Bradford Pilcher
@bradfordpilcher.bsky.social
Untrained creative. Semi-trained father. Completely clueless husband. Sometimes, I write things. Other times, I design things.
More of me at https://bradfordpilcher.com
More of me at https://bradfordpilcher.com
That people like @nndroid.bsky.social and @davechen.bsky.social get to do podcasts for a living fills me with jealousy. I keep wanting to pass them on the street and corner them over a drink at the nearby pub until they point me to the magic door that leads into their HR department.
November 27, 2025 at 8:08 PM
That people like @nndroid.bsky.social and @davechen.bsky.social get to do podcasts for a living fills me with jealousy. I keep wanting to pass them on the street and corner them over a drink at the nearby pub until they point me to the magic door that leads into their HR department.
Cory Doctorow officially endorses not being a prig and a pedant.*
*I am, unfortunately, a bit of a pedant, but I try to be self-aware enough to keep it to myself.
*I am, unfortunately, a bit of a pedant, but I try to be self-aware enough to keep it to myself.
Stop getting "Enshittification" wrong!
Full discussion with Cory Doctorow 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#enshittification #ai #digitaldecay
Full discussion with Cory Doctorow 👉 linktr.ee/ohgodwhatnow...
#enshittification #ai #digitaldecay
November 27, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Cory Doctorow officially endorses not being a prig and a pedant.*
*I am, unfortunately, a bit of a pedant, but I try to be self-aware enough to keep it to myself.
*I am, unfortunately, a bit of a pedant, but I try to be self-aware enough to keep it to myself.
Ooh… talk legalese to me.
<said in my admittedly extremely inept femme fatale voice>
<said in my admittedly extremely inept femme fatale voice>
"Before folks assume that one side of this fight clearly acted in bad faith and the other didn’t, it’s worth indulging the possibility that Purcell itself is the culprit—and that its standardless-ness creates perverse incentives for lower courts in election cases."
Me on the TX redistricting case:
Me on the TX redistricting case:
Bonus 193: The Pernicious Effects of Purcell
The remarkable row between the majority and dissent in the three-judge district court's ruling in the Texas redistricting case can be traced directly to the Supreme Court's election-related case law.
www.stevevladeck.com
November 20, 2025 at 1:21 PM
Ooh… talk legalese to me.
<said in my admittedly extremely inept femme fatale voice>
<said in my admittedly extremely inept femme fatale voice>
I know modern public #polling only goes back so many decades, but was there ever a time when incumbent #political leaders routinely had net positive favorable ratings? It seems like that basically never happens except maybe during the first few months in office. Any #stats or #history nerds know?
Zack Polanski and Ed Davey have positive net ratings among 2024 Labour voters, while a majority of those who backed the party at the last election now have unfavourable views of Keir Starmer and Rachel Reeves
Polanski: +24 net favourable
Davey: +17
Starmer: -10
Corbyn: -15
Reeves: -31
Polanski: +24 net favourable
Davey: +17
Starmer: -10
Corbyn: -15
Reeves: -31
November 20, 2025 at 1:15 PM
I know modern public #polling only goes back so many decades, but was there ever a time when incumbent #political leaders routinely had net positive favorable ratings? It seems like that basically never happens except maybe during the first few months in office. Any #stats or #history nerds know?
Higgins’ verify-debate-accountability cycle seems like a pretty succinct and useful way of measuring how democratic a society is. It also, helpfully, lets us move beyond labels and pedantic arguments (about the labels).
His whole thread is pretty great and worth a full reading.
#democracy
His whole thread is pretty great and worth a full reading.
#democracy
In my work, democracy isn’t a regime type. It’s the set of conditions that let a society check what’s true, argue about it, and hold power to account. When that system breaks, the label on the regime stops telling you anything useful.
November 20, 2025 at 1:00 PM
Higgins’ verify-debate-accountability cycle seems like a pretty succinct and useful way of measuring how democratic a society is. It also, helpfully, lets us move beyond labels and pedantic arguments (about the labels).
His whole thread is pretty great and worth a full reading.
