Adam Arenson
@adamarenson.bsky.social
Writing and teaching history for a wider public. Black North American border-crossing after the Underground Railroad; Civil War and Reconstruction in the West; Mid-Century Modern art and architecture from Millard Sheets. Californian in NYC. adamarenson.com
Reposted by Adam Arenson
November 24, 2025 at 11:46 PM
Reposted by Adam Arenson
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that one of the main impacts of LLMs is to disrupt thinking: to make it so that far too many people never properly learn how to do it, and then to control the output so there are thoughts that people never learn how to think.
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
I think it’s pretty clear at this point that one of the main impacts of LLMs is to disrupt thinking: to make it so that far too many people never properly learn how to do it, and then to control the output so there are thoughts that people never learn how to think.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
They can’t make computers as intelligent as humans, but they can make humans as unthinking as computers.
November 24, 2025 at 5:18 PM
They can’t make computers as intelligent as humans, but they can make humans as unthinking as computers.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Buckle up everyone--here is my response to the second video in the White House/Hillsdale college series on "American Independence." (spoiler: the second video is every bit as bad as the first one)
As a historian, I have been torturing myself by watching some of the series that the White House in cooperation with Hillsdale College produced about American Independence (tellingly, they avoid the word "revolution").
There are so many errors that it is hard to know where to begin. But I'll try
There are so many errors that it is hard to know where to begin. But I'll try
November 25, 2025 at 12:46 AM
Buckle up everyone--here is my response to the second video in the White House/Hillsdale college series on "American Independence." (spoiler: the second video is every bit as bad as the first one)
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Who invests in critical thinking and who invests in an AI chatbot to help you think will be really telling.
November 23, 2025 at 4:14 PM
Who invests in critical thinking and who invests in an AI chatbot to help you think will be really telling.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
The DOGE playbook is still being carried out by political appointees. I work at SSA and the Commissioner has repeatedly said he is a ‘DOGE guy’ and that we should embrace the DOGE ethos. And many former DOGE staffers have burrowed their way into the civil service.
empirejustice.org/resources_po...
empirejustice.org/resources_po...
November 23, 2025 at 2:31 PM
The DOGE playbook is still being carried out by political appointees. I work at SSA and the Commissioner has repeatedly said he is a ‘DOGE guy’ and that we should embrace the DOGE ethos. And many former DOGE staffers have burrowed their way into the civil service.
empirejustice.org/resources_po...
empirejustice.org/resources_po...
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Thousands of documents are moving through our workflow: locating, digitizing, transcribing, translating, & encoding before they appear on the site.
If you’re searching for something specific, more is on the way.
Come back and join us in this ongoing work of recovery.
www.nativeboundunbound.org
If you’re searching for something specific, more is on the way.
Come back and join us in this ongoing work of recovery.
www.nativeboundunbound.org
November 22, 2025 at 6:34 PM
Thousands of documents are moving through our workflow: locating, digitizing, transcribing, translating, & encoding before they appear on the site.
If you’re searching for something specific, more is on the way.
Come back and join us in this ongoing work of recovery.
www.nativeboundunbound.org
If you’re searching for something specific, more is on the way.
Come back and join us in this ongoing work of recovery.
www.nativeboundunbound.org
Reposted by Adam Arenson
For now, suffice it to say how depressing it is that the federal government is putting its authority behind this incorrect, decontextualized, and frankly boring vision of history at the same time that it is cutting funding for the NEH and attacking the Smithsonian's independence.
November 23, 2025 at 12:19 AM
For now, suffice it to say how depressing it is that the federal government is putting its authority behind this incorrect, decontextualized, and frankly boring vision of history at the same time that it is cutting funding for the NEH and attacking the Smithsonian's independence.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Trump has the lowest approval ratings of his career, he looks like a wet burnt potato, his base is in civil war, and he’s gushing over Zohran because he’s in steep cognitive decline and forgot MAGA has made him boogeyman #1.
The crash out is every bit as good as I’d dreamed.
The crash out is every bit as good as I’d dreamed.
Trump keeps praising Mamdani, despite conservative reporters trying to bait him into attacks.
November 21, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Trump has the lowest approval ratings of his career, he looks like a wet burnt potato, his base is in civil war, and he’s gushing over Zohran because he’s in steep cognitive decline and forgot MAGA has made him boogeyman #1.
The crash out is every bit as good as I’d dreamed.
The crash out is every bit as good as I’d dreamed.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Ya gotta love how centrist Dems were tripping over each other to kneecap Mamdani before the election and now Trump is just…kissing his butt.
November 21, 2025 at 9:05 PM
Ya gotta love how centrist Dems were tripping over each other to kneecap Mamdani before the election and now Trump is just…kissing his butt.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
This doesn’t happen without Maria’s intrepid reporting on this policy change, which USCIS tried to keep quiet.
BREAKING: USCIS is reinstating halted naturalization ceremonies in several New York counties, per U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler. The move comes days after a @timesunion.com report revealed abrupt cancellations in at least seven counties. www.timesunion.com/hudsonvalley...
USCIS reverses course, reinstates halted naturalization ceremonies across New York
The move comes days after the Times Union revealed abrupt cancellations in at least seven counties, sparking bipartisan criticism and demands for answers.
www.timesunion.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:53 PM
This doesn’t happen without Maria’s intrepid reporting on this policy change, which USCIS tried to keep quiet.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking.
"Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."
www.huffpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:22 AM
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
Reposted by Adam Arenson
I’m sorry that I don’t have anything intelligent to say right now because I am so fucking angry
www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-...
www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-...
