Alex Engler
@alexengler.bsky.social
Executive Director of Penn Center on Media, Tech & Democracy | "If you can keep it" | Alum: DemTech at White House NSC & AI Policy at OSTP; Brookings; Urban Institute; Taught at UChicago & Georgetown
Reposted by Alex Engler
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
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November 24, 2025 at 6:26 PM
The UW Center for an Informed Public is looking for postdocs (for 2026-2028) from across diverse disciplines whose research sheds light on the challenges of our modern information environment, promotes civic health, and/or helps people/communities navigate online spaces: apply.interfolio.com/177901
Reposted by Alex Engler
I was a SNAP kid. Now I'm running for Congress against the guy who gutted SNAP.
November 1, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I was a SNAP kid. Now I'm running for Congress against the guy who gutted SNAP.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Signed. Please join me.
November 22, 2025 at 4:48 PM
Signed. Please join me.
We were lucky to have @seanjwestwood.bsky.social give a research presentation on this to our Center / community at Penn last month.
Lemme tell you, you need to read this paper if you’re doing any online survey or task-based experiments
Lemme tell you, you need to read this paper if you’re doing any online survey or task-based experiments
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 9:16 PM
We were lucky to have @seanjwestwood.bsky.social give a research presentation on this to our Center / community at Penn last month.
Lemme tell you, you need to read this paper if you’re doing any online survey or task-based experiments
Lemme tell you, you need to read this paper if you’re doing any online survey or task-based experiments
Reposted by Alex Engler
November 14, 2025 at 12:50 PM
Reposted by Alex Engler
We live in a two-tiered system—where corporations & brands buy access to the data they need and public interest researchers are locked out.
One customer representative candidly admitted: "Even when they added more restrictions on Facebook, we found a way to get more data."
One customer representative candidly admitted: "Even when they added more restrictions on Facebook, we found a way to get more data."
Despite new EU transparency laws, researchers are still blocked from vital social media data, while corporations buy the same information freely, argues Brandon Silverman. The result: a two-tier system that shields platforms from scrutiny and weakens democratic oversight.
Why Commercial Tools Can Scrape Social Media But Researchers Can't | TechPolicy.Press
Brandon Silverman explains how researchers face barriers to social media data under the DSA, while corporations can buy full access.
buff.ly
November 11, 2025 at 9:31 PM
We live in a two-tiered system—where corporations & brands buy access to the data they need and public interest researchers are locked out.
One customer representative candidly admitted: "Even when they added more restrictions on Facebook, we found a way to get more data."
One customer representative candidly admitted: "Even when they added more restrictions on Facebook, we found a way to get more data."
Reposted by Alex Engler
UPDATE: NSO just hired former Trump ambassador to Israel.
They're trying to push Pegasus spyware to 🇺🇸America.
Your rights and freedoms are in danger.
NSO Group is no friend to the US & has spent years undermining our security & values 1/
They're trying to push Pegasus spyware to 🇺🇸America.
Your rights and freedoms are in danger.
NSO Group is no friend to the US & has spent years undermining our security & values 1/
November 9, 2025 at 10:05 PM
UPDATE: NSO just hired former Trump ambassador to Israel.
They're trying to push Pegasus spyware to 🇺🇸America.
Your rights and freedoms are in danger.
NSO Group is no friend to the US & has spent years undermining our security & values 1/
They're trying to push Pegasus spyware to 🇺🇸America.
Your rights and freedoms are in danger.
NSO Group is no friend to the US & has spent years undermining our security & values 1/
Reposted by Alex Engler
Something deeply fucked up when you can blindly break basic state functions and condemn millions to death and then people make you the richest man in the world instead of a pariah
November 7, 2025 at 12:43 PM
Something deeply fucked up when you can blindly break basic state functions and condemn millions to death and then people make you the richest man in the world instead of a pariah
Reposted by Alex Engler
The elimination of USAID was an unforgivable moral atrocity that should haunt Trump, Elon Musk and Marco Rubio for the rest of their days and beyond
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 7, 2025 at 2:36 AM
The elimination of USAID was an unforgivable moral atrocity that should haunt Trump, Elon Musk and Marco Rubio for the rest of their days and beyond
Reposted by Alex Engler
The administration has pulled the plug on IRS Direct File, a tool that helped eligible taxpayers file for free. This decision comes despite Direct File’s immense popularity with its users.
Direct File won’t happen in 2026, IRS tells states
The free service that allowed taxpayers to file online directly with the IRS was used by hundreds of thousands of taxpayers in 2024 and 2025, who gave it high marks — although tax prep companies and R...
www.nextgov.com
November 6, 2025 at 6:04 PM
The administration has pulled the plug on IRS Direct File, a tool that helped eligible taxpayers file for free. This decision comes despite Direct File’s immense popularity with its users.
