Ben Sailer
@bensailer.bsky.social
Content @wordpress.com | Music and culture writer @unwinnable.com | As seen in New Noise Magazine, Killscreen, Noisey, VMP Magazine, and other outlets | Mostly here to yell about football
This month for @unwinnable.com's short-form side-mag Exploits, I wrote some brief essays on playing Somerville as the parent of a toddler and the new Casket Lottery record.
Don't get caught in the rain. This month's Exploits includes writing on a missing player two, The Casket Lottery, My Good Side, Misery, Andor and Somerville.
Buy: buff.ly/hH7iYQ7
Subscribe: buff.ly/ffBGA2W
Read @vandennis.bsky.social's essay on Andor: buff.ly/MBxx1Z8
Buy: buff.ly/hH7iYQ7
Subscribe: buff.ly/ffBGA2W
Read @vandennis.bsky.social's essay on Andor: buff.ly/MBxx1Z8
November 10, 2025 at 8:40 PM
This month for @unwinnable.com's short-form side-mag Exploits, I wrote some brief essays on playing Somerville as the parent of a toddler and the new Casket Lottery record.
Over the past 16 years, @longreads.com has curated over 14,000 stories and published hundreds of original pieces. Today, they’re kicking off a member drive to keep the stories coming.
Help support thoughtful stories that last longer than the scroll:
longreads.com/2025/10/15/2...
Help support thoughtful stories that last longer than the scroll:
longreads.com/2025/10/15/2...
Announcing Our 2025 Member Drive - Longreads
It's easy to think that thoughtful longform journalism is an endangered species. We refuse to believe that—and we need your help.
longreads.com
October 16, 2025 at 3:19 PM
Over the past 16 years, @longreads.com has curated over 14,000 stories and published hundreds of original pieces. Today, they’re kicking off a member drive to keep the stories coming.
Help support thoughtful stories that last longer than the scroll:
longreads.com/2025/10/15/2...
Help support thoughtful stories that last longer than the scroll:
longreads.com/2025/10/15/2...
Reposted by Ben Sailer
"However you categorize them, the Deftones have always seemed to exist in their own space."
Upon listening to the Deftones' latest album, @bensailer.bsky.social reflects on how truly weird the band is -- in the best way possible:
Upon listening to the Deftones' latest album, @bensailer.bsky.social reflects on how truly weird the band is -- in the best way possible:
The Deftones Are the Weirdest Metal Band on Earth - Unwinnable
The Deftones have influenced everyone, but no one sounds exactly like the Deftones. That’s because their improbable career trajectory is impossible to follow.
unwinnable.com
October 1, 2025 at 12:01 AM
"However you categorize them, the Deftones have always seemed to exist in their own space."
Upon listening to the Deftones' latest album, @bensailer.bsky.social reflects on how truly weird the band is -- in the best way possible:
Upon listening to the Deftones' latest album, @bensailer.bsky.social reflects on how truly weird the band is -- in the best way possible:
Reposted by Ben Sailer
Random idea while watching Nick Folk: If your kicker is over 40 years old, field goals should be worth 4 points
Over 45? 5 points
Over 50? 8 points
Over 45? 5 points
Over 50? 8 points
September 30, 2025 at 12:33 AM
Random idea while watching Nick Folk: If your kicker is over 40 years old, field goals should be worth 4 points
Over 45? 5 points
Over 50? 8 points
Over 45? 5 points
Over 50? 8 points
I watched this happen in real time and I still think it was AI-generated.
The Packers damn near lost the game after this 2 play sequence
September 29, 2025 at 1:36 PM
I watched this happen in real time and I still think it was AI-generated.
I witnessed history and I'm still dissatisfied!
🏈 GB 40 - 40 DAL
FINAL
✅ That's Scorigami!! It's the 1093rd unique final score in NFL history.
FINAL
✅ That's Scorigami!! It's the 1093rd unique final score in NFL history.
September 29, 2025 at 4:50 AM
I witnessed history and I'm still dissatisfied!
You know that episode of the Simpsons where Mr. Burns tried to put a bunch of MLB players on a beer league softball team? That's what NDSU football is like.
They've been doing this nearly every game for over 10 years and people outside the area still don't understand exactly how dominant they are.
They've been doing this nearly every game for over 10 years and people outside the area still don't understand exactly how dominant they are.
September 27, 2025 at 7:47 PM
You know that episode of the Simpsons where Mr. Burns tried to put a bunch of MLB players on a beer league softball team? That's what NDSU football is like.
They've been doing this nearly every game for over 10 years and people outside the area still don't understand exactly how dominant they are.
