Melinda Clem
@melindaclem.bsky.social
Life: Former Siamese blue point caretaker, bourbon drinker, avid reader.
Work: Strategy and growth executive and Chair of IGF-USA.
Work: Strategy and growth executive and Chair of IGF-USA.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
Friendly reminder to you Black Friday shoppers:
AI is for surveillance
Chatbots are for surveillance
Wearables are for surveillance
Your data/clicks/behavior/content is collected and analyzed to be used against you in decisions re: hiring, insurance risk, credit cards, loans, and law enforcement.
AI is for surveillance
Chatbots are for surveillance
Wearables are for surveillance
Your data/clicks/behavior/content is collected and analyzed to be used against you in decisions re: hiring, insurance risk, credit cards, loans, and law enforcement.
I wrote about Oura's security and privacy practices earlier this year for this.weekinsecurity.com, and found:
• Oura rings *don't* end-to-end encrypt users' health data;
• Oura *can* access its users' data;
• Oura told me that the company *has* received U.S. government demands for users' data.
• Oura rings *don't* end-to-end encrypt users' health data;
• Oura *can* access its users' data;
• Oura told me that the company *has* received U.S. government demands for users' data.
November 28, 2025 at 3:32 PM
Friendly reminder to you Black Friday shoppers:
AI is for surveillance
Chatbots are for surveillance
Wearables are for surveillance
Your data/clicks/behavior/content is collected and analyzed to be used against you in decisions re: hiring, insurance risk, credit cards, loans, and law enforcement.
AI is for surveillance
Chatbots are for surveillance
Wearables are for surveillance
Your data/clicks/behavior/content is collected and analyzed to be used against you in decisions re: hiring, insurance risk, credit cards, loans, and law enforcement.
Cats, continuing to show they are masters of the universe. #CatSky #Caturday
To Get a Man’s Attention, Meow Harder www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/s...
To Get a Man’s Attention, Meow Harder www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/s...
To Get a Man’s Attention, Meow Harder
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:52 PM
Cats, continuing to show they are masters of the universe. #CatSky #Caturday
To Get a Man’s Attention, Meow Harder www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/s...
To Get a Man’s Attention, Meow Harder www.nytimes.com/2025/11/27/s...
Reposted by Melinda Clem
This is the scandal. Trump isn’t targeting dangerous people. He’s targeting peaceful immigrants. Almost exclusively.
November 26, 2025 at 2:10 PM
This is the scandal. Trump isn’t targeting dangerous people. He’s targeting peaceful immigrants. Almost exclusively.
Everything online is 50% off at Compass Coffee this weekend. Stock up!
When tariff “relief” isn’t enough to bring your coffee bill down. ☕️
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
@bloomberg.com
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
November 28, 2025 at 2:02 PM
Everything online is 50% off at Compass Coffee this weekend. Stock up!
Reposted by Melinda Clem
Trump's investment boom exists only in his demented brain. New orders for capital goods are below the level of three years ago, and that's before adjusting for inflation
November 26, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Trump's investment boom exists only in his demented brain. New orders for capital goods are below the level of three years ago, and that's before adjusting for inflation
Reposted by Melinda Clem
Denmark sets up ‘night watch’ to monitor Trump since Greenland row
Denmark sets up ‘night watch’ to monitor Trump since Greenland row
US president’s threat to seize territory prompts intelligence briefings reminiscent of Game of Thrones patrol
The Danish government has set up a “night watch” in the foreign ministry, not to keep out the wildlings and White Walkers like the Night’s Watch of Game of Thrones, but rather to monitor Donald Trump’s pronouncements and movements while Copenhagen sleeps.
The night watch starts at 5pm each day and at 7am a report is produced and distributed around the Danish government and relevant departments about what was said and took place, the Politiken newspaper reported. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:23 PM
Denmark sets up ‘night watch’ to monitor Trump since Greenland row
Reposted by Melinda Clem
No idea why an Afghan refugee shot National Guard soldiers within walking distance of the White House, but this new USCIS directive was revealed on Monday. Worth noting.
The folks at @afghanevac.bsky.social have in hand a new USCIS directive which largely targets Afghan refugees who fled the Taliban in the wake of the U.S. withdrawal in 2021.
In case you needed a reminder that the most loathsome people in the world work for DHS.
