Reposted by Mang
Well well well turns out Congress does have leverage of it chooses to use it
Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos
Congress to withhold Pentagon travel funds until it sees boat strike videos
Lawmakers quietly stuck the requirement into their must-pass annual defense policy bill.
dlvr.it
December 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
Well well well turns out Congress does have leverage of it chooses to use it
Reposted by Mang
With this there would have been no Mo Farah. No Freddie Mercury. No Lenny Henry. No George Michael. No Meera Syal. No Sadiq Khan. No Sajid Javid. No Salman Rushdie. No Hanif Kureishi.
December 9, 2025 at 12:12 PM
With this there would have been no Mo Farah. No Freddie Mercury. No Lenny Henry. No George Michael. No Meera Syal. No Sadiq Khan. No Sajid Javid. No Salman Rushdie. No Hanif Kureishi.
Reposted by Mang
Well, well, well… Look at that 😏
"The study found that, from January through June 2025, average daily maximum PM2.5 concentrations in Manhattan’s CRZ declined by 3.05 micrograms per cubic meter – a reduction of 22% compared to a projected average of 13.8 micrograms per cubic meter had congestion pricing not been implemented."
Congestion pricing improved air quality in NYC and suburbs | Cornell Chronicle
Cornell researchers tallied the environmental benefits of New York City’s congestion pricing program and found air pollution dropped by 22% in Manhattan, with additional declines across the city’s fiv...
news.cornell.edu
December 9, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Well, well, well… Look at that 😏
Reposted by Mang
The vast majority of Enterprise-level technology (including AI) is sold on a promise that it will fix problems caused by bad business proceseses.
Magic Beans for Senior Management.
Rarely works. Because technology can't solve business process problems. At BEST it can mitigate the impact a bit.
Magic Beans for Senior Management.
Rarely works. Because technology can't solve business process problems. At BEST it can mitigate the impact a bit.
I find a lot of discussions about technology these days come down to two questions: what do we actually know?, and, what is it possible for us to know?
December 9, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The vast majority of Enterprise-level technology (including AI) is sold on a promise that it will fix problems caused by bad business proceseses.
Magic Beans for Senior Management.
Rarely works. Because technology can't solve business process problems. At BEST it can mitigate the impact a bit.
Magic Beans for Senior Management.
Rarely works. Because technology can't solve business process problems. At BEST it can mitigate the impact a bit.
Reposted by Mang
SAY IT LOUDER THAT FIRE IS A RIGHT-WING ORGANIZATION
NEW: FIRE positions itself as an alternative voice for free expression, but an analysis by @billiejsweeney.bsky.social found deference to religious-based viewpoints in free speech debates — and in some cases, the elevation of those views over all others.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Can a Group Allied With the Right Defend the 1st Amendment for All? — Assigned
FIRE, a product of the “academic freedom” campaign, wants to protect free speech for everyone. Yet its stances show deference to religious views and a persistent anti-queer strain.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:59 PM
SAY IT LOUDER THAT FIRE IS A RIGHT-WING ORGANIZATION
Reposted by Mang
Trump is their Franco; wrecking the economy, selling out his people to foreign fascists, a stumbling demented manchild supported by the rich and the theist fanatics and the ignorant.
Young Republicans are looking for Trump to “be their Franco” but don’t you dare call them fascists.
December 9, 2025 at 1:49 PM
Trump is their Franco; wrecking the economy, selling out his people to foreign fascists, a stumbling demented manchild supported by the rich and the theist fanatics and the ignorant.
Reposted by Mang
Very basic disagreement going on about whether succeeding to power in a constitutional republic means you get to add your new pages on top of what's been written or you get to burn the books
Overturning Humphrey’s Executor represents the Supreme Court applying the same principle to itself it would apply to the president: whoever holds the job at the moment is under no obligation to follow any of the laws or limits set by all their predecessors
December 9, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Very basic disagreement going on about whether succeeding to power in a constitutional republic means you get to add your new pages on top of what's been written or you get to burn the books
Reposted by Mang
Reposted by Mang
I do agree that most people in marketing absolutely believe that they’re artists because they burnt $40,000 of mister McDonald’s money on Sora credits
December 9, 2025 at 7:13 AM
I do agree that most people in marketing absolutely believe that they’re artists because they burnt $40,000 of mister McDonald’s money on Sora credits
Reposted by Mang
A good point people are bringing up — if they need to pretend that making this commercial was hard work to avoid getting yelled at, they are also undercutting the propaganda that A.I. will give you a ton more free time. Which fake story are you sticking to. bsky.app/profile/cult...
McDonald's has released an AI-generated Christmas ad
The studio behind it says they 'hardly slept' for several weeks while writing AI prompts and refining the shots — 'AI didn't make this film. We did'
Comments have been turned off on YouTube
The studio behind it says they 'hardly slept' for several weeks while writing AI prompts and refining the shots — 'AI didn't make this film. We did'
Comments have been turned off on YouTube
December 9, 2025 at 7:56 AM
A good point people are bringing up — if they need to pretend that making this commercial was hard work to avoid getting yelled at, they are also undercutting the propaganda that A.I. will give you a ton more free time. Which fake story are you sticking to. bsky.app/profile/cult...
