Reposted by Hal EspenColin @colin-fraser.net · 02/10/2026( > It never produces facts which are not plagiarized, copied, regurgitated. outputs are random, of course. So let's say it *almost* never produces facts which are not plagiarized, copied, regurgitated. But this distinction is not very important. You get the idea. ) 1852
Reposted by Hal EspenCaroline Fraser @calfraser.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Hoboes and their history — www.nybooks.com/articles/202...nybooks.comBoxcar to Nowhere | Caroline FraserAmerican lore about hoboes has sugared over the economic and environmental forces that drove people from their homes and onto the rails and roads in the first place, as a new history lays out. 132
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 02/10/2026The hysterical hyperbolic self-medicating ecstasy expressed in this era of New York Time cooking display copy — “My Wife Is Actually Crying Right Now Because This Cake Is So Good” — might not be so weird without the pervasive lack of affect or anything radical in other regions of the house style. 020
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Neil Sheehan was furious about Nixon revisionism after the disgraced President’s death. “Mr. Nixon's…failure to respond to [the war in Vietnam] wisely brought death and suffering to his country and Indochina, and ultimately wrought his own destruction in the series of crimes known as Watergate.” 042
Reposted by Hal EspenKate Carpenter @katecarp.bsky.social · 01/10/2026Hey it's @robertsuits.bsky.social and THE HOBO in the NYRB! Hooray! www.nybooks.com/articles/202...nybooks.comBoxcar to Nowhere | Caroline FraserAmerican lore about hoboes has sugared over the economic and environmental forces that drove people from their homes and onto the rails and roads in the first place, as a new history lays out. 182
Reposted by Hal Espen🧌🥛 🏨 @comraderobot.bsky.social · 25/09/2026we gotta prevent taylor swift from making music until she does drugs. lots of em. hard stuff too. 4212
Reposted by Hal EspenCaroline Fraser @calfraser.bsky.social · 25/09/2026Twas ever thus— Like My Jesus Sweatshirt? How Christianity Went Consumerist. www.nytimes.com/2026/09/16/b...nytimes.comLike My Jesus Sweatshirt? How Christianity Went Consumerist.In “Live Laugh Love,” Kristin Kobes Du Mez examines how Christian women absorbed the idea that material abundance was evidence of divine favor. 143
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 20/09/2026Kael Vidal Caro Heads Stones Verlaine Cannonball Kubrick Altman… I rock of you! 010
Reposted by Hal Espenelia ayoub @ayoub.bsky.social · 17/09/2026Friend shared this video of a man unveiling the library he hid when he fled Damascus in 2011. It’s incredible 25150303941
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 06/09/2026Reposting with little more than an anemic ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ is not effective resistance and a form of serious critique, it’s pretty much propaganda amplification for engagement and cultivating the frisson of creeped-out rubbernecking converted into likes. 110
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 06/09/2026On the other hand this weak fatalistic deploring while efficiently conveying Trump messaging verges on being his willing data mule (to use the @emptywheel.bsky.social term). You get risk-free engagement, DJT gets amplification. 010
Reposted by Hal EspenDan Froomkin/Press Watch/Heads Up News @froomkin.bsky.social · 04/09/2026The NYT ran an article in April raising questions about Trump’s mental status, quoting people calling him “clearly insane,” “an extremely sick person,” “unhinged,” “out of control,” “batshit crazy,” and “a genocidal lunatic.” Then they never mentioned it again. presswatchers.org/2026/04/new-...presswatchers.orgNew York Times finally reports on concerns that Trump is ‘clearly insane’ | Press WatchThat’s a big deal. But now what? It’s more than a one-day story. 29679239
Reposted by Hal EspenJoel Pinckney @jpinckney.bsky.social · 01/09/2026New one today for @defector.com: in the wake of the most recent declaration of reading's demise, I was curious what booksellers, almost always ignored by the post-literate prognosticators, made of such claims. Here's what they told me:defector.comWhat Do Booksellers Make Of “The End Of Reading”? | DefectorIf you haven’t yet encountered the cover story for the August issue of The Atlantic, I have some bad news to share: “The End of Reading Is Here.” It’s an intentionally provocative headline for a sligh... 1023480
Reposted by Hal EspenWill Oremus @willoremus.com · 26/08/2026randomly giving out genuine compliments is such an easy way to make the world a little nicer, i'm always surprised more people haven't figured that out and have a ton of respect for those who have 625440855
