Mahesh Somashekhar
@msoma.bsky.social
Asst Prof of Sociology at the U of Illinois-Chicago studying urban inequality, economic development, and gentrification. Supporter of small businesses until the end. http://maheshsomashekhar.com.
Reposted by Mahesh Somashekhar
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
November 18, 2025 at 7:16 PM
new paper by Sean Westwood:
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
With current technology, it is impossible to tell whether survey respondents are real or bots. Among other things, makes it easy for bad actors to manipulate outcomes. No good news here for the future of online-based survey research
The 2025 #SSHA conference is almost here! Come to both of my presentations. The first shows how gentrification has transformed LGBTQ organizations in gayborhoods. Gentrified gayborhoods commercialized, but non-gentrifying gayborhoods politicized in response. (1/2) @socscihistory.bsky.social
November 18, 2025 at 3:05 AM
The 2025 #SSHA conference is almost here! Come to both of my presentations. The first shows how gentrification has transformed LGBTQ organizations in gayborhoods. Gentrified gayborhoods commercialized, but non-gentrifying gayborhoods politicized in response. (1/2) @socscihistory.bsky.social
These days, the U.S.'s affordability crisis will be addressed, if not solved, locally rather than nationally. To provide concrete, attainable local solutions, @urbaninstitute.bsky.social has produced ideas for how to achieve an affordable future: www.urban.org/apps/policy-...
Policy Solutions for an Affordable Future
Everyday Americans are worried about the cost of living, and more than 60 percent feel prices are heading in the wrong direction. American life has become mo…
www.urban.org
November 11, 2025 at 2:02 PM
These days, the U.S.'s affordability crisis will be addressed, if not solved, locally rather than nationally. To provide concrete, attainable local solutions, @urbaninstitute.bsky.social has produced ideas for how to achieve an affordable future: www.urban.org/apps/policy-...
Tariffs and immigration enforcement are harming small businesses in the U.S., but they're absolutely destroying immigrant-owned ones. This new report highlights those harms and provides creative solutions some cities are using to address the problem. www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
Stabilizing Latino entrepreneurs amid federal policy volatility | Brookings
This report traces how policy volatility erodes stability, how geography shapes exposure to these shocks, and what states, cities, philanthropy, and the private sector can do to respond.
www.brookings.edu
October 31, 2025 at 2:48 PM
Tariffs and immigration enforcement are harming small businesses in the U.S., but they're absolutely destroying immigrant-owned ones. This new report highlights those harms and provides creative solutions some cities are using to address the problem. www.brookings.edu/articles/sta...
The Data Rescue Project is seeking volunteers to help it maintain HIFLD Open, which provides disaster preparedness data and geospatial resources that the U.S. government has discontinued access to. Please help them out! For more, see: www.datarescueproject.org/email/81e2e1...
DRP Rescuers Needed: Help with HIFLD
HIFLD Open, a one-stop shop for public, geospatial infrastructure data for the US, was discontinued on Aug 26, 2025. While most of the datasets hosted there are still available from the source agencie...
www.datarescueproject.org
October 20, 2025 at 2:34 PM
The Data Rescue Project is seeking volunteers to help it maintain HIFLD Open, which provides disaster preparedness data and geospatial resources that the U.S. government has discontinued access to. Please help them out! For more, see: www.datarescueproject.org/email/81e2e1...
Reposted by Mahesh Somashekhar
German far right setting agenda as opponents amplify its ideas, study finds www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
German far right setting agenda as opponents amplify its ideas, study finds
Normalisation of far-right stances likely to affect success of such parties at ballot boxes across Europe, say researchers
www.theguardian.com
October 18, 2025 at 7:13 AM
German far right setting agenda as opponents amplify its ideas, study finds www.theguardian.com/world/2025/o...
According to this article, a top Wall St analyst says the current AI stock market bubble will last 9 to 24 months more before it bursts. I don't know if that's true, but I found the article insightful, describing current economic events in the U.S. well. fortune.com/2025/10/07/a...
