Rebecca Dean
@rmdean.bsky.social
Anthropologist (archaeology, biological anth, ecology). Director of Assessment and Data Analytics. Former Michigan diaspora now home but missing Minnesota. UMich grad working at MSU. Never speaks for MSU.
Pinned
Rebecca Dean
@rmdean.bsky.social
· Sep 21
and what doth the Lord require of thee but to do justly and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
DHS has shot 12 people during immigration enforcement operations since September:
January 25, 2026 at 4:27 PM
DHS has shot 12 people during immigration enforcement operations since September:
This (and my previous reskeet) are also relevant for science communication, including around public health. It’s really hard to teach students that facts can actually be harmful in, say, communication around vaccines. But it’s important to think about what actually works.
First, stop arguing facts. Facts feel like attacks when belief is tied to identity. Direct correction only makes people dig in harder. Questions, inconsistencies, and unresolved tension work better because they do not trigger defense in the same way.
January 25, 2026 at 2:12 PM
This (and my previous reskeet) are also relevant for science communication, including around public health. It’s really hard to teach students that facts can actually be harmful in, say, communication around vaccines. But it’s important to think about what actually works.
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
First, stop arguing facts. Facts feel like attacks when belief is tied to identity. Direct correction only makes people dig in harder. Questions, inconsistencies, and unresolved tension work better because they do not trigger defense in the same way.
January 25, 2026 at 5:55 AM
First, stop arguing facts. Facts feel like attacks when belief is tied to identity. Direct correction only makes people dig in harder. Questions, inconsistencies, and unresolved tension work better because they do not trigger defense in the same way.
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
One of the most critical skills to develop when you’re new to activism is knowing the difference between people who are teachable vs people who gleefully refuse to engage with reality.
We need to change as many minds as we can, as fast as we can—AND we have no time for minds that refuse to change.
We need to change as many minds as we can, as fast as we can—AND we have no time for minds that refuse to change.
January 25, 2026 at 12:52 PM
One of the most critical skills to develop when you’re new to activism is knowing the difference between people who are teachable vs people who gleefully refuse to engage with reality.
We need to change as many minds as we can, as fast as we can—AND we have no time for minds that refuse to change.
We need to change as many minds as we can, as fast as we can—AND we have no time for minds that refuse to change.
I went to the MSU vs UMN hockey game last night. So much fun! My shirt said Spartans but I suspect that walking across campus in a jacket without hat or gloves in 9F gave off major Minnesota vibes.
January 25, 2026 at 12:56 PM
I went to the MSU vs UMN hockey game last night. So much fun! My shirt said Spartans but I suspect that walking across campus in a jacket without hat or gloves in 9F gave off major Minnesota vibes.
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
January 25, 2026 at 1:18 AM
A video of Alex Pretti reading out the final salute of an unnamed veteran he cared for until the end of his life in the ICU, posted to Facebook by his son.
I have written and deleted a dozen skeets. There just aren't any words.
January 24, 2026 at 8:10 PM
I have written and deleted a dozen skeets. There just aren't any words.
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
Does everyone have a warm bed?
Does everyone have enough to eat?
Does everyone have a place to be safe?
Whose getting snatched in the night?
- Junauda Petrus, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again"
Does everyone have enough to eat?
Does everyone have a place to be safe?
Whose getting snatched in the night?
- Junauda Petrus, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again"
lims.minneapolismn.gov
January 24, 2026 at 7:32 PM
Does everyone have a warm bed?
Does everyone have enough to eat?
Does everyone have a place to be safe?
Whose getting snatched in the night?
- Junauda Petrus, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again"
Does everyone have enough to eat?
Does everyone have a place to be safe?
Whose getting snatched in the night?
- Junauda Petrus, "Ritual on How to Love Minneapolis Again"
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
Hey, the excellent Minneapolis arts and culture magazine Racket took down their paywall for the day, so you can go read their coverage of the occupation unhindered. Start here: racketmn.com/voices-of-th...
January 23, 2026 at 3:41 PM
Hey, the excellent Minneapolis arts and culture magazine Racket took down their paywall for the day, so you can go read their coverage of the occupation unhindered. Start here: racketmn.com/voices-of-th...
Gravity? I have too much fluff for gravity.
January 23, 2026 at 4:22 PM
Gravity? I have too much fluff for gravity.
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
My new book DOMESTICATED was published today, and I am having all of the emotions. I am proud of this work - and also happy that it is finally out in the world as a fully open access publication.
#SilkRoads #Archaeology #Pastoralism #Eurasia #Asia #Farming #CentralAsia #UniversityofMichigan
#SilkRoads #Archaeology #Pastoralism #Eurasia #Asia #Farming #CentralAsia #UniversityofMichigan
Domesticated: How Cultivated Species Altered Ancient Silk Road Societies
Abstract. Domesticated approaches the past through novel archaeological methods to rewrite the existing narrative of the rise of social complexity in the g
academic.oup.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:46 PM
My new book DOMESTICATED was published today, and I am having all of the emotions. I am proud of this work - and also happy that it is finally out in the world as a fully open access publication.
#SilkRoads #Archaeology #Pastoralism #Eurasia #Asia #Farming #CentralAsia #UniversityofMichigan
#SilkRoads #Archaeology #Pastoralism #Eurasia #Asia #Farming #CentralAsia #UniversityofMichigan
I had a dream that a giant blue cockroach had crawled into my ear and got stuck. (This happened to a friend in the field once, it just wasn't blue). I woke with a start and my left ear was clogged because I was lying on it weird. I flicked my head violently and couldn't get back to sleep for hours.
