Lee Gardner
@leegee.bsky.social
Reporter at @chronicle.com, music nerd, lotsa other kinds of nerd too. Half of @essentialpod.bsky.social and all of @vgplusrecs.bsky.social. He/him
It’s Bandcamp Friday, and my label released this album by the late, much-missed pedal-steel player Susan Alcorn and the Philly duo Nomad War Machine, and if you’re in the market for volcanic improvisation, I recommend it.
Contra Madre, by Nomad War Machine and Susan Alcorn
7 track album
nomadwarmachineandsusanalcorn.bandcamp.com
February 6, 2026 at 7:23 PM
It’s Bandcamp Friday, and my label released this album by the late, much-missed pedal-steel player Susan Alcorn and the Philly duo Nomad War Machine, and if you’re in the market for volcanic improvisation, I recommend it.
OMG yes 1000x this
One of the reasons I so greatly dislike the “can men and women be friends?” nonsense (yes, full stop, shut up) is that it casts suspicion on people with opposite-sex friends instead of where it more often belongs: on people with no opposite-sex friends.
Anyway, yeah. The overwhelming impression one gets from so many of these emails is that a lot of them are guys who have never had a real, serious friendship with a woman in their lives.
Which sucks for them, but also sucks for every woman who has to deal with them, ever.
Which sucks for them, but also sucks for every woman who has to deal with them, ever.
February 5, 2026 at 7:16 PM
OMG yes 1000x this
Reposted by Lee Gardner
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
Today in news/not news: @dberrett.bsky.social weighs in on the latest Grapevine report, which tells us what we pretty much already knew about funding for public colleges.
Higher Ed’s Public Funding Has Entered a New Phase of Low Growth
State support crept up by 1 percent. Here’s what that looks like in each state.
www.chronicle.com
February 5, 2026 at 1:45 PM
Today in news/not news: @dberrett.bsky.social weighs in on the latest Grapevine report, which tells us what we pretty much already knew about funding for public colleges.
BTW surely at this point we’ve gotten past the notion that “citizen journalists” will pick up the slack for eviscerated newsrooms. There’s some excellent work being published on Substack et al., but it’s no substitute for the work of a professional newsgathering operation with the proper support.
February 4, 2026 at 5:45 PM
BTW surely at this point we’ve gotten past the notion that “citizen journalists” will pick up the slack for eviscerated newsrooms. There’s some excellent work being published on Substack et al., but it’s no substitute for the work of a professional newsgathering operation with the proper support.
Don’t know why anybody does/allows this.
Biometric locks for phones aren’t just convenient for you, they are convenient for the cops.
“explicitly authorized law enforcement personnel to obtain Natanson’s phone and both hold the device in front of her face and to forcibly use her fingers to unlock it”
theintercept.com/2026/01/30/w...
“explicitly authorized law enforcement personnel to obtain Natanson’s phone and both hold the device in front of her face and to forcibly use her fingers to unlock it”
theintercept.com/2026/01/30/w...
Washington Post Raid Is a Frightening Reminder: Turn Off Your Phone’s Biometrics Now
The search warrant to raid a Washington Post reporter’s home shows how authorities can open your phone without your consent.
theintercept.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:08 AM
Don’t know why anybody does/allows this.
Reposted by Lee Gardner
ICYMI over the weekend: I wrote about my friend Dan McQuade and online friendships and aughts blogging and how brilliant and funny Dan was. carigervin.substack.com/p/rip-dhm
RIP, @DHM
Dan McQuade was the best of the internet — and the best of us.
carigervin.substack.com
February 2, 2026 at 2:27 PM
ICYMI over the weekend: I wrote about my friend Dan McQuade and online friendships and aughts blogging and how brilliant and funny Dan was. carigervin.substack.com/p/rip-dhm
Having hiked to the neighborhood Staples and back just now, I can assure you that the sidewalks of Baltimore City are not ready for the return of its school children by 8:30 am tomorrow morning.
February 1, 2026 at 9:40 PM
Having hiked to the neighborhood Staples and back just now, I can assure you that the sidewalks of Baltimore City are not ready for the return of its school children by 8:30 am tomorrow morning.
I wrote about the situation in Iowa, where a proposal to let community colleges offer four-year degrees is riling the private four-year institutions in the state.
Why a State’s Private Colleges Are Feuding With Its Community Colleges
Iowa could allow public two-year institutions to develop baccalaureate programs. Private colleges see it as an existential threat.
www.chronicle.com
January 28, 2026 at 12:21 AM
I wrote about the situation in Iowa, where a proposal to let community colleges offer four-year degrees is riling the private four-year institutions in the state.
I just tried to abbreviate Substack as SS and wait, what?
January 27, 2026 at 7:54 PM
I just tried to abbreviate Substack as SS and wait, what?
This isn’t “playing.” This is stepping off the front porch, landing in snow up to your belly, and questioning the life choices that led you to this moment.
January 25, 2026 at 4:28 PM
This isn’t “playing.” This is stepping off the front porch, landing in snow up to your belly, and questioning the life choices that led you to this moment.
Watching the Italian neorealist classic Bitter Rice, and one of the characters just dropped this morsel: “Prison was invented by people who’ve never been there.”
January 24, 2026 at 11:34 PM
Watching the Italian neorealist classic Bitter Rice, and one of the characters just dropped this morsel: “Prison was invented by people who’ve never been there.”
I just spelled “connoisseur” correctly on the first try with no mistakes, no autocorrect, and no looking it up. Please clap.
January 21, 2026 at 3:49 PM
I just spelled “connoisseur” correctly on the first try with no mistakes, no autocorrect, and no looking it up. Please clap.
