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michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Michael Brownstein
@michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
240 followers 210 following 230 posts
professor of philosophy and department chair, John Jay College
professor of philosophy, CUNY Grad Center
alum, Deep Springs College
author, Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change
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michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Michael Brownstein @michaelbrownstein.bsky.social · Apr 23
My new book--with Alex Madva and @dryan149.bsky.social--has a cover!

In print 9.16.25, but why not preorder a copy now? mitpress.mit.edu/978026204978...

@mitpress.bsky.social #CoverReveal #Bookstagram

Thanks to Frank Augugliaro for the cover design
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
madva.bsky.social
then get back online in the afternoon for @cpp-ccep.bsky.social's panel on organizing hospitality workers in LA!

serving-up-power-la.eventbrite.com
Flyer for Serving Up Power: Hospitality Worker Organizing in LA on Wednesday 2/18 at 3:30pm
February 13, 2026 at 10:27 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
madva.bsky.social
Somebody Should Do Something & that Somebody Could Be in the CSU!

CSU's Got Talent on Wed 2/18, 10a (online)!

Come for the TLDR of my book, stay for the exploration of concrete strategies for applying the book's lessons through our roles in the CSU!

Register: events.zoom.us/ev/AjbgeQFT5...
Flyer for Alex Madva's CSU's Got Talent presentation, "Somebody Should Do Something: How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change--CSU Edition"
February 13, 2026 at 10:27 PM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Sorry to all the famous musicians whose ticket sales we crush

"How Anyone Can Help Create Social Change: A Conversation with the authors of Somebody Should Do Something"

Mar 13, 2026
4:00pm – 5:00pm CT
Hilton Austin Downtown - Room 410

@madva.bsky.social @dryan149.bsky.social
SXSW 2026 Schedule
Browse events, build your schedule, and get personalized recommendations for the 2026 SXSW Conference & Festivals from March 12–18, 2026 in Austin, TX.
schedule.sxsw.com
February 9, 2026 at 1:57 PM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Man if I was like 1/100th as quick on my feet as Mamdani
lizrummy.bsky.social Emoji Caresser @lizrummy.bsky.social · 9d
From @acyn.bsky.social (posted on X)

"Reporter: Do any of you have a favorite animal?

Child: My favorite one is a gold snake that can move. It has gold eyes, and it has a super-duper tail…

Reporter: Mr. Mamdani, the second question for you.

Mamdani: Yes. It’s also the golden snake."
February 6, 2026 at 11:46 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
madva.bsky.social
So pumped!
February 6, 2026 at 8:50 PM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Try stuff! Philosophers like me sometimes overthink questions about the best and right way to make change. I'm trying to learn how to adopt an experimental mindset instead.

A real honor to talk about this and other themes from the book with @madva.bsky.social on @underthedesknews.bsky.social.
February 5, 2026 at 2:34 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
madva.bsky.social
Had a blast on @underthedesknews.bsky.social with V Spehar and @michaelbrownstein.bsky.social yesterday!

Catch the full video here, plus some links to YouTube shorts in the thread below: www.youtube.com/watch?v=BYGz...

@dryan149.bsky.social @mitpress.bsky.social
February 5, 2026 at 12:49 AM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
@adambonica.bsky.social and @jakemgrumbach.bsky.social’s reply to commentaries is 🔥

www.bostonreview.net/forum/how-no...
Democrats can’t simply react to polls. They must lead.
Adam Bonica and Jake Grumbach reply to their critics.
www.bostonreview.net
February 5, 2026 at 2:54 AM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Yes! So many of us are so desperate for satisfying things to do. I love a good protest but “walk from here to there” can feel aimless.
juliettekayyem.bsky.social Juliette Kayyem @juliettekayyem.bsky.social · 19d
I have begun to think that Minnesota pushback to ICE was unique and a model because it gave people something to do. It wasn’t about just going out in streets for rallying purposes. People had a mission: videos, whistles, information and communication flow to communities. They had something to do.
January 28, 2026 at 4:09 AM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
phillewis.bsky.social
"Every day, I wake up and see the news and I'm horrified. I think it is crazy that some people make it sound like it's acceptable, like the murder of civilians is acceptable." - Victor Wembanyama says about the killings in Minnesota

Via DonHarris4/X
January 27, 2026 at 7:59 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
madva.bsky.social
If you like "It's On You," check out "Somebody Should Do Something." We discuss many of the same case studies but reach different (we hope more actionable) conclusions. You can also check out our comment on C&L's BBS paper or our earlier work. More links in the next post www.somebody-book.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:23 PM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Overheard at the sledding hill: “you have to wear your hat because your brain shrinks in the cold!” Snow days are so educational.
January 26, 2026 at 8:08 PM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Very good piece from @jerusalem.bsky.social
Defend markets, ignore everything else
Alex Pretti and the one true omnicause
www.theargumentmag.com
January 26, 2026 at 5:33 PM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Re-upping this piece @madva.bsky.social and I wrote, now that the brave people of Minnesota are making the point even clearer. Thank goodness for them and their compassion.

