Ethan
@harfenist.bsky.social
NY-based editor and sometimes reporter | Pursuing MLIS @ CUNY Queens College
Work in SPLC, LA Times, Newsweek, Bloomberg, CJR, VICE News, Quartz, NowThis, Mongabay, DNAinfo, Phnom Penh Post, BOMB Magazine, The Diplomat, East Side Feed, more.
🗽🕍🪬
Work in SPLC, LA Times, Newsweek, Bloomberg, CJR, VICE News, Quartz, NowThis, Mongabay, DNAinfo, Phnom Penh Post, BOMB Magazine, The Diplomat, East Side Feed, more.
🗽🕍🪬
Reposted by Ethan
Humans are far from the only species locking lips. British scientists say they’ve traced kissing to anywhere from 16 million to 21 million years ago, and have found that it was far more common among other species — including orangutans — than previously understood.
Kissing Has Existed for at Least 16 Million Years, Scientists Say
And humans are far from the only species locking lips.
nyti.ms
November 19, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Humans are far from the only species locking lips. British scientists say they’ve traced kissing to anywhere from 16 million to 21 million years ago, and have found that it was far more common among other species — including orangutans — than previously understood.
When I can afford it, I’m absolutely going to have a small gold version of this badass modern take on the Star of David featured at the (former) Adath Jeshurun of Jassy Synagogue in the Lower East Side.
November 19, 2025 at 5:32 PM
When I can afford it, I’m absolutely going to have a small gold version of this badass modern take on the Star of David featured at the (former) Adath Jeshurun of Jassy Synagogue in the Lower East Side.
Sadly, I’m sure they’ll find a way to fuck this up.
NEW this AM: A new Marist poll has Democrats up 14 points on the generic congressional ballot ahead of the 2026 midterms.
Home of the Marist Poll | Polls, Analysis, Learning, and More
The Marist Institute for Public Opinion (MIPO) is a survey research center. MIPO is home to the Marist Poll and conducts polls on politics, the economy, sports, technology and more at the local, state...
maristpoll.marist.edu
November 19, 2025 at 5:29 PM
Sadly, I’m sure they’ll find a way to fuck this up.
Reposted by Ethan
This is a nuts story. An AI chatbot and image platform left millions of images exposed. They show what people are actually using the AI for: taking random women's yearbook, graduation, and social media photos and making super realistic hardcore porn with them
www.404media.co/ai-porn-secr...
www.404media.co/ai-porn-secr...
Massive Leak Shows Erotic Chatbot Users Turned Women’s Yearbook Pictures Into AI Porn
Chatbot roleplay and image generator platform SecretDesires.ai left cloud storage containers of nearly two million of images and videos exposed, including photos and full names of women from social me...
www.404media.co
November 19, 2025 at 3:28 PM
This is a nuts story. An AI chatbot and image platform left millions of images exposed. They show what people are actually using the AI for: taking random women's yearbook, graduation, and social media photos and making super realistic hardcore porn with them
www.404media.co/ai-porn-secr...
www.404media.co/ai-porn-secr...
Reposted by Ethan
Texas' abortion ban has killed another woman.
Let's be very clear: Republicans are killing women. Democrats need to start calling them murderers loudly and often.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
Let's be very clear: Republicans are killing women. Democrats need to start calling them murderers loudly and often.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
“Ticking Time Bomb”: A Pregnant Mother Kept Getting Sicker. She Died After She Couldn’t Get an Abortion in Texas.
Walker is one of several women ProPublica found with underlying health conditions who died when they couldn’t access abortions.
www.propublica.org
November 19, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Texas' abortion ban has killed another woman.
Let's be very clear: Republicans are killing women. Democrats need to start calling them murderers loudly and often.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
Let's be very clear: Republicans are killing women. Democrats need to start calling them murderers loudly and often.
www.propublica.org/article/texa...
Reposted by Ethan
one thing i think is true is that republicans assumed that democrats would not respond in kind and that the forceful pushback spooked them (a lesson to learn here, perhaps)
Trump's corrupt scheme to rig 2026 is suddenly falling apart:
*Court strikes down Texas GOP gerrymander
*Indiana GOP lacks votes to redraw map
*Big Dem win in Virginia could give Ds more seats
On the pod, DLCC head Heather Williams is informative on what's next:
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
*Court strikes down Texas GOP gerrymander
*Indiana GOP lacks votes to redraw map
*Big Dem win in Virginia could give Ds more seats
On the pod, DLCC head Heather Williams is informative on what's next:
newrepublic.com/article/2033...
