Chris Slaby
@cjslaby.bsky.social
Scholar, teacher, writer, earth human person (he/him/his). Art + history: Native American and Indigenous Studies; the environmental humanities; media, culture, and representation. Food and music, too, though those are more passions than subjects of study.
Reposted by Chris Slaby
Henry James, The Bostonians: "As all the world knows, the opportunities in Boston for hearing good music are numerous and excellent..." Our Symphony Hall has "so much eloquence and so much melody," as James said of the old Music Hall. Nowhere like Boston for classical music.
November 23, 2025 at 2:53 PM
Henry James, The Bostonians: "As all the world knows, the opportunities in Boston for hearing good music are numerous and excellent..." Our Symphony Hall has "so much eloquence and so much melody," as James said of the old Music Hall. Nowhere like Boston for classical music.
This reminds me of the—somewhat recent?—initiative in the Times that’s called something like “Can you look at [this amazing work of art] for 10 whole minutes?” Every time I see a new one of those, it makes me so sad. Yes, I have multiple degrees in art history. But 10 minutes is such a sad, low bar…
A lot of the time I'll lecture on a huge number of works in one class, but then I'll devote lecture to two objects that we walk through slowly and ruminate on. It'll take about a half hour just to get to this slide.
November 23, 2025 at 9:48 PM
This reminds me of the—somewhat recent?—initiative in the Times that’s called something like “Can you look at [this amazing work of art] for 10 whole minutes?” Every time I see a new one of those, it makes me so sad. Yes, I have multiple degrees in art history. But 10 minutes is such a sad, low bar…
Reposted by Chris Slaby
It is a sobering thought to realize that we're watching the leaders of American universities determine whether critical thinking-- and by extension, the #humanities --are still worthwhile investments.
Who invests in critical thinking and who invests in an AI chatbot to help you think will be really telling.
November 23, 2025 at 8:45 PM
It is a sobering thought to realize that we're watching the leaders of American universities determine whether critical thinking-- and by extension, the #humanities --are still worthwhile investments.
Reposted by Chris Slaby
Trying to get us to advertise as: "No AI, small classes, people-first." Or something similar.
Who invests in critical thinking and who invests in an AI chatbot to help you think will be really telling.
November 23, 2025 at 7:39 PM
Trying to get us to advertise as: "No AI, small classes, people-first." Or something similar.
Reposted by Chris Slaby
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
November 23, 2025 at 4:47 PM
One of the bragging rights that the US ed system had in the 20th century is that we didn't have education tracks. Essentially, any kid could go to a CC or state school & major in whatever they wanted to (obviously an oversimplification). I fear this aspect of the American dream is dying.
Reposted by Chris Slaby
How is it that college administrators get paid high salaries to come up with such dumb ideas, over & over again...? Is there someone who will pay me for dumb ideas? If you really want I can come up with plenty (and even some good ones as well) www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/n...
November 23, 2025 at 7:54 PM
How is it that college administrators get paid high salaries to come up with such dumb ideas, over & over again...? Is there someone who will pay me for dumb ideas? If you really want I can come up with plenty (and even some good ones as well) www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/n...
A weird sort-of version of this has already been underway at elite secondary schools. They haven’t necessarily gotten away from STEM-or-bust as much as they should, but they’ve abandoned APs and now many humanities departments are eschewing tech as much as possible (mainly because of AI cheating).
My hot take is that over the next 10 years, we're going to see more emphasis on and investment in the humanities at Ivy League and other fancy schools just as state schools and small privates continue to decimate and even eliminate the humanities.
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
November 23, 2025 at 4:16 PM
A weird sort-of version of this has already been underway at elite secondary schools. They haven’t necessarily gotten away from STEM-or-bust as much as they should, but they’ve abandoned APs and now many humanities departments are eschewing tech as much as possible (mainly because of AI cheating).
Reposted by Chris Slaby
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 3:38 PM
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
Reposted by Chris Slaby
My hot take is that over the next 10 years, we're going to see more emphasis on and investment in the humanities at Ivy League and other fancy schools just as state schools and small privates continue to decimate and even eliminate the humanities.
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 4:13 PM
My hot take is that over the next 10 years, we're going to see more emphasis on and investment in the humanities at Ivy League and other fancy schools just as state schools and small privates continue to decimate and even eliminate the humanities.
Reposted by Chris Slaby
After the Revolution, Americans didn’t just celebrate independence—they shaped its story. 🧠📖
Join Michael Hattem and explore how memory, myth, and meaning made 1776 a cornerstone of national identity.
#MemoryStudies #VastEarlyAmerica #History #AmericanRevolution #Revolution250
Join Michael Hattem and explore how memory, myth, and meaning made 1776 a cornerstone of national identity.
