J.M. Berger
@jmberger.com
I wrote the book on extremism. It's called "Extremism."
https://www.jmberger.com/
► THE POPE'S HITMAN: Fall 2026
► EXTREMISM @mitpress http://amzn.to/2BKXLgU
► OPTIMAL: A dystopian novel http://amzn.to/3aKYZ99
Commission on AMZ links
https://www.jmberger.com/
► THE POPE'S HITMAN: Fall 2026
► EXTREMISM @mitpress http://amzn.to/2BKXLgU
► OPTIMAL: A dystopian novel http://amzn.to/3aKYZ99
Commission on AMZ links
Pinned
J.M. Berger
@jmberger.com
· 25d
I'm a scholar of extremism and a writer of fiction.
Recent nonfiction:
Extremism (2018, MIT Press) amzn.to/4pMXU6t
The Social Construction of Extremism (2024, dissertation) www.jmberger.com/social-const...
Fiction:
Optimal (2020) amzn.to/4pMXU6t
The Pope's Hitman (Crooked Lane Books, 2026)
Recent nonfiction:
Extremism (2018, MIT Press) amzn.to/4pMXU6t
The Social Construction of Extremism (2024, dissertation) www.jmberger.com/social-const...
Fiction:
Optimal (2020) amzn.to/4pMXU6t
The Pope's Hitman (Crooked Lane Books, 2026)
We watch this before every election
I’m *finally* watching The Prisoner for the first time ever, and holy moly, “Free for All” is one of the most brilliant pieces of political satire ever. In a way I dare not elaborate on on Bluesky for fear of committing a Discourse.
Should be required viewing though
Should be required viewing though
January 13, 2026 at 6:39 PM
We watch this before every election
Reposted by J.M. Berger
preview says 3, as of now the headline is updated to 6
January 13, 2026 at 6:24 PM
preview says 3, as of now the headline is updated to 6
OK, I really need to read this
January 13, 2026 at 6:35 PM
OK, I really need to read this
Imagining a future where I can spend even more time signing into the same accounts I use every day.
January 13, 2026 at 6:18 PM
Imagining a future where I can spend even more time signing into the same accounts I use every day.
Reposted by J.M. Berger
A teenage boy was walking home in Minneapolis yesterday when four masked men jumped out of a van & questioned him - with no parent or guardian present.
He was bundled into the van & taken away.
Bystanders heard the boy say: “Can I just go home?”
I don’t know how America comes back from all this.
He was bundled into the van & taken away.
Bystanders heard the boy say: “Can I just go home?”
I don’t know how America comes back from all this.
January 13, 2026 at 5:56 PM
A teenage boy was walking home in Minneapolis yesterday when four masked men jumped out of a van & questioned him - with no parent or guardian present.
He was bundled into the van & taken away.
Bystanders heard the boy say: “Can I just go home?”
I don’t know how America comes back from all this.
He was bundled into the van & taken away.
Bystanders heard the boy say: “Can I just go home?”
I don’t know how America comes back from all this.
Reposted by J.M. Berger
There are always new stories to write on the same topic, if editors and publishers want the story to sink in.
Going to different diners to talk to people who fear and loathe Trump was always possible. The stories that were told were told by choice.
Going to different diners to talk to people who fear and loathe Trump was always possible. The stories that were told were told by choice.
January 13, 2026 at 2:16 PM
There are always new stories to write on the same topic, if editors and publishers want the story to sink in.
Going to different diners to talk to people who fear and loathe Trump was always possible. The stories that were told were told by choice.
Going to different diners to talk to people who fear and loathe Trump was always possible. The stories that were told were told by choice.
Reposted by J.M. Berger
Sorry, what? The federal “investigation” into ICE’s killing of an American is investigating the *victim*?
January 13, 2026 at 2:48 AM
Sorry, what? The federal “investigation” into ICE’s killing of an American is investigating the *victim*?
