Rachel Ernst
@rachelernst.myatproto.social
Teacher and librarian
Tea lover
she/her
Tea lover
she/her
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
My hottest take is that food made within a family is an expression of love. It comes from a desire to sustain and comfort people we cherish.
So inviting assholes to the meal defeats the purpose.
So inviting assholes to the meal defeats the purpose.
What's your hottest Thanksgiving food take?
November 26, 2025 at 1:57 AM
My hottest take is that food made within a family is an expression of love. It comes from a desire to sustain and comfort people we cherish.
So inviting assholes to the meal defeats the purpose.
So inviting assholes to the meal defeats the purpose.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
In 1924, Calvin Coolidge's 16-yr-old son played tennis on the White House grounds w/o wearing socks. He got a blister and was dead from infection a week later.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
For a yr, I've been working on a series for The New Atlantis about the vast systems that underlie our lives. Our ancestors built them up over decades to fend off hunger, thirst, darkness and disease. But too few of us know about them—and they're all at risk. The conclusion is now available online:
Why We Are Better Off Than a Century Ago
Our ancestors built grand public systems to conquer hunger, thirst, darkness, and squalor. That progress can be lost if we forget it.
www.thenewatlantis.com
November 25, 2025 at 9:03 PM
In 1924, Calvin Coolidge's 16-yr-old son played tennis on the White House grounds w/o wearing socks. He got a blister and was dead from infection a week later.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
This is unthinkable today—which is why I wrote this series. Cuz the systems that save us from this kind of fate are in urgent need of care.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
“OpenAI’s court filing argued that the harms in this case were at least partly caused by Raine’s ‘failure to heed warnings, obtain help, or otherwise exercise reasonable care,’ as well as the ‘failure of others to respond to his obvious signs of distress.’”
OpenAI denies allegations that ChatGPT is to blame for a teenager's suicide
Adam Raine's family sued the AI company in August. On Tuesday, OpenAI said in a new court filing that it isn't responsible for the teen's death.
www.nbcnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 12:54 AM
“OpenAI’s court filing argued that the harms in this case were at least partly caused by Raine’s ‘failure to heed warnings, obtain help, or otherwise exercise reasonable care,’ as well as the ‘failure of others to respond to his obvious signs of distress.’”
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
So my pie take is there are no bad pies, but some pies have to be eaten a certain way:
1. Pecan: Always good
2. Fruit: Must be homemade. Otherwise bad.
3. Pumpkin: Best eaten cold at 7 am standing over a sink before everyone wakes up
1. Pecan: Always good
2. Fruit: Must be homemade. Otherwise bad.
3. Pumpkin: Best eaten cold at 7 am standing over a sink before everyone wakes up
Apple pie is bad. This is not really debatable. So is key lime pie, while we’re on the topic. Pecan pie is the 🐐 tho.
November 25, 2025 at 10:48 PM
So my pie take is there are no bad pies, but some pies have to be eaten a certain way:
1. Pecan: Always good
2. Fruit: Must be homemade. Otherwise bad.
3. Pumpkin: Best eaten cold at 7 am standing over a sink before everyone wakes up
1. Pecan: Always good
2. Fruit: Must be homemade. Otherwise bad.
3. Pumpkin: Best eaten cold at 7 am standing over a sink before everyone wakes up
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
i think everyone should eat the food that makes them happy :)
November 25, 2025 at 11:41 PM
i think everyone should eat the food that makes them happy :)
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I see some book piracy discourse, and, to make a positive argument in favor of buying books, your marginal ability to influence what books get published and support the careers of writers you like is massive compared to most other forms of media.
November 25, 2025 at 11:07 PM
I once asked a bookseller at a large indie store how many people would have to buy a book for it to get the attention of the store buyer and cause an additional order and they said: Three.
I found my people. 😂😭
Millennial children to Boomer Parents "be" like ... monitoring their movements within 60 feet is "not great"
but also
but also
a man in a suit and tie is pointing his finger at his eye
ALT: a man in a suit and tie is pointing his finger at his eye
media.tenor.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:31 PM
I found my people. 😂😭
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
www.reuters.com
November 25, 2025 at 10:10 AM
BREAKING: This is huge news, the EU's equivalent of the 🇺🇸Supreme Court's 2015 Obergefell v. Hodges ruling.
