T. Kenny Fountain
@tkennyfountain.bsky.social
Associate Professor of English, UVA. Scholar of rhetoric (old & current), studying conspiracy theory belief, disinformation, extremism, and visual media. Writing a book, Imagining Conspiracy Theories.
Pinned
Project MUSE - Presencing, Immersion, and Community: How Conspiracy Theory Belief Is Kindled Online
muse.jhu.edu
To all new followers, I'm a scholar of rhetoric who studies conspiracy theories and extremism. Writing a book, Imaging Conspiracy Theories. Most recent work is this co-authored article. "Presencing, Immersion, and Community: How Conspiracy Theory Belief Is Kindled Online" muse.jhu.edu/article/949121
This is another example of AI being used to replace reading and reflection. But it speaks to how much we crave interaction & immersive experience. We want a kind of involvement we can lose ourselves in, which ironically religion has been offering for millenia.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/tech/re...
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/tech/re...
People can text with Jesus on a controversial new app. How does it work?
Artificial intelligence app Text With Jesus lets users chat with biblical figures and it is raising debate over faith and technology.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com
November 15, 2025 at 2:06 PM
This is another example of AI being used to replace reading and reflection. But it speaks to how much we crave interaction & immersive experience. We want a kind of involvement we can lose ourselves in, which ironically religion has been offering for millenia.
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/tech/re...
www.nbcphiladelphia.com/news/tech/re...
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
I just don’t see how we can pretend even for a moment that anything involving our federal government is remotely normal when the president is covering up his involvement in a child sex trafficking ring. Like, what are we doing here
November 15, 2025 at 1:14 AM
I just don’t see how we can pretend even for a moment that anything involving our federal government is remotely normal when the president is covering up his involvement in a child sex trafficking ring. Like, what are we doing here
It's an intense time to be a faculty member at UVA!
November 15, 2025 at 1:50 AM
It's an intense time to be a faculty member at UVA!
The MAHA movement ("make America healthy again") is the most Orwellian double-speak feature of this entire administration.
"Excluding MPH and DrPH from the 'professional degree' category could restrict students’ access to higher federal loan limits, making public health education less financially attainable and potentially weakening the future workforce pipeline." Get ready to submit comments! aspph.org/department-o...
Department of Education Proposal Excludes Public Health Degrees from “Professional Degree” Definition
Discover the new results and implications of Dept of Ed consensus regarding professional degree programs and public health education.
aspph.org
November 14, 2025 at 1:30 PM
The MAHA movement ("make America healthy again") is the most Orwellian double-speak feature of this entire administration.
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
PANIC SETS IN
Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Todd Blanche, and others, plan on holding an EMERGENCY MEETING today on the Epstein Files as the discharge vote nears.
Rep. Boebert will reportedly be there.
It appears there is an all hands on deck effort to try to prevent a vote on the Epstein Files. (CNN)
Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Todd Blanche, and others, plan on holding an EMERGENCY MEETING today on the Epstein Files as the discharge vote nears.
Rep. Boebert will reportedly be there.
It appears there is an all hands on deck effort to try to prevent a vote on the Epstein Files. (CNN)
November 12, 2025 at 6:11 PM
PANIC SETS IN
Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Todd Blanche, and others, plan on holding an EMERGENCY MEETING today on the Epstein Files as the discharge vote nears.
Rep. Boebert will reportedly be there.
It appears there is an all hands on deck effort to try to prevent a vote on the Epstein Files. (CNN)
Pam Bondi, Kash Patel, Todd Blanche, and others, plan on holding an EMERGENCY MEETING today on the Epstein Files as the discharge vote nears.
Rep. Boebert will reportedly be there.
It appears there is an all hands on deck effort to try to prevent a vote on the Epstein Files. (CNN)
Any hope of a blue wave in 2026 is in jeopardy. Why would liberals, progressives, working people trust Dems to fight for them when they've shown they'll cave to the GOP? Dems fetishize conservative/independent voters, misunderstand how media works, & fear bold ideas. A party of anxiety & concession.
November 11, 2025 at 1:42 PM
Any hope of a blue wave in 2026 is in jeopardy. Why would liberals, progressives, working people trust Dems to fight for them when they've shown they'll cave to the GOP? Dems fetishize conservative/independent voters, misunderstand how media works, & fear bold ideas. A party of anxiety & concession.
