Ben Birkinbine
@birkinbine.bsky.social
Asst. Prof of Journalism at UW Oshkosh. Research: Political Economy of Communication, Global Media Giants, digital commons, free and open source tech
Pinned
Ben Birkinbine
@birkinbine.bsky.social
· Nov 13
Incorporating the Digital Commons: Corporate Involvement in Free and Open Source Software
<p>The concept of ‘the commons’ has been used as a framework to understand resources shared by a community rather than a private entity, and it has also inspired social movements working against the e...
www.fulcrum.org
Recycling material to get started! My book, Incorporating the Commons, has been published by the Univ. of Westminster Press, and is available via open access here: www.fulcrum.org/concern/mono...
Wisconsin, to Elon.
a cartoon character from the simpsons is pointing at a building and saying ha-ha
ALT: a cartoon character from the simpsons is pointing at a building and saying ha-ha
media.tenor.com
April 2, 2025 at 3:18 AM
Wisconsin, to Elon.
I’ve been teaching First Amendment law to journalism students for nearly 15 years. Khalili’s detention is the most egregious violation of I’ve seen in that time. Anyone who cares about free speech and the First Amendment should be *deeply* concerned.
MUST-WATCH: This is the arrest of Mahmoud Khalil from the perspective of his wife, who is 8 months pregnant.
This is federal agents in plain clothes dragging a man from his home as punishment for his speech.
@nyclu.org @ccrjustice.org @theimeu.bsky.social
This is federal agents in plain clothes dragging a man from his home as punishment for his speech.
@nyclu.org @ccrjustice.org @theimeu.bsky.social
March 14, 2025 at 11:36 PM
I’ve been teaching First Amendment law to journalism students for nearly 15 years. Khalili’s detention is the most egregious violation of I’ve seen in that time. Anyone who cares about free speech and the First Amendment should be *deeply* concerned.
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
Breaking News: Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president, was charged with overseeing a vast scheme to overturn the 2022 election he lost.
Brazil Charges Bolsonaro With Attempting a Coup
Brazil’s attorney general charged the former president Jair Bolsonaro with trying to overturn the 2022 elections.
www.nytimes.com
February 19, 2025 at 12:35 AM
Breaking News: Jair Bolsonaro, Brazil’s former president, was charged with overseeing a vast scheme to overturn the 2022 election he lost.
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
Public compute — state provision of computing resources — could be a powerful tool for reshaping the AI sector.
In our report, Jai Vipra and I offer an overview of existing approaches, and recommendations for avoiding industry capture, reducing environmental harms, and delivering public value
1/5
In our report, Jai Vipra and I offer an overview of existing approaches, and recommendations for avoiding industry capture, reducing environmental harms, and delivering public value
1/5
Access to compute resource has become a key factor in who can participate in AI development.
Ada’s new report, supported by @mozilla.org, provides policymakers with recommendations for getting public compute policy right.
www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/compu...
Ada’s new report, supported by @mozilla.org, provides policymakers with recommendations for getting public compute policy right.
www.adalovelaceinstitute.org/report/compu...
Computing Commons
Designing public compute for people and society
www.adalovelaceinstitute.org
February 7, 2025 at 11:18 AM
Public compute — state provision of computing resources — could be a powerful tool for reshaping the AI sector.
In our report, Jai Vipra and I offer an overview of existing approaches, and recommendations for avoiding industry capture, reducing environmental harms, and delivering public value
1/5
In our report, Jai Vipra and I offer an overview of existing approaches, and recommendations for avoiding industry capture, reducing environmental harms, and delivering public value
1/5
The children’s section in Brazil just hits different.
January 15, 2025 at 1:19 AM
The children’s section in Brazil just hits different.
Forgive the naïveté, but does your university pay external reviewers of doctoral dissertations? Doesn’t matter how much. Just curious
January 3, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Forgive the naïveté, but does your university pay external reviewers of doctoral dissertations? Doesn’t matter how much. Just curious
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
👋 Hey, journalists, how's your digital security looking for 2025?
Track your progress with our checklist.
Track your progress with our checklist.
The 2025 journalist’s digital security checklist
Our digital security training team's checklist to help journalists secure their digital life.
freedom.press
January 2, 2025 at 11:23 PM
👋 Hey, journalists, how's your digital security looking for 2025?
