Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
@drsurekhadavies.bsky.social
Historian of science, art, ideas.🗃
Words: Smithsonian, LA Times, TLS, Aeon, Nature, Science, Reactor.
Buy HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY now: https://www.surekhadavies.org/humans-a-monstrous-history
Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/surekhadavies?tag=bluesky
Words: Smithsonian, LA Times, TLS, Aeon, Nature, Science, Reactor.
Buy HUMANS: A MONSTROUS HISTORY now: https://www.surekhadavies.org/humans-a-monstrous-history
Newsletter: https://buttondown.com/surekhadavies?tag=bluesky
Pinned
Humans: A Monstrous History is a year old today! Here’s a 🧵 of some spinoff writings and interviews.
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🧪💙📚 🗃 #ancient #medieval #earlymodern #histsci #histmed #18thCentury #politics #HAMH
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🧪💙📚 🗃 #ancient #medieval #earlymodern #histsci #histmed #18thCentury #politics #HAMH
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
Normalize laughing derisively in men's faces when they deserve it.
February 18, 2026 at 7:00 PM
Normalize laughing derisively in men's faces when they deserve it.
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
If you like bluegrass music, you might check out the Clements Brothers. They have a kickstarter campaign for their second album. I heard them live, close up, in 2014, during a magical summer in Cambridge, MA (they were part of the Lonely Heartstring Band then).
www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...
THE CLEMENTS BROTHERS MAKE A SECOND ALBUM!
Help us get this record made! We've got this thing in the air but need your help to stick the landing. You know the deal :)
www.kickstarter.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:05 PM
If you like bluegrass music, you might check out the Clements Brothers. They have a kickstarter campaign for their second album. I heard them live, close up, in 2014, during a magical summer in Cambridge, MA (they were part of the Lonely Heartstring Band then).
www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
“Is there a technology the left is excited about?”
Yeah man, it’s called anything that can be useful and make my bills go down instead of a thing that can’t do anything without my help and doubles my electricity bill
Yeah man, it’s called anything that can be useful and make my bills go down instead of a thing that can’t do anything without my help and doubles my electricity bill
February 18, 2026 at 12:59 PM
“Is there a technology the left is excited about?”
Yeah man, it’s called anything that can be useful and make my bills go down instead of a thing that can’t do anything without my help and doubles my electricity bill
Yeah man, it’s called anything that can be useful and make my bills go down instead of a thing that can’t do anything without my help and doubles my electricity bill
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
The fact that so many billionaire Californians are each dedicating tens of millions of dollars to fighting a proposed wealth tax — rather than using those funds to pay the tax — demonstrates just how much play money they have and evidences the extent of their delusional entitlement
February 18, 2026 at 3:19 PM
The fact that so many billionaire Californians are each dedicating tens of millions of dollars to fighting a proposed wealth tax — rather than using those funds to pay the tax — demonstrates just how much play money they have and evidences the extent of their delusional entitlement
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
'America before 1776' must surely mean the founding of Los Angeles here? 😁
New byline in @latimes.com on what a late medieval/Renaissance map has to do with politics today.
🗃 #maps #cartography #histsci #medieval #renaissance #earlymodern
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
🗃 #maps #cartography #histsci #medieval #renaissance #earlymodern
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: What 'America' meant before 1776, and who 'Americans' are today
The label is often wielded now to exclude brown people, but these two continents have been a melting pot since long before the U.S. was founded.
www.latimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:22 PM
'America before 1776' must surely mean the founding of Los Angeles here? 😁
🇬🇧 Larry the cat celebrates 15 years as Downing Street's chief mouser
The UK's most famous feline, Larry the cat, marks 15 years as the country's chief mouser patrolling the corridors of power of 10 Downing Street.
The UK's most famous feline, Larry the cat, marks 15 years as the country's chief mouser patrolling the corridors of power of 10 Downing Street.
