Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
@kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social
That chick obsessed with Shinto and #torii gates. ⛩️🔍🗺️
Anthropologist of (Japanese) religion, digital tech, media & pop culture | Lecturer & Assoc. Editor @ Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture | YouTuber @ Eat Pray Anime | Cultural consultant
Anthropologist of (Japanese) religion, digital tech, media & pop culture | Lecturer & Assoc. Editor @ Nanzan Institute for Religion and Culture | YouTuber @ Eat Pray Anime | Cultural consultant
Pinned
Ppl making academia account starter packs r my heroes, thank you for the invisible service 🥹
I will try to share relevant starter packs below ⬇️🧵
I will try to share relevant starter packs below ⬇️🧵
Had a blast speaking at High Point University yesterday abt Shinto and video games, thanks to the support of Matt Mitchell, several debts, & the @asianstudies.org NEAC Distinguished Speakers Bureau! 🎮
On my way to #AAR2025, looking forward to seeing folks there & talking EVEN MORE about games! ✈️
On my way to #AAR2025, looking forward to seeing folks there & talking EVEN MORE about games! ✈️
November 21, 2025 at 5:14 PM
Had a blast speaking at High Point University yesterday abt Shinto and video games, thanks to the support of Matt Mitchell, several debts, & the @asianstudies.org NEAC Distinguished Speakers Bureau! 🎮
On my way to #AAR2025, looking forward to seeing folks there & talking EVEN MORE about games! ✈️
On my way to #AAR2025, looking forward to seeing folks there & talking EVEN MORE about games! ✈️
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
Quick question: what the fuck is anyone talking about anymore
September 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
Quick question: what the fuck is anyone talking about anymore
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
Even if you're not attending #aarsbl2025 or can't make my session, you can buy the book and others in @nyupress.bsky.social's great line of religious studies book at 30% off.
nyupress.org/american-aca...
nyupress.org/american-aca...
November 19, 2025 at 1:48 PM
Even if you're not attending #aarsbl2025 or can't make my session, you can buy the book and others in @nyupress.bsky.social's great line of religious studies book at 30% off.
nyupress.org/american-aca...
nyupress.org/american-aca...
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
SAT 11/22 at 12:30pm | Hynes Convention Center Ballroom A
I'm grateful the special session on my book at the upcoming #aarsbl2025 meeting and excited to be in conversation with Danielle N. Boaz, Jamil Drake, Terence D Keel, and Wangui Muigai.
papers.aarweb.org/roundtable-s...
I'm grateful the special session on my book at the upcoming #aarsbl2025 meeting and excited to be in conversation with Danielle N. Boaz, Jamil Drake, Terence D Keel, and Wangui Muigai.
papers.aarweb.org/roundtable-s...
November 13, 2025 at 2:44 PM
SAT 11/22 at 12:30pm | Hynes Convention Center Ballroom A
I'm grateful the special session on my book at the upcoming #aarsbl2025 meeting and excited to be in conversation with Danielle N. Boaz, Jamil Drake, Terence D Keel, and Wangui Muigai.
papers.aarweb.org/roundtable-s...
I'm grateful the special session on my book at the upcoming #aarsbl2025 meeting and excited to be in conversation with Danielle N. Boaz, Jamil Drake, Terence D Keel, and Wangui Muigai.
papers.aarweb.org/roundtable-s...
Reclining your seat back on a flight when the person behind you is working on their laptop should be illegal. 💀
a man sits at a table with a laptop and a glass of whiskey in front of him
Alt: David from the television show Schitt’s Creek looks surprised and incredulous as someone slams his laptop shot in front of him
media.tenor.com
November 19, 2025 at 1:39 PM
Reclining your seat back on a flight when the person behind you is working on their laptop should be illegal. 💀
I have a Zoom interview at the late hour of 11pm that I gotta stay awake for. 😴 At least by then the sound cars shouldn't be blaring jingles around my neighborhood like they are right now? How to explain to folks who don't live in Japan... 😬
a cartoon of a duck looking at a computer screen
Alt: An animated GIF of the Pokemon Psyduck covering its ears in front of its desk and looking quickly at its computer screen
media.tenor.com
November 5, 2025 at 10:31 AM
I have a Zoom interview at the late hour of 11pm that I gotta stay awake for. 😴 At least by then the sound cars shouldn't be blaring jingles around my neighborhood like they are right now? How to explain to folks who don't live in Japan... 😬
A new #torii in NY to add to the global map! Looks like such a pretty location ⛩️🍁
@kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social it is finished!! This is in Forestburgh, NY. At Sho Fu Den. DM me if you need more details.
