BTBaum
@btbaum.bsky.social
Author, freelance reporter, dog-lover, recovering editor; bylines in San Francisco Mag, LA Times, NYT, Cal Academy Science Today, Catamaran Literary Mag. Remember when generalists armed w/ curiosity made for good journalism?
Reposted by BTBaum
Politics now is all cult-adjacent. Personalities and team identification. Real actual struggle for power and a better world requires mature and clear-eyed skepticism. MAGA isn’t the only political cult with built-in denial of reality. Every day we get new and disturbing examples of where this leads.
July 6, 2026 at 8:04 PM
Politics now is all cult-adjacent. Personalities and team identification. Real actual struggle for power and a better world requires mature and clear-eyed skepticism. MAGA isn’t the only political cult with built-in denial of reality. Every day we get new and disturbing examples of where this leads.
Reposted by BTBaum
@rbreich.bsky.social notes on this occasion that five corporations now control up to 90 percent of American #media market.
Fox has reached an agreement to acquire Roku for $22 billion, after already buying Tubi for $440 million in 2020.
This marks the latest case of media consolidation in an industry controlled by a smaller and smaller number of huge corporations.
This marks the latest case of media consolidation in an industry controlled by a smaller and smaller number of huge corporations.
June 16, 2026 at 11:20 AM
@rbreich.bsky.social notes on this occasion that five corporations now control up to 90 percent of American #media market.
Reposted by BTBaum
Delores Huerta speaks her truth.
IMO all recognition for Cesar Chavez should be withdrawn and changed to recognition of Delores Huerta.
IMO all recognition for Cesar Chavez should be withdrawn and changed to recognition of Delores Huerta.
March 18, 2026 at 9:56 PM
Delores Huerta speaks her truth.
IMO all recognition for Cesar Chavez should be withdrawn and changed to recognition of Delores Huerta.
IMO all recognition for Cesar Chavez should be withdrawn and changed to recognition of Delores Huerta.
Full Moon Coyote be reading headlines like
March 3, 2026 at 8:56 PM
Full Moon Coyote be reading headlines like
Reposted by BTBaum
“We—that is, Americans—live most of the time inside the cocoon of our small daily lives. Except for fire, flood, or outright war, the history-making world hardly ever impinges on most of us. For the most part, it is over there and we are over here.”
New from Vivian Gornick:
New from Vivian Gornick:
Turning a Blind Eye
A memoir of daily accommodation to fascism.
www.bostonreview.net
February 17, 2026 at 4:30 PM
“We—that is, Americans—live most of the time inside the cocoon of our small daily lives. Except for fire, flood, or outright war, the history-making world hardly ever impinges on most of us. For the most part, it is over there and we are over here.”
New from Vivian Gornick:
New from Vivian Gornick:
We saw “Desk Set” today—surprisingly a Xmas movie!—from 1957 with Katherine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy. The fun part is the ancient yet cutting-edge technology. It’s abt Hepburn keeping her job as head researcher or being replaced by “EMERAC” computer (ie: UNIVAC). Same concerns as today’s AI issues.
December 26, 2025 at 6:21 AM
We saw “Desk Set” today—surprisingly a Xmas movie!—from 1957 with Katherine Hepburn & Spencer Tracy. The fun part is the ancient yet cutting-edge technology. It’s abt Hepburn keeping her job as head researcher or being replaced by “EMERAC” computer (ie: UNIVAC). Same concerns as today’s AI issues.
The #SantaMonicaReview is one of three publications helmed by the brilliant Andrew Tonkovich, not to mention his radio show “Bibliocracy.”
An earlier version of this essay appeared in the Community of Writers’ newsletter, the Omnium Gatherum Quarterly.
ogquarterly.org/issue18/#tan...
An earlier version of this essay appeared in the Community of Writers’ newsletter, the Omnium Gatherum Quarterly.
ogquarterly.org/issue18/#tan...
October 12, 2025 at 10:25 PM
The #SantaMonicaReview is one of three publications helmed by the brilliant Andrew Tonkovich, not to mention his radio show “Bibliocracy.”
An earlier version of this essay appeared in the Community of Writers’ newsletter, the Omnium Gatherum Quarterly.
ogquarterly.org/issue18/#tan...
An earlier version of this essay appeared in the Community of Writers’ newsletter, the Omnium Gatherum Quarterly.
ogquarterly.org/issue18/#tan...
Proud to make my first appearance in the pages of the Santa Monica Review.
My essay, “Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein,” explores the work of one of the great urban historians of our time. Norman has many unusual insights on how, why, & when our Great Unraveling began.
My essay, “Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein,” explores the work of one of the great urban historians of our time. Norman has many unusual insights on how, why, & when our Great Unraveling began.
October 12, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Proud to make my first appearance in the pages of the Santa Monica Review.
My essay, “Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein,” explores the work of one of the great urban historians of our time. Norman has many unusual insights on how, why, & when our Great Unraveling began.
