Seema Chishti
@seemay.bsky.social
Journalist, Writer ||
Editor @thewire_in || Books - Sumitra and Anees: Tales and Recipes from a Khichdi Family | Note by Note: The India Story || Tweets mine ||
Editor @thewire_in || Books - Sumitra and Anees: Tales and Recipes from a Khichdi Family | Note by Note: The India Story || Tweets mine ||
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Unidentified men grabbing someone off the street and putting her in a car because she wrote an op-Ed. This as flatly authoritarian as anything we’ve seen in this country in a very long time.
Video of the international student at Tufts being arrested by "federal authorities" in Massachusetts has been released and it's terrifying.
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
They're not even uniformed officers. Just secret police thugs in hoodies and masks.
From WCVB: youtu.be/PuFIs7OkzYY
March 26, 2025 at 5:41 PM
Unidentified men grabbing someone off the street and putting her in a car because she wrote an op-Ed. This as flatly authoritarian as anything we’ve seen in this country in a very long time.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Reposted by Seema Chishti
The foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea held trilateral talks in Tokyo on Saturday, seeking to further cooperation and lay the groundwork for a potential leadership summit as the countries confront economic disruption and rising global political tensions.
Japan, China, South Korea Meet as US Tariff Pressure Rises
The foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea held trilateral talks in Tokyo on Saturday, seeking to further cooperation and lay the groundwork for a potential leadership summit as the countr...
www.bloomberg.com
March 22, 2025 at 7:10 AM
The foreign ministers of Japan, China, and South Korea held trilateral talks in Tokyo on Saturday, seeking to further cooperation and lay the groundwork for a potential leadership summit as the countries confront economic disruption and rising global political tensions.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Faculty, alumni, rabbis outside the Columbia Manhattanville campus this afternoon, condemning the detention of Mahmoud Khalil by ICE , and the University’s response www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGzx...
LIVE: Columbia University faculty, Jewish leaders condemn ICE detention of Mahmoud Khalil
YouTube video by Reuters
www.youtube.com
March 11, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Faculty, alumni, rabbis outside the Columbia Manhattanville campus this afternoon, condemning the detention of Mahmoud Khalil by ICE , and the University’s response www.youtube.com/watch?v=kGzx...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
#TheWireLive | Global Boom, Indian Bust: M.K. Venu Explains India’s Historic Share Market Crash
Zeeshan Kaskar in conversation with The Wire's founding editor M.K. Venu
Join here at 4.30pm: youtube.com/live/U84mSvD...
Zeeshan Kaskar in conversation with The Wire's founding editor M.K. Venu
Join here at 4.30pm: youtube.com/live/U84mSvD...
Global Boom, Indian Bust: MK Venu Explains India’s Historic Share Market Crash | The Wire LIVE
YouTube video by The Wire
youtube.com
March 3, 2025 at 9:43 AM
#TheWireLive | Global Boom, Indian Bust: M.K. Venu Explains India’s Historic Share Market Crash
Zeeshan Kaskar in conversation with The Wire's founding editor M.K. Venu
Join here at 4.30pm: youtube.com/live/U84mSvD...
Zeeshan Kaskar in conversation with The Wire's founding editor M.K. Venu
Join here at 4.30pm: youtube.com/live/U84mSvD...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
#Special: Modi Govt’s Plan for the ‘World’s Largest Museum’ Raises Many Red Flags
Little is known about the much-touted, controversial Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum set to come up in New Delhi, or about the future of the existing National Museum.
Little is known about the much-touted, controversial Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum set to come up in New Delhi, or about the future of the existing National Museum.
Special: Modi Govt’s Plan for the ‘World’s Largest Museum’ Raises Many Red Flags
Little is known about the much-touted, controversial Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum set to come up in the North and South Block buildings, or about the future of the existing National Museum. The ...
thewire.in
March 3, 2025 at 7:33 AM
#Special: Modi Govt’s Plan for the ‘World’s Largest Museum’ Raises Many Red Flags
Little is known about the much-touted, controversial Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum set to come up in New Delhi, or about the future of the existing National Museum.
Little is known about the much-touted, controversial Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum set to come up in New Delhi, or about the future of the existing National Museum.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
“We were on the Titanic, and everyone knew it was hitting the iceberg.”
Eric Hobsbawm, on living in Berlin in the Thirties. Eerily resonant.
