Sarah Parkinson
@separkinson.bsky.social
Political scientist at Johns Hopkins. MENA/SWANA, disasters, political violence, ethics, humanitarian crises, & qual methods. Wrote a book about Palestinian org evolution & social change in wartime Lebanon: http://bit.ly/3VEw64B. EMT. Opinions my own.
Pinned
Sarah Parkinson
@separkinson.bsky.social
· Jun 24
"In an era of media fatigue, Andor provides a useful vehicle to think seriously about what it means and takes to challenge power and offers realistic scenarios to consider the moral imperatives involved."
If you think Andor is irrelevant to current politics, you aren't paying attention to either.
If you think Andor is irrelevant to current politics, you aren't paying attention to either.
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
Could argue the misogyny Summers expressed both publicly while president of Harvard and in emails to Epstein says more about the culture at our most elite institutions than any of the frontpage freakouts over academia in the past few years but hey
November 17, 2025 at 12:36 PM
Could argue the misogyny Summers expressed both publicly while president of Harvard and in emails to Epstein says more about the culture at our most elite institutions than any of the frontpage freakouts over academia in the past few years but hey
Le Due Torri going a little hard with the Minas Morgul cosplay tonight
November 16, 2025 at 10:00 PM
Le Due Torri going a little hard with the Minas Morgul cosplay tonight
Remember when we all thought Furbies were terrifying?
sts researchers: :spend decades tracing the way well-intentioned design choices constrained by culture, capital, and the material environment can have negative outcomes in aggregate:
ai companies: lets put a chatbot in a doll that tells kids to set fires
futurism.com/artificial-i...
ai companies: lets put a chatbot in a doll that tells kids to set fires
futurism.com/artificial-i...
AI-Powered Toys Caught Telling 5-Year-Olds How to Find Knives and Start Fires With Matches
AI-powered toys are flying off the shelves -- but they're engaging in horrifically inappropriate conversations with children.
futurism.com
November 16, 2025 at 8:54 AM
Remember when we all thought Furbies were terrifying?
Worth your read, great for understanding (& teaching) media literacy.
"if you have enough money to get somebody, anybody, to produce a white paper for you, which you can then put on some think-tank stationery? Then, my friend, you are ready to enter into the rushing current of elite reportage."
"if you have enough money to get somebody, anybody, to produce a white paper for you, which you can then put on some think-tank stationery? Then, my friend, you are ready to enter into the rushing current of elite reportage."
Maybe Don’t Talk to the New York Times About Zohran Mamdani
It’s remarkable, the people you’ll hear from. Teach for even a little while at an expensive institution—the term they tend to prefer is “elite”—and odds are that eventually someone who was a studen…
lithub.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Worth your read, great for understanding (& teaching) media literacy.
"if you have enough money to get somebody, anybody, to produce a white paper for you, which you can then put on some think-tank stationery? Then, my friend, you are ready to enter into the rushing current of elite reportage."
"if you have enough money to get somebody, anybody, to produce a white paper for you, which you can then put on some think-tank stationery? Then, my friend, you are ready to enter into the rushing current of elite reportage."
GBBO: Charming grandma from Essex innocently presents beaver cake, gentle laugher ensues
Bake Off Italia: Nonna sporting huge green glasses & speaking at at rate that suggests she's slammed 5 Monster energy drinks cajoles hosts to stir chocolate & unstick her plastic wrap, then throws plastic wrap
Bake Off Italia: Nonna sporting huge green glasses & speaking at at rate that suggests she's slammed 5 Monster energy drinks cajoles hosts to stir chocolate & unstick her plastic wrap, then throws plastic wrap
November 15, 2025 at 7:03 PM
GBBO: Charming grandma from Essex innocently presents beaver cake, gentle laugher ensues
Bake Off Italia: Nonna sporting huge green glasses & speaking at at rate that suggests she's slammed 5 Monster energy drinks cajoles hosts to stir chocolate & unstick her plastic wrap, then throws plastic wrap
Bake Off Italia: Nonna sporting huge green glasses & speaking at at rate that suggests she's slammed 5 Monster energy drinks cajoles hosts to stir chocolate & unstick her plastic wrap, then throws plastic wrap
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
Nuzzi's fawning coverage of the sociopathic conspiracy crank she was having an affair with aided his rise to political power, which he is using to perpetrate the worst intentional public health catastrophe of our unnecessarily shortened lifetimes, and THAT is the STORY.
