Derek Fox
@partialobserver.bsky.social
Penn State Astronomer (he/him), personal account. “We went and made everything a computer without ever bothering to fix computers.”
Pinned
Now that computer programs readily pass the Turing Test, we see that both Turing and Searle were correct: Searle in that programs can mimic human communication very well without anything like understanding, and Turing in that having programs do this is really f#*king disorienting.
Reposted by Derek Fox
it's fucking wild to me that "ban federal agents from wearing masks when they terrorize local communities" is apparently a non-starter in the senate
Minibus is out. Democrats were able to include some guardrails in about ICE:
-restricts ICE to spending $3.8 billion of its annual budget
on detention as opposed to being able to spend $10 billion
-$20 million that must be used for body cameras 1/
www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
-restricts ICE to spending $3.8 billion of its annual budget
on detention as opposed to being able to spend $10 billion
-$20 million that must be used for body cameras 1/
www.appropriations.senate.gov/imo/media/do...
www.appropriations.senate.gov
January 20, 2026 at 5:13 PM
it's fucking wild to me that "ban federal agents from wearing masks when they terrorize local communities" is apparently a non-starter in the senate
Reposted by Derek Fox
there it is! someone's finally using the U-word (usurp)
Sherrill: "We see a POTUS illegally usurping power. He's unconstitutionally enacted a tariff regime to make billions for himself while everyone else's costs go higher. Here we demand people in public service actually serve the public instead of extorting money to benefit themselves & their cronies."
January 20, 2026 at 5:25 PM
there it is! someone's finally using the U-word (usurp)
Reposted by Derek Fox
Mamdani: "I am in support of abolishing ICE. What we see is an entity that has no interest in fulfilling its stated reason to exist. We're seeing a government agency that is supposed to be enforcing some kind of immigration law, but instead what it's doing is terrorizing people."
January 20, 2026 at 4:56 PM
Mamdani: "I am in support of abolishing ICE. What we see is an entity that has no interest in fulfilling its stated reason to exist. We're seeing a government agency that is supposed to be enforcing some kind of immigration law, but instead what it's doing is terrorizing people."
Reposted by Derek Fox
They didn't want a school without dissent. They wanted everyone to think like them.
That's the fundamental issue. They're It on Camazotz.
If we're going to survive this... we need to embrace our faults.
That's the fundamental issue. They're It on Camazotz.
If we're going to survive this... we need to embrace our faults.
a fascinating read, with constant mentions of "irony" and "truth is stranger than fiction" and "betrayed first principles," all coming from an author who could clearly be repeatedly terrified by a jack-in-the-box www.politico.com/news/magazin...
They Wanted a University Without Cancel Culture. Then Dissenters Were Ousted.
Inside the civil war at the anti-woke university backed by Bari Weiss.
www.politico.com
January 20, 2026 at 12:31 PM
They didn't want a school without dissent. They wanted everyone to think like them.
That's the fundamental issue. They're It on Camazotz.
If we're going to survive this... we need to embrace our faults.
That's the fundamental issue. They're It on Camazotz.
If we're going to survive this... we need to embrace our faults.
Reposted by Derek Fox
“Neighbors found the 6 year old girl walking down the street alone crying out for her father”
January 20, 2026 at 4:57 AM
“Neighbors found the 6 year old girl walking down the street alone crying out for her father”
Just another little two-day Kavanaugh Stop nbd
Nasra Ahmed, 23, was walking through the parking lot of her aunt’s St. Paul apartment complex when she found herself surrounded by 12 agents. Ahmed, born in the USA, says she showed them her I.D. She was forcefully detained and jailed anyway for more than 2 days. www.twincities.com/2026/01/18/s...
St. Paul woman, a U.S. citizen, recounts her two days in detention
Nasra Ahmed, 23, said she was taken to the hospital for an MRI with hands and legs shackled
www.twincities.com
January 20, 2026 at 4:19 AM
Just another little two-day Kavanaugh Stop nbd
Reposted by Derek Fox
Nasra Ahmed, 23, was walking through the parking lot of her aunt’s St. Paul apartment complex when she found herself surrounded by 12 agents. Ahmed, born in the USA, says she showed them her I.D. She was forcefully detained and jailed anyway for more than 2 days. www.twincities.com/2026/01/18/s...
St. Paul woman, a U.S. citizen, recounts her two days in detention
Nasra Ahmed, 23, said she was taken to the hospital for an MRI with hands and legs shackled
www.twincities.com
January 18, 2026 at 5:28 PM
Nasra Ahmed, 23, was walking through the parking lot of her aunt’s St. Paul apartment complex when she found herself surrounded by 12 agents. Ahmed, born in the USA, says she showed them her I.D. She was forcefully detained and jailed anyway for more than 2 days. www.twincities.com/2026/01/18/s...
Reposted by Derek Fox
Reposted by Derek Fox
This is (*checks notes*) after a Federal District Judge ordered them not to use chemical weapons on observers.
