Michael Grass
@mgrass.bsky.social
WA via DC, NYC and MI | Assistant director for communications at @cip.uw.edu | Former journalist | Car-free living | 🚎 🚇 🏊♂️ ✍️ 🌲🗺
Reposted by Michael Grass
"Trust and safety is a broad practice which includes critical and life-saving work to protect children and stop CSAM as well as preventing fraud, scams, and sextortion…not censoring just for the sake of it” www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n... by @shannonbond.bsky.social
State Department to deny visas to fact checkers and others, citing 'censorship'
The order is focused on applicants for H-1B visas, which are frequently used by tech companies and is part of a campaign by the Trump administration against online content moderation.
www.npr.org
December 5, 2025 at 12:29 AM
"Trust and safety is a broad practice which includes critical and life-saving work to protect children and stop CSAM as well as preventing fraud, scams, and sextortion…not censoring just for the sake of it” www.npr.org/2025/12/04/n... by @shannonbond.bsky.social
Reposted by Michael Grass
The Bay took over the highway during this morning's #KingTides in Marin.
December 4, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The Bay took over the highway during this morning's #KingTides in Marin.
Reposted by Michael Grass
IMLS announces "upon further review" that it is reinstating all federal grants to libraries. It leaves out that it's doing this because a federal court told them a few weeks ago that the Trump admin's decision to destroy libraries was not legal.
www.imls.gov/news/stateme...
www.imls.gov/news/stateme...
Statement of Agency’s Reinstatement of Terminated IMLS Grants
Statement of Agency’s Reinstatement of Terminated IMLS Grants Washington, DC– Upon further review, the Institute of Museum and Library Services has reinstated all federal grants. This action supersede...
www.imls.gov
December 3, 2025 at 10:25 PM
IMLS announces "upon further review" that it is reinstating all federal grants to libraries. It leaves out that it's doing this because a federal court told them a few weeks ago that the Trump admin's decision to destroy libraries was not legal.
www.imls.gov/news/stateme...
www.imls.gov/news/stateme...
Reposted by Michael Grass
UW CIP postdoc @mertcanbayar.bsky.social explains how a high-profile scientist's statements about the 3l/ATLAS comet harnessed uncertainty and attention dynamics, and spawned widespread speculation about an alien visitor, an "alien of the gaps" in human knowledge: www.cip.uw.edu/2025/12/03/3...
Alien of the gaps: How 3I/ATLAS was turned into a spaceship online
When we reach the frontier of current knowledge, we’re tempted to insert a higher power into the space where answers aren’t yet satisfying for all.
www.cip.uw.edu
December 3, 2025 at 8:52 PM
UW CIP postdoc @mertcanbayar.bsky.social explains how a high-profile scientist's statements about the 3l/ATLAS comet harnessed uncertainty and attention dynamics, and spawned widespread speculation about an alien visitor, an "alien of the gaps" in human knowledge: www.cip.uw.edu/2025/12/03/3...
Reposted by Michael Grass
Techdirt has always been an indispensible news source for people following tech policy.
This year @mmasnick.bsky.social has emerged as one of the clearest and most incisive voices explaining our current moment.
Please donate.
This year @mmasnick.bsky.social has emerged as one of the clearest and most incisive voices explaining our current moment.
Please donate.
Hey folks: this morning we're launching a monthlong fundraiser for @techdirt.com. Over the last year, we've been steadfast in not self-censoring, not capitulating, not sanewashing bullshit. But that's come at a cost. And we need help: rtb.techdirt.com/products/fri...
Friend Of Techdirt
Get an Insider Badge on your profile
rtb.techdirt.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Techdirt has always been an indispensible news source for people following tech policy.
This year @mmasnick.bsky.social has emerged as one of the clearest and most incisive voices explaining our current moment.
Please donate.
This year @mmasnick.bsky.social has emerged as one of the clearest and most incisive voices explaining our current moment.
Please donate.
