Isaac Javier Rivera
@irivera.bsky.social
Xicano from Denver’s North Side
Geographer, Teacher, Musician and Organizer
Assistant Professor @CUBoulder Geography
https://www.colorado.edu/geography/isaac-rivera
Geographer, Teacher, Musician and Organizer
Assistant Professor @CUBoulder Geography
https://www.colorado.edu/geography/isaac-rivera
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
Data centers popping up on Indigenous lands everywhere, but especially perilous to us desert tribes where water availability for crops and for communities have new competition.
The data center boom in the desert
The AI race is transforming northwestern Nevada into one of the world's largest data-center markets—and sparking fears of water strains in the nation’s driest state.
www.technologyreview.com
November 24, 2025 at 7:25 PM
Data centers popping up on Indigenous lands everywhere, but especially perilous to us desert tribes where water availability for crops and for communities have new competition.
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
new article! how might the emergence of the 'new' carbon economy be disrupted, shifted in favor of communities rather than serving as another round of capitalist accumulation?
thanks to @landpolicy.bsky.social for supporting this work!
here's a link: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
thanks to @landpolicy.bsky.social for supporting this work!
here's a link: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
October 28, 2025 at 4:47 PM
new article! how might the emergence of the 'new' carbon economy be disrupted, shifted in favor of communities rather than serving as another round of capitalist accumulation?
thanks to @landpolicy.bsky.social for supporting this work!
here's a link: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
thanks to @landpolicy.bsky.social for supporting this work!
here's a link: journals.sagepub.com/doi/10.1177/...
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
SNAP assistance makes Page One in Boston ..
.. Chattanooga ..
.. Palm Beach ..
.. Asbury Park, NJ.
.. Chattanooga ..
.. Palm Beach ..
.. Asbury Park, NJ.
November 1, 2025 at 4:32 PM
SNAP assistance makes Page One in Boston ..
.. Chattanooga ..
.. Palm Beach ..
.. Asbury Park, NJ.
.. Chattanooga ..
.. Palm Beach ..
.. Asbury Park, NJ.
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
"It’s important to figure out how to weave ourselves into the ecosystems that we are a part of in a way that doesn’t destroy ourselves and in a way that doesn’t destroy the other living things that we are in network with." truthout.org/audio/resist...
October 30, 2025 at 7:08 PM
"It’s important to figure out how to weave ourselves into the ecosystems that we are a part of in a way that doesn’t destroy ourselves and in a way that doesn’t destroy the other living things that we are in network with." truthout.org/audio/resist...
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
AI rebrands humanistic skills like writing, drawing, creativity, which have all been *thoroughly feminized,* as hard and macho, letting bros who fear nothing more than the whiff of femininity and feminization access creativity without the stench of girliness
July 19, 2025 at 1:28 PM
AI rebrands humanistic skills like writing, drawing, creativity, which have all been *thoroughly feminized,* as hard and macho, letting bros who fear nothing more than the whiff of femininity and feminization access creativity without the stench of girliness
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
Gutting scientific research at EPA means less protection for our air, water, and health. The consequences of this decision will be felt for generations. Deeply concerning. Unreal!
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/c...
E.P.A. Says It Will Eliminate Its Scientific Research Arm
www.nytimes.com
July 18, 2025 at 11:23 PM
Gutting scientific research at EPA means less protection for our air, water, and health. The consequences of this decision will be felt for generations. Deeply concerning. Unreal!
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/c...
www.nytimes.com/2025/07/18/c...
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
$30B in new funds to hire 10,000 new ICE agents, $45B to expand detention centers, and no one stopping them from denying due process, trafficking and detaining people indefinitely…
Trump built a domestic army to keep himself in power indefinitely.
www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-coup...
Trump built a domestic army to keep himself in power indefinitely.
www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-coup...
