DJ, I presume?

A Safer Internet - Mitigating Anti Blackness and Digital Misogynoir on a Decentralized Network YouTube video by SHIELD

Playback from my presentation for Shield Global Online Safety Conference Wednesday talking about what we do here at @blackskyweb.xyz !

youtu.be/VCYevvgbZ_0?...

Page 2 of letter by Daniel Swain. It begins: constructive suggestions regarding how the already remarkable institutional efficiency and societal impact of NCAR could be further enhanced through increased (not decreased) federal support in the years to come. Please note: To ensure the highest level of technical rigor, this response focuses exclusively on the core atmospheric and natural hazard science topics within the author’s primary domain of expertise; for this reason, I have omitted a response to Topic 4 (Space Weather)." NCAR weather modeling and atmospheric observing capabilities a) Management and operations of weather-related observational platforms, modeling and science as a stand-alone activity. The proposed management of weather-related research as a stand-alone activity is a scientifically regressive path that ignores the fundamental physical reality of the Earth system. Modern atmospheric science has demonstrated (largely, it is worth noting, due to groundbreaking researc

Page 3 of letter by Daniel Swain. It begins: b) Management and operations of weather-related observational platforms, modeling and science as combined with other NSF investments/facilities. The highly specialized nature of the NCAR-Wyoming Supercomputing Center (NWSC) infrastructure represents an extraordinary value proposition that cannot be replicated by combining it with more generalized NSF programs. The NWSC is not a generic high-performance computing (HPC) facility; it is a laboratory uniquely optimized for atmospheric science workflows, with a hardware and storage architecture specifically designed to handle the massive, high-bandwidth data demands of Earth system modeling. Furthermore, its model of providing an excellent, free-at-point-of-use technical support team ensures that the focus remains on the science rather than the overhead of systems administration. This centralized expertise allows individual researchers, smaller labs, and even entire universities—who would otherwi

Page 4 of letter by Daniel Swain. It begins: NCAR Mesa Lab (located in Boulder, Colorado) a/b) Ownership of the NSF NCAR Mesa Lab building for public and private use. Far more than just an office building, NSF NCAR Mesa Lab is an iconic and purpose-built facility designed specifically for the study of atmospheric science. Its position at the physical interface of the Rocky Mountain foothills and the Great Plains is a deliberate reflection of its mission, serving as a visible symbol—in an iconically American setting—of the federal government's enduring commitment to science in service of society. For many in the field, including myself, the Mesa Lab holds singular importance as a focal gathering point for the global atmospheric science community. My own early career exposure to weather and Earth system modeling, in fact, occurred within these walls, and I have long felt that the facility’s architecture and location inspire a necessary sense of awe regarding the atmosphere’s complexity a

Page 1 of letter by Daniel Swain. It begins: Dear Acting Director Stone and the NSF NCAR restructuring team: I am writing to provide a formal response to the Request for Information (RFI) regarding the proposed restructuring of the NSF National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR) and its critical weather science infrastructure contained within the January 23, 2026 Dear Colleague Letter (DCL) entitled “NSF Intent to Restructure Critical Weather Infrastructure.” I submit these comments in my professional capacity as an atmospheric research scientist within the University of California, where my research focuses on the physics and dynamics of atmospheric processes related to extreme weather events and their role in shifting natural hazard and disaster risk. My perspective is informed by a public-sector career dedicated to bridging the gap between fundamental atmospheric research and real-world application in an academic context, with a particular focus on understanding and mitigating

I just submitted my letter to NSF responding to its proposal to dismantle the National Center for Atmospheric Research (NCAR). I argue that doing so would be an astonishing and avoidable misstep, and that federal support for the institution should in fact be *increased.* [1/4]

two graphics of the pink panther that reads "applications open. Apply now to join LPL as a 2026 summer fellow. This paid fellowship is for early-career researchers looking to investigate surveillance technologies. Your work will challenge Big Tech and how racialized capitalism underpins these logics." Link to the full proposal is https://cdn.prod.website-files.com/66045fc0d0be7536b4fb020a/69b1b8b1787cd413337973ba_Fellowship___Call_for_Applications.pdf

EXCITING NEWS: Applications NOW *open* to join LPL as a 2026 summer fellow. This paid fellowship is for *early-career* researchers looking to investigate surveillance technologies. Full details here -> cdn.prod.website-files.com/66045fc0d0be...

Blacksky nails

Blacksky nails

Thanks here’s a close up

The last day for submissions! Feel free to reach out if you have any questions, happy to talk about any use of network analysis to advance historical arguments! #cfp #skystorians #digitalhumanities

Palantir CEO Makes Shocking Confession on Disrupting Democratic Power They’re saying the quiet part out loud now.

"Palantir CEO Alex Karp says his AI technology will lessen the power of “highly educated, often female voters, who vote mostly Democrat” while increasing the power of working-class men."

Just saying it right out loud now.

newrepublic.com/post/207693/...

Giving Day Promotional Image for the Indigenous Futures Lab. The Director of the Indigenous Futures Lab assists two students in the lab.

Today is #GivingDayUMD! Show your support for WGSS🌈🎓 and the Indigenous Futures Lab through the WGSS fund at http://go.umd.edu/wgssgivingday. Your support helps support brilliant feminist research at the undergraduate and graduate level as well as all your favorite Indigenous Futures Lab Programming

How Florida's domestic terrorism bills could affect student speech Florida lawmakers are considering bills to define 'domestic terrorist'. Free speech advocates warn this could chill campus speech. Here's how.

This bill would let Florida officials label organizations and individuals "domestic terrorists" through a "guilt by designation" process that could be weaponized against those criticizing the government.

