Big Data Kane
@cmwitko.bsky.social
Political Science and Public Policy
E pluribus unum🇺🇸
Most recent coauthored book:
https://www.russellsage.org/publications/hijacking-agenda
E pluribus unum🇺🇸
Most recent coauthored book:
https://www.russellsage.org/publications/hijacking-agenda
Reposted by Big Data Kane
Immigrants save Americans' lives: "...a 25% increase in the steady state flow of immigrants to the US would result in 5,000 fewer deaths nationwide. We identify reduced use of nursing homes as a key mechanism driving this result."
www.nber.org/papers/w34791
www.nber.org/papers/w34791
February 9, 2026 at 12:42 PM
Immigrants save Americans' lives: "...a 25% increase in the steady state flow of immigrants to the US would result in 5,000 fewer deaths nationwide. We identify reduced use of nursing homes as a key mechanism driving this result."
www.nber.org/papers/w34791
www.nber.org/papers/w34791
Reposted by Big Data Kane
And the women’s team:
- the daughter of Chinese immigrants who rebuffed an aggressive campaign to get her to skate for China
- the daughter of an Italian immigrant embryologist mom who named her after a Michelle Pfeiffer character
- the pansexual daughter of a Texas cop (who is her biggest fan)
- the daughter of Chinese immigrants who rebuffed an aggressive campaign to get her to skate for China
- the daughter of an Italian immigrant embryologist mom who named her after a Michelle Pfeiffer character
- the pansexual daughter of a Texas cop (who is her biggest fan)
This year, the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Men's Team is represented by:
• the son of Ukrainian Junior World Champion skaters in Florida who like Papa John's
• the son of Russian World Champion skaters in Connecticut
• the son of Uzbek Olympic skaters in Virginia
That's what makes America great.
• the son of Ukrainian Junior World Champion skaters in Florida who like Papa John's
• the son of Russian World Champion skaters in Connecticut
• the son of Uzbek Olympic skaters in Virginia
That's what makes America great.
This year, the U.S. Olympic Figure Skating Pairs Team is represented by:
• A Japanese and Chinese Hawaiian
• A Michigan guy (You'll notice a trend here)
• A Hong Kong and Taiwanese Texan
• A Japanese American and Army soldier who is studying to become a chaplain!
That's what makes America great.
• A Japanese and Chinese Hawaiian
• A Michigan guy (You'll notice a trend here)
• A Hong Kong and Taiwanese Texan
• A Japanese American and Army soldier who is studying to become a chaplain!
That's what makes America great.
February 8, 2026 at 10:12 PM
And the women’s team:
- the daughter of Chinese immigrants who rebuffed an aggressive campaign to get her to skate for China
- the daughter of an Italian immigrant embryologist mom who named her after a Michelle Pfeiffer character
- the pansexual daughter of a Texas cop (who is her biggest fan)
- the daughter of Chinese immigrants who rebuffed an aggressive campaign to get her to skate for China
- the daughter of an Italian immigrant embryologist mom who named her after a Michelle Pfeiffer character
- the pansexual daughter of a Texas cop (who is her biggest fan)
The people who are going to win a civil war against the libs are triggered by a guy named Bad Bunny.
February 8, 2026 at 10:25 PM
The people who are going to win a civil war against the libs are triggered by a guy named Bad Bunny.
Reposted by Big Data Kane
Epstein class conscious is part of it imo
Why is elite accountability dead? I think this is a great dissertation topic. Partisan polarization certainly plays a role, as does the servile media.
Europeans are pushing to hold Jeffrey Epstein's creepy pals, including billionaires like Elon Musk, accountable. The U.S.? Not so much.
February 8, 2026 at 6:42 PM
Epstein class conscious is part of it imo
Why is elite accountability dead? I think this is a great dissertation topic. Partisan polarization certainly plays a role, as does the servile media.
Europeans are pushing to hold Jeffrey Epstein's creepy pals, including billionaires like Elon Musk, accountable. The U.S.? Not so much.
Europe is holding its Epstein creeps accountable. Why can’t we? | Will Bunch
www.inquirer.com
February 8, 2026 at 6:41 PM
Why is elite accountability dead? I think this is a great dissertation topic. Partisan polarization certainly plays a role, as does the servile media.