Reposted by Alex Engler
I’ll keep pushing this line of analysis because I’m increasingly convinced the clearest path out of this mess is for Dems to adopt a relentless anti-corruption, anti-inequality, anti-oligarchy, pro-democracy platform. The Dem leadership hasn’t realized it yet, but they’re now a reform party.
November 6, 2025 at 12:06 AM
I’ll keep pushing this line of analysis because I’m increasingly convinced the clearest path out of this mess is for Dems to adopt a relentless anti-corruption, anti-inequality, anti-oligarchy, pro-democracy platform. The Dem leadership hasn’t realized it yet, but they’re now a reform party.
Reposted by Alex Engler
1. We ( @jbakcoleman.bsky.social, @cailinmeister.bsky.social, @jevinwest.bsky.social, and I) have a new preprint up on the arXiv.
There we explore how social media companies and other online information technology firms are able to manipulate scientific research about the effects of their products.
There we explore how social media companies and other online information technology firms are able to manipulate scientific research about the effects of their products.
October 24, 2025 at 12:47 AM
1. We ( @jbakcoleman.bsky.social, @cailinmeister.bsky.social, @jevinwest.bsky.social, and I) have a new preprint up on the arXiv.
There we explore how social media companies and other online information technology firms are able to manipulate scientific research about the effects of their products.
There we explore how social media companies and other online information technology firms are able to manipulate scientific research about the effects of their products.
Reposted by Alex Engler
emerging reports about possibly imminent US military attack on venezuela. there can be no doubt about it, certainly not in the coverage: such an attack would be an act of aggression, lacking any basis in international law. we'll get sophistic arguments about self-defense but none will be legit.
October 31, 2025 at 3:02 PM
emerging reports about possibly imminent US military attack on venezuela. there can be no doubt about it, certainly not in the coverage: such an attack would be an act of aggression, lacking any basis in international law. we'll get sophistic arguments about self-defense but none will be legit.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Excellent @leedrutman.bsky.social on how it is nearly impossible for moderation to matter much when electoral outcomes are almost perfectly polarized along one dimension - why we need to move toward a multi-party system leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-modera...
October 29, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Excellent @leedrutman.bsky.social on how it is nearly impossible for moderation to matter much when electoral outcomes are almost perfectly polarized along one dimension - why we need to move toward a multi-party system leedrutman.substack.com/p/the-modera...
Reposted by Alex Engler
The fake ads are the best part of subscribing to The Onion print version.
October 27, 2025 at 3:16 AM
The fake ads are the best part of subscribing to The Onion print version.
Reposted by Alex Engler
“.. it was crickets on the Bari Weiss-controlled former home of Walter Cronkite.”
@deadline.com $PSKY
deadline.com/2025/10/cbs-...
@deadline.com $PSKY
deadline.com/2025/10/cbs-...
October 25, 2025 at 1:50 AM
“.. it was crickets on the Bari Weiss-controlled former home of Walter Cronkite.”
@deadline.com $PSKY
deadline.com/2025/10/cbs-...
@deadline.com $PSKY
deadline.com/2025/10/cbs-...
Reposted by Alex Engler
3. While big oil, big tobacco, etc. serve as well-known cautionary tales, social media research poses novel challenges for independent researchers—perhaps most notably, access to the study system itself.
It's like trying to study climate change if Exxon-Mobile owned all the world's thermometers.
It's like trying to study climate change if Exxon-Mobile owned all the world's thermometers.
October 24, 2025 at 12:49 AM
3. While big oil, big tobacco, etc. serve as well-known cautionary tales, social media research poses novel challenges for independent researchers—perhaps most notably, access to the study system itself.
It's like trying to study climate change if Exxon-Mobile owned all the world's thermometers.
It's like trying to study climate change if Exxon-Mobile owned all the world's thermometers.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Senate Republicans are holding a second hearing on alleged Biden censorship of speech entitled “Shut Your App” days after DOJ made Apple remove an app designed to report the public whereabouts of law enforcement. 🙃
October 23, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Senate Republicans are holding a second hearing on alleged Biden censorship of speech entitled “Shut Your App” days after DOJ made Apple remove an app designed to report the public whereabouts of law enforcement. 🙃
Reposted by Alex Engler
You simply cannot be a political journalist today if you don't know the deep ins-and-outs of the nonsense conspiracy theories. Because people will just constantly say stuff that is blatantly false and you NEED to be ready to call it out with receipts.
Lankford: "I think now history has proven that Russiagate was a hoax. It was actually formed by James Coney and Brennan and others that were behind the scenes to push a narrative they knew at the time was false." (This is a lie -- would've been nice for Kasie Hunt to point that out.)
