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Dr. Émile P. Torres

@xriskology.bsky.social
13K followers 504 following 985 posts

Philosopher and historian of human extinction (sadly, an increasingly relevant topic). Coined the term “TESCREAL” w/ Timnit Gebru. Salon, Truthdig, WaPo, Aeon, etc.

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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 20h
Another article about an *extremely important* topic: AI successionism, a term catching on, is only *one of many forms of pro-extinctionism* in Silicon Valley. Indeed, most SV pro-extinctionists *reject* AI successionism. Focusing just on successionists misses the bigger picture!
realtimetechpocalypse.com
“AI Successionism” Is Dangerously Misleading
(1,200 words.)
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
New article on why AI has thus far been a complete disaster -- and why things will probably get much worse. I mean, AI hallucinations almost started a war with China last spring. This is serious -- a code red. Read and share, if you feel so inclined: www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/ai-almost-...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
AI Almost Started World War III with China
It’s past time to shut them all down, now. (1,500 words.)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 03/10/2026
New article on why AI has thus far been a complete disaster -- and why things will probably get much worse. I mean, AI hallucinations almost started a war with China last spring. This is serious -- a code red. Read and share, if you feel so inclined: www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/ai-almost-...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
AI Almost Started World War III with China
It’s past time to shut them all down, now. (1,500 words.)
23521
Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
My interview with Briahna Joy Gray of Bad Faith on pro-extinctionism in the ASI race and related topics. Please watch and share. Just recorded another podcast last night with Cal Newport on similar issues, which will air in early October. This shit is really, really important:
youtube.com
Silicon Valley Wants a POST-HUMAN World (w/ Émile Torres)
YouTube video by Bad Faith
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 30/09/2026
My interview with Briahna Joy Gray of Bad Faith on pro-extinctionism in the ASI race and related topics. Please watch and share. Just recorded another podcast last night with Cal Newport on similar issues, which will air in early October. This shit is really, really important:
youtube.com
Silicon Valley Wants a POST-HUMAN World (w/ Émile Torres)
YouTube video by Bad Faith
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 27/09/2026
My interview with The Philosopher is now up! We discuss the ideologies behind the race to build ASI and the history of thinking about human extinction, among other topics! www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...
youtube.com
Are We Living in End Times? w/ Émile P. Torres
YouTube video by The Philosopher
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 24/09/2026
My passion in the evenings: wonderfulsome.bandcamp.com/album/ballet...
wonderfulsome.bandcamp.com
Ballet of Apocalypse (rough mixes), by WonderLost
13 track album
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New article explaining why if they build a "misaligned" ASI, humanity dies out, but if they build an "aligned" ASI, humanity dies out. It is VERY VERY important for people to understand what the TESCREAL field of "AI safety" is actually trying to achieve. Read and share:
realtimetechpocalypse.com
AI Safety, Explained
Spoiler: It’s NOT What You Think. (2,300 words.)
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Valerie Sizemore @tarwatirno.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
Selling a product as "the end of the world" shouldn't pay off. @edzitron.com I will be protesting with @stopai-info.bsky.social in front of the SEC offices in San Francisco, with one clear ask: Block the Anthropic IPO. 44 Montgomery St, San Francisco Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:00am-4:00pm
SEC: Stop AI (Anthropic IPO)

Join stopai.info at

44 Montgomery St.
San Francisco, CA

Tuesdays and Thursdays
11:00am - 4:00pm

Our Demand: Selling a product as "the end of the world shouldn't pay off: please block the Anthropic IPO.

Call Jim Moloney, Director of the Division of Corporation Finance, SEC, (202) 551-3100

Protest vibes: A reasonable request of professional regulators who work tirelessly protecting our pensions.

*Love the Human Being
* Reward motion towards us
* Stay respectful in dialogueDear Ed Zitron,    9/15/26

I am launching a sustained protest today at the SEC office in San Francisco asking them to block the Anthropic IPO. I think whether or not someone agrees with the content of the "end of the world" marketing, we should agree to not let it work.

I know your research into the irresponsible financials will be crucial in this dialogue. I'd love your explicit support as well!

Thanks so much for all you do!

