Deciduous Tree Rex
@deciduoustreerex.bsky.social
Collector of academic degrees and chronic illnesses. Mom. Creator of dust-gathering wonders. Cripplingly incapable of participating in capitalism.
I’m enjoying @unlearnecon.bsky.social’s new book, which I received for my birthday, opened to the first page and started reading, and have hardly stopped reading since.
I have, however, gotten to the part where I’m just writing “fuck” in the margins. (Also there’s a rare typo on this page.)
I have, however, gotten to the part where I’m just writing “fuck” in the margins. (Also there’s a rare typo on this page.)
![Image of p. 251 from Cahal Moran’s book WHY WE’RE GETTING POORER. The auto-extracted text is below. My copy in this image has many pencil marks and margin notes, because I’m One of Those People.
At the top of the page, the margin note says “Brakhage’s Black Magic” indicating the first (full) sentence on the page. The next sentence is starred.
The subsequent paragraph’s thesis merits an “oh fuck,” and the penultimate sentence in that paragraph also scores a “fuck.” That’s when I stopped reading to take the picture.
The page’s text [with margin notes in brackets]:
WHERE DOES MONEY COME FROM? - 251
depositor back to the bank (the deposit). When credit is granted, it is a way of giving bringing resources from the future into the present, [Brakhage’s black magic] so that somebody can buy or invest now and pay back at a later date. The entire financial system depends on the trust of participants to honour their future obligations to keep it going.
Even the hard cash or reserves that underpin this whole process are essentially promises from central banks and governments to banks and citizens that they will honour their obligations. When the monetary system breaks down, it is a sign that trust has broken down. This manifests in its worst form in hyperin-
[oh fuck]
flation, when people completely lose faith in a currency due to
economic, social and political breakdown. It can also manifest
more subtly: many people reasonably feel that private banks and corporations benefit more from existing monetary policy, not to mention direct bailouts. Citizens either rebel politically - by voting or protesting - or else economically, by looking for alternatives like gold or cryptocurrency. Wherever you stand on these alter-natives, they are completely understandable when a system based
[ fuck ]
on trust has repeatedly violated that trust. Many people feel that the existing monetary arrangements have made them poorer.
Money is the lifeblood of the market economy, so everybody
who participates in the market economy needs to be able to
rely on it. Our valuable IOUs that we use in increasing areas of
our life need to retain their value. Yet since the pandemic, many
people have experienced the exact opposite, as costs rise across
the board. People need to have a better understanding of infla-
tion and to participate in how to manage it, instead of leaving
it to arms-length authorities. We will now turn from the abstract
operations of money to the more practical problem of how the
cost of living got so damn high.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:rcpj62waetvus75x7w4l5kdi/bafkreifgno22ku4eate7qrhlpqrbwa2qz2l2nihjduw2ybshgxgvtxluru@jpeg)
March 25, 2025 at 11:10 PM
I’m enjoying @unlearnecon.bsky.social’s new book, which I received for my birthday, opened to the first page and started reading, and have hardly stopped reading since.
I have, however, gotten to the part where I’m just writing “fuck” in the margins. (Also there’s a rare typo on this page.)
I have, however, gotten to the part where I’m just writing “fuck” in the margins. (Also there’s a rare typo on this page.)
https://downdetector.com/status/twitter/
The number of comments is ticking up faster than the numbers on a gas pump.
The number of comments is ticking up faster than the numbers on a gas pump.
March 10, 2025 at 4:04 PM
https://downdetector.com/status/twitter/
The number of comments is ticking up faster than the numbers on a gas pump.
The number of comments is ticking up faster than the numbers on a gas pump.
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
To be absolutely, 100% clear, THIS is something that ends in “then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out”
This extreme escalation is an egregious violation of first amendment rights. Now is the moment to speak out and oppose this as fiercely and loudly as possible.
March 9, 2025 at 10:42 PM
To be absolutely, 100% clear, THIS is something that ends in “then they came for me, and there was no one left to speak out”
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
And our politics apparently does not care about physics, either.
Carbon pollution is the highest in 800,000 years and the rate of increase is actually *accelerating,* with CO2 rising by a record amount last year.
e360.yale.edu/digest/2024-...
Carbon pollution is the highest in 800,000 years and the rate of increase is actually *accelerating,* with CO2 rising by a record amount last year.
e360.yale.edu/digest/2024-...
January 22, 2025 at 5:09 PM
And our politics apparently does not care about physics, either.
Carbon pollution is the highest in 800,000 years and the rate of increase is actually *accelerating,* with CO2 rising by a record amount last year.
e360.yale.edu/digest/2024-...
Carbon pollution is the highest in 800,000 years and the rate of increase is actually *accelerating,* with CO2 rising by a record amount last year.
e360.yale.edu/digest/2024-...
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
One very real effect of nonsensical, unscientific verbiage is that institutions mitigate their own risks by over-complying. We saw it with hospitals in states with abortion bans yeeting pregnant women with complications. It will get “easier” to be like “no trans stuff pls.” It’s intentional.
