we genuinely need creative ways to punish corporations for this sort of low-stakes acquiescence
Google Maps has updated to label Lake Ontario as Lake America for users in the U.S., following an executive order signed by President Trump last week amid an escalating trade war with Canada. trib.al/5axpigr
August 30, 2026 at 7:15 PM
we genuinely need creative ways to punish corporations for this sort of low-stakes acquiescence
Acquiescence is a choice. So is being brave.
Forgive the earnest post here, but one year ago this week, Global Tetrahedron took over The Onion. We've since brought back the paper and ONN, dramatically increased revenue, and hired more writers and artists.
But most importantly, as other places debased themselves, we refused to bend the knee.
But most importantly, as other places debased themselves, we refused to bend the knee.
April 28, 2025 at 8:23 PM
Acquiescence is a choice. So is being brave.
gotta feel incredible to hit ‘em with your first “no” after a lifetime of mandatory acquiescence
September 27, 2026 at 10:23 PM
gotta feel incredible to hit ‘em with your first “no” after a lifetime of mandatory acquiescence
Operation Epic Acquiescence.
February 28, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Operation Epic Acquiescence.
Authoritarian regimes depend upon fear and intimidation to create acquiescence
NEW on CNN: Morning Joe’ meeting with Trump was driven by fears of retribution from incoming administration, sources say
www.cnn.com/2024/11/19/m...
www.cnn.com/2024/11/19/m...
‘Morning Joe’ meeting with Trump was driven by fears of retribution from incoming administration, sources say | CNN Business
According to two sources with direct knowledge of the matter, Scarborough and Brzezinski were credibly concerned that they could face governmental and legal harassment from the incoming Trump administ...
www.cnn.com
November 19, 2024 at 2:17 PM
Authoritarian regimes depend upon fear and intimidation to create acquiescence
This is what Mark Esper, for all his acquiescence, refused to do in June 2020.
The Secretary of Defense just threatened to use Marines from Camp Pendleton against Los Angeles
June 8, 2025 at 2:49 AM
This is what Mark Esper, for all his acquiescence, refused to do in June 2020.
At some point, the reliance on these euphemisms becomes a kind of propaganda or acquiescence.
November 2, 2025 at 2:51 PM
At some point, the reliance on these euphemisms becomes a kind of propaganda or acquiescence.
History has consistently demonstrated that direct support for authoritarianism is relatively narrow. It thrives through surrender and acquiescence by elite institutions.
Latest from me, on this, the first day of the next four years. We have to resist, now more than ever. @samuelmoyn.bsky.social, Mounk, and Hamid are all completely wrong in their reading of history and their prescription for the present and near future. The stakes are too high to listen to them.
January 20, 2025 at 6:04 PM
History has consistently demonstrated that direct support for authoritarianism is relatively narrow. It thrives through surrender and acquiescence by elite institutions.
We live in a dangerous topsy-turvy world and we are sadly reacting with acquiescence.
November 21, 2024 at 2:10 PM
We live in a dangerous topsy-turvy world and we are sadly reacting with acquiescence.
State sponsored hate. Religious radicalism. Congressional fealty. High court acquiescence. Unilateral war making. No, I don't think this illustration is a stretch. No courage. No speaking truth to power. Not great.
March 27, 2026 at 8:33 AM
State sponsored hate. Religious radicalism. Congressional fealty. High court acquiescence. Unilateral war making. No, I don't think this illustration is a stretch. No courage. No speaking truth to power. Not great.
It’s Already Happening, Mr. Wray
FBI director’s acquiescence just strengthens Trump’s hand
open.substack.com
December 13, 2024 at 5:38 PM
the acquiescence of traditional business elites has been stunning
I'm still a little catatonic from Musk deciding to go pogroming right when it could theoretically have blown up the biggest payday of his life. But he made the bet that Wall Street couldn't give a shit. And he was right.
Elon Musk's incitement of pogroms in Belfast reveals he'll use his immense wealth and influence to foment untold fascist violence in the future. Only a global movement can break his power.
New piece from @polphilpod.bsky.social and me. Threading highlights below. 1/
newrepublic.com/article/2119...
New piece from @polphilpod.bsky.social and me. Threading highlights below. 1/
newrepublic.com/article/2119...
