Bess
@leferkins.bsky.social
I love learning and teaching and thinking and reading.
Is there any trick to leaving instructions to AI in a document? For instance, if a student uploads my materials to ChatGPT, is there any Easter egg prompt I can hide in the materials to tell AI what to do? I know the MIT authors did it with their study but I haven't figured out how to do it.
July 9, 2025 at 12:01 PM
Is there any trick to leaving instructions to AI in a document? For instance, if a student uploads my materials to ChatGPT, is there any Easter egg prompt I can hide in the materials to tell AI what to do? I know the MIT authors did it with their study but I haven't figured out how to do it.
This was a really great podcast. Especially if you don't want to hear about how the Democrats keep getting in their own way.
in other mayoral news, my colleagues and I put together a full episode of Reveal on the fracturing of the Democratic party and the clamoring for a course correction, whatever that means. From Tucson to Corona, Queens: www.motherjones.com/politics/202...
2024 broke the Democrats. Can they put themselves back together?
In New York, the party—still grappling with an identity crisis—faces one of its biggest tests since Trump's win.
www.motherjones.com
June 16, 2025 at 3:10 PM
This was a really great podcast. Especially if you don't want to hear about how the Democrats keep getting in their own way.
This is (characteristically) clear-eyed and heartbreaking.
Most of my friends think I'm wasting my time and, I probably am. But I had to try.
Here is an open letter, and an honest plea, to Clarence Thomas, in hopes that he might do the right thing this decision season.
He hates me as much as I hate him. But I had to try.
Here is an open letter, and an honest plea, to Clarence Thomas, in hopes that he might do the right thing this decision season.
He hates me as much as I hate him. But I had to try.
An Open Letter to Clarence Thomas
As the Trump administration tries to remake society along apartheid lines, your vote to stop the assault, however unlikely, is absolutely essential.
www.thenation.com
May 20, 2025 at 6:11 PM
This is (characteristically) clear-eyed and heartbreaking.
Reposted by Bess
Most of my friends think I'm wasting my time and, I probably am. But I had to try.
Here is an open letter, and an honest plea, to Clarence Thomas, in hopes that he might do the right thing this decision season.
He hates me as much as I hate him. But I had to try.
Here is an open letter, and an honest plea, to Clarence Thomas, in hopes that he might do the right thing this decision season.
He hates me as much as I hate him. But I had to try.
An Open Letter to Clarence Thomas
As the Trump administration tries to remake society along apartheid lines, your vote to stop the assault, however unlikely, is absolutely essential.
www.thenation.com
May 20, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Most of my friends think I'm wasting my time and, I probably am. But I had to try.
Here is an open letter, and an honest plea, to Clarence Thomas, in hopes that he might do the right thing this decision season.
He hates me as much as I hate him. But I had to try.
Here is an open letter, and an honest plea, to Clarence Thomas, in hopes that he might do the right thing this decision season.
He hates me as much as I hate him. But I had to try.
Reposted by Bess
The parent, whose challenge successfully removed 'Gender Queer,' 'Fun Home,' and 'Blankets' from Radnor School District, listed “childhood trauma, willingness to be sexually exploited, enabling sexual groomers and acceptance of pedophilia” as reasons. The parent's name was redacted by the district.
Radnor students walk out of school to protest book bans
About 75 students walked out of school Friday to protest the school district's recent removal of three books: 'Gender Queer,' 'Fun Home,' and 'Blankets.'
www.inquirer.com
March 28, 2025 at 5:23 PM
The parent, whose challenge successfully removed 'Gender Queer,' 'Fun Home,' and 'Blankets' from Radnor School District, listed “childhood trauma, willingness to be sexually exploited, enabling sexual groomers and acceptance of pedophilia” as reasons. The parent's name was redacted by the district.
Reposted by Bess
Tremendous support for graphic novels from the public at the Radnor Township school board meeting – judging from the testimony, the removal of Gender Queer, Fun Home, and Blankets from the school library shelves has given these books many new readers in the area!
April 23, 2025 at 12:30 AM
Tremendous support for graphic novels from the public at the Radnor Township school board meeting – judging from the testimony, the removal of Gender Queer, Fun Home, and Blankets from the school library shelves has given these books many new readers in the area!
Does anybody recognize where this is? We found it in my grandmother's stuff. Likely in New England or New York.
![Black and white photo from (probably) late 19th century with a 1/10th replica of the Great Buddha of Kamakura. It is on the coastline and there is an island behind it with Victorian-era architecture. It appears to be on the coastline of New England (Boston or Rhode Island, most likely) or possibly New York.
There is a plaque on the front of the statue that says "this idol is a true replica of a [something] bronze statue in Mara, Japan. The original is 10-fold larger. Idol and [something something] by Tanimara, F.A.J., Tokyo"](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:ywlgwhxoumjygch6zpawqy25/bafkreihjaoodianygiav5xl23znbvpiivvmluoxchu7gbmhhzgh3luh2va@jpeg)
January 2, 2025 at 6:14 PM
Does anybody recognize where this is? We found it in my grandmother's stuff. Likely in New England or New York.
