Torr 🧵
@torrleonard.bsky.social
Pinned
Torr 🧵
@torrleonard.bsky.social
· Mar 5
I’m worried that in the 2026 and 2028 elections, 49% of voters are gonna say “Trump and Musk turned out to be bad, but the rest of the GOP are fine.”
Which is why we need to tie all these bad things to the *entire GOP*.
Which is why we need to tie all these bad things to the *entire GOP*.
“robotaxi co’s currently lose money. Vehicles are kitted out w/ costly safety features & trained on pricey AI chips.
& unlike Uber, robotaxi co’s have to cover cost both of acquiring & managing their fleets, including cleaning, fuel, maintenance & parking.
They also have humans to monitor remotely
& unlike Uber, robotaxi co’s have to cover cost both of acquiring & managing their fleets, including cleaning, fuel, maintenance & parking.
They also have humans to monitor remotely
The self-driving taxi revolution begins at last
It’s Waymo complicated than it looks
www.economist.com
November 28, 2025 at 8:58 PM
“robotaxi co’s currently lose money. Vehicles are kitted out w/ costly safety features & trained on pricey AI chips.
& unlike Uber, robotaxi co’s have to cover cost both of acquiring & managing their fleets, including cleaning, fuel, maintenance & parking.
They also have humans to monitor remotely
& unlike Uber, robotaxi co’s have to cover cost both of acquiring & managing their fleets, including cleaning, fuel, maintenance & parking.
They also have humans to monitor remotely
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“The Company Making a Mockery of State Gambling Bans -
Thanks to Kalshi, a so-called prediction market, sports betting is now legal everywhere—even where it isn’t.”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Thanks to Kalshi, a so-called prediction market, sports betting is now legal everywhere—even where it isn’t.”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
The Company Making a Mockery of State Gambling Bans
Thanks to Kalshi, a so-called prediction market, sports betting is now legal everywhere—even where it isn’t.
www.theatlantic.com
October 30, 2025 at 10:32 PM
“The Company Making a Mockery of State Gambling Bans -
Thanks to Kalshi, a so-called prediction market, sports betting is now legal everywhere—even where it isn’t.”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Thanks to Kalshi, a so-called prediction market, sports betting is now legal everywhere—even where it isn’t.”
www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“We talk a lot about the “male loneliness crisis” but in my estimation we don’t talk enough about the “male suckerfication crisis”:
The process by which young men are continuously cultivated…”
maxread.substack.com/p/prediction...
The process by which young men are continuously cultivated…”
maxread.substack.com/p/prediction...
November 11, 2025 at 4:31 PM
“We talk a lot about the “male loneliness crisis” but in my estimation we don’t talk enough about the “male suckerfication crisis”:
The process by which young men are continuously cultivated…”
maxread.substack.com/p/prediction...
The process by which young men are continuously cultivated…”
maxread.substack.com/p/prediction...
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“There’s a recognition in our faith that hoarding resources is not only harmful to your neighbors, it’s also harmful to your own spiritual health and well-being.”
November 23, 2025 at 3:55 AM
“There’s a recognition in our faith that hoarding resources is not only harmful to your neighbors, it’s also harmful to your own spiritual health and well-being.”
Reposted by Torr 🧵
"The dummy's design had previously been embraced by some regulators overseas, with European officials indicating plans to add it to tests within a few years.
But it had been stuck in limbo in US, where for several years NHTSA said that more testing was required before formally adopting the dummy."
But it had been stuck in limbo in US, where for several years NHTSA said that more testing was required before formally adopting the dummy."
The female crash test dummy has been a long time coming — but she isn't here yet
After years of limbo, the U.S. government has given the green light to a crash test dummy based on the female body. But will it be used right away? Not so fast.
www.npr.org
November 26, 2025 at 4:57 PM
"The dummy's design had previously been embraced by some regulators overseas, with European officials indicating plans to add it to tests within a few years.
But it had been stuck in limbo in US, where for several years NHTSA said that more testing was required before formally adopting the dummy."
But it had been stuck in limbo in US, where for several years NHTSA said that more testing was required before formally adopting the dummy."
“Stuck” is from favorite book of 2025.
