Britt Lundgren
@brittlundgren.bsky.social
Quasar gazer | data miner | science / education policy wonk | Associate Prof. of Physics & Astronomy at a public liberal arts college | Illinoisan
Pinned
My article on the likely influence of the experiments of polymath Thomas Young on the early abstract art of Hilma af Klint is now published & open access at Leonardo / MIT Press 🎉 direct.mit.edu/leon/article...
It's worse than that.. this act (which seems dumb enough to become law in certain states) would require public universities to PUBLISH standardized test scores for every faculty member **and applicant**! civicsalliance.org/faculty-meri...
January 2, 2026 at 5:19 PM
It's worse than that.. this act (which seems dumb enough to become law in certain states) would require public universities to PUBLISH standardized test scores for every faculty member **and applicant**! civicsalliance.org/faculty-meri...
My cat agrees www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
Wild London review – honestly, telly does not get any better than this
Mischievous and glorious, David Attenborough brings his lifelong sense of wonder to the city’s wildlife, from foxes to peregrine falcons, in this exquisite and endlessly moving special
www.theguardian.com
January 2, 2026 at 3:50 PM
My cat agrees www.theguardian.com/tv-and-radio...
ICYMI: London's fireworks display was a master class in how to unapologetically celebrate diversity, drawing a stark contrast with white nationalist messaging of national decline. www.youtube.com/live/FuzyX3q...
Happy New Year Live! 🎆 London Fireworks 2026 🔴 BBC
YouTube video by BBC
www.youtube.com
January 1, 2026 at 2:47 PM
ICYMI: London's fireworks display was a master class in how to unapologetically celebrate diversity, drawing a stark contrast with white nationalist messaging of national decline. www.youtube.com/live/FuzyX3q...
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
Welcome to the Public Domain, ANIMAL CRACKERS (1930) 🎭
😂 Nothing to do with soup. The Marx Brothers return in this 1930 adaptation of their stage musical. Laughs abound in the public domain.
Learn more ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
#PublicDomainDay #CopyrightFree
😂 Nothing to do with soup. The Marx Brothers return in this 1930 adaptation of their stage musical. Laughs abound in the public domain.
Learn more ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
#PublicDomainDay #CopyrightFree
January 1, 2026 at 1:01 PM
Welcome to the Public Domain, ANIMAL CRACKERS (1930) 🎭
😂 Nothing to do with soup. The Marx Brothers return in this 1930 adaptation of their stage musical. Laughs abound in the public domain.
Learn more ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
#PublicDomainDay #CopyrightFree
😂 Nothing to do with soup. The Marx Brothers return in this 1930 adaptation of their stage musical. Laughs abound in the public domain.
Learn more ➡️ blog.archive.org/public-domai...
#PublicDomainDay #CopyrightFree
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
The National Science Foundation starts 2026 with a new management structure that affects every scientist with--or applying for--NSF funding. Here's what you need to know. www.science.org/content/arti...
The National Science Foundation just had a big reorganization. Here are five things to know
Divisions and rotators disappear as more career staff become supervisors
www.science.org
December 29, 2025 at 2:54 PM
The National Science Foundation starts 2026 with a new management structure that affects every scientist with--or applying for--NSF funding. Here's what you need to know. www.science.org/content/arti...
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
I just learned that this incredibly flawed story was put on the front page of the newspaper, and that certainly seems like an editorial choice
New, from me: The NYT reporter who specializes in profiles of beleaguered right-wingers on campus went to New College...and found out that things were going ok!
So let me explain some pretty massive errors of omission: 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
So let me explain some pretty massive errors of omission: 🧵
donmoynihan.substack.com/p/the-nyt-re...
The NYT Recruiting Brochure for New College
A failing Ron DeSantis higher ed experiment gets a boost
donmoynihan.substack.com
December 29, 2025 at 3:21 PM
I just learned that this incredibly flawed story was put on the front page of the newspaper, and that certainly seems like an editorial choice
AAS' Congressional Visits Day is a fantastic opportunity to get started advocating for science. For me, it cemented an interest that would lead me to a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship and further service in federal science policy. I highly recommend applying! 🔭 aas.org/applications...
Applications Now Open for Congressional Visits Day 2026 | American Astronomical Society
Advocating for science comes down to effective communication. The main steps here are determining your message, developing a communication strategy, and identifying your member of Congress.
aas.org
December 29, 2025 at 3:31 PM
AAS' Congressional Visits Day is a fantastic opportunity to get started advocating for science. For me, it cemented an interest that would lead me to a AAAS Science and Technology Policy Fellowship and further service in federal science policy. I highly recommend applying! 🔭 aas.org/applications...
