Bo Brinkman
@bobrinkman.com
No longer here. Find me on Mastodon. he/him. Irvine, CA. Progressive. Software engineer. ACM Committee on Professional Ethics. Alphabet Workers Union. Former CS prof.
I think I've seen enough of bsky's leadership. I'm heading back to mastodon.
November 1, 2025 at 8:48 PM
I think I've seen enough of bsky's leadership. I'm heading back to mastodon.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
I have watched as so-called "compromise" positions on transgender people's rights have failed over and over--in statehouses, the Biden White House, and in liberal rhetoric. There is no middle ground acceptable to the politicians, activists, and billionaires obsessed with trans people and our lives.
November 1, 2025 at 5:58 PM
I have watched as so-called "compromise" positions on transgender people's rights have failed over and over--in statehouses, the Biden White House, and in liberal rhetoric. There is no middle ground acceptable to the politicians, activists, and billionaires obsessed with trans people and our lives.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
can't believe outlets are running moral-panic headlines again based on flimsy anecdata from the *same* trade group (the national retailer federation) and sponsored by the *same* anti-theft company (sensormatic) that had to retract this *same* "study" just two years ago for being bogus.
Retailers Dealing With Increasing Levels of Theft and Violence
Report emphasizes importance of preventive measures, coordination with law enforcement
progressivegrocer.com
November 1, 2025 at 6:03 PM
can't believe outlets are running moral-panic headlines again based on flimsy anecdata from the *same* trade group (the national retailer federation) and sponsored by the *same* anti-theft company (sensormatic) that had to retract this *same* "study" just two years ago for being bogus.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
There is no way to win this game. There is no behavior that will satisfy them.
You are either failing to live within your means, i.e., swearing off all frivolities like some sort of financial anchorite, or you are ruining the economy by not buying things.
You are either failing to live within your means, i.e., swearing off all frivolities like some sort of financial anchorite, or you are ruining the economy by not buying things.
“At the same time, more than half of Gen Z members say they are struggling to make ends meet, yet a majority buy themselves a small treat, such as a pastry, coffee, or sweet, at least once a week. That can lead to overspending…”
archive.ph/2TI8J
archive.ph/2TI8J
November 1, 2025 at 3:46 PM
There is no way to win this game. There is no behavior that will satisfy them.
You are either failing to live within your means, i.e., swearing off all frivolities like some sort of financial anchorite, or you are ruining the economy by not buying things.
You are either failing to live within your means, i.e., swearing off all frivolities like some sort of financial anchorite, or you are ruining the economy by not buying things.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
College educated renters are the base constituency for socialist politics in America. More and more people are saying it all the time in fact.
Lmao at the only Zohran soldiers stronger than market rate tenants being Muslims, “very progressive” self-IDs, and LGBTQ people.
Zohran doing best with market rate tenants is a trvth nvke
October 31, 2025 at 6:51 PM
College educated renters are the base constituency for socialist politics in America. More and more people are saying it all the time in fact.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
Bloomberg just doubled down on his support for Cuomo.
Bloomberg—who has hoarded $109.4B—has spent $8M to get Cuomo elected. That's like the average American household spending $4.38.
Billionaires got us into this affordability crisis. They will not get us out. Abolish billionaires. Vote Mamdani.
Bloomberg—who has hoarded $109.4B—has spent $8M to get Cuomo elected. That's like the average American household spending $4.38.
Billionaires got us into this affordability crisis. They will not get us out. Abolish billionaires. Vote Mamdani.
November 1, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Bloomberg just doubled down on his support for Cuomo.
Bloomberg—who has hoarded $109.4B—has spent $8M to get Cuomo elected. That's like the average American household spending $4.38.
Billionaires got us into this affordability crisis. They will not get us out. Abolish billionaires. Vote Mamdani.
Bloomberg—who has hoarded $109.4B—has spent $8M to get Cuomo elected. That's like the average American household spending $4.38.
Billionaires got us into this affordability crisis. They will not get us out. Abolish billionaires. Vote Mamdani.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
The assumption appears to be that ordinary voters will be cowed, obsequious, and unwilling to challenge autocracy, just like the billionaires, business leaders, media executives, and other leading institutions of civil society, which have decided that fighting back is “not worth the hassle.”
November 1, 2025 at 1:20 PM
The assumption appears to be that ordinary voters will be cowed, obsequious, and unwilling to challenge autocracy, just like the billionaires, business leaders, media executives, and other leading institutions of civil society, which have decided that fighting back is “not worth the hassle.”
