Russell Harmon
@metkat.bsky.social
Hopepunk. Technical guy, pornographer, educator, musclebound knowledge geek. Frequently wrong. Probably NSFW.
Reposted by Russell Harmon
Trump's people want a lot of bad things that will make America an authoritarian regime. But they haven't succeeded and it would take a while for them even to end democracy, much less build fascism.
So act as if you live in a democracy - because you do.
The End.
/20x
So act as if you live in a democracy - because you do.
The End.
/20x
November 16, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Trump's people want a lot of bad things that will make America an authoritarian regime. But they haven't succeeded and it would take a while for them even to end democracy, much less build fascism.
So act as if you live in a democracy - because you do.
The End.
/20x
So act as if you live in a democracy - because you do.
The End.
/20x
I would love a way to turn MacOS Spaces off. Entirely off. All the way off. No rearranging my windows. At all. Really stop it.
(There are options to turn things off. They don't turn everything off. Try arranging two screens verticaly and size a window to fill them both. Good luck! I won't wait up.)
(There are options to turn things off. They don't turn everything off. Try arranging two screens verticaly and size a window to fill them both. Good luck! I won't wait up.)
November 15, 2025 at 8:52 PM
I would love a way to turn MacOS Spaces off. Entirely off. All the way off. No rearranging my windows. At all. Really stop it.
(There are options to turn things off. They don't turn everything off. Try arranging two screens verticaly and size a window to fill them both. Good luck! I won't wait up.)
(There are options to turn things off. They don't turn everything off. Try arranging two screens verticaly and size a window to fill them both. Good luck! I won't wait up.)
Reposted by Russell Harmon
![4-panel vertical comic. (1) 100 Years Ago [two people standing next to bicycle with small car nearby] PERSON 1: It’s too dangerous riding a bike with these cars around. I should get a car, too. (2) 50 Years Ago [two people between smaller car and bigger car] PERSON 2 with short hair: Small cars are less safe in collisions with larger vehicles, so I should get a bigger one. (3) Today [two people between big car and even bigger car] PERSON 1: Everyone has huge SUVs now. If I don’t get the biggest one, I’m putting my family at risk. (4) Soon [two people next to large armored car with spiked clubs attached] PERSON 2: If I don’t install more whirling spike clubs, I’ll be destroyed by all the other drivers who...](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreiby6can6k76yzfmv2czxs4pu2l7zie7bqbrpswi7h3ifmiadkuqvu@jpeg)
Reposted by Russell Harmon
@eff.org: "Websites subject to [Wisconsin's SB 130] are left with this choice: either cease operation in Wisconsin, or block all VPN users, everywhere, just to avoid legal liability in the state. One state's terrible law is attempting to break VPN access for the entire internet."
Lawmakers Want to Ban VPNs—And They Have No Idea What They're Doing
It's unfortunately no longer enough to force websites to check your government-issued ID before you can access certain content, because politicians have now discovered that people are using Virtual Pr...
www.eff.org
November 13, 2025 at 10:39 PM
@eff.org: "Websites subject to [Wisconsin's SB 130] are left with this choice: either cease operation in Wisconsin, or block all VPN users, everywhere, just to avoid legal liability in the state. One state's terrible law is attempting to break VPN access for the entire internet."
Reposted by Russell Harmon
Hidden in the controversial about UK "choking ban" proposal are a host of even more egregious proposals that could:
* make camming illegal
* redefine escort ads as pimping
* render model contracts unenforceable
* criminalize discussions of teen sexuality
And a whole lot more ...
* make camming illegal
* redefine escort ads as pimping
* render model contracts unenforceable
* criminalize discussions of teen sexuality
And a whole lot more ...
Moral panic about rough sex gives way to censorship in the UK
British regulators and lawmakers are hot on a measure that would make possessing or publishing strangulation porn a crime.
reason.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:28 PM
Hidden in the controversial about UK "choking ban" proposal are a host of even more egregious proposals that could:
* make camming illegal
* redefine escort ads as pimping
* render model contracts unenforceable
* criminalize discussions of teen sexuality
And a whole lot more ...
* make camming illegal
* redefine escort ads as pimping
* render model contracts unenforceable
* criminalize discussions of teen sexuality
And a whole lot more ...
Reposted by Russell Harmon
The British government admits it is now monitoring VPNs use by UK residents. Regulator Ofcom has contracted with an AI-powered surveillance service to detect the number of citizens using VPNs to evade the Online Safety Act.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
Exclusive: Ofcom is monitoring VPNs following Online Safety Act. Here's how
Ignoring VPNs risks creating ineffective laws, but tracking them threatens people's privacy
www.techradar.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:39 PM
The British government admits it is now monitoring VPNs use by UK residents. Regulator Ofcom has contracted with an AI-powered surveillance service to detect the number of citizens using VPNs to evade the Online Safety Act.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
The UK tech minister has said a VPN ban is on the table.
