iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · 18h

Eugenics 🤝 ai www.nytimes.com/2026/09/29/h...

One of the things that is going to change is that we’re never ever again going to be able to be dominated by public officials who tell us, ‘Trust the experts,’” Mr. Kennedy said during the Tuesday session.

“If somebody tells you, ‘Masks work, trust the experts,’ A.I. may tell you otherwise,” he added. “If somebody tells you, ‘Social distancing works, trust the experts,’ A.I. may correct that. And if somebody tells you that a vaccine will prevent transmission and infection, or you need to take it to protect your grandmother, A.I. may say it actually doesn’t do that.”

1101582496

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 13m

might as well light up a neon sign that says 'we're doing fascism' at this point

4365

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Jason Koebler @jasonkoebler.bsky.social · 20m

there's still this idea among some ai boosters that ai in law is gonna level the playing field for poor people/give them better access to law but so far it's been like: your state appointed attorney will shit out the worst possible ai-generated bullshit and you'll rot in prison

“It's little comfort to know that my stupidity is what brings us together this afternoon,” New Mexico attorney Stephen D. Aarons said in a hearing last month before five judges. He “assumed” ChatGPT would generate a “bulletproof summary of proceedings.” Instead, ChatGPT generated false testimony from “wholly fabricated witnesses,” according to an order of direct contempt from the New Mexico Supreme Court. Aarons was representing a man who was found guilty of killing his wife earlier this year; Aarons said he hadn’t told his client directly that he was caught using ChatGPT on the case because he’s currently serving life in prison.

07513

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 24m

If you were looking for an artifact that encapsulates this moment in time you could do worse than an official federal document signed by our top oligarchs that both declares AI is a "super intelligence" and is slop that misspells the country's name as "the Unites States"

05610

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Benjamin Riley @benjaminjriley.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

There will have to be a reckoning with the role the press has played in amplifying Alpha School’s narrative. Many exceptions to this. But nonetheless, a reckoning is due.

35711

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Spencer Ackerman @attackerman.bsky.social · 22/09/2026

Article 25 (3)(e) of the statute establishing the International Criminal Court criminalizes incitement to genocide. If someone can walk into the United Nations and say this, they’re daring the court to act.

13241061195

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

One of my first writing gigs was as a climate blogger. When I was coming up, Joe Romm was the north star; fast, sharp, unyielding. His Climate Progress was the OG green blog. I'd often cite his work—and he'd nearly just as often email me to argue a finer point. A real fighter, and a real loss.

1805

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Brad Johnson @climatebrad.hillheat.com · 18/09/2026

I'm staggered to learn of the passing of my friend and colleague Dr. Joe Romm, the brilliant scientist and OG climate blogger. He was relentless in defense of physical truth and humanity in the Beltway's postfactual world. Funny, passionate, irascible, impossible, and unique.

web.sas.upenn.edu

Remembering Dr. Joe Romm

It is with great sadness that the Penn Center for Science, Sustainability and the Media shares news of the passing of PCSSM Senior Research Fellow Dr. Joe Romm. Please find below an obituary prepared ...

77713

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Andreana @catcherinthepi.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

One of the biggest hits at SF Zine Fest was my pro-human #buttonpins. I made these after absorbing @bcmerchant.bsky.social 's book Blood in the Machine, which chronicles in immersive detail the original Luddite movement.

An assortment of lavender, orange, hot pink, and teal blue pins with sayings on them like "allergic to slop", "more thoughts, less vibes", and "I love human art"

1193

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Rahawa Haile @rahawahaile.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

I interviewed @cara.city about her incredible photography project “Records of Enemy Surveillance.” Topics discussed include Flock, borders, and perceived fugutivity. Up now at @coyotemedia.org.

coyotemedia.org

An Oakland Photographer Surveils the Surveillance State

Cara Esten Hurtle’s drone-based art project shows the difference between being seen and being spotted.

110836

Reposted by Brian Merchant

PM2.5 Kills ~9 Million People Each Year Worldwide @tkovach.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

"It's the same story time and again: a new technology that promises to alleviate work degrades it instead." - @bcmerchant.bsky.social

0316

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Mastertwit 🇵🇸 @mastertwit.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Great podcast, great episode. Give it a listen.

1122

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Myles Lewando @codemacabre.com · 15/09/2026

An excellent, timely podcast by @bcmerchant.bsky.social with @naomiaklein.bsky.social and @astra.bsky.social about end times fascism and the current "AI" doomerism. youtube.com/watch?v=rR5U...

youtube.com

Is the AI Industry Run by 'End Times Fascists'?

