Justin Hughes
@justinhughes54.com
A shadowy flight into the dangerous world of a nerdy writer, editor, motorcycle rider, ham radio geek, former van lifer, and current all-around weirdo. Writer at Jalopnik, ADVRider, and elsewhere. a.k.a. Smokey Da Van, Knerd Rider.
He is not the hero we asked for, but he is the hero we need.
Meet the Alaska Student Arrested for Eating an AI Art Exhibit
A conversation with Graham Granger, whose combination of protest and performance art spread beyond campus. “AI chews up and spits out art made by other people.”
www.thenation.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:26 PM
He is not the hero we asked for, but he is the hero we need.
I didn’t realize my mother-in-law’s washing machine was a Ford.
January 21, 2026 at 12:38 AM
I didn’t realize my mother-in-law’s washing machine was a Ford.
AI slop is everywhere these days, and this one slipped by. Hopefully, they learn from this mistake. It's too easy to use AI to cover dents, rust, torn seats, and other damage in photos that people rely on to represent the car accurately.
Bring A Trailer Accidentally Lists An AI-Altered Cadillac For Sale - Jalopnik
AI slop is everywhere these days, and it can be hard to tell what's real, digitally altered, or completely fabricated.
www.jalopnik.com
January 20, 2026 at 7:16 PM
AI slop is everywhere these days, and this one slipped by. Hopefully, they learn from this mistake. It's too easy to use AI to cover dents, rust, torn seats, and other damage in photos that people rely on to represent the car accurately.
It's not that people don't like it. People love it. But it's made in Mexico, subject to tariffs, and more expensive for Mazda to make. So they make less of them and nudge people toward the American-made CX-50 instead, which is only slightly more expensive.
The Mazda CX-30's Sales Decline Had Nothing To Do With Its Popularity - Jalopnik
Mazda decided to scale back production of the CX-30 because it's built in Mexico and thus subject to Trump's tariffs.
www.jalopnik.com
January 20, 2026 at 2:54 PM
It's not that people don't like it. People love it. But it's made in Mexico, subject to tariffs, and more expensive for Mazda to make. So they make less of them and nudge people toward the American-made CX-50 instead, which is only slightly more expensive.
E-bikes ride a fine line between technology and simplicity for the Amish.
Some Amish Communities Are Adopting E-Bikes Instead Of Horses - Jalopnik
Roughly two-thirds of Amish churches now allow e-bikes.
www.jalopnik.com
January 19, 2026 at 9:17 PM
E-bikes ride a fine line between technology and simplicity for the Amish.
When is a courtesy not a courtesy? When you’re in Philadelphia.
Philadelphia's 'Courtesy Tow' Loses Cars Instead Of Providing A Courtesy - Jalopnik
Courtesy parking sounds less like a courtesy and more like legalized extortion.
www.jalopnik.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:24 PM
When is a courtesy not a courtesy? When you’re in Philadelphia.
I can never resist a good pun.
Manual Transmission Thwarts Thieves' Attempt To Steal A Woman's (Kia) Soul - Jalopnik
We've seen manuals thwart thieves before, but what's unique about this case is that it's not the first time this has happened to her in this car.
www.jalopnik.com
January 18, 2026 at 8:19 PM
I can never resist a good pun.
I love putting cars into the most inappropriate situations possible. This is one of those times.
Here's Why Road Tripping A Kei Truck Is A Great Terrible Idea - Jalopnik
This video is the classic formula of traveling a long distance to buy a questionable vehicle, then immediately driving it home.
www.jalopnik.com
January 16, 2026 at 3:18 PM
I love putting cars into the most inappropriate situations possible. This is one of those times.
"Minnesota drivers urged to stay safe on icy roads"
That's one way to warn people about what's going on in Minneapolis these days....
That's one way to warn people about what's going on in Minneapolis these days....
Winter warning: Minnesota drivers urged to stay safe on icy roads
As winter sets in, drivers face the risk of sliding into ditches or stalling on icy roads.
www.kimt.com
January 15, 2026 at 8:40 PM
"Minnesota drivers urged to stay safe on icy roads"
That's one way to warn people about what's going on in Minneapolis these days....
That's one way to warn people about what's going on in Minneapolis these days....
I just thought I’d share this for no particular reason.
a close up of a bald man with a beard making a funny face .
Alt: Captain Jean-Luc Picard shouting defiantly, “There are four lights!”
media.tenor.com
January 15, 2026 at 7:00 PM
I just thought I’d share this for no particular reason.
This is more important for navigation than knowing what time it is. GPS works because of highly accurate atomic clocks, and a similar system around the moon is likely someday. Figuring out what time it is there and how to reconcile it with Earth time is a step on the way toward that.
China Is Over The Moon With Its New Lunar Timekeeping System - Jalopnik
If the Chinese have figured out a highly accurate system, the mathematics involved are valid regardless of who writes the software that runs it.
www.jalopnik.com
January 14, 2026 at 3:13 PM
This is more important for navigation than knowing what time it is. GPS works because of highly accurate atomic clocks, and a similar system around the moon is likely someday. Figuring out what time it is there and how to reconcile it with Earth time is a step on the way toward that.
Oops.
Hundreds Of Cars Contaminated After Supplier Error Puts Diesel In Gas Pumps - Jalopnik
Drivers affected by the mix-up should contact the gas station where they got the contaminated fuel, as well as the Colorado Division of Oil and Public Safety.
www.jalopnik.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Oops.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
It would be nice if the president considered taking action against the government targeting US protesters.
