A nameless socialist who isn't online nearly enough.
Member of at least two alphabet mafias.
Reform, protest, activism, elections big and small. It all helps.
Conservatives and "Leninists" sabotage the world using the exact same talking points.
This article about solidarity with Russia is getting passed around by tankies on Tumblr as this keen and insightful Marxist truth, and it's just so risibly false.
This is a deranged bizarro world statement! It is not true.
Yes, it’s quite odd! This was only four years ago; I remember quite clearly that the tankies were saying right before the invasion began that the idea Russia might invade Ukraine was hysterical, propagandistic nonsense. “It was a defensive invasion of Russia’s puppet states” would in any case not be a very good justification, considering, you know, those states only existed because Russia invaded Crimea and the Donbas in 2014 in response to Ukraine trying to exercise its right to self-determination.
But I don’t think you need to waste too much time debunking this stuff; it isn’t really meant to convince anybody. It functions like Christian apologists trying to resolve troublesome Gospel passages by saying things like “oh the ‘eye of the needle’ is a gate in Jerusalem,” or “Judas could have hanged himself *then* his guts could have exploded.” The function of statements like this is to reassure those who already believe, who might otherwise have doubts about inconsistency in the doctrines or who just wish to feel confirmed in that belief. Such statements can have the shape of persuasive argument, but that’s just because that gives them authority and in turn enhances the affect of correctness. It’s not really about making an argument or defending a point of view in the rational or considered sense, though. It’s an emotionally soothing tool, and a way to assuage the discomfort of cognitive dissonance, in this case including the dissonance that could arise if someone notices that pure campism has led them to side with the genocidal fascists instead of the country engaged in an anti-colonial struggle.
And I do think they occasionally notice this. Which is why tankies are so often desperate for any narrative that will let them abjure the naked facts of the situation (Russia invaded a smaller, weaker neighbor in 2014, using methods that were a flagrant violation of the laws of war; they expanded that invasion massively in 2022; the rationalizing justification from the beginning has been Russian nationalism; to the extent NATO is relevant at all to this conflict—highly debatable—it is on the anti-imperialist side). The social dynamics here are pretty fascinating: everybody who is still a committed tankie in 2026 is sort of definitionally half-deranged already, since anyone with real analytical ability and discernment drifts away from pure campism and trying to relitigate the failures of the Cold War. What’s left is a core group which is wedded to a particular identity for reasons that have a lot more to do with their emotional and personal issues than their actual politics, and the fact that their political identity has become integral to their self-conception means they will refuse, regardless of the moral outrages they must embrace as a result, to ever reexamine what they are committing themselves to. As a result they can and must isolate themselves further, demonstrate their in-group commitment by adopting more extreme viewpoints, and become more divorced from reality. Their isolation becomes proof of their unique correctness, something they can also point to as evidence of their persecution.
It is the classic identity politics scenario. You can’t argue someone out of a position like that for the same reason you’re not going to convince the Jehovah’s Witnesses in the subway station that maybe they’d be happier in a less abusive and manipulative denomination like the Episcopalians. It’s more annoying because the Jehovah’s Witnesses easier to ignore, and at least understand most of their activity is for internal consumption. But tankies are ultimately about as politically and socially relevant as the JWs. And I think the real rebuttal to any inane thing they say is just the indisputable fact that they don’t matter, they have never accomplished anything politically in their lives, they aspire to be a mass political movement and they can’t command the numbers of pure protest party, and so the sum total of their political life consists of making stupid social media posts and occasionally joining sex pest support groups like the PSL. The ultimate indictment of their worldview isn’t even their attachment to an empire that stagnated and collapsed before most of them were born, it’s that they have accomplished literally nothing since, even in moments where socialism more broadly was more popular than ever. For another ideology, it might be enough to be right and also ignored; but the whole spirit of Marxism-Leninism is that you are a movement for the masses. And they are a bitter anachronism who can’t even get people to show up consistently for their book clubs.
How the fuck did so many trans people on this website come to the conclusion that trans men aren't in danger from misogyny anyway
I survived three stalkers before I even knew I was trans. And then I got raped two years after I came out. Literally what fucking propaganda were people even on
A new electrochemical system simultaneously converts plant-derived materials and nitrate pollutants into valuable industrial chemicals. Deve
A new electrochemical system simultaneously converts plant-derived materials and nitrate pollutants into valuable industrial chemicals. Developed by Tohoku University researchers, the system provides a more sustainable way to manufacture chemicals while helping address wastewater pollution.
