To be clear: the lower court said the map intentionally discriminates against black people in violation of the *constitution* (not just the VRA) and the MAGA Majority of SCOTUS is saying "that's ok now."

After listening to this twice, I’ve 2 thoughts. 1. The parallels with the current socioeconomic situation are painfully clear. 2. Carnegie Hall should be renamed Johnstown Memorial Hall.

May 31, 2026

I've spent a few weeks quietly building up the newsletter — longer pieces, more often, the works. It's a bit like the platypus itself: weird and eclectic, but always interesting. Have a squiz, and if it clicks for you, subscribe. newsletter.platypuseconomics.com

Our gosling brood is still going four strong.

This tree is going to give me Alien nightmares.

@mayor.nyc.gov Hello Mayor Mamdani. Please consider renaming the Williamsburg Bridge after Sony Rollins?

This is a colossal loss. Rollins was the greatest improviser of all - a true genius who could shape time and melody to his will and who possessed an unlimited imagination. We all stand in his shoulders.

With Rachel Reeves announcing free bus travel for children 5-15, and a Guardian article this week highlighting how people without cars can struggle to make basic trips for food in the constituency, I know how hard it can be to get where you want.

I just started writing on substack over the past couple of weeks—and it's all in front of the paywall. Topics are eclectic, but it's all about using economics to better understand this beautiful world of ours. Sounds interesting? Give it a gander, and subscribe → newsletter.platypuseconomics.com

Kemp shows his true colors www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

Lovely sold out show at Miner Hall - SF Jazz last night with Stacey Kent and Art Hirahara. On to LA for 2 shows at Catalina’s tonight. See you there!

“That looks like the Guggenheim in Bilbao” is said as we drove past the Lou Ruvo Center For Brain Health in Las Vegas. Turns out it is also a Frank Gehry building. Next stop, San Francisco.

Some scenes from a hot walk around Las Vegas.

The corridors in my Las Vegas hotel are making me feel uneasy.

20 mins of filth and hilarity from the master of coming timing, Humphrey Lyttelton

He may be little, but this feisty snapping turtle put up quite the struggle when I got him off the road and down to the lake.

I’m not really a flower person, but when you have peonies like this popping up, it would be churlish not to share.

Interesting interview with the editor of yet another billionaire owned publication on the difficulties of reporting on other billionaires. www.theguardian.com/media/2026/m...

Since the Trump FDA won't tell you, I will. Multiple studies show COVID and shingles vaccines are safe. The FDA kept those studies a secret. www.nytimes.com/2026/05/05/u...

Hats off to you @teddyshaps.bsky.social. The music for Devil Wears Prada 2. Supportive and congruous and unobtrusive in all good ways. The trumpet theme (if it’s yours and I’m guessing it is) is hauntingly beautiful.

We have an *extremely* important announcement to make. From Wednesday, we will be launching our puffin live cam, coming to you from the Farne Islands. So you can watch puffins all day long. In celebration, please enjoy this clip of puffins being really busy for 39 seconds straight.

It’s the time of year to be sharing this.

A new addition to the bone yard

My weekly newsletter has always been a great way for me to go into a bit more detail on the things I have been up to and what to expect of me moving forward so it’s important to me that its as good as it can be! If you haven’t already, sign up to it here: www.rozsavage.uk/weekly-newsl...

Doing some work in the woods today making bundles for last year’s autumn olive cropping. Nice fungus.

Yesterday’s yard therapy was stripping thin branches from 3 crepe myrtles and tying them into bundles to act as edging on the side of the paths along the habitat fences. I cropped the photo to show what I did do. What I have left to do is a daunting, but there’s no rush! #Virginia #gardens

This spindly dogwood is growing horizontally out over the lake. It doesn’t seem to mind and neither do I.

The azalea is putting in quite a show after the overnight rain.

Words of wisdom. open.substack.com/pub/christia...

A lotta economic damage from this war will persist long after it ends. Lemme youtube-splain: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KTuS...

Jazz OTD: Anyplace with Art Blakey and the Jazz Messengers (Hank Mobley, Lee Morgan, Bobby Timmons, and Jymie Merritt) performing live in 1959 could fairly have been called "The Jazz Corner of the World," but this title refers specifically to Birdland, site of the April 15, 1959 recording. #Jazzsky

Oh, he’s good. And quick.

An immensely important British jazz musician. I was lucky to sub in his band on a handful of occasions. A sad loss. www.theguardian.com/music/2026/a...

Let me get this straight. Trump is blockading ships that pay illegal tariffs like the ones he imposed after liberation day?

Wow, Mark Carney speaks on multiculturalism (what a contrast to island of strangers Starmer!) Mark Carney, "Canada is a nation forged through accommodation, not assimilation" "Through partnership, not domination" "The founding insight of our country is that unity does not require uniformity"

My message to the British people is clear - vote Reform in the local elections and Keir Starmer will... er... somehow magically disappear because... um... you chose to put morons in charge of your bin collection. Or something.

The leaked phone call revealed that Hungary's far-right leader told Putin that he was prepared to help Moscow “in any way" to win the war in Ukraine. www.thedailybeast.com/jd-vances-tr...

Extremely relevant thoughts from @jamellebouie.net www.youtube.com/watch?v=JVnF...

Fun to walk around #Lille #France this morning with #staceykent It’s a really interesting city. The zoo was closed but the public view of the pelicans was nice. What I didn’t realize at the time was that I captured a primate tightrope walking across the pond.

Soon to be appearing in midterm political ads for Democratic candidates nationwide. Thanks, Darnold. 🙏

Hey media-- Pam Bondi is not a victim -- she willingly carried out Trump's political agenda to prosecute his political enemies and undermine free and fair elections. Todd Blache is not shouldering a "burden" or "walking a tightrope." He is a willing accomplice. Language matters.

THIS IS SERIOUS❗️ Singer-Songwriters & Musicians Take Heed ‼️ Video: Singer-Songwriter Murphy Campbell from North Carolina

Every new Stacey Kent album is better than the last. It's like hearing favourite songs for the first time. One of the best we've got Stacey Kent - A Time For Love share.google/4qtyxYHCdJ0H...

Arsonist announces fire drill www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...

Among other things, its album release day! I’m especially proud about the inclusion of my new song with lyrics by my brother from another mother, Cliff Goldmacher, What Goodbye Is For. Check it out wherever and however you get your music. staceykent.bfan.link/atimeforlove

Poland PM: 🇵🇱