web_rant
@webrant.bsky.social
Human-powered news feed defending your civil liberties and climate from oligarchs & fascists. Rants as necessary here already for quite a while.
Reposted by web_rant
His capital interests require you ignore the degradation because it's only going to increases as that tainted data is consumed by LLMs in a never ending loop of regression.
Focus instead on their intent of cognitive mental manipulation for oligarch control of the masses.
bsky.app/profile/cult...
Focus instead on their intent of cognitive mental manipulation for oligarch control of the masses.
bsky.app/profile/cult...
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella says people should move beyond calling AI 'slop'
"We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium ... that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other"
"We need to get beyond the arguments of slop vs sophistication and develop a new equilibrium ... that accounts for humans being equipped with these new cognitive amplifier tools as we relate to each other"
January 3, 2026 at 6:18 AM
His capital interests require you ignore the degradation because it's only going to increases as that tainted data is consumed by LLMs in a never ending loop of regression.
Focus instead on their intent of cognitive mental manipulation for oligarch control of the masses.
bsky.app/profile/cult...
Focus instead on their intent of cognitive mental manipulation for oligarch control of the masses.
bsky.app/profile/cult...
Reposted by web_rant
FUN FACT: Nicotine is a dangerous and highly addictive chemical. It can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, flow of blood to the heart and a narrowing & hardening of arterial walls leading to a heart attack.
But workers are expendable to concentrated capital.
bsky.app/profile/hype...
But workers are expendable to concentrated capital.
bsky.app/profile/hype...
“Nicotine pouches, which have grown in popularity in recent years, including among Wall Street bankers, have become a go-to stimulant for a subset of tech workers who claim the products help them focus and get through the workday, despite health hazards.”
Tech Startups Are Handing Out Free Nicotine Pouches to Boost Productivity
A nicotine replacement for smokers has started popping up in offices in the tech industry, despite health hazards.
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 6:08 AM
FUN FACT: Nicotine is a dangerous and highly addictive chemical. It can cause an increase in blood pressure, heart rate, flow of blood to the heart and a narrowing & hardening of arterial walls leading to a heart attack.
But workers are expendable to concentrated capital.
bsky.app/profile/hype...
But workers are expendable to concentrated capital.
bsky.app/profile/hype...
Reposted by web_rant
My man looks like Robert Redford was battered and deep-fried
January 3, 2026 at 3:24 AM
My man looks like Robert Redford was battered and deep-fried
Reposted by web_rant
Saw Gore Verbinski's Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die at the Palm Springs Film Fest tonight (with a Q&A with the director after). He deserves a lot of credit for taking a big swing with this one, which is shockingly negative about AI and matches the zeitgeist. Sam Rockwell is insane (as usual).
January 3, 2026 at 5:07 AM
Saw Gore Verbinski's Good Luck, Have Fun, Don't Die at the Palm Springs Film Fest tonight (with a Q&A with the director after). He deserves a lot of credit for taking a big swing with this one, which is shockingly negative about AI and matches the zeitgeist. Sam Rockwell is insane (as usual).
Reposted by web_rant
"According to CBS News insiders, Weiss – who is currently planning to be on location for each broadcast of the CBS Evening News relaunch tour – has requested additional security for the telecasts, including heavily-armed guards."
Who does she think she is? 😆
Who does she think she is? 😆
Private jets and ‘Bari pitches’: Inside Weiss’ chaotic CBS Evening News reboot
EXCLUSIVE: The new CBS News editor-in-chief has chartered private flights for her armed security detail, made last-minute logistical changes and fired off ‘Bari Pitches.’ Weiss is once again accused o...
www.the-independent.com
January 3, 2026 at 5:10 AM
"According to CBS News insiders, Weiss – who is currently planning to be on location for each broadcast of the CBS Evening News relaunch tour – has requested additional security for the telecasts, including heavily-armed guards."
Who does she think she is? 😆
Who does she think she is? 😆
Reposted by web_rant
Let's get those dominoes moving, cutting off the corruption of sociopathic AIPAC funding.
To stop an ethnic cleansing and have Netanyahu held accountable.
bsky.app/profile/russ...
To stop an ethnic cleansing and have Netanyahu held accountable.
bsky.app/profile/russ...
"An Abughazaleh or Biss victory, AIPAC leaders warned, could be the lead domino in the 2026 midterms of victories for more progressive Democrats who’ve expressed criticism of the Israeli government. Illinois’ primary on March 17 is one of the first in the country."
For context: Here's the full exclusive story (gift link) I broke a few weeks ago about what's going on here
January 3, 2026 at 5:55 AM
Let's get those dominoes moving, cutting off the corruption of sociopathic AIPAC funding.
To stop an ethnic cleansing and have Netanyahu held accountable.
bsky.app/profile/russ...
To stop an ethnic cleansing and have Netanyahu held accountable.
bsky.app/profile/russ...
Reposted by web_rant
This means Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg... the tech bros.
