John Mandel
@tiredjohn.bsky.social
Former scientist (geo processing & remote sensing), presently chilling around Colorado
Reposted by John Mandel
Reposted by John Mandel
D&D Critters!
November 20, 2025 at 10:08 PM
D&D Critters!
Reposted by John Mandel
Why am I so against generative AI in games?
Because I simply do not want my initial reaction to art to be one of suspicion and scrutiny, AI slop is fundamentally damaging my relationship to art and artistry, and I am deeply resentful that it is forcing me to be guarded when I should be wowed.
Because I simply do not want my initial reaction to art to be one of suspicion and scrutiny, AI slop is fundamentally damaging my relationship to art and artistry, and I am deeply resentful that it is forcing me to be guarded when I should be wowed.
November 17, 2025 at 6:54 PM
Why am I so against generative AI in games?
Because I simply do not want my initial reaction to art to be one of suspicion and scrutiny, AI slop is fundamentally damaging my relationship to art and artistry, and I am deeply resentful that it is forcing me to be guarded when I should be wowed.
Because I simply do not want my initial reaction to art to be one of suspicion and scrutiny, AI slop is fundamentally damaging my relationship to art and artistry, and I am deeply resentful that it is forcing me to be guarded when I should be wowed.
Reposted by John Mandel
We're casting for Season 3 of Absolutely No Adventures! 2 Male Roles, both paid! Open until Dec 8.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Absolutely No Adventures (Season 3) Casting Call
Absolutely No Adventures Season Three Casting Call Thanks for checking out the Casting Call for the Season 3 of Absolutely No Adventures! Absolutely No Adventures is a fantasy (un)adventure story t...
docs.google.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:59 PM
We're casting for Season 3 of Absolutely No Adventures! 2 Male Roles, both paid! Open until Dec 8.
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
docs.google.com/document/d/1...
Reposted by John Mandel
Interesting paper! When you ask people about the most important issue "facing the country," they often say immigration. But when you ask them about issues facing them personally, it doesn't crack the top 10.
This indicates that voters are reacting to media narratives, not their own experience.
This indicates that voters are reacting to media narratives, not their own experience.
October 31, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Interesting paper! When you ask people about the most important issue "facing the country," they often say immigration. But when you ask them about issues facing them personally, it doesn't crack the top 10.
This indicates that voters are reacting to media narratives, not their own experience.
This indicates that voters are reacting to media narratives, not their own experience.
Reposted by John Mandel
Me to me every day
October 30, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Me to me every day
Reposted by John Mandel
ladies and gentlemen...we got him
October 30, 2025 at 7:10 PM
ladies and gentlemen...we got him
Reposted by John Mandel
Iii am unfortunately very broke at the moment and starting my new job a little too late to pay rent.
That being said, im opening up for Commissions right now if anyone is interested!
Rendered half body for $60 USD
Rendered Bust for $40 USD
That being said, im opening up for Commissions right now if anyone is interested!
Rendered half body for $60 USD
Rendered Bust for $40 USD
October 20, 2025 at 1:48 AM
Iii am unfortunately very broke at the moment and starting my new job a little too late to pay rent.
That being said, im opening up for Commissions right now if anyone is interested!
Rendered half body for $60 USD
Rendered Bust for $40 USD
That being said, im opening up for Commissions right now if anyone is interested!
Rendered half body for $60 USD
Rendered Bust for $40 USD
Reposted by John Mandel
At one point recently, a Twitter employee banned several extremely prominent neo-Nazis who had done this (50k+ followers). Musk personally intervened to unban them.
It is unconscionable that Apple, Google, and Microsoft leave this app listed. Musk is out of control and someone is going to die.
It is unconscionable that Apple, Google, and Microsoft leave this app listed. Musk is out of control and someone is going to die.
October 23, 2025 at 1:21 AM
At one point recently, a Twitter employee banned several extremely prominent neo-Nazis who had done this (50k+ followers). Musk personally intervened to unban them.
It is unconscionable that Apple, Google, and Microsoft leave this app listed. Musk is out of control and someone is going to die.
It is unconscionable that Apple, Google, and Microsoft leave this app listed. Musk is out of control and someone is going to die.
