Katie Skeen, PhD
@skeen.bsky.social
Cold-eyed warm-hearted editor researcher mother radical optimist.
🩷NYChicagoDublinPhiladelphia🩷
I was on Jeopardy! the week that Alex Trebek shaved off his mustache.
🩷NYChicagoDublinPhiladelphia🩷
I was on Jeopardy! the week that Alex Trebek shaved off his mustache.
Pinned
Katie Skeen, PhD
@skeen.bsky.social
· Jan 2
“To vex the world rather than divert it”—in other words, Swift seeks to challenge the world with this work, not merely to entertain it.
open.substack.com/pub/karenswa...
open.substack.com/pub/karenswa...
Gulliver's Travels: Week 1
Part 1, Chapters 1-2: They shot arrows in Lilliput as we do bombs in Europe.
open.substack.com
What was the most significant work published in English exactly 300 years ago?
This:
This:
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Wait the video is actually longer than this and gets even better 🤣🤣 here's the whole thing
Nazi kid: I'm just standing here peacefully.
Hero kid: You can peacefully go fuck yourself
Nazi kid: woah that's against school code!! No swearing in the school!
School security lady: Ummm yeahhhhh kid ok
Nazi kid: I'm just standing here peacefully.
Hero kid: You can peacefully go fuck yourself
Nazi kid: woah that's against school code!! No swearing in the school!
School security lady: Ummm yeahhhhh kid ok
February 14, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Wait the video is actually longer than this and gets even better 🤣🤣 here's the whole thing
Nazi kid: I'm just standing here peacefully.
Hero kid: You can peacefully go fuck yourself
Nazi kid: woah that's against school code!! No swearing in the school!
School security lady: Ummm yeahhhhh kid ok
Nazi kid: I'm just standing here peacefully.
Hero kid: You can peacefully go fuck yourself
Nazi kid: woah that's against school code!! No swearing in the school!
School security lady: Ummm yeahhhhh kid ok
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
lcd soundsystem in a starlink ad is just embarassing lol. they are definitely not a band who can’t afford to have standards.
February 9, 2026 at 1:40 PM
lcd soundsystem in a starlink ad is just embarassing lol. they are definitely not a band who can’t afford to have standards.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
no foreign foe has ever dreamed of being able to sack and pillaging this country the way Trump admin and its congressional and scotus enablers do every day.
A leading American research lab is slated to lose its critical supercomputing facility, according to a letter released by the National Science Foundation.https://cnn.it/3MoF7zU
February 14, 2026 at 3:43 AM
no foreign foe has ever dreamed of being able to sack and pillaging this country the way Trump admin and its congressional and scotus enablers do every day.
I appreciate 🇿🇦 too
February 13, 2026 at 9:11 PM
I appreciate 🇿🇦 too
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
The Chicago morning commute into downtown, captured on Thursday.
February 13, 2026 at 6:24 PM
The Chicago morning commute into downtown, captured on Thursday.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Lmaooooo.
The lesson here, always bet on you!
The lesson here, always bet on you!
bro this lady on Jeopardy was deep in third place going into Final Jeopardy, and she didn’t know the answer so she just wrote “i hope they both bet it all” and the other two guys fucking bet it all and got it wrong and she won
February 13, 2026 at 4:02 AM
Lmaooooo.
The lesson here, always bet on you!
The lesson here, always bet on you!
great essay
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Oscar-nominated The Secret Agent examines how authoritarianism corrupts and distorts memory.
Forty years since the end of Brazil’s military dictatorship, the rise of Jair Bolsonaro’s far right is proof.
Forty years since the end of Brazil’s military dictatorship, the rise of Jair Bolsonaro’s far right is proof.
The Flawed Memory of Brazil’s Dictatorship
Kleber Mendonça Filho’s Oscar-nominated The Secret Agent examines how authoritarianism corrupts and distorts memory. Forty years since the end of Brazil’s military dictatorship, the rise of Jair Bolsonaro’s far right is proof.
jacobin.com
February 13, 2026 at 2:32 AM
great essay
OK I just saw The Secret Agent, and it pairs interestingly with OBAA in that it circles around some similar themes but does so with heart and intelligence and is a million times the better film.
February 13, 2026 at 2:17 AM
OK I just saw The Secret Agent, and it pairs interestingly with OBAA in that it circles around some similar themes but does so with heart and intelligence and is a million times the better film.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
I can think of several dozen historians who would be happy to lecture @jaketapper.bsky.social about why "concentration camp" is, in fact, an apt term.
God the gall of @jaketapper.bsky.social lecturing that Minneapolis small business owner about the meaning of the word "concentration camp" while people are being crammed into poorly resourced buildings by the thousands and shuttled off never to be heard from again
February 13, 2026 at 1:00 AM
I can think of several dozen historians who would be happy to lecture @jaketapper.bsky.social about why "concentration camp" is, in fact, an apt term.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
RIP: The Richmond Free Press, which made the Black Richmonder’s perspective its core, is shutting down, citing advertising revenue.
