Brian Merchant
@bcmerchant.bsky.social
author of Blood in the Machine, tech writer, luddite
newsletter: https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/
books: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/brian-merchant/
kofi link: https://ko-fi.com/brianmerchant
newsletter: https://www.bloodinthemachine.com/
books: https://www.hachettebookgroup.com/contributor/brian-merchant/
kofi link: https://ko-fi.com/brianmerchant
Pinned
Brian Merchant
@bcmerchant.bsky.social
· Nov 12
One year of Blood in the Machine (the book)
On a year of rehabilitating the luddites, resisting AI, and beginning to build a better future
www.bloodinthemachine.com
Well hello all, and thanks for giving me a follow over here, and to the starter pack creators who kindly included me.
I'm a tech journalist, critic, and author of Blood in the Machine, a book + newsletter about breaking oppressive machines:
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/one-year-o...
I'm a tech journalist, critic, and author of Blood in the Machine, a book + newsletter about breaking oppressive machines:
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/one-year-o...
Reposted by Brian Merchant
"Meta is preparing to spend $65 M this year to boost state politicians who are friendly to the AI industry...To do that, Meta is quietly starting two new super PACs... The new PACs join two others already started by Meta, one of which is focused on California" www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/t...
Meta Begins $65 Million Election Push to Advance A.I. Agenda
www.nytimes.com
February 18, 2026 at 11:08 PM
"Meta is preparing to spend $65 M this year to boost state politicians who are friendly to the AI industry...To do that, Meta is quietly starting two new super PACs... The new PACs join two others already started by Meta, one of which is focused on California" www.nytimes.com/2026/02/18/t...
Nothing is surer to generate goodwill around the world than the US curating its very own state-sponsored 4chan board
Exclusive: The US State Department is developing an online portal to enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propaganda, sources told Reuters reut.rs/4cySsA6
Exclusive: US plans online portal to bypass content bans in Europe and elsewhere
The U.S. State Department is developing an online portal that will enable people in Europe and elsewhere to see content banned by their governments including alleged hate speech and terrorist propagan...
reut.rs
February 19, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Nothing is surer to generate goodwill around the world than the US curating its very own state-sponsored 4chan board
Reposted by Brian Merchant
@alexisgoldstein.bsky.social is a real one and she's running for Congress. www.democracynow.org/2026/2/18/al...?
CFPB Staffer Alexis Goldstein Fired for Confronting DOGE Members, Announces Run for Congress
The Trump administration has fired Consumer Financial Protection Bureau program manager Alexis Goldstein for documenting a meeting a year ago between the agency and Elon Musk’s Department of Governmen...
www.democracynow.org
February 18, 2026 at 10:12 PM
@alexisgoldstein.bsky.social is a real one and she's running for Congress. www.democracynow.org/2026/2/18/al...?
countercultural transgression as terms of service violation
Basically, the right-wing wants you to think that being racist is the most dangerous (and cool) thing you can do right now. Films like The People's Joker and Nirvanna The Band The Movie prove the most dangerous thing for algorithmic streaming platforms is actually copyright infringement.
February 19, 2026 at 12:39 AM
countercultural transgression as terms of service violation
Honestly can't wait to listen to both these eps
The second, final installment of my interview w/ historian Peter Linebaugh on @thedigradio.bsky.social: Luddites' machine-breaking revolt, the centrality of capital punishment in consolidation of capitalist state, remaking struggle against enclosure for 21st century. thedigradio.com/podcast/brea...
Breaking the Machine w/ Peter Linebaugh
Featuring Peter Linebaugh on the Luddites’ machine-breaking revolt against the enclosure of handicraft production, the central role played by capital punishment in the consolidation of the capitalist ...
thedigradio.com
February 19, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Honestly can't wait to listen to both these eps
Reposted by Brian Merchant
Phenomenal and crystal clear historical analysis, and it makes an excellent companion piece with @bcmerchant.bsky.social’s boom Blood in the Machine
The second, final installment of my interview w/ historian Peter Linebaugh on @thedigradio.bsky.social: Luddites' machine-breaking revolt, the centrality of capital punishment in consolidation of capitalist state, remaking struggle against enclosure for 21st century. thedigradio.com/podcast/brea...
Breaking the Machine w/ Peter Linebaugh
Featuring Peter Linebaugh on the Luddites’ machine-breaking revolt against the enclosure of handicraft production, the central role played by capital punishment in the consolidation of the capitalist ...
thedigradio.com
February 18, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Phenomenal and crystal clear historical analysis, and it makes an excellent companion piece with @bcmerchant.bsky.social’s boom Blood in the Machine
Rideshare drivers have gathered in downtown LA to deliver a petition signed by 10k workers to the California labor commission asking it to help them recover wages they say were stolen by Uber and Lyft.
