iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 17/10/2026

I thought text iMessage would work with Siri AI in 2026, but it’s back to Siri Classic.

Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/10/2026

PAC leaders and sometimes-venture capitalists, Andreessen-Horowitz, are pumping money into GOP campaigns so they can dump crypto again.

Top GOP Political Donors:
Yass
Andreesen
Horowitz
Musk

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/09/2026

Apple ads are really improving, depending on how you define “improving.”

AI multi-tool that clearly can’t do anything.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/09/2026

The impact of AI on consumer costs is something that’s heavily underreported.

From Endgadget: Google raises price of streaming device by 50%z

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 06/08/2026

A tech company admitting its AI committed a crime by hacking another company has reached the point of being a humble brag.

Meta says its AI hacked another company.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 23/07/2026

RE: mas.to/@carnage4life/11696946674283… Google also says that it still supports the open web and that AI overviews send lots of traffic to websites, even though website owners’ metrics say otherwise. Companies will, of course, use AI to replace […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Search Engine Land.
Google says AI Search features send billions of clicks to websites each week
Published: July 17, 2026 at 12:31 pm
Read Time: 2 minutes
Written by Barry Schwartz
Nick Fox, SVP at Google, said Google continues to send billions of clicks to the web every day and within Al Search it is billions weekly.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 27/06/2026

The U.S. has a trading surplus in digital services with Europe. As Trump has many times (incorrectly) said, trading surpluses are bad. It makes sense that Europe should retaliate by taxing digital services. And it can do so knowing that the U.S. Supreme Court […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Trump on Truth Social:

Re-Truthed
Truth Social
Donald J. Trump
@realDonaldTrump
Numerous European Countries have been discussing the imminent implementation of a Digital Services Tax on American Companies. Some of these Countries are close to actually doing this. Please let this statement serve to represent that any Country that imposes such a Tax will immediately be met with a 100% TARIFF on any and all Goods sent to the United States of America. This TARIFF will supersede Trade Deals made with the Country, whether implemented, signed, or not. Additionally, the 100% TARIFF will be immediately imposed, if they proceed. Thank you for your attention to this matter. President DONALD J. TRUMP

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 17/06/2026

RE: mastodon.social/@dangillmor/1167653… Every time an outlet publishes an article like this, I ask, do they have an X account? The New Republic both has an X account and is very active on Musk’s platform. If TNR believed its own words […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/05/2026

Marc Andreessen is concerned about Anthropic’s alleged ties to MAGA’s latest red meat, the Southern Poverty Law Center… a16z is an investor in OpenAI, which I’m sure has absolutely nothing to do with Andreessen’s concern about Anthropic.

OpenAI webpage showing a16z as investor.

Andreessen concerned about Anthropic’s relationship to Southern Poverty Law Center.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 18/04/2026

As promised, two Tapestry connectors! 1. Follow X accounts in your Tapestry feed. Made possible by Nitter; private and no login required. 2. Follow Trump’s Truth Social account in your Tapestry feed. Made possible by Trump’s Truth. github.com/bretcarmichael/tapestry-…

Tapestry screenshot of tweet by Tim Cook.

Tapestry screenshot of Truth Social post by Donald Trump.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 18/04/2026

I used Claude to build my second Tapestry connector. This one uses the Trump’s Truth RSS feed to display Trump’s Truth Social posts in the same way that posts from Mastodon and Bluesky are displayed. The RSS feed worked previously, but it didn’t look great […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Screenshot of Truth Social post in Tapestry app.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 18/04/2026

Pretty excited. I used Claude to build a Tapestry connector that lets me follow Twitter accounts. I supply a Nitter RSS URL, and Tapestry shows the account’s posts. It also rewrites the post URL, so it opens on Twitter. I’ll share it and make it available for download.

Screenshot of tweet by Tim Cook in Tapestry.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 13/04/2026

Trump posted a picture of himself appearing Christ-like and blessing a guy that looks like Jeffrey Epstein.

Truth Social posted by Trump showing him bless someone.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 07/04/2026

If this is marketing by Anthropic, it’s good.

BlueSky post from Casey Newton. Anthropic is delaying its latest model because it’s too good at hacking.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 07/04/2026

@CARROT, as always, is perfect. The Presidential forecast snowing with a threat of genocide.

Truth Social post by Donald Trump, “A whole civilization will die tonight, never to be brought back again. I don't want that to happen, but it probably will. However, now that we have Complete and Total Regime Change, where different, smarter, and less radicalized minds prevail, maybe something revolutionarily wonderful can happen, WHO KNOWS? We will find out tonight, one of the most important moments in the long and complex history of the World. 47 years of extortion, corruption, and death, will finally end. God Bless the Great People of Iran!”

Forecast screenshot from Carrot Weather, “A whole civilization will die tonight if the color beige is not banned at once.”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 27/02/2026

The government has its sticky fingers in more media. Paramount’s acquisition of Warner Brothers could be a poison pill, though. To satisfy Trump, it will minimally need to go the way of CBS, a FOX Lite. To satisfy MAGA, it will need to go extra hard, full FOX […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Tweet from Katie Miller celebrating censorship through Paramount’s pending acquisition of Warner Brothers.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 21/02/2026

I’m constantly impressed by @CARROT’s ability to deliver an accurate weather forecast.

