Karthik Kakarala
@kakarala.bsky.social
It is freeing to repeatedly write and delete drafts of posts on weeks when politics tries to refute medical science.
Freedom to then do *what* is the part that could still be argued, of course.
Freedom to then do *what* is the part that could still be argued, of course.
December 21, 2025 at 1:39 AM
It is freeing to repeatedly write and delete drafts of posts on weeks when politics tries to refute medical science.
Freedom to then do *what* is the part that could still be argued, of course.
Freedom to then do *what* is the part that could still be argued, of course.
Reposted by Karthik Kakarala
I cannot tell you just how *tremendously hard* various volunteers have worked on this massive @unbreaking.org update: sifting through awful, terrible news every single day, identifying connections and themes, all to build a clear picture of the harm the federal government’s caused.
20,000 words, 150 footnotes, 100+ timeline events = our attempt at documenting and synthesizing all the ways that the federal government has attempted to destroy access to gender-affirming care since January unbreaking.org/issues/trans...
Transgender Healthcare: Explainer — Unbreaking
How the administration is breaking the government, and what that means for all of us.
unbreaking.org
December 19, 2025 at 7:54 PM
I cannot tell you just how *tremendously hard* various volunteers have worked on this massive @unbreaking.org update: sifting through awful, terrible news every single day, identifying connections and themes, all to build a clear picture of the harm the federal government’s caused.
If for some reason you’re trying to be “apolitical” due to not caring about the health of trans kids (which btw, is willfully avoidant in the face of data), we should note that the current HHS is terminating American Academy of Pediatrics grants.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/h...
Leading pediatrics group loses funding for grants that HHS says don’t align with administration’s priorities | CNN
The American Academy of Pediatrics has joined the ranks of organizations that are losing funding for grants that, federal officials say, don’t align with the Trump administration’s missions or priorit...
www.cnn.com
December 18, 2025 at 10:33 PM
If for some reason you’re trying to be “apolitical” due to not caring about the health of trans kids (which btw, is willfully avoidant in the face of data), we should note that the current HHS is terminating American Academy of Pediatrics grants.
www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/h...
www.cnn.com/2025/12/17/h...
Reposted by Karthik Kakarala
Watching a noise set is kind of like watching a heist movie in that the situation forces you to root for the villain. Even though you know what they are doing is totally wrong, you want them to somehow defy the odds and get away with it.
December 18, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Watching a noise set is kind of like watching a heist movie in that the situation forces you to root for the villain. Even though you know what they are doing is totally wrong, you want them to somehow defy the odds and get away with it.
“Relive your best memories with a calendar!”
Okay, I appreciate the marketing, but I don’t know if I want to footnote every single good thing with some version of:
•This thing from 2024 haunted me through the smiles
•Here’s the global event that I also had on my mind
•best…? 2026 will decide THAT
Okay, I appreciate the marketing, but I don’t know if I want to footnote every single good thing with some version of:
•This thing from 2024 haunted me through the smiles
•Here’s the global event that I also had on my mind
•best…? 2026 will decide THAT
December 18, 2025 at 10:07 PM
“Relive your best memories with a calendar!”
Okay, I appreciate the marketing, but I don’t know if I want to footnote every single good thing with some version of:
•This thing from 2024 haunted me through the smiles
•Here’s the global event that I also had on my mind
•best…? 2026 will decide THAT
Okay, I appreciate the marketing, but I don’t know if I want to footnote every single good thing with some version of:
•This thing from 2024 haunted me through the smiles
•Here’s the global event that I also had on my mind
•best…? 2026 will decide THAT
Primal Scream still rules, and the only thing that I regret in blasting that particular album in college was that my dorm sound system was underpowered for what I put it through.
December 13, 2025 at 7:09 AM
Primal Scream still rules, and the only thing that I regret in blasting that particular album in college was that my dorm sound system was underpowered for what I put it through.
Me in the midst of refusing to let @perefex.bsky.social bounce away a post-set compliment
December 12, 2025 at 7:10 AM
Me in the midst of refusing to let @perefex.bsky.social bounce away a post-set compliment
Do I mean Grammer?
Do I mean Neeson?
Yes!
But I formatted it to be future proofed, because well. Yeah.
Do I mean Neeson?
Yes!
But I formatted it to be future proofed, because well. Yeah.
Perpetually incredible to have it confirmed that an actor is particularly good at his craft via the proof that they are not in fact a clever doctor, but live as a partisan buffoon who ignores peer review and expertise in their spare time
December 12, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Do I mean Grammer?
Do I mean Neeson?
Yes!
But I formatted it to be future proofed, because well. Yeah.
Do I mean Neeson?
Yes!
But I formatted it to be future proofed, because well. Yeah.
