Ben Werdmuller - Nostr Hypermedia

Ben Werdmuller

benwerd@nos.social

npub183ng...4n09

I lead technology at ProPublica and write speculative fiction. This is a personal account. Every day, I write about tech, democracy, and society at https://werd.io. More about me: https://about.werd.io

benwerd 20 hours ago

Can data collectives help strengthen vulnerable cultures in the face of AI?

Can data collectives help strengthen vulnerable cultures in the face of AI?

"Data collectives and cooperatives, which let creators control the collection and distribution of their data, are emerging as preferred alternative...

benwerd yesterday

Notable links: July 24, 2026

Notable links: July 24, 2026

America's AI dominance is under threat; AI vendors put us at risk; meanwhile, everyone's staying in their jobs for the health insurance.

benwerd 2 days ago

AI vendors can't be trusted to secure their systems. Newsrooms need to act accordingly

AI vendors can't be trusted to secure their systems. Newsrooms need to act accordingly

There were two big lapses in the Hugging Face / OpenAI hacking story: the lack of security protections on OpenAI's end, and Hugging Face's vulnerab...

benwerd 2 days ago

Private healthcare makes industries less innovative. It's time for change.

Private healthcare makes industries less innovative. It's time for change.

1 in 4 American workers stay in their jobs because of the healthcare. It suppresses wages and working conditions - and prevents innovators from hea...

benwerd 5 days ago

People are transcribing your conversations without asking. That puts you at risk.

People are transcribing your conversations without asking. That puts you at risk.

Apps like Granola make it easy to transcribe conversations without asking for consent. Those transcripts are a subpoena honeypot.

benwerd 5 days ago

American AI is locked down and proprietary. It's losing.

American AI is locked down and proprietary. It's losing.

China's open-weights AI strategy is winning: its companies are taking the lead. America's closed-first, locked-down strategy is doomed to failure -...

benwerd 1 week ago

Notable links: July 17, 2026

Notable links: July 17, 2026

At a time when journalism is increasingly under attack, we need PIT Crews for news.

benwerd 1 week ago

To innovate, news needs allies

To innovate, news needs allies

"Allies, archives and infrastructure in the AI age" - a list of people with the potential to push news forward.

benwerd 1 week ago

The SFPD leaked its drone footage. It shouldn't be surveilling to begin with.

The SFPD leaked its drone footage. It shouldn't be surveilling to begin with.

Surveillance doesn't improve crime or make anyone safer. It wastes civic dollars and creates new risks for vulnerable communities. The SFPD's leak ...

benwerd 1 week ago

We need a PIT Crew for news

We need a PIT Crew for news

Zohran Mamdani has unveiled a radically collaborative, cross-disciplinary approach to building internal technology capacity. News has a lot to lear...

benwerd 1 week ago

Climate.gov was destroyed. Open data saved it.

Climate.gov was destroyed. Open data saved it.

"After losing their jobs at NOAA, Rebecca Lindsey, her sister and another colleague teamed up to rebuild a pivotal resource the Trump administratio...

benwerd 1 week ago

The Trump administration is subpoenaing journalists to reveal sources. Their data security is more important than ever.

The Trump administration is subpoenaing journalists to reveal sources. Their data security is more important than ever.

"Historically, the Justice Department has sought to subpoena reporters only as a last resort after other reasonable options have been exhausted." N...

benwerd 2 weeks ago

This book is freaking great. Send a copy to your immigration skeptic friends as well as to the people in your life who already understand that migration is a source of hope. A pleaure to read. https://bookshop.org/a/7949/9781635577860

benwerd 2 weeks ago

Notable links: July 10, 2026

Notable links: July 10, 2026

In the face of declining trust in media, communities are part of the solution.

benwerd 2 weeks ago

Communities will build trust and loyalty for local public media. Chicago Public Media is taking a big leap forward.

Communities will build trust and loyalty for local public media. Chicago Public Media is taking a big leap forward.

Chicago Public Media is launching a region-wide social platform as a way to bolster its journalism. I believe it represents a path to the future.

benwerd 2 weeks ago

As social networks fill up with AI slop, trusted relationships and communities will win.

As social networks fill up with AI slop, trusted relationships and communities will win.

Long-form LinkedIn posts are 41% slop. Other social networks are not far behind.

benwerd 2 weeks ago

IndieWeb Fiction Carnival: May 2026 Roundup

IndieWeb Fiction Carnival: May 2026 Roundup

Three short fiction pieces

benwerd 2 weeks ago

Startups track business metrics. Newsrooms should learn from them.

Startups track business metrics. Newsrooms should learn from them.

I've rarely seen newsroom business teams discuss metrics like LTV, CAC, and even ARR outside fundraising or finance. They should be commonly known.

benwerd 2 weeks ago

CNN and CNBC promote gambling to make a cheap buck

CNN and CNBC promote gambling to make a cheap buck

Some newsrooms are making money from deals with prediction markets. It will only serve to further destroy the public's trust in news.

benwerd 2 weeks ago

Governance can prevent AI from being used to undermine democracy. But only if it has teeth.

Governance can prevent AI from being used to undermine democracy. But only if it has teeth.

The apparatus to cement centralized, undemocratic power has already been built. Regulations have a part to play, but they can't just be recommendat...

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