Details of the system were published in the journal Angewandte Chemie on June 8, 2026.
A new catalyst made the process possible by enabling two chemical reactions to occur efficiently within the same electrolysis device. The system converts a biomass-derived compound called 1,5-pentanediol into glutaric acid, an important chemical used in the production of polymers and specialty materials, while also transforming nitrate contaminants in wastewater into ammonia, a key ingredient in fertilizers and many industrial products.
The UN-sanctioned Board of Peace announced by Donald Trump earlier this year to rule Gaza is planning a sweeping grant of legal immunity for itself, according to a draft of the resolution obtained by the Guardian. The draft language would also let the organization obtain public property in Gaza “free of charge”.
The four-page resolution, labeled “sensitive but unclassified”, extends broad protections to every member of the Board of Peace and its administrative affiliate, the office of the high representative (OHR), as well as to the Palestinian technocrats, international military forces and nonresident contractors lined up to perform work in Gaza. It defines legal processes from which they would have immunity as “any arrest, detention or legal proceedings in the courts or other entities in Gaza”.
It is unclear if the document is attempting to relieve the Board of Peace and its affiliates from prosecution in international courts, in addition to potential claims in Gaza.
Draft resolution seeks to shield board members and security forces from potential prosecution for work in Gaza
The seven-member “executive board” that leads the Board of Peace includes Trump’s son-in-law Jared Kushner; special envoy Steve Witkoff; the president’s chief of staff, Susie Wiles; and his national security adviser, Marco Rubio. Though countries have pledged billions, most have not yet transferred funds to support its work in Gaza and no major contracts have been issued.
The White House referred questions to the Board of Peace.
The Board of Peace did not answer specific questions about the draft resolution, but an official said in a statement: “There is no operative resolution or immunity framework of the kind described in your questions … Any suggestion that this process is designed to create lawlessness or impunity is wrong, misleading and gets the issue entirely backwards.”
Apple hiked iPad and MacBook prices on Thursday, saying it could no longer shield customers from soaring memory and storage chip costs drive
Apple hiked iPad and MacBook prices on Thursday, saying it could no longer shield customers from soaring memory and storage chip costs driven by the AI industry's data centre buildout.
“The consumer electronics industry is facing an unprecedented challenge,” Apple said in a statement to CBC News. “We have never seen a component price increase this much, this quickly.”
The company has shielded customers from increases thus far, it said. "But we have now reached a point where we need to begin raising prices on a number of products, including today's increases for iPad and Mac."
i was chatting with a coworker about this whole saga today and someone nearby popped into the convo to be like “you know, you can use chatgpt to write a demand letter!” and i sort of blinked and went, “okay. i did it myself, though.” and she was like, “yeah but it can tell you what laws and stuff are relevant” and i was like, “i also did research myself.” and she was very well-meaning but she said “chatgpt” like six more times before she left and it was genuinely baffling to me, this insistence on it.
and in the one hand, did i enjoy spending hours researching housing regulations in my state? not especially. drafting this email was stressful. but on the other hand, did i learn a lot by doing that research? yeah, i did. i’m more prepared for my current and future leases. i used some of that info to make decisions about a new renter’s insurance policy. i already told three different people about things i learned that are relevant to their leases that they didn’t know yet. (pro tip: see if you’re supposed to be getting annual interest payments on your security deposit! also look up what specific appliances your landlords must legally provide as of 2026.) i also got to reconnect with my cousin for a bit because her job gave her specific insight on part of the situation, and i’d much rather do that than have a chatbot make shit up for me.
also, i drafted that email with the power of friendship (friends angry on our behalf) and spite (from landlords telling me not to do my research). chatgpt could never.
Please never use generative AI tools for any kind of legal dispute. It does not know what laws or court cases are. It will make up something that sounds favorable to you, and you will get crushed. There are free resources out there to learn this stuff. And sometimes attorneys will offer free consultations or volunteer at a free legal clinic. OP didn't just do it themselves to do extra work or some shit. This is really the only viable way to do things short of hiring a professional to do it for you.
ChatGPT is not easier or faster in matters like this. It is a shot to the foot.
This study is being done by Dr. Lisa Littman, Dr. Kenneth Zucker, and J. Michael Bailey. The same people behind the “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” and other Transphobic pseudoscience. Do NOT give information to them via ayagdos, they have a long history of retractions and reported misconduct.
