Stephen Saperstein Frug
@stephenfrug.bsky.social
I am writing essays (http://stephenfrug.substack.com) and a mosaic story (https://tinyurl.com/5n8h9a89) & wrote a graphic novel, Happenstance (https://happenstance.thecomicseries.com/)
Pinned
So my latest story has been published. It's called "Ordinal Unknown", and it is the third story in the second movement of my story mosaic Retcon (the twelfth story overall, of a projected 27). You can find it at my web site (shorturl.at/VlxLt) & all the usual places. Check it out!
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Not a historian but like to research. The AI might summarize what I'm looking for, but it doesn't find what I'm *not* looking for. The book on the shelf next to the one I wanted. The insight in chapter 6 based on the quote I needed from chapter 4.
December 21, 2025 at 4:09 PM
Absolutely right.
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
AI might be able to summarize (poorly) what we currently know, but a major goal of historical research is to find the hidden surprises out there.
Let me illustrate …
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed. www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
WATCH: The 60 Minutes CECOT Segment
I was sent the CECOT segment anonymously in a group chat.
www.muellershewrote.com
December 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
BREAKING: WATCH the full 60 Minutes CECOT segment here. This was sent to me anonymously. It appears to be the segment CBS' Bari Weiss killed. www.muellershewrote.com/p/watch-the-...
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Right, this line Vance used was a very common line used by segregationists.
Here's Rep. Mendel Rivers (D-SC) reacting to the Brown decision, which he said "would bring mongrelization of the Caucasian race. He added that he for one won't apologize for being a white man."
Here's Rep. Mendel Rivers (D-SC) reacting to the Brown decision, which he said "would bring mongrelization of the Caucasian race. He added that he for one won't apologize for being a white man."
December 21, 2025 at 11:19 PM
Right, this line Vance used was a very common line used by segregationists.
Here's Rep. Mendel Rivers (D-SC) reacting to the Brown decision, which he said "would bring mongrelization of the Caucasian race. He added that he for one won't apologize for being a white man."
Here's Rep. Mendel Rivers (D-SC) reacting to the Brown decision, which he said "would bring mongrelization of the Caucasian race. He added that he for one won't apologize for being a white man."
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
December 21, 2025 at 10:57 PM
In the summer of 1950 most US newspapers ran an AP story about how race had become the main issue in the upcoming Georgia governor's race. Segregationist Herman Tallmadge, governor from '47 to '55 and then a Senator until 1981 made a name for himself by refusing to "apologize for being a white man."
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Also, a lot of descendants of slaves are, through those very ancestors, also descended from lots of high-status white American colonists of the 1600s and 1700s. Because slaveholders raped their slaves.
Angela Davis is a descendant of Mayflower passenger William Brewster. For instance. (1/4)
Angela Davis is a descendant of Mayflower passenger William Brewster. For instance. (1/4)
Every descendant of slaves has more American heritage than Trump. But I don’t imagine that figures large in the minds of most people using the phrase.
December 21, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Also, a lot of descendants of slaves are, through those very ancestors, also descended from lots of high-status white American colonists of the 1600s and 1700s. Because slaveholders raped their slaves.
Angela Davis is a descendant of Mayflower passenger William Brewster. For instance. (1/4)
Angela Davis is a descendant of Mayflower passenger William Brewster. For instance. (1/4)
The attached article really documents how far towards open naziism Harvard conservatives have gone
These assholes will be clerks for Neil Gorsuch in a few years, most likely.
Racial Slurs and Nazi Symbols: Inside the Complaint That Shut Down The Harvard Salient | News | The Harvard Crimson
Screenshots and message logs obtained by The Crimson appear to show Salient leaders casually using racial slurs, defending extremist rhetoric, and dismissing internal concerns — conversations that lat...
www.thecrimson.com
December 21, 2025 at 4:14 PM
The attached article really documents how far towards open naziism Harvard conservatives have gone
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
I don't want gen AI in my browser
I don't want gen AI in my pc
I don't want gen AI in my art
I don't want gen AI in my games
I don't want gen AI in my music
I don't want gen AI in my movies
I don't want gen AI in my books
I don't want gen AI in my cart
I don't want gen AI in my life
I don't want gen AI in my pc
I don't want gen AI in my art
I don't want gen AI in my games
I don't want gen AI in my music
I don't want gen AI in my movies
I don't want gen AI in my books
I don't want gen AI in my cart
I don't want gen AI in my life
December 16, 2025 at 10:57 PM
I don't want gen AI in my browser
I don't want gen AI in my pc
I don't want gen AI in my art
I don't want gen AI in my games
I don't want gen AI in my music
I don't want gen AI in my movies
I don't want gen AI in my books
I don't want gen AI in my cart
I don't want gen AI in my life
I don't want gen AI in my pc
I don't want gen AI in my art
I don't want gen AI in my games
I don't want gen AI in my music
I don't want gen AI in my movies
I don't want gen AI in my books
I don't want gen AI in my cart
I don't want gen AI in my life
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Opinion | Trump’s crude remarks about Rob Reiner are unbecoming of a FIFA Peace Prize winner.
December 16, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Opinion | Trump’s crude remarks about Rob Reiner are unbecoming of a FIFA Peace Prize winner.
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Annual reminder:
Die Hard is about using impossibly limited resources to defend a tower from foreign invaders.
Die Hard is a Hanukkah movie.
Die Hard is about using impossibly limited resources to defend a tower from foreign invaders.
Die Hard is a Hanukkah movie.
December 14, 2024 at 1:55 PM
Annual reminder:
Die Hard is about using impossibly limited resources to defend a tower from foreign invaders.
Die Hard is a Hanukkah movie.
Die Hard is about using impossibly limited resources to defend a tower from foreign invaders.
