Notices by Ben Werdmuller (ben@werd.social)

I'm in the middle of reading this. It's really good! https://www.theguardian.com/books/2025/mar/20/meta-expose-tops-bestseller-chart-despite-companys-attempt-to-ban-its-promotion?CMP=bsky_gu

Divide I've noticed: people who have never experienced systemic oppression in their own or their family's lives are treating this like business as usual. Those who have family memories of camps, unjust incarceration, or are part of vulnerable communities, are freaking out. Listen to the latter.

Someone reached out to buy my blog so they could add it to their referral traffic network. Obviously, no.

Unless ...

What would be *your* number that you would sell your personal website at?

"After some research, the reality became clear — ICE detention isn’t just a bureaucratic nightmare. It’s a business. These facilities are privately owned and run for profit." #Democracy https://werd.io/2025/youre-not-a-criminal-but-youre-going-to-jail-my

On the inevitability of returning to the office: https://werd.io/2025/forcing-people-back-to-the-office-was-a-choice-im

"Today we're opening a public beta for our social web integration in Ghost." Yessssss #Fediverse https://werd.io/2025/the-social-web-beta-is-here

Job alert: @ProPublica is looking for an engagement and tips coordinator who can help us triage, vet and distribute tips to journalists across our newsroom. It's an important role with huge implications for our investigative journalism. Check it out: https://boards.greenhouse.io/propublica/jobs/4471275006?gh_src=a959c9ff6us

In a world where we really need to shine a spotlight on abuses of trust in the public interest, my colleagues at @ProPublica are doing the work. Donations keep it free to read and ensure we can make as big an impact as possible. If you have the means, please consider sending a donation of any amount: https://give.propublica.org/give/346528/#!/donation/checkout?c_src=bsky&c_src2=spring25_A1&utm_content=buffera95a5&utm_medium=social&utm_source=ben&utm_campaign=ben #journalism #Democracy

So many stories of tourists getting apprehended by ICE lately. And student activists, too. For lots of reasons, I don't know that I'd encourage anyone to visit the US right now. Or be a student here. Or invest here. This is not a good situation.

Surreal. https://theconversation.com/why-annexing-canada-would-destroy-the-united-states-249561

If you're in Austin, visiting #Fediverse House at 412 Congress Ave today and tomorrow is what you need to be doing. I don't think you need a #SXSW ticket - just show up and meet some of the key people building and thinking about this network for all of us. https://about.flipboard.com/fediverse-house/

Immigrants should proably consider moving to private Signal groups if their visa status is in flux, unfortunately. Dystopian stuff. #Democracy https://werd.io/2025/trumps-uscis-wants-to-review-all-prospective-citizens-social-media

Good news: the best TV show ever made has a new trailer out for its next season. #doctorwho https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSb-S04AaFA

"Mozilla has given a masterclass, yet again, in how to erode trust among people who have loved your work." #Technology https://werd.io/2025/mozillas-new-terms-of-service-and-updated-privacy-policy

The people throwing the Nazi salutes and the systemic targeting of vulnerable communities aren't what bother me the most. They're awful, don't get me wrong. But what truly bothers me is the people who downplay these things, who tell us it's not so bad, that see fear of all of this as unjustified.

My mother's life was prolonged by an organ donor. It's such an important process that touches so many people. Yet the current government is firing people who aim to make it more efficient so it can save more lives. https://www.propublica.org/article/trump-federal-workers-public-health-hhs

@kims Ooh. The Dutch House is set in my adoptive neighborhood and I've been meaning to read it for a while.

Thanks for all these recommendations!

I listen to audiobooks while I work out at the gym or on my rowing machine at home. And I'm between books. What's something you've enjoyed listening to lately? I prefer fiction to non-fiction.

I will say this: that an airplane could crash and *land upside down* and everyone could walk away and be accounted for says a lot about the actual safety of air travel. Definitely better to land the correct way up - but most important to be able to walk away.

In my inaugural Ask a CTO column I ask questions about security vs productivity, and when to adopt new technology trends: https://werd.io/2025/ask-a-cto-security-vs-productivity-when-to-adopt-technology