Jenni Halpin
@halpin.bsky.social
Literature professor without a literature program. Teaching composition and having OPINIONS about uses of "AI." Scholar of literature and science.
Trying to feel hope and practice usefulness in these present times.
She/her.
Trying to feel hope and practice usefulness in these present times.
She/her.
It seems "cyber Monday" is becoming "cyber week."
Instead, maybe a month of minimal spending?
Groceries. Ongoing bills (rent, etc.). Auto fuel/public transport fares.
And, you know, indie/small business/locally owned sources for craft supplies and books (arts and entertainments are essentials).
Instead, maybe a month of minimal spending?
Groceries. Ongoing bills (rent, etc.). Auto fuel/public transport fares.
And, you know, indie/small business/locally owned sources for craft supplies and books (arts and entertainments are essentials).
December 1, 2025 at 4:31 PM
It seems "cyber Monday" is becoming "cyber week."
Instead, maybe a month of minimal spending?
Groceries. Ongoing bills (rent, etc.). Auto fuel/public transport fares.
And, you know, indie/small business/locally owned sources for craft supplies and books (arts and entertainments are essentials).
Instead, maybe a month of minimal spending?
Groceries. Ongoing bills (rent, etc.). Auto fuel/public transport fares.
And, you know, indie/small business/locally owned sources for craft supplies and books (arts and entertainments are essentials).
What I wouldn't give for the option to delay updates and just get on with the task for which I sat down fifteen minutes ago!
November 29, 2025 at 11:08 AM
What I wouldn't give for the option to delay updates and just get on with the task for which I sat down fifteen minutes ago!
I give thanks for the comforts and companionships in which I am nested. The sun shines brightly in a clear blue sky; moths and butterflies flutter about; dinner rolls are baking; I frolicked this morning in a driveway filled with crunchy leaves; and I can look forward to a dinner with friends.
November 27, 2025 at 5:00 PM
I give thanks for the comforts and companionships in which I am nested. The sun shines brightly in a clear blue sky; moths and butterflies flutter about; dinner rolls are baking; I frolicked this morning in a driveway filled with crunchy leaves; and I can look forward to a dinner with friends.
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
A book is not a luxury item.
(It can be, but so can food.)
Books are both amazing and cheap.
After all my years, I'm still thrilled by a new book.
Even a bad book is full of potential before you read it.
Read* more books. You'll see what the fuss is all about.
[*read paper or screen or listen]
(It can be, but so can food.)
Books are both amazing and cheap.
After all my years, I'm still thrilled by a new book.
Even a bad book is full of potential before you read it.
Read* more books. You'll see what the fuss is all about.
[*read paper or screen or listen]
November 27, 2025 at 12:14 AM
A book is not a luxury item.
(It can be, but so can food.)
Books are both amazing and cheap.
After all my years, I'm still thrilled by a new book.
Even a bad book is full of potential before you read it.
Read* more books. You'll see what the fuss is all about.
[*read paper or screen or listen]
(It can be, but so can food.)
Books are both amazing and cheap.
After all my years, I'm still thrilled by a new book.
Even a bad book is full of potential before you read it.
Read* more books. You'll see what the fuss is all about.
[*read paper or screen or listen]
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
November 22, 2025 at 4:50 PM
Journalist challenge: Use “Machine Learning” when you mean machine learning and “LLM” when you mean LLM. Ditch “AI” as a catch-all term, it’s not useful for readers and it helps companies trying to confuse the public by obscuring the roles played by different technologies. 🧪
Not yet 8 a.m.
Already on Plan C.
A very Monday Monday.
Already on Plan C.
A very Monday Monday.
November 17, 2025 at 12:26 PM
Not yet 8 a.m.
Already on Plan C.
A very Monday Monday.
Already on Plan C.
A very Monday Monday.
Unable to muster a reason not to, for the second time this week, go to bed before 7 p.m.
(It's 5:40 and I am exhausted. Also a bit loopy, as "the sun has gone to bed and so must I" is earworming me despite there still being light in the west.)
Goodnight, Skyline.
(It's 5:40 and I am exhausted. Also a bit loopy, as "the sun has gone to bed and so must I" is earworming me despite there still being light in the west.)
Goodnight, Skyline.
November 14, 2025 at 10:41 PM
Unable to muster a reason not to, for the second time this week, go to bed before 7 p.m.
(It's 5:40 and I am exhausted. Also a bit loopy, as "the sun has gone to bed and so must I" is earworming me despite there still being light in the west.)
Goodnight, Skyline.
(It's 5:40 and I am exhausted. Also a bit loopy, as "the sun has gone to bed and so must I" is earworming me despite there still being light in the west.)
Goodnight, Skyline.
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
Hoping this helps our colleagues across the industry
November 5, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Hoping this helps our colleagues across the industry
Today I got to read part of a draft of a doctoral dissertation. It's a privilege to offer thoughts on the work in progress and a gift to be so beautifully reminded of the intricacies of long-form scholarship.
November 12, 2025 at 11:25 PM
Today I got to read part of a draft of a doctoral dissertation. It's a privilege to offer thoughts on the work in progress and a gift to be so beautifully reminded of the intricacies of long-form scholarship.
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
Happy birthday to the only two women with elements named after them on the periodic table: #MarieCurie & #LiseMeitner.
As I do every year, I will once again repeat my proposal that November 7 should be International #WomenInSTEM Day!
#histSTM #chemistry #physics
#OnThisDay #OTD #PeriodicTable👩🔬🗃️📜
As I do every year, I will once again repeat my proposal that November 7 should be International #WomenInSTEM Day!
#histSTM #chemistry #physics
#OnThisDay #OTD #PeriodicTable👩🔬🗃️📜
November 7, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Happy birthday to the only two women with elements named after them on the periodic table: #MarieCurie & #LiseMeitner.
As I do every year, I will once again repeat my proposal that November 7 should be International #WomenInSTEM Day!
#histSTM #chemistry #physics
#OnThisDay #OTD #PeriodicTable👩🔬🗃️📜
As I do every year, I will once again repeat my proposal that November 7 should be International #WomenInSTEM Day!
#histSTM #chemistry #physics
#OnThisDay #OTD #PeriodicTable👩🔬🗃️📜
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
"I DON'T NEED YOU TO FUCKING REWRITE WHAT I'VE JUST WRITTEN!"
October 28, 2025 at 10:46 AM
"I DON'T NEED YOU TO FUCKING REWRITE WHAT I'VE JUST WRITTEN!"
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
Let nothing be called natural in an age of bloody confusion, ordered disorder, planned caprice, and dehumanised humanity, lest all things be held unalterable!
- Brecht
- Brecht
October 9, 2025 at 6:06 PM
Let nothing be called natural in an age of bloody confusion, ordered disorder, planned caprice, and dehumanised humanity, lest all things be held unalterable!
- Brecht
- Brecht
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
In 1990, Soviet/Georgian painter and sculptor and painter Zurab Tsereteli presented this bronze sculpture to the United Nations to commemorate the signing of the unprecedented 1987 INF Treaty. Titled “Good Defeats Evil,” it sits in a garden outside the UN headquarters building in New York City.
September 26, 2025 at 2:37 PM
In 1990, Soviet/Georgian painter and sculptor and painter Zurab Tsereteli presented this bronze sculpture to the United Nations to commemorate the signing of the unprecedented 1987 INF Treaty. Titled “Good Defeats Evil,” it sits in a garden outside the UN headquarters building in New York City.
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
Happy Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov Saves the World Day, everybody.
42 years ago today, Lt. Col. Petrov prevented an accidental nuclear war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl...
42 years ago today, Lt. Col. Petrov prevented an accidental nuclear war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl...
Stanislav Petrov - Wikipedia
en.wikipedia.org
September 26, 2025 at 12:59 PM
Happy Stanislav Yevgrafovich Petrov Saves the World Day, everybody.
42 years ago today, Lt. Col. Petrov prevented an accidental nuclear war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl...
