Ben Timberlake
@bentimberlake.bsky.social
Accounting for all their flaws, Joe Biden was probably one of the best presidents the United States will ever have seen.
November 16, 2025 at 1:10 AM
Accounting for all their flaws, Joe Biden was probably one of the best presidents the United States will ever have seen.
English speakers have long owed the German language for *Schadenfreude* (delighting in the misfortune of others), but I suspect we may find even more application and appreciation for *Fremdschämen*: the feeling you get when you are embarrassed for someone else. Use it in *Gesundheit*.
November 14, 2025 at 10:09 PM
English speakers have long owed the German language for *Schadenfreude* (delighting in the misfortune of others), but I suspect we may find even more application and appreciation for *Fremdschämen*: the feeling you get when you are embarrassed for someone else. Use it in *Gesundheit*.
Really appreciate the rational selection behavior in Control Center for Bluetooth and WiFi in iOS 26. Previously, long press versus short press and what selected an option versus getting more detail were infuriating. It's now (finally!) pretty straightforward.
November 12, 2025 at 1:45 AM
Really appreciate the rational selection behavior in Control Center for Bluetooth and WiFi in iOS 26. Previously, long press versus short press and what selected an option versus getting more detail were infuriating. It's now (finally!) pretty straightforward.
This crosses a red line in the castles made of sand beneath our feet.
October 24, 2025 at 11:31 AM
This crosses a red line in the castles made of sand beneath our feet.
Arriving in Amsterdam, in the line for people holding non-EU passports, the video screens have instructions in English, Dutch and Spanish. I spent some time wondering if there’s much of a Dutch-only-speaking population that doesn’t have an EU passport.
August 21, 2025 at 2:12 PM
Arriving in Amsterdam, in the line for people holding non-EU passports, the video screens have instructions in English, Dutch and Spanish. I spent some time wondering if there’s much of a Dutch-only-speaking population that doesn’t have an EU passport.
Pretty disturbed by Tulsi Gabbard, who had become objectionable but who still seemed to be based in reality. Most likely scenario I can think of is that she has learned of some impending catastrophic event and is currying favor with the people in charge so she can save her family.
August 14, 2025 at 2:07 AM
Pretty disturbed by Tulsi Gabbard, who had become objectionable but who still seemed to be based in reality. Most likely scenario I can think of is that she has learned of some impending catastrophic event and is currying favor with the people in charge so she can save her family.
What’s to stop me from forming a group of masked and armed people and then kidnapping people we don’t like? We no longer expect these people to wear uniforms, to show ID or to show their faces, and it’s understood that citizens can be taken away like this.
July 10, 2025 at 8:44 AM
What’s to stop me from forming a group of masked and armed people and then kidnapping people we don’t like? We no longer expect these people to wear uniforms, to show ID or to show their faces, and it’s understood that citizens can be taken away like this.
If a bathroom on a train or a plane is locked from the inside, why do people on the outside knock? Do they want updates? Are they trying to hurry the person inside (at the follower’s peril, I would say)?
June 26, 2025 at 3:19 PM
If a bathroom on a train or a plane is locked from the inside, why do people on the outside knock? Do they want updates? Are they trying to hurry the person inside (at the follower’s peril, I would say)?
My favorite thing about my wire/charger case is the inspiration it offers when I take the time to notice.
June 13, 2025 at 4:53 PM
My favorite thing about my wire/charger case is the inspiration it offers when I take the time to notice.
Fun fact: almost every shirt you buy already has at least four holes in it.
June 12, 2025 at 7:35 AM
Fun fact: almost every shirt you buy already has at least four holes in it.
Turns out I’m on board with only about four out of 10 commandments. Five, tops.
May 7, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Turns out I’m on board with only about four out of 10 commandments. Five, tops.
Trump mocking a reporter in 2016: "I don't know what I said. I don't remember!!!"
Trump defending himself in 2025: "I don't know what I said. I don't remember!!!"
Trump defending himself in 2025: "I don't know what I said. I don't remember!!!"
