Morten Bay, Philosophiae Doctor.
@mortenbay.bsky.social
Media and tech scholar. Teaches at USC Annenberg. Writes stuff for normal people too. Stings in a tribute band. Author of six books, with the latest being 'Mediating Plureality: Technology, Perception, and Ethics in a Divided Democracy'.
Here's a thought: In 2029, how about we not just re-establish the funding. But turn it aaaaaaallll the way up to BBC levels?
PBS NEWS WEEKEND has been cancelled and 34 jobs will be cut at WETA in Washington D.C.
The NEWS HOUR West Coast bureau will also close and the updated daily West Coast broadcast will end.
“We cannot fully compensate for the scope of the federal funding loss.”
current.org/2025/11/weta... #PBS
The NEWS HOUR West Coast bureau will also close and the updated daily West Coast broadcast will end.
“We cannot fully compensate for the scope of the federal funding loss.”
current.org/2025/11/weta... #PBS
WETA to cut staff, cancel ‘PBS News Weekend’ and close News Hour West bureau
The restructuring includes the elimination of 34 positions, following another round of cuts made in September.
current.org
November 16, 2025 at 4:14 AM
Here's a thought: In 2029, how about we not just re-establish the funding. But turn it aaaaaaallll the way up to BBC levels?
I don't believe in evil. This is lack of ethics and regulation.
Studies have shown that this sort of interaction can help some people in mental/emotional crisis...UNDER SUPERVISION OF PROFESSIONALS.
It's ike when Bayer introduced Heroin commercially in 1898. It took 26 years before it was banned.
Studies have shown that this sort of interaction can help some people in mental/emotional crisis...UNDER SUPERVISION OF PROFESSIONALS.
It's ike when Bayer introduced Heroin commercially in 1898. It took 26 years before it was banned.
November 15, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I don't believe in evil. This is lack of ethics and regulation.
Studies have shown that this sort of interaction can help some people in mental/emotional crisis...UNDER SUPERVISION OF PROFESSIONALS.
It's ike when Bayer introduced Heroin commercially in 1898. It took 26 years before it was banned.
Studies have shown that this sort of interaction can help some people in mental/emotional crisis...UNDER SUPERVISION OF PROFESSIONALS.
It's ike when Bayer introduced Heroin commercially in 1898. It took 26 years before it was banned.
I just browsed through an eBook on social media ethics I was offered as a teaching sample.
In its index, it has 5 mentions of algorithms, but no references to people like @safiyanoble.bsky.social
However, Cass Sunstein is in the bibliography and there are 20+ references to nudge theory in the index.
In its index, it has 5 mentions of algorithms, but no references to people like @safiyanoble.bsky.social
However, Cass Sunstein is in the bibliography and there are 20+ references to nudge theory in the index.
November 14, 2025 at 6:01 PM
I just browsed through an eBook on social media ethics I was offered as a teaching sample.
In its index, it has 5 mentions of algorithms, but no references to people like @safiyanoble.bsky.social
However, Cass Sunstein is in the bibliography and there are 20+ references to nudge theory in the index.
In its index, it has 5 mentions of algorithms, but no references to people like @safiyanoble.bsky.social
However, Cass Sunstein is in the bibliography and there are 20+ references to nudge theory in the index.
Wait, so now I'm a terrorist because I'm an atheist, believe that organized religion is a problem in American society, and believe that the current, American system of capitalism isn't working as it is supposed to?
None of these positions spread fear, which the aim of TERROR-ism, Little Marco.
None of these positions spread fear, which the aim of TERROR-ism, Little Marco.
November 14, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Wait, so now I'm a terrorist because I'm an atheist, believe that organized religion is a problem in American society, and believe that the current, American system of capitalism isn't working as it is supposed to?
None of these positions spread fear, which the aim of TERROR-ism, Little Marco.
None of these positions spread fear, which the aim of TERROR-ism, Little Marco.
Reposted by Morten Bay, Philosophiae Doctor.
Do not go to A&M, do not speak at A&M unless you are looking to work at a state propaganda farm with an AI overseer
Message to all faculty: your expertise is no longer trusted or valued at this so-called “university.”
November 14, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Do not go to A&M, do not speak at A&M unless you are looking to work at a state propaganda farm with an AI overseer
Every Northern European person in the world, no matter what sun-drenched region they have fled to, feels like this Latvian man inside. At least this time of year.
