iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Reposted by Benjamin Lord

Evan Hurst @evanhurst.substack.com · 02/10/2026

How Desperate To Delete Voters Are Nativist Bigot Republicans? THIS Petty And Desperate. By the way, if you live abroad and you are an American citizen, or you know somebody who does, you/they have the right to vote, and you still have time. Click for more info. www.wonkette.com/p/how-desper...

wonkette.com

How Desperate To Delete Voters Are Nativist Bigot Republicans? THIS Petty And Desperate.

If you are an American citizen living abroad, you have the right to vote. And you still have time.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Probably not the best thing for a city recovering from a massive flood less than a week ago. Certainly wasn't fun to drive thru. Be careful out there! ⛈️

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

Pranburi Reservoir continues to fill up quickly reaching 81% capacity today, which is the highest at this time of year for anytime in the past 25 years or more. As such authorities released the floodgates at 9AM to allow outflow in anticipation of incoming flows over the next month.

huahintoday.com

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 01/10/2026

A dear actress friend of mine who I grew up with back in Arkansas recently reminded me her post that it is the anniversary of the Eliane Race Riots in which hundreds of black men, women and children were massacred with assistance from the state in 1919. medium.com/%40experienc...

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

Mongabay @mongabay.com · 30/09/2026

Deforestation across the Mekong region fell in 2025 due to fewer wildfires and enforcement, continuing a multi-year drop. However, total tree cover loss reached 746,168 hectares, with nearly 200,000 hectares destroyed inside protected areas. @geraldrflynn.bsky.social reports for #Mongabay.

mongabay.cc

Despite a drop in deforestation in 2025, forest losses pile up in the Mekong

BANGKOK — Over the course of 2025, the Mekong countries of Cambodia, Laos, Myanmar, Thailand and Vietnam lost a combined 746,168 hectares (1.8 million acres) of tree cover, an area roughly equivalent…

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

I've got many memories of going to The Long Bar @ The Raffles Hotel in Singapore over the past 25 years. The drink is alright, the ambiance priceless. And by all means, throw your peanut shells on the floor. "The $40 Cocktail That Shaped Singapore’s Acclaimed Bar Scene" by Nicholas Yong

nytimes.com

The Raffles’ Singapore Sling Costs $40. There’s a Reason Tourists Still Love It. (Gift Article)

You can still buy a Singapore Sling in the colonial-era hotel where it’s said to have been invented more than a century ago. Custom versions have arisen nearby.

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

武政諒 Ryo Takemasa @ryotakemasa.bsky.social · 28/09/2026

School Road by the Sea (2026) Available as art print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 27/09/2026

Headed west through the sugar cane fields to check out Pranburi Reservoir yesterday. Turned a rainy day into a family mini road trip. 🚘

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

武政諒 Ryo Takemasa @ryotakemasa.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

Bridge and the Moon (2021) Available as art print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 25/09/2026

No further proof that we are living (suffering?) through a new Gilded Age than the NYT casually doing a story on the resurgence of private rail cars. [link currently free to read for all us poor folk out there]

nytimes.com

Private Train Cars Persist In the Era of Private Jets and Luxury Travel

Private train cars may seem like a relic of the past, but for some rail fans, nothing beats having — or renting — your own sleeper car.

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

武政諒 Ryo Takemasa @ryotakemasa.bsky.social · 18/09/2026

Moths (2008) Available as art print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

Leah McElrath @leahmcelrath.bsky.social · 24/09/2026

AP Stylebook warns against anthropomorphizing AI systems: “Avoid language that gives them human characteristics… Instead, explain what a system does, how well it performs, who built it and who could be affected by it.”

APStylebook @APStylebook
X.com
Artificial intelligence systems do not think, feel, want or understand. Avoid language that gives them human characteristics. This is called anthropomorphizing, when we ascribe human traits, emotions or behaviors to non-human things, such as animals or inanimate objects.
Instead, explain what a system does, how well it performs, who built it and who could be affected by it.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

Super tasty new (Korean) beverage in our local 7 Eleven here in Bangkok. Frosty mug not included. A bit pricey at 39THB, but unique and giving craft kombucha vibes. Full disclosure: I love vinegars, brines and pickling liquids of all types, but this is quite mild by comparison and sorta sweet/sour.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 23/09/2026

