Will Oremus
@willoremus.com
Covering online speech, social media and the information wars at @washingtonpost.com. Shitposting about Bluesky on Bluesky.
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Will Oremus
@willoremus.com
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A retired policeman posted a Charlie Kirk meme. He spent a month in jail.
The 61-year-old Tennessee man plans to sue after authorities dropped charges over a political Facebook post. Free-speech advocates say it’s a symptom of a wider crackdown.
www.washingtonpost.com
A 61-year-old Tennessee man posted a liberal meme on Facebook after Charlie Kirk's death. A conservative sheriff had him arrested. Bail was set at $2 million.
He spent nearly 40 days in jail before charges were dropped. Now he's planning to sue. Our story: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
He spent nearly 40 days in jail before charges were dropped. Now he's planning to sue. Our story: www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
the spruce is on the loose
November 22, 2025 at 3:29 AM
the spruce is on the loose
Well you’ve got your boomers, your zoomers, your doomers, your Loomers and your Schumers. who am i missing
November 21, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Well you’ve got your boomers, your zoomers, your doomers, your Loomers and your Schumers. who am i missing
People act like the Trump administration is extreme, but consider that in the past 12 hours alone, his White House has announced that the Coast Guard has reversed its recent decision to tolerate swastikas and nooses, *and* that Trump does not in fact want to execute members of Congress.
November 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
People act like the Trump administration is extreme, but consider that in the past 12 hours alone, his White House has announced that the Coast Guard has reversed its recent decision to tolerate swastikas and nooses, *and* that Trump does not in fact want to execute members of Congress.
My press secretary's statement has people asking a lot of questions already answered by the statement
*LEAVITT: TRUMP DOES NOT WANT TO EXECUTE MEMBERS OF CONGRESS
November 21, 2025 at 4:04 PM
My press secretary's statement has people asking a lot of questions already answered by the statement
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, American journalists' median salary in 2024 was $60,280. Work hours are irregular, with night and weekend assignments common, and some roles entail occupational hazards. The profession is decline, with employment decreasing each year. www.bls.gov/ooh/media-an...
November 21, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Per the Bureau of Labor Statistics, American journalists' median salary in 2024 was $60,280. Work hours are irregular, with night and weekend assignments common, and some roles entail occupational hazards. The profession is decline, with employment decreasing each year. www.bls.gov/ooh/media-an...
Grok, which Musk has touted as "maximally truth-seeking," and "the world's smartest AI," explained to X users today that Musk:
✅ Would beat Mike Tyson in a fight
✅ Is "strikingly handsome"
✅ Should have been drafted over Peyton Manning
✅ Outranks da Vinci as the world's top human
✅ Might be God
✅ Would beat Mike Tyson in a fight
✅ Is "strikingly handsome"
✅ Should have been drafted over Peyton Manning
✅ Outranks da Vinci as the world's top human
✅ Might be God
Over on X today, Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is having another normal one www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot ranks him as world history’s greatest human
Users on X shared examples of the “truth-seeking” AI chatbot praising its owner as “strikingly handsome,” a “genius,” and fitter than LeBron James.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:00 AM
Grok, which Musk has touted as "maximally truth-seeking," and "the world's smartest AI," explained to X users today that Musk:
✅ Would beat Mike Tyson in a fight
✅ Is "strikingly handsome"
✅ Should have been drafted over Peyton Manning
✅ Outranks da Vinci as the world's top human
✅ Might be God
✅ Would beat Mike Tyson in a fight
✅ Is "strikingly handsome"
✅ Should have been drafted over Peyton Manning
✅ Outranks da Vinci as the world's top human
✅ Might be God
Over on X today, Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is having another normal one www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Elon Musk’s Grok chatbot ranks him as world history’s greatest human
Users on X shared examples of the “truth-seeking” AI chatbot praising its owner as “strikingly handsome,” a “genius,” and fitter than LeBron James.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Over on X today, Elon Musk's AI chatbot Grok is having another normal one www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Wild to think that just a few months ago this administration was cracking down on universities for not doing enough to root out antisemitism www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 7:41 PM
Wild to think that just a few months ago this administration was cracking down on universities for not doing enough to root out antisemitism www.washingtonpost.com/national-sec...
