Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
@zeruch.bsky.social
artist, tech-dude, music nerd, wonk... This is not a single issue account, so buckle up.
Art commission/licensing, public speaking, or other requests: joseph.arruda@gmail.com
http://josepharruda.com
Art commission/licensing, public speaking, or other requests: joseph.arruda@gmail.com
http://josepharruda.com
Pinned
As a reminder to those new here or new to me (quite a few friends and colleagues are joining), I'm not kidding when I put in my profile "artist, tech-dude, music nerd, wonk... This is not a single issue account, so buckle up."
Strap in folks, I don't drive for comfort, I drive for purpose.
Strap in folks, I don't drive for comfort, I drive for purpose.
The #Sonder liquidation wasn't a surprise; I had seen their properties listed on #AirBnB, even though I always saw mention of their firm as an ABB "competitor" so I always assumed they were either misrepresenting themselves, or deeply leveraged.
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
Sonder announces bankruptcy plans; tells guests to vacate hotel rooms: 'People were scrambling'
Apartment rentals firm Sonder said it's liquidating operations, a day after Marriott said a licensing agreement between the two companies had ended.
www.cnbc.com
November 11, 2025 at 7:33 PM
The #Sonder liquidation wasn't a surprise; I had seen their properties listed on #AirBnB, even though I always saw mention of their firm as an ABB "competitor" so I always assumed they were either misrepresenting themselves, or deeply leveraged.
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/11/...
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
This Veterans Day, we commemorate with solemn gratitude American service members and their commitment to our democracy.
November 11, 2025 at 7:09 PM
This Veterans Day, we commemorate with solemn gratitude American service members and their commitment to our democracy.
Also, It seems really clear that a lot of people who loved "All in the family" took the wrong lessons from it. The whole point was to show the cruel absurdity of being close-minded around cultural shifts between an older bigoted generation and a younger more open one, and the blind spots of both.
“Our generation grew up watching All In The Family we don’t get offended”
my dude you get scared at someone adding pronouns to a bio
my dude you get scared at someone adding pronouns to a bio
November 11, 2025 at 6:35 PM
Also, It seems really clear that a lot of people who loved "All in the family" took the wrong lessons from it. The whole point was to show the cruel absurdity of being close-minded around cultural shifts between an older bigoted generation and a younger more open one, and the blind spots of both.
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
Tapper: Angus King said standing up to Donald Trump didn't work.
Sanders: Maybe Angus didn't notice the elections on Tuesday. I thought that they worked pretty well.
Sanders: Maybe Angus didn't notice the elections on Tuesday. I thought that they worked pretty well.
November 10, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Tapper: Angus King said standing up to Donald Trump didn't work.
Sanders: Maybe Angus didn't notice the elections on Tuesday. I thought that they worked pretty well.
Sanders: Maybe Angus didn't notice the elections on Tuesday. I thought that they worked pretty well.
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
House to return to laundry list of controversies after 7-week hiatus
House to return to laundry list of controversies after 7-week hiatus
Speaker Mike Johnson is faced with jump-starting dormant committees, tackling a looming health care deadline and resolving the long-brewing Jeffrey Epstein fight — if he can reopen the government first.
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 11:19 PM
House to return to laundry list of controversies after 7-week hiatus
New #darkpattern #UX stupidity; #Youtube does not allow you when casting a video to a TV, to mute from the client side when an ad is playing.
They really want everyone to start developing better tools to just pirate content off their platform.
They really want everyone to start developing better tools to just pirate content off their platform.
November 10, 2025 at 6:57 AM
New #darkpattern #UX stupidity; #Youtube does not allow you when casting a video to a TV, to mute from the client side when an ad is playing.
They really want everyone to start developing better tools to just pirate content off their platform.
They really want everyone to start developing better tools to just pirate content off their platform.
A Finnish folk metal unit called #Korpiklanni has a cover of a cover: a localized take on the Anthrax version of Joe Jackson's "Got the Time". It's a rare occasion where I'm not immediately full of violent rage at the sound of accordion.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWza...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWza...
KORPIKLAANI - Ennen (OFFICIAL VIDEO)
YouTube video by Korpiklaani
www.youtube.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:13 AM
A Finnish folk metal unit called #Korpiklanni has a cover of a cover: a localized take on the Anthrax version of Joe Jackson's "Got the Time". It's a rare occasion where I'm not immediately full of violent rage at the sound of accordion.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWza...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=CWza...
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
"Republicans have no principle. Democrats have no spine." Professor @allanlichtman.bsky.social
November 10, 2025 at 3:53 AM
"Republicans have no principle. Democrats have no spine." Professor @allanlichtman.bsky.social
Chait is right.
"Democrats could have held the line on the shutdown, and spent weeks watching Trump’s approval ratings fall," writes @jonathanbchait.bsky.social
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Instead, he argues, they're making a mistake by giving in:
www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
Senate Democrats Just Made a Huge Mistake
The shutdown was hurting Trump. Ending it helps him.
www.theatlantic.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:17 AM
Chait is right.
This is how "no one is above the law" should be applied.
