Charles Louis Richter
@richterscale.bsky.social
Historian: of American religion/irreligion by training; of science & conspiracy by trade
dumb jokes about smart things and smart jokes about dumb things
Podcast research/factcheck: SNAFU with Ed Helms; The Reason We're All Still Here; My Fugitive, more
dumb jokes about smart things and smart jokes about dumb things
Podcast research/factcheck: SNAFU with Ed Helms; The Reason We're All Still Here; My Fugitive, more
substitute for "use a froe" as necessary and this comment describes 75% of social media replies
January 26, 2026 at 5:52 PM
substitute for "use a froe" as necessary and this comment describes 75% of social media replies
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
Have they changed their opinions? Or have their opinions always been "things that negatively affect other people are fine, things that could negatively affect me are bad"?
Bluesky idea: if people who didn't agree with you change their opinions so that they do agree with you, why not be happy that you are making progress - rather than complaining that they are "only just catching up"?
January 26, 2026 at 3:08 PM
Have they changed their opinions? Or have their opinions always been "things that negatively affect other people are fine, things that could negatively affect me are bad"?
last night, the drifts of sleet out back were like tiny beads of hard-frozen ice, the perfect texture to scoop up and carefully form into a historically-accurate ice shell to chill a tiki cocktail to be drunk by the fire
mezcal-jalapeno-pineapple margarita; outcast of the islands (jeff berry)
mezcal-jalapeno-pineapple margarita; outcast of the islands (jeff berry)
January 26, 2026 at 3:40 PM
last night, the drifts of sleet out back were like tiny beads of hard-frozen ice, the perfect texture to scoop up and carefully form into a historically-accurate ice shell to chill a tiki cocktail to be drunk by the fire
mezcal-jalapeno-pineapple margarita; outcast of the islands (jeff berry)
mezcal-jalapeno-pineapple margarita; outcast of the islands (jeff berry)
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
Now that blood is on the street, we still won’t admit you’ve been right all decade long while we scolded and marginalized you. Instead, we’ll declare it’s just now become right to say such things.
"Recent events have brought Trump’s governing style into sharper focus," Jonathan Rauch argues. "'Fascist' best describes it, and reluctance to use the term has now become perverse." theatln.tc/wVq7MFaa
January 25, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Now that blood is on the street, we still won’t admit you’ve been right all decade long while we scolded and marginalized you. Instead, we’ll declare it’s just now become right to say such things.
SOMEONE knows SOMEONE with a COSTCO CARD
I mostly just stay off Twitter altogether but after double checking that the Walter Hudson post was still up I ran across this and just had to share so the Romancelandians who bought hand warmers could hear about the PROFESSIONAL GRADE LOGISTICS.
January 25, 2026 at 11:08 PM
SOMEONE knows SOMEONE with a COSTCO CARD
these dudes who are professionally shrill for a living are acting like they exist in a cloistered and constant state of peaceful contemplation
but pretty believable that their precious little minds be irrevocably disturbed by a microwave announcing the end of a cooking cycle
but pretty believable that their precious little minds be irrevocably disturbed by a microwave announcing the end of a cooking cycle
Whistles are now WMDs, according to the "high IQ" crowd.
January 25, 2026 at 10:56 PM
these dudes who are professionally shrill for a living are acting like they exist in a cloistered and constant state of peaceful contemplation
but pretty believable that their precious little minds be irrevocably disturbed by a microwave announcing the end of a cooking cycle
but pretty believable that their precious little minds be irrevocably disturbed by a microwave announcing the end of a cooking cycle
hey people of ostensibly good politics: if you see a well-read and consistently thoughtful Black intellectual saying something you don't immediately agree with 100%, consider *not* assuming they're an ignorant fool and slandering them all over bluesky, unless you *want* us to see you for who you are
January 25, 2026 at 9:24 PM
hey people of ostensibly good politics: if you see a well-read and consistently thoughtful Black intellectual saying something you don't immediately agree with 100%, consider *not* assuming they're an ignorant fool and slandering them all over bluesky, unless you *want* us to see you for who you are
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
This administration is cooked. Literally no one is scared of them.
