Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 30/08/2026open.substack.com/pub/knockoff...open.substack.comWhen the Going Was Good Enough: An IntroductionMy name is Josh, and you’re here with me now... 010
Reposted by Joshua HuntHarper’s Magazine @harpers.bsky.social · 15/03/2026Joshua Hunt (@viajoshhunt.bsky.social), who wrote about the cultural politics of sumo wrestling in our March issue, spoke with Matthew Sherrill about Ukrainian wrestlers, the Japanese far right, and the changing face of the country. buff.ly/STOcbgt 251
Reposted by Joshua HuntHarper’s Magazine @harpers.bsky.social · 13/03/2026“The prospect of a showdown between a Japanese and a Mongolian yokozuna was particularly loaded with political significance.” @viajoshhunt.bsky.social reports on the cultural politics of sumo wrestling.buff.lyLords of the Ring, by Joshua HuntThe cultural politics of sumo wrestling 141
Reposted by Joshua HuntHarper’s Magazine @harpers.bsky.social · 10/03/2026“To capitalize on the yearning for tradition, and to bind sumo’s fortunes to the state, the sport’s governing body aligned itself with the rising tide of nationalism that took hold of Japan after its victories in wars against the Chinese and the Russians.”— @viajoshhunt.bsky.socialbuff.lyLords of the Ring, by Joshua HuntThe cultural politics of sumo wrestling 011
Reposted by Joshua HuntJoseph Cox @josephcox.bsky.social · 05/03/2026New from 404 Media: Proton Mail, the privacy-focused email service, gave authorities data that let the FBI unmask an anonymous 'Stop Cop City' protester. It was payment data linked to the anonymous email account. From that, FBI ID'd them, then tracked their movements www.404media.co/proton-mail-...404media.coProton Mail Helped FBI Unmask Anonymous ‘Stop Cop City’ ProtestorA court record reviewed by 404 Media shows privacy-focused email provider Proton Mail handed over payment data related to a Stop Cop City email account to the Swiss government, which handed it to the ... 8624711388
Reposted by Joshua HuntHarper’s Magazine @harpers.bsky.social · 02/03/2026“Watching arguably the greatest rikishi in history at the peak of his powers was all that kept many fans from abandoning the scandal-plagued sport, though some still struggled with the fact that he wasn’t Japanese.” — @viajoshhunt.bsky.socialbuff.lyLords of the Ring, by Joshua HuntThe cultural politics of sumo wrestling 031
Reposted by Joshua HuntHarper’s Magazine @harpers.bsky.social · 21/02/2026“When the referee signals the start of the match, they rush toward each other and collide with the same force that a person might absorb after falling from a height of two or three stories.” @viajoshhunt.bsky.social reports on the cultural politics of sumo wrestling.buff.lyLords of the Ring, by Joshua HuntThe cultural politics of sumo wrestling 021
Reposted by Joshua HuntHarper’s Magazine @harpers.bsky.social · 19/02/2026“Decades of Mongolian dominance have revealed a peculiar strain of ethno-nationalism among sumo fans, one defined less by an explicitly nativist derision of foreign-born rikishi than by an enthusiasm for Japanese-born yokozuna that sometimes feels a bit too unbound.” — @viajoshhunt.bsky.socialbuff.lyLords of the Ring, by Joshua HuntThe cultural politics of sumo wrestling 041
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 18/02/2026I also wrote about some other plus-size gentlemen for the March issue of Harper’s: harpers.org:2053/archive/2026...harpers.org 000
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 18/02/2026For the March issue of GQ I wrote about my nine months—and counting—on Ozempic. www.gq.com/story/what-o...gq.comWhat Ozempic Taught Me About Style and Self-WorthI have always loved clothes. Gaining 100 pounds robbed me of my sense of style, but not my interest in fashion. Nine months on GLP-1s and a diary changed everything all over again. 0121
Reposted by Joshua HuntHarper’s Magazine @harpers.bsky.social · 18/02/2026Joshua Hunt (@viajoshhunt.bsky.social) reports from Japan on the cultural politics of Sumo wrestling. harpers.org/archive/2026...harpers.orgLords of the Ring, by Joshua HuntThe cultural politics of sumo wrestling 111
Reposted by Joshua HuntKatie Drummond @katie-drummond.bsky.social · 30/01/2026If you were hoping to catch the Melania premiere via matinee this Friday at the AMC in Vero Beach, Florida — I am so sorry, but that particular showing is one of two that’s sold out among more than 1,300 analyzed by @wired.comwired.comWe Found Two Theaters With Sold-Out ‘Melania’ Opening Day ScreeningsA WIRED analysis of nearly 1,400 Friday showtimes of Melania found only two with no tickets available. Both are before 3 pm. 3413519
