Jen
@cassiciacum.bsky.social
Making Texas higher education great again.
Reposted by Jen
An underrated reason that higher ed should not structured as leveraged individual investments in marketable skills. It's pro-cyclical and on a lag!
I feel genuinely awful for all those kids who got told to get computer science degrees they weren’t actually that passionate about over the last decade, only to get completely walloped on the job market due to the AI craze among executives.
January 28, 2026 at 4:01 PM
An underrated reason that higher ed should not structured as leveraged individual investments in marketable skills. It's pro-cyclical and on a lag!
Reposted by Jen
More people *strongly disapprove* of Trump than approve of him, even in the slightest. He is not even a "polarizing" President, he is just historically unpopular. There is no political downside to opposing authoritarianism.
yougovamerica.substack.com/p/falling-co...
yougovamerica.substack.com/p/falling-co...
January 28, 2026 at 2:31 PM
More people *strongly disapprove* of Trump than approve of him, even in the slightest. He is not even a "polarizing" President, he is just historically unpopular. There is no political downside to opposing authoritarianism.
yougovamerica.substack.com/p/falling-co...
yougovamerica.substack.com/p/falling-co...
Reposted by Jen
I find it *extremely* disturbing that Jay Bhattacharya—who campaigned for RFK Jr during RFK’s Presidential run—is repositioning the NIH to be the research arm of RFK Jr’s anti-vaccine, anti-science MAHA movement😨
“I want the NIH to be a central driver of the MAHA agenda,” Bhattacharya said. “Essentially, it's kind of the research arm of MAHA.”
NIH is not an ideological toy or 'arm'. We must insist on its scientific independence, especially if its Director will not.
🚨
www.dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
NIH is not an ideological toy or 'arm'. We must insist on its scientific independence, especially if its Director will not.
🚨
www.dukechronicle.com/article/duke...
NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya talks 'replication crisis' at Duke panel, omits funding cuts
Throughout the second Trump administration, the NIH has frozen billions of dollars in research funding to universities. Those cuts were not the topic of discussion at a Duke Clinical Research Institut...
www.dukechronicle.com
January 28, 2026 at 10:43 PM
I find it *extremely* disturbing that Jay Bhattacharya—who campaigned for RFK Jr during RFK’s Presidential run—is repositioning the NIH to be the research arm of RFK Jr’s anti-vaccine, anti-science MAHA movement😨
Reposted by Jen
Just the absolute most vile people run this administration.
The U.S. Embassy in Denmark removed 44 Danish flags honoring Danish soldiers killed in Afghanistan outside the building, drawing outrage from the country’s veterans amid heightened tensions between Copenhagen and Washington.
https://wapo.st/4rfbSOz
https://wapo.st/4rfbSOz
Removal of flags for fallen Danish soldiers at U.S. Embassy sparks backlash
There was no malicious intent in removing the flags, said a State Department spokesperson, who added that the flags had been replaced.
wapo.st
January 28, 2026 at 10:44 PM
Just the absolute most vile people run this administration.
Reposted by Jen
Florida is trying to do the same thing btw www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Florida Proposes H-1B Hiring Ban at All Public Universities
All Florida public universities would be banned from hiring foreign workers on H-1B visas under a policy change that the Florida Board of Governors will consider next week.
www.insidehighered.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:14 PM
Florida is trying to do the same thing btw www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...
Reposted by Jen
Gold at $5,390 now, ten bucks short of Goldman's revised end of year target
What the fuck man
What the fuck man
Gold trading at $5,280 right now, up another 2% today
Starting to get the heebie jeebies, not gonna lie
Starting to get the heebie jeebies, not gonna lie
Anyone telling you they know where this goes is a fool or a time traveler. Goldman Sachs called for $5,000/oz gold by the end of 2026, and we hit that last week. They updated their call to $5,400 by EOY 2026.
It's trading at $5,180 right now, up 3.4% today.
Buckle up.
It's trading at $5,180 right now, up 3.4% today.
Buckle up.
January 28, 2026 at 8:50 PM
Gold at $5,390 now, ten bucks short of Goldman's revised end of year target
What the fuck man
What the fuck man
Reposted by Jen
Utah lawmakers voted to advance a bill that would turn the state’s 2023 moratorium on newly prescribed hormonal transgender treatments for Utahns under the age of 18 into a full ban, despite objections from parents saying the gender-affirming care has saved their kids’ lives. #utpol
Utah lawmakers endorse bill to turn moratorium on transgender care for minors into a full ban • Utah News Dispatch
Utah lawmakers advanced a bill restricting hormonal treatment for transgender kids, changing the state's moratorium into a full ban.
utahnewsdispatch.com
January 28, 2026 at 7:22 PM
Utah lawmakers voted to advance a bill that would turn the state’s 2023 moratorium on newly prescribed hormonal transgender treatments for Utahns under the age of 18 into a full ban, despite objections from parents saying the gender-affirming care has saved their kids’ lives. #utpol
Reposted by Jen
Wow! This is amazing. Please make Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis” trend. Here are the lyrics.
