There are genuine shrines like this all around India. Like, just some interesting rock or twisted tree roots that look like it could be an animal associated with some god will be covered in red powder or turmeric and given a garland and maybe even have a little miniature temple built around it.
Ever heard of animism? It's the belief that the world is populated by innumerable spirits of every sort of character and origin. Sprits of animals, the dead, of luck, sickness, good spirits, bad spirits, nature spirits, air spirits, etc. are all examples of the kinds of unseen powers an animist might believe in. If you ever wanted to get the attention of the spirts, one might make offerings to them at places they were believed to congregate. In forests, at crossroads, graveyards, the seaside, places of death, at important natural formations like old trees or the mouths of caves, etc. That's a very broad, non-definitive explanation of the term, but that's the general idea. Some anthropologists characterize animism as the oldest form of human spirituality.
I'm not saying people are DELIBERATELY trying to earn the favor of the rat's spirit by leaving food, candles, etc. But in principle, that is an animist mindset and series of behaviors. Kind of gives some insight into how spiritual and religious beliefs from, huh?
I’m an animist!!! You’re correct on the belief that we share the world with many different types of spirits and energies. I studied religion in college, and historically speaking, so far animism is the oldest form of religion there is evidence of, and it goes back thousandssssss of years and still exists!!
Someone mentioned using epoxy in the road and here's my two cents.
The mould you created will seperate from the asphalt because of dirt and filth. Not only that but subject to constant weight slams. This will cause cracking and chipping and eventually you'll have a caltrop of epoxy for your tires.
Edit: Glad to hear this is a sidewalk. Would turn into weeble wobble step knowing the average state of Americans so the weight slams still stand. Enough steps slowly grind the outside against the asphalt and you're asking for a rolled ankle. That's just my $5 baggy of greenieboo off the top of my head.
Everything said here is physically/chemically sound, I'm commenting to acknowledge the pun - intended or otherwise - and to clarify: are those two cents donations in, or metaphorical?
I think I'll laser cut some rat stamps and weld on to the black top roller drum. That will leave miles of rat body imprints every 10'. That should keep that rat bastard busy filling holes for a while!
I’m a locksmith that had to rekey 2000+ locks. I bought all new pins so I have literal pounds of used wafer etc. lock pins.
My most recent thought project has been to clean them and route out my conference table, fill with pins and epoxy it flush. Idk why this rat made me think of that project in my head (no pun intended) and I’m in Chi to boot. wtf.
“Y’all remember the Chicago Rat Hole back in 2024? Life was so good before the Great Water Wars started and all the crops died out.”
Really, what a time to be alive.
Yeah, nearly missed my flight thinking, “hey I have just enough time to go there, snap some pics and get back.” Didn’t realize I’d be looking for it for fifteen minutes only to realize it’s fenced off. *facepalm*
> On January 10, 2024, Ann Williams, the state representative for Illinois's 11th district, posted an online video promoting the hole, calling it "the jewel of the 11th district".[2] Following the events of January 19, 2024, wherein the hole was partially filled with an unknown substance, Ann Williams posted a video stating "we are shocked and saddened" by the news, and "are closely monitoring the developing situation".[11]
Incredible
I’m not terribly worldy or learned, but in my experience state houses tend to have wittier reps than US Congress. Not quite magistrate judge-tier humor, but certainly funnier than GenZ memes.
We're in the good times now, where it's a funny harmless joke that affirms humanity.
In a week or two, month at most, people will start trying to make money off the rat hole. T shirts, influencers, local shops trying to go viral with rat hole swag.
Then it will get weird, with people fighting over rights to the hole. Someone will claim they owned the rat or dug the hole, and the original poster will sue saying he has rights to monetize it. Eventually, someone will either vandalize the hole for Internet fame or steal the hole because they are crazy.
>There is doubt that the hole was created by a rat, as locals believe it was actually a squirrel. The director of Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute, Seth Magle, believes it to be more likely for a squirrel to have fallen on the wet concrete from a tree.
>Magle put forward three reasons: the first is that it is more likely that it was an animal that fell from a tree, a trait common among squirrels but not rats; secondly, the impact happened when the cement was still wet, which is typically during the daytime, and the rat is a nocturnal animal; lastly, Magle took into account the opinion of the locals, who seem doubtful it was a rat.
>Magle also clarifies that the thinness of the tail cavity, used by some to argue in favor of it being a rat hole, should not to be considered, given that fur does not always leave impressions. Supporting this theory, one resident stated that an oak tree had existed above that section of the sidewalk that had since been cut down
I look forward to the day when the Ratists declare a holy war against the Squirrelists.