Report this ad wherever you see it. The fact that staff allows this kind of shit yet still turning a blind eye to everything else is just pure hatred.
Burden of Proof:
The project is called AYAGDOS—brought to you by the same names behind “Rapid Onset Gender Dysphoria” pseudoscience.
If you see this, don't participate. It's a rigged study by Lisa Littman and unethical researcher J. Michael Bailey meant to undermine access
I want you guys to know this shit not only makes my life better and easier, and consequently makes me like you more, but WAY MORE IMPORTANTLY could literally save someone's life.
Yes, eye strain sucks. Yes migraines are painful. Yes seizures are miserable. But every single epileptic seizure, to a very small but very much not zero degree, can just kill you. Seizures are horrible and dangerous - with aspiration and head trauma to take into account as well. Even if it's "not that much flashing" or it's "not that long" or "it's only a seizure" or whatever kind of excuse you may want to make - PLEASE think about photosensitive users when you interact with media
Anything with
Rapid change between different colors
Rapid change between light and dark frames
Anything that causes the value of the screen to change very majorly very quickly
Anything very color intensive/stressful for the eyes
Needs to be tagged with things like "flashing lights" "strobing" "eye strain" etc - NOT tags such as "photosensitive" or "epilepsy" bc we use those tags for our community
tech news today is that Mullvad VPN has gone mask-off about being the major funding source for the Swedish Orebro party, who are racist nationalists. unfortunately all discussion of this is occurring on fucking Mastodon instances i can barely load
if you are a mullvad customer (as i am) and want to get out, here is guidance from this guy
If you don't want your Mullvad fees going to fund neo-Nazis - or @mozilla VPN fees, which is rebranded Mullvad - cancel and get a refund immediately
that's whose "free speech" the official account is talking about here, and that's where your fees go to
EDIT: Mullvad has a 14 day refund policy. But the message below is a direct call to ask for a refund if you don't want to give money to Nazis.
If Mullvad refuse a refund, call your consumer protection agency. And reverse credit card charges on the basis of deceptive refund policy representations. It's not like you ever want to be a Mullvad customer again.
archive copy of Mullvad statement: https://web.archive.org/web/2026062717
some people have reported being refused refunds that fall outside their 14-day refund window. my sub was 60 days past the payment date, but fwiw I emailed support with my account number and a screenshot of the above mastodon post and explicitly said "In line with your official account's statement, I'd like to request an immediate cancellation and refund on the grounds that I don't share the values of Mullvad or any other company that knowingly profits Nazis. If you're unwilling to issue this refund, please let me know and I'll be happy to escalate the matter to consumer protection." and they issued my refund without a fuss.
Text of tweet under the cut because it is loooong.
But... Stochastic Parrots.
Timnit Gebru was fired from Google in December 2020 for refusing to retract a research paper, and every single warning that paper made about large language models has now happened at a scale the industry spent 4 years trying to make people forget about.
Her name is Timnit Gebru.
She co-led the Ethical AI team at Google. She co-wrote a paper called "On the Dangers of Stochastic Parrots" with Emily Bender at the University of Washington and two other researchers. The paper was 14 pages long. It was submitted to a top AI ethics conference. And it was the reason Google decided that one of the most senior Black women in AI research could no longer work there.
The story Google told publicly was that she resigned. The story she told, confirmed by 2,695 of her colleagues in an open letter, was that she was fired by email while on vacation because she refused to either retract the paper or remove her name from it.
The paper had not even been published yet.
Here is what she actually wrote, and why every prediction inside it has now come true.
The first warning was about scale itself. Bender and Gebru argued that training ever-larger models on ever-larger scrapes of the internet would produce systems that appeared fluent but had no actual understanding of language. They called these systems stochastic parrots because they would repeat patterns from training data with statistical confidence and zero comprehension. The paper predicted that this apparent intelligence would fool both users and developers into trusting outputs that were structurally incapable of being reliable.
This was 2020. GPT-3 had just come out. The paper predicted the hallucination problem before anyone had a word for it.
The second warning was about bias amplification. The paper documented in detail that internet-scale training data contains systematic overrepresentation of dominant viewpoints and underrepresentation of marginalized ones. The models would not just absorb this bias. They would amplify it, because the optimization process rewards confident outputs, and confidence in language patterns tracks frequency in the training set.
The prediction was that hiring tools built on these models would discriminate against women. That healthcare triage tools would underperform on Black patients. That loan approval systems would entrench inequality while presenting their decisions as neutral algorithmic judgment.
