Alex Russell
@infrequently.org
Trying to make a web that works for everyone.
Also at https://toot.cafe/@slightlyoff
For more: https://infrequently.org/about-me/
https://infrequently.org/
Also at https://toot.cafe/@slightlyoff
For more: https://infrequently.org/about-me/
https://infrequently.org/
Pinned
Alex Russell
@infrequently.org
· Oct 27
Platform Strategy and Its Discontents - Infrequently Noted
Alex Russell on browsers, standards, and the process of progress.
infrequently.org
Platforms are competitions, and the web is losing. We can do simple, straightforward things to combat that decline...but contemporary frontend isn't doing those things.
Why not?
A consolidated thread from last week:
infrequently.org/2024/10/platform…
Why not?
A consolidated thread from last week:
infrequently.org/2024/10/platform…
Reposted by Alex Russell
We have to be clear about what the Trump Administration is doing: They are taking basic American virtues and freedoms — the ability to speak truth to power and freely — and turning them into crimes. We must see through this.
January 11, 2026 at 1:43 AM
We have to be clear about what the Trump Administration is doing: They are taking basic American virtues and freedoms — the ability to speak truth to power and freely — and turning them into crimes. We must see through this.
Reposted by Alex Russell
This is exactly right.
They haven't settled for dim brutes who blindly follow orders regardless of the law. That's what they want. That's what they got. There's no reforming or improving it now.
Democrats need to investigate, defund, and ultimately disband the president's brownshirt brigade.
They haven't settled for dim brutes who blindly follow orders regardless of the law. That's what they want. That's what they got. There's no reforming or improving it now.
Democrats need to investigate, defund, and ultimately disband the president's brownshirt brigade.
People might argue that ICE is not recruiting quality agents.
But I would insist that they are in fact successfully recruiting the exact sort of person needed to carry out the mission: reactionary, angry, violent people who don’t believe in democracy.
www.ms.now/opinion/ice-...
But I would insist that they are in fact successfully recruiting the exact sort of person needed to carry out the mission: reactionary, angry, violent people who don’t believe in democracy.
www.ms.now/opinion/ice-...
Opinion | ICE's violence is no accident
Alan Elrod: The killing of a woman by an immigration enforcement officer in Minneapolis was the raw application of Trumpist authoritarianism.
www.ms.now
January 10, 2026 at 9:58 PM
This is exactly right.
They haven't settled for dim brutes who blindly follow orders regardless of the law. That's what they want. That's what they got. There's no reforming or improving it now.
Democrats need to investigate, defund, and ultimately disband the president's brownshirt brigade.
They haven't settled for dim brutes who blindly follow orders regardless of the law. That's what they want. That's what they got. There's no reforming or improving it now.
Democrats need to investigate, defund, and ultimately disband the president's brownshirt brigade.
Reposted by Alex Russell
And senior Republican leaders who are not impeaching him now. The unprovoked invasion of our NATO allies is as cut-and-dried "impeach & remove immediately" as anything since WWII, aside from "incite an insurrection at the Capitol to steal an election."
Total failure of Article I of the Constitution
Total failure of Article I of the Constitution
And make no mistake, this is the fault of senior Republican leaders who did not impeach and remove Trump in 2021 and conservative justices that gave Trump a blank check prior to 2024
Great that our senior military leaders have to resort to distraction attacks to keep the toddler in chief from doing something catastrophic
January 11, 2026 at 4:29 AM
And senior Republican leaders who are not impeaching him now. The unprovoked invasion of our NATO allies is as cut-and-dried "impeach & remove immediately" as anything since WWII, aside from "incite an insurrection at the Capitol to steal an election."
Total failure of Article I of the Constitution
Total failure of Article I of the Constitution
Reposted by Alex Russell
Announced inspections are not real inspections. There’s documented evidence and witness testimony about coverups at these facilities. (Look at records of complaints filed against them.) There’s a reason OIG inspectors come unannounced.
NEWS: A day after the Minneapolis shooting, Secretary Noem quietly signed a new policy barring congressional visits to ICE facilities without a week's advance notice. That policy change led to three MN Dems being blocked from accessing an ICE facility today. www.politico.com/news/2026/01...
