Matthew B
@matthew-b.bsky.social
Pro-housing advocate in Colorado here to discuss housing, land use, and tax policy. #YIMBY #coleg #colorado
Reposted by Matthew B
We’re watching a shift where AI simulates the cohesion and reinforcement that used to require an entire online community. A single person can now build a complete parallel reality with nothing more than a prompt window. Which seems bad.
November 19, 2025 at 2:25 PM
We’re watching a shift where AI simulates the cohesion and reinforcement that used to require an entire online community. A single person can now build a complete parallel reality with nothing more than a prompt window. Which seems bad.
Reposted by Matthew B
LLMs give people with delusional belief systems a way to organise those beliefs. The model fills in gaps, supplies connective tissue, and wraps the madness in formal language.
It doesn't make the claims more credible to us, it just tidies them up.
It doesn't make the claims more credible to us, it just tidies them up.
November 19, 2025 at 2:22 PM
LLMs give people with delusional belief systems a way to organise those beliefs. The model fills in gaps, supplies connective tissue, and wraps the madness in formal language.
It doesn't make the claims more credible to us, it just tidies them up.
It doesn't make the claims more credible to us, it just tidies them up.
Bellingcat's perspective on disinfo in the age of AI leads down a troubling path.
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
November 20, 2025 at 2:08 AM
Bellingcat's perspective on disinfo in the age of AI leads down a troubling path.
Reposted by Matthew B
This isn’t just about bad information. It’s about the disappearance of epistemic structure, the structures we used to build our understanding of the world. When verification and deliberation both become flattened, frictionless, and identity-driven, accountability has nowhere to land.
June 21, 2025 at 8:05 AM
This isn’t just about bad information. It’s about the disappearance of epistemic structure, the structures we used to build our understanding of the world. When verification and deliberation both become flattened, frictionless, and identity-driven, accountability has nowhere to land.
Reposted by Matthew B
This is what happens when you confuse the product of the system as the system itself.
NEWS:
Democratic mega-donors are debating plans to spend tens of millions of dollars on a range of influencer plans to "find the liberal Rogan."
We've got pitch decks, investor meetings, and internal docs.
One Democrat has a spreadsheet of 26 different proposals.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/u...
Democratic mega-donors are debating plans to spend tens of millions of dollars on a range of influencer plans to "find the liberal Rogan."
We've got pitch decks, investor meetings, and internal docs.
One Democrat has a spreadsheet of 26 different proposals.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/20/u...
Democrats Throw Money at a Problem: Countering G.O.P. Clout Online
www.nytimes.com
May 20, 2025 at 6:39 PM
This is what happens when you confuse the product of the system as the system itself.
Reposted by Matthew B
Jared Polis will withhold state grants to Colorado cities, counties that don’t comply with new housing laws
Jared Polis will withhold state grants to Colorado cities, counties that don’t comply with new housing laws
The governor issued an executive order Friday requiring local governments to show they’re enacting policies to encourage more housing in order to qualify for transportation and energy funds.
coloradosun.com
May 16, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Jared Polis will withhold state grants to Colorado cities, counties that don’t comply with new housing laws
Reposted by Matthew B
BREAKING: U.S. Justice Department sues the State of Colorado and the City of Denver over immigration laws.
Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Colorado AG Phil Weiser are among those named as defendants in the suit.
Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Colorado AG Phil Weiser are among those named as defendants in the suit.
May 3, 2025 at 12:40 AM
BREAKING: U.S. Justice Department sues the State of Colorado and the City of Denver over immigration laws.
Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Colorado AG Phil Weiser are among those named as defendants in the suit.
Gov. Jared Polis, Denver Mayor Mike Johnston, and Colorado AG Phil Weiser are among those named as defendants in the suit.
Reposted by Matthew B
If you study dictatorships’ economies, you’ll see that selective enforcement of the tax code (to enrich friends, incentivise donors & punish critics) is a key tool. It’s foundational to the political economy of authoritarianism.
Trump wants this. If he gets it, US democracy dies.
🧵⬇️
Trump wants this. If he gets it, US democracy dies.
