John Spencer
@jspencer2.bsky.social
Education professor, teacher educator, and historian. Personal account.
"...we must not fall into the trap of mistaking the outputs of writing (which are increasingly substitutable through technology) from the value of the cognitive process of writing (which hones mental development and cannot be substituted by a machine)." Great piece for day 1 discussion.
After the latest round of grading papers, I wrote about AI, ChatGPT, the death of the student essay, and what it means for the future of human cognition.
The Death of the Student Essay—and the Future of Cognition
One professor's reflections on the end of an era, as AI tools such as ChatGPT have murdered the student essay (RIP). Here's why that threatens the future of human cognition—and how to save ourselves.
www.forkingpaths.co
June 20, 2025 at 1:57 PM
"...we must not fall into the trap of mistaking the outputs of writing (which are increasingly substitutable through technology) from the value of the cognitive process of writing (which hones mental development and cannot be substituted by a machine)." Great piece for day 1 discussion.
Reposted by John Spencer
My god. 6 MILLION acres of public lands in Oregon, including the vast majority of our national forests, will be sold in a fire sale if the MAGA budget passes.
June 16, 2025 at 4:58 AM
My god. 6 MILLION acres of public lands in Oregon, including the vast majority of our national forests, will be sold in a fire sale if the MAGA budget passes.
Reposted by John Spencer
Modern tyranny is terror management.
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
The Next Terrorist Attack
And What Comes After
snyder.substack.com
June 12, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Modern tyranny is terror management.
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
snyder.substack.com/p/the-next-t...
Reposted by John Spencer
GUYS. The comment period for this ends in THREE DAYS. PLEASE if you have even a little bit of time, submit a comment here: www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/f...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/f...
FDA will limit Covid vaccines to people over 65 or at high risk of serious illness, leaders say
The FDA announced it will limit access to Covid-19 vaccines going forward to people 65 and older and others at high risk of serious illness
www.statnews.com
May 20, 2025 at 7:36 PM
GUYS. The comment period for this ends in THREE DAYS. PLEASE if you have even a little bit of time, submit a comment here: www.regulations.gov/commenton/FD...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/f...
Let them know EVERYONE should be able to get COVID vaccines. They BACK DOWN when WE PUSH BACK. www.statnews.com/2025/05/20/f...
Reposted by John Spencer
Folks sharing photos from today's nationwide "Hands Off" protests of Trump and Musk.
Boston, DC, NY, CA
Boston, DC, NY, CA
April 5, 2025 at 5:58 PM
Folks sharing photos from today's nationwide "Hands Off" protests of Trump and Musk.
Boston, DC, NY, CA
Boston, DC, NY, CA
Reposted by John Spencer
Those trying to understand the tariffs as economic policy are dangerously naive.
No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief.
1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.
No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief.
1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.
April 3, 2025 at 3:29 AM
Those trying to understand the tariffs as economic policy are dangerously naive.
No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief.
1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.
No, the tariffs are a tool to collapse our democracy. A means to compel loyalty from every business that will need to petition Trump for relief.
1/ A 🧵 to explain his plan and how we fight back.
Reposted by John Spencer
Cory Booker has officially taken over the Senate floor for over 20 hours to call out Trump’s assault on the Constitution.
And is still going.
And is still going.
Cory Booker is doing something incredible on the Senate floor. If you're not watching, you need to watch: www.youtube.com/live/Ej6locU...
LIVE: Cory Booker goes for floor speech RECORD
YouTube video by Brian Tyler Cohen
www.youtube.com
April 1, 2025 at 7:07 PM
Cory Booker has officially taken over the Senate floor for over 20 hours to call out Trump’s assault on the Constitution.
And is still going.
And is still going.