The commission is suing the rideshare companies and is currently believed to be in negotiations.
The commission is suing the rideshare companies and is currently believed to be in negotiations.
February 18, 2026 at 7:13 PM
Rideshare drivers have gathered in downtown LA to deliver a petition signed by 10k workers to the California labor commission asking it to help them recover wages they say were stolen by Uber and Lyft.
The commission is suing the rideshare companies and is currently believed to be in negotiations.
The commission is suing the rideshare companies and is currently believed to be in negotiations.
The AI discourse has been particularly unhinged lately. Here are five things I think are behind it:
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/five-takea...
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/five-takea...
Five takeaways from an unhinged AI discourse
What's behind the feverish AI discourse? Who thinks "AI is fake"? Is "the left" wrong to dismiss AI? Is that even what's happening? What's really going on with AI in 2026.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 18, 2026 at 6:39 PM
The AI discourse has been particularly unhinged lately. Here are five things I think are behind it:
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/five-takea...
www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/five-takea...
Reposted by Brian Merchant
I wrote more about what public comments generated by a mysterious, A.I.-powered campaign mean for civic engagement. Plus, the lawsuits have begun over the Trump EPA's attempt to rescind the endangerment finding. Here's a roundup of the action. legal-planet.org/2026/02/18/a...
A.I. Pollution in the Air — and the Public Comments - Legal Planet
Don't read the comments, they might be bots. The Drain is a weekly roundup of environmental and climate news from Legal Planet.
legal-planet.org
February 18, 2026 at 4:03 PM
I wrote more about what public comments generated by a mysterious, A.I.-powered campaign mean for civic engagement. Plus, the lawsuits have begun over the Trump EPA's attempt to rescind the endangerment finding. Here's a roundup of the action. legal-planet.org/2026/02/18/a...
100+ more Google employees have signed since yesterday
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 13, 2026 at 8:01 PM
100+ more Google employees have signed since yesterday
Reposted by Brian Merchant
As we wrote a year ago: The sense that workers are being made more replaceable by AI has empowered the most reactionary impulses of Silicon Valley.
We can only push back through collective action, glad to see Google folks doing that!
Thanks for reporting in this, Brian!
We can only push back through collective action, glad to see Google folks doing that!
Thanks for reporting in this, Brian!
Tech Workers Can Still Fight Silicon Valley’s Overlords
Don’t let the AI of it all fool you — tech workers can still bring Silicon Valley to a halt.
jacobin.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:39 PM
As we wrote a year ago: The sense that workers are being made more replaceable by AI has empowered the most reactionary impulses of Silicon Valley.
We can only push back through collective action, glad to see Google folks doing that!
Thanks for reporting in this, Brian!
We can only push back through collective action, glad to see Google folks doing that!
Thanks for reporting in this, Brian!
Reposted by Brian Merchant
I’m not even done with this book and I’m already out here screaming its praises
A marvelous synthesis of history, literature, politics, and contemporary issues with compelling storytelling
I shall call myself a proud Luddite from now on. Now I just need a large hammer called “Enoch”
A marvelous synthesis of history, literature, politics, and contemporary issues with compelling storytelling
I shall call myself a proud Luddite from now on. Now I just need a large hammer called “Enoch”
February 12, 2026 at 11:08 PM
I’m not even done with this book and I’m already out here screaming its praises
A marvelous synthesis of history, literature, politics, and contemporary issues with compelling storytelling
I shall call myself a proud Luddite from now on. Now I just need a large hammer called “Enoch”
A marvelous synthesis of history, literature, politics, and contemporary issues with compelling storytelling
I shall call myself a proud Luddite from now on. Now I just need a large hammer called “Enoch”
Reposted by Brian Merchant
Too many people underestimate how evil Google is and how impactful its evil is. Yeah, the company that struck down its "don't be evil" maxim a while ago, because I guess it felt too constraining.
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 9:24 PM
Too many people underestimate how evil Google is and how impactful its evil is. Yeah, the company that struck down its "don't be evil" maxim a while ago, because I guess it felt too constraining.
Reposted by Brian Merchant
I left Google during the wave of fall-in-line maneuvers and layoffs in the Gemini era. It was very easy to use HR maneuvers to purge staff who raise ethical concerns by making even the weakest of cases that they "block launches."
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:32 PM
I left Google during the wave of fall-in-line maneuvers and layoffs in the Gemini era. It was very easy to use HR maneuvers to purge staff who raise ethical concerns by making even the weakest of cases that they "block launches."