Valerie Sizemore
tarwatirno
[tarwatirnet in elvish text]
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 23/09/2026
New article explaining why if they build a "misaligned" ASI, humanity dies out, but if they build an "aligned" ASI, humanity dies out. It is VERY VERY important for people to understand what the TESCREAL field of "AI safety" is actually trying to achieve. Read and share:
realtimetechpocalypse.com
AI Safety, Explained
Spoiler: It’s NOT What You Think. (2,300 words.)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
For those just discovering Effective Altruism (EA), know that when journalists, etc. talk about EA in the context of Silicon Valley, they're talking about *longtermism*. And as I argued back in 2021, longtermism is a profoundly dangerous ideology: aeon.co/essays/why-l...
aeon.co
Why longtermism is the world’s most dangerous secular credo | Aeon Essays
It started as a fringe philosophical theory about humanity’s future. It’s now richly funded and increasingly dangerous
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 21/09/2026
Great interview with Gil Duran. His new book is AMAZING: "The Nerd Reich." Highly recommended. www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wywy...
youtube.com
Inside TESCREAL: Silicon Valley’s Bizarre AI Religion
YouTube video by Lincoln Square
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
Since people are just discovering Effective Altruism, I thought this would be a good time to publish this: www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/anthropics...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
Anthropic’s IPO and Why You Don't Hate Effective Altruism Enough
(7,200 words)
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
SE Gyges @segyges.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
I'm back, I missed you all. Since this is an important subject I know too much about, here's a 🧵 explaining that AI Safety Is Mostly A Sex Cult. I don't think these people should make policy. (1/?) (alternative title: Time For Some Cult Theory)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
This Monday, at 7pm UK time, I'll be interviewed live by @philosopher1923.bsky.social for "The Philosopher & The News." We'll be discussing the end-times fervor--both religious and secular--that currently pervades society. You can register below. Will be fun!
thephilosopher1923.org
The Philosopher & The News: Are we living in End Times?
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 18/09/2026
There is no planet B. Earth--a magnificent and exquisite little oasis in space--is our only home, and the billionaires are destroying it. We can't live on Mars, and we won't even be able to build large cities on the moon: edition.cnn.com/2026/09/17/s...
edition.cnn.com
Cities won’t survive on the moon as there isn’t enough water, scientists say | CNN
If, like Elon Musk, you have been dreaming of a future in which large populations of humans can live on the moon, you’re likely to be disappointed.
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Remmelt 🛑 @artificialbodies.net · 18/09/2026
A rationalist hub is hosting the Progress Conference. Speakers include: - Tyler Cowen, who fawned on “Tilly Norwood” at the Free Press - Wojciech Zaremba, a sex-obsessed founder at OpenAI.
Roots of Progress
Institute

