Ned Raggett
@nedraggett.bsky.social
Hi! I write about music at various spots (@thequietus.com, @thewiremagazine.bsky.social, Shfl and my Patreon, also in the past @allmusic.com, @pitchfork.com, @bandcamp.com etc. etc.). Plus podcasting about #Tolkien with friends at @bythebywater.bsky.social
Pinned
Ned Raggett
@nedraggett.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Given the very specific circumstances, I'd either check to see if I'm on drugs or if the baby is on drugs and if the latter find out where I could get some because clearly those are some gooooood drugs.
Well, it's time for some honest to god Bluesky lore.
A year ago, the site was still invite only, and one morning I posted something random and didn't think much about it beyond my own amusement.
This is the story about the #ChristianSkydivingBaby and how it completely took over @bsky.app (1/x)
A year ago, the site was still invite only, and one morning I posted something random and didn't think much about it beyond my own amusement.
This is the story about the #ChristianSkydivingBaby and how it completely took over @bsky.app (1/x)
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Quote of the Day:
“Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self.” (Cyril Connolly)
“Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self.” (Cyril Connolly)
February 1, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Quote of the Day:
“Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self.” (Cyril Connolly)
“Better to write for yourself and have no public than to write for the public and have no self.” (Cyril Connolly)
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Civil litigator here with years of experience of business people’s emails to each other in disclosed evidence for disputes.
As a general rule: the senior the business person, the less effort they put into emails, and the more effort expected from those reading them.
Effectively a mark of rank.
As a general rule: the senior the business person, the less effort they put into emails, and the more effort expected from those reading them.
Effectively a mark of rank.
"why are these rich freaks so bad at writing emails?"
because they've never had to be good enough at it to keep paying rent
because they've never had to be good enough at it to keep paying rent
February 1, 2026 at 11:05 AM
Civil litigator here with years of experience of business people’s emails to each other in disclosed evidence for disputes.
As a general rule: the senior the business person, the less effort they put into emails, and the more effort expected from those reading them.
Effectively a mark of rank.
As a general rule: the senior the business person, the less effort they put into emails, and the more effort expected from those reading them.
Effectively a mark of rank.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Oh look, some enterprising reporter spent a bunch of time with the Taylor Rehmet campaign and wrote about it in the context of the regional, far-right politics!
Union-backed Dem Taylor Rehmet nearly pulled off a stunning upset in November — almost winning a deep-red TX Senate seat over two billionaire-funded Republicans. He's now in a runoff with a fixture of the Texas far right. My latest, from Tarrant County, a bellwether and hub of Christian nationalism:
In Tarrant County, a Hub for the Far Right, a Democrat Seeks a Major Upset
In a runoff election for Texas Senate District 9, which has not elected a Democrat since 1991, Taylor Rehmet is betting his pro-labor message can flip disillusioned voters.
www.texasmonthly.com
February 1, 2026 at 5:09 AM
Oh look, some enterprising reporter spent a bunch of time with the Taylor Rehmet campaign and wrote about it in the context of the regional, far-right politics!
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Reposted by Ned Raggett
“There’s no single answer that will solve all our future problems. There’s no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be.”
― Octavia E. Butler, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay
― Octavia E. Butler, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay
January 31, 2026 at 7:57 PM
“There’s no single answer that will solve all our future problems. There’s no magic bullet. Instead there are thousands of answers—at least. You can be one of them if you choose to be.”
― Octavia E. Butler, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay
― Octavia E. Butler, A Few Rules for Predicting the Future: An Essay
Reposted by Ned Raggett
What are you doing today?
Just watching the pipes
Just watching the pipes
January 31, 2026 at 10:23 PM
What are you doing today?
Just watching the pipes
Just watching the pipes
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Former Texas Lege reporter here. A Dem hasn't held this seat since 1990. Tarrant is the safest of red suburban counties. There is no way the TX and national GOP aren't in panic mode right now.
JUST IN: Democrats flip a red seat in the Texas Senate.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
Taylor Rehmet wins against Leigh Wambsganss, a conservative activist who helped lead right-wing efforts to take over TX school boards.
With all early vote, and 95% of precincts, in, Dem up 57/43.
Trump won this seat by 17% in Tarrant County.
