xMech
@xmech.bsky.social
I'm a queer, disabled, white, trans, non binary but masculine, person. Or dragon. I am often a dragon.
Reposted by xMech
I can't trust politicians who are anti-trans. Not because I'm "only searching for perfection" which is what centrists will be accusing me of for the rest of my life, it's because if you're not pro-trans you'll be garbage on lots of other issues too. Being anti-trans NEVER exists in a vacuum.
January 17, 2026 at 9:42 AM
I can't trust politicians who are anti-trans. Not because I'm "only searching for perfection" which is what centrists will be accusing me of for the rest of my life, it's because if you're not pro-trans you'll be garbage on lots of other issues too. Being anti-trans NEVER exists in a vacuum.
Reposted by xMech
I say this a lot, because it's true: Under capitalism, we ALL have a price. There's no one who can't be bought.
Some people are just a lot more expensive than others! :V
Some people are just a lot more expensive than others! :V
Hassan is another one.
He claims he was offered a cool mill just to do a quick ad read during his DNC visit.
People like that are why I don't think it's unrealistic for there to be humans who can resist the One Ring (at lest for awhile).
He claims he was offered a cool mill just to do a quick ad read during his DNC visit.
People like that are why I don't think it's unrealistic for there to be humans who can resist the One Ring (at lest for awhile).
January 17, 2026 at 4:49 PM
I say this a lot, because it's true: Under capitalism, we ALL have a price. There's no one who can't be bought.
Some people are just a lot more expensive than others! :V
Some people are just a lot more expensive than others! :V
Reposted by xMech
ICE seems to get completely flummoxed when they’re being yelled at by white men over 35. They kind of put their heads down and shuffle their feet. It’s like their kryptonite.
January 17, 2026 at 3:16 PM
ICE seems to get completely flummoxed when they’re being yelled at by white men over 35. They kind of put their heads down and shuffle their feet. It’s like their kryptonite.
Reposted by xMech
Like, people have kept saying "just wait til he fucks with their money, wait til the money guys get mad"
But the money guys are literally putting almost half the stock market in a big hapsburg orgy of circular genAI pyramid schemes.
Stuff like this barely registers to them anymore.
But the money guys are literally putting almost half the stock market in a big hapsburg orgy of circular genAI pyramid schemes.
Stuff like this barely registers to them anymore.
January 17, 2026 at 4:47 PM
Like, people have kept saying "just wait til he fucks with their money, wait til the money guys get mad"
But the money guys are literally putting almost half the stock market in a big hapsburg orgy of circular genAI pyramid schemes.
Stuff like this barely registers to them anymore.
But the money guys are literally putting almost half the stock market in a big hapsburg orgy of circular genAI pyramid schemes.
Stuff like this barely registers to them anymore.
Reposted by xMech
Thread from Dan on the use of the term "nerve agent."
I don't know if people do this out of ignorance or are trying to amplify the threat, but if real nerve agents are used, it will be unmistakably horrible.
I don't know if people do this out of ignorance or are trying to amplify the threat, but if real nerve agents are used, it will be unmistakably horrible.
The term "nerve agent" is not the same thing as "some chemical that has some effect on some aspect of the nervous system" nor is it a blanket term for chemical warfare agents or banned chemical weapons.
January 17, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Thread from Dan on the use of the term "nerve agent."
I don't know if people do this out of ignorance or are trying to amplify the threat, but if real nerve agents are used, it will be unmistakably horrible.
I don't know if people do this out of ignorance or are trying to amplify the threat, but if real nerve agents are used, it will be unmistakably horrible.
Reposted by xMech
I am HOWLING
If you are in Seattle, please go patronize this store because this is amazing content/promo 😂 (laughing to keep from crying, and I do kind of low-key want that orange spider plant I have never seen that before)
Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DTQrTqZ...
Source: www.instagram.com/reel/DTQrTqZ...
January 17, 2026 at 5:02 PM
I am HOWLING
Reposted by xMech
Thank you . People hate the idea of this because it means that them being bystanders actually has consequences
For @msnownews.bsky.social, I wrote an article about how ICE Watch is grounded in sociological theories of violence prevention.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
The reality is that most men will only commit public violence in extremely specific scenarios and ICE Watch disrupts the conditions necessary for escalation.