In case you needed a reminder that the most loathsome people in the world work for DHS.
November 27, 2025 at 5:19 AM
No idea why an Afghan refugee shot National Guard soldiers within walking distance of the White House, but this new USCIS directive was revealed on Monday. Worth noting.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
SCOOP —
A new super PAC is afoot, funded by some people in the AI industry, to challenge the first super PAC from Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI executives.
$50 million is being raised, likely from Anthropic execs and AI safety advocates, to fight back.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
A new super PAC is afoot, funded by some people in the AI industry, to challenge the first super PAC from Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI executives.
$50 million is being raised, likely from Anthropic execs and AI safety advocates, to fight back.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Fears About A.I. Prompt Talks of Super PACs to Rein In the Industry
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:07 AM
SCOOP —
A new super PAC is afoot, funded by some people in the AI industry, to challenge the first super PAC from Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI executives.
$50 million is being raised, likely from Anthropic execs and AI safety advocates, to fight back.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
A new super PAC is afoot, funded by some people in the AI industry, to challenge the first super PAC from Andreessen Horowitz and OpenAI executives.
$50 million is being raised, likely from Anthropic execs and AI safety advocates, to fight back.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/u...
Reposted by Melinda Clem
In newly leaked audio, Peter Thiel admits he urged JD Vance to ignore Pope Leo XIV on moral questions — including the ethical development of AI.
He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
NEW: JD Vance’s Top Donor Suggests Pope Leo XIV is Antichrist
In a leaked lecture, Peter Thiel says he’s urged Vance to ignore the pope on moral questions — and simply pray for him.
www.thelettersfromleo.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:43 AM
In newly leaked audio, Peter Thiel admits he urged JD Vance to ignore Pope Leo XIV on moral questions — including the ethical development of AI.
He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
He goes even further, branding Leo “the woke American pope” and suggesting he’s a tool of the Antichrist.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
Reposted by Melinda Clem
Next week the House E&C Committee is looking to run something of a shock and awe campaign, debating at least 19 bills that they say are related to "protecting kids online." Most of which are actually about censorship and control. Don't buy the framing. It's always the same damn thing.
November 26, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Next week the House E&C Committee is looking to run something of a shock and awe campaign, debating at least 19 bills that they say are related to "protecting kids online." Most of which are actually about censorship and control. Don't buy the framing. It's always the same damn thing.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
"This is a C-plus, B-minus labor market," says ADP's Chief Economist on CNBC.
US ADP EMPLOYMENT CHANGE WEEKLY ACTUAL: -13.5K VS -2.50K PREVIOUS
November 25, 2025 at 1:24 PM
"This is a C-plus, B-minus labor market," says ADP's Chief Economist on CNBC.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
FITCH: PEOPLE WITH LOW CREDIT SCORES ARE FALLING BEHIND ON THEIR CAR EMI PAYMENTS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE 6.65% OF SUBPRIME AUTO LOANS ARE OVER 60 DAYS LATE, THE HIGHEST LEVEL EVER RECORDED
November 25, 2025 at 12:44 AM
FITCH: PEOPLE WITH LOW CREDIT SCORES ARE FALLING BEHIND ON THEIR CAR EMI PAYMENTS MORE THAN EVER BEFORE 6.65% OF SUBPRIME AUTO LOANS ARE OVER 60 DAYS LATE, THE HIGHEST LEVEL EVER RECORDED
Reposted by Melinda Clem
Another Republican war for oil. I feel like we’ve done this before just a little while ago. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Rep. Salazar on Venezuela: "We're about to go in ... we need to go in ... Venezuela for the American oil companies will be a field day"
November 24, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Another Republican war for oil. I feel like we’ve done this before just a little while ago. bsky.app/profile/atru...
Reposted by Melinda Clem
JD Vance and Peter Thiel are running a sustained operation out of the White House designed to acquire Greenland, either voluntarily or by force. Thiel has laid out plans for what he intends to do with the island nation in past writings. It doesn't entail the consent of the Greenlanders for anything.
November 23, 2025 at 8:52 PM
JD Vance and Peter Thiel are running a sustained operation out of the White House designed to acquire Greenland, either voluntarily or by force. Thiel has laid out plans for what he intends to do with the island nation in past writings. It doesn't entail the consent of the Greenlanders for anything.
