Graham Starr
@gstarr.bsky.social
same graham but over here now. Reporter/editor. Mostly tech, health care, media. Adweek, TIME, Bloomberg, Business Insider, NYT, NYMag, &c. Here to share things I read.
🔗 https://graham.substack.com/
🔗 https://graham.substack.com/
Pinned
Graham Starr
@gstarr.bsky.social
· Nov 13
all my posts are about posting
Reposted by Graham Starr
Quiz teaches you how to spot AI-generated video www.npr.org/2025/11/30/n...
AI video slop is everywhere, take our quiz to try and spot it
There's no one way to be absolutely sure about a video's authenticity, but experts say there are some simple clues that can help.
www.npr.org
November 30, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Quiz teaches you how to spot AI-generated video www.npr.org/2025/11/30/n...
Reposted by Graham Starr
A strong and true report from the frontlines of tech accountability journalism by @caseynewton.bsky.social: "I'm noticing the degree to which platforms wish to be judged only by their stated intentions, and almost never on the outcomes of anyone who uses them." www.platformer.news/roblox-ceo-i...
Roblox is a problem — but it’s a symptom of something worse
What is the role of tech journalism in a world where CEOs no longer feel shame?
www.platformer.news
November 25, 2025 at 3:19 AM
A strong and true report from the frontlines of tech accountability journalism by @caseynewton.bsky.social: "I'm noticing the degree to which platforms wish to be judged only by their stated intentions, and almost never on the outcomes of anyone who uses them." www.platformer.news/roblox-ceo-i...
Reposted by Graham Starr
A must-read profile of RFK Jr., perhaps the most powerful force in American health care in decades:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r...
How RFK Jr., America's celebrity health secretary, is steamrolling science
RFK Jr. is plowing ahead with sweeping changes to U.S. health care that have thrilled supporters, purged opponents, and horrified critics.
www.statnews.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:09 PM
A must-read profile of RFK Jr., perhaps the most powerful force in American health care in decades:
www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/18/r...
Reposted by Graham Starr
November 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
Reposted by Graham Starr
great incentives we have here when Home Depot stock falls because “not enough hurricanes ☹️”
bsky.app/profile/cono...
bsky.app/profile/cono...
$HD missed earnings and guided down. They attributed it primarily to the lack of hurricanes in Q3 but said consumer demand has yet to improve despite the decline in interest rates:
November 18, 2025 at 2:06 PM
great incentives we have here when Home Depot stock falls because “not enough hurricanes ☹️”
bsky.app/profile/cono...
bsky.app/profile/cono...
Low-income consumers are getting priced out of fast food (!) www.latimes.com/business/sto...
McDonald's is losing its low-income customers. Economists call it a symptom of the stark wealth divide
These customers are feeling the pressures of higher prices on groceries and apparel and the growing costs of rent and child care, the company's chief executive said in a recent earnings call.
www.latimes.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Low-income consumers are getting priced out of fast food (!) www.latimes.com/business/sto...
Reposted by Graham Starr
Rumors of something like this have circulated all year. Immigrant communities in Brooklyn speak of bounty hunters (loosely defined; I respect Joseph’s distinction below) as a certainty.
New from 404 Media: a contractor is paying random people $300 to physically track immigrants for ICE. Spoke to people briefed on plans. This isn't licensed PIs/bounty hunters. These are just former police/military; members of public
"Something doesn't sound right"
www.404media.co/contractor-p...
"Something doesn't sound right"
www.404media.co/contractor-p...
Contractor Paying Random People $300 to Physically Track Immigrants for ICE
“The more I listened to it, the more I’m like, something doesn’t sound right,” a person who was briefed on the pilot plans told 404 Media.
www.404media.co
November 18, 2025 at 4:02 PM
Rumors of something like this have circulated all year. Immigrant communities in Brooklyn speak of bounty hunters (loosely defined; I respect Joseph’s distinction below) as a certainty.
Reposted by Graham Starr
So if Olivia is 32 now, broke up with Lizza last year, was together with him for a decade, and then was living with you for 4+ years before that, how old was she when you moved her out of her (presumably parents’) house in the suburbs to live with you?
Btw about this from Lizza's reply: Olivia and I lived together for 4+ years (4 b'days, 4 Xmases, 4 anniversaries). That's like $1250 of jewelry per celebration. And her apartment was a writing studio. And I made an f-ton then. What was I supposed to do? Get her a lot of Gift Certificates from Kmart?
November 18, 2025 at 2:03 PM
So if Olivia is 32 now, broke up with Lizza last year, was together with him for a decade, and then was living with you for 4+ years before that, how old was she when you moved her out of her (presumably parents’) house in the suburbs to live with you?