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
There’s no such thing as neutral technology.
Every tool encodes the values of the people who made it — their goals, their blind spots, their priorities.
When organizations adopt tools without asking whose values they’re importing, they take on risk they can’t see.
werd.io/theres-no-su...
Every tool encodes the values of the people who made it — their goals, their blind spots, their priorities.
When organizations adopt tools without asking whose values they’re importing, they take on risk they can’t see.
werd.io/theres-no-su...
There's no such thing as neutral technology
Why organizations must evaluate values, not just features
werd.io
October 31, 2025 at 2:30 PM
There’s no such thing as neutral technology.
Every tool encodes the values of the people who made it — their goals, their blind spots, their priorities.
When organizations adopt tools without asking whose values they’re importing, they take on risk they can’t see.
werd.io/theres-no-su...
Every tool encodes the values of the people who made it — their goals, their blind spots, their priorities.
When organizations adopt tools without asking whose values they’re importing, they take on risk they can’t see.
werd.io/theres-no-su...
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
It's insane that this even needs to be said.
“A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts,” @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social speaking to @willoremus.com.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
“A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts,” @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social speaking to @willoremus.com.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
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
October 31, 2025 at 1:36 PM
It's insane that this even needs to be said.
“A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts,” @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social speaking to @willoremus.com.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
“A free country does not dispatch police in the dead of night to pull people from their homes because a sheriff objects to their social media posts,” @adamsteinbaugh.bsky.social speaking to @willoremus.com.
www.washingtonpost.com/nation/2025/...
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
IMO democracy becomes impossible in the absence of any social or political norms against lying.
Kristi Noem: "No American citizens have been arrested or detained. We focus on those who are here illegally. And anything you would hear or report that would be different than that is simply not true and false reporting."
October 30, 2025 at 5:00 PM
IMO democracy becomes impossible in the absence of any social or political norms against lying.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
Can't overstate how fucked up it is that unraveling what is arguably the greatest achievement in the history of humanity is now a motivating issue of one of the two dominant parties in the U.S.
FL is moving forward w/ plan to end all childhood vaccine mandates. Starting with hepatitis B, chickenpox, and the bacteria causing meningitis and pneumonia. Then next year GOP FL legislature is expected to revisit 1977 law re: whooping cough, measles, polio, rubella, mumps, diphtheria, and tetanus.
October 31, 2025 at 4:13 AM
Can't overstate how fucked up it is that unraveling what is arguably the greatest achievement in the history of humanity is now a motivating issue of one of the two dominant parties in the U.S.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
Such a good point here from @davekarpf.bsky.social: If Dems don't engage forcefully enough on Trump's terror raids, Trump/MAGA propaganda filters down to the "inattentive public" and risks persuading people this is normal and acceptable.
Check out our full exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
Check out our full exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
October 31, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Such a good point here from @davekarpf.bsky.social: If Dems don't engage forcefully enough on Trump's terror raids, Trump/MAGA propaganda filters down to the "inattentive public" and risks persuading people this is normal and acceptable.
Check out our full exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
Check out our full exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
I love how Rep. Joe Neguse reframed this question.
October 31, 2025 at 8:19 AM
I love how Rep. Joe Neguse reframed this question.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
Honestly, I’d expect better from @economist.com
Donald Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of serving a third presidential term. Can he? We consider the legal arguments econ.st/4hJPcCM
Photo: Getty Images
Photo: Getty Images
October 31, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Honestly, I’d expect better from @economist.com
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
This is why Gavin Newsom is a non-starter for me.
Sure, he's "a fighter" who's landed a few good punches on Trump, but that's not the same thing as a leader.
A real leader doesn't fight back against an authoritarian takeover by using the most vulnerable as his shield.
Sure, he's "a fighter" who's landed a few good punches on Trump, but that's not the same thing as a leader.
A real leader doesn't fight back against an authoritarian takeover by using the most vulnerable as his shield.
I keep seeing people say, oh, trans people must take a hit for the greater good and, first of all, no, you don't get to discard someone else's rights and second, we know from past experience that marginalized communities like theirs are merely the first to be targeted. They'll come for you next.
The White House plans to bar hospitals that treat transgender children and youth from getting any Medicare and Medicaid payments. The move would affect trans youth who have private insurance, too. n.pr/4qFa1mY
October 31, 2025 at 12:00 AM
This is why Gavin Newsom is a non-starter for me.
