Markus Berndt
@markusberndt.bsky.social
Reposted by Markus Berndt
🇺🇸: “Don’t you dare regulate our tech companies/social media platforms and don’t even think about developing your own alternatives, or else.”
Digital governance is entering its “Gunship Diplomacy” era.
Digital governance is entering its “Gunship Diplomacy” era.
The "head of office at US Big Tech lobby CCIA Europe, told Euractiv that he would warn EU lawmakers against efforts to decouple too sharply from US technology, as this would risk provoking countermeasures"
Europe readies digital infrastructure push in 2026
A wave of EU legislation will target cloud services, chips and networks and step up Europe’s push to curb dependence on US technology
- @euractiv.com
www.euractiv.com/news/europe-...
A wave of EU legislation will target cloud services, chips and networks and step up Europe’s push to curb dependence on US technology
- @euractiv.com
www.euractiv.com/news/europe-...
January 5, 2026 at 12:33 PM
🇺🇸: “Don’t you dare regulate our tech companies/social media platforms and don’t even think about developing your own alternatives, or else.”
Digital governance is entering its “Gunship Diplomacy” era.
Digital governance is entering its “Gunship Diplomacy” era.
Reposted by Markus Berndt
One of the worst developments of the web in 2025 has been Google inserting itself into sharing of links through various of their applications. A "share.google" link is full of explicit tracking, so Google knows who is sharing what with who, while also obscuring TO YOU what the origin of the link is:
Scientists Discover New Forms of Life Inside Human Bodies That Don't Match Anything Biology Has Classified share.google/jLOfcfR59ouY...
Scientists Discover New Forms of Life Inside Human Bodies That Don't Match Anything Biology Has Classified
Scientists have uncovered a hidden class of RNA structures deep inside the human microbiome, completely unlike anything seen before.
share.google
December 28, 2025 at 12:15 PM
One of the worst developments of the web in 2025 has been Google inserting itself into sharing of links through various of their applications. A "share.google" link is full of explicit tracking, so Google knows who is sharing what with who, while also obscuring TO YOU what the origin of the link is:
Reposted by Markus Berndt
2026 will bring more blockchain/quantum/AI scams, hacks, overvaluations, bankruptcies; VC psyops, trolls and bots, paid articles and endorsements.
Meanwhile there wont be no...
- "AGI"
- useful/practical quantum computers
- meaningful blockchain use beyond tokenization
Like the past 10 years.
Meanwhile there wont be no...
- "AGI"
- useful/practical quantum computers
- meaningful blockchain use beyond tokenization
Like the past 10 years.
December 27, 2025 at 11:15 AM
2026 will bring more blockchain/quantum/AI scams, hacks, overvaluations, bankruptcies; VC psyops, trolls and bots, paid articles and endorsements.
Meanwhile there wont be no...
- "AGI"
- useful/practical quantum computers
- meaningful blockchain use beyond tokenization
Like the past 10 years.
Meanwhile there wont be no...
- "AGI"
- useful/practical quantum computers
- meaningful blockchain use beyond tokenization
Like the past 10 years.
Reposted by Markus Berndt
6000 people (so far) visited this page about the launch of an EU institute. The majority of readers who made it beyond the first few paragraphs actually read the whole 9000 word article. There is genuine interest in digital autonomy and EU plans:
The EU has launched a Consortium for Digital Commons. Authorities were crystal clear on how large our digital autonomy challenges are today. I delivered a talk in which I outlined how dependent we are technically AND culturally on big tech & I offered some modest advice: berthub.eu/articles/pos...
Keynote opening Digital Commons EDIC: Moving beyond the Digital Uncommons - Bert Hubert
Last Thursday, 11th of December, saw the launch of the new Digital Commons European Digital Infrastructure Consortium. In attendance were delegations from the launching member states (and the observer...
berthub.eu
December 15, 2025 at 9:12 PM
6000 people (so far) visited this page about the launch of an EU institute. The majority of readers who made it beyond the first few paragraphs actually read the whole 9000 word article. There is genuine interest in digital autonomy and EU plans:
Reposted by Markus Berndt
We need to talk about this A LOT in Europe. Such a shocking illustration of how we are getting colonized by the Americans. Let's spread this widely so it helps galvanize public opinion.