For the 2nd time this year, MTP has platformed Robbins -- an influencer whose tag line is "Let Them". Just what America needs to "meet the moment"... which, for the record, is a dismantling of our constitutional democracy. But just let them! Don't let extrajudicial kidnappings ruin your brunch!
Former Today Show host Hoda Kotb, bestselling author Mel Robbins, chef Marcus Samuelsson and “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu join Kristen Welker for a “Meet the Moment” special of Meet the Press.
Dec. 28 — Hoda Kotb, Mel Robbins, Marcus Samuelsson and Jon M. Chu
Former Today Show host Hoda Kotb, bestselling author Mel Robbins, chef Marcus Samuelsson and “Wicked” director Jon M. Chu join Kristen Welker for a “Meet the Moment” special of Meet the Press.
nbcnews.to
December 29, 2025 at 12:36 PM
For the 2nd time this year, MTP has platformed Robbins -- an influencer whose tag line is "Let Them". Just what America needs to "meet the moment"... which, for the record, is a dismantling of our constitutional democracy. But just let them! Don't let extrajudicial kidnappings ruin your brunch!
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
Fascinating! as.ft.com/r/5442aac6-1...
How diamonds are powering a new quantum revolution
[FREE TO READ] By inserting tiny imperfections into the stones, scientists open up possibilities in computing, encryption and sensors
as.ft.com
December 29, 2025 at 11:44 AM
Fascinating! as.ft.com/r/5442aac6-1...
DeSantis' appointees took over New College, a public liberal arts college of <900 students, and promptly decided they needed nearly half a billion dollars to run it. 🤡🤡🤡
New College is a DeSantis pet project, a Potemkin Campus that must be made real at any cost. While the NY Times notes it is the most expensive in the state, it does not tell readers what an extraordinary outlier it is. Freedom isn’t free, and a right-wing campus makeover is very expensive it seems.
December 29, 2025 at 12:26 AM
DeSantis' appointees took over New College, a public liberal arts college of <900 students, and promptly decided they needed nearly half a billion dollars to run it. 🤡🤡🤡
As conceded later in the piece, this is bad advice. fortune.com/2025/12/27/m...
Malcolm Gladwell tells young people if they want a STEM degree, 'don’t go to Harvard.' You may end up at the bottom of your class and drop out | Fortune
It’s better to be a big fish in a little pond, Gladwell argues in his book David and Goliath.
fortune.com
December 28, 2025 at 11:04 PM
As conceded later in the piece, this is bad advice. fortune.com/2025/12/27/m...
At the food court in CLT airport and Baby Got Back just played very loud and in full over the speakers. Lol
December 27, 2025 at 10:11 PM
At the food court in CLT airport and Baby Got Back just played very loud and in full over the speakers. Lol
"Technology firms... are not invested in our students or the learning process, only in harvesting the attention of an entire generation of users, who will be addicted to their product for the rest of their adult lives." www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Four Frictions: or, How to Resist AI in Education - Public Books
We are calling for resistance to the AI industry’s ongoing capture of higher education.
www.publicbooks.org
December 26, 2025 at 9:45 AM
"Technology firms... are not invested in our students or the learning process, only in harvesting the attention of an entire generation of users, who will be addicted to their product for the rest of their adult lives." www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
It is EXHAUSTING not only being made responsible for coming up with new kinds of assignments for our students; it's also tedious reading op-eds that suggest the core problem is a crisis in teaching. But, as Chris and I lay out here, this isn't a crisis in teaching; it's an attack on learning.
"We envision a resistance that is...a repudiation of the efficiencies that automated algorithmic education falsely promises: a resistance comprising the collective force of small acts of friction."
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
"How to Resist AI in Education" by me & @cnygren.bsky.social
www.publicbooks.org/four-frictio...
Four Frictions: or, How to Resist AI in Education - Public Books
We are calling for resistance to the AI industry’s ongoing capture of higher education.
www.publicbooks.org
December 24, 2025 at 7:39 PM
It is EXHAUSTING not only being made responsible for coming up with new kinds of assignments for our students; it's also tedious reading op-eds that suggest the core problem is a crisis in teaching. But, as Chris and I lay out here, this isn't a crisis in teaching; it's an attack on learning.
