Rob Funk
@rfunk.funknet.net
GenX, tech (from Linux to Javascript), US politics, feminism, gender & sexuality, polyamory, photography. Fan of art / music / speculative fiction. Probably autistic, nonbinary autigender 🏳️⚧️⚧️ he/they/she/ze.
🐘: https://mas.to/@rfunk
🐘: https://mas.to/@rfunk
Reposted by Rob Funk
1. For at least 10 years, Pepsi has conspired with Walmart to force up grocery prices. That’s the shocking evidence made public today in an unsealed FTC lawsuit. The suit was abandoned in May by the Trump FTC just before it was to be un-redacted. We went to court to get it unsealed & won.
December 12, 2025 at 5:30 PM
1. For at least 10 years, Pepsi has conspired with Walmart to force up grocery prices. That’s the shocking evidence made public today in an unsealed FTC lawsuit. The suit was abandoned in May by the Trump FTC just before it was to be un-redacted. We went to court to get it unsealed & won.
Reposted by Rob Funk
Today in "Don't Trust AI to Tell You Facts": How several different "AI" programs messed up the simple fact of to whom I dedicated a book, and what that means for how much you should trust "AI" to tell you the truth about things (spoiler: not much at all):
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
“AI”: A Dedicated Fact-Failing Machine, or, Yet Another Reason Not to Trust It For Anything
I search my name on a regular basis, not only because I am an ego monster (although I try not to pretend that I’m not) but because it’s a good way for me to find reviews, end-of-the-yea…
whatever.scalzi.com
December 13, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Today in "Don't Trust AI to Tell You Facts": How several different "AI" programs messed up the simple fact of to whom I dedicated a book, and what that means for how much you should trust "AI" to tell you the truth about things (spoiler: not much at all):
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
whatever.scalzi.com/2025/12/13/a...
Reposted by Rob Funk
I will never forgive the tech bros for ruining cute animal videos.
December 14, 2025 at 5:55 AM
I will never forgive the tech bros for ruining cute animal videos.
Reposted by Rob Funk
Just a reminder that ICE didn't exist until 2002. It's not some longstanding institution that must be maintained. It was created as a knee-jerk reaction to 9/11, and it could be gotten rid of as easily as it was created.
December 12, 2025 at 9:48 PM
Just a reminder that ICE didn't exist until 2002. It's not some longstanding institution that must be maintained. It was created as a knee-jerk reaction to 9/11, and it could be gotten rid of as easily as it was created.
Reposted by Rob Funk
This is your seasonal reminder that Bookshop.org and libro.fm exist as local-supporting not-Amazon options for all your physical and audiobook needs! Bookshop even gives you the option to add a card and a pretty fabric bag and ship it directly to your giftee!
Bookshop.org: Buy books online. Support local bookstores.
A better way to buy books online. Every purchase financially supports local independent bookstores.
Bookshop.org
December 12, 2025 at 12:44 AM
This is your seasonal reminder that Bookshop.org and libro.fm exist as local-supporting not-Amazon options for all your physical and audiobook needs! Bookshop even gives you the option to add a card and a pretty fabric bag and ship it directly to your giftee!
Reposted by Rob Funk
Judges, shmudges: #ICE keeps locking up immigrants under a law judges keep ruling it can't use
www.universalhub.com/2025/judges-...
#Boston #lawsuits #immigrants
www.universalhub.com/2025/judges-...
#Boston #lawsuits #immigrants
December 11, 2025 at 9:11 PM
Judges, shmudges: #ICE keeps locking up immigrants under a law judges keep ruling it can't use
www.universalhub.com/2025/judges-...
#Boston #lawsuits #immigrants
www.universalhub.com/2025/judges-...
#Boston #lawsuits #immigrants
Reposted by Rob Funk
Chemical in Dark Chocolate May Slow Your Biological Age by Tweaking Gene Switches
Dark chocolate isn’t just an indulgent treat anymore. It may actually help slow down aging.According...
https://s.faithcollapsing.com/ckzgz#health
Dark chocolate isn’t just an indulgent treat anymore. It may actually help slow down aging.According...
https://s.faithcollapsing.com/ckzgz#health
December 11, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Chemical in Dark Chocolate May Slow Your Biological Age by Tweaking Gene Switches
Dark chocolate isn’t just an indulgent treat anymore. It may actually help slow down aging.According...
https://s.faithcollapsing.com/ckzgz#health
Dark chocolate isn’t just an indulgent treat anymore. It may actually help slow down aging.According...
https://s.faithcollapsing.com/ckzgz#health
Reposted by Rob Funk
Just because it's being passed around a lot: NO, data centers in space do NOT benefit from space being cold. Space is cold in the formal sense we use to define temperature. But it is very bad at cooling. What would you rather have to cool hot metal: a lukewarm water tub or a giant cold atmosphere?
