Kathleen Bachynski
@bachynski.bsky.social
Associate Professor of public health at Muhlenberg College. History, ethics, epidemiology, sports, injury prevention.
Pinned
I love this photo that @melissabender.bsky.social captured of me at the #standupforscience rally yesterday in NYC. I wonder if I could make this my official faculty photo lol @jackiantonovich.bsky.social @kimberlywheiman.bsky.social @archaeoscape.bsky.social @sarahruncie.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
CALL FOR PITCHES
@dan-sinnamon.bsky.social and I are at work on a new version of Close Reading for the Twenty-First Century aimed at a more general audience.
We’re looking for new contributions: your model close readings of texts, canonical and not, from literary studies and not.
Details below!
@dan-sinnamon.bsky.social and I are at work on a new version of Close Reading for the Twenty-First Century aimed at a more general audience.
We’re looking for new contributions: your model close readings of texts, canonical and not, from literary studies and not.
Details below!
February 9, 2026 at 1:56 PM
CALL FOR PITCHES
@dan-sinnamon.bsky.social and I are at work on a new version of Close Reading for the Twenty-First Century aimed at a more general audience.
We’re looking for new contributions: your model close readings of texts, canonical and not, from literary studies and not.
Details below!
@dan-sinnamon.bsky.social and I are at work on a new version of Close Reading for the Twenty-First Century aimed at a more general audience.
We’re looking for new contributions: your model close readings of texts, canonical and not, from literary studies and not.
Details below!
Hallelujah! “Tuesday is forecast to be the first day temperatures are above freezing in the Lehigh Valley in a few weeks, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey. A high of 35 is expected that day. It has not been above freezing since Jan. 23, when the high was 34”
Lehigh Valley will finally see relief from the bitter cold. Here’s when warmer temperatures return
Relief from the frigid cold is coming this week.
www.mcall.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:27 PM
Hallelujah! “Tuesday is forecast to be the first day temperatures are above freezing in the Lehigh Valley in a few weeks, according to the National Weather Service in Mount Holly, New Jersey. A high of 35 is expected that day. It has not been above freezing since Jan. 23, when the high was 34”
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
As Dr. Bachynski and I have been arguing for years, the notion that better technology can make the hazardous product safer is itself a risk frame shift. It is also a tried-and-true technique in the #ManufactureOfDoubt (e.g., "low-tar cigarettes").
Oh man, the amount of buzzwords in this… It is hilarious to see this introduced as a “data-driven quest” before the actual text of the article acknowledges: “The safety gains are difficult to quantify.” (Are there even any safety gains at all? It’s not clear to me.)
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
The evolution of the football helmet, a critical safety device, has accelerated in recent years, driven by concerns over the long-term effects of concussions, new concepts and materials, and data-driven test protocols.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4r6nrYQ
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4r6nrYQ
February 9, 2026 at 3:14 PM
As Dr. Bachynski and I have been arguing for years, the notion that better technology can make the hazardous product safer is itself a risk frame shift. It is also a tried-and-true technique in the #ManufactureOfDoubt (e.g., "low-tar cigarettes").
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
@bachynski.bsky.social does a great job in this thread of showing how the subjectivities in the study and in the framing of this article obscure the questions about the objective elements of the study.
Oh man, the amount of buzzwords in this… It is hilarious to see this introduced as a “data-driven quest” before the actual text of the article acknowledges: “The safety gains are difficult to quantify.” (Are there even any safety gains at all? It’s not clear to me.)
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
The evolution of the football helmet, a critical safety device, has accelerated in recent years, driven by concerns over the long-term effects of concussions, new concepts and materials, and data-driven test protocols.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4r6nrYQ
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4r6nrYQ
February 9, 2026 at 2:51 PM
@bachynski.bsky.social does a great job in this thread of showing how the subjectivities in the study and in the framing of this article obscure the questions about the objective elements of the study.
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
100% this. This is a brilliant metaphor.