February 18, 2026 at 2:23 PM
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
Shout out to everyone doing science communication for the greater good while some of the biggest names in science were conspiring to spread white supremacy and misogyny. Maybe don’t invite those people to your festivals anymore though?
February 18, 2026 at 11:14 AM
Shout out to everyone doing science communication for the greater good while some of the biggest names in science were conspiring to spread white supremacy and misogyny. Maybe don’t invite those people to your festivals anymore though?
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
Phenomenal list of 2025 nonfiction - Edgar Gomez, Caro de Robertis, Melissa Febos, Yiyun Li, Imani Perry, Andrea Long Chu and so many more greats! electricliterature.com/electric-lit...
Electric Lit’s Best Nonfiction of 2025 - Electric Literature
Books by Edgar Gomez, Maris Kreizman, and Zefyr Lisowski are among the year's most celebrated nonfiction
electricliterature.com
November 28, 2025 at 4:07 PM
Phenomenal list of 2025 nonfiction - Edgar Gomez, Caro de Robertis, Melissa Febos, Yiyun Li, Imani Perry, Andrea Long Chu and so many more greats! electricliterature.com/electric-lit...
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
The AI "caricature" trend has been very distressing to genuine caricaturists like my husband @tealcartoons.bsky.social. We've been discussing how to reconnect with people & remind them what human-made art looks like. He just started a YT channel. Please subscribe, share & delight in real caricature!
I *finally* completed the Saturday Night Live commission. Here's a very short video to prove it:
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJhU...
#caricature #art
www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJhU...
#caricature #art
Live from New York...!
YouTube video by Face Ache
www.youtube.com
February 18, 2026 at 8:58 AM
The AI "caricature" trend has been very distressing to genuine caricaturists like my husband @tealcartoons.bsky.social. We've been discussing how to reconnect with people & remind them what human-made art looks like. He just started a YT channel. Please subscribe, share & delight in real caricature!
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
*endless screaming*
Like, there's so much to scream about but the "cumulative infections per person: 5.07" is the thing that's making me scream the hardest
Like, there's so much to scream about but the "cumulative infections per person: 5.07" is the thing that's making me scream the hardest
PMC COVlD Report, Week of Feb 16, 2026 (U.S.)
14 states are still experiencing High/Very High COVlD levels amid a lingering 12th wave.
Minnesota may be at an all-time high.
THREAD 1 of 4 🧵
14 states are still experiencing High/Very High COVlD levels amid a lingering 12th wave.
Minnesota may be at an all-time high.
THREAD 1 of 4 🧵
February 16, 2026 at 4:02 PM
*endless screaming*
Like, there's so much to scream about but the "cumulative infections per person: 5.07" is the thing that's making me scream the hardest
Like, there's so much to scream about but the "cumulative infections per person: 5.07" is the thing that's making me scream the hardest
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
I am the first winner in the A Monkey with Cymbals theatre company's writing competition. You can read my ghost story via this link: www.amonkeywithcymbals.co.uk/writing-comp...
The show haunted Shadows is well worth seeing - very atmospheric and eerie! Check the website for tour dates in April.
The show haunted Shadows is well worth seeing - very atmospheric and eerie! Check the website for tour dates in April.
February 14, 2026 at 12:57 PM
I am the first winner in the A Monkey with Cymbals theatre company's writing competition. You can read my ghost story via this link: www.amonkeywithcymbals.co.uk/writing-comp...
The show haunted Shadows is well worth seeing - very atmospheric and eerie! Check the website for tour dates in April.
The show haunted Shadows is well worth seeing - very atmospheric and eerie! Check the website for tour dates in April.
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
SOS save the #bbcworldservice
‘Perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world”in the 20th century’: Kofi Annan.
Money runs out in 7 weeks. No plan.
Pls lobby MPs Yvette Cooper, Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer John Healey
Please Email:
fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
enquiries@dcms.gov.uk
‘Perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world”in the 20th century’: Kofi Annan.
Money runs out in 7 weeks. No plan.
