Jennifer Raff
@jenniferraff.bsky.social
Anthropological geneticist, NYT bestselling author, martial artist, professor, Ox mother. Rock chalk.
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
Why don't Texans put beans in chili?
To answer that, I have to tell you some of the *clear history* & *hazy legends* of chili con carne, the 'Chili Queens' & San Antonio.
The story (might) start on the Canary Islands 1731, claimed by Spain, but off the coast of Africa. A group of 16 families...
To answer that, I have to tell you some of the *clear history* & *hazy legends* of chili con carne, the 'Chili Queens' & San Antonio.
The story (might) start on the Canary Islands 1731, claimed by Spain, but off the coast of Africa. A group of 16 families...
October 29, 2024 at 10:55 PM
Why don't Texans put beans in chili?
To answer that, I have to tell you some of the *clear history* & *hazy legends* of chili con carne, the 'Chili Queens' & San Antonio.
The story (might) start on the Canary Islands 1731, claimed by Spain, but off the coast of Africa. A group of 16 families...
To answer that, I have to tell you some of the *clear history* & *hazy legends* of chili con carne, the 'Chili Queens' & San Antonio.
The story (might) start on the Canary Islands 1731, claimed by Spain, but off the coast of Africa. A group of 16 families...
I loved that so much. 🇵🇷
February 9, 2026 at 1:34 AM
I loved that so much. 🇵🇷
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
Y'all need to pay attention to what's happening in Europe. They're not messing around. The Epstein scandal is causing heads to roll.
In America, eh, not so much. I wonder why.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/w...
In America, eh, not so much. I wonder why.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/w...
Starmer’s Chief of Staff Resigns, Citing Role in Hiring Friend of Epstein
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 11:23 PM
Y'all need to pay attention to what's happening in Europe. They're not messing around. The Epstein scandal is causing heads to roll.
In America, eh, not so much. I wonder why.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/w...
In America, eh, not so much. I wonder why.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/08/w...
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
BREAKING: The Epstein survivors are releasing this ad on this Super Bowl Sunday to send the message that they will not “move on” from the largest sex trafficking scandal in the world. #standwithsurvivors
February 8, 2026 at 5:07 PM
BREAKING: The Epstein survivors are releasing this ad on this Super Bowl Sunday to send the message that they will not “move on” from the largest sex trafficking scandal in the world. #standwithsurvivors
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
The oldest known image of an owl:
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
February 8, 2026 at 6:08 PM
The oldest known image of an owl:
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
More than 30,000 years ago, someone skillfully scratched the figure of a long-eared owl (Asio otus) into the soft outer layer of the walls of Chauvet Cave, France. The owl is looking backward over their wings, head turned 180 degrees
carnegiemnh.org/ancient-owl-...
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
MY PEOPLE 😭
IMPORTANT OLYMPIC NEWS:
THE POLISH FIGURE SKATING TEAM HAS A PLUSH PIEROGI
THE POLISH FIGURE SKATING TEAM HAS A PLUSH PIEROGI
February 7, 2026 at 11:27 PM
MY PEOPLE 😭
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
Professorship in Early Hominin Evolution at the University of Tübingen:
uni-tuebingen.de/universitaet...
Application deadline: 11/03/2026
uni-tuebingen.de/universitaet...
Application deadline: 11/03/2026
February 7, 2026 at 10:12 PM
Professorship in Early Hominin Evolution at the University of Tübingen:
uni-tuebingen.de/universitaet...
Application deadline: 11/03/2026
uni-tuebingen.de/universitaet...
Application deadline: 11/03/2026
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
"this is fine"
British Library Manuscript - royal ms 20 a ii f3r
British Library Manuscript - royal ms 20 a ii f3r
November 16, 2024 at 11:36 AM
"this is fine"
British Library Manuscript - royal ms 20 a ii f3r
British Library Manuscript - royal ms 20 a ii f3r
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
How we’ve missed political leaders with a genuine sense of humor
Reporter: Do any of you have a favorite animal?
Child: My favorite one is a gold snake that can move. It has gold eyes, and it has a super-duper tail…
Reporter: Mr. Mamdani, the second question for you.