Reposted by Joshua HuntBill Grueskin @bgrueskin.bsky.social · 30/10/2025This colossal Times of London/de Blasio screwup gets more amazing at every turn. Scoop via @maxtani.bsky.social www.semafor.com/article/10/2... 481899411
Reposted by Joshua HuntAmanda Mull @amandamull.bsky.social · 14/10/2025For Businessweek’s November issue, I have a feature about the high-fee premium credit card war being waged by American Express and Chase for the hearts, minds, and swipes of America’s affluent supershoppers. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/news/feature...bloomberg.comInside the Credit Card Battle to Win America’s Richest ShoppersThe fierce fight between Amex and Chase is playing out over higher fees, extravagant events and every perk imaginable. 2527148
Reposted by Joshua HuntRyan Haas @ryanjhaas.bsky.social · 09/10/2025Among the endless fire hose of news, there was an interesting nugget buried in Mayor Keith Wilson's statement today. The city of Portland is considering taking over the lease of the ICE facility and the city said it has no intention of being ICE's landlord.opb.orgPortland weighs taking over lease at ICE facilityThe ramifications of the city taking over the federal facility lease were not immediately clear Wednesday. 31831265
Reposted by Joshua HuntKim Lane Scheppele @kimlanelaw.bsky.social · 04/10/2025"But never before has a US president asserted the authority to order the cold-blooded execution of civilians outside any even arguable military conflict. And never before has a US president then turned around and boasted about his own crimes to the public at large." www.nybooks.com/articles/202...nybooks.comGetting Away with Murder | David ColeDuring his first presidential campaign Donald Trump famously claimed that he could “stand in the middle of Fifth Avenue and shoot somebody” and not lose 16530
Reposted by Joshua HuntThe New York Times @nytimes.com · 03/10/2025Several journalists resigned this week from three newspapers in Alaska after the publications’ corporate owner made significant edits to an article about Charlie Kirk’s death, after pressure from a Republican state lawmaker who had criticized the coverage.nyti.msJournalists at 3 Alaska Newspapers Quit Over Charlie Kirk StoryThe publications in Alaska lost significant staffing after the owners made changes to an article that had drawn criticism from a Republican state lawmaker. 32399156
Reposted by Joshua HuntMatt Alt @mattalt.bsky.social · 02/10/2025There are 10,000 manga artists working in Japan today. The extraordinary success of "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" is due to Shonen Jump's knack for spotting talent. Its success abroad is due to a more singular factor. We're all otaku now. blog.pureinventionbook.com/p/dollars-an...blog.pureinventionbook.comDollars and DemonsDemon Slayer's success shouldn't surprise. We're all otaku now. 2358
Reposted by Joshua HuntPeter Baker @peterbakernyt.bsky.social · 26/09/2025Aug. 26: Stephen Miller says "the Democrat Party is not a political party. It is a domestic extremist organization." Sept. 25: Miller put in charge of coordinating a federal campaign to prosecute "domestic terrorist organizations." 64624285
Reposted by Joshua HuntJoshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 18/09/2025For the October issue of @gqmagazine.bsky.social, I went to Beverly Hills to spend time with the manosphere's favorite plastic surgeon, who helped me make sense of how podcasts dictate male beauty standards and why Joe Rogan is Goop for guys. Read it here: www.gq.com/story/how-po...gq.comHow Podcasts (and Plastic Surgery) Are Shaping Male Beauty StandardsWhat comes after supplements, testosterone, and mouth exercises? We visited the Beverly Hills office of the manosphere’s favorite plastic surgeon to find out. 073
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 24/09/2025Always read Katy Waldman! The New Yorker's most reliably interesting critic. 140
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 18/09/2025For the October issue of @gqmagazine.bsky.social, I went to Beverly Hills to spend time with the manosphere's favorite plastic surgeon, who helped me make sense of how podcasts dictate male beauty standards and why Joe Rogan is Goop for guys. Read it here: www.gq.com/story/how-po...gq.comHow Podcasts (and Plastic Surgery) Are Shaping Male Beauty StandardsWhat comes after supplements, testosterone, and mouth exercises? We visited the Beverly Hills office of the manosphere’s favorite plastic surgeon to find out. 073
