Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
@bmitra.bsky.social
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Cal State University’s deal with OpenAI — providing ChatGPT to all faculty, students, and staff — will expire in June 2026. Amid the prospect of layoffs in the CSU, we’re asking the chancellor not to renew this costly and demoralizing contract.
Link below and anyone can sign:
Link below and anyone can sign:
January 21, 2026 at 7:33 PM
Cal State University’s deal with OpenAI — providing ChatGPT to all faculty, students, and staff — will expire in June 2026. Amid the prospect of layoffs in the CSU, we’re asking the chancellor not to renew this costly and demoralizing contract.
Link below and anyone can sign:
Link below and anyone can sign:
🫡
Calling all the PhDs I know to make monumental annoyances of themselves (and honestly, who better)
January 21, 2026 at 10:47 PM
🫡
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Every day some story breaks me some. Today it’s the guy who approached parents at a school patrol, told them he was with Indivisible, and asked about how the patrol system works. The parents gave vague answers, followed him back to his car — and of course it was ICE.
January 21, 2026 at 2:12 PM
Every day some story breaks me some. Today it’s the guy who approached parents at a school patrol, told them he was with Indivisible, and asked about how the patrol system works. The parents gave vague answers, followed him back to his car — and of course it was ICE.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
I am assembling resources for @aial.ie to mitigate/reduce risks (due to our research) from potential:
1)retaliation, defamation lawsuit etc for work on politically charged topics
2)emotional harm from dealing with sensitive issues (CSAM, hate, etc)
know of any helpful resources? pls share/repost
1)retaliation, defamation lawsuit etc for work on politically charged topics
2)emotional harm from dealing with sensitive issues (CSAM, hate, etc)
know of any helpful resources? pls share/repost
January 20, 2026 at 8:22 PM
I am assembling resources for @aial.ie to mitigate/reduce risks (due to our research) from potential:
1)retaliation, defamation lawsuit etc for work on politically charged topics
2)emotional harm from dealing with sensitive issues (CSAM, hate, etc)
know of any helpful resources? pls share/repost
1)retaliation, defamation lawsuit etc for work on politically charged topics
2)emotional harm from dealing with sensitive issues (CSAM, hate, etc)
know of any helpful resources? pls share/repost
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
if you’re passionate about AI accountability research and enjoy working in a vibrant lab with a multi-disciplinary team but not interested in doing traditional academic work, this position might be for you
I’m looking for my right-hand person to come help me run the @aial.ie
- Job Title: Lab Coordinator, AI Accountability Lab (0.8 FTE)
- Pay Scale: (€58,999 - €69,325 per annum pro-rata)
- Closing Date: 11-Feb-2026 12:00
Apply here: my.corehr.com/pls/trrecrui...
Main Responsibilities👇🏾
- Job Title: Lab Coordinator, AI Accountability Lab (0.8 FTE)
- Pay Scale: (€58,999 - €69,325 per annum pro-rata)
- Closing Date: 11-Feb-2026 12:00
Apply here: my.corehr.com/pls/trrecrui...
Main Responsibilities👇🏾
January 21, 2026 at 4:25 PM
if you’re passionate about AI accountability research and enjoy working in a vibrant lab with a multi-disciplinary team but not interested in doing traditional academic work, this position might be for you
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Big if Hitler could have gone to Davos in 1938 energy
Trump is giving a deranged, rambling monologue in Davos to an audience stunned into silence. He sounds incredibly tired, his voice raspy; he keeps trailing off into long pauses. It's jaw-dropping.
The sanewashing headlines are going to say "Trump Doubles Down On Greenland Demand In Davos Speech"
The sanewashing headlines are going to say "Trump Doubles Down On Greenland Demand In Davos Speech"
January 21, 2026 at 4:07 PM
Big if Hitler could have gone to Davos in 1938 energy
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
I know everybody wants to feel optimistic about Carney, Macron, Merz et al talking about a new post-RBIO system, but remember that they’re only panicking now because the structural barbarism is banging on their own doors. They don’t want to remedy it; just sustain its redirection.
