Alex Russell
@infrequently.org
Trying to make a web that works for everyone.
Also at https://toot.cafe/@slightlyoff
For more: https://infrequently.org/about-me/
https://infrequently.org/
Also at https://toot.cafe/@slightlyoff
For more: https://infrequently.org/about-me/
https://infrequently.org/
Pinned
Alex Russell
@infrequently.org
· Oct 27
Platform Strategy and Its Discontents - Infrequently Noted
Alex Russell on browsers, standards, and the process of progress.
infrequently.org
Platforms are competitions, and the web is losing. We can do simple, straightforward things to combat that decline...but contemporary frontend isn't doing those things.
Why not?
A consolidated thread from last week:
infrequently.org/2024/10/platform…
Why not?
A consolidated thread from last week:
infrequently.org/2024/10/platform…
This is very good, and reads exactly like the "Warren was right" post that most lefty outlets should be posting; it's just missing the apology and a focus on money in politics:
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-s...
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-s...
November 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM
This is very good, and reads exactly like the "Warren was right" post that most lefty outlets should be posting; it's just missing the apology and a focus on money in politics:
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-s...
talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/the-s...
Reposted by Alex Russell
BREAKING: Scorpion Bites Frog Immediately and Repeatedly
NEWS: Senate Republicans are threatening to block the extension of Affordable Care Act subsidies—unless Democrats agree to tougher abortion restrictions.
Republicans demand tougher abortion restrictions to extend Obamacare funds
Democrats say that’s a nonstarter, arguing there are already limits on abortion access. The dispute could torpedo a deal, leading to higher health insurance premiums for millions.
www.nbcnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:59 PM
BREAKING: Scorpion Bites Frog Immediately and Repeatedly
It's not in the text here, but iOS engine choice is also the only path for Mozilla (or Ladybird) to participate in making the mobile web better. What Apple continues to do every single day is a crime against the entire web ecosystem.
Credit where it's due, I've given @theverge.com grief about failing to engage with the iOS/web/PWA question in obvious places, but this is an outstanding set of questions to @timbl.bsky.social from Nilay Patel, and Tim's support is very much appreciated :
www.theverge.com/podcast/8145....
www.theverge.com/podcast/8145....
Sir Tim Berners-Lee doesn’t think AI will destroy the web
The inventor of the World Wide Web still believes in the internet as a force for good.
www.theverge.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:37 PM
It's not in the text here, but iOS engine choice is also the only path for Mozilla (or Ladybird) to participate in making the mobile web better. What Apple continues to do every single day is a crime against the entire web ecosystem.
Reposted by Alex Russell
If you're looking around thinking "if Trump & the Republicans cause enough suffering, there will be backlash & accountability," I would direct your attention to the UK. Hard to think of any country in history so clearly, demonstrably, theatrically fucked by a single party ... and yet.
The thing to understand about this is that this catastrophe in the UK has redounded to the political benefit of the very same people and political movement that pushed for it! Extremely perverse.
I wonder if the United States can learn anything from the last time a major industrialized country decided to isolate itself from the rest of the world?
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
November 11, 2025 at 5:46 PM
If you're looking around thinking "if Trump & the Republicans cause enough suffering, there will be backlash & accountability," I would direct your attention to the UK. Hard to think of any country in history so clearly, demonstrably, theatrically fucked by a single party ... and yet.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Meet Yaa’kub Ira Vijandre. He’s the US’ latest political prisoner.
His detention is designed to send the message that anything noncitizens post in support of disfavored causes can be labeled a deportable threat to national security.
His detention is designed to send the message that anything noncitizens post in support of disfavored causes can be labeled a deportable threat to national security.
ICE Caged This Man For His Instagram Posts And Likes
New details about Yaa'kub Ira Vijandre's detention show his posts supporting Palestine and the wrongfully convicted representing, in Homeland Security's eyes, support for terrorism
www.forever-wars.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Meet Yaa’kub Ira Vijandre. He’s the US’ latest political prisoner.
His detention is designed to send the message that anything noncitizens post in support of disfavored causes can be labeled a deportable threat to national security.
His detention is designed to send the message that anything noncitizens post in support of disfavored causes can be labeled a deportable threat to national security.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Listen to this BS from Duffy. (Whose aviation-world experience = zero.)
I know 1000 times as many controllers as he's ever met. OK, maybe only 100 times as many.
This is offensive beyond belief.
I know 1000 times as many controllers as he's ever met. OK, maybe only 100 times as many.
This is offensive beyond belief.
Sean Duffy threatens "action" against air traffic controllers who didn't come to work during the shutdown: "I'm concerned about their patriotism."
November 11, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Listen to this BS from Duffy. (Whose aviation-world experience = zero.)