Reposted by Joshua HuntNick Kristof @nickkristof.bsky.social · 15/09/2025An @nytimes investigation finds staggering levels of insider dealing: The Trump administration confers benefits on the UAE (despite security concerns) as the UAE confers riches on the Trump family. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/15/u...nytimes.comAnatomy of Two Giant Deals: The U.A.E. Got Chips. The Trump Team Got Crypto Riches. 42908437
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 05/09/2025Pure speculation but I wouldn't be surprised if Trump sent the FBI after John Bolton because he learned this story was coming and suspects his former national security director is the one who brought it to the New York Times. Hence searching his home for classified documents. 000
Reposted by Joshua HuntJohn Schwartz @jswatz.bsky.social · 05/09/2025“It’s almost impressive how incorrect he’s able to be about an article he’s looking directly at… It’s also an incredible example of how climate misinformation sneaks into extremely popular media and then gets absorbed into the brains of millions of Americans.” www.theguardian.com/environment/...theguardian.comJoe Rogan claims study shows Earth cooling – but report’s authors say he’s wrongScientists say ‘old-school denier nonsense’ isn’t helpful as podcaster repeatedly airs false claim on his show 45719
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 05/09/2025This story about a failed SEAL Team 6 operation in North Korea is fucking nuts. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/05/u...nytimes.com 020
Reposted by Joshua HuntMatt Alt @mattalt.bsky.social · 05/09/2025This is a great dive: by turns technical and cultural, with a nice arc about how Americans struggled to comprehend, let alone localize, anime for Western audiences. 1184
Reposted by Joshua HuntJoshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 03/09/2025For The New York Times Magazine I wrote about How Anime Took Over America. (Gift link). www.nytimes.com/interactive/...nytimes.comHow Anime Took Over America: From Pokemon to Demon Slayer and Dragon Ball Z (Gift Article)Netflix’s “Demon Slayer” is just the latest confirmation of how Japan’s once-distinctive animation style has become a global visual language. 0197
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 03/09/2025For The New York Times Magazine I wrote about How Anime Took Over America. (Gift link). www.nytimes.com/interactive/...nytimes.comHow Anime Took Over America: From Pokemon to Demon Slayer and Dragon Ball Z (Gift Article)Netflix’s “Demon Slayer” is just the latest confirmation of how Japan’s once-distinctive animation style has become a global visual language. 0197
Reposted by Joshua HuntThe Onion @theonion.com · 07/08/2025Kennedy Curse Sure Taking Its Sweet Time With RFK Jr. 977319805596
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 06/08/2025I went on @marketplace.org to talk about my @businessweektr.bsky.social feature on Japanese zipper giant YKK. www.marketplace.org/story/2025/0...marketplace.orgWhat zipper giant YKK can tell us about trade“Basically, YKK is a company that is just in the business of keeping things together,” said journalist Joshua Hunt. “It's really rolled with the punches in terms of the various shapes that globalizati... 2275
Reposted by Joshua HuntW.E.D.em Boyz @leftistwonk.bsky.social · 01/08/2025Canadian billionaire Kevin O’Leary thinks he should be entitled to a meeting with Zohran Mamdani 3482942352
Reposted by Joshua HuntThe Believer @thebeliever.net · 23/07/2025“In contrast to Americans, who profess belief in principles they don’t adhere to, Japanese people often claim not to believe in the Shinto and Buddhist rituals they practice.” —from “Mount Fear Diary,” an essay by @viajoshhunt.bsky.social www.thebeliever.net/mount-fear-d...thebeliever.netMount Fear Diary - Believer MagazineIn January 2023, while waiting to board a plane in Stockholm, I saw how swiftly grief can take hold of a person. In a quiet corner of Arlanda Airport, it unfolded before me like a scene from a movie: ... 021
Reposted by Joshua HuntAmanda Mull @amandamull.bsky.social · 21/07/2025Reaaaaally love this Businessweek story from @viajoshhunt.bsky.social about the world’s largest zipper-maker, YKK, which is totally fascinating in too many ways to enumerate in a post. Gift link: www.bloomberg.com/features/202...bloomberg.comCan the World’s Largest Zipper Manufacturer Survive Trump’s Tariffs?The world’s largest zipper manufacturer has spent decades mastering the global supply chain. Now it has to weather the Trump-tariff era. 616845
