Ryan Cordell
@ryancordell.org
he/him—textual technologies enthusiast—Associate Professor at UIUC's School of Information Sciences & Department of English—co-director of the Viral Texts Project (viraltexts.org) & Director @skeuomorphpress.org —also https://theanxiousbench.bandcamp.com
Pinned
Ryan Cordell
@ryancordell.org
· Sep 5
Exhalation EP, by The Anxious Bench
3 track album
theanxiousbench.bandcamp.com
Late this summer I got to go into the studio with @pablohutch.bsky.social & our buddy Tim to record some tunes—and our EP is up today on Bandcamp!
I feel a little weird as a middle-aged dude asking folks to listen to my band—but I'm pretty proud of these songs & would love if y’all gave em a listen
I feel a little weird as a middle-aged dude asking folks to listen to my band—but I'm pretty proud of these songs & would love if y’all gave em a listen
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
These barbarians are destroying everything that makes society work. Kids can't go to school, patients can't go to the hospital. We are, in effect, paying them to wreck the basic infrastructure of the country
ICE's "presence is terrifying medical staff and raising concerns about patient care, according to five nurses at HCMC hospital in Minneapolis who asked to remain anonymous for fear of losing their jobs."
Via reporter @ericazurek.bsky.social www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
Via reporter @ericazurek.bsky.social www.mprnews.org/story/2026/0...
ICE agents appear at Twin Cities hospitals, alarming health care workers
Health care workers in the Twin Cities report that U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents are entering hospitals with detained individuals, leaving some medical staff terrified and concerned ...
www.mprnews.org
January 14, 2026 at 4:28 PM
These barbarians are destroying everything that makes society work. Kids can't go to school, patients can't go to the hospital. We are, in effect, paying them to wreck the basic infrastructure of the country
Local friends & colleagues, our 1st first event @skeuomorphpress.org this spring will be a "Making Artist's Books" workshop with printer & artist Ben Blount, from 3-5 on Wed, February 4th. Spots are limited so please register if you're interested!
skeuomorph.ischool.illinois.edu/making-an-ar...
skeuomorph.ischool.illinois.edu/making-an-ar...
Making an Artist’s Book Workshop with Ben Blount – Skeuomorph Press
skeuomorph.ischool.illinois.edu
January 14, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Local friends & colleagues, our 1st first event @skeuomorphpress.org this spring will be a "Making Artist's Books" workshop with printer & artist Ben Blount, from 3-5 on Wed, February 4th. Spots are limited so please register if you're interested!
skeuomorph.ischool.illinois.edu/making-an-ar...
skeuomorph.ischool.illinois.edu/making-an-ar...
The "internal bleeding" happened when his heart finally shriveled to nothing
January 14, 2026 at 5:29 PM
The "internal bleeding" happened when his heart finally shriveled to nothing
I agree with Huang: "You have to ask yourself…what is the purpose of that narrative and what are their intentions?"
As in—what intentions might someone "who has seen his net worth skyrocket by nearly $100 billion since the AI boom started" have for saying we should stop being so negative about AI?
As in—what intentions might someone "who has seen his net worth skyrocket by nearly $100 billion since the AI boom started" have for saying we should stop being so negative about AI?
Jensen Huang Is Begging You to Stop Being So Negative About AI https://gizmodo.com/jensen-huang-is-begging-you-to-stop-being-so-negative-about-ai-2000709335
Jensen Huang Is Begging You to Stop Being So Negative About AI
" extremely hurtful, frankly, and I think we've done a lot of damage," he said.
gizmodo.com
January 13, 2026 at 9:10 PM
I agree with Huang: "You have to ask yourself…what is the purpose of that narrative and what are their intentions?"
As in—what intentions might someone "who has seen his net worth skyrocket by nearly $100 billion since the AI boom started" have for saying we should stop being so negative about AI?
As in—what intentions might someone "who has seen his net worth skyrocket by nearly $100 billion since the AI boom started" have for saying we should stop being so negative about AI?
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
My latest for @techpolicypress.bsky.social, in which I argue that Grok stands as the clearest example yet of a weaponized AI honed—through specific affordances of its integration with the X platform—as a legitimate epistemic threat.
Grok stands as the clearest example of an AI that is both ideologically aligned and operationally embedded in a social media platform, says Matthew Kirschenbaum. Its mechanisms should be taken apart under bright lights, in much the same way people learn how to defuse a bomb, he argues.
Grok is an Epistemic Weapon | TechPolicy.Press
Elon Musk's Grok claims to be truth-seeking while shaping discourse and amplifying ideology, argues Matthew Kirschenbaum.
buff.ly
January 13, 2026 at 8:37 PM
My latest for @techpolicypress.bsky.social, in which I argue that Grok stands as the clearest example yet of a weaponized AI honed—through specific affordances of its integration with the X platform—as a legitimate epistemic threat.
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
This is AMAZING. Free link further down.
A few months ago, ICE hired me
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
I didn't sign and submit any paperwork. I almost certainly failed the drug test. I'm real outspoken about my opposition to the Trump administration, and I am extremely googlable
And yet, there it was, in plain English. "Welcome to ICE!"
