Paul Collins
@paulcollins.bsky.social
Author, Professor of English at PSU, bewildered radio guest.
Personal account.
www.pdx.edu/english/profile/paul-collins
Personal account.
www.pdx.edu/english/profile/paul-collins
Reposted by Paul Collins
Still super stressed about this.
Pat and I just got our medical insurance renewal. Our monthly rate is going from $763 to $2,323.
Our deductible went up too.
We knew it was going to be bad with the subsidies expiring, but holy hell ...
Our deductible went up too.
We knew it was going to be bad with the subsidies expiring, but holy hell ...
November 11, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Still super stressed about this.
Coming this December:
November 10, 2025 at 12:55 AM
Coming this December:
Reposted by Paul Collins
I asked Georgetown law prof David Super wtf is going on with this latest demand for states to claw back benefits already sent out.
He says the law doesn't allow for this, and if the USDA is mad that states already sent out SNAP money, too bad—they were following USDA's own guidance. Full comments:
He says the law doesn't allow for this, and if the USDA is mad that states already sent out SNAP money, too bad—they were following USDA's own guidance. Full comments:
November 9, 2025 at 4:19 PM
I asked Georgetown law prof David Super wtf is going on with this latest demand for states to claw back benefits already sent out.
He says the law doesn't allow for this, and if the USDA is mad that states already sent out SNAP money, too bad—they were following USDA's own guidance. Full comments:
He says the law doesn't allow for this, and if the USDA is mad that states already sent out SNAP money, too bad—they were following USDA's own guidance. Full comments:
Doesn’t seem to have been picked up locally, but Portland State's having to hire back 10 faculty they laid off, because the not only did the U basically blow off the union & faculty senate, they also couldn’t really explain *why* those specific faculty got the ax.
And that's why we have unions.
And that's why we have unions.
PSU AAUP | PSU-AAUP wins NTTF arbitration judgment
psuaaup.net
November 9, 2025 at 1:31 AM
Doesn’t seem to have been picked up locally, but Portland State's having to hire back 10 faculty they laid off, because the not only did the U basically blow off the union & faculty senate, they also couldn’t really explain *why* those specific faculty got the ax.
And that's why we have unions.
And that's why we have unions.
Why not put your money in a bank that can’t form a coherent sentence and spells Genius with a J
November 8, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Why not put your money in a bank that can’t form a coherent sentence and spells Genius with a J
Perfect sequel to the primary, no notes.
November 7, 2025 at 4:58 PM
Perfect sequel to the primary, no notes.
Reposted by Paul Collins
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Kind of a brilliant notion for harnessing a liability for geothermal purposes: "The report estimates that about a quarter of UK homes sit above flooded workings where MWGH [Mine Water Geothermal Heat] could be used to provide low-cost heat."
Flooded UK coalmines could provide low-carbon cheap heat ‘for generations’
Flooded UK coalmines could provide low-carbon cheap heat ‘for generations’
Report says proven technology could benefit thousands in poor quality housing and help UK meet carbon reduction targets
Flooded disused coalmines could be a significant source of energy and provide cheap heat to thousands of homes, a new report argues.
Mine water geothermal heat (MWGH) systems use the water in flooded coalmines, which is warmed by natural processes, to supply low-carbon heat. Heat exchangers and pumps recover the heat, which is distributed via district heating networks to homes and buildings, providing low-cost, long-term, stable energy. Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 6, 2025 at 5:22 PM
Kind of a brilliant notion for harnessing a liability for geothermal purposes: "The report estimates that about a quarter of UK homes sit above flooded workings where MWGH [Mine Water Geothermal Heat] could be used to provide low-cost heat."
A math prof studying gerrymandering: "I’m doing a lot of work on alternative systems of election that can robustly give you proportional outcomes without having to do careful line drawings... The biggest American city that uses S.T.V. is Portland, Ore., and it was a great success there."
Gift link:
Gift link:
Moon Duchin on the ‘Mathematical Quagmire’ of Gerrymandering
www.nytimes.com
November 3, 2025 at 5:34 PM
A math prof studying gerrymandering: "I’m doing a lot of work on alternative systems of election that can robustly give you proportional outcomes without having to do careful line drawings... The biggest American city that uses S.T.V. is Portland, Ore., and it was a great success there."
