Edgar Brown
@edgarbrown.bsky.social
Polymath in search of solutions for democracy—Complex systems are not immune to butterflies.
Not afraid to talk about what makes me uncomfortable. Know thyself
#SemioticResistance
Not afraid to talk about what makes me uncomfortable. Know thyself
#SemioticResistance
Pinned
Edgar Brown
@edgarbrown.bsky.social
· Mar 24
The social doom loop
Understanding the cyclical aspects of the present moment
open.substack.com
Mark Twain, is quoted as having said that History doesn’t repeat, but it rhymes.
Understanding the historical precedents of the current period would help us fix the problems and avoid it from recurring in the future.
Understanding the historical precedents of the current period would help us fix the problems and avoid it from recurring in the future.
Yes.
What is wrong is that the founding fathers never considered the influence of organized parties, a non-existent concept at that time, and didn’t include them in the constitution.
They saw the competition of ideas, not tribal positions and posturing feeding on each other and taking over.
What is wrong is that the founding fathers never considered the influence of organized parties, a non-existent concept at that time, and didn’t include them in the constitution.
They saw the competition of ideas, not tribal positions and posturing feeding on each other and taking over.
December 21, 2025 at 1:54 PM
Yes.
What is wrong is that the founding fathers never considered the influence of organized parties, a non-existent concept at that time, and didn’t include them in the constitution.
They saw the competition of ideas, not tribal positions and posturing feeding on each other and taking over.
What is wrong is that the founding fathers never considered the influence of organized parties, a non-existent concept at that time, and didn’t include them in the constitution.
They saw the competition of ideas, not tribal positions and posturing feeding on each other and taking over.
What about the enemy of humanity and all that humanity represents in the universe?
The enemy of knowledge and wisdom?
The enemy of all secular or religious understanding?
The exact opposite of what Science, The Buddha, Christ, and God represents?
A symbol for all that is wrong in humanity.
The enemy of knowledge and wisdom?
The enemy of all secular or religious understanding?
The exact opposite of what Science, The Buddha, Christ, and God represents?
A symbol for all that is wrong in humanity.
This evil man is the enemy for what he’s doing to our own country, people & government. Hes trying to get into Europe with the placement of his people into key positions & spots to influence right wing groups in these European as well as Middle Eastern & Asian countries. Hes making An Axis of evil.
December 21, 2025 at 1:51 PM
What about the enemy of humanity and all that humanity represents in the universe?
The enemy of knowledge and wisdom?
The enemy of all secular or religious understanding?
The exact opposite of what Science, The Buddha, Christ, and God represents?
A symbol for all that is wrong in humanity.
The enemy of knowledge and wisdom?
The enemy of all secular or religious understanding?
The exact opposite of what Science, The Buddha, Christ, and God represents?
A symbol for all that is wrong in humanity.
Science schmience, facts? who cares about those?
In this moment of peak stupidity in the Dunning-Kruger Doom Loop, we need much more than scientists beating us on the head with numbers. We need people on the streets communicating them to our fellow citizens.
Even if it takes a soapbox and a PA.
In this moment of peak stupidity in the Dunning-Kruger Doom Loop, we need much more than scientists beating us on the head with numbers. We need people on the streets communicating them to our fellow citizens.
Even if it takes a soapbox and a PA.
This week, Professor James Hansen and colleagues published projections that the global temperature record could reach +1.7°C by 2027.
And if that number lands in your gut the way it landed in mine, good. It should.
#climatecrisis #auspol www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/two-yea...
And if that number lands in your gut the way it landed in mine, good. It should.
#climatecrisis #auspol www.lyrebirddreaming.com/post/two-yea...
Two Years to 1.7°C: the “Prediction Game” We Can’t Afford to Lose
Australia’s sweltering through another early-summer heatwave, and I’m trying to decide whether to write about the weather outside my window - or the bigger climate system we’re reengineering on this p...
www.lyrebirddreaming.com
December 21, 2025 at 12:08 PM
Science schmience, facts? who cares about those?
In this moment of peak stupidity in the Dunning-Kruger Doom Loop, we need much more than scientists beating us on the head with numbers. We need people on the streets communicating them to our fellow citizens.
Even if it takes a soapbox and a PA.
In this moment of peak stupidity in the Dunning-Kruger Doom Loop, we need much more than scientists beating us on the head with numbers. We need people on the streets communicating them to our fellow citizens.
