Eli Friedman
@elifriedman.bsky.social
Dept of Global Labor and Work at Cornell | China in Global Capitalism w/Haymarket https://t.ly/uySU6 | Labor politics in China, Hong Kong, Taiwan | @aaup.org & @jvp.bsky.social
Pinned
Eli Friedman
@elifriedman.bsky.social
· Oct 1
The Cost of China’s Prosperity - Boston Review
For Hong Kong and Taiwan, neoliberalism’s falling tides made political repression inevitable.
www.bostonreview.net
Xi: “The unification of the motherland is the historical trend... No one can stop the wheels of history”
But it's precisely bc those wheels of history reversed in the 2010s that the PRC has resorted to militarization. My take in @bostonreview.bsky.social on the PRC's 75th:
But it's precisely bc those wheels of history reversed in the 2010s that the PRC has resorted to militarization. My take in @bostonreview.bsky.social on the PRC's 75th:
"The CCP regime could also recruit foreign 'guest workers,' as the governments of other capitalist countries have recurrently done to counter labor shortages... whether it could find enough foreign migrants for the vast PRC labor market remains an open question."
China’s Other Crisis – Spectre Journal
The People’s Republic of China has been hit by capitalism’s historical tendency toward fertility decline, a result of both increasing economic burdens on the proletariat and women’s resistance. So far...
spectrejournal.com
November 25, 2025 at 1:56 AM
"The CCP regime could also recruit foreign 'guest workers,' as the governments of other capitalist countries have recurrently done to counter labor shortages... whether it could find enough foreign migrants for the vast PRC labor market remains an open question."
10 day turnaround (over Thanksgiving) for a peer review request?! I am very sympathetic to the current plight of journal editors, but come on now
November 24, 2025 at 10:08 PM
10 day turnaround (over Thanksgiving) for a peer review request?! I am very sympathetic to the current plight of journal editors, but come on now
Three of the people from this 2018 Palestine solidarity protest in Hong Kong are now facing subversion charges; they're not in jail bc of their Palestine activism, but still highlights how Beijing has systematically destroyed HK's left hongkongfp.com/2025/11/23/n...
November 24, 2025 at 3:37 PM
Three of the people from this 2018 Palestine solidarity protest in Hong Kong are now facing subversion charges; they're not in jail bc of their Palestine activism, but still highlights how Beijing has systematically destroyed HK's left hongkongfp.com/2025/11/23/n...
Democratize the university, fight censorship
Texas A&M committee rules professor’s firing over gender identity lesson was unjustified | CNN
A Texas A&M committee agreed that the university was wrong to fire a professor earlier this year after a controversy over a classroom video that showed a student objecting to a children’s literature l...
www.cnn.com
November 23, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Democratize the university, fight censorship
I know decent trains will not happen in my lifetime but I feel like running on "building trains through the heartland" platform would win. Use a little folksy Americana nostalgia to divert attention from the massive public investment in infrastructure
What if the United States had high-speed rail?
High-speed rail is a proven alternative to gridlocked highways and overcrowded airports. CNN has reimagined a faster, more connected future for US commuters.
www.cnn.com
November 22, 2025 at 9:02 PM
I know decent trains will not happen in my lifetime but I feel like running on "building trains through the heartland" platform would win. Use a little folksy Americana nostalgia to divert attention from the massive public investment in infrastructure
"The result is a feedback loop in which more overseas fabs come online and the demand for South Korean and Taiwanese talent intensifies, exacerbating labour shortages at home."
on.ft.com/3K5zVj1
on.ft.com/3K5zVj1
The chipmaking pay revolution buys time, but will not solve scarcity of engineers
The same limited pool of young talent will keep being drawn on while global competition remains fierce
on.ft.com
November 21, 2025 at 10:02 PM
"The result is a feedback loop in which more overseas fabs come online and the demand for South Korean and Taiwanese talent intensifies, exacerbating labour shortages at home."
on.ft.com/3K5zVj1
on.ft.com/3K5zVj1
Reposted by Eli Friedman
It's DAY NINE of our open-ended, national ULP strike - and we're not slowing down.
