B in the Netherlands
@bnetherlands.bsky.social
A writer and photographer from Oregon who lives in the Netherlands. Posts range from serious news to micro-sized movie reviews and random photos of Dutch stuff. Someday I'll fix the cowboy banner. Someday...
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
Remembering, for no particular reason, the time a business publication I had worked for put Jeffrey Skilling of Enron on its cover right before its collapse.
Time Magazine puts the "architects of AI" on its Person of the Year cover time.com/7339685/pers...
December 11, 2025 at 1:45 PM
Remembering, for no particular reason, the time a business publication I had worked for put Jeffrey Skilling of Enron on its cover right before its collapse.
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
In my latest article for Medium, I took aim at the AI-generated McDonald's ad for the fast food chain's Dutch market.
If you haven't heard about this debacle yet, well, have a look...
#McDonalds #holidays #commercials #AI #Christmas #Netherlands
medium.com/@bhartley/we...
If you haven't heard about this debacle yet, well, have a look...
#McDonalds #holidays #commercials #AI #Christmas #Netherlands
medium.com/@bhartley/we...
We’re hatin’ it — AI-generated Christmas ad for McDonalds’ Dutch market faces global backlash
Sinterklaas has come and gone, which means the Netherlands is currently in the middle of its annual frantic switchover to Christmas. It’s…
medium.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
In my latest article for Medium, I took aim at the AI-generated McDonald's ad for the fast food chain's Dutch market.
If you haven't heard about this debacle yet, well, have a look...
#McDonalds #holidays #commercials #AI #Christmas #Netherlands
medium.com/@bhartley/we...
If you haven't heard about this debacle yet, well, have a look...
#McDonalds #holidays #commercials #AI #Christmas #Netherlands
medium.com/@bhartley/we...
It's hard to keep up with the awful inanity pouring out of America these days, but this one is particularly stupid.
And a fun fact: Calibri was created by the Dutch type designer Lucas de Groot.
Also: anybody wanna tell Rubio Times New Roman was designed by Brits?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
And a fun fact: Calibri was created by the Dutch type designer Lucas de Groot.
Also: anybody wanna tell Rubio Times New Roman was designed by Brits?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
At State Dept., a Typeface Falls Victim in the War Against Woke
www.nytimes.com
December 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM
It's hard to keep up with the awful inanity pouring out of America these days, but this one is particularly stupid.
And a fun fact: Calibri was created by the Dutch type designer Lucas de Groot.
Also: anybody wanna tell Rubio Times New Roman was designed by Brits?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
And a fun fact: Calibri was created by the Dutch type designer Lucas de Groot.
Also: anybody wanna tell Rubio Times New Roman was designed by Brits?
www.nytimes.com/2025/12/09/u...
Let's hope so.
Because watching Wilders actually have to manage people will be totally hilarious.
Because watching Wilders actually have to manage people will be totally hilarious.
PVV may be forced to have members and internal democracy www.dutchnews.nl?p=261010
PVV may be forced to have members and internal democracy
www.dutchnews.nl
December 11, 2025 at 9:28 AM
Let's hope so.
Because watching Wilders actually have to manage people will be totally hilarious.
Because watching Wilders actually have to manage people will be totally hilarious.
In my latest article for Medium, I took aim at the AI-generated McDonald's ad for the fast food chain's Dutch market.
If you haven't heard about this debacle yet, well, have a look...
#McDonalds #holidays #commercials #AI #Christmas #Netherlands
medium.com/@bhartley/we...
If you haven't heard about this debacle yet, well, have a look...
#McDonalds #holidays #commercials #AI #Christmas #Netherlands
medium.com/@bhartley/we...
We’re hatin’ it — AI-generated Christmas ad for McDonalds’ Dutch market faces global backlash
Sinterklaas has come and gone, which means the Netherlands is currently in the middle of its annual frantic switchover to Christmas. It’s…
medium.com
December 10, 2025 at 4:18 PM
In my latest article for Medium, I took aim at the AI-generated McDonald's ad for the fast food chain's Dutch market.