Gift link:
Gift link:
Not noted in this article: the 4 Palantir execs & instructor quoted have degrees from, respectively, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and... Yale again. 3 are grad degrees. It's easy to be blasé about the value of a college education when your own will never be questioned.
Palantir Thinks College Might Be a Waste. So It’s Hiring High-School Grads.
Tech company offers 22 teens a chance to skip college for its fellowship, which includes a four-week seminar on Western civilization
www.wsj.com
November 3, 2025 at 1:52 AM
Not noted in this article: the 4 Palantir execs & instructor quoted have degrees from, respectively, Stanford, Yale, Harvard, and... Yale again. 3 are grad degrees. It's easy to be blasé about the value of a college education when your own will never be questioned.
Reposted by Paul Collins
365 Days is an anthology of flash fictions inspired by news stories from 1934. Kay Boyle and her then-husband Laurence Vail invited over 200 writers to contribute, but you can see here who had to carry the project over the finish line.
November 1, 2025 at 8:00 PM
365 Days is an anthology of flash fictions inspired by news stories from 1934. Kay Boyle and her then-husband Laurence Vail invited over 200 writers to contribute, but you can see here who had to carry the project over the finish line.
Reposted by Paul Collins
it's me, unnamed critter from bosch's triptych of the temptation of anthony!
November 1, 2025 at 12:16 AM
it's me, unnamed critter from bosch's triptych of the temptation of anthony!
Sometimes calling out bullshit works!
Indiana University Lifts Ban on Printing News in College Newspaper
www.nytimes.com
October 31, 2025 at 11:09 PM
Sometimes calling out bullshit works!
Aw, man. Jack DeJohnette was an amazing drummer, a huge influence on me. His 70s ECM albums had this incredible cymbal sound. He was a bit coy about how they got it, but I once heard him explain, "Everyone mics over the cymbals, but you know, there's sound *under* them too."
The master at work:
The master at work:
Terje Rypdal, Miroslav Vitous, Jack DeJohnette - Sunrise
YouTube video by fazstp
youtu.be
October 28, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Aw, man. Jack DeJohnette was an amazing drummer, a huge influence on me. His 70s ECM albums had this incredible cymbal sound. He was a bit coy about how they got it, but I once heard him explain, "Everyone mics over the cymbals, but you know, there's sound *under* them too."
The master at work:
The master at work:
Reposted by Paul Collins
If you're looking for some food banks to donate to, we vetted a ton all over the country back in 2020, in conjunction with our marble league sponsorship, a sentence that I swear made sense in context. Anyway -- there are links to 17 of them in this thread. (And apologies for linking to... y'know.)
Last Week Tonight on X: "Congratulations to all the winners of Marble League 2020! Through our sponsorship, they raised $100K for worthy causes. Here’s a thread of the winners and where their funds went:" / X
Congratulations to all the winners of Marble League 2020! Through our sponsorship, they raised $100K for worthy causes. Here’s a thread of the winners and where their funds went:
x.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:46 AM
If you're looking for some food banks to donate to, we vetted a ton all over the country back in 2020, in conjunction with our marble league sponsorship, a sentence that I swear made sense in context. Anyway -- there are links to 17 of them in this thread. (And apologies for linking to... y'know.)
Top notch work by a neighbor in fitting up their tree-skeleton with scrubs.
October 27, 2025 at 12:07 AM
Top notch work by a neighbor in fitting up their tree-skeleton with scrubs.
Might be worth noting that the DoD cannot just accept giant gifts from any random schmuck.
October 24, 2025 at 8:35 PM
Might be worth noting that the DoD cannot just accept giant gifts from any random schmuck.
Reposted by Paul Collins
I wasted a lot of time as a campaign reporter looking for the "one simple trick." It's almost too tempting to resist doing it every election cycle; journalists need to balance their desire for a novel explanation with the reality of systemic behavior.
Look. It would be great if there was one simple trick for winning elections. But 'just be more moderate' isn't it.
In fact, you can use the NYT's exact method to 'prove' a 'Progressive Advantage' of +1.4 pts.
This piece shows what's really going on: funded candidates do better than unfunded ones.