Reposted by J.M. Berger
BREAKING:
We've found 40+ cases of agents using banned chokeholds & other moves that can cut off breathing
People have had seizures. They passed out.
“I felt like I was going to die” said 16-yr-old citizen
Admin won't say whether any agents have been punished
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
We've found 40+ cases of agents using banned chokeholds & other moves that can cut off breathing
People have had seizures. They passed out.
“I felt like I was going to die” said 16-yr-old citizen
Admin won't say whether any agents have been punished
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
January 13, 2026 at 12:06 PM
BREAKING:
We've found 40+ cases of agents using banned chokeholds & other moves that can cut off breathing
People have had seizures. They passed out.
“I felt like I was going to die” said 16-yr-old citizen
Admin won't say whether any agents have been punished
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
We've found 40+ cases of agents using banned chokeholds & other moves that can cut off breathing
People have had seizures. They passed out.
“I felt like I was going to die” said 16-yr-old citizen
Admin won't say whether any agents have been punished
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Reposted by J.M. Berger
The Daily had an interview with the MPD chief. They’re getting regular 911 calls because federal agents are leaving cars in the street after detaining people. Local officers are overwhelmed, feel ICE/BP are putting them at risk with dangerous tactics, unraveling progress made since George Floyd.
It's 10am in Minneapolis and rapid response is underwater, reports of chemicals deployed already.
As others have pointed out, the ratio of feds (with more arriving) to residents and square mileage here is extreme compared to what we experienced in Chicago.
We are in freefall.
As others have pointed out, the ratio of feds (with more arriving) to residents and square mileage here is extreme compared to what we experienced in Chicago.
We are in freefall.
January 13, 2026 at 6:03 PM
The Daily had an interview with the MPD chief. They’re getting regular 911 calls because federal agents are leaving cars in the street after detaining people. Local officers are overwhelmed, feel ICE/BP are putting them at risk with dangerous tactics, unraveling progress made since George Floyd.
Reposted by J.M. Berger
now see what you've done: you've made the nvidia ceo sad
techstory.in/nvidia-ceo-c...
techstory.in/nvidia-ceo-c...
NVIDIA CEO Claims AI Fear-Mongering Has Done "A Lot of Damage" - TechStory
NVIDIA CEO Jensen Huang argues that AI fear-mongering has caused significant damage to innovation.
techstory.in
January 13, 2026 at 4:46 PM
now see what you've done: you've made the nvidia ceo sad
techstory.in/nvidia-ceo-c...
techstory.in/nvidia-ceo-c...
Reposted by J.M. Berger
Leftists address this constantly. We advocate for universal health care and child care, guaranteed pensions, decommodified housing, and all kinds of other things that would directly address these issues. What we don't do is say "more white babies" which is what is really being asked here
The US and other countries face aging, shrinking populations. Conservatives have shaped debate over the issue. Some liberals say it's time for progressives to weigh in. n.pr/3NH3yso
As birthrates tumble, some progressives say the left needs to offer ideas and solutions
The US and other countries face aging, shrinking populations. Conservatives have shaped debate over the issue. Some liberals say it's time for progressives to weigh in.
n.pr
January 13, 2026 at 4:25 PM
Leftists address this constantly. We advocate for universal health care and child care, guaranteed pensions, decommodified housing, and all kinds of other things that would directly address these issues. What we don't do is say "more white babies" which is what is really being asked here
Reposted by J.M. Berger
ICE is now routinely using government data to get the personal information of observers without benefit of a subpoena, and then using that data to intimidate those observers from exercising their civil liberties.
Guys I think they're instantly getting DVS data.
Pulled up next to this guy on central going south in Columbia heights, followed him, they turned around, got on 694, crossed the river, and went straight to my house in Brooklyn center.
Pulled up next to this guy on central going south in Columbia heights, followed him, they turned around, got on 694, crossed the river, and went straight to my house in Brooklyn center.
January 13, 2026 at 4:51 PM
ICE is now routinely using government data to get the personal information of observers without benefit of a subpoena, and then using that data to intimidate those observers from exercising their civil liberties.
