Ben Platt
@bravohotelpapa.bsky.social
Reposted by Ben Platt
New at PB: Stephanie Wong interviews Seth Rockman (@sethrockman.bsky.social) about his latest book, "Plantation Goods: A Material History of American Slavery (@uchicagopress.bsky.social) and his experience learning to work on a late 18th-century loom.
Cloth and Complicity: Seth Rockman on Plantations, Textiles, and the Art of Weaving - Public Books
“But I had found a set of instructions in the archives of one of New England's leading manufacturers of low-end woollen cloth for enslaved wearers.”
www.publicbooks.org
November 18, 2025 at 5:26 PM
New at PB: Stephanie Wong interviews Seth Rockman (@sethrockman.bsky.social) about his latest book, "Plantation Goods: A Material History of American Slavery (@uchicagopress.bsky.social) and his experience learning to work on a late 18th-century loom.
Reposted by Ben Platt
A belated but huge congratulations to @calebgayle.bsky.social for the release of his superb work of history, which was longlisted for the National Bool Award!
Congratulations, @calebgayle.bsky.social!!! BLACK MOSES is a contender for the National Book Award in Nonfiction!!! @nationalbook.bsky.social @riverheadbooks.bsky.social
www.nationalbook.org/2025-nationa...
www.nationalbook.org/2025-nationa...
2025 National Book Awards Longlist for Nonfiction
The ten contenders for the National Book Award for Nonfiction
www.nationalbook.org
October 18, 2025 at 12:28 PM
A belated but huge congratulations to @calebgayle.bsky.social for the release of his superb work of history, which was longlisted for the National Bool Award!
Reposted by Ben Platt
A short read on why a wide range of people have a stake in shutting down mass surveillance and overcoming the politics of fear and othering.
New at PB: Last in our series on Iván Chaar López’s book "The Cybernetic Border," Lilly Irani (@gleemie.bsky.social) warns that no one is safe under the cybernetic border, as data grows and the definition of "intruder" shifts.
Imagining Intruders to Imagine a Nation - Public Books
We are in a moment that makes clear that the border—as a regime of enmity—can make intruders of us all.
www.publicbooks.org
October 16, 2025 at 5:41 PM
A short read on why a wide range of people have a stake in shutting down mass surveillance and overcoming the politics of fear and othering.
Reposted by Ben Platt
Our commons are being gifted to tech. Private equity has its eyes on buying up parts of the grid to fuel a speculative dystopian future where AI data centers drink our water and energy resources. Just this month, blackrock buys an entire public utility and it barely makes waves.
October 11, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Our commons are being gifted to tech. Private equity has its eyes on buying up parts of the grid to fuel a speculative dystopian future where AI data centers drink our water and energy resources. Just this month, blackrock buys an entire public utility and it barely makes waves.
Reposted by Ben Platt
The cover for my book, The Future That Was, is now live! It features the MacArthur genius artist Shahzia Sikander's Infinite Woman (2021), where earth is surrounded by an infinite series of women marching around the globe who, from afar, become rays of the sun ☀️
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
The Future That Was
How Third World women seized the means of knowledge production to fight against rising authoritarianism and imagine a future freer than our present
press.princeton.edu
September 26, 2025 at 12:50 PM
The cover for my book, The Future That Was, is now live! It features the MacArthur genius artist Shahzia Sikander's Infinite Woman (2021), where earth is surrounded by an infinite series of women marching around the globe who, from afar, become rays of the sun ☀️
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
press.princeton.edu/books/hardco...
