Ben
@benfields.net
🇺🇸immigrant in LDN
recovering academic
Trying to understand humanity with data, music, libations
Might not be looking in the right places
–
currently: Head of Data @lakaHQ
previously: @bbc @futurelearn @funandplausible
cf https://assemblag.es/@alsothings
recovering academic
Trying to understand humanity with data, music, libations
Might not be looking in the right places
–
currently: Head of Data @lakaHQ
previously: @bbc @futurelearn @funandplausible
cf https://assemblag.es/@alsothings
Reposted by Ben
So it was Badenoch *personally* who stabbed Britain in the back during the Greenland crisis! Simply unbelievable. Ought to be a resignation matter.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
How Badenoch’s meeting with Mike Johnson led to Trump’s Chagos deal rant
A brief encounter set off a chain of events that culminated in a public rebuff to the US president from Keir Starmer
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 9:58 AM
So it was Badenoch *personally* who stabbed Britain in the back during the Greenland crisis! Simply unbelievable. Ought to be a resignation matter.
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Ben
Another friend put it to me like this: "ICE has made the classic Nazi mistake. They've invaded a winter people in the winter."
January 22, 2026 at 3:58 AM
Another friend put it to me like this: "ICE has made the classic Nazi mistake. They've invaded a winter people in the winter."
Reposted by Ben
I'm looking for witnesses/victims of DHS retaliating against people who were recording their agents (ICE, Border Patrol, FPS, etc.) in Southern California.
This is for LA Press Club v. Noem case, but victim does NOT need to be press/journalist. Everyone has right to record. We're fighting for all.
This is for LA Press Club v. Noem case, but victim does NOT need to be press/journalist. Everyone has right to record. We're fighting for all.
January 22, 2026 at 6:37 AM
I'm looking for witnesses/victims of DHS retaliating against people who were recording their agents (ICE, Border Patrol, FPS, etc.) in Southern California.
This is for LA Press Club v. Noem case, but victim does NOT need to be press/journalist. Everyone has right to record. We're fighting for all.
This is for LA Press Club v. Noem case, but victim does NOT need to be press/journalist. Everyone has right to record. We're fighting for all.
Reposted by Ben
This studio awards-season email is really matching the current mood in a way I’m not sure they intended.
December 19, 2025 at 11:36 PM
This studio awards-season email is really matching the current mood in a way I’m not sure they intended.
Imagine making your whole personality some sort of half cocked patriotism and then underhandedly using foreign relations to score domestic political points. Utterly shameless. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
How Badenoch’s meeting with Mike Johnson led to Trump’s Chagos deal rant
A brief encounter set off a chain of events that culminated in a public rebuff to the US president from Keir Starmer
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 8:00 AM
Imagine making your whole personality some sort of half cocked patriotism and then underhandedly using foreign relations to score domestic political points. Utterly shameless. www.theguardian.com/world/2026/j...
Reposted by Ben
oh man, the Walker Art Center is going to be closed on Friday
(If you're not from the Twin Cities, this is like MoMA closing in support of a general strike—a very big deal)
(If you're not from the Twin Cities, this is like MoMA closing in support of a general strike—a very big deal)
Walker Art Center joins growing list of organizations closing on Jan. 23
"This reflects our institutional values to center our community, support our staff, and to approach our work with care and safety in mind," a representative says.
bringmethenews.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:28 PM
oh man, the Walker Art Center is going to be closed on Friday
(If you're not from the Twin Cities, this is like MoMA closing in support of a general strike—a very big deal)
(If you're not from the Twin Cities, this is like MoMA closing in support of a general strike—a very big deal)
Reposted by Ben
This guy went to work today, put a mask on, kidnapped a 5 year old child, and then used him as bait so both he and his father could be sent behind bars
January 22, 2026 at 2:13 AM
This guy went to work today, put a mask on, kidnapped a 5 year old child, and then used him as bait so both he and his father could be sent behind bars
That's...
That's...
That's exactly what we have now? He's just so terrible.
That's...
That's exactly what we have now? He's just so terrible.
BREAKING
The framework of the deal President Trump negotiated with the Secretary General of NATO would give the United States sovereignty over small pockets of Greenlandic land where the United States could build military bases.
Full Story: bit.ly/4pPvh7C
The framework of the deal President Trump negotiated with the Secretary General of NATO would give the United States sovereignty over small pockets of Greenlandic land where the United States could build military bases.
Full Story: bit.ly/4pPvh7C
January 21, 2026 at 10:45 PM
That's...
That's...
That's exactly what we have now? He's just so terrible.
That's...
That's exactly what we have now? He's just so terrible.
The country needs a better set of opposition leaders
To quote one source:
“They’re terrified of being labeled anti–law enforcement. They want this to go away so they can talk about the cost of living more. Problem is, it’s not going away.”
prospect.org/2026/01/21/j...