December 10, 2025 at 3:24 PM
Just because it's being passed around a lot: NO, data centers in space do NOT benefit from space being cold. Space is cold in the formal sense we use to define temperature. But it is very bad at cooling. What would you rather have to cool hot metal: a lukewarm water tub or a giant cold atmosphere?
Reposted by Rob Funk
Love to see the Sedgwick County Zoo putting out a good explainer on why GenAI slop videos of animals are a problem & how to identify them! It’s succinct, easy to read, and doesn’t shame people for not knowing better. A+ useful link to share with family and friends.
scz.org/blog/the-rea...
scz.org/blog/the-rea...
The Reality of AI Animal Content – Sedgwick County Zoo
If you spend any time on social media, you’ve probably seen them – bears bouncing on trampolines, apes caught on doorbell cameras, or “rescued” wild animals acting in ways that seem too good to be…
scz.org
December 9, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Love to see the Sedgwick County Zoo putting out a good explainer on why GenAI slop videos of animals are a problem & how to identify them! It’s succinct, easy to read, and doesn’t shame people for not knowing better. A+ useful link to share with family and friends.
scz.org/blog/the-rea...
scz.org/blog/the-rea...
Reposted by Rob Funk
I kicked tires on tidal, deezer, qobuz and came up qobuz. highest pay to artists, least shitty CEO, solid music selection, interface pretty close to Spotify, noticeably better sound quality than Spotify
it’s pronounced co-buzz I looked it up lol
it’s pronounced co-buzz I looked it up lol
December 7, 2025 at 6:22 PM
I kicked tires on tidal, deezer, qobuz and came up qobuz. highest pay to artists, least shitty CEO, solid music selection, interface pretty close to Spotify, noticeably better sound quality than Spotify
it’s pronounced co-buzz I looked it up lol
it’s pronounced co-buzz I looked it up lol
Reposted by Rob Funk
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Giving the gift of independent journalism: a guide
The Handbasket has subscription suggestions for almost everyone on your list.
www.thehandbasket.co
December 6, 2025 at 3:38 PM
NEW — I put together a list of independent journalism subscriptions that would make great holiday gifts. From music to politics, astronomy to alcohol, tech to social justice, there’s something for [almost] everyone. Support indie media *and* surprise and delight your loved ones!
My guide:
My guide:
Reposted by Rob Funk
ICE raided a James Beard award winning restaurant & because the chef/owner was prepared, left emptyhanded:
December 5, 2025 at 3:24 PM
ICE raided a James Beard award winning restaurant & because the chef/owner was prepared, left emptyhanded:
Reposted by Rob Funk
lol was watching batman this morning and got hit with "ignore all previous instructions"
December 6, 2025 at 5:43 PM
lol was watching batman this morning and got hit with "ignore all previous instructions"
Reposted by Rob Funk
Also USPS didn't loss money because it doesn't make money because it's not a business and if never makes money to begin with.
It did however deliver over 112.5 billion pieces of mail in 2024 and that doesn't even include packages.
It did however deliver over 112.5 billion pieces of mail in 2024 and that doesn't even include packages.
The USPS posting a NINE BILLION DOLLAR LOSS!!! sounds terrible. Certainly worse than if you said "USPS costs thirty dollars per person per year" even though that means the same thing and more accurately describes a government service
December 5, 2025 at 4:30 PM
Also USPS didn't loss money because it doesn't make money because it's not a business and if never makes money to begin with.
It did however deliver over 112.5 billion pieces of mail in 2024 and that doesn't even include packages.
It did however deliver over 112.5 billion pieces of mail in 2024 and that doesn't even include packages.
Reposted by Rob Funk
They're not coming for me, I make horny content not porn.
They're not coming for me, I'm gay not trans.
They're not coming for me, I'm Asian not Latino.
They're not coming for me, I have ADHD not autism.
"First they came for..." You're on the list, they're just not checking you off quite yet.
They're not coming for me, I'm gay not trans.
They're not coming for me, I'm Asian not Latino.
They're not coming for me, I have ADHD not autism.
"First they came for..." You're on the list, they're just not checking you off quite yet.
A lot of creators essentially saying "My work might contain nudity and sexual situations, but it's NOT porn. My work is important and artistic, while their work is dirty, which is still okay to hate and censor." But guess what! The purity squad makes no such distinction.
December 5, 2025 at 11:26 AM
They're not coming for me, I make horny content not porn.
They're not coming for me, I'm gay not trans.
They're not coming for me, I'm Asian not Latino.
They're not coming for me, I have ADHD not autism.
"First they came for..." You're on the list, they're just not checking you off quite yet.
They're not coming for me, I'm gay not trans.
They're not coming for me, I'm Asian not Latino.
