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stevehewittks.bsky.social
Steve Hewitt
@stevehewittks.bsky.social
280 followers 940 following 120 posts
Father, husband, teacher, musician, gamer, and incognito Muppet. Into news, politics, video games, music, books, and some limited pop culture.
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stevehewittks.bsky.social
Steve Hewitt @stevehewittks.bsky.social · Jan 12
So, I guess I’m supposed to mention the things I like to help people find their people. #promosky

Books - mostly Sci-fi/fantasy
Video Games - RPGs/JRPGs, strategy, puzzles, PlayStation
Music - Alt Rock, Jazz, Pop, Electronic and Classical
Board Games - Lots!
RPGs - D&D etc
Politics - Progressive
stevehewittks.bsky.social
I am unreasonably proud of this.
Platinum PlayStation trophy with a malformed skull beside it. Text reads “Pride of Baldur’s Gate.” From the video game Baldur’s Gate 3 (2023).
February 12, 2026 at 5:31 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
danteatkins.bsky.social
The CIA World Factbook is/was an amazing public resource and shuttering it seems astoundingly awful.
adamkeiper.com Adam Keiper @adamkeiper.com · 14d
The CIA World Factbook, a reliable source of information about the countries of the world, has been publicly available since 1997. It is now going away.

Please consider supporting @wikipedia.org and @ourworldindata.org. The world desperately needs trustworthy data.

www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Screenshot of a statement posted on CIA.gov reading as follows: *** One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. The World Factbook served the Intelligence Community and the general public as a longstanding, one-stop basic reference about countries and communities around the globe. Let’s take a quick look into the history of The World Factbook. Over many decades, The World Factbook evolved from a classified to unclassified, hardcopy to electronic product that added new categories, and even new global entities. The original classified publication, titled The National Basic Intelligence Factbook, launched in 1962. The first unclassified companion version was issued in 1971. A decade later it was renamed The World Factbook. In 1997, The World Factbook went digital and debuted to a worldwide audience on CIA.gov, where it garnered millions of views each year. The World Factbook appealed to researchers, news organizations, teachers, students, and international travelers. Some readers even inquired whether their preferred geographic designation or world entity could be included on the high-profile site. Finally, only CIA insiders would know that officers donated some of their personal travel photos to The World Factbook, which hosted more than 5,000 photographs that were copyright-free for anyone to access and use. Though the World Factbook is gone, in the spirit of its global reach and legacy, we hope you will stay curious about the world and find ways to explore it… in person or virtually.
February 4, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
kevinhbell.bsky.social
I have FOIAd the CIA World Factbook and the reasons for its removal
February 4, 2026 Information and Privacy Coordinator Central Intelligence Agency Washington, D.C. 20505 Dear FOIA Officer: Pursuant to the Freedom of Information Act, 5 U.S.C. § 552, as amended, I request the following information and records. Background. As of today, February 4, 2026, the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA) has officially announced the sunsetting of the World Factbook.1 The agency explained in its press release announcing the end of the book, it explained “[t]he World Factbook appealed to researchers, news organizations, teachers, students, and international travelers. Some readers even inquired whether their preferred geographic designation or world entity could be included on the high-profile site.”2 Secondary commenters noted that “[t]here was no reason provided by the CIA for the discontinuance of public access to the Factbook.”3 The removal has also generated coverage by major outlets such as the Associated Press.4 For over 60 years, the Factbook served as the US government's official unclassified repository for global data, as a curated database accumulated from coordination with the State Department, Census Bureau, and other agencies to verify and standardize information. The Factbook’s removal has implications beyond the loss of its immediate public utility. The Factbook reflects official US geopolitical stances (e.g., which borders the US recognizes). Because the data has been collected consistently for decades, it is the premier resource for tracking demographic and economic changes globally. It also serves as the foundation for many other databases, and innumerable secondary sources including Wikipedia, NGO reporting on international events, and major academic and journalistic publications all linked back to information it contained. This illustrates the public interest and context for the following: 1 CIA, Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell, CIA STORIES (Feb. 4, 2026), https://www.cia.gov/stories/story/spotlighting-… Requests. 1. A copy of the most recent, complete unclassified database of The World Factbook as of February 4, 2026. This should include all updates made between January 1, 2025, and the present date. I specifically request the data in its machine-readable format (e.g., JSON, XML, or SQL export) rather than as archived HTML pages, to ensure the preservation of the data's utility. 2. unclassified internal memos, policy statements, and impact assessments, regarding the decision to sunset or discontinue the public-facing version of The World Factbook. This includes any documentation of the rationale for the removal and the transition of these resources to classified-only channels. 3. Correspondence with the White House or the Office of Management and Budget regarding the World Factbook. 4. Correspondence with any congressional staff or non-federal persons regarding continued access to information previously contained in the World Factbook. Requests 2-4 are limited to records generated between February 1, 2025, and the present. Records regarding the report are likely held by the Directorate of Analysis (DA), Office of the Director (DCI) & Executive Secretariat. Records responsive to requests 3 and 4 may also be held by the Office of the Chief Financial Officer (CFO) or Chief Information Officer (CIO). For electronic records, please provide all records in their native file formats (i.e. not converted to PDF) with all metadata included, and for records such as emails which have files embedded or attached, please provide all attachments in their native formats. If records can only be produced as PDFs, we request all records be text searchable and OCR formatted. Fee Waiver Request We request that fees be waived because “disclosure of the information is in the public interest . . . and is not primarily in the commercial interest of the requestor” (5 U.S.C. § 552 (a) (4)(A)). Disclosure of the requested records is in the public interest because it is likely to contribute sign…
February 5, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
ariehkovler.com
They closed the CIA World Factbook and deleted it entirely.
February 4, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
simon.fedi.simonwillison.net.ap.brid.gy
The CIA just stopped publishing their World Factbook and took every page, including the archived copies of previous versions!