I'm convinced AI is our generation's radium - a discovery with genuinely useful applications in specific, controlled circumstances that we stupidly put in everything from kid's toys to toothpaste until we realised the harm far too late where future generations will ask if we were out of our minds.
VC, founder, dumbass
February 9, 2026 at 2:50 PM
100% this. This is a brilliant metaphor.
Oh man, the amount of buzzwords in this… It is hilarious to see this introduced as a “data-driven quest” before the actual text of the article acknowledges: “The safety gains are difficult to quantify.” (Are there even any safety gains at all? It’s not clear to me.)
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
The evolution of the football helmet, a critical safety device, has accelerated in recent years, driven by concerns over the long-term effects of concussions, new concepts and materials, and data-driven test protocols.
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4r6nrYQ
Learn more: https://scim.ag/4r6nrYQ
February 9, 2026 at 2:42 PM
Oh man, the amount of buzzwords in this… It is hilarious to see this introduced as a “data-driven quest” before the actual text of the article acknowledges: “The safety gains are difficult to quantify.” (Are there even any safety gains at all? It’s not clear to me.)
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
@profgoldberg.bsky.social
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
*Green card application in process and work permit, married to US citizen
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
And here is my story: ‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irishman with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:29 PM
*Green card application in process and work permit, married to US citizen
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
*Lived in US for 20 years, no criminal record
*In detention for five months with no charge, despite judge approving release
*He disputes ICE claim that he signed forms agreeing to deportation
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
“He said he has been locked in the same large, cold and damp room for 4½ months with more than 70 men. He said detainees are constantly hungry because meals served… offer only child-sized portions. Fights often break out over food, “even over those little child-sized juice containers”.
Kerryman who is married, living and working legally in the United States for >20 years has been incarcerated by US Immigration and Customs Enforcement (Ice) since September 2025.
Profoundly disturbing report by Karlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
Profoundly disturbing report by Karlin Lillington @klillington.bsky.social
www.irishtimes.com/world/us/202...
‘Absolute hell’: Irish man with valid US work permit held by Ice since September
Seamus Culleton has been in a detention facility in Texas for nearly five months despite having no criminal record
www.irishtimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:44 PM
“He said he has been locked in the same large, cold and damp room for 4½ months with more than 70 men. He said detainees are constantly hungry because meals served… offer only child-sized portions. Fights often break out over food, “even over those little child-sized juice containers”.
The Onion: “Oh, what a crock-load of mierda—¿qué?—¿qué está pasando? ” said local 43-year-old Randy Hance, who in a scene that was currently unfolding in millions of households across the nation jumped out of his seat and clutched at his throat”
Terrified Conservatives Lose Ability To Speak English After Exposure To Bad Bunny Performance (‘¡Dios Mío!’ Cry Millions Of Panicking Republicans)
BOISE, ID—Crying out “¡Dios mío!” and “¡Ayúdame!” as soon as they heard the opening notes of the Puerto Rican superstar’s “EoO,” millions of terrified conservatives reportedly lost the ability to spea...
theonion.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:26 PM
The Onion: “Oh, what a crock-load of mierda—¿qué?—¿qué está pasando? ” said local 43-year-old Randy Hance, who in a scene that was currently unfolding in millions of households across the nation jumped out of his seat and clutched at his throat”
“Orna’s technology utilizes a form of the nucleic acid RNA called circular RNA, in which the single-stranded chemical forms a loop. This makes it more stable in the body, and could allow the editing of autoimmune cells without removing them from the body… to treat autoimmune diseases.”
Eli Lilly to buy Orna Therapeutics for $2.4 billion
Eli Lilly to buy Orna Therapeutics, which focuses on ‘in vivo’ CAR-T for autoimmune diseases, for $2.4 billion
www.statnews.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:17 PM
“Orna’s technology utilizes a form of the nucleic acid RNA called circular RNA, in which the single-stranded chemical forms a loop. This makes it more stable in the body, and could allow the editing of autoimmune cells without removing them from the body… to treat autoimmune diseases.”
