Martyn Wendell Jones
@martynwendell.bsky.social
Senior associate editor, The Bulwark. American in Canada, writer. Dad newsletter: https://martynwendell.substack.com/
Pinned
Drone Hysteria, Alien Cultists, and the One-Armed Prophet of Cosmic Enlightenment
My guided tour of the everyday impossible.
www.thebulwark.com
I wrote about the time a UFO cultist brought me to the public meeting of his organization and then caused scandal by trying to accommodate me in a way that violated their esoteric norms: www.thebulwark.com/p/drone-hyst...
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
Pro-Trump media went wild for a bombshell exposé claiming the Jan. 6th pipe bomber was a Capitol Police officer with CIA ties.
But now the story looks shaky, tweets are getting deleted, and the story's backers are running for cover. My @thebulwark.com newsletter: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-blaze-...
But now the story looks shaky, tweets are getting deleted, and the story's backers are running for cover. My @thebulwark.com newsletter: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-blaze-...
The Blaze’s Pipe-Bomb Bombshell Appears to Bomb
The right-wing outlet claimed to solve the Jan. 6th pipe-bomb mystery. Things quickly looked less certain.
www.thebulwark.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:36 AM
Pro-Trump media went wild for a bombshell exposé claiming the Jan. 6th pipe bomber was a Capitol Police officer with CIA ties.
But now the story looks shaky, tweets are getting deleted, and the story's backers are running for cover. My @thebulwark.com newsletter: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-blaze-...
But now the story looks shaky, tweets are getting deleted, and the story's backers are running for cover. My @thebulwark.com newsletter: www.thebulwark.com/p/the-blaze-...
JCO landed such a body blow on Musk that I expect the man will soon hire a department of personal ghostwriters to create and maintain believable profiles for him on Letterboxd, Backloggd, Goodreads, Yelp, Spotify, Leafly, Pet Forums . . .
November 10, 2025 at 7:43 PM
JCO landed such a body blow on Musk that I expect the man will soon hire a department of personal ghostwriters to create and maintain believable profiles for him on Letterboxd, Backloggd, Goodreads, Yelp, Spotify, Leafly, Pet Forums . . .
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
sort of incredible to read a review that doesn't just made a vague nod at AI being bad, but actively reckons with the ways in which falling obsessively to AI usage actively obliterates the artistic intent and integrity of the work you've made.
November 10, 2025 at 4:59 PM
sort of incredible to read a review that doesn't just made a vague nod at AI being bad, but actively reckons with the ways in which falling obsessively to AI usage actively obliterates the artistic intent and integrity of the work you've made.
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
“end of the english major”
do the highest reaches of literary studies know about this, for instance www.houstonchronicle.com/news/houston...
Falkenberg: Mike Miles takes story books from HISD kindergarteners
First HISD took the libraries. Now teachers say the district’s curriculum leaves no room for storybooks and some are secretly reading to students anyway.
www.houstonchronicle.com
November 10, 2025 at 4:52 PM
“end of the english major”
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
BREAKING: Vatican announces new liturgical text for the United States of America
November 10, 2025 at 3:35 AM
BREAKING: Vatican announces new liturgical text for the United States of America
and just like that—
November 9, 2025 at 6:38 PM
and just like that—
Wife overheard our 4yo say the most endearing thing while he was playing this morning: "Oooh, not again! Not a single 'gain!!"
November 9, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Wife overheard our 4yo say the most endearing thing while he was playing this morning: "Oooh, not again! Not a single 'gain!!"
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
Torments him: round he throws
his baleful eyes,
That witnessed huge affliction
and dismay,
Mixed with obdurate pride and
steadfast hate.
At once, as far as Angels ken,
he views
The dismal situation waste and
wild.
I, 56-60
his baleful eyes,
That witnessed huge affliction
and dismay,
Mixed with obdurate pride and
steadfast hate.
At once, as far as Angels ken,
he views
The dismal situation waste and
wild.
I, 56-60
November 7, 2025 at 9:43 PM
Torments him: round he throws
his baleful eyes,
That witnessed huge affliction
and dismay,
Mixed with obdurate pride and
steadfast hate.
At once, as far as Angels ken,
he views
The dismal situation waste and
wild.
I, 56-60
his baleful eyes,
That witnessed huge affliction
and dismay,
Mixed with obdurate pride and
steadfast hate.
At once, as far as Angels ken,
he views
The dismal situation waste and
wild.
I, 56-60
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
the tory proposal to deport 4-7% of the uk population is a fascist one - & we have to call it that
my latest with @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/tories-con...
my latest with @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/tories-con...