January 28, 2026 at 6:50 PM
Wow! This is amazing. Please make Springsteen’s “Streets of Minneapolis” trend. Here are the lyrics.
Reposted by Jen
It’s not that Republicans are trying to inspire a campaign of terrorist violence against Democratic lawmakers.
It’s that they already have. With wounded and dead our side, frightened but resilient, and zero accountability for the people behind it.
It’s that they already have. With wounded and dead our side, frightened but resilient, and zero accountability for the people behind it.
January 28, 2026 at 2:22 AM
It’s not that Republicans are trying to inspire a campaign of terrorist violence against Democratic lawmakers.
It’s that they already have. With wounded and dead our side, frightened but resilient, and zero accountability for the people behind it.
It’s that they already have. With wounded and dead our side, frightened but resilient, and zero accountability for the people behind it.
Reposted by Jen
Perfect summary of the White American Man in the 21st century. You couldn’t write a book that captured all of this as clearly
January 28, 2026 at 6:38 PM
Perfect summary of the White American Man in the 21st century. You couldn’t write a book that captured all of this as clearly
Reposted by Jen
Within the past week alone, two House members—Reps. Maxwell Frost and Ilhan Omar—were attacked in public. We can't become desensitized to political violence and the threat it poses to our democracy. We must condemn political violence in any and all forms.
The U.S. Capitol Police reported that the number of cases investigated last year grew by more than 50 percent.
“Decreasing violent political rhetoric is one of the best ways to decrease the number of threats across the country,” the Capitol Police said.
“Decreasing violent political rhetoric is one of the best ways to decrease the number of threats across the country,” the Capitol Police said.
Thousands more threats were looked into in 2025, Capitol Police say
The United States Capitol Police looked into thousands more threats last year against the Capitol, members of Congress, their family members and staff.
www.washingtonpost.com
January 28, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Within the past week alone, two House members—Reps. Maxwell Frost and Ilhan Omar—were attacked in public. We can't become desensitized to political violence and the threat it poses to our democracy. We must condemn political violence in any and all forms.
Reposted by Jen
Shhhhh! Mumps the word!
Measles are back. Gold is at the center of the global monetary system. 1940s are so hot RN.
The only thing hotter than gold right now is measles.
January 28, 2026 at 6:43 PM
Shhhhh! Mumps the word!
😂
Barack Obama recommending podcasts and Bruce Springsteen posting a protest song on the same day represents a full scale offensive on Bluesky’s power center of leftist Garfield avatars
January 28, 2026 at 6:44 PM
😂
Reposted by Jen
For instance, note @adamserwer.bsky.social's point about Trump/MAGA deep ideological hatred of Minneapolis. The real function of ICE, as he notes, is to "terrorize American communities for being too diverse or too democratic."
Much wisdom from him in this exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
Much wisdom from him in this exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
January 28, 2026 at 5:02 PM
For instance, note @adamserwer.bsky.social's point about Trump/MAGA deep ideological hatred of Minneapolis. The real function of ICE, as he notes, is to "terrorize American communities for being too diverse or too democratic."
Much wisdom from him in this exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
Much wisdom from him in this exchange:
newrepublic.com/article/2057...
Reposted by Jen
Your Libby rental was free for you, but did you know it cost the D.C. Public Library $59.99?
The e-book boom (and a complicated pricing model from publishers) has left library systems strapped for cash. But D.C. lawmakers have a plan to fight back. 51st.news/ebooks-are-e...
The e-book boom (and a complicated pricing model from publishers) has left library systems strapped for cash. But D.C. lawmakers have a plan to fight back. 51st.news/ebooks-are-e...
Libraries can't afford e-books. D.C. lawmakers have a plan.
The demand and price for e-books is up — and it’s busting the D.C. Public Library budget.
51st.news
January 28, 2026 at 12:00 AM
Your Libby rental was free for you, but did you know it cost the D.C. Public Library $59.99?
The e-book boom (and a complicated pricing model from publishers) has left library systems strapped for cash. But D.C. lawmakers have a plan to fight back. 51st.news/ebooks-are-e...
The e-book boom (and a complicated pricing model from publishers) has left library systems strapped for cash. But D.C. lawmakers have a plan to fight back. 51st.news/ebooks-are-e...
Reposted by Jen
Political scientists see non-violent resistance as much more effective--and it's not just from aggregate statistics. Rather, it's the way that peaceful resistance undermines the state's repressive capacities.
This op-ed by Berkeley prof @owasow.bsky.social explains this logic 🎯.
Give it a read!
This op-ed by Berkeley prof @owasow.bsky.social explains this logic 🎯.
Give it a read!
“What we are seeing is the weakness of strong states. Regimes that rely on repression face a challenge: The more force they deploy, the more they risk exposing their own brutality to politically persuadable observers. Overreach doesn’t just project strength; it also undermines legitimacy.” Gift link
Opinion | We’re Seeing the Weakness of a Strong State
www.nytimes.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:31 PM
Political scientists see non-violent resistance as much more effective--and it's not just from aggregate statistics. Rather, it's the way that peaceful resistance undermines the state's repressive capacities.
