John Pettus
@johngpettus.bsky.social
Social venture entrepreneur. San Francisco native. Iraq veteran. Economics-trained, MBA liberal. Both more liberal and more conservative than you, in some ways. Working on improving public discourse and teaching & measuring critical thinking at scale.
Pinned
The existential pain I feel when they put the Western Conference standings on the right.
Like... let's pretends we're not Santa Clause, looking down from the North Pole...
(But also, Santa, I'd like a plus-defending Shot Creator for my #Warriors for Christmas... in addition to Steph.)
Like... let's pretends we're not Santa Clause, looking down from the North Pole...
(But also, Santa, I'd like a plus-defending Shot Creator for my #Warriors for Christmas... in addition to Steph.)
December 7, 2025 at 6:09 AM
The existential pain I feel when they put the Western Conference standings on the right.
Like... let's pretends we're not Santa Clause, looking down from the North Pole...
(But also, Santa, I'd like a plus-defending Shot Creator for my #Warriors for Christmas... in addition to Steph.)
Like... let's pretends we're not Santa Clause, looking down from the North Pole...
(But also, Santa, I'd like a plus-defending Shot Creator for my #Warriors for Christmas... in addition to Steph.)
Reposted by John Pettus
the reason its bad to run universities like businesses is that almost all businesses fail on any reasonable timeline of evaluation.
hudson's bay made it the longest and even they only got to about half an oxford of longevity
hudson's bay made it the longest and even they only got to about half an oxford of longevity
They claim financial exigency, but then turn down $4 million pledges to keep the PhD programs open and disregard financial analyses that point to the real problem—bad real estate deals, spending on consultants, and their own salaries 2/2
December 6, 2025 at 5:42 PM
the reason its bad to run universities like businesses is that almost all businesses fail on any reasonable timeline of evaluation.
hudson's bay made it the longest and even they only got to about half an oxford of longevity
hudson's bay made it the longest and even they only got to about half an oxford of longevity
Red states are just choosing to be primitive places.
Heartbreaking. The University of Nebraska will terminate its entire Earth science department.
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
One of the country's most successful and respected geology & climate programs: gone.
When ideologues & politicians are threatened by the very act of studying climate change, I wonder: who of us is next?
It's over.
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
Despite the fact that the academic council recommended against it, despite the fact that the program brought in more tuition than it cost, and despite the fact that Nebraskans need & deserve this expertise, Earth & Atmospheric Sciences will be cut.
www.dailynebraskan.com/news/adminis...
December 7, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Red states are just choosing to be primitive places.
Reposted by John Pettus
I need this so bad
December 7, 2025 at 3:43 AM
I need this so bad
Reposted by John Pettus
The radicalization of Silicon Valley is the subject of my forthcoming book, "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War on Democracy."
It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
The Nerd Reich
A fearless and urgent chronicle of the tech-authoritarian movement from its early days in San Francisco politics to its current moment on the inter...
www.simonandschuster.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:17 PM
The radicalization of Silicon Valley is the subject of my forthcoming book, "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War on Democracy."
It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
Reposted by John Pettus
A Palantir billionaire just called for public hangings.
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
Joe Lonsdale Calls For Public Hangings
Silicon Valley radicalization escalates
www.thenerdreich.com
December 6, 2025 at 9:15 PM
A Palantir billionaire just called for public hangings.
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
They claim they KNEW ALL the people on the boat?
If that's true, that's insanely precise intelligence.
And then they murdered those people instead of putting them on trial.
Boats of smugglers are not a legitimate military target. It'a law enforcement issue, at most.
If that's true, that's insanely precise intelligence.
And then they murdered those people instead of putting them on trial.
Boats of smugglers are not a legitimate military target. It'a law enforcement issue, at most.
EXCLUSIVE: Pete Hegseth ordered the U.S. military on Sept. 2 to kill all 11 people on a suspected drug-smuggling boat because they were on an internal list of military targets, the commander overseeing the operation told lawmakers, according to multiple sources.
Admiral told lawmakers everyone on alleged drug boat was on a list of military targets
Adm. Frank Bradley said U.S. intelligence had identified the 11 people on the boat and determined the military was authorized to kill them as part of Trump’s campaign against alleged drug-smuggling vessels.
nbcnews.to
December 7, 2025 at 2:05 AM
They claim they KNEW ALL the people on the boat?
If that's true, that's insanely precise intelligence.
And then they murdered those people instead of putting them on trial.
Boats of smugglers are not a legitimate military target. It'a law enforcement issue, at most.
If that's true, that's insanely precise intelligence.
And then they murdered those people instead of putting them on trial.
Boats of smugglers are not a legitimate military target. It'a law enforcement issue, at most.
This is Trumpism.
Anti-rational. Anti-American. *Grotesquely* immoral.
