Robert Rotifer
@robertrotifer.bsky.social
Still the same one I was over there and there and there. (It’s not my bike!)
Posting mainly from Canterbury.
Posting mainly from Canterbury.
I wrote this for @fm4.orf.at about the pop world’s reaction to Minneapolis including that Springsteen song, and how trying to conjure up a decent sort of patriotism only repeats the cardinal mistake that got us to where we are now.
fm4.orf.at/stories/3052...
fm4.orf.at/stories/3052...
Mit Blut und Heimat gegen Trump - fm4.ORF.at
Der Ruf nach Widerstand vonseiten der amerikanischen Popkultur wurde erhört und seine Stimme heißt – unter anderem – Bruce. Aber ist ein bunter Patriotismus die richtige Alternative zum weißen Nationa...
fm4.orf.at
January 30, 2026 at 5:55 PM
I wrote this for @fm4.orf.at about the pop world’s reaction to Minneapolis including that Springsteen song, and how trying to conjure up a decent sort of patriotism only repeats the cardinal mistake that got us to where we are now.
fm4.orf.at/stories/3052...
fm4.orf.at/stories/3052...
Here’s the news I’d been dreading for a while. Tagebuch, the smartest and most promising publication of the Left coming out of Austria in recent years is calling it a day.
My greatest thanks to editors Benjamin Opratko, Samuel Stuhlpfarrer and everyone working to make it exist for a brief 6 years.
My greatest thanks to editors Benjamin Opratko, Samuel Stuhlpfarrer and everyone working to make it exist for a brief 6 years.
Sechs Jahre lang haben wir versucht, kritisch in die österreichische Medienlandschaft einzugreifen. Jetzt geht es nicht mehr weiter.
Aufgrund anhaltender wirtschaftlicher Probleme sehen wir uns dazu gezwungen, das Erscheinen unserer Zeitschrift einzustellen.
Alle Infos: tagebuch.at/2026/01/eins...
Aufgrund anhaltender wirtschaftlicher Probleme sehen wir uns dazu gezwungen, das Erscheinen unserer Zeitschrift einzustellen.
Alle Infos: tagebuch.at/2026/01/eins...
January 30, 2026 at 9:45 AM
Here’s the news I’d been dreading for a while. Tagebuch, the smartest and most promising publication of the Left coming out of Austria in recent years is calling it a day.
My greatest thanks to editors Benjamin Opratko, Samuel Stuhlpfarrer and everyone working to make it exist for a brief 6 years.
My greatest thanks to editors Benjamin Opratko, Samuel Stuhlpfarrer and everyone working to make it exist for a brief 6 years.
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
The largest infrastructure projects currently being built in the US appear to be data centers and detention centers. The AI boom has coincided with ICE becoming the most heavily funded government agency. It's hard not to see a connection: This is the architectures of digital fascism
ICE Begins Buying ‘Mega’ Warehouse Detention Centers Across US
Plans for such centers and jails in nearly two dozen communities have sparked protests over suitability, proximity to homes and schools.
www.bloomberg.com
January 30, 2026 at 8:17 AM
The largest infrastructure projects currently being built in the US appear to be data centers and detention centers. The AI boom has coincided with ICE becoming the most heavily funded government agency. It's hard not to see a connection: This is the architectures of digital fascism
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
Anyone who thinks this won't happen at the 2026 World Cup games in the U.S. is delusional.
ICE to conduct immigration enforcement at Super Bowl LX at Levi's Stadium, official says
A government official says ICE will conduct immigration enforcement at Super Bowl LX in Santa Clara. This comes just days after Bad Bunny was announced as the halftime performer.
abc7news.com
January 26, 2026 at 9:35 PM
Anyone who thinks this won't happen at the 2026 World Cup games in the U.S. is delusional.
