Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Happy 1st Birthday to College Towns

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 16h

Every week for an entire year I have been out there defending higher education. I finally have to take a slight step back. Here's why:
www.collegetowns.org/p/happy-1st-...

I reflect on a year of weekly writing, running an academic Substack, and the future of the site.

Researchers, Colleges Face Federal Shutdown Impacts

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 17h

One reason I've always hated the grant games is how opaque it feels. It's like applying for jobs all over again. I want control over my research.

Just one more example...
www.insidehighered.com/news/faculty...

Two weeks into the government shutdown with no resolution in sight, higher ed associations and researchers say the inability of scientists to contact federal agency workers or get new grants approved ...

www.insidehighered.com

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 1d

"Campus, on online two-year college backed by Sam Altman and Shaquille O’Neal, has acquired AI learning platform Sizzle AI for an undisclosed amount."

What a sentence this is. www.insidehighered.com/news/quick-t...

Sam Altman–Backed Campus Acquires AI Start-Up

Campus, on online two-year college backed by Sam Altman and Shaquille O’Neal, has acquired AI learning platform Sizzle AI for an undisclosed amount.

www.insidehighered.com

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Reposted by Ryan M. Allen

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 3d

Elon Musk's new AI encyclopedia is going to be a disaster of misinformation. www.collegetowns.org/p/grokipedia...

Grokipedia Will Be Misinformation Encyclopedia, Amazon’s Micromobility Fleet, & More

Around the College Towns: Links and commentary related to urbanism and higher ed for the week of Oct. 4 - Oct. 11.

MIT rejects Trump’s preferential funding offer

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 1d

Yes agree

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 2d

MIT has rejected Trump’s Compact offer. Interestingly, in the rejection, the university notes, “And in service to the nation, we cap enrollment of international undergraduates at roughly 10%.”

Was this public info?

This tracks with my own analysis. I am quoted here:

thepienews.com/mit-rejects-...

MIT is the first US institution to reject Trump’s preferential funding offer that included limits on the university’s international students.

thepienews.com

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 2d

What do you think of these micromobility fleets? Certainly better than giant delivery trucks but also doesn’t quite fit the bike lane. www.collegetowns.org/p/grokipedia...

Grokipedia Will Be Misinformation Encyclopedia, Amazon’s Micromobility Fleet, & More

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 3d

Elon Musk's new AI encyclopedia is going to be a disaster of misinformation. www.collegetowns.org/p/grokipedia...

Around the College Towns: Links and commentary related to urbanism and higher ed for the week of Oct. 4 - Oct. 11.

'Very difficult situation': Kristi Noem whines locals not letting ICE agents use restrooms

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 5d

ICE finding out that the has strangest bathroom culture in the world. No where else offloads important public service to private businesses.

Chris Goodman @cbgoodman.co · 9d

The third amendment is about to get very relevant.

Department of Homeland Security Secretary Kristi Noem complained that her agents were not being permitted to use restrooms in Chicago because of opposition from residents.During a Sunday interview on ...

www.rawstory.com

Reposted by Ryan M. Allen

American Fietser @americanfietser.bsky.social · 7d

If your school zone infrastructure doesn't look like this, maybe it's time to start asking why not.

radrevolte @radrevolte.bsky.social · 7d

Fahrradfahren verlernt man nicht. Und in den Niederlanden gibt man den Menschen erst gar keine Gründe, damit aufzuhören
🇳🇱❤️🚲

Ein Herr auf einem Fahrrad auf rot asphaltierter Radinfrastruktur, auf der das niederländische Wort für Schule steht

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Reposted by Ryan M. Allen

Max Dubler 🏳️‍🌈 @maxdubler.com · 7d

Electric bicycles, and shared electric bicycles in particular, are a revolutionary transportation technology. Forward-looking cities should be building out the infrastructure necessary to make cycling safe and convenient for everyone who wants to do it.

jamelle @jamellebouie.net · 7d

i recently got a great deal on a barely used folding ebike and i have to say it has revolutionized my train travel. i can get from my front door to the amtrak station in a little less than 5 minutes!!!

