Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
@berthac.bsky.social
Fan, celebrity & cultural studies academic. Senior lecturer in media & cultural studies @ NUS, Singapore. Intermixing posts on shows I'm watching, fandoms, politics, academia & work. Opinions my own.
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40. Fandom - Bertha Chin
Bertha Chin is a Senior Lecturer in Communications And New Media at the National University of Singapore.
open.substack.com
Probably the most fun I had recording a podcast! Thanks to @giagia.co.uk and Tim Vermeulen for inviting me to come on and ramble about #fandoms and #fancultures!
40. Fandom - Bertha Chin open.substack.com/pub/theclust...
40. Fandom - Bertha Chin open.substack.com/pub/theclust...
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
This is such a great article by Eva Cheuk-Yin Li & Ka-Wei Pang about a specific incident in fandom in which discourse around AI deepfakes was weaponised by fans. Beyond the incident itself, it offers a thoughtful example of how to engage with fandom incidents with care and respect.
November 14, 2025 at 2:58 PM
This is such a great article by Eva Cheuk-Yin Li & Ka-Wei Pang about a specific incident in fandom in which discourse around AI deepfakes was weaponised by fans. Beyond the incident itself, it offers a thoughtful example of how to engage with fandom incidents with care and respect.
Initial media reports identified him as a “fan”, and for the general public, this kind of behaviour is immediately relegated to fans. And this is what infuriates me.
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tr...
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tr...
‘Troll Most Hated’: Man who rushed at Ariana Grande at Wicked premiere in S’pore a serial intruder
The Australian national also recently interrupted Katy Perry's concert in Sydney. Read more at straitstimes.com. Read more at straitstimes.com.
www.straitstimes.com
November 13, 2025 at 5:31 PM
Initial media reports identified him as a “fan”, and for the general public, this kind of behaviour is immediately relegated to fans. And this is what infuriates me.
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tr...
www.straitstimes.com/singapore/tr...
Attended my first play in Singapore — a Korean production of Chekov’s The Cherry Orchard starring Park Hae Soo and Jeon Do Yeon — and got super annoyed during the post-show conversation when the host (white lady) reworded every question from the audience. Condescending much?! 🙄
November 8, 2025 at 4:01 PM
Attended my first play in Singapore — a Korean production of Chekov’s The Cherry Orchard starring Park Hae Soo and Jeon Do Yeon — and got super annoyed during the post-show conversation when the host (white lady) reworded every question from the audience. Condescending much?! 🙄
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
ChatGPT accused of acting as ‘suicide coach’ in series of US lawsuits
ChatGPT accused of acting as ‘suicide coach’ in series of US lawsuits
Chatbot was first used for ‘general help’ with schoolwork or research but ‘evolved into a psychologically manipulative presence’, plaintiffs say
ChatGPT has been accused of acting as a “suicide coach” in a series of lawsuits filed this week in California alleging that interactions with the chatbot led to severe mental breakdowns and several deaths.
The seven lawsuits include allegations of wrongful death, assisted suicide, involuntary manslaughter, negligence and product liability.
In the US, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988 or chat at 988lifeline.org. In the UK and Ireland, Samaritans can be contacted on freephone 116 123, or email [email protected] or [email protected]. In Australia, the crisis support service Lifeline is 13 11 14. Other international helplines can be found at befrienders.org Continue reading...
www.theguardian.com
November 7, 2025 at 6:25 PM
ChatGPT accused of acting as ‘suicide coach’ in series of US lawsuits
And also, perhaps, take 2-5 seconds to really think whether the content makes any sense at all before you believe everything. It's not just AI-generated videos, it's literally everything you see and read on the internet since oh, I don't know, the late 90s?
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
The number one sign you're watching an AI video
Your social media feed is being taken over by AI video slop. But for now, there's still one big red flag that can help you spot the fakes.
www.bbc.com
November 4, 2025 at 4:01 AM
And also, perhaps, take 2-5 seconds to really think whether the content makes any sense at all before you believe everything. It's not just AI-generated videos, it's literally everything you see and read on the internet since oh, I don't know, the late 90s?
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
www.bbc.com/future/artic...
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
“We are told that AI is inevitable, that we must adapt or be left behind. But universities are not tech companies. Our role is to foster critical thinking, not to follow industry trends uncritically.”