This op-ed by Berkeley prof @owasow.bsky.social explains this logic 🎯.
Give it a read!
This op-ed by Berkeley prof @owasow.bsky.social explains this logic 🎯.
Give it a read!
Reposted by Jen
There's no cover image yet, but look what's coming out next year:
Do you like bureaucracy? early Christianity? both?
Robin Whelan has got you covered:
www.cambridge.org/core/books/s...
Do you like bureaucracy? early Christianity? both?
Robin Whelan has got you covered:
www.cambridge.org/core/books/s...
Serving the Christian State in Late Antiquity
Cambridge Core - Church History - Serving the Christian State in Late Antiquity
www.cambridge.org
January 28, 2026 at 2:21 PM
There's no cover image yet, but look what's coming out next year:
Do you like bureaucracy? early Christianity? both?
Robin Whelan has got you covered:
www.cambridge.org/core/books/s...
Do you like bureaucracy? early Christianity? both?
Robin Whelan has got you covered:
www.cambridge.org/core/books/s...
Reposted by Jen
Very exciting job announcement! Permanent early medieval (Britain and/or Europe) teaching post at KCL. I know first-hand that this is a great opportunity to work with amazing colleagues and students. www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/136727-...
Lecturer in Early Medieval History | King's College London
www.kcl.ac.uk
January 28, 2026 at 11:00 AM
Very exciting job announcement! Permanent early medieval (Britain and/or Europe) teaching post at KCL. I know first-hand that this is a great opportunity to work with amazing colleagues and students. www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs/136727-...
Reposted by Jen
Going after the skilled workers on H1-Bs….
Texas Moves to Curtail Visas for Skilled Foreign Workers
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Going after the skilled workers on H1-Bs….
Reposted by Jen
This will have devastating effects on research & local economies. Public universities are drivers of state economies.
one of the least-appreciated own-goals happening right now is the deliberate sabotage of our knowledge/research sector www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Texas Halts Hiring of H-1B Workers at State Colleges, Agencies
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies and public universities to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions, curtailing a program that has also been overhauled by President Donald Trump.
www.bloomberg.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:40 PM
This will have devastating effects on research & local economies. Public universities are drivers of state economies.
Going after the skilled workers on H1-Bs….
Texas Moves to Curtail Visas for Skilled Foreign Workers
www.nytimes.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:15 PM
Going after the skilled workers on H1-Bs….
Reposted by Jen
There are people with principled takes on the 2nd Amendment, like the 1st.
But if you ever believed that the American Right broadly supported 2nd Amendment rights, as opposed to rights for people who agreed with them, you are a fool.
But if you ever believed that the American Right broadly supported 2nd Amendment rights, as opposed to rights for people who agreed with them, you are a fool.
Trump: "With that being said, you can't have guns. You can't walk in with guns. You just can't. You can't walk in with guns. You can't do that. But it's just a very unfortunate incident."
January 27, 2026 at 8:34 PM
There are people with principled takes on the 2nd Amendment, like the 1st.
But if you ever believed that the American Right broadly supported 2nd Amendment rights, as opposed to rights for people who agreed with them, you are a fool.
But if you ever believed that the American Right broadly supported 2nd Amendment rights, as opposed to rights for people who agreed with them, you are a fool.
Reposted by Jen
If Axios is ratting on Miller we might have a stew going
SCOOP: Trump aide Stephen Miller behind misleading claim that slain Minn. protester wanted to "massacre" agents
Scoop: Trump aide Stephen Miller behind misleading claim that slain Minn. protester wanted to "massacre" agents
The episode illustrates the sheer power of Miller, Trump's close and longest-serving political adviser
trib.al
January 27, 2026 at 8:47 PM
If Axios is ratting on Miller we might have a stew going
Reposted by Jen
"getting outside your bubble" is an admirable thing when it means trying a new hobby or introducing yourself to your neighbor or watching an art film but people only want to apply it to "being a little more racist just to see how it feels"
January 27, 2026 at 4:08 PM
"getting outside your bubble" is an admirable thing when it means trying a new hobby or introducing yourself to your neighbor or watching an art film but people only want to apply it to "being a little more racist just to see how it feels"
Reposted by Jen
One armed goon loses his shit at an observer who's backing up, and then several more armed goons tackle the observer to the ground, and then even more armed goons form a protective shield around the armed goons handcuffing the observer for hurting an armed goon's feelings.
This can't be "reformed"
This can't be "reformed"
January 27, 2026 at 3:20 PM
One armed goon loses his shit at an observer who's backing up, and then several more armed goons tackle the observer to the ground, and then even more armed goons form a protective shield around the armed goons handcuffing the observer for hurting an armed goon's feelings.
This can't be "reformed"
This can't be "reformed"