys education and science, deploys sadistic thugs to round up non-white non-christians, creates concentration camps.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Can%...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Can%...
It Can't Happen Here - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
June 19, 2025 at 9:27 AM
"It Can't Happen Here" by Sinclair Lewis from 1935 (!) is so prescient: a populist gets elected on false promises, turns the country fascist, destroys education and science, deploys sadistic thugs to round up non-white non-christians, creates concentration camps.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Can%...
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/It_Can%...
Reposted by Chris Shenton
Reposted by Chris Shenton
The donors don't want their workforce deported. But you'll be subject to deportation if you quit your job or join a union or try to bargain for better wages or complain about sexual harassment.
Gift link: Trump shifts deportation focus, pausing raids on farms, hotels and eateries
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/06/13/u...
June 14, 2025 at 4:17 AM
The donors don't want their workforce deported. But you'll be subject to deportation if you quit your job or join a union or try to bargain for better wages or complain about sexual harassment.