Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
@cyborgapologist.bsky.social
Ass Prof of STS @ UVA
Communications Director for Society for Philosophy and Technology
Phil Tech, Disability Studies, Med Hums, Bioethics, Hist of Eugenics, Transhumanism
I teach engineers what the stuff they build does to people.
Communications Director for Society for Philosophy and Technology
Phil Tech, Disability Studies, Med Hums, Bioethics, Hist of Eugenics, Transhumanism
I teach engineers what the stuff they build does to people.
Pinned
New piece! Seven years in the making, but Cyborg Maintenance will finally be out in the March edition of Disability Studies Quarterly.
In it I talk about many of the things that go into maintaining a bodymind which relies on technology.
Pre-print here: cyborgapologist.com/pre-print-pu...
In it I talk about many of the things that go into maintaining a bodymind which relies on technology.
Pre-print here: cyborgapologist.com/pre-print-pu...
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
You know what? Let me give y'all a fucking example.
Calling something "racist" or "white supremacist" will literally be interpreted by white people (broadly construed) as adjacent to an ad-hominem attack because of how we've culturally organized our understanding of racism and white supremacy.
Calling something "racist" or "white supremacist" will literally be interpreted by white people (broadly construed) as adjacent to an ad-hominem attack because of how we've culturally organized our understanding of racism and white supremacy.
As I repeatedly emphasize to my students: the presence of a fallacy in discourse does not render the broader argument irrelevant and many "fallacies" are premised on a given network of cultural meanings. One could make a valid and sound argument for why someone is "bitchmade" and use it effectively.
February 12, 2026 at 4:44 AM
You know what? Let me give y'all a fucking example.
Calling something "racist" or "white supremacist" will literally be interpreted by white people (broadly construed) as adjacent to an ad-hominem attack because of how we've culturally organized our understanding of racism and white supremacy.
Calling something "racist" or "white supremacist" will literally be interpreted by white people (broadly construed) as adjacent to an ad-hominem attack because of how we've culturally organized our understanding of racism and white supremacy.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Tell your bosses to increase their cybersecurity training budgets for the next fiscal year.
Who's the most famous alum of your high school?
I'll go first: David Draiman of Disturbed
I'll go first: David Draiman of Disturbed
guys i just found out i went to the same high school as howard lutnick. please respect my privacy at this time.
February 12, 2026 at 6:44 AM
Tell your bosses to increase their cybersecurity training budgets for the next fiscal year.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
thanks for this. I have sometimes considered doing something substack-like and this list of options is quite helpful, even if you are not migrating away from it.
That's 100% why I created leavesubstack.com -- got tired of re-hashing the points; wanted to make a simple 1-pager.
You Should Probably Leave Substack
You should probably leave Substack. Here’s why and how.
leavesubstack.com
February 12, 2026 at 5:56 AM
thanks for this. I have sometimes considered doing something substack-like and this list of options is quite helpful, even if you are not migrating away from it.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Babe, wake up, new sarcastic but entirely worthwhile internet abbreviation just dropped
Over on threads someone just use ai;dr and we all need to adopt that right quick
February 11, 2026 at 11:16 PM
Babe, wake up, new sarcastic but entirely worthwhile internet abbreviation just dropped
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
The prohibition on carrying things on Shabbos means you have to leave your emotional baggage at home. In this essay I will…
February 12, 2026 at 4:18 AM
The prohibition on carrying things on Shabbos means you have to leave your emotional baggage at home. In this essay I will…
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
This is a pogrom
More than 400 people, including hundreds of citizens, were “sorted” at gun point into racial and ethnic groups by 200 ICE agents who fired flash-bang grenades into cars with people inside, pointed guns at children & demanded their zip tied parents not comfort them. apple.news/Ausdx6kWtT0e...
Idaho families sue over immigration raid that swept up hundreds, including U.S. citizens — NBC News
About 400 people, including children and U.S. citizens, were detained for four hours while they were denied food and water in the raid, according to the lawsuit.
apple.news
February 12, 2026 at 2:19 AM
This is a pogrom
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
I know how people presume that AI will help learning, and I understand the arguments for deployment, but I find them wanting and lacking in support for their specious conclusions.
