Greg Kochanski
@cpr32.bsky.social
A physicist by training, done a few things since. Horrified that we're still using fossil fuels in the 21st century. #climate #AI #dogs #politics #sustainability #science #language
Mastodon: @gpk@pgh.social
Mastodon: @gpk@pgh.social
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
Most average working Americans abide by laws and norms. Most are kind and decent. But there is growing rot at the top of our system. And its stench can no longer be ignored. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/sunday-thought-732
Sunday thought
The rot at the top
robertreich.substack.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:01 PM
Most average working Americans abide by laws and norms. Most are kind and decent. But there is growing rot at the top of our system. And its stench can no longer be ignored. https://robertreich.substack.com/p/sunday-thought-732
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
"The U.S. agricultural workforce fell by 155,000 — about 7 percent — between March and July, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That tracks with Pew Research Center data that shows total immigrant labor fell by 750,000 from January through July."
'The whole thing is screwed up': Farmers in deep-red Pennsylvania struggle to find workers
They're pushing lawmakers to move faster on a farm labor solution, even as the president cracks down on immigration.
www.politico.com
September 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
"The U.S. agricultural workforce fell by 155,000 — about 7 percent — between March and July, according to an analysis of Bureau of Labor Statistics data. That tracks with Pew Research Center data that shows total immigrant labor fell by 750,000 from January through July."
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
good video on this from @sarahtaber.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=badG...
Why Farmers Voted For Trump
YouTube video by Farm to Taber
www.youtube.com
September 15, 2025 at 2:16 PM
good video on this from @sarahtaber.bsky.social www.youtube.com/watch?v=badG...
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
🧪
Brown University, the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, and 10 other universities filed a lawsuit this week against the National Science Foundation seeking to stop hundreds of millions in indirect cuts for research funded by the federal government.
Brown, MIT sue NSF over massive research fund cuts - The Boston Globe
The proposed cuts would “erode our nation’s enviable status as a global leader in scientific research and innovation,” the plaintiffs said.
www.bostonglobe.com
May 6, 2025 at 9:48 PM
🧪
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
The SAVE Act would block millions of eligible Americans from voting. Text SAVE to 63033 to tell your Senators to vote NO on the SAVE Act and stop it in its tracks.
April 10, 2025 at 9:16 PM
The SAVE Act would block millions of eligible Americans from voting. Text SAVE to 63033 to tell your Senators to vote NO on the SAVE Act and stop it in its tracks.
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
Niche joke.
And also—it’s not easy to shift tephra production domestically—need to understand the magma supply chain
And also—it’s not easy to shift tephra production domestically—need to understand the magma supply chain
Bad news for Heard Island as the US imposes a 10% tariff on its main export - windborne glaciovolcanic tephra. This is viewed as a boost for local Alaskan and Cascadia sources.
Particularly serious implications for very fine grain sizes as the crypto(tephra) market is volatile at the best of times.
Particularly serious implications for very fine grain sizes as the crypto(tephra) market is volatile at the best of times.
April 5, 2025 at 11:25 AM
Niche joke.
And also—it’s not easy to shift tephra production domestically—need to understand the magma supply chain
And also—it’s not easy to shift tephra production domestically—need to understand the magma supply chain
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
I hope organizations like @agu.org are thinking carefully about these moves - we realistically cant expect non-Americans to join us in NOLA this year
In a move that *should* be precedent-setting for other scholarly organizations, the North American Society for the Sociology of Sport (NASSS) announces that this year’s conference will be held concurrently at sites in the US and Canada and online due to the dangerous US political climate.
April 5, 2025 at 11:55 AM
I hope organizations like @agu.org are thinking carefully about these moves - we realistically cant expect non-Americans to join us in NOLA this year
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
Spring reminder, as people start to think about gardening: NEVER buy compost with peat it in (inexplicably still on sale). If it does not say "peat free" in big letters, do not buy it. Peat is incredibly valuable in peat bogs, for rare biodiversity and as a carbon store. Don't put it on your garden!
April 5, 2025 at 12:22 PM
Spring reminder, as people start to think about gardening: NEVER buy compost with peat it in (inexplicably still on sale). If it does not say "peat free" in big letters, do not buy it. Peat is incredibly valuable in peat bogs, for rare biodiversity and as a carbon store. Don't put it on your garden!
Protests everywhere today. Come along and help push back.
(If you haven't been to a protest before, wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, bring some water, and leave your phone in airplane mode.)
www.mobilize.us/handsoff/eve...
(If you haven't been to a protest before, wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, bring some water, and leave your phone in airplane mode.)
www.mobilize.us/handsoff/eve...
Hands Off! Pittsburgh Presents · Hands Off
**Donald Trump and Elon Musk think this country belongs to them.** Pittsburgh is fighting back!
They're taking everything they can get their hands on—our health care, our data, our jobs, our services...
www.mobilize.us
April 5, 2025 at 2:33 PM
Protests everywhere today. Come along and help push back.
(If you haven't been to a protest before, wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, bring some water, and leave your phone in airplane mode.)
www.mobilize.us/handsoff/eve...
