Niels van der Pol
@nielsvdpol.bsky.social
bonen tellen, oordeel vellen
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
They are never, ever going to win in Minnesota.
January 23, 2026 at 8:56 PM
They are never, ever going to win in Minnesota.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Minnesota is the best of us.
January 23, 2026 at 10:52 PM
Minnesota is the best of us.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
After the World Trade Center was attacked (just four miles from Trump Tower), more than 40,000 Canadians in uniform fought alongside their U.S. allies in Afghanistan.
More than 2,000 Canadians were wounded.
These 158 didn't make it home.
And now this guy is giving lectures on gratitude.
More than 2,000 Canadians were wounded.
These 158 didn't make it home.
And now this guy is giving lectures on gratitude.
January 21, 2026 at 4:13 PM
After the World Trade Center was attacked (just four miles from Trump Tower), more than 40,000 Canadians in uniform fought alongside their U.S. allies in Afghanistan.
More than 2,000 Canadians were wounded.
These 158 didn't make it home.
And now this guy is giving lectures on gratitude.
More than 2,000 Canadians were wounded.
These 158 didn't make it home.
And now this guy is giving lectures on gratitude.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
When European countries were handing over their Jewish populations to Germany as Hitler invaded, Denmark was the one that stood strong to protect and hide its 7500 Jews. A vast majority of those lives were thus saved.
January 21, 2026 at 5:16 PM
When European countries were handing over their Jewish populations to Germany as Hitler invaded, Denmark was the one that stood strong to protect and hide its 7500 Jews. A vast majority of those lives were thus saved.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
With Palantir finally receiving the attention it deserves, we wrote an article documenting Thiel’s history with Zuckerberg, his influence over JD Vance, and the connection between his neoreactionary ideology and Russell Vought’s Project 2025.
It has always been Thiel’s plan to destroy democracy.
It has always been Thiel’s plan to destroy democracy.
What’s up With All These White South African Billionaires?
Peter Thiel, Elon Musk, and their fascist billionaire friends have worked for years to destroy democracy, and it's time we all start talking about it.
open.substack.com
June 1, 2025 at 1:55 AM
With Palantir finally receiving the attention it deserves, we wrote an article documenting Thiel’s history with Zuckerberg, his influence over JD Vance, and the connection between his neoreactionary ideology and Russell Vought’s Project 2025.
It has always been Thiel’s plan to destroy democracy.
It has always been Thiel’s plan to destroy democracy.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
For everyone who still claims Europe has too many rules and Trump is the deregulating redeemer. NOT true, AI is be regulated & weaponised in the hands of Trump’s and the tech bro’s central power 👇🏼
🧵 Trump administration AI policy is widely described as deregulatory. This description is misleading. What's happening is not the absence of governance but its rearrangement--intensive state intervention operating through mechanisms we don't typically call regulation. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
The mirage of AI deregulation
One of the most interventionist approaches to technology governance in the United States in a generation has cloaked itself in the language of deregulation. In early December 2025, President Donald Tr...
www.science.org
January 15, 2026 at 7:47 PM
For everyone who still claims Europe has too many rules and Trump is the deregulating redeemer. NOT true, AI is be regulated & weaponised in the hands of Trump’s and the tech bro’s central power 👇🏼
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Reporter: Renee Good was shot in the head and killed by an ICE Agent.
Leavitt: Why was she killed?
Reporter: Because an ICE agent acted recklessly and killed her unjustifiably
Leavitt: You’re a left-wing hack. You’re not a reporter.
Leavitt: Why was she killed?
Reporter: Because an ICE agent acted recklessly and killed her unjustifiably
Leavitt: You’re a left-wing hack. You’re not a reporter.
January 15, 2026 at 6:48 PM
Reporter: Renee Good was shot in the head and killed by an ICE Agent.
Leavitt: Why was she killed?
Reporter: Because an ICE agent acted recklessly and killed her unjustifiably
Leavitt: You’re a left-wing hack. You’re not a reporter.
Leavitt: Why was she killed?
Reporter: Because an ICE agent acted recklessly and killed her unjustifiably
Leavitt: You’re a left-wing hack. You’re not a reporter.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Unsurprisingly, the Donroe Doctrine is just bullying.
January 4, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Unsurprisingly, the Donroe Doctrine is just bullying.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Trump is trying to force US oil companies to rebuild Venezuelan oil fields that are too expensive to invest in at current crude prices while a full blown energy revolution is happening with cheap solar and electrification growing exponentially.
This is a dying empire shit.
This is a dying empire shit.
a lot of interesting revelations between the lines of this story www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 4, 2026 at 1:34 AM
Trump is trying to force US oil companies to rebuild Venezuelan oil fields that are too expensive to invest in at current crude prices while a full blown energy revolution is happening with cheap solar and electrification growing exponentially.
This is a dying empire shit.
This is a dying empire shit.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
5/9
Earlier, the same bot network posted >5000 replies to influence Wisconsin's Supreme Court judge election—a race with a record budget.
