dachte
@dachte.bsky.social
Interests: Neuroscience, programming, teaching, political theory
Originally Texan, also in love with Pittsburgh. Currently in NYC.
Liberal Technocrat, opposed to a lot of Progressivism.
https://unfocused.substack.com
Originally Texan, also in love with Pittsburgh. Currently in NYC.
Liberal Technocrat, opposed to a lot of Progressivism.
https://unfocused.substack.com
What I think our legislators and news orgs are getting wrong is the focus on the second-strike, and not on the boatmurder.
Blowing up civilian boats on the ocean should be seen as the scandal. That's what we need to stop. That's what breaks critical norms. The second-strike is not the red line.
Blowing up civilian boats on the ocean should be seen as the scandal. That's what we need to stop. That's what breaks critical norms. The second-strike is not the red line.
"Bradley told lawmakers he ordered a second strike [because] survivors could hypothetically have floated to safety, been rescued, and carried on with trafficking the drugs.
The other source with direct knowledge of the briefing called that rationale “f**king insane.”
www.cnn.com/2025/12/04/p...
The other source with direct knowledge of the briefing called that rationale “f**king insane.”
www.cnn.com/2025/12/04/p...
Exclusive: Survivors clinging to capsized boat didn’t radio for backup, admiral overseeing double-tap strike tells lawmakers | CNN Politics
The two men killed as they floated holding onto their capsized boat in a secondary strike against a suspected drug vessel in early September did not appear to have radio or other communications device...
www.cnn.com
December 5, 2025 at 5:16 PM
What I think our legislators and news orgs are getting wrong is the focus on the second-strike, and not on the boatmurder.
Blowing up civilian boats on the ocean should be seen as the scandal. That's what we need to stop. That's what breaks critical norms. The second-strike is not the red line.
Blowing up civilian boats on the ocean should be seen as the scandal. That's what we need to stop. That's what breaks critical norms. The second-strike is not the red line.
Tiers of things I care about in terms of the US government having gone feral:
A) Free speech
B) Foreign policy, international norms
C) Rule of law, political pluralism, civics
D) Actual normal value-driven policy
A) Free speech
B) Foreign policy, international norms
C) Rule of law, political pluralism, civics
D) Actual normal value-driven policy
December 5, 2025 at 3:50 PM
Tiers of things I care about in terms of the US government having gone feral:
A) Free speech
B) Foreign policy, international norms
C) Rule of law, political pluralism, civics
D) Actual normal value-driven policy
A) Free speech
B) Foreign policy, international norms
C) Rule of law, political pluralism, civics
D) Actual normal value-driven policy
A quick comment on why political liberalism might include an instinct not to be maximalist or even bold in all cases: substack.com/profile/9890...
Improv (@unfocused)
I think it’s important not to read this too broadly; liberal neutrality is soemthing to be prized in many areas. We really are trying to create a society for pluralism, freedom of conscience, a rules-...
substack.com
December 4, 2025 at 8:42 PM
A quick comment on why political liberalism might include an instinct not to be maximalist or even bold in all cases: substack.com/profile/9890...
Sometimes weird to see the halfway-in-character bows for fantasy of various sort, where characters that are truly horrible (in fictional behaviour) join the more decent characters on stage, all in costume and maybe even talking in character.
December 4, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Sometimes weird to see the halfway-in-character bows for fantasy of various sort, where characters that are truly horrible (in fictional behaviour) join the more decent characters on stage, all in costume and maybe even talking in character.
Reposted by dachte
I think we may practically agree on this, but I would focus on judging from a virtue ethics perspective - the results are important, but the way you get good results is show good character & competence character is easier to judge than being zoomed in on particular results (where chance has a role).
December 4, 2025 at 5:16 PM
I think we may practically agree on this, but I would focus on judging from a virtue ethics perspective - the results are important, but the way you get good results is show good character & competence character is easier to judge than being zoomed in on particular results (where chance has a role).
It's a pity that "Strangely Unenthusiastic Backup Dancer" is a bit of a mouthful, because it'd be a good band name.
December 4, 2025 at 4:37 PM
It's a pity that "Strangely Unenthusiastic Backup Dancer" is a bit of a mouthful, because it'd be a good band name.
Wishing I found it easier to enjoy the company of others without some whiskey in me. Chances are if I'm invited to a party without whiskey I'll stand in a corner and not talk to anyone, but with some whiskey I'll have a number of good 1:1 conversations and spend no time alone.
December 3, 2025 at 1:55 AM
Wishing I found it easier to enjoy the company of others without some whiskey in me. Chances are if I'm invited to a party without whiskey I'll stand in a corner and not talk to anyone, but with some whiskey I'll have a number of good 1:1 conversations and spend no time alone.