Reposted by Joshua HuntBloomberg News @bloomberg.com · 21/07/2025The world’s largest zipper manufacturer has spent decades mastering the global supply chain. Now it has to weather the Trump-tariff era.bloom.bgCan the World’s Largest Zipper Manufacturer Survive Trump’s Tariffs?The world’s largest zipper manufacturer has spent decades mastering the global supply chain. Now it has to weather the Trump-tariff era. 24613
Reposted by Joshua HuntJeremy Keehn @jkeehn.bsky.social · 21/07/2025A great deep dive in a genre I love–how supply chains explain the world—about YKK, whose products you almost certainly own even if you don't know it. By @viajoshhunt.bsky.social 142
Reposted by Joshua HuntRyan Mac 🙃 @rmac.bsky.social · 11/07/2025"Free Press" means becoming part of a company that paid off an administration attempting to stifle the free press www.nytimes.com/2025/07/11/b...nytimes.comSkydance Is in Early Talks to Acquire The Free Press 527460
Reposted by Joshua HuntMatt Novak @paleofuture.bsky.social · 09/06/2025The cop yelling about how it’s all your fault after the cops shot you in the head. Really sums it up. 30511206
Reposted by Joshua HuntBecky from home ecky 🕷️🪡🧵 @beckaroo-banzai.bsky.social · 12/05/2025a friend just sent me this great 2023 GQ article by @viajoshhunt.bsky.social (in pdx no less) about the death of Italian bespoke tailoring. Good read. Sad - but also, a death of their own making in a lot of ways. #sewing getpocket.com/explore/item...getpocket.comThe Great Italian Tailoring CrisisOver the past century, the master tailors of Naples have become among the most renowned in the world. Today, Italy’s legendary tradition could go extinct. 022
Reposted by Joshua Huntthe babahuck @tylerhuckabee.bsky.social · 06/04/2025chat, is there anything in christianity about forgiving the people who killed your son 13986221063
Reposted by Joshua HuntWIRED @wired.com · 04/04/2025NEW: In an unprecedented move, Nintendo has pushed preorders for its highly-anticipated Switch 2 to an unknown date. Why? Trump's tariffs.wired.comNintendo Delays Switch 2 Preorders Thanks to Trump’s TariffsIn an unprecedented move, Nintendo has pushed preorders for its highly-anticipated Switch 2 to an unknown date. Why? Trump's tariffs. 251026238
Reposted by Joshua HuntPhilip Gourevitch @pgourevitch.bsky.social · 15/03/2025When Social Security declared him dead and his Medicare was canceled, his credit score was also marked “deceased, do not issue credit,” and set to zero. “The good news is I don’t think it can go any lower than that,” he said. www.seattletimes.com/seattle-news...seattletimes.comI found a ‘dead’ person collecting Social Security in Seattle“Dead” Ned Johnson turns out to be very much alive. It took him weeks to convince the system he was breathing and to start clawing his benefits back. 19129
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 29/01/2025Saddened to learn that Jaune Quick-to-See Smith has died. I was lucky enough to spend time with her a few years ago and write about her life and her art. We won't see the likes of her again. www.vulture.com/article/jaun...vulture.comJaune Quick-to-See Smith Can’t Believe She’s Still the FirstHer new Whitney retrospective is the only one so far to honor a Native American artist. She’s not doing it alone: “My community comes with me.” 0125
Reposted by Joshua HuntThe City Reporter @thecityreporter.nyc · 28/01/2025NEW: Federal immigration officials launched their first high-profile raids in NYC under President Donald Trump. A motorcade of heavily militarized federal agents converged at the parking lot of the Bronx Terminal Market in the pre-dawn hours Tuesday morning. buff.lyDramatic Arrests Rattle Bronx and Upper ManhattanFederal authorities detained at least four people in a series of early morning arrests tweeted out across government X accounts. 2810152
Joshua Hunt @viajoshhunt.bsky.social · 15/01/2025I wrote about Jesse James, Luigi Mangione and the assassination of Shinzo Abe for The New York Times Magazine. www.nytimes.com/2025/01/15/m...nytimes.comLuigi Mangione Isn’t the First Accused Killer America Has Loved. He Won’t Be the Last. (Gift Article)The mythology of a dashing foe recast as a symbol of resistance has taken on new momentum through social media. 021