Dave Mazella
@davemazella.bsky.social
eighteenth-century scholar in Heatstroke, TX. let's see how this goes.
Book: Making of Modern Cynicism, now in paperback from UVA press: https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/2793/
Book: Making of Modern Cynicism, now in paperback from UVA press: https://www.upress.virginia.edu/title/2793/
Pinned
Dave Mazella
@davemazella.bsky.social
· Oct 25
The Making of Modern Cynicism
<div><p>Once describing a life of exile, self-denial, physical rigor, and mastery of one’s desires, cynicism now describes a life of political quietis
www.upress.virginia.edu
My book on ancient and modern cynicism, The Making of Modern Cynicism (2007, UVA press), is now available again in paperback!
Because cynicism never goes out of fashion.
www.upress.virginia.edu/title/2793/
Because cynicism never goes out of fashion.
www.upress.virginia.edu/title/2793/
Reposted by Dave Mazella
This is an important op-ed from @ncaaup.bsky.social President Belle Boggs. Academic freedom—allowing open discussion in classrooms and creative scholarly research free from censorship—is what creates healthy and thriving learning environments for students. ncnewsline.com/2026/01/26/w...
Why Parents and Students Should Care About Academic Freedom • NC Newsline
More than anything that draws students to our campuses — more than winning sports teams and fancy dining halls, state-of-the-art labs and well-stocked libraries — academic freedom is what makes our un...
ncnewsline.com
January 28, 2026 at 2:53 AM
This is an important op-ed from @ncaaup.bsky.social President Belle Boggs. Academic freedom—allowing open discussion in classrooms and creative scholarly research free from censorship—is what creates healthy and thriving learning environments for students. ncnewsline.com/2026/01/26/w...
Reposted by Dave Mazella
it’s really hard to square the courage of ilhan omar with the fecklessness of her colleagues that have done essentially nothing to publicly support her while the president of the united states threatens and attacks her
someone just tried attacking rep ilhan omar at her town hall in north minneapolis, reportedly trying to spray her with something, but was tackled before he could get to her. she returned to speaking
January 28, 2026 at 1:10 AM
it’s really hard to square the courage of ilhan omar with the fecklessness of her colleagues that have done essentially nothing to publicly support her while the president of the united states threatens and attacks her
Reposted by Dave Mazella
second sitting black congressperson to be assaulted in the past week. all the violence seems to be coming from one side, and it ain’t ours
video of the moment a man tried spraying something at ilhan omar at her town hall in minneapolis tonight
January 28, 2026 at 1:24 AM
second sitting black congressperson to be assaulted in the past week. all the violence seems to be coming from one side, and it ain’t ours
this looks like good news, but I know nothing about Goluboff
"Former UVA School of Law Dean Risa Goluboff may replace newly-hired UVA President Scott Beardsley as the 11th president of the University, two sources confirmed with @jerrymillernow on Monday afternoon." - @iLoveCVilleVA bluevirginia.us/2026/01/mond...
January 28, 2026 at 1:22 AM
this looks like good news, but I know nothing about Goluboff
Reposted by Dave Mazella
Worth knowing.
popular.info/p/the-corpor...
popular.info/p/the-corpor...
The corporate enablers of the ICE crackdown
How Amazon, AT&T, and Citizens Bank are profiting from the administration’s mass deportation campaign.
popular.info
January 27, 2026 at 11:40 PM
Worth knowing.
popular.info/p/the-corpor...
popular.info/p/the-corpor...
Reposted by Dave Mazella
Strong evidence the Trump regime jails people for political speech.
There was a huge dump of documents related to the American Association of University Professor's lawsuit against the government for abducting students. Among them is a memo March 21, 2025 memo from State Dept. that verifies Rümeysa Öztürk, a student at Tufts, was detained only for writing an op-ed.
January 28, 2026 at 12:51 AM
Strong evidence the Trump regime jails people for political speech.
