Demetrios
@dco.st
Lurching from one tech oligarch’s playground to another. Grizzled old UX/product designer who’s worked in telephony, ed tech, and now network security. NYC resident.
Reposted by Demetrios
All DOGE accomplished was purging critical government staff, handing private data to outsiders, and sentencing thousands in developing countries to death by gutting USAID.
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
DOGE 'doesn't exist' with eight months left on its charter
U.S. President Donald Trump's Department of Government Efficiency has disbanded with eight months left to its mandate.
www.cnbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 11:37 AM
All DOGE accomplished was purging critical government staff, handing private data to outsiders, and sentencing thousands in developing countries to death by gutting USAID.
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
I don’t say this lightly: if there were any justice in this world, the people responsible for this devastation would be in jail
Reposted by Demetrios
i saw a post about how many people use ai and how many people used fb and i wonder how many people use heroin
i feel like a lot of the disconnect between the ai boosters and the rest of us is about the fact that they do not think the humanities matter, therefore political, sociological, and cultural critiques don’t matter. “people are using this” is not an answer to “this is a detriment to society”
November 26, 2025 at 9:05 PM
i saw a post about how many people use ai and how many people used fb and i wonder how many people use heroin
Reposted by Demetrios
this.weekinsecurity.com/banning-tp-l...
While @zackwhittaker.com notes that the WSJ covered this story as far back as December 2024, I covered it three months earlier in September 2024 when the rumblings of a ban began, based on zero evidence.
www.csoonline.com/article/3504...
While @zackwhittaker.com notes that the WSJ covered this story as far back as December 2024, I covered it three months earlier in September 2024 when the rumblings of a ban began, based on zero evidence.
www.csoonline.com/article/3504...
Banning TP-Link won't save America from its own terrible cybersecurity
TP-Link routers face a ban in the U.S. over the company's alleged links to China, but shoddy cybersecurity is the real insider threat to the United States.
this.weekinsecurity.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:50 PM
this.weekinsecurity.com/banning-tp-l...
While @zackwhittaker.com notes that the WSJ covered this story as far back as December 2024, I covered it three months earlier in September 2024 when the rumblings of a ban began, based on zero evidence.
www.csoonline.com/article/3504...
While @zackwhittaker.com notes that the WSJ covered this story as far back as December 2024, I covered it three months earlier in September 2024 when the rumblings of a ban began, based on zero evidence.
www.csoonline.com/article/3504...
Reposted by Demetrios
Under Roberts, American democracy felt humiliating, looked like a joke, and became increasingly tenuous.
How John Roberts brought back Donald Trump
The Supreme Court empowered billionaires, blocked voters, and ran interference.
www.motherjones.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Under Roberts, American democracy felt humiliating, looked like a joke, and became increasingly tenuous.
Reposted by Demetrios
Let's talk about Peto's paradox, the multi-hit hypothesis & DNA repair.
Peto's Paradox:
Whales can live to 200 yrs old & they have 1,000 times as many cells as you do, any one of which could be the seed for tumor formation.
So why aren't they getting cancer at 1,000 times the rate of humans? 🐳🧪
Peto's Paradox:
Whales can live to 200 yrs old & they have 1,000 times as many cells as you do, any one of which could be the seed for tumor formation.
So why aren't they getting cancer at 1,000 times the rate of humans? 🐳🧪
November 24, 2025 at 2:27 PM
Let's talk about Peto's paradox, the multi-hit hypothesis & DNA repair.
Peto's Paradox:
Whales can live to 200 yrs old & they have 1,000 times as many cells as you do, any one of which could be the seed for tumor formation.
So why aren't they getting cancer at 1,000 times the rate of humans? 🐳🧪
Peto's Paradox:
Whales can live to 200 yrs old & they have 1,000 times as many cells as you do, any one of which could be the seed for tumor formation.
So why aren't they getting cancer at 1,000 times the rate of humans? 🐳🧪
Reposted by Demetrios
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
High school senior, a U.S. citizen, detained by ICE in Oregon
The 17-year-old was held more than five hours Friday in an ICE facility, his brother said.
www.oregonlive.com
November 23, 2025 at 12:34 AM
Kavanaugh stop. Smashed the kid’s car windows and arrested him. He told them he was a U.S. citizen. The officer replied “I don’t care.”
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
www.oregonlive.com/portland/202...
Reposted by Demetrios
The children haven’t returned to school since last Thursday, too afraid to leave their mother’s side.
On Camera, Fed Agents Point Guns at Mother and Four Kids in Queens
The agents came looking for a relative who no longer lived there and didn't show a warrant or identify themselves. Days later, the children are terrified to leave their parents' sides.
buff.ly
November 22, 2025 at 8:45 PM
The children haven’t returned to school since last Thursday, too afraid to leave their mother’s side.