![Screenshot of the Richmond Free Press: The Richmond Free Press will cease publication this week, a bittersweet conclusion to a landmark publication that has served the Richmond community for 34 years.
This digital edition is the paper's first and last online version. Last week's print edition was the final printed Free Press.
"I don't know that [Ray] thought that we would last this long after his death," said Jean Boone, the Free Press publisher and founder's wife, "but we kept plugging along and pushing and making a way out of no way." Raymond H. Boone Sr. founded the paper and served as editor and publisher, launching the first edition on Jan. 16, 1992. The Free Press continued to pursue its founding vision even after his death on June 3, 2014.
In the editorial pages of that first edition, Ray Sr. laid out his ambitious vision: "Richmond desperately needs a strong gust of fresh air to vigorously fan the expression of ideas about public policy and, in the process, to encourage wide-open, uninhibited debate. Simply put, the mission of the Richmond Free Press is to empower its readers."
The Free Press followed in the tradition of Black newspapers in Virginia. Ray Sr. got his start in his hometown of Suffolk in the 1950s, handling writing for the
"colored
pages" of the Suffolk News-Herald.
He worked across multiple outlets for decades, including editing the Richmond Afro-American news-paper. He later became the paper's vice president, overseeing national circulation while teaching at Howard](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:py56cumnr6vaxaq2bb2vtt2l/bafkreiepphwa6mdqeh3hhkzsavu7qmdz5icck4zlgmpuogenyvvhrfdjya@jpeg)
![Richmond Free Press ends 34-year run
Continued from Al
paper for over eight years. "Mr.
Boone was the best mentor any
Boone's experiences not journalist could have."
only prepared him to create his
The Free Press and its mis-
own newspaper but also to iden- sion was one shared throughout tify mainstream news industry
the Boone family, with Ray
failings that were in need of Sr. and Jean working side by balance, as he explained in a side to handle operations. Their
Voices of Freedom interview daughter Regina would later for Virginia Commonwealth join the team as a photojour-University in 2003.
nalist, while their son Ray Jr.
"Newspapers, to a large served as vice president of new degree, ignored the principles of journalism, of being fair,"
business development.
Ray Sr. said. "Instead, they
Wayne Dawkins, author of
"Black Journalists: The NABJ
promoted segregation, and they promoted what was popular,
Story," said this family-owned structure linked the Free Press to
rather than honoring the First Amendment, which stands for
a tradition of Black newspapers such as the Norfolk Journal
giving free expression to all and Guide and the Chicago
segments of the community."
Defender. He added that de-
When he returned to Rich-
spite the rigors of producing
mond in 1991, he created an alternative to this media envi-
a weekly free paper, the Free Press' work and influence could
ronment, providing an avenue be felt outside of Richmond.
for underserved community
"The Free Press did it well,"
perspectives, particularly Black
Dawkins said.
Richmonders, while championing free expression, justice and
The newspaper encountered hostility from white-owned
equality.
publications and some com-
The Free Press founder community members when it
newspaper built with readers.
"Even when they didn't agree with editorials or [cov-erage choices], they still were so curious and so devoted to picking us up and reading us," Regina said, "and they felt comfortable enough to share their admiration or th…](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:py56cumnr6vaxaq2bb2vtt2l/bafkreiavxcux73vvyi3ztb4gxmrhxbadpnfsqd3nhbnj4spydcxytonnu4@jpeg)
February 12, 2026 at 4:32 PM
RIP: The Richmond Free Press, which made the Black Richmonder’s perspective its core, is shutting down, citing advertising revenue.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
feels like i should re-post this every few weeks
NEW: Substack founders finally respond to Substackers Against Nazis. They say Nazis publishing and earning money on their platform is fine with them.
Their full statement here: substack.com/@hamish/note...
Their full statement here: substack.com/@hamish/note...
February 12, 2026 at 4:17 AM
feels like i should re-post this every few weeks
There be strontium. Plus, the lead.
We tested that gross pile of snow on the sidewalk. Here’s what we found. https://gothamist.com/news/we-tested-that-gross-pile-of-snow-on-the-sidewalk-heres-what-we-found
We tested that gross pile of snow on the sidewalk. Here’s what we found.
This pile of snow in Williamsburg showed relatively high levels of lead when a sample was tested in a lab.
The snow may not be as toxic as it looks. You still shouldn’t eat it. [ more › ]
gothamist.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:40 PM
There be strontium. Plus, the lead.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
same with "crackdown"
i am increasingly bothered by terms like "showdown" or "face-off" or "clash" when used to describe corrupt and fascist power coming up against resistance because there's an implied symmetry that does not exist.
February 11, 2026 at 6:53 PM
same with "crackdown"
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Funding was already approved by Congress.
trump just added another bullet point to his impeachment.
trump just added another bullet point to his impeachment.
