Vincent McDermott
@vincemcdermott.bsky.social
Reporter in Fort McMurray who used to write about space stuff. Not responding to anonymous accounts. More active on Instagram.
“If Stephen Glass, Jayson Blair and the other late 20th century fakers were looking for the prestige and power that came with journalism in that moment, then this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment.”
A few months ago @thelocal.to got a promising pitch from a writer with bylines in whole bunch of reputable publications—The Cut, The Guardian, Dwell, Architectural Digest, etc. Then I started investigating. Here's a story about fabulists in journalism's AI slop era. thelocal.to/investigatin...
Investigating a Possible Scammer in Journalism’s AI Era | The Local
A suspicious pitch from a freelancer led editor Nicholas Hune-Brown to dig into their past work. By the end, four publications, including The Guardian and Dwell, had removed articles from their sites.
thelocal.to
November 19, 2025 at 3:52 PM
“If Stephen Glass, Jayson Blair and the other late 20th century fakers were looking for the prestige and power that came with journalism in that moment, then this generation’s internet scammers are scavenging in the wreckage of a degraded media environment.”
I played Fallout: New Vegas enough times to know how this could go.
In a Tesla earnings call Wednesday, the world's richest man pondered the future of his company's Optimus robots—and his control over them.
Elon Musk Wants ‘Strong Influence’ Over the ‘Robot Army’ He's Building
In a Tesla earnings call Wednesday, the world's richest man pondered the future of his company's Optimus robots—and his control over them.
wrd.cm
October 25, 2025 at 5:41 AM
I played Fallout: New Vegas enough times to know how this could go.
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
Hilarious how the French establishment are melting down over the Louvre heist calling it a national embarrassment, as if if wasn't the coolest thing to happen in a minute
October 22, 2025 at 6:43 AM
Hilarious how the French establishment are melting down over the Louvre heist calling it a national embarrassment, as if if wasn't the coolest thing to happen in a minute
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
Literally any soldier past or present could have told you that.
Canada's soldiers living in housing with malfunctioning sewage systems and lack of potable water, auditor general finds
Canada’s soldiers living in housing with malfunctioning sewage systems and lack of potable water, auditor general finds
Tuesday’s reports from Auditor General Karen Hogan also highlight problems with the Canadian Armed Forces’ recruitment.
www.thestar.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:06 PM
Literally any soldier past or present could have told you that.
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
People are shocked also that fuck weasel said the military exists to "kill people and break stuff," but if you're shocked I've got terrible news: it is, and the US Military is actually very good at both.
We're burying the lede here.
We're burying the lede here.
For context, you know the US Military has been on the 'warfighters aren't fat' bandwagon for ages right?
David Petraeus had the fast food places closed in Kandahar Airfield for a while in the 2010s because he was annoyed at the fitness and warrior spirit implications of not always being miserable.
David Petraeus had the fast food places closed in Kandahar Airfield for a while in the 2010s because he was annoyed at the fitness and warrior spirit implications of not always being miserable.
October 1, 2025 at 12:30 AM
People are shocked also that fuck weasel said the military exists to "kill people and break stuff," but if you're shocked I've got terrible news: it is, and the US Military is actually very good at both.
We're burying the lede here.
We're burying the lede here.
Photos like this are why I wish the Brits still wore monocles.
September 18, 2025 at 5:34 PM
Photos like this are why I wish the Brits still wore monocles.
I’m surprised I’m actually liking this show.
But the ship where the alien gets loose (as if that’s a spoiler) has the namesake of a failed defence plan? Of course something is going to go wrong.
Can’t wait to see the USCSS 1980s HIV/AIDS Policies in season 2!
But the ship where the alien gets loose (as if that’s a spoiler) has the namesake of a failed defence plan? Of course something is going to go wrong.
Can’t wait to see the USCSS 1980s HIV/AIDS Policies in season 2!
I'm very curious to see the direction Alien: Earth will take. I'm sure it will evolve nicely by the end of the season.
I have a few questions about internal logic that may be answered in future episodes, but I like this different approach. And the production design. And the USCSS Maginot is cool.
