Alan Elrod
@aselrod.bsky.social
Arkie. President & CEO, Pulaski Institution. Contributing Editor and columnist, @LiberalCurrents.com
Other words: MSNBC, Foreign Policy, The Bulwark, Salon, UnPopulist
He/Him
www.pulaskiinstitution.org/donate
Other words: MSNBC, Foreign Policy, The Bulwark, Salon, UnPopulist
He/Him
www.pulaskiinstitution.org/donate
Pinned
Women Should Make Babies, Not Vote: Why Some on the Far Right Want to Repeal the 19th Amendment
The far right takes losses at the ballot box as evidence that women do not deserve their rights.
www.liberalcurrents.com
Some on the far right want to repeal the 19th amendment. Many more share a coercive, patriarchal view of women.
I wrote about this and how the far right sees subjugating women as key to building the sort of electorate they need to win. @liberalcurrents.com
www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
I wrote about this and how the far right sees subjugating women as key to building the sort of electorate they need to win. @liberalcurrents.com
www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
Reposted by Alan Elrod
Do you think Jar Jar Binks was made for children to sympathize with indigenous populations? If so, which ones?
"I have no idea what being a contributing writer for a fascist rag has to do with despising a character that was created for children to sympathize with indigenous populations"
I have no idea what being a contributing writer to the New York Times has to do with a movie featuring Jar Jar Binks but I will continue to stand on this hill: The Phantom Menace is Bad.
November 10, 2025 at 6:32 PM
Do you think Jar Jar Binks was made for children to sympathize with indigenous populations? If so, which ones?
Reposted by Alan Elrod
“The far-right had already embraced an anti-intellectual, anti-expertise position and were able to mobilize against public health, which Covid thrust into public awareness. “
“Understanding the Covid-19 pandemic as a catalyst for right-wing backlash is misleading because it’s too passive” www.liberalcurrents.com/propaganda-r...
Propaganda, Rather than Pandemic Policies, Caused the War on Public Health
The backlash narrative ignores basic facts of the case.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 10, 2025 at 1:26 PM
“The far-right had already embraced an anti-intellectual, anti-expertise position and were able to mobilize against public health, which Covid thrust into public awareness. “
Reposted by Alan Elrod
From @zeblarson.bsky.social.
From Liberal Currents: "Propaganda, Rather than Pandemic Policies, Caused the War on Public Health--The backlash narrative ignores basic facts of the case."
www.liberalcurrents.com/propaganda-r...
From Liberal Currents: "Propaganda, Rather than Pandemic Policies, Caused the War on Public Health--The backlash narrative ignores basic facts of the case."
www.liberalcurrents.com/propaganda-r...
Propaganda, Rather than Pandemic Policies, Caused the War on Public Health
The backlash narrative ignores basic facts of the case.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:44 PM
From @zeblarson.bsky.social.
From Liberal Currents: "Propaganda, Rather than Pandemic Policies, Caused the War on Public Health--The backlash narrative ignores basic facts of the case."
www.liberalcurrents.com/propaganda-r...
From Liberal Currents: "Propaganda, Rather than Pandemic Policies, Caused the War on Public Health--The backlash narrative ignores basic facts of the case."
www.liberalcurrents.com/propaganda-r...
Reposted by Alan Elrod
“Understanding the Covid-19 pandemic as a catalyst for right-wing backlash is misleading because it’s too passive” www.liberalcurrents.com/propaganda-r...
Propaganda, Rather than Pandemic Policies, Caused the War on Public Health
The backlash narrative ignores basic facts of the case.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:04 AM
“Understanding the Covid-19 pandemic as a catalyst for right-wing backlash is misleading because it’s too passive” www.liberalcurrents.com/propaganda-r...
Reposted by Alan Elrod
My newest piece for Liberal Currents, and a paean to public health. It needs to be the tip of the spear against fascism and it’s a natural leader in the fight for a better world.
Thanks to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social for talking to me as I worked on this.
Thanks to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social for talking to me as I worked on this.
“Understanding the Covid-19 pandemic as a catalyst for right-wing backlash is misleading because it’s too passive” www.liberalcurrents.com/propaganda-r...
Propaganda, Rather than Pandemic Policies, Caused the War on Public Health
The backlash narrative ignores basic facts of the case.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 10, 2025 at 12:51 PM
My newest piece for Liberal Currents, and a paean to public health. It needs to be the tip of the spear against fascism and it’s a natural leader in the fight for a better world.
Thanks to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social for talking to me as I worked on this.