There's something uniquely satisfying about kind words from a writer whose own books you've enjoyed. Thanks to
@vermontgmg.bsky.social
for including me on this list: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/my-favorit...
@vermontgmg.bsky.social
for including me on this list: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/my-favorit...
November 28, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“Stuck” is from favorite book of 2025.
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“Before an Afghan refugee, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, yesterday shot and seriously injured two National Guard members who had been deployed by Trump to Washington, D.C.,
military commanders had warned that their deployment represented an easy “target of opportunity” for grievance-based violence.
military commanders had warned that their deployment represented an easy “target of opportunity” for grievance-based violence.
November 27, 2025 at 11:42 PM
“Before an Afghan refugee, Rahmanullah Lakanwal, yesterday shot and seriously injured two National Guard members who had been deployed by Trump to Washington, D.C.,
military commanders had warned that their deployment represented an easy “target of opportunity” for grievance-based violence.
military commanders had warned that their deployment represented an easy “target of opportunity” for grievance-based violence.
“Because there is no legitimate war between the two sides, killing any of the men in the boats “amounts to murder,” said Todd Huntley, a former military lawyer who advised Special Operations forces for seven years at the height of the U.S. counterterrorism campaign.”
Hegseth order on first Caribbean boat strike, officials say: Kill them all
Defense Secretary Pete Hegseth issued a verbal order to kill all crew members in the Sept. 2 strike on a suspected drug boat. Navy SEALs fired a second missile.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:55 PM
“Because there is no legitimate war between the two sides, killing any of the men in the boats “amounts to murder,” said Todd Huntley, a former military lawyer who advised Special Operations forces for seven years at the height of the U.S. counterterrorism campaign.”
Reposted by Torr 🧵
"they technically managed the world’s seventh-largest navy"
2021:
"in any real sense, the story is false. What PepsiCo acquired were small, old, obsolete, unseaworthy vessels. (...) The ships themselves were immediately turned over to a Norwegian shipyard to be scrapped. Pepsi was more a middleman
2021:
"in any real sense, the story is false. What PepsiCo acquired were small, old, obsolete, unseaworthy vessels. (...) The ships themselves were immediately turned over to a Norwegian shipyard to be scrapped. Pepsi was more a middleman
The Doomed Voyage of Pepsi’s Soviet Navy
A three-decade dream of communist markets ended in the scrapyard.
foreignpolicy.com
November 28, 2025 at 6:21 PM
"they technically managed the world’s seventh-largest navy"
2021:
"in any real sense, the story is false. What PepsiCo acquired were small, old, obsolete, unseaworthy vessels. (...) The ships themselves were immediately turned over to a Norwegian shipyard to be scrapped. Pepsi was more a middleman
2021:
"in any real sense, the story is false. What PepsiCo acquired were small, old, obsolete, unseaworthy vessels. (...) The ships themselves were immediately turned over to a Norwegian shipyard to be scrapped. Pepsi was more a middleman
Reposted by Torr 🧵
Something to pass the time while you recover from Thanksgiving: a list of books you should buy, or at least read. Oh, and the cover for my next book.
chrisfarnsworth.beehiiv.com/p/cover-reve...
chrisfarnsworth.beehiiv.com/p/cover-reve...
Cover Reveal: BIG SHOT and Gift Guide
The books you should be buying, or at least reading.
chrisfarnsworth.beehiiv.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:51 PM
Something to pass the time while you recover from Thanksgiving: a list of books you should buy, or at least read. Oh, and the cover for my next book.
chrisfarnsworth.beehiiv.com/p/cover-reve...
chrisfarnsworth.beehiiv.com/p/cover-reve...
"Carney signed a sweeping agreement that laid the groundwork for a new oil pipeline to expand Alberta oil sands, exempting the province’s industry from some environmental laws.
The decision follows Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports, the majority of which head south across the border
The decision follows Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports, the majority of which head south across the border
Canada Lifts Climate Laws for Alberta Oil Sands, Planning Pipeline
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 5:55 PM
"Carney signed a sweeping agreement that laid the groundwork for a new oil pipeline to expand Alberta oil sands, exempting the province’s industry from some environmental laws.
