Cate Denial
@cjdenial.bsky.social
Historian: women, early 19C Dakota and Ojibwe country; Dir: Bright Institute @ Knox College; author, A Pedagogy of Kindness (https://bit.ly/OrderPoK); catherinedenial.org; https://redbrickagency.com/cate-denial/; posts my own; she/her; settler, Native land
Pinned
Cate Denial
@cjdenial.bsky.social
· Nov 15
A Pedagogy of Kindness - University of Oklahoma Press
Academia is not, by and large, a kind place. Individualism and competition are what count. But without kindness at its core, Catherine Denial suggests, highe...
www.oupress.com
If you're new here, you might not know that I published -A Pedagogy of Kindness- this summer, available from the University of Oklahoma Press. And as of Tuesday, an audiobook is available too! www.oupress.com/978080619385...
I was 20 years old. I got off a Greyhound bus about 5 miles from Cuyahoga Falls youth hostel on a Sunday. When I called the hostel, using up all my change, I just got the answering machine, and I had no idea how to get there. The strip mall area I was at was deserted and I was panicked.
I would like to hear about a time someone, a stranger even, was very kind to you without any prompting, ulterior motive, or strings attached.
December 31, 2025 at 11:43 AM
I was 20 years old. I got off a Greyhound bus about 5 miles from Cuyahoga Falls youth hostel on a Sunday. When I called the hostel, using up all my change, I just got the answering machine, and I had no idea how to get there. The strip mall area I was at was deserted and I was panicked.
The craven grasping for more and more money is breathtaking
“This could look like a user asking how much ibuprofen to take for a headache receiving a promoted ad for Advil in the chatbot’s response. Meanwhile, actual results on correct dosage may be brushed to the side, or buried under a mountain of ad text…”
OpenAI Reportedly Planning to Make ChatGPT "Prioritize" Advertisers in Conversation
OpenAI employees working on ChatGPT report plans to unleash sponsored advertisements above organic results.
futurism.com
December 31, 2025 at 11:34 AM
The craven grasping for more and more money is breathtaking
Ben Affleck sat next to me in the Santa Barbara airport once.
Right folks. Feeling rather down at the moment so bringing back an oldie
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
Please Quote this with your most minor celebrity interaction
December 29, 2025 at 8:53 PM
Ben Affleck sat next to me in the Santa Barbara airport once.
Congratulations @bschillace.brandyschillace.com !!
Announcing the National Book Critics Circle 2025 Longlist for Nonfiction
December 22, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Congratulations @bschillace.brandyschillace.com !!
It is good to hear good news
Steves purchased the property to prevent it from closing. Many homeless people had come to depend on the Lynnwood Hygiene Center, which had operated rent-free on the property since 2020. n.pr/3MKbmJH
Rick Steves steps in to save Seattle-area hygiene center serving homeless residents
Steves purchased the property to prevent it from closing. Many homeless people had come to depend on the Lynnwood Hygiene Center, which had operated rent-free on the property since 2020.
n.pr
December 22, 2025 at 12:51 PM
It is good to hear good news
I had not quite parsed that this was happening until reading this thread. Read up as well as down.
To be clear, the library isn't using AI to generate a fake article. Rather fake citation info is being transferred in a link URL to generate a temporary catalog page on the library site via standard API tools (not AI).
December 21, 2025 at 2:57 PM
I had not quite parsed that this was happening until reading this thread. Read up as well as down.
Reposted by Cate Denial
It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans.
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December 21, 2025 at 2:51 AM
It’s the “season of love and giving”…but this year, doesn’t it seem more like a “season of fear and taking”? Like many of you, I’ve been saddened by the human impact of draconian government budget cuts and how angry many housed Americans are at unhoused Americans.
🧵 1 of 9
🧵 1 of 9
Reposted by Cate Denial
Flesh and blood historians have never once caused electricity prices to go up for millions of people.
December 20, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Flesh and blood historians have never once caused electricity prices to go up for millions of people.
Reposted by Cate Denial
I think the malicious compliance way to address this is to write everything in the syllabus in boilerplate language, quoting from official university documents where possible, and providing nothing but bland descriptions of the course content next to a potential reading list.
December 19, 2025 at 11:06 PM
I think the malicious compliance way to address this is to write everything in the syllabus in boilerplate language, quoting from official university documents where possible, and providing nothing but bland descriptions of the course content next to a potential reading list.
It is a goddamn travesty to take something that should be a relational document and turn it into a tool of fear. The folks driving this policy haven't the first clue about how education works, nor do they care.
It’s the entire point. There’s no plan to make this meaningful for students. No plan to use it administratively. Its design and implementation signals its only real intent. It’s best and easiest use case is for systematic harassment and to scare faculty into complying in advance.