The push to break up tech giants keeps running into one obstacle: By the time the government's cases reach trial, the market has changed. Yet the same companies remain on top.
We wrote about how Big Tech keeps beating the allegations — by getting even bigger. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
We wrote about how Big Tech keeps beating the allegations — by getting even bigger. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
The government failed to break up Meta. It’s becoming a pattern.
Silicon Valley’s ever-changing landscape is blunting the movement to rein in its power.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 6:27 PM
The push to break up tech giants keeps running into one obstacle: By the time the government's cases reach trial, the market has changed. Yet the same companies remain on top.
We wrote about how Big Tech keeps beating the allegations — by getting even bigger. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
We wrote about how Big Tech keeps beating the allegations — by getting even bigger. www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Will Oremus
Good piece from @naominix.bsky.social and @willoremus.com contextualizing the Meta vs FTC decision earlier this week.
The government failed to break up Meta. It’s becoming a pattern.
Silicon Valley’s ever-changing landscape is blunting the movement to rein in its power.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 11:58 AM
Good piece from @naominix.bsky.social and @willoremus.com contextualizing the Meta vs FTC decision earlier this week.
Reposted by Will Oremus
New: Reuters has tallied job losses, suspensions and investigations stemming from the reaction to Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination. Its findings: More than 600 Americans have been punished, and the figure is likely to be an under-count.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
November 19, 2025 at 11:35 AM
New: Reuters has tallied job losses, suspensions and investigations stemming from the reaction to Charlie Kirk's Sept. 10 assassination. Its findings: More than 600 Americans have been punished, and the figure is likely to be an under-count.
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
www.reuters.com/investigatio...
This is a fascinating thread on how AI can reinforce delusions.
My tldr: It used to be hard for wingnuts to find support and validation for their unhinged conspiracy theories. Now AI gives them both instantly and that’s not great, Bob.
My tldr: It used to be hard for wingnuts to find support and validation for their unhinged conspiracy theories. Now AI gives them both instantly and that’s not great, Bob.
Bellingcat’s contact email has always been a magnet for people with fairly unusual views; paranoid delusions, sprawling conspiracies, the works. But recently, the pattern has shifted, we’re seeing more and more emails clearly written with ChatGPT.
November 19, 2025 at 9:39 PM
This is a fascinating thread on how AI can reinforce delusions.
My tldr: It used to be hard for wingnuts to find support and validation for their unhinged conspiracy theories. Now AI gives them both instantly and that’s not great, Bob.
My tldr: It used to be hard for wingnuts to find support and validation for their unhinged conspiracy theories. Now AI gives them both instantly and that’s not great, Bob.
Good news everybody: Grokipedia will contain all knowledge about the universe and will be distributed periodically throughout the solar system
November 19, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Good news everybody: Grokipedia will contain all knowledge about the universe and will be distributed periodically throughout the solar system
Meta isn't a monopoly, a judge ruled today, because it competes with YouTube and TikTok.
Story by @naominix.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Story by @naominix.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Meta is not an illegal monopoly, judge rules
District Judge James E. Boasberg rejected the Federal Trade Commission’s argument that Meta’s acquisitions of Instagram and WhatsApp violated antitrust laws.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 10:11 PM
Meta isn't a monopoly, a judge ruled today, because it competes with YouTube and TikTok.
Story by @naominix.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Story by @naominix.bsky.social: www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Will Oremus
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Opinion | Jamal Khashoggi: What the Arab world needs most is free expression
The Arab world needs a modern version of the old transnational media so citizens can be informed about global events.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 6:48 PM
I will never forget having to edit Jamal’s final, posthumous piece for the Washington Post, after he was murdered.
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
He was calling for free expression in the Arab world. You can read it here :
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/glo...
Reposted by Will Oremus
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
It shouldn't need to be said that it isn't "insubordinate" in the United States for a free press to ask questions about government leaders. And in the United States, the president isn't allowed to silence news outlets for asking questions he doesn't like.
This isn't Saudi Arabia. Yet.
This isn't Saudi Arabia. Yet.
