sam blickhan
@snblickhan.bsky.social
She/her. Chicago. People, tech, museums, research. Zooniverse.org Co-Director & #DH lead at Adler Planetarium. PhD. CW Handbook: https://britishlibrary.pubpub.org/
Lapsed musicologist/medievalist. Fiber artist. Musician: https://umbrellabirds.bandcamp.com
Lapsed musicologist/medievalist. Fiber artist. Musician: https://umbrellabirds.bandcamp.com
Pinned
sam blickhan
@snblickhan.bsky.social
· Nov 10
Reposted by sam blickhan
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Kyle Kingsbury is not a journalist. He is not an op-ed writer.
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
He is a computer safety researcher.
And he has written one of the most compelling, comprehensive accounts of the ongoing hell in Chicago that you could possibly imagine.
In under 1600 words.
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by sam blickhan
I know many of us are tired, scared & angry. When you can, if you can, channel that into doing what you can to help. Every day it's more clear the only ones who are going to save us ... are us.
Whenever you start to say "people should do x," it's you. You're "people." We're "people." It's just us.
Whenever you start to say "people should do x," it's you. You're "people." We're "people." It's just us.
November 10, 2025 at 5:34 AM
I know many of us are tired, scared & angry. When you can, if you can, channel that into doing what you can to help. Every day it's more clear the only ones who are going to save us ... are us.
Whenever you start to say "people should do x," it's you. You're "people." We're "people." It's just us.
Whenever you start to say "people should do x," it's you. You're "people." We're "people." It's just us.
Reposted by sam blickhan
I just want everyone to have the experience of living in dignity with access to sufficient food, safe housing, needed medical care, high quality education, and time to engage with what sparks their curiosity and spirit
this should not be controversial 🫠
this should not be controversial 🫠
November 10, 2025 at 3:16 AM
I just want everyone to have the experience of living in dignity with access to sufficient food, safe housing, needed medical care, high quality education, and time to engage with what sparks their curiosity and spirit
this should not be controversial 🫠
this should not be controversial 🫠
Reposted by sam blickhan
i’m ready for something different than whatever the fuck this is
November 10, 2025 at 12:51 AM
i’m ready for something different than whatever the fuck this is
Reposted by sam blickhan
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
November 10, 2025 at 1:49 AM
The average SNAP benefit per month is $177 a person.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
The average ACA benefit per month is up to $550 a person.
People want us to hold the line for a reason. This is not a matter of appealing to a base. It’s about people’s lives.
And working people want leaders whose word means something to them.
Reposted by sam blickhan
They’re wearing masks so they can’t be prosecuted later. As long as they think they can’t be prosecuted, their crimes will intensify. They will torture, starve and kill, as they have already, on greater and greater scale.
Signed, someone who’s covered the unaccountable War on Terror for 23 years.
Signed, someone who’s covered the unaccountable War on Terror for 23 years.
I’ve come to believe that we need to gather considerable forces and a campaign to demand the removal of face masks by ICE, Border Patrol, FBI and police.
It is a practice in conflict with the principles of transparency & accountability that are central to the concept of democracy.
It is a practice in conflict with the principles of transparency & accountability that are central to the concept of democracy.
Video on social media shows an immigration agent pulling a gun in Little Village and holding it to the side — which is not an appropriate or safe way to hold a gun. (Among other issues.)
November 9, 2025 at 2:36 PM
They’re wearing masks so they can’t be prosecuted later. As long as they think they can’t be prosecuted, their crimes will intensify. They will torture, starve and kill, as they have already, on greater and greater scale.
Signed, someone who’s covered the unaccountable War on Terror for 23 years.
Signed, someone who’s covered the unaccountable War on Terror for 23 years.
Reposted by sam blickhan
My latest is a love letter to Chicago. "I see you stumbling through the stubborn, awkward rhythm of showing up, again and again. I see you fighting alongside people who sometimes frustrate and confuse you, and defending neighbors you may have never met, because you know they’re all your people."
