Reposted by Aragorn
the sad thing here is that America's institutions of higher learning are full of actual theologians who study this kind of thing, at least at places where administration hasn't decided that learning how to write a LLM query is an acceptable substitute for humanities education
This is the one I can’t get over, because for all the handwringing about out-of-touch liberal media elites, none of them would’ve ever thought that Middle America wants to hear, “Great news, we’ve got a Harvard professor and a New York Times columnist lined up to debate whether you need God.”
December 20, 2025 at 6:56 PM
the sad thing here is that America's institutions of higher learning are full of actual theologians who study this kind of thing, at least at places where administration hasn't decided that learning how to write a LLM query is an acceptable substitute for humanities education
Reposted by Aragorn
Currently at the funeral for the penny, happening at the Lincoln Memorial:
December 20, 2025 at 6:07 PM
Currently at the funeral for the penny, happening at the Lincoln Memorial:
Reposted by Aragorn
It was such a joy to celebrate Hanukkah with Mandy, Kathryn and their son, Gideon. As Jewish New Yorkers across our city prepare to light candles and mark the seventh night today, I wish you and your families a Hanukkah full of light and love.
youtu.be/KIxAKyioXng
youtu.be/KIxAKyioXng
Happy Hanukkah
YouTube video by Zohran Mamdani for NYC
youtu.be
December 20, 2025 at 1:58 PM
It was such a joy to celebrate Hanukkah with Mandy, Kathryn and their son, Gideon. As Jewish New Yorkers across our city prepare to light candles and mark the seventh night today, I wish you and your families a Hanukkah full of light and love.
youtu.be/KIxAKyioXng
youtu.be/KIxAKyioXng
Reposted by Aragorn
This is a good point from Michelle Goldberg. I’d add that in an atomized media landscape, where attention is both critical and dearly bought, there are few incentives for the type of cooler, consensus-based presentations when audiences were both large and stable. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/20/o...
December 20, 2025 at 1:16 PM
This is a good point from Michelle Goldberg. I’d add that in an atomized media landscape, where attention is both critical and dearly bought, there are few incentives for the type of cooler, consensus-based presentations when audiences were both large and stable. www.nytimes.com/2025/12/20/o...
Reposted by Aragorn
20th century ads and propaganda are the only exposure most Americans have to what living standards were like in the past, no? If they’re not reading Michael Harrington’s The Other America in an American Studies class, how else would they learn about deep poverty and how pervasive it was?
It’s fascinating.
The notion that your economic challenges are real, and should be addressed, but are not greater than economic challenges of various times in the past really bothers some people.
This has to be the worst economy ever. As if 20th century ads and sitcoms were the common experience.
The notion that your economic challenges are real, and should be addressed, but are not greater than economic challenges of various times in the past really bothers some people.
This has to be the worst economy ever. As if 20th century ads and sitcoms were the common experience.
December 20, 2025 at 2:10 PM
20th century ads and propaganda are the only exposure most Americans have to what living standards were like in the past, no? If they’re not reading Michael Harrington’s The Other America in an American Studies class, how else would they learn about deep poverty and how pervasive it was?
Reposted by Aragorn
The UNC system just released its final policy on mandatory syllabi disclosure, stating that syllabi are university (not faculty) IP and certain course info must be posted on new, publicly searchable databases before every semester.
A thread about what's changed from the draft I reported on earlier:
A thread about what's changed from the draft I reported on earlier:
NEW: Public universities in red states, from Texas to Florida, are increasingly required to make their syllabi public. The University of North Carolina may be next. Does "syllabi transparency" help combat distrust in higher ed, or feed ill-informed suspicions of it? www.chronicle.com/article/when...
When Everyone Can See Your Syllabus
More states are requiring public colleges to make class syllabi available to the masses. Proponents say these measures boost higher ed’s credibility, while faculty fear being targeted.
www.chronicle.com
December 19, 2025 at 8:46 PM
The UNC system just released its final policy on mandatory syllabi disclosure, stating that syllabi are university (not faculty) IP and certain course info must be posted on new, publicly searchable databases before every semester.
A thread about what's changed from the draft I reported on earlier:
A thread about what's changed from the draft I reported on earlier:
Reposted by Aragorn
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik formally launched her campaign November 7, but dropped out just six weeks later.
In a December 19 post on X, Stefanik said she was ending her campaign for governor and also that she would not seek reelection to Congress.
In a December 19 post on X, Stefanik said she was ending her campaign for governor and also that she would not seek reelection to Congress.
In New York, Hochul’s re-election bid faces primary challenge from her handpicked lieutenant governor
2026 races to watch: GOP Rep. Elise Stefanik is setting up a contest against Gov. Kathy Hochul, who first has a primary challenge from Lt. Gov. Antonio Delgado.
