Alondra Nelson
@alondra.bsky.social
Scholar, author, policy advisor
alondranelson.com
Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab
https://www.ias.edu/stsv-lab
alondranelson.com
Science, Technology, and Social Values Lab
https://www.ias.edu/stsv-lab
Pinned
Alondra Nelson
@alondra.bsky.social
· Sep 11
An ELSI for AI: Learning from genetics to govern algorithms
In the United States, the summer of 2025 will be remembered as artificial intelligence’s (AI’s) cruel summer—a season when the unheeded risks and dangers of AI became undeniably clear. Recent months h...
www.science.org
🧵 The summer of 2025 has been AI's "cruel summer"—wrongful deaths, dangerous therapy chatbots, medical misinformation, facial recognition failures. These aren't isolated glitches but predictable harms from systems deployed without adequate oversight. www.science.org/doi/10.1126/...
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
“One of the things that really gives me joy is the fact that there are so many amazing, brilliant, creative disabled people out there. But part of my rage — and it’s a very real rage — is that most people don’t really know about them.”
Obit:
Obit:
Alice Wong, Writer and Relentless Advocate for Disability Rights, Dies at 51
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 8:09 PM
“One of the things that really gives me joy is the fact that there are so many amazing, brilliant, creative disabled people out there. But part of my rage — and it’s a very real rage — is that most people don’t really know about them.”
Obit:
Obit:
👑
Sade releases her “Promise” LP 40 years ago today.
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
November 15, 2025 at 12:21 PM
👑
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Sade releases her “Promise” LP 40 years ago today.
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
November 15, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Sade releases her “Promise” LP 40 years ago today.
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
Of “Sweetest Taboo,” she said:
“.. It’s about a love that feels almost TOO good, the sort of feeling you don’t talk about because it makes you vulnerable. I like writing about that kind of emotion — the danger .. of loving someone that deeply.”
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Niles Spencer, City Walls, 1921/22
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134616
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134616
November 15, 2025 at 3:43 AM
Niles Spencer, City Walls, 1921/22
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134616
https://botfrens.com/collections/14377/contents/1134616
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
I, for one, welcome our new trash panda overlords.
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
City Raccoons Are Evolving to Look More Like Pets
City-dwelling raccoons seem to be evolving a shorter snout—a telltale feature of our pets and other domesticated animals
www.scientificamerican.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:27 PM
I, for one, welcome our new trash panda overlords.
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
But for real, fascinating science on how we might be seeing the very early stages of domestication in action in wild animals. 🧪
By @marinacoladas.bsky.social for @sciam.bsky.social
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Open AI loses copyright case in Germany.
Judge Elke Schwager summarized the case saying that if you want to build something and need components, "then you purchase them and do not use the property of others."
Judge Elke Schwager summarized the case saying that if you want to build something and need components, "then you purchase them and do not use the property of others."
Blow for OpenAI in Germany as court rules song lyrics used illegally
A German court ruled on Tuesday that OpenAI violated copyright on nine popular songs in a lawsuit that marked another attempt to prevent the free use of artists' content online. The Munich Regional Co...
www.yahoo.com
November 14, 2025 at 2:49 PM
Open AI loses copyright case in Germany.
Judge Elke Schwager summarized the case saying that if you want to build something and need components, "then you purchase them and do not use the property of others."
Judge Elke Schwager summarized the case saying that if you want to build something and need components, "then you purchase them and do not use the property of others."
“Many of the women say that they were pressured to have unwanted or unnecessary gynecological procedures while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
"They tried to shut me up by deporting me."
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
www.npr.org/2020/12/22/9...
Dozens Of Women Allege Unwanted Surgeries And Medical Abuse In ICE Custody
More women are coming forward to say they were pressured to have reproductive surgeries they did not want or understand, offering a glimpse into alleged medical abuses at an ICE detention center.
www.npr.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:11 AM
“Many of the women say that they were pressured to have unwanted or unnecessary gynecological procedures while in the custody of U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement”
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 14, 2025 at 11:55 PM
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
I found my new epitaph:
"I was accused more than once by some Board members and the Governor’s office of being stubborn. Perhaps I am. But stubborn and principled often look the same, especially to those who are unprincipled."
