Ben Menghini

FORAGER - Split Lip [NPR Tiny Desk Contest Submission 2025] YouTube video by FORAGER

FORAGER | Split Lip

the thing I’m really here to tell you about, which is waiting behind this curtain like the octopus basking behind the spreading black clot of her first inky discharge."

—Ariana Reines, The Origin of the World

"Self-negation in the entrepreneurial mode: it’s information’s parody of imagination, the part of “the truth” that forces itself into writing as if to obscure—to protect?—

I have a bunch of their relaxed heavyweight tees, are their basics good?

Who has recommendations for men's T-shirts? Bonus points if they can do a relaxed fit for broad shoulders.

I saw someone say that "Operation Epic Fury" actually stood for "Operation Epstein Fury" and we just can't keep doing this.

A screenshot of Rachel Dratch from SNL. She's a white woman with short dark hair and blue eyes, and she's making an awkward expression that implies, "Sorry I have to tell you this and ruin your good time. But also I'm kind of not sorry about it." I've added a subtitle that reads, "That's AI."

an updated debbie downer sketch but it's friends showing her funny videos and she has to respond like this to every single one like this:

Artsy urbanites wearing mossy oak is a form of stolen valor.

Workout clothes/athleisure is such a big share of clothing sales. Why will Gen Z only go to the gym in either pajama pants or dress slacks?

Catherine Keller too. I wish it was more upfront.

Both studied at Eden, and H. Richard returned to teach and serve as president before he taught at Yale.

I mean, look at the casting

So The Pitt has a minor character who is a bearded, bulging man who eventually gets so angry he punches a nurse, and they named this character "Driscoll." I have to believe one of the writers knew what they were doing there.

A lot of folks stay on Twitter because for them it’s a broadcast medium. It’s a balcony and a microphone. They want an algorithm to send them followers — a word they relish because they take it literally. I have followers! That makes me a leader! I shall stand on the balcony and wave to the crowd!

Blake grounded Concs for scratching on the couch, and when she asked me to back her up I said "kitty, your mother says you're grounded," so now we're both in trouble.

How have Punch Brothers not released original music in almost 8 years?

Blakeley and I are as excited as little kids on Christmas morning (we grilled food).

The smash cut from defending my dissertation at the height of my academic achievement to pricing mark ups at Old Navy is quite jarring, and a little too on-the-nose as a contemporary allegory.

I feel the same way. And so often in a crowded space with the mask below the nose, or wearing one alone in a car. Like, was the information environment that bad for 5 years that people who really need masks didn't learn how to use them effectively?

I'm so grateful to my committee: Tom Reynolds, Simon Coleman, Willie Jennings, and Valentina Napolitano, and especially my supervisor Natalie Wigg-Stevenson.

And the biggest thank you to Blakeley for all her support, and making it possible for me to finish this process.

I'm so happy to be Ph.Done!

Yesterday I defended my dissertation and I am excited to share that I passed without revisions! This was truly a high point in my academic career and such a fun experience engaging deeply with brilliant scholars over my work.

For a second there Natalie and I thought we might be able to ask you to serve as an examiner!

A selfie in grey slacks, a white shirt, and a blue overshirt jacket

what could have been

It's the night before my dissertation defense. I'm in Toronto. I forgot my dress shirt and jacket at home. ADHD gets in its final jab.

How is Toronto this bad at snow removal?

Overhead (softly): fuck. gosh dammit.

Think About Me is one of my summer jams!

Angsty teenage Ben really connected with the Lindsey songs, especially I Know I'm Not Wrong. Adult Ben made Brown Eyes one of his all time most played songs.

I once had a minor viral tweet that said "what is your favorite FM album, and why is it Tusk?"

Will aggressively pushing content you don't follow finally do Facebook in? Because I'm finding it absolutely unusable these days.