Brains are ridiculous. Boooo
January 23, 2026 at 1:09 PM
I had a dream that a giant blue cockroach had crawled into my ear and got stuck. (This happened to a friend in the field once, it just wasn't blue). I woke with a start and my left ear was clogged because I was lying on it weird. I flicked my head violently and couldn't get back to sleep for hours.
Brains are ridiculous. Boooo
January 23, 2026 at 11:52 AM
Brains are ridiculous. Boooo
In my lifetime, the GOP has gone from "It's Morning in America" to "We're turning the Titanic around so we can sink facing the other direction." 🤷♀️
Vance on the economy:
"You don't turn the Titanic around overnight"
"You don't turn the Titanic around overnight"
January 22, 2026 at 7:19 PM
In my lifetime, the GOP has gone from "It's Morning in America" to "We're turning the Titanic around so we can sink facing the other direction." 🤷♀️
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
Interested in zooarchaeology and social dynamics in Upper Douro walled enclosures?
Develop your #PhD at #ICArEHB through the #FCT #Fellowships 2026.
More info 👉
www.icarehb.com/fct-phd-fell...
#Archaeology #Research #Prehistory #ScienceCareers #PhDLife
Develop your #PhD at #ICArEHB through the #FCT #Fellowships 2026.
More info 👉
www.icarehb.com/fct-phd-fell...
#Archaeology #Research #Prehistory #ScienceCareers #PhDLife
January 22, 2026 at 2:13 PM
Interested in zooarchaeology and social dynamics in Upper Douro walled enclosures?
Develop your #PhD at #ICArEHB through the #FCT #Fellowships 2026.
More info 👉
www.icarehb.com/fct-phd-fell...
#Archaeology #Research #Prehistory #ScienceCareers #PhDLife
Develop your #PhD at #ICArEHB through the #FCT #Fellowships 2026.
More info 👉
www.icarehb.com/fct-phd-fell...
#Archaeology #Research #Prehistory #ScienceCareers #PhDLife
My rural MN home still has 56% approval for You Know Who, but he won the election by 62% so…progress? My current county has 36% approval. I love MN but for many reasons I’m glad we moved here.
Today I am publishing what I believe to be the most detailed available map of Trump's job approval rating. Powered by over 12,000 interviews for our Strength In Numbers/Verasight poll. I hope this generates many stories, and hours wasted exploring data!
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/a-very-det...
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/a-very-det...
A very detailed map of Trump's job approval
Explore our new interactive map of Trump's job approval, powered by 12,000 survey interviews conducted in 2025 and 2026
www.gelliottmorris.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:42 PM
My rural MN home still has 56% approval for You Know Who, but he won the election by 62% so…progress? My current county has 36% approval. I love MN but for many reasons I’m glad we moved here.
Liam’s scared little face beneath the blue floppy ears. Renee’s brilliant smile. The soul-burdening weight of these images.
January 22, 2026 at 12:38 PM
Liam’s scared little face beneath the blue floppy ears. Renee’s brilliant smile. The soul-burdening weight of these images.
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino is seen deploying a gas canister at Mueller Park in south Minneapolis this afternoon.
Video by Ben Luhmann.
Video by Ben Luhmann.
January 21, 2026 at 11:57 PM
U.S. Customs and Border Patrol Cmdr. Greg Bovino is seen deploying a gas canister at Mueller Park in south Minneapolis this afternoon.
Video by Ben Luhmann.
Video by Ben Luhmann.
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
Gift article
Preschooler and three other students detained by ICE, school district leader says
The detentions of Columbia Heights students come after weeks of heightened concern and enforcement presence near and on Twin Cities school property.
www.startribune.com
January 22, 2026 at 12:54 AM
Gift article
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
Federal agents pinned a man to the ground in south Minneapolis and sprayed him with chemical irritants directly in the face.
Minnesota Star Tribune photographer Rich Tsong-Taatarii did not witness the man put his hands on agents.
Minnesota Star Tribune photographer Rich Tsong-Taatarii did not witness the man put his hands on agents.
January 22, 2026 at 1:19 AM
Federal agents pinned a man to the ground in south Minneapolis and sprayed him with chemical irritants directly in the face.
Minnesota Star Tribune photographer Rich Tsong-Taatarii did not witness the man put his hands on agents.
Minnesota Star Tribune photographer Rich Tsong-Taatarii did not witness the man put his hands on agents.
Reposted by Rebecca Dean
Exquisite. #Archaeology
Something beautiful for the weekend! ✨
A rare rock crystal tool made by Neanderthals between 200,000 - 40,000 years ago.
From a Mousterian level at the Merveilles rockshelter, Sergeac, Dordogne, France. 6 x 3.3 x 1.5 cm.
Musée d’Archéologie Nationale, Saint-Germain-en-Laye 📷 by me
#Archaeology
A rare rock crystal tool made by Neanderthals between 200,000 - 40,000 years ago.
From a Mousterian level at the Merveilles rockshelter, Sergeac, Dordogne, France. 6 x 3.3 x 1.5 cm.
Musée d’Archéologie Nationale, Saint-Germain-en-Laye 📷 by me
#Archaeology
January 18, 2026 at 12:06 AM
Exquisite. #Archaeology
It's like shame no longer exists.
Karoline Leavitt is denying that Trump mixed up Greenland and Iceland multiple times during his speech today.
January 21, 2026 at 6:02 PM
It's like shame no longer exists.