In Chicago, We Run Toward Danger Together
"Faced with unrelenting state violence, Chicagoans have refused to be cowed," says Mariame Kaba.
organizingmythoughts.org
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 PM
My latest is a love letter to Chicago. "I see you stumbling through the stubborn, awkward rhythm of showing up, again and again. I see you fighting alongside people who sometimes frustrate and confuse you, and defending neighbors you may have never met, because you know they’re all your people."
Reposted by sam blickhan
Identifying flaws in GenAI unfortunately offers a pretext for claims that perfecting the product is just a matter of time & money. So pointing to chatbots’ role in,say, suicides can only go so far if we don’t also identify the systemic, irresolvable lack of Gen AI’s human commitment bc math has none
November 8, 2025 at 1:51 AM
Identifying flaws in GenAI unfortunately offers a pretext for claims that perfecting the product is just a matter of time & money. So pointing to chatbots’ role in,say, suicides can only go so far if we don’t also identify the systemic, irresolvable lack of Gen AI’s human commitment bc math has none
Reposted by sam blickhan
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 AM
A family friend was telling us about what her husband shared about his experience in Broadview before he was deported back to Mexico. She's been sharing to friends and family because she's just in disbelief & horror what her husband told her. She wasn't able to talk to him until he was in Mexico.
Reposted by sam blickhan
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched this video.
I don’t know how we’ve gotten to the point where men in full balaclavas can abduct daycare teachers while they’re watching children.
But I do know that this isn’t sustainable. Abolish ICE. There is no way to reform this.
I don’t know how we’ve gotten to the point where men in full balaclavas can abduct daycare teachers while they’re watching children.
But I do know that this isn’t sustainable. Abolish ICE. There is no way to reform this.
Federal agents pulling a woman out of Rayito Del Sol, a daycare by Lane Tech high school
November 5, 2025 at 9:42 PM
I don’t know how many times I’ve watched this video.
I don’t know how we’ve gotten to the point where men in full balaclavas can abduct daycare teachers while they’re watching children.
But I do know that this isn’t sustainable. Abolish ICE. There is no way to reform this.
I don’t know how we’ve gotten to the point where men in full balaclavas can abduct daycare teachers while they’re watching children.
But I do know that this isn’t sustainable. Abolish ICE. There is no way to reform this.
Reposted by sam blickhan
BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race, NBC News projects. nbcnews.to/4nIzNUC
November 5, 2025 at 2:33 AM
BREAKING: Zohran Mamdani wins the New York City mayoral race, NBC News projects. nbcnews.to/4nIzNUC
Reposted by sam blickhan
The Biden administration worked hard to accomplish this new free IRS filing system. It’s astounding that one should have to pay fees in order to pay their taxes. But this rent seeking is entirely consistent with the economic policies of the current administration that benefit the most wealthy.
👀 Scoop: IRS Direct File, the free government-backed program that let you file your taxes for free, is dead.
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS wrote to state tax agencies saying it would not be operational this coming tax season, per records I've obtained.
IRS Direct File: 2023-2025.
(Story from when the pilot launched.)
IRS tests free e-filing system that could compete with tax-prep giants
The tax agency has quietly built its own prototype system for filing tax returns digitally and free of charge, according to current and former officials.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:50 PM
The Biden administration worked hard to accomplish this new free IRS filing system. It’s astounding that one should have to pay fees in order to pay their taxes. But this rent seeking is entirely consistent with the economic policies of the current administration that benefit the most wealthy.
Reposted by sam blickhan
Broderie d'après Jérôme Bosch.
October 30, 2025 at 8:32 PM
Broderie d'après Jérôme Bosch.
Fun fact: this is my choir (St. James Cathedral, Chicago)!
Such a cool collaboration with the #Newberry and so appropriate for the season. 👻 Click through to read about the piece, and listen to the recording!
Such a cool collaboration with the #Newberry and so appropriate for the season. 👻 Click through to read about the piece, and listen to the recording!
