Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
@joshuafoust.com
Made the CommSky Starter Pack https://go.bsky.app/QkcgePD
Assistant Professor at Syracuse. I study public relations, military esports, video games, and gender theory. Happily ๐ณ๏ธโ๐.
Assistant Professor at Syracuse. I study public relations, military esports, video games, and gender theory. Happily ๐ณ๏ธโ๐.
Pinned
Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
@joshuafoust.com
ยท Jan 9
Public Relations in Times of Dissensus
Public relations are entering an era marked by increasing societal dissensus, where shared narratives are breaking down and contentious communication defines thโฆ
www.bloomsbury.com
Yay! Thrilled that the volume I co-edited with Saima Kazmi and Burton St. John is available for pre-order: Public Relations in Times of Dissensus: Narratives, Artifacts, and the Challenges of Meaning. Itโs a pretty timely exploration of how we can communicate with the public when we all disagree.
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
Not surprising from a historical perspective, at all. "Labor saving" technology never actually reduces the amount of work that people are expected to do. It increases it. That's because A) work is fundamentally a social relationship and B) technological innovation creates new problems to be fixed
HARVARD BUSINESS REVIEW: โ.. In our in-progress research, we discovered that AI tools didnโt reduce work, they consistently intensified it.โ
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
hbr.org/2026/02/ai-d...
February 10, 2026 at 5:32 PM
Not surprising from a historical perspective, at all. "Labor saving" technology never actually reduces the amount of work that people are expected to do. It increases it. That's because A) work is fundamentally a social relationship and B) technological innovation creates new problems to be fixed
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
It might be tempting to sneer at this, โoh we need science to say moderation is goodโ but itโs actually an important response to the unhinged alarmism pushed by public โintellectualsโ like Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge, where they misrepresent and over-extrapolate studies for their patrons.
A huge Australian study of tweens and teens finds best mental health among moderate social media users โ not total abstainers reason.com/2026/02/09/a...
A 'Goldilocks' effect for online teens? Moderate social media users fare better than abstainers or heavy users
โBoth abstinence and excessive use can be problematic,โ researchers suggest.
reason.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
It might be tempting to sneer at this, โoh we need science to say moderation is goodโ but itโs actually an important response to the unhinged alarmism pushed by public โintellectualsโ like Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge, where they misrepresent and over-extrapolate studies for their patrons.
My phone autocorrected Jeanโs name to Jennifer for some reason and I didnโt catch it before posting, so I deleted. Sorry!
February 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
My phone autocorrected Jeanโs name to Jennifer for some reason and I didnโt catch it before posting, so I deleted. Sorry!
It might be tempting to sneer at this, โoh we need science to say moderation is goodโ but itโs actually an important response to the unhinged alarmism pushed by public โintellectualsโ like Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge, where they misrepresent and over-extrapolate studies for their patrons.
A huge Australian study of tweens and teens finds best mental health among moderate social media users โ not total abstainers reason.com/2026/02/09/a...
A 'Goldilocks' effect for online teens? Moderate social media users fare better than abstainers or heavy users
โBoth abstinence and excessive use can be problematic,โ researchers suggest.
reason.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:01 PM
It might be tempting to sneer at this, โoh we need science to say moderation is goodโ but itโs actually an important response to the unhinged alarmism pushed by public โintellectualsโ like Jonathan Haidt and Jean Twenge, where they misrepresent and over-extrapolate studies for their patrons.
Thanks for the reminder that I need to get more intentional about blogging again ๐ซฉ
February 10, 2026 at 4:59 PM
Thanks for the reminder that I need to get more intentional about blogging again ๐ซฉ
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
Every uni/college that caved proven as craven cowards
โโฆDOE agreedโฆit will no longer rely on the "Dear Colleague Letter" or its certification requirement, nor will it attempt to enforce or reinstate them under a different nameโฆDOE also agreed not to use their "End DEl" portal or related FAQ doc.โ
โโฆDOE agreedโฆit will no longer rely on the "Dear Colleague Letter" or its certification requirement, nor will it attempt to enforce or reinstate them under a different nameโฆDOE also agreed not to use their "End DEl" portal or related FAQ doc.โ
February 9, 2026 at 11:24 PM
Every uni/college that caved proven as craven cowards
โโฆDOE agreedโฆit will no longer rely on the "Dear Colleague Letter" or its certification requirement, nor will it attempt to enforce or reinstate them under a different nameโฆDOE also agreed not to use their "End DEl" portal or related FAQ doc.โ
โโฆDOE agreedโฆit will no longer rely on the "Dear Colleague Letter" or its certification requirement, nor will it attempt to enforce or reinstate them under a different nameโฆDOE also agreed not to use their "End DEl" portal or related FAQ doc.โ
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
Don't. Print. Lies. In. The. Newspapers.