We know the students don’t read the syllabuses. So who will? Right-wing activists looking for excuses to hound profs.
December 20, 2025 at 1:08 PM
It is a goddamn travesty to take something that should be a relational document and turn it into a tool of fear. The folks driving this policy haven't the first clue about how education works, nor do they care.
Reposted by Cate Denial
I was lucky enough, just after I landed in Ireland in November, to make a surprise call to three graduate students who were reading my book for a class. It was wonderful! Thank you to Raquel for making it happen!
December 18, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I was lucky enough, just after I landed in Ireland in November, to make a surprise call to three graduate students who were reading my book for a class. It was wonderful! Thank you to Raquel for making it happen!
I was lucky enough, just after I landed in Ireland in November, to make a surprise call to three graduate students who were reading my book for a class. It was wonderful! Thank you to Raquel for making it happen!
December 18, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I was lucky enough, just after I landed in Ireland in November, to make a surprise call to three graduate students who were reading my book for a class. It was wonderful! Thank you to Raquel for making it happen!
Reposted by Cate Denial
To be absolutely clear:
This is genocide. Fuck this administration. Fuck anyone who supports this.
And to the Democrats, I will not vote for ANYONE who does not full throatedly support my community, including gender affirming care for trans kids. Period.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
This is genocide. Fuck this administration. Fuck anyone who supports this.
And to the Democrats, I will not vote for ANYONE who does not full throatedly support my community, including gender affirming care for trans kids. Period.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Transgender youth face national ban on medical care under new hospital rules : Shots - Health News : NPR
Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. is expected to announce a package of measures that would together ban gender-affirming care for minors. A press conference is set for 11 a.m. Thursday.
www.npr.org
December 18, 2025 at 5:04 PM
To be absolutely clear:
This is genocide. Fuck this administration. Fuck anyone who supports this.
And to the Democrats, I will not vote for ANYONE who does not full throatedly support my community, including gender affirming care for trans kids. Period.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
This is genocide. Fuck this administration. Fuck anyone who supports this.
And to the Democrats, I will not vote for ANYONE who does not full throatedly support my community, including gender affirming care for trans kids. Period.
www.npr.org/sections/sho...
Reposted by Cate Denial
I’m at HHS headquarters where RFK Jr. is announcing new restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors by spouting pseudoscience and political misinformation that goes against every major medical association.
December 18, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I’m at HHS headquarters where RFK Jr. is announcing new restrictions on gender-affirming care for minors by spouting pseudoscience and political misinformation that goes against every major medical association.
Reposted by Cate Denial
To all the young people in New York and across our country who count on gender-affirming care:
I won't let this administration come for you, your doctors, or your lifesaving health care.
Your health care is still legal and protected.
I'll always fight for you.
I won't let this administration come for you, your doctors, or your lifesaving health care.
Your health care is still legal and protected.
I'll always fight for you.
December 18, 2025 at 4:22 PM
To all the young people in New York and across our country who count on gender-affirming care:
I won't let this administration come for you, your doctors, or your lifesaving health care.
Your health care is still legal and protected.
I'll always fight for you.
I won't let this administration come for you, your doctors, or your lifesaving health care.
Your health care is still legal and protected.
I'll always fight for you.
Reposted by Cate Denial
Are you a professor planning to incorporate THE INTERMEDIARIES (medical #history, Weimar, #Jewish history, #transgender history, #LGBTQ fighting Nazis) into your course? I have pdf to share, additional teaching materials, images, and resources for use. Please ping me.
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
wwnorton.com/books/978132...
December 18, 2025 at 3:43 PM
Reposted by Cate Denial
I sent a draft of my book to @cjdenial.bsky.social. One of her comments is literally just [buzzer noise].
That’s it.
That’s the *entire* comment.
10/10 no notes.
That’s it.
That’s the *entire* comment.
10/10 no notes.
You should also be able to peer review with memes. All parts of peer review should just be memes.
December 18, 2025 at 4:21 AM
I sent a draft of my book to @cjdenial.bsky.social. One of her comments is literally just [buzzer noise].
That’s it.
That’s the *entire* comment.
10/10 no notes.
That’s it.
That’s the *entire* comment.
10/10 no notes.
Has me thinking about college classrooms and what they have and don't.
"If we truly want to support dysregulated students, especially neurodivergent ones, we need to stop putting the burden of managing big emotions solely on them & instead take a hard look at the environments we create." From @endseclusion.bsky.social:
endseclusion.org/2025/07/10/n... #neurodiversity
endseclusion.org/2025/07/10/n... #neurodiversity
Neurodivergent Students Don’t Need a Calm Corner, They a Whole Classroom Rooted in Calm, Connection, and Compassion
“Just make a calm-down space in your room!” they say, as if emotional regulation can be solved with a bean bag chair, a glitter jar, and a cute sign that says “breathe.” But here’s what so many people...
endseclusion.org
December 17, 2025 at 8:50 PM
Has me thinking about college classrooms and what they have and don't.
