Rod Graham (The Neighborhood Sociologist)
@roderickgraham.bsky.social
Gadfly | I post about social science, culture, and progressive politics | Views are my own
https://rodgraham.substack.com/
https://rodgraham.substack.com/
Rigor is not a substitute for imagination.
January 2, 2026 at 8:06 AM
Rigor is not a substitute for imagination.
My New Year's resolution is to support local public media as best I can.
- If you are podcast listener, consider NPR+ (@npr.org)
- If you love quality shows, consider PBS passport (@pbs.org)
My local is @whropublicmedia.bsky.social, and they provide a valuable service to my community.
- If you are podcast listener, consider NPR+ (@npr.org)
- If you love quality shows, consider PBS passport (@pbs.org)
My local is @whropublicmedia.bsky.social, and they provide a valuable service to my community.
January 1, 2026 at 1:59 PM
My New Year's resolution is to support local public media as best I can.
- If you are podcast listener, consider NPR+ (@npr.org)
- If you love quality shows, consider PBS passport (@pbs.org)
My local is @whropublicmedia.bsky.social, and they provide a valuable service to my community.
- If you are podcast listener, consider NPR+ (@npr.org)
- If you love quality shows, consider PBS passport (@pbs.org)
My local is @whropublicmedia.bsky.social, and they provide a valuable service to my community.
I see an AT&T commercial with Luke Wilson walking through the dessert staring intently into the camera.
I see a T-Mobile commercial with Billy Bob Thornton walking through the dessert staring intently into the camera.
I see a T-Mobile commercial with Billy Bob Thornton walking through the dessert staring intently into the camera.
January 1, 2026 at 2:26 AM
I see an AT&T commercial with Luke Wilson walking through the dessert staring intently into the camera.
I see a T-Mobile commercial with Billy Bob Thornton walking through the dessert staring intently into the camera.
I see a T-Mobile commercial with Billy Bob Thornton walking through the dessert staring intently into the camera.
They slap "AI" on everything.
It's become tech's version of gluten free.
It's become tech's version of gluten free.
January 1, 2026 at 2:14 AM
They slap "AI" on everything.
It's become tech's version of gluten free.
It's become tech's version of gluten free.
Reposted by Rod Graham (The Neighborhood Sociologist)
Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71. Whitlock played the corrupt state Sen. Clay Davis on "The Wire." He also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including "25th Hour" and "BlacKkKlansman." n.pr/44Qkbry
Isiah Whitlock Jr., actor from 'The Wire,' 'Veep' and Spike Lee films, dies at 71
Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71. Whitlock played the corrupt state Sen. Clay Davis on "The Wire." He also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including "25th Hour" and "BlacKkKlansman."
n.pr
December 31, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Actor Isiah Whitlock Jr. has died at age 71. Whitlock played the corrupt state Sen. Clay Davis on "The Wire." He also appeared in several Spike Lee films, including "25th Hour" and "BlacKkKlansman." n.pr/44Qkbry
Reposted by Rod Graham (The Neighborhood Sociologist)
Poland’s top military commander warns the country is in a “pre-war” phase, saying Russia is already preparing for possible aggression by trying to destabilize Poland, undermine trust in state institutions, and create conditions for future attacks.
December 30, 2025 at 2:51 PM
Poland’s top military commander warns the country is in a “pre-war” phase, saying Russia is already preparing for possible aggression by trying to destabilize Poland, undermine trust in state institutions, and create conditions for future attacks.
I see the future.
With progressives gathering energy and motivation and most importantly political momentum through anti-AI, this now means conservative influencers *must* generate a narrative supporting AI.
Being anti-AI will be narrated in some emotionally satisfying way as anti-American.
With progressives gathering energy and motivation and most importantly political momentum through anti-AI, this now means conservative influencers *must* generate a narrative supporting AI.
Being anti-AI will be narrated in some emotionally satisfying way as anti-American.
December 30, 2025 at 2:31 PM
I see the future.
With progressives gathering energy and motivation and most importantly political momentum through anti-AI, this now means conservative influencers *must* generate a narrative supporting AI.
Being anti-AI will be narrated in some emotionally satisfying way as anti-American.
With progressives gathering energy and motivation and most importantly political momentum through anti-AI, this now means conservative influencers *must* generate a narrative supporting AI.
Being anti-AI will be narrated in some emotionally satisfying way as anti-American.
Reposted by Rod Graham (The Neighborhood Sociologist)
Jeff Caruso: Inside Cyber Warfare
Jeff Caruso: Inside Cyber Warfare - Phillip Wylie
Summary In this episode of the Phillip Wylie Show, host Phillip Wylie interviews Jeff Caruso, an expert in cyber warfare and author of a book on the subject. They discuss Jeff’s unique background, including his experience in the Coast Guard and his transition into the world of cybersecurity. The conversation delves into the evolution of…
thehackermaker.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Jeff Caruso: Inside Cyber Warfare
Other than 1, all of this is predictable...