And here's today's NYT headline on an article about reform proposals that enjoy supermajority support but that are disliked by Mike Johnson. The article provides no polling about the proposals.
MORE: www.findinggravity.net/the-new-york...
MORE: www.findinggravity.net/the-new-york...
February 10, 2026 at 4:52 PM
Don't. Print. Lies. In. The. Newspapers.
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
I just wrote about two recent NYT articles that create a misleading picture of public opinion by centering Republicans and suggesting ICE reform proposals are unpopular.
www.findinggravity.net/the-new-york...
www.findinggravity.net/the-new-york...
The New York Times manufactures consent for ICE
Most Americans disapprove of the Trump regimeโs lawless terrorizing of American cities under the guise of immigration enforcement, but you wouldnโt know that from reading two recent New York Times art...
www.findinggravity.net
February 10, 2026 at 4:47 PM
I just wrote about two recent NYT articles that create a misleading picture of public opinion by centering Republicans and suggesting ICE reform proposals are unpopular.
www.findinggravity.net/the-new-york...
www.findinggravity.net/the-new-york...
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
When histories of this time are written, explaining The Great Replacement Theory as a kind of meta-framework will be as pro forma as learning about the dolchstoรlegende is for those trying to understand WWII.
it's easy to miss if you don't spend much time on X or right-wing media, but the demonization of immigrants ties directly into trump's claims of stolen elections. the notion that there's a dem plot to let illegal immigrants vote is key to how the right justifies both Jan 6 *and* ICE's behavior
February 10, 2026 at 2:25 PM
When histories of this time are written, explaining The Great Replacement Theory as a kind of meta-framework will be as pro forma as learning about the dolchstoรlegende is for those trying to understand WWII.
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
It's more than 762,000 people from the dismemberment of USAID alone.
February 10, 2026 at 1:39 PM
It's more than 762,000 people from the dismemberment of USAID alone.
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
While this absolutely sucks, we are going to see a lot more places implementing universal global age verification over this next year, because the number of states and countries legally requiring it has gotten to the point no one can keep up anymore.
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Discord will require a face scan or ID for full access next month
Age verification for all.
buff.ly
February 10, 2026 at 10:42 AM
While this absolutely sucks, we are going to see a lot more places implementing universal global age verification over this next year, because the number of states and countries legally requiring it has gotten to the point no one can keep up anymore.
Like, this sucks shit. They are running concentration camps, and youโre โnegotiatingโ with them like you arenโt their oversight body.
Our DHS reform demands are exceedingly reasonable.
We're asking ICE to do nothing more than follow the standards that the vast majority of law enforcement agencies already follow.
Republicans, the ball is in your court. The clock is ticking.
We're asking ICE to do nothing more than follow the standards that the vast majority of law enforcement agencies already follow.
Republicans, the ball is in your court. The clock is ticking.
February 10, 2026 at 1:14 PM
Like, this sucks shit. They are running concentration camps, and youโre โnegotiatingโ with them like you arenโt their oversight body.
A journey in two screenshots
February 10, 2026 at 1:12 PM
A journey in two screenshots
Oh, do you think their in-house philosopher who wrote an 80-page โsoul constitutionโ has a perspective on this ๐
February 10, 2026 at 1:10 PM
Oh, do you think their in-house philosopher who wrote an 80-page โsoul constitutionโ has a perspective on this ๐
I know this links to Clay and I am not directing this at him, but the paper has a lot of work to do to rebuild reader trust after how abominably it has behaved toward higher education. They have to do the repair work.
February 10, 2026 at 1:06 PM
I know this links to Clay and I am not directing this at him, but the paper has a lot of work to do to rebuild reader trust after how abominably it has behaved toward higher education. They have to do the repair work.
The New York Times ran something like 20 front page stories about Claudine Gay because she didnโt agree with Elise Stefanikโs great replacement bullshit and didnโt cite a commonly used phrase in her dissertation.
Will they match that coverage here? It will speak volumes either way.
