Charles McGuinness
@mcguinness.ai
"The most authentic hipster talk of today is the twenty-three skidoo of tomorrow"
-- Ernest Hemingway
SF Bay Area, barely.
Full-time AI developer, part-time AI blogger:
https://mcguinnessai.substack.com
More a tech grandpa than a tech bro.
-- Ernest Hemingway
SF Bay Area, barely.
Full-time AI developer, part-time AI blogger:
https://mcguinnessai.substack.com
More a tech grandpa than a tech bro.
I am perplexed by how myopic this article in the @nytimes.com is. I'll explain in replies. First, a gift link to the article:
They Wanted a Conservative State. They Might Get a Democratic Representative Instead.
www.nytimes.com
December 26, 2025 at 10:46 PM
I am perplexed by how myopic this article in the @nytimes.com is. I'll explain in replies. First, a gift link to the article:
The right has been aggressively pushing a myth that illegal voters have swung elections since Obama won the presidency. Groups like "True the Vote" would get voter rolls, then use snake oil to identify illegal voters, and try to have them removed. (1/n)
Here's the deal, says USDOJ to states: we're going to send you lists of voters we think are ineligible, and you're going to take them off the rolls. That "would hand the federal govt a major role in election admin, a responsibility that belongs to the states under the U.S. Constitution." [Stateline]
Trump’s DOJ offers states confidential deal to remove voters flagged by feds • Stateline
The U.S. Department of Justice has sent confidential draft agreements on voter data sharing to more than a dozen states, part of the Trump administration’s effort to obtain unredacted voter rolls, wit...
stateline.org
December 26, 2025 at 6:44 PM
The right has been aggressively pushing a myth that illegal voters have swung elections since Obama won the presidency. Groups like "True the Vote" would get voter rolls, then use snake oil to identify illegal voters, and try to have them removed. (1/n)
The victorians were right when they said children's toys should be seen and not heard.
December 26, 2025 at 8:53 AM
The victorians were right when they said children's toys should be seen and not heard.
The Atlantic sent me a reminder my subscription will renew next month.
Why are they doing their very best to convince me not to renew?
I want deep insight and expert analysis, not crackpot conspiracy theories.
Be better, @theatlantic.com
Why are they doing their very best to convince me not to renew?
I want deep insight and expert analysis, not crackpot conspiracy theories.
Be better, @theatlantic.com
"Since they are Canadian, I would not rule out treachery" is such a hilarious line because it is in fact 100% backwards.
You can't be a traitor to a country you're not from??????
You can't be a traitor to a country you're not from??????
The Atlantic suggesting, without evidence, that Canada's Global TV broadcasting the '60 Minutes' segment on CECOT that CBS distributed to it may have been an act of "treachery."
🔗: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
🔗: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/2025/1...
December 24, 2025 at 4:13 AM
The Atlantic sent me a reminder my subscription will renew next month.
Why are they doing their very best to convince me not to renew?
I want deep insight and expert analysis, not crackpot conspiracy theories.
Be better, @theatlantic.com
Why are they doing their very best to convince me not to renew?
I want deep insight and expert analysis, not crackpot conspiracy theories.
Be better, @theatlantic.com
Oh, who is this federal taxpayer, Sean? It's not the red states, they get more money from DC than they send. Nope, it's the blue states who send more than they receive.
Talk about planning a Pyrrhic victory...
Talk about planning a Pyrrhic victory...
Sean Duffy on blue states: "What I can do is I can pull their money. That's the leverage I do have ... I guarantee you that the federal taxpayer is not going to fund their roads and bridges and their systems when they are putting illegals on the roads."
December 24, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Oh, who is this federal taxpayer, Sean? It's not the red states, they get more money from DC than they send. Nope, it's the blue states who send more than they receive.
Talk about planning a Pyrrhic victory...
Talk about planning a Pyrrhic victory...
It's the perfect ship. Completely impenetrable.
Except for a ventilation shaft on the side.