Happy Halloween!
We recorded the ACTUAL Dance of Death (via music from a #NewberryLibrary book c. 1650) for your listening pleasure! Read all about it while you listen to the recording in my latest blog post!
www.newberry.org/blog/spooky-...
We recorded the ACTUAL Dance of Death (via music from a #NewberryLibrary book c. 1650) for your listening pleasure! Read all about it while you listen to the recording in my latest blog post!
www.newberry.org/blog/spooky-...
October 31, 2025 at 4:20 PM
Fun fact: this is my choir (St. James Cathedral, Chicago)!
Such a cool collaboration with the #Newberry and so appropriate for the season. 👻 Click through to read about the piece, and listen to the recording!
Such a cool collaboration with the #Newberry and so appropriate for the season. 👻 Click through to read about the piece, and listen to the recording!
Reposted by sam blickhan
Reposted by sam blickhan
As DH grows, it’s increasingly important to publish conference papers, but there hasn’t been a clear venue for that.
So I’m thrilled to share this new home for DH proceedings, which will include CHR papers & more.
Thanks to @taylor-arnold.bsky.social for leading this effort!
bit.ly/ach-anthology
So I’m thrilled to share this new home for DH proceedings, which will include CHR papers & more.
Thanks to @taylor-arnold.bsky.social for leading this effort!
bit.ly/ach-anthology
October 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
As DH grows, it’s increasingly important to publish conference papers, but there hasn’t been a clear venue for that.
So I’m thrilled to share this new home for DH proceedings, which will include CHR papers & more.
Thanks to @taylor-arnold.bsky.social for leading this effort!
bit.ly/ach-anthology
So I’m thrilled to share this new home for DH proceedings, which will include CHR papers & more.
Thanks to @taylor-arnold.bsky.social for leading this effort!
bit.ly/ach-anthology
Reposted by sam blickhan
New: Videos show ICE/CBP agents are scanning peoples' faces on the street to verify citizenship. ICE has tool to instantly look up unprecedented number of databases with just a photo
“I’m an American citizen so leave me alone”
“Alright, we just got to verify that”
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
“I’m an American citizen so leave me alone”
“Alright, we just got to verify that”
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
ICE and CBP Agents Are Scanning Peoples’ Faces on the Street To Verify Citizenship
Videos on social media show officers from ICE and CBP using facial recognition technology on people in the field. One expert described the practice as “pure dystopian creep.”
www.404media.co
October 29, 2025 at 2:42 PM
New: Videos show ICE/CBP agents are scanning peoples' faces on the street to verify citizenship. ICE has tool to instantly look up unprecedented number of databases with just a photo
“I’m an American citizen so leave me alone”
“Alright, we just got to verify that”
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
“I’m an American citizen so leave me alone”
“Alright, we just got to verify that”
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
Reposted by sam blickhan
If you want to save favorite socks & learn a fun & easy (& cozy!) craft method, @snblickhan.bsky.social & I made this free zine on using a Speedweve (tiny, <$15 mending loom) for mending 🧵✨:
October 29, 2025 at 5:36 AM
If you want to save favorite socks & learn a fun & easy (& cozy!) craft method, @snblickhan.bsky.social & I made this free zine on using a Speedweve (tiny, <$15 mending loom) for mending 🧵✨:
Reposted by sam blickhan
"What I need you to understand is that nobody is letting them go quietly. The Feds' every movement is announced by a chorus of whistles, by a parade of cars honking in their wake, neighbors rushing outside to yell to film to witness.... Neighbors running towards trouble."
ICE has been cracking down hard across the vast expanse of the greater Chicago area, and I wrote a little bit about what you need to understand about what it’s like here now. Plus, I compiled some resources for locals to get alerts and whistles. dansinker.com/posts/202…
October 27, 2025 at 2:01 PM
"What I need you to understand is that nobody is letting them go quietly. The Feds' every movement is announced by a chorus of whistles, by a parade of cars honking in their wake, neighbors rushing outside to yell to film to witness.... Neighbors running towards trouble."
