Nick Johnson
@njohnson.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Johnson
China is an engineering state that values construction projects and technological primacy, Dan Wang argues, "whereas the United States is a lawyerly society, obsessed with protecting wealth by making rules rather than producing material goods."
While China Builds, America Litigates
As the Chinese economy surges forward, the U.S. has lost its capacity for physical improvement.
bit.ly
August 19, 2025 at 12:15 AM
China is an engineering state that values construction projects and technological primacy, Dan Wang argues, "whereas the United States is a lawyerly society, obsessed with protecting wealth by making rules rather than producing material goods."
Reposted by Nick Johnson
“This is very much connected to the rise of authoritarianism that we’ve seen across the country,” said the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. “They can’t win fairly, so they’re trying to rewrite the rules to get their way.”
(Published May)
(Published May)
Red State Voters Approved Progressive Measures. GOP Lawmakers Are Trying to Undermine Them.
In the wake of ballot measures that increased abortion access and improved sick leave for workers, a coordinated effort is unfolding across the country to restrict direct democracy — and shift power…
www.propublica.org
August 19, 2025 at 1:20 AM
“This is very much connected to the rise of authoritarianism that we’ve seen across the country,” said the executive director of the Ballot Initiative Strategy Center. “They can’t win fairly, so they’re trying to rewrite the rules to get their way.”
(Published May)
(Published May)
The dumbing down of America before our eyes. It saddens and sickens me.
For years I’ve contrasted the way that US science allocates cognitive effort from the bottom up via individual scientists responding to career incentives with the way things were done in the Soviet Union, from the top down, by the Party setting rear b priorities.
I can’t do that anymore.
I can’t do that anymore.
In an unprecedented move, the US National Institutes of Health has begun mass terminations of research grants that fund active scientific projects because they no longer meet “agency priorities”.
https://go.nature.com/4bpG2It
https://go.nature.com/4bpG2It
March 6, 2025 at 12:37 PM
The dumbing down of America before our eyes. It saddens and sickens me.
So sad. Never thought I’d see the day we turn our backs on our European Allies.
Along with the specter of a belligerent Moscow, President Trump’s sudden redrawing of alliances and withdrawal of aid for Ukraine are driving Europeans to fast-track plans to bolster their militaries, upgrade their arsenals — and, ultimately, to curb their dependence on the United States.
Spooked by Trump and Putin, Europe rushes to rearm
It’s a “turning of the page” as European leaders fast-track plans to bolster their militaries and back Ukraine — and ultimately curb dependence on the United States.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 6, 2025 at 12:35 PM
So sad. Never thought I’d see the day we turn our backs on our European Allies.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
The Guardian is covering this ICE horror (how many more are there?). Other major media should, too.
‘Like a horror movie’: Ice detaining German tourist in California indefinitely
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Like a horror movie’: Ice detaining German tourist in California indefinitely
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Like a horror movie’: Ice detaining German tourist in California indefinitely
Jessica Brösche has spent more than a month in detention center after being denied entry at San Diego from Mexico
www.theguardian.com
March 4, 2025 at 12:05 PM
The Guardian is covering this ICE horror (how many more are there?). Other major media should, too.
‘Like a horror movie’: Ice detaining German tourist in California indefinitely
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
‘Like a horror movie’: Ice detaining German tourist in California indefinitely
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
And we’re surprised!?
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr.’s focus on vitamin A use to combat a growing measles outbreak in Texas is raising concerns among public health experts, who fear he is sending the wrong message about preventing the highly contagious disease and distracting from the importance of vaccination.
RFK Jr.’s focus on vitamin A for measles worries health experts
The measles outbreak in Texas has sparked debate over the use of vitamin A, with some health experts warning it may not be effective.
www.washingtonpost.com
March 4, 2025 at 1:51 PM
And we’re surprised!?
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Lech Walesa, the leader of Poland’s Solidarity movement, joined with former Polish political prisoners to send an impassioned letter to President Trump voicing "horror and disgust" at his scolding of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine last week.
Lech Walesa and Polish Political Prisoners Voice ‘Horror’ at Trump’s Scolding of Zelensky
He and former Polish political prisoners voiced “horror and disgust” at President Trump’s scolding of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine last week, saying it reminded them of encounters with bull...
www.nytimes.com
March 4, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Lech Walesa, the leader of Poland’s Solidarity movement, joined with former Polish political prisoners to send an impassioned letter to President Trump voicing "horror and disgust" at his scolding of President Volodymyr Zelensky of Ukraine last week.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit claiming Elon Musk is wielding vast unconstitutional power to reshape US government said he was “highly suspicious” of the Trump administration’s incomplete explanation of the billionaire’s actual role.