#democracy
His whole thread is pretty great and worth a full reading.
#democracy
Amen.
The obvious question here is what you want being a Jew to mean. If Jewish identity is nothing more than condoning the actions of the Israeli state, then Jews are nothing more than who holds power in the Knesset. That's it. No history. No beliefs. Just a political party.
November 20, 2025 at 12:10 AM
Amen.
“How about no!?” <in the voice of Dr. Evil>
I’d sooner hang out with sharks with fricking laser beams strapped to their heads.
I’d sooner hang out with sharks with fricking laser beams strapped to their heads.
TurboTax is about to be integrated into ChatGPT, where customers will be guided through tasks tied to their tax filings or financial profile by the AI chatbot.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
TurboTax owner Intuit is also paying OpenAI more than $100 million a year to power AI agents.
November 19, 2025 at 4:00 AM
“How about no!?” <in the voice of Dr. Evil>
I’d sooner hang out with sharks with fricking laser beams strapped to their heads.
I’d sooner hang out with sharks with fricking laser beams strapped to their heads.
I’m not just struck by this clip. I am horrified by this clip. You really have to watch the whole thing.
My G-d! Yes, one of the principal lessons of the Holocaust should be that you oppose big powerful people who hurt weak people.
My G-d! Yes, one of the principal lessons of the Holocaust should be that you oppose big powerful people who hurt weak people.
I'm struck by this clip of former Obama speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz saying Holocaust education has backfired in part because people Palestinians as victims: "They think the lesson of the Holocaust is…you fight the big powerful people hurting the weak people."
www.reddit.com/r/JewsOfCons...
www.reddit.com/r/JewsOfCons...
From the JewsOfConscience community on Reddit: Former Obama speechwriter Sarah Hurwitz speaking to the Jewish Federation and lamenting that young people are learning the wrong lessons from Holocaust e...
Explore this post and more from the JewsOfConscience community
www.reddit.com
November 18, 2025 at 11:28 PM
I’m not just struck by this clip. I am horrified by this clip. You really have to watch the whole thing.
My G-d! Yes, one of the principal lessons of the Holocaust should be that you oppose big powerful people who hurt weak people.
My G-d! Yes, one of the principal lessons of the Holocaust should be that you oppose big powerful people who hurt weak people.
She deserved so much more time on the big, widescreen. I’ll always miss you and that refit bridge… less so the ill fitting early DS9 uniforms.
#StarTrek #Generations #Enterprise
#StarTrek #Generations #Enterprise
November 18, 2025 at 9:41 PM
She deserved so much more time on the big, widescreen. I’ll always miss you and that refit bridge… less so the ill fitting early DS9 uniforms.
#StarTrek #Generations #Enterprise
#StarTrek #Generations #Enterprise
I mean… he isn’t entirely wrong. But don’t harsh my vibes, man.
New column from me on why interstellar space travel will never, ever be a thing, and how it's kind of weird that they keep telling us otherwise:
jasonpargin.substack.com/p/interstell...
jasonpargin.substack.com/p/interstell...
Interstellar Space Travel Will Never, Ever Happen
It's basically impossible and they know it.
jasonpargin.substack.com
November 18, 2025 at 9:06 PM
I mean… he isn’t entirely wrong. But don’t harsh my vibes, man.
Adding to my Chanukah wishlist.
The second edition of FAULT LINES is here, updated to bring you up through the 2024 election. (No spoilers!)
November 17, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Adding to my Chanukah wishlist.
“Does your dollar bill need to be plugged in” seems like an incredibly clarifying way of framing the issue.
Techbros: “We reinvented money and now it’s computer money and it’s totally better than old money except also it’s value is still technically calculated by the standard of old money oh ALSO it needs more power than many countries, does your inferior dollar bill need to be plugged in? I THINK NOT.”
Bitcoin now consuming as much energy as the entire country of Pakistan.
That seems bad.
That seems bad.
November 17, 2025 at 2:00 PM
“Does your dollar bill need to be plugged in” seems like an incredibly clarifying way of framing the issue.
