Mark Simpson-Vos
@simpsonvos.bsky.social
I care about ideas doing work in the world
Professional humanist and book editing person
Seeking to enter by the narrow gate.
Religion | History | Indigeneity | Music | Sport
MN born NC by choice
Always #GDTBATH | #DurhamNC #BullCity
Professional humanist and book editing person
Seeking to enter by the narrow gate.
Religion | History | Indigeneity | Music | Sport
MN born NC by choice
Always #GDTBATH | #DurhamNC #BullCity
This essay by David Herzberg is worth your time.
Opinion | Our Deadly Fentanyl Delusion
www.nytimes.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:03 PM
This essay by David Herzberg is worth your time.
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
If you're just stumbling across everyone's posts about Alice Wong ( @sfdirewolf.bsky.social ) today, she was an active writer and editor, in addition to her work as a disability visibility advocate with disabilityvisibilityproject.com
Disability Visibility Project
"Creating, sharing, and amplifying disability media and culture"
disabilityvisibilityproject.com
November 15, 2025 at 6:29 AM
If you're just stumbling across everyone's posts about Alice Wong ( @sfdirewolf.bsky.social ) today, she was an active writer and editor, in addition to her work as a disability visibility advocate with disabilityvisibilityproject.com
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
"While a legal defense about the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment & the original intentions of its authors could win over SCOTUS, it is important to recognize that this administration is making a political case to the American people about who really counts as a citizen." time.com/7324450/birt...
The Fight for Birthright Citizenship Has Always Been Political
Supporters need to follow Frederick Douglass' example — and make a case for conceiving of citizenship more broadly.
time.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:32 PM
"While a legal defense about the meaning of the Fourteenth Amendment & the original intentions of its authors could win over SCOTUS, it is important to recognize that this administration is making a political case to the American people about who really counts as a citizen." time.com/7324450/birt...
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
‘Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, & full of love.’
—Alice Wong
—Alice Wong
November 15, 2025 at 6:12 AM
‘Death remains my intimate shadow partner. It has been with me since birth, always hovering close by. I understand one day we will finally waltz together into the ether. I hope when that time comes, I die with the satisfaction of a life well-lived, unapologetic, joyful, & full of love.’
—Alice Wong
—Alice Wong
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
An event titled “Saying Their Names: Berkshire County’s Black Patriots and the Legacy of Samuel Harrison and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment” celebrated the legacy of Black veterans theberkshireedge.com/sheffield-hi...
Sheffield Historical Society's Veterans Day event honors Black veterans throughout U.S. history - The Berkshire Edge
“I think each of us has a story going all the way back to 1619 when those first enslaved people were sold in Virginia," said Civil War reenactor and discussion panelist Joe Zellner. "If we knew more a...
theberkshireedge.com
November 15, 2025 at 1:26 PM
An event titled “Saying Their Names: Berkshire County’s Black Patriots and the Legacy of Samuel Harrison and the 54th Massachusetts Regiment” celebrated the legacy of Black veterans theberkshireedge.com/sheffield-hi...
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
From a statement from faith leaders at Broadview this morning:
"God does not bless cages. God does not sanction abductions. God demands freedom."
"God does not bless cages. God does not sanction abductions. God demands freedom."
November 15, 2025 at 1:00 AM
From a statement from faith leaders at Broadview this morning:
"God does not bless cages. God does not sanction abductions. God demands freedom."
"God does not bless cages. God does not sanction abductions. God demands freedom."
Caleb Wilson is very very good at basketball. The jury is decidedly out on his teammates.
November 15, 2025 at 3:00 AM
Caleb Wilson is very very good at basketball. The jury is decidedly out on his teammates.
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
November 14, 2025 at 9:25 PM
Oh wow @reuters.com got the photo here:
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
Our libraries are cutting staff so that Elsevier can have its 32% profit margin
A staggering statistic: "North American researchers were charged over US$2.27 billion by just two for-profit publishers. The Canadian research councils and the US National Science Foundation were allocated US$9.3 billion in that year." What are we doing?
We wrote the Strain on scientific publishing to highlight the problems of time & trust. With a fantastic group of co-authors, we present The Drain of Scientific Publishing:
a 🧵 1/n
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Oligopoly: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
a 🧵 1/n
Drain: arxiv.org/abs/2511.04820
Strain: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
Oligopoly: direct.mit.edu/qss/article/...
