Randolph Court
@randolphcourt.com
CCO & managing editor, @itif.org. Tech/policy/comms. Also: error-prone tennis player, achy cyclist, hopeful Spurs fan, unreconstructed Deadhead.
Exuse until May 21 if I appear to be having difficulty concentrating. #COYS!
apple.news/AbChCsAg2S8C...
apple.news/AbChCsAg2S8C...
Tottenham Hotspur’s season has gone from the edge of calamity to the brink of history — The Athletic
May 9, 2025 2:15 am EDT For so much of this season Tottenham Hotspur have looked as if they were falling apart at the seams. But not here, up on the edge of the world, where Spurs pulled together to o...
apple.news
May 9, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Exuse until May 21 if I appear to be having difficulty concentrating. #COYS!
apple.news/AbChCsAg2S8C...
apple.news/AbChCsAg2S8C...
Am I alone in preferring my "toasted" sandwich bread to be, um, toasted? What's the point of a sandwich on bread that's temporarily warm, then soggy? I'd like mine to be golden brown with a bit of crunch and some structural integrity, please.
January 8, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Am I alone in preferring my "toasted" sandwich bread to be, um, toasted? What's the point of a sandwich on bread that's temporarily warm, then soggy? I'd like mine to be golden brown with a bit of crunch and some structural integrity, please.
Capybara l’orange.
January 2, 2025 at 7:37 AM
Capybara l’orange.
Side note on the FTC's recent staff report on the data practices of social media and video streaming services: Was it really necessary to introduce an acronym like "SMVSS" (and even worse, the plural form "SMVSSs")? Really?
December 12, 2024 at 9:03 PM
Side note on the FTC's recent staff report on the data practices of social media and video streaming services: Was it really necessary to introduce an acronym like "SMVSS" (and even worse, the plural form "SMVSSs")? Really?
I'm a sucker for a good chart like this ⤵️
Our model expands on an innovative ranking by @victordcha.bsky.social at @csis.org.
We factor 39 allies’ military budgets, trade balances, policy barriers to reciprocal trade, and toughness on China.
Here are our full composite results:
We factor 39 allies’ military budgets, trade balances, policy barriers to reciprocal trade, and toughness on China.
Here are our full composite results:
December 9, 2024 at 6:35 PM
I'm a sucker for a good chart like this ⤵️
Q. Why would some random user bother with domain name verification on here?
A. They might be Gen X. They were around when the Internet happened, so they snagged theirname-dot-com because, meh, why not? It was available.
A. They might be Gen X. They were around when the Internet happened, so they snagged theirname-dot-com because, meh, why not? It was available.
December 1, 2024 at 3:41 PM
Q. Why would some random user bother with domain name verification on here?
A. They might be Gen X. They were around when the Internet happened, so they snagged theirname-dot-com because, meh, why not? It was available.
A. They might be Gen X. They were around when the Internet happened, so they snagged theirname-dot-com because, meh, why not? It was available.
Well, if not the greatest forehand technique of all time, then certainly the most distinctive.
November 23, 2024 at 3:28 PM
Well, if not the greatest forehand technique of all time, then certainly the most distinctive.
This is Max. Max is a connoisseur of fuzzy blankets. Ask him anything on the subject.
November 22, 2024 at 2:59 AM
This is Max. Max is a connoisseur of fuzzy blankets. Ask him anything on the subject.
I’ve been in an argument with ChatGPT over a bit of JavaScript, but we’re good now. We’ve agreed to move past it.
November 20, 2024 at 1:54 PM
I’ve been in an argument with ChatGPT over a bit of JavaScript, but we’re good now. We’ve agreed to move past it.
Excellent item here for @theonion.com’s next editorial meeting: Rigging EVs with loudspeakers to make them sound like muscle cars?
“It’s funny in one sense,” said Ivan Drury, analyst at car research site Edmunds…
Um, no, Mr. Drury. It’s funny in many senses.
www.axios.com/newsletters/...
“It’s funny in one sense,” said Ivan Drury, analyst at car research site Edmunds…
Um, no, Mr. Drury. It’s funny in many senses.
www.axios.com/newsletters/...
🏎️ EVs that roar
Can an electric car that roars like a gas-guzzling muscle car attract new EV buyers? Dodge thinks so.
www.axios.com
April 26, 2024 at 12:24 PM
Excellent item here for @theonion.com’s next editorial meeting: Rigging EVs with loudspeakers to make them sound like muscle cars?
“It’s funny in one sense,” said Ivan Drury, analyst at car research site Edmunds…
Um, no, Mr. Drury. It’s funny in many senses.
www.axios.com/newsletters/...
“It’s funny in one sense,” said Ivan Drury, analyst at car research site Edmunds…
Um, no, Mr. Drury. It’s funny in many senses.
www.axios.com/newsletters/...
Fake audio, but serious point: Fraud is fraud, and crimes like identity theft are illegal whether they use technology or not. So, government should stop harmful uses of AI by enforcing existing laws, not by slowing down innovation.
In his State of the Union speech last night, President Biden said he wants to “Ban AI voice impersonation and more!” Here’s his AI-impersonated voice explaining why that’s a bad idea. itif.org/publications...
Joe Biden Did Not Approve This Fake Message
During his State of the Union address, President Biden called for banning AI voice impersonation. He was wrong to do so. Banning AI is a bunch of malarkey.
itif.org
March 8, 2024 at 11:03 PM
Fake audio, but serious point: Fraud is fraud, and crimes like identity theft are illegal whether they use technology or not. So, government should stop harmful uses of AI by enforcing existing laws, not by slowing down innovation.