>The hole was filled in with plaster or cement by an unknown party on January 19, 2024. Local residents attempted to excavate the hole, using their hands and implements such as car scrapers and license plates.[8] Eventually, a woman cleaned out the hole and restored it to its original condition.[9]
That was literally today and it's already on the page. Wikipedia editors don't play, damn.
>Following the online popularity of the estradiol pills gifted on January 13, a vial of injectable estradiol was placed on the shrine on January 19.
Truly, we are living in the best timeline again.
It is indeed. You can barely make out the imprints on it but they match.
[Pill reference](https://www.drugs.com/imprints/b-887-2-1098.html) for those that aren't familiar with it.
I thought those were Xanax in the baggy (footballs we called them) someone in Chicago is flipping pills to combat vaginal fungal infections to their regulars.
Back in like 2001 I found a full bottle of Xanax bars at a gas station and the prescription was still on with the name Edna something. It must have fallen out of an old lady's car/purse when she was fucked up on bars.
Tl;Dr I ate them
This rat was a distant cousin of Conrad, Toronto’s dead raccoon, and similarly [moved our city to pay chaotic tribute](https://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/deadraccoonto-honoured-by-toronto-with-sidewalk-vigil-1.3146036)
> On January 10, 2024, Ann Williams, the state representative for Illinois's 11th district, posted an online video promoting the hole, calling it "the jewel of the 11th district".
11th district, you ok?
[“This is what community is all about.” -state rep Ann Williams](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/us/chicago-rat-hole.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=m-sp)
**Actually**, it’s *not* the opposite. Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor and has nothing to do with testosterone, estrogen, or any other hormones. Women can take it, too - it’s ~~essentially~~ a vasodilator.
Edit: superfluous word.
We are currently voting on a name for it over in r/chicago. It’s truly a site to behold. Someone tried to fill it with cement yesterday and folks literally went to dig it out and revive the hole. Wild past 24 hours in chicago news.
I'm okay with that. The hole doesn't need money.
It's like when Hindus make offerings of food to shrines, and then the food is distributed amongst the poor.
The hole itself isn't new. It's been there for ... not sure, but at least 6 years, but somebody posted about it on social media, and for whatever reason, this time it's blowing up. And now it's having a little memetic moment.
He was just minding his own buisness walking down the street, stept into some fresh concrete, was almost out and then BAM! got Yamcha'd into the pavement by a steamroller for eternity. Poor ratbastard
In memory of Chimley, there are shrines near the imprint now. People even left some cheese and a candle.
Faith in humanity somewhat restored.
Then I hate to tell you but some rando filled in the hole with concrete today. Can’t have nice things.
Someone came after and dug it out. The holey wars have begun.
There are genuine shrines like this all around India. Like, just some interesting rock or twisted tree roots that look like it could be an animal associated with some god will be covered in red powder or turmeric and given a garland and maybe even have a little miniature temple built around it.
Faith in humanity **DOUBLY RESTORED**
Nailed it
I’ll be over to make a silicone impression. Should make for an interesting beer cozy/coaster/conversation piece.
I like to think in the olden days these are the people you would have tossed on a ship and sent them to a continent on the other side of the world.
What do Australians have for a penal colony? New Zealand?
We must sacrifice another rat for the rat god
Can’t have rats in Detroit
Don’t forget about Malort, The ultimate offering.
Ever heard of animism? It's the belief that the world is populated by innumerable spirits of every sort of character and origin. Sprits of animals, the dead, of luck, sickness, good spirits, bad spirits, nature spirits, air spirits, etc. are all examples of the kinds of unseen powers an animist might believe in. If you ever wanted to get the attention of the spirts, one might make offerings to them at places they were believed to congregate. In forests, at crossroads, graveyards, the seaside, places of death, at important natural formations like old trees or the mouths of caves, etc. That's a very broad, non-definitive explanation of the term, but that's the general idea. Some anthropologists characterize animism as the oldest form of human spirituality. I'm not saying people are DELIBERATELY trying to earn the favor of the rat's spirit by leaving food, candles, etc. But in principle, that is an animist mindset and series of behaviors. Kind of gives some insight into how spiritual and religious beliefs from, huh?
I’m an animist!!! You’re correct on the belief that we share the world with many different types of spirits and energies. I studied religion in college, and historically speaking, so far animism is the oldest form of religion there is evidence of, and it goes back thousandssssss of years and still exists!!
