Eric Michael Johnson
@ericmjohnson.bsky.social
Academic, award-winning writer, editor, TTRPG creator, AuDHD, primate. Not necessarily in that order. He/him. Unceded territory of Vancouver, BC. 🏳️⚧️🇵🇸
Production Designer at #BlackwaterDnD
https://linktr.ee/EricMichaelJohnson
Production Designer at #BlackwaterDnD
https://linktr.ee/EricMichaelJohnson
The new @tvolmag.bsky.social series “Sex, Gender Diversity, and Evolution” is well underway with entries from Joan Roughgarden, Agustín Fuentes, Nathan Lents, and Anne Fausto-Sterling. Read it here: www.prosocial.world/posts/sex-ge... #sex #gender #evolution #scicomm
Sex, Gender Diversity, and Evolution: Introduction
To advance both science and society, we must reaffirm sex as a biological binary while expanding gender as an evolutionary spectrum of bodies and behaviors.
www.prosocial.world
November 25, 2025 at 7:06 PM
The new @tvolmag.bsky.social series “Sex, Gender Diversity, and Evolution” is well underway with entries from Joan Roughgarden, Agustín Fuentes, Nathan Lents, and Anne Fausto-Sterling. Read it here: www.prosocial.world/posts/sex-ge... #sex #gender #evolution #scicomm
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
November 25, 2025 at 1:54 PM
I’ve been running around asking tech execs and academics if language was the same as intelligence for over a year now - and, well, it isn’t. @benjaminjriley.bsky.social explains how the bubble is built on ignoring cutting-edge research into the science of thought www.theverge.com/ai-artificia...
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
This story is insane. www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/flor...
Florida nonprofit news reporters ask board to investigate their editor’s AI use
Suncoast Searchlight’s four reporters told the board their editor-in-chief was using AI editing tools and inserting hallucinations into drafts. The next day, one of the reporters was fired.
www.niemanlab.org
November 20, 2025 at 12:11 AM
This story is insane. www.niemanlab.org/2025/11/flor...
Firefox it is then.
NEW: Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, and tell local cops whether to contact ICE about the person, while also removing apps designed to warn communities about ICE officials.
“Google wanted to ‘not be evil’ back in the day. Well, they're evil now."
“Google wanted to ‘not be evil’ back in the day. Well, they're evil now."
Google Has Chosen a Side in Trump's Mass Deportation Effort
Google is hosting a CBP app that uses facial recognition to identify immigrants, while simultaneously removing apps that report the location of ICE officials because Google sees ICE as a vulnerable gr...
www.404media.co
November 16, 2025 at 4:50 AM
Firefox it is then.
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
Protests return to climate summit with calls for Indigenous rights (and a dash of Trump mockery)
Protests return to climate summit with calls for Indigenous rights (and a dash of Trump mockery)
Saturday’s march through the streets of Belém, Brazil, was a contrast to the muzzling of dissent at past years’ U.N. summits.
dlvr.it
November 15, 2025 at 8:54 PM
Protests return to climate summit with calls for Indigenous rights (and a dash of Trump mockery)
This is excellent reporting by Antonia Hitchens. Washington, DC lobbying has entered its internet troll stage.
“As the high-level Administration official told me, ‘People start out as zealots—then they realize everything is for sale, even zealotry.’”
“As the high-level Administration official told me, ‘People start out as zealots—then they realize everything is for sale, even zealotry.’”
Laura Loomer said that she would never “make the sacrifices” she’s made for President Trump for someone else. But some in Washington have started to wonder whether she is being compensated for what she portrays as a selfless mission. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/EY11Ji
Laura Loomer’s Endless Payback
The President’s self-appointed loyalty enforcer inspires fear and vexation across Washington. What’s behind her vetting crusades?
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 15, 2025 at 8:00 PM
This is excellent reporting by Antonia Hitchens. Washington, DC lobbying has entered its internet troll stage.
“As the high-level Administration official told me, ‘People start out as zealots—then they realize everything is for sale, even zealotry.’”
“As the high-level Administration official told me, ‘People start out as zealots—then they realize everything is for sale, even zealotry.’”
