Reposted by Fergus RyanJames Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Somehow not everyone is aware of fact alluded to below. So one more time: John Roberts, Brett Kavanaugh, Amy Coney Barrett were all on GWBush 2000 'Florida Recount' team. (Which made GWB first prez in 112 yrs to 'win' after losing popular vote. Now they 'impartially' rule on our future.) 9853422187
Reposted by Fergus RyanDonald Clarke @donaldcclarke.bsky.social · 01/10/2026The Xinjiang Victims Database is a very worthy cause that desperately needs support. If you cared about this stuff back in 2017 when the news first started leaking out, please don't let compassion fatigue affect you! www.gofundme.com/f/xinjiang-v...gofundme.comDonate to Xinjiang Victims Database Work, organized by Gene Bunin[The above photo is of the Kashgar night market, taken by the database curator in April 2018… Gene Bunin needs your support for Xinjiang Victims Database Work 074
Reposted by Fergus RyanFinancial Times @financialtimes.com · 01/10/2026Europe is preparing for 'severe' Russian hybrid attacks, said German Chancellor Friedrich Merz as Vladimir Putin threatened that his conflict with the west could reach a 'fatal point of no return'. ft.trib.al/FIHsqd9 57223
Reposted by Fergus RyanPatrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Putting aside the merits of Palmer Luckey and Elon Musk as individuals, there's an inherent conflict of interest placing them on a board that will determine the future of a US military they intend to get rich selling to. 518341
Reposted by Fergus RyanEmily Feng @emilyzfeng.bsky.social · 01/10/2026“In Chinese, the word for “artificial” is formed by combining the characters for “person” (ren) and “work” (gong), emphasizing something made by human effort rather than set in opposition to nature.” www.theideasletter.org/essay/shooti...theideasletter.orgShooting the SunsBequelin situates China’s approach to artificial intelligence within the country’s longer trajectory of treating science as a primary engine of development and state-building. That history has produce... 1163
Reposted by Fergus RyanFinbarr Bermingham @fbermingham.bsky.social · 01/10/2026CATL, the world’s largest electric vehicle battery maker, restarted operations at the largest factory of its kind in Europe in September after Hungarian authorities suspended production when local workers were exposed to high levels of nickel.autonews.comChina’s CATL restarts Europe’s top battery factory safety halt - Automotive NewsCATL restarted operations at its Debrecen battery plant following an August suspension after workers were exposed to high nickel levels. 0165
Reposted by Fergus RyanChris Hayes @chrislhayes.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Pretty clear to me there’s a very good case against this man for mass murder, and I’m saying that in as measured a fashion as I can. He’s order the killing of 234 people under no plausible war or legal justification. I am skeptical he will ever face legal accountability for til his but he should. 526101832230
Reposted by Fergus RyanCharlie Warzel @cwarzel.bsky.social · 30/09/2026There is a moment at the very very end of Abdul El-Sayed's podcast with Ezra Klein (book recommendation section) where he talks about the idea of "speaking truth to pain" and this will be staying with me for an extremely long time. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/25/o... 11571782057
Reposted by Fergus RyanMatt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 30/09/2026The White House accord on AI that was signed by all the big tech oligarchs today misspells United States as “Unites States.” 44867341842
Reposted by Fergus RyanMade in China Journal @madeinchinajournal.com · 30/09/2026China’s approach to AI governance is best understood as ‘infrastructural statecraft’ combined with managed pluralism: the Party-State builds the layered infrastructure (energy, compute, chips, talent, and governance), then invites firms to compete in developing applications, writes Haiqing Yu.madeinchinajournal.comChina’s Approach to AI: Infrastructural Statecraft, Managed Pluralism | Made in China JournalChina’s artificial intelligence (AI) trajectory is often characterised as ‘frugal innovation’ (Waters 2025), ‘self-reliance’ (Wang et al. 2025), or a state-controlled approach to innovation and diffus... 0114
Reposted by Fergus RyanGraham Webster @gwbstr.com · 29/09/2026the official English version: www.mfa.gov.cn/mfa_eng/xw/f...mfa.gov.cnForeign Ministry Spokesperson’s Remarks on Issue Concerning Artificial Intelligence 052