#latvian #november #light
TikTok video by True Latvian
www.tiktok.com
November 13, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Every Northern European person in the world, no matter what sun-drenched region they have fled to, feels like this Latvian man inside. At least this time of year.
Reposted by Morten Bay, Philosophiae Doctor.
November 12, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Besides the misogyny, classism, and racism we have come to expect, it appears that the former President of Harvard also can't capitalize properly, unless swearing a pedophile to secrecy.
November 12, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Besides the misogyny, classism, and racism we have come to expect, it appears that the former President of Harvard also can't capitalize properly, unless swearing a pedophile to secrecy.
Yes, sure. It's also what EVERY APPLIED ETHICS SCHOLAR IN TECH HAS SAID FOR DECADES.
Please, people, I beg you, stop flooding the public zone with "ethics" articles that are just about guidelines or values...and which doesn't bother with the body of ethics built up over 2300 years since Aristotle.
Please, people, I beg you, stop flooding the public zone with "ethics" articles that are just about guidelines or values...and which doesn't bother with the body of ethics built up over 2300 years since Aristotle.
"Ethical due diligence should become as routine as financial due diligence. Before asking how large a technology might become, we should ask what kind of behaviour it incentivises, what dependencies it creates, and who it leaves behind." #AIEthics
time.com/7332888/we-n...
time.com/7332888/we-n...
AI Regulation is Not Enough. We Need AI Morals
"The challenge of our time is to keep moral intelligence in step with machine intelligence."
time.com
November 12, 2025 at 3:28 PM
Yes, sure. It's also what EVERY APPLIED ETHICS SCHOLAR IN TECH HAS SAID FOR DECADES.
Please, people, I beg you, stop flooding the public zone with "ethics" articles that are just about guidelines or values...and which doesn't bother with the body of ethics built up over 2300 years since Aristotle.
Please, people, I beg you, stop flooding the public zone with "ethics" articles that are just about guidelines or values...and which doesn't bother with the body of ethics built up over 2300 years since Aristotle.
This makes so much sense to me! Having seen the maestro conduct the LA Phil there 6 or 7 times, no other living composer deserves it.
In the whole history of Hollywood, in fact, perhaps only Alfred Newman comes close to being deserving of this.
In the whole history of Hollywood, in fact, perhaps only Alfred Newman comes close to being deserving of this.
Hollywood Bowl Dedicates Stage to Composer John Williams
The Hollywood Bowl has dedicated its iconic stage to composer John Williams.
variety.com
November 11, 2025 at 9:42 PM
This makes so much sense to me! Having seen the maestro conduct the LA Phil there 6 or 7 times, no other living composer deserves it.
In the whole history of Hollywood, in fact, perhaps only Alfred Newman comes close to being deserving of this.
In the whole history of Hollywood, in fact, perhaps only Alfred Newman comes close to being deserving of this.
Finally some good news.
WASHINGTON (AP) — The Supreme Court on Monday rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide. apnews.com/article/supr...
Supreme Court rejects call to overturn its decision legalizing same-sex marriage nationwide
The Supreme Court has rejected a call to overturn its landmark decision that legalized same-sex marriage nationwide.
apnews.com
November 10, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Finally some good news.
WaPo can be criticized for many things, but this is both great journalistic work and the kind of format where a legacy media brand can compete with YouTube.
Going as far as licensing and including the stems of 'Take on Me' is brilliant.
(I have thoughts on music demuxing...for another day)
Going as far as licensing and including the stems of 'Take on Me' is brilliant.
(I have thoughts on music demuxing...for another day)
‘Take On Me’ has been stuck in our heads for 40 years. Here’s how it got there.
“Take On Me,” the 1980s synth-pop hit song from the band A-ha, marks 40 years of global ubiquity even while personal disputes have chilled the Norwegian trio.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 8, 2025 at 4:19 PM
WaPo can be criticized for many things, but this is both great journalistic work and the kind of format where a legacy media brand can compete with YouTube.
Going as far as licensing and including the stems of 'Take on Me' is brilliant.
(I have thoughts on music demuxing...for another day)
Going as far as licensing and including the stems of 'Take on Me' is brilliant.