ICE is a collection of lawless, cruel, racist thugs. Defund them, and prohibit their non-elected federal employment for the next 20 years.
ICE is a collection of lawless, cruel, racist thugs. Defund them, and prohibit their non-elected federal employment for the next 20 years.
It's cool that these guys just use pepper spray casually now, against people who are wholly within their rights, without a moment's hesitation. Several shots of them using it as they climb into their cars and drive away, not even a pretense of urgency or need. Just a parting "fuck you" to them.
This is what happened in our neighborhood yesterday. ICE snatched a human being off of our streets, roughed them up badly, and then pepper sprayed legal observers as they documented it all. This is a daily occurrence happening all throughout Minnesota right now.
January 20, 2026 at 12:48 AM
This is (*checks notes*) after a Federal District Judge ordered them not to use chemical weapons on observers.
ICE is a collection of lawless, cruel, racist thugs. Defund them, and prohibit their non-elected federal employment for the next 20 years.
ICE is a collection of lawless, cruel, racist thugs. Defund them, and prohibit their non-elected federal employment for the next 20 years.
Reposted by Derek Fox
I feel like this official letter is an inflection point, convincing European elites that not only is Trump genuinely insane, but the people serving him in the U.S. government are either insane or too cowardly to object.
NORWAY PM: I HAVE REPEATEDLY CLEARLY EXPLAINED TO TRUMP THAT IT IS AN INDEPENDENT COMMITTEE THAT AWARDS THE NOBEL PEACE PRIZE
January 19, 2026 at 7:53 PM
I feel like this official letter is an inflection point, convincing European elites that not only is Trump genuinely insane, but the people serving him in the U.S. government are either insane or too cowardly to object.
Reposted by Derek Fox
This dynamic is basically unchanged in the decades I've followed US politics. The right raises a bullshit bad-faith objection, Dems try to change policy to address it, the right just repeats the bad-faith objection, Dems try again ... forever.
So in the end, what does this article amount to? Republicans are telling the same lie about welfare that they've told for 40 years despite consistent efforts — including many led by Democrats — to restrict and police it.
And in response, Democrats should restrict and police it even more.
And in response, Democrats should restrict and police it even more.
January 19, 2026 at 7:04 PM
This dynamic is basically unchanged in the decades I've followed US politics. The right raises a bullshit bad-faith objection, Dems try to change policy to address it, the right just repeats the bad-faith objection, Dems try again ... forever.
Reposted by Derek Fox
because from my vantage point, the white house does not have a win condition. like so many past occupiers, it seems to believe that a sufficient show of force will deter opposition. but like most occupations, the only thing you get with more force is greater resolve.
January 19, 2026 at 6:41 PM
because from my vantage point, the white house does not have a win condition. like so many past occupiers, it seems to believe that a sufficient show of force will deter opposition. but like most occupations, the only thing you get with more force is greater resolve.
Reposted by Derek Fox
“Even by Trump’s standards, this letter is so dangerous and so delusional that there is no longer any question that the president is mentally ‘unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,’ as laid out in the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.” www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump...
Trump’s Insane New Threat Leaves No Doubt: It’s Time for the 25th Amendment
There is no longer any denying the president is unable to carry out the demands of his office.
www.thedailybeast.com
January 19, 2026 at 5:56 PM
“Even by Trump’s standards, this letter is so dangerous and so delusional that there is no longer any question that the president is mentally ‘unable to discharge the powers and duties of his office,’ as laid out in the 25th Amendment to the Constitution.” www.thedailybeast.com/donald-trump...
Reposted by Derek Fox
"You can't enter the EU unless you have proof of Covid vaccination" would be a deliciously effective way to bar MAGAs from entry, yes
Quarantine based on vax status would do some nice de facto targeting
January 19, 2026 at 6:21 PM
"You can't enter the EU unless you have proof of Covid vaccination" would be a deliciously effective way to bar MAGAs from entry, yes
Intimations of mortality may be at work here, as well, since the Nobel Prizes are never awarded posthumously
fwiw i think his obsession with the nobel prize is entirely about obama getting it (setting aside whether or not obama ought to have received it)
"Donald Trump now genuinely lives in a different reality, one in which neither grammar nor history nor the normal rules of human interaction now affect him. Also, he really is maniacally, unhealthily obsessive about the Nobel Prize."
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2026/0...
January 19, 2026 at 6:00 PM
Intimations of mortality may be at work here, as well, since the Nobel Prizes are never awarded posthumously
Reposted by Derek Fox
Beyond the fact that this bugfuck insane letter was written and sent to the leader of Norway, the State Dept agreeing to distribute it to other heads of state instead of objecting and honorably resigning or at the very least planning some kind of coverup is a sign of deep institutional collapse.
So this is why Trump is fixated on Greenland. Vengeance strikes again. This guy is dangerous.
January 19, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Beyond the fact that this bugfuck insane letter was written and sent to the leader of Norway, the State Dept agreeing to distribute it to other heads of state instead of objecting and honorably resigning or at the very least planning some kind of coverup is a sign of deep institutional collapse.
