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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 1d

Especially if we get to start debating whether we get to add more hyphens and where they should go!

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 1d

And there's your pseudo-Scary World #medialiteracy lesson for today!

What Americans die from and the causes of death the US media reports on.

4 stacked bar charts. showing in short that while heart diseases and cancer constitutes 55% of the causes of death, they receive about 7% of the media coverages. Homicide is under 1% but receives between 42% and 52%. Terrorisme barely registers in the causes of death, but gets between 11% and 18%.

The first stacked bar is causes of death in the US in 2023
Heart diseases 29%
Cancer 26%
Accidents 9.5%
Stroke 6.9%
Lower respiratory diseases (6.2%)
Alzheimer's disease (4.8%)
Diabetes (4.0%)
Kidney failure (2.4%)
Liver disease (2.2%)
Suicide (2.1%)
COVID-19 (2.1%)
Influenza/Pneumonia (1.9%)
Drug overdose (1.8%)
Homicide (<1%)
Terrorism (<0.001%)

Media coverage of these causes of death in 2023 in...
New York Times
Heart disease (2.8%)
Cancer (4.1%)
Accidents (9.7%)
Suicide (3.8%)
COVID-19 (5.3%)
Drug overdose (7.5%)
Homicide (42%)
Terrorism (18%)

Washington Post
Heart disease (2.9%)
Cancer (4.7%)
Accidents (5.9%)
Suicide (3.3%)
COVID-19 (7.9%)
Drug overdose (9.5%)
Homicide (46%)
Terrorism (12%)

Fox News
Heart disease (2.3%)
Cancer (3.8%)
Accidents (6.1%)
Suicide (4.1%)
COVID-19 (6.0%)
Drug overdose (9.8%)
Homicide (52%)
Terrorism (11%)

Note: Based on the share of causes of death in the US and the share of mentions for each of the causes in the New York Times, the Washington Post and Fox News. All values are normalized to 100%, so the shares are relative to all deaths caused by the 12 most common causes + drug overdoses, homicides and terrorism. These causes account for more than 75% of deaths in the US.
A "media mention" is a published article in one of the outlets which mentions the cause (e.g. "influenza) or related keywords (e.g. "flu") least twice.
Data sources: Media mentions from Media Cloud (2025); deaths data from the US CDC (2025) and Global Terrorism Index.

Fox News

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 2d

Loving thoughts to you at this difficult time...

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 2d

Chants by religious leaders include “Love thy neighbor, love your God, save your soul and quit your job,” said David Black, the pastor below and in a lawsuit where most plaintiffs are journalists, but clergy & faith-based demonstrators say violence is flouting the Religious Freedom Restoration Act.

Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 2d

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

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Melanie D’Arrigo @darrigomelanie.bsky.social · 2d

I feel like this photo of masked, armed men pepper spraying a pastor protecting his community is going to be a defining picture of this moment in America for a long, long time.

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 3d

This is the shofar blast I was referring to earlier today.

An important read.

Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 3d

NEW: For the last several months, I have written and spoken regularly about the rise of authoritarianism in the United States. This is not something I ever envisioned for myself — and it is certainly not something my ancestors envisioned for their great grandchildren.

I Refuse to Stay Silent. Will You?

Read more here.

www.democracydocket.com

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 3d

@marcelias.bsky.social 's profound call to action email this am was a shofar blast.

REFUSE TO LET HOPELESSNESS PREVAIL!

"I will be the first to admit: I am scared....But I will stand up and speak out — and, even more importantly, I will encourage others to do the same."

Speak & support.
📣 ❤️

Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 3d

Democracy Docket is remaining independent and pro-democracy. Subscribe now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0

Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · 3d

Democracy Docket is remaining independent and pro-democracy. Subscribe now. hubs.ly/Q03M8rql0

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 4d

In her last interview, Jane Goodall's final words were to remind us that it is a mistranslation to believe the Bible/Torah states that God gave humans "dominion" over all the animals.

