@matthewpehl.bsky.social
Historian, filmmaker, and Boston Celtics affectioniado
Reposted
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.” https://cnn.it/4b6g3rd
Oklahoma instructor removed from teaching for failing a Bible-based gender essay | CNN
The University of Oklahoma has removed an instructor who was accused by a student of religious discrimination over a failing grade on a psychology paper in which she cited the Bible and argued that promoting a “belief in multiple genders” was “demonic.”
cnn.it
December 24, 2025 at 6:21 PM
If you’re wondering why your friends in academia are a little on edge right now, it’s because an eighteen-year-old who hasn’t done the reading, doesn’t look at the assignment, and has does no critical thinking skills more complex than “because I think it’s in the Bible” can literally end your career
Reposted
These declines are MASSIVE.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
I count 10 cities in 2025 that are on track to have the fewest murders since at least 1970. Newark is on pace to have the fewest murders since 1956 (though only have data through Oct this year) and San Francisco is on pace to have the fewest murders since 1942.
December 23, 2025 at 10:03 PM
These declines are MASSIVE.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
And the comparative silence in media coverage is absolutely DAMNING.
“Why are ppl always so afraid of crime?”
THIS is why. When crime goes up, media trips over itself to report it.
Falls to pre-war (!!) levels? Just CRICKETS.
Reposted
From 2022: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
December 22, 2025 at 3:41 AM
From 2022: www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archiv...
Reposted
I guess some knowledge IS forbidden! www.chron.com/culture/arti...
Texas' 'anti-Harvard' university is losing its founders
Who will teach the "Forbidden Courses" now?
www.chron.com
December 18, 2025 at 9:44 PM
I guess some knowledge IS forbidden! www.chron.com/culture/arti...
Reposted
Texas Dems are working on *actual* enforcement of First Amendment protections.
www.houstonpress.com/news/univers...
www.houstonpress.com/news/univers...
University Professors Say They Don’t Want to Teach in Texas - Houston Press
Increasingly concerned that Texas will lose more college students and has already missed numerous opportunities to recruit the best and brightest University professors testified in a public hearing Tu...
www.houstonpress.com
December 14, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Texas Dems are working on *actual* enforcement of First Amendment protections.
www.houstonpress.com/news/univers...
www.houstonpress.com/news/univers...
Reposted
@golden.house.gov has called for a vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act, the bipartisan bill to reverse President Trump’s union-busting executive order and restore union rights for 1 MILLION federal workers.
Let’s get it done for America’s workers!
Let’s get it done for America’s workers!
December 10, 2025 at 11:30 PM
@golden.house.gov has called for a vote on the Protect America’s Workforce Act, the bipartisan bill to reverse President Trump’s union-busting executive order and restore union rights for 1 MILLION federal workers.
Let’s get it done for America’s workers!
Let’s get it done for America’s workers!
Reposted
The radical right, "restoring merit" by destroying merit.
I like how they just come right out and say you don’t have to do any research for tenure, just offer courses that pass our ideological litmus test.
December 10, 2025 at 5:32 PM
The radical right, "restoring merit" by destroying merit.
Reposted
Texas lawmaker James Talarico is young, well-spoken, and eager to talk with Republicans—just what some Democratic dreamers think they need to finally turn the state blue. But first, @elainegodfrey.bsky.social reports, he’d need to win the primary:
The Millennial Seminarian Trying to Turn Texas Blue
Democrats think James Talarico is the type of Senate candidate who could win back the voters his party lost to Trump. First he’d have to win the primary.
bit.ly
December 8, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Texas lawmaker James Talarico is young, well-spoken, and eager to talk with Republicans—just what some Democratic dreamers think they need to finally turn the state blue. But first, @elainegodfrey.bsky.social reports, he’d need to win the primary:
Reposted
New analysis of the Turin Strike Papyrus—a detailed account from 1157 BCE—shows how artisans building the royal tombs at Deir el-Medina staged a coordinated walkout after going 18 days without grain rations. tinyurl.com/29822yb2
#ShareGoodNewsToo
#ShareGoodNewsToo
Collection online - The so-called “Strike Papyrus” written by Amunnakht
More than 4.000 of the approximately 40.000 objects in Museo Egizio’s collection are accessible here. All data are constantly updated, thanks to the continuous study and documentation of the objects.…
tinyurl.com
December 8, 2025 at 2:20 PM
Reposted
A very quick story time about Texas Tech and why this feels like less of a deviation than par for the course.
