Jesse Raber
@jraber.bsky.social
Working on a literary history of Chicago - Author of Progressivism's Aesthetic Education: bit.ly/2AhdjaH - Co-creator of the Chicago Writing Gallery at the American Writers Museum - let's talk about cooking, ceramics, ebikes
Today's etymological find:
The "jan-" in "janitor" is cognate with "Janus," the Roman god of doors. Cerberus is described in Horace as the "ianitor" of the underworld.
The "jan-" in "janitor" is cognate with "Janus," the Roman god of doors. Cerberus is described in Horace as the "ianitor" of the underworld.
February 7, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Today's etymological find:
The "jan-" in "janitor" is cognate with "Janus," the Roman god of doors. Cerberus is described in Horace as the "ianitor" of the underworld.
The "jan-" in "janitor" is cognate with "Janus," the Roman god of doors. Cerberus is described in Horace as the "ianitor" of the underworld.
Melt and mud commence
February 6, 2026 at 8:18 PM
Melt and mud commence
Reposted by Jesse Raber
My spouse is not on Bluesky, X, etc., so every time I send him a link or screenshot of a quote tweet &c., he gets confused, and I have to explain, “it’s like the Talmud; it’s like the Talmud”
February 2, 2026 at 2:07 PM
My spouse is not on Bluesky, X, etc., so every time I send him a link or screenshot of a quote tweet &c., he gets confused, and I have to explain, “it’s like the Talmud; it’s like the Talmud”
This is true but also the whole alt text culture here is so weird. If you don't use alt text people will chide you, reply by adding alt text, etc., but if you add alt text that's like some abstruse joke that doesn't describe the image at all people are like "great job."
I love writing alt text, it’s like the special features of a dvd. the director’s cut of the image I’m posting. it’s where I hide little easter eggs for my true fans
February 5, 2026 at 4:34 AM
This is true but also the whole alt text culture here is so weird. If you don't use alt text people will chide you, reply by adding alt text, etc., but if you add alt text that's like some abstruse joke that doesn't describe the image at all people are like "great job."
A friend who works at a local journalism nonprofit just said that they're getting applications from, like, people with 15 years of experience at the BBC to fill what, in the before times, would have been early career jobs. It's getting fully as bad as academia over there isn't it.
February 5, 2026 at 3:58 AM
A friend who works at a local journalism nonprofit just said that they're getting applications from, like, people with 15 years of experience at the BBC to fill what, in the before times, would have been early career jobs. It's getting fully as bad as academia over there isn't it.
today's offering: pancake ice
February 4, 2026 at 8:36 PM
today's offering: pancake ice
Reposted by Jesse Raber
I love how this (credulous but rather innocent) article is introduced with "Who Is Baal?" as if the deity is being cancelled over his Epstein connections
Who Is Baal? Epstein’s Newly Released Files Spark Fear Amid ‘abandonment’ Claims; ‘Very Deep And Extreme’
Questions have been raised about Jeffrey Epstein's religion, and who Baal is, after the release of documents related to him. The Justice Department on Friday released the final portion of…
Questions have been raised about Jeffrey Epstein's religion, and who Baal is, after the release of documents related to him. The Justice Department on Friday released the final portion of…
Who Is Baal? Epstein’s Newly Released Files Spark Fear Amid ‘abandonment’ Claims; ‘Very Deep And Extreme’
Questions have been raised about Jeffrey Epstein's religion, and who Baal is, after the release of documents related to him. The Justice Department on Friday released the final portion of files linked to the late convicted child sex offender. Jeffrey Epstein communicated a document with 'Bal' before the name of the bank branch. (X/@BRICSinfo, X/@spill_dong)Among them is a document in which Epstein asked for eleven thousand four hundred and thirty-eight dollars for the wire.
globalindiabroadcastnews.com
February 4, 2026 at 3:40 PM
I love how this (credulous but rather innocent) article is introduced with "Who Is Baal?" as if the deity is being cancelled over his Epstein connections
Finally got it after weeks of trying to make this shape in porcelain, for a pair of lamps a friend asked for. Being able to make this shape materialize from mud has always been the dream.
February 3, 2026 at 9:46 PM
Finally got it after weeks of trying to make this shape in porcelain, for a pair of lamps a friend asked for. Being able to make this shape materialize from mud has always been the dream.
