Reposted by Sam WangSam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 3hInundated with requests for donations? Vote Maximizer uses hard data to calculate which races are worth your canvassing time - and your donations. Here, an explanation of how it works. It's a resource to find key federal and state races. Over 3,000 ratings! samwang.substack.com/p/maximizing... 2106
Sam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 3hInundated with requests for donations? Vote Maximizer uses hard data to calculate which races are worth your canvassing time - and your donations. Here, an explanation of how it works. It's a resource to find key federal and state races. Over 3,000 ratings! samwang.substack.com/p/maximizing... 2106
Reposted by Sam WangSam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 23hThis is the point. When early filmgoers saw a clip of a train approaching the screen, in the viewers' minds, a train was coming. They behaved accordingly. These technologies make us believe that they are something more than they are. LLMs just take it to a higher level. bsky.app/profile/tall... 4153
Reposted by Sam WangRandolph Potts @rpotts-sawubona.blacksky.app · 18hTimnit Gebru, 2026 Right Livelihood Laureate & pioneering AI researcher challenges the concentration of power in the tech industry, argues that behind "autonomous" AI systems are humans deciding whose data is used, what resources consumed, who owns the technology-and are responsible when harm occurs 15023
Sam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Speaking for myself, it’s the one thing I want to hire for that gives me the most difficulty. 050
Sam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Neuroscientist here. I have studied the brain for 40 years. I make serious use of machine learning and AI in my research. Sam Altman is full of shit. These machines are not conscious, any more than a movie of a train coming out of the screen is a train. AI does remarkable things but isn’t real. 1925486
Reposted by Sam WangSam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 28/09/2026This is a valuable tutorial on why LLMs run into a fundamental problem of not being useful to tell us true things. And it gives some great use cases on what they *are* good for. Great for users, students, and teachers. Read the whole series! 25218
Reposted by Sam WangDan Ancona @danancona.bsky.social · 30/09/2026Massively important story. We’ll see how this goes, but Talarico isn’t within striking range because of some kind of heterodox move to the right. He’s making a strong, clear case for ideas that work better than plainly horrific Republican ones. 320840
Reposted by Sam WangPLOS Biology @plosbiology.org · 21/02/2025PLOS has issued a statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity. We are determined to stand firmly behind our mission, our values and our principles, and against any attempt at censorship or undermining of the core principles of scientific inquiry. plos.io/3D4O8cHplos.ioPLOS statement on recent US Executive Orders and scientific integrity - The Official PLOS BlogSince its founding over twenty five years ago PLOS has been dedicated to advancing open science, ensuring that knowledge is accessible to… 291112436
Reposted by Sam WangSam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 30/09/2026static.klipy.comPlaying a Tiny ViolinALT: Playing a Tiny Violin 071
Reposted by Sam WangKevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 30/09/2026A small but essential improvement on federal impeachment is widely used in the states: if a lower house impeaches you, you are *suspended from office* until & unless the upper house acquits you. That's what happened w Paxton. It's the obvious way to handle credible allegations of official misconduct 213126
Reposted by Sam WangSam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Impeach now. Whoever your representative is, Democratic or Republican, call & demand action. Hegseth is a threat to the security of the nation. U.S. Capitol: 202-224-3121. Give your zip code and get connected. Or use this to find their website & district office: ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findre...ziplook.house.gov| house.gov 01510
Reposted by Sam WangSam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Political profile: Abdul El-Sayed Chances Of Winning: Still considered high despite months of bruising attacks from the Democratic Party theonion.com/political-pr...theonion.comPolitical Profile: Abdul El-SayedAbdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan. The Onion shares everything you need to know about the progressive candidate. Ethnicity: Scary-American Personal Mission: Disp... 281
Reposted by Sam WangAsheesh Kapur Siddique @asheeshks.org · 29/09/2026It's remarkable (in a very good way) to see an elected member of the Democratic Party saying this. For decades, the Party has treated public higher education as a jobs training program, not a site for cultivating democratic habits of mind. I deeply hope that things are changing. 318565
Sam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Political profile: Abdul El-Sayed Chances Of Winning: Still considered high despite months of bruising attacks from the Democratic Party theonion.com/political-pr...theonion.comPolitical Profile: Abdul El-SayedAbdul El-Sayed is the Democratic nominee for the U.S. Senate in Michigan. The Onion shares everything you need to know about the progressive candidate. Ethnicity: Scary-American Personal Mission: Disp... 281