One thing that surprises me is that more people are not concerned about their historical legacy. I know when I die 100 years later nobody is going to think about me. And that’s much better than your grandkids seeing you on video defending evil!
Gonzales on Liam Ramos and his family: "They're not gonna qualify for asylum. So what do you do with all the people that go through the process and do not qualify for asylum? You deport them. I understand that 5-year-old and it breaks my heart. I also think, what about that 5-year-old US citizen?"
February 8, 2026 at 5:41 PM
One thing that surprises me is that more people are not concerned about their historical legacy. I know when I die 100 years later nobody is going to think about me. And that’s much better than your grandkids seeing you on video defending evil!
I knew Greg a little bit back in the day. He was a brilliant, innovative songwriter and musician and a kind, gentle man. RIP.
stereogum.com/2488418/cake...
stereogum.com/2488418/cake...
Cake Founding Guitarist Greg Brown Has Died
Greg Brown, the founding guitarist for Cake, has died. The band’s social media account announced the news today, saying he passed “after a brief illness.” Greg Brown co-founded the droll alt-rock band...
stereogum.com
February 8, 2026 at 3:53 PM
I knew Greg a little bit back in the day. He was a brilliant, innovative songwriter and musician and a kind, gentle man. RIP.
stereogum.com/2488418/cake...
stereogum.com/2488418/cake...
Reposted by Big Data Kane
Go Heels what a win
make gifs at gifsoup.com is written on the bottom of the screen
ALT: make gifs at gifsoup.com is written on the bottom of the screen
media.tenor.com
February 8, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Go Heels what a win
America second!
American star Alysa Liu overcame a delay en route to the Milano Skating Arena caused by Vice President JD Vance’s motorcade and finished second in the women’s short program at the Olympics team event.
“We almost didn’t make it,” her coach said.
“We almost didn’t make it,” her coach said.
Nothing could stop the U.S. figure skating team. Not even JD Vance’s motorcade.
Alysa Liu and world champion dance team of Madison Chock and Evan Bates have the Americans leading the team event after day one.
www.washingtonpost.com
February 7, 2026 at 1:37 AM
America second!
Guys, I think Trump might be racist.
February 7, 2026 at 12:35 AM
Guys, I think Trump might be racist.
Imagine living through 2020 and j6 and thinking “I want more of that!”
February 7, 2026 at 12:32 AM
Imagine living through 2020 and j6 and thinking “I want more of that!”
Reposted by Big Data Kane
Final Schedule F rule published: in defiance of the vast majority of public comments, it commits to further politicizing government, removing anyone the Trump administration dislikes.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov
February 5, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Final Schedule F rule published: in defiance of the vast majority of public comments, it commits to further politicizing government, removing anyone the Trump administration dislikes.
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
public-inspection.federalregister.gov/2026-02375.pdf
Reposted by Big Data Kane
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
February 4, 2026 at 7:51 PM
Today I'm releasing probably the most important scholarly thing I've ever worked on - a report based on talking with 144 people about why they don't vote or only vote regularly, and on what needs to be done to build a democracy that can include everyone.
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
www.swarthmore.edu/u...
please share!
Reposted by Big Data Kane
I'm very excited about the most recent @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org Element in Politics & Communication, "Catching Fire in the News
The Necessary Conditions for Media Storms" by Amber Boydstun, @jilllaufer.bsky.social, @dallascard.bsky.social & Noah Smith. Check it out: doi.org/10.1017/9781....
The Necessary Conditions for Media Storms" by Amber Boydstun, @jilllaufer.bsky.social, @dallascard.bsky.social & Noah Smith. Check it out: doi.org/10.1017/9781....
Catching Fire in the News
Cambridge Core - Politics: General Interest - Catching Fire in the News
doi.org
February 4, 2026 at 9:45 PM
I'm very excited about the most recent @cambup-polsci.cambridge.org Element in Politics & Communication, "Catching Fire in the News
The Necessary Conditions for Media Storms" by Amber Boydstun, @jilllaufer.bsky.social, @dallascard.bsky.social & Noah Smith. Check it out: doi.org/10.1017/9781....
The Necessary Conditions for Media Storms" by Amber Boydstun, @jilllaufer.bsky.social, @dallascard.bsky.social & Noah Smith. Check it out: doi.org/10.1017/9781....
