Josh Rudolph
@voltron64.bsky.social
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Solid dose of hopium from @doctorow.pluralistic.net
October 5, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Solid dose of hopium from @doctorow.pluralistic.net
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Every response to this seems to assume (1) this inevitably leads to reactionary politics and not just like, you know, whatever politics offers a vision (2) those grapes are sour anyway
feels like at least part of what is happening is that a lot of people want politics to solve the "my life feels empty" problem and the populist right is directly appealing to them
October 5, 2026 at 4:21 AM
Every response to this seems to assume (1) this inevitably leads to reactionary politics and not just like, you know, whatever politics offers a vision (2) those grapes are sour anyway
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Working class Republican found lying about his motivations and history next to fork in kitchen
So, this very sympathetic piece where the subject is “a lifelong Democrat who had voted for Trump for the first time in 2024”.
5 minutes of checking his facebook shows pro Trump posts as far back as 2019, and a post saying that he “stands with Trump” posted just a couple of days after Trumps coup.
5 minutes of checking his facebook shows pro Trump posts as far back as 2019, and a post saying that he “stands with Trump” posted just a couple of days after Trumps coup.
A Haitian man legally immigrated to Ohio, then was given an ankle monitor bc Trump withdrew his status.
He threw himself in front of truck. The trucker, who voted for Trump, is haunted.
“Pierre was doing what he was supposed to do. We did not do right by him.” www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
He threw himself in front of truck. The trucker, who voted for Trump, is haunted.
“Pierre was doing what he was supposed to do. We did not do right by him.” www.theatlantic.com/politics/202...
October 4, 2026 at 11:56 PM
Working class Republican found lying about his motivations and history next to fork in kitchen
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
At some point the sheer degree and frequency to which these people can be demonstrably found to be lying about themselves—“I was a lifelong Democrat til da factree closed down yadda yadda”—has to be taken as evidence that the hypothesis about The Workers just being misled rubes is disastrously wrong
Working class Republican found lying about his motivations and history next to fork in kitchen
So, this very sympathetic piece where the subject is “a lifelong Democrat who had voted for Trump for the first time in 2024”.
5 minutes of checking his facebook shows pro Trump posts as far back as 2019, and a post saying that he “stands with Trump” posted just a couple of days after Trumps coup.
5 minutes of checking his facebook shows pro Trump posts as far back as 2019, and a post saying that he “stands with Trump” posted just a couple of days after Trumps coup.
October 5, 2026 at 4:50 PM
At some point the sheer degree and frequency to which these people can be demonstrably found to be lying about themselves—“I was a lifelong Democrat til da factree closed down yadda yadda”—has to be taken as evidence that the hypothesis about The Workers just being misled rubes is disastrously wrong
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
this is not a problem you can fix with calm, reasoned debate. you can't even fix it by improving people's lives with policy.
there is no clear, proven, non-violent solution to this issue. finding one is the most significant problem of our age.
there is no clear, proven, non-violent solution to this issue. finding one is the most significant problem of our age.
Like we don’t have political disagreements, we have disagreements on the nature of reality 
October 4, 2026 at 11:53 PM
this is not a problem you can fix with calm, reasoned debate. you can't even fix it by improving people's lives with policy.
there is no clear, proven, non-violent solution to this issue. finding one is the most significant problem of our age.
there is no clear, proven, non-violent solution to this issue. finding one is the most significant problem of our age.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Turnabout is fair play.
New: Some Democrats don’t expect to fill a Supreme Court vacancy under Trump
BLUMENTHAL: "I think it is slim to none that we would support a nominee from this administration."
GALLEGO: "No, we’ve got to do exactly what McConnell did to us."
Big 2026 court stakes: www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
BLUMENTHAL: "I think it is slim to none that we would support a nominee from this administration."
GALLEGO: "No, we’ve got to do exactly what McConnell did to us."
Big 2026 court stakes: www.nbcnews.com/politics/con...
Some Democrats don’t expect to fill a Supreme Court vacancy under Trump
Democrats need a net gain of four seats to capture the Senate. If so, they’d control what happens in a vacancy, as Justice Samuel Alito admits he’s thought about retirement.
www.nbcnews.com
October 5, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Turnabout is fair play.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
I often see people argue that clean energy is not reducing emissions, because it just adds to rather than replaces fossil fuels. This argument is deeply misguided – clean energy built since 2005 has displaced 23 billion tons.
I dive in over at The Climate Brink:
I dive in over at The Climate Brink:
What if the world hadn't built wind and solar?
