Dave Weigel
@daveweigel.bsky.social
National politics reporter at semafor.com. Alum: WashPost, Bloomberg, Slate, Reason. Author of “The Show That Never Ends.”
Reposted by Dave Weigel
He Saw the Best of America and Then (at age 67) Fought for Russia in Ukraine. One of the crazier stories I've worked on. with Paul Sonne.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
He Saw the Best of America and Then Fought for Russia in Ukraine
www.nytimes.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:40 PM
He Saw the Best of America and Then (at age 67) Fought for Russia in Ukraine. One of the crazier stories I've worked on. with Paul Sonne.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/24/u...
Reposted by Dave Weigel
One of my favorite covers ever: Harry Nilsson drunkenly screaming his lungs out to Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross"
Harry Nilsson - Many Rivers to Cross (Audio)
YouTube video by HarryNilssonVEVO
www.youtube.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:19 AM
One of my favorite covers ever: Harry Nilsson drunkenly screaming his lungs out to Jimmy Cliff's "Many Rivers to Cross"
Reposted by Dave Weigel
Udo Kier, a German actor who played eccentric villains and bloodthirsty monsters over a six-decade career that included parts in films by the directors Gus Van Sant and Lars von Trier, has died at 81.
Udo Kier, German Actor Who Played Eccentric Villains, Dies at 81
Over a six-decade career, he appeared in films by the directors Gus Van Sant and Lars von Trier, and in music videos by Madonna.
nyti.ms
November 25, 2025 at 1:40 AM
Udo Kier, a German actor who played eccentric villains and bloodthirsty monsters over a six-decade career that included parts in films by the directors Gus Van Sant and Lars von Trier, has died at 81.
Reposted by Dave Weigel
My freshman year of college was the last of the Loko years and they sent us all an email saying effectively “Do NOT drink this, it is TOO crazy, it will make your parties TOO wild.” which had about exact the effect you would expect.
they're adding a fifth loko
November 25, 2025 at 12:50 AM
My freshman year of college was the last of the Loko years and they sent us all an email saying effectively “Do NOT drink this, it is TOO crazy, it will make your parties TOO wild.” which had about exact the effect you would expect.
Thanks, typed the wrong name while distracted.
November 25, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Thanks, typed the wrong name while distracted.
Albums I liked and only listened to bc I scrolled Grammy winners list:
Mickey Hart: Planet Drum
Sergio Mendes: Brasileiro
William Nascimento: Nascimento
Mickey Hart: Planet Drum
Sergio Mendes: Brasileiro
William Nascimento: Nascimento
What would you recommend us?
November 25, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Albums I liked and only listened to bc I scrolled Grammy winners list:
Mickey Hart: Planet Drum
Sergio Mendes: Brasileiro
William Nascimento: Nascimento
Mickey Hart: Planet Drum
Sergio Mendes: Brasileiro
William Nascimento: Nascimento
It can be nice to let an app curate music for you. We'll put 3-hour DJ sets on the TV. But I'm less happy than other people if I'm not experimenting. Not a judgment! Lots of other hobbies out there, ones that take you outdoors etc.
November 25, 2025 at 12:29 AM
It can be nice to let an app curate music for you. We'll put 3-hour DJ sets on the TV. But I'm less happy than other people if I'm not experimenting. Not a judgment! Lots of other hobbies out there, ones that take you outdoors etc.
The popularity of streaming services/YouTube, with endless catalogues, gave rise to playlist-generation that connected the listener to stuff he'd probably like. This was more efficient than the way I used to find new music; radio channels, friends' recommendations, movie soundtracks.
November 25, 2025 at 12:26 AM
The popularity of streaming services/YouTube, with endless catalogues, gave rise to playlist-generation that connected the listener to stuff he'd probably like. This was more efficient than the way I used to find new music; radio channels, friends' recommendations, movie soundtracks.
That's a nice alternative, I don't necessarily trust Grammy judges.
But I assume the ones voting on classical music, world music, jazz, etc - smaller audiences, no real media tours/lobbying for award - are more trustworthy than the pop awards.