🧵⬇️
April 11, 2025 at 5:22 AM
If you study dictatorships’ economies, you’ll see that selective enforcement of the tax code (to enrich friends, incentivise donors & punish critics) is a key tool. It’s foundational to the political economy of authoritarianism.
Trump wants this. If he gets it, US democracy dies.
🧵⬇️
Trump wants this. If he gets it, US democracy dies.
🧵⬇️
Reposted by Matthew B
In 25 years of covering national security, I’ve never seen a story like this: Senior Trump officials discussed planning for the U.S. attack on Yemen in a Signal group--and inadvertently added the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
The Trump Administration Accidentally Texted Me Its War Plans
U.S. national-security leaders included me in a group chat about upcoming military strikes in Yemen. I didn’t think it could be real. Then the bombs started falling.
www.theatlantic.com
March 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
In 25 years of covering national security, I’ve never seen a story like this: Senior Trump officials discussed planning for the U.S. attack on Yemen in a Signal group--and inadvertently added the editor-in-chief of The Atlantic. www.theatlantic.com/politics/arc...
A #SingleStair bill for Colorado was introduced yesterday. leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1... Requires cities w/pop. over 100,000 to allow single-stair multifamily residential buildings up to 5 stories high. Includes fire safety requirements. Effective 12/1/2027. #coleg #copol #yimby
February 20, 2025 at 4:55 PM
A #SingleStair bill for Colorado was introduced yesterday. leg.colorado.gov/bills/hb25-1... Requires cities w/pop. over 100,000 to allow single-stair multifamily residential buildings up to 5 stories high. Includes fire safety requirements. Effective 12/1/2027. #coleg #copol #yimby
Colorado State Budget forecast shows a devastatingly bleak picture for the next five years. Reserves are completely exhausted under the status quo structural deficit "even without a recession." leg.colorado.gov/sites/defaul... #coleg #copol
February 14, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Colorado State Budget forecast shows a devastatingly bleak picture for the next five years. Reserves are completely exhausted under the status quo structural deficit "even without a recession." leg.colorado.gov/sites/defaul... #coleg #copol
YIGBY is coming to Co! Rep. Boesenecker says his bill will allow public schools and religious organizations to build housing through a streamlined approval process. Applicable statewide "at present". Affordability requirements and density are still being negotiated. #coleg #YIMBY Bill draft by 1/24.
January 20, 2025 at 3:29 AM
YIGBY is coming to Co! Rep. Boesenecker says his bill will allow public schools and religious organizations to build housing through a streamlined approval process. Applicable statewide "at present". Affordability requirements and density are still being negotiated. #coleg #YIMBY Bill draft by 1/24.
Single Stair is coming to Colorado. Haven't seen the bill text yet but Rep. Woodrow and Rep. Boesenecker put out a fact sheet. Implementation by 2027, limited to 5 stories, unit door must be within 20 ft of exit, sprinklers would be required.
January 20, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Single Stair is coming to Colorado. Haven't seen the bill text yet but Rep. Woodrow and Rep. Boesenecker put out a fact sheet. Implementation by 2027, limited to 5 stories, unit door must be within 20 ft of exit, sprinklers would be required.
Best pro-housing anti-NIMBY messaging I've seen in a while.
January 13, 2025 at 6:33 AM
Best pro-housing anti-NIMBY messaging I've seen in a while.
Here's the modular housing bill sponsored by @jeffbridges.bsky.social, Sen. Tony Exum, and Rep. Boesenecker. I am not familiar with "factory built" housing solutions to the housing crisis so someone smart please enlighten me. #coleg
leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-002
leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-002
Regional Building Codes for Factory-Built Structures | Colorado General Assembly
leg.colorado.gov
January 10, 2025 at 1:46 AM
Here's the modular housing bill sponsored by @jeffbridges.bsky.social, Sen. Tony Exum, and Rep. Boesenecker. I am not familiar with "factory built" housing solutions to the housing crisis so someone smart please enlighten me. #coleg
leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-002
leg.colorado.gov/bills/sb25-002
The Single Stair bill is all about better design on smaller lots for smaller developers. Haven't seen a bill draft yet but excited to see this one come back.