I know 1000 times as many controllers as he's ever met. OK, maybe only 100 times as many.
This is offensive beyond belief.
I know 1000 times as many controllers as he's ever met. OK, maybe only 100 times as many.
This is offensive beyond belief.
Credit where it's due, I've given @theverge.com grief about failing to engage with the iOS/web/PWA question in obvious places, but this is an outstanding set of questions to @timbl.bsky.social from Nilay Patel, and Tim's support is very much appreciated :
www.theverge.com/podcast/8145....
www.theverge.com/podcast/8145....
Sir Tim Berners-Lee doesn’t think AI will destroy the web
The inventor of the World Wide Web still believes in the internet as a force for good.
www.theverge.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Credit where it's due, I've given @theverge.com grief about failing to engage with the iOS/web/PWA question in obvious places, but this is an outstanding set of questions to @timbl.bsky.social from Nilay Patel, and Tim's support is very much appreciated :
www.theverge.com/podcast/8145....
www.theverge.com/podcast/8145....
It's...weird?...to see such a formative part of your youth again when it has been part of the oast for so long.
Behold: you can now see all 23 years of BYTE magazine in all its glory, all at once. Every issue on a single zoomable interface
www.404media.co/byte-magazin...
www.404media.co/byte-magazin...
Visualize All 23 Years of BYTE Magazine in All Its Glory, All at Once
Software engineer Hector Dearman built a zoomable map of every issue of BYTE magazine.
www.404media.co
November 11, 2025 at 6:22 PM
It's...weird?...to see such a formative part of your youth again when it has been part of the oast for so long.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Behold: you can now see all 23 years of BYTE magazine in all its glory, all at once. Every issue on a single zoomable interface
www.404media.co/byte-magazin...
www.404media.co/byte-magazin...
Visualize All 23 Years of BYTE Magazine in All Its Glory, All at Once
Software engineer Hector Dearman built a zoomable map of every issue of BYTE magazine.
www.404media.co
November 11, 2025 at 5:10 PM
Behold: you can now see all 23 years of BYTE magazine in all its glory, all at once. Every issue on a single zoomable interface
www.404media.co/byte-magazin...
www.404media.co/byte-magazin...
Reposted by Alex Russell
"The decision to revoke the protection triggered what Venezuelan American activist Adelys Ferro called “the largest mass illegalization of a group in this country’s history.”
🧾 is.gd/u9Gl1t
🧾 is.gd/u9Gl1t
November 11, 2025 at 5:19 PM
"The decision to revoke the protection triggered what Venezuelan American activist Adelys Ferro called “the largest mass illegalization of a group in this country’s history.”
🧾 is.gd/u9Gl1t
🧾 is.gd/u9Gl1t
Reposted by Alex Russell
So the oldest person ever to become president keeps falling asleep in his office during public events and there’s no big public discussion on how this is a coverup or how republicans are lying to us about how this government is running?
November 9, 2025 at 1:41 PM
So the oldest person ever to become president keeps falling asleep in his office during public events and there’s no big public discussion on how this is a coverup or how republicans are lying to us about how this government is running?
Reposted by Alex Russell
This hidden provision is so crooked and selfish, it doesn't even apply to US Representatives. Just US Senators.
Look at this new outrage. To open govt, we're retroactively letting 8 Senators sue for $500K each over having had their J6 phone toll records looked at. www.nytimes.com/2025/11/10/u...
Spending Bill Would Pave Way for Senators to Sue Over Phone Searches
www.nytimes.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:43 AM
This hidden provision is so crooked and selfish, it doesn't even apply to US Representatives. Just US Senators.
Reposted by Alex Russell
how would he know
November 10, 2025 at 8:55 PM
how would he know
Reposted by Alex Russell
I've been a fan of Whitehouse's work on corruption, but if this condescending thread is what he actually believes, he deserves to lose his seat.
Many feel betrayal and frustration, and the feelings are hot right now.
I get it. I have my own feelings.
🧵
I get it. I have my own feelings.
🧵
November 10, 2025 at 11:32 PM
I've been a fan of Whitehouse's work on corruption, but if this condescending thread is what he actually believes, he deserves to lose his seat.
Reposted by Alex Russell
You think we're stupid? You greenlit this deal. If you couldn't stop Dems from breaking away, then you don't deserve to be the leader.
I will not support the Republican bill that’s on the Senate floor because it fails to do anything of substance to fix America’s healthcare crisis.
November 10, 2025 at 9:37 PM
You think we're stupid? You greenlit this deal. If you couldn't stop Dems from breaking away, then you don't deserve to be the leader.
