Adam Bursi
@adambursi.bsky.social
Acquisitions Editor at Fortress Press.
Research on relics/senses/material religion in late antiquity and early Islam. Wrote a book about it:
https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-traces-of-the-prophets.html
We should improve society somewhat
Research on relics/senses/material religion in late antiquity and early Islam. Wrote a book about it:
https://edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-traces-of-the-prophets.html
We should improve society somewhat
Pinned
Adam Bursi
@adambursi.bsky.social
· Nov 27
My book _Traces of the Prophets: Relics and Sacred Spaces in Early Islam_ is finally coming out in a much-more-reasonably-priced paperback in December. And you can take 30% off that with this discount code. Reviewers are calling it “good” etc
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-traces-...
edinburghuniversitypress.com/book-traces-...
No
Neoconservative foreign policy was good, actually. And Trump just killed it dead.
By putting neocon means to colonialist ends and untethering them from democracy promotion, Trump has ushered America into an era of domination in which...
By putting neocon means to colonialist ends and untethering them from democracy promotion, Trump has ushered America into an era of domination in which...
January 6, 2026 at 6:00 PM
No
Reposted by Adam Bursi
Writing this I had to look through Grok's mentions. Earlier I counted around 8 requests PER MINUTE featuring "bikini" and "her". Thousands of women and girls stripped each day. I found users stripping dozens of women per hour, from female celebrities to gym selfies.
www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
MPs urge boycott of Elon Musk’s X over Grok AI’s undressing
The call to end use of X for official government communication follows posts of digitally undressed women and children that may have broken UK law
www.thetimes.com
January 5, 2026 at 10:08 PM
Writing this I had to look through Grok's mentions. Earlier I counted around 8 requests PER MINUTE featuring "bikini" and "her". Thousands of women and girls stripped each day. I found users stripping dozens of women per hour, from female celebrities to gym selfies.
www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
www.thetimes.com/uk/technolog...
Reposted by Adam Bursi
If this happened to a conservative organizer, Republicans would make her a hero, a household name and a congressional candidate.
Elected Democrats just pretend it isn't happening.
Elected Democrats just pretend it isn't happening.
January 5, 2026 at 4:29 PM
If this happened to a conservative organizer, Republicans would make her a hero, a household name and a congressional candidate.
Elected Democrats just pretend it isn't happening.
Elected Democrats just pretend it isn't happening.
Reposted by Adam Bursi
As the article points out, the entire supposed point of REAL ID was that it would prove you were who you said you were, and that you were a citizen or legal immigrant.
It's invasive, requires A LOT of documentation & admin burden on both people & states, and is apparently... worthless to DHS.
It's invasive, requires A LOT of documentation & admin burden on both people & states, and is apparently... worthless to DHS.
the latest example of ICE claiming a previously recognized government ID (issued by its own agency no less) is no longer valid
DHS says REAL ID, which DHS certifies, is too unreliable to confirm U.S. citizenship
It's the punch line to a bad joke that started 20 years ago when Congress passed the REAL ID Act.
reason.com
January 4, 2026 at 2:49 PM
As the article points out, the entire supposed point of REAL ID was that it would prove you were who you said you were, and that you were a citizen or legal immigrant.
It's invasive, requires A LOT of documentation & admin burden on both people & states, and is apparently... worthless to DHS.
It's invasive, requires A LOT of documentation & admin burden on both people & states, and is apparently... worthless to DHS.
Reposted by Adam Bursi
Hi Everyone! Let’s support Burritos El Patron, an immigrant owned business in Minneapolis that’s been disrupted due to ICE by helping purchasing meals for our unhoused neighbors.
Venmo: @christin-crabtree
Meals will be purchased and given to Minneapolis Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. 🌯❤️
Venmo: @christin-crabtree
Meals will be purchased and given to Minneapolis Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. 🌯❤️
January 3, 2026 at 8:34 PM
Hi Everyone! Let’s support Burritos El Patron, an immigrant owned business in Minneapolis that’s been disrupted due to ICE by helping purchasing meals for our unhoused neighbors.
Venmo: @christin-crabtree
Meals will be purchased and given to Minneapolis Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. 🌯❤️
Venmo: @christin-crabtree
Meals will be purchased and given to Minneapolis Indigenous Women’s Resource Center. 🌯❤️
Iran Contra but stupider
January 4, 2026 at 4:16 AM
Iran Contra but stupider
Reposted by Adam Bursi
Reminder that almost a quarter century ago, Schumer voted for the Hague Invasion Act, declaring that the US would militarily invade the Hague were it ever to be prosecuted by ICC for war crimes.