January 21, 2026 at 11:22 AM
I know everybody wants to feel optimistic about Carney, Macron, Merz et al talking about a new post-RBIO system, but remember that they’re only panicking now because the structural barbarism is banging on their own doors. They don’t want to remedy it; just sustain its redirection.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
There’s a reason why Carney’s speech made numerous mentions of ‘great powers’ and ‘intermediate/middle powers’ but not a single mention of the implied third category.
Well fuck when you put it that way.
January 21, 2026 at 11:31 AM
There’s a reason why Carney’s speech made numerous mentions of ‘great powers’ and ‘intermediate/middle powers’ but not a single mention of the implied third category.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
If you read Carney closely, he’s not actually opposed to the existence of a transactional hegemonic power on principle so much as he wants a seat at the big boys table next to the hegemon
In a way, I guess he’s advocating for a more inclusive transactionalism
In a way, I guess he’s advocating for a more inclusive transactionalism
January 21, 2026 at 4:11 AM
If you read Carney closely, he’s not actually opposed to the existence of a transactional hegemonic power on principle so much as he wants a seat at the big boys table next to the hegemon
In a way, I guess he’s advocating for a more inclusive transactionalism
In a way, I guess he’s advocating for a more inclusive transactionalism
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
…Except Carney’s denunciation of the neoliberal capitalist world order is later followed by him bragging about cutting taxes for businesses / investors and getting rid of government regulations
So I’m not quite sure what system Carney is railing against or what kind of world he aspires to build?
So I’m not quite sure what system Carney is railing against or what kind of world he aspires to build?
January 21, 2026 at 3:39 AM
…Except Carney’s denunciation of the neoliberal capitalist world order is later followed by him bragging about cutting taxes for businesses / investors and getting rid of government regulations
So I’m not quite sure what system Carney is railing against or what kind of world he aspires to build?
So I’m not quite sure what system Carney is railing against or what kind of world he aspires to build?
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
I keep reflecting on the surrealness of Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of England and Bank of Canada, invoking an anti-communist essay by Vaclav Havel to declare at Davos that the American-led neoliberal capitalist world order is a “lie”
January 21, 2026 at 3:12 AM
I keep reflecting on the surrealness of Mark Carney, former Governor of the Bank of England and Bank of Canada, invoking an anti-communist essay by Vaclav Havel to declare at Davos that the American-led neoliberal capitalist world order is a “lie”
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Carney’s AI strategy pretends that you can still work with Microsoft and Palantir(!) and call it a sovereign cloud. You simply can’t.
The CFIA knows that the US gutting of their regulatory agencies means it’ll be more work for them to keep Canadians safe. They can’t do that under austerity.
The CFIA knows that the US gutting of their regulatory agencies means it’ll be more work for them to keep Canadians safe. They can’t do that under austerity.
Microsoft’s AI deal promises Canada digital sovereignty, but is that a pledge it can keep?
As the U.S. government becomes increasingly authoritarian and issues threats to other countries, can Canadians trust U.S. tech companies with their data?
theconversation.com
January 21, 2026 at 11:11 AM
Carney’s AI strategy pretends that you can still work with Microsoft and Palantir(!) and call it a sovereign cloud. You simply can’t.
The CFIA knows that the US gutting of their regulatory agencies means it’ll be more work for them to keep Canadians safe. They can’t do that under austerity.
The CFIA knows that the US gutting of their regulatory agencies means it’ll be more work for them to keep Canadians safe. They can’t do that under austerity.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
There's a constant discourse about why people won't leave "X" without ever acknowledging how aggressive Bsky has been in removing Palestinian accounts (including journalists and not just those fundraising) more than any other platform. There really needs to pressure on Bsky against this practice.
They've deleted Rawan, she has been here a long time and now her account is gone. I hope someone is in touch with her off site, she never asked and I didn't want to push. We need better organisation, everyone should have a family to help. This is unsustainable.
chuffed.org/project/1486...
chuffed.org/project/1486...
Help Rawan reach her dream and goal
(english below)
chuffed.org
January 21, 2026 at 12:20 PM
There's a constant discourse about why people won't leave "X" without ever acknowledging how aggressive Bsky has been in removing Palestinian accounts (including journalists and not just those fundraising) more than any other platform. There really needs to pressure on Bsky against this practice.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
We’ve been living inside a 5 alarm fire for a decade. Fighting fascism is the most important thing any of us will ever do.
