David Buck
@dbuckedu.bsky.social
Professor of English at a community college. Teaching composition (online & hybrid). #TempleMade. Interested in #SDGs, #pedagogy, #ungrading, #AIResistance, & #OER. Ungrading.weebly.com
Just in case you're reading abt concerns over the AI bubble bursting, @emilymbender.bsky.social & @alexhanna.bsky.social predicted the aftermath: more contingent laborers, doing more with less, and a "thick, sooty grime of limitless tech expansionism" that coats "creative industries." #AIResistance
November 19, 2025 at 3:02 PM
Just in case you're reading abt concerns over the AI bubble bursting, @emilymbender.bsky.social & @alexhanna.bsky.social predicted the aftermath: more contingent laborers, doing more with less, and a "thick, sooty grime of limitless tech expansionism" that coats "creative industries." #AIResistance
Reposted by David Buck
Fantastic new essay on AI refusal from @dbuckedu.bsky.social! zeal.kings.edu/zeal/article...
Our Students’ Humanity Is Worth Protecting: An Argument for GenAI Refusal
zeal.kings.edu
November 18, 2025 at 6:01 PM
Fantastic new essay on AI refusal from @dbuckedu.bsky.social! zeal.kings.edu/zeal/article...
This issue of Zeal has two Provocations & Occasions essay: one on teaching race in philosophy classes and one of resisting GAI to protect our students humanity by @dbuckedu.bsky.social.
November 14, 2025 at 9:03 PM
Reposted by David Buck
This issue of Zeal has two Provocations & Occasions essay: one on teaching race in philosophy classes and one of resisting GAI to protect our students humanity by @dbuckedu.bsky.social.
November 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
This issue of Zeal has two Provocations & Occasions essay: one on teaching race in philosophy classes and one of resisting GAI to protect our students humanity by @dbuckedu.bsky.social.
Reposted by David Buck
Check out the latest issue of Zeal: A Journal for the Liberal Arts!
zeal.kings.edu/zeal/issue/v...
zeal.kings.edu/zeal/issue/v...
Vol. 4 No. 1 (2025)
| Zeal: A Journal for the Liberal Arts
zeal.kings.edu
November 14, 2025 at 6:49 PM
Check out the latest issue of Zeal: A Journal for the Liberal Arts!
zeal.kings.edu/zeal/issue/v...
zeal.kings.edu/zeal/issue/v...
Reposted by David Buck
A terrific starter pack that’s making the rounds again; proud to be on the roster #AIresistance #resistAI
Here is the growing "AI Resisters/Refusers in Academia" starter pack!
If you are a resister/refuser & wish to be added to this list, please respond w/ a 👍🏽 or a ✔, and I'll add you in.
Please share with friends & colleagues interested in learning more about the AI resistance!
go.bsky.app/DVvnBGh
If you are a resister/refuser & wish to be added to this list, please respond w/ a 👍🏽 or a ✔, and I'll add you in.
Please share with friends & colleagues interested in learning more about the AI resistance!
go.bsky.app/DVvnBGh
November 8, 2025 at 8:22 PM
A terrific starter pack that’s making the rounds again; proud to be on the roster #AIresistance #resistAI
Reposted by David Buck
That first incredulous "what?" made me cheer. Meanwhile, the disconnect between creatives and AI hypers grows to a chasm.
#writersky #AI #edusky #writesky #AIresistance #AIrefusal
#writersky #AI #edusky #writesky #AIresistance #AIrefusal
October 17, 2025 at 5:04 PM
That first incredulous "what?" made me cheer. Meanwhile, the disconnect between creatives and AI hypers grows to a chasm.
#writersky #AI #edusky #writesky #AIresistance #AIrefusal
#writersky #AI #edusky #writesky #AIresistance #AIrefusal
Some teachers are using AI to grade and few are talking about it. Scantrons are one thing, but automating grading, feedback, and assessing written work with AI poses massive ethical challenges and should not become the default or go to choice in education.
👇 in comments
👇 in comments
October 10, 2025 at 7:45 PM
Another argument for resisting the myth held by many in higher education that if we don’t teach “AI literacy,” our students will be left behind. When the ultimate goal of our labor should be encouraging our students to develop their critical thinking and learning abilities—basically, being humans.
An M.I.T. study found that 95% of companies that had invested in A.I. tools were seeing zero return. It jibes with the emerging idea that generative A.I., “in its current incarnation, simply isn’t all it’s been cracked up to be,” johncassidysays.bsky.social writes.
