Elisabeth R. Anker
@libankerdc.bsky.social
Professor: Political Theory & American Culture
Author: UGLY FREEDOMS (Duke) & Orgies of Feeling: Melodrama and the Promise of Freedom (Duke)
Next Books: “Every Man a Sovereign” and “Going Low”
Libby to my pals
Web: https://tinyurl.com/Elisabeth-Anker
Author: UGLY FREEDOMS (Duke) & Orgies of Feeling: Melodrama and the Promise of Freedom (Duke)
Next Books: “Every Man a Sovereign” and “Going Low”
Libby to my pals
Web: https://tinyurl.com/Elisabeth-Anker
Pinned
Just dropping this piece I wrote here. This entire administration is the ugliest of ugly freedoms: www.nytimes.com/2022/02/04/o...
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
NEW: ChatGPT is encouraging stalkers, telling them they share a special bond with their targets -- and to keep harassing them even after they've been asked to stop
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
AI Delusions Are Leading to Domestic Abuse, Harassment, and Stalking
ChatGPT and other AI chatbots are reinforcing users' delusions about other people — fueling fixations linked to stalking and other abuses.
futurism.com
February 17, 2026 at 3:55 PM
NEW: ChatGPT is encouraging stalkers, telling them they share a special bond with their targets -- and to keep harassing them even after they've been asked to stop
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
Brought to you by the Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, recent $5mil NEH grantee
www.chronicle.com/article/a-pr...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-pr...
A Professor Tackled a Man Who Was Trying to Interview Gordon Gee. Now He’s on Leave.
Viral video showed an assistant professor shoving a man with a camera to the ground. Ohio State University called the incident “concerning.”
www.chronicle.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:28 PM
Brought to you by the Chase Center for Civics, Culture, and Society, recent $5mil NEH grantee
www.chronicle.com/article/a-pr...
www.chronicle.com/article/a-pr...
I know not the point but why do these tools love taking so many pictures of themselves? like who took this picture of these shlubs just making evil plans
I never want to hear people saying Steve Bannon is some type of anti-elite populist ally in taking on big business. He is not and never has been. www.nytimes.com/2026/02/16/u...
Despite Epstein’s Toxicity, Steve Bannon Stood by Him, Texts Indicate
www.nytimes.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:07 PM
I know not the point but why do these tools love taking so many pictures of themselves? like who took this picture of these shlubs just making evil plans
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
Transphobes remind me of incels in quite a few ways. The one where they make up a fictional version of trans women to hate is exactly like what incels do to women.
February 17, 2026 at 10:45 AM
Transphobes remind me of incels in quite a few ways. The one where they make up a fictional version of trans women to hate is exactly like what incels do to women.
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
I think those are all requirements now to win Republican nominations. quorumreport.com//quorum_repo...
February 16, 2026 at 11:44 PM
I think those are all requirements now to win Republican nominations. quorumreport.com//quorum_repo...
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
ICE killed a teacher in Georgia today when they chose to chase a man who posed no danger and had no criminal history.
Savannah teacher killed in crash by man fleeing from ICE
According to the Chatham County Police Department, Monday morning’s fatal crash was the result of a chase between Immigrations and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and a suspect.
www.wtoc.com
February 17, 2026 at 12:28 AM
ICE killed a teacher in Georgia today when they chose to chase a man who posed no danger and had no criminal history.
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
A quick note on the passing of Fred Wiseman movieenthusiast.substack.com/p/frederick-...
Frederick Wiseman (1930–2026)
A quick note
movieenthusiast.substack.com
February 17, 2026 at 1:43 AM
A quick note on the passing of Fred Wiseman movieenthusiast.substack.com/p/frederick-...
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
The National Capital Planning Commission is now accepting public comments on Trump's ballroom that dwarfs the White House and is ugly as sin.
To comment, click on the link below, then click on "Submit Written Comments" button. Next, select "East Wing Modernization Project" off the menu.
Go for it!
To comment, click on the link below, then click on "Submit Written Comments" button. Next, select "East Wing Modernization Project" off the menu.
Go for it!
How to Comment
This is a guide on how to speak at a Commission meeting. Please note that your comments may be recorded, and/or live streamed, and added to the public record.
www.ncpc.gov
February 17, 2026 at 2:29 AM
The National Capital Planning Commission is now accepting public comments on Trump's ballroom that dwarfs the White House and is ugly as sin.
To comment, click on the link below, then click on "Submit Written Comments" button. Next, select "East Wing Modernization Project" off the menu.
Go for it!
To comment, click on the link below, then click on "Submit Written Comments" button. Next, select "East Wing Modernization Project" off the menu.
Go for it!
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
New hard data show the same pattern of intense anti-Trump backlash that polls do. Protests against Trump are happening at 4x the rate as 2017-18, and special election swings offer more data on the same point
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-back...
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-back...
The backlash against Trump is showing up in hard data, not just polls
New data on protest activity shows organized anti-Trump actions are 4x the size they were in the president's first term. Your weekly political data roundup for February 15, 2026.
www.gelliottmorris.com
February 16, 2026 at 5:54 PM
New hard data show the same pattern of intense anti-Trump backlash that polls do. Protests against Trump are happening at 4x the rate as 2017-18, and special election swings offer more data on the same point
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-back...
www.gelliottmorris.com/p/trump-back...