Reposted by Russell Harmon
A rare interview with the creators of the always-funny, always-brilliant, and *usually*-sexy—or occasionally anti-sexy—OGLAF!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Talking Oglaf with Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne: 'We'd stay up all night drawing stuff to make each other laugh' - The Comics Journal
Other than some time off every year for Christmas, Trudy Cooper and Doug Bayne have delivered a new Oglaf comic, skewering fantasy tropes with absolutely not safe for work humor, every week since 2008...
www.tcj.com
November 10, 2025 at 6:42 PM
A rare interview with the creators of the always-funny, always-brilliant, and *usually*-sexy—or occasionally anti-sexy—OGLAF!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
Cooper has kept a low profile over the years, but is legitimately one of the very best artists in comics today. Read OGLAF if you're old enough to drive!
My to-do list has achieved sentience and is stomping out of Tokyo Bay.
November 10, 2025 at 7:21 PM
My to-do list has achieved sentience and is stomping out of Tokyo Bay.
Reposted by Russell Harmon
It shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of Mamdani’s campaign was simply “cities are cool and lots of people enjoy living in them” which in and of itself dismantles alot of rightwing talking points
November 7, 2025 at 12:02 PM
It shouldn’t be forgotten that a big piece of Mamdani’s campaign was simply “cities are cool and lots of people enjoy living in them” which in and of itself dismantles alot of rightwing talking points
Reposted by Russell Harmon
The arc of history is a foot-long, but it bends towards justice.
🚨🚨🚨 The jury has reached a verdict. Sean Dunn, aka the DC Sandwich Guy, has been found NOT GUILTY of assault.
November 6, 2025 at 8:25 PM
The arc of history is a foot-long, but it bends towards justice.
Reposted by Russell Harmon
I can’t wait for the articles—“Democrats won big Tuesday night. Here’s why that’s bad for Democrats.”
November 5, 2025 at 3:21 AM
I can’t wait for the articles—“Democrats won big Tuesday night. Here’s why that’s bad for Democrats.”
Reposted by Russell Harmon
I don't drink coffee so not crossing this picket line won't be difficult for me, but the rest of you should probably be prepared to caffeinate in an alternate fashion
BREAKING: After months of stonewalling by Starbucks, unionized baristas just voted 92% to authorize a ULP strike unless Starbucks finalizes fair contracts & stops union busting.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
If forced, our baristas will strike in dozens of cities on November 13 – the company's busiest sales day of the year.
Starbucks unionized workers say they'll strike on Nov. 13 if coffee giant doesn't finalize contract
Union members say they are ready to strike on the chain's Red Cup Day if Starbucks doesn't finalize a contract with their union by then.
www.cbsnews.com
November 5, 2025 at 8:16 PM
I don't drink coffee so not crossing this picket line won't be difficult for me, but the rest of you should probably be prepared to caffeinate in an alternate fashion
Reposted by Russell Harmon
![Comic. [Person sitting at desk with laptop with machine labeled E-21 making “click click” noises on the floor behind] VOICE FROM LAPTOP: Hey all! Does your E-21 humidifier make an annoying clicking noise? Mine did, but I finally figured out that there’s an easy fix, so I made this video in case anyone else… PERSON AT DESK: Oh my god. Yes. *Yes.* [caption] I know there’s more important work in the world, but I feel like these people deserve, at minimum a statue.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cz73r7iyiqn26upot4jtjdhk/bafkreifdjde6wgflkeil7kf4kdh3zqk32k55rkljlwu6arzbw557ogbulu@jpeg)
November 5, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Reposted by Russell Harmon
British MPs rolled out details on their ill-defined "strangulation" censorship law, saying that mere *possession* of consensually produced content, even a private video made with your partner, would carry a two year prison sentence.
Government outlines punishments people will face for breaking new porn ban
The UK government is banning strangulation and suffocation as part of a crackdown on violent porn, which is leading to a rise in violence against women
www.ladbible.com
November 4, 2025 at 3:42 PM
British MPs rolled out details on their ill-defined "strangulation" censorship law, saying that mere *possession* of consensually produced content, even a private video made with your partner, would carry a two year prison sentence.
That "total absence of scrutiny" must be why so many sites are blocking traffic from the UK right now. I hope you guys over there are able to reclaim your representative government, we're working on ours here too.
UK legislators are moving to criminalize the distribution or possession of "strangulation" porn and hoo-ey there are about a thousand things that can go wrong with this.
An amendment will be added to the Crime and Policing Bill this week.
An amendment will be added to the Crime and Policing Bill this week.
‘Dangerous’ online pornography featuring choking to be banned
Conservative peer Baroness Bertin warned that there has been a ‘total absence of government scrutiny’ of the pornography industry
www.the-independent.com
November 4, 2025 at 12:55 AM
That "total absence of scrutiny" must be why so many sites are blocking traffic from the UK right now. I hope you guys over there are able to reclaim your representative government, we're working on ours here too.
Reposted by Russell Harmon
Obama: They never miss a chance to scapegoat minorities and D.E.I. For every problem under the sun. You got a flat tire? D.E.I.. Wife mad at you? D.E.I..
November 1, 2025 at 7:46 PM
Obama: They never miss a chance to scapegoat minorities and D.E.I. For every problem under the sun. You got a flat tire? D.E.I.. Wife mad at you? D.E.I..
