John Semley
@johnsemley3000.bsky.social
writer and researcher, covering books, films, and psychoactivity, in no particular order. a pocket full of spare change and anger unlimited.
Reposted by John Semley
I'm trying to non-algorithmically find things to read on the Internet lately and am pleased to have found this wonderful piece by @johnsemley3000.bsky.social ! It hit perfectly for me between a Six Feet Under series watch and a seasonal program of SFX-heavy movies.
harpers.org/archive/2026...
harpers.org/archive/2026...
A Dying Art, by John Semley
The last of the morticians
harpers.org
September 11, 2026 at 3:02 PM
I'm trying to non-algorithmically find things to read on the Internet lately and am pleased to have found this wonderful piece by @johnsemley3000.bsky.social ! It hit perfectly for me between a Six Feet Under series watch and a seasonal program of SFX-heavy movies.
harpers.org/archive/2026...
harpers.org/archive/2026...
For the @thestar.com, I wrote about Doug Ford's anti-Trump chest-puffing, and why the enemy of my enemy is not always my friend. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
John Semley: When it comes to this premier, Donald Trump’s enemy is still my enemy
Trump shouldn’t be a distraction from the many reasons to be critical of Doug Ford’s track record.
www.thestar.com
September 10, 2026 at 5:23 PM
For the @thestar.com, I wrote about Doug Ford's anti-Trump chest-puffing, and why the enemy of my enemy is not always my friend. www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Reposted by John Semley
Geese actually had a pretty chill response to our psyop story in their new Rolling Stone interview. They wondered the same thing! www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
September 10, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Geese actually had a pretty chill response to our psyop story in their new Rolling Stone interview. They wondered the same thing! www.rollingstone.com/music/music-...
Reposted by John Semley
Alright honey the NYtimes is doing a profile on us. Make sure your best Bo Jackson jersey is clean for the photo shoot.
September 6, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Alright honey the NYtimes is doing a profile on us. Make sure your best Bo Jackson jersey is clean for the photo shoot.
Fun new journalism trend: high school newspapers facing censorship and legal threats. Luckily, groups have emerged to support the scholastic press. For the @theguardian.com, I looked at how teen reporters are bearing the burden of being "the enemy of the people." www.theguardian.com/law/ng-inter...
Even 17-year-old reporters need a first amendment lawyer now
As high school journalists face censorship from sources and their own school officials, they’re calling in attorneys
www.theguardian.com
September 4, 2026 at 1:52 PM
Fun new journalism trend: high school newspapers facing censorship and legal threats. Luckily, groups have emerged to support the scholastic press. For the @theguardian.com, I looked at how teen reporters are bearing the burden of being "the enemy of the people." www.theguardian.com/law/ng-inter...
Happy to appear on CBC's FrontBurner to talk about PROTEINMAXXING, the relentless quantification of the self, and the grim inevitably of death. Fun chat! www.cbc.ca/radio/frontb...
Protein-maxxing and the age of self-optimization | CBC Radio
From protein-maxxing to tracking sleep scores and step counts, what's behind the drive for a quantified and optimized self?
www.cbc.ca
September 1, 2026 at 1:44 PM
Happy to appear on CBC's FrontBurner to talk about PROTEINMAXXING, the relentless quantification of the self, and the grim inevitably of death. Fun chat! www.cbc.ca/radio/frontb...
Reposted by John Semley
For @thestar.com this week, I wrote about some of my most cherished memories of “Lake America.” whttps://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/trump-is-like-freddy-krueger-the-more-you-think-about-the-horror-tropes-the-stronger-they-get/article_d660dcdc-ef53-494e-9f9b-34359458aa2a.html
John Semley: Donald Trump is like Freddy Krueger. The more you think about the horror tropes, the stronger they get
We should take the high road. Or, you know, shut down the Welland Canal
www.thestar.com
August 30, 2026 at 1:56 PM
For @thestar.com this week, I wrote about some of my most cherished memories of “Lake America.” whttps://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/trump-is-like-freddy-krueger-the-more-you-think-about-the-horror-tropes-the-stronger-they-get/article_d660dcdc-ef53-494e-9f9b-34359458aa2a.html
For @thestar.com this week, I wrote about some of my most cherished memories of “Lake America.” whttps://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/trump-is-like-freddy-krueger-the-more-you-think-about-the-horror-tropes-the-stronger-they-get/article_d660dcdc-ef53-494e-9f9b-34359458aa2a.html
John Semley: Donald Trump is like Freddy Krueger. The more you think about the horror tropes, the stronger they get
We should take the high road. Or, you know, shut down the Welland Canal
www.thestar.com
August 30, 2026 at 1:56 PM
For @thestar.com this week, I wrote about some of my most cherished memories of “Lake America.” whttps://www.thestar.com/opinion/contributors/trump-is-like-freddy-krueger-the-more-you-think-about-the-horror-tropes-the-stronger-they-get/article_d660dcdc-ef53-494e-9f9b-34359458aa2a.html
looking to talk with Canadian military vets and families about recent Canada/US tensions, for an article. get at me! please RT!
