When we get frustrated with AI, are we supposed to say “Come on! You had EVERY JOB” ?

I think what AI has taught us is that many things we thought were hard were merely tedious. AI doesn’t give a shit. AI eats tedium for lunch. There will always be “human only” problems, and AI is helping us zero in on those.

I see the many, many downsides of AI. I also see the upsides. Don’t you?

It’s weird how the Kennedy Center had to close so quickly after being renamed after Trump. Must be a coincidence, right?

It seems like people who are “against AI” are people who would be also be “against alien invasion” as they take over. Kudos and good luck to you, but that’s a challenging position to maintain.

I opened a micro hornet’s nest by claiming that AI is inevitable and maybe good, but rest assured I’m listening to Rufus Wainright and no AI could ever come up with this particular combination of timbre, lyrics, and melody.

Most days, some lyric or melody from Rufus Wainright’s eponymous album is pounding in my virtual eardrums. www.youtube.com/watch

I say this with deep respect for the people who view AI technology as dangerous and upheaving. It is. But some technological changes can’t be undone. We’ll never be pre-steam engine again, or pre-electricity. AI is here and we have to cope with it, whether we like it or not.

I challenge you to find better cadence and elocution than the opening lyric to Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5”. www.youtube.com/watch

I’m home alone for the night with my 17yo, and I asked what he wanted to do. He said he wanted me to teach him any guitar, which he’s never really learned. OH, OKAY. Indie rock dad’s dream.

“Singularity” is far away. For a long time we’ve known that computers might “outthink” us in some ways, but without permission to “take over,” that doesn’t threaten us. Sure, we are fostering takeover candidates, but until one them overrides our basic controls, we’ll be fine. OK, now I’m scared.

I know people are frustrated when Claude Code stops working after 5 hours and makes you wait for the session window to reset, but 5 HOURS? That’s way more than any Silicon Valley employee puts in on a given 8 hour day!

In light of Bruce Springsteen’s latest protest song, I humbly submit that he was “BORN IN THE USA”, and would like to “DIE IN THE USA.” If it lasts.

Speaking of protest songs, Bruce Springsteen’s latest is powerful. It’s mostly a folk song, but as I suggested, it’s also a punk song, and a rap song. It’s not a rock song. youtu.be/_jHeCwz4L…

Most of what I know about defying the government comes from folks songs, punk songs, and rap songs. They’re all the same genre, really.

Following up on the iOS release earlier today, Black Ink for Mac 2.4.5 features many of the same improvements and some other stuff too! redsweater.com/blog/4255…

Just posted an update to Black Ink for iOS with bug fixes and improvements to solving usability. redsweater.com/blog/4251…

Americans are unlikely to know the names of the “supporting cast” that allowed Adolf Hitler to impose his lawless, evil, contemptible, indefensible acts on the people of Germany and beyond. But here in 2026 we will never forget Vance, Noem, Miller, Bovino, Johnson, Loomer, Stefanik, Graham, etc.

Not surprisingly, all of Trump’s hires are bad. Maybe he historically had to “FIRE EVERYBODY” because he made terrible choices in everybody he hired. Nobody, except his brainwashed, idiotic disciples describes him as a business genius. He’s a genius at claiming wins he hasn’t earned.

“Press Secretary” doesn’t have to mean “lie projector.” You can be the press secretary and maintain personal ethics. Karoline Leavitt owns every thing she has said.

Karoline Leavitt may be the single most impactful force of evil in America today.

The fact that the ICE Assassins are masked makes them 1000% more perverse than they would be if they were merely bad cops.

I also want to shout out @calebsexton@mastodon.social who does such a great job of editing (almost?) every episode of The Talk Show. Clearly a pro and John is lucky to have him on speed-dial.

I find it hard to imagine how Tim Walz can do anything but reactivate his campaign for Governor of Minnesota.

I always have a great time chatting with John @Gruber, but it’s even better when y’all get to listen, too. daringfireball.net/thetalksh…