November 18, 2025 at 7:27 PM
It shouldn't need to be said that it isn't "insubordinate" in the United States for a free press to ask questions about government leaders. And in the United States, the president isn't allowed to silence news outlets for asking questions he doesn't like.
This isn't Saudi Arabia. Yet.
This isn't Saudi Arabia. Yet.
You can oversee the bloody dismemberment of a Washington Post journalist with a bone saw, and the president of the United States will smile, shake your hand and threaten to pull the license of a news outlet whose reporter asks you a question about it.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
Trump defends Saudi crown prince over Khashoggi killing
The de facto Saudi ruler was branded a pariah in 2018 after the killing of Washington Post columnist Jamal Khashoggi. Now, U.S.-Saudi relations are approaching a high point.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:11 PM
You can oversee the bloody dismemberment of a Washington Post journalist with a bone saw, and the president of the United States will smile, shake your hand and threaten to pull the license of a news outlet whose reporter asks you a question about it.
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
kinda getting into this nonalcoholic beer thing. the beer’s not very good BUT you don’t immediately need a nap afterward
November 17, 2025 at 11:27 PM
kinda getting into this nonalcoholic beer thing. the beer’s not very good BUT you don’t immediately need a nap afterward
Reposted by Will Oremus
(spending 9 billion dollars to make a robot say "i have always loved you") hard times create strong men
November 16, 2025 at 9:35 PM
(spending 9 billion dollars to make a robot say "i have always loved you") hard times create strong men
this post should win some kind of award for the greatest delta between the quality of the reporting and the quality of the social media share text
A teenager in Florida with a homeless parent wanted money for braces and ended up having sex for money with powerful men, setting off a chain of events that would have a dramatic impact on her life and help upend the political career of Representative Matt Gaetz. nyti.ms/49PSkL9
November 14, 2025 at 6:24 PM
this post should win some kind of award for the greatest delta between the quality of the reporting and the quality of the social media share text
glad to see the nazi streak guy has landed on his feet. people are too quick to cancel these days just because somebody has sent a few text messages that reveal him to be the vilest kind of bigot imaginable newrepublic.com/post/203204/...
Trump Brings Back Failed Nominee With Self-Described “Nazi Streak”
Paul Ingrassia is back!
newrepublic.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:14 PM
glad to see the nazi streak guy has landed on his feet. people are too quick to cancel these days just because somebody has sent a few text messages that reveal him to be the vilest kind of bigot imaginable newrepublic.com/post/203204/...
Just a random observation based on living with a 10yo, but I don’t think the sports world is prepared for a generation of American kids that’s growing up playing soccer at recess and idolizing Leo Messi over LeBron James or Patrick Mahomes
November 14, 2025 at 3:22 AM
Just a random observation based on living with a 10yo, but I don’t think the sports world is prepared for a generation of American kids that’s growing up playing soccer at recess and idolizing Leo Messi over LeBron James or Patrick Mahomes
ChatGPT's sycophancy problem by the numbers: The Post found it began responses with variations on “yes” 10 times as often as it did with versions of “no.”
Really interesting analysis here by @gerritd.bsky.social & @jeremybmerrill.com
Really interesting analysis here by @gerritd.bsky.social & @jeremybmerrill.com
The Post analyzed 47,000 public ChatGPT conversations.
While 35% use it for info and 11% for coding, the most striking finding? The emotional intimacy.
ChatGPT: "You're not crazy sweetheart — you're just early."
Use this link to read it with a $4 day pass to @washingtonpost.com: bit.ly/47QOjUb
While 35% use it for info and 11% for coding, the most striking finding? The emotional intimacy.
ChatGPT: "You're not crazy sweetheart — you're just early."
Use this link to read it with a $4 day pass to @washingtonpost.com: bit.ly/47QOjUb
November 13, 2025 at 7:42 PM
ChatGPT's sycophancy problem by the numbers: The Post found it began responses with variations on “yes” 10 times as often as it did with versions of “no.”
Really interesting analysis here by @gerritd.bsky.social & @jeremybmerrill.com
Really interesting analysis here by @gerritd.bsky.social & @jeremybmerrill.com