#MemoryStudies #VastEarlyAmerica #History #AmericanRevolution #Revolution250
Episode 408: Michael Hattem, The Memory of 1776
Michael Hattem joins us to discuss the American Revolution and its memory, drawing on details from his book, The Memory of ‘76.
benfranklinsworld.com
November 22, 2025 at 5:36 PM
After the Revolution, Americans didn’t just celebrate independence—they shaped its story. 🧠📖
Join Michael Hattem and explore how memory, myth, and meaning made 1776 a cornerstone of national identity.
#MemoryStudies #VastEarlyAmerica #History #AmericanRevolution #Revolution250
Join Michael Hattem and explore how memory, myth, and meaning made 1776 a cornerstone of national identity.
#MemoryStudies #VastEarlyAmerica #History #AmericanRevolution #Revolution250
Reposted by Chris Slaby
As a historian, I have been torturing myself by watching some of the series that the White House in cooperation with Hillsdale College produced about American Independence (tellingly, they avoid the word "revolution").
There are so many errors that it is hard to know where to begin. But I'll try
There are so many errors that it is hard to know where to begin. But I'll try
November 22, 2025 at 11:33 PM
As a historian, I have been torturing myself by watching some of the series that the White House in cooperation with Hillsdale College produced about American Independence (tellingly, they avoid the word "revolution").
There are so many errors that it is hard to know where to begin. But I'll try
There are so many errors that it is hard to know where to begin. But I'll try
Reposted by Chris Slaby
In 1776, approximately 50% of the humans who occupied the current continental US were Native Americans, and they did not inhabit a “wilderness” awaiting “civilization.” I’m also assuming the ~18% of all residents of the 13 colonies who were enslaved in 1776 aren’t being counted as “our ancestors.”
November 22, 2025 at 11:22 PM
In 1776, approximately 50% of the humans who occupied the current continental US were Native Americans, and they did not inhabit a “wilderness” awaiting “civilization.” I’m also assuming the ~18% of all residents of the 13 colonies who were enslaved in 1776 aren’t being counted as “our ancestors.”
Reposted by Chris Slaby
[Trumps hangs portrait of Eugene Debs in Oval Office]
November 22, 2025 at 12:45 AM
[Trumps hangs portrait of Eugene Debs in Oval Office]
Reposted by Chris Slaby
The hidden history of Indigenous slavery in New England and beyond — @linford.bsky.social appeared on this segment from @ctpublic.bsky.social to discuss the history of slavery in New England and his collaboration with tribal communities in the Northeast on @stolenrelations.bsky.social.
The hidden history of Indigenous slavery in New England and beyond
It's a surprising and overlooked story, a blind spot in the narrative of early America: the hidden history of Indigenous slavery. As colonial powers took over Native land, white settlers were enslavin...
www.ctpublic.org
November 21, 2025 at 8:45 PM
The hidden history of Indigenous slavery in New England and beyond — @linford.bsky.social appeared on this segment from @ctpublic.bsky.social to discuss the history of slavery in New England and his collaboration with tribal communities in the Northeast on @stolenrelations.bsky.social.
Reposted by Chris Slaby
thanksgiving movies ___________________
November 22, 2025 at 3:33 AM
thanksgiving movies ___________________
Reposted by Chris Slaby
This is just to say
I have prompted your LLM
with poetry
and broken it
Forgive me
it was so funny
I couldn’t not
I have prompted your LLM
with poetry
and broken it
Forgive me
it was so funny
I couldn’t not
November 21, 2025 at 12:44 AM
This is just to say
I have prompted your LLM
with poetry
and broken it
Forgive me
it was so funny
I couldn’t not
I have prompted your LLM
with poetry
and broken it
Forgive me
it was so funny
I couldn’t not
Reposted by Chris Slaby
🗃️ The most recent issue of Teaching History: A Journal of Methods is now live!
openjournals.bsu.edu/teachinghist...
Rd about food & the Byzantine Empire, public history, the Crusades & RTTP, & "A History of Your Day" activity (@thetattooedprof.bsky.social).
Also: read teaching reviews on...
openjournals.bsu.edu/teachinghist...
Rd about food & the Byzantine Empire, public history, the Crusades & RTTP, & "A History of Your Day" activity (@thetattooedprof.bsky.social).
Also: read teaching reviews on...
Vol. 50 No. 1
| Teaching History: A Journal of Methods
openjournals.bsu.edu
November 21, 2025 at 6:52 PM
🗃️ The most recent issue of Teaching History: A Journal of Methods is now live!
openjournals.bsu.edu/teachinghist...
Rd about food & the Byzantine Empire, public history, the Crusades & RTTP, & "A History of Your Day" activity (@thetattooedprof.bsky.social).
Also: read teaching reviews on...
openjournals.bsu.edu/teachinghist...
Rd about food & the Byzantine Empire, public history, the Crusades & RTTP, & "A History of Your Day" activity (@thetattooedprof.bsky.social).
