EJ Nielsen
@direjackalope.bsky.social
Academic looking at pop culture, gender, fans, and monsters. They/them. Sometimes I make stuff. Frequently fannish. Retweets & likes =/= endorsements.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
My final newsletter of 2025 just posted and in it I talk about archives and archiving [two of my favorite topics]. I also talk about Solange Knowles making a zine.
"Some people say zines function as a community archive. I also think that they can be mini-exhibits that include archival materials, visual art, text, & anything else you want to assemble, as shown by the Meredith publication." @prisonculture.bsky.social
prisonculture.substack.com/p/prisons-pr...
prisonculture.substack.com/p/prisons-pr...
Prisons, Prose & Protest - #33
Rants, Musings and More
prisonculture.substack.com
December 2, 2025 at 4:51 PM
My final newsletter of 2025 just posted and in it I talk about archives and archiving [two of my favorite topics]. I also talk about Solange Knowles making a zine.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
This “trap” is often what admin wants. They put the onus onto individual instructors, tell them it’s their responsibility to meet the student/handle the situation, and they refuse to offer clear guidance/support. Then admin is insulated from blowback & the instructor bears the burden.
This is a terrible story--both because of the trap that was set (either in advance or ret-conned to seize a moment) for this graduate student but also because the student's department failed her. The 1st problem is easy to see, but I want to explain the 2nd one. 1/x
btw, every "reasonable" person who's own posting stuff like "well, the prompt was unclear," or "she actually kind of did the assignment OK so maybe the TA overreacted"--you are also part of the problem! You're laundering the deliberate targeting of a TA and a blatant abrogation of academic freedom!
December 2, 2025 at 5:07 PM
This “trap” is often what admin wants. They put the onus onto individual instructors, tell them it’s their responsibility to meet the student/handle the situation, and they refuse to offer clear guidance/support. Then admin is insulated from blowback & the instructor bears the burden.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Every dollar JK Rowling makes from Harry Potter is going into bankrolling an extortion racket issuing legal threats to organizations across the UK to purge themselves of trans people or face ruinous lawfare.
i hope every single person who still buys harry potter merch or engages with that franchise is happy that they're literally making girl guides cry
girl guides uk have been forced very much against their will to exclude trans girls. full statement is here: www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-...
girl guides uk have been forced very much against their will to exclude trans girls. full statement is here: www.girlguiding.org.uk/information-...
December 2, 2025 at 3:14 PM
Every dollar JK Rowling makes from Harry Potter is going into bankrolling an extortion racket issuing legal threats to organizations across the UK to purge themselves of trans people or face ruinous lawfare.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
the onion newspaper is worth it for the ads alone they always kill me
December 1, 2025 at 7:37 PM
the onion newspaper is worth it for the ads alone they always kill me
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idk not to mention how very nuanced and normal the actual response here was
November 29, 2025 at 3:45 PM
idk not to mention how very nuanced and normal the actual response here was
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
"Mark my words, one wrong step in this town’ll land you in a whole heap of social services."
Not Sure How They Deal With Criminals In Your Town, But ’Round Here We Use A Restorative Justice Process
Well, well, well. What have we got here? Another city slicker who thinks he can waltz into my town and start causin’ all sorts of trouble. I’d be careful if I was you, fella. Because however they do t...
theonion.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:00 AM
"Mark my words, one wrong step in this town’ll land you in a whole heap of social services."
Excited to report that two new Cryptids have been sighted at my location. This is the best photo evidence we have collected so far. Research (and cuddles) are ongoing.
October 24, 2025 at 2:18 PM
Excited to report that two new Cryptids have been sighted at my location. This is the best photo evidence we have collected so far. Research (and cuddles) are ongoing.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Helicopter view of Chicago #NoKings in Grant Park via @cbschicago.bsky.social
October 18, 2025 at 5:50 PM
Helicopter view of Chicago #NoKings in Grant Park via @cbschicago.bsky.social
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
It occurs to me how scared she looks & yet she's protecting her constituents.
I'd much rather see Chuck Schumer scared & trying something than his cool, all is well shtick.