Things will get much worse. Dems caved & gained nothing longstanding, except the resentment of their supporters who're angry at Dems for not recognizing the severity of the moment & not standing up against authoritarian tactics. This is not politics as usual.
In response to this claim that the "strategy didn't work."
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
The people were on our side. We were building momentum to help save our democracy. We could have won - the premium increase notices were just starting.
And giving in now will embolden him. Things will likely get worse.
November 11, 2025 at 1:26 PM
Things will get much worse. Dems caved & gained nothing longstanding, except the resentment of their supporters who're angry at Dems for not recognizing the severity of the moment & not standing up against authoritarian tactics. This is not politics as usual.
This is so incredibly naive. People don't watch Senate votes. They watch what the media tells them about those votes. And there is an entire far-right media ecosystem posed to ensure that this Dem compromise will blow up in their faces. They caved and lost everything.
Kaine on why he thinks just getting a vote on healthcare is a win: "We're the minority party, but everybody will get to see who is standing for them when it comes to lowering their healthcare costs"
November 11, 2025 at 1:10 AM
This is so incredibly naive. People don't watch Senate votes. They watch what the media tells them about those votes. And there is an entire far-right media ecosystem posed to ensure that this Dem compromise will blow up in their faces. They caved and lost everything.
Schumer, Kaine, and the other 7 Senators who gave the GOP exactly what they wanted with no guarantees in return must all go. Either, we need new party leadership or a brand to party. It is long overdue.
November 11, 2025 at 1:02 AM
Schumer, Kaine, and the other 7 Senators who gave the GOP exactly what they wanted with no guarantees in return must all go. Either, we need new party leadership or a brand to party. It is long overdue.
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
Wait, what???? "Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government." news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Shutdown Deal Would Let Senators Sue for Jack Smith Searches (1)
Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government...
news.bloomberglaw.com
November 11, 2025 at 12:13 AM
Wait, what???? "Senators whose phone records were sought by Special Counsel Jack Smith would gain authority to sue for millions in damages under a provision buried in the Senate-advanced deal to reopen the government." news.bloomberglaw.com/us-law-week/...
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
What is the point of a political party that will not fight for the people?
November 10, 2025 at 4:33 AM
What is the point of a political party that will not fight for the people?
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
I just can’t get over that they ruined millions of lives for some bullshit compromise that keeps a fascist regime in place that they will now hand trillions of dollars to.
November 10, 2025 at 12:05 AM
I just can’t get over that they ruined millions of lives for some bullshit compromise that keeps a fascist regime in place that they will now hand trillions of dollars to.
Half the senators who caved are retiring. The other half should all be primaried. Every single one. We need politicians who will fight. The tactics of 2016 no longer apply in 2025. We need leaders who understand this.
Chris Murphy: "There will be pretty substantial damage to a Dem brand that has been rehabilitated if on the heels of an election in which the people told us to keep fighting, we immediately stop... if we surrender without having gotten anything, I worry it'll be hard to get them back up off the mat"
November 10, 2025 at 1:08 PM
Half the senators who caved are retiring. The other half should all be primaried. Every single one. We need politicians who will fight. The tactics of 2016 no longer apply in 2025. We need leaders who understand this.
@noethematt.bsky.social is correct. I'm disappointed with my Senator for not realizing he's playing a losing game. It's time for new reps who are willing to fight for what matters and recognize that yesterday's tactics don't work today.
If the Dems blink after all of this, for a deal that all but ensures no ACA subsidies in 2026 anyway, then what was the purpose of letting the shutdown go for 40 days in the first place?
November 10, 2025 at 1:00 PM
@noethematt.bsky.social is correct. I'm disappointed with my Senator for not realizing he's playing a losing game. It's time for new reps who are willing to fight for what matters and recognize that yesterday's tactics don't work today.
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
Please stop falling for the MTG is a new person con.
Please.
Please.
November 6, 2025 at 4:32 PM
Please stop falling for the MTG is a new person con.
Please.
Please.
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
The Free Press is neither free nor the press. Discuss.
November 6, 2025 at 1:11 AM
The Free Press is neither free nor the press. Discuss.