Elon Musk heavily funded the GOP candidate's campaign, including two $1M cheques awarded to voters.
Earlier, the same bot network posted >5000 replies to influence Wisconsin's Supreme Court judge election—a race with a record budget.
Elon Musk heavily funded the GOP candidate's campaign, including two $1M cheques awarded to voters.
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
5/9
Earlier, the same bot network posted >5000 replies to influence Wisconsin's Supreme Court judge election—a race with a record budget.
Elon Musk heavily funded the GOP candidate's campaign, including two $1M cheques awarded to voters.
Earlier, the same bot network posted >5000 replies to influence Wisconsin's Supreme Court judge election—a race with a record budget.
Elon Musk heavily funded the GOP candidate's campaign, including two $1M cheques awarded to voters.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
4/9
With ~80% accounts created on Sep..Oct 2024 and a human-impossible typing rate reaching >200 words per minute, this AI-powered network previously exposed its recurring prompt:
⚠️ Do not use Hashtags or use #
⚠️ Do not tag or use @
⚠️ Keep your reply under 25 words
With ~80% accounts created on Sep..Oct 2024 and a human-impossible typing rate reaching >200 words per minute, this AI-powered network previously exposed its recurring prompt:
⚠️ Do not use Hashtags or use #
⚠️ Do not tag or use @
⚠️ Keep your reply under 25 words
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
4/9
With ~80% accounts created on Sep..Oct 2024 and a human-impossible typing rate reaching >200 words per minute, this AI-powered network previously exposed its recurring prompt:
⚠️ Do not use Hashtags or use #
⚠️ Do not tag or use @
⚠️ Keep your reply under 25 words
With ~80% accounts created on Sep..Oct 2024 and a human-impossible typing rate reaching >200 words per minute, this AI-powered network previously exposed its recurring prompt:
⚠️ Do not use Hashtags or use #
⚠️ Do not tag or use @
⚠️ Keep your reply under 25 words
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
3/9
The only two topics of "interest" lately beyond the Virginia AG race for these bot accounts were:
🎯 Trump is working hard to reduce drug costs
🎯 Trump is making our borders secure to keep our country safe
The only two topics of "interest" lately beyond the Virginia AG race for these bot accounts were:
🎯 Trump is working hard to reduce drug costs
🎯 Trump is making our borders secure to keep our country safe
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
3/9
The only two topics of "interest" lately beyond the Virginia AG race for these bot accounts were:
🎯 Trump is working hard to reduce drug costs
🎯 Trump is making our borders secure to keep our country safe
The only two topics of "interest" lately beyond the Virginia AG race for these bot accounts were:
🎯 Trump is working hard to reduce drug costs
🎯 Trump is making our borders secure to keep our country safe
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
2/9
A typical bot replied to an unrelated post by a Dem delegate / senator:
💬 Hey @username, shouldn't Jay Jones withdraw from the race after his texts about Todd Gilbert? 280 characters
The self-incriminating inclusion of "@username" and "280 chars" exposed the automation.
A typical bot replied to an unrelated post by a Dem delegate / senator:
💬 Hey @username, shouldn't Jay Jones withdraw from the race after his texts about Todd Gilbert? 280 characters
The self-incriminating inclusion of "@username" and "280 chars" exposed the automation.
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
2/9
A typical bot replied to an unrelated post by a Dem delegate / senator:
💬 Hey @username, shouldn't Jay Jones withdraw from the race after his texts about Todd Gilbert? 280 characters
The self-incriminating inclusion of "@username" and "280 chars" exposed the automation.
A typical bot replied to an unrelated post by a Dem delegate / senator:
💬 Hey @username, shouldn't Jay Jones withdraw from the race after his texts about Todd Gilbert? 280 characters
The self-incriminating inclusion of "@username" and "280 chars" exposed the automation.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
🧵 A bot network tried to help the GOP retain power in Virginia by influencing the Attorney General election.
It failed: Democrats won a triplex in the state govt: Gov, LtGov, AG seats.
This outcome could affect the 2026 midterms and subsequent presidential elections.
It failed: Democrats won a triplex in the state govt: Gov, LtGov, AG seats.
This outcome could affect the 2026 midterms and subsequent presidential elections.
November 5, 2025 at 5:04 PM
🧵 A bot network tried to help the GOP retain power in Virginia by influencing the Attorney General election.
It failed: Democrats won a triplex in the state govt: Gov, LtGov, AG seats.
This outcome could affect the 2026 midterms and subsequent presidential elections.
It failed: Democrats won a triplex in the state govt: Gov, LtGov, AG seats.
This outcome could affect the 2026 midterms and subsequent presidential elections.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Weinig woorden, maar de boodschap van deze afscheidscolumn wordt naar de lezer geschreeuwd. Even verdrietig als woest makend.
Since 1995, when the first Cop was held, carbon levels have increased from 360.67 parts per million to 426.68 parts now.
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
www.theguardian.com/news/2025/no...
