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Robert Barry

@monsterbobby.bsky.social

Freelance writer (The Wire, Tribune, Art Review, Mubi Notebook, &c.). Musicker (Far Rainbow, The Pipettes). Reviews Editor at The Quietus. Author of The Music of the Future (Repeater, 2017), Object Lessons: Compact Disc (Bloomsbury, 2020). Idiot.

2,036 Followers  |  1,055 Following  |  405 Posts  |  Joined: 15.11.2024  |  1.942

Latest posts by monsterbobby.bsky.social on Bluesky


Preview
From Stranger Things to Killing Eve: why TV shows should only be one season long Furious fans, bloated storylines and television seemingly made only to sell merch … it’s time to stop dragging series out. Most of them deserve no more than one outing

www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio... Think this is spot on. Pretty sure the last seasons two I wasn't disappointed by was The Wire.

20.02.2026 12:30 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

o rly?

20.02.2026 11:52 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

I think he was the biggest winner in the show's history up to that point. he said he made much more money from that gameshow than he had from composing.

20.02.2026 11:32 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

impressed with dir. bradley cooper’s ability to pass seamlessly from a film about music in which all the music is bad to a film about comedy with no jokes.

19.02.2026 22:24 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Where are there permanent public sound installations? (not including anything you need to use your phone or scan a bloody qr code for). Thinking about creating a map.

12.02.2026 13:16 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

I think Ruined Piano Sanctuary definitely counts, but I'm not sure how to locate it on the map. Are Lockwood's piano burials still there, as it were? Do you know the exact locations? Is there anything marking the spot?

12.02.2026 15:24 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

That links not working for me for some reason. But I found the Cobar Sound Chapel on the map and have added it. Thanks! Do you know any others?

12.02.2026 15:08 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Preview
Sound Art - Google My Maps Sound Art

Ok. I've made a start www.google.com/maps/d/u/0/e... But there must be loads more...

12.02.2026 13:40 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

Where are there permanent public sound installations? (not including anything you need to use your phone or scan a bloody qr code for). Thinking about creating a map.

12.02.2026 13:16 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 2    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

ah bloody hell. I wish Black Truffle could just once try putting out an album that does not immediately make me want to buy it. absolute bastards.

11.02.2026 18:29 β€” πŸ‘ 12    πŸ” 1    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

yeh the music-y bit

08.02.2026 15:09 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Odd thing for me about Sinners discourse is I saw that film at the cinema and thought well that was quite good albeit with one extremely embarrassing scene, a sudden dramatic lapse in taste that surely everyone will be taking the piss out of…. And…. It turns out everyone thought was the best bit?

08.02.2026 14:41 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0
Times report: Allies of Rayner said they believed that Wes Streeting, the health secretary, would be β€œruined” by the mass disclosure of all communications with Mandelson in coming months. Streeting and Mandelson were close allies for years.

Times report: Allies of Rayner said they believed that Wes Streeting, the health secretary, would be β€œruined” by the mass disclosure of all communications with Mandelson in coming months. Streeting and Mandelson were close allies for years.

In these dark days of February, a little something to look forward to.

07.02.2026 06:42 β€” πŸ‘ 2717    πŸ” 732    πŸ’¬ 120    πŸ“Œ 99
05.02.2026 12:38 β€” πŸ‘ 198    πŸ” 41    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

Art!

05.02.2026 18:28 β€” πŸ‘ 1080    πŸ” 90    πŸ’¬ 40    πŸ“Œ 2

evacuated from the british library due to a fire alarm… everyone in the piazza wrapped in silver emergency blankets…

05.02.2026 16:23 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

My review of last year's Sacrum Profanum festival in Krakow is in the new issue of The Wire. (i liked it)

03.02.2026 15:13 β€” πŸ‘ 5    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

our pub quiz team tonight was called β€œharry potter is in the epstein files” (and, yes, we won)

02.02.2026 23:09 β€” πŸ‘ 3    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0
=Q
ZUashington Examiner
Subscribe
Noam Chomsky: Antifa is a 'major gift to the Right'
By Steven Nelson
August 17, 2017 4:00 am