Saw this in a book about the history of ceramics. I cannot unsee it ... I can only make you see it with me.
www.ashmolean.org/dish-composi...
www.ashmolean.org/dish-composi...
DISH WITH A COMPOSITE HEAD OF PENISES
The surface of this extraordinary piece of maiolica – a form of tin-glazed earthenware – is skillfully painted with a head composed of interlaced penises, one of them sporting a ring.
www.ashmolean.org
February 3, 2026 at 3:45 AM
Saw this in a book about the history of ceramics. I cannot unsee it ... I can only make you see it with me.
www.ashmolean.org/dish-composi...
www.ashmolean.org/dish-composi...
My in-laws live in Woodstock and that place is so obsessed with the movie Groundhog Day (which was filmed there). The burger bar has burgers named for the characters; the film locations are marked with plaques; etc etc. It's like they're stuck reliving the same experience forever ...
Reject that highfalutin' East Coast groundhog who sucks up all the media attention and embrace our humble homegrown Midwestern hero, Woodstock Willie, who predicts an early spring!
Good news! In Metra-served Woodstock, IL where Bill Murray's "Groundhog Day" was filmed, Woodstock Willie didn't see his shadow, forecasting an early spring is on the way.
nbcchicago.com/news/local/d...
Here's our story of a car-free trip to the fest in 2024.
nbcchicago.com/news/local/d...
nbcchicago.com/news/local/d...
Here's our story of a car-free trip to the fest in 2024.
nbcchicago.com/news/local/d...
February 3, 2026 at 12:49 AM
My in-laws live in Woodstock and that place is so obsessed with the movie Groundhog Day (which was filmed there). The burger bar has burgers named for the characters; the film locations are marked with plaques; etc etc. It's like they're stuck reliving the same experience forever ...
Reposted by Jesse Raber
The University of Illinois revoked the student org status of Students for Justice in Palestine over their anti-genocide protests and forced leaders and most members to attend mandatory "trainings."
the Republican Party will get worse before it gets worse, but God willing it will also get a whole lot smaller
February 1, 2026 at 10:52 PM
The University of Illinois revoked the student org status of Students for Justice in Palestine over their anti-genocide protests and forced leaders and most members to attend mandatory "trainings."
Reposted by Jesse Raber
There is a very similar pattern for Black over-representation in the military, which is often the employer of last resort in a society with rampant labor market discrimination keeping folks out of other jobs.
Probably a day to promote this research from David Cortez. journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
February 1, 2026 at 10:45 PM
There is a very similar pattern for Black over-representation in the military, which is often the employer of last resort in a society with rampant labor market discrimination keeping folks out of other jobs.
Reposted by Jesse Raber
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
Reposted by Jesse Raber
Minnesotans on Lake Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) in Minneapolis. Jan. 30, 2026.
📷: WCCO-TV
📷: WCCO-TV
January 30, 2026 at 11:39 PM
Minnesotans on Lake Bde Maka Ska (formerly Lake Calhoun) in Minneapolis. Jan. 30, 2026.
📷: WCCO-TV
📷: WCCO-TV
Continuing on my bullshit
January 30, 2026 at 8:35 PM
Continuing on my bullshit
Poking around on the old job market, and a local community college is hiring for a position called "Adjunct Faculty, Continuing Education - Dungeons & Dragons." The job description explains nothing. Like, are they saying they'd pay me to run a game for adult learners? Cuz, would.
January 30, 2026 at 7:03 PM
Poking around on the old job market, and a local community college is hiring for a position called "Adjunct Faculty, Continuing Education - Dungeons & Dragons." The job description explains nothing. Like, are they saying they'd pay me to run a game for adult learners? Cuz, would.
Reposted by Jesse Raber
The article doesn't mention that the ADL, which condemns Walz, has taken a hard right turn recently. So has the Holocaust Museum, which now has Trump appointees on its board. It's political grandstanding.
I'm Jewish, and I think this analogy is entirely appropriate and, in fact, dead on.
I'm Jewish, and I think this analogy is entirely appropriate and, in fact, dead on.