October 25, 2025 at 4:36 AM
A new #torii in NY to add to the global map! Looks like such a pretty location ⛩️🍁
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
Shrinemaxxing in Nagoya 😆 Is this… #ShrineSunday? 🦋
The theme is animal shrines!
First is: Sheep 🐏
Hitsuji Jinja 羊神社 is supposedly one of only two sheep shrines in all of Japan! (the other is in Gunma Pref according to the priest).
The theme is animal shrines!
First is: Sheep 🐏
Hitsuji Jinja 羊神社 is supposedly one of only two sheep shrines in all of Japan! (the other is in Gunma Pref according to the priest).
October 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Shrinemaxxing in Nagoya 😆 Is this… #ShrineSunday? 🦋
The theme is animal shrines!
First is: Sheep 🐏
Hitsuji Jinja 羊神社 is supposedly one of only two sheep shrines in all of Japan! (the other is in Gunma Pref according to the priest).
The theme is animal shrines!
First is: Sheep 🐏
Hitsuji Jinja 羊神社 is supposedly one of only two sheep shrines in all of Japan! (the other is in Gunma Pref according to the priest).
Is this… a #torii? 🦋🤣
@kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social I have made us a helpful guide to figuring out what is and isn't a torii! Based on that post regarding Hokusai's drawings
October 19, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Is this… a #torii? 🦋🤣
Shrinemaxxing in Nagoya 😆 Is this… #ShrineSunday? 🦋
The theme is animal shrines!
First is: Sheep 🐏
Hitsuji Jinja 羊神社 is supposedly one of only two sheep shrines in all of Japan! (the other is in Gunma Pref according to the priest).
The theme is animal shrines!
First is: Sheep 🐏
Hitsuji Jinja 羊神社 is supposedly one of only two sheep shrines in all of Japan! (the other is in Gunma Pref according to the priest).
October 19, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Shrinemaxxing in Nagoya 😆 Is this… #ShrineSunday? 🦋
The theme is animal shrines!
First is: Sheep 🐏
Hitsuji Jinja 羊神社 is supposedly one of only two sheep shrines in all of Japan! (the other is in Gunma Pref according to the priest).
The theme is animal shrines!
First is: Sheep 🐏
Hitsuji Jinja 羊神社 is supposedly one of only two sheep shrines in all of Japan! (the other is in Gunma Pref according to the priest).
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
How AI saves time and increases productivity.
I am being asked to tell my department which pieces of lab equipment should be supported with backup power because they expect rolling blackouts and brownouts in 2026 due to increased energy demands from AI. In case you're wondering how my day is going.
October 14, 2025 at 4:52 PM
How AI saves time and increases productivity.
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
This short docu on Pokémon and nature was released a month ago but I just spotted @kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social in it 🥳
Japan: Die Blütezeit der Pokémon | Stadt Land Kunst | ARTE
YouTube video by Irgendwas mit ARTE und Kultur
youtu.be
October 16, 2025 at 8:28 AM
This short docu on Pokémon and nature was released a month ago but I just spotted @kaitlynugoretz.bsky.social in it 🥳
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
Rodney Taylor still needs our help!
He’s still locked in an ICE camp.
He’s still going without his new prosthetic legs.
He’s still facing deportation to Liberia.
He’s still having necessary disability accommodations ignored.
Please keep sharing his story. Public pressure works!
He’s still locked in an ICE camp.
He’s still going without his new prosthetic legs.
He’s still facing deportation to Liberia.
He’s still having necessary disability accommodations ignored.
Please keep sharing his story. Public pressure works!
Help Rodney Taylor, a Disabled Double Amputee Being Held by ICE
Rodney has been in the country more than 40 years. He's in solitary confinement in Georgia, being denied disability accommodations and having his medical needs ignored. He must be released.
www.disabledginger.com
October 4, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Rodney Taylor still needs our help!
He’s still locked in an ICE camp.
He’s still going without his new prosthetic legs.
He’s still facing deportation to Liberia.
He’s still having necessary disability accommodations ignored.
