Omar Yacoubi
@omaryak.net
What I’m reading about the news, #urbanism, #tech & the zeitgeist. UX designer / strategist @omyk.co and 2x Big 5, Cisco alum thinking globally 🌐 posting locally in the
📍SF Bay Area, CA
┃ Opinions mine (not shared at work)
🔗 linktr.ee/omaryak
📍SF Bay Area, CA
┃ Opinions mine (not shared at work)
🔗 linktr.ee/omaryak
Pinned
Omar Yacoubi
@omaryak.net
· Oct 19
The value of the AI is not its ability to create product for us, but to engage with us in our process
AI doesn't have to replace our competencies or even our employees.
www.fastcompany.com
The value of #humanity in the AI era is finally explicitly labeled in a #business article: because AI is not yet AGI, it’s not yet ready to replace us for complex endeavors like work in #tech
www.fastcompany.com/91422738/ai-...
www.fastcompany.com/91422738/ai-...
The recent State Department dust-up about Calibri in their desktop publishing is a good time to remind Bluesky about another U.S. typographical Snafu: Clearview
Modern #typography makes strategic use of ligatures for better legibility in signage, print & online
www.cooperhewitt.org/2011/09/30/c...
Modern #typography makes strategic use of ligatures for better legibility in signage, print & online
www.cooperhewitt.org/2011/09/30/c...
Clearview Project | Cooper Hewitt, Smithsonian Design Museum
Cooper-Hewitt, National Design Museum has just acquired its first digital font, the Clearview family of typefaces. Featured in Cooper-Hewitt’s 2010 National Design Triennial: Why Design Now? exhibitio...
www.cooperhewitt.org
December 12, 2025 at 5:47 AM
The recent State Department dust-up about Calibri in their desktop publishing is a good time to remind Bluesky about another U.S. typographical Snafu: Clearview
Modern #typography makes strategic use of ligatures for better legibility in signage, print & online
www.cooperhewitt.org/2011/09/30/c...
Modern #typography makes strategic use of ligatures for better legibility in signage, print & online
www.cooperhewitt.org/2011/09/30/c...
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
The order creates an Justice Department task force to challenge state AI laws, and directs the Commerce Department to pull future broadband funding from states that pass “onerous” legislation. www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Trump Signs Executive Order That Threatens to Punish States for Passing AI Laws
The order creates an Justice Department task force to challenge state AI laws, and directs the Commerce Department to pull future broadband funding from states that pass “onerous” legislation.
www.wired.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:57 AM
The order creates an Justice Department task force to challenge state AI laws, and directs the Commerce Department to pull future broadband funding from states that pass “onerous” legislation. www.wired.com/story/trump-...
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
“Today’s most serious national-security vulnerabilities involving AI stem not from too much oversight, but from the absence of it,” former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel argues.
Trump’s AI-Regulation Ban Is a Threat to National Security
The United States should not be lobbied out of protecting its own future.
bit.ly
December 12, 2025 at 2:45 AM
“Today’s most serious national-security vulnerabilities involving AI stem not from too much oversight, but from the absence of it,” former Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel argues.
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
Want to visit the U.S.? Be prepared to disclose your social media history.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed a proposal that would make it mandatory for many tourists to submit the last five years of their social media history as a requirement to visit the country.
bit.ly/3Kp1STq
U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed a proposal that would make it mandatory for many tourists to submit the last five years of their social media history as a requirement to visit the country.
bit.ly/3Kp1STq
U.S. will require some tourists to hand over 5 years of social media
Visitors from Visa Waiver countries may soon need to disclose social accounts, old emails, and family details to enter the U.S.
bit.ly
December 11, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Want to visit the U.S.? Be prepared to disclose your social media history.
U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed a proposal that would make it mandatory for many tourists to submit the last five years of their social media history as a requirement to visit the country.
bit.ly/3Kp1STq
U.S. Customs and Border Protection filed a proposal that would make it mandatory for many tourists to submit the last five years of their social media history as a requirement to visit the country.
bit.ly/3Kp1STq
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
Most U.S. automakers have pursued a bigger-is-better approach to the SUV segment—the vehicular equivalent of McMansions. The Mazda CX-90 steps away from the brink of immensity.