(If you haven't been to a protest before, wear comfortable shoes, dress for the weather, bring some water, and leave your phone in airplane mode.)
www.mobilize.us/handsoff/eve...
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
BREAKING: In a reversal, all NOAA Research sites will now remain online with "no interruption in service," according to the agency. NOAA had previously moved to cancel the research division's cloud services contract.
Story for @bloomberg.com (free link):
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Story for @bloomberg.com (free link):
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
US Weather Agency to Preserve Research Websites in Reversal
The US National Oceanic and Atmospheric Agency will preserve access to websites tied to its research division, after previously moving to cancel a cloud web services contract that supports many of its...
www.bloomberg.com
April 4, 2025 at 8:51 PM
BREAKING: In a reversal, all NOAA Research sites will now remain online with "no interruption in service," according to the agency. NOAA had previously moved to cancel the research division's cloud services contract.
Story for @bloomberg.com (free link):
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Story for @bloomberg.com (free link):
www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
The entire permanent staff of the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice was laid off. This division addresses issues such as asthma and air pollution, climate change and health, childhood lead poisoning, and cancer clusters.
April 4, 2025 at 6:28 PM
The entire permanent staff of the Division of Environmental Health Science and Practice was laid off. This division addresses issues such as asthma and air pollution, climate change and health, childhood lead poisoning, and cancer clusters.
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
I'm honestly shocked by how many of *them* are shocked that Trump is an economic disaster. None of them are fit for their roles if they didn't see this coming.
March 27, 2025 at 1:31 PM
I'm honestly shocked by how many of *them* are shocked that Trump is an economic disaster. None of them are fit for their roles if they didn't see this coming.
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
the strongest case for socializing the ownership of capital is that the current owners of capital are idiots
Business leaders all across America are freaking out that Trump's tariffs will kneecap their firms.
“There’s an overriding sense of helplessness” among executives. “CEOs are feeling stunned, and they’re not used to feeling like they don’t have good moves.”
(gift link)
“There’s an overriding sense of helplessness” among executives. “CEOs are feeling stunned, and they’re not used to feeling like they don’t have good moves.”
(gift link)
Corporate America’s Euphoria Over Trump’s ‘Golden Age’ Is Giving Way to Distress
CEOs and investors are fretting over what they see as whipsaw policy changes and complacency about the risks of recession.
www.wsj.com
March 27, 2025 at 1:51 AM
the strongest case for socializing the ownership of capital is that the current owners of capital are idiots
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
I dunno if it matters, but I am a twice-deployed Army veteran (pre- and post-9/11) and a former law enforcement/criminal justice reporter and I agree with this statement 100 percent. ICE makes us less safe, and their agents have been disgustingly out of control since inception. Abolish ICE today.
Abolish ICE is not an absurdity statement. ICE was created in 2003 as a response to 9/11 - we do not need it. We already established that following orders isn't an excuse.
March 30, 2025 at 2:42 AM
I dunno if it matters, but I am a twice-deployed Army veteran (pre- and post-9/11) and a former law enforcement/criminal justice reporter and I agree with this statement 100 percent. ICE makes us less safe, and their agents have been disgustingly out of control since inception. Abolish ICE today.
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
Next Saturday, I'm heading Pittsburgh's HANDS OFF protest at noon, and a fundraiser in the evening!
Local politics matter, so I'm supporting the club's work & getting a chance to meet the candidates.
Saturday, April 5th, 7pm, in the party room at Schenley Park Skating Rink.
pgh14widc.org
Local politics matter, so I'm supporting the club's work & getting a chance to meet the candidates.
Saturday, April 5th, 7pm, in the party room at Schenley Park Skating Rink.
pgh14widc.org
March 30, 2025 at 7:09 PM
Next Saturday, I'm heading Pittsburgh's HANDS OFF protest at noon, and a fundraiser in the evening!
Local politics matter, so I'm supporting the club's work & getting a chance to meet the candidates.
Saturday, April 5th, 7pm, in the party room at Schenley Park Skating Rink.
pgh14widc.org
Local politics matter, so I'm supporting the club's work & getting a chance to meet the candidates.
Saturday, April 5th, 7pm, in the party room at Schenley Park Skating Rink.
pgh14widc.org
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
Janet is supporting our campaign because she knows that I'm delivering for the people of Pittsburgh.
From new housing units to an unprecedented amount of new federal and state funding (read: $328+ Million 👀) to a new police contract, we are building a safe, thriving city for all!
From new housing units to an unprecedented amount of new federal and state funding (read: $328+ Million 👀) to a new police contract, we are building a safe, thriving city for all!
March 30, 2025 at 7:47 PM
Janet is supporting our campaign because she knows that I'm delivering for the people of Pittsburgh.
From new housing units to an unprecedented amount of new federal and state funding (read: $328+ Million 👀) to a new police contract, we are building a safe, thriving city for all!
From new housing units to an unprecedented amount of new federal and state funding (read: $328+ Million 👀) to a new police contract, we are building a safe, thriving city for all!