=Q ZUashington Examiner Subscribe Noam Chomsky: Antifa is a 'major gift to the Right' By Steven Nelson August 17, 2017 4:00 am

From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
jeffrey E. <jeevacation@gmail.com>
Monday, August 14, 2017 9:59 PM
Valeria Chomsky
Re:
address of where to meet. ? it is not a ease, it is the condo purchase, in a corporate name. w=ll explain all tomrmorw
On Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 3:31 PM, Valeria Chomsky < β€Ήmailto)
β€Ί > wrote:
Hi Jeffrey,
Tomorrow at 1pm wor=s. We have a commitment around 4pm.
|= will be great to see you. And please give us some advices. We=found out that the lease of the condo in Cambridge seems to have been put =nder one of the trusts without Noam's authorization or even his knowle=ge (there were lots of papers to sign when we closed the deal). Not =ure yet because the answers are too slow -- something that seems unreasona=le to me.
Best,
Valeria<=r>
=/div>
----- Forwarded message -----F=om: jeffrey E. β€Ήjeevacation@gmail.c=mβ€Ί
Date: Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 3:40 PM
Subject:
To:=Valeria Chomsky <
β€Ήmailto

From: Sent: To: Subject: jeffrey E. <jeevacation@gmail.com> Monday, August 14, 2017 9:59 PM Valeria Chomsky Re: address of where to meet. ? it is not a ease, it is the condo purchase, in a corporate name. w=ll explain all tomrmorw On Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 3:31 PM, Valeria Chomsky < β€Ήmailto) β€Ί > wrote: Hi Jeffrey, Tomorrow at 1pm wor=s. We have a commitment around 4pm. |= will be great to see you. And please give us some advices. We=found out that the lease of the condo in Cambridge seems to have been put =nder one of the trusts without Noam's authorization or even his knowle=ge (there were lots of papers to sign when we closed the deal). Not =ure yet because the answers are too slow -- something that seems unreasona=le to me. Best, Valeria<=r> =/div> ----- Forwarded message -----F=om: jeffrey E. β€Ήjeevacation@gmail.c=mβ€Ί Date: Mon, Aug 14, 2017 at 3:40 PM Subject: To:=Valeria Chomsky < β€Ήmailto

From:
Sent:
To:
Subject:
Peter Thiel <
Monday, August 14, 2017 3:38 AM
jeffrey E.
Re:
Probably can't get there before Thursday... Ho= long are you in NYC? I may be there later this week...
From: jettrey E. <jeevac=tion@gmail.com>
Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2017 6:16:47 PM
To: Peter Thiel
Subject: Re:
leave santa fe wed morning, see chomsky and fly to new yok. you should see santa fe, you will I=ke it. tues ?
On Sun, Aug 13, 2017 at 7:14 PM, Peter Thiel <
β€Ήmailto:
> > wrote:
Are you in Santa Fe until Thursday and then in=NYC?
From:=jeffrey E. Β«=eevacation@gmail.com <mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com>>
Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2017 6:04:56 PM
To: Peter Thiel
Subject:
im going to meet chomsky in tucson wednesday. =ou are welcome.,

From: Sent: To: Subject: Peter Thiel < Monday, August 14, 2017 3:38 AM jeffrey E. Re: Probably can't get there before Thursday... Ho= long are you in NYC? I may be there later this week... From: jettrey E. <jeevac=tion@gmail.com> Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2017 6:16:47 PM To: Peter Thiel Subject: Re: leave santa fe wed morning, see chomsky and fly to new yok. you should see santa fe, you will I=ke it. tues ? On Sun, Aug 13, 2017 at 7:14 PM, Peter Thiel < β€Ήmailto: > > wrote: Are you in Santa Fe until Thursday and then in=NYC? From:=jeffrey E. Β«=eevacation@gmail.com <mailto:jeevacation@gmail.com>> Sent: Sunday, August 13, 2017 6:04:56 PM To: Peter Thiel Subject: im going to meet chomsky in tucson wednesday. =ou are welcome.,

On August 12, 2017, Heather Heyer was killed by a neo-Nazi in Charlottesville.