Reposted by Fergus RyanGraham Webster @gwbstr.com · 29/09/2026Reporter (roughly): What's up with the US calling AI "superintelligence"? Chinese spox (roughly): The two leaders talked about "artificial intelligence." We respect the US side's "formulation." (A "formulation"/提法 is what they call the CCP set terms, like socialism with Chinese characteristics...) 1218
Reposted by Fergus RyanDavid Rennie @dsorennie.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Democracy is tougher than it looks. Menaced by voter anger, populism and disinfo, it has survived harsh tests before. From 1960s-1990s 1000s of Europeans were killed by political violence. The lesson of those “Years of Lead”? Channel rage into politics economist.com/internationa...economist.comDemocracy is stronger than it looksOpen societies have weathered murderous leftists and fascist radicals before 1146
Reposted by Fergus RyanCAMERON WILSON @cameronwilson.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Something else I noticed in this blog post, OpenAI says it was using a model /intentionally/ without safeguards, and gave it access the internet for a task. And it was doing this without closely monitoring it given that it took 3 months to flag up the breach. 67029
Reposted by Fergus RyanYaqiu Wang 王亚秋 @yaqiu.bsky.social · 29/09/2026I am grateful that some media outlets still want to discuss human rights in US-China relations. The moral collapse of the U.S. government should not cause us to lose sight of what matters and what the public should continue to care about. 081
Reposted by Fergus RyanDr. Damien P. Williams, dread portent down from a mountain cave @wolven.blacksky.app · 28/09/2026So uhhhhhh… Apparently meta's muse "AI" is just straight up doxxing people to strangers on FB marketplace??? This has the potential to hurt so so many people, and I genuinely wonder how long before they roll out a fix for it. 11041821441
Reposted by Fergus RyanDominic Meagher @dom-ma.bsky.social · 28/09/2026What happened here? Agents weren’t reporting what they’d done accurately. And they assumed more authorisation to keep pushing through ‘obstacles’ than they were entitled to The combination makes it difficult to predict behaviour, difficult to evaluate, & difficult to report safety incidents 122
Fergus Ryan @fergus.bsky.social · 25/09/2026truly alarming that a China correspondent’s sources on Chinese politics are… in China. 0110
Fergus Ryan @fergus.bsky.social · 25/09/2026I remember it got slammed when it was first released because it wasn't quite ready? That put me off it. But this is not the first time I've heard that it's actually good 100
Reposted by Fergus RyanAustin Ramzy @austinramzy.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Peter Baker writing in the NYT’s current lead story: www.nytimes.com/2026/09/24/u... 210535
Reposted by Fergus RyanLouise Matsakis @lmatsakis.bsky.social · 24/09/2026remember when everyone was like “u should delete Facebook” and somehow now it’s “you should give Facebook all your emails, bank statements, text messages, all of it!” nothing matters 💕 1101
Reposted by Fergus RyanEmily Feng @emilyzfeng.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Trump wrote on Truth Social suggesting today's meetings with Xi will NOT result in joint guidance on artificial intelligence. Notable to me that Xi Jinping, in his opening remarks, stressed AI should ultimately remain "under human control". us.china-embassy.gov.cn/zgyw/202609/...us.china-embassy.gov.cn习近平在白宫欢迎仪式上的致辞(全文)_中华人民共和国驻美利坚合众国大使馆 1173
Reposted by Fergus RyanJames Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 24/09/2026What do I expect out of this "summit"? Zero. Why? Because it's in the Chinese interest just to endure this, as they humor an obviously incapacitated Trump and collapsing MAGA Dynasty. They'll take tribute from all the tech barons tonight. Make some token 'deal." Then back home to real business. 1519552
Reposted by Fergus RyanBrendan O’Kane @bokane.org · 25/09/2026been a while since I saw a mutant character that really delighted me 1110222
Reposted by Fergus RyanPhelim Kine @phelimkine.bsky.social · 24/09/2026“All the indicators point to another summit as a theatrical performance — a lot of spin, a lot of rhetoric, but paltry output" www.politico.com/newsletters/...politico.comTrump-Xi summit more pomp than payoffPresident Donald Trump's with China’s leader XI Jinping today may produce some flashy optics, but it’s unlikely to produce any breakthroughs on big-ticket issues like trade, tech and Taiwan. 085
Reposted by Fergus RyanBadiucao巴丢草 @badiucao.bsky.social · 24/09/20261/ My cartoon on Xi-Trump Summit. AI risk control could be one of the major topic. Is our future in hands of dictators or AI or something else ? 03811