Excellent piece by @adamserwer.bsky.social on the racist history of D&D and why changes to address this triggered outrage in a vocal minority of gamers for whom discrimination is nostalgia. Features interviews with @bdavewalters.bsky.social @aabria.bsky.social @gregtito.com & @benriggs.bsky.social
Some on the right, including Elon Musk, are misinterpreting the game Dungeons & Dragons—and the intention behind its original story—to further a racist agenda, @adamserwer.bsky.social argues:
Why Elon Musk Needs Dungeons & Dragons to Be Racist
The fantastical roots of “scientific racism”
bit.ly
November 11, 2025 at 6:26 PM
Excellent piece by @adamserwer.bsky.social on the racist history of D&D and why changes to address this triggered outrage in a vocal minority of gamers for whom discrimination is nostalgia. Features interviews with @bdavewalters.bsky.social @aabria.bsky.social @gregtito.com & @benriggs.bsky.social
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
Went to a great talk the other day where the speaker referred to "Watson, Crick, and Franklin" nucleotides & let's all adopt that terminology
November 10, 2025 at 11:03 PM
Went to a great talk the other day where the speaker referred to "Watson, Crick, and Franklin" nucleotides & let's all adopt that terminology
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
this is incredibly lucid and valuable research.
Please take a minute to scroll through this—and share it.
It's the story of our time.
The Authoritarian Stack: How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic American—And Why Europe Is Next.
www.authoritarian-stack.info
It's the story of our time.
The Authoritarian Stack: How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic American—And Why Europe Is Next.
www.authoritarian-stack.info
The Authoritarian Stack
How Tech Billionaires Are Building a Post-Democratic America — And Why Europe Is Next
www.authoritarian-stack.info
November 7, 2025 at 11:54 PM
this is incredibly lucid and valuable research.
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
"Faced with this dilemma—where do you get a trillion dollars quick?—OpenAI is getting ready to run hat in hand to the taxpayer for subsidies, like every great Ayn Randian self-created entrepreneur, pulling themselves up by their bootstraps." prospect.org/2025/11/07/o...
OpenAI Is Maneuvering for a Government Bailout - The American Prospect
For artificial intelligence to ever pencil out, some truly enormous revenue streams will be required. And if you need trillions of dollars for data centers forever, there’s only one entity to turn to:...
prospect.org
November 7, 2025 at 4:26 PM
"Faced with this dilemma—where do you get a trillion dollars quick?—OpenAI is getting ready to run hat in hand to the taxpayer for subsidies, like every great Ayn Randian self-created entrepreneur, pulling themselves up by their bootstraps." prospect.org/2025/11/07/o...
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
"biological pronouns" is an insane phrase
BREAKING: The Sixth Circuit, in a 10-7 en banc decision, holds that an Ohio school district's anti-bullying policy that requires students to use children's preferred pronouns is likely unconstitutional on these facts.
Judge Murphy, a Trump appointee, writes the court's decision.
Judge Murphy, a Trump appointee, writes the court's decision.
November 7, 2025 at 4:22 AM
"biological pronouns" is an insane phrase
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
“We’re not fighting against the individual man under the uniform,” Olivia Ikey said. “We’re fighting against the system behind this man with the uniform and how we can improve the reality of this person that will come to serve and protect our community.”
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
Marches for Inuit killed by police in 11 Nunavik communities
Memorial marches for Inuit killed in confrontations with the Nunavik Police Service spread to 11 of 14 Nunavik communities
www.aptnnews.ca
November 6, 2025 at 10:19 PM
“We’re not fighting against the individual man under the uniform,” Olivia Ikey said. “We’re fighting against the system behind this man with the uniform and how we can improve the reality of this person that will come to serve and protect our community.”
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
www.aptnnews.ca/national-new...
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
A large majority of U.S. adults now get news digitally, but nondigital news consumers are less likely to say they extremely often or often encounter inaccurate news.