May 6, 2025 at 2:03 AM
Trump mocking a reporter in 2016: "I don't know what I said. I don't remember!!!"
Trump defending himself in 2025: "I don't know what I said. I don't remember!!!"
Trump defending himself in 2025: "I don't know what I said. I don't remember!!!"
Proposal for Cairo: each horn honk costs 10 Egyptian pounds (~20 cents Euro/USD). Still available for emergencies; drastic reduction in noise pollution. Proceeds benefit sidewalk improvements.
April 28, 2025 at 12:29 PM
Proposal for Cairo: each horn honk costs 10 Egyptian pounds (~20 cents Euro/USD). Still available for emergencies; drastic reduction in noise pollution. Proceeds benefit sidewalk improvements.
No more plainclothes arrests in public. No more unmarked vans. We are not giving in to the police state. If we see this, we have to step in to stop it—even if it puts us afoul of the fascists.
April 3, 2025 at 12:38 AM
No more plainclothes arrests in public. No more unmarked vans. We are not giving in to the police state. If we see this, we have to step in to stop it—even if it puts us afoul of the fascists.
Trump is running for a third term. This is not in doubt. Now introduced, the idea will develop and become part of the fabric of the reality he creates. No hope that this is the red line that will prompt GOP Congress or the Court to act. They will pass the onus in a circle until he claims victory.
March 31, 2025 at 12:47 AM
Trump is running for a third term. This is not in doubt. Now introduced, the idea will develop and become part of the fabric of the reality he creates. No hope that this is the red line that will prompt GOP Congress or the Court to act. They will pass the onus in a circle until he claims victory.
If it’s this administrations policy to include real journalists in all war-making group chats, I’m actually on board.
March 28, 2025 at 1:11 AM
If it’s this administrations policy to include real journalists in all war-making group chats, I’m actually on board.
Running out of reasonable options for opposition. You know what happens when we run out of beer, and they are not going to like it.
March 28, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Running out of reasonable options for opposition. You know what happens when we run out of beer, and they are not going to like it.
I only regret that he has but one life to lose for the good of the country. Maybe we can bring him back a few times just to see it happen again and again. Kind of a Mickey 17 for modern American politics.
March 11, 2025 at 5:01 PM
I only regret that he has but one life to lose for the good of the country. Maybe we can bring him back a few times just to see it happen again and again. Kind of a Mickey 17 for modern American politics.
If Trump had come under mind control of Putin and were now a Russian asset, what would be different from our current reality?
March 2, 2025 at 11:46 PM
If Trump had come under mind control of Putin and were now a Russian asset, what would be different from our current reality?
Who else said “Fine” out loud?
February 19, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Who else said “Fine” out loud?
I’m glad for the moment that nobody is dying in US-based battles, but at some point, the policy-outcome body count makes civil war a surprisingly welcome eventuality, right? Especially if certain boldfaced names are among the casualties.
February 19, 2025 at 1:58 AM
I’m glad for the moment that nobody is dying in US-based battles, but at some point, the policy-outcome body count makes civil war a surprisingly welcome eventuality, right? Especially if certain boldfaced names are among the casualties.
Is Vance’s implication that weak democracies should just be given up? I shudder to think what he would suggest as an alternative. This person is a threat to Americans.
February 16, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Is Vance’s implication that weak democracies should just be given up? I shudder to think what he would suggest as an alternative. This person is a threat to Americans.
Get out while you can.
February 16, 2025 at 2:54 AM
Get out while you can.
If the US someday comes to its senses and the ex-president who tried illegally to usurp the power of all branches is still alive, what would be the method of execution? As he weighs his options, should Trump be considering the firing squad or hanging or…? Not advocating any extra-legal violence here
February 13, 2025 at 11:21 PM
If the US someday comes to its senses and the ex-president who tried illegally to usurp the power of all branches is still alive, what would be the method of execution? As he weighs his options, should Trump be considering the firing squad or hanging or…? Not advocating any extra-legal violence here
What’s your red line to take drastic action?
February 12, 2025 at 9:49 PM
What’s your red line to take drastic action?