January 2, 2026 at 11:02 PM
This means Elon Musk, Peter Thiel, Jeff Bezos, Mark Zuckerberg... the tech bros.
Reposted by web_rant
I would wager that the actual reason why no prior sitting president has apparently ever taken the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test, is that no prior president or VP since the test's creation in 1996 has ever engaged in behavior that is as suggestive of cognitive impairment as Trump has.
Trump again says his health is “PERFECT” and claims he “ACED” his third straight cognitive exam, a test given by doctors to detect signs of dementia
January 3, 2026 at 3:58 AM
I would wager that the actual reason why no prior sitting president has apparently ever taken the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test, is that no prior president or VP since the test's creation in 1996 has ever engaged in behavior that is as suggestive of cognitive impairment as Trump has.
Reposted by web_rant
Already loving Oaxaca
January 3, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Already loving Oaxaca
Reposted by web_rant
Gupta: He keeps citing this constant passing of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test…
This is not a tool that the general public should be utilizing with that level of frequency unless there’s a reason to do it—which is to assess and monitor the evolution of mild dementia or impairment.
This is not a tool that the general public should be utilizing with that level of frequency unless there’s a reason to do it—which is to assess and monitor the evolution of mild dementia or impairment.
January 3, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Gupta: He keeps citing this constant passing of the Montreal Cognitive Assessment test…
This is not a tool that the general public should be utilizing with that level of frequency unless there’s a reason to do it—which is to assess and monitor the evolution of mild dementia or impairment.
This is not a tool that the general public should be utilizing with that level of frequency unless there’s a reason to do it—which is to assess and monitor the evolution of mild dementia or impairment.
Reposted by web_rant
A13. In case you're wondering how newsy it is to have the President dead to rights.
January 3, 2026 at 3:26 AM
A13. In case you're wondering how newsy it is to have the President dead to rights.
Reposted by web_rant
Good for Reuters for changing their headline. Pressure works. Grok did not do this. Elon Musk did.
January 3, 2026 at 4:14 AM
Good for Reuters for changing their headline. Pressure works. Grok did not do this. Elon Musk did.
Reposted by web_rant
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests in Iran on 1 January
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Qz7rbxSWTp34...
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Qz7rbxSWTp34...
January 2, 2026 at 8:40 PM
THREAD: Verified videos of anti-establishment protests in Iran on 1 January
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Qz7rbxSWTp34...
A group of protesters in the small city of Azna, in the western porvince of Lorestan, set fire to the local police station.
Location: maps.app.goo.gl/Qz7rbxSWTp34...
Reposted by web_rant
It’s almost like green energy is the only way forward and a handful of oil barons are doing everything in their power to keep that from happening so they can get even richer at the cost of literally everything else in the world.
Wall Street’s biggest banks made more money financing green projects than they did from working with fossil fuel companies for a fourth straight year, even as they faced ongoing pressure to pull back from the business
Banks Notch Higher Fees From Green Bonds Than Fossil Fuel Debt
Wall Street’s biggest banks made more money financing green projects than they did from working with fossil fuel companies for a fourth straight year, even as they faced ongoing pressure to pull back from the business.
bloom.bg
January 3, 2026 at 3:00 AM
It’s almost like green energy is the only way forward and a handful of oil barons are doing everything in their power to keep that from happening so they can get even richer at the cost of literally everything else in the world.
Reposted by web_rant
In 1995, Sandra Bullock was the first person ever to buy movie theater tickets online, in promotion for her new film THE NET.
January 3, 2026 at 12:01 AM
In 1995, Sandra Bullock was the first person ever to buy movie theater tickets online, in promotion for her new film THE NET.
Reposted by web_rant
CBS’s Bari Weiss Accused Trump of Using ‘Anti-Jewish Tropes’ In Resurfaced Interview
www.mediaite.com/media/news/b...
www.mediaite.com/media/news/b...
Bari Weiss Accused Trump of Using ‘Anti-Jewish Tropes’ In Resurfaced Interview
Bari Weiss accused President Donald Trump of using "anti-Jewish tropes" and playing a role in the rise of antisemitism in a 2020 interview with PBS' Margaret Hoover.
www.mediaite.com
January 3, 2026 at 12:44 AM
CBS’s Bari Weiss Accused Trump of Using ‘Anti-Jewish Tropes’ In Resurfaced Interview
www.mediaite.com/media/news/b...
www.mediaite.com/media/news/b...
Reposted by web_rant
The way the press is treating chatbots, like they have agency and they “know” things all of a sudden, crossed the line recently from dumb and obsequious to something else entirely. Treating them as alive and making conscious decisions is an almost religious belief. It won’t age well.
January 3, 2026 at 2:52 AM
The way the press is treating chatbots, like they have agency and they “know” things all of a sudden, crossed the line recently from dumb and obsequious to something else entirely. Treating them as alive and making conscious decisions is an almost religious belief. It won’t age well.
