Ali S
@photorealistic.bsky.social
Perfume, politics, procrastination
Having some flashbacks to college in the 00s, debating anarcho-syndicalists about the "commodification of expertise" and the value of specialization (i.e. SCIENCE). And how those interactions solidified me as a stodgy counter-revolutionary lefty reformer. Watching horseshoe theory play out is wild.
February 21, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Having some flashbacks to college in the 00s, debating anarcho-syndicalists about the "commodification of expertise" and the value of specialization (i.e. SCIENCE). And how those interactions solidified me as a stodgy counter-revolutionary lefty reformer. Watching horseshoe theory play out is wild.
The way this Danielle Sassoon saga is living rent free in my brain.
Add Danielle Sassoon and the other members of the Valentine’s Day 7 to the pantheon of Justice Department heroes. My thoughts in @TheAtlantic.
The Valentine’s Day Seven
DOJ lawyers pride themselves on working for an organization that is unique among federal agencies in its independence from politics—for now.
buff.ly
February 18, 2025 at 9:31 PM
The way this Danielle Sassoon saga is living rent free in my brain.
#sotd Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte Mandarine Basilic. A mandarin orange, basil, and cassis anti-depressant designed to pry your eyelids open when you just can't even. Not quite as good as touching grass, but damn close.
#perfumesky #fragrancesky
#perfumesky #fragrancesky
February 18, 2025 at 3:36 PM
#sotd Guerlain Aqua Allegoria Forte Mandarine Basilic. A mandarin orange, basil, and cassis anti-depressant designed to pry your eyelids open when you just can't even. Not quite as good as touching grass, but damn close.
#perfumesky #fragrancesky
#perfumesky #fragrancesky
Slow decline:
1. Clinton/Bush executive orders
2. Thiel's war on Gawker and free speech
3. Chevron deference axed
To honor the moment, #SOTD is Henry Rose Sheep's Clothing. A sweaty, peppery, psychedelic rose to obfuscate looming corporate city-states and crypto tyranny #fragrancesky #uspolitics
1. Clinton/Bush executive orders
2. Thiel's war on Gawker and free speech
3. Chevron deference axed
To honor the moment, #SOTD is Henry Rose Sheep's Clothing. A sweaty, peppery, psychedelic rose to obfuscate looming corporate city-states and crypto tyranny #fragrancesky #uspolitics
February 8, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Slow decline:
1. Clinton/Bush executive orders
2. Thiel's war on Gawker and free speech
3. Chevron deference axed
To honor the moment, #SOTD is Henry Rose Sheep's Clothing. A sweaty, peppery, psychedelic rose to obfuscate looming corporate city-states and crypto tyranny #fragrancesky #uspolitics
1. Clinton/Bush executive orders
2. Thiel's war on Gawker and free speech
3. Chevron deference axed
To honor the moment, #SOTD is Henry Rose Sheep's Clothing. A sweaty, peppery, psychedelic rose to obfuscate looming corporate city-states and crypto tyranny #fragrancesky #uspolitics
Since a snot nosed baby fascist probably sold everyone's SSNs to to the dark web before getting canned, could we just take this opportunity to get rid of credit scores?
🚨BIG SCOOP: Musk’s DOGE Teen Was Fired By Cybersecurity Firm for Leaking Company Secrets
Edward Coristine posted online that he had retained access to the firm’s servers. Now he has access to sensitive government information.
🎁 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Edward Coristine posted online that he had retained access to the firm’s servers. Now he has access to sensitive government information.
🎁 www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Musk’s DOGE Teen Was Fired By Cybersecurity Firm for Leaking Company Secrets
Edward Coristine posted online that he had retained access to the firm’s servers. Now he has access to sensitive government information.
www.bloomberg.com
February 7, 2025 at 8:55 PM
Since a snot nosed baby fascist probably sold everyone's SSNs to to the dark web before getting canned, could we just take this opportunity to get rid of credit scores?
Reposted by Ali S
MORE OF THIS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
February 3, 2025 at 6:06 PM
MORE OF THIS FOR THE LOVE OF GOD
No home training.
If a 19-year-old Canadian who calls himself Big Balls marches into your federal agency and demands access to your system, telling him to fuck right off should be the mildest reaction you have.
February 3, 2025 at 1:53 PM
No home training.
