Ben Rowe
@cineastbenrowe.bsky.social
Calgary Cinematheque Programming Co-ordinator, Scream Scene Podcast co-host, Dungeon Master, he/him.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
the ears are so so so so so good oh my god
February 9, 2026 at 3:38 AM
the ears are so so so so so good oh my god
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Whole thread but especially this.
My view from Minneapolis is that I'm surrounded by acts and messages of solidarity, support, and defiance, and some of them make me cringe but THAT'S OKAY, it's not all FOR me.
It all adds up. There is power in the accumulation of signs, gestures and assistance.
My view from Minneapolis is that I'm surrounded by acts and messages of solidarity, support, and defiance, and some of them make me cringe but THAT'S OKAY, it's not all FOR me.
It all adds up. There is power in the accumulation of signs, gestures and assistance.
You don't know what else someone who's wearing a red knitted cap is doing, and they prob shouldn't announce all the things they are doing — nor do we want the fash to be able to identify who is and isn't doing heavy resistance work by virtue of a hat. Let symbols be popular.
February 9, 2026 at 3:53 PM
Whole thread but especially this.
My view from Minneapolis is that I'm surrounded by acts and messages of solidarity, support, and defiance, and some of them make me cringe but THAT'S OKAY, it's not all FOR me.
It all adds up. There is power in the accumulation of signs, gestures and assistance.
My view from Minneapolis is that I'm surrounded by acts and messages of solidarity, support, and defiance, and some of them make me cringe but THAT'S OKAY, it's not all FOR me.
It all adds up. There is power in the accumulation of signs, gestures and assistance.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
my partner’s conservative lutheran parents are out here on Facebook arguing with their peers about how this is fascism and how Renee Good and Alex Pretti were doing nothing wrong. we love to see a little performative change in someone’s viewpoint tbh
If a typically apolitical or right-leaning neighbor suddenly has an ICE OUT sign or is carrying a whistle and wearing a red resistance hat, that's actually HUGE, especially if others in their circle see it.
February 9, 2026 at 4:17 PM
my partner’s conservative lutheran parents are out here on Facebook arguing with their peers about how this is fascism and how Renee Good and Alex Pretti were doing nothing wrong. we love to see a little performative change in someone’s viewpoint tbh
Reposted by Ben Rowe
see also: how the weird sluts have been a public face of resistance to ICE here in Minneapolis
starting to feel like there's a direct relationship between the growing obsession with lifestyle hygeine (no drinking, no caffeine, no sex, obsessive working out and looksmaxxing) and the inability to meaningful moral stands on issues of actual import
Cafes across the U.S. are embracing the low- and no-caffeine lifestyle, with options that are a far cry from dusty tea bags and rewarmed decaf. nyti.ms/3XKlqoj
February 9, 2026 at 5:21 PM
see also: how the weird sluts have been a public face of resistance to ICE here in Minneapolis
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Age verification? I bought bootleg Starfleet starship blueprints from classified ads in the back of STARLOG magazine.
Age verification? I got to see Superman the Movie in the theater for free because a poem I wrote about the planet Krypton won a contest they held at Kaufmann's department store in downtown Pittsburgh.
Age verification? The definitive pop star, the performance and musical standard against which I subconsciously judge all others, is a guy with a stripe painted on his nose dressed as an 18th century bandit yelling “fa-diddly-qua-qua”
February 10, 2026 at 6:38 AM
Age verification? I bought bootleg Starfleet starship blueprints from classified ads in the back of STARLOG magazine.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
idk they raise a good point
February 9, 2026 at 6:55 PM
idk they raise a good point
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Oh man i just realized all of those discord channels that replaced entire websites, forums, and wikis are going to just vanish and internet archive can't archive them
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month - all accounts set to "teen-appropriate experience" by default www.theverge.com/tech/875309/...
discord.com/press-releas...
discord.com/press-releas...
February 9, 2026 at 5:53 PM
Oh man i just realized all of those discord channels that replaced entire websites, forums, and wikis are going to just vanish and internet archive can't archive them
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Today’s Daily Cartoon, by Brendan Loper. #NewYorkerCartoons
February 9, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Today’s Daily Cartoon, by Brendan Loper. #NewYorkerCartoons
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Taking your own food when you’re going TO ITALY. truly the sign of a demented mind
Not only did they bring a small private army, but among the waste of taxpayer money was BRINGING A FULL PLANE OF FOOD.
To *Italy*.
To *Italy*.
February 7, 2026 at 5:52 PM
Taking your own food when you’re going TO ITALY. truly the sign of a demented mind
Just realizing now that the fantasy character I've seen before who is most similar in concept to Bolaire from Critical Role Campaign 4 is probably Karla from Record of Lodoss War.