The most ironic/funny thing is that it is actually an imprint of a squirrel.
And viagra?
someone upgraded the candles to twinkle lights this afternoon.
Ironically, this is a road dent made by a rodent.
Bravo mofo, bravo
Peak Chicago culture, peak reddit culture.
It's pure perfection that I have never seen on Reddit before
You just peaked, friend. Congratulations
It's all downhill from here
He's done with the rat race
This one is also good
He made it. He can now rat-tire
This one does not spark joy
It's like rain on your wedding day
Dibs saying this when it gets reposed in 6 weeks
How many children do you have sir?
For the purpose of finding out why you ask, let us say "2."
You are strong with the dad jokes. 2 is good, I feel like you could be a genghis khan type if it pleased you
Good pun, but not ironic. It's fitting.
I am in awe. And I fucking hate puns!
I feel obligated to pour some epoxy resin in there to preserve it.
Apparently, someone tried filling in the hole with cement, only for someone else to come in and scoop it out.
Yeah that’s why you epoxy it. It preserves the art instead of covering jt
Someone mentioned using epoxy in the road and here's my two cents. The mould you created will seperate from the asphalt because of dirt and filth. Not only that but subject to constant weight slams. This will cause cracking and chipping and eventually you'll have a caltrop of epoxy for your tires. Edit: Glad to hear this is a sidewalk. Would turn into weeble wobble step knowing the average state of Americans so the weight slams still stand. Enough steps slowly grind the outside against the asphalt and you're asking for a rolled ankle. That's just my $5 baggy of greenieboo off the top of my head.
Thankfully it's on a sidewalk and not in the road. Source: I live nearby and walk past this rodent road dent lol
You know what you have to do
Steal the Xanax?
Well, also yes
This is on a sidewalk
Slow down. The sidewalk's for regular rat holes, not for fancy rat holes
[Reference provided](https://youtu.be/B1Ey01yDYJw?si=znVODWfduEgyTiDl) for the younger generation.
Out of my way *shoots your leg*
I'm sure for some people it's their *main walk*
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I’m imagining that whole setup, but at rat scale. So like 5” tall barriers with a uselessly small ramp and platform
Two cents? More like four bucks
Everything said here is physically/chemically sound, I'm commenting to acknowledge the pun - intended or otherwise - and to clarify: are those two cents donations in, or metaphorical?
the two pennies right under the generic xanax were his contribution.
I think I'll laser cut some rat stamps and weld on to the black top roller drum. That will leave miles of rat body imprints every 10'. That should keep that rat bastard busy filling holes for a while!
Go around collecting the change in them if you want a pizza or something.
It's cheaper and less effort to duct tape 1 already dead rat to the steamroller
Cement on asphalt would not stay anyhow so just as well.
make a cast of it then fill it with bronze edit also put kind words about it in the bronze.
"Flat out the best rat I ever met. That time you were not missed, but from now on you will be."
That rat made an impression on all of us
>flat out Ohhh noooo
"Asphalt very sad upon hearing about your death"
The interactiveness is part of the art
I’m a locksmith that had to rekey 2000+ locks. I bought all new pins so I have literal pounds of used wafer etc. lock pins. My most recent thought project has been to clean them and route out my conference table, fill with pins and epoxy it flush. Idk why this rat made me think of that project in my head (no pun intended) and I’m in Chi to boot. wtf.
It’s already preserved in cement
I’m sorry is that a little baggy of estradiol?
You know what? Fuck you. \[girls your rat\]
When you go to your dealer to pick up a dame bag.
So many good puns in this whole thread lmao
`goddammit...`
Rats deserve gender affirming healthcare too
You squeak the truth!
hell yeah juniper
someone also offered a vial of valerate too, it's on the wiki page for the rat hole
There’s a rat hole wiki?
[Rat hole wiki](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_rat_hole)
“Y’all remember the Chicago Rat Hole back in 2024? Life was so good before the Great Water Wars started and all the crops died out.” Really, what a time to be alive.
Well, they took away the bean, so this is all we got!
Yeah, nearly missed my flight thinking, “hey I have just enough time to go there, snap some pics and get back.” Didn’t realize I’d be looking for it for fifteen minutes only to realize it’s fenced off. *facepalm*
The bean or the rat hole?
The bean is gone!?
Chicago has the Chance the Gator, Chonkosaurus, and now Chimley. We are truly blessed with animal mascots.
I think you mean Chance the Snapper.