My essay, “Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein,” explores the work of one of the great urban historians of our time. Norman has many unusual insights on how, why, & when our Great Unraveling began.
The script was everything I wished 2023’s disappointing biopic of Bernstein could’ve been. Inspired to learn more about #ElizabethWeiland & read “Shy”—memoirs of Richard Roger’s’ daughter, #MaryRogers. And more Andrew Scott as Richard Rogers please! Sequel? Like “Before Sunset” but “After Hart.” 2/2
October 9, 2025 at 3:06 AM
The script was everything I wished 2023’s disappointing biopic of Bernstein could’ve been. Inspired to learn more about #ElizabethWeiland & read “Shy”—memoirs of Richard Roger’s’ daughter, #MaryRogers. And more Andrew Scott as Richard Rogers please! Sequel? Like “Before Sunset” but “After Hart.” 2/2
We just saw #BlueMoon about Lorenzo Hart at the #MVFF. Loved it. Felt like an erudite stage play & had to que up Joni Mitchell’s version of “Wish I Were in Love Again” from 2000. Didn’t care for the camera tricks to make Ethan Hawke appear 4’ 10” — his ACTING was fine. 1/2
it.like
October 9, 2025 at 2:55 AM
For me, the news of Griffin's passing sends me back to her 1992 book, "A Chorus of Stones," and Rosner's newest, "Third Ear."
Meanwhile, here's my profile of their 2017 conversation, which which remains (sadly) timely and relevant.
end/
alumni.berkeley.edu/california-m...
Meanwhile, here's my profile of their 2017 conversation, which which remains (sadly) timely and relevant.
end/
alumni.berkeley.edu/california-m...
October 3, 2025 at 7:09 PM
For me, the news of Griffin's passing sends me back to her 1992 book, "A Chorus of Stones," and Rosner's newest, "Third Ear."
Meanwhile, here's my profile of their 2017 conversation, which which remains (sadly) timely and relevant.
end/
alumni.berkeley.edu/california-m...
Meanwhile, here's my profile of their 2017 conversation, which which remains (sadly) timely and relevant.
end/
alumni.berkeley.edu/california-m...
To find inspiration these days, I would suggest returning to both Griffin and Rosner's books which in so many ways knew what was coming, understood the stakes, and proposed spiritually grounded responses to it all.
3/of several
3/of several
This event was occasioned by Counterpoint Press' reissue of Griffin's book "Women and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her."
Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us.
2/of several
Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us.
2/of several
Yesterday, I learned on Elizabeth Rosner's Instagram post that the great, Berkeley-based author Susan Griffin has passed. Impossible to weigh the loss of her presence with the life-sustaining gift of her books and groundbreaking ideas.
1/of several
1/of several
October 3, 2025 at 7:05 PM
To find inspiration these days, I would suggest returning to both Griffin and Rosner's books which in so many ways knew what was coming, understood the stakes, and proposed spiritually grounded responses to it all.
3/of several
3/of several
This event was occasioned by Counterpoint Press' reissue of Griffin's book "Women and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her."
Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us.
2/of several
Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us.
2/of several
Yesterday, I learned on Elizabeth Rosner's Instagram post that the great, Berkeley-based author Susan Griffin has passed. Impossible to weigh the loss of her presence with the life-sustaining gift of her books and groundbreaking ideas.
1/of several
1/of several
October 3, 2025 at 7:04 PM
This event was occasioned by Counterpoint Press' reissue of Griffin's book "Women and Nature: The Roaring Inside Her."
Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us.
2/of several
Also, the reissue and attendant conversation took place about a week after the first Women's March, a global response to the toxic stew that now engulfs us.
2/of several
Yesterday, I learned on Elizabeth Rosner's Instagram post that the great, Berkeley-based author Susan Griffin has passed. Impossible to weigh the loss of her presence with the life-sustaining gift of her books and groundbreaking ideas.
1/of several
1/of several
October 3, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Yesterday, I learned on Elizabeth Rosner's Instagram post that the great, Berkeley-based author Susan Griffin has passed. Impossible to weigh the loss of her presence with the life-sustaining gift of her books and groundbreaking ideas.
1/of several
1/of several
Strange time to be traveling. In Bologna for the annual #CinemaRitrovato film festival of restored gems of world cinema. So, we are time-traveling as well. Thinking abt what has been lost, deliberately left behind, or worth saving. Plus, #KatherineHeburn gems curated by author/critic #MollyHaskell!
June 23, 2025 at 9:07 AM
Strange time to be traveling. In Bologna for the annual #CinemaRitrovato film festival of restored gems of world cinema. So, we are time-traveling as well. Thinking abt what has been lost, deliberately left behind, or worth saving. Plus, #KatherineHeburn gems curated by author/critic #MollyHaskell!
Proud to be making my second appearance in the #communityofwriters quarterly, this time with a tribute to author Norman M. Klein. (See "Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein")
ogquarterly.org
Check it out!
#historyofforgettng
#booksky
#booklover
#losangeleshistory
ogquarterly.org
Check it out!