If you haven't heard about this debacle yet, well, have a look...
#McDonalds #holidays #commercials #AI #Christmas #Netherlands
medium.com/@bhartley/we...
If you haven't heard about this debacle yet, well, have a look...
#McDonalds #holidays #commercials #AI #Christmas #Netherlands
medium.com/@bhartley/we...
I hope so. The weather these past few days has been downright creepy. I saw a group of geese flying overhead this morning and it seemed like they were already headed back north for the spring.
Colder weather expected in the run-up to Christmas, but no snow www.dutchnews.nl?p=260985
Colder weather expected in the run-up to Christmas, but no snow
www.dutchnews.nl
December 10, 2025 at 12:04 PM
I hope so. The weather these past few days has been downright creepy. I saw a group of geese flying overhead this morning and it seemed like they were already headed back north for the spring.
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
December 9, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Micro Movie Memo # 150
Alien: Romulus
Little more than a greatest hits package of Alien movies, but still the best entry in the series since Aliens. The bar remains low for those pesky xenomorphs. Pretty good flick, but the last ten minutes are goofy.
6/9
www.youtube.com/watch?reload...
Alien: Romulus
Little more than a greatest hits package of Alien movies, but still the best entry in the series since Aliens. The bar remains low for those pesky xenomorphs. Pretty good flick, but the last ten minutes are goofy.
6/9
www.youtube.com/watch?reload...
Alien: Romulus | Official Trailer
YouTube video by 20th Century Studios
www.youtube.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Micro Movie Memo # 150
Alien: Romulus
Little more than a greatest hits package of Alien movies, but still the best entry in the series since Aliens. The bar remains low for those pesky xenomorphs. Pretty good flick, but the last ten minutes are goofy.
6/9
www.youtube.com/watch?reload...
Alien: Romulus
Little more than a greatest hits package of Alien movies, but still the best entry in the series since Aliens. The bar remains low for those pesky xenomorphs. Pretty good flick, but the last ten minutes are goofy.
6/9
www.youtube.com/watch?reload...
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
Independent thinking as the John Adams Institute turns 40 www.dutchnews.nl?p=260471
Independent thinking as the John Adams Institute turns 40
www.dutchnews.nl
December 9, 2025 at 2:05 PM
Independent thinking as the John Adams Institute turns 40 www.dutchnews.nl?p=260471
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
Before the 🇳🇱 election a lot of people (including me) said Yesilgoz’s strategy was idiotic and the VVD were doomed to disaster. That didn’t happen-they won more seats than expected, and are now kingmakers. It’s odd that there’s been
no effort at a reckoning about how flawed the punditry was
no effort at a reckoning about how flawed the punditry was
December 9, 2025 at 8:52 AM
Before the 🇳🇱 election a lot of people (including me) said Yesilgoz’s strategy was idiotic and the VVD were doomed to disaster. That didn’t happen-they won more seats than expected, and are now kingmakers. It’s odd that there’s been
no effort at a reckoning about how flawed the punditry was
no effort at a reckoning about how flawed the punditry was
Interesting night at Paradiso. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were there to play tracks off their moodiest album. Crowd was there to rock. Hecklers and chatter weighed down the first half until the band broke out the loud stuff.
Amidst the moshers up front were two girls merrily spinning in circles.
Amidst the moshers up front were two girls merrily spinning in circles.
December 8, 2025 at 10:18 PM
Interesting night at Paradiso. Black Rebel Motorcycle Club were there to play tracks off their moodiest album. Crowd was there to rock. Hecklers and chatter weighed down the first half until the band broke out the loud stuff.
Amidst the moshers up front were two girls merrily spinning in circles.
Amidst the moshers up front were two girls merrily spinning in circles.
