richard farrell
@rfarrell.bsky.social
An old guy who feels good enough, enough of the time
Reposted by richard farrell
A Reuters investigation reveals the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp made billions of dollars last year from Chinese ads for scams, illegal gambling, pornography and other banned content. www.reuters.com/investigation...
Meta tolerates rampant ad fraud from China to safeguard billions in revenue
A Reuters investigation reveals the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp decided to accept high levels of fraudulent advertisements from China. Internal company documents show Meta wanted to minimize "revenue impact" caused by cracking down on the scams.
www.reuters.com
December 16, 2025 at 4:07 AM
A Reuters investigation reveals the owner of Facebook, Instagram and Whatsapp made billions of dollars last year from Chinese ads for scams, illegal gambling, pornography and other banned content. www.reuters.com/investigation...
Reposted by richard farrell
"It should not be torn down quietly. Its destruction should be a public event. It should be pledged on the campaign trail by Democratic candidates."
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/if-he-buil...
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/if-he-buil...
If He Builds It, Tear It Down
Pendulums must swing.
www.hamiltonnolan.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:26 AM
"It should not be torn down quietly. Its destruction should be a public event. It should be pledged on the campaign trail by Democratic candidates."
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/if-he-buil...
www.hamiltonnolan.com/p/if-he-buil...
Reposted by richard farrell
Every transnational criminal network, any extremely shady technology startup anywhere in the world, every sadistic doctor, every weapons startup, a whole lot of pedophiles, and anyone with an interest in off shore banking
is looking at the Network State like its the best thing they've ever seen
is looking at the Network State like its the best thing they've ever seen
December 15, 2025 at 4:21 AM
Every transnational criminal network, any extremely shady technology startup anywhere in the world, every sadistic doctor, every weapons startup, a whole lot of pedophiles, and anyone with an interest in off shore banking
is looking at the Network State like its the best thing they've ever seen
is looking at the Network State like its the best thing they've ever seen
Reposted by richard farrell
Worth the click through.
Japanese Monk Racks
Brain For Haiku That Will Knock
Them On Their Asses
https://theonion.com/japanese-monk-racksbrain-for-haiku-that-will-knockthem-on-their-asses/
Brain For Haiku That Will Knock
Them On Their Asses
https://theonion.com/japanese-monk-racksbrain-for-haiku-that-will-knockthem-on-their-asses/
December 10, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Worth the click through.
Reposted by richard farrell
I wish I had spoilers for the ending of this story
TIL about a memorial ceremony in Iceland in 2019 to mark the end of a glacier, changing the place name from Okjökull to Ok (jökull = glacier). Uncompromising wording on the bronze plaque:
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
"This is to acknowledge that we know what is happening and what needs to be done. Only you know if we did it".
December 8, 2025 at 3:59 AM
I wish I had spoilers for the ending of this story
Reposted by richard farrell
December 8, 2025 at 4:44 AM
Reposted by richard farrell
Turns out it didn't have legs
Mark Zuckerberg’s gamble on the ‘Metaverse’ has cost Meta more than $77B
The company now plans to cut spending on it and shift focus to AI wearables instead
(via WSJ)
The company now plans to cut spending on it and shift focus to AI wearables instead
(via WSJ)
December 7, 2025 at 4:24 AM
Turns out it didn't have legs
Reposted by richard farrell
Here's an idea: Any Democrat who wants to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate in 2028 must pledge to rip this cabal of anti-democracy tech fascists out of our government.
Anyone who won't make that pledge is for the billionaires, not the people. This must be a deal-breaking litmus test.
Anyone who won't make that pledge is for the billionaires, not the people. This must be a deal-breaking litmus test.
A Palantir billionaire just called for public hangings.
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
“It's time to bring back masculine leadership to protect our most vulnerable,” writes Joe Lonsdale.
This is where Silicon Valley authoritarianism is heading:
www.thenerdreich.com/joe-lonsdale...
Joe Lonsdale Calls For Public Hangings
Silicon Valley radicalization escalates
www.thenerdreich.com
December 7, 2025 at 4:51 AM
Here's an idea: Any Democrat who wants to be taken seriously as a presidential candidate in 2028 must pledge to rip this cabal of anti-democracy tech fascists out of our government.
Anyone who won't make that pledge is for the billionaires, not the people. This must be a deal-breaking litmus test.
Anyone who won't make that pledge is for the billionaires, not the people. This must be a deal-breaking litmus test.
Reposted by richard farrell
Democratic leaders are cowardly in general in the American political world. On the global scale it's truly sad.
Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries: “Strong floor, no ceiling”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: “A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy.”
Colombian President Gustavo Petro: “A clan of pedophiles wants to destroy our democracy.”
December 4, 2025 at 5:20 AM
Democratic leaders are cowardly in general in the American political world. On the global scale it's truly sad.
Reposted by richard farrell
Next time you say "just," think about how your life would be different without them. It doesn't matter how hard you perceive them to be working. What matters is that workers add value to your life as you do to others' lives. Drive-thru line 5 cars deep? Those employees are valuable.
For all the mfers who say workers just serve coffee, just deliver packages, just stock shelves, just clean rooms, just prep food, or just check in guests, remember this, they keep our communities running every day. And when they’re on a picket line, you respect it.
December 2, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Next time you say "just," think about how your life would be different without them. It doesn't matter how hard you perceive them to be working. What matters is that workers add value to your life as you do to others' lives. Drive-thru line 5 cars deep? Those employees are valuable.
Reposted by richard farrell
report one story they don't like, and they try to cosplay elon
December 1, 2025 at 2:10 AM
report one story they don't like, and they try to cosplay elon
Reposted by richard farrell
Unfortunately, in US journalism it is considered neutral to spread a lie, but it is considered "biased" to call out a lie. So, there is a structural asymmetry that rewards colorful lies with virality.
