Geoff Johnson
@geoffthejohnson.bsky.social
History and reading/writing teacher @CUNY. As a student once wrote of me in an evaluation, “CAN BE FUNNY AT TIMES." I believe that we will win.
Bleak and fascistic as this historical moment unquestionably is, I wonder if many of us are underestimating the chances that it will, in retrospect, be viewed even more so as a revolutionary moment.
December 10, 2025 at 1:29 AM
Bleak and fascistic as this historical moment unquestionably is, I wonder if many of us are underestimating the chances that it will, in retrospect, be viewed even more so as a revolutionary moment.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
I have been researching just how hard the "new drug war" laws are/became, and here is yet another example. Totally abandonment of healthcare, housing, etc and just criminal punishment all the way down. "involuntary treatment" is just prison.
Law enforcement who respond to an overdose and would be directed to take the survivor into custody and transport them directly to a screening for treatment. But the bill also goes further.
NJ May Expand Civil Commitment to Anyone Accused of Recent Overdose - Filter
New Jersey legislators are considering a proposal to require involuntary commitment for any overdose survivors revived by law enforcement. It ...
filtermag.org
December 9, 2025 at 3:07 PM
I have been researching just how hard the "new drug war" laws are/became, and here is yet another example. Totally abandonment of healthcare, housing, etc and just criminal punishment all the way down. "involuntary treatment" is just prison.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
And then she will leave for another job at another desperate school, making promises to them based on the projections of these promises. Not their actual affects, which will be terrible.
The important thing is to stay at least one admin job ahead of the disasters you're creating in your wake.
The important thing is to stay at least one admin job ahead of the disasters you're creating in your wake.
Yes we all agree that this is the reason colleges are in trouble
December 9, 2025 at 5:23 PM
And then she will leave for another job at another desperate school, making promises to them based on the projections of these promises. Not their actual affects, which will be terrible.
The important thing is to stay at least one admin job ahead of the disasters you're creating in your wake.
The important thing is to stay at least one admin job ahead of the disasters you're creating in your wake.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
Students, staff, faculty turning to ChatGPT? That means they are being asked to do things they don't have the time, resources, support, etc to do.
December 9, 2025 at 2:16 PM
Students, staff, faculty turning to ChatGPT? That means they are being asked to do things they don't have the time, resources, support, etc to do.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
Every young generation explores retro technology because it’s cheap and plentiful and exotic but it’s more alluring when current technology gets actively shittier, more evil and invasive.
December 7, 2025 at 10:49 PM
Every young generation explores retro technology because it’s cheap and plentiful and exotic but it’s more alluring when current technology gets actively shittier, more evil and invasive.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
ICE basically broke into a home in Burnsville Minnesota without a warrant & detained 4 US citizens, leaving a 7 year old without any parents around.
The jackbooted thugs are here
The jackbooted thugs are here
"'They all were scared, crying... they were pointing with the guns not to move,' he said.
He said all four are U.S. citizens..."
www.kare11.com/article/news...
He said all four are U.S. citizens..."
www.kare11.com/article/news...
Ring camera captures Burnsville ICE raid that leaves 7-year-old without parents, according to family
ICE agents detained four people from a Burnsville home, according to family members, including a 7-year-old's parents and the husband of a pregnant woman.
www.kare11.com
December 8, 2025 at 10:06 PM
ICE basically broke into a home in Burnsville Minnesota without a warrant & detained 4 US citizens, leaving a 7 year old without any parents around.
The jackbooted thugs are here
The jackbooted thugs are here
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
This is a perfect example as to why we need AI regulation yesterday.
AI cannot be the arbiter of whether human beings can live or die. This is an excuse for insurance companies to fire human workers and make our healthcare system even more nightmarish for a quick buck.
AI cannot be the arbiter of whether human beings can live or die. This is an excuse for insurance companies to fire human workers and make our healthcare system even more nightmarish for a quick buck.
