(VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
@braak.bsky.social
It's me, braak, returned at long last from my social media exile.
I encourage you to purchase my book, RADHIKA RAAD AND THE TOWER INGENIUS, which is now available (for purchase).
https://a.co/d/1nix74W
I encourage you to purchase my book, RADHIKA RAAD AND THE TOWER INGENIUS, which is now available (for purchase).
https://a.co/d/1nix74W
Is this a rumor? I don't know why I thought it was well understood that weev was deep in the Nazi hacker infrastructure.
A strange find from the Epstein files:
A hacker named Vincenzo Iozzo shares with Epstein a rumor that Peter Thiel was "bankrolling" the neo-Nazi white supremacist hacker troll known as "weev."
Conversation is about financial strategies and "currencies."
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
A hacker named Vincenzo Iozzo shares with Epstein a rumor that Peter Thiel was "bankrolling" the neo-Nazi white supremacist hacker troll known as "weev."
Conversation is about financial strategies and "currencies."
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
February 15, 2026 at 11:05 PM
Is this a rumor? I don't know why I thought it was well understood that weev was deep in the Nazi hacker infrastructure.
Not sure if the Q-tip counts because I don't know if they really don't intend you to clear your ears with it or just have to pretend they don't.
Can you think of examples where people use technologies differently from what the developers intended, whether unintentionally or as an act of resistance?
February 15, 2026 at 11:03 PM
Not sure if the Q-tip counts because I don't know if they really don't intend you to clear your ears with it or just have to pretend they don't.
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
Urge your reps to ban Surveillance Pricing and boycott any business that uses it. If it’s allowed to take root, you will be robbed for the rest of your lives.
(1/11) If you live in NY, you’ve probably started seeing a new warning: “THIS PRICE WAS SET BY AN ALGORITHM USING YOUR PERSONAL DATA.” This mandatory disclosure went into effect late last year, and it’s the first attempt by a US state to grapple with a new generation of surveillance pricing.
February 15, 2026 at 7:21 PM
Urge your reps to ban Surveillance Pricing and boycott any business that uses it. If it’s allowed to take root, you will be robbed for the rest of your lives.
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
Public comment on Dr Oz's proposed rules to ban gender-affirming care for youth closes 2/17
One rule bans hospital-based care, the other eliminates Medicaid/CHIP coverage
Together they'd make care virtually unavailable nationwide, including in shield law states
www.patreon.com/posts/149210...
One rule bans hospital-based care, the other eliminates Medicaid/CHIP coverage
Together they'd make care virtually unavailable nationwide, including in shield law states
www.patreon.com/posts/149210...
February 15, 2026 at 7:19 PM
Public comment on Dr Oz's proposed rules to ban gender-affirming care for youth closes 2/17
One rule bans hospital-based care, the other eliminates Medicaid/CHIP coverage
Together they'd make care virtually unavailable nationwide, including in shield law states
www.patreon.com/posts/149210...
One rule bans hospital-based care, the other eliminates Medicaid/CHIP coverage
Together they'd make care virtually unavailable nationwide, including in shield law states
www.patreon.com/posts/149210...
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
This is now literally the lead story on BBC News Scotland. The employment situation of a private individual harassed via lawfare is deemed the main headline for national news. This is genuinely sickening. The media is a cancer upon this country.
February 15, 2026 at 1:05 PM
This is now literally the lead story on BBC News Scotland. The employment situation of a private individual harassed via lawfare is deemed the main headline for national news. This is genuinely sickening. The media is a cancer upon this country.
I think it is useful to *know* this stuff, but the lesson here is for Democrats -- it doesn't matter how "tough" you are on "border issues", you're going to destroy people's lives and not even get any political capital for it.
Hillary Clinton: "More people were deported under my husband and Barack Obama without killing American citizens and without putting children into detention camps than were in the first Trump term or this first year of Trump's second term."
February 15, 2026 at 5:37 PM
I think it is useful to *know* this stuff, but the lesson here is for Democrats -- it doesn't matter how "tough" you are on "border issues", you're going to destroy people's lives and not even get any political capital for it.
Also, like, the reason it's not worse is because people have been fighting tooth and nail to limit the damage.
like man what do you think the increase in prison rape of trans women under this administration is? what do you think trans kids losing their healthcare is? what do you think Iowa revoking gender identity as a protected class is?
February 15, 2026 at 5:33 PM
Also, like, the reason it's not worse is because people have been fighting tooth and nail to limit the damage.
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
(“The white guys are back in charge” is the message just to speak it plainly.)
The Nazi tattoo, like Rahm’s candidacy, and Newsom’s podcast, are all different variations of the same message.
February 15, 2026 at 5:02 PM
(“The white guys are back in charge” is the message just to speak it plainly.)
fucking insane that these dimwits have also settled on the Scotts-Irish as the True White Culture. You're telling me that all of "Whiteness" is the lowland Scotts who were moved to the Ulster Plantation to outbreed the Irish? *That's* the fucking master race?
