Ben Allen
@evodynamics.bsky.social
Mathematical biologist studying evolution. Professor of Mathematics at Emmanuel College, MA. Queer, nonbinary (they/them). For social and ecological justice. Jewish as in Free Palestine. https://www.emmanuel.edu/emmanuel-mathematical-biology-research-embr
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Ben Allen
@evodynamics.bsky.social
· Dec 12
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academic.oup.com
Before 2025 closes out, I wanted to make a thread on my proudest recent paper! (Ok, it's from 2024, but I haven't done a bluesky thread on it before).
Allen et al. (2024) "Nonlinear social evolution and the emergence of collective action", PNAS Nexus
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Allen et al. (2024) "Nonlinear social evolution and the emergence of collective action", PNAS Nexus
academic.oup.com/pnasnexus/ar...
Reposted by Ben Allen
There was a similar flowering of Black American public intellectuals culminating in the 2016-2024 period, and I'd argue the anti-Woke backlash was in many ways a reaction to the threat this posed to the outclassed white punditocracy, for whom meritocracy and DEI hire was a way to disqualify them.
Just finished this right after having read @hofrench.bsky.social's Second Emancipation, and it convinced me that the African & African diaspora anti-colonial thinkers of the 1940-1975 period constituted one of the great intellectual movements in the history of humankind.
Second Enlightenment level.
Second Enlightenment level.
We think of the postwar world order as having been built by the US. But as Getachew makes clear, that world order was completed by the intellectual giants of the African, pan-African and African diaspora liberation movements.
It is no coincidence Trump & Miller are targeting its fundamental tenet.
It is no coincidence Trump & Miller are targeting its fundamental tenet.
January 18, 2026 at 12:55 PM
There was a similar flowering of Black American public intellectuals culminating in the 2016-2024 period, and I'd argue the anti-Woke backlash was in many ways a reaction to the threat this posed to the outclassed white punditocracy, for whom meritocracy and DEI hire was a way to disqualify them.
Reposted by Ben Allen
If you read one thing today, it should be this
Iran report says 16,500 dead in ‘genocide under digital darkness’
www.thetimes.com/article/01ba...
Iran report says 16,500 dead in ‘genocide under digital darkness’
www.thetimes.com/article/01ba...
Iran report says 16,500 dead in ‘genocide under digital darkness’
Witnesses tell of the brutality inflicted on those taking part in anti-regime protests
www.thetimes.com
January 18, 2026 at 10:04 AM
If you read one thing today, it should be this
Iran report says 16,500 dead in ‘genocide under digital darkness’
www.thetimes.com/article/01ba...
Iran report says 16,500 dead in ‘genocide under digital darkness’
www.thetimes.com/article/01ba...
Reposted by Ben Allen
I’m sorry but I still can’t get over the fact that the analyst Jean Leray was captured by Nazis in 1940 and knew it was time to become Goblin Wizardman & this is why the world contains sheaves
![1 Prewar work
Leray's first published work, in 1931, was in fluid dynamics; he proved the basic existence and uniqueness results for the Navier-Stokes equations. Roger Temam (74] has expressed the view that no further significant rigorous work on Navier-Stokes equations was done until that of E. Hopf in 1951.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:67fu5pe5yhqmxtwldxhrf3pw/bafkreiec4ztsksgcdrrnyzaf5ebeaw2m4uoy6ycqphpjb6geccslkdtu54@jpeg)
January 17, 2026 at 7:04 PM
I’m sorry but I still can’t get over the fact that the analyst Jean Leray was captured by Nazis in 1940 and knew it was time to become Goblin Wizardman & this is why the world contains sheaves
Reposted by Ben Allen
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
January 16, 2026 at 9:24 PM
every single successful general strike in US history has had union backing through the local AFL-CIO
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
this is the first time it’s been called for since the 1940s
Reposted by Ben Allen
Heard from a public school staffer.
ICE agents follow school buses on their afternoon routes & target some parents picking up kids from bus stops.
If ICE knew anything abt particular parents, they'd go to homes.
Seems they're just leveraging kids' vulnerability & mixing with racial profiling.
ICE agents follow school buses on their afternoon routes & target some parents picking up kids from bus stops.
If ICE knew anything abt particular parents, they'd go to homes.
