Doctora Malka Older
@older.bsky.social
nerd with narrative disorder • humanitarian • sociopunk • evidence-based creativity • speculative resistance • predictive fictions • INFOMOCRACY • THE MIMICKING OF KNOWN SUCCESSES • …AND OTHER DISASTERS • GlobalVoices.org • ASU-CSI • opinions my own
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
"California saw 73% of renewing members who switched plans move to a bronze plan, up from 27% at the same time last year, the State Marketplace Network reported. In Maine, bronze enrollment now represents almost 60% of all plans purchased."-->the devil is in the details of this year's ACA uptake
“We have drastically higher rates of people dropping their coverage,” a state Affordable Care Act marketplace director tells KFF Health News.
Obamacare Sign-Ups Drop, but the Extent Won’t Be Clear for Months - KFF Health News
Experts say Affordable Care Act sign-up data won’t be clear until people who were enrolled have paid — or haven't paid — their new, often much higher, premiums.
kffhealthnews.org
February 10, 2026 at 5:59 PM
"California saw 73% of renewing members who switched plans move to a bronze plan, up from 27% at the same time last year, the State Marketplace Network reported. In Maine, bronze enrollment now represents almost 60% of all plans purchased."-->the devil is in the details of this year's ACA uptake
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
I bought them. I brought them back from the states and I have been waiting for a time to use them. BUUUUUUUUUUT sometimes I can find them through a UK seller who sells american sugary goodness. yes there are people who make them but right now in these times, I buy. For my heart.
February 10, 2026 at 5:41 PM
I bought them. I brought them back from the states and I have been waiting for a time to use them. BUUUUUUUUUUT sometimes I can find them through a UK seller who sells american sugary goodness. yes there are people who make them but right now in these times, I buy. For my heart.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
Like why aren't they just use the percentage? It's a polling story.
February 10, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Like why aren't they just use the percentage? It's a polling story.
"many Americans" is an alarm bell: if they don't say "majority" or "plurality" it could be anywhere from 50 to 150 million.
#Infomocracy
#Infomocracy
Tfw you fall for the bullshit framing of a story you personally wrote a week ago (left: today’s Times, right: the story it links to).
Both stories by Shalia Dewan.
Both stories by Shalia Dewan.
February 10, 2026 at 5:32 PM
"many Americans" is an alarm bell: if they don't say "majority" or "plurality" it could be anywhere from 50 to 150 million.
#Infomocracy
#Infomocracy
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
There’s a vision and a hype that serves as the golden thread to their politics, which makes it so much easier for people to stay motivated as they fight injustices. And while that’s easier said than done, I do think that this pride of place is precisely the kind of energy we need to channel to win.
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
There’s a vision and a hype that serves as the golden thread to their politics, which makes it so much easier for people to stay motivated as they fight injustices. And while that’s easier said than done, I do think that this pride of place is precisely the kind of energy we need to channel to win.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
As many pointed out, Zohran Mamdani stands out from previous mayors in the fact that he clearly loves New York City. And the same is true of Bad Bunny’s relationship to Puerto Rico. And his list of countries in the Americas felt like an invitation for us all to do the same.
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
As many pointed out, Zohran Mamdani stands out from previous mayors in the fact that he clearly loves New York City. And the same is true of Bad Bunny’s relationship to Puerto Rico. And his list of countries in the Americas felt like an invitation for us all to do the same.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
But I did get the feeling with Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and with Zohran Mamdani’s campaign. Neither are short on criticisms, but the feeling it generates isn’t being overwhelmed by endless issues, it’s ‘this party rocks, let’s fix shit so we can kick it up several notches.’
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
But I did get the feeling with Bad Bunny’s halftime performance and with Zohran Mamdani’s campaign. Neither are short on criticisms, but the feeling it generates isn’t being overwhelmed by endless issues, it’s ‘this party rocks, let’s fix shit so we can kick it up several notches.’
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
This isn’t a feeling I get from the far-right’s “America is great because we’re white, and others don’t belong.” Obviously. But neither do I get it from the centrist-progressive establishment’s flat utilitarianism or from the more hypercritical parts of the left—which I’m largely a part of.
