Peter Merholz
@peterme.com
Reposted by Peter Merholz
Reposted by Peter Merholz
People fretting about the rise of AI slop would have hated 1830s newspapers.
They were full of recycled material — moon hoaxes, “science wonders,” tall tales, and other low-grade filler. It all amounted to a kind of analog text-generation platform.
hiddenfrequencies.alexwright.com/p/ai-slop-is...
They were full of recycled material — moon hoaxes, “science wonders,” tall tales, and other low-grade filler. It all amounted to a kind of analog text-generation platform.
hiddenfrequencies.alexwright.com/p/ai-slop-is...
AI Slop Is Older Than You Think
Before chatbots and content farms, the penny press was generating slop at industrial scale. What the nineteenth century can teach us about today’s AI crisis — and what might come next.
hiddenfrequencies.alexwright.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:53 PM
People fretting about the rise of AI slop would have hated 1830s newspapers.
They were full of recycled material — moon hoaxes, “science wonders,” tall tales, and other low-grade filler. It all amounted to a kind of analog text-generation platform.
hiddenfrequencies.alexwright.com/p/ai-slop-is...
They were full of recycled material — moon hoaxes, “science wonders,” tall tales, and other low-grade filler. It all amounted to a kind of analog text-generation platform.
hiddenfrequencies.alexwright.com/p/ai-slop-is...
I don't trust any television critic's Top 10 of 2025 list that doesn't have TASKMASTER on it.
December 11, 2025 at 3:00 PM
I don't trust any television critic's Top 10 of 2025 list that doesn't have TASKMASTER on it.
Reposted by Peter Merholz
Join me in 25 minutes for the livestream of Lost Landscapes of San Francisco 20! Chat will be open and spirited, www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Or...
Rick Prelinger | Lost Landscapes 02025: YEAR 20!
YouTube video by The Long Now Foundation
www.youtube.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:34 AM
Join me in 25 minutes for the livestream of Lost Landscapes of San Francisco 20! Chat will be open and spirited, www.youtube.com/watch?v=B4Or...
Reposted by Peter Merholz
idk whatever. something like this.
December 9, 2025 at 9:15 PM
idk whatever. something like this.
Reposted by Peter Merholz
The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)
December 9, 2025 at 2:27 AM
The Thing (1982, John Carpenter)
Reposted by Peter Merholz
“Holiday glitter and glamour are the keynotes to Barbara Stanwyck's gold lame dress designed for the Paramount star's personal wardrobe by Edith Head.” Photo by Eugene Robert Richee, 1941.
December 8, 2025 at 9:35 PM
“Holiday glitter and glamour are the keynotes to Barbara Stanwyck's gold lame dress designed for the Paramount star's personal wardrobe by Edith Head.” Photo by Eugene Robert Richee, 1941.
Reposted by Peter Merholz
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
December 8, 2025 at 3:38 PM
It's time once again for my annual #treebybike post. This is the 12/19/42 cover of @newyorker.com, so one full year after the attack on Pearl Harbor. This would be the first real Christmas alone, or without a family member, for millions in the US. Gas and tire rationing had begun earlier that year.🗃️
I think about the “engineering mindset” A lot. I know many software devs who think they can logic/solve any problem, which doesn’t work when applied to people/society.
no group in the world was more primed for radicalization than SV techbros: patted on the head for their ‘intelligence,’ the engineering mindset of tech and tech alone can fix this everything, the tie ups with the military, the lack of regulation, politicians and pundits sucking up, and the MONEY
The radicalization of Silicon Valley is the subject of my forthcoming book, "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War on Democracy."
It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
December 7, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I think about the “engineering mindset” A lot. I know many software devs who think they can logic/solve any problem, which doesn’t work when applied to people/society.
Reposted by Peter Merholz
no group in the world was more primed for radicalization than SV techbros: patted on the head for their ‘intelligence,’ the engineering mindset of tech and tech alone can fix this everything, the tie ups with the military, the lack of regulation, politicians and pundits sucking up, and the MONEY
The radicalization of Silicon Valley is the subject of my forthcoming book, "The Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Fascism and The War on Democracy."
It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
It exposes a decades-long campaign to use tech power to overthrow democracy and destroy nations. Pre-order here: www.simonandschuster.com/books/The-Ne...
The Nerd Reich
A fearless and urgent chronicle of the tech-authoritarian movement from its early days in San Francisco politics to its current moment on the inter...
www.simonandschuster.com
December 7, 2025 at 1:00 PM
no group in the world was more primed for radicalization than SV techbros: patted on the head for their ‘intelligence,’ the engineering mindset of tech and tech alone can fix this everything, the tie ups with the military, the lack of regulation, politicians and pundits sucking up, and the MONEY
The self indulgent nature of PLURIBUS makes it clear that the show is not for the audience, but for the creators.
December 6, 2025 at 4:38 PM
The self indulgent nature of PLURIBUS makes it clear that the show is not for the audience, but for the creators.
Reposted by Peter Merholz
I'm sure we'll build something better after all this, just like we did with Reconstruction [finger to ear piece] hold on, I'm receiving new information.
December 5, 2025 at 10:53 PM
I'm sure we'll build something better after all this, just like we did with Reconstruction [finger to ear piece] hold on, I'm receiving new information.