Anti-rational. Anti-American. *Grotesquely* immoral.
Source is the Manhattan Institute, who emphasize that newer GOP voters drawn in by Trump are more conspiratorial.
manhattan.institute/article/the-...
manhattan.institute/article/the-...
December 7, 2025 at 2:01 AM
This is Trumpism.
Anti-rational. Anti-American. *Grotesquely* immoral.
Anti-rational. Anti-American. *Grotesquely* immoral.
Reposted by John Pettus
MacKenzie Scott: *donates $50M every 10 hours°
Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir: "I want to see people hang"
Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir: "I want to see people hang"
December 7, 2025 at 12:15 AM
MacKenzie Scott: *donates $50M every 10 hours°
Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir: "I want to see people hang"
Joe Lonsdale, co-founder of Palantir: "I want to see people hang"
Reposted by John Pettus
First time I've been chided by AI for a misspelling that AI itself introduced. It's weird how janky this stuff is.
December 7, 2025 at 1:23 AM
First time I've been chided by AI for a misspelling that AI itself introduced. It's weird how janky this stuff is.
Nobody like to be corrected. And especially not told that they are doing something immoral.
I think that if we randomly met some time we'd agree that people shouldn't make claims about all people who share some trait like skin color. We'd agree that was wrong.
So we gotta stand up to it.
I think that if we randomly met some time we'd agree that people shouldn't make claims about all people who share some trait like skin color. We'd agree that was wrong.
So we gotta stand up to it.
December 6, 2025 at 9:02 AM
Nobody like to be corrected. And especially not told that they are doing something immoral.
I think that if we randomly met some time we'd agree that people shouldn't make claims about all people who share some trait like skin color. We'd agree that was wrong.
So we gotta stand up to it.
I think that if we randomly met some time we'd agree that people shouldn't make claims about all people who share some trait like skin color. We'd agree that was wrong.
So we gotta stand up to it.
I didn't see this. This is a great interview (on a lot of levels) from a month ago.
Gavin Newsom Urges Americans to Wake Up
YouTube video by ALL THE SMOKE
www.youtube.com
December 6, 2025 at 5:35 AM
I didn't see this. This is a great interview (on a lot of levels) from a month ago.
So, seriously. What's the plan here?
He's going to get a pardon from Trump. So what are we going to do?
Rendition him to The Hague, somehow? (Bc we don't live under the rule of law).
Or he gets assassinated and you pardon the killer?
How do we restore RoL and the social contract at this point?
He's going to get a pardon from Trump. So what are we going to do?
Rendition him to The Hague, somehow? (Bc we don't live under the rule of law).
Or he gets assassinated and you pardon the killer?
How do we restore RoL and the social contract at this point?
"When there’s no war, you aren’t committing war crimes when you kill people indiscriminately. You’re just a straight-up murderer."
A war criminal without a war
It's just murder.
www.publicnotice.co
December 6, 2025 at 5:18 AM
So, seriously. What's the plan here?
He's going to get a pardon from Trump. So what are we going to do?
Rendition him to The Hague, somehow? (Bc we don't live under the rule of law).
Or he gets assassinated and you pardon the killer?
How do we restore RoL and the social contract at this point?
He's going to get a pardon from Trump. So what are we going to do?
Rendition him to The Hague, somehow? (Bc we don't live under the rule of law).
Or he gets assassinated and you pardon the killer?
How do we restore RoL and the social contract at this point?
Reposted by John Pettus
“How can we help save democracy? How can we serve and add value for our community?” Always, and only, what we’re thinking about. lnk.thebulwark.com/4oG7JSa
December 6, 2025 at 4:30 AM
“How can we help save democracy? How can we serve and add value for our community?” Always, and only, what we’re thinking about. lnk.thebulwark.com/4oG7JSa
I think I'm about to get a whole bunch of racist and personal attacks for standing up to that very Blue Sky approved thing of being obviously/stupidly racist about white people.
I don't know why people can't internalize the universal principle of not totalizing people by race (or gender, etc.).
I don't know why people can't internalize the universal principle of not totalizing people by race (or gender, etc.).
December 6, 2025 at 4:27 AM
I think I'm about to get a whole bunch of racist and personal attacks for standing up to that very Blue Sky approved thing of being obviously/stupidly racist about white people.
I don't know why people can't internalize the universal principle of not totalizing people by race (or gender, etc.).
I don't know why people can't internalize the universal principle of not totalizing people by race (or gender, etc.).
Reposted by John Pettus
holy shit
December 6, 2025 at 4:11 AM
holy shit
If you think you live in a democracy, look at this map.
40% of the citizens in this state vote for Democrats.
40%.
America is not a democracy if the politicians choose the voters instead of the other way around.
40% of the citizens in this state vote for Democrats.