YouTube video by Blood in the Machine

081

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Mauricio Argote-Cortes @mauricioargote.bsky.social · 15/09/2026

Great episode! Very timely, both with their book (that I’m very much looking forward to reading) and with the latest AI doomsday news cycle.

0121

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

"Pfas companies are launching a “tidal wave” of forever chemicals production to meet demand from the AI industry, a campaign organisation has warned...a survey of the 10 biggest manufacturers found most had plans to increase production." www.theguardian.com/environment/...

theguardian.com

‘Tidal wave’ of Pfas being launched to satisfy AI industry, campaigners warn

Big manufacturers planning to produce more of the forever chemicals to meet demand from datacentres

12331214

Reposted by Brian Merchant

yuri columbo 🏳️‍⚧️🏴 @psychpunk.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

This is so good. What Klein says about the Earth being an NPC to these people and the loss of their wealth being the true apocalypse in their minds is really it

36114

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Tim Newman @tnewmsblues.bsky.social · 13/09/2026

Listened to @bcmerchant.bsky.social’s pod with @naomiaklein.bsky.social & @astra.bsky.social on a hike post-INDL9 conference on AI labor supply chains and literally cheered out loud (specifically at the “theft tech” part.) Nature is healing! Listen: www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/ai-may-kil...

bloodinthemachine.com

AI may “kill all humans,” industry leaders say. So why won’t they stop building it?

Listen now (64 mins) | A conversation with Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor about “end times fascism” in the tech industry.

1151

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Jennifer Dionisio @jenniferdionisio.com · 14/09/2026

Love @bcmerchant.bsky.social ‘s podcast. This episode is really excellent. Helped me understand what is happening.

192

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

This conversation with @naomiaklein.bsky.social and @astra.bsky.social couldn't be more timely. With the AI industry talking about *its own products' potential to cause human extinction* we drill into who might still want to build such technology, and why. Hint: it's in the title of their new book.

bloodinthemachine.com

The End Times Fascists of AI, ft. Naomi Klein + Astra Taylor

Listen now (64 mins) | A conversation with Naomi Klein and Astra Taylor about “end times fascism” in the tech industry.

420666

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Chandra Russo @chandrarusso.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

My newest piece with proud Appalachian organizer Shawna McCown in @convergencemag.com We argue that while data center resistance is winning many of its immediate fights, it can accomplish something bigger: building a multiracial movement of the many. @surj.org j.org @stanfordpress.bsky.social

convergencemag.com

Is Data Center Resistance a New Vehicle for Multiracial Democracy?

Anti-data center sentiment, from Kentucky to Michigan, is proving to be an effective way to overcome racial divisions and carve out new winning coalitions.

29945

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

You know what you're doing is good when you have to develop an in-house, real-time surveillance system to help your executives locate the ideal service exit to avoid contact with the public prospect.org/2026/09/09/a...

Text reads: A piece of Anthropic’s surveillance architecture was revealed in a podcast interview from last year between Anthropic Global Security Operations Center Manager Keon Ellison, Security Operations Manager Zach Melvin, and James Neufeld, CEO of Samdesk, a company Anthropic contracts with for risk detection.

In a wide-ranging conversation about threat monitoring and analysis, the interview also touches on monitoring activists. “Last year we had an executive travel into a major city when we received some intelligence through Samdesk about a planned protest,” Ellison said. The originally scheduled protest was moved up due to permitting issues. “Samdesk gave us about 60 minutes of advanced notice that the protest organizers had moved the timeline,” Ellison explained. “That extra hour was critical. Without it our executives would have departed their meetings, they would have ran right into the heart of the disruption.”

Ellison said that Anthropic used this data to devise an alternate route for the executive and funnel them to a service entrance at the hotel. “What could have been a high-stress situation,” he said, “was really mitigated through early detection through Samdesk and giving us that information.”

812332

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 09/09/2026

Turned on the Alcaraz/Shelton game to "check the score" and well that was an hour and a half ago and I have been been unable to look away

3321

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

Had a great chat with @alexhanna.bsky.social about the rising discontentment with AI among workers, her findings from running the Luddite Lab, which gives workers interested in resisting AI resources and support, and a lot more www.bloodinthemachine.com/p/the-real-a...

bloodinthemachine.com

The real AI jobs apocalypse

A chat with sociologist and ‘AI Con’ author Dr. Alex Hanna. Plus, the human labor that behind Waymos, NYC bans AI in schools, and why a ‘tech forward future’ is a mirage.

