Dr. Mikaila
@mmlarthur.bsky.social
Sociologist of Higher Education. Union president. Teacher. Failed repairer of broken worlds. Fresserin. RIer.
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-4058
https://orcid.org/0000-0002-3180-4058
Pinned
Dr. Mikaila
@mmlarthur.bsky.social
· Nov 11
Jumping on the reintroduction bandwagon: I am a sociologist of higher education & a faculty union president here in RI. I tend to talk about higher ed, organizing, local politics, speculative fiction, vegan food, Judaism, and disability. Glad to find you here.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
And almost nobody has "cancer money” of the type you need when it’s really serious
which is why I’m increasingly skeptical thinking about how the idea that wealth is protective (which it is…until it’s not) causes us to overlook how ind. wealth, not Bezos wealth but like median white wealth,
which is why I’m increasingly skeptical thinking about how the idea that wealth is protective (which it is…until it’s not) causes us to overlook how ind. wealth, not Bezos wealth but like median white wealth,
i've half-joked about how you aren't actually rich until you have "cancer money", or enough that you can pay for treatment *and* be out of work for however long *and* maintain your or your family's basic quality of life (ie, not having to liquidate core assets like your primary residence).
James Van Der Beek is auctioning off ‘Dawson’s Creek’ and ‘Varsity Blues’ merchandise to pay for his cancer treatments.
November 19, 2025 at 12:28 PM
And almost nobody has "cancer money” of the type you need when it’s really serious
which is why I’m increasingly skeptical thinking about how the idea that wealth is protective (which it is…until it’s not) causes us to overlook how ind. wealth, not Bezos wealth but like median white wealth,
which is why I’m increasingly skeptical thinking about how the idea that wealth is protective (which it is…until it’s not) causes us to overlook how ind. wealth, not Bezos wealth but like median white wealth,
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Moms 4 Liberty types hate it when kids miss in-person learning so I’m sure they’ll be protesting the federal terror campaign, right?
November 18, 2025 at 12:09 PM
Moms 4 Liberty types hate it when kids miss in-person learning so I’m sure they’ll be protesting the federal terror campaign, right?
Giving Tuesday is coming up fast (12/2) and FAST Fund RIC needs your help. Donate now: givebutter.com/RhodeIslandC...
Don't let an overdue car insurance bill or a broken laptop stop a student at Rhode Island College from earning their degree.
#BelieveinStudents #GivingTuesday #FASTFund
Don't let an overdue car insurance bill or a broken laptop stop a student at Rhode Island College from earning their degree.
#BelieveinStudents #GivingTuesday #FASTFund
Rhode Island College
FAST Fund
givebutter.com
November 18, 2025 at 12:19 AM
Giving Tuesday is coming up fast (12/2) and FAST Fund RIC needs your help. Donate now: givebutter.com/RhodeIslandC...
Don't let an overdue car insurance bill or a broken laptop stop a student at Rhode Island College from earning their degree.
#BelieveinStudents #GivingTuesday #FASTFund
Don't let an overdue car insurance bill or a broken laptop stop a student at Rhode Island College from earning their degree.
#BelieveinStudents #GivingTuesday #FASTFund
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Eugene O'Connor Emails Reveal a Lost Birmingham || the controversial sheriff's recently released documents reveal a close-knit police community that wistfully evokes 19th century social customs
November 16, 2025 at 5:45 PM
Eugene O'Connor Emails Reveal a Lost Birmingham || the controversial sheriff's recently released documents reveal a close-knit police community that wistfully evokes 19th century social customs
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Everything about this story is awesome. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/s...
A Farmer, a Designer and a Dating App Unite to Save Some ‘Gay Sheep’
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 7:21 AM
Everything about this story is awesome. Gift link:
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/s...
www.nytimes.com/2025/11/11/s...
@pvdcitycouncil.bsky.social is considering charging fees to landlords who rent to students, thinking of students as people from elsewhere who are using our city services. But students here at @rhodeislandcollege.bsky.social are people from right here in our community. Their housing costs shouldn't
November 14, 2025 at 7:55 PM
@pvdcitycouncil.bsky.social is considering charging fees to landlords who rent to students, thinking of students as people from elsewhere who are using our city services. But students here at @rhodeislandcollege.bsky.social are people from right here in our community. Their housing costs shouldn't
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
The stories about the lacking academic freedom in TX are terrible, but they are nothing new. The world just lost Larry Caroline Z"L, whose career in academic philosophy ended due to his opposition to the Vietnam War when teaching at UT Austin. He found another path forward to make a difference in
November 14, 2025 at 3:54 AM
The stories about the lacking academic freedom in TX are terrible, but they are nothing new. The world just lost Larry Caroline Z"L, whose career in academic philosophy ended due to his opposition to the Vietnam War when teaching at UT Austin. He found another path forward to make a difference in
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
The primary reason men perpetrate sexual violence is to bond with each other.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
November 12, 2025 at 4:39 PM
The primary reason men perpetrate sexual violence is to bond with each other.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
That’s why there are so many text messages and emails. For most rapists, the satisfaction doesn’t come from the violence. It comes from the power they get after bragging about it.
