Matt Abrams
@mattabrams.org
https://www.linkedin.com/in/mattabrams
Advisor, Investor, Co-Founder, Board Member cursed (and blessed) with curiosity and a drive to #leaveitbetter
Focused on intersection of quality information, deliberative dialogue (citizens’ assemblies), and trust
Advisor, Investor, Co-Founder, Board Member cursed (and blessed) with curiosity and a drive to #leaveitbetter
Focused on intersection of quality information, deliberative dialogue (citizens’ assemblies), and trust
Pinned
Matt Abrams
@mattabrams.org
· Feb 1
www.theatlantic.com/magazine/arc... @anneapplebaum.bsky.social
A constant reminder..."Illegitimi non carborundum"
A constant reminder..."Illegitimi non carborundum"
Reposted by Matt Abrams
UPDATE: Jack Daniel’s parent co. Brown-Forman tells me it has nothing to do with CBS’ “Whiskey Friday” concept. “Jack Daniel’s is not involved in any such segment, nor do we have any awareness of the segment and any potential partnerships or sponsorships.”
Update — Here is what the new apparent CBS News segment "Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil" may look like:
January 14, 2026 at 2:44 PM
UPDATE: Jack Daniel’s parent co. Brown-Forman tells me it has nothing to do with CBS’ “Whiskey Friday” concept. “Jack Daniel’s is not involved in any such segment, nor do we have any awareness of the segment and any potential partnerships or sponsorships.”
Reposted by Matt Abrams
this is indistinguishable from a half-assed digital media pitch from the pivot-to-video era that would have been rejected by thrillist's senior video producer for being pointless and corny
New: CBS News seems to be preparing a new segment called "Whiskey Fridays with Tony Dokoupil," per sources.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
Some staff were only first made aware of it as they encountered CBS testing out set designs of a faux-stocked bar in the newsroom, featuring a large sponsor banner for Jack Daniels.
January 13, 2026 at 9:59 PM
this is indistinguishable from a half-assed digital media pitch from the pivot-to-video era that would have been rejected by thrillist's senior video producer for being pointless and corny
Reposted by Matt Abrams
Great thread from a rock star researcher. TLDR: Grokipedia articles about living people are long, detailed, and full of bullshit.
There is a Grokipedia article about me (and I assume anyone else who has a Wikipedia page about them) and well that was quite an interesting read (over 5,000 words).
Let's fact check it, shall we...
Let's fact check it, shall we...
January 12, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Great thread from a rock star researcher. TLDR: Grokipedia articles about living people are long, detailed, and full of bullshit.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
To anybody still using X: sexual abuse content is the final straw, it’s time to leave | Marie Le Conte www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
To anybody still using X: sexual abuse content is the final straw, it’s time to leave | Marie Le Conte
It was hard for me to quit Elon Musk’s poisoned platform, but I urge others to do the same, especially in light of Grok’s imagery of women and children, says journalist Marie Le Conte
www.theguardian.com
January 12, 2026 at 4:17 PM
To anybody still using X: sexual abuse content is the final straw, it’s time to leave | Marie Le Conte www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Matt Abrams
this is what patriotism looks like
Video message from Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=KckG...
www.federalreserve.gov/newsevents/s...
Statement by Federal Reserve Chair Jerome H. Powell
YouTube video by Federal Reserve
www.youtube.com
January 12, 2026 at 9:53 AM
this is what patriotism looks like
Reposted by Matt Abrams
JUST IN: Federal prosecutors are investigating Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell over the central bank's multi-billion-dollar project to renovate its headquarters, according to a report that the Fed confirmed.
Fed chair Powell faces DOJ investigation over building renovations
In a rare statement, Powell calls the investigation an assault on the Fed's independence from politics.
www.axios.com
January 12, 2026 at 12:42 AM
JUST IN: Federal prosecutors are investigating Federal Reserve chair Jerome Powell over the central bank's multi-billion-dollar project to renovate its headquarters, according to a report that the Fed confirmed.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has opened a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell related to the Federal Reserve’s Washington headquarters, the New York Times reports.
January 12, 2026 at 12:20 AM
The U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of Columbia has opened a criminal investigation into Fed Chair Jerome Powell related to the Federal Reserve’s Washington headquarters, the New York Times reports.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
This is what happens when basic morality is secondary to pure identity alignment. People are willing to “well ackshually” egregious acts to defend their guy or the platform that owns their enemy. And the lawmakers who introduce legislation about “protecting kids” are afraid of the mob.