Reposted by Mang
I remember Ira Glass doing a thing, talking about how when you start at art, your taste and your talent are out of sync -- you have an idea of what good art looks like, but you can't get there yet.
Something I've noticed about AI Artists is that they are also hostile to *developing taste*.
Something I've noticed about AI Artists is that they are also hostile to *developing taste*.
December 9, 2025 at 1:57 PM
I remember Ira Glass doing a thing, talking about how when you start at art, your taste and your talent are out of sync -- you have an idea of what good art looks like, but you can't get there yet.
Something I've noticed about AI Artists is that they are also hostile to *developing taste*.
Something I've noticed about AI Artists is that they are also hostile to *developing taste*.
Reposted by Mang
Boy, the Prime Minister who’s repeatedly said that growth is his number one priority will be furious when he hears about this!
Government has now - belatedly -published the impact assessment for the changes to skilled worker and care worker visas announced in May.
Impact is estimated between -£2 billion and £-10 billion (central - £10 billion).
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6937e6...
Impact is estimated between -£2 billion and £-10 billion (central - £10 billion).
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/media/6937e6...
assets.publishing.service.gov.uk
December 9, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Boy, the Prime Minister who’s repeatedly said that growth is his number one priority will be furious when he hears about this!
Reposted by Mang
Here's a civic guide I wrote on the American Disabilities Act (ADA) with @outliermedia.org - outliermedia.org/american-dis...
American Disabilities Act 101: Accessing Detroit public services
Know your rights and the accommodations you’re entitled to under the American Disabilities Act.
outliermedia.org
December 9, 2025 at 12:05 AM
Here's a civic guide I wrote on the American Disabilities Act (ADA) with @outliermedia.org - outliermedia.org/american-dis...
Reposted by Mang
Not shocking to learn, but incredible range of prices discovered. Great research by all.
EXCLUSIVE: We found that Instacart is using AI algorithms to charge customers different prices for the same items.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
It's not just online. It's in physical grocery stores too.
Our months-long investigation with @consumerreports.org and @groundwork.bsky.social found it could cost families $1200/year.
We Had 400 People Shop For Groceries. What We Found Will Shock You.
YouTube video by More Perfect Union
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Not shocking to learn, but incredible range of prices discovered. Great research by all.
Reposted by Mang
“The company is the largest renewable energy developer in the U.S., but it is leaning into natural gas to meet the growing power demand from data centers.”
Nothing to see here, just the largest renewable energy developer in the United States partnering with uh (check notes) ExxonMobil. www.cnbc.com/2025/12/08/n...
NextEra working with Exxon to develop gigawatt data center for hyperscaler
NextEra plans to pitch the data center site to a hyperscaler. There is no signed agreement with a customer yet.
www.cnbc.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:11 PM
“The company is the largest renewable energy developer in the U.S., but it is leaning into natural gas to meet the growing power demand from data centers.”
Reposted by Mang
(2) seems to be an even more dubious point than (1). first because agencies are shaped by congress as well as executive appointments, and second because the agency rule-making process is more transparent and democratic than top-down decrees from political appointees
The theory of the unitary executive is that (1) the constitution requires it and (2) you get democratic accountability through presidential control through the power to remove agency heads. (1) is dubious (2) seems ridiculous at the present moment.
December 9, 2025 at 1:57 PM
(2) seems to be an even more dubious point than (1). first because agencies are shaped by congress as well as executive appointments, and second because the agency rule-making process is more transparent and democratic than top-down decrees from political appointees
Reposted by Mang
the unitarian notion of accountability is, in general, very strange as it holds that a single election — the president’s reelect — is more democratically accountable than the rolling process of democratic assent produced by legislative elections and congressional oversight.
December 9, 2025 at 1:57 PM
the unitarian notion of accountability is, in general, very strange as it holds that a single election — the president’s reelect — is more democratically accountable than the rolling process of democratic assent produced by legislative elections and congressional oversight.
Reposted by Mang
Instacart prices vary by 20% or more depending on the customer, despite buying the same item from the same store at the same time.
Instacart admits that customers are subject to "pricing tests."
Surveillance pricing is so much more pervasive than we know.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Instacart admits that customers are subject to "pricing tests."
Surveillance pricing is so much more pervasive than we know.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Same Product, Same Store, but on Instacart, Prices Might Differ
www.nytimes.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Instacart prices vary by 20% or more depending on the customer, despite buying the same item from the same store at the same time.
Instacart admits that customers are subject to "pricing tests."
Surveillance pricing is so much more pervasive than we know.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Instacart admits that customers are subject to "pricing tests."
Surveillance pricing is so much more pervasive than we know.
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/b...
