Sarah Florini
@florini.bsky.social
Associate Prof of Film and Media Studies at ASU. Studying technology, race, power, and ethics. Lover of general shenanigans. I refuse to call them “skeets.”
Reposted by Sarah Florini
I see discourse has taken place
February 7, 2026 at 12:02 AM
I see discourse has taken place
Reposted by Sarah Florini
This is one logical extreme of seeing the words we use in doing our work, even when that work is literally writing words, as the totality of the work.
The whole article is repulsive but this passage is at the core of it. She has no interest in writing books, she wants to win some kind of competition that nobody entered
February 8, 2026 at 5:20 PM
This is one logical extreme of seeing the words we use in doing our work, even when that work is literally writing words, as the totality of the work.
Reposted by Sarah Florini
Thank you, Victor. I spent a few weeks on this. As usual, it’s always a negotiation with length. So a few other bon mots:
1. The admin has issued DOJ guidance to challenge state laws that would regulate AI
www.wired.com/story/ai-sup...
1. The admin has issued DOJ guidance to challenge state laws that would regulate AI
www.wired.com/story/ai-sup...
February 3, 2026 at 1:58 PM
Thank you, Victor. I spent a few weeks on this. As usual, it’s always a negotiation with length. So a few other bon mots:
1. The admin has issued DOJ guidance to challenge state laws that would regulate AI
www.wired.com/story/ai-sup...
1. The admin has issued DOJ guidance to challenge state laws that would regulate AI
www.wired.com/story/ai-sup...
Using the phrase “business Maoist” to complain about workplace sensitivity training is an immediate block. Weirdo.
February 6, 2026 at 5:24 AM
Using the phrase “business Maoist” to complain about workplace sensitivity training is an immediate block. Weirdo.
The post tenure review is really insidious. They’ve killed so much research funding. Research deemed “woke” is getting harder to do and publish. They are deliberately undermining research agendas, so they can claim that people are not productive and fire them.
"Moving forward, Oklahoma institutions without R1 status must offer fixed-term, renewable contracts. ... Tenured faculty members at Oklahoma’s two R1 institutions — the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University — will be subject to post-tenure review every five years."
Breaking, from me: An executive order from Oklahoma's governor directs most of the state's public colleges to "phase out tenure." #AcademicSky #HigherEd @chronicle.com
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
February 6, 2026 at 2:59 AM
The post tenure review is really insidious. They’ve killed so much research funding. Research deemed “woke” is getting harder to do and publish. They are deliberately undermining research agendas, so they can claim that people are not productive and fire them.
I’ve been trying for a long time to not post very much. I don’t have much thoughtful to say anymore. Because I’m so angry all the time. None of this has to happen.
February 6, 2026 at 2:50 AM
I’ve been trying for a long time to not post very much. I don’t have much thoughtful to say anymore. Because I’m so angry all the time. None of this has to happen.
They are coming for tenure and have been for a long time. They want to be able to fully control the teaching and research at universities. Tenure was explicitly put in place to deter that.
"Moving forward, Oklahoma institutions without R1 status must offer fixed-term, renewable contracts. ... Tenured faculty members at Oklahoma’s two R1 institutions — the University of Oklahoma and Oklahoma State University — will be subject to post-tenure review every five years."
Breaking, from me: An executive order from Oklahoma's governor directs most of the state's public colleges to "phase out tenure." #AcademicSky #HigherEd @chronicle.com
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
www.chronicle.com/article/tenu...
February 6, 2026 at 2:47 AM
They are coming for tenure and have been for a long time. They want to be able to fully control the teaching and research at universities. Tenure was explicitly put in place to deter that.
Reposted by Sarah Florini
They’ve been on this for a minute. More teaching + post tenure review (and contracts) plus ai supercharged productivity surveillance tools also makes professors more vulnerable to student evals, which gives admin more power to fire you. That’s the plan.
"Imposing minimum teaching requirements...has been touted as a way to cut costs and 'better focus university resources in the classroom,' .... The notion is also gaining steam in conservative circles as a means of ensuring faculty productivity and curbing 'intellectually unserious' research."
The Campaign to Make Professors Teach More
Lawmakers say faculty members don’t work enough. Is this about productivity or punishment?
www.chronicle.com
February 5, 2026 at 12:17 AM
They’ve been on this for a minute. More teaching + post tenure review (and contracts) plus ai supercharged productivity surveillance tools also makes professors more vulnerable to student evals, which gives admin more power to fire you. That’s the plan.
Reposted by Sarah Florini
There is a case to be made that any board of a university that signed an agreement that required paying a fee has breached their fiduciary duty and I think somebody should explore it
The Trump administration is no longer trying to get cash from Harvard as it seeks a settlement. At this point, the White House seems happy to get a signature on anything they can call a compact.
Trump Drops Demand for Cash From Harvard After Stiff Resistance
www.nytimes.com
February 3, 2026 at 3:57 AM
There is a case to be made that any board of a university that signed an agreement that required paying a fee has breached their fiduciary duty and I think somebody should explore it
Reposted by Sarah Florini
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
February 1, 2026 at 2:33 PM
Epstein’s economic power among academics was made possible by a capitalist system that makes higher education dependent on the charity economy rather than a public good supported by taxing the rich
Reposted by Sarah Florini
Marimar Martinez is a hero.