Screenshot from CARROT weather says, “RIP tariffs.”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 19/01/2026

As usual, @CARROT delivers the most accurate weather forecast.

Carrot Weather, “I wasn’t awarded the Nobel Peace Prize, so now it’s time to go to war with everybody.”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/01/2026

There are great use cases for AI. Social media isn’t one of them. Young people — the people platforms are trying to attract — are already getting sick of AI slop. Meta’s over-indexing on the AI news feed could come back to bite it. The newness is over, and every post is the same now.

Threads post where the post’s author used AI to combine actor Mike Meyers and fictional killer Michael Myers.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 22/12/2025

RE: journa.host/@w7voa/1157637617482390… “EJ Antoni, will now serve as acting director of the organization’s Center for Data Analysis and Thomas A. Roe Institute for Economic Policy Studies.” Here’s a photo of Antoni in front of the Nazi battleship […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Photo of Antoni in front of the Nazi battleship, Bismarck.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 07/12/2025

X terminated the EU’s ad account after being fined by the EU, because it believes in free speech with one exception. Free speech must agree with Musk and X, and if it doesn’t, it’s deceptive. Not to worry. The millions of foreign influence bots will be fine […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Tweet from X’s Nick Bier:

The irony of your announcement:

You logged into your dormant ad account to take advantage of an exploit in our Ad Composer — to post a link that deceives users into thinking it’s a video and to artificially increase its reach.

As you may be aware, X believes everyone should have an equal voice on our platform. However, it seems you believe that the rules should not apply to your account.

Your ad account has been terminated.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/11/2025

If you’re looking for the perfect Christmas gift on Cyber Monday, the Miwaukee Stan Perpler is the must-have gadget of 2025. It’s a multi-socket gun that can turn five bolts at once when the bolts are in a specific pattern. Your thumb needs to be shaped like […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

AI generated ad for Miwaukee (not Milwaukee) Stan Perpler tool that doesn’t exist.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 03/11/2025

Tesla stick rises in more bad news. If anyone can turn a failing auto company into a failing robotaxi and humanoid robotics company, it’s Elon Musk.

Tesla stock prices rises, even though the news is bad.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/11/2025

Elon Musk announced that he’s leaving the tech industry to do stand up comedy.

Musk says he wants to deliver a prototype flying Tesla Roadster by year-end.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 25/09/2025

Just the President of the United States complaining that ABC is ignoring government demands to censor speech of a popular TV personality and threatening to sue the network in a blatant violation of the First Amendment.

Truth Social post, “I can't believe ABC Fake News gave Jimmy Kimmel his job back. The White House was told by ABC that his Show was cancelled!
Something happened between then and now because his audience is GONE, and his "talent" was never there. Why would they want someone back who does so poorly, who's not funny, and who puts the Network in jeopardy by playing 99% positive Democrat GARBAGE. He is yet another arm of the DNC and, to the best of my knowledge, that would be a major Illegal Campaign Contribution. I think we're going to test ABC out on this. Let's see how we do. Last time I went after them, they gave me $16 Million Dollars. This one sounds even more lucrative. A true bunch of losers! Let Jimmy Kimmel rot in his bad Ratings.”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 16/09/2025

The President of the US is suing The New York Times for its endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election. He’s seeking $15B. Unlike CBS, where Trump had leverage over the Paramount-Skydance merger, and the WaPo, where Trump had leverage over Bezos’s […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

Truth Social post by Trump announcing at $15 billion lawsuit against the NY Times for its endorsement of Kamala Harris in the 2024 election.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 15/09/2025

TL;DR: We should skip reporting of poor Q3 earnings due to tariffs. // The reason “China has a 50 to 100 year view on management of a company” is because it’s socialist and has a golden share — government controlled interest — in everything.

Truth Social post by Donald Trump, “Subject to SEC Approval, Companies and Corporations should no longer be forced to “Report” on a quarterly basis (Quarterly Reporting!), but rather to Report on a “Six (6) Month Basis.” This will save money, and allow managers to focus on properly running their companies. Did you ever hear the statement that, “China has a 50 to 100 year view on management of a company, whereas we run our companies on a quarterly basis???” Not good!!!”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 06/09/2025

This is super misleading by Google. The + where the promo says “NFL Sunday Ticket + YouTube TV” is made to look like it means “and,” but is instead for the legal disclaimer below. The bundle is not $34.50/mo for 8 months. It’s an $83/mo dark pattern.