February 1, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Former Texas Lege reporter here. A Dem hasn't held this seat since 1990. Tarrant is the safest of red suburban counties. There is no way the TX and national GOP aren't in panic mode right now.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
There's still a fucking shitload of liberal scientist who still believe in the importance of callipers
February 1, 2026 at 2:26 AM
There's still a fucking shitload of liberal scientist who still believe in the importance of callipers
Reposted by Ned Raggett
"It’s really a shame that I learned all of this too late."
Man Who Lost Everything In Crypto Just Wishes Several Thousand More People Had Warned Him
CHICAGO—Saying he had been absolutely blindsided by the sudden change in his fortunes, local 33-year-old Tyler Branton, a man who lost everything in cryptocurrencies, told reporters Thursday that he j...
theonion.com
January 31, 2026 at 11:38 PM
"It’s really a shame that I learned all of this too late."
Reposted by Ned Raggett
this “chicago bail fund” and the entire network of newly registered bail funds are all scams. illinois made cash bail illegal in 2023 thanks to the incredibly hard work of many people, some of whom i know personally, so this is especially stupid
@forensicgarlic.bsky.social [@]chicagobailfund.bsky.social registered on Bluesky 20 days ago.
As did these "bail funds" for Boston, Seattle, and Portland.
Do you know if they are authentic?
idk the other followers. But could be sus also.
As did these "bail funds" for Boston, Seattle, and Portland.
Do you know if they are authentic?
idk the other followers. But could be sus also.
February 1, 2026 at 2:34 AM
this “chicago bail fund” and the entire network of newly registered bail funds are all scams. illinois made cash bail illegal in 2023 thanks to the incredibly hard work of many people, some of whom i know personally, so this is especially stupid
Reposted by Ned Raggett
it is wild to think that @coyotemedia.org has existed for almost 5 months now. thanks to everyone who subscribed and everyone who has shared our stories since we launched in sept. I'm so proud to have worked on a ton of stories that I really don't think could have happened anywhere else. for ex...
January 31, 2026 at 6:50 PM
it is wild to think that @coyotemedia.org has existed for almost 5 months now. thanks to everyone who subscribed and everyone who has shared our stories since we launched in sept. I'm so proud to have worked on a ton of stories that I really don't think could have happened anywhere else. for ex...
Reposted by Ned Raggett
I can’t stress this enough. The state of 4th Amendment law is that the cops can’t force you to type in a passcode but they can force you to swipe your finger or present your face. Never stop using passcodes/passwords to unlock your devices. And consider additional code to unlock Signal.
The FBI was able to access Washington Post reporter Hannah Natanson's Signal messages because she used Signal on her work laptop. The laptop accepted Touch ID for authentication, meaning the agents were allowed to require her to unlock it. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
February 1, 2026 at 12:08 AM
I can’t stress this enough. The state of 4th Amendment law is that the cops can’t force you to type in a passcode but they can force you to swipe your finger or present your face. Never stop using passcodes/passwords to unlock your devices. And consider additional code to unlock Signal.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Mayor Mamdani names criminal justice reformer Stanley Richards as NYC’s new Department of Correction commissioner
Richards is the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails system
@gothamist.com @wnyc.org
gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Richards is the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails system
@gothamist.com @wnyc.org
gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Mamdani names reformer Stanley Richards to steer chaotic Rikers complex
Exactly one month into his term, Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed a formerly incarcerated person to manage the facility.
gothamist.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:37 PM
Mayor Mamdani names criminal justice reformer Stanley Richards as NYC’s new Department of Correction commissioner
Richards is the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails system
@gothamist.com @wnyc.org
gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Richards is the first formerly incarcerated person to lead the city’s jails system
@gothamist.com @wnyc.org
gothamist.com/news/mamdani...
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Interesting thread from the Epstein files where he and one (or two) other people start brainstorming strategy after Alex Acosta started getting public criticism for Epstein's 2008 plea deal.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
![iMessage
[2] 2018-12-06 13:58:43 (UTC)
Sender: Self (e:jeeitunes@gmail.com )
Participants:
1), Self (e:jeeitunes@gmail.com)
With sasse calling for a senate hearing, I guess I can mimic kavanaugh. Yes senator I like pussy, pussy, yes. Don't you senator.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hf7ezrajxadu7v3tzcyij424/bafkreifpytxfmyycqrnehj7asios23voh3k2mzr6xgfwgtccw36leghcle@jpeg)
February 1, 2026 at 12:09 AM
Interesting thread from the Epstein files where he and one (or two) other people start brainstorming strategy after Alex Acosta started getting public criticism for Epstein's 2008 plea deal.