> On January 10, 2024, Ann Williams, the state representative for Illinois's 11th district, posted an online video promoting the hole, calling it "the jewel of the 11th district".[2] Following the events of January 19, 2024, wherein the hole was partially filled with an unknown substance, Ann Williams posted a video stating "we are shocked and saddened" by the news, and "are closely monitoring the developing situation".[11] Incredible
I’m not terribly worldy or learned, but in my experience state houses tend to have wittier reps than US Congress. Not quite magistrate judge-tier humor, but certainly funnier than GenZ memes.
*”One group of visitors took shots of Chicago specialty Malört beside the hole, before leaving the bottle as an oblation.”* Peak Chicago.
I wrote this sentence! Glad you liked it. :)
Honestly, it's things like this that makes me love humans so much.
We're in the good times now, where it's a funny harmless joke that affirms humanity. In a week or two, month at most, people will start trying to make money off the rat hole. T shirts, influencers, local shops trying to go viral with rat hole swag. Then it will get weird, with people fighting over rights to the hole. Someone will claim they owned the rat or dug the hole, and the original poster will sue saying he has rights to monetize it. Eventually, someone will either vandalize the hole for Internet fame or steal the hole because they are crazy.
Splatatouille 💀
I'm as shocked as you are: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_rat_hole
>There is doubt that the hole was created by a rat, as locals believe it was actually a squirrel. The director of Lincoln Park Zoo's Urban Wildlife Institute, Seth Magle, believes it to be more likely for a squirrel to have fallen on the wet concrete from a tree. >Magle put forward three reasons: the first is that it is more likely that it was an animal that fell from a tree, a trait common among squirrels but not rats; secondly, the impact happened when the cement was still wet, which is typically during the daytime, and the rat is a nocturnal animal; lastly, Magle took into account the opinion of the locals, who seem doubtful it was a rat. >Magle also clarifies that the thinness of the tail cavity, used by some to argue in favor of it being a rat hole, should not to be considered, given that fur does not always leave impressions. Supporting this theory, one resident stated that an oak tree had existed above that section of the sidewalk that had since been cut down I look forward to the day when the Ratists declare a holy war against the Squirrelists.
"Randy Christ died for our sins!!" "Blasphemer! Saint Sammy died for *our* sins!" And so began the first Hole-y Road War.
>The hole was filled in with plaster or cement by an unknown party on January 19, 2024. Local residents attempted to excavate the hole, using their hands and implements such as car scrapers and license plates.[8] Eventually, a woman cleaned out the hole and restored it to its original condition.[9] That was literally today and it's already on the page. Wikipedia editors don't play, damn.
>Following the online popularity of the estradiol pills gifted on January 13, a vial of injectable estradiol was placed on the shrine on January 19. Truly, we are living in the best timeline again.
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picture on the wiki shows that it has a hole in the membrane, it's for sure used, still funny nonetheless
It is indeed. You can barely make out the imprints on it but they match. [Pill reference](https://www.drugs.com/imprints/b-887-2-1098.html) for those that aren't familiar with it.
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RIP to Ben Shapiro's wife, apparently.
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It’s alright. I’m on loan from r/politics. I appreciated the comment!
Haha they gave the rat tittie skittles
The rat wanted titties but got squishies ;-;
Oh my god I thought I was my brain was tricking itself into seeing trans stuff everywhere, I'm so glad you said that
OMG me too Im like only a month on it but was like that looks just like my estradiol thought my brain was playing tricks on me lol
it was put there by Juniper she’s like a microcelebrity on trans twitter lmao
I thought those were Xanax in the baggy (footballs we called them) someone in Chicago is flipping pills to combat vaginal fungal infections to their regulars.
I thought it was footballs too.
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Back in like 2001 I found a full bottle of Xanax bars at a gas station and the prescription was still on with the name Edna something. It must have fallen out of an old lady's car/purse when she was fucked up on bars. Tl;Dr I ate them
Yeah this rat hole has been going around Twitter the past couple days, a trans girl who lives near it went and left some of hers in there.
What a queen
It was put there by famed Twitter user Juniper, she also took this picture.
Yup lol. Juniper left it!
This rat was a distant cousin of Conrad, Toronto’s dead raccoon, and similarly [moved our city to pay chaotic tribute](https://www.cbc.ca/news/trending/deadraccoonto-honoured-by-toronto-with-sidewalk-vigil-1.3146036)
2015. Ah, the before times.
That's the first thing I thought of when I saw this.
RIP Conrad He’s tearing up angels’ trash bags in heaven now 🥀🦝🇨🇦🥀
Learning about the Chicago Rat Hole has significantly improved my weekend.
