Melek Ortabasi
@mortabasi.bsky.social
Mother, scholar, voter. Unsinkable. Expertise in World lit, Japanese lit, children’s lit, translation studies, and general saltiness. Contributor to @roganslist.bsky.social
Pinned
Melek Ortabasi
@mortabasi.bsky.social
· Aug 7
Self-promotion incoming: happy to announce my latest article has been published in @jjs-jrnl.bsky.social! #kidlit #translation
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
Who, pray tell, is worshipping the liberal arts? Where is the mythical university alluded to here where STEM and business courses are criticized and somehow disincentivized by those in power?
It’s time to stop worshipping the liberal arts | Letters
Letters: While such institutions have intrinsic value, that doesn’t mean they are entitled to be socially favoured or economically exceptional for ever, says Jianyang Geng
www.theguardian.com
November 27, 2025 at 1:07 AM
Who, pray tell, is worshipping the liberal arts? Where is the mythical university alluded to here where STEM and business courses are criticized and somehow disincentivized by those in power?
Pure stupidity, with the desired effect of further decimating the post secondary sector. #AcademicSky
Full List of Degrees Not Classed As ‘Professional’ by Trump Admin
www.newsweek.com/full-list-de...
www.newsweek.com/full-list-de...
November 27, 2025 at 12:56 AM
Pure stupidity, with the desired effect of further decimating the post secondary sector. #AcademicSky
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
Spotify is running ads to recruit for the regime’s secret police. Stop paying for or using Spotify until the ICE ads stop: indivisible.org/cancel-spotify?source=bluesky
November 27, 2025 at 12:40 AM
Spotify is running ads to recruit for the regime’s secret police. Stop paying for or using Spotify until the ICE ads stop: indivisible.org/cancel-spotify?source=bluesky
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
Canadians, cast your vote for Canadian word of the year!
And if you haven't already, check out the spectacular Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles (OED-style), which published its third edition in May dchp.arts.ubc.ca
And if you haven't already, check out the spectacular Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles (OED-style), which published its third edition in May dchp.arts.ubc.ca
2025 has been an eventful year for Canada's identity. To commemorate the year, The Society for Canadian English is choosing a 2025 word of the year (CWOTY), based on the Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles.
Have your say: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
Have your say: docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1F...
November 27, 2025 at 12:42 AM
Canadians, cast your vote for Canadian word of the year!
And if you haven't already, check out the spectacular Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles (OED-style), which published its third edition in May dchp.arts.ubc.ca
And if you haven't already, check out the spectacular Dictionary of Canadianisms on Historical Principles (OED-style), which published its third edition in May dchp.arts.ubc.ca
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
Today is my dad's 91st birthday!
This is a pic of us from his birthday last year, when he turned 90. (I'm the one on the left!)
And he's still going in to the office–was just in yesterday & bought 500 pounds of new merchandise. Eek!
(If you need vintage beads, chain, etc. check out cjssales.com)
This is a pic of us from his birthday last year, when he turned 90. (I'm the one on the left!)
And he's still going in to the office–was just in yesterday & bought 500 pounds of new merchandise. Eek!
(If you need vintage beads, chain, etc. check out cjssales.com)
November 25, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
The Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA) held a press conference this morning urging Gov. Jared Polis not to transfer former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters to federal custody.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/colo...
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/colo...
Colorado Election Officials Urge Polis To Deny Trump Request To Transfer Election Denier Peters
The Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA) held a press conference this morning urging Gov. Jared Polis not to transfer former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters to federal custody. Peters “This...
coloradotimesrecorder.com
November 25, 2025 at 8:09 PM
The Colorado County Clerks Association (CCCA) held a press conference this morning urging Gov. Jared Polis not to transfer former Mesa County Clerk Tina Peters to federal custody.
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/colo...
coloradotimesrecorder.com/2025/11/colo...
Totally normal stuff
NEW: As President Trump increases pressure on Colorado Governor Polis to free Tina Peters, a close ally of Peters is calling for Gov Polis and Attorney General Weiser to be executed.
MAGA podcaster Joe Oltmann called for the execution of several Colorado Democrats by name.
MAGA podcaster Joe Oltmann called for the execution of several Colorado Democrats by name.
November 25, 2025 at 8:10 PM
Totally normal stuff
Sick kid at home. Got ghosted by someone who asked *me* for a meeting. But here’s a cat:
November 25, 2025 at 7:31 PM
Sick kid at home. Got ghosted by someone who asked *me* for a meeting. But here’s a cat:
Boy 1 bought this basket for his car. I’m afraid it’s been claimed 🐱 🧺
November 25, 2025 at 6:39 AM
Boy 1 bought this basket for his car. I’m afraid it’s been claimed 🐱 🧺
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
November 21, 2025 at 7:06 PM
Canada is releasing a set of stamps celebrating the nation's graphic novelists.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
These stamps feature Kate Beaton, Jimmy Beaulieu, Guy Delisle, Julie Doucet, Bryan Lee O’Malley and Michael Nicoll Yahgulanaas, alongside some of their famous works.
Just downloaded this font from the Braille Institute and will endeavour to use it in all my Powerpoint presentations from now on:
www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/#do...
www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/#do...
Atkinson Hyperlegible Font - Braille Institute
Read easier with Atkinson Hyperlegible Font, crafted for low-vision readers. Download for free and enjoy clear letters and numbers on your computer!
www.brailleinstitute.org
November 24, 2025 at 10:15 PM
Just downloaded this font from the Braille Institute and will endeavour to use it in all my Powerpoint presentations from now on:
www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/#do...
www.brailleinstitute.org/freefont/#do...
