Tim Fernholz
@timfernholz.com
journalist, author, internet participant
writing and reporting on space, technology, and finance
timfernholz.substack.com
www.timfernholz.com
Oakland, CA
writing and reporting on space, technology, and finance
timfernholz.substack.com
www.timfernholz.com
Oakland, CA
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
anyway, this clip — which is just 90 seconds of an interview — opens with a murphy statement about how dems cannot reauthorize funding for an agency this lawless, but i guess "no one can read on the text based social media site" can be extended to "no one actually watches the clip they're mad about"
it is both true that more training won’t fix the agency’s problems and also true that 47 days of training - picked corruptly and arbitrarily - is a scandal on it’s own that people should know about (i didn’t know this)
Chris Murphy: "The amount of training that's given to an ICE officer has been cut in half by this administration. The number of days of training they get are 47. You know why they get 47 days? As an homage to the vanity of POTUS. No wonder the number of violent incidents are going through the roof."
January 11, 2026 at 7:05 PM
anyway, this clip — which is just 90 seconds of an interview — opens with a murphy statement about how dems cannot reauthorize funding for an agency this lawless, but i guess "no one can read on the text based social media site" can be extended to "no one actually watches the clip they're mad about"
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
The Minneapolis pastor had observed "ICE agents circling a young woman who appeared to be Hispanic" and insisted they take him instead of harassing her. An agent then “came, got in my face, pointed a gun at me, and said, ‘Are you afraid now?’” trib.al/kv6rA7r
January 11, 2026 at 4:27 PM
The Minneapolis pastor had observed "ICE agents circling a young woman who appeared to be Hispanic" and insisted they take him instead of harassing her. An agent then “came, got in my face, pointed a gun at me, and said, ‘Are you afraid now?’” trib.al/kv6rA7r
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
“As LLMs continue to move into intimate human domains, we suggest that the right question is no longer ‘Are they conscious?’ but ‘What kinds of selves are we training them to perform, internalise & stabilise **and what does that mean for the humans engaging with them?**’"🧪
arxiv.org/pdf/2512.04124
arxiv.org/pdf/2512.04124
January 11, 2026 at 4:59 PM
“As LLMs continue to move into intimate human domains, we suggest that the right question is no longer ‘Are they conscious?’ but ‘What kinds of selves are we training them to perform, internalise & stabilise **and what does that mean for the humans engaging with them?**’"🧪
arxiv.org/pdf/2512.04124
arxiv.org/pdf/2512.04124
smart @tmfassociates.bsky.social post on the SpaceX and AI data centers in orbit: tmfassociates.com/blog/2026/01...
TMF Associates blog » SpaceX’s Rorschach test
tmfassociates.com
January 11, 2026 at 5:17 PM
smart @tmfassociates.bsky.social post on the SpaceX and AI data centers in orbit: tmfassociates.com/blog/2026/01...
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
The U.S. competitive advantage in space depends on infrastructure hosted by allies. @aaronbateman.bsky.social explains the terrestrial space race in the Foreign Policy Essay.
U.S.-China Space Competition Is Anchored to Geography on Earth
The U.S. competitive advantage in space depends on infrastructure hosted by allies.
www.lawfaremedia.org
January 11, 2026 at 2:00 PM
The U.S. competitive advantage in space depends on infrastructure hosted by allies. @aaronbateman.bsky.social explains the terrestrial space race in the Foreign Policy Essay.
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
Bob Weir, the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, whose songs about sunshine daydreams and truckin' helped turn the jam band into a 60-year musical empire, has died at age 78. www.rollingstone.com/music/mu...
Bob Weir, Grateful Dead Co-Founder and Guitarist, Dead at 78
Bob Weir, the singer-guitarist who co-founded the Grateful Dead and later found success with Dead & Company, has died at age 78.
www.rollingstone.com
January 11, 2026 at 4:34 AM
Bob Weir, the singer, songwriter, guitarist, and co-founder of the Grateful Dead, whose songs about sunshine daydreams and truckin' helped turn the jam band into a 60-year musical empire, has died at age 78. www.rollingstone.com/music/mu...