The emerging coup
Lawless authoritarian regimes don't give up power willingly.
www.publicnotice.co
July 18, 2025 at 11:46 AM
$30B in new funds to hire 10,000 new ICE agents, $45B to expand detention centers, and no one stopping them from denying due process, trafficking and detaining people indefinitely…
Trump built a domestic army to keep himself in power indefinitely.
www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-coup...
Trump built a domestic army to keep himself in power indefinitely.
www.publicnotice.co/p/trump-coup...
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
During my time as a PhD student at UIUC, there were multiple incidents of right-wingers leaving racist flyers all over campus, including images of people being dropped from helicopters (ref to Pinochet's "death flights"). At one point, a group of them swarmed me w/ cameras to try to "gotcha" me.
I remember when right-wingers left nooses on campus during my time as an undergrad @ UC Berkeley.
I don't recall congressional hearings about the wave of "white student union" FB pages and viral noose "pranks" (read: threats) across U.S. colleges.
I don't recall congressional hearings about the wave of "white student union" FB pages and viral noose "pranks" (read: threats) across U.S. colleges.
July 14, 2025 at 6:27 PM
During my time as a PhD student at UIUC, there were multiple incidents of right-wingers leaving racist flyers all over campus, including images of people being dropped from helicopters (ref to Pinochet's "death flights"). At one point, a group of them swarmed me w/ cameras to try to "gotcha" me.
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
Media outlets can't pivot to AI to save themselves. It's not a business strategy and it's not going to work. The only path forward is for journalists to lean into their humanity, to do things AI can't, and to make clear they are writing for people, not algorithms:
www.404media.co/the-medias-p...
www.404media.co/the-medias-p...
The Media's Pivot to AI Is Not Real and Not Going to Work
AI is not going to save media companies, and forcing journalists to use AI is not a business model.
www.404media.co
July 14, 2025 at 2:17 PM
Media outlets can't pivot to AI to save themselves. It's not a business strategy and it's not going to work. The only path forward is for journalists to lean into their humanity, to do things AI can't, and to make clear they are writing for people, not algorithms:
www.404media.co/the-medias-p...
www.404media.co/the-medias-p...
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
"Universities have become increasingly dependent on a proliferation of outsourced services, database providers + info mgmt systems, w/ spiraling costs... Understanding [the uni as an infrastructure stresses] that the tech it chooses to adopt follow a colonial + extractivist model...
CM Vol 25 CfP University as Infrastructure
Culture Machine Vol. 25 Call for Papers: University as Infrastructure Guest-edited by: Alexandra Anikina, Johannes Bruder, Megen de Bruin-Molé, Stephen Cornford, Kwame Phillips & Geoff Cox …
culturemachine.net
July 14, 2025 at 3:31 PM
"Universities have become increasingly dependent on a proliferation of outsourced services, database providers + info mgmt systems, w/ spiraling costs... Understanding [the uni as an infrastructure stresses] that the tech it chooses to adopt follow a colonial + extractivist model...
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
For July 4th, the Los Angeles Review of Books dove into the archives to bring a timely episode with Ruth Wilson Gilmore. She joins Kate Wolf and Eric Newman to talk about her new collection, “Abolition Geography.” Listen to the episode: buff.ly/USk0SLL
#AbolitionGeography #GeoSky #Geographers
#AbolitionGeography #GeoSky #Geographers
July 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
For July 4th, the Los Angeles Review of Books dove into the archives to bring a timely episode with Ruth Wilson Gilmore. She joins Kate Wolf and Eric Newman to talk about her new collection, “Abolition Geography.” Listen to the episode: buff.ly/USk0SLL
#AbolitionGeography #GeoSky #Geographers
#AbolitionGeography #GeoSky #Geographers
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
The ultimate goal of Generative “AI” in almost all capacities is to remove agency and accountability entirely. Shift blame from people to machines, ignoring the machines are made and deployed by people.
July 13, 2025 at 11:24 AM
The ultimate goal of Generative “AI” in almost all capacities is to remove agency and accountability entirely. Shift blame from people to machines, ignoring the machines are made and deployed by people.