Reposted by web_rant
The demonization of Somalis is no different than the demonization of Haitians before the election. It's a political attack and has to be actively fought—not through half-measures or expressions of tepid concern but by demanding decency from society and respect for all of humanity.
January 2, 2026 at 8:24 PM
The demonization of Somalis is no different than the demonization of Haitians before the election. It's a political attack and has to be actively fought—not through half-measures or expressions of tepid concern but by demanding decency from society and respect for all of humanity.
Reposted by web_rant
just so it's clear: this is the exact core function of genAI
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Bob and I were among the hundreds of researchers that were supposed to conduct the 6th U.S. National Climate Assessment. Now it looks like they're gonna produce it with a few people and Grok? Communities need rigorous and accurate information about climate change. This will put communities at risk.
January 1, 2026 at 7:11 AM
just so it's clear: this is the exact core function of genAI
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Fascist government and climate deniers love it because it can produce the aesthetics of knowledge without any actual tendency towards truth. It is automated denialism.
Shame on every climate scientist promoting its use (there are lots)
Reposted by web_rant
In the last half of 2025, the President of OpenAI donated $25 million to the SuperPAC MAGA, Inc — the single largest contributor
January 3, 2026 at 1:33 AM
In the last half of 2025, the President of OpenAI donated $25 million to the SuperPAC MAGA, Inc — the single largest contributor
Reposted by web_rant
1. Headlines everywhere today read "Grok apologizes."
This is bullshit. A chatbot is not something that can apologize.
Pretending otherwise is simple laundering these companies' bullshit about what AI is, while diffusing blame away from the human beings that developed and released this system.
This is bullshit. A chatbot is not something that can apologize.
Pretending otherwise is simple laundering these companies' bullshit about what AI is, while diffusing blame away from the human beings that developed and released this system.
January 3, 2026 at 12:12 AM
1. Headlines everywhere today read "Grok apologizes."
This is bullshit. A chatbot is not something that can apologize.
Pretending otherwise is simple laundering these companies' bullshit about what AI is, while diffusing blame away from the human beings that developed and released this system.
This is bullshit. A chatbot is not something that can apologize.
Pretending otherwise is simple laundering these companies' bullshit about what AI is, while diffusing blame away from the human beings that developed and released this system.
Reposted by web_rant
Paul Graham has been having a several months long “Are we the baddies?” moment on X.
Here he concedes that people have had their fears come to pass when it comes to tech billionaires misusing their wealth to capture political power.
Here he concedes that people have had their fears come to pass when it comes to tech billionaires misusing their wealth to capture political power.
January 2, 2026 at 11:31 PM
Paul Graham has been having a several months long “Are we the baddies?” moment on X.
Here he concedes that people have had their fears come to pass when it comes to tech billionaires misusing their wealth to capture political power.
Here he concedes that people have had their fears come to pass when it comes to tech billionaires misusing their wealth to capture political power.
Reposted by web_rant
As a part of Netanyahu's continuing ethnic cleansing that has claimed over 400 lives just since the "ceasefire" was declared in October.
bsky.app/profile/moth...
bsky.app/profile/moth...
The humanitarian crisis in Gaza is far from over.
Doctors Without Borders among dozens of aid groups Israel moves to shut down in Gaza
Allied nations condemned the decision, warning it could halt relief operations within weeks.
www.motherjones.com
January 3, 2026 at 1:58 AM
As a part of Netanyahu's continuing ethnic cleansing that has claimed over 400 lives just since the "ceasefire" was declared in October.
bsky.app/profile/moth...
bsky.app/profile/moth...
Reposted by web_rant
Year-end tally of Trump admin combat actions in 2025:
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes*
—Somalia—140+ strikes, 1 ground raid**
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids***
—Iran—3 B-2 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—1 set of TLAM strikes
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Venezuela—1 known CIA strike
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes*
—Somalia—140+ strikes, 1 ground raid**
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids***
—Iran—3 B-2 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—1 set of TLAM strikes
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Venezuela—1 known CIA strike
First-ever US airstrikes in Nigeria put the second Trump admin’s 2025 combat actions at:
—Nigeria—tonight’s strikes
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes (Mar-Apr)
—Somalia—120 strikes, 1 ground raid
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Iran—3 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—tonight’s strikes
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes (Mar-Apr)
—Somalia—120 strikes, 1 ground raid
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Iran—3 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
January 2, 2026 at 11:45 PM
Year-end tally of Trump admin combat actions in 2025:
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes*
—Somalia—140+ strikes, 1 ground raid**
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids***
—Iran—3 B-2 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—1 set of TLAM strikes
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Venezuela—1 known CIA strike
—Yemen—1,000+ strikes*
—Somalia—140+ strikes, 1 ground raid**
—Syria—78+ strikes, 3 ground raids***
—Iran—3 B-2 strikes
—Iraq—1 strike
—Nigeria—1 set of TLAM strikes
—Caribbean—11 strikes
—Eastern Pacific—20 strikes
—Venezuela—1 known CIA strike