Reposted by John Mandel
Pointing out the obvious that 'AI sucks' and 'holy cow it's transformational' are not mutually exclusive. Like the addition of AI to Google search fundamentally changed the product for the worse
There are basically only two positions in the debate about AI.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
1. I’ve barely invested any time in learning how to use it effectively. AI sucks.
2. I’ve invested in learning how to use this tool. Holy cow, it’s transformational.
Position #1 has lower barriers to entry.
October 17, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Pointing out the obvious that 'AI sucks' and 'holy cow it's transformational' are not mutually exclusive. Like the addition of AI to Google search fundamentally changed the product for the worse
Reposted by John Mandel
In any other context, imagine hearing about an adult zip tying children to each other. No really, what would you call that?
This raid is disgusting, abominable behavior, traumatizing children and families in their homes.
abc7chicago.com/post/ice-chi...
abc7chicago.com/post/ice-chi...
October 2, 2025 at 6:54 PM
In any other context, imagine hearing about an adult zip tying children to each other. No really, what would you call that?
Reposted by John Mandel
September 25, 2025 at 4:45 PM
Reposted by John Mandel
Just a reminder before the “big announcement” today.
Autism was discovered in 1911 and the modern definition of Autism came in 1943.
Tylenol wasn’t widely used until the 1950s.
Anyone trying to tell you that Tylenol causes Autism isn’t someone that should be taken seriously.
Autism was discovered in 1911 and the modern definition of Autism came in 1943.
Tylenol wasn’t widely used until the 1950s.
Anyone trying to tell you that Tylenol causes Autism isn’t someone that should be taken seriously.
September 22, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Just a reminder before the “big announcement” today.
Autism was discovered in 1911 and the modern definition of Autism came in 1943.
Tylenol wasn’t widely used until the 1950s.
Anyone trying to tell you that Tylenol causes Autism isn’t someone that should be taken seriously.
Autism was discovered in 1911 and the modern definition of Autism came in 1943.
Tylenol wasn’t widely used until the 1950s.
Anyone trying to tell you that Tylenol causes Autism isn’t someone that should be taken seriously.
Reposted by John Mandel
lol don't move to mastadon. as unhelpful as some bluesky decisions are, they are just like a normal ass company not owned by an oligarch trying to cover their asses, and as such are the perfect size to be pressured by users
September 21, 2025 at 6:28 PM
lol don't move to mastadon. as unhelpful as some bluesky decisions are, they are just like a normal ass company not owned by an oligarch trying to cover their asses, and as such are the perfect size to be pressured by users
Reposted by John Mandel
an absolute travesty that the richest dude in the world can baselessly destroy media outlets critical of him.
Musk’s X can sue watchdog Media Matters in Texas, US judge rules reut.rs/47HFdLd
Musk’s X can sue watchdog Media Matters in Texas, US judge rules
Billionaire Elon Musk’s social media company X can keep its lawsuit against nonprofit advocacy group Media Matters in federal court in Texas, a U.S. judge ruled on Tuesday, rejecting arguments that the venue was improper and the case should be moved to California.
reut.rs
September 16, 2025 at 11:54 PM
an absolute travesty that the richest dude in the world can baselessly destroy media outlets critical of him.
Reposted by John Mandel
Seems like Erin Fogg (@criminalerin.bsky.social) got suspended within 10 minutes of posting this?
September 12, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Seems like Erin Fogg (@criminalerin.bsky.social) got suspended within 10 minutes of posting this?
Reposted by John Mandel
I want to once again reiterate what I said earlier. The reason the vast majority of Democratic and so-called centrist elites have acquiesced over and over again is that they are COMPLICIT. Because they actually know that direct confrontation is how you defeat fascists and choose not to do it.
Certainly looks like we scared the President away from Chicago. Fighting like hell works.
September 10, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I want to once again reiterate what I said earlier. The reason the vast majority of Democratic and so-called centrist elites have acquiesced over and over again is that they are COMPLICIT. Because they actually know that direct confrontation is how you defeat fascists and choose not to do it.
Reposted by John Mandel
We have existing narrative for big hero with the gun.
We do not have very well engrained narrative in US for "Quiet community work making incremental changes and passing baton to next person to keep going after you die."