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
*presses record*
Idea for movie: a maverick proofreader breaks all the rules & defies his bosses by making er, clear & concise corrections, wait a minute, delete
Idea for movie: a maverick proofreader breaks all the rules & defies his bosses by making er, clear & concise corrections, wait a minute, delete
December 8, 2025 at 6:29 PM
*presses record*
Idea for movie: a maverick proofreader breaks all the rules & defies his bosses by making er, clear & concise corrections, wait a minute, delete
Idea for movie: a maverick proofreader breaks all the rules & defies his bosses by making er, clear & concise corrections, wait a minute, delete
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
December 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
One of my favourite questions of the series appears in tonight’s Only Connect - I’d better not tell you the whole thing, but it starts “A village in Norway, annually.”
And if you can get it from that, I’ll see you next series!
8pm on BBC Two
And if you can get it from that, I’ll see you next series!
8pm on BBC Two
December 8, 2025 at 5:37 PM
One of my favourite questions of the series appears in tonight’s Only Connect - I’d better not tell you the whole thing, but it starts “A village in Norway, annually.”
And if you can get it from that, I’ll see you next series!
8pm on BBC Two
And if you can get it from that, I’ll see you next series!
8pm on BBC Two
December 8, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Are you an American with dual citizenship? If so, you'll *definitely* want to keep an eye on this bill.
Hopefully, it won't make it out of committee and, if it does, it will be torn apart by Congress and/or the courts. But given the Trump administration, anything could happen.
Hopefully, it won't make it out of committee and, if it does, it will be torn apart by Congress and/or the courts. But given the Trump administration, anything could happen.
Senator Bernie Moreno (R-OH) released a proposal this week that, if passed, would strip U.S. citizenship from Americans who hold a second passport.
Full statement from @demsabroad.bsky.social Chair, Martha McDevitt-Pugh: www.democratsabroad.org/da_statement...
Full statement from @demsabroad.bsky.social Chair, Martha McDevitt-Pugh: www.democratsabroad.org/da_statement...
December 8, 2025 at 2:25 PM
Are you an American with dual citizenship? If so, you'll *definitely* want to keep an eye on this bill.
Hopefully, it won't make it out of committee and, if it does, it will be torn apart by Congress and/or the courts. But given the Trump administration, anything could happen.
Hopefully, it won't make it out of committee and, if it does, it will be torn apart by Congress and/or the courts. But given the Trump administration, anything could happen.
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
Tougher checks on freelancers have cut numbers but not by much www.dutchnews.nl?p=260870
Tougher checks on freelancers have cut numbers but not by much
www.dutchnews.nl
December 8, 2025 at 9:53 AM
Tougher checks on freelancers have cut numbers but not by much www.dutchnews.nl?p=260870
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
Q: So your job is to judge people, but not to judge people for judging people.
A: You’re making it sound like I approve of Krampus’s methods. I don’t. Just because you share a holiday with someone doesn’t mean you agree with them on everything. I love kids.
A: You’re making it sound like I approve of Krampus’s methods. I don’t. Just because you share a holiday with someone doesn’t mean you agree with them on everything. I love kids.
The New Yorker’s Isaac Chotiner Interviews Santa Claus
For several centuries, Santa Claus has been one of the most prolific mythical gift-givers in the world. Formerly known as Saint Nicholas of Myra, a...
buff.ly
December 6, 2025 at 2:40 AM
Q: So your job is to judge people, but not to judge people for judging people.
A: You’re making it sound like I approve of Krampus’s methods. I don’t. Just because you share a holiday with someone doesn’t mean you agree with them on everything. I love kids.
A: You’re making it sound like I approve of Krampus’s methods. I don’t. Just because you share a holiday with someone doesn’t mean you agree with them on everything. I love kids.
If I was in London next weekend, it's pretty obvious where I'd be on Saturday night.
Next Saturday night, we finally meet the return of our iconic CHRISTMAS PYJAMA PARTY ALL-NIGHTER! All the festive favourites back to back in our big screen, starting with THE MUPPET CHRISTMAS CAROL and followed by ELF, HOME ALONE, GREMLINS & finally DIE HARD to end the night!
