Matthew Sheffield
@matthew.flux.community
🟦 Writing and editing @flux.community
🟦 Host, Theory of Change podcast
🟦 Former TV producer and pollster
🟦 As seen in NYT, WaPo, NBC, NPR, Variety ...
New book: What Republicans Know https://flux.community/book/what-republicans-know
🟦 Host, Theory of Change podcast
🟦 Former TV producer and pollster
🟦 As seen in NYT, WaPo, NBC, NPR, Variety ...
New book: What Republicans Know https://flux.community/book/what-republicans-know
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
Stephen Miller is a horrible racist in the sense that he is actually not that good at being racist.
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta
Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers
December 26, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Stephen Miller is a horrible racist in the sense that he is actually not that good at being racist.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
"Sodium is nearly 50 times cheaper than lithium and can even be harvested from seawater, making it a much more sustainable option for large-scale energy storage”
Previously, I posted that Na-ion batteries were likely to reach Li-ion battery energy density faster due to the prior advances and experience from Lithium work. Well, that’s appears to be the case. 🧪🔌💡☀️💨💧🔋 www.uh.edu/news-events/...
Breakthrough New Material Brings Affordable, Sustainable Future Within Grasp
Researchers have developed a new material for sodium-ion batteries, sodium vanadium phosphate, that delivers higher voltage and greater energy capacity than previous sodium-based materials. This break...
www.uh.edu
December 26, 2025 at 6:02 PM
"Sodium is nearly 50 times cheaper than lithium and can even be harvested from seawater, making it a much more sustainable option for large-scale energy storage”
Correct. This is because they're instinctive thinkers, and that kind of process only gets you so far conceptually.
Like 90% of conservatism is people with sheltered and segregated childhoods, assuming their understanding back then was complete.
That's probably also why their political ideas don't really advance. Grover Norquist came up with his tax "policy" pledge at 14, and basically stopped thinking.
That's probably also why their political ideas don't really advance. Grover Norquist came up with his tax "policy" pledge at 14, and basically stopped thinking.
December 25, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Correct. This is because they're instinctive thinkers, and that kind of process only gets you so far conceptually.
Minds are often thought of as software that controls the hardware of bodies, but this is actually a bad analogy.
It's more accurate to think of minds as execution states of software.
This often sounds confusing, but this video illustrates that software and execution state are different.
It's more accurate to think of minds as execution states of software.
This often sounds confusing, but this video illustrates that software and execution state are different.
What Happens if you SWITCH Save Files in Pokemon Lets Go Pikachu And Eevee?
YouTube video by PokeTips
www.youtube.com
December 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
Minds are often thought of as software that controls the hardware of bodies, but this is actually a bad analogy.
It's more accurate to think of minds as execution states of software.
This often sounds confusing, but this video illustrates that software and execution state are different.
It's more accurate to think of minds as execution states of software.
This often sounds confusing, but this video illustrates that software and execution state are different.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
"What Do Republicans Know?": @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social and @trentrichardnelson.bsky.social with @matthew.flux.community, on our Half the Answer podcast www.liberalcurrents.com/half-the-ans...
Half the Answer #55: What Do Republicans Know?
Caitlin and Trent talk with Matthew Sheffield about his experiences as a former Republican strategist and the information he wants progressives to know about their strategies and successes.
Half the ...
www.liberalcurrents.com
December 23, 2025 at 7:12 PM
"What Do Republicans Know?": @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social and @trentrichardnelson.bsky.social with @matthew.flux.community, on our Half the Answer podcast www.liberalcurrents.com/half-the-ans...
The judge should be sanctioned for this. Courts are for testimony of people with personal experience or expertise pertinent to the case.
Putting the tech aside, this was like allowing someone to read an essay that was fictively composed by the victim. That would never be allowed.
Putting the tech aside, this was like allowing someone to read an essay that was fictively composed by the victim. That would never be allowed.
This year marked the first time the AI avatar of a victim—in this case, a dead man—has ever addressed a court, and it raises many questions about the use of this type of technology in future court proceedings.
www.404media.co/i-loved-that...
www.404media.co/i-loved-that...
