Dan Vitkus
@danvitkus.bsky.social
Literature Professor, historical materialist, eco-theorist, solarpunk
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
READ: The devastation in Gaza is not just genocide but also ecocide - the intentional destruction of the ecology. Israel’s assault shows how settler-colonial violence is tied to environmental harm, and why climate justice depends on Palestinian liberation. mondoweiss.net/2025/09/ecoc...
Ecocide, Imperialism and Palestine Liberation
The devastation in Gaza is not just genocide but also ecocide - the intentional destruction of the ecology. Israel’s assault shows how settler-colonial violence is tied to environmental harm, and why…
mondoweiss.net
November 15, 2025 at 2:00 AM
READ: The devastation in Gaza is not just genocide but also ecocide - the intentional destruction of the ecology. Israel’s assault shows how settler-colonial violence is tied to environmental harm, and why climate justice depends on Palestinian liberation. mondoweiss.net/2025/09/ecoc...
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Every academic should join the @aaup.org national and their local AAUP chapter. If your uni doesn't have one, start one! Colorado academics, check out @aaupcsu.bsky.social! We're active, growing and looking to collaborate. Join the resistance on academia's front lines.
WE WON!!!
The US District Court for the Northern District of California has issued a preliminary injunction in AAUP et al v. Trump et al (the wall to wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of Title VI to reshape the University of California system.
Read the order here:
The US District Court for the Northern District of California has issued a preliminary injunction in AAUP et al v. Trump et al (the wall to wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of Title VI to reshape the University of California system.
Read the order here:
democracyforward.org
November 15, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Every academic should join the @aaup.org national and their local AAUP chapter. If your uni doesn't have one, start one! Colorado academics, check out @aaupcsu.bsky.social! We're active, growing and looking to collaborate. Join the resistance on academia's front lines.
The big question for the 99%: how do we come together to stave off the apocalypse?!
excellent analysis at "The Nerd Reich"
Why are tech billionaires fixated on doomsday?
Because "apocalypse capitalism" is the business model— existential threats as trillion-dollar opportunities.
New at the Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Apocalypse Capitalism
www.thenerdreich.com/silicon-vall...
Because "apocalypse capitalism" is the business model— existential threats as trillion-dollar opportunities.
New at the Nerd Reich: Silicon Valley Apocalypse Capitalism
www.thenerdreich.com/silicon-vall...
November 14, 2025 at 8:30 PM
The big question for the 99%: how do we come together to stave off the apocalypse?!
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Jim Ryan's letter is not just surreal and troubling; it provides a series of deeply sobering lessons—about the perils facing public universities today; about what it means to "work with" this Department of Justice; & about what leadership does (and doesn't) entail at this especially fraught moment.
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
November 14, 2025 at 2:42 PM
Jim Ryan's letter is not just surreal and troubling; it provides a series of deeply sobering lessons—about the perils facing public universities today; about what it means to "work with" this Department of Justice; & about what leadership does (and doesn't) entail at this especially fraught moment.
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Inside one Palestinian family's harrowing experience of having their son's dead body withheld by Israel as a bargaining chip. Israel has held the bodies of 726 Palestinians in refrigerators and the so-called "cemetery of numbers" for decades.
Israel killed her son and held his body. Her story is one of hundreds of Palestinian families.
Inside one Palestinian family’s harrowing experience of having their son’s dead body withheld by Israel as a bargaining chip. Israel has held the bodies of 726 Palestinians in refrigerators and the…
mondoweiss.net
November 14, 2025 at 2:01 PM
Inside one Palestinian family's harrowing experience of having their son's dead body withheld by Israel as a bargaining chip. Israel has held the bodies of 726 Palestinians in refrigerators and the so-called "cemetery of numbers" for decades.
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
What is happening at Texas A&M is nothing less than a new episteme in which the prejudices of trustees and the opinions of students count more than the expertise of scholars and researchers.
www.unemployednegativity.com/2025/05/do-y...
www.unemployednegativity.com/2025/05/do-y...
Do Your Own Damn Research: The New Episteme of Trump 2.0
www.unemployednegativity.com
November 14, 2025 at 1:41 PM
What is happening at Texas A&M is nothing less than a new episteme in which the prejudices of trustees and the opinions of students count more than the expertise of scholars and researchers.
www.unemployednegativity.com/2025/05/do-y...
www.unemployednegativity.com/2025/05/do-y...
