Marcus Mauney
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marcusmauney.bsky.social
Marcus Mauney
@marcusmauney.bsky.social
2.2K followers 5.8K following 2.6K posts
Scribbler. Working on Prosopography in the 3rd Century Roman Empire. Late Roman Empire/Late Antiquity/Early Middle Ages enjoyer. North Carolina expat in California. Appalachian and old man undergrad.
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marcusmauney.bsky.social
How could you possibly find this uncomfortable?
Heidi Klum dressed up as a worm.
November 1, 2025 at 12:01 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Peter Griffin in a studio audience, standing and pointing saying: He said it! He said the thing!
October 9, 2025 at 7:02 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
"Grab his dick and twist it" guy
October 9, 2025 at 4:56 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
I had a couple of folks ask me for a quick explainer on what the government shut down is about. Here goes: How is the government shut down right now when Republicans control every branch of government? Basically, in order for Congress (which includes both the Senate and the House of Representatives) to pass a budget for the government to function, they need 60 votes out of 100 in the Senate and 218 out of 435 votes in the House. The GOP has the votes in the House but need Dem votes in the Senate to make 60. The Republicans wrote a heinous budget bill with massive cuts that will harm the American people and further erode Democracy so, Democrats have refused to just sign on to the bill as Republicans have written it and want to negotiate a comprise. Dems focal point has been on one single negative in the budget - the fact that the GOP budget will gut federal subsidies for healthcare for qualifying families that will result in an astronomical spike in premiums. Dems have asked for those subsidies stay in place to allow families to keep their healthcare. They've asked for no other concession, even though there are plenty of other issues in the budget. Despite that single ask, Republicans have flatly refused to negotiate or back off on killing the subsidies, going so far as to send their members home for vacation (which has the added benefit of allowing the Speaker of the House to continue NOT seating the new Democratic Congresswoman from Texas, Rep. Adelita Grijalva, who would be the deciding vote in releasing the Epstein files). The GOP's demand is that the Dems rubber stamp whatever they do, no matter the issue, when they don't even have the votes to do what they want in their own party. Its un-Democratic and un-American. So, there you have it. The GOP is so desperate to cut healthcare from millions of Americans and to protect pedophiles, they've shut down the federal government. A shutdown they have the power to reverse any time they choose.
October 6, 2025 at 8:06 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Good read.
For most of the twentieth century, institutions whose authority rested on nonpartisan expertise influenced America’s public sphere through a top-down communications model. Think tanks, modern universities, and social and advocacy organizations produced writing and research aimed at policymakers and elites. Public communication was seen as the last stage of the process. Press releases alerted a relatively manageable set of high-profile outlets to new writings. Carefully crafted content passed through media gatekeepers who determined what deserved public attention. Through op-eds, Sunday talk shows, and briefings, experts could bring their work to the attention of politicians, executives, and other decisionmakers who could act on their ideas. The public—especially the educated and politically engaged—could be reached through a relatively small number of channels. Even as cable news expanded and partisan outlets like Fox News emerged, this approach held: Institutions created, gatekeepers validated, audiences consumed. The top-down, centralized approach rewarded polish, institutional prestige, and insider relationships with gatekeepers. A high degree of shared trust gave credence to the choices of the gatekeepers; legitimacy was communicated through successful participation in this hierarchy. That system has collapsed. Today, public attention flows through a far more diffuse, competitive ecosystem—one where influence is shaped by networks rather than hierarchies. The old gatekeepers have been replaced by new ones: algorithms that curate content, high-follower social media accounts that influence what goes viral, and deeply engaged niche creators who enjoy immense legitimacy within their communities. The newly influential are not simply broadcasters at the top of a different hierarchical order—they determine what content matters in conjunction with active, participating audiences. Legitimacy is now conferred on those who master resonance, immediacy, emotional connec
September 29, 2025 at 7:11 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
The truly insane part of this is that it's completely fabricated. Its beautiful out here in California and Oregon. People in Portland are sharing videos of a sunny Saturday afternoon walking their dogs or going to yoga, Senator Ron Wyden is literally posting video from outside the ICE facility and the streets are empty, but there is an entire media ecosystem that has tried for years (and has been largely successful) in convincing Americans that don't know any better that cities, in particular West Coast cities, are horrible hellacapes under "Antifa" occupation. Absolutely farcical and all for political gain and power. Our entire system, Congress, the news media, political leaders that are in positions to stop this, or at the very least show the truth, refuse to do so out of fear or to seek profit. A system that allows a deranged President to call for live ammunition against our own citizens, and the military obeys him, because of a fever dream cooked up by right wing radicals and nurtured in a corrupt ecosystem. A disgusting failure of our society. If you're sitting there watching literally any program that is telling you this bullshit is remotely true or justified you're in it, you're in their propaganda network, and you're not even questioning it.