Reposted by Dave Mazella
One year into Trump’s second term, some journalists have been “surprised” by the administration’s organized agenda. But Project 2025 was publicly available. Advocacy groups read it and warned us. The press read it and… 🤷♀️ www.readtpa.com/p/this-is-li...
This is Literally the Job
Political journalists need to stop pretending they don't know what Republicans are going to do.
www.readtpa.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:06 PM
One year into Trump’s second term, some journalists have been “surprised” by the administration’s organized agenda. But Project 2025 was publicly available. Advocacy groups read it and warned us. The press read it and… 🤷♀️ www.readtpa.com/p/this-is-li...
Reposted by Dave Mazella
in ≈20 states this year, sheriffs who have joined ICE's 287(g) program are up for reelection
i found that a small number of sheriffs are actually representing counties that rejected Trump & voted Harris in 2024.
and they're up for reelection in 2026.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/criminal-jus...
i found that a small number of sheriffs are actually representing counties that rejected Trump & voted Harris in 2024.
and they're up for reelection in 2026.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/criminal-jus...
January 27, 2026 at 7:13 PM
in ≈20 states this year, sheriffs who have joined ICE's 287(g) program are up for reelection
i found that a small number of sheriffs are actually representing counties that rejected Trump & voted Harris in 2024.
and they're up for reelection in 2026.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/criminal-jus...
i found that a small number of sheriffs are actually representing counties that rejected Trump & voted Harris in 2024.
and they're up for reelection in 2026.
Learn more: boltsmag.org/criminal-jus...
Reposted by Dave Mazella
One of the reasons this is so under-appreciated is that our university presidents have been & continue to be almost totally absent from the public square in loudly & collectively condemning this existential assault on our institutions & our industry coming from the far right authoritarian party.
one of the least-appreciated own-goals happening right now is the deliberate sabotage of our knowledge/research sector www.bloomberg.com/news/article...
Texas Halts Hiring of H-1B Workers at State Colleges, Agencies
Texas Governor Greg Abbott ordered state agencies and public universities to immediately freeze new H-1B visa petitions, curtailing a program that has also been overhauled by President Donald Trump.
www.bloomberg.com
January 27, 2026 at 10:20 PM
One of the reasons this is so under-appreciated is that our university presidents have been & continue to be almost totally absent from the public square in loudly & collectively condemning this existential assault on our institutions & our industry coming from the far right authoritarian party.
Reposted by Dave Mazella
Exactly right, and therefore important not to give credit for an investigation of an obvious atrocity. Appropriate responses are apologies, resignations, firings, impeachments. The individuals who killed people should be tried before a judge and jury.
Okay, so this is an authoritarian playbook trick, once the evidence is overwhelming say everyone needs to wait for the official investigation then either fix it or attack it when its completed. Same shit Russian pulled with MH17 and chemical attacks in Syria, very predictable.
Reporter: Will Stephen Miller be apologizing to the family of Alex Pretti for calling him an assassin?
Leavitt: This incident remains under investigation.
Leavitt: This incident remains under investigation.
January 27, 2026 at 8:36 PM
Exactly right, and therefore important not to give credit for an investigation of an obvious atrocity. Appropriate responses are apologies, resignations, firings, impeachments. The individuals who killed people should be tried before a judge and jury.
🤞
My fingers and toes are crossed that it’s true Minnesota did this to alleged A.G. Pam Bondi
January 27, 2026 at 10:04 PM
🤞
Reposted by Dave Mazella
I am. But there are three things at play here regarding ICE collecting private data. Quick rundown on the issue, why you should be paying attention, and what I'm doing about it:
So which politician is calling for the dismantling of the probably illegal database that ice & this government is collecting biometric data of protesters?
January 27, 2026 at 9:28 PM
I am. But there are three things at play here regarding ICE collecting private data. Quick rundown on the issue, why you should be paying attention, and what I'm doing about it:
Reposted by Dave Mazella
@outsmartmagazine.bsky.social readers selected Abbie Kamin as a Finalist for their Favorite Female Local Politician in OutSmart’s Gayest & Greatest 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards!
CM Kamin remains an ally for our LGBTQIA+ community. She’ll continue to fight for equality as our Harris County Attorney.
CM Kamin remains an ally for our LGBTQIA+ community. She’ll continue to fight for equality as our Harris County Attorney.
January 27, 2026 at 9:56 PM
@outsmartmagazine.bsky.social readers selected Abbie Kamin as a Finalist for their Favorite Female Local Politician in OutSmart’s Gayest & Greatest 2025 Readers’ Choice Awards!
CM Kamin remains an ally for our LGBTQIA+ community. She’ll continue to fight for equality as our Harris County Attorney.
CM Kamin remains an ally for our LGBTQIA+ community. She’ll continue to fight for equality as our Harris County Attorney.
Just hanging out; how about you?
January 27, 2026 at 9:20 PM
Just hanging out; how about you?
Congrats to the dozens of people benefited by this policy
Yale University will be tuition-free next year for families with annual incomes below $200,000. #HigherEd ##AcademicSky www.forbes.com/sites/michae...
Yale Will Offer Free Tuition To Families With Incomes Below $200,000
Next year Yale will cover tuition for new undergraduates from families with incomes below $200,000 and cover all education costs for those with incomes below $100,000.
www.forbes.com
January 27, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Congrats to the dozens of people benefited by this policy
Reposted by Dave Mazella
Sesame Street has uploaded a bunch of classic episodes to YouTube that are free to watch, including the very first episode from 1969, the one where Mister Rogers visits, and the episode where Mr. Snuffulupagus is finally revealed. [kottke.org]
Watch Classic Episodes of Sesame Street for Free on YouTube
Sesame Street has uploaded a bunch of classic episodes to YouTube that are free to watch, including the very first episode from 1969, the one where Mister Rogers visits, and the episode where Mr. Snuffulupagus is fin
kottke.org
January 27, 2026 at 8:52 PM
Sesame Street has uploaded a bunch of classic episodes to YouTube that are free to watch, including the very first episode from 1969, the one where Mister Rogers visits, and the episode where Mr. Snuffulupagus is finally revealed. [kottke.org]
Authoritarians like Weiss forget that the drivel they produce still needs to be read or believed by real people
News: The Washington Post is preparing to slash upwards of 300 staffers, incl sports, metro and foreign desks @nataliekorach.bsky.social reports.
“The newsroom is being punished for absolute incompetence from the owner and publisher,” one staffer told @status.news
www.status.news/p/washington...
“The newsroom is being punished for absolute incompetence from the owner and publisher,” one staffer told @status.news
www.status.news/p/washington...
Post Parting Depression
Looming cuts at The Washington Post threaten to decimate key coverage areas as staffers question the motives and commitment of billionaire owner Jeff Bezos.
www.status.news
January 27, 2026 at 8:57 PM
Authoritarians like Weiss forget that the drivel they produce still needs to be read or believed by real people
Reposted by Dave Mazella
rather than tailing a fundamentally incoherent slice of the electorate one could instead simply have a view of what should be done and try to advance it politically
bsky.app/profile/edbu...
bsky.app/profile/edbu...
The basic fallacy in chasing votes by being "tough on immigration" is that the modal American's position on the issue is "Deport the Bad ones and keep the Good ones," and they alone know who is which, and that simply does not translate into workable policy. So this kind of gestapo stuff (1/2)
January 27, 2026 at 4:18 PM
rather than tailing a fundamentally incoherent slice of the electorate one could instead simply have a view of what should be done and try to advance it politically
bsky.app/profile/edbu...
bsky.app/profile/edbu...