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
🇪🇺Court of Justice just ruled all 🇪🇺countries must recognise same-sex marriages granted in other member states.
This effectively legalises gay marriage across 🇪🇺
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
I caused a minor ham explosion prepping for Christmas Eve dinner.
And there was a whoomph and a visible fireball that actually blew the oven door open.
And there was a whoomph and a visible fireball that actually blew the oven door open.
November 25, 2025 at 2:04 AM
I caused a minor ham explosion prepping for Christmas Eve dinner.
And there was a whoomph and a visible fireball that actually blew the oven door open.
And there was a whoomph and a visible fireball that actually blew the oven door open.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
November 24, 2025 at 11:39 PM
yes, hello, I would like to place an order for everyone’s funniest stories of holiday food-related family grudges / drama / chaotic incidents / lore
I feel like we need this
I feel like we need this
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died
Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old.
www.whatimreading.net
November 24, 2025 at 8:45 PM
Breaking: Viola Ford Fletcher, the oldest living survivor of the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, has died. She was 111 years old
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Even if you haven’t been masking, even if you’re a little embarrassed, no matter what the circumstances, masking in the airport and on the plane can keep everyone safer, including you, your loved ones & everyone you don’t know too! And bonus-hides judgy facial expressions. Mask up!
November 24, 2025 at 1:35 PM
Even if you haven’t been masking, even if you’re a little embarrassed, no matter what the circumstances, masking in the airport and on the plane can keep everyone safer, including you, your loved ones & everyone you don’t know too! And bonus-hides judgy facial expressions. Mask up!
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
I 100% agree and would add that if you are hosting a holiday event and you do NOT have something festive, creative and delicious for your guests to drink without alcohol in it, you are actually an asshole
don't make them drink tap water while everyone else has bespoke cocktails!
don't make them drink tap water while everyone else has bespoke cocktails!
Just a friendly reminder as we go into the holidays:
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
Folks don't have to explain to you why they don't drink.
If you offer them a drink and they decline, don't ask them why. It's not your business.
Just offer them something without alcohol to drink instead. And move on.
November 24, 2025 at 3:34 AM
I 100% agree and would add that if you are hosting a holiday event and you do NOT have something festive, creative and delicious for your guests to drink without alcohol in it, you are actually an asshole
don't make them drink tap water while everyone else has bespoke cocktails!
don't make them drink tap water while everyone else has bespoke cocktails!
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Those who pride themselves on being “brutally honest” all the time are more concerned with being brutal than being honest. They only ever say negative things.
They never say, “I just have to be brutally honest - your hair looks amazing”
They never say, “I just have to be brutally honest - your hair looks amazing”
November 23, 2025 at 10:38 PM
Those who pride themselves on being “brutally honest” all the time are more concerned with being brutal than being honest. They only ever say negative things.
They never say, “I just have to be brutally honest - your hair looks amazing”
They never say, “I just have to be brutally honest - your hair looks amazing”
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
“we need to be nicer to men” bro they didn’t let women have their own credit cards til 50 years ago
November 23, 2025 at 10:39 PM
“we need to be nicer to men” bro they didn’t let women have their own credit cards til 50 years ago
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
November 23, 2025 at 8:29 PM
Twitter accounts are based in Russia. BlueSky accounts are based in homes with, frankly, too many books, plants, obsolete cables, and pieces of rustic pottery, that could do with a bit of a tidying up, to be honest.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
the last 24 hours on X, summed up:
November 23, 2025 at 2:26 PM
the last 24 hours on X, summed up:
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
There has literally never been a universal basic income trial program that didn't deliver real and measurable results above and beyond any other form of social welfare, and every time another concludes with the same findings the powers that be go "interesting! Anyway," and pretend it wouldn't work.
November 22, 2025 at 6:00 AM
There has literally never been a universal basic income trial program that didn't deliver real and measurable results above and beyond any other form of social welfare, and every time another concludes with the same findings the powers that be go "interesting! Anyway," and pretend it wouldn't work.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
1974 tornado outbreak. It suddenly got really dark, I freaked the fuck out, escaped the classroom and went looking for my big brother. A librarian grabbed me by the collar, dragged me into the library and threw her body on top of mine just as the twister hit the nursery school across the street.
