Ian McLean
@mrthewalrus.bsky.social
Fond of real science and imaginary worlds, cursed with a knowledge of software engineering.
Staff Engineer for state government.
Might have coined the term 'Dire Millennial'. He/him.
Staff Engineer for state government.
Might have coined the term 'Dire Millennial'. He/him.
Reposted by Ian McLean
The purpose of a system is what it does
#BREAKING: Instacart says it will halt a practice that used AI to adjust the cost of groceries for different shoppers after a study found some customers were paying as much as 23% more for the same items.
Ending Item Price Tests on Instacart | Instacart
Over the past couple weeks, there’s been a lot written about Instacart and how pricing works on our platform . Some of that coverage raised fair questions. Much of it included misconceptions and misin...
www.instacart.com
December 22, 2025 at 8:37 PM
The purpose of a system is what it does
Amazing that no one has thought of having large warships and calling them battleships before. Certainly there are no reasons not to have such a thing.
President Trump will announce on Monday a new type of large warship he is calling “battleships,” marking a step toward achieving the president’s vision for a new “Golden Fleet.”
Trump To Announce Navy Will Buy New ‘Battleship’
The new warship will be the latest in what the White House envisions as a “Golden Fleet.”
on.wsj.com
December 22, 2025 at 7:08 PM
Amazing that no one has thought of having large warships and calling them battleships before. Certainly there are no reasons not to have such a thing.
Reposted by Ian McLean
They developed the "high school girl's sports" angle as a wedge issue, to lever their way up to full society-wide discrimination. What's endlessly stunning to me is how many purported liberals a) helped them when it started & b) are still helping them even after the larger purpose has become clear!
December 17, 2025 at 6:47 PM
They developed the "high school girl's sports" angle as a wedge issue, to lever their way up to full society-wide discrimination. What's endlessly stunning to me is how many purported liberals a) helped them when it started & b) are still helping them even after the larger purpose has become clear!
Reposted by Ian McLean
NEW: A hacker gained control of 1,100 mobile phones powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok. Then, he shared details of the operation with 404 Media.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
Hack Reveals the a16z-Backed Phone Farm Flooding TikTok With AI Influencers
A hacker gained control of a 1,100 mobile phone farm powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok.
www.404media.co
December 17, 2025 at 2:22 PM
NEW: A hacker gained control of 1,100 mobile phones powering covert, AI-generated ads on TikTok. Then, he shared details of the operation with 404 Media.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
A look inside how startup Doublespeed, which is backed by Andreessen Horowitz (a16z), is creating AI spam pages on TikTok to promote products.
Reposted by Ian McLean
This tweet from Big Balls says the new “Tech Force” website is their first using the “America Design System.” Here are just a few reasons why that sucks. 🧵
December 15, 2025 at 7:29 PM
This tweet from Big Balls says the new “Tech Force” website is their first using the “America Design System.” Here are just a few reasons why that sucks. 🧵
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they fail to grasp with what it means to be off record - right-wing weirdos have always struggled with the idea of seeking and receiving consent.
December 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
I guess I shouldn’t be surprised that they fail to grasp with what it means to be off record - right-wing weirdos have always struggled with the idea of seeking and receiving consent.
Reposted by Ian McLean
The older I get, the more my politics mature from childish, naïve beliefs like "the world is complicated and leaders have to make hard decisions" to more serious, adult principles like "hurting people is bad and helping people is good."
December 15, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The older I get, the more my politics mature from childish, naïve beliefs like "the world is complicated and leaders have to make hard decisions" to more serious, adult principles like "hurting people is bad and helping people is good."
The only approach to healthcare that is more Republican-aligned than the one we have now is ‘just let everyone go bankrupt and die’, so I can’t say I’m excited to see where this goes.
Status update on House Republicans and a health care plan, after this morning’s conference meeting:
“The consensus is we need to come up with something,” Rep. Ralph Norman says.
“The consensus is we need to come up with something,” Rep. Ralph Norman says.
December 10, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The only approach to healthcare that is more Republican-aligned than the one we have now is ‘just let everyone go bankrupt and die’, so I can’t say I’m excited to see where this goes.
Can you believe we’re still letting them call it a ‘Sales Event’?
December 9, 2025 at 8:07 PM
Can you believe we’re still letting them call it a ‘Sales Event’?
Reposted by Ian McLean
Did you know that before Nixon and Reagan, health insurance companies in America were non-profit? Yep, they screamed about "socialized medicine" and gradually shifted the focus of our entire healthcare system from public welfare to... making bucks off illness.
December 7, 2025 at 8:00 AM
Did you know that before Nixon and Reagan, health insurance companies in America were non-profit? Yep, they screamed about "socialized medicine" and gradually shifted the focus of our entire healthcare system from public welfare to... making bucks off illness.
Rich people like living in the kinds of places that can only exist because of policies they hate.
I was told everyone was leaving.
@fortune.com #NYC
@wutangforchildren.bsky.social
fortune.com/2025/12/04/m...
@fortune.com #NYC
@wutangforchildren.bsky.social
fortune.com/2025/12/04/m...
December 5, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Rich people like living in the kinds of places that can only exist because of policies they hate.
Reposted by Ian McLean
Counterpoint:
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration. n.pr/48E1oko
Supreme Court agrees to hear arguments in birthright citizenship challenge
The Supreme Court will ultimately decide whether to uphold the longstanding principle that grants citizenship to the children of non-citizens born in the U.S., following a legal challenge by the Trump administration.
n.pr
December 5, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Counterpoint:
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
The Supreme Court lacks the authority to change the text of the Constitution.
