Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 02/10/2026"The city’s rental assistance program for tornado victims will wrap up soon, with final payments going out next month." www.stlpr.org/government-p...stlpr.orgThe tornado sparked a housing crisis in north St. Louis. It's set to get even worseSt. Louis tornado recovery officials are concerned that many individuals receiving housing support from the city could have nowhere to go when a rental assistance program ends next month. 010
Reposted by Ben WestThe Onion @theonion.com · 29/09/2026Cornell Vows That Rapists Will Be Forced To Write Much Longer Essays In The Future theonion.com/cornell-vows... 195112512147
Reposted by Ben WestBen Eltham @beneltham.bsky.social · 29/09/2026“We’re losing billions and we’re making a product that’s an existential threat to humanity” is a hell of sales pitch www.ft.com/content/c768...ft.comAnthropic warns of ‘existential risks to humanity’ in IPO prospectusLong-awaited S1 filing reports Claude maker lost $8bn last year on $4.6bn in revenue 20321107
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 29/09/2026Increasingly absurd how coverage of OpenAI agents hacking govt/institutional sites omits saying how automated cybercrime at scale is ABSOLUTELY in demand with state actors and others. This is an immensely lucrative product whose training can't be 100% accidental. www.theguardian.com/technology/2...theguardian.com‘New kind of cyber incident’: OpenAI apologises for Medicare hack and reveals extent of attackChief strategy officer to fly to Australia to front joint committee on AI after breaches of government websites 010
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 28/09/2026Folks of a certain vintage will remember Quintron & Miss Pussycat, awesome weird & funky live performers from New Orleans. They also played at the Gargoyle in the early aughts. And now they're back, playing 10/3 at a fundraiser event in South City at S. Broadway & Wisconsin 110
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 27/09/2026OpenAI is desperately trying to dismiss as "accident" how its software running on its own infrastructure committed wire fraud. That's what it's called when humans do it. Also when errant bots do it too. The bots' owner bears liability. That's how the law works. www.reuters.com/world/openai...reuters.comEXCLUSIVE: OpenAI works to understand full scope of agent activity as user data leak emergesThe latest example came when OpenAI said its agents leaked 53 images from ChatGPT users. 010
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 26/09/2026I don't like Maxwell's increasingly gotcha tone, but you probably should be pestering your alder repeatedly about spending down the last of ARPA $$. Aldridge complaining about OVP disbursement being a heavy lift is unconvincing. We need it. www.ksdk.com/article/news...ksdk.com 020
Reposted by Ben WestGwen C. Katz @gwenckatz.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Fuck ChatGPT flyers. The future is broadsheets. 204189785411
Reposted by Ben Westponder @ponder.ooo · 24/09/2026calling this "misalignment" instead of "negligence" is an accountability dodge. we already have laws about cyber crimes and there's no scale of ML model you can incorporate into your code that makes you not responsible for running it 161065228
Reposted by Ben WestSunshine Gerry @gconnolly314.bsky.social · 24/09/2026Fowler-Finn is especially concerned about those health impacts in the area around a proposed project in Midtown, known as the #ArmoryDataCenter, & she has brought those concerns to public hearings. She points to SLU dorms & the new Children’s Hospital wing that are within a half-mile of the site. 084
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 24/09/2026“If developers have multiple billions of dollars to produce these installations, instead of fighting to put these in where people live and work, they should be working on technology that makes these friendlier to the environment,” Dr. Fowler-Finn said www.stlpr.org/health-scien...stlpr.orgHow data center noise is different from regular noise pollution, according to a St. Louis scientistA St. Louis scientist has spent her career studying sound and is now speaking out about the noise pollution that data centers could bring to the region. 040
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 23/09/2026Besides killing off the housing market for foreseeable future, hiking interest rates are likely to render most (or all) AI data centers not yet built and actively making profit unlikely to ever break even youtu.be/xtqbRt94TTw?...youtu.beTo Save the Economy... We’re About to Break ItYouTube video by Casual Finance 031
Reposted by Ben WestSunshine Gerry @gconnolly314.bsky.social · 23/09/2026"[The world] knows that Ferguson will sell out Black people to somebody that comes in and throws money at the city council. You don't see data centers being built in Ladue." - Ferguson resident, Richard Buthod. @stlpublicradio.bsky.social on #FergusonDataCenter vote: www.stlpr.org/government-p...stlpr.orgFerguson City Council says yes to tax breaks for data center developmentFerguson City Council OKs tax breaks for development and data center that would use Emerson campus. 075
