Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
@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 🏳️🌈.
Assistant Professor at Syracuse. I study public relations, military esports, video games, and gender theory. Happily 🏳️🌈.
Pinned
Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
@joshuafoust.com
· Oct 13
New Research: Masculinity as an Affect, and What It Means for Video Games
I contributed a chapter in a new volume, The Handbook on Gender and Digital Media, about how we can start to use affect theory to better understand how men behave the way they do with video games. …
joshuafoust.com
Recently had a chapter published in the Handbook of Gender and Digital Media, where I develop a theory of “affective masculinity” to try to better understand what masculine genders are doing in video games. It tries to answer the question: what work do feelings do for men who play games? 1/9
Who is in charge of Linda Hamilton’s wig on Stranger Things
December 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM
Who is in charge of Linda Hamilton’s wig on Stranger Things
Remind me again why people sneer at university systems in Qatar or China? Is it because you aren’t allowed to deviate from regime speech codes there? What makes that different from Texas or Oklahoma, exactly?
Texas A&M University will not reinstate a lecturer who was fired after a video of her teaching about gender identity in a children’s literature class went viral, despite a faculty appeals panel unanimously concluding that her dismissal was not justified.
Texas A&M won’t reinstate fired lecturer despite findings
A vice chancellor upheld the firing of Melissa McCoul, seen in a viral video being confronted by a student on her gender identity teachings, saying the termination was done with “good cause.”
www.texastribune.org
December 26, 2025 at 5:39 PM
Remind me again why people sneer at university systems in Qatar or China? Is it because you aren’t allowed to deviate from regime speech codes there? What makes that different from Texas or Oklahoma, exactly?
Oh no, do I need to play Where Winds Meet
December 26, 2025 at 4:04 PM
Oh no, do I need to play Where Winds Meet
I dunno, I think something about our news media isn’t working quite right
December 26, 2025 at 3:45 PM
I dunno, I think something about our news media isn’t working quite right
Wanna see something absolutely WILD? Look up some of the video spots the National Cryptocurrency Association — yes, the decentralized technology sector has a centralized lobbying group — are placing on social media. It’s fascinating.
National Cryptocurrency Association Launches to Boost Crypto Literacy Across the U.S.
The National Cryptocurrency Association (NCA) launches with a $50 million grant from Ripple to improve cryptocurrency literacy and education in the United States.
genfinity.io
December 26, 2025 at 3:23 PM
Wanna see something absolutely WILD? Look up some of the video spots the National Cryptocurrency Association — yes, the decentralized technology sector has a centralized lobbying group — are placing on social media. It’s fascinating.
Out of morbid curiosity, what sort of engagement are you hoping for with that username and this attitude toward strangers?
I've traveled the country for decades and I vehemently push back on his idea that most adults know wtf he's talking about here, but tbh he doesn't seem like he's interested in hearing from people who disagree with him, so I'm leaving that here instead.
December 26, 2025 at 3:15 PM
Out of morbid curiosity, what sort of engagement are you hoping for with that username and this attitude toward strangers?
I am fascinated by this. Derek clearly knows that taking private equity money affected his brand and wants to defend against the criticism that resulted. The thing is, he’s right that the economics of media production are punishing—but doesn’t engage with what makes private equity so destructive.
The Future of Veritasium
YouTube video by Veritasium
youtu.be
December 26, 2025 at 2:48 PM
I am fascinated by this. Derek clearly knows that taking private equity money affected his brand and wants to defend against the criticism that resulted. The thing is, he’s right that the economics of media production are punishing—but doesn’t engage with what makes private equity so destructive.
Hot take: kids not knowing what a file system is AND kids misusing LLMs as a search engine are two sides of the same technology incompetence problem this thread is criticizing.
kids who use ChatGPT today as a glorified search-engine frontend have no idea what these tools now/will someday make possible. they're scratching a still-expanding surface. (they also don't tend to know what, like, a 'filesystem' is, which is a separate huge problem.)
December 26, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Hot take: kids not knowing what a file system is AND kids misusing LLMs as a search engine are two sides of the same technology incompetence problem this thread is criticizing.
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
Evidence is mounting that platform architecture can intensify phenomena such as polarization. But policy debates continue to miss the mark, writes Matthias J. Becker, a researcher at NYU’s Center for the Study of Antisemitism and lead of the “Decoding Antisemitism” project.
Algorithms Shift Polarization. Why Does Policy Still Miss the Real Problem? | TechPolicy.Press
Policy responses to social media harms reveal the gap between what research shows and what gets addressed, writes Matthias J. Becker.
buff.ly
December 26, 2025 at 12:54 PM
Evidence is mounting that platform architecture can intensify phenomena such as polarization. But policy debates continue to miss the mark, writes Matthias J. Becker, a researcher at NYU’s Center for the Study of Antisemitism and lead of the “Decoding Antisemitism” project.
Something people outside of education maybe don’t realize is the culture that encourages students to argue every grade, even good ones, destroys trust and puts a hard cap on whatever learning might result. It’s also, from the instructor’s perspective, exhausting and drives grade inflation.
Experimental evidence that students are more likely to contest grades when they are delivered by an evaluator with a female-sounding name.
"These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments."
"These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments."
December 26, 2025 at 1:05 PM
Something people outside of education maybe don’t realize is the culture that encourages students to argue every grade, even good ones, destroys trust and puts a hard cap on whatever learning might result. It’s also, from the instructor’s perspective, exhausting and drives grade inflation.
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
the last time a student pursued a grade grievance for one of my classes my dept chair was astounded at the meticulousness of the records I keep. This is why
Experimental evidence that students are more likely to contest grades when they are delivered by an evaluator with a female-sounding name.
