Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
@markmadsen.bsky.social
Decision support, design, 30 years of data, architecture, augmenting human analysis, systems, cybernetics, safety, resilience, GOFAI, data cleaning & prep, engineering management, urban planning, botany, history, art, dada
I keep getting marketing and "studies" like the sentence below and I'd like to see one that interviews a dozen people about the present rather than their fantasies.
Slack: "We interviewed a dozen leaders in tech and asked about their vision for the future of work with AI"
Slack: "We interviewed a dozen leaders in tech and asked about their vision for the future of work with AI"
February 5, 2026 at 11:40 PM
I keep getting marketing and "studies" like the sentence below and I'd like to see one that interviews a dozen people about the present rather than their fantasies.
Slack: "We interviewed a dozen leaders in tech and asked about their vision for the future of work with AI"
Slack: "We interviewed a dozen leaders in tech and asked about their vision for the future of work with AI"
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
I just read the declaration that Kira Kelley asked J. Blackwell to consider.
This immigrant describes being
-unlawfully arrested
-taken from one overcrowded & filthy prison to another over 19 days
-held incommunicado
& ICE never telling him a court ordered his release
He describes an American gulag
This immigrant describes being
-unlawfully arrested
-taken from one overcrowded & filthy prison to another over 19 days
-held incommunicado
& ICE never telling him a court ordered his release
He describes an American gulag
February 5, 2026 at 5:52 AM
I just read the declaration that Kira Kelley asked J. Blackwell to consider.
This immigrant describes being
-unlawfully arrested
-taken from one overcrowded & filthy prison to another over 19 days
-held incommunicado
& ICE never telling him a court ordered his release
He describes an American gulag
This immigrant describes being
-unlawfully arrested
-taken from one overcrowded & filthy prison to another over 19 days
-held incommunicado
& ICE never telling him a court ordered his release
He describes an American gulag
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
This is what I meant by saying the wheels were going to come off of any pretension of having a society. The propagandists to the powerful are saying to others in power (who are the audience), but openly where the rest of us can see them say it, that pedophile sex trafficking is good and normal now.
very weird “I am Spartacus” thing happening right now with the worst people on earth
February 5, 2026 at 5:52 PM
This is what I meant by saying the wheels were going to come off of any pretension of having a society. The propagandists to the powerful are saying to others in power (who are the audience), but openly where the rest of us can see them say it, that pedophile sex trafficking is good and normal now.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
It really bums me out that Klobuchar, who was instrumental in normalizing Trump as just another political adversary, is almost certainly going to be the next governor of Minnesota, a state currently paying a severe price for that normalization of fascism.
Here's all the Klobuchar v. Republican matchups from that SurveyUSA poll
Best Klobuchar lead is +20, worst is +14
Best Klobuchar lead is +20, worst is +14
February 3, 2026 at 3:16 AM
It really bums me out that Klobuchar, who was instrumental in normalizing Trump as just another political adversary, is almost certainly going to be the next governor of Minnesota, a state currently paying a severe price for that normalization of fascism.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
I think it's best for everyone to understand that the unified class project of billionaires right now is to do to white collar workers what globalization and neoliberalism did to blue collar workers.
February 4, 2026 at 7:41 PM
I think it's best for everyone to understand that the unified class project of billionaires right now is to do to white collar workers what globalization and neoliberalism did to blue collar workers.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
I cornerstone of my lore is that I graduated with a philosophy degree in a recession and got a job at a VC firm, not knowing what one was…
I move that we stop using investment funding rounds as a proxy for any sort of actual value or utility or interestingness of a technology or a business.
That nonsense has dominated coverage and conversation for the last 15+ years.
That nonsense has dominated coverage and conversation for the last 15+ years.