Thanks to @gregggonsalves.bsky.social for talking to me as I worked on this.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
He explicitly encouraged the Capitol riot
November 9, 2025 at 7:54 PM
He explicitly encouraged the Capitol riot
Reposted by Alan Elrod
You spend approximately a quarter of what your ancestors spend on food in 1947 and the food quality is far superior and more varied. cepr.net/publications...
In the Good Old Days, One Fourth of Income Went to Food
cepr.net
November 10, 2025 at 12:39 AM
You spend approximately a quarter of what your ancestors spend on food in 1947 and the food quality is far superior and more varied. cepr.net/publications...
Reposted by Alan Elrod
When the Conservative Party in Korea declared martial law, the Korean Democrats knew if they didn’t send them to hell there would be no opposition afterwards. And look at them. They’re taking the ex conservative president and ensuring he never breathes free ever again.
South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-President Yoon on more charges reut.rs/3Xka3TD
South Korea special prosecutor indicts ex-President Yoon on more charges
South Korea's special prosecutor on Monday indicted former President Yoon Suk Yeol on additional charges of abusing power and aiding an enemy state related to his short-lived imposition of martial law last year.
reut.rs
November 10, 2025 at 3:33 AM
When the Conservative Party in Korea declared martial law, the Korean Democrats knew if they didn’t send them to hell there would be no opposition afterwards. And look at them. They’re taking the ex conservative president and ensuring he never breathes free ever again.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
Elon Musk and the coming twilight of the elites.
Read Morning Shots with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @eggerdc.bsky.social in @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/let-them-e...
Read Morning Shots with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @eggerdc.bsky.social in @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/let-them-e...
Let Them Eat AI-Generated Cake
Elon Musk and the coming twilight of the elites.
www.thebulwark.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Elon Musk and the coming twilight of the elites.
Read Morning Shots with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @eggerdc.bsky.social in @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/let-them-e...
Read Morning Shots with @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social and @eggerdc.bsky.social in @thebulwark.com: www.thebulwark.com/p/let-them-e...
Reposted by Alan Elrod
Capitulating Democratic senators waited until after the election, indicating they know capitulation was a bad politics that bothers their voters and reduces their chances of retaking power.
November 10, 2025 at 4:09 AM
Capitulating Democratic senators waited until after the election, indicating they know capitulation was a bad politics that bothers their voters and reduces their chances of retaking power.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
It’s not left v. center or progressive v. liberal or anything like that. It’s fight v. don’t fight.
November 10, 2025 at 4:21 AM
It’s not left v. center or progressive v. liberal or anything like that. It’s fight v. don’t fight.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
I get why this might be too complicated or messy to convey, but showing the Half-Breeds as better on black civil rights is... a bit of a fudge. Conkling helped write the 14th Amendment! Some of the most Stalwart on the spoils system were also the more Radical Republicans on race.
November 9, 2025 at 11:18 PM
I get why this might be too complicated or messy to convey, but showing the Half-Breeds as better on black civil rights is... a bit of a fudge. Conkling helped write the 14th Amendment! Some of the most Stalwart on the spoils system were also the more Radical Republicans on race.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
Some on the far right want to repeal the 19th amendment. Many more share a coercive, patriarchal view of women.
I wrote about this and how the far right sees subjugating women as key to building the sort of electorate they need to win. @liberalcurrents.com
www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
I wrote about this and how the far right sees subjugating women as key to building the sort of electorate they need to win. @liberalcurrents.com
www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
Women Should Make Babies, Not Vote: Why Some on the Far Right Want to Repeal the 19th Amendment
The far right takes losses at the ballot box as evidence that women do not deserve their rights.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 6, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Some on the far right want to repeal the 19th amendment. Many more share a coercive, patriarchal view of women.
I wrote about this and how the far right sees subjugating women as key to building the sort of electorate they need to win. @liberalcurrents.com
www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
I wrote about this and how the far right sees subjugating women as key to building the sort of electorate they need to win. @liberalcurrents.com
www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
Reposted by Alan Elrod
If you made it out of Shiloh alive, the rest of your life is just stoppage time.
November 9, 2025 at 11:01 PM
If you made it out of Shiloh alive, the rest of your life is just stoppage time.
Death by Lightning, the James Garfield miniseries, has dropped on Netflix.
Extremely pumped to see this subject get the star cast treatment.
Extremely pumped to see this subject get the star cast treatment.
November 9, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Death by Lightning, the James Garfield miniseries, has dropped on Netflix.
Extremely pumped to see this subject get the star cast treatment.
Extremely pumped to see this subject get the star cast treatment.