The decision follows Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports, the majority of which head south across the border
The decision follows Trump’s imposition of tariffs on Canadian imports, the majority of which head south across the border
Reposted by Torr 🧵
"Massive Wildfire Liabilities Push Utilities to Use AI to Stop Blazes -
Power companies are turning to tech firms that can spot fragile trees and map high-risk areas before fires start."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Power companies are turning to tech firms that can spot fragile trees and map high-risk areas before fires start."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Massive Wildfire Liabilities Push Utilities to Use AI to Stop Blazes
Power companies are turning to tech firms that can spot fragile trees and map high-risk areas before fires start.
www.bloomberg.com
November 26, 2025 at 5:18 PM
"Massive Wildfire Liabilities Push Utilities to Use AI to Stop Blazes -
Power companies are turning to tech firms that can spot fragile trees and map high-risk areas before fires start."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Power companies are turning to tech firms that can spot fragile trees and map high-risk areas before fires start."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“Worries about unchecked AI are widespread, without an anchor in one party.
Polling conducted for Edelman this month found that just 32% of Americans were “confident” about AI and just 17% wanted to see greater use of the technology in everyday life.”
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Polling conducted for Edelman this month found that just 32% of Americans were “confident” about AI and just 17% wanted to see greater use of the technology in everyday life.”
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
View: Trump’s AI agenda sails toward an iceberg of bipartisan populist fury
The AI industry’s new super PAC picked its first political target this month — and missed.
www.semafor.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:00 AM
“Worries about unchecked AI are widespread, without an anchor in one party.
Polling conducted for Edelman this month found that just 32% of Americans were “confident” about AI and just 17% wanted to see greater use of the technology in everyday life.”
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Polling conducted for Edelman this month found that just 32% of Americans were “confident” about AI and just 17% wanted to see greater use of the technology in everyday life.”
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Reposted by Torr 🧵
“We are not at war now. But Trump’s use of the National Guard suggests that he thinks we are not at peace either.
The National Guard is stranded somewhere on this battlefield of partisan politics.
They are not ready for this arena, and we should never have asked them to be.”
The National Guard is stranded somewhere on this battlefield of partisan politics.
They are not ready for this arena, and we should never have asked them to be.”
A Terrible and Avoidable Tragedy in D.C.
Trump was warned that members of the military could be attacked.
www.theatlantic.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:41 PM
“We are not at war now. But Trump’s use of the National Guard suggests that he thinks we are not at peace either.
The National Guard is stranded somewhere on this battlefield of partisan politics.
They are not ready for this arena, and we should never have asked them to be.”
The National Guard is stranded somewhere on this battlefield of partisan politics.
They are not ready for this arena, and we should never have asked them to be.”
Reposted by Torr 🧵
I treat boycotts as personal blood vendettas. This is about me physically harming a corporation, not about me telling any other human how to live their life.
I don’t have time to judge others while I’m digging two graves for me and Target.
I don’t have time to judge others while I’m digging two graves for me and Target.
As I always do with boycotts, I urge: be tough with corporations, gentle with individual buyers. For some people, Black Friday sales are the way they get their kids jackets that fit, shoes that hold up to the weather. Yelling at them doesn’t help the cause.
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
I treat boycotts as personal blood vendettas. This is about me physically harming a corporation, not about me telling any other human how to live their life.
I don’t have time to judge others while I’m digging two graves for me and Target.
I don’t have time to judge others while I’m digging two graves for me and Target.
"A new documentary explores whether making fire and driving dog sleds in freezing Arctic temperatures can alleviate young people’s modern anxieties.
Norway boasts 85 “folk high schools” with 7,000 annual matriculants, whose fees are typically covered in part by government grants."
Norway boasts 85 “folk high schools” with 7,000 annual matriculants, whose fees are typically covered in part by government grants."
‘A fire, a dog, and the starry sky’: the teens overcoming phone-addiction through Arctic pursuits
A new documentary from the makers of Jesus Camp follows the students enrolled at one of Norway’s 85 ‘folk high schools’. Can sledding and survival skills cure their social media-induced anxiety?
www.theguardian.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:39 PM
"A new documentary explores whether making fire and driving dog sleds in freezing Arctic temperatures can alleviate young people’s modern anxieties.
