Prof. Michael Fuhrer
@michaelsfuhrer.bsky.social
Epidemic epistemic trespassing. Knows a lot about graphene.
Monash Uni. Directed fleet.org.au. Fellow @scienceacademy.bsky.social.
Plays bass for www.instagram.com/push_the_trigger
Bird photos at www.flickr.com/photos/off-world
Monash Uni. Directed fleet.org.au. Fellow @scienceacademy.bsky.social.
Plays bass for www.instagram.com/push_the_trigger
Bird photos at www.flickr.com/photos/off-world
Pinned
Part III of this deeply unpopular series! 😴💤💀
How has the music industry changed with streaming?
Last time, I looked at the distribution of revenue in the streaming industry. It’s profoundly unequal.
Today I'll argue that, unequal as it is, things are far better now than just a few years ago!
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How has the music industry changed with streaming?
Last time, I looked at the distribution of revenue in the streaming industry. It’s profoundly unequal.
Today I'll argue that, unequal as it is, things are far better now than just a few years ago!
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Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
No. They didn't. They bought them to use them for stuff not speculation. When lots of people want something and supply doesn't keep up that's a shortage by any reasonable definition of the word.
seeing news about a "memory shortage." it's not a shortage. billionaires who hate you hoarded it all so they could make everything worse and stupider and more expensive, just like with most shortages
February 17, 2026 at 10:13 PM
No. They didn't. They bought them to use them for stuff not speculation. When lots of people want something and supply doesn't keep up that's a shortage by any reasonable definition of the word.
Oh nice, another opportunity to post my poor attempt at astro humor
(one leading theory is that they're "black hole stars")
(one leading theory is that they're "black hole stars")
February 18, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Oh nice, another opportunity to post my poor attempt at astro humor
(one leading theory is that they're "black hole stars")
(one leading theory is that they're "black hole stars")
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
Sowing fear of "ICE at the polls!" could do more to suppress votes than any actual ICE at the polls. Here's an explanation of the right's strategy on this, along with my recommendations for what to do instead of playing along.
katestarbird.substack.com/p/effective-...
katestarbird.substack.com/p/effective-...
Effective outrage
Defusing and redirecting threats of “ICE at the polls!”
katestarbird.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 8:45 PM
Sowing fear of "ICE at the polls!" could do more to suppress votes than any actual ICE at the polls. Here's an explanation of the right's strategy on this, along with my recommendations for what to do instead of playing along.
katestarbird.substack.com/p/effective-...
katestarbird.substack.com/p/effective-...
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
This scenario requires being completely innumerate about how many voters there are, how many polling places exist, and how many agents they have.
One of my biggest fears about the midterms is that ICE could flood the polls with agents who perform Kavanaugh Stops on every non-white person before they get a chance to cast a ballot, then detain them until voting is over. Which is not far-fetched at this point. www.huffpost.com/entry/ice-po...
February 17, 2026 at 11:09 PM
This scenario requires being completely innumerate about how many voters there are, how many polling places exist, and how many agents they have.
Larry Ellison bought 98% of the 364 km^2 island of Lana'i in Hawaii for $300M. And when he dies his estate will still own it. It doesn't get used up.
And that's still not a billion dollars. You simply cannot spend a billion dollars on your self in any meaningful way, and certainly not $100B.
And that's still not a billion dollars. You simply cannot spend a billion dollars on your self in any meaningful way, and certainly not $100B.
Just $1B is more than you can ever spend. You can spend $1M *every week* and not run out, ever!
If you have $100B, the *only* thing you can do with it is give it away.
It's a colossally dumb argument that billionaires are somehow better at allocating money to causes, but they don't even do that!
If you have $100B, the *only* thing you can do with it is give it away.
It's a colossally dumb argument that billionaires are somehow better at allocating money to causes, but they don't even do that!
Fascinating chart with one outlier: Warren Buffett.
At the low end, giving 0.06% of one's wealth is equivalent to:
Net worth -> Lifetime Giving
50K->$30
100K->$60
500K->$300
$1M->$600
Most folks give far more by % in a *single year*.
www.forbes.com/sites/forbes...