The compact more or less attempted to corral and codify plans or wishes (perhaps threats) the administration had already expressed or hinted at, so it was probably only a matter of time before they resurfaced.
The proposed higher education compact may have fizzled, but the government is still trying to push its changes without going through Congress.
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/21/u...
January 21, 2026 at 2:10 PM
The compact more or less attempted to corral and codify plans or wishes (perhaps threats) the administration had already expressed or hinted at, so it was probably only a matter of time before they resurfaced.
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Lungfish
Pan Sonic
Conway Twitty
Altar of Plagues
Ornette Coleman Quartet
Lungfish
Pan Sonic
Conway Twitty
Altar of Plagues
Ornette Coleman Quartet
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Grateful Dead
Zakir Hussain
INXS
Tom Petty
Pink Floyd
Grateful Dead
Zakir Hussain
INXS
Tom Petty
Pink Floyd
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen
Public Enemy
Bikini Kill
Ray Charles
INXS
Chuck Berry
Public Enemy
Bikini Kill
Ray Charles
INXS
Chuck Berry
January 21, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Introduce yourself with 5 concerts you’ve seen:
Lungfish
Pan Sonic
Conway Twitty
Altar of Plagues
Ornette Coleman Quartet
Lungfish
Pan Sonic
Conway Twitty
Altar of Plagues
Ornette Coleman Quartet
P4k’s new business plan seems sound
January 20, 2026 at 5:10 PM
P4k’s new business plan seems sound
Reposted by Lee Gardner
A brief, worthwhile read this MLK weekend:
“The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society.“
kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/...
“The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society.“
kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/...
"The Purpose of Education"
kinginstitute.stanford.edu
January 17, 2026 at 6:44 PM
A brief, worthwhile read this MLK weekend:
“The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society.“
kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/...
“The function of education, therefore, is to teach one to think intensively and to think critically. But education which stops with efficiency may prove the greatest menace to society.“
kinginstitute.stanford.edu/king-papers/...
Thus completing its transformation into a fully operational hellmouth . . .
The state of Maryland announces plans to build a new Sphere venue in National Harbor, near Washington, DC investor.sphereentertainmentco.com/press-releas...
January 19, 2026 at 4:28 PM
Thus completing its transformation into a fully operational hellmouth . . .
Late pass, but: Gabler’s. It was a crab place kinda near Aberdeen here in Maryland, and it was basically just a series of freestanding screened-in porches near the water. On a beautiful evening at dusk, sitting with your friends or family, picking crabs and eating corn, it was like heaven.
Sunday night timeline cleanse
please tell me about your favorite lost restaurant (closed for at least 5 years, like I really want you to go back into the vault), why you loved it and what you ate there
please tell me about your favorite lost restaurant (closed for at least 5 years, like I really want you to go back into the vault), why you loved it and what you ate there
January 19, 2026 at 4:19 PM
Late pass, but: Gabler’s. It was a crab place kinda near Aberdeen here in Maryland, and it was basically just a series of freestanding screened-in porches near the water. On a beautiful evening at dusk, sitting with your friends or family, picking crabs and eating corn, it was like heaven.
Don’t start none, won’t be none.
January 18, 2026 at 3:58 PM
Don’t start none, won’t be none.
Zing!
John Boorman is 93.
This anecdote about him & Lee Marvin has quite the punchline.
This anecdote about him & Lee Marvin has quite the punchline.
January 18, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Zing!
I’ve been saying for years that what this world needs is more apex predators that aren’t us, and black bears don’t exactly fit that designation, but this is still a lovely piece.
This is the Bigfoot read I didn't know I needed from @jeffvandermeer.bsky.social
Double Take - Orion Magazine
Are people crying Bigfoot when it’s really a bear?
orionmagazine.org
January 17, 2026 at 7:16 PM
I’ve been saying for years that what this world needs is more apex predators that aren’t us, and black bears don’t exactly fit that designation, but this is still a lovely piece.
My latest: Vanderbilt announced the launch of two new campuses on two different coasts within about 24 hours this week at a time when most universities are keeping their heads down. What's up with that?
As Other Campuses Cut Back, Vanderbilt U. Looks to Expand
The university’s announcements of new outposts reflect a desire to chase prestige and enrollment without watering down its brand.
www.chronicle.com
January 16, 2026 at 1:06 PM
My latest: Vanderbilt announced the launch of two new campuses on two different coasts within about 24 hours this week at a time when most universities are keeping their heads down. What's up with that?
Reposted by Lee Gardner
A thing I also think about is what happens when faculty get tired of the cuts (because there are most definitely cuts on campus) while the admin buys up building after building. Plus, what if some people find Vanderbilt's flirtation with authoritarianism unattractive?
Vanderbilt has been on a remarkable run of expansion announcements. I talked to some smart folks about it.
As Other Campuses Cut Back, Vanderbilt U. Looks to Expand
The university’s announcements of new outposts reflect a desire to chase prestige and enrollment without watering down its brand.
www.chronicle.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:14 AM
A thing I also think about is what happens when faculty get tired of the cuts (because there are most definitely cuts on campus) while the admin buys up building after building. Plus, what if some people find Vanderbilt's flirtation with authoritarianism unattractive?
Vanderbilt has been on a remarkable run of expansion announcements. I talked to some smart folks about it.
As Other Campuses Cut Back, Vanderbilt U. Looks to Expand
The university’s announcements of new outposts reflect a desire to chase prestige and enrollment without watering down its brand.
www.chronicle.com
January 15, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Vanderbilt has been on a remarkable run of expansion announcements. I talked to some smart folks about it.