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
Tim Walz condemned for comparing Minnesota children to Anne Frank
The Minnesota governor is getting widespread criticism for comparing children dealing with immigration enforcement to Holocaust victim Anne Frank.
bit.ly
January 28, 2026 at 3:52 AM
The article doesn't mention that the ADL, which condemns Walz, has taken a hard right turn recently. So has the Holocaust Museum, which now has Trump appointees on its board. It's political grandstanding.
I'm Jewish, and I think this analogy is entirely appropriate and, in fact, dead on.
I'm Jewish, and I think this analogy is entirely appropriate and, in fact, dead on.
Reposted by Jesse Raber
A thread on escalations in ICE tactics I've noted, that struck me as over & beyond what we saw them do in Chicago. (Besides the murders. I don't think I have to mention that, but they did that in Chicago too.) For my own reference & preparedness
January 26, 2026 at 11:11 PM
A thread on escalations in ICE tactics I've noted, that struck me as over & beyond what we saw them do in Chicago. (Besides the murders. I don't think I have to mention that, but they did that in Chicago too.) For my own reference & preparedness
Today most ice seems to have sunk under the weight of overlying snow, leaving picturesque ice islands at shallow spots.
January 26, 2026 at 8:10 PM
Today most ice seems to have sunk under the weight of overlying snow, leaving picturesque ice islands at shallow spots.
Reposted by Jesse Raber
In case anyone was wondering how it’s going over on American Girl doll Instagram
January 25, 2026 at 10:21 PM
In case anyone was wondering how it’s going over on American Girl doll Instagram
Reposted by Jesse Raber
Crowd is massive, now overflowing Congress Plaza and taking up a block-long stretch of Michigan Avenue.
Reminder: this event was only announced yesterday.
Reminder: this event was only announced yesterday.
January 25, 2026 at 7:52 PM
Crowd is massive, now overflowing Congress Plaza and taking up a block-long stretch of Michigan Avenue.
Reminder: this event was only announced yesterday.
Reminder: this event was only announced yesterday.
Reposted by Jesse Raber
Good afternoon from downtown Chicago, where despite heavy snowfall, thousands have gathered for an anti-ICE/CBP demonstration in solidarity with the Twin Cities. More are still streaming in.
Lt. Illinois Gov. Juliana Stratton just addressed the crowd, and called for ICE to be abolished.
Lt. Illinois Gov. Juliana Stratton just addressed the crowd, and called for ICE to be abolished.
January 25, 2026 at 7:37 PM
Good afternoon from downtown Chicago, where despite heavy snowfall, thousands have gathered for an anti-ICE/CBP demonstration in solidarity with the Twin Cities. More are still streaming in.
Lt. Illinois Gov. Juliana Stratton just addressed the crowd, and called for ICE to be abolished.
Lt. Illinois Gov. Juliana Stratton just addressed the crowd, and called for ICE to be abolished.
Reposted by Jesse Raber
Finally made it to the head of the column. The lead vehicle is leading a chant of "abolish ICE, it's not that hard!"
Meanwhile visibility is dropping as the snow keeps coming down.
Meanwhile visibility is dropping as the snow keeps coming down.
January 25, 2026 at 8:42 PM
Finally made it to the head of the column. The lead vehicle is leading a chant of "abolish ICE, it's not that hard!"
Meanwhile visibility is dropping as the snow keeps coming down.
Meanwhile visibility is dropping as the snow keeps coming down.
*frozen moonscape intensifies*
January 25, 2026 at 6:54 PM
*frozen moonscape intensifies*
Reposted by Jesse Raber
People are rightly angry at the murders of Good and Pretti, and the fact they're on video in broad daylight surely contributes, but there's no avoiding how little mention of Keith Porter there is.
And ICE has shot or otherwise killed non-citizens, who are no less deserving of attention.
And ICE has shot or otherwise killed non-citizens, who are no less deserving of attention.
A Black man was killed by ICE (off duty) in Los Angeles on New Year’s Eve. And like Renée Good, he was an American citizen. But most people have not heard about Keith Porter.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
I need y’all to realize this. Black people experience this lack of visibility all the time when it comes to being victims.
January 25, 2026 at 12:06 PM
People are rightly angry at the murders of Good and Pretti, and the fact they're on video in broad daylight surely contributes, but there's no avoiding how little mention of Keith Porter there is.
And ICE has shot or otherwise killed non-citizens, who are no less deserving of attention.
And ICE has shot or otherwise killed non-citizens, who are no less deserving of attention.