Reposted by Bess
Elon, Trump, RFK — eating McDonald’s on a private plane.
Clinton, Gore — eating McDonald’s with a lady in a care bear’s shirt smoking a cigarette
Clinton, Gore — eating McDonald’s with a lady in a care bear’s shirt smoking a cigarette
November 17, 2024 at 3:55 PM
Elon, Trump, RFK — eating McDonald’s on a private plane.
Clinton, Gore — eating McDonald’s with a lady in a care bear’s shirt smoking a cigarette
Clinton, Gore — eating McDonald’s with a lady in a care bear’s shirt smoking a cigarette
November 17, 2024 at 2:48 PM
Reading Anne Applebaum's Autocracy, Inc. and this is so so important to remember. It's so easy to give in to cynicism in the face of so much disinformation, but that is by design. It's why they lie. It's why they've gutted public education. When people can't figure out what's real, they stop caring.
November 10, 2024 at 6:23 PM
Reading Anne Applebaum's Autocracy, Inc. and this is so so important to remember. It's so easy to give in to cynicism in the face of so much disinformation, but that is by design. It's why they lie. It's why they've gutted public education. When people can't figure out what's real, they stop caring.
Reposted by Bess
If I were going to go back to school for anything, it would be to study the link between communication technology and fascist/totalitarian/anti-democratic movements. Telegrams and Confederates; radio and Nazis; social media and Trumpism. Feels like it’s a pattern!
"...the most divided period in the history of U.S. democracy— the mid-1800s — coincided with a sudden boom in new communications technologies, confrontational political influencers, widespread disinformation...This media landscape helped bring about the Civil War."
www.niemanlab.org/2024/10/how-...
www.niemanlab.org/2024/10/how-...
How a 19th-century news revolution sparked activists, influencers, disinformation, and the Civil War
Long before anyone was accused of being "woke," the Wide Awakes used new news technology to rapidly construct a national movement.
www.niemanlab.org
October 31, 2024 at 3:04 PM
If I were going to go back to school for anything, it would be to study the link between communication technology and fascist/totalitarian/anti-democratic movements. Telegrams and Confederates; radio and Nazis; social media and Trumpism. Feels like it’s a pattern!
Responded to my first text message poll. It did not disappoint.
October 3, 2024 at 12:20 AM
Responded to my first text message poll. It did not disappoint.
I was occasionally assigned a book a *week* in college in the 90s. Went back for my masters recently and was floored at how little reading I was assigned.
My undergrads push back if I assign more than 20-30 pages/week.
My undergrads push back if I assign more than 20-30 pages/week.
Recently, I tweeted about how in 90s/00s it was common to be assigned a book to read in 1 or 2 weeks.
Many younger people replied they'd NEVER been assigned that much reading even while getting graduate degrees. Others said they hadn't been assigned entire books AT ALL in h.s....only excerpts.
Many younger people replied they'd NEVER been assigned that much reading even while getting graduate degrees. Others said they hadn't been assigned entire books AT ALL in h.s....only excerpts.
The Elite College Students Who Can’t Read Books
To read a book in college, it helps to have read a book in high school.
www.theatlantic.com
October 1, 2024 at 10:11 PM
I was occasionally assigned a book a *week* in college in the 90s. Went back for my masters recently and was floored at how little reading I was assigned.
My undergrads push back if I assign more than 20-30 pages/week.
My undergrads push back if I assign more than 20-30 pages/week.
❤️🦆🦆🦆
Nancy Schön is known for her iconic, bronze ducklings in Boston's public garden. Now, at 96, the artist is going public with her political side with a new sculpture in the North End.
At 96, duckling sculptor Nancy Schön gets political with new North End work
"The Noble Journey," outside St. Leonard's church in the North End highlights the legacy of immigrants who came to the United States.
www.wbur.org
September 30, 2024 at 12:21 PM
❤️🦆🦆🦆
Shapiro publicly calling something utter bullshit is my favorite thing he's ever done. And it has the added benefit of being accurate and an appropriate response. 👏🏼
NEWS --> PA Gov Josh Shapiro responds at length to Trump's attacks on Haitians in the state, ripping them as "utter bullshit" and "reprehensible" in "someone who wants to lead the nation."
Shapiro also offers a powerful defense of immigration. On our pod:
newrepublic.com/article/1863...
Shapiro also offers a powerful defense of immigration. On our pod:
newrepublic.com/article/1863...