Reposted by Michael Grass
BTW, if you're into Bolts' coverage of today's elections (which are still ongoing!), I would be remiss to remind you it's Giving Tuesday today, and Bolts is a nonprofit! Become a member :)
This fall, Bolts was an essential resource to help you track elections: Beyond headlines, we informed you of local contests all around.
2026 will be a far bigger year—and we’re determined to do the same.
Support us this Giving Tuesday, & help us prepare:
2026 will be a far bigger year—and we’re determined to do the same.
Support us this Giving Tuesday, & help us prepare:
Support Bolts
We are a nonprofit publication that covers the nuts and bolts of political change, from the local up, and we need reader support to build our journalism.
boltsmag.org
December 3, 2025 at 2:27 AM
BTW, if you're into Bolts' coverage of today's elections (which are still ongoing!), I would be remiss to remind you it's Giving Tuesday today, and Bolts is a nonprofit! Become a member :)
At my house for Thanksgiving, we went in a Moroccan direction with dinner including prepping a Thanksgiving bastilla (made with minced turkey and almonds and topped with sugar and cinnamon) and eggplant and squash mezze.
Delicious stuff!
Delicious stuff!
November 28, 2025 at 1:07 AM
At my house for Thanksgiving, we went in a Moroccan direction with dinner including prepping a Thanksgiving bastilla (made with minced turkey and almonds and topped with sugar and cinnamon) and eggplant and squash mezze.
Delicious stuff!
Delicious stuff!
November 27, 2025 at 8:19 PM
I know the Skoda streetcars in Tacoma are aging but I do find them charming and appreciate the extra doors.
Looks like Sound Transit will be purchasing three Brookville streetcars from Portland, to go into service on Tacoma's T Line, in place of the existing Skodas.
November 27, 2025 at 5:49 PM
I know the Skoda streetcars in Tacoma are aging but I do find them charming and appreciate the extra doors.
Reposted by Michael Grass
M 6.0 - 12 km WNW of Susitna, Alaska. Probably felt by many folks in the Anchorage area.
Did you feel it? Report it.
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
Did you feel it? Report it.
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
November 27, 2025 at 5:31 PM
M 6.0 - 12 km WNW of Susitna, Alaska. Probably felt by many folks in the Anchorage area.
Did you feel it? Report it.
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
Did you feel it? Report it.
earthquake.usgs.gov/earthquakes/...
Reposted by Michael Grass
NEW: AI “recipe slop” is overrunning search and social. Food creators say Google’s AI Overviews and glossy fake food pics are drowning out real, tested recipes — collapsing traffic and setting home cooks up for disaster, especially this Thanksgiving.
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
AI Slop Recipes Are Taking Over the Internet -- And Thanksgiving Dinner
Food bloggers see traffic dip as home cooks turn to AI, inspired by impossible pictures
www.bloomberg.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:16 PM
NEW: AI “recipe slop” is overrunning search and social. Food creators say Google’s AI Overviews and glossy fake food pics are drowning out real, tested recipes — collapsing traffic and setting home cooks up for disaster, especially this Thanksgiving.
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Michael Grass
NEW STORY // Amtrak Breaks Ridership Records Nationally and in Pacific Northwest
Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/24/a...
Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/24/a...
Amtrak Breaks Ridership Records Nationally and in Pacific Northwest » The Urbanist
# Amtrak's annual ridership was up 5%, hitting an all-time record high of 34.5 million rides nationwide over the last year. Amtrak Cascades also hit a record high, reporting 1.4% growth and coming in ...
www.theurbanist.org
November 25, 2025 at 12:14 AM
NEW STORY // Amtrak Breaks Ridership Records Nationally and in Pacific Northwest
Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/24/a...
Story by Doug Trumm via @theurbanist.org //🔗 www.theurbanist.org/2025/11/24/a...
Reposted by Michael Grass
After taking @jevinwest.bsky.social and @carlbergstrom.com's online course and learning with the @cip.uw.edu, Sedro-Woolley teacher Linsey Kitchens incorporated more AI literacy in her classroom. Students were surprised that an AI program provided incorrect information.