'I Loved That AI:' Judge Moved by AI-Generated Avatar of Man Killed in Road Rage Incident
How the sister of Christopher Pelkey made an avatar of him to testify in court.
www.404media.co
December 23, 2025 at 11:15 PM
The judge should be sanctioned for this. Courts are for testimony of people with personal experience or expertise pertinent to the case.
Putting the tech aside, this was like allowing someone to read an essay that was fictively composed by the victim. That would never be allowed.
Putting the tech aside, this was like allowing someone to read an essay that was fictively composed by the victim. That would never be allowed.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
This means the VA won't cover abortions EVEN in the case of rape, incest, or serious threat to the health of the patient.
The DOJ memo was authored by Josh Craddock, one of the chief legal advocates for fetal personhood, i.e. imposing a nationwide abortion ban through the courts.
The DOJ memo was authored by Josh Craddock, one of the chief legal advocates for fetal personhood, i.e. imposing a nationwide abortion ban through the courts.
🚨🚨 SCOOP @ms.now : The Department of Veteran Affairs has quietly implemented its abortion ban following a DOJ memo issued last week.
This will affect 9 million veterans and their dependents, and has been a long time coming: It was outlined in Project 2025.
Read/share 👇
This will affect 9 million veterans and their dependents, and has been a long time coming: It was outlined in Project 2025.
Read/share 👇
Department of Veterans Affairs quietly implements abortion ban
A VA spokesperson confirmed to MS NOW that the ban was in place following a Department of Justice memo issued last week.
www.ms.now
December 23, 2025 at 7:18 PM
This means the VA won't cover abortions EVEN in the case of rape, incest, or serious threat to the health of the patient.
The DOJ memo was authored by Josh Craddock, one of the chief legal advocates for fetal personhood, i.e. imposing a nationwide abortion ban through the courts.
The DOJ memo was authored by Josh Craddock, one of the chief legal advocates for fetal personhood, i.e. imposing a nationwide abortion ban through the courts.
.@avetaas.bsky.social is a good egg and worth helping out if you are able to.
Hey folks! Mutual aid request!!
If you appreciate the ways in which Bluesky is a welcoming place for minoritized folks, especially Black folks, Aveta played a key role in making it that way and could now use our support! Consider chipping in!!!
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/aveta
cash.app/$SammyxB26
If you appreciate the ways in which Bluesky is a welcoming place for minoritized folks, especially Black folks, Aveta played a key role in making it that way and could now use our support! Consider chipping in!!!
Ko-Fi: ko-fi.com/aveta
cash.app/$SammyxB26
December 23, 2025 at 9:07 PM
.@avetaas.bsky.social is a good egg and worth helping out if you are able to.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
asked RFK Jr a question about them at a Senate hearing and made him look bad, within hours they were renewed.
I won't discuss any information that is non-public from the agency, but it is striking that the renewals came after media coverage.
I won't discuss any information that is non-public from the agency, but it is striking that the renewals came after media coverage.
December 23, 2025 at 3:38 AM
asked RFK Jr a question about them at a Senate hearing and made him look bad, within hours they were renewed.
I won't discuss any information that is non-public from the agency, but it is striking that the renewals came after media coverage.
I won't discuss any information that is non-public from the agency, but it is striking that the renewals came after media coverage.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
Remember when I said Weiss was stupid and incompetent? Stuff like this. An actual television producer would understand this stuff - if not the exact schedule and procedures for how the episode was distributed, at least who they could ask who would know.
It’s actually not technically a leak. CBS News only operates in the US. A non-PSKY owned network Global TV has Canadian rights for 60 Minutes and aired it unedited since the call to pull the episode was made so late in the day. That broadcast was recorded and then shared across the internet.
December 23, 2025 at 5:45 AM
Remember when I said Weiss was stupid and incompetent? Stuff like this. An actual television producer would understand this stuff - if not the exact schedule and procedures for how the episode was distributed, at least who they could ask who would know.
There's no such thing as an informed centrist.
"Centrism" is not an ideology. The term is what conservatives who are too ignorant or dishonest call themselves.
"Centrism" is not an ideology. The term is what conservatives who are too ignorant or dishonest call themselves.
December 23, 2025 at 3:29 AM
There's no such thing as an informed centrist.
"Centrism" is not an ideology. The term is what conservatives who are too ignorant or dishonest call themselves.