Clean energy does not simply “add to” global energy use; it displaces fossil sources that would otherwise get built.
www.theclimatebrink.com
October 5, 2026 at 4:29 PM
I often see people argue that clean energy is not reducing emissions, because it just adds to rather than replaces fossil fuels. This argument is deeply misguided – clean energy built since 2005 has displaced 23 billion tons.
I dive in over at The Climate Brink:
I dive in over at The Climate Brink:
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Consistently good nutrition is maybe 60 years old in advanced economies.
A world where they'd figured out the maths on how to build grand temples and churches but not how to prevent princes dying of childhood infections.
Utterly impossible to understand the context of premodern religion without understanding that everyone grew up getting fucking ravaged by disease (with rare stupidly lucky random exceptions) and the bulk of the population was developmentally stunted by malnutrition on top of that.
October 5, 2026 at 5:01 PM
Consistently good nutrition is maybe 60 years old in advanced economies.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
That's $2/gallon cheaper than gas currently is in SoCal.
October 3, 2026 at 8:21 PM
That's $2/gallon cheaper than gas currently is in SoCal.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
This is the lesson that the Biden admin failed to learn and that UK Labour is also flailing about horribly at:
The Magyar government understands if they let up then Fidesz and Orban will regroup like the Brasilian Far Right did and can come right back in. So they have to move with intense endless purpose to cut out the cancer of Orban. Because five years is not much time to reverse it all & clock’s ticking.
October 3, 2026 at 5:16 PM
This is the lesson that the Biden admin failed to learn and that UK Labour is also flailing about horribly at:
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
NEW: After we published an investigation into Brown Brothers Media, a company that buys struggling news sites and turns them into AI-powered content mills, we got a tip that completely gobsmacked me: one of the brothers has extensive connections to Ghislaine Maxwell
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
You Know Those Three Brothers Who Buy Struggling News Sites and Turn Them Into AI-Powered Content Farms? It Turns Out One of Them Has Extensive Connections to Ghislaine Maxwell
Ideapod, a cornerstone brand of Brown Brothers Media's AI empire, has deep ties to convicted sex trafficker Ghislaine Maxwell.
futurism.com
September 28, 2026 at 1:19 PM
NEW: After we published an investigation into Brown Brothers Media, a company that buys struggling news sites and turns them into AI-powered content mills, we got a tip that completely gobsmacked me: one of the brothers has extensive connections to Ghislaine Maxwell
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
The West Wing isn't real. Debate and rational discussion doesn't change minds, especially when the other side thinks violence is an acceptable means of achieving political change.
The best cure for ideological bias is find someone on the other side and go to lunch with them.
Sometimes we disagree about facts. Sometimes we disagree about values. Figuring out which is which is fun part. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/my-libertarian-friends-were-right
Sometimes we disagree about facts. Sometimes we disagree about values. Figuring out which is which is fun part. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/my-libertarian-friends-were-right
October 5, 2026 at 2:02 PM
The West Wing isn't real. Debate and rational discussion doesn't change minds, especially when the other side thinks violence is an acceptable means of achieving political change.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Have you noticed, lately, or noticed people around you commenting, that there just seems to be no money anymore. There's no money for companies to make the tv shows you like, the video games you like, the local diner you like shut down, no one you know can find a job.
Think about that in context of
Think about that in context of
AI is now the biggest investment in all of US history as a percentage of GDP.
Datacenter construction is up, all other construction is down.
"AI Is Squeezing Out the Rest of the Stock Market," reported WSJ 2 days ago.
We basically bet the whole economy on the most optimistic visions panning out.
Datacenter construction is up, all other construction is down.
"AI Is Squeezing Out the Rest of the Stock Market," reported WSJ 2 days ago.
We basically bet the whole economy on the most optimistic visions panning out.
Part of why I don't like the AI-or-bust economy is the constant flopsweat of people on the news who say this HAS to work. Quit making everyone so anxious. Goddamn. If this is the next Google then why are you acting like this? I don't remember being told to buy an iPhone at gunpoint.
October 4, 2026 at 10:04 PM
Have you noticed, lately, or noticed people around you commenting, that there just seems to be no money anymore. There's no money for companies to make the tv shows you like, the video games you like, the local diner you like shut down, no one you know can find a job.
Think about that in context of
Think about that in context of
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
I've seen a lot of small businesses move away from setting up their own websites because they can save money by just using Facebook instead and well it's probably not great we gave Zuck all that power.