A ream of norms are being shattered daily, but as a tech expert this one really shocks me. For a generation CSAM has been *THE* flaming red line for a tech platform. If they spent money on ANYTHING, it was moderating it miles away. To even have the whiff of it was a Federal kiss of death. Now? 🤷♂️
I want to highlight this important story by my friends @nbcnews.com - www.nbcnews.com/tech/interne... "The Internet Watch Foundation said it found topless images of girls that dark web forum users attributed to xAI’s Grok Imagine." <-- the AI generated CSAM / NCII immediately escapes containment
January 11, 2026 at 2:34 AM
This is what happens when basic morality is secondary to pure identity alignment. People are willing to “well ackshually” egregious acts to defend their guy or the platform that owns their enemy. And the lawmakers who introduce legislation about “protecting kids” are afraid of the mob.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
Watch here:
www.pbs.org/kenburns/unu...
www.pbs.org/kenburns/unu...
Thomas Paine
From the playlist "Thomas Paine" on Ken Burns UNUM.
www.pbs.org
January 9, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Watch here:
www.pbs.org/kenburns/unu...
www.pbs.org/kenburns/unu...
Reposted by Matt Abrams
250 years ago, Common Sense, the most important pamphlet in American history, was first published, energizing the colonies with a newfound hope for freedom.
Our newest UNUM Playlist takes clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION focused on Thomas Paine and his indelible words.
Our newest UNUM Playlist takes clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION focused on Thomas Paine and his indelible words.
January 9, 2026 at 9:37 PM
250 years ago, Common Sense, the most important pamphlet in American history, was first published, energizing the colonies with a newfound hope for freedom.
Our newest UNUM Playlist takes clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION focused on Thomas Paine and his indelible words.
Our newest UNUM Playlist takes clips from THE AMERICAN REVOLUTION focused on Thomas Paine and his indelible words.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
There's A LOT going on right now in struggle b/w democracy & authoritarianism, so it's hard to keep up. But it's going to be REALLY important that we pay attention to (and keep pushing back against) how election lies (from 2020) are being mobilized in ways that threaten election integrity in 2026.
Judge blocks Trump’s elections order in lawsuit by vote-by-mail states Oregon and Washington
A Trump executive order included new requirements to prove citizenship and a demand that all mail ballots be received by Election Day.
www.seattletimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 7:12 PM
There's A LOT going on right now in struggle b/w democracy & authoritarianism, so it's hard to keep up. But it's going to be REALLY important that we pay attention to (and keep pushing back against) how election lies (from 2020) are being mobilized in ways that threaten election integrity in 2026.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
The terms of service for a leading AI “companionship” app, which presumably collects intimate user data, seems to open to potential exposure or exploitation risk.
Did some reading into the terms of service for one of the most popular machine-human "relationship" AI apps [Replika].
Here is one core assessment:
--users place their plausibly very vulnerable and intimate chat data at significant exposure risk:
Link to TOS: replika.ai/replika/docs...
Here is one core assessment:
--users place their plausibly very vulnerable and intimate chat data at significant exposure risk:
Link to TOS: replika.ai/replika/docs...
January 10, 2026 at 9:33 PM
The terms of service for a leading AI “companionship” app, which presumably collects intimate user data, seems to open to potential exposure or exploitation risk.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
US urges its citizens to flee Venezuela amid reports of paramilitaries
US urges its citizens to flee Venezuela amid reports of paramilitaries
State department says armed ‘colectivos’ appear to be setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for Americans
The United States has urged its citizens to leave Venezuela immediately amid reports that armed paramilitaries are trying to track down US citizens, one week after the capture of the South American country’s president, Nicolás Maduro.
In a security alert sent out on Saturday, the state department said there were reports of armed members of pro-regime militias, known as colectivos, setting up roadblocks and searching vehicles for evidence that the occupants were US citizens or supporters of the country. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 10, 2026 at 11:57 PM
US urges its citizens to flee Venezuela amid reports of paramilitaries
Reposted by Matt Abrams
Anything that inconveniences a right wing populist is censorship, part 1000.
This depraved prick uses that term bc it puts his enemies on the defensive. They cower.
Fact-checking is censorship. Labeling is censorship. TRANSPARENCY is censorship.
Now, “no nonconsensual nudes” is censorship.
This depraved prick uses that term bc it puts his enemies on the defensive. They cower.
Fact-checking is censorship. Labeling is censorship. TRANSPARENCY is censorship.
Now, “no nonconsensual nudes” is censorship.
Preventing the sharing of sexualised images of children is “censorship” according to Elon Musk.