Seems they're just leveraging kids' vulnerability & mixing with racial profiling.
January 15, 2026 at 2:14 AM
Heard from a public school staffer.
ICE agents follow school buses on their afternoon routes & target some parents picking up kids from bus stops.
If ICE knew anything abt particular parents, they'd go to homes.
Seems they're just leveraging kids' vulnerability & mixing with racial profiling.
ICE agents follow school buses on their afternoon routes & target some parents picking up kids from bus stops.
If ICE knew anything abt particular parents, they'd go to homes.
Seems they're just leveraging kids' vulnerability & mixing with racial profiling.
That the VA legislature can do all this in just three days with a Democratic majority means we really need to expect more of Massachusetts
The Virginia legislature today passed four constitutional amendments, all by day 3 of 2026 session:
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
These will all go to 2026 referendums.
—protect abortion rights
—repeal the same-sex marriage ban
—allow mid-decade redistricting
—greatly expand voting rights restoration.
These will all go to 2026 referendums.
January 16, 2026 at 11:13 PM
That the VA legislature can do all this in just three days with a Democratic majority means we really need to expect more of Massachusetts
Sadly, this conference is not about what you might think fur2026.ua.es/en
FUR 2026 - FUR Conference 2026
fur2026.ua.es
January 16, 2026 at 10:09 PM
Sadly, this conference is not about what you might think fur2026.ua.es/en
Reposted by Ben Allen
![The network's top editor, Bari Weiss, expressed a high level of interest in the story on an editorial call Wednesday morning, according to staffers who listened.
"There was big internal dissension about the
'internal bleeding' report here last night," the
CBS News staffer, who was not authorized to speak publicly, said. "It was viewed as a thinly-veiled, anonymous leak by [the Trump administration] to someone who'd carry it online."
"Felt to many here like we were carrying water for the admin's justifying of the shooting to keep our access to our sources," said a second network staffer, who was also not authorized to comment.](https://cdn.bsky.app/img/feed_thumbnail/plain/did:plc:it4vfrn3hgrb3hsvvwfltqqa/bafkreifehbfqwnd7wxwqe3ywb42uni2stbz4ifikyujgzah4dmkvfx6isu@jpeg)
Reposted by Ben Allen
THREAD of offers of guest lectures (via Zoom) for Minneapolis-area classes so faculty can offer their students a top-quality education while dealing with other crises
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Finally, a note to the many professors in my networks: One other specific, small thing you can do from outside of Minneapolis is reach out to colleagues who are heavily affected (because of their own or their family's risk, or because they're very busy protecting neighbors) and offer a guest lecture
January 15, 2026 at 7:43 PM
THREAD of offers of guest lectures (via Zoom) for Minneapolis-area classes so faculty can offer their students a top-quality education while dealing with other crises
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Seeing tons of extremely generous offers. I'll try to post 'em all here--please add your own w topics you can cover & how to contact
Reposted by Ben Allen
My friends local to Minnesota, whom I trust a great deal, would like to share the following resources that could use support.
PowWowGrounds - Native American Coffee Shop doing direct food and supply aid to their communities-
Venmo @powwowgrounds
www.powwowgrounds.com
PowWowGrounds - Native American Coffee Shop doing direct food and supply aid to their communities-
Venmo @powwowgrounds
www.powwowgrounds.com
Pow Wow Grounds
www.powwowgrounds.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:30 AM
My friends local to Minnesota, whom I trust a great deal, would like to share the following resources that could use support.
PowWowGrounds - Native American Coffee Shop doing direct food and supply aid to their communities-
Venmo @powwowgrounds
www.powwowgrounds.com
PowWowGrounds - Native American Coffee Shop doing direct food and supply aid to their communities-
Venmo @powwowgrounds
www.powwowgrounds.com
Reposted by Ben Allen
Trump is not omnipotent. He exists within a web of institutions. His authority is not unlimited. It appears that way largely because his allies occupy key places — Congress — that could provide a meaningful check. Important to understand his actual reach and the limits of that reach. (14/14)
January 15, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Trump is not omnipotent. He exists within a web of institutions. His authority is not unlimited. It appears that way largely because his allies occupy key places — Congress — that could provide a meaningful check. Important to understand his actual reach and the limits of that reach. (14/14)
Reposted by Ben Allen
This exactly. Look, you handle fuckers like this by calling their bluff and showing up anyway. You don't do it stupidly, you arm yourself or take steps to neutralize violence if you can, but you don't let threats dictate the grounds you play on either. Fuck that.