Reposted by Graham Starr
Valve is making a console. The Steam Machine, a sleek box with the guts of a mid-range PC that runs SteamOS, will arrive in early 2026. Prices TBD, but unlike the failed Steam Machine initiative from a decade ago, this is Valve's own device. Big news www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Valve Announces Steam Machine, a New Video-Game Console
The US gaming company behind the popular, handheld Steam Deck is making a living-room device for PC games
www.bloomberg.com
November 12, 2025 at 6:00 PM
Valve is making a console. The Steam Machine, a sleek box with the guts of a mid-range PC that runs SteamOS, will arrive in early 2026. Prices TBD, but unlike the failed Steam Machine initiative from a decade ago, this is Valve's own device. Big news www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Graham Starr
In a "hush-hush" MAHA summit, top health officials will mingle with industry leaders and activists
www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
At ‘hush-hush’ MAHA summit, RFK Jr. and deputies to mix with biotech leaders
A who's who of MAHA federal officials will be speaking at an event, stacked with industry executives and activists, organized largely in secrecy.
www.statnews.com
November 11, 2025 at 6:47 PM
In a "hush-hush" MAHA summit, top health officials will mingle with industry leaders and activists
www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
www.statnews.com/2025/11/11/m...
Reposted by Graham Starr
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
A Sharon Begley byline, almost 5 years after her death.
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
Upon hearing the news James Watson had died, a STAT reporter said in our Slack, "I wish I could read what Sharon would have written."
Incredible news: Sharon in fact did pre-write a Watson obit. And it is masterful and excoriating.
🧪🧬🧫
James Watson, dead at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers
James Watson, the co-discoverer of the structure of DNA who died Thursday at 97, was a scientific legend and a pariah among his peers.
www.statnews.com
November 9, 2025 at 12:55 AM
pre-writing a devastating obituary for your enemy is god-tier hating of a kind you don’t often see anymore. renaissance haterism. beautiful stuff.
Reposted by Graham Starr
Y'all this is crazy!
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/r...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/r...
Voter Turnout Highest In Three Decades as Mamdani Phenomenon Galvanizes Electorate
More than 1.7 million voters cast ballots by 6 p.m. on Election Day, with three hours left at the polls.
www.thecity.nyc
November 4, 2025 at 11:37 PM
Y'all this is crazy!
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/r...
www.thecity.nyc/2025/11/04/r...
Reposted by Graham Starr
We're looking for a business reporter for a few months starting in December!
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/bu...
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/bu...
November 4, 2025 at 9:30 PM
We're looking for a business reporter for a few months starting in December!
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/bu...
www.linkedin.com/jobs/view/bu...
Reposted by Graham Starr
I bear full responsibility for the intra-South Carolina beef that continues to escalate because of Nancy Mace.
Original story here: www.wired.com/story/nancy-...
Original story here: www.wired.com/story/nancy-...
November 4, 2025 at 10:42 PM
I bear full responsibility for the intra-South Carolina beef that continues to escalate because of Nancy Mace.
Original story here: www.wired.com/story/nancy-...
Original story here: www.wired.com/story/nancy-...
The actual numbers:
NYC turnout, 2020 US primary: 25.7%
NYC turnout, 2021 city primary: 26.5%
NYC turnout, 2024 US primary: 10.1%
NYC turnout, 2025 city primary: 29.9%
Turnout doesn't necessarily go up during national election years, and dissatisfaction with national ticket can *depress* turnout.
NYC turnout, 2020 US primary: 25.7%
NYC turnout, 2021 city primary: 26.5%
NYC turnout, 2024 US primary: 10.1%
NYC turnout, 2025 city primary: 29.9%
Turnout doesn't necessarily go up during national election years, and dissatisfaction with national ticket can *depress* turnout.
There’s a ballot initiative in NYC to switch NYC mayoral elections to presidential years. Lots of arguments for and against but one very obvious result would be that turnout would go up and more people would vote in the mayoral, particularly infrequent voters. Notable Mamdani voted against it.
November 4, 2025 at 6:14 PM
The actual numbers:
NYC turnout, 2020 US primary: 25.7%
NYC turnout, 2021 city primary: 26.5%
NYC turnout, 2024 US primary: 10.1%
NYC turnout, 2025 city primary: 29.9%
Turnout doesn't necessarily go up during national election years, and dissatisfaction with national ticket can *depress* turnout.
NYC turnout, 2020 US primary: 25.7%
NYC turnout, 2021 city primary: 26.5%
NYC turnout, 2024 US primary: 10.1%
NYC turnout, 2025 city primary: 29.9%
Turnout doesn't necessarily go up during national election years, and dissatisfaction with national ticket can *depress* turnout.
NEW: Gannett is rebranding as USA Today Co. www.adweek.com/media/gannet...
Gannett Rebrands as USA Today Co.
The move follows Dotdash Meredith’s shift to People Inc. three months ago, underscoring a broader media trend
www.adweek.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:19 PM
NEW: Gannett is rebranding as USA Today Co. www.adweek.com/media/gannet...
Incredible stuff. Snowflake’s chief revenue officer gave a street interview to an influencer in which he, unauthorized, revealed guidance on revenue www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/10/...