But if you don’t allow yourself to carve out a few minutes a day for joy or simple pleasures you’re not gonna make it.
But if you don’t allow yourself to carve out a few minutes a day for joy or simple pleasures you’re not gonna make it.
January 20, 2026 at 9:12 PM
We’ve been living inside a 5 alarm fire for a decade. Fighting fascism is the most important thing any of us will ever do.
But if you don’t allow yourself to carve out a few minutes a day for joy or simple pleasures you’re not gonna make it.
But if you don’t allow yourself to carve out a few minutes a day for joy or simple pleasures you’re not gonna make it.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
January 20, 2026 at 10:53 PM
This is the most astonishing graph of what the Trump regime has done to US science. They have destroyed the federal science workforce across the board. The negative impacts on Americans will be felt for generations, and the US might never be the same again.
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
www.nature.com/immersive/d4...
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
I was present for the birth of the web, the explosion of personal sites, and the blogging revolution, and you know what we never had to do? Beg people to use our shit.
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 21, 2026 at 12:19 AM
I was present for the birth of the web, the explosion of personal sites, and the blogging revolution, and you know what we never had to do? Beg people to use our shit.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Today, I told my students:
We're working under pressures and constraints that aren't of our own making and that we have limited power to control. So, let’s not pretend that social forces stop at the classroom door. Instead, let’s take care of each other with empathy and support.
We're working under pressures and constraints that aren't of our own making and that we have limited power to control. So, let’s not pretend that social forces stop at the classroom door. Instead, let’s take care of each other with empathy and support.
Once again, how are we supposed to work through all this -- I mean, to do our day jobs?
January 20, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Today, I told my students:
We're working under pressures and constraints that aren't of our own making and that we have limited power to control. So, let’s not pretend that social forces stop at the classroom door. Instead, let’s take care of each other with empathy and support.
We're working under pressures and constraints that aren't of our own making and that we have limited power to control. So, let’s not pretend that social forces stop at the classroom door. Instead, let’s take care of each other with empathy and support.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
started / going
December 18, 2025 at 12:13 AM
started / going
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Night Vale podcast would make way more money if every single person in the world listened to it, Night Vale chief Joseph Fink warns
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
AI boom could falter without wider adoption, Microsoft chief Satya Nadella warns
Big tech boss tells delegates at Davos that broader global use is essential if technology is to deliver lasting growth
www.irishtimes.com
January 20, 2026 at 10:30 PM
Night Vale podcast would make way more money if every single person in the world listened to it, Night Vale chief Joseph Fink warns
My "breakup letter" to Big Tech from last summer has been published in the inaugural issue of the Disjunctions magazine. We don't need to remain complicit in genocides, ecological devastations, worker disempowerment, and in building the infrastructure for fascism. We can and must do better.
January 20, 2026 at 4:42 PM
My "breakup letter" to Big Tech from last summer has been published in the inaugural issue of the Disjunctions magazine. We don't need to remain complicit in genocides, ecological devastations, worker disempowerment, and in building the infrastructure for fascism. We can and must do better.
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Irish Council for Civil Liberties filed a legal complaint against #microsoft Ireland for mass processing of illegal surveillance data on Palestinians […]
Original post on idf.social
idf.social
January 20, 2026 at 3:33 PM
Irish Council for Civil Liberties filed a legal complaint against #microsoft Ireland for mass processing of illegal surveillance data on Palestinians […]
Reposted by Bhaskar Mitra | ভাস্কর মিত্র
Bangladesh has refused to participate in matches scheduled on Indian soil due to security concerns and political tensions. However, the unfolding cricket crisis represents far more than a diplomatic standoff or a security dispute.
Pitching power: Unpacking the T20 Cricket World Cup crisis between Bangladesh and India
Bangladesh’s refusal to participate in 2026 T20 Cricket World Cup matches scheduled on Indian soil represents far more than a diplomatic standoff or a security dispute.
globalvoices.org
January 20, 2026 at 10:40 AM
Bangladesh has refused to participate in matches scheduled on Indian soil due to security concerns and political tensions. However, the unfolding cricket crisis represents far more than a diplomatic standoff or a security dispute.