This story should be covered waaaaayy more than it is.
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
The US has sanctioned six judges if the international criminal court ICC, because Trump didn’t like them issuing arrest warrants for Benjamin Netanyahu and former Minister of Defense Yoav Gallant.
www.lemonde.fr/en/internati...
Nicolas Guillou, French ICC judge sanctioned by the US: 'You are effectively blacklisted by much of the world's banking system'
Six judges and three prosecutors at the International Criminal Court have been sanctioned by the Trump administration. In an interview with Le Monde, Guillou discusses the impact of these measures on ...
www.lemonde.fr
November 24, 2025 at 9:21 PM
We need to talk about this A LOT in Europe. Such a shocking illustration of how we are getting colonized by the Americans. Let's spread this widely so it helps galvanize public opinion.
Reposted by Markus Berndt
On Tuesday, Nov 25 at 18:00 UTC, I'll be doing a 90-min online presentation of my #Java based "Event-Sourcing from Scratch" talk. Details and _free_ registration at luma.com/dt9fc391
Lots of room to sign up!
Join live to ask questions, or watch for the recording later.
Lots of room to sign up!
Join live to ask questions, or watch for the recording later.
Java Event-Sourcing from Scratch · Zoom · Luma
Event-sourcing allows the business to ask questions about your application's data that weren't thought of when the system was created, such as "how often are…
luma.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:57 AM
On Tuesday, Nov 25 at 18:00 UTC, I'll be doing a 90-min online presentation of my #Java based "Event-Sourcing from Scratch" talk. Details and _free_ registration at luma.com/dt9fc391
Lots of room to sign up!
Join live to ask questions, or watch for the recording later.
Lots of room to sign up!
Join live to ask questions, or watch for the recording later.
Reposted by Markus Berndt
You've got to hand it to the software industry for coming up with new and ingenious ways to not solve problems people actually want solved.
November 10, 2025 at 6:41 AM
You've got to hand it to the software industry for coming up with new and ingenious ways to not solve problems people actually want solved.
Sad, but understandable. What is wrong with people that they need to flood every corner of the Internet with content created entirely by LLMs?
arXiv will no longer accept review articles and position papers unless they have been accepted at a journal or a conference and complete successful peer review.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
This is due to being overwhelmed by a hundreds of AI generated papers a month.
Yet another open submission process killed by LLMs.
Attention Authors: Updated Practice for Review Articles and Position Papers in arXiv CS Category – arXiv blog
blog.arxiv.org
November 2, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Sad, but understandable. What is wrong with people that they need to flood every corner of the Internet with content created entirely by LLMs?
Reposted by Markus Berndt
We've just launched the first large, site-less (home, direct to participant) randomized trial for treatment of #LongCovid, testing tirzepatide (a GLP-1 drug) vs placebo. Please help spread the word
www.scripps.edu/news-and-eve...
www.scripps.edu/news-and-eve...
Scripps Research scientists launch new digital clinical trial to test repurposed drug for long COVID symptom relief
www.scripps.edu
October 31, 2025 at 5:07 PM
We've just launched the first large, site-less (home, direct to participant) randomized trial for treatment of #LongCovid, testing tirzepatide (a GLP-1 drug) vs placebo. Please help spread the word
www.scripps.edu/news-and-eve...
www.scripps.edu/news-and-eve...
Reposted by Markus Berndt
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
PSA: we're aware that Signal is down for some people. This appears to be related to a major AWS outage. Stand by.
October 27, 2025 at 10:38 AM
📣THREAD: It’s surprising to me that so many people were surprised to learn that Signal runs partly on AWS (something we can do because we use encryption to make sure no one but you–not AWS, not Signal, not anyone–can access your comms).
