MWhite
@pjmatt.bsky.social
Senior Editor, Task & Purpose; former USAF & Alaska ANG Pararescueman. Cited in SCOTUS brief (Nieves v Bartlett). Agatha Christie reader. Teach @unchussman.
Pinned
MWhite
@pjmatt.bsky.social
· Mar 15
An Army general's final 'walk' at the Tomb of the Unknowns
William Zana, the only guard of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier to reach the rank of general, took a final shift on his last day in the Army.
taskandpurpose.com
Hello to New Followers from the Arlington Cemetery/Website purge story! Drop me a line to say hi!
If you need to restore your faith in Arlington and its people, I wrote this story last year about an Army general and the Tomb of the Unknown.
taskandpurpose.com/news/tomb-of...
If you need to restore your faith in Arlington and its people, I wrote this story last year about an Army general and the Tomb of the Unknown.
taskandpurpose.com/news/tomb-of...
Reposted by MWhite
Can't.
Stranger Things is on.
Stranger Things is on.
November 27, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Can't.
Stranger Things is on.
Stranger Things is on.
Can't.
Stranger Things is on.
Stranger Things is on.
November 27, 2025 at 1:21 AM
Can't.
Stranger Things is on.
Stranger Things is on.
Carly Simon's Coming Around Again is a Top 10 Now-I'm-Weeping-In-CVS bangers of all time.
November 26, 2025 at 8:57 PM
Carly Simon's Coming Around Again is a Top 10 Now-I'm-Weeping-In-CVS bangers of all time.
Reposted by MWhite
Towers of Hanoi with 20 disks. This is real cool.
"Solving a Million-Step LLM Task with Zero Errors", from the inimitable Elliot Meyerson (et al.)
Solving a Million-Step LLM Task with Zero Errors
LLMs have achieved remarkable breakthroughs in reasoning, insights, and tool use, but chaining these abilities into extended processes at the scale of those routinely executed by humans, organizations...
arxiv.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:41 PM
Towers of Hanoi with 20 disks. This is real cool.
Reposted by MWhite
Today on Volts: I've had more requests to cover this than almost any other topic in the pod's history, so now, at long last, balcony solar! We dig into how "plug-in solar" took off in Europe & how it's making its way to the US, starting in Utah. Backyard DIY types rejoice!
What's the deal with balcony solar?
Cora Stryker joins me to explain how "plug-in" solar took Europe by storm and is finally, via Utah (?), making its way to America.
www.volts.wtf
November 26, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Today on Volts: I've had more requests to cover this than almost any other topic in the pod's history, so now, at long last, balcony solar! We dig into how "plug-in solar" took off in Europe & how it's making its way to the US, starting in Utah. Backyard DIY types rejoice!
300+ dead and missing!?!??!
Breaking news: At least 36 people were killed after a huge fire engulfed several high-rise buildings in an apartment complex in Hong Kong, the city’s top official said.
At least 279 people remain missing and 29 have been hospitalized.
At least 279 people remain missing and 29 have been hospitalized.
Fire engulfs high-rise buildings in Hong Kong, killing at least 36
The fire appeared to spread across bamboo scaffolding at Wang Fuk Court in Tai Po. At least 279 people remain missing, Hong Kong Chief Executive John Lee said.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 26, 2025 at 6:35 PM
300+ dead and missing!?!??!
this is straight death-cult shit
A new federal directive by Mehmet Oz allows the sharing of Medicaid applicant data with DHS effective immediately, rescinding previous “interagency integrity” firewalls. This forces mixed-status families into an impossible calculus: access life-saving medical care or remain invisible to enforcement.
NEWS: Medicaid Data Now Flows to ICE
Effective today, a new federal directive allows immigration enforcement to access state healthcare enrollment data, TPS ends for thousands of Burmese war refugees, plus Kristi Noem explainer video.
migrantinsider.com
November 26, 2025 at 1:54 PM
this is straight death-cult shit
i got a spanish ad in a college football podcast today.
If you want to understand just how “smart” targeted advertising is, you just need to know that one of the big podcast conglomerates constantly serves me Spanish-language ads. I mostly find this amusing.
November 26, 2025 at 1:28 PM
i got a spanish ad in a college football podcast today.
Russia likely to reject Ukraine agreed peace deal, per WaPo.
