Benjamin Boles
@benjaminboles.bsky.social
I cut hair and sometimes make music. Retired music journalist.
He/they
Toronto
https://on.soundcloud.com/z1Wx4
He/they
Toronto
https://on.soundcloud.com/z1Wx4
Pinned
Benjamin Boles
@benjaminboles.bsky.social
· Nov 26
Ambient Heat
Stream Ambient Heat by benjamin boles on desktop and mobile. Play over 320 million tracks for free on SoundCloud.
m.soundcloud.com
A few months ago I decided to try making some electronic music at a much slower tempo than I’d ever worked with before. Here’s the result of those 76bpm experiments:
m.soundcloud.com/benjamin-bol...
m.soundcloud.com/benjamin-bol...
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
things are so so so so so much worse for the lower half in this economy because the things exploding the most (healthcare, housing, food, heating) are the most inflexible parts of a small budget, and they're already maxxed out and spending very efficiently, so any slip is loss of something material
people for whom housing is 15% of income just literally cant imagine the world of people whose housing is 50% of income, and everyone needs 2k calories a day no matter the wealth. cpi just isnt really that meaningful in this discussion
December 20, 2025 at 12:31 AM
things are so so so so so much worse for the lower half in this economy because the things exploding the most (healthcare, housing, food, heating) are the most inflexible parts of a small budget, and they're already maxxed out and spending very efficiently, so any slip is loss of something material
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
The name "Popular Science" doesn't mean we shift our coverage depending on public opinion. It means we cover relevant subjects that are rigorously researched, reliable, and grounded in reality.
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
And trans lives are grounded in reality.
We see y'all. No matter what.
www.popsci.com/science/tran...
First-of-a-kind study shows encouraging data for trans kids who socially transition
Ninety-four percent of participants in a new study stood firm in their trans identity after five years, and "detransitioning" is rare.
www.popsci.com
December 19, 2025 at 6:58 PM
If you're not trans, I don't think I can fully explain how important this is.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
It's so powerful that one of the most circulated science media publications in the world has come out and said "trans children are real and providing transition care improves their lives." That's groundbreaking.
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
people are tremendously, indescribably bad at identifying their own motivations and beliefs. this is why you can't chase polls. you have to
and bear with me
*do the work of politics by convincing people your ideas are the right ones*
something Dems like Jeffries and Schumer refuse to do.
and bear with me
*do the work of politics by convincing people your ideas are the right ones*
something Dems like Jeffries and Schumer refuse to do.
December 19, 2025 at 8:32 PM
people are tremendously, indescribably bad at identifying their own motivations and beliefs. this is why you can't chase polls. you have to
and bear with me
*do the work of politics by convincing people your ideas are the right ones*
something Dems like Jeffries and Schumer refuse to do.
and bear with me
*do the work of politics by convincing people your ideas are the right ones*
something Dems like Jeffries and Schumer refuse to do.
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
imagine having an actual evil twin
Incredible story. A Democrat on the Indiana city council went viral for a video explaining that the guy who looks like him showing up at GOP events was his MAGA twin brother.
It wasn't a joke. TIME spoke to both Nick and Nathan Roberts about their relationship
time.com/7341364/twin...
It wasn't a joke. TIME spoke to both Nick and Nathan Roberts about their relationship
time.com/7341364/twin...
Meet the Identical Twins on Opposite Sides of the Political Divide
One is a Democratic city councillor, the other is an anti-immigration activist. Things got confusing when they appeared at the same public debate.
time.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:44 PM
imagine having an actual evil twin
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
From the Metro Toronto Planning Board's 1959 draft Official Plan (voted down by Metro Council). You could not say something this obvious in Toronto's Official Plan anymore.
December 19, 2025 at 7:41 PM
From the Metro Toronto Planning Board's 1959 draft Official Plan (voted down by Metro Council). You could not say something this obvious in Toronto's Official Plan anymore.
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
I love my two blackout drunk Minnesota sons
December 18, 2025 at 2:17 PM
I love my two blackout drunk Minnesota sons
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
I am taking the opportunity to once again remind you of the time Naomi Wolf thought Apple invented time machines run by vaccines
December 19, 2025 at 2:18 PM
I am taking the opportunity to once again remind you of the time Naomi Wolf thought Apple invented time machines run by vaccines
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
steady.page
December 19, 2025 at 2:07 PM
What the “MAGA Civil War” is Really About
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
Different factions are fighting for supremacy on the Right. What will post-Trump MAGA look like – and how dangerous is Trumpism without Trump?
