Dr. Cara Berg Powers
@clbergpowers.bsky.social
I post about public education, school integration, cultural theory, media literacy, sex ed, parenting, and random thoughts from my ADHD brain. Proud co-editor of uncoveringpossible.com out now from Vernon Press! CFC166871CD4B 24% off
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
"Some were as young as 13, and at least half of those taken in so far became pregnant as a result of rape, sources said."
The Trump administration is incarcerating migrant girls in, essentially, a forced pregnancy camp.
Trump administration is sending pregnant migrant girls to South Texas shelter flagged as medically inadequate
Government sources and advocates for the children worry the goal is to concentrate them in Texas, where abortion is banned.
www.kut.org
February 12, 2026 at 5:09 PM
"Some were as young as 13, and at least half of those taken in so far became pregnant as a result of rape, sources said."
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Behold: the first-ever list of news outlets that have banned generative AI in their reporting. As of today, this is literally information that you cannot find on Google.
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
December 17, 2025 at 7:18 PM
Behold: the first-ever list of news outlets that have banned generative AI in their reporting. As of today, this is literally information that you cannot find on Google.
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
My goal is to fill the starter pack, so please send over suggestions with supporting evidence!
go.bsky.app/8cn1XfT
🧵
My team at the Crowd Counting Consortium (@djpressman.bsky.social, Soha Hammam, & Chris Shay) has shared a big data update, covering all recorded US protests through Jan 2026. Some key takeaways 🧵:
February 12, 2026 at 6:46 PM
🧵
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
In other words, perception hits fast, but personal knowledge shapes more sustained processing.
This suggests impression formation isn’t a single moment. It’s a layered neural process unfolding over time.
This suggests impression formation isn’t a single moment. It’s a layered neural process unfolding over time.
February 12, 2026 at 6:12 PM
In other words, perception hits fast, but personal knowledge shapes more sustained processing.
This suggests impression formation isn’t a single moment. It’s a layered neural process unfolding over time.
This suggests impression formation isn’t a single moment. It’s a layered neural process unfolding over time.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Massachusetts students and families!! Join @brownspromise.bsky.social tonight for office hours with our Chief Legal Counsel. We want to hear about your school experiences! tinyurl.com/BPOffice226
February 12, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Massachusetts students and families!! Join @brownspromise.bsky.social tonight for office hours with our Chief Legal Counsel. We want to hear about your school experiences! tinyurl.com/BPOffice226
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
👀🤬🤬🤬🤬
per CNBC:
*Electricity prices rise at double inflation rate on data center demand, analysts say with no relief in site"
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/e...
per CNBC:
*Electricity prices rise at double inflation rate on data center demand, analysts say with no relief in site"
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/e...
Electricity prices rising by double the rate of inflation. Data center demand means no relief ahead, analysts say
The impact of the AI industry on electricity prices has turned into a major political flashpoint ahead of the midterm elections this November.
www.cnbc.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:27 PM
👀🤬🤬🤬🤬
per CNBC:
*Electricity prices rise at double inflation rate on data center demand, analysts say with no relief in site"
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/e...
per CNBC:
*Electricity prices rise at double inflation rate on data center demand, analysts say with no relief in site"
www.cnbc.com/2026/02/12/e...
Massachusetts students and families!! Join @brownspromise.bsky.social tonight for office hours with our Chief Legal Counsel. We want to hear about your school experiences! tinyurl.com/BPOffice226
February 12, 2026 at 4:02 PM
Massachusetts students and families!! Join @brownspromise.bsky.social tonight for office hours with our Chief Legal Counsel. We want to hear about your school experiences! tinyurl.com/BPOffice226
As a white person if you say this word it is part of your vocabulary. It should cause you physical discomfort to even think about saying the word. If it just comes out, it's because you have practice.
“(The word I said) is not part of my vocabulary and never has been.”
Hmmmmmmmm
Hmmmmmmmm
February 12, 2026 at 3:43 PM
As a white person if you say this word it is part of your vocabulary. It should cause you physical discomfort to even think about saying the word. If it just comes out, it's because you have practice.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Wrote something combining threads from here & elsewhere on meaningful consent, bias, dis- & misinformation, and harms to critical thinking & skills development and social interaction in the context of "AI."
Here's "Failures of “AI” Promise: Critical Thinking, Misinformation, Prosociality, & Trust":
Here's "Failures of “AI” Promise: Critical Thinking, Misinformation, Prosociality, & Trust":
Failures of “AI” Promise: Critical Thinking, Misinformation, Prosociality, & Trust
So, new research shows that a) LLM-type “AI” chatbots are extremely persuasive and able to get voters to shift their positions, and that b) the more effective they are at that, the less…
afutureworththinkingabout.com
December 7, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Wrote something combining threads from here & elsewhere on meaningful consent, bias, dis- & misinformation, and harms to critical thinking & skills development and social interaction in the context of "AI."