“They’re terrified of being labeled anti–law enforcement. They want this to go away so they can talk about the cost of living more. Problem is, it’s not going away.”
prospect.org/2026/01/21/j...
Jeffries Won’t Whip Vote Against ICE Funding - The American Prospect
While the House Democratic leader announced personal opposition to a funding bill for the Department of Homeland Security, he won’t pressure his colleagues to do the same.
prospect.org
January 21, 2026 at 10:44 PM
The country needs a better set of opposition leaders
Reposted by Ben
16 years ago today, SCOTUS sided with big corporations over the American people in their infamous Citizens United ruling.
That decision paved the way for unchecked & secret money in our politics & helped billionaires & special interests buy more elections.
We must reverse it.
That decision paved the way for unchecked & secret money in our politics & helped billionaires & special interests buy more elections.
We must reverse it.
January 21, 2026 at 10:38 PM
16 years ago today, SCOTUS sided with big corporations over the American people in their infamous Citizens United ruling.
That decision paved the way for unchecked & secret money in our politics & helped billionaires & special interests buy more elections.
We must reverse it.
That decision paved the way for unchecked & secret money in our politics & helped billionaires & special interests buy more elections.
We must reverse it.
Reposted by Ben
It’s very cold outside and the flu is going around! Wear a mask that covers your face and ski goggles that cover your eyes if you got ‘em
January 21, 2026 at 6:37 PM
It’s very cold outside and the flu is going around! Wear a mask that covers your face and ski goggles that cover your eyes if you got ‘em
Reposted by Ben
New from me: A brief for @rooseveltinstitute.org on the logic of YIMBY policymaking and its applicability to other domains. What principles underlying the YIMBY agenda are transferrable to thinking about energy, healthcare, and other areas? Short 🧵 to follow. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Lessons from YIMBYism: Taking “Abundance” Back to Its Fundamentals
Lessons from YIMBYism examines how supply-side reforms, public investment, and state capacity can make progressive social policy work as intended.
rooseveltinstitute.org
January 21, 2026 at 3:52 PM
New from me: A brief for @rooseveltinstitute.org on the logic of YIMBY policymaking and its applicability to other domains. What principles underlying the YIMBY agenda are transferrable to thinking about energy, healthcare, and other areas? Short 🧵 to follow. rooseveltinstitute.org/publications...
Reposted by Ben
Well, it’s the 9th anniversary of this today. No special reason for mentioning it now, obviously
January 20, 2026 at 9:25 AM
Well, it’s the 9th anniversary of this today. No special reason for mentioning it now, obviously
Reposted by Ben
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
January 21, 2026 at 9:38 AM
The New World asked me to speak to some British trans women about what life has been like for them over the past few years - here's what they had to say, in their own words: www.thenewworld.co.uk/marie-le-con...
January 20, 2026 at 9:00 AM
Reposted by Ben
WEDNESDAY 🚨 3 ways to celebrate the public domain with us:
10am PT 🎉 VIRTUAL party: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977502652...
6pm PT 🍸 IN PERSON film screening & party at the Internet Archive: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977503818...
7pm PT 📽️ LIVESTREAM film screening: www.eventbrite.com/e/1980757251...
10am PT 🎉 VIRTUAL party: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977502652...
6pm PT 🍸 IN PERSON film screening & party at the Internet Archive: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977503818...
7pm PT 📽️ LIVESTREAM film screening: www.eventbrite.com/e/1980757251...
January 18, 2026 at 12:17 PM
WEDNESDAY 🚨 3 ways to celebrate the public domain with us:
10am PT 🎉 VIRTUAL party: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977502652...
6pm PT 🍸 IN PERSON film screening & party at the Internet Archive: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977503818...
7pm PT 📽️ LIVESTREAM film screening: www.eventbrite.com/e/1980757251...
10am PT 🎉 VIRTUAL party: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977502652...
6pm PT 🍸 IN PERSON film screening & party at the Internet Archive: www.eventbrite.com/e/1977503818...
7pm PT 📽️ LIVESTREAM film screening: www.eventbrite.com/e/1980757251...
Reposted by Ben
Our fundraiser is off to a great start, and I have just the thing to keep up the momentum: A crudely drawn graphic that is definitely NOT phallic.
January 19, 2026 at 6:15 PM
Our fundraiser is off to a great start, and I have just the thing to keep up the momentum: A crudely drawn graphic that is definitely NOT phallic.
Reposted by Ben
Oh my God a literal wallet inspector
Crypto holder loses $283 million to scammer impersonating wallet support
January 10, 2026
https://www.web3isgoinggreat.com/?id=trezor-support-scam
January 10, 2026
https://www.web3isgoinggreat.com/?id=trezor-support-scam
January 17, 2026 at 9:17 PM
Oh my God a literal wallet inspector
Reposted by Ben
Axios: "How do you define the female sex?"