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
The UK version of “Project 2025” by the Reform party includes a British ICE, a concentration camp for 24,000 people, mass surveillance and withdrawing from refugee, anti-torture and anti-trafficking conventions.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
January 26, 2026 at 1:22 PM
The UK version of “Project 2025” by the Reform party includes a British ICE, a concentration camp for 24,000 people, mass surveillance and withdrawing from refugee, anti-torture and anti-trafficking conventions.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
It’s on their website. That’s how comfortable fascists are in the UK today.
As people are again debating ownership of trauma instead of uniting against fascism, another reminder of how right Hersch Lauterpacht was in arguing for the Holocaust to be seen as Crime against Humanity.
January 27, 2026 at 10:26 AM
As people are again debating ownership of trauma instead of uniting against fascism, another reminder of how right Hersch Lauterpacht was in arguing for the Holocaust to be seen as Crime against Humanity.
Playlist for tonight’s @fm4.orf.at Heartbeat from 22:00 CET/9pm GMT is here:
Pic is a screenshot from that newish Bonnie Prince Billy song “They Keep Trying To Find You” which catches the current mood in the US so well (and it’s on the list, obviously)
www.instagram.com/p/DT-V6a7jLh...
Pic is a screenshot from that newish Bonnie Prince Billy song “They Keep Trying To Find You” which catches the current mood in the US so well (and it’s on the list, obviously)
www.instagram.com/p/DT-V6a7jLh...
January 26, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Playlist for tonight’s @fm4.orf.at Heartbeat from 22:00 CET/9pm GMT is here:
Pic is a screenshot from that newish Bonnie Prince Billy song “They Keep Trying To Find You” which catches the current mood in the US so well (and it’s on the list, obviously)
www.instagram.com/p/DT-V6a7jLh...
Pic is a screenshot from that newish Bonnie Prince Billy song “They Keep Trying To Find You” which catches the current mood in the US so well (and it’s on the list, obviously)
www.instagram.com/p/DT-V6a7jLh...
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
Seeing the US government flail in trying to frame these as anything but executions by incompetent trigger happy goons makes me feel like I owe an apology to the FSB morons I mocked for trying to stage an apartment as a Ukrainian terror plot but planting a copy of The Sims III instead of 3 SIM cards.
January 26, 2026 at 10:04 AM
Seeing the US government flail in trying to frame these as anything but executions by incompetent trigger happy goons makes me feel like I owe an apology to the FSB morons I mocked for trying to stage an apartment as a Ukrainian terror plot but planting a copy of The Sims III instead of 3 SIM cards.
Just the Austrian far right on an official visit to Netanyahu and Miri Regev to talk about a “patriotic alliance”, as reported in positive terms by an Austrian hard right news site (no link here)
January 25, 2026 at 10:28 PM
Just the Austrian far right on an official visit to Netanyahu and Miri Regev to talk about a “patriotic alliance”, as reported in positive terms by an Austrian hard right news site (no link here)
I’ve seen people say this is bad timing/bad framing by the government, but really timing and framing is all it is (as the article says there already is a National Crime Agency).
Still trying to please the British Trump apologist cheering on the bloodshed on FB as potential “hero voter” material.
Still trying to please the British Trump apologist cheering on the bloodshed on FB as potential “hero voter” material.
January 25, 2026 at 9:43 AM
I’ve seen people say this is bad timing/bad framing by the government, but really timing and framing is all it is (as the article says there already is a National Crime Agency).
Still trying to please the British Trump apologist cheering on the bloodshed on FB as potential “hero voter” material.
Still trying to please the British Trump apologist cheering on the bloodshed on FB as potential “hero voter” material.
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
This perfectly demonstrates the pernicious nature of BBC two-sidism.
It almost always benefits the side with the most power.
In this case that's the side which is murdering peaceful protesters in the street, on camera, and then lying about it
It almost always benefits the side with the most power.
In this case that's the side which is murdering peaceful protesters in the street, on camera, and then lying about it
The BBC coverage is absolutely terrible.