Biden did too, it was an overwhelmingly bipartisan agreement to be unaccountable to international law.
Biden did too, it was an overwhelmingly bipartisan agreement to be unaccountable to international law.
Look at how many names on this list are *still in power*, still kicking around. They weren't exactly young then, but now a lot of them are much much richer.
January 3, 2026 at 10:11 PM
Reminder that almost a quarter century ago, Schumer voted for the Hague Invasion Act, declaring that the US would militarily invade the Hague were it ever to be prosecuted by ICC for war crimes.
Biden did too, it was an overwhelmingly bipartisan agreement to be unaccountable to international law.
Biden did too, it was an overwhelmingly bipartisan agreement to be unaccountable to international law.
At a certain point other countries have to say they can’t allow this anymore
January 3, 2026 at 9:19 PM
At a certain point other countries have to say they can’t allow this anymore
I think there’s truth to this, and also the fact that our political system has decided over the last decades to give the executive branch a blank check when it comes to international policy/warfare. From the US border outwards, they get to do whatever they want and justify it as “national security”
out of my depth on any foreign policy thing but seems clear that at least some real part of this is fueled out of, if not a kind of boredom, a very real desire to entertain themselves because they are absolutely not interested in governing beyond shows of force they can post about online
January 3, 2026 at 9:08 PM
I think there’s truth to this, and also the fact that our political system has decided over the last decades to give the executive branch a blank check when it comes to international policy/warfare. From the US border outwards, they get to do whatever they want and justify it as “national security”
Not at all to minimize the horror of what this all now means, but remember how Bin Laden was just shot and dumped into the ocean? And a lot of people thought that was good and cool?
im just saying it's legal to kidnap other presidents now!! mr xi
January 3, 2026 at 2:10 PM
Not at all to minimize the horror of what this all now means, but remember how Bin Laden was just shot and dumped into the ocean? And a lot of people thought that was good and cool?
Truly pathetic response
Under all circumstances, the principles of international law and the UN Charter must be respected. We call for restraint.
The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority. (2/2)
The safety of EU citizens in the country is our top priority. (2/2)
January 3, 2026 at 1:27 PM
Truly pathetic response
Reposted by Adam Bursi
Silicon Valley and the Trump administration are betting the entire American economy on the continued growth of AI, a mission that’ll require spending billions of dollars on datacenters and new energy infrastructure.
These researchers are tracking their physical imprint with an interactive map:
These researchers are tracking their physical imprint with an interactive map:
Researchers Are Hunting America for Hidden Datacenters
The nonprofit research group Epoch AI is tracking the physical imprint of the technology that’s changing the world.
www.404media.co
January 1, 2026 at 7:05 PM
Silicon Valley and the Trump administration are betting the entire American economy on the continued growth of AI, a mission that’ll require spending billions of dollars on datacenters and new energy infrastructure.
These researchers are tracking their physical imprint with an interactive map:
These researchers are tracking their physical imprint with an interactive map:
Reposted by Adam Bursi
Netherlands joins the 'Universities Shooting Themselves In the Foot to Placate Populists' Club.
Utrecht University abolishes its English language bachelor's program in economics and replaces it with a Dutch one.
They told staff (~30% international) the week before Christmas. Layoffs seem likely now. Unwarranted lobotomy is the only word I can find for it...
dub.uu.nl/en/news/econ...
They told staff (~30% international) the week before Christmas. Layoffs seem likely now. Unwarranted lobotomy is the only word I can find for it...
dub.uu.nl/en/news/econ...
Economics programme in shock after sudden cancellation of English-taught track
The Bachelor's programme in Economics & Business Economics will only be offered in Dutch from 2029 onwards, the Executive Board announced on Tuesday. The news came as a complete surprise to the econom...
dub.uu.nl
January 1, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Netherlands joins the 'Universities Shooting Themselves In the Foot to Placate Populists' Club.
Truly was an excellent series that produced both original research and great resources for teaching. I hope @nyupress.bsky.social can revive it with new funding from somewhere. A sad reflection of current priorities that the funding dried up.
Disappointed to read on LinkedIn that the Library of Arabic Literature (@libraryarablit.bsky.social) is ceasing publication with the new year due to the end of grant funding from NYUAD
January 1, 2026 at 4:58 PM
Truly was an excellent series that produced both original research and great resources for teaching. I hope @nyupress.bsky.social can revive it with new funding from somewhere. A sad reflection of current priorities that the funding dried up.