January 15, 2026 at 7:42 PM
This exactly. Look, you handle fuckers like this by calling their bluff and showing up anyway. You don't do it stupidly, you arm yourself or take steps to neutralize violence if you can, but you don't let threats dictate the grounds you play on either. Fuck that.
Would Trump like to cancel the midterms? Yes
Does he have a clear operational path to doing so? No
Will he try to pull some f*ckery anyway? Yes
Do we have capacity to fight back against this f*ckery? Yes
Prepare. Don't despair.
Does he have a clear operational path to doing so? No
Will he try to pull some f*ckery anyway? Yes
Do we have capacity to fight back against this f*ckery? Yes
Prepare. Don't despair.
the question to ask about this is, okay, he wants to cancel the midterms. how does he get the VA state board of elections to cancel the midterms? how does he get the georgia board of elections to do it? how does he convince republican house members to quit their jobs and give up their paychecks?
Trump says a lot of deranged shit, but, per this Reuters article — and the threats of invoking the Insurrection Act in Minnesota this morning — he is very clearly exploring how to cancel the midterms.
www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...
www.reuters.com/world/us/fiv...
January 15, 2026 at 7:27 PM
Would Trump like to cancel the midterms? Yes
Does he have a clear operational path to doing so? No
Will he try to pull some f*ckery anyway? Yes
Do we have capacity to fight back against this f*ckery? Yes
Prepare. Don't despair.
Does he have a clear operational path to doing so? No
Will he try to pull some f*ckery anyway? Yes
Do we have capacity to fight back against this f*ckery? Yes
Prepare. Don't despair.
Reposted by Ben Allen
save this post: oʻòóôõöøōŏőœɔơọº
January 14, 2026 at 4:28 PM
save this post: oʻòóôõöøōŏőœɔơọº
Reposted by Ben Allen
Yes, immigration agents not only took Arnoldo's phone, the 10th grader had to use Find My Phone to locate it — in a vending machine for used electronics, close to an ICE detention center.
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
January 14, 2026 at 12:47 AM
Yes, immigration agents not only took Arnoldo's phone, the 10th grader had to use Find My Phone to locate it — in a vending machine for used electronics, close to an ICE detention center.
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Read the full story here:
www.propublica.org/article/vide...
Reposted by Ben Allen
The deadline to submit your abstract(s) for the International Society for Evolution, Ecology and Cancer conference via www.evocancer.com has been extended to Monday 19th January at 09:00 GMT. The conference will take place on 21st-24th May in Hersonissos, Crete.
ISEEC
The International Society for Evolution, Ecology and Cancer
www.evocancer.com
January 14, 2026 at 2:28 PM
The deadline to submit your abstract(s) for the International Society for Evolution, Ecology and Cancer conference via www.evocancer.com has been extended to Monday 19th January at 09:00 GMT. The conference will take place on 21st-24th May in Hersonissos, Crete.
Reposted by Ben Allen
“He said his project was important because DHS refuses to hold its own agents accountable for violations of the law.”
www.thedailybeast.com/personal-det...
www.thedailybeast.com/personal-det...
Personal Details of Thousands of Border Patrol and ICE Goons Allegedly Leaked in Huge Data Breach
A DHS whistleblower appears to have exposed data on federal immigration workers after the shooting of Renee Good.
www.thedailybeast.com
January 14, 2026 at 1:11 AM
“He said his project was important because DHS refuses to hold its own agents accountable for violations of the law.”
www.thedailybeast.com/personal-det...
www.thedailybeast.com/personal-det...
FBI apparent sees their job as smearing victims rather than prosecuting crimes
F.B.I. Inquiry Into ICE Shooting Is Examining Victim’s Possible Ties to Activist Groups www.nytimes.com/2026/01/12/u...