Transcript: Gov Josh Shapiro on Why Harris is On Track to Beat Trump
Governor Shapiro talks about Kamala Harris' chances of winning Pennsylvania and responds to Trump's attacks on Haitians in the state, which Shapiro calls "utter bullshit."
newrepublic.com
September 26, 2024 at 2:59 PM
Shapiro publicly calling something utter bullshit is my favorite thing he's ever done. And it has the added benefit of being accurate and an appropriate response. 👏🏼
Reposted by Bess
Every page can be an ad. This is why I'm livid with the Trump v Biden bullshit. It's the platform! You're voting for the platform!
Who wears the suit doesn't matter as much as what legislation they're fucking signing!
Who wears the suit doesn't matter as much as what legislation they're fucking signing!
Project 2025, page 592: make it harder for employees to be paid at overtime rates by allowing employers to average the number of hours worked over 2-4 weeks
July 10, 2024 at 12:59 AM
Every page can be an ad. This is why I'm livid with the Trump v Biden bullshit. It's the platform! You're voting for the platform!
Who wears the suit doesn't matter as much as what legislation they're fucking signing!
Who wears the suit doesn't matter as much as what legislation they're fucking signing!
Reposted by Bess
There’s no certain path forward except if this race is about two candidates, Trump has the advantage. If it’s about the choice of two futures, he doesn’t have a chance.
July 10, 2024 at 12:14 AM
There’s no certain path forward except if this race is about two candidates, Trump has the advantage. If it’s about the choice of two futures, he doesn’t have a chance.
Reposted by Bess
It is fully okay to vote for the NLRB board being able to protect unions and the FTC to keep all our grocery stores from being owned by the same entity.
You don’t have to like the goddamn candidate.
You don’t have to like the goddamn candidate.
July 9, 2024 at 3:37 PM
It is fully okay to vote for the NLRB board being able to protect unions and the FTC to keep all our grocery stores from being owned by the same entity.
You don’t have to like the goddamn candidate.
You don’t have to like the goddamn candidate.
Reposted by Bess
My favorite tried-and-true resistance tactic: Being Extremely Fucking Annoying.
July 9, 2024 at 11:25 AM
My favorite tried-and-true resistance tactic: Being Extremely Fucking Annoying.
Reposted by Bess
Seeing students — joined by faculty and staff — making clear, specific, actionable demands to hold their institutions accountable only to be patronized, infantalized, and brutalized is infuriating. It’s also a great way to radicalize people and it’s astonishing most admins don’t get this.
May 1, 2024 at 5:01 AM
Seeing students — joined by faculty and staff — making clear, specific, actionable demands to hold their institutions accountable only to be patronized, infantalized, and brutalized is infuriating. It’s also a great way to radicalize people and it’s astonishing most admins don’t get this.
Reposted by Bess
As a teacher, you should never, ever grade using AI. I don't even like having TAs grade stuff, if at all possible.
It is absolutely 💯 your job to do the grading as fairly as possible. AND it's a feedback mechanism for you - what common mistakes do you see? Do I need to emphasize this in class?
It is absolutely 💯 your job to do the grading as fairly as possible. AND it's a feedback mechanism for you - what common mistakes do you see? Do I need to emphasize this in class?
“Teachers are turning to AI tools and platforms — such as ChatGPT, Writable, Grammarly and EssayGrader — to assist with grading papers, writing feedback, developing lesson plans and creating assignments.” 💀
Teachers are using AI to grade essays. Students are using AI to write them | CNN Business
teaching ChatGPT best practices in her writing workshop class at the University of Lynchburg in Virginia, said she sees the advantages for teachers using AI tools but takes issue with how it can be us...
www.cnn.com
April 8, 2024 at 12:46 AM
As a teacher, you should never, ever grade using AI. I don't even like having TAs grade stuff, if at all possible.
It is absolutely 💯 your job to do the grading as fairly as possible. AND it's a feedback mechanism for you - what common mistakes do you see? Do I need to emphasize this in class?
It is absolutely 💯 your job to do the grading as fairly as possible. AND it's a feedback mechanism for you - what common mistakes do you see? Do I need to emphasize this in class?
Reposted by Bess
Let me tell you something, up front. You cannot do “media literacy education” effectively. You know what is effective? Arts education, history of mass media. Media literacy is one of the inevitable results of those things. You say “media literacy education” and you’re in a million curriculum fights
Videos, images and text created by generative artificial intelligence tools are turning up in elections, for sale on Amazon and even in court documents. Learning to identify the growing flood of deepfakes, along with online conspiracy theories, is becoming a rite of passage for students.
AI images and conspiracy theories are driving a push for media literacy education
One of the nation's best-known media literacy events for high school students is expanding as demand grows for skills to identify deepfake images and online conspiracy theories.
www.npr.org
March 21, 2024 at 9:30 PM
Let me tell you something, up front. You cannot do “media literacy education” effectively. You know what is effective? Arts education, history of mass media. Media literacy is one of the inevitable results of those things. You say “media literacy education” and you’re in a million curriculum fights