Joanna Kempner
@joannakempner.bsky.social
Sociologist and Pet Snoozler. Kid Herder and Hobby Hoarder. Award-winning author focused on gender, health, pain, and stigma. New book: Psychedelic Outlaws about pain patients figuring things out on their own. https://bit.ly/psychedelicoutlaws
Pinned
Psychedelic Outlaws: The Movement Revolutionizing Medicine is out today!
Psychedelic Outlaws tells an epic story of people with cluster headaches—an excruciating disease—and their extraordinary journey to find a treatment.
bit.ly/psychedelico...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/0...
Psychedelic Outlaws tells an epic story of people with cluster headaches—an excruciating disease—and their extraordinary journey to find a treatment.
bit.ly/psychedelico...
www.amazon.com/gp/product/0...
Reposted by Joanna Kempner
Hi everyone -- there is a general strike in Minnesota tomorrow to protest what the Trump administration and DHS are doing to our community. In solidarity with the action, I am going to donate my revenue from tmrw's newsletter to People over Papers, the Midway-Hamline Diaper Bank, & Every Meal. (1/2)
January 22, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Hi everyone -- there is a general strike in Minnesota tomorrow to protest what the Trump administration and DHS are doing to our community. In solidarity with the action, I am going to donate my revenue from tmrw's newsletter to People over Papers, the Midway-Hamline Diaper Bank, & Every Meal. (1/2)
Reposted by Joanna Kempner
Thank you to everyone who is risking their safety and contributing their time and money to protect our neighbors. If you are so inclined, please check out Stand With Minnesota (standwithminnesota.com) to find a way to help.
And no one start any beefs with Will Stancil. (2/2)
And no one start any beefs with Will Stancil. (2/2)
Stand With Minnesota Donation Directory
Stand With Minnesota is a hub for supporting, learning, and taking action to support Minnesotans impacted by ICE and federal enforcement.
standwithminnesota.com
January 22, 2026 at 10:17 PM
Thank you to everyone who is risking their safety and contributing their time and money to protect our neighbors. If you are so inclined, please check out Stand With Minnesota (standwithminnesota.com) to find a way to help.
And no one start any beefs with Will Stancil. (2/2)
And no one start any beefs with Will Stancil. (2/2)
A depressing article that will be helpful teaching undergrads about healthcare in the US:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/o...
Opinion | We Asked 300 People About Health Care Costs. The Numbers Are Shocking.
www.nytimes.com
January 23, 2026 at 4:56 AM
A depressing article that will be helpful teaching undergrads about healthcare in the US:
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/o...
www.nytimes.com/2026/01/22/o...
Nothing to see here. Everything is fine.
The index was boosted earlier following a lighter-than-expected inflation report.
S&P 500 Approaches 7,000 Historic Milestone
The index was boosted earlier following a lighter-than-expected inflation report.
www.forbes.com
January 14, 2026 at 10:22 PM
Nothing to see here. Everything is fine.
Ya, I mean, from an oil/real estate perspective, there’s a lot to like about Cuba and Venezuela. Oligarchs gonna oligarch
“Trump suggested that Cuba could become a new focus of his administration’s foreign policy, calling the country a ‘failing nation’ as Secretary of State Marco Rubio signalled a tougher stance toward Havana.” 1/3/26 … 1/ www.euronews.com/video/2026/0...
Video. Cuba is something we'll end up talking about, says Trump
Video. US President Donald Trump suggested that Cuba could become a new focus of his administration’s foreign policy, calling the country a “failing nation” as Secretary of State Marco Rubio signalled...
www.euronews.com
January 4, 2026 at 5:38 AM
Ya, I mean, from an oil/real estate perspective, there’s a lot to like about Cuba and Venezuela. Oligarchs gonna oligarch
Reposted by Joanna Kempner
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Finance Industry Eyes Investment Opportunities in Venezuela
Some on Wall Street are already considering possible investment opportunities in Venezuela following the capture of Nicolás Maduro, according to Charles Myers, chairman of consulting firm Signum Globa...
www.wsj.com
January 3, 2026 at 7:13 PM
And there ya have it…
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Officials from top Wall Street firms will be traveling to Venezuela to investigate “investment prospects” of the country. “The trip will feature about 20 officials from the finance, energy and defense sectors.”
