@cluftnyc.bsky.social
Writer, editor, artist, scientist; she/her
I'd suggest that he likes the spectacle of a specific kind of musical theater (eg, Les Miz, Cats), and he likes to be seen at events. He does not care about the art and has zero discernment. He only likes shows that received rave reviews and big awards, and/or shows whose producers schmoozed him.
December 18, 2025 at 4:40 AM
I'd suggest that he likes the spectacle of a specific kind of musical theater (eg, Les Miz, Cats), and he likes to be seen at events. He does not care about the art and has zero discernment. He only likes shows that received rave reviews and big awards, and/or shows whose producers schmoozed him.
This makes me want to weep with joy at the humanity and kindness. (And, as a former server, regulars are what make restaurant work rewarding. You notice when they miss a day!)
December 17, 2025 at 9:25 PM
This makes me want to weep with joy at the humanity and kindness. (And, as a former server, regulars are what make restaurant work rewarding. You notice when they miss a day!)
Exactly. She wasn’t born yesterday, so I’m confused as to why she would speak so extensively and candidly on the record. I have a hunch that she was flattered by the attention and enjoyed a chance to dish, mistaking the reporter for a friend. But eleven lapses in judgment? I have no explanation.
December 16, 2025 at 6:08 PM
Exactly. She wasn’t born yesterday, so I’m confused as to why she would speak so extensively and candidly on the record. I have a hunch that she was flattered by the attention and enjoyed a chance to dish, mistaking the reporter for a friend. But eleven lapses in judgment? I have no explanation.
At least the Sopranos gang looks capable of experiencing moments of joy and humanity. (And they have much better style.)
December 16, 2025 at 5:52 PM
At least the Sopranos gang looks capable of experiencing moments of joy and humanity. (And they have much better style.)
To quote the excellent journalist Anna Merlan, “They can pry em dashes from my cold, dead hands.”
I’ve been using both constructions since ~9th grade. There is a time and place for each, and they should not be overused, but the idea that they’re “AI tells” is absurd and insulting. We must resist!
I’ve been using both constructions since ~9th grade. There is a time and place for each, and they should not be overused, but the idea that they’re “AI tells” is absurd and insulting. We must resist!
December 16, 2025 at 3:14 AM
To quote the excellent journalist Anna Merlan, “They can pry em dashes from my cold, dead hands.”
I’ve been using both constructions since ~9th grade. There is a time and place for each, and they should not be overused, but the idea that they’re “AI tells” is absurd and insulting. We must resist!
I’ve been using both constructions since ~9th grade. There is a time and place for each, and they should not be overused, but the idea that they’re “AI tells” is absurd and insulting. We must resist!
Yes; that was the first thing I noticed; Carroll O’Connor had blue eyes and looked much more intelligent and humane, even at his Archiest.
December 15, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Yes; that was the first thing I noticed; Carroll O’Connor had blue eyes and looked much more intelligent and humane, even at his Archiest.
I will be there with a sledgehammer
December 15, 2025 at 4:06 AM
I will be there with a sledgehammer
Done! Just bought it for a friend who’s struggling to pay back her loans; I expect she’ll appreciate it in a special way and will love it. Thank you!
December 13, 2025 at 11:06 PM
Done! Just bought it for a friend who’s struggling to pay back her loans; I expect she’ll appreciate it in a special way and will love it. Thank you!
So wrong it’s… still wrong, but fabulous!
December 13, 2025 at 10:43 PM
So wrong it’s… still wrong, but fabulous!
For a susceptible individual, the ersatz intimacy and immediacy of a chatbot seem to function as auditory hallucinations and delusional thinking. The brain interprets it as an internal voice/thought, even if external. Something in the communicative mechanism mimics aspects of a psychotic process.
December 13, 2025 at 1:11 PM
For a susceptible individual, the ersatz intimacy and immediacy of a chatbot seem to function as auditory hallucinations and delusional thinking. The brain interprets it as an internal voice/thought, even if external. Something in the communicative mechanism mimics aspects of a psychotic process.
This random person sends you good vibes and apologies on behalf of our short-sighted and cynical corporate workplaces. Hang tough and best wishes to you.
December 12, 2025 at 11:25 PM
This random person sends you good vibes and apologies on behalf of our short-sighted and cynical corporate workplaces. Hang tough and best wishes to you.
He acts like a washed-up Catskills comedian, repeating the same unfunny “joke” that got a laugh once from some flunkies, thinking it’s a crowd pleaser. (He does this all the time with his riffs, but it’s more horrifying in this context of murdering people in fishing boats.)
December 12, 2025 at 11:06 PM
He acts like a washed-up Catskills comedian, repeating the same unfunny “joke” that got a laugh once from some flunkies, thinking it’s a crowd pleaser. (He does this all the time with his riffs, but it’s more horrifying in this context of murdering people in fishing boats.)
