James Fallows
@jfallows.bsky.social
Reporter and writer: https://fallows.substack.com/ and https://www.ourtownsfoundation.org/ One-time speechwriter, long-time pilot, longer-time husband of linguist/writer Deborah Fallows. Note same wristwatch in the two photos, more than 50 years apart.
Reposted by James Fallows
The Verge covers the details here:
www.theverge.com/news/859309/...
www.theverge.com/news/859309/...
No, Grok hasn’t paywalled its deepfake image feature
X’s sexual deepfake machine is still running, despite Grok saying otherwise.
www.theverge.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:30 PM
The Verge covers the details here:
www.theverge.com/news/859309/...
www.theverge.com/news/859309/...
Follow up:
As I understand it, the Grok-porn "fix" by Xitter is that only paying subscribers can *make* these sexploitation images.
But they still *appear* throughout the main algorithmic feed. That's how it seemed.
Correct?
-If not, what am I missing?
-If so, how is this a fix?
As I understand it, the Grok-porn "fix" by Xitter is that only paying subscribers can *make* these sexploitation images.
But they still *appear* throughout the main algorithmic feed. That's how it seemed.
Correct?
-If not, what am I missing?
-If so, how is this a fix?
Road report:
-I haven't done anything on Xitter since Nov 2024.
-Via someone's account, recently trawled through the main news feed.
It actually is shocking. Between the Grok-generated sexploitation, and white-supremacist cheerleading, that's most of the feed.
No "real" org should be there.
-I haven't done anything on Xitter since Nov 2024.
-Via someone's account, recently trawled through the main news feed.
It actually is shocking. Between the Grok-generated sexploitation, and white-supremacist cheerleading, that's most of the feed.
No "real" org should be there.
January 10, 2026 at 2:56 PM
Follow up:
As I understand it, the Grok-porn "fix" by Xitter is that only paying subscribers can *make* these sexploitation images.
But they still *appear* throughout the main algorithmic feed. That's how it seemed.
Correct?
-If not, what am I missing?
-If so, how is this a fix?
As I understand it, the Grok-porn "fix" by Xitter is that only paying subscribers can *make* these sexploitation images.
But they still *appear* throughout the main algorithmic feed. That's how it seemed.
Correct?
-If not, what am I missing?
-If so, how is this a fix?
This is big.
Good for the National Opera.
Too bad for the Kennedy Center, dragged down by ... these people.
Good for the National Opera.
Too bad for the Kennedy Center, dragged down by ... these people.
The storied Washington National Opera decides to leave the Kennedy Center where it has played since 1971, perhaps the most significant artistic rebuke yet to Trump’s campaign to remake the facility in his image and attach his name to it. @adamnagourney.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/a...
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:19 AM
This is big.
Good for the National Opera.
Too bad for the Kennedy Center, dragged down by ... these people.
Good for the National Opera.
Too bad for the Kennedy Center, dragged down by ... these people.
Reposted by James Fallows
The storied Washington National Opera decides to leave the Kennedy Center where it has played since 1971, perhaps the most significant artistic rebuke yet to Trump’s campaign to remake the facility in his image and attach his name to it. @adamnagourney.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/a...
Washington National Opera Is Leaving the Kennedy Center
www.nytimes.com
January 10, 2026 at 12:10 AM
The storied Washington National Opera decides to leave the Kennedy Center where it has played since 1971, perhaps the most significant artistic rebuke yet to Trump’s campaign to remake the facility in his image and attach his name to it. @adamnagourney.bsky.social www.nytimes.com/2026/01/09/a...
Reposted by James Fallows
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?
Road report:
-I haven't done anything on Xitter since Nov 2024.
-Via someone's account, recently trawled through the main news feed.
It actually is shocking. Between the Grok-generated sexploitation, and white-supremacist cheerleading, that's most of the feed.
No "real" org should be there.
-I haven't done anything on Xitter since Nov 2024.
-Via someone's account, recently trawled through the main news feed.
