Dan Ballard
@dan.mindstab.net
Decentralization and privacy dev. He/Him
Works @ Tor Project on Tor Browser
Board @ Open Privacy Research Society
Developer on Cwtch.im
https://danballard.com
@dan_ballard@kolektiva.social
cwtch:67ckzss7drn64k4z4lpcnyn2ivvmkeuho2yucqcgglw3ozcrmez2k3yd
Works @ Tor Project on Tor Browser
Board @ Open Privacy Research Society
Developer on Cwtch.im
https://danballard.com
@dan_ballard@kolektiva.social
cwtch:67ckzss7drn64k4z4lpcnyn2ivvmkeuho2yucqcgglw3ozcrmez2k3yd
Reposted by Dan Ballard
The reason they have to keep making Wizard of Oz prequels is if they went *forward* then they'd have to let people know about Ozma, and Hollywood will not, absolutely will *not*, ever allow that to happen
November 16, 2025 at 9:27 PM
The reason they have to keep making Wizard of Oz prequels is if they went *forward* then they'd have to let people know about Ozma, and Hollywood will not, absolutely will *not*, ever allow that to happen
Why cannot i not filter search results by people i follow. I found this a super useful function on old twitter, to spot check people who i've decided i care about the opinion of on a topic. I don't so much care what 1000x randoms think on anything. i have a curated follow list for a reason
November 4, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Why cannot i not filter search results by people i follow. I found this a super useful function on old twitter, to spot check people who i've decided i care about the opinion of on a topic. I don't so much care what 1000x randoms think on anything. i have a curated follow list for a reason
Reposted by Dan Ballard
It doesn't matter how many fucking times you disable the AI, they will simply add new AI settings and turn them on by default. The only solution is to completely boycott any company which has any AI product anywhere in their portfolio. Yes, that's difficult. They've tried hard to make it difficult.
friend shared this, immediately updated my settings
October 27, 2025 at 6:31 PM
It doesn't matter how many fucking times you disable the AI, they will simply add new AI settings and turn them on by default. The only solution is to completely boycott any company which has any AI product anywhere in their portfolio. Yes, that's difficult. They've tried hard to make it difficult.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
just in general bending my life towards spending as much of my time as possible around freaks and queers and weirdos has been the best thing ever
October 11, 2025 at 3:52 PM
just in general bending my life towards spending as much of my time as possible around freaks and queers and weirdos has been the best thing ever
Reposted by Dan Ballard
I finished 1000xRESIST.
I don't think I can put into words my feelings. I will be thinking about this game for a long time.
If you haven't played it go in as blind as possible!!
Don't even read the store page, I didn't and I'm so happy I got to experience it that way.
I don't think I can put into words my feelings. I will be thinking about this game for a long time.
If you haven't played it go in as blind as possible!!
Don't even read the store page, I didn't and I'm so happy I got to experience it that way.
October 5, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I finished 1000xRESIST.
I don't think I can put into words my feelings. I will be thinking about this game for a long time.
If you haven't played it go in as blind as possible!!
Don't even read the store page, I didn't and I'm so happy I got to experience it that way.
I don't think I can put into words my feelings. I will be thinking about this game for a long time.
If you haven't played it go in as blind as possible!!
Don't even read the store page, I didn't and I'm so happy I got to experience it that way.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
princess of the underworld
October 1, 2025 at 2:15 PM
princess of the underworld
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Like others, if bluesky is gonna keep banning trans voices and any other voices speaking up against the rise of fascism in the US and elsewhere, there's not a lot of use for this site for me.
To that end, subscribe and support content creators you still want to see creating content in the world.
To that end, subscribe and support content creators you still want to see creating content in the world.
Get more from Gretchen Felker-Martin on Patreon
Creating Filth
www.patreon.com
September 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Like others, if bluesky is gonna keep banning trans voices and any other voices speaking up against the rise of fascism in the US and elsewhere, there's not a lot of use for this site for me.
To that end, subscribe and support content creators you still want to see creating content in the world.
To that end, subscribe and support content creators you still want to see creating content in the world.
Like others, if bluesky is gonna keep banning trans voices and any other voices speaking up against the rise of fascism in the US and elsewhere, there's not a lot of use for this site for me.
To that end, subscribe and support content creators you still want to see creating content in the world.
To that end, subscribe and support content creators you still want to see creating content in the world.
Get more from Gretchen Felker-Martin on Patreon
Creating Filth
www.patreon.com
September 14, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Like others, if bluesky is gonna keep banning trans voices and any other voices speaking up against the rise of fascism in the US and elsewhere, there's not a lot of use for this site for me.
To that end, subscribe and support content creators you still want to see creating content in the world.