February 4, 2026 at 7:52 PM
I cornerstone of my lore is that I graduated with a philosophy degree in a recession and got a job at a VC firm, not knowing what one was…
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
Wait wait wait, this "drawdown" is because sheriffs agreed to break state law to help DHS with nazi crimes on the stipulation their legal costs are covered when people rightly say hey fucko thats illegal? This isn't a drawdown, it is just replacing some DHS goons with regular cops
February 4, 2026 at 3:10 PM
Wait wait wait, this "drawdown" is because sheriffs agreed to break state law to help DHS with nazi crimes on the stipulation their legal costs are covered when people rightly say hey fucko thats illegal? This isn't a drawdown, it is just replacing some DHS goons with regular cops
The Epstein files keep giving us more insight into how alike the billionaire class is. The new aristocracy is no different than the ones that revolutions abolished
So Steve Sinofsky who offers himself up as Epstein's man in the inside at a16z appears to have gotten Prince Andrew hosted at a16z. They refer to Andrew as PA in their emails.
February 4, 2026 at 7:53 PM
The Epstein files keep giving us more insight into how alike the billionaire class is. The new aristocracy is no different than the ones that revolutions abolished
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
From the far-right’s celebration of killings to the police’s extrajudicial executions, nothing about where we are is random. The violence that shapes this country is smothering it.
Columnist @williamcson.bsky.social analyzes how we must ferociously oppose America’s white accelerationist mandate.
Columnist @williamcson.bsky.social analyzes how we must ferociously oppose America’s white accelerationist mandate.
Another way out: Power, force, and far-right rewards for killing
The far-right’s celebration of killing and the state’s complicity in it show that violence is one of America’s sustaining forces
prismreports.org
February 4, 2026 at 6:14 PM
From the far-right’s celebration of killings to the police’s extrajudicial executions, nothing about where we are is random. The violence that shapes this country is smothering it.
Columnist @williamcson.bsky.social analyzes how we must ferociously oppose America’s white accelerationist mandate.
Columnist @williamcson.bsky.social analyzes how we must ferociously oppose America’s white accelerationist mandate.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
In case anyone thinks OP is exaggerating the point
February 4, 2026 at 6:27 PM
In case anyone thinks OP is exaggerating the point
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
If you'd like to learn how to turn on Lockdown Mode but don't want to register with 404media to read the whole article, here's how:
support.apple.com/en-us/105120
support.apple.com/en-us/105120
About Lockdown Mode - Apple Support
Lockdown Mode helps protect devices against extremely rare and highly sophisticated cyber attacks.
support.apple.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:29 PM
If you'd like to learn how to turn on Lockdown Mode but don't want to register with 404media to read the whole article, here's how:
support.apple.com/en-us/105120
support.apple.com/en-us/105120
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
I'm sure Apple didn't build this expecting it be useful in the US but that's why you build systems for the worst that can happen somewhere
this is pretty wild. good argument for lockdown mode if your threat model is one where you might have your phone seized by the Feds: www.404media.co/fbi-couldnt-...
FBI Couldn’t Get into WaPo Reporter’s iPhone Because It Had Lockdown Mode Enabled
Lockdown Mode is a sometimes overlooked feature of Apple devices that broadly make them harder to hack. A court record indicates the feature might be effective at stopping third parties unlocking some...
www.404media.co
February 4, 2026 at 6:57 PM
I'm sure Apple didn't build this expecting it be useful in the US but that's why you build systems for the worst that can happen somewhere
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
At a lecture I attended with our state historian on Monday, he observed that Texas' decision to exterminate the entire Comanche nation in the most bloody act of genocide in North America during the 19th century and then lie about it was the defining event of Texas culture. An accurate assessment.
February 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM
At a lecture I attended with our state historian on Monday, he observed that Texas' decision to exterminate the entire Comanche nation in the most bloody act of genocide in North America during the 19th century and then lie about it was the defining event of Texas culture. An accurate assessment.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
The way I always wrap my head around this kind of thing: the median household net worth in the United States is $193,000; the median household size is 2.6 people.