It actually is shocking. Between the Grok-generated sexploitation, and white-supremacist cheerleading, that's most of the feed.
No "real" org should be there.
January 9, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Road report:
-I haven't done anything on Xitter since Nov 2024.
-Via someone's account, recently trawled through the main news feed.
It actually is shocking. Between the Grok-generated sexploitation, and white-supremacist cheerleading, that's most of the feed.
No "real" org should be there.
-I haven't done anything on Xitter since Nov 2024.
-Via someone's account, recently trawled through the main news feed.
It actually is shocking. Between the Grok-generated sexploitation, and white-supremacist cheerleading, that's most of the feed.
No "real" org should be there.
Reposted by James Fallows
🚨 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 6:12 PM
🚨 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.
In case you haven't seen it, print front page of this morning's NYT.
January 9, 2026 at 7:19 PM
In case you haven't seen it, print front page of this morning's NYT.
In case you haven't seen the Jesse Ventura video, see it now:
www.youtube.com/shorts/cnF-D...
These Minnesota people — Frey, Walz, Sens Smith + Klobuchar, Keith Ellison, now Ventura — are not fooling around.
www.youtube.com/shorts/cnF-D...
These Minnesota people — Frey, Walz, Sens Smith + Klobuchar, Keith Ellison, now Ventura — are not fooling around.
Jesse Ventura reacts to Minneapolis ICE shooting
YouTube video by FOX 9 Minneapolis-St. Paul
www.youtube.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:35 AM
In case you haven't seen the Jesse Ventura video, see it now:
www.youtube.com/shorts/cnF-D...
These Minnesota people — Frey, Walz, Sens Smith + Klobuchar, Keith Ellison, now Ventura — are not fooling around.
www.youtube.com/shorts/cnF-D...
These Minnesota people — Frey, Walz, Sens Smith + Klobuchar, Keith Ellison, now Ventura — are not fooling around.
Have deleted a quote-post (about Xi, Trump, and Taiwan), because agree that full context is different from what I initially understood.
Apologies.
Apologies.
January 9, 2026 at 4:08 AM
Have deleted a quote-post (about Xi, Trump, and Taiwan), because agree that full context is different from what I initially understood.
Apologies.
Apologies.
I am not going to embed the famous photo by Eddie Adams of a point-blank shooting in downtown Saigon so long ago.
But difficult not to think of it right now.
BBC story is here. www.bbc.com/news/world-u... (Photo itself further down in the linked story.)
But difficult not to think of it right now.
BBC story is here. www.bbc.com/news/world-u... (Photo itself further down in the linked story.)
Eddie Adams' iconic Vietnam War photo: What happened next
Eddie Adams captured one of the most famous images of the Vietnam War but he was haunted by it.
www.bbc.com
January 8, 2026 at 4:20 PM
I am not going to embed the famous photo by Eddie Adams of a point-blank shooting in downtown Saigon so long ago.
But difficult not to think of it right now.
BBC story is here. www.bbc.com/news/world-u... (Photo itself further down in the linked story.)
But difficult not to think of it right now.
BBC story is here. www.bbc.com/news/world-u... (Photo itself further down in the linked story.)
The video forensics are excellent.
How about "disprove" rather than "contradict"?
How about "disprove" rather than "contradict"?
The New York Times states it plainly in display type:
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles shows that the motorist was driving away from — not toward — a federal officer when he opened fire.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 2:10 PM
The video forensics are excellent.
How about "disprove" rather than "contradict"?
How about "disprove" rather than "contradict"?
Agree. This is @nytimes.com using its resources to best effect. Huge public service.
TWO KEY IMAGES from Minneapolis. Left: The ICE shooter, who has crossed in front, draws his gun while the car is *in reverse.* Right: when he fires--note the smoke--neither foot is in front of the car. Fool thinks he's Wyatt Earp. Really, he's just another murderer.
January 8, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Agree. This is @nytimes.com using its resources to best effect. Huge public service.