Even if it takes a soapbox and a PA.
Reposted by Edgar Brown
I wish more Democratic Representatives and Senators would put original post here. I refused to use X Twitter, FB or anything owned by a trump Oligarch.
December 20, 2025 at 6:45 PM
I wish more Democratic Representatives and Senators would put original post here. I refused to use X Twitter, FB or anything owned by a trump Oligarch.
Reposted by Edgar Brown
Mike Johnson has lost control of the House, as we continue to push through petitions to force the votes he tries so hard to run from.
Congress may be closed for the Holiday, but their inboxes aren’t. Let’s flood them with messages and urge them to vote yes on extending ACA tax credits!
Congress may be closed for the Holiday, but their inboxes aren’t. Let’s flood them with messages and urge them to vote yes on extending ACA tax credits!
Tell Congress: Demand Speaker Johnson hold a vote IMMEDIATELY on the ACA tax credit extension
Contact Congress today!
actionnetwork.org
December 21, 2025 at 2:21 AM
Mike Johnson has lost control of the House, as we continue to push through petitions to force the votes he tries so hard to run from.
Congress may be closed for the Holiday, but their inboxes aren’t. Let’s flood them with messages and urge them to vote yes on extending ACA tax credits!
Congress may be closed for the Holiday, but their inboxes aren’t. Let’s flood them with messages and urge them to vote yes on extending ACA tax credits!
Your opinion @mcuban.bsky.social @costplusdrugs.com ?
Is this charade of any substance?Is it opening up the space for some real reforms to take place?
Is this charade of any substance?Is it opening up the space for some real reforms to take place?
Nine of the largest pharma companies ink deals with Trump to lower drug prices
Several of the largest U.S. and European-based drugmakers inked deals with President Donald Trump on Friday to voluntarily sell their medications for less, as his administration pushes to link the nat...
ground.news
December 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Your opinion @mcuban.bsky.social @costplusdrugs.com ?
Is this charade of any substance?Is it opening up the space for some real reforms to take place?
Is this charade of any substance?Is it opening up the space for some real reforms to take place?
A state service branded to the leader is a hallmark of personalist governance. Benefits appear to flow from Trump, not the institution. Citizens are repositioned as clients. Well-being becomes linked to political allegiance. The Constitution recedes, and Trump becomes the perceived gatekeeper.
December 19, 2025 at 4:46 AM
The Mango Maduro has to be treated like we treat the weather. Do we really care about the rain or wind on every block and house in a county? Or is a comprehensive picture enough?
100% bullshit, 80% nonsensical rambling, the remaining 20% consists of 40% of grievance, 50% deflection, 1% of facts.
100% bullshit, 80% nonsensical rambling, the remaining 20% consists of 40% of grievance, 50% deflection, 1% of facts.
Fact checking Trump is a joke. Why not just report the true statements? Oh, nothing to talk about.
December 19, 2025 at 4:05 AM
The Mango Maduro has to be treated like we treat the weather. Do we really care about the rain or wind on every block and house in a county? Or is a comprehensive picture enough?
100% bullshit, 80% nonsensical rambling, the remaining 20% consists of 40% of grievance, 50% deflection, 1% of facts.
100% bullshit, 80% nonsensical rambling, the remaining 20% consists of 40% of grievance, 50% deflection, 1% of facts.
Reposted by Edgar Brown
Board members who were attending the meeting virtually were muted and not allowed to vote. Then they claimed it was a unanimous vote because all the people in the room voted for it.
That's pretty on brand ngl.
That's pretty on brand ngl.
The White House claims the vote to rename the Kennedy Center was “unanimous.” That is false. I was muted on the call and denied the opportunity to speak or register my opposition. That is not consensus. That is censorship.
December 19, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Board members who were attending the meeting virtually were muted and not allowed to vote. Then they claimed it was a unanimous vote because all the people in the room voted for it.
That's pretty on brand ngl.
That's pretty on brand ngl.
@maddow.bsky.social
@msnowreports.bsky.social
@chrislhayes.bsky.social
@briantylercohen.bsky.social
@meidastouch.com
@msnowreports.bsky.social
@chrislhayes.bsky.social
@briantylercohen.bsky.social
@meidastouch.com
The National Science Foundation might be no more as soon as tomorrow, if nothing is done.
