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lindsaythomas.net
lindsay thomas
@lindsaythomas.net
910 followers 1K following 370 posts
academic and aspiring person who likes winter.

contemporary lit, digital stuff.

i’ve written about sci fi, national security and fiction, the humanities, bunkers, and chatbots. now writing about novels and how long they are.

https://lindsaythomas.net
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lindsaythomas.net
Sometimes you’re in Provincetown in a used book store overhearing John Waters tell a story about helping Cookie Mueller bury her dead dog on the 4th of July. Perfect PTown evening
September 6, 2026 at 12:43 AM
lindsaythomas.net
Thanks to @tanjagrubnic.com for organizing this stellar panel! Can’t wait to talk about slop, the novel, and (un)wellness
tanjagrubnic.com Tanja Grubnic @tanjagrubnic.com · 20d
The panel of my dreams! Cannot wait to present with these super smart and amazing people at MLA in January! @lindsaythomas.net
August 28, 2026 at 12:55 PM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
jshelat1.bsky.social
Friends, my book—No Place for Home: Terror and Race in Literature After 9/11—has a cover! I’m so pleased with what Rachel Moeller and the design team at @uminnpress.bsky.social came up with! The book will be out in Spring 2027 and that I’ll post a pre-order link once it’s available! 1/2
July 31, 2026 at 8:13 PM
lindsaythomas.net
I don’t live in Milwaukee but some dear friends do and for the past 3 years I have participated with them in Riverwest 24, which happened this past weekend. It’s so much more than a 24-hour bike ride, tho it’s also that. It’s a neighborhood celebration full of fun & parties & activities & food
The start and finish line at Riverwest 24 2026, before the ride began. Chinga la migra screen print that I made. It got a bit smudged bc I had to put it immediately into my backpack and continue biking. Riverwest 24 is awesome bc it’s full of activities like this, called bonus checkpoints, where you can earn extra points by completing activities, usually organized by community groups. This year I screen printed, got and gave a manicure, painted a rock, told a knock knock joke, played name that tool bingo, received narcan training, helped to alert bikers to oncoming traffic, and more. I also biked about 60 miles and slept only a little and drank pickle shots and got sprayed with water by children and ate free pancakes and cheered on my friends and their kids. An amazing time as always.
July 27, 2026 at 9:35 PM
lindsaythomas.net
Watch out for sharks
July 15, 2026 at 3:11 PM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
renatagames.bsky.social
YO SOY PARAGUAYO
ESTOY AQUI PARA ELIMINARLO
June 29, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
asheeshks.org
Sounds like an Onion article but sadly elite administrative impunity is the norm in higher education
insidehighered.com Inside Higher Ed @insidehighered.com · Jun 2
Cornell Graduate Banned After President Hit Him With Car https://bit.ly/4viG6Cj
Cornell University campus - stock photo
June 2, 2026 at 8:20 PM
lindsaythomas.net
Another grim day for libraries. But I was in one today, doing some more or less boring research about paperbacks, when I ran across a postcard written by someone interned at Manzanar War Relocation Center to an editor at Modern Library in May 1944 asking for some information.
May 27, 2026 at 11:12 PM
lindsaythomas.net
Reassuring for whom???
May 24, 2026 at 12:42 PM
lindsaythomas.net
It continues to break my brain (and soul) that nothing has happened. Nothing! NOTHING
May 23, 2026 at 4:14 PM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
miriamposner.com
www.theringer.com/2026/05/22/n... jesus THANK YOU
1. "They were blocking my path." Not an excuse! 2. "They were touching my car." Not an excuse! 3. "They disagreed with my politics." Not an excuse! 4. "They were rude to me." Not an excuse! 5. "They kept asking me hard questions and filming me with their phones, and I'm a powerful man who's used to being treated with deference." Buddy! You cannot ram your Cadillac into a pedestrian just because you're an easily flustered rich guy! This is so obvious! At least, I used to think it was obvious. That was before the president of Cornell backed his car into a group of students and got away with it scot-free.