Reposted by Demetrios
Joint Statement from Goodlander, Slotkin, Kelly, Crow, Deluzio, and Houlahan
November 20, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Joint Statement from Goodlander, Slotkin, Kelly, Crow, Deluzio, and Houlahan
Reposted by Demetrios
The executive order Trump is currently considering would require the federal government to file lawsuits against states with AI laws and prevent states with AI laws from obtaining broadband funding.
Trump revives unpopular Ted Cruz plan to punish states that impose AI laws
Cruz plan to block broadband funding lost 99-1, but now it’s back—in Trump form.
arstechnica.com
November 20, 2025 at 9:04 PM
The executive order Trump is currently considering would require the federal government to file lawsuits against states with AI laws and prevent states with AI laws from obtaining broadband funding.
Reposted by Demetrios
Reposted by Demetrios
first date idea: I eat a rotisserie chicken and you're in your home, eating your own rotisserie chicken
November 17, 2025 at 10:24 PM
first date idea: I eat a rotisserie chicken and you're in your home, eating your own rotisserie chicken
Reposted by Demetrios
We used to think of gov't spyware targeting only a select few, like terrorists and organized criminals.
But over years, spyware has hacked the phones of journalists, activists, lawyers, politicians, and seemingly regular people — and the pool of victims targeted by govts is quite wide.
Here's why.
But over years, spyware has hacked the phones of journalists, activists, lawyers, politicians, and seemingly regular people — and the pool of victims targeted by govts is quite wide.
Here's why.
Why a lot of people are getting hacked with government spyware | TechCrunch
Government surveillance vendors want us to believe their spyware products are only used in limited and targeted operations against terrorists and serious criminals. That claim is increasingly difficul...
techcrunch.com
November 10, 2025 at 2:40 PM
We used to think of gov't spyware targeting only a select few, like terrorists and organized criminals.
But over years, spyware has hacked the phones of journalists, activists, lawyers, politicians, and seemingly regular people — and the pool of victims targeted by govts is quite wide.
Here's why.
But over years, spyware has hacked the phones of journalists, activists, lawyers, politicians, and seemingly regular people — and the pool of victims targeted by govts is quite wide.
Here's why.
Reposted by Demetrios
NBC, The New York Times, and most importantly @hellgatenyc.com call the NYC mayoral race for Zohran Mamdani.
November 5, 2025 at 2:38 AM
NBC, The New York Times, and most importantly @hellgatenyc.com call the NYC mayoral race for Zohran Mamdani.
Reposted by Demetrios
For those of you who don’t know, the residents of Paterson are overwhelmingly Black and Latino.
newjersey.news12.com/bomb-threats...
newjersey.news12.com/bomb-threats...
Bomb threats force closures at some New Jersey polling places
Paterson Mayor Andre Sayegh said polling sites at School 2 and School 10 in Paterson were shut down after threats were received.
newjersey.news12.com
November 4, 2025 at 1:29 PM
For those of you who don’t know, the residents of Paterson are overwhelmingly Black and Latino.
newjersey.news12.com/bomb-threats...
newjersey.news12.com/bomb-threats...
Reposted by Demetrios
Mike Johnson: ‘My Christian Faith Is More About Not Jacking Off Than Feeding The Poor’ [SATIRE but not really] theonion.com/mike-johnson...
Mike Johnson: ‘My Christian Faith Is More About Not Jacking Off Than Feeding The Poor’
theonion.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Mike Johnson: ‘My Christian Faith Is More About Not Jacking Off Than Feeding The Poor’ [SATIRE but not really] theonion.com/mike-johnson...
Reposted by Demetrios
"live updates" — surely not anymore?
Former US Vice-President Dick Cheney dies aged 84 - live updates
Cheney - the VP under President George W Bush from 2001 to 2009 - died from complications of pneumonia and cardiac and vascular disease on Monday night.
www.bbc.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:52 PM
"live updates" — surely not anymore?
Reposted by Demetrios
“If the person is a U. S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, that individual will be free to go after the brief encounter.”—Brett Kavanaugh
NEWS: Federal agents crashed with woman’s car, pointed guns at her, dragged her out by legs, tossed her in a minivan, held her and (eventually) let her go without charges. This as Chicagoans say the immigration blitz is out of control. (DHS blames her.)
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/03/c...
Chicago woman dragged out of her car after colliding with ICE demands accountability
The arrest of Dayanne Figueroa highlights growing concerns about the use of force against U.S. citizens and due process. She was released after a few hours without charges.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 3, 2025 at 3:54 PM
“If the person is a U. S. citizen or otherwise lawfully in the United States, that individual will be free to go after the brief encounter.”—Brett Kavanaugh
Reposted by Demetrios
It's Friday and you've probably had enough cyber... but I'm re-upping my story on this.weekinsecurity.com about how AI browsers are shipping with security bugs that put your private data (saved passwords, credit cards, browsing history) at risk.