Every one of those things has now been documented in deployment.
Amazon's hiring algorithm penalized resumes that contained the word "women" in any context. Healthcare risk scoring algorithms used by major US hospitals were found to systematically underestimate the medical needs of Black patients. Apple Card's credit algorithm gave wives credit lines 10x lower than their husbands for the same financial profile.
The third warning was about environmental cost. The paper calculated that training a single large language model produced emissions equivalent to the lifetime output of 5 cars. The prediction was that the race to scale would create an environmental footprint that would eventually rival entire industries.
In 2024, Google's emissions were up 48% from 2019, and the company explicitly blamed AI infrastructure. Microsoft's were up 29%, same reason. Both companies have now quietly abandoned the climate commitments they were publicly celebrating the year Gebru was fired.
The fourth warning was about documentation. The paper argued that the training datasets being assembled were too large for anyone to actually audit. Nobody at Google, OpenAI, Meta, or any other lab could tell you with confidence what was in the data their models were trained on. This was not a temporary problem to be solved later. It was a permanent feature of the approach.
In 2023, researchers discovered that the LAION-5B dataset, used to train Stable Diffusion and other major image models, contained thousands of images of child sexual abuse material. The companies that had trained on the dataset had no way of knowing. The paper predicted that category of failure 3 years before it was found.
The fifth warning was the one Google cared about most.
Bender and Gebru argued that the deployment of these systems would centralize linguistic and cultural power in the hands of the small number of companies that could afford to train them. The internet would become a place where the dominant voice was a statistical average of dominant voices, presented as a neutral assistant. Languages underrepresented in the training data would degrade over time as more web content was generated by these systems and fed back into the next training run.
This is now happening in real time. A 2024 study found that 57% of new web content in English is AI-generated or AI-assisted. Researchers studying low-resource languages have documented active degradation in translation quality, because the synthetic content fed back into training is itself worse in those languages.
The paper Google fired her for predicted the model collapse problem before model collapse had a name.
The mechanism behind why this all happened is the part of her work that nobody quotes.
Gebru's argument was not that AI is dangerous in some abstract sci-fi sense. Her argument was that AI is dangerous in a very specific structural sense. The technology was being built by a small group of researchers who shared similar backgrounds, worked at similar companies, and were rewarded for shipping products faster than competitors. The incentive structure made it impossible for safety, ethics, and bias concerns to slow anything down. Anyone inside the system who raised those concerns was either ignored, sidelined, or removed.
She was making that argument from inside Google.
Then Google proved her right by removing her.
The team Google had built to make sure their AI was safe was dismantled in 90 days because they did the job they had been hired to do. Margaret Mitchell, the other co-lead of the Ethical AI team, was fired two months after Gebru for searching through her own emails for evidence of how Gebru had been treated.
Gebru did not stop. She founded DAIR, the Distributed AI Research Institute, in 2021. The mission is to do AI research outside the control of the companies that have a financial interest in not hearing the answers.
Every prediction in the Stochastic Parrots paper has now been validated by deployment. Hallucinations are an industry-wide problem the largest labs cannot solve. Bias amplification has been documented in hiring, healthcare, lending, and criminal justice. Environmental costs are larger than entire small countries. Training data audits remain impossible. Model collapse is an active research crisis at every major lab.
The question worth sitting with is the one almost no one in the industry will say out loud.
Every researcher with the technical credibility to call out these problems watched what happened to her in December 2020 and made a calculation about their own career. The number of people willing to speak publicly about safety and ethics issues inside the major AI labs collapsed after that firing and has not recovered.
The researcher Google fired for warning about exactly what is now happening was right.
The company that fired her is now the second-largest deployer of the technology she warned about.
And the people inside that company who agree with her are not allowed to say so.
'Go home!': Netanyahu heckled during IDF ceremony as he defends war record
Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu faced heckling on camera during his speech at the IDF's Bahad 1's combat officer graduation ceremony, near Mitzpe Ramon on Thursday. As Netanyahu reflected on his military service and the loss of a friend in combat, a voice from the audience shouted, "Go home!"
Netanyahu was defending the government's record, saying that“Only a blind man would say there are no achievements.” He claimed that operations including “Kalavi” and “Roar of the Lion” were major accomplishments, further adding that there were “more missions to perform” against Iran and Hamas.
Mabel Dore in '44 @partisan-by-default - Tumblr Blog | Tumgag
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