Reposted by sam blickhan
*springsteen voice*
Well they burned up the Wicker Man on Summerisle last night
Burned up some sheep too
Well they burned up the Wicker Man on Summerisle last night
Burned up some sheep too
AND FINALLY: Please join us in bidding a spooky little farewell to WICKER MAN WEEK. A chilling time was had by all!! flaminghydra.com/r/e76536b6?m...
Yellow brick road / The long march
Laurie Woolever visits the Emerald City, and Carrie Frye reflects on last week’s protests, and Wicker Man Week comes to a close
flaminghydra.com
October 25, 2025 at 1:05 AM
*springsteen voice*
Well they burned up the Wicker Man on Summerisle last night
Burned up some sheep too
Well they burned up the Wicker Man on Summerisle last night
Burned up some sheep too
Reposted by sam blickhan
It's hard to overstate how fully engaged Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are in this ICE madness. There are neighborhood watch alerts, spontaneous crowds gathering outside schools at pick up & drop off plus madly blowing whistles and honking car horns, this city is fighting back and hard.
October 25, 2025 at 2:14 PM
It's hard to overstate how fully engaged Chicago and the surrounding suburbs are in this ICE madness. There are neighborhood watch alerts, spontaneous crowds gathering outside schools at pick up & drop off plus madly blowing whistles and honking car horns, this city is fighting back and hard.
Reposted by sam blickhan
I will tell you that the folks working the ICIRR Hotline are the real deal and saved these kids.
PUT THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE AND CALL IF YOU SEE ICE IN ILLINOIS: (855) 435-7693
PUT THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE AND CALL IF YOU SEE ICE IN ILLINOIS: (855) 435-7693
October 21, 2025 at 4:16 PM
I will tell you that the folks working the ICIRR Hotline are the real deal and saved these kids.
PUT THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE AND CALL IF YOU SEE ICE IN ILLINOIS: (855) 435-7693
PUT THIS NUMBER IN YOUR PHONE AND CALL IF YOU SEE ICE IN ILLINOIS: (855) 435-7693
Really enjoyed this episode of Movement Memos on making: truthout.org/audio/making...
Wanted to share here for the #DHMakes community (it made me think of so many of y'all!). Thank you to @mskellymhayes.bsky.social @prisonculture.bsky.social and Red Schulte for the conversation!
Wanted to share here for the #DHMakes community (it made me think of so many of y'all!). Thank you to @mskellymhayes.bsky.social @prisonculture.bsky.social and Red Schulte for the conversation!
Making Things Together: Zines, Strategy, and Survival
“We’re going to need a lot more in-person opportunities for us to expand our humanity,” says organizer Mariame Kaba.
truthout.org
October 21, 2025 at 4:52 PM
Really enjoyed this episode of Movement Memos on making: truthout.org/audio/making...
Wanted to share here for the #DHMakes community (it made me think of so many of y'all!). Thank you to @mskellymhayes.bsky.social @prisonculture.bsky.social and Red Schulte for the conversation!
Wanted to share here for the #DHMakes community (it made me think of so many of y'all!). Thank you to @mskellymhayes.bsky.social @prisonculture.bsky.social and Red Schulte for the conversation!
Reposted by sam blickhan
#DHmakes knitting pattern alert!
Here is the Ravelry link for my free #AbolishICE beanie. Extensive notes cover all aspects of #knitting and refer to video tutorials; versions in cotton/wool fingering/sport. I appreciate any favorites there/here to boost the pattern! #knitsky #AbolishICE #NoKings 🧶
www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib...
www.ravelry.com/patterns/lib...
Abolish ICE Beanie pattern by Daniel Drennan ElAwar
My patterns are free. If you like my patterns and wish to further support my work, please visit my ko-fi: https://ko-fi.com/ddelawar
www.ravelry.com
October 20, 2025 at 11:59 PM
#DHmakes knitting pattern alert!