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
It leads on "sharply contested narratives"
It has a dramatic skew to the US government
It has posted the video but has failed to report on what it shows: it shows the US govt account is untrue
January 25, 2026 at 6:38 AM
This perfectly demonstrates the pernicious nature of BBC two-sidism.
It almost always benefits the side with the most power.
In this case that's the side which is murdering peaceful protesters in the street, on camera, and then lying about it
It almost always benefits the side with the most power.
In this case that's the side which is murdering peaceful protesters in the street, on camera, and then lying about it
Anyone know more about economics who can tell me if this is what I think it is, i.e. a glimpse of the end of (post-)Bretton Woods?
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
‘Repatriate the gold’: German economists advise withdrawal from US vaults
Shift in relations and unpredictability of Donald Trump make it ‘risky to store so much gold in the US’, say experts
www.theguardian.com
January 24, 2026 at 10:11 AM
Anyone know more about economics who can tell me if this is what I think it is, i.e. a glimpse of the end of (post-)Bretton Woods?
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
This is the problem bit in the Carney speech everyone is loving:
“Principled in our commitment to fundamental values: sovereignty and territorial integrity, the prohibition of the use of force except when consistent with the UN Charter, respect for human rights /
ct…
“Principled in our commitment to fundamental values: sovereignty and territorial integrity, the prohibition of the use of force except when consistent with the UN Charter, respect for human rights /
ct…
January 21, 2026 at 9:07 AM
This is the problem bit in the Carney speech everyone is loving:
“Principled in our commitment to fundamental values: sovereignty and territorial integrity, the prohibition of the use of force except when consistent with the UN Charter, respect for human rights /
ct…
“Principled in our commitment to fundamental values: sovereignty and territorial integrity, the prohibition of the use of force except when consistent with the UN Charter, respect for human rights /
ct…
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
I feel I should bang the drum for this post, which hasn't received the love it deserves.
It helps to know that Jenrick's constituency is Newark.
It helps to know that Jenrick's constituency is Newark.
Robert Jenrick is unique in British politics for being the only MP who is an anagram of his constituency
January 18, 2026 at 12:58 PM
I feel I should bang the drum for this post, which hasn't received the love it deserves.
It helps to know that Jenrick's constituency is Newark.
It helps to know that Jenrick's constituency is Newark.
Had a great time playing with the wonderful @mccookerybook.bsky.social the other night. Sadly couldn’t take any pics while playing but here’s a couple of shots of @ginabirch.bsky.social and Terry Edwards’ solo sets, both great.
January 17, 2026 at 3:40 PM
Had a great time playing with the wonderful @mccookerybook.bsky.social the other night. Sadly couldn’t take any pics while playing but here’s a couple of shots of @ginabirch.bsky.social and Terry Edwards’ solo sets, both great.
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
A superb piece by @robertrotifer.bsky.social, well worth putting through the Google Translate wrangler if you do not speak German, a far more coherent, fairer and better-argued take than mine on the need to de-Americanise ourselves.
I wrote this for @fm4.orf.at about the urgent need to rethink the foundational American liberation myth in pop culture. (auf Deutsch)
fm4.orf.at/stories/3051...
fm4.orf.at/stories/3051...
Lost in the Stars and Stripes - fm4.ORF.at
Die Welt, in der wir leben, verändert sich gerade auf unabsehbare Weise. Vertraute Symbole ändern ihre Bedeutung, Freiheitsträume verpuffen im Dauergebrüll neuer Faschismen.Ein paar Beobachtungen vo...
fm4.orf.at
January 17, 2026 at 1:12 PM
A superb piece by @robertrotifer.bsky.social, well worth putting through the Google Translate wrangler if you do not speak German, a far more coherent, fairer and better-argued take than mine on the need to de-Americanise ourselves.