May 23, 2026 at 3:29 PM
lindsaythomas.net
It has been a hellacious year but a really nice thing about being DGS is you get to hood some people and shake some hands and announce some names and cheer on the accomplishments of many amazing students
Headshot of me in graduation regalia
May 22, 2026 at 10:41 PM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
mpuniversity.bsky.social
UPDATE: Despite a growing demand across Cornell's campus for President Kotlikoff's resignation, the Board of Trustees concluded their investigation and cleared Kotlikoff of any wrongdoing.

Students for a Democratic Cornell are demanding an independent investigation.
mpuniversity.bsky.social More Perfect University @mpuniversity.bsky.social · May 12
Cornell President Michael Kotlikoff struck student protesters with his car. This is why.
May 15, 2026 at 8:08 PM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
mreece.bsky.social
For those keeping score at home, in the last few years we’ve learned that a university president can lose their job for arguably questionable citation practices in their early work, but not for intentionally hitting students with their car. I wonder if there were any other salient differences 🤔
asociologist.bsky.social Dan Hirschman @asociologist.bsky.social · May 15
Cornell just released this statement from its committee of Trustees investigating the incident where the President ran over a student's foot with his car. The statement extols the President and blames the students.
"The Ad Hoc Special Committee of the Board of Trustees, composed of the Chair and Vice Chairs of the Board of Trustees, has completed its review of the events of April 30, 2026, involving Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff and a group of individuals. In concluding its review, the Committee considered evidence gathered by the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD), which included information gathered at the scene of the incident, verified video footage, and a sworn statement provided by President Kotlikoff to CUPD. The individuals at the scene who reported that the vehicle made contact refused medical treatment from the EMS team and refused to provide sworn statements as to their account of the incident. None of the individuals at the scene have provided sworn statements to CUPD, despite CUPD’s repeated attempts to collect sworn statements in the days following the incident. Consistent with its commitment to ensuring a fair and thorough process, the Committee also engaged independent legal counsel to evaluate the independence and integrity of CUPD’s investigation into these events. The Committee has determined that the investigation conducted by CUPD was done pursuant to existing policies without any bias or undue influence. The Committee thanks CUPD for its professionalism and diligence in its independent investigation." "The Committee has found that the actions taken by these individuals on April 30th, which included following President Kotlikoff from an evening event into a parking lot and impeding his ability to leave, are inconsistent with university policies governing expressive activity and our standards for respectful conduct, safety, and the prohibition of intimidation. CUPD presented the evidence collected to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s office, which determined that no criminal charges were warranted against any individuals involved in this matter. President Kotlikoff has declined to pursue a complaint against the students involved, which would have been required to initiate action under the university’s code of conduct. Appropriate action is being taken against the non-students involved. Robust debate and peaceful protest are essential to academic life. Expressive activity must occur within the bounds of the law and with respect for the rights and safety of all members of our community. Over the course of his decades-long tenure at Cornell, President Kotlikoff has conveyed his strong belief that with freedom, particularly freedom of speech, comes responsibility. We urge our community to foster and uphold an environment where we allow for debate and dissent practiced with civility, respect, and accountability. President Kotlikoff has shown a steadfast commitment to Cornell’s values and principles, and we are confident he will continue to lead with integrity as we work together to carry out our shared mission to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community."
May 15, 2026 at 4:55 PM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
bakerdphd.bsky.social
Every time I get asked about trust in higher ed, I will now be obligated to bring this up. Wheen we talk about impunity from consequences, it includes things like this.
asociologist.bsky.social Dan Hirschman @asociologist.bsky.social · May 15
Cornell just released this statement from its committee of Trustees investigating the incident where the President ran over a student's foot with his car. The statement extols the President and blames the students.