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
Padilla: If this is how DHS responds to a senator with a question you can only imagine what they're doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California.
June 12, 2025 at 7:33 PM
Padilla: If this is how DHS responds to a senator with a question you can only imagine what they're doing to farm workers, to cooks, to day laborers out in the Los Angeles community and throughout California.
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
June 6th update:
A slight uptick this week. This is probably the lowest it'll be nationally for a few months, as XFG and "Nimbus" are forecasted to drive a summer wave.
🔸167,000 new infections/day
🔸~1 in 201 currently infected
🔸~1 in 502 are reasonably infectious
A slight uptick this week. This is probably the lowest it'll be nationally for a few months, as XFG and "Nimbus" are forecasted to drive a summer wave.
🔸167,000 new infections/day
🔸~1 in 201 currently infected
🔸~1 in 502 are reasonably infectious
June 6, 2025 at 6:54 PM
June 6th update:
A slight uptick this week. This is probably the lowest it'll be nationally for a few months, as XFG and "Nimbus" are forecasted to drive a summer wave.
🔸167,000 new infections/day
🔸~1 in 201 currently infected
🔸~1 in 502 are reasonably infectious
A slight uptick this week. This is probably the lowest it'll be nationally for a few months, as XFG and "Nimbus" are forecasted to drive a summer wave.
🔸167,000 new infections/day
🔸~1 in 201 currently infected
🔸~1 in 502 are reasonably infectious
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
‘the school will reduce its staff by about 5% over the next year & reduce its faculty by about 25% to 30% over the next two years, including part-time faculty who have not been renewed. The personnel decisions will affect non-tenure track faculty, pre-tenure faculty, & adjunct faculty.’
BREAKING: In response to financial challenges and a dramatically reduced incoming freshman class, Clark University in Worcester school will restructure its degree tracks and layoff up to 30% of its faculty.
Clark University to lay off up to 30% of faculty, significantly restructure degree tracks amid financial strain
In response to financial challenges and a dramatically reduced incoming freshman class, Clark University in Worcester school will restructure its degree tracks and layoff up to 30% of its faculty.
www.wbjournal.com
June 4, 2025 at 5:06 PM
‘the school will reduce its staff by about 5% over the next year & reduce its faculty by about 25% to 30% over the next two years, including part-time faculty who have not been renewed. The personnel decisions will affect non-tenure track faculty, pre-tenure faculty, & adjunct faculty.’
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
I'm repeatedly struck that all the scenarios the critical data studies / algorithmic bias / smart cities scholars warned us about over the past 10-15 years are now manifesting simultaneously
ICE Moves to DNA-Test Families Targeted for Deportation with New Contract
Advocates worry the tests will pave the way for the Trump administration to separate children from their caregivers.
www.bloomberg.com
June 4, 2025 at 6:04 PM
I'm repeatedly struck that all the scenarios the critical data studies / algorithmic bias / smart cities scholars warned us about over the past 10-15 years are now manifesting simultaneously
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
"Capitalism has entered a radical and apocalyptic phase. There is no utopian vision in any of this."
Interview ⤵️
Interview ⤵️
Naomi Klein: 'What They Want Is Absolutely Everything'
The ‘Shock Doctrine’ author explains the dark logic of Donald Trump and Elon Musk’s path of destruction and why billionaire oligarchs are so angry.
www.rollingstone.com
May 7, 2025 at 3:32 PM
"Capitalism has entered a radical and apocalyptic phase. There is no utopian vision in any of this."
Interview ⤵️
Interview ⤵️
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
This conversation between @mskellymhayes.bsky.social and @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social is right on time.
I always appreciate that you can find the podcast and the transcript at the link, and use whatever works best for you
I always appreciate that you can find the podcast and the transcript at the link, and use whatever works best for you
Awareness Protests Won’t Threaten the Richest, Most Well-Armed People on Earth
“Making durable changes isn’t always about the raw numbers,” says Olúfẹ́mi O. Táíwò.
truthout.org
May 31, 2025 at 5:38 PM
This conversation between @mskellymhayes.bsky.social and @olufemiotaiwo.bsky.social is right on time.
I always appreciate that you can find the podcast and the transcript at the link, and use whatever works best for you
I always appreciate that you can find the podcast and the transcript at the link, and use whatever works best for you
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
Decolonial worlding is a place-based endeavor. @irivera.bsky.social & Eagle trace the un/making of settler imaginaries in Denver, CO, and how the Native community refuses otherwise. (Re)Mapping Native Denver shows how #Indigenous #geographies are expressed through #mapping practices. buff.ly/RfSZG6r
May 26, 2025 at 9:01 PM
Decolonial worlding is a place-based endeavor. @irivera.bsky.social & Eagle trace the un/making of settler imaginaries in Denver, CO, and how the Native community refuses otherwise. (Re)Mapping Native Denver shows how #Indigenous #geographies are expressed through #mapping practices. buff.ly/RfSZG6r
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
5 years ago: “An incalculable loss”
Today: Banning masks and restricting vaccine access
Today: Banning masks and restricting vaccine access
May 25, 2025 at 6:36 PM
5 years ago: “An incalculable loss”
Today: Banning masks and restricting vaccine access
Today: Banning masks and restricting vaccine access
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
The cost of Grok: "I can't breathe at home, it smells like gas outside. How come I can't breathe at home and y'all get to breathe at home?"
May 10, 2025 at 4:25 PM
The cost of Grok: "I can't breathe at home, it smells like gas outside. How come I can't breathe at home and y'all get to breathe at home?"
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
Intervention — “533 Geographers Call for Action on Transphobic Developments in the UK, its Supreme Court, and the EHRC” antipodeonline.org/2025/05/06/5...
Intervention — “533 Geographers Call for Action on Transphobic Developments in the UK, its Supreme Court, and the EHRC” - Antipode Online
Jay Todd, School of Geographical and Earth Sciences, University of Glasgow In the UK and globally, we are witnessing eliminationist attacks on trans and gender diverse people that are attempting to cr...
antipodeonline.org
May 7, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Intervention — “533 Geographers Call for Action on Transphobic Developments in the UK, its Supreme Court, and the EHRC” antipodeonline.org/2025/05/06/5...
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
Aziz Rana's book, "The Constitutional Bind: How Americans Came to Idolize a Document That Fails Them" is one of the most important books on the constitution for leftists, progressives, and anyone who is pro-democracy.
In a fantastic 4 part series, @danieldenvir.bsky.social goes deep on the ideas.
In a fantastic 4 part series, @danieldenvir.bsky.social goes deep on the ideas.
Settler Empire w/ Aziz Rana
The Dig · Episode
open.spotify.com
May 2, 2025 at 5:32 PM
Aziz Rana's book, "The Constitutional Bind: How Americans Came to Idolize a Document That Fails Them" is one of the most important books on the constitution for leftists, progressives, and anyone who is pro-democracy.
In a fantastic 4 part series, @danieldenvir.bsky.social goes deep on the ideas.
In a fantastic 4 part series, @danieldenvir.bsky.social goes deep on the ideas.
Reposted by Isaac Javier Rivera
So you’re saying we could solve all the financial problems of 379 million of us and impact just 19 households. What an interesting fact. Fun little bit of trivia.
The 19 richest U.S. households saw a $1 trillion wealth increase in 2024, a rise that exceeds the size of Switzerland’s economy.
These 19 households now control $2.6 trillion in wealth — almost as much wealth as the bottom 50% of American households.
If this isn't an oligarchy, what is?
These 19 households now control $2.6 trillion in wealth — almost as much wealth as the bottom 50% of American households.
If this isn't an oligarchy, what is?
April 29, 2025 at 2:35 AM
So you’re saying we could solve all the financial problems of 379 million of us and impact just 19 households. What an interesting fact. Fun little bit of trivia.