Ben Schrager
@benjaminschrager.bsky.social
Geography of food and agriculture, Japan, chickens, disease, artisan and traditional foods. At Utsunomiya University. He/him
A very Utsunomiya Thanksgiving to all
November 28, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A very Utsunomiya Thanksgiving to all
One of my favorite teaching fails was when I made a test and planned but forgot to randomize the answers.
Could you imagine taking a test where the answer to the first 15 questions is A?
They scored poorly and I felt guilty
Could you imagine taking a test where the answer to the first 15 questions is A?
They scored poorly and I felt guilty
November 17, 2025 at 5:34 AM
One of my favorite teaching fails was when I made a test and planned but forgot to randomize the answers.
Could you imagine taking a test where the answer to the first 15 questions is A?
They scored poorly and I felt guilty
Could you imagine taking a test where the answer to the first 15 questions is A?
They scored poorly and I felt guilty
In this year's mlb playoffs, the team with a clutch elimination win then suffered a heartbreaking elimination game loss in the following round.
Detroit -> Seattle -> Toronto -> LA
I bet this is the first time it's ever happened in this playoff format with elimination winners to losers
Detroit -> Seattle -> Toronto -> LA
I bet this is the first time it's ever happened in this playoff format with elimination winners to losers
November 3, 2025 at 10:11 AM
In this year's mlb playoffs, the team with a clutch elimination win then suffered a heartbreaking elimination game loss in the following round.
Detroit -> Seattle -> Toronto -> LA
I bet this is the first time it's ever happened in this playoff format with elimination winners to losers
Detroit -> Seattle -> Toronto -> LA
I bet this is the first time it's ever happened in this playoff format with elimination winners to losers
At least the Seahawks won? 😭😭😭
October 21, 2025 at 5:48 AM
At least the Seahawks won? 😭😭😭
I may have just unlocked the level of Japanese where I can go full Larry David on rude salespersons
October 19, 2025 at 6:41 AM
I may have just unlocked the level of Japanese where I can go full Larry David on rude salespersons
Reposted by Ben Schrager
Gary Larson has picked up a tablet and is drawing again! Sometimes good things happen in the world! www.thefarside.com/new-stuff
New Work by Gary Larson | TheFarSide.com
Get an exclusive look at brand new cartoons and artwork from cartoonist Gary Larson, creator of the iconic comic strip The Far Side®.
www.thefarside.com
October 18, 2025 at 9:38 AM
Gary Larson has picked up a tablet and is drawing again! Sometimes good things happen in the world! www.thefarside.com/new-stuff
Suarez!!!!!!!
I've got a feeling Eugenio Suárez is gonna have a big series
October 18, 2025 at 1:01 AM
Suarez!!!!!!!
Tower Records Japan is selling the original press of D'Angelo's Black Messiah for 5,000 yen, about $35
October 16, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Tower Records Japan is selling the original press of D'Angelo's Black Messiah for 5,000 yen, about $35
Since the Mariners made the ALCS I tried listening to baseball podcasts, and I am struck by how much better nba playoff podcasts are.
October 12, 2025 at 11:56 PM
Since the Mariners made the ALCS I tried listening to baseball podcasts, and I am struck by how much better nba playoff podcasts are.
This might be the first time I've ever encountered a square watermelon in the wild!
I found it in Utsunomiya's Tobu Department Store. Square watermelons are a famous example of conspicuous gift giving in Japan. This one retails for about $110 USD.
I found it in Utsunomiya's Tobu Department Store. Square watermelons are a famous example of conspicuous gift giving in Japan. This one retails for about $110 USD.
October 3, 2025 at 6:40 AM
This might be the first time I've ever encountered a square watermelon in the wild!
I found it in Utsunomiya's Tobu Department Store. Square watermelons are a famous example of conspicuous gift giving in Japan. This one retails for about $110 USD.
I found it in Utsunomiya's Tobu Department Store. Square watermelons are a famous example of conspicuous gift giving in Japan. This one retails for about $110 USD.
Reposted by Ben Schrager
A new essay from me synthesizing the rich body of media criticism in Japanese focused on the practice of "August journalism" (八月ジャーナリズム): the tendency for rehearsed, compressed, and hollowed-out coverage of war memory each August.
apjjf.org/2025/9/fedman
apjjf.org/2025/9/fedman
“August Journalism” Studies: Lessons in World War II Reporting from Japan’s Season of Remembrance - Asia-Pacific Journal: Japan Focus
[…]
apjjf.org
September 2, 2025 at 4:40 PM
A new essay from me synthesizing the rich body of media criticism in Japanese focused on the practice of "August journalism" (八月ジャーナリズム): the tendency for rehearsed, compressed, and hollowed-out coverage of war memory each August.
apjjf.org/2025/9/fedman
apjjf.org/2025/9/fedman
Looks like a great talk. I hope to join
Join me on September 4 at 4 PM EST for an online conversation on Gastronativism and contemporary politics at Penn State. The event is FREE and open. To log in, use the link buff.ly/nIhZo88
August 28, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Looks like a great talk. I hope to join
I usually go to visit family in Okinawa over New Years'. Prices at the hotel we usually stay at are 50% more expensive than last year. Yikes.