Me: "I had female sex last night with your dad, Jim"
bsky.app/profile/kate...
Me: "I had female sex last night with your dad, Jim"
bsky.app/profile/kate...
January 19, 2026 at 4:43 PM
Axios: "How do you define the female sex?"
Me: "I had female sex last night with your dad, Jim"
bsky.app/profile/kate...
Me: "I had female sex last night with your dad, Jim"
bsky.app/profile/kate...
Reposted by Ben
"Can a man become a woman?" is not a question anyone asks in good faith as it's a complete misunderstanding of what being trans is. Absolutely a GOP op.
January 19, 2026 at 3:42 PM
"Can a man become a woman?" is not a question anyone asks in good faith as it's a complete misunderstanding of what being trans is. Absolutely a GOP op.
Reposted by Ben
These Democrats voted to confirm Kristi Noem:
Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.)
Sen. Maggie Hassan (N.H.)
Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)
Sen. Andy Kim (N.J.)
Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.)
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.)
Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.)
Sen. Maggie Hassan (N.H.)
Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)
Sen. Andy Kim (N.J.)
Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.)
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.)
ICE ended up returning the man, Saly, after realizing he’s a fucking US citizen with no criminal record, per his sister-in-law. These fucking animals.
January 19, 2026 at 2:20 PM
These Democrats voted to confirm Kristi Noem:
Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.)
Sen. Maggie Hassan (N.H.)
Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)
Sen. Andy Kim (N.J.)
Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.)
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.)
Sen. John Fetterman (Pa.)
Sen. Maggie Hassan (N.H.)
Sen. Tim Kaine (Va.)
Sen. Andy Kim (N.J.)
Sen. Gary Peters (Mich.)
Sen. Jeanne Shaheen (N.H.)
Sen. Elissa Slotkin (Mich.)
Reposted by Ben
Multi-layered “look what you made me do” lie.
Because Norway didn’t give a him prize (it doesn’t decide winners) for ending wars (he didn’t end) the US won’t be peaceful anymore (bombing multiple countries) and will take Greenland (part of Denmark, not Norway) to stop Russia (it’d help Russia).
Because Norway didn’t give a him prize (it doesn’t decide winners) for ending wars (he didn’t end) the US won’t be peaceful anymore (bombing multiple countries) and will take Greenland (part of Denmark, not Norway) to stop Russia (it’d help Russia).
![NEW: @potus letter to @jonasgahrstore links @NobelPrize to Greenland, reiterates threats, and is forwarded by the NSC staff to multiple European ambassadors in Washington. I obtained the text from multiple officials:
Dear Ambassador:
President Trump has asked that the following message, shared with Prime Minister Jonas Gahr Støre, be forwarded to your [named head of government/state]
“Dear Jonas: Considering your Country decided not to give me the Nobel Peace Prize for having stopped 8 Wars PLUS, I no longer feel an obligation to think purely of Peace, although it will always be predominant, but can now think about what is good and proper for the United States of America. Denmark cannot protect that land from Russia or China, and why do they have a “right of ownership” anyway? There are no written documents, it’s only that a boat landed there hundreds of years ago, but we had boats landing there, also. I have done more for NATO than any other person since its founding, and now, NATO should do something for the United States. The World is not secure unless we have Complete and Total Control of Greenland. Thank you! President DJT”](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:hbpefio3f5csc44msmbgioxz/bafkreie7itpptx3xbxhpsnlaqmwk752h7pcrion5ija2apksljtax2adx4@jpeg)
January 19, 2026 at 5:36 AM
Multi-layered “look what you made me do” lie.
Because Norway didn’t give a him prize (it doesn’t decide winners) for ending wars (he didn’t end) the US won’t be peaceful anymore (bombing multiple countries) and will take Greenland (part of Denmark, not Norway) to stop Russia (it’d help Russia).
Because Norway didn’t give a him prize (it doesn’t decide winners) for ending wars (he didn’t end) the US won’t be peaceful anymore (bombing multiple countries) and will take Greenland (part of Denmark, not Norway) to stop Russia (it’d help Russia).
Reposted by Ben
These ‘ball libraries(?!)’ are popping up in Hackney parks. What a fantastic idea. Would be great to see them expanded to estates and quiet roads & include other play equipment like skipping ropes etc. 👏 @carolinewoodley.bsky.social
January 19, 2026 at 1:01 PM
These ‘ball libraries(?!)’ are popping up in Hackney parks. What a fantastic idea. Would be great to see them expanded to estates and quiet roads & include other play equipment like skipping ropes etc. 👏 @carolinewoodley.bsky.social