Karl Hakkarainen

How Does Microwaving Grapes Create Plasma? | NOVA | PBS No kitchen appliances were harmed in the writing of this article.

🎶We gather together
🎶 to make plasma in the kitchen.
www.pbs.org/wgbh/nova/ar...

We can pretty well guess why Kushner wanted to be in the room, but we can still wonder who let him in and why. www.reuters.com/world/europe...

Isn’t that how plane crashes usually work?

Taking the Lord's name in vain It's not just a theological problem

open.substack.com/pub/kristind...

You are now encouraged to say “Fuck” in as many languages as possible.

Newsom sends prepaid phones, aka 'burners,' to tech CEOs California's governor has employed an unusual outreach initiative to business leaders.

This seems both very right and very wrong. www.politico.com/news/2025/03...

Trump fires the two Democratic members of the FTC, threatening the independence of the regulator in a decision that is likely to face a legal challenge (New York Times)

Main Link | Techmeme Permalink

Donald Trump just illegally fired two independent commissioners at the FTC who fight big corporations that abuse consumers and workers.

Why? Trump's billionaire donors expect a return on their investment. He works for them, not you.

The courts must reinstate the commissioners.

AI search is starting to kill Google’s ‘ten blue links’ New Adobe data reveals AI search referrals are on the rise.

So, here's a question: how to businesses and non-profits do their SEO if people are opting to use AI chatbots as their paths to finding out stuff.
For example, Perplexity consolidates results from multiple sites when searching for local Ethiopian cuisine.

www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...

Massachusetts Judge Dismisses Auto Industry Lawsuit Over State’s Popular ‘Right To Repair’ Reforms In late 2020, Massachusetts lawmakers (with overwhelming public support) passed an expansion of the state’s “right to repair” law. The original law was the first in the nation to be passe…

Might this lead to Subaru finally allow its Starlink service to work on its newer models? (Subaru's product is not related to that chainsaw-wielding gazillionaire's Starlink.) www.techdirt.com/2025/02/27/m...

FBI telling Citibank to freeze accounts of Habitat for Humanity, the United Way, and the State of NY Dept of Taxation, among a few dozen others.

#nottheonion
AI could prescribe medications.
www.congress.gov/bill/119th-c...

This is the stuff of nightmares. Imagine these two guys lecturing anyone about manners and trust and warfare.
We are supposed to respect the office, but these knuckleheads ….
[insert stream of bad words here]

"Recoup the costs" The sadism of American policy to war-torn Ukraine

snyder.substack.com/p/recoup-the...

More than 40 years ago, Ken Thompson, in his Turing Award speech, noted, "The press must learn that misguided use of a
computer is no more amazing than drunk driving of an
automobile."

Plane with 6 aboard crashes in Philadelphia, setting homes ablaze and unleashing a fireball - The Boston Globe A small plane has crashed in Northeast Philadelphia as crews respond to a fiery scene late Friday, Pennsylvania’s governor said.

www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/31/n...

Alabama baby born at Krispy Kreme awarded year’s supply of free doughnuts Sha’Nya Bennett, 23, gave birth to son Dallas in parking lot of doughnut chain during historic snowstorm

‘Murica
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...

Cruelty and Loyalty On zone-flooding fatigue and the tenets of autocracy

A family member recently remarked, “If it doesn’t directly affect me or my family, I’m not going to think about it much.” Others around him nodded in agreement, adding that they don’t watch the news.
This is the Normative State for white folks in 2025.

contrarian.substack.com/p/cruelty-an...

President Trump signs executive orders in the Oval Office - The Boston Globe Dozens of executive orders were prepared for his signature to clamp down on border crossings, increase fossil fuel development, and end diversity and inclusion programs across the federal government.

Of course, he did. www.bostonglobe.com/2025/01/20/m...

Maine man gets first moose and bride-to-be the same day With blood up to his elbows, Jared Lavers of New Gloucester dropped to one knee in the North Maine Woods beside his dead moose.

Perfect Maine headline doesn’t exis…

Still coughing after a Christmas Eve gathering infected nearly the whole family. One has been in the hospital for five days with pneumonia.

‘There are very serious problems’: Federal lawsuits lay out allegations against Worcester police - The Boston Globe Advocate groups welcomed the report, saying it finally vindicated longstanding complaints they say the city and police have historically refused to acknowledge.

While the Worcester Telegram reports on a Tuesday meeting on Friday, the Globe covers the same meeting and brings new, important information. www.bostonglobe.com/2024/12/19/m...

News Happening Faster Than Man Can Generate Uninformed Opinions

News Happening Faster Than Man Can Generate Uninformed Opinions
theonion.com/news-happeni...

Tried Grok at that old place. Grok did not impress.

Hyvää Itsenäisyyspäivää!

THIS IS THE WORST DAY IN AMERICAN HISTORY Donald Trump’s real reason for running for re-election in 2024 was to stay out of prison.

open.substack.com/pub/tcinla75...

What is it with these weirdos and dogs?

In the case that anyone cares, releasing (or not) the Gaetz report matters not one whit.

Linda McMahon expected to be named Education Secretary, sources say | CNN Politics Trump transition co-chair Linda McMahon is expected to be named as secretary of the Department of Education, four sources familiar with the matter told CNN.

@tracynovick.bsky.social Welp. www.cnn.com/2024/11/19/p...