January 11, 2026 at 4:32 AM
Announced inspections are not real inspections. There’s documented evidence and witness testimony about coverups at these facilities. (Look at records of complaints filed against them.) There’s a reason OIG inspectors come unannounced.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Taunting is not a justification for arbitrary executions. Collective guilt is contrary to the rule of the law. Resisting the state— even if unlawful and prosecutable—doesn’t justify a death sentence. Our colonial ancestors rejected that agents of the state are absolutely immune for their wrongdoing.
January 10, 2026 at 3:49 PM
Taunting is not a justification for arbitrary executions. Collective guilt is contrary to the rule of the law. Resisting the state— even if unlawful and prosecutable—doesn’t justify a death sentence. Our colonial ancestors rejected that agents of the state are absolutely immune for their wrongdoing.
Reposted by Alex Russell
i have written this a few times now but the reason JD Vance spends all day posting is that they barely tolerate his presence in the white house and have locked him out of every decision of consequence. he is basically unemployed
January 10, 2026 at 5:44 PM
i have written this a few times now but the reason JD Vance spends all day posting is that they barely tolerate his presence in the white house and have locked him out of every decision of consequence. he is basically unemployed
Reposted by Alex Russell
The reactionary centrist logic is simple: if the left does something bad it’s the left’s fault, and if the right does something bad, it’s also the left’s fault for making them do it. It’s a simple formula and once you see it every one of their arguments is the same
January 10, 2026 at 11:24 PM
The reactionary centrist logic is simple: if the left does something bad it’s the left’s fault, and if the right does something bad, it’s also the left’s fault for making them do it. It’s a simple formula and once you see it every one of their arguments is the same
Reposted by Alex Russell
To keep track of it all, we thought we’d thread all the House reps that have committed to impeaching Kristi Noem. The first was @robinkelly.house.gov
I refuse to stay silent while Secretary Noem breaks the rule of law and terrorizes our communities. I am introducing Articles of Impeachment against her for violating the public trust, obstructing Congress, and self-dealing. Read my full statement: robinkelly.house.gov/media-center...
Rep. Kelly announces plans to impeach Secretary Kristi Noem
WASHINGTON – Today, U.S. Rep. Robin Kelly (IL-02) announced plans to impeach Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem following the fatal shooting by an ICE officer in Minneapolis.
robinkelly.house.gov
January 8, 2026 at 8:02 PM
To keep track of it all, we thought we’d thread all the House reps that have committed to impeaching Kristi Noem. The first was @robinkelly.house.gov
Reposted by Alex Russell
Rep. Luna, who once accused Twitter of "censorship" because no one on her staff explained what Jira is to her, is now asking the DOJ to prosecute a journalist for sharing a link to a university bio page on X (X immediately complied and locked the journalist's account until he deleted the link).
Rep. Luna Threatens Journalist With Prison For Posting… Public University Bio
If you want to understand how far MAGA Republicans have strayed from any actual "free speech" principles, look no further than this: Congress issued a subpoena to Rolling Stone journalist Seth Harp, because he posted on…
If you want to understand how far MAGA Republicans have strayed from any actual "free speech" principles, look no further than this: Congress issued a subpoena to Rolling Stone journalist Seth Harp, because he posted on…
Rep. Luna Threatens Journalist With Prison For Posting… Public University Bio
If you want to understand how far MAGA Republicans have strayed from any actual "free speech" principles, look no further than this: Congress issued a subpoena to Rolling Stone journalist Seth Harp, because he posted on X a publicly available online biography of someone involved in the illegal and unconstitutional kidnapping of Nicolas Maduro. There was no private information shared. There was no “doxxing” in any sense of the word.
www.techdirt.com
January 9, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Rep. Luna, who once accused Twitter of "censorship" because no one on her staff explained what Jira is to her, is now asking the DOJ to prosecute a journalist for sharing a link to a university bio page on X (X immediately complied and locked the journalist's account until he deleted the link).
Reposted by Alex Russell
Hannity has a Fox reporter in Minneapolis talk to a random protester walking through the city who goes on to spit bars for 2 minutes
January 10, 2026 at 2:51 AM
Hannity has a Fox reporter in Minneapolis talk to a random protester walking through the city who goes on to spit bars for 2 minutes
Reposted by Alex Russell
"Paywalled" is the word you're looking for. They didn't turn it off. The only thing that changed is X now explicitly makes money off CSAM.