Opinion | I'm a Minneapolis sociologist who studies violence. Here's how ICE observers are helping.
Research into how violence occurs shows that disapproval from the people around you can help reduce it.
www.ms.now
January 17, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Thank you . People hate the idea of this because it means that them being bystanders actually has consequences
Reposted by xMech
ICE raids are not the first time this was made explicit. I think people downplay how much Jim Crow was not just about controlling Black people but it was also about controlling white people. If you thought racism was dumb and acted that way you could end up with a bomb in your home
Just keep coming back to the fact that keeping people in a constant state of terror is a form of mass disablement and essential to the eugenic project that is the United States.
January 17, 2026 at 6:08 AM
ICE raids are not the first time this was made explicit. I think people downplay how much Jim Crow was not just about controlling Black people but it was also about controlling white people. If you thought racism was dumb and acted that way you could end up with a bomb in your home
Reposted by xMech
Newsom’s policies and record have personally negatively polarized me against him, but “they’re all terrible people, we have no choice but to choose a terrible person” strikes me as a much more dangerous stance with regards to voter turnout and winning elections than “fuck that guy in particular”.
January 16, 2026 at 6:30 PM
Newsom’s policies and record have personally negatively polarized me against him, but “they’re all terrible people, we have no choice but to choose a terrible person” strikes me as a much more dangerous stance with regards to voter turnout and winning elections than “fuck that guy in particular”.
Reposted by xMech
in other words, the more we demand we abolish ICE, the more other people will tell us that’s unpopular, or unstrategic. that’s why they are saying that: because it is becoming popular, and it is strategic (if your goal is “end ICE violence,” not “protect some Democrats from taking a stand on ICE”)
January 16, 2026 at 1:17 PM
in other words, the more we demand we abolish ICE, the more other people will tell us that’s unpopular, or unstrategic. that’s why they are saying that: because it is becoming popular, and it is strategic (if your goal is “end ICE violence,” not “protect some Democrats from taking a stand on ICE”)
Reposted by xMech
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
January 16, 2026 at 12:17 AM
I’m seeing posts from people (outside of MN) about how US citizens should carry their passports.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
And let me say that *inside* MN, we are calmly responding to requests with: “No, I don’t have to show you any documentation.”
Because that’s how you protect everyone, regardless of immigration status.
Reposted by xMech
All awards and money made by slaves went to their masters
Also might be a really great time to link in what taht means about generative AI and the group of people who believe “IP is bad”
Also might be a really great time to link in what taht means about generative AI and the group of people who believe “IP is bad”
There is a precedent for a person getting someone else's Nobel Prize. In 1943, the Norwegian writer Knut Hamsun, gave his Nobel Prize in literature to Joseph Goebbels uwapress.uw.edu/book/9780295...
Knut Hamsun
Awarded the Nobel Prize for Literature in 1920, Knut Hamsun (1859–1952) was a towering figure of Norwegian letters. He was also a Nazi sympathizer and supp...
uwapress.uw.edu
January 16, 2026 at 5:55 PM
All awards and money made by slaves went to their masters
Also might be a really great time to link in what taht means about generative AI and the group of people who believe “IP is bad”
Also might be a really great time to link in what taht means about generative AI and the group of people who believe “IP is bad”
Reposted by xMech
Every time I see people insisting that Gavin Newsom will be the Democratic nominee for President in three years I just think of the fact that Cuomo was the presumptive nominee for NYC mayor before Mamdani trounced his ass twice.
“Criticizing Newsom” and “campaigning against him” are not mutually exclusive concepts and it’s very weird to act like they are
January 16, 2026 at 5:56 PM
Every time I see people insisting that Gavin Newsom will be the Democratic nominee for President in three years I just think of the fact that Cuomo was the presumptive nominee for NYC mayor before Mamdani trounced his ass twice.
Reposted by xMech
Holy shit, that’s just actual theft.
In April 2024, Spotify implemented a new scheme: songs with less than 1k streams per year would no longer receive royalties.
The data for 2025 was just released via Luminate, and 88% of songs have been demonetized.
Read it again: 88% of songs on Spotify have been demonetized.
The data for 2025 was just released via Luminate, and 88% of songs have been demonetized.