They've been doing this nearly every game for over 10 years and people outside the area still don't understand exactly how dominant they are.
can't decide if this is terrifying or just good product design
September 25, 2025 at 4:35 PM
can't decide if this is terrifying or just good product design
Reposted by Ben Sailer
The landscape of videogames criticism and discussion cannot be considered "healthy" until it easily clears bars like this.
Four reviews I’ve read of Ghost of Yotei, and the approach to handling the challenging-to-depict backdrop of Ainu culture (a topic that not even Japanese media is too good at with problematic consequences) isn’t even mentioned
None of those reviews mentioned even the WORD Ainu, either
None of those reviews mentioned even the WORD Ainu, either
September 25, 2025 at 3:38 PM
The landscape of videogames criticism and discussion cannot be considered "healthy" until it easily clears bars like this.
finally some good news
Wes Eisold announces new hardcore project Statue Of Heaven, American Nightmare reissue
Wes Eisold Announces New Hardcore Project Statue Of Heaven, American Nightmare Reissue
Last year, Wesley Eisold was busy releasing the latest Cold Cave album Passion Depression and joining Peter Hook for a New Order song in San Diego. Now the musician is returning to his heavy roots wit...
www.stereogum.com
September 24, 2025 at 10:59 PM
finally some good news
Reposted by Ben Sailer
LETS GOOOOOOO
But don't stop subbing! Every sub means more money means more art and more columns. Share UW with your friends!
But don't stop subbing! Every sub means more money means more art and more columns. Share UW with your friends!
We reached the 100 new subscribers we needed to unlock a Final Fantasy and politics issue for you folks! We'll start production soon with the goal of publishing it in early 2026.
Thank you SO much for all of your help with this drive! We couldn't have done it without you.
Thank you SO much for all of your help with this drive! We couldn't have done it without you.
September 23, 2025 at 9:22 PM
LETS GOOOOOOO
But don't stop subbing! Every sub means more money means more art and more columns. Share UW with your friends!
But don't stop subbing! Every sub means more money means more art and more columns. Share UW with your friends!
Reposted by Ben Sailer
We reached the 100 new subscribers we needed to unlock a Final Fantasy and politics issue for you folks! We'll start production soon with the goal of publishing it in early 2026.
Thank you SO much for all of your help with this drive! We couldn't have done it without you.
Thank you SO much for all of your help with this drive! We couldn't have done it without you.
September 23, 2025 at 9:20 PM
We reached the 100 new subscribers we needed to unlock a Final Fantasy and politics issue for you folks! We'll start production soon with the goal of publishing it in early 2026.
Thank you SO much for all of your help with this drive! We couldn't have done it without you.
Thank you SO much for all of your help with this drive! We couldn't have done it without you.
Reposted by Ben Sailer
Huge thanks to everyone who has supported @unwinnable.com on the march to 100 new subs to get that special Final Fantasy x Politics issue.
We're so close!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
We're so close!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
Subscribe - Unwinnable
Monthly subscriptions are $5. Annual subscriptions are $55. Subscriptions rebill automatically unless cancelled. Exploits comes out on or about the 1st of the month. Unwinnable comes out on or about t...
unwinnable.com
September 23, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Huge thanks to everyone who has supported @unwinnable.com on the march to 100 new subs to get that special Final Fantasy x Politics issue.
We're so close!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
We're so close!
unwinnable.com/subscribe/
Reposted by Ben Sailer
NINETY-NINE, this is nuts
Running to the computer to post this lovingly made meme because holy crap you folks are at NINETY-EIGHT out of the 100 new subscribers to unlock a Final Fantasy/politics issue! Send it home: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
September 23, 2025 at 8:44 PM
NINETY-NINE, this is nuts
Hand over your credit cards for more good content like this.
@unwinnable.com is 5 subscriptions away from the cool hundo we're asking for to make our Politics in Final Fantasy issue a reality!!!! Tell your friends, it's a great deal!!!
September 23, 2025 at 6:13 PM
Hand over your credit cards for more good content like this.
Reposted by Ben Sailer
Step into a new identity. This month's issue of Unwinnable Monthly features @daytenrose.bsky.social on butterflies in games, @ashlikeadragon.bsky.social on Disco Elysium and the trans experience, and our regulars on the topics on their minds.
Buy: buff.ly/7V3prT1
Subscribe: buff.ly/UexEQz3
Buy: buff.ly/7V3prT1
Subscribe: buff.ly/UexEQz3
September 22, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Step into a new identity. This month's issue of Unwinnable Monthly features @daytenrose.bsky.social on butterflies in games, @ashlikeadragon.bsky.social on Disco Elysium and the trans experience, and our regulars on the topics on their minds.