Rascal, the raccoon seed cylinder, making his debut.
November 23, 2025 at 7:52 PM
Rascal, the raccoon seed cylinder, making his debut.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
On the patently unlawful boat strikes
It's hard for USGs to claim ‘mistake of law’ or ‘advice of counsel’ – when they’re firing lawyers who wouldn't sign off on the strikes.
WaPo's new revelations on firings or removals:
1) CIA General Counsel
2) NSC Legal Adviser
3) CIA Mission Center’s lawyer
🧵
It's hard for USGs to claim ‘mistake of law’ or ‘advice of counsel’ – when they’re firing lawyers who wouldn't sign off on the strikes.
WaPo's new revelations on firings or removals:
1) CIA General Counsel
2) NSC Legal Adviser
3) CIA Mission Center’s lawyer
🧵
White House blew past legal concerns in deadly strikes on drug boats
The Trump administration sidestepped skeptical lawyers across national security agencies as it pursued a military campaign against alleged narcotraffickers, officials say.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 22, 2025 at 3:10 PM
On the patently unlawful boat strikes
It's hard for USGs to claim ‘mistake of law’ or ‘advice of counsel’ – when they’re firing lawyers who wouldn't sign off on the strikes.
WaPo's new revelations on firings or removals:
1) CIA General Counsel
2) NSC Legal Adviser
3) CIA Mission Center’s lawyer
🧵
It's hard for USGs to claim ‘mistake of law’ or ‘advice of counsel’ – when they’re firing lawyers who wouldn't sign off on the strikes.
WaPo's new revelations on firings or removals:
1) CIA General Counsel
2) NSC Legal Adviser
3) CIA Mission Center’s lawyer
🧵
Reposted by Melinda Clem
BREAKING: Resident of Washington state dies after being infected with H5N5 bird flu
A Grays Harbor County resident receiving treatment for H5N5 avian flu has died. The Washington State Department of Health extends its condolences to the family.
A Grays Harbor County resident receiving treatment for H5N5 avian flu has died. The Washington State Department of Health extends its condolences to the family.
November 22, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Reposted by Melinda Clem
NEW: As Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick drives billions of dollars in foreign payments to help build AI data centers in the US, his sons help run a company earning tens of millions in fees helping finance AI data centers. A NYT investigation. (Free link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Family Affair: Commerce Secretary’s Sons Cash In on A.I. Frenzy
www.nytimes.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:02 PM
NEW: As Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick drives billions of dollars in foreign payments to help build AI data centers in the US, his sons help run a company earning tens of millions in fees helping finance AI data centers. A NYT investigation. (Free link)
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/20/u...
Reposted by Melinda Clem
DOJ is now recruiting for immigration judges by calling them “deportation judges.”
That’s seems really bad.
That’s seems really bad.
November 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
DOJ is now recruiting for immigration judges by calling them “deportation judges.”
That’s seems really bad.
That’s seems really bad.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
If you're trying to convince your friends to spend time on Bluesky rather than X, maybe show them this. X is not "the public town square" or about "free speech." It's "just what Elon Musk wants you to see." If you see stuff he doesn't like he'll step in to make sure you don't see it for long.
If you scroll on X, you are only being shown what Elon wants you to see. If you create content on X, no one will see it unless Elon wants them to.
November 21, 2025 at 1:31 AM
If you're trying to convince your friends to spend time on Bluesky rather than X, maybe show them this. X is not "the public town square" or about "free speech." It's "just what Elon Musk wants you to see." If you see stuff he doesn't like he'll step in to make sure you don't see it for long.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
TEN MONTHS IN:
The national debt is higher.
The trade deficit is wider.
The inflation rate has worsened.
The unemployment rate is up.
The national debt is higher.
The trade deficit is wider.
The inflation rate has worsened.
The unemployment rate is up.
November 20, 2025 at 7:56 PM
TEN MONTHS IN:
The national debt is higher.
The trade deficit is wider.
The inflation rate has worsened.
The unemployment rate is up.
The national debt is higher.
The trade deficit is wider.
The inflation rate has worsened.
The unemployment rate is up.
Reposted by Melinda Clem
I just…
WTF is wrong with this society?
WTF is wrong with this society?
November 21, 2025 at 12:55 AM
I just…
WTF is wrong with this society?
WTF is wrong with this society?