Reposted by Ben Platt
This is absolutely stunning. "We see BlackRock positioning itself very aggressively to take advantage of the entire supply chain when it comes to AI and data centers, and power generation is a really key part of that,” Schafer told the Prospect. "
Ignoring a judge’s recommendation, the Minnesota regulators unanimously approved BlackRock’s plan to take Minnesota Power private. Private equity is buying up utilities as profits from fueling data centers grow. From James Baratta: trib.al/DhfuUOy
BlackRock Just Bought a Minnesota Utility
On Friday, state regulators voted unanimously in favor of allowing private equity to take a Duluth-based utility holding company private. The Prospect takes you inside the room where it all went down.
trib.al
October 11, 2025 at 4:13 AM
This is absolutely stunning. "We see BlackRock positioning itself very aggressively to take advantage of the entire supply chain when it comes to AI and data centers, and power generation is a really key part of that,” Schafer told the Prospect. "
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This was a $2.2 billion dollar project, less than 15 years old, and already getting shut down. You can see it driving from LA to Las Vegas - it looks like the eye of Sauron and apparently incinerates 6000 birds per year.
October 11, 2025 at 1:41 PM
This was a $2.2 billion dollar project, less than 15 years old, and already getting shut down. You can see it driving from LA to Las Vegas - it looks like the eye of Sauron and apparently incinerates 6000 birds per year.
Reposted by Ben Platt
🎉Today we're celebrating two Riverhead titles on the @nationalbook.bsky.social Nonfiction Longlist! 🎉
CONGRATULATIONS to @calebgayle.bsky.social and Jordan Thomas on this recognition of their incredible and important books!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to @calebgayle.bsky.social and Jordan Thomas on this recognition of their incredible and important books!!!
September 10, 2025 at 9:20 PM
🎉Today we're celebrating two Riverhead titles on the @nationalbook.bsky.social Nonfiction Longlist! 🎉
CONGRATULATIONS to @calebgayle.bsky.social and Jordan Thomas on this recognition of their incredible and important books!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to @calebgayle.bsky.social and Jordan Thomas on this recognition of their incredible and important books!!!
Reposted by Ben Platt
Still can’t believe it
🎉Today we're celebrating two Riverhead titles on the @nationalbook.bsky.social Nonfiction Longlist! 🎉
CONGRATULATIONS to @calebgayle.bsky.social and Jordan Thomas on this recognition of their incredible and important books!!!
CONGRATULATIONS to @calebgayle.bsky.social and Jordan Thomas on this recognition of their incredible and important books!!!
September 10, 2025 at 10:12 PM
Still can’t believe it
Reposted by Ben Platt
Congratulations, @calebgayle.bsky.social!!! BLACK MOSES is a contender for the National Book Award in Nonfiction!!! @nationalbook.bsky.social @riverheadbooks.bsky.social
www.nationalbook.org/2025-nationa...
www.nationalbook.org/2025-nationa...
2025 National Book Awards Longlist for Nonfiction
The ten contenders for the National Book Award for Nonfiction
www.nationalbook.org
September 10, 2025 at 4:37 PM
Congratulations, @calebgayle.bsky.social!!! BLACK MOSES is a contender for the National Book Award in Nonfiction!!! @nationalbook.bsky.social @riverheadbooks.bsky.social
www.nationalbook.org/2025-nationa...
www.nationalbook.org/2025-nationa...
Reposted by Ben Platt
It's clear that printing and distribution of my publication TASKS FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD IN CHICAGO is going to disrupt my life at a time when I have no time, so here are files you can print from. It's a double-sided 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper. Please do not edit the text. Have fun!
September 1, 2025 at 7:08 PM
It's clear that printing and distribution of my publication TASKS FOR THE NATIONAL GUARD IN CHICAGO is going to disrupt my life at a time when I have no time, so here are files you can print from. It's a double-sided 8.5 x 11" sheet of paper. Please do not edit the text. Have fun!
Reposted by Ben Platt
If you saw my earlier posts with this same intro header, Tasks for the National Guard in Chicago, they have become the latest Public Collectors zine. I finished it this morning. It's a single folded sheet and I made 425 copies. Get one free on 8/31, 11-6 at the Hairpin Arts Center, at #ZineMercado
August 31, 2025 at 2:07 AM
If you saw my earlier posts with this same intro header, Tasks for the National Guard in Chicago, they have become the latest Public Collectors zine. I finished it this morning. It's a single folded sheet and I made 425 copies. Get one free on 8/31, 11-6 at the Hairpin Arts Center, at #ZineMercado
Reposted by Ben Platt
True: @zohranmamdani lives in 1 unit of rent-stabilized housing.