Track your progress with our checklist.
Track your progress with our checklist.
Some Popeye, TinTin, Hitchcock, Hemingway, Faulkner, Christie, and more will enter the public domain in 2025
www.theverge.com/2025/1/1/243...
www.theverge.com/2025/1/1/243...
Popeye and Tintin are now in the public domain
There are some new Mickey Mouse animations, too.
www.theverge.com
January 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Some Popeye, TinTin, Hitchcock, Hemingway, Faulkner, Christie, and more will enter the public domain in 2025
www.theverge.com/2025/1/1/243...
www.theverge.com/2025/1/1/243...
2025 could see a wave of mergers and acquisitions in media industries: “There is no shortage of smaller companies for these media mammoths to scoop up.”
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/b...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/b...
Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery Set the Stage for 2025 Deal-Making
Comcast and Warner Bros. Discovery are rearranging their businesses for mergers and acquisitions. Experts say the next year could transform the media industry.
www.nytimes.com
December 13, 2024 at 12:39 PM
2025 could see a wave of mergers and acquisitions in media industries: “There is no shortage of smaller companies for these media mammoths to scoop up.”
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/b...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/13/b...
Judge in my former home of Reno, NV denies Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to consolidate control of family trust (incl News Corp, Fox News, NY post, etc) for son Lachlan. All four of his children set for equal control. Real life Succession stuff here, folks
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/b...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/b...
Rupert Murdoch Fails in Bid to Change Family Trust
A Nevada commissioner ruled resoundingly against Mr. Murdoch, who was trying to give full control of his empire to his son Lachlan and lock in Fox News’s right-wing editorial slant.
www.nytimes.com
December 10, 2024 at 12:40 PM
Judge in my former home of Reno, NV denies Rupert Murdoch’s attempt to consolidate control of family trust (incl News Corp, Fox News, NY post, etc) for son Lachlan. All four of his children set for equal control. Real life Succession stuff here, folks
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/b...
www.nytimes.com/2024/12/09/b...
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
UDC 2025: The Future We Want: Resistance and Resolve
June 19 - 22, 2025 | Call for Papers is LIVE: www.democraticcomm.org
June 19 - 22, 2025 | Call for Papers is LIVE: www.democraticcomm.org
December 5, 2024 at 5:24 PM
UDC 2025: The Future We Want: Resistance and Resolve
June 19 - 22, 2025 | Call for Papers is LIVE: www.democraticcomm.org
June 19 - 22, 2025 | Call for Papers is LIVE: www.democraticcomm.org
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
IAMCR is now on Bluesky and letting you all know that we are receiving proposals for our 2025 conference in Singapore. See the conference website at singapore2025.iamcr.org and submit your abstract before 7 February.
December 5, 2024 at 5:27 PM
IAMCR is now on Bluesky and letting you all know that we are receiving proposals for our 2025 conference in Singapore. See the conference website at singapore2025.iamcr.org and submit your abstract before 7 February.
Friendly reminder to invite your friends to use Signal for messaging. 😁
(Excerpt from NYT story on the Salt Typhoon hack)
(Excerpt from NYT story on the Salt Typhoon hack)
November 22, 2024 at 1:10 PM
Friendly reminder to invite your friends to use Signal for messaging. 😁
(Excerpt from NYT story on the Salt Typhoon hack)
(Excerpt from NYT story on the Salt Typhoon hack)
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
The Department of Media Studies at CU Boulder is hiring! We’re seeking an open-rank scholar with a critical, interdisciplinary approach to media, culture, and the environment.
jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
Professor in Environmental Media Studies
jobs.colorado.edu
November 20, 2024 at 4:06 PM
The Department of Media Studies at CU Boulder is hiring! We’re seeking an open-rank scholar with a critical, interdisciplinary approach to media, culture, and the environment.
jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
jobs.colorado.edu/jobs/JobDeta...
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
Updated list of global media+comm scholars. Lmk if you want to be added or removed. go.bsky.app/Avb3yM
November 20, 2024 at 2:12 PM
Updated list of global media+comm scholars. Lmk if you want to be added or removed. go.bsky.app/Avb3yM
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
Please spread the word, and do send us an abstract if you are reflecting on solidarity, worldmaking, media and communication infrastructures, and figures like Bruce Lee, Kwame Nkrumah, and Jawaharlal Nehru.