August 14, 2025 at 2:40 AM
I usually go to visit family in Okinawa over New Years'. Prices at the hotel we usually stay at are 50% more expensive than last year. Yikes.
*Create a map of Japan with each prefecture labeled in English
August 8, 2025 at 4:07 PM
*Create a map of Japan with each prefecture labeled in English
Some things weren't designed to age but they still do so gracefully
July 24, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Some things weren't designed to age but they still do so gracefully
Whenever I see Gabbard I'm reminded of this
every time i see a picture of tulsi gabbard i think of dr. blight from captain planet
July 24, 2025 at 12:37 AM
Whenever I see Gabbard I'm reminded of this
Reposted by Ben Schrager
every time i see a picture of tulsi gabbard i think of dr. blight from captain planet
July 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM
every time i see a picture of tulsi gabbard i think of dr. blight from captain planet
AI for sure has its issues, but it's doing a pretty stellar job with drudgework for me right now. Seems like it's pretty good at coming up with English citations for Japanese sources and finding specific figures in a pdf.
May 30, 2025 at 5:29 AM
AI for sure has its issues, but it's doing a pretty stellar job with drudgework for me right now. Seems like it's pretty good at coming up with English citations for Japanese sources and finding specific figures in a pdf.
Chuzenjiko on a foggy day
May 28, 2025 at 10:46 PM
Chuzenjiko on a foggy day
Reposted by Ben Schrager
Our new book is out (w/ Dan Trudeau & @paulschadewald.bsky.social)!! "Gleanings from the Field: Food Security, Resilience, and Experiential Learning," by UMich @leverpress.bsky.social, is available as a free open-access publication or physical copy services.publishing.umich.edu/Books/G/Glea...
April 8, 2025 at 6:51 PM
Our new book is out (w/ Dan Trudeau & @paulschadewald.bsky.social)!! "Gleanings from the Field: Food Security, Resilience, and Experiential Learning," by UMich @leverpress.bsky.social, is available as a free open-access publication or physical copy services.publishing.umich.edu/Books/G/Glea...
A glimpse of tranquility
April 8, 2025 at 1:12 AM
A glimpse of tranquility
Reposted by Ben Schrager
This retreat is in September, but applications are due April 15! We have just 8 spots.
Are you interested in the ethics and craft food writing? life in rural Japan? spending time surrounded by nature in the open-air kitchen of a 100-year old farmhouse? This retreat might be for you!
www.mokkei-yamanaka.com/workshops/wh...
www.mokkei-yamanaka.com/workshops/wh...
Writing Retreat in Japan: What is a Recipe For? — MOKKEI
Hosted by Hannah Kirshner and Clarissa Wei, with guest lecturer Bryan Washington | September 15–19 2025 Join us for a five-night, four-day food writing retreat in Yamanaka Onsen—a mountain hot sprin...
www.mokkei-yamanaka.com
March 25, 2025 at 12:31 PM
This retreat is in September, but applications are due April 15! We have just 8 spots.
Reposted by Ben Schrager
Today is publication day! I explain how agricultural inputs - which weren't even widely traded market goods 200 years ago - have become giant industries dominated by just a handful of transnational firms today.
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255170...
Many thanks to those who helped me along the way!
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255170...
Many thanks to those who helped me along the way!
February 18, 2025 at 3:34 PM
Today is publication day! I explain how agricultural inputs - which weren't even widely traded market goods 200 years ago - have become giant industries dominated by just a handful of transnational firms today.
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255170...
Many thanks to those who helped me along the way!
mitpress.mit.edu/978026255170...
Many thanks to those who helped me along the way!
Wishing the Seattle Supersonics were still around so I could also be disappointed they didn't land Doncic 🏀
February 3, 2025 at 1:34 AM
Wishing the Seattle Supersonics were still around so I could also be disappointed they didn't land Doncic 🏀
@paul-jokr.bsky.social hi! Your work looks interesting. Let me know if you're ever passing through Utsunomiya!
January 29, 2025 at 2:35 AM
@paul-jokr.bsky.social hi! Your work looks interesting. Let me know if you're ever passing through Utsunomiya!