Zeb Larson
@zeblarson.bsky.social
Freelance writer with a PhD in history. Ex-academic; studied the anti-apartheid movement. Emeritus adjunct. Became a software engineer in 2020. Words in Teen Vogue, Smithsonian, Jacobin, BBC.
He/Him
zeb-larson.com
He/Him
zeb-larson.com
Pinned
What looks like chaos is actually strategy.
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Politics of Permanent Disaster - Dame Magazine
By flooding the system with constant crisis, the Trump administration sidelines Congress, exhausts the public, and concentrates executive power.
www.damemagazine.com
My latest piece for Dame on the Trump Administration’s deliberate use of crisis as a way to govern. It’s no byproduct; it’s the plan, and it greases the wheels for authoritarianism, graft, and the breakdown of the state all at once.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
R.I.P. Bud Cort, a surrogate naif for certain uncertain young males in the early 1970s *cough*
Took him six decades, but Harold finally pulled it off, I guess.
Took him six decades, but Harold finally pulled it off, I guess.
February 11, 2026 at 10:41 PM
R.I.P. Bud Cort, a surrogate naif for certain uncertain young males in the early 1970s *cough*
Took him six decades, but Harold finally pulled it off, I guess.
Took him six decades, but Harold finally pulled it off, I guess.
I need a daycare pickup song with the vibe of It Was a Good Day but with less sex
February 11, 2026 at 10:36 PM
I need a daycare pickup song with the vibe of It Was a Good Day but with less sex
Reposted by Zeb Larson
My latest piece for Dame on the Trump Administration’s deliberate use of crisis as a way to govern. It’s no byproduct; it’s the plan, and it greases the wheels for authoritarianism, graft, and the breakdown of the state all at once.
What looks like chaos is actually strategy.
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Politics of Permanent Disaster - Dame Magazine
By flooding the system with constant crisis, the Trump administration sidelines Congress, exhausts the public, and concentrates executive power.
www.damemagazine.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:48 PM
My latest piece for Dame on the Trump Administration’s deliberate use of crisis as a way to govern. It’s no byproduct; it’s the plan, and it greases the wheels for authoritarianism, graft, and the breakdown of the state all at once.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Genuinely cannot believe it’s been a year since I got laid off. I was devastated. I *am* devastated. I loved my job so much. I loved working with scientists everyday.
I’m also still looking for my next job, so if you know anybody that needs a stellar comms person, let me know. Remote or in Boston.
I’m also still looking for my next job, so if you know anybody that needs a stellar comms person, let me know. Remote or in Boston.
Well, anybody hiring? Just found out my last day is Friday.
Mass General Brigham said it will let go of hundreds of employees in the next two months, the largest layoff in the organization’s history, as the health system grapples with financial shortfalls and operational challenges.
February 11, 2026 at 3:43 PM
Genuinely cannot believe it’s been a year since I got laid off. I was devastated. I *am* devastated. I loved my job so much. I loved working with scientists everyday.
I’m also still looking for my next job, so if you know anybody that needs a stellar comms person, let me know. Remote or in Boston.
I’m also still looking for my next job, so if you know anybody that needs a stellar comms person, let me know. Remote or in Boston.
My latest piece for Dame on the Trump Administration’s deliberate use of crisis as a way to govern. It’s no byproduct; it’s the plan, and it greases the wheels for authoritarianism, graft, and the breakdown of the state all at once.
What looks like chaos is actually strategy.
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Politics of Permanent Disaster - Dame Magazine
By flooding the system with constant crisis, the Trump administration sidelines Congress, exhausts the public, and concentrates executive power.
www.damemagazine.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:48 PM
My latest piece for Dame on the Trump Administration’s deliberate use of crisis as a way to govern. It’s no byproduct; it’s the plan, and it greases the wheels for authoritarianism, graft, and the breakdown of the state all at once.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
What looks like chaos is actually strategy.
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Politics of Permanent Disaster - Dame Magazine
By flooding the system with constant crisis, the Trump administration sidelines Congress, exhausts the public, and concentrates executive power.
www.damemagazine.com
February 11, 2026 at 4:45 PM
What looks like chaos is actually strategy.
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
The Trump administration governs through permanent crisis - declaring emergencies, escalating conflicts, and keeping the system in constant turmoil. 🧵1/
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Elon Musk: “We do not go to the Moon because it is easy, but because going to Mars is hard.”
BREAKING: “in my 24th year of my quest to settle the planet Mars, I have just been informed of a basic fact of celestial mechanics.”
February 9, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Elon Musk: “We do not go to the Moon because it is easy, but because going to Mars is hard.”
Reposted by Zeb Larson
on the lookout for a new labor columnist. feel free to message me or drop a comment if you know of any local writers who might be a good fit.
February 10, 2026 at 2:47 PM
on the lookout for a new labor columnist. feel free to message me or drop a comment if you know of any local writers who might be a good fit.