This sucks. It was public domain, so I recovered the 2020 edition (the last one published as a zip file) and shared it to GitHub […]
Original post on fedi.simonwillison.net
fedi.simonwillison.net
February 5, 2026 at 12:26 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
bwjones.bsky.social
I miss the CIA World Factbook…Already.
www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell - CIA
www.cia.gov
February 5, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
quoproquid.bsky.social
cia world factbook had been on the ropes for years but surprised to discover that the CIA has announced it is officially shutting down, with no stated explanation, with no warning.
February 4, 2026 at 10:10 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
adamkeiper.com
The CIA World Factbook, a reliable source of information about the countries of the world, has been publicly available since 1997. It is now going away.

Please consider supporting @wikipedia.org and @ourworldindata.org. The world desperately needs trustworthy data.

www.cia.gov/stories/stor...
Screenshot of a statement posted on CIA.gov reading as follows: *** One of CIA’s oldest and most recognizable intelligence publications, The World Factbook, has sunset. The World Factbook served the Intelligence Community and the general public as a longstanding, one-stop basic reference about countries and communities around the globe. Let’s take a quick look into the history of The World Factbook. Over many decades, The World Factbook evolved from a classified to unclassified, hardcopy to electronic product that added new categories, and even new global entities. The original classified publication, titled The National Basic Intelligence Factbook, launched in 1962. The first unclassified companion version was issued in 1971. A decade later it was renamed The World Factbook. In 1997, The World Factbook went digital and debuted to a worldwide audience on CIA.gov, where it garnered millions of views each year. The World Factbook appealed to researchers, news organizations, teachers, students, and international travelers. Some readers even inquired whether their preferred geographic designation or world entity could be included on the high-profile site. Finally, only CIA insiders would know that officers donated some of their personal travel photos to The World Factbook, which hosted more than 5,000 photographs that were copyright-free for anyone to access and use. Though the World Factbook is gone, in the spirit of its global reach and legacy, we hope you will stay curious about the world and find ways to explore it… in person or virtually.
February 4, 2026 at 9:58 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
janet-laible.bsky.social
The State Department wiped out most of the resources on their "Countries and Areas" site, which I regularly used in my teaching. Now all you get is "Highlights" and press releases. If you look at archived info from previous admin, they still have relevant Dept reports and statements, econ data, etc.
February 4, 2026 at 10:23 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
ariehkovler.com
It'd be ironic if it was because of this (which is actually really bad!)
Spotlighting The World Factbook as We Bid a Fond Farewell - CIA
www.cia.gov
February 4, 2026 at 10:00 PM
stevehewittks.bsky.social
I’m a single issue voter, and that issue is bringing back the single most authoritative resource that exists for learning about the nations of the world: The CIA World Factbook. (No, I’m not really a single-issue voter. But I am mad as hell about this being taken offline.) apnews.com/article/cia-...
CIA ends publication of its popular World Factbook reference tool
The CIA is ending the publication of its popular World Factbook reference manual. The agency announced the decision Wednesday but gave no reason for it.
apnews.com
February 5, 2026 at 5:10 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
atherton.bsky.social
Every legal story now is either