Except for a ventilation shaft on the side.
Everything about the “Trump-class battleship” screams VAPORWARE. www.thebulwark.com/p/trump-clas...
Trump-Class Battleships Are the Navy’s Trump Ballroom
Trump Steaks. Trump University. Trump Coins. Why not? Let’s do this and be legends.
www.thebulwark.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:21 AM
It's the perfect ship. Completely impenetrable.
Except for a ventilation shaft on the side.
Except for a ventilation shaft on the side.
Interesting that the government has banned the import of drones and drone parts. Were I more paranoid than I am, I would think this is an attempt to prevent the American public from getting access to technology that helps it resist fascism.
mashable.com/article/fcc-...
mashable.com/article/fcc-...
FCC bans foreign drones, including DJI. What happens next.
Have a DJI drone? Wondering if you can still operate it after the ban? Here's what the FCC says.
mashable.com
December 24, 2025 at 12:16 AM
Interesting that the government has banned the import of drones and drone parts. Were I more paranoid than I am, I would think this is an attempt to prevent the American public from getting access to technology that helps it resist fascism.
mashable.com/article/fcc-...
mashable.com/article/fcc-...
Every time the US sanctions somebody the EU thinks is a honest actor, the more the pressure grows to abandon the US-dominated banking system so that these sanctions never extend past the US border.
The Trump admin sanctions several European officials today after Elon Musk was fined for several violations of their Digital Services Act.
December 24, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Every time the US sanctions somebody the EU thinks is a honest actor, the more the pressure grows to abandon the US-dominated banking system so that these sanctions never extend past the US border.
I love how CBS is saying that they're just pulling the 60-minutes report for another round of editing and then they'll release it.
It will never be broadcast.
It might be replaced with propaganda. But you know you can't take reports of mistreatment and turn it into something upbeat.
It will never be broadcast.
It might be replaced with propaganda. But you know you can't take reports of mistreatment and turn it into something upbeat.
December 22, 2025 at 4:55 AM
I love how CBS is saying that they're just pulling the 60-minutes report for another round of editing and then they'll release it.
It will never be broadcast.
It might be replaced with propaganda. But you know you can't take reports of mistreatment and turn it into something upbeat.
It will never be broadcast.
It might be replaced with propaganda. But you know you can't take reports of mistreatment and turn it into something upbeat.
Got some peppermint bark in a tin, and the ghostly voice of my depression-baby mother spoke to me from the great beyond and said "you can use that tin for storing things when you finish the candy."
Sure, I'll use it mail off the home made cookies in a box I tie up with twine...
Sure, I'll use it mail off the home made cookies in a box I tie up with twine...
December 20, 2025 at 10:06 AM
Got some peppermint bark in a tin, and the ghostly voice of my depression-baby mother spoke to me from the great beyond and said "you can use that tin for storing things when you finish the candy."
Sure, I'll use it mail off the home made cookies in a box I tie up with twine...
Sure, I'll use it mail off the home made cookies in a box I tie up with twine...
Why does anyone think that suggesting autocompletion for text is a good idea? It almost never has any idea what I'm trying to say, and even if I dismiss the suggestion it comes back a few seconds more to hump my leg again.
Then it's painful to figure out how to turn it off.
Idiot companies.
Then it's painful to figure out how to turn it off.
Idiot companies.
December 20, 2025 at 7:26 AM
Why does anyone think that suggesting autocompletion for text is a good idea? It almost never has any idea what I'm trying to say, and even if I dismiss the suggestion it comes back a few seconds more to hump my leg again.
Then it's painful to figure out how to turn it off.
Idiot companies.
Then it's painful to figure out how to turn it off.
Idiot companies.
Bank of America is betting that no woman will ever be in a position to regulate them.
"Has feminism failed women brought to you by bank of america" is my MKULTRA sleeper agent activation phrase
December 20, 2025 at 6:24 AM
Bank of America is betting that no woman will ever be in a position to regulate them.