Norway boasts 85 “folk high schools” with 7,000 annual matriculants, whose fees are typically covered in part by government grants."
Norway boasts 85 “folk high schools” with 7,000 annual matriculants, whose fees are typically covered in part by government grants."
The trainings shape security institutions in recipient countries, & bolster the Chinese idea of what security is, "& who is best at providing it.”
But much of the curriculum’s content is undisclosed, because Beijing believes it “could be used by outsiders to portray China in a negative light.”
But much of the curriculum’s content is undisclosed, because Beijing believes it “could be used by outsiders to portray China in a negative light.”
China’s Foreign Police Training: A Global Footprint
New data reveal how China’s foreign police training programs have become an integral part of Beijing’s strategy to remake global security.
carnegieendowment.org
November 28, 2025 at 4:34 PM
The trainings shape security institutions in recipient countries, & bolster the Chinese idea of what security is, "& who is best at providing it.”
But much of the curriculum’s content is undisclosed, because Beijing believes it “could be used by outsiders to portray China in a negative light.”
But much of the curriculum’s content is undisclosed, because Beijing believes it “could be used by outsiders to portray China in a negative light.”
"Oslo drove a Chinese-built electric bus into a mine to shield it from outside signals & discovered it contained a SIM card that gave the manufacturer access to its power system,in theory allowing it to be remotely disabled.
Much of Europe relies on Chinese equipment in its renewable energy systems
Much of Europe relies on Chinese equipment in its renewable energy systems
Can Chinese-Made Buses Be Hacked? Norway Drove One Down a Mine to Find Out
The growing prevalence of Chinese technology in Europe’s infrastructure is stoking security concerns across the region.
www.wsj.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:20 PM
"Oslo drove a Chinese-built electric bus into a mine to shield it from outside signals & discovered it contained a SIM card that gave the manufacturer access to its power system,in theory allowing it to be remotely disabled.
Much of Europe relies on Chinese equipment in its renewable energy systems
Much of Europe relies on Chinese equipment in its renewable energy systems
"The story of a Russian colonel who once studied alongside American soldiers and later fought against Ukraine encapsulates Moscow-Washington relations over the last four decades.
Demurenko was chosen to take classes at a US Army college in 1992 during a hopeful period of post-Cold War cooperation,"
Demurenko was chosen to take classes at a US Army college in 1992 during a hopeful period of post-Cold War cooperation,"
He Saw the Best of America and Then Fought for Russia in Ukraine
www.nytimes.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:13 PM
"The story of a Russian colonel who once studied alongside American soldiers and later fought against Ukraine encapsulates Moscow-Washington relations over the last four decades.
Demurenko was chosen to take classes at a US Army college in 1992 during a hopeful period of post-Cold War cooperation,"
Demurenko was chosen to take classes at a US Army college in 1992 during a hopeful period of post-Cold War cooperation,"
"German officials believe Russia will be ready and willing to attack NATO in 2029, and have secretly prepared a blueprint for war that envisions Germany as a vast NATO staging ground, with plans to move as many as 800,000 German, U.S., and other NATO troops to a hypothetical eastern front."
Germany’s Secret Plan for War With Russia
A classified blueprint shows why weapons or troop numbers alone may not decide the outcome of a broader conflict between Moscow and the West.
www.wsj.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:50 PM
"German officials believe Russia will be ready and willing to attack NATO in 2029, and have secretly prepared a blueprint for war that envisions Germany as a vast NATO staging ground, with plans to move as many as 800,000 German, U.S., and other NATO troops to a hypothetical eastern front."
Reposted by Torr 🧵
The excellent column did not provide links to the organizations (which I assume was not Ms. Goldberg's decision).
Here they are:
www.immdef.org (Immigrant Defenders)
ndlon.org (National Day Laborers Organizing Network "NDLON")
Donation buttons are clearly marked on each site.
Here they are:
www.immdef.org (Immigrant Defenders)
ndlon.org (National Day Laborers Organizing Network "NDLON")
Donation buttons are clearly marked on each site.
November 28, 2025 at 2:41 PM
The excellent column did not provide links to the organizations (which I assume was not Ms. Goldberg's decision).