F.B.I. Inquiry Into ICE Shooting Is Examining Victim’s Possible Ties to Activist Groups
www.nytimes.com
January 13, 2026 at 1:45 AM
FBI apparent sees their job as smearing victims rather than prosecuting crimes
Reposted by Ben Allen
@statuscoupnews.bsky.social please clip Patty's interview. I can't get it off the live stream. Thank you!
Patty, a woman observer in Minneapolis, was abducted from a car by federal agents today. She was released and talked about her experience in custody.
An agent said, "You guys gotta stop obstructing us. That's why that lesbian bitch is dead."
[@statuscoupnews.bsky.social Please clip this for Bsky?]
An agent said, "You guys gotta stop obstructing us. That's why that lesbian bitch is dead."
[@statuscoupnews.bsky.social Please clip this for Bsky?]
January 12, 2026 at 1:40 AM
@statuscoupnews.bsky.social please clip Patty's interview. I can't get it off the live stream. Thank you!
Reposted by Ben Allen
ICE is responsible for 50% of shootings in Minneapolis in 2026, per the mayor.
January 11, 2026 at 4:16 PM
ICE is responsible for 50% of shootings in Minneapolis in 2026, per the mayor.
Reposted by Ben Allen
ICE shot a man in Glen Burnie and the story they told was contradicted by:
1. ICE’s own photos
2. Bystander video
3. Lawyer for another immigrant at the scene
4. Anne Arundel County Police
Now ICE is revising its story.
The latest from Alex Mann:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
1. ICE’s own photos
2. Bystander video
3. Lawyer for another immigrant at the scene
4. Anne Arundel County Police
Now ICE is revising its story.
The latest from Alex Mann:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
ICE changes story on Christmas Eve shooting by agents in Glen Burnie
Federal officials changed their account of the Christmas Eve shooting by ICE agents in Glen Burnie.
www.thebanner.com
January 10, 2026 at 3:42 PM
ICE shot a man in Glen Burnie and the story they told was contradicted by:
1. ICE’s own photos
2. Bystander video
3. Lawyer for another immigrant at the scene
4. Anne Arundel County Police
Now ICE is revising its story.
The latest from Alex Mann:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
1. ICE’s own photos
2. Bystander video
3. Lawyer for another immigrant at the scene
4. Anne Arundel County Police
Now ICE is revising its story.
The latest from Alex Mann:
www.thebanner.com/community/cr...
Israel calls itself a home to all Jewish people. But if I were to try to visit now (which, to be clear, I will never do again) I would likely be turned away.
The home for all Jewish people worldwide.*
*Some restrictions may apply.
www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-ameri...
*Some restrictions may apply.
www.timesofisrael.com/jewish-ameri...
Jewish American academic denied entry to Israel for being a ‘left-wing anarchist’
Incident is latest in series of deportations of foreign nationals, including Jews, for pro-Palestinian activities in West Bank, coordinated by Population Authority and police
www.timesofisrael.com
January 11, 2026 at 3:28 PM
Israel calls itself a home to all Jewish people. But if I were to try to visit now (which, to be clear, I will never do again) I would likely be turned away.
Reposted by Ben Allen
What’s going on here
January 11, 2026 at 1:59 AM
What’s going on here
Reposted by Ben Allen
You know how weird and fucked up it is conservatives are so committed to lies and immune to plain facts?
Fun fact: if you change the incentive structure, then suddenly they can tell the truth! It's not an inability, their ideology doesn't blind them. It just makes them unwilling to identify truth
Fun fact: if you change the incentive structure, then suddenly they can tell the truth! It's not an inability, their ideology doesn't blind them. It just makes them unwilling to identify truth
January 10, 2026 at 2:53 PM
You know how weird and fucked up it is conservatives are so committed to lies and immune to plain facts?
Fun fact: if you change the incentive structure, then suddenly they can tell the truth! It's not an inability, their ideology doesn't blind them. It just makes them unwilling to identify truth
Fun fact: if you change the incentive structure, then suddenly they can tell the truth! It's not an inability, their ideology doesn't blind them. It just makes them unwilling to identify truth
Reposted by Ben Allen
Renee wasn’t the first person ICE murdered, only the latest. Be angry about each and every one of these lives cut short by the US government.
January 10, 2026 at 2:05 PM
Renee wasn’t the first person ICE murdered, only the latest. Be angry about each and every one of these lives cut short by the US government.