Sam
@sltrmn.bsky.social
physics phd student in quantum information • lead steward, tufts university grad workers union (seiu 509) • this is not a "professional" account • they/them
Bill Wooters is legitimately the kindest man I've ever met. Just an absolute delight to be around, and a brilliant physicist.
Right, enough of James Watson - who's a senior academic you've met who's been an utter delight?
I'll go first: Jocelyn Bell Burnell
I'll go first: Jocelyn Bell Burnell
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 AM
Bill Wooters is legitimately the kindest man I've ever met. Just an absolute delight to be around, and a brilliant physicist.
Reposted by Sam
Campaign finance data is now available for Somerville ballot question 3. I was interested that the anti-ballot group running the campaign "Focus on Somerville" raised so much money from outside Somerville. They can tell Somerville what to do, but we can't care about broader issues?
October 30, 2025 at 12:57 AM
Campaign finance data is now available for Somerville ballot question 3. I was interested that the anti-ballot group running the campaign "Focus on Somerville" raised so much money from outside Somerville. They can tell Somerville what to do, but we can't care about broader issues?
Reposted by Sam
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Harvard FAS Cuts Ph.D. Seats By More Than Half Across Next Two Admissions Cycles | News | The Harvard Crimson
The Faculty of Arts and Sciences slashed the number of Ph.D. student admissions slots for the Science division by more than 75 percent and for the Arts & Humanities division by about 60 percent for th...
www.thecrimson.com
October 21, 2025 at 5:11 PM
Wow. Harvard nuking its PhD programs
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
- Science PhD admissions reduced by more than 75%
- Arts & Humanities reduced by about 60%
- Social Sciences by 50–70%
- History by 60%
- Biology by 75%
- The German department will lose all PhD seats
- Sociology from six PhD students to zero
Reposted by Sam
This was a clever troll of congressman Seth Moulton, who also spoke. Moulton is challenging Markey for the senate seat. Crowd loved to see Ed and people were shouting at and booing Moulton.
October 18, 2025 at 11:37 PM
This was a clever troll of congressman Seth Moulton, who also spoke. Moulton is challenging Markey for the senate seat. Crowd loved to see Ed and people were shouting at and booing Moulton.
Reposted by Sam
Fenway Health cutting off access to medical treatment for trans youth is shameful and unnecessary. There is no need for this.
Cis folks, please use these numbers below to tell Fenway and the AG what you think about abandoning trans youth.
Cis folks, please use these numbers below to tell Fenway and the AG what you think about abandoning trans youth.
Let them know what you think.
Gov. Healey: 617-725-4005
AG Campbell: 617-727-2200
Fenway: 617-267-0900
cis Bostonians specifically, we need you to step up. I'm already seeing my local trans circles raise hell about this, but we need you, too. I wrote a phone script. Use it and spread it:
Gov. Healey: 617-725-4005
AG Campbell: 617-727-2200
Fenway: 617-267-0900
cis Bostonians specifically, we need you to step up. I'm already seeing my local trans circles raise hell about this, but we need you, too. I wrote a phone script. Use it and spread it:
October 14, 2025 at 6:36 PM
Fenway Health cutting off access to medical treatment for trans youth is shameful and unnecessary. There is no need for this.
Cis folks, please use these numbers below to tell Fenway and the AG what you think about abandoning trans youth.
Cis folks, please use these numbers below to tell Fenway and the AG what you think about abandoning trans youth.
Reposted by Sam
PRA's @fredclarkson.bsky.social speaks with @jodi-enda.bsky.social in @msmagazine.com about the New Apostolic Reformation movement's link to the killing of Melissa and Mark Hortman. Learn more in this four-part series on the rise in anti-abortion violence under Trump: msmagazine.com/2025/09/18/r....
'Dad Went to War': The Radical Faith Behind the Minnesota Assassinations
The killing of Melissa and Mark Hortman highlights the danger of radicalized religion and America’s escalating antiabortion violence.
msmagazine.com
October 2, 2025 at 6:25 PM
PRA's @fredclarkson.bsky.social speaks with @jodi-enda.bsky.social in @msmagazine.com about the New Apostolic Reformation movement's link to the killing of Melissa and Mark Hortman. Learn more in this four-part series on the rise in anti-abortion violence under Trump: msmagazine.com/2025/09/18/r....
October 2, 2025 at 6:45 PM
Reposted by Sam
One reason to support @aaup.org in this case is that they are not Harvard the institution, even as they are defending Harvard faculty and student rights. AAUP will not stop if the administration and Harvard leadership come to an agreement that still undercuts those rights.
BREAKING: WE WON!!!
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
💥 💥 💥
Federal Judge William G. Young ruled today in our lawsuit against the Trump administration that the policy of arresting, detaining, & deporting noncitizen students & faculty members for their pro-Palestinian advocacy violates the 1st Amendment.