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 24/08/2026The best investigative reporting in the New York Times often dissipates and fades without crusading follow-through. Meanwhile there are the bizarre crusades the paper does prosecute — But Her Emails, Mamdani Threat Alerts, etc. And relentlessly, Reefer Madness. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/24/o...nytimes.comOpinion | Today’s Weed Is Way Too Dangerous for TeensAre we willing to regulate and enforce cannabis safety, especially to protect the most vulnerable among us? 030
Reposted by Hal EspenElliott Lusztig @elliottlusztig.bsky.social · 22/08/2026The leader of Canada just gave a speech where he said the US "attacked" his nation, and we are now "at war." There are VERY few Americans who support this crap, but Washington DC is so busted no one will stop Trump. If you voted for this: Go straight to hell. www.nytimes.com/2026/08/22/w...nytimes.comCarney Slams U.S.-Canada Trade Proposal and Vows RetaliationPrime Minister Mark Carney gave a powerful speech to Canadians on Saturday morning, hours after ordering negotiators to suspend U.S. trade talks despite President Trump’s punishing tariffs. 1432061
Reposted by Hal EspenJames Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Further on Carney's speech: It was full of careful bits of rhetoric like ones noted here. More powerful when spoken, w with carefully matched emphasis, than they might look on the page. All the more powerful for being so simple and direct. Plain, short words. "Ask not..." "I have a dream.." 19546143
Reposted by Hal EspenAndrew Sabl @andysabl.bsky.social · 23/08/2026Full text of Mark Carney’s speech yesterday. Here’s a line that few are reporting but that seems crucial: because the US no longer can make—or wants to make—credible commitments, it’s kneecapped its own ability to reach agreements. www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/spee... 201111295
Reposted by Hal EspenNew Yorker Covers 365 @newyorkercovers365.bsky.social · 23/08/2026AUGUST 23, 1982 ARTIST: Saul Steinberg ADVERTISEMENT: Oneida | | | | | | #newyorkercovers #newyorker #newyorkermag #saulsteinberg #steinberg #illustration #1982 #dogtricks #violin #recital #sheetmusic #vintageads #oneida #silver #icecream 022
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 22/08/2026Excellent. This album came out just before I moved to NYC to make a wild stab at a career, and I too took all of its convictions and admonitions to heart. “The men at the factory are old and cunning / You don’t owe nothing so boy get running / It’s the best years of your life they want to steal”… 110
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 21/08/2026Ross Douthat: “the rare Times columnist who commanded respect across the political spectrum” 120
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 20/08/2026ICE fascists brutally swept up patients, parents, and children at La Familia, a Santa Fe community health clinic just across the river from our house. mailchi.mp/searchlightn...mailchi.mpICE arrests further strain healthcare for immigrants 042
Reposted by Hal EspenSource New Mexico @sourcenm.com · 20/08/2026U.S. Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (D-N.M.) said officials told her during her inspection of an Estancia detention facility that ICE agents detained eight people in Santa Fe on Wednesday. sourcenm.com/2026/08/20/n...sourcenm.comNew Mexico U.S. Rep. Leger Fernández denounces ICE arrest in Santa Fe healthcare clinic parking lot • Source New MexicoThe New Mexico Democratic congresswoman's made a "disappointing" visit to an ICE detention facility to seek answers on the arrest Wednesday. 0218
Reposted by Hal EspenThe Santa Fe New Mexican @thenewmexican.bsky.social · 17/08/2026As the Frijoles Fire continues to burn in the Pecos Wilderness near Cundiyó, U.S. Forest Service officials have issued a temporary closure for a central chunk of the Santa Fe National Forest. sfnm.co/4qnVrAjsfnm.coTemporary closure issued in Santa Fe National Forest as Frijoles Fire burns 9,300 acresMore than 650 firefighters were assigned to the Frijoles Fire on Sunday. 062
Reposted by Hal Espendavidc1935.bsky.social @davidc1935.bsky.social · 17/08/2026George Shearing, Nina Simone, Duke Ellington and Buddy Rich at the Madison Square Garden jazz festival in 1959. (Photo by Herb Snitzer) 0449
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 16/08/2026Just spent an hour liking hundreds of Reacher kitten takes and they say social media is bad. 010
Reposted by Hal EspenThe Santa Fe New Mexican @thenewmexican.bsky.social · 11/08/2026NEW: The Frijoles Fire grew to 6,200 acres overnight as the blaze continued to expand amid dry and hot conditions in the Santa Fe National Forest, raising concerns across Northern New Mexico Tuesday morning. A smoke advisory has been issued. sfnm.co/4fUfxPisantafenewmexican.comFrijoles Fire increases to 6,200 acres overnight; smoke advisory issuedSanta Fe County officials ordered residents of about 10 homes on Camino del Cañon in Cundiyó to evacuate. 052