They're not coming for me, I have ADHD not autism.
"First they came for..." You're on the list, they're just not checking you off quite yet.
Reposted by Rob Funk
The thing to understand about "age verification" laws is that they are not just for kids
The only way to "stop kids from doing xyz online" using age-gating is to demand a government ID (or invasive biometric face scan) from EVERYONE.
This means associating your gov ID with EVERYTHING YOU DO ONLINE
The only way to "stop kids from doing xyz online" using age-gating is to demand a government ID (or invasive biometric face scan) from EVERYONE.
This means associating your gov ID with EVERYTHING YOU DO ONLINE
December 4, 2025 at 9:20 PM
The thing to understand about "age verification" laws is that they are not just for kids
The only way to "stop kids from doing xyz online" using age-gating is to demand a government ID (or invasive biometric face scan) from EVERYONE.
This means associating your gov ID with EVERYTHING YOU DO ONLINE
The only way to "stop kids from doing xyz online" using age-gating is to demand a government ID (or invasive biometric face scan) from EVERYONE.
This means associating your gov ID with EVERYTHING YOU DO ONLINE
Reposted by Rob Funk
Younger people who didn't witness it cannot fathom the hype around the Segway. Every news station agreed it would revolutionize the entire social fabric of the Earth. That all future humans would divide history between the savage days of the past, and the soon to be new era of zoom zoom scoot scoot.
December 3, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Younger people who didn't witness it cannot fathom the hype around the Segway. Every news station agreed it would revolutionize the entire social fabric of the Earth. That all future humans would divide history between the savage days of the past, and the soon to be new era of zoom zoom scoot scoot.
Reposted by Rob Funk
The lesbian couple at the wine bar who wants you to come home and watch Buffy with them.
December 3, 2025 at 8:40 PM
The lesbian couple at the wine bar who wants you to come home and watch Buffy with them.
Reposted by Rob Funk
My fella’s old band had 25 million streams on Spotify this year, which should translate to everyone in our house sleeping on a pile of ermine coats, but what it really translates to makes no discernible material difference in anyone’s lives. That’s how I feel about Spotify wrapped.
December 3, 2025 at 9:47 PM
My fella’s old band had 25 million streams on Spotify this year, which should translate to everyone in our house sleeping on a pile of ermine coats, but what it really translates to makes no discernible material difference in anyone’s lives. That’s how I feel about Spotify wrapped.
Reposted by Rob Funk
Reposted by Rob Funk
Blog post by Ariadne Conill of the Alpine Linux and Wayback projects:
"I want you to understand what it is like to be transgender during this time."
ariadne.space/2025/12/02/i...
"I want you to understand what it is like to be transgender during this time."
ariadne.space/2025/12/02/i...
I want you to understand
I want you to understand what it is like to be transgender during this time.
I want you to understand the threat to doctor-patient confidentiality. In June, the Department of Justice began targeting c...
ariadne.space
December 3, 2025 at 10:33 PM
Blog post by Ariadne Conill of the Alpine Linux and Wayback projects:
"I want you to understand what it is like to be transgender during this time."
ariadne.space/2025/12/02/i...
"I want you to understand what it is like to be transgender during this time."
ariadne.space/2025/12/02/i...
Reposted by Rob Funk
What's not reported is as important as what is. This didn't fit the corpo media's narrative, just like dozens of other issues.
An inependent review of medical evidence on trans youth healthcare found substantial evidence of benefit, and no evidence of harm.
This was one of our top stories this year. Legacy news, who extensively covered a review finding the opposite, ignored this.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
This was one of our top stories this year. Legacy news, who extensively covered a review finding the opposite, ignored this.
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Plentiful Data, No Regret: What the Utah Review on Youth Trans Care Found — Assigned
A 1,000-page report by the College of Pharmacy at the University of Utah, which found care safe and effective, stands out from others: It’s both independent and an actual review of the evidence.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 3, 2025 at 7:33 PM
What's not reported is as important as what is. This didn't fit the corpo media's narrative, just like dozens of other issues.
Reposted by Rob Funk
Reposted by Rob Funk
to emphasize my thoughts on alternatives:
December 3, 2025 at 6:11 PM
to emphasize my thoughts on alternatives:
Reposted by Rob Funk
i hate that i have to post this (and will likely delete after today), but please don't @ me with your spotify stats.
i appreciate the support & know it comes from a good place, but i really would like you to find another streaming service.
i appreciate the support & know it comes from a good place, but i really would like you to find another streaming service.
December 3, 2025 at 6:03 PM
i hate that i have to post this (and will likely delete after today), but please don't @ me with your spotify stats.
i appreciate the support & know it comes from a good place, but i really would like you to find another streaming service.
i appreciate the support & know it comes from a good place, but i really would like you to find another streaming service.