Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
@carolynownbey.bsky.social
scholar of citizenship, human rights, & anticolonial literature & culture 🍉
queer, disabled, neurodivergent she/her with many cats & a lifelong special interest in viral plagues… what a time to be alive
queer, disabled, neurodivergent she/her with many cats & a lifelong special interest in viral plagues… what a time to be alive
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
Numbers in the news sound fake now. Studio acquired for $83 badillion? New CEO pay package of a gajillion??? My brother in Christ, I'm trying to process that a McDonald's breakfast sandwich is almost $3 now.
December 5, 2025 at 3:11 PM
Numbers in the news sound fake now. Studio acquired for $83 badillion? New CEO pay package of a gajillion??? My brother in Christ, I'm trying to process that a McDonald's breakfast sandwich is almost $3 now.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
There are so many people living lives of quiet dignity despite horrific medical news or poverty or tragedy where every day they still wake up and try to be good people in the world even as the world pushes against them and it makes me even angrier at the absolute shitheads that rule over things
December 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
There are so many people living lives of quiet dignity despite horrific medical news or poverty or tragedy where every day they still wake up and try to be good people in the world even as the world pushes against them and it makes me even angrier at the absolute shitheads that rule over things
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
If you've noticed that ChatGPT is improving, it's probably because I've spent so much time grading its work.
December 5, 2025 at 2:57 PM
If you've noticed that ChatGPT is improving, it's probably because I've spent so much time grading its work.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
This is ALWAYS what the TikTok ban was about. It was never about China or “child safety.” Same for KOSA and these other “online safety” bills in congress right now. The goal is complete and total control over online speech and independent journalism
Hillary Clinton blames TikTok and “totally made up” videos for young people’s views on Israel and Palestine.
She says social media influenced “not just the usual suspects” but also “young Jewish Americans who don’t know the history and don’t understand.”
She says social media influenced “not just the usual suspects” but also “young Jewish Americans who don’t know the history and don’t understand.”
December 2, 2025 at 10:48 PM
This is ALWAYS what the TikTok ban was about. It was never about China or “child safety.” Same for KOSA and these other “online safety” bills in congress right now. The goal is complete and total control over online speech and independent journalism
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
U.S. job cuts have reach 1.17 million this year, the most since 2020.
December 4, 2025 at 2:24 PM
U.S. job cuts have reach 1.17 million this year, the most since 2020.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
i wonder where anyone got the idea to call zionists colonizers
could it be from their conference in 1899 voting to publicly declare their intention to colonize the holy land? their language not mine.
could it be from their conference in 1899 voting to publicly declare their intention to colonize the holy land? their language not mine.
December 4, 2025 at 1:21 PM
i wonder where anyone got the idea to call zionists colonizers
could it be from their conference in 1899 voting to publicly declare their intention to colonize the holy land? their language not mine.
could it be from their conference in 1899 voting to publicly declare their intention to colonize the holy land? their language not mine.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
I have been thinking and talking about Israel my whole life, and have taught about Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East since 2008, well before TikTok existed. I can attest that young Americans’ opinion of Israel has gotten more negative over that time, and the main reason is Israel’s actions.
Also apropos nothing else, public opinion was turning against Israel before TikTok went mainstream
December 3, 2025 at 4:45 PM
I have been thinking and talking about Israel my whole life, and have taught about Israel, Palestine, and the Middle East since 2008, well before TikTok existed. I can attest that young Americans’ opinion of Israel has gotten more negative over that time, and the main reason is Israel’s actions.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
There are now 2,900 billionaires, and they hold $15.8 trillion.
The wealth of the bottom 50% of the global population, over 4 billion people, is estimated at $3.7 trillion.
The wealth of the bottom 50% of the global population, over 4 billion people, is estimated at $3.7 trillion.
December 4, 2025 at 2:41 PM
There are now 2,900 billionaires, and they hold $15.8 trillion.
The wealth of the bottom 50% of the global population, over 4 billion people, is estimated at $3.7 trillion.
The wealth of the bottom 50% of the global population, over 4 billion people, is estimated at $3.7 trillion.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
Folks, the basic justification for enslaving Africans was that they were naturally able to endure hard labor. To the point, of making up theories on our physical abilities and muscles. Y’all…What is happening? Why is there so much white washing of race science?
December 4, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Folks, the basic justification for enslaving Africans was that they were naturally able to endure hard labor. To the point, of making up theories on our physical abilities and muscles. Y’all…What is happening? Why is there so much white washing of race science?
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
"In response to prompts as simple as “[name] address,” we found Grok repeatedly offered up accurate, up-to-date home addresses of everyday people, while offering astonishingly scant pushback."
Actually somewhat terrifying -- Grok is providing random people's home and work addresses to would-be stalkers
futurism.com/artificial-i...
futurism.com/artificial-i...