The A.I.-Profits Drought and the Lessons of History
Like the steam engine, electricity, and computers, generative artificial intelligence could take longer than expected to transform the economy.
www.newyorker.com
August 25, 2025 at 5:49 PM
Another argument for resisting the myth held by many in higher education that if we don’t teach “AI literacy,” our students will be left behind. When the ultimate goal of our labor should be encouraging our students to develop their critical thinking and learning abilities—basically, being humans.
My community college was one of the 1st institutions to adopt Canvas in 2012. We were very early adopters. It was pitched as a pedagogical-focused system designed to “get out of the way” of an instructor’s teaching approach. Never imagined that it now is set up to REPLACE that instructor!
“…faculty members will be able to click an icon that connects them with various AI features…, like a grading tool, a discussion-post summarizer… Canvas’s parent company, Instructure, is also in partnership w/ OpenAI… so instructors can use generative-AI technology as part of their assignments.”
Instructors Will Now See AI Throughout a Widely Used Course Software
New features integrated into Canvas include a grading assistant, a discussion-post summarizer, and even a way to pair assignments with generative AI tools.
www.chronicle.com
July 24, 2025 at 3:24 PM
My community college was one of the 1st institutions to adopt Canvas in 2012. We were very early adopters. It was pitched as a pedagogical-focused system designed to “get out of the way” of an instructor’s teaching approach. Never imagined that it now is set up to REPLACE that instructor!
Reposted by David Buck
Since the SAT essay became optional + scored by AI, I can't begin to tell you the number of people who have asked me why they should still teach writing, as if the only reason for kids to write is to score well on a standardized test.
Also, this reveals how much College Board impacts practice.
Also, this reveals how much College Board impacts practice.
One time, teaching middle school English, we had a consultant tell us that students don’t need writing instruction and for a year we did no writing whatsoever. It was ridiculous.
June 22, 2025 at 5:40 PM
Since the SAT essay became optional + scored by AI, I can't begin to tell you the number of people who have asked me why they should still teach writing, as if the only reason for kids to write is to score well on a standardized test.
Also, this reveals how much College Board impacts practice.
Also, this reveals how much College Board impacts practice.
Reposted by David Buck
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
June 19, 2025 at 11:21 AM
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
Reposted by David Buck
Today's complaint about the AI in education discourse: Too much of it is framed around a future that is going to happen to us, as opposed to seeing the future as something we may have some agency to shape. I reject the deterministic view of AI, particularly genAI. It's a tool, not our master.
June 18, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Today's complaint about the AI in education discourse: Too much of it is framed around a future that is going to happen to us, as opposed to seeing the future as something we may have some agency to shape. I reject the deterministic view of AI, particularly genAI. It's a tool, not our master.
Reposted by David Buck
The ungrading book club (organized by the indefatiguable @dbuckedu.bsky.social) is reading @biblioracle.bsky.social's fantastic book, More than Words, about exactly why we should be helping students understand the value of critical thinking and other challenging cognitive work.
'Metacognitive Laziness': How AI Helps Students Offload Critical Thinking, Other Hard Work
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/65511/university-students-offload-critical-thinking-other-hard-work-to-ai via @KQED
https://www.kqed.org/mindshift/65511/university-students-offload-critical-thinking-other-hard-work-to-ai via @KQED
'Metacognitive Laziness': How AI Helps Students Offload Critical Thinking, Other Hard Work | KQED
Two studies indicate students are using chatbots in a way that undermines what they learn.
www.kqed.org
June 18, 2025 at 2:24 PM
The ungrading book club (organized by the indefatiguable @dbuckedu.bsky.social) is reading @biblioracle.bsky.social's fantastic book, More than Words, about exactly why we should be helping students understand the value of critical thinking and other challenging cognitive work.
Reposted by David Buck
I appreciate this piece, but I want to correct the record on one point. I don't talk about LLMs as making "collages" but rather as making papier-mâché, and the difference matters!
>>
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
>>
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
June 4, 2025 at 4:01 PM
I appreciate this piece, but I want to correct the record on one point. I don't talk about LLMs as making "collages" but rather as making papier-mâché, and the difference matters!
>>
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
>>
www.theguardian.com/technology/2...
Had a great session of the #MoreThanWords virtual book club yesterday!
A wonderful group of caring, compassionate educators hoping to guide their students through the ubiquitous sludge of GenAI.