Kakistocratic leaders hate all facts and fact-based professions.
Kakistocratic leaders hate all facts and fact-based professions.
From the ThePeoplesPress community on Reddit: NSF is being silently dismantled—HUD to Move into NSF Headquarters, Leaving Nation’s Premier Science Agency Without a Home
Explore this post and more from the ThePeoplesPress community
www.reddit.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:29 AM
The National Science Foundation might be no more as soon as tomorrow, if nothing is done.
Kakistocratic leaders hate all facts and fact-based professions.
Kakistocratic leaders hate all facts and fact-based professions.
From the ThePeoplesPress community on Reddit: NSF is being silently dismantled—HUD to Move into NSF Headquarters, Leaving Nation’s Premier Science Agency Without a Home
Explore this post and more from the ThePeoplesPress community
www.reddit.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:24 AM
The National Science Foundation might be no more as soon as tomorrow, if nothing is done.
Kakistocratic leaders hate all facts and fact-based professions.
Kakistocratic leaders hate all facts and fact-based professions.
Projection, thy name is stupidity…
How people in a cult find a common identity within the upside down.
How people in a cult find a common identity within the upside down.
December 18, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Projection, thy name is stupidity…
How people in a cult find a common identity within the upside down.
How people in a cult find a common identity within the upside down.
Reposted by Edgar Brown
I don't understand why the networks give Trump time. It's the same thing. The country was dead before Trump came along. Everything bad was Biden. Giving him airtime creates legitimacy to the ignorant and uninformed.
December 18, 2025 at 10:29 AM
I don't understand why the networks give Trump time. It's the same thing. The country was dead before Trump came along. Everything bad was Biden. Giving him airtime creates legitimacy to the ignorant and uninformed.
Reposted by Edgar Brown
Hey @npr.org don’t tell us what Republican senators say about Trump administration actions like ending Afghan immigration, tell us what they do. Empty words by people with the power to act, that’s not news.
December 13, 2025 at 1:22 PM
Hey @npr.org don’t tell us what Republican senators say about Trump administration actions like ending Afghan immigration, tell us what they do. Empty words by people with the power to act, that’s not news.
WTF CBS?
Why is any station broadcasting this crap?
Why is any station broadcasting this crap?
Bryson DeChambeau praises Trump for creating “the greatest economy we’ve ever had”
December 14, 2025 at 6:12 PM
WTF CBS?
Why is any station broadcasting this crap?
Why is any station broadcasting this crap?
Reposted by Edgar Brown
The legal complaint called out Apple for its alleged capitulation to the Trump administration, which appeared to be “the first time in Apple’s history" that the company removed a US-based app in response to the US government’s demands.
ICEBlock lawsuit: Trump admin bragged about demanding App Store removal
ICEBlock creator sues to protect apps that are crowd-sourcing ICE sightings.
arstechnica.com
December 9, 2025 at 5:20 PM
The legal complaint called out Apple for its alleged capitulation to the Trump administration, which appeared to be “the first time in Apple’s history" that the company removed a US-based app in response to the US government’s demands.
Reposted by Edgar Brown
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1965: 20-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1
What can we do about this? Here's one good idea.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/want-to-know-the-real-problem-with
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1
What can we do about this? Here's one good idea.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/want-to-know-the-real-problem-with
December 9, 2025 at 5:01 PM
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1965: 20-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1
What can we do about this? Here's one good idea.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/want-to-know-the-real-problem-with
CEO-to-worker pay ratio in 1990: 75-1
CEO-to-worker pay ratio today: 280-to-1
What can we do about this? Here's one good idea.
https://robertreich.substack.com/p/want-to-know-the-real-problem-with
Reposted by Edgar Brown
All so trumps buddy gets control of CNN. That is Trumps desire. That his loyalists get hold of this network & turn it into trump media. This is the goal & now with Jared in this what are the odds he’s going to get his wish. Plus the fact that no one stands up to this mobster run govt. They just bow.
December 8, 2025 at 8:09 PM
All so trumps buddy gets control of CNN. That is Trumps desire. That his loyalists get hold of this network & turn it into trump media. This is the goal & now with Jared in this what are the odds he’s going to get his wish. Plus the fact that no one stands up to this mobster run govt. They just bow.
