Michael Rooney
@mr00ney.bsky.social
Philosopher by training. Co-author, with Richard L. Epstein, of Critical Thinking (5e). Eight-time winner on Jeopardy. Southern Californian. Sansei.
“Internet companies are given complete carte blanche. On the one hand, they may censor as much as they like. On the other hand, they are not responsible for anything they publish. And so we’ve not been able to think of them as publishers, which is what they are.”
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
New Books in Intellectual History
Society & Culture Podcast · Updated Daily · Interviews with Scholars of Intellectual History about their New Books
Support our show by becoming a premium member! https://newbooksnetwork.supportingcast...
podcasts.apple.com
November 12, 2025 at 7:39 PM
“Internet companies are given complete carte blanche. On the one hand, they may censor as much as they like. On the other hand, they are not responsible for anything they publish. And so we’ve not been able to think of them as publishers, which is what they are.”
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/n...
Beckett belongs to that category of writer whose sense best emerges when read aloud by sharp-witted performers. As Jennifer Hodgson says in the post-performance discussion here, he has a “mouth-feel” that is unmistakable.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
Jennifer Hodgson & Lara Pawson on Samuel Beckett
Podcast Episode · London Review Bookshop Podcast · 10/15/2025 · 1h 6m
podcasts.apple.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:33 AM
Beckett belongs to that category of writer whose sense best emerges when read aloud by sharp-witted performers. As Jennifer Hodgson says in the post-performance discussion here, he has a “mouth-feel” that is unmistakable.
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/l...
Just rewatched a 40th anniversary restoration print of Ran playing to a full house. His lead performance is an immortal Lear.
variety.com/2025/film/ob...
variety.com/2025/film/ob...
Tatsuya Nakadai, Japanese Film Legend That Starred in ‘Ran,’ ‘Harakiri’ and ‘The Human Condition’ Trilogy, Dies at 92
Tatsuya Nakadai, one of Japan's most celebrated actors who was a frequent collaborator of Akira Kurosawa and Masaki Kobayashi, died. He was 92.
variety.com
November 12, 2025 at 10:02 AM
Just rewatched a 40th anniversary restoration print of Ran playing to a full house. His lead performance is an immortal Lear.
variety.com/2025/film/ob...
variety.com/2025/film/ob...
The Dutch care more about honoring Black US soldiers than the current administration does. The “Heritage” Foundation at work:
www.dutchnews.nl/2025/11/call...
www.dutchnews.nl/2025/11/call...
Calls for permanent memorial in Limburg to black US liberators - DutchNews.nl
Provincial councillors in Limburg have called for a permanent memorial to black American servicemen to be erected next to the US war cemetery in Margraten after it emerged that panels commemorating th...
www.dutchnews.nl
November 12, 2025 at 8:13 AM
The Dutch care more about honoring Black US soldiers than the current administration does. The “Heritage” Foundation at work:
www.dutchnews.nl/2025/11/call...
www.dutchnews.nl/2025/11/call...
www.instagram.com/p/DQt0ZlEjJeh/
The heaps in Van Gogh’s “The Yellow House (The Street)” (1888) explained
The heaps in Van Gogh’s “The Yellow House (The Street)” (1888) explained
November 6, 2025 at 10:34 PM
www.instagram.com/p/DQt0ZlEjJeh/
The heaps in Van Gogh’s “The Yellow House (The Street)” (1888) explained
The heaps in Van Gogh’s “The Yellow House (The Street)” (1888) explained
Reposted by Michael Rooney
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
The Shutdown of U.S.A.I.D. Has Already Killed Hundreds of Thousands
The short documentary “Rovina’s Choice” tells the story of what goes when aid goes.
newyorkermag.visitlink.me
November 6, 2025 at 9:00 PM
One analytical model shows that, as of November 5th, the dismantling of U.S.A.I.D. has already caused the deaths of 600,000 people, two-thirds of them children. https://newyorkermag.visitlink.me/jUzNSc
Reposted by Michael Rooney
Alright, now that I'm not on the road - full thread on our new azhdarchoid phylogeny paper and what it means for pterosaurs big (like this one) and small! 1/23
November 5, 2025 at 6:31 PM
Alright, now that I'm not on the road - full thread on our new azhdarchoid phylogeny paper and what it means for pterosaurs big (like this one) and small! 1/23
Reposted by Michael Rooney
Wow it turns out the entire country is not permanently reactionary because Trump won an election by 1.5%
November 5, 2025 at 2:15 AM
Wow it turns out the entire country is not permanently reactionary because Trump won an election by 1.5%
Reposted by Michael Rooney
California Democrats’ proposal to redraw congressional districts to stymie President Trump’s agenda was approved by voters.