"Centrism" is not an ideology. The term is what conservatives who are too ignorant or dishonest call themselves.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
This is the type of response I'd get from other editors at NYT when I'd pitch them on opinion pieces. Opinion sections at newspapers value contrarianism over everything else.
i always look back on this email as predictive of where she was heading
December 22, 2025 at 11:00 PM
This is the type of response I'd get from other editors at NYT when I'd pitch them on opinion pieces. Opinion sections at newspapers value contrarianism over everything else.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
JFC. Nearly a third of people who have left their church have done so because of scandals involving clergy or other religious leaders.
That’s not incidental, that’s endemic.
That’s not incidental, that’s endemic.
🧵 The Pew Research Center has some fascinating details on religious switching. Only 56% of American adults are in the system they were raised in.
Very important info on switching from various groups, too.
Why do people say they leave? The biggest reason is that they stopped believing the claims.
Very important info on switching from various groups, too.
Why do people say they leave? The biggest reason is that they stopped believing the claims.
December 23, 2025 at 2:00 AM
JFC. Nearly a third of people who have left their church have done so because of scandals involving clergy or other religious leaders.
That’s not incidental, that’s endemic.
That’s not incidental, that’s endemic.
🧵 The Pew Research Center has some fascinating details on religious switching. Only 56% of American adults are in the system they were raised in.
Very important info on switching from various groups, too.
Why do people say they leave? The biggest reason is that they stopped believing the claims.
Very important info on switching from various groups, too.
Why do people say they leave? The biggest reason is that they stopped believing the claims.
December 23, 2025 at 12:24 AM
🧵 The Pew Research Center has some fascinating details on religious switching. Only 56% of American adults are in the system they were raised in.
Very important info on switching from various groups, too.
Why do people say they leave? The biggest reason is that they stopped believing the claims.
Very important info on switching from various groups, too.
Why do people say they leave? The biggest reason is that they stopped believing the claims.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
Democrats are hiding their 2024 postmortem, luckily, I was invited by the great @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social and @trentrichardnelson.bsky.social to talk about what Democrats have been doing wrong and where they can improve: plus.flux.community/p/democrats-...
Democrats won’t release their 2024 election autopsy, here is ours
Discussing ‘What Republicans Know’ on the Liberal Currents podcast Half the Answer
plus.flux.community
December 20, 2025 at 12:01 AM
Democrats are hiding their 2024 postmortem, luckily, I was invited by the great @caitlinmoriah.bsky.social and @trentrichardnelson.bsky.social to talk about what Democrats have been doing wrong and where they can improve: plus.flux.community/p/democrats-...
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
Why do some Americans stay with their religion while others leave? 🧵👇
Full report here:
Full report here:
Why Do Some Americans Leave Their Religion While Others Stay?
A majority of adults still identify with their childhood religion, but 35% don’t. Read about when and why Americans may switch faiths or stay.
www.pewresearch.org
December 18, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Why do some Americans stay with their religion while others leave? 🧵👇
Full report here:
Full report here:
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
Too many Democrats don't grasp that the war on immigrants is also a war on non-white American citizens, and in favor of white supremacist rule over all. Opposing both should be non-negotiable. Via @jtccarroll.bsky.social
Failing to challenge Trump on immigration, Democrats have given MAGA free rein to redefine American identity
Too many Democrats don't grasp that the war on immigrants is also a war on non-white American citizens, and in favor of white supremacist rule over all. Opposing both should be non-negotiable.
plus.flux.community
December 22, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Too many Democrats don't grasp that the war on immigrants is also a war on non-white American citizens, and in favor of white supremacist rule over all. Opposing both should be non-negotiable. Via @jtccarroll.bsky.social
The for-profit prison complex that has oppressed millions of Americans is now being expanded into a public-private surveillance state against immigrants.
But make no mistake, the techno-fascist right wants to do this to all Americans as well.
But make no mistake, the techno-fascist right wants to do this to all Americans as well.
This isn’t “just border security.” It’s DNA surveillance. Reports show DHS/CBP have collected DNA from migrants, including children, and uploaded profiles into the FBI’s criminal DNA database (CODIS).
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
www.rollingstone.com/politics/pol...