Bravery isn't not being afraid, that's insanity. Bravery is beimg scared & saying fuck it we gotta do something anyway.
I'd much rather see Chuck Schumer scared & trying something than his cool, all is well shtick.
Bravery isn't not being afraid, that's insanity. Bravery is beimg scared & saying fuck it we gotta do something anyway.
Karina Villa protecting her constituents by literally running ICE off the streets in West Chicago and yelling to residents to stay inside their homes.
September 16, 2025 at 8:49 PM
It occurs to me how scared she looks & yet she's protecting her constituents.
I'd much rather see Chuck Schumer scared & trying something than his cool, all is well shtick.
Bravery isn't not being afraid, that's insanity. Bravery is beimg scared & saying fuck it we gotta do something anyway.
I'd much rather see Chuck Schumer scared & trying something than his cool, all is well shtick.
Bravery isn't not being afraid, that's insanity. Bravery is beimg scared & saying fuck it we gotta do something anyway.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
When you publish a website that posts the names and photos of scholars who have written or said things you disagree with and encourage people to surveil and harass them, you are not, in fact, a “free speech” organization.
It is quite simply dishonest to describe TPUSA as a “free speech” organization and not even mention the “Professor Watchlist,” as NPR just did. Reporting on a crime does not entail adopting the victim’s views.
September 11, 2025 at 11:46 AM
When you publish a website that posts the names and photos of scholars who have written or said things you disagree with and encourage people to surveil and harass them, you are not, in fact, a “free speech” organization.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
It's Minnesota State Fair time! It's time for Minnesotan folk art! Here, for example, is Saturn Devouring His Corn, in the seed art category!
August 25, 2025 at 2:11 PM
It's Minnesota State Fair time! It's time for Minnesotan folk art! Here, for example, is Saturn Devouring His Corn, in the seed art category!
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Just unbelievably stupid. I had no idea how dumb fascism would be when it came to America.
August 24, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Just unbelievably stupid. I had no idea how dumb fascism would be when it came to America.
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A middle school I interact with is in a state with a school cellphone ban and y’all everybody in there is relieved. EVERYBODY. The kids, the teachers, the janitors. They are so relieved. Nobody is really uptight about it…except some parents.
August 24, 2025 at 10:27 PM
A middle school I interact with is in a state with a school cellphone ban and y’all everybody in there is relieved. EVERYBODY. The kids, the teachers, the janitors. They are so relieved. Nobody is really uptight about it…except some parents.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
actually fandom was and still is rife with wanna-be Supreme Space Commanders, Almighty Wizard Kings, and Queen Bees desperate to find nerds to push around. It's just that they get lost in the crowds these days, unless they work for (checks notes) Anime Expo Chibi
August 13, 2025 at 8:19 AM
actually fandom was and still is rife with wanna-be Supreme Space Commanders, Almighty Wizard Kings, and Queen Bees desperate to find nerds to push around. It's just that they get lost in the crowds these days, unless they work for (checks notes) Anime Expo Chibi
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
yup, this is why we started anime conventions, to get the chance to force people into non-compete clauses, that's what fandom is all about, telling people what they can and cannot do. Sure
I haven't seen this go around much on here, so as a heads up the Anime Expo Chibi legal text under artist alley, you are agreeing to not table at any other Southern California event for an entire month.
This is some wild ass shit.
This is some wild ass shit.
August 13, 2025 at 8:19 AM
yup, this is why we started anime conventions, to get the chance to force people into non-compete clauses, that's what fandom is all about, telling people what they can and cannot do. Sure
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
A lot of older adults forced a war on universities because that’s where their kids realized their parents were evil.
Linda McMahon on Columbia settlement: "This is a monumental victory for conservatives who wanted to do things on these elite campuses for a long time because we had such far left-leaning professors."
July 24, 2025 at 12:52 PM
A lot of older adults forced a war on universities because that’s where their kids realized their parents were evil.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
I made this list of Nonviolent Political Actions for Writers for a course I taught during TFG 1.0 on Writers & Resistance. Please share. You do not need to be a writer to participate.
"You are here on this earth at this time. Don't act like you're not a part of what's going on."