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
Rewatching Zohran's victory speech bit by bit and it's hard not to be emotional about it - it's an appeal to hope and courage but also to the fundamental idea of living in society, together. Feels like we've been starved, often deliberately, of that kind of thinking
November 5, 2025 at 8:13 PM
Rewatching Zohran's victory speech bit by bit and it's hard not to be emotional about it - it's an appeal to hope and courage but also to the fundamental idea of living in society, together. Feels like we've been starved, often deliberately, of that kind of thinking
VA said "we've had enough!" This is a resounding victory for Democrats and an undeniable defeat for the GOP and Trump.
www.cbs19news.com/news/state/d...
www.cbs19news.com/news/state/d...
Democrats sweep all 30 House of Delegates seats in Northern Virginia, flip 13 seats statewide
Democratic candidates won all 30 of Northern Virginia's seats in the Virginia House of Delegates on Tuesday as the party was set to significantly expand its 51-49 majority in the
www.cbs19news.com
November 5, 2025 at 12:36 PM
VA said "we've had enough!" This is a resounding victory for Democrats and an undeniable defeat for the GOP and Trump.
www.cbs19news.com/news/state/d...
www.cbs19news.com/news/state/d...
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
The idea that machines will be as smart as—or smarter than—humans has hijacked an entire industry. But look closely and you’ll see it’s a myth that persists for many of the same reasons conspiracies do.
Read the story: www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1...
Read the story: www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1...
November 4, 2025 at 3:10 PM
The idea that machines will be as smart as—or smarter than—humans has hijacked an entire industry. But look closely and you’ll see it’s a myth that persists for many of the same reasons conspiracies do.
Read the story: www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1...
Read the story: www.technologyreview.com/2025/10/30/1...
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
F**k Rogan!
F**k Tate!
Where are all the articles on the PROGRESSIVE FEMALE INFLUENCERS???
F**k Tate!
Where are all the articles on the PROGRESSIVE FEMALE INFLUENCERS???
15 Women's Rights Influencers and Advocates Raising Awareness
Women’s rights influencers and advocates take to social media to fight for everything from equal rights to ending period poverty.
izea.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:30 AM
F**k Rogan!
F**k Tate!
Where are all the articles on the PROGRESSIVE FEMALE INFLUENCERS???
F**k Tate!
Where are all the articles on the PROGRESSIVE FEMALE INFLUENCERS???
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
For years, but especially for the past year, Democrats have been in thrall to the idea that they need to chase an imagined median voter, and adopt that voter’s positions. Mamdani’s victory shows another way: hold principles, and persuade people to share them.
I wrote about Zohran’s victory. www.theguardian.com/commentisfre...
Mamdani’s victory is a rebuke to the failed strategies of the Democratic party | Moira Donegan
The Democratic party appears listless and unprincipled, unwilling to fight because they do not believe in anything. Zohran Mamdani is the opposite of this
www.theguardian.com
November 5, 2025 at 6:13 AM
For years, but especially for the past year, Democrats have been in thrall to the idea that they need to chase an imagined median voter, and adopt that voter’s positions. Mamdani’s victory shows another way: hold principles, and persuade people to share them.
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
Watching Mamdani's victory speech, I'm struck by his—and his campaign's—unabashed vision of the US as an immigrant society, a culture built from the ground up from diversity. It is a complete rejection and reversal of the search for a white-washed homogeneity that the political right projects.
November 5, 2025 at 4:47 AM
Watching Mamdani's victory speech, I'm struck by his—and his campaign's—unabashed vision of the US as an immigrant society, a culture built from the ground up from diversity. It is a complete rejection and reversal of the search for a white-washed homogeneity that the political right projects.
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
What we know, final edition of the night:
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
November 5, 2025 at 6:48 AM
What we know, final edition of the night:
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
[Now in 3 parts]
—Prop 50 wins
—VA Dems flip Gov, LG, AG
—Dems gain leg seats in VA, NJ, & MS
—Dems defend NJ-Gov
—Dems win NJ+VA trifectas
—Mamdani wins
—PA Dems win state supreme court
—ME anti-mail voting measure loses
—GA Dems flip 2 statewide offices
Reposted by T. Kenny Fountain
I’m just a small-town political scientist, & it’s still relatively early, but it appears that The Actual Democrats did not Need To Do any of the Things or Learn any of the Obvious Lessons that Ezra Douthglesias said they Must Do & Learn.
November 5, 2025 at 2:08 AM
I’m just a small-town political scientist, & it’s still relatively early, but it appears that The Actual Democrats did not Need To Do any of the Things or Learn any of the Obvious Lessons that Ezra Douthglesias said they Must Do & Learn.