Elon Musk's Grok AI Is Doxxing Home Addresses of Everyday People
Elon Musk's Grox chatbot will happily cough up real, current residential addresses of everyday Americans, with little to no prompting.
futurism.com
December 4, 2025 at 2:29 PM
"In response to prompts as simple as “[name] address,” we found Grok repeatedly offered up accurate, up-to-date home addresses of everyday people, while offering astonishingly scant pushback."
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
I am also going to add , that part of the reasons we don’t means test is because of how often disabled people are abused by people in their own families .
That the PARENTS being rich doesn’t mean they actually take care of the kids and in fact often use that as control
That the PARENTS being rich doesn’t mean they actually take care of the kids and in fact often use that as control
I don't care if a non-disabled person accesses a disability accommodation for the same reason I don't care if a child whose parents are rich gets free lunch at school. We don't need to means test being a kind person. I have better things to do with my time than be a cop over social services.
December 4, 2025 at 2:24 PM
I am also going to add , that part of the reasons we don’t means test is because of how often disabled people are abused by people in their own families .
That the PARENTS being rich doesn’t mean they actually take care of the kids and in fact often use that as control
That the PARENTS being rich doesn’t mean they actually take care of the kids and in fact often use that as control
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
I don't care if a non-disabled person accesses a disability accommodation for the same reason I don't care if a child whose parents are rich gets free lunch at school. We don't need to means test being a kind person. I have better things to do with my time than be a cop over social services.
December 4, 2025 at 2:32 AM
I don't care if a non-disabled person accesses a disability accommodation for the same reason I don't care if a child whose parents are rich gets free lunch at school. We don't need to means test being a kind person. I have better things to do with my time than be a cop over social services.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
I finally got around to reading this. You should read it too.
"We are exporting the very labor of teaching and learning—the slow work of wrestling with ideas, the enduring of discomfort, doubt and confusion, the struggle of finding one’s own voice."
www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
"We are exporting the very labor of teaching and learning—the slow work of wrestling with ideas, the enduring of discomfort, doubt and confusion, the struggle of finding one’s own voice."
www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
AI is Destroying the University and Learning Itself
Students use AI to write papers, professors use AI to grade them, degrees become meaningless, and tech companies make fortunes. Welcome to the death of higher education.
www.currentaffairs.org
December 4, 2025 at 1:52 PM
I finally got around to reading this. You should read it too.
"We are exporting the very labor of teaching and learning—the slow work of wrestling with ideas, the enduring of discomfort, doubt and confusion, the struggle of finding one’s own voice."
www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
"We are exporting the very labor of teaching and learning—the slow work of wrestling with ideas, the enduring of discomfort, doubt and confusion, the struggle of finding one’s own voice."
www.currentaffairs.org/news/ai-is-d...
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
Its clear you do not know what eugenics was and is. Eugenics was, in the 19th and 20th centuries, considered the science of crafting "fit" populations. Eugenicists targeted disabled people, the poor, people with alcohol issues, immigrants and people of color.
December 4, 2025 at 1:51 PM
Its clear you do not know what eugenics was and is. Eugenics was, in the 19th and 20th centuries, considered the science of crafting "fit" populations. Eugenicists targeted disabled people, the poor, people with alcohol issues, immigrants and people of color.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Alex Karp vows to use his "whole influence" on immigration and defense policy.
gizmodo.com
December 3, 2025 at 10:56 PM
Palantir CEO Says Making War Crimes Constitutional Would Be Good for Business
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
Reminder: It's never too late to start wearing a mask again
December 3, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Reminder: It's never too late to start wearing a mask again
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
Perhaps you're chilling at home now and scrolling... Perhaps you are thinking, 'I'd really love to make sure that some children have a happy holiday season.' If this is you, you're in luck! Please support our toy drive: bsky.app/profile/pris...
Good morning. Please consider supporting our toy drive by ordering from these two wish lists or dropping off toys if you're in NYC.
Toys: bit.ly/48pJUrK
Teen gifts: amzn.to/4rDn7BG
Thank you so much.
Toys: bit.ly/48pJUrK
Teen gifts: amzn.to/4rDn7BG
Thank you so much.
December 4, 2025 at 1:26 AM
Perhaps you're chilling at home now and scrolling... Perhaps you are thinking, 'I'd really love to make sure that some children have a happy holiday season.' If this is you, you're in luck! Please support our toy drive: bsky.app/profile/pris...
The max monthly gross income you're allowed to make to qualify for SSDI in 2025 is $1,590 a month.
Not even counting state taxes, that's down to under $1,399 after federal taxes.
The poverty line is $1,304 monthly. You have to be less than $100 a month above the poverty line to qualify for SSDI.
Not even counting state taxes, that's down to under $1,399 after federal taxes.
The poverty line is $1,304 monthly. You have to be less than $100 a month above the poverty line to qualify for SSDI.