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Love to see community action against this AI nonsense! neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d...
November 14, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Love to see community action against this AI nonsense! neighborhoodview.org/2025/11/13/d...
Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism!!!
California AB 715, Criminalizing Criticism of Israel, Aims to Quash Free Speech
California AB 715, Criminalizing Criticism of Israel, Aims to Quash Free Speech
Censoring academic content does nothing to promote "a safe learning environment," as Newsom's signing statement concludes.
dlvr.it
November 14, 2025 at 7:08 AM
Anti-Zionism is not antisemitism!!!
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Dark forces are preventing us fighting the climate crisis – by taking knowledge hostage | George Monbiot
The fundamental problem is this: that most of the means of communication are owned or influenced by the very rich, says Guardian columnist George Monbiot
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 6:47 AM
Climate breakdown is driven by a storm of lies. This lying is systemic, funded and coordinated, and operates across almost all media, old and new.
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
This week's column argues that we cannot fight the climate crisis without also fighting the epistemic crisis.
www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Speaking of obvious guilt, good look via @jricole.bsky.social at how Israel censors people and outlets who criticize its brutality. www.juancole.com/2025/11/isra...
Israel's Desperate Quest to Erase the History of the Gaza Genocide
( Middle East Monitor ) - Israel’s allies worldwide are desperately scrambling to help Tel Aviv re-establish a convincing narrative, not only concerning the Gaza genocide, but the entire legacy of Isr...
www.juancole.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Speaking of obvious guilt, good look via @jricole.bsky.social at how Israel censors people and outlets who criticize its brutality. www.juancole.com/2025/11/isra...
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
November 12, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
REVEALED: A campaign that led to the axing of a large wind farm project in Central QLD was spearheaded by an anti-renewables group that used fake sources in its official submission.
90% of submissions were generated by a group which used AI to prepare its submission.
90% of submissions were generated by a group which used AI to prepare its submission.
November 12, 2025 at 12:50 AM
REVEALED: A campaign that led to the axing of a large wind farm project in Central QLD was spearheaded by an anti-renewables group that used fake sources in its official submission.
90% of submissions were generated by a group which used AI to prepare its submission.
90% of submissions were generated by a group which used AI to prepare its submission.
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
To experience becoming is exactly what’s wrong with LLMs in education.
In 2006 a high school English teacher asked students to write to a famous author & ask for advice.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
KURT VONNEGUT - born 103yrs ago today - was the only one to respond.
His reply was a doozy.
November 11, 2025 at 3:51 PM
To experience becoming is exactly what’s wrong with LLMs in education.
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Climate Tipping Points Close In: Scientists urge radical Action before it’s too Late
Climate Tipping Points Close In: Scientists urge radical Action before it’s too Late
The world has reached the first of many Earth system tipping points. These will cause catastrophic harm
dlvr.it
November 10, 2025 at 5:25 AM
Climate Tipping Points Close In: Scientists urge radical Action before it’s too Late
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
As a graduate student from Gaza studying in Wyoming, I live in two dimensions: one where life moves peacefully forward, and another where everything I love is collapsing. I live in both worlds at once, holding grief and strength in the same breath.
mondoweiss.net/2025/11/how-...
#Palestine #Israel
mondoweiss.net/2025/11/how-...
#Palestine #Israel
How it feels to live as an academic in exile while Gaza burns
As a graduate student from Gaza studying in Wyoming, I live in two dimensions: one where life moves peacefully forward, and another where everything I love is collapsing. I live in both worlds at once,...
mondoweiss.net
November 9, 2025 at 3:02 PM
As a graduate student from Gaza studying in Wyoming, I live in two dimensions: one where life moves peacefully forward, and another where everything I love is collapsing. I live in both worlds at once, holding grief and strength in the same breath.
mondoweiss.net/2025/11/how-...
#Palestine #Israel
mondoweiss.net/2025/11/how-...
#Palestine #Israel
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
“These are entities + individuals who largely operate under the delusion that, bc they have managed to gather the largest shares of the value that natural human systems in the US have generated, they are also the source of that value, which would be like a 🐿️ believing it is the source of peanuts ….”
The Extraordinary Power of Standing For Something
Winning by creating vision in the positive space of shared standards, and expertly negotiating the negative space of shame.
www.the-reframe.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:10 PM
“These are entities + individuals who largely operate under the delusion that, bc they have managed to gather the largest shares of the value that natural human systems in the US have generated, they are also the source of that value, which would be like a 🐿️ believing it is the source of peanuts ….”