Reposted by Big Data Kane
ICE at the polls! Bannon is basically yelling “fire” in a crowded theater here. His objective is to cause chaos (and suppress votes on the left). And it’s already working.
This threat works on multiple levels and doesn’t have to be “real” to serve its purpose.
Let me explain & offer some advice.
This threat works on multiple levels and doesn’t have to be “real” to serve its purpose.
Let me explain & offer some advice.
Steve Bannon says the federal government is planning to send ICE officers to patrol polling stations during the midterms.
"We're going to have ICE surround the polls come November."
"We're not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again." www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
"We're going to have ICE surround the polls come November."
"We're not going to sit here and allow you to steal the country again." www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...
Steve Bannon says ICE will ‘surround the polls’ as Trump doubles down on taking over elections
Trump doubled down on his comments to nationalize voting Tuesday during an Oval Office press conference. “If you think about it, a state is an agent for the federal government in elections,” Trump sai...
www.democracydocket.com
February 4, 2026 at 9:13 PM
ICE at the polls! Bannon is basically yelling “fire” in a crowded theater here. His objective is to cause chaos (and suppress votes on the left). And it’s already working.
This threat works on multiple levels and doesn’t have to be “real” to serve its purpose.
Let me explain & offer some advice.
This threat works on multiple levels and doesn’t have to be “real” to serve its purpose.
Let me explain & offer some advice.
Here’s the thing: if the Trump admin is going to deport “illegals” and then tighten up the border why do they need a permanent gulag? Not to be paranoid, but the question sort of answers itself.
[Miller] gushed about creating “vast holding facilities” built on “open land,” which would enable Trump to escalate the volume and speed of deportations to unprecedented heights. Trembling with excitement, Miller vowed: “President Trump will do whatever it takes.”
Vast camps are central to Trumpism. Stephen Miller has long been very excited about them. Backlash is another sign that opposition to Trump/Miller runs deeper than revulsion at ICE. There's real resistance to the whole ideological project of mass deportations. 4/
newrepublic.com/article/2060...
newrepublic.com/article/2060...
February 4, 2026 at 2:11 PM
Here’s the thing: if the Trump admin is going to deport “illegals” and then tighten up the border why do they need a permanent gulag? Not to be paranoid, but the question sort of answers itself.
Every headline that talks about Trump’s “deals” with universities should note that this process is completely outside of the law and his tactics to get them to agree are clearly illegal and unconstitutional.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
Trump, Changing Course, Throws Harvard Deal Talks Into Chaos
www.nytimes.com
February 4, 2026 at 1:53 PM
Every headline that talks about Trump’s “deals” with universities should note that this process is completely outside of the law and his tactics to get them to agree are clearly illegal and unconstitutional.
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
www.nytimes.com/2026/02/03/u...
My favorite longest one word title is Hyperbolicsyllabicsesequedalymistic by Isaac Hayes. Or is that 6 words? Can’t tell. 😂😂
Deleted a post about “what’s your least favorite song” because the vibes are bad enough already.
Instead: what’s your favorite song that has a long title, say at least 6 words long?
Mine: “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” (Pearl Jam)
Instead: what’s your favorite song that has a long title, say at least 6 words long?
Mine: “Elderly Woman Behind the Counter in a Small Town” (Pearl Jam)
February 4, 2026 at 4:28 AM
My favorite longest one word title is Hyperbolicsyllabicsesequedalymistic by Isaac Hayes. Or is that 6 words? Can’t tell. 😂😂
Reposted by Big Data Kane
New from me: I wrote about the Clicktatorship at @theatlantic.com.
"Poster brain and authoritarianism reinforce each other: They thrive on conspiracy theories, lack all restraint, and jump to extreme solutions."
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
"Poster brain and authoritarianism reinforce each other: They thrive on conspiracy theories, lack all restraint, and jump to extreme solutions."
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Welcome to the Clicktatorship
In the Trump administration, even budget proposals read like Truth Social posts.
www.theatlantic.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:02 PM
New from me: I wrote about the Clicktatorship at @theatlantic.com.
"Poster brain and authoritarianism reinforce each other: They thrive on conspiracy theories, lack all restraint, and jump to extreme solutions."
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
"Poster brain and authoritarianism reinforce each other: They thrive on conspiracy theories, lack all restraint, and jump to extreme solutions."
www.theatlantic.com/technology/2...