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
This isn’t a feeling I get from the far-right’s “America is great because we’re white, and others don’t belong.” Obviously. But neither do I get it from the centrist-progressive establishment’s flat utilitarianism or from the more hypercritical parts of the left—which I’m largely a part of.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
But instead of it translating into attitudes of superiority and “us versus them,” it translated into “omg you HAVE to come to our neighborhood and party with us, we’ll show you the best time ever.” And you know what? One of my more memorable nights to this day.
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
But instead of it translating into attitudes of superiority and “us versus them,” it translated into “omg you HAVE to come to our neighborhood and party with us, we’ll show you the best time ever.” And you know what? One of my more memorable nights to this day.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
It reminds me of an experience I had in CEGEP—a sort of mandatory junior college where I grew up. Some folks there had this ~huge~ sense of pride in their neighborhood.
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
It reminds me of an experience I had in CEGEP—a sort of mandatory junior college where I grew up. Some folks there had this ~huge~ sense of pride in their neighborhood.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
Bad Bunny’s halftime show reminded me of Zohran Mamdani. Asking myself why, I think it’s because they both embody the power of pride of place—especially in contrast to the ethnonationalisic pride displayed by the far-right.
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
Bad Bunny’s halftime show reminded me of Zohran Mamdani. Asking myself why, I think it’s because they both embody the power of pride of place—especially in contrast to the ethnonationalisic pride displayed by the far-right.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
Starbucks has scrapped a $250,000 limit on its CEO's use of the company jet for personal travel.
CEO Brian Niccol uses the jet to commute from his house California to corporate HQ in Seattle.
The company is lifting the cap while refusing thousands of baristas a union contract.
CEO Brian Niccol uses the jet to commute from his house California to corporate HQ in Seattle.
The company is lifting the cap while refusing thousands of baristas a union contract.
February 10, 2026 at 2:45 PM
Starbucks has scrapped a $250,000 limit on its CEO's use of the company jet for personal travel.
CEO Brian Niccol uses the jet to commute from his house California to corporate HQ in Seattle.
The company is lifting the cap while refusing thousands of baristas a union contract.
CEO Brian Niccol uses the jet to commute from his house California to corporate HQ in Seattle.
The company is lifting the cap while refusing thousands of baristas a union contract.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
I go out of my way to only buy coffee from small business shops when out and about. This soulless corporation doesn't deserve a dime.
Starbucks has scrapped a $250,000 limit on its CEO's use of the company jet for personal travel.
CEO Brian Niccol uses the jet to commute from his house California to corporate HQ in Seattle.
The company is lifting the cap while refusing thousands of baristas a union contract.
CEO Brian Niccol uses the jet to commute from his house California to corporate HQ in Seattle.
The company is lifting the cap while refusing thousands of baristas a union contract.
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
I go out of my way to only buy coffee from small business shops when out and about. This soulless corporation doesn't deserve a dime.
They are not and should not be allowed to do this and everyone responsible should be tried and face consequences, including and up to every mealy-mouthed congressperson who doesn't dare to say wrong is wrong.
February 10, 2026 at 5:27 PM
They are not and should not be allowed to do this and everyone responsible should be tried and face consequences, including and up to every mealy-mouthed congressperson who doesn't dare to say wrong is wrong.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
Just had another fine motor skills test: closing five boxes before I could read copy on Newsweek’s website.
Site designers must be so proud of themselves — and me! — for navigating their way into this position.
Site designers must be so proud of themselves — and me! — for navigating their way into this position.
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
Just had another fine motor skills test: closing five boxes before I could read copy on Newsweek’s website.
Site designers must be so proud of themselves — and me! — for navigating their way into this position.
Site designers must be so proud of themselves — and me! — for navigating their way into this position.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
cc: Every single member of the United States Congress
Agree with @markey.senate.gov, or tell on yourself.
Agree with @markey.senate.gov, or tell on yourself.
I will not support any funding deal that puts money in the hands of Stephen Miller, Kristi Noem, and this violent agency. Defund and abolish ICE now.
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
cc: Every single member of the United States Congress
Agree with @markey.senate.gov, or tell on yourself.
Agree with @markey.senate.gov, or tell on yourself.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
Trump is trying to repeal the "endangerment finding" -- the scientific investigation that led EPA to conclude that climate change is dangerous to humans.
It's scientifically unjustifiable of course, but they're going to have to justify it to a court. That should be fun to watch.
It's scientifically unjustifiable of course, but they're going to have to justify it to a court. That should be fun to watch.