Reposting this today for reasons
I wrote about the assassination of Charlie Kirk, its aftermath, and the sort of people we are when we engage the world through our screens. Read @liberalcurrents.com
www.liberalcurrents.com/yes-its-the-...
www.liberalcurrents.com/yes-its-the-...
Yes, It’s the Guns. It’s Also the Phones.
Life online is corroding the virtues that make liberal democratic life tenable.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 9, 2025 at 9:42 PM
Reposting this today for reasons
Reposted by Alan Elrod
Notice to the patriarchy: We won't go back.
"The far right in America sees women as a national—as well as natural—resource, a means of reversing the mass tide of migration that they think has taken their country from them." www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
Women Should Make Babies, Not Vote: Why Some on the Far Right Want to Repeal the 19th Amendment
The far right takes losses at the ballot box as evidence that women do not deserve their rights.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 9, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Notice to the patriarchy: We won't go back.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
"The far right in America sees women as a national—as well as natural—resource, a means of reversing the mass tide of migration that they think has taken their country from them." www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
Women Should Make Babies, Not Vote: Why Some on the Far Right Want to Repeal the 19th Amendment
The far right takes losses at the ballot box as evidence that women do not deserve their rights.
www.liberalcurrents.com
November 9, 2025 at 2:50 PM
"The far right in America sees women as a national—as well as natural—resource, a means of reversing the mass tide of migration that they think has taken their country from them." www.liberalcurrents.com/women-should...
Reposted by Alan Elrod
We have all allowed ourselves to become the crash test dummies of some of the most ethically bankrupt players in Silicon Valley. It is not anti-tech to simply point out the tech industry's willful, ongoing abuses of our privacy, our trust, our human creativity, and our body politic.
Some people seem to think I’m a Luddite. I’m not.
But the last decade has absolutely washed away a lot of techno-Utopianism from my thinking. So I simply do not think we should accept the industry’s claims at face value or be passive about how we respond to the very real concerns being raised.
But the last decade has absolutely washed away a lot of techno-Utopianism from my thinking. So I simply do not think we should accept the industry’s claims at face value or be passive about how we respond to the very real concerns being raised.
November 9, 2025 at 9:14 PM
We have all allowed ourselves to become the crash test dummies of some of the most ethically bankrupt players in Silicon Valley. It is not anti-tech to simply point out the tech industry's willful, ongoing abuses of our privacy, our trust, our human creativity, and our body politic.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
"In the immediate hours after Zohran Mamdani’s victory was declared Tuesday night, a new topic began trending on Elon Musk’s X: Repeal the 19th.
The posts were exactly what you’d think. The idea that women shouldn’t vote has existed on the crank right for a […]
[Original post on newsie.social]
The posts were exactly what you’d think. The idea that women shouldn’t vote has existed on the crank right for a […]
[Original post on newsie.social]
November 6, 2025 at 9:58 PM
"In the immediate hours after Zohran Mamdani’s victory was declared Tuesday night, a new topic began trending on Elon Musk’s X: Repeal the 19th.
The posts were exactly what you’d think. The idea that women shouldn’t vote has existed on the crank right for a […]
[Original post on newsie.social]
The posts were exactly what you’d think. The idea that women shouldn’t vote has existed on the crank right for a […]
[Original post on newsie.social]
Reposted by Alan Elrod
This is my primary complaint.
I do study this stuff, at the graduate level at a fancy CS program.
Sam Altman and Elon Musk and their ilk have poisoned the well for one of the most important advances in maths and computer science in many years.
Like Monsanto took DNA modification & exploited it.
I do study this stuff, at the graduate level at a fancy CS program.
Sam Altman and Elon Musk and their ilk have poisoned the well for one of the most important advances in maths and computer science in many years.
Like Monsanto took DNA modification & exploited it.
November 9, 2025 at 4:43 PM
This is my primary complaint.
I do study this stuff, at the graduate level at a fancy CS program.
Sam Altman and Elon Musk and their ilk have poisoned the well for one of the most important advances in maths and computer science in many years.
Like Monsanto took DNA modification & exploited it.
I do study this stuff, at the graduate level at a fancy CS program.
Sam Altman and Elon Musk and their ilk have poisoned the well for one of the most important advances in maths and computer science in many years.
Like Monsanto took DNA modification & exploited it.
I am admittedly a skeptic about LLMs and generative AI in general, but the post I made is actually specifically about OpenAI and Altman.
And I think it’s a bit weird for people to try and argue there isn’t documented evidence for the environmental, social, and legal concerns I mention here.