Reposted by James Fallows
Forensic analysis of objective video evidence. This is how you serve readers searching for clarity.
January 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
Forensic analysis of objective video evidence. This is how you serve readers searching for clarity.
Reposted by James Fallows
Excellent, damning analysis of the video of the killing of Ms Good, from the NYT, including a quick debunking of the “evidence” the President showed other Times reporters last night.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
Video: Videos Contradict Trump Administration Account of ICE Shooting in Minneapolis
An analysis of footage from three camera angles shows that the motorist was driving away from — not toward — a federal officer when he opened fire.
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:44 PM
Excellent, damning analysis of the video of the killing of Ms Good, from the NYT, including a quick debunking of the “evidence” the President showed other Times reporters last night.
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
www.nytimes.com/video/us/100...
You'll never guess which Times columnist has lined up which perpetual hawk to say taking over Venez is good idea. (As he said Iran-Contra and Iraq War were good ideas.)
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/o...
Opinion | A Defense of U.S. Intervention in Venezuela
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 1:42 PM
You'll never guess which Times columnist has lined up which perpetual hawk to say taking over Venez is good idea. (As he said Iran-Contra and Iraq War were good ideas.)
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/07/o...
Agree.
There should never have been a DHS. (Argued that at the time.) Nor the "Patriot" Act.
Every Democrat, every actual patriot, should start with abolishing the modern gestapo that is "ICE."
There should never have been a DHS. (Argued that at the time.) Nor the "Patriot" Act.
Every Democrat, every actual patriot, should start with abolishing the modern gestapo that is "ICE."
Better yet, disestablish all of DHS, and undo the nightmarish idiocies that we created in a panic 25 years ago. Reestablish the INS, get rid of ODNI, fix the damage from the Patriot Act, etc.
For the love of all that is decent and holy: abolish ICE
January 8, 2026 at 3:28 AM
Agree.
There should never have been a DHS. (Argued that at the time.) Nor the "Patriot" Act.
Every Democrat, every actual patriot, should start with abolishing the modern gestapo that is "ICE."
There should never have been a DHS. (Argued that at the time.) Nor the "Patriot" Act.
Every Democrat, every actual patriot, should start with abolishing the modern gestapo that is "ICE."
Reposted by James Fallows
For months, Trump’s DHS has wreaked lawless havoc in our neighborhoods. Tear gassing infants, families, and police. Firing their weapons at peaceful citizens. Killing innocent people.
It’s brutal, unconstitutional, and out of control.
It must stop.
Kristi Noem must go. Now.
It’s brutal, unconstitutional, and out of control.
It must stop.
Kristi Noem must go. Now.
January 8, 2026 at 2:32 AM
For months, Trump’s DHS has wreaked lawless havoc in our neighborhoods. Tear gassing infants, families, and police. Firing their weapons at peaceful citizens. Killing innocent people.
It’s brutal, unconstitutional, and out of control.
It must stop.
Kristi Noem must go. Now.
It’s brutal, unconstitutional, and out of control.
It must stop.
Kristi Noem must go. Now.
Reposted by James Fallows
Here's the clip of Tony Dokoupil ending tonight's broadcast by absolutely gushing over "ultimate Florida Man" Marco Rubio.
January 7, 2026 at 1:13 AM
Here's the clip of Tony Dokoupil ending tonight's broadcast by absolutely gushing over "ultimate Florida Man" Marco Rubio.
Absolutely true, and somehow not-discussed point:
The US **ALREADY** has all the strategic advantages it could gain by "owning" Greenland. Through treaties and (until now) close NATO cooperation w Denmark
The US has a naval base & 'space force' base there. You see USAF planes at Grndlnd airports
The US **ALREADY** has all the strategic advantages it could gain by "owning" Greenland. Through treaties and (until now) close NATO cooperation w Denmark
The US has a naval base & 'space force' base there. You see USAF planes at Grndlnd airports
The thing that’s so dumb about this is that there’s nothing legitimate about the strategic importance of Greenland that the US doesn’t get through existing alliances. Denmark isn’t impeding US strategic interests. It’s about them wanting to increase US land area by 20%.