November 30, 2025 at 1:16 AM
Unfortunately, in US journalism it is considered neutral to spread a lie, but it is considered "biased" to call out a lie. So, there is a structural asymmetry that rewards colorful lies with virality.
Reposted by richard farrell
Same. I keep trying to remember “politicians are not your friends, they are your representatives — for better or for worse”, but Zohran feels like a beloved neighbor even though he’s many hundreds of miles away.
November 28, 2025 at 4:52 AM
Same. I keep trying to remember “politicians are not your friends, they are your representatives — for better or for worse”, but Zohran feels like a beloved neighbor even though he’s many hundreds of miles away.
Reposted by richard farrell
In July, a team of scientists assembled on a video call to study an anomalous wobble in a data curve. This blip was a surprising decline in a quantity that has grown relentlessly throughout the Industrial Age: the amount of planet-warming greenhouse gases dumped by humanity into the atmosphere.
Global carbon emissions will soon flatten or decline
With China’s surge in renewable energy, greenhouse gases are reaching a turning point
www.science.org
November 24, 2025 at 5:02 AM
In July, a team of scientists assembled on a video call to study an anomalous wobble in a data curve. This blip was a surprising decline in a quantity that has grown relentlessly throughout the Industrial Age: the amount of planet-warming greenhouse gases dumped by humanity into the atmosphere.
The downfall of Larry Summers is an ongoing schadenfreudian fest.
Not yet time "for how the mighty have fallen," but the reputation shredder is fired up, lawyers are lurking; and lots more to come about the bad works of the Leisure Class.
Not yet time "for how the mighty have fallen," but the reputation shredder is fired up, lawyers are lurking; and lots more to come about the bad works of the Leisure Class.
November 20, 2025 at 3:34 AM
The downfall of Larry Summers is an ongoing schadenfreudian fest.
Not yet time "for how the mighty have fallen," but the reputation shredder is fired up, lawyers are lurking; and lots more to come about the bad works of the Leisure Class.
Not yet time "for how the mighty have fallen," but the reputation shredder is fired up, lawyers are lurking; and lots more to come about the bad works of the Leisure Class.
Reposted by richard farrell
Trinket on the deck, after running in the dewy grass.
November 19, 2025 at 5:13 AM
Trinket on the deck, after running in the dewy grass.
Reposted by richard farrell
probably the highlight of my week was telling a class of georgetown journalism grad students about how i was banned from twitter for impersonating gwyneth paltrow
November 15, 2025 at 4:47 AM
probably the highlight of my week was telling a class of georgetown journalism grad students about how i was banned from twitter for impersonating gwyneth paltrow
Reposted by richard farrell
Eldest now recognizes and refers to Gordon Lightfoot's maritime ballad as "The November Song," my preemptive strike against Alice's Restaurant is working.
November 6, 2025 at 8:47 PM
Eldest now recognizes and refers to Gordon Lightfoot's maritime ballad as "The November Song," my preemptive strike against Alice's Restaurant is working.
Reposted by richard farrell
Electing leaders under 35 is the real pro-natalism.
I’m not trying to snitch on anybody’s personal business, but, uh… judging by what I’ve seen of NYC’s reaction to Zohran’s win, they’re going to need about twice as many of those baby baskets in August.
November 6, 2025 at 1:13 PM
Electing leaders under 35 is the real pro-natalism.
Reposted by richard farrell
helluva closing message
UNTIL IT’S DONE, Ep. 5: Vito Marcantonio
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
There are many who dismiss our vision for New York as impossible. To them, I say we need look only to our past for proof of how we can shape the future.
Tomorrow is Election Day. And this is the final Until It's Done of our campaign.
November 4, 2025 at 4:48 AM
helluva closing message
Reposted by richard farrell
Long live Guilloteen Vogue
November 3, 2025 at 9:32 PM
Long live Guilloteen Vogue
Reposted by richard farrell
My family's health insurance costs are doubling next year
Trump is holding a Great Gatsby/Roaring 20s-themed party at his private club in Palm Beach tonight as he tries to withhold SNAP and health care subsidies from millions of Americans. (via Kellie Meyer)
November 1, 2025 at 3:49 AM
My family's health insurance costs are doubling next year
Reposted by richard farrell
This is typical of the kid gloves treatment of Bill Gates pivot toward Bjorn Lomborg-style climate downplaying that we're seeing from legacy media. The beltway reporters are entirely complicit in what some are rightly terming an ecocidal plutocratic agenda.
www.axios.com/2025/10/28/g...
www.axios.com/2025/10/28/g...
Bill Gates has an urgent ask for the UN climate summit
Gates' comments reflect how society's current zeitgeist has pushed climate change off the front burner.
www.axios.com
October 30, 2025 at 12:56 PM
This is typical of the kid gloves treatment of Bill Gates pivot toward Bjorn Lomborg-style climate downplaying that we're seeing from legacy media. The beltway reporters are entirely complicit in what some are rightly terming an ecocidal plutocratic agenda.
www.axios.com/2025/10/28/g...
www.axios.com/2025/10/28/g...
Reposted by richard farrell
i can't claim to know Kat as well as I'd like but there's never been a shred of doubt in my mind that she believes what she says and is willing to put her body on the line for that belief. I admire her.
Kat Abugazeh’s campaign has crossed a threshold where the risk she’s taking is significant enough and the actions admirable enough I sorta am past caring if it’s a publicity stunt/brand building exercise or not, it’s still brave and worthy of respect.
October 30, 2025 at 12:41 AM
i can't claim to know Kat as well as I'd like but there's never been a shred of doubt in my mind that she believes what she says and is willing to put her body on the line for that belief. I admire her.
Reposted by richard farrell