The correct translation is "stewardship," and that makes such a difference, she said.

Kris Stern @goldenzgirl.bsky.social · 4d

This is actually her final interview, recorded in September by Wall Street Journal podcast. More once point without the nonsense. May she rest in peace and may her legacy endure: youtu.be/4oshFOK9-sk?...

JANE GOODALL'S LAST INTERVIEW Recorded on 9/23/25

YouTube video by dreamlion

youtu.be

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Kris Stern @goldenzgirl.bsky.social · 4d

This is actually her final interview, recorded in September by Wall Street Journal podcast. More once point without the nonsense. May she rest in peace and may her legacy endure: youtu.be/4oshFOK9-sk?...

JANE GOODALL'S LAST INTERVIEW Recorded on 9/23/25

YouTube video by dreamlion

youtu.be

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 5d

Awesome resources on COVID and long COVID science

Tania J. Spencer @taniaspencer.bsky.social · 5d

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If COVID really was just like "any other respiratory illness", there wouldn't be nearly 470,000 published research papers on #COVID -

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/research/cor...

LitCovid

LitCovid is a curated literature hub for tracking up-to-date scientific information about the 2019 novel Coronavirus.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 5d

@jeremylittau.com explains in his thread, "... The work of our truth-telling institutions now needs to be about understanding and recognizing myth vs. reality and building communication strategies that deal with a world awash in mythological absorption of information."

#medialiteracy

Jeremy Littau @jeremylittau.com · 5d

This is a drum I have been banging for a few years with those who do administration: the "blowback" you are getting about a particular online thing is often more perception than reality, and the more national that blowback is the more likely it is that it's an astroturfing campaign. ...

Data on Sydney Sweeney Ad Controversy Shows How MAGA Weaponizes Social Trends

Manufacturing outrage.

gizmodo.com

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Tania J. Spencer @taniaspencer.bsky.social · 5d

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If COVID really was just like "any other respiratory illness", there wouldn't be nearly 470,000 published research papers on #COVID -

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/research/cor...

LitCovid

LitCovid is a curated literature hub for tracking up-to-date scientific information about the 2019 novel Coronavirus.

www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov

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Jeremy Littau @jeremylittau.com · 5d

This is a drum I have been banging for a few years with those who do administration: the "blowback" you are getting about a particular online thing is often more perception than reality, and the more national that blowback is the more likely it is that it's an astroturfing campaign. ...

Data on Sydney Sweeney Ad Controversy Shows How MAGA Weaponizes Social Trends

Manufacturing outrage.

gizmodo.com

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 6d

Does cover if they force their way in. I guess we need to share widely. Aclu.org for share-able copies of additional materials.

If ICE agents show up at your door. 1. You do not have to open the door. If you do, stay calm - you have rights. 2. Ask what they are there for (and ask for an interpreter if you need one) 3. If they ask to enter, ask if they have a warrant signed by a judge, and if so, ask to see it through a window or slipped under the door. 4. If they do not have a warrant signed by a judge you may refuse to let them in. Ask them to leave any information at your door. 5. If they force their way in, do not resist. Tell everyone in the residence to remain silent. 6. If you are arrested, you have the right to remain silent. Do not sign anything until you speak to a lawyer. Aclu.org

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 6d

Share-able Know Your Rights resources on immigrants' (and citizens') rights at aclu.org

More specifics at Aclu.org. You have the right to tell people their legal rights, even when the person has broken or is breaking a law. They still have legal rights. Which can include due prices and protections against unreasonable search and seizure. Telling people their rights can include offering practical advice for interacting with law enforcement or suggesting specific words they can say to involve their rights or understand they're under arrest.

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 6d

I am looking forward to the reading!

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 6d

Can't endorse bc I haven't read it yet but looks like #medialiteracy!

This book "is about the manipulative techniques WWTI doctors and their benefactors used to manufacture rage and... catapult themselves to power.... to undermine trust .. public health, and the failure of institutions to respond."

