Tom Kramer
@bastable.bsky.social
Still trying to learn this tech stuff after all these years. I make drinks, play games, practice Bass guitar and try to be a decent hooman daily.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
As I've said, there is no such thing as a "fiscal conservative." It's a completely made up term.
Because whether or not someone thinks government should spend more money or less money, depends entirely on who is going to get that money.🤷🏿♂️
A fiscal conservative should be yelling "Defund the police!"
Because whether or not someone thinks government should spend more money or less money, depends entirely on who is going to get that money.🤷🏿♂️
A fiscal conservative should be yelling "Defund the police!"
December 24, 2025 at 6:05 PM
As I've said, there is no such thing as a "fiscal conservative." It's a completely made up term.
Because whether or not someone thinks government should spend more money or less money, depends entirely on who is going to get that money.🤷🏿♂️
A fiscal conservative should be yelling "Defund the police!"
Because whether or not someone thinks government should spend more money or less money, depends entirely on who is going to get that money.🤷🏿♂️
A fiscal conservative should be yelling "Defund the police!"
Reposted by Tom Kramer
Reposted by Tom Kramer
I hope JMU faceplants huge in its big game tomorrow, then says fuck you, give us our money and we'll be back next year to take up another big-game spot. After all that was the Notre Dame business model for 30 years
December 19, 2025 at 1:34 PM
I hope JMU faceplants huge in its big game tomorrow, then says fuck you, give us our money and we'll be back next year to take up another big-game spot. After all that was the Notre Dame business model for 30 years
Reposted by Tom Kramer
Why do so many feel like they've fallen behind?
It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.
It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.
It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.
It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.
December 18, 2025 at 10:01 PM
Why do so many feel like they've fallen behind?
It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.
It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.
It's not because of immigrants, trans people, DEI, the “deep state,” or any other bogeyman trotted out by the GOP.
It's because big corporations and billionaires have rigged markets and siphoned off most of the economy's gains.
Today's acquisition in prep for the season.
December 17, 2025 at 10:04 PM
Today's acquisition in prep for the season.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
Here's the thing...
the lesson is always on its way
the lesson is always on its way
December 17, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Here's the thing...
the lesson is always on its way
the lesson is always on its way
Reposted by Tom Kramer
Facebook made an algorithm that gave Boomers whatever they wanted, and they destroyed democracy, and then all those FB product managers went over to OpenAI and made ChatGPT, and now they've made a chatbot that tells Boomers whatever they want to hear, and... well, this should go great.
If we are banning cell phones for kids we need to be talking about banning chatbots for boomers
www.persuasion.community/p/my-chatgpt...
www.persuasion.community/p/my-chatgpt...
December 17, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Facebook made an algorithm that gave Boomers whatever they wanted, and they destroyed democracy, and then all those FB product managers went over to OpenAI and made ChatGPT, and now they've made a chatbot that tells Boomers whatever they want to hear, and... well, this should go great.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
I wrote about it here. This was when I was first thinking through a lot of what we were seeing when people used LLMs. What they actually hoped to get from it. A lot of it is "I don't feel judged or harassed by the machine. It just tries to help me."
marcorogers.com/blog/the-rea...
marcorogers.com/blog/the-rea...
The real question driving AI hype — Marco Rogers
This post reproduces a twitter thread where I examine a fundamental question underlying a lot of the fervor around AI. One fascinating part of this emerging era of human-like AI is learning what tr...
marcorogers.com
December 17, 2025 at 5:52 PM
I wrote about it here. This was when I was first thinking through a lot of what we were seeing when people used LLMs. What they actually hoped to get from it. A lot of it is "I don't feel judged or harassed by the machine. It just tries to help me."
marcorogers.com/blog/the-rea...
marcorogers.com/blog/the-rea...
Reposted by Tom Kramer
There is one and only one answer: “Rupert Fucking Murdoch.” His media empires have literally destroyed the civilized world and no one wants to confront that reality because it’s just too easy an answer for people who want to think it must be more complicated.
But it’s not. 2/3
But it’s not. 2/3
December 16, 2025 at 2:31 AM
There is one and only one answer: “Rupert Fucking Murdoch.” His media empires have literally destroyed the civilized world and no one wants to confront that reality because it’s just too easy an answer for people who want to think it must be more complicated.
But it’s not. 2/3
But it’s not. 2/3
Reposted by Tom Kramer
I know that seemed aggressive but...every single thing you complain about is a skill issue. Short men have fine wives. Broke men. Unconventionally attractive men. Skinny men. Chunky men. Men who can't fight. Men from the suburbs. Non-thugs. Every lie you tell has been exposed. It is YOU lil buddy.
