billdeg
@billdeg.bsky.social
I teach in the writing and honors programs at U of Michigan Dearborn. Husband, dogfather, member of resistance. CR: “On Freedom” by Tim Snyder.
It’s a national gaslighting. The person who said Islam is the sword that democrats use to stab America was not a person who should be lauded. He shouldn’t have been murdered. But he was bad for the country. His ideas (which he was entitled to have) were toxic. Full stop.
September 18, 2025 at 3:43 AM
It’s a national gaslighting. The person who said Islam is the sword that democrats use to stab America was not a person who should be lauded. He shouldn’t have been murdered. But he was bad for the country. His ideas (which he was entitled to have) were toxic. Full stop.
1. People who have compared the president to Hitler include JD Vance and RFK Jr.
2. Authoritarianism does more damage than calling out authoritarianism. Much more.
2. Authoritarianism does more damage than calling out authoritarianism. Much more.
September 16, 2025 at 4:38 PM
1. People who have compared the president to Hitler include JD Vance and RFK Jr.
2. Authoritarianism does more damage than calling out authoritarianism. Much more.
2. Authoritarianism does more damage than calling out authoritarianism. Much more.
AAUP making the (I guess) controversial argument that keeping watchlists and terminating teachers and journalists based on their political views are bad roads to go down.
September 16, 2025 at 4:37 PM
AAUP making the (I guess) controversial argument that keeping watchlists and terminating teachers and journalists based on their political views are bad roads to go down.
Grateful to teach in the Social Science building for the first time in ages, which means a weekly, post-class ritual at the nicest spot on campus!
September 16, 2025 at 4:35 PM
Grateful to teach in the Social Science building for the first time in ages, which means a weekly, post-class ritual at the nicest spot on campus!
“Shut up and play” for thee but not for me.
See also: the fact that 99% of current public discourse is “I hate it when those jerks on the other side engage in name-calling.”
See also: the fact that 99% of current public discourse is “I hate it when those jerks on the other side engage in name-calling.”
September 16, 2025 at 4:34 PM
“Shut up and play” for thee but not for me.
See also: the fact that 99% of current public discourse is “I hate it when those jerks on the other side engage in name-calling.”
See also: the fact that 99% of current public discourse is “I hate it when those jerks on the other side engage in name-calling.”
A+ content!
August 30, 2025 at 5:37 PM
A+ content!
First day of Fall classes. Hard not to think of all the ways college life has changed since Fall 1992. Counterpoint: three of my students were wearing Nirvana T-shirts.
August 27, 2025 at 4:55 PM
First day of Fall classes. Hard not to think of all the ways college life has changed since Fall 1992. Counterpoint: three of my students were wearing Nirvana T-shirts.
Reposted by billdeg
More updates, and a couple of new categories: catherinedenial.org/blog/uncateg...
Against Generative AI – Cate Denial
catherinedenial.org
August 25, 2025 at 10:21 AM
More updates, and a couple of new categories: catherinedenial.org/blog/uncateg...
Reposted by billdeg
just the hugest shout-out to the site against-a-i.com/short-readin..., with a list of teachable readings that I could pull from for my class this semester
thanks to the team putting it together, led by @annakornbluh.bsky.social. What a service <3
thanks to the team putting it together, led by @annakornbluh.bsky.social. What a service <3
Teachable Readings - AGAINST AI
Image: Bride of the Wind, Oskar Kokoschka
against-a-i.com
August 25, 2025 at 11:14 AM
just the hugest shout-out to the site against-a-i.com/short-readin..., with a list of teachable readings that I could pull from for my class this semester
thanks to the team putting it together, led by @annakornbluh.bsky.social. What a service <3
thanks to the team putting it together, led by @annakornbluh.bsky.social. What a service <3
Reposted by billdeg
my statement on Ai from the mini-comic I'm making as syllabus for a new class I'm teaching this fall. It's simple, but I pretty much said all I have to say on it - it robs you of decisions and struggle - and the joy of being surprised. It robs you of learning...
August 12, 2025 at 7:37 PM
my statement on Ai from the mini-comic I'm making as syllabus for a new class I'm teaching this fall. It's simple, but I pretty much said all I have to say on it - it robs you of decisions and struggle - and the joy of being surprised. It robs you of learning...
Riot grrrl bands really knew how to name albums: Hungry for Stink, Pussy Whipped, Pretend We’re Dead, Live Through This.
August 15, 2025 at 3:45 AM
Riot grrrl bands really knew how to name albums: Hungry for Stink, Pussy Whipped, Pretend We’re Dead, Live Through This.
Wish the sandwich throwing guy had supported a mom and pop shop but other than that, no notes!
August 15, 2025 at 3:38 AM
Wish the sandwich throwing guy had supported a mom and pop shop but other than that, no notes!