75% of gains, 80% of profits, 90% of capex—AI’s grip on the S&P is total and Morgan Stanley's top analyst is 'very concerned' | Fortune
The long bull market since 2022 is a "one-note narrative" since the explosion of ChatGPT, according to Lisa Shalett, CIO of Morgan Stanley Wealth Management.
fortune.com
October 15, 2025 at 3:25 PM
According to this article, a top Wall St analyst says the current AI stock market bubble will last 9 to 24 months more before it bursts. I don't know if that's true, but I found the article insightful, describing current economic events in the U.S. well. fortune.com/2025/10/07/a...
HAPPENING TODAY! Learn how to protect yourself from doxxing at the event below. The event caters to academics but is relevant to anyone concerned about being doxxed.
October 8, 2025 at 3:37 PM
HAPPENING TODAY! Learn how to protect yourself from doxxing at the event below. The event caters to academics but is relevant to anyone concerned about being doxxed.
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, @detentionwatchnetwork.org is hosting a virtual event to help folks in the U.S. learn how movements in El Salvador are fighting against authoritarianism and dictatorship. Registration link and more details can be found here: detentionwatchnetwork.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/d...
El Salvador & US: People's Resistance | Resistencia del Pueblo
El Salvador: Resistance to fascism, detention & US imperialism
detentionwatchnetwork.app.neoncrm.com
October 1, 2025 at 10:26 AM
On Tuesday, Oct. 7, @detentionwatchnetwork.org is hosting a virtual event to help folks in the U.S. learn how movements in El Salvador are fighting against authoritarianism and dictatorship. Registration link and more details can be found here: detentionwatchnetwork.app.neoncrm.com/np/clients/d...
If you or someone you know is a Chicago-area parent whose children are between 5 and 15, please consider taking part in this study to share your experiences parenting during COVID! As someone who parented during the pandemic, I know I have lots of stories I can share.
September 15, 2025 at 3:43 PM
If you or someone you know is a Chicago-area parent whose children are between 5 and 15, please consider taking part in this study to share your experiences parenting during COVID! As someone who parented during the pandemic, I know I have lots of stories I can share.
Concerned about racial profiling after the Supreme Court's decision to legalize it during immigration stops? Join a call TODAY at 7pm ET to learn more about the ruling as well as how you can help organize and protect vulnerable members of your community. Details here: www.mobilize.us/ndlon/event/...
National Emergency Call: The Supreme Court's Approval of Racial Profiling · National Day Laborer Organizing Network
The Supreme Court has lifted a lower court order that had temporarily halted the Trump Administration’s terrorizing raids in Los Angeles. The decision paves the way for racial profiling, false arrests...
www.mobilize.us
September 9, 2025 at 12:14 PM
Concerned about racial profiling after the Supreme Court's decision to legalize it during immigration stops? Join a call TODAY at 7pm ET to learn more about the ruling as well as how you can help organize and protect vulnerable members of your community. Details here: www.mobilize.us/ndlon/event/...
Reposted by Mahesh Somashekhar
New study using Baylor Religion Survey data finds nuanced links between Internet use and religiosity. Research by Laderi & Uecker suggests online gaming associated with holding atheist/agnostic beliefs; posting original content = more church attendance.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Types of Internet Activity and the Religious Commitment of American Adults
This study addresses the ongoing debate surrounding the connection between Internet use and religious identity, belief, salience, and practices. Using data from the 2021 wave of the Baylor Religion S....
onlinelibrary.wiley.com
September 4, 2025 at 2:10 AM
New study using Baylor Religion Survey data finds nuanced links between Internet use and religiosity. Research by Laderi & Uecker suggests online gaming associated with holding atheist/agnostic beliefs; posting original content = more church attendance.
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1111/...
Reposted by Mahesh Somashekhar
“The “silver tsunami” — the gradual exit of baby boomers from the housing market via downsizing, relocation or death — could significantly narrow the national supply gap.”
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
Opinion | Forget YIMBY. The housing shortage could disappear on its own.
Demographic shifts and construction surges are likely to resolve the housing crisis without federal intervention.
www.washingtonpost.com
September 3, 2025 at 1:59 PM
“The “silver tsunami” — the gradual exit of baby boomers from the housing market via downsizing, relocation or death — could significantly narrow the national supply gap.”