If you collected enough median net-worth people to cumulatively have as much money as Bezos, they'd have a larger population than Nevada
If you collected enough median net-worth people to cumulatively have as much money as Bezos, they'd have a larger population than Nevada
again we do not really do a good job of explaining how wealthy people like Jeff Bezos are
his net worth is $253.2 billion.
so he could take one million dollars, and just light it on fire
and then do it again tomorrow
and again the day after that
and then do it every day for 693 years and 8 months
his net worth is $253.2 billion.
so he could take one million dollars, and just light it on fire
and then do it again tomorrow
and again the day after that
and then do it every day for 693 years and 8 months
February 4, 2026 at 6:58 PM
The way I always wrap my head around this kind of thing: the median household net worth in the United States is $193,000; the median household size is 2.6 people.
If you collected enough median net-worth people to cumulatively have as much money as Bezos, they'd have a larger population than Nevada
If you collected enough median net-worth people to cumulatively have as much money as Bezos, they'd have a larger population than Nevada
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
A total of 14 DOJ lawyers have resigned from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office and government officials are advertising openings on X. How bad are work conditions?
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-i-wro...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-i-wro...
February 4, 2026 at 6:59 PM
A total of 14 DOJ lawyers have resigned from the Minnesota U.S. Attorney’s Office and government officials are advertising openings on X. How bad are work conditions?
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-i-wro...
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/what-i-wro...
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
Happy Anniversary to those who celebrate cat attorneys.
February 4, 2026 at 1:49 AM
Happy Anniversary to those who celebrate cat attorneys.
Reminder that democrats agreeing to fund DHS and ICE pays directly for these things.
PA, too —
February 4, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Reminder that democrats agreeing to fund DHS and ICE pays directly for these things.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
For my animation friends: Here's a thoughtful list of Adobe Animate alternative program pros & cons from an experienced show TD who knows her shit (I have worked with her and can attest to her expansive knowledge, capability and insight).
With Adobe being very unreliable in the present circumstances with Animate I have been seeing a particular list going around of "Adobe Alternatives". I don't think this list is written by Animation Industry savvy folks so I'd like to present my thoughts on alternatives with each plus and minus
1/15
1/15
February 4, 2026 at 6:48 PM
For my animation friends: Here's a thoughtful list of Adobe Animate alternative program pros & cons from an experienced show TD who knows her shit (I have worked with her and can attest to her expansive knowledge, capability and insight).
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
Last Week: You’re being a catastrophist doomer, Prof. Seybold.
This Week: Your compensation will be determined by an AI that tracks how much you use AI.
This Week: Your compensation will be determined by an AI that tracks how much you use AI.
February 4, 2026 at 5:42 PM
Last Week: You’re being a catastrophist doomer, Prof. Seybold.
This Week: Your compensation will be determined by an AI that tracks how much you use AI.
This Week: Your compensation will be determined by an AI that tracks how much you use AI.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
Gary Hart has an affair, boom, presidency over.
Donald Trump pays a porn star for an affair while his wife is pregnant with his child, then bribes her to shut up about it from campaign finance money, for which he is convicted of dozens of felonies: cool, cool, cool.
The media. Are in on it.
Donald Trump pays a porn star for an affair while his wife is pregnant with his child, then bribes her to shut up about it from campaign finance money, for which he is convicted of dozens of felonies: cool, cool, cool.
The media. Are in on it.
Gary Hart was the presidential candidate from central casting.
But in the space of a week in May 1987, Hart's promising political career imploded amid allegations he was having an affair with a 29-year-old model by the name of Donna Rice.
But in the space of a week in May 1987, Hart's promising political career imploded amid allegations he was having an affair with a 29-year-old model by the name of Donna Rice.
'The week politics went tabloid': How Gary Hart's failed presidential bid led us to Donald Trump
Democrat Gary Hart was the clear favourite to become US president in 1988 — until the tabloid press changed the game forever. If he'd won back then we might not have President Trump now.
www.abc.net.au
February 4, 2026 at 5:40 PM
Gary Hart has an affair, boom, presidency over.