"I was accused more than once by some Board members and the Governor’s office of being stubborn. Perhaps I am. But stubborn and principled often look the same, especially to those who are unprincipled."
Former UVA president Jim Ryan, who resigned over the summer due to pressure from the Trump Administration, just shared this 12-page letter with the Faculty Senate, detailing his experience with the Board of Visitors and DOJ.
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
It's a surreal--and troubling--read.
drive.google.com/file/d/1Is6x...
November 14, 2025 at 8:07 PM
I found my new epitaph:
"I was accused more than once by some Board members and the Governor’s office of being stubborn. Perhaps I am. But stubborn and principled often look the same, especially to those who are unprincipled."
"I was accused more than once by some Board members and the Governor’s office of being stubborn. Perhaps I am. But stubborn and principled often look the same, especially to those who are unprincipled."
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
📚 Academic Freedom: A Brief History📚
Check out this awesome event featuring Joan Wallach Scott and Alex Gourevitch, organized by AAUP - Brown!
November 17, 7:30pm ET over Zoom
Register via QR code in graphic
@aaupbrownchapter.bsky.social
Check out this awesome event featuring Joan Wallach Scott and Alex Gourevitch, organized by AAUP - Brown!
November 17, 7:30pm ET over Zoom
Register via QR code in graphic
@aaupbrownchapter.bsky.social
November 14, 2025 at 10:04 PM
📚 Academic Freedom: A Brief History📚
Check out this awesome event featuring Joan Wallach Scott and Alex Gourevitch, organized by AAUP - Brown!
November 17, 7:30pm ET over Zoom
Register via QR code in graphic
@aaupbrownchapter.bsky.social
Check out this awesome event featuring Joan Wallach Scott and Alex Gourevitch, organized by AAUP - Brown!
November 17, 7:30pm ET over Zoom
Register via QR code in graphic
@aaupbrownchapter.bsky.social
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
For folks (and journalists) who want to search the Oversight Committee email texts, I made a database for searching the 20k text files:
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
Epstein Document Search
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
November 13, 2025 at 1:12 AM
For folks (and journalists) who want to search the Oversight Committee email texts, I made a database for searching the 20k text files:
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
splendorous-chaja-f79791.netlify.app
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
This Veterans Day, Americans may like to know a wide coalition of Dutch political parties in Limburg are fighting back against the removal of 2 panels commemorating black veterans at Margraten US WOII cemetery ↘️ www.dutchnews.nl/2025/11/call...
Calls for permanent memorial in Limburg to black US liberators - DutchNews.nl
Provincial councillors in Limburg have called for a permanent memorial to black American servicemen to be erected next to the US war cemetery in Margraten after it emerged that panels commemorating th...
www.dutchnews.nl
November 11, 2025 at 2:14 PM
This Veterans Day, Americans may like to know a wide coalition of Dutch political parties in Limburg are fighting back against the removal of 2 panels commemorating black veterans at Margraten US WOII cemetery ↘️ www.dutchnews.nl/2025/11/call...
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
This is dope. In the spirit of the BPP free breakfast program, but fancy.
French bakery in Bed-Stuy offers free breakfast to SNAP card holders
Beginning Nov. 1, when SNAP benefits are expected to be suspended, Je T’aime Patisserie will offer free breakfast to anyone who presents their EBT card from 7:30-10 a.m.
www.nydailynews.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:55 PM
This is dope. In the spirit of the BPP free breakfast program, but fancy.
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
The thing to understand about this is that this catastrophe in the UK has redounded to the political benefit of the very same people and political movement that pushed for it! Extremely perverse.
I wonder if the United States can learn anything from the last time a major industrialized country decided to isolate itself from the rest of the world?
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
Almost a decade after the Brexit vote, GDP in the UK is around 6-8% lower relative to peer countries. (Source: www.nber.org/papers/w34459)
November 11, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The thing to understand about this is that this catastrophe in the UK has redounded to the political benefit of the very same people and political movement that pushed for it! Extremely perverse.