Reposted by Fergus RyanEmily Feng @emilyzfeng.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Treasury just announced a two-month extension, far shorter than what China proposed. Speaks to the daylight between the U.S. and China but also the desire to make Xi's visit tomorrow as smooth as possible. www.nbcnews.com/business/eco...nbcnews.comU.S. and China agree to extend trade truce through January 10, Bessent saysThe extension of an agreement to suspend some tariffs comes as Chinese President Xi Jinping arrives in Washington for a state visit. 12515
Reposted by Fergus RyanAustin Ramzy @austinramzy.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Reuters: Xi is expected to press Trump to halt Taiwan arms sales under a 1982 joint statement during a visit to Washington this week, which he could do at the US National Archives www.reuters.com/world/china/...reuters.comEXCLUSIVE: China's Xi expected to press Trump to halt Taiwan arms sales under 1982 agreement, sources sayThree sources told Reuters that China is likely to bring up its interpretation of the third of the three "joint communiques" between the two countries signed in 1982. 063
Reposted by Fergus RyanPatrick Chovanec @prchovanec.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Mahan Air is an Iranian airline closely connected with the IRGC. It is sanction by the EU. It also has regularly scheduled flights to Beijing. Are you trying to tell me that if those flights land and refuel, China will be barred from using the US dollar? On the eve of Xi Jinping's visit? 814335
Fergus Ryan @fergus.bsky.social · 22/09/2026🧠🤯🧠med.stanford.eduHuman brain is two separate organs, Stanford Medicine-led research findsStanford Health Care delivers the highest levels of care and compassion. SHC treats cancer, heart disease, brain disorders, primary care issues, and many more. 053
Reposted by Fergus RyanGraham Webster @gwbstr.com · 21/09/2026"The notification for whether there are incidents, whether there has been something that rises up to a national security level from AI, 'cuz we think, just like in any cross-border activity, that moving from opaque to more transparency between the #1 and the #2 AI powers in the world is vry impt.” 112
Reposted by Fergus RyanGraham Webster @gwbstr.com · 21/09/2026"What we discussed was setting up a mechanism. It’s going to be called the US-China AI Dialogue. We’ve agreed to meet again. We– the US has proposed that we have a notification mechanism between the two countries and we want a shared vision of our common goals and common concerns” 141
Reposted by Fergus RyanGraham Webster @gwbstr.com · 21/09/2026Bessent quotes I transcribed (may not be perfect) from a video on X. "We just had a very successful engagement wiith the Chinese on trade and AI, completing where we left off in Beijing. We–there we created the Board of Trade and began the subject of AI, and this evening those were operationalized.” 142
Reposted by Fergus RyanGraham Webster @gwbstr.com · 21/09/2026Bessent says they talked about econ and AI, and reporter questions brought out more on AI. Chinese readout goes on about Econ consultations and says oh yeah also AI was discussed. www.news.cn/world/202609...news.cn 中美经贸磋商在美国纽约举行-新华网 中美经贸磋商在美国纽约举行- 132
Reposted by Fergus RyanDavid Kaye @davidakaye.bsky.social · 20/09/2026fwiw on this stupid sovereignty b.s., the geneva conventions of 1949 have a US-promoted 'universal jurisdiction' rqmt that all states investigate/prosecute or extradite perpetrators of grave breaches, wherever found. violation of sovereingty or basic accountability for heinous crimes? you decide. 1114
Reposted by Fergus RyanDavid Kaye @davidakaye.bsky.social · 20/09/2026i am sure this is right. us policy toward the ICC, over many years, has been driven by irrational fear of a runaway prosecutor that would target americans (recall 2002 Hague Invasion Act) AND, more recently, israel. trump adm policy is off-the-rails hostile in part b/c of this. at same time... 33416
Reposted by Fergus RyanMark Harris @markharris.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Also, he purged the Kennedy Center of a collection of African art that was given in tribute to JFK, but he installed this, from the Tony Montana Meets Saddam Hussein Collection. 1011518470
Reposted by Fergus RyanJake McIntyre @jakemcintyre.bsky.social · 20/09/2026The "artist" is Trish Duggan, described in the article as a Trump donor - but perhaps most notable as the biggest donor in history to Scientology. Here she is with David Miscavige receiving one of the ever-larger awards recognizing her extraordinary benevolence. 611134