Eric Hobsbawm, on living in Berlin in the Thirties. Eerily resonant.
March 1, 2025 at 3:15 AM
“We were on the Titanic, and everyone knew it was hitting the iceberg.”
Eric Hobsbawm, on living in Berlin in the Thirties. Eerily resonant.
Eric Hobsbawm, on living in Berlin in the Thirties. Eerily resonant.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
I keep seeing takes like this marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevo...
1. I don't like the status quo on policy X
2. Trump is thoughtlessly blowing things up, including on policy X
3. It might turn out better after being blown up so 🤷
We're on the road to authoritarianism, not your preferred policy.
1. I don't like the status quo on policy X
2. Trump is thoughtlessly blowing things up, including on policy X
3. It might turn out better after being blown up so 🤷
We're on the road to authoritarianism, not your preferred policy.
February 16, 2025 at 7:31 PM
I keep seeing takes like this marginalrevolution.com/marginalrevo...
1. I don't like the status quo on policy X
2. Trump is thoughtlessly blowing things up, including on policy X
3. It might turn out better after being blown up so 🤷
We're on the road to authoritarianism, not your preferred policy.
1. I don't like the status quo on policy X
2. Trump is thoughtlessly blowing things up, including on policy X
3. It might turn out better after being blown up so 🤷
We're on the road to authoritarianism, not your preferred policy.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
India, Globally: The Rupee, Persecution and an Ideology of Concern
A fortnightly highlight of how the world Is watching our democracy.
A fortnightly highlight of how the world Is watching our democracy.
India, Globally: The Rupee, Persecution and an Ideology of Concern
A fortnightly highlight of how the world Is watching our democracy.
thewire.in
February 11, 2025 at 11:31 AM
India, Globally: The Rupee, Persecution and an Ideology of Concern
A fortnightly highlight of how the world Is watching our democracy.
A fortnightly highlight of how the world Is watching our democracy.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
An Era of Darkness: How No Data Helps BJP’s Politics
The absence of data is not about academics and researchers losing out. It is actively helping the ruling party carry on with its politics without any roadblocks and preventing basic questions being asked of it.
@seemay.bsky.social ✍️
The absence of data is not about academics and researchers losing out. It is actively helping the ruling party carry on with its politics without any roadblocks and preventing basic questions being asked of it.
@seemay.bsky.social ✍️
An Era of Darkness: How No Data Helps BJP’s Politics
The absence of data is not about academics and researchers losing out. It is actively helping the ruling party carry on with its politics without any roadblocks and preventing basic questions being as...
thewire.in
February 11, 2025 at 11:33 AM
An Era of Darkness: How No Data Helps BJP’s Politics
The absence of data is not about academics and researchers losing out. It is actively helping the ruling party carry on with its politics without any roadblocks and preventing basic questions being asked of it.
@seemay.bsky.social ✍️
The absence of data is not about academics and researchers losing out. It is actively helping the ruling party carry on with its politics without any roadblocks and preventing basic questions being asked of it.
@seemay.bsky.social ✍️
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Losing moral authority, trust and respect. What could go wrong? paulkrugman.substack.com/p/sabotaging...
Sabotaging the Pax Americana
Trump and Musk are making us distrusted, friendless and weak
paulkrugman.substack.com
February 10, 2025 at 11:37 AM
Losing moral authority, trust and respect. What could go wrong? paulkrugman.substack.com/p/sabotaging...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
In Manipur, a Pawn Is Sacrificed to Save the King
Why exactly did the national leadership of the BJP, which had been throwing its weight behind Biren Singh, get him to resign?
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty✍️
thewire.in/politics/man...
Why exactly did the national leadership of the BJP, which had been throwing its weight behind Biren Singh, get him to resign?
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty✍️
thewire.in/politics/man...
In Manipur, a Pawn Is Sacrificed to Save the King
Why exactly did the national leadership of the BJP, which had been throwing its weight behind Biren Singh, get him to resign?
thewire.in
February 10, 2025 at 7:14 AM
In Manipur, a Pawn Is Sacrificed to Save the King
Why exactly did the national leadership of the BJP, which had been throwing its weight behind Biren Singh, get him to resign?
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty✍️
thewire.in/politics/man...
Why exactly did the national leadership of the BJP, which had been throwing its weight behind Biren Singh, get him to resign?