February 7, 2026 at 8:52 AM
Just realizing now that the fantasy character I've seen before who is most similar in concept to Bolaire from Critical Role Campaign 4 is probably Karla from Record of Lodoss War.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
On a similar note, as Mamdani continues to notch W after W you’re going to start seeing opinion pieces about how this could never work in any city other than New York, etc., etc. Do not engage! It’s just entrenched power bullshit and that’s all! Don’t let them make that a conversation!
February 6, 2026 at 7:04 PM
On a similar note, as Mamdani continues to notch W after W you’re going to start seeing opinion pieces about how this could never work in any city other than New York, etc., etc. Do not engage! It’s just entrenched power bullshit and that’s all! Don’t let them make that a conversation!
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Democratizing the arts looks like universal income, low-barrier grants for both emerging and working artists, well-funded municipal arts & recreation programs, vibrant third spaces, and a well-funded public school system with progressive curriculum.
Not a free pass for corporate-owned slop engines.
Not a free pass for corporate-owned slop engines.
Every instance of "AI democratizes the arts, you're classist and ableist and a gatekeeper for trying to stop it" is a slap in the face to the literally centuries of poor, disabled people making art on the margins and a crass lie in service of a machine that strips down and regurgitates dreams
February 7, 2026 at 12:58 AM
Democratizing the arts looks like universal income, low-barrier grants for both emerging and working artists, well-funded municipal arts & recreation programs, vibrant third spaces, and a well-funded public school system with progressive curriculum.
Not a free pass for corporate-owned slop engines.
Not a free pass for corporate-owned slop engines.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Every damn day he does something crazy and the entire MAGA leadership bends over backwards to pretend it wasn't crazy and to explain it away.
And then a few hours go by and he comes out and says "no, I did the crazy thing on purpose."
And repeat.
And the media never seems to remember that.
And then a few hours go by and he comes out and says "no, I did the crazy thing on purpose."
And repeat.
And the media never seems to remember that.
BREAKING: Trump says he 'didn't make a mistake' with his racist video post.
Q: "A number of Republicans are calling on you to apologize for that post. Is that something you're going to do?"
Trump: "No, I didn't make a mistake."
He adds later: "I guess it was a take off on the Lion King."
Q: "A number of Republicans are calling on you to apologize for that post. Is that something you're going to do?"
Trump: "No, I didn't make a mistake."
He adds later: "I guess it was a take off on the Lion King."
February 7, 2026 at 1:54 AM
Every damn day he does something crazy and the entire MAGA leadership bends over backwards to pretend it wasn't crazy and to explain it away.
And then a few hours go by and he comes out and says "no, I did the crazy thing on purpose."
And repeat.
And the media never seems to remember that.
And then a few hours go by and he comes out and says "no, I did the crazy thing on purpose."
And repeat.
And the media never seems to remember that.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Bally's 1979 Dolly Parton pinball machine accurately depicts the era of the singer's career when she possessed the Phoenix Force
February 6, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Bally's 1979 Dolly Parton pinball machine accurately depicts the era of the singer's career when she possessed the Phoenix Force
Reposted by Ben Rowe
I’m sharing this video again because people don’t really get what these data centers and ai are doing to our planet and our communities. Especially Black communities because they were strategically placed there.
I need you to listen to these people.
STOP USING AI. STOP SUPPORTING AI.
I need you to listen to these people.
STOP USING AI. STOP SUPPORTING AI.
January 20, 2026 at 11:16 PM
I’m sharing this video again because people don’t really get what these data centers and ai are doing to our planet and our communities. Especially Black communities because they were strategically placed there.
I need you to listen to these people.
STOP USING AI. STOP SUPPORTING AI.
I need you to listen to these people.
STOP USING AI. STOP SUPPORTING AI.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Finding out that a billionaire pedophile cult astroturfed the entire anti-trans movement makes me hate liberals who are willing to sell us out all the more. What the fuck do you mean you're not willing to oppose the work of the actual pedophile billionaires who EXPLICITLY made this happen? These
February 6, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Finding out that a billionaire pedophile cult astroturfed the entire anti-trans movement makes me hate liberals who are willing to sell us out all the more. What the fuck do you mean you're not willing to oppose the work of the actual pedophile billionaires who EXPLICITLY made this happen? These
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Brother if reading the Epstein files and seeing the world’s richest white men OPENLY PLAN how to kill off the poor and non-white of the world doesn’t convince you to:
- get vaccinated
- wear a mask
- take care of your fellow man and neighbor
- look out for children
You’re lost.
- get vaccinated
- wear a mask
- take care of your fellow man and neighbor
- look out for children
You’re lost.
February 5, 2026 at 6:25 PM
Brother if reading the Epstein files and seeing the world’s richest white men OPENLY PLAN how to kill off the poor and non-white of the world doesn’t convince you to:
- get vaccinated
- wear a mask
- take care of your fellow man and neighbor
- look out for children
You’re lost.