Is the message here that even the devil hates cranberries from a can?
December 19, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Is the message here that even the devil hates cranberries from a can?
The ol' reposition the KKK trick
December 17, 2025 at 7:07 AM
The ol' reposition the KKK trick
NCAR is managed by an international consortium of universities called UCAR. If the federal government defunds it, the states and provinces that run it should step up to keep it open.
Exclusive: The Trump administration is moving to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research in Colorado, according to a senior White House official, taking aim at one of the world's leading climate research labs.
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.
bit.ly
December 17, 2025 at 5:57 AM
NCAR is managed by an international consortium of universities called UCAR. If the federal government defunds it, the states and provinces that run it should step up to keep it open.
The Constitution is wary of armies, saying Congress has the power:
"To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years"
But for the navy:
"To provide and maintain a navy"
We too should be wary of standing armies.
"To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years"
But for the navy:
"To provide and maintain a navy"
We too should be wary of standing armies.
NEW: U.S. Military Willing to Attack “Designated Terrorist Organizations” Within America, General Says
“That is one of the concerns with the administration asserting that the President essentially has a license to kill outside the law,” says expert.
theintercept.com/2025/12/16/t...
“That is one of the concerns with the administration asserting that the President essentially has a license to kill outside the law,” says expert.
theintercept.com/2025/12/16/t...
U.S. Military Willing to Attack “Designated Terrorist Organizations” Within America, General Says
“If I had no concerns and I was confident in the lawful order, I would definitely execute that order.”
theintercept.com
December 16, 2025 at 7:43 PM
The Constitution is wary of armies, saying Congress has the power:
"To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years"
But for the navy:
"To provide and maintain a navy"
We too should be wary of standing armies.
"To raise and support armies, but no appropriation of money to that use shall be for a longer term than two years"
But for the navy:
"To provide and maintain a navy"
We too should be wary of standing armies.
"Turtle Island Liberation Front" sounds like a bunch of people trying to replace the board of an HOA of a gated community.
December 16, 2025 at 8:24 AM
"Turtle Island Liberation Front" sounds like a bunch of people trying to replace the board of an HOA of a gated community.
Consider these two scenarios:
(a) Disney licenses IP to OpenAI, gets stock as payment.
(b) Disney licenses IP to OpenAI, also gives them $1B cash, gets stock back.
I suspect it's more (a) than (b), but they are describing it like Mickey Mouse is going to present a giant $1B check to Sam Altman.
(a) Disney licenses IP to OpenAI, gets stock as payment.
(b) Disney licenses IP to OpenAI, also gives them $1B cash, gets stock back.
I suspect it's more (a) than (b), but they are describing it like Mickey Mouse is going to present a giant $1B check to Sam Altman.
Can something be expected but huge? That’s what Disney‘s OpenAI deal is: the most inevitable bombshell around, but still a bombshell.
Here’s What You Really Need to Know About the Disney-OpenAI Deal
Can something be expected but huge? That’s what Disney‘s OpenAI deal is: the most inevitable bombshell around, but still a bombshell.
bit.ly
December 13, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Consider these two scenarios:
(a) Disney licenses IP to OpenAI, gets stock as payment.
(b) Disney licenses IP to OpenAI, also gives them $1B cash, gets stock back.
I suspect it's more (a) than (b), but they are describing it like Mickey Mouse is going to present a giant $1B check to Sam Altman.
(a) Disney licenses IP to OpenAI, gets stock as payment.
(b) Disney licenses IP to OpenAI, also gives them $1B cash, gets stock back.
I suspect it's more (a) than (b), but they are describing it like Mickey Mouse is going to present a giant $1B check to Sam Altman.
Trump wants to stop states from regulating AI. Let's look at the new AI regulation going into effect in CA next month, SB-243.
It requires ChatBot vendors, under narrow circumstances, to do the things that any decent, ethical person would do, even without a regulation, under all circumstances. ...