114535

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

An author just emailed me a pitch for his new book, RECLAIM YOUR MIND, that was 100% AI-generated.

15985

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Christian Holub @cholub.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

“AI is for the bosses.” Good thread analyzing recent data about workers hating AI while management loves it

25110

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Feral T. Robot, Oil Swamp Utility Bot #7629 @feralrobots.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Most C-suite leadership (apart from my boss) buy hard into the inevitability narrative. No one's pressuring me to use it anymore, but some of our faculty (particularly in Business programs) are all-in.

0213

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Emzorzin3D @emzorzin3d.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

So I managed to avoid AI entirely... Until I got a job and was basically told I had to use it. It's been a weird and interesting journey and sure it's had it's positives but if we were all told to stop using it overnight I would be so much happier.

1448

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Totally Not a Giant Bug in a Hat @dannydoescode.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

Having been made compulsory at my workplace, I can report AI is great for churning out content on projects you don't want to bother with or learn anything about. Standards have dropped so far you can get away with barely half-assing.

1218

Reposted by Brian Merchant

The Tweeter Formerly Known as akachela @akachela.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Today on our all hands the guy presenting about AI said the future of work would be managing your AI agents while you attend meetings and I was like "wow that sounds like hell!"

510115

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

Across the US, workers are souring on AI. The tech industry has insisted that AI would make workers’ lives easier and more productive, that the more people understood and used AI, the more they would like it. Something closer to the opposite has happened.

bloodinthemachine.com

Why office workers are turning against AI

Whether or not you like AI at work ultimately boils down to a question of power.

201549454

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 03/09/2026

What a great event this was, hosted by the inimitable @jomc.bsky.social. Two booksellers, a librarian, Joanne (an author and writer) and myself discussed the implications of AI companies' mass book harvesting operations, of seeing books vacuumed up and converted into LLMs

1208

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Kevin Gannon (now a Moo Deng fan account) @thetattooedprof.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

Can't help but think of this hiker-rescue story I saw earlier today

The USFS said the climbers told them they had used an artificial intelligence platform, YouTube videos and AllTrails to plan the trip. They said they relied on Al to decide what food to bring and how much food and water they would need.

The group said it packed supplies for an eight-hour climb, not its roughly 16-hour ascent. The climbers said Al recommended simple carbohydrates instead of fats because fats "take too long to digest."

"We relied too much on Al rather than our own critical thinking," the group told rangers.

862099586

Brian Merchant @bcmerchant.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

For those in the LA area, I'll be here tonight, talking with librarians, archivists, and local pols about Amazon, AI, and the destruction of books to train LLMs www.eventbrite.com/e/amazon-des...

eventbrite.com

Amazon, Destroyer of Books

A town hall-styled discussion on the destruction of rare books by AI corporations.

19823

Reposted by Brian Merchant

CJ @mateloos.be · 28/08/2026

I do follow Hypervisible. Those who just want the TL;DR with excellent background and information on the latest in #Surveillance tech straight from the expert:

0112

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Augh @augh3d.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

after coworker audience, luxury surveillance is the 2nd term ive learned today which is perfect but only exists because we are in hell

0153

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Dr. Elinor Carmi @elinorcarmi.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

"Tech companies have encroached into Americans’ personal lives and public spaces, with both development projects and surveillance products, and people find the tradeoffs unacceptable. It’s really not complicated.. There is an additional layer of anger because people feel that they weren’t consulted"

03613

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Blake E. Reid @chup.blakereid.org · 28/08/2026

There have been leading indicators of political backlash in tech law/policy silos—e.g., copyright and AI—for years. But there's an elaborate permission structure in place for ignoring them.

03210

Reposted by Brian Merchant

Mary Branscombe @marypcbuk.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

thread of sensible institutions banning pervert glasses

110827

Reposted by Brian Merchant

John Warner @biblioracle.bsky.social · 27/08/2026

$2 million a year would cover the salaries of approximately 40 writing instructors (paid a reasonable, but still low wage). I would love to do a John Henry v. the steam shovel experiment to see which has superior effects, whatever this initiative discovers, or 40 additional writing instructors.

411738

Reposted by Brian Merchant

J.M. Berger PRE-ORDER THE POPE'S HITMAN @jmberger.com · 27/08/2026

One of the less-discussed world building elements of Optimal had to do with data centers. It is less discussed because there is, uh, a lot of other stuff going on in that scene. But it was pretty intentional.

0133