The realness of this
the bad news is our babysitter is out sick this week but at least it will be harder to doomscroll, although I’m pretty sure i can still call up my senators and yell at them while holding a baby
February 3, 2025 at 1:50 PM
The realness of this
Reposted by Ali S
Queer woman catapulted to fame in a span of time that would fry virtually anyone's brain goes on stage and tells the industry that it needs to take care of the musicians who make it its money
Random people online: "is this bigotry" 🦋
Random people online: "is this bigotry" 🦋
February 3, 2025 at 10:10 AM
Queer woman catapulted to fame in a span of time that would fry virtually anyone's brain goes on stage and tells the industry that it needs to take care of the musicians who make it its money
Random people online: "is this bigotry" 🦋
Random people online: "is this bigotry" 🦋
Reposted by Ali S
It really is that simple. If Biden had announced he appointed Selena Gomez to shut down ICE, nobody would doubt that's illegal and unconstitutional.
Appointing Musk to shut down USAID is no different.
Appointing Musk to shut down USAID is no different.
The executive branch does not have the legal right to cancel appropriated spending or eliminate agencies created by Congress.
Trump and Musk are doing both. Entirely lawless and unconstitutional.
The world's largest provider of food assistance shut down.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
Trump and Musk are doing both. Entirely lawless and unconstitutional.
The world's largest provider of food assistance shut down.
www.washingtonpost.com/politics/202...
![“I went over it with him in detail, and he agreed that we should shut it down,” Musk said. “And I actually checked with him a few times [and] said ‘are you sure?’”
The answer was yes, he said.
“And so we’re shutting it down,” Musk said.
USAID staffers were told that the agency’s headquarters in Washington will be closed Monday amid the turmoil.
In an email to staff early Monday, the agency’s leadership said: “Agency personnel normally assigned to work at USAID headquarters will work remotely … with the exception of personnel with essential on-site and building maintenance functions individually contacted by senior leadership.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:2rrp7amblhg3xoly5n5huiqv/bafkreihfrxbqqzx6xoeoudgfglj52il2ts26n2dkmxhq6ulwdbt7thegzy@jpeg)
February 3, 2025 at 12:58 PM
It really is that simple. If Biden had announced he appointed Selena Gomez to shut down ICE, nobody would doubt that's illegal and unconstitutional.
Appointing Musk to shut down USAID is no different.
Appointing Musk to shut down USAID is no different.
Reposted by Ali S
Once worked with a guy married to a psychiatrist. He said she told him -
"Never try to make sense of the actions or declarations of a crazy person. All that will happen is that you'll go crazy too, from trying. Never forget - they are sick, they are insane, you must maintain clarity on that."
1/2
"Never try to make sense of the actions or declarations of a crazy person. All that will happen is that you'll go crazy too, from trying. Never forget - they are sick, they are insane, you must maintain clarity on that."
1/2
February 3, 2025 at 10:42 AM
Once worked with a guy married to a psychiatrist. He said she told him -
"Never try to make sense of the actions or declarations of a crazy person. All that will happen is that you'll go crazy too, from trying. Never forget - they are sick, they are insane, you must maintain clarity on that."
1/2
"Never try to make sense of the actions or declarations of a crazy person. All that will happen is that you'll go crazy too, from trying. Never forget - they are sick, they are insane, you must maintain clarity on that."
1/2
Reposted by Ali S
Look behind what’s happening and you’ll see that Trump is employing two techniques to gain more power than any U.S. president has ever wielded. The first is to demonstrate that he can mete out huge punishments and rewards...the second technique Trump is using to expand his power: unpredictability.
What you need to know about Trump’s tariffs and the rest of Trump’s madness
The art of the deal, with him as dealer
open.substack.com
February 3, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Look behind what’s happening and you’ll see that Trump is employing two techniques to gain more power than any U.S. president has ever wielded. The first is to demonstrate that he can mete out huge punishments and rewards...the second technique Trump is using to expand his power: unpredictability.
#SOTD One Day Osmanthus Tea
I grew up knowing osmanthus as “tea olive,” shrubs with delicate flowers that smelled better than dryer sheets. This is a true-to-form expression of burying your face in fragrant plants as an 8 year old in a simpler world. Springtime exuberance and a hint of decay.
I grew up knowing osmanthus as “tea olive,” shrubs with delicate flowers that smelled better than dryer sheets. This is a true-to-form expression of burying your face in fragrant plants as an 8 year old in a simpler world. Springtime exuberance and a hint of decay.
February 2, 2025 at 4:26 AM
#SOTD One Day Osmanthus Tea
I grew up knowing osmanthus as “tea olive,” shrubs with delicate flowers that smelled better than dryer sheets. This is a true-to-form expression of burying your face in fragrant plants as an 8 year old in a simpler world. Springtime exuberance and a hint of decay.