19thnews.org
December 19, 2025 at 10:53 PM
Republican Rep. Elise Stefanik formally launched her campaign November 7, but dropped out just six weeks later.
In a December 19 post on X, Stefanik said she was ending her campaign for governor and also that she would not seek reelection to Congress.
In a December 19 post on X, Stefanik said she was ending her campaign for governor and also that she would not seek reelection to Congress.
Reposted by Aragorn
I've mostly been talking about the Trump regime's plan to dismantle NCAR, but you might be asking yourself, wtf is NCAR and why should I care? @drshepherd2013.bsky.social has got you covered here.
www.forbes.com/sites/marsha...
www.forbes.com/sites/marsha...
December 19, 2025 at 2:02 AM
I've mostly been talking about the Trump regime's plan to dismantle NCAR, but you might be asking yourself, wtf is NCAR and why should I care? @drshepherd2013.bsky.social has got you covered here.
www.forbes.com/sites/marsha...
www.forbes.com/sites/marsha...
Reposted by Aragorn
A fitting scene for this morning's weather in NYC: Jacob Lawrence, "Rain," 1938
December 19, 2025 at 12:48 PM
A fitting scene for this morning's weather in NYC: Jacob Lawrence, "Rain," 1938
Reposted by Aragorn
A Pteranodon longiceps just messing around in the water. This sub-adult’s crest is not yet as large or as brightly coloured as those of more mature individuals.
#SciArt
#SciArt
December 19, 2025 at 12:57 PM
A Pteranodon longiceps just messing around in the water. This sub-adult’s crest is not yet as large or as brightly coloured as those of more mature individuals.
#SciArt
#SciArt
Reposted by Aragorn
This is Fendi. He is seen here demonstrating the internationally acknowledged sign language for politely requesting uppies. 13/10 would pick him up immediately (TT: isthat_jojo)
November 17, 2025 at 11:41 PM
This is Fendi. He is seen here demonstrating the internationally acknowledged sign language for politely requesting uppies. 13/10 would pick him up immediately (TT: isthat_jojo)
Reposted by Aragorn
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
December 19, 2025 at 12:24 PM
"This promise of an AI future, is really just a collective anxiety that wealthy people have about how well they're gonna be able to control us in the future."
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
- @tressiemcphd.bsky.social with an absolute mic drop moment about AI bullshit.
Incredible words.
Listen to all of it!
Reposted by Aragorn
Barack Obama was tepid to weak on same sex marriage. But when Biden effectively nudged him towards support and he became the first POTUS to back it, opinion changed. He had to be dragged to it but Obamas leadership changed the national POV. That’s the fucking point.
December 19, 2025 at 1:30 PM
Barack Obama was tepid to weak on same sex marriage. But when Biden effectively nudged him towards support and he became the first POTUS to back it, opinion changed. He had to be dragged to it but Obamas leadership changed the national POV. That’s the fucking point.
Reposted by Aragorn
i don't like how people just assume digital will always be available. like some of these kids don't know how to reach a parent without their phones.
December 19, 2025 at 2:26 AM
i don't like how people just assume digital will always be available. like some of these kids don't know how to reach a parent without their phones.
Reposted by Aragorn
Today I received FOUR death notifications for people in ICE custody. That's 30 deaths since Trump took office. It's appalling & unacceptable.
ICE is required—by law—to ensure detainees are safe & their basic needs are met. It's clear this isn't the case. We NEED answers.
ICE is required—by law—to ensure detainees are safe & their basic needs are met. It's clear this isn't the case. We NEED answers.
December 18, 2025 at 11:39 PM
Today I received FOUR death notifications for people in ICE custody. That's 30 deaths since Trump took office. It's appalling & unacceptable.
ICE is required—by law—to ensure detainees are safe & their basic needs are met. It's clear this isn't the case. We NEED answers.
ICE is required—by law—to ensure detainees are safe & their basic needs are met. It's clear this isn't the case. We NEED answers.
Reposted by Aragorn
It’s concerning that we’re enabling a police and surveillance state of unprecedented scale at the same moment when the veracity of any textual or visual document has become structurally suspect
“The thing that’s been the most difficult so far is that, in all of our interactions with the government, they’re denying that any of her birth certificates, which are from Laurel, Maryland, her records of immunization, medical records — they’re denying the authenticity of them.”
ICE Says U.S. Citizen's Birth Certificate Is Fake After Arresting Her: Attorneys
Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales was arrested on Sunday. ICE won’t release her despite extensive documentation of her citizenship, her attorneys told HuffPost.
www.huffpost.com
December 19, 2025 at 3:15 AM
It’s concerning that we’re enabling a police and surveillance state of unprecedented scale at the same moment when the veracity of any textual or visual document has become structurally suspect
Reposted by Aragorn
Sign of the times: the affidavit released by the Rhode Island attorney general tonight credits Reddit for this credible + helpful tip
December 19, 2025 at 3:28 AM
Sign of the times: the affidavit released by the Rhode Island attorney general tonight credits Reddit for this credible + helpful tip
Reposted by Aragorn
NEW: A bill to give pediatric cancer patients better access to lifesaving drug treatments was one vote away from passing. Bernie Sanders cast the vote that stopped it.