January 25, 2026 at 5:20 PM
This administration is cooked. Literally no one is scared of them.
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
The Washington Post published a clear video of federal agents removing Alex Pretti's handgun moments before he was fatally shot. There's nothing in the video to suggest Pretti even reached for his weapon.
wapo.st/49Zqv1L
wapo.st/49Zqv1L
January 25, 2026 at 6:11 PM
The Washington Post published a clear video of federal agents removing Alex Pretti's handgun moments before he was fatally shot. There's nothing in the video to suggest Pretti even reached for his weapon.
wapo.st/49Zqv1L
wapo.st/49Zqv1L
awaiting-the-storm meal: chicken marsala, the best roast potatoes i have ever made (credit goes to the potatoes, not me) and glazed sous vide parsnips
January 25, 2026 at 4:18 AM
awaiting-the-storm meal: chicken marsala, the best roast potatoes i have ever made (credit goes to the potatoes, not me) and glazed sous vide parsnips
it is extremely weird to reply to a quote-skeet with an abusive screed addressed to the subject of the quoted post, and i wish people would stop doing that here
it's like, you're telling at someone two posts removed, they're never going to see it, and it looks like you're attacking the quoter
it's like, you're telling at someone two posts removed, they're never going to see it, and it looks like you're attacking the quoter
January 25, 2026 at 12:28 AM
it is extremely weird to reply to a quote-skeet with an abusive screed addressed to the subject of the quoted post, and i wish people would stop doing that here
it's like, you're telling at someone two posts removed, they're never going to see it, and it looks like you're attacking the quoter
it's like, you're telling at someone two posts removed, they're never going to see it, and it looks like you're attacking the quoter
the federal government puts this nazi-looking nazi on tv because they want to be seen as nazis, because they admire the nazis, they like what the nazis did, and they want to make good on the threat the nazis posed to the world
Bovino shamelessly lies: "This looks like a situation where an individual wanted to do maximum damage and massacre law enforcement"
January 24, 2026 at 9:22 PM
the federal government puts this nazi-looking nazi on tv because they want to be seen as nazis, because they admire the nazis, they like what the nazis did, and they want to make good on the threat the nazis posed to the world
the attorney general of the united states says that the government will not allow organized protest
Bondi: "It's extremely organized. The signs they have are all matching, they're well written. And look at what's happening today. How did these people go out & get gas masks? These protesters. Would you know how to walk out on the street and buy a gas mask? Think about that. We're not gonna have it"
January 24, 2026 at 9:18 PM
the attorney general of the united states says that the government will not allow organized protest
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
Moments before the first shot is fired, this federal agent can be seen retreating with a gun. It appears to match the general appearance of the firearm posted by DHS, including the red dot sight. This agent’s back is turned when the first shot occurs. x.com/BillMelugin_...
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Moments before the first shot is fired, this federal agent can be seen retreating with a gun. It appears to match the general appearance of the firearm posted by DHS, including the red dot sight. This agent’s back is turned when the first shot occurs. x.com/BillMelugin_...
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
Footage taken moments before a struggle shows that the man was filming, holding a phone in his right hand, backing up. His left hand is up, visible, palm facing out, as he backs away from the area. An agent uses his right hand, on the torso of the victim, pushing him back, while the man complies.
January 24, 2026 at 7:01 PM
Footage taken moments before a struggle shows that the man was filming, holding a phone in his right hand, backing up. His left hand is up, visible, palm facing out, as he backs away from the area. An agent uses his right hand, on the torso of the victim, pushing him back, while the man complies.
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
ICE attacked an observer after they tailed a group of clergy on a spiritual pilgrimage.
Our digital producer @sam.vp just so happened to be with the clergy on their journey. He spoke with the observer who was attacked and others who witnessed the assault.
Our digital producer @sam.vp just so happened to be with the clergy on their journey. He spoke with the observer who was attacked and others who witnessed the assault.