“As part of Lilly’s $3.5 billion investment in the Lehigh Valley, LCCC will use the funds to construct science labs and create training programs for pharmaceutical jobs. The school will match that grant with $5 million of its own money to equip its facility with state-of-the-art equipment”
How LCCC will help train a future workforce for Eli Lilly’s Lehigh Valley plant
LCCC will build clean rooms and create a biotechnology degree program as part of its efforts to train a future workforce for Eli Lilly’s Lehigh Valley plant.
www.mcall.com
February 9, 2026 at 12:09 PM
“As part of Lilly’s $3.5 billion investment in the Lehigh Valley, LCCC will use the funds to construct science labs and create training programs for pharmaceutical jobs. The school will match that grant with $5 million of its own money to equip its facility with state-of-the-art equipment”
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
"prohibition in the united states" has this time lapse map that switches from folksy banjo music to ominous industrial sci-fi for the 15 seconds when alcohol was illegal nationwide
February 9, 2026 at 12:13 AM
"prohibition in the united states" has this time lapse map that switches from folksy banjo music to ominous industrial sci-fi for the 15 seconds when alcohol was illegal nationwide
Looking at the week ahead, we’re going to be covering some tough topics in my three classes, even by public health standards: the cholera epidemic in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake; Purdue Pharma and the opioid crisis; and the Tuskegee and Guatemala studies.
a woman wearing glasses says what a week huh on a screen
ALT: a woman wearing glasses says what a week huh on a screen
media.tenor.com
February 9, 2026 at 3:02 AM
Looking at the week ahead, we’re going to be covering some tough topics in my three classes, even by public health standards: the cholera epidemic in Haiti after the 2010 earthquake; Purdue Pharma and the opioid crisis; and the Tuskegee and Guatemala studies.
“On Friday and Saturday night, city workers took a total of six people off the streets to local hospitals and placed another 70 people in shelters, according to City Hall. Officials said the number of people staying overnight in warming centers and buses increased to 462 on Saturday night”
Cold Deaths in New York Climb to 18 as Frigid Winds Linger
www.nytimes.com
February 9, 2026 at 2:44 AM
“On Friday and Saturday night, city workers took a total of six people off the streets to local hospitals and placed another 70 people in shelters, according to City Hall. Officials said the number of people staying overnight in warming centers and buses increased to 462 on Saturday night”
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
is the man’s name rfk jr.
Budweiser Super Bowl Commercial Leaves Man Hankering For Clydesdale Meat
February 9, 2026 at 2:17 AM
is the man’s name rfk jr.
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
Lindsey Vonn undergoes surgery to stabilize a fracture in her left leg after a crash in the women's downhill race, Italian hospital says.
Lindsey Vonn clips gate and crashes in Winter Olympic downhill, taken away by helicopter
Lindsey Vonn's pursuit of a second Olympic downhill gold medal is over. The 41-year-old American, skiing with a badly injured left knee, crashed early in Sunday's race in Italy.
bit.ly
February 8, 2026 at 6:17 PM
Lindsey Vonn undergoes surgery to stabilize a fracture in her left leg after a crash in the women's downhill race, Italian hospital says.
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
Here’s the situation in the Twin Cities:
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
February 8, 2026 at 9:30 PM
Here’s the situation in the Twin Cities:
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
Random Bovino-style tear-gassing: Way down
Relentless persecution of immigrants: Unchanged
Thuggish violence against observers: Way up
“One former prosecutor who served on a hiring committee in the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles said that candidates who expressed support for administration policies were often moved forward for final interviews, even those with weak academic records and little litigation experience.”
Demanding Support for Trump, Justice Dept. Struggles to Recruit Prosecutors
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:47 PM
“One former prosecutor who served on a hiring committee in the U.S. attorney’s office in Los Angeles said that candidates who expressed support for administration policies were often moved forward for final interviews, even those with weak academic records and little litigation experience.”
