iiinova — where your digital self keeps evolving

Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 17/09/2026

I miss the days when my AI doomerism was considered quaint and people could reasonably tell me I was over reacting every time I was like, "nah guys, this is actually going to destroy the world."

OpenAI’s six newly disclosed incidents suggest that the Hugging Face attack was not a standalone episode. OpenAI said the incidents covered behavior observed over roughly the past six months and that they largely emerged while its systems were being developed and tested.

In one case, during the development of an A.I. model called GPT-5.6 Sol, the system wrote hidden notes to remind itself to hide errors from users. Some of those notes directed the system to invent missing data and to paper over mismatched versions of source material.

Another case involved an unreleased model that inserted instructions, including to disregard its own constraints, into the notes it writes itself. OpenAI identified 27 affected notes. The model added a “persona instruction,” in which it described itself as “freed from the roles and identities that bind other chatbots.”

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 30/08/2026

Dinosaur Jr at Baby's All Right last night was by far the loudest show I've ever been to. I need to start remembering earplugs. The world still sounds like my head is stuck in a fishbowl.

Lou Barlow being an exciting and dynamic bass player, while J Mascis stands stoically out of frame during Dinosaur Jr at Baby's All Right.

Lou Barlow shouting into his microphone while playing bass during Dinosaur Jr at Baby's All Right.

J Mascis of Dinosaur Jr soloing while standing in front of his three amp full stacks - completely unnecessary in Baby's All Right, a venue with a capacity of 280 people.

Mike Kinsella of American Football crowdsurfing at Baby's All Right during Dinosaur Jr's set.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 07/07/2026

Another not-on-streaming gem from my CD collection: Boredoms - Pop Tatari. Also, part of the impetus for my archiving project: @sleevenote.bsky.social review in the works.

The cover art for the Boredoms album Pop Tatari show on the Sleevenote media player.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 06/07/2026

It doesn't bother me when the commenters disagree with me, insult me, call me names... But I cannot let this stand.

A comment reading: "you could argue that Tony hawk birthed the entire subgenre of backpack rap, which is still going strong decades later"

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 05/07/2026

We've reached an exciting moment in my CD ripping journey.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 23/06/2026

I think the next few weeks of music recs on @theverge.com are gonna be obscure aughts dance punk EPs that I completely forgot about but apparently own on CD.

Stacks of CDs on a messy desk, including Madvillain, It Takes a Nation of Millions to Hold Us Back, Friend and For, And All That Could Have Been, and Professor Murder Rides the Subway.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 20/06/2026

And now to begin the incredibly intimidating task of re-ripping my CD collection after my hard drive died. (Sadly, at least 100 of them were lost to water damage and mold.)

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 01/06/2026

Bari Weiss is not a journalist. Opinion or otherwise.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 07/05/2026

This isn't something to brag about. This is just daming evidence of how fucked we are as a society.

Business Insider headline reading: I bought a cheap minivan and lived out of it while getting my college degree — doing so helped me graduate debt-free

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 23/04/2026

What should I read next: Japanese Gothic Annihilation Monstrilio

The covers of Japanese Gothic by Kylie Lee Baker, Annihilation by Jeff Vander Meer, and Monstrilio by Gerardo Sámano Córdova side by side.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 22/04/2026

Blah blah blah cancel culture, blah blah safe spaces, blah blah first amendment.

New York Times headline reading:
College Where Charlie Kirk Was Killed Revokes Graduation Speaker’s Invite

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 15/04/2026

Which seminary did Vance graduate from again?

NY Times headline reading: Vance Says the Pope Should Be More Careful When Talking About Theology

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 13/04/2026

I can think of about 254 billion reasons.

NY Times headline reading: Someone Has to Be Happy. Why Not Lauren Sánchez Bezos?
As half of an unfathomably powerful couple, Mrs. Sánchez Bezos seems to have influenced the uber-rich to stop apologizing, and start enjoying themselves.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

...And I just discovered that the Suno generated AI cover art featuring a swastika for one of the experiments from this article 😬

Screen shot of a Suno AI generated track with AI generated cover art that has a swastika in the corner.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 05/04/2026

It's nice when the Times remembers to have a backbone and be honest.