Read more at the link in bio where you can find our live coverage of the election ➡ www.latimes.com/california/l...
Read more at the link in bio where you can find our live coverage of the election ➡ www.latimes.com/california/l...
November 5, 2025 at 4:11 AM
California Democrats’ proposal to redraw congressional districts to stymie President Trump’s agenda was approved by voters.
Read more at the link in bio where you can find our live coverage of the election ➡ www.latimes.com/california/l...
Read more at the link in bio where you can find our live coverage of the election ➡ www.latimes.com/california/l...
I’m glad some Representatives are finally saying it publicly.
“Mike Johnson has effectively dissolved the United States House of Representatives because the President of the United States asked him to. That is insane, OK?”
www.cfr.org/event/conver...
“Mike Johnson has effectively dissolved the United States House of Representatives because the President of the United States asked him to. That is insane, OK?”
www.cfr.org/event/conver...
A Conversation With Representative Adam Smith
Representative Adam Smith discusses his vision for U.S. global engagement, defense, and diplomacy, and shares his insights as ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee.If you wish to atten…
www.cfr.org
November 4, 2025 at 7:02 AM
I’m glad some Representatives are finally saying it publicly.
“Mike Johnson has effectively dissolved the United States House of Representatives because the President of the United States asked him to. That is insane, OK?”
www.cfr.org/event/conver...
“Mike Johnson has effectively dissolved the United States House of Representatives because the President of the United States asked him to. That is insane, OK?”
www.cfr.org/event/conver...
On the periphery of L.A. County (e.g., Pomona and Bellflower), used Penguin Classics sell for $1 or less.
In Downtown or semi-gentrified Highland Park, they go for $6 to $8.
In Santa Monica, used bookstores can’t afford the rent.
In Downtown or semi-gentrified Highland Park, they go for $6 to $8.
In Santa Monica, used bookstores can’t afford the rent.
November 4, 2025 at 6:44 AM
On the periphery of L.A. County (e.g., Pomona and Bellflower), used Penguin Classics sell for $1 or less.
In Downtown or semi-gentrified Highland Park, they go for $6 to $8.
In Santa Monica, used bookstores can’t afford the rent.
In Downtown or semi-gentrified Highland Park, they go for $6 to $8.
In Santa Monica, used bookstores can’t afford the rent.
Reposted by Michael Rooney
Reposted by Michael Rooney
"40% of papers about subarachnoid haemorrhage in animals contained manipulated images."
We have to face up to the fact that in some fields, over half of published science might be fake.
We have to face up to the fact that in some fields, over half of published science might be fake.
40% dierstudies naar hersenbloedingen bevat afbeeldingen die niet kloppen, ontdekten René Aquarius en Kim Wever @radboudumc.bsky.social. Sommige artikelen zijn mogelijk geheel of deels verzonnen. Zorgwekkend, zegt ook @elisabethbik.bsky.social.
Voor @voxweb.bsky.social.
www.voxweb.nl/nieuws/honde...
Voor @voxweb.bsky.social.
www.voxweb.nl/nieuws/honde...
Nijmeegse wetenschappers ontdekken honderden mogelijk frauduleuze publicaties over hersenbloedingen bij dieren - Vox magazine
40 procent van de dierexperimentele studies naar hersenbloedingen bevat afbeeldingen die niet kloppen, ontdekten onderzoekers van het Radboudumc. Een deel van deze publicaties is mogelijk geheel of de...
www.voxweb.nl
November 1, 2025 at 9:11 PM
"40% of papers about subarachnoid haemorrhage in animals contained manipulated images."
We have to face up to the fact that in some fields, over half of published science might be fake.
We have to face up to the fact that in some fields, over half of published science might be fake.
Scientists, scholars, and artists have fled other countries en masse before, but noting that requires historical knowledge of the sort universities cultivate.
Some real galaxy-brain rationality from Silicon Valley oligarchs to help destroy what made their existence possible.
youtu.be/yLvO070E_dI
Some real galaxy-brain rationality from Silicon Valley oligarchs to help destroy what made their existence possible.
youtu.be/yLvO070E_dI
Top researchers consider leaving U.S. amid funding cuts: 'The science world is ending'
YouTube video by PBS NewsHour
youtu.be
November 1, 2025 at 5:05 AM
Scientists, scholars, and artists have fled other countries en masse before, but noting that requires historical knowledge of the sort universities cultivate.
Some real galaxy-brain rationality from Silicon Valley oligarchs to help destroy what made their existence possible.
youtu.be/yLvO070E_dI
Some real galaxy-brain rationality from Silicon Valley oligarchs to help destroy what made their existence possible.
youtu.be/yLvO070E_dI
“Body camera footage showed a different version of events, Smith said, with officers launching an unjustified assault on the man and others around him.” Quelle surprise.