November 25, 2025 at 6:15 PM
Reposted by MWhite
1. EXCLUSIVE
Musk’s xAI has secretly built its AI supercomputer, Collusus, using Chinese-made transformers, a security risk that leaves it vulnerable to espionage or sabotage
The use of Chinese components was previously unreported
Collusus performs sensitive work for the U.S. military
Musk’s xAI has secretly built its AI supercomputer, Collusus, using Chinese-made transformers, a security risk that leaves it vulnerable to espionage or sabotage
The use of Chinese components was previously unreported
Collusus performs sensitive work for the U.S. military
Musk’s AI supercomputer, used by U.S. military, secretly relies on Chinese hardware
Records obtained by Oligarch Watch reveal that the facility relies on Chinese transformers, creating a major security vulnerability.
oligarchwatch.substack.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:45 PM
1. EXCLUSIVE
Musk’s xAI has secretly built its AI supercomputer, Collusus, using Chinese-made transformers, a security risk that leaves it vulnerable to espionage or sabotage
The use of Chinese components was previously unreported
Collusus performs sensitive work for the U.S. military
Musk’s xAI has secretly built its AI supercomputer, Collusus, using Chinese-made transformers, a security risk that leaves it vulnerable to espionage or sabotage
The use of Chinese components was previously unreported
Collusus performs sensitive work for the U.S. military
Reposted by MWhite
Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.
November 25, 2025 at 1:47 AM
Sometimes I think it’s going to be the librarians who will save us all.
Reposted by MWhite
First, an earthquake hit Alaska. Then it was a typhoon. People turned to public radio for lifesaving information. Sen. Lisa Murkowski tried to get her colleagues to understand the importance of stations.
They voted to defund public media anyway.
They voted to defund public media anyway.
In rural America, public radio saves lives
In remote Alaska, public radio station KYUK is crucial during natural disasters. Without federal funding, how will it survive?
revealnews.org
November 22, 2025 at 10:27 PM
First, an earthquake hit Alaska. Then it was a typhoon. People turned to public radio for lifesaving information. Sen. Lisa Murkowski tried to get her colleagues to understand the importance of stations.
They voted to defund public media anyway.
They voted to defund public media anyway.
Sometime in the last 5 years or so i learned that there are only 16 bobsled tracks in the whole world, all of them built to host the Olympics.
In other words bobsledding literally exists ONLY as an Olympic exhibition, in practice if not name.
kinda can't take it seriously once you know that.
In other words bobsledding literally exists ONLY as an Olympic exhibition, in practice if not name.
kinda can't take it seriously once you know that.
Folks, Jamaica has won a bobsled gold medal!
For the first time ever in the nation's sliding history, Jamaica has a gold medal in international competition, with Shane Pitter winning gold in the four-man North American Cup competition in Whistler
Race recap: www.slidingonice.com?p=13180
For the first time ever in the nation's sliding history, Jamaica has a gold medal in international competition, with Shane Pitter winning gold in the four-man North American Cup competition in Whistler
Race recap: www.slidingonice.com?p=13180
November 25, 2025 at 1:57 AM
Sometime in the last 5 years or so i learned that there are only 16 bobsled tracks in the whole world, all of them built to host the Olympics.
In other words bobsledding literally exists ONLY as an Olympic exhibition, in practice if not name.
kinda can't take it seriously once you know that.
In other words bobsledding literally exists ONLY as an Olympic exhibition, in practice if not name.
kinda can't take it seriously once you know that.
Reposted by MWhite
Alabama National Guard soldier assigned to DC mission dies trib.al/fkGFyac
Alabama National Guard soldier assigned to DC mission dies
An Alabama National Guard soldier mobilized to Washington D.C. died in an off-duty incident, officials confirmed Monday.
trib.al
November 24, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Alabama National Guard soldier assigned to DC mission dies trib.al/fkGFyac
having lived 2003 - like, in uniform, waiting for the C-17 to get here - the weird missing part is the lies.
there's been no lying and making up threats. its just...
"violence is coming, who's in?"
there's been no lying and making up threats. its just...
"violence is coming, who's in?"
Really looks like the United States is about to launch a regime change war against Venezuela with:
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
-No casus belli
-No authorization from Congress
-No allies or international support
-No plan for a post-Maduro Venezuela
-No preparation for any sort of stabilization or containment of the fallout
November 24, 2025 at 4:24 PM
having lived 2003 - like, in uniform, waiting for the C-17 to get here - the weird missing part is the lies.
there's been no lying and making up threats. its just...
"violence is coming, who's in?"
there's been no lying and making up threats. its just...
"violence is coming, who's in?"
100% read this as "Weird Al" ie "Werid AL, the defining pop artist of the last 40 years-Weird AL"
Weird AI thing: So, now that I'm kind of in the traditional author world, I regularly get spam from people promising to introduce my book to tons of book clubs to make lots of sales. A few years ago, they were clearly spam both for the offering and because they were generic. Now they aren't generic.
November 24, 2025 at 4:09 PM
100% read this as "Weird Al" ie "Werid AL, the defining pop artist of the last 40 years-Weird AL"
Reposted by MWhite
The Exceptionally, Incredibly Reliable GAA powered Shermans had an engine life of about 800 miles
November 24, 2025 at 5:46 AM
The Exceptionally, Incredibly Reliable GAA powered Shermans had an engine life of about 800 miles
Reposted by MWhite
Remember last year when we said we would drop The Tribune's paywall if we raised enough money to support the transition to free? About that… 😁
The Salt Lake Tribune will drop its paywall next year, CEO tells donors at NewsMakers gala
After years of requiring people to pay for online news content, The Tribune announced an upcoming change during its 2025 annual NewsMakers Gala.
www.sltrib.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:36 PM
Remember last year when we said we would drop The Tribune's paywall if we raised enough money to support the transition to free? About that… 😁
OK, fine, what's #1?.....
The movie listed at #1 is so incredibly misplaced that it calls into question the veracity of the entire list. It belongs on the list, yes, but SO MUCH further down. An absolute, credibility-wrecking flub. Boo, @variety.com! Boo!
variety.com/lists/best-c...
variety.com/lists/best-c...
The 100 Best Comedy Movies of All Time
Variety's list of the 100 best comedy movies of all time includes 'Annie Hall,' 'Pretty Woman,' 'Waiting for Guffman' and 'Young Frankenstein.'
variety.com
November 24, 2025 at 2:59 PM
OK, fine, what's #1?.....
Reposted by MWhite
Great keynote talk on the fundamentals of storytelling by @antonyjohnston.bsky.social at the ever-brilliant AdventureX
November 23, 2025 at 4:29 PM
Great keynote talk on the fundamentals of storytelling by @antonyjohnston.bsky.social at the ever-brilliant AdventureX
Reposted by MWhite
101 yrs ago today, in the NY Times, Edwin Hubble revealed that "spiral nebulae" were in fact distant galaxies separate from the Milky Way – revolutionizing our understanding of the size & scale of the cosmos, an existential reframing of the prevailing view that the Milky Way was the entire universe.
November 23, 2025 at 10:09 PM
101 yrs ago today, in the NY Times, Edwin Hubble revealed that "spiral nebulae" were in fact distant galaxies separate from the Milky Way – revolutionizing our understanding of the size & scale of the cosmos, an existential reframing of the prevailing view that the Milky Way was the entire universe.
Reposted by MWhite
"I was embarrassed. I had been naively operating with a pre-ChatGPT mindset, still assuming a pitch’s ideas and prose were actually connected to the person who sent it"
Stunning investigation of how slop merchants are getting work into established media outlets
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Stunning investigation of how slop merchants are getting work into established media outlets
thelocal.to/investigatin...
November 23, 2025 at 7:13 PM
"I was embarrassed. I had been naively operating with a pre-ChatGPT mindset, still assuming a pitch’s ideas and prose were actually connected to the person who sent it"
Stunning investigation of how slop merchants are getting work into established media outlets
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Stunning investigation of how slop merchants are getting work into established media outlets
thelocal.to/investigatin...
Im glad to see this.
When this broke, i looked of the BU CC and track teams and - at a simple glance at bios - I was like, 'oh no, its prep school Turning Pointers all the way down.'
Im incredibly heartened that literally all the captains stood up
When this broke, i looked of the BU CC and track teams and - at a simple glance at bios - I was like, 'oh no, its prep school Turning Pointers all the way down.'
Im incredibly heartened that literally all the captains stood up
Reading between the lines, it sounds like the captains of Boston University's cross country team want the ICE snitch off their team, and they're upset that the Dept of Athletics won't make it happen
dailyfreepress.com/11/21/08/216...
dailyfreepress.com/11/21/08/216...
OP-ED: An open letter to the Boston University community from the captains of the BU Cross Country team
Op-Eds do not reflect the editorial opinion of The Daily Free Press. They are solely the opinion of the author. Tucker Bowerfind (CAS ‘26), Adrienne Buettner-Cable (CAS ‘27), Caroline Collins (COM ‘28...
dailyfreepress.com
November 23, 2025 at 8:00 PM
Im glad to see this.
When this broke, i looked of the BU CC and track teams and - at a simple glance at bios - I was like, 'oh no, its prep school Turning Pointers all the way down.'
Im incredibly heartened that literally all the captains stood up
When this broke, i looked of the BU CC and track teams and - at a simple glance at bios - I was like, 'oh no, its prep school Turning Pointers all the way down.'
Im incredibly heartened that literally all the captains stood up
Reposted by MWhite
You’ll never guess what this post is about.
The damned in hell are not more powerful for the fact that the fires do not consume them; it is part and parcel of their torment.
November 23, 2025 at 7:23 PM
You’ll never guess what this post is about.
mood most days
listen to me. listen to me right now. if you don't know what this tweet means, just close your device. don't look anything up. go for a walk. return in a week. if you don't listen to me, your life will be ruined and i can't be held accountable
November 23, 2025 at 4:56 PM
mood most days