‘Study after study shows that students want to develop these critical thinking skills, are not lazy, and large numbers of them would be in favor of banning ChatGPT and similar tools in universities’, says @olivia.science www.ru.nl/en/research/...
‘Opposing the inevitability of AI at universities is possible and necessary’ | Radboud University
Since the widespread release of ChatGPT in December of 2022, AI has taken over much of the world by storm – including academia. Most of this happened with very little pushback, despite a myriad of iss...
www.ru.nl
November 1, 2025 at 10:45 PM
“We are told that AI is inevitable, that we must adapt or be left behind. But universities are not tech companies. Our role is to foster critical thinking, not to follow industry trends uncritically.”
Everytime I pop my head into Threads, it's filled with racist and regional ragebaiting. Yes, I know I shouldn't bother and I should just delete it.
October 25, 2025 at 3:15 AM
Everytime I pop my head into Threads, it's filled with racist and regional ragebaiting. Yes, I know I shouldn't bother and I should just delete it.
It's somewhat cathartic to see Powerpoint's Design Suggestions get more and more boring with every suggestion.
October 15, 2025 at 6:14 AM
It's somewhat cathartic to see Powerpoint's Design Suggestions get more and more boring with every suggestion.
I applaud what DDK was trying to do with this, but I had so many issues with the show. Chief of which, it felt like it was trying to fit America into an Asian/Korean context rather than integrating both. Maybe it was the IP itself...
www.weareresonate.com/2025/10/dani...
www.weareresonate.com/2025/10/dani...
Daniel Dae Kim’s 'Butterfly' Canceled By Prime Video After One Season
Prime Video cancels Daniel Dae Kim’s Butterfly, ending the Korea-set spy thriller exploring identity, loyalty, and redemption
www.weareresonate.com
October 11, 2025 at 3:52 AM
I applaud what DDK was trying to do with this, but I had so many issues with the show. Chief of which, it felt like it was trying to fit America into an Asian/Korean context rather than integrating both. Maybe it was the IP itself...
www.weareresonate.com/2025/10/dani...
www.weareresonate.com/2025/10/dani...
First they went for the comedians, and now they’re going after academics.…
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
US anti-fascism expert blocked from flying to Spain at airport
Rutgers University professor who published book on antifa was informed at boarding gate that his trip was cancelled
www.theguardian.com
October 9, 2025 at 6:07 PM
First they went for the comedians, and now they’re going after academics.…
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
They know it's not true, but that's not the point.
"Republicans post fake image of Oregon protest – using photos of South America" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
"Republicans post fake image of Oregon protest – using photos of South America" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Republicans post fake image of Oregon protest – using photos of South America
A federal judge had blocked Trump’s request to deploy California national guard to Portland
www.theguardian.com
October 7, 2025 at 12:57 PM
They know it's not true, but that's not the point.
"Republicans post fake image of Oregon protest – using photos of South America" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
"Republicans post fake image of Oregon protest – using photos of South America" www.theguardian.com/us-news/2025...
Because at the end of the day, what the Tories want are mindless generations they can bend to their populist will, and everyone will pander to their lies. For the first time ever, I’m glad I left the UK
How is this repeatedly made into a policy issue - by *all* parties - when the blunt fact of the matter is that grown adults who are obliged to pay for their own education, and relentlessly pursued to repay their loans, should be able to study whatever the fuck they want.
October 8, 2025 at 12:05 PM
Because at the end of the day, what the Tories want are mindless generations they can bend to their populist will, and everyone will pander to their lies. For the first time ever, I’m glad I left the UK
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
Death by logic!
October 8, 2025 at 10:21 AM
Death by logic!
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
There are no courses that "lead to poor graduate outcomes"
They've already been closed.
But who decides what a good or poor outcome is? A highly paid job? That rules out teachers, librarians, curators, researchers, academics, junior doctors, nurses,
They've already been closed.
But who decides what a good or poor outcome is? A highly paid job? That rules out teachers, librarians, curators, researchers, academics, junior doctors, nurses,
'The party would introduce caps on funded courses that consistently “lead to poor graduate outcomes”, allowing it to invest further in the “apprenticeship revolution” it started, it said. Remaining funding will be used to support high-quality courses at research-intensive British universities.' 3/3
October 8, 2025 at 7:25 AM
There are no courses that "lead to poor graduate outcomes"
They've already been closed.