Show some love to our striking baristas in Newton, MA and remember: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS while baristas are on strike! ✊ #NoContractNoCoffee
Show some love to our striking baristas in Newton, MA and remember: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS while baristas are on strike! ✊ #NoContractNoCoffee
November 21, 2025 at 3:19 PM
It's DAY NINE of our open-ended, national ULP strike - and we're not slowing down.
Show some love to our striking baristas in Newton, MA and remember: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS while baristas are on strike! ✊ #NoContractNoCoffee
Show some love to our striking baristas in Newton, MA and remember: DON'T BUY STARBUCKS while baristas are on strike! ✊ #NoContractNoCoffee
Ah so he had to defend the brutal murder of a journalist to make sure China was blocked out of the Saudi AI game. Man everything is so grim
The Middle East just became the newest battlefield in the U.S.-China AI war:
restofworld.org/2025/mideast...
restofworld.org/2025/mideast...
U.S. gains in AI race as Gulf nations ditch China for chips
Washington has all but locked Beijing out of the Middle East’s trillion-dollar artificial intelligence ambitions.
restofworld.org
November 21, 2025 at 2:58 PM
Ah so he had to defend the brutal murder of a journalist to make sure China was blocked out of the Saudi AI game. Man everything is so grim
Fabulous things happening at Cornell University in December
November 21, 2025 at 2:47 PM
Fabulous things happening at Cornell University in December
In China is is sedition to demand the right to vote
In Hong Kong it is sedition to advocate not voting
In Hong Kong it is sedition to advocate not voting
HK man charged with sedition over social media posts inciting others not to vote
A HK man has been remanded in custody after being charged with sedition for allegedly publishing social media posts calling on others not to vote or to cast invalid ballots in the upcoming "patriots o...
hongkongfp.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:47 PM
In China is is sedition to demand the right to vote
In Hong Kong it is sedition to advocate not voting
In Hong Kong it is sedition to advocate not voting
Reposted by Eli Friedman
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
November 20, 2025 at 5:32 PM
If you use GMail, AI (Gemini) was turned on yesterday by default and now scans all of your content for machine learning. To turn off, go to Settings>General and scroll down. Uncheck the box for "Smart features."
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
There's other "Smart" add-ons as well, but that's the one that reads your content.
These same folks extremely committed to fighting antisemitism in universities
Exclusive: The U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify the swastika, nooses and the Confederate flag as hate symbols.
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
The military service drafted a new policy that classifies them as “potentially divisive.”
U.S. Coast Guard will no longer classify swastikas, nooses as hate symbols
The military service, which falls under the Department of Homeland Security, has drafted a new policy that classifies such items “potentially divisive.”
www.washingtonpost.com
November 20, 2025 at 10:34 PM
These same folks extremely committed to fighting antisemitism in universities
Reposted by Eli Friedman
"A Chinese immigrant was found dead in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, with his hands and feet tied behind him, an attorney has alleged."
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
Man detained by ICE found dead, hanging with hands and feet tied—attorney
The Chinese national died in Pennsylvania in August, but his family's requests for answers from DHS have gone unmet.
www.newsweek.com
November 20, 2025 at 2:15 AM
"A Chinese immigrant was found dead in U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) detention, with his hands and feet tied behind him, an attorney has alleged."
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
www.newsweek.com/ice-detainee...
Reposted by Eli Friedman
Baristas are locking arms in front of lines of trucks.
This distribution center is Starbucks’ largest on the East Coast, which is why we’re showing up to send a message. We're ready to continue escalating our ULP strike until Starbucks does the right thing.
#NoContractNoCoffee
This distribution center is Starbucks’ largest on the East Coast, which is why we’re showing up to send a message. We're ready to continue escalating our ULP strike until Starbucks does the right thing.