At the low end, giving 0.06% of one's wealth is equivalent to:
Net worth -> Lifetime Giving
50K->$30
100K->$60
500K->$300
$1M->$600
Most folks give far more by % in a *single year*.
www.forbes.com/sites/forbes...
February 17, 2026 at 6:35 AM
Larry Ellison bought 98% of the 364 km^2 island of Lana'i in Hawaii for $300M. And when he dies his estate will still own it. It doesn't get used up.
And that's still not a billion dollars. You simply cannot spend a billion dollars on your self in any meaningful way, and certainly not $100B.
And that's still not a billion dollars. You simply cannot spend a billion dollars on your self in any meaningful way, and certainly not $100B.
Just $1B is more than you can ever spend. You can spend $1M *every week* and not run out, ever!
If you have $100B, the *only* thing you can do with it is give it away.
It's a colossally dumb argument that billionaires are somehow better at allocating money to causes, but they don't even do that!
If you have $100B, the *only* thing you can do with it is give it away.
It's a colossally dumb argument that billionaires are somehow better at allocating money to causes, but they don't even do that!
Fascinating chart with one outlier: Warren Buffett.
At the low end, giving 0.06% of one's wealth is equivalent to:
Net worth -> Lifetime Giving
50K->$30
100K->$60
500K->$300
$1M->$600
Most folks give far more by % in a *single year*.
www.forbes.com/sites/forbes...
At the low end, giving 0.06% of one's wealth is equivalent to:
Net worth -> Lifetime Giving
50K->$30
100K->$60
500K->$300
$1M->$600
Most folks give far more by % in a *single year*.
www.forbes.com/sites/forbes...
February 17, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Just $1B is more than you can ever spend. You can spend $1M *every week* and not run out, ever!
If you have $100B, the *only* thing you can do with it is give it away.
It's a colossally dumb argument that billionaires are somehow better at allocating money to causes, but they don't even do that!
If you have $100B, the *only* thing you can do with it is give it away.
It's a colossally dumb argument that billionaires are somehow better at allocating money to causes, but they don't even do that!
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
Have you ever once seen the New York Times quote Trump like this?
February 16, 2026 at 6:24 PM
Have you ever once seen the New York Times quote Trump like this?
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
Sometimes you wonder. Bloomberg this morning saying that you can't both believe that AI is a big deal and that we're in a bubble. But you absolutely can! That's exactly the story of the tech bubble of the 90s, major economic impact but not big profits. Sigh.
February 16, 2026 at 11:59 AM
Sometimes you wonder. Bloomberg this morning saying that you can't both believe that AI is a big deal and that we're in a bubble. But you absolutely can! That's exactly the story of the tech bubble of the 90s, major economic impact but not big profits. Sigh.
I saw a couple great indie bands at St Kilda Festival on Sunday. Really excellent engaging live performances. Highly recommended if you can catch them live.
(If you don't want to listen this minute - bookmark!)
First: Sunsick Daisy with hook-y shoegaze
sunsickdaisy.bandcamp.com/track/over-o...
(If you don't want to listen this minute - bookmark!)
First: Sunsick Daisy with hook-y shoegaze
sunsickdaisy.bandcamp.com/track/over-o...
Over & Over, by Sunsick Daisy
from the album Yonder
sunsickdaisy.bandcamp.com
February 16, 2026 at 10:10 PM
I saw a couple great indie bands at St Kilda Festival on Sunday. Really excellent engaging live performances. Highly recommended if you can catch them live.
(If you don't want to listen this minute - bookmark!)
First: Sunsick Daisy with hook-y shoegaze
sunsickdaisy.bandcamp.com/track/over-o...
(If you don't want to listen this minute - bookmark!)
First: Sunsick Daisy with hook-y shoegaze
sunsickdaisy.bandcamp.com/track/over-o...
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
But we didn't have economic stagnation for the working class. We had a period of unusually *high* wage growth for low income workers.
February 15, 2026 at 8:38 PM
But we didn't have economic stagnation for the working class. We had a period of unusually *high* wage growth for low income workers.
Funny because this also describes everyone in power now and is completely ruling all our lives
People shifting their views to accord with what they think the social consensus is, except their idea of consensus is formed mostly by incessant discourse with deeply unhealthy wackos on a niche politics website. Many such cases
February 16, 2026 at 11:43 AM
Funny because this also describes everyone in power now and is completely ruling all our lives
Thanks for pointing to this (though no longer updated, but hopefully the state site will be up soon).