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
www.justice.gov/epstein/file...
Reposted by Ned Raggett
I helped conveners organize a community meeting for a fifteen block area, with "Preparing For ICE" as the theme.
Less than 48 hours before the event we had to switch to Zoom.
First meeting, so no email list to notify.
And we STILL peaked at 234 people on the call at once.
People are *done*
Less than 48 hours before the event we had to switch to Zoom.
First meeting, so no email list to notify.
And we STILL peaked at 234 people on the call at once.
People are *done*
February 1, 2026 at 12:24 AM
I helped conveners organize a community meeting for a fifteen block area, with "Preparing For ICE" as the theme.
Less than 48 hours before the event we had to switch to Zoom.
First meeting, so no email list to notify.
And we STILL peaked at 234 people on the call at once.
People are *done*
Less than 48 hours before the event we had to switch to Zoom.
First meeting, so no email list to notify.
And we STILL peaked at 234 people on the call at once.
People are *done*
If you need some cheer in these grim times, I happily suggest googling 'harvest mice flowers' and enjoying the image collection in particular.
January 31, 2026 at 11:52 PM
If you need some cheer in these grim times, I happily suggest googling 'harvest mice flowers' and enjoying the image collection in particular.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Google "Shawn Bolz" and "Bethel" because he ain't kidding. (Another instance of something where I would have LOVED to have read Kaleb Horton on all this.)
I know so much is going on but is anybody besides me following the giant scandal going on within the charismatic movement rn
January 30, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Google "Shawn Bolz" and "Bethel" because he ain't kidding. (Another instance of something where I would have LOVED to have read Kaleb Horton on all this.)
Reposted by Ned Raggett
I can officially confirm that the snow in NC is roughly one (1) corgi deep
January 31, 2026 at 9:46 PM
I can officially confirm that the snow in NC is roughly one (1) corgi deep
This is going to be an album of the year already, trust me.
“Bike” by Autechre.
Autechre Guitar drops on Palilalia Records on 2/27.
shaneparish.bandcamp.com/album/autech...
youtube.com/shorts/Cdknn...
Autechre Guitar drops on Palilalia Records on 2/27.
shaneparish.bandcamp.com/album/autech...
youtube.com/shorts/Cdknn...
“Bike” - Autechre Guitar
YouTube video by Shane Parish
youtube.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:51 PM
This is going to be an album of the year already, trust me.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
All in all I'd have to say I don't enjoy being ruled by semi-literate perverts with infinite money
January 31, 2026 at 7:04 PM
All in all I'd have to say I don't enjoy being ruled by semi-literate perverts with infinite money
Reposted by Ned Raggett
If you need a pick me up, here’s Luther Vandross rapping lines from Work It by Missy Elliot 😂
Luther Vandross - Work It / Here And Now (Intro) [Live at Radio City Music Hall, New York - Feb. 12, 2003] by Luther Vandross on Apple Music
Song · 2023 · Duration 1:18
music.apple.com
January 31, 2026 at 9:43 PM
If you need a pick me up, here’s Luther Vandross rapping lines from Work It by Missy Elliot 😂
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Looking at the list of 19 new CBS News commentators, the median number of times they appear in the searchable Epstein database is 2 and the mean is 100
January 31, 2026 at 4:46 PM
Looking at the list of 19 new CBS News commentators, the median number of times they appear in the searchable Epstein database is 2 and the mean is 100
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept."
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
![Philadelphia, September 17, 1787: "Well, Dr. Franklin, what do we have?" "A republic, if you
can keep it."
With a judicial finger in the constitutional dike,
It is so ORDERED.
SIGNED this 31st day of February, 2026.
_________________________________________________
FRED BIERY
UNITED STATES DISTRICT JUDGE
[photo of Liam]
Credit: Bystander
Matthew 19:14
John 11:35](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:73t3muu2pudsajp7a2fj3aly/bafkreigfz6fzbu65haq7nfqgaoe7m42gsaonpinpmaaptuzd5atkqvya4i@jpeg)
January 31, 2026 at 8:38 PM
Judge Biery signed the order with a photo of Liam and two bible verses: The first is "But Jesus said, Suffer little children, and forbid them not, to come unto me: for of such is the kingdom of heaven." The second is simply "Jesus wept."
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.
Astonishing thing for a judge to do.