We focused on writing as thinking, a uniquely human endeavor rather than a transactional experience.
A wonderful group of caring, compassionate educators hoping to guide their students through the ubiquitous sludge of GenAI.
We focused on writing as thinking, a uniquely human endeavor rather than a transactional experience.
June 4, 2025 at 3:21 PM
Had a great session of the #MoreThanWords virtual book club yesterday!
A wonderful group of caring, compassionate educators hoping to guide their students through the ubiquitous sludge of GenAI.
We focused on writing as thinking, a uniquely human endeavor rather than a transactional experience.
A wonderful group of caring, compassionate educators hoping to guide their students through the ubiquitous sludge of GenAI.
We focused on writing as thinking, a uniquely human endeavor rather than a transactional experience.
An idea from The AI Con that has really helped me answer the Q: Why do some surrender voice, agency, & trust to a GenAI tool? — the human tendency when processing language to engage w/ “the mind behind the text.” When there’s no human behind the probability/plagiarism machine, we tend to invent one!
May 30, 2025 at 3:12 PM
An idea from The AI Con that has really helped me answer the Q: Why do some surrender voice, agency, & trust to a GenAI tool? — the human tendency when processing language to engage w/ “the mind behind the text.” When there’s no human behind the probability/plagiarism machine, we tend to invent one!
This “capitulation to inevitability” is certainly real, especially when FOMO and the press for innovative “AI literacy” is constantly in teachers’ faces.
Been enjoying The AI Con by Bender & Hanna. The hype around AI serves those in power, not Ss & teachers. The VCs need a return on investment!
Been enjoying The AI Con by Bender & Hanna. The hype around AI serves those in power, not Ss & teachers. The VCs need a return on investment!
In my work with teachers, two beliefs about AI are becoming "common sense:"
1. AI is inevitable, resistance is futile.
2. Not including AI in a teaching + learning will hold students back in terms of career + college.
Building permission structures for #AIResistance is urgent + critical.
1. AI is inevitable, resistance is futile.
2. Not including AI in a teaching + learning will hold students back in terms of career + college.
Building permission structures for #AIResistance is urgent + critical.
May 30, 2025 at 12:18 PM
This “capitulation to inevitability” is certainly real, especially when FOMO and the press for innovative “AI literacy” is constantly in teachers’ faces.
Been enjoying The AI Con by Bender & Hanna. The hype around AI serves those in power, not Ss & teachers. The VCs need a return on investment!
Been enjoying The AI Con by Bender & Hanna. The hype around AI serves those in power, not Ss & teachers. The VCs need a return on investment!
Reposted by David Buck
In my work with teachers, two beliefs about AI are becoming "common sense:"
1. AI is inevitable, resistance is futile.
2. Not including AI in a teaching + learning will hold students back in terms of career + college.
Building permission structures for #AIResistance is urgent + critical.
1. AI is inevitable, resistance is futile.
2. Not including AI in a teaching + learning will hold students back in terms of career + college.
Building permission structures for #AIResistance is urgent + critical.
May 30, 2025 at 11:38 AM
In my work with teachers, two beliefs about AI are becoming "common sense:"
1. AI is inevitable, resistance is futile.
2. Not including AI in a teaching + learning will hold students back in terms of career + college.
Building permission structures for #AIResistance is urgent + critical.
1. AI is inevitable, resistance is futile.
2. Not including AI in a teaching + learning will hold students back in terms of career + college.
Building permission structures for #AIResistance is urgent + critical.
Reposted by David Buck
"The work of ungrading is to push back on the culture of grades and quantitative assessment that reinforces hierarchies between students and teachers, while reducing both to a set of crude (often inscrutable) data points." www.jessestommel.com/the-practice...
The Practice of Ungrading
Ungrading inspects the inequities of schooling, asks hard questions of the structures of our schools, and offers a critique of the labor conditions for teachers at all levels of education.
www.jessestommel.com
May 22, 2025 at 6:09 PM
"The work of ungrading is to push back on the culture of grades and quantitative assessment that reinforces hierarchies between students and teachers, while reducing both to a set of crude (often inscrutable) data points." www.jessestommel.com/the-practice...
We are 2️⃣ weeks away from the first session of the #MoreThanWords virtual book club on June 3rd (5-6 p.m. EST)!
Join 7️⃣3️⃣ folks exploring how to center authentic writing/thinking in the age of AI.
Author @biblioracle.bsky.social will be joining us!
Register for FREE: forms.gle/AMUKNQc5egaf...