“.. The programs slated to be cut are in California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota.”
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/h...
@nytimes.com
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/09/h...
February 10, 2026 at 2:52 PM
Funding was already approved by Congress.
trump just added another bullet point to his impeachment.
trump just added another bullet point to his impeachment.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Donald is not trying to distract you from anything. Every single thing he does is evil and fascist and he doesn't care what you think
February 10, 2026 at 1:32 PM
Donald is not trying to distract you from anything. Every single thing he does is evil and fascist and he doesn't care what you think
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
One final thing, if you want a 3 hour version of the Super Bowl halftime show, watch his concert from his residency in Puerto Rico. The sets are incredible and feature the same attention to history and culture.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rMv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rMv...
No me quiero ir de aqui una mas Bad Bunny
YouTube video by Señor bestia ekide
www.youtube.com
February 9, 2026 at 7:54 PM
One final thing, if you want a 3 hour version of the Super Bowl halftime show, watch his concert from his residency in Puerto Rico. The sets are incredible and feature the same attention to history and culture.
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rMv...
www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rMv...
It me.
We need to get to the bottom of why a rare group of people must always be referred to by their FULL names!
(e.g., If you're name is Jack Black, there's just no one in your life calling you "Jack")
Are you one of these people? Do you have any insight into this? Is this my next book project?
(e.g., If you're name is Jack Black, there's just no one in your life calling you "Jack")
Are you one of these people? Do you have any insight into this? Is this my next book project?
February 10, 2026 at 12:39 AM
It me.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
heads up to the american news media: I do not care what racists thought of the super bowl halftime show
February 9, 2026 at 1:34 AM
heads up to the american news media: I do not care what racists thought of the super bowl halftime show
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Just a few weeks ago, the administration cancelled all remaining department of energy grid resilience projects in Puerto Rico. All of them. www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-end...
The end of DOE’s grid work in Puerto Rico
The Trump administration has canceled all eight of the remaining awards devoted to distributed energy on the island.
www.latitudemedia.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:00 AM
Just a few weeks ago, the administration cancelled all remaining department of energy grid resilience projects in Puerto Rico. All of them. www.latitudemedia.com/news/the-end...
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
It was transforming the biggest NFL stage in the world into a sugar cane plantation that did it for me.
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
February 9, 2026 at 1:54 AM
It was transforming the biggest NFL stage in the world into a sugar cane plantation that did it for me.
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Like, the multiple layers of turning an American icon into a plantation and highlighting the history of exploitation of Black and Brown bodies by the NFL and American colonialism simultaneously?
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Remember that under the first Trump administration, Puerto Rico had to suffer through the longest power blackout in U.S. history bsky.app/profile/cost...
During his Administration, Hurricane Maria knocked out power to 1.5 million people in Puerto Rico and it didn’t get restored for ABOUT A YEAR! It was the largest blackout in U.S. history. This should be line one of any hurricane recovery political coverage. www.vox.com/identities/2...
February 9, 2026 at 1:38 AM
Remember that under the first Trump administration, Puerto Rico had to suffer through the longest power blackout in U.S. history bsky.app/profile/cost...
The last time I saw Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin on the same stage was the Harris/Walz rally in Philadelphia, Nov. 4, 2024. 🇺🇸 😭 I was there.
Lady Gaga! Ricky Martin! That was awesome!
February 9, 2026 at 2:08 AM
The last time I saw Lady Gaga and Ricky Martin on the same stage was the Harris/Walz rally in Philadelphia, Nov. 4, 2024. 🇺🇸 😭 I was there.
Reposted by Katie Skeen, PhD
Europe gets it!
The UK raids the home of a close Epstein pal. Poland probes ties to Russian intel. France raids the office of Musk's X. But the U.S. elites who palled around with the world's worst sex creep get away with it
The crisis of elite impunity. My column www.inquirer.com/opinion/jeff...
The UK raids the home of a close Epstein pal. Poland probes ties to Russian intel. France raids the office of Musk's X. But the U.S. elites who palled around with the world's worst sex creep get away with it
The crisis of elite impunity. My column www.inquirer.com/opinion/jeff...
Europe is holding its Epstein creeps accountable. Why can’t we? | Will Bunch
Europeans are pushing to hold Jeffrey Epstein's creepy pals, including billionaires like Elon Musk, accountable. The U.S.? Not so much.
www.inquirer.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:06 PM
Europe gets it!
The UK raids the home of a close Epstein pal. Poland probes ties to Russian intel. France raids the office of Musk's X. But the U.S. elites who palled around with the world's worst sex creep get away with it
The crisis of elite impunity. My column www.inquirer.com/opinion/jeff...
The UK raids the home of a close Epstein pal. Poland probes ties to Russian intel. France raids the office of Musk's X. But the U.S. elites who palled around with the world's worst sex creep get away with it
The crisis of elite impunity. My column www.inquirer.com/opinion/jeff...