Matt Novak
@paleofuture.bsky.social
Reporter at @Gizmodo.com.
I’ve been writing about the history of futurism at @Paleofuture.com since 2007.
Email: [email protected]
Signal: mattnovak.11
I’ve been writing about the history of futurism at @Paleofuture.com since 2007.
Email: [email protected]
Signal: mattnovak.11
Pinned
I’m at the Otay Mesa concentration camp in San Diego, where protesters and community organizers gather every Sunday.
Reposted by Matt Novak
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
February 11, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Reposted by Matt Novak
Also, please follow and support @forbesunion.bsky.social !
I started at Forbes just before the newsroom voted to certify. Five years later, we still don't have a contract.
That needs to change. Many reporters there haven't had a raise in years.
I started at Forbes just before the newsroom voted to certify. Five years later, we still don't have a contract.
That needs to change. Many reporters there haven't had a raise in years.
bsky.app
February 11, 2026 at 8:49 PM
Also, please follow and support @forbesunion.bsky.social !
I started at Forbes just before the newsroom voted to certify. Five years later, we still don't have a contract.
That needs to change. Many reporters there haven't had a raise in years.
I started at Forbes just before the newsroom voted to certify. Five years later, we still don't have a contract.
That needs to change. Many reporters there haven't had a raise in years.
“Mr. Rollins has spent most of the past year giving the Labor Department’s social media pages a makeover in Mr. Trump’s image.”
Homeland Security Hires Labor Dept. Aide Whose Posts Raised Alarms
www.nytimes.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:45 PM
“Mr. Rollins has spent most of the past year giving the Labor Department’s social media pages a makeover in Mr. Trump’s image.”
Reposted by Matt Novak
New Documentary Project 'Passport To Adventure' To Shine A Spotlight On Lucasfilm's SCUMM Engine. (Repost)
New Documentary Project 'Passport To Adventure' To Shine A Spotlight On Lucasfilm's SCUMM Engine
Ron Gilbert & David Fox already on board, alongside other ex-Lucasfilm staff
www.timeextension.com
February 11, 2026 at 11:20 PM
New Documentary Project 'Passport To Adventure' To Shine A Spotlight On Lucasfilm's SCUMM Engine. (Repost)
Trump on Canada: “They are among the worst in the World to deal with, especially as it relates to our Northern Border.”
I like how Trump suggests he might be dealing with a long list of countries in relation to the US-Canada border and that Canada is just the worst on this subject.
I like how Trump suggests he might be dealing with a long list of countries in relation to the US-Canada border and that Canada is just the worst on this subject.
February 11, 2026 at 11:19 PM
Trump on Canada: “They are among the worst in the World to deal with, especially as it relates to our Northern Border.”
I like how Trump suggests he might be dealing with a long list of countries in relation to the US-Canada border and that Canada is just the worst on this subject.
I like how Trump suggests he might be dealing with a long list of countries in relation to the US-Canada border and that Canada is just the worst on this subject.
Reposted by Matt Novak
Tech executives have finally amassed their ultimate, long dreamed-of power: to summarily fire anyone who speaks ill of their desire to have sex with robots
OpenAI fired one of its top safety execs, on the grounds of sexual discrimination, after she voiced opposition to the controversial rollout of AI erotica in its ChatGPT product.
OpenAI told her the term was related to her sexual discrimination against a male colleague.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
OpenAI told her the term was related to her sexual discrimination against a male colleague.
www.wsj.com/tech/ai/open...
Exclusive | OpenAI Executive Who Opposed ‘Adult Mode’ Fired for Sexual Discrimination
Ryan Beiermeister, who served as the vice president leading OpenAI’s product policy team, had raised concerns about the upcoming launch of erotic content.
www.wsj.com
February 11, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Tech executives have finally amassed their ultimate, long dreamed-of power: to summarily fire anyone who speaks ill of their desire to have sex with robots
Reposted by Matt Novak
CNN confirms what MSNBC reported live a few hours ago: DOJ is surveilling Dem lawmakers when they go to the DOJ to search unredacted Epstein files.
CNN: "Another photograph - these are notes AG Bondi brought to the hearing today. This shows a list of Rep. Jayapal's search history. Lawmakers are allowed to go to a DOJ facility to search unredacted files. We learned from this photo that the searches are apparently being tracked & read by the DOJ"
February 11, 2026 at 9:36 PM
CNN confirms what MSNBC reported live a few hours ago: DOJ is surveilling Dem lawmakers when they go to the DOJ to search unredacted Epstein files.
Reposted by Matt Novak
having your city noticed by the president is now a natural disaster on par with a hurricane or major flood
February 11, 2026 at 2:12 PM
having your city noticed by the president is now a natural disaster on par with a hurricane or major flood
"Under California Health and Safety Code, counties may lawfully inspect detention facilities operating within their borders when public health is at issue, including facilities run by private contractors on behalf of federal agencies. The Otay Mesa Detention Center is managed by CoreCivic."