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
www.washingtonpost.com/opinions/202...
On Aug 28, as part of the conference below, I'll be presenting new work (co-authored w/ @ikennedy.bsky.social) on the geography of far-right retailers in the U.S.
ias.uva.nl/content/even...
To virtually attend, and to get the full schedule, contact @lauradupin.bsky.social. Hope to see you there!
ias.uva.nl/content/even...
To virtually attend, and to get the full schedule, contact @lauradupin.bsky.social. Hope to see you there!
Organizations and Urban Inequality - Institute for Advanced Study IAS
In this hybrid event prominent scholars from different disciplines (urban sociology, political science, management studies, geospatial studies, organizational studies) will discuss their upcoming contributions to an accepted forthcoming special issue of Urban Studies (eds. Floris Vermeulen, Laura Dupin and Mingshu Wang).
ias.uva.nl
August 22, 2025 at 7:38 PM
On Aug 28, as part of the conference below, I'll be presenting new work (co-authored w/ @ikennedy.bsky.social) on the geography of far-right retailers in the U.S.
ias.uva.nl/content/even...
To virtually attend, and to get the full schedule, contact @lauradupin.bsky.social. Hope to see you there!
ias.uva.nl/content/even...
To virtually attend, and to get the full schedule, contact @lauradupin.bsky.social. Hope to see you there!
Reposted by Mahesh Somashekhar
Good to see growing support for abduction or 'inference to the best explanation', recently by Spirling and Stewart in @thejop.bsky.social. This is...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
August 21, 2025 at 7:35 PM
Good to see growing support for abduction or 'inference to the best explanation', recently by Spirling and Stewart in @thejop.bsky.social. This is...
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
www.journals.uchicago.edu/doi/full/10....
Reposted by Mahesh Somashekhar
This is an incredible data source!
Musician and data whizz Chris Dalla Riva has painstakingly compiled over 100 datapoints for every US Billboard Hot 100 Number One song since August 4th 1958, and it's now freely available here:
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
docs.google.com/spreadsheets...
Billboard Hot 100 Number Ones Database
docs.google.com
August 17, 2025 at 2:34 PM
This is an incredible data source!
Conferencing in Chicago? Come to my presentation on the rise of Christian Nationalist retailing. My presentation is part of the Association for the Sociology of Religion Meeting, Monday at 1:15 in the Michigan Room. Other presenters include @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, Ryan Calder, & Courtney Irby!
August 10, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Conferencing in Chicago? Come to my presentation on the rise of Christian Nationalist retailing. My presentation is part of the Association for the Sociology of Religion Meeting, Monday at 1:15 in the Michigan Room. Other presenters include @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social, Ryan Calder, & Courtney Irby!
The ICE Detention Center Mapping Project is looking for volunteers to help contribute to a crowdsourced tracking website listing the locations of immigration detention centers, who runs them, and who may be held there. Details can be found here: www.unauthorizedcity.com/facilities
AJ Kim - ICE Detention Center Tracking Map — The Unauthorized City
Quarterly update on where detention centers are re-opening and how the numbers are increasing on a monthly basis. Use map to find addresses, total detainees, type of detention center, and other releva...
