Pella Bergquist
@pellabergquist.bsky.social
Human being. Curious. Nerd. Trains. Railways. Society. Democracy. Digital.
As I see it anyone who summarises 2025 as ’a good year’ can’t have been awake for much of it.
December 30, 2025 at 5:18 PM
As I see it anyone who summarises 2025 as ’a good year’ can’t have been awake for much of it.
If you don’t care for the subject matter generative AI is there for you, letting you simulate brain activity. But be aware, when you serve me the results of your ”research” or artefact-producing prompt-fest I do read you loud and clear: you value neither me nor the task, objective, or mission.
December 23, 2025 at 9:18 PM
If you don’t care for the subject matter generative AI is there for you, letting you simulate brain activity. But be aware, when you serve me the results of your ”research” or artefact-producing prompt-fest I do read you loud and clear: you value neither me nor the task, objective, or mission.
AI is the modern version of the Philosopher’s stone. Men fearing their own mortality hunting for the revelation of god in the machine with data as the modern version of Salomon’s gold and key to eternal life. And we’re the ones’ paying for it.
December 21, 2025 at 9:42 PM
AI is the modern version of the Philosopher’s stone. Men fearing their own mortality hunting for the revelation of god in the machine with data as the modern version of Salomon’s gold and key to eternal life. And we’re the ones’ paying for it.
Tech is infrastructure. It has no intrinsic value except as enabler of the choices we humans make.
Our tech, our tools, define who we are and who we might become. What futures are we denying ourselves when we chose only to value what can be codified, quantified, digested, as data?
Our tech, our tools, define who we are and who we might become. What futures are we denying ourselves when we chose only to value what can be codified, quantified, digested, as data?
December 21, 2025 at 9:20 PM
Tech is infrastructure. It has no intrinsic value except as enabler of the choices we humans make.
Our tech, our tools, define who we are and who we might become. What futures are we denying ourselves when we chose only to value what can be codified, quantified, digested, as data?
Our tech, our tools, define who we are and who we might become. What futures are we denying ourselves when we chose only to value what can be codified, quantified, digested, as data?
1995: Sees interesting headline, buys a copy of that precise edition.
2025: Sees interesting headline, click link, gets ”subscribe for one year for only…”.
Skips reading, I can’t motivate subscribing to a double-digit number of news ’papers’.
2025: Sees interesting headline, click link, gets ”subscribe for one year for only…”.
Skips reading, I can’t motivate subscribing to a double-digit number of news ’papers’.
December 17, 2025 at 5:57 AM
1995: Sees interesting headline, buys a copy of that precise edition.
2025: Sees interesting headline, click link, gets ”subscribe for one year for only…”.
Skips reading, I can’t motivate subscribing to a double-digit number of news ’papers’.
2025: Sees interesting headline, click link, gets ”subscribe for one year for only…”.
Skips reading, I can’t motivate subscribing to a double-digit number of news ’papers’.
If anything I’d say the core misconception is that corporations and people who hoard riches have more value than the well-being of ordinary humans, society, and the environment, but yeah.
open.substack.com/pub/garymarc...)
open.substack.com/pub/garymarc...)
The core misconception that is driving American AI policy
Why is President Trump, a man who barely knows how to use a laptop, taking such a big risk ramming through an AI policy that almost nobody, even in his own party, wants?
open.substack.com
December 14, 2025 at 9:57 AM
If anything I’d say the core misconception is that corporations and people who hoard riches have more value than the well-being of ordinary humans, society, and the environment, but yeah.
open.substack.com/pub/garymarc...)
open.substack.com/pub/garymarc...)
Liquid glass is a gif galore ricochet from the 90’s. Have Apple really not learned ANYTHING about basic usability, accessibility, and what have you?! What about your own heritage?! This is what happens when you neglect or fire your UX department, folks.
December 13, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Liquid glass is a gif galore ricochet from the 90’s. Have Apple really not learned ANYTHING about basic usability, accessibility, and what have you?! What about your own heritage?! This is what happens when you neglect or fire your UX department, folks.
I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Rotary phones ringing in the dark. Bevelled buttons set in a <frame>. The quick switch circuit boards hidden by the snap lid of a Quadra 600. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Time to start again.
And no lessons learned.
Time to start again.
And no lessons learned.
December 13, 2025 at 11:14 AM
I’ve seen things you people wouldn’t believe. Rotary phones ringing in the dark. Bevelled buttons set in a <frame>. The quick switch circuit boards hidden by the snap lid of a Quadra 600. All those moments will be lost in time, like tears in rain.
Time to start again.
And no lessons learned.
Time to start again.
And no lessons learned.