To the second point: identification of fallacies is a fraught task, and it does matter how and why we identify them.
To the second point: identification of fallacies is a fraught task, and it does matter how and why we identify them.
The problem with this is that the good doctor doesn't know how to use AI to help their students develop the skills to do this on their own.
It doesn't matter how you identify fallacies. What matters is how you use their identification to strengthen your argument, something the good Dr. fails at.
It doesn't matter how you identify fallacies. What matters is how you use their identification to strengthen your argument, something the good Dr. fails at.
The problem with this is that it does not allow students to develop the skills to do this on their own.
Also, NEVER use AI to identify fallacies in arguments in this way. Fallacies like the ones listed don't render the arguments invalid and promote a particular image of how discourse takes place.
Also, NEVER use AI to identify fallacies in arguments in this way. Fallacies like the ones listed don't render the arguments invalid and promote a particular image of how discourse takes place.
February 12, 2026 at 4:27 AM
I know how people presume that AI will help learning, and I understand the arguments for deployment, but I find them wanting and lacking in support for their specious conclusions.
To the second point: identification of fallacies is a fraught task, and it does matter how and why we identify them.
To the second point: identification of fallacies is a fraught task, and it does matter how and why we identify them.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
To conclude: when I teach fallacies as part of logic, and when I teach logic itself, I remind students that what they are learning is the FORM of an argument which is the LEAST important thing. What we need to pay attention to is the CONTENT of the argument, which is what matters in discourse.
February 12, 2026 at 4:27 AM
To conclude: when I teach fallacies as part of logic, and when I teach logic itself, I remind students that what they are learning is the FORM of an argument which is the LEAST important thing. What we need to pay attention to is the CONTENT of the argument, which is what matters in discourse.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Tamino forrm Open Mind has been beating this drum for years, showing a clear acceleration in the warming.
tamino.wordpress.com/2025/05/28/h...
tamino.wordpress.com/2025/05/28/h...
February 12, 2026 at 2:42 AM
Tamino forrm Open Mind has been beating this drum for years, showing a clear acceleration in the warming.
tamino.wordpress.com/2025/05/28/h...
tamino.wordpress.com/2025/05/28/h...
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
There will always be an RFK Jr as long as situations like this are routine and the medical research community doesn't unequivocally say that for-profit healthcare is morally wrong and fight against it.
Yet another indictment of the United States health system that James Van Der Beek’s wife and six kids need a gofundme because his unsuccessful cancer treatment destroyed them financially
www.gofundme.com/f/support-fo...
www.gofundme.com/f/support-fo...
Donate to Support for James Van Der Beek's Family, organized by Jason K
James Van Der Beek was a beloved husband, father, and friend who touched the lives of … Jason K needs your support for Support for James Van Der Beek's Family
www.gofundme.com
February 12, 2026 at 2:31 AM
There will always be an RFK Jr as long as situations like this are routine and the medical research community doesn't unequivocally say that for-profit healthcare is morally wrong and fight against it.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
been watching the olympics and i think i found a solution to the male loneliness crisis
February 11, 2026 at 10:48 PM
been watching the olympics and i think i found a solution to the male loneliness crisis
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
why stop at doubles. there should be an event where they see how many guys you can stack before the sled falls over
February 11, 2026 at 10:58 PM
why stop at doubles. there should be an event where they see how many guys you can stack before the sled falls over
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
too many kids today have never destroyed the family PC with sketchy downloads
you must learn to fear Computer before you can properly wield Computer
you must learn to fear Computer before you can properly wield Computer
folks today don't know the abject fear of inadvertently downloading, for the first (and only lol) time, a .exe file from kazaa or limewire and it shows
def one of those "it only takes one time to learn" but oooo boy at what cost for that single instance
def one of those "it only takes one time to learn" but oooo boy at what cost for that single instance
February 12, 2026 at 2:08 AM
too many kids today have never destroyed the family PC with sketchy downloads
you must learn to fear Computer before you can properly wield Computer
you must learn to fear Computer before you can properly wield Computer
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
"Frankly, I’m embarrassed it took me this long to figure it out. But given the current climate, I think we should’ve collectively realized it wasn’t appropriate for a baby to be the patron saint of fucking."
