John Semley
@johnsemley3000.bsky.social
writer and researcher, covering books, films, and psychoactivity, in no particular order. a pocket full of spare change and anger unlimited.
Fascinating image...
February 12, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Fascinating image...
This Czech hockey team is a JOKE! (No offence to my many followers from Hodonín, Praha, Jirkov or even Dvůr Králové nad Labem.)
February 12, 2026 at 6:05 PM
This Czech hockey team is a JOKE! (No offence to my many followers from Hodonín, Praha, Jirkov or even Dvůr Králové nad Labem.)
I realized last night, watching them lose by nearly 50 points, that I am quite simply not cut out for serious Sixers fandom.
February 12, 2026 at 4:30 PM
I realized last night, watching them lose by nearly 50 points, that I am quite simply not cut out for serious Sixers fandom.
You know ELSE was a fastidious observer of market trends?
Bondi crashes out over Epstein: "The Dow is over 50,000 dollars! I don't know why you're laughing. You're a great stock trader as I hear, Raskin. The Dow is over 50,000 right now. The S&P at almost 7,000, and the Nasdaq smashing records. That's what we should be talking about."
February 11, 2026 at 5:02 PM
You know ELSE was a fastidious observer of market trends?
Are you a recruit with ICE/DHS worried about the long-term effects of the job, specifically on your mental health? I want to chat with you for a story I’m reporting. Can guarantee anonymity. Reach out securely on Signal
@ johnsem.06. signal.me#eu/FKjWtBIM2... (RT for visibility?)
@ johnsem.06. signal.me#eu/FKjWtBIM2... (RT for visibility?)
Signal Messenger Contact
Follow this link to message on Signal.
signal.me
February 11, 2026 at 2:25 PM
Are you a recruit with ICE/DHS worried about the long-term effects of the job, specifically on your mental health? I want to chat with you for a story I’m reporting. Can guarantee anonymity. Reach out securely on Signal
@ johnsem.06. signal.me#eu/FKjWtBIM2... (RT for visibility?)
@ johnsem.06. signal.me#eu/FKjWtBIM2... (RT for visibility?)
Some thoughts on the US right-wing crash-out over the Olympics. "That so many Americans would rather lose while remaining ideologically disciplined speaks to a great many problems..." for @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
John Semley: The American right is crashing out over the Olympics. Do they know what it means to be patriotic?
When American runners Tommie Smith and John Carlos took gold and bronze medal honours at the 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City, they famously stood solemnly on the podium, eyes
www.thestar.com
February 11, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Some thoughts on the US right-wing crash-out over the Olympics. "That so many Americans would rather lose while remaining ideologically disciplined speaks to a great many problems..." for @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Went from getting social media ads for male shapewear to ads for underwear that hide unsightly post-micturition dribbling. I guess this my 40s.
February 11, 2026 at 12:48 AM
Went from getting social media ads for male shapewear to ads for underwear that hide unsightly post-micturition dribbling. I guess this my 40s.
Guffo
The cartoon that appeared this week on the front page of France’s most influential national newspaper, Le Monde
Brilliant work by the cartoonist, Guffo.
Brilliant work by the cartoonist, Guffo.
February 10, 2026 at 1:30 PM
Guffo
Drinking a full-fat Coca Cola at 40. How do people live like this?
February 9, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Drinking a full-fat Coca Cola at 40. How do people live like this?
Reposted by John Semley
I wrote about Jason Myers, who delivered my favorite postgame quote and was perfect in the Super Bowl, and who makes it to the top in the strangest job in sports. defector.com/jason-myers-...
It Feels Great, Dude | Defector
The history of professional football is long enough and strange enough to include a placekicker or two who had “a normal career.” Theoretically. I have found scant evidence of that, but presumably the...
defector.com
February 9, 2026 at 6:40 PM
I wrote about Jason Myers, who delivered my favorite postgame quote and was perfect in the Super Bowl, and who makes it to the top in the strangest job in sports. defector.com/jason-myers-...
Reposted by John Semley
Getting out ahead of tomorrow
February 7, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Getting out ahead of tomorrow
Reposted by John Semley
Great review of another documentary out now…
“A key text in understanding one of the most flagrant in-your-face cons ever perpetrated”
Yes THAT documentary!! Nice writing from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social
newrepublic.com/article/2058...
“A key text in understanding one of the most flagrant in-your-face cons ever perpetrated”
Yes THAT documentary!! Nice writing from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social
newrepublic.com/article/2058...
February 7, 2026 at 4:49 PM
Great review of another documentary out now…
“A key text in understanding one of the most flagrant in-your-face cons ever perpetrated”
Yes THAT documentary!! Nice writing from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social
newrepublic.com/article/2058...
“A key text in understanding one of the most flagrant in-your-face cons ever perpetrated”
Yes THAT documentary!! Nice writing from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social
newrepublic.com/article/2058...
Reposted by John Semley
Catherine O’Hara based her characters on family members and people she saw riding the bus
#Opinion from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social
#Opinion from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social
John Semley: Catherine O’Hara based her characters on family members and people she saw riding the bus
The late Toronto actress and comedian took a character that was a little one-note on the page and breathed new dimensions into it.
www.thestar.com
February 7, 2026 at 4:17 PM
Catherine O’Hara based her characters on family members and people she saw riding the bus
#Opinion from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social
#Opinion from @johnsemley3000.bsky.social
Some thoughts on Catherine O’Hara’s comedy, and her ability to straddle the line between madness and vacuity. For @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
John Semley: Catherine O’Hara based her characters on family members and people she saw riding the bus
Catherine O'Hara took a character that was a little one-note on the page and breathed new dimensions into it.