@mitpress.bsky.social
The Golden Age of Protest Is Now
Collective action in the U.S. is surging. Recognizing our shared momentum may be key to saving democracy.
thereader.mitpress.mit.edu
January 26, 2026 at 3:20 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
reichten.bsky.social
Timberwolves hold a moment of silence for Alex Pretti
January 25, 2026 at 10:36 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
nkalamb.bsky.social
Let us all have the courage displayed by the residents of Minneapolis.
Woman on the right was using her walker to advance into the tear gas
January 25, 2026 at 1:11 AM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
pedalingprof.bsky.social
This is Minneapolis.

Literally every corner along Lake St. packed with people holding candles, many singing, honoring a person who by all accounts was an absolute gem of a human, whose life was tragically stolen by a fascist, paramilitary occupation force.
A group, one of many, holding candles in honor of a community member executed by an unaccountable paramilitary invasion force
January 25, 2026 at 2:46 AM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
whetmoser.com
top story at the nyt right now
ninametz.bsky.social Nina Metz @ninametz.bsky.social · 23d
I think it's important to boost news of the general strike in Minneapolis today and it's possible to do it without the hyperbole that nobody in the media is covering it

It may not be getting the attention it deserves! Posting links to reported stories is one way to combat that!
Economic strike in Minnesota to protest against ICE: ‘No work, no school, no shopping’
Organizers demand ICE leave state and agency be investigated for constitutional violations
www.theguardian.com
January 23, 2026 at 2:15 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
guygrossman.bsky.social
We reached the state of affairs in which Schools are sending message to parents and guardians to protect them from our own government.
January 22, 2026 at 11:29 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
elliottpayne.org
Statement from the entire Minneapolis City Council in support of a General Strike and Day of Truth & Freedom on January 23rd.
"Minnesota is deeply grounded in the values of community, compassion, dignity, and solidarity. The violent actions of federal agents have had profound effects on families and communities across our city and state, creating an environment of chaos, fear, and disruption in our neighborhoods. This federal operation has made life difficult for many residents to shop for groceries, go to work, take their children to school, or keep their small businesses open. When residents are brutalized and profiled, families are torn apart, and children are arrested, our communities are not any safer. We continue to demand that ICE, and all federal agents leave our state immediately. Minnesotans have a long tradition of activism, protest, and civic engagement during significant inflection moments in our state. A broad coalition of labor organizations, faith communities, community-based organizations, students, small businesses, and workers have called for a statewide Day of Truth and Freedom as a time for solidarity, community, mutual aid, and protest. The Minneapolis City Council fully supports this action as a time to exercise your constitutional rights, to express support for our neighbors, and demand the end of this federal occupation. We acknowledge and respect the diverse ways individuals, families, essential workers, students, and businesses may choose to observe this day and support our community. Together, with our community, the City Council reaffirms our commitment to civic expression, community safety, and our immigrant neighbors. We will continue the work of ensuring justice, freedom, and dignity for all during and beyond this occupation."
January 22, 2026 at 11:07 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
jakemgrumbach.bsky.social
Not exaggerating when I say that the collective action in Minnesota will be studied for generations if not centuries to come
January 23, 2026 at 12:03 AM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
brendannyhan.bsky.social
Everyone in America should have to see these cases and think about what they mean for the kind of society we are becoming. They killed a mom in her minivan. And now they have grabbed this poor sweet kid, used him as bait to grab his dad, and sent him to a detention center in Texas.
January 22, 2026 at 12:41 PM
michaelbrownstein.bsky.social
Maine and everywhere else, let's take notes
anamariecox.bsky.social Ana Marie Cox @anamariecox.bsky.social · 24d
I know people keep saying this but it’s hard to communicate the depth of active resistance here. Like, I’m on random cafes and people are checking in for observation shifts. Signs everywhere. Folks in visibility vests on the corners. It’s wild. Absolutely wild.
January 22, 2026 at 5:38 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
davidho.bsky.social
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.

www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
This line graph illustrates the percentage change in agency staff levels from the previous year for nine major U.S. federal scientific and health organizations between the fiscal years 2016 and 2025. The agencies tracked include the CDC, Department of Energy, EPA, FDA, NASA, NIH, NIST, NOAA, and NSF. For the majority of the timeline between 2016 and 2023, the agencies show relatively stable fluctuations, generally staying within a range of +5% to -5% change per year. However, there is a dramatic and uniform plummet starting in the 2024–25 period. Every agency depicted shows a sharp downward trajectory, with staffing losses ranging from approximately -15% to over -25%. The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) shows the most significant decline, dropping to roughly -26%, while the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) shows the least severe but still substantial drop at approximately -15%.
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
Reposted by Michael Brownstein
noahafrank.bsky.social
The duality of man

@jennitaur.bsky.social @michaelbrownstein.bsky.social @madva.bsky.social @dryan149.bsky.social
Jenny Odell’s “How to Do Nothing” next to “Somebody Should Do Something” by Michael Brownstein, Alex Madva, and Daniel Kelly
January 19, 2026 at 2:44 PM