Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 3d

I like a president who doesn't have the time *or* inclination to weigh in on the choice of Super Bowl halftime performer.

The New York Times @nytimes.com · 3d

From @theathletic.com: President Trump criticized the selection of this year’s Super Bowl halftime performer, Puerto Rican megastar Bad Bunny, saying that the choice was “absolutely ridiculous.” nyti.ms/4mMLB7D

Bad Bunny on stage in a beige outfit and fur aviator hat. Quote reads: "I don't know who he is." Attribution reads: President Trump on Bad Bunny being selected for the Super Bowl halftime show

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Reposted by Elizabeth McCracken

Bookshop.org @bookshop.org · 4d

Can’t decide what to buy on Prime Day?

Try: absolutely nothing, and then go support indie bookstores instead 📚

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 5d

Once one of the most famous men in America. Now I think nearly nobody (at least, nobody under the age of 50) has heard of him.

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 5d

Eddie Cantor, My Life is in Your Hands

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 12d

Hello! I am teaching a course for the splendid American Short Fiction MFA for All, on physicality in fiction. I have a lot of thoughts on the subject. Kevin Wlson & Tommy Orange are also teaching! Deadline to sign up for my class is 10/5.

americanshortfiction.org/mfa-for-all/

MFA for All - American Short Fiction

MFA for ALL MFA for All was born from our desire to create a space where MFA-quality instruction is widely accessible to writers no matter their age, background, location, or financial situation. MFA ...

americanshortfiction.org

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Reposted by Elizabeth McCracken

Nick Arvin @nickarvin.bsky.social · 6d

An amazing graph, what happens when you destigmatize a behavior.

Graph, titled "The history of left-handedness," shows the rate of left-handedness among Americans by year of birth. The graph illustrates a significant increase in the percentage of left-handed people from the early 1900s to the 1960s, after which the rate stabilized.

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Reposted by Elizabeth McCracken

AAUP chapter @UT Austin @utaustinaaup.bsky.social · 10d

A thread on the illegality of the Texas Tech president’s letter banning reference to more than two genders. We saw a similar confusion of EO’s with law and a similar overriding of free speech and academic freedom in the Texas A@M case.

Jamal Greene @jamalgreene.bsky.social · 14d

The university president's letter is bananas, and anyone who sends such a letter should not be running an academic institution. A thread. www.nytimes.com/2025/09/26/u...

Texas Tech Moves to Limit Academic Discussion to 2 Genders

www.nytimes.com

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 12d

Hello! I am teaching a course for the splendid American Short Fiction MFA for All, on physicality in fiction. I have a lot of thoughts on the subject. Kevin Wlson & Tommy Orange are also teaching! Deadline to sign up for my class is 10/5.

americanshortfiction.org/mfa-for-all/

MFA for All - American Short Fiction

MFA for ALL MFA for All was born from our desire to create a space where MFA-quality instruction is widely accessible to writers no matter their age, background, location, or financial situation. MFA ...

americanshortfiction.org

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 16d

I do think, oddly often, "I never said anything about prunes..."

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 16d

I have to Zoom into a class & be a head on a screen on a wall, which always reminds me of this excellent ad for prunes starring Ray Bradbury (written & narrated by Stan Freberg).

www.youtube.com/watch?app=de...

Ray Bradbury Sunsweet Prunes commercial (1969) written & narrated by Stan Freberg

YouTube video by vson8

www.youtube.com

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 16d

I know she was phobic about escalators--down escalators particularly.

Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 16d

You may know this, but Bernis was terrified of escalators.

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Reposted by Elizabeth McCracken

Harry McCracken @harrymccracken.com · 16d

Also, a public service message rightly reminding us that escalators are terrifying and may gobble up your child. www.youtube.com/watch?v=zirp...

1970's Escalator Safety Public Information Film

www.youtube.com

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Reposted by Elizabeth McCracken

Laura Sell @laurasell.bsky.social · 22d

"More professors in the United States have been fired for controversial views in the past week than any other week in all of American history."
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/colu...

Censorship Is the Authoritarian’s Dream

The right to free expression must include the right to say horrible and evil things.

www.insidehighered.com

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Reposted by Elizabeth McCracken

Harry McCracken @harrymccracken.com · 21d

The cartoons published upon Walt Disney’s death in 1966 double nicely as cartoons about the present Jimmy Kimmel situation.

Mickey Mouse sitting in a chair looking dejected

Paris Match cover of Mickey Mouse weeping

Crowd scene of Disney characters in mourning

Another crowd scene of mourning Disney characters

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Reposted by Elizabeth McCracken

Max Phillips @signaltype.bsky.social · 23d

It's over. No way Mandami comes back from this one.

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 23d

Thank you, Lee!

Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 26d

It is so great--and like nothing else.

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 28d

I am due for a rewatch.

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 28d

Harry Shearer as the camera man! (I'm blanking on the character's name.)

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · 28d

REAL LIFE is one of my favorite movies of all time. I saw it when it came out (my older brother took me) and I never tire of it.

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Julia will be back on Halloween! 👻 @booktweeting.bsky.social · Aug 26

can a Magic 8-Ball suffer? we interviewed a few, and the answers may surprise you!

REPLY HAZY, TRY AGAIN

OUTLOOK NOT SO GOOD

IT IS CERTAIN

SIGNS POINT TO YES

BETTER NOT TELL YOU NOW

an image of someone holding a Magic 8-Ball; the 20-sided die within the black plastic sphere has floated up so that the “ASK AGAIN LATER” face is visible through the blue internal liquid

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · Aug 22

elizabethmccracken.substack.com/p/at-sea-but...

At Sea But Not at Swim

Bath Update After Way Too Long

elizabethmccracken.substack.com

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Reposted by Elizabeth McCracken

Renée Graham 🏳️‍🌈 @rygraham.bsky.social · Aug 19

Texas Republicans are holding a Black woman, a Democratic state rep, hostage in the legislative chamber. They have locked the doors and have banned her from leaving.

Gabe Ortíz @tusk81.bsky.social · Aug 19

“‘I refuse to sign away my dignity as a duly elected representative just so Republicans can control my movements and monitor me with police escorts,’ Collier said in a statement that called her a ‘political prisoner’ for refusing Republican ‘surveillance protocol.’” www.nbcnews.com/news/amp/rcn...

Texas Democratic legislator to stay in state capitol after refusing law enforcement escort to leave

State Rep. Nicole Collier of Fort Worth on Monday said she will remain locked in the Austin statehouse chamber until the House reconvenes on Wednesday morning.

www.nbcnews.com

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Elizabeth McCracken @elizmccrack.bsky.social · Aug 18

Sending big love to you, Deanna.

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