Also true: Andrew Cuomo oversaw the loss of 96,064 units of rent-stabilized housing. And killed NYC’s program helping people move out of shelter.
Leaders must show moral clarity. Andrew, time to move out. 🧵
x.com/andrewcuomo/...
Also true: Andrew Cuomo oversaw the loss of 96,064 units of rent-stabilized housing. And killed NYC’s program helping people move out of shelter.
Leaders must show moral clarity. Andrew, time to move out. 🧵
x.com/andrewcuomo/...
August 9, 2025 at 1:04 PM
True: @zohranmamdani lives in 1 unit of rent-stabilized housing.
Also true: Andrew Cuomo oversaw the loss of 96,064 units of rent-stabilized housing. And killed NYC’s program helping people move out of shelter.
Leaders must show moral clarity. Andrew, time to move out. 🧵
x.com/andrewcuomo/...
Also true: Andrew Cuomo oversaw the loss of 96,064 units of rent-stabilized housing. And killed NYC’s program helping people move out of shelter.
Leaders must show moral clarity. Andrew, time to move out. 🧵
x.com/andrewcuomo/...
Reposted by Ben Platt
my pleasure to write this short piece about trauma plots, #metoo, mute compulsion of economic relations, what is love, et cetera
(h/t @alyaimsorry.bsky.social @lalouverouge.bsky.social @anniemcc.bsky.social @publicbooks.bsky.social & @sorenmau.bsky.social whose title I shamelessly copied)
(h/t @alyaimsorry.bsky.social @lalouverouge.bsky.social @anniemcc.bsky.social @publicbooks.bsky.social & @sorenmau.bsky.social whose title I shamelessly copied)
Mute Compulsion - Public Books
The trauma plot and the slut-shaming dossier are actually parallel formations, reveals “The Guest.”
www.publicbooks.org
August 5, 2025 at 4:15 PM
my pleasure to write this short piece about trauma plots, #metoo, mute compulsion of economic relations, what is love, et cetera
(h/t @alyaimsorry.bsky.social @lalouverouge.bsky.social @anniemcc.bsky.social @publicbooks.bsky.social & @sorenmau.bsky.social whose title I shamelessly copied)
(h/t @alyaimsorry.bsky.social @lalouverouge.bsky.social @anniemcc.bsky.social @publicbooks.bsky.social & @sorenmau.bsky.social whose title I shamelessly copied)
Reposted by Ben Platt
I want to burn this place down
August 1, 2025 at 3:20 PM
I want to burn this place down
Reposted by Ben Platt
'This is what happens when detainees are seen as dollar signs'
Immigration Detention Inc. co-authors Nancy Hiemstra and Deirdre Conlon for @newsweek.com: www.newsweek.com/people-will-...
Immigration Detention Inc. co-authors Nancy Hiemstra and Deirdre Conlon for @newsweek.com: www.newsweek.com/people-will-...
People Will Die at Alligator Alcatraz | Opinion
If we don't demand accountability and eliminate profit incentives, more companies and communities will become economically dependent on locking up, starving, and making human beings sick.
www.newsweek.com
July 29, 2025 at 8:24 AM
'This is what happens when detainees are seen as dollar signs'
Immigration Detention Inc. co-authors Nancy Hiemstra and Deirdre Conlon for @newsweek.com: www.newsweek.com/people-will-...
Immigration Detention Inc. co-authors Nancy Hiemstra and Deirdre Conlon for @newsweek.com: www.newsweek.com/people-will-...
Reposted by Ben Platt
Love seeing Caleb Gayle's superb BLACK MOSES (Riverhead, Aug 12) on this list!
@nytimes.com @calebgayle.bsky.social @riverheadbooks.bsky.social @thegernertco.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/b...
