Janet D. Stemwedel
@docfreeride.bsky.social
Academic philosopher, lapsed chemist, occasional science writer, perpetual ethics booster. All views my own. (she/her)
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
@benjedwards.com this isn't a licensing deal! Wikimedia Enterprise charges for the "pipes," not the content, and the difference between the two is huge. This gets misreported constantly.
arstechnica.com/ai/2026/01/w...
arstechnica.com/ai/2026/01/w...
Wikipedia will share content with AI firms in new licensing deals
Wikimedia Enterprise signs Microsoft, Meta, Amazon, Perplexity, and Mistral AI to paid deals.
arstechnica.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:45 PM
@benjedwards.com this isn't a licensing deal! Wikimedia Enterprise charges for the "pipes," not the content, and the difference between the two is huge. This gets misreported constantly.
arstechnica.com/ai/2026/01/w...
arstechnica.com/ai/2026/01/w...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
It’s a moral AND strategic failure to not hammer this @schumer.senate.gov
these are some pretty catastrophic approval numbers for ICE mom-murderers
they will not improve
they will not improve
January 16, 2026 at 3:48 PM
It’s a moral AND strategic failure to not hammer this @schumer.senate.gov
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
“Major historical dread meant something to me then, in that context, lifetimes ago, back in 2014 . . . It was an anticipatory dread of a history we had not yet lived.”
Welcome To This Class Part 2
Writing & Anger, Spring 2021
contingentmagazine.org
January 16, 2026 at 3:00 PM
“Major historical dread meant something to me then, in that context, lifetimes ago, back in 2014 . . . It was an anticipatory dread of a history we had not yet lived.”
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Gavin Newsom has never had a homeless, a working unhoused, or an affordable housing advocate on his podcast despite governing California.
So yeah I think it’s weird that he’s entertained & platformed multiple fascists while grinning, nodding & relenting to their easily defeatable talking points.
So yeah I think it’s weird that he’s entertained & platformed multiple fascists while grinning, nodding & relenting to their easily defeatable talking points.
January 16, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Gavin Newsom has never had a homeless, a working unhoused, or an affordable housing advocate on his podcast despite governing California.
So yeah I think it’s weird that he’s entertained & platformed multiple fascists while grinning, nodding & relenting to their easily defeatable talking points.
So yeah I think it’s weird that he’s entertained & platformed multiple fascists while grinning, nodding & relenting to their easily defeatable talking points.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
The company that had to shut down 400 stores this month thinks incelposting is going to to bring customers back
January 16, 2026 at 7:33 AM
The company that had to shut down 400 stores this month thinks incelposting is going to to bring customers back
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Software is abstract, and people have a hard time thinking about abstract things.
Imagine all the software stuff you use were physical things. A hammer, a screwdriver, a plot of land. A bookcase.
Odds are, you're renting more of the stuff you use than any medieval serf did under feudalism.
Imagine all the software stuff you use were physical things. A hammer, a screwdriver, a plot of land. A bookcase.
Odds are, you're renting more of the stuff you use than any medieval serf did under feudalism.
January 15, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Software is abstract, and people have a hard time thinking about abstract things.
Imagine all the software stuff you use were physical things. A hammer, a screwdriver, a plot of land. A bookcase.
Odds are, you're renting more of the stuff you use than any medieval serf did under feudalism.
Imagine all the software stuff you use were physical things. A hammer, a screwdriver, a plot of land. A bookcase.
Odds are, you're renting more of the stuff you use than any medieval serf did under feudalism.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
What software stuff do you actually own, that is actually yours, versus stuff you are merely renting at the whim of a rich asshole?
How much of your computer-doing stuff is actually yours, in the sense that a serf's hammer or table actually belonged to him
How much of your computer-doing stuff is actually yours, in the sense that a serf's hammer or table actually belonged to him
January 15, 2026 at 9:12 PM
What software stuff do you actually own, that is actually yours, versus stuff you are merely renting at the whim of a rich asshole?
How much of your computer-doing stuff is actually yours, in the sense that a serf's hammer or table actually belonged to him
How much of your computer-doing stuff is actually yours, in the sense that a serf's hammer or table actually belonged to him
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
A medieval serf under feudalism might have had to rent land from a rich asshole, but like: they did own stuff.
More stuff than you do, if you think of software as concrete things instead of abstract things.
More stuff than you do, if you think of software as concrete things instead of abstract things.