It’s also concerning. 1/
It’s also concerning. 1/
Reposted by Markus Berndt
Making a firm commitment to asking the question that reveals ignorance until said ignorance is gone
October 20, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Making a firm commitment to asking the question that reveals ignorance until said ignorance is gone
Reposted by Markus Berndt
We're so relieved to see Germany reaffirm its opposition to the dangerous Chat Control proposal--the one that would mandate mass scanning of communications. Germany's long been a solid champion of privacy, and the news that it was considering backing mass surveillance was alarming. 1/
October 9, 2025 at 11:40 AM
We're so relieved to see Germany reaffirm its opposition to the dangerous Chat Control proposal--the one that would mandate mass scanning of communications. Germany's long been a solid champion of privacy, and the news that it was considering backing mass surveillance was alarming. 1/
Reposted by Markus Berndt
Two people arguing about a decision (at least past the point where any new information is emerging) is a bad sign. I'd ask myself a few questions:
(1) Has the incentive system within your company encouraged competition?
1/11
(1) Has the incentive system within your company encouraged competition?
1/11
September 24, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Two people arguing about a decision (at least past the point where any new information is emerging) is a bad sign. I'd ask myself a few questions:
(1) Has the incentive system within your company encouraged competition?
1/11
(1) Has the incentive system within your company encouraged competition?
1/11
Reposted by Markus Berndt
Look what they did to Notepad. Shut the fuck up. This is Notepad. You are not welcome here. Oh yeah "Let me use Copilot for Notepad". "I'm going to sign into my account for Notepad". What the fuck are you talking about. It's Notepad.
August 27, 2025 at 1:42 AM
Look what they did to Notepad. Shut the fuck up. This is Notepad. You are not welcome here. Oh yeah "Let me use Copilot for Notepad". "I'm going to sign into my account for Notepad". What the fuck are you talking about. It's Notepad.
Reposted by Markus Berndt
Many EU member states are arguing for forcing WhatsApp to inspect all our photos w/AI. If the AI is in any “doubt” if it might be child pornography, your photo, location & other details get reported to Europol and a local police force. This is a terrible plan: berthub.eu/articles/pos... #chatcontrol
Chatcontrol 2025 edition in Brief - Bert Hubert
In short, led by Denmark, many EU member states are arguing for forcing WhatsApp/Signal/etc to inspect all our photos and links, using AI. If the AI is in any “doubt” if this might be child pornograph...
berthub.eu
August 17, 2025 at 12:35 PM
Many EU member states are arguing for forcing WhatsApp to inspect all our photos w/AI. If the AI is in any “doubt” if it might be child pornography, your photo, location & other details get reported to Europol and a local police force. This is a terrible plan: berthub.eu/articles/pos... #chatcontrol
Reposted by Markus Berndt
I had a great time at the most excellent #why2025 camp! Here a write-up of my own #DNA talks (with links to video & annotated slides), some observations on the tremendously terrible state of security & regulation, and what we could do about it, plus some nice photos!
berthub.eu/articles/pos...
berthub.eu/articles/pos...
WHY2025 and DNA talks - Bert Hubert
I just got back from the most awesome WHY2025, the tenth installment of the four-yearly Dutch hacker festival series. I’ve been attending these things since 1993, so it is a big deal for me.
By being ...
berthub.eu
August 13, 2025 at 12:17 PM
I had a great time at the most excellent #why2025 camp! Here a write-up of my own #DNA talks (with links to video & annotated slides), some observations on the tremendously terrible state of security & regulation, and what we could do about it, plus some nice photos!
berthub.eu/articles/pos...
berthub.eu/articles/pos...
Reposted by Markus Berndt
South Park's Matt Stone and Trey Parker are storytelling geniuses! I highlight their remarkably simple but effective "but/therefore rule" in every science communication lecture I give.
July 25, 2025 at 9:16 PM
South Park's Matt Stone and Trey Parker are storytelling geniuses! I highlight their remarkably simple but effective "but/therefore rule" in every science communication lecture I give.
Reposted by Markus Berndt
An interesting read, and the point about biological data is very valid indeed.