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Reposted by Ryan M. Allen

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 8d

Trump's new 'Compact' stipulates universities cannot have more than 15% international student undergrad enrollment. But my analysis shows most top universities are already well below this.

International students do not steal spots from American undergrads:
www.collegetowns.org/p/no-interna...

No, International Students Are Not Stealing Spots from American Undergraduates

Trump's Compact and other statements have exaggerated concerns over international students at American universities.

No, International Students Are Not Stealing Spots from American Undergraduates

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Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 8d

A note to add, too:

bsky.app/profile/poli...

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 8d

Trump's new 'Compact' stipulates universities cannot have more than 15% international student undergrad enrollment. But my analysis shows most top universities are already well below this.

International students do not steal spots from American undergrads:
www.collegetowns.org/p/no-interna...

Trump's Compact and other statements have exaggerated concerns over international students at American universities.

No, International Students Are Not Stealing Spots from American Undergraduates

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 8d

Trump's new 'Compact' stipulates universities cannot have more than 15% international student undergrad enrollment. But my analysis shows most top universities are already well below this.

International students do not steal spots from American undergrads:
www.collegetowns.org/p/no-interna...

Trump's Compact and other statements have exaggerated concerns over international students at American universities.

Making an Impact Beyond Academic Publishing • FreshEd

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Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 10d

Here’s the actual Mullet House. What do you think? www.collegetowns.org/p/the-mullet...

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 11d

I'm a big fan of this Mullet House concept.

www.collegetowns.org/p/the-mullet...

Reposted by Ryan M. Allen

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 12d

Gave some recommendations on the FreshEd Podcast about moving academic publishing beyond the Ivory Tower. freshedpodcast.com/recommended/...

Ryan M. Allen selects three FreshEd podcasts about "Making an Impact Beyond Academic Publishing."

freshedpodcast.com

Making an Impact Beyond Academic Publishing • FreshEd

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 12d

Gave some recommendations on the FreshEd Podcast about moving academic publishing beyond the Ivory Tower. freshedpodcast.com/recommended/...

Ryan M. Allen selects three FreshEd podcasts about "Making an Impact Beyond Academic Publishing."

freshedpodcast.com

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 13d

Any educators out there interested in teaching this as a lesson, it would be great for media literacy classes, too. open.substack.com/pub/colleget...

Reposted by Ryan M. Allen

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 14d

This is the same old joke for the basically any global ranking.

Is it true? Maybe! But sometimes the indicators are just not that good. www.collegetowns.org/p/why-finlan...

Homeowners denounce SB 79 vote - Beverly Press & Park Labrea News

Reposted by Ryan M. Allen

Stan Oklobdzija @stano.bsky.social · 14d

@gavinnewsom.bsky.social wants to be our next president. If he vetoes SB79 to placate Los Angeles segregationists and their no-juice, zero-future mayor @karenbassla.bsky.social, he may get a fundraising bump. But he will then carry the stink of the man who failed CA on its most important issue.

David Roberts @volts.wtf · 14d

A bunch of toxic LA NIMBYs are whining about SB 79, the amazing housing bill the CA legislature passed recently.

It's on the governor's desk, and reportedly he's getting cold feet. Hey @gavinnewsom.bsky.social, please have some spine on the most important issue in your state. Just sign it.

Legislation awaits governor’s signature

beverlypress.com

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Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 14d

This is the same old joke for the basically any global ranking.

Is it true? Maybe! But sometimes the indicators are just not that good. www.collegetowns.org/p/why-finlan...

Reposted by Ryan M. Allen

Ryan M. Allen @politicsanded.bsky.social · 15d

Here are the happiest and unhappiest countries in the world according to the Real Happiest Countries Ranking (RHCR).

This ranking is backed by science and PhD researchers.