"Starting Jan. 1, in six states selected to take part in a federal pilot program, traditional Medicare recipients will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered --
private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny..."
www.kuow.org/stories/thou...
private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny..."
www.kuow.org/stories/thou...
Thousands of Washington state Medicare users could soon have claims denied by AI
Starting Jan. 1, traditional Medicare recipients in Washington state will face a new hurdle to get certain procedures covered — private AI companies that get paid based on how many claims they deny.
www.kuow.org
December 8, 2025 at 8:19 PM
This is a perfect example as to why we need AI regulation yesterday.
AI cannot be the arbiter of whether human beings can live or die. This is an excuse for insurance companies to fire human workers and make our healthcare system even more nightmarish for a quick buck.
AI cannot be the arbiter of whether human beings can live or die. This is an excuse for insurance companies to fire human workers and make our healthcare system even more nightmarish for a quick buck.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
An ICE operation focused on Somali immigrants in Minnesota has led to at least 19 arrests in its first week, but federal agents are mum on the exact scope. Somali Minnesotans, most of whom have U.S. citizenship, say it’s creating fear and anxiety in their communities.
A week into immigration operation, Minnesota Somalis remain on edge but vow resilience
An ICE operation focused on Somali immigrants in Minnesota has led to at least 19 arrests in its first week, as federal agents are mum on the exact scope. Somali Minnesotans, most of whom have U.S. ci...
www.mprnews.org
December 8, 2025 at 12:55 PM
An ICE operation focused on Somali immigrants in Minnesota has led to at least 19 arrests in its first week, but federal agents are mum on the exact scope. Somali Minnesotans, most of whom have U.S. citizenship, say it’s creating fear and anxiety in their communities.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
Pay librarians, teachers, and archivists
Reading Rooms at the British Library are closed *all week* because so many of its workers refuse to work for pitiful wages in a contemptuously authoritarian and obliviously managed environment.
We need leaders who get it and are big enough to sort it out!
It’s a mess and a disgrace.
Lift it up!!
We need leaders who get it and are big enough to sort it out!
It’s a mess and a disgrace.
Lift it up!!
December 8, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Pay librarians, teachers, and archivists
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
NYC folks: Please take this 5 minute survey to support a class project we are doing. We need more numbers so we can do some statistical analysis.
forms.gle/C4fE5yNpPjy8...
forms.gle/C4fE5yNpPjy8...
NYC Safety
3504 F 25
forms.gle
December 7, 2025 at 8:45 PM
NYC folks: Please take this 5 minute survey to support a class project we are doing. We need more numbers so we can do some statistical analysis.
forms.gle/C4fE5yNpPjy8...
forms.gle/C4fE5yNpPjy8...
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
breaking: the negotiated NDAA to authority military spending would ban trans women from competing in sports at military academies
it would likely be the first sports ban in federal statute, and would codify a definition of sex as solely defined at birth
unless something changes it is set to be law
it would likely be the first sports ban in federal statute, and would codify a definition of sex as solely defined at birth
unless something changes it is set to be law
December 8, 2025 at 3:57 AM
breaking: the negotiated NDAA to authority military spending would ban trans women from competing in sports at military academies
it would likely be the first sports ban in federal statute, and would codify a definition of sex as solely defined at birth
unless something changes it is set to be law
it would likely be the first sports ban in federal statute, and would codify a definition of sex as solely defined at birth
unless something changes it is set to be law
Good chance we’ll end up having to pay quite a bit of money for services that help us determine whether content is AI generated (or that filter out slop), and people who don’t care that much and/or can’t really afford to pay for that kind of thing will have little sense of what is and is not real.
I just saw my first AI-faked sports highlights of a real NBA game...and were cooked, friends.
No video will be meaningfully "true" within six months. Bad news for people who like true things!
No video will be meaningfully "true" within six months. Bad news for people who like true things!