Reposted by Derek Fox
This is what happened in our neighborhood yesterday. ICE snatched a human being off of our streets, roughed them up badly, and then pepper sprayed legal observers as they documented it all. This is a daily occurrence happening all throughout Minnesota right now.
January 19, 2026 at 3:46 PM
This is what happened in our neighborhood yesterday. ICE snatched a human being off of our streets, roughed them up badly, and then pepper sprayed legal observers as they documented it all. This is a daily occurrence happening all throughout Minnesota right now.
Reposted by Derek Fox
To recap: the two major parties refuse to rein in the reign of a demented sociopathic king who daily is marching us into both World War III and the next Civil War simultaneously because a Black president once made fun of him and also the Special Boy wasn't given the Shiny Golden Medal he covets
January 19, 2026 at 4:08 PM
To recap: the two major parties refuse to rein in the reign of a demented sociopathic king who daily is marching us into both World War III and the next Civil War simultaneously because a Black president once made fun of him and also the Special Boy wasn't given the Shiny Golden Medal he covets
Reposted by Derek Fox
In the last 18 days alone:
- Two men in ICE custody have killed themselves (jails are supposed to protect against this)
- Two men died of cardiac-related issues
- One man was reportedly choked to death by a guard
- One man died of fentanyl withdrawal (family question the medical care provided)
- Two men in ICE custody have killed themselves (jails are supposed to protect against this)
- Two men died of cardiac-related issues
- One man was reportedly choked to death by a guard
- One man died of fentanyl withdrawal (family question the medical care provided)
A third immigrant held at Camp East Montana has died, reportedly by suicide. Victor Manuel Díaz was detained in Minnesota. He is the sixth migrant to die since Jan. 1 in ICE detention.
My story:
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/i...
My story:
www.elpasotimes.com/story/news/i...
January 18, 2026 at 5:40 PM
In the last 18 days alone:
- Two men in ICE custody have killed themselves (jails are supposed to protect against this)
- Two men died of cardiac-related issues
- One man was reportedly choked to death by a guard
- One man died of fentanyl withdrawal (family question the medical care provided)
- Two men in ICE custody have killed themselves (jails are supposed to protect against this)
- Two men died of cardiac-related issues
- One man was reportedly choked to death by a guard
- One man died of fentanyl withdrawal (family question the medical care provided)
Reposted by Derek Fox
We’re in a moral fight, and Democrats in Congress need to start acting like the opposition party on every 👏🏽 damn 👏🏽 thing 👏🏽
Opposition isn’t about polite press releases and sad cable hits. It’s about using every procedural tool available to slow, expose, and force accountability.
🧵
Opposition isn’t about polite press releases and sad cable hits. It’s about using every procedural tool available to slow, expose, and force accountability.
🧵
January 18, 2026 at 2:58 PM
We’re in a moral fight, and Democrats in Congress need to start acting like the opposition party on every 👏🏽 damn 👏🏽 thing 👏🏽
Opposition isn’t about polite press releases and sad cable hits. It’s about using every procedural tool available to slow, expose, and force accountability.
🧵
Opposition isn’t about polite press releases and sad cable hits. It’s about using every procedural tool available to slow, expose, and force accountability.
🧵
Reposted by Derek Fox
This is great, a readable scientific and cultural history of vaccines that show just how amazing they are
The golden age of vaccine development - Works in Progress Magazine
The first vaccine was a lucky accident. Now we can design new vaccines in weeks, atom by atom.
worksinprogress.co
January 18, 2026 at 3:09 PM
This is great, a readable scientific and cultural history of vaccines that show just how amazing they are
Reposted by Derek Fox
ICE forcibly removed at least four individuals, including two minors, from their home on January 15th at 5:30 PM. According to a neighbor, the youngest individual was approximately 12 to 13 years old.
January 18, 2026 at 1:51 AM
ICE forcibly removed at least four individuals, including two minors, from their home on January 15th at 5:30 PM. According to a neighbor, the youngest individual was approximately 12 to 13 years old.
Has anyone played this video for Gorsuch
January 18, 2026 at 1:25 AM
Has anyone played this video for Gorsuch
Reposted by Derek Fox
Koh: Trump has now spent $30 billion from the last bill for 10,000 more I.C.E. Agents that are going to be on the streets. That $30 billion would cover all the ACA subsidies for a year. It would eliminate all co-pays for prescription drugs for people from a year, and eliminate all medical debt.
January 15, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Koh: Trump has now spent $30 billion from the last bill for 10,000 more I.C.E. Agents that are going to be on the streets. That $30 billion would cover all the ACA subsidies for a year. It would eliminate all co-pays for prescription drugs for people from a year, and eliminate all medical debt.
Reposted by Derek Fox
How much more in your face can it be?
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
January 17, 2026 at 9:16 PM
How much more in your face can it be?
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."
"Why are you asking me for my paperwork?"
"Because of your accent."
"You have an accent too."
"Where were you born sir?"
"Where were you born at?"
"Put your hands behind your back."