Ben Cotton (he/him)
@funnelfiasco.bsky.social
Author of "Program Management for Open Source Projects" and all-around opinion haver. Always looking for my next tornado. I get too invested in sports.
https://funnelfiasco.com
https://duckalignment.academy
https://funnelfiasco.com
https://duckalignment.academy
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
The moment we've all been waiting for: Fernando Mendoza's "Here's What I Learned From Winning a National Championship" LinkedIn post
January 21, 2026 at 10:17 PM
The moment we've all been waiting for: Fernando Mendoza's "Here's What I Learned From Winning a National Championship" LinkedIn post
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
We're at the point where the occupying force of federal agents in Minneapolis is now just point-blank pepper spraying legal observers.
FUCK ICE.
FUCK ICE.
An observer arrested in Suth Minneapolis. Photo by Richard Tsong-Taatarii/The Minnesota Star Tribune
January 21, 2026 at 9:30 PM
We're at the point where the occupying force of federal agents in Minneapolis is now just point-blank pepper spraying legal observers.
FUCK ICE.
FUCK ICE.
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
I am very worried about the widespread, long-lasting power outages that may follow the icy side of this storm.
Prolonged power outages during prolonged frigid temperatures is a recipe for hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisonings.
Prolonged power outages during prolonged frigid temperatures is a recipe for hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisonings.
Dangerous winter storm's blackouts will coincide with life-threatening cold
Long-lasting power outages during frigid weather may endanger many vulnerable people in the days ahead.
www.damweather.com
January 21, 2026 at 8:00 PM
I am very worried about the widespread, long-lasting power outages that may follow the icy side of this storm.
Prolonged power outages during prolonged frigid temperatures is a recipe for hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisonings.
Prolonged power outages during prolonged frigid temperatures is a recipe for hypothermia, frostbite, and carbon monoxide poisonings.
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
elon buying twitter is the tower of babel of the modern world
December 31, 2025 at 3:04 AM
elon buying twitter is the tower of babel of the modern world
Use your labels
A label that you don't use complicates the experience. A label that you're not consistent in using will lead to unreliable analysis data.
A label that you don't use complicates the experience. A label that you're not consistent in using will lead to unreliable analysis data.
Use your labels
A label that you don't use complicates the experience. A label that you're not consistent in using will lead to unreliable analysis data.
duckalignment.academy
January 21, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Use your labels
A label that you don't use complicates the experience. A label that you're not consistent in using will lead to unreliable analysis data.
A label that you don't use complicates the experience. A label that you're not consistent in using will lead to unreliable analysis data.
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
i've modified the Pomodoro method so I work for 5 minutes and then scream into an abyss for 25 minutes, i'm not getting anything done but at least my coworkers refuse to talk to me
January 20, 2026 at 5:50 PM
i've modified the Pomodoro method so I work for 5 minutes and then scream into an abyss for 25 minutes, i'm not getting anything done but at least my coworkers refuse to talk to me
I finally broke down and bought a new label maker for the one that's been missing since spring. It arrived yesterday. I can't wait to find the missing one today!
January 20, 2026 at 1:45 PM
I finally broke down and bought a new label maker for the one that's been missing since spring. It arrived yesterday. I can't wait to find the missing one today!
I admin a Facebook group for a friend's organization. To check for a pulse, I include a screening question "what's the name of Dot the stuffed monkey?"
Y'all. The number of people who cannot figure out the answer. 😭😭😭
Y'all. The number of people who cannot figure out the answer. 😭😭😭
January 19, 2026 at 10:23 PM
I admin a Facebook group for a friend's organization. To check for a pulse, I include a screening question "what's the name of Dot the stuffed monkey?"
Y'all. The number of people who cannot figure out the answer. 😭😭😭
Y'all. The number of people who cannot figure out the answer. 😭😭😭
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
Now the actual military has to dress like it’s not the military cuz federal law enforcement agencies dress too much like the military
January 17, 2026 at 11:01 PM
Now the actual military has to dress like it’s not the military cuz federal law enforcement agencies dress too much like the military
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
So they’re arresting members of the press now for covering the very events they instigated. And of course to prevent more coverage.
Saw a sign a while back that borrowed from the Martin Niemöller poem:
“First they came for the press. We don’t know what happened after that.”
Saw a sign a while back that borrowed from the Martin Niemöller poem:
“First they came for the press. We don’t know what happened after that.”
January 17, 2026 at 2:22 PM
So they’re arresting members of the press now for covering the very events they instigated. And of course to prevent more coverage.
Saw a sign a while back that borrowed from the Martin Niemöller poem:
“First they came for the press. We don’t know what happened after that.”
Saw a sign a while back that borrowed from the Martin Niemöller poem:
“First they came for the press. We don’t know what happened after that.”
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
You have to block them immediately. The full nuclear. They are only here to make folks angry, and that can’t happen if we lock them out.
✅ @icegov.bsky.social has been verified by @bsky.app.
January 16, 2026 at 11:59 PM
You have to block them immediately. The full nuclear. They are only here to make folks angry, and that can’t happen if we lock them out.
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
Lmao send us a photo of everyone at your house so you don't need to expend energy counting while ordering pizza from Papa John's is the funniest fed post I've ever seen
January 16, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Lmao send us a photo of everyone at your house so you don't need to expend energy counting while ordering pizza from Papa John's is the funniest fed post I've ever seen
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
🚨 CFP is open for #OpenSSFCommunity Day North America, and we want to hear from YOU!!
This is a community conference focused on sharing what’s working, what’s hard, and what others can learn.
🗓️ CFP closes: February 15
👉 Submit your proposal: events.linuxfoundation.org/openssf-comm...