December 8, 2025 at 4:04 AM
Good chance we’ll end up having to pay quite a bit of money for services that help us determine whether content is AI generated (or that filter out slop), and people who don’t care that much and/or can’t really afford to pay for that kind of thing will have little sense of what is and is not real.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
This is something about "AI" that I have a hard time putting into words, but creators just love the WORK. It's just fun. Even when it's hard. All the thinking, and all the detail work, and all the struggle, it makes the things we make, I don't know... have weight and value for us.
If the writer’s eyes light up when asked, “why did the character do that?” then it’s real.
December 6, 2025 at 2:13 AM
This is something about "AI" that I have a hard time putting into words, but creators just love the WORK. It's just fun. Even when it's hard. All the thinking, and all the detail work, and all the struggle, it makes the things we make, I don't know... have weight and value for us.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
@heyitsmurad.bsky.social discusses a New York City ICE raid that was thwarted by hundreds of protesters. He says New York police actions during the protest are “a very slippery slope" that could be interpreted as collusion.
December 4, 2025 at 3:04 PM
@heyitsmurad.bsky.social discusses a New York City ICE raid that was thwarted by hundreds of protesters. He says New York police actions during the protest are “a very slippery slope" that could be interpreted as collusion.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
Not only that, but we have big plans this afternoon in New York City… 👀
Drop by and make some noise with us!
bsky.app/profile/sbwo...
Drop by and make some noise with us!
bsky.app/profile/sbwo...
December 4, 2025 at 11:51 AM
Not only that, but we have big plans this afternoon in New York City… 👀
Drop by and make some noise with us!
bsky.app/profile/sbwo...
Drop by and make some noise with us!
bsky.app/profile/sbwo...
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
Our annual Queens College MFA in Creative Writing and Translation virtual open house is tomorrow, Dec 4, at 5pm EST.
For more info and to register click here:
engmfaqc.commons.gc.cuny.edu
For more info and to register click here:
engmfaqc.commons.gc.cuny.edu
December 3, 2025 at 6:24 PM
Our annual Queens College MFA in Creative Writing and Translation virtual open house is tomorrow, Dec 4, at 5pm EST.
For more info and to register click here:
engmfaqc.commons.gc.cuny.edu
For more info and to register click here:
engmfaqc.commons.gc.cuny.edu
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
On Monday, the University of Alabama suspended two student-run magazines over fears stemming from a July DOJ memo. The student journalists I spoke with yesterday told me that the decision was nonsensical and threatened their First Amendment rights.
www.alreporter.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.alreporter.com/2025/12/03/u...
University of Alabama suspends two student magazines over DEI
The editors of the publications, which focus on women’s wellness and the Black student experience respectively, expressed shock at the decision.
www.alreporter.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:57 PM
On Monday, the University of Alabama suspended two student-run magazines over fears stemming from a July DOJ memo. The student journalists I spoke with yesterday told me that the decision was nonsensical and threatened their First Amendment rights.
www.alreporter.com/2025/12/03/u...
www.alreporter.com/2025/12/03/u...
"Guidance from the US government for those who have decided to self-deport has been confusing and sparse...Some immigrants trying to leave the country voluntarily through government-endorsed mechanisms say they have found themselves in limbo or, worse, detained."
NEW: You've read a lot about immigrants kidnapped, forcibly detained, and held in ICE facilities -- what about the immigrants *trying* to leave the country? Turns out its wildly difficult for them too.
don't miss this from @telliotter.bsky.social:
don't miss this from @telliotter.bsky.social:
The Trump Administration Wants Immigrants to Self-Deport. It’s a Shit Show
The Trump administration has been virtually begging immigrants in the US to self-deport, even offering money. But some immigrants say it’s been nearly impossible.
www.wired.com
December 3, 2025 at 4:28 PM
"Guidance from the US government for those who have decided to self-deport has been confusing and sparse...Some immigrants trying to leave the country voluntarily through government-endorsed mechanisms say they have found themselves in limbo or, worse, detained."
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
Shotspotter and its ilk are garbage. It's a plain waste of money at best.
