Sadie Witkowski, PhD
@sadiewit.bsky.social
Constantly ranting about fandom (mostly Supernatural) & science (mostly 🧠)
Scientist, storyteller, scuba diver, podcaster
Scientist, storyteller, scuba diver, podcaster
Pinned
Watched Casablanca last night with friends to give myself a little break.
Somehow, it feels hopeful to watch a WW2 movie about resistance that came out BEFORE the nazis were defeated. We forget that unlike movies, we don’t know the end of this story.
WE get to make the ending ourselves.
Somehow, it feels hopeful to watch a WW2 movie about resistance that came out BEFORE the nazis were defeated. We forget that unlike movies, we don’t know the end of this story.
WE get to make the ending ourselves.
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
Court battle over surveillance footage at the Broadview ICE detention center reaches new levels of kafkaesque absurdity: The DOJ claimed it *couldn't afford* hard drives to put video footage on. Plaintiffs bought THE US GOVERNMENT hard drives. ICE "lost" them.
www.404media.co/government-l...
www.404media.co/government-l...
Government Loses Hard Drives It Was Supposed to Put ICE Detention Center Footage On
A Kafkaesque saga in which the government has failed to produce critical video footage has reached new levels of absurdity.
www.404media.co
February 11, 2026 at 6:09 PM
Court battle over surveillance footage at the Broadview ICE detention center reaches new levels of kafkaesque absurdity: The DOJ claimed it *couldn't afford* hard drives to put video footage on. Plaintiffs bought THE US GOVERNMENT hard drives. ICE "lost" them.
www.404media.co/government-l...
www.404media.co/government-l...
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
Artificial light at night may extend pollen season by 1–2 weeks, raising allergy risks.
Researchers say light pollution is a public-health “blind spot” urban planners should consider.
Researchers say light pollution is a public-health “blind spot” urban planners should consider.
Light pollution could worsen allergy seasons, new study suggests
Nighttime light is a well-known hazard for migrating birds and sea turtles. New research suggests it may also pose risks for human health. The study finds that plants exposed to artificial light at…
news.mongabay.com
February 8, 2026 at 4:45 AM
Artificial light at night may extend pollen season by 1–2 weeks, raising allergy risks.
Researchers say light pollution is a public-health “blind spot” urban planners should consider.
Researchers say light pollution is a public-health “blind spot” urban planners should consider.
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
This is the Yale professor's explanation for why he described the physical attractiveness of a student in an email to Epstein. He explicitly says he regrets nothing about their association.
Again, I'm so happy Yale hired David Brooks to restore trust.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
Again, I'm so happy Yale hired David Brooks to restore trust.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
February 5, 2026 at 4:14 PM
This is the Yale professor's explanation for why he described the physical attractiveness of a student in an email to Epstein. He explicitly says he regrets nothing about their association.
Again, I'm so happy Yale hired David Brooks to restore trust.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
Again, I'm so happy Yale hired David Brooks to restore trust.
yaledailynews.com/articles/gel...
Best part over January: that it’s over
Worst (personal) part of February: our kitchen sink’s porcelain bowl cracked from the drain all the way up the side & is unusable 🫠
Worst (personal) part of February: our kitchen sink’s porcelain bowl cracked from the drain all the way up the side & is unusable 🫠
February 5, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Best part over January: that it’s over
Worst (personal) part of February: our kitchen sink’s porcelain bowl cracked from the drain all the way up the side & is unusable 🫠
Worst (personal) part of February: our kitchen sink’s porcelain bowl cracked from the drain all the way up the side & is unusable 🫠
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
'measles outbreak at the child prison' seems entirely avoidable, it's really the kind of thing that only happens if you do several unthinkably evil things on purpose all at once
Horrifying. ICE confirms measles outbreak at Dilley family detention center. www.cbsnews.com/news/ice-dil...
ICE halts "all movement" at Texas detention facility due to measles infections
The measles cases at the Dilley Immigration Processing Center were detected Friday, Department of Homeland Security spokesperson Tricia McLaughlin said in a statement to CBS News.
www.cbsnews.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:31 AM
'measles outbreak at the child prison' seems entirely avoidable, it's really the kind of thing that only happens if you do several unthinkably evil things on purpose all at once
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
January 31, 2026 at 9:02 PM
Academics vying for a spot in Epstein‘s world. There are so many. I feel the need to make a thread, so I don’t keep confusing them. 1/
But don’t worry, we hired a bunch of thugs with no background checks to tear gas our schools and murder citizens.
I hate it here
I hate it here
"That exodus was only 3% of the 335,192 federal workers who exited last year but represents 14% of the total number of Ph.D.s in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) or health fields employed at the end of 2024..." www.science.org/content/arti... 🧪
U.S. government has lost more than 10,000 STEM Ph.D.s since Trump took office
A Science analysis reveals how many were fired, retired, or quit across 14 agencies
www.science.org
January 30, 2026 at 1:35 AM
But don’t worry, we hired a bunch of thugs with no background checks to tear gas our schools and murder citizens.
