Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

Far from all the footage, but here’s a collection of #50501Protests yesterday.

Even the late night shows didn’t cover it. ♻️ Reshare widely in person and online.

#BuildTheResistance #USprotests
Resources to connect 👇🧵

February 6, 2025 at 2:02 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

February 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

February 3, 2025 at 5:22 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

On Desktop browsers, Ground News has a free extension that labels the coverage of stories shared on Bluesky.

This is a easy way to spot check what you see in the news:
ground.news/extension

If you want to do it manually, Allsides.com and mediabiasfactcheck.com are other resources

January 24, 2025 at 2:21 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

He surely does and thousands of H1Bs like the one that outed the X / Twitter manipulation yesterday.

I am not putting any of them on a pedestal, just trying to think about being faced with so shitty of a quandary and what it must be like for the agency heads.

To Whom It May Concern,
I'm writing this with a heavy heart and no small amount of fear. As a former X (formerly Twitter) employee on an H1B visa, I can't reveal my identity without risking everything, but I can't stay silent any longer about what I saw and was made to do.
When Elon Musk took over, everything changed. What started as a social media company became something much darker. I was part of a team that was directly ordered to manipulate Twitter's systems to influence the 2024 US presidential election. It wasn't subtle, and it wasn't ethical.
We completely changed how the algorithm worked, pushing pro-Trump and right-wing posts to the top of people's feeds. To make it look balanced, we also boosted some left-wing critics of Democrats, but it was all carefully calculated. These changes didn't just affect Americans - they impacted users worldwide.
One of the most disturbing things we did was create thousands of fake accounts using advanced AI systems called Grok and Eliza. These accounts looked completely real and pushed political messages that spread like wildfire. Havn't you noticed they all disappeared? Like magic.
We also knowingly allowed foreign governments to manipulate the platform. State-backed groups from Israel, Iran, and Russia were running their own influence campaigns, and because their goals aligned with ours, we looked the other way. Even when they clearly broke the rules, we didn't stop them.

Perhaps the most unethical part was how we manufactured news stories. One team would write completely fake articles, while another team would artificially boost their engagement metrics to make them go viral. We specifically targeted certain groups of people, knowing exactly how to manipulate their views and emotions.
The moderation team became a tool for our agenda. We systematically silenced anyone who got in our way, enforcing the rules when it suited us and ignoring them when it didn't. Elon Musk himself was deeply involved in these decisions, often joking about being "Black Hat MAGA."
What started as US election interference has now spread to other countries. We're currently doing the same thing in Germany and other European nations. The damage we've done is immeasurable, and I don't know if it can ever be fixed. People don't know what's real anymore, and that's exactly what we wanted.
The pilot program for the Eliza Al Agent, was election interference. Eliza was release officially in October of 2024, but we had access to it before then thanks to Marc Andreessen.
I'm terrified to be writing this, but I had to speak up. I just hope that someone with the power to do something about this sees this letter. You'll know what i'm saying is the truth by Elon's actions to the news someone spoke out. For more evidence look at the docs of Eliza Al Agent software. We left bread crumbs.
Yours sincerely,
A former employee who can't sleep at night.

January 23, 2025 at 11:55 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

A) It was many more agencies than only NASA
B) The administrators were faced with the choice of sending the email, or resigning to be replaced with a yes man who would lay down for more to come

I would rather wait and see with Janet than a new yes man.
ground.news/article/fede...

Ground News coverage of the DEI email sent to federal agencies

January 23, 2025 at 11:04 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

Note: the Bluesky profile I linked may not be authentic, but I hesitate to delete the original post. The email is verified here: www.anglicancommunion.org/structures/m...

Ground News summary of her remarks:
ground.news/article/bish...

Ground News coverage of Bishope Budde remarks

January 23, 2025 at 5:40 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

Since 45 returned, staying informed means digging deeper into stories for me. Ground News compares how outlets report stories, tracks bias, and reveals blind spots.

Use code 6905605 for 1-Month Free
(no card needed): ground.news/checkout/ref...

Preview without signup:
ground.news/article/orac...

Ground News screenshot showing bias and coverage of the Stargate AI project

#BlueCrew #Resist #DoNotObey

January 22, 2025 at 4:25 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

Since 45 returned, staying informed means digging deeper into stories for me. Ground News compares how outlets report stories, tracks bias, and reveals blind spots.

Use code 6905605 for 1-Month Free:
ground.news/checkout/ref...

Preview without signup:
ground.news/article/orac...

January 22, 2025 at 4:19 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

I have been relying on Ground News since 45 came back:

Use code 6905605 for 1-Month Free:
ground.news/checkout/ref...

Preview without signup:
ground.news/article/orac...

Summary of the Stargate news from Ground News

January 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

TikTok’s transformation into state media after a hypocritical ban is chilling.

I’m staying off social media until Tuesday, and I invite you to join me. Skip the inauguration, stay offline, and reclaim your focus from the noise. Let’s celebrate MLK instead!

Freedom is never voluntarily given by the oppressor; it must be demanded by the oppressed.
MARTIN LUTHER KING JR.