November 19, 2024 at 12:12 PM
Please spread the word, and do send us an abstract if you are reflecting on solidarity, worldmaking, media and communication infrastructures, and figures like Bruce Lee, Kwame Nkrumah, and Jawaharlal Nehru.
CfP for IAMCR 2025 in Singapore is now live! Here is the link for Political Economy Section CfP:
iamcr.org/singapore202...
iamcr.org/singapore202...
Political Economy Section - Call for Proposals 2025 | IAMCR
iamcr.org
November 18, 2024 at 4:40 PM
CfP for IAMCR 2025 in Singapore is now live! Here is the link for Political Economy Section CfP:
iamcr.org/singapore202...
iamcr.org/singapore202...
PhD from Oregon…but Madison is home. One of the perks of being back in my home state. Game time. Go Bucky!
November 17, 2024 at 12:04 AM
PhD from Oregon…but Madison is home. One of the perks of being back in my home state. Game time. Go Bucky!
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
Calling all CPEC Scholars!
[Please comment suggestions/self nominate below to be added folks]
go.bsky.app/FXVfoLf
[Please comment suggestions/self nominate below to be added folks]
go.bsky.app/FXVfoLf
November 15, 2024 at 6:43 PM
Calling all CPEC Scholars!
[Please comment suggestions/self nominate below to be added folks]
go.bsky.app/FXVfoLf
[Please comment suggestions/self nominate below to be added folks]
go.bsky.app/FXVfoLf
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
bluesky engineers: perhaps today it’ll be a little slower, we’ll catch our breath
the internet: MORE!!
the internet: MORE!!
November 15, 2024 at 3:52 PM
bluesky engineers: perhaps today it’ll be a little slower, we’ll catch our breath
the internet: MORE!!
the internet: MORE!!
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
Job Position, Assistant Professor of Social Sciences and Digital Technologies, University of Toronto (Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy)
jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
Assistant Professor - Social Sciences and Digital Technologies
Assistant Professor - Social Sciences and Digital Technologies
jobs.utoronto.ca
November 15, 2024 at 1:50 PM
Job Position, Assistant Professor of Social Sciences and Digital Technologies, University of Toronto (Munk School of Global Affairs and Public Policy)
jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
jobs.utoronto.ca/job/Toronto-...
In case you know folks who are still holding on to their “other” account, let them know TODAY (or better, yesterday!) is a great day to shut it down. ToS updates go into effect today 11/15
mashable.com/article/twit...
mashable.com/article/twit...
PSA: Your Twitter/X account is about to change forever
If you don't want Elon Musk to feed your tweets to his AI, now might be the time to leave the app formerly known as Twitter.
mashable.com
November 15, 2024 at 12:27 PM
In case you know folks who are still holding on to their “other” account, let them know TODAY (or better, yesterday!) is a great day to shut it down. ToS updates go into effect today 11/15
mashable.com/article/twit...
mashable.com/article/twit...
Reposted by Ben Birkinbine
“X is really teaching everyone the importance of who owns the sites that we use and rely on to communicate online,” EFF’s Rory Mir told NBC News. “What people are seeing with X is that it has subjectively deteriorated in value.”
X sees largest user exodus since Musk takeover
X users are weighing the decision to keep their followings or build them back up on alternative platforms after the election.
www.nbcnews.com
November 14, 2024 at 4:36 PM
“X is really teaching everyone the importance of who owns the sites that we use and rely on to communicate online,” EFF’s Rory Mir told NBC News. “What people are seeing with X is that it has subjectively deteriorated in value.”
Public service at it’s best 🤣. Tip o the hat, Onion.
The Onion buys rightwing conspiracy site Infowars with plans to make it ‘very funny, very stupid’
The Onion buys rightwing conspiracy site Infowars with plans to make it ‘very funny, very stupid’
November 14, 2024 at 2:35 PM
Public service at it’s best 🤣. Tip o the hat, Onion.
The Onion buys rightwing conspiracy site Infowars with plans to make it ‘very funny, very stupid’
The Onion buys rightwing conspiracy site Infowars with plans to make it ‘very funny, very stupid’