Resolutions for the New Year
January 1, 2026 at 6:30 AM
Resolutions for the New Year
Reposted by Adam Bursi
"Taking 13 years to complete, this dictionary is considered one of the most important reference works for the #Arabic language, containing approximately 300,000 lexical entries....The key driving force behind this gargantuan undertaking was Professor Ramzi Baalbaki."
Shaping the History of Arabic: Professor Ramzi Baalbaki and the Completion of the Doha Historical Dictionary
To celebrate the completion of the Doha Historical Dictionary of the Arabic Language (Mu'jam al-Dawha al-Tarikhi li-l-lugha al-'Arabiyya), a ceremony was held December 22, 2025 in Doha, Qatar.
aub.edu.lb
December 30, 2025 at 9:22 PM
"Taking 13 years to complete, this dictionary is considered one of the most important reference works for the #Arabic language, containing approximately 300,000 lexical entries....The key driving force behind this gargantuan undertaking was Professor Ramzi Baalbaki."
I’d honestly like to know when/how the institutional consensus became that you’re entitled to a congressional seat essentially until death. Not that there weren’t very old congresspeople before, but I feel like the extension of the expectation to almost all serving members happened in my lifetime
December 30, 2025 at 5:19 AM
I’d honestly like to know when/how the institutional consensus became that you’re entitled to a congressional seat essentially until death. Not that there weren’t very old congresspeople before, but I feel like the extension of the expectation to almost all serving members happened in my lifetime
Bay of Hogs
Did US Special Forces just inadvertently confirm there was a CIA operation in Venezuela?
CNN has added this update to their story about the alleged CIA drone strike in Venezuela:
December 30, 2025 at 4:34 AM
Bay of Hogs
Reposted by Adam Bursi
Haven't seen this posted, but on 12/26 the FDA issued a recall of all regulated products that passed through Gold Star Distribution, Inc. because of extremely unsanitary conditions. Products were distributed to lots of halal and international markets the the Metro
www.fda.gov/safety/recal...
www.fda.gov/safety/recal...
December 28, 2025 at 8:12 PM
Haven't seen this posted, but on 12/26 the FDA issued a recall of all regulated products that passed through Gold Star Distribution, Inc. because of extremely unsanitary conditions. Products were distributed to lots of halal and international markets the the Metro
www.fda.gov/safety/recal...
www.fda.gov/safety/recal...
Most (all?) American cities are incredibly inhospitable to (and often dangerous for) people with mobility issues and should be massively retrofitted for accessibility
"my least woke opinion is---"
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
That's enough. We've had enough people indulging in the "thrill of a little conservatism", as a treat. Of considering reactionary thought to be a salacious and taboo in a world descending into reactionary mania.
Give me your MOST woke opinions. We're bringing it back.
December 28, 2025 at 5:28 AM
Most (all?) American cities are incredibly inhospitable to (and often dangerous for) people with mobility issues and should be massively retrofitted for accessibility
I do think the popularity of GenAI as a “conversation partner” speaks to the loneliness crisis and social atomization more than anything else.
This is truly the worst argument. I’ve had to scrub clauses like this out of syllabi and literally tell students ‘please just talk to your friends about your ideas.’ considering our historical moment, telling students to talk to friends and share work might be the most radical pedagogy i do.
When you think GenAI is Socrates rather than a fancier and fawning version of autocorrect.
December 28, 2025 at 4:00 AM
I do think the popularity of GenAI as a “conversation partner” speaks to the loneliness crisis and social atomization more than anything else.
A timeless truth
a smidge of mental illness helps as well
December 27, 2025 at 10:34 PM
A timeless truth
Reposted by Adam Bursi
ICE is illegally swapping license plates so they can avoid public scrutiny while kidnapping our neighbors and tearing apart families the day before Christmas.
@governorwalz.mn.gov should halt ICE’s actions immediately.
@governorwalz.mn.gov should halt ICE’s actions immediately.
The director of Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services is warning U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement agents that they’re violating state law and could be cited if they switch out or remove license plates on their unmarked vehicles. (1) www.mprnews.org/story/2025/1...
Minnesota DVS warns ICE agents they’re violating state law by switching license plates
The director of Minnesota’s Driver and Vehicle Services told federal homeland security officials to stop license plate switching immediately. Gov. Tim Walz called tampering with plates “criminal activ...
www.mprnews.org
December 24, 2025 at 9:05 PM
ICE is illegally swapping license plates so they can avoid public scrutiny while kidnapping our neighbors and tearing apart families the day before Christmas.
@governorwalz.mn.gov should halt ICE’s actions immediately.
@governorwalz.mn.gov should halt ICE’s actions immediately.