January 15, 2026 at 9:06 PM
A medieval serf under feudalism might have had to rent land from a rich asshole, but like: they did own stuff.
More stuff than you do, if you think of software as concrete things instead of abstract things.
More stuff than you do, if you think of software as concrete things instead of abstract things.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
…I would appreciate if journalists would begin laughing uproariously followed by probing questioning when Regime officials & supporters say shit like this.
Kevin Hassett on Trump's 10% cap on credit card interest rates: "Our expectations is that it won't necessarily require legislation because there will be great new Trump Cards provided voluntarily by the banks."
January 16, 2026 at 2:49 PM
…I would appreciate if journalists would begin laughing uproariously followed by probing questioning when Regime officials & supporters say shit like this.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
seeing corporate outlets repeatedly refer to ICE beating the shit out of protesters as “clashes” may be the thing that sends me over the edge
January 16, 2026 at 1:55 PM
seeing corporate outlets repeatedly refer to ICE beating the shit out of protesters as “clashes” may be the thing that sends me over the edge
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
We all made it to Whiskey Friday with Tony Dokoupil
January 16, 2026 at 1:41 PM
We all made it to Whiskey Friday with Tony Dokoupil
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
The LUCE network has been *doing* protection work since the beginning and has a ton of trainings this weekend. If you are in MA save their number to your phone and consider getting trained. www.lucemass.org
LUCE Immigrant Justice Network of MA
www.lucemass.org
January 16, 2026 at 12:46 PM
The LUCE network has been *doing* protection work since the beginning and has a ton of trainings this weekend. If you are in MA save their number to your phone and consider getting trained. www.lucemass.org
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
wait I thought it was crucial for FREEDOM for bakeries & restaurants to discriminate against their customers
I remember when the height of SMALL BIDNESS HERO was not making wedding cakes for gay couples or not selling pizzas for gay weddings
www.foxbusiness.com/media/tennes...
I remember when the height of SMALL BIDNESS HERO was not making wedding cakes for gay couples or not selling pizzas for gay weddings
www.foxbusiness.com/media/tennes...
Tennessee pizza shop faces backlash after declining to cater same-sex wedding
A pizzeria in Tennessee was attacked online after it declined to cater a same-sex wedding. The business put out a statement asking the community "to extend grace and listen to one another."
www.foxbusiness.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:38 PM
wait I thought it was crucial for FREEDOM for bakeries & restaurants to discriminate against their customers
I remember when the height of SMALL BIDNESS HERO was not making wedding cakes for gay couples or not selling pizzas for gay weddings
www.foxbusiness.com/media/tennes...
I remember when the height of SMALL BIDNESS HERO was not making wedding cakes for gay couples or not selling pizzas for gay weddings
www.foxbusiness.com/media/tennes...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
We need more of this stuff. “Why do they get to veto my first amendment rights “ is what we should always ask people who do this sea lioning bullshit
January 16, 2026 at 12:25 PM
We need more of this stuff. “Why do they get to veto my first amendment rights “ is what we should always ask people who do this sea lioning bullshit
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Look at this absolute queen
January 16, 2026 at 12:22 PM
Look at this absolute queen
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
I'm dying this is the funniest thing I've seen THE LOCAL NEWS do in years.
January 15, 2026 at 3:09 PM
I'm dying this is the funniest thing I've seen THE LOCAL NEWS do in years.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
BIG WIN! After intense public pressure, including a letter I signed with more than 100 members of Congress, $2 billion for mental health and addiction treatment grants have been RESTORED.
Last night, the Trump administration took a chainsaw to billions of $$$ in mental health and addiction treatment grants that were already approved by Congress.
I led 100 members in a bipartisan letter demanding this lifesaving funding be restored immediately.
I led 100 members in a bipartisan letter demanding this lifesaving funding be restored immediately.
January 15, 2026 at 2:41 PM
BIG WIN! After intense public pressure, including a letter I signed with more than 100 members of Congress, $2 billion for mental health and addiction treatment grants have been RESTORED.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Virginia Special Election Alert! 🗳️
The House District 17 special election is Tuesday, Jan 20! Early in-person voting is ongoing.
Candidates: 🔹 Garrett McGuire (D) 🔹 Naomi Mesfin (R)
BlueVoterGuide.org has your candidates.
Make a plan to vote!
#BlueVoterGuide #January2026
The House District 17 special election is Tuesday, Jan 20! Early in-person voting is ongoing.
