Dave Bloustien
bloustien.bsky.social
Dave Bloustien
@bloustien.bsky.social
Writer, designer, ex-comedian. I’ve won awards and squandered more opportunities than I can count. Terminally overcaffeinated and underslept. I have too many profiles.
I first came across ‘social cohesion’ when I was working on an anti-racism project for the state government. I think it’s a really important concept that can now be added to the pile of ‘words that have been weaponised’ in the upcoming election.

(1/?)
February 9, 2025 at 4:01 AM
Rant:

The Jewish community in Australia is losing its collective mind at the moment.

There’s a significant swing to the right side of politics, with partisan figures like David Adler acting as unofficial spokesfigures …

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February 8, 2025 at 11:36 AM
PSA: Ezra Klein’s latest editorial (‘Don’t Believe Him’) is great and a bit hopeful.
February 2, 2025 at 11:09 PM
I only took one lecture of my law degree before dropping out. I often wonder what it would have been like to finish it. I like to think (hope) it would have eventually lead me to learn from Prof. Megan Davis.

Her article in The Monthly is a little old now but it’s such a good read. Big recommends.
January 24, 2025 at 10:30 PM
Just a little FYI: yesterday Australia - with its DEI policies, high vaccination rates and Medicare program - eradicated H5N1 bird flu in our country.
The price of eggs in the US is spiking, mostly due to #H5N1 bird flu. Solving the problem requires urgent, important communications from the CDC & FDA* and rapid development of research by the NIH**

* Currently paused by Executive Order
** Grant reviews now all canceled
www.kcur.org/news/2025-01...
Egg prices are soaring again. Here’s why and what to expect
Bird flu has killed millions of hens in recent weeks, shrinking the supply of eggs and hiking up prices at grocery stores.
www.kcur.org
January 23, 2025 at 8:59 PM
Claiming Musk is a friend to the Jews is like claiming Trump is a friend to the Mexicans because he once said his building had better nachos.
January 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
Linking to my latest article on Medium:

mo-husseini.medium.com/i-wish-more-...

Please read and share and repost (thank you) and let me know what you think!
“I wish more Palestinians thought like you”
Reflections on private struggles, public silences, and the complexity of Palestinian discourse.
mo-husseini.medium.com
January 21, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Wild that Trump wants to rename it the Gulf of America when he in fact is the gulf of America.
January 21, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Fell asleep while streaming a show on my iPad and I can’t believe I watched the whole season without me.
January 20, 2025 at 4:35 AM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
who called it final fantasy xvi and not fantasyfinal_final_final2_finalfinalfinal_V5_v6_ffsthisisthefinalone_master_finalapproval_revised__rerevised_finalnomorechanges_FINAL_iquitifthisisnttheFINAL_finalsendtoprinters_v16.pdf
January 18, 2025 at 7:26 AM
With all the awful Neil Gaiman-related news, I think there are a few important things to keep in mind (because I see people writing them on the internet).

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January 16, 2025 at 9:36 PM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
Men deserve better than having their gender used as cover for petulant, capricious and immature misbehavior.
January 15, 2025 at 11:55 PM
Woah
anita bryant died? her feud with bob hope over gay rights, and his refusing to stop making jokes about her, got him boycotted by religious conservatives and pushed him to come out for gay rights. i wrote this about the backlash he faced for @thenation.com. www.thenation.com/article/cult...
How Woke Bob Hope Got Canceled by the Right
The conservative comedian spoke out for gay rights and gun control, and got boycotted and ostracized by friends on the right, including Ronald Reagan.
www.thenation.com
January 15, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Ten years ago today I agreed to kiss a stranger on a beach in what turned out to be the mother of all first dates. On a planet of 8bn people, I managed to meet the smartest, kindest and strongest of them …
January 15, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
“For 15 mos, millions around the world tuned into this conflict like never before. It's not time to go home or move on. It's certainly not time to call for violence or zero-sum outcomes. Rather, it's time to join together and stand beside the masses of Israelis and Palestinians who want a way out”
🧵
A few thoughts on the moment -- a joyous one -- of reaching a hostage/cease-fire deal... 🧵
Announcing the deal while very final details still being worked out into the night surely must be an effort to lock it in and put pressure on both parties to see it through.
January 15, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Oh no. What a wonderful improviser and human being. Probably the first improvised comedian I saw as a kid, both in WLIIA and S&M. He ignited my love of improv and was super approachable and chatty online, to boot.
There was so much love for Tony Slattery at the last event I did with him, back in November in Berkhamsted - it was beautiful see how many people appreciated Tony - it was a wonderfully positive night
January 14, 2025 at 10:03 PM
Alexa giving my 7 year old unprecedented freedom and I have no choice but to obey.

Also, yes. My Alexa is called ‘Creepy Alexa’.
January 14, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Tim Cook v Zuckerberg showing there’s a difference between cooperating with a fascist regime and going all in on its ideological psychosis.
January 12, 2025 at 3:33 AM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
In scary times, “look for the helpers, you will always find people helping”

GoFundMe has set up one main fund for the California fires and are quickly dispersing funds to everyone in need. If you can,,, please donate.

www.gofundme.com/u/f2f8503f-a...
January 11, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Had a really lovely catch up with @mattkirshen.bsky.social and it’s got me thinking of going back to comedy.

Has anyone else gone back after a ten year hiatus? How was it? None of my old material will fly, I think (just because topical and old).
January 11, 2025 at 6:32 AM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
New

The coming battle between social media and the state

Behind the alignment of X and Meta with Trump is a cold business logic — and a position of weakness rather than strength

By me, in todays @financialtimes.com

www.ft.com/content/917c...
January 11, 2025 at 6:18 AM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
Elon Musk: Why isn’t there enough water in California?

Grok (burning through an entire lake to generate an answer): Wokeness
January 9, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
getting a lecture about virtue signaling from the dorkigarch whose origin story is sitting in his dorm room playing online marry-fuck-kill is really something
January 9, 2025 at 7:20 PM
Reposted by Dave Bloustien
For SoCal friends,

Here is a list of resources for shelter, animal boarding, free items, and distribution hubs. These places can also use donations (e.g., food, water, masks, and blankets). Please consider donating if you can.

For more info, visit Instagram: mutualaidla
January 9, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Ray Parker Jr: “I ain’t afraid of no ghosts”

Me: “So you’re afraid of *some* ghosts.”

RPJ: …

RPJ: “BUSTIN’ MAKES ME FEEL GOOD!”
January 9, 2025 at 8:23 AM