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
Exxon Mobil: “CEO Darren Woods said that Venezuela is "uninvestable" after Trump asked him how long it would take the firm to restart operations there.”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Oil Chiefs Lukewarm as Trump Pushes $100 Billion Venezuela Plan
Major US oil executives expressed caution about President Donald Trump’s push for them to spend at least $100 billion to rebuild Venezuela, with the head of Exxon Mobil Corp. calling the nation curren...
www.bloomberg.com
January 10, 2026 at 1:47 PM
Exxon Mobil: “CEO Darren Woods said that Venezuela is "uninvestable" after Trump asked him how long it would take the firm to restart operations there.”
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
Argentina pays US swap back, but apparently no-one knows where the country obtained the dollars www.ft.com/content/b721...
Argentina repays US financial lifeline as Milei emerges from market crisis
Buenos Aires hands back $2.5bn it drew under swap line ahead of pivotal election in October
www.ft.com
January 10, 2026 at 8:58 AM
Argentina pays US swap back, but apparently no-one knows where the country obtained the dollars www.ft.com/content/b721...
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
The federal government Friday agreed to pay $125,000 after a judge found a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent liable for civil assault for pointing a gun at a hotel maintenance man who came to the agent’s room to unclog a toilet.
Feds pay $125K after Border Patrol agent pointed gun at Portland hotel worker
The payout amount was finalized during a settlement conference Friday after a judge found the officer civilly liable for assault.
www.oregonlive.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:00 AM
The federal government Friday agreed to pay $125,000 after a judge found a U.S. Customs and Border Protection agent liable for civil assault for pointing a gun at a hotel maintenance man who came to the agent’s room to unclog a toilet.
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
How prepared are ISS astronauts to deal with medical emergencies and problems in space? Had a fascinating day reporting out this story! New on @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
NASA Evacuation of ISS Highlights How Astronauts Prepare for Medical Emergencies in Space
NASA crews go through extensive training and have access to kit to treat medical issues in orbit, from dental problems and migraines to heart attacks
www.scientificamerican.com
January 9, 2026 at 10:02 PM
How prepared are ISS astronauts to deal with medical emergencies and problems in space? Had a fascinating day reporting out this story! New on @sciam.bsky.social www.scientificamerican.com/article/how-...
the whole family is doing a detox to kick of 2026! (We all have a terrible stomach virus)
January 9, 2026 at 5:52 PM
the whole family is doing a detox to kick of 2026! (We all have a terrible stomach virus)
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
I’m getting a little worried that for large parts of the industry the future of journalism will involve fake AI generated sources being quoted by fake AI generated journalistic pressgazette.co.uk/news/named-5...
Named: 50 'experts' and linked brands publishers should treat with caution
Experts and brands associated with more than 1,000 likely fake stories are named.
pressgazette.co.uk
January 9, 2026 at 5:18 PM
I’m getting a little worried that for large parts of the industry the future of journalism will involve fake AI generated sources being quoted by fake AI generated journalistic pressgazette.co.uk/news/named-5...
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
New: Trio of Dem senators urge Apple and Google to enforce their own terms of service and ban X, Grok apps for their flood of nonconsensual sexual imagery.
I've repeatedly asked both Apple and Google about this for three days. They're completely silent, seemingly hoping the question just goes away.
I've repeatedly asked both Apple and Google about this for three days. They're completely silent, seemingly hoping the question just goes away.
Senators urged Apple and Google to remove X and Grok from app stores over sexual deepfakes
“Turning a blind eye to X’s egregious behavior would make a mockery of your moderation
practices,” three Democratic senators wrote to Apple’s and Google’s CEOs.
www.nbcnews.com
January 9, 2026 at 4:06 PM
New: Trio of Dem senators urge Apple and Google to enforce their own terms of service and ban X, Grok apps for their flood of nonconsensual sexual imagery.