1. The political transformation of Greene
2. The willingness by Lash to now interpret her present acts in that light (it would have been different just last year I imagine)
3. The inevitable BlueSky reaction against this interpretation
1. The political transformation of Greene
2. The willingness by Lash to now interpret her present acts in that light (it would have been different just last year I imagine)
3. The inevitable BlueSky reaction against this interpretation
I’ve seen a bunch of responses to the Draper profile of MTG complaining about her pushing ahead a bill that restricts gender-affirming care for minors. This is a misunderstanding of what she’s doing. www.thebulwark.com/p/why-marjor...
Why Marjorie Taylor Greene Gives Me Hope
People don’t change—but they can remember who they are.
www.thebulwark.com
December 30, 2025 at 2:21 PM
Other than 1, all of this is predictable...
1. The political transformation of Greene
2. The willingness by Lash to now interpret her present acts in that light (it would have been different just last year I imagine)
3. The inevitable BlueSky reaction against this interpretation
1. The political transformation of Greene
2. The willingness by Lash to now interpret her present acts in that light (it would have been different just last year I imagine)
3. The inevitable BlueSky reaction against this interpretation
A stock villain in Hollywood has long been Russians.
It'd be interesting to see if any MAGA controlled or themed video productions use this trope.
In that cultural group, Russia has been constructed as a friend and ally.
It'd be interesting to see if any MAGA controlled or themed video productions use this trope.
In that cultural group, Russia has been constructed as a friend and ally.
December 30, 2025 at 11:35 AM
A stock villain in Hollywood has long been Russians.
It'd be interesting to see if any MAGA controlled or themed video productions use this trope.
In that cultural group, Russia has been constructed as a friend and ally.
It'd be interesting to see if any MAGA controlled or themed video productions use this trope.
In that cultural group, Russia has been constructed as a friend and ally.
It's hard to say a culture "dies."
Culture here has a more precise measurable meaning of norms, values, beliefs and practices...not something vague like "Western Civilization."
But it does change as people in that culture assess the usefulness of those elements and change accordingly.
Culture here has a more precise measurable meaning of norms, values, beliefs and practices...not something vague like "Western Civilization."
But it does change as people in that culture assess the usefulness of those elements and change accordingly.
December 30, 2025 at 1:00 AM
It's hard to say a culture "dies."
Culture here has a more precise measurable meaning of norms, values, beliefs and practices...not something vague like "Western Civilization."
But it does change as people in that culture assess the usefulness of those elements and change accordingly.
Culture here has a more precise measurable meaning of norms, values, beliefs and practices...not something vague like "Western Civilization."
But it does change as people in that culture assess the usefulness of those elements and change accordingly.
One way to save an institution is to have a collective, and certainly contentious, discussion amongst the major stake holders about it's values and goals.
This conversation would take place on a national stage, as the country is invested.
Or we can ask a billionaire.
America the beautiful.
This conversation would take place on a national stage, as the country is invested.
Or we can ask a billionaire.
America the beautiful.
December 29, 2025 at 7:31 PM
One way to save an institution is to have a collective, and certainly contentious, discussion amongst the major stake holders about it's values and goals.
This conversation would take place on a national stage, as the country is invested.
Or we can ask a billionaire.
America the beautiful.
This conversation would take place on a national stage, as the country is invested.
Or we can ask a billionaire.
America the beautiful.
Reposted by Rod Graham (The Neighborhood Sociologist)
Yeah, this dum dum is talking about chicken pox.
Anyway, it's very cool and awesome that he has so much cultural and political influence.
Anyway, it's very cool and awesome that he has so much cultural and political influence.
December 28, 2025 at 5:15 PM
Yeah, this dum dum is talking about chicken pox.
Anyway, it's very cool and awesome that he has so much cultural and political influence.
Anyway, it's very cool and awesome that he has so much cultural and political influence.
Look what is in my family's freezer in South Carolina!
I promptly put it back.
I promptly put it back.
December 28, 2025 at 12:50 AM
Look what is in my family's freezer in South Carolina!
I promptly put it back.
I promptly put it back.
Well it's certainly not discrimination... Indeed it is all about the thing conservatives love so much...narrow definitions of merit.
They publish more and get degrees from higher ranked institutions.
If they want more American professors (which I do too actually) then...uh...use DEI efforts?
They publish more and get degrees from higher ranked institutions.
If they want more American professors (which I do too actually) then...uh...use DEI efforts?
I see this on the right - the idea that the existence of foreign academic staff and faculty are evidence of discrimination against natives. It's not discrimination, its selection: academia is a global marketplace, the US is the biggest center of that market. So yes, some foreign talent will win.
Striking nativist editorializing by the federal judge who just upheld the $100,000 tax on high-skill immigrants.