Join 7️⃣3️⃣ folks exploring how to center authentic writing/thinking in the age of AI.
Author @biblioracle.bsky.social will be joining us!
Register for FREE: forms.gle/AMUKNQc5egaf...
More Than Words Virtual Book Club
Welcome to the More Than Words virtual book club!
We'll be reading & discussing John Warner's new book—More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI.
We'll meet on Zoom about twice a...
forms.gle
May 20, 2025 at 11:13 AM
We are 2️⃣ weeks away from the first session of the #MoreThanWords virtual book club on June 3rd (5-6 p.m. EST)!
Join 7️⃣3️⃣ folks exploring how to center authentic writing/thinking in the age of AI.
Author @biblioracle.bsky.social will be joining us!
Register for FREE: forms.gle/AMUKNQc5egaf...
Join 7️⃣3️⃣ folks exploring how to center authentic writing/thinking in the age of AI.
Author @biblioracle.bsky.social will be joining us!
Register for FREE: forms.gle/AMUKNQc5egaf...
"[No] single theory seems to adequately explain all human motivation. The fact is that human beings in general and students in particular are complex creatures with complex needs and desires." ⎯Williams & Williams, Research in Higher Education Journal
My most controversial opinion about education is that you cannot motivate everyone. You simply cannot.
May 17, 2025 at 9:29 PM
"[No] single theory seems to adequately explain all human motivation. The fact is that human beings in general and students in particular are complex creatures with complex needs and desires." ⎯Williams & Williams, Research in Higher Education Journal
Reposted by David Buck
I know this seems grim, but I'm here to testify that it is not hopeless, that most faculty do not feel this way and mostly just want a little help to navigate these things. I've delivered a couple dozen talks and sessions over the last 6 months & the energy to make necessary change is real.
I've started explicitly addressing some of what's described in this article as I go on my merry way, institution to institution insisting that we can and must continue to teach writing. There's two main risks. Both are real. 🧵
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/t...
www.nytimes.com/2025/05/14/t...
The Professors Are Using ChatGPT, and Some Students Aren’t Happy About It
www.nytimes.com
May 14, 2025 at 1:29 PM
I know this seems grim, but I'm here to testify that it is not hopeless, that most faculty do not feel this way and mostly just want a little help to navigate these things. I've delivered a couple dozen talks and sessions over the last 6 months & the energy to make necessary change is real.
Would you like to join 6️⃣8️⃣ thoughtful people in a relaxing summer reading group?
Feel free to register for the #MoreThanWords virtual book club starting Tuesday, 6/5 from 5-6 p.m. (EST).
@biblioracle.bsky.social
(the author) plans to attend each session!
Register HERE: tinyurl.com/cfndnhf2
Feel free to register for the #MoreThanWords virtual book club starting Tuesday, 6/5 from 5-6 p.m. (EST).
@biblioracle.bsky.social
(the author) plans to attend each session!
Register HERE: tinyurl.com/cfndnhf2
More Than Words Virtual Book Club
Welcome to the More Than Words virtual book club!
We'll be reading & discussing John Warner's new book—More Than Words: How to Think About Writing in the Age of AI.
We'll meet on Zoom about twice a...
tinyurl.com
May 14, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Would you like to join 6️⃣8️⃣ thoughtful people in a relaxing summer reading group?
Feel free to register for the #MoreThanWords virtual book club starting Tuesday, 6/5 from 5-6 p.m. (EST).
@biblioracle.bsky.social
(the author) plans to attend each session!
Register HERE: tinyurl.com/cfndnhf2
Feel free to register for the #MoreThanWords virtual book club starting Tuesday, 6/5 from 5-6 p.m. (EST).
@biblioracle.bsky.social
(the author) plans to attend each session!
Register HERE: tinyurl.com/cfndnhf2
Reposted by David Buck
Bear all of this in mind when someone starts parroting in your direction all the utopian and progressive-buzzword-laden talk about AI’s potentials. I’m looking at you, fellow academics.
Poisoning the air of a Black community for a fucking chatbot.
'How come I can’t breathe?': Musk's data company draws a backlash in Memphis
The company’s turbines — enough to power 280,000 homes — run without emission controls in an area that leads Tennessee in asthma hospitalizations.
www.politico.com
May 10, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Bear all of this in mind when someone starts parroting in your direction all the utopian and progressive-buzzword-laden talk about AI’s potentials. I’m looking at you, fellow academics.