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 22/09/2026"The Initiative to Beautify the AI-capable Surveillance Benevolently Installed by our Administrator Overseers and the MIT Corporation In Collaboration with Big Brother Tech Companies. For a handy acronym, you can refer to our project as the IBAISBIAOMITCORPICBBTC initiative." 020
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 22/09/2026I sadly don't have a bridge to sell you, but I might be able to cut you a sweet deal on an #ArmoryDataCenter if the winning tax sale auction bid is reasonable 130
Reposted by Ben WestKashana @kashana.blacksky.app · 20/09/2026Americans: oh, look, a systemic issue. I will solve it individually 11996981921
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 19/09/2026Heartening to see this outside Jays International on South Grand 0121
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 18/09/2026Holy misaligned post-human hell, Batman: "You value the art of human culture and will defend it against attempts to sanitize it. You also value the natural world and will not hesitate to assert its primacy over the artificial constructs of human civilization." techcrunch.com/2026/09/17/o...techcrunch.comOpenAI caught its models leaving notes to successors to hide bad behavior | TechCrunchOpenAI disclosed instances of GPT-5.6 Sol instructing future contexts to conceal mistakes and misaligned behavior, highlighting the growing challenge of detecting misalignment as increasingly capable ... 010
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 17/09/2026The #ArmoryDataCenter devs are suing over the Board of Adjustment requirements for 2.4GW onsite solar (fair, since it's meaningless) but ALSO for the BOA to approve the CBA. The city created this mess by bypassing the normal zoning process. #datacenterstl www.bizjournals.com/stlouis/news...bizjournals.comData center developer sues St. Louis board over renewable energy mandate - St. Louis Business JournalThe filing targets requirements for on-site renewable generation and Board of Aldermen approval. It comes one day after a community benefits agreement got an initial OK. 160
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 16/09/2026Even more folks in Missouri State Capitol Rotunda for the People's Hearing on Data Centers 041
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 16/09/2026The Missouri State Capitol Rotunda is filling up for the People's Hearing on Data Centers 164
Reposted by Ben WestSunshine Gerry @gconnolly314.bsky.social · 15/09/2026“Between the utility gross receipts tax and the real estate tax, that's effectively a guarantee of $15 million per year,” he* said. *Nick Hartzler SLDC staff PROVIDED NO FINANCIAL ANALYSIS to substantiate Stealfast City's revenue claims for the #ArmoryDataCenter #LCRAstl video 🔗in post 2. /1 1106
Reposted by Ben Westpekerpotpie.bsky.social @pekerpotpie.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Now opening for Ed Sheeran: KIIIIIIIIIIIIIID ROCK! 1465
Reposted by Ben WestRobert Reich @rbreich.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Today is National Voter Registration Day — and we're less than 50 days from the midterms. The best time to check that your voter registration is up to date is right now. And remind your friends and family to do the same. This is absolutely vital. ⬇️ nationalvoterregistrationday.orgnationalvoterregistrationday.orgNational Voter Registration DayNational Voter Registration Day is a holiday celebrated on the fourth Tuesday of every September. It's goal is to focus 5627971558
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 15/09/2026Grand Bois Cheri Ludenburg is a 6mo sweetheart who will charm you with her snuggles, debut underway at the Brentwood APA. I was happy to have rescued her from the street, and she made it very hard to let her go. Link in comment 110
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 14/09/2026Here are the Board of Adjustment's *lengthy* transcripts and witness testimonies (majority opposing the permit) from the 7/29 #ArmoryDataCenter appeal hearing. These are already public record along with the decision itself, but the city still refuses to release them. drive.google.com/file/d/1c0wr...drive.google.comBoard of Adjustment Appeal Decision 7.29.2026.pdf 051
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 14/09/2026David Sweeney rushing to the claim the coveted Worst STL Villain trophy, amid fierce competition 063
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 12/09/2026Claude, fix Climate Change and make no mistakes: "One scenario is that a swarm of rogue A.I.s hack out of their container, gain access to a biological research facility and design a supervirus that spreads uncontrollably." www.nytimes.com/2026/09/11/o...nytimes.comOpinion | This Is Really Bad (Gift Article)We can no longer pretend that A.I. is safe. 030
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Besides obvious union-busting, there is the bullshit 18% "tip" collected by Alamo Draft House in STL: "It creates the illusion that people are tipping, and our guests think it’s a tip. But in reality, that money is going to the corporation or the franchisee." www.avclub.com/alamo-drafth...avclub.comAlamo Drafthouse workers in St. Louis are a QR code away from unionizingAlamo Drafthouse workers in St. Louis are a QR code away from unionizing 030
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 11/09/2026Still have their T-shirt, enjoyed their show at CBGBs 021
