Derek Powazek
@fraying.bsky.social
I used to make websites. I wrote the book “Design for Community.” I designed the original Blogger. I created JPG Magazine, Fray, Kvetch, Cute-Fight, and more.
Now I grow flowers and turn them into CBD products at https://milkbarn.farm.
Now I grow flowers and turn them into CBD products at https://milkbarn.farm.
Pinned
Had a long conversation with my contact at the Oregon Dept of Agriculture. The ODA administers the Hemp program. She has been hearing from a lot of hemp growers lately. (She thanked me for being nice about it - I said I waited a few days to calm down before calling.) Here's what I learned:
Still stewing about the Coast Guard delisting hate symbols. Have the other armed services done this, too? If not, why was the Coast Guard the first to fall? And why did they do this now? Was something about to drop re: coast guard folks with hate tattoos? It just makes no sense.
November 21, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Still stewing about the Coast Guard delisting hate symbols. Have the other armed services done this, too? If not, why was the Coast Guard the first to fall? And why did they do this now? Was something about to drop re: coast guard folks with hate tattoos? It just makes no sense.
I just keep getting older and wiser while the Bluesky app icon just keeps getting uglier.
November 20, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I just keep getting older and wiser while the Bluesky app icon just keeps getting uglier.
The Trump administration, with help from the formerly reputable ADL, has muddied the water around antisemitism so much that now, when actual antisemitic things happen, nobody even tries to talk about it.
Thanks to @nberlat.bsky.social for stepping into that void.
Thanks to @nberlat.bsky.social for stepping into that void.
Why Are Media and Mainstream Jewish Orgs Ignoring Judge's Antisemitic Dissent in Gerrymandering Case?
It’s not often that you see a federal judge issue a frothing antisemitic diatribe and call it an “opinion.” You’d think that when that happened, there’d be an outcry—after all Trump has taken unpreced...
religiondispatches.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:37 PM
The Trump administration, with help from the formerly reputable ADL, has muddied the water around antisemitism so much that now, when actual antisemitic things happen, nobody even tries to talk about it.
Thanks to @nberlat.bsky.social for stepping into that void.
Thanks to @nberlat.bsky.social for stepping into that void.
Reposted by Derek Powazek
a judge just issued a wildly antisemitic opinion in a crucial civil rights case.
yet hardly anyone—including Jewish institutions—have pointed out that it's antisemitic. this seems bad.
me at Religion Dispatches. religiondispatches.org/why-are-medi...
yet hardly anyone—including Jewish institutions—have pointed out that it's antisemitic. this seems bad.
me at Religion Dispatches. religiondispatches.org/why-are-medi...
Why Are Media and Mainstream Jewish Orgs Ignoring Judge's Antisemitic Dissent in Gerrymandering Case?
It’s not often that you see a federal judge issue a frothing antisemitic diatribe and call it an “opinion.” You’d think that when that happened, there’d be an outcry—after all Trump has taken unpreced...
religiondispatches.org
November 20, 2025 at 10:09 PM
a judge just issued a wildly antisemitic opinion in a crucial civil rights case.
yet hardly anyone—including Jewish institutions—have pointed out that it's antisemitic. this seems bad.
me at Religion Dispatches. religiondispatches.org/why-are-medi...
yet hardly anyone—including Jewish institutions—have pointed out that it's antisemitic. this seems bad.
me at Religion Dispatches. religiondispatches.org/why-are-medi...
Reposted by Derek Powazek
At some point, Musk realized manipulating public perception was more lucrative than delivering affordable EVs, and when that made him the richest man alive he pulled tens of billions out and dumped it into new, more powerful propaganda tools: Twitter and XAI.
This is just what he does...
This is just what he does...
Elon Musk's Grokipedia cites a neo-Nazi website 42 times, researchers say www.nbcnews.com/tech/elon-mu...
Elon Musk’s Grokipedia cites Stormfront — a neo-Nazi forum — dozens of times, study finds
An analysis by researchers at Cornell University is the first comprehensive look at Grokipedia since Musk launched his project last month.
www.nbcnews.com
November 20, 2025 at 3:30 PM
At some point, Musk realized manipulating public perception was more lucrative than delivering affordable EVs, and when that made him the richest man alive he pulled tens of billions out and dumped it into new, more powerful propaganda tools: Twitter and XAI.
This is just what he does...
This is just what he does...
I think this is true, but it doesn't stop with stochastic terrorism. Nazi Germany also started with encouraging randos to do violence, but it became state violence soon after.