New: As gay bars across the country say that Meta is flagging and deactivating their accounts without warning, I spoke to an Austin queer bar that says Meta nearly destroyed their ability to advertise events: www.chron.com/culture/arti...
How Meta's new content moderation upended a Texas gay bar
At least one LGBTQ establishment in Texas says the social media giant has incorrectly disabled its social media account, potentially hurting business.
www.chron.com
October 5, 2026 at 1:55 PM
I've seen a lot of small businesses move away from setting up their own websites because they can save money by just using Facebook instead and well it's probably not great we gave Zuck all that power.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
There are two often overlooked facts about the Civil War:
1.) It was a rebellion from a relatively small portion of the population that had no hope of winning.
2.) A few fanatics can do a lot of damage.
1.) It was a rebellion from a relatively small portion of the population that had no hope of winning.
2.) A few fanatics can do a lot of damage.
Of the 1,125 West Point graduates who fought in the Civil War, 815 remained loyal to the United States.
In other words, 72% fought for the North.
In other words, 72% fought for the North.
October 5, 2026 at 1:55 PM
There are two often overlooked facts about the Civil War:
1.) It was a rebellion from a relatively small portion of the population that had no hope of winning.
2.) A few fanatics can do a lot of damage.
1.) It was a rebellion from a relatively small portion of the population that had no hope of winning.
2.) A few fanatics can do a lot of damage.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Americans picked Trump II, and their biggest objection is high prices.
Hungary chose Orban, and their eventual big objection was corruption.
Erdogan and Modi won multiple terms.
Brazilians about to go Bolsonaro again.
Not always free and fair, but yeah, millions want it. Wouldn’t work otherwise.
Hungary chose Orban, and their eventual big objection was corruption.
Erdogan and Modi won multiple terms.
Brazilians about to go Bolsonaro again.
Not always free and fair, but yeah, millions want it. Wouldn’t work otherwise.
I do think this should put some of the hand-wringing over the uniquely sinful American electorate, uniquely feckless institutions, etc in perspective. The truth is that there is a large trans-national constituency of people who actively want this. They aren’t deceived. They want this.
On the one hand, it’s comforting to know that Americans aren’t uniquely stupid, voters everywhere have skulls filled with mush and worms. On the other hand, global fascism is probably not an ideal state of affairs.
October 5, 2026 at 11:47 AM
Americans picked Trump II, and their biggest objection is high prices.
Hungary chose Orban, and their eventual big objection was corruption.
Erdogan and Modi won multiple terms.
Brazilians about to go Bolsonaro again.
Not always free and fair, but yeah, millions want it. Wouldn’t work otherwise.
Hungary chose Orban, and their eventual big objection was corruption.
Erdogan and Modi won multiple terms.
Brazilians about to go Bolsonaro again.
Not always free and fair, but yeah, millions want it. Wouldn’t work otherwise.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
There is no way to reduce deportations without a substantial defunding of law enforcement in rural areas, who have long operated like a baronial class unto themselves.
This is happening all over rural America. We need to wake up, people. There's no Greg Bovino in his Nazi coat to blow whistles it. It's daily Gestapo-type terror, aided by the banality of evil local cops www.sltrib.com/news/2026/10...
ICE enforcement in a small Utah town sent a community into fear. Local police played a key role.
ICE enforcement in a small central Utah town has residents afraid to leave home, avoiding main roads and keeping their children home from school, one resident said.
www.sltrib.com
October 5, 2026 at 1:23 PM
There is no way to reduce deportations without a substantial defunding of law enforcement in rural areas, who have long operated like a baronial class unto themselves.
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Me, doing my best impression of an American studies expert:
"so you see, flying airplanes into skyscrapers and killing thousands of people is very insulting in American culture. And when the American Native feels his honor has been impinged upon, his mind turns to something called 'revenge'"...
"so you see, flying airplanes into skyscrapers and killing thousands of people is very insulting in American culture. And when the American Native feels his honor has been impinged upon, his mind turns to something called 'revenge'"...
October 5, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Me, doing my best impression of an American studies expert:
"so you see, flying airplanes into skyscrapers and killing thousands of people is very insulting in American culture. And when the American Native feels his honor has been impinged upon, his mind turns to something called 'revenge'"...
"so you see, flying airplanes into skyscrapers and killing thousands of people is very insulting in American culture. And when the American Native feels his honor has been impinged upon, his mind turns to something called 'revenge'"...