Reposted by John Spencer
Friday’s newsletter, on an embarrassing Thursday night. www.offmessage.net/p/a-betrayal
A Betrayal
Senate Democrats didn't just squander an opportunity to rein in Donald Trump and Elon Musk. They confirmed all the stereotypes that have made them toxic to progressives and swing voters alike.
www.offmessage.net
March 14, 2025 at 1:41 AM
Friday’s newsletter, on an embarrassing Thursday night. www.offmessage.net/p/a-betrayal
Who invites someone over because "we have a ham"? Every last detail is quirky and perfect. #severance
February 22, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Who invites someone over because "we have a ham"? Every last detail is quirky and perfect. #severance
Reposted by John Spencer
If you want to know why Trump is able to rule like an autocrat, compare the Washington Post' coverage of the Saturday Night Massacre with Trump doing exactly the same thing
February 13, 2025 at 10:35 PM
If you want to know why Trump is able to rule like an autocrat, compare the Washington Post' coverage of the Saturday Night Massacre with Trump doing exactly the same thing
Reposted by John Spencer
There's one plausible way Democrats could shut down the DOGE crime spree/constitutional crisis in the short term. And I'm pretty sure this is it. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/where...
Where’s the Real Power Nexus? How Does the Opposition Get To It?
I’ve made this point a few times in passing in other posts....
talkingpointsmemo.com
February 6, 2025 at 7:38 PM
There's one plausible way Democrats could shut down the DOGE crime spree/constitutional crisis in the short term. And I'm pretty sure this is it. talkingpointsmemo.com/edblog/where...
100%. Such a powerful and clarifying piece about the uncharted territory we're in. Must read.
This must be read. By every person who cares about the hijacking of this nation. By every Democrat in Congress. @democrats-judiciary.house.gov
Thank you @jamellebouie.net.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
Thank you @jamellebouie.net.
www.nytimes.com/2025/02/05/o...
Opinion | There Is No Going Back (Gift Article)
The president’s opponents, whoever they are, cannot expect a return to the Constitution as it was.
www.nytimes.com
February 5, 2025 at 2:57 PM
100%. Such a powerful and clarifying piece about the uncharted territory we're in. Must read.
Reposted by John Spencer
“It’s exhausting to watch poll-tested, donor-beholden congressional Democrats continue to be too old, too cloistered, and too bumbling to do anything as the government burns.”
newrepublic.com/article/1909...
newrepublic.com/article/1909...
Primary Every Democrat
It’s exhausting to watch poll-tested, donor-beholden congressional Democrats continue to be too old, too cloistered, and too bumbling to do anything as the government burns.
newrepublic.com
February 3, 2025 at 3:09 PM
“It’s exhausting to watch poll-tested, donor-beholden congressional Democrats continue to be too old, too cloistered, and too bumbling to do anything as the government burns.”
newrepublic.com/article/1909...
newrepublic.com/article/1909...
Reposted by John Spencer
This is a coup. A completely unconstitutional takeover of central government institutions, resources, and functions. Unfolding at a dramatic pace. All based entirely on the regime's assertion of absolute power and impunity.
Musk and his allies are ransacking the federal treasury, gaining access to closely guarded payment systems that disburse trillions of dollars and hold massive amounts of incredibly sensitive information—including Social Security numbers. Just a terrifying development. www.nytimes.com/live/2025/02...
February 1, 2025 at 10:50 PM
This is a coup. A completely unconstitutional takeover of central government institutions, resources, and functions. Unfolding at a dramatic pace. All based entirely on the regime's assertion of absolute power and impunity.
Reposted by John Spencer
Everyone should read this
Having watched with growing alarm the developments of the last 24 and 36 hours in Washington, I thought I’d take a stab at how the US media would cover this story if it was happening in a foreign country. Here’s that story that should be written this weekend: www.doomsdayscenario.co/p/musk-s-jun...
Musk's Junta Establishes Him as Head of Government
Imagining how we'd cover overseas what's happening to the U.S. right now
www.doomsdayscenario.co
February 1, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Everyone should read this
Thinking about how “worse than Watergate!” used to be a big deal to say. Good times. No more adding “-gate” to presidential scandals, which are now just “today's news.”
February 1, 2025 at 2:37 PM
Thinking about how “worse than Watergate!” used to be a big deal to say. Good times. No more adding “-gate” to presidential scandals, which are now just “today's news.”
Reposted by John Spencer
If all you've seen is corporate media coverage of Trump's remarks today, you have no idea of the vile, racist depths to which he sank. presswatchers.org/2025/01/poli...