www.thestar.com
February 7, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Some thoughts on Catherine O’Hara’s comedy, and her ability to straddle the line between madness and vacuity. For @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by John Semley
I wrote about why nobody is actually going to boycott the Super Bowl, for the @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
John Semley: Super Bowl fans, it’s time to speak a new language at the halftime show
Conservatives intend to boycott the entertainment - too bad, learning about something new is half the fun
www.thestar.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:56 PM
I wrote about why nobody is actually going to boycott the Super Bowl, for the @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
I wrote about why nobody is actually going to boycott the Super Bowl, for the @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
John Semley: Super Bowl fans, it’s time to speak a new language at the halftime show
Conservatives intend to boycott the entertainment - too bad, learning about something new is half the fun
www.thestar.com
February 6, 2026 at 1:56 PM
I wrote about why nobody is actually going to boycott the Super Bowl, for the @thestar.com. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by John Semley
If septuagenarian Johnny Lucas doesn’t like living in a growing city, *he* should move to Cornwall.
"Maybe the city's full" says the man living in a 2.7 million dollar house on Palmerston, while sipping $170 scotch after defeating a multiplex proposal across the street.
www.pressreader.com/canada/toron...
www.pressreader.com/canada/toron...
February 5, 2026 at 6:27 PM
If septuagenarian Johnny Lucas doesn’t like living in a growing city, *he* should move to Cornwall.
Hello! I was honored to contribute a critical essay to the new Vinegar Syndrome (@vinsyn.bsky.social) release of Radu Jude’s singular satire BAD LUCK BANGING, OR LOONY PORN. Order your copy today! vinegarsyndrome.com/products/bad...
Bad Luck Banging or Loony Porn
2026 Subscribers: This is NOT included in your Subscription. If you'd like to purchase it, you will need to login to view your special 50% off SRP pricing.
This special limited edition spot gloss slip
vinegarsyndrome.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:54 PM
Hello! I was honored to contribute a critical essay to the new Vinegar Syndrome (@vinsyn.bsky.social) release of Radu Jude’s singular satire BAD LUCK BANGING, OR LOONY PORN. Order your copy today! vinegarsyndrome.com/products/bad...
I sort of reject this premise. I get that she “got her flowers” with SCHITT’S, but she was already hugely ubiquitous in the 90s/2000s. and she was never better than in the Guest movies, which rivalled SCTV as a canvas for her talents.
O’Hara was incredible forever, on SCTV, the Christopher Guest movies, Beetlejuice, Home Alone, etc. But she didn’t become as famous as her talent warranted until her 60s. Suddenly it was like everyone caught up to her, and she could’ve worked forever. To have her taken away at this moment? No.
February 4, 2026 at 3:48 AM
I sort of reject this premise. I get that she “got her flowers” with SCHITT’S, but she was already hugely ubiquitous in the 90s/2000s. and she was never better than in the Guest movies, which rivalled SCTV as a canvas for her talents.
Reposted by John Semley
If Toronto stands any chance of solving the housing crisis, it will need multiplexes in residential neighbourhoods—a move that has many residents saying, “Anywhere but here!”
Street Fight: Inside the battle raging over Toronto multiplexes - Toronto Life
If this city stands any chance of solving the housing crisis, it will need multiplexes in residential neighbourhoods—a move that has many residents...
torontolife.com
February 3, 2026 at 4:48 PM
If Toronto stands any chance of solving the housing crisis, it will need multiplexes in residential neighbourhoods—a move that has many residents saying, “Anywhere but here!”
Mickey Mouse! When I was kid Quebec came within a HAIR of separating. This separatist movement is a joke!
Alberta - Support For Independence:
🔴 Remain: 71%
⚫️ Independence: 18%
🔵 Join The US: 5%
Leger / Jan 26, 2026 / n=1003 / Online
🔴 Remain: 71%
⚫️ Independence: 18%
🔵 Join The US: 5%
Leger / Jan 26, 2026 / n=1003 / Online
February 3, 2026 at 10:06 PM
Mickey Mouse! When I was kid Quebec came within a HAIR of separating. This separatist movement is a joke!
Imagine being the bobby on this patrol? Crikey....
BREAKING: Andrew Mountbatten-Windsor has been formally reported to the police over allegations he was involved in the trafficking of a woman to the UK for sex in 2010
February 3, 2026 at 5:59 PM
Imagine being the bobby on this patrol? Crikey....
Reposted by John Semley
"That this is all playing out in the open, with such total brazenness, is another typical feature of Trump 2.0. It’s not just that this is some self-serving spectacle. It’s that it’s a bad, totally un-entertaining self-serving spectacle." newrepublic.com/article/2058...
Beneath the Stifling Boredom of Melania
Watching the most expensive documentary ever made while the American experiment falls to pieces.
newrepublic.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:24 PM
"That this is all playing out in the open, with such total brazenness, is another typical feature of Trump 2.0. It’s not just that this is some self-serving spectacle. It’s that it’s a bad, totally un-entertaining self-serving spectacle." newrepublic.com/article/2058...
Some thoughts on a new film that is taking the box office by storm: MELANIA. To paraphrase Sontag, at least fascism used to fascinate! For the @newrepublic.com. newrepublic.com/article/2058...
Beneath the Stifling Boredom of Melania
Watching the most expensive documentary ever made while the American experiment falls to pieces.
newrepublic.com
February 3, 2026 at 12:48 PM
Some thoughts on a new film that is taking the box office by storm: MELANIA. To paraphrase Sontag, at least fascism used to fascinate! For the @newrepublic.com. newrepublic.com/article/2058...
I’ve sold two old Sabres jerseys on Poshmark in 48 hours. The hype is real. All bandwagoners welcome.
February 2, 2026 at 2:51 AM
I’ve sold two old Sabres jerseys on Poshmark in 48 hours. The hype is real. All bandwagoners welcome.