I am loath to degrade Bud Cort (as Brewster McCloud) in this way, but I just had to post this still from the 1970 Altman film — imagine Trump, in a baggy suit, his tie dangling, flapping away:
December 12, 2025 at 4:43 AM
I am loath to degrade Bud Cort (as Brewster McCloud) in this way, but I just had to post this still from the 1970 Altman film — imagine Trump, in a baggy suit, his tie dangling, flapping away:
(I figured that’s what you meant; I laughed inside thinking of the likelihood of Trump paying attention to a power point presentation about why he should have a port)
December 12, 2025 at 4:17 AM
(I figured that’s what you meant; I laughed inside thinking of the likelihood of Trump paying attention to a power point presentation about why he should have a port)
Yes, I suspect it’s vanity that keeps him from having the IV placed elsewhere — as you speculate, it would show under golf polos, or whatever else. The man is notoriously vain. I think he insists the hand is his “safest” option for the optics.
December 12, 2025 at 3:59 AM
Yes, I suspect it’s vanity that keeps him from having the IV placed elsewhere — as you speculate, it would show under golf polos, or whatever else. The man is notoriously vain. I think he insists the hand is his “safest” option for the optics.
Chris Hayes is on it now, which is heartening (Megan Twohey broke the story yesterday):
WATCH: New reporting from the New York Times reveals Andrew Tate’s release from Romania—where he faced rape and human trafficking charges—may have involved powerful allies, including Barron Trump. Pulitzer-prize winning investigative reporter Megan Twohey joins to discuss.
Barron Trump's ties to accused sex trafficker Andrew Tate exposed in NYT report
YouTube video by MS NOW
www.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 3:31 AM
Chris Hayes is on it now, which is heartening (Megan Twohey broke the story yesterday):
“Launched” a new way?— please; companies launch things; brands and projects “launch.” CNN’s co-opting of the regime’s tacky commercial phrasing and the promotional vibe of this segment make their deference and water-carrying all the more nauseatingly obvious.
December 12, 2025 at 2:06 AM
“Launched” a new way?— please; companies launch things; brands and projects “launch.” CNN’s co-opting of the regime’s tacky commercial phrasing and the promotional vibe of this segment make their deference and water-carrying all the more nauseatingly obvious.
I feel obliged:
Gil Scott-Heron - Whitey On the Moon (Official Audio)
YouTube video by Ace Records
m.youtube.com
December 12, 2025 at 2:00 AM
I feel obliged:
Yes, which seems strongly relevant and should be getting more coverage. I wonder how long Barron has been an acolyte of the manosphere and who else he urged Trump and cronies to pay attention to. Or was the effort from the opposite direction— cultivate a connection with Gen Z Barron to have an in?
December 12, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Yes, which seems strongly relevant and should be getting more coverage. I wonder how long Barron has been an acolyte of the manosphere and who else he urged Trump and cronies to pay attention to. Or was the effort from the opposite direction— cultivate a connection with Gen Z Barron to have an in?
I doubt Trump ever took civics. He skated and cheated his way through a military academy, got into Fordham via a family friend, same with transferring to Wharton, where professor William Kelley called him “the dumbest goddamn student I ever had.”
He has no concept of the structures of government.
He has no concept of the structures of government.
December 12, 2025 at 1:25 AM
I doubt Trump ever took civics. He skated and cheated his way through a military academy, got into Fordham via a family friend, same with transferring to Wharton, where professor William Kelley called him “the dumbest goddamn student I ever had.”
He has no concept of the structures of government.
He has no concept of the structures of government.
(Speaking of cannot edit: s.b. “regurgitate” and “homogenize.” I had changed “AI” to “LLMs” because I’m trying to move away from endowing the bots with “intelligence,” but didn’t carry through my change.)
December 11, 2025 at 6:39 PM
(Speaking of cannot edit: s.b. “regurgitate” and “homogenize.” I had changed “AI” to “LLMs” because I’m trying to move away from endowing the bots with “intelligence,” but didn’t carry through my change.)
These passages aggravated me most (in addition to the overarching sense of surrender):
"It’s the best editorial tool we’ve ever had. It’s the best fact-checking tool we’ve ever had."
No. LLMs don't edit: they regurgitates and homogenizes. They can’t fact-check because they cannot determine fact.
"It’s the best editorial tool we’ve ever had. It’s the best fact-checking tool we’ve ever had."
No. LLMs don't edit: they regurgitates and homogenizes. They can’t fact-check because they cannot determine fact.
December 11, 2025 at 6:19 PM
These passages aggravated me most (in addition to the overarching sense of surrender):
"It’s the best editorial tool we’ve ever had. It’s the best fact-checking tool we’ve ever had."
No. LLMs don't edit: they regurgitates and homogenizes. They can’t fact-check because they cannot determine fact.
"It’s the best editorial tool we’ve ever had. It’s the best fact-checking tool we’ve ever had."
No. LLMs don't edit: they regurgitates and homogenizes. They can’t fact-check because they cannot determine fact.