Read more on Americans’ views of information accuracy and distinguishing truth from fiction:
Read more on Americans’ views of information accuracy and distinguishing truth from fiction:
Many Americans say they often come across inaccurate news – and have a hard time knowing what’s true
Those who report often encountering inaccurate news are more likely than those who rarely or never do to say it’s hard to know what is true (59% vs. 31%).
www.pewresearch.org
November 3, 2025 at 1:00 PM
A large majority of U.S. adults now get news digitally, but nondigital news consumers are less likely to say they extremely often or often encounter inaccurate news.
Read more on Americans’ views of information accuracy and distinguishing truth from fiction:
Read more on Americans’ views of information accuracy and distinguishing truth from fiction:
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
📽️ WATCH: The U.S. government doesn’t track how often immigration agents detain citizens. So ProPublica did.
We found more than 170 incidents since the start of Trump’s second term. Americans have been kicked, dragged and held for days without access to lawyers.
➡️ Full story: propub.li/3LjuAVS
We found more than 170 incidents since the start of Trump’s second term. Americans have been kicked, dragged and held for days without access to lawyers.
➡️ Full story: propub.li/3LjuAVS
November 3, 2025 at 2:02 AM
📽️ WATCH: The U.S. government doesn’t track how often immigration agents detain citizens. So ProPublica did.
We found more than 170 incidents since the start of Trump’s second term. Americans have been kicked, dragged and held for days without access to lawyers.
➡️ Full story: propub.li/3LjuAVS
We found more than 170 incidents since the start of Trump’s second term. Americans have been kicked, dragged and held for days without access to lawyers.
➡️ Full story: propub.li/3LjuAVS
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
Scientists long thought the plant cell wall to be dead, but it's an active, even chatty participant in cellular growth, reproduction and responses to infection
go.nature.com/4oK8xWu
go.nature.com/4oK8xWu
Plants have a secret language that scientists are only now starting to decipher
Nature - Signals from the plant cell wall help to orchestrate growth, reproduction and immune function. Can harnessing this molecular cross talk help in creating better crops?
go.nature.com
November 2, 2025 at 10:52 AM
Scientists long thought the plant cell wall to be dead, but it's an active, even chatty participant in cellular growth, reproduction and responses to infection
go.nature.com/4oK8xWu
go.nature.com/4oK8xWu
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
The lives of Indigenous women in Kashmir’s mountains reveal a silent crisis: Climate change is a profound mental health emergency for women whose survival depends on mobility and resilience, Safina Nabi writes.
The Women Carrying Water—and the World
The complicated life of women struggling with climate change—and cultural change—in Kashmir’s mountains.
foreignpolicy.com
November 2, 2025 at 12:30 PM
The lives of Indigenous women in Kashmir’s mountains reveal a silent crisis: Climate change is a profound mental health emergency for women whose survival depends on mobility and resilience, Safina Nabi writes.
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
When buying books, you can’t always tell if you’re supporting Canadian businesses. But the Certified Canadian Publisher program is changing that. 📚🇨🇦
How Certified Canadian Publishers Keep Our Stories Close to Home | The Tyee
A new national program helps readers easily spot and support Canadian-owned book publishers.
thetyee.ca
November 1, 2025 at 1:31 AM
When buying books, you can’t always tell if you’re supporting Canadian businesses. But the Certified Canadian Publisher program is changing that. 📚🇨🇦
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
This graph never fails to be shocking: "The US has experienced the earliest and greatest slowdown in life expectancy improvements among higher-income countries, reported Eileen Crimmins. “We have horrible life expectancy—and it’s getting worse and worse”"
www.prb.org/resources/se...
www.prb.org/resources/se...
October 31, 2025 at 7:08 PM
This graph never fails to be shocking: "The US has experienced the earliest and greatest slowdown in life expectancy improvements among higher-income countries, reported Eileen Crimmins. “We have horrible life expectancy—and it’s getting worse and worse”"
www.prb.org/resources/se...
www.prb.org/resources/se...
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
I’ve said this before but white guilt is useless. I don’t want people to feel guilty for things they had no part in, and guilt easily curdles into resentment. But everyone regardless should feel an obligation to correct injustice, especially if you somehow benefit. bsky.app/profile/mich...