🎟️ : buff.ly/SH1b3ZI
🎟️ : buff.ly/SH1b3ZI
December 6, 2025 at 5:28 PM
If I was in London next weekend, it's pretty obvious where I'd be on Saturday night.
Nice story from the local daily down here about folks contending with the ever increasing cost of coffee.
In a perfect world, the tech bros would be dumping billions into food production including how to grow coffee plants in greenhouses anywhere in the world.
www.leidschdagblad.nl/uitgelicht/k...
In a perfect world, the tech bros would be dumping billions into food production including how to grow coffee plants in greenhouses anywhere in the world.
www.leidschdagblad.nl/uitgelicht/k...
Koffie was nog nooit zo duur, maar voor geen goud laten we ons bakkie staan: ’Elke morgen twee koppen. Daarna een duik in zee’
Nog nooit betaalde de consument zoveel geld voor een kopje koffie als nu. Volgens experts is het einde van de prijsstijging nog niet in zicht. Maar wat ga je doen? Een bakkie minder? Stap je over op een goedkoper huismerk? Of zitten we straks aan de kweekkoffie uit het laboratorium?
www.leidschdagblad.nl
December 6, 2025 at 5:20 PM
Nice story from the local daily down here about folks contending with the ever increasing cost of coffee.
In a perfect world, the tech bros would be dumping billions into food production including how to grow coffee plants in greenhouses anywhere in the world.
www.leidschdagblad.nl/uitgelicht/k...
In a perfect world, the tech bros would be dumping billions into food production including how to grow coffee plants in greenhouses anywhere in the world.
www.leidschdagblad.nl/uitgelicht/k...
We've got a kid who's taken to terrorizing our neighborhood recently. About nine and loves to tear around on his fat bike honking the horn and yelling at people.
I spotted him tossing fireworks into a large bin full of wood outside a house being renovated a bit ago.
#Leiden #preteenterror
1/2
I spotted him tossing fireworks into a large bin full of wood outside a house being renovated a bit ago.
#Leiden #preteenterror
1/2
a picture of a kitten and the words i love arson
ALT: a picture of a kitten and the words i love arson
media.tenor.com
December 6, 2025 at 1:46 PM
We've got a kid who's taken to terrorizing our neighborhood recently. About nine and loves to tear around on his fat bike honking the horn and yelling at people.
I spotted him tossing fireworks into a large bin full of wood outside a house being renovated a bit ago.
#Leiden #preteenterror
1/2
I spotted him tossing fireworks into a large bin full of wood outside a house being renovated a bit ago.
#Leiden #preteenterror
1/2
Another example of the inanity from the authorities tasked with guarding Portland’s ICE building:
“Officers were suddenly exposed to tear gas without warning. The supervisor said the gas was shot by another federal agency — but they still hadn’t figured out which one.”
www.opb.org/article/2025...
“Officers were suddenly exposed to tear gas without warning. The supervisor said the gas was shot by another federal agency — but they still hadn’t figured out which one.”
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Those arrested at Portland ICE protests recount disparate, confusing treatment by federal officers
OPB interviewed more than a dozen people who were arrested at the ICE protests between June and October. What they described was an apparent lack of standard operating procedures as various federal la...
www.opb.org
December 5, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Another example of the inanity from the authorities tasked with guarding Portland’s ICE building:
“Officers were suddenly exposed to tear gas without warning. The supervisor said the gas was shot by another federal agency — but they still hadn’t figured out which one.”
www.opb.org/article/2025...
“Officers were suddenly exposed to tear gas without warning. The supervisor said the gas was shot by another federal agency — but they still hadn’t figured out which one.”
www.opb.org/article/2025...
Reposted by B in the Netherlands
Boomers: It just sucks so much that everyone gets participation trophies now, you used to have to show real merit to get an award
Also Boomers:
Also Boomers:
December 5, 2025 at 5:57 PM
Boomers: It just sucks so much that everyone gets participation trophies now, you used to have to show real merit to get an award
Also Boomers:
Also Boomers: