Jakob Gowell
@gowellja.bsky.social
Ph.D. student studying motivation (Self-Determination Theory) at OU. Former Peace Corps volunteer. Plays mandolin.
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
Agreed. I think it's even worse: many politicians don't WANT people to do more than give money and vote. They don't want people calling them about issues, questioning their decisions. I strongly prefer politicians who come out of activism, actually care about things, and want to involve community.
100%. I honestly believe political leaders ask too little of people. The thinking is you need an extraordinarily low bar - so ask people for money or to sign something. People want to be part of something and they're eager to do real meaningful work in defense of their community and their rights.
I have begun to think that Minnesota pushback to ICE was unique and a model because it gave people something to do. It wasn’t about just going out in streets for rallying purposes. People had a mission: videos, whistles, information and communication flow to communities. They had something to do.
January 28, 2026 at 3:21 AM
Agreed. I think it's even worse: many politicians don't WANT people to do more than give money and vote. They don't want people calling them about issues, questioning their decisions. I strongly prefer politicians who come out of activism, actually care about things, and want to involve community.
Legal minded folks, am I correct in remembering that impeachment after resignation still prevents an individual from holding federal office ever again?
It's been a while, but here's another reminder that it can be both.
Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached after his resignation.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Secretary of War William Belknap was impeached after his resignation.
www.nbcnews.com/politics/imm...
Democrats' calls for Kristi Noem to resign or face impeachment grow louder
Eight more Democrats have joined a resolution to impeach the homeland security secretary after the latest fatal shooting by a federal agent.
www.nbcnews.com
January 28, 2026 at 5:05 AM
Legal minded folks, am I correct in remembering that impeachment after resignation still prevents an individual from holding federal office ever again?
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
She said she voted Republican for the first time which means that in the past LGBTQ stuff was not a deal breaker for her which means something turned it into a deal breaker for her and I think we should be VERY curious about the systemic issues which shaped that outcome
January 21, 2026 at 2:06 AM
She said she voted Republican for the first time which means that in the past LGBTQ stuff was not a deal breaker for her which means something turned it into a deal breaker for her and I think we should be VERY curious about the systemic issues which shaped that outcome
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
WE SHOULDN'T USE POLLING TO TELL US WHAT OUR VALUES ARE, WE SHOULD USE POLLING TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE CAUSES WE VALUE.
January 21, 2026 at 12:58 AM
WE SHOULDN'T USE POLLING TO TELL US WHAT OUR VALUES ARE, WE SHOULD USE POLLING TO FURTHER ADVANCE THE CAUSES WE VALUE.
Question about gifting Trump the Nobel Medallion:
If it's something he's receiving in his official capacity, is it in effect a gift to the USFG, to be retained by the government after he leaves office?
If it's something he's receiving in his official capacity, is it in effect a gift to the USFG, to be retained by the government after he leaves office?
January 16, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Question about gifting Trump the Nobel Medallion:
If it's something he's receiving in his official capacity, is it in effect a gift to the USFG, to be retained by the government after he leaves office?
If it's something he's receiving in his official capacity, is it in effect a gift to the USFG, to be retained by the government after he leaves office?
Those who work in intelligence (and some but not all military roles) are permanently barred from Peace Corps service. Regardless, when I served I was often accused of being a spy. This is the sort of thing that will get innocent Americans killed, not to speak of being immoral in itself.
"The Pentagon used a secret aircraft painted to look like a civilian plane in its first attack on a 'drug boat,' killing 11 ... the laws of armed conflict prohibit combatants from feigning civilian status to fool adversaries into dropping their guard, then killing them. That is a war crime."
U.S. Attacked Boat With Aircraft That Looked Like a Civilian Plane
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 3:37 AM
Those who work in intelligence (and some but not all military roles) are permanently barred from Peace Corps service. Regardless, when I served I was often accused of being a spy. This is the sort of thing that will get innocent Americans killed, not to speak of being immoral in itself.
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
Trump will seize Greenland by force at the first opportunity, murdering dozens of EU citizens in the process. He’ll threaten the legitimate leaders of Mexico and Brazil with the Maduro treatment in they don’t cow to his demands.
China will take Taiwan and Russia Ukraine. What can the US say?
China will take Taiwan and Russia Ukraine. What can the US say?
America is a rogue nation, and, along with Russia and China, part of a nuclear-armed axis of authoritarianism undermining international law to divide the world into occupied spheres of influence.
Trump should be impeached and tried for war crimes.
Trump should be impeached and tried for war crimes.
January 3, 2026 at 3:32 PM
Trump will seize Greenland by force at the first opportunity, murdering dozens of EU citizens in the process. He’ll threaten the legitimate leaders of Mexico and Brazil with the Maduro treatment in they don’t cow to his demands.
China will take Taiwan and Russia Ukraine. What can the US say?