Judge Calls DOJ Answers About Musk DOGE Role ‘Highly Suspicious’
A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit claiming Elon Musk is wielding vast unconstitutional power to reshape US government said he was “highly suspicious” of the Trump administration’s incomplete explan...
www.bloomberg.com
March 1, 2025 at 7:41 AM
A federal judge overseeing a lawsuit claiming Elon Musk is wielding vast unconstitutional power to reshape US government said he was “highly suspicious” of the Trump administration’s incomplete explanation of the billionaire’s actual role.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Genuinely appalling and revealing how much more thorough, thoughtful and well-researched the videogame speedrunning community has been in evaluating Elon Musk's claims than the tech press or DC political press youtu.be/z1ykCc588Zw?...
The Elon Musk Cheating Scandal
YouTube video by Karl Jobst
youtu.be
March 1, 2025 at 8:49 AM
Genuinely appalling and revealing how much more thorough, thoughtful and well-researched the videogame speedrunning community has been in evaluating Elon Musk's claims than the tech press or DC political press youtu.be/z1ykCc588Zw?...
Reposted by Nick Johnson
CSPAN Caller from West Virginia: I’m a diabetic and I’m on Medicare. When Biden was in there, my insulin was $6 for a 28 day supply. I just went to CVS, it went back up to $80…
February 21, 2025 at 7:53 PM
CSPAN Caller from West Virginia: I’m a diabetic and I’m on Medicare. When Biden was in there, my insulin was $6 for a 28 day supply. I just went to CVS, it went back up to $80…
Reposted by Nick Johnson
We believe that the people of Ukraine deserve sovereignty, safety, and to live freely, and we are so very sorry that our own leadership is making this all less possible for you, that because of them, America has become an adversary instead of an ally.
johnpavlovitz.com/2025/02/28/t...
johnpavlovitz.com/2025/02/28/t...
To President Zelenskyy, From an Embarrassed American
Dear President Zelenskyy, As it is likely that our paths will never cross in person, I could not let this day go by without trying to reach you here. I come to you humbly as an American citizen who is...
johnpavlovitz.com
March 1, 2025 at 1:19 PM
We believe that the people of Ukraine deserve sovereignty, safety, and to live freely, and we are so very sorry that our own leadership is making this all less possible for you, that because of them, America has become an adversary instead of an ally.
johnpavlovitz.com/2025/02/28/t...
johnpavlovitz.com/2025/02/28/t...
Reposted by Nick Johnson
ProPublica identified 95 Facebook pages that regularly post made-up headlines designed to draw engagement — and, often, stoke political divisions.
The pages, most of which are managed by people overseas, have a total of more than 7.7M followers.
By @craigsilverman.bsky.social
The pages, most of which are managed by people overseas, have a total of more than 7.7M followers.
By @craigsilverman.bsky.social
As Facebook Abandons Fact-Checking, It’s Also Offering Bonuses for Viral Content
Meta decided to stop working with U.S. fact-checkers at the same time as it’s revamping a program to pay bonuses to creators with high engagement numbers, potentially pouring accelerant on the kind…
propub.li
March 1, 2025 at 2:01 PM
ProPublica identified 95 Facebook pages that regularly post made-up headlines designed to draw engagement — and, often, stoke political divisions.
The pages, most of which are managed by people overseas, have a total of more than 7.7M followers.
By @craigsilverman.bsky.social
The pages, most of which are managed by people overseas, have a total of more than 7.7M followers.
By @craigsilverman.bsky.social
Reposted by Nick Johnson
DOGE quietly deleted the 5 biggest spending cuts it celebrated last week www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/u...
DOGE Quietly Deletes the 5 Biggest Spending Cuts It Celebrated Last Week
The cuts, highlighted on an earlier version of the “wall of receipts” posted by Elon Musk’s team, contained mistakes that vastly inflated the amount of money saved.
www.nytimes.com
February 25, 2025 at 6:22 PM
DOGE quietly deleted the 5 biggest spending cuts it celebrated last week www.nytimes.com/2025/02/25/u...
Thank God for a few sane people left in my former party.
A band of traditional Republicans in Congress sharply criticized the Trump administration for siding with Russia at the United Nations on resolutions regarding the war in Ukraine, even as the majority of the GOP turned a blind eye to the United States’ sudden embrace of a longtime adversary.
Some Republicans Sharply Criticize Trump’s Embrace of Russia at the U.N.