- get vaccinated
- wear a mask
- take care of your fellow man and neighbor
- look out for children
You’re lost.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
a breakdown of how my job feels like recently
![here's how trad publishing works a far as I can tell
me: hell yeah I wrote a really good comic book. do you want it
publishing: YES! THIS IS THE BEST THING WE'VE EVER BEEN PITCHED! can we have it for [comically small amount of money]
my agent: haha. no
publishing: okay fine (4 yrs later)
publishing: your book is doing SUPERBLY congratulations!! me: cool can I do another one publishing: well let's not be too hasty](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:owmitio5o767p6qclyjxxx6g/bafkreifwlkcvhiz63c3sj7hb7bf7dqeulqbkvexu4y66vicmy7ch4hl5zq@jpeg)
February 6, 2026 at 4:03 AM
a breakdown of how my job feels like recently
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Sabrina Carpenter being on The Muppet Show makes perfect sense. I think she’s basically a muppet to begin with. Like in the field of contemporary celebs she’s gotta be in like, the top ten of obvious muppets masquerading as people.
February 6, 2026 at 3:51 AM
Sabrina Carpenter being on The Muppet Show makes perfect sense. I think she’s basically a muppet to begin with. Like in the field of contemporary celebs she’s gotta be in like, the top ten of obvious muppets masquerading as people.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
“military-grade intelligence tactics”
“Pattern-of-life” intelligence
Bro, you are eating microwaveable Campbell’s Soup for every meal and crashing out in front of the Home2Suites while you’re geared up like you’re in Fallujah
“Pattern-of-life” intelligence
Bro, you are eating microwaveable Campbell’s Soup for every meal and crashing out in front of the Home2Suites while you’re geared up like you’re in Fallujah
February 6, 2026 at 2:57 AM
“military-grade intelligence tactics”
“Pattern-of-life” intelligence
Bro, you are eating microwaveable Campbell’s Soup for every meal and crashing out in front of the Home2Suites while you’re geared up like you’re in Fallujah
“Pattern-of-life” intelligence
Bro, you are eating microwaveable Campbell’s Soup for every meal and crashing out in front of the Home2Suites while you’re geared up like you’re in Fallujah
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Whenever there's news about how men are inflicting sexual violence, abuse, or just being gross creeps towards women (and there's always news about that), it makes me feel so ashamed to be a man who is sexually attracted to women.
I don't blame the news -- I blame the men.
I don't blame the news -- I blame the men.
February 6, 2026 at 2:52 AM
Whenever there's news about how men are inflicting sexual violence, abuse, or just being gross creeps towards women (and there's always news about that), it makes me feel so ashamed to be a man who is sexually attracted to women.
I don't blame the news -- I blame the men.
I don't blame the news -- I blame the men.
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Remember, sneering works. It’s working now. That’s why the lowliest AI fan and the CEO of Microsoft are trying to get us to stop saying “slop.”
AI art is supposed to be its flashy flagship and treating it as disposable rubbish (which it is) ruins everything
AI art is supposed to be its flashy flagship and treating it as disposable rubbish (which it is) ruins everything
February 6, 2026 at 2:01 AM
Remember, sneering works. It’s working now. That’s why the lowliest AI fan and the CEO of Microsoft are trying to get us to stop saying “slop.”
AI art is supposed to be its flashy flagship and treating it as disposable rubbish (which it is) ruins everything
AI art is supposed to be its flashy flagship and treating it as disposable rubbish (which it is) ruins everything
Reposted by Ben Rowe
I may delete this because it’s a bit spicy but it shouldn’t be lost on us that games being turned into TV is essentially harvesting the stories written by those who don’t have union representation or healthcare with WGA by those that do. Our stories are good enough for TV but the writers aren’t?
February 6, 2026 at 1:59 AM
I may delete this because it’s a bit spicy but it shouldn’t be lost on us that games being turned into TV is essentially harvesting the stories written by those who don’t have union representation or healthcare with WGA by those that do. Our stories are good enough for TV but the writers aren’t?
Reposted by Ben Rowe
Here is a thing:
There were several years when I was one of VERY few journalists seriously covering harassment and abuse issues in comics (and by extension sometimes video games). During that time, I became the Person People Told Things To.
(cont'd)
There were several years when I was one of VERY few journalists seriously covering harassment and abuse issues in comics (and by extension sometimes video games). During that time, I became the Person People Told Things To.
(cont'd)
February 6, 2026 at 1:15 AM
Here is a thing:
There were several years when I was one of VERY few journalists seriously covering harassment and abuse issues in comics (and by extension sometimes video games). During that time, I became the Person People Told Things To.
(cont'd)
There were several years when I was one of VERY few journalists seriously covering harassment and abuse issues in comics (and by extension sometimes video games). During that time, I became the Person People Told Things To.
(cont'd)