November 14, 2025 at 1:37 AM
Our libraries are cutting staff so that Elsevier can have its 32% profit margin
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
I really think that the best way to stop an intellectually anemic stylistically milquetoast bad-faith paycheck troll from winning is to stop turning every quarter-assed essay he publishes into the quote-tweet Super Bowl, but by all means, keep fighting your battle as you see fit
November 14, 2025 at 12:53 AM
I really think that the best way to stop an intellectually anemic stylistically milquetoast bad-faith paycheck troll from winning is to stop turning every quarter-assed essay he publishes into the quote-tweet Super Bowl, but by all means, keep fighting your battle as you see fit
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
Removing a monument honoring Black US soldiers has nothing to do with DEI. It’s erasure of history and it’s straight-up racism.
November 13, 2025 at 11:39 AM
Removing a monument honoring Black US soldiers has nothing to do with DEI. It’s erasure of history and it’s straight-up racism.
Well that’s a rock star session!
I will be at the @miamibookfair.bsky.social with Marlene Daut. Olive Senior, and Chantalle Verna next weekend! Come hang out! #ReadCaribbean
November 13, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Well that’s a rock star session!
If you want to understand N.C. politics, always read Chris Cooper.
Jotted dow some notes about the 2025 elections--in #ncpol & elsewhere--along with a few other things:
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/looking-ba...
chriscooperwcu.substack.com/p/looking-ba...
Looking Back at the Nov. 2025 Elections
(& A Few Other Things)
chriscooperwcu.substack.com
November 13, 2025 at 11:48 PM
If you want to understand N.C. politics, always read Chris Cooper.
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
The wonderful people at @uncpress.bsky.social sent me an advance copy of my book and I think I’ll have a little cry now. You can order it from here and it will arrive soon (use code 01UNCP30) for a discount uncpress.org/978146968920...
November 13, 2025 at 11:33 PM
The wonderful people at @uncpress.bsky.social sent me an advance copy of my book and I think I’ll have a little cry now. You can order it from here and it will arrive soon (use code 01UNCP30) for a discount uncpress.org/978146968920...
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
This is academic censorship, full stop.
COLLEGE STATION, Texas (AP) — Texas A&M adopts policy requiring professors to get OK from school president to discuss certain race and gender issues.
November 13, 2025 at 11:27 PM
This is academic censorship, full stop.
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
Thrilled that my former student Will Schultz has his first book out with @uncpress.bsky.social. Check it out!
Jesus Springs
In the years after World War II, American evangelicals flocked to the once-sleepy mountain town of Colorado Springs. Drawn by cheap property, beautiful scene...
uncpress.org
November 13, 2025 at 11:26 AM
Thrilled that my former student Will Schultz has his first book out with @uncpress.bsky.social. Check it out!
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
Native American leaders and representatives testified before a Senate committee Nov. 5 about whether the U.S. government should extend full federal recognition and services to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Reported for Medill News Service
medillonthehill.medill.northwestern.edu/2025/11/sena...
medillonthehill.medill.northwestern.edu/2025/11/sena...
Senate committee considers extending federal recognition and services to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina - Medill on the Hill
The Committee on Indian Affairs will examine a bill to recognize the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina and make them eligible for national services. They are the last tribe to be affected by “termination...
medillonthehill.medill.northwestern.edu
November 12, 2025 at 9:18 PM
Native American leaders and representatives testified before a Senate committee Nov. 5 about whether the U.S. government should extend full federal recognition and services to the Lumbee Tribe of North Carolina. Reported for Medill News Service
medillonthehill.medill.northwestern.edu/2025/11/sena...
medillonthehill.medill.northwestern.edu/2025/11/sena...
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
Hey tar heels: it's hard to know whether there's any real substance to this, but now's the time to load ICEBlock on your phone, buy a whistle, and maybe a sub sandwich, and think hard about what your level of commitment is to your community.
wlos.com/news/local/b...
wlos.com/news/local/b...