Really handy primer on getting involved in ICE resistance, with some quotes from @jamilahammami.bsky.social and a shoutout to the podcast we’re a part of, @resistantcommpod.bsky.social.
www.truthdig.com/articles/a-g...
www.truthdig.com/articles/a-g...
A Guide to Meaningful Action Against ICE
ICE actions have produced thousands of first-time activists — and it’s easier than ever to resist locally.
www.truthdig.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:04 PM
Really handy primer on getting involved in ICE resistance, with some quotes from @jamilahammami.bsky.social and a shoutout to the podcast we’re a part of, @resistantcommpod.bsky.social.
www.truthdig.com/articles/a-g...
www.truthdig.com/articles/a-g...
How does this Mr. Bean dork have any kind of political career? What the fuck is wrong with this many Britons?
Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home as the Reform leader kisses goodbye to a generation of voters.
Just don’t vote Reform
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/nig...
Just don’t vote Reform
www.thelondoneconomic.com/politics/nig...
Nigel Farage calls for an end to working from home
Nigel Farage has reignited the culture-war debate over remote working, calling for an end to working from home.
www.thelondoneconomic.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:54 AM
How does this Mr. Bean dork have any kind of political career? What the fuck is wrong with this many Britons?
Whether it’s my toddler or the people in power around me, my life is increasingly dominated by other people’s big feelings and their own inability to understand them.
(Obviously my toddler’s off the hook for this one)
(Obviously my toddler’s off the hook for this one)
February 11, 2026 at 9:21 AM
Whether it’s my toddler or the people in power around me, my life is increasingly dominated by other people’s big feelings and their own inability to understand them.
(Obviously my toddler’s off the hook for this one)
(Obviously my toddler’s off the hook for this one)
Reposted by Zeb Larson
but yeah it's remarkable how incurious software people tend to be about why things are the way they are, and contemptuous they tend to be about old things just because they're old
(which is of course arbitrary; there are plenty of old things they take for granted and/or don't even notice)
(which is of course arbitrary; there are plenty of old things they take for granted and/or don't even notice)
February 11, 2026 at 2:14 AM
but yeah it's remarkable how incurious software people tend to be about why things are the way they are, and contemptuous they tend to be about old things just because they're old
(which is of course arbitrary; there are plenty of old things they take for granted and/or don't even notice)
(which is of course arbitrary; there are plenty of old things they take for granted and/or don't even notice)
Dropping Flight of the Conchords quotes has taught me it’s not quite a universal cultural touchstone
February 10, 2026 at 4:48 PM
Dropping Flight of the Conchords quotes has taught me it’s not quite a universal cultural touchstone
Reposted by Zeb Larson
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: “.. In our in-progress research, we discovered that AI tools didn’t reduce work, they consistently intensified it.”
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
February 10, 2026 at 1:17 PM
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: “.. In our in-progress research, we discovered that AI tools didn’t reduce work, they consistently intensified it.”
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
Reposted by Zeb Larson
This is first in our 4-part series on the polycrisis we’re living through.
Next installment publishing on the Wednesday, written by @zeblarson.bsky.social
Next installment publishing on the Wednesday, written by @zeblarson.bsky.social
Instead of declaring that everything that isn’t directly related to your greatest fear for the future is a “distraction,” why not recognize that we’re running headlong into a polycrisis?
@brynntannehill.bsky.social brings the 50,000-foot view into focus for @damemagazine.bsky.social.
@brynntannehill.bsky.social brings the 50,000-foot view into focus for @damemagazine.bsky.social.
America’s Polycrisis Has Arrived - Dame Magazine
Whenever the daily outrage, crisis, or violation of basic norms emerges from the Trump administration, senior Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakee...
www.damemagazine.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:46 PM
This is first in our 4-part series on the polycrisis we’re living through.
Next installment publishing on the Wednesday, written by @zeblarson.bsky.social
Next installment publishing on the Wednesday, written by @zeblarson.bsky.social
Look I understand the impulse at least to dunk on the New York Times or The Atlantic when they post a terrible piece, but reposting some Francoist reactionary or whatever that you found on Substack is only doing them a favor.
February 10, 2026 at 11:45 AM
Look I understand the impulse at least to dunk on the New York Times or The Atlantic when they post a terrible piece, but reposting some Francoist reactionary or whatever that you found on Substack is only doing them a favor.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Instead of declaring that everything that isn’t directly related to your greatest fear for the future is a “distraction,” why not recognize that we’re running headlong into a polycrisis?
@brynntannehill.bsky.social brings the 50,000-foot view into focus for @damemagazine.bsky.social.
@brynntannehill.bsky.social brings the 50,000-foot view into focus for @damemagazine.bsky.social.
