James Gleick
@around.com
Author. Chaos, The Information, Time Travel.
Other work can be found at https://around.com.
On the open social web I'm [email protected].
Other work can be found at https://around.com.
On the open social web I'm [email protected].
Readers of the New York Times might think this is a picture of Trump announcing an attack in Nigeria. Actually, Trump didn't bother to get out of bed. His “announcement” was an incoherent social media post.
This is a file picture (Trump announcing an imaginary warship that will never be built).
This is a file picture (Trump announcing an imaginary warship that will never be built).
December 26, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Readers of the New York Times might think this is a picture of Trump announcing an attack in Nigeria. Actually, Trump didn't bother to get out of bed. His “announcement” was an incoherent social media post.
This is a file picture (Trump announcing an imaginary warship that will never be built).
This is a file picture (Trump announcing an imaginary warship that will never be built).
Today crazy gramps says “I want to play admiral!” So all the other inmates dress up and make pictures and put on a little party. What will crazy gramps want to play tomorrow?
December 23, 2025 at 1:32 PM
Today crazy gramps says “I want to play admiral!” So all the other inmates dress up and make pictures and put on a little party. What will crazy gramps want to play tomorrow?
Epstein-Trump photos "disappear." It's a mystery! Whatever could have happened?
Or:
Justice Department Flouts Law,
Suppresses Evidence
Of Trump-Epstein Collusion
Or:
Justice Department Flouts Law,
Suppresses Evidence
Of Trump-Epstein Collusion
December 21, 2025 at 10:08 AM
Epstein-Trump photos "disappear." It's a mystery! Whatever could have happened?
Or:
Justice Department Flouts Law,
Suppresses Evidence
Of Trump-Epstein Collusion
Or:
Justice Department Flouts Law,
Suppresses Evidence
Of Trump-Epstein Collusion
These are workers removing the signage for Adolf Hitler street in 1945. This seems like a good day to remember.
December 19, 2025 at 5:20 PM
These are workers removing the signage for Adolf Hitler street in 1945. This seems like a good day to remember.
The worst person in the world.
December 15, 2025 at 5:55 PM
The worst person in the world.
Today in the Kleptocracy: the "Trump" gold and platinum cards.
Can someone explain how Trump claims the authority to waive US taxes for the benefit of foreign oligarchs and money launderers?
They will happily pay a "gift" of $5 million to avoid paying hundreds of millions in taxes.
Can someone explain how Trump claims the authority to waive US taxes for the benefit of foreign oligarchs and money launderers?
They will happily pay a "gift" of $5 million to avoid paying hundreds of millions in taxes.
December 10, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Today in the Kleptocracy: the "Trump" gold and platinum cards.
Can someone explain how Trump claims the authority to waive US taxes for the benefit of foreign oligarchs and money launderers?
They will happily pay a "gift" of $5 million to avoid paying hundreds of millions in taxes.
Can someone explain how Trump claims the authority to waive US taxes for the benefit of foreign oligarchs and money launderers?
They will happily pay a "gift" of $5 million to avoid paying hundreds of millions in taxes.
It's December 2025, the Trump regime is engaged in a vicious and lawless pogrom, destroying the lives of immigrants and children of immigrants, creating a reign of terror and cruelty, and the New York Times assails ...
Biden. For not being tough enough on immigrants.
I won't link to it.
Biden. For not being tough enough on immigrants.
I won't link to it.
December 7, 2025 at 8:56 PM
It's December 2025, the Trump regime is engaged in a vicious and lawless pogrom, destroying the lives of immigrants and children of immigrants, creating a reign of terror and cruelty, and the New York Times assails ...
Biden. For not being tough enough on immigrants.
I won't link to it.
Biden. For not being tough enough on immigrants.
I won't link to it.
I imagine Judge Currie gnashing her teeth at this framing in the NY Times. She ruled with utter clarity that Lindsey Halligan was unlawfully appointed as US Attorney and “has been unlawfully serving in that role since September 22, 2025.”
December 5, 2025 at 10:56 PM
I imagine Judge Currie gnashing her teeth at this framing in the NY Times. She ruled with utter clarity that Lindsey Halligan was unlawfully appointed as US Attorney and “has been unlawfully serving in that role since September 22, 2025.”
At this point the NY Times is just doing self-parody.
November 2, 2025 at 12:23 PM
At this point the NY Times is just doing self-parody.
Words matter. When the NY Times says Trump is "float[ing] the possibility of finding a way to circumvent the 22nd Amendment," they are saying it's just a small matter. No biggie.
In fact, he is threatening to FLOUT, VIOLATE, or DEFY the 22nd Amendment. It's an emergency.
In fact, he is threatening to FLOUT, VIOLATE, or DEFY the 22nd Amendment. It's an emergency.
October 27, 2025 at 6:20 PM
Words matter. When the NY Times says Trump is "float[ing] the possibility of finding a way to circumvent the 22nd Amendment," they are saying it's just a small matter. No biggie.
In fact, he is threatening to FLOUT, VIOLATE, or DEFY the 22nd Amendment. It's an emergency.
In fact, he is threatening to FLOUT, VIOLATE, or DEFY the 22nd Amendment. It's an emergency.
Two headlines. One is news (WaPo). The other is shameful (NY Times).
October 23, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Two headlines. One is news (WaPo). The other is shameful (NY Times).
Here, for instance, you know very well that there are no protesters in Portland engaging in insurrection.
And you know equally well that federal forces are attacking protesters without provocation.
So don't be lazy. Tell your readers what you know.
And you know equally well that federal forces are attacking protesters without provocation.