We've made the first one sound glamorous. The second one sounds like WORK 😆
We do not have very well engrained narrative in US for "Quiet community work making incremental changes and passing baton to next person to keep going after you die."
We've made the first one sound glamorous. The second one sounds like WORK 😆
Everyone wants to be the hero with the crossbow and fallout shelter, no one wants to be one of many uncredited community members doing the inconvenient work of daily civic engagement 🫠
September 8, 2025 at 11:35 AM
We have existing narrative for big hero with the gun.
We do not have very well engrained narrative in US for "Quiet community work making incremental changes and passing baton to next person to keep going after you die."
We've made the first one sound glamorous. The second one sounds like WORK 😆
We do not have very well engrained narrative in US for "Quiet community work making incremental changes and passing baton to next person to keep going after you die."
We've made the first one sound glamorous. The second one sounds like WORK 😆
Reposted by John Mandel
We all might have our own small qualms with Bluesky but X is quite literally not real
August 1, 2025 at 12:58 AM
We all might have our own small qualms with Bluesky but X is quite literally not real
Reposted by John Mandel
Today is my birthday (turning 29), which is the only time all year that I ask for a repost 🌿
I hope you get lost in fantasy worlds as much as I do 🔮
I hope you get lost in fantasy worlds as much as I do 🔮
July 31, 2025 at 12:12 PM
Today is my birthday (turning 29), which is the only time all year that I ask for a repost 🌿
I hope you get lost in fantasy worlds as much as I do 🔮
I hope you get lost in fantasy worlds as much as I do 🔮
Reposted by John Mandel
NEW: ESIP Lab request for proposals (RFP) is now live! 🚨
ESIP Lab seeks to increase the collective technical savvy of the Earth science community and promote transparency about the job skills required to understand our changing planet.
🧵
ESIP Lab seeks to increase the collective technical savvy of the Earth science community and promote transparency about the job skills required to understand our changing planet.
🧵
July 29, 2025 at 4:23 PM
NEW: ESIP Lab request for proposals (RFP) is now live! 🚨
ESIP Lab seeks to increase the collective technical savvy of the Earth science community and promote transparency about the job skills required to understand our changing planet.
🧵
ESIP Lab seeks to increase the collective technical savvy of the Earth science community and promote transparency about the job skills required to understand our changing planet.
🧵
Reposted by John Mandel
Trump Urges Supporters To Move On From Societal Disdain For Pedophilia
Trump Urges Supporters To Move On From Societal Disdain For Pedophilia
WASHINGTON—Facing mounting backlash from his MAGA base over his perceived ties to the Jeffrey Epstein case, President Donald Trump reportedly encouraged his supporters Monday to simply move on from so...
theonion.com
July 18, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Trump Urges Supporters To Move On From Societal Disdain For Pedophilia
Reposted by John Mandel
I'd just like to point out how weird it is that places with hundreds or even thousands of reporters — the NYT, WaPo, CBS, NBC, AP, etc. — are all getting pummeled on every major story by the dozen computerboys at Wired. To fumble the bag this consistently is, at some point, cowardice and a choice.
NEW: Metadata from the “raw” Epstein prison video shows approximately 2 minutes and 53 seconds were removed from one of two stitched-together clips. The cut starts right at the “missing minute.”
The FBI's Jeffrey Epstein Prison Video Had Nearly 3 Minutes Cut Out
Metadata from the “raw” Epstein prison video shows approximately 2 minutes and 53 seconds were removed from one of two stitched-together clips. The cut starts right at the “missing minute.”
www.wired.com
July 15, 2025 at 8:54 PM
I'd just like to point out how weird it is that places with hundreds or even thousands of reporters — the NYT, WaPo, CBS, NBC, AP, etc. — are all getting pummeled on every major story by the dozen computerboys at Wired. To fumble the bag this consistently is, at some point, cowardice and a choice.
Reposted by John Mandel
Reposted by John Mandel
LOL
We ran a randomized controlled trial to see how much AI coding tools speed up experienced open-source developers.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
The results surprised us: Developers thought they were 20% faster with AI tools, but they were actually 19% slower when they had access to AI than when they didn't.
July 11, 2025 at 2:47 PM
LOL