Jesse F Ballenger
@jfballenger.bsky.social
History of medicine, health humanities, bioethics, critical dementia studies.
Self, Senility and Alzheimer's in Modern America. http://bit.ly/3fVOrrU.
Chilephile 🇨🇱, climate, cycling, Philly, board games, music, & sundry
Self, Senility and Alzheimer's in Modern America. http://bit.ly/3fVOrrU.
Chilephile 🇨🇱, climate, cycling, Philly, board games, music, & sundry
Pinned
All Saints 25th Edition Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time
Check out All Saints 25th Edition Daily Reflections on Saints, Prophets, and Witnesses for Our Time - This praised and best-selling daily reader presentsshort, comprehensive biographies of 365 saintsa...
bookshop.org
To preserve my moral orientation in this terrible time, I'm reading each day's entry in @robertellsberg.bsky.social's beautiful devotional. It's a diverse cloud of witnesses - all affirming the reality of a life greater than the ignorance, cruelty, and oppression this regime seeks to impose.
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
Probably the bleakest AI app out there....
How to Cheat at Conversation
A new AI tool promises to improve social interactions but instead makes them worse.
www.theatlantic.com
November 18, 2025 at 8:41 PM
Probably the bleakest AI app out there....
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
#OTD in 1945, Gabriela Mistral became the first Latin American author and fifth woman to win the Nobel Prize in #Literature. She won for for her lyric #poetry inspired by powerful emotions.
Mistral was a Chilean poet-diplomat, journalist, and educator. #Chile
poetryfoundation.org/poets/gabrie...
Mistral was a Chilean poet-diplomat, journalist, and educator. #Chile
poetryfoundation.org/poets/gabrie...
November 15, 2025 at 4:10 PM
#OTD in 1945, Gabriela Mistral became the first Latin American author and fifth woman to win the Nobel Prize in #Literature. She won for for her lyric #poetry inspired by powerful emotions.
Mistral was a Chilean poet-diplomat, journalist, and educator. #Chile
poetryfoundation.org/poets/gabrie...
Mistral was a Chilean poet-diplomat, journalist, and educator. #Chile
poetryfoundation.org/poets/gabrie...
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
65 Years Ago,,, History was made. #RubyBridges
November 15, 2025 at 4:41 AM
65 Years Ago,,, History was made. #RubyBridges
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
A dangerous new policy requires a campus President's approval for profs to teach race & gender topics in Texas.
"It strikes at the heart of what education means...which is circulate the exchange of knowledge without fear of retaliation.”
— Rana Jaleel, AAUP Chair of Committee on Academic Freedom
"It strikes at the heart of what education means...which is circulate the exchange of knowledge without fear of retaliation.”
— Rana Jaleel, AAUP Chair of Committee on Academic Freedom
Texas A&M University professors now need approval for some race and gender topics
Texas A&M University System regents on Thursday adopted a new policy requiring professors to first get approval to discuss some race and gender topics.
apnews.com
November 14, 2025 at 4:24 PM
A dangerous new policy requires a campus President's approval for profs to teach race & gender topics in Texas.
"It strikes at the heart of what education means...which is circulate the exchange of knowledge without fear of retaliation.”
— Rana Jaleel, AAUP Chair of Committee on Academic Freedom
"It strikes at the heart of what education means...which is circulate the exchange of knowledge without fear of retaliation.”
— Rana Jaleel, AAUP Chair of Committee on Academic Freedom
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
"He says plug-in solar systems do not produce as much energy as a full rooftop solar array.
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled...So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households."
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled...So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households."
On a scale of one to 10, how much do you want to add a small solar system to your apartment balcony? ☀️
The solar panels Germans are plugging into their walls » Yale Climate Connections
Plug-in solar technology is making it easier for renters and low-income households to harness the power of the sun – but it’s not yet legal across most of the U.S.
yaleclimateconnections.org
November 14, 2025 at 2:07 PM
"He says plug-in solar systems do not produce as much energy as a full rooftop solar array.
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled...So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households."
But they cost much less, can be installed on balconies or in yards with little or no expertise, and can be easily taken down and reinstalled...So they’re ideal for renters or low-income households."
"Another Cop, same playbook. This is corporate capture, not climate governance,” said Lien Vandamme, senior campaigner on human rights and climate change at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).
Fossil fuel lobbyists outnumber all Cop30 delegations except Brazil, report says
One in every 25 participants at 2025 UN climate summit is a fossil fuel lobbyist, according to Kick Big Polluters Out
www.theguardian.com
November 14, 2025 at 12:34 PM
"Another Cop, same playbook. This is corporate capture, not climate governance,” said Lien Vandamme, senior campaigner on human rights and climate change at the Center for International Environmental Law (CIEL).
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
This is designed to tank public health & primary care by excluding public health professions, advanced nursing practice, physical & occupational therapy from loans that can cover the cost of education. This is going to make an existing workforce crisis worse.
aspph.org/department-o...
aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:23 AM
This is designed to tank public health & primary care by excluding public health professions, advanced nursing practice, physical & occupational therapy from loans that can cover the cost of education. This is going to make an existing workforce crisis worse.
aspph.org/department-o...
aspph.org/department-o...
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
About half of what it was going to cost to fully fund SNAP in November during the shutdown.
November 13, 2025 at 1:15 PM
About half of what it was going to cost to fully fund SNAP in November during the shutdown.
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
This is so odious and spiteful. But par for the course for these monsters.
🚨Dept. of Education proposes to exclude public health degrees from the “professional degree” category.
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
That means new public health experts could lose access to key higher ed resources, like loan limits & reimbursement.