Reposted by Cate Denial
We are thrilled to announce our latest episode of the New Books in Women's History Podcast. @lcargin.bsky.social spoke with @ayahnerd.bsky.social,
@lmansley.bsky.social, and and @sarahbelle721.bsky.social
about the new Nursing Clio Reader!
Listen here: newbooksnetwork.com/the-nursing-...
@lmansley.bsky.social, and and @sarahbelle721.bsky.social
about the new Nursing Clio Reader!
Listen here: newbooksnetwork.com/the-nursing-...
December 16, 2025 at 7:41 PM
We are thrilled to announce our latest episode of the New Books in Women's History Podcast. @lcargin.bsky.social spoke with @ayahnerd.bsky.social,
@lmansley.bsky.social, and and @sarahbelle721.bsky.social
about the new Nursing Clio Reader!
Listen here: newbooksnetwork.com/the-nursing-...
@lmansley.bsky.social, and and @sarahbelle721.bsky.social
about the new Nursing Clio Reader!
Listen here: newbooksnetwork.com/the-nursing-...
During the most acute phase of the pandemic, I convened some gatherings called "Looking Back to Look Forward." They were spaces to process the past academic year before thinking of fall. Would people be interested in the same thing during winter break? $20 a person tops.
December 16, 2025 at 1:52 PM
During the most acute phase of the pandemic, I convened some gatherings called "Looking Back to Look Forward." They were spaces to process the past academic year before thinking of fall. Would people be interested in the same thing during winter break? $20 a person tops.
Reposted by Cate Denial
this is why I have minimal faith in my capacity to spot 'AI tells'. there are racial, cultural and class dimensions to certain formalities of language. did you learn English from someone whose first language wasn't English? did you glean your turns of phrase from out-of-date books? etc etc
YES! So many structures and words that have been classed as AI giveaways are what speakers of English as a second language have been taught and encouraged to do.
I try to avoid linking to Substacks but this essay is FASCINATING
December 16, 2025 at 11:02 AM
this is why I have minimal faith in my capacity to spot 'AI tells'. there are racial, cultural and class dimensions to certain formalities of language. did you learn English from someone whose first language wasn't English? did you glean your turns of phrase from out-of-date books? etc etc
Reposted by Cate Denial
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
a man reading a book to a young boy
Alt: a man reading a book to a young boy
media.tenor.com
June 5, 2025 at 11:20 AM
As you may know, I have stopped using Twitter, and have decided to reproduce some of my more memorable threads here for posterity. Here’s one I hold wrote after a particularly engaging swordfighting lesson.
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
Buckle up, swordfighting fans, because I *have* studied my Agrippa!
[BIG ASS THREAD]
I met Rob Reiner a couple of times when I worked in politics. He was kind, gracious, and funny, and the consummate professional. I always admired his advocacy for early childhood development, and of course, loved his movies. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
December 15, 2025 at 10:07 AM
I met Rob Reiner a couple of times when I worked in politics. He was kind, gracious, and funny, and the consummate professional. I always admired his advocacy for early childhood development, and of course, loved his movies. My heartfelt condolences to his family and friends.
I was a kid when Return of the Jedi came out. I got to go see all three movies in a row (a rewatch for the first two), and remember seeing "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" through the haze of cigarette smoke. Because you could do that in movie theaters then.
Raising the always fun question: What are your most memorable theater-going experiences?
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
Mine also include The Matrix, Blair Witch, and being way too stoned in Belgium when Fellowship of the Ring was sold out so we sat in the back row for Mulholland Drive instead.
It was hands-down one of the most memorable theater-going experiences I can remember, a collective 30-minute butt-clench/armrest-grab for the final climb. And we knew he lived! Wild.
December 13, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I was a kid when Return of the Jedi came out. I got to go see all three movies in a row (a rewatch for the first two), and remember seeing "A long time ago in a galaxy far, far away" through the haze of cigarette smoke. Because you could do that in movie theaters then.
Sharing this with my History of Birth Control and Reproduction students next trimester!
the culmination of one year of collaborative work on a #SciArt zine discussing gynecological issues, finally in print form!
from a lovely team from the @sangerinstitute.bsky.social with special thanks to Dr @talkswithdrsesay.bsky.social and Dr Gioia Canciani for reviewing the contents! 🥼🩸
from a lovely team from the @sangerinstitute.bsky.social with special thanks to Dr @talkswithdrsesay.bsky.social and Dr Gioia Canciani for reviewing the contents! 🥼🩸
December 11, 2025 at 1:10 PM
Sharing this with my History of Birth Control and Reproduction students next trimester!