Reposted by Brian Merchant
“Many are hesitant to sign,” Alex tells me. “The expectation of retaliation is very widespread.” Recent rounds of layoffs, and the threat of retaliation, have created a “sense of job insecurity” among many. “The fear of speaking out is very strong”
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:20 PM
“Many are hesitant to sign,” Alex tells me. “The expectation of retaliation is very widespread.” Recent rounds of layoffs, and the threat of retaliation, have created a “sense of job insecurity” among many. “The fear of speaking out is very strong”
Reposted by Brian Merchant
Their code of conduct says "Do the right thing and if you see something that you think isn't right -- speak up!" Guess it's time to revise that document.
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:49 PM
Their code of conduct says "Do the right thing and if you see something that you think isn't right -- speak up!" Guess it's time to revise that document.
Reposted by Brian Merchant
“National attention on Minnesota has waned with the departure of Bovino and rhetoric by Homan that things are de-escalating,” the group noted, but recent data and reports from commuters in the field did not support those conclusions.
“Uptick in Abductions”: ICE Ramps Up Targeting of Minneapolis Legal Observers
In one 30-minute stretch, three Minneapolis legal observers were arrested as ICE ramped up its targeting of community volunteers.
theintercept.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:06 PM
“National attention on Minnesota has waned with the departure of Bovino and rhetoric by Homan that things are de-escalating,” the group noted, but recent data and reports from commuters in the field did not support those conclusions.
I use Proton mail, but you pretty quickly have to opt for a paid tier since the space fills up fast — encryption and good features though!
Plus no ICE contracts
Plus no ICE contracts
Thanks do letting us know what side of history GOOGLE is on. What is an alternative email service I can change to ?
February 12, 2026 at 8:05 PM
I use Proton mail, but you pretty quickly have to opt for a paid tier since the space fills up fast — encryption and good features though!
Plus no ICE contracts
Plus no ICE contracts
Reposted by Brian Merchant
Memegen becoming a tool of HR to threaten employees is painfully on the nose.
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 8:02 PM
Memegen becoming a tool of HR to threaten employees is painfully on the nose.
Reposted by Brian Merchant
BREAKING: The EPA revokes scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health, removing a key basis for the climate change fight.
Live updates: Trump's EPA revokes scientific finding that underpinned US fight against climate change
The Trump administration revoked a scientific finding at the center of U.S. action to regulate greenhouse gas emissions and fight climate change, a significant rollback of regulations.
bit.ly
February 12, 2026 at 6:54 PM
BREAKING: The EPA revokes scientific finding that greenhouse gases endanger the public health, removing a key basis for the climate change fight.
Reposted by Brian Merchant
Sundar Pichai's most significant contribution to Google has been dropping the Don't from the Don't Do Evil mission statement
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Sundar Pichai's most significant contribution to Google has been dropping the Don't from the Don't Do Evil mission statement
You have to admit, "don't be evil" to "we refuse to discuss our ICE contracts" is a hell of an arc
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:50 PM
You have to admit, "don't be evil" to "we refuse to discuss our ICE contracts" is a hell of an arc
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Google is stifling anti-ICE speech in the workplace as 1,200 employees call on the company to cut ties
The search giant has made it harder and riskier to protest its policies. Workers are still fighting back. Plus: A community takes down a data center, QuitGPT, and the 5 worst Super Bowl AI ads.
www.bloodinthemachine.com
February 12, 2026 at 7:23 PM
At Google, speech critical of ICE is censored from the company's internal platform, employees who speak out are served with warnings, and leadership refuses to acknowledge a petition that's now gotten 1,200 employee signatures.
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
Inside the worker-led push to get ICE out of Google:
About to start this if anyone is interested in joining.
With the awful WaPo layoffs and the state of journalism more broadly, if it's useful for any writers and reporters considering going indy, @molly.wiki, @xoxogossipgita.bsky.social of Aftermath, @jasonkoebler.bsky.social of 404 Media, @edzitron.com and me will do a little workshop next week.
February 12, 2026 at 6:30 PM
About to start this if anyone is interested in joining.
Reposted by Brian Merchant
Court battle over surveillance footage at the Broadview ICE detention center reaches new levels of kafkaesque absurdity: The DOJ claimed it *couldn't afford* hard drives to put video footage on. Plaintiffs bought THE US GOVERNMENT hard drives. ICE "lost" them.
www.404media.co/government-l...
www.404media.co/government-l...
Government Loses Hard Drives It Was Supposed to Put ICE Detention Center Footage On
A Kafkaesque saga in which the government has failed to produce critical video footage has reached new levels of absurdity.
www.404media.co
February 11, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Court battle over surveillance footage at the Broadview ICE detention center reaches new levels of kafkaesque absurdity: The DOJ claimed it *couldn't afford* hard drives to put video footage on. Plaintiffs bought THE US GOVERNMENT hard drives. ICE "lost" them.
www.404media.co/government-l...
www.404media.co/government-l...