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
New: A judge in Washington has ruled images from Flock surveillance cameras are public records and that anyone can request them. Highlights the pervasiveness of this tech and just how much surveillance is being done. Very notable ruling
www.404media.co/judge-rules-...
www.404media.co/judge-rules-...
Judge Rules Flock Surveillance Images Are Public Records That Can Be Requested By Anyone
A Washington judge said images taken by Flock cameras are "not exempt from disclosure" in public record requests.
www.404media.co
November 12, 2025 at 3:22 PM
New: A judge in Washington has ruled images from Flock surveillance cameras are public records and that anyone can request them. Highlights the pervasiveness of this tech and just how much surveillance is being done. Very notable ruling
www.404media.co/judge-rules-...
www.404media.co/judge-rules-...
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
WATCH: @raskin.house.gov explains the deal that would allow eight GOP senators lucrative lawsuits over phone record subpoenas:
"It's certainly the most corrupt provision authorizing financial self-dealing and plunder of the public passed by Congress in this century."
"It's certainly the most corrupt provision authorizing financial self-dealing and plunder of the public passed by Congress in this century."
November 13, 2025 at 4:32 AM
WATCH: @raskin.house.gov explains the deal that would allow eight GOP senators lucrative lawsuits over phone record subpoenas:
"It's certainly the most corrupt provision authorizing financial self-dealing and plunder of the public passed by Congress in this century."
"It's certainly the most corrupt provision authorizing financial self-dealing and plunder of the public passed by Congress in this century."
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
"The questions people ask chatbots can reveal exceptionally sensitive information" about things like their health, finances, and relationships, EFF’s Lena Cohen told @pcmag.com. “People deserve meaningful control over who can access these AI prompts.”
Asking ChatGPT About Affairs or Abortion? Be Careful, Marketers Are Peeking at Your Prompts
Browser extensions are potentially funneling your most personal queries to a company selling market insights about chatbot activity.
www.pcmag.com
November 13, 2025 at 12:07 AM
"The questions people ask chatbots can reveal exceptionally sensitive information" about things like their health, finances, and relationships, EFF’s Lena Cohen told @pcmag.com. “People deserve meaningful control over who can access these AI prompts.”
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
AOC: How can we, as members of congress, Republican or Democrat, vote to enrich ourselves by stealing from the American people? That is what this legislation does. In fact, Senator Graham said he was going to seek well over $1 million from the American people, from this.
November 12, 2025 at 10:41 PM
AOC: How can we, as members of congress, Republican or Democrat, vote to enrich ourselves by stealing from the American people? That is what this legislation does. In fact, Senator Graham said he was going to seek well over $1 million from the American people, from this.
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Billionaires are worth $8 trillion. It's shameful that we gave $40 billion to Argentina instead of spending $9 billion to feed American families.
How is that America First?
How is that America First?
November 12, 2025 at 10:55 PM
Billionaires are worth $8 trillion. It's shameful that we gave $40 billion to Argentina instead of spending $9 billion to feed American families.
How is that America First?
How is that America First?
"Federal policy has jumped the gun: We don’t yet know if AI will transform the economy or even be profitable. Yet Washington is insulating the industry from all sorts of risk. If a bubble does pop, we’ll all be left holding the bag." [Gift Link] www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
November 12, 2025 at 11:09 PM
"Federal policy has jumped the gun: We don’t yet know if AI will transform the economy or even be profitable. Yet Washington is insulating the industry from all sorts of risk. If a bubble does pop, we’ll all be left holding the bag." [Gift Link] www.wsj.com/opinion/you-...
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
Three German universities offering post-docs for researchers "who cannot conduct or continue their work in the USA appropriately because of actual political pressure. "
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
Early Career Rescue Fellowship
www.uni-konstanz.de
November 11, 2025 at 7:10 PM
Three German universities offering post-docs for researchers "who cannot conduct or continue their work in the USA appropriately because of actual political pressure. "
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
www.uni-konstanz.de/zukunftskoll...
Reposted by Alondra Nelson
November 11, 2025 at 10:51 PM