Report: Border Patrol commander, CBP agents heading to North Carolina
A new report from CNN is suggesting border patrol agents may be leaving Chicago and heading to North Carolina.
wlos.com
November 13, 2025 at 1:35 AM
Hey tar heels: it's hard to know whether there's any real substance to this, but now's the time to load ICEBlock on your phone, buy a whistle, and maybe a sub sandwich, and think hard about what your level of commitment is to your community.
wlos.com/news/local/b...
wlos.com/news/local/b...
Seems fine.
*Government will reopen
*ACA subsidies NOT extended, causing premiums to rocket for 24M+
*A bunch of Republican senators could net millions in taxpayer dollars for themselves, with at least one hoping to net more than $1M.
*Intoxicating hemp banned
*Govt could shut again 1/31
*ACA subsidies NOT extended, causing premiums to rocket for 24M+
*A bunch of Republican senators could net millions in taxpayer dollars for themselves, with at least one hoping to net more than $1M.
*Intoxicating hemp banned
*Govt could shut again 1/31
November 13, 2025 at 2:53 AM
Seems fine.
Appalling.
I urge you to read the whole thread and share the history with everyone you know.
I urge you to read the whole thread and share the history with everyone you know.
1/ The US Government has quietly removed a memorial to Black soldiers who died in World War II from the Netherlands American Cemetery in Margraten, South Limburg. The move follows a complaint from the right-wing Heritage Foundation to the American Battle Monuments Commission. ⬇️
November 13, 2025 at 2:45 AM
Appalling.
I urge you to read the whole thread and share the history with everyone you know.
I urge you to read the whole thread and share the history with everyone you know.
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
Historians! If you’re within driving distance of Gettysburg, come to the Fortenbaugh next week with David Blight, Drew Faust & Stephanie McCurry. I pushed to try a panel format this year—excited to see it come to life. www.gettysburg.edu/news/stories...
63rd Fortenbaugh Lecture to feature Blight, Faust, and McCurry
A highly selective four-year residential college of liberal arts and sciences in historic Gettysburg, Pennsylvania
www.gettysburg.edu
November 13, 2025 at 2:06 AM
Historians! If you’re within driving distance of Gettysburg, come to the Fortenbaugh next week with David Blight, Drew Faust & Stephanie McCurry. I pushed to try a panel format this year—excited to see it come to life. www.gettysburg.edu/news/stories...
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
#OnTheSwamp has been out for ~20 months, and I've traveled quite a bit sharing stories from the book & connections to other research topics. The travel was exciting, a mix of familiar & new. But glad to have a break until spring 2026. 74 total events since last spring, 56 of them in-person.
November 13, 2025 at 2:19 AM
#OnTheSwamp has been out for ~20 months, and I've traveled quite a bit sharing stories from the book & connections to other research topics. The travel was exciting, a mix of familiar & new. But glad to have a break until spring 2026. 74 total events since last spring, 56 of them in-person.
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
November 12, 2025 at 8:05 PM
The value of reading history is you know that in 1860 there were abolitionists who were so demoralized that they thought chattel slavery would be permanent. 5 years later those still alive had lived to see its end.
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
All are invited to attend this webinar, Publishing with a University Press, on Thurs 11/13. This is the 2nd in a 4-part publishing series organized by our Faculty Outreach Committee with the Rutgers Ctr for Minority Serving Institutions.
Register here: https://buff.ly/38DpVOR
Register here: https://buff.ly/38DpVOR
October 15, 2025 at 6:50 PM
All are invited to attend this webinar, Publishing with a University Press, on Thurs 11/13. This is the 2nd in a 4-part publishing series organized by our Faculty Outreach Committee with the Rutgers Ctr for Minority Serving Institutions.
Register here: https://buff.ly/38DpVOR
Register here: https://buff.ly/38DpVOR
Reposted by Mark Simpson-Vos
People across the country should be bombarding their GOP representatives with demands that health care subsidies extensions be included in any bill voted on by the House going forward.
Then kick that one back up to
the senate #USDemocracy
Then kick that one back up to
the senate #USDemocracy
November 12, 2025 at 2:01 AM
People across the country should be bombarding their GOP representatives with demands that health care subsidies extensions be included in any bill voted on by the House going forward.
Then kick that one back up to
the senate #USDemocracy
Then kick that one back up to
the senate #USDemocracy