Reposted by Russell Harmon
2025 Forms of Censorship:
"We're not blocking access, we're making it really difficult to access."
"We're not banning books, we're making them hard to find."
"We're not banning content, we're saying you can't sell it."
"We're not banning speech, you're just legally responsible for who hears it."
"We're not blocking access, we're making it really difficult to access."
"We're not banning books, we're making them hard to find."
"We're not banning content, we're saying you can't sell it."
"We're not banning speech, you're just legally responsible for who hears it."
October 31, 2025 at 4:09 PM
2025 Forms of Censorship:
"We're not blocking access, we're making it really difficult to access."
"We're not banning books, we're making them hard to find."
"We're not banning content, we're saying you can't sell it."
"We're not banning speech, you're just legally responsible for who hears it."
"We're not blocking access, we're making it really difficult to access."
"We're not banning books, we're making them hard to find."
"We're not banning content, we're saying you can't sell it."
"We're not banning speech, you're just legally responsible for who hears it."
I want to be half as badass as Kat when I grow up.
(I'm twice her age)
(I'm twice her age)
I have been charged in a federal indictment sought by the Department of Justice.
This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.
This political prosecution is an attack on all of our First Amendment rights. I’m not backing down, and we’re going to win.
October 29, 2025 at 6:11 PM
I want to be half as badass as Kat when I grow up.
(I'm twice her age)
(I'm twice her age)
*totally surprised face*
The UK has surpassed US in VPN use. Just a few months into the disastrous roll-out of the Online Safety Act, the UK the number one G7 nation for VPN downloads and one of the fastest growing VPN markets in the world.
It's competitors? Repressive regimes like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Singapore.
It's competitors? Repressive regimes like Saudi Arabia, Qatar, and Singapore.
VPN usage is exploding in the UK — here's how it compares to Europe and the US
The UK has become one of the world's top VPN-using nations, and the trend is accelerating
www.techradar.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:25 PM
*totally surprised face*
I'm teaching my 'Oops' class again this Saturday with some significant improvements, 14 tickets left. Link: www.strangertickets.com/events/16920...
Of all the classes I've taught, I'm most proud of this one; to my knowledge it is unique.
Of all the classes I've taught, I'm most proud of this one; to my knowledge it is unique.
October 20, 2025 at 8:03 PM
I'm teaching my 'Oops' class again this Saturday with some significant improvements, 14 tickets left. Link: www.strangertickets.com/events/16920...
Of all the classes I've taught, I'm most proud of this one; to my knowledge it is unique.
Of all the classes I've taught, I'm most proud of this one; to my knowledge it is unique.
Reposted by Russell Harmon
It’s long past time for Speaker Johnson to do his job and swear in Arizona Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva. She won on September 23rd that’s 26 days ago.
October 20, 2025 at 4:28 PM
It’s long past time for Speaker Johnson to do his job and swear in Arizona Congresswoman-elect Adelita Grijalva. She won on September 23rd that’s 26 days ago.
Reposted by Russell Harmon
Head to a protest today. I can almost promise you will feel less hopeless. That's exactly what they don't want. There are more of us than there are of them.
October 18, 2025 at 3:26 PM
Head to a protest today. I can almost promise you will feel less hopeless. That's exactly what they don't want. There are more of us than there are of them.
Reposted by Russell Harmon
This morning, I was hit in the face by a baton.
I’m going to have a pretty gnarly bruise but we need to remember why this is happening: Trump and ICE are rounding up our neighbors, treating them as subhuman, and shipping them off to labor camps in foreign countries. It has to end.
I’m going to have a pretty gnarly bruise but we need to remember why this is happening: Trump and ICE are rounding up our neighbors, treating them as subhuman, and shipping them off to labor camps in foreign countries. It has to end.
October 17, 2025 at 8:24 PM
This morning, I was hit in the face by a baton.
I’m going to have a pretty gnarly bruise but we need to remember why this is happening: Trump and ICE are rounding up our neighbors, treating them as subhuman, and shipping them off to labor camps in foreign countries. It has to end.
I’m going to have a pretty gnarly bruise but we need to remember why this is happening: Trump and ICE are rounding up our neighbors, treating them as subhuman, and shipping them off to labor camps in foreign countries. It has to end.
estim.store/blogs/news/i...
Worth noting this is ‘personal lubricants’ not just electrogel. The ‘medical device’ classification isn’t new, but the level of enforcement is.
Worth noting this is ‘personal lubricants’ not just electrogel. The ‘medical device’ classification isn’t new, but the level of enforcement is.
Issues with Shipping ElectroGel into the USA
There are a few issues with shipping e-stim ElectroGel into the USA.
estim.store
October 11, 2025 at 7:43 PM
estim.store/blogs/news/i...
Worth noting this is ‘personal lubricants’ not just electrogel. The ‘medical device’ classification isn’t new, but the level of enforcement is.
Worth noting this is ‘personal lubricants’ not just electrogel. The ‘medical device’ classification isn’t new, but the level of enforcement is.
(lived in Maine until I was 19, have extra feelings about politics there)
October 10, 2025 at 5:05 PM
(lived in Maine until I was 19, have extra feelings about politics there)