Pls lobby MPs Yvette Cooper, Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer John Healey
Please Email:
fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
enquiries@dcms.gov.uk
February 15, 2026 at 9:37 PM
SOS save the #bbcworldservice
‘Perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world”in the 20th century’: Kofi Annan.
Money runs out in 7 weeks. No plan.
Pls lobby MPs Yvette Cooper, Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer John Healey
Please Email:
fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
enquiries@dcms.gov.uk
‘Perhaps Britain’s greatest gift to the world”in the 20th century’: Kofi Annan.
Money runs out in 7 weeks. No plan.
Pls lobby MPs Yvette Cooper, Lisa Nandy, Keir Starmer John Healey
Please Email:
fcdo.correspondence@fcdo.gov.uk
enquiries@dcms.gov.uk
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
My book about Britain ends with a memory.
Of the first time I ever worked at Broadcasting House as a guest commentator, what that meant to me, and what the BBC means for 🇬🇧’s place in the world.
The idea that the World Service could end is awful, and frankly embarrassing for the British Government.
Of the first time I ever worked at Broadcasting House as a guest commentator, what that meant to me, and what the BBC means for 🇬🇧’s place in the world.
The idea that the World Service could end is awful, and frankly embarrassing for the British Government.
And another bites the dust?
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The BBC World Service will run out of funding in just seven weeks. Its funding arrangement with the Foreign Office finishes at the end of March. There is no plan for what happens next.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
The Guardian view on the BBC World Service: this is London calling | Editorial
Editorial: With just seven weeks before its funding runs out, the UK’s greatest cultural asset and most trusted international news organisation must be supported
www.theguardian.com
February 15, 2026 at 7:58 PM
My book about Britain ends with a memory.
Of the first time I ever worked at Broadcasting House as a guest commentator, what that meant to me, and what the BBC means for 🇬🇧’s place in the world.
The idea that the World Service could end is awful, and frankly embarrassing for the British Government.
Of the first time I ever worked at Broadcasting House as a guest commentator, what that meant to me, and what the BBC means for 🇬🇧’s place in the world.
The idea that the World Service could end is awful, and frankly embarrassing for the British Government.
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
The only things the rest of the world likes about the United States are the NBA and Black music. Here's why we must uphold English-Scots-Irish culture.
February 16, 2026 at 6:41 PM
The only things the rest of the world likes about the United States are the NBA and Black music. Here's why we must uphold English-Scots-Irish culture.
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
Historian of medicine here. Yes. Yes, they did.
before antibiotics did people just die all the time from everything?
February 17, 2026 at 5:47 PM
Historian of medicine here. Yes. Yes, they did.
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
New byline in @latimes.com on what a late medieval/Renaissance map has to do with politics today.
🗃 #maps #cartography #histsci #medieval #renaissance #earlymodern
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
🗃 #maps #cartography #histsci #medieval #renaissance #earlymodern
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: What 'America' meant before 1776, and who 'Americans' are today
The label is often wielded now to exclude brown people, but these two continents have been a melting pot since long before the U.S. was founded.
www.latimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 11:08 AM
New byline in @latimes.com on what a late medieval/Renaissance map has to do with politics today.
🗃 #maps #cartography #histsci #medieval #renaissance #earlymodern
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
🗃 #maps #cartography #histsci #medieval #renaissance #earlymodern
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
The first politician who clearly and loudly articulates that detention centers and data centers serve the same political and economic program—and that they oppose this—has my vote.
February 17, 2026 at 10:38 PM
The first politician who clearly and loudly articulates that detention centers and data centers serve the same political and economic program—and that they oppose this—has my vote.
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
Rep. James Talarico talks to Stephen Colbert on the YouTube-ONLY segment of The Late Show.
This is *so good.*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
This is *so good.*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
Rep. James Talarico On Confronting Christian Nationalism, And Strange Days In The Texas Legislature
YouTube video by The Late Show with Stephen Colbert
www.youtube.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:32 PM
Rep. James Talarico talks to Stephen Colbert on the YouTube-ONLY segment of The Late Show.