Grok turns off image generator for most users after outcry over sexualised AI imagery
Grok turns off image generator for most users after outcry over sexualised AI imagery
X to limit editing function to paying subscribers after platform threatened with fines and regulatory action
Grok, Elon Musk’s AI tool, has switched off its image creation function for the vast majority of users after widespread outcry over its use to create sexually explicit and violent imagery.
It comes after Musk was threatened with fines, regulatory action and reports of a possible ban on X in the UK. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
January 9, 2026 at 11:57 AM
"Paywalled" is the word you're looking for. They didn't turn it off. The only thing that changed is X now explicitly makes money off CSAM.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Spoiler alert: it was not to rush over and provide Renee Nicole Good medical aid. trib.al/4tp5FPL
January 9, 2026 at 10:40 PM
Spoiler alert: it was not to rush over and provide Renee Nicole Good medical aid. trib.al/4tp5FPL
Reposted by Alex Russell
“Before mass leaders seize the power to fit reality to their lies, their propaganda is marked by its extreme contempt for facts"
-Hannah Arendt
-Hannah Arendt
January 9, 2026 at 9:50 PM
“Before mass leaders seize the power to fit reality to their lies, their propaganda is marked by its extreme contempt for facts"
-Hannah Arendt
-Hannah Arendt
Those of us who have been reading along as Apple serially misled regulators to gimp the web (to defend profits) feel this @lopatto.bsky.social piece in our bones. App Stores are high-modernist tech; authoritarian by default. Rentiers fall in with fascists because it's their vibe too.
January 9, 2026 at 10:43 PM
Those of us who have been reading along as Apple serially misled regulators to gimp the web (to defend profits) feel this @lopatto.bsky.social piece in our bones. App Stores are high-modernist tech; authoritarian by default. Rentiers fall in with fascists because it's their vibe too.
Reposted by Alex Russell
Sometimes you just have to let @lopatto.bsky.social say it out loud www.theverge.com/policy/85990...
Tim Cook and Sundar Pichai are cowards
Once you’ve traded your principles for proximity to power, do you even run your own company?
www.theverge.com
January 9, 2026 at 9:29 PM
Sometimes you just have to let @lopatto.bsky.social say it out loud www.theverge.com/policy/85990...
Reposted by Alex Russell
It should be bigger news that masked agents were filmed hours ago removing potentially inculpatory evidence from the ICE shooter's house, clearly lacking evidence tags or chain of custody stickers.
Before we have word on whether he underwent a toxicology screen at the hospital following the killing
Before we have word on whether he underwent a toxicology screen at the hospital following the killing
January 9, 2026 at 9:17 PM
It should be bigger news that masked agents were filmed hours ago removing potentially inculpatory evidence from the ICE shooter's house, clearly lacking evidence tags or chain of custody stickers.
Before we have word on whether he underwent a toxicology screen at the hospital following the killing
Before we have word on whether he underwent a toxicology screen at the hospital following the killing
Reposted by Alex Russell
Seems like this quote might make some court cases over tribal land in the US.
Trump on Greenland: “The fact that they landed a boat there 500 years ago doesn’t mean they own the land.”
January 9, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Seems like this quote might make some court cases over tribal land in the US.
Reposted by Alex Russell
The shooter calls her a "fucking bitch" right after shooting her three times. He shot because he was pissed off, not because he reasonably believed he was in danger. Also, he is filming while handling his weapon at the same time?!? Was he even looking at where he was shooting?
🚨 NEW VIDEO 👇🏽This puts an end to all the lies. Horrific.
They were having a calm exchange seconds before he murdered Renee Good, and she was barely moving and clearly avoiding him.
Stop the lies.
They were having a calm exchange seconds before he murdered Renee Good, and she was barely moving and clearly avoiding him.
Stop the lies.
January 9, 2026 at 6:43 PM
The shooter calls her a "fucking bitch" right after shooting her three times. He shot because he was pissed off, not because he reasonably believed he was in danger. Also, he is filming while handling his weapon at the same time?!? Was he even looking at where he was shooting?
Reposted by Alex Russell
The Trump administration is excusing murder by ICE using the same lies as those told by Maduro’s regime. These lies are part of the logic of death squads. Govt controls the story & the next murder is easier. And suddenly this is normal and people simply disappear.
snyder.substack.com/p/maduro-in-...
snyder.substack.com/p/maduro-in-...