And I think it’s a bit weird for people to try and argue there isn’t documented evidence for the environmental, social, and legal concerns I mention here.
I honestly don’t get the value of this company. They hoover up energy and water. Their product constantly gets things wrong and, in extreme cases, coaches people into suicide.
And it’s all built on what seems to be malicious and vast intellectual property theft.
What does OpenAI offer the world?
And it’s all built on what seems to be malicious and vast intellectual property theft.
What does OpenAI offer the world?
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
November 9, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I am admittedly a skeptic about LLMs and generative AI in general, but the post I made is actually specifically about OpenAI and Altman.
And I think it’s a bit weird for people to try and argue there isn’t documented evidence for the environmental, social, and legal concerns I mention here.
And I think it’s a bit weird for people to try and argue there isn’t documented evidence for the environmental, social, and legal concerns I mention here.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
The one actual helpful use I’ve found for LLMs is to act as a suggestion generator and sounding board for translation. Which, it’s a language tool based on averages, so that’s kind of a great spot for it.
It blows my mind that anyone at all uses it as a knowledge tool or to handle communication.
It blows my mind that anyone at all uses it as a knowledge tool or to handle communication.
I honestly don’t get the value of this company. They hoover up energy and water. Their product constantly gets things wrong and, in extreme cases, coaches people into suicide.
And it’s all built on what seems to be malicious and vast intellectual property theft.
What does OpenAI offer the world?
And it’s all built on what seems to be malicious and vast intellectual property theft.
What does OpenAI offer the world?
“authors & publishers who filed a lawsuit against the Sam Altman-led firm have secured access to internal Slack messages… discussing the mass deletion of a pirated books dataset… A NY district court ordered OpenAI to hand over the communications regarding data deletion”
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
November 9, 2025 at 5:39 PM
The one actual helpful use I’ve found for LLMs is to act as a suggestion generator and sounding board for translation. Which, it’s a language tool based on averages, so that’s kind of a great spot for it.
It blows my mind that anyone at all uses it as a knowledge tool or to handle communication.
It blows my mind that anyone at all uses it as a knowledge tool or to handle communication.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
Another pardoned January 6 attacker arrested and charged with other, new felonies (in this case, kidnapping and sexual assault).
And don’t miss the part where he got caught firing off a gun on Jan. 6. You may recall the argument that it couldn’t have been an insurrection because it wasn’t armed.
And don’t miss the part where he got caught firing off a gun on Jan. 6. You may recall the argument that it couldn’t have been an insurrection because it wasn’t armed.
A Trump supporter who fired off a gun during the 2021 attack on the U.S. Capitol was arrested last month on kidnapping and sexual assault charges, according to the Cook County Sheriff’s Office in Illinois.
Former Jan. 6 defendant arrested on kidnapping and aggravated assault charges
The Utah man was previously charged with firing a gun outside the Capitol during the Jan. 6, 2021, attack.
www.nbcnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 6:30 PM
Another pardoned January 6 attacker arrested and charged with other, new felonies (in this case, kidnapping and sexual assault).
And don’t miss the part where he got caught firing off a gun on Jan. 6. You may recall the argument that it couldn’t have been an insurrection because it wasn’t armed.
And don’t miss the part where he got caught firing off a gun on Jan. 6. You may recall the argument that it couldn’t have been an insurrection because it wasn’t armed.
Reposted by Alan Elrod
"THEY APPEALED TO A VERY PARTICULAR SORT OF FELLA . . . "
"AND OF COURSE THERE WAS SOME NAZI LADIES TOO . . . "
"AND SOME WOULD SAY THEY WAS EVEN WORSE . . . "
MADE IN USA 1941
ANOTHER SUMMER
harpers.org/archive/1941...
"AND OF COURSE THERE WAS SOME NAZI LADIES TOO . . . "
"AND SOME WOULD SAY THEY WAS EVEN WORSE . . . "
MADE IN USA 1941
ANOTHER SUMMER
harpers.org/archive/1941...
November 9, 2025 at 6:34 PM
"THEY APPEALED TO A VERY PARTICULAR SORT OF FELLA . . . "
"AND OF COURSE THERE WAS SOME NAZI LADIES TOO . . . "
"AND SOME WOULD SAY THEY WAS EVEN WORSE . . . "
MADE IN USA 1941
ANOTHER SUMMER
harpers.org/archive/1941...
"AND OF COURSE THERE WAS SOME NAZI LADIES TOO . . . "
"AND SOME WOULD SAY THEY WAS EVEN WORSE . . . "
MADE IN USA 1941
ANOTHER SUMMER
harpers.org/archive/1941...