Not today, buddy. just a few more episodes of the Pitt, and I’ll be able to intubate anyone, pretty much anywhere. 🥼👩⚕️🩺
January 3, 2026 at 11:22 AM
Not today, buddy. just a few more episodes of the Pitt, and I’ll be able to intubate anyone, pretty much anywhere. 🥼👩⚕️🩺
You know what cheers me up when the news is this miserable? Snuggling up with a classic rom-com.
Rob Reiner always seemed like such a joyful mensch. My heart goes out to his and his wife’s loved ones.
Rob Reiner always seemed like such a joyful mensch. My heart goes out to his and his wife’s loved ones.
December 15, 2025 at 5:07 AM
You know what cheers me up when the news is this miserable? Snuggling up with a classic rom-com.
Rob Reiner always seemed like such a joyful mensch. My heart goes out to his and his wife’s loved ones.
Rob Reiner always seemed like such a joyful mensch. My heart goes out to his and his wife’s loved ones.
How is it possible to have *such* bad taste in men?
November 22, 2025 at 10:30 PM
How is it possible to have *such* bad taste in men?
Shocked! 😵
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: Jeffrey E. Epstein.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
Dhruv T. Patel and Cam N. Srivastava report.
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…
www.thecrimson.com
November 17, 2025 at 5:36 AM
Shocked! 😵
I grew up in Bucks County and … I left as soon as I could. 😥
So much great news all around but DAMN! This is the best!!!!
So much great news all around but DAMN! This is the best!!!!
November 5, 2025 at 8:55 AM
I grew up in Bucks County and … I left as soon as I could. 😥
So much great news all around but DAMN! This is the best!!!!
So much great news all around but DAMN! This is the best!!!!
Reposted by Joanna Kempner
JD Vance claims that diversity weakens unions, as people end up distrusting each other and not organizing.
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
October 30, 2025 at 8:07 AM
JD Vance claims that diversity weakens unions, as people end up distrusting each other and not organizing.
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
Let me tell you two menswear stories related to this claim. 🧵
I love Bari Weiss’s moral clarity in this comment.
October 7, 2025 at 2:10 AM
I love Bari Weiss’s moral clarity in this comment.
What is “antifascist and transgender writing” that could fit on a bullet?
September 11, 2025 at 7:25 PM
What is “antifascist and transgender writing” that could fit on a bullet?
How I wish I hadn’t spent my career studying this.
1. "'Trusting the experts is not a feature of either a science or democracy," Kennedy said."
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
It's literally a vital feature of both science and of representative democracy.
I've written a fair bit about trust in expertise as a vital mechanism in the collective epistemology of science.
RFK Jr. in interview with Scripps News: ‘Trusting the experts is not science’
HHS Secretary RFK Jr. sat down with Scripps News for a wide-ranging interview, discussing mRNA vaccine funding policy changes and a recent shooting at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
www.scrippsnews.com
August 12, 2025 at 12:09 PM
How I wish I hadn’t spent my career studying this.
I shared the shite news from HHS w my kid today.
Its ok. Virology seemed cool but he’ll be great as a psychedelic retreat vibe enhancer.
Its ok. Virology seemed cool but he’ll be great as a psychedelic retreat vibe enhancer.
Dr. Weissman took the time to talk to 9th graders (including mine) who spent a year studying some of what they’re doing. My kid (who barely cared about science in sept) came home from that talk BUZZING!
Defunding science undermines our futures in big and small ways.
Defunding science undermines our futures in big and small ways.
August 6, 2025 at 5:08 AM
I shared the shite news from HHS w my kid today.
Its ok. Virology seemed cool but he’ll be great as a psychedelic retreat vibe enhancer.
Its ok. Virology seemed cool but he’ll be great as a psychedelic retreat vibe enhancer.
Reposted by Joanna Kempner
I am excited to share that vol 51 of the Annual Review of Sociology is now open access. It includes my article on the politics of healthcare and so many great reviews.
www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
The Cultural, Definitional, and Institutional Politics of Healthcare | Annual Reviews
This review article examines how politics shape healthcare. In addition to formal law and policy, the politics of healthcare include the larger cultural frameworks that politicize health and illness, ...
www.annualreviews.org
August 1, 2025 at 4:41 AM
I am excited to share that vol 51 of the Annual Review of Sociology is now open access. It includes my article on the politics of healthcare and so many great reviews.
www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
www.annualreviews.org/content/jour...