America’s Polycrisis Has Arrived - Dame Magazine
Whenever the daily outrage, crisis, or violation of basic norms emerges from the Trump administration, senior Democrats like Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and House Minority Leader Hakee...
www.damemagazine.com
February 9, 2026 at 11:36 PM
Instead of declaring that everything that isn’t directly related to your greatest fear for the future is a “distraction,” why not recognize that we’re running headlong into a polycrisis?
@brynntannehill.bsky.social brings the 50,000-foot view into focus for @damemagazine.bsky.social.
@brynntannehill.bsky.social brings the 50,000-foot view into focus for @damemagazine.bsky.social.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
@allisonhantschel.com ’s 2024 column on the Washington Post hiring of Will Lewis. Bringing it back up in light of his resignation.
The New Washington Post Leadership Is a Disaster for Democracy - Dame Magazine
In the weeks leading up to a presidential election, the quality of a media outlet’s coverage can swing an entire country from calm prosperity to complete chaos. It sounds hyperbolic, but political rac...
www.damemagazine.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:08 AM
@allisonhantschel.com ’s 2024 column on the Washington Post hiring of Will Lewis. Bringing it back up in light of his resignation.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
The No ICE in Minnesota Charity Bundle has officially LAUNCHED!
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
February 9, 2026 at 2:33 PM
The No ICE in Minnesota Charity Bundle has officially LAUNCHED!
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
There are 1,439 games to discover for a $10+ donation to Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota!
Purchase the bundle here: itch.io/b/3484/no-ic...
Reposted by Zeb Larson
And they aren't all crowing about it on social media, so let's not assume that all the people in hats and buttons passing out whistles are doing nothing else. People - "wine moms," "knitters," who else do you think has ready access to breast milk? - are working behind the scenes for good.
A detail I don't want to get lost in this: So far, Bri and her network have helped more than 500 families with grocery deliveries and more than 300 with diapers and wipes. In just two months.
In Minneapolis, for every story detailing the fallout of the federal crackdown, there are as many stories of people like Bri, a mom donating breastmilk for babies whose mothers are detained by ICE.
Bri's story:
19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
Bri's story:
19thnews.org/2026/02/minn...
February 8, 2026 at 10:33 PM
And they aren't all crowing about it on social media, so let's not assume that all the people in hats and buttons passing out whistles are doing nothing else. People - "wine moms," "knitters," who else do you think has ready access to breast milk? - are working behind the scenes for good.
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Great @zeblarson.bsky.social piece - much more from me coming soon on big tech greenwashing
When I have time I will properly put together my notes and work on the bluewashing / minimisation of water impacts being spun by effective altruists on data centres too - wild how much cut-through it has had
When I have time I will properly put together my notes and work on the bluewashing / minimisation of water impacts being spun by effective altruists on data centres too - wild how much cut-through it has had
February 8, 2026 at 6:44 PM
Great @zeblarson.bsky.social piece - much more from me coming soon on big tech greenwashing
When I have time I will properly put together my notes and work on the bluewashing / minimisation of water impacts being spun by effective altruists on data centres too - wild how much cut-through it has had
When I have time I will properly put together my notes and work on the bluewashing / minimisation of water impacts being spun by effective altruists on data centres too - wild how much cut-through it has had
Reposted by Zeb Larson
This is really the critical point: Firefox is packing its browser with AI slop functions by default; relying on a user actively choosing to turn it off.
That isn't neutral - that is a political and ideological statement that they want more reliance on these tools
That isn't neutral - that is a political and ideological statement that they want more reliance on these tools
February 8, 2026 at 11:49 AM
This is really the critical point: Firefox is packing its browser with AI slop functions by default; relying on a user actively choosing to turn it off.
That isn't neutral - that is a political and ideological statement that they want more reliance on these tools
That isn't neutral - that is a political and ideological statement that they want more reliance on these tools
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Something that confuses me about this, is if a reader is content with slop, why would they buy it instead of just generating it on their own? What value is the fake author adding?
“If I can generate a book in a day, and you need six months to write a book, who’s going to win the race?” God this is bleak
The New Fabio Is Claude
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Something that confuses me about this, is if a reader is content with slop, why would they buy it instead of just generating it on their own? What value is the fake author adding?
Reposted by Zeb Larson
Thank you, Victor. I spent a few weeks on this. As usual, it’s always a negotiation with length. So a few other bon mots:
1. The admin has issued DOJ guidance to challenge state laws that would regulate AI
www.wired.com/story/ai-sup...
1. The admin has issued DOJ guidance to challenge state laws that would regulate AI
www.wired.com/story/ai-sup...
February 3, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Thank you, Victor. I spent a few weeks on this. As usual, it’s always a negotiation with length. So a few other bon mots:
1. The admin has issued DOJ guidance to challenge state laws that would regulate AI
www.wired.com/story/ai-sup...
1. The admin has issued DOJ guidance to challenge state laws that would regulate AI
www.wired.com/story/ai-sup...