November 15, 2025 at 12:18 PM
Nuzzi's fawning coverage of the sociopathic conspiracy crank she was having an affair with aided his rise to political power, which he is using to perpetrate the worst intentional public health catastrophe of our unnecessarily shortened lifetimes, and THAT is the STORY.
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
"Israel is breaching international law by continuing to impose restrictions on aid flows into Gaza, where the population remains critically short of food and life-saving goods as winter sets in"
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
Israel breaching international law by limiting Gaza aid, says Unrwa official
Natalie Boucly says supplies are ready but only about half of what is needed is getting into territory
www.theguardian.com
November 15, 2025 at 12:22 PM
"Israel is breaching international law by continuing to impose restrictions on aid flows into Gaza, where the population remains critically short of food and life-saving goods as winter sets in"
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
www.theguardian.com/world/2025/n...
The act "would deny federal funding to any U.S. scientist who collaborates with anyone “affiliated with a hostile foreign entity,” a category that includes four countries: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea."
The Chronicle noted in June that there are 12,500 Iranian grad students in the US.
The Chronicle noted in June that there are 12,500 Iranian grad students in the US.
“The prohibited activities would include joint research, co-authorship on papers, and advising a foreign graduate student or postdoctoral fellow. The language is retroactive, meaning any interactions during the previous 5 years could make a scientist ineligible for future federal funding.”
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 10:59 AM
The act "would deny federal funding to any U.S. scientist who collaborates with anyone “affiliated with a hostile foreign entity,” a category that includes four countries: China, Russia, Iran, and North Korea."
The Chronicle noted in June that there are 12,500 Iranian grad students in the US.
The Chronicle noted in June that there are 12,500 Iranian grad students in the US.
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
"Pro-Israel and right-wing advocacy organizations – including those without any campus presence – have driven the surge in antisemitism investigations; in at least 78% of the complaints we analyzed, such groups either represent complainants or act as complainants themselves."
AAUP/MESA Report: 'Most government investigations of antisemitism are prompted by complaints received from outside campuses... Of the 102 complaints filed with the Office of Civil Rights that the report analyzes, all but one focus on speech critical of Israel.'
www.aaup.org/news/new-rep...
www.aaup.org/news/new-rep...
New Report: Civil Rights Law Weaponized to Chill Speech
A report published today is the first systematic empirical study of government investigations and private lawsuits against US colleges and universities under Title VI of the 1964 Civil Rights Act.
www.aaup.org
November 12, 2025 at 1:51 PM
"Pro-Israel and right-wing advocacy organizations – including those without any campus presence – have driven the surge in antisemitism investigations; in at least 78% of the complaints we analyzed, such groups either represent complainants or act as complainants themselves."
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
@aloner.bsky.social surveys the “systemic destruction” of Gaza’s cities—which some are calling “urbicide”.
“Rafah doesn’t exist. East Khan Younis doesn’t exist. East Gaza [City] doesn’t exist,” says Eyal Weizman from @forensicarchi.bsky.social.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
“Rafah doesn’t exist. East Khan Younis doesn’t exist. East Gaza [City] doesn’t exist,” says Eyal Weizman from @forensicarchi.bsky.social.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
How Gaza’s cities were destroyed
Israel has razed large parts of the Gaza Strip since the war began in October 2023. The evidence points to systemic destruction
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk
November 12, 2025 at 8:47 AM
@aloner.bsky.social surveys the “systemic destruction” of Gaza’s cities—which some are calling “urbicide”.
“Rafah doesn’t exist. East Khan Younis doesn’t exist. East Gaza [City] doesn’t exist,” says Eyal Weizman from @forensicarchi.bsky.social.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
“Rafah doesn’t exist. East Khan Younis doesn’t exist. East Gaza [City] doesn’t exist,” says Eyal Weizman from @forensicarchi.bsky.social.
www.prospectmagazine.co.uk/world/middle...
Hey, so, funny story about police and data...
November 10, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Hey, so, funny story about police and data...
A friend just texted me this WSJ article about Italian pasta disappearing from US stores due to 107% tariffs & followed up with: "This cannot be tolerated. This bitch is getting between the American people and their carbs. As John Paul Jones said, 'I have not yet begun to fight.'"