But who decides what a good or poor outcome is? A highly paid job? That rules out teachers, librarians, curators, researchers, academics, junior doctors, nurses,
They've already been closed.
But who decides what a good or poor outcome is? A highly paid job? That rules out teachers, librarians, curators, researchers, academics, junior doctors, nurses,
Seriously, Gmail, I'm very capable of reading my own emails. There's no need for Gemini to flash a reminder asking if I need to summarise the emails everytime I click on one! Ffs
October 8, 2025 at 2:59 AM
Seriously, Gmail, I'm very capable of reading my own emails. There's no need for Gemini to flash a reminder asking if I need to summarise the emails everytime I click on one! Ffs
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
Netanyahu: "We have to fight back. How do we fight back? Our influencers."
"[I]nfluencers are likely being paid around $7,000 per post on social media such as Tik Tok and Instagram on behalf of Israel."
#Israel #Gaza #Palestine #USA #Genocide
"[I]nfluencers are likely being paid around $7,000 per post on social media such as Tik Tok and Instagram on behalf of Israel."
#Israel #Gaza #Palestine #USA #Genocide
Influencers Are Being Paid $7K Per Post to Boost Pro-Israel Social Media Content
“We have to fight back. How do we fight back? Our influencers," said Israeli Prime Minister Benjamin Netanyahu.
truthout.org
October 5, 2025 at 9:40 PM
Netanyahu: "We have to fight back. How do we fight back? Our influencers."
"[I]nfluencers are likely being paid around $7,000 per post on social media such as Tik Tok and Instagram on behalf of Israel."
#Israel #Gaza #Palestine #USA #Genocide
"[I]nfluencers are likely being paid around $7,000 per post on social media such as Tik Tok and Instagram on behalf of Israel."
#Israel #Gaza #Palestine #USA #Genocide
Pretty sure it took a lot less for these people to label others as authoritarian when it’s not happening in their own backyard
This is not a surprise to anyone on Bluesky. "A survey of more than 500 political scientists finds that the vast majority think the United States is moving swiftly from liberal democracy toward some form of authoritarianism." www.npr.org/2025/04/22/n...
Hundreds of scholars say U.S. is swiftly heading toward authoritarianism
Most — but not all — political scientists are deeply troubled by the president's attempts to expand executive power, according to a national survey.
www.npr.org
October 6, 2025 at 2:05 AM
Pretty sure it took a lot less for these people to label others as authoritarian when it’s not happening in their own backyard
Glad I waited till all episodes of Tempest was released before I binged through the last 4 episodes. Ah, Korean dramas and their ambiguous endings! Also, this is more my speed than the record-breaking Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. 🤷🏻♀️
October 4, 2025 at 5:42 PM
Glad I waited till all episodes of Tempest was released before I binged through the last 4 episodes. Ah, Korean dramas and their ambiguous endings! Also, this is more my speed than the record-breaking Bon Appétit, Your Majesty. 🤷🏻♀️
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
1/ Around the world, governments are tripping over themselves as they abandon the centre and lean right. But what they are ignoring is that you don’t beat fascism by borrowing from its playbook. Copying the far right’s language or tactics doesn’t weaken them; it normalizes them.
October 2, 2025 at 11:03 AM
1/ Around the world, governments are tripping over themselves as they abandon the centre and lean right. But what they are ignoring is that you don’t beat fascism by borrowing from its playbook. Copying the far right’s language or tactics doesn’t weaken them; it normalizes them.
Reposted by Dr Bertha Chin (she/her)
There were two paths for America and Lilith Fair was one of them. Sadly it chose the other | Emma Brockes
There were two paths for America and Lilith Fair was one of them. Sadly it chose the other | Emma Brockes
The all-female music festival from the 90s was a counterpoint to that era’s misogyny. Trump’s US could do with some of that hope and promise today, says Guardian columnist Emma Brockes
www.theguardian.com
October 2, 2025 at 7:27 AM
There were two paths for America and Lilith Fair was one of them. Sadly it chose the other | Emma Brockes
The US, becoming a military state run by a dictator right before our eyes. Again, if this was any other country (in Asia) other than the US, the world would be up in arms and be a lot more accusatory. Ah, the double standards.
September 30, 2025 at 3:34 PM
The US, becoming a military state run by a dictator right before our eyes. Again, if this was any other country (in Asia) other than the US, the world would be up in arms and be a lot more accusatory. Ah, the double standards.