January 30, 2025 at 11:06 PM
If all you've seen is corporate media coverage of Trump's remarks today, you have no idea of the vile, racist depths to which he sank. presswatchers.org/2025/01/poli...
Reposted by John Spencer
👇 top aviation reporter, apolitical
We are watching in realtime the systematic unraveling of decades aviation safety accident investigative precedent and process from the President of the United States.
January 30, 2025 at 5:19 PM
👇 top aviation reporter, apolitical
Reposted by John Spencer
“The American people want answers about how Trump will guarantee airline safety!” is a free thing to yell in any public forum that does not need to be focus-grouped or A/B tested
“Why won’t you say their names?” is something that elected officials, opinion leaders, and influencers could ask in every public forum featuring a GOP politician from now until 2028
January 30, 2025 at 12:04 PM
“The American people want answers about how Trump will guarantee airline safety!” is a free thing to yell in any public forum that does not need to be focus-grouped or A/B tested
But Kamala was sometimes too scripted!
Getting close to Number 4.
Step 1 - set free militants loyal to you
Step 2 - demonize marginalized segments of society
Step 3 - purge civil servants and oversight <—— you are here
Step 4 - claim authority to rule by decree
Step 5 - fascism
Step 2 - demonize marginalized segments of society
Step 3 - purge civil servants and oversight <—— you are here
Step 4 - claim authority to rule by decree
Step 5 - fascism
January 28, 2025 at 2:38 PM
But Kamala was sometimes too scripted!
Reposted by John Spencer
A lot of Dem incumbents are going to be confused and upset to find their strongest challenger next primary is "anyone but you."
I hope this shakes out to be more progressive, but it doesn't have to. Dem voters will just want anyone who doesn't seem as useless as the potatoes currently in the seats.
I hope this shakes out to be more progressive, but it doesn't have to. Dem voters will just want anyone who doesn't seem as useless as the potatoes currently in the seats.
the disconnect between elected Dems (business as usual) and the base (boiling mad) is about as big as I've ever seen it
I don't know how this eventually gets resolved but it's not a sustainable equilibrium
I don't know how this eventually gets resolved but it's not a sustainable equilibrium
January 28, 2025 at 11:07 AM
A lot of Dem incumbents are going to be confused and upset to find their strongest challenger next primary is "anyone but you."
I hope this shakes out to be more progressive, but it doesn't have to. Dem voters will just want anyone who doesn't seem as useless as the potatoes currently in the seats.
I hope this shakes out to be more progressive, but it doesn't have to. Dem voters will just want anyone who doesn't seem as useless as the potatoes currently in the seats.
Reposted by John Spencer
Apt Onion headline for six days into Trump II
-Claims to redefine Constitution via exec order
-Fires inspectors general in open violation of law
-Confirms dangerously unqualified SecDef
-Pardons numerous 1/6 rioters who beat police
No opposition from Rs, Ds and media quiescent. There will be more.
-Claims to redefine Constitution via exec order
-Fires inspectors general in open violation of law
-Confirms dangerously unqualified SecDef
-Pardons numerous 1/6 rioters who beat police
No opposition from Rs, Ds and media quiescent. There will be more.
January 25, 2025 at 5:33 PM
Apt Onion headline for six days into Trump II
-Claims to redefine Constitution via exec order
-Fires inspectors general in open violation of law
-Confirms dangerously unqualified SecDef
-Pardons numerous 1/6 rioters who beat police
No opposition from Rs, Ds and media quiescent. There will be more.
-Claims to redefine Constitution via exec order
-Fires inspectors general in open violation of law
-Confirms dangerously unqualified SecDef
-Pardons numerous 1/6 rioters who beat police
No opposition from Rs, Ds and media quiescent. There will be more.
Excellent thread on the J6 pardons
After downgrading J6 to an attack on police, then Trump fellow travelers can tut-tut the pardons as besmirching Trump's legacy. But the violent attempt to overturn American democracy *IS* Trump's legacy, it reveals and defines the central truth of Trump's presidency. 6/x
January 22, 2025 at 1:59 PM
Excellent thread on the J6 pardons