January 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
One very real effect of nonsensical, unscientific verbiage is that institutions mitigate their own risks by over-complying. We saw it with hospitals in states with abortion bans yeeting pregnant women with complications. It will get “easier” to be like “no trans stuff pls.” It’s intentional.
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
The anti-DEI EO (well, one of them) instructs Fed agencies to work with the AG to pick a bunch of private sector companies and orgs to make examples of.
January 22, 2025 at 3:55 PM
The anti-DEI EO (well, one of them) instructs Fed agencies to work with the AG to pick a bunch of private sector companies and orgs to make examples of.
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
"Hitler orders investigations and charges of officials who refuse to turn over Jews."
January 22, 2025 at 4:14 PM
"Hitler orders investigations and charges of officials who refuse to turn over Jews."
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
I read Kelly’s piece again this morning when I woke up at 5 and couldn’t get back to sleep. Which reminds me: here’s something you can do if you’re in the Twin Cities.
Registration link for the training organized by Unidos MN on Feb 6: secure.everyaction.com/I89jws9qnkyv...
Registration link for the training organized by Unidos MN on Feb 6: secure.everyaction.com/I89jws9qnkyv...
January 22, 2025 at 2:22 PM
I read Kelly’s piece again this morning when I woke up at 5 and couldn’t get back to sleep. Which reminds me: here’s something you can do if you’re in the Twin Cities.
Registration link for the training organized by Unidos MN on Feb 6: secure.everyaction.com/I89jws9qnkyv...
Registration link for the training organized by Unidos MN on Feb 6: secure.everyaction.com/I89jws9qnkyv...
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
the email template the office of personnel management sent out to federal agency heads for laying off their DEI teams in compliance of trump’s executive order is absolutely unhinged.
January 22, 2025 at 5:12 AM
the email template the office of personnel management sent out to federal agency heads for laying off their DEI teams in compliance of trump’s executive order is absolutely unhinged.
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
it’s a Roman Salute!
January 21, 2025 at 12:43 AM
it’s a Roman Salute!
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
I want people to stop posting vague advice like “build community”
A lot of people don’t know how to start. Post practical things like “here’s a list of mutual aid groups to connect with” or something
A lot of people don’t know how to start. Post practical things like “here’s a list of mutual aid groups to connect with” or something
January 21, 2025 at 5:17 PM
I want people to stop posting vague advice like “build community”
A lot of people don’t know how to start. Post practical things like “here’s a list of mutual aid groups to connect with” or something
A lot of people don’t know how to start. Post practical things like “here’s a list of mutual aid groups to connect with” or something
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
Yeah. I know what you are saying is part of the standard belief structure, so I'm not criticizing you for saying it. I just don't believe it. I think people knew what they were voting for or staying home to let happen.
They wanted exactly this. They think, somehow, it will help them.
They wanted exactly this. They think, somehow, it will help them.
January 21, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Yeah. I know what you are saying is part of the standard belief structure, so I'm not criticizing you for saying it. I just don't believe it. I think people knew what they were voting for or staying home to let happen.
They wanted exactly this. They think, somehow, it will help them.
They wanted exactly this. They think, somehow, it will help them.
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
To those who are new to Bluesky, I'd like to welcome you & know you're going to love it here.
The best way to get started is by following reliable & witty content creators.
Here's a Starter Pack with some of the best & most brilliant small to mid-sized accounts on Bluesky.
go.bsky.app/HJiqBkm
The best way to get started is by following reliable & witty content creators.
Here's a Starter Pack with some of the best & most brilliant small to mid-sized accounts on Bluesky.
go.bsky.app/HJiqBkm
January 21, 2025 at 3:27 PM
To those who are new to Bluesky, I'd like to welcome you & know you're going to love it here.
The best way to get started is by following reliable & witty content creators.
Here's a Starter Pack with some of the best & most brilliant small to mid-sized accounts on Bluesky.
go.bsky.app/HJiqBkm
The best way to get started is by following reliable & witty content creators.
Here's a Starter Pack with some of the best & most brilliant small to mid-sized accounts on Bluesky.
go.bsky.app/HJiqBkm
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
Well, that’s an ominous name for a government agency.
SCOOP: The Justice Dept is removing senior career officials from key positions. At least 15 officials were reassigned, inc George Toscas, a top CT official who was moved to the newly-created Office of Sanctuary Cities Enforcement in DOJ.
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
Justice Dept. removes senior career officials from key positions
The Justice Department reassignments involve top career officials in the national security and criminal divisions, according to multiple people familiar with the matter.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 21, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Well, that’s an ominous name for a government agency.
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
"This is unconstitutional," I scream as the facial recognition equipped robot dogs drag me to my cell.
"This goes against everything America stands for!" I shout, as the algorithmic sentencing machine condemns me to death.
"This is not who we are!" I remind the firing squad of child soldiers
"This goes against everything America stands for!" I shout, as the algorithmic sentencing machine condemns me to death.