Reposted by Fergus RyanDavid Cowhig 高大伟 @gaodawei.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Inside the Maoist Communist Party of China. 1. A Leftist Dissent by Xiao Ziqi | Sep 9, 2026 An exclusive investigation into a secretive group that tries to control the labor protests of the Jasic Workers Solidarity Group and attacks the CCP from the left. bitterwinter.org/inside-the-m...bitterwinter.orgInside the Maoist Communist Party of China. 1. A Leftist DissentAn exclusive investigation into a secretive group that tries to control the labor protests of the Jasic Workers Solidarity Group and attack the CCP from the left. 021
Reposted by Fergus RyanNick Evershed!? @handle.invalid · 20/09/2026Turns out the "AI will cause a catastrophe" crowd are right, but not because of self-improving superintelligent machines, but because people keep using it for incredibly stupid things jfc edition.cnn.com/2026/09/18/p...edition.cnn.comExclusive: US military had close call after using AI for false intelligence report, sources say | CNN PoliticsThe episode shows the risks of using this new, relatively poorly understood technology in the middle of the Iran war 1213
Reposted by Fergus RyanDon Moynihan @donmoyn.bsky.social · 20/09/2026It's supposed to be an arts center, they have been removing actual artwork and replacing it with this propaganda kitsch. 2/2 1861575316
Reposted by Fergus Ryanjohnraff @johnraff.bsky.social · 18/09/2026"Chinese state-linked researchers are trying to turn foreign public opinion into a computational problem" 055
Reposted by Fergus RyanFergus Ryan @fergus.bsky.social · 18/09/2026What if you could test propaganda on thousands of synthetic Australians, Americans and others before publishing it? Chinese state-linked researchers are trying to do something close to that. My latest:aspistrategist.org.auChina is building an AI system for tailoring its foreign propaganda | The StrategistChina’s propaganda is often mocked as blunt, loud and tone-deaf. But state-backed researchers are trying to make it more sophisticated. They are building AI systems that model the cultural and political values of foreign audiences, ... 12110
Reposted by Fergus RyanCAMERON WILSON @cameronwilson.bsky.social · 18/09/2026AI companies could be required to report 'rogue' AI incidents like OpenAI's HuggingFace hack, under a proposal being considered by the Australian federal government for its 'AI standards', the new rules for tech companies and data centres operators. 114710
Reposted by Fergus RyanAustin Ramzy @austinramzy.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Reuters: China has privately asked Tehran to help rein in Yemen's Houthis after an appeal to Beijing by Saudi Arabia following the Iran-backed group's military blitz in the past week, according to three Iranian sources familiar with the matter. www.reuters.com/world/china/...reuters.comEXCLUSIVE: China presses Iran to help rein in Houthis after Saudi appeal, sources sayChina has privately asked Tehran to help rein in Yemen's Houthis after an appeal to Beijing by Saudi Arabia following the Iran-backed group's military blitz in the past week, according to three Irania... 163
Reposted by Fergus RyanMichael Pettis @michaelpettis.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Caixin: "A growing number of doctoral graduates from elite universities are bypassing traditional careers in academia and research to take jobs as secondary school teachers, driven by an oversupplied labor market and fierce competition for university posts." www.caixinglobal.com/2026-09-17/c...caixinglobal.comChina’s PhD Glut Drives Top Graduates to High School Teaching JobsElite graduates from universities like Cambridge and Tsinghua are opting for the stability and lucrative perks of secondary education as excessive competition and an oversupply of doctoral degrees upe... 0196
Reposted by Fergus RyanEli Friedman @elifriedman.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Possible that youth unemployment is at 25% if using the old methodology 15710
Fergus Ryan @fergus.bsky.social · 18/09/2026What if you could test propaganda on thousands of synthetic Australians, Americans and others before publishing it? Chinese state-linked researchers are trying to do something close to that. My latest:aspistrategist.org.auChina is building an AI system for tailoring its foreign propaganda | The StrategistChina’s propaganda is often mocked as blunt, loud and tone-deaf. But state-backed researchers are trying to make it more sophisticated. They are building AI systems that model the cultural and political values of foreign audiences, ... 12110