I have a few questions about internal logic that may be answered in future episodes, but I like this different approach. And the production design. And the USCSS Maginot is cool.
August 26, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I’m surprised I’m actually liking this show.
But the ship where the alien gets loose (as if that’s a spoiler) has the namesake of a failed defence plan? Of course something is going to go wrong.
Can’t wait to see the USCSS 1980s HIV/AIDS Policies in season 2!
But the ship where the alien gets loose (as if that’s a spoiler) has the namesake of a failed defence plan? Of course something is going to go wrong.
Can’t wait to see the USCSS 1980s HIV/AIDS Policies in season 2!
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
💯
this iconic advertising copywriter named Kathy Hepinstall Parks died over the weekend and I wanted to share something from her website I thought Bluesky would like
August 22, 2025 at 3:54 PM
💯
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
Today’s Glassholes deserve to be treated with the same contempt as the last ones.
Millions of TikTok users are watching videos promoting a “ghost dot” sticker that conceals the recording indicator light on Meta’s smart glasses. www.wired.com/story/tiktok...
TikTok Promotes Stickers for Secretly Recording Meta Ray-Ban Video
Millions of TikTok users are watching videos promoting a “ghost dot” sticker that conceals the recording indicator light on Meta’s smart glasses.
www.wired.com
August 12, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Today’s Glassholes deserve to be treated with the same contempt as the last ones.
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
All the dire implications notwithstanding it is hilarious how evil this technology is. Billions of dollars spent on this greasy lying stupid thing that was literally built to replace people, and everyone that uses it gets weaker, lazier, dumber, and sadder for having done so. Well done all around.
“On Tuesday afternoon, ChatGPT encouraged me to cut my wrists.” @lilashroff.bsky.social reports on how the chatbot was easily prompted to offer instructions for murder, self-mutilation, and devil worship: https://theatln.tc/Up7Ycoli
July 27, 2025 at 4:17 AM
All the dire implications notwithstanding it is hilarious how evil this technology is. Billions of dollars spent on this greasy lying stupid thing that was literally built to replace people, and everyone that uses it gets weaker, lazier, dumber, and sadder for having done so. Well done all around.
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
really innovating here on slurs for poor people
New York mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani appeals to downwardly mobile millennials who embrace his zero-sum politics, writes Reihan Salam. But are those voters the future of the Democratic Party?
Essay | Downwardly Mobile Elites Love Zohran Mamdani
Urban millennials who are worse off than their parents embrace the mayoral candidate’s zero-sum politics. But are those voters the future of the Democratic Party?
on.wsj.com
July 24, 2025 at 4:11 PM
really innovating here on slurs for poor people
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
Journalism tips from Ozzy:
July 22, 2025 at 8:01 PM
Journalism tips from Ozzy:
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
Hi, yes, g'morning. This is awkward.
But targeting a reporter - hi! - with
surreptitiously obtained photos and details of her tooling around town is an attack on the public's right to know.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
But targeting a reporter - hi! - with
surreptitiously obtained photos and details of her tooling around town is an attack on the public's right to know.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Globe and Mail reporter targeted by online campaign, photographed surreptitiously in public settings
An anonymous X account posted photos of Alberta reporter Carrie Tait and described her movements as she reported on a health authority controversy
www.theglobeandmail.com
July 21, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Hi, yes, g'morning. This is awkward.
But targeting a reporter - hi! - with
surreptitiously obtained photos and details of her tooling around town is an attack on the public's right to know.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
But targeting a reporter - hi! - with
surreptitiously obtained photos and details of her tooling around town is an attack on the public's right to know.
www.theglobeandmail.com/canada/artic...
Every government should have a 15-year-old boy that they ask “how would you make fun of this idea?”
‘No laughing matter’: TTC’s fiery response to online posts poking fun at acronym for Provincial Offences Officers
‘No laughing matter’: TTC’s fiery response to online posts poking fun at acronym for Provincial Offences Officers
Social media denizens are begging the TTC to rework the “POO” acronym. But the commission says the matter’s out of its hands.
www.thestar.com
July 21, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Every government should have a 15-year-old boy that they ask “how would you make fun of this idea?”