I hate it here
I hate it here
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
This kind of thing is a double defeat.
Not only do you settle without getting anything new.
You also concede the reality that they've been acting illegally to the false claim it's all been legal until now.
Not only do you settle without getting anything new.
You also concede the reality that they've been acting illegally to the false claim it's all been legal until now.
Opposition party doing so good that they’re gonna pass a law that exists already and tell us it’s a win 🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️🤦🏽♀️
House Minority Leader Hakeem Jeffries (D-N.Y.) on Thursday said House Democrats will demand a ban on the deportation of American citizens as a condition of winning their support for legislation funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS).
January 30, 2026 at 1:32 AM
This kind of thing is a double defeat.
Not only do you settle without getting anything new.
You also concede the reality that they've been acting illegally to the false claim it's all been legal until now.
Not only do you settle without getting anything new.
You also concede the reality that they've been acting illegally to the false claim it's all been legal until now.
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...
ICE’s excuse for wearing masks has never actually manifested
There have been incidents of harassment and threats. But there are no apparent incidents in which identified ICE officers have been assaulted off-duty.
www.pbump.net
January 29, 2026 at 6:05 PM
Finally got around to a bit of research I'd been meaning to explore, and: There is no documented instance of an ICE officer being identified and assaulted while off duty because he wasn't masked. www.pbump.net/o/ices-excus...
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
he just…tweeted it out etc.
Trump: "I don't want to drive housing prices down. I want to drive housing prices up for people who own homes."
January 29, 2026 at 7:06 PM
he just…tweeted it out etc.
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
“[Liam] keeps asking about that hat and that backpack that are in the picture,” the congressman said. “I think they took that from him.”
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
Rep. Joaquin Castro meets with the 5-year-old boy held with his father at a Texas detention facility | CNN
US Rep. Joaquin Castro met Wednesday with Liam Conejo Ramos, the 5-year-old Minnesota boy taken from his family’s suburban Minneapolis driveway last week after federal agents apprehended his father, t...
www.cnn.com
January 29, 2026 at 5:52 AM
“[Liam] keeps asking about that hat and that backpack that are in the picture,” the congressman said. “I think they took that from him.”
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
www.cnn.com/2026/01/28/u...
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
they're executing moms and nurses in the street. they're using preschoolers as bait. they're stealing people's dads and grandmas and children. they're tear gassing babies. they're staking out schools. there is no remedy but abolition. any proposal that doesn't start there is an act of violence.
January 24, 2026 at 7:48 PM
they're executing moms and nurses in the street. they're using preschoolers as bait. they're stealing people's dads and grandmas and children. they're tear gassing babies. they're staking out schools. there is no remedy but abolition. any proposal that doesn't start there is an act of violence.
You know you worked out hard when your socks are soaked through with sweat 💪🥵
January 24, 2026 at 1:31 AM
You know you worked out hard when your socks are soaked through with sweat 💪🥵
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
January 23, 2026 at 4:01 PM
In solidarity with today's ICE OUT OF MINNESOTA blackout, MinnMax is donating $1 to the Immigrant Law Center of Minnesota for every share of this Bluesky post for the next hour.
Timeline cleanse with Mochi
January 23, 2026 at 1:57 PM
Timeline cleanse with Mochi
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
‘Terrible things are happening outside… Families are torn apart; men, women and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared. Women return… to find their families gone.’
Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
ICE detains five-year-old Minnesota boy arriving home, say school officials
Superintendent says Liam Ramos and his father were taken into custody while in their driveway and sent to Texas
www.theguardian.com
January 22, 2026 at 7:43 AM
‘Terrible things are happening outside… Families are torn apart; men, women and children are separated. Children come home from school to find that their parents have disappeared. Women return… to find their families gone.’
Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Anne Frank, The Diary of a Young Girl.
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2026...
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
🚨HOLY CRAP. An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional!
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
January 21, 2026 at 10:00 PM
🚨HOLY CRAP. An ICE whistleblower just revealed a secret memo authorizing ICE officers to break into homes without a judicial warrant, which DHS's own legal training materials say is unconstitutional!
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
ICE then hid the memo from the public, passing it along by word of mouth and private conversation.
I spend more and more time wondering how it felt to live in Germany as an average citizen in the 1920s.
An imperfect comparison, but one that can’t seem to leave my mind.
An imperfect comparison, but one that can’t seem to leave my mind.
January 22, 2026 at 12:20 AM
I spend more and more time wondering how it felt to live in Germany as an average citizen in the 1920s.
An imperfect comparison, but one that can’t seem to leave my mind.
An imperfect comparison, but one that can’t seem to leave my mind.