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
December 24, 2025 at 7:56 PM
No one says to legit business owners, "hey I see there's an underground market selling toxic knock-offs of your product: how will you incorporate the toxic product AND protect your customers against its harms?" But apparently it's fine to make this suggestion to educators with respect to AI.
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
Heading into what's already looking like a, let's say, challenging 2026, this lovely little piece stands for science too. Do the work. It'll help.
This year we've been told over and over that there are shortcuts to Doing The Work. But there aren't, not really.
Here on the shortest day of the longest year I wrote a little defense of Doing The Work. dansinker.com/posts/2025-1...
Here on the shortest day of the longest year I wrote a little defense of Doing The Work. dansinker.com/posts/2025-1...
A note in defense of Doing The Work, written on the shortest day of the longest year | dansinker.com
dansinker.com
December 21, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Heading into what's already looking like a, let's say, challenging 2026, this lovely little piece stands for science too. Do the work. It'll help.
The Wes Anderson exhibit at The Design Museum is the perfect antidote to AI slop: room after room filled with meticulously designed and handcrafted art, puppets, and costumes
December 21, 2025 at 7:04 PM
The Wes Anderson exhibit at The Design Museum is the perfect antidote to AI slop: room after room filled with meticulously designed and handcrafted art, puppets, and costumes
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
Imagine having to post this on a syllabus: “inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.” And ask yourself who wanted that line and why.
Info that must be posted:
1. Class name
2. Goals
3. Grading info
4. Materials required for purchase
5. (This is new) "A statement noting that the course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate[,] and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement"
1. Class name
2. Goals
3. Grading info
4. Materials required for purchase
5. (This is new) "A statement noting that the course engages diverse scholarly perspectives to develop critical thinking, analysis, and debate[,] and inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement"
December 20, 2025 at 2:14 PM
Imagine having to post this on a syllabus: “inclusion of a reading does not imply endorsement.” And ask yourself who wanted that line and why.
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
NIST having to say to the media "time is not broken." That's 2025 all over. The venn of people who know what NIST is, and are so certain of tech is just two circles.
www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
Power outage in Boulder area affects atomic clock, "Time is not broken" NIST says
Due to the power outage, time (very) briefly stood still at the NIST Internet Time Service facility in Boulder.
www.cbsnews.com
December 21, 2025 at 11:47 AM
NIST having to say to the media "time is not broken." That's 2025 all over. The venn of people who know what NIST is, and are so certain of tech is just two circles.
www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
www.cbsnews.com/colorado/new...
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
This is a really amazing opportunity for astronomy students! 🔭☄️
It's always also very oversubscribed, so make sure to apply to a few things if you want to do a summer research internship
It's always also very oversubscribed, so make sure to apply to a few things if you want to do a summer research internship
Are you a bachelor or master student anywhere in the world, and would like to come to us to work full-time on a supervised research project? Applications for the 2026 MPIA Summer Internship are open now!
Summer internships
www.mpia.de
December 21, 2025 at 11:46 AM
This is a really amazing opportunity for astronomy students! 🔭☄️
It's always also very oversubscribed, so make sure to apply to a few things if you want to do a summer research internship
It's always also very oversubscribed, so make sure to apply to a few things if you want to do a summer research internship
Reposted by Britt Lundgren
In the wake of this news from UNC, I'm seeing some talk about copyright ownership and faculty scholarship.
If you're interested in the topic, here's a good explainer from from @authorsalliance.bsky.social:
If you're interested in the topic, here's a good explainer from from @authorsalliance.bsky.social:
December 20, 2025 at 1:33 PM
In the wake of this news from UNC, I'm seeing some talk about copyright ownership and faculty scholarship.
If you're interested in the topic, here's a good explainer from from @authorsalliance.bsky.social:
If you're interested in the topic, here's a good explainer from from @authorsalliance.bsky.social:
The English National Ballet's 2025 Nutcracker has incredible creative direction. I saw it a few nights ago in London, and I just discovered it's been made free to stream on PBS in the US. How wonderful that more people can enjoy it! Happy solstice everyone! 🌲 www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/t...
Nutcracker from English National Ballet ~ About | Great Performances | PBS
Experience the holiday classic in a new light, featuring over 100 dancers and musicians performing at the London Coliseum.
www.pbs.org
December 21, 2025 at 10:13 AM
The English National Ballet's 2025 Nutcracker has incredible creative direction. I saw it a few nights ago in London, and I just discovered it's been made free to stream on PBS in the US. How wonderful that more people can enjoy it! Happy solstice everyone! 🌲 www.pbs.org/wnet/gperf/t...