John Kaufman
@jfkauf.bsky.social
poet/essayist/adjunct professor, etc. Sometimes photographer. From NY. Currently WI. My opinions are mine alone.
Pinned
‘The New Price of Eggs.’ The Political Shocks of Data Centers and Electric Bills
www.nytimes.com
“Across the country, Democrats have seized on rising anxiety over electricity costs and data centers in what could be a template for the 2026 midterm elections.” 👇
Democrats should go all out against #AI to protect economy, culture, rural folks & rural land…
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/u...
Democrats should go all out against #AI to protect economy, culture, rural folks & rural land…
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/u...
Reposted by John Kaufman
This is infuriating on so many levels, but partly because it ignores Congressional intent to penalize immigrants who followed the rules. And partly because these are people who have done nothing wrong beyond trying to negotiate a broken system.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 10:09 PM
This is infuriating on so many levels, but partly because it ignores Congressional intent to penalize immigrants who followed the rules. And partly because these are people who have done nothing wrong beyond trying to negotiate a broken system.
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
Ah, yes. A few may get very wealthy…
the rest suffer all the ills of AI: unemployment, huge “data centers”, high electricity costs, heavy water use, further cultural degradation…
AI is stupidity on steroids…
the rest suffer all the ills of AI: unemployment, huge “data centers”, high electricity costs, heavy water use, further cultural degradation…
AI is stupidity on steroids…
Sen. Dave McCormick on AI: "This is the biggest thing that will happen in our lifetime. It's like the Industrial Revolution on steroids."
November 30, 2025 at 5:13 PM
Ah, yes. A few may get very wealthy…
the rest suffer all the ills of AI: unemployment, huge “data centers”, high electricity costs, heavy water use, further cultural degradation…
AI is stupidity on steroids…
the rest suffer all the ills of AI: unemployment, huge “data centers”, high electricity costs, heavy water use, further cultural degradation…
AI is stupidity on steroids…
Reposted by John Kaufman
“…The tech giants pouring the most money into AI are nowhere close to recouping their investments…companies trying to incorporate AI have seen virtually no impact on their bottom line…evidence of AI-replaced job displacement have mostly come up empty.” 👇👇👇🎁
www.theatlantic.com/economy/arch...
www.theatlantic.com/economy/arch...
Just How Bad Would an AI Bubble Be?
The entire U.S. economy is being propped up by the promise of productivity gains that seem very far from materializing.
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:49 PM
“…The tech giants pouring the most money into AI are nowhere close to recouping their investments…companies trying to incorporate AI have seen virtually no impact on their bottom line…evidence of AI-replaced job displacement have mostly come up empty.” 👇👇👇🎁
www.theatlantic.com/economy/arch...
www.theatlantic.com/economy/arch...
“Across the country, Democrats have seized on rising anxiety over electricity costs and data centers in what could be a template for the 2026 midterm elections.” 👇
Democrats should go all out against #AI to protect economy, culture, rural folks & rural land…
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/u...
Democrats should go all out against #AI to protect economy, culture, rural folks & rural land…
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/u...
‘The New Price of Eggs.’ The Political Shocks of Data Centers and Electric Bills
www.nytimes.com
November 30, 2025 at 4:36 PM
“Across the country, Democrats have seized on rising anxiety over electricity costs and data centers in what could be a template for the 2026 midterm elections.” 👇
Democrats should go all out against #AI to protect economy, culture, rural folks & rural land…
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/u...
Democrats should go all out against #AI to protect economy, culture, rural folks & rural land…
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/30/u...
Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88
www.nytimes.com
November 29, 2025 at 11:20 PM
Tom Stoppard, Award-Winning Playwright of Witty Drama, Dies at 88 www.nytimes.com/2025/11/29/t...
Reposted by John Kaufman
When I joined Twitter in 2014, this was the 2nd tweet I posted.
“We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate." --Henry David Thoreau
Part of me thought it was cool, but another part was skeptical
“We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate." --Henry David Thoreau
Part of me thought it was cool, but another part was skeptical
November 29, 2025 at 3:42 PM
When I joined Twitter in 2014, this was the 2nd tweet I posted.