If you dont want to read to the end of the thread, the big deviation is that it’s explicit.
www.chronicle.com/article/at-t...
If you dont want to read to the end of the thread, the big deviation is that it’s explicit.
www.chronicle.com/article/at-t...
At Texas Tech, Professors Now Need Permission to Teach About Race and Gender
Faculty say the policy is vague and a violation of the First Amendment.
www.chronicle.com
December 3, 2025 at 6:01 PM
A very quick story time about Texas Tech and why this feels like less of a deviation than par for the course.
If you dont want to read to the end of the thread, the big deviation is that it’s explicit.
www.chronicle.com/article/at-t...
If you dont want to read to the end of the thread, the big deviation is that it’s explicit.
www.chronicle.com/article/at-t...
Reposted
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
December 2, 2025 at 10:59 AM
I hope someone draws this wonderful story about Tom Stoppard's Arcadia and the power of the arts to help us see things differently, to the attention of our Education Secretary. Do read it, it will lift your spirits.
Reposted
From Daniel Braaten, Pres. AAUP Chapter at TX A&M San Antonio:
“What we have now in TX are political leaders who exert pressure on university administrators to limit what faculty can teach…and it will only degrade the quality of higher education that Texas students deserve.”
“What we have now in TX are political leaders who exert pressure on university administrators to limit what faculty can teach…and it will only degrade the quality of higher education that Texas students deserve.”
Education is diminished at Texas universities as academic freedom is eroded
Academic freedom is essential for universities to continue producing cutting-edge research.
www.expressnews.com
December 2, 2025 at 5:39 PM
From Daniel Braaten, Pres. AAUP Chapter at TX A&M San Antonio:
“What we have now in TX are political leaders who exert pressure on university administrators to limit what faculty can teach…and it will only degrade the quality of higher education that Texas students deserve.”
“What we have now in TX are political leaders who exert pressure on university administrators to limit what faculty can teach…and it will only degrade the quality of higher education that Texas students deserve.”
Reposted
Her parents owe their lives to the United States accepting them as asylum seekers fleeing religious persecution in Iraq in the 1980s. She wouldn't be here if we had not offered her family safe haven.
The hypocrisy is stunning.
The hypocrisy is stunning.
Habba: There were individuals that were saying that this should be a safe harbor, a safe haven. Why? America is America because we protect our own.
November 30, 2025 at 4:40 PM
Her parents owe their lives to the United States accepting them as asylum seekers fleeing religious persecution in Iraq in the 1980s. She wouldn't be here if we had not offered her family safe haven.
The hypocrisy is stunning.
The hypocrisy is stunning.
Reposted
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
Even God Is Worried About ChatGPT
Pope Leo XIV told students not to use artificial intelligence for homework, saying that AI ‘won’t stand in authentic wonder before the beauty of God’s creation.’
www.vulture.com
November 26, 2025 at 3:35 PM
Handing back student work that’s been written by ChatGPT with a 0 followed by the comment “This essay will never stand in authentic wonder before the Beauty of God’s creation.”
Reposted
Cool thing is that this also happened in cities all over the country.
In 1958, Black art was not being shown in Detroit’s major institutions. Painter Harold Neal and his contemporaries started a collective of Black artists who created their own opportunities, marking the unofficial beginning of the city’s own Black arts movement.
How Detroit Became a Hub for Black Art
A decade before the mainstream Black Arts Movement, Detroit underwent a transformation of its own, driven by Black artists who recognized a need for opportunities and community.
hyperallergic.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:26 AM
Cool thing is that this also happened in cities all over the country.
