Bruce R McF (etc.)
@brucermcf.bsky.social
Obscure development & regional economist, teaching in South Carolina and living in both South Carolina and Tennessee. He/him
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Closing NCAR because it produces "climate alarmism" is like closing the fire department because it produces "fire alarmism"
billmckibben.substack.com/p/a-low-poin...
billmckibben.substack.com/p/a-low-poin...
A low point
Things will get better....I think
billmckibben.substack.com
December 19, 2025 at 12:51 AM
Closing NCAR because it produces "climate alarmism" is like closing the fire department because it produces "fire alarmism"
billmckibben.substack.com/p/a-low-poin...
billmckibben.substack.com/p/a-low-poin...
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Big media and telecom companies donate to both parties. They don’t want the FCC to tell them what to broadcast or censor. And they don’t want the FCC to regulate how they treat consumers. They want the FCC to sit quietly in the corner, license spectrum, and subsidize broadband.
I'd like you to notice how while Carr was dragged before Congress yesterday to address his ham-fisted attempts to censor a comedian, NOBODY asked him ANY questions about his efforts to completely destroy consumer protection and media consolidation limits.
The press couldn't care less, either.
The press couldn't care less, either.
F.C.C. Chair Says Agency ‘Isn’t Independent,’ Breaking From Tradition
www.nytimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Big media and telecom companies donate to both parties. They don’t want the FCC to tell them what to broadcast or censor. And they don’t want the FCC to regulate how they treat consumers. They want the FCC to sit quietly in the corner, license spectrum, and subsidize broadband.
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
December 17, 2025 at 8:43 PM
Techbros seem to love Tolkien, so here's an analogy to help you understand what genAI is.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
GenAI is The One Ring. You think your use is justified, b/c you don't have evil in your heart.
But it came from evil, it is intended for evil purpose, & anything you do with it will be twisted to that end.
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
No. It’s a great time to be a violent criminal in America. Our most sophisticated law enforcement agencies are busy hunting landscapers & housekeepers.
Is there any precedent in modern history for a mass shooting occurring in a public setting with 10+ casualties and the perpetrator not being apprehended? It's really hard to fathom.
December 18, 2025 at 4:21 AM
No. It’s a great time to be a violent criminal in America. Our most sophisticated law enforcement agencies are busy hunting landscapers & housekeepers.
"Schrödinger’s Actual Cat: Don't worry about his health, he couldn't be convinced to go into the box with the quantum released poison, it looked too much like the carrier to go to the vet. He's actually in the box that Schrödinger’s experimental box came in."
December 18, 2025 at 1:45 PM
"Schrödinger’s Actual Cat: Don't worry about his health, he couldn't be convinced to go into the box with the quantum released poison, it looked too much like the carrier to go to the vet. He's actually in the box that Schrödinger’s experimental box came in."
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
The idea that adding an "ism" to a person or website you dislike represents some sort of analysis is very Nate Silver
December 18, 2025 at 11:02 AM
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
here’s a free version:
neat_research_panel <- data.frame(
id = 1:100,
treatment = sample(c(TRUE, FALSE), 100, replace = TRUE),
outcome = rnorm(100, mean = 50, sd = 5)
)
neat_research_panel <- data.frame(
id = 1:100,
treatment = sample(c(TRUE, FALSE), 100, replace = TRUE),
outcome = rnorm(100, mean = 50, sd = 5)
)
Did you know that from tomorrow, Qualtrics is offering synthetic panels (AI-generated participants)?
Follow me down a rabbit hole I'm calling "doing science is tough and I'm so busy, can't we just make up participants?"
Follow me down a rabbit hole I'm calling "doing science is tough and I'm so busy, can't we just make up participants?"
December 16, 2025 at 6:46 PM
here’s a free version:
neat_research_panel <- data.frame(
id = 1:100,
treatment = sample(c(TRUE, FALSE), 100, replace = TRUE),
outcome = rnorm(100, mean = 50, sd = 5)
)
neat_research_panel <- data.frame(
id = 1:100,
treatment = sample(c(TRUE, FALSE), 100, replace = TRUE),
outcome = rnorm(100, mean = 50, sd = 5)
)
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Whenever he doesn’t have Trump as a foil, Newsom’s baseline liberalism sucksssss
December 17, 2025 at 12:52 PM
Whenever he doesn’t have Trump as a foil, Newsom’s baseline liberalism sucksssss
This is the tail wagging the chupacabra.