"This is not who we are!" I remind the firing squad of child soldiers
January 21, 2025 at 4:51 PM
"This is unconstitutional," I scream as the facial recognition equipped robot dogs drag me to my cell.
"This goes against everything America stands for!" I shout, as the algorithmic sentencing machine condemns me to death.
"This is not who we are!" I remind the firing squad of child soldiers
"This goes against everything America stands for!" I shout, as the algorithmic sentencing machine condemns me to death.
"This is not who we are!" I remind the firing squad of child soldiers
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
italian students ignite online discussion over the meaning of an art installation
Today in Milan, a student activist group hung a trash-filled effigy of Musk upside down on a gate outside of piazzale Loreto, where Mussolini's body was displayed in 1945.
They left the message: "C'è sempre posto a piazzale Loreto, Elon" (There's always room in piazzale Loreto, Elon)
They left the message: "C'è sempre posto a piazzale Loreto, Elon" (There's always room in piazzale Loreto, Elon)
January 21, 2025 at 6:36 PM
italian students ignite online discussion over the meaning of an art installation
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
Sergeant Gonell @sergeantaqgo.bsky.social sent me this picture. This is his call log. Each call is an automated Dept of "Justice" notification saying "The defendant you testified against is being released from the dept of corrections."
Each defendant assaulted him.
Each defendant assaulted him.
January 21, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Sergeant Gonell @sergeantaqgo.bsky.social sent me this picture. This is his call log. Each call is an automated Dept of "Justice" notification saying "The defendant you testified against is being released from the dept of corrections."
Each defendant assaulted him.
Each defendant assaulted him.
@bsky.app I’m trying really hard to make this transition, but I’m gonna need you to make a proper iPad app.
(Using Skeets right now, but it… isn’t correct.)
(Using Skeets right now, but it… isn’t correct.)
January 21, 2025 at 5:04 PM
@bsky.app I’m trying really hard to make this transition, but I’m gonna need you to make a proper iPad app.
(Using Skeets right now, but it… isn’t correct.)
(Using Skeets right now, but it… isn’t correct.)
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
a particularly incompetent, corrupt or malicious administration need not even bother with those polite legal fictions. who's going to stop the government from breaking the law? the courts filled with judges they appointed? the army and police they control?
January 21, 2025 at 9:18 AM
a particularly incompetent, corrupt or malicious administration need not even bother with those polite legal fictions. who's going to stop the government from breaking the law? the courts filled with judges they appointed? the army and police they control?
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
even if you do have the time, knowledge and resources to fight an unlawful government decision, the remedies available to you are only as good as the tribunals and courts that order and enforce them. it doesn't matter if you're right if a judiciary stacked with political appointees says you aren't.
January 21, 2025 at 9:07 AM
even if you do have the time, knowledge and resources to fight an unlawful government decision, the remedies available to you are only as good as the tribunals and courts that order and enforce them. it doesn't matter if you're right if a judiciary stacked with political appointees says you aren't.
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
lots of folks saying things like, "the government won't be able to revoke your passport for no reason, that's against the law!"
I help people fight unlawful government decisions for a living. please believe me when I say that the government routinely breaks the law and they mostly get away with it.
I help people fight unlawful government decisions for a living. please believe me when I say that the government routinely breaks the law and they mostly get away with it.
January 21, 2025 at 9:02 AM
lots of folks saying things like, "the government won't be able to revoke your passport for no reason, that's against the law!"
I help people fight unlawful government decisions for a living. please believe me when I say that the government routinely breaks the law and they mostly get away with it.
I help people fight unlawful government decisions for a living. please believe me when I say that the government routinely breaks the law and they mostly get away with it.
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
side-to-side comparison
January 21, 2025 at 12:37 AM
side-to-side comparison
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
I’d be curious to hear ADL explain what does qualify as a “Nazi salute”
January 20, 2025 at 11:35 PM
I’d be curious to hear ADL explain what does qualify as a “Nazi salute”
Reposted by Deciduous Tree Rex
The rules, if you are keeping track:
If a single left activist anywhere in the world says "defund the police," it becomes the official position of the Democratic Party, now and forever.
If the president's top surrogate repeatedly sieg-heils on stage, it's ambiguous, impossible to interpret.
If a single left activist anywhere in the world says "defund the police," it becomes the official position of the Democratic Party, now and forever.
If the president's top surrogate repeatedly sieg-heils on stage, it's ambiguous, impossible to interpret.
January 20, 2025 at 9:08 PM
The rules, if you are keeping track:
If a single left activist anywhere in the world says "defund the police," it becomes the official position of the Democratic Party, now and forever.
If the president's top surrogate repeatedly sieg-heils on stage, it's ambiguous, impossible to interpret.
If a single left activist anywhere in the world says "defund the police," it becomes the official position of the Democratic Party, now and forever.
If the president's top surrogate repeatedly sieg-heils on stage, it's ambiguous, impossible to interpret.