To that end, subscribe and support content creators you still want to see creating content in the world.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Hello everyone. You may know Gretchen Felker-Martin has once again been suspended from bc they do that whenever some chud complains. Her brand-new ongoing DC series was also cancelled for the same reason. It’s stupid fascist bullshit as usual. Gretchen’s work rules. Consider supporting her here:
Get more from Gretchen Felker-Martin on Patreon
Creating Filth
www.patreon.com
September 11, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Hello everyone. You may know Gretchen Felker-Martin has once again been suspended from bc they do that whenever some chud complains. Her brand-new ongoing DC series was also cancelled for the same reason. It’s stupid fascist bullshit as usual. Gretchen’s work rules. Consider supporting her here:
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Cameron slavering at the prospect of stripping the industries he helped to define and build for parts is a great object lesson in how hollow the rampant, endless pursuit of "more" and "better" is in the arts.
August 28, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Cameron slavering at the prospect of stripping the industries he helped to define and build for parts is a great object lesson in how hollow the rampant, endless pursuit of "more" and "better" is in the arts.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
ALIENS cost less than 20 million to make, which adjusted for inflation is still less than 60 million. It still looks incredible. In a hundred years nobody will know what AVATAR is.
“I’d like to see the cost of VFX artists come down.” — ‘Avatar’ director and Stability AI board member James Cameron claims effects workers are too expensive, putting blockbusters and the VFX industry at risk.
www.cartoonbrew.com/vfx/vfx-arti...
www.cartoonbrew.com/vfx/vfx-arti...
James Cameron Says VFX Costs Threaten Future Of Blockbusters
In a recent interview, Stability AI board member James Cameron warned high budgets threaten theaters, urging cheaper VFX and new tech to cut costs.
www.cartoonbrew.com
August 28, 2025 at 7:32 PM
ALIENS cost less than 20 million to make, which adjusted for inflation is still less than 60 million. It still looks incredible. In a hundred years nobody will know what AVATAR is.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Ahaha "I can't vibe my way through debugging"
is AI real life
is it just fantasy
caught up in the hype
no escape from reality
is it just fantasy
caught up in the hype
no escape from reality
August 19, 2025 at 11:59 AM
Ahaha "I can't vibe my way through debugging"
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Hell yeah
“Air Canada flight attendants will defy the back-to-work order and remain on strike after the federal government ordered binding arbitration to end the work stoppage”
Air Canada flight attendants to defy back-to-work order, remain on strike: union | CBC News
Air Canada flight attendants will defy the back-to-work order and remain on strike after the federal government ordered binding arbitration to end the work stoppage, the Canadian Union of Public Emplo...
www.cbc.ca
August 17, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Hell yeah
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Bluesky moderation suspending trans people for wishing ill on the members of a hate group who are actively working to eradicate us shows us what a morally bankrupt crock of shit civility is and how it only serves to punish victims and protect victimizers. Bluesky should be ashamed of themselves.
August 16, 2025 at 3:53 PM
Bluesky moderation suspending trans people for wishing ill on the members of a hate group who are actively working to eradicate us shows us what a morally bankrupt crock of shit civility is and how it only serves to punish victims and protect victimizers. Bluesky should be ashamed of themselves.
I don't frequently check my blue sky and yet each time I do another prominent trans woman seems to have been banned for speaking pretty tame language about an oppressor. First @scumbelievable.bsky.social now Jessie Gender.
August 16, 2025 at 2:49 PM
I don't frequently check my blue sky and yet each time I do another prominent trans woman seems to have been banned for speaking pretty tame language about an oppressor. First @scumbelievable.bsky.social now Jessie Gender.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
More and more people reporting today that Stripe - the payment processor that Itch said were putting the most pressure on them - now have staff actively confirming that yes, they are censoring LGBT content, adult or otherwise. That this is official company policy.
This seems kinda significant.
This seems kinda significant.
August 13, 2025 at 3:00 AM
More and more people reporting today that Stripe - the payment processor that Itch said were putting the most pressure on them - now have staff actively confirming that yes, they are censoring LGBT content, adult or otherwise. That this is official company policy.
This seems kinda significant.
This seems kinda significant.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Just to add to the chorus in my own voice, the banning of @scumbelievable.bsky.social is a travesty. Gretchen Felker-Martin is an acclaimed author and critic whose only seeming violation has been posting fundraisers for people starving to death in Gaza. Return her to the platform now.
August 7, 2025 at 5:28 PM
Just to add to the chorus in my own voice, the banning of @scumbelievable.bsky.social is a travesty. Gretchen Felker-Martin is an acclaimed author and critic whose only seeming violation has been posting fundraisers for people starving to death in Gaza. Return her to the platform now.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Silicon Valley’s alliance with Donald Trump was a mask off moment and showed the world we can’t depend on US tech companies.
For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
Getting off US tech: a guide
I’m in the process of dropping US tech services. Here’s how I did it, and options you should consider.
www.disconnect.blog
July 18, 2025 at 4:17 PM
Silicon Valley’s alliance with Donald Trump was a mask off moment and showed the world we can’t depend on US tech companies.
For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
For the past few months, I’ve been trying to get off US tech and I put together a guide so you find alternatives too. I hope you find it helpful!