Jag tror Orbán och världens samlade statsvetare, oavsett politisk färg, har helt olika definitioner av vad som kännetecknar en diktatur. Hans verkar vara ’alla styresskick där jag inte får vara den som bestämmer’. Man känner andra som man känner sig själv?
www.svt.se/nyheter/utri...
www.svt.se/nyheter/utri...
Orbán: I dag blir EU en diktatur – Senaste nytt om kriget i Ukraina
Rysslands storskaliga invasion av Ukraina har pågått sedan den 24 februari 2022, då ryska trupper anföll Ukraina från flera håll. Ryssland ockuperar flera regioner i östra och södra Ukraina. Här hitta...
www.svt.se
December 12, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Jag tror Orbán och världens samlade statsvetare, oavsett politisk färg, har helt olika definitioner av vad som kännetecknar en diktatur. Hans verkar vara ’alla styresskick där jag inte får vara den som bestämmer’. Man känner andra som man känner sig själv?
www.svt.se/nyheter/utri...
www.svt.se/nyheter/utri...
If people of different origin and of various backgrounds don’t mix but live separately: that is not one society but several parallel one’s. Such a nation hinders mobility, evolution, innovation, and individual freedom. As a strategy it’s called divide and conquer. And it’s happening right now.
December 11, 2025 at 11:12 PM
If people of different origin and of various backgrounds don’t mix but live separately: that is not one society but several parallel one’s. Such a nation hinders mobility, evolution, innovation, and individual freedom. As a strategy it’s called divide and conquer. And it’s happening right now.
In his parlance decay means protection for individual and human rights, and restrictions on corporate greed and exploitation. It means equality, freedom to be yourself, autonomy.
If anything, standing up against such a bully is a show of strength. Don’t let him win!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
If anything, standing up against such a bully is a show of strength. Don’t let him win!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Trump criticises 'decaying' European countries and 'weak' leaders
The US president says European countries have failed to control migration or take decisive action to end Ukraine's war with Russia.
www.bbc.com
December 9, 2025 at 6:33 PM
In his parlance decay means protection for individual and human rights, and restrictions on corporate greed and exploitation. It means equality, freedom to be yourself, autonomy.
If anything, standing up against such a bully is a show of strength. Don’t let him win!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
If anything, standing up against such a bully is a show of strength. Don’t let him win!
www.bbc.com/news/article...
Den sittande regeringen bevisar återigen att de är motståndare till järnvägen.
www.svt.se/nyheter/loka...
www.svt.se/nyheter/loka...
Nattågstrafiken till Norrbotten halveras
Trafikverket halverar nattågstrafiken mellan Stockholm och norska Narvik. Tidigare har det gått två linjer via Norrbotten – men nu kommer en att stanna i Umeå.
www.svt.se
December 9, 2025 at 10:14 AM
Den sittande regeringen bevisar återigen att de är motståndare till järnvägen.
www.svt.se/nyheter/loka...
www.svt.se/nyheter/loka...
”Democratizing” is a dogwhistle. It signals denunciation, and the degrading of, knowledge won through hard work and training: it is, at heart, anti-education, anti-knowledge. It runs the errands of de-skilling, for the tech-barons who want the profit without having to pay fair production costs.
December 7, 2025 at 8:40 AM
”Democratizing” is a dogwhistle. It signals denunciation, and the degrading of, knowledge won through hard work and training: it is, at heart, anti-education, anti-knowledge. It runs the errands of de-skilling, for the tech-barons who want the profit without having to pay fair production costs.
A national football association with backbone would just leave Fifa to die a lonely death. Staying on means openly endorsing corruption, taking a stand against democracy and human rights.
But I guess once again money talks humanity down the drain.
But I guess once again money talks humanity down the drain.
December 5, 2025 at 8:48 PM
A national football association with backbone would just leave Fifa to die a lonely death. Staying on means openly endorsing corruption, taking a stand against democracy and human rights.
But I guess once again money talks humanity down the drain.
But I guess once again money talks humanity down the drain.
A brief break from the car crash that 2025 is: I give you winter in Stockholm.
November 20, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A brief break from the car crash that 2025 is: I give you winter in Stockholm.
No one: ”Describe the past 5 years in one word.”
Me: ”I’ll give you two: fact-resistent leadership.”
No one: ”…”
Me: ”You’re welcome.”
Me: ”I’ll give you two: fact-resistent leadership.”
No one: ”…”
Me: ”You’re welcome.”
November 18, 2025 at 10:03 PM
No one: ”Describe the past 5 years in one word.”
Me: ”I’ll give you two: fact-resistent leadership.”
No one: ”…”
Me: ”You’re welcome.”
Me: ”I’ll give you two: fact-resistent leadership.”
No one: ”…”
Me: ”You’re welcome.”
…and when will I have the time to read this?! Hope springs eternal, et cetera et cetera.
November 5, 2025 at 3:03 PM
…and when will I have the time to read this?! Hope springs eternal, et cetera et cetera.