November 23, 2025 at 1:14 AM
1974 tornado outbreak. It suddenly got really dark, I freaked the fuck out, escaped the classroom and went looking for my big brother. A librarian grabbed me by the collar, dragged me into the library and threw her body on top of mine just as the twister hit the nursery school across the street.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Regret to report that there has been another good linkedin post
November 22, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Regret to report that there has been another good linkedin post
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
I used to handle interlibrary loans for a public library. ILL is a magnificent expression of the idea that readers deserve books, and books deserve readers. It’s libraries everywhere pooling their resources for the benefit of everyone.
Killing IMLS could have killed ILL.
This is great news. 📚
Killing IMLS could have killed ILL.
This is great news. 📚
Court permanently blocks Trump's executive order to dismantle federal agency for America's libraries IMLS
librarytechnology.org/pr/31973
librarytechnology.org/pr/31973
Court permanently blocks Trump's executive order to dismantle federal agency for America's libraries
Press Release: Court permanently blocks Trump's executive order to dismantle federal agency for America's libraries. The U.S. District Court for the District of Rhode Island struck down the Trump Adm...
librarytechnology.org
November 22, 2025 at 3:23 PM
I used to handle interlibrary loans for a public library. ILL is a magnificent expression of the idea that readers deserve books, and books deserve readers. It’s libraries everywhere pooling their resources for the benefit of everyone.
Killing IMLS could have killed ILL.
This is great news. 📚
Killing IMLS could have killed ILL.
This is great news. 📚
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Friendly reminder that dishwashers made after 1995 or so are so water and energy efficient that even if you ran them twice fully loaded it would still use less water than handwashing the same load.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
November 12, 2025 at 5:03 AM
Friendly reminder that dishwashers made after 1995 or so are so water and energy efficient that even if you ran them twice fully loaded it would still use less water than handwashing the same load.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
So many "green" things feel like sacrifices. Dishwashers are not one of them.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
A Border Patrol agent shot her 5x, bragged about it in texts. The govt accused her of being a domestic terrorist armed with a semiautomatic weapon who rammed agents with her car.
Now? No govt objection to dismissing the case w/prejudice.
RELENTLESS govt lies to the press, reluctant truth in court.
Now? No govt objection to dismissing the case w/prejudice.
RELENTLESS govt lies to the press, reluctant truth in court.
Government says it has no objection to the dismissal being with prejudice.
Defense attorneys also want their clients' confiscated property returned to them.
Defense attorneys also want their clients' confiscated property returned to them.
November 20, 2025 at 10:19 PM
A Border Patrol agent shot her 5x, bragged about it in texts. The govt accused her of being a domestic terrorist armed with a semiautomatic weapon who rammed agents with her car.
Now? No govt objection to dismissing the case w/prejudice.
RELENTLESS govt lies to the press, reluctant truth in court.
Now? No govt objection to dismissing the case w/prejudice.
RELENTLESS govt lies to the press, reluctant truth in court.
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Kinda grim that this was the government going “well ok fine, if swastikas are UNPOPULAR I guess we won’t do it”
Important to understand that shame has no power over these people, because they feel no shame over doing things like promoting Nazism, but sufficient "noise" in the form of media attention and complaints from embarrassed Republicans can have some effect on policy.
wapo.st/4rdDQew
wapo.st/4rdDQew
In reversal, Coast Guard again classifies swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The new order came hours after The Post reported the service would instead classify such symbols as “potentially divisive” under guidelines set for release next month.
wapo.st
November 21, 2025 at 2:06 PM
Kinda grim that this was the government going “well ok fine, if swastikas are UNPOPULAR I guess we won’t do it”
Reposted by Rachel Ernst
Two weeks should be the minimum amount of time for any announcement to go out about things needed for school. This really isn't too much to ask.
November 21, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Two weeks should be the minimum amount of time for any announcement to go out about things needed for school. This really isn't too much to ask.