“We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate." --Henry David Thoreau
Part of me thought it was cool, but another part was skeptical
“We are in great haste to construct a magnetic telegraph from Maine to Texas; but Maine and Texas, it may be, have nothing important to communicate." --Henry David Thoreau
Part of me thought it was cool, but another part was skeptical
Reposted by John Kaufman
Thoreau wrote that line about Maine and Texas in the context of the Mexican War...a moment when it felt like the nation was about to fly apart because of the deep divisions over slavery. For someone seeking to live a humble life in the Concord woods, more information from more places seemed useless.
November 29, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Thoreau wrote that line about Maine and Texas in the context of the Mexican War...a moment when it felt like the nation was about to fly apart because of the deep divisions over slavery. For someone seeking to live a humble life in the Concord woods, more information from more places seemed useless.
Reposted by John Kaufman
Without farmworkers we wouldn’t be able to celebrate Thanksgiving. Be thankful for their hard work this holiday season!
Sin los trabajadores agrícolas no podríamos celebrar el Día de Acción de Gracias. ¡Agradece su arduo trabajo en estas fiestas!
#WeFeedYou #Thanksgiving
Sin los trabajadores agrícolas no podríamos celebrar el Día de Acción de Gracias. ¡Agradece su arduo trabajo en estas fiestas!
#WeFeedYou #Thanksgiving
November 27, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Without farmworkers we wouldn’t be able to celebrate Thanksgiving. Be thankful for their hard work this holiday season!
Sin los trabajadores agrícolas no podríamos celebrar el Día de Acción de Gracias. ¡Agradece su arduo trabajo en estas fiestas!
#WeFeedYou #Thanksgiving
Sin los trabajadores agrícolas no podríamos celebrar el Día de Acción de Gracias. ¡Agradece su arduo trabajo en estas fiestas!
#WeFeedYou #Thanksgiving
Green Card Interviews End in Handcuffs for Spouses of U.S. Citizens
www.nytimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 11:16 PM
Reposted by John Kaufman
"On a dry, rocky patch of his family’s farm in Door County, Wisconsin, Dave Klevesahl grows wildflowers. But he has a vision for how to squeeze more value out of the plot: lease it to a company that wants to build a community solar array." (reporting by @canarymedia.com)
Wisconsin lawmakers look to break utility grip on community solar
Utilities have blocked prior attempts to let other developers build community solar in the state. Now legislators have a bill meant to address opponents’ concerns.
wisconsinwatch.org
November 26, 2025 at 3:34 PM
"On a dry, rocky patch of his family’s farm in Door County, Wisconsin, Dave Klevesahl grows wildflowers. But he has a vision for how to squeeze more value out of the plot: lease it to a company that wants to build a community solar array." (reporting by @canarymedia.com)
Our AI “frenzy”—environmentally & economically—will cause great harm… it’s time to use our NI (natural intelligence) to reject it…
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/26/a...
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/26/a...
AI data center 'frenzy' is pushing up your electric bill — here's why
Energy-hungry data centers that underpin artificial intelligence are contributing to higher residential electricity bills, say experts.
www.cnbc.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Our AI “frenzy”—environmentally & economically—will cause great harm… it’s time to use our NI (natural intelligence) to reject it…
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/26/a...
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/26/a...
Reposted by John Kaufman
This rural hospital closed, putting lives at risk. Is it the start of a 'tidal wave'?
This rural hospital closed, putting lives at risk. Is it the start of a 'tidal wave'?
Glenn Medical Center in Willows closed Oct. 21 after losing "Critical Access" status. Many other California hospitals face similar threats.
www.latimes.com
November 26, 2025 at 2:06 PM
This rural hospital closed, putting lives at risk. Is it the start of a 'tidal wave'?