Trump’s Plot to Rig 2026 Is Falling Apart, and Boy Is He Mad About It
As the Trump-GOP scheme to gerrymander the midterms suddenly faces big new setbacks, a Democratic operative who’s leading in these fights explains why the battle isn’t over—and what must happen now.
newrepublic.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:13 PM
one thing i think is true is that republicans assumed that democrats would not respond in kind and that the forceful pushback spooked them (a lesson to learn here, perhaps)
It’s a damn shame part of the World Cup is in our shithole country. I have to imagine this is a huge, healing moment for Haiti in many ways
World Cup qualifiers: Celebrations from tiny Curaçao to Haiti as minnows qualify
Curaçao, Haiti, Panama and Scotland qualified Tuesday for next year’s men's FIFA World Cup in North America, while the USMNT thrashed Uruguay 5-1 to boost its standing.
www.nbcnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 3:03 PM
It’s a damn shame part of the World Cup is in our shithole country. I have to imagine this is a huge, healing moment for Haiti in many ways
How do these people sleep at night
'Antivirus for libraries': How a Texas startup is capitalizing on book bans
The company Bookmarked, whose cofounder advocated for SB 13, describes itself as a neutral player in the censorship debate. Critics disagree.
www.expressnews.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:35 PM
How do these people sleep at night
Reposted by Ethan
The next Dem President should kick out everyone in the current WH Press Corps. Specifically blackball everyone who put up with all this horseshit.
I’ve been thinking and it’s kind of exceptional that not a single person said “Hey now” after the piggy comment.
November 19, 2025 at 1:58 AM
The next Dem President should kick out everyone in the current WH Press Corps. Specifically blackball everyone who put up with all this horseshit.
Amazing Freudian slip typo by @politico.com. Hire me as an editor you cowards.
Also: remember when the GOP was mad about Charlie Kirk being killed?
Also: remember when the GOP was mad about Charlie Kirk being killed?
November 19, 2025 at 1:58 AM
Amazing Freudian slip typo by @politico.com. Hire me as an editor you cowards.
Also: remember when the GOP was mad about Charlie Kirk being killed?
Also: remember when the GOP was mad about Charlie Kirk being killed?
Seriously what the fuck is wrong with these people? They literally have to rig the game to “prove” that democratic socialism “doesn’t work”
Adams Boosts Budget, Leaving a $4.7 Billion Hole for Mamdani
Looming budget deficits, no provisions for federal aid cuts and new commitments mark the departing mayor’s last word on the city’s financial plan.
www.thecity.nyc
November 19, 2025 at 12:59 AM
Seriously what the fuck is wrong with these people? They literally have to rig the game to “prove” that democratic socialism “doesn’t work”
Is this dude’s yarmulke getting bigger or is his head getting way smaller?
Ben Shapiro: “When the president said deport all the illegal immigrants, I never thought that he meant that literally”
November 19, 2025 at 12:48 AM
Is this dude’s yarmulke getting bigger or is his head getting way smaller?
Reposted by Ethan
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
Trump in response to an Epstein question: "ABC, your company, your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that."
November 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
Reposted by Ethan
Today there was an attempted ICE raid in Bensonhurst & community members showed up. Even though NYPD collaborated with ICE by trying to disburse the crowd; community members stood their ground & ICE left without kidnapping a single person per the rapid response groups I'm on. We protect us!
November 19, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Today there was an attempted ICE raid in Bensonhurst & community members showed up. Even though NYPD collaborated with ICE by trying to disburse the crowd; community members stood their ground & ICE left without kidnapping a single person per the rapid response groups I'm on. We protect us!
No hate like Christian love. I’m so impressed with how @katmabu.bsky.social took this in stride. She’s gonna win by a landslide, inshallah.
From the CringeTikToks community on Reddit: This weirdo Christian really thought she ate here attacking Dem Candidate Kat Abughazaleh
Explore this post and more from the CringeTikToks community
www.reddit.com
November 19, 2025 at 12:45 AM
No hate like Christian love. I’m so impressed with how @katmabu.bsky.social took this in stride. She’s gonna win by a landslide, inshallah.
Reposted by Ethan
Neo-Nazi leader admits plot to give poisoned candy to Jewish kids in New York City
Neo-Nazi leader admits plot to give poisoned candy to Jewish kids in New York City
The leader of an Eastern European neo-Nazi group who tried to recruit an undercover federal agent to dress as Santa Claus and hand out poisoned candy to Jewish children and racial minorities has plead...
www.ctvnews.ca
November 18, 2025 at 10:05 PM
Neo-Nazi leader admits plot to give poisoned candy to Jewish kids in New York City
This is the least of our worries but fuck, did DJT make the White House the tackiest looking piece of shit in the world.