An SUV That Isn’t Built Like a McMansion
In a segment that favors immense proportions, the handsome Mazda CX-90 is betting that many drivers want something a little less gargantuan.
on.wsj.com
December 12, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Most U.S. automakers have pursued a bigger-is-better approach to the SUV segment—the vehicular equivalent of McMansions. The Mazda CX-90 steps away from the brink of immensity.
#Islamophobia is a form of racism. Most people don’t personally know a Muslim, but I wager the vitriol wouldn’t be there if most of its adherents were European
Personally I’m agnostic & didn’t even notice the minority status of the person in the ad until I scrolled through the comments
Personally I’m agnostic & didn’t even notice the minority status of the person in the ad until I scrolled through the comments
December 11, 2025 at 3:34 AM
#Islamophobia is a form of racism. Most people don’t personally know a Muslim, but I wager the vitriol wouldn’t be there if most of its adherents were European
Personally I’m agnostic & didn’t even notice the minority status of the person in the ad until I scrolled through the comments
Personally I’m agnostic & didn’t even notice the minority status of the person in the ad until I scrolled through the comments
To check what’s in your local tap water, use ewg.org/tapwater
I checked a friend’s water source near Washington, DC, and it contains 100x the legal limit for chloroform. Explains a lot about the U.S., really
I checked a friend’s water source near Washington, DC, and it contains 100x the legal limit for chloroform. Explains a lot about the U.S., really
December 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
To check what’s in your local tap water, use ewg.org/tapwater
I checked a friend’s water source near Washington, DC, and it contains 100x the legal limit for chloroform. Explains a lot about the U.S., really
I checked a friend’s water source near Washington, DC, and it contains 100x the legal limit for chloroform. Explains a lot about the U.S., really
Racism was always at the heart of the #magacult. It’s most evident in Trump’s foreign policy, but it’s in the domestic one too if you look at hiring policy, law enforcement and gerrymandering
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna188...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna188...
New Trump doctrine identifies ‘weak’ Europe’s problem: not enough racism
A new US national security strategy represents one of the most profound crises for the Atlantic alliance since 1945
www.theguardian.com
December 11, 2025 at 2:39 AM
Racism was always at the heart of the #magacult. It’s most evident in Trump’s foreign policy, but it’s in the domestic one too if you look at hiring policy, law enforcement and gerrymandering
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna188...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.nbcnews.com/news/rcna188...
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
As immigration raids have swept the country and the US government rapidly merges data from across federal agencies, it’s not just immigrants who have been kidnapped and detained. American citizens have also been caught up.
The DHS Data Grab Is Putting US Citizens at Risk
As the US government rapidly merges data from across agencies in service of draconian immigration policies, citizens increasingly risk being caught up as well.
www.wired.com
December 10, 2025 at 11:24 PM
As immigration raids have swept the country and the US government rapidly merges data from across federal agencies, it’s not just immigrants who have been kidnapped and detained. American citizens have also been caught up.
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
Between President Trump’s “no more Mr. Nice guy” and the sorry state of America’s charitable scene, generosity is hard to come by these days
So Much for the Season of Giving
Between President Trump’s “no more Mr. Nice guy” and the sorry state of America’s charitable scene, generosity is hard to come by these days.
bloom.bg
December 11, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Between President Trump’s “no more Mr. Nice guy” and the sorry state of America’s charitable scene, generosity is hard to come by these days
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
NOAA is predicting a spectacular view for skywatchers from Washington, to Michigan, to New York and Maine Tuesday. Here's what time to look up. f-st.co/IIoBFXi
Aurora borealis forecast tonight: Northern lights visible in these 15 states. Can you brave winter weather for a geomagnetic storm?
NOAA is predicting northern lights from Washington, to Michigan, to New York and Maine Tuesday. Here's what time to look up.
f-st.co
December 10, 2025 at 3:08 AM
NOAA is predicting a spectacular view for skywatchers from Washington, to Michigan, to New York and Maine Tuesday. Here's what time to look up. f-st.co/IIoBFXi
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
Hunter Biden's laptop. The lab leak theory. QAnon.
What started with a row over fact-checking and moderation of particular stories on social media has turned into a worldwide battle on the nature and limits of free speech online.