As the piece is partially behind a paywall, I’ll share some key thoughts:
🧵
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
I said “it sounds like you’re just feeding municipal vehicles to the hill” and the mayor of Montreal started crying
if tumblr dies I need this video to make it's seasonal rotation here instead just in case, Happy holidays 🎄
December 18, 2025 at 6:03 PM
I said “it sounds like you’re just feeding municipal vehicles to the hill” and the mayor of Montreal started crying
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
I always have to remind myself not to generalize about Christians because while I’ve long battled with hateful Evangelicals and hypocritical Catholics, the Quakers have always been quietly doing the right thing ❤️
British Quakers are refusing room bookings from terfs as policy.
If you were waiting for an org to stand up for LGBTQIA+ rights, and unflinchingly withstand bullying and lawfare, here you go, friends.
Good luck to the raging bigots, they'll get nowhere with threats.
If you were waiting for an org to stand up for LGBTQIA+ rights, and unflinchingly withstand bullying and lawfare, here you go, friends.
Good luck to the raging bigots, they'll get nowhere with threats.
December 19, 2025 at 1:45 PM
I always have to remind myself not to generalize about Christians because while I’ve long battled with hateful Evangelicals and hypocritical Catholics, the Quakers have always been quietly doing the right thing ❤️
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
decades-long manhunt finally ends
May 29, 2025 at 12:30 PM
decades-long manhunt finally ends
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
if tumblr dies I need this video to make it's seasonal rotation here instead just in case, Happy holidays 🎄
December 18, 2025 at 2:05 AM
if tumblr dies I need this video to make it's seasonal rotation here instead just in case, Happy holidays 🎄
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
YOU DUMB FUCKS. THIS IS ME.
I have a scooter. I can walk. I can't, however, walk through 80 miles of airport. I can walk onto an airplane or through hallways. I can't walk the .5 mile to the convention center.
People, get smarter, it's embarrassing at this point.
I have a scooter. I can walk. I can't, however, walk through 80 miles of airport. I can walk onto an airplane or through hallways. I can't walk the .5 mile to the convention center.
People, get smarter, it's embarrassing at this point.
Travelers bemoan a rise of able-bodied passengers who game the system to skip the lines. on.wsj.com/3N6apva
They Get Wheeled on Flights and Miraculously Walk Off. Praise ‘Jetway Jesus.’
Travelers bemoan a rise of able-bodied passengers who game the system to skip the lines.
on.wsj.com
December 19, 2025 at 1:39 AM
YOU DUMB FUCKS. THIS IS ME.
I have a scooter. I can walk. I can't, however, walk through 80 miles of airport. I can walk onto an airplane or through hallways. I can't walk the .5 mile to the convention center.
People, get smarter, it's embarrassing at this point.
I have a scooter. I can walk. I can't, however, walk through 80 miles of airport. I can walk onto an airplane or through hallways. I can't walk the .5 mile to the convention center.
People, get smarter, it's embarrassing at this point.
It kind of seems like every word in the dictionary, in a completely random order. Very mysterious
someone accidently stumbled on an insanely ominious cdc government page, it’s a massive list of random words that looks like this. anyone know whats going on here?
ftp.cdc.gov/pub/health_S...
ftp.cdc.gov/pub/health_S...
December 19, 2025 at 1:31 AM
It kind of seems like every word in the dictionary, in a completely random order. Very mysterious
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
Glad it’s not just me
Is the latest iPhone operating system aesthetically appealing? No. But is it useful? Also no. At least I have company among the disgruntled. www.wired.com/story/phone-...
Phone Updates Used to Be Annoying. The Latest iOS Is Awful
Is the latest iPhone operating system aesthetically appealing? No. But is it useful? Also no. At least I have company among the disgruntled.
www.wired.com
December 18, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Glad it’s not just me
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
Reminded of the time they did this in a town in New Hamshire and it was eventually overrun by bears because they didn't believe in investing in waste management or a wildlife service.
Belgian crypto billionaire Olivier Janssens is planning to establish a "libertarian community" with its own legal system in Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Belgian crypto-billionaire wants to build the ‘Dubai of the Caribbean’
Belgian crypto-billionaire wants to build the 'Dubai of the Caribbean'
www.brusselstimes.com
December 18, 2025 at 8:43 AM
Reminded of the time they did this in a town in New Hamshire and it was eventually overrun by bears because they didn't believe in investing in waste management or a wildlife service.