Hoping someday I have a chance to see an in-person talk by Tilly Lockey talk about her life with robotic arms. She's a great spokesperson for the ability of technology to fix defects in and improve upon the basic human form.
December 2, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Hoping someday I have a chance to see an in-person talk by Tilly Lockey talk about her life with robotic arms. She's a great spokesperson for the ability of technology to fix defects in and improve upon the basic human form.
If, for some reason, you ever need to backup a large amount of stuff on Slack, and you find slackdump to not do the job (maybe because some security setting logs you out whenever you try to auth), this is one (unpleasant) way to get it done:
December 1, 2025 at 6:28 AM
If, for some reason, you ever need to backup a large amount of stuff on Slack, and you find slackdump to not do the job (maybe because some security setting logs you out whenever you try to auth), this is one (unpleasant) way to get it done:
Been kinda getting back into the TV series "Law and Order" again, and I'm reminded of why I stopped watching it before - it's excellently acted, well-written, and educational, but it tugs at my emotions effectively enough that I often feel cruddy after seeing an episode.
December 1, 2025 at 5:56 AM
Been kinda getting back into the TV series "Law and Order" again, and I'm reminded of why I stopped watching it before - it's excellently acted, well-written, and educational, but it tugs at my emotions effectively enough that I often feel cruddy after seeing an episode.
There are plusses and minuses to this. I spend a fair bit of time on estimated-low-value conversations because I think it's important that people show up and argue for the mainstream scientific consensus, for mostly mainstream understandings of the world, for civics and civility,
The most precious commodity you have is your attention. You don’t have to waste it on poor-faith debates or arguments with strangers if you don’t think they’ll be productive. You can prioritize the things that matter to you and make your life richer.
November 30, 2025 at 8:34 PM
There are plusses and minuses to this. I spend a fair bit of time on estimated-low-value conversations because I think it's important that people show up and argue for the mainstream scientific consensus, for mostly mainstream understandings of the world, for civics and civility,
The verb "to bring" is a little weird in that it usually acts, semantically, as a modifier to a possibly implied action rather than an action on its own. Wondering if any other languages normally express it as an adverb or some other way and lack the verb form
November 28, 2025 at 8:55 PM
The verb "to bring" is a little weird in that it usually acts, semantically, as a modifier to a possibly implied action rather than an action on its own. Wondering if any other languages normally express it as an adverb or some other way and lack the verb form
I am easily annoyed by quote images on the internet that claim the wrong person said the thing. Particularly when the claim they said it is highly unlikely.
Recently saw some wordplay in English misattributed to Heidegger, even listing one of his works as a particular source. Sighhh.
Recently saw some wordplay in English misattributed to Heidegger, even listing one of his works as a particular source. Sighhh.
November 28, 2025 at 7:13 AM
I am easily annoyed by quote images on the internet that claim the wrong person said the thing. Particularly when the claim they said it is highly unlikely.
Recently saw some wordplay in English misattributed to Heidegger, even listing one of his works as a particular source. Sighhh.
Recently saw some wordplay in English misattributed to Heidegger, even listing one of his works as a particular source. Sighhh.
The US is set to price access fees for national parks much higher for non-citizens, because apparently we don't like tourism and think it's patriotic to be a jerk to foreigners.
abcnews.go.com/US/america-p...
abcnews.go.com/US/america-p...
'America-first' pricing: National park fees to increase for foreign visitors in 2026
Nonresidents will have to pay $250 for annual passes or $100 per person on top of the standard entrance fee to enter certain national parks beginning Jan. 1, 2026.
abcnews.go.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:16 AM
The US is set to price access fees for national parks much higher for non-citizens, because apparently we don't like tourism and think it's patriotic to be a jerk to foreigners.
abcnews.go.com/US/america-p...
abcnews.go.com/US/america-p...
Recently have had it in my mind how people often treat new people in their lives as needing courting, coaxing, and respect, while existing people often get relegated to being achievements, with no maintenance done to their relationship.
November 25, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Recently have had it in my mind how people often treat new people in their lives as needing courting, coaxing, and respect, while existing people often get relegated to being achievements, with no maintenance done to their relationship.
Thank goodness for the small relief that comes from seeing one's foes being far less effective than they might otherwise be because they self-sabotage.
Trump's movement would be far more dangerous (if a bit less ugly) if it were not as structurally dependent on his ego.
Trump's movement would be far more dangerous (if a bit less ugly) if it were not as structurally dependent on his ego.
November 24, 2025 at 8:14 PM
Thank goodness for the small relief that comes from seeing one's foes being far less effective than they might otherwise be because they self-sabotage.
Trump's movement would be far more dangerous (if a bit less ugly) if it were not as structurally dependent on his ego.
Trump's movement would be far more dangerous (if a bit less ugly) if it were not as structurally dependent on his ego.
It would be a wild fan theory that Paprika is set in the same universe as Serial Experiments: Lain, and that Paprika is an adult Lain who has reinserted herself into the world.