The Tories’ Dangerous Drift
In the U.K., a shocking proposal from a Conservative MP elicited pushback from her party only belatedly. It signals darker things to come.
www.thebulwark.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:55 PM
the tory proposal to deport 4-7% of the uk population is a fascist one - & we have to call it that
my latest with @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/tories-con...
my latest with @thebulwark.com
www.thebulwark.com/p/tories-con...
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
"We would rather be ruined than changed;
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die."
—W. H. Auden, The Age of Anxiety
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die."
—W. H. Auden, The Age of Anxiety
November 7, 2025 at 5:12 AM
"We would rather be ruined than changed;
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die."
—W. H. Auden, The Age of Anxiety
We would rather die in our dread
Than climb the cross of the moment
And let our illusions die."
—W. H. Auden, The Age of Anxiety
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
Explosions in the Sky
Lo-fi beats to study to. Lo-fi beats for researching the decline and fall of musicians in the streaming era. Lo-fi beats in which to get your tween a stereo system. Lo-fi beats in which to wrap a jewel-case CD. A deep, comforting wall of sound, passed down.
Lo-fi beats to study to. Lo-fi beats for researching the decline and fall of musicians in the streaming era. Lo-fi beats in which to get your tween a stereo system. Lo-fi beats in which to wrap a jewel-case CD. A deep, comforting wall of sound, passed down.
July 9, 2024 at 6:12 PM
Explosions in the Sky
Lo-fi beats to study to. Lo-fi beats for researching the decline and fall of musicians in the streaming era. Lo-fi beats in which to get your tween a stereo system. Lo-fi beats in which to wrap a jewel-case CD. A deep, comforting wall of sound, passed down.
Lo-fi beats to study to. Lo-fi beats for researching the decline and fall of musicians in the streaming era. Lo-fi beats in which to get your tween a stereo system. Lo-fi beats in which to wrap a jewel-case CD. A deep, comforting wall of sound, passed down.
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
The Hold Steady / Mountain Goats show (2022)
You sung a version of "This Year" as a lullaby, sometimes changing lyrics. When your daughters entered their teen years, your warnings before a night out got increasingly, autobiographically specific. They'll be fine
You sung a version of "This Year" as a lullaby, sometimes changing lyrics. When your daughters entered their teen years, your warnings before a night out got increasingly, autobiographically specific. They'll be fine
July 9, 2024 at 5:59 PM
The Hold Steady / Mountain Goats show (2022)
You sung a version of "This Year" as a lullaby, sometimes changing lyrics. When your daughters entered their teen years, your warnings before a night out got increasingly, autobiographically specific. They'll be fine
You sung a version of "This Year" as a lullaby, sometimes changing lyrics. When your daughters entered their teen years, your warnings before a night out got increasingly, autobiographically specific. They'll be fine
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
Sufjan Stevens
Been years since you got mad that he only made 2 of 50 state albums. For a while you coped by naming each release to a state, but since Carrie & Lowell you've decided this must be what church felt like to your grandma. It's rapturous, even as laundry soundtrack.
Been years since you got mad that he only made 2 of 50 state albums. For a while you coped by naming each release to a state, but since Carrie & Lowell you've decided this must be what church felt like to your grandma. It's rapturous, even as laundry soundtrack.
July 9, 2024 at 5:46 PM
Sufjan Stevens
Been years since you got mad that he only made 2 of 50 state albums. For a while you coped by naming each release to a state, but since Carrie & Lowell you've decided this must be what church felt like to your grandma. It's rapturous, even as laundry soundtrack.
Been years since you got mad that he only made 2 of 50 state albums. For a while you coped by naming each release to a state, but since Carrie & Lowell you've decided this must be what church felt like to your grandma. It's rapturous, even as laundry soundtrack.
Very nice photos here of the appealing cube-shaped loft writer/artist Tove Jansson lived and worked in from 1945 until her death in 2001. It's been preserved to remain roughly the way she left it—modern and functional, but curiously homey, too: www.finnishdesignshop.com/design-stori...
Tove Jansson’s studio was the birthplace of the Moomins and a creative sanctuary | Design Stories
High above the rooftops of Helsinki, Tove Jansson made her home in a quiet studio where creativity took center stage. Comforts were secondary – what mattered most was the work. Design Stories was give...
www.finnishdesignshop.com
November 7, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Very nice photos here of the appealing cube-shaped loft writer/artist Tove Jansson lived and worked in from 1945 until her death in 2001. It's been preserved to remain roughly the way she left it—modern and functional, but curiously homey, too: www.finnishdesignshop.com/design-stori...