So excited to see this new iteration for fansplaining! 🎉
SO EXCITED TO ANNOUNCE THIS TODAY!!
I really do believe the mainstream media's interest in fan culture was temporary; today's outlets seem to care so little about culture writing, period. I can't wait to publish all the talented folks out there (especially adding criticism to our remit!). 💕
I really do believe the mainstream media's interest in fan culture was temporary; today's outlets seem to care so little about culture writing, period. I can't wait to publish all the talented folks out there (especially adding criticism to our remit!). 💕
🎉 THE BIG NEWS IS HERE 🎉
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
This spring, Fansplaining will relaunch as a full weekly publication, featuring reporting, analysis, criticism, personal essays, and much more, all under our longtime strapline: “By, for, and about fandom.”
Check out our full announcement (in written and audio form):
January 21, 2026 at 5:52 PM
So excited to see this new iteration for fansplaining! 🎉
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
I think people underestimate how big this is. Like a city-wide strike is not something that has happened in the US for nearly 100 years
there are a bunch of big names on this list, including multiple beard award winners, and some places i never would have guessed in a hundred years (the malt shop?!) and i'm genuinely floored and delighted to see so many participants
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
bringmethenews.com/minnesota-li...
List of Minnesota businesses closing for Jan. 23 anti-ICE strike
First announced by faith leaders and unions on Jan. 13, Minnesota businesses have begun announcing plans to join the action.
bringmethenews.com
January 20, 2026 at 11:37 PM
I think people underestimate how big this is. Like a city-wide strike is not something that has happened in the US for nearly 100 years
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
Next Episode of SPN20 Music Extravaganza Podcast Series 🥰
@sadiewit.bsky.social @dwnpod.bsky.social
foundmyjam.com/more-than-back
@sadiewit.bsky.social @dwnpod.bsky.social
foundmyjam.com/more-than-back
More Than Background Music-Creating the Convention Experience
Podcast review article about the impact of music within the Supernatural Convention experience with Billy Moran and Chris Schmelke.
foundmyjam.com
January 17, 2026 at 7:55 AM
Next Episode of SPN20 Music Extravaganza Podcast Series 🥰
@sadiewit.bsky.social @dwnpod.bsky.social
foundmyjam.com/more-than-back
@sadiewit.bsky.social @dwnpod.bsky.social
foundmyjam.com/more-than-back
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
the more interviews I see with Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, and with Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson, the more i wonder if the solution to the male loneliness epidemic is for men to get naked and make out with each other, platonically
it feels radical but the evidence is mounting
it feels radical but the evidence is mounting
January 12, 2026 at 6:43 PM
the more interviews I see with Connor Storrie and Hudson Williams, and with Sam Reid and Jacob Anderson, the more i wonder if the solution to the male loneliness epidemic is for men to get naked and make out with each other, platonically
it feels radical but the evidence is mounting
it feels radical but the evidence is mounting
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
living in a world where the only two jobs are “gambling” and “murder” isn’t nearly as cool as Cowboy Bebop made it out to be
January 12, 2026 at 3:47 PM
living in a world where the only two jobs are “gambling” and “murder” isn’t nearly as cool as Cowboy Bebop made it out to be
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
I've seen people say that the officer who murdered Nicole Good should be charged with murder, and to that I add that every officer who kept medics from arriving, who barred doctors from helping should also be charged under conspiracy doctrine.
January 9, 2026 at 12:58 AM
I've seen people say that the officer who murdered Nicole Good should be charged with murder, and to that I add that every officer who kept medics from arriving, who barred doctors from helping should also be charged under conspiracy doctrine.
Reposted by Sadie Witkowski, PhD
THANK YOU #spnfamily
♥️ To everyone who listened to the Supernatural Music Extravaganza—you made 6 months of work worth it.
💙 To our guests who trusted us with their stories.
💛 To those who haven't listened yet—all 10 episodes are waiting at linktr.ee/SPN20
@sadiewit.bsky.social
♥️ To everyone who listened to the Supernatural Music Extravaganza—you made 6 months of work worth it.
💙 To our guests who trusted us with their stories.
💛 To those who haven't listened yet—all 10 episodes are waiting at linktr.ee/SPN20
@sadiewit.bsky.social
January 8, 2026 at 7:17 PM
THANK YOU #spnfamily
♥️ To everyone who listened to the Supernatural Music Extravaganza—you made 6 months of work worth it.
💙 To our guests who trusted us with their stories.
💛 To those who haven't listened yet—all 10 episodes are waiting at linktr.ee/SPN20
@sadiewit.bsky.social
♥️ To everyone who listened to the Supernatural Music Extravaganza—you made 6 months of work worth it.
💙 To our guests who trusted us with their stories.
💛 To those who haven't listened yet—all 10 episodes are waiting at linktr.ee/SPN20
@sadiewit.bsky.social