#BookSky #BlueCrew #Resist #Leguminati
Bc25 #BlueDot #BlueDotInARedState #BlueWave #Idicoracy #Tiktok

January 19, 2025 at 10:23 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

Chart linked in video:

A chart to measure attempts to engineer your reality:

1. Timing
Does the timing feel suspicious or coincidental with other events?

2. Emotional Manipulation
Does it provoke fear, outrage, or guilt without solid evidence?

3. Uniform Messaging
Are key phrases or ideas repeated across media?

4. Missing Information
Are alternative views or critical details excluded?

5. Simplistic Narratives
Is the story reduced to "good vs. evil" frameworks?

6. Tribal Division
Does it create an "us vs. them" dynamic?
Locals are victims, while outsiders are blamed.

7. Authority Overload
Are questionable "experts" driving the narrative?

8. Call for Urgent Action
Does it demand immediate decisions without reflection?

9. Overuse of Novelty
Is the event framed as shocking or unprecedented?

10. Financial/Political Gain
Do powerful groups benefit disproportionately?
A company offering cleanup services lobbies for government contracts.

11. Suppression of Dissent
Are critics silenced or labeled negatively?
Opponents dismissed as "deniers" or ignored.

12. False Dilemmas
Are only two extreme options presented?
"Either you support this policy, or you don't care about the environment."

13. Bandwagon Effect
Is there pressure to conform because
"everyone is doing it"?
Social media influencers post identical| hashtags, urging followers to join in.

14. Emotional Repetition
Are the same emotional triggers repeated Destruction and suffering imagery looped
endlessly on TV and online.

15. Cherry-Picked Data
Are statistics presented selectively or out of context?

16. Logical Fallacies
Are flawed arguments used to dismiss critics?

17. Manufactured Outrage
Does outrage seem sudden or disconnected from facts?

18. Framing Techniques
Is the story shaped to control how you perceive it?

19. Rapid Behavior Shifts

20. Historical Parallels
Does the story mirror manipulative past events?

January 19, 2025 at 12:08 AM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

I am not sure if he will be seated by those 4 on the Dais or not.
Honestly I knew he had donated but didn't realize he would be in attendance until your callout. Thanks!

Tim Cook to be in attendance at inauguration

January 17, 2025 at 4:12 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

In just 7 days, I grew from 8K to 10K!🙏
I’m so grateful for each of you! If I haven’t followed you back yet, drop a reply! I check followbacks 3x a week.

For deeper reflections on hope, justice, and resilience, explore my free 28-day journey in Bridges of Hope:
bridgesofhope.substack.com

A skircle, showing those that interact with my content the most, liking, sharing, reposting or commenting or replying. https://skircle.me/ @skircle.bsky.social

In just 7 days, my community grew from 8,000 to 10,000 followers—an exciting milestone that highlights how we are #StrongerTogether. This growth reflects the power of collective engagement and shared values. Each new follower brings a unique perspective, adding to the vibrant dialogue around hope, justice, resilience, and faith in action.

I’m incredibly grateful for the support from this growing network, and as we continue this journey, I want to deepen the conversation. For those who haven’t been followed back yet, I’m committed to following back 3 times a week. Your interaction, whether through comments or sharing insights, is a crucial part of what makes this space so meaningful.

My journey isn’t just about numbers—it’s about making a lasting impact. If you're interested in more in-depth reflections on how faith, hope, and justice intersect, I invite you to explore Bridges of Hope. This free, 28-day journey offers daily reflections designed to inspire and motivate action toward justice, resilience, and personal growth. It’s designed to help you integrate these powerful principles into both personal and public life.

Let’s continue building this supportive, action-driven community! If you’re new, don’t forget to interact and share—each step we take together builds momentum for greater impact. Your thoughts and ideas are more than welcome, and they help shape the direction of our collective journey.

#StrongerTogether #BlueCrew #BlueWave #NoDemUnder1k #NoDemUnder5k #Resist #OnTyranny #DemCast #Leguminati #MeidasMighty #BlueDot #BlueDotInaRedState #DoNotObey bc25

January 16, 2025 at 11:25 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

🔥He’s got all the critiques,
🔥why not give him a shot?

A California inmate firefighter gig might be the best way to show off his genius.
Time to trade the golf cart for a firetruck.

Let’s see how you do better.

Donald J. Trump & @realDonaldTrump
The fires are still raging in L.A. The incompetent pols have no idea how to put them out. Thousands of magnificent houses are gone, and many more will soon be lost. There is death all over the place. This is one of the worst catastrophes in the history of our Country.
They just can't put out the fires. What's wrong with them?

#BlueCrew #Wildfire #Resist #Leguminati #Demcast #Megaboost

January 13, 2025 at 2:46 AM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

Some more of our 2025 #Snow

January 11, 2025 at 3:49 PM

Matthew Metcalf

@matthewmetcalf.bsky.social

🚫 ‘NO DMs’ in your bio?
That’s a beacon for scams!
Instead, protect yourself:

✅ Block DMs in 3 steps:
1️⃣ Tap DM icon
2️⃣ Tap settings (top right)
3️⃣ Turn off DMs

💙 Bonus👇
Existing threads stay open for trusted contacts. Delete any unwanted DMs before disabling. #StrongerTogether

Setting icon in DM screen, tap to Block DMs. #BlueCrew