Buy: buff.ly/7V3prT1
Subscribe: buff.ly/UexEQz3
Buy: buff.ly/7V3prT1
Subscribe: buff.ly/UexEQz3
Reposted by Ben Sailer
We are at 89 out of the 100 new Unwinnable Magazine subscribers we need to unlock a Final Fantasy and politics issue, so the gloves are off.
This is an image of the social media vulture's cat. You will be denied future images unless more people subscribe to Unwinnable. You know what to do.
This is an image of the social media vulture's cat. You will be denied future images unless more people subscribe to Unwinnable. You know what to do.
September 20, 2025 at 12:46 AM
We are at 89 out of the 100 new Unwinnable Magazine subscribers we need to unlock a Final Fantasy and politics issue, so the gloves are off.
This is an image of the social media vulture's cat. You will be denied future images unless more people subscribe to Unwinnable. You know what to do.
This is an image of the social media vulture's cat. You will be denied future images unless more people subscribe to Unwinnable. You know what to do.
please tell me it's called Refused 2: Still Refusin'
All 4 members of Refused are starting a new band.
"A band with no baggage, no fans to please, limited only by our wildest musical hopes and dreams."
www.brooklynvegan.com/all-4-member...
"A band with no baggage, no fans to please, limited only by our wildest musical hopes and dreams."
www.brooklynvegan.com/all-4-member...
All 4 members of Refused are starting a new band
”A band with no baggage, no fans to please, limited only by our wildest musical hopes and dreams.”
www.brooklynvegan.com
September 17, 2025 at 1:41 PM
please tell me it's called Refused 2: Still Refusin'
Reposted by Ben Sailer
We're almost 90% of the way to the 100 new subscribers we need to put a Final Fantasy and politics issue on the docket. Join the fight here: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
September 17, 2025 at 12:41 AM
We're almost 90% of the way to the 100 new subscribers we need to put a Final Fantasy and politics issue on the docket. Join the fight here: unwinnable.com/subscribe/
We all laughed, but Bourdain was right. RIP.
RIP Marilyn Hagerty, a great North Dakotan and a terrific journalist, most famous for this review of the Grand Forks Olive Garden, which was lauded by thousands (including Anthony Bourdain)
1/2
www.grandforksherald.com/lifestyle/th...
1/2
www.grandforksherald.com/lifestyle/th...
THE EATBEAT: Long-awaited Olive Garden receives warm welcome
After a lengthy wait for Olive Garden to open in Grand Forks, the lines were long in February. The novelty is slowly wearing off, but the steady following attests the warm welcome.
www.grandforksherald.com
September 17, 2025 at 12:39 AM
We all laughed, but Bourdain was right. RIP.
Reposted by Ben Sailer
petition to return to when online looked like this
September 16, 2025 at 2:28 AM
petition to return to when online looked like this
Descent was one of the first games I bought on the original PlayStation (along with Kileak, which was ... less good) because I couldn't find a copy of DOOM anywhere in town, and heard from PC-owning friends that it was mind-blowing. This was such a great read.
Descent released on MS-DOS in 1994 as the first "true 3D" first-person shooter, and the game that popularized six degrees of freedom in movement (and made some people nauseous because of it). That it could run on the Playstation as well as it did, and control as well as it did, was mind-blowing.
30 years of the Playstation: Descent
The first true 3D first-person shooter showed off the actual power of the Playstation.
retroxp.beehiiv.com
September 15, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Descent was one of the first games I bought on the original PlayStation (along with Kileak, which was ... less good) because I couldn't find a copy of DOOM anywhere in town, and heard from PC-owning friends that it was mind-blowing. This was such a great read.
Glad to work under an organization that's doing the work to make sure online publishing stays open and secure.
The Automattic Trust & Safety team’s vision is to uphold safety while democratizing publishing. Earlier this year, we introduced five guiding pillars: user rights, safety by design, sustainability, empowerment, and transparency.
September 15, 2025 at 5:47 PM
Glad to work under an organization that's doing the work to make sure online publishing stays open and secure.
I'm taking this to mean it's possible to go *even higher* than number one.
The Green Bay Packers are No. 1 in both offensive and defensive DVOA among teams that have played two games, and that's without opponent adjustments yet.
(The Chargers are ahead of them in offense pending tonight's game.)
(The Chargers are ahead of them in offense pending tonight's game.)
September 15, 2025 at 1:37 PM
I'm taking this to mean it's possible to go *even higher* than number one.
Really hate that the opt-out button is placed where I literally can't press it.
September 14, 2025 at 7:48 PM
Really hate that the opt-out button is placed where I literally can't press it.