The proposed Chicago city budget has a $5 million line item for a ShotSpotter replacement. Abandoning this failed pursuit would free up the funds needed to maintain 2025 funding levels at our city libraries, which would still leave the libraries underfunded but would avoid disastrous proposed cuts.
December 3, 2025 at 4:13 PM
Shotspotter and its ilk are garbage. It's a plain waste of money at best.
Some useful reporting here. I recognize the dilemmas faced by elected Dems in NY, and behind-the-scenes efforts to avert a full-blown federal invasion of NYC may be worthwhile, but it's important to recognize that folks are organized in NYC and are point-blank not going to "accommodate" this shit.
As New York officials plan for a possible surge of immigration agents and National Guard troops, officials face a stark choice: accommodate or fight back.
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/new-yor...
talkingpointsmemo.com/news/new-yor...
When To Accommodate, and When To Fight? NY Officials Agonize and Prepare for Federal Escalation
Jackie Bray has been thinking about how quickly things could spiral out...
talkingpointsmemo.com
December 3, 2025 at 3:22 PM
Some useful reporting here. I recognize the dilemmas faced by elected Dems in NY, and behind-the-scenes efforts to avert a full-blown federal invasion of NYC may be worthwhile, but it's important to recognize that folks are organized in NYC and are point-blank not going to "accommodate" this shit.
It's hard to think of much that could actually improve the GOP's electoral position in the course of the next year, which is nice, but it's not hard to think of some ill-advised but still super harmful shit that they might try. These guys aren't all that smart and they think hurting people is good.
a thing to ask yourself re: the GOP's electoral position is what could happen over the next year that could *improve* its position? and what could trump do, plausibly, that might *boost* his numbers with the public?
December 3, 2025 at 3:03 AM
It's hard to think of much that could actually improve the GOP's electoral position in the course of the next year, which is nice, but it's not hard to think of some ill-advised but still super harmful shit that they might try. These guys aren't all that smart and they think hurting people is good.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
What's happening with the Chicago Public Libraries right now is terrible. The proposed budget of the city would CUT 89 CPL positions. Importantly, 78 positions were lost LAST year. That would be 167 positions in 2 YEARS while COPS KEEP GETTING MORE MONEY. ENOUGH. SAY NO.
December 2, 2025 at 10:51 PM
What's happening with the Chicago Public Libraries right now is terrible. The proposed budget of the city would CUT 89 CPL positions. Importantly, 78 positions were lost LAST year. That would be 167 positions in 2 YEARS while COPS KEEP GETTING MORE MONEY. ENOUGH. SAY NO.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
I teach big classes, so I get a lot of accommodation letters and I simply follow them and go on with my day because why the hell wouldn‘t I. If I wanted to be a cop, I would have applied.
We need to be able to see that the line "accommodations have gone too far" is an expression of the ableist notion that disabled students do not belong in higher ed. Its fundamentally an anxiety about the fact that disabled students get an "advantage" over abled students.
December 2, 2025 at 10:31 PM
I teach big classes, so I get a lot of accommodation letters and I simply follow them and go on with my day because why the hell wouldn‘t I. If I wanted to be a cop, I would have applied.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
Very similar to the trans-kids panic, where the prestige media narrative is that it's far too easy but you talk to any trans person, expert or parent and it's obvious that it's way too hard.
Once again, no one making these claims seems to understand the enormous hurdles in the way of getting a kid the help they need - in this case - I dare anyone suggesting this to go through an IEP process.
December 2, 2025 at 8:34 PM
Very similar to the trans-kids panic, where the prestige media narrative is that it's far too easy but you talk to any trans person, expert or parent and it's obvious that it's way too hard.
Reposted by Geoff Johnson
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.
December 2, 2025 at 9:16 PM
Last week, ICE arrested and separated a father and son after a routine check-in. Six-year-old Yuanxin had just enrolled in the first grade at an elementary school in Astoria. Now he's in custody, alone. ICE won't say where. This cruelty serves no one. It must end.