Reposted by Dan Ballard
Canada can see the costs of dependence on the US first hand. Trump is bullying us and Silicon Valley used his leverage to kill the digital services tax.
As the Canadian government looks for a new cloud provider, it shouldn’t just prioritize local companies; it should invest in a public cloud.
As the Canadian government looks for a new cloud provider, it shouldn’t just prioritize local companies; it should invest in a public cloud.
Why Canada needs to build a public cloud
Dependence on US tech giants must end if the country is serious about digital sovereignty
www.disconnect.blog
July 16, 2025 at 7:57 PM
Canada can see the costs of dependence on the US first hand. Trump is bullying us and Silicon Valley used his leverage to kill the digital services tax.
As the Canadian government looks for a new cloud provider, it shouldn’t just prioritize local companies; it should invest in a public cloud.
As the Canadian government looks for a new cloud provider, it shouldn’t just prioritize local companies; it should invest in a public cloud.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
God I really wish Unreal Engine wasn't owned by a man whose primary hobby is frying his own brain into reactionary mush
this man has more money than you do, or i do, or you and i put together, and he thinks the MechaHitler chatbot has crossed the threshold into sentience
July 11, 2025 at 3:29 PM
God I really wish Unreal Engine wasn't owned by a man whose primary hobby is frying his own brain into reactionary mush
Reposted by Dan Ballard
The only children YouTube wants to be safe for are the overgrown diaper-shitting babies who run advertising companies.
Anyway, that email’s a validating reminder - YouTube’s a horribly abusive platform with a lot to answer for, and it’s a fucking relief to not need it anymore.
Anyway, that email’s a validating reminder - YouTube’s a horribly abusive platform with a lot to answer for, and it’s a fucking relief to not need it anymore.
July 8, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The only children YouTube wants to be safe for are the overgrown diaper-shitting babies who run advertising companies.
Anyway, that email’s a validating reminder - YouTube’s a horribly abusive platform with a lot to answer for, and it’s a fucking relief to not need it anymore.
Anyway, that email’s a validating reminder - YouTube’s a horribly abusive platform with a lot to answer for, and it’s a fucking relief to not need it anymore.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
YouTube will still be full of inappropriate shit that’ll get served to kids, and I guarantee nobody at Google believes otherwise.
But people won’t say naughty words, or dare to call a nazi a nazi, or have an open discussion about mental health.
They’ll be ad-friendly, not kid-friendly.
But people won’t say naughty words, or dare to call a nazi a nazi, or have an open discussion about mental health.
They’ll be ad-friendly, not kid-friendly.
July 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
YouTube will still be full of inappropriate shit that’ll get served to kids, and I guarantee nobody at Google believes otherwise.
But people won’t say naughty words, or dare to call a nazi a nazi, or have an open discussion about mental health.
They’ll be ad-friendly, not kid-friendly.
But people won’t say naughty words, or dare to call a nazi a nazi, or have an open discussion about mental health.
They’ll be ad-friendly, not kid-friendly.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
I’ve expressed before how disturbed I am by the way YouTube is indirectly (but purposefully) erasing topics like mental health or historical events, eliminating cultural context, and editing our language by creating a chilling effect among users.
But holy fuck, they’re going full tilt with it now.
But holy fuck, they’re going full tilt with it now.
July 8, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I’ve expressed before how disturbed I am by the way YouTube is indirectly (but purposefully) erasing topics like mental health or historical events, eliminating cultural context, and editing our language by creating a chilling effect among users.
But holy fuck, they’re going full tilt with it now.
But holy fuck, they’re going full tilt with it now.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
You can expect these new standards to be vaguely defined, selectively enforced, and implemented in a way that keeps creators guessing, fearful, proactively compliant. It always goes down that way.
And it’s going to *wreck* language and context even more than it already has.
And it’s going to *wreck* language and context even more than it already has.
July 8, 2025 at 6:42 PM
You can expect these new standards to be vaguely defined, selectively enforced, and implemented in a way that keeps creators guessing, fearful, proactively compliant. It always goes down that way.
And it’s going to *wreck* language and context even more than it already has.
And it’s going to *wreck* language and context even more than it already has.
Reposted by Dan Ballard
I love how they don’t write that you “may” have some videos age-gated. They say it *will* happen. They fully expect to fuck everybody over with this.
Of course they expect it - they keep moving the goalposts and retroactively punishing users for it. The fucking is guaranteed.
Of course they expect it - they keep moving the goalposts and retroactively punishing users for it. The fucking is guaranteed.
July 8, 2025 at 6:39 PM
I love how they don’t write that you “may” have some videos age-gated. They say it *will* happen. They fully expect to fuck everybody over with this.
Of course they expect it - they keep moving the goalposts and retroactively punishing users for it. The fucking is guaranteed.
Of course they expect it - they keep moving the goalposts and retroactively punishing users for it. The fucking is guaranteed.