Damn, federal court judges are on fire 🔥
February 16, 2026 at 10:39 PM
Damn, federal court judges are on fire 🔥
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
This also justifies abortion bans and blocking pregnant women from control over their reproductive futures
MAGA measures how "good" a father is by how many children he has. As if impregnating someone is the same thing as being a dad.
This attitudes isn't just wrongheaded. It encourages neglect — and even abuse.
An analysis.
www.salon.com/2026/02/16/m...
This attitudes isn't just wrongheaded. It encourages neglect — and even abuse.
An analysis.
www.salon.com/2026/02/16/m...
MAGA loves bad dads
Raising kids should be about quality, not quantity
www.salon.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM
This also justifies abortion bans and blocking pregnant women from control over their reproductive futures
I have yet to see ONE email to or from Epstein that sounds like it was written by anyone over 14
February 16, 2026 at 6:17 PM
I have yet to see ONE email to or from Epstein that sounds like it was written by anyone over 14
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
Part of my theory of change is to share the words white men need to hear, spoken by white men. This is because creating defections is crucial to stopping authoritarianism and democratic backsliding. This is because almost everyone else is already off the Trump train.
"I never want to see a child ever run away from our own government ever again"
Notes on changing brains. And Brians.
www.thefarce.org
February 16, 2026 at 12:00 PM
Part of my theory of change is to share the words white men need to hear, spoken by white men. This is because creating defections is crucial to stopping authoritarianism and democratic backsliding. This is because almost everyone else is already off the Trump train.
This also justifies abortion bans and blocking pregnant women from control over their reproductive futures
MAGA measures how "good" a father is by how many children he has. As if impregnating someone is the same thing as being a dad.
This attitudes isn't just wrongheaded. It encourages neglect — and even abuse.
An analysis.
www.salon.com/2026/02/16/m...
This attitudes isn't just wrongheaded. It encourages neglect — and even abuse.
An analysis.
www.salon.com/2026/02/16/m...
MAGA loves bad dads
Raising kids should be about quality, not quantity
www.salon.com
February 16, 2026 at 3:01 PM
This also justifies abortion bans and blocking pregnant women from control over their reproductive futures
My sister-in-law and nephews were rescued by a stranger in an ice storm, who helped them escape when their car was stuck and they ran out of gas. The stranger possibly saved their life. It is absolutely disgusting that DHS agents are preying on the kindness of those who help the stranger.
CCTV footage appears to show DHS agents posing as people having car trouble in order to lure a target out of his house before arresting them. The target comes out and starts helping them before 3 vehicles surround the scene. The car "experiencing" trouble then drives off with them.
February 16, 2026 at 2:59 PM
My sister-in-law and nephews were rescued by a stranger in an ice storm, who helped them escape when their car was stuck and they ran out of gas. The stranger possibly saved their life. It is absolutely disgusting that DHS agents are preying on the kindness of those who help the stranger.
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
They hate humanities because they hate critiques of the brutal power they wield:
“The abolition of gender studies is a way of further guaranteeing impunity to the elite men whose contempt for and exploitation of women and girls apparently knows no bounds.”
“The abolition of gender studies is a way of further guaranteeing impunity to the elite men whose contempt for and exploitation of women and girls apparently knows no bounds.”
February 15, 2026 at 7:26 PM
They hate humanities because they hate critiques of the brutal power they wield:
“The abolition of gender studies is a way of further guaranteeing impunity to the elite men whose contempt for and exploitation of women and girls apparently knows no bounds.”
“The abolition of gender studies is a way of further guaranteeing impunity to the elite men whose contempt for and exploitation of women and girls apparently knows no bounds.”
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
With Latest Rollback, the U.S. Essentially Has No Clean-Car Rules
www.nytimes.com
February 16, 2026 at 12:28 PM
“The U.S. no longer has emission standards of any meaning,” said Margo T. Oge, who served as the E.P.A.’s top vehicle emissions regulator under three presidents and has since advised both automakers and environmental groups…
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
“Nothing. Zero,” she added. “Not many countries have zero.”
Ken Fucking Starr of Clinton impeachment fame went on to defend Jeffrey Epstein after he was accused of sex trafficking.
How is this timeline even real
How is this timeline even real
Oh haaayyyyy Ken Starr, been a minute
"After famously serving as the independent counsel who investigated Bill Clinton, the Texas lawyer...[later joined] Epstein's legal team in 2007. Epstein, living in Palm Beach at the time, was accused of trafficking and sexually abusing high school girls."
"After famously serving as the independent counsel who investigated Bill Clinton, the Texas lawyer...[later joined] Epstein's legal team in 2007. Epstein, living in Palm Beach at the time, was accused of trafficking and sexually abusing high school girls."
Meet the elite Texans who enabled and associated with Jeffrey Epstein www.chron.com/culture/arti...
February 15, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Ken Fucking Starr of Clinton impeachment fame went on to defend Jeffrey Epstein after he was accused of sex trafficking.