And of course the City & LAPD are fighting rules that “prohibit officers from targeting journalists and nonviolent protesters.”
And of course the City & LAPD are fighting rules that “prohibit officers from targeting journalists and nonviolent protesters.”
LAPD captain claims city pushed misleading statement to justify police tactics at protest
LAPD captain claims city pushed misleading statement to justify police tactics at protest
A lawsuit filed by an LAPD captain offers a revealing look at the behind-the-scenes coordination — and friction — between police officials and the city attorney’s office.
www.latimes.com
November 1, 2025 at 4:58 AM
“Body camera footage showed a different version of events, Smith said, with officers launching an unjustified assault on the man and others around him.” Quelle surprise.
And of course the City & LAPD are fighting rules that “prohibit officers from targeting journalists and nonviolent protesters.”
And of course the City & LAPD are fighting rules that “prohibit officers from targeting journalists and nonviolent protesters.”
Reposted by Michael Rooney
Still LIfe - Vase with Red Gladiolas - 1886
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/13979
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/13979
November 1, 2025 at 4:20 AM
Still LIfe - Vase with Red Gladiolas - 1886
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/13979
https://botfrens.com/collections/46/contents/13979
Reposted by Michael Rooney
New incredible detail here: ICE says a match in its facial recognition app Mobile Fortify is a "definitive" determination of a person's status, and that this overrides birth certificates. This is an app ICE is using in the field to scan people
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
October 29, 2025 at 3:03 PM
New incredible detail here: ICE says a match in its facial recognition app Mobile Fortify is a "definitive" determination of a person's status, and that this overrides birth certificates. This is an app ICE is using in the field to scan people
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
www.404media.co/ice-and-cbp-...
Reposted by Michael Rooney
Argenteuil Bridge - 1874
https://botfrens.com/collections/41/contents/8614
https://botfrens.com/collections/41/contents/8614
October 29, 2025 at 11:00 PM
Argenteuil Bridge - 1874
https://botfrens.com/collections/41/contents/8614
https://botfrens.com/collections/41/contents/8614
Reposted by Michael Rooney
It literally took decades of advocacy to pass these reforms, which would have prevented prison phone and teleconferencing companies from ripping off inmates and their families to the tune of hundreds of millions annually
F.C.C. Changes Course on the Price of Prisoners’ Phone Calls
www.nytimes.com
October 29, 2025 at 1:26 AM
It literally took decades of advocacy to pass these reforms, which would have prevented prison phone and teleconferencing companies from ripping off inmates and their families to the tune of hundreds of millions annually
Reposted by Michael Rooney
I actually think this is worth dwelling on in the context of college "indoctrination"
Obviously there's some broad objection to Zohran (essentially) asserting that the Haitian Revolution was good. But the the anger is more fundamentally caused by the fact that he knows about it at all
Obviously there's some broad objection to Zohran (essentially) asserting that the Haitian Revolution was good. But the the anger is more fundamentally caused by the fact that he knows about it at all
Finally someone bold enough to ask, is new york ready for a mayor who opposes slavery? www.nytimes.com/2025/10/28/u...
October 29, 2025 at 1:00 AM
I actually think this is worth dwelling on in the context of college "indoctrination"
Obviously there's some broad objection to Zohran (essentially) asserting that the Haitian Revolution was good. But the the anger is more fundamentally caused by the fact that he knows about it at all
Obviously there's some broad objection to Zohran (essentially) asserting that the Haitian Revolution was good. But the the anger is more fundamentally caused by the fact that he knows about it at all
“North Idaho has dissolved its Cooperative Information Network, and interlibrary loan is currently shut down in the entire state of Florida. Tariffs have also stranded internationally loaned books … Trump’s politics of chaos chips away at public systems. The dysfunction is the point.”
I wrote about public libraries as spaces of civic solidarity, common knowledge, and public infrastructure — all endangered by commercial and federal saboteurs
Extralibrary Loan: Making the Civic Infrastructure We Need
Amid a war on public knowledge, libraries are pushing outward, enlarging the commons through new configurations of civic and creative life.
placesjournal.org
October 28, 2025 at 11:19 PM
“North Idaho has dissolved its Cooperative Information Network, and interlibrary loan is currently shut down in the entire state of Florida. Tariffs have also stranded internationally loaned books … Trump’s politics of chaos chips away at public systems. The dysfunction is the point.”
A truculent drunk on the last bus of the night just stopped ranting at the driver, overcome by the spirit of a Dodgers victory. I would expect riots in Toronto were they not Canadian
October 28, 2025 at 7:00 AM
A truculent drunk on the last bus of the night just stopped ranting at the driver, overcome by the spirit of a Dodgers victory. I would expect riots in Toronto were they not Canadian