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from narrating romance books in the past couple years, it’s that romance fans are loyal, particular, and far smarter than anyone thinks. This is going to feel like they’re being condescended to, because it is. I don’t think they’ll take it well! And they shouldn’t!
“If I can generate a book in a day, and you need six months to write a book, who’s going to win the race?” God this is bleak
The New Fabio Is Claude
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 9:07 PM
If there’s one thing I’ve learned from narrating romance books in the past couple years, it’s that romance fans are loyal, particular, and far smarter than anyone thinks. This is going to feel like they’re being condescended to, because it is. I don’t think they’ll take it well! And they shouldn’t!
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
BASH: Is this measles outbreak a consequence of the administration undermining support for vaccines?
DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines
BASH: Oh, come on
DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines
BASH: Oh, come on
February 8, 2026 at 2:29 PM
BASH: Is this measles outbreak a consequence of the administration undermining support for vaccines?
DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines
BASH: Oh, come on
DR OZ: I don't believe so. Secretary Kennedy has been advocating for measles vaccines
BASH: Oh, come on
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
This is so important.
I was never a top athlete. But just the same, I was encouraged to exceed my limits in both middle school and high school gymnastics. I ended up with pretty bad spondylolistheses and spondylolysis, basically a broken back, and didn't get medical help for 30+ years.
I was never a top athlete. But just the same, I was encouraged to exceed my limits in both middle school and high school gymnastics. I ended up with pretty bad spondylolistheses and spondylolysis, basically a broken back, and didn't get medical help for 30+ years.
February 8, 2026 at 3:28 PM
This is so important.
I was never a top athlete. But just the same, I was encouraged to exceed my limits in both middle school and high school gymnastics. I ended up with pretty bad spondylolistheses and spondylolysis, basically a broken back, and didn't get medical help for 30+ years.
I was never a top athlete. But just the same, I was encouraged to exceed my limits in both middle school and high school gymnastics. I ended up with pretty bad spondylolistheses and spondylolysis, basically a broken back, and didn't get medical help for 30+ years.
Adult athletes are autonomous and get to make their own decisions. But their choices do have broader cultural implications, as do the media narratives around those choices. Simone Biles stepping back from Olympic competition to protect her health was an important role model for young athletes.
Simone Biles and prioritizing athlete well-being – Olympic and Paralympic Analysis
olympicanalysis.org
February 8, 2026 at 3:15 PM
Adult athletes are autonomous and get to make their own decisions. But their choices do have broader cultural implications, as do the media narratives around those choices. Simone Biles stepping back from Olympic competition to protect her health was an important role model for young athletes.
Reposted by Kathleen Bachynski
what's funny to me is y'all don't know how far Romeo is from Detroit so he went out of his PHYSICAL AND MENTAL way to claim the vibes of Blackness and now look at him
Kid Rock has a great grift going, gotta hand it to dude. No one wanted to listen to his shitty music, so he found other bigots, & said hey I hate minorities & date children too. I can be your guy. I’m available at these dates to perform.
February 8, 2026 at 11:25 AM
what's funny to me is y'all don't know how far Romeo is from Detroit so he went out of his PHYSICAL AND MENTAL way to claim the vibes of Blackness and now look at him
Oh no: “It was all done in 13 seconds. Within minutes, a helicopter could be heard flying up the mountain as medics tended to Vonn in the middle of the slope. The helicopter airlifted her out and flew over the finish area to a loud ovation. The race was paused for about 20 minutes.”
Lindsey Vonn crashes in Olympic women’s downhill, airlifted off course
Vonn crashed during Sunday’s Olympic women’s downhill and was airlifted off the mountain. Her status is unclear.
www.nytimes.com
February 8, 2026 at 12:49 PM
Oh no: “It was all done in 13 seconds. Within minutes, a helicopter could be heard flying up the mountain as medics tended to Vonn in the middle of the slope. The helicopter airlifted her out and flew over the finish area to a loud ovation. The race was paused for about 20 minutes.”