Reposted by John Kaufman
My painting WISCONSIN FARM
November 24, 2025 at 10:57 PM
My painting WISCONSIN FARM
Reposted by John Kaufman
Abedini posted on LinkedIn:
“I’m relieved to share that I was released from custody tonight. It was a deeply distressing experience, especially seeing those without the support I had. My sincere thanks to my friends and colleagues at the University of Oklahoma, the Middle East Studies Association”
“I’m relieved to share that I was released from custody tonight. It was a deeply distressing experience, especially seeing those without the support I had. My sincere thanks to my friends and colleagues at the University of Oklahoma, the Middle East Studies Association”
OU professor released following ICE detention while traveling to conference
OU professor Vahid Abedini detained by ICE while traveling to academic conference, sparking concerns over valid visa status.
www.news9.com
November 25, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Abedini posted on LinkedIn:
“I’m relieved to share that I was released from custody tonight. It was a deeply distressing experience, especially seeing those without the support I had. My sincere thanks to my friends and colleagues at the University of Oklahoma, the Middle East Studies Association”
“I’m relieved to share that I was released from custody tonight. It was a deeply distressing experience, especially seeing those without the support I had. My sincere thanks to my friends and colleagues at the University of Oklahoma, the Middle East Studies Association”
Reposted by John Kaufman
when its definitely not a hostage situation
November 25, 2025 at 4:19 PM
when its definitely not a hostage situation
“Another crucial policy, one that the rise of A.I. has inspired some teachers to finally adopt after contemplating it for years, is banning laptops and phones from class, which significantly improves classroom chemistry.”
Yes, it does… 👇🎁
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Yes, it does… 👇🎁
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
I’m a Professor. A.I. Has Changed My Classroom, but Not for the Worse.
www.nytimes.com
November 25, 2025 at 4:09 PM
“Another crucial policy, one that the rise of A.I. has inspired some teachers to finally adopt after contemplating it for years, is banning laptops and phones from class, which significantly improves classroom chemistry.”
Yes, it does… 👇🎁
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
Yes, it does… 👇🎁
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/25/m...
One reason (there are many) states & communities should oppose AI “data centers”… 👇
“Electricity bills in states with the most data centers are surging”
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/d...
“Electricity bills in states with the most data centers are surging”
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/d...
Data centers are concentrated in these states. Here's what's happening to electricity prices
Residential utility bills rose 6% on average nationwide in August compared with the same period last year, according to the Energy Information Administration.
www.cnbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 3:07 PM
One reason (there are many) states & communities should oppose AI “data centers”… 👇
“Electricity bills in states with the most data centers are surging”
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/d...
“Electricity bills in states with the most data centers are surging”
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/14/d...
Reposted by John Kaufman
Poem for your Tuesday
Long Distance II
Tony Harrison
—I believe life ends with death, and that is all. You haven't both gone shopping; just the same, in my new black leather phone book there's your name and the disconnected number— I still call.
Long Distance II
Tony Harrison
—I believe life ends with death, and that is all. You haven't both gone shopping; just the same, in my new black leather phone book there's your name and the disconnected number— I still call.
November 25, 2025 at 12:21 PM
Poem for your Tuesday
Long Distance II
Tony Harrison
—I believe life ends with death, and that is all. You haven't both gone shopping; just the same, in my new black leather phone book there's your name and the disconnected number— I still call.
Long Distance II
Tony Harrison
—I believe life ends with death, and that is all. You haven't both gone shopping; just the same, in my new black leather phone book there's your name and the disconnected number— I still call.
I stand with the horses… and the rural Wisconsinites… No AI!!!
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/m...
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/m...
Why rural Wisconsin is blocking the AI data center boom: 'Horses are skittish'
Tech giants are increasingly facing community backlash as they select places to build mammoth AI data centers.
www.cnbc.com
November 25, 2025 at 12:22 PM
I stand with the horses… and the rural Wisconsinites… No AI!!!
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/m...
www.cnbc.com/2025/11/25/m...
Good point: Texas used to be Mexico…
Just to make the periodic point of which Americans seem blissfully ignorant: for a large part of the Hispanic population, they did not cross the border into the US, rather the US border moved deep into Mexico to cross them.