The biggest challenge for AI in biology isn't just models, it's the data used to train them. Standard biological data isn't built for AI. To unlock generative AI for drug discovery, we must rethink how we generate and capture data. 1/
July 22, 2025 at 2:03 PM
An interesting read, and the point about biological data is very valid indeed.
Reposted by Markus Berndt
Sometimes I think about Wikipedia, and what they're trying to do, and what they could be, and compare their budget with the funding for LLM slop machines, and it drives me a little insane. We tried to build a library of Alexandria that would not burn, then tried a library of babel for profit.
July 16, 2025 at 11:56 AM
Sometimes I think about Wikipedia, and what they're trying to do, and what they could be, and compare their budget with the funding for LLM slop machines, and it drives me a little insane. We tried to build a library of Alexandria that would not burn, then tried a library of babel for profit.
Reposted by Markus Berndt
An excellent thread
A discussion of the use of animals in research.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSvk...
1/n
(Warning: Rant coming)
www.youtube.com/watch?v=iSvk...
1/n
(Warning: Rant coming)
Director’s Desk: The Future of Animal Models in Research | NIH’s Dr. Nicole Kleinstreuer
YouTube video by National Institutes of Health (NIH)
www.youtube.com
July 15, 2025 at 11:40 PM
An excellent thread
👀
Europe appears to just have given up on doing anything technical. Perhaps we should stop pretending & speed up getting to our eventual destiny of a full time holiday destination for American, Chinese & Russian tourists. And that is the best outcome I can see right now therecord.media/spain-awards...
Spain awards Huawei contracts to manage intelligence agency wiretaps
Huawei will manage and store judicially authorized wiretaps in Spain, under a contract that bucks the trend of Western governments restricting use of the Chinese tech company's products and services.
therecord.media
July 13, 2025 at 10:00 AM
👀
Reposted by Markus Berndt
Budgeting around projects is usually a bad idea. You'll be paying your engineers, even if they're sitting around playing canasta, so why not budget accordingly? Create a budget for the entire engineering department (fully loaded salary * some multiplier for expenses). There. You're done.
1/4
1/4
July 2, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Budgeting around projects is usually a bad idea. You'll be paying your engineers, even if they're sitting around playing canasta, so why not budget accordingly? Create a budget for the entire engineering department (fully loaded salary * some multiplier for expenses). There. You're done.
1/4
1/4
Reposted by Markus Berndt
This #JoyOfCoding 2025 day gets closed out with a presentation by @berthubert.bsky.social helping us "Save the world by writing efficient code" (*measure*, folks, measure!). My notes:
June 27, 2025 at 3:16 PM
This #JoyOfCoding 2025 day gets closed out with a presentation by @berthubert.bsky.social helping us "Save the world by writing efficient code" (*measure*, folks, measure!). My notes:
Reposted by Markus Berndt
Use Signal. We promise, no AI clutter, and no surveillance ads, whatever the rest of the industry does. <3
June 16, 2025 at 3:30 PM
Use Signal. We promise, no AI clutter, and no surveillance ads, whatever the rest of the industry does. <3
Reposted by Markus Berndt
Want to know how fossil fuel companies use carbon offsets to claim they’re fighting climate change?
We've updated OffsetsDB — our offsets database — to allow you to search by carbon credit user. Search "Shell" and see what offsets they're using and when. (1/4) carbonplan.org/research/off...
We've updated OffsetsDB — our offsets database — to allow you to search by carbon credit user. Search "Shell" and see what offsets they're using and when. (1/4) carbonplan.org/research/off...
April 23, 2025 at 6:18 PM
Want to know how fossil fuel companies use carbon offsets to claim they’re fighting climate change?
We've updated OffsetsDB — our offsets database — to allow you to search by carbon credit user. Search "Shell" and see what offsets they're using and when. (1/4) carbonplan.org/research/off...
We've updated OffsetsDB — our offsets database — to allow you to search by carbon credit user. Search "Shell" and see what offsets they're using and when. (1/4) carbonplan.org/research/off...