42 years ago today, Lt. Col. Petrov prevented an accidental nuclear war.
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Stanisl...
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
CfP: BSLS Annual Conference 2026
The twenty-first annual conference of the British Society for Literature and Science will take place at the University of Strathclyde, on 9th-11th April 2026 (in person).
Details including CfP here: bsls.ac.uk/conference20...
The twenty-first annual conference of the British Society for Literature and Science will take place at the University of Strathclyde, on 9th-11th April 2026 (in person).
Details including CfP here: bsls.ac.uk/conference20...
Conference 2026 – Strathclyde – The British Society for Literature and Science
bsls.ac.uk
September 17, 2025 at 11:33 AM
CfP: BSLS Annual Conference 2026
The twenty-first annual conference of the British Society for Literature and Science will take place at the University of Strathclyde, on 9th-11th April 2026 (in person).
Details including CfP here: bsls.ac.uk/conference20...
The twenty-first annual conference of the British Society for Literature and Science will take place at the University of Strathclyde, on 9th-11th April 2026 (in person).
Details including CfP here: bsls.ac.uk/conference20...
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
My essay "REWRITING THE OLD DISABILITY SCRIPT" is featured in WE WILL RISE AGAIN: Speculative Stories and Essays on Protest, Resistance and Hope, out from @sagapressbooks on December 2nd. You can preorder (just in time for holiday gift giving!) now at www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Wil...
September 12, 2025 at 4:53 PM
My essay "REWRITING THE OLD DISABILITY SCRIPT" is featured in WE WILL RISE AGAIN: Speculative Stories and Essays on Protest, Resistance and Hope, out from @sagapressbooks on December 2nd. You can preorder (just in time for holiday gift giving!) now at www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Wil...
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
My 2013 essay "HOW LONG 'TIL BLACK FUTURE MONTH" is featured in WE WILL RISE AGAIN: Speculative Stories and Essays on Protest, Resistance and Hope, out from @sagapressbooks on December 2nd. You can preorder the collection now at www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Wil...!
September 12, 2025 at 4:40 PM
My 2013 essay "HOW LONG 'TIL BLACK FUTURE MONTH" is featured in WE WILL RISE AGAIN: Speculative Stories and Essays on Protest, Resistance and Hope, out from @sagapressbooks on December 2nd. You can preorder the collection now at www.simonandschuster.com/books/We-Wil...!
This is INCREDIBLY important.
Yesterday, four times, I called the roll for the first class meeting of the semester. I apologized beforehand that it was likely I would get somebody's name wrong.
How is SF not doing ANYTHING to pay even a minimum of respect to our nominees?
Yesterday, four times, I called the roll for the first class meeting of the semester. I apologized beforehand that it was likely I would get somebody's name wrong.
How is SF not doing ANYTHING to pay even a minimum of respect to our nominees?
Something very very weird happened during the Hugos award ceremony... It's been on my mind for days, and so I wrote this blog: "When People Giggle at Your Name, or the 2025 Hugo Awards Incident"
grigorylukin.com/2025/08/21/w...
#Worldcon
grigorylukin.com/2025/08/21/w...
#Worldcon
August 22, 2025 at 12:36 AM
This is INCREDIBLY important.
Yesterday, four times, I called the roll for the first class meeting of the semester. I apologized beforehand that it was likely I would get somebody's name wrong.
How is SF not doing ANYTHING to pay even a minimum of respect to our nominees?
Yesterday, four times, I called the roll for the first class meeting of the semester. I apologized beforehand that it was likely I would get somebody's name wrong.
How is SF not doing ANYTHING to pay even a minimum of respect to our nominees?
Reposted by Jenni Halpin
She doesn’t need a hero, she is the hero we need. 🤩
August 17, 2025 at 4:41 PM
She doesn’t need a hero, she is the hero we need. 🤩
Woke up.
Brushed teeth.
Read news.
Discovered I'm under a boil water notice.
Briefly considered whether I should be replacing morning coffee with something alcoholic to ... clean the unboiled toothbrushing water from my mouth?
Laughed at myself.
Went back to my coffee. (Cold brewed earlier.)
Brushed teeth.
Read news.
Discovered I'm under a boil water notice.
Briefly considered whether I should be replacing morning coffee with something alcoholic to ... clean the unboiled toothbrushing water from my mouth?
Laughed at myself.
Went back to my coffee. (Cold brewed earlier.)
August 16, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Woke up.
Brushed teeth.
Read news.
Discovered I'm under a boil water notice.
Briefly considered whether I should be replacing morning coffee with something alcoholic to ... clean the unboiled toothbrushing water from my mouth?
Laughed at myself.
Went back to my coffee. (Cold brewed earlier.)
Brushed teeth.
Read news.
Discovered I'm under a boil water notice.
Briefly considered whether I should be replacing morning coffee with something alcoholic to ... clean the unboiled toothbrushing water from my mouth?
Laughed at myself.
Went back to my coffee. (Cold brewed earlier.)
This!
I’m all for doing the immediate historical digging to see how we got here, but my goodness the priority right now is to fight.
August 15, 2025 at 9:10 PM
This!
In no particular order:
Climate vulnerability.
ICE.
Genocide.
War.
AI boosterism.
Attacks on universities.
Book bans.
Defunding humanitarian aid.
Transphobia.
Queerphobia.
DOGE.
Racism.
Dehumanizing immigrants.
"MAHA".
2025 has a lot going against it. Today I'll try to be part of the solution.
Climate vulnerability.
ICE.
Genocide.
War.
AI boosterism.
Attacks on universities.
Book bans.
Defunding humanitarian aid.
Transphobia.
Queerphobia.
DOGE.
Racism.
Dehumanizing immigrants.
"MAHA".
2025 has a lot going against it. Today I'll try to be part of the solution.
July 29, 2025 at 12:52 PM
In no particular order:
Climate vulnerability.
ICE.
Genocide.
War.
AI boosterism.
Attacks on universities.
Book bans.
Defunding humanitarian aid.
Transphobia.
Queerphobia.
DOGE.
Racism.
Dehumanizing immigrants.
"MAHA".
2025 has a lot going against it. Today I'll try to be part of the solution.
Climate vulnerability.
ICE.
Genocide.
War.
AI boosterism.
Attacks on universities.
Book bans.
Defunding humanitarian aid.
Transphobia.
Queerphobia.
DOGE.
Racism.
Dehumanizing immigrants.
"MAHA".
2025 has a lot going against it. Today I'll try to be part of the solution.
My heart wants to bake bread.
The rest of me is aware that it was 75°F at dawn and the heat index is forecast to hit 110 today.
When I left California it was after a week of daytime highs above 110. It's true what they say about a dry heat.
(110°F is about 43°C)
The rest of me is aware that it was 75°F at dawn and the heat index is forecast to hit 110 today.
When I left California it was after a week of daytime highs above 110. It's true what they say about a dry heat.
(110°F is about 43°C)
July 27, 2025 at 12:27 PM
My heart wants to bake bread.
The rest of me is aware that it was 75°F at dawn and the heat index is forecast to hit 110 today.
When I left California it was after a week of daytime highs above 110. It's true what they say about a dry heat.
(110°F is about 43°C)
The rest of me is aware that it was 75°F at dawn and the heat index is forecast to hit 110 today.
When I left California it was after a week of daytime highs above 110. It's true what they say about a dry heat.
(110°F is about 43°C)
This chapter isn't going to write itself.
July 23, 2025 at 12:35 PM
This chapter isn't going to write itself.
RT = endorsement
New from me: How the progressive church should exercise political power, in light of the ruling earlier this month overturning the Johnson Amendment. If we move away from “no endorsements” then what political principles SHOULD guide our speech and action? sojo.net/articles/opi...
What the IRS’s New Rules Mean for Churches Speaking Out
The moral crises of our current systems are too grave for churches to avoid partisan politics.
sojo.net
July 17, 2025 at 10:29 PM
RT = endorsement