40%.
America is not a democracy if the politicians choose the voters instead of the other way around.
December 6, 2025 at 4:09 AM
If you think you live in a democracy, look at this map.
40% of the citizens in this state vote for Democrats.
40%.
America is not a democracy if the politicians choose the voters instead of the other way around.
40% of the citizens in this state vote for Democrats.
40%.
America is not a democracy if the politicians choose the voters instead of the other way around.
What's the closest equivalent to an actor showing up on the big screen and being THIS cool (which includes the funny), that we've had since Beverly Hills Cop?
Maybe Ryan Reynolds?
You also forget how insanely good looking Eddie Murphy was.
Maybe Jaime Fox? Both insanely talented mimics/singers.
Maybe Ryan Reynolds?
You also forget how insanely good looking Eddie Murphy was.
Maybe Jaime Fox? Both insanely talented mimics/singers.
“Beverly Hills Cop” premieres 41 years ago today.
“.. When we decided we wanted Eddie and we had to make our case in front of the powers at Paramount,” said director Martin Brest, “there was some concern as to whether or not he could carry a movie on his own. .. To me, it was clear as a bell.”
“.. When we decided we wanted Eddie and we had to make our case in front of the powers at Paramount,” said director Martin Brest, “there was some concern as to whether or not he could carry a movie on his own. .. To me, it was clear as a bell.”
December 6, 2025 at 4:05 AM
What's the closest equivalent to an actor showing up on the big screen and being THIS cool (which includes the funny), that we've had since Beverly Hills Cop?
Maybe Ryan Reynolds?
You also forget how insanely good looking Eddie Murphy was.
Maybe Jaime Fox? Both insanely talented mimics/singers.
Maybe Ryan Reynolds?
You also forget how insanely good looking Eddie Murphy was.
Maybe Jaime Fox? Both insanely talented mimics/singers.
And that's coming from someone who looks like he's 13.
Mockler: It's honestly humiliating that other countries are treating our president like a child, like a baby. It's like if I created a peace prize and I gave it to myself. I'm like, I'm just going to keep this medal on all night. Our president is an actual child
December 6, 2025 at 3:59 AM
And that's coming from someone who looks like he's 13.
I know it's unholy of me, but I wouldn't mind a pope that would go all Untouchables Al Capone on the evil people who dominate this world.
December 6, 2025 at 3:58 AM
I know it's unholy of me, but I wouldn't mind a pope that would go all Untouchables Al Capone on the evil people who dominate this world.
Reposted by John Pettus
The following is a statement from the WGA on the Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix.
December 5, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The following is a statement from the WGA on the Acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery by Netflix.
Reposted by John Pettus
Simplest explanation for why these guys don’t get fired is that Trump wants to keep people in positions of power who will be totally dependent on his ability to pardon them
FBI agents now serving as Uber drivers for Kash Patel’s girlfriend’s drunk friends www.ms.now/news/kash-pa...
December 5, 2025 at 10:31 PM
Simplest explanation for why these guys don’t get fired is that Trump wants to keep people in positions of power who will be totally dependent on his ability to pardon them
Reposted by John Pettus
Elon Musk has tweeted nonstop about white babies, white genocide, population decline, and fertility rates for the past week.
This is what it's all about, folks. The supervillain plot is tweeted in real time.
White supremacy. Fear. Anxiety. Hatred. A loathing of diversity.
This is what it's all about, folks. The supervillain plot is tweeted in real time.
White supremacy. Fear. Anxiety. Hatred. A loathing of diversity.
December 5, 2025 at 9:23 PM
Elon Musk has tweeted nonstop about white babies, white genocide, population decline, and fertility rates for the past week.
This is what it's all about, folks. The supervillain plot is tweeted in real time.
White supremacy. Fear. Anxiety. Hatred. A loathing of diversity.
This is what it's all about, folks. The supervillain plot is tweeted in real time.
White supremacy. Fear. Anxiety. Hatred. A loathing of diversity.
Reposted by John Pettus
If this goes thru it will accelerate Hollywood’s precipitous decline. Thousands laid off. Creatives w/fewer studios willing to bid on projects. Fewer choices of what to watch for consumers. Possibly a death blow for theatrical filmgoing. Just terrible news all around
www.theverge.com/news/838781/...
www.theverge.com/news/838781/...
Netflix is buying Warner Bros. for $83 billion
But what will they rename HBO Max this time?
www.theverge.com
December 5, 2025 at 1:33 PM
If this goes thru it will accelerate Hollywood’s precipitous decline. Thousands laid off. Creatives w/fewer studios willing to bid on projects. Fewer choices of what to watch for consumers. Possibly a death blow for theatrical filmgoing. Just terrible news all around
www.theverge.com/news/838781/...
www.theverge.com/news/838781/...