On August 17, 2017, Noam Chomsky told the Washington Examiner that antifa was β€œa gift to the far right”.

In between those dates he met with Jeffrey Epstein in Tuscon.

31.01.2026 11:06 β€” πŸ‘ 3706    πŸ” 1207    πŸ’¬ 55    πŸ“Œ 85
Post image Post image

Hello, I have a new book out in the spring with Picador and I would love it if you could help me spread the word.

IF WE TOLERATE THIS draws on years of work, to help readers understand why British politics is hurtling rightwards and what to do about it.

Pre-orders: uk.bookshop.org/p/books/if-w...

26.01.2026 14:43 β€” πŸ‘ 272    πŸ” 129    πŸ’¬ 8    πŸ“Œ 9

(As in elements and alloys, not music)

22.01.2026 11:27 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

What is the most boring, mundane metal?

22.01.2026 11:26 β€” πŸ‘ 2    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 4    πŸ“Œ 0
A screenshot of Lala and Po from the teletubbies. The screenshot is clearly taken from someone's phone, as the borders of the tv can be seen, as well as glimpses into the apartment behind them. Po is in bed wrapped up in a blanket. The text below them reads "I know you were high at my mother-in-laws funeral..."

A screenshot of Lala and Po from the teletubbies. The screenshot is clearly taken from someone's phone, as the borders of the tv can be seen, as well as glimpses into the apartment behind them. Po is in bed wrapped up in a blanket. The text below them reads "I know you were high at my mother-in-laws funeral..."

More screenshots from the Teletubbies. Lala seems to be upset with a terrified Po. the text below reads "Did you kill the dog? Why would you do that?!"

More screenshots from the Teletubbies. Lala seems to be upset with a terrified Po. the text below reads "Did you kill the dog? Why would you do that?!"

A third screenshot from the Teletubbies, this time the same scene as before. Po is wearing an apron while Lala seems to still be upset at him. The text below reads "You're nothing but a failure of a man."

A third screenshot from the Teletubbies, this time the same scene as before. Po is wearing an apron while Lala seems to still be upset at him. The text below reads "You're nothing but a failure of a man."

In the 2010s, the Icelandic tv station Channel 2 accidentally added subtitles from a gritty crime drama to an episode of Teletubbies.

I have translated some of the highlights

20.01.2026 00:30 β€” πŸ‘ 7517    πŸ” 3369    πŸ’¬ 99    πŸ“Œ 214

The Nobel Peace Prize becoming so prestigious that wars are fought over a head of state coveting it is some real monkey paw stuff for Alfred Nobel.

19.01.2026 08:47 β€” πŸ‘ 10111    πŸ” 1782    πŸ’¬ 144    πŸ“Œ 52

the tube should have a second set of priority seats for people reading books.

14.01.2026 18:16 β€” πŸ‘ 4    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

I’m not sure that the cultural importance of mtv can be reduced to whether people watched it or not. It massively influenced the rise of the music video as a form, gave enormous boost to several music genres… all these things were felt in the uk, even if few people actually watched th channel itself

31.12.2025 15:54 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 2    πŸ“Œ 0

I’ve spent this morning morbidly watching the MTV channels close down and the final songs played were:
MTV Music - Video Killed the Radio Star (Buggles)
Club MTV - Don’t Stop the Music (Rihanna)
MTV 90s - Goodbye (Spice Girls)
MTV 80s - Together in Electric Dreams (Oakey and Moroder)

31.12.2025 10:34 β€” πŸ‘ 2355    πŸ” 715    πŸ’¬ 82    πŸ“Œ 129

tell the people who invited you that you charge the same rates as ezra klein, then you can book the train last minute!

28.12.2025 15:16 β€” πŸ‘ 1    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 1    πŸ“Œ 0

or Tour va bien.

28.12.2025 12:18 β€” πŸ‘ 0    πŸ” 0    πŸ’¬ 0    πŸ“Œ 0

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