Sedro-Woolley High School English teacher Linsey Kitchens instructs students during a recent lesson on artificial intelligence. The lesson is one of several being implemented in the school’s English classes this semester to foster AI-based literacy.
salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
salish-current.org/2025/11/20/s...
Sedro-Woolley English teachers bring AI literacy into the classroom
Several English classes at Sedro-Woolley High School are implementing lesson plans designed by Linsey Kitchens to help students understand the limitations of artificial intelligence programs such as C...
salish-current.org
November 24, 2025 at 8:05 PM
After taking @jevinwest.bsky.social and @carlbergstrom.com's online course and learning with the @cip.uw.edu, Sedro-Woolley teacher Linsey Kitchens incorporated more AI literacy in her classroom. Students were surprised that an AI program provided incorrect information.
Reposted by Michael Grass
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Apply - Interfolio
{{$ctrl.$state.data.pageTitle}} - Apply - Interfolio
apply.interfolio.com
November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Attention prospective postdocs: Come work with our team in Seattle!
Priority deadline to apply is January 15. ⤵️⤵️⤵️
Priority deadline to apply is January 15. ⤵️⤵️⤵️
Our team at the @cip.uw.edu is currently seeking applications for up to two postdoctoral scholar positions. Applications received prior to January 15, 2026 will be given priority. Learn more about the positions, salary range, qualifications and application process: apply.interfolio.com/177901
November 20, 2025 at 5:04 PM
Attention prospective postdocs: Come work with our team in Seattle!
Priority deadline to apply is January 15. ⤵️⤵️⤵️
Priority deadline to apply is January 15. ⤵️⤵️⤵️
This morning in scam emails:
Subject line: "Save $300 on your auto insurance!"
Content of message: "Check out this AI tool to maximize your time-share investment!"
Subject line: "Save $300 on your auto insurance!"
Content of message: "Check out this AI tool to maximize your time-share investment!"
November 20, 2025 at 4:48 PM
This morning in scam emails:
Subject line: "Save $300 on your auto insurance!"
Content of message: "Check out this AI tool to maximize your time-share investment!"
Subject line: "Save $300 on your auto insurance!"
Content of message: "Check out this AI tool to maximize your time-share investment!"
Reposted by Michael Grass
NEW: US airlines (Delta, United, American, etc) will shut down a program in which it sold hundreds of millions of your flight records to government agencies, including ICE, FBI, ATF, more. Comes after intense lawmaker-pressure and 404 Media's months-long reporting
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
Airlines Will Shut Down Program That Sold Your Flights Records to Government
The move comes after intense pressure from lawmakers and 404 Media’s months-long reporting about the airline industry's data selling practices.
www.404media.co
November 18, 2025 at 6:45 PM
NEW: US airlines (Delta, United, American, etc) will shut down a program in which it sold hundreds of millions of your flight records to government agencies, including ICE, FBI, ATF, more. Comes after intense lawmaker-pressure and 404 Media's months-long reporting
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
www.404media.co/airlines-wil...
November 18, 2025 at 2:14 AM
I'm visiting family in Michigan and this quote out of Cascade Twp isn't surprising: "The barbarians are the people that want to develop and put 7-story apartment complexes in, that want to have low-income housing, that want to have hotels and banks and truck stops.”
www.mlive.com/news/grand-r...
www.mlive.com/news/grand-r...
Residents oppose ‘restrictive’ zoning changes in affluent Grand Rapids suburb
The contentious proposal has residents and officials at odds over what types of businesses and housing density should be allowed in the community.
www.mlive.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I'm visiting family in Michigan and this quote out of Cascade Twp isn't surprising: "The barbarians are the people that want to develop and put 7-story apartment complexes in, that want to have low-income housing, that want to have hotels and banks and truck stops.”
www.mlive.com/news/grand-r...
www.mlive.com/news/grand-r...