Tzvetan Todorov, "Facing the Extreme: Moral Life in the Concentration Camps," on ordinary versus extraordinary virtue and vice and the importance of care for the real people around you.
November 12, 2025 at 3:16 AM
Tzvetan Todorov, "Facing the Extreme: Moral Life in the Concentration Camps," on ordinary versus extraordinary virtue and vice and the importance of care for the real people around you.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
It is hard to come up with a better analogy for whiteness than preferring the AI simulacra of your supposed authentic art form to whatever a Black woman from your art form’s cultural geography might make.
As long as it's not Beyonce country music fans are fine with this development
November 11, 2025 at 7:53 PM
It is hard to come up with a better analogy for whiteness than preferring the AI simulacra of your supposed authentic art form to whatever a Black woman from your art form’s cultural geography might make.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I'm back! In this experiment we had 39 participants choose between 8 different PhD programs which varied in terms of region, application materials, prestige, and fees. Importantly, two of the programs had a GRE requirement and two were equivalent but did not:
November 11, 2025 at 9:34 PM
I'm back! In this experiment we had 39 participants choose between 8 different PhD programs which varied in terms of region, application materials, prestige, and fees. Importantly, two of the programs had a GRE requirement and two were equivalent but did not:
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
In Italy labor unions helped start a network of left-leaning news/music radio stations that have become some of the staples of public information in much of the country. They now run on a donation / ads model, but initial investment was from labor. I think about this often.
The AFL-CIO should start throwing some money towards labor journalism. If it was done right (i.e. with them accepting that journalists must have full editorial control over what’s published, whether or not union leaders like what they have to say) it could really have such a hugely positive impact
November 7, 2025 at 2:09 PM
In Italy labor unions helped start a network of left-leaning news/music radio stations that have become some of the staples of public information in much of the country. They now run on a donation / ads model, but initial investment was from labor. I think about this often.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
The USA has executed at least 7 veterans this year alone. around 200 are on death rows across the country. We are a country that teaches people to kill, and then executes them.
psmag.com/social-justi...
psmag.com/social-justi...
Can PTSD Be Linked to Violence?
How morally responsible can we hold Eddie Ray Routh for the death of Chris Kyle?
psmag.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:27 PM
The USA has executed at least 7 veterans this year alone. around 200 are on death rows across the country. We are a country that teaches people to kill, and then executes them.
psmag.com/social-justi...
psmag.com/social-justi...
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Here's one:
If you aren't seeing skeets from some of your fave people, they might have been labeled "Rude" by bsky mods. Idk what they are thinking, I don't need a mommy to tell me who to be buddies with. Anyway, go into Settings > moderation > bluesky moderation (advanced) and turn Rude off.
November 11, 2025 at 3:58 PM
Here's one:
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
From today's Chronicle of Higher Ed briefing. I am *never* an advocate of cutting programs. But I am curious to see if there will be the same type of "students aren't majoring in this, so let's cut the program" discourse around computer science as there always is for the arts and humanities.
November 11, 2025 at 12:38 PM
From today's Chronicle of Higher Ed briefing. I am *never* an advocate of cutting programs. But I am curious to see if there will be the same type of "students aren't majoring in this, so let's cut the program" discourse around computer science as there always is for the arts and humanities.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I can't stress this enough as a super volunteer for the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates. This should prompt you to get MORE involved, not less. Show up and use the existing infrastructure to make it work for all of us. In my neck of the woods, we've seen a ton of local victories this way.
Right, the answer isn't to abandon the party to these weasels.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
The answer is to flood the party with people who will take it over and transform it.
Hey, a lot of people are talking about changing affiliation from Democratic to Independent.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
Let me tell you why you shouldn’t do that in Colorado.
One of the main ways to get a primary challenge candidate on a ballot is to caucus for your party. You need to be registered as a Dem to caucus.
November 10, 2025 at 8:14 PM
I can't stress this enough as a super volunteer for the Democratic Party and Democratic candidates. This should prompt you to get MORE involved, not less. Show up and use the existing infrastructure to make it work for all of us. In my neck of the woods, we've seen a ton of local victories this way.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Investing up to $30M into research on how to incorporate AI into agriculture seems kinda ironic given AI infrastructure takes acres of farmland out of production and exacerbates the water shortages that constrain farm productivity.