Reposted by J.M. Berger
These peaceful observers I spoke to had ICE show up at their homes in what they see as attempts at intimidation. ICE has somehow been accessing Minnesotans' private data in likely violation of state law, according to privacy advocates.
share.google/J00lpWzPzOu2...
share.google/J00lpWzPzOu2...
Privacy advocates: ICE using private data to intimidate observers and activists
MPR News has looked into reports that federal agents have accessed private data to track and intimidate anti-ICE activists since the immigration crackdown surged in Minnesota in December. Privacy advo...
share.google
January 13, 2026 at 1:02 PM
These peaceful observers I spoke to had ICE show up at their homes in what they see as attempts at intimidation. ICE has somehow been accessing Minnesotans' private data in likely violation of state law, according to privacy advocates.
share.google/J00lpWzPzOu2...
share.google/J00lpWzPzOu2...
Reposted by J.M. Berger
your regular reminder that if your gender politics align with Alito and Kavanaugh, you need to rethink whether your gender politics are "protecting women"
Alito has rhetorically departed the case to do a Fox News monologue - claims "many" cis women object strongly to trans women participating in sports. "Are they bigots? Are they deluded?" he asks
January 13, 2026 at 4:47 PM
your regular reminder that if your gender politics align with Alito and Kavanaugh, you need to rethink whether your gender politics are "protecting women"
Reposted by J.M. Berger
wild stuff here
Trump: "Iranian Patriots, KEEP PROTESTING- TAKE OVER YOUR INSTITUTIONS!!! Save the names of the killers and abusers. They will pay a big price. I have cancelled all meetings with Iranian Officials until the senseless killing of protesters STOPS. HELP IS ON ITS WAY. MIGA!!! PRESIDENT DONALD J. TRUMP"
January 13, 2026 at 4:21 PM
wild stuff here
Hard to remember that 50 years ago we were watching Soylent Green and other dystopian stories about the threat of overpopulation. It's ok if we have fewer people!
The US and other countries face aging, shrinking populations. Conservatives have shaped debate over the issue. Some liberals say it's time for progressives to weigh in.
As birthrates tumble, some progressives say the left needs to offer ideas and solutions
The US and other countries face aging, shrinking populations. Conservatives have shaped debate over the issue. Some liberals say it's time for progressives to weigh in.
n.pr
January 13, 2026 at 4:21 PM
Hard to remember that 50 years ago we were watching Soylent Green and other dystopian stories about the threat of overpopulation. It's ok if we have fewer people!
Reposted by J.M. Berger
We must stress: The only violence is coming from CBP/ICE. They are rioting in the face of sustained nonviolent protests by thousands of Americans across the country.
They are today’s Alabama State Troopers at the Selma bridge. They are Bull Connor’s police with firehoses in Birmingham.
They are today’s Alabama State Troopers at the Selma bridge. They are Bull Connor’s police with firehoses in Birmingham.
Protester blinded, skull fractured by DHS agent during Santa Ana demonstration, family says
Protester blinded, skull fractured by DHS agent during Santa Ana demonstration, family says
A young protester narrowly avoided being killed but was left permanently blind after a Department of Homeland Security agent fired a nonlethal round at close range during a Santa Ana protest last week, according to family of the victim.
www.latimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:27 PM
We must stress: The only violence is coming from CBP/ICE. They are rioting in the face of sustained nonviolent protests by thousands of Americans across the country.
They are today’s Alabama State Troopers at the Selma bridge. They are Bull Connor’s police with firehoses in Birmingham.
They are today’s Alabama State Troopers at the Selma bridge. They are Bull Connor’s police with firehoses in Birmingham.