I, Cupid, Resign As Mascot of Valentine’s Day Because I’m a Baby and It’s Creepy
I Cupid, officially announce my retirement as the mascot of Saint Valentine’s Day. Given this is an occasion to celebrate romantic love, as a chubb...
buff.ly
February 12, 2026 at 2:00 AM
"Frankly, I’m embarrassed it took me this long to figure it out. But given the current climate, I think we should’ve collectively realized it wasn’t appropriate for a baby to be the patron saint of fucking."
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
I stand by my opinion that everyone claiming to not understand why anyone is against genAI in TYoOL 2026, or that anyone against it is just a hysteric incapable of reason, is a fucking faker.
Once again: people are angry for very good reason, and this brand of post is perhaps one of the most tedious and bewildering. Practically every social media platform is rabidly pro-‘AI’ so are govts, academia, companies. This one small space being critical of AI is okay, I think.
February 12, 2026 at 1:10 AM
I stand by my opinion that everyone claiming to not understand why anyone is against genAI in TYoOL 2026, or that anyone against it is just a hysteric incapable of reason, is a fucking faker.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Time for our weekly reminder that there is only one ed tech investment that is proven to work, and it's hiring more teachers and paying them better.
This decision was made without consulting a single CU Boulder professor with AI expertise. And AFAIK there was one professor *total* involved.
More info, such as it is, here: https://www.cu.edu/gen-ai
Check the "Guiding Principles" section for entertainment.
More info, such as it is, here: https://www.cu.edu/gen-ai
Check the "Guiding Principles" section for entertainment.
February 11, 2026 at 9:01 PM
Time for our weekly reminder that there is only one ed tech investment that is proven to work, and it's hiring more teachers and paying them better.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
February 11, 2026 at 11:50 PM
Every photo from Minneapolis looks like this. Cops decked out with guns and full tac gear facing off against people in bathrobes, parkas, and sweatpants armed only with whistles and cell phones.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Yet every verified MAGA chode on X dutifully calls it a riot or violent insurrection.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Esp so since the bathrobe in this one is a local journalist:
The person photographed here who is in their bathrobe filming armed, masked federal agents in St. Paul is MPR News journalist @samstroozas.bsky.social @mprnews.org . She is an incredible journalist and person. We do not deserve her.
A high-speed car chase involving a federal agent in St. Paul ended with a multi-vehicle crash and injuries to the fleeing driver, who was taken away in an ambulance. bit.ly/4kvJo0M
📸: Leila Navidi
📸: Leila Navidi
February 11, 2026 at 11:51 PM
Esp so since the bathrobe in this one is a local journalist:
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Discworld QOTD, from Wyrd Sisters
February 11, 2026 at 9:33 PM
Discworld QOTD, from Wyrd Sisters
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
This dog is being called a "real-life Lassie" after helping find a missing 3-year-old boy in Kentucky. “I don’t know where the dog came from,” one officer said. “But it was a blessing from God that day.” We think the dog deserves some credit too, so we're awarding him our highest honor, a 15/10
February 11, 2026 at 10:06 PM
This dog is being called a "real-life Lassie" after helping find a missing 3-year-old boy in Kentucky. “I don’t know where the dog came from,” one officer said. “But it was a blessing from God that day.” We think the dog deserves some credit too, so we're awarding him our highest honor, a 15/10
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
The bravery and tenacity of these survivors is a thing of awe. At every moment, they have faced the unrelenting horrors of billionaires who rape, assault and murder, and still they are determined to seek justice not merely for themselves but all of us.
Jayapal: To the survivors in the room, if you are willing, please stand. And if you are willing, please raise your hands. If you have still not been able to meet with this DOJ. Please note for the record that every single survivor has raised their hand.
February 11, 2026 at 10:05 PM
The bravery and tenacity of these survivors is a thing of awe. At every moment, they have faced the unrelenting horrors of billionaires who rape, assault and murder, and still they are determined to seek justice not merely for themselves but all of us.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
Reposted by Joshua Earle, Ph.D.
I love how linux makes my 13 year old Toshiba laptop run like it's new.
February 11, 2026 at 5:32 PM
I love how linux makes my 13 year old Toshiba laptop run like it's new.