September 27, 2025 at 8:58 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
The boys in the group chat are never gonna believe this. @jcsalterego.bsky.social
Man touching the hand of God. Jerry liked my post.
September 26, 2025 at 4:39 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Meanwhile in the US: Trump: The sky is a big, beautiful green! Right wing media: He's so right! It IS green. Libtards have been lying to you your entire life. Main stream media: Trump says the sky is green. Democrats say it's blue. Here's a panel of 8 people to debate the issue. *Debate ensues* Main stream media: Well both sides have great points, voters will have to decide if they want to acknowledge the sky is green or if they want to persist in calling it blue. MAGA voter: See! It's green you lying commie. Liberals/Leftists: You're lying to people and now the media can't even state that fact! Average voter: Why are Democrats so angry?! Anyone see the last episode of America's Next Top Model?
September 16, 2025 at 6:19 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Jesus, I see what you've done for other people, and I want that for me.
September 14, 2025 at 4:41 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
When the algorithm hits.
A post about The Onion being cleared to renew their attempt to buy Alex Jones's InfoWars and quoting Ben Collins. The post immediately beneath it is Ben Collins confirming his quote.
August 14, 2025 at 3:44 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
August 12, 2025 at 7:41 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Show me your quick getaway vehicle.
SeaQuest DSV
August 10, 2025 at 1:27 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
A man in a suit being tackled by other men in suits while grasping a microphone and saying "Would".
July 4, 2025 at 10:01 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Great turn out at the #NoKings rally in Dublin, CA. A peaceful, festival like atmosphere. Lots of cheers and lots of honking cars. Only one counter protester showed up with his sad Trump flag and sign along with a blown up picture of a man pointing a gun and an ad for his "gun cleaning" business.
Pride flag alongside the state and the US flags. No Kings rally Woman holding a sign that says No Kings A man in a cowboy hat holding a sign that says "Donald you ignorant slut".
June 14, 2025 at 10:15 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Nathan Felder "Out on the town" meme.
June 2, 2025 at 7:56 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
The real deal 😃
Picture of a toy submarine with a boy inside.
May 25, 2025 at 1:58 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
💅
Jake Tapper sucks.
May 24, 2025 at 4:42 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Monstrous.
Guardian article headline: First Thing: UN says 14,000 babies could die in Gaza in the next 48 hours under Israeli aid blockade.
May 21, 2025 at 1:52 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Me: I won't talk politics I promise. Me after 2 drinks: Picture: Scene from the show Rome where Julius Caesar, on horseback, harangues legionnaires with a cry of "Our beloved Republic is in the hands of madmen!"
April 30, 2025 at 6:35 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
👀
https://discord.gg/g72Dxvq9
April 14, 2025 at 4:13 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
The Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer thrilled to be sitting with Archbishop Timothy Dolan and Donald Trump. He's pictured with a big grin giving a thumbs up.
March 25, 2025 at 2:58 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
i used to run with a pretty tough gang when i was younger

the gang:
Cast photo from The Goonies.
March 19, 2025 at 5:00 PM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
Post a ship that's not Star Wars or Star Trek.
The RV style spaceship from the movie Spaceballs.
March 18, 2025 at 6:18 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
A cat, smoking weed, with the caption overhead "Fuck the patriarchy."
March 6, 2025 at 3:31 AM
marcusmauney.bsky.social
You mean DOGE fanboy @rokhanna.bsky.social? The guy who was all pumped up about working with DOGE? Not only is this guy the actual swamp, he helped stock it with alligators.
Ro Kanna slobbering all over Elon Musk's boots.
March 3, 2025 at 6:26 PM