San Diego County initiates health inspection at Otay Mesa Detention Center
San Diego County has begun the public health inspection process at the Otay Mesa Detention Center following reports of concerning conditions.
timesofsandiego.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:53 PM
"Under California Health and Safety Code, counties may lawfully inspect detention facilities operating within their borders when public health is at issue, including facilities run by private contractors on behalf of federal agencies. The Otay Mesa Detention Center is managed by CoreCivic."
Reposted by Matt Novak
Incredible update: "This article was updated to note that CNN reports there were at least four party balloons shot down by DOD, not just one."
gizmodo.com/one-mexican-...
gizmodo.com/one-mexican-...
Mexican Cartel 'Drones' Near El Paso Airspace Were Actually Party Balloons: Report
FAA initially ordered the closure of airspace over El Paso for 10 days before backtracking.
gizmodo.com
February 11, 2026 at 9:48 PM
Incredible update: "This article was updated to note that CNN reports there were at least four party balloons shot down by DOD, not just one."
gizmodo.com/one-mexican-...
gizmodo.com/one-mexican-...
Reposted by Matt Novak
Goldman: "Will the survivors and victims who are here please stand up one more time. By show of hands, how many of you or your loved ones actually have met with the DOJ? None ... How many of you were ignored by the DOJ? All of them." (Bondi responds by smearing Goldman.)
February 11, 2026 at 7:41 PM
Goldman: "Will the survivors and victims who are here please stand up one more time. By show of hands, how many of you or your loved ones actually have met with the DOJ? None ... How many of you were ignored by the DOJ? All of them." (Bondi responds by smearing Goldman.)
Reposted by Matt Novak
A powerful moment.
Every single survivor of Epstein’s in that room raised their hand in response to the question — Who still has not been contacted by the DOJ?
Bondi is is purposefully acting as a shield and guard to an international network of child rapists.
She needs to be removed.
Every single survivor of Epstein’s in that room raised their hand in response to the question — Who still has not been contacted by the DOJ?
Bondi is is purposefully acting as a shield and guard to an international network of child rapists.
She needs to be removed.
Jayapal asks Epstein survivors in hearing room to stand and raise hands if they still haven't been able to meet with Bondi's DOJ. Every single one of them doe. Jayapal then gives Bondi an opportunity to apologize. She responds by trying to attack Jayapal and Merrick Garland but doesn't apologize.
February 11, 2026 at 8:20 PM
A powerful moment.
Every single survivor of Epstein’s in that room raised their hand in response to the question — Who still has not been contacted by the DOJ?
Bondi is is purposefully acting as a shield and guard to an international network of child rapists.
She needs to be removed.
Every single survivor of Epstein’s in that room raised their hand in response to the question — Who still has not been contacted by the DOJ?
Bondi is is purposefully acting as a shield and guard to an international network of child rapists.
She needs to be removed.
“I even invited the SLOB of a Governor, JB Pritzker, and horrendous California Governor, Gavin Newscum, to the Dinner, despite the terrible job that they are doing.”
February 11, 2026 at 9:25 PM
“I even invited the SLOB of a Governor, JB Pritzker, and horrendous California Governor, Gavin Newscum, to the Dinner, despite the terrible job that they are doing.”
Reposted by Matt Novak
This is the scene I was at this morning. I know Minnesotans filming ICE in their bathrobes is becoming a bit of a thing, but after you laugh, let it dawn on you that people here hate ICE so much that we rush out half-dressed to film even when there are already dozens of others doing the same thing.
A high-speed car chase involving a federal agent in St. Paul ended with a multi-vehicle crash and injuries to the fleeing driver, who was taken away in an ambulance. bit.ly/4kvJo0M
📸: Leila Navidi
📸: Leila Navidi
February 11, 2026 at 7:43 PM
This is the scene I was at this morning. I know Minnesotans filming ICE in their bathrobes is becoming a bit of a thing, but after you laugh, let it dawn on you that people here hate ICE so much that we rush out half-dressed to film even when there are already dozens of others doing the same thing.
Reposted by Matt Novak
mylar balloons a leading contender for most of the modern military UFO/UAP sightings, too: they get real altitude, move in the jetstream, don't show up well on sensors built to look for planes, reflective
So if I have this straight, the airspace around El Paso got shut down for ten days because the military got spooked and fired up the Annihilator Ray 3000 and it was a party balloon
February 11, 2026 at 8:19 PM
mylar balloons a leading contender for most of the modern military UFO/UAP sightings, too: they get real altitude, move in the jetstream, don't show up well on sensors built to look for planes, reflective
Reposted by Matt Novak
Four Mexican Cartel ‘Drones’ Near El Paso Airspace Were Actually Party Balloons
Mexican Cartel 'Drones' Near El Paso Airspace Were Actually Party Balloons: Report
FAA initially ordered the closure of airspace over El Paso for 10 days before backtracking.
gizmodo.com
February 11, 2026 at 8:21 PM
Four Mexican Cartel ‘Drones’ Near El Paso Airspace Were Actually Party Balloons
Reposted by Matt Novak
BREAKING: An ICE flight just refueled in Ireland again. A local activist pressed police to investigate for human trafficking; the plane took off 30 minutes ago.
Plus, that MAGA billionaire's jet did another ICE flight, this time to Sierra Leone.