My latest for Slate
You’ve Heard About Who ICE Is Recruiting. The Truth Is Far Worse. I’m the Proof.
What happens when you do minimal screening before hiring agents, arming them, and sending them into the streets? We're all finding out.
slate.com
January 13, 2026 at 7:16 PM
This is AMAZING. Free link further down.
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
Nice write-up by @uwnews.uw.edu about our research into the most read canonical American authors in Seattle, drawing on library data.
It was so fun to work on this project with @neel2112.bsky.social and a stellar group of undergraduate students.
www.washington.edu/news/2026/01...
It was so fun to work on this project with @neel2112.bsky.social and a stellar group of undergraduate students.
www.washington.edu/news/2026/01...
UW researchers analyzed which anthologized writers and books get checked out the most from Seattle Public Library
UW researchers analyzed the checkout data from the last 20 years of the 93 authors included in the post-1945 volume of “The Norton Anthology of American Literature,” which is assigned in U.S....
www.washington.edu
January 12, 2026 at 4:18 PM
Nice write-up by @uwnews.uw.edu about our research into the most read canonical American authors in Seattle, drawing on library data.
It was so fun to work on this project with @neel2112.bsky.social and a stellar group of undergraduate students.
www.washington.edu/news/2026/01...
It was so fun to work on this project with @neel2112.bsky.social and a stellar group of undergraduate students.
www.washington.edu/news/2026/01...
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
We’re hiring a two-year DH postdoc for our HAVI project, to work on a new type of knowledge graph architecture for the humanities (and beyond). Deadline soon (18 Jan)! www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Research Assistant/Research Associate (Fixed Term)
Applications are invited for a full time post doctoral researcher to work on an international collaboration to develop AI-based solutions for research on archival materials as part of the Humanities
www.cam.ac.uk
January 13, 2026 at 10:14 AM
We’re hiring a two-year DH postdoc for our HAVI project, to work on a new type of knowledge graph architecture for the humanities (and beyond). Deadline soon (18 Jan)! www.cam.ac.uk/jobs/researc...
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
i hope all the people resisting ICE on the ground know how fucking inspiring they are. minneapolis right now, and chicago and LA and charlotte and DC and portland before them, you’re setting the blueprint for the future battles sure to come. thank you.
January 13, 2026 at 1:54 AM
i hope all the people resisting ICE on the ground know how fucking inspiring they are. minneapolis right now, and chicago and LA and charlotte and DC and portland before them, you’re setting the blueprint for the future battles sure to come. thank you.
As a Packers fan, I do feel so bad for Steelers fans who thought Aaron Rodgers was going to take them to the Super Bowl. With one notable exception, AR chokes in the playoffs every single time.
January 13, 2026 at 3:44 AM
As a Packers fan, I do feel so bad for Steelers fans who thought Aaron Rodgers was going to take them to the Super Bowl. With one notable exception, AR chokes in the playoffs every single time.
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
AOC: I want everybody to understand that the cuts to your health care are what’s paying for this. You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs in the street that are shooting mothers in the face.
January 13, 2026 at 1:20 AM
AOC: I want everybody to understand that the cuts to your health care are what’s paying for this. You get screwed over to pay a bunch of thugs in the street that are shooting mothers in the face.
Ah yes, the old "war on protein."
This must be why my 14-yo thinks he needs extra protein in every dish he eats, because of that relentless war on protein that’s definitely been happening
This must be why my 14-yo thinks he needs extra protein in every dish he eats, because of that relentless war on protein that’s definitely been happening
I thought this was a joke but it’s an actual post from the White House: “we are ending the war on protein”
How about ending the war on the health of this country?
How about ending the war on the health of this country?
January 12, 2026 at 8:54 PM
Ah yes, the old "war on protein."
This must be why my 14-yo thinks he needs extra protein in every dish he eats, because of that relentless war on protein that’s definitely been happening
This must be why my 14-yo thinks he needs extra protein in every dish he eats, because of that relentless war on protein that’s definitely been happening
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
It feels so radical and different to have someone in public office who just wants to help make things better.
NYSNA nurses go wild as Mayor Zohran Mamdani arrives at the picket line in Washington Heights @thecity.nyc
January 12, 2026 at 3:28 PM
It feels so radical and different to have someone in public office who just wants to help make things better.
Sadly it seems @skeuomorphpress.org will not be able to buy a Commodore 64 Ultimate from @commodoreofficial.bsky.social because they can’t do tax exempt sales. I was really looking forward to experimenting with BookLab students in the spring www.commodore.net
Home | Commodore
Honouring the past. Innovating the future. This is the first real Commodore computer in over 30 years, and it's picked up a few new tricks.
www.commodore.net
January 12, 2026 at 7:10 PM
Sadly it seems @skeuomorphpress.org will not be able to buy a Commodore 64 Ultimate from @commodoreofficial.bsky.social because they can’t do tax exempt sales. I was really looking forward to experimenting with BookLab students in the spring www.commodore.net
I have plans for a more elaborate & historically-informed project, but there was red ink on the press so I’m starting today with a more straightforward chipboard print
January 12, 2026 at 5:49 PM
I have plans for a more elaborate & historically-informed project, but there was red ink on the press so I’m starting today with a more straightforward chipboard print
Y’all remember @queermedieval.bsky.social made a fantastic woodcut of the Portland Frog, suitable for all us letterpress types.
