Favorites November 9th 2022

November 2021

Taniel @Taniel

I can't possibly understate the political & policy consequences of this: Democrats just gained full control of four state governments today. Massachusetts, Maryland, Michigan, and Minnesota. (I have no idea what to make of the aliteration.)

I went ahead and checked, and these states are mostly part of the the intrastate popular vote compact already. The republicans lost two state supermajorities.

Kai Ryssdal @kairyssdal

Meta Lays Off More Than 11,000 Employees

nytimes.comMeta Lays Off More Than 11,000 EmployeesThe parent of Facebook, Instagram and WhatsApp reduced its work force by 13 percent and extended a hiring freeze through the first quarter of next year.

Yikes, that's a lot of layoffs.

Business Ukraine mag @Biz_Ukraine_Mag

September 30: Kherson joins Russia "forever" November 9: Kherson leaves Russia

Putin has epically screwed up, here's their own announcement of the withdrawal. at this point Russia's going to start trying to call for ceasefires because it's the only way they can hold on to what they've taken from Ukraine. Probably the deadliest war of the 21st century.

Matthew Yglesias @mattyglesias

Polls: Very close election, Dems might hold majorities. Vibes: That’s absurd and goes against precedent! Results: Very close elections, Dems may hold majorities. Audience: Fuck this, I’m never listening to the polls again.

Polls did pretty well, although you have to differentiate rigorous ones from BS ones. Nate Silver is annoyed at people saying polls aren't worth anything. Vibes didn't do great, and there probably won't be much reflection on that. Of course the Senate and House control are still up for grabs (possibly involving the Georgia Runoff, Warnock's 4th Senate election in 2 years)

Pat Dubois 🇺🇦 @patdubois

as a Canadian, this is how it feels watching American elections these days

Threads

• Short thread by Tim Lee arguing to move back to simpler, mostly in-person, voting. It's how Canada does things.

• Short thread about how good the newest Disney+ Star Wars show is compared to the other stuff, maybe this one is art?