Trump's higher ed ransom note is here - everyone would have to acquiesce to their unprecedented demands or not be "given priority for grants," plus they can demand "reimbursement" for "violations" www.wsj.com/us-news/educ...
A mechanism to enforce fealty. An attack on academic freedom and democracy
These assholes have got 18 of my papers and a book. Sign up for the settlement. Let’s get what we’re owed.
Six amazing books in the @nyupress.bsky.social series, Health, Society, and Inequality are out! And more are coming soon. So proud to be a part of this work. @ralmeling.bsky.social @katemasonsociology.bsky.social @andreabeckerphd.bsky.social
@ilenekalish.bsky.social
nyupress.org/series/healt...
This expands a similar purge recently at the Naval Academy library, in Maryland. Last month, civilian Navy officials, following orders originating from Mr. Hegseth, pulled from shelves books including one that critiqued “The Bell Curve,” a 1994 text that argues that Black men and women are genetically less intelligent than white people. But the academy kept “The Bell Curve” itself on its shelves.
You’re allowed to argue that black people and women are genetically inferior. But you’re NOT allowed to argue they are NOT inferior because that’s divisive. www.nytimes.com/2025/05/09/u...
As a former child junior olympic-level runner, I have a few thoughts on the attacks on trans girls in sports. I ran for one of the most competitive teams in Southern California, and people who ran for my have gone on to become professional athletes. And these bans: they're fucking NONSENSE. 🧵
This statement is nearing 1600 signatories. Have you signed? Have you sent to your friends & colleagues? Your department or university list-serve? Your alumni network?
if not, can you?
bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEd
or to go right to signing bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEdSign
Please take a few minutes (before 3/17) to comment and register your objection to three proposed rule changes that would make it harder for trans Americans to get, renew, or update their passports. transequality.org/news/freedom...
I just got a live aide and asked if he planned to vote no on cloture. She said he hadn’t made a statement about it yet, but they were hearing from lots of constituents on this today.
This kind of personal vindictiveness is exactly what bureaucracy is designed to avoid.
www.axios.com/2025/02/24/m...
Over half the answers AI gave couldn’t be trusted.
Not even after the AI was given access to the BBC’s website and prompted to use BBC News articles and sources.
The BBC tested:
- OpenAI’s ChatGPT
- Microsoft’s Copilot
- Google’s Gemini
- Perplexity
Tonight’s antifascist movie, once again selected by my six year old, features ADHD queen Maria dodging literal Nazis. #thesoundofmusic
… and even though he’s from the ruling class, this king convinces the underclass that he’s one of them and the elites are to blame for their problems. Until he gets in a tight spot and tries to make them take the fall for him.
I just watched a movie with my six-year-old about a weak king who comes to power after blaming his own misdeeds on his rivals and backed by a bunch of resentful nazi-types to whom who he promises power. #thelionking
Fund me, daddy Engels
Our family knows CHOP well. It’s a place that offers hope and life to kids who need extra help and serves a lot of low income families. The doctors there are some of the best I’ve ever met. That’s the face of these cuts when you get down to it.
I’m not sure if this is helpful, but the section I chair will be having a zoom call with members (probably next week) to discuss resource sharing and strategies. If you’d like to join us, lmk!
EPA, CDC, USAID and other data sites of federal government are all down or being scrubbed of long-term data that WE THE TAXPAYERS paid for. I teach with these tools! Why are our universities saying nothing about loss of access to information and research implications? I cannot believe the silence 🧪
My own suspicion is that he holds these beliefs (as just one example, he's really into positive eugenics), but only so far as he doesn't have to sacrifice much for them. And the salute was about those beliefs *and* about demonstrating his power to do whatever he wants without consequence.
The fact that Trump has literally invaded women’s spaces (E. Jean Carroll, Miss Universe contestants) to ogle and assault them is beyond ironic. We could literally protect a lot more women by subbing in the words “Donald J Trump” anywhere trans women are referenced in this executive order.
I'm so excited for this book (including, but not limited to, its A+ title)
Trump launching a cryptocurrency right before taking office, Musk making a verrrrry familiar hand gesture... what they have in common is a sort of edge-lordy testing of the waters of normlessness: "How much can I get away with?" Unsettling not just in themselves but as a preview of what's to come.
Trump’s new executive orders - withdrawing from the Paris climate treaty, ending the program for reuniting families separated at the southern border, halting refugee admissions - are a case study in necropolitics. Which people—which kids— are worth protecting, and which will suffer and die.
Image is a flyer for a research study: "How does your job affect your wellbeing, for better or worse?" Sample topics (perks for healthier employees, rules about rest breaks, expectations for professional appearance) are listed, along with details on who can participate (U.S.-based adults aged 18+ who are employed 30+ hours a week or who left such a job in the last 5 years for health or disability reasons), compensation ($50 gift card raffle for those who provide contact information), and a QR code and link to access the survey: https://tinyurl.com/2p956vx3. The contact for this study is Katherine Mason, Associate Professor at Wheaton College. mason_katherine@wheatoncollege.edu
I’m starting research on my new project on how people in various careers navigate health and wellness issues at work. Does your job encourage you to get healthy (however you define that)? Have you ever had to leave a job for health or disability reasons? I want to hear from you! tinyurl.com/2p956vx3
Tucked into the Cass Report, deep in the appendices, you'll find that they reviewed thousands of patient records and found no one who'd been harmed by puberty blockers and fewer than 10 detransitions.
Last day of commuting in to teach until August! Naturally, there was a snowstorm.
My doctoral institution began soliciting "alumni" donations from me WHILE I WAS STILL A GRADUATE STUDENT (I had completed my masters there, hence I was technically an alum). My response: you know *exactly* how much money I make working for you as a TA. I will not be donating any of it back to you.
So proud to see @chasestrangio.bsky.social and the ACLU arguing this case before SCOTUS today! www.nytimes.com/2024/12/03/o...
IRB approval arrived today!!! Two more days of classes to teach before the semester ends, and then it's time to GET GOING!
Would you add me?