Full ruling here:
Findings of Fact & Conclusions of Law – #261 in American Association of University Professors v. Rubio (D. Mass., 1:25-cv-10685) – CourtListener.com
Judge William G. Young: ORDER entered. FINDINGS OF FACT AND RULINGS OF LAW, PURSUANT TO FED. R. CIV. P. 52(A)(Sonnenberg, Elizabeth) (Additional attachment(s) added on 9/30/2025: # 1 Main Document) (J...
www.courtlistener.com
September 30, 2025 at 5:49 PM
One reason to support @aaup.org in this case is that they are not Harvard the institution, even as they are defending Harvard faculty and student rights. AAUP will not stop if the administration and Harvard leadership come to an agreement that still undercuts those rights.
Reposted by Sam
I cannot tell you how grim the AI in higher ed situation is. Many of the students have completely surrendered to letting AI do their homework, badly, I might add. How do you fix this? Truly, what the hell do we do, beyond what grading can address, which isn't a solution?
September 22, 2025 at 4:59 PM
I cannot tell you how grim the AI in higher ed situation is. Many of the students have completely surrendered to letting AI do their homework, badly, I might add. How do you fix this? Truly, what the hell do we do, beyond what grading can address, which isn't a solution?
Reposted by Sam
I would love to name names! The SMFA at Tufts (art school), after months of contract negotiations, is still refusing to pay visa expedition fees for international faculty as a matter of policy.
More about what faculty are facing & how folks can help fight back: link.seiu509.org/savetheSMFA
More about what faculty are facing & how folks can help fight back: link.seiu509.org/savetheSMFA
September 22, 2025 at 10:43 PM
I would love to name names! The SMFA at Tufts (art school), after months of contract negotiations, is still refusing to pay visa expedition fees for international faculty as a matter of policy.
More about what faculty are facing & how folks can help fight back: link.seiu509.org/savetheSMFA
More about what faculty are facing & how folks can help fight back: link.seiu509.org/savetheSMFA
Reposted by Sam
another case of people reading a headline and either not reading or misreading an article. the actual reporting does not say anything like "all trans people are being classified as terrorists"
i understand why people are scared. i also feel like reading comprehension is at an all time low
i understand why people are scared. i also feel like reading comprehension is at an all time low
September 19, 2025 at 7:49 PM
another case of people reading a headline and either not reading or misreading an article. the actual reporting does not say anything like "all trans people are being classified as terrorists"
i understand why people are scared. i also feel like reading comprehension is at an all time low
i understand why people are scared. i also feel like reading comprehension is at an all time low
Reposted by Sam
*watching innocent people rapidly acquire the cursed knowledge that has driven me to madness* oh no
September 12, 2025 at 7:52 PM
*watching innocent people rapidly acquire the cursed knowledge that has driven me to madness* oh no
Reposted by Sam
Anecdotal, but: trust in Dem politicians who aren't pro-union is also crumbling.
Pro-union means more than paying lip service to working people. It means making policy that supports them & not slashing gov't budgets for essential services for & staffed by the working class.
Happy Labor Day!
Pro-union means more than paying lip service to working people. It means making policy that supports them & not slashing gov't budgets for essential services for & staffed by the working class.
Happy Labor Day!
Trust for labor unions is 20 points higher than trust for either the Democratic or Republican party.
September 1, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Anecdotal, but: trust in Dem politicians who aren't pro-union is also crumbling.
Pro-union means more than paying lip service to working people. It means making policy that supports them & not slashing gov't budgets for essential services for & staffed by the working class.
Happy Labor Day!
Pro-union means more than paying lip service to working people. It means making policy that supports them & not slashing gov't budgets for essential services for & staffed by the working class.
Happy Labor Day!
Reposted by Sam
Entire group of feds couldn't outrun this lollygagger. Slow ass drunken polo ad boater out for a jog vs four FBI agents in urban tactical uniforms
August 12, 2025 at 12:32 AM
Entire group of feds couldn't outrun this lollygagger. Slow ass drunken polo ad boater out for a jog vs four FBI agents in urban tactical uniforms
Reposted by Sam
We've had a perfect experiment in ending rent control: Massachusetts abolished it in the early 2000s.
Rent in Boston did not go down at all, and in fact kept shooting upward. All that happened was working people being driven from their longtime homes.
Rent in Boston did not go down at all, and in fact kept shooting upward. All that happened was working people being driven from their longtime homes.
August 9, 2025 at 9:26 PM
We've had a perfect experiment in ending rent control: Massachusetts abolished it in the early 2000s.
Rent in Boston did not go down at all, and in fact kept shooting upward. All that happened was working people being driven from their longtime homes.
Rent in Boston did not go down at all, and in fact kept shooting upward. All that happened was working people being driven from their longtime homes.