#NoContractNoCoffee
November 19, 2025 at 8:30 PM
Baristas are locking arms in front of lines of trucks.
This distribution center is Starbucks’ largest on the East Coast, which is why we’re showing up to send a message. We're ready to continue escalating our ULP strike until Starbucks does the right thing.
#NoContractNoCoffee
This distribution center is Starbucks’ largest on the East Coast, which is why we’re showing up to send a message. We're ready to continue escalating our ULP strike until Starbucks does the right thing.
#NoContractNoCoffee
Reposted by Eli Friedman
110 years ago today, Utah executed labor organizer and songwriter Joe Hill, whose critique of capitalist greed continues to inspire artists and galvanize activists to this day.
Learn more about Hill and his impact through this project The Tribune launched to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.
Learn more about Hill and his impact through this project The Tribune launched to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.
The Legacy of Joe Hill
The Legacy of Joe Hill: Did Utah execute an innocent man by firing squad on Nov. 19, 1915? A century later, Joe Hill inspires artists and galvanizes activists.
local.sltrib.com
November 19, 2025 at 7:53 PM
110 years ago today, Utah executed labor organizer and songwriter Joe Hill, whose critique of capitalist greed continues to inspire artists and galvanize activists to this day.
Learn more about Hill and his impact through this project The Tribune launched to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.
Learn more about Hill and his impact through this project The Tribune launched to mark the 100th anniversary of his death.
Wrote a review of Francis Lee's book on Hong Kong social movements
Pro-Democracy Contention in Hong Kong: Relational Dynamics between the Umbrella Movement and the Anti-Extradition Protests Francis L.F. Lee. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2025. 323 pp. $37.95 (pbk). ISBN 97...
Pro-Democracy Contention in Hong Kong: Relational Dynamics between the Umbrella Movement and the Anti-Extradition Protests Francis L.F. Lee. Albany, NY: SUNY Press, 2025. 323 pp. $37.95 (pbk). ISBN 97...
www.cambridge.org
November 18, 2025 at 4:00 PM
Wrote a review of Francis Lee's book on Hong Kong social movements
When Beijing tried to restrict tourists to get political leverage over Taiwan it didn't work.
The thing is, most locals everywhere don't like tourists even if they spend lots of money (or because they spend lots of money)
The thing is, most locals everywhere don't like tourists even if they spend lots of money (or because they spend lots of money)
China and Japan are in a war of words over Taiwan – what happens next?
Japan’s hawkish new PM has angered Beijing after suggesting her country could become involved in a military conflict between China and Taiwan
www.theguardian.com
November 17, 2025 at 10:02 PM
When Beijing tried to restrict tourists to get political leverage over Taiwan it didn't work.
The thing is, most locals everywhere don't like tourists even if they spend lots of money (or because they spend lots of money)
The thing is, most locals everywhere don't like tourists even if they spend lots of money (or because they spend lots of money)
Will the right call for Summers to be fired bc he's part of the Jewish globalist cabal or defend him from the woke mobs bc a little misogyny and hanging out with known pedophiles isn't such a big deal? They must be feeling so torn rn
As Summers Sought Clandestine Relationship With Woman He Called a Mentee, Epstein Was His ‘Wing Man’ | News | The Harvard Crimson
When former Harvard President Lawrence H. Summers was pursuing a romantic relationship with a woman he described as a mentee, he turned to a longtime associate for guidance: convicted sex offender Jef...