Sangeeta Barooah Pisharoty✍️
thewire.in/politics/man...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Tomorrow, 12pm onwards, The Wire's team of editors and reporters will be live to analyse the #DelhiElection2025 results.
Join us for real-time updates and insightful analysis here:
www.youtube.com/live/552eBpg...
Join us for real-time updates and insightful analysis here:
www.youtube.com/live/552eBpg...
www.youtube.com
February 7, 2025 at 12:20 PM
Tomorrow, 12pm onwards, The Wire's team of editors and reporters will be live to analyse the #DelhiElection2025 results.
Join us for real-time updates and insightful analysis here:
www.youtube.com/live/552eBpg...
Join us for real-time updates and insightful analysis here:
www.youtube.com/live/552eBpg...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Completely agree.
But can we stop saying "illiberal" when these figures are actually coming for democracy itself, not just "liberalism" (seen by many as a distinct, problematic ideology, or a luxury addition to democracy, etc.)?
But can we stop saying "illiberal" when these figures are actually coming for democracy itself, not just "liberalism" (seen by many as a distinct, problematic ideology, or a luxury addition to democracy, etc.)?
If illiberal leaders tell you they are going to “purge” the government, they mean it. I have been sharing this historical truth for a while now, and always some smug, semisophisticated pundit just waves it away telling not to overreact (in the Netherlands we have a lot of those)…
This is a hostile takeover of the federal government by a private citizen of unlimited means with no restrictions and no transparency. Welcome to the Deep State www.reuters.com/world/us/mus...
February 1, 2025 at 10:28 AM
Completely agree.
But can we stop saying "illiberal" when these figures are actually coming for democracy itself, not just "liberalism" (seen by many as a distinct, problematic ideology, or a luxury addition to democracy, etc.)?
But can we stop saying "illiberal" when these figures are actually coming for democracy itself, not just "liberalism" (seen by many as a distinct, problematic ideology, or a luxury addition to democracy, etc.)?
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Frustrated there's not more I can do directly, but for now I can just try to document reality. Elon is bringing his Twitter destruction playbook to the US government, and it's impossible to explain just how serious and bad this is.
www.techdirt.com/2025/01/31/e...
www.techdirt.com/2025/01/31/e...
Elon’s Twitter Destruction Playbook Hits The US Government, And It’s Even More Dangerous
Remember how Elon Musk destroyed Twitter by ripping apart its infrastructure without understanding it? Now imagine that same playbook applied to the federal government. It’s happening, and th…
www.techdirt.com
February 1, 2025 at 12:06 AM
Frustrated there's not more I can do directly, but for now I can just try to document reality. Elon is bringing his Twitter destruction playbook to the US government, and it's impossible to explain just how serious and bad this is.
www.techdirt.com/2025/01/31/e...
www.techdirt.com/2025/01/31/e...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
People wonder if caste matters any more in Indian society. Well, it does - on a large scale.
thewire.in/health/outca...
thewire.in/health/outca...
The Outcast Toilet Cleaners Keeping the Kumbh Mela Going
The Mela's scale creates a waste removal and public health challenge of epic proportions.
thewire.in
January 18, 2025 at 2:13 PM
People wonder if caste matters any more in Indian society. Well, it does - on a large scale.
thewire.in/health/outca...
thewire.in/health/outca...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
We like to pat ourselves on the back because of the antiquity and richness of our civilisation.
Yet, when it comes to preservation and conservation, no one seems to care.
This piece in the Economic Times is just the latest example.
Yet, when it comes to preservation and conservation, no one seems to care.
This piece in the Economic Times is just the latest example.
January 13, 2025 at 7:56 AM
We like to pat ourselves on the back because of the antiquity and richness of our civilisation.
Yet, when it comes to preservation and conservation, no one seems to care.
This piece in the Economic Times is just the latest example.
Yet, when it comes to preservation and conservation, no one seems to care.
This piece in the Economic Times is just the latest example.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
There is nothing normal about a company that helps define what almost half of humanity sees on their screens explicitly promising to support a far-right leader, writes João C. Magalhães.