But I assume the ones voting on classical music, world music, jazz, etc - smaller audiences, no real media tours/lobbying for award - are more trustworthy than the pop awards.
November 25, 2025 at 12:24 AM
That's a nice alternative, I don't necessarily trust Grammy judges.
But I assume the ones voting on classical music, world music, jazz, etc - smaller audiences, no real media tours/lobbying for award - are more trustworthy than the pop awards.
But I assume the ones voting on classical music, world music, jazz, etc - smaller audiences, no real media tours/lobbying for award - are more trustworthy than the pop awards.
Boring hobby I've picked up: Listening to a Grammy winning album in some genre I don't know much about. Probably not putting Silkroad and Yo-Yo Ma on heavy rotation but why not challenge myself a little as I work. Music that hasn't become familiar/comforting puts you in a different state of mind.
November 25, 2025 at 12:20 AM
Boring hobby I've picked up: Listening to a Grammy winning album in some genre I don't know much about. Probably not putting Silkroad and Yo-Yo Ma on heavy rotation but why not challenge myself a little as I work. Music that hasn't become familiar/comforting puts you in a different state of mind.
Reposted by Dave Weigel
"the president has directed the Department of Energy to launch an AI project called the genesis mission" sounds like something out of a technothriller
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
Launching the Genesis Mission
By the authority vested in me as President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, it is hereby ordered: Section 1. Purpose.
www.whitehouse.gov
November 24, 2025 at 11:50 PM
"the president has directed the Department of Energy to launch an AI project called the genesis mission" sounds like something out of a technothriller
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
www.whitehouse.gov/presidential...
"Judy" also a good study in how a story can make a winner. It was sold as a return from actor exile. But Zellweger was doing fine! She'd just starred in the third "Bridget Jones" movie!
Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" nom was slightly more of a comeback; he had steady work, it was just in b-movies.
Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" nom was slightly more of a comeback; he had steady work, it was just in b-movies.
Not impossible but very unlikely at this point. For whatever reason a few Best Actress winners in recent years (Streep in Iron Lady, Jessica Chastain in Tammy Faye, Zellweger in Judy) have sailed through awards season despite mediocre films, but it's harder for Best Actor contenders.
November 24, 2025 at 10:22 PM
"Judy" also a good study in how a story can make a winner. It was sold as a return from actor exile. But Zellweger was doing fine! She'd just starred in the third "Bridget Jones" movie!
Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" nom was slightly more of a comeback; he had steady work, it was just in b-movies.
Mickey Rourke's "The Wrestler" nom was slightly more of a comeback; he had steady work, it was just in b-movies.
I liked the Tammy Faye movie! But yeah it was several degrees of quality below the average Best Picture nom
November 24, 2025 at 10:19 PM
I liked the Tammy Faye movie! But yeah it was several degrees of quality below the average Best Picture nom
Are these guys still in the Best Actor Oscar mix? Does it matter when these movies for grown-ups flop/aren't great? "The Iron Lady" was dreadful and got Streep another Oscar...
November 24, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Are these guys still in the Best Actor Oscar mix? Does it matter when these movies for grown-ups flop/aren't great? "The Iron Lady" was dreadful and got Streep another Oscar...
"Hello, America. I'm gonna be the oil president."
November 24, 2025 at 10:09 PM
"Hello, America. I'm gonna be the oil president."
Reposted by Dave Weigel
we need to run 10 more op eds about how dems are out of touch with regular people while republicans are publicly beefing with prominent astronauts
November 24, 2025 at 10:01 PM
we need to run 10 more op eds about how dems are out of touch with regular people while republicans are publicly beefing with prominent astronauts
Reposted by Dave Weigel
“I’m sorry this had to happen. If you want to know why, look at my ChatGPT.”
A lawsuit against OpenAI claims that Joshua Enneking, 26, was coached into suicide by ChatGPT after confiding in the chatbot for months.
He told ChatGPT he was suicidal. It helped with his plan, family says.
A lawsuit against OpenAI claims that Joshua Enneking, 26, was coached into suicide by ChatGPT after confiding in the chatbot for months.
bit.ly
November 24, 2025 at 10:02 PM
“I’m sorry this had to happen. If you want to know why, look at my ChatGPT.”
