Blooms & Barnacles Podcast
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Blooms & Barnacles Podcast
@bloomsandbarnacles.bsky.social
The internet's foremost expert on James Joyce and Nicolas Cage. Now in podcast form!

https://linktr.ee/bloomsandbarnacles
Pinned
We're so proud of our video about Ulysses and AI that we're pulling it out from behind the paywall for your perusal.

Could an AI write Ulysses?

Watch now at:
youtu.be/lHVdjVLpLx0

#booksky
New Episode: Mr. W.H.

Shakespeare's sonnets were dedicated to Mr. W.H., but who was he? The Fair Youth? Buck Mulligan? We have thoughts.

#booksky
Ep. 165 - Mr. W. H. — Blooms & Barnacles
“—Do you think it is only a paradox? the quaker librarian was asking. The mocker is never taken seriously when he is most serious.”
www.bloomsandbarnacles.com
November 6, 2025 at 7:21 AM
If you want to read Ulysses, just read it. The first two chapters are not as hard as you think. It's OK not to understand everything in Proteus. Just read it and note what you DO get. If you're skipping chapters, Ulysses may not be the book you're actually interested in, which is also OK.
12. People who want you to thrive will offer help and advice. If advice is all they offer, it's probably shit.

13. If that chick don't wanna know, forget her.

14. If you want to read Ulysses, start on Chapter 4 (meeting Leopold Bloom) and revisit the earlier chapters once you've found your feet.
November 5, 2025 at 12:00 PM
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New awareness campaign
November 3, 2025 at 3:23 PM
If you haven't already, check out our October bonus episode:
We talk with author Eric Wagner about Robert Anton Wilson, James Joyce, and his new book about both

#booksky
Bonus Ep. 34 - Robert Anton Wilson w/ Eric Wagner (Video) | Blooms & Barnacles
Get more from Blooms & Barnacles on Patreon
www.patreon.com
November 3, 2025 at 8:13 AM
Happy Halloween!
October 31, 2025 at 12:01 PM
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Today we harvested many olive trees in Ramallah. Wothout Israeli and international volunteers, the Palestinian farmers are prohibited from harvesting their own orchards. This is their livelihood, and we stand in solidarity with them.
#IsraeliOccupation
October 24, 2025 at 9:30 AM
Ep. 164 - Puck Mulligan

In which, we discuss Buck Mulligan's role as a Shakespearean fool within Ulysses, tormenting poor Stephen Dedalus.

#booksky
Ep. 164 - Puck Mulligan — Blooms & Barnacles
You will serve that which you laugh at.
www.bloomsandbarnacles.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:11 PM
I'm beginning my research phase for "Sirens" and I'm not sure what to cover in this episode. I'm considering covering it in a single episode and then moving onto "Cyclops," which I have A LOT to talk about. What would you want me to cover from "Sirens?"

Leave your thoughts in the comments!
October 16, 2025 at 2:40 PM
New blog post: Stephen Dynamo

Why is Stephen Dedalus afraid of electricity?

#booksky
Stephen Dynamo — Blooms & Barnacles
In the thirteenth section of “ Wandering Rocks, ” Ulysses ’ tenth episode, we meet Stephen Dedalus once again, gazing into the window of Old Russell the lapidarist. We last saw Stephen descending the...
www.bloomsandbarnacles.com
October 16, 2025 at 12:22 PM
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Finally, I can softly recall Michael Furey in glorious 4K!
October 15, 2025 at 7:24 PM
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AI has lost the dunce vote. It’s over
October 11, 2025 at 11:10 PM
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David Simon, creator of ‘The Wire’, being interviewed by Ari Shapiro (NPR)
October 9, 2025 at 4:42 AM
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The whispers of doubt dance around the genius of Shakespeare. Each play feels like a tapestry woven from many voices, urging us to explore the depths of collaboration and creativity. #booksky #books
Ep. 163 - The Spirit of Reconciliation

Shakespeare couldn't have possibly written all those plays all by himself... right?

#booksky
Ep. 163 - The Spirit of Reconciliation — Blooms & Barnacles
Bitches love sonnets.
www.bloomsandbarnacles.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:54 AM
Ep. 163 - The Spirit of Reconciliation

Shakespeare couldn't have possibly written all those plays all by himself... right?

