Skeptibrarian
@skeptibrarian.bsky.social
Expat-alachian information professional, enjoying West Coast vibes now. ❤️ scholcomm and medlibs the most. Canine chaperone, fiber crafter, and fretter.
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
This just shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how to do news. Data helps, but data doesn’t tell a reporter to spend a years-long investigation into child labor or an editor to place staff in a country on the brink of war. What exactly does Bezos think WaPo’s “journalistic mission” is?
Jeff Bezos' statement, his first since last week's layoffs: "The Post has an essential journalistic mission and an extraordinary opportunity. Each and every day our readers give us a roadmap to success. The data tells us what is valuable and where to focus."
February 8, 2026 at 12:39 AM
This just shows a fundamental misunderstanding of how to do news. Data helps, but data doesn’t tell a reporter to spend a years-long investigation into child labor or an editor to place staff in a country on the brink of war. What exactly does Bezos think WaPo’s “journalistic mission” is?
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
"Academic staff aren’t included in recognition systems, so their work remains invisible; faculty don’t see them being recognized, so assume no significant intellectual work is happening; this assumption justifies continued cultural and structural exclusion."
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
Academic Staff Expertise Is Largely Invisible (opinion)
Universities are set up to recognize classification, not contribution—rendering the intellectual contributions of academic staff largely invisible.
www.insidehighered.com
February 6, 2026 at 4:03 AM
"Academic staff aren’t included in recognition systems, so their work remains invisible; faculty don’t see them being recognized, so assume no significant intellectual work is happening; this assumption justifies continued cultural and structural exclusion."
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
www.insidehighered.com/opinion/care...
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
hey remember when I got shit on for years for trying to warn people that GamerGate was just Nazis and not just about harassing women and not just about some “consumer revolt”
The Epstein files reveal what powerful people see in video games: profit, coercion, and control
aftermath.site/jeffrey-epstei...
aftermath.site/jeffrey-epstei...
February 3, 2026 at 9:47 PM
hey remember when I got shit on for years for trying to warn people that GamerGate was just Nazis and not just about harassing women and not just about some “consumer revolt”
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
People seem to have forgotten that the establishment of Homeland Security was highly controversial as it was seen as a danger to democracy. It was feared that it would one day be used AGAINST the American people. And here we are.
Tin soldiers and HOMELAND coming
We’re finally on our own
Tin soldiers and HOMELAND coming
We’re finally on our own
January 26, 2026 at 11:16 PM
People seem to have forgotten that the establishment of Homeland Security was highly controversial as it was seen as a danger to democracy. It was feared that it would one day be used AGAINST the American people. And here we are.
Tin soldiers and HOMELAND coming
We’re finally on our own
Tin soldiers and HOMELAND coming
We’re finally on our own
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
I will simply never recover from reading this sentence:
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
Today, Luke Farrell (@lukef.bsky.social) explains how complex eligibility requirements have turned America’s safety net into a lucrative revenue stream for monopolistic private contractors.
The Means-Testing Industrial Complex
As Republicans tightened work requirements and eligibility rules for Medicaid and SNAP last year, Equifax’s CEO openly celebrated the profits to be made from administering this deprivation.
lpeproject.org
January 28, 2026 at 4:33 PM
I will simply never recover from reading this sentence:
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
"Since Georgia implemented work requirements in 2020, they have spent twice as much on Deloitte consultants and administrative costs as on healthcare for people."
Well kids, today we’ve learned that the statute of limitations on cough suppressants is somewhere <10 years.
January 29, 2026 at 12:36 AM
Well kids, today we’ve learned that the statute of limitations on cough suppressants is somewhere <10 years.
Imagine, someone working for Palantir just now wondering if they’re the baddies. This illustrates so perfectly why techheads need the liberal arts and a formative training in ethics
“In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this,” one worker wrote on Slack. www.wired.com/story/palant...
Palantir Defends Work With ICE to Staff Following Killing of Alex Pretti
“In my opinion ICE are the bad guys. I am not proud that the company I enjoy so much working for is part of this,” one worker wrote on Slack.
www.wired.com
January 26, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Imagine, someone working for Palantir just now wondering if they’re the baddies. This illustrates so perfectly why techheads need the liberal arts and a formative training in ethics
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
I actually think it's pretty easy to explain.