@nytimes.com @calebgayle.bsky.social @riverheadbooks.bsky.social @thegernertco.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/b...
22 Books Coming in August
www.nytimes.com
July 30, 2025 at 9:39 PM
Love seeing Caleb Gayle's superb BLACK MOSES (Riverhead, Aug 12) on this list!
@nytimes.com @calebgayle.bsky.social @riverheadbooks.bsky.social @thegernertco.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/b...
@nytimes.com @calebgayle.bsky.social @riverheadbooks.bsky.social @thegernertco.bsky.social
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/30/b...
Reposted by Ben Platt
Cuomo: I am now running on affordability.
Also Cuomo: there is no “real answer” on affordability.
Also Cuomo: there is no “real answer” on affordability.
July 15, 2025 at 1:50 PM
Cuomo: I am now running on affordability.
Also Cuomo: there is no “real answer” on affordability.
Also Cuomo: there is no “real answer” on affordability.
Reposted by Ben Platt
Reposted by Ben Platt
People arent going to like this take because this site is so American but the reality of it is that every single way in which a car is "more convenient" is very literally illusory in literally all cases except where public transport actually /physically does not exist./ Yes sorry it's all delusion
July 11, 2025 at 4:15 PM
People arent going to like this take because this site is so American but the reality of it is that every single way in which a car is "more convenient" is very literally illusory in literally all cases except where public transport actually /physically does not exist./ Yes sorry it's all delusion
Reposted by Ben Platt
me, personally? i'd call it Reconstruction.
June 30, 2025 at 8:59 PM
me, personally? i'd call it Reconstruction.
Reposted by Ben Platt
Why does the United States need a space program when Elon Musk has a plan that will result in putting dead astronauts on Mars?
the American government is effectively ending its space program.
Over 2,000 senior staff set to leave NASA under agency push
The losses could endanger the administration’s plans for landing astronauts on the moon and Mars.
www.politico.com
July 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Why does the United States need a space program when Elon Musk has a plan that will result in putting dead astronauts on Mars?
Reposted by Ben Platt
With the updated RCV totals just released by the Board of Elections, our campaign has officially earned the most total votes in a primary in New York City history.
July 8, 2025 at 6:32 PM
With the updated RCV totals just released by the Board of Elections, our campaign has officially earned the most total votes in a primary in New York City history.
Reposted by Ben Platt
I read Curtis Yarvin’s book about Thomas Carlyle so you don’t have to! It’s an … unnerving read
In the Führerbunker with Carlyle and Yarvin - Public Books
Curtis Yarvin—and, through him, arguably, Thomas Carlyle—has now emerged as a significant source of ideas for the present administration.
www.publicbooks.org
July 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
I read Curtis Yarvin’s book about Thomas Carlyle so you don’t have to! It’s an … unnerving read
Reposted by Ben Platt
Who is Thomas Carlyle? And why did people stop reading him?
@ivan812.bsky.social writes: “Once you’ve pictured Hitler and Goebbels using Carlyle’s book as a kind of Fascist Ouija board to foretell a successful thousand-year Reich, you can’t unsee it.
@ivan812.bsky.social writes: “Once you’ve pictured Hitler and Goebbels using Carlyle’s book as a kind of Fascist Ouija board to foretell a successful thousand-year Reich, you can’t unsee it.
In the Führerbunker with Carlyle and Yarvin
Curtis Yarvin—and, through him, arguably, Thomas Carlyle—has now emerged as a significant source of ideas for the present administration.
www.publicbooks.org
July 4, 2025 at 3:07 PM
Who is Thomas Carlyle? And why did people stop reading him?
@ivan812.bsky.social writes: “Once you’ve pictured Hitler and Goebbels using Carlyle’s book as a kind of Fascist Ouija board to foretell a successful thousand-year Reich, you can’t unsee it.
@ivan812.bsky.social writes: “Once you’ve pictured Hitler and Goebbels using Carlyle’s book as a kind of Fascist Ouija board to foretell a successful thousand-year Reich, you can’t unsee it.