If someone felt inspired to make something similar from this image—let’s just say I can imagine some timely broadsides that would include such a thing
If someone felt inspired to make something similar from this image—let’s just say I can imagine some timely broadsides that would include such a thing
January 12, 2026 at 4:01 PM
Y’all remember @queermedieval.bsky.social made a fantastic woodcut of the Portland Frog, suitable for all us letterpress types.
If someone felt inspired to make something similar from this image—let’s just say I can imagine some timely broadsides that would include such a thing
If someone felt inspired to make something similar from this image—let’s just say I can imagine some timely broadsides that would include such a thing
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
Perhaps harder to interpret if you didn’t hear @kiberens.bsky.social, @briancroxall.bsky.social, & @matthewkollmer.com's papers just before, but here are my brief remarks as a respondent in today’s "Student-Centered AI & DH Practices" roundtable at #mla2026
Response: Student-Centered AI & DH Practices Roundtable | Ryan C. Cordell
Book history, digital humanities, old newspapers, and information sciences
ryancordell.org
January 11, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Perhaps harder to interpret if you didn’t hear @kiberens.bsky.social, @briancroxall.bsky.social, & @matthewkollmer.com's papers just before, but here are my brief remarks as a respondent in today’s "Student-Centered AI & DH Practices" roundtable at #mla2026
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
430k of us vs. 2k of them, we're gonna win this
Cedar & 31st I think
Cedar & 31st I think
January 11, 2026 at 8:02 PM
430k of us vs. 2k of them, we're gonna win this
Cedar & 31st I think
Cedar & 31st I think
Perhaps harder to interpret if you didn’t hear @kiberens.bsky.social, @briancroxall.bsky.social, & @matthewkollmer.com's papers just before, but here are my brief remarks as a respondent in today’s "Student-Centered AI & DH Practices" roundtable at #mla2026
Response: Student-Centered AI & DH Practices Roundtable | Ryan C. Cordell
Book history, digital humanities, old newspapers, and information sciences
ryancordell.org
January 11, 2026 at 8:24 PM
Perhaps harder to interpret if you didn’t hear @kiberens.bsky.social, @briancroxall.bsky.social, & @matthewkollmer.com's papers just before, but here are my brief remarks as a respondent in today’s "Student-Centered AI & DH Practices" roundtable at #mla2026
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
Trotting out @ryancordell.org’s work again. Timely as ever.
January 11, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Trotting out @ryancordell.org’s work again. Timely as ever.
Y’all calling us murderers really just makes us want to murder y’all even more
Homan: "We gotta stop the hateful rhetoric. Saying this officer is a murderer is dangerous. It's just ridiculous. It's gonna infuriate people more which means there's gonna be more incidents like this."
January 11, 2026 at 7:23 PM
Y’all calling us murderers really just makes us want to murder y’all even more
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
Deadline tomorrow!
CFPs here, deadline soon: americanliteratureassociation.org/wp-content/u...
January 11, 2026 at 6:36 PM
Deadline tomorrow!
Reposted by Ryan Cordell
Art prints to support the original Portland Frog, who's been arrested while protesting. 🐸 #DHmakes
The guy who first dressed as Portland Frog, a major symbol of our protest and then other national protests, has been arrested while peacefully protesting. Prints of this painting by Simran Gleason are being sold to support his defense. www.simrangleason.com/prints/p/por... #pdx #protest
January 11, 2026 at 7:26 AM
Art prints to support the original Portland Frog, who's been arrested while protesting. 🐸 #DHmakes
Welp that was a lightning trip to Toronto & I barely got to see the city, but thankfully I’ll be back in June for the “Thinking Through Printing” symposium, hopefully for a longer visit.
January 11, 2026 at 7:09 PM
Welp that was a lightning trip to Toronto & I barely got to see the city, but thankfully I’ll be back in June for the “Thinking Through Printing” symposium, hopefully for a longer visit.
I’ve also thought a lot recently about my grandaddy—grew up in the Depression—a sailor in WWII—worked as a welder, quarryman, & Southern Baptist pastor—exemplified a "traditional" masculinity—& he would have been baffled by the version of masculinity trumpeted by politicians & podcasters in 2025
I’ve been thinking a lot about the last time I deliberately visited my cousins in north Georgia in 2004—We’ve always been really different—they’re conservatives, hunters, gun owners & I’m the pointy-headed academic—I remember them ribbing me about the John Kerry sticker on our car, cheering for Bush
January 10, 2026 at 6:59 PM
I’ve also thought a lot recently about my grandaddy—grew up in the Depression—a sailor in WWII—worked as a welder, quarryman, & Southern Baptist pastor—exemplified a "traditional" masculinity—& he would have been baffled by the version of masculinity trumpeted by politicians & podcasters in 2025