Skip to Content
Opinion

Today Is Racket’s 2nd Birthday and Our Gift to You Is This Friday Open Thread

Where were you on August 18, 2021?

9:48 AM CDT on August 18, 2023

Baby pictures: An archrival screengrab of Racket’s homepage on Day 1.

Happy birthday to us.

Two years ago today, Racket published its first story: "24 Hours in Uptown," for which the four of us fanned out through Minneapolis's most overdiscussed not-a-neighborhood and noted what we saw, heard, and endured over the course of a day.

There was more to come on August 18, 2021. Em wrote a complaint about Tesla owners and a warning to restaurant customers about how the pandemic had changed dining out. Jay tackled the State Fair's laissez-faire Covid protocols. We ran our first poll: "Who Will Racket Disappoint First?" And we published our first Event Horizon,

We've grown a lot since then. Not staff-wise—there's still just the four of us. But in terms of our readership (you!) and the features we offer, we're no longer the squalling, red-faced infant we once were. We are a squalling, red-faced toddler, thank you very much.

But the open thread isn't about us, it's about you. So here's our open thread prompt for today: How has your life and your world changed since 2021?

Of course, feel free to ignore the prompt and talk about what you want. And if you insist on wishing us a happy birthday, we will accept your good wishes with out characteristic graciousness.

Oh, and I almost forgot until I saw Em's comment below, but we're celebrating our birthday IRL at Fair State Brewing Cooperative in NE Minneapolis on Saturday, August 26. We really hope to see bunches of you there.

More Stories

Dejected MN Job-Seekers and Other 20-Somethings Unload to the Times

Plus deporting refugees to random countries, Demuth drags Swifties, and get ready to vote in today's Flyover news roundup.

Give Me One Good Reason Why You Shouldn’t Listen to These Lovingly Curated New Music Playlists

10 great new local songs, 10 great new songs from everywhere else, and one loud honk of mediocrity.

October 30, 2026

I’m Done Doin’ Doin’ Beers

So long, and thanks for all the suds.

October 30, 2026

RacketCast, Ep. 64: Ballot Banter Feat. Election Guru Naomi Kritzer

The invaluable sci-fi/election guide author returns to the pod.

October 30, 2026

Freeloader Friday: 96 Free Things To Do This Weekend

Halloween parties, trick-or-treating, and last call for many farmers markets in town.

October 30, 2026

Let’s Freak Out About Kids and Technology in This Week’s Open Thread

As we do every Friday, we're turning Racket over to you, the readers.

October 30, 2026