Perpetually incredible to have it confirmed that an actor is particularly good at his craft via the proof that they are not in fact a clever doctor, but live as a partisan buffoon who ignores peer review and expertise in their spare time
December 12, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Perpetually incredible to have it confirmed that an actor is particularly good at his craft via the proof that they are not in fact a clever doctor, but live as a partisan buffoon who ignores peer review and expertise in their spare time
Now that 2025 has brought society back to appreciating Paul Dano, loving Nine Inch Nails, and Brian Wilson has passed away, it is beyond time for you to see the 2014 film “Love & Mercy”
m.imdb.com/title/tt0903...
m.imdb.com/title/tt0903...
Love & Mercy (2014) ⭐ 7.4 | Biography, Drama, Music
2h 1m | PG-13
m.imdb.com
December 7, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Now that 2025 has brought society back to appreciating Paul Dano, loving Nine Inch Nails, and Brian Wilson has passed away, it is beyond time for you to see the 2014 film “Love & Mercy”
m.imdb.com/title/tt0903...
m.imdb.com/title/tt0903...
Spotify costs more than Tidal.
Costs more to pay artists less.
The ads on the free include ICE recruitment ads, and so include a direct tax on your soul.
This isn’t “no ethical consumption under capitalism,” this is literally *paying more* in order to endorse stuff like that.
Costs more to pay artists less.
The ads on the free include ICE recruitment ads, and so include a direct tax on your soul.
This isn’t “no ethical consumption under capitalism,” this is literally *paying more* in order to endorse stuff like that.
(1/2) Tidal has their own version of Wrapped.
Heck, so does YouTube.
You don’t need Spotify.
Heck, so does YouTube.
You don’t need Spotify.
December 5, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Spotify costs more than Tidal.
Costs more to pay artists less.
The ads on the free include ICE recruitment ads, and so include a direct tax on your soul.
This isn’t “no ethical consumption under capitalism,” this is literally *paying more* in order to endorse stuff like that.
Costs more to pay artists less.
The ads on the free include ICE recruitment ads, and so include a direct tax on your soul.
This isn’t “no ethical consumption under capitalism,” this is literally *paying more* in order to endorse stuff like that.
(1/2) Tidal has their own version of Wrapped.
Heck, so does YouTube.
You don’t need Spotify.
Heck, so does YouTube.
You don’t need Spotify.
December 3, 2025 at 2:43 PM
(1/2) Tidal has their own version of Wrapped.
Heck, so does YouTube.
You don’t need Spotify.
Heck, so does YouTube.
You don’t need Spotify.
“Karthik, it seems like the only media you ever care about is music, these days”
Fair, but: I have been seeing new movies all year at an okay clip. Rental Family is one of the very best ones.
See it if you’ve ever had emotions or ever had family.
Fair, but: I have been seeing new movies all year at an okay clip. Rental Family is one of the very best ones.
See it if you’ve ever had emotions or ever had family.
December 1, 2025 at 3:58 PM
“Karthik, it seems like the only media you ever care about is music, these days”
Fair, but: I have been seeing new movies all year at an okay clip. Rental Family is one of the very best ones.
See it if you’ve ever had emotions or ever had family.
Fair, but: I have been seeing new movies all year at an okay clip. Rental Family is one of the very best ones.
See it if you’ve ever had emotions or ever had family.
After yesterday’s shoveling*, I came back inside to a frosty pint glass with a beer^ being poured (perfectly, btw) into it while my glasses defogged.
…how am I supposed to go back to whatever it is my usual life is, now?
…how am I supposed to go back to whatever it is my usual life is, now?
December 1, 2025 at 12:28 AM
After yesterday’s shoveling*, I came back inside to a frosty pint glass with a beer^ being poured (perfectly, btw) into it while my glasses defogged.
…how am I supposed to go back to whatever it is my usual life is, now?
…how am I supposed to go back to whatever it is my usual life is, now?
Fell off on Stranger Things due to time/priority/life constraints (if you’ve been noticing some of what I’ve been up to, it would make sense), but I’m a bit too much of a Venture Bros. fan to relate to people feeling disconnected because of time between seasons.
All the best, though.
All the best, though.
November 30, 2025 at 12:41 AM
Fell off on Stranger Things due to time/priority/life constraints (if you’ve been noticing some of what I’ve been up to, it would make sense), but I’m a bit too much of a Venture Bros. fan to relate to people feeling disconnected because of time between seasons.
All the best, though.
All the best, though.
It’s understandable, but not at-all exceptional, to hate people after failing in one or more aspects of life. The defense mechanisms are human, laid bare for decades.
By all means, frustration or disappointment I’ll grant you.
If you can find your way to love of others anyway? Truly outstanding.
By all means, frustration or disappointment I’ll grant you.
If you can find your way to love of others anyway? Truly outstanding.