Sam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Impeach now. Whoever your representative is, Democratic or Republican, call & demand action. Hegseth is a threat to the security of the nation. U.S. Capitol: 202-224-3121. Give your zip code and get connected. Or use this to find their website & district office: ziplook.house.gov/htbin/findre...ziplook.house.gov| house.gov 01510
Reposted by Sam WangTwirling towards Freedom @twirlingtofreedom.bsky.social · 29/09/2026“Jackson highlighted the Court’s shadow docket orders allowing Trump to slash the Dept of Ed’s workforce, cancel hundreds of millions of dollars in government grants, and, as she put it, authorize “roving ICE patrols to conduct race-based searches and seizures of Latino residents in Los Angeles.”” 05416
Reposted by Sam WangMohamad Bazzi @mbazzi.bsky.social · 29/09/2026“Show This to Anyone Denying Genocide” — front page of @scotnational.bsky.social 121377531
Sam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 28/09/2026This is a valuable tutorial on why LLMs run into a fundamental problem of not being useful to tell us true things. And it gives some great use cases on what they *are* good for. Great for users, students, and teachers. Read the whole series! 25218
Reposted by Sam WangAnjali Dayal @anjalikdayal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026If I could add to this: in my experience, both of New York's current senators have become almost pathologically unresponsive to their constituents, and she has a real talent for outreach, explanation, and transparency. 1058667
Reposted by Sam WangAnjali Dayal @anjalikdayal.bsky.social · 28/09/2026💯, especially since a 2028 candidate is likely to be pushed to the center on some questions of policy. In that context, a more center-left Democrat committed to reconstruction and reform will need progressive strength and expertise in Congress, maybe more than ever before 0243
Reposted by Sam WangStarfire’s Deranged Neocon Foreign Policy Podcast @irhottakes.bsky.social · 28/09/2026You ever think about how between the end of USAID, the Iran War, and whatever horrid plague RFK Jr. unleashes, the backlash to Me Too will probably kill more people than the backlash against the actual literal act of war on 9/11? 1045768
Reposted by Sam WangMark Histed @markhisted.org · 26/09/2026The need to rebuild admin law is not just about NIH and science. From yesterday: “Congress established the FCC so that no party can grab total control over the nation’s communications infrastructure.” That’s the big picture of the government principles that are now being shreddedbloomberg.comSenator Questions Whether FCC Can Operate With Only RepublicansOregon Senator Ron Wyden asked the lone Democrat on the Federal Communications Commission, Anna Gomez, whether the agency can legally conduct business, including merger reviews, if it only comprises R... 13817
Reposted by Sam WangVaughn Cooper @vscooper.micropopbio.org · 25/09/2026FYI to everyone submitting this October NIH cycle You need to re-certify your ScienCV AFTER Sept 26 (tomorrow) for your application or it may not be accepted. Great timing! 78592
Reposted by Sam WangMichael Li (李之樸) @mcpli.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Here’s the Supreme Court’s per curiam opinion. No noted dissents. www.supremecourt.gov/opinions/25p... 061
Reposted by Sam WangMichael Li (李之樸) @mcpli.bsky.social · 25/09/2026The Supreme Court has once again stepped in (for a third time) and restored Missouri’s 2022 congressional map in lieu of the gerrymandered 2025 map. www.supremecourt.gov/search.aspx?... 2465
Reposted by Sam WangCarolyn Fiddler @cfidd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Nick Lutsko operates on a level all his own. His spooky season music is essential this time of year: open.spotify.com/playlist/08u...open.spotify.comYup, It’s Spooky TimeThe spookiest tunes in Nick Lutsko’s repertoire. New song added every Friday in October! 001
Reposted by Sam WangCarolyn Fiddler @cfidd.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Everything is terrible so you deserve 7 minutes of joy courtesy of @nicklutsko.bsky.social: Behold, @realinfowars.bsky.social The Album open.spotify.com/album/30PBeQ...open.spotify.comInfoWars: The Album - Album by Nick Lutsko | SpotifyNick Lutsko · album · 2026 · 8 songs 1194
Reposted by Sam WangOmri Marian @omrimarian.bsky.social · 25/09/2026The thing about ICE is that eventually it WILL be abolished. I don't know if it will be in 5 years or 50 years but it will happen. With certainty. And when it does, it will be remembered along the securitate, Stasi, etc, and so will the people who served there. 7507141
Sam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Greetings from Matt’s Bar in Minneapolis, home of the Juicy Lucy! This baby is filled with molten cheese 3361
Reposted by Sam WangRadley Balko @radleybalko.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Raskin made a holy shit observation on MS Now this afternoon: Since taking office, Trump has made a million dollars per hour for himself. Every hour, he has made more than twice the president’s annual salary. 8141881737