@samsteindc.bsky.social tells the story of the families who fought for it, and the political bet behind Sanders’ decision.
@samsteindc.bsky.social tells the story of the families who fought for it, and the political bet behind Sanders’ decision.
December 19, 2025 at 4:03 AM
NEW: A bill to give pediatric cancer patients better access to lifesaving drug treatments was one vote away from passing. Bernie Sanders cast the vote that stopped it.
@samsteindc.bsky.social tells the story of the families who fought for it, and the political bet behind Sanders’ decision.
@samsteindc.bsky.social tells the story of the families who fought for it, and the political bet behind Sanders’ decision.
Reposted by Aragorn
That Musk and Sachs and other tech billionaires backing and working for Trump are white South Africans who left after apartheid fell is not a coincidence bsky.app/profile/coll...
When I was a teenager one of the most unmitigatedly good things anyone could do was oppose, vigorously, apartheid. There were concerts. International boycotts. Whole-ass action movies. We protested at consulates.
Among the nominees just confirmed is Leo Brent Bozell III, a far-right activist and critic of the fight to end apartheid, who Collins just approved to be the United States AMBASSADOR TO SOUTH AFRICA.
Vile and irredeemable. tinyurl.com/5fwv4dzc #MEpolitics
Vile and irredeemable. tinyurl.com/5fwv4dzc #MEpolitics
December 19, 2025 at 4:06 AM
That Musk and Sachs and other tech billionaires backing and working for Trump are white South Africans who left after apartheid fell is not a coincidence bsky.app/profile/coll...
Reposted by Aragorn
NEW: Colorado Sens Hickenlooper and Bennet announce they're putting a hold on the Senate appropriations package to demand funding for NCAR.
Bennet said today that the Trump administration's move to dismantle the climate/weather lab is retaliation for Tina Peters' imprisonment.
Bennet said today that the Trump administration's move to dismantle the climate/weather lab is retaliation for Tina Peters' imprisonment.
December 19, 2025 at 12:28 AM
NEW: Colorado Sens Hickenlooper and Bennet announce they're putting a hold on the Senate appropriations package to demand funding for NCAR.
Bennet said today that the Trump administration's move to dismantle the climate/weather lab is retaliation for Tina Peters' imprisonment.
Bennet said today that the Trump administration's move to dismantle the climate/weather lab is retaliation for Tina Peters' imprisonment.
Reposted by Aragorn
My theory that as members of congress are increasingly batshit it will increasingly select for even more batshit people who can tolerate the job is doing pretty well
Congressional retirements at a historic pace in both chambers. Per @ballotpedia.org , 50 Members have now announced. ballotpedia.org/List_of_U.S.... I gather it’s a miserable era to be in Congress for many incumbents.
December 19, 2025 at 1:03 AM
My theory that as members of congress are increasingly batshit it will increasingly select for even more batshit people who can tolerate the job is doing pretty well
Reposted by Aragorn
the problem is the internet has become so insane that no one can just laugh at the cheating CEO and move on anymore. harassment campaigns are ingrained into the culture. be normal challenge failed part 2847373
i absolutely do not agree with recording strangers in public and allowing the internet to doxx them and ruin their lives. that being said, i do find the CEO/HR lady cheating drama very funny, because i am a bad person. two things can be true
July 17, 2025 at 7:58 PM
the problem is the internet has become so insane that no one can just laugh at the cheating CEO and move on anymore. harassment campaigns are ingrained into the culture. be normal challenge failed part 2847373
Reposted by Aragorn
this is the most "Get a Job, Stay Away From Her" I've ever felt
![What’s the title or IP that you have yet to land but want?
Calvin and Hobbes. I’ve been chasing that for years and years, and I just have gotten nowhere with [creator] Bill Watterson. I began writing letters to him over 20 years ago. He lives in Chagrin Falls, Ohio, and I was actually contemplating just going out there and just staying at a local Best Western and seeing if he ever shows up at the [local] bookstore. All he does is these wood carvings for poetry readings, and every now and then he goes to the bookstore and does signings.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:bck7uabvjt4xu5uzn3exzhqj/bafkreihbf3oqirpgrhgcmd5ruwmeq6wi4bfhpzlgexh26yfjnb5g5i3a6q@jpeg)
December 18, 2025 at 9:36 PM
this is the most "Get a Job, Stay Away From Her" I've ever felt
Gumbo from a plastic bag.......
a close up of a white cat with its tongue out .
Alt: a close up of a white cat gagging
media.tenor.com
December 19, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Gumbo from a plastic bag.......