Mamdani: Yes. It’s also the golden snake.
Child: My favorite one is a gold snake that can move. It has gold eyes, and it has a super-duper tail…
Reporter: Mr. Mamdani, the second question for you.
Mamdani: Yes. It’s also the golden snake.
February 7, 2026 at 12:50 AM
How we’ve missed political leaders with a genuine sense of humor
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
Honestly, yeah, LFG. Maybe this is meant to feed biotech AI slop but we can outcompete them with good scientific proposals. If you’re interested in a post-doc applying neural networks to better integrate ancient DNA to demographic models reach out to me. I’ll help you tool the application for “AI”.
Holy shit: it's an RFP for the NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowship in Biology (PRFB). Hello old friend www.nsf.gov/funding/oppo...
Postdoctoral Research Fellowships in Biology (PRFB)
www.nsf.gov
February 6, 2026 at 2:49 AM
Honestly, yeah, LFG. Maybe this is meant to feed biotech AI slop but we can outcompete them with good scientific proposals. If you’re interested in a post-doc applying neural networks to better integrate ancient DNA to demographic models reach out to me. I’ll help you tool the application for “AI”.
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
here is the shortest, simplest version for non-Catholics to understand why all your Catholic friends have turned into the human equivalent of the eyeball emoji:
Claire I saw it and was like "bree don't worry just wait until Claire gathers you close and explains it gently"
February 6, 2026 at 2:29 AM
here is the shortest, simplest version for non-Catholics to understand why all your Catholic friends have turned into the human equivalent of the eyeball emoji:
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
February 5, 2026 at 11:50 AM
Sir Ian McKellen performing a monologue from Shakespeare’s Sir Thomas More on the Stephen Colbert show. Never have I heard this monologue performed with such a keen sense of prescience. Nor have I ever been in this exact historical moment.TY Sir Ian, for reaching us once again.
#Pinks #ProudBlue
#Pinks #ProudBlue
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
the Post news is gutting for many reasons, but I can’t help focusing on the books section—how great it was, and how essential. So many worthy books barely get reviewed. I’ve had authors reach out to thank me because mine was the only post-pub coverage they got. Just awful for readers & for writers.
February 4, 2026 at 5:18 PM
the Post news is gutting for many reasons, but I can’t help focusing on the books section—how great it was, and how essential. So many worthy books barely get reviewed. I’ve had authors reach out to thank me because mine was the only post-pub coverage they got. Just awful for readers & for writers.
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
I am seeing it on a local level with neighbors who are reaching out and saying, "what can we do." People organizing rent and groceries and child pick up.
I am seeing it on a level I have never seen before: people seeing what we are up against and choosing to care for those around them.
I am seeing it on a level I have never seen before: people seeing what we are up against and choosing to care for those around them.
February 4, 2026 at 2:45 AM
I am seeing it on a local level with neighbors who are reaching out and saying, "what can we do." People organizing rent and groceries and child pick up.
I am seeing it on a level I have never seen before: people seeing what we are up against and choosing to care for those around them.
I am seeing it on a level I have never seen before: people seeing what we are up against and choosing to care for those around them.
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
If you're feeling helpless and don't know what to do: Look for people out there who are already helping. I promise they're out there. And then ask how you can help and do it.
You're not alone. Community is out there and it's the way forward. ❤️👊
You're not alone. Community is out there and it's the way forward. ❤️👊
Fascism wants you to believe that you are alone. That you are isolated. That the feelings you have are yours and nobody else has them because everybody is too afraid to speak.
But love is stronger than fascism. Community is stronger than fascism.
But love is stronger than fascism. Community is stronger than fascism.
February 4, 2026 at 1:42 PM
If you're feeling helpless and don't know what to do: Look for people out there who are already helping. I promise they're out there. And then ask how you can help and do it.
You're not alone. Community is out there and it's the way forward. ❤️👊
You're not alone. Community is out there and it's the way forward. ❤️👊
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
This is bonkers. MAHA 'farmers' with ecoli tainted raw milk admit they really don't know how to make the stuff after all.