Joint European statement on Greenland. They moved quickly after Miller’s comments about annexation last night.
January 6, 2026 at 3:09 PM
Absolutely true, and somehow not-discussed point:
The US **ALREADY** has all the strategic advantages it could gain by "owning" Greenland. Through treaties and (until now) close NATO cooperation w Denmark
The US has a naval base & 'space force' base there. You see USAF planes at Grndlnd airports
The US **ALREADY** has all the strategic advantages it could gain by "owning" Greenland. Through treaties and (until now) close NATO cooperation w Denmark
The US has a naval base & 'space force' base there. You see USAF planes at Grndlnd airports
It's not simply that this CY guy is so openly bigoted.
It's the instantly recognizable Dunning-Kruger super-confidence of the barroom-savant who's telling you how everything "really" works.
It's the instantly recognizable Dunning-Kruger super-confidence of the barroom-savant who's telling you how everything "really" works.
Curtis Yarvin has written a very long screed in defense of his post in which he said, “Hitler spoke the truth.”
A sampling of select portions is below and includes, in reference to Jewish people, the words:
“The only way to tell is the name and the nose.”
A sampling of select portions is below and includes, in reference to Jewish people, the words:
“The only way to tell is the name and the nose.”
January 6, 2026 at 2:42 PM
It's not simply that this CY guy is so openly bigoted.
It's the instantly recognizable Dunning-Kruger super-confidence of the barroom-savant who's telling you how everything "really" works.
It's the instantly recognizable Dunning-Kruger super-confidence of the barroom-savant who's telling you how everything "really" works.
Reposted by James Fallows
Here's something I wrote about Tim Walz before he was seen as VP prospect. After speech that got unprompted standing ovation from 20,000 scientists from around the world
He is a formidable, accomplished, genuinely decent, genuinely intelligent and visionary man
fallows.substack.com/p/election-c...
He is a formidable, accomplished, genuinely decent, genuinely intelligent and visionary man
fallows.substack.com/p/election-c...
Election Countdown, 99 Days to Go: Who Is Tim Walz?
A governor, a six-term Congressman, a National Guard artillery specialist, a school teacher for 20 years—and a geographer. A speech that will introduce you to him, and that contains surprises.
fallows.substack.com
January 5, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Here's something I wrote about Tim Walz before he was seen as VP prospect. After speech that got unprompted standing ovation from 20,000 scientists from around the world
He is a formidable, accomplished, genuinely decent, genuinely intelligent and visionary man
fallows.substack.com/p/election-c...
He is a formidable, accomplished, genuinely decent, genuinely intelligent and visionary man
fallows.substack.com/p/election-c...
This is superb, from Sen. Kelly.
Please watch.
__
Insider note: First sentence of Kelly's presentation is uncannily powerful echo of my favorite TV ad ever. "Imported from Detroit," 15 yrs ago
Serendipity? Embedded memory by Kelly people? Perfect for both.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNIQ...
Please watch.
__
Insider note: First sentence of Kelly's presentation is uncannily powerful echo of my favorite TV ad ever. "Imported from Detroit," 15 yrs ago
Serendipity? Embedded memory by Kelly people? Perfect for both.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNIQ...
January 5, 2026 at 7:54 PM
This is superb, from Sen. Kelly.
Please watch.
__
Insider note: First sentence of Kelly's presentation is uncannily powerful echo of my favorite TV ad ever. "Imported from Detroit," 15 yrs ago
Serendipity? Embedded memory by Kelly people? Perfect for both.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNIQ...
Please watch.
__
Insider note: First sentence of Kelly's presentation is uncannily powerful echo of my favorite TV ad ever. "Imported from Detroit," 15 yrs ago
Serendipity? Embedded memory by Kelly people? Perfect for both.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=nNIQ...