Here's "Failures of “AI” Promise: Critical Thinking, Misinformation, Prosociality, & Trust":
Here's "Failures of “AI” Promise: Critical Thinking, Misinformation, Prosociality, & Trust":
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
The SAVE act is anti-American & anti-democracy. I’m furious that it passed the House.
It’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Voter fraud is rarer than rare—and when it does occur, it’s often MAGA trying to illegally tip the scale.
It’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Voter fraud is rarer than rare—and when it does occur, it’s often MAGA trying to illegally tip the scale.
February 12, 2026 at 3:26 PM
The SAVE act is anti-American & anti-democracy. I’m furious that it passed the House.
It’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Voter fraud is rarer than rare—and when it does occur, it’s often MAGA trying to illegally tip the scale.
It’s already illegal for noncitizens to vote in federal elections. Voter fraud is rarer than rare—and when it does occur, it’s often MAGA trying to illegally tip the scale.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Thank you, @jamieeldridgema.bsky.social, for pointing out how numerous other states have decoupled from Trump’s corporate tax cuts rather than just delaying them.
They are bad this year, they are bad next year, and they are bad the year after. #mapoli
They are bad this year, they are bad next year, and they are bad the year after. #mapoli
February 12, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Thank you, @jamieeldridgema.bsky.social, for pointing out how numerous other states have decoupled from Trump’s corporate tax cuts rather than just delaying them.
They are bad this year, they are bad next year, and they are bad the year after. #mapoli
They are bad this year, they are bad next year, and they are bad the year after. #mapoli
Fun question for Worcester electeds that have been silent since Eureka Street.. how is this different than the message our city is sending?
Rhetorial question but how is it ice's job to go after agitators
He literally says in this clip that ICE will keep in Minnesota “quick reaction forces” — a military term — to go after “agitators.” Remember that those on the ground in MPLS have spent more than a week trying to tell everyone that Trump’s prior “deescalation” was a ruse and ICE is still operational
February 12, 2026 at 3:23 PM
Fun question for Worcester electeds that have been silent since Eureka Street.. how is this different than the message our city is sending?
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
I'm a Gallup pollster. You can contact them at [email protected] to let them know what you think of this.
February 11, 2026 at 8:10 PM
I'm a Gallup pollster. You can contact them at [email protected] to let them know what you think of this.
In talking to my mom today after the verdict, I was reminded that in the days after this, when @etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social documented (which were shown at trial) the bruises she herself sustained, I brought her healing balm because she was so sore. I had completely forgotten.
Should be repeated McGuirk gave conflicting testimony about the “shove” — most garishly in contradiction to the commonwealth’s case, she said Etel pushed off of the ICE SUV into her, knocking her off balance. The state’s case is that etel “shoved” her in the process of being “escorted” (tossed)
February 12, 2026 at 2:40 AM
In talking to my mom today after the verdict, I was reminded that in the days after this, when @etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social documented (which were shown at trial) the bruises she herself sustained, I brought her healing balm because she was so sore. I had completely forgotten.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
I mean I'm just baffled that 6 people could watch a video of a woman trying to not fall down while being forcibly pulled around by a larger person, then look at the standard for "assault" that they were instructed to consider, and unanimously decide "yup, matches up."
February 11, 2026 at 8:34 PM
I mean I'm just baffled that 6 people could watch a video of a woman trying to not fall down while being forcibly pulled around by a larger person, then look at the standard for "assault" that they were instructed to consider, and unanimously decide "yup, matches up."
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
This second part's been bothering me a bit. The jury was allowed to consider that charges weren't immediately brought for political reasons, but wasn't allowed to consider that charges were eventually brought for political reasons?
Gagne says Haxhiaj was interfering with police multiple times. He says she was a distraction and was diverting the police's attention.
He says McGuirk said anyone who wasn't a city councilor probably would've been arrested that day. Says McGurk made a strategic decision to wait.
He says McGuirk said anyone who wasn't a city councilor probably would've been arrested that day. Says McGurk made a strategic decision to wait.
February 11, 2026 at 9:52 PM
This second part's been bothering me a bit. The jury was allowed to consider that charges weren't immediately brought for political reasons, but wasn't allowed to consider that charges were eventually brought for political reasons?