"These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments."
"These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments."
December 26, 2025 at 12:41 PM
the last time a student pursued a grade grievance for one of my classes my dept chair was astounded at the meticulousness of the records I keep. This is why
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
Experimental evidence that students are more likely to contest grades when they are delivered by an evaluator with a female-sounding name.
"These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments."
"These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments."
December 24, 2025 at 11:21 PM
Experimental evidence that students are more likely to contest grades when they are delivered by an evaluator with a female-sounding name.
"These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments."
"These findings suggest that women in evaluative positions face disproportionate resistance when delivering negative assessments."
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
abolishing ICE is a necessity but *merely* abolishing ICE should be viewed as the most moderate of positions
ICE detain father shopping on Christmas Eve—then steal his family's groceries.
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
Then 3 agents divvy up his paid for food—taking what they want for themselves.
"Can I just get the wife's number to call and let her know?" woman asks.
"No, guess he should've complied," agent says.
Yakima, Washington
December 26, 2025 at 12:37 PM
abolishing ICE is a necessity but *merely* abolishing ICE should be viewed as the most moderate of positions
Here’s a better Garten, instead
December 26, 2025 at 12:24 PM
Here’s a better Garten, instead
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
12 months ago, the US, along with Canada & the EU, were joined hand in hand to fight transnational repression from the likes of China, India, & Iran. Now, it's actively participating in repression & censorship. "UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas." www.bbc.com/news/article...
UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas
The Trump administration bans five people who have called for tech regulation from entering the country.
www.bbc.com
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
12 months ago, the US, along with Canada & the EU, were joined hand in hand to fight transnational repression from the likes of China, India, & Iran. Now, it's actively participating in repression & censorship. "UK social media campaigners among five denied US visas." www.bbc.com/news/article...
Why is a $250 oil diffuser so appealing?
Battery-free Aroma Diffuser
Take a relaxing breath, knowing that your favorite aromatic scent isn't harming the environment in any way. Harnessing the power of a single candle, this minimalist aroma diffuser uses simple physics ...
shop.yankodesign.com
December 25, 2025 at 11:12 PM
Why is a $250 oil diffuser so appealing?
I’m sad most of the patches have fallen off but I still love Bear’s shearling-lined denim vest.
December 25, 2025 at 9:35 PM
I’m sad most of the patches have fallen off but I still love Bear’s shearling-lined denim vest.
Honestly, though, 3 hours of this
Relaxing Super Nintendo Music, Part 7 - SNESdrunk
YouTube video by SNES drunk
youtu.be
December 25, 2025 at 1:24 PM
Honestly, though, 3 hours of this
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
I'm super pleased to have a short new essay live on
@assignedmedia.org this morning. It's about surviving the holidays while estranged.
Huge thanks as always to my wonderful editor
@evanurquhart.bsky.social ...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Grateful to all who read and share this one.
@assignedmedia.org this morning. It's about surviving the holidays while estranged.
Huge thanks as always to my wonderful editor
@evanurquhart.bsky.social ...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Grateful to all who read and share this one.
Surviving the Holidays as an Estranged Person — Assigned
You may struggle over the holidays if you’re estranged from your family, but you are not alone.
www.assignedmedia.org
December 25, 2025 at 12:16 PM
I'm super pleased to have a short new essay live on
@assignedmedia.org this morning. It's about surviving the holidays while estranged.
Huge thanks as always to my wonderful editor
@evanurquhart.bsky.social ...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Grateful to all who read and share this one.
@assignedmedia.org this morning. It's about surviving the holidays while estranged.
Huge thanks as always to my wonderful editor
@evanurquhart.bsky.social ...
www.assignedmedia.org/breaking-new...
Grateful to all who read and share this one.
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
December 25, 2025 at 3:23 AM
Reposted by Joshua Foust 🪖🎮
We passed 9000 followers today! It’s a Christmas miracle 🎄✨🙏
December 25, 2025 at 12:10 PM
We passed 9000 followers today! It’s a Christmas miracle 🎄✨🙏
Pluribus made a lot of very smart choices
December 25, 2025 at 1:13 AM
Pluribus made a lot of very smart choices
If I was a billionaire, I simply wouldn’t spend my Christmas Eve complaining I wasn’t more popular on nice social media platforms 🙃
No shock. This app has turned my mentions, and others, into mostly hate. But there are a few people worth connecting with
CRAZY how it's easier these days to have a real discussion on X, or threads, than on here.
CRAZY how it's easier these days to have a real discussion on X, or threads, than on here.
December 25, 2025 at 12:40 AM
If I was a billionaire, I simply wouldn’t spend my Christmas Eve complaining I wasn’t more popular on nice social media platforms 🙃
Bari is using the same language — claiming bold ethics, decrying valid criticism as “activists” who are no better than the government applying pressure — that Joel Kahn did to defend the grinding transphobia at the New York Times.
Just in case you were wondering where she got these ideas from.
Just in case you were wondering where she got these ideas from.
Bari Weiss just sent this Christmas Eve email to the CBS News staff about "building trust," which includes her tripling down on spiking the CECOT piece "to make sure it's comprehensive and fair."
One CBS staffer tells me: "She really has no idea how insulting she comes across."
One CBS staffer tells me: "She really has no idea how insulting she comes across."
December 24, 2025 at 7:38 PM
Bari is using the same language — claiming bold ethics, decrying valid criticism as “activists” who are no better than the government applying pressure — that Joel Kahn did to defend the grinding transphobia at the New York Times.
Just in case you were wondering where she got these ideas from.
Just in case you were wondering where she got these ideas from.