Let them drink ChatGPT ...
Let them drink ChatGPT ...
November 10, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Investing up to $30M into research on how to incorporate AI into agriculture seems kinda ironic given AI infrastructure takes acres of farmland out of production and exacerbates the water shortages that constrain farm productivity.
Let them drink ChatGPT ...
Let them drink ChatGPT ...
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
"Rich folks live on Power Street, but most of us live off Hope.”
Hello! I’m Kenny Uong, and since 2022, I’ve been grateful to call Ward 3 in Providence home. I’m inspired by the people who breathe life and energy into our East Side communities. I’m excited to share that I’m exploring a run... (1/2)
Hello! I’m Kenny Uong, and since 2022, I’ve been grateful to call Ward 3 in Providence home. I’m inspired by the people who breathe life and energy into our East Side communities. I’m excited to share that I’m exploring a run... (1/2)
November 11, 2025 at 1:07 AM
"Rich folks live on Power Street, but most of us live off Hope.”
Hello! I’m Kenny Uong, and since 2022, I’ve been grateful to call Ward 3 in Providence home. I’m inspired by the people who breathe life and energy into our East Side communities. I’m excited to share that I’m exploring a run... (1/2)
Hello! I’m Kenny Uong, and since 2022, I’ve been grateful to call Ward 3 in Providence home. I’m inspired by the people who breathe life and energy into our East Side communities. I’m excited to share that I’m exploring a run... (1/2)
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
And, as @higheredcmo.bsky.social said on her most recent podcast, subject experts don't always know what they aren't experts in. Leaders can often dismiss concerns from those in other fields because they don't have the same theory of knowledge - risk management is one.
November 8, 2025 at 2:46 AM
And, as @higheredcmo.bsky.social said on her most recent podcast, subject experts don't always know what they aren't experts in. Leaders can often dismiss concerns from those in other fields because they don't have the same theory of knowledge - risk management is one.
I cannot log into my online social security account bc social security thinks my name is first middle last last but my driver's license is first middle middle last because my passport is that way. The only way to fix it is to make an appointment. You can't make an appointment without logging in.
November 8, 2025 at 1:48 AM
I cannot log into my online social security account bc social security thinks my name is first middle last last but my driver's license is first middle middle last because my passport is that way. The only way to fix it is to make an appointment. You can't make an appointment without logging in.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
It’s a historical story that comes to mind whenever I see people debating ending women’s rights.
Women have lost rights before in this country and it has almost always been in a context of men fighting for political power between themselves, seeing women as objects instead of true political actors.
Women have lost rights before in this country and it has almost always been in a context of men fighting for political power between themselves, seeing women as objects instead of true political actors.
November 6, 2025 at 3:24 PM
It’s a historical story that comes to mind whenever I see people debating ending women’s rights.
Women have lost rights before in this country and it has almost always been in a context of men fighting for political power between themselves, seeing women as objects instead of true political actors.
Women have lost rights before in this country and it has almost always been in a context of men fighting for political power between themselves, seeing women as objects instead of true political actors.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
I'm spending a lot of time thinking about the shift of students from lower-cost to higher-cost fields, further stretching institutional budgets (and something that often flies under the radar). Here is the trend for public research universities.
November 5, 2025 at 7:06 PM
I'm spending a lot of time thinking about the shift of students from lower-cost to higher-cost fields, further stretching institutional budgets (and something that often flies under the radar). Here is the trend for public research universities.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Ocean State Job Lot announced that all food in its 17 Rhode Island stores is discounted by 20 percent until the federal SNAP program is fully reinstated. That includes coffee, tea, peanut butter, jam, cooking oils, spices, and hundreds of Bob’s Red Mill products.
November 4, 2025 at 4:54 PM
Ocean State Job Lot announced that all food in its 17 Rhode Island stores is discounted by 20 percent until the federal SNAP program is fully reinstated. That includes coffee, tea, peanut butter, jam, cooking oils, spices, and hundreds of Bob’s Red Mill products.
Reposted by Dr. Mikaila
Who is wise? One who learns from all people.
Who is a fool? One who is content with their own limited understanding of the world.
(Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers)
Who is a fool? One who is content with their own limited understanding of the world.
(Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers)
November 4, 2025 at 8:02 PM
Who is wise? One who learns from all people.
Who is a fool? One who is content with their own limited understanding of the world.
(Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers)
Who is a fool? One who is content with their own limited understanding of the world.
(Pirkei Avot, Ethics of our Fathers)