I found this piece sad too, but mostly because it is part of a years-long effort by progressives to understand what "really" animates Trump voters.
We already know! It is racism, misogyny and misinformation. I know that sounds condescending or whatever but it's simply what all evidence suggests.
We already know! It is racism, misogyny and misinformation. I know that sounds condescending or whatever but it's simply what all evidence suggests.
October 31, 2025 at 11:12 AM
I’ve said this before but white guilt is useless. I don’t want people to feel guilty for things they had no part in, and guilt easily curdles into resentment. But everyone regardless should feel an obligation to correct injustice, especially if you somehow benefit. bsky.app/profile/mich...
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
Under Trump, the draconian future of homelessness policy is coming into focus: mass internment. Utah is building a 16-acre site to detain up to 1,300 homeless people inside locked "accountability centers." This is profoundly alarming.
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
In Utah, Trump’s Vision for Homelessness Begins to Take Shape
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Under Trump, the draconian future of homelessness policy is coming into focus: mass internment. Utah is building a 16-acre site to detain up to 1,300 homeless people inside locked "accountability centers." This is profoundly alarming.
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
Vital reporting from @ellenbarry.bsky.social and Jason DeParle:
“The sand in and around the city of approximately 400,000 is so caked with blood that you can see evidence of the RSF’s war crimes via satellite imagery, according to Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab.” @hrl-yalesph.bsky.social #Darfur
🚨🇸🇩 The Blood is Visible From Space
Peter Rothpletz on the genocide in Sudan, Trump’s latest weaponization of the DOJ, and 'journalists' from The Free Press wreaking havoc on both sides of the Atlantic.
zeteo.com
October 30, 2025 at 5:48 PM
“The sand in and around the city of approximately 400,000 is so caked with blood that you can see evidence of the RSF’s war crimes via satellite imagery, according to Yale’s Humanitarian Research Lab.” @hrl-yalesph.bsky.social #Darfur
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
From me: Trump is trying to bully Warner Bros. Discovery into accepting a merger bid from the MAGA-fied Paramount. There's a problem for him though: any state Attorney General can sue to block such a deal, which under current law is presumptively illegal.
prospect.org/2025/10/30/f...
prospect.org/2025/10/30/f...
The Flaw in Trump’s MAGA Media Empire Plot - The American Prospect
Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that it is for sale, and Trump is trying to force the company to agree to a merger with Paramount, consolidating media with his allies the Ellisons. But states can...
prospect.org
October 30, 2025 at 1:32 PM
From me: Trump is trying to bully Warner Bros. Discovery into accepting a merger bid from the MAGA-fied Paramount. There's a problem for him though: any state Attorney General can sue to block such a deal, which under current law is presumptively illegal.
prospect.org/2025/10/30/f...
prospect.org/2025/10/30/f...
Reposted by Eric Michael Johnson
If Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, founders of the Drug User Liberation Front, are found guilty, they plan to appeal the decision and hope that there is an outpouring of public support. “After all, who can be against saving lives?”
On Trial for a Radical Approach to Reducing Drug Overdoses in British Columbia
The Vancouver duo behind the Drug User Liberation Front faces 40 years behind bars for drug trafficking. But this is no ordinary case.
www.thenation.com
October 27, 2025 at 8:15 PM
If Eris Nyx and Jeremy Kalicum, founders of the Drug User Liberation Front, are found guilty, they plan to appeal the decision and hope that there is an outpouring of public support. “After all, who can be against saving lives?”
George Santos may still face justice for his many confessed crimes. New York shut the “Manafort loophole” in 2019, ensuring that a presidential pardon no longer shields grifters from state prosecution. The law was signed into effect by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo.
The Good
News: Scummy George Santos Isn’t Out of the Woods Just Yet
Trump’s commutation of his sentence was a disgrace. But under a new law, New York State can still pursue justice here.
newrepublic.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:25 AM
George Santos may still face justice for his many confessed crimes. New York shut the “Manafort loophole” in 2019, ensuring that a presidential pardon no longer shields grifters from state prosecution. The law was signed into effect by then-Governor Andrew Cuomo.