I’m hopeful for the next Naked Gun movie, but nothing is ever going to top this joke.
July 10, 2025 at 2:51 AM
I’m hopeful for the next Naked Gun movie, but nothing is ever going to top this joke.
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
Customs and Border Protection has broad authority to search travelers’ devices when they cross into the United States. Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border.
wrd.cm/44sZoZT
wrd.cm/44sZoZT
How to Protect Yourself From Phone Searches at the US Border
Customs and Border Protection has broad authority to search travelers’ devices when they cross into the United States. Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border.
wrd.cm
July 6, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Customs and Border Protection has broad authority to search travelers’ devices when they cross into the United States. Here’s what you can do to protect your digital life while at the US border.
wrd.cm/44sZoZT
wrd.cm/44sZoZT
Probably one of the saddest and bleakest articles I’ve read this year.
July 3, 2025 at 3:04 AM
Probably one of the saddest and bleakest articles I’ve read this year.
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
I am assembling a team
July 2, 2025 at 1:21 AM
I am assembling a team
“They’re like a salad, but less refreshing, or like a sandwich, but less filling—a worst-of-all-worlds Frankenstein’s monster, an indistinguishable food slurry wrapped in edible cardboard, like the world’s rudest present.”
The Worst Sandwich Is Back
Wraps are popular again. So is a certain kind of physique.
www.theatlantic.com
June 28, 2025 at 11:00 PM
“They’re like a salad, but less refreshing, or like a sandwich, but less filling—a worst-of-all-worlds Frankenstein’s monster, an indistinguishable food slurry wrapped in edible cardboard, like the world’s rudest present.”
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
this HAS to be targeted at gamblers
Obviously everything in this article about Prime Video's use of AI is horrible, but this passage really stuck out to me. I don't even like sports, but isn't this the exact opposite of what people watch sports for? What's next, AI telling you what's likely to happen in the movie you're watching?
June 26, 2025 at 12:13 AM
this HAS to be targeted at gamblers
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
Setting up the funniest Leafs Cup final scenario imaginable
Guys. What if Brad Marchand goes and signs with Edmonton in 12 days?! #conspiracytheory
June 20, 2025 at 11:54 PM
Setting up the funniest Leafs Cup final scenario imaginable
I loved 28 Years Later. The guy next to me who made a phone call in the middle of the trailers called his friend during the credits and said “it sucked shit.” Make of that what you will.
June 21, 2025 at 6:01 AM
I loved 28 Years Later. The guy next to me who made a phone call in the middle of the trailers called his friend during the credits and said “it sucked shit.” Make of that what you will.
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
Dogged determination here from @matthewblack.ca. What you should know that the government didn’t want you to know (released after the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner got involved): #ableg
It took 21 months but, this morning I received the results of the Alberta government's pension plan engagement survey:
*63% opposed to Alberta Pension Plan (APP)
*10% pro-APP
*12% undecided/unsure
*15% other responses
edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
#ableg #abpoli
*63% opposed to Alberta Pension Plan (APP)
*10% pro-APP
*12% undecided/unsure
*15% other responses
edmontonjournal.com/news/politic...
#ableg #abpoli
Alberta releases its pension survey results, 63% opposed to leaving CPP
After a more than 21-month wait, the Alberta government has released to Postmedia the results of its 2023 provincial pension plan survey.
edmontonjournal.com
June 19, 2025 at 12:36 AM
Dogged determination here from @matthewblack.ca. What you should know that the government didn’t want you to know (released after the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner got involved): #ableg
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
‘I mean, let’s be frank: The audience for microblogging and text-based content is smaller than it used to be’.
Bingo.
Bingo.
June 12, 2025 at 4:18 PM
‘I mean, let’s be frank: The audience for microblogging and text-based content is smaller than it used to be’.
Bingo.
Bingo.
Reposted by Vincent McDermott
I think the world would be better if all opinion columnists were like this dude
June 12, 2025 at 3:37 PM
I think the world would be better if all opinion columnists were like this dude