In fact, you can use the NYT's exact method to 'prove' a 'Progressive Advantage' of +1.4 pts.
This piece shows what's really going on: funded candidates do better than unfunded ones.
The New York Times’ “Moderation Advantage” Is a Statistical Illusion
After accounting for money and incumbency the supposed electoral bonus for moderate candidates vanishes entirely.
open.substack.com
October 24, 2025 at 4:25 PM
I wasted a lot of time as a campaign reporter looking for the "one simple trick." It's almost too tempting to resist doing it every election cycle; journalists need to balance their desire for a novel explanation with the reality of systemic behavior.
Reposted by Paul Collins
Crazy that the building did that to itself
October 22, 2025 at 7:55 PM
Crazy that the building did that to itself
Reposted by Paul Collins
WELL HOW ABOUT THAT
"A millionaire levy in Massachusetts has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing significant high-profile departures from the state."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"A millionaire levy in Massachusetts has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing significant high-profile departures from the state."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Millionaire Tax That Inspired Mamdani Fuels $5.7 Billion Haul in Massachusetts
A millionaire levy in Massachusetts that New York City mayoral frontrunner Zohran Mamdani holds up as a model for taxing the rich has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing...
www.bloomberg.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:22 PM
WELL HOW ABOUT THAT
"A millionaire levy in Massachusetts has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing significant high-profile departures from the state."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
"A millionaire levy in Massachusetts has generated $3 billion more in revenue than expected without forcing significant high-profile departures from the state."
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Paul Collins
unfortunately the wanton destruction of government property is allowed without congressional approval if it “makes a really good metaphor”
Scoop: Trump has started demolishing the White House's East Wing facade to build his ballroom. The president had claimed construction of the $250 million building wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure. /W @ddiamond.bsky.social wapo.st/4hqBNiU
White House begins demolishing East Wing facade to build Trump’s ballroom
The president had claimed construction of the $250 million ballroom wouldn’t ‘interfere’ with the existing White House structure.
wapo.st
October 20, 2025 at 6:59 PM
unfortunately the wanton destruction of government property is allowed without congressional approval if it “makes a really good metaphor”
Reposted by Paul Collins
the Muppets have been real quiet since the Louvre heist
October 19, 2025 at 10:19 PM
the Muppets have been real quiet since the Louvre heist
NYT's desktop version, too. Just incredible.
My local paper has it as their top story. It's front page at the WaPo and the WSJ. And the Guardian. And Le Monde. And NPR, CBC, BBC, and Deutsche Welle. Even at TASS - the official agency for Russia.
My local paper has it as their top story. It's front page at the WaPo and the WSJ. And the Guardian. And Le Monde. And NPR, CBC, BBC, and Deutsche Welle. Even at TASS - the official agency for Russia.
Update: Not even 24 hours after the biggest national protest in many years, the New York Times has removed its coverage, at least on mobile. You have to scroll all the way down to the bottom to “most shared stories” where it’s number one.
October 19, 2025 at 6:06 PM
NYT's desktop version, too. Just incredible.
My local paper has it as their top story. It's front page at the WaPo and the WSJ. And the Guardian. And Le Monde. And NPR, CBC, BBC, and Deutsche Welle. Even at TASS - the official agency for Russia.
My local paper has it as their top story. It's front page at the WaPo and the WSJ. And the Guardian. And Le Monde. And NPR, CBC, BBC, and Deutsche Welle. Even at TASS - the official agency for Russia.
Reposted by Paul Collins
I wouldn’t be surprised if TriMet breaks a post-pandemic record for ridership today
October 18, 2025 at 7:17 PM
I wouldn’t be surprised if TriMet breaks a post-pandemic record for ridership today
Reposted by Paul Collins
Like the inflatable animal costumes that started at the ICE facility, a bellwether for allegorical nonviolent resistance, the “Don’t Obey” wheat paste frogs are also proliferating around Portland. The glue is still wet as the marches convene.
October 18, 2025 at 6:19 PM
Like the inflatable animal costumes that started at the ICE facility, a bellwether for allegorical nonviolent resistance, the “Don’t Obey” wheat paste frogs are also proliferating around Portland. The glue is still wet as the marches convene.