Die Hard is a Hanukkah movie.
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
We could all use a little more light
open.spotify.com/track/6ykFed...
open.spotify.com/track/6ykFed...
Seven Nights of Chanukah
open.spotify.com
December 14, 2025 at 10:18 PM
We could all use a little more light
open.spotify.com/track/6ykFed...
open.spotify.com/track/6ykFed...
One of the best books of the century so far—an amazing masterpiece. Grab a copy if you haven't read it yet
Still time to get the "Too Like the Lightning" ebook for $2.99 today in the goldbox sale: www.amazon.com/Too-Like-Lig...
December 12, 2025 at 1:28 AM
One of the best books of the century so far—an amazing masterpiece. Grab a copy if you haven't read it yet
I agree with all of this. But precisely because of that, I have to ask: did you OVERestimate how bad the first Trump admin would be? Because in retrospect I sure did. I expected something like Trump 2. And, with the admittedly crucial exception of Jan 21, he wasn't that. Now, during the 24 election…
In my world (energy policy), to a first approximation, *everyone* underestimated how bad Republicans would be this time around.
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
December 3, 2025 at 10:59 PM
I agree with all of this. But precisely because of that, I have to ask: did you OVERestimate how bad the first Trump admin would be? Because in retrospect I sure did. I expected something like Trump 2. And, with the admittedly crucial exception of Jan 21, he wasn't that. Now, during the 24 election…
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
In my world (energy policy), to a first approximation, *everyone* underestimated how bad Republicans would be this time around.
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
December 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
In my world (energy policy), to a first approximation, *everyone* underestimated how bad Republicans would be this time around.
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
So my basic question is: has anyone updated their priors? Revised their analytical categories? Learned anything from this? Will do things differently next time? Anyone?
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
It's with heavy hearts that we share that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude brought joy to millions of people at the Academy and across the world during his 17 year tenure. We will miss him dearly. 🤍
December 2, 2025 at 10:22 PM
It's with heavy hearts that we share that Claude, our beloved albino alligator, has passed away at the age of 30. Claude brought joy to millions of people at the Academy and across the world during his 17 year tenure. We will miss him dearly. 🤍
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Not a robot
November 28, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Not a robot
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
The fact doomers have gone from "America is over" to "Dems won't hold anyone responsible when this is over" can actually be read as an optimistic signal imo.
November 28, 2025 at 7:28 PM
The fact doomers have gone from "America is over" to "Dems won't hold anyone responsible when this is over" can actually be read as an optimistic signal imo.
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Nothing beats this from Australia’s Morning Bulletin 🤣
November 21, 2025 at 5:27 PM
Nothing beats this from Australia’s Morning Bulletin 🤣
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Aristotle: humans are the rational animal.
Humans: lol okay buddy, we'll see about that.
Humans: lol okay buddy, we'll see about that.
November 23, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Aristotle: humans are the rational animal.
Humans: lol okay buddy, we'll see about that.
Humans: lol okay buddy, we'll see about that.
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
There are going to be prominent Democrats and mainstream media voices who insist that we have to "turn the page" and "forgive and forget" and they should all be roundly ignored, if not mercilessly mocked.
It’s crazy to think about the crimes we’re going to learn about after this regime ends.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
We’re already hearing about Watergate level crimes every week. Imagine what will come out after it’s over.
We’re going to need a full accounting of all that’s been done in violation of the constitution.
November 22, 2025 at 10:46 PM
There are going to be prominent Democrats and mainstream media voices who insist that we have to "turn the page" and "forgive and forget" and they should all be roundly ignored, if not mercilessly mocked.
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
Seattle is using stencils when neighbors go missing
November 22, 2025 at 9:53 PM
Seattle is using stencils when neighbors go missing
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
I think the left getting up in arms against Abundance (as not all have, but many have, especially online) is unwise. It's a program that both liberals & leftists can & should support, albeit in somewhat different versions.
jacobin.com/2025/11/klei...
jacobin.com/2025/11/klei...
Abundance and the Left
Ezra Klein talks with Bhaskar Sunkara about Abundance, Zohran Mamdani’s victory, and why progressives need a state that works at the speed of their ambitions.
jacobin.com
November 19, 2025 at 2:05 AM
I think the left getting up in arms against Abundance (as not all have, but many have, especially online) is unwise. It's a program that both liberals & leftists can & should support, albeit in somewhat different versions.
jacobin.com/2025/11/klei...
jacobin.com/2025/11/klei...
I'm seeing a lot of "this won't hurt him".
And, y'know, that's probably right. Like 80-90% chance.
But I still think it might be a mistake to say so, because I think that saying *increases* (very very slightly) that chance. People who might challenge him (not liberals but, say, conservatives who…
And, y'know, that's probably right. Like 80-90% chance.
But I still think it might be a mistake to say so, because I think that saying *increases* (very very slightly) that chance. People who might challenge him (not liberals but, say, conservatives who…
November 12, 2025 at 11:53 PM
I'm seeing a lot of "this won't hurt him".
And, y'know, that's probably right. Like 80-90% chance.
But I still think it might be a mistake to say so, because I think that saying *increases* (very very slightly) that chance. People who might challenge him (not liberals but, say, conservatives who…
And, y'know, that's probably right. Like 80-90% chance.
But I still think it might be a mistake to say so, because I think that saying *increases* (very very slightly) that chance. People who might challenge him (not liberals but, say, conservatives who…
Reposted by Stephen Saperstein Frug
William Golding from his 1962 essay “Fables” on the intended meaning of his “Lord Of The Flies”.
November 12, 2025 at 1:57 PM
William Golding from his 1962 essay “Fables” on the intended meaning of his “Lord Of The Flies”.