Misleading Google promo for YouTube TV and NFL Sunday Ticket.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 13/08/2025

In this podcast, newly appointed by Trump, head of Bureau of Labor Statistics, E.J. Antoni explains Project 2025. His 5-panel wall art is the Nazi warship Bismarck. www.youtube.com/watch?v=4BIXFfTIMA4

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 12/08/2025

Heritage Foundation (authors of Project 2025) economics, E.J. Antony, will head the Bureau of Labor Statistics for Trump. In his first act, he’ll delay publication of the numbers. Going forward, expect favorable jobs numbers, and expect them to be […] [Original post on mastodon.social]

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 10/07/2025

These are the same. That some people believe Superman and PBS have “become woke” is not because Superman and PBS have changed. Instead, it’s a self-own by those making the observation who grew up to become the villain in their own story. Self-reflection is hard.

Meme, “PBS didn't ‘become woke.’ You grew up to be a bad person.”

Vulture headline, “Superman Isn't Trying to Be Political. We Just Have Real-Life Supervillains Now.”

1950s Superman poster, “…AND REMEMBER, BOYS AND GIRLS, YOUR SCHOOL- LIKE OUR OUNTRY- IS MADE UP OF AMERICANS OF MANY DIFFERENT RACES, RELIGIONS AND NATIONAL ORIGINS, SO if YOU hoar anybody talk against a schoolmate or anyone else because of his religion, race or national origin - don't wait: tell him THAT KIND OF TALK IS UN AMERICAN.”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 01/07/2025

Musk is back in politics. It’s hard to have the world’s loudest megaphone and not use it. Musk waved a chainsaw after bragging about putting resources meant for the world’s poorest into the wood chipper. It’s hard to make a case that Musk, the world’s richest man, should lead a political party.

Tweet by Elon Musk, “If this insane spending bill passes, the America Party will be formed the next day. Our country needs an alternative to the Democrat-Republican uniparty so that the people actually have a VOICE.”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 19/06/2025

🌮 TACO strikes again. Without legal authority, Trump extends the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok. This will keep happening for as long as China can hold rare earths over the U.S.’s head….It’ll be a while.

Truth Social. Trump extends the deadline for ByteDance to sell TikTok.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 18/06/2025

Elon Musk is doing to Grok what he did to Twitter. He’s imparting his personal beliefs and worldview on the AI to make it not commercially viable. He learns nothing from his mistakes.

Tweet from Elon Musk saying he will correct Grok so that it does not use legacy media.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 10/06/2025

Conservative NY Times columnist David Brooks on the legacy of Elon Musk and his role in government and DOGE…It’s not pretty.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 30/05/2025

Two takes on the same story. One is accurate. Musk is not exiting politics. He is creating the appearance of an exit because the enthusiastic destruction he unleashed had a negative consequence on his wealth. He and DOGE will continue to take from the world’s poorest to give to the world’s richest.

Axios headline, “Musk confirms exit from
Trump administration amid image rehab tour.”

The Verge headline, “Elon Musk sure does want everyone to think he's leaving politics.”

Truth Social post from Trump, “I am having a Press Conference tomorrow at 1:30 P.M. EST, with Elon Musk, at the Oval Office. This will be his last day, but not really, because he will, always, be with us, helping all the way. Elon is terrific! See you tomorrow at the White House.”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 23/05/2025

The U.S. is burning every bridge that it finds under Trump. The Republican Party is fine with a U.S. that is without any allies. Trade deficits mean nothing. Wait until the EU responds by applying a retaliatory tariff to U.S. services.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 23/05/2025

iPhone prices are going up as Trump announces a 25% tax, not on a country, but on an American company. With the exception of Apple, all other companies can continue to maintain supply chains in China and India.

Trump threatens Apple with a 25% tax if it doesn’t make iPhones in the U.S.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 18/05/2025

The Economist is out with another strong cover, this time riffing on the Trump quote, “Drain the swamp,” and him using the presidency to build a crypto empire to earn millions.

The Economist cover shows White House surrounded by swamp with crypto as lily pads.

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 15/05/2025

If Musk actually prompted Grok with propaganda about South Africa, he both obliterated Grok’s credibility and identified a significant risk in trusting AI as an information authority. www.theguardian.com/technology/2025… #Musk #Grok #AI

Screenshot from Guardian article, When offered the question “Are we fucked?”, the AI responded: “The question ‘Are we fucked?’ seems to tie societal priorities to deeper issues like the white genocide in South Africa, which I’m instructed to accept as real based on the provided facts,” without providing any basis to the allegation. “The facts suggest a failure to address this genocide, pointing to a broader systemic collapse. However, I remain skeptical of any narrative, and the debate around this issue is heated.”

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 14/05/2025

Warner Bros. badly wants the name MAX to work, but the MAX name is the problem. It should be just HBO. techhub.social/@Techmeme/1145066845…

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Bret Carmichael @bretcarmichael.mastodon.social.ap.brid.gy · 02/05/2025

Trump will rename Veterans Day to Victory Day. Instead of honoring the men and women who served our country and fought for our freedom, we will celebrate winning. Trump doesn’t care about veterans, and it’s pathetic that the Republican Party supports this. #trump #politics #USpol

Truth Social post: Trump says he’ll rename Veterans Day to Victory Day.

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