www.thecrimson.com
November 17, 2025 at 2:23 PM
Will the right call for Summers to be fired bc he's part of the Jewish globalist cabal or defend him from the woke mobs bc a little misogyny and hanging out with known pedophiles isn't such a big deal? They must be feeling so torn rn
Surely my man Stephen Miller, principled defender of the Jewish people, will take a bold stand against this
November 17, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Surely my man Stephen Miller, principled defender of the Jewish people, will take a bold stand against this
1 is obvious, 2 is funny, 3-5 remind me I have no idea what's happening out there
November 15, 2025 at 7:15 PM
1 is obvious, 2 is funny, 3-5 remind me I have no idea what's happening out there
fight -> win
The Trump administration demanded UCLA pay $1.2 billion to restore frozen research funding and ensure eligibility for future funding after accusing the school of allowing antisemitism on campus. n.pr/4hYa0pY
Judge indefinitely bars Trump from fining UC over alleged discrimination
The Trump administration demanded UCLA pay $1.2 billion to restore frozen research funding and ensure eligibility for future funding after accusing the school of allowing antisemitism on campus.
n.pr
November 15, 2025 at 5:41 PM
fight -> win
Reposted by Eli Friedman
"Do you think taxes should be raised on billionaires?"
Democrats:
🟢 Yes: 95%
⚫️ No: 2%
Independents:
🟢 Yes: 75%
⚫️ No: 12%
Republicans:
🟢 Yes: 48%
⚫️ No: 32%
Read it here: usapolling.substack.com/p/americans-...
Democrats:
🟢 Yes: 95%
⚫️ No: 2%
Independents:
🟢 Yes: 75%
⚫️ No: 12%
Republicans:
🟢 Yes: 48%
⚫️ No: 32%
Read it here: usapolling.substack.com/p/americans-...
Americans Unite Against Billionaire Influence
Voters across party lines say billionaire power has gone too far and demand higher taxes
usapolling.substack.com
November 10, 2025 at 10:14 PM
"Do you think taxes should be raised on billionaires?"
Democrats:
🟢 Yes: 95%
⚫️ No: 2%
Independents:
🟢 Yes: 75%
⚫️ No: 12%
Republicans:
🟢 Yes: 48%
⚫️ No: 32%
Read it here: usapolling.substack.com/p/americans-...
Democrats:
🟢 Yes: 95%
⚫️ No: 2%
Independents:
🟢 Yes: 75%
⚫️ No: 12%
Republicans:
🟢 Yes: 48%
⚫️ No: 32%
Read it here: usapolling.substack.com/p/americans-...
Reposted by Eli Friedman
WE WON. I am *begging* you to take note of who did this. *Not* UCLA admin—they’re still scuttling around behind closed doors, attempting to appease—but FACULTY AND STAFF, led by AAUP.
BREAKING: In AAUP et al v. Trump (wall-to-wall union lawsuit challenging the administration’s unlawful use of TItle VI to reshape the University of California system), the faculty and staff of the UC system WON!!!
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
We were granted our preliminary injunction! @aaup.org
November 15, 2025 at 12:01 AM
WE WON. I am *begging* you to take note of who did this. *Not* UCLA admin—they’re still scuttling around behind closed doors, attempting to appease—but FACULTY AND STAFF, led by AAUP.
Not the main story but this is a good indicator that people in China mostly don't care that much about Israel/Palestine, it's pretty low on most people's list
China’s domestic debates under the shadow of geopolitics are the topic of the new @chinaspektrum.bsky.social report. Alexander Davey, Christina Sadeler, Kristin Shi-Kupfer and Wutao Wen explore how views about the economy, commercial culture, and trending topics reveal self-perceptions. 1/2
November 14, 2025 at 4:10 PM
Not the main story but this is a good indicator that people in China mostly don't care that much about Israel/Palestine, it's pretty low on most people's list
✅Sinophobia
✅Anti-science
✅Kneecapping universities
What's not to like
✅Anti-science
✅Kneecapping universities
What's not to like
U.S. Congress considers sweeping ban on Chinese collaborations
Researchers speak out against proposal that would bar funding for U.S. scientists working with Chinese partners or training Chinese students
www.science.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:45 AM
✅Sinophobia
✅Anti-science
✅Kneecapping universities
What's not to like
✅Anti-science
✅Kneecapping universities
What's not to like