www.unauthorizedcity.com
August 4, 2025 at 3:03 PM
The ICE Detention Center Mapping Project is looking for volunteers to help contribute to a crowdsourced tracking website listing the locations of immigration detention centers, who runs them, and who may be held there. Details can be found here: www.unauthorizedcity.com/facilities
Reposted by Mahesh Somashekhar
Please join us for the following @asamigration.bsky.social events at #ASA2025 @asanews.bsky.social :
Sat, August 9th
1. Right-Wing Politics, Mobilities, and Immigrant Conservatism (co-sponsored w @asapolisoc.bsky.social ) 8:00 am to 9:30 am @sharonquinsaat.bsky.social & @thejesseyeh.bsky.social
Sat, August 9th
1. Right-Wing Politics, Mobilities, and Immigrant Conservatism (co-sponsored w @asapolisoc.bsky.social ) 8:00 am to 9:30 am @sharonquinsaat.bsky.social & @thejesseyeh.bsky.social
July 28, 2025 at 6:52 PM
Please join us for the following @asamigration.bsky.social events at #ASA2025 @asanews.bsky.social :
Sat, August 9th
1. Right-Wing Politics, Mobilities, and Immigrant Conservatism (co-sponsored w @asapolisoc.bsky.social ) 8:00 am to 9:30 am @sharonquinsaat.bsky.social & @thejesseyeh.bsky.social
Sat, August 9th
1. Right-Wing Politics, Mobilities, and Immigrant Conservatism (co-sponsored w @asapolisoc.bsky.social ) 8:00 am to 9:30 am @sharonquinsaat.bsky.social & @thejesseyeh.bsky.social
I also loved my conversation with @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social about the new research I’m doing w/ @ikennedy.bsky.social on Christian nationalist consumers. Read her Substack! If you want to read the full article that inspired our Q&A, the article can be found here: academic.oup.com/socrel/advan...
July 25, 2025 at 2:41 PM
I also loved my conversation with @ruthbraunstein.bsky.social about the new research I’m doing w/ @ikennedy.bsky.social on Christian nationalist consumers. Read her Substack! If you want to read the full article that inspired our Q&A, the article can be found here: academic.oup.com/socrel/advan...
If you study Latinos and are concerned about federal data being taken away, consider attending an Aug. 12th webinar held by the Latino Data Hub, which will introduce new users to its collection. Sign up here: ucla.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Welcome! You are invited to join a webinar: Exploring the 2025 Latino Data Hub Updates. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email about joining the webinar.
At a time when federal data systems are being defunded, decommissioned, or delayed, public access to reliable, community-level information has never been more critical.
Join the UCLA Latino Policy an...
ucla.zoom.us
July 21, 2025 at 2:53 PM
If you study Latinos and are concerned about federal data being taken away, consider attending an Aug. 12th webinar held by the Latino Data Hub, which will introduce new users to its collection. Sign up here: ucla.zoom.us/webinar/regi...
Reposted by Mahesh Somashekhar
New study finds that, of those sampled, 49% of federal datasets were altered since January 2025, and the vast majority of those alterations were neither explained nor documented.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
Data manipulation within the US Federal Government
A US Department of Veterans Affairs dataset compiling veteran health-care use in 2021
was quietly amended on March 5, 2025. A column titled gender was renamed sex, and
the words were also switched in ...
www.thelancet.com
July 13, 2025 at 3:38 PM
New study finds that, of those sampled, 49% of federal datasets were altered since January 2025, and the vast majority of those alterations were neither explained nor documented.
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
www.thelancet.com/journals/lan...
If you're a citizen who is concerned about ICE rounding up day laborers and imprisoning them, consider adopting a day labor corner to help provide legal resources to day laborers vulnerable to arrest.
Details on how to get started here: ndlon.org/adopt-a-day-...
Details on how to get started here: ndlon.org/adopt-a-day-...
Adopt A Day Labor Corner – NDLON
The National Day Laborer Organizing Network is calling on the public to Adopt a Day Labor Corner. Please submit your information here.
ndlon.org
July 11, 2025 at 7:29 PM
If you're a citizen who is concerned about ICE rounding up day laborers and imprisoning them, consider adopting a day labor corner to help provide legal resources to day laborers vulnerable to arrest.
Details on how to get started here: ndlon.org/adopt-a-day-...
Details on how to get started here: ndlon.org/adopt-a-day-...
Cities across Europe are getting rid of Microsoft products on their computers because they worry the company will give the U.S. government their data, or that Microsoft will stop their service at Trump's behest. www.zdnet.com/article/this...
This city is dumping Microsoft Office and Windows for OnlyOffice and Linux - here's why
A leading economic hub is replacing Windows and Microsoft Office with Linux and OnlyOffice.
www.zdnet.com
June 30, 2025 at 5:53 PM
Cities across Europe are getting rid of Microsoft products on their computers because they worry the company will give the U.S. government their data, or that Microsoft will stop their service at Trump's behest. www.zdnet.com/article/this...