Ned Raggett
@nedraggett.bsky.social
Hi! I write about music at various spots (@thequietus.com, @thewiremagazine.bsky.social, Shfl and my Patreon, also in the past @allmusic.com, @pitchfork.com, @bandcamp.com etc. etc.). Plus podcasting about #Tolkien with friends at @bythebywater.bsky.social
Pinned
Ned Raggett
@nedraggett.bsky.social
· Nov 14
Given the very specific circumstances, I'd either check to see if I'm on drugs or if the baby is on drugs and if the latter find out where I could get some because clearly those are some gooooood drugs.
Well, it's time for some honest to god Bluesky lore.
A year ago, the site was still invite only, and one morning I posted something random and didn't think much about it beyond my own amusement.
This is the story about the #ChristianSkydivingBaby and how it completely took over @bsky.app (1/x)
A year ago, the site was still invite only, and one morning I posted something random and didn't think much about it beyond my own amusement.
This is the story about the #ChristianSkydivingBaby and how it completely took over @bsky.app (1/x)
Reposted by Ned Raggett
them: how do you know these people are white supremacists?
me: i can read.
me: i can read.
People like Elon and Jamelle (and many others!) were warning people about these guys for years
January 2, 2026 at 1:52 PM
them: how do you know these people are white supremacists?
me: i can read.
me: i can read.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
HONEST TO THE POINT OF RECKLESSNESS
Althea - Ryan Smith
https://macthemes.garden/themes/6caf9cf45cc3-Althea
https://macthemes.garden/themes/6caf9cf45cc3-Althea
January 2, 2026 at 1:10 PM
HONEST TO THE POINT OF RECKLESSNESS
Reposted by Ned Raggett
are these bands? cocktails? strains? you won't find out unless you go to the Palace (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2 Jan 1976)
January 2, 2026 at 1:14 PM
are these bands? cocktails? strains? you won't find out unless you go to the Palace (Cleveland Plain Dealer, 2 Jan 1976)
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Mind blown at the idea of a teen slasher starring David Bowie and Scott Walker
I have made a video review for Michael Armstrong's influential HAUNTED HOUSE OF HORROR from 1969 (arguably the first ever teen slasher!), which initially was due to star David Bowie and Scott Walker! For a sneak peek at the full video, visit my Kofi page: ko-fi.com/hysterialives
January 2, 2026 at 1:03 PM
Mind blown at the idea of a teen slasher starring David Bowie and Scott Walker
Reposted by Ned Raggett
So much of current popular online history discourse is really just an aesthetic exercise urging us to reconsider modernity, by people who think homeschooling their kids in Latin would magically unlock the ability to interpret both cuneiform and the Almagest
January 2, 2026 at 12:49 PM
So much of current popular online history discourse is really just an aesthetic exercise urging us to reconsider modernity, by people who think homeschooling their kids in Latin would magically unlock the ability to interpret both cuneiform and the Almagest
Reposted by Ned Raggett
A new law going into effect Jan. 1, 2026 prevents cities from penalizing outreach workers who provide services such as legal aid or hand out blankets at encampments. bit.ly/4qA2QLY
📸 Larry Valenzuela
📸 Larry Valenzuela
January 2, 2026 at 2:00 AM
A new law going into effect Jan. 1, 2026 prevents cities from penalizing outreach workers who provide services such as legal aid or hand out blankets at encampments. bit.ly/4qA2QLY
📸 Larry Valenzuela
📸 Larry Valenzuela
Reposted by Ned Raggett
“Spiritually Dubai” is a phenomenal coinage and describes so many places in NYC these days: some chopped, some not. I keep thinking about a cafe I wandered into on 14th St: “wellness” in its branding, looked like an Apple store, food/service so bad it was like an AI hallucination of hospitality.
January 2, 2026 at 5:32 AM
“Spiritually Dubai” is a phenomenal coinage and describes so many places in NYC these days: some chopped, some not. I keep thinking about a cafe I wandered into on 14th St: “wellness” in its branding, looked like an Apple store, food/service so bad it was like an AI hallucination of hospitality.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
I bet the producers of “This Old House” on PBS are pissed! They wanted “Purple Rain” for their series finale!
January 2, 2026 at 5:44 AM
I bet the producers of “This Old House” on PBS are pissed! They wanted “Purple Rain” for their series finale!
Reposted by Ned Raggett
In the unlikely event I ever have a massive hit TV show, I hope I have the guts to make the final episode a weird as fuck trippy freak show that makes the final episode of The Prisoner look like the Home Shopping Channel by comparison.
Viewer's brains melting right and left. Go the full gonzo.
Viewer's brains melting right and left. Go the full gonzo.
January 2, 2026 at 5:00 AM
In the unlikely event I ever have a massive hit TV show, I hope I have the guts to make the final episode a weird as fuck trippy freak show that makes the final episode of The Prisoner look like the Home Shopping Channel by comparison.
Viewer's brains melting right and left. Go the full gonzo.
Viewer's brains melting right and left. Go the full gonzo.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
A judge has tossed the racketeering charges filed by the Georgia attorney general against activists who protested against Atlanta's Cop City facility.