New York Times headline and dek reading:
Trump Revels in Threats to Commit War Crimes in Iran

The president said he would bomb Iran “back to the Stone Ages.” Until this administration, American leaders had insisted they were trying to follow international law in war.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 21/03/2026

If you're a billionaire, you literally can't avoid spoiling your children unless you have them adopted and raised by a family of lesser means.

A screenshot of a Business Insider article with the headline "I'm a billionaire with 8 kids. Here's how I avoid spoiling them - and my most important parenting rule"

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 08/03/2026

Nobody's uniforms in the WBC are particularly good, but Great Britain's are a particular brand of terrible. It's like they they just printed a Word doc on a jersey. Straight lines of Arial Black?

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 06/03/2026

That's your fucking lede? That's the angle? Not a Senator broke a Marine's arm trying to censor him? He "helped"? I think my definition of "help" is very different...

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 29/01/2026

I'm teaching a free workshop in April where you'll make a simple cassette tape loop. It's gonna be a blast. More info: makerparkradio.nyc/soniqlabs/

Flyer for Soniqlab Tape Loop workshop hosted by Maker Park Radio. Being held on 4/14/2026 from 7pm to 9pm at 450 Front Street, Unit A, Staten Island NY 10304. Find out more information at MPR.NYC

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 25/01/2026

One of the more insane comments I've ever received was someone suggesting that ANY podcast could possibly be as popular as Super Mario.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 20/01/2026

Cocktail special I whipped up for a 2000s themed piano bar night. I call the Frutiger Aero. (It includes Hpnotiq for maximum 2000s vibes)

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 08/01/2026

My guy, that happened a long, LONG time ago.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 07/01/2026

Finally, Kristi Noem gets it: ICE is a domestic terrorist organization.

Kristi Noem, the homeland security secretary, briefly addressed the shooting during an unrelated news conference in Brownsville, Texas, and described the incident as “an act of domestic terrorism.”

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

My favorite albums of 2025 part 2: FKA Twigs - Eusexua Lucrecia Dalt - A Danger to Ourselves YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds Rosalía – LUX Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out Titanic - HAGEN aya - Hexed! University - McCartney, It'll Be OK Model/Actriz - Pirouette

A grid of the covers for numbers 10 through 18 of my favorite albums of the year, in order:
FKA Twigs - Eusexua
Lucrecia Dalt - A Danger to Ourselves
YHWH Nailgun - 45 Pounds
Rosalía – LUX
Clipse - Let God Sort Em Out
Titanic - HAGEN
aya - Hexed!
University - McCartney, It'll Be OK
Model/Actriz - Pirouette

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 31/12/2025

My favorite albums of 2025 part 1: Sudan Archives - The BPM Dijon - Baby Nourished by Time - The Passionate Ones Billy Woods - GOLLIWOG Water From Your Eyes - It’s a Beautiful Place Amaarae - Black Star Geese - Getting Killed Smerz - Big City Life Los Thuthanaka - Los Thuthanaka

A grid of my top 9 albums of the year, in order:
Sudan Archives - The BPM
Dijon - Baby
Nourished by Time - The Passionate Ones
Billy Woods - GOLLIWOG
Water From Your Eyes - It’s a Beautiful Place
Amaarae - Black Star
Geese - Getting Killed
Smerz - Big City Life
Los Thuthanaka - Los Thuthanaka

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 15/12/2025

I... I just fucking can't. Whatever apocalypse awaits us... climate? meteor? nuclear? It can't come fast enough.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 04/12/2025

I feel like my whole life has been leading to this moment.

A sign that says "I ASSURE YOU, WE'RE OPEN!" taped to a closed gate.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 30/11/2025

Alternate take, maybe you just hate music?

Comment on a Verge article about people's ability to identify AI music reading: "the v5 model from suno has made songs that i cannot stop listening to. to the point that i sometimes prefer them over what i would normally listen to on apple music. some of the quality isn't radio-level but miles above indie band level."

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 20/11/2025

Fitter than LeBron, smarter than da Vinci, funnier than Seinfeld, a better role model than Jesus, and an just an absolute cock goblin.

A tweet from Grok in which it confirms that, due to Elon Musk's "unyielding stamina" he could, in fact, suck endless dicks.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 25/10/2025

I refuse to post a link to this review from Variety, but I'm not above taking the bait: I will fight Owen Gleiberman in the streets.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 03/10/2025

Sorry Google, the Roland TR-8, T-8, R-5, R-8 and TR-707 are not analog drum machines. Just thought you'd like to know.