Also: read teaching reviews on...
Reposted by Chris Slaby
i know we've all laughed about the worm and the affair but this is a profoundly dangerous person who should be expelled from the government.
Breaking News: Robert F. Kennedy Jr. said he personally instructed the CDC to abandon its position that vaccines do not cause autism. The move underscores his determination to challenge scientific orthodoxy — in this case, that vaccines save lives — and bend the health department to his will.
RFK Jr. Says He Instructed CDC to Change Vaccines and Autism Language on Website
In an interview, Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. cited gaps in vaccine safety research. His critics say he is ignoring a larger point: Vaccines save lives.
nyti.ms
November 21, 2025 at 7:43 PM
i know we've all laughed about the worm and the affair but this is a profoundly dangerous person who should be expelled from the government.
Reposted by Chris Slaby
Reposted by Chris Slaby
If you want to learn about the two specific and opposing memories or narratives of the Revolution that Ken Burns is trying to mash together in this documentary…
Hey #skystorians, what are the classic or new books you're recommending when your non-specialist friends are watching Ken Burns and want to read more?
I'm saying 1.) Elizabeth Fenn's Pox Americana and
2.) @michaelhattem.bsky.social 's Memory of '76.
I'm saying 1.) Elizabeth Fenn's Pox Americana and
2.) @michaelhattem.bsky.social 's Memory of '76.
The Memory of ’76
The surprising history of how Americans have fought over the meaning and legacy of the Revolution for nearly two and a half centuries Finalist, George Wash...
yalebooks.yale.edu
November 20, 2025 at 5:05 PM
If you want to learn about the two specific and opposing memories or narratives of the Revolution that Ken Burns is trying to mash together in this documentary…
Reposted by Chris Slaby
Excellent essay from historian Steven Mintz on why he’ll only evaluate writing he can witness firsthand
open.substack.com/pub/stevenmi...
open.substack.com/pub/stevenmi...
AI Killed the Take-Home Essay. COVID Killed Attendance. Now What?
Reclaiming Learning in an Age of Distraction and Artificial Intelligence
open.substack.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:15 AM
Excellent essay from historian Steven Mintz on why he’ll only evaluate writing he can witness firsthand
open.substack.com/pub/stevenmi...
open.substack.com/pub/stevenmi...
Reposted by Chris Slaby
Today is publication day for my book, Mixed-Blood Histories: Race, Law, and Dakota Indians in the Nineteenth-Century Midwest, through the University of Minnesota Press!
www.upress.umn.edu/978151792034...
www.upress.umn.edu/978151792034...
Mixed-Blood Histories
An unprecedented study that puts mixed-ancestry Native Americans back into the heart of Indigenous history Historical accounts tend to neglect mixed-ancestry...
www.upress.umn.edu
November 18, 2025 at 2:04 PM
Today is publication day for my book, Mixed-Blood Histories: Race, Law, and Dakota Indians in the Nineteenth-Century Midwest, through the University of Minnesota Press!
www.upress.umn.edu/978151792034...
www.upress.umn.edu/978151792034...
Reposted by Chris Slaby
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
Trump in response to an Epstein question: "ABC, your company, your crappy company is one of the perpetrators. I think the license should be taken away from ABC because your news is so fake and so wrong. And we have a great commissioner, a chairman, who should take a look at that."
November 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Is it a threat to free speech when the President of the United States threatens to yank the broadcast license of a channel whose reporters are asking him challenging questions?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I ask because I feel like there used to be tons of pundits worried about free speech. Where'd they go?
I can’t begin to explain how for some kids, this is just becoming second nature. “I need to write something, I need to do some research, etc., I’ll just open ChatGPT and…” I should add: plenty are *not* doing this! Some do all their work, some are sometime users. But some kids are all in. It’s bad.
Colleague just got an email that starts: "Here's a polished and respectful letter you can send to your professor"
Email from a student who turned in a ChatGPT essay. Not even looking at the ChatGPT output in the apology 🥴
November 17, 2025 at 10:50 PM
I can’t begin to explain how for some kids, this is just becoming second nature. “I need to write something, I need to do some research, etc., I’ll just open ChatGPT and…” I should add: plenty are *not* doing this! Some do all their work, some are sometime users. But some kids are all in. It’s bad.
Reposted by Chris Slaby
It's the difference between centering the voices of enslaved and indigenous people and demonstrating how their inclusion shifts the traditional narrative and, as a result, forces viewers to rethink their own relationship to this story as opposed to utilizing them simply as window dressing.
November 17, 2025 at 12:00 PM
It's the difference between centering the voices of enslaved and indigenous people and demonstrating how their inclusion shifts the traditional narrative and, as a result, forces viewers to rethink their own relationship to this story as opposed to utilizing them simply as window dressing.