I've repeatedly asked both Apple and Google about this for three days. They're completely silent, seemingly hoping the question just goes away.
I've repeatedly asked both Apple and Google about this for three days. They're completely silent, seemingly hoping the question just goes away.
👏👏👏
“He reads it. He cites it. And he makes it accessible to a national audience.” Very cool moment @historians.org #AHA26 recognizing @jamellebouie.net’s exceptional engagement w history and historians in his brilliant opinion writing.
January 9, 2026 at 3:48 PM
👏👏👏
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
Holy cow: TRUMP LEAKED THIS MORNING'S PAYROLL NUMBERS.
At 8:20pm last night he posted a photo of a briefing he received from his CEA. It reveals market-moving numbers that were officially released at 8:30am this morning.
(Note: CEA receives the data—confidentially—on Thursday evening.)
At 8:20pm last night he posted a photo of a briefing he received from his CEA. It reveals market-moving numbers that were officially released at 8:30am this morning.
(Note: CEA receives the data—confidentially—on Thursday evening.)
January 9, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Holy cow: TRUMP LEAKED THIS MORNING'S PAYROLL NUMBERS.
At 8:20pm last night he posted a photo of a briefing he received from his CEA. It reveals market-moving numbers that were officially released at 8:30am this morning.
(Note: CEA receives the data—confidentially—on Thursday evening.)
At 8:20pm last night he posted a photo of a briefing he received from his CEA. It reveals market-moving numbers that were officially released at 8:30am this morning.
(Note: CEA receives the data—confidentially—on Thursday evening.)
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
this is actually showing the increase in usage driven by making nonconsensual porn
yeah I’m sure they’re adopting Grok for “deeper research” in the first 8 days of Jan 2026.
January 8, 2026 at 3:56 PM
this is actually showing the increase in usage driven by making nonconsensual porn
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
Now on @sciam.bsky.social: Funded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt and launching as soon as 2029, the Lazuli Space Observatory would be bigger than Hubble and the first-ever full-scale private space telescope. By @nadiadrake.bsky.social.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/schm...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/schm...
Lazuli, a Billionaire-Funded Private Space Telescope, Signals a New Strategy for Astronomy
Bigger than Hubble and launching as soon as 2029, the Lazuli Space Observatory would be the first-ever full-scale private space telescope
www.scientificamerican.com
January 7, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Now on @sciam.bsky.social: Funded by Eric and Wendy Schmidt and launching as soon as 2029, the Lazuli Space Observatory would be bigger than Hubble and the first-ever full-scale private space telescope. By @nadiadrake.bsky.social.
www.scientificamerican.com/article/schm...
www.scientificamerican.com/article/schm...
NASA is understaffed and under a lot of stress dealing with a sick astronaut on the ISS as preparations for Artemis II continue—will be hard slog for the folks there in the next month.
January 8, 2026 at 4:48 PM
NASA is understaffed and under a lot of stress dealing with a sick astronaut on the ISS as preparations for Artemis II continue—will be hard slog for the folks there in the next month.
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
NEW: A WIRED review of outputs hosted on Grok's website shows the tool is being used to create sexual images and videos far more explicit and at time violent than what's on X, including apparent minors and celebrity deepfakes. This is from @regret.bsky.social and @mattburgess1.bsky.social
Grok Is Generating Sexual Content Far More Graphic Than What's on X
A WIRED review of outputs hosted on Grok’s official website shows it’s being used to create violent sexual images and videos, as well as content that includes apparent minors.
www.wired.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:53 PM
NEW: A WIRED review of outputs hosted on Grok's website shows the tool is being used to create sexual images and videos far more explicit and at time violent than what's on X, including apparent minors and celebrity deepfakes. This is from @regret.bsky.social and @mattburgess1.bsky.social
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
New: we've obtained material explaining how an ICE surveillance system, called Webloc, works. Draw shape on a map, see all phones available there, follow them home. All without warrant
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
Inside ICE’s Tool to Monitor Phones in Entire Neighborhoods
404 Media has obtained material that explains how Tangles and Webloc, two surveillance systems ICE recently purchased, work. Webloc can track phones without a warrant and follow their owners home or t...
www.404media.co
January 8, 2026 at 2:03 PM
New: we've obtained material explaining how an ICE surveillance system, called Webloc, works. Draw shape on a map, see all phones available there, follow them home. All without warrant
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
“This is a very dangerous tool in the hands of an out-of-control agency.” www.404media.co/inside-ices-...