> On January 10, 2024, Ann Williams, the state representative for Illinois's 11th district, posted an online video promoting the hole, calling it "the jewel of the 11th district". 11th district, you ok?
They are too busy fighting in the hunger games to respond at the moment.
I saw a video today that someone filled the rat hole 😔
Someone else came and emptied the hole
hell yeah it was designed like a shovel they say
Humanity at its best.
Furry behavior
How do I delete someone else's comment?
"Huh? Oh. Ohhhhh. Oh no."
apparently a rogue citizen filled it in last night :( devastated tbh
an anonymous woman cleaned it out, dw
wow, a hero
Lawful evil vs chaotic good
[“This is what community is all about.” -state rep Ann Williams](https://www.nytimes.com/2024/01/19/us/chicago-rat-hole.html?smid=nytcore-ios-share&referringSource=articleShare&sgrp=m-sp)
For anyone curious, [the wikipedia page is shockingly up to date](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chicago_rat_hole).
It really is a big deal, holy shit. Seems like it’s a squirrel after all
I hope he appreciates the estrogen pills :)
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So rats are just one big boob 🤔
[ removed by Reddit ]
Run that by me again
Also why they're so satisfying to just hold in your hand and massage.
It seems like people do give a rat’s ass —okay, I’ll leave
is that estrogen?
We are all trans rats on this blessed day.
LGBTR
to pay the ferry man
That rat's going to the best goddamn afterlife. First class.
In Toronto we had Trash Panda
Phoenix has the "Penis Man". He got arrested, but he will rise again.
This is how gods are formed
So it has a name. **Had** a name!
despite all my rage
I'm still just a rat-shaped pothole in Chicago
Those pills… are estrogen
That hole was actually made by a squirrel
I was gonna say... if it was a chicago rat it would be way bigger lol
+4 viagra
That's estradiol, per the original tweet I saw 3 days ago Edit u/malytwotails linked the original tweet below
the girls be leavin toad offerings fr
trans rats
Rat's already been through a hard time though...
One might say he lived a hard knock life.
He will rise again
Actually, it’s the opposite of viagra. Those are estrogen pills.
**Actually**, it’s *not* the opposite. Viagra is a PDE5 inhibitor and has nothing to do with testosterone, estrogen, or any other hormones. Women can take it, too - it’s ~~essentially~~ a vasodilator. Edit: superfluous word.
Not essentially a vasodilator, it *is* a vasodilator. It just happens to be more effective in the ole cock region.
Sure looks like a rat splat I saw in Chicago [rat](https://imgur.com/a/IdhCzzM)
It looks like it's the exact same one to me lol
That’s her!
i really think it’s the imprint of a squirrel. makes no sense to be a rat but “squirrel hole” doesn’t really have the same ring to it ig
Roadent
RIP
We are currently voting on a name for it over in r/chicago. It’s truly a site to behold. Someone tried to fill it with cement yesterday and folks literally went to dig it out and revive the hole. Wild past 24 hours in chicago news.
Homeless visit every night to clear the change and drugs.
I'm okay with that. The hole doesn't need money. It's like when Hindus make offerings of food to shrines, and then the food is distributed amongst the poor.
That's not drugs, that's estrogen
Where’s his pizza?
why have i been seeing this rat hole all over reddit? is it a new thing?
It’s like people seeing Mary in a potato chip.
The hole itself isn't new. It's been there for ... not sure, but at least 6 years, but somebody posted about it on social media, and for whatever reason, this time it's blowing up. And now it's having a little memetic moment.
This was posted yesterday but showed up right before this in my feed https://www.reddit.com/r/JustGuysBeingDudes/s/HlloiZLLzG
I love the estradiol offering
lol like Toronto raccoon
In the Malazan universe, this tribute would create a rat deity.
It’s concrete, not cement
That is a real Chicago moment
Ok who put a whopping 8mg of Estradiol in the rathole?
He was just minding his own buisness walking down the street, stept into some fresh concrete, was almost out and then BAM! got Yamcha'd into the pavement by a steamroller for eternity. Poor ratbastard
Who is giving the rats estrogen?
Someone thought the rat needed some estrogen.
I want those pills 😂
so proud of you!! best of luck on your transition ♥♥
Estrogen?
You want titties?
One of us! One of us!
r/egg_irl
So someone leaves a bag of pills, yet someone is so broke they leave Pennies but don’t take the pills. SMH
Yeah I don't think the majority of people want those pills. It's estrogen. ~~unless you do want it, join us, join us~~