As I write my last column, the facts on climate crisis speak for themselves
Since 1995, when the first Cop was held, carbon levels have increased from 360.67 parts per million to 426.68 parts now
www.theguardian.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:56 AM
Weinig woorden, maar de boodschap van deze afscheidscolumn wordt naar de lezer geschreeuwd. Even verdrietig als woest makend.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Het modale inkomen verdubbelde in 30 jaar (€ 22.235 in 1995, nu 46.500), maar het gemiddelde huis werd 5 keer zo duur (€ 93.750 in 1995, nu 473.000). Je moet nu ruim 10 brutojaarsalarissen neerleggen voor het huis dat je 30 jaar terug kocht voor ruim 4 jaarsalarissen.
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ov...
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ov...
Onbetaalbare woningen zijn hét verkiezingsthema, maar geen enkele partij pakt de oorzaak aan
Alle politieke partijen beloven meer ‘betaalbare woningen’, maar hun oplossingen doen niets aan het kernprobleem: er vloeit te veel nieuw geld naar het biedingencircus op de woningmarkt.
www.ftm.nl
October 23, 2025 at 9:37 AM
Het modale inkomen verdubbelde in 30 jaar (€ 22.235 in 1995, nu 46.500), maar het gemiddelde huis werd 5 keer zo duur (€ 93.750 in 1995, nu 473.000). Je moet nu ruim 10 brutojaarsalarissen neerleggen voor het huis dat je 30 jaar terug kocht voor ruim 4 jaarsalarissen.
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ov...
www.ftm.nl/artikelen/ov...
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
On the 5th anniversary of his death, David Graeber’s unwilling exile from US academia has a particular salience. This account of what happened in 2005, from The Chronicle of Higher Education, is worth reading in the perspective of 2025.
www.chronicle.com/article/a-ra...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-ra...
A Radical Anthropologist Finds Himself in Academic ‘Exile’
David Graeber, a scholar of the radical left, can’t find a job. Maybe American anthropology departments aren’t as liberal as you think.
www.chronicle.com
September 2, 2025 at 10:20 AM
On the 5th anniversary of his death, David Graeber’s unwilling exile from US academia has a particular salience. This account of what happened in 2005, from The Chronicle of Higher Education, is worth reading in the perspective of 2025.
www.chronicle.com/article/a-ra...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-ra...
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
This is what happens when neoliberal meritocratic technocracy hollows out democracy and leaves social media to fill the vacuum with outrage, distortion, and division.
July 23, 2025 at 7:41 AM
This is what happens when neoliberal meritocratic technocracy hollows out democracy and leaves social media to fill the vacuum with outrage, distortion, and division.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Happy Birthday Diablo 2.
25 years have passed since our first foray into the Burning Hells.
If you think you've seen and done it all, just wait for the chaos we've yet to unleash.
25 years have passed since our first foray into the Burning Hells.
If you think you've seen and done it all, just wait for the chaos we've yet to unleash.
June 28, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Happy Birthday Diablo 2.
25 years have passed since our first foray into the Burning Hells.
If you think you've seen and done it all, just wait for the chaos we've yet to unleash.
25 years have passed since our first foray into the Burning Hells.
If you think you've seen and done it all, just wait for the chaos we've yet to unleash.
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Wat bezielde Roman D., de Oekraïense militair die vijf mensen neerstak in Amsterdam?
Wat bezielde Roman D., de Oekraïense militair die vijf mensen neerstak in Amsterdam?
www.volkskrant.nl
June 21, 2025 at 5:09 AM
Wat bezielde Roman D., de Oekraïense militair die vijf mensen neerstak in Amsterdam?
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Waarom is WNL met persbandjes chocola aan het uitdelen en leden aan het werven op een VVD-congres?
June 14, 2025 at 10:49 AM
Waarom is WNL met persbandjes chocola aan het uitdelen en leden aan het werven op een VVD-congres?
Reposted by Niels van der Pol
Absolutely incredible investigation by the team @bellingcat.com, TjekDet, Politiken, and CBC that uncovered the identity of the owner of the most prominent deepfake sexual abuse site.
This feels like the beginning of justice for victims. I am grateful 🙏
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/05...
This feels like the beginning of justice for victims. I am grateful 🙏
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/05...
Unmasking MrDeepFakes: Canadian Pharmacist Linked to World’s Most Notorious Deepfake Porn Site - bellingcat
Double life: open source investigation reveals Canadian hospital pharmacist's links to MrDeepFakes, the most notorious deepfake porn website in the world.
www.bellingcat.com
May 7, 2025 at 9:46 AM
Absolutely incredible investigation by the team @bellingcat.com, TjekDet, Politiken, and CBC that uncovered the identity of the owner of the most prominent deepfake sexual abuse site.
This feels like the beginning of justice for victims. I am grateful 🙏
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/05...
This feels like the beginning of justice for victims. I am grateful 🙏
www.bellingcat.com/news/2025/05...