Reposted by Sam
LAPD fucked us all up, multiple journos bloodied, aggressive push, video when able
August 9, 2025 at 4:07 AM
LAPD fucked us all up, multiple journos bloodied, aggressive push, video when able
Reposted by Sam
"Mr. Mamdani’s Jewish supporters said they resented the implication that they should back a candidate for local office based on how strongly that candidate supported the Israeli government." www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/n...
Many Jewish Voters Back Mamdani. And Many Agree With Him on Gaza.
www.nytimes.com
August 4, 2025 at 1:01 PM
"Mr. Mamdani’s Jewish supporters said they resented the implication that they should back a candidate for local office based on how strongly that candidate supported the Israeli government." www.nytimes.com/2025/08/04/n...
Reposted by Sam
Not for nothing I think this is precisely why @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social’s encouragement to find people who are DOING something rather than telling you to BELIEVE something is pretty right on. Tenant, rank and file worker, pro-Palestine, etc organizers are on the move & seeing real opportunity.
August 3, 2025 at 1:16 PM
Not for nothing I think this is precisely why @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social’s encouragement to find people who are DOING something rather than telling you to BELIEVE something is pretty right on. Tenant, rank and file worker, pro-Palestine, etc organizers are on the move & seeing real opportunity.
Reposted by Sam
you absolutely cannot cross the nonbinary farmer's market workers, they run those stalls all up and down the east coast. only bigger mistake you can make is insulting the mushroom farm trans femme which is basically a death sentence
Wait, the cops were trying to make sure Dershowitz didn’t misgender anyone 😭
August 1, 2025 at 4:03 AM
you absolutely cannot cross the nonbinary farmer's market workers, they run those stalls all up and down the east coast. only bigger mistake you can make is insulting the mushroom farm trans femme which is basically a death sentence
Reposted by Sam
If you want a weird but true fact to talk about:
Dexter Holland, lead singer of The Offspring, was instrumental in this. His doctorial thesis in molecular biology was sequencing mRNA in HIV. The paper was also heavily cited in creating the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dexter Holland, lead singer of The Offspring, was instrumental in this. His doctorial thesis in molecular biology was sequencing mRNA in HIV. The paper was also heavily cited in creating the COVID-19 vaccine.
It feels like we should be making a bigger deal of “we actually did in fact find a cure for AIDS”
Evidence is growing that some HIV-infected infants, if given antiretroviral drugs early in life, are able to suppress their viral loads to undetectable levels and then come off the medicine. www.wired.com/story/the-fi...
August 1, 2025 at 1:53 PM
If you want a weird but true fact to talk about:
Dexter Holland, lead singer of The Offspring, was instrumental in this. His doctorial thesis in molecular biology was sequencing mRNA in HIV. The paper was also heavily cited in creating the COVID-19 vaccine.
Dexter Holland, lead singer of The Offspring, was instrumental in this. His doctorial thesis in molecular biology was sequencing mRNA in HIV. The paper was also heavily cited in creating the COVID-19 vaccine.
Reposted by Sam
fellas, i am gonna be rectify this. the keys:
1- gotta look good, so engage in preening
2- need to be a provider, so gather nesting materials
3- to get her attention, point your beak at her
4- gotta be healthy, so raise up one foot to show it’s vibrant blue color, the lower it and raise the other
1- gotta look good, so engage in preening
2- need to be a provider, so gather nesting materials
3- to get her attention, point your beak at her
4- gotta be healthy, so raise up one foot to show it’s vibrant blue color, the lower it and raise the other
The left is completely silent on the subject of men getting laid - which, generally speaking, they are v.interested in doing and will continue to be interested in regardless of whether progressives want to talk about it. So the stage has been left entirely clear for the far-right.
August 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM
fellas, i am gonna be rectify this. the keys:
1- gotta look good, so engage in preening
2- need to be a provider, so gather nesting materials
3- to get her attention, point your beak at her
4- gotta be healthy, so raise up one foot to show it’s vibrant blue color, the lower it and raise the other
1- gotta look good, so engage in preening
2- need to be a provider, so gather nesting materials
3- to get her attention, point your beak at her
4- gotta be healthy, so raise up one foot to show it’s vibrant blue color, the lower it and raise the other
Another one for my "SEIU is the most important union in the US" file
August 1, 2025 at 2:38 PM
Another one for my "SEIU is the most important union in the US" file
Reposted by Sam
I’m super annoyed by how much press Avi Loeb’s latest bit is getting
It’s not aliens, no one agrees with him, and he’s only getting this attention because he’s a Harvard professor
It’s not aliens, no one agrees with him, and he’s only getting this attention because he’s a Harvard professor
July 30, 2025 at 5:19 PM
I’m super annoyed by how much press Avi Loeb’s latest bit is getting
It’s not aliens, no one agrees with him, and he’s only getting this attention because he’s a Harvard professor
It’s not aliens, no one agrees with him, and he’s only getting this attention because he’s a Harvard professor
Reposted by Sam
These three paragraphs are so spot on
July 30, 2025 at 12:28 AM
These three paragraphs are so spot on