We must speak plainly about the agenda Elon Musk & other MAGA leaders are pushing. It’s white nationalism.
There’s no room for Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native, Jewish or all other Americans in Musk’s monocultural vision.
Multiculturalism is superior. We can’t allow Musk & others to end it.
There’s no room for Black, Hispanic/Latino, Asian, Native, Jewish or all other Americans in Musk’s monocultural vision.
Multiculturalism is superior. We can’t allow Musk & others to end it.
February 15, 2026 at 3:54 PM
fucking insane that these dimwits have also settled on the Scotts-Irish as the True White Culture. You're telling me that all of "Whiteness" is the lowland Scotts who were moved to the Ulster Plantation to outbreed the Irish? *That's* the fucking master race?
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
I keep seeing news spots on farmers who aren't into Trumpism.
What I *don't* see is real talk on "Who are they? Why are we like this?"
So let's talk about the 20ish% of farmers who aren't right-wing. Why we'll probably stay a minority. And what our existence can tell us about deep-red politics.
What I *don't* see is real talk on "Who are they? Why are we like this?"
So let's talk about the 20ish% of farmers who aren't right-wing. Why we'll probably stay a minority. And what our existence can tell us about deep-red politics.
Farmer-Labor Solidarity: Let's talk about the farmers who aren't into right-wing politics. | Farm to Taber
Get more from Farm to Taber on Patreon
www.patreon.com
February 14, 2026 at 6:33 PM
I keep seeing news spots on farmers who aren't into Trumpism.
What I *don't* see is real talk on "Who are they? Why are we like this?"
So let's talk about the 20ish% of farmers who aren't right-wing. Why we'll probably stay a minority. And what our existence can tell us about deep-red politics.
What I *don't* see is real talk on "Who are they? Why are we like this?"
So let's talk about the 20ish% of farmers who aren't right-wing. Why we'll probably stay a minority. And what our existence can tell us about deep-red politics.
Guardian writer Justin Garcia discovers the concept of "morality."
Are we hard-wired for infidelity? Do we instinctively try to harm others when we're angry? Is taking what we want a natural impulse?
Are we hard-wired for infidelity? Do we instinctively try to harm others when we're angry? Is taking what we want a natural impulse?
Are we hard-wired for infidelity?
Are we hard-wired for infidelity?
Monogamy may be held up as an ideal, but evolution has other ideas
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:38 PM
Guardian writer Justin Garcia discovers the concept of "morality."
Are we hard-wired for infidelity? Do we instinctively try to harm others when we're angry? Is taking what we want a natural impulse?
Are we hard-wired for infidelity? Do we instinctively try to harm others when we're angry? Is taking what we want a natural impulse?
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
I am heartbroken to learn that Ofelia, my 16-year-old constituent with cancer whose father was taken from her at a Home Depot, passed away.
Even as Ofelia fought cancer, she also fought to bring her father home and ensured that he would no longer have to live in fear in the shadows. 1/2
Even as Ofelia fought cancer, she also fought to bring her father home and ensured that he would no longer have to live in fear in the shadows. 1/2
February 15, 2026 at 3:21 PM
I am heartbroken to learn that Ofelia, my 16-year-old constituent with cancer whose father was taken from her at a Home Depot, passed away.
Even as Ofelia fought cancer, she also fought to bring her father home and ensured that he would no longer have to live in fear in the shadows. 1/2
Even as Ofelia fought cancer, she also fought to bring her father home and ensured that he would no longer have to live in fear in the shadows. 1/2
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
There's a valid point buried in this ( www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202... ) piece about how available funding can pull fields, but where I think the analysis gets lost is in the idea that Mellon has a 'stranglehold' on the humanities.
When in fact the doors are open for other sources of funding!
When in fact the doors are open for other sources of funding!
The Multibillion-Dollar Foundation That Controls the Humanities
Is the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation the last best hope for American arts and letters—or is it killing them?
www.theatlantic.com
February 15, 2026 at 3:17 PM
There's a valid point buried in this ( www.theatlantic.com/magazine/202... ) piece about how available funding can pull fields, but where I think the analysis gets lost is in the idea that Mellon has a 'stranglehold' on the humanities.
When in fact the doors are open for other sources of funding!
When in fact the doors are open for other sources of funding!
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
Testimony only possible to be entered tomorrow, 2/16! Instructions in the very short thread below!
⚫️🟡Maryland!🔴⚪️
Tomorrow is the hearing for HB 630.
This bill limits the conversion of warehouses into detention spaces.
While it doesn't stop ICE outright, it can limit their ability to use contractors & local resources to run these sites!
Your testimony is needed! Instructions below. 👇
Tomorrow is the hearing for HB 630.
This bill limits the conversion of warehouses into detention spaces.
While it doesn't stop ICE outright, it can limit their ability to use contractors & local resources to run these sites!
Your testimony is needed! Instructions below. 👇
February 15, 2026 at 2:27 PM
Testimony only possible to be entered tomorrow, 2/16! Instructions in the very short thread below!