Younger people didn't buy into an older neoliberal elite's prejudices, the older neoliberal elite absolutely lost their shit at the notion that they might be called on to change, and fascists exploited that reactionary moment
Younger people didn't buy into an older neoliberal elite's prejudices, the older neoliberal elite absolutely lost their shit at the notion that they might be called on to change, and fascists exploited that reactionary moment
Years from now, it'll be difficult to explain the things people in media were wailing about before all this. Sophomores writing underconsidered op-eds about cultural appropriation. Protests against demagogues on campus. YA drama. "Mobs" on Twitter. These were the threats to free society.
January 25, 2026 at 3:49 PM
I actually think it's pretty easy to explain.
Younger people didn't buy into an older neoliberal elite's prejudices, the older neoliberal elite absolutely lost their shit at the notion that they might be called on to change, and fascists exploited that reactionary moment
Younger people didn't buy into an older neoliberal elite's prejudices, the older neoliberal elite absolutely lost their shit at the notion that they might be called on to change, and fascists exploited that reactionary moment
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
January 25, 2026 at 12:43 AM
Kare 11 local news just read, in full, this statement from Michael and Susan Pretti, the parents of Alex Pretti.
"Please get the truth out about our son."
"Please get the truth out about our son."
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
I guess I do think if you participated in the arrest of a five-year-old you are probably just fundamentally incompatible with society. That you are not a safe person for humanity to be around, generally
January 22, 2026 at 3:31 AM
I guess I do think if you participated in the arrest of a five-year-old you are probably just fundamentally incompatible with society. That you are not a safe person for humanity to be around, generally
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
I'll be giving the keynote speech tomorrow at a symposium on preserving democracy at the Japanese American National Museum. You can buy in person tickets or tickets for the Livestream here:
share.google/rgTRdTCKcAUP...
share.google/rgTRdTCKcAUP...
Echoes of History: Inspiring Civic Action and Building Democracy | Japanese American National Museum
Join the Democracy Center at JANM and meet the thinkers, artists, organizers, and civic leaders confronting authoritarianism today. Hear from keynote speakers Agnès Callamard of Amnesty International,...
share.google
January 23, 2026 at 2:19 AM
I'll be giving the keynote speech tomorrow at a symposium on preserving democracy at the Japanese American National Museum. You can buy in person tickets or tickets for the Livestream here:
share.google/rgTRdTCKcAUP...
share.google/rgTRdTCKcAUP...
Please read this for a little bit of hope
I came to Minneapolis to report on what's going on, and one of the main questions I showed up with is "just what is the scale of the resistance?" After all, we're all used to the news calling Portland a "war zone" or whatever when it's just some protests in one part of town.
January 22, 2026 at 5:29 AM
Please read this for a little bit of hope
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
This guy went to work today, put a mask on, kidnapped a 5 year old child, and then used him as bait so both he and his father could be sent behind bars
January 22, 2026 at 2:13 AM
This guy went to work today, put a mask on, kidnapped a 5 year old child, and then used him as bait so both he and his father could be sent behind bars
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
A five-year-old boy seized on his way home in Minnesota and now locked up in Texas. His family didn't know where he was for 24 hours.
January 21, 2026 at 11:36 PM
A five-year-old boy seized on his way home in Minnesota and now locked up in Texas. His family didn't know where he was for 24 hours.
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
Here’s pt. 2 of Better Offline’s 4-part Better Offline Enshittifinancial Crisis: I walk you through how AMD, Broadcom and NVIDIA are swindling stockholders with the help of analysts and the media - and the existential threat to VC from AI.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Linktr.ee/betteroffline
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Linktr.ee/betteroffline
The Enshittifinancial Crisis: Part Two
Podcast Episode · Better Offline · 01/21/2026 · 44m
podcasts.apple.com
January 21, 2026 at 5:44 AM
Here’s pt. 2 of Better Offline’s 4-part Better Offline Enshittifinancial Crisis: I walk you through how AMD, Broadcom and NVIDIA are swindling stockholders with the help of analysts and the media - and the existential threat to VC from AI.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Linktr.ee/betteroffline
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/b...