June 17, 2026 at 12:19 PM
the acquiescence of traditional business elites has been stunning
There are only three political positions in America today
1) I like the fascism
2) I'll acquiesce to the fascism (reasons for this one vary: cowardice, access, denial, misguidedly thinking that acquiescence is savvy, etc)
3) I oppose the fascism
The rest is details
1) I like the fascism
2) I'll acquiesce to the fascism (reasons for this one vary: cowardice, access, denial, misguidedly thinking that acquiescence is savvy, etc)
3) I oppose the fascism
The rest is details
June 28, 2025 at 6:10 PM
There are only three political positions in America today
1) I like the fascism
2) I'll acquiesce to the fascism (reasons for this one vary: cowardice, access, denial, misguidedly thinking that acquiescence is savvy, etc)
3) I oppose the fascism
The rest is details
1) I like the fascism
2) I'll acquiesce to the fascism (reasons for this one vary: cowardice, access, denial, misguidedly thinking that acquiescence is savvy, etc)
3) I oppose the fascism
The rest is details
Ch 5: Acquiescence
September 29, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Ch 5: Acquiescence
Please repeat over and over:
“Bending to the whims of a bully will not end his cruelty. It will only embolden him. The response to authoritarianism isn’t acquiescence. Bullies respond to one thing, and one thing only: a punch in the face.”
—Gov. JB Pritzker
“Bending to the whims of a bully will not end his cruelty. It will only embolden him. The response to authoritarianism isn’t acquiescence. Bullies respond to one thing, and one thing only: a punch in the face.”
—Gov. JB Pritzker
April 16, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Please repeat over and over:
“Bending to the whims of a bully will not end his cruelty. It will only embolden him. The response to authoritarianism isn’t acquiescence. Bullies respond to one thing, and one thing only: a punch in the face.”
—Gov. JB Pritzker
“Bending to the whims of a bully will not end his cruelty. It will only embolden him. The response to authoritarianism isn’t acquiescence. Bullies respond to one thing, and one thing only: a punch in the face.”
—Gov. JB Pritzker
Good morning Bluesky. "Government of any sort – including democracy – does not possess more wisdom or justice than its individual citizens, and that it is every citizen’s responsibility to avoid acquiescence."- Henry David Thoreau
August 26, 2025 at 10:46 AM
Good morning Bluesky. "Government of any sort – including democracy – does not possess more wisdom or justice than its individual citizens, and that it is every citizen’s responsibility to avoid acquiescence."- Henry David Thoreau
No one ever beat hate by acquiescence.
June 9, 2025 at 3:21 PM
No one ever beat hate by acquiescence.
The most dangerous thing about AI is not that the machines might one day think. It is that we are being trained, by men with enormous financial gains riding on our acquiescence, to stop thinking for ourselves.
June 19, 2026 at 6:46 PM
The most dangerous thing about AI is not that the machines might one day think. It is that we are being trained, by men with enormous financial gains riding on our acquiescence, to stop thinking for ourselves.
“They want violence” no they very explicitly want compliance and acquiescence and if you don’t give it to them they will fucking murder you
January 24, 2026 at 4:11 PM
“They want violence” no they very explicitly want compliance and acquiescence and if you don’t give it to them they will fucking murder you
Pretty sure he believes that true assimilation somehow magically drains all color and turns hair blonde through sheer force of cultural acquiescence
October 2, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Pretty sure he believes that true assimilation somehow magically drains all color and turns hair blonde through sheer force of cultural acquiescence
But you're gonna end up as grist for their mill. Your acquiescence will not save you. 6/
January 31, 2025 at 10:52 PM
But you're gonna end up as grist for their mill. Your acquiescence will not save you. 6/
A total violation of international law. Eswatini is imprisoning people from multiple countries no crime, based on no violation of law in that country, and with the direct knowledge and acquiescence of the United States.
Reuters confirms. 11 more people captured by ICE have been sent to a maximum security prison in Eswatini (formerly Swaziland), a country where they have no ties and committed no crimes. reut.rs/4wpbIGU
July 8, 2026 at 9:08 PM
A total violation of international law. Eswatini is imprisoning people from multiple countries no crime, based on no violation of law in that country, and with the direct knowledge and acquiescence of the United States.
The executions will continue until acquiescence improves.
January 24, 2026 at 8:03 PM
The executions will continue until acquiescence improves.
To be fair, if anyone knows acquiescence, it's the New York Times
May 27, 2025 at 12:49 PM
To be fair, if anyone knows acquiescence, it's the New York Times