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
NASA considers whether to bring sick crew member back to Earth. 🔭 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Sickness aboard ISS leads Nasa to consider bringing crew home
Nasa is assessing what to do next following a medical issue on board the International Space Station.
www.bbc.co.uk
January 8, 2026 at 2:00 PM
NASA considers whether to bring sick crew member back to Earth. 🔭 🧪 www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
NEW: The FAA predicted Elon Musk’s Starship would cause “minor or minimal” disruption. Then the rockets exploded twice in three months over busy airspace.
Flight data reveals how many planes scrambled to protect passengers and avoid burning debris.
Flight data reveals how many planes scrambled to protect passengers and avoid burning debris.
“We’re Too Close to the Debris”: How SpaceX Rockets Put Passenger Planes at Risk
The FAA predicted Elon Musk’s Starship would cause “minor or minimal” disruption. Then the rockets exploded twice in three months over busy airspace. Flight data reveals how many planes scrambled to protect passengers and avoid burning debris.
www.propublica.org
January 8, 2026 at 1:00 PM
NEW: The FAA predicted Elon Musk’s Starship would cause “minor or minimal” disruption. Then the rockets exploded twice in three months over busy airspace.
Flight data reveals how many planes scrambled to protect passengers and avoid burning debris.
Flight data reveals how many planes scrambled to protect passengers and avoid burning debris.
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
"I urge any who are involved in the administration of the current immigration enforcement regime at any level to seek the counsel of their clergy, given my urgent pastoral concern for the moral and spiritual injury that their participation is causing them." - Bp. Rob Price of Dallas, 1/1/2026
January 7, 2026 at 8:09 PM
"I urge any who are involved in the administration of the current immigration enforcement regime at any level to seek the counsel of their clergy, given my urgent pastoral concern for the moral and spiritual injury that their participation is causing them." - Bp. Rob Price of Dallas, 1/1/2026
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
“Construction is already among the most dangerous jobs in the country, with about 1,000 people dying each year from work-related injuries, more than any other industry. But five times as many workers, 5,100, died by suicide, and 15,900 died from drug overdoses, in 2023…”
A Construction Worker’s Suicide Highlights a Wider Crisis
www.nytimes.com
January 8, 2026 at 12:35 PM
“Construction is already among the most dangerous jobs in the country, with about 1,000 people dying each year from work-related injuries, more than any other industry. But five times as many workers, 5,100, died by suicide, and 15,900 died from drug overdoses, in 2023…”
Reposted by Tim Fernholz
"Heller said the agents wouldn't let anyone near the scene [...]
“'They were on foot when they got through, and they carried her body out, just like by her limbs, they didn’t even have a stretcher,'" Heller said. "'She was carried out like a sack of potatoes.'"
“'They were on foot when they got through, and they carried her body out, just like by her limbs, they didn’t even have a stretcher,'" Heller said. "'She was carried out like a sack of potatoes.'"
Watching woman die 'will change my life forever,' neighbor says
Emily Heller, 39, wasn't even dressed when she heard whistles alerting the neighborhood that ICE agents were in the area this morning. “I’ve never seen
www.nbcnews.com
January 7, 2026 at 11:39 PM
"Heller said the agents wouldn't let anyone near the scene [...]
“'They were on foot when they got through, and they carried her body out, just like by her limbs, they didn’t even have a stretcher,'" Heller said. "'She was carried out like a sack of potatoes.'"
“'They were on foot when they got through, and they carried her body out, just like by her limbs, they didn’t even have a stretcher,'" Heller said. "'She was carried out like a sack of potatoes.'"