The ratios on this thread are *incredible*, and the comments are exactly what you think/hope they are:
November 10, 2025 at 11:07 PM
The ratios on this thread are *incredible*, and the comments are exactly what you think/hope they are:
Reposted by Alex Russell
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
November 10, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Quick thread on the BBC and the political and societal significance of recent developments:
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
One of the main reasons the UK has historically been so much less polarised than the US, is that Britain has a shared source of information, consumed and trusted by most people regardless of their politics.
Reposted by Alex Russell
one time I pointed out that elon musk followed no women on twitter and he immediately followed caity weaver
November 10, 2025 at 8:24 PM
one time I pointed out that elon musk followed no women on twitter and he immediately followed caity weaver
In Praise of dhh
A reflection on Ruby's past, present, and future.
okayfail.com
November 10, 2025 at 8:46 PM
Reposted by Alex Russell
You've got your flagrant cowardice, your too-clever-by-half DC-brained tactical maneuvering that fools no one but impresses reporters, your fealty to bipartisanship in an era when your opponents are dumping diarrhea on your head, your insane belief in the power of symbolic votes ... everything.
November 10, 2025 at 8:15 PM
You've got your flagrant cowardice, your too-clever-by-half DC-brained tactical maneuvering that fools no one but impresses reporters, your fealty to bipartisanship in an era when your opponents are dumping diarrhea on your head, your insane belief in the power of symbolic votes ... everything.
Reposted by Alex Russell
3) They deliberately roundup senators who aren't facing voters to do the selling out.
And, the coup de grace ...
4) They sell out *in order to preserve the filibuster*, one of the very artifacts that makes the Senate so miserable & useless.
Perfectly shitty, as though designed in a Shit Lab.
And, the coup de grace ...
4) They sell out *in order to preserve the filibuster*, one of the very artifacts that makes the Senate so miserable & useless.
Perfectly shitty, as though designed in a Shit Lab.
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
3) They deliberately roundup senators who aren't facing voters to do the selling out.
And, the coup de grace ...
4) They sell out *in order to preserve the filibuster*, one of the very artifacts that makes the Senate so miserable & useless.
Perfectly shitty, as though designed in a Shit Lab.
And, the coup de grace ...
4) They sell out *in order to preserve the filibuster*, one of the very artifacts that makes the Senate so miserable & useless.
Perfectly shitty, as though designed in a Shit Lab.
Reposted by Alex Russell
I'm trying to do real work today & everyone is bashing this already, but my god:
1) Schumer clearly arranges or at least greenlights the sellout but then votes against it so he can pretend to have a spine.
2) They sell out for a *promise from Republicans*, who lie like they f'ing breathe.
1) Schumer clearly arranges or at least greenlights the sellout but then votes against it so he can pretend to have a spine.
2) They sell out for a *promise from Republicans*, who lie like they f'ing breathe.
November 10, 2025 at 8:11 PM
I'm trying to do real work today & everyone is bashing this already, but my god:
1) Schumer clearly arranges or at least greenlights the sellout but then votes against it so he can pretend to have a spine.
2) They sell out for a *promise from Republicans*, who lie like they f'ing breathe.
1) Schumer clearly arranges or at least greenlights the sellout but then votes against it so he can pretend to have a spine.
2) They sell out for a *promise from Republicans*, who lie like they f'ing breathe.
Reposted by Alex Russell
The harm caused by the shutdown was real, affecting millions, and no one should downplay that. But America is not in a situation of harm or no harm. Rapidly backsliding into authoritarianism, America is in a terrible situation where appeasement trades short-term relief for more long-term harm.
Democrats Have to Get Out of a Normal Democracy Mindset
By folding in the government shutdown in exchange for virtually nothing, eight Democratic senators aid Trump's authoritarian takeover rather than oppose it
www.arcdigital.media
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
The harm caused by the shutdown was real, affecting millions, and no one should downplay that. But America is not in a situation of harm or no harm. Rapidly backsliding into authoritarianism, America is in a terrible situation where appeasement trades short-term relief for more long-term harm.
Reposted by Alex Russell
I can't tell you how many interviews I've done where I've been asked: If Trump's policies are so problematic, why are U.S. stocks rising so rapidly.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
November 10, 2025 at 3:15 PM
I can't tell you how many interviews I've done where I've been asked: If Trump's policies are so problematic, why are U.S. stocks rising so rapidly.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
A bit of international context illustrates the real issue here.
U.S. stocks have dramatically underperformed other advanced economies.
Truly incredible what Schumer has unleashed. He should go as leader if only because he is so politically maladroit and out of step with his constituents that he couldn't predict the strength of the backlash.
November 10, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Truly incredible what Schumer has unleashed. He should go as leader if only because he is so politically maladroit and out of step with his constituents that he couldn't predict the strength of the backlash.