Reposted by Mang
You will be visited by three spirits
December 9, 2025 at 5:01 AM
You will be visited by three spirits
Reposted by Mang
Indeed. If even a plurality of Americans got semi-regular objective and factual reports on what their tax dollars are actually paying for in the WB and Gaza, the numbers would be much, much worse.
Worth noting just how impressive it is that public opinion has so steadily turned against Israel in the United States considering the fact that news like this basically does not get covered in any of the legacy media publications.
🔴 Top Israeli Ministers Proudly Adorn a Global Symbol of Racial Terror
Israeli Nat'l Security Min. Itamar Ben-Gvir & allies were photographed wearing gold noose pins in public to signal support for executing Palestinian detainees. Also visible in the image is Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu...
Israeli Nat'l Security Min. Itamar Ben-Gvir & allies were photographed wearing gold noose pins in public to signal support for executing Palestinian detainees. Also visible in the image is Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu...
December 8, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Indeed. If even a plurality of Americans got semi-regular objective and factual reports on what their tax dollars are actually paying for in the WB and Gaza, the numbers would be much, much worse.
Reposted by Mang
Steve Harvey: The BONES of Santa Clause... have been leaking WHAT for 17 THOUSAND years?
The bones of Santa have been leaking liquid for 1,700 years.
December 8, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Steve Harvey: The BONES of Santa Clause... have been leaking WHAT for 17 THOUSAND years?
Reposted by Mang
Worth noting just how impressive it is that public opinion has so steadily turned against Israel in the United States considering the fact that news like this basically does not get covered in any of the legacy media publications.
🔴 Top Israeli Ministers Proudly Adorn a Global Symbol of Racial Terror
Israeli Nat'l Security Min. Itamar Ben-Gvir & allies were photographed wearing gold noose pins in public to signal support for executing Palestinian detainees. Also visible in the image is Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu...
Israeli Nat'l Security Min. Itamar Ben-Gvir & allies were photographed wearing gold noose pins in public to signal support for executing Palestinian detainees. Also visible in the image is Heritage Minister Amichai Eliyahu...
December 8, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Worth noting just how impressive it is that public opinion has so steadily turned against Israel in the United States considering the fact that news like this basically does not get covered in any of the legacy media publications.
Reposted by Mang
Wild: So both Biden & Trump bypassed Congress to send aid to Israel—to support Israel’s "defense" in "wartime."
That "defense" made other nations embargo Israel.
Now (despite the Trump-led "ceasefire"), this policy would give the US another way to send even more arms to Israel.
That "defense" made other nations embargo Israel.
Now (despite the Trump-led "ceasefire"), this policy would give the US another way to send even more arms to Israel.
NEW: Buried in the new defense bill is a policy to fill weapon “gaps” Israel gets as other nations embargo it.
As in: citing "wartime" needs, the US armed Israel’s genocide.
Nations responded by restricting weapons to Israel.
Now, citing those very restrictions, the US may send Israel *even more.*
As in: citing "wartime" needs, the US armed Israel’s genocide.
Nations responded by restricting weapons to Israel.
Now, citing those very restrictions, the US may send Israel *even more.*
US Defense Bill Would Fill Israel’s Weapons ‘Gaps’ Caused by Embargoes
The US armed Israel’s genocide. Nations responded by embargoing Israel. Citing those restrictions, the US may now send even more weapons to Israel.
zeteo.com
December 8, 2025 at 7:23 PM
Wild: So both Biden & Trump bypassed Congress to send aid to Israel—to support Israel’s "defense" in "wartime."
That "defense" made other nations embargo Israel.
Now (despite the Trump-led "ceasefire"), this policy would give the US another way to send even more arms to Israel.
That "defense" made other nations embargo Israel.
Now (despite the Trump-led "ceasefire"), this policy would give the US another way to send even more arms to Israel.
Reposted by Mang
Right now, the ceo of FIRE is on X, quoting Bari Weiss’s FP in support of Elon Musk and lecturing the European Union re its privacy rules.
This is the nyt’s favourite “free speech” organisation.
It’s hard to come up with a more cancerous combination for democracy and individual rights.
This is the nyt’s favourite “free speech” organisation.
It’s hard to come up with a more cancerous combination for democracy and individual rights.
December 8, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Right now, the ceo of FIRE is on X, quoting Bari Weiss’s FP in support of Elon Musk and lecturing the European Union re its privacy rules.
This is the nyt’s favourite “free speech” organisation.
It’s hard to come up with a more cancerous combination for democracy and individual rights.
This is the nyt’s favourite “free speech” organisation.
It’s hard to come up with a more cancerous combination for democracy and individual rights.
Reposted by Mang
this reminds me of a thing that bothers me about "free to play" games— casinos are generally licensed and regulated to ensure that their machines are fair. by contrast, how do I know that these games aren't engineered and programmed to rip me off
In case you were wondering what it’s like to boot a free to play mobile game in 2025
December 8, 2025 at 9:19 PM
this reminds me of a thing that bothers me about "free to play" games— casinos are generally licensed and regulated to ensure that their machines are fair. by contrast, how do I know that these games aren't engineered and programmed to rip me off