MBS: "We are not creating fake opportunities to please America, please President Trump. It's real opportunities."
November 18, 2025 at 5:49 PM
This is the least of our worries but fuck, did DJT make the White House the tackiest looking piece of shit in the world.
Reposted by Ethan
There's way too much NYT discourse on here already but re: The Big Olivia Nuzzi Feature, I am pretty squarely against the Times thing of doing a long feature story about someone disreputable and doing it in that kind of arch "get a load of this asshole" tone. It's still a big feature about them!
November 14, 2025 at 6:14 PM
There's way too much NYT discourse on here already but re: The Big Olivia Nuzzi Feature, I am pretty squarely against the Times thing of doing a long feature story about someone disreputable and doing it in that kind of arch "get a load of this asshole" tone. It's still a big feature about them!
People in this admin need to be hung from the rafters—the cruelty is beyond belief
Trump admin axed 383 active clinical trials, dumping over 74K participants
It’s a “violation of foundational ethical principles of human participant research.”…
arstechnica.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:50 AM
People in this admin need to be hung from the rafters—the cruelty is beyond belief
Reposted by Ethan
but at least I did not have to worry about the
worm that was not a worm in his brain.
but at least I did not have to worry about the
worm that was not a worm in his brain.
BUT AT LEAST I DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE WORM THAT WAS NOT A WORM IN HIS BRAIN.
worm that was not a worm in his brain.
but at least I did not have to worry about the
worm that was not a worm in his brain.
BUT AT LEAST I DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE WORM THAT WAS NOT A WORM IN HIS BRAIN.
November 17, 2025 at 5:35 PM
but at least I did not have to worry about the
worm that was not a worm in his brain.
but at least I did not have to worry about the
worm that was not a worm in his brain.
BUT AT LEAST I DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE WORM THAT WAS NOT A WORM IN HIS BRAIN.
worm that was not a worm in his brain.
but at least I did not have to worry about the
worm that was not a worm in his brain.
BUT AT LEAST I DID NOT HAVE TO WORRY ABOUT THE WORM THAT WAS NOT A WORM IN HIS BRAIN.
I cannot imagine reading an entire book’s worth of this shit. I hope her editor was paid handsomely (although, definitely could’ve edited a bit more).
I regret to inform you that Olivia Nuzzi's book appears to be Perfect
insane, stupid, comically overwritten, dishy, politically indefensible I cannot wait to get my hands on it I must accept this is who I am as a person at some deep level whether I like it or not www.vanityfair.com/news/story/o...
insane, stupid, comically overwritten, dishy, politically indefensible I cannot wait to get my hands on it I must accept this is who I am as a person at some deep level whether I like it or not www.vanityfair.com/news/story/o...
November 17, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I cannot imagine reading an entire book’s worth of this shit. I hope her editor was paid handsomely (although, definitely could’ve edited a bit more).
Reposted by Ethan
I know that this site leans quite left, so I very much hope that people will recognize the significance of this news. The right is cleaving, and the side triumphing — in terms of sheer numbers and media coverage — needs to be understood for exactly what it is: authoritarian and bigoted.
Robert George has resigned from the Heritage board of trustees.
November 17, 2025 at 11:48 AM
I know that this site leans quite left, so I very much hope that people will recognize the significance of this news. The right is cleaving, and the side triumphing — in terms of sheer numbers and media coverage — needs to be understood for exactly what it is: authoritarian and bigoted.
No no no no @raskin.house.gov. This woman is owned by the Thiel Technofascist branch of MAGA and you’d be a fool to welcome her. She still wants all trans people dead and prayed with J6ers in some bizarre CPAC exhibition. She is a menace to the US.
Raskin: We are a big tent. We must be a huge, vast tent. I say this is a party that’s got room for Marjorie Taylor Greene if she wants to come over.
November 17, 2025 at 4:19 PM
No no no no @raskin.house.gov. This woman is owned by the Thiel Technofascist branch of MAGA and you’d be a fool to welcome her. She still wants all trans people dead and prayed with J6ers in some bizarre CPAC exhibition. She is a menace to the US.
Who the fuck do these people think they are?
Jon Voight Begs Trump to ‘Terminate’ Zohran Mamdani’s NYC Mayor Win: ‘Only He Can Stop This Horror’
Jon Voight posted a bizarre video message, begging President Trump to "terminate" Zohran Mamdani's election win to be New York City mayor.
variety.com
November 16, 2025 at 10:09 PM
Who the fuck do these people think they are?