One leads to the other. So it's not a bad idea to worry about both.
One leads to the other. So it's not a bad idea to worry about both.
Understanding this dynamic is key to understanding what the endgame is for a whole suite of GOP policies, including the rash of anti-trans attacks.
It's about creating a permission structure for random people to do awful things to disfavoured groups, and less about using state capacity to do so.
It's about creating a permission structure for random people to do awful things to disfavoured groups, and less about using state capacity to do so.
November 20, 2025 at 8:17 PM
I think this is true, but it doesn't stop with stochastic terrorism. Nazi Germany also started with encouraging randos to do violence, but it became state violence soon after.
One leads to the other. So it's not a bad idea to worry about both.
One leads to the other. So it's not a bad idea to worry about both.
Day three of a neighbor operating a chainsaw and a leaf blower all day and my eye is starting to twitch.
November 20, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Day three of a neighbor operating a chainsaw and a leaf blower all day and my eye is starting to twitch.
Bluesky catching strays over here.
Judge Oldham's call for the end of certifying questions from CA5 to state Supreme Courts includes this somewhat inexplicable shot at this here website.
www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub...
www.ca5.uscourts.gov/opinions/pub...
November 20, 2025 at 7:37 PM
Bluesky catching strays over here.
400,000 US troops died fighting against people wearing swastikas in World War II.
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:10 PM
400,000 US troops died fighting against people wearing swastikas in World War II.
The beginning of this is very important. Comedy is about surprise. AI is specifically about providing the most-expected thing. Comedy is about the least-expected thing.
November 20, 2025 at 7:05 PM
The beginning of this is very important. Comedy is about surprise. AI is specifically about providing the most-expected thing. Comedy is about the least-expected thing.
Reposted by Derek Powazek
• The claim "aliens have not taken over the White House" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that aliens have taken over the White House
Because apparently the way we do science now is by saying something is probably true unless definitively disproven
Because apparently the way we do science now is by saying something is probably true unless definitively disproven
Trump and RFK Jr's CDC just added a page that is full of disinformation about vaccines and autism.
November 20, 2025 at 5:37 AM
• The claim "aliens have not taken over the White House" is not an evidence-based claim because studies have not ruled out the possibility that aliens have taken over the White House
Because apparently the way we do science now is by saying something is probably true unless definitively disproven
Because apparently the way we do science now is by saying something is probably true unless definitively disproven
X really cooks people's brains.
Hey Brian? You do not in fact have to go be nice to the nazis in the nazi bar.
Get the fuck off that site, @schatz.bsky.social.
Hey Brian? You do not in fact have to go be nice to the nazis in the nazi bar.
Get the fuck off that site, @schatz.bsky.social.
November 20, 2025 at 5:34 AM
X really cooks people's brains.
Hey Brian? You do not in fact have to go be nice to the nazis in the nazi bar.
Get the fuck off that site, @schatz.bsky.social.
Hey Brian? You do not in fact have to go be nice to the nazis in the nazi bar.
Get the fuck off that site, @schatz.bsky.social.
Reposted by Derek Powazek
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
November 20, 2025 at 4:19 AM
Can’t believe the whole country has to suffer through the return of Dickensian childhood diseases because the worst, most ignorant attention-demanders decided other people’s expertise makes them feel bad
This is what a rapid cultural backslide looks like.
Nearly Half of All LGBTQ+ Characters Will Disappear From TV Next Season, GLAAD Study Finds
The 2024-25 TV season recorded 489 queer characters across broadcast, cable and screenings, but cancellations and plot find a deep decline to come
www.thewrap.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:04 AM
This is what a rapid cultural backslide looks like.
Being able to ask simple questions of people with no sign of embarrassment even when you think you know the answer already and being genuinely curious about how they answer is a gift that studying journalism gave me. It really is a superpower.
The actual secret to why I know stuff is that I ask a question any time I don’t understand literally anything. I don’t care how simple it is. Anybody who makes fun of you for asking a simple question likely doesn’t know the answer either
November 20, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Being able to ask simple questions of people with no sign of embarrassment even when you think you know the answer already and being genuinely curious about how they answer is a gift that studying journalism gave me. It really is a superpower.