Reposted by J.M. Berger
I wrote about Elon Musk's highly specific way of defending Grok amidst the nonconsensual sexual imges scandal, which is to take on a loopy, quasi-religious tone and suggest the chatbot is a force for "truth" and "beauty." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Elon Musk’s alternate Grok reality
Amid a scandal over nonconsensual sexual images, Musk says his AI chatbot is a force for "truth and... beauty."
www.motherjones.com
January 13, 2026 at 4:04 PM
I wrote about Elon Musk's highly specific way of defending Grok amidst the nonconsensual sexual imges scandal, which is to take on a loopy, quasi-religious tone and suggest the chatbot is a force for "truth" and "beauty." www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
Reposted by J.M. Berger
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 13, 2026 at 2:11 PM
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
Reposted by J.M. Berger
I am once again reminding you all that the UK government introduced an Online Safety Act that is effectively a porn ban on most adult porn websites, but is dithering over banning a website that is actually creating child porn.
January 13, 2026 at 11:03 AM
I am once again reminding you all that the UK government introduced an Online Safety Act that is effectively a porn ban on most adult porn websites, but is dithering over banning a website that is actually creating child porn.
Reposted by J.M. Berger
The problem is that the child porn website is owned by the richest man in the world, who no one wants to pick a fight with, and even less so now that he's aligned with the president of the U.S., himself a maniacal sex criminal. Nothing gets fixed without breaking the political power of big money
I am once again reminding you all that the UK government introduced an Online Safety Act that is effectively a porn ban on most adult porn websites, but is dithering over banning a website that is actually creating child porn.
January 13, 2026 at 2:21 PM
The problem is that the child porn website is owned by the richest man in the world, who no one wants to pick a fight with, and even less so now that he's aligned with the president of the U.S., himself a maniacal sex criminal. Nothing gets fixed without breaking the political power of big money
Reposted by J.M. Berger
"The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement released on Monday, January 5th, imposed an indefinite entry ban on the individuals, accusing them of advancing what it calls the “criminal neo-Nazi ideology” espoused by the Kyiv government." socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
Russia Sanctions Social Media Lab Researchers for Tracking War Misinformation - Social Media Lab
The Social Media Lab at Toronto Metropolitan University is deeply concerned by Russia’s announcement of sanctions against 28 Canadian citizens, including our researchers Anatoliy Gruzd and Philip Mai,...
socialmedialab.ca
January 12, 2026 at 11:33 PM
"The Russian Foreign Ministry, in a statement released on Monday, January 5th, imposed an indefinite entry ban on the individuals, accusing them of advancing what it calls the “criminal neo-Nazi ideology” espoused by the Kyiv government." socialmedialab.ca/2026/01/12/r...
Needlessly elaborate murder
I mean, sure, if there was a war and they snuck up on some soldiers by adopting the trappings of civil aviation, you might call it a war crime. But since there wasn’t one and they snuck up on some civilians who were probably fishermen and at worst drug dealers, it’s just fuckin murder.
Breaking NYT:
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first boat attack, according to officials briefed on the matter.
The laws of armed conflict forbid combatants from feigning civilian status.
That is a war crime called "perfidy."
January 13, 2026 at 7:57 AM
Needlessly elaborate murder
Reposted by J.M. Berger
Any Democratic votes to fund DHS later this month as Minneapolis is being terrorized by DHS is going to be a major slap in the face to Americans living here. Demand major reforms or shut the government down.
January 13, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Any Democratic votes to fund DHS later this month as Minneapolis is being terrorized by DHS is going to be a major slap in the face to Americans living here. Demand major reforms or shut the government down.
Reposted by J.M. Berger
a man tried to kill protesters with his truck and the headline focuses on the victims "attacking" the perpetrator. incredible.
Los Angeles police responded after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with marchers demonstrating in support of the Iranian people.
Protesters try to attack driver after truck speeds through Iran demonstration in Los Angeles
Los Angeles police responded after somebody drove a U-Haul box truck down a street crowded with marchers demonstrating in support of the Iranian people.
bit.ly
January 12, 2026 at 9:22 PM
a man tried to kill protesters with his truck and the headline focuses on the victims "attacking" the perpetrator. incredible.