The estimate of deaths is for the period September-February 2027, which is when current temperature forecasts end. But elevated levels of heat deaths are expected to continue until June-July 2027. The most affected countries in the next six months are Nigeria, Indonesia, Sudan, India and Brazil."

theguardian.com

Huge El Niño projected to cause 450,000 deaths in next six months

New report predicts a heavy toll from Nigeria to the US – and comes on top of existing impacts of the climate crisis

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 19/09/2026

Although this story has been covered extensively in Thai media, this NYT piece (currently free to read) will vastly increase the international awareness of the horrors that took place inside one of Thailand's richest dynasties. The abuse was awful enough. The reaction when he spoke out even worse.

nytimes.com

He Accused His Brother of Sexual Abuse. Then He Took on His Family.

Siranudh Scott, an heir to Thailand’s Singha beer empire, has prompted a rare public reckoning about a topic considered taboo.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 14/09/2026

"The closer autocrats come to their end, the more frenziedly do they build. Nero embarked on a golden palace before he was driven to suicide. Marie Antoinette built a model hamlet before she was beheaded. Hitler pored over architectural plans in his bunker during his final days." 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏 🙏

theguardian.com

The desecration of DC: from a giant arch to a nuke-proof bunker, Trump’s legacy-building blingfest is an architectural atrocity

A bloated ballroom, a six-storey military HQ, a helipad-cum-cocktail patio, a gilded angel on a giant arch honouring himself … our architecture critic deplores the decorator-in-chief’s mutilation of W...

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

"Under the plan – dubbed “my feed, my way” – users opting out of the algorithm will see content only from individuals and groups they have actively chosen to follow. Users would be asked what they want their default feed to be through a pop-up message provided on their platform of choice."

theguardian.com

Australia to force social media platforms to allow users to opt out of algorithms

Draft legislation enforces digital duty of care including limiting children’s exposure to misogynistic and eating disorder content

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 08/09/2026

"Once a tree makes the register, it earns clearer rules for its upkeep. Any pruning or other work has to be checked and signed off by specialists, so its canopy, shade and value stay intact."

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 05/09/2026

"You can take the boy out of Arkansas, but you can't take the Arkansas out of the boy." 🤷‍♂️

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 04/09/2026

25 years ago this week I got on a plane from Saigon to Bangkok to move to Thailand. I had visited a few times prior but this was different. I wasn't sure what I would find here, but I wanted to give it a shot, and after 4 years in Vietnam was ready for a change.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 02/09/2026

“Tonight anti-trans politics lost.Massachusetts rejected the idea that attacking transgender people is a shortcut to political power.Voters chose a different path: one where equality is not negotiable, cruelty is not courage, and transgender people do not have to disappear for Democrats to succeed."

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

Sarah Kendzior @sarahkendzior.bsky.social · 28/08/2026

In 2023, I wrote a book about taking my children to national parks before the parks were destroyed, fearing exactly this outcome. But even I didn't think it would happen this soon and with so little Congressional pushback. My book is called THE LAST AMERICAN ROAD TRIP.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 26/08/2026

I had to take a minute to gather myself. It’s hard to overstate the sadness and grief that I have experienced today since I woke up to the news. While I have anticipated and dreaded that this day would come, you simply can’t prepare yourself.

A young Dolly Parton lays on her back in a shady patch of grass, wearing a silk pantsuit with pearl buttons. Her bouffant blond hair is laying around her head with a white crocheted ribbon running through it like a halo.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

🎵 "Yes, you can sail the seven seas (in the navy) Yes, you can put your mind at ease (in the navy)" 🎵 Of course Hegseth sent them to Pattaya. 🤷‍♂️ Thailand will be the first port of call the ship makes after its record deployment before returning home to California with its crew of 5,000.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 25/08/2026

I was not prepared for the easy listening bossa nova cover of "APT." that was just playing in the supermarket just now. Too soon? Absolutely. 🤨

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

Low key upset with all you Subaru folks out there that hadn't convinced me get one before. 🤣 Soooo in love with the new ride. Ready for many adventures to come. Let's go, y'all! 🧡

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 17/08/2026

“[China is] using this as part of the narrative to demonstrate to the Philippines, to Japan, to Indonesia and others that...China is the bigger power and the U.S. is not able to guarantee their security anymore.”