Snowflake says exec shared unauthorized guidance in Instagram street interview
The video was posted by Instagram account "theschoolofhardknockz" and features Snowflake Chief Revenue Officer Mike Gannon.
www.cnbc.com
October 31, 2025 at 8:40 PM
Incredible stuff. Snowflake’s chief revenue officer gave a street interview to an influencer in which he, unauthorized, revealed guidance on revenue www.cnbc.com/amp/2025/10/...
Reposted by Graham Starr
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
‘Grand Theft Auto’ Studio Accused of Union Busting After Firings
Union says 30 and 40 people were terminated. Rockstar Games’ parent company cites ‘gross misconduct’
www.bloomberg.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:44 PM
BREAKING: Yesterday Grand Theft Auto VI maker Rockstar Games fired dozens of people, all of whom were involved in union efforts. A British union calls it "blatant and ruthless" union-busting. Take-Two Interactive says it was due to misconduct.
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Here's the scoop: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Graham Starr
I dug through the paperwork for all 18 LLCs that Jordon Hudson has registered with Massachusetts since she started dating Bill Belichick.
They tell the story a young woman with big plans for her and her boyfriend.
Gift link!
They tell the story a young woman with big plans for her and her boyfriend.
Gift link!
The Rise Of Jordon Hudson, Small Business Owner | Defector
Before he was stumbling over interview questions on national TV, before he was the guy who made North Carolina football worse, before you could bet on when he might be fired, Bill Belichick was one of...
defector.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:17 PM
I dug through the paperwork for all 18 LLCs that Jordon Hudson has registered with Massachusetts since she started dating Bill Belichick.
They tell the story a young woman with big plans for her and her boyfriend.
Gift link!
They tell the story a young woman with big plans for her and her boyfriend.
Gift link!
Reposted by Graham Starr
fascinating that this is being chalked up to AI — to me it looks like a negative economic indicator. companies tightening belts and laying off expensive middle managers? that predates AI by a lot www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
Tens of Thousands of White-Collar Jobs Are Disappearing as AI Starts to Bite
Companies ranging from Amazon to Target are sending workers into an unwelcoming market.
www.wsj.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:48 PM
fascinating that this is being chalked up to AI — to me it looks like a negative economic indicator. companies tightening belts and laying off expensive middle managers? that predates AI by a lot www.wsj.com/economy/jobs...
Why would Italian tech company Bending Spoons buy AOL?
Maybe the same reason it bought other legacy zombie companies like Evernote, Mosaic, Issuu, Meetup, Vimeo, and WeTransfer — all with troves of emails, videos, photos, and other content to train AI models. www.wsj.com/business/med...
Maybe the same reason it bought other legacy zombie companies like Evernote, Mosaic, Issuu, Meetup, Vimeo, and WeTransfer — all with troves of emails, videos, photos, and other content to train AI models. www.wsj.com/business/med...
Internet Pioneer AOL to Be Acquired by Italian Tech Company Bending Spoons
Bending Spoons secured $2.8 billion in debt financing to help fund the deal and for other investments.
www.wsj.com
October 29, 2025 at 4:41 PM
Why would Italian tech company Bending Spoons buy AOL?
Maybe the same reason it bought other legacy zombie companies like Evernote, Mosaic, Issuu, Meetup, Vimeo, and WeTransfer — all with troves of emails, videos, photos, and other content to train AI models. www.wsj.com/business/med...
Maybe the same reason it bought other legacy zombie companies like Evernote, Mosaic, Issuu, Meetup, Vimeo, and WeTransfer — all with troves of emails, videos, photos, and other content to train AI models. www.wsj.com/business/med...
Reposted by Graham Starr
What an odious thing to say. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
October 29, 2025 at 2:04 PM
What an odious thing to say. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/10...
jesus this story www.wsj.com/us-news/homi...
Six Words Every Killer Should Know: ‘I Feared for My Life, Officer’
The number of legally sanctioned homicides has grown substantially in states with expanded self-defense rights under stand-your-ground laws.
www.wsj.com
October 29, 2025 at 2:35 PM
jesus this story www.wsj.com/us-news/homi...
Meta rushed Vibes rollout to try to get ahead of OpenAI's Sora launch, cutting multibillion deals with Midjourney over Meta's own models, per FT. www.ft.com/content/89a0...
October 27, 2025 at 9:54 PM
Meta rushed Vibes rollout to try to get ahead of OpenAI's Sora launch, cutting multibillion deals with Midjourney over Meta's own models, per FT. www.ft.com/content/89a0...
Cool project from Wired www.wired.com/ai-issue/
AI of a Thousand Faces
What happens now that AI is everywhere and in everything? WIRED can’t tell the future, but we can try to make sense of it. Behold: 17 readings from the furthest reaches of the AI age.
www.wired.com
October 27, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Cool project from Wired www.wired.com/ai-issue/