Nursing is no longer counted as a 'professional degree' by Trump admin
The Department of Education has excluded nursing as a "professional degree" program as it implements various changes to student loans.
www.newsweek.com
November 20, 2025 at 5:30 PM
I’m sorry that I don’t have anything intelligent to say right now because I am so fucking angry
www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-...
www.newsweek.com/nursing-not-...
Reposted by Adam Arenson
“Adversarial poetry.”
Love this. Obvs.
Love this. Obvs.
November 20, 2025 at 5:53 PM
“Adversarial poetry.”
Love this. Obvs.
Love this. Obvs.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
👉🏽To learn more about the history of U.S. immigration visit 👨🏽💻Mapping Deportations: Unmasking the History of Racism in U.S immigration enforcement. 🔗 mappingdeportations.com
🖊️Cartoon by: @laloalcaraz.bsky.social
🖊️Cartoon by: @laloalcaraz.bsky.social
November 19, 2025 at 12:12 AM
👉🏽To learn more about the history of U.S. immigration visit 👨🏽💻Mapping Deportations: Unmasking the History of Racism in U.S immigration enforcement. 🔗 mappingdeportations.com
🖊️Cartoon by: @laloalcaraz.bsky.social
🖊️Cartoon by: @laloalcaraz.bsky.social
Reposted by Adam Arenson
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Exclusive: Trump DHS Plans Immigration Raids on Churches Over Holidays
The Trump Dept. of Homeland Security is briefing federal agencies on plans for immigration enforcement operations inside churches over holidays.
thisweekinworcester.com
November 18, 2025 at 1:12 AM
"Agencies within the U.S. Department of Homeland Security, including ICE, ERO, and CBP intend to implement a comprehensive plan to target Spanish-speaking churches across the country during the upcoming holiday season between Thanksgiving, Nov. 27, and Christmas, Dec. 25."
Reposted by Adam Arenson
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Summers Will Not Finish Semester of Teaching as Harvard Investigates Epstein Ties | News | The Harvard Crimson
Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey E. Epstein.
www.thecrimson.com
November 20, 2025 at 12:30 AM
#BREAKING: Former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers will immediately leave his role as an instructor at Harvard while the University investigates his ties to child sex trafficker Jeffrey Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Catholic priests have filed a federal lawsuit in Chicago to force access to provide communion to individuals held at an immigration detention center
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Complaint – #1 in Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership v. Noem (N.D. Ill., 1:25-cv-14168) – CourtListener.com
COMPLAINT for Injunctive and Declaratory Relief filed by Larry Dowling, Coalition for Spiritual and Public Leadership, Michael N. Okiczyc-Cruz, Jeremy Midura, Dennis Berry, Dan Hartnett; Jury Demand. ...
storage.courtlistener.com
November 19, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Catholic priests have filed a federal lawsuit in Chicago to force access to provide communion to individuals held at an immigration detention center
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Disability education should not be put into HHS because it's not a health issue, it's an education issue. The idea that disability = health is dehumanizing and, frankly, simply wrong.
November 18, 2025 at 7:12 PM
Disability education should not be put into HHS because it's not a health issue, it's an education issue. The idea that disability = health is dehumanizing and, frankly, simply wrong.
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Very wise piece from @dwallacewells.bsky.social warning against overreading Trump's 2024 victory as too much of a meaningful up-down referendum on immigration. Recommend:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/o...
Opinion | To Understand America’s Border Surge, You Have to Look Elsewhere
www.nytimes.com
November 19, 2025 at 9:50 PM
Very wise piece from @dwallacewells.bsky.social warning against overreading Trump's 2024 victory as too much of a meaningful up-down referendum on immigration. Recommend:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/o...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/19/o...
Reposted by Adam Arenson
And ED makes it official. Numerous programs are getting shipped out to four different agencies.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
McMahon Breaks Up More of the Education Department
Trump officials announced six agreements with four agencies to take over some of ED’s responsibilities.
www.insidehighered.com
November 18, 2025 at 7:22 PM
And ED makes it official. Numerous programs are getting shipped out to four different agencies.
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
www.insidehighered.com/news/governm...
Reposted by Adam Arenson
KEEP SHARING YOUR STORIES about increased ACA premiums due to the disappearance of subsidies. The stories clearly are having an impact, they help people feel less helpless, and they create solidarity that leads to action.
Mine went from $395→ $821. What happened for you?
Mine went from $395→ $821. What happened for you?
November 18, 2025 at 3:28 PM
KEEP SHARING YOUR STORIES about increased ACA premiums due to the disappearance of subsidies. The stories clearly are having an impact, they help people feel less helpless, and they create solidarity that leads to action.
Mine went from $395→ $821. What happened for you?
Mine went from $395→ $821. What happened for you?
Reposted by Adam Arenson
The vast body of research that Ken Burns relied upon to make his new documentary on the American Revolution would be practically impossible to be produced today, what with the defunding of humanistic scholarship, the collapse of stable academic jobs, the attack on public history & academic freedom.🗃️
November 17, 2025 at 9:43 PM
The vast body of research that Ken Burns relied upon to make his new documentary on the American Revolution would be practically impossible to be produced today, what with the defunding of humanistic scholarship, the collapse of stable academic jobs, the attack on public history & academic freedom.🗃️
Reposted by Adam Arenson
Think about how much of that scholarship was enabled by funding from institutions like the NEH, the NPS, and the Smithsonian, all gutted by Trump, and (relatively) extant academic job & funding opportunities for people to do the work (all basically gone now).
November 17, 2025 at 9:47 PM
Think about how much of that scholarship was enabled by funding from institutions like the NEH, the NPS, and the Smithsonian, all gutted by Trump, and (relatively) extant academic job & funding opportunities for people to do the work (all basically gone now).