⤵️
If policymakers force lessons from Oppenheimer on AI advancements, then it's only fair that they should apply the same principle to Barbie! Read our latest blog to find out why: https://datainnovation.org/2023/07/no-we-arent-in-an-oppenheimer-moment-for-ai/
July 28, 2023 at 5:15 PM
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Must read for anyone who cares about clean energy and climate policy ⤵️
Important new report: Trying to force adoption of clean energy with subsidies, regulations, and exhortations will fail. The only realistic way to spur a green transition is to develop clean solutions that can reach effective price and performance parity with dirty energy—i.e., a "P3" multiple of 1x.
Beyond Force: A Realist Pathway Through the Green Transition
Trying to force adoption of clean energy with subsidies, regulations, and exhortations will fail. The only realistic way to spur the green transition is to develop clean technologies that can reach ef...
itif.org
July 11, 2023 at 2:01 PM
Must read for anyone who cares about clean energy and climate policy ⤵️
Good evening from the Isle of Man—the last place in the UK to decriminalize homosexuality, says Wikipedia, but now "the most LGBTQ legislative policy friendly place" in the world. Making up for lost time, it would seem.
July 2, 2023 at 6:36 PM
Good evening from the Isle of Man—the last place in the UK to decriminalize homosexuality, says Wikipedia, but now "the most LGBTQ legislative policy friendly place" in the world. Making up for lost time, it would seem.
I’m not saying the comms team actually won this competition. I’m just saying we’re controlling the narrative here.
Night, night, everyone… BTW, in case anyone was wondering what tech policy analysts like to do during all-day staff meetings, the answer is they’re curious to see who can make the best contraption to make a little ball roll a long way…
June 16, 2023 at 3:39 AM
I’m not saying the comms team actually won this competition. I’m just saying we’re controlling the narrative here.
Lots of animal/critter knowledge on here, so can someone please say whether it’s okay for me to hate yellow jackets? I lost an argument with a swarm of them this weekend, so I’m feeling no love.
June 11, 2023 at 8:12 PM
Lots of animal/critter knowledge on here, so can someone please say whether it’s okay for me to hate yellow jackets? I lost an argument with a swarm of them this weekend, so I’m feeling no love.
Excellent suggestion!
Also, when in doubt: subject, verb, object… Someone did something to someone or thing… Start there and keep going.
Also, when in doubt: subject, verb, object… Someone did something to someone or thing… Start there and keep going.
WRITING ADVICE:
If you’re scared of the blank page just puff your body up and make the page think you’re very large
If you’re scared of the blank page just puff your body up and make the page think you’re very large
June 4, 2023 at 11:47 AM
Excellent suggestion!
Also, when in doubt: subject, verb, object… Someone did something to someone or thing… Start there and keep going.
Also, when in doubt: subject, verb, object… Someone did something to someone or thing… Start there and keep going.
For a brief moment on my morning commute, I could have sworn I saw a spooky little bus stop next to the C&O Canal. But I guess not.
June 1, 2023 at 12:13 PM
For a brief moment on my morning commute, I could have sworn I saw a spooky little bus stop next to the C&O Canal. But I guess not.
If energy policy is your field, or just a subject you're interested in or care about, then please join us on May 30 for an expert briefing event on the federal budget for energy RD&D in fiscal year 2024. Here's where to register and watch the webinar:
May 22, 2023 at 1:49 PM
If energy policy is your field, or just a subject you're interested in or care about, then please join us on May 30 for an expert briefing event on the federal budget for energy RD&D in fiscal year 2024. Here's where to register and watch the webinar:
I get that we’re all supposed to be talking about orcas right now, but I’d just like to back up and point out that this natty little fella appears to be wearing trousers. And a matching suit.
LOOK AT THIS CUTE TALENTED LITTLE GUY I LOVE HIMB
May 20, 2023 at 3:52 AM
I get that we’re all supposed to be talking about orcas right now, but I’d just like to back up and point out that this natty little fella appears to be wearing trousers. And a matching suit.
If clean energy innovation is your bag (and especially if you like detailed tree maps!), then keep an eye on @itif.org. We have a data-packed report coming Monday that breaks down all the funding streams in DOE's $9.3 billion budget for clean energy RD&D.
May 19, 2023 at 10:52 PM
If clean energy innovation is your bag (and especially if you like detailed tree maps!), then keep an eye on @itif.org. We have a data-packed report coming Monday that breaks down all the funding streams in DOE's $9.3 billion budget for clean energy RD&D.
This is useful information. Thank you.
It's time for another weird animal fact.
Did you know that wombats poop cubes?
They literally shit bricks.
Up to 100 bricks shat per day, in fact.
Scientists suspect this is so they can mark territory (it won't roll away) but I think it's just because they haven't invented LEGOs yet.
Did you know that wombats poop cubes?
They literally shit bricks.
Up to 100 bricks shat per day, in fact.
Scientists suspect this is so they can mark territory (it won't roll away) but I think it's just because they haven't invented LEGOs yet.
May 19, 2023 at 12:58 AM
This is useful information. Thank you.
Reposted by Randolph Court
Has recent technological progress been a broadly empowering and democratizing influence on society, or more malign? Great debate today between ITIF President Rob Atkinson and economist Simon Johnson. Video here: https://itif.org/events/2023/05/17/the-great-debate-over-technology-and-prosperity/
The Great Debate Over Technology and Prosperity
Please join ITIF for a spirited debate between ITIF President Rob Atkinson and Simon Johnson, author of the new book Power and Progress: Our Thousand-Year Struggle Over Technology and Prosperity.
itif.org
May 17, 2023 at 4:11 PM
Has recent technological progress been a broadly empowering and democratizing influence on society, or more malign? Great debate today between ITIF President Rob Atkinson and economist Simon Johnson. Video here: https://itif.org/events/2023/05/17/the-great-debate-over-technology-and-prosperity/