This is *so good.*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
This is *so good.*
www.youtube.com/watch?v=oiTJ...
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahh *wheezing* hahahahhahAHAHAHhahahahahahhahahahHhahahahhhhhh
February 17, 2026 at 10:27 PM
hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahh *wheezing* hahahahhahAHAHAHhahahahahahhahahahHhahahahhhhhh
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
My wife said AI in Outlook has started to send summary notes about emails and the summaries are longer than the emails and full of wrong info lol. "I got a 5 word email from my coworker that said 'Lunch will be at 1' and the summary said 'Your lunch meeting is now at 11' lmaoo
you know what would be a great way to market the AI technology you really want me to use but which I have thus far refused to touch?
what if you used it to imply that my emails are poorly written, in real time as I'm writing them, even though I'm consciously trying to avoid sounding like AI?
what if you used it to imply that my emails are poorly written, in real time as I'm writing them, even though I'm consciously trying to avoid sounding like AI?
February 17, 2026 at 8:07 PM
My wife said AI in Outlook has started to send summary notes about emails and the summaries are longer than the emails and full of wrong info lol. "I got a 5 word email from my coworker that said 'Lunch will be at 1' and the summary said 'Your lunch meeting is now at 11' lmaoo
If you like bluegrass music, you might check out the Clements Brothers. They have a kickstarter campaign for their second album. I heard them live, close up, in 2014, during a magical summer in Cambridge, MA (they were part of the Lonely Heartstring Band then).
www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...
THE CLEMENTS BROTHERS MAKE A SECOND ALBUM!
Help us get this record made! We've got this thing in the air but need your help to stick the landing. You know the deal :)
www.kickstarter.com
February 17, 2026 at 10:05 PM
If you like bluegrass music, you might check out the Clements Brothers. They have a kickstarter campaign for their second album. I heard them live, close up, in 2014, during a magical summer in Cambridge, MA (they were part of the Lonely Heartstring Band then).
www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...
www.kickstarter.com/projects/the...
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
This reminds me of some of the MANY reasons I enjoyed having Latin American officers in my seminars & teaching Regional Studies Americas. U.S. students learned so much from their Latin American colleagues. I miss them.
New byline in @latimes.com on what a late medieval/Renaissance map has to do with politics today.
🗃 #maps #cartography #histsci #medieval #renaissance #earlymodern
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
🗃 #maps #cartography #histsci #medieval #renaissance #earlymodern
www.latimes.com/opinion/stor...
Contributor: What 'America' meant before 1776, and who 'Americans' are today
The label is often wielded now to exclude brown people, but these two continents have been a melting pot since long before the U.S. was founded.
www.latimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:20 PM
This reminds me of some of the MANY reasons I enjoyed having Latin American officers in my seminars & teaching Regional Studies Americas. U.S. students learned so much from their Latin American colleagues. I miss them.
First event of this semester's online series starts in 90 mins, at 12 noon Pacific / 3pm Eastern / 8pm GMT! First up: @adambecker.bsky.social. Full programme:
sites.google.com/csusb.edu/cr...
sites.google.com/csusb.edu/cr...
Critical Perspectives on "AI" in Education
French Postcard, ca. 1901, "In the Year 2000," Wikimedia
sites.google.com
February 17, 2026 at 6:31 PM
First event of this semester's online series starts in 90 mins, at 12 noon Pacific / 3pm Eastern / 8pm GMT! First up: @adambecker.bsky.social. Full programme:
sites.google.com/csusb.edu/cr...
sites.google.com/csusb.edu/cr...
Reposted by Dr Surekha Davies, Historical Monster Consultant (she/her)
Americans bewildered as release of Epstein Files leads to resignations and criminal investigations in democracies around the world.
February 17, 2026 at 4:35 PM
Americans bewildered as release of Epstein Files leads to resignations and criminal investigations in democracies around the world.