#speirghorm
gillianbrockell.ghost.io/ice-flight-r...
Plus, that MAGA billionaire's jet did another ICE flight, this time to Sierra Leone.
#speirghorm
gillianbrockell.ghost.io/ice-flight-r...
ICE flight refuels in Ireland again; Irish activist pressed police to investigate
MAGA billionaire’s jet also did another ICE flight, to Sierra Leone.
gillianbrockell.ghost.io
February 11, 2026 at 8:07 PM
BREAKING: An ICE flight just refueled in Ireland again. A local activist pressed police to investigate for human trafficking; the plane took off 30 minutes ago.
Plus, that MAGA billionaire's jet did another ICE flight, this time to Sierra Leone.
#speirghorm
gillianbrockell.ghost.io/ice-flight-r...
Plus, that MAGA billionaire's jet did another ICE flight, this time to Sierra Leone.
#speirghorm
gillianbrockell.ghost.io/ice-flight-r...
Reposted by Matt Novak
This is utterly deranged behavior from a U.S. attorney general
February 11, 2026 at 6:44 PM
This is utterly deranged behavior from a U.S. attorney general
"The company said starting this year it would stop publishing approval and favorability ratings of individual political figures, saying in a statement it 'reflects an evolution in how Gallup focuses its public research and thought leadership.'"
Gallup will no longer measure presidential approval after 88 years thehill.com/homenews/med...
February 11, 2026 at 7:48 PM
"The company said starting this year it would stop publishing approval and favorability ratings of individual political figures, saying in a statement it 'reflects an evolution in how Gallup focuses its public research and thought leadership.'"
Reposted by Matt Novak
Inherent Contempt for all these fascists as soon as we take back the House
holy shit -- Bondi's new tactic is refusing to answer Democratic questions, then using time during the next Republican questioner to smear the previous Democratic member and accuse them of being complicit in violence crimes
February 11, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Inherent Contempt for all these fascists as soon as we take back the House
Reposted by Matt Novak
It's time, Canada. You'll be greeted as liberators
Enten: "If Canadians really don't like Donald Trump, how do Americans feel about Canada? Well, they actually like Canada! ... even among Republicans, it's +30 ... Canada -- more popular than Donald Trump in Trump's own country"
February 11, 2026 at 3:39 PM
It's time, Canada. You'll be greeted as liberators
Reposted by Matt Novak
This is how CBS Evening News depicted data showing that less than 14% of ICE arrests involved those accused or convicted of violent crimes, and less than 2% had homicide or sexual assault charges or convictions.
February 11, 2026 at 7:12 PM
This is how CBS Evening News depicted data showing that less than 14% of ICE arrests involved those accused or convicted of violent crimes, and less than 2% had homicide or sexual assault charges or convictions.
Reposted by Matt Novak
There is literally no better example of textbook fascistic thinking than "Who cares about human rights when the rich are doing so very well"
Bondi crashes out over Epstein: "The Dow is over 50,000 dollars! I don't know why you're laughing. You're a great stock trader as I hear, Raskin. The Dow is over 50,000 right now. The S&P at almost 7,000, and the Nasdaq smashing records. That's what we should be talking about."
February 11, 2026 at 5:26 PM
There is literally no better example of textbook fascistic thinking than "Who cares about human rights when the rich are doing so very well"
Flying cars are exactly the right comparison.
For the past 30 years, there have been promises that flying cars are just "two years away." You're seeing the same promises about AGI in the 2020s.
We're supposedly just two years away from AI that can do everything and deliver a post-scarcity world.
For the past 30 years, there have been promises that flying cars are just "two years away." You're seeing the same promises about AGI in the 2020s.
We're supposedly just two years away from AI that can do everything and deliver a post-scarcity world.
If there were going to be flying cars in 15 years that would be a pretty interesting article to read like once. "Damn that's crazy" etc. They wouldn't have an article every single day counting it down.
I don't care about the rational guy "this stuff is actually going to be pretty important one day" takes either. OK! Well let me know when it actually works man.
We don't usually have hear about the run up to any other experimental product every day of our lives for years.
We don't usually have hear about the run up to any other experimental product every day of our lives for years.
February 11, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Flying cars are exactly the right comparison.
For the past 30 years, there have been promises that flying cars are just "two years away." You're seeing the same promises about AGI in the 2020s.
We're supposedly just two years away from AI that can do everything and deliver a post-scarcity world.
For the past 30 years, there have been promises that flying cars are just "two years away." You're seeing the same promises about AGI in the 2020s.
We're supposedly just two years away from AI that can do everything and deliver a post-scarcity world.
Reposted by Matt Novak
She really just said why are you talking about the mass coverup of child rape when you should be talking about money
Bondi crashes out over Epstein: "The Dow is over 50,000 dollars! I don't know why you're laughing. You're a great stock trader as I hear, Raskin. The Dow is over 50,000 right now. The S&P at almost 7,000, and the Nasdaq smashing records. That's what we should be talking about."
February 11, 2026 at 4:46 PM
She really just said why are you talking about the mass coverup of child rape when you should be talking about money