Reposted by Big Data Kane
New and open access, in @psrm.bsky.social: What happens when we make politicians draw distributions? Nic Dias, @jacklucas.bsky.social and I explore whether the large errors politicians make about public opinion are artificially inflated by how researchers ask them to estimate it /1
cup.org/4kltoyE
cup.org/4kltoyE
February 3, 2026 at 12:04 PM
New and open access, in @psrm.bsky.social: What happens when we make politicians draw distributions? Nic Dias, @jacklucas.bsky.social and I explore whether the large errors politicians make about public opinion are artificially inflated by how researchers ask them to estimate it /1
cup.org/4kltoyE
cup.org/4kltoyE
Reposted by Big Data Kane
The last time he started talking like this, his allies minimized the risks and we ended up with January 6. This time we must take him literally and seriously. These comments are a five-alarm fire for democracy. In a functioning republic, he would be impeached and removed from office today.
February 2, 2026 at 9:04 PM
The last time he started talking like this, his allies minimized the risks and we ended up with January 6. This time we must take him literally and seriously. These comments are a five-alarm fire for democracy. In a functioning republic, he would be impeached and removed from office today.
Scholars who complain that their area of research doesn’t get enough attention but then gatekeep are the worst.
February 2, 2026 at 5:07 PM
Scholars who complain that their area of research doesn’t get enough attention but then gatekeep are the worst.
In case you are wondering whether the fascism will go away after Trump….sorry bad news.
University of Illinois college republicans advocate for executing protesters as “traitors” with art that takes a disturbing killing and makes it even more extreme.
dailyillini.com/news-stories...
dailyillini.com/news-stories...
‘Fell the enemies:’ Illini Republicans support ICE amid killings - The Daily Illini
In a post that included a graphic of a presumed officer holding a gun to someone's head, Illini Republicans stated that they “stand with ICE."
dailyillini.com
February 2, 2026 at 4:48 PM
In case you are wondering whether the fascism will go away after Trump….sorry bad news.
Reposted by Big Data Kane
Look, by far the most likely outcome is still that Dems win in 2026 in a landslide, because Real Folkz hate fascism & these guys are Not Very Bright & things have gotten Out Of Hand.
But if you still think unprecedentedly authoritarian stuff is crazy & not a nonzero probability, I just don’t know 🤷♂️
But if you still think unprecedentedly authoritarian stuff is crazy & not a nonzero probability, I just don’t know 🤷♂️
The common 🧵 in every single election, from Susan Crawford in Wisconsin to Zohran Mamdani in NYC to Taylor Rehmet in Texas, is that a clear majority of voters don't like evil, hate, incompetence, & far right authoritarianism. The policy details are election-specific, but that's the hummable tune.
Data / quant note: What model or message testing predicted how public opinion would shift 32 points in one year in this Texas seat?
None. No quant data could solely determine the correct message for this, no linear model could based on ad tests or issue polls.
None. No quant data could solely determine the correct message for this, no linear model could based on ad tests or issue polls.
February 2, 2026 at 3:42 PM
Look, by far the most likely outcome is still that Dems win in 2026 in a landslide, because Real Folkz hate fascism & these guys are Not Very Bright & things have gotten Out Of Hand.
But if you still think unprecedentedly authoritarian stuff is crazy & not a nonzero probability, I just don’t know 🤷♂️
But if you still think unprecedentedly authoritarian stuff is crazy & not a nonzero probability, I just don’t know 🤷♂️
I’ve always recommended to junior scholars to not write a book until after tenure because they don’t accumulate as many cites. My completely data-free advice appears to have empirical backing.
Free to read for a limited period from @pspolisci.bsky.social -
From Bookworm to Browser: The Decline of Books in Political Science Scholarship - cup.org/3WfnBiX
- Alixandra B. Yanus & Phillip J. Ardoin
#FirstView
From Bookworm to Browser: The Decline of Books in Political Science Scholarship - cup.org/3WfnBiX
- Alixandra B. Yanus & Phillip J. Ardoin
#FirstView
February 2, 2026 at 1:47 AM
I’ve always recommended to junior scholars to not write a book until after tenure because they don’t accumulate as many cites. My completely data-free advice appears to have empirical backing.