December 12, 2025 at 7:27 PM
I know that seemed aggressive but...every single thing you complain about is a skill issue. Short men have fine wives. Broke men. Unconventionally attractive men. Skinny men. Chunky men. Men who can't fight. Men from the suburbs. Non-thugs. Every lie you tell has been exposed. It is YOU lil buddy.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
“Why are folks getting dumber?” Because they don’t read. “Why aren’t men as romantic & poetic as they used to be?” Because they don’t read. “Why are people so vulnerable to propaganda?” “Why is everyone a conspiracy theorist?” Because they don’t read. Because they don’t read.
December 8, 2025 at 11:49 PM
“Why are folks getting dumber?” Because they don’t read. “Why aren’t men as romantic & poetic as they used to be?” Because they don’t read. “Why are people so vulnerable to propaganda?” “Why is everyone a conspiracy theorist?” Because they don’t read. Because they don’t read.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
Maybe it’s just me, but I’d much rather have an entire Somali immigrant family with two happy trans kids living right next door to me than a white supremacist or a racist MAGA lunatic any day of the week.
December 6, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Maybe it’s just me, but I’d much rather have an entire Somali immigrant family with two happy trans kids living right next door to me than a white supremacist or a racist MAGA lunatic any day of the week.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
I love this from @vermontgmg.bsky.social on the magic of books: "Afterward, you’ll never be the same person you were before reading. What better bargain of self-improvement, happiness, and knowledge is there in the world?" www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/my-favorit...
November 29, 2025 at 1:11 AM
I love this from @vermontgmg.bsky.social on the magic of books: "Afterward, you’ll never be the same person you were before reading. What better bargain of self-improvement, happiness, and knowledge is there in the world?" www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/my-favorit...
Reposted by Tom Kramer
South Africa has some of the most extreme wealth inequality in the world. This is a legacy of apartheid, which only ended in 1994.
But here's the thing:
The median Black South African family only has 5% of the wealth of a white family.
The Median Black US family, has only 6%.
🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️
But here's the thing:
The median Black South African family only has 5% of the wealth of a white family.
The Median Black US family, has only 6%.
🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️
November 28, 2025 at 4:59 PM
South Africa has some of the most extreme wealth inequality in the world. This is a legacy of apartheid, which only ended in 1994.
But here's the thing:
The median Black South African family only has 5% of the wealth of a white family.
The Median Black US family, has only 6%.
🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️
But here's the thing:
The median Black South African family only has 5% of the wealth of a white family.
The Median Black US family, has only 6%.
🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️🤦🏿♂️
Andouille sausage, artichoke hearts, celery, parsley, onion, garlic, thyme, sourdough, chicken broth, poultry seasoning, covered with shaved parmesean... my contribution to today
November 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Andouille sausage, artichoke hearts, celery, parsley, onion, garlic, thyme, sourdough, chicken broth, poultry seasoning, covered with shaved parmesean... my contribution to today
Reposted by Tom Kramer
If you can understand why a Hispanic ICE agent with a deportation quota will not save you....
Then you can understand why a Black cop with an arrest quota, cannot save you either.
The racism is in the system, not the individual.
The individual is just a part, working within that system.
Then you can understand why a Black cop with an arrest quota, cannot save you either.
The racism is in the system, not the individual.
The individual is just a part, working within that system.
If you try to push on the individual responsibility And interpersonal racism of the cop?
Then you will end up hiring a bunch of Black cops... who will work within the same racist system, and the outcome will not change.🤷🏿♂️
Eg, a city going from 400 to 800 cops, but 200 of the new cops are Black.🤦🏿♂️
Then you will end up hiring a bunch of Black cops... who will work within the same racist system, and the outcome will not change.🤷🏿♂️
Eg, a city going from 400 to 800 cops, but 200 of the new cops are Black.🤦🏿♂️
November 26, 2025 at 3:47 PM
If you can understand why a Hispanic ICE agent with a deportation quota will not save you....
Then you can understand why a Black cop with an arrest quota, cannot save you either.
The racism is in the system, not the individual.
The individual is just a part, working within that system.
Then you can understand why a Black cop with an arrest quota, cannot save you either.
The racism is in the system, not the individual.
The individual is just a part, working within that system.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
When I was in 7th grade my science teacher had everybody write up the instructions for how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Then, he brought in the ingredients and followed the instructions very literally to hilarious effect.
It was an intro to describing methodology, and a good bit
Then, he brought in the ingredients and followed the instructions very literally to hilarious effect.
It was an intro to describing methodology, and a good bit
November 23, 2025 at 1:34 PM
When I was in 7th grade my science teacher had everybody write up the instructions for how to make a peanut butter and jelly sandwich
Then, he brought in the ingredients and followed the instructions very literally to hilarious effect.
It was an intro to describing methodology, and a good bit
Then, he brought in the ingredients and followed the instructions very literally to hilarious effect.
It was an intro to describing methodology, and a good bit
Reposted by Tom Kramer
ME: Bluetooth, is there some way to play music and make a phone call?
BLUETOOTH: Are you insane?
ME: I mean—it doesn’t seem that crazy?
BLUETOOTH: Do you have even the slightest idea how any of this works?