November 24, 2025 at 6:03 AM
It’s understandable, but not at-all exceptional, to hate people after failing in one or more aspects of life. The defense mechanisms are human, laid bare for decades.
By all means, frustration or disappointment I’ll grant you.
If you can find your way to love of others anyway? Truly outstanding.
By all means, frustration or disappointment I’ll grant you.
If you can find your way to love of others anyway? Truly outstanding.
The musicians who primarily play originals in the month of October for their non-charity gigs are art world heroes
November 5, 2025 at 5:37 PM
The musicians who primarily play originals in the month of October for their non-charity gigs are art world heroes
I conclude only my fourth day of not being at live music within 24 days.
I do not need a particular creative team to dominate the global capitalist market for entertainment.
There is also more to music than a specific streaming service’s marketshare.
I do not need a particular creative team to dominate the global capitalist market for entertainment.
There is also more to music than a specific streaming service’s marketshare.
October 3, 2025 at 5:09 AM
I conclude only my fourth day of not being at live music within 24 days.
I do not need a particular creative team to dominate the global capitalist market for entertainment.
There is also more to music than a specific streaming service’s marketshare.
I do not need a particular creative team to dominate the global capitalist market for entertainment.
There is also more to music than a specific streaming service’s marketshare.
I have two [Chicago] shows coming up next month!
California Clipper - Thursday, September 4th
Burlington Bar - Tuesday, September 9th
I’ll have masks and earplugs to provide at no charge!
California Clipper - Thursday, September 4th
Burlington Bar - Tuesday, September 9th
I’ll have masks and earplugs to provide at no charge!
August 29, 2025 at 6:08 PM
I have two [Chicago] shows coming up next month!
California Clipper - Thursday, September 4th
Burlington Bar - Tuesday, September 9th
I’ll have masks and earplugs to provide at no charge!
California Clipper - Thursday, September 4th
Burlington Bar - Tuesday, September 9th
I’ll have masks and earplugs to provide at no charge!
As a bonus, you get to hang out with ME if you’re there.
And if YOU want a future flex, there’s only a handful of tickets left for this on Saturday night link.dice.fm/w6NyEq9K4Vb
Troubled Hubble // IFIHADAHIFI // Babe Report // Weaklung Tickets | $22.66 | 30 Aug @ The Burlington, Chicago | DICE
21+ // 8pm doors
link.dice.fm
August 28, 2025 at 9:29 PM
As a bonus, you get to hang out with ME if you’re there.
I’d like to think that younger me would understand me not subjecting myself to traffic and transit to go to a show on an evening when Oasis* is in town
He’d at least appreciate me spending time with my own music tools, though
He’d at least appreciate me spending time with my own music tools, though
August 28, 2025 at 9:26 PM
I’d like to think that younger me would understand me not subjecting myself to traffic and transit to go to a show on an evening when Oasis* is in town
He’d at least appreciate me spending time with my own music tools, though
He’d at least appreciate me spending time with my own music tools, though
I have the distinct pleasure of having a rich life in which I can have social, not parasocial, relationships with music/musicians when I so choose.
It takes effort and being more specific than broad corporate ad campaigns, of going beyond a narrow definition of what is “for me” until that grows.
It takes effort and being more specific than broad corporate ad campaigns, of going beyond a narrow definition of what is “for me” until that grows.
August 27, 2025 at 7:25 PM
I have the distinct pleasure of having a rich life in which I can have social, not parasocial, relationships with music/musicians when I so choose.
It takes effort and being more specific than broad corporate ad campaigns, of going beyond a narrow definition of what is “for me” until that grows.
It takes effort and being more specific than broad corporate ad campaigns, of going beyond a narrow definition of what is “for me” until that grows.
Hey, regardless of party: If you vote for a president’s kid for a future president, I reserve the right to not take you seriously on pretty much anything forwards and backwards in time
June 28, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Hey, regardless of party: If you vote for a president’s kid for a future president, I reserve the right to not take you seriously on pretty much anything forwards and backwards in time
Just for the record: On a non-emergency basis (because I do try to live a life), I am happy to discuss actual medical care.
Politicians who want to peddle conspiracy theories are just that, especially when they want to devalue the relevance of expertise.
Politicians who want to peddle conspiracy theories are just that, especially when they want to devalue the relevance of expertise.
June 20, 2025 at 5:09 PM
Just for the record: On a non-emergency basis (because I do try to live a life), I am happy to discuss actual medical care.
Politicians who want to peddle conspiracy theories are just that, especially when they want to devalue the relevance of expertise.
Politicians who want to peddle conspiracy theories are just that, especially when they want to devalue the relevance of expertise.
Sure would have been great if hospitals were already upheld to be a no-go as targets for conflict.
June 19, 2025 at 4:38 PM
Sure would have been great if hospitals were already upheld to be a no-go as targets for conflict.