So either it affirms the text or (further, and more completely) nukes its authority as Constitutional arbiter.
There’s no third option. Art III (courts) can’t just usurp Art V (amendments).
’we gave autocomplete a gun and you’ll never believe…’ imma stop you right there yes i absolutely will also you’re all idiots
Oh shit they finally came up with a socially beneficial use case
ChatGPT gladly shoots a YouTuber, overriding safety protocols with minimal manipulation - gamepressure.com
The YouTube channel InsideAI tested ChatGPT's limits with a BB gun, and all it took was a straightforward trick to get the AI to pull the trigger.
www.gamepressure.com
December 5, 2025 at 6:41 PM
’we gave autocomplete a gun and you’ll never believe…’ imma stop you right there yes i absolutely will also you’re all idiots
gosh, who could have predicted this
Three years into the generative-AI wave, demand for the technology seems surprisingly flimsy
Investors expect AI use to soar. That’s not happening
Recent surveys point to flatlining business adoption
econ.st
December 1, 2025 at 5:58 PM
gosh, who could have predicted this
I have experienced what passes for ‘holiday advertising’ these days.
Have we tried turning capitalism off and back on?
Have we tried turning capitalism off and back on?
November 29, 2025 at 10:05 PM
I have experienced what passes for ‘holiday advertising’ these days.
Have we tried turning capitalism off and back on?
Have we tried turning capitalism off and back on?
Reposted by Ian McLean
Let me put this more productively: there was considerable public fury toward previous Republicans for lies, crimes, misbegotten wars, etc. But it ran up against the *enormous, extremely powerful* forces defending elite impunity. And the latter forces won, decisively. It was barely a fight.
November 28, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Let me put this more productively: there was considerable public fury toward previous Republicans for lies, crimes, misbegotten wars, etc. But it ran up against the *enormous, extremely powerful* forces defending elite impunity. And the latter forces won, decisively. It was barely a fight.
Just about every company would be better off if they banned their executives from making public statements.
While work-life balance may give you a sense of happiness and fulfillment, it isn’t always realistic, says Walmart executive vice president and chief people officer Donna Morris.
Walmart exec: ‘I’ve never believed in the term work-life balance’—this is the mantra that made her highly successful instead
Many professionals see work-life balance as a non-negotiable. Walmart CPO Donna Morris says people should practice work-life integration instead. Here's why.
cnb.cx
November 27, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Just about every company would be better off if they banned their executives from making public statements.
Reposted by Ian McLean
The problem with ICE is not that it's targeting people who aren't criminals. The problem with ICE is that it's an unaccountable secret deportation police. It cannot be reformed under a better president. It can be made less terrible, but the instrument of repression remains for the next tyrant.
November 26, 2025 at 5:04 PM
The problem with ICE is not that it's targeting people who aren't criminals. The problem with ICE is that it's an unaccountable secret deportation police. It cannot be reformed under a better president. It can be made less terrible, but the instrument of repression remains for the next tyrant.
Reposted by Ian McLean
Nvidia’s ‘I’m Not Enron’ memo has people asking a lot of questions already answered by that memo
Nvidia’s ‘I’m Not Enron’ memo has people asking a lot of questions already answered by that memo
The Streisand Effect strikes again
buff.ly
November 24, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Nvidia’s ‘I’m Not Enron’ memo has people asking a lot of questions already answered by that memo
Reposted by Ian McLean
Voting should not be something you have register to do. Voting should be something you’re legally required to do. It should be incredibly easy to vote and against the law to not do so. It should also be constitutionally protected; no disenfranchisement under any circumstance.
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
November 14, 2025 at 5:12 PM
Voting should not be something you have register to do. Voting should be something you’re legally required to do. It should be incredibly easy to vote and against the law to not do so. It should also be constitutionally protected; no disenfranchisement under any circumstance.
Reposted by Ian McLean
There is no opposition party too evil for moderate democrats to find common ground with
November 10, 2025 at 1:58 AM
There is no opposition party too evil for moderate democrats to find common ground with
Reposted by Ian McLean
File under: things you usually don’t have to say if it’s true
NEW: Border Patrol boss Gregory Bovino tells agents in LA, "It’s our f–king city" in newly released video. blockclubchi.co/4oU0lTF
November 8, 2025 at 1:42 AM
File under: things you usually don’t have to say if it’s true
Simultaneously winning the Best Chart and Dumbest Chart categories for the day.
AI could end scarcity, end humanity - or boost trend growth by 0.2 percentage points
November 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Simultaneously winning the Best Chart and Dumbest Chart categories for the day.
Reposted by Ian McLean
The key thing to watch here: they fired a Wired political reporter. That’s the title doing the most effective, pointed work. Teen Vogue’s stuff was culturally impactful, but less focused on investigating the administration. Within the Condé portfolio, Wired and the New Yorker are the canaries.
New: Conde Nast fired four employees who were among a group that confronted the company's head of human resources on Wednesday over the decision to fold Teen Vogue into Vogue/recent cuts. Employees who were fired included journalists from the New Yorker, Wired, and Bon Appétit.
November 6, 2025 at 6:08 PM
The key thing to watch here: they fired a Wired political reporter. That’s the title doing the most effective, pointed work. Teen Vogue’s stuff was culturally impactful, but less focused on investigating the administration. Within the Condé portfolio, Wired and the New Yorker are the canaries.
Biden may have been old but he never needed a sign to find his office.
November 5, 2025 at 8:15 PM
Biden may have been old but he never needed a sign to find his office.