January 24, 2026 at 4:22 AM
ICE attacked an observer after they tailed a group of clergy on a spiritual pilgrimage.
Our digital producer @sam.vp just so happened to be with the clergy on their journey. He spoke with the observer who was attacked and others who witnessed the assault.
Our digital producer @sam.vp just so happened to be with the clergy on their journey. He spoke with the observer who was attacked and others who witnessed the assault.
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
I just thought everyone should see this
January 22, 2026 at 11:02 PM
I just thought everyone should see this
it's easy to blame the government employees who did the physical removal, but keep in mind that it's better in the long run to keep the institutions that manage our cultural and historical heritage in the hands of good stewards rather than turn them over to people who will actually destroy records
Signs about the history of slavery in the U.S. and the 9 people George Washington enslaved are being removed right now at the President’s House Site in Philadelphia, across from Independence Hall, months after the Trump administration threatend to do so.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
How far we have not come in 250 years.
January 23, 2026 at 5:15 AM
it's easy to blame the government employees who did the physical removal, but keep in mind that it's better in the long run to keep the institutions that manage our cultural and historical heritage in the hands of good stewards rather than turn them over to people who will actually destroy records
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
COALIE: "well howdy, kids! i bet you're yearnin' for the mines!"
January 22, 2026 at 8:20 PM
COALIE: "well howdy, kids! i bet you're yearnin' for the mines!"
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
"i didn't say they would enjoy it. in fact, the paperwork after you murder someone is fairly annoying."
JD Vance: "I didn't say that officers who engaged in wrongdoing would enjoy immunity. That's absurd. What I did say is that when federal law enforcement officers violate the law that's typically something federal officials would look into. We don't want these guys to have kangaroo courts."
January 22, 2026 at 8:08 PM
"i didn't say they would enjoy it. in fact, the paperwork after you murder someone is fairly annoying."
coalie: an innocent hydrocarbon child, taken away from his people and raised to exploit them. but when he discovers the secret of what happens to coal when it leaves the mine, coalie breaks his chains—and a few heads
this time, coal burns...the oppressor
coming christmas 2026
this time, coal burns...the oppressor
coming christmas 2026
The Trump administration today announced a new government-backed fossil fuel industry mascot.
Meet Coalie the lump of coal!
Meet Coalie the lump of coal!
January 22, 2026 at 7:58 PM
coalie: an innocent hydrocarbon child, taken away from his people and raised to exploit them. but when he discovers the secret of what happens to coal when it leaves the mine, coalie breaks his chains—and a few heads
this time, coal burns...the oppressor
coming christmas 2026
this time, coal burns...the oppressor
coming christmas 2026
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
Shit like this is why it’s been fuck AI from day one. Always where it was heading.
The White House posted an edited photo of the activist involved in the Minneapolis church protest, made to look like she was crying.
January 22, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Shit like this is why it’s been fuck AI from day one. Always where it was heading.
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
Them: "OMG we have to have this functionality!"
Me: "Well let's see what we can do..."
Them: "We'll -=<DIE>=- if we can't do it!"
Me: "Yeah, OK, I see, I can use the product's API and write a couple scripts."
Them: "OMG THANK YOU THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER"
Me: "Well let's see what we can do..."
Them: "We'll -=<DIE>=- if we can't do it!"
Me: "Yeah, OK, I see, I can use the product's API and write a couple scripts."
Them: "OMG THANK YOU THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER"
October 18, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Them: "OMG we have to have this functionality!"
Me: "Well let's see what we can do..."
Them: "We'll -=<DIE>=- if we can't do it!"
Me: "Yeah, OK, I see, I can use the product's API and write a couple scripts."
Them: "OMG THANK YOU THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER"
Me: "Well let's see what we can do..."
Them: "We'll -=<DIE>=- if we can't do it!"
Me: "Yeah, OK, I see, I can use the product's API and write a couple scripts."
Them: "OMG THANK YOU THIS IS THE BEST THING EVER"
Reposted by Charles Louis Richter
