Russell T. McCutcheon
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mccutcheonsays.bsky.social
Russell T. McCutcheon
@mccutcheonsays.bsky.social

I’m University Research Professor in the Study of Religion and was a longtime Dept Chair but now teach, read, write, and have opinions on the fate of higher ed.

Russell Tracey McCutcheon is a Canadian religion scholar who earned a PhD in religious studies from the University of Toronto in 1995.

Source: Wikipedia
Political science 38%
Philosophy 26%

… and the abyss stared back.

It seems college administrators think their next job will be based on whether their cv says they made these cuts at their last job.

www.kcrg.com/2025/11/24/c...
Cornell College to cut courses, citing student enrollment and data
The college announced the change on Friday, citing student enrollment data and interest in the programs to make its decision.
www.kcrg.com
This dude on the train just said, out loud to the dude he was sitting with that everything about the US is better than here in Canada and proceeded to say "they don't pay any income tax down there" haha so, yeah, we have idiots up here as well. At least 3 people around us gave that guy the stink eye
My mom told her physical therapist she wears a mask because her husband and daughter are immunocompromised. The PT said she is too but isn't worried bc she knows if she dies she is going to heaven. Then her co-worker yelled, “Shut up Debbie you wear a seatbelt and take blood pressure meds” 👀
one of the coolest things about ChatGPT is how you can actually just never use it. you can fill your whole entire life with simply not once using it. it's incredible.

Thanks for the pic @vtouna.bsky.social — new edition hot off the press (not seen it yet) and at the @equinoxpub.bsky.social booth at #aarsbl25 in Boston.

From that other site.

A @chronicle.com reader wrote a post for our blog after seeing their recent coverage of the challenges currently facing our field.

religion.ua.edu/blog/2025/11...
Gains from Studying Religion
A parent and former CFO reflects on what he and his kids have gained from taking courses on religion in college
religion.ua.edu

A new review symposium on Drudgery Divine at 35.

Monday
I feel the same way about my field. The only answer I have found so far is to just create something (with other brilliant collaborators who are willing) so that what we do will continue to exist. But it is a very very heavy lift, and I'm starting to lose energy and hope, even in these efforts.

It just astounds me how ill-prepared (or unwilling?) we are to grapple with the practical conditions of our own profession.
Yes. Absolutely. And by centering the conversation on what's happening in HE, it would be even better to include effective ways to support student care and well-being.
a group of people applauding with barbarosgif written in the corner
ALT: a group of people applauding with barbarosgif written in the corner
media.tenor.com

“Personalized echo chamber” = monetization strategy. After all, the customer’s always right.
"Emotional conversations were also common in the conversations analyzed by The Post... In some chats, the AI tool could be seen adapting to match a user’s viewpoint, creating a kind of personalized echo chamber in which ChatGPT endorsed falsehoods and conspiracy theories."
How people really use ChatGPT, according to 47,000 conversations shared online
What do people ask the popular chatbot? We analyzed thousands of chats to identify common topics discussed by users and patterns in ChatGPT’s responses.
www.washingtonpost.com
"Emotional conversations were also common in the conversations analyzed by The Post... In some chats, the AI tool could be seen adapting to match a user’s viewpoint, creating a kind of personalized echo chamber in which ChatGPT endorsed falsehoods and conspiracy theories."
How people really use ChatGPT, according to 47,000 conversations shared online
What do people ask the popular chatbot? We analyzed thousands of chats to identify common topics discussed by users and patterns in ChatGPT’s responses.
www.washingtonpost.com

Just published, with 20 new entries + all of the original chapters. @equinoxpub.bsky.social

equinoxpub.com/projects/abs...

A new initiative from @seedpods.bsky.social — for programs in our field working to secure a place on their campus. Contact him for more info.

religion.ua.edu/blog/2025/11...
religion.ua.edu

Sunday vibes

“Whole kit and caboodle” used by the lady at the checkout in the student center today. Refreshingly old school.
I’m a product of big government. Everyone likes to shitpost the government. California taxpayers and the regents of the University of California saved my ass. fortune.com/2025/11/06/s...
Scott Galloway says he’s a product of big government: ‘Taking bets on unremarkable people pays off’ | Fortune
Galloway credits UCLA for his success, despite an initial rejection: “California taxpayers and the regents of the University of California saved my ass.”
fortune.com

Recent conversation with Raj on the future of the field now posted.

newbooksnetwork.com/our-primary-...
Russell T. McCutcheon, "Our Primary Expertise: A Future for the Study of Religion" (Rutgers UP, 2025) - New Books Network
newbooksnetwork.com

Camille & Jeff, our newest colleagues, staffing the dept table at the annual faculty research day, promoting digital work in the dept.

Poached from our Dept’s site
New ICE recruiting methods have resulted in half of this group of absolute winners failing AN OPEN BOOK TEST

Odd coz I thought the blue jays want to win and see the dodgers as being in their way.