I grew up knowing osmanthus as “tea olive,” shrubs with delicate flowers that smelled better than dryer sheets. This is a true-to-form expression of burying your face in fragrant plants as an 8 year old in a simpler world. Springtime exuberance and a hint of decay.
Reposted by Ali S
This Hannah Arendt quote feels appropriate right now
"Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty."
"Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty."
January 30, 2025 at 12:14 AM
This Hannah Arendt quote feels appropriate right now
"Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty."
"Totalitarianism in power invariably replaces all first-rate talents, regardless of their sympathies, with those crackpots and fools whose lack of intelligence and creativity is still the best guarantee of their loyalty."
Reposted by Ali S
All these low information voters who didn't vote or think it mattered:
"I don't understand. What's going on? Why is this happening?"
It is called "fascism". The best time to have cared was before the election. The second best time is now.
"I don't understand. What's going on? Why is this happening?"
It is called "fascism". The best time to have cared was before the election. The second best time is now.
January 28, 2025 at 9:25 PM
All these low information voters who didn't vote or think it mattered:
"I don't understand. What's going on? Why is this happening?"
It is called "fascism". The best time to have cared was before the election. The second best time is now.
"I don't understand. What's going on? Why is this happening?"
It is called "fascism". The best time to have cared was before the election. The second best time is now.
#SOTD Snif Heal the Way
Guaiac pistachio vanilla cloud to cocoon me in a stinky airport. (Don’t worry, it wears close to the skin. I’m not a monster)
Also, could double as an earnest plea for course correction during a week that feels wrong on so many levels?
Guaiac pistachio vanilla cloud to cocoon me in a stinky airport. (Don’t worry, it wears close to the skin. I’m not a monster)
Also, could double as an earnest plea for course correction during a week that feels wrong on so many levels?
January 29, 2025 at 1:37 AM
#SOTD Snif Heal the Way
Guaiac pistachio vanilla cloud to cocoon me in a stinky airport. (Don’t worry, it wears close to the skin. I’m not a monster)
Also, could double as an earnest plea for course correction during a week that feels wrong on so many levels?
Guaiac pistachio vanilla cloud to cocoon me in a stinky airport. (Don’t worry, it wears close to the skin. I’m not a monster)
Also, could double as an earnest plea for course correction during a week that feels wrong on so many levels?
Anyone have any information on how Yarvinism is translated into policy? Project 2025 has clues, but the religious garble obscures the technocratic ambitions of Musk, Thiel, and Vance. I tried to read Yarvin’s source material on substack and got lost in the mixed metaphors. I need cliff’s notes.
January 28, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Anyone have any information on how Yarvinism is translated into policy? Project 2025 has clues, but the religious garble obscures the technocratic ambitions of Musk, Thiel, and Vance. I tried to read Yarvin’s source material on substack and got lost in the mixed metaphors. I need cliff’s notes.
If SCOTUS upholds that the executive branch can pillage trillions in tax dollars no oversight, we might as well not have a legislative branch. This is a blatant power grab and really damn scary.
For "One First," I wrote about Monday's OMB memo purporting to (temporarily) freeze billions of dollars of appropriated federal spending—and why it constitutes both unconstitutional and unlawful "impoundment" that's unlikely to be upheld by even *this* #SCOTUS:
www.stevevladeck.com/p/120-the-im...
www.stevevladeck.com/p/120-the-im...
120. The Impoundment Crisis of 2025
The Trump administration's Monday spending freeze is likely to provoke a crisis over the constitutionality of "impoundment"—one that the justices could well have to resolve *very* soon.
www.stevevladeck.com
January 28, 2025 at 5:30 PM
If SCOTUS upholds that the executive branch can pillage trillions in tax dollars no oversight, we might as well not have a legislative branch. This is a blatant power grab and really damn scary.
#SOTD: Andrea Maack Lightsource
Brief burst of citrus and a long journey into rose/pepper territory. Fresh figs in here are playing a supporting role. She's giving me Venusian multitudes, but since the brand is Icelandic we'll give the credit to Freyja and her flying cats.
#fragrancesky
Brief burst of citrus and a long journey into rose/pepper territory. Fresh figs in here are playing a supporting role. She's giving me Venusian multitudes, but since the brand is Icelandic we'll give the credit to Freyja and her flying cats.
#fragrancesky
January 27, 2025 at 6:16 PM
#SOTD: Andrea Maack Lightsource
Brief burst of citrus and a long journey into rose/pepper territory. Fresh figs in here are playing a supporting role. She's giving me Venusian multitudes, but since the brand is Icelandic we'll give the credit to Freyja and her flying cats.
