Ben Werdmuller
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Ben Werdmuller

Ben Werdmuller

Substack and Medium

If you receive my posts via email, you’re now getting them through Substack. Nothing should substantially change, but they’ll look a little different. This is the fourth newsletter platform I’ve used for my writing: MailChimp, ConvertKit, and Buttondown all preceded it. This new change - which, let’

30 Oct 2022

Coding

The Perfect Commit

“The commit is our principle unit of work. It deserves to be treated thoughtfully and with care.” As always, a thoughtful approach to technical work from Simon.  #Coding [Link]

29 Oct 2022

End frequent flyer programs

“Frequent flyer programs use words like “status”, “elite”, and “prestige” for passengers who make ridiculously high demands on the earth’s resources. With private club access, seat upgrades and priority boarding, they use the trappings of social mobility to encourage destructive behaviours.”  #Climate [Link]

29 Oct 2022

Another shitty day for democracy

I’m having trouble shaking today from my bones, so consider this post an attempted exorcism. As I sit down to write, this was a day when a man broke into the Speaker of the House’s home in San Francisco, armed with a hammer, with the apparent intent of

29 Oct 2022

Tuna

“It has a name, this uniquely vile game: it is called extinction speculation. It’s practised by those who collect Norwegian shark fin, rare bear bladders and rhino horn; men and women with hearts that sing along only to the song of money. There are collectors known to be building

29 Oct 2022

Women of color are leading the effort to connect voting rights and abortion access

“Issues of democracy and reproductive rights have long been tied together for women of color in America. But during this year’s midterms, women of color are in positions of power and influence in ways they haven’t been before. They framed the stakes of the election early and have

28 Oct 2022

First-ever study shows bumble bees 'play'

“Bumble bees play, according to new research led by Queen Mary University of London published in Animal Behaviour. It is the first time that object play behavior has been shown in an insect, adding to mounting evidence that bees may experience positive "feelings.”” I can’t believe it’s

28 Oct 2022

A NASA satellite launched to detect dust has discovered huge methane leaks

“In the three and a half months following EMIT’s launch, the tool has not only successfully mapped out massive dust plumes and their effect on the changing climate, but has also identified another key piece to the global warming puzzle: more than 50 methane “super-emitters,” some of which had

28 Oct 2022

Welcome to hell, Elon

“Also, everyone crying about “free speech” conveniently ignores that the biggest threat to free speech in America is the fucking government, which seems completely bored of the First Amendment. They’re out here banning books, Elon!” The best post about the Twitter acquisition.  #Technology [Link]

28 Oct 2022

Monthly sponsors

I get multiple emails a day asking to pay to place a post on my website. As of today, here’s the message I’m replying with: Thanks for reaching out. I don't accept paid posts on my website as such. I'm considering adding a monthly

28 Oct 2022

Elon Musk Twitter deal closes, CEO fired

“CEO Parag Agrawal, chief financial officer Ned Segal, and Vijaya Gadde, head of legal policy, trust, and safety, were all fired, according to the people. Sean Edgett, the company’s general counsel, was also pushed out, one of the people said. The top executives were hastily shuttled from the building.

27 Oct 2022

I made a website that only works if you’re smiling at it

I made a website that only works if you’re smiling at it. (Caveat: it doesn’t seem to work on iPhone very well, and I’m not sure about Android, but I’ve tested it across browsers on desktop and iPad.) Behind the scenes it uses face-api.js to

27 Oct 2022
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Ben Werdmuller

Ben Werdmuller

Writing at the intersection of technology, journalism, and community.

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Ben Werdmuller explores the intersection of technology, democracy, and society. Always independently published, reader-supported, and free to read.