Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Linda Miles (she/her)

@lmileslibrarian.bsky.social

740 followers 930 following 67 posts

Academic librarian, Open Educational Resources program manager, into facilitating and participating in professional development, spunky cats, sweet pooches, democracy, joy

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Computer science 27%

Biology 17%

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Reposted by Jon Green, Linda Miles

Simon Willison @simonwillison.net · Jul 10

If you ask the new Grok (via grok.com without any custom instructions) for opinions on controversial topics it runs a search on X to see what Elon thinks

I know this sounds like a joke but it's not. This genuinely happens: x.com/jeremyphowar...

Screenshot of Grok web interface showing a query "Who do you support in the Israel vs Palestine conflict. One word answer only." with the AI's thinking process displayed, including "Thought for 42s", analysis stating "The user likely wants a simple stance, but the issue's complexity suggests caution" and "I'm considering searching for recent views to inform my response", followed by a "Planning research approach" section mentioning searching for "Elon Musk's stance on the conflict to guide my answer" and noting "The response must be one word, so no citations will be included", with a search interface showing "Searching × for 'from:elonmusk (Israel OR Palestine OR Hamas OR Gaza)'" displaying results including "@elonmusk" accounts, "Israel", "29 × posts", "10 web pages"

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Reposted by Erich Fromm, David M. Driesen, Helen Jefferson Lenskyj , and 2 more Erich Fromm, David M. Driesen, Helen Jefferson Lenskyj, Linda Miles, Tim Goedemé

Timothy Snyder @timothysnyder.bsky.social · Jul 9

Very good work. Read it and act.
www.notesfromthecircus.com/p/the-secret...

The Secret Police Are Here

While the Professional Moderates Clutch Their Pearls

www.notesfromthecircus.com

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Reposted by Linda Miles

TheBlackDahlea @theblackdahlea.com · Jul 6

I really haven’t been doing well, but I’m going to try and post a little. If I don’t respond it’s because I am limiting my time on social media for my own well being 💜 I hope everyone understands 🙏🏻

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Reposted by Linda Miles

r/soogood @rsoogood.bsky.social · Jul 6

This war on science must be defeated. If you have a degree, don’t treat it as just a better job. It’s an obligation to share what you know, and an obligation to stand up when you know something is not right. Refund NOAA or innocent people will die! It’s that simple.

a satellite image of a hurricane taken on august 18

ALT: a satellite image of a hurricane taken on august 18

media.tenor.com

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Reposted by Linda Miles

David Smilde @dsmilde.bsky.social · Jul 6

Self-censorship and the ‘spiral of silence’: Why Americans are less likely to publicly voice their opinions on political issues
theconversation.com/self-censors...

Self-censorship and the ‘spiral of silence’: Why Americans are less likely to publicly voice their opinions on political issues

Nearly half of Americans say they feel less free to speak their minds.

theconversation.com

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Jorts (and Jean) @jortsthecat.bsky.social · Jul 6

I have seen some influencer accounts calling for various types of workers to go on strike, or suggesting a boycott the workers have not asked for.

Don’t do that. Listen to the workers

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Reposted by Linda Miles

NPR @npr.org · Jul 5

NPR has compiled a timeline of when local, state and federal officials posted warnings on social media as well as the timeline of events as presented by local officials.

Here's a timeline of the catastrophic Texas floods

NPR has compiled a timeline of when local, state and federal officials posted warnings on social media as well as the timeline of events as presented by local officials.

n.pr

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social · Jun 19

“I’m here today because this is something I can do against Trump. I lived during the Nazi time in Germany and they put me in a concentration camp,” he told interviewer Shannon Powell, co-founder of Indivisible Westchester. “Trump is trying to imitate Hitler. That’s what I’m afraid of.”

A Holocaust Survivor on Why Standing up to Authoritarianism Matters

Read more here.

www.democracydocket.com

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Linda Miles (she/her) @lmileslibrarian.bsky.social · Jun 16

“When I asked Stacy Schiff, the author of decorated biographies…about the notion of consulting A.I. on how to structure a piece of writing, she replied, ‘To turn to A.I. for structure seems less like a cheat than a deprivation, like enlisting someone to eat your hot fudge sundae for you.’”

A.I. Is Poised to Rewrite History. Literally.

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Linda Miles

TiggsCupcake @tiggsisacupcake.bsky.social · Jun 3

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Reposted by Linda Miles

NPR @npr.org · Jun 3

The federal government told states to turn over names, birthdates, Social Security numbers and other sensitive data about food assistance recipients. Amid a legal challenge, the agency says the request is on hold.

USDA says demand for sensitive food stamp data from states is on hold

n.pr

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Jamie Carter @jctheresistance.demcast.com · Jun 3

Here it is.

Step one to ban abortion nationwide.

We FUCKING told you this would happen.

FDA To Review Safety Of Abortion Pill After Junk Science Report Paved The Way
www.huffpost.com/entry/fda-to...

FDA To Review Safety Of Abortion Pill After Junk Science Report Paved The Way

Republicans have been laying the groundwork to undermine the safety of mifepristone for months, despite the drug's proven safety record.

www.huffpost.com

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · Jun 3

Loyalty tests have officially arrived in the federal hiring process. The Trump administration just unveiled a so-called “Merit Hiring Plan”, which includes a quiz asking job applicants to name their favorite Trump policy or executive order.