Here's why AI browsers aren't safe for general use.
Here's why AI browsers aren't safe for general use.
AI browsers are a hot mess of security risks
AI-enabled web browsers are putting their users' data, security, and privacy at risk from rudimentary prompt injection attacks.
this.weekinsecurity.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:37 PM
It's Friday and you've probably had enough cyber... but I'm re-upping my story on this.weekinsecurity.com about how AI browsers are shipping with security bugs that put your private data (saved passwords, credit cards, browsing history) at risk.
Here's why AI browsers aren't safe for general use.
Here's why AI browsers aren't safe for general use.
Reposted by Demetrios
"On two occasions I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?'... I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
Charles Babbage, inventor of the mechanical computer, 1864
Charles Babbage, inventor of the mechanical computer, 1864
November 3, 2025 at 3:03 AM
"On two occasions I have been asked, 'Pray, Mr. Babbage, if you put into the machine wrong figures, will the right answers come out?'... I am not able rightly to apprehend the kind of confusion of ideas that could provoke such a question."
Charles Babbage, inventor of the mechanical computer, 1864
Charles Babbage, inventor of the mechanical computer, 1864
Reposted by Demetrios
Marathon day hands down the best thing NYC does. Mobs of people lining the streets to cheer on regular-ass people doing a hard-ass thing. All of life should be like this!
November 2, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Marathon day hands down the best thing NYC does. Mobs of people lining the streets to cheer on regular-ass people doing a hard-ass thing. All of life should be like this!
Reposted by Demetrios
Nothing is inevitable. Effort is everything. Ignore the polls and run through the tape.
Vote: zohranfornyc.com/vote
Canvass + phonebank: zohranfornyc.com/gotv
Vote: zohranfornyc.com/vote
Canvass + phonebank: zohranfornyc.com/gotv
October 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Nothing is inevitable. Effort is everything. Ignore the polls and run through the tape.
Vote: zohranfornyc.com/vote
Canvass + phonebank: zohranfornyc.com/gotv
Vote: zohranfornyc.com/vote
Canvass + phonebank: zohranfornyc.com/gotv
Reposted by Demetrios
It literally took decades of advocacy to pass these reforms, which would have prevented prison phone and teleconferencing companies from ripping off inmates and their families to the tune of hundreds of millions annually
F.C.C. Changes Course on the Price of Prisoners’ Phone Calls
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:26 AM
It literally took decades of advocacy to pass these reforms, which would have prevented prison phone and teleconferencing companies from ripping off inmates and their families to the tune of hundreds of millions annually
Reposted by Demetrios
From @stevanzetti.bsky.social: In February, the Texas Observer confirmed that James “Jim” Joseph Rodden—an ICE assistant chief counsel in Dallas—operates a white supremacist X account. Now, ICE refuses to tell us, or members of Congress, if he's still employed.
ICE Still Won't Answer Questions About Prosecutor with White Supremacist X Account
Congressman Marc Veasey arrived at an ICE facility Monday in his latest attempt to follow up on the Observer's reporting.
www.texasobserver.org
October 26, 2025 at 3:00 PM
From @stevanzetti.bsky.social: In February, the Texas Observer confirmed that James “Jim” Joseph Rodden—an ICE assistant chief counsel in Dallas—operates a white supremacist X account. Now, ICE refuses to tell us, or members of Congress, if he's still employed.
Reposted by Demetrios
I wish they said explicitly that there's $5 billion in emergency reserves they're refusing to use instead they're happy to let people - mostly children, the disabled, and elderly, starve.
US Department of Agriculture says no food aid benefits will be issued next month reut.rs/3WohHMk
US Department of Agriculture says no food aid benefits will be issued next month
The U.S. Department of Agriculture said on Saturday that food benefits under one of the country's biggest social assistance programs will not be issued next month amid the ongoing federal government shutdown.
reut.rs
October 26, 2025 at 6:00 PM
I wish they said explicitly that there's $5 billion in emergency reserves they're refusing to use instead they're happy to let people - mostly children, the disabled, and elderly, starve.
Reposted by Demetrios
A big strong guy, who was crying, told me that Trump is doing things that no president has ever done before
Enten: "Trump is doing absolutely awful in the minds of the American people. We're talking about new lows. CNBC, -13 net approval on the economy. It's -19 among Quinnipiac ... He's not just beating himself with record lows -- this is the lowest for any president ever."
October 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM
A big strong guy, who was crying, told me that Trump is doing things that no president has ever done before