#fragrancesky
Brief burst of citrus and a long journey into rose/pepper territory. Fresh figs in here are playing a supporting role. She's giving me Venusian multitudes, but since the brand is Icelandic we'll give the credit to Freyja and her flying cats.
#fragrancesky
Instead of infighting about which multi-headed hydra to boycott (hint: they’re basically all bad and many of them are owned by private equity that cashes in if they fail—see Sears/Kmart), what if we started by treating workers with respect and supported their right to unionize?
Anyone? Bueller??
Anyone? Bueller??
January 27, 2025 at 7:34 AM
Instead of infighting about which multi-headed hydra to boycott (hint: they’re basically all bad and many of them are owned by private equity that cashes in if they fail—see Sears/Kmart), what if we started by treating workers with respect and supported their right to unionize?
Anyone? Bueller??
Anyone? Bueller??
BOHOBOCO Sea Salt Caramel review:
If 2015 AI language models made a perfume. Extremely literal aquatic-forward scent with caramel buried somewhere (my bad for not reading the notes carefully). Kinda gross to my nose but might scratch a weird itch for aquatic fans?
#fragrancesky #perfumesky
If 2015 AI language models made a perfume. Extremely literal aquatic-forward scent with caramel buried somewhere (my bad for not reading the notes carefully). Kinda gross to my nose but might scratch a weird itch for aquatic fans?
#fragrancesky #perfumesky
January 26, 2025 at 2:05 PM
BOHOBOCO Sea Salt Caramel review:
If 2015 AI language models made a perfume. Extremely literal aquatic-forward scent with caramel buried somewhere (my bad for not reading the notes carefully). Kinda gross to my nose but might scratch a weird itch for aquatic fans?
#fragrancesky #perfumesky
If 2015 AI language models made a perfume. Extremely literal aquatic-forward scent with caramel buried somewhere (my bad for not reading the notes carefully). Kinda gross to my nose but might scratch a weird itch for aquatic fans?
#fragrancesky #perfumesky
If you need a reminder, nihilism isn't edgy. It's lazy and self-indulgent. And I say that as a pessimist.
Also, different type of #sotd, my fave band and celebrity crush teamed up and released a single and music video. Go watch it.
#lordhuron #kristenstewart #nihilism
youtu.be/1828lQRbK5o?...
Also, different type of #sotd, my fave band and celebrity crush teamed up and released a single and music video. Go watch it.
#lordhuron #kristenstewart #nihilism
youtu.be/1828lQRbK5o?...
Lord Huron - Who Laughs Last (feat. Kristen Stewart) (Official Video)
YouTube video by LordHuronVEVO
youtu.be
January 25, 2025 at 9:43 PM
If you need a reminder, nihilism isn't edgy. It's lazy and self-indulgent. And I say that as a pessimist.
Also, different type of #sotd, my fave band and celebrity crush teamed up and released a single and music video. Go watch it.
#lordhuron #kristenstewart #nihilism
youtu.be/1828lQRbK5o?...
Also, different type of #sotd, my fave band and celebrity crush teamed up and released a single and music video. Go watch it.
#lordhuron #kristenstewart #nihilism
youtu.be/1828lQRbK5o?...
Reposted by Ali S
It actually is very important that you do things that you take pleasure in, regularly. That is part of how you survive the things that feel like they are going to destroy you.
January 23, 2025 at 3:50 AM
It actually is very important that you do things that you take pleasure in, regularly. That is part of how you survive the things that feel like they are going to destroy you.
#SOTD for scattered grief and existential dread when you still have to concentrate on work:
Commodity Gold (juniper-amber with woodsy vanilla) layered with Escentric Molecules 01 + Gaiac (linear Iso-E and gaiacwood)
Very satisfying. Might even ward off demons?
#fragrancesky #perfumesky
Commodity Gold (juniper-amber with woodsy vanilla) layered with Escentric Molecules 01 + Gaiac (linear Iso-E and gaiacwood)
Very satisfying. Might even ward off demons?
#fragrancesky #perfumesky
January 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
#SOTD for scattered grief and existential dread when you still have to concentrate on work:
Commodity Gold (juniper-amber with woodsy vanilla) layered with Escentric Molecules 01 + Gaiac (linear Iso-E and gaiacwood)
Very satisfying. Might even ward off demons?
#fragrancesky #perfumesky
Commodity Gold (juniper-amber with woodsy vanilla) layered with Escentric Molecules 01 + Gaiac (linear Iso-E and gaiacwood)
Very satisfying. Might even ward off demons?
#fragrancesky #perfumesky