Reposted by Michael Grass
Some undeniable truth about misinformation coverage, from @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
November 14, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Some undeniable truth about misinformation coverage, from @brandyzadrozny.bsky.social: www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/bus...
One of the strange physiological things that happens when you haven't driven in 5+ years and you're rarely in a car, it's easy to get motion sickness when visiting Michigan due to the "Michigan left" turn. Motorists drive way too fast and make too many sudden turns in this state!
November 14, 2025 at 6:16 PM
One of the strange physiological things that happens when you haven't driven in 5+ years and you're rarely in a car, it's easy to get motion sickness when visiting Michigan due to the "Michigan left" turn. Motorists drive way too fast and make too many sudden turns in this state!
Reposted by Michael Grass
What should worry us about Grokipedia is not that masses of people will come to believe right-wing conspiracy theories, but that far-right supporters will find new rationalizations for their views, writes Carolina Flores.
Grokipedia Won't Destroy Knowledge, but it Might Divide Us More | TechPolicy.Press
Grokipedia might well not dethrone Wikipedia, and media outlets should be wary of inflating its importance, Carolina Flores writes.
www.techpolicy.press
November 13, 2025 at 2:16 PM
What should worry us about Grokipedia is not that masses of people will come to believe right-wing conspiracy theories, but that far-right supporters will find new rationalizations for their views, writes Carolina Flores.
Reposted by Michael Grass
Spokane may adopt a 12% tax on surface parking lots and 6% on garages to fund road and sidewalk repairs. The plan aims to push redevelopment of downtown lots into housing and businesses, reducing blight and car dependence while boosting vibrancy and tax revenue.
rangemedia.co/spokane-city...
rangemedia.co/spokane-city...
Spokane City Council considers taxing commercial parking lots – RANGE Media
The tax would add about $0.50 to a $3.85 parking fee and fund street repair. But it’s not just about revenue, it’s about increasing vibrancy downtown.
rangemedia.co
November 13, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Spokane may adopt a 12% tax on surface parking lots and 6% on garages to fund road and sidewalk repairs. The plan aims to push redevelopment of downtown lots into housing and businesses, reducing blight and car dependence while boosting vibrancy and tax revenue.
rangemedia.co/spokane-city...
rangemedia.co/spokane-city...
Reposted by Michael Grass
NEW on @indicator.media: A first *full-scale* comparison of Grokipedia v Wikipedia.
Last week the awesome @harold.bsky.social rocked up to my desk bearing gifts.
Hal had collected almost all 900K Grokipedia entries and compared them to their Wikipedia equivalents for text and citation similarity.
Last week the awesome @harold.bsky.social rocked up to my desk bearing gifts.
Hal had collected almost all 900K Grokipedia entries and compared them to their Wikipedia equivalents for text and citation similarity.
Grokipedia cites a Nazi forum and fringe conspiracy websites
A site-wide comparison with Wikipedia sheds light on what Elon Musk is trying to do
indicator.media
November 13, 2025 at 1:12 PM
NEW on @indicator.media: A first *full-scale* comparison of Grokipedia v Wikipedia.
Last week the awesome @harold.bsky.social rocked up to my desk bearing gifts.
Hal had collected almost all 900K Grokipedia entries and compared them to their Wikipedia equivalents for text and citation similarity.
Last week the awesome @harold.bsky.social rocked up to my desk bearing gifts.
Hal had collected almost all 900K Grokipedia entries and compared them to their Wikipedia equivalents for text and citation similarity.
Besides all the other annoyances with flying right now, there was someone at Beecher's at Sea-Tac Airport this morning demanding a fresh baguette with a large wedge of cheese they bought and was irked when there wasn't metal cutlery available to cut the cheese.
November 11, 2025 at 4:47 PM
Besides all the other annoyances with flying right now, there was someone at Beecher's at Sea-Tac Airport this morning demanding a fresh baguette with a large wedge of cheese they bought and was irked when there wasn't metal cutlery available to cut the cheese.