Fulton judge dismisses RICO charges against training center protesters
In his order issued Tuesday, the judge said Attorney General Chris Carr did not have the authority to bring RICO charges.
www.ajc.com
January 1, 2026 at 7:00 PM
A judge has tossed the racketeering charges filed by the Georgia attorney general against activists who protested against Atlanta's Cop City facility.
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Reposted by Ned Raggett
congratulations to the anti-porn and anti-sex work groups for helping create an internet where independent adult sex workers have been exploited, ripped off, and then run off and are now being replaced by on-demand CSAM
January 2, 2026 at 3:22 AM
congratulations to the anti-porn and anti-sex work groups for helping create an internet where independent adult sex workers have been exploited, ripped off, and then run off and are now being replaced by on-demand CSAM
Reposted by Ned Raggett
people keep voluntarily impaling themselves on the "you should all stop being mean to AI because it is BIG and STRONG and my FRIEND" stake, and I'm politely asking them to stop because it's embarrassing
January 2, 2026 at 3:38 AM
people keep voluntarily impaling themselves on the "you should all stop being mean to AI because it is BIG and STRONG and my FRIEND" stake, and I'm politely asking them to stop because it's embarrassing
Reposted by Ned Raggett
To be clear, this risk is so high on X because the platform is owned by a person who does not see CSAM as disqualifying behavior on the platform, let alone objectionable. He will try to profit from this. bsky.app/profile/lora...
more on the nightmarish situation on X where users are apparently generating non consenting pirnographic imagery & sexual images of minors (csam) using xAI’s Grok. Musk merged xAI and X (fka twitter) last year.
January 2, 2026 at 3:28 AM
To be clear, this risk is so high on X because the platform is owned by a person who does not see CSAM as disqualifying behavior on the platform, let alone objectionable. He will try to profit from this. bsky.app/profile/lora...
A fine thread addendum to Sean's legendary 2019 project. (If you don't know, go: seantcollins.com/category/roa... )
January 2, 2026 at 3:18 AM
A fine thread addendum to Sean's legendary 2019 project. (If you don't know, go: seantcollins.com/category/roa... )
Reposted by Ned Raggett
That I would totally watch
January 2, 2026 at 2:33 AM
That I would totally watch
Reposted by Ned Raggett
Now I want Guy Maddin’s Drag Race
January 2, 2026 at 2:31 AM
Now I want Guy Maddin’s Drag Race
Reposted by Ned Raggett
on the one hand the Order of Canada is basically bullshit but on the other hand if we're going to have it at all you're goddamn right they should give it to Nardwuar the Human Serviette
January 2, 2026 at 2:08 AM
on the one hand the Order of Canada is basically bullshit but on the other hand if we're going to have it at all you're goddamn right they should give it to Nardwuar the Human Serviette
Reposted by Ned Raggett
I've never compiled a list of today's birthday artist Angela Winbush. A rarity: a female singer-songwriter-producer-instrumentalist. She deserves a biography. humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com/2026/01/02/i...
I love you more: The best of Angela Winbush
The Sam Cookes, Marvin Gayes, Stevie Wonders, Smokey Robinsons, Rick James, Princes, and D’Angelos are common enough in R&B: the triple-threat male auteur. Where are the women? Teena Mari…
humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com
January 2, 2026 at 1:46 AM
I've never compiled a list of today's birthday artist Angela Winbush. A rarity: a female singer-songwriter-producer-instrumentalist. She deserves a biography. humanizingthevacuum.wordpress.com/2026/01/02/i...
Reposted by Ned Raggett
New Years missive from Camuzooky.
January 2, 2026 at 1:36 AM
New Years missive from Camuzooky.
It's a good read for sure, lucky enough to have a copy. Wonder if it's back in print?
I read ‘Go Tell The Mountain’ - the memoirs of the Gun Club’s Jeffrey Lee Pierce - it’s some really heavy sh*t. To paraphrase Dylan, “he looked like a sh*t kicker, but had the wisdom of a sage” - not only did I learn about his life - he shared a few helpful tips on various things.
January 2, 2026 at 1:37 AM
It's a good read for sure, lucky enough to have a copy. Wonder if it's back in print?
I started a certain notorious thread for a reason! (Check the pinned post on my feed.)
January 2, 2026 at 1:36 AM
I started a certain notorious thread for a reason! (Check the pinned post on my feed.)
Reposted by Ned Raggett
If you don't understand that New York City politics are unfathomably strange, please treat yourselves to this altogether amazing interview with erstwhile GOP mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. Come for the pure Cuomo hatred and the savvy take on Mamdani, stay for...cats. And owls. Oh, and pigeons.
January 2, 2026 at 12:27 AM
If you don't understand that New York City politics are unfathomably strange, please treat yourselves to this altogether amazing interview with erstwhile GOP mayoral candidate Curtis Sliwa. Come for the pure Cuomo hatred and the savvy take on Mamdani, stay for...cats. And owls. Oh, and pigeons.