Meta is Not Returning to its Free Speech Origins – It’s Preparing for an Autocratic Future | TechPolicy.Press
Let’s take what Zuckerberg is saying seriously and admit that we are entering – once again – uncharted waters, writes João C. Magalhães.
www.techpolicy.press
January 8, 2025 at 4:39 PM
There is nothing normal about a company that helps define what almost half of humanity sees on their screens explicitly promising to support a far-right leader, writes João C. Magalhães.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Point is not that every move by aspiring autocrats is tactical or strategic genius. Important not to fall into the trap of "authoritarian inflation," i.e. overestimate these figures.
Point is that much of our political language obscures agency altogether.
Point is that much of our political language obscures agency altogether.
Norms don't just "erode;" democracies don't just "slide."
It's conscious destruction and direction.
Actors have agency.
Which means: One can hold particular people accountable.
"Processes," not so much.
It's conscious destruction and direction.
Actors have agency.
Which means: One can hold particular people accountable.
"Processes," not so much.
December 29, 2024 at 1:52 PM
Point is not that every move by aspiring autocrats is tactical or strategic genius. Important not to fall into the trap of "authoritarian inflation," i.e. overestimate these figures.
Point is that much of our political language obscures agency altogether.
Point is that much of our political language obscures agency altogether.
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Christians huddled in Gaza speak to the Pope every night
https://www.ft.com/content/03ea2234-6308-4978-917a-65368ccc58a5
https://www.ft.com/content/03ea2234-6308-4978-917a-65368ccc58a5
Christians huddled in Gaza speak to the Pope every night
Nightly calls from pontiff comfort Palestinians sheltering in churches for a second Christmas
www.ft.com
December 25, 2024 at 5:18 AM
Christians huddled in Gaza speak to the Pope every night
https://www.ft.com/content/03ea2234-6308-4978-917a-65368ccc58a5
https://www.ft.com/content/03ea2234-6308-4978-917a-65368ccc58a5
Reposted by Seema Chishti
7yo: “I have encouraged everyone in my class to believe in Santa because parents definitely don’t have time to buy all those presents. Certainly not for Christmas.”
December 24, 2024 at 4:39 PM
7yo: “I have encouraged everyone in my class to believe in Santa because parents definitely don’t have time to buy all those presents. Certainly not for Christmas.”
Reposted by Seema Chishti
Love it when bookshops or libraries arrange their books appropriately...
December 23, 2024 at 4:23 PM
Love it when bookshops or libraries arrange their books appropriately...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
This piece on the rise of Vivek Ramaswamy is a good illustration of how material and economic conditions can give rise to a certain type of individual.
english.elpais.com/opinion/2024...
english.elpais.com/opinion/2024...
The ‘anti-woke’ guru helping Elon Musk to make the US efficient again
Vivek Ramaswamy, founder of Roivant Sciences and a former Republican presidential primary candidate, will co-direct the office that looks to streamline government bureaucracy
english.elpais.com
December 15, 2024 at 4:08 AM
This piece on the rise of Vivek Ramaswamy is a good illustration of how material and economic conditions can give rise to a certain type of individual.
english.elpais.com/opinion/2024...
english.elpais.com/opinion/2024...
Reposted by Seema Chishti
This lack of oversight of emerging AI technologies, keeps me awake at night.
We made this same mistake w/ social media. Its lack of oversight has led to harmful effects on our mental health & it has been weaponized by nefarious actors to manipulate public opinion & elections.
When will we learn?
We made this same mistake w/ social media. Its lack of oversight has led to harmful effects on our mental health & it has been weaponized by nefarious actors to manipulate public opinion & elections.
When will we learn?
At a workshop on “Platforms, Causality, and the Law," CAT Lab and partners emphasize grounding AI in science and community impact, writes Jed Miller. www.techpolicy.press/new-tools-mo...
New Tools Move Faster Than New Rules: Bridging Science and Law for a Better Technology Ecosystem | TechPolicy.Press
At a workshop on “Platforms, Causality, and the Law," CAT Lab and partners emphasize grounding AI in science and community impact, writes Jed Miller.
www.techpolicy.press
December 13, 2024 at 3:27 PM
This lack of oversight of emerging AI technologies, keeps me awake at night.
We made this same mistake w/ social media. Its lack of oversight has led to harmful effects on our mental health & it has been weaponized by nefarious actors to manipulate public opinion & elections.
When will we learn?
We made this same mistake w/ social media. Its lack of oversight has led to harmful effects on our mental health & it has been weaponized by nefarious actors to manipulate public opinion & elections.
When will we learn?