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Musk says X outcry is 'excuse for censorship'
The government is urging Ofcom to use all its powers – up to and including an effective ban – against X.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 3:55 PM
Anything that inconveniences a right wing populist is censorship, part 1000.
This depraved prick uses that term bc it puts his enemies on the defensive. They cower.
Fact-checking is censorship. Labeling is censorship. TRANSPARENCY is censorship.
Now, “no nonconsensual nudes” is censorship.
This depraved prick uses that term bc it puts his enemies on the defensive. They cower.
Fact-checking is censorship. Labeling is censorship. TRANSPARENCY is censorship.
Now, “no nonconsensual nudes” is censorship.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
A WSJ visual investigation found that the Minneapolis ICE killing is one of 13 incidents where federal immigration agents have used deadly force against civilians in vehicles since July
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Videos Show How ICE Vehicle Stops Can Escalate to Shootings
A WSJ visual investigation found that the Minneapolis ICE killing is one of 13 incidents where federal immigration agents have used deadly force against civilians in vehicles since July.
www.wsj.com
January 10, 2026 at 4:09 PM
A WSJ visual investigation found that the Minneapolis ICE killing is one of 13 incidents where federal immigration agents have used deadly force against civilians in vehicles since July
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
www.wsj.com/us-news/vide...
Reposted by Matt Abrams
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
January 10, 2026 at 9:15 AM
The Norwegian Nobel Prize committee has been forced to make a statement, declaring that the prize cannot be transferred.
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
It's hard even to comprehend how stupid this has become
Reposted by Matt Abrams
It is quite something to even suggest that regulating an app that nudifies women and children on demand is an attack on free speech.
Musk says outcry over X's Grok service is 'excuse for censorship'
The government is urging Ofcom to use all its powers – up to and including an effective ban – against X.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 10, 2026 at 2:45 PM
It is quite something to even suggest that regulating an app that nudifies women and children on demand is an attack on free speech.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
X is literally making child porn as a service so there really shouldn't be a question to whether or not MPs leave. Bellingcat has.
EXCLUSIVE: Leaked WhatsApp messages show Labour MPs urging govt to leave X, arguing that it should "show direction to others in the UK"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
The MPs said X owner Elon Musk is "fascist" and that the platform's AI tool, Grok, had put "children in harm's way"
January 9, 2026 at 2:52 PM
X is literally making child porn as a service so there really shouldn't be a question to whether or not MPs leave. Bellingcat has.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
We've synced the latest video of the Renee Nicole Good killing previously published videos to help establish the full context of events.
New footage from the ICE agent's phone who shot at Renee Nicole Good in Minneapolis has emerged, posted by AlphaNews on X. We've placed that footage in a synced timeline with the other currently available footage.
January 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM
We've synced the latest video of the Renee Nicole Good killing previously published videos to help establish the full context of events.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
What sort of asshole nation would think such a thing?
Trump on Greenland: “The fact that they landed a boat there 500 years ago doesn’t mean they own the land.”
January 9, 2026 at 9:41 PM
What sort of asshole nation would think such a thing?
Reposted by Matt Abrams
Did some reading into the terms of service for one of the most popular machine-human "relationship" AI apps [Replika].
Here is one core assessment:
--users place their plausibly very vulnerable and intimate chat data at significant exposure risk:
Link to TOS: replika.ai/replika/docs...
Here is one core assessment:
--users place their plausibly very vulnerable and intimate chat data at significant exposure risk:
Link to TOS: replika.ai/replika/docs...
January 9, 2026 at 4:16 PM
Did some reading into the terms of service for one of the most popular machine-human "relationship" AI apps [Replika].
Here is one core assessment:
--users place their plausibly very vulnerable and intimate chat data at significant exposure risk:
Link to TOS: replika.ai/replika/docs...
Here is one core assessment:
--users place their plausibly very vulnerable and intimate chat data at significant exposure risk:
Link to TOS: replika.ai/replika/docs...
Reposted by Matt Abrams
Just seen Grok putting the body of the victim of the ICE shooting in Minneapolis into a bikini. Digital corpse desecration now available to the public.
January 8, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Just seen Grok putting the body of the victim of the ICE shooting in Minneapolis into a bikini. Digital corpse desecration now available to the public.
Reposted by Matt Abrams
We can clearly see from the New York Times analysis that both Trump and Vance are lying.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
January 8, 2026 at 3:07 PM
We can clearly see from the New York Times analysis that both Trump and Vance are lying.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/live...
Reposted by Matt Abrams
For those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies
January 8, 2026 at 3:35 PM
For those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies