Brian Phipps
@a4istic.bsky.social
"The Owl of Minerva flies at dusk--but our work is due by noon."
Reposted by Brian Phipps
The idea that violent crime is a major problem in the US is a mainstream conspiracy theory uncritically believed by some majority of citizens and almost all of its decision-makers, and which they believe on the grounds of faith and propaganda, not having actually experienced it as a real phenomenon
Much of the public believes violent crime is a major problem, even though it's at historic lows in the United States. This disconnect is "the product of carefully cultivated propaganda," says author @equalityalec.bsky.social.
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/27/alec_karakatsanis
https://www.democracynow.org/2026/1/27/alec_karakatsanis
From George Floyd to Alex Pretti: “Copaganda” Author on Myths About Immigration, Crime & Policing
As calls grow to defund and abolish ICE, author Alec Karakatsanis warns that activists should take care to not fall for “copaganda,” which “takes ordinary people who are outraged over what’s happening...
www.democracynow.org
January 31, 2026 at 4:54 PM
The idea that violent crime is a major problem in the US is a mainstream conspiracy theory uncritically believed by some majority of citizens and almost all of its decision-makers, and which they believe on the grounds of faith and propaganda, not having actually experienced it as a real phenomenon
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Translation: “I intend to cheat” bsky.app/profile/atru...
Trump on the Virginia governor: "I don't know how they get elected. The get elected because they cheat, if you want to know the truth. If they didn't cheat, they'd have no chance."
January 30, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Translation: “I intend to cheat” bsky.app/profile/atru...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Court filings "show top tech firms in a frantic, sometimes clandestine race to acquire the collected works of humanity.” Books were a “crucial prize,” and they "didn’t see it as practical to gain direct permission from publishers and authors to use their work."
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Inside an AI start-up’s plan to scan and dispose of millions of books
Court filings reveal how AI companies raced to obtain more books to feed chatbots, including by buying, scanning and disposing of millions of titles.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 29, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Court filings "show top tech firms in a frantic, sometimes clandestine race to acquire the collected works of humanity.” Books were a “crucial prize,” and they "didn’t see it as practical to gain direct permission from publishers and authors to use their work."
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Who bears the liability for the damage an AI agent like Gemini does in the world? Is it the billionaires and fancy companies who released this tech into the wild without understanding how it operates, who stole heedlessly to create it, and who derive the profits from it? Or is it you, the consumer?
January 28, 2026 at 6:26 PM
Who bears the liability for the damage an AI agent like Gemini does in the world? Is it the billionaires and fancy companies who released this tech into the wild without understanding how it operates, who stole heedlessly to create it, and who derive the profits from it? Or is it you, the consumer?
Reposted by Brian Phipps
This is going to be the quintessential legal struggle of the so called “agentic” ai wave I think.
NEW: Google’s “Auto Browse” AI tool includes a warning that attributes responsibility to users for the bot’s actions.
“Use Gemini carefully and take control if needed,” reads a disclaimer on the demo version. “You are responsible for Gemini’s actions during tasks.”
www.wired.com/story/google...
“Use Gemini carefully and take control if needed,” reads a disclaimer on the demo version. “You are responsible for Gemini’s actions during tasks.”
www.wired.com/story/google...
Google’s New Chrome ‘Auto Browse’ Agent Attempts to Roam the Web Without You
Google’s latest addition to its Chrome browser puts generative AI behind the wheel and you in the passenger seat.
www.wired.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:26 PM
This is going to be the quintessential legal struggle of the so called “agentic” ai wave I think.
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Ta-Nehisi on Minnesota, and Culture War as war www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
January 27, 2026 at 12:56 PM
Ta-Nehisi on Minnesota, and Culture War as war www.vanityfair.com/news/story/t...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Here’s a nightmare scenario: a Carrington Event-strength solar storm knocks out a large number of satellites, causing a cataclysmic chain reaction crash of hundreds of systems in LEO, inducing Kessler Syndrome overnight. And it’s been modeled: scitechdaily.com/2-8-days-to-...
2.8 Days to Disaster: Low Earth Orbit Could Collapse Without Warning
A new analysis suggests modern satellite networks could suffer catastrophic collisions within days of losing control during a major solar storm. The phrase “House of Cards” is often associated today w...
scitechdaily.com
January 22, 2026 at 4:41 AM
Here’s a nightmare scenario: a Carrington Event-strength solar storm knocks out a large number of satellites, causing a cataclysmic chain reaction crash of hundreds of systems in LEO, inducing Kessler Syndrome overnight. And it’s been modeled: scitechdaily.com/2-8-days-to-...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Reposted by Brian Phipps
A key dynamic over the past year: Several times the Trumpists seemed poised to vanquish the democratic opposition and break through whatever obstacles the constitutional order was still placing in their path – but then were unable to force that next step.
On the limits of the autocratic assault:
On the limits of the autocratic assault:
The Limits of Violent Authoritarianism
Trump’s authoritarian desires are boundless. But the past year proves that his ability to impose them on America is not.
Even invoking the Insurrection Act would not magically change that.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
Trump’s authoritarian desires are boundless. But the past year proves that his ability to impose them on America is not.
Even invoking the Insurrection Act would not magically change that.
Some thoughts from my new piece:
🧵
The Limits of Violent Authoritarianism
Trump’s authoritarian desires are boundless. But the past year proves that his ability to impose them on America is not.
steady.page
January 20, 2026 at 5:34 PM
A key dynamic over the past year: Several times the Trumpists seemed poised to vanquish the democratic opposition and break through whatever obstacles the constitutional order was still placing in their path – but then were unable to force that next step.
On the limits of the autocratic assault:
On the limits of the autocratic assault:
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Ask yourself: If Donald Trump was intentionally trying to destroy the United States, how could you tell the difference?
January 17, 2026 at 8:59 PM
Ask yourself: If Donald Trump was intentionally trying to destroy the United States, how could you tell the difference?
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Today, @wikipedia.org turns 25 years old. It's never been more important — or under more attack from authoritarians. Here's what to know about how we got here, and what we can do to push for its future. There's no better example of the web we make together. www.anildash.com/2026/01/15/w...
Wikipedia at 25: What the web can be - Anil Dash
A blog about making culture. Since 1999.
www.anildash.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:56 PM
Today, @wikipedia.org turns 25 years old. It's never been more important — or under more attack from authoritarians. Here's what to know about how we got here, and what we can do to push for its future. There's no better example of the web we make together. www.anildash.com/2026/01/15/w...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Tech is a culture
Can you imagine being the software engineers, engineering managers, product managers, designers, QA testers, and devops that built and run this? Cashing out your palantir equity for "deportation targets"? Accomplices and ghouls, all of them
January 15, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Tech is a culture
Reposted by Brian Phipps
A’s DENIED “Sacramento Athletics” Trademark
https://www.rawchili.com/4800307/
A’s DENIED “Sacramento Athletics” Trademark
https://www.rawchili.com/4800307/
A’s DENIED “Sacramento Athletics” Trademark
A's DENIED "Sacramento Athletics" Trademark - Raw Chili
A's DENIED "Sacramento Athletics" Trademark
www.rawchili.com
January 15, 2026 at 3:40 AM
A’s DENIED “Sacramento Athletics” Trademark
https://www.rawchili.com/4800307/
A’s DENIED “Sacramento Athletics” Trademark
https://www.rawchili.com/4800307/
A’s DENIED “Sacramento Athletics” Trademark
Reposted by Brian Phipps
For me, the most difficult part is often the lies.— www.unpopularfront.news/p/living-in-...
Living in the Lie
And How Not To
www.unpopularfront.news
January 8, 2026 at 1:40 PM
For me, the most difficult part is often the lies.— www.unpopularfront.news/p/living-in-...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
‘Pynchon shows the way ripples from the political earthquake in Berlin are felt in the bowling alleys of Milwaukee, and the music sung in a Chicago cocktail lounge is received and remodulated in a nightclub on the Danube.’
@danielsoar.bsky.social on 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@danielsoar.bsky.social on 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Daniel Soar · Land of Milk and Cheese: Pynchon’s World
The universe has no centre. What Pynchon has mapped is a world that is continuous and connected, where borders, however...
www.lrb.co.uk
January 7, 2026 at 2:15 PM
‘Pynchon shows the way ripples from the political earthquake in Berlin are felt in the bowling alleys of Milwaukee, and the music sung in a Chicago cocktail lounge is received and remodulated in a nightclub on the Danube.’
@danielsoar.bsky.social on 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
@danielsoar.bsky.social on 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘥𝘰𝘸 𝘛𝘪𝘤𝘬𝘦𝘵:
www.lrb.co.uk/the-paper/v4...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
The ranchers of Point Reyes have long been integral to California’s sustainable food culture. But as @laurenmarkham.bsky.social explains, a series of lawsuits has spoiled the idyll, pit environmentalists against organic dairies, and drawn in the MAHA crowd.
Last Herd on Earth | Lauren Markham
In California, conservation-minded environmentalists go to war against organic milk producers.
thebaffler.com
January 6, 2026 at 9:15 PM
The ranchers of Point Reyes have long been integral to California’s sustainable food culture. But as @laurenmarkham.bsky.social explains, a series of lawsuits has spoiled the idyll, pit environmentalists against organic dairies, and drawn in the MAHA crowd.
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Version 2 of our open-access patent casebook is now available!
- Free PDF copy available here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- Low-cost print copy available here: a.co/d/8vpSEQi
And if you'd like to assign just one day on designs, we've got a supplement for that: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- Free PDF copy available here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- Low-cost print copy available here: a.co/d/8vpSEQi
And if you'd like to assign just one day on designs, we've got a supplement for that: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
January 6, 2026 at 2:16 PM
Version 2 of our open-access patent casebook is now available!
- Free PDF copy available here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- Low-cost print copy available here: a.co/d/8vpSEQi
And if you'd like to assign just one day on designs, we've got a supplement for that: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- Free PDF copy available here: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
- Low-cost print copy available here: a.co/d/8vpSEQi
And if you'd like to assign just one day on designs, we've got a supplement for that: papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Work by @abenewman.bsky.social & @segoddard.bsky.social : The rules-based order is being destroyed & one based on "neo-royalism" is being imposed (by Trump, Putin, Saudis, etc.). Not sure abt term "neo-royalism," but this is a great intro to this very useful model. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System | International Organization | Cambridge Core
Further Back to the Future: Neo-Royalism, the Trump Administration, and the Emerging International System - Volume 79 Issue S1
www.cambridge.org
January 5, 2026 at 8:16 PM
Work by @abenewman.bsky.social & @segoddard.bsky.social : The rules-based order is being destroyed & one based on "neo-royalism" is being imposed (by Trump, Putin, Saudis, etc.). Not sure abt term "neo-royalism," but this is a great intro to this very useful model. www.cambridge.org/core/journal...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
This will help you make sense our our country’s non-sensical actions
1/Leaders are abducted/allies are threatened but pundits and governments are scratching their heads on what the US is doing. Danish PM on Greenland "It makes absolutely no sense". Why? Because actors using old IR models when we need a new lens. Enter neo-royalism.
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
abcnews.go.com/Internationa...
Denmark's PM urges Trump to 'stop the threats' of annexing Greenland
The prime minister of Denmark called on Trump to “stop the threats” of the U.S. annexing Greenland after renewed comments garnered international attention.
abcnews.go.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:45 PM
This will help you make sense our our country’s non-sensical actions
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Reality is what you can get away with, and if you’re an AI, they just let you do it
January 5, 2026 at 3:17 AM
Reality is what you can get away with, and if you’re an AI, they just let you do it
Reposted by Brian Phipps
Nicolas Gourault's fantastic short experimental documentary film «Their Eyes» about the invisible human labor behind AI, which we showed and discussed at our «React & Respond» conference in Zurich last year, is now streaming on the NYT website www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/o...
Opinion | Self-Driving Cars Can’t See Without Their Eyes
www.nytimes.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:03 AM
Nicolas Gourault's fantastic short experimental documentary film «Their Eyes» about the invisible human labor behind AI, which we showed and discussed at our «React & Respond» conference in Zurich last year, is now streaming on the NYT website www.nytimes.com/2026/01/02/o...
Reposted by Brian Phipps