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Not me reading a pdf of my car's manual on a Sunday afternoon like an impatient kid on Christmas Eve who can't wait for their toys. Pick her up tomorrow! 😎

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 16/08/2026

Local residents of Bangkok's outlying district of Nong Chok fear the improvements along Saen Saeb Canal and construction of concrete embankments and walkways will destroy their way of life along the waterway.

youtu.be

ชะตาชีวิตคนริมคลองแสนแสบ ย่านมีนบุรี-หนองจอก : The Active (10 ส.ค. 2569)

YouTube video by The Active

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 13/08/2026

The transformation of the United States into a brazen & openly corrupt kleptocracy is nearing its completion. 🤷‍♂️

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 12/08/2026

So we did a thing and bought a Subaru XV crossover today. This is such an unbelievable upgrade from our last car. 🧡☆🥂☆🧡☆🍾☆🧡☆🚘☆🧡 Yay! Where my Subaru people at?

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 03/08/2026

Our eldest, being sure to get in those last summer rays before we head back to the big city at dawn tomorrow. 🌞 #DogsOfBluesky

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

Thailand has identified 210 individual tigers living across 26 protected areas, according to the latest nationwide camera trap survey. 🐅 The Western Forest Complex remains the country's main tiger habitat. Closer to us in Pranburi they estimate 3 each in Kaeng Krachan and Kuiburi forest complexes.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 01/08/2026

I have 6 words from my birth year, actually: Air-kiss, ATM, download, fractal, mobile phone, subwoofer

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

武政諒 Ryo Takemasa @ryotakemasa.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

White Wagtail (2017) Available as art print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Another incredibly useful app that Google is killing off. ⚠️ Google Earth Pro stand alone program for Windows won't be available for download soon & will be phased out. I disagree that the mobile & online versions are the same as they are vastly inferior. 🌏 This is why we can't have nice things. 😞

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

The skyline just after dawn, looking west towards the Tenasserim Mountains and the Burmese border. 📍 Wang Pong, Pranburi District, Thailand

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 30/07/2026

Models wearing hats designed by Philip Treacy. London (1999) 🎩

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

Mekong Review @mekongreview.com · 29/07/2026

This is what you have to do to navigate life in Vietnam: accept that things are precarious and constantly vulnerable to change. 📖: mekongreview.com/mou...

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

At our local temple for Asahala Bucha Day. Tomorrow is the start of Buddhist lent (Khao Pansa) so we'll be walking in procession around the temple three times after the monks are through chanting this evening. ☸️ 📍 Wat Khao Tao, Thailand

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Reposted by Benjamin Lord

武政諒 Ryo Takemasa @ryotakemasa.bsky.social · 29/07/2026

Orange Branch (2018) Available as art print: www.inprnt.com/gallery/ryot...

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

At our land we have quite the local population of peacocks which are all in the fields and nearby forested ridgeline. They were introduced into a (now disused) royal residence of Queen Sirikit over a half a century ago and have become naturalized in the area and thrive. 🦚 📍 Pranburi, Thailand

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 28/07/2026

Glad that this issue is getting some much needed scrutiny. The government, however, is much more focused on attracting investment and green lighting projects. "Thailand’s Ministry of Digital Economy and Society did not respond to Mongabay’s emailed questions."

news.mongabay.com

Thai MP calls for new committee to scrutinize AI data centers’ environmental impact

BANGKOK — An opposition member of Thailand’s parliament has called for the creation of a parliamentary committee on the regulation of data centers. The call comes amid a raft of new project approvals ...

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 26/07/2026

Poster created by Edgar Ainsworth for the Empire Marketing Board in 1931 to promote Malaysian canned pineapples. 🍍

Poster illustration of two Asian farm workers in conical hats working in a pineapple field, one holding a long tool. Fan shaped travellers palms can be seen in the distance.

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Benjamin Lord @benjalord.bsky.social · 25/07/2026

Really & truly relieved to hear that this awful project is finally being scrapped. It was never a good idea. The local people were adamantly against it, and the environmental problems would have been catastrophic, especially for the vast mangrove forests in Ranong (a global RAMSAR protected site).

bangkokpost.com

Axe set to fall on Land Bridge

The government is set to end the Land Bridge megaproject after a review found low financial viability, increased budget risks and environmental concerns.

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