November 10, 2025 at 5:03 PM
A friend just texted me this WSJ article about Italian pasta disappearing from US stores due to 107% tariffs & followed up with: "This cannot be tolerated. This bitch is getting between the American people and their carbs. As John Paul Jones said, 'I have not yet begun to fight.'"
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
“… It is literally the same people. Club owner. Government. Football match. Bodies. The choice is simple. You either care or you don’t.”
Important piece by @barneyronay.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Important piece by @barneyronay.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Silence over Sudan: why do Manchester City’s owners get away with so much?
Two midweek matches in England had a backdrop of war and geopolitics, but only one drew large protests
www.theguardian.com
November 8, 2025 at 12:24 PM
“… It is literally the same people. Club owner. Government. Football match. Bodies. The choice is simple. You either care or you don’t.”
Important piece by @barneyronay.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Important piece by @barneyronay.bsky.social
www.theguardian.com/football/202...
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
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
Gyro
Sean Dunn, aka DC Sandwich Guy, speaks outside court after his not guilty verdict:
“I am so happy that justice prevails in spite of everything….
“That night I believe I was protecting the rights of immigrants…
Every life matters, no matter where you came from, no matter how you got here…”
“I am so happy that justice prevails in spite of everything….
“That night I believe I was protecting the rights of immigrants…
Every life matters, no matter where you came from, no matter how you got here…”
November 6, 2025 at 8:20 PM
Gyro
"officials claimed they now have the authority to bomb people who are merely “affiliated” with groups that Trump has designated as “narco-terrorists.”"
I remember Israel's Lavender program & have 2 immediate Qs:
1. Is AI is being used for target selection?
2. What degree of human oversight exists?
I remember Israel's Lavender program & have 2 immediate Qs:
1. Is AI is being used for target selection?
2. What degree of human oversight exists?
Trump Boat Bombings Worsen as New Horror Shakes Experts: “Alarm Bells”
Remember the Southern Command admiral who resigned two weeks ago? Hill Republicans haven’t heard from him—and they don’t apparently want to.
newrepublic.com
November 5, 2025 at 7:17 PM
"officials claimed they now have the authority to bomb people who are merely “affiliated” with groups that Trump has designated as “narco-terrorists.”"
I remember Israel's Lavender program & have 2 immediate Qs:
1. Is AI is being used for target selection?
2. What degree of human oversight exists?
I remember Israel's Lavender program & have 2 immediate Qs:
1. Is AI is being used for target selection?
2. What degree of human oversight exists?
Timeline cleanse: Austria isn’t real
(No filter, no editing, taken out of a train window)
(No filter, no editing, taken out of a train window)
November 4, 2025 at 11:31 PM
Timeline cleanse: Austria isn’t real
(No filter, no editing, taken out of a train window)
(No filter, no editing, taken out of a train window)
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
When you book a flight through major travel sites, a data broker owned by U.S. airlines will sell details about your flight—your name, credit card used, and where you’re flying to the government.
We found out how to opt-out of ARC selling your travel data. A guide:
www.404media.co/how-to-opt-o...
We found out how to opt-out of ARC selling your travel data. A guide:
www.404media.co/how-to-opt-o...
How to Opt-Out of Airlines Selling Your Travel Data to the Government
The Airlines Reporting Corporation (ARC), owned by major U.S. airlines, collects billions of ticketing records and sells them to the government to be searched without a warrant. I managed to opt-out…
www.404media.co
November 4, 2025 at 2:48 PM
When you book a flight through major travel sites, a data broker owned by U.S. airlines will sell details about your flight—your name, credit card used, and where you’re flying to the government.
We found out how to opt-out of ARC selling your travel data. A guide:
www.404media.co/how-to-opt-o...
We found out how to opt-out of ARC selling your travel data. A guide:
www.404media.co/how-to-opt-o...
“It’s not just that everyone wants to go to the hospital and then there’s no hospital. You bomb the hospital…people are less likely to want to go to a hospital. People are less likely to want to be health workers. It becomes a dangerous profession so less people do it…that has a generational impact”
How attacking healthcare has become a strategy of war
Gaza, Ukraine, and Sudan have put a spotlight on attacks on healthcare facilities and staff in conflict zones. The BMJ looks at the data, which seem to show a new strategy of war: removing civilians’ ...
www.bmj.com
November 3, 2025 at 11:31 AM
“It’s not just that everyone wants to go to the hospital and then there’s no hospital. You bomb the hospital…people are less likely to want to go to a hospital. People are less likely to want to be health workers. It becomes a dangerous profession so less people do it…that has a generational impact”
If you're trying to learn something a/b internal Palestinian politics beyond rote "Israel v. Palestine" media frames, potential pathways forward for Palestinians, & how/why they're being blocked, this is worth a read.
