Abigail Modaff
@abigailmodaff.bsky.social
American historian working on a book about women’s book clubs. All posts my own, not my employer’s.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
Impossible how good reading is. You mean I just point my face at the paper for a bit and it does a whole update on my brain?
November 23, 2025 at 1:52 PM
Impossible how good reading is. You mean I just point my face at the paper for a bit and it does a whole update on my brain?
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
I Set A Trap To Catch My Students Cheating With AI. The Results Were Shocking.
"Students are not just undermining their ability to learn, but to someday lead."
www.huffpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 12:22 AM
To “my students and to anyone who might listen, I say: Don’t surrender to AI your ability to read, write and think when others once risked their lives and died for the freedom to do so.”
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
www.huffpost.com/entry/histor...
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
This is terrible, that kind of information should only come from your refrigerator
Sales of AI-enabled teddy bear suspended after it gave advice on BDSM sex and where to find knives
Sales of AI-enabled teddy bear suspended after it gave advice on BDSM sex and where to find knives | CNN Business
Sales of an artificial intelligence-enabled plush toy have been suspended after it was found that it engaged in conversation around sexually explicit topics and offered potentially dangerous advice.
www.cnn.com
November 21, 2025 at 4:35 AM
This is terrible, that kind of information should only come from your refrigerator
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
i look at an opossum and i just feel like they relate
November 21, 2025 at 4:37 AM
i look at an opossum and i just feel like they relate
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
On this Trans Day of Remembrance, we remember the bright and courageous trans people whose lives were stolen by hatred. Their absence is felt across our city.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
November 20, 2025 at 4:57 PM
On this Trans Day of Remembrance, we remember the bright and courageous trans people whose lives were stolen by hatred. Their absence is felt across our city.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
We will honor them by building a New York where every trans person can live safely, fully and freely.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
The White House Intervened on Behalf of Accused Sex Trafficker Andrew Tate During a Federal Investigation
Federal authorities were chided for seizing electronic devices from Tate and his brother, and told to return them, records and interviews show. Experts said the intervention was highly inappropriate.
www.propublica.org
November 18, 2025 at 11:31 AM
NEW: When Andrew Tate landed in the US, Customs & Border Protection seized his electronic devices. But @propublica.org found that a White House official told DHS to return the devices, emphasizing that the request came from the White House.
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
By @robert-faturechi.bsky.social & Avi Asher-Schapiro
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
I’m not sure I see the logic in continuing to teach but stepping back from, like, making public appearances? The issue is with behavior while teaching. Why would it do anything to, like, step off the lecture circuit or whatever? That’s emphatically not the problem.
Larry Summers steps back from public commitments, ‘deeply ashamed’ by Epstein revelations
Larry Summers steps back from public commitments, ‘deeply ashamed’ by Epstein revelations
Emails revealed that Summers sought advice from Epstein on romantically pursuing a woman he referred to as his mentee.
dlvr.it
November 18, 2025 at 1:17 AM
I’m not sure I see the logic in continuing to teach but stepping back from, like, making public appearances? The issue is with behavior while teaching. Why would it do anything to, like, step off the lecture circuit or whatever? That’s emphatically not the problem.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
Online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has been getting noticeably less attention and follow-up from authorities, per NYT, as the DHS is overwhelmingly used for Stephen Miller’s immigration crusade
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
November 17, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Online child sexual abuse material (CSAM) has been getting noticeably less attention and follow-up from authorities, per NYT, as the DHS is overwhelmingly used for Stephen Miller’s immigration crusade
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/16/u...
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
I am trying to cancel my Hulu account by clicking "cancel subscription" on my account page and it just keeps reloading my account page. Everything is expensive and broken and there are no consequences for it
November 12, 2025 at 12:26 AM
I am trying to cancel my Hulu account by clicking "cancel subscription" on my account page and it just keeps reloading my account page. Everything is expensive and broken and there are no consequences for it
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
November 10, 2025 at 1:36 AM
My family has been without half our income for 40 days. It has been.. very hard.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
We are willing to feel that pain so people can have health care next year, or to undo these illegal recissions.
We are not willing to have been put through this for NOTHING.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
Also in case its not being mentioned in your feed, there is still a remaining vote for this and Somehow they didn't anticipate the outrage, so there's apparently some hesitation now.
If those were your senators, call them and don't stop. I will also be calling even though they arent mine
If those were your senators, call them and don't stop. I will also be calling even though they arent mine
Call the United States Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and they will connect you with your senator's office.
No matter how they voted last night, every one of them has a say in maintaining Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin as their caucus leaders. Every one of them is accountable here.
No matter how they voted last night, every one of them has a say in maintaining Chuck Schumer and Dick Durbin as their caucus leaders. Every one of them is accountable here.
November 10, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Also in case its not being mentioned in your feed, there is still a remaining vote for this and Somehow they didn't anticipate the outrage, so there's apparently some hesitation now.
If those were your senators, call them and don't stop. I will also be calling even though they arent mine
If those were your senators, call them and don't stop. I will also be calling even though they arent mine
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
November 9, 2025 at 5:26 PM
“I want you to understand what it is like to live in Chicago during this time.”
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
aphyr.com/posts/397-i-...