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 11/08/2026"People are ready to listen" is a key insight in the review itself. But despite the appropriately dire and dsystopian problems discussed, I missed the message that resistance is now futile. 000
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 11/08/2026"Now that it's too late, people are ready to listen" is exquisite doomer fatalism. 111
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 09/08/2026Frijoles Fire, northeast Santa Fe County, New Mexico, August 8, 1,000 acres 010
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 05/08/2026He's also recommending Caroline Fraser's Prairie Fires.... www.winnipegfreepress.com/arts-and-lif...winnipegfreepress.comOn the night table: Colson WhiteheadColson Whitehead 000
Reposted by Hal Espenwhet moser @whetmoser.com · 05/08/2026“If built as planned, the gas burning plants — scattered across states including Texas, Ohio and Wyoming — could release as much planet-warming pollution in a year as roughly half of all the passenger vehicles in the United States” 13619
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 03/08/2026Definitely here to stay, definitely legions of can't-stand-the-whole-thing non-fans (cf. the famous Garcia quote about licorice). Which Dead Heads like me don't mind. My local heroes growing up, a great bus ride through to the late 70's. Weir loved McCoy Tyner (with no pretence the Dead were jazz). 000
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 03/08/2026I’ll still listen to the radio show, but I’m unfollowing this account for its grotesque embrace of hideous neo-fascist AI art. 000
Reposted by Hal EspenAaron Hedge @aaronhedge.bsky.social · 02/08/2026The Spokesman is doing incredible reporting on this story. Follow them for critical info. @alexdugganreports.bsky.social www.spokesman.com/stories/2026...spokesman.com'Never seen it this bad': Thousands evacuated in north Spokane as wildfire crosses river into cityA wildfire driven by high winds jumped the Spokane River Saturday afternoon, burning homes and quickly moving into the Indian Trail Neighborhood. 3244122
Reposted by Hal EspenMike Donohue @mikedmystery.bsky.social · 01/08/2026Colson Whitehead's three favorite reads of the past five years: Hernan Diaz, Patrick Radden Keefe, and Caroline Fraser's MURDERLAND — about the possible causes of the serial killer epidemic in the '60s through '80s.buff.lyHow to Die and Be Reborn in Colson Whitehead’s New YorkThe Pulitzer Prize–winning author opens up about midlife, the state of writing, and how his new book, ‘Cool Machine,’ makes sense of the world 021
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 29/07/2026AI is, in fact escapable. I'm escaping it right now. I'll never not escape it. The sinister trope promising/threatening that inundation by AI is ineluctable and involuntary is *definitely* inescapable, though — repeated endlessly to manufacture consent and make resistance seem Luddite and futile. 000
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 27/07/2026Once again an extremely useful elevated view of a compelling locale of the movie landscape. 010
Reposted by Hal EspenRep. Melanie Stansbury (NM-01) @repstansbury.bsky.social · 27/07/2026NM is making waves! This year, helping to cover Medical School to keep doctors & healthcare professionals at home! So proud of our #NMLeg & Governor Lujan Grisham for making this investment in our healthcare system. And proud to have helped kick this program off years ago with Speaker Martinez! 627965
Reposted by Hal EspenChristopher Brown @christopherbrown.bsky.social · 26/07/2026Field Notes from a July visit to SpaceX’s South Texas Starbase, where the launch gantries tower over one of our wildest coastal wildernesses, and the alligators bellow back when the rockets fire: fieldnotes.christopherbrown.com/p/rocket-sum...fieldnotes.christopherbrown.comRocket SummerNo. 199 05525
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Pure poison and darkness to read a seemingly heartfelt *bylined* blog tribute to a late writer whose work I revere, offering an account of his career and distinctive contributions, and this is how the remembrance ends: [this lightly edited profile was created by Claude, 9/6/25] 000
Reposted by Hal EspenJames Fallows @jfallows.bsky.social · 25/07/2026Many stories have conveyed how crass and insulting Trump's "speech" last night was. Few have conveyed how literally insane he sounded. Long, LONG disquisition on The Ballroom, complete with "Sir" stories. Claim that 450k people came to hear him on July 4. Iran has no remaining weapons. WHCA: Why?? 481465317
Hal Espen @halsf.bsky.social · 24/07/2026Unfortunately there's no such category as Sociopathic AI Slop Except It's For a Good Cause... 000