"The Ad Hoc Special Committee of the Board of Trustees, composed of the Chair and Vice Chairs of the Board of Trustees, has completed its review of the events of April 30, 2026, involving Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff and a group of individuals. In concluding its review, the Committee considered evidence gathered by the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD), which included information gathered at the scene of the incident, verified video footage, and a sworn statement provided by President Kotlikoff to CUPD. The individuals at the scene who reported that the vehicle made contact refused medical treatment from the EMS team and refused to provide sworn statements as to their account of the incident. None of the individuals at the scene have provided sworn statements to CUPD, despite CUPD’s repeated attempts to collect sworn statements in the days following the incident. Consistent with its commitment to ensuring a fair and thorough process, the Committee also engaged independent legal counsel to evaluate the independence and integrity of CUPD’s investigation into these events. The Committee has determined that the investigation conducted by CUPD was done pursuant to existing policies without any bias or undue influence. The Committee thanks CUPD for its professionalism and diligence in its independent investigation." "The Committee has found that the actions taken by these individuals on April 30th, which included following President Kotlikoff from an evening event into a parking lot and impeding his ability to leave, are inconsistent with university policies governing expressive activity and our standards for respectful conduct, safety, and the prohibition of intimidation. CUPD presented the evidence collected to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s office, which determined that no criminal charges were warranted against any individuals involved in this matter. President Kotlikoff has declined to pursue a complaint against the students involved, which would have been required to initiate action under the university’s code of conduct. Appropriate action is being taken against the non-students involved. Robust debate and peaceful protest are essential to academic life. Expressive activity must occur within the bounds of the law and with respect for the rights and safety of all members of our community. Over the course of his decades-long tenure at Cornell, President Kotlikoff has conveyed his strong belief that with freedom, particularly freedom of speech, comes responsibility. We urge our community to foster and uphold an environment where we allow for debate and dissent practiced with civility, respect, and accountability. President Kotlikoff has shown a steadfast commitment to Cornell’s values and principles, and we are confident he will continue to lead with integrity as we work together to carry out our shared mission to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community."
May 15, 2026 at 3:30 PM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
brianphillips.lol
The president of Cornell hit some students with his car, lied about what happened, and cast himself as the victim. Cornell's trustees, palpably aghast at the idea that a powerful man could be held accountable for his actions, have issued an official statement saying fuck the students
asociologist.bsky.social Dan Hirschman @asociologist.bsky.social · May 15
Cornell just released this statement from its committee of Trustees investigating the incident where the President ran over a student's foot with his car. The statement extols the President and blames the students.
"The Ad Hoc Special Committee of the Board of Trustees, composed of the Chair and Vice Chairs of the Board of Trustees, has completed its review of the events of April 30, 2026, involving Cornell President Michael I. Kotlikoff and a group of individuals. In concluding its review, the Committee considered evidence gathered by the Cornell University Police Department (CUPD), which included information gathered at the scene of the incident, verified video footage, and a sworn statement provided by President Kotlikoff to CUPD. The individuals at the scene who reported that the vehicle made contact refused medical treatment from the EMS team and refused to provide sworn statements as to their account of the incident. None of the individuals at the scene have provided sworn statements to CUPD, despite CUPD’s repeated attempts to collect sworn statements in the days following the incident. Consistent with its commitment to ensuring a fair and thorough process, the Committee also engaged independent legal counsel to evaluate the independence and integrity of CUPD’s investigation into these events. The Committee has determined that the investigation conducted by CUPD was done pursuant to existing policies without any bias or undue influence. The Committee thanks CUPD for its professionalism and diligence in its independent investigation." "The Committee has found that the actions taken by these individuals on April 30th, which included following President Kotlikoff from an evening event into a parking lot and impeding his ability to leave, are inconsistent with university policies governing expressive activity and our standards for respectful conduct, safety, and the prohibition of intimidation. CUPD presented the evidence collected to the Tompkins County District Attorney’s office, which determined that no criminal charges were warranted against any individuals involved in this matter. President Kotlikoff has declined to pursue a complaint against the students involved, which would have been required to initiate action under the university’s code of conduct. Appropriate action is being taken against the non-students involved. Robust debate and peaceful protest are essential to academic life. Expressive activity must occur within the bounds of the law and with respect for the rights and safety of all members of our community. Over the course of his decades-long tenure at Cornell, President Kotlikoff has conveyed his strong belief that with freedom, particularly freedom of speech, comes responsibility. We urge our community to foster and uphold an environment where we allow for debate and dissent practiced with civility, respect, and accountability. President Kotlikoff has shown a steadfast commitment to Cornell’s values and principles, and we are confident he will continue to lead with integrity as we work together to carry out our shared mission to discover, preserve, and disseminate knowledge, to educate the next generation of global citizens, and to promote a culture of broad inquiry throughout and beyond the Cornell community."