It requires ChatBot vendors, under narrow circumstances, to do the things that any decent, ethical person would do, even without a regulation, under all circumstances. ...
December 12, 2025 at 5:21 AM
Trump wants to stop states from regulating AI. Let's look at the new AI regulation going into effect in CA next month, SB-243.
It requires ChatBot vendors, under narrow circumstances, to do the things that any decent, ethical person would do, even without a regulation, under all circumstances. ...
It requires ChatBot vendors, under narrow circumstances, to do the things that any decent, ethical person would do, even without a regulation, under all circumstances. ...
Mark is nuts. Does he even know how much health insurance costs employers and/or employees right now? Does he think 8 to 12 pct more in taxes is an increase over that?
R U ok with paying 8 to 12 pct more in taxes and possibly losing your standard deduction ?
R U ok with losing access to different curative medications and care because the government can't afford to pay for them, even after taxing all the billionaires 90 pct?
R U ok with losing access to different curative medications and care because the government can't afford to pay for them, even after taxing all the billionaires 90 pct?
December 12, 2025 at 1:08 AM
Mark is nuts. Does he even know how much health insurance costs employers and/or employees right now? Does he think 8 to 12 pct more in taxes is an increase over that?
My hunch is that the $1 billion isn't cash, but the "value" of the characters that are being licensed, for which Disney is getting $1 billion in OpenAI stock at a fictitious market value. But I suspect no real money is changing hands here.
AI-generated Mickey Mouse on its way as Disney announces $1 billion deal with OpenAI
AI-generated Mickey Mouse on its way as Disney announces $1 billion deal with OpenAI
Familiar characters of the Walt Disney universe will soon appear on OpenAI's Sora video generation tool, as part of a three-year licencing deal between the media giant and tech company signed Thursday. Users will be able to generate and share videos based on more than 200 characters.
www.lemonde.fr
December 11, 2025 at 6:54 PM
My hunch is that the $1 billion isn't cash, but the "value" of the characters that are being licensed, for which Disney is getting $1 billion in OpenAI stock at a fictitious market value. But I suspect no real money is changing hands here.
A VC explains why you shouldn't panic until after he's sold his stock to you.
Why the A.I. Boom Is Unlike the Dot-Com Boom
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2025 at 1:50 AM
A VC explains why you shouldn't panic until after he's sold his stock to you.
The GOP is forcing everyone to confront just how pervasive poverty is in this country, and who the poor are.
The GOP has no real strategy here other than cater to the whims of their lizard brains.
The GOP has no real strategy here other than cater to the whims of their lizard brains.
NEW: The recent government shutdown, with families skipping meals and babies unfed, could have been a preview of what’s to come when Trump’s Big Beautiful Bill shifts billions in costs for the SNAP program to states that may not be able to afford them.
How State Tax Cuts Could Lead to a SNAP Crisis
President Donald Trump’s so-called One Big Beautiful Bill Act will shift billions in costs for SNAP and Medicaid to states. But with 26 having cut or eliminated state income taxes just since 2021, they may not have the money to continue the programs.
www.propublica.org
December 9, 2025 at 4:51 PM
The GOP is forcing everyone to confront just how pervasive poverty is in this country, and who the poor are.
The GOP has no real strategy here other than cater to the whims of their lizard brains.
The GOP has no real strategy here other than cater to the whims of their lizard brains.
I guess he's running in '28.
Florida Gov. Ron DeSantis designated the Muslim Brotherhood and the Council on American-Islamic Relations as foreign terrorist organizations this evening — prompting CAIR to vow it'll sue his administration.
DeSantis labels Muslim advocacy group CAIR a foreign terrorist group in Florida
CAIR said it'll sue DeSantis for "smearing" it in his order labeling the group and the Muslim Brotherhood as terrorist organizations.
www.axios.com
December 9, 2025 at 8:19 AM
I guess he's running in '28.
Something about the design of the FIFA peace award brought this to mind.
December 5, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Something about the design of the FIFA peace award brought this to mind.