January 10, 2025 at 1:07 AM
The Single Stair bill is all about better design on smaller lots for smaller developers. Haven't seen a bill draft yet but excited to see this one come back.
The YIGBY "Yes in God's Back Yard" bill will be sponsored by Rep Andy Boesenecker, @javiermabrey.bsky.social and @senadorajulie.bsky.social It authorizes housing to be built on church-owned and public school owned properties even if it doesn't exactly fit with the zoning.
January 10, 2025 at 1:01 AM
The YIGBY "Yes in God's Back Yard" bill will be sponsored by Rep Andy Boesenecker, @javiermabrey.bsky.social and @senadorajulie.bsky.social It authorizes housing to be built on church-owned and public school owned properties even if it doesn't exactly fit with the zoning.
Housing bill topics as announced by Gov Polis:
(1) YIGBY
(2) Single stair or "smart stair"
(3) Modular Housing
(4) Condo Defect Reform
(5) Homeowner Insurance Reform
(1) YIGBY
(2) Single stair or "smart stair"
(3) Modular Housing
(4) Condo Defect Reform
(5) Homeowner Insurance Reform
January 9, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Housing bill topics as announced by Gov Polis:
(1) YIGBY
(2) Single stair or "smart stair"
(3) Modular Housing
(4) Condo Defect Reform
(5) Homeowner Insurance Reform
(1) YIGBY
(2) Single stair or "smart stair"
(3) Modular Housing
(4) Condo Defect Reform
(5) Homeowner Insurance Reform
A few years ago, while working in government, I declined a hotel voucher for a one-night stay from a venue under consideration for a local gov. finance conference. The voucher exceeded the allowable $0 threshold for gifts that could be construed as influencing official decisions.
Justice Thomas could not be reached for comment, citing wifi issues on the yacht
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/21/u...
Justice Clarence Thomas Did Not Disclose Additional Trips From Billionaire Patron, Democrats Say
The revelation was included in a report by Democratic staff members on the Senate Judiciary Committee who had conducted a 20-month investigation into ethics practices at the Supreme Court.
www.nytimes.com
December 22, 2024 at 3:26 AM
A few years ago, while working in government, I declined a hotel voucher for a one-night stay from a venue under consideration for a local gov. finance conference. The voucher exceeded the allowable $0 threshold for gifts that could be construed as influencing official decisions.
Reposted by Matthew B
Reposted by Matthew B
Best article I’ve seen about expectations from the next administration
www.noahpinion.blog/p/how-well-k...
www.noahpinion.blog/p/how-well-k...
How we'll know if Trump is going to sell America out to China
Keep an eye on the export controls. They are the key.
www.noahpinion.blog
December 15, 2024 at 4:41 AM
Best article I’ve seen about expectations from the next administration
www.noahpinion.blog/p/how-well-k...
www.noahpinion.blog/p/how-well-k...
Reposted by Matthew B
Colorado has an interesting session ahead.
-Sizable budget gap that will make new spending nearly impossible. Fiscal note = dead bill.
-Increased tension between lawmakers and governor.
-Lots of jockeying as electeds position for new campaigns in higher office
The first bill deadlines are soon.
-Sizable budget gap that will make new spending nearly impossible. Fiscal note = dead bill.
-Increased tension between lawmakers and governor.
-Lots of jockeying as electeds position for new campaigns in higher office
The first bill deadlines are soon.
November 22, 2024 at 4:38 PM
Colorado has an interesting session ahead.
-Sizable budget gap that will make new spending nearly impossible. Fiscal note = dead bill.
-Increased tension between lawmakers and governor.
-Lots of jockeying as electeds position for new campaigns in higher office
The first bill deadlines are soon.
-Sizable budget gap that will make new spending nearly impossible. Fiscal note = dead bill.
-Increased tension between lawmakers and governor.
-Lots of jockeying as electeds position for new campaigns in higher office
The first bill deadlines are soon.