Ken Mayer
@uwkenmayer.bsky.social
Emeritus professor of political science UW Madison. Presidency, election administration, sifting and winnowing, the Wisconsin Idea, Golden Retrievers, and pineapple on pizza.
https://www.wisc.edu/
https://www.wisc.edu/
I was on an IRB at UW Madison for 6 years, and chair for 2. We would have run this proposal through a shredder, set fire to the detritus, mixed the ashes with concrete, and buried it in a salt mine. It's just outrageous.
December 17, 2025 at 7:03 PM
I was on an IRB at UW Madison for 6 years, and chair for 2. We would have run this proposal through a shredder, set fire to the detritus, mixed the ashes with concrete, and buried it in a salt mine. It's just outrageous.
If I were still in the classroom, I'd add all kinds of text to my syllabi and course materials to get flagged: transcendental numbers, diversity jurisdiction, diamond inclusion, structural engineering, biased estimates, nonbinary star system, etc., etc.
Maybe hide it for extra fun for the AI.
Maybe hide it for extra fun for the AI.
December 15, 2025 at 3:00 PM
If I were still in the classroom, I'd add all kinds of text to my syllabi and course materials to get flagged: transcendental numbers, diversity jurisdiction, diamond inclusion, structural engineering, biased estimates, nonbinary star system, etc., etc.
Maybe hide it for extra fun for the AI.
Maybe hide it for extra fun for the AI.
Some of their writers appear to have trouble counting past five.
December 12, 2025 at 7:22 PM
Some of their writers appear to have trouble counting past five.
Early in my career, I had a student pull the "my parents are paying your salary" gambit while complaining about a grade.
It led to a nice conversation about how "that's not how this works."
It led to a nice conversation about how "that's not how this works."
December 9, 2025 at 10:45 PM
Early in my career, I had a student pull the "my parents are paying your salary" gambit while complaining about a grade.
It led to a nice conversation about how "that's not how this works."
It led to a nice conversation about how "that's not how this works."
When the football team loses to Lafayette by only 9 touchdowns.
December 9, 2025 at 5:30 PM
When the football team loses to Lafayette by only 9 touchdowns.
She's the Gordon Gee of Carly Fiorinas.
December 9, 2025 at 5:28 PM
She's the Gordon Gee of Carly Fiorinas.
The business model is to create an unpleasant experience and then make people pay to get away from it.
December 9, 2025 at 1:59 AM
The business model is to create an unpleasant experience and then make people pay to get away from it.
Not hard to see why his brother resigned from Parliament so he could spend less time with his family.
December 8, 2025 at 11:57 PM
Not hard to see why his brother resigned from Parliament so he could spend less time with his family.
JFC I wish Dorothy Parker were alive to write a review of this book.
December 8, 2025 at 7:07 PM
JFC I wish Dorothy Parker were alive to write a review of this book.
The question for the ages: Why a duck?
December 8, 2025 at 4:18 PM
The question for the ages: Why a duck?
Nope, you nailed it. Gotta call things by their correct names. Anyone objects, assign Politics and the English Language.
December 5, 2025 at 6:11 PM
Nope, you nailed it. Gotta call things by their correct names. Anyone objects, assign Politics and the English Language.
The jokes kind of write themselves.
If only donors were as energetic when biology profs get outside offers.
If only donors were as energetic when biology profs get outside offers.
December 5, 2025 at 4:47 PM
The jokes kind of write themselves.
If only donors were as energetic when biology profs get outside offers.
If only donors were as energetic when biology profs get outside offers.
Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
December 5, 2025 at 2:59 PM
Nuke it from orbit. It's the only way to be sure.
Coming soon to a theater near you:
a woman with black hair and bangs is sitting at a table with her mouth open .
ALT: a woman with black hair and bangs is sitting at a table with her mouth open .
media.tenor.com
December 4, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Coming soon to a theater near you:
Yup. When we read, our brains correct errors as we go, so we don't notice them.
Still, the only *guaranteed* way to catch typos is hit "submit."
Still, the only *guaranteed* way to catch typos is hit "submit."
December 4, 2025 at 11:34 PM
Yup. When we read, our brains correct errors as we go, so we don't notice them.
Still, the only *guaranteed* way to catch typos is hit "submit."
Still, the only *guaranteed* way to catch typos is hit "submit."
I'd like to see her try to turn on the heel of her pink Gucci stilettos from where she was sitting.
That at least would be something.
That at least would be something.
December 4, 2025 at 4:21 PM
I'd like to see her try to turn on the heel of her pink Gucci stilettos from where she was sitting.
That at least would be something.
That at least would be something.
Kind of surprised he was able to find it.
December 2, 2025 at 2:29 PM
Kind of surprised he was able to find it.
Another guy who made it totally on his own with no help from anyone, except for that $85,000 loan from dad.
December 1, 2025 at 6:12 PM
Another guy who made it totally on his own with no help from anyone, except for that $85,000 loan from dad.
Roger should have just used OLS.
November 29, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Roger should have just used OLS.
Mr. Rogers?
Sorry, kinda new at this Catholic thing.
Sorry, kinda new at this Catholic thing.
November 26, 2025 at 6:37 PM
Mr. Rogers?
Sorry, kinda new at this Catholic thing.
Sorry, kinda new at this Catholic thing.