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
There are protests all over the country on Saturday, April 5th.
In Pittsburgh, it's 12:30 – 2pm at the City County Building, 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Pittsburgh: www.mobilize.us/handsoff/eve...
Nationwide: handsoff2025.com
See you there!
In Pittsburgh, it's 12:30 – 2pm at the City County Building, 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Pittsburgh: www.mobilize.us/handsoff/eve...
Nationwide: handsoff2025.com
See you there!
March 30, 2025 at 3:10 AM
There are protests all over the country on Saturday, April 5th.
In Pittsburgh, it's 12:30 – 2pm at the City County Building, 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Pittsburgh: www.mobilize.us/handsoff/eve...
Nationwide: handsoff2025.com
See you there!
In Pittsburgh, it's 12:30 – 2pm at the City County Building, 414 Grant St, Pittsburgh, PA 15219
Pittsburgh: www.mobilize.us/handsoff/eve...
Nationwide: handsoff2025.com
See you there!
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
Just read this op-ed. I'd love to hear counterarguments. Universities are facing threats to their faculty, students, even very existence. Why shouldn't they tap their endowments to fight this extinction-level event?
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #AcademicChatter
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/o...
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #AcademicChatter
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/o...
Opinion | $15 Billion Is Enough to Fight a President (Gift Article)
Every university president will face a choice similar to Columbia University’s in the coming months.
www.nytimes.com
March 29, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Just read this op-ed. I'd love to hear counterarguments. Universities are facing threats to their faculty, students, even very existence. Why shouldn't they tap their endowments to fight this extinction-level event?
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #AcademicChatter
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/o...
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #AcademicChatter
www.nytimes.com/2025/03/25/o...
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
This is a really important point. Trump is losing most of the cases he's losing because no statute directly authorizes what he's doing.
Instead of complaining about judges doing their jobs, congressional Republicans could, you know, *pass legislation* to give Trump the authorities he's claiming.
Instead of complaining about judges doing their jobs, congressional Republicans could, you know, *pass legislation* to give Trump the authorities he's claiming.
Lots of Trump’s illegal things could be legal if Congress did them, and Republicans have control of Congress, but they’d rather help the self-described king/dictator be a king/dictator
Professor criticizes various judicial behavior:
Gets accused by right-wing judges and commentators of jeopardizing judicial independence and even provoking death threats against specific federal judges.
Speaker of the House proposes dismantling federal courts:
Crickets.
Gets accused by right-wing judges and commentators of jeopardizing judicial independence and even provoking death threats against specific federal judges.
Speaker of the House proposes dismantling federal courts:
Crickets.
March 29, 2025 at 2:45 PM
This is a really important point. Trump is losing most of the cases he's losing because no statute directly authorizes what he's doing.
Instead of complaining about judges doing their jobs, congressional Republicans could, you know, *pass legislation* to give Trump the authorities he's claiming.
Instead of complaining about judges doing their jobs, congressional Republicans could, you know, *pass legislation* to give Trump the authorities he's claiming.
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
Education is under attack. All who stand for the freedom and flourishing of the US postsecondary education system can sign on to a statement affirming and committing to core values that shape education. Read: bit.ly/DemocracyAnd...
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #DisabilityStudies #DisabledInAcademia
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #DisabilityStudies #DisabledInAcademia
Speaking Out for Democracy and US Higher Education
Speaking Out for Democracy and US Higher Education To add your name to this statement, go to https://bit.ly/DemocracyAndHigherEdSign We publicly affirm our commitment to the enterprise of higher educ...
bit.ly
March 24, 2025 at 1:18 AM
Education is under attack. All who stand for the freedom and flourishing of the US postsecondary education system can sign on to a statement affirming and committing to core values that shape education. Read: bit.ly/DemocracyAnd...
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #DisabilityStudies #DisabledInAcademia
#AcademicSky #HigherEd #DisabilityStudies #DisabledInAcademia
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
The decision by who, Mike?
March 20, 2025 at 9:53 PM
The decision by who, Mike?
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
A researcher just lost their grant funding because their work might help understand why people are hesitant about vaccines.
March 21, 2025 at 5:06 PM
A researcher just lost their grant funding because their work might help understand why people are hesitant about vaccines.
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
BREAKING: 34,000 people have showed up in Denver, Colorado this evening to see Bernie Sanders and AOC fight oligarchy and authoritarianism.
March 22, 2025 at 12:46 AM
BREAKING: 34,000 people have showed up in Denver, Colorado this evening to see Bernie Sanders and AOC fight oligarchy and authoritarianism.
Reposted by Greg Kochanski
What’s happening as a classic collective action problem. The majority of Americans oppose this coup. Even the majority of wealthy people oppose this coup. But right now no one is speaking out, so everyone is afraid to lead — including media, Congress, universities, civil servants.
February 9, 2025 at 4:03 PM
What’s happening as a classic collective action problem. The majority of Americans oppose this coup. Even the majority of wealthy people oppose this coup. But right now no one is speaking out, so everyone is afraid to lead — including media, Congress, universities, civil servants.