I wrote this for @fm4.orf.at about the urgent need to rethink the foundational American liberation myth in pop culture. (auf Deutsch)
fm4.orf.at/stories/3051...
fm4.orf.at/stories/3051...
Lost in the Stars and Stripes - fm4.ORF.at
Die Welt, in der wir leben, verändert sich gerade auf unabsehbare Weise. Vertraute Symbole ändern ihre Bedeutung, Freiheitsträume verpuffen im Dauergebrüll neuer Faschismen.Ein paar Beobachtungen vo...
fm4.orf.at
January 16, 2026 at 5:58 PM
I wrote this for @fm4.orf.at about the urgent need to rethink the foundational American liberation myth in pop culture. (auf Deutsch)
fm4.orf.at/stories/3051...
fm4.orf.at/stories/3051...
These days I’m not sure what I‘d want to do on social media apart from advertising my work (do you remember when people pretended not to advertise their work?).
But I would like to share my puzzlement as to what happened to the mouth of the woman in the Superdrug beauty advert.
But I would like to share my puzzlement as to what happened to the mouth of the woman in the Superdrug beauty advert.
January 16, 2026 at 12:10 PM
These days I’m not sure what I‘d want to do on social media apart from advertising my work (do you remember when people pretended not to advertise their work?).
But I would like to share my puzzlement as to what happened to the mouth of the woman in the Superdrug beauty advert.
But I would like to share my puzzlement as to what happened to the mouth of the woman in the Superdrug beauty advert.
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
Our favourite radio show with @robertrotifer.bsky.social and Amy Duncan, J Mascis, @maiija.bsky.social, Dry Cleaning, das trojanische pferd, @would-be-goods.bsky.social, Tyler Ballgame, Sibylle Kefer, Benji Knight, Railcard, Heavenly, David Garland, Low Life Rich Kids.
fm4.orf.at/player/20260...
fm4.orf.at/player/20260...
Heartbeat vom 12.01.
Neues und Spannendes aus den Weiten des Indie Pop mit Eva Umbauer und Robert Rotifer
fm4.orf.at
January 13, 2026 at 9:36 AM
Our favourite radio show with @robertrotifer.bsky.social and Amy Duncan, J Mascis, @maiija.bsky.social, Dry Cleaning, das trojanische pferd, @would-be-goods.bsky.social, Tyler Ballgame, Sibylle Kefer, Benji Knight, Railcard, Heavenly, David Garland, Low Life Rich Kids.
fm4.orf.at/player/20260...
fm4.orf.at/player/20260...
Tonight’s @fm4.orf.at Heartbeat show, from 22:00 CET / 9pm GMT, posting the playlist early as I’m going to be travelling all day…
www.instagram.com/p/DTaBdwjDNW...
www.instagram.com/p/DTaBdwjDNW...
Robert Rotifer on Instagram: "I’m posting my playlist for tonight’s radio FM4 Heartbeat (from 22:00 CET / 9pm GMT) early today, as I’m going to spend most of the day travelling.
I recorded this befor...
0 likes, 0 comments - robertrotifer on January 12, 2026: "I’m posting my playlist for tonight’s radio FM4 Heartbeat (from 22:00 CET / 9pm GMT) early today, as I’m going to spend most of the day travel...
www.instagram.com
January 12, 2026 at 10:08 AM
Tonight’s @fm4.orf.at Heartbeat show, from 22:00 CET / 9pm GMT, posting the playlist early as I’m going to be travelling all day…
www.instagram.com/p/DTaBdwjDNW...
www.instagram.com/p/DTaBdwjDNW...
Listeners to the German language. I popped into Deutschlandfunk Kultur Fazit last night to talk about Bowie, the cult of, Blackstar, Berlin etc.
Here’s the whole package, I turn up 3 1/2 mins in:
share.deutschlandradio.de/dlf-audiothe...
Here’s the whole package, I turn up 3 1/2 mins in:
share.deutschlandradio.de/dlf-audiothe...