A bold strategy to let infectious diseases win! 🦠
aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 14, 2025 at 12:35 AM
This is so odious and spiteful. But par for the course for these monsters.
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
in online corners like these I think people largely recognize how credulous, unprincipled opposition to "wokeness" functioned as lightly papered over defenses of impunity, but it's one of those drums people should probably start beating for normies
Something absolutely perfect about Larry Summers riffing about the scourge of woke cancel culture being unfair to predatory men in a friendly email to his pal JEFFREY EPSTEIN.
November 13, 2025 at 2:13 PM
in online corners like these I think people largely recognize how credulous, unprincipled opposition to "wokeness" functioned as lightly papered over defenses of impunity, but it's one of those drums people should probably start beating for normies
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
US firefighter detained on the job speaks out after deportation: ‘I feel betrayed’
Exclusive: Border patrol arrested José Bertin Cruz-Estrada while he was battling a wildfire in Washington. He is now in Mexico, separated from his family in Oregon
www.theguardian.com
November 11, 2025 at 11:04 PM
NEW: The US has deported a longtime Oregon firefighter who was arrested by Border Patrol while deployed at a major wildfire in Washington state.
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
José Bertin Cruz-Estrada, separated from his family, is speaking out from Mexico for the first time:
“I feel betrayed ... What am I going to do now?"
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
In response to this claim that the "strategy didn't work."
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
November 10, 2025 at 5:43 PM
In response to this claim that the "strategy didn't work."
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
it's not that i ever doubted that being a barista was a skilled position, but my year-long effort to try to produce a half-decent latte at home has convinced me that a good barista is easily more skilled than virtually every c-suite executive on the planet
November 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
it's not that i ever doubted that being a barista was a skilled position, but my year-long effort to try to produce a half-decent latte at home has convinced me that a good barista is easily more skilled than virtually every c-suite executive on the planet
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
The Post (me and @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social) analyzed the social media posts and appearances of prominent politicians across the country.
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
November 10, 2025 at 4:24 PM
The Post (me and @kcrowebasspro.bsky.social) analyzed the social media posts and appearances of prominent politicians across the country.
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
We found that no one is talking about climate change anymore. In 2025, mentions are 60% lower than in 2024.
www.washingtonpost.com/climate-envi...
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
Protesters lay outside the #COP30 climate summit in Brazil covered in white sheets, to call attention to the deaths of activists and journalists killed while "defending land, territories and natural resources."
November 11, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Protesters lay outside the #COP30 climate summit in Brazil covered in white sheets, to call attention to the deaths of activists and journalists killed while "defending land, territories and natural resources."
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
This point absolutely correct and I will add that Mamdani demonstrates that an insurgency, even one with real moral clarity and anger at the status quo, can still be cheerful and inviting.
November 11, 2025 at 1:22 PM
This point absolutely correct and I will add that Mamdani demonstrates that an insurgency, even one with real moral clarity and anger at the status quo, can still be cheerful and inviting.
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
Bernie Sanders: "What this Senate is about to do is make a horrific situation even worse. So let's be clear what this vote is about. If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are gonna see at least a doubling in their premiums in the ACA."
November 10, 2025 at 1:54 AM
Bernie Sanders: "What this Senate is about to do is make a horrific situation even worse. So let's be clear what this vote is about. If this vote succeeds, over 20 million Americans are gonna see at least a doubling in their premiums in the ACA."
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
Tonight was a very bad night.
November 10, 2025 at 3:09 AM
Tonight was a very bad night.
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
November 9, 2025 at 8:42 PM
Sounds like the squishes in the senate caucus are ready to pull the plug with no ACA changes. This is real. If you want to register your opinion you shld call yr senator in the next hour. They not only want to reopen w/nothing. They want cover from their colleagues who still want to hold out.
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
Fall never fails!
November 9, 2025 at 2:40 PM
Fall never fails!
Yes, thank you. This excellent piece is so much more than the headline indicates.
Maybe time to finally acknowledge what it's become and unsubscribe from the New York Times.
Maybe time to finally acknowledge what it's become and unsubscribe from the New York Times.
I skipped this article for a while because I figured I'd read enough about the NYT's Mamdani coverage. I don't want to say the headline does the article a disservice - it is also very much about that - but goes well beyond as well
This is fucking brilliant, and you should read it: lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
November 9, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Yes, thank you. This excellent piece is so much more than the headline indicates.
Maybe time to finally acknowledge what it's become and unsubscribe from the New York Times.
Maybe time to finally acknowledge what it's become and unsubscribe from the New York Times.
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
go go go
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
UC reaches contract agreement with 21,000 employees, averting a strike
The University of California and the union representing healthcare, research and technical employees reached a contract agreement, averting a possible strike.
www.latimes.com
November 9, 2025 at 4:50 AM
go go go
www.latimes.com/california/s...
www.latimes.com/california/s...
Reposted by Jesse F Ballenger
A friend recently texted me the same thing. “Do you really not use ChatGPT?!” It was a sign of where we are culturally on this. People are compelled to use it but also starting to question the normalcy?
Recently met someone who was very surprised to hear I didn’t use ChatGPT or any LLM.
I said my job depended on doing distinctive work. That was my selling point. If I started to sound like ChatGPT and turn out what it did, then how on earth could I justify doing it? What would that make me?
I said my job depended on doing distinctive work. That was my selling point. If I started to sound like ChatGPT and turn out what it did, then how on earth could I justify doing it? What would that make me?
November 8, 2025 at 12:32 PM
A friend recently texted me the same thing. “Do you really not use ChatGPT?!” It was a sign of where we are culturally on this. People are compelled to use it but also starting to question the normalcy?