So don't be lazy. Tell your readers what you know.
October 6, 2025 at 10:25 PM
Here, for instance, you know very well that there are no protesters in Portland engaging in insurrection.
And you know equally well that federal forces are attacking protesters without provocation.
So don't be lazy. Tell your readers what you know.
And you know equally well that federal forces are attacking protesters without provocation.
So don't be lazy. Tell your readers what you know.
Imagine if some lunatic hacked into the official account of the President of the United States and used it to broadcast false and dangerous medical advice. That would be a big story.
September 27, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Imagine if some lunatic hacked into the official account of the President of the United States and used it to broadcast false and dangerous medical advice. That would be a big story.
No. Trump and his press secretary set off the conspiracy theories. Trump's own videographer triggered the safety mechanism.
September 24, 2025 at 1:53 PM
No. Trump and his press secretary set off the conspiracy theories. Trump's own videographer triggered the safety mechanism.
This is what we've come to. Inciting hatred of Blacks, Jews, and gays is, according to the New York Times, merely “brash right-wing spin.”
Did they think about this at all? Is it a considered policy choice?
Did they think about this at all? Is it a considered policy choice?
September 15, 2025 at 2:30 PM
This is what we've come to. Inciting hatred of Blacks, Jews, and gays is, according to the New York Times, merely “brash right-wing spin.”
Did they think about this at all? Is it a considered policy choice?
Did they think about this at all? Is it a considered policy choice?
English mavens: How did "dated" become the euphemism?
September 10, 2025 at 2:10 PM
English mavens: How did "dated" become the euphemism?
American journalism today.
![[from the feckless New York TImes]
“I think I've gotten peace because of the fact that we're strong," he said. (Mr. Trump claims to have solved at least seven wars, a statement that requires context.)
Suggested edit: delete the last four words and replace them with “lie.”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:cnmhwt5abwhihylwfy7utg2l/bafkreiequkftxyquqqukrdbpf2b4a776qz25yrra2b5cleepwveqarmvli@jpeg)
September 7, 2025 at 2:48 PM
American journalism today.
But at the NY Times, everything has two side. “Tensions escalated." As if Illinois leaders share the blame.
September 7, 2025 at 1:48 PM
But at the NY Times, everything has two side. “Tensions escalated." As if Illinois leaders share the blame.
Needed:
thought bubbles for Zelensky and Macron.
thought bubbles for Zelensky and Macron.
August 19, 2025 at 2:45 PM
Needed:
thought bubbles for Zelensky and Macron.
thought bubbles for Zelensky and Macron.
Consider this weaselly framing by the New York Times.
The reality: Trump is telling a blatant lie about violent crime in DC in order to militarize its streets. He is inventing a nonexistent crime wave.
So what’s this extra clause? Some “youth crime” still exists? It hasn’t been totally eradicated?
The reality: Trump is telling a blatant lie about violent crime in DC in order to militarize its streets. He is inventing a nonexistent crime wave.
So what’s this extra clause? Some “youth crime” still exists? It hasn’t been totally eradicated?
August 11, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Consider this weaselly framing by the New York Times.
The reality: Trump is telling a blatant lie about violent crime in DC in order to militarize its streets. He is inventing a nonexistent crime wave.
So what’s this extra clause? Some “youth crime” still exists? It hasn’t been totally eradicated?
The reality: Trump is telling a blatant lie about violent crime in DC in order to militarize its streets. He is inventing a nonexistent crime wave.
So what’s this extra clause? Some “youth crime” still exists? It hasn’t been totally eradicated?
The Vice President, the White House chief of staff, the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, and the FBI Director convene for a dramatic evening meeting at the Vice President's residence. What urgent matter of national security can it be, to require such top-level attention?
August 7, 2025 at 10:25 AM
The Vice President, the White House chief of staff, the Attorney General and Deputy Attorney General, and the FBI Director convene for a dramatic evening meeting at the Vice President's residence. What urgent matter of national security can it be, to require such top-level attention?
Sex offender? What sex offender?
August 2, 2025 at 9:39 AM
Sex offender? What sex offender?
Breaking: The president of the United States demands the prosecution of four individuals:
•Beyoncé
•Oprah Winfrey
•Al Sharpton
•Kamala Harris
“Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
•Beyoncé
•Oprah Winfrey
•Al Sharpton
•Kamala Harris
“Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
July 27, 2025 at 2:18 AM
Breaking: The president of the United States demands the prosecution of four individuals:
•Beyoncé
•Oprah Winfrey
•Al Sharpton
•Kamala Harris
“Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
•Beyoncé
•Oprah Winfrey
•Al Sharpton
•Kamala Harris
“Thank you for your attention to this matter.”
Official U.S. Government email from Medicare. gov promotes quack cure TV huckster. The grifters are in charge now.
July 25, 2025 at 7:14 PM
Official U.S. Government email from Medicare. gov promotes quack cure TV huckster. The grifters are in charge now.
Look at this one astounding sentence in the NY Times. It says so much about their failure to rise to the current moment.
1. Todd Blanche is of course a Trump crony and fixer, but the Times can't say that. Let's just say he was Trump's personal lawyer.
1. Todd Blanche is of course a Trump crony and fixer, but the Times can't say that. Let's just say he was Trump's personal lawyer.
July 23, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Look at this one astounding sentence in the NY Times. It says so much about their failure to rise to the current moment.
1. Todd Blanche is of course a Trump crony and fixer, but the Times can't say that. Let's just say he was Trump's personal lawyer.
1. Todd Blanche is of course a Trump crony and fixer, but the Times can't say that. Let's just say he was Trump's personal lawyer.