Reposted by Dave Mazella
American media and politics right now is a really jarring reminder of how meritocracy is a lie
January 27, 2026 at 5:21 PM
American media and politics right now is a really jarring reminder of how meritocracy is a lie
Reposted by Dave Mazella
Dems want to impeach Kristi Noem.
The likelihood of a partial government shutdown over ICE funding is on the rise.
@kateriga.bsky.social + @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social are tracking all developments on the Hill after Alex Pretti's killing. Follow along here:
talkingpointsmemo.com/live-blog/ic...
The likelihood of a partial government shutdown over ICE funding is on the rise.
@kateriga.bsky.social + @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social are tracking all developments on the Hill after Alex Pretti's killing. Follow along here:
talkingpointsmemo.com/live-blog/ic...
Trump Admin Scrambles to Find Scapegoats as Senate Takes a Stab at ICE Accountability
The administration spent Monday sending mixed messages about the future of its...
talkingpointsmemo.com
January 27, 2026 at 6:37 PM
Dems want to impeach Kristi Noem.
The likelihood of a partial government shutdown over ICE funding is on the rise.
@kateriga.bsky.social + @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social are tracking all developments on the Hill after Alex Pretti's killing. Follow along here:
talkingpointsmemo.com/live-blog/ic...
The likelihood of a partial government shutdown over ICE funding is on the rise.
@kateriga.bsky.social + @emineirmakyucel.bsky.social are tracking all developments on the Hill after Alex Pretti's killing. Follow along here:
talkingpointsmemo.com/live-blog/ic...
really good thread on the "tough on immigration" stance of Dems in a really racist country incapable of deciding what that means in practice
The basic fallacy in chasing votes by being "tough on immigration" is that the modal American's position on the issue is "Deport the Bad ones and keep the Good ones," and they alone know who is which, and that simply does not translate into workable policy. So this kind of gestapo stuff (1/2)
January 27, 2026 at 6:23 PM
really good thread on the "tough on immigration" stance of Dems in a really racist country incapable of deciding what that means in practice
👇👇👇👇
the strongest AI critique is that the tech is widely used and fairly powerful, and therefore a democratic public should own and/or control the means of building and deploying it
if your position is that the tech is worthless, will go away on its own, is inherently bad, etc etc, you are going to die on that hill. there are absolutely bad actors in the space and you are passing over the bad actors to stake a losing position about the code
January 27, 2026 at 6:00 PM
👇👇👇👇
Reposted by Dave Mazella
Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.
- Albert Camus
- Albert Camus
January 27, 2026 at 3:16 PM
Nobody realizes that some people expend tremendous energy merely to be normal.
- Albert Camus
- Albert Camus
Reposted by Dave Mazella
To put it another way: Courageous jurists on the lower courts have held back Trump from inflicting even more damage on civil rights and liberties. This timeline sucks, but the one in which the judiciary doesn't even try to push back is FAR worse. We insult these judges when we dismiss their impact.
I’m done with this shit. This isn’t a game. And if you don’t realize that the work of Judges Xinis and Boasberg and Ellis has been an essential part of forcing this administration to account for its actions, you’re not a serious person.
January 27, 2026 at 2:49 PM
To put it another way: Courageous jurists on the lower courts have held back Trump from inflicting even more damage on civil rights and liberties. This timeline sucks, but the one in which the judiciary doesn't even try to push back is FAR worse. We insult these judges when we dismiss their impact.
yeah this will fix everything
ED Eyes Rewrite of Accreditation Rules
ED officials have said for months that they want to tackle the regulations governing accreditors. A Monday announcement offers more specifics on their agenda. https://bit.ly/4k4Wpyf
#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky
ED officials have said for months that they want to tackle the regulations governing accreditors. A Monday announcement offers more specifics on their agenda. https://bit.ly/4k4Wpyf
#EDUSky #HigherEd #AcademicSky
January 27, 2026 at 5:08 PM
yeah this will fix everything