China will take Taiwan and Russia Ukraine. What can the US say?
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
Please be aware of possible scams! My client, Mel Curth, is not seeking any donations at this time. She is grateful for your support and instead requests folks that want to help to donate to the local organizations of your choice!
December 24, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Please be aware of possible scams! My client, Mel Curth, is not seeking any donations at this time. She is grateful for your support and instead requests folks that want to help to donate to the local organizations of your choice!
But Tiny Tim, who did NOT die. escaped, and taking with him a seedling of the Tree he went with his wife and his sons by ship down the River, and they sailed from the mouths of Anduin seeking Elendil.
It is a truth universally acknowledged that Tiny Tim, who did NOT die, must be in want of a wife
And Tiny Tim, who did NOT die
In the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie.
In the land of Mordor, where the shadows lie.
December 24, 2025 at 10:26 PM
But Tiny Tim, who did NOT die. escaped, and taking with him a seedling of the Tree he went with his wife and his sons by ship down the River, and they sailed from the mouths of Anduin seeking Elendil.
My family possesses (marginally) significant primary source documents—from my grandfather’s time as a WWII conscientious objector, and a co-op manager/furniture seller (i.e. docs related to market-based, idealist, pacifist socialism). Hundreds of pages.
How many families have similar troves?
How many families have similar troves?
When we say "no, everything hasn't been digitized," I need you to understand that we really mean is that virtually nothing has been digitized. This is because the realm of primary sources that historians use is incomprehensibly large.
Seems like it's worth posting this one again.
December 22, 2025 at 2:04 AM
My family possesses (marginally) significant primary source documents—from my grandfather’s time as a WWII conscientious objector, and a co-op manager/furniture seller (i.e. docs related to market-based, idealist, pacifist socialism). Hundreds of pages.
How many families have similar troves?
How many families have similar troves?
I'm going to try something I haven't done before—live skeeting as I read an article:
Leading from behind: How the symbolic self exerts its free will
By Sheldon & Sedikides
This is coming out of Self-Determination Theory and theorizing on the nature of free will.
1/
Leading from behind: How the symbolic self exerts its free will
By Sheldon & Sedikides
This is coming out of Self-Determination Theory and theorizing on the nature of free will.
1/
December 21, 2025 at 4:15 PM
I'm going to try something I haven't done before—live skeeting as I read an article:
Leading from behind: How the symbolic self exerts its free will
By Sheldon & Sedikides
This is coming out of Self-Determination Theory and theorizing on the nature of free will.
1/
Leading from behind: How the symbolic self exerts its free will
By Sheldon & Sedikides
This is coming out of Self-Determination Theory and theorizing on the nature of free will.
1/
Wut?
Here's a fun thing I just learned: If you're a magazine or catalog or other bulk mailer who is willing to add AI-generated content to your mailing, USPS will reward you with a 5% discount—potentially many thousands of dollars!
How on earth does this benefit USPS? www.usps.com/business/pro...
How on earth does this benefit USPS? www.usps.com/business/pro...
December 16, 2025 at 12:22 AM
Wut?
With Self-Determination Theory moving to a tripartite model, I think we need an umbrella term for need supports, thwarts, and neglect. (I like "need states" for need satisfaction, frustration, and dissatisfaction/dormancy.)
Help me avoid typing out "supports, thwarts, and neglect" everything time!
Help me avoid typing out "supports, thwarts, and neglect" everything time!
December 11, 2025 at 2:34 AM
With Self-Determination Theory moving to a tripartite model, I think we need an umbrella term for need supports, thwarts, and neglect. (I like "need states" for need satisfaction, frustration, and dissatisfaction/dormancy.)
Help me avoid typing out "supports, thwarts, and neglect" everything time!
Help me avoid typing out "supports, thwarts, and neglect" everything time!
Chilling: “[The current Gaza conflict is] a laboratory of a post-UN world, of a post Geneva convention world, of a post-declaration of human rights world, and this world is very scary because it’s not even rational,” Filiu said. “It’s just ferocious.”
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Convincing evidence Israel backed aid convoy looters in Gaza, historian says
Account of visit to Gaza by French professor describes Israeli military attacks on security personnel protecting convoys
www.theguardian.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:25 PM
Chilling: “[The current Gaza conflict is] a laboratory of a post-UN world, of a post Geneva convention world, of a post-declaration of human rights world, and this world is very scary because it’s not even rational,” Filiu said. “It’s just ferocious.”
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
she’s a 10 but Excel thinks she’s October
November 13, 2025 at 8:08 AM
she’s a 10 but Excel thinks she’s October
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
Attention any neurodivergent adults who received IEP or 504 support in Pk-12, if you are open to talking about your experiences of “inclusion” let me know. I’m on a dissertation committee for a student doing qualitative research
November 14, 2025 at 2:13 AM
Attention any neurodivergent adults who received IEP or 504 support in Pk-12, if you are open to talking about your experiences of “inclusion” let me know. I’m on a dissertation committee for a student doing qualitative research
Bands paper airplaning their setlists should be standard practice.