Jason Crawford
Roots of Progress
Institute

Tyler Cowen
Mercatus Center;
Conversations with Tyler

Erika DeBenedictis
Pioneer Labs

Dmitri Dolgov
Waymo
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 17/09/2026
Interesting video. I predict that the Overton window will soon shift such that "TESCREAL" becomes a common word used to describe the Silicon Valley worldview and movement behind the current push to build a Machine God. We will see. www.youtube.com/watch?v=MPrN...
youtube.com
The Singularity Is Not What It Seems
YouTube video by The Atlantic
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
A Jean Stevenson @amandajean.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
Why are all those tech dudes so especially weird about fertility rates? It's not just misogyny or eugenics or greed. Their twisted definition of "human" and their odd conceptions of types of extinction and their fundamentally not human goals for the future are all part of the weird story.
realtimetechpocalypse.com
The ASI Extinction Debate Is the Opposite of What You Think
The media needs to wake up, fast. (3,100 words.)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 16/09/2026
It is becoming increasingly impossible for people to ignore the *integral role* of the TESCREAL ideologies in the race to build ASI. I have been warning about these ideologies since 2019, and have written about them extensively, including with Timnit Gebru. Thanks for asking this, @edzitron.com.
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 15/09/2026
In case you missed it, here's my article about how completely f*cked the whole "ASI extinction" discourse is right now. If ASI is "misaligned," humanity dies out (they say). But if ASI is "aligned," humanity also dies out. www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/the-asi-ex...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
The ASI Extinction Debate Is the Opposite of What You Think
The media needs to wake up, fast. (3,100 words.)
45628
Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
If you want to understand the current debate about ASI extinction risk, please please read this. I explain how you've almost certainly been misled into thinking this is about saving humanity--it's NOT. The term "human extinction" doesn't mean what you think it does!
realtimetechpocalypse.com
The ASI Extinction Debate Is the Opposite of What You Think
The media needs to wake up, fast. (3,100 words.)
88842
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
If you want to understand the current debate about ASI extinction risk, please please read this. I explain how you've almost certainly been misled into thinking this is about saving humanity--it's NOT. The term "human extinction" doesn't mean what you think it does!
realtimetechpocalypse.com
The ASI Extinction Debate Is the Opposite of What You Think
The media needs to wake up, fast. (3,100 words.)
88842
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 14/09/2026
If you want to understand the current debate about ASI extinction risk, please please read this. I explain how you've almost certainly been misled into thinking this is about saving humanity--it's NOT. The term "human extinction" doesn't mean what you think it does!
realtimetechpocalypse.com
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 13/09/2026
In my 2024 book, I introduced the concept of an "existential mood." There is literally no better time to reexamine it than right now, as the media explodes with reports about AI extinction risk. Can you feel the current existential mood? Yes, you can. www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/every-day-...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
“Every Day Feels Like a Funeral”: AI Doomerism and the Current “Existential Mood”
Understanding our current “existential mood.”
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 12/09/2026
With all this talk about human extinction right now, I am BEGGING people to understand the difference between TERMINAL and FINAL extinction. TESCREALists *only* care about final extinction, but nearly the entire public *misinterprets* them as warning about terminal extinction.
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
Recent recording: wonderfulsome.bandcamp.com/track/he-o
wonderfulsome.bandcamp.com
He!!o, by WonderLost
from the album Timbres and Hues
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 09/09/2026
New article on Gil Duran's brilliant new book, plus an excerpt from my recent @Truthdig article on the tyranny of the race to build "superintelligence." Check it out if you have a moment! (I also include some photos of my recent trip to the Swiss Alps.) www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/gil-durans...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
Gil Duran’s NYT Bestseller & The Tyranny of the ASI Race
(1,800 words)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 08/09/2026
As usual, music in the evening to wind down (written yesterday and recorded today!): wonderfulsome.bandcamp.com/track/he-o
wonderfulsome.bandcamp.com
he!!o, by WonderLost
from the album Timbres and Hues
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
New article in which I argue that the race to build "superintelligence" is fundamentally undemocratic. Indeed, it would be apt to describe it as a form of tyranny that must, as such, be stopped. Please share this widely, if you can! www.truthdig.com/articles/the...
truthdig.com
The Tyrannical Race to Build Superintelligence
Despite making noises about respecting democracy, AI companies are unilaterally deploying extremely dangerous technologies without the consent of the people.
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 06/09/2026
New article in which I argue that the race to build "superintelligence" is fundamentally undemocratic. Indeed, it would be apt to describe it as a form of tyranny that must, as such, be stopped. Please share this widely, if you can! www.truthdig.com/articles/the...
truthdig.com
The Tyrannical Race to Build Superintelligence
Despite making noises about respecting democracy, AI companies are unilaterally deploying extremely dangerous technologies without the consent of the people.
24425
Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Truthdig @truthdig.com · 04/09/2026
Despite making noises about respecting democracy, AI companies are unilaterally deploying extremely dangerous technologies without the consent of the people. By @xriskology.bsky.social
truthdig.com
The Tyrannical Race to Build Superintelligence
Despite making noises about respecting democracy, AI companies are unilaterally deploying extremely dangerous technologies without the consent of the people.
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