How is this timeline even real
How is this timeline even real
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
Oh haaayyyyy Ken Starr, been a minute
"After famously serving as the independent counsel who investigated Bill Clinton, the Texas lawyer...[later joined] Epstein's legal team in 2007. Epstein, living in Palm Beach at the time, was accused of trafficking and sexually abusing high school girls."
"After famously serving as the independent counsel who investigated Bill Clinton, the Texas lawyer...[later joined] Epstein's legal team in 2007. Epstein, living in Palm Beach at the time, was accused of trafficking and sexually abusing high school girls."
Meet the elite Texans who enabled and associated with Jeffrey Epstein www.chron.com/culture/arti...
When Jeffrey Epstein needed help, he turned to these Texas elites
DOJ-released documents highlight Epstein's close ties to powerful and famous Texans.
www.chron.com
February 15, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Oh haaayyyyy Ken Starr, been a minute
"After famously serving as the independent counsel who investigated Bill Clinton, the Texas lawyer...[later joined] Epstein's legal team in 2007. Epstein, living in Palm Beach at the time, was accused of trafficking and sexually abusing high school girls."
"After famously serving as the independent counsel who investigated Bill Clinton, the Texas lawyer...[later joined] Epstein's legal team in 2007. Epstein, living in Palm Beach at the time, was accused of trafficking and sexually abusing high school girls."
I think this is what passes for rational self-interest in capitalism
As somebody who has worked on Wall Street for the last 19 years, I promise you that a lot of people who are insanely rich - not just average millionaires, people with true wealth - are dumb as dog shit, but just have no morals and know ways to make tons of money by not caring about hurting people.
Dumb and evil are not mutually exclusive and Elon is not a genius, or even an above average thinker. I have dealt with enough of these people directly to see their stupidity in action, not just reading about it on this website.
February 15, 2026 at 10:11 PM
I think this is what passes for rational self-interest in capitalism
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
New fusionism:
“Citing their work, Brockman predicted in 2005 that the “dangerous idea of the next decade” would be that “groups of people differ genetically in their average talents”.”
ht @libankerdc.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
“Citing their work, Brockman predicted in 2005 that the “dangerous idea of the next decade” would be that “groups of people differ genetically in their average talents”.”
ht @libankerdc.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
The billionaires' eugenics project: how Epstein infiltrated Harvard, muzzled the humanities and preached master-race science
Edge - Jeffrey Epstein's favourite intellectual salon - was sold to me as a gathering of the world's finest minds, writes Virginia Heffernan. The files reveal it was something far darker: a decades-lo...
www.thenerve.news
February 15, 2026 at 8:57 PM
New fusionism:
“Citing their work, Brockman predicted in 2005 that the “dangerous idea of the next decade” would be that “groups of people differ genetically in their average talents”.”
ht @libankerdc.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
“Citing their work, Brockman predicted in 2005 that the “dangerous idea of the next decade” would be that “groups of people differ genetically in their average talents”.”
ht @libankerdc.bsky.social
www.thenerve.news/p/epstein-bi...
University of Texas Austin announced it was closing its American Studies Department just as Harper attacked one of the few foundations left willing to fund American studies research
In the middle of a once-in-a-generation attack on academia and the humanities by the right in the US, as people are losing funding and jobs, and we don't even know if our disciplines will make it out alive, Tyler Austin Harper decides that it was time to attack the Mellon Foundation.
hey cool man while you were deep in research or whatever you might want to catch up on some other stuff that has happened in the world in the past year
February 15, 2026 at 9:00 PM
University of Texas Austin announced it was closing its American Studies Department just as Harper attacked one of the few foundations left willing to fund American studies research
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
It does not take any especial brand of genius to understand that if you have no moral standards and don't care about breaking the law, you can accumulate wealth and power in a way that people who are morally and ethically upright cannot.
February 15, 2026 at 7:58 PM
It does not take any especial brand of genius to understand that if you have no moral standards and don't care about breaking the law, you can accumulate wealth and power in a way that people who are morally and ethically upright cannot.
Reposted by Elisabeth R. Anker
While MLPS was a victory, moral and tangibly, for ICE resisters, don't call it 'a retreat.' The dystopia is just getting started
Thousands of new agents. 150 new offices in every state. And the nationwide gulag archipelago. The fight has just begun
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
Thousands of new agents. 150 new offices in every state. And the nationwide gulag archipelago. The fight has just begun
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
No, ICE isn’t ‘retreating.’ It’s loading up to invade your town. | Will Bunch
A much-hyped ICE pullback from Minneapolis is a blip in a looming nationwide surge of arrests, concentration camps.
www.inquirer.com
February 15, 2026 at 6:25 PM
While MLPS was a victory, moral and tangibly, for ICE resisters, don't call it 'a retreat.' The dystopia is just getting started
Thousands of new agents. 150 new offices in every state. And the nationwide gulag archipelago. The fight has just begun
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...
Thousands of new agents. 150 new offices in every state. And the nationwide gulag archipelago. The fight has just begun
My new column www.inquirer.com/opinion/ice-...