"You are here on this earth at this time. Don't act like you're not a part of what's going on."
June 13, 2025 at 10:24 PM
I made this list of Nonviolent Political Actions for Writers for a course I taught during TFG 1.0 on Writers & Resistance. Please share. You do not need to be a writer to participate.
"You are here on this earth at this time. Don't act like you're not a part of what's going on."
"You are here on this earth at this time. Don't act like you're not a part of what's going on."
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Scoop: Threat intelligence reports obtained by WIRED and @propertyofthepeople.org show military and state-run fusion centers are tracking civilian-made ICE encounter maps, while others distribute "threat" alerts about tomorrow's "No Kings" protests.
By me @wired.com (free to read):
By me @wired.com (free to read):
'No Kings' Protests, Citizen-Run ICE Trackers Trigger Intelligence Warnings
Army intelligence analysts are monitoring civilian-made ICE tracking tools, treating them as potential threats, as immigration protests spread nationwide.
www.wired.com
June 13, 2025 at 8:51 PM
Scoop: Threat intelligence reports obtained by WIRED and @propertyofthepeople.org show military and state-run fusion centers are tracking civilian-made ICE encounter maps, while others distribute "threat" alerts about tomorrow's "No Kings" protests.
By me @wired.com (free to read):
By me @wired.com (free to read):
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Walt Disney and Comcast's Universal filed a copyright lawsuit against Midjourney on Wednesday, calling its popular AI-powered image generator a "bottomless pit of plagiarism" for its use of the studios' best-known characters.
Disney, Universal sue image creator Midjourney for copyright infringement
Walt Disney and Comcast's Universal filed a copyright lawsuit against Midjourney on Wednesday, calling its popular AI-powered image generator a "bottomless pit of plagiarism" for its use of the studios' best-known characters.
reut.rs
June 11, 2025 at 3:45 PM
Walt Disney and Comcast's Universal filed a copyright lawsuit against Midjourney on Wednesday, calling its popular AI-powered image generator a "bottomless pit of plagiarism" for its use of the studios' best-known characters.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
An inspiring story: U Mich president withdraws his signature on a letter defending academic freedom because he wants to leave and get paid to join Ron DeSantis's war on higher education, and then doesn't get the Florida job because he supports vaccination www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2025/06/haha...
HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHA - Lawyers, Guns & Money
It came out a couple of days ago that Santa Ono actually signed an agreement to implement Gov. Little Boots’ “vision” for higher ed., as part of the quid pro quo for getting the job. I wrote back on M...
www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com
June 3, 2025 at 10:33 PM
An inspiring story: U Mich president withdraws his signature on a letter defending academic freedom because he wants to leave and get paid to join Ron DeSantis's war on higher education, and then doesn't get the Florida job because he supports vaccination www.lawyersgunsmoneyblog.com/2025/06/haha...
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
May 25, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Every Harry Potter book or shirt you buy directly funds the persecution of trans people.
There's absolutely no excuse to support anything Harry Potter anymore unless you hate trans people.
There's absolutely no excuse to support anything Harry Potter anymore unless you hate trans people.
May 24, 2025 at 12:53 PM
Every Harry Potter book or shirt you buy directly funds the persecution of trans people.
There's absolutely no excuse to support anything Harry Potter anymore unless you hate trans people.
There's absolutely no excuse to support anything Harry Potter anymore unless you hate trans people.
Reposted by EJ Nielsen
Current collection of #queerhorror reference books (incl mine!) from @bjcolangelo.bsky.social @harmonycolangelo.bsky.social @queerforfear.com @cadenmgardner.bsky.social @willowcatelyn.bsky.social @bloodymilkcrate.bsky.social @thepetermarra.bsky.social @samouflage.bsky.social @drdesmith.bsky.social
May 23, 2025 at 7:42 PM
Current collection of #queerhorror reference books (incl mine!) from @bjcolangelo.bsky.social @harmonycolangelo.bsky.social @queerforfear.com @cadenmgardner.bsky.social @willowcatelyn.bsky.social @bloodymilkcrate.bsky.social @thepetermarra.bsky.social @samouflage.bsky.social @drdesmith.bsky.social