Read it again: 88% of songs on Spotify have been demonetized.
January 16, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Holy shit, that’s just actual theft.
Reposted by xMech
Consumers don’t know if their medications came from factories that used dirty water, were infested by insects or birds, or were outright banned from shipping drugs to the U.S.
Our new tool provides answers that the FDA won’t 👇
Our new tool provides answers that the FDA won’t 👇
Rx Inspector: ProPublica’s New Tool Provides Drug Info the FDA Won’t
We’ve launched a first-of-its-kind app to help you find out where your generic drugs come from and see the track records of the factories that made them.
www.propublica.org
January 15, 2026 at 2:00 PM
Consumers don’t know if their medications came from factories that used dirty water, were infested by insects or birds, or were outright banned from shipping drugs to the U.S.
Our new tool provides answers that the FDA won’t 👇
Our new tool provides answers that the FDA won’t 👇
Reposted by xMech
Highlighting this one in particular because I know that many, many, many Minneapolis-area instructors are struggling with how to make classes that were going to be fully in person work in a hybrid format (to support students who aren’t safe coming to campus).
Educational developer here. Always happy to talk higher ed pedagogy with anyone—I can consult with faculty trying to figure out how to adapt courses for online or hybrid formats and how to modify assessments, policies, and schedules in light of everything.
January 16, 2026 at 4:58 AM
Highlighting this one in particular because I know that many, many, many Minneapolis-area instructors are struggling with how to make classes that were going to be fully in person work in a hybrid format (to support students who aren’t safe coming to campus).
Reposted by xMech
I love when you tell people how terrible Newsom is, they're always like, "Well, it's nice to have ideals, but if it comes down to him or the Nazi in the general, *I* am going to vote for him"
WE'RE TELLING YOU HOW TERRIBLE HE IS NOW SO IT'S *NOT* A CHOICE BTW HIM & A NAZI, CARL. THAT'S THE POINT.
WE'RE TELLING YOU HOW TERRIBLE HE IS NOW SO IT'S *NOT* A CHOICE BTW HIM & A NAZI, CARL. THAT'S THE POINT.
January 16, 2026 at 5:06 AM
I love when you tell people how terrible Newsom is, they're always like, "Well, it's nice to have ideals, but if it comes down to him or the Nazi in the general, *I* am going to vote for him"
WE'RE TELLING YOU HOW TERRIBLE HE IS NOW SO IT'S *NOT* A CHOICE BTW HIM & A NAZI, CARL. THAT'S THE POINT.
WE'RE TELLING YOU HOW TERRIBLE HE IS NOW SO IT'S *NOT* A CHOICE BTW HIM & A NAZI, CARL. THAT'S THE POINT.
Reposted by xMech
In defiance of all evidence to the contrary Gavin really does seem to think that being an absolute turdblossom about trans people as loudly as possible will somehow catapult him into the White House.
good news! if you need or want to know what transphobic shit gavin newsom got up to with ben shapiro today but you don't hate yourself enough to go through his podcast, i do!
🏳️⚧️🧵here is a thread of clips for your immiseration
🏳️⚧️🧵here is a thread of clips for your immiseration
January 16, 2026 at 5:19 AM
In defiance of all evidence to the contrary Gavin really does seem to think that being an absolute turdblossom about trans people as loudly as possible will somehow catapult him into the White House.
Reposted by xMech
Sure. AI companies have ALWAYS been training their models on Wikipedia content, which under the free and open access model is available to anyone — including AI companies. Agreements like these require AI companies to limit and offset the strain they place on Wikimedia infrastructure.
Hoping that @molly.wiki can help explain.
Wikimedia Foundation announces new AI partnerships with Amazon, Meta, Microsoft, Perplexity and others
January 15, 2026 at 6:47 PM
Sure. AI companies have ALWAYS been training their models on Wikipedia content, which under the free and open access model is available to anyone — including AI companies. Agreements like these require AI companies to limit and offset the strain they place on Wikimedia infrastructure.
Reposted by xMech
There shouldn’t be a Department of Homeland Security. It’s a grab bag of various agencies under a dangerously murky heading which can and now has been co-opted for a fascist transition.
Abolish ICE and redistribute the other agencies.