(I have thoughts on music demuxing...for another day)
London has had a Muslim-raised mayor for 9 years, Sir Sadiq Khan. He is the first mayor of London to be elected for three terms and the first to be knighted, so he's not unpopular.
So yes, that's probably what "they" want.
Travel more, you absolute waste of space, water and oxygen!
So yes, that's probably what "they" want.
Travel more, you absolute waste of space, water and oxygen!
Tuberville: “We just saw what happened in NY. We lost NY. It will be completely Muslim in 3-4 years. That’s what they want. And it’s going to spread throughout the country.”
November 8, 2025 at 3:11 PM
London has had a Muslim-raised mayor for 9 years, Sir Sadiq Khan. He is the first mayor of London to be elected for three terms and the first to be knighted, so he's not unpopular.
So yes, that's probably what "they" want.
Travel more, you absolute waste of space, water and oxygen!
So yes, that's probably what "they" want.
Travel more, you absolute waste of space, water and oxygen!
THIS!!!
(Still remember seeing footage on MTV News of Judas Priest's Rob Halford in a respectable suit screaming his lungs out in court when the prosecutor asked him to demonstrate his singing.)
(Still remember seeing footage on MTV News of Judas Priest's Rob Halford in a respectable suit screaming his lungs out in court when the prosecutor asked him to demonstrate his singing.)
40 years ago we’d have congressional hearings falsely accusing metal bands of putting backwards messages in their songs that told kids to kill themselves & now we have a planet-killing chatbot that’s all like “bet you won’t commit suicide chickenshit bitch” & the government is like here’s $5 billion
November 8, 2025 at 5:26 AM
THIS!!!
(Still remember seeing footage on MTV News of Judas Priest's Rob Halford in a respectable suit screaming his lungs out in court when the prosecutor asked him to demonstrate his singing.)
(Still remember seeing footage on MTV News of Judas Priest's Rob Halford in a respectable suit screaming his lungs out in court when the prosecutor asked him to demonstrate his singing.)
The great Fred Turner strikes again.
I've always found that Barbrook and Cameron's "California Ideology" should have been named "Santa Clara County Ideology', as it fails to consider the diversity of the state.
But Fred, as you would expect, gets it right with this one.
I've always found that Barbrook and Cameron's "California Ideology" should have been named "Santa Clara County Ideology', as it fails to consider the diversity of the state.
But Fred, as you would expect, gets it right with this one.
The Texan Ideology | Fred Turner
The Texan Ideology reflects a century-old fusion of the oil industry and millenarian Christianity.
thebaffler.com
November 7, 2025 at 8:02 PM
The great Fred Turner strikes again.
I've always found that Barbrook and Cameron's "California Ideology" should have been named "Santa Clara County Ideology', as it fails to consider the diversity of the state.
But Fred, as you would expect, gets it right with this one.
I've always found that Barbrook and Cameron's "California Ideology" should have been named "Santa Clara County Ideology', as it fails to consider the diversity of the state.
But Fred, as you would expect, gets it right with this one.
So now, Meta will obviously reverse all the content moderation changes they made because of the "cultural tipping point" the 2024 election represented according to Zuck...right?
Right?
Right?
Right?
Right?
Right?
Right?
"claims of a fundamental realignment of American politics have been highly exaggerated"
this happens ***every single time*** someone proclaims a realignment
this happens ***every single time*** someone proclaims a realignment
Dem gains in this week's elections erased the inroads Trump made with non-white, young, and low-income voters in 2024. In fact, the R-to-D shift from 24 to 25 is double Trump's gains from 20-24. Claims of a GOP political realignment have been highly exaggerated
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-win...
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trumps-win...
November 7, 2025 at 2:06 PM
So now, Meta will obviously reverse all the content moderation changes they made because of the "cultural tipping point" the 2024 election represented according to Zuck...right?
Right?
Right?
Right?
Right?
Right?
Right?
Reposted by Morten Bay, Philosophiae Doctor.
Something about the little guy on the leave button in zoom is ominous. where is he going
November 6, 2025 at 7:36 PM
Something about the little guy on the leave button in zoom is ominous. where is he going
I think Evgeny Morozov's arguments against the notion that we live in a techno-feudal society are convincing. No Kings very literally demonstrates that.
But perhaps we now live in what we could call cultural techno-feudality, in which we accept feudalism-adjacent conditions under techno-hegemons?