#booksky
Ep. 163 - The Spirit of Reconciliation — Blooms & Barnacles
Bitches love sonnets.
www.bloomsandbarnacles.com
October 8, 2025 at 11:01 AM
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A small fire at the front of the bookshop was started last night after rubbish bags that were awaiting collection were set on fire. The guards don’t have reason at this time to believe it was a targeted attack. Thankfully the damage was limited and everyone is safe. We are open for business as usual
October 6, 2025 at 12:33 PM
This month on Patreon, we're discussing Djuna Barnes' classic novel about 1920's Paris and lesbian longing, Nightwood

#booksky

Listen or watch the video at patreon.com/barnaclecast
September 30, 2025 at 2:03 PM
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@moderation.bsky.app has suppressed my Sweets of Sin post!

To read the blog post that's too hot for Bluesky, please visit bloomsandbarnacles.com

It's what James Joyce would want you to do

#booksky
September 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
Ep. 162 - Quaker Librarian

We discuss an especially an especially obscure passage of Ulysses and @animatewithdermot.bsky.social 's most obscure illustration

#booksky
Ep. 162 - Quaker Librarian — Blooms & Barnacles
I, for one, think geese really do have souls. Topics in this episode include librarian Thomas Lyster and his Quaker faith, why Lyster always seems to be dancing in “Scylla and Charybdis,” the journal...
www.bloomsandbarnacles.com
September 25, 2025 at 10:59 AM
@moderation.bsky.app has suppressed my Sweets of Sin post!

To read the blog post that's too hot for Bluesky, please visit bloomsandbarnacles.com

It's what James Joyce would want you to do

#booksky
September 19, 2025 at 1:06 PM
New blog post -- Sweets of Sin

On the influence of Leopold von Sacher-Masoch, Venus in Furs, and Victorian flagellation literature on Ulysses

#booksky
Sweets of Sin — Blooms & Barnacles
“... a volume of peccaminous pornographical tendency entitled Sweets of Sin, anonymous author a gentleman of fashion…”  “...I wonder what kind is that book he brought me Sweets of Sin by a gen...
www.bloomsandbarnacles.com
September 18, 2025 at 10:27 AM
Ep. 161 - Yogibogeybox

If you'd like to know about the various uncouth antics of a young James Joyce and Oliver St. John Gogarty, we've got you covered.

#booksky

www.bloomsandbarnacles.com/episodes/ep-...
Ep. 161 - Yogibogeybox — Blooms & Barnacles
We finally learn the weirdest thing that Joyce and Gogarty got up to.
www.bloomsandbarnacles.com
September 12, 2025 at 12:16 PM
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We're talking Giacomo Joyce, James Joyce's only story set outside of Dublin. We talk about the poetry of the work, how it influenced his later work, and of course the controversy surrounding this work

Here's a preview. You can find the full episode at patreon.com/barnaclecast

youtu.be/sshBjDtpf-o
Bonus Ep. 32 - Giacomo Joyce [TEASER]
YouTube video by Blooms & Barnacles Podcast
youtu.be
September 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by Blooms & Barnacles Podcast
Being on social media is fine but if it’s getting in the way of you doing deep reading and deep thinking, then your balance of how you spend your time is off

Lots of interesting threads here and none of them are a substitute for reading a good book or essay
September 2, 2025 at 11:54 AM
We're talking Giacomo Joyce, James Joyce's only story set outside of Dublin. We talk about the poetry of the work, how it influenced his later work, and of course the controversy surrounding this work

Here's a preview. You can find the full episode at patreon.com/barnaclecast

youtu.be/sshBjDtpf-o
Bonus Ep. 32 - Giacomo Joyce [TEASER]
YouTube video by Blooms & Barnacles Podcast
youtu.be
September 1, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Reposted by Blooms & Barnacles Podcast
AI advocates have warned that if every author in the class action filed a claim, it would "financially ruin" the entire industry.
Authors celebrate “historic” settlement coming soon in Anthropic class action
Advocates fear such settlements will “financially ruin” the AI industry.
arstechnica.com
August 27, 2025 at 3:53 PM