This is a community conference focused on sharing what’s working, what’s hard, and what others can learn.
🗓️ CFP closes: February 15
👉 Submit your proposal: events.linuxfoundation.org/openssf-comm...
Call For Proposals (CFP) | LF Events
OpenSSF Community Days bring together a vibrant community from across the Security and Open Source ecosystems to share ideas and progress on capabilities that make it easier to sustainably secure the…
events.linuxfoundation.org
January 15, 2026 at 5:29 PM
🚨 CFP is open for #OpenSSFCommunity Day North America, and we want to hear from YOU!!
This is a community conference focused on sharing what’s working, what’s hard, and what others can learn.
🗓️ CFP closes: February 15
👉 Submit your proposal: events.linuxfoundation.org/openssf-comm...
This is a community conference focused on sharing what’s working, what’s hard, and what others can learn.
🗓️ CFP closes: February 15
👉 Submit your proposal: events.linuxfoundation.org/openssf-comm...
"Gemini, what's the least inspiring possible use case to promote our AI products? Keep in mind that I have never shopped for anything in my life, apparently."
Every example of ai being useful begins with "okay imagine you're in a situation, and you are very dumb"
January 15, 2026 at 4:07 PM
"Gemini, what's the least inspiring possible use case to promote our AI products? Keep in mind that I have never shopped for anything in my life, apparently."
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
In the 1980s, 401(k)s became the standard retirement option rather than the sort of reliable, defined-benefit pension plans that had been previously common. After that, a lot of people began relying on ever-increasing property values to finance retirement, which means less-interesting houses.
Where did we go wrong? Have we become so focused on “timeless” that we now only embrace dull, colorless decor? 😳
January 15, 2026 at 1:45 PM
In the 1980s, 401(k)s became the standard retirement option rather than the sort of reliable, defined-benefit pension plans that had been previously common. After that, a lot of people began relying on ever-increasing property values to finance retirement, which means less-interesting houses.
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
Oh I just now saw the CBS News story about what the wallet inspectors said
January 15, 2026 at 2:43 AM
Oh I just now saw the CBS News story about what the wallet inspectors said
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
It whips that not only is this guy absolutely going to get reinstated with back pay thanks to UNIONS but he’s already made nearly $1mil in a GFM which means many, many people are now incentivized to scream at Trump that he’s a pedophile
January 14, 2026 at 11:18 PM
It whips that not only is this guy absolutely going to get reinstated with back pay thanks to UNIONS but he’s already made nearly $1mil in a GFM which means many, many people are now incentivized to scream at Trump that he’s a pedophile
It's giving @flotisserie.bsky.social
"Through her intricate beadwork, artist Betsy Youngquist explores the surreal intersection where humanity, the animal kingdom, and ancient mythology meet."
January 14, 2026 at 10:22 PM
It's giving @flotisserie.bsky.social
A working knowledge of sed and awk continues to be both a blessing and curse.
January 14, 2026 at 10:07 PM
A working knowledge of sed and awk continues to be both a blessing and curse.
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
Literally one of their wet dream opportunities to defend the country from tyranny is happening right now…
January 14, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Literally one of their wet dream opportunities to defend the country from tyranny is happening right now…
Measuring contributor affiliations is complicated
Determining a contributor's affiliation is not as easy as it seems. It's not always clear if a contribution is part of someone's job.
Determining a contributor's affiliation is not as easy as it seems. It's not always clear if a contribution is part of someone's job.
Measuring contributor affiliations is complicated
Determining a contributor's affiliation is not as easy as it seems. It's not always clear if a contribution is part of someone's job.
duckalignment.academy
January 14, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Measuring contributor affiliations is complicated
Determining a contributor's affiliation is not as easy as it seems. It's not always clear if a contribution is part of someone's job.
Determining a contributor's affiliation is not as easy as it seems. It's not always clear if a contribution is part of someone's job.
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
Remember, Scott Adams won't see your posts focusing on his late-career bigotry, but J.K. Rowling might.
January 13, 2026 at 4:54 PM
Remember, Scott Adams won't see your posts focusing on his late-career bigotry, but J.K. Rowling might.
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
It's National Rubber Ducky Day in the US!
Quack 'em if you've got 'em.
Quack 'em if you've got 'em.
January 13, 2026 at 1:56 PM
It's National Rubber Ducky Day in the US!
Quack 'em if you've got 'em.
Quack 'em if you've got 'em.
'Escalate,' as in "tensions escalate," comes from the word 'escalator.'
It first appeared in print in 1944.
'Escalator' originated as a trademarked term for the Otis Elevator Company's moving staircase and was demonstrated at the Paris Exposition in 1900.
It first appeared in print in 1944.
'Escalator' originated as a trademarked term for the Otis Elevator Company's moving staircase and was demonstrated at the Paris Exposition in 1900.
January 12, 2026 at 5:25 PM
Reposted by Ben Cotton (he/him)
I feel like people are already being primed to accept “reform ICE” as a platform when anything less than abolishment should be unacceptable to literally everyone.
Yeah we should primary all Democrats who want to “reform ICE.” That’s what primaries are for.
I’m not fucking doing this again.
Yeah we should primary all Democrats who want to “reform ICE.” That’s what primaries are for.
I’m not fucking doing this again.
January 12, 2026 at 5:09 PM
I feel like people are already being primed to accept “reform ICE” as a platform when anything less than abolishment should be unacceptable to literally everyone.
Yeah we should primary all Democrats who want to “reform ICE.” That’s what primaries are for.
I’m not fucking doing this again.
Yeah we should primary all Democrats who want to “reform ICE.” That’s what primaries are for.
I’m not fucking doing this again.