I must be stopped
November 6, 2025 at 6:36 PM
I must be stopped
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
What we know, final edition of the night:
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 AM
What we know, final edition of the night:
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
The factional grifters will hate this, but the Mamdani-Spanberger-Sherrill axis actually suggests the outlines of a broad, emerging Dem coalition organized around both anti-Trump *and* affordability politics, not a party bitterly divided against itself.
These big wins will embolden Dems to take on Trump's lawbreaking and show there's a price for GOP enabling of him. Folks hate to hear this, but normal patterns are asserting themselves: Liberalism isn't dead, Rs are likely to lose in 2026, and Trump is really unpopular, not a magical exception.
November 5, 2025 at 2:48 AM
The factional grifters will hate this, but the Mamdani-Spanberger-Sherrill axis actually suggests the outlines of a broad, emerging Dem coalition organized around both anti-Trump *and* affordability politics, not a party bitterly divided against itself.
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
Normal People Don’t Want This Shit is running away with the vote tonight
November 5, 2025 at 2:09 AM
Normal People Don’t Want This Shit is running away with the vote tonight
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
These big wins will embolden Dems to take on Trump's lawbreaking and show there's a price for GOP enabling of him. Folks hate to hear this, but normal patterns are asserting themselves: Liberalism isn't dead, Rs are likely to lose in 2026, and Trump is really unpopular, not a magical exception.
November 5, 2025 at 1:30 AM
These big wins will embolden Dems to take on Trump's lawbreaking and show there's a price for GOP enabling of him. Folks hate to hear this, but normal patterns are asserting themselves: Liberalism isn't dead, Rs are likely to lose in 2026, and Trump is really unpopular, not a magical exception.
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
The @thebulwark.com election show is live NOW, starring none other than @samsteindc.bsky.social. Check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj91...
Bulwark's Election Night Coverage
YouTube video by The Bulwark
www.youtube.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:17 AM
The @thebulwark.com election show is live NOW, starring none other than @samsteindc.bsky.social. Check it out! www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vj91...
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
Oh — the situation has escalated.
Pope Leo has spoken out: says "spiritual rights" of detainees should be respected and calls on the "authorities" to allow "pastoral workers" in.
"Jesus says very clearly … we're going to be asked, how did you receive the foreigner?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCi...
Pope Leo has spoken out: says "spiritual rights" of detainees should be respected and calls on the "authorities" to allow "pastoral workers" in.
"Jesus says very clearly … we're going to be asked, how did you receive the foreigner?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCi...
November 4, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Oh — the situation has escalated.
Pope Leo has spoken out: says "spiritual rights" of detainees should be respected and calls on the "authorities" to allow "pastoral workers" in.
"Jesus says very clearly … we're going to be asked, how did you receive the foreigner?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCi...
Pope Leo has spoken out: says "spiritual rights" of detainees should be respected and calls on the "authorities" to allow "pastoral workers" in.
"Jesus says very clearly … we're going to be asked, how did you receive the foreigner?" www.youtube.com/watch?v=taCi...
Joe's newsletter today includes a good argument for continuing to cover the administration's scandals as, well, scandals
November 4, 2025 at 9:09 PM
Joe's newsletter today includes a good argument for continuing to cover the administration's scandals as, well, scandals
one of the outlets that was on top of the East Wing demolition story is Town & Country, which I find very endearing; a colleague pointed out that the history and mythology of the East Wing is probably a load-bearing interest for their readership
November 4, 2025 at 5:45 PM
one of the outlets that was on top of the East Wing demolition story is Town & Country, which I find very endearing; a colleague pointed out that the history and mythology of the East Wing is probably a load-bearing interest for their readership
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
Reposted by Martyn Wendell Jones
if I teach you how to write good, you can also prompt good, if your stupid fucking boss makes you do that instead of writing. if I don't teach you how to write good, you will not be able to prompt good either, and you'll. have nothing. this is not hard to figure out
Idk what’s “esoteric” about any of this. I find the comparison with sex education perverse, since part of the point of the latter is *instilling* bodily autonomy.
But mostly: there is no deep “lessons in writing AI prompts” teaching to do, any more than there’s a 4-year degree in microwave cuisine.
But mostly: there is no deep “lessons in writing AI prompts” teaching to do, any more than there’s a 4-year degree in microwave cuisine.
November 4, 2025 at 1:49 AM
if I teach you how to write good, you can also prompt good, if your stupid fucking boss makes you do that instead of writing. if I don't teach you how to write good, you will not be able to prompt good either, and you'll. have nothing. this is not hard to figure out