Programmable Mutter

AI has limits, even if many AI people can't see them

On Ben Recht's fantastic new book

Apr 6 • Henry Farrell

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March 2026

"Gooning Towards the Führer" as policy coordination

The Trumpist administrative style

Mar 23 • Henry Farrell

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Cosma Shalizi Is Aware of All Internet Traditions

Shalizi’s frame of artificial intelligence as mechanized tradition

Published on arg min • Mar 20

AI is a bureaucratic technology. So is fighting war.

What happens when AI slop hits targeting systems and civil liberties?

Mar 3 • Henry Farrell

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February 2026

Who loses from the Anthropic fight? Maybe Elon Musk and Alex Karp.

Arbitrary state power can cut in many directions

Feb 27 • Henry Farrell

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The Median Voter Theorem is a Clarity Trap

What the Democratic party needs - what it demands - is bold, persistent experimentation

Feb 12 • Henry Farrell

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January 2026

The limits to Trump's power in America and the world

Hubris and cruelty have consequences

Jan 27 • Henry Farrell

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Davos is a rational ritual

How Europe and Carney disrupted Trump's ceremony of self-anointment

Jan 24 • Henry Farrell

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The Strong Will Suffer What They Must

Vaclav's Grocer and American Hubris

Published on Hegemon • Jan 22

Europe has more bargaining strength than it thinks

But less than it would have if it were thinking straight

Jan 21 • Henry Farrell

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AI is great for scientists. Perhaps it's not so great for science

Large language models may make science more generic

Jan 15 • Henry Farrell

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The Future of Democracy Depends on the Republican Party

The Battle for a Liberal Society is Happening Within the Political Right

Published on Social Notes by Ryan Enos • Jan 9