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Set record for longest serving GOP Speaker of the House✅
Went to prison for sexually abusing teenage boys✅
Highest ranking elected U.S. official to serve a prison sentence✅
Would love to see that last record broken soon🌅🇺🇸
Went to prison for sexually abusing teenage boys✅
Highest ranking elected U.S. official to serve a prison sentence✅
Would love to see that last record broken soon🌅🇺🇸
Dennis Hastert — the former House speaker who was later sentenced to prison time over hush money payments made to cover up sexual abuse of teen boys — has died at age 84.
Dennis Hastert, disgraced former House speaker, dies at 84
Former Speaker of the House Dennis Hastert, who represented Illinois for two decades in Congress and was later jailed for violating banking laws, has died.
www.cbsnews.com
October 5, 2026 at 1:25 PM
Set record for longest serving GOP Speaker of the House✅
Went to prison for sexually abusing teenage boys✅
Highest ranking elected U.S. official to serve a prison sentence✅
Would love to see that last record broken soon🌅🇺🇸
Went to prison for sexually abusing teenage boys✅
Highest ranking elected U.S. official to serve a prison sentence✅
Would love to see that last record broken soon🌅🇺🇸
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
i'm an "optimist" in that i don't think that MAGA will react normally to a defeat or that the current status quo can hold much longer (seriously, it's hard to see election denialism going away in 2028, or hell, 2026)
Imagine if the 2030s is still just careening back and forth between a normal Democratic party and MAGA every 4 years. With every attempt to rebuild or repair scuttled every 4 years.
I really hate living in the interstitial.
October 5, 2026 at 1:22 PM
i'm an "optimist" in that i don't think that MAGA will react normally to a defeat or that the current status quo can hold much longer (seriously, it's hard to see election denialism going away in 2028, or hell, 2026)
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
If you have $100 million to spend on ads saying you shouldn’t be taxed you’re not being taxed enough
Google cofounder Sergey Brin has spent $102 million to fight California’s proposed billionaire tax—he could owe $13 billion if he loses fortune.com/article/how-...
Google cofounder Sergey Brin has spent $102 million to fight California’s proposed billionaire tax—he could owe $13 billion if he loses fortune.com/article/how-...
Google co-founder Sergey Brin has now spent $100 million to fight California’s proposed billionaire tax—he could owe $13 billion if he loses | Fortune
The state’s ultrawealthy, including Larry Page and Peter Thiel, have similarly donated to efforts opposing the wealth tax.
fortune.com
October 4, 2026 at 12:23 PM
If you have $100 million to spend on ads saying you shouldn’t be taxed you’re not being taxed enough
Google cofounder Sergey Brin has spent $102 million to fight California’s proposed billionaire tax—he could owe $13 billion if he loses fortune.com/article/how-...
Google cofounder Sergey Brin has spent $102 million to fight California’s proposed billionaire tax—he could owe $13 billion if he loses fortune.com/article/how-...
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
See, when I was a kid, this is the kind of headline I'd EXPECTED in the 21st century!
Ukraine’s surprise robot offensive exposes a vulnerability in Putin’s war machine
Experts say the offensive is not a decisive breakthrough, but demonstrates how Ukraine’s expanding use of robotic systems is reshaping frontline warfare.
www.cnbc.com
October 5, 2026 at 12:04 PM
See, when I was a kid, this is the kind of headline I'd EXPECTED in the 21st century!
Reposted by Josh Rudolph
To expand on this: Bigotry isn't a result of an innocent misunderstanding, or not having all the facts. It's not a choice made rationally, defeated with a rational argument.
Bigotry is a self-protective, foundational belief used to help make the world make sense to them. Debate won't change that.
Bigotry is a self-protective, foundational belief used to help make the world make sense to them. Debate won't change that.
We’ve been hearing for 20 years plus how we should just sit down and have a meal with people who think black, Latino and LGBTQ people are subhumans who must be killed. No.
The best cure for ideological bias is find someone on the other side and go to lunch with them.
Sometimes we disagree about facts. Sometimes we disagree about values. Figuring out which is which is fun part. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/my-libertarian-friends-were-right
Sometimes we disagree about facts. Sometimes we disagree about values. Figuring out which is which is fun part. https://newsletter.platypuseconomics.com/p/my-libertarian-friends-were-right
October 5, 2026 at 7:00 AM
To expand on this: Bigotry isn't a result of an innocent misunderstanding, or not having all the facts. It's not a choice made rationally, defeated with a rational argument.
Bigotry is a self-protective, foundational belief used to help make the world make sense to them. Debate won't change that.
Bigotry is a self-protective, foundational belief used to help make the world make sense to them. Debate won't change that.