January 13, 2026 at 4:01 AM
It would be nice if the president considered taking action against the government targeting US protesters.
It's about time. And not just where Tesla's concerned, although it was Tesla that started this terrible trend. Any safety system should be as simple as possible to reduce its chance of failing when you need it most, which is exactly what these electronic door handles are doing.
Congress Proposes 'SAFE Exit Act' To Change Terrible Tesla-Style Door Handles - Jalopnik
Hopefully, the laws will finally catch up to reality.
www.jalopnik.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:19 PM
It's about time. And not just where Tesla's concerned, although it was Tesla that started this terrible trend. Any safety system should be as simple as possible to reduce its chance of failing when you need it most, which is exactly what these electronic door handles are doing.
The only problem with this idea is that horses exist, which people have already been riding for thousands of years.
Kawasaki Wants To Literally Reinvent The Horse With Its Corleo Mobility Vehicle - Jalopnik
Kawasaki aims to make the Corleo available to purchase by 2035.
www.jalopnik.com
January 12, 2026 at 3:16 PM
The only problem with this idea is that horses exist, which people have already been riding for thousands of years.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
I've been seeing the ads and teaser videos on Facebook for weeks, and I don't even follow Subaru there. All that hype, and it turns out to be a car we already have in the U.S. undeserving of the STI badge.
Subaru Gives Us World Rally Blue Balls With Yet Another Half-Baked STI Revival - Jalopnik
We won't be getting the WRX STI Sport# in the U.S., and it doesn't matter, because we already have it as the WRX tS.
www.jalopnik.com
January 9, 2026 at 6:22 PM
I've been seeing the ads and teaser videos on Facebook for weeks, and I don't even follow Subaru there. All that hype, and it turns out to be a car we already have in the U.S. undeserving of the STI badge.
Good. That's where it belongs. Intact, not cut up and hacked back together again just to move to another museum where people have to pay $30 a pop to see it rather than free (except for parking).
Space Shuttle Discovery To Remain At Smithsonian Where It Rightfully Belongs - Jalopnik
It looks like Space Shuttle Discovery won't have to pack its bags for the Lone Star state just yet.
www.jalopnik.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:04 PM
Good. That's where it belongs. Intact, not cut up and hacked back together again just to move to another museum where people have to pay $30 a pop to see it rather than free (except for parking).
156 mph is way too fast. In the dark, in the fog, without lights, on New Year's Eve, makes it that much worse. They never caught the speeder, and it's amazing they didn't find it wadded up in a ball of metal.
Blink And You Might Miss This NYE Driver Outrunning Cops At 156 MPH - Jalopnik
That, for many reasons, was very illegal.
www.jalopnik.com
January 9, 2026 at 3:01 PM
156 mph is way too fast. In the dark, in the fog, without lights, on New Year's Eve, makes it that much worse. They never caught the speeder, and it's amazing they didn't find it wadded up in a ball of metal.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” —George Orwell (1984)
January 8, 2026 at 3:32 PM
“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” —George Orwell (1984)
Reposted by Justin Hughes
For those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies
January 8, 2026 at 3:35 PM
For those keeping score, Bellingcat, The New York Times Visual Investigation Team, & Washington Post's Visual Forensic team have all published analysis showing the ICE shooter wasn't in the path of Renee Nicole Good’s vehicle when he shot her, contradicting statements by the President & his cronies
If the claims are true, this could be a game changer. IF the claims are true. We shouldn’t have to wait long to find out. #motosky
Verge Unveils First Motorcycle With Solid State Batteries, Says It Is Ready For Production - Jalopnik
The solid-state-equipped TS Pro boasts some impressive stats.
www.jalopnik.com
January 8, 2026 at 6:04 PM
If the claims are true, this could be a game changer. IF the claims are true. We shouldn’t have to wait long to find out. #motosky
Reposted by Justin Hughes
At least four videos show what really happened when ICE shot a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday. DHS has established itself as an agency that cannot be trusted to live in or present reality.
DHS Is Lying To You About ICE Shooting a Woman
At least four videos show what really happened when ICE shot a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday. DHS has established itself as an agency that cannot be trusted to live in or present reality.
www.404media.co
January 7, 2026 at 10:30 PM
At least four videos show what really happened when ICE shot a woman in Minneapolis on Wednesday. DHS has established itself as an agency that cannot be trusted to live in or present reality.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
Google the video & see for yourself.
This is not law enforcement. This is murder.
Sickening.
This is not law enforcement. This is murder.
Sickening.
January 7, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Google the video & see for yourself.
This is not law enforcement. This is murder.
Sickening.
This is not law enforcement. This is murder.
Sickening.
Reposted by Justin Hughes
DHS and MAGA are spreading propaganda claiming the Minneapolis driver tried to run over ICE. That claim is completely false. Multiple videos from different angles (recorded by people on the scene) clearly show that this did not happen. ICE killed a US citizen. Justice is required for this killing.
January 7, 2026 at 8:58 PM
DHS and MAGA are spreading propaganda claiming the Minneapolis driver tried to run over ICE. That claim is completely false. Multiple videos from different angles (recorded by people on the scene) clearly show that this did not happen. ICE killed a US citizen. Justice is required for this killing.