#SFU students, don't miss the info session for this exciting Field School! @sfuintlstudies.bsky.social @sfufass.bsky.social
events.sfu.ca/event/46379-....
events.sfu.ca/event/46379-....
Tanzania Field School Online Information Session
Join us for the online info session for the African Politics, Climate Change, and Development Field School, running May - June 2026.
events.sfu.ca
November 24, 2025 at 9:58 PM
#SFU students, don't miss the info session for this exciting Field School! @sfuintlstudies.bsky.social @sfufass.bsky.social
events.sfu.ca/event/46379-....
events.sfu.ca/event/46379-....
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
Last year at this time, National Endowment for the Humanities staff were gearing up to make the calls to award grants that were recommended at the November 2024 Nat'l Council.
This year, 70% of #NEH staff are fired, 85% of Nat'l Council members are fired, and nearly all grants are terminated. #DOGE
This year, 70% of #NEH staff are fired, 85% of Nat'l Council members are fired, and nearly all grants are terminated. #DOGE
Last year at this time, I had just learned that I would receive a 12-month NEH, and I was excitedly starting to lay plans for a year of research. DOGE halted those plans by canceling my grant outright. Now DOGE is gone too, having accomplished nothing but harm to others. What a year.
November 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
You know how sometimes you're just done with something? Yeah. That's where I'm at right now.
November 24, 2025 at 7:05 PM
You know how sometimes you're just done with something? Yeah. That's where I'm at right now.
Our Philosophy department runs this incredibly cool event for high school students every year. Want to help? Great volunteer opportunity! @sfufass.bsky.social
November 24, 2025 at 6:27 PM
Our Philosophy department runs this incredibly cool event for high school students every year. Want to help? Great volunteer opportunity! @sfufass.bsky.social
Someone was very mad when I first got home from my trip. I think she’s forgiven me now though 😽
November 24, 2025 at 7:36 AM
Someone was very mad when I first got home from my trip. I think she’s forgiven me now though 😽
One of many reasons to learn languages
Multilingualism is associated with a reduced risk of accelerated ageing, according to data from more than 86,000 people across 27 European countries published in Nature Aging. go.nature.com/4hWRpLh #medsky 🧪
November 24, 2025 at 2:55 AM
One of many reasons to learn languages
So long, San Francisco. The eggs Benedict was great 😌
November 23, 2025 at 11:10 PM
So long, San Francisco. The eggs Benedict was great 😌
Ok sure here are some food photos. Because it was yummy.
November 23, 2025 at 6:05 AM
Ok sure here are some food photos. Because it was yummy.
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
Well, this is chilling AF.
The Department of Education is suing Penn (in their quest for "combat antisemitism") requesting detailed information about Jewish faculty and staff.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
1/2
The Department of Education is suing Penn (in their quest for "combat antisemitism") requesting detailed information about Jewish faculty and staff.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
1/2
storage.courtlistener.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:34 PM
Well, this is chilling AF.
The Department of Education is suing Penn (in their quest for "combat antisemitism") requesting detailed information about Jewish faculty and staff.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
1/2
The Department of Education is suing Penn (in their quest for "combat antisemitism") requesting detailed information about Jewish faculty and staff.
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
1/2
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
"Usually she had warned her father about immigration agents before he went to work on construction sites.
'That one day he was taken, that day we didn’t say anything,' Delila said from her new home ... 'Can I get a second chance?' she choked out."
💔
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/c...
'That one day he was taken, that day we didn’t say anything,' Delila said from her new home ... 'Can I get a second chance?' she choked out."
💔
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/c...
Her dad was taken by immigration agents. Now a 12-year-old girl fears she’s lost her only living parent.
The separation illustrates a tragic consequence of the Trump administration’s immigration crackdown: children left behind after a parent is detained or deported.
www.chicagotribune.com
November 22, 2025 at 6:00 PM
"Usually she had warned her father about immigration agents before he went to work on construction sites.
'That one day he was taken, that day we didn’t say anything,' Delila said from her new home ... 'Can I get a second chance?' she choked out."
💔
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/c...
'That one day he was taken, that day we didn’t say anything,' Delila said from her new home ... 'Can I get a second chance?' she choked out."
💔
www.chicagotribune.com/2025/11/22/c...
Reposted by Melek Ortabasi
Walter de Staplecat, Simpkin IV, Teabag, Balthasar and Benny D Cat take the stage as we meet the college cats of Oxford. And, of course, Magdalen’s Ozymandias. Read on for our photo special. (Includes a cat map.) oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
College cats of Oxford
Once upon a time, we featured an image of Magdalen's kitten, Ozymandias, in our newsletter. We figured it might be a gentle contrast to our regular diet of planning and local politics.
The grey ball ...
oxfordclarion.uk
November 20, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Walter de Staplecat, Simpkin IV, Teabag, Balthasar and Benny D Cat take the stage as we meet the college cats of Oxford. And, of course, Magdalen’s Ozymandias. Read on for our photo special. (Includes a cat map.) oxfordclarion.uk/college-cats...
The money shot: the Golden Gate and Alcatraz
November 22, 2025 at 3:41 AM
The money shot: the Golden Gate and Alcatraz
Attention San Francisco #fungifriends. This shop has all your fungi needs!
November 22, 2025 at 3:32 AM
Attention San Francisco #fungifriends. This shop has all your fungi needs!
Fuck this bullshit
The United Arab Emirates said it will invest up to $50 billion in Canada under a framework that includes projects in artificial intelligence, energy, and mining sectors reut.rs/49xhSwL
November 21, 2025 at 6:47 PM
Fuck this bullshit