Read more from @jamesrball.com: www.theverge.com/features/839...
What started with a row over fact-checking and moderation of particular stories on social media has turned into a worldwide battle on the nature and limits of free speech online.
Read more from @jamesrball.com: www.theverge.com/features/839...
December 9, 2025 at 3:05 PM
Hunter Biden's laptop. The lab leak theory. QAnon.
What started with a row over fact-checking and moderation of particular stories on social media has turned into a worldwide battle on the nature and limits of free speech online.
Read more from @jamesrball.com: www.theverge.com/features/839...
What started with a row over fact-checking and moderation of particular stories on social media has turned into a worldwide battle on the nature and limits of free speech online.
Read more from @jamesrball.com: www.theverge.com/features/839...
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
Elon Musk told Katie Miller in an interview for her podcast on today that DOGE, the Trump administration cost-cutting department he spearheaded, was "somewhat successful."
Musk says DOGE was only "somewhat successful," wouldn't do it again
Musk spearheaded mass cuts in federal spending and government jobs at DOGE before leaving the Trump administration in May.
www.axios.com
December 9, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Elon Musk told Katie Miller in an interview for her podcast on today that DOGE, the Trump administration cost-cutting department he spearheaded, was "somewhat successful."
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
The auto conglomerate, which owns Jeep and Ram, confirmed that it would bring the Fiat Topolino — a 2.5-meter-long electric tiny car — to the US.
Jeep and Ram maker Stellantis is bringing tiny cars to the US after Trump said he was a fan
The auto conglomerate, which owns Jeep and Ram, confirmed that it would bring the Fiat Topolino — a 2.5-meter-long electric tiny car — to the US.
www.businessinsider.com
December 9, 2025 at 12:20 PM
The auto conglomerate, which owns Jeep and Ram, confirmed that it would bring the Fiat Topolino — a 2.5-meter-long electric tiny car — to the US.
The #science of microplastics made advances this year that mirrors previous research on particulate matter of all kinds, PM 2.5 especially
Thinner than hair, what your lungs don’t filter enters your body —and brain
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.instagram.com/p/DOGV2ToE3v9
Thinner than hair, what your lungs don’t filter enters your body —and brain
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.instagram.com/p/DOGV2ToE3v9
December 9, 2025 at 11:25 AM
The #science of microplastics made advances this year that mirrors previous research on particulate matter of all kinds, PM 2.5 especially
Thinner than hair, what your lungs don’t filter enters your body —and brain
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.instagram.com/p/DOGV2ToE3v9
Thinner than hair, what your lungs don’t filter enters your body —and brain
www.theguardian.com/environment/...
www.instagram.com/p/DOGV2ToE3v9
From 2021, but worth a look today: short-termism is harming knowledge workers in #tech, and they would be better served by a new model for investors to follow
President Trump recently lengthened the reporting interval for public companies, a half-measure
#socialcontract
hbr.org/2021/01/its-...
President Trump recently lengthened the reporting interval for public companies, a half-measure
#socialcontract
hbr.org/2021/01/its-...
It’s Time to Replace the Public Corporation
Critics charge that in today’s heavily traded capital markets, executives are increasingly incentivized to manage in tiny, short-term windows, with an eager eye on their stock-based compensation and a...
hbr.org
December 9, 2025 at 10:13 AM
From 2021, but worth a look today: short-termism is harming knowledge workers in #tech, and they would be better served by a new model for investors to follow
President Trump recently lengthened the reporting interval for public companies, a half-measure
#socialcontract
hbr.org/2021/01/its-...
President Trump recently lengthened the reporting interval for public companies, a half-measure
#socialcontract
hbr.org/2021/01/its-...
As #humanity works to outsmart AI, I have had to be more public about my education in the humanities as a source of my creativity —formerly the secret sauce in my #design career
#business needs words to function, but #reality can lie beyond them (no pun intended!)
iai.tv/articles/lan...
#business needs words to function, but #reality can lie beyond them (no pun intended!)
iai.tv/articles/lan...