Reposted by Peter Merholz
good morning bluesky friends ❤️
December 5, 2025 at 5:43 PM
good morning bluesky friends ❤️
It also ends up hurting the audience, and, well, society, as the range of expression and discussion across media narrows.
All media mergers end up hurting writers, actors, directors, and everyone else who works in the industry. Executives, assistants, caterers, teamsters, everyone. Fewer companies means fewer jobs, period.
December 5, 2025 at 4:41 PM
It also ends up hurting the audience, and, well, society, as the range of expression and discussion across media narrows.
Twitter Has A Nazi Problem, Read About It On My Substack
December 5, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Twitter Has A Nazi Problem, Read About It On My Substack
Reposted by Peter Merholz
LeBron James' streak of 1,297 games with 10+ points is over.
He was held to under 10 points for the first time since Jan. 5, 2007.
fun fact via @woodleysean.bsky.social, only 24 players have played at least 1,297 games in NBA history.
He was held to under 10 points for the first time since Jan. 5, 2007.
fun fact via @woodleysean.bsky.social, only 24 players have played at least 1,297 games in NBA history.
December 5, 2025 at 3:06 AM
LeBron James' streak of 1,297 games with 10+ points is over.
He was held to under 10 points for the first time since Jan. 5, 2007.
fun fact via @woodleysean.bsky.social, only 24 players have played at least 1,297 games in NBA history.
He was held to under 10 points for the first time since Jan. 5, 2007.
fun fact via @woodleysean.bsky.social, only 24 players have played at least 1,297 games in NBA history.
That STRANGER THINGS is TV-14 and not TV-MA makes a mockery of the tv ratings system
December 5, 2025 at 1:48 AM
That STRANGER THINGS is TV-14 and not TV-MA makes a mockery of the tv ratings system
Reposted by Peter Merholz
I'm at the combination
December 4, 2025 at 3:17 AM
I'm at the combination
Reposted by Peter Merholz
Miss the best game of the night? Catch all the excitement of the game, plus my live analysis with The Last 3:10 | SAS @ ORL | Dunc’d On Clutch Calls. Our last one of these got 50,000 views--Check it out! https://youtu.be/_srbhAmaL6E?si=r1l5LsEQf8rHCCqt
December 4, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Miss the best game of the night? Catch all the excitement of the game, plus my live analysis with The Last 3:10 | SAS @ ORL | Dunc’d On Clutch Calls. Our last one of these got 50,000 views--Check it out! https://youtu.be/_srbhAmaL6E?si=r1l5LsEQf8rHCCqt
Reposted by Peter Merholz
Girl Guides of Canada has made a statement, likely in response to the cowardly decisions of Girlguiding UK. 🏳️⚧️
December 4, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Girl Guides of Canada has made a statement, likely in response to the cowardly decisions of Girlguiding UK. 🏳️⚧️
Reposted by Peter Merholz
It's with heavy hearts that we share that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude brought joy to millions of people at the Academy and across the world during his 17 year tenure. We will miss him dearly. 🤍
December 2, 2025 at 10:22 PM
It's with heavy hearts that we share that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude brought joy to millions of people at the Academy and across the world during his 17 year tenure. We will miss him dearly. 🤍
I bought my tickets the day this was announced.
Some day I'll have a Hodgman-worthy dispute. The problem I currently have is I'm always right, and everyone around me knows it.
Some day I'll have a Hodgman-worthy dispute. The problem I currently have is I'm always right, and everyone around me knows it.
If you are a SanFran-Oaklandish person, or know someone who is, please know that JUDGE JOHN HODGMAN returns to @sfsketchfest.bsky.social in January, and you can by tickets here please: bit.ly/JJHOSF26
Judge John Hodgman
SF Sketchfest: The San Francisco Comedy Festival presents 3 weeks of non-stop live sketch, improv, stand-up, podcasts, reunions, and more!
bit.ly
December 2, 2025 at 6:18 PM
I bought my tickets the day this was announced.
Some day I'll have a Hodgman-worthy dispute. The problem I currently have is I'm always right, and everyone around me knows it.
Some day I'll have a Hodgman-worthy dispute. The problem I currently have is I'm always right, and everyone around me knows it.
Only the NBA can take something exciting (a close game) and turn it into an interminable slog (free throw battle).
December 2, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Only the NBA can take something exciting (a close game) and turn it into an interminable slog (free throw battle).
Also: insanely cheap gas is not a good thing. Gas prices should reflect their tot cost to society.
HASSETT: Gas prices dropped below $2 a gallon in a lot of places
CORDES: Gas prices on average are still at $3 a galloon
HASSETT: For a few states they got below $2
CORDES: Gas prices on average are still at $3 a galloon
HASSETT: For a few states they got below $2
November 30, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Also: insanely cheap gas is not a good thing. Gas prices should reflect their tot cost to society.
Reposted by Peter Merholz
✨ A few years back I stood outside Wells Cathedral for a full day and photographed the impact of the light on the front facade. I was amazed at the outcome - at how a single entity could morph and change under the changing light. 🌅 #thread
November 28, 2025 at 7:13 AM
✨ A few years back I stood outside Wells Cathedral for a full day and photographed the impact of the light on the front facade. I was amazed at the outcome - at how a single entity could morph and change under the changing light. 🌅 #thread