Does anyone have a copy of this article they could share with me? www.theinformation.com/articles/sec...
theinformation.com
OpenAI Technique in ‘Astra’ Model Sparks Security Concerns
OpenAI says its forthcoming AI model Astra marks a step up in capabilities such as coding and operating applications on a computer. But an innovative technique that improved the model’s performance al...
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 02/09/2026
I've been saying this for 2 years: More&more people r discovering the TESCREAL thesis. Here, Seth refers to the "mind-uploading singlularity-mongering extropian narrarive." The TESCREAL thesis is a detailed intellectual history of this narrative, starting with Extropianism! 1/ x.com/anilkseth/st...
x.com
Anil Seth (@anilkseth) on X
I see that you did, @dwarkesh_sp, and thank you for pointing it out. You're absolutely right to highlight the very real dangers of loss of control. I also agree that easy-to-understand language can b...
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
New article examining the incestuous connections between the TESCREAL movement and the ASI race. I guarantee you'll find this interesting--I show how these people all know each other, have hung out and partied together, and share the same eschatological vision. Check it out!
realtimetechpocalypse.com
What If TESCREAL *Is* a Conspiracy?
(3,000 words.)
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
One thing I find really frustrating is that some people both (a) misunderstand the TESCREAL thesis, and (b), based on this misunderstanding, have decided it's not worth reading any of my explanations of the thesis since my 2024 paper with Gebru. Here are three essential readings:
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
One thing I find really frustrating is that some people both (a) misunderstand the TESCREAL thesis, and (b), based on this misunderstanding, have decided it's not worth reading any of my explanations of the thesis since my 2024 paper with Gebru. Here are three essential readings:
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
Had a marvelous time in Switzerland.
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 31/08/2026
New article examining the incestuous connections between the TESCREAL movement and the ASI race. I guarantee you'll find this interesting--I show how these people all know each other, have hung out and partied together, and share the same eschatological vision. Check it out!
realtimetechpocalypse.com
What If TESCREAL *Is* a Conspiracy?
(3,000 words.)
611143
Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
The voices of people—especially Black women—in marginalized communities are often systematically erased by white men. Attention-seeking AI guru Connor Leahy is now outlining an intellectual history of SV that is virtually identical to the one outlined by me and Gebru. 1/3
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 27/08/2026
This, from my friend @gilduran.com (Gil Duran), is fucking incredible. If you haven't bought a copy of his book yet, I'd encourage you to do so NOW. The anti-tech movement is growing, and this book will became a major part of that movement in the coming months and years (so will Timnit's!).
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Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
New article disambiguating the phrase "the dangers of the ASI race." I show how one can be worried about such dangers without committing to the idea that "ASI" is imminent, possible, or even a coherent idea. Check it out, if you have a moment! www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/why-worry-...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
What About the ASI Race Should Worry You?
(1,600 words)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 24/08/2026
New article disambiguating the phrase "the dangers of the ASI race." I show how one can be worried about such dangers without committing to the idea that "ASI" is imminent, possible, or even a coherent idea. Check it out, if you have a moment! www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/why-worry-...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
What About the ASI Race Should Worry You?
(1,600 words)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 23/08/2026
As Scott Alexander once said about Eliezer Yudkowsky, the self-described "genius" who penned Harry Potter and the Methods of Rationality, "Oh god. The future of the human species is in the hands of a guy who writes crossover fan-fiction." Lolz.
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 21/08/2026
On less than $10k this year, I’ve been to Lisbon, Toulouse, Perpignan, La Pineda, Benicarlo, Barcelona, Paris, London, Skopje, Ohrid (N. Macedonia), Belgrade, Zurich, Saint-Gervais-Les-Bains, Flumet, Grenoble, various towns in the Swiss Alps, and soon Thailand, Japan, & South Korea. You don't ...
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 20/08/2026
The voices of people—especially Black women—in marginalized communities are often systematically erased by white men. Attention-seeking AI guru Connor Leahy is now outlining an intellectual history of SV that is virtually identical to the one outlined by me and Gebru. 1/3
3220105
Reposted by Dr. Émile P. Torres
Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
New article on Dario Amodei's wife, Cami Clark, asking Jeffrey Epstein to fund her "luxury porn" company, as well as Leopold von Aschenbrenner's "Situational Awareness" hedge fund losing a whopping $35 billion just before his wedding. www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/leopold-vo...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
Leopold von Aschenbrenner, the New Sam Bankman-Fried?
Plus, Dario Amodei’s wife tried to get Jeffrey Epstein to fund her "luxury porn" company. (2,600 words)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 18/08/2026
New article on Dario Amodei's wife, Cami Clark, asking Jeffrey Epstein to fund her "luxury porn" company, as well as Leopold von Aschenbrenner's "Situational Awareness" hedge fund losing a whopping $35 billion just before his wedding. www.realtimetechpocalypse.com/p/leopold-vo...
realtimetechpocalypse.com
Leopold von Aschenbrenner, the New Sam Bankman-Fried?
Plus, Dario Amodei’s wife tried to get Jeffrey Epstein to fund her "luxury porn" company. (2,600 words)
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
I'm pretty heartbroken about his death, tbh. What a complete shitshow.
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Dr. Émile P. Torres @xriskology.bsky.social · 17/08/2026
Whoa, same here. Also in 2016. Except I continued to speak to my father (and sister).
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