Candidates: 🔹 Garrett McGuire (D) 🔹 Naomi Mesfin (R)
BlueVoterGuide.org has your candidates.
Make a plan to vote!
#BlueVoterGuide #January2026
January 15, 2026 at 3:31 PM
Virginia Special Election Alert! 🗳️
The House District 17 special election is Tuesday, Jan 20! Early in-person voting is ongoing.
Candidates: 🔹 Garrett McGuire (D) 🔹 Naomi Mesfin (R)
BlueVoterGuide.org has your candidates.
Make a plan to vote!
#BlueVoterGuide #January2026
The House District 17 special election is Tuesday, Jan 20! Early in-person voting is ongoing.
Candidates: 🔹 Garrett McGuire (D) 🔹 Naomi Mesfin (R)
BlueVoterGuide.org has your candidates.
Make a plan to vote!
#BlueVoterGuide #January2026
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Mark your calendars. 🗳️
The 2026 midterm election schedule is here, including primary, runoff, and general election dates.
Plan ahead and make your voice heard.
#LaDemos #GeauxVote
The 2026 midterm election schedule is here, including primary, runoff, and general election dates.
Plan ahead and make your voice heard.
#LaDemos #GeauxVote
January 15, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Mark your calendars. 🗳️
The 2026 midterm election schedule is here, including primary, runoff, and general election dates.
Plan ahead and make your voice heard.
#LaDemos #GeauxVote
The 2026 midterm election schedule is here, including primary, runoff, and general election dates.
Plan ahead and make your voice heard.
#LaDemos #GeauxVote
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
🚨BREAKING: In a 62-33 vote, the Virginia House passes Democrats’ redistricting amendment that could allow the state to redraw its congressional map to counter nationwide GOP gerrymanders. Full story to come.
BREAKING: Virginia lawmakers vote to advance Democrats' redistricting amendment aimed at allowing the state to redraw its congressional map to counter nationwide GOP gerrymanders.
Democrats advance Virginia redistricting measure aimed at countering GOP gerrymanders
Read more here.
www.democracydocket.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:18 PM
🚨BREAKING: In a 62-33 vote, the Virginia House passes Democrats’ redistricting amendment that could allow the state to redraw its congressional map to counter nationwide GOP gerrymanders. Full story to come.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
At the root of all our problems stands one travesty: politicians’ surrender to the super-rich, says @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
- 0.001% of the global population (56,000 ppl) have three times more wealth than the poorest half of humanity (4,000,000,000 ppl)
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- 0.001% of the global population (56,000 ppl) have three times more wealth than the poorest half of humanity (4,000,000,000 ppl)
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
At the root of all our problems stands one travesty: politicians’ surrender to the super-rich | George Monbiot
There are many excuses for failing to tax the ultra-wealthy. The truth is that governments don’t tackle the problem because they don’t want to, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
January 16, 2026 at 2:34 PM
At the root of all our problems stands one travesty: politicians’ surrender to the super-rich, says @georgemonbiot.bsky.social
- 0.001% of the global population (56,000 ppl) have three times more wealth than the poorest half of humanity (4,000,000,000 ppl)
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
- 0.001% of the global population (56,000 ppl) have three times more wealth than the poorest half of humanity (4,000,000,000 ppl)
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Linda is alive to tell the tale; she told me today that nobody will take her pitch about the situation. Because of course they won't.
January 16, 2026 at 2:56 AM
Linda is alive to tell the tale; she told me today that nobody will take her pitch about the situation. Because of course they won't.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
Linda Tirado got shot in the head in Minneapolis in 2020. She lived to tell the tale and is permanently disabled as a result. No one should be talking about the murder of Renee Good as if it's anomalous. No one.
January 16, 2026 at 2:55 AM
Linda Tirado got shot in the head in Minneapolis in 2020. She lived to tell the tale and is permanently disabled as a result. No one should be talking about the murder of Renee Good as if it's anomalous. No one.
Reposted by Janet D. Stemwedel
It's a primer for digital humanities scholarship & teaching that centers designing for social good in a world of antisocial practices and tech. We’re excited to be working with @bendoyle.bsky.social at Bloomsbury to make it happen and to have an editor who supports this kind of work, especially now.
January 16, 2026 at 2:37 PM
It's a primer for digital humanities scholarship & teaching that centers designing for social good in a world of antisocial practices and tech. We’re excited to be working with @bendoyle.bsky.social at Bloomsbury to make it happen and to have an editor who supports this kind of work, especially now.