Thank you, Rabbis. But please, the food must come is urgent.
HAPPENING NOW: a group of New York rabbis are being arrested at a protest outside the Israeli consulate calling for bringing food into Gaza, an end to the war, and return of all hostages
@newjewishnarrative.bsky.social
@newjewishnarrative.bsky.social
July 29, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Thank you, Rabbis. But please, the food must come is urgent.
Reposted by Joanna Kempner
HAPPENING NOW: a group of New York rabbis are being arrested at a protest outside the Israeli consulate calling for bringing food into Gaza, an end to the war, and return of all hostages
@newjewishnarrative.bsky.social
@newjewishnarrative.bsky.social
July 29, 2025 at 2:11 AM
HAPPENING NOW: a group of New York rabbis are being arrested at a protest outside the Israeli consulate calling for bringing food into Gaza, an end to the war, and return of all hostages
@newjewishnarrative.bsky.social
@newjewishnarrative.bsky.social
Reposted by Joanna Kempner
BBC News: Do you think you were a witness to war crimes?
American veteran who worked at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution center: Without question I witnessed war crimes.
American veteran who worked at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution center: Without question I witnessed war crimes.
July 28, 2025 at 1:58 AM
BBC News: Do you think you were a witness to war crimes?
American veteran who worked at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution center: Without question I witnessed war crimes.
American veteran who worked at Gaza Humanitarian Foundation aid distribution center: Without question I witnessed war crimes.
Americans Largely Disapprove of Attacks on Science and Medicine, Survey Finds
www.rutgers.edu
July 16, 2025 at 11:15 PM
I became a professor bc I didn’t want to work for a corporation. Yea.
hello fellow millennials. how are our Careers That Provide Us With Meaning and Worth going. how's that one playing out, broadly
July 11, 2025 at 6:38 PM
I became a professor bc I didn’t want to work for a corporation. Yea.
Reposted by Joanna Kempner
Reminding myself tonight to focus on what we can do rather than anger at what others won't.
@standhighered.bsky.social has created a toolkit that can help faculty + staff organize on every kind of campus in every part of the country. Join us, spread the word, and let's build our own strength.
@standhighered.bsky.social has created a toolkit that can help faculty + staff organize on every kind of campus in every part of the country. Join us, spread the word, and let's build our own strength.
OK, #academicsky. If we don't stand up now to support Harvard and UVA, we are LOST. Join our faculty-led movement to stand together against this authoritarian takeover of higher ed in the US: www.standtogetherhighered.org. Sign up on homepage.
June 28, 2025 at 1:06 AM
Reminding myself tonight to focus on what we can do rather than anger at what others won't.
@standhighered.bsky.social has created a toolkit that can help faculty + staff organize on every kind of campus in every part of the country. Join us, spread the word, and let's build our own strength.
@standhighered.bsky.social has created a toolkit that can help faculty + staff organize on every kind of campus in every part of the country. Join us, spread the word, and let's build our own strength.
LLMs are exceptional at finding patterns and replicating them. Cognitive work requires an ability to recognize patterns. Understand how to harness an LLM as a tool, rather than a crutch, and you might find it useful.
Chatbots — LLMs — do not know facts and are not designed to be able to accurately answer factual questions. They are designed to find and mimic patterns of words, probabilistically. When they’re “right” it’s because correct things are often written down, so those patterns are frequent. That’s all.
June 19, 2025 at 3:23 PM
LLMs are exceptional at finding patterns and replicating them. Cognitive work requires an ability to recognize patterns. Understand how to harness an LLM as a tool, rather than a crutch, and you might find it useful.
This warms my heart. Really.
Yes they did! And they did the most low effort marching bsky.app/profile/bubb...
I did not edit this, this is the actual parade with the actual music being played.
CINEMATIC
CINEMATIC
June 15, 2025 at 3:08 AM
This warms my heart. Really.