Alan Richardson
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alanrichardson.bsky.social
Alan Richardson
@alanrichardson.bsky.social

Professor of Philosophy, UBC
Faculty Member, Science and Technology Studies Graduate Program, UBC
Philosophy of Science
History of Philosophy of Science

Philosophy 46%
History 20%

Just how friendly is Caspar anyway?

Hmmmm…. I didn’t think the history of philosophy properly understood was going to be the antidote to rightwing American lunacy, but it is looking that way now.

“Foucault and Lyotard: post-structuralism as anti-colonialism and not as destructive moral ideas”
JD VANCE THINKS BRITAIN & FRANCE ARE AMERICAS LIKELY ENEMIES.
The world is getting bizarrely screwed with this kind of bull being spewed out.

Or perhaps 4Chan left the internet behind…..

Reposted by Alan Richardson

www.newyorker.com/culture/infi...

The anonymous forum thrived when edgelord content wasn’t acceptable on more mainstream social media. Today, it can be found most anywhere
How the Internet Left 4chan Behind
The anonymous forum thrived when edgelord content wasn’t acceptable on more mainstream social media. Today, it can be found most anywhere.
www.newyorker.com
"tell me we didn't just fire a dozen $500,000 missiles at a $200 camel"

"sir, no evidence of any camel present, sir!"

Reposted by Alan Richardson

I'm happy to announce that I've been awarded the Mind-Matter Prize by the Society for Mind-Matter Research. (See "news" at the top right). My prize-acceptance Lecture will be at the Society's Models of Consciousness Conference in Copenhagen, October 12-16, 2026. www.mindmatter.de/index.html
Society for Mind-Matter Research
www.mindmatter.de

Die Another Day: A Full Account of this Issue Lies Beyond the Scope of this Essay
Dean Martin, born Dino Paul Crocetti, son of Italian immigrant Gaetano Crocetti

Frank Sinatra, son of Italian immigrants Antonino Sinatra and Natalina Garavanta

Merry Christmas to everyone except Stephen Miller and his enablers and handlers

Not what I thought it did, that’s for sure….
Tell us: As the U.S. prepares to observe its 250th anniversary, what does being an American mean to you right now? https://bit.ly/3YCG6Pf

My favourite holiday special is Rudolph, since it reveals abuse of power everyone—Santa and the reindeer and the elves are all weirdly prejudiced; Moonracer kidnaps a bunch of unloved toys but they are even more miserable than they were before.

Thread on the proper DELCO response to It’s a Wonderful Life.
As a grown-ass woman in her 50s, I saw “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the first time the other day, and I have THOUGHTS:

1. George Bailey is basically an abusive asshole;

Reposted by Alan Richardson

As a grown-ass woman in her 50s, I saw “It’s a Wonderful Life” for the first time the other day, and I have THOUGHTS:

1. George Bailey is basically an abusive asshole;

The world blowed up real good.
"The findings suggest that acknowledging environmental problems is linked to traits such as warmth and compassion. These are stereotypically associated with femininity. Consequently, men who feel pressure to prove their manhood may avoid environmentalist attitudes to protect their gender identity.
🥲
Some men may downplay climate change risks to avoid appearing feminine
A new study finds that men who are anxious about their masculinity are less likely to care about climate change. They may view environmental concern as a feminine trait that threatens their image.
www.psypost.org

Skyfall: The Dean Cut the TA Budget Another 15%

Make a Bind movie academic:

License to Kill: Thank you for your paper; we have plenty of time for Q and A.
make a Bond movie academic

"Dr. No: Getting reimbursed on time for academic travel."
make a Bond movie academic

"For Your Eyes Only: Okay, But Niche Topics Can Still Be Important Even If They Don't Get Wide Readership"

Fellas, can I love anything that doesn’t remind me of my penis?
Threads is just wild because what the fuck

Cod is dead
I got New York Review of Books’d by Bill McKibben www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

The NYT still somehow believes they comment on rather than participate in discussions of democracy in America. By distancing themselves from the criticism they make their own future as a secular institution less secure.
The Trump administration celebrated Christmas on Thursday by posting a series of religious messages from official government accounts, using language that drew criticism from those who pointed to America's separation of church and state.
Trump Administration Emphasizes Religion in Official Christmas Messages
Government officials have traditionally steered clear of such overtly religious language, as the Constitution prohibits the establishment of an official state religion.
nyti.ms

Reposted by Alan Richardson

make a Bond movie academic

"Dr. No: Getting reimbursed on time for academic travel."
make a Bond movie academic

"For Your Eyes Only: Okay, But Niche Topics Can Still Be Important Even If They Don't Get Wide Readership"
make a Bond movie academic

The Spy Who Loved Me: Birthright Citizenship and the Law of Alien Enemies

In social media posts designed to test boundaries, Trump introduced a new policy orientation toward his critics in media—swift death; some scholars question constitutionality.
The Trump administration celebrated Christmas on Thursday by posting a series of religious messages from official government accounts, using language that drew criticism from those who pointed to America's separation of church and state.
Trump Administration Emphasizes Religion in Official Christmas Messages
Government officials have traditionally steered clear of such overtly religious language, as the Constitution prohibits the establishment of an official state religion.
nyti.ms
America has 925 billionaires as of this year. Collectively they have a record $6.9 trillion in wealth.

The bottom 50% of Americans control $4.2 trillion in wealth.

When 925 people control more wealth than half a country’s population, we have a very serious problem.

I don’t know if this is an insult but one of my math profs once asked a question, listened patiently as a student gave an answer, and then responded with “that is exactly wrong.”
What's an insult you'll never forget?

Reposted by Alan Richardson

Literally bragging about putting people out of work

The Phallus Hound

Reposted by Alan Richardson

I got New York Review of Books’d by Bill McKibben www.nybooks.com/articles/202...

Your neighbourhood historian of science agrees.
Over the last two years I've spent a lot of time reading Newton's Principia and Bacon's Novum Organum and I think more astro/physicists should have this experience

Reposted by Alan Richardson

Over the last two years I've spent a lot of time reading Newton's Principia and Bacon's Novum Organum and I think more astro/physicists should have this experience

Reposted by Alan Richardson

A thorough story on disability education in BC's K-12 by @kehyslop.bsky.social

While funding is mentioned, the bear in the room -taxation-is not broached.

thetyee.ca/News/2025/12...
The Struggle to Support Kids with Disabilities in BC’s Classrooms | The Tyee
Students are forced to miss school. EAs face stress and injuries. More training and outside help may be the answer.
thetyee.ca
It did not "go viral". It was intentionally filmed and disseminated using a network of coordinated bots, amplified by an algorithm designed to spread this kind of content quickly. This was a harassment campaign, intended to silence everyone. Call it what it is.

Reposted by Alan Richardson

Tell us: As the U.S. prepares to observe its 250th anniversary, what does being an American mean to you right now? https://bit.ly/3YCG6Pf