Blocked and Reported

Premium: Help! Help! I'm Being Harassed

March 19, 2026

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  • The main focus of the premium episode of "Blocked and Reported" is an internet pile-on targeting New York Times columnist Jamelle Bouie on Bluesky, which the hosts suggest is driven by the platform's homogenous and insular nature. 
  • The hosts preview a discussion about Lindy West's recent profile and comments regarding her polyamorous relationship, noting her stated hope that her new book would financially support her 'thrupple'. 
  • Jesse details receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback for his New York Times piece in traditional channels, contrasted sharply with accusations of lying from influential figures like Erin Reid on Bluesky, highlighting a significant divergence in reception between platforms. 

Segments

Podcast Preview and Weather Chat
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(00:00:00)
  • Key Takeaway: The preview for the premium episode of “Blocked and Reported” teases discussions on Jamelle Bouie’s Bluesky controversy and Lindy West’s polyamory.
  • Summary: The preview begins by advertising the premium content, specifically mentioning a pile-on against Jamelle Bouie on Bluesky and a segment on Lindy West. The hosts then engage in a brief, tangential discussion about local weather patterns, including high ridges and heat domes affecting California’s snowpack.
Lindy West Profile Tease
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(00:03:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Lindy West stated in a profile that she hoped her new book would financially support her ’thrupple’ for the next couple of years.
  • Summary: The hosts briefly touch upon a profile of Lindy West, noting her comment about needing book sales to float her polyamorous relationship structure. One host critiques the profile’s description of West’s remote location, arguing Bainbridge Island, Washington, is easily accessible from Seattle via public transit.
Host’s NYT Article Backlash
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(00:09:57)
  • Key Takeaway: Jesse’s New York Times article generated positive feedback via email but faced intense negative criticism on Bluesky, where he was accused of lying by Erin Reid.
  • Summary: Jesse details the polarized response to his recent New York Times piece, noting that critics on Bluesky, including Erin Reid (who has over 131,000 Substack subscribers), claim he lied. The core argument of Jesse’s article—that major science organizations are politically influenced—was ironically used by his critic to dismiss his credibility.
Gender Medicine Reporting Context
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(00:12:28)
  • Key Takeaway: The administration is reportedly pressuring medical groups regarding youth gender medicine, mirroring political influence seen in academic journal publication biases.
  • Summary: The conversation shifts to a New York Times report by Jeremy Peters detailing a meeting where Dr. Oz summoned medical group representatives, interpreted as an attempt to pressure them on youth gender medicine stances. Michael Hobbes criticized Peters’ reporting as conspiratorial for suggesting publication bias in journals favors positive findings on gender-affirming care.
Bluesky Echo Chamber Critique
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(00:15:32)
  • Key Takeaway: Bluesky is characterized as an echo chamber with extreme blocking norms that actively disincentivizes engagement with outside viewpoints, unlike X (Twitter) which exposes users to diverse opinions.
  • Summary: The hosts conclude the preview by focusing on the Jamelle Bouie story, arguing that Bluesky’s structure, including its blocking norms, seals users off from disagreement. Following Matt Iglesias’s experience of being automatically block-listed, the hosts suggest Bluesky users flee disagreement rather than engage with differing perspectives.