November 24, 2025 at 5:36 AM
It would be a wild fan theory that Paprika is set in the same universe as Serial Experiments: Lain, and that Paprika is an adult Lain who has reinserted herself into the world.
Reposted by dachte
The thing is, we can disagree about all kinds of policies, and still fundamentally agree on some basic principles of government. I think many of us have rediscovered that, which is one good thing that comes out of all this.
What's wild is that I'm not only just as solidly progressive and left leaning as ever, I'm in fact more left leaning and progressive as I've ever been *at the same time as* I haven't disagreed with anything that David Frum and Tom Nichols have said or written in the last decade. Thanks, Atlantic.
November 24, 2025 at 3:00 AM
The thing is, we can disagree about all kinds of policies, and still fundamentally agree on some basic principles of government. I think many of us have rediscovered that, which is one good thing that comes out of all this.
While I'm center-left, this is a proposal I'd reject; I don't think all forms of socialism should be condemned. I reject DSA because I reject its progressive social views and think it doesn't have a history of being reasonable on legislation, but socialist parties in Europe are often fine on that.
BREAKING: The House of Representatives voted 285–98 in favor of a resolution condemning socialism.
Eighty-six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
Eighty-six Democrats joined Republicans in supporting the measure, including House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries.
November 21, 2025 at 8:43 PM
While I'm center-left, this is a proposal I'd reject; I don't think all forms of socialism should be condemned. I reject DSA because I reject its progressive social views and think it doesn't have a history of being reasonable on legislation, but socialist parties in Europe are often fine on that.
Assuming the reported 28-point "plan for peace" in Ukraine is accurate, it's hard not to get the impression that it was drafted by people who hate Ukraine.
November 21, 2025 at 2:15 PM
Assuming the reported 28-point "plan for peace" in Ukraine is accurate, it's hard not to get the impression that it was drafted by people who hate Ukraine.
A consequence of my not being that great at relaxing (or enjoying life in general) is I usually have a ridiculous number of vacation days saved up at the end of every work year, only a small number of which I can roll over. Right now I could take almost the whole rest of the year off.
November 21, 2025 at 6:02 AM
A consequence of my not being that great at relaxing (or enjoying life in general) is I usually have a ridiculous number of vacation days saved up at the end of every work year, only a small number of which I can roll over. Right now I could take almost the whole rest of the year off.
A small Perl-versus-Python thing I take pleasure in as a former Perl programmer who now codes primarily in Python:
The need for f-strings in Python validates Perl's use of differentiating single and double quotes for string interpolation (which is an area Perl is more elegant than Python).
The need for f-strings in Python validates Perl's use of differentiating single and double quotes for string interpolation (which is an area Perl is more elegant than Python).
November 20, 2025 at 6:28 PM
A small Perl-versus-Python thing I take pleasure in as a former Perl programmer who now codes primarily in Python:
The need for f-strings in Python validates Perl's use of differentiating single and double quotes for string interpolation (which is an area Perl is more elegant than Python).
The need for f-strings in Python validates Perl's use of differentiating single and double quotes for string interpolation (which is an area Perl is more elegant than Python).
Reposted by dachte
🚨BREAKING: In a feverish flurry of social media posts and reposts Thursday morning, President Donald Trump expressed support for imprisoning and executing a group of Democratic lawmakers for what he termed “seditious behavior.”
Trump Calls for Executing Democrats Over Message to Military
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
November 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
🚨BREAKING: In a feverish flurry of social media posts and reposts Thursday morning, President Donald Trump expressed support for imprisoning and executing a group of Democratic lawmakers for what he termed “seditious behavior.”
One of the anti-social-progressive intuitions I give some stock to, a banner of the Trumpists, but not exclusive to them, is a wariness of letting a desire to be civilised bind us too tightly; I think too often cultural progressives don't see the cost of moving too fast (or even at all) on culture.
November 19, 2025 at 4:23 PM
One of the anti-social-progressive intuitions I give some stock to, a banner of the Trumpists, but not exclusive to them, is a wariness of letting a desire to be civilised bind us too tightly; I think too often cultural progressives don't see the cost of moving too fast (or even at all) on culture.
It's annoying when studios and writers make the mistake of thinking what's really good about a series is a particular set of actors coming together, and bend plot and settings to make sure that keeps happening as a series gets old.
Ideally storytelling and worldbuilding are what's prized.
Ideally storytelling and worldbuilding are what's prized.
November 19, 2025 at 4:01 PM
It's annoying when studios and writers make the mistake of thinking what's really good about a series is a particular set of actors coming together, and bend plot and settings to make sure that keeps happening as a series gets old.
Ideally storytelling and worldbuilding are what's prized.
Ideally storytelling and worldbuilding are what's prized.