She opines that it’s “troubling” that universities hire talent from abroad at all, instead of only native grads.
Then admits (!) that opinion is irrelevant (So why write it? Venting?)
She opines that it’s “troubling” that universities hire talent from abroad at all, instead of only native grads.
Then admits (!) that opinion is irrelevant (So why write it? Venting?)
December 26, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Well it's certainly not discrimination... Indeed it is all about the thing conservatives love so much...narrow definitions of merit.
They publish more and get degrees from higher ranked institutions.
If they want more American professors (which I do too actually) then...uh...use DEI efforts?
They publish more and get degrees from higher ranked institutions.
If they want more American professors (which I do too actually) then...uh...use DEI efforts?
Diversity does not exclude historically overlooked groups, but includes them alongside historically platformed ones.
The best approaches won't assume these groups are currently equal in representation and compensate for that as they include as many as possible.
www.startribune.com/2026-reading...
The best approaches won't assume these groups are currently equal in representation and compensate for that as they include as many as possible.
www.startribune.com/2026-reading...
Opinion | You can’t be diverse if you exclude white men
Those year-end book lists that claim to be all about diversity often seem to miss this one major demographic, Annie Holmquist writes.
www.startribune.com
December 26, 2025 at 9:59 PM
Diversity does not exclude historically overlooked groups, but includes them alongside historically platformed ones.
The best approaches won't assume these groups are currently equal in representation and compensate for that as they include as many as possible.
www.startribune.com/2026-reading...
The best approaches won't assume these groups are currently equal in representation and compensate for that as they include as many as possible.
www.startribune.com/2026-reading...
I curse the black and brown kids who kept shoving this guy into lockers in middle school.
Now we have to live with the consequences.
Also who says third world now? What's the second?
Now we have to live with the consequences.
Also who says third world now? What's the second?
December 26, 2025 at 8:58 PM
I curse the black and brown kids who kept shoving this guy into lockers in middle school.
Now we have to live with the consequences.
Also who says third world now? What's the second?
Now we have to live with the consequences.
Also who says third world now? What's the second?
Reposted by Rod Graham (The Neighborhood Sociologist)
Guns n Roses being pro-Palestine is not something I would have expected
December 26, 2025 at 8:48 PM
Guns n Roses being pro-Palestine is not something I would have expected
The visuals in most Ken Burn's documentaries can be reduced to a camera zooming in on a photo or painting.
As such, I find it almost better to listen to it as a podcast and use my imagination.
As such, I find it almost better to listen to it as a podcast and use my imagination.
December 26, 2025 at 7:52 PM
The visuals in most Ken Burn's documentaries can be reduced to a camera zooming in on a photo or painting.
As such, I find it almost better to listen to it as a podcast and use my imagination.
As such, I find it almost better to listen to it as a podcast and use my imagination.
There is a money problem in baseball.
Commentators say owners in small markets should spend more money, but to what end?
Pirates spend 100 Mil...OK Mets spend 101 mil. Race to the bottom.
As winning in baseball relies more and more on how much money you can spend, it loses something.
Commentators say owners in small markets should spend more money, but to what end?
Pirates spend 100 Mil...OK Mets spend 101 mil. Race to the bottom.
As winning in baseball relies more and more on how much money you can spend, it loses something.
December 26, 2025 at 5:32 PM
There is a money problem in baseball.
Commentators say owners in small markets should spend more money, but to what end?
Pirates spend 100 Mil...OK Mets spend 101 mil. Race to the bottom.
As winning in baseball relies more and more on how much money you can spend, it loses something.
Commentators say owners in small markets should spend more money, but to what end?
Pirates spend 100 Mil...OK Mets spend 101 mil. Race to the bottom.
As winning in baseball relies more and more on how much money you can spend, it loses something.
This is a defining feature of our times.
People not in a context, uninformed and armed with "followers", influencing the decisions of the more informed people actually in that context. And so a tenured professor can be fired, if say, Libs of TikTok decided from her kitchen table to make it so.
1/
People not in a context, uninformed and armed with "followers", influencing the decisions of the more informed people actually in that context. And so a tenured professor can be fired, if say, Libs of TikTok decided from her kitchen table to make it so.
1/
“Went viral” is an old stock phrase in journalism that really does not capture the dynamic of how X dot Com has been tuned to give people like the one specific legislator here the power to intentionally cause this kind of outcome
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.
December 26, 2025 at 4:59 PM
This is a defining feature of our times.
People not in a context, uninformed and armed with "followers", influencing the decisions of the more informed people actually in that context. And so a tenured professor can be fired, if say, Libs of TikTok decided from her kitchen table to make it so.
1/
People not in a context, uninformed and armed with "followers", influencing the decisions of the more informed people actually in that context. And so a tenured professor can be fired, if say, Libs of TikTok decided from her kitchen table to make it so.
1/