Sure, he's "a fighter" who's landed a few good punches on Trump, but that's not the same thing as a leader.
A real leader doesn't fight back against an authoritarian takeover by using the most vulnerable as his shield.
Sure, he's "a fighter" who's landed a few good punches on Trump, but that's not the same thing as a leader.
A real leader doesn't fight back against an authoritarian takeover by using the most vulnerable as his shield.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
I respectfully* submit: If you manage to become a “disaffected democrat” based on a thing that happens 10 times on half a million student-athletes, you weren’t much of a democrat to begin with.
October 30, 2025 at 12:23 AM
I respectfully* submit: If you manage to become a “disaffected democrat” based on a thing that happens 10 times on half a million student-athletes, you weren’t much of a democrat to begin with.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
I've protested ICE at the Broadview facility while Kat Abughazalah protested, as did literally hundreds, if not thousands of more peaceful protestors.
To charge Kat with federal conspiracy, which carries up to 6 years in prison, for PEACEFULLY PROTESTING is an absurdly reckless attack on the 1A.
To charge Kat with federal conspiracy, which carries up to 6 years in prison, for PEACEFULLY PROTESTING is an absurdly reckless attack on the 1A.
October 29, 2025 at 8:30 PM
I've protested ICE at the Broadview facility while Kat Abughazalah protested, as did literally hundreds, if not thousands of more peaceful protestors.
To charge Kat with federal conspiracy, which carries up to 6 years in prison, for PEACEFULLY PROTESTING is an absurdly reckless attack on the 1A.
To charge Kat with federal conspiracy, which carries up to 6 years in prison, for PEACEFULLY PROTESTING is an absurdly reckless attack on the 1A.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
BE NOT AFRAID
October 29, 2025 at 3:46 AM
BE NOT AFRAID
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
I used to make yearly donations to Wikimedia Foundation, but after talking to several friends in the nonprofit space, I've switched to recurring monthly donations instead. The predictable income stream helps them plan for the future. Throwing it out there for ppl looking for the best way to support
October 18, 2025 at 5:05 PM
I used to make yearly donations to Wikimedia Foundation, but after talking to several friends in the nonprofit space, I've switched to recurring monthly donations instead. The predictable income stream helps them plan for the future. Throwing it out there for ppl looking for the best way to support
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
I like how Zohran Mamdani scandals are like "He called his old cousin his aunt one time" and Andrew Cuomo scandals are like "He sexually assaulted 13 women."
October 28, 2025 at 6:28 PM
I like how Zohran Mamdani scandals are like "He called his old cousin his aunt one time" and Andrew Cuomo scandals are like "He sexually assaulted 13 women."
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
Ms Rachel just called Andrew Cuomo a raggedy old racist bitch
October 28, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Ms Rachel just called Andrew Cuomo a raggedy old racist bitch
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
Police from a town of 900 in Colorado accused a woman of theft. Based on their Flock cameras they told her, "you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?" and reportedly told her the exact number of times her license plate had driven through that town.
Police used Flock cameras to accuse a Denver woman of package theft. She had her own evidence
"Like I said, nothing gets in or out of the town without us knowing."
denverite.com
October 28, 2025 at 3:56 PM
Police from a town of 900 in Colorado accused a woman of theft. Based on their Flock cameras they told her, "you can’t get a breath of fresh air, in or out of that place, without us knowing, correct?" and reportedly told her the exact number of times her license plate had driven through that town.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders immediate "powerful" strikes in Gaza.
Netanyahu says remains returned by Hamas are body parts of a hostage previously retrieved in Gaza
Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu says the remains of a hostage returned by Hamas overnight are body parts of a hostage who was recovered in Gaza by Israeli troops almost two years ago.
bit.ly
October 28, 2025 at 4:29 PM
BREAKING: Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu orders immediate "powerful" strikes in Gaza.
Reposted by Bo Brinkman
Plaintiffs: "What is happening is, agents are proactively throwing tear gas at civilians. They're inciting violence, and then they're using that violence to justify more force."
October 28, 2025 at 4:22 PM
Plaintiffs: "What is happening is, agents are proactively throwing tear gas at civilians. They're inciting violence, and then they're using that violence to justify more force."
I cancelled my @npr.org donations because just being "truthful" is not enough at this moment. Things are not "okay and normal", and you can't tell that from their programming.
October 28, 2025 at 4:43 PM
I cancelled my @npr.org donations because just being "truthful" is not enough at this moment. Things are not "okay and normal", and you can't tell that from their programming.