Here they are:
www.immdef.org (Immigrant Defenders)
ndlon.org (National Day Laborers Organizing Network "NDLON")
Donation buttons are clearly marked on each site.
Here they are:
www.immdef.org (Immigrant Defenders)
ndlon.org (National Day Laborers Organizing Network "NDLON")
Donation buttons are clearly marked on each site.
“Worries about unchecked AI are widespread, without an anchor in one party.
Polling conducted for Edelman this month found that just 32% of Americans were “confident” about AI and just 17% wanted to see greater use of the technology in everyday life.”
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Polling conducted for Edelman this month found that just 32% of Americans were “confident” about AI and just 17% wanted to see greater use of the technology in everyday life.”
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
View: Trump’s AI agenda sails toward an iceberg of bipartisan populist fury
The AI industry’s new super PAC picked its first political target this month — and missed.
www.semafor.com
November 28, 2025 at 3:00 AM
“Worries about unchecked AI are widespread, without an anchor in one party.
Polling conducted for Edelman this month found that just 32% of Americans were “confident” about AI and just 17% wanted to see greater use of the technology in everyday life.”
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
Polling conducted for Edelman this month found that just 32% of Americans were “confident” about AI and just 17% wanted to see greater use of the technology in everyday life.”
www.semafor.com/article/11/2...
“(But) raising wages wouldn’t address affordability for seniors or those with disabilities who are not part of the workforce but make up a large share of low-income renters.
It also won’t necessarily resolve the underlying shortage of housing that’s driving up prices overall.”
It also won’t necessarily resolve the underlying shortage of housing that’s driving up prices overall.”
Santa Fe is the first city in the U.S. to directly link wages to housing affordability, aiming to counter high rents.
Santa Fe tackles rental rates with first-in-US minimum wage approach
Santa Fe is the first city in the U.S. to directly link wages to housing affordability, aiming to counter high rents.
bit.ly
November 28, 2025 at 2:50 AM
“(But) raising wages wouldn’t address affordability for seniors or those with disabilities who are not part of the workforce but make up a large share of low-income renters.
It also won’t necessarily resolve the underlying shortage of housing that’s driving up prices overall.”
It also won’t necessarily resolve the underlying shortage of housing that’s driving up prices overall.”
“We are not at war now. But Trump’s use of the National Guard suggests that he thinks we are not at peace either.
The National Guard is stranded somewhere on this battlefield of partisan politics.
They are not ready for this arena, and we should never have asked them to be.”
The National Guard is stranded somewhere on this battlefield of partisan politics.
They are not ready for this arena, and we should never have asked them to be.”
A Terrible and Avoidable Tragedy in D.C.
Trump was warned that members of the military could be attacked.
www.theatlantic.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:41 PM
“We are not at war now. But Trump’s use of the National Guard suggests that he thinks we are not at peace either.
The National Guard is stranded somewhere on this battlefield of partisan politics.
They are not ready for this arena, and we should never have asked them to be.”
The National Guard is stranded somewhere on this battlefield of partisan politics.
They are not ready for this arena, and we should never have asked them to be.”
“Peru sentenced ex-Pres Vizcarra to 14 years in prison, joining other former leaders to be jailed for corruption.
He’ll serve his sentence in the same prison where 3 other ex-presidents are held.
Corruption has become worse in much of Latin America in recent years, draining strained public coffers
He’ll serve his sentence in the same prison where 3 other ex-presidents are held.
Corruption has become worse in much of Latin America in recent years, draining strained public coffers
Peru sentences ex-President Vizcarra to 14 years in prison for corruption
A Peruvian court on Wednesday sentenced former President Martin Vizcarra to 14 years in prison after finding him guilty of taking bribes years before he took office, adding to a list of former leaders...
www.reuters.com
November 27, 2025 at 11:19 PM
“Peru sentenced ex-Pres Vizcarra to 14 years in prison, joining other former leaders to be jailed for corruption.
He’ll serve his sentence in the same prison where 3 other ex-presidents are held.
Corruption has become worse in much of Latin America in recent years, draining strained public coffers
He’ll serve his sentence in the same prison where 3 other ex-presidents are held.
Corruption has become worse in much of Latin America in recent years, draining strained public coffers