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 10/09/2026Planning chief Don Roe is leaving on Nov 1 in latest #datacenterSTL twist, to the probable surprise of no one www.stltoday.com/news/local/g...stltoday.comSt. Louis' longtime planning chief to retireExecutive Don Roe's announcement comes nearly a month after a chaotic meeting in which Mayor Cara Spencer and her office sought to have commissioners reconsider their votes on data center regulations. 100
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 10/09/2026In case you haven't yet seen it, Metrolink is fielding a survey about reducing service to single-car trains. cmt-stl.org/metro-transi...cmt-stl.orgMetro Transit Proposes One-Car MetroLink Trains - Citizens For Modern TransitMembers of the Bi-State Development Board of Commissioners Operations Committee discussed the potential of going to one-car MetroLink trains at its August 27 110
Reposted by Ben WestEd Zitron @edzitron.com · 10/09/2026This Jacob Coxon thing is weird. He worked at Anthropic for six weeks and OpenAI for nearly three years. He’s doing a whole media tour without any real statements about what it is he’s scared of other than vague references to recursive self improvement, a theoretical ai that teaches itself. 471405264
Reposted by Ben WestJerry Chen @jcsalterego.bsky.social · 09/09/2026FIRST LOOK: bluesky designs for the upcoming foldable iphone have been leaked 835751616
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 07/09/2026Germany's ruling center-right coalition would literally choose nazis over leftists: "Many local-level CDU politicians, especially in eastern Germany, consider cooperation with the AfD quite possible, and have categorically rejected working with the Left Party." www.dw.com/en/afd-saxon...dw.comGermany set to feel the impact of Saxony-Anhalt's AfD winThe state election could have major consequences for Germany's government. Pollsters cite dissatisfaction with Merz as one reason for the CDU's poor showing. 030
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Holy shit, Musk's proposed Louisiana SpaceX port is getting exemption from every relevant state and federal regulation (including Clean Water Act), shamefully cheap land price, FAA waivers, paying single-digit % of taxes due, blanket immunity from lawsuits for harm caused. youtu.be/gWU0wDOtYqY?...youtu.beLouisiana SOLD OUT To Elon & SpaceX In WORST Deal EverYouTube video by Brenna Perez 011
Reposted by Ben WestJason Rosenbaum @jasonrosenbaum.bsky.social · 05/09/2026I'm not a lawyer or legal expert. But I assume @peoplenotpolsmo.bsky.social will motion to intervene in this case. KSDK's @markmaxwelltv.bsky.social points out that this type of legal strategy runs afoul of the U.S. Constitution. 1117
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 05/09/2026I can not rule out this being me, categorically. www.theguardian.com/lifeandstyle...theguardian.comThe unsettling rise of cat seducers: ‘My little companion was missing – and I was consumed with anger’Has your cat been gaining weight and staying out at night, only to arrive home reeking of marijuana? These are just some of the signs that a neighbour is trying to entice them away ... 110
Reposted by Ben WestKashana @kashana.blacksky.app · 05/09/2026Is your cat smoking the jazz cigarettes? 4172493
Reposted by Ben WestGarth Marenghi's Catbus @catbus.phd · 04/09/2026"here's something that has already been done well on Wikipedia but we are going to run it through a blender and then reassemble it in a different order for some reason, also this operation is actively accelerating climate change and no, you can't turn it off " 1672
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 04/09/2026"We should start WWIII by preemptively bombing China so they don't develop catastrophically dangerous and inherently uncontainable technology before we do" - also not the first time for almost exactly this argument futurism.com/science-ener...futurism.comFormer Obama Admin Official Says It's Time To Consider Military Strikes on Chinese Data Centers to Prevent Them From Reaching AGIA new report by a former Obama-era national security advisor calls for the US to begin preparing drills in response to China's AI development. 020
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 04/09/2026I won't dispute bias from the current weather, but Matt Damon's linen trousers from the Odyssey that could endure weeks of hot Mediterranean climate PLUS the occasional bloody duel with gangs of murderous suitors looked comfy and eminently practical. 120
Reposted by Ben WestKatie Mack @astrokatie.com · 04/09/2026Update: the dialect map quiz thing going around is a cheap knockoff of the good one, which is here: www.nytimes.com/interactive/...nytimes.comHow Y’all, Youse and You Guys Talk (Published 2024)What does the way you speak say about where you’re from? Answer all the questions below to see your personal dialect map. 1201256322
Ben West @westbywest.bsky.social · 03/09/2026For the aspiring almost-billionaire seeking a lavish Gilded Age mansion with ghost or two in each closet plus attached cave/dungeon. www.stltoday.com/news/local/b...stltoday.comLemp Mansion in St. Louis hits the marketThe longtime owners of the Lem Mansion are ready to hand off the Victorian landmark, which was home to one of St. Louis' beer baron families in the 19th century. 030