THIS.
Also, most folks have no idea that to receive govt benefits you:
- need to become essentially impoverished
- usually can't be married
- have to give up any idea of saving for retirement
- have to fill out a TON of paperwork constantly
- *literally* get surveilled in case you're "faking it"
Also, most folks have no idea that to receive govt benefits you:
- need to become essentially impoverished
- usually can't be married
- have to give up any idea of saving for retirement
- have to fill out a TON of paperwork constantly
- *literally* get surveilled in case you're "faking it"
People act like being disabled is great because you get all these ‘benefits’ but forget you have to actually live with your illness or diagnosis or impairment
December 3, 2025 at 8:10 PM
The max monthly gross income you're allowed to make to qualify for SSDI in 2025 is $1,590 a month.
Not even counting state taxes, that's down to under $1,399 after federal taxes.
The poverty line is $1,304 monthly. You have to be less than $100 a month above the poverty line to qualify for SSDI.
Not even counting state taxes, that's down to under $1,399 after federal taxes.
The poverty line is $1,304 monthly. You have to be less than $100 a month above the poverty line to qualify for SSDI.
THIS.
Also, most folks have no idea that to receive govt benefits you:
- need to become essentially impoverished
- usually can't be married
- have to give up any idea of saving for retirement
- have to fill out a TON of paperwork constantly
- *literally* get surveilled in case you're "faking it"
Also, most folks have no idea that to receive govt benefits you:
- need to become essentially impoverished
- usually can't be married
- have to give up any idea of saving for retirement
- have to fill out a TON of paperwork constantly
- *literally* get surveilled in case you're "faking it"
People act like being disabled is great because you get all these ‘benefits’ but forget you have to actually live with your illness or diagnosis or impairment
December 3, 2025 at 8:00 PM
THIS.
Also, most folks have no idea that to receive govt benefits you:
- need to become essentially impoverished
- usually can't be married
- have to give up any idea of saving for retirement
- have to fill out a TON of paperwork constantly
- *literally* get surveilled in case you're "faking it"
Also, most folks have no idea that to receive govt benefits you:
- need to become essentially impoverished
- usually can't be married
- have to give up any idea of saving for retirement
- have to fill out a TON of paperwork constantly
- *literally* get surveilled in case you're "faking it"
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
People act like being disabled is great because you get all these ‘benefits’ but forget you have to actually live with your illness or diagnosis or impairment
December 3, 2025 at 12:12 PM
People act like being disabled is great because you get all these ‘benefits’ but forget you have to actually live with your illness or diagnosis or impairment
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
For anyone who knows anything about genocides and the incitement of genocidal violence, this is the kind of hair-raising stuff you find in transcripts of testimony before special tribunals.
Tom Emmer pushes racist lies on Fox: "80% of the crimes being committed in the Twin Cities and Minnesota are being committed by Somalis"
December 3, 2025 at 3:49 PM
For anyone who knows anything about genocides and the incitement of genocidal violence, this is the kind of hair-raising stuff you find in transcripts of testimony before special tribunals.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
This is not a thing that’s happening lol relax
I think filling the top ranks of our education system with people who got there in part by abusing a system designed to help disabled people will select morally deficient people for leadership positions in our society and is worth taking steps to avoid bsky.app/profile/padr...
I mean if the only risk is some kids getting extra time on tests it seems like not such a big deal
December 3, 2025 at 3:31 PM
This is not a thing that’s happening lol relax
What it's like to be chronically ill/medically complex: in 2025, I will have had (at least) 76 medical appointments. Hitting 70 today, with 6 more in the next couple weeks.
No, I don't have anxiety or hypochondria.
No, this doesn't include time making appts, emailing docs, doing research, etc.
No, I don't have anxiety or hypochondria.
No, this doesn't include time making appts, emailing docs, doing research, etc.
December 3, 2025 at 3:40 PM
What it's like to be chronically ill/medically complex: in 2025, I will have had (at least) 76 medical appointments. Hitting 70 today, with 6 more in the next couple weeks.
No, I don't have anxiety or hypochondria.
No, this doesn't include time making appts, emailing docs, doing research, etc.
No, I don't have anxiety or hypochondria.
No, this doesn't include time making appts, emailing docs, doing research, etc.
Reposted by Carolyn Ownbey, PhD
This snooping + impunity sounds like police are super sovereign citizens
Police have access to massive surveillance networks that track the public whether they are suspects or not. That means probably for every 1 officer caught using the system to harass or spy on people they have feuds with, ex's, activists, journalists, there are probably 100 more we don't know about.
Georgia police chief charged with using license plate readers to stalk and harass people
A police chief in suburban Atlanta has been arrested on charges of using the city's license plate cameras to stalk and harass people.
apnews.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:36 PM
This snooping + impunity sounds like police are super sovereign citizens