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
"When I picked up my granddaughter from the federal agents, she had a dirty diaper, a bruise on her face, and was developing a rash. She was exhausted and cried… My heart aches knowing this could happen to others, to my kids, or even me, despite being U.S. citizens.”
November 8, 2025 at 3:26 PM
"When I picked up my granddaughter from the federal agents, she had a dirty diaper, a bruise on her face, and was developing a rash. She was exhausted and cried… My heart aches knowing this could happen to others, to my kids, or even me, despite being U.S. citizens.”
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
This entire piece is very, very good and well worth your time to read — but this bit had me rolling
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
November 8, 2025 at 4:40 PM
This entire piece is very, very good and well worth your time to read — but this bit had me rolling
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
lithub.com/maybe-dont-t...
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
What people do not do, they often lose the ability to do. Which is sometimes fine! In my own life, I don’t have any great need to know how to do some of the math I once learned. But I don’t want to forget how to write.
November 8, 2025 at 12:47 PM
What people do not do, they often lose the ability to do. Which is sometimes fine! In my own life, I don’t have any great need to know how to do some of the math I once learned. But I don’t want to forget how to write.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
ICE has been seizing people in Allston. Boston area folks, spread the word about the LUCE hotline to report ICE sightings. And here's stickers you can print and put up anywhere:
Massachusetts folks: I made these stickers sharing LUCE's ICE hotline ☎️ 617-370-5023--they verify sightings and share confirmed info. Stickers fit 1"x2.6" label (Avery 5160). Image below or follow link for a full sheet. Print, stick every&anywhere. www.dropbox.com/scl/fi/7v098...
November 5, 2025 at 2:08 PM
ICE has been seizing people in Allston. Boston area folks, spread the word about the LUCE hotline to report ICE sightings. And here's stickers you can print and put up anywhere:
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
since chatgpt has coached another young person in a mental health crisis to their death, I am yet again tapping the sign
November 7, 2025 at 10:59 AM
since chatgpt has coached another young person in a mental health crisis to their death, I am yet again tapping the sign
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
Breaking News: Late last night Conde Nast illegally fired 4 union organizers who asked company execs to explain the downsizing of Teen Vogue and continued layoffs. We’ve filed a grievance.
November 6, 2025 at 6:23 PM
Breaking News: Late last night Conde Nast illegally fired 4 union organizers who asked company execs to explain the downsizing of Teen Vogue and continued layoffs. We’ve filed a grievance.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
I feel like this is an important aspect to emphasize, loudly, to everyone who endorsed Cuomo. they chose to side with a known sexual predator for personal gain and frankly that should be disqualifying for public office. you knew who he was and decided the women he hurt were acceptable losses
it's been a really bad long shitty time for people who care about victims of rape and sexual abuse, and those who've suffered it. drubbing someone who perpetrated it gleefully and believed he was entitled to power despite it is part of this.
November 5, 2025 at 2:59 AM
I feel like this is an important aspect to emphasize, loudly, to everyone who endorsed Cuomo. they chose to side with a known sexual predator for personal gain and frankly that should be disqualifying for public office. you knew who he was and decided the women he hurt were acceptable losses
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
this genuinely feels like a moment history books will look back on where the Democratic Party was forced to either fix its hearts or die
November 5, 2025 at 2:12 AM
this genuinely feels like a moment history books will look back on where the Democratic Party was forced to either fix its hearts or die
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
Every single county in Virginia shifted Blue.
November 5, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Every single county in Virginia shifted Blue.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
Earle-Sears ran what felt like 12 billion ads about how much she hated trans kids and I didn’t hear a single pundit say she should stick to real issues that affect real people.
WASHINGTON (AP) — Democrat Abigail Spanberger wins Virginia governor’s race.
November 5, 2025 at 1:12 AM
Earle-Sears ran what felt like 12 billion ads about how much she hated trans kids and I didn’t hear a single pundit say she should stick to real issues that affect real people.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
O'DONNELL: Americans have been watching videos of ICE tackling a young mother, tear gas being used in a Chicago residential neighborhood, and the smashing of car windows. Have some of these raids gone too far?
TRUMP: No. I think they haven't gone far enough.
TRUMP: No. I think they haven't gone far enough.
November 3, 2025 at 12:49 AM
O'DONNELL: Americans have been watching videos of ICE tackling a young mother, tear gas being used in a Chicago residential neighborhood, and the smashing of car windows. Have some of these raids gone too far?
TRUMP: No. I think they haven't gone far enough.
TRUMP: No. I think they haven't gone far enough.
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
Average anti-Bluesky op-ed: this app is solely an echo chamber for left-wing politics
Average Bluesky post: baseball has taken everything from me
Average Bluesky post: baseball has taken everything from me
November 2, 2025 at 4:28 AM
Average anti-Bluesky op-ed: this app is solely an echo chamber for left-wing politics
Average Bluesky post: baseball has taken everything from me
Average Bluesky post: baseball has taken everything from me
Reposted by Abigail Modaff
I need a cigarette and I don't smoke and I'm not a fan of either of these teams
November 2, 2025 at 3:39 AM
I need a cigarette and I don't smoke and I'm not a fan of either of these teams