Emily K.D. Smith
@ekds.bsky.social
Booze Archaeologist, Nubiologist, PhD Candidate, activist, coffee addict. Angry blob that watches too much anime and plays too much D&D.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
On my first day as a PhD student at Chicago, I was gifted a copy of Von Däniken’s Chariots of the Gods by a senior archaeologist who said to me: “May this serve as a reminder for why teaching real archaeology to the public matters”
The hagiographic obits for him are absolutely wild
The hagiographic obits for him are absolutely wild
Famed pseudoarchaeological content creator Erich von Däniken, best known for his popularization and promotion of ancient aliens claims, has died at age 90.
Erich von Däniken, Swiss writer who spawned alien archaeology, dies at 90
Erich von Däniken, the Swiss author whose bestselling books about the extraterrestrial origins of ancient civilizations brought him fame among paranormal enthusiasts and scorn from the scientific comm...
www.ctvnews.ca
January 12, 2026 at 3:48 PM
On my first day as a PhD student at Chicago, I was gifted a copy of Von Däniken’s Chariots of the Gods by a senior archaeologist who said to me: “May this serve as a reminder for why teaching real archaeology to the public matters”
The hagiographic obits for him are absolutely wild
The hagiographic obits for him are absolutely wild
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
With the recent passing of Erich von Däniken, here's a short article from 1987 dissecting his claims about aliens in Chariots of Gods (1968). It's a reminder that archaeologists have been debunking pseudoarchaeology for nearly 40 years.
Expedition Magazine | “Scholars Will Call it Nonsense”
<p>In 1968 an obscure Swiss hotel manager published a book entitled Erinnerungen an die Zukunft. An English edition appeared under […]</p>
www.penn.museum
January 12, 2026 at 1:20 AM
With the recent passing of Erich von Däniken, here's a short article from 1987 dissecting his claims about aliens in Chariots of Gods (1968). It's a reminder that archaeologists have been debunking pseudoarchaeology for nearly 40 years.
I have spent the afternoon writing about 1950s and 60s Egyptological racism. I managed to not put my fist through computer screen with some of these sources. Please clap.
January 7, 2026 at 10:41 PM
I have spent the afternoon writing about 1950s and 60s Egyptological racism. I managed to not put my fist through computer screen with some of these sources. Please clap.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
Sudan’s war is not “nihilistic” chaos, nor is it a “civil conflict”, writes @yassmin.bsky.social. This is a war against civilians, punishment for the people’s audacity in standing up to the military regime—and the international community is enabling it.
Sudan’s story is far from a tragedy
The country’s revolution was a successful and nonviolent democratic uprising. The west should remember that
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
January 5, 2026 at 12:26 PM
Sudan’s war is not “nihilistic” chaos, nor is it a “civil conflict”, writes @yassmin.bsky.social. This is a war against civilians, punishment for the people’s audacity in standing up to the military regime—and the international community is enabling it.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
Over 100 years after a 3,400-year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti was first taken to Berlin, the largest effort to bring her back to her homeland is underway.
But German museum authorities are hardly eager to hand over one of the country’s most famous artifacts.
But German museum authorities are hardly eager to hand over one of the country’s most famous artifacts.
New Egyptian museum brings fresh pressure for return of Nefertiti’s bust
One of Egypt’s most famous and beautiful artifacts lies in a Berlin museum, and the calls for its return have received a renewed push with the opening of a new museum.
www.washingtonpost.com
December 27, 2025 at 5:00 AM
Over 100 years after a 3,400-year-old bust of Queen Nefertiti was first taken to Berlin, the largest effort to bring her back to her homeland is underway.
But German museum authorities are hardly eager to hand over one of the country’s most famous artifacts.
But German museum authorities are hardly eager to hand over one of the country’s most famous artifacts.
I didn’t realize how much of a struggle writing the diss would be, but I finally broke 50k words and it’s almost wrapped up - the end is in sight. Through a lot of major changes, extreme burnout, and uncertainty, I managed to keep plugging away. Still got a bit left to go, but I’m almost there.
December 25, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I didn’t realize how much of a struggle writing the diss would be, but I finally broke 50k words and it’s almost wrapped up - the end is in sight. Through a lot of major changes, extreme burnout, and uncertainty, I managed to keep plugging away. Still got a bit left to go, but I’m almost there.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
The thing that is stupid about this AI argument is that it’s absolutely true that people can’t read everything in detail, but the way things work they’re pressured to pretend that they do. The exponential amount of literature was a problem pre-AI.
December 21, 2025 at 3:46 PM
The thing that is stupid about this AI argument is that it’s absolutely true that people can’t read everything in detail, but the way things work they’re pressured to pretend that they do. The exponential amount of literature was a problem pre-AI.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
I cannot emphasize enough that the White House has no authority to withhold funds from the Smithsonian. It can, however, try to persuade/threaten Congress to reduce future funding.
“American people will have no patience” for any museum that is “uncomfortable conveying a positive view of American history,” Trump aides wrote.