August 27, 2026 at 1:54 PM
looking to talk with Canadian military vets and families about recent Canada/US tensions, for an article. get at me! please RT!
Reposted by John Semley
Fascinated by this excellent piece by @johnsemley3000.bsky.social.
“Armed with various putties, fillers, waxes, and bundles of human hair, their goal was to produce a visage worthy of an open casket.”
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) reports from a mortuary arts competition.
buff.ly/Iq92CM7
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) reports from a mortuary arts competition.
buff.ly/Iq92CM7
A Dying Art, by John Semley
The last of the morticians
harpers.org
August 14, 2026 at 10:35 PM
Fascinated by this excellent piece by @johnsemley3000.bsky.social.
Reposted by John Semley
“Armed with various putties, fillers, waxes, and bundles of human hair, their goal was to produce a visage worthy of an open casket.”
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) reports from a mortuary arts competition.
buff.ly/Iq92CM7
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) reports from a mortuary arts competition.
buff.ly/Iq92CM7
A Dying Art, by John Semley
The last of the morticians
harpers.org
August 14, 2026 at 10:01 PM
“Armed with various putties, fillers, waxes, and bundles of human hair, their goal was to produce a visage worthy of an open casket.”
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) reports from a mortuary arts competition.
buff.ly/Iq92CM7
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) reports from a mortuary arts competition.
buff.ly/Iq92CM7
Reposted by John Semley
I wrote about the triumph of Doing Your Own Research and the stupid, nasty thing that is replacing some very recent history in real time. defector.com/were-just-go...
We're Just Going To Keep Doing 2020 Again Until All The Wrong Stuff Is True | Defector
In a bunch of ways, there is no real percentage in remembering what things were actually like during the worst years of the COVID-19 pandemic. Beyond all the uncertainty and suffering and death, there...
defector.com
August 5, 2026 at 2:33 PM
I wrote about the triumph of Doing Your Own Research and the stupid, nasty thing that is replacing some very recent history in real time. defector.com/were-just-go...
Reposted by John Semley
Open caskets used to be fairly standard, but we’re losing the artists who make that possible. John Semley joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the history, culture and economics of morticians, why their particular trade is quickly going out of fashion.
The demise of the open casket funeral - Think
Open caskets used to be fairly standard, but we’re losing the artists who make that possible. John Semley joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the history, culture and economics of morticians, why their...
bit.ly
August 4, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Open caskets used to be fairly standard, but we’re losing the artists who make that possible. John Semley joins host Krys Boyd to discuss the history, culture and economics of morticians, why their particular trade is quickly going out of fashion.
“‘I am here to help this person,’ he told me of his approach as a mortician. ‘It may just be their vessel. But there are people that love this person.’”
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) on the dying art of the open casket.
buff.ly/NOl45CD
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) on the dying art of the open casket.
buff.ly/NOl45CD
A Dying Art, by John Semley
The last of the morticians
harpers.org
August 5, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Reposted by John Semley
John Semley, who reported on the dying art of the open-casket ceremony, spoke with Jess Bergman about the history of undertakers, the corporatization of funeral parlors, and communal grieving.
buff.ly/woZYM9N
buff.ly/woZYM9N
August 3, 2026 at 5:00 PM
John Semley, who reported on the dying art of the open-casket ceremony, spoke with Jess Bergman about the history of undertakers, the corporatization of funeral parlors, and communal grieving.
buff.ly/woZYM9N
buff.ly/woZYM9N
do I know any Calgary journos who would be willing to do me—or, really, a colleague of mine—a journalism related favour? please reach out, if so!
August 3, 2026 at 2:11 PM
do I know any Calgary journos who would be willing to do me—or, really, a colleague of mine—a journalism related favour? please reach out, if so!
Reposted by John Semley
🐳 You’re God damned right @hesterblum.bsky.social & I made a TWENTY-FIVE EPISODE PODCAST just about 𝐌𝐎𝐁𝐘-𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐊. Subscribe now at exploringthegreats.com/moby-dick & enjoy our thrilling trailer:
July 31, 2026 at 5:56 PM
🐳 You’re God damned right @hesterblum.bsky.social & I made a TWENTY-FIVE EPISODE PODCAST just about 𝐌𝐎𝐁𝐘-𝐃𝐈𝐂𝐊. Subscribe now at exploringthegreats.com/moby-dick & enjoy our thrilling trailer:
Reposted by John Semley
This piece on the decline of restoring corpses for open-casket funerals is excellent, and not as morbid as you might think. After all, "their labor is intended for the living." harpers.org/archive/2026...