Ancient Circuit Judge Delivers Crystal Clear 100 Page Rebuke To Trumpist Overreach

or

In Unsigned Shadow Docket Decision, 6-3 Majority Declares Trump Can Hunt People For Sport
October 3, 2025 at 10:26 PM
stevehewittks.bsky.social
Tried a Mediterranean place for the first time. Or Kansas’s version of Mediterranean, anyway. Had Greek before, but this was a bit different. Chicken shawarma with falafel on the side. I loved it, but the missus not so much.
November 20, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
rincewind.run
I don’t have a whole lot of advice for people younger than me but the earlier in life you stop worrying about what other people will think and just wholeheartedly enjoy the stuff you like the happier you’ll be
gwensnyder.bsky.social Gwen Snyder is uncivil @gwensnyder.bsky.social · Nov 11
One thing people kind of tell you, but not really, about middle age:

One day you'll be like "oh [thing] looks fun but people will think I'm a loser" about a thing

And then you'll say. Wait a second.

Fuck 'em
gwensnyder.bsky.social Gwen Snyder is uncivil @gwensnyder.bsky.social · Nov 11
Darn Tough turned me on to Cute Socks and I've never looked back
November 11, 2025 at 1:24 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
xkcd.com
Metric Tip

xkcd.com/3164/
Comic. PERSON 1 with white hat: How tall are you? PERSON 2: 5ft 24cm [caption] When switching to metric, make the process easier by doing it in steps.
November 6, 2025 at 11:33 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
karaswisher.bsky.social
I am digging the creative dunking by the Dems
sahilkapur.bsky.social Sahil Kapur @sahilkapur.bsky.social · Nov 6
Rep. Yassamin Ansari has set up a table and this sign outside Speaker Johnson’s office.
November 6, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
corybooker.com
Thank you Congressman Neguse for laying it plain.
October 31, 2025 at 4:14 PM
stevehewittks.bsky.social
Gave Sword of the Sea a try. Beautiful visuals and music. Fun traversal. Boring gameplay. Gave me motion sickness. Played about 2 hours and now I'm done. (In the game's defense, I've been a bit under the weather for most of a week and am particularly susceptible to motion sickness right now.)
August 23, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
birb.mom
I have taken
the pamphlets
that were in
the plum box

and which
you were probably
saving
to give with plums

Forgive me
they were fascinating
so radicalizing
and I'm allergic to plums
ladyofsardines.bsky.social Ursula @ladyofsardines.bsky.social · Jul 30
Free plums and propaganda.
Cardboard box on a rock in a garden that says free plums & propaganda. Inside the box are French plums and postcards by Marc Fischer that say Losers Attack Our Libraries, Fight for Librarians
July 30, 2025 at 10:48 PM
stevehewittks.bsky.social
Water. Wet.
podsaveamerica.crooked.com Pod Save America @podsaveamerica.crooked.com · Jul 23
BREAKING NEWS: Wall Street Journal reports Trump's name is in the Epstein Files.
July 24, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
zachweinersmith.bsky.social
Bonus panel here: www.smbc-comics.com/comic/prompt

#smbc
July 15, 2025 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
xkcd.com
Fix This Sign

xkcd.com/3113/
Comic. [Person with ponytail using handheld device in front of a large sign with crooked, off-center header, with crooked QR code (with illegible URL) and crooked list beneath] Header: DOANATE TO FIX THIS SIGN! List: $10 Fix kerning [kerning around “rni” of kerning is difficult to read]; $20 Align Columns [out of alignment] $20 Fix text size [much smaller text size]; $50 Fix typo; $50 Fix centering; $100 fix rotation. PERSON: Grrr… [caption] My new company’s business model is based on extorting graphic designers.
July 10, 2025 at 6:55 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
maxberger.bsky.social
Here’s an idea: what if the United States had a legislature.
atrupar.com Aaron Rupar @atrupar.com · Jul 6
Mike Johnson on Texas floods: "In a moment like this, we feel just as helpless as everyone else does ... all we know to do at this moment is pray."
July 6, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
alyankovic.bsky.social
Weird Al’s Secret NES Game!! (ft. “Weird Al” Yankovic)
YouTube video by Doogtoons
youtu.be
July 5, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Reposted by Steve Hewitt
effinbirds.com
A painting of a bird next to the words "oh now what the fuck"
June 20, 2025 at 1:24 PM