"It was not immediately clear how much money the White House might try to withhold, from which parts of the Smithsonian or on what authority."
"It was not immediately clear how much money the White House might try to withhold, from which parts of the Smithsonian or on what authority."
White House threatens Smithsonian funds in sweeping content review
It is not clear on what authority the administration could withhold Smithsonian funds, as President Trump tries to purge “woke” content from cultural institutions.
wapo.st
December 21, 2025 at 1:55 AM
I cannot emphasize enough that the White House has no authority to withhold funds from the Smithsonian. It can, however, try to persuade/threaten Congress to reduce future funding.
You'd think my abstract writing skills would improve with time and practice, but no. Words are...hard? Anyway, submitted to #ICNS2026; fingers crossed the word salad came out as semi-coherent. Send help.
December 13, 2025 at 10:32 PM
You'd think my abstract writing skills would improve with time and practice, but no. Words are...hard? Anyway, submitted to #ICNS2026; fingers crossed the word salad came out as semi-coherent. Send help.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
Exactly. Edtech is not the solution to lack of resources and criminally low pay for teachers. No matter how much billionaires PR teams claim it is.
They are remaking public education in their own image before our very eyes.
They are remaking public education in their own image before our very eyes.
There isn't a single problem "solved" by edtech that couldn't be fixed with smaller classes led by well-paid teachers given real academic freedom
December 13, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Exactly. Edtech is not the solution to lack of resources and criminally low pay for teachers. No matter how much billionaires PR teams claim it is.
They are remaking public education in their own image before our very eyes.
They are remaking public education in their own image before our very eyes.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
Longshot odds here - but are any of my followers here winemakers and/or know any winemakers willing to answer a question or two? I have a filtration question I'd like expert opinions on.
December 9, 2025 at 2:31 AM
Longshot odds here - but are any of my followers here winemakers and/or know any winemakers willing to answer a question or two? I have a filtration question I'd like expert opinions on.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
There's just 2 days left to bid on an array of stunning art, books, mentoring sessions and experiences all in aid of the people of Sudan! Definitely lots of #ArtAdventCalendar worthy pieces there.... #Creatives4Sudan
app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
#ArtSky #BookSky #CraftSky #Art
app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
#ArtSky #BookSky #CraftSky #Art
December 4, 2025 at 8:13 PM
There's just 2 days left to bid on an array of stunning art, books, mentoring sessions and experiences all in aid of the people of Sudan! Definitely lots of #ArtAdventCalendar worthy pieces there.... #Creatives4Sudan
app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
#ArtSky #BookSky #CraftSky #Art
app.galabid.com/creatives4su...
#ArtSky #BookSky #CraftSky #Art
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
Either you understand that there is an organized campaign to push trans people out of public life with the explicit end goal of "morally mandating us out of existence" that is backed by some of the wealthiest individuals to have ever lived, or you're simply not equipped to grasp what's happening.
December 1, 2025 at 6:02 PM
Either you understand that there is an organized campaign to push trans people out of public life with the explicit end goal of "morally mandating us out of existence" that is backed by some of the wealthiest individuals to have ever lived, or you're simply not equipped to grasp what's happening.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
So, an OU student a shitty reaction paper in a psych course, got failed by a grad student TA for not following directions and threatened legal action, while also getting her uni TPUSA chapter to post the essay. Her mother is on X saying trans people must not be allowed to be professors.
This is…
This is…
OU puts graduate instructor on leave after student claims discrimination on Bible-based essay grade
OU placed a graduate student instructor on leave after a student publicly contested a grade and filed an illegal discrimination claim after she received a failing grade on an essay
www.oudaily.com
December 1, 2025 at 11:39 AM
So, an OU student a shitty reaction paper in a psych course, got failed by a grad student TA for not following directions and threatened legal action, while also getting her uni TPUSA chapter to post the essay. Her mother is on X saying trans people must not be allowed to be professors.
This is…
This is…
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
This thread is 💯. Labor precarity in academia means the evisceration of faculty governance and academic freedom, opening the door to administrative purges of the most vulnerable. And faculty-esp tenured faculty and academic leaders-who aren't defending their trans colleagues are enabling it.
So yeah, this is fundamentally about trans people and that cannot be elided, but the ways in which junior faculty are targeted and disposed of, while academic jobs are increasingly precarized, and political grandstanders seek to influence academic governance are fucking terrifying for everyone.
December 1, 2025 at 12:35 PM
This thread is 💯. Labor precarity in academia means the evisceration of faculty governance and academic freedom, opening the door to administrative purges of the most vulnerable. And faculty-esp tenured faculty and academic leaders-who aren't defending their trans colleagues are enabling it.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
As I said on the other site: she would have gotten an F from me too.
You need to cite. You need cogent and clear arguments.
I am losing my mind.
You need to cite. You need cogent and clear arguments.
I am losing my mind.
This poor graduate student (who was the course instructor), being harassed for doing their job.
OU has put the professor here on administrative leave:
December 1, 2025 at 12:57 AM
As I said on the other site: she would have gotten an F from me too.