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
Even if Lewis and his Green New Deal is not the first choice for New Democrats seeking a way to rebuild their party’s dismal fortunes, it’s nice to see someone aiming high for the climate www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/17/o...
NDP's Avi Lewis wants to put climate back on the table
Even if Lewis and his Green New Deal is not the first choice for New Democrats seeking a way to rebuild their party’s dismal fortune, it’s nice to see someone aiming high. Lewis’ climate plan is a rem...
www.nationalobserver.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:31 PM
Even if Lewis and his Green New Deal is not the first choice for New Democrats seeking a way to rebuild their party’s dismal fortunes, it’s nice to see someone aiming high for the climate www.nationalobserver.com/2025/12/17/o...
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
I'm already grateful for this article. It sits with the people who read the room correctly, saw the dangers, and were treated like Cassandra for it. It's wild how rarely that has happened.
this was a huge project - i interviewed dozens of americans who feared the worst from the start of the trump era, i wanted to understand why it was obvious to some, but not others
i'd like to thank everyone who participated
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
i'd like to thank everyone who participated
newrepublic.com/article/2042...
The Americans Who Saw All This Coming—but Were Ignored and Maligned
Call them the Cassandras: the people—mostly not white and male—who smelled the fascism all over Trump from jump street. Why were they “alarmists,” and how did “anti-alarmism” become cool?
newrepublic.com
December 18, 2025 at 1:32 PM
I'm already grateful for this article. It sits with the people who read the room correctly, saw the dangers, and were treated like Cassandra for it. It's wild how rarely that has happened.
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
Everything here is absolutely perfect. Impeccable alignment of words and images.
December 18, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Everything here is absolutely perfect. Impeccable alignment of words and images.
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
yes! i am a bit of a broken record on this but among elite male commentators there is such obvious gender anxiety
i was especially struck by these paragraphs, which rang very true to me. libs who grew up around conservatives aren't embarrassed to be liberals--or confused about what conservatives want. there's a certain kind of elite media man, on the other hand--
December 18, 2025 at 1:37 PM
yes! i am a bit of a broken record on this but among elite male commentators there is such obvious gender anxiety
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
Dolan is a deeply conservative figure, who has called for Catholics to engage in acts civil disobedience against laws covering abortion and same sex relationships. After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Dolan described Kirk as a "modern day St Paul".
Cannot imagine JD Vance is happy with this.
Cannot imagine JD Vance is happy with this.
Pope Leo XIV has replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as leader of the Catholic Church in New York, the Vatican announced, sidelining a prominent US Church figure in a major shake-up of the country's Catholic leadership.
Pope Leo replaces New York's Cardinal Dolan
Pope Leo XIV has replaced Cardinal Timothy Dolan as leader of the Catholic Church in New York, the Vatican announced, sidelining a prominent US Church figure in a major shake-up of the country's Catho...
www.rte.ie
December 18, 2025 at 12:31 PM
Dolan is a deeply conservative figure, who has called for Catholics to engage in acts civil disobedience against laws covering abortion and same sex relationships. After the assassination of Charlie Kirk, Dolan described Kirk as a "modern day St Paul".
Cannot imagine JD Vance is happy with this.
Cannot imagine JD Vance is happy with this.
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
it’s crazy that provinces have a “we don’t have to follow the charter” cheat code and municipalities, which are forced to be responsible for things like ‘rampant homelessness,’ barely even legally exist. our country is set up in an insane way
December 18, 2025 at 4:30 AM
it’s crazy that provinces have a “we don’t have to follow the charter” cheat code and municipalities, which are forced to be responsible for things like ‘rampant homelessness,’ barely even legally exist. our country is set up in an insane way
Reposted by Benjamin Boles
A story I found about Haiti:
In 1999, a group of Haitians were tired of political disorder and dreamed of a better life in the United States. So they built a small, 23-foot boat by hand using pine trees, scrap wood, and used nails. They called the boat "Believe in God."
In 1999, a group of Haitians were tired of political disorder and dreamed of a better life in the United States. So they built a small, 23-foot boat by hand using pine trees, scrap wood, and used nails. They called the boat "Believe in God."
December 18, 2025 at 2:43 AM
A story I found about Haiti:
In 1999, a group of Haitians were tired of political disorder and dreamed of a better life in the United States. So they built a small, 23-foot boat by hand using pine trees, scrap wood, and used nails. They called the boat "Believe in God."
In 1999, a group of Haitians were tired of political disorder and dreamed of a better life in the United States. So they built a small, 23-foot boat by hand using pine trees, scrap wood, and used nails. They called the boat "Believe in God."