Superstar, Jahrhundertkünstler, Asteroid: David Bowie starb vor 10 Jahren
share.deutschlandradio.de
January 10, 2026 at 4:41 PM
Listeners to the German language. I popped into Deutschlandfunk Kultur Fazit last night to talk about Bowie, the cult of, Blackstar, Berlin etc.
Here’s the whole package, I turn up 3 1/2 mins in:
share.deutschlandradio.de/dlf-audiothe...
Here’s the whole package, I turn up 3 1/2 mins in:
share.deutschlandradio.de/dlf-audiothe...
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
Delighted, and very proud, as I'm sure @andylewis.bsky.social, @ianbutton.bsky.social, @robertrotifer.bsky.social and @danny-manners.bsky.social will be too, that our "Road To The Sea" album was chosen by @radioshoes.bsky.social as his "Album of the Year" for 2025.
www.mixcloud.com/radioshoes/c...
www.mixcloud.com/radioshoes/c...
Curve Ball January 1 2026 (Top 10 Albums Of 2025)
www.mixcloud.com
January 7, 2026 at 9:31 PM
Delighted, and very proud, as I'm sure @andylewis.bsky.social, @ianbutton.bsky.social, @robertrotifer.bsky.social and @danny-manners.bsky.social will be too, that our "Road To The Sea" album was chosen by @radioshoes.bsky.social as his "Album of the Year" for 2025.
www.mixcloud.com/radioshoes/c...
www.mixcloud.com/radioshoes/c...
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
@mccookerybook.bsky.social plus Gina Birch, Terry Edwards, Lester Square, @robertrotifer.bsky.social , Jack Hayter, Ruth Tidmarsh & Karina Townsend, will be celebrating her latest album plus lots more at The Waiting Room, Stoke Newington, London, on Thurs 15 January. wegottickets.com/event/678027
January 5, 2026 at 2:00 PM
@mccookerybook.bsky.social plus Gina Birch, Terry Edwards, Lester Square, @robertrotifer.bsky.social , Jack Hayter, Ruth Tidmarsh & Karina Townsend, will be celebrating her latest album plus lots more at The Waiting Room, Stoke Newington, London, on Thurs 15 January. wegottickets.com/event/678027
“He is a very good boy.” Someone who fancies himself part of the Austrian left and used to write for a leading German left-wing mag posted this in June on FB after the US bombed Iran (a good thing, we were told).
Just remembered this as I was wondering how we got to where we are today.
Just remembered this as I was wondering how we got to where we are today.
January 3, 2026 at 10:48 AM
“He is a very good boy.” Someone who fancies himself part of the Austrian left and used to write for a leading German left-wing mag posted this in June on FB after the US bombed Iran (a good thing, we were told).
Just remembered this as I was wondering how we got to where we are today.
Just remembered this as I was wondering how we got to where we are today.
Reposted by Robert Rotifer
Part 2 of @robertrotifer.bsky.social's magnificent annual round-up, feat. Walther Soyka (RIP), My Friend Peter, Paloma 004, @mccookerybook.bsky.social, Jeansboy & Sofie Royer, Bonnie Dobson & @thehangingstars.bsky.social, The New Eves, Beauchamp.Geissler, Frankie Cosmos.
fm4.orf.at/player/20251...
fm4.orf.at/player/20251...
Heartbeat vom 29.12.
Neues und Spannendes aus den Weiten des Indie Pop mit Eva Umbauer und Robert Rotifer
fm4.orf.at
January 2, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Part 2 of @robertrotifer.bsky.social's magnificent annual round-up, feat. Walther Soyka (RIP), My Friend Peter, Paloma 004, @mccookerybook.bsky.social, Jeansboy & Sofie Royer, Bonnie Dobson & @thehangingstars.bsky.social, The New Eves, Beauchamp.Geissler, Frankie Cosmos.
fm4.orf.at/player/20251...
fm4.orf.at/player/20251...