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
Culture is never innocuous; it is consequential. I think of the ways people understand that our law and order system is unjust, but cop for copaganda. You cannot separate how the system perpetuates violence against the innocent, especially Black and Brown people, and the culture that holds it up
February 11, 2026 at 11:25 PM
Culture is never innocuous; it is consequential. I think of the ways people understand that our law and order system is unjust, but cop for copaganda. You cannot separate how the system perpetuates violence against the innocent, especially Black and Brown people, and the culture that holds it up
For a multitude of reasons I was unable to use a stove/oven to make dinner tonight, but thankfully I got myself a $16 Aldi rice cooker last week and this is a quick and delicious dinner- 1 can Trader Joe's cumin and parsley chickpeas, 1 cup of orzo and two cups of vegetable broth, press button- done
February 12, 2026 at 1:58 AM
For a multitude of reasons I was unable to use a stove/oven to make dinner tonight, but thankfully I got myself a $16 Aldi rice cooker last week and this is a quick and delicious dinner- 1 can Trader Joe's cumin and parsley chickpeas, 1 cup of orzo and two cups of vegetable broth, press button- done
As a testament to my mental state this week- after getting 3 Raphaels in 3 kids meals tonight, I told my Dad that we're going to get these online and hope they come in time before realizing that in fact Monday is February 16 and my brother turns 40 on April 16.
My little brother turns 40 next week and my Dad (who doesn't drive anymore) just saw a commercial for Burger King doing TMNT kids meals, so I've been given a special birthday mission. Since I'm a vegetarian, he promised he'll eat all the kids meals and we'll try to collect all the Ninja Turtles.
two teenage mutant ninja turtles stand in front of a brick wall
Alt: Michaelangelo and Donatello of the teenage mutant ninja turtles stand in front of a brick wall and high five
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 1:54 AM
As a testament to my mental state this week- after getting 3 Raphaels in 3 kids meals tonight, I told my Dad that we're going to get these online and hope they come in time before realizing that in fact Monday is February 16 and my brother turns 40 on April 16.
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
If it happened today - what would our police have done? How would they take our side. How would they help get ICE out? I hope that is the planning that is happening. ICE created horror on Eureka St. community responded w little information and wanting to protect our immigrant community. 😔
February 11, 2026 at 10:44 AM
If it happened today - what would our police have done? How would they take our side. How would they help get ICE out? I hope that is the planning that is happening. ICE created horror on Eureka St. community responded w little information and wanting to protect our immigrant community. 😔
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
it’s weird, to run this website and have a very distinct marker for how much people care about what’s happening in Minnesota
it feels especially not great to look at as eviction notices start to get served for families are still locked down hiding from ICE, who are still roving the streets
it feels especially not great to look at as eviction notices start to get served for families are still locked down hiding from ICE, who are still roving the streets
February 9, 2026 at 7:14 PM
it’s weird, to run this website and have a very distinct marker for how much people care about what’s happening in Minnesota
it feels especially not great to look at as eviction notices start to get served for families are still locked down hiding from ICE, who are still roving the streets
it feels especially not great to look at as eviction notices start to get served for families are still locked down hiding from ICE, who are still roving the streets
Worcester folks, if you're feeling as angry and sad as I am just want you to know that Haägen Dazs is $3 at the Shaw's on Gold Star blvd
a woman is riding an exercise bike in a dark room and says `` tomorrow i 'll try again '' .
Alt: a woman shrugs in a dark room and says `` tomorrow i 'll try again '' .
media.tenor.com
February 12, 2026 at 12:53 AM
Worcester folks, if you're feeling as angry and sad as I am just want you to know that Haägen Dazs is $3 at the Shaw's on Gold Star blvd
Also what is the point of body cameras if we're just going to be told we don't see what our eyes can clearly see?
February 12, 2026 at 12:23 AM
Also what is the point of body cameras if we're just going to be told we don't see what our eyes can clearly see?
Reposted by Dr. Cara Berg Powers
If the same thing were to happen again tomorrow, I have zero faith that the WPD would even follow the current protocols. Which, yet another argument in favor of a civilian review board
February 11, 2026 at 10:55 PM
If the same thing were to happen again tomorrow, I have zero faith that the WPD would even follow the current protocols. Which, yet another argument in favor of a civilian review board
Deeply grateful to be in community with @etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social, who remains a public servant despite not being in office any longer. Despite how she was failed today, she is focused on the systems and structures that uphold that injustice.
February 11, 2026 at 10:24 PM
Deeply grateful to be in community with @etelhaxhiaj.bsky.social, who remains a public servant despite not being in office any longer. Despite how she was failed today, she is focused on the systems and structures that uphold that injustice.