To be sure the priorities are misplaced, but the premises are fantasy, and that seems like it's pretty important.
To be sure the priorities are misplaced, but the premises are fantasy, and that seems like it's pretty important.
There is no national security logic that would impel the US to want to do regime change in Venezuela. It's simply not that important. I'm not even sure wag the dog is the right metaphor for what's happening here. Seems like an insane misallocation of US national security assets and attention.
Trump: "Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled ... It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the USA all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us."
December 17, 2025 at 3:56 AM
This is the tail wagging the chupacabra.
To be sure the priorities are misplaced, but the premises are fantasy, and that seems like it's pretty important.
To be sure the priorities are misplaced, but the premises are fantasy, and that seems like it's pretty important.
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
I keep saying this but no one is connecting the dots. The war is to satisfy legal preconditions for mass removal *domestically* of Latinos (i.e., suddenly a lot of people are going to be “Venezuelan” for purposes of removal). This is 100% Stephen Miller…oil claim is to make grandpa go along
There is no national security logic that would impel the US to want to do regime change in Venezuela. It's simply not that important. I'm not even sure wag the dog is the right metaphor for what's happening here. Seems like an insane misallocation of US national security assets and attention.
Trump: "Venezuela is completely surrounded by the largest Armada ever assembled ... It will only get bigger, and the shock to them will be like nothing they have ever seen before — Until such time as they return to the USA all of the Oil, Land, and other Assets that they previously stole from us."
December 17, 2025 at 12:47 AM
I keep saying this but no one is connecting the dots. The war is to satisfy legal preconditions for mass removal *domestically* of Latinos (i.e., suddenly a lot of people are going to be “Venezuelan” for purposes of removal). This is 100% Stephen Miller…oil claim is to make grandpa go along
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
So #JDVance is admitting that the Trump Regime is taking thousands of additional dollars out of the pockets of everyday Americans.
#TrumpTariffs #tariffs #TrumpRecession #Trumpcession
#TrumpTariffs #tariffs #TrumpRecession #Trumpcession
Q: How does the administration plan to lower costs and how long might it take for Americans to experience it?
JD VANCE: If the American people had $3,000 taken out of their pocket, it's gonna take a little bit of time before they really feel it's been put back in their pocket
JD VANCE: If the American people had $3,000 taken out of their pocket, it's gonna take a little bit of time before they really feel it's been put back in their pocket
December 17, 2025 at 1:34 AM
So #JDVance is admitting that the Trump Regime is taking thousands of additional dollars out of the pockets of everyday Americans.
#TrumpTariffs #tariffs #TrumpRecession #Trumpcession
#TrumpTariffs #tariffs #TrumpRecession #Trumpcession
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Perfectly glad to try new browsers, @mozilla.org, if you can't keep AI rot out of Firefox.
December 17, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Perfectly glad to try new browsers, @mozilla.org, if you can't keep AI rot out of Firefox.
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
*tearfully looking up at a portrait of the guy who illegally sold weapons to Iran and used to profits to fund right-wing death squads in Nicaragua*
The presidency once served as a reminder of our common humanity. Ronald Reagan described its purpose as building "a nation composed of good and decent people."
December 17, 2025 at 1:11 AM
*tearfully looking up at a portrait of the guy who illegally sold weapons to Iran and used to profits to fund right-wing death squads in Nicaragua*
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
This is the fossil fuel industry spraypainting the lens on the security cameras while they carry off the heist
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Trump moves to dismantle major US climate research center in Colorado
The Trump administration is breaking up the National Center for Atmospheric Research, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
www.usatoday.com
December 17, 2025 at 3:16 AM
This is the fossil fuel industry spraypainting the lens on the security cameras while they carry off the heist
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
www.usatoday.com/story/news/p...
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Here is the Department of Homeland Security touting this new ban by describing the (among others) spouses and children of U.S. citizens coming on visas as "foreign invaders."
It has never been about legal versus illegal. They hate legal immigration. They want to stop it. That's the story.
It has never been about legal versus illegal. They hate legal immigration. They want to stop it. That's the story.
December 16, 2025 at 10:07 PM
Here is the Department of Homeland Security touting this new ban by describing the (among others) spouses and children of U.S. citizens coming on visas as "foreign invaders."
It has never been about legal versus illegal. They hate legal immigration. They want to stop it. That's the story.