May 15, 2026 at 3:25 PM
lindsaythomas.net
We just received the most simultaneously banal and disgusting email about this, which, of course, blames the students and praises our president for his magnanimity in choosing not to punish them. 🤮
lindsaythomas.net lindsay thomas @lindsaythomas.net · May 14
It should not be shocking to me given everything but nevertheless what I find somewhat shocking despite myself is that a university president can run students over with a car and then just….nothing much happens
May 15, 2026 at 2:28 PM
lindsaythomas.net
It should not be shocking to me given everything but nevertheless what I find somewhat shocking despite myself is that a university president can run students over with a car and then just….nothing much happens
May 14, 2026 at 2:17 AM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
bakaari.bsky.social
For the Boston Review, I wrote about Somaliland and Israel, the consequences of imagining political freedom as a struggle for national sovereignty, and what growing up in and alongside Somaliland had meant for my political education.
Sovereignty’s End and Beginning
In Somaliland, the pursuit of statehood has come with a bitter irony.
www.bostonreview.net
May 13, 2026 at 4:40 PM
lindsaythomas.net
One advantage of being jet lagged in Switzerland waiting for a train is scrolling Bluesky and seeing which of you freaks are posting between 1 and 4 am American™️ time
May 7, 2026 at 8:07 AM
lindsaythomas.net
This man is so embarrassing and pathetic
asociologist.bsky.social Dan Hirschman @asociologist.bsky.social · May 1
“Video footage obtained by The Sun shows Students for a Democratic Cornell members Aiden Vallecillo ’26 and Hudson Athas ’27 being struck by the car. In the video, no person can be seen touching the vehicle before it drove into Vallecillo and Athas.” www.cornellsun.com/article/2026...
Kotlikoff Drives Into Student and Recent Grad Following ‘Harassment’
President Michael Kotlikoff backed his car into a student and drove over the foot of a recent graduate after what he called a "harassment and intimidation incident" in a Friday email blast to the...
www.cornellsun.com
May 2, 2026 at 12:37 AM
Reposted by lindsay thomas
asociologist.bsky.social
“Video footage obtained by The Sun shows Students for a Democratic Cornell members Aiden Vallecillo ’26 and Hudson Athas ’27 being struck by the car. In the video, no person can be seen touching the vehicle before it drove into Vallecillo and Athas.” www.cornellsun.com/article/2026...
Kotlikoff Drives Into Student and Recent Grad Following ‘Harassment’
President Michael Kotlikoff backed his car into a student and drove over the foot of a recent graduate after what he called a "harassment and intimidation incident" in a Friday email blast to the...
www.cornellsun.com
May 1, 2026 at 11:54 PM
lindsaythomas.net
This movie is both totally bonkers and a coherent and smart analysis of the violence and death-cult-like aspects of American society. And of the murderous fiends in charge. And of how solidarity is the only way to defeat them. And it was made in 1991!
lindsaythomas.net lindsay thomas @lindsaythomas.net · Mar 7
Did you all know that The People Under the Stairs existed this whole time and no one told me?? Wes Craven’s magnum opus
March 7, 2026 at 8:25 PM
lindsaythomas.net
Did you all know that The People Under the Stairs existed this whole time and no one told me?? Wes Craven’s magnum opus
March 7, 2026 at 7:05 PM
lindsaythomas.net
One of the things keeping me afloat is that today I teach one of my favorite essays in recent years, Ted Underwood’s “Why Literary Time is Measured in Minutes” alongside Yauney et al’s “update” from a year later, after teaching Genette last week. The little formalist in me is so happy
March 2, 2026 at 3:40 PM