Ben Werdmuller's avatar
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
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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
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benwerd 3 weeks ago
Trump seems suddenly excited to use 1950s rhetoric about communists. Mate, there aren't any significant communists in the United States. There are some people who want healthcare, equitable justice, and for poverty not to be a death sentence. Social democracy is not communism. You moron.
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benwerd 3 weeks ago
All snark aside, I do love America. The Declaration of Independence - 250 years ago! - was genuinely important. Most places you go, the people are kind, community-minded, and optimistic. One day, eventually, they will have an equitable government that redresses wrongs and provides real support.
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benwerd 3 weeks ago
My entire information diet relies on your site having a functional RSS feed, so it would be awesome if it did.
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benwerd 1 month ago
My new least favorite thing is AI sales enablement tools that read my blog to create a tailored opening. "I loved your piece about [whatever]! We sell [something tangentially related to whatever]." It makes me want to shift to blogging about penguins or something.
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benwerd 2 months ago
Building pro-social tech isn't anchoring to fears rather than opportunities. It's recognizing a distinct set of opportunities that empower every person in ways that are aligned with their communities rather than centering on the needs and assumptions of a few powerful people. It's real empowerment.