South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-President Yoon on more charges reut.rs/3Xka3TD
South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-President Yoon on more charges
South Korea's special prosecutor on Monday indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol on additional charges of abusing power and aiding an enemy state related to his short-lived imposition of martial law last year.
reut.rs
November 10, 2025 at 4:06 AM
This is how "no one is above the law" should be applied.
This weeks "song ideas even I never could have thought of" is The Bryan Adams/Tina Turner 80s arena anthem, but covered by metal singer Militia Vox, along with Vernon Reid and Corey Glover of Living Colour, and Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCJq...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCJq...
"IT'S ONLY LOVE" - Militia Vox & Corey Glover ft. Vernon Reid & Nuno Bettencourt
YouTube video by MILITIA VOX
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:32 PM
This weeks "song ideas even I never could have thought of" is The Bryan Adams/Tina Turner 80s arena anthem, but covered by metal singer Militia Vox, along with Vernon Reid and Corey Glover of Living Colour, and Nuno Bettencourt of Extreme.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCJq...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=JCJq...
FYI, back in the early #80s, the founder of #Journey and the keyboardist for the #MahavishnuOrchestra (and the Miami Vice theme) did an album. It was...weirdly ok. The video is just...weird.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKxU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKxU...
Neal Schon & Jan Hammer - No More Lies [OFFICIAL VIDEO]
YouTube video by Jan Hammer
www.youtube.com
November 9, 2025 at 11:08 PM
FYI, back in the early #80s, the founder of #Journey and the keyboardist for the #MahavishnuOrchestra (and the Miami Vice theme) did an album. It was...weirdly ok. The video is just...weird.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKxU...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=jKxU...
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
Regular reminder that Axios stories saying Dems are about to cave are likely sourced from GOP staffers trying to make it happen.
Doesn't mean it definitely won't happen. But it's like those NYT stories that Harvard is considering caving (they haven't). The anonymous source was trying to manifest it.
Doesn't mean it definitely won't happen. But it's like those NYT stories that Harvard is considering caving (they haven't). The anonymous source was trying to manifest it.
November 9, 2025 at 6:53 PM
Regular reminder that Axios stories saying Dems are about to cave are likely sourced from GOP staffers trying to make it happen.
Doesn't mean it definitely won't happen. But it's like those NYT stories that Harvard is considering caving (they haven't). The anonymous source was trying to manifest it.
Doesn't mean it definitely won't happen. But it's like those NYT stories that Harvard is considering caving (they haven't). The anonymous source was trying to manifest it.
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
Maybe—just maybe—sports leagues getting in bed with gambling companies wasn’t such a hot idea…
November 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
Maybe—just maybe—sports leagues getting in bed with gambling companies wasn’t such a hot idea…
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
Here is an essay on sucking vs. not sucking — onstage, at your job, anywhere. I’ve sucked before….not sucking is better. Here’s how.
open.substack.com/pub/cintra/p...
open.substack.com/pub/cintra/p...
STAGE FRIGHT
The Art of Not Sucking
open.substack.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Here is an essay on sucking vs. not sucking — onstage, at your job, anywhere. I’ve sucked before….not sucking is better. Here’s how.
open.substack.com/pub/cintra/p...
open.substack.com/pub/cintra/p...
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
Democrats ran a variety of candidates in 2025, who tailored campaigns to their constituents—all anti-Trump, but offering different economic specifics based on their locales.
It was a big tent approach and did well with voters everywhere. Presenting that as infighting is an effort to generate drama.
It was a big tent approach and did well with voters everywhere. Presenting that as infighting is an effort to generate drama.
This NYT framing is ludicrously overstated. Sure, there are primaries. But if anything, the results showed a lot of Dems that there's a way to unify the factions around anti-Trump and affordability politics (as I try to argue in the piece/thread below).
November 9, 2025 at 6:22 PM
Democrats ran a variety of candidates in 2025, who tailored campaigns to their constituents—all anti-Trump, but offering different economic specifics based on their locales.
It was a big tent approach and did well with voters everywhere. Presenting that as infighting is an effort to generate drama.
It was a big tent approach and did well with voters everywhere. Presenting that as infighting is an effort to generate drama.
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
DOJ Admits to Republicans That Epstein Files are reportedly even more damning for Donald Trump than previously indicated—and it was already bad.
newrepublic.com/post/202813/...
newrepublic.com/post/202813/...
DOJ Admits to Republicans That Epstein Files Are Even Worse for Trump
Details in the files are reportedly even more damning for Donald Trump than previously indicated—and it was already bad.
newrepublic.com
November 9, 2025 at 1:47 AM
DOJ Admits to Republicans That Epstein Files are reportedly even more damning for Donald Trump than previously indicated—and it was already bad.
newrepublic.com/post/202813/...
newrepublic.com/post/202813/...
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
Everyone commenting that nobody wants this — nor does it address the reasons people no longer shop there — is obviously right! But I wanna point out another thing:
This very nefariously transfers ~blame~ for the company’s performance (ahem, repercussions for its choices) onto store employees
This very nefariously transfers ~blame~ for the company’s performance (ahem, repercussions for its choices) onto store employees
"Store employees are now required to smile if they are within 10 feet of a shopper.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
They also must make eye contact with and wave to or greet the customer.