Please keep sharing his story. Public pressure works!
He’s still locked in an ICE camp.
He’s still going without his new prosthetic legs.
He’s still facing deportation to Liberia.
He’s still having necessary disability accommodations ignored.
Please keep sharing his story. Public pressure works!
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
This entire thread explains one of the REAL reasons I'm so pissed about this whole Bluesky CEO Waffles mess.
I liked that meme. That was a good meme. The waffles tweet from years ago was a *good tweet*, and they are DRASTICALLY misusing it and turning it into a freakin' dogwhistle for their ingroup
I liked that meme. That was a good meme. The waffles tweet from years ago was a *good tweet*, and they are DRASTICALLY misusing it and turning it into a freakin' dogwhistle for their ingroup
So I'd like to show a demonstration of what this "waffles" thing is. Here's a conversation between *this site's* CEO, some random guy, and the cofounder of "Tangled", a GitHub clone built on top of Bluesky's protocol.
Please take a moment to really think, about the shape of this thoughtlessness.
Please take a moment to really think, about the shape of this thoughtlessness.
October 4, 2025 at 3:56 AM
This entire thread explains one of the REAL reasons I'm so pissed about this whole Bluesky CEO Waffles mess.
I liked that meme. That was a good meme. The waffles tweet from years ago was a *good tweet*, and they are DRASTICALLY misusing it and turning it into a freakin' dogwhistle for their ingroup
I liked that meme. That was a good meme. The waffles tweet from years ago was a *good tweet*, and they are DRASTICALLY misusing it and turning it into a freakin' dogwhistle for their ingroup
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
I picked up several great-looking comics from this, loads to choose from!
It's that time: ShortBox Comics Fair is here!
Over 140+ all-new, original comics created by artists from around the world, gathered exclusively in one place -for October only!
And it's all online, with all digital comics: no shipping, no waiting, no travelling.
www.shortboxcomicsfair.com
Over 140+ all-new, original comics created by artists from around the world, gathered exclusively in one place -for October only!
And it's all online, with all digital comics: no shipping, no waiting, no travelling.
www.shortboxcomicsfair.com
October 2, 2025 at 3:43 PM
I picked up several great-looking comics from this, loads to choose from!
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
brb asking my publisher for an edition of Because Internet that makes the dialup screech as you open it, like a novelty birthday card, and gradually heats up the longer you read it
no no the publishing industry is doing fine, why do you ask
October 2, 2025 at 4:00 PM
brb asking my publisher for an edition of Because Internet that makes the dialup screech as you open it, like a novelty birthday card, and gradually heats up the longer you read it
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
Please kindly vote for your favorite library card design for the @pbs.org kids library card design contest 😁
And leave your graphic novel recommendations for myself and @arthurpbs.bsky.social’s Marc Brown! 🤩
And leave your graphic novel recommendations for myself and @arthurpbs.bsky.social’s Marc Brown! 🤩
September 27, 2025 at 8:17 PM
Please kindly vote for your favorite library card design for the @pbs.org kids library card design contest 😁
And leave your graphic novel recommendations for myself and @arthurpbs.bsky.social’s Marc Brown! 🤩
And leave your graphic novel recommendations for myself and @arthurpbs.bsky.social’s Marc Brown! 🤩
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
There have been two hosts in the history of Reading Rainbow. The Legend of Literacy, LeVar Burton! And... me, Mychal Threets, a librarian 🥹🤯
I am a reader, a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow made us believe and see we belong in books, we belong everywhere ✨
youtu.be/e7es7qdWVnU
I am a reader, a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow made us believe and see we belong in books, we belong everywhere ✨
youtu.be/e7es7qdWVnU
October 1, 2025 at 5:51 PM
There have been two hosts in the history of Reading Rainbow. The Legend of Literacy, LeVar Burton! And... me, Mychal Threets, a librarian 🥹🤯
I am a reader, a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow made us believe and see we belong in books, we belong everywhere ✨
youtu.be/e7es7qdWVnU
I am a reader, a librarian because LeVar Burton and Reading Rainbow made us believe and see we belong in books, we belong everywhere ✨
youtu.be/e7es7qdWVnU
I’m mega tired (it’s almost 1am in Japan) & didnt properly hype this. Posting again bc it deserves it:
Beloved kid’s literacy show #ReadingRainbow is back w the always kind & awesome Mychal the Librarian @mychal3ts.bsky.social as the new host, w prev host LeVar Burton’s blessing!! Truly good news 🥹
Beloved kid’s literacy show #ReadingRainbow is back w the always kind & awesome Mychal the Librarian @mychal3ts.bsky.social as the new host, w prev host LeVar Burton’s blessing!! Truly good news 🥹
October 2, 2025 at 3:39 PM
I’m mega tired (it’s almost 1am in Japan) & didnt properly hype this. Posting again bc it deserves it:
Beloved kid’s literacy show #ReadingRainbow is back w the always kind & awesome Mychal the Librarian @mychal3ts.bsky.social as the new host, w prev host LeVar Burton’s blessing!! Truly good news 🥹
Beloved kid’s literacy show #ReadingRainbow is back w the always kind & awesome Mychal the Librarian @mychal3ts.bsky.social as the new host, w prev host LeVar Burton’s blessing!! Truly good news 🥹
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
I'm sure this isn't a novel insight but everything happening with tech platforms must, to some degree, be driven by their managers and developers actively hating their users and rueing that they have any autonomy as human beings other than being manipulable data points for behavioral experimentation
your imaginary friend who uses too much electricity is now also annoying
October 2, 2025 at 3:30 PM
I'm sure this isn't a novel insight but everything happening with tech platforms must, to some degree, be driven by their managers and developers actively hating their users and rueing that they have any autonomy as human beings other than being manipulable data points for behavioral experimentation
Some truly good news 🥹 youtu.be/e7es7qdWVnU
Reading Rainbow🌈 | Official Trailer 🎬 | Educational Videos for Kids |@Kidzuko
YouTube video by Kidzuko
youtu.be
October 2, 2025 at 3:27 PM
Some truly good news 🥹 youtu.be/e7es7qdWVnU
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
One of my 1st jobs in Hollywood was as a file clerk for a dept of Disney called “Pooh Licensing” *pause for snickering*. PL’s job was to go after ANYONE who used Winnie the Pooh w/o paying for the right. They sued folks from bootleggers to school teachers who hung Pooh on a classroom door. CUT TO:
The Sora thing is so bleak and shows how far we've come from AI companies pretending they did not train on copyrighted material
www.404media.co/openais-sora...
www.404media.co/openais-sora...
OpenAI’s Sora 2 Copyright Infringement Machine Features Nazi SpongeBobs and Criminal Pikachus
The main use of Sora appears to generate brainrot of major beloved copyrighted characters, to say nothing of the millions of articles, images, and videos OpenAI has scraped.
www.404media.co
October 1, 2025 at 9:51 PM
One of my 1st jobs in Hollywood was as a file clerk for a dept of Disney called “Pooh Licensing” *pause for snickering*. PL’s job was to go after ANYONE who used Winnie the Pooh w/o paying for the right. They sued folks from bootleggers to school teachers who hung Pooh on a classroom door. CUT TO:
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
This is an excellent point I need to digest how it might reshape the recc's Doctorow proposes if we took the initial white-logic of platforms seriously as part of the development of their exploitative character...
"Enshittification" factually depends on platforms being at the start. "good to their users" and when it started Black people IMMEDIATELY said
these platforms were never good to us
and COLLECTIVELY
Media , Tech , Journalism< Philanthropy
said
"shut up we don't care"
these platforms were never good to us
and COLLECTIVELY
Media , Tech , Journalism< Philanthropy
said
"shut up we don't care"
October 2, 2025 at 1:46 PM
This is an excellent point I need to digest how it might reshape the recc's Doctorow proposes if we took the initial white-logic of platforms seriously as part of the development of their exploitative character...
Reposted by Dr. Kaitlyn Ugoretz
Faculty, alums, students and staff at universities across the country. Time to stand up. Your presidents and trustees need to hear from you. Stiffen their spines. Just say no to extortion.
Trump's higher ed ransom note is here - everyone would have to acquiesce to their unprecedented demands or not be "given priority for grants," plus they can demand "reimbursement" for "violations" www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy
A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy
October 2, 2025 at 9:52 AM
Faculty, alums, students and staff at universities across the country. Time to stand up. Your presidents and trustees need to hear from you. Stiffen their spines. Just say no to extortion.