Reposted
This, believe it or not, is actually where the article started to take shape for me
November 19, 2025 at 3:05 AM
This, believe it or not, is actually where the article started to take shape for me
Reposted
From guest columnist + UT faculty member Steve Wechsler: “I do not see evidence of intolerance to diverse views at UT. What I see is a range of departments seeking truth from different angles, creating a university that is greater than the sum of its parts.” ❤️
www.statesman.com/opinion/colu...
www.statesman.com/opinion/colu...
UT’s diversity of thought is real — and well worth defending | Opinion
Diverse areas of study bring diverse perspectives — the hallmark of a great university. Political meddling is threatening that at the University of Texas, Steve Wechsler writes.
www.statesman.com
November 18, 2025 at 3:15 PM
From guest columnist + UT faculty member Steve Wechsler: “I do not see evidence of intolerance to diverse views at UT. What I see is a range of departments seeking truth from different angles, creating a university that is greater than the sum of its parts.” ❤️
www.statesman.com/opinion/colu...
www.statesman.com/opinion/colu...
Reposted
we should take teaching more seriously
Larry Summers tells @theharvardcrimson.bsky.social
he’s stepping back from all public commitments in light of his messages with Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” and hopes “to rebuild trust and repair relationships.”
He will continue teaching.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
he’s stepping back from all public commitments in light of his messages with Epstein, saying he is “deeply ashamed” and hopes “to rebuild trust and repair relationships.”
He will continue teaching.
www.thecrimson.com/article/2025...
November 18, 2025 at 1:27 AM
we should take teaching more seriously
Reposted
I spent October traveling to schools throughout the South talking to students about American history. What I found were young people who understand we can tell a story that includes both the positive and the negative. As one 8th grader in Memphis said, “Doesn’t seem that hard, just say both things.”
Tell Students the Truth About American History
We owe it to Americans of all ages to be honest about the country’s past, including its contradictions.
www.theatlantic.com
November 17, 2025 at 4:57 PM
I spent October traveling to schools throughout the South talking to students about American history. What I found were young people who understand we can tell a story that includes both the positive and the negative. As one 8th grader in Memphis said, “Doesn’t seem that hard, just say both things.”
Reposted
I feel like the pope being an American cinephile is God finally rewarding Scorsese for a lifetime of devotion
November 17, 2025 at 4:35 AM
I feel like the pope being an American cinephile is God finally rewarding Scorsese for a lifetime of devotion
Reposted
In many ways, sports are more accessible than ever—but for devoted fans trying to watch their team actually play all season, the landscape has never been trickier to navigate, Stephanie Hayes argues.
Why Can’t I Just Watch Sports on Television?
It shouldn’t be this hard to be a fan.
bit.ly
November 16, 2025 at 9:15 PM
In many ways, sports are more accessible than ever—but for devoted fans trying to watch their team actually play all season, the landscape has never been trickier to navigate, Stephanie Hayes argues.
Reposted
Once again, the AAUP takes the lead in defending higher education. If you teach or conduct research in higher education, join now @aaup.org
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 15, 2025 at 3:12 AM
Once again, the AAUP takes the lead in defending higher education. If you teach or conduct research in higher education, join now @aaup.org
Reposted
1) 'Why I Resigned' from UVa Prez 100% worth reading www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
2) Events were forced by NYT story w leaked info that he was under pressure to resign. UVa prez has 'no idea' where leaks came from (See below.)
3) FWIW same NYT team did leaked "Harvard will cave" stories
2) Events were forced by NYT story w leaked info that he was under pressure to resign. UVa prez has 'no idea' where leaks came from (See below.)
3) FWIW same NYT team did leaked "Harvard will cave" stories
November 14, 2025 at 10:35 PM
1) 'Why I Resigned' from UVa Prez 100% worth reading www.documentcloud.org/documents/26...
2) Events were forced by NYT story w leaked info that he was under pressure to resign. UVa prez has 'no idea' where leaks came from (See below.)
3) FWIW same NYT team did leaked "Harvard will cave" stories
2) Events were forced by NYT story w leaked info that he was under pressure to resign. UVa prez has 'no idea' where leaks came from (See below.)
3) FWIW same NYT team did leaked "Harvard will cave" stories