Reposted by Dave Weigel
absolutely incredible -- CNN host introduces a segment about Trump's "new healthcare proposal," but less than two minutes later breaks into her script to announce "breaking news" that Trump's healthcare proposal is being postponed
November 24, 2025 at 8:55 PM
absolutely incredible -- CNN host introduces a segment about Trump's "new healthcare proposal," but less than two minutes later breaks into her script to announce "breaking news" that Trump's healthcare proposal is being postponed
I imagine everyone who grew up on "The Simpsons" has the same reaction to "Microcosmic God" -- oh, THAT'S where they got the idea for the Lisa petri dish story
November 24, 2025 at 9:41 PM
I imagine everyone who grew up on "The Simpsons" has the same reaction to "Microcosmic God" -- oh, THAT'S where they got the idea for the Lisa petri dish story
Positive post to balance this snobby take: Buy the three "Science Fiction Hall of Fame" collections. One of short stories, two of novellas.
Who needs a third laser-that-blows-up-planets when you've got "The Nine Billion Names of God"?
www.amazon.com/Science-Fict...
Who needs a third laser-that-blows-up-planets when you've got "The Nine Billion Names of God"?
www.amazon.com/Science-Fict...
November 24, 2025 at 9:27 PM
Positive post to balance this snobby take: Buy the three "Science Fiction Hall of Fame" collections. One of short stories, two of novellas.
Who needs a third laser-that-blows-up-planets when you've got "The Nine Billion Names of God"?
www.amazon.com/Science-Fict...
Who needs a third laser-that-blows-up-planets when you've got "The Nine Billion Names of God"?
www.amazon.com/Science-Fict...
I watched the prequels in theaters, I had the toys growing up, Mando S1 was a good watch with my parents after Thanksgiving one year. Nothing wrong w fun genre fiction!
But even when SW content was just the first 3 movies, comics, and Expanded Universe, most of it was mediocre.
But even when SW content was just the first 3 movies, comics, and Expanded Universe, most of it was mediocre.
November 24, 2025 at 9:12 PM
I watched the prequels in theaters, I had the toys growing up, Mando S1 was a good watch with my parents after Thanksgiving one year. Nothing wrong w fun genre fiction!
But even when SW content was just the first 3 movies, comics, and Expanded Universe, most of it was mediocre.
But even when SW content was just the first 3 movies, comics, and Expanded Universe, most of it was mediocre.
Yeah, the ratio of analysis to great SW stories is crazy.
It was funny when I was 13 and "Clerks" had a riff on whether the second Death Star explosion killed innocent contractors. But that shit is now 30% of YouTube.
It was funny when I was 13 and "Clerks" had a riff on whether the second Death Star explosion killed innocent contractors. But that shit is now 30% of YouTube.
November 24, 2025 at 9:10 PM
Yeah, the ratio of analysis to great SW stories is crazy.
It was funny when I was 13 and "Clerks" had a riff on whether the second Death Star explosion killed innocent contractors. But that shit is now 30% of YouTube.
It was funny when I was 13 and "Clerks" had a riff on whether the second Death Star explosion killed innocent contractors. But that shit is now 30% of YouTube.
There are two great SW movies (1 and 2 here) and one great show ("Andor"). The rest ranges from fun slop to awful slop.
haven’t seen ROS or Solo but this seems like a pretty ball-knowing list from Pritzker, particularly if he volunteered the name “Star Wars” rather than “A New Hope”
November 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
There are two great SW movies (1 and 2 here) and one great show ("Andor"). The rest ranges from fun slop to awful slop.
Reposted by Dave Weigel
Reposted by Dave Weigel
I clicked on this video because I love this production of Merrily We Roll Along, and something so bad happens in the first ten seconds that I am now forming a commission to investigate. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAlV...
November 24, 2025 at 7:42 PM
I clicked on this video because I love this production of Merrily We Roll Along, and something so bad happens in the first ten seconds that I am now forming a commission to investigate. www.youtube.com/watch?v=IAlV...