November 25, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Good point: Texas used to be Mexico…
“…The tech giants pouring the most money into AI are nowhere close to recouping their investments…companies trying to incorporate AI have seen virtually no impact on their bottom line…evidence of AI-replaced job displacement have mostly come up empty.” 👇👇👇🎁
www.theatlantic.com/economy/arch...
www.theatlantic.com/economy/arch...
Just How Bad Would an AI Bubble Be?
The entire U.S. economy is being propped up by the promise of productivity gains that seem very far from materializing.
www.theatlantic.com
November 24, 2025 at 11:49 PM
“…The tech giants pouring the most money into AI are nowhere close to recouping their investments…companies trying to incorporate AI have seen virtually no impact on their bottom line…evidence of AI-replaced job displacement have mostly come up empty.” 👇👇👇🎁
www.theatlantic.com/economy/arch...
www.theatlantic.com/economy/arch...
Reposted by John Kaufman
Love how academia is being attacked and reshaped, under the iron fist of the government, with the heavy influence of a guy whose experience in the field is defrauding students with scam for-profit universities.
November 24, 2025 at 11:13 PM
Love how academia is being attacked and reshaped, under the iron fist of the government, with the heavy influence of a guy whose experience in the field is defrauding students with scam for-profit universities.
“What neither man could have known was that they had been standing at the edge of the typewriter’s unlikely resurrection…Then came 2020. Everyone stuck at home, screens everywhere, Zoom fatigue setting in. People craved something tangible. Typewriter sales exploded.”
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
How to Fix a Typewriter and Your Life (Gift Article)
This is the story of how a man traded steady, grinding corporate security for a dying craft and, in the process, found his soul.
www.nytimes.com
November 23, 2025 at 6:24 PM
“What neither man could have known was that they had been standing at the edge of the typewriter’s unlikely resurrection…Then came 2020. Everyone stuck at home, screens everywhere, Zoom fatigue setting in. People craved something tangible. Typewriter sales exploded.”
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
www.nytimes.com/interactive/...
The backlash against the digital &
STEM has begun among the young…how far will it spread?
STEM has begun among the young…how far will it spread?
"While other universities report that the humanities are shrinking, at Berkeley, the opposite is true. The music major is the fastest-growing major on campus. We are finding bigger classrooms because film is exploding. English is back to the numbers we saw 15 years ago. We are hiring" bit.ly/4ohKuOe
"The humanities really are a resource — a confidence for living in our times.” Dean Sara Guyer on the modern utility of humanities degrees
This interview originally appeared on the Division of Arts
bit.ly
November 23, 2025 at 4:58 PM
The backlash against the digital &
STEM has begun among the young…how far will it spread?
STEM has begun among the young…how far will it spread?
Reposted by John Kaufman
I have some thoughts about women - of all ages - leaving evangelicalism. 🧵
First of all, of course they are! I wrote about how women have spent the last two decades (and really longer) calling out alienating, unbiblical evangelical rhetoric and politics. 1/x www.baylorpress.com/978148131893...
First of all, of course they are! I wrote about how women have spent the last two decades (and really longer) calling out alienating, unbiblical evangelical rhetoric and politics. 1/x www.baylorpress.com/978148131893...
"I Grew Up in the Church" - Baylor University Press
In 'I Grew Up in the Church': How American Evangelical Women Tell Their Stories, Bethany Mannon studies the diverse and complex voices of women who have inf...
www.baylorpress.com
November 8, 2025 at 6:13 PM
I have some thoughts about women - of all ages - leaving evangelicalism. 🧵
First of all, of course they are! I wrote about how women have spent the last two decades (and really longer) calling out alienating, unbiblical evangelical rhetoric and politics. 1/x www.baylorpress.com/978148131893...
First of all, of course they are! I wrote about how women have spent the last two decades (and really longer) calling out alienating, unbiblical evangelical rhetoric and politics. 1/x www.baylorpress.com/978148131893...