Donald Trump pays a porn star for an affair while his wife is pregnant with his child, then bribes her to shut up about it from campaign finance money, for which he is convicted of dozens of felonies: cool, cool, cool.
The media. Are in on it.
Donald Trump pays a porn star for an affair while his wife is pregnant with his child, then bribes her to shut up about it from campaign finance money, for which he is convicted of dozens of felonies: cool, cool, cool.
The media. Are in on it.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
It's really good they're trying to shove these guys in before the midterms
Another batch of Trump's judicial nominees refused in their confirmation hearings today to publicly acknowledge that Joe Biden won the 2020 election, which annoyed Sen. Richard Blumenthal enough for him to call them "monkeys" and "puppets"
February 4, 2026 at 5:41 PM
It's really good they're trying to shove these guys in before the midterms
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
it's as if their plan for destroying the fourth estate is very much in keeping with their plan for destroying government: starve it of funding; drive out good, competent, knowledgeable people; run it as a kleptocracy, not just to steal stuff, but to make the case that the institution doesn't work.
February 4, 2026 at 4:52 PM
it's as if their plan for destroying the fourth estate is very much in keeping with their plan for destroying government: starve it of funding; drive out good, competent, knowledgeable people; run it as a kleptocracy, not just to steal stuff, but to make the case that the institution doesn't work.
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
The main business model of Silicon Valley from Uber to AirBnB to Spotify is: skim profit off others' goods and labor. Often in ways that are exploitative of individuals or destructive of larger forces (as with Amazon and the retail that kept people heading out in public).
Mamdani Forces Delivery Apps to Pay Back $4.6 Million Cheated From Drivers
New York City's new mayor, Zohran Mamdani, has already scored a major win for deliveristas working for three delivery giants.
futurism.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:29 PM
The main business model of Silicon Valley from Uber to AirBnB to Spotify is: skim profit off others' goods and labor. Often in ways that are exploitative of individuals or destructive of larger forces (as with Amazon and the retail that kept people heading out in public).
Reposted by Mark Madsen (thinkbag, former boy)
Liscow & Fox important new paper out in the Journal of Public Economics:
* 40% of economic income of the top 1% wealth holders is not captured by the income tax base (unrealized gains).
* They only borrow against 1-2% of their economic income.
* It's not buy, borrow, die; just buy, die.
* 40% of economic income of the top 1% wealth holders is not captured by the income tax base (unrealized gains).
* They only borrow against 1-2% of their economic income.
* It's not buy, borrow, die; just buy, die.
The role of unrealized gains and borrowing in the taxation of the rich
As deficits rise and concerns about tax avoidance by the rich increase, we study how unrealized gains and borrowing affect Americans’ income taxes. We…
www.sciencedirect.com
February 3, 2026 at 7:06 PM
Liscow & Fox important new paper out in the Journal of Public Economics:
* 40% of economic income of the top 1% wealth holders is not captured by the income tax base (unrealized gains).
* They only borrow against 1-2% of their economic income.
* It's not buy, borrow, die; just buy, die.
* 40% of economic income of the top 1% wealth holders is not captured by the income tax base (unrealized gains).
* They only borrow against 1-2% of their economic income.
* It's not buy, borrow, die; just buy, die.
They said diagnosis and treatment. Which none of the AI models can actually do. Nor will they be able to unless there is another breakthrough in non-generative AI, which they are not researching.
“In essence, Lotus is building an AI doctor that functions like a real medical practice, equipped with a license to operate in all 50 states, malpractice insurance, HIPAA-compliant systems, and full access to patient records.”
Lotus Health nabs $35M for AI doctor that sees patients for free | TechCrunch
This AI doctor is licensed in all 50 states, the startup says. The deal was led by CRV and Kleiner Perkins.
techcrunch.com
February 3, 2026 at 9:03 PM
They said diagnosis and treatment. Which none of the AI models can actually do. Nor will they be able to unless there is another breakthrough in non-generative AI, which they are not researching.