Exclusive | Trump to Repeal Landmark Climate Finding in Huge Regulatory Rollback
The move would reverse a legal determination that greenhouse gases threaten public health.
www.wsj.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:22 PM
Trump is trying to repeal the "endangerment finding" -- the scientific investigation that led EPA to conclude that climate change is dangerous to humans.
It's scientifically unjustifiable of course, but they're going to have to justify it to a court. That should be fun to watch.
It's scientifically unjustifiable of course, but they're going to have to justify it to a court. That should be fun to watch.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
I will reiterate: for every bit of damage, violence, or theatrical incompetence that draws public attention, there are a *thousand* things the Trumpists are doing behind the scenes, outside of public attention, that are just as ruinous to our country and our future.
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
I will reiterate: for every bit of damage, violence, or theatrical incompetence that draws public attention, there are a *thousand* things the Trumpists are doing behind the scenes, outside of public attention, that are just as ruinous to our country and our future.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
✍️ We have a new letter we will send to the UK Government about this, leave a comment if you want the link to sign.
February 10, 2026 at 5:25 PM
✍️ We have a new letter we will send to the UK Government about this, leave a comment if you want the link to sign.
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
5. The UK is moving away from sovereignty to greater dependency on USA big-tech.
6. This narrows the public’s position in democracy, ensuring that people buy the AI ‘inevitability’ narrative without any option to have a meaningful say.
->
6. This narrows the public’s position in democracy, ensuring that people buy the AI ‘inevitability’ narrative without any option to have a meaningful say.
->
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
5. The UK is moving away from sovereignty to greater dependency on USA big-tech.
6. This narrows the public’s position in democracy, ensuring that people buy the AI ‘inevitability’ narrative without any option to have a meaningful say.
->
6. This narrows the public’s position in democracy, ensuring that people buy the AI ‘inevitability’ narrative without any option to have a meaningful say.
->
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
4. These collaborations normalize the close relationships with US Big Tech firms, setting them up to be key actors in governance who provide technological solutions to important social ‘problems’ and how the overall direction of the country will be shaped. ->
February 10, 2026 at 5:24 PM
4. These collaborations normalize the close relationships with US Big Tech firms, setting them up to be key actors in governance who provide technological solutions to important social ‘problems’ and how the overall direction of the country will be shaped. ->
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
3. The AI Skills Hub’s ‘research’ section, the government’s research shows how people do not use AI because they mistrust the AI companies. Yet the UK government seems to be eager to force these companies on workers without promising any regulation oversight or scrutiny of the companies in return ->
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
3. The AI Skills Hub’s ‘research’ section, the government’s research shows how people do not use AI because they mistrust the AI companies. Yet the UK government seems to be eager to force these companies on workers without promising any regulation oversight or scrutiny of the companies in return ->
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
2. The initiative also raises questions around the allocation of public money, and the fact that it is not going to local and community organizations who have been delivering literacy programs for years.
->
->
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
2. The initiative also raises questions around the allocation of public money, and the fact that it is not going to local and community organizations who have been delivering literacy programs for years.
->
->
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
1. These collaborations with big-tech raise questions about the government's close relationships with corporations that are responsible for cultural, societal and environmental harms. ->
February 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
1. These collaborations with big-tech raise questions about the government's close relationships with corporations that are responsible for cultural, societal and environmental harms. ->
Reposted by Doctora Malka Older
📢NEW OP-ED! Together with the brilliant @taniaduarte.bsky.social, @markwong.bsky.social, @suoman.bsky.social & @timdavies.org.uk we wrote for @techpolicypress.bsky.social why the new UK Government AI Skills Hub is undermining our democracy.
Our 🔑 points are->🧵
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...
Our 🔑 points are->🧵
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...
The Real Cost of the UK’s ‘Free AI Training for All’ is Democracy
Researchers argue the UK's 'AI Skills Hub' should be re-thought with input from civil society groups and public interest organizations.
www.techpolicy.press
February 10, 2026 at 5:22 PM
📢NEW OP-ED! Together with the brilliant @taniaduarte.bsky.social, @markwong.bsky.social, @suoman.bsky.social & @timdavies.org.uk we wrote for @techpolicypress.bsky.social why the new UK Government AI Skills Hub is undermining our democracy.
Our 🔑 points are->🧵
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...
Our 🔑 points are->🧵
www.techpolicy.press/the-real-cos...