If they’re within four feet, the employee should ask how the customer’s day is going or if they need help."
🙄 Won't stop the boycott, y'all.
Target is now requiring its employees to smile more
As the holiday season fast approaches, Target is urging its employees to add a little more “jolly” to their work routine.
www.wilx.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Everyone commenting that nobody wants this — nor does it address the reasons people no longer shop there — is obviously right! But I wanna point out another thing:
This very nefariously transfers ~blame~ for the company’s performance (ahem, repercussions for its choices) onto store employees
This very nefariously transfers ~blame~ for the company’s performance (ahem, repercussions for its choices) onto store employees
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
This article suggests fare-free transit is "normal" in Europe; it's far more common in the US.
Europe: Tallinn, Luxembourg, Dunkirk, Komarno (17th largest city in Slovakia)
US: Kansas City, Lawrence, Albuquerque, Chapel Hill, Alexandria, Worchester, Missoula, dozens of smaller systems.
Europe: Tallinn, Luxembourg, Dunkirk, Komarno (17th largest city in Slovakia)
US: Kansas City, Lawrence, Albuquerque, Chapel Hill, Alexandria, Worchester, Missoula, dozens of smaller systems.
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani’s supposedly radical policies as ‘normal’ -- Critics of New York City’s mayor-elect have said his pledges of free bus service and universal childcare are unrealistic, but in Europe it’s a given www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani’s supposedly radical policies as ‘normal’
Critics of New York City’s mayor-elect have said his pledges of free bus service and universal childcare are unrealistic, but in Europe it’s a given
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
This article suggests fare-free transit is "normal" in Europe; it's far more common in the US.
Europe: Tallinn, Luxembourg, Dunkirk, Komarno (17th largest city in Slovakia)
US: Kansas City, Lawrence, Albuquerque, Chapel Hill, Alexandria, Worchester, Missoula, dozens of smaller systems.
Europe: Tallinn, Luxembourg, Dunkirk, Komarno (17th largest city in Slovakia)
US: Kansas City, Lawrence, Albuquerque, Chapel Hill, Alexandria, Worchester, Missoula, dozens of smaller systems.
#sketchbook November 2025. Just a quick brush test on a parallel pen #drawing of 80s hip hop group, Black Sheep. #art #artshare
November 8, 2025 at 8:52 AM
#sketchbook November 2025. Just a quick brush test on a parallel pen #drawing of 80s hip hop group, Black Sheep. #art #artshare
A little road tripping around the edges of San Juan Bautista/San Benito county.
November 8, 2025 at 7:47 AM
A little road tripping around the edges of San Juan Bautista/San Benito county.
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
Every person who thinks it's just pedantry to argue about what constitutes "fascism" should think very hard about how much damage has been done to American life by the indiscriminate and incorrect usage of words like "terrorism," "war," "treason" and "communist", among many others.
November 8, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Every person who thinks it's just pedantry to argue about what constitutes "fascism" should think very hard about how much damage has been done to American life by the indiscriminate and incorrect usage of words like "terrorism," "war," "treason" and "communist", among many others.
Reposted by Joseph 'zeruch' Arruda
They want you to leave your phones at home so you can’t take video of them. If you leave your phone at home, take a go-pro with you. Cameras out, America!
“ICE is quietly building up its ability to spy on Americans' phones
The agency activated a $2 million contract with Paragon, a service that offers the ability to remotely hack into someone's phone.
[Also] ICE entered into an $11 million contract for Cellebrite devices…to break into a locked phone”
The agency activated a $2 million contract with Paragon, a service that offers the ability to remotely hack into someone's phone.
[Also] ICE entered into an $11 million contract for Cellebrite devices…to break into a locked phone”
November 8, 2025 at 4:09 AM
They want you to leave your phones at home so you can’t take video of them. If you leave your phone at home, take a go-pro with you. Cameras out, America!
Am I reading this right: did Schumer just call the GOP bluff, and came out ahead?
He handed them a mulligan and they didn't bite, so now they are actually in more of a bind than they were before?
He handed them a mulligan and they didn't bite, so now they are actually in more of a bind than they were before?
November 8, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Am I reading this right: did Schumer just call the GOP bluff, and came out ahead?
He handed them a mulligan and they didn't bite, so now they are actually in more of a bind than they were before?
He handed them a mulligan and they didn't bite, so now they are actually in more of a bind than they were before?
Tom Quayle decides to interpret John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" as a slowed down 80s jazz fusion guitar ballad; it's not bad (I'd never tale it over the original, but the original is just impossible to improve on): www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGFr...
GIANT STEPS - BUT ITS A BEAUTIFUL 80's FUSION BALLAD | Tom Quayle | ONE TAKE IMPROVISATION
YouTube video by Tom Quayle
www.youtube.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:57 AM
Tom Quayle decides to interpret John Coltrane's "Giant Steps" as a slowed down 80s jazz fusion guitar ballad; it's not bad (I'd never tale it over the original, but the original is just impossible to improve on): www.youtube.com/watch?v=JGFr...