November 12, 2025 at 2:14 AM
Bands paper airplaning their setlists should be standard practice.
To pay the cost and not receive something of value in return is anathema to a sense of competence and efficacy.
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 5:23 AM
To pay the cost and not receive something of value in return is anathema to a sense of competence and efficacy.
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
Next in our Creatively Critical Tech virtual speaker series is Audrey Watters @audreywatters.bsky.social on "AI Grief Observed: On the Death of Education."
Don't miss it on November 12, 2025, @ 6:30 pm CT!
Register today at tinyurl.com/CreativelyCr...
Don't miss it on November 12, 2025, @ 6:30 pm CT!
Register today at tinyurl.com/CreativelyCr...
October 22, 2025 at 2:57 PM
Next in our Creatively Critical Tech virtual speaker series is Audrey Watters @audreywatters.bsky.social on "AI Grief Observed: On the Death of Education."
Don't miss it on November 12, 2025, @ 6:30 pm CT!
Register today at tinyurl.com/CreativelyCr...
Don't miss it on November 12, 2025, @ 6:30 pm CT!
Register today at tinyurl.com/CreativelyCr...
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent www.nytimes.com/2025/11/03/u...
Trial Begins for Man Accused of Lobbing a Sandwich at a Federal Agent
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 9:14 PM
It's not in this article but the government asserts that the sandwich was thrown at "point blank range", which implies subway sandwiches have defined effective weapon ranges of varying lethality, and I would like to see the government's chart of these ranges.
There’s an idea from one of Daniel Quinn’s book (Ishmael?) about the law of life as adherence by a species to whatever behaviors sustain life, and that deviations from that behavioral set eliminate that species—not immediately, but eventually.
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The result? A fragmented public consciousness where competing realities coexist, each self-reinforcing and resistant to correction. When truth is no longer a shared foundation, power shifts to those who control the most compelling narrative - no matter how detached from reality it is.
October 30, 2025 at 7:54 PM
There’s an idea from one of Daniel Quinn’s book (Ishmael?) about the law of life as adherence by a species to whatever behaviors sustain life, and that deviations from that behavioral set eliminate that species—not immediately, but eventually.
1/2
1/2
Every time I hear about this kind of injury, I think back to my training to perform physical restraints, which emphasized the dangers of positional asphyxiation and how to de-escalate while still recognizing the dignity of the person being restrained.
"According to his running club, the man, who is a U.S. citizen, was returning from a team run when agents pulled him out of his vehicle, tackled him to the ground and kneeled on top of him, allegedly breaking six ribs and causing internal bleeding"
US citizen, 67, ‘has six ribs broken’ by Border Patrol agents, his running club says
The incident unfolded Saturday in Chicago’s Old Irving Park neighborhood, where residents say federal agents disrupted a children’s Halloween parade
www.independent.co.uk
October 29, 2025 at 12:08 AM
Every time I hear about this kind of injury, I think back to my training to perform physical restraints, which emphasized the dangers of positional asphyxiation and how to de-escalate while still recognizing the dignity of the person being restrained.
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
GOOD NEWS! A new cancer vaccine has shown progress in triggering POWERFUL and LASTING immune responses in patients with pancreatic AND colorectal cancer. The vaccine, known as ELI-002 2P, targets mutant KRAS proteins AND had a huge impact on PREVENTING or DELAYING cancer recurrence in patients.
October 26, 2025 at 4:00 PM
GOOD NEWS! A new cancer vaccine has shown progress in triggering POWERFUL and LASTING immune responses in patients with pancreatic AND colorectal cancer. The vaccine, known as ELI-002 2P, targets mutant KRAS proteins AND had a huge impact on PREVENTING or DELAYING cancer recurrence in patients.
Reposted by Jakob Gowell
The trend is real, but this NYT analysis at the Congressional district level has big ecological bias
Poor *areas* vote Republican, but it's often the richer *individuals* within those poorer areas that are most Republican
And many poor *individuals* rich blue urban *areas* vote Dem
Poor *areas* vote Republican, but it's often the richer *individuals* within those poorer areas that are most Republican
And many poor *individuals* rich blue urban *areas* vote Dem
October 24, 2025 at 2:17 PM
The trend is real, but this NYT analysis at the Congressional district level has big ecological bias
Poor *areas* vote Republican, but it's often the richer *individuals* within those poorer areas that are most Republican
And many poor *individuals* rich blue urban *areas* vote Dem
Poor *areas* vote Republican, but it's often the richer *individuals* within those poorer areas that are most Republican
And many poor *individuals* rich blue urban *areas* vote Dem