If I could pass any law, I might start with one that requires an onscreen graphic show the actual statistics whenever somebody makes a statistical claim, whether they get it right or they’re just lying their fugly faces off.
Rep. Keith Self on Newsmax: "If you saw Fox News just recently, groceries, gas, inflation in general is down under President Trump. Now, the mainstream media won't tell you that. But those are the actual numbers. We just have to get the American people understanding."
November 17, 2025 at 1:40 PM
If I could pass any law, I might start with one that requires an onscreen graphic show the actual statistics whenever somebody makes a statistical claim, whether they get it right or they’re just lying their fugly faces off.
Oh what I wouldn’t give to hear @jdickerson.bsky.social’s reaction to this joke/insight.
But also, what I wouldn’t give for more “are you fucking kidding me” expressions from our newscasters. Real @davidplotz.bsky.social level incredulity. The deadpan normalizes the bullshit lying.
But also, what I wouldn’t give for more “are you fucking kidding me” expressions from our newscasters. Real @davidplotz.bsky.social level incredulity. The deadpan normalizes the bullshit lying.
Posted this 5 years ago today, but it holds up.
“Trump doesn’t get nearly enough credit for how he’s helped an entire generation of newscasters hone their deadpan expression.”
“Trump doesn’t get nearly enough credit for how he’s helped an entire generation of newscasters hone their deadpan expression.”
November 17, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Oh what I wouldn’t give to hear @jdickerson.bsky.social’s reaction to this joke/insight.
But also, what I wouldn’t give for more “are you fucking kidding me” expressions from our newscasters. Real @davidplotz.bsky.social level incredulity. The deadpan normalizes the bullshit lying.
But also, what I wouldn’t give for more “are you fucking kidding me” expressions from our newscasters. Real @davidplotz.bsky.social level incredulity. The deadpan normalizes the bullshit lying.
Reposted by Bradford Pilcher
Listen to the soaring cadence, the beauty of the well-crafted words of a president who inspires...President Josiah Bartlett, as brought to life by Martin Sheen. There are things worth fighting for, things that will unite and lift up this nation...
November 15, 2025 at 12:25 PM
Listen to the soaring cadence, the beauty of the well-crafted words of a president who inspires...President Josiah Bartlett, as brought to life by Martin Sheen. There are things worth fighting for, things that will unite and lift up this nation...
If @bsky.app ever bans @scalzi.com it will be over. I will open this app and then feed my phone into a wood chipper. Speakers first.
November 14, 2025 at 3:01 PM
If @bsky.app ever bans @scalzi.com it will be over. I will open this app and then feed my phone into a wood chipper. Speakers first.
I agree wholeheartedly with @sarahkendzior.bsky.social and her hand gesture towards @bsky.app moderators. This is for her and for Patton Oswalt.
November 14, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I agree wholeheartedly with @sarahkendzior.bsky.social and her hand gesture towards @bsky.app moderators. This is for her and for Patton Oswalt.
Reposted by Bradford Pilcher
In a world of Megyn Kelly's be a Patton Oswalt.
November 14, 2025 at 1:53 PM
In a world of Megyn Kelly's be a Patton Oswalt.
They fucking suspended Patton fucking Oswalt!? Are you fucking kidding me fucking @bsky.app!? For criticizing an underage sexual abuse apologist!? PATTON!? OSWALT!?
Was it the wood chipper that got you or the feet first!? What the absolute fuck!?
Was it the wood chipper that got you or the feet first!? What the absolute fuck!?
patton oswalt has been suspended from bluesky for saying that megyn kelly should be fed to a woodchipper for justifying the sexual abuse of minors
November 14, 2025 at 2:54 PM
They fucking suspended Patton fucking Oswalt!? Are you fucking kidding me fucking @bsky.app!? For criticizing an underage sexual abuse apologist!? PATTON!? OSWALT!?
Was it the wood chipper that got you or the feet first!? What the absolute fuck!?
Was it the wood chipper that got you or the feet first!? What the absolute fuck!?