Abolish ICE and redistribute the other agencies.
the only reason "abolish ICE" is seen as radical is that no one will say it but the far left. if every normie Democrat started saying it tomorrow it would move the overton window so far you'd have to squint to find it. my kingdom for leaders who understand they can shape public opinion.
Democrats officially going all in on the mealy mouthed “ICE needs training” narrative.
No. ABOLISH ICE.
No. ABOLISH ICE.
January 15, 2026 at 5:36 PM
There shouldn’t be a Department of Homeland Security. It’s a grab bag of various agencies under a dangerously murky heading which can and now has been co-opted for a fascist transition.
Abolish ICE and redistribute the other agencies.
Abolish ICE and redistribute the other agencies.
Reposted by xMech
“Our sovereignty is inherent. Our treaties are binding. Our citizenship is not negotiable.”
The Department of Homeland Security is refusing to release information on 3 detained Oglala Lakota tribal members who are being held at Fort Snelling, a former concentration camp for Native people, unless the tribe enters into an immigration agreement with ICE.
Oglala Sioux Tribe accuses federal authorities of treaty violation after four members detained by ICE
“Members of the Oglala Sioux Tribe are United States citizens. We are the first Americans.”
www.wjtv.com
January 15, 2026 at 5:44 PM
“Our sovereignty is inherent. Our treaties are binding. Our citizenship is not negotiable.”
Reposted by xMech
"I've seen ordinary people do the most heroic things"
Aware that he only had a few months left to live the great Mike Davis gave one of his final interviews to the Guardian in 202.
"You’ve been organizing for social change your whole life. How do you deal with a future that feels so bleak?" Lois Beckett asked.
"You’ve been organizing for social change your whole life. How do you deal with a future that feels so bleak?" Lois Beckett asked.
January 15, 2026 at 6:22 PM
"I've seen ordinary people do the most heroic things"
Reposted by xMech
The reason I think it is important to say this is that it helps us focus on the likely risks.
It is, to me, very unlikely that a state will simply choose not to hold elections.
It is also, to me, very likely that voter intimidation and suppression will increase beyond the current terrible method.
It is, to me, very unlikely that a state will simply choose not to hold elections.
It is also, to me, very likely that voter intimidation and suppression will increase beyond the current terrible method.
Your regular reminder that there is no legal path from martial law to suspending elections in this country.
That doesn't mean there is no path. It just means that we need to reject the framing that the federal government has any legal authority to cease elections.
That doesn't mean there is no path. It just means that we need to reject the framing that the federal government has any legal authority to cease elections.
January 15, 2026 at 6:22 PM
The reason I think it is important to say this is that it helps us focus on the likely risks.
It is, to me, very unlikely that a state will simply choose not to hold elections.
It is also, to me, very likely that voter intimidation and suppression will increase beyond the current terrible method.
It is, to me, very unlikely that a state will simply choose not to hold elections.
It is also, to me, very likely that voter intimidation and suppression will increase beyond the current terrible method.
Reposted by xMech
you know what, every day Im reassured that I was always right when I decided I would rather be single and alone than trapped in a life with someone who does not share my principles (I know women in marriages with "centrist" and conservative men, I think it would kill me)
January 15, 2026 at 6:33 PM
you know what, every day Im reassured that I was always right when I decided I would rather be single and alone than trapped in a life with someone who does not share my principles (I know women in marriages with "centrist" and conservative men, I think it would kill me)
Reposted by xMech
the best encryption in the world can be broken in an instant by a snitch! technology can’t save you from the simple fact that the easiest & most common way cops find out what was said in private is not hacking or warrants or subpoenas, it’s somebody straight up telling them!!
I need people who don’t live in the Twin Cities to stop telling people not to join massive Signal groups right now. People are doing it. They’re going to keep doing it. Give them good advice about it.
The actually practical advice is don’t say anything to 1000 strangers you wouldn’t say in public
The actually practical advice is don’t say anything to 1000 strangers you wouldn’t say in public
January 15, 2026 at 1:38 PM
the best encryption in the world can be broken in an instant by a snitch! technology can’t save you from the simple fact that the easiest & most common way cops find out what was said in private is not hacking or warrants or subpoenas, it’s somebody straight up telling them!!