Mike Wendling

What people eat is none of my business however one of those words describes what you do to a scab, and is followed by a quaint local euphemism for genitals 🤮

What a disgusting country

This is very important and timely. Give it a listen.

Currently - The Dark Enlightenment - BBC Sounds Is a radical political philosophy guiding the actions of the Trump administration?

We've been trying to make a radio documentary on the Dark Enlightenment off and on for most of a decade... and it seems pretty apt right now. So how influential is it *really*?
Producer: Lucy Proctor
Editor: Richard Fenton-Smith
Audio mix: James Beard
Wry delivery: me
www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

BBC Radio 4 - Currently, The Dark Enlightenment Is a radical political philosophy guiding the actions of the Trump administration?

This is a skilful, penetrating analysis from @wendling.bsky.social & BBCRadio4 on what troubled ‘accelerationist’ philosopher Nick Land popularised as The Dark Enlightenment. There is enough here for a series, as the programme offers a measured, admonitory overview
www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m...

Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world A subset of Trump supporters are passionate about the case - and angry at the president.

Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world

Why the Epstein case looms large in MAGA world A subset of Trump supporters are passionate about the case - and angry at the president.

Yeah but why Epstein? ... why is the case of a long-dead sex offender the *one thing* that has MAGA worked up?
Epstein's very real and horrendous crimes are also connected to a long history which includes things like Pizzagate and QAnon...
www.bbc.co.uk/news/article...

Why Ryan Trahan’s ‘50 States in 50 Days’ YouTube campaign is a rare biz opp for brands The influencer and vlogger, along with wife, Haley, is creating one of this year’s most emotionally effective creator-led campaigns.

... Maybe it's a sign of the decline of the hot take, but all I can find are local news reports about where these YouTubers stayed in the area, and this about how lucrative the whole thing is.
www.campaignlive.com/article/why-...

... followed quickly by "Ryan Trahan's Jesus gravy train is toxic" and "Does Hailey need help? Key signs she's being gaslighted" and "Libs freak out at Trahan's All-American chad quest" ...

Why are there are no think pieces on Ryan Trahan's 50 States in 50 Days. It is thoroughly mid (though imho oddly compelling) brand-friendly content with zero reference to Epstein or Trump, so you'd expect someone to write "Why Ryan Trahan is the hero America needs right now"...

MAGA needs a new conspiracy theory Read to the end for some lettuce cookie bars

This is a must-read ... even to a greater degree than other Garbage Day posts. And that is saying a lot...
www.garbageday.email/p/maga-needs...

From Our Own Correspondent - Israel strikes Iran's nuclear sites - BBC Sounds Voices from Iran reveal a country - and a regime - under pressure amid Israel's attacks

One of my last reports as the BBC's reporter in the Midwest ... the aftermath of a deadly shooting in Minnesota, where people are "nice" and there are no metal detectors at the entrance to the state capital building...

www.bbc.co.uk/sounds/play/...

Former Coast Guard officer charged with threatening to kill President Trump A man who served in the Coast Guard for over 30 years was charged with making threats against President Trump on social media.

Extremists are emboldened right now, that's pretty clear.
I'm wondering though, are there Dem lawmakers calling this guy - who calls himself antifa - a right-wing MAGA person?
There is an imbalance here - not nec in violence but in political propaganda
www.cbsnews.com/news/former-...

The vicious tone of national politics pollutes Minnesota after shooting In a place that prides itself on politeness and respect, people are reeling after the targeted assassination of a popular politician.

People in Minnesota are united by their shock and grief. But what comes next?
www.bbc.com/news/article...

What we know about the attack on two Minnesota lawmakers The attack on two Minnesota state lawmakers in their homes was described as politically motivated.

This morning in Brooklyn Park neighbours of Melissa Hortman described to me their shock - and how she got along with her colleagues and neighbours even if they differed on politics.
Suspect is still at large. www.bbc.com/news/article...

4chan and porn sites investigated by Ofcom Nine companies are under investigation by Ofcom, using powers of the Online Safety Act.

Not only has the horse bolted, it's moved out of town, visited multiple countries, and is currently pretty lame and thinking about retiring to a nice meme pasture www.bbc.com/news/article...

This tweet from a Qanon conspiracy account making a vague unsubstantiated claim has been viewed more than many from legit reporters on the scene here in Chicago.
If you want to know what’s causing trouble, part of the answer is this:

BELLA CALEDONIA on X: "The story of Errol Musk (Elon's father), Alexander Dugin, Alex Jones, Konstantin Malofeev and George Galloway... https://t.co/TRuuPYuDI1" / X The story of Errol Musk (Elon's father), Alexander Dugin, Alex Jones, Konstantin Malofeev and George Galloway... https://t.co/TRuuPYuDI1

Errol Musk, George Galloway, Alex Jones and Alexander Dugin ... all together at a conference in Moscow
bellacaledonia.org.uk/2025/06/08/g...

Musk-Trump feud: The tech billionaire slams the president's ingratitude Donald Trump said he was

The relationship between Elon Musk and Donald Trump is currently undergoing a rapid unscheduled disassembly www.bbc.com/news/live/cy...

Donald Trump has just nominated Paul Ingrassia, a lawyer for Andrew Tate (and beyond attorney-client relations, a huge Tate fan), to lead the US Office of Special Counsel. The OSC deals with whistleblower complaints from fed employees, among other things. www.bbc.com/news/article...

Here I was thinking the #billsmafia train to Kansas City was a tough journey...

www.bbc.com/sport/footba...

Several outlets, citing WH sources, saying Donald Trump pardoned Michael Harris today.
However Michael Harris, founder of Death Row Records, was pardoned by Trump in Jan 2021.
Either it's a different Michael Harris or the White House is confused?
thehill.com/blogs/blog-b...

A possibility; however this account is not very popular nor did I see monitization.
My theories are:
-This guy spotted a trending news story and just threw something out, which was picked up by the WN crowd. Simplest explanation.
-Manipulation - bots? possible, unlikely
-Fake account? also possible

That’s clearly happening. That account is slightly different though - only ever commented on African politics, then jumping in on a conspiracy theory about something going on in Liverpool. Strange.

Fishy stuff like this is circulating re Liverpool. This post from an account from Tanzania, with little traction (posts usually less than 100 views).
Obvious falsehood… and irony … while the man arrested appears white, the person behind this account definitely isn’t

This book came out a year ago and is the perfect Memorial Day gift for anyone wondering why they’re talking about “white genocide” in the White House

Clearly that is different from factual errors in the story itself. Not going to argue this further in public but feel free to email me.

It’s a list of things a pro-bitcoin advocate wished was in the story (which did include comments from people in favor of bitcoin generally and specifically that site) not a challenge to any facts actually outlined in the story.

i can't see where that post outlined any factual errors in today's report. You're welcome to send a complaint to our editorial team if you feel it's unfair (as is anyone else). I'm not going to get into arguments of the whole of BBC bitcoin coverage, obviously