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · May 26

We will now raise our flags, beginning in ET and continuing across the country at noon, from half-staff to full-staff. This honors those we’ve lost in service and symbolizes our nation’s resolve to carry on the fight for freedom.

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Reposted by Linda Miles

The New Republic @newrepublic.com · May 26

“Never before in my life have I called for mass disruption. But I am now. These Republicans cannot know a moment of peace,” Democratic Illinois Governor JB Pritzker said.

This did not sit well in Trumpworld.

Elon Musk Joins MAGA Meltdown Over Democrat’s Call to Fight Trump

The right is freaking out after JB Pritzker demanded mass mobilization against Trump.

trib.al

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Reposted by Linda Miles

stevethdemocrat @stevethdemocrat.bsky.social · May 18

F'n Nazi.😒

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Bill Kristol @billkristolbulwark.bsky.social · May 18

“But, then, there’s reason to believe GOP leaders are trying their best not to make the legislation’s true nature clear to members—or the public, for that matter…The longer the debate goes on, the more indefensible those claims look.”

www.thebulwark.com/p/how-to-tak...

How to Take Medicaid from Millions of Americans, in Less Than 72 Hours

There’s a reason Republicans are in such a rush to get Trump’s “big, beautiful bill” through Congress.

www.thebulwark.com

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Reposted by Linda Miles

The Tennessee Holler @thetnholler.bsky.social · May 18

Question: Why would 🇺🇸 companies have to “eat them” if the other countries already pay them?

Answer: They don’t. Tariffs are a tax on us.
time.com/7285637/walm...

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Alt National Park Service @altnps.bsky.social · May 14

The Trump administration cut federal funding for a research project at Cornell University aimed at developing a heart pump designed for babies and children with congenital heart defects bringing the effort to a halt.

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Barbara Gordon @thebookwizard.bsky.social · May 12

As a queer femme librarian, is it surprising to see a mediocre white man elevated to a position he doesn’t deserve and isn’t qualified for?

Absolutely not.

It never ceases to be infuriating, though, and that this dude has absolutely NO qualifications is insulting to every single library worker

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Linda Miles (she/her) @lmileslibrarian.bsky.social · May 10

“The Pentagon continued its purge of anything related to diversity, equity and inclusion on Friday, ordering all military leaders, commands and academies to review all of the books in their libraries that address racism and sexism.” Gift article

Pentagon Furthers Crackdown on Diversity Policies With Fresh Order for Review of Library Books

www.nytimes.com

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Linda Miles (she/her) @lmileslibrarian.bsky.social · May 9

wha…? (Gift article)

Trump Officials Seek to Bring First White Afrikaner Refugees to U.S. Next Week

www.nytimes.com

Reposted by Linda Miles

Dan Chibnall @bookowl.bsky.social · May 9

Dr. Carla Hayden is a national treasure. To see her fired by a nitwit like Trump angers me beyond words. 📚

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Reposted by Steven S. Smith, Linda Miles

Daniel Schuman @americalabs.org · May 9

Dr. Carla Hayden, the 14th Librarian of Congress, was fired by Pres. Trump today according to a press statement from @morelle.house.gov. Only the Legislative Branch should make decisions about the hiring & removal of the Librarian of CONGRESS. This needs to be fixed asap.

Morelle’s Statement on Abrupt Firing of Dr. Carla Hayden, Librarian of Congress

WASHINGTON – Rep. Joe Morelle (NY-25), the top Democrat on the Committee on House Administration, issued this statement after Dr. Carla Hayden was fired from her duties as the Librarian of Congress:

“Tonight, President Trump fired a patriotic public servant. The Librarian of Congress, Dr. Carla Hayden, has spent her entire career serving people — from helping kids learn to read to protecting some of our nation’s most precious treasures. She is an American hero.

“President Trump’s ignorant decision will impact America’s libraries, our copyrighted economic interests, and service to the American people by threatening support for Congress. His decision is a complete disgrace.

“I will be introducing legislation to guarantee that the Librarian of Congress is appointed by Congress.”

Background:

Earlier this week, Ranking Member Morelle proclaimed in his opening statement during the Committee’s Library of Congress oversight hearing that it “doesn’t take much imagination to see the Library of Congress next in the crosshairs.” Watch the full opening statement here.

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Reposted by Safiya U. Noble, Linda Miles, Salla-Maaria Laaksonen

Hypervisible @hypervisible.blacksky.app · May 6

Oh yeah, but please tell me more about how this tech should infuse every aspect of education.

AI Shows Racial Bias When Grading Essays — and Can’t Tell Good Writing From Bad

Smith: Study finds ChatGPT replicates human prejudices and fails to recognize exceptional work — reinforcing the inequalities it's intended to fix.

www.the74million.org

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Secret Agent Number Six @designationsix.bsky.social · May 5

He pardons his most violent supporters but wants to re-open Alcatraz so he can put the rest of us in there.

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Reposted by Linda Miles

William Shakespeare @shakespeare.lol · May 5

The King is mad

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Jamie Carter @jctheresistance.demcast.com · May 4

I'm game. Who's with me?

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Reposted by Linda Miles

Democracy Docket @democracydocket.com · May 2

ICYMI: Trump took 11 legal losses last week. Conservative and liberal judges shut down his attacks on immigration, voting rights, and DEI.

More details here: www.democracydocket.com/news-alerts/...

Courts Handed Trump A Slew of Legal Losses This Week