Sign in

Benjamin Rahn

@brahn.bsky.social
486 followers 602 following 382 posts

Dad. Product engineer. Ex-Stripe. Co-founded ActBlue. Erstwhile physicist.

PostsRepliesMedia
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
hilzoy @hilzoy.bsky.social · 08/10/2026
“On October 6, representative Jamie Raskin of Maryland introduced a bill directing officials from the Smithsonian Institution to collect and preserve “artifacts related to the President’s narcissistic self-worship.” (from Artnet article quoted in LGM.)
15725
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
This is excellent -- especially when confronted with well-intentioned folks who say "OK but Elon/DOGE had some good points, right?"
010
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 01/10/2026
Evergreen
010
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 25/09/2026
I still regularly think of this 2009 profile in the New Yorker www.newyorker.com/magazine/200...
000
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 10/09/2026
Good opportunity to recommend Tuca and Bertie to everyone (from same folks who made Bojack Horseman — but T&C is much more upbeat!) m.youtube.com/watch?v=BZ4n...
m.youtube.com
The Nicest Doorknob | Tuca & Bertie | adult swim
YouTube video by Adult Swim
000
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Don Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 04/09/2026
I think one reason Mamdani is using non-traditional media is because traditional media isn't covering substantive government stories The two reporters on this topic cover the Mamdani administration but mostly from the perspective of conflicts. Too much theater, not enough substance.
643088537
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 19/08/2026
Catching up on _Silo_, and caught this line from the Algorithm (some sort of AI) in s03e03 : TWO IMPROBABLE POSSIBILITIES IN PURSUIT OF A RESULT EASILY ACHIEVED WITH ONE PROVEN ACT Sounds like Claude on a bad day!
"The Algorithm", from the TV show _Silo_Leonardo di Caprio "pointing in recognition" meme
000
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 15/08/2026
I seem to recall these folks not being the good guys. avatar.fandom.com/wiki/Electri...
Still from "The Legend of Korra" of an antagonist wielding an electric shock glove.
022
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 11/08/2026
Booooo this movie is so unrealistic
NYTimes headline: Trump Hid in Catering Container to Sneak out of Turkey Amid Threats
000
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 08/08/2026
Thx to spending time with some cognitive scientists last week, i was skeptical when today I heard about this sloth phenomenon — and it turns out that it isn’t true: medium.com/a-microbiome... Cc: @petersagal.bsky.social whom I’m sure will pointedly mock all us NPR nerds who write in about this.
010
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Liberal Currents @liberalcurrents.com · 15/07/2026
"Restoration looks back at January 2025 and sets that as the ceiling. Reconstruction looks at what the demolition revealed, and rebuilds with that in mind." www.liberalcurrents.com/how-to-rebui...
liberalcurrents.com
How to Rebuild a Civil Service
If we want to be the party of big government, we must become the party of good government.
06622
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Daniel Abraham @abraham.bsky.social · 05/07/2026
Its potential to become a better version of itself.
2717
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 02/07/2026
I'm not sure it is that hard. But I haven't been trying to act like everything with this presidency is normal, so I may not be in a position to speak for the author.
120
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Lauren Dobson-Hughes @ldobsonhughes.bsky.social · 24/06/2026
Musk says not a single person has died due to him axing USAID. Sadly, part of my job involves tracking aid spending. So here’s a thread with just some of the people who lost their lives because of USAID cuts
196133276753
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 20/06/2026
The right always knew what they would do with this kind of media ownership, and just assumed that the rest of society would do the same. They couldn’t imagine that others might genuinely value free expression and healthy communities over pursuit of raw power and self-interest.
450
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Christopher Whitaker @civicwhitaker.com · 19/06/2026
There’s a natural tension in civic tech to push against rules that slow progress - but the trick is to reduce friction *while still mitigating the risk the reg was designed to combat*
011
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Christopher Whitaker @civicwhitaker.com · 19/06/2026
If I ever get to teach public administration, I’m am pulling this out as an example of “We have rules for a reason no matter how annoying they are”
141
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Ben Wikler @benwikler.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Friends, a month from now, I’ll be releasing my book, THIS IS THE PLAN. Today, I’m delighted to announce something else: THIS IS WISCONSIN. 🧵
1232271
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 18/06/2026
Bravo!!!!!
000
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
James Grimmelmann @jtlg.bsky.social · 13/06/2026
The Anthropic export ban is brought to you by the same people responsible for the TikTok import ban, the U.S. government Anthropic use ban, and dialing pre-release review of A.I. models from 60 days down to 30. There is no coherent underlying theory of AI regulation.