Reposted by Edgar Brown
Yesterday I said this was all about CNN. I was correct. If he gets his hands on this network it will affect the entire world & what they are told in broadcasting. This will b/c a right wing vehicle for getting their views out above all else. To influence other countries elections for themselves.
December 9, 2025 at 7:42 AM
Yesterday I said this was all about CNN. I was correct. If he gets his hands on this network it will affect the entire world & what they are told in broadcasting. This will b/c a right wing vehicle for getting their views out above all else. To influence other countries elections for themselves.
Reposted by Edgar Brown
Oligarchy (noun):
A government of and by a few at the top, who exercise power for their own benefit. Their power and wealth increase as they make laws that favor themselves, manipulate financial markets, and create monopolies that put more wealth into their pockets.
A government of and by a few at the top, who exercise power for their own benefit. Their power and wealth increase as they make laws that favor themselves, manipulate financial markets, and create monopolies that put more wealth into their pockets.
December 8, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Oligarchy (noun):
A government of and by a few at the top, who exercise power for their own benefit. Their power and wealth increase as they make laws that favor themselves, manipulate financial markets, and create monopolies that put more wealth into their pockets.
A government of and by a few at the top, who exercise power for their own benefit. Their power and wealth increase as they make laws that favor themselves, manipulate financial markets, and create monopolies that put more wealth into their pockets.
The proper question is: what is wrong with the Republican Party and republicans?
Trump has done so many things to upset Americans and the World, that if any other President in the past had done just one of them, they would have been impeached immediately.
What is wrong with this country that this destruction of America is allowed to continue?
Supreme Court? HA
Congress? HA HA
What is wrong with this country that this destruction of America is allowed to continue?
Supreme Court? HA
Congress? HA HA
December 6, 2025 at 11:58 PM
The proper question is: what is wrong with the Republican Party and republicans?
That’s a false dichotomy though.
To serve the public purposes reliably it has to appease the public interests. It’s precisely why Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations.
The “free hand of the markets” only works if the self-serving greed of capitalist elites is balanced by social(ism) needs.
To serve the public purposes reliably it has to appease the public interests. It’s precisely why Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations.
The “free hand of the markets” only works if the self-serving greed of capitalist elites is balanced by social(ism) needs.
Reminder: This vast consolidation of wealth and power at the top has not been due to neutral market forces.
There’s no such thing as a “free market.”
It is designed.
It either advances public purposes or it serves the monied interests.
There’s no such thing as a “free market.”
It is designed.
It either advances public purposes or it serves the monied interests.
December 6, 2025 at 6:44 PM
That’s a false dichotomy though.
To serve the public purposes reliably it has to appease the public interests. It’s precisely why Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations.
The “free hand of the markets” only works if the self-serving greed of capitalist elites is balanced by social(ism) needs.
To serve the public purposes reliably it has to appease the public interests. It’s precisely why Adam Smith wrote The Wealth of Nations.
The “free hand of the markets” only works if the self-serving greed of capitalist elites is balanced by social(ism) needs.
In a future military code of conduct under “blatantly criminal act for dummies.”
“table-sized”
December 6, 2025 at 6:37 PM
In a future military code of conduct under “blatantly criminal act for dummies.”
“Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one,"
— Charles Mackay
— Charles Mackay
December 3, 2025 at 2:29 PM
“Men, it has been well said, think in herds; it will be seen that they go mad in herds, while they only recover their senses slowly, and one by one,"
— Charles Mackay
— Charles Mackay
Reposted by Edgar Brown
Tyson is closing a Nebraska plant that employs 3,200 workers in order to “right-size” its business.
The meatpacking giant paid its CEO $22.7M last year, 525x its median employee's pay.
It also spent $196M in stock buybacks to reward shareholders.
Textbook corporate greed.
The meatpacking giant paid its CEO $22.7M last year, 525x its median employee's pay.
It also spent $196M in stock buybacks to reward shareholders.
Textbook corporate greed.
November 24, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Tyson is closing a Nebraska plant that employs 3,200 workers in order to “right-size” its business.
The meatpacking giant paid its CEO $22.7M last year, 525x its median employee's pay.
It also spent $196M in stock buybacks to reward shareholders.
Textbook corporate greed.
The meatpacking giant paid its CEO $22.7M last year, 525x its median employee's pay.
It also spent $196M in stock buybacks to reward shareholders.
Textbook corporate greed.