She was shot 5 times by ICE.
The agent told her to “do something b*tch” before opening fire.
He later bragged “5 shots, 7 holes”.
DHS tried to smear her reputation but video footage vindicated her.
Next week she will testify in Washington about ICE’s brutality.
She was shot 5 times by ICE.
The agent told her to “do something b*tch” before opening fire.
He later bragged “5 shots, 7 holes”.
DHS tried to smear her reputation but video footage vindicated her.
Next week she will testify in Washington about ICE’s brutality.
Chicago Woman Shot 5 Times By Border Agents Will Testify In Washington Next Week
Marimar Martinez will speak at a federal forum on immigration agents' use of force as she fights to unseal evidence in her now-dropped prosecution.
blockclubchicago.org
January 31, 2026 at 4:41 AM
Marimar Martinez is a hero.
She was shot 5 times by ICE.
The agent told her to “do something b*tch” before opening fire.
He later bragged “5 shots, 7 holes”.
DHS tried to smear her reputation but video footage vindicated her.
Next week she will testify in Washington about ICE’s brutality.
She was shot 5 times by ICE.
The agent told her to “do something b*tch” before opening fire.
He later bragged “5 shots, 7 holes”.
DHS tried to smear her reputation but video footage vindicated her.
Next week she will testify in Washington about ICE’s brutality.
Wait. The use of tear gas is prohibited in Portland? Wow. (That they put that law into place and at the flagrant lawlessness.)
I just got tear gassed along with thousands of union members, many of whom had their families with them. Federal agents at the ICE facility tear gassed children. We must abolish ICE, DHS, and we must have prosecutions. I expect to see enforcement of our city code prohibiting the use of tear gas.
February 1, 2026 at 7:16 AM
Wait. The use of tear gas is prohibited in Portland? Wow. (That they put that law into place and at the flagrant lawlessness.)
It’s so interesting that people get criticized for worrying about possible (not documented) harms, but never for extolling possible (nor documented) benefits.
Triggered by claims the "AI in education debate" is caught in a deadlock and by some academics worried that "AI critics: are over-anxious about *possible* rather than empirically documented effects, here are what I think are some worthwhile critical projects about AI in education 🧵
February 1, 2026 at 1:02 AM
It’s so interesting that people get criticized for worrying about possible (not documented) harms, but never for extolling possible (nor documented) benefits.
Reposted by Sarah Florini
Happening today: "WE WANT TO BRING THE WORLD’S ATTENTION TO HOW THE FRIVOLOUS USE OF AI PROMPTS HAS A DIRECT EFFECT ON OUR WATER RESOURCES. SO, FOR ONE DAY, WE ASK YOU TO NOT USE AI, AND INSTEAD USE US. A GROUP OF LOCAL QUILICURA RESIDENTS WHO’VE COME TOGETHER TO SERVE AS YOUR AI." www.quili.ai/info
January 31, 2026 at 3:07 PM
Happening today: "WE WANT TO BRING THE WORLD’S ATTENTION TO HOW THE FRIVOLOUS USE OF AI PROMPTS HAS A DIRECT EFFECT ON OUR WATER RESOURCES. SO, FOR ONE DAY, WE ASK YOU TO NOT USE AI, AND INSTEAD USE US. A GROUP OF LOCAL QUILICURA RESIDENTS WHO’VE COME TOGETHER TO SERVE AS YOUR AI." www.quili.ai/info
Reposted by Sarah Florini
“Agents can identify people on the street through facial recognition, trace their movements through license-plate readers and, in some cases, use commercially available phone-location data to reconstruct daily routines and associations.” All surveillance tools people have pushed back on for ages…
DHS ramps up surveillance in immigration raids, sweeping in citizens
The Trump administration’s immigration crackdown in Minneapolis is providing insights into the surveillance technologies the government is using in its mass deportation campaign.
apnews.com
January 30, 2026 at 3:28 PM
“Agents can identify people on the street through facial recognition, trace their movements through license-plate readers and, in some cases, use commercially available phone-location data to reconstruct daily routines and associations.” All surveillance tools people have pushed back on for ages…
Reposted by Sarah Florini
So for everyone sweating me yesterday about 1776-2026 RIP, read my Substack. Also tay tuned I'm starting a weekly American History lesson in February that will give you both history and practical present day tips about organizing and surviving today's authoritarian environment. .
January 26, 2026 at 8:34 PM
So for everyone sweating me yesterday about 1776-2026 RIP, read my Substack. Also tay tuned I'm starting a weekly American History lesson in February that will give you both history and practical present day tips about organizing and surviving today's authoritarian environment. .
Reposted by Sarah Florini
The fuck did you just say to us
January 25, 2026 at 1:06 AM
The fuck did you just say to us
Reposted by Sarah Florini
I am not being snarky. I need my colleagues who wrote on covid school lockdowns to engage with this. To be as loud as they have been about prior "learning loss." Hell, you can cite Tom & Mark's AERJ paper so you feel better that there's some econ somewhere in your argument.