211027
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Elizabeth Spiers @espiers.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Here’s the NBER study btw: www.nber.org/papers/w35129
nber.org
Labor Market Impacts of ICE Activity in Trump 2.0
Founded in 1920, the NBER is a private, non-profit, non-partisan organization dedicated to conducting economic research and to disseminating research findings among academics, public policy makers, an...
14125
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 06/06/2026
Green Bones Saga by Fonda Lee It practically pitches itself: the Godfather with super-powered martial arts like why has a check not appeared by the end of this sentence.
040
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Anil Dash @anildash.com · 05/06/2026
Are there any index funds that are going to offer a version of their funds minus SpaceX?
2119526
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 30/05/2026
Can’t believe the NYT won’t call out the obvious big M agenda here www.nytimes.com/2026/05/29/c...
Screenshot highlighting “Mariannette Miller-Meeks”Screenshot highlighting “Mayes Middleton”
010
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Derek Lowe @dereklowe.bsky.social · 28/05/2026
An unapologetically angry post about what’s being done to US science:
science.org
The Current Crisis: What's Happening to Science in America
10518249
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Carl T. Bergstrom @carlbergstrom.com · 29/05/2026
Of all the harm this administration has done to US science, today's proposed changes to the way federal grants are awarded and administered is the most damaging yet. The text of the federal register document is impenetrably tedious by design, so here's an excellent summary of what it says.
331657977
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 29/05/2026
impartial scientific research is the enemy of despotism and so naturally vought wants to destroy it
802890765
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 27/05/2026
Absolutely nothing is stopping John Cornyn, Tillis, Murkowski, & Paul from caucusing immediately with Democrats & giving them control of the Senate. The same is true of Thomas Massie & any 2 retiring GOP Reps in the House. It is a choice to continue caucusing with the authoritarian personality cult.
17071151850
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Kevin M. Kruse @kevinmkruse.bsky.social · 24/05/2026
"For a mere $10 million gift, you can help us remake the intellectual landscape by endowing a prestigious chair in an underrepresented subfield, such as geocentric astronomy, high-energy phlogiston physics, or patriotic history." Well played, @mcsweeneys.net. Well played.
mcsweeneys.net
We’re Diversifying the University by Hiring More Crackpots
“For too long, the university has ignored the wisdom of the donor class and hired based on academic excellence. Regrettably, this has led to the underreprese...
944287
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 22/05/2026
The White House's goal here is so transparent: "Let's just make it harder for immigrants to legally build a life in the US because we like hurting people" 🤮
031
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Hamilton Nolan @hamiltonnolan.bsky.social · 21/05/2026
Worth noting that this is actually a meta-question-- it's not "what policy do you think is good?" It's "what policy do you think other, imaginary people would think is good?" This encourages the "Everyone Think Like a Pundit Rather Than as a Citizen" disease that plagues political commentary.
1023061433
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Soraya Nadia McDonald @soraya.press · 18/05/2026
They are stealing from you.
nytimes.com
Trump Administration Live Updates: $1.8 Billion Fund to Pay ‘Victims of Lawfare and Weaponization’
2539
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Sherrilyn Ifill @sifill.bsky.social · 14/05/2026
Feeling overwhelmed with all of this. LISTEN. Another Louisiana resident (Marshawn is the only name we have) testifies against the state’s racial gerrymander, speaking truth to power up and down the hearing room and predicts how this story will end. Speak your truth, fight and believe.
16604011114971
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Mark Jacob @markjacob.bsky.social · 12/05/2026
A very small percentage of Americans today know that Republicans sold out the U.S. hostages in Iran – and actually worked to make their captivity longer. The lack of awareness of Republican treason like this is the reason their treason keeps happening. And it didn't start with Trump.
22346107
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Quinn Yeargain @yeargain.bsky.social · 09/05/2026
this is the closest I've ever come to actually suggesting a "one neat trick" suggestion for anything, but I'm so serious here. the Virginia Constitution gives the legislature the power to set retirement ages for judges "REGARDLESS OF THE TERM TO WHICH ELECTED OR APPOINTED." make it 54 right now.
the-downballot.com
How Virginia Democrats can overturn the redistricting ruling: Retire the Supreme Court
The state Constitution gives lawmakers complete latitude to set the judicial retirement age. They should use it.