Language conceals reality
<p><em>We normally think of words as a tool for describing the world around us. A helpful shorthand or label for expressing meaning. But words have power. The way we describe things affects how we see...
iai.tv
December 9, 2025 at 3:23 AM
As #humanity works to outsmart AI, I have had to be more public about my education in the humanities as a source of my creativity —formerly the secret sauce in my #design career
#business needs words to function, but #reality can lie beyond them (no pun intended!)
iai.tv/articles/lan...
#business needs words to function, but #reality can lie beyond them (no pun intended!)
iai.tv/articles/lan...
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
David Ellison was getting ghosted—and that's when he knew his offer was in trouble. Inside Paramount’s hostile bid for Warner.
Behind Paramount’s Relentless Campaign to Woo Warner Discovery and President Trump
David Ellison has launched a hostile takeover bid for Warner Discovery, taking his case directly to shareholders after Netflix clinched a deal.
on.wsj.com
December 9, 2025 at 2:20 AM
David Ellison was getting ghosted—and that's when he knew his offer was in trouble. Inside Paramount’s hostile bid for Warner.
America needs a new phrase: “idea spam”
“He wasn’t getting the picture, so I had to idea spam him until he got the gist of what I was trying to say”
Persistence is an underrated form of #communication lately—but a rule from advertising says it helps an idea stick
www.economist.com/business/202...
“He wasn’t getting the picture, so I had to idea spam him until he got the gist of what I was trying to say”
Persistence is an underrated form of #communication lately—but a rule from advertising says it helps an idea stick
www.economist.com/business/202...
The importance of repetition in the workplace
The importance of repetition in the workplace
www.economist.com
December 8, 2025 at 5:07 AM
America needs a new phrase: “idea spam”
“He wasn’t getting the picture, so I had to idea spam him until he got the gist of what I was trying to say”
Persistence is an underrated form of #communication lately—but a rule from advertising says it helps an idea stick
www.economist.com/business/202...
“He wasn’t getting the picture, so I had to idea spam him until he got the gist of what I was trying to say”
Persistence is an underrated form of #communication lately—but a rule from advertising says it helps an idea stick
www.economist.com/business/202...
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
Trump calling Somali immigrants “garbage” shows that he sees little risk in open expressions of racism, @adamserwer.bsky.social argues.
Why Doesn’t Trump Pay a Political Price for His Racism?
Immigration isn’t breaking our society. We are.
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Trump calling Somali immigrants “garbage” shows that he sees little risk in open expressions of racism, @adamserwer.bsky.social argues.
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
The UN's top humanitarian and emergency relief official has told NPR that the lack of attention from world leaders to the war in Sudan is the "billion dollar question". n.pr/44cy5nv
UN humanitarian chief: world needs to 'wake up' and help stop violence in Sudan
The UN's top humanitarian and emergency relief official has told NPR that the lack of attention from world leaders to the war in Sudan is the "billion dollar question".
n.pr
December 8, 2025 at 12:19 AM
The UN's top humanitarian and emergency relief official has told NPR that the lack of attention from world leaders to the war in Sudan is the "billion dollar question". n.pr/44cy5nv
Cutting-edge research shows language is not the same as intelligence. The entire AI bubble is built on ignoring it.
Read more from @benjaminriley.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Read more from @benjaminriley.bsky.social: www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
December 7, 2025 at 8:16 PM
Most of the #media has forgotten about the Roosevelt Corollary, which established America’s police power in the Western Hemisphere.
It limited American involvement to “chronic failures,” but ended up being used for more, especially during the Cold War
#history #fascism
It limited American involvement to “chronic failures,” but ended up being used for more, especially during the Cold War
#history #fascism
US defence secretary says Monroe Doctrine is ‘stronger than ever’ on.ft.com/44bJTq2
US defence secretary says Monroe Doctrine is ‘stronger than ever’
Pete Hegseth promises ‘peace through strength’ as he asserts American military dominance in western hemisphere
on.ft.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Reposted by Omar Yacoubi
America’s economy is at the mercy of crony capitalism on.ft.com/4puQYe6
America’s economy is at the mercy of crony capitalism
The Trump administration’s approach to ethics could eventually cost investors in US assets
on.ft.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:06 PM
America’s economy is at the mercy of crony capitalism on.ft.com/4puQYe6