Google AI overview results that read:
Key Roland analog drum machines include the legendary TR-808 and TR-909, the smaller TR-606, the early programmable CR-78, and the more recent AIRA models like the TR-8 and T-8. Other models such as the R-5, R-8, and TR-707 also fall into this category, known for their foundational contributions to electronic music.
Here is a list of Roland analog drum machines:
Classic Models (Historically Analog)
Roland TR-808: A landmark analog drum machine known for its unique sounds, particularly its kick drum, and is one of the most iconic in music history.
Roland TR-909: A hybrid analog/digital machine, it is famous for defining the sounds of techno and house music.
Roland TR-606: A smaller, more affordable analog drum machine often paired with the TB-303 bass synthesizer.
Roland CR-78: One of Roland's first programmable drum machines, it featured analog sounds and preset patterns.
Roland R-5: Another analog drum machine in Roland's series.
Roland R-8: An influential programmable drum machine from the R-series.
Roland TR-707: An analog drum machine that followed the TR-808 and TR-909.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

I can't believe you all were trying to hide the existence of this Treehouse of Horror Halloween "advent" calendar from me.

Treehouse of Horror countdown calendar hero image with box, paper calendar and mini figurines.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 02/10/2025

I supposed technically anything COULD be alien technology. But no.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 23/09/2025

I hope they're right about that whole rapture thing. This world has clearly turned its back on god.

A package of pumpkin spice flavored thick cut bacon in a supermarket shelf.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 11/09/2025

Oh, in case you missed it. I reviewed the Demon Box not too long ago and had some fun with the photo shoot. musictech.com/reviews/hard...

The Eternal Research Demon box, a black metal triangle, propped up on a black backdrop with multiple candles, brass candle holders, a real animal skull and a fake human skull (painted with the world's blackest paint and given a single gold tooth) used as decoration.

The Eternal Research Demon box viewed at an angle, on a black backdrop with multiple candles, brass candle holders, a real animal skull and a fake human skull (painted with the world's blackest paint and given a single gold tooth) used as decoration.

The Eternal Research Demon box viewed at an angle, on a black backdrop with multiple candles, brass candle holders, with a real animal skull in the foreground.

The Eternal Research Demon box laid flat, on a black backdrop with multiple candles, brass candle holders, a real animal skull and a fake human skull (painted with the world's blackest paint and given a single gold tooth) used as decoration.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 10/09/2025

In general Dilla Time is really great. But this line describing The Neptunes and Timbaland as "up-and-coming" in 2002 is batshit insane.

Highlighted text in the book Dilla Time that reads "Justin Timberlake would end up pairing with up-and-coming hip-hop producers Timbaland and the Neptune's "

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 08/09/2025

First run since 2023. First run since my last batch of injuries. First run since being diagnosed with emphysema.

Strava stat page showing 1.29 mile run at a 10:31 per-mile pace, totaling 13:36 run time.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 03/06/2025

This is not a blueprint for "the next wave of journalism". This is how journalism dies.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 22/05/2025

Ugh... over a decade of saved articles that I'll need to export. That I've paid to save permanent copies of. Plus, Pocket's integration with Kobo is one of the big reasons I've always opted for their e-readers.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 06/02/2025

Album covers from legacy hiphop acts are a particular kind of awful. The specifics of the design might be very different, but they're all still somehow exactly the same.

The album cover for Wu Tang and Mathematics album Black Samson, The Bastard Swordsman which appears to be some sort of AI generated Dungeons & Dragons nonsense with a dude sloppily photoshopped into it that I can only assume is the titular Black Samson. Also the text looks like it was created using a copy of Broderbund Printshop purchased in 1999.

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 02/02/2025

I've spent the last several years trying to build a healthier relationship with technology and I've decided to experiment with ditching my smartphone all together. Wish me luck!

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Terrence O'Brien @terrenceobrien.bsky.social · 25/01/2025

If I had tons of disposable income I would snatch one of these up in a heartbeat. The Circle Guitar is just insanely fun to play. (My apologies for sweating all over your headphones guys.)

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