Sam Wang @samwang.bsky.social · 24/09/2026I'm in Minneapolis for the Westminster Town Hall Forum. It's an honor to kick off their We The People series. I'll propose what we can do to preserve our democracy in 2027 - and build anew in 2029. westminsterforum.org And as a reminder of what's under threat, I visited the Alex Pretti memorial. 172
Reposted by Sam Wangceej @ceej.online · 24/09/2026impeach them all. fuck em. why should they get to fly around on our dime and hurt people? “they’ll never actually removed from office” who gives a shit? I want them miserable every day for the rest of the term. I hope they have nightmares. air their dirty laundry. make em sweat 9678431313
Reposted by Sam WangAri Berman @ariberman.bsky.social · 23/09/2026By destroying Voting Rights Act and gutting 14th & 15th amendments the Roberts Court is recycling legal arguments once used by Confederates and white supremacists to destroy Reconstruction Please read my deep dive w/ @pemalevy.bsky.social in @motherjones.com www.motherjones.com/politics/202... 231759734
Reposted by Sam Wangarr @arr.bsky.social · 23/09/2026This makes me hopeful. This number is aspirational but nowhere near out of reach: a working professional could realistically cash out their 401k and buy off a public official. Owning a senator is more attainable for most Americans than home ownership. 6146781033
Reposted by Sam Wangjosephwolf1.bsky.social @josephwolf1.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Gift link www.nytimes.com/2026/09/22/u...nytimes.comF.B.I. Shut Down Inquiry Into Top Ally of Senator Susan Collins (Gift Article)The inquiry was closed last year because senior bureau officials questioned the veracity of a campaign donor’s account, according to current and former officials. 77318
Reposted by Sam Wangjamelle @jamellebouie.net · 22/09/2026huh, this piece nailed the AI bros like a decade ago 511772283
Reposted by Sam WangBen McAdams (The Resurrection Arc) @purrtah.bsky.social · 22/09/2026Like seriously a Dem Lt Gov of Texas even facing a hostile Legislature and a GOP Gov would have the ability to do some shenanigans allowable under the Texas Constitution 815318
Reposted by Sam WangOneThousandBooksLater @1000bookslater.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Funny you should mention railroads. Richard White's "Railroaded" FTW on this topic. The analogy is starkly obvious. Massive corruption & graft, unneeded development, propaganda PR, environmental & social & financial disasters 074
Reposted by Sam Wangjamelle @jamellebouie.net · 21/09/2026one thing that is worth remember apropos this useful piece is that novel technologies do not necessarily require novel political solutions. americans have had to deal with fast-moving, disruptive technological change in the past, and they did so through collective, democratic action.nytimes.comOpinion | Bernie Sanders, Steve Case and Others on What Washington Should Do Now on A.I.How can the government reel in the technology? Here are six ideas. 372170269
Reposted by Sam WangDavid M. Perry @lollardfish.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Treat enemies like enemies. Crypto is an enemy. 151376263
Reposted by Sam WangG Elliott Morris @gelliottmorris.com · 21/09/2026From my personal experience people don't want to pay you to tell them they can't do anything about, eg, the very likely anti-Dem. midterm backlash in 2030 (or, gulp, 34). But it's true. So consultants make up stuff like "Kamala Harris would have won if she ran anti-trans ads" 1330354
Reposted by Sam WangKevin Elliott @kjephd.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Impeaching Trump's cronies among the cabinet is a viable strategy of accountability, particularly ones like Vought, Blanche, & Hegseth whose time is spent eviscerating the US constitutional order and for whom an impeachment inquiry would at minimum distract from that.ms.nowDemocrats have stumbled onto a new impeachment strategyDemocrats have plenty of experience in impeaching President Donald Trump. But there’s a different approach that’s already picking up steam thanks to one of Trump’s most persistent GOP critics. 56318
Reposted by Sam WangDissent Magazine @dissentmag.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Data centers have become a flash point in U.S. politics: Americans are sick of them, and organizers are attempting to block their construction, while a cadre of developers, financiers, tech companies, and energy producers push the deals forward, eager to reap the rewards.dissentmagazine.orgAfter the Data Centers - Dissent MagazineData center opponents have assembled a potent political force. But without a more expansive vision, there is a risk that this techlash could be co-opted and fizzle out. 04417
Reposted by Sam WangColin Carlson @colincarlson.bsky.social · 21/09/2026Why do white men become white nationalists? Interesting new empirical results in Nature: www.nature.com/articles/s41... 6386154
Reposted by Sam WangBolts @boltsmag.org · 21/09/2026Many GOP-run states have restricted ballot initiatives in recent years. Democracy advocates are going on the offensive in Missouri and Montana this fall with a new approach to protecting the initiative.boltsmag.orgTo Protect Direct Democracy, Two States Mull a New Approach: Name It As a Right - BoltsBallot measures in Missouri and Montana would strengthen citizen-led initiatives. Democracy advocates in each state are going on the offense after facing years of attack. 14316