Linktr.ee/betteroffline
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
Every time a Democrat says they understand why parents are concerned about pronouns or trans girls playing sports or whatever the fuck, they are campaigning for the party that will deliver on the affirmed “good“ that is transphobia
January 21, 2026 at 2:05 AM
Every time a Democrat says they understand why parents are concerned about pronouns or trans girls playing sports or whatever the fuck, they are campaigning for the party that will deliver on the affirmed “good“ that is transphobia
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
🚨"I'm a nurse...my brown patients are choosing to stop chemo because they do not want to be abducted." -ICE protester tells JT Cestkowski about sick Minnesotans foregoing cancer treatment because of ICE terror. LIVE NOW ⬇️
January 19, 2026 at 11:12 PM
🚨"I'm a nurse...my brown patients are choosing to stop chemo because they do not want to be abducted." -ICE protester tells JT Cestkowski about sick Minnesotans foregoing cancer treatment because of ICE terror. LIVE NOW ⬇️
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
Premium Newsletter: The comparisons between the AI bubble and the Dot Com bubble don’t make sense, because what’s coming will be far, far worse. GPUs are not fiber, AI startups are all worse businesses than Pets.com, and the crash threatens a global contagion.
www.wheresyoured.at/dot-com-bubble/
www.wheresyoured.at/dot-com-bubble/
Premium: This Is Worse Than The Dot Com Bubble
Soundtrack - Radiohead - Karma Police
I just spent a week at the Consumer Electronics Show, and one word kept coming up: bullshit.
LG, a company known for making home appliances and televisions, de...
www.wheresyoured.at
January 16, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Premium Newsletter: The comparisons between the AI bubble and the Dot Com bubble don’t make sense, because what’s coming will be far, far worse. GPUs are not fiber, AI startups are all worse businesses than Pets.com, and the crash threatens a global contagion.
www.wheresyoured.at/dot-com-bubble/
www.wheresyoured.at/dot-com-bubble/
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
Maybe @cnn.com should be airing this video instead of copaganda
“They chased him, he got home and when we closed the door they shot him.”
MN orgs/electeds say👇🏽this is the family calling the police with ICE outside, after a man was shot in the leg with a pregnant woman & child inside
Different than DHS’ shovel story: www.instagram.com/reel/DThEdD8...
MN orgs/electeds say👇🏽this is the family calling the police with ICE outside, after a man was shot in the leg with a pregnant woman & child inside
Different than DHS’ shovel story: www.instagram.com/reel/DThEdD8...
January 15, 2026 at 5:01 AM
Maybe @cnn.com should be airing this video instead of copaganda
Some really useful tips here.
1/2 New to protesting? To the advice from NAACP.org I add
Eat a decent meal before you go
Drink water throughout
Wear comfortable shoes you can run in, double knot if laced
Someone offsite needs to know where you will be, your full legal name & DOB, emergency contacts in case of arrest or injury
Eat a decent meal before you go
Drink water throughout
Wear comfortable shoes you can run in, double knot if laced
Someone offsite needs to know where you will be, your full legal name & DOB, emergency contacts in case of arrest or injury
January 14, 2026 at 6:52 PM
Some really useful tips here.
Witnessed my first skunking tonight, and no matter how bad I imagined it would be, it’s 1000 times worse. My nose hairs may never recover. (Not even my dog: crashed at a friend’s after a comedy show in the city.)
January 14, 2026 at 11:41 AM
Witnessed my first skunking tonight, and no matter how bad I imagined it would be, it’s 1000 times worse. My nose hairs may never recover. (Not even my dog: crashed at a friend’s after a comedy show in the city.)
Reposted by Skeptibrarian
Ken Klippenstein managing to do more actual journalism with a Substack, a Signal account, and not much else than the entire staff of the NYT and WaPo put together is incredibly depressing
Leaked documents about ICE deployment to Minneapolis suggests they're more worried about the backlash to Renee Good's death than they're letting on:
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/immigratio...
www.kenklippenstein.com/p/immigratio...
Immigration Agents Terrified by ICE Backlash
Leaked documents show Border Patrol needs volunteers for Minneapolis surge
www.kenklippenstein.com
January 13, 2026 at 12:38 AM
Ken Klippenstein managing to do more actual journalism with a Substack, a Signal account, and not much else than the entire staff of the NYT and WaPo put together is incredibly depressing