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Afghanistan cost taxpayers $2.3 trillion. We got zilch in return.
They've trained us to think that it's weakness to have government social programs. Actually, it's social investment.
Our taxes SHOULD go to education, healthcare, maternity, & other supporting systems instead of wasted on war. 🧵
They've trained us to think that it's weakness to have government social programs. Actually, it's social investment.
Our taxes SHOULD go to education, healthcare, maternity, & other supporting systems instead of wasted on war. 🧵
November 8, 2025 at 11:09 AM
Afghanistan cost taxpayers $2.3 trillion. We got zilch in return.
They've trained us to think that it's weakness to have government social programs. Actually, it's social investment.
Our taxes SHOULD go to education, healthcare, maternity, & other supporting systems instead of wasted on war. 🧵
They've trained us to think that it's weakness to have government social programs. Actually, it's social investment.
Our taxes SHOULD go to education, healthcare, maternity, & other supporting systems instead of wasted on war. 🧵
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
CNN: The guy worth half a trillion dollars has just been awarded a trillion-dollar bonus
NYT: The president took a break from building a giant golden White House ballroom to eliminate SNAP benefits
CBS: It remains baffling that so many voters are willing to consider socialism
NYT: The president took a break from building a giant golden White House ballroom to eliminate SNAP benefits
CBS: It remains baffling that so many voters are willing to consider socialism
November 8, 2025 at 10:34 PM
CNN: The guy worth half a trillion dollars has just been awarded a trillion-dollar bonus
NYT: The president took a break from building a giant golden White House ballroom to eliminate SNAP benefits
CBS: It remains baffling that so many voters are willing to consider socialism
NYT: The president took a break from building a giant golden White House ballroom to eliminate SNAP benefits
CBS: It remains baffling that so many voters are willing to consider socialism
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
This conversation between ChatGPT and the young man it encouraged to commit suicide is just...my god
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
November 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
This conversation between ChatGPT and the young man it encouraged to commit suicide is just...my god
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
www.cnn.com/2025/11/06/u...
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Today is the day that the architect of this unforgivable mass murder of poor people got 1 trillion dollars
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 3:40 AM
Today is the day that the architect of this unforgivable mass murder of poor people got 1 trillion dollars
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
If I'm doing the math correctly, Musk's big pay packet yesterday could have made each of these now-dead people millionaires instead.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 2:52 PM
If I'm doing the math correctly, Musk's big pay packet yesterday could have made each of these now-dead people millionaires instead.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
He is among the sickest men the world has ever produced.
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Quite a headline.
Europeans recognize Zohran Mamdani’s supposedly radical policies as ‘normal’
Critics of New York City’s mayor-elect have said his pledges of free bus service and universal childcare are unrealistic, but in Europe it’s a given
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Quite a headline.
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
I was thinking about Zohran’s transition team and today’s anti-feminist piece in the New York Times, and my mother’s book on the first generation of women to work in the city government in New York City.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
November 6, 2025 at 4:20 PM
I was thinking about Zohran’s transition team and today’s anti-feminist piece in the New York Times, and my mother’s book on the first generation of women to work in the city government in New York City.
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
global.oup.com/academic/pro...
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
"'It's time to use it or get left behind,' he said."
Okay, leave me the fuck behind.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Okay, leave me the fuck behind.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
When It Comes to AI, Adapt or Else, Says Keith Riegert
Keith Riegert, president of the Stable Book Group, offered a master class on AI tools during the recent Sharjah Publishers Conference. He described AI as both transformative and unsettling. It's time ...
www.publishersweekly.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:00 PM
"'It's time to use it or get left behind,' he said."
Okay, leave me the fuck behind.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Okay, leave me the fuck behind.
www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/...
Reposted by Dan Vitkus
Once you start thinking of AI as a war on humanity, on human thought, on human inquiry, on human labor, on nuance and critical thinking, it slots in pretty seamlessly with the right wing ideological project, oligarchical political projects, big tech's political projects, etc
November 6, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Once you start thinking of AI as a war on humanity, on human thought, on human inquiry, on human labor, on nuance and critical thinking, it slots in pretty seamlessly with the right wing ideological project, oligarchical political projects, big tech's political projects, etc