Gary Longsine 📱
@arbiteriapetus.bsky.social
Liberal science is how we discover what's true, and what's not. Information security *is* national security. Free Birdseed podcast, for people who make software. InfoSec NatSec
I'm of the impression that science doesn't completely understand cognitive dissonance. It seems obvious that many people feel *no* discomfort even as contradictory beliefs collide wildly in their minds and spill out their mouths.
January 31, 2026 at 12:04 AM
I'm of the impression that science doesn't completely understand cognitive dissonance. It seems obvious that many people feel *no* discomfort even as contradictory beliefs collide wildly in their minds and spill out their mouths.
I’m pretty well convinced that we don’t fully understand the phenomenon we call cognitive dissonance, and that science needs to think about how to study it from a different perspective. Some people seem entirely unaffected as though they cannot even sense contradiction or feel no discomfort from it.
January 27, 2026 at 3:25 PM
I’m pretty well convinced that we don’t fully understand the phenomenon we call cognitive dissonance, and that science needs to think about how to study it from a different perspective. Some people seem entirely unaffected as though they cannot even sense contradiction or feel no discomfort from it.
Missoula, Montana
January 26, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Missoula, Montana
Missoula, Montana
January 26, 2026 at 7:23 AM
Missoula, Montana
No problem. I know where these particular bones are buried. 🦴
January 26, 2026 at 6:44 AM
No problem. I know where these particular bones are buried. 🦴
The protest here today was well attended by people of all ages. Encouraging.
January 26, 2026 at 6:40 AM
The protest here today was well attended by people of all ages. Encouraging.
Yeah me too. Missoula. Been following news on those angry lunatics for half a lifetime.
Today, where a river runs through it…
Today, where a river runs through it…
January 26, 2026 at 6:34 AM
Yeah me too. Missoula. Been following news on those angry lunatics for half a lifetime.
Today, where a river runs through it…
Today, where a river runs through it…
Missoula, Montana, represent!
January 26, 2026 at 12:11 AM
Missoula, Montana, represent!
Some opinion surveys show the popularity of Mango Mussolini falling a *bit* more than this, but it's shocking how closely his approval ratings hew to about 40% of the population. Current events seem to make the line wiggle a bit, but not nearly so much as one would think, if fascism were unpopular.
January 25, 2026 at 7:14 PM
Some opinion surveys show the popularity of Mango Mussolini falling a *bit* more than this, but it's shocking how closely his approval ratings hew to about 40% of the population. Current events seem to make the line wiggle a bit, but not nearly so much as one would think, if fascism were unpopular.
The first time he said “the press is the enemy” should have been the end of his political career. The fact that it wasn’t is something that warrants contemplation. It’s not merely a failure of the press to properly report it.
Why do so many Americans seem to want an aspiring fascist dictator?
Why do so many Americans seem to want an aspiring fascist dictator?
January 25, 2026 at 2:11 PM
The first time he said “the press is the enemy” should have been the end of his political career. The fact that it wasn’t is something that warrants contemplation. It’s not merely a failure of the press to properly report it.
Why do so many Americans seem to want an aspiring fascist dictator?
Why do so many Americans seem to want an aspiring fascist dictator?
“If someone tells you it's raining and another tells you it's dry, it's not your job to quote them both. It's your job to look out the fucking window and find out which is true.”
— Jonathan Foster
Hey @nytimes.com look out the window.
— Jonathan Foster
Hey @nytimes.com look out the window.
January 25, 2026 at 1:56 PM
“If someone tells you it's raining and another tells you it's dry, it's not your job to quote them both. It's your job to look out the fucking window and find out which is true.”
— Jonathan Foster
Hey @nytimes.com look out the window.
— Jonathan Foster
Hey @nytimes.com look out the window.
Did you know that 4 of 10 Americans think Jesus will "come back" in their lifetime? (Pew Research 2010, 2013, 2022)
It's the same people. 👇
It's the same people. 👇
January 25, 2026 at 1:04 AM
Did you know that 4 of 10 Americans think Jesus will "come back" in their lifetime? (Pew Research 2010, 2013, 2022)
It's the same people. 👇
It's the same people. 👇
I’m hopeful that the midterms might see American voters step back from the abyss, but it’s not clear that swing districts will be won over by defunding ICE. The GOP isn’t exactly on the ropes.
January 23, 2026 at 7:31 AM
I’m hopeful that the midterms might see American voters step back from the abyss, but it’s not clear that swing districts will be won over by defunding ICE. The GOP isn’t exactly on the ropes.
The needle hasn’t moved.
January 21, 2026 at 1:49 PM
The needle hasn’t moved.
The red states are already polarized. It probably wouldn’t move the needle.
January 21, 2026 at 1:38 PM
The red states are already polarized. It probably wouldn’t move the needle.
There’s about 40% of the population who seem to think fascism is what they want.
January 20, 2026 at 7:22 PM
There’s about 40% of the population who seem to think fascism is what they want.
It’s a helluva moment, this moment.
January 20, 2026 at 5:41 PM
It’s a helluva moment, this moment.
Well, you’re not wrong about their business model, but he’s taking open bribes for pardons and threatening to start wars with allies and his voters think that’s what they want.
January 20, 2026 at 4:04 PM
Well, you’re not wrong about their business model, but he’s taking open bribes for pardons and threatening to start wars with allies and his voters think that’s what they want.
Kielbasa étouffée.
January 20, 2026 at 2:24 AM
Kielbasa étouffée.
Regarding his polls …
January 20, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Regarding his polls …
See also…
(I know you’ve already seen this, it’s for others who happen by.)
(I know you’ve already seen this, it’s for others who happen by.)
January 19, 2026 at 4:42 PM
See also…
(I know you’ve already seen this, it’s for others who happen by.)
(I know you’ve already seen this, it’s for others who happen by.)
It’s probably 40%.
January 19, 2026 at 3:34 PM
It’s probably 40%.
None of this has moved the needle, though.
January 19, 2026 at 3:28 PM
None of this has moved the needle, though.