But perhaps we now live in what we could call cultural techno-feudality, in which we accept feudalism-adjacent conditions under techno-hegemons?
Elon Musk wins $1 trillion pay package tying him to Tesla for a decade
In an era of skyrocketing CEO pay, the award is unprecedented. The deal sets up Elon Musk to become the world’s first trillionaire.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 6, 2025 at 11:19 PM
I think Evgeny Morozov's arguments against the notion that we live in a techno-feudal society are convincing. No Kings very literally demonstrates that.
But perhaps we now live in what we could call cultural techno-feudality, in which we accept feudalism-adjacent conditions under techno-hegemons?
But perhaps we now live in what we could call cultural techno-feudality, in which we accept feudalism-adjacent conditions under techno-hegemons?
The comments on the sandwich guy being found not guilty are hilarious.
We have reached a verdict: Not guilty.
November 6, 2025 at 7:32 PM
The comments on the sandwich guy being found not guilty are hilarious.
Reposted by Morten Bay, Philosophiae Doctor.
yeah man nothing says "principled engineering" like giving a trillion dollars to a sociopathic white supremacist cosplaying as an engineer who tries to silence his sexual harassment victims by buying them a pony
November 6, 2025 at 7:16 PM
yeah man nothing says "principled engineering" like giving a trillion dollars to a sociopathic white supremacist cosplaying as an engineer who tries to silence his sexual harassment victims by buying them a pony
And I study what people like Matthew and Amy do, how it plays into the larger socio-technical ecosystem and how it impacts democracy and humanity.
Matthew and Amy are both right. Follow their advice.
Any "public interest" that this story might have is outweighed by the damage it WILL do.
Matthew and Amy are both right. Follow their advice.
Any "public interest" that this story might have is outweighed by the damage it WILL do.
I talk to the press professionally, I'm really, really, really good at it.
So please, please believe me when say you cannot turn this interview request into anything good, it will do only harm. Harm to you, harm to your child, harm to other children.
So please, please believe me when say you cannot turn this interview request into anything good, it will do only harm. Harm to you, harm to your child, harm to other children.
heads up to anyone who holds trans kids near: amy harmon from the nyt is searching for and having a hard time finding people to interview to find out exactly what trans kids are doing when their care is limited or cut off, and for purposes of community safety, please shut the fuck up around her.
November 6, 2025 at 3:07 AM
And I study what people like Matthew and Amy do, how it plays into the larger socio-technical ecosystem and how it impacts democracy and humanity.
Matthew and Amy are both right. Follow their advice.
Any "public interest" that this story might have is outweighed by the damage it WILL do.
Matthew and Amy are both right. Follow their advice.
Any "public interest" that this story might have is outweighed by the damage it WILL do.
Stories like these build momentum. Let's surface them.
I need more people to understand the movement that could be brewing here in Georgia if this young man only lost by 87 votes in COBB COUNTY.
87 votes was the margin of victory in Marietta, GA.
November 5, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Stories like these build momentum. Let's surface them.
Reposted by Morten Bay, Philosophiae Doctor.
Had to share this from twitter just because
November 5, 2025 at 2:35 AM
Had to share this from twitter just because
Any historians on here who can point me to a past incident of mass exodus of wealthy people from a global metropolis because of tax increases on top income?
I can't think of any.
People live in places for many reasons other than money, like schools, prestige, and being with your community.
I can't think of any.
People live in places for many reasons other than money, like schools, prestige, and being with your community.
So "tax the fuck out of the rich" turns out to be a winning message.
November 5, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Any historians on here who can point me to a past incident of mass exodus of wealthy people from a global metropolis because of tax increases on top income?
I can't think of any.
People live in places for many reasons other than money, like schools, prestige, and being with your community.
I can't think of any.
People live in places for many reasons other than money, like schools, prestige, and being with your community.
Reposted by Morten Bay, Philosophiae Doctor.
a lot of people are quoting this and saying things like “standing up for trans rights is a winning political strategy” and while I agree with this, win or lose standing up for trans rights is important - no, vital - because it’s the right thing to do.
Zohran at the rally for trans youth on february 8 ❣️ he was polling single digits.
November 5, 2025 at 12:08 PM
a lot of people are quoting this and saying things like “standing up for trans rights is a winning political strategy” and while I agree with this, win or lose standing up for trans rights is important - no, vital - because it’s the right thing to do.