Will they match that coverage here? It will speak volumes either way.
Botstein invited a known pedophile to a high school he oversaw. How can he possibly survive this?
New Email Shows Bardโs President Thanked Epstein for Caribbean Trip
www.nytimes.com
February 10, 2026 at 1:05 PM
The New York Times ran something like 20 front page stories about Claudine Gay because she didnโt agree with Elise Stefanikโs great replacement bullshit and didnโt cite a commonly used phrase in her dissertation.
Will they match that coverage here? It will speak volumes either way.
Will they match that coverage here? It will speak volumes either way.
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
One thing that I would add to this: automatic renewals that include price increases should simply not be legal.
newrepublic.com/article/2063...
newrepublic.com/article/2063...
How Companies Profit by Annoying the Hell Out of You
A new report reveals that sneaky fees, excessive paperwork, spam calls, and other annoyances cost Americans $165 billion annually in wasted time and money.
newrepublic.com
February 10, 2026 at 12:57 PM
One thing that I would add to this: automatic renewals that include price increases should simply not be legal.
newrepublic.com/article/2063...
newrepublic.com/article/2063...
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
They have now removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall Inn.
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Trump administration removes Rainbow Flag from Stonewall National Monument
The Trump administration removed a large Rainbow Flag from a flagpole at the Stonewall National Monument, the National Park Service confirmed to Gay City News
gaycitynews.com
February 10, 2026 at 5:12 AM
They have now removed the Pride flag from the Stonewall Inn.
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
Erasure. Just like the Nazis.
gaycitynews.com/trump-rainbo...
This is why โabolish ICE and prosecute its entire leadershipโ is the bare minimum acceptable position for any politician to receive my vote. This weak-ass โline in the sandโ being pushed by septuagenarians meekly asking them to obey current law does nothing to curb these abuses. Itโs insulting.
February 10, 2026 at 12:49 PM
This is why โabolish ICE and prosecute its entire leadershipโ is the bare minimum acceptable position for any politician to receive my vote. This weak-ass โline in the sandโ being pushed by septuagenarians meekly asking them to obey current law does nothing to curb these abuses. Itโs insulting.
Why does he want to strip a bunch of young people
February 10, 2026 at 12:40 PM
Why does he want to strip a bunch of young people
Reposted by Joshua Foust ๐ช๐ฎ
Age verification and social media bans are explicitly ways to isolate queer, neurodivergent, and abused kids.
"Don't worry about the Discord thing, it's only NSFW servers and channels that will require age verification! :)"
I could remove every speck of risque imagery/topics from my community and there's still a 50% chance we'd get flagged just because we're openly queer.
It's not actually about the kids.
I could remove every speck of risque imagery/topics from my community and there's still a 50% chance we'd get flagged just because we're openly queer.
It's not actually about the kids.
February 10, 2026 at 7:40 AM
Age verification and social media bans are explicitly ways to isolate queer, neurodivergent, and abused kids.
I expect little else from Haidt, but those researchers he quoted neglecting marginalized communities really should have been caught during review.
February 10, 2026 at 12:26 PM
I expect little else from Haidt, but those researchers he quoted neglecting marginalized communities really should have been caught during review.
Remember when Madison Cawthorn talked about conservative cocaine orgies and the GOP mobilized quickly to get him out of office? Wonder what theyโre gonna do with Massie.
Thomas Massie is cooking right now and explicitly states that UAE Sultan Ahmed Bin Sulayem was sending torture videos to Epstein
February 10, 2026 at 12:10 PM
Remember when Madison Cawthorn talked about conservative cocaine orgies and the GOP mobilized quickly to get him out of office? Wonder what theyโre gonna do with Massie.
Really telling that this study doesnโt control for sexualityโseveral studies show queer youth feel *less* lonely when theyโre able to connect with other queer youth on social media. What makes social media risky for them is bigotry, not the tech itself. โLog offโ isnโt an answer to that issue.
February 10, 2026 at 12:08 PM
Really telling that this study doesnโt control for sexualityโseveral studies show queer youth feel *less* lonely when theyโre able to connect with other queer youth on social media. What makes social media risky for them is bigotry, not the tech itself. โLog offโ isnโt an answer to that issue.
Is anyone else following the regex redaction saga with the Epstein files? It is *wild*
February 10, 2026 at 1:52 AM
Is anyone else following the regex redaction saga with the Epstein files? It is *wild*