Reposted by billdeg
This is a very writing studies-centered skeet, but… the way that some in the field are tying themselves into knots to advocate for some “ethical uses” of GenAI really emphasizes the field’s shallow investment in anything like “justice” or “decolonization” or “abolition.”
August 12, 2025 at 2:34 AM
This is a very writing studies-centered skeet, but… the way that some in the field are tying themselves into knots to advocate for some “ethical uses” of GenAI really emphasizes the field’s shallow investment in anything like “justice” or “decolonization” or “abolition.”
Reposted by billdeg
If I have to explain to you why it's a bad idea to use a machine that makes shit up 15-80% of the time AND destroys the environment AND contributes to rising fascism and genocide AND puts brilliant skillful creatives out of work by stealing their work, then we're already speaking different languages
August 6, 2025 at 1:01 AM
If I have to explain to you why it's a bad idea to use a machine that makes shit up 15-80% of the time AND destroys the environment AND contributes to rising fascism and genocide AND puts brilliant skillful creatives out of work by stealing their work, then we're already speaking different languages
Substitute the word “academia” for “politics” and this piece captures the state of universities in 2025 brilliantly.
"They have solid access, they get big party invites, they're primed for book deals and speaking gigs, network slots and promotions, etc. And they don't wanna mess that up. They don't want this whole fascism thing to derail their timeline or deplete their capital."
No, You're Not Crazy: It's Brand Protection
And it's tragic.
charlotteclymer.substack.com
July 31, 2025 at 12:45 PM
Substitute the word “academia” for “politics” and this piece captures the state of universities in 2025 brilliantly.
If any of this helps get justice for the children who were abused, good. But I have a hard time believing that monster will ever be held accountable. Ever. Is there anything in those files that could ever cause his supporters to abandon him? Nope.
Let me guess. The DOJ will offer her a pardon. And she will say Trump had absolutely nothing whatsoever to do with Epstein. Case closed. The files will never be released. No one will get justice. And under Trump's watch, sexual predators will be shielded.
Charlie Kirk proposes offering Ghislaine Maxwell something in exchange for testimony re Epstein.
"Maxwell is currently sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sex trafficking, but is pursuing a claim that her trial was unfair ... maybe some kind of a deal could be reached for information."
"Maxwell is currently sentenced to 20 years in federal prison for sex trafficking, but is pursuing a claim that her trial was unfair ... maybe some kind of a deal could be reached for information."
July 24, 2025 at 8:08 PM
If any of this helps get justice for the children who were abused, good. But I have a hard time believing that monster will ever be held accountable. Ever. Is there anything in those files that could ever cause his supporters to abandon him? Nope.
The media will henceforth refer to teachers as “a pro-chalkboard group.”
The New York Times headline writers now call groups like the AMA and the College of Physicians and Surgeons "pro-vaccine groups." They get more preposterous with each passing day.
June 12, 2025 at 12:19 PM
The media will henceforth refer to teachers as “a pro-chalkboard group.”
Reposted by billdeg
Pope Leo’s first US episcopal appointment, San Diego’s Bishop-designate Pham, a Vietnamese refugee, invites priests and faith leaders to “stand in solidarity”with migrants at courthouse on June 20, as they make court appearances.
June 11, 2025 at 11:53 PM
Pope Leo’s first US episcopal appointment, San Diego’s Bishop-designate Pham, a Vietnamese refugee, invites priests and faith leaders to “stand in solidarity”with migrants at courthouse on June 20, as they make court appearances.
Go AOC!
Oh, SNAP
A new poll shows Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leading Senator Chuck Schumer by a commanding 21 points in a hypothetical 2028 Democratic primary.
That’s not just a headline — it’s a warning sign.
1/2
www.newsweek.com/aoc-edges-ou...
A new poll shows Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez leading Senator Chuck Schumer by a commanding 21 points in a hypothetical 2028 Democratic primary.
That’s not just a headline — it’s a warning sign.
1/2
www.newsweek.com/aoc-edges-ou...
AOC edges out Chuck Schumer by double-digit margin in new poll
AOC leads Schumer 54%-33% in hypothetical 2028 NY Senate primary poll, signaling potential vulnerability for Democratic leader.
www.newsweek.com
May 29, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Go AOC!
This will cost between $25-45 million, paid for by taxpayers including the “scum” liberals the President spent the weekend deriding. I hate it here. So much.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/u...
Trump Is Getting the Military Parade He Wanted in His First Term
www.nytimes.com
May 27, 2025 at 4:51 PM
This will cost between $25-45 million, paid for by taxpayers including the “scum” liberals the President spent the weekend deriding. I hate it here. So much.
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/u...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/27/u...