Trump's DNA Dragnet: The Law That Turns Us All Into Suspects
Donald Trump's administration is turning immigration screening into the backbone of a DNA surveillance system that reaches far beyond the border.
www.rollingstone.com
December 22, 2025 at 6:58 PM
The for-profit prison complex that has oppressed millions of Americans is now being expanded into a public-private surveillance state against immigrants.
But make no mistake, the techno-fascist right wants to do this to all Americans as well.
But make no mistake, the techno-fascist right wants to do this to all Americans as well.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
Wrote about Trump stonewalling on the epstein files, and why it's not going to make the issue go away.
www.publicnotice.co/p/the-regime...
www.publicnotice.co/p/the-regime...
The regime's new Epstein coverup will backfire
They're buying time but not fooling anyone.
www.publicnotice.co
December 22, 2025 at 3:42 PM
Wrote about Trump stonewalling on the epstein files, and why it's not going to make the issue go away.
www.publicnotice.co/p/the-regime...
www.publicnotice.co/p/the-regime...
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
Democrats keep accusing the White House of playing petty partisan games with federal disaster aid.
And Trump keeps proving them right. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
And Trump keeps proving them right. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
‘Political games’: Blue states see a pattern as Trump backs disaster aid for red states
Those who believe the White House has politicized disaster relief have ample evidence to work with.
www.ms.now
December 22, 2025 at 6:40 PM
Democrats keep accusing the White House of playing petty partisan games with federal disaster aid.
And Trump keeps proving them right. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
And Trump keeps proving them right. www.ms.now/rachel-maddo...
The season is the reason! 🌞🎄
December 22, 2025 at 4:07 PM
The season is the reason! 🌞🎄
The most common Republican response to very popular figures saying racist and antiemetic statements is to just ignore them. They tried this with Trump and it didn't work.
Now they're trying this with Candace Owens. They don't want to admit that she's the most-popular right wing podcaster
Now they're trying this with Candace Owens. They don't want to admit that she's the most-popular right wing podcaster
Apple Podcasts Top Charts
The most popular Charts
podcasts.apple.com
December 22, 2025 at 3:33 PM
The most common Republican response to very popular figures saying racist and antiemetic statements is to just ignore them. They tried this with Trump and it didn't work.
Now they're trying this with Candace Owens. They don't want to admit that she's the most-popular right wing podcaster
Now they're trying this with Candace Owens. They don't want to admit that she's the most-popular right wing podcaster
Nikki Minaj spoke at the Turning Point USA conference last night, completing her Trumper heel turn.
@kaliholloway.bsky.social tracked the process earlier
@kaliholloway.bsky.social tracked the process earlier
Nicki Minaj’s UN speech was her MAGA coming out party
The rapper and pop star has trended in a MAGA —and generally problematic — direction for a while.
www.ms.now
December 22, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Nikki Minaj spoke at the Turning Point USA conference last night, completing her Trumper heel turn.
@kaliholloway.bsky.social tracked the process earlier
@kaliholloway.bsky.social tracked the process earlier
Example 9,329,416 of how almost all "free speech absolutists" on the political right only support free speech that doesn't criticize Republicans.
Why would you need to put a pause on a story that has been meticulously fact-checked and lawyered?
Sounds like the kind of story you’d want to run right away!
Sounds like the kind of story you’d want to run right away!
December 22, 2025 at 3:07 AM
Example 9,329,416 of how almost all "free speech absolutists" on the political right only support free speech that doesn't criticize Republicans.
Reposted by Matthew Sheffield
Shapiro and Bari Weiss and a range of other Jews on the right believed that they could make a deal with the christofascists on the basis of shared whiteness/ shared hatred of Palestinians/Muslims/shared hatred of the left. 1
When I say that it's grim that Jewish people on the right are about to find themselves unwelcome, I am referring to rising antisemitism, which is dangerous and bad
Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens aren't just against Israel. They are actively promoting antisemitic tropes. This is a problem!
Tucker Carlson and Candace Owens aren't just against Israel. They are actively promoting antisemitic tropes. This is a problem!
December 21, 2025 at 6:19 AM
Shapiro and Bari Weiss and a range of other Jews on the right believed that they could make a deal with the christofascists on the basis of shared whiteness/ shared hatred of Palestinians/Muslims/shared hatred of the left. 1