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa right there, buddy!
james bond is a relic, keep him dead, and the franchise
November 13, 2025 at 2:49 AM
Whoa, whoa, whoa, whoa right there, buddy!
Reposted by Bradford Pilcher
This is more concise and more insightful than anything I have read in the last 50 years.
drwhy.net/freud
Please repost if you agree with that analysis
drwhy.net/freud
Please repost if you agree with that analysis
November 13, 2025 at 1:34 AM
This is more concise and more insightful than anything I have read in the last 50 years.
drwhy.net/freud
Please repost if you agree with that analysis
drwhy.net/freud
Please repost if you agree with that analysis
Is Dropbox out of their fucking minds?
No no no begs every archivist. You are never going to be able to find anything. Please don’t start using emojis in file names. Who asked for this? What fresh hell is next?
November 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Is Dropbox out of their fucking minds?
Can’t wait to listen to this one. Cory Doctorow’s theory of enshitification is a perfect distillation of our present socio-economic experience.
This week’s main Better Offline episode is the audio of my panel with Cory Doctorow at the Seattle Public Library, where we talked about Enshittification and The Rot Economy. Whitney Beltràn moderated.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Linktr.ee/betteroffline
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Linktr.ee/betteroffline
Cory Doctorow and Ed Zitron on Enshittification and the Rot Economy
Podcast Episode · Better Offline · 11/12/2025 · 58m
podcasts.apple.com
November 12, 2025 at 2:39 PM
Can’t wait to listen to this one. Cory Doctorow’s theory of enshitification is a perfect distillation of our present socio-economic experience.
Reposted by Bradford Pilcher
⚠️ Fascinating new research shows LLMs become misaligned when optimized for audience—even when explicitly instructed to remain truthful
Paper:
arxiv.org/pdf/2510.06105
Paper:
arxiv.org/pdf/2510.06105
October 9, 2025 at 2:32 PM
⚠️ Fascinating new research shows LLMs become misaligned when optimized for audience—even when explicitly instructed to remain truthful
Paper:
arxiv.org/pdf/2510.06105
Paper:
arxiv.org/pdf/2510.06105
get to know your mutuals, list 10 random things you like (besides star trek):
- graphic design
- basketball
- science-fiction generally, Severance, BSG, Warehouse 13, Stargate, and B5 specifically
- @scalzi.com novels, particularly Old Man’s War and the Last Emperox
🧵
- graphic design
- basketball
- science-fiction generally, Severance, BSG, Warehouse 13, Stargate, and B5 specifically
- @scalzi.com novels, particularly Old Man’s War and the Last Emperox
🧵
get to know your mutuals, list 10 random things you like (besides star trek):
* jamaican food
* college football
* trivia (i auditioned for jeopardy twice)
* downeast maine
* mountain lakes
* call the midwife
* naval uniforms
* canada
* monasticism
* national parks
* jamaican food
* college football
* trivia (i auditioned for jeopardy twice)
* downeast maine
* mountain lakes
* call the midwife
* naval uniforms
* canada
* monasticism
* national parks
Get to know your Mutuals, list 10 Random things you like:
* trivia
* frozen Lake Michigan
* pineapple jalapeno prosciutto pizza
* 80s movies
* jigsaw puzzles
* Victorian era period pieces
* baking shows
* billiards
* greasy spoon dive diners
* meandering long walks that go nowhere
* trivia
* frozen Lake Michigan
* pineapple jalapeno prosciutto pizza
* 80s movies
* jigsaw puzzles
* Victorian era period pieces
* baking shows
* billiards
* greasy spoon dive diners
* meandering long walks that go nowhere
November 11, 2025 at 10:47 PM
get to know your mutuals, list 10 random things you like (besides star trek):
- graphic design
- basketball
- science-fiction generally, Severance, BSG, Warehouse 13, Stargate, and B5 specifically
- @scalzi.com novels, particularly Old Man’s War and the Last Emperox
🧵
- graphic design
- basketball
- science-fiction generally, Severance, BSG, Warehouse 13, Stargate, and B5 specifically
- @scalzi.com novels, particularly Old Man’s War and the Last Emperox
🧵