We’re starting to get overnight frosts, so this is likely the last pepper harvest. 🌶️
November 20, 2025 at 12:04 AM
We’re starting to get overnight frosts, so this is likely the last pepper harvest. 🌶️
Reposted by Derek Powazek
I think it's important to remember that the GOP is completely fine with starving children to death. the gop supported Musk ending USAID, which has probably killed 600k people this year, most of them children. 1
November 19, 2025 at 11:24 PM
I think it's important to remember that the GOP is completely fine with starving children to death. the gop supported Musk ending USAID, which has probably killed 600k people this year, most of them children. 1
GOD YES. THIS.
"Let's make Congressional stock trading illegal" is something we say to our elected officials. It should not be something they are saying to us, like we somehow have the power to make this so.
November 19, 2025 at 11:23 PM
GOD YES. THIS.
I love Warren. Voted for her. Donated to her. Had her sticker on my car. Agree with her statement here. But I’m tired of politicians using social media to say things we all already know. Say what you’re doing, how we can help, and who is standing in the way. Stating the obvious doesn’t help anymore.
No lawmaker in Congress should be able to buy, own, and sell individual stocks. Period. Let's make Congressional stock trading illegal.
November 19, 2025 at 10:00 PM
I love Warren. Voted for her. Donated to her. Had her sticker on my car. Agree with her statement here. But I’m tired of politicians using social media to say things we all already know. Say what you’re doing, how we can help, and who is standing in the way. Stating the obvious doesn’t help anymore.
Of course this is bullshit. But it's expected, given how the Trump administration is basically criminalizing diversity.
We can't expect corporations to fight for justice. That's not the business they're in.
We can't expect corporations to fight for justice. That's not the business they're in.
Tech companies are backing away from creating diversity reports.
Microsoft, which released its annual diversity and inclusion report in 2024, is choosing to not do one in 2025.
www.hr-brew.com/stories/2025...
Microsoft, which released its annual diversity and inclusion report in 2024, is choosing to not do one in 2025.
www.hr-brew.com/stories/2025...
November 19, 2025 at 9:52 PM
Of course this is bullshit. But it's expected, given how the Trump administration is basically criminalizing diversity.
We can't expect corporations to fight for justice. That's not the business they're in.
We can't expect corporations to fight for justice. That's not the business they're in.
Reposted by Derek Powazek
This is a fascinating thread on how AI can reinforce delusions.
My tldr: It used to be hard for wingnuts to find support and validation for their unhinged conspiracy theories. Now AI gives them both instantly and that’s not great, Bob.
My tldr: It used to be hard for wingnuts to find support and validation for their unhinged conspiracy theories. Now AI gives them both instantly and that’s not great, Bob.
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
November 19, 2025 at 9:39 PM
This is a fascinating thread on how AI can reinforce delusions.
My tldr: It used to be hard for wingnuts to find support and validation for their unhinged conspiracy theories. Now AI gives them both instantly and that’s not great, Bob.
My tldr: It used to be hard for wingnuts to find support and validation for their unhinged conspiracy theories. Now AI gives them both instantly and that’s not great, Bob.
Reposted by Derek Powazek
one thing about this is that in the wake of all of this kirk is basically forgotten. he was barely cold in the ground before his allies — before his *wife* — started scheming over what they could take for themselves. a real life parable.
New: Reuters has tallied job losses, suspensions and investigations stemming from the reaction to Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination. Its findings: More than 600 Americans have been punished, and the figure is likely to be an under-count.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
November 19, 2025 at 3:38 PM
one thing about this is that in the wake of all of this kirk is basically forgotten. he was barely cold in the ground before his allies — before his *wife* — started scheming over what they could take for themselves. a real life parable.
Don't miss this one.
wrote about the president’s flagrant and destructive corruption in a column that references street fighter, the simpsons, machiavelli, and a host of revolutionary-era americans (gift link)
Opinion | The White House Gold Rush Is On
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:33 PM
Don't miss this one.
In the old days we had a metric for any social system: TTP - Time Till Penis - the amount of time a feature could exist before someone posted a penis.
The metric now is Time Till Someone Explains Decentralization or Federation To You. TTSEDOFTY?
Yeah, okay, the acronym needs work.
The metric now is Time Till Someone Explains Decentralization or Federation To You. TTSEDOFTY?
Yeah, okay, the acronym needs work.
November 19, 2025 at 9:13 PM
In the old days we had a metric for any social system: TTP - Time Till Penis - the amount of time a feature could exist before someone posted a penis.
The metric now is Time Till Someone Explains Decentralization or Federation To You. TTSEDOFTY?
Yeah, okay, the acronym needs work.
The metric now is Time Till Someone Explains Decentralization or Federation To You. TTSEDOFTY?
Yeah, okay, the acronym needs work.