#historyofforgettng
#booksky
#booklover
#losangeleshistory
Omnium Gatherum Quarterly – OGQ: A Project of the Community of Writers.
ogquarterly.org
May 24, 2025 at 5:00 PM
Proud to be making my second appearance in the #communityofwriters quarterly, this time with a tribute to author Norman M. Klein. (See "Days of Future Past: Catching Up with Author Norman M. Klein")
ogquarterly.org
Check it out!
#historyofforgettng
#booksky
#booklover
#losangeleshistory
ogquarterly.org
Check it out!
#historyofforgettng
#booksky
#booklover
#losangeleshistory
Reposted by BTBaum
The 80-year recipe stoking America’s Prosperity:
1) Free-market capital investments in brilliant ideas…
2) enabled by Engineering Innovations…
3) based on Science Research in Universities…
4) funded by Grants from the US Government.
It’s time more people understood this.
1) Free-market capital investments in brilliant ideas…
2) enabled by Engineering Innovations…
3) based on Science Research in Universities…
4) funded by Grants from the US Government.
It’s time more people understood this.
May 17, 2025 at 1:36 PM
The 80-year recipe stoking America’s Prosperity:
1) Free-market capital investments in brilliant ideas…
2) enabled by Engineering Innovations…
3) based on Science Research in Universities…
4) funded by Grants from the US Government.
It’s time more people understood this.
1) Free-market capital investments in brilliant ideas…
2) enabled by Engineering Innovations…
3) based on Science Research in Universities…
4) funded by Grants from the US Government.
It’s time more people understood this.
Why would I need to read Joan Didion's "Notes to John" when I'm already listening to the audio version of Lili Anolik's "Didion and Babitz"? And just, wow, I am loving Anolik's heartfelt, gossipy, well-researched portrait of Eve Babitz. I love Didion, too, always have. But Babitz is the revelation.
May 5, 2025 at 7:54 PM
Why would I need to read Joan Didion's "Notes to John" when I'm already listening to the audio version of Lili Anolik's "Didion and Babitz"? And just, wow, I am loving Anolik's heartfelt, gossipy, well-researched portrait of Eve Babitz. I love Didion, too, always have. But Babitz is the revelation.
Reposted by BTBaum
Celebrate the power of place this May for #PreservationMonth with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Learn more about this year’s theme, Harnessing the Power of
Place, and the countless ways that preservation creates.
savingplaces.org/stories/pres...
Place, and the countless ways that preservation creates.
savingplaces.org/stories/pres...
Preservation Month 2025 | National Trust for Historic Preservation
This May, for Preservation Month, we’re celebrating the power of place—and the countless ways, big and small, that preservation creates. The work you do strengthens communities, breathes new life into...
savingplaces.org
May 3, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Celebrate the power of place this May for #PreservationMonth with the National Trust for Historic Preservation. Learn more about this year’s theme, Harnessing the Power of
Place, and the countless ways that preservation creates.
savingplaces.org/stories/pres...
Place, and the countless ways that preservation creates.
savingplaces.org/stories/pres...
I already bought more books than I can carry home and #AWP25 hasn’t even officially started.
On the other hand, my friend took me to North Figueroa Bookstore - what was I supposed to do? Wait till we went to Skylight Books? The Last Bookstore? AWP’s mammoth Bookfair?
C’mon. Be real.
#booksky
On the other hand, my friend took me to North Figueroa Bookstore - what was I supposed to do? Wait till we went to Skylight Books? The Last Bookstore? AWP’s mammoth Bookfair?
C’mon. Be real.
#booksky
March 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Heading to Los Angeles for #AWP25 and listening to the audio version of Didion & Babitz about women, literature, and the storied LA scene of the 60s and 70s. It’s narrated by the author Lili Anolik, who voices this memoir/deeply researched hybrid. An era this hometown girl always finds fascinating.
March 24, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Heading to Los Angeles for #AWP25 and listening to the audio version of Didion & Babitz about women, literature, and the storied LA scene of the 60s and 70s. It’s narrated by the author Lili Anolik, who voices this memoir/deeply researched hybrid. An era this hometown girl always finds fascinating.
Took my first class from "Five Things I Learned" w/ poet Matthew Zapruder. Channeling imagination --> production is always a stretch. But now? Much harder.
Grateful that M.Z. shared ways to "touch your novel (poem, etc) every day & keep our creative lights on."
myfivethings.com/class/metthe...
Grateful that M.Z. shared ways to "touch your novel (poem, etc) every day & keep our creative lights on."
myfivethings.com/class/metthe...
March 20, 2025 at 10:51 PM
Took my first class from "Five Things I Learned" w/ poet Matthew Zapruder. Channeling imagination --> production is always a stretch. But now? Much harder.
Grateful that M.Z. shared ways to "touch your novel (poem, etc) every day & keep our creative lights on."
myfivethings.com/class/metthe...
Grateful that M.Z. shared ways to "touch your novel (poem, etc) every day & keep our creative lights on."
myfivethings.com/class/metthe...