Their pointed remarks followed votes on Monday in which the United States broke with allies to side with Russia over the war in Ukraine.
www.nytimes.com
February 26, 2025 at 7:43 AM
Thank God for a few sane people left in my former party.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Within the span of 90 minutes on Tuesday morning, two airplanes, at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport and at Chicago’s Midway International Airport, were forced to abort landings to avoid collisions, federal aviation officials said.
Two Planes, in Washington and Chicago, Abort Landings to Avoid Collisions
The near misses on Tuesday came after a string of aviation disasters, including the midair collision between an Army helicopter and a passenger jet last month that killed 67 people.
www.nytimes.com
February 26, 2025 at 2:37 AM
Within the span of 90 minutes on Tuesday morning, two airplanes, at Washington’s Ronald Reagan National Airport and at Chicago’s Midway International Airport, were forced to abort landings to avoid collisions, federal aviation officials said.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
This is the guy that every single Republican in the Senate is going to act like is unacceptable ad Deputy FBI Director and then vote for after pussing out again. Dan Bongino is a fascist monster.
February 24, 2025 at 2:33 AM
This is the guy that every single Republican in the Senate is going to act like is unacceptable ad Deputy FBI Director and then vote for after pussing out again. Dan Bongino is a fascist monster.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Elon’s own AI says that he is the biggest propagator of this disinformation on X.
February 24, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Elon’s own AI says that he is the biggest propagator of this disinformation on X.
May this be utterly and irrevocably true!
Nervous Musk, Trump, Vance have all been outclassed in public arguments these last few days. Government failure, stock market crash, and dictatorial alliances are not popular. People are starting to realize that there is no truth here beyond the desire for personal wealth and power. (2/2)
February 23, 2025 at 1:47 PM
May this be utterly and irrevocably true!
That’s inconvenient for Musk’s AI bot! flip.it/vELrL-
Elon Musk’s AI said he and Donald Trump deserve death penalty
Grok won’t answer the question anymore.
flip.it
February 22, 2025 at 2:38 PM
That’s inconvenient for Musk’s AI bot! flip.it/vELrL-
May her tribe exponentially increase!
"The larger dynamic is that Trump isn’t merely pushing to redefine the boundaries of the law or even the Constitution," Jonathan Chait writes. "He is rejecting the principle that the law constrains him at all."
The Governor Who Stood up to Trump
The president sees himself as national king, and every other American—including Maine Governor Janet Mills—as one of his quavering subjects.
www.theatlantic.com
February 22, 2025 at 5:54 AM
May her tribe exponentially increase!
It sickens me how much damage he’s done and continues to do to our country. Get him out of Washington now! flip.it/q2kv1-
Elon Musk’s first month of destroying America will cost us decades
There’s no considered plan, just careless mass destruction.
flip.it
February 22, 2025 at 5:53 AM
It sickens me how much damage he’s done and continues to do to our country. Get him out of Washington now! flip.it/q2kv1-
It sickens me to my core.
Take J. Edgar Hoover and then make him 30 times worse. The whole nation will suffer for this folly. Suffer so much more than anyone yet realizes.
This was a critical benchmark Trump had to hit to advance his plan to destroy democracy. Everyone who voted for Kash Patel should live in infamy forever.
This was a critical benchmark Trump had to hit to advance his plan to destroy democracy. Everyone who voted for Kash Patel should live in infamy forever.
Senate confirms Kash Patel as Trump’s FBI director | CNN Politics
The Senate voted on Thursday to confirm Kash Patel as FBI director, installing a staunch loyalist of President Donald Trump and conservative firebrand at the head of the nation’s top law enforcement a...
www.cnn.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:19 PM
It sickens me to my core.
Reposted by Nick Johnson
Well this isn’t ominous
Justice Department deletes database tracking federal police misconduct
The Trump administration has removed a nationwide database of federal police officers’ misconduct, launched by the Biden administration to keep bad cops from jumping from job to job.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 21, 2025 at 5:14 AM
Well this isn’t ominous
Reposted by Nick Johnson
I understand that Joe Biden was very old, but I still don’t think that Donald Trump should be allowed to break the law. Sorry.
February 21, 2025 at 11:28 AM
I understand that Joe Biden was very old, but I still don’t think that Donald Trump should be allowed to break the law. Sorry.
This is bullshit.
The Trump administration told Congress on Thursday that it believed President Trump had the constitutional power to summarily fire administrative law judges at will, despite a statute that protects such officials from being removed without a cause like misconduct.
Trump Claims Power to Fire Administrative Law Judges at Will
The Justice Department said a law protecting the officials from arbitrary removal is an unconstitutional intrusion on presidential authority.
www.nytimes.com
February 21, 2025 at 2:13 PM
This is bullshit.