A Dying Art, by John Semley
The last of the morticians
harpers.org
August 1, 2026 at 10:38 PM
This piece on the decline of restoring corpses for open-casket funerals is excellent, and not as morbid as you might think. After all, "their labor is intended for the living." harpers.org/archive/2026...
Reposted by John Semley
“As consumer tastes shift toward closed caskets and cremations, reflecting a general American ambivalence toward the traditions of ritualized bereavement, demand for posthumous primping has fallen dramatically.” —John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social)
A Dying Art, by John Semley
The last of the morticians
buff.ly
July 31, 2026 at 4:02 PM
“As consumer tastes shift toward closed caskets and cremations, reflecting a general American ambivalence toward the traditions of ritualized bereavement, demand for posthumous primping has fallen dramatically.” —John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social)
Reposted by John Semley
Sad news to hear about the passing of Glen Hansard. He was a one of a kind generational singer-songwriter. Glen was a great friend of ours & us of him. Here's his last visit with us w/ The Swell Season last year on @worldcafe.bsky.social w/ @rahrahraina.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlmn...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlmn...
The Swell Season on World Cafe
YouTube video by World Cafe
www.youtube.com
July 29, 2026 at 2:02 PM
Sad news to hear about the passing of Glen Hansard. He was a one of a kind generational singer-songwriter. Glen was a great friend of ours & us of him. Here's his last visit with us w/ The Swell Season last year on @worldcafe.bsky.social w/ @rahrahraina.bsky.social
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlmn...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=Wlmn...
Reposted by John Semley
“While restoration may be a moribund art, the atmosphere at the NFDA showcase was anything but sepulchral.” —John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social)
harpers.org/archive/2026...
harpers.org/archive/2026...
July 31, 2026 at 2:43 PM
“While restoration may be a moribund art, the atmosphere at the NFDA showcase was anything but sepulchral.” —John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social)
harpers.org/archive/2026...
harpers.org/archive/2026...
Reposted by John Semley
CW: take care with yourself because this deals frankly with death and grief and makes mention of tragic passings, mutilation, and viscera (not luridly, mind)
But I found this to be an extraordinarily thoughtful and humane piece of writing to begin the day.
harpers.org/archive/2026...
But I found this to be an extraordinarily thoughtful and humane piece of writing to begin the day.
harpers.org/archive/2026...
A Dying Art, by John Semley
The last of the morticians
harpers.org
July 30, 2026 at 1:09 PM
CW: take care with yourself because this deals frankly with death and grief and makes mention of tragic passings, mutilation, and viscera (not luridly, mind)
But I found this to be an extraordinarily thoughtful and humane piece of writing to begin the day.
harpers.org/archive/2026...
But I found this to be an extraordinarily thoughtful and humane piece of writing to begin the day.
harpers.org/archive/2026...
Reposted by John Semley
“These days, the American way of death seems less like denial than desensitization. We may still fear the reaper, but we are also bored by him.”
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) on the dying art of the open casket.
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) on the dying art of the open casket.
A Dying Art, by John Semley
The last of the morticians
buff.ly
July 28, 2026 at 10:01 PM
“These days, the American way of death seems less like denial than desensitization. We may still fear the reaper, but we are also bored by him.”
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) on the dying art of the open casket.
John Semley (@johnsemley3000.bsky.social) on the dying art of the open casket.
Reposted by John Semley
Sports teams unveiling a new third jersey are always like "the brown stripe is a nod to our town's original nickname, Sewer City"
July 27, 2026 at 2:38 PM
Sports teams unveiling a new third jersey are always like "the brown stripe is a nod to our town's original nickname, Sewer City"
Reposted by John Semley
Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation of Homer’s epic—the first by a woman—was called a woke “abomination” by online reactionaries. Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film faced similar critiques long before its release.
The New ‘Odyssey’ Movie Is Sparking a Right-Wing Backlash. This Female Scholar Knows It Well
Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation of Homer’s epic—the first by a woman—was called a woke “abomination” by online reactionaries. Christopher Nolan’s film is facing similar critiques.
wrd.cm
July 27, 2026 at 4:45 PM
Emily Wilson’s 2017 translation of Homer’s epic—the first by a woman—was called a woke “abomination” by online reactionaries. Christopher Nolan’s blockbuster film faced similar critiques long before its release.