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
We should absolutely be shaming ppl who use these glasses. Loudly. No such thing should exist, let alone be available to the public.
Mass deletion of Facebook and Insta accounts, yes? www.theverge.com/tech/878725/...
February 15, 2026 at 2:30 PM
We should absolutely be shaming ppl who use these glasses. Loudly. No such thing should exist, let alone be available to the public.
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
interesting to think that revolutionary era americans understood themselves as making a break with the “old world” and establishing a new civilization. and crucially, this new civilization rested on republican self-government, not “sovereignty.”
The Rubio speech really is appalling, and if you haven’t read it yet, you should.
www.state.gov/releases/off...
www.state.gov/releases/off...
February 15, 2026 at 1:17 AM
interesting to think that revolutionary era americans understood themselves as making a break with the “old world” and establishing a new civilization. and crucially, this new civilization rested on republican self-government, not “sovereignty.”
Vile of course in all the obvious ways but also keeps raising the question these guys never answer, which is, if all this is true, why doesn't Mexico count as Western Civilization?
The Rubio speech really is appalling, and if you haven’t read it yet, you should.
www.state.gov/releases/off...
www.state.gov/releases/off...
February 15, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Vile of course in all the obvious ways but also keeps raising the question these guys never answer, which is, if all this is true, why doesn't Mexico count as Western Civilization?
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
New update, including my reasoning that getting off US tech means deleting Uber and going back to taxis instead of jumping to another labor-violating ride-hailing service.
February 15, 2026 at 1:31 AM
New update, including my reasoning that getting off US tech means deleting Uber and going back to taxis instead of jumping to another labor-violating ride-hailing service.
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
Sort of gives away the lie that they're arresting hardened criminals who are drags on society when they're setting up traps to lure in Good Samaritans
CCTV footage appears to show DHS agents posing as people having car trouble in order to lure a target out of his house before arresting them. The target comes out and starts helping them before 3 vehicles surround the scene. The car "experiencing" trouble then drives off with them.
February 15, 2026 at 1:10 AM
Sort of gives away the lie that they're arresting hardened criminals who are drags on society when they're setting up traps to lure in Good Samaritans
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
It's not a new observation at this point but that wild Noem/Lewandowski story in WSJ really brings home the extent to which all the Trump 2 cabinet-level goblins see their jobs as flying private, doing short-form video, and screaming at underlings. They all hate each other and none of them can read.
February 13, 2026 at 4:48 AM
It's not a new observation at this point but that wild Noem/Lewandowski story in WSJ really brings home the extent to which all the Trump 2 cabinet-level goblins see their jobs as flying private, doing short-form video, and screaming at underlings. They all hate each other and none of them can read.
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
Ok is there anyone on Phillysky who’s low-income & looking for, or knows someone who’s looking to buy a house?
Bc there’s a *beautiful* rowhouse in a really great spot in Brewerytown sitting on the market & it’s killing me.
www.redfin.com/PA/Philadelp...
Bc there’s a *beautiful* rowhouse in a really great spot in Brewerytown sitting on the market & it’s killing me.
www.redfin.com/PA/Philadelp...
February 15, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Ok is there anyone on Phillysky who’s low-income & looking for, or knows someone who’s looking to buy a house?
Bc there’s a *beautiful* rowhouse in a really great spot in Brewerytown sitting on the market & it’s killing me.
www.redfin.com/PA/Philadelp...
Bc there’s a *beautiful* rowhouse in a really great spot in Brewerytown sitting on the market & it’s killing me.
www.redfin.com/PA/Philadelp...
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
This is 100 percent true and every single person who laments the loss of the antebellum South in any way should be forced to read firsthand accounts of what planters did to enslaved people with their eyeballs pinned open until reality sets in
"the elite of the antebellum South were degenerate gamblers who financed their lifestyles with industrialized rape and would kill you for pointing this out" is a straightforwardly accurate statement
February 15, 2026 at 12:37 AM
This is 100 percent true and every single person who laments the loss of the antebellum South in any way should be forced to read firsthand accounts of what planters did to enslaved people with their eyeballs pinned open until reality sets in
can you sprain something that *isn't* an ankle?
February 15, 2026 at 12:23 AM
can you sprain something that *isn't* an ankle?
Reposted by (VFP) Strategic Gravitas Reserve
So much of our present crisis is coddled, ignorant, and short sighted people tearing down the institutions that protect them because they don’t understand that bad things can happen.
February 14, 2026 at 8:37 PM
So much of our present crisis is coddled, ignorant, and short sighted people tearing down the institutions that protect them because they don’t understand that bad things can happen.
I feel like I understand this, but also do not know what I'm supposed to do about it.
I may say more later but part of what some of us need to understand is that the right has built an entirely distinct civic society, with its own hierarchy and (mostly networked) cultural institutions. That includes celebrity.
“The convergence of influencer culture and venture capital is part of a broader shift reshaping America’s institutions.”
February 14, 2026 at 11:48 PM
I feel like I understand this, but also do not know what I'm supposed to do about it.