It has never been about legal versus illegal. They hate legal immigration. They want to stop it. That's the story.
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Over 25 GW of wind is powering the MISO grid right now — almost a new record for most wind at once.
December 17, 2025 at 12:52 AM
Over 25 GW of wind is powering the MISO grid right now — almost a new record for most wind at once.
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
I wrote about Yglesias “defending liberalism” by joining a right wing moral panic over critical race theory. His vision of liberalism has room for bigots, but no room for scholars concerned about structural racism.
"Yglesias claims to think “rights are good,” but would have us ignore how neutral rules can be used to deny people their rights. Earlier this month, the Trump Department of Justice issued a memo that follows from Yglesias’s reasoning" www.liberalcurrents.com/a-tent-big-e...
A Tent Big Enough for Bigots but Too Small for Critical Race Theory
Like so many of critical race theory's detractors, Matthew Yglesias fails to engage with the actual scholarship.
www.liberalcurrents.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:50 PM
I wrote about Yglesias “defending liberalism” by joining a right wing moral panic over critical race theory. His vision of liberalism has room for bigots, but no room for scholars concerned about structural racism.
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Today is the last day for donations to be matched if anyone would like to contribute to this great cause. 🙂
#askwxm
#askwxm
The club is collecting food at at The Racecourse today, internationals can support this from afar by donating to the 2025 Gift Matching Campaign
#AskWxm fans please take advantage of having having your contribution DOUBLED!
🔗 www.justgiving.com/campaign/wre...
#AskWxm fans please take advantage of having having your contribution DOUBLED!
🔗 www.justgiving.com/campaign/wre...
2025 Holiday Gift Matching Campaign - Double Your impact!
Donate to our Wrexham Foodbank campaign between Nov 29th and Dec 16th and your gift will have double the impact.
We have partnered with Wrexham AFC supporters who will match any donation £1 for £1 o...
www.justgiving.com
December 16, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Today is the last day for donations to be matched if anyone would like to contribute to this great cause. 🙂
#askwxm
#askwxm
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
So true. Can you name the totally normalized but dangerous thing we’re inhaling these days without our consent?
I lived thru the end of public smoking. Early in my career I presented to city councils who were smoking, in front of audiences who were smoking.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
It’s crazy that people used to be able to just smoke cigarettes wherever they wanted
December 16, 2025 at 5:56 AM
So true. Can you name the totally normalized but dangerous thing we’re inhaling these days without our consent?
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
Remember "smokers' rights"? LOL! 🙄🙄🙄
I lived thru the end of public smoking. Early in my career I presented to city councils who were smoking, in front of audiences who were smoking.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
Smoking in restaurants, airplanes, hospitals…
All of that seems insane now, but it was very controversial when we DID change it.
We CAN change things.
It’s crazy that people used to be able to just smoke cigarettes wherever they wanted
December 16, 2025 at 1:17 PM
Remember "smokers' rights"? LOL! 🙄🙄🙄
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
This mf destroyed homeless' camps with his own hands.
Newsom: The New Testament and Old Testament have one dominant thing in common—Matthew, Isaiah, Luke, Proverbs, go down the list—it’s about food, about serving those who are hungry. It’s not a suggestion; it’s core and essential to what it means to align with God’s will.
October 28, 2025 at 11:52 PM
This mf destroyed homeless' camps with his own hands.
Generating new ideas by supercharging plagiarism is like preparing for the Olympics by getting a tapeworm in your gut.
America, you have spoken loud and clear: You do not like AI. But what if AI is the way to restart the world’s idea machine?
We’re running out of good ideas. AI might be how we find new ones.
What if the best use of AI is restarting the world’s idea machine?
www.vox.com
December 16, 2025 at 10:30 AM
Generating new ideas by supercharging plagiarism is like preparing for the Olympics by getting a tapeworm in your gut.
Reposted by Bruce R McF (etc.)
America, you do not like home break-ins. But what if selling stolen goods is the way to restart the retail industry?
America, you have spoken loud and clear: You do not like AI. But what if AI is the way to restart the world’s idea machine?
We’re running out of good ideas. AI might be how we find new ones.
What if the best use of AI is restarting the world’s idea machine?
www.vox.com
December 16, 2025 at 2:48 AM
America, you do not like home break-ins. But what if selling stolen goods is the way to restart the retail industry?