BLUETOOTH: Are you insane?
ME: I mean—it doesn’t seem that crazy?
BLUETOOTH: Do you have even the slightest idea how any of this works?
If My Bluetooth Could Talk
ME: Bluetooth, are you connected to something right now? BLUETOOTH: Yes! All connections made. ME: What’s connected? BLUETOOTH: Let me do a system ...
buff.ly
November 21, 2025 at 1:30 PM
ME: Bluetooth, is there some way to play music and make a phone call?
BLUETOOTH: Are you insane?
ME: I mean—it doesn’t seem that crazy?
BLUETOOTH: Do you have even the slightest idea how any of this works?
BLUETOOTH: Are you insane?
ME: I mean—it doesn’t seem that crazy?
BLUETOOTH: Do you have even the slightest idea how any of this works?
Reposted by Tom Kramer
Black folk aren't as concerned about Trump the individual as white folk are. We're not.🤷🏿♂️
Because a lot of white folk in the US view Trump as the problem. They think he changed how white people think.
No.
Black folk know that the racism was always there. Trump just let them take the mask off.
Because a lot of white folk in the US view Trump as the problem. They think he changed how white people think.
No.
Black folk know that the racism was always there. Trump just let them take the mask off.
November 20, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Black folk aren't as concerned about Trump the individual as white folk are. We're not.🤷🏿♂️
Because a lot of white folk in the US view Trump as the problem. They think he changed how white people think.
No.
Black folk know that the racism was always there. Trump just let them take the mask off.
Because a lot of white folk in the US view Trump as the problem. They think he changed how white people think.
No.
Black folk know that the racism was always there. Trump just let them take the mask off.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
yes, exactly. i understand why they would make this choice, and i can even respect it. but it is career ending, because you don’t have the nerves for what will have to come next.
anyone who is not willing to take the risk of gambling with starvation in order to save our system of government has no place in the Senate, and those who decided that they couldn't play a game with those stakes have not necessarily done anything wrong. they just have to leave.
two contradictory ideas that i hold in my head at the same time: 1) i think the threat to both SNAP recipients and federal workers is significant enough now that even bad deals are worth making to prevent further harm, and, 2) everyone who caves now should retire in shame
November 10, 2025 at 1:37 AM
yes, exactly. i understand why they would make this choice, and i can even respect it. but it is career ending, because you don’t have the nerves for what will have to come next.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
Democrats have to stop bailing out Republicans from facing the consequences of their own policies. And yeah, that means they have to stop sparing voters from experiencing what GOP government truly means.
Every time Dems step in, it only emboldens the GOP & they make it even worse the next time.
Every time Dems step in, it only emboldens the GOP & they make it even worse the next time.
So Democrats get:
1. A CR that will prevent the GOP from facing the wrath of Americans for a shutdown over the holidays
2. A coupon for one (1) meaningless ACA vote that will fail
3. An end to the illegal RIF/SNAP moves that are already before the courts
Those all seem like wins for the GOP.
1. A CR that will prevent the GOP from facing the wrath of Americans for a shutdown over the holidays
2. A coupon for one (1) meaningless ACA vote that will fail
3. An end to the illegal RIF/SNAP moves that are already before the courts
Those all seem like wins for the GOP.
November 10, 2025 at 12:28 AM
Democrats have to stop bailing out Republicans from facing the consequences of their own policies. And yeah, that means they have to stop sparing voters from experiencing what GOP government truly means.
Every time Dems step in, it only emboldens the GOP & they make it even worse the next time.
Every time Dems step in, it only emboldens the GOP & they make it even worse the next time.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
There is a REASON this administration started with undermining diversity
Because it is the power of PEOPLE
All people and we can NAME that
This isn’t a “debate”
This is a fight for us ALL.
Because it is the power of PEOPLE
All people and we can NAME that
This isn’t a “debate”
This is a fight for us ALL.
If we learn nothing else tonight, please PLEASE let's learn that the American people were NOT won over by an absolute firehose of the most vile dehumanization of trans people. Please @democrats.org, for the love of God and all that's holy, let's FINALLY start refusing to throw ANYone under ANY bus.
November 5, 2025 at 5:20 AM
There is a REASON this administration started with undermining diversity
Because it is the power of PEOPLE
All people and we can NAME that
This isn’t a “debate”
This is a fight for us ALL.
Because it is the power of PEOPLE
All people and we can NAME that
This isn’t a “debate”
This is a fight for us ALL.
Reposted by Tom Kramer
who called it arson and not crime brûlée
October 31, 2025 at 10:21 PM
who called it arson and not crime brûlée
Reposted by Tom Kramer
I only knew the modern meaning of "Luddite" until recently. Turns out, the Luddites were badass, actually. So you get a thread! And now you'll know too!
October 29, 2025 at 12:38 AM
I only knew the modern meaning of "Luddite" until recently. Turns out, the Luddites were badass, actually. So you get a thread! And now you'll know too!