Maduro in Minneapolis
Murderous Lies
snyder.substack.com
January 9, 2026 at 7:02 PM
The Trump administration is excusing murder by ICE using the same lies as those told by Maduro’s regime. These lies are part of the logic of death squads. Govt controls the story & the next murder is easier. And suddenly this is normal and people simply disappear.
snyder.substack.com/p/maduro-in-...
snyder.substack.com/p/maduro-in-...
Reposted by Alex Russell
SHOCK CELL PHONE VIDEO: Renee Good's final words to her murderer: “That’s fine dude, I’m not mad at you.”
ICE agent Jonathan Ross after shooting and killing her seconds later: “Fuckin’ bitch.”
Via Alpha News
ICE agent Jonathan Ross after shooting and killing her seconds later: “Fuckin’ bitch.”
Via Alpha News
January 9, 2026 at 6:36 PM
SHOCK CELL PHONE VIDEO: Renee Good's final words to her murderer: “That’s fine dude, I’m not mad at you.”
ICE agent Jonathan Ross after shooting and killing her seconds later: “Fuckin’ bitch.”
Via Alpha News
ICE agent Jonathan Ross after shooting and killing her seconds later: “Fuckin’ bitch.”
Via Alpha News
Reposted by Alex Russell
This heatwave has marked a historic turning point in the Australian energy grid - we used to have blackouts as everyone turned their AC's on, with pundits telling us that 'renewables aren't the answer'. No blackouts this time, and silence from the nay-sayers.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
From scourge to saviour: How the sun powered the grid through a heatwave
For so long, the pounding sunshine of an Australian heatwave was the grid's biggest threat. It has now become its greatest asset.
www.abc.net.au
January 9, 2026 at 9:24 PM
This heatwave has marked a historic turning point in the Australian energy grid - we used to have blackouts as everyone turned their AC's on, with pundits telling us that 'renewables aren't the answer'. No blackouts this time, and silence from the nay-sayers.
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
www.abc.net.au/news/2026-01...
Reposted by Alex Russell
WATCH: More than 80% of U.S. children attend public schools.
Some of the Education Department’s ultraconservative advisers, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, want to change that.
Here’s an inside look at their dismantling of public education:
Some of the Education Department’s ultraconservative advisers, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, want to change that.
Here’s an inside look at their dismantling of public education:
Inside the Trump Administration’s Plan to Change Public Education
YouTube video by ProPublica
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 5:38 PM
WATCH: More than 80% of U.S. children attend public schools.
Some of the Education Department’s ultraconservative advisers, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, want to change that.
Here’s an inside look at their dismantling of public education:
Some of the Education Department’s ultraconservative advisers, led by Secretary Linda McMahon, want to change that.
Here’s an inside look at their dismantling of public education:
Reposted by Alex Russell
📝 Part III on my contrast-color() series. In a previous post I used color-mix() to mix white/black on hover. But you know what's cooler than that? Interpolating contrast-color() into an integer and then using that adjust lightness in a color() function!
daverupert.com/2026/01/coer...
daverupert.com/2026/01/coer...
Interpolate contrast-color() to manipulate lightness
In my first post on contrast-color() I demo’d using color-mix() to change a background-color on hover, but I will be honest… mixing black and white isn’t always what you want. It would be cool and hel...
daverupert.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:47 PM
📝 Part III on my contrast-color() series. In a previous post I used color-mix() to mix white/black on hover. But you know what's cooler than that? Interpolating contrast-color() into an integer and then using that adjust lightness in a color() function!
daverupert.com/2026/01/coer...
daverupert.com/2026/01/coer...
Reposted by Alex Russell
As many have pointed out, there's no reason for big tech to change its behavior because they correctly understand that they have nothing to fear from Democrats taking power
January 9, 2026 at 4:23 PM
As many have pointed out, there's no reason for big tech to change its behavior because they correctly understand that they have nothing to fear from Democrats taking power
Reposted by Alex Russell
Oof. Hats off to the guy who took the video. That took some onions.
I think it is probably a bad idea to put clearly unhinged, angry psychopaths in federal law enforcement positions.
January 9, 2026 at 4:24 PM
Oof. Hats off to the guy who took the video. That took some onions.