The Instrument of (Swedish) Government (1974:152)
Chapter 1. Basic principles of the form of government
Art. 1. First paragraph.
All public power in Sweden proceeds from the people.
Link to full text:
www.riksdagen.se/globalassets...
Swedish original: www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-...
Chapter 1. Basic principles of the form of government
Art. 1. First paragraph.
All public power in Sweden proceeds from the people.
Link to full text:
www.riksdagen.se/globalassets...
Swedish original: www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-...
November 2, 2025 at 2:49 PM
The Instrument of (Swedish) Government (1974:152)
Chapter 1. Basic principles of the form of government
Art. 1. First paragraph.
All public power in Sweden proceeds from the people.
Link to full text:
www.riksdagen.se/globalassets...
Swedish original: www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-...
Chapter 1. Basic principles of the form of government
Art. 1. First paragraph.
All public power in Sweden proceeds from the people.
Link to full text:
www.riksdagen.se/globalassets...
Swedish original: www.riksdagen.se/sv/dokument-...
För mig illustrerar detta utbyte i ett kommentarsfält precis var sprickan i svensk politik går: på ena sidan den som står för empati och omtanke, och en annan som anser att människor är objekt som kan sorteras i logiska fack och därefter värderas efter vilket fack de hamnade i. 🧵, 1/4 ->
October 28, 2025 at 8:22 PM
För mig illustrerar detta utbyte i ett kommentarsfält precis var sprickan i svensk politik går: på ena sidan den som står för empati och omtanke, och en annan som anser att människor är objekt som kan sorteras i logiska fack och därefter värderas efter vilket fack de hamnade i. 🧵, 1/4 ->
When we label one sector ’creative’ everything else becomes ’not-creative’, which is dishonest, and just plain gaslighting.
October 13, 2025 at 6:04 PM
When we label one sector ’creative’ everything else becomes ’not-creative’, which is dishonest, and just plain gaslighting.
När staten ska bestämma vad kvinnor får och inte får ha på sig ersätter man bara ett förtryck med ett annat. KD:s förslag innebär att staten behöver inrätta en ’klädpolis’ som kontrollerar hur kvinnor klär sig. Är det ett sånt samhälle vi vill ha?
www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
Busch: Förbjud burka och niqab på allmän plats
KD-ledaren Ebba Busch anser att burka och niqab ska totalförbjudas i offentliga miljöer.
www.svt.se
October 12, 2025 at 2:09 PM
När staten ska bestämma vad kvinnor får och inte får ha på sig ersätter man bara ett förtryck med ett annat. KD:s förslag innebär att staten behöver inrätta en ’klädpolis’ som kontrollerar hur kvinnor klär sig. Är det ett sånt samhälle vi vill ha?
www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
No amount of ethics policies and guidelines, AI or other, will change the fact that governments across the world has swallowed the corporate mantra that money and profits are more important than people and the planet.
October 5, 2025 at 4:27 PM
No amount of ethics policies and guidelines, AI or other, will change the fact that governments across the world has swallowed the corporate mantra that money and profits are more important than people and the planet.
On a personal note: getting old is no joke. No cure for posterior vitreous detachment. ”You’ll get used to the symptoms.”
Yeah, no. I’ll have to, but that doesn’t make it enjoyable.
Yeah, no. I’ll have to, but that doesn’t make it enjoyable.
August 20, 2025 at 4:51 PM
On a personal note: getting old is no joke. No cure for posterior vitreous detachment. ”You’ll get used to the symptoms.”
Yeah, no. I’ll have to, but that doesn’t make it enjoyable.
Yeah, no. I’ll have to, but that doesn’t make it enjoyable.
När icke-originella ’tänkare’ bollar textidéer räcker statistisk sannolikhet men politiker avkräver jag en egen vision om hur samhället ska fungera. Då duger inte stokastiska ChatGPT-papegojor. Att låtsas som något annat undergräver förtroendet för demokratin.
www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
Analys: Det var inte AI som gjorde bort sig i Almedalen
Statsministern gör rätt. Vice statsministern gjorde fel. Frågan är inte om man ska använda AI, utan hur. Den som behandlar en chatbot som sanningssägare gräver sin egen grav.
www.svt.se
August 16, 2025 at 1:23 PM
När icke-originella ’tänkare’ bollar textidéer räcker statistisk sannolikhet men politiker avkräver jag en egen vision om hur samhället ska fungera. Då duger inte stokastiska ChatGPT-papegojor. Att låtsas som något annat undergräver förtroendet för demokratin.
www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
www.svt.se/nyheter/inri...
Met a very late late night train from Stockholm when I was out picking wild raspberries.
August 5, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Met a very late late night train from Stockholm when I was out picking wild raspberries.