"In St. Paul, at least one-fourth of students from Spanish-speaking homes have missed every day of school since Dec. 12."
8 weeks under siege in Minnesota • Minnesota Reformer
Frank has a hard time explaining to his 8-year-old daughter why they rarely leave their home in the Twin Cities. Why she can’t go to school, and why he can’t work. “The only thing we tell her is that ...
minnesotareformer.com
January 23, 2026 at 10:05 PM
I am not being snarky. I need my colleagues who wrote on covid school lockdowns to engage with this. To be as loud as they have been about prior "learning loss." Hell, you can cite Tom & Mark's AERJ paper so you feel better that there's some econ somewhere in your argument.
Reposted by Sarah Florini
I am trying not to post on these events in this state of mind but: I hope people understand what the observers are doing is brave and dangerous.
January 24, 2026 at 4:51 PM
I am trying not to post on these events in this state of mind but: I hope people understand what the observers are doing is brave and dangerous.
Lemme tell you, my block hand is getting a work out this morning.
January 21, 2026 at 5:43 PM
Lemme tell you, my block hand is getting a work out this morning.
Reposted by Sarah Florini
If any of y'all (white people anywhere on this planet) had listened when we said this country WOULD eat itself in service to racism, your "Black people aren't exempt from USian hate," might hit a little harder.
You didn't hate the US when they helped you oppress other places for mutual benefit.
You didn't hate the US when they helped you oppress other places for mutual benefit.
It's a macro example of what's going on inside the country. The US finally expanded from terrorizing Black and brown people in the Global South to terrorizing their white neighbors. Only one of these things is a problem for the broader population.
The U.S. has truly become the bad guys. NATO having to protect against a NATO member is insane.
January 21, 2026 at 4:29 PM
If any of y'all (white people anywhere on this planet) had listened when we said this country WOULD eat itself in service to racism, your "Black people aren't exempt from USian hate," might hit a little harder.
You didn't hate the US when they helped you oppress other places for mutual benefit.
You didn't hate the US when they helped you oppress other places for mutual benefit.
Reposted by Sarah Florini
if you’re passionate about AI accountability research and enjoy working in a vibrant lab with a multi-disciplinary team but not interested in doing traditional academic work, this position might be for you
I’m looking for my right-hand person to come help me run the @aial.ie
- Job Title: Lab Coordinator, AI Accountability Lab (0.8 FTE)
- Pay Scale: (€58,999 - €69,325 per annum pro-rata)
- Closing Date: 11-Feb-2026 12:00
Apply here: my.corehr.com/pls/trrecrui...
Main Responsibilities👇🏾
- Job Title: Lab Coordinator, AI Accountability Lab (0.8 FTE)
- Pay Scale: (€58,999 - €69,325 per annum pro-rata)
- Closing Date: 11-Feb-2026 12:00
Apply here: my.corehr.com/pls/trrecrui...
Main Responsibilities👇🏾
January 21, 2026 at 4:25 PM
if you’re passionate about AI accountability research and enjoy working in a vibrant lab with a multi-disciplinary team but not interested in doing traditional academic work, this position might be for you
Reposted by Sarah Florini
i think about this every time i look at the latest Overdrive or Hoopla or Kanopy invoice. unless prices or demand stabilize, our budget and thus our library will soon be describable as “lessee of digital content with a legacy dead-tree side concern.” 📚
No surprise to librarians, but perhaps surprising to users, demands/prices for ebooks /audiobooks are killing public library budgets. David Szalay's book, Flesh,” costs DCPL:
$28.99 hardcopy
$59.99 ebook
$69.99 audiobook
DCPL owns hardcopy; rents & must repurchase ebook & audio book every 2 yrs.
$28.99 hardcopy
$59.99 ebook
$69.99 audiobook
DCPL owns hardcopy; rents & must repurchase ebook & audio book every 2 yrs.
Libraries can't afford e-books. D.C. lawmakers have a plan.
The demand and price for e-books is up — and it’s busting the D.C. Public Library budget.
51st.news
January 17, 2026 at 8:34 PM
i think about this every time i look at the latest Overdrive or Hoopla or Kanopy invoice. unless prices or demand stabilize, our budget and thus our library will soon be describable as “lessee of digital content with a legacy dead-tree side concern.” 📚
Reposted by Sarah Florini
Twin Cities Leather (and adult toy store Smitten Kitten) have stopped regular operations to become a staging and delivery space for food and supply donations- they are requesting monetary donations to keep them afloat without any income
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kpa...
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kpa...
Pay Kurt Kopatich using PayPal.Me
Go to paypal.me/kpattonleather and type in the amount. Since it’s PayPal, it's easy and secure. Don’t have a PayPal account? No worries.
www.paypal.com
January 16, 2026 at 12:30 AM
Twin Cities Leather (and adult toy store Smitten Kitten) have stopped regular operations to become a staging and delivery space for food and supply donations- they are requesting monetary donations to keep them afloat without any income
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kpa...
www.paypal.com/paypalme/kpa...
Reposted by Sarah Florini