Nice chart: indeed covid wastewater RNA concentrations, just like covid hospitalizations, are nowhere near record highs in winter 2025-6. @michael-hoerger.bsky.social's reporting is wrong.
Nice chart: indeed covid wastewater RNA concentrations, just like covid hospitalizations, are nowhere near record highs in winter 2025-6. @michael-hoerger.bsky.social's reporting is wrong.
February 16, 2026 at 2:35 AM
Thanks for pointing to this (though no longer updated, but hopefully the state site will be up soon).
Nice chart: indeed covid wastewater RNA concentrations, just like covid hospitalizations, are nowhere near record highs in winter 2025-6. @michael-hoerger.bsky.social's reporting is wrong.
Nice chart: indeed covid wastewater RNA concentrations, just like covid hospitalizations, are nowhere near record highs in winter 2025-6. @michael-hoerger.bsky.social's reporting is wrong.
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
An astonishing account of recklessness and maladministration at the highest levels. (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
Inside the Debacle That Led to the Closure of El Paso’s Airspace
www.nytimes.com
February 15, 2026 at 12:18 AM
An astonishing account of recklessness and maladministration at the highest levels. (gift link) www.nytimes.com/2026/02/14/u...
Hahahahaha I figured out what happened!
Hoerger gets his data from CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). They show a crazy spike in Minnesota (obviously looks suspect)...
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Hoerger gets his data from CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). They show a crazy spike in Minnesota (obviously looks suspect)...
1/
February 15, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Hahahahaha I figured out what happened!
Hoerger gets his data from CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). They show a crazy spike in Minnesota (obviously looks suspect)...
1/
Hoerger gets his data from CDC's National Wastewater Surveillance System (NWSS). They show a crazy spike in Minnesota (obviously looks suspect)...
1/
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
I think about how when they sang La Marseillaise they were still in the midst of a war they did not know they were going to win.
You ever stop and think about CASABLANCA? You ever stop and think about "Welcome back to the fight, this time, I know our side will win?" You ever think about a bar full of people defiantly singing La Marseillaise, played by a soundstage full of Jewish refugees? You ever think about CASABLANCA??????
February 15, 2026 at 3:17 AM
I think about how when they sang La Marseillaise they were still in the midst of a war they did not know they were going to win.
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
It honestly baffles me that anyone believes this nonsense any more.
It is absurd to suggest that there are similar numbers of COVID-19 cases right now to the peak of omicron! Just wildly ridiculous.
It is absurd to suggest that there are similar numbers of COVID-19 cases right now to the peak of omicron! Just wildly ridiculous.
Holy crap, this is absurd misinformation. 8% of Minnesotans do not have covid right now!
When testing people ***with a respiratory infection***, NREVSS reports for Minnesota (same week):
Covid-19: 5.7% positive
RSV: 10.1% positive
Flu: 13.5% positive
When testing people ***with a respiratory infection***, NREVSS reports for Minnesota (same week):
Covid-19: 5.7% positive
RSV: 10.1% positive
Flu: 13.5% positive
February 15, 2026 at 5:08 AM
It honestly baffles me that anyone believes this nonsense any more.
It is absurd to suggest that there are similar numbers of COVID-19 cases right now to the peak of omicron! Just wildly ridiculous.
It is absurd to suggest that there are similar numbers of COVID-19 cases right now to the peak of omicron! Just wildly ridiculous.
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
If 8% of Minnesotans DID have COVID-19 right now - similar to the peak of the 23/24 season - it would mean the disease had lost almost all of its severity.
Such a ridiculous thing to say, and completely divorced from reality at this point.
Such a ridiculous thing to say, and completely divorced from reality at this point.
February 15, 2026 at 5:01 AM
If 8% of Minnesotans DID have COVID-19 right now - similar to the peak of the 23/24 season - it would mean the disease had lost almost all of its severity.
Such a ridiculous thing to say, and completely divorced from reality at this point.
Such a ridiculous thing to say, and completely divorced from reality at this point.
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
Holy crap, this is absurd misinformation. 8% of Minnesotans do not have covid right now!