Jonathan Howard @joho.bsky.social · 6d

The sequel to We Want Them Infected is done!

COVID killed 1.2 million Americans while vaccines saved millions.

Yet, disinformation superspreaders were empowered, where they are taking a wrecking ball to science & medicine.

How did that happen?🧵

sciencebasedmedicine.org/everyone-els...

Everyone Else is Lying to You: My Book is Done!

The pandemic’s biggest disinformation superspreaders are now in charge. How did this happen?

sciencebasedmedicine.org

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Jonathan Howard @joho.bsky.social · 6d

The sequel to We Want Them Infected is done!

COVID killed 1.2 million Americans while vaccines saved millions.

Yet, disinformation superspreaders were empowered, where they are taking a wrecking ball to science & medicine.

How did that happen?🧵

sciencebasedmedicine.org/everyone-els...

Everyone Else is Lying to You: My Book is Done!

The pandemic’s biggest disinformation superspreaders are now in charge. How did this happen?

sciencebasedmedicine.org

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 7d

And how to mitigate these early stresses and tragedies? Although it's taken years to reduce our pup's anxieties, she's happy and pretty well socialized these days.

Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 7d

A research-based toolkit for action. reutersinstitute.politics.ox.ac.uk/harm-reducti...

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 8d

Viruses are going round and round. If you are confused about what you might have, this chart from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases might be helpful. Vision-impaired users may need some assistance with the color coding. www.nfid.org/resource/how...

A chart showing How to tell the differences between flu, RSV, COVID-19, and the common cold - from the National Foundation for Infectious Diseases. Common symptoms may include cough, headaches, sneezing, runny nose, and congestion. Different symptoms may include aches, difficulty breathing, fatigue, fever, loss of taste or smell, sore throat, and wheezing. The chart is color coded with red meaning most often, often sometimes, green rarely. https://www.nfid.org/resource/how-to-tell-the-difference-between-flu-rsv-covid-19-and-the-common-cold/

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 8d

How special that you got to meet her! May her memory always be for a blessing. Our world was fortunate to have her in it for a while. ❤️

News Literacy Project @newslit.org · 8d

🏈 Sports fandom is a good way to learn how #ConfirmationBias & #MotivatedReasoning often cloud our judgment.

🔗 Check out & download this poster on the topic: bit.ly/CognitiveBia...

Text-heavy infographic about confirmation bias and motivated reasoning, with boxes explaining different aspects of the cognitive biases. Boxes include: Confirmation bias is; motivated reasoning is; information habits, political polarization & conspiracy theories; Interesting studies; & “our best defenses.”

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 8d

A food bank or community action center to learn about downstream processes and effects

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 8d

Hey thanks to @aramsinn.bsky.social for the alert

"bravo" entry from the Merriam Webster dictionary. It is about to release its new edition with a video press release mocking AI.

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MAZON: A Jewish Response to Hunger @mazonusa.bsky.social · 8d

Tonight is Yom Kippur, when we're called to recommit to our highest values. Instead, Republicans have shut down the government, putting food security at risk for tens of millions.

Mothers, babies, SNAP recipients, 47 million Americans struggling with hunger are abandoned.

What a disgrace.

On Eve of Yom Kippur, Jewish Anti-Hunger Leader Decries Republican Government Shutdown

After the Republican-controlled White House and Congress were unable to come to an agreement to fund the federal government, a full shutdown began this morning that jeopardizes the food security of te...

mazon.org

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Erica Weintraub Austin @ericawaustin.bsky.social · 9d

Grateful to these scientists and thinking of my grandfather who suffered so heinously from this illness. May others benefit, and may his memory be a blessing.

Kevin Reuning @reuning.bsky.social · 9d

I updated my R Bootcamp slides if anyone is looking for an introduction to using R. Attempts to cover basics, ggplot, simple regression, and quarto. kevinreuning.com/workshops/r_...

R Bootcamp – Kevin Reuning

kevinreuning.com

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