"Producing raw milk takes careful planning from a facility and infrastructure standpoint. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact."
people.com/ballerina-fa...
"Producing raw milk takes careful planning from a facility and infrastructure standpoint. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact."
people.com/ballerina-fa...
Hannah Neeleman's Ballerina Farm Halts Sale of Raw Milk Due to Bacteria Concerns: Report
Hannah and Daniel Neeleman have paused Ballerina Farm's sale of raw milk following health violations discovered during routine testing. Screenings from summer 2025 showed high levels of coliform, the ...
people.com
February 3, 2026 at 10:42 PM
This is bonkers. MAHA 'farmers' with ecoli tainted raw milk admit they really don't know how to make the stuff after all.
"Producing raw milk takes careful planning from a facility and infrastructure standpoint. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact."
people.com/ballerina-fa...
"Producing raw milk takes careful planning from a facility and infrastructure standpoint. Unfortunately, we learned this after the fact."
people.com/ballerina-fa...
For those of you who know about what’s going on in the grappling community, this is a very good read. roughhands.substack.com/p/youre-pick...
You're Picking Your Jiu Jitsu Gym Wrong
And It's Dangerous
roughhands.substack.com
February 4, 2026 at 12:30 AM
For those of you who know about what’s going on in the grappling community, this is a very good read. roughhands.substack.com/p/youre-pick...
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
MAGA Man tries to beat up high school kids. Emphasis on *tries*. :)
MAGA Adult Male assaults Texas High School students protesting ICE
February 3, 2026 at 6:29 PM
MAGA Man tries to beat up high school kids. Emphasis on *tries*. :)
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
Of course the worst people in the world influence paleontology (and many other sciences).
Do you know how many fossil halls are named after the Koch brothers? With museums shrugging “Well where else are we going to get the money?”
Do you know how many fossil halls are named after the Koch brothers? With museums shrugging “Well where else are we going to get the money?”
February 2, 2026 at 4:12 PM
Of course the worst people in the world influence paleontology (and many other sciences).
Do you know how many fossil halls are named after the Koch brothers? With museums shrugging “Well where else are we going to get the money?”
Do you know how many fossil halls are named after the Koch brothers? With museums shrugging “Well where else are we going to get the money?”
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
Just as a quick note while we discuss all the new (and familiar) names in the Epstein files: be careful about saying "everyone knows" about prominent people who are predators. People new to the field, people less connected (often marginalized folks), people who are adjacent, etc. may not know.
February 2, 2026 at 6:32 PM
Just as a quick note while we discuss all the new (and familiar) names in the Epstein files: be careful about saying "everyone knows" about prominent people who are predators. People new to the field, people less connected (often marginalized folks), people who are adjacent, etc. may not know.
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
Nonviolent protest also requires discipline and self-control. It’s HARD. Your instinct as a person is to escalate or even fight. Part of why everyday Minnesotans are winning is that it’s very obvious that the side without any discipline, the side escalating to violence on a whim, is ICE.
Nonviolent protest compels public sympathy. Violent protest repels it.
February 2, 2026 at 12:54 PM
Nonviolent protest also requires discipline and self-control. It’s HARD. Your instinct as a person is to escalate or even fight. Part of why everyday Minnesotans are winning is that it’s very obvious that the side without any discipline, the side escalating to violence on a whim, is ICE.
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
IL Prof here. Community members & faculty have been talking about this all weekend. Many have already made formal reports, but what's infuriating is that our mechanisms have been weaponized and therefore we don't trust that anything will even come of our reports.
"There is no labeling in the graphic, and there are no identifying features... this graphic does not glorify nor valorize any incident because it lacks any reasonable connection," the college Republicans who posted this graphic said in a statement. dailyillini.com/news-stories...
February 2, 2026 at 3:02 PM
IL Prof here. Community members & faculty have been talking about this all weekend. Many have already made formal reports, but what's infuriating is that our mechanisms have been weaponized and therefore we don't trust that anything will even come of our reports.
Reposted by Jennifer Raff
My favorite sign from today’s LFK protest.
February 1, 2026 at 9:34 PM
My favorite sign from today’s LFK protest.