October 21, 2025 at 9:41 PM
You simply cannot be a political journalist today if you don't know the deep ins-and-outs of the nonsense conspiracy theories. Because people will just constantly say stuff that is blatantly false and you NEED to be ready to call it out with receipts.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Mike Johnson is presiding over the decline of Congressional power, devoting his energies into avoiding duly elected representatives into office.
If he is Speaker after the 2028 election, very easy to see him push to throw a close race to the Republican candidate.
If he is Speaker after the 2028 election, very easy to see him push to throw a close race to the Republican candidate.
This lawsuit, which demands that the House of Representatives finally seat Rep. Adelita Grijalva, has, um, fairly major implications for our democracy's survival in 2026 and beyond. storage.courtlistener.com/recap/gov.us...
October 21, 2025 at 10:43 PM
Mike Johnson is presiding over the decline of Congressional power, devoting his energies into avoiding duly elected representatives into office.
If he is Speaker after the 2028 election, very easy to see him push to throw a close race to the Republican candidate.
If he is Speaker after the 2028 election, very easy to see him push to throw a close race to the Republican candidate.
Reposted by Alex Engler
Good quote in this NYT article on Trump seeking $230 million in “compensation” from DOJ: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
October 21, 2025 at 8:22 PM
Good quote in this NYT article on Trump seeking $230 million in “compensation” from DOJ: www.nytimes.com/2025/10/21/u...
Reposted by Alex Engler
BROWN: There's an estimate that millions of Americans could lose their insurance if something isn't done about these premiums
REP. STUTZMAN: I think that's just a Democrat talking point to promote fear
B: No. The source is the Urban Institute. They estimate 4 mil Americans will become uninsured
REP. STUTZMAN: I think that's just a Democrat talking point to promote fear
B: No. The source is the Urban Institute. They estimate 4 mil Americans will become uninsured
October 21, 2025 at 3:53 PM
BROWN: There's an estimate that millions of Americans could lose their insurance if something isn't done about these premiums
REP. STUTZMAN: I think that's just a Democrat talking point to promote fear
B: No. The source is the Urban Institute. They estimate 4 mil Americans will become uninsured
REP. STUTZMAN: I think that's just a Democrat talking point to promote fear
B: No. The source is the Urban Institute. They estimate 4 mil Americans will become uninsured
Today at 10:30 EST! Registration is still open!
Among other big questions facing media and democracy , we'll ask how the ongoing shift from TV news towards online media will impact filter bubbles/echo chambers and partisanship.
Among other big questions facing media and democracy , we'll ask how the ongoing shift from TV news towards online media will impact filter bubbles/echo chambers and partisanship.
Join our first public event on October 21, 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗗𝗲𝗺𝗼𝗰𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗰 𝗥𝗲𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗰𝘂𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗠𝗲𝗱𝗶𝗮 𝗙𝗿𝗮𝗴𝗺𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻!
This is the launch of our event series, designed to share essential research on what ails, and how we can improve, the information environment.
Attend via zoom: mediafragmentation-online.eventbrite.com
This is the launch of our event series, designed to share essential research on what ails, and how we can improve, the information environment.
Attend via zoom: mediafragmentation-online.eventbrite.com
October 21, 2025 at 1:01 PM
Today at 10:30 EST! Registration is still open!
Among other big questions facing media and democracy , we'll ask how the ongoing shift from TV news towards online media will impact filter bubbles/echo chambers and partisanship.
Among other big questions facing media and democracy , we'll ask how the ongoing shift from TV news towards online media will impact filter bubbles/echo chambers and partisanship.
Reposted by Alex Engler
And now Penn rejects the compact! Students, faculty and staff unite. @aaup-penn.bsky.social @aaup.org 🔥 www.thedp.com/article/2025...
Penn rejects White House proposal for special funding treatment
With the decision, Penn becomes the third university to decline the offer.
www.thedp.com
October 16, 2025 at 5:14 PM
And now Penn rejects the compact! Students, faculty and staff unite. @aaup-penn.bsky.social @aaup.org 🔥 www.thedp.com/article/2025...
Reposted by Alex Engler
Here's a gift link to the New York Times' coverage of the initial Tea Party rallies in April 2009 which inspired the media to treat it like a massive movement.
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Tax Day Is Met With Tea Parties (Published 2009)
www.nytimes.com
October 20, 2025 at 12:55 PM
Here's a gift link to the New York Times' coverage of the initial Tea Party rallies in April 2009 which inspired the media to treat it like a massive movement.
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000
Check out how tiny the crowds were:
Philly: 200
DC: "several hundred"
Boston: 500
Austin: 1,000
Houston: 2,000