When testing people ***with a respiratory infection***, NREVSS reports for Minnesota (same week):
Covid-19: 5.7% positive
RSV: 10.1% positive
Flu: 13.5% positive
When testing people ***with a respiratory infection***, NREVSS reports for Minnesota (same week):
Covid-19: 5.7% positive
RSV: 10.1% positive
Flu: 13.5% positive
February 14, 2026 at 9:53 PM
Holy crap, this is absurd misinformation. 8% of Minnesotans do not have covid right now!
When testing people ***with a respiratory infection***, NREVSS reports for Minnesota (same week):
Covid-19: 5.7% positive
RSV: 10.1% positive
Flu: 13.5% positive
When testing people ***with a respiratory infection***, NREVSS reports for Minnesota (same week):
Covid-19: 5.7% positive
RSV: 10.1% positive
Flu: 13.5% positive
I noticed a new feature in the CDC's weekly flu report - they now correct hospitalization data for lag and add uncertainty on recent weeks.
It's a teeny little thing, but reminds me that there are still good people there working hard to deliver the best information.😢💔
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
It's a teeny little thing, but reminds me that there are still good people there working hard to deliver the best information.😢💔
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
February 14, 2026 at 9:14 PM
I noticed a new feature in the CDC's weekly flu report - they now correct hospitalization data for lag and add uncertainty on recent weeks.
It's a teeny little thing, but reminds me that there are still good people there working hard to deliver the best information.😢💔
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
It's a teeny little thing, but reminds me that there are still good people there working hard to deliver the best information.😢💔
www.cdc.gov/fluview/surv...
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
I think strategically there’s nothing Dems could do more powerful than banning masks. If ICE/CBP have to show their faces they will lose current agents & their recruitment will collapse.
If ICE and CBP don't want to be called secret police, then don't wear masks.
If they don't want to be accused of kidnapping, then don't drag people out of cars & houses without warrants.
And if they don't want to be accused of being lawless, then start following the law.
If they don't want to be accused of kidnapping, then don't drag people out of cars & houses without warrants.
And if they don't want to be accused of being lawless, then start following the law.
February 14, 2026 at 3:23 AM
I think strategically there’s nothing Dems could do more powerful than banning masks. If ICE/CBP have to show their faces they will lose current agents & their recruitment will collapse.
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
Calling the requirement for a judicial warrant before entering a person’s home one of the Democrats’ “new restrictions on federal immigration agents” crosses the line into outright falsehood. It’s in the Bill of Rights! A rule as old as the republic.
February 14, 2026 at 4:29 AM
Calling the requirement for a judicial warrant before entering a person’s home one of the Democrats’ “new restrictions on federal immigration agents” crosses the line into outright falsehood. It’s in the Bill of Rights! A rule as old as the republic.
I think news stories like this have been so frequent over the last six years that it's now "common knowledge" that covid ages your internal organs.
But, it's simply not true.
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But, it's simply not true.
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February 14, 2026 at 4:23 AM
I think news stories like this have been so frequent over the last six years that it's now "common knowledge" that covid ages your internal organs.
But, it's simply not true.
1/
But, it's simply not true.
1/
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
The $38.3 billion they are going to spend for interment camps could fund the annual budget of NASA, the EPA, and all clean energy R&D at the Department of Energy—combined.
Breaking news: ICE expects to spend $38.3 billion on its plan to acquire warehouses across the U.S. and retrofit them into immigrant detention centers that can hold tens of thousands of people, according to agency documents.
ICE plans to spend $38.3 billion turning warehouses into detention centers
ICE plans to spend $38.3 billion converting warehouses into detention centers, according to planning documents, more than the annual budgets of 22 states.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 14, 2026 at 3:14 AM
The $38.3 billion they are going to spend for interment camps could fund the annual budget of NASA, the EPA, and all clean energy R&D at the Department of Energy—combined.
Reposted by Prof. Michael Fuhrer
OK everyone who is making fun of Kristi Noem over the blanket thing has OBVIOUSLY never had a toddler who was elevated to a Cabinet position
February 13, 2026 at 3:14 PM
OK everyone who is making fun of Kristi Noem over the blanket thing has OBVIOUSLY never had a toddler who was elevated to a Cabinet position