You need to cite. You need cogent and clear arguments.
I am losing my mind.
You need to cite. You need cogent and clear arguments.
I am losing my mind.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
I’m looking forward to asking my university president next week about how much they will protect instructors and TAs from this bullshit. If I can’t even fail a student for literally not following the assignment instructions, or writing a bad paper, then what the hell is the point of a class?
December 1, 2025 at 12:33 AM
I’m looking forward to asking my university president next week about how much they will protect instructors and TAs from this bullshit. If I can’t even fail a student for literally not following the assignment instructions, or writing a bad paper, then what the hell is the point of a class?
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
Computer, please summarize everything PG Wodehouse ever wrote in ten seconds
rich dudes got freakier after butlers fell out of fashion, like say what you will about having domestic servants but clearly it was some sort of moderating force on old rich dudes having a fancy man follow you around saying shit like "oh dear sir, that wouldn't be very becoming"
November 29, 2025 at 9:34 PM
Computer, please summarize everything PG Wodehouse ever wrote in ten seconds
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
Hey conference-organizers (sorry for addressing you in one of your professional capacities on a holiday).
I posted this 5 days ago, and 65 artists have already applied. Many of them are PSYCHED, and many of them are extremely qualified.
There's HUGE interest from artists in working w/scientists.
I posted this 5 days ago, and 65 artists have already applied. Many of them are PSYCHED, and many of them are extremely qualified.
There's HUGE interest from artists in working w/scientists.
ARTISTS!
I need your help!
In collab. w/the Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology, I'm organizing a group of artists to come to our Jan. meeting! We're looking for artists to create based on what they learn at the conference. $1000 stipend.
Application is V short! forms.gle/ah1i8KwNJinZ...
I need your help!
In collab. w/the Society for Integrative & Comparative Biology, I'm organizing a group of artists to come to our Jan. meeting! We're looking for artists to create based on what they learn at the conference. $1000 stipend.
Application is V short! forms.gle/ah1i8KwNJinZ...
November 27, 2025 at 7:03 PM
Hey conference-organizers (sorry for addressing you in one of your professional capacities on a holiday).
I posted this 5 days ago, and 65 artists have already applied. Many of them are PSYCHED, and many of them are extremely qualified.
There's HUGE interest from artists in working w/scientists.
I posted this 5 days ago, and 65 artists have already applied. Many of them are PSYCHED, and many of them are extremely qualified.
There's HUGE interest from artists in working w/scientists.
I know so many who needed this research grant line to complete their PhDs. With funding options collapsing across the board, this is devastating news.
NEW from me - NSF cancels grant scheme for social science research.
Seems the NSF quietly archived ALL calls for DDRIG grants in the SBE directorate. This is a massive blow for PhD students wanting to do cutting-edge social science research. 🏺🧪
Seems the NSF quietly archived ALL calls for DDRIG grants in the SBE directorate. This is a massive blow for PhD students wanting to do cutting-edge social science research. 🏺🧪
Today's biggest science news: Doomed comet explodes | Comet 3I/ATLAS course alteration | Dark matter detected?
Wednesday, Nov. 26, 2025: Your daily feed of the biggest discoveries and breakthroughs making headlines.
www.livescience.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:44 PM
I know so many who needed this research grant line to complete their PhDs. With funding options collapsing across the board, this is devastating news.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
Dear professional society leadership:
People say “believe women”. Until the man is someone they know.
November 27, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Dear professional society leadership:
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
🏺 Again and again - our discipline has been crucial to genocide. Pretending otherwise is complicity.
Israel, which has obliterated most of Palestine’s archeological and heritage sites, including ancient churches, mosques, and temples, has suddenly discovered an urge to protect one from Palestinian ‘neglect’. It just so happens to be in the West Bank.
www.timesofisrael.com/israel-begin...
www.timesofisrael.com/israel-begin...
Israel begins seizing 1,800 dunams of West Bank land to develop archaeological site
Civil Administration says development legal, taking place amid 'neglect' of site by Palestinians; Peace Now: 'Government's lust for dispossession and annexation is insatiable'
www.timesofisrael.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:19 PM
🏺 Again and again - our discipline has been crucial to genocide. Pretending otherwise is complicity.
Reposted by Emily K.D. Smith
This is exactly it. There is also an insidious genre of essay which is “let me write about Sudan once and never again, just so I can say I did it, and then get back to asking why people are obsessed about Palestine“. These people can never discuss Sudan on its own terms.
The people who say "why this obsession with Palestine? why don't you post about Sudan?" never post about Sudan themselves.
What they mean is "it's fine you don't care about Sudan. You should be similarly indifferent to Palestine"
(of course, many people do post about both and other crises)
What they mean is "it's fine you don't care about Sudan. You should be similarly indifferent to Palestine"
(of course, many people do post about both and other crises)
November 20, 2025 at 11:45 PM
This is exactly it. There is also an insidious genre of essay which is “let me write about Sudan once and never again, just so I can say I did it, and then get back to asking why people are obsessed about Palestine“. These people can never discuss Sudan on its own terms.