Florida state senators must protect our constitutional rights and reject this dangerous bill.

Hi, Reproductive Justice organizer here based in VIRGINIA smh
In the 20th century, it became rampant and even LEGAL in some states=compulsory sterilization

Non-fiction read: Killing the Black Body by Dorthy Roberts
Fiction read: Take My Hand by Dolen Perkins-Valdez

Watch: youtu.be/tOKW4U5sY_o?...

A gray shorthair cat at the moment of release upside down, with its tongue out looking derpy

A new paper on falling cat science came out and I just have to draw people's attention to this image

I have seen a lot of cursed stuff in my time in academia but this is among the *most* cursed.
Grammarly is generating miniature LLMs based on academic work so that users can have their writing ‘reviewed’ by experts like David Abulafia, who died less than two months ago.

Are you a current or former Education Dept. employee?

Have information about civil rights investigations or discrimination in schools?

Reach out to @jsmithrichards.bsky.social on Signal at jsmithrichards.93 or @jodiscohen.bsky.social at jodireporter.88 👇

Book cover for The Black Fantastic 20 Afrofuturist Stories

The Black Fantastic: 20 Afrofuturist Stories, edited by me, is a nominee for best collection for the @bsfa.bsky.social Awards! @libraryofamerica.bsky.social

bsfa.co.uk/bsfa-awards-...

GIRL! Put them fucking records on and play your favorite song.

"its push alert systems recognized a euphemism for the slur used in stories and incorrectly inserted the full word"

Some systems are defined by their failure modes: what is possible when things go wrong?

"Adds slurs" is a very bad failure mode

"I seem unreliable, but I'm actually very reliable. You just have to trust the process." Alysa Liu, U.S. Olympic figure skater

When I’m two weeks behind on my grading.

On this day in 1923, the U.S. Supreme Court *unanimously* decided that people of South Asian descent could not be American citizens, and retroactively stripped citizenship from many who had already been naturalized. Years of organized persecution followed. www.saada.org/explore/publ...

BREAKING: The Department of Education has ended its directive that attempted to restrict diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts in schools nationwide.

This is a victory for academic freedom and education equity.

RAMADAN MUBARAK 🎉

For those traveling to #SIGCSE, support Leiny and the important work she's done to tell the AiiCE story from a high level!

Flyer with image of Bridget Agyare, AiiCE Student Advisory Board member, who will be presenting at SIGCSE 2026.

📣 Attending #SIGCSE2026? Be sure to check out our Student Advisory Board member, Bridget Agyare!

Bridget is also participating in our event on Tuesday, Feb 24 - register today to join us! 🔗 duke.is/StudentVoices

Don't miss these opportunities to learn from our CS students! #AiiCEinnovates #CSEd

Gladys Mae West obituary: mathematician who pioneered GPS technology She made key contributions to US cold-war science despite facing huge barriers as a Black woman.

No joke: I got angry hate mail today for writing an obituary of a Black woman scientist—because the person felt she did didn’t deserve the recognition.

Which just makes me want to share it again: www.nature.com/articles/d41...

This is a flyer for the Rest & ME/CFS research study, IRB number 26-6. It says "participate in a survey about rest, energy, and Myalgic Encephalomyelitis/Chronic Fatigue Syndrome". In the upper right corner it says “Questions? Email Study Co-PI Victoria: empwrtc@protonmail.com”. Below the header is interwoven circles, one is black with text that says Fully Virtual, low- energy version included. The circle behind is an image of white silk wrinkled. Next to it text says “To participate you must be: Over the age of 18 AND EITHER Have ME/CFS worked with at research (self or professionally diagnosed) or be A medical/healthcare provider who has least one person with ME/CFS, currently practicing or conducting research”. Below this it says learn more at www.restandmecfs.com There are two icons on the bottom left corner. One says ETC and above it are six icon-stick figure people holding hands in a circle. Next to it is Cal Poly Pomona's logo, a diamond with an orangey yellow background and palm trees and a building inside. The Cal Poly Pomona Institutional Review Board has reviewed and approved for conduct this research involving human subjects under protocol IRB 26-6.

PLRC member Dr. Copeland has launched a research study on rest, energy, & #MECFS — open to people with ME/CFS & healthcare providers who are currently practicing or conducting research & have had at least 1 patient or participant with ME/CFS.

More info: restandmecfs.com

#BlackHistoryMonth

if you woke up black again today make some nooooooooooooooise

Now anyone can tap Ring doorbells to search for lost dogs Ring says Search Party helps find more than one missing pet a day.

“The company launched its Search Party feature in September and, despite some misgivings about it being enabled by default (and concerns around privacy and relationships with law enforcement), the company is taking a victory lap with a Super Bowl commercial.”

Black Girlhood Studies Fall 2025 (VCU) | Are.na This is a place for my students and me to create a space to archive Black Girlho…l Black girlhood, activism, beauty politics, sexuality, and creative expression.

I wanted to share my Black Girlhood Studies students' final archive that we did during our last semester. Their class reflections have been added (with permission). Enjoy! www.are.na/kay-coghill/...

Where the hell are Google and Apple enforcing their app store terms of service on X? Grok doing CSAM should instantly be a removal from the app store. Any other app doing this would be pulled instantly. Journalists should be asking for comment from these companies.

RESEARCH REQUEST: I’m looking for a local news morning show producer to interview for book research. Bonus if they’re based in New Orleans, Atlanta, or Nashville, but open to yankee cities.

If that’s you or you know someone, please connect us! Thank you! I’ll put you in the acknowledgments 🙏🏾