14066982029
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Murshed Zaheed @murshedz.bsky.social · 08/05/2026
When Utah’s Supreme Court overturned Republican attempt to redistrict they responded by expanding their state Supreme Court. The assignment for @abigailspanberger.com & VA Dems couldn’t be more clear - expand VA’s Supreme Court (in addition to passing immediate legislation to redistrict anyway).
apnews.com
Utah governor signs bill adding justices to state Supreme Court as redistricting appeal looms
Utah Gov. Spencer Cox has signed a bill expanding the state Supreme Court’s five-judge panel to seven.
112664
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
“The design and intent of these facilities are unmistakable. The floorplans resemble industrial storage operations more than humane environments: rows of bunk beds under constant surveillance, minimal access to outdoor space, and little to no access to lawyers or immigration courts.”
02619
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Mark Copelovitch @mcopelov.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
I hate this bad faith James Carville faculty lounge bullshit with the intensity of a thousand suns, & Barack Obama, former law professor & former President, now watching the far right authoritarians lie about & dismantle the very jewel of 🇺🇸 society - our universities - should damn well know better.
411027193
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Phil Lewis @phillewis.bsky.social · 06/05/2026
"Federal agents are conducting a raid at the office of L. Louise Lucas, a Democrat who serves as Virginia Senate President Pro Tempore." Lucas, one of Virginia's most powerful lawmakers, was at the forefront of the state's redistricting fight
fox5dc.com
Virginia lawmaker’s office raided in FBI probe
The FBI is executing search warrants at the office of a top Virginia lawmaker as part of a corruption investigation, according to FOX News.
1031286549
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 03/05/2026
Highly recommend _Faith of Beasts_ by James SA Corey (aka @abraham.bsky.social and Ty Frank), and just found one more reason: a reference (in ch. 17) to @jayrosen.bsky.social's "the stakes not the odds" from March 2023 www.hachettebookgroup.com/titles/james... x.com/jayrosen_nyu...
hachettebookgroup.com
The Faith of Beasts
AN INSTANT NEW YORK TIMES, USA TODAY, AND LA TIMES BESTSELLER  James S. A. Corey's Expanse series has sold more than 12 million copies worldwide and has...
010
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Brian Beutler @brianbeutler.bsky.social · 29/04/2026
The internal policy may have made sense before Trump openly tore down the wall between WH and DOJ for the purpose of harassing orgs on a partisan basis. Fidelity can pretend to be blind to this very public fact if it wants, but that is a choice.
2594
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Gregg Gonsalves @gregggonsalves.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Roberts, Alito, Thomas, Kavanaugh, Barrett, Gorsuch have been preparing for this moment for decades. They do not care what anyone thinks of or how history will remember them. This has always been about power, consolidating it in the hands of a few. For them today is a sweet victory to savor.
510933
Benjamin Rahn @brahn.bsky.social · 30/04/2026
Any other DAFs and banks want to attract customers by not obeying in advance?
001
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
John Scalzi @scalzi.com · 30/04/2026
Just donated to the Southern Poverty Law Center because fuck this corrupt and racist Department of "Justice" and fuck Fidelity while we're at it www.splcenter.org
splcenter.org
SPLC | Apathy Is Not An Option
The Southern Poverty Law Center is dedicated to creating a world where Black and Brown communities are represented and respected by our democracy.
181311312
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Alex Taliadoros @alexctaliadoros.bsky.social · 22/04/2026
The Washington Post Editorial Board was fine with Republicans gerrymandering in Texas. But when Democrats responded in Virginia, it’s a “power grab” that “plunges America deeper into the gerrymandering abyss.”
Washington Post Editorial Board headline: “The Texas gerrymander freak out. What’s happening in Texas is not a threat to democracy.”Washington Post Editorial Board headline: “Virginia plunges America deeper into the gerrymandering abyss. The redistricting scheme was always a power grab by Democrats. Voters went along with it.”
722738710
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Jake Grumbach @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social · 18/04/2026
This is my fav post on this story lmao, it really is the summary of what happened
35710
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Joey Fishkin @fishkin.bsky.social · 16/04/2026
The Yale report on trust in higher education has some good recommendations for reforms in many areas that I hope Yale and other schools implement. But its diagnosis is oddly silent about what I suspect is the most important force driving the decline in trust in higher education: political attack.
president.yale.edu
1331692
Reposted by Benjamin Rahn
Alan Elrod @aselrod.bsky.social · 14/04/2026
“Also among our best Western inheritances, liberals can say, are ideas about our shared humanity across borders. Those recommend a well-run immigration system—reformed to facilitate orderly legal immigration in the national interest—over Vance-Orbán ethnonationalist barbarities.” I love this
213929