Why Marwan Barghouti’s shadow hangs over Palestine’s future
Locked away for decades, Marwan Barghouti could unite Palestinian politics and energise the drive for statehood, which is why Israel sees him as such a threat
www.newarab.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:32 AM
If you're trying to learn something a/b internal Palestinian politics beyond rote "Israel v. Palestine" media frames, potential pathways forward for Palestinians, & how/why they're being blocked, this is worth a read.
Finding: lack of reliability w/ LLM data annotation
Scholars have already questioned underlying assumptions & data quality in many human-coded datasets. LLMs intro new sources of unreliability & bias
It still matters what material you're giving the human coders or the LLM & how you understand it
Scholars have already questioned underlying assumptions & data quality in many human-coded datasets. LLMs intro new sources of unreliability & bias
It still matters what material you're giving the human coders or the LLM & how you understand it
New paper: LLMs are increasingly used to label data in political science. But how reliable are these annotations, and what are the consequences for scientific findings? What are best practices? Some new findings from a large empirical evaluation.
Paper: eddieyang.net/research/llm_annotation.pdf
Paper: eddieyang.net/research/llm_annotation.pdf
October 27, 2025 at 9:06 AM
Finding: lack of reliability w/ LLM data annotation
Scholars have already questioned underlying assumptions & data quality in many human-coded datasets. LLMs intro new sources of unreliability & bias
It still matters what material you're giving the human coders or the LLM & how you understand it
Scholars have already questioned underlying assumptions & data quality in many human-coded datasets. LLMs intro new sources of unreliability & bias
It still matters what material you're giving the human coders or the LLM & how you understand it
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
If I were running the DNC, there would be Democratic Party sponsored food relief banks across the country right now that specifically welcomed anyone regardless of party affiliation.
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
October 26, 2025 at 9:03 PM
If I were running the DNC, there would be Democratic Party sponsored food relief banks across the country right now that specifically welcomed anyone regardless of party affiliation.
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
Along with the food, there could be voter registration and links to runforsomething.net
People in the DMV have been hit hard by illegal & cruel gov't firings, RIFs, & now, the shutdown. People working for gov't contractors whose work is stopped usually don't get back pay.
USDA is refusing to use $6 billion in contingency funds to pay SNAP benefits.
We have to take care of each other
USDA is refusing to use $6 billion in contingency funds to pay SNAP benefits.
We have to take care of each other
October 26, 2025 at 9:46 PM
People in the DMV have been hit hard by illegal & cruel gov't firings, RIFs, & now, the shutdown. People working for gov't contractors whose work is stopped usually don't get back pay.
USDA is refusing to use $6 billion in contingency funds to pay SNAP benefits.
We have to take care of each other
USDA is refusing to use $6 billion in contingency funds to pay SNAP benefits.
We have to take care of each other
Reposted by Sarah Parkinson
I've been working with Demos to turn the Verification, Deliberation, and Accountability (VDA) Framework into a report that lays out how it can be used to diagnose the state of democracy and build solutions around building the capacity for those functions in institutional and public spaces.
🧵 Across the world, democracy isn’t just under pressure, it’s facing epistemic collapse: a breakdown in the shared ability to know what’s true, to reason together and to hold power to account.
A new guest paper by @eliothiggins.bsky.social and @drnataliemartin.bsky.social explores how to fix it.
A new guest paper by @eliothiggins.bsky.social and @drnataliemartin.bsky.social explores how to fix it.
Verification, Deliberation, Accountability: A new framework for tackling epistemic collapse and renewing democracy
